My point was that until relatively recently -- say the last 30 years -- as I understand it there generally wasn't such a thing as an explicitly followed mark scheme, things were a bit ad hoc. So we had the concept of a "Gold Medal country" which (to borrow a phrase from Geraint Jones) was one on which a small fortune could be spent without too much duplication. Research was nice to have, but probably focused more on plating than anything else, and high awards could be obtained by simply lining up the rarities. I suspect that hasn't changed, especially when you get to Championship Class level.
I also suspect that marks for research were something of a concession to those who (reasonably enough) objected to this. The Traditional Philately rules say:
Quote:
Research and new discoveries should be given full coverage in accordance with their importance. Major discoveries deserve important coverage and recognition and should be identified by the exhibitor, while minor discoveries should not overpower the main exhibit. It must be remembered that many classic and modern issues have been very heavily researched over a long period and the results of these studies have been published. To gauge knowledge, the jury will consider how well the exhibitor has made use of these resources. It is unrealistic to require a collector to develop new findings in a heavily studied and researched area. For this reason, such exhibits will not be penalised for a lack of personal research, but will be given additional consideration if, in spite of previous research that has taken place, the exhibitor has managed to come up with new findings.
For postal history it's:
Quote:
Philatelic and related knowledge is demonstrated by the items chosen for display and their related comments. Personal study is demonstrated by the proper analysis of the items chosen for display. For exhibits where obviously a great deal of real research (presentation of new facts related to the chosen subject) has been done, a large proportion of the total points may be given for this research. In cases where a subject has been significantly researched previously, an exhibit showing new research and results should be rewarded especially. The study and right interpretation of the already available knowledge should be considered too under this criteria.
There seem to be two separate routes to gold medals here: cash or research! Or at any rate secondary and primary research. That's probably inevitable: quite apart from the "primacy of classics" thing, it would be rather unsatisfactory if one good exhibit on a subject depressed the possible marks for all other exhibits on that subject.