Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
If a collector is not overly concerned about catalog values, and is more interested in how to put a collection together with the million or so stamps (not using Scott's count of 600,000, but including locals and other non-Scott listed material), it is fairly easy to build a philatelic catalog library. This process is probably easier for collectors in the United States than elsewhere, but the same principle would apply. Just use the catalog system most readily available in your country as the primary set.
Here is the make-up of my philatelic catalog library that can help identify most every postage stamp that collectors find:
Primary set - Scott Standard Catalog (6-volume set plus United States Specialized, and still the best buy for the overall stamp coverage that it provides)
Secondary set - Gibbons Stamps of the World (abridged mostly in the older issues as it only catalogs face and color-different stamps, but much better listing of newer issues than Scott, and gives the dimensions of many souvenir sheets - great for knowing what mount sizes to use, among some other editorial material that is beneficial)
Supplemental catalogs:
- Scott Classic Specialized Catalog (rounds out the 1840-1940 issues with many stamps not listed in the standard set)
- Gibbons Commonwealth & Empire Stamps (provides thorough information of British issue varieties not covered by Scott)
Additional catalogs (Obtain catalogs from catalog publishers of individual countries you specialize in or other areas, topics, continents, etc., that you prefer to collect. My list below is all that I need, but I would probably expand into other areas of the world with other Michel and/or Gibbons catalogs if I ran across some older editions at a very low price, but I am not in a rush for that.):
- Michel Gulf States
- Michel West Europe
- Michel East Europe
- Michel Germany Specialized
Now the cry has been heard regarding the cost of all these catalogs. Granted, there is a big expense associated with obtaining and building a philatelic catalog library...IF you buy the catalogs new.
Dealers wind up with older catalogs all the time. Collectors upgrade their catalogs all the time. The aftermarket of used catalogs is full of variety. My current catalog years, for example, are as follows:
Scott Standard Catalog (6-volume set plus United States Specialized) - 2011
Gibbons Stamps of the World - 2008
Scott Classic Specialized Catalog - 2009
Gibbons Commonwealth & Empire Stamps - 2008
Michel Gulf States - 2006
Michel West Europe - 1998-1989
Michel East Europe - 1997-1998
Michel Germany Specialized - 1995
Check with dealers and online to obtain older catalogs at big discounts from the original prices. I get a new set of Scott catalogs every 2 or 3 years, depending on the price valuation and editorial changes that they make. Read the articles and reviews about what is new in the catalogs that you use when the new editions are released. It lets you know whether it is time for you to buy a new set or not. I get a new edition of the Scott Classic Specialized Catalog every 5 years or so. I get a newer edition of the Gibbons Stamps of the World set if I have a need due to working with a large volume of new issues. The other catalogs on my list I use just for older material and varieties that are not listed in Scott, and are updated only if I find a newer catalog in a box lot that I buy in auction, or I find someone selling the catalog dirt cheap.
The nice thing with catalogs is that there is a voracious market for used ones. That means as you upgrade, you can always find someone who wants your older edition as they upgrade theirs. That helps to lesson the financial aspect of building and maintaining a philatelic catalog library.
I hope you found this helpful. Your needs will vary of course depending on how and what you collect. There are many more catalog publishers out there than the three that I mentioned. I find those three to fit my needs the best.
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Great post, Michael. My needs as a collector of only U.S. are different. I have a 2011 Scott Specialized, plus some older ones (2008, 1990, 1972, 1960, 1945, 1928 - I think). 1928 is the oldest. The first Scott Specialized was 1922, so I also have a 1905 standard catalog. I was interested in the progression of early Type differentiation. I also have a Stanley Gibbons from 2005 or so for reference. The other pieces of my philatelic library are not catalogs. They are reference books that have been very valuable:
“Scott Specialized Color Guides for United States Stampsâ€, 2005, Scott Publishing Co.
“The Postage Stamps of the United Statesâ€, John N. Luff, 1897, the Scott Stamp and Coin Co., Ltd.
“The United States Postage Stamps of the 19th Century - Volumes I - IIIâ€, Lester G. Brookman, 1989, David G. Phillips Publishing Co., Inc. (Reproduction of 1966-67 printing by H.L. Lindquist).
“The United States Postage Stamps of the 20th Century, Volume Iâ€, originally compiled by Beverly S. King and Max G. Johl, November 1932, revised and enlarged by Max G. Johl, March 1937, printed by H.L. Lindquist.
“The Coil Issues of the United States 1906-1938â€, Martin A. Armstrong, 1977, Trenton Printing Co., Inc.
“The United States Definitive Series 1922-1938â€, Martin A. Armstrong, 1980, Trenton Printing Co., Inc.
“DIETZ Confederate States Catalog and Hand-Bookâ€, 1959, The Dietz Press, Inc.
“Printing Postage Stamps by Line Engravingâ€, James H. Baxter, 1939, published by the American Philatelic Society, printed by the J. W. Stowell Printing Company.
"U.S. Domestic Postal Rates, 1872-1999, Revised Second Edition", Henry W. Beecher and Anthony S. Wawrukiewicz, 2000, CAMA Publishing Company. Recent updates placed online.
"U.S. International Postal Rates, 1872-1996, Revised Second Edition", Henry W. Beecher and Anthony S. Wawrukiewicz, 1997, CAMA Publishing Company. Recent updates placed online.
Baxter's book provides a detailed explanation of the process from die creation to perforation. VERY INTERESTING. The Postal Rates books were useful in identifying which stamps were clearly released to meet an International Mail rate during the "dead decade" after "Airmail" stamps were no longer issued but before the jet silhouette was added.
