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RMS MATCHCOVER COLLECTORS CLUB

Rathkamp Matchcover Society - The leading source of information for collectors for over 80 years!

2025 Annual RMS Convention

When: July 27 - August 1, 2025

Where: Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania just north of Pittsburgh

Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh Cranberry $119/night plus tax; refrigerator in each room, indoor/outdoor pool
(724) 776-6900 ... 910 Sheraton Dr, Mars PA
Reservations: 1-855-610-TREE (8733) and refer to RMS 84th Convention — or use code: CDT92M

Airport: 30 minutes away, no free shuttle available

Theme: Mission to Mars

Convention Schedule: TBA

Pre-Registration Form: Fillable ---- Regular

Banquet: evening of Friday Aug 1st

Auctions: Four auctions on July 29, 30, 31 and Aug 1. Approximately 350 lots per auction.

Auction Lots: Any paid-up RMS member may enter up to 15 lots in the convention auction. Email your list of lots to Shirley Sayers You may also send two copies of your list with a SASE if you prefer.

Convention Program Book: Ad prices: $35 for full page; $25 for half page; $15 for quarter page. Please send ads in PDF, PNG, or JPG format. All ads and money need to be received by July 1st. Everything goes to Denise McKinney, 3681 Sunnyside Dr., #2862, Riverside, CA 92506

Convention Chairperson: Deborah Guynup

Convention logo
 
 
2024 Convention Information
 

 
 
2024 RMS Convention Pics
 
 
2024 RMS Convention Report

 

Display Entry Rules: (need TIPs on making displays?)

1.
Anyone entering a display must be a paid up member of RMS.
2. Displays can consist of used or unused matchcovers, full books, matchboxes or labels. (Salesman's samples or flats without strikers, mutilated covers, loose labels and loose pages are permitted ONLY in category #13 - Display.)
3. There are no restrictions as to title size, title placement, or other added material on a display, as long as the entire display is no more than 720 sq. inches in any dimentional combination - e.g., 24" x 30". 20" x 36" (not including the frame). Any display exceeding 720 sq. inches shall be charged as two (2) displays. No display may be larger than 1440 square inches.
4. Each display shall bear the name and address of the entrant on the back of the display. This information shall be covered with opaque paper or a card. The number of the category in which the display is to be entered shall be on the outside of the opaque paper or card. This must be done prior to entering the display.
5. Each display SHALL be covered with transparent material to inhibit removal of covers. (The chairperson wishes it to be known that all reasonable care will be taken to safeguard displays, but neither the chairperson nor RMS assumes any responsibility, either legal or moral, for their integrity).
6. Displays shall adhere to the criteria of the category in which they are entered.
7. Entrants may enter no more than two (2) displays in any category. A maximum of ten (10) displays per membership can be entered.

Display Categories:

1 Single .............................Two (2) of same may be shown to illustrate inside
2
Sets & Series
3
Military & Political ..........Army; Navy; Marines; Air Force; Coast Guard; Military Camps and bases;
Military and Veterans Hospitals; Major and Minor Political; no Credit unions;
4 Sports
5
Transportation
6
Lodging............................Hotels; Motels; Inns; Cabins
7
VIPs & Entertainment.......Movie stars; Movies; Theme Parks; Casinos etc.
8
Thematic...........................Bears; Fairs; Gaming; Top Hats; etc.
9
Businesses, Products........All Financial institutions; Department and Drug stores; & Services Funeral
Homes; Laundries; etc.
10 Eating & Drinking.......... Restaurants; Bars; Grills; Drive-ins; etc.
11
Open Entry to any display
12
Foreign
13
Display only....................No RMS award given but displays are eligible for non-RMS club, individual and memorial awards.
RMS awards include 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for categories 1-12 and Best of show. People's Choice award voted on by members attending the convention.

Club/Individual/Organization Awards to be Presented:

-Angelus MC:
Best Combo display
-Connecticut MC:
-Denver Strikers MC: Most Different display
-Girlie Club: Best Girlie display
-Huggable Bears Club: Best Bear display
-IMC:
-Liberty Bell MC: Outer Space (sets ok)
-Mermaid/Pirates Club: Best Mermaid display AND Best Pirate display
-Southeastern MC:
-Tobacco Club: Best Tobacco display
-Tri-State MC:
-Trans Canada MC:
-Keystone-Lehigh (Harry Stump Mem. Award): Best Transportation display
-Empire (Manny Phillips Award):
-Mary Ross Award: Judges Choice

Hall of Fame and Outstanding Collector of Year Nominations:
 
Outstanding Collector of the Year Nominations: NOMINATIONS ARE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING: An Outstanding Collector shall be selected from RMS members in good standing and based on his/her achievements in the Hobby and the Society during the 5 years immediately prior to the award. Nominees must have contributed to the advancement of the hobby in a manner far above the average in one or more of the following ways:
1. Promotion, publicity, or public relations on a national or international scale.
2. Organizational efforts in connection with the advancement of the hobby.
3. Author of books, pamphlets, articles, check lists, and similar material which have been circulated to a large number of collectors.
4. Creation of good will among old and new collectors.
5. Sustained performance of above average work for the hobby in one or more of the above or other helpful categories.
Any member in good standing may nominate a candidate for this award by sending in their name with a full resume of the candidate’s achievements. While traditionally, no previous winner has been selected to received the award a second time, the Committee is willing to consider repeat nominees this year. Consideration for the award will be based on the information and qualifications contained in the resume.
 
Send nominations by mail, e-mail, or in person before July 27, 2025 to this year's Outstanding Collector Committee chairperson: Charles Specht, 2306 Belmore Dr., Champaign, IL 61821
 
 
Hall of Fame Nominations: It is never too early to send in a nomination for the RMS Hall of Fame.
 
Induction into the RMS Hall of Fame is a means of honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the hobby. If you know any RMS member, either living or deceased, who deserves this recognition, now is the time to submit his or her name for consideration.
 
If living, the person should be an RMS member in good standing, with twenty or more years of membership. Deceased individuals must have joined RMS at least 10 years prior to nomination.
 
The nomination letter should include the nominee’s RMS number and a résumé of his or her contributions to the hobby. The person submitting the nomination must be an RMS member in good standing and include his or her RMS number as well.
 
Send nominations by mail, e-mail, or in person before July 27, 2025 or at the convention by noon to: Morris Pasternak, 51 Beaufort Hills Road, Richmond Hill, Ont CAN L4E 2N2
 
 
Please direct all other inquiries regarding committees, or to volunteer to help, to the Convention Chairperson.