Exhibiting virtually vs. physically

In a recent interview with CSN, West Toronto Stamp Club (WTSC) President Sid Mensinga and member Garfield Portch compared and contrasted the intricacies of exhibiting in a physical space versus a virtual space.

“I think we’re going to see a lot of feedback come under the South Africa show, which is, in fact, a virtual show,” said Portch, who serves as the club’s auction and discussion group chair.

Organizers of the South African Virtual Philatelic Exhibition (Savpex) accepted applications for single-frame exhibits through April. All exhibits will be evaluated by national- and international-level judges from around the world (Canada’s judging representative is Robert Pinet), and winners will be determined in July and announced on Aug. 22.

“Going virtual, there’s always the opportunity, or you’re opening up the possibility, for some kind of deception possibly happening,” said Mensinga.

Portch, who’s the president and chair of the Vincent Graves Greene Philatelic Research Foundation, has also heard concerns about virtual exhibitors “cutting and pasting,” “including things in their exhibit that they don’t have,” “creating rarities through the use of Photoshop” and “faking certificates of authenticity.”

This October, the WTSC is planning to host a virtual single-page exhibition – open to members only – to compete for the club’s Frank Alusio Trophy.

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