These are the basic resources I use quite often. I had a few Sherwood Springer catalogs for Cinderellas, but when I finished with that part of my collection I sold the catalogs.
As Michael mentioned, there are often some good deals to be had on the secondary market, and when you are finished with them there is always someone interested in buying it from you!
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I second Michael's and Bill's comments on the secondary market. I wish more philatelic literature was easily available. My US specialized is a 2003 issue, and it could sure use replacing; i also have both Beecher/Wawrukiewicz books, which are essential for any postal historian interested in rates.
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Dear Michael, Larsdog and David,
Your posts are informative and helpful. Ralph & Terry were in the process of getting a library facility together for our members so that these literary resources could be listed in one place, and that members (new & old)might be able to access the info they needed by contacting the Librarian and be directed straight to the ones who had the particular references on hand in their own libraries.
Would any of you chaps care to join in on this activity to help get it underway?
Dan C.
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In addition to the catalogues, I have acquired
1. The United States Postage Stamps of the Twentieth Century, Volume 1 Revised and Enlarged by Max G. Johl published by H.L Lindquist in 1937.
2. The United States Commemorative Stamps of the Twentieth Century by Max G. Johl Volume
1 1901-1935.
3. The United States Commemorative Stamps of the Twentieth Century by Max G. Johl Volume 2 1935-1947.
These three provide the printing history, known varieties, and other details useful to the specialist.
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Dan, sure. I do it anyway. But, you do mean us using our reference materials to answer queries rather than loaning out the material, right?
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Bumped...I didn't see another current thread on this...so maybe this is a good place for folks to show items and/or new additions to their 'Personal Philatelic Library' 
I just got these for Christmas this year 
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Here's my latest;
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Nice thread. I have always believed that a specialized library is a must. I have a number of reference books etc., but the cost of new literature today is very high, not counting the postage on top. This is one of the main reasons I am willing to share my expertise, what I have anyway. Here are a few illustrations of some of my books. Too many to list in here for the rest. Might add a few here and there. All the best for 2018.
Chimo
Bujutsu
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Its true catalogs like the scotts are the tip of the iceberg,i am fortunate to belong to the International Society of Guatemala Collectors which has really excellent reference books going back to day one, and a good monthly magazine. Trying to find information in English on Argentina a much larger country is difficult.
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I recently got the complete set of Scott's Volumes 1-6 from Larsdog (thanks!) Nobody said we needed a new set, and these 1998 versions will do me just fine for my purposes of identifying the stamps from my hoard that I abandoned in the 1980s.
And you don't have to own these books in paper either.
Don's Stamp Smarter has a whole section of scanned books, including the Brookman and Johl volumes.
http://stampsmarter.com/learning/Home_Learning.html
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Tom, thanks for posting that link to Don's online library. I've seen other parts of his Stamp Smarter site, but not that one. What a fantastic site he's creating!
Another interesting series of resource books that I don't think has been mentioned are the Robson Lowe books. I only had one, The Empire in Africa, since my collecting was focused on colonial Africa, but it was a helpful resource.
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Here are some publications I picked up over the last month. The National Philatelic Museum used to be located in Philadelphia but the contents were moved to the Spellman Museum in Boston a number of years ago. There is a series of books published by The museum when it was in Philadelphia and I pick them up when I see them. The Siegel auction catalogs are from a twenty year run I just acquired. There is a lot of material in those catalogs I know I'll never own but they are nice to look at and I use them for a reference.
I Have many more books in my library and added even more from Bill Wiess's web site, the collector's Club Of Chicago web site and The Classic's Society web site.
Vince
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I believe i enjoy reading about stamps..for example the two Linns books "The Worlds Greatest Stamp Collectors" at least as much as accumulating them .
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I have been filling in missing issues of the "American Philatelic Congress". They were started in 1935 and are published every year. Of 83 issues I am missing about 20. I know a dealer that has ten of the issues I'm missing. Hopefully I can make a deal with him for duplicate issues that I have and I don't need. I picked up ten issues in the past few weeks, a Christmas present to myself. Here is a scan of one of the earlier issues and the table of contents.
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"I believe i enjoy reading about stamps..for example the two Linns books "The Worlds Greatest Stamp Collectors" at least as much as accumulating them ."
Phil,
Me too! I have that book on my bedside dresser now and am currently reading about Colonel Green.
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Years ago when i joinned the Stamp Community Forum a generous fellow named Tom Tibbits was sending all new members a copy of this book. I am fairly sure some of you received it !
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Got this book a few months ago
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As an owner of several Knapp FDCs, I just had to get the definitive catalogue raisonné:
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Dorothy lived a quiet life devoted to her family. Her FDC artwork was almost more of a pastime. Later in life when interest in her work took off, she was amazed at the subsequent rise in valuations.
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Here are three I have found interesting and challenging:
That last one represents only the top half of the book! (It was too large to fit an A4 scanner.)
I have to say semiotics is a new and difficult area for me, but it is clearly central to the purpose and design of stamps.
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Ian, you have done it again, just when I think I have bit of knowledge you throw a curveball. Just had to look up semiotics, now my brain aches and the guys in white jackets are doing assessments.
Found this website with an "explanation" and believe my brain cell went awol half way down the page.
http://visual-memory.co.uk/daniel/Documents/S4B/sem01.html
Are we now back to subliminal auto suggestion or have I been hypnotised/mesmerised by the text.
Good job this room has padded walls.
