Awards
On this page we will report on the experiences that fish and game collectors have showing their material at organized philatelic shows. Although the page will focus on National and International results, we welcome information from local and regional shows as well. Please contact us by email after the show and include a copy of or link to the Show Palmares (the official show results).
Westpex 2015
WESTPEX is one of the venerable World Series of Philately shows that began in 1960. It has always been held in or near the city of San Fransisco, California. The show is very well organized, presented in a beautiful venue and is a first class production throughout. For many philatelists, it is a highly anticipated event and in 2015 included the annual meetings for both The American Revenue Association and The State Revenue Society.
For collectors of fish and game stamps, the 55th annual event held the even greater prospect of witnessing the debut of Will and Abby Csaplar's new exhibit, A License and Stamp System for Waterfowl Conservation in the 20th Century U.S. A double treat was in store for located just across the isle from the Csaplar's exhibit was Michael Jaffe's Waterfowl Hunting Permit Stamps: Federal, State & Tribal.
After making the long trip from the Northeast the Csaplars were rewarded by being presented with a WESTPEX gold medal and the prestigious American Revenue Association Grand Award! The Csaplars also received the American Philatelic Society Award of Excellence: 1940-1980, The California Collectors Club Award for [the] Best Twentieth Century Exhibit, The American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors Novice Award, The American Revenue Association Gold Award and The State Revenue Society Gold Award. Not bad for the first time out.
Michael Jaffe received a WESPEX Gold Award, The American Revenue Association Gold Award and the State Revenue Society Gold Award. All in all, a tremendous weekend for collectors of fish and game stamps.
APS StampShow 2015
The annual APS StampShow is traditionally the largest philatelic show held in the U.S. (except for once every ten years when an International show is hosted on U.S. soil). The site selected for the 2015 show was Grand Rapids, Michigan. The venue was the fabulous DeVos Place Convention Center.
Fish and game collectors were represented by Will and Abby Csaplar's A License and Stamp System for Waterfowl Conservation in the 20th Century U.S. Their outstanding exhibit received The American Philatelic Society Gold and Reserve Grand Awards! The Csaplars also received the United States Stamp Society Statue of Freedom Award, The American Revenue Society Gold Award and The Tami and Eric Jackson Best Revenue Exhibit Award. Congratulations to Will and Abby!
Chicagopex 2015
The Chicago Philatelic Society is one of the oldest philatelic organizations in the U.S., founded in 1886. In November the society puts on its annual show, Chicagopex. The show is a favorite meeting place for serious collectors and exhibitors and the 2015 show was no exception. Among the exhibits were no less than 11 that had previously won a National Grand Award or National Reserve Grand Award. One long time judge said he had never seen anything like it and that the number of outstanding exhibits was unprecedented.
Once again, fish and game collectors were represented by Will and Abby Csaplar's A License and Stamp System for Waterfowl Conservation in the 20th Century U.S. This was the first time the exhibit was being shown in eight frames (down from ten) as the judges wanted the Csaplars to start preparing for the upcoming International show, New York 2016.
The judges loved the exhibit, however, the stiff competition prevented the Csaplars from walking away with any of the top awards. They received a Chicago Philatelic Society Gold Award and an American Revenue Association Gold Medal as the top revenue exhibit. Thank you to the Csaplars for representing fish and games stamps with distinction in the midst of the unprecedented competition.
Sarasota National Stamp Exhibition 2016
The show put on by the Sarasota Philatelic Club is one of the highlights of the winter calendar. For starters, it is held in Florida in February – who could ask for more? The Sarasota show is both fun and educational, for a surprisingly large number of serious philatelists and several International Judges call Sarasota home. Once again, fish and game collectors were represented by the Csaplars.
For this particular show, the judges requested the Csaplars reduce the size of their exhibit to five frames, the maximum for a first time International exhibit. New York 2016 was fast approaching and the judges wanted to be able to advise the Csaplars in the five frame format. A number of International Judges weighed in with valuable suggestions and the Csaplars received a Sarasota Philatelic Club Gold Award, an American Revenue Association Gold Award and a State Revenue Society Gold Award.
Westpex 2016
Westpex 2015 was an exciting event for collectors of waterfowl and fish and game stamps as it was the chosen debut for Michael Jaffe's new exhibit: A Philatelic Survey of U.S. Waterfowl Hunting Jurisdictions. The exhibit was very well received, being awarded a Westpex gold medal and the Collector's Club of Chicago Award of Merit.
