How To Exhibit

NUMISMATIC EXHIBITING

Anyone can prepare a winning exhibit; the key word is prepare. A winning exhibit takes work and some talent — but it does not have to have exceptional numismatic material.

Purposes of exhibiting —

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to educate (the exhibitor and others)

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to interest other collectors in the material or period

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to interest the public in collecting

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to brag about what you own

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to win awards.

To do these, an exhibit must —

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attract and hold attention

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present information

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be understandable.

Competitive exhibits face another hurdle — they must do these things for knowledgeable numismatists (the judges).

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If you exhibit for pleasure, there are few rules.

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If you want to exhibit in the "big leagues," you have to play by the rules.

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Competition requires a tradeoff — ease of viewing vs. depth of presentation.

Preliminary steps

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Get the exhibit rules for the show at which you want to exhibit.

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Choose a category within which to exhibit.

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Apply for exhibit space.

Building the exhibit

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Select a theme — choose the story that you want to tell.

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Bring relevant material to your story; it is not necessary to show everything that you own.

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Fit the theme of the exhibit to the exhibition categories (if necessary).

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Perform research.

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Read primary and secondary numismatic references (take notes).

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Read background sources (history, biography, criticism).

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Talk to others (collectors, scholars, users).

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Cull essentials from the mass of information.

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Write your text and captions.

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Write carefully and edit skillfully — let it gestate.

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Tie the numismatic specimens to the text (make it easy for the reader to follow the exhibit).

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Write stimulating captions — draw the reader back into the story.

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Stick to the chosen theme, in text and specimens.

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Lay out the exhibit and check for physical space/balance.

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Reduce text and/or specimens if necessary.

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Allow space for titles and for non-numismatic collateral material.

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Keep the exhibition rules in mind — number of cases, external props, lights, and so forth allowed.

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Prepare the final text, captions, backgrounds, titles.

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Proof read.

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Use artistic skills and readily available aids (art papers, laser printers, die-cut lettering, ribbons).

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Prefabricate as much as possible, to minimize setup time at the convention.

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Lay out the exhibit in final, complete form.

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Make a map.

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Critique, proof read again; get another person to examine the exhibit.

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Make necessary changes.

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Package specimens and props for ease of transport.

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Triple check for completeness — it’s frustrating to arrive at the convention without a key item.

At the exhibition —

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Check in with the exhibit chairman; get labels for all cases.

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Check available display space (if choices are available) for best lighting and viewer accessibility.

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Clean the cases (glass inside and out, bottom of case for aluminum shards and oil).

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Emplace the exhibit.

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Double check everything for proper placement (it’s easy to show the wrong side of a small item).

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Stay with your exhibit until the cases are closed and sealed.

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Examine the other exhibits.

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Attend the exhibiting seminar (if one is offered).

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Attend the judges’ training seminar (if one is offered).

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Collect your ribbon or trophy!

After the exhibition —

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Write an article using your exhibit’s text (ask for assistance in preparing illustrations if necessary).

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Improve the exhibit and move up to higher levels.

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At the ANA level — you will find narrower categories, variable competition.

Rules of thumb —

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Be neat and keep things simple.

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Use correct grammar and spelling.

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Don’t brag, but do inform the reader.

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Be as brief as your theme will allow.

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Ask for and accept criticism.

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Relax and enjoy yourself.

Contact me if you have any questions:

Joseph E. Boling, PO Box 4718, Federal Way WA 98063-4718.

phone 253-839-5199, fax 253-839-5185, e-mail joeboling@aol.com

ANA chief judge, 1991-93, 1995-2003; member of ANA exhibiting committee since 1987.
 

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