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Vic, I had come across the Daniel Chandler article to which you post a link - "Semiotics for Beginners". This is a complete misnomer as it is a tightly-written, lengthy academic piece - almost a "literature review" - which (as you correctly suggest) will soon confound the beginner.
The main point I have gleaned from the books is that an image on a stamp can imply, or be taken to mean, more than the obvious, where some collectors (see posts in my recent thread about propaganda) are quite happy to leave it. There's no harm in that, of course, but those who admire (for example) the many QEII Commonwealth issues of the 1950s might be forgiven for asking just what attitudes their beautifully-designed (yet rather similar) creations were promoting, and simultaneously masking.
Whether this qualifies as no more than "subliminal auto suggestion" is certainly worth a thought!
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"The main point I have gleaned from the books is that an image on a stamp can imply, or be taken to mean, more than the obvious, where some collectors (see posts in my recent thread about propaganda) are quite happy to leave it. There's no harm in that, of course, but those who admire (for example) the many QEII Commonwealth issues of the 1950s might be forgiven for asking just what attitudes their beautifully-designed (yet rather similar) creations were promoting, and simultaneously masking.
Whether this qualifies as no more than "subliminal auto suggestion" is certainly worth a thought!
"
here we go again!
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Happy New Year everyone!
Guthrum, thanks for sharing the information about these these books. They sound fascinating.
I really appreciate it when people take the trouble to show images of a book's front cover.
I must try harder in this respect!
The first time I heard the word semiotics was in relation to Umbertos Eco's The Name of the Rose which was a great read (and I enjoyed the film with Sean Connery).
I tried more of Eco's books but I did find them hard work at times.
I'll try and find these books and see what I make of them.
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Okay, here's a simpler definition;
" ...the study of signs and symbols as elements of communicative behavior."
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Do we need to call up Robert Langdon?
Lars
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Maybe!
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Back to the library. Here are three more which you may find of interest.
I have to say, in regard to the first of these, that I could find no reference to stamp production in either of the visits I paid to Sachsenhausen a couple of years ago, though the very good film The Counterfeiters / Die Falscher dealt with forging banknotes in that dreadful place. That is not a reflection on Baldus - rather on the material on sale in the Sachsenhausen museum.
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Where did you find the German Propaganda Parodies Against Great Britain book. I note it states Volume I. Are there other works released, yet?
Bruce
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I just purchased the Paper Ambassadors title. (Had to purchase it from a seller in the UK, but shipping was surprisingly merciful.) Looking forward to it!
Thanks, Ian!
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Also, thanks to someone else's recommendation several years ago, I managed to find a copy of An Illustrated History of Stamp Design. Definitely recommended.
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"Where did you find the German Propaganda Parodies Against Great Britain book. I note it states Volume I. Are there other works released, yet?"
Bruce, I think I had this from Abebooks on the internet, where I see it is still available. However, Volume 2 is nowhere to be found. I wonder if (like Bob Dylan's Chronicles!) it was ever written.
Baldus's Philatelic Witnesses: Stamps of Revolutions looks interesting, if pricey. I think I may treat myself!
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Guthrum,
That's funny, as I was just about to post scan the cover of Philatelic Witnesses for this thread.
It's sitting on my desk along with a couple of others.
I hadn't even noticed it was the same author.
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Here it is!
Philatelic Witnesses: Stamps of Revolutions by Wolfgang Baldus:
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I first saw Philatelic Witnesses on the internet and was struck by its excellent cover design.
However, I was a bit disappointed when I received the book and saw that the illustrations were all black and white and most seem to be low resolution.
It does have a lot of excellent information on many obscure stamps including useful bibliographic references for each issue but I did expect more for my money.
Here's the back cover:
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All these book covers are interesting, but perhaps there is room (maybe on a separate thread) for brief but judicious reviews of our favourite philatelic books. I have to say that one or two of mine are not actually that good, needing a lot more thought and research for what they purported to cover.
I suspect even the most academic of philatelic writers are often stumped by a lack (or inaccessibility) of primary source material.
Meanwhile my money has gone off to Texas for the Baldus book, poor illustrations notwithstanding!
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Next up is an excellent reference for postmarks applied on 19th century covers that travelled between different European countries.
This is James Van der Linden's Marques de Passage.
There is also a later supplement.
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Here's a typical page showing some marks on letters from Russia to Prussia:
This is a very well produced book with a traditional sewn binding.
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nigelc,
Is this where you got your postmarks of Crete from?
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Hi Chris,
The Van der Linden book just covers markings that were applied when covers crossed international borders.
My main reference for Crete for both stamps and postmarks has been the Crete handbook by Rienk Feenstra.
Its full title is Crete: Postal History, Postage and Revenue Stamps, Coins and Bank Notes by Rienk M. Feenstra & Friends.
I'm afraid my copy is now falling apart but its front cover still looks ok in this scan:
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Here is a book that was on my list to add to my library. "From the Winged Heels of Mercury" by Zaven M. Seron, M.D., copyright 1984. It covers 5,000 years of mail and stamps in about 200 pages so it isn't an in depth study.
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I've put in a pre-order for this book which should be available in about April of this year. It covers the period from 1823 to 2000 for Tasmania. This will make me look a bit harder at all postmarks on Australian stamps.... and check all the ones I've looked at before.
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I added a few more titles to my library this week.
I picked up two more Philatelic Congress books. There are 83 in the series. I have two more on their way. I will only need to pick up 18 more for the full run.
I finally have a copy of "Foundations Of Philately". Also arriving this week is an autographed, hardbound copy of Datz's U..S. Errors, 1992.
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Here's my favorites...
