Encouraging new collectors to display their collections at shows is almost as difficult as persuading more experienced collectors to compete in the like. Sure, a display involves a great deal of effort, expense, and time. For the average collector, are the rewards of a display worth the trouble? As far as this collector is concerned, YES! However, the anticipation of winning awards does add to the thrill of creating, building and showing a display. It is also felt that the public tends to look on a display (show, and ultimately the hobby) more favorably and with more interest when trophies, plaques, and ribbons have been well awarded. 

With the assistance of fellow collector, Bob Adams, several suggestions have been formulated to help encourage rewarding displays. 

Show personnel should procure all special free ribbons to which that show is entitled, such as Antique Bottle World, Crown Jewels, and Old Bottle Magazine. A show should have sufficient categories to fairly accommodate all entries and judging, such as color, go-withs, single insulator, Brookfield, etc. Special awards should have no restrictions as to bottle or insulator displays. However, if club members are to receive special consideration, set aside an award for club members only. 

Special awards should be encouraged. Traditional awards are looked on with envy by most collectors. Florida collectors are no different, and boast several awards. A long-time central Florida bottle collector, George Scott, has been making and awarding his "Probe Award" for showmanship, education, etc. It is made available at most shows and is highly prized by recipients. Another is "First Time Display" award by the Central Florida Insulator Club. The list continues on and on in different areas. 

Bill Dreggors of Deland, Florida, reported on a new trophy to be given strictly for go-withs by a company that makes lineman tools and related equipment. Other awards for specialty displays include "Brookfield Catalog", "Gerald Brown Porcelain Books", other books or subscriptions to various hobby magazines. 

The hobby should encourage more trophies, but less expensive ones. Plaques, certificates and "home-made" awards of a meaningful material (cypress cross-arm, etc.) would be most welcome and would be displayed in a home or den with great pride. 

Recently several collectors have shown personal interest in promoting insulator displays. Some of these include the late Marion Milholland, Gerald & Esta Brown, Dora Harned, Jack Tod, and recently Bob & Phoebe Adams. We feel these efforts are quite extraordinary and commendable. 

We wonder if a trophy, ribbon, or plaque is a necessary requirement for making a display. We certainly hope not!