Ask anything about stamps, collecting, life…pt 5
Here’s something I know a lot of people have been hoping. You ask, I try to respond. Advice on ANYTHING stamp related (and sometimes a bit beyond) You might be interested to know. The questions can be general things you want to know about stamp collecting, or stamps you can’t identify, or catalog values you need to establish, or…
Please note, that due to large number of questions, the older questions are archived every few months into separate pages. You can always browse these older questions by visiting the Q/A – Ask anything about stamps main page.
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Hi Keijo!…I’m so busy listening to Mikko Innanen (sax player) this days and tonight, that forgot stamps! but soon I’ll be sending some exchange…best
Interesting, Fred. I like to read in silence and play with my stamps in silence. I enjoy my music best when exercising or doing mindless chores.
Sweet Carol…loneliness is beautiful when you enjoy the company of the most precious things…
Hello Keijo,
If possible could you or anybody else provide me the Michel Numbers for the 1968 Ajman Adam and Eve Set including the Souvenir Sheet. They are CTO’s. I found them in my 2004 Stanley Gibbons but there were no details.
Thanks,
Alyn
@Alyn… Here’s the Michel numbers:
* 2R stamps are Michel #281-284
* 5R stamps are #285-288
* Sheets (5R, two different sizes) are Blocks #41-43
If they are perforated add suffix A to catalog numbers, if they are imperf add suffix B to catalog numbers. Catalog value 1€ for the single stamps set, sheets €1 piece.
@Keijo Thank you for the information…
Is there a standard reference for viewing what Scott means for a particular color such as carmine, deep carmine, dull carmine etc? the catalog doesn’t seem to have any color swatches…
KK: I couldn’t find this Swiss item. I bet you can!
http://fisher.osu.edu/~young_53/swiss%20feb%202012
@Diana… If I’m not fully mistaken, Michel is the only catalog to provide a printed color reference. This of course works only for Michel-users.
@Rick… That’s a Swiss semipostal issued in 1988.
To Fred and Carol regarding listening to music, or not, as you sort through stamps – I may have mentioned elsewhere, but when I was a boy I would listen to the gramophone when I sorted, but we only had one or two records. To me it is very evocative now whenever I listen to German Beer Drinking music. The oompah-pah brings visions of stamps sorted into countries before my inner eye.
Assuming Fred agrees with me, W(h), we thank you for lengthening and strengthening the stamp/music thread on Keijo’s blog.
I have two copies of what are Denmark, Scott no. 66, King Christian IX, 20 o blue. Both copies have an image that is 20 mm vertically, but for one the entire stamp is about 23.5 mm vertical, and the other is about 25 mm vertical. Are these different varieties; is this unusual? Thanks!
@Rick… Sounds like you’ve found some sort of “perforation freak”.I have not seen anything as such on Danish stamp, but they are somewhat common on early stamps of most countries (Germany, Finland, UK etc. all have wide/narrow stamp variations for most issues). Some like them, some don’t.
Please somebody assist me! I’m 56 (Afrikaans speaking) and started my stamp collection in my primary school days. My dad was a diplomat overseas and bought me a lot of overseas stamps. Sets of stamps and first day issues. I have 7 stamps that’s plastic from Yemen for example. Can somebody please tell me if such stamps are anything worth. Must a stamp have the ink of a rubber stamp on it to be something worth or are a stamp without the ink of a rubber stamp also something worth? Is the rubber stamp by it’s self on paper also something worth?
For +- 45 years I just collected stamps without putting them in a catalogue. Is the next steps, to sort stamps out in their different countries, getting the stamps of the envelope paper, sticking them into a particular country in the catalogue Putting all the stamps as far as possible in series.
My intention is eventually to look for stamps of value and sell them to the highest bidder. Where can I get a web address or a catalogue with pictures in colour of stamps with there values? I have very old stamps. I have one red Transvaal 1d stamp for example. Please somebody help me to get on the go!
Doep du Preez.
Hi Keijo,
My question: Do you have a price per stamp in mind when you buy larger lots from ebay, dealers, etc.?
I’m trying to decide between taking a flyer on a box lot on ebay or a “full stockbook” from a mail auction or a shoebox lot from another mail order dealer.