The New Jersey Postal History is the backbone of my NJ collection database. John Kay and Chester Smith did great research back in the 1970s to compile this book. It is a directory of facts rather than a narrative. The sections are "Post Offices of NJ by County", "List of First Postmasters" and "Alphabetical List of Post Offices". The format was quite effective in the pre-computer era, but could be a simple sortable spread sheet today.
Pennsylvania Postal History by the same team of authors, a bit later in 1994. I knew of this book, but looked it up to recommend to Pigdoc. Then I found a vendor with two copies at $10 each so we both bought one! I just broke the plastic off of my copy for this photo.
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I'm still seriously stopped on finding information on mail routes. I need to figure out if the Pomeroy and Newark branch of the Pennsy RR was receiving revenues from the POD. Not hard to make that determination if I can figure out what mail route(s) the P&N had. In the Official Register, the payees and the route numbers are listed, but I can't find a key to the numbers. The P&N is not shown as a payee, just the parent, Pennsy.
I did stumble across a book on the subject, published by the Collectors Club of Chicago: U.S. Contract Mail Routes by Railroad (1832 – 1875) by Hugh V. Feldman...but it's $97.50. And it might be a bit too early in its scope for my project - the P&N didn't really take off until 1881.
And, the National Archives has some pdfs of some amazing maps of old mail routes online, but none for PA. Guess I'll have to go down to College Park, MD someday...
Also, I found a decent collection of old Official Registers:
http://www.ancestrypaths.com/tips-and-techniques/old-online-digital-books/official-register-of-the-united-states/
Volume II of the Official Registers is dedicated to the POD, and there is a wealth of info on POs, Postmasters, and other employees, and what they were paid. I'm using this info to make a study on postmaster's earnings in hopes that it will be revealing of local economic development. Looks sketchy, so far. But, the trends in payment amounts to PMs do seem to indicate impending PO discontinuations!
Postmasters for some of the tinier, short-lived DPOs never made more than $2000 a year from the venture, in 2018 dollars. THOSE are the DPOs that are VERY hard to find covers from.
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"I did stumble across a book on the subject, published by the Collectors Club of Chicago: U.S. Contract Mail Routes by Railroad (1832 – 1875) by Hugh V. Feldman...but it's $97.50. And it might be a bit too early in its scope for my project - the P&N didn't really take off until 1881."
Paul, I'll bet they have that book in the APS library. Back in the day I would borrow books from them by mail, and I wasn't an APS member. Either that or a trip to the match factory!
Then again, Vince probably has the book!
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See you guys in West Chester tomorrow, I hope!
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See you there Paul!
For anyone interested...
http://www.chestercohistorical.org/youve-got-mail-lecture-series-begins-december-16
February 17
Alan Warren - Postal Markings Prior to Adhesive Postage
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I was going through "My Favs" and here is a discussion on Personal Philatelic Library. Paul posted about a book by Hugh Feldman. No Tom, I don't have it in my library, yet, but I have the next best thing. It is Hugh Feldman's 160 page exhibit on contract mails. It probably don't have the information Paul is looking for but still a nice exhibit. Here is the link. https://www.rfrajola.com/Feldman%20RR/Feldmanrr.pdf
Richard Frajola has numerous exhibits on his site. If you are missing going to shows and seeing the exhibits this site will help fill that need until the shows reopen.
Paul, when I finally get my library unpacked, which will be soon, I will send you a list of what I have and will be happy to loan them to you.
The APS & Philatelic Library will be opening soon for research but limited the number who can enter, you will need to make an appointment first. Check their website for details.
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Here are a few pages from a recent literature item acquisition:
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I guess we still collect the modern way with loose leaf pages!
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Nothing in my mind can replace a good hard bound book with high resolution images, glossy paper and I relish the discovery, the feel, weight and raw pleasure of turning the pages, and even smelling the ink!
I just acquired a book I had been made aware of recently. And I am in owe. 16 years of a labor of love, an exquisite volumes that belongs in a protected reference library or museum, and not on a bookcase, and such a wealth of information. Truly one of a kind. The historical section alone is worth a Ph.D, and I learned so much about this tumultuous time of history! And I won't even mention the 400 pages on the stamps, the collections, the collectors etc...
I must say that as a result I am deeply depressed. There is NO way I can ever get my collection even close to just the simple task of filling most of the voids I have, let alone exploring, as the author does, all the variations, sheets, covers, cancels, errors, display pages, etc..etc...
And I thought I had an advance collection! Ha!
Apart from just finding the stamps (often printed in quantities of under a few thousand copies, many were bought in bulk by collectors during the continuous fighting and over-run post offices that went with it, and sold to specialized collectors, few were ever put in use for mailing).
The cost associated with them is prohibitive (and Catalog prices are probably cheap given the rarity). Plus the counterfeits makes it a real challenge. I guess I will relish adding just one stamp from time to time, and look at the book with envy. The author confided to me that he missed only 3 stamps (variations of perf). but that does not define his collection, and is nothing compared to the depth of the additional material he collected (and organized for us to peruse and study in the book).
I am taking the liberty of sharing just a few pages. This book could never give you such pleasure exploring in any other format than as printed book form! Paper reigns supreme here!
rrr...
Note: all material is copyrighted.
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Great books Brian, do you have this one in your library,Japanese in New Guinea.
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I started drifting from the main topic in my response to the Scott Catalogs, so I started this new thread to offer an idea of how a collector can easily build a philatelic library. Maybe this should be over in the articles section, but I leave that to the editors if they want to do that.
