These 7 pipes were the best 7 pipes on the table...period. This year the judges were tasked with picking traditional princes and traditional princes usually have black or cumberland stems so, for the most part, the entries reflected that.
You mentioned the American Exposition. Take a look at those names and see how many of them actually entered the contest. And of the ones that did enter how many made the set. Again, this year's shape was a traditional prince...not a lot of room for creativity or pushing boundaries so it's really a moot point.
This really bothers me. I understand that we'll never have everyone happy with the outcome of this contest. But I won't have the judges questioned in this way. And I won't get into specifics about why certain pipes did or didn't make the set as I'm not a judge and the decision was not mine. I will, as a GKCPC board member. GKCPC show committee member and second in command of the Carvers Contest, address this situation.