The mail auction stockbook is the only one that estimates the quantity of stamps and the price estimates works out to around 10c per stamp (ie. $150 for 1500 stamps) That seems high to me if my goal is to build up the quantity of worldwide stamps in my collection.
I’d love to learn more about your purchasing strategies.
Thanks!
Mark
PS, back in comment #11 I suggested I had a number of ‘p-stamps’ from Australia. Upon closer review, I actually had 24 of 25 “regular person” issues from Australia Post. So they were official stamps, not p-stamps. Oh well.
@Doep…. That’s a lot of questions, but don’t panic. I can advice with most.
Plastic (/3D) stamps are usually more sought (and thus more valuable) after than regular paper stamps. As a rough guess I’d say that anything from $5 (per set/series) upwards might be a proper price range for these.
The rubber stamp is referred as cancel or postmark by collectors; and such stamps are referred as used. Stamps without a cancel/postmark are refered as mint or unused.
Some people (like me) collect used only whereas others focus on collecting mint items only. And a lot of collectors collect mixed (both used and mint).
Usually mint items are worth a bit more, but there are tens of thousands of exceptions.
Occasionally. Like with stamps, it depends on the specific item.
For free? Nowhere (at least legally). Looking at stamp dealer websites might give you some clue about their selling prices (buying prices are usually somewhere between 10-30% of selling price). Also eBay, Delcampe and other online auctions are a good source of real world selling prices.
Alternatively, you could subscribe to one of the online stamp catalogs by Stanley Gibbons, Michel or Yvert. All cost between 50-100€ a year.
It really depends what your intentions are… If you are about to sell the stamps (like you write), I’d sell the lot “as is” without looking for catalog values or trying to sort them further. If you want a proper valuation of the lot, find a local stamp dealer (or collector / club), and go show what you have. They will give you a fairly accurate appraisal (and offer) in matter of minutes.
@Mark…
If it’s a generic lot, I prefer to keep cost per stamp as low as possible. If buying single country lots, I prefer to pay a maximum of 1-3 cents per stamp. If buying worldwide lots / bulk mixtures (or box lots) , I try to keep the cost as low as 0.2-1 cent per stamp.
If the lot description / images let me assume there’s plenty of better items the mixture (or something I really want),then I’m willing to pay more (say 5-15 cents per stamp). But usually I’d like to review the lot physically (or seeing lots of photos) before making a bid this high. So shop around, and find yourself a good seller/dealer.
And one ore advice… Always take postage and shipping costs into account. Some dealers/sellers can charge 2-5x more than others simply because they consider their time more valuable.
Keijo,
I noticed that you were still blogging, so I thought I’d ask a question that would keep you thinking.
I was going through this weeks soaking and thought of something. I noticed in some of your exchange pictures that you took some Danish and European stamps. I have been not sending these on purpose, with the exception of a few of the more scarce items because according to my map, it’s 338km from Helsinki to Copenhagen, the same way the distances are shorter between capitals in Europe than here in the U.S. My question is, is it a wrong assumption to think that it’s easier for European collectors to get European stamps, or is my view of distances incorrect due to living and having traveled all over the U.S. I wouldn’t hesitate to drive 1400km at one time, and have done it many times (San Antonio to Memphis). Or should I just go by your collection percentages? What’s your view?
@Steven… Yep. I’ll be surfing online till I’m 6 feet under
Anyway, I’ve got a busy week coming with various preparations (blood tests etc).
I would say your assumption is false, at least to a large degree. Unlike US, Europe is very much a patchwork of local cultures and distances have very little effect to how people travel/commute and what kind of material is easily available. IMHO common history and languages play a much more important role in how easily material is available. So I’d go with the percentage route.
Possibly the only exception to your assumption are scarcer (and usually more expensive) stamps. These are somewhat similar to early issues of US or Canada – both are very much absent in European markets, whereas collectors of US or Canada have no trouble in locating them.