Congratulations to Michael and thank you for taking the time to create another great exhibit to represent fish and game collectors. Michael received several positive comments from the judges, one saying that in his opinion it was "one of the five best exhibits in the show". This is a pretty heady statement, seeing as the venue was Westpex – easily one of the top three National shows in the U.S. It appears the future is bright for yet another new fish and game stamp exhibit!
World Stamp Show NY 2016
World Stamp Show NY 2016 proved to be a watershed moment for collectors of fish and game stamps and especially for collectors waterfowl stamps. Will and Abby Csaplar's A License and Stamp System for Waterfowl Conservation in the 20th Century U.S. was entered as a five frame exhibit. Going into the show the Csaplars were hoping for a Large Vermeil, which would allow them to expand to eight frames in future international exhibits. They were pleasantly surprised to find the international jury really enjoyed their exhibit and they were awarded 92 points with felicitations.
The 92 points translates into the first gold medal in international competition for fish and game stamps in 17 years and the first for a waterfowl stamp exhibit (all of my earlier exhibits included other fish and game stamps). What is so remarkable about this achievement is that it was accomplished on the first time out! Previously, it had taken me five attempts over a period of several years.
The award of felicitations is a relatively rare occurrence in international competition that is awarded at the discretion of the jury for those exhibits demonstrating outstanding philatelic research or originality. This is quite an honor and the Csaplars should feel proud, as should all of us that collect fish and game stamps for the day has finally come when the stamps we love – and which were for decades seen as a fringe element of organized philately – are now seen as equals.
The future is getting brighter for fish and game stamps all the time. So for all of you that share our passion, have fun with it. To Will and Abby Csaplar, congratulations and thank you so much for your continued efforts to advance our hobby. We greatly appreciate it.
APS StampShow 2016
Kay and I just got back from taking in the annual APS StampShow which was held in Portland, Oregon. We loved Portland and had really enjoyed our visit. The highlight of the trip was being able to see Michael Jaffe's fine new exhibit, A Philatelic Survey of U.S. Waterfowl Hunting Jurisdictions.
Michael completely reworked his previous waterfowl stamp exhibit and it now has an elegant, cutting edge appearance and feel. In addition, Michael has put in a great deal of time researching and presenting his material in a way that succeeds in explaining the interrelated nature of waterfowl hunting responsibilities that are shared by the various levels of government in the U.S.
All of which resulted in in a fish and game exhibit taking away the United States Stamp Society award for the best U.S. stamp exhibit for the second year in a row! Last year, the honor was bestowed upon Will and Abby Csaplar's A License and Stamp System for Waterfowl Conservation in the 20th Century U.S.
Michael's exhibit also received The American Philatelic Society gold medal and The American Revenue Association gold medal. Michael intends to continue to refine and make improvements to his new exhibit and I, for one, feel like the sky is the limit for this interesting and informative exhibit. Congratulations Michael!
Florex 2016
The 2016 Florida State Stamp Show was held December 2-4 in Orlando. The show is sponsored by the Florida Stamp Dealers Association and hosted by the Central Florida Stamp Club. It is one of the more popular stops in the World Series of Philately circuit because – in addition to being a very fine show – who doesn't want to visit Florida in the Winter?
The 2016 philatelic exhibition featured an esteemed jury chaired by Jay B. Stotts of Houston. Other members were Dr. Edwin J. Andrews, Mrs. Patricia S. Walker, Mr. John Hotchner and Dr. James Mazepa. Charles Ekstrom III entered his fine exhibit, Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamps, and was awarded a gold medal. Cograts Charles!
Rompex 2017
Michael Jaffe's markedly improved exhibit, A Philatelic Survey of U.S. Waterfowl Hunting Jurisdictions, became the first fish and game exhibit to be awarded a National Large Gold Medal at Rompex 2017.
Previously awarded on the international level, large gold medals at the national level have only been possible since January 1, 2017, when the American Philatelic Society (APS) implemented a new evaluation system at World Series of Philately (WSP) shows.
The new system, developed and overseen by the APS Committee for Accreditation of National Exhibitions and Judges (CANEJ), is intended to facilitate exhibiting in this country (nationally) to more closely harmonize with exhibiting worldwide (internationally).