If a collector is not overly concerned about catalog values, and is more interested in how to put a collection together with the million or so stamps (not using Scott's count of 600,000, but including locals and other non-Scott listed material), it is fairly easy to build a philatelic catalog library. This process is probably easier for collectors in the United States than elsewhere, but the same principle would apply. Just use the catalog system most readily available in your country as the primary set.
Here is the make-up of my philatelic catalog library that can help identify most every postage stamp that collectors find:
Primary set - Scott Standard Catalog (6-volume set plus United States Specialized, and still the best buy for the overall stamp coverage that it provides)
Secondary set - Gibbons Stamps of the World (abridged mostly in the older issues as it only catalogs face and color-different stamps, but much better listing of newer issues than Scott, and gives the dimensions of many souvenir sheets - great for knowing what mount sizes to use, among some other editorial material that is beneficial)
Supplemental catalogs:
- Scott Classic Specialized Catalog (rounds out the 1840-1940 issues with many stamps not listed in the standard set)
- Gibbons Commonwealth & Empire Stamps (provides thorough information of British issue varieties not covered by Scott)
Additional catalogs (Obtain catalogs from catalog publishers of individual countries you specialize in or other areas, topics, continents, etc., that you prefer to collect. My list below is all that I need, but I would probably expand into other areas of the world with other Michel and/or Gibbons catalogs if I ran across some older editions at a very low price, but I am not in a rush for that.):
- Michel Gulf States
- Michel West Europe
- Michel East Europe
- Michel Germany Specialized
Now the cry has been heard regarding the cost of all these catalogs. Granted, there is a big expense associated with obtaining and building a philatelic catalog library...IF you buy the catalogs new.
Dealers wind up with older catalogs all the time. Collectors upgrade their catalogs all the time. The aftermarket of used catalogs is full of variety. My current catalog years, for example, are as follows:
Scott Standard Catalog (6-volume set plus United States Specialized) - 2011
Gibbons Stamps of the World - 2008
Scott Classic Specialized Catalog - 2009
Gibbons Commonwealth & Empire Stamps - 2008
Michel Gulf States - 2006
Michel West Europe - 1998-1989
Michel East Europe - 1997-1998
Michel Germany Specialized - 1995
Check with dealers and online to obtain older catalogs at big discounts from the original prices. I get a new set of Scott catalogs every 2 or 3 years, depending on the price valuation and editorial changes that they make. Read the articles and reviews about what is new in the catalogs that you use when the new editions are released. It lets you know whether it is time for you to buy a new set or not. I get a new edition of the Scott Classic Specialized Catalog every 5 years or so. I get a newer edition of the Gibbons Stamps of the World set if I have a need due to working with a large volume of new issues. The other catalogs on my list I use just for older material and varieties that are not listed in Scott, and are updated only if I find a newer catalog in a box lot that I buy in auction, or I find someone selling the catalog dirt cheap.
The nice thing with catalogs is that there is a voracious market for used ones. That means as you upgrade, you can always find someone who wants your older edition as they upgrade theirs. That helps to lesson the financial aspect of building and maintaining a philatelic catalog library.
I hope you found this helpful. Your needs will vary of course depending on how and what you collect. There are many more catalog publishers out there than the three that I mentioned. I find those three to fit my needs the best.
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re: Personal Philatelic Library
Great post, Michael. My needs as a collector of only U.S. are different. I have a 2011 Scott Specialized, plus some older ones (2008, 1990, 1972, 1960, 1945, 1928 - I think). 1928 is the oldest. The first Scott Specialized was 1922, so I also have a 1905 standard catalog. I was interested in the progression of early Type differentiation. I also have a Stanley Gibbons from 2005 or so for reference. The other pieces of my philatelic library are not catalogs. They are reference books that have been very valuable:
“Scott Specialized Color Guides for United States Stampsâ€, 2005, Scott Publishing Co.
“The Postage Stamps of the United Statesâ€, John N. Luff, 1897, the Scott Stamp and Coin Co., Ltd.
“The United States Postage Stamps of the 19th Century - Volumes I - IIIâ€, Lester G. Brookman, 1989, David G. Phillips Publishing Co., Inc. (Reproduction of 1966-67 printing by H.L. Lindquist).
“The United States Postage Stamps of the 20th Century, Volume Iâ€, originally compiled by Beverly S. King and Max G. Johl, November 1932, revised and enlarged by Max G. Johl, March 1937, printed by H.L. Lindquist.
“The Coil Issues of the United States 1906-1938â€, Martin A. Armstrong, 1977, Trenton Printing Co., Inc.
“The United States Definitive Series 1922-1938â€, Martin A. Armstrong, 1980, Trenton Printing Co., Inc.
“DIETZ Confederate States Catalog and Hand-Bookâ€, 1959, The Dietz Press, Inc.
“Printing Postage Stamps by Line Engravingâ€, James H. Baxter, 1939, published by the American Philatelic Society, printed by the J. W. Stowell Printing Company.
"U.S. Domestic Postal Rates, 1872-1999, Revised Second Edition", Henry W. Beecher and Anthony S. Wawrukiewicz, 2000, CAMA Publishing Company. Recent updates placed online.
"U.S. International Postal Rates, 1872-1996, Revised Second Edition", Henry W. Beecher and Anthony S. Wawrukiewicz, 1997, CAMA Publishing Company. Recent updates placed online.
Baxter's book provides a detailed explanation of the process from die creation to perforation. VERY INTERESTING. The Postal Rates books were useful in identifying which stamps were clearly released to meet an International Mail rate during the "dead decade" after "Airmail" stamps were no longer issued but before the jet silhouette was added.