I have a number of Denmark ovals in ore denominations, 1870-1902, in various frames and both perf. 14X13.5 and 13, both normal and inverted. I have an especially large number of the 4 ore and 8 ore. For the 4 ore, Scott merely lists them as some combination of slate and gray frames, and blue or ultra ovals. I rand across the following webpages that help ID the various frames. They list 6 different frame types and for the 4 ore, for example, they list the frame colors as grey, greenish grey, light greenish grey, etc. (no slate).
http://www.frimindeks.dk/Denmark/4%20oere%201875.html (4 ore types)
http://www.frimindeks.dk/Denmark/dk%208%20sk%201871.html (8 ore types)
http://www.frimindeks.dk/Denmark/bicoulered%201870-1905.html (frame types 1-6)
I am having trouble reconciling the Scott listings with the descriptions at the online sources listed above.
Can you give me any further help in how to ID these stamps? Would Michel’s be of any help here? Thanks!
@Rick….Michel has somewhat simple (2 page) listing for these: basic and inverted frame +perf varieties. A somewhat lengthy footnote states shortly about further frame types, different shades and other varieties for advanced specialists.
The specialized Facit acknowledges 3 major frame types: normal, inverted and thick (normal) frame + the two different perforations. And then there’s a long list of shades and varieties for every stamp/frametype (some with very high catalog values).
So the lists You found at frimindeks.dk seem extremely specialized view on these. Not sure if comparing colors between Scott and this (and other catalogues) is of any use as each catalog has their own unique color space.
‘kinda’ what I thought you’d say, but just thought I’d check
I did not know about the “thick normal” frame, though.
thanks for the reply, Keijo!
How can i get a lot of stamps from all over the world and very old for free???!!! I am very poor but i really enjoy collecting stamps… But unfortunately i am to poor to buy any… Please help!!! Thank you.
@Brian… I’m sure You are familiar with expression ‘there’s no such thing as free lunch’. Well, the same goes with stamps too to large extend. Some charitable organizations give away stamps for free to disabled, veterans, kids etc. So if you are a member of some special group, You might want to check out if they provide any support.
That said, the good side of stamp collecting is that stamps can be obtained at low cost – say 100 stamps for $1 (or so) if You settle with ‘common’ stuff. And with limited/non-existing budget that is pretty much your only alternative.
Hi keijo,
I have a good collection of postal stamps.i want to sell all my postal stamp collection.please let me know if you are interested.
Thanks
@Rachna… Thanks for the offer, but no thanks. Just place the collection on sale at eBay/Delcampe, and I’m sure somebody interested will grab it.
As I was looking for information regarding a very old card game, I came across a 1935 journal which then brought a 1904 Serbian stamp showing the faces of Karageorge and Peter I, who succeeded him on the throne. By turning it around and looking closely at the area bounded by the dotted line, we would see the death mask of Alexander I.
I thought of the possibility that other stamps might contain hidden messages or other interesting features like this one. You guys know of other stamps like the one I described above ?
@Alex… I recall reading about that death mask stamp (in some book) long time ago.
East German 50pfg definitive issued in 1964 caused a similar stir when it came out. Some see the head of Hitler in the shape of tree:
Alex and Keijo
Intrigued by your reference to Serbia’s “Death Mask” stamps, I did a little research, and posted the “Campfire Tale” on http://www.stampcommunity.org
Enjoy!
http://www.stampcommunity.org/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=23353
@Jim… Well done Jim
I too have those Serbian stamps in my album.
Keijo
This is a great site.
I was surfing the Internet looking for stamp collector sites.
I live in Ireland.
I actualy stopped collecting stamps in 2001 because Ireland, the only country I collected was issuing too many stamps. I now want to return to the hobby but I feel that stamp collecting has changed.
Having made the decision to start again my priority is to obtain about 97 stamps which I gave away in 2001 …….and then later in the year start obtaining new issues from 2001, 2002 etc.
So much has changed since I started to seriously collect stamps in 1970 when I was 18.
Wrong decisions were made I decided to collect Irish stamps mint and used.
It now extends to eight volumes but I should probably have concentrated on Mint. As it means I have spent about twice the money that I should have spent………I also probably chose the wrong size stamp album……….and probably I should have chosen a “hingeless album”.
Probably I wasted too much time on booklets, miniature sheets, first day covers.
Best wishes.
