Competitions

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2024 - 2025

The Caledonian Philatelic Society runs a number of philatelic competitions to encourage members to develop research and upgrade the presentation of their collections. The competitions are geared towards both the new and also the experienced philatelist. It is an ideal opportunity for the less experienced collector to gain initial experience of what is required for competition and exhibiting.

Competitions are held on an annual basis. For each trophy a list of the winners is shown. Where there are missing years there were no entrants.

Many of the club’s more eminent philatelists have gone on to win prizes at National and International level - club competition was their starting point. In addition to comments from the judge, fellow members will be pleased to provide advice, tips and encouragement. The rules of the various competitions are outlined below or can be obtained from the Secretary.

Competition Rules

The following trophies are awarded to the winners of the Society’s annual competitions. The entries for these competitions are judged by two ABPS accredited judges, who are not members of the Society. Entries are judged before the Competition night and feedback is provided to the entrants on that night. The criteria for each completion class is based on those of the Association of Scottish Philatelic Societies (ASPS) and more detail and extracts from ASPS rules and guidance on the requirements is shown under each trophy description.

To see the details of each category and rules as well as lists of previous winners click on the links below.

1. Frank Brown Rose Bowl
2. Fairbairn Salver
3. Jean M. Campbell Trophy
4. Merrylees Trophy
5. Bill Colley Trophy
6. Julia MacLeod Trophy
7. Cinderella Trophy
8. Rules applicable to the above competitions
9. Submission of entries
10. The President’s Cup
11. Rules for the President’s Cup Competition
12. The Caledonian Rose Bowl

Frank Brown Rose Bowl

General or specialised collections of stamps issued before 1st January 1940.

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Fairbairn Salver

General or specialised collections of stamps issued on or after 1st January 1940.

For both of these trophies material can be specialized or non-specialized and can include studies, proofs and essays. It can also include fiscal, revenue and other non-postal stamps, (experimental, locals, telegtaphs etc.). For the purposes of this competition these latter items are defined as material not recognised for the international transmission of mail but accepted as being used locally or generally for the transmission of messages and packages, e.g. local, railway or telegraph or for the collection of non-postal revenue.

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Jean M. Campbell Trophy

Postal History including pre-adhesives, used stamps and postal history, postal markings, cancellations etc.. Mint stamps and unused postal stationery are not normally included.

Entries in this class can include items on rates and routes and studies of markings and marcophily (the specialised study and collection of postmarks, cancellations and postal markings applied by hand or machine).

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Merrylees Trophy

Study of a subject or theme as depicted on stamps and other philatelic material.

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Bill Colley Trophy

Study of philately prepared for and conveyed by airmail, whether official or unofficial. Exhibits which consist solely of airmail stamps will also be judged in this class.

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Julia MacLeod Trophy

Picture postcards depicting a subject or theme.

An exhibit can have a geographical (topographical) treatment, including for example illustrations from a place or an area. It can also be developed thematically. An event may be shown as a form of reportage, or the exhibit may have the photographer, the artist, or the printer as the topic. Original thinking and creativity may also lead to different treatments of an exhibit.

The size, shape and material of the Picture Postcards may vary. The emphasis is on the picture, and not on the use or philatelic peculiarities (if present). Picture Postcards may be unused or used (sent through a mail system). Unused Picture Postcards should have printed address lines, stamp box, or other such markings, showing that the item was intended to be sent without cover.

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Cinderella Trophy (Sam Sankus Trophy)

This may include local stamps, telegraph stamps, railway stamps, revenues/fiscals, forgeries, bogus and phantom issues. Christmas, Red Cross, TB and other charity seals, registration labels, advertisement and exhibition labels etc.

However, things such as trade, cigarette and telephone cards (unless the image of a stamp is incorporated in the design), matchbox or cheese labels, aerial propaganda leaflets, and other forms of ephemera like emergency money are not considered as Cinderella items for this purpose.

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Rules applicable to the above competitions

1. Only Society members may enter.
2. No less than 8 and no more than 16 sheets are required.
3. No more than one entry per member per competition is permissible.
4. Two ABPS accredited judges, who are not members of the Society, shall be appointed by the Committee. Entries will be judged before the Competition night but the judges will provide feedback is provided to the entrants on that night.
5. The judges shall have the power to allocate marks to each entry as they see fir and their decision shall be final. Awards may be withheld if the best entry fails to meet an acceptable standard.
6. No entry that has previously received an award is eligible for competition.

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Submission of entries

There are no entry forms. All that is required is the submission of entries to the Secretary on or before the last Society meeting in January, unless otherwise indicated at Society meetings.

Members are encouraged to look at the rules and advice provided by ASPS with a view to entering competitions at that level.

See https://www.scottishphilately.co.uk/rules.php (National Exhibition - Advice to Exhibitors) which provides useful advice for creating exhibits even if you are only interested in entering the Society competitions.

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The President’s Cup

This is awarded to the best competition entry of no less than 16 sheets by a member who has not previously won an award in Society competitions (including this cup). All relevant entries to all competitions will automatically be considered for this award. An award will only be made if there is an entry of an acceptable standard.

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Rules for the President’s Cup Competition

General rules 1, 2 and 3 above apply.

1. Judging will be carried out by members present on Competition Night.
2. The award may be withheld if none of the entries are of sufficient merit.
3. An entry which has received this award shall not again be eligible for this competition, but may be entered in subsequent years for one of the other Society Trophies.

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The Caledonian Rose Bowl

The Caledonian Rose Bowl is awarded each year for the best display given to the Society by a Society Member. Judging of displays will be made by the immediate past President and two other member of the Society. Eligibility for this award can be either a full display (2 rounds) or a half display (1 round).

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