FIP EXHIBITING RULES
Exhibition Classes

All exhibits are prepared and presented within a specific exhibition class.

An exhibition class defines either the type of philatelic material displayed or the method used to present that material. Some classes are highly specialised. For example, Traditional Philately focuses exclusively on postage stamps, while Aerophilately restricts exhibits to material related specifically to airmail and aviation postal history.

Other classes, such as Thematic Philately, allow a broader range of philatelic material to develop a chosen theme. In addition, there are classes like Open Philately and Polar Philately, which permit the inclusion of relevant non-philatelic material to support and enhance the exhibit.

Each class has its own specific rules and judging guidelines. Many of these are recognised internationally under the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP) regulations. In Australia, some additional classes have been developed to broaden the scope of exhibiting and encourage wider participation, allowing more collectors to enjoy the exhibition experience.

The worldwide classes recognised by the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP), together with their generally associated class numbers, are outlined below.

 

FIP Exhibition Classes
1. Traditional Philately

Focuses on postage stamps, including design, production, varieties, and usage.
🔗 Download FIP Regulations

2. Postal History

Covers the development and operation of postal services and systems.

Sub-classes:

  • 2A: Postal services and systems

  • 2B: Marcophily (postmarks and cancellations)

  • 2C: Historical, Social and Special Studies

🔗 Download Postal History Guidelines

3. Postal Stationery

Includes stamped envelopes, postal cards, aerogrammes and other officially issued postal stationery.
🔗 Download Postal Stationery Regulations

4. Aerophilately

Material relating to the development and carriage of mail by air.
🔗 Download FIP Guidelines

5. Astrophilately

Mail and philatelic material connected with space exploration.
🔗 Download FIP Guidelines

6. Thematic Philately

Develops a theme using philatelic material.
🔗 Download Thematic Guidelines

7. Maximaphily

Exhibits of maximum cards meeting strict concordance rules.
🔗 Download Maximaphily Guidelines

8. Revenues

Revenue and fiscal stamps and their usage.
🔗 Download Revenue Regulations

9. Youth Philately

Age Classes:

  • Class A: 10–15 years

  • Class B: 16–18 years

  • Class C: 19–21 years

🔗 Download FIP Youth Regulations

10. Philatelic Literature

Books, articles, catalogues, research publications and websites.
🔗 Download Literature Regulations

11. Open Philately

Allows limited non-philatelic material to support the exhibit story.
🔗 Download Open Philately Guidelines (2018)

12. One Frame

Single-frame exhibits judged under specific regulations.
🔗 Download FIP One Frame Regulations

13. Picture Postcards (Experimental Class)

🔗 Download Special Regulations (2018)
🔗 Download Guidelines (2018)

14. Modern Philately (FIP Experimental Class)

Material issued within a defined recent period.
🔗 Download Modern Philately Guidelines