John
@John… Thanks for the compliments
Yes and no… Technically it’s the same hobby it’s been from the beginning. But the Interned has changed the way many collectors (and dealers) communicate and obtain items. Some of the change is for better, some for worse. In the end, stamp collecting (and life of stamp collector) is pretty much what you make out of it.
I think every collector gets “regretful moments” like these every now and then…. What’s past is past, and it’s better to look ahead. The most important aspect is to find a way of collecting that feels right/good for You.
Just a quick update note to all following the blog.
I’ve done some spring cleaning on the blog.
* I created a bunch of new (country/topic specific) subcategories for the Q&A section. These can be viewed at http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/topic/qa
I also took the liberty of moving a lot of comments to (new) more appropriate locations.
* I deleted about 30 posts of mine from the blog archives.These were all more or less outdated stuff from the early days of of the blog
I do apologize if I broke anybodys bookmarks (or other references). I’m just trying to keep the blog contents in easy-to-browse & well structured mold.
That’s all for now
okay, keijo (and my fellow collectors)… i got one for you… i spent about 30 minutes staring at the Italy “Coins of Syracuse” batch that I have… and with the 100Lira one, I swear up and down that i’ve got at least 3 different varieties… but as I cant check the watermark at the moment (i dont know where my watermark tray/fluids are.. might have to pick that stuff up this weekend.)…i’m drawing a blank on the differences (or my eyes are just getting OLD!) other than some possibly heavier cross-shading on the coin printing. any suggestions on what I’m not seeing with these old eyes?
Oh yeah, i found one of my first ever “pride and joy” stamps of my collection I ever got .. a 1939 Cuba 2c cigar and globe
.. totally forgot I ever had that one.
@Mark S.
The Italian stamps should show the watermark easily against any black background without fluids. These have 2 major type watermarks (the stars and the wheel – both can be divided into subtypes & positions for specialists). And the 100 Lira stamp design comes in two slightly different sizes too (difference ~1mm in width/height). Likely the (Italian) specialist catalogue goes even further than Michel in detailing shades, paper types etc.
I think I got the Cuban stamp too. It was green, wasn’t it?
nope… red on this one.. if i can get my scanner I do have (its not a good output), I’ll show you at some point
Tch,tch,tch…it’s red Keijo…1c green, 2c red, 5c blue…
@Mark & Fred… I knew I should have checked my Cuban album before saying anything
A quick check showed I have the 1c and 2c values, but no 5c. Sigh.
Your spring cleaning is a brilliant solution to helping readers navigate your web site. I had created my own filing system for reference as I learned from you and others on your blog. I am delighted that you are now doing the organizing for me. I have tried to navigate the Stampboards web site without success, even though I joined it over a month ago. It is too cumbersome for new readers like me to find info there. Thanks again for keeping your blog well organized as it grows and not being afraid to prune the dead wood.
Hello Keijo.
Still use google translator, my English has not improved since last time.
I’m scanning some postcards, back / front pages, are there programs where you can drag and drop 2 images and save them as one. Have googled, but most solutions involve using Gimp, Photoshop, etc., but this is too time consuming and complicated.
Any suggestions?
Thanks for a great and inspiring blog.
that’s okay, Fred.. we’ll forgive him.. even perfect people make mistakes on occasion
I agree with you Carol, the Stampboards forum can be a bit cumbersome to navigate. I am a member of StampCommunity also, and I find it much better.
I assume it should be something free? In that case You might like to try IrfanView ( http://www.irfanview.com ). When you have IrfanView installed & open, click Image > Create panorama image and pick the images you’d like to combine (vertically or horizontally).
I know it’s not the drag&drop you were asking, but should be simple & efficient.
It all comes down to size of things. Compared to other stamp related websites, stampboards is a GIANT.
Personally I very rarely bother to use the categories StampBoards or StampCommunity (or Stamporama, or any other stamp related forum) provide. Instead I usually click “View new posts ” or “View 100 latest entries” (or any similar link there is), and proceed from there (by opening any pages of interest to new browser tab/window). IMHO viewing all topics in chronological order is much faster and simpler than clicking back/worth with the categories (because usually the topic/title describes somewhat accurately the content of page).
I was ‘travelling’ by internet through your area…what a solitude!…beautiful landscapes, looks like a peaceful refuge… a single and long country road a house every half mile or so!
