Rules for Shows in the World Series of Philately
Revision approved October 19, 2006
Also available in pdf format.

A. Certification
To become a certified World Series of Philately (WSP) show, a philatelic exhibition must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Application for Trial National (WSP) Exhibition Status
An organizing committee seeking certification of its exhibition as a WSP national philatelic exhibition must apply to APS National Headquarters, Director of Shows and Exhibitions, and the Chairman of the Committee for the Accreditation of National Exhibitions and Judges (CANEJ). The application must include:

• Name of the exhibition
• Date and location of the event
• Name and address of the general chairman
• Copies of the most recent exhibition prospectus, program, and list of award winners.

These two application recipients will jointly decide if trial status is to be granted. Factors considered include location, date(s), show history, facility and demonstrated capability and performance. Only one show from the same city and immediate surrounding suburbs will be is certified as a WSP event, excluding STAMPSHOW which may be held in a WSP city without prejudice to either show.

If approved, the show must comply with all general requirements of a World Series of Philately exhibition for four (4) years to qualify for certification.During these years, the show is a Trial Exhibition and its Grand Award winner is not eligible to compete in the WSP.

2. Application for Certification as National (WSP) Exhibition
After successful completion of the fourth year's event, the show’s organizing committee may apply through the Chairman of CANEJ to the APS Board of Directors for certification as a WSP show. The Board will consider the application and the recommendation of the Chairman of CANEJ and may approve that application if there is a vacancy in the Board-authorized limit of thirty-five WSP events.

3. Waiting List
When there is no vacancy in the thirty-five show limit, shows that have successfully met the requirements for certification and have the approval of the APS Board will be placed on a waiting list in order of the date of application for certification. Shows on this waiting list will be given WSP certification as slots become available, provided: Shows in waiting must continue to meet all general requirements for WSP exhibitions.

4. Continuity of Certification
Once certified, a WSP exhibition retains its certification if it continues to meet all general requirements for exhibitions.

B. General Requirements of Exhibitions

1. Annual Exhibition
The exhibition must be an established and recognized major show that takes place annually.

If a show is held more than once during an exhibiting year, only one of the shows shall be eligible to send its Grand Award winner to the WSP for that year.

EXCEPTION: A WSP show may request a one-year bye from the APS Board. The request must present in detail the circumstances, conditions and supporting reasoning, and shall be submitted to the CANEJ Chairman for first consideration and action recommendation to the APS Board.

2. Exhibition Dates
Before finalizing show dates or date changes, the Exhibition Committee must secure the approval of the APS Director of Shows and Exhibitions to avoid conflicting with other WSP show dates. In the event of conflicting dates, a show may request the APS Board to grant permission for two shows on the same dates within 1,000 miles of one another.

If unforeseen circumstances force a date change with short notice, the APS Director of Shows and Exhibitions must be consulted for new dates that minimize conflicts.

3. Exhibition Management
WSP events must maintain a general level of excellence in all aspects of show management. General guidelines for achieving this include:

a. A diverse bourse from around North America (and abroad, if desired) offering a wide range of material for sale that will appeal to collectors at all levels and make the show a desirable place to visit. It is recommended that APS dealer-members in good standing be given preference for WSP show booth space.

b. An appropriate venue, with adequate bourse and exhibit space, meeting rooms, parking, security, HVAC, lighting, convenient refreshment, dining and lodging services appropriate to a convention.

c. Publicity for the event that is timely, informative and widely distributed.

d. A show awards event of a type and standard that gives proper recognition to those being honored, especially exhibitors and show committee/workers. An evening banquet is not required but a palmares (awards list) is mandatory.

e. Medal-level awards (in addition to ribbons and certificates) of a quality and style appropriate to a National level exhibition.

f. Seminars, programs and society meetings for show attendees that have depth, breadth, quality and diversity.

g. Participation by the APS, one or more national societies and/or local stamp clubs (e.g., a society table with literature, meetings and seminars, social events and/or exhibits and special awards).

h. A show program (more than a minimal list of exhibits and dealers).

