new zealand postcard society inc.

postcard exhibiting

why create an exhibit?

  • Exhibiting adds to the enjoyment of collecting. You get to show your collection to other collectors.
  • Most people collect postcards because they have already an interest in the topic. Putting an exhibit together is a way of combining your knowledge of the topic with the postcards you have collected. And you will also learn more about your topic as you continue to research.
  • Exhibiting gives direction to your collecting as you start to look for postcards to fill the gaps in your story.
  • You develop contacts with other collectors and dealers who know what you collect, and look for material for you.

Several New Zealand Postcard Society members passionate about their postcard collections dedicate time and effort into postcard exhibit competitions in New Zealand and overseas. 

Over the years various members have received awards and commendations for their postcard exhibitions. Click here to see a list of past awards and their recipients.

Some exhibition examples are shown below.

a journey around mt egmont

Exhibitor: Jeff Long

estuary to esplanade; the sumner coast, christchurch, n.z.

Exhibitor: Jenny Long

A topographical three frame exhibit on the area covering the road and tramway to Sumner, the seaside suburb of Christchurch. This is not just an accumulation of postcards of this area but is tied together by following the actual transport links as you get closer to Sumner, and also through time. This exhibit received a special prize for the best postcard exhibit at the 2012 CPS Stamp & Postcard Exhibition.

Picton N.Z. - the discovery of a lost love

An example of what one frame of a postcard exhibit looks like. It is made up of 4 rows with 4 pages of postcards and information in each row.

further reading

For further reading on postcard exhibiting you could refer to previous Postcard Pillar articles written on the subject.

  • Exhibiting Postcards, tips & ideas – Postcard Pillar Issue 40, pages 3-6
  • Postcard exhibiting suggestions – Postcard Pillar Issue 76, page 20
  • Exhibiting postcards – Postcard Pillar Issue 95, page15
  • Exhibiting, compiling a collection of – Sept 1989
  • Timpex 2009 exhibiting – Postcard Pillar Issue 85, pages 15-16