Perfect!…but…are you close to Riikosentie?, Konginkangas? or Suolahti?…I’m lost in the forest!…LOL!!!
@Fred… Of those options, Riikosentie is closest to me, but all are “near”… But don’t let those nice spring images fool You. Right now most of (inhabited) Finland is quite miserable looking (whereas the real nature / wilderness is as gorgeous as ever). Below is a pic I took this morning on Äänekoski bus station (I was going to Kuopio to meet my accountant). Please do notice how “attractive” even the buildings look. Believe it or not, but the below view is the “centre” of same municipality (containing but not limited to “green ghettos” of Sumiainen, Suolahti and Konginkangas you described so poetically)
Not a pretty sight…
Blimey!!!…yes, of course those blocks who take the pictures (google or what ever) they do that in summer…when the birds chirp and everything is glorious…I understand is so, everywhere is beautiful depending…on the colour of the glass you’re looking.
That picture of yours…(blimey again!)…is pathetic!!!…I guess if you are on your own in the middle of the night….(?) will be evil!!!… perfect for a horror film sigh!
Sorry…I forgot to tell you …I love that films…LOL!
I collect cryptozoology items, and was wondering if you either remember or can point me in the direction of any stamps which have Bigfoot, Yeti, Loch Ness and similar as subject matter. The only ones I’ve been able to find are the 1966 Bhutan triangle yeti stamps, and the 1992 Maldives Mysteries of the Universe which have a couple. Thanks in advance, and I love your blog!
@Ryan… I think a lot depends what you include in your definition of cryptozoology. If You view it broadly, then you can have lots and lots of fun with stamps passing their topic from folklores, fairytales and mythology.
Take for example the many definitive stamps series of Greece witch feature just about every creature imaginable. Or the British stamps featuring dragons (and St.George is pretty popular topic around the world). And… Pretty much every country has at least a dozen or so stamps/topics that will match your theme (if viewing it broadly).
I found some grilled USA stamps and now I’m wondering is there any tricky way to analyze what kind of grill it is. I have tried to count points, measure dimensions, take a scan and photoand so on. theswedishtiger.com is helpful but still I’m not sure do I have stamp worth of 1$ or 1000’s $!
@Jorma… Not really my cup of tea as I’ve got zero US stamps with grills
But I think you could try the foil trick I used with Greece Hermes & Iris stamps. I would assume the grill would show slightly better when transferred to foil.
Thanks Keijo, it works and result was:
2c – Black or gray black
F Grill – Points go down. Measures 9 x 13mm. 11 or 12 x 15 to 17 points.
Scott #93 – 1867
@Jorma… It worked? Excellent!
@ Ryan, here is a Canadian set of what you I hope you would find interesting, I have always like them http://www.pibburns.com/cryptost/ogopogo.htm
I am a collector living in mainland China, where it is difficult to get worldwide stamps and easier to get Cuba, Vietnam and other Soviet issues.
Keijo,
I hope this email finds you in good health or improved health.
My Scott catalogue does not provide me with enough information on 4 Japanese stamps. Can you please assist me or direct me to which catalogue I can refer to for the following info?
I’d like to find out the designer, printer and quantity printed for the following:
a) SC 380, 381 – 1947, Inauguration of Constitution
b) SC 382, 383 – 1947, Opening of Foreign Trade
Thank you in advance for your help!
Virgil
@Virgil… Print run for the first set is 10.4 million (+ sheet 603,300 copies). The latter sets print run is 5 million. The catalogues I have don’t state designer or printer for these, but likely Sakura (or some other Japanese special catalog) has full details.
Google seems to hold the answer to almost all stamp identification problems and even the most difficult ones I have generally managed to crack one way or another. Here though are four stamps that I really cannot work out. Do you happen to know where they are from?
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2173540/Picture.jpg
The two little ones are clearly Alsace-Lorraine. I guess they must be fiscal stamps or something from the 19th century German occupation?
The next one has Greek script, which narrows it down.
The last one might be from Belgium?
@Seth…
The first two definitely have the look & feel of some kind of document/revenue stamp. Very beautiful stamps IMHO.