4. Duration

a. Events qualifying after 1997 must be three-day events. Currently qualified shows of only two days' duration are encouraged to expand to three days if and when possible.

b. A WSP show may request an exception to have a two-day show rather than its usual three-day show. The request must be submitted to the APS Board through the Chairman of CANEJ and must present sound and justified reason for the exception. The APS Board will consider the request and its decision shall be final.

5. Exhibit Classes
Five classes of exhibits may be offered at WSP shows:

• General Class
• One Frame Class
• Youth Class
• Philatelic Literature Class
• Non-Competitive Class.

Within General Class are the following Divisions:

a. Postal Division: Includes exhibits of the following types: Traditional, Postal History, Aerophilately, Astrophilately, Postal Stationery and Special Studies.

b. Revenue Division: Includes exhibits of the following types: Traditional Revenue, Revenue History and Special Studies.

c. Thematic Division

d. Display Division: Includes Display Exhibits and Social Philately Exhibits.

e. Illustrated Mail Division: Includes exhibits of Advertising Covers, Patriotic Covers, Corner Cards, Cacheted or Commemorative Covers, First Day Covers, and Maximaphily (Maximum Cards).

f. Cinderella Division: Includes exhibits of Charity Stamps (e.g., Christmas seals, charity seals, wildlife conservation stamps), Promotion Stamps, Poster Stamps and other types of Cinderella material not included in any other Division.

General Class exhibits will make up the bulk of a WSP show. Within General Class, Postal Division must be offered at WSP shows as a minimum requirement.

WSP shows are encouraged to either offer all other divisions as they provide diversity and range, encourage participation and inspire interest and viewing, or choose to limit the show to one or two Divisions in addition to Postal Division. To assure broad national appeal, shows must strive for diversity in subjects shown.

Provided these minimum requirements are maintained, show committees may accept or reject exhibits based on the number of available frames, the requests of convening specialist societies, the wish to balance the show, or other specific needs the show wishes to fulfill.

WSP shows are encouraged to accept exhibits in Youth Class and may accept exhibits in One Frame Class.

Philatelic Literature Class is only offered at selected shows and requires use of a separate, specialized jury.

6. Exclusion of Exhibits Based on Division
Any show that wishes to exclude exhibits based on Division must request permission in advance from the Chairman of CANEJ, except:

National Topical Stamp Show, restricted to thematic exhibits

Americover, restricted to First Day Covers and Illustrated Mail

APS Ameristamp Expo, a non-WSP nationally accredited show, primarily features one-frame exhibits, divisions as approved by the APS Board of Directors, and experimental classes as approved by CANEJ.

7. Creative or Innovative Exhibiting
Any show wishing to exercise more flexibility or innovation, such as invitational exhibits, experimental classes or other original types of exhibits, must seek permission from CANEJ.

8. Exhibit Size and Number
Exhibitors are limited to a maximum of two competitive multi-frame exhibits of not more than ten 16-page frames (160 8½ x 11 pages) each, for a maximum total of twenty frames. Oversized pages may be exhibited but the maximum space allocation is ten frames per exhibit.

Shows may restrict exhibits to one per exhibitor and may establish minimum and maximum frame allocations.

Exhibits that require special frames or configurations of frames may be entered at the discretion of the show committee.

9. Total Exhibits
A WSP show must present at least 2,500 pages (156 frames) of philatelic material. Of this, at least 2,000 pages (125 frames) must be in competition unless special permission has been granted ahead of time by CANEJ.

WSP shows must seek a venue and utilize recruiting techniques that allow them to easily exceed this minimum of 156 - 16-page frames.

WSP shows having a total of 40 or more competitive exhibits from any Division or Class must limit the number of adult One Frame Exhibits to not more than twelve (12). WSP shows with a total of fewer than 40 competitive exhibits from any Division or Class may have not more than fifteen (15) One Frame Exhibits.