These are the basic resources I use quite often. I had a few Sherwood Springer catalogs for Cinderellas, but when I finished with that part of my collection I sold the catalogs.
As Michael mentioned, there are often some good deals to be had on the secondary market, and when you are finished with them there is always someone interested in buying it from you!
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I second Michael's and Bill's comments on the secondary market. I wish more philatelic literature was easily available. My US specialized is a 2003 issue, and it could sure use replacing; i also have both Beecher/Wawrukiewicz books, which are essential for any postal historian interested in rates.
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Dear Michael, Larsdog and David,
Your posts are informative and helpful. Ralph & Terry were in the process of getting a library facility together for our members so that these literary resources could be listed in one place, and that members (new & old)might be able to access the info they needed by contacting the Librarian and be directed straight to the ones who had the particular references on hand in their own libraries.
Would any of you chaps care to join in on this activity to help get it underway?
Dan C.
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In addition to the catalogues, I have acquired
1. The United States Postage Stamps of the Twentieth Century, Volume 1 Revised and Enlarged by Max G. Johl published by H.L Lindquist in 1937.
2. The United States Commemorative Stamps of the Twentieth Century by Max G. Johl Volume
1 1901-1935.
3. The United States Commemorative Stamps of the Twentieth Century by Max G. Johl Volume 2 1935-1947.
These three provide the printing history, known varieties, and other details useful to the specialist.
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Dan, sure. I do it anyway. But, you do mean us using our reference materials to answer queries rather than loaning out the material, right?
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Bumped...I didn't see another current thread on this...so maybe this is a good place for folks to show items and/or new additions to their 'Personal Philatelic Library'
I just got these for Christmas this year
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Here's my latest;
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Nice thread. I have always believed that a specialized library is a must. I have a number of reference books etc., but the cost of new literature today is very high, not counting the postage on top. This is one of the main reasons I am willing to share my expertise, what I have anyway. Here are a few illustrations of some of my books. Too many to list in here for the rest. Might add a few here and there. All the best for 2018.
Chimo
Bujutsu
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Its true catalogs like the scotts are the tip of the iceberg,i am fortunate to belong to the International Society of Guatemala Collectors which has really excellent reference books going back to day one, and a good monthly magazine. Trying to find information in English on Argentina a much larger country is difficult.
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I recently got the complete set of Scott's Volumes 1-6 from Larsdog (thanks!) Nobody said we needed a new set, and these 1998 versions will do me just fine for my purposes of identifying the stamps from my hoard that I abandoned in the 1980s.
And you don't have to own these books in paper either.
Don's Stamp Smarter has a whole section of scanned books, including the Brookman and Johl volumes.
http://stampsmarter.com/learning/Home_Learning.html
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Tom, thanks for posting that link to Don's online library. I've seen other parts of his Stamp Smarter site, but not that one. What a fantastic site he's creating!
Another interesting series of resource books that I don't think has been mentioned are the Robson Lowe books. I only had one, The Empire in Africa, since my collecting was focused on colonial Africa, but it was a helpful resource.
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Here are some publications I picked up over the last month. The National Philatelic Museum used to be located in Philadelphia but the contents were moved to the Spellman Museum in Boston a number of years ago. There is a series of books published by The museum when it was in Philadelphia and I pick them up when I see them. The Siegel auction catalogs are from a twenty year run I just acquired. There is a lot of material in those catalogs I know I'll never own but they are nice to look at and I use them for a reference.
I Have many more books in my library and added even more from Bill Wiess's web site, the collector's Club Of Chicago web site and The Classic's Society web site.
Vince
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I believe i enjoy reading about stamps..for example the two Linns books "The Worlds Greatest Stamp Collectors" at least as much as accumulating them .
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I have been filling in missing issues of the "American Philatelic Congress". They were started in 1935 and are published every year. Of 83 issues I am missing about 20. I know a dealer that has ten of the issues I'm missing. Hopefully I can make a deal with him for duplicate issues that I have and I don't need. I picked up ten issues in the past few weeks, a Christmas present to myself. Here is a scan of one of the earlier issues and the table of contents.
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"I believe i enjoy reading about stamps..for example the two Linns books "The Worlds Greatest Stamp Collectors" at least as much as accumulating them ."
Phil,
Me too! I have that book on my bedside dresser now and am currently reading about Colonel Green.
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Years ago when i joinned the Stamp Community Forum a generous fellow named Tom Tibbits was sending all new members a copy of this book. I am fairly sure some of you received it !
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Got this book a few months ago
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As an owner of several Knapp FDCs, I just had to get the definitive catalogue raisonné:
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Dorothy lived a quiet life devoted to her family. Her FDC artwork was almost more of a pastime. Later in life when interest in her work took off, she was amazed at the subsequent rise in valuations.
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Here are three I have found interesting and challenging:
That last one represents only the top half of the book! (It was too large to fit an A4 scanner.)
I have to say semiotics is a new and difficult area for me, but it is clearly central to the purpose and design of stamps.
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Ian, you have done it again, just when I think I have bit of knowledge you throw a curveball. Just had to look up semiotics, now my brain aches and the guys in white jackets are doing assessments.
Found this website with an "explanation" and believe my brain cell went awol half way down the page.
http://visual-memory.co.uk/daniel/Documents/S4B/sem01.html
Are we now back to subliminal auto suggestion or have I been hypnotised/mesmerised by the text.
Good job this room has padded walls.