The Greek one is a pictorial stamp issued in 1953, Michel #600.
And the last one is a Belgium railway parcel stamp. Issued in 1953, Michel #307.
So, I have noticed when I receive letters from Europe that often the return address is on the back instead of the upper right corner. Is this the standard way of doing things out on your side of the Atlantic?
@Paul… In Finland the sender’s address (return address) can be placed either on the left upper corner of the letter (official recommendation), or on the back of the letter (used especially with smaller size covers and commercial bulk mailings).
WARNING!!!..Never ever try to send mail to Venezuela, it wont get the destination or will take months to do it, even first class (Air Mail)…let alone return to sender…
I’got very awful experience!
@Paul & Keijo In the UK it is standard practice to put the senders name and address on the back. When I sent a packet to Canada however, the post office asked me to put my name and address on the front top left corner.
Keijo…stamps from Mordovia Republic (Russia Federation) are postal valid?…I can’t find information on SG cat under Russia (as usual!) if you can help/or not on this…thanks a lot!
I meant the upper left corner
@Fred… They are 100% bogus, and thus unlisted in stamp catalogues.
Hmmm pity!…ain’t gonna spend £ 3 on a bogus, no way!! I saw it on e-Bay, but it looks suspicious, MNH…hmmm! I like the stamp cause is one of my favourite topics on my collection, but no!..better days will come…cheers for the info Keijo!
What is the best way to validate a few stamps. I have an Italy 1852 Roman States Scott #1f – Franco Bollo Postale – Baj mezzo – Tete beche pair – cancelled. And also a set of Italy 1859 Parma #’s 12 – 16. Thank you.
Hi Keijo
Where would be the best place to get Precancelled stamps of USA
@John Manfred… Contact Your local philatelic federation (APS in USA), and ask for available expertizing services. Considering that your items are Italian, You might also consider looking expertizing services provided at Italy.
If you just want to know whether your items are real or not (old Italy is full of forgeries), then I’d recommend showing quality pics online at various stamp forums. It will give you opinions whether or not the items are worth the expertizing fee or not. Especially StampBoards is good for this purpose.
@David… US based stamp auctions would likely prove as the best source. I think PSS (US precancel-society) also runs some auctions and provides a list of specialized dealers.
@John Manfred — I could be wrong, but I’m going to assume you haven’t already checked those Roman States stamps for fakes.
99+% of those Roman States stamps are either reprints, reproductions, or forgeries. Before you spend money sending it off to get it certified, I agree with Keijo that you should post some pics on one of the philatelic boards. That way you can quickly find out whether you have an obvious non-original stamp.
Or, you can also visit the Vatican Philatelic Society website. They have some basic (but useful) information on the Roman States fakes/reproductions… — look in “Roman States” under the section “Introductions”. You can get a pretty decent working knowledge on weeding out non-originals.
Hi Keijo
I have an envelop (signed by Swan, Mear and Wood with Pic of Scott and Swan thereon) with Ross Dependency 50c stamp – Stamped Scott Base – 11 NO 85 – Ross Dependency. This was sold as a collector’s item together with folder, pictures and hand signed expedition map of Robert Swan (together with Roger Mear & Gareth Wood) ‘In the Footsteps of Scott’ Antarctic Expedition 1984-86. I am trying to value this item but having great difficulty. Would be most grateful for your comments. Kind Regards Dee
@Dee… As a worldwide stamp collector, I see there only an stamp I could soak. And it’s valued at catalog minimum.
However, a topical collector (of Antarctic/Antarctic regions) will likely see more to it and would be willing to pay a bit more. All that extra stuff doesn’t really add any philatelic value, so if there’s a premium of any sort, then it comes from the autographs. I’d be tempted to say the full package is worth somewhere $5-20 price range, but that’s just my view as a regular worldwide stamp collector.
How much worth is a Sierra Leone Le 170 Stamp. A premium locomotive cataloged from 1927 to 1936, 408E was a more elaborate version of the popular Lionel 402. Anyone have any ideas?
@Jennifer – could You please show us an image of the stamp You are talking about. Without image it’s impossible to ID the stamp correctly.