Twenty frames maximum in a Court of Honor may be counted as part of the frame count for WSP show certification purposes.

10. Medal Awards
Five levels of award (Gold, Vermeil, Silver, Silver Bronze, and Bronze) shall be available to all competitive exhibits that are judged according to national level WSP standards.

Noncompetitive exhibits may be given a token of appreciation at the sole discretion of the exhibition committee.

11. Court of Honor
Court of Honor exhibits shall be awarded an honorary Gold show medal or other equivalent.

An exhibit transferred out of competition after having won a Grand Award at WSP show within the same Champion of Champion qualifying year is considered to be a Court of Honor exhibit and shall receive a Gold show medal or equivalent.

12. Grand Award
A Grand Award shall be awarded at each WSP show, selected from any multiframe competitive exhibits entered in General Class, as determined by the jury. A Reserve Grand, determined in the same manner, shall be awarded to the second best exhibit in the show; or, if desired by the show committee, multiple Reserve Grands may be awarded by the jury. Special prizes shall be determined by the jury in accordance with established criteria.

13. Judges’ Critique
Organizers must provide program time and an appropriate and properly prepared space for a judges' critique of the exhibits during show hours, preferably on Saturday afternoon. The event must be listed in the show program.

14. APS Judging Seminar
Time and space shall be provided for an APS Judging Seminar(s) as arranged for by the CANEJ. Presenters of judging seminars shall be approved by the CANEJ Chairman. The event(s) should be listed in the show program.

15. APS Recruiting Booth
All WSP shows must provide, at no charge, an APS recruiting booth of at least normal dealer booth size in a location easily accessible to visitors entering the show.

16. Pre-Approval of Judges
A WSP show must submit (preferably on a CANEJ form) its proposed panel of judges (with, if desired, a recommendation of who is to serve as jury chair) to the Chairman of CANEJ at least six months before the show dates. While this regulation does not preclude preliminary contact with prospective jurors, the CANEJ Chairman must approve the proposed panel before “official” invitations are issued to any of the jury.

Any changes to or additions to the jury after approval by the Chairman of CANEJ must also be approved.

The Chairman of the CANEJ reviews the proposed panel to determine:

a. That all jurors are properly qualified.
b. That a balanced panel with varied expertise has been selected.
c. That the needs of specialty societies meeting at the show are met.
d. Whether there is an individual on the proposed panel qualified to serve as jury chairman. The selection of a jury chairman will be in accord with the show committee's expressed wishes if possible, but the final determination is reserved to the Chairman of the CANEJ.

17. Exhibition Report
The WSP show must submit, within thirty (30) days of the end of the show, the following items to both the Chairman of CANEJ and the APS Director of Shows and Exhibitions.

a. Completed WSP report on the show on a CANEJ-provided form.
b. Copy of the exhibit prospectus.
c. Copy of the program.
d. Copy of the palmares.

18. No Restraint of Trade
No World Series of Philately show may enter into any agreement with dealers that results in a restraint of trade or granting of a monopoly. While uniform criteria may be required to select which dealers shall have space, the criteria shall not prevent a dealer from selling items similar to that of another dealer. No dealer may be given the exclusive right to buy and sell any given product, e.g., first day covers, Nepalese stamps, or philatelic literature.

19. Youth Philately
The APS encourages all WSP shows to establish, publicize and staff a booth / table / area devoted to the encouragement of youth and other beginners, with free literature, inexpensive or free stamps and appropriate activities that teach hobby fundamentals.

C. Exhibitor Requirements

1. Status
Exhibitor must be a person or a private (personal) corporation.

Each exhibit entered in competition must be the property of either the individual exhibitor or members of an immediate family (spouses, parent-child, brother-sister).

Each exhibit must be based upon a single collection, not two separate collections melded for purposes of exhibit.