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Vic, I had come across the Daniel Chandler article to which you post a link - "Semiotics for Beginners". This is a complete misnomer as it is a tightly-written, lengthy academic piece - almost a "literature review" - which (as you correctly suggest) will soon confound the beginner.
The main point I have gleaned from the books is that an image on a stamp can imply, or be taken to mean, more than the obvious, where some collectors (see posts in my recent thread about propaganda) are quite happy to leave it. There's no harm in that, of course, but those who admire (for example) the many QEII Commonwealth issues of the 1950s might be forgiven for asking just what attitudes their beautifully-designed (yet rather similar) creations were promoting, and simultaneously masking.
Whether this qualifies as no more than "subliminal auto suggestion" is certainly worth a thought!
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"The main point I have gleaned from the books is that an image on a stamp can imply, or be taken to mean, more than the obvious, where some collectors (see posts in my recent thread about propaganda) are quite happy to leave it. There's no harm in that, of course, but those who admire (for example) the many QEII Commonwealth issues of the 1950s might be forgiven for asking just what attitudes their beautifully-designed (yet rather similar) creations were promoting, and simultaneously masking.
Whether this qualifies as no more than "subliminal auto suggestion" is certainly worth a thought!
"
here we go again!
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Happy New Year everyone!
Guthrum, thanks for sharing the information about these these books. They sound fascinating.
I really appreciate it when people take the trouble to show images of a book's front cover.
I must try harder in this respect!
The first time I heard the word semiotics was in relation to Umbertos Eco's The Name of the Rose which was a great read (and I enjoyed the film with Sean Connery).
I tried more of Eco's books but I did find them hard work at times.
I'll try and find these books and see what I make of them.
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Okay, here's a simpler definition;
" ...the study of signs and symbols as elements of communicative behavior."
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Do we need to call up Robert Langdon?
Lars
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Maybe!
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Back to the library. Here are three more which you may find of interest.
I have to say, in regard to the first of these, that I could find no reference to stamp production in either of the visits I paid to Sachsenhausen a couple of years ago, though the very good film The Counterfeiters / Die Falscher dealt with forging banknotes in that dreadful place. That is not a reflection on Baldus - rather on the material on sale in the Sachsenhausen museum.
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08:21:11pm
re: Personal Philatelic Library
Where did you find the German Propaganda Parodies Against Great Britain book. I note it states Volume I. Are there other works released, yet?
Bruce
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I just purchased the Paper Ambassadors title. (Had to purchase it from a seller in the UK, but shipping was surprisingly merciful.) Looking forward to it!
Thanks, Ian!
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Also, thanks to someone else's recommendation several years ago, I managed to find a copy of An Illustrated History of Stamp Design. Definitely recommended.
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"Where did you find the German Propaganda Parodies Against Great Britain book. I note it states Volume I. Are there other works released, yet?"
Bruce, I think I had this from Abebooks on the internet, where I see it is still available. However, Volume 2 is nowhere to be found. I wonder if (like Bob Dylan's Chronicles!) it was ever written.
Baldus's Philatelic Witnesses: Stamps of Revolutions looks interesting, if pricey. I think I may treat myself!
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Guthrum,
That's funny, as I was just about to post scan the cover of Philatelic Witnesses for this thread.
It's sitting on my desk along with a couple of others.
I hadn't even noticed it was the same author.
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Here it is!
Philatelic Witnesses: Stamps of Revolutions by Wolfgang Baldus:
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I first saw Philatelic Witnesses on the internet and was struck by its excellent cover design.
However, I was a bit disappointed when I received the book and saw that the illustrations were all black and white and most seem to be low resolution.
It does have a lot of excellent information on many obscure stamps including useful bibliographic references for each issue but I did expect more for my money.
Here's the back cover:
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All these book covers are interesting, but perhaps there is room (maybe on a separate thread) for brief but judicious reviews of our favourite philatelic books. I have to say that one or two of mine are not actually that good, needing a lot more thought and research for what they purported to cover.
I suspect even the most academic of philatelic writers are often stumped by a lack (or inaccessibility) of primary source material.
Meanwhile my money has gone off to Texas for the Baldus book, poor illustrations notwithstanding!
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Next up is an excellent reference for postmarks applied on 19th century covers that travelled between different European countries.
This is James Van der Linden's Marques de Passage.
There is also a later supplement.
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Here's a typical page showing some marks on letters from Russia to Prussia:
This is a very well produced book with a traditional sewn binding.
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nigelc,
Is this where you got your postmarks of Crete from?
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Hi Chris,
The Van der Linden book just covers markings that were applied when covers crossed international borders.
My main reference for Crete for both stamps and postmarks has been the Crete handbook by Rienk Feenstra.
Its full title is Crete: Postal History, Postage and Revenue Stamps, Coins and Bank Notes by Rienk M. Feenstra & Friends.
I'm afraid my copy is now falling apart but its front cover still looks ok in this scan:
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Here is a book that was on my list to add to my library. "From the Winged Heels of Mercury" by Zaven M. Seron, M.D., copyright 1984. It covers 5,000 years of mail and stamps in about 200 pages so it isn't an in depth study.
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03:51:24am
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I've put in a pre-order for this book which should be available in about April of this year. It covers the period from 1823 to 2000 for Tasmania. This will make me look a bit harder at all postmarks on Australian stamps.... and check all the ones I've looked at before.
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I added a few more titles to my library this week.
I picked up two more Philatelic Congress books. There are 83 in the series. I have two more on their way. I will only need to pick up 18 more for the full run.
I finally have a copy of "Foundations Of Philately". Also arriving this week is an autographed, hardbound copy of Datz's U..S. Errors, 1992.