Hi
I dont know if this is in the right place but here goes,
Here in the UK as you all know we have just Stanley Gibbons catalogues, so I just stick to them. I was just wondering how many of you use just the main catalogue sets from your country (eg Michel, SG, Scott and so on). And how many of you mix and match catologues ( e.g. a complete set of SG and a complete set off Michel or Scott catologues) to get the best of both wolds. I would be really interested to know what everyone else does.
Also, am I right in thinking that Michel, SG and Scott are the only major catologue producers. Or is there more, and if so who are they as it would be good to know so i can look at maybe expanding my knowledge base,
as allways, thanks in advance for the help and advice
(and keijo, thanks in advance for the spell check)
Stuart
@Stuart…
As a generalization I would give an advice, that if the question is not directly related to topic of the page in question, then “Ask anything about stamps…” page is most appropriate place.
And as usual, I always moderate (and re-allocate) messages if necessary. So in the end everything will end up filed somewhat properly.
Regarding Your question…
First, I just realized that I have never done a post about the topic of different stamp catalogues available. Maybe it is something I should do?
As for what I use… I’m a mix and match kind of guy. No doubt about it.
As for the major stamp catalogue producers. The big four are: Michel (for German speaking areas), Stanley Gibbons (for British CW), Scott (for Americas) and Yvert (French speaking areas).
There are several smaller publishers that don’t do the whole world, but more like ‘continents’ or language areas. For example the Danish AFA produces catalogues for all of Europe; PHILEX has catalogues for german speaking world etc.
Wow!…today is the day…if Kimi Räikkönen wins, we can expect a Suomi stamp honouring him?…I bet no! damn!!!
@Fred… You’re into F1 racing??? I must confess that it’s one of those few things that doesn’t attract me at all
Alas Keijo…I’m not mad about any sport…actually I disregard a lot the majority of them except base-ball, the rest I follow by nationalism but nothing else…that’s why, I made that comment
believing that you’ll be happy if he wins, that’s all…paavo (?)
keijo thanks for that. Why do you mix and match, is there any benifet from it apart from the different numbers. And does anyone else on here mix and match. If so i would like to hear your thoughts on it.
have a good day.
@Stuart… The devil’s in the details
Multiple catalogues give a much better oversight than single source. And each of these catalogues do have their unique strengths / features that You will not find on other catalogues.
Hi Keijo and Stuart,
Like Keijo, I am a worldwide collector and I use a number of catalogues. Living in Canada, I own a complete set of Scott (1996) which is the standard here for worldwide collectors. I also own several more recent individual Scott catalogues for newer stamps (I pick them up at our local library sales, which sells them after three years and where I pay $2 a piece). I also own a 2005 Specialized Scott Catalogue for the stamps of the United States.
In addition, I use Michel for my Germany collection, using both a general catalogue and one of the specialized German catalogues for stamps after 1945 (I was born in Germany, and are fluent in the language, which of course helps).
For British Stamps, I mostly use Scott but I also own a 2005 Stanley Gibbons (the one they call a Stanley Gibbons Colour Checklist) which I like because of its superior illustrations.
I also collect machins, and lucked out some time ago when I won a Deegam Machin Handbook at a stamp auction (besides some nice machins) – this catalogue is amazing but of course VERY specialized.
I also have a somewhat older copy of the Unitrade Specialized Catalogue for Canadian Stamps, which I plan to upgrade either this or next year.
And finally there is the internet, which is how I found Keijo’s blog – researching some German locals from the time of the German Empire (Kaiserreich) which I could not locate in anywhere else.
Like Keijo says, different catalogues provide different information – all of which is useful. I have never used Yvert, though, mostly because I don’t speak French.
Regards,
Franz
Hi Keijo and Franz,
hope you are all having a good week. Thank You some great insight. Myself I use Stanley Gibbons for my all world collection mainly because they are the main source of information over hear in the UK. Many set of catalogues, and of course I have the detailed cat of GB of stamps as well. But reading what you both have put, I think I need to try and find some english versions of Michel and Yvert , and add to my information source.
Regards Stuart
@Stuart… I think Yvert doesn’t do anything except French versions of their catalogues, but Michel has several ones in English (Specializied Germany in two volumes, Gulf-states, Scandinavia).