Joint owner exhibits must be entered as such in all cases, not to exceed the 10-frame maximum as outlined in B-8. This counts as one exhibit for each of the joint owners.

2. Participation of Grand Award Winner in WSP
All Grand Award winners at WSP shows are expected to enter their winning exhibit in the next Champion of Champions competition held at APS STAMPSHOW. Traditionally the exhibition year runs from July 1 to June 30 but this may vary slightly at the discretion of the APS Director of Shows and Exhibitions to accommodate WSP shows and the needs of STAMPSHOW.

Exhibits entered in the APS STAMPSHOW Champion of Champions competition may not exceed ten 16-page frames. The exhibit may be amended between the winning of the qualifying Grand Award and entry into the WSP competition.

3. Prior Grand Award Winner in Current Year
A Grand Award-winning exhibit in a WSP show is not eligible to enter competitively in another WSP show in the same exhibition year. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to notify the show committee that a previously accepted exhibit must be withdrawn from competition due to its having won a Grand Award, but the exhibit may be placed in a Court of Honor.

4. International Award Winners
An exhibit that has won either a Grand Prix National or International Award or three Large Gold awards in FIP-patronage International exhibitions, or has been exhibited in the FIP Championship Class is ineligible to compete in any WSP show or in the Champion of Champions competition. Such exhibits are welcome in a Court of Honor.

5. Purchased Exhibit
An exhibit that is purchased intact may not be exhibited intact in competition at a WSP show for two years from the date of purchase. This rule does not apply to exhibits substantially altered by the addition of new material and text. CANEJ shall determine whether an exhibit is in or out of competition, should that become an issue under this rule, and its decision is final.

D. Judging Requirements

1. APS-Accredited Judges
Only APS-accredited judges and APS-approved apprentices may serve at WSP exhibitions. In addition to APS-accredited judges, foreign nationals may judge at APS WSP shows according to existing reciprocity agreements, limited to not more than two judging assignments at WSP shows within a calendar year. The APS recognizes judges accredited by FIP who are members of the APS.

2. Jury
The usual jury for a WSP show is five accredited judges and up to two apprentices. A request to increase those numbers may be approved in advance by the Chairman of CANEJ. A ratio of at least two accredited judges for every apprentice judge must be maintained. An additional judge is required if there are more than 60 exhibits or 350 frames.

3. Apprentice Judges
Apprentice judges' medal level votes and nominations for special prizes are solicited for purposes of evaluating their abilities, but their opinions do not count in the awarding of medal levels or special awards

4. Judges’ Residency
At least 60% of the jury members should live outside the metropolitan area of the exhibition site.

5. Judges’ Compensation
Compensation for accredited judges shall be:

a. Free entry to the show
b. Complimentary tickets to the awards banquet (or other awards ceremony) for the judge and accompanying spouse or guest

c. Minimum of $250 for expenses to each judge who travels more than thirty

(30) miles to the show. If more than 4,800 pages (300 frames) are shown, the minimum shall be $300 for accredited judges.

d. Compensation for apprentices shall not be less than free entry to the show and a complimentary ticket to the awards event.

E. Loss of WSP Certification

1. Automatic Loss of Certification
Loss of WSP Certification will occur automatically if any one of the following occur:

a. A show fails to attain the required page count for either two consecutive years or twice within a five year period. An exception may be granted if prior approval is obtained from CANEJ.
b. A show fails to provide its required reports before the next scheduled staging of the exhibition.

c. A show fails to submit its jury list for approval prior to the staging of the exhibition at which they will serve.

2. Action on WSP Certification by APS Board
The APS Board of Directors may, in at its sole discretion, withdraw or suspend WSP certification or place a show on probation, if any one of the following occur:

a. A show establishes a pattern of late and/or incomplete required reporting.

b. A show does not maintain the National status of its exhibition and exhibition-related activities.

c. A show does not maintain the level of excellence expected of a WSP show.

d. A show places itself on dates already announced to by the APS for another WSP show within 1,000 miles distance.