F.I.P.

Traditional Commission
meeting in

Bucharest June 26, 2008

●
SYNOPSIS

by Jan Berg
 WHAT IS A SYNOPSIS?

1. A synopsis is a presentation or a summary

of what you intend to show in your exhibit
and that is not possible to describe on your
title page.

2. A synopsis is only available for the

exhibition organizers and the jury and not
for the visitors.

3. A synopsis should normally accompany the

application form for the exhibit together
with the title page.
 WHY WRITE A SYNOPSIS?

1. The variety of exhibits at an international

exhibition is so broad that it cannot be
likely that members of the jury have a
detailed knowledge of all presented areas.

2. A synopsis should be seen as further help to

the jurors how to acquire more and detailed
information about an area or an exhibit in
good time before the judging begin.

3. With a synopsis the exhibitor have a

possibility to convey some of his knowledge
to the jurors, as well as put it into relevance
with other exhibits from the same area.
WHAT SHOULD A SYNOPSIS INCLUDE?

1. As a synopsis primary is for the work of the

jury it should cover all aspects regarding
the judging criteria in the regulations, both
GREV and SREV.

2. If a synopsis clearly describes all aspects it

could result in a better evaluation of the
exhibit, and as a result, a higher award.
WHAT SHOULD A SYNOPSIS INCLUDE?

3. For this reason a synopsis should include

descriptions of the:

- Treatment.
- Philatelic importance.
- Knowledge, Personal study and research.
- Condition and Rarity.
- Presentation.

4. Literature references should also be

included, but do not eliminate them from
the title page of the exhibit.
 EXAMPLES OF A SYNOPSIS

I have chosen to illustrate this with examples

from the synopsis for my own exhibit at this
exhibition.

SAMOA 1836-1895

- Introduction
- Description of the periods
- Treatment
- Rarity and personal research
- Development
- Literature references
 EXAMPLES OF A SYNOPSIS

A synopsis is normally best when presented on a single or maybe

two pages. My own synopsis could not be fitted into two pages and
for this reason I chose four pages instead (two double printed pages).
 ”INTRODUCTION”

I start with a short description, preferably in conformity with the

title page. This is followed by a history of the exhibit describing its
development since it was originally shown internationally.
 ”DESCRIPTION OF THE PERIODS”

A large part of the text can also be found on the secondary introductory
pages in the exhibit itself, this is for the understanding of the viewers.
”TREATMENT”

Below this heading I have described

the mounting technique used in the
exhibit and also the usage of
different frames for the items.
 ”RARITY AND PERSONAL RESEARCH”

It is always difficult to handle the area of Rarity. Only use the

rarity statements when it is a really important item described.

There is no purpose to state “This is the only recorded cover

franked with 6d from the second issue and sent to England
during March 1888” for an item. It could still be hundreds of
covers sent during February and April.
 ”RARITY AND PERSONAL RESEARCH”

Any examples of important personal research have to be clearly

described in the synopsis as well as in the exhibit itself.
 ”DEVELOPMENT”

It is probable that a juror already have seen your exhibit at an

exhibition, and in these cases it is important to show the
development of the exhibit since it was last exhibited.
 ”DEVELOPMENT”

The development could also be an important aspect for the

organizers when choosing exhibits for an exhibition.
 ”LITERATURE REFERENCES”

The very important list of literature references.

I only have one reference as it is the most up-dated
and fully covers the area shown in the exhibit.
 IMPORTANT ASPECTS

1. Try to convey your feelings about your

favorite area to someone that has never
heard about it.

2. The information you present will maybe

enhance your chances to have the jury look
at your exhibit with better knowledge.

3. Be self-critical and check carefully that all

information given is correct.

4. Date every version of your synopsis.

 THE MOST COMMON MISTAKES

1. A synopsis is not a title page or a plan of

the exhibit. Do not double the information.

2. The purpose of the synopsis is to give

information to someone and it should be
easy to read and understand. Many jurors
do not have English as there first language.

The text should normally be written in

prose and try to exclude texts in capital
letters.

3. Do not use to small characters as they will

give a bad result when photocopied.
HAVE I ACHIEVED MY PURPOSES?

- Treatment.
- Philatelic importance.
- Knowledge, Personal
study and research.
- Condition and Rarity.
- Presentation.
- Literature references
HAVE I ACHIEVED MY PURPOSES?

- Treatment.
- Philatelic importance.
- Knowledge, Personal
study and research.
- Condition and Rarity.
- Presentation.
- Literature references
HAVE I ACHIEVED MY PURPOSES?

- Treatment.
- Philatelic importance.
- Knowledge, Personal
study and research.
- Condition and Rarity.
- Presentation.
- Literature references
HAVE I ACHIEVED MY PURPOSES?

- Treatment.
- Philatelic importance.
- Knowledge, Personal
study and research.
- Condition and Rarity.
- Presentation.
- Literature references
HAVE I ACHIEVED MY PURPOSES?

- Treatment.
- Philatelic importance.
- Knowledge, Personal
study and research.
- Condition and Rarity.
- Presentation.
- Literature references
OTHER EXAMPLES OF SYNOPSIS

Synopsis for my own one

frame exhibit

The Indian Feudatory State

of Rajpipla
1875 - 1886
OTHER EXAMPLES OF SYNOPSIS

Synopsis for PH exhibit

by Richard Bodin, Sweden

Swedish Militaries and

Volunteers in Campaigns
or in Active Service Abroad
1582 - 1919
OTHER EXAMPLES OF SYNOPSIS
THANK YOU