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Here's my favorites...
The New Jersey Postal History is the backbone of my NJ collection database. John Kay and Chester Smith did great research back in the 1970s to compile this book. It is a directory of facts rather than a narrative. The sections are "Post Offices of NJ by County", "List of First Postmasters" and "Alphabetical List of Post Offices". The format was quite effective in the pre-computer era, but could be a simple sortable spread sheet today.
Pennsylvania Postal History by the same team of authors, a bit later in 1994. I knew of this book, but looked it up to recommend to Pigdoc. Then I found a vendor with two copies at $10 each so we both bought one! I just broke the plastic off of my copy for this photo.
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04:58:22pm
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I'm still seriously stopped on finding information on mail routes. I need to figure out if the Pomeroy and Newark branch of the Pennsy RR was receiving revenues from the POD. Not hard to make that determination if I can figure out what mail route(s) the P&N had. In the Official Register, the payees and the route numbers are listed, but I can't find a key to the numbers. The P&N is not shown as a payee, just the parent, Pennsy.
I did stumble across a book on the subject, published by the Collectors Club of Chicago: U.S. Contract Mail Routes by Railroad (1832 – 1875) by Hugh V. Feldman...but it's $97.50. And it might be a bit too early in its scope for my project - the P&N didn't really take off until 1881.
And, the National Archives has some pdfs of some amazing maps of old mail routes online, but none for PA. Guess I'll have to go down to College Park, MD someday...
Also, I found a decent collection of old Official Registers:
http://www.ancestrypaths.com/tips-and-techniques/old-online-digital-books/official-register-of-the-united-states/
Volume II of the Official Registers is dedicated to the POD, and there is a wealth of info on POs, Postmasters, and other employees, and what they were paid. I'm using this info to make a study on postmaster's earnings in hopes that it will be revealing of local economic development. Looks sketchy, so far. But, the trends in payment amounts to PMs do seem to indicate impending PO discontinuations!
Postmasters for some of the tinier, short-lived DPOs never made more than $2000 a year from the venture, in 2018 dollars. THOSE are the DPOs that are VERY hard to find covers from.
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"I did stumble across a book on the subject, published by the Collectors Club of Chicago: U.S. Contract Mail Routes by Railroad (1832 – 1875) by Hugh V. Feldman...but it's $97.50. And it might be a bit too early in its scope for my project - the P&N didn't really take off until 1881."
Paul, I'll bet they have that book in the APS library. Back in the day I would borrow books from them by mail, and I wasn't an APS member. Either that or a trip to the match factory!
Then again, Vince probably has the book!
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See you guys in West Chester tomorrow, I hope!
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See you there Paul!
For anyone interested...
http://www.chestercohistorical.org/youve-got-mail-lecture-series-begins-december-16
February 17
Alan Warren - Postal Markings Prior to Adhesive Postage
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I was going through "My Favs" and here is a discussion on Personal Philatelic Library. Paul posted about a book by Hugh Feldman. No Tom, I don't have it in my library, yet, but I have the next best thing. It is Hugh Feldman's 160 page exhibit on contract mails. It probably don't have the information Paul is looking for but still a nice exhibit. Here is the link. https://www.rfrajola.com/Feldman%20RR/Feldmanrr.pdf
Richard Frajola has numerous exhibits on his site. If you are missing going to shows and seeing the exhibits this site will help fill that need until the shows reopen.
Paul, when I finally get my library unpacked, which will be soon, I will send you a list of what I have and will be happy to loan them to you.
The APS & Philatelic Library will be opening soon for research but limited the number who can enter, you will need to make an appointment first. Check their website for details.
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Here are a few pages from a recent literature item acquisition:
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I guess we still collect the modern way with loose leaf pages!
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Retired Ap. Book Mod, Pres Golden Gate Stamp Club, Hi Tech Consultant
17 Mar 2021
02:53:23pm
re: Personal Philatelic Library
Nothing in my mind can replace a good hard bound book with high resolution images, glossy paper and I relish the discovery, the feel, weight and raw pleasure of turning the pages, and even smelling the ink!
I just acquired a book I had been made aware of recently. And I am in owe. 16 years of a labor of love, an exquisite volumes that belongs in a protected reference library or museum, and not on a bookcase, and such a wealth of information. Truly one of a kind. The historical section alone is worth a Ph.D, and I learned so much about this tumultuous time of history! And I won't even mention the 400 pages on the stamps, the collections, the collectors etc...
I must say that as a result I am deeply depressed. There is NO way I can ever get my collection even close to just the simple task of filling most of the voids I have, let alone exploring, as the author does, all the variations, sheets, covers, cancels, errors, display pages, etc..etc...
And I thought I had an advance collection! Ha!
Apart from just finding the stamps (often printed in quantities of under a few thousand copies, many were bought in bulk by collectors during the continuous fighting and over-run post offices that went with it, and sold to specialized collectors, few were ever put in use for mailing).
The cost associated with them is prohibitive (and Catalog prices are probably cheap given the rarity). Plus the counterfeits makes it a real challenge. I guess I will relish adding just one stamp from time to time, and look at the book with envy. The author confided to me that he missed only 3 stamps (variations of perf). but that does not define his collection, and is nothing compared to the depth of the additional material he collected (and organized for us to peruse and study in the book).
I am taking the liberty of sharing just a few pages. This book could never give you such pleasure exploring in any other format than as printed book form! Paper reigns supreme here!
rrr...
Note: all material is copyrighted.
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Great books Brian, do you have this one in your library,Japanese in New Guinea.
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