CRITERIA FOR JUDGING
PICTURE POST CARDS

 

TREATMENT 30%
This aspect of the exhibit assessment should begin with the title page; it should define the scope of the subject and state what story will develop within the exhibit.  The subject should be well developed and cover all pertinent aspects of the story.  The exhibit should reflect the title and title page objectives.  The material chosen should be pertinent to the subject, necessary for its proper and full development and should not have repetition or padding.  The story development and material chosen should display a balance within the exhibit and should be a representative selection which is adequate to tell the story.  Did the exhibitor use the material and the text to make an interesting and compelling story?

RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE 30%
This section should be split evenly between the two separate aspects of the exhibit.

The Subject:  Implied knowledge is based upon the material chosen and explicit knowledge is based upon the correct and complete development of the story.  Research into the subject should utilize all informational resources to make a factual presentation of the subject.  Original research or personal study should be rewarded and by definition will be variable.  The lack of any such study should not be penalized particularly when dealing with a well-published subject.

The Cards:  The exhibitor should display knowledge about the cards above and beyond what is obvious to the observer.  Such information related to the cards themselves could but may not necessarily be stated include printer, photographer, method of printing, date printed, number in a series, etc.  This information may not be available but some should be included where possible.  Any original research on the cards should be noted by the exhibitor and rewarded by the judges.

CONDITION AND DIFFICULTY OF ACQUISITION 30%
This section should be split equally between the two aspects of the cards themselves.

Condition:  Cards should be free from obvious flaws and defects such as creases, tears, folds or stains.  The exceptions to the previous statement are for the extremely rare or unusual card that is required to either expand on the story or show difficulty of acquisition.  New or modern cards should be in pristine condition.  Some leeway should be allowed for real photo cards due to the nature of their production, but should still be sharp and focused.  Some rounding of edges on used cards should be expected having gone through the postal system.  Material should be in the best possible condition expected to exist for the period and conditions exhibited.  The more flawless and clean the cards, the higher the evaluation should be.

Difficulty of Acquisition:  Within the theme of the subject, the material should include that material that goes beyond the easiest to acquire.  This aspect of judging picture post cards will be the most difficult to evaluate and will rely upon the exhibitor to assist the jury in such information that he has acquired either by experience or by published data. 

PRESENTATION 10%
As is usual for any exhibit, the material presentation should be pleasing to the eye and encourage viewer attention.  The material on the pages should be well balanced and within the exhibit not be repetitious or tedious to the eye.  Creativity should be rewarded but artwork and fancy fonts should not detract from the material being shown.

EPILOG
A final note should be presented and that is a picture post card exhibit can take on almost any format that other exhibits can.  Exhibits may be structured on a specific topic similar to a thematic exhibit, may be geographical in nature, reveal a social aspect of people or historical events or be based upon specific manufacturers, artists, photographer, etc.  Just as any exhibit must display treatment, PPC exhibits are no exception; only the vector of the story is different.

Scoresheet is available in pdf format.