New, current catalogues are wonderful things. Databases are also wonderful things. But sometimes, they don't get along. There hangs a tale for all ye contemplating - or all ye already engaged in - databasing your collection. Or all ye who figure it's OK to let 30 years go by without updating your catalogues.

After many years away from my stamps, I finally have the time to devote to them, so I'm buying a volume of the 2015 Scott every other month or so, to replace my old 1985 set (yes, it's been THAT many years since I really, seriously, obsessively concentrated on my stamps). I've also acquired a dedicated stamp database application, so I don't have to update outdated database software on an old computer that's gasping its last anyway. I have something like 18,000 stamps that I've identified and organized in glassines over the years, and perhaps another 10,000 in various old Scott and Minkus albums and loose envelopes. I'm happy as a clam at high tide, identifying, consolidating, and mounting. I'm most likely busy for the rest of my life.

Well, I was. From Aden through the Belgian Congo, I was fine. Then I reached Belgium. I have nearly 1,000 Belgian stamps in glassines, and probably several hundred more in the albums. All was well until I reached 1935, about 20% in. Sometime between my 1985 catalogues and my nice new 2015 catalogues, Scott re-sequenced Belgium, starting at Scott #270, in the 1935-46 Lion of State/Coat of Arms set. Scott #270B (1985) became the new 271 (2015), and Scott #272-274 (1985) were all promoted one number. Scott #274A-274D (1985) are now Scott #276-282, with Scott #352, 352A, and 353 (1985) reassigned to Scott #277, 280, and 281 (2015).

The net effect is that the old Scott #275 (1985), which is the 70 centime from the 1936-43 King Leopold III issue, is bumped up eight catalogue numbers to Scott #283 (2015). And, I see additional changes coming. Looking ahead, I see that Scott #407-17 (1985) is now Scott #435-45 (2015) - 28 catalogue numbers. It looks like Scott decided to bring together several sets of definitives that had been issued at lengthy intervals, but not consolidated into coherent sets with sequential catalogue numbers at the time the next catalogue was published. But everything goes back to normal at Scott #912 (1985 and 2015), the 1975 Themabelga issue. I'll just have to be extra careful to make sure I change the catalogue numbers in the database correctly to reflect Scott 2015. Changing numbers in bulk would be great, but the changes aren't consistent enough, as far as I can see.

I guess the lesson is to try to pay attention to any reports of any catalogue publisher making significant changes, especially if you specialize in a particular country or countries.