Stamp exhibition in Trier

This summer I participated in the Naposta 23 exhibition in Trier with my collection "The motorcycle, history and various uses".

During the journey to Trier there was a short delay due to a minor collision between my motorcycle and a car that changed lanes. Fortunately, everything still worked so I could continue the journey.

During a short pit stop in Belgium I notified the insurance company and reported the damage. The further journey via the touristic route through Belgium went well, and after 8 hours of motorcycling I arrived at the hotel.

The next day I hung the collection in the frames. Fortunately, I was allowed to do that myself, so that I could ensure that the stamps and pieces fitted perfectly into the frames. In the afternoon I had a small preliminary discussion with the jury. This was new to me, to explain in advance to the assessors why you chose the design you are showing. And to draw their attention to the "important" or special pieces in the collection. Not least the crypto stamp with its secret.

After this preliminary discussion, I visited the dealers to see if there was anything interesting for my collection, but that was a bit disappointing.
I couldn't really find anything the next few days either. However, I was offered a card with the images of two motorcycles with a track cyclist behind them. Very beautiful and old, but with a price tag of 1250 euros. Since I thought it had an applied stamp (which would make it a postal item) and not an imprinted stamp (which would make it a postal stationery) I wasn't interested, regardless of the price. Later I heard and felt that it was really a postal stationery. But still, the price was more than that month's old age benefit. No regrets.
In addition to what I consider to be the most beautiful collection in the exhibition, mine, there were even more beautiful pieces of work to admire. Such as a collection about "Dementia, the slow goodbye", and one about building a new house from the point of view of the children of the family who have to experience it.

And then, on Sunday, finally the moment that every entrant looks forward to: the jury's appreciation for all the hard work.

In my case very positive: 88 out of 100 points, gold. And, very important, comments to improve the collection.
Even though everyone says they do it for fun, a (sometimes futile) lower number of points often leads to heated discussions. Sometimes so bad that exhibitors decide to stop exhibiting, which is a pity.

During the exhibition the so-called "Hiroshima letter" was also on display. Under glass and in a lead casing, because of the still very high radioactivity. The letter is one of the few left after the bombing of this place on August 6th 1945 with the first atomic bomb.
The devastation was enormous. Not for a military purpose, but to force the Japanese government to surrender. I have now seen the letter several times at various events and it remains impressive. Let it forever be a warning against these types of weapons.

The Hiroshima letter in the glass display box

For those who thought the exhibition in Trier was a bit too far to go and see my collection, there is a second chance. My collection can be admired again during the "Postex 23" on October 20 and 21 in Barneveld.

Nico Helling

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