The basis for this system is the cumulative point total (out of 100 possible) achieved within four areas of evaluation. The areas and their overall contribution to the total score (in parenthesis) are as follows: treatment and importance (30%); philatelic and subject knowledge, personal study and research (35%); rarity and condition of material exhibited (30%) and presentation (5%).
This systematic evaluation may be seen as less subjective than the way exhibits were judged in the past and helps to ensure a more positive experience. It allows the exhibitor to easily comprehend the relative strengths and weakness of their exhibit and, most importantly, the areas in which they can focus to improve their overall score and medal level. It also better prepares exhibitors to move up to the international level.
Michael's exhibit received 28/30 for treatment and importance; 34/35 for philatelic and subject knowledge, personal study and research; 29/30 for rarity and condition and 5/5 for presentation.
Michael's exhibit scored a total of 96 at Rompex 2017. Therefore, he has the honor of becoming the first fish and game exhibitor to earn our hobby a large gold medal – at either the national or international level. From all of us at Waterfowl Stamps and More, please accept our congratulations and our appreciation, Michael, for the time and effort you have put in to steadily improve your exhibit!
Finlandia 2017
Saturday, May 27, 2017 may best be remembered as a day when the advancements made by our niche hobby were recognized by organized philately at the highest levels. On the same day Michael Jaffe's exhibit was awarded a National Large Gold Medal at Rompex (see above), Will and Abby Csaplar's exhibit, A License and Stamp System For Waterfowl Conservation in the 20th Century U.S., was well received by the jury at Finlandia 2017. The exhibit was awarded its second consecutive International Gold Medal, as well as a special award for excellence in the area of Treatment from the Federation Internationale de Philatelie (FIP).
Ropex 2018
The Rochester Philatelic Association presented their World Series of Philately show on May 19 and 20. The jury included Stephen Reinhard, Ronald Lesher and Jeffery Shapiro. Charles Ekstrom III continued to make great progress with his fine exhibit, Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamps.
The exhibit was awarded a large gold medal, the American Revenue Association award for the best revenue exhibit and the Ropex 2016 Reserve Grand! Congratulations Charles from all of us at Waterfowl Stamps and More and our heartfelt appreciation for your continued efforts to bring positive attention to our wonderful hobby!
Seapex 2018
The 2018 Seattle Philatelic Exhibition was held September 14-16. The American Philatelic Society World Series of Philately Show featured a jury led by new APS president Bob Zeigler. Other members of the jury were Jeff Shapiro, Christopher Dahle, David Piercey and Mark Nanchik.
Michael Jaffe entered his fine exhibit, A Philatelic Survey of U.S. Waterfowl Hunting Jurisdictions and it did quite well. The exhibit was awarded a large gold medal, the American Revenue Association award for best revenue exhibit and the beautiful United States Stamp Society Statue of Freedom Award.
Thailand 2018 World Stamp Exhibition
The Thailand 2018 World Stamp Exhibition was held November 28 – December 3 at the beautiful Royal Paragon Hall in Bangkok. Will Csaplar entered his exhibit, A license and Stamp System for Waterfowl in the 20th Century U.S.
The Csaplar's exhibit has continued to improve with each international competition. At World Stamp Show New York in 2016, it received a gold medal with a score of 92. In addition it was awarded felicitations by the jury, a rare occurrence for those exhibits demonstrating outstanding philatelic research or originality.
At Finlandia 2017, it received another gold medal with a score of 93 and received a special award for excellence in the area of Treatment from the Federation Internationale de Philatelie (FIP).
At Thailand 2018, the Csaplar's exhibit not only became the first fish and game exhibit ever to be awarded an International Large Gold Medal – but garnered unprecedented accolades for our hobby as well. It received a score of 96, the highest of all 23 exhibits in the revenue class and a special prize from the FIP for exceptional material. For the complete story, click here.
Rompex 2019
The Rocky Mountain Stamp Show was held May 24-26. In addition to being an American Philatelic Society World Series of Philately show, for the third year, it was selected to host the George Bret Competition sponsored by the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors.
The competition is by invitation only and those entered vie for the title of Top 20th Century Exhibit. Exhibits of 20th century material that have won a World Series of Philately Show Grand or Reserve Grand during the previous three years are eligible.
Fish and Game Philately was represented by Charles Ekstrom III with his fine exhibit, Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamps. Ekstrom's exhibit had been awarded the Reserve Grand at Ropex 2018 (see above). While Charles did not win the coveted title, he did secure another national large gold medal for our hobby.