Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Thanks for any help.
Bob
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Bob,
If you go on Ebay right now, type in "stamp identifier" under the category 'Stamps', you'll find 4 identifiers up for bids at the moment.....assuming of course you are an Ebay user.
Musicman/Randy B.
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Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. Unfortunately, I must not have been clear as to what I am seeking.
I'm looking for personal recommendations for a reference book, not a place to buy books, and not a web site where identification is available.
My stamp collecting is an enjoyable experience, away from the computer and the world in general. And yes, I am the type of person who still buys books and reads them for both pleasure and information. So it is that I find myself wanting of a book that I can have by my side as I sort through a new acquisition.
Still searching, and still....
Bob
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Hello Bob,
If you say "identification of worldwide issues" you mean finding out the country of issue for a certain stamp?
I have never owned a separate reference book that crossreferences foreign inscriptions on stamps and their respective country of origin. So I cannot speak directly to your desired personal recommendation. I know such reference books exist. However, their usefulness has been greatly diminished in the internet age where free online tools are available for researching and identifying stamps.
Also, let me ask you, what stamp catalog do you use? The best tool in identifying stamps for me has always been a stamp catalog. Maybe a "better" stamp catalog will eliminate the need for a separate stamp identifier reference.
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So Arno, which stamp catalog do you find to be the best?
Regards ... Tim.
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I think it was HE Harris who produced a small stamp identifier booklet in which identifying details of various countries' stamps were shown. I use it in conjunction with Scott's identifier in the back of their catalogues. Together, they are pretty good at finding most things. If this is what you're after, I'll get the specific name of the thing and you might be able to find one, or I could copy it for you.
David
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In my experience, there really isn't a "best" catalogue. The best catalogue depends on your collecting needs. Scott and Stanly Gibbons are fairly basic, listing the main varieties. Scott is now printed in color, which is very helpful, but for many countries will only show a representative stamp from any given set, so you have to rely on written descriptions. I believe that Stanly Gibbons is the same.
If you collect just one or a few countries, it's best to look for country-specific catalogues. I collect North Vietnam, and a few years ago found what apparently is the ony specialized catalogue in English for that country. It even includes National Liberation Front issues which were never recognized by UPU and were never, so far as I know, used on international mail.
Collectors of any of the Scandinavian countries rely on the Facit specialized catalogue, now printed in English.
In 1940, and again in 1950 and 1962, the Japan Travel Bureau published Japanese Postage Stamps in English. The author is Yokichi Yamamoto, once the chief postmaster in Tokyo. It's much more than a catalogue, and in fact doesn't include retail values. But if you collect Japan, this book is indispensable.
An older and very useful catalogue, issued over a period of several years, is Sanabria's Air Post Catalogue, which provides information about airmail stamps not found anywhere else.
If you collect Canada, The Unitrade Unitrade Catalogue of Canadian Stamps is a necessity. For U.S. Specialists, the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps is a must.
Both Michel and Stanley Gibbons publish specialized catalogues for many countries.
You'll find that many catalogues were publlshed only once or over a brief period, and you grab them when you can. Most catalogues that are published annually are readily available in used copies, which can save you bushels of money.
Hope this helps.
Bob
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In my opinion, the Michel catalogue is already specialized, compared to Scott's and the normal Stanley Gibbons. The only thing is that it is in German, although the publisher has started English language versions of certain titles.
Michel is also in full colour, and shows all stampdesigns, which is a big plus compared to Scott.
It should be obvious, I prefer Michel 
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As usual..David's seems to be the most direct answer to the question. Interestingly enough, that's the combination (Scott & Harris) that I have been using, along with a Gibbons booklet.
There were those times that I could not find a strange script in any of these (perhaps it was there, but I could not find it) so I had to resort to the internet. This occasioned my original question, because as stated before, I am a book person.
Once again, thanks to all.
Bob
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Bob,
The index to the catalog as well as the information on stamps with missing or foreign alphabet country identification (number of images etc.) is insufficient in Scott catalogs. If it was sufficient, you would not need an extra book to figure out a stamp's country of origin. Since the discussion of alternative stamp catalogs that have all the information necessary to identify stamps appears to be off-topic, I certainly do not want to bother you with it.
We are 100% on the same page with respect to being "book people," though. Most philatelic information I am interested in is not available on the internet anyway. And if it is available, I still prefer having it on paper so that I can have it next to me when organizing my collection. I hope someone can point out a more specific reference for a "country identifier guide" to you.
(Message edited by rhinelander on December 24, 2008)
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i'm with you, Arno and Bob, I like my info in books, but I use the internet when I can phrase the question in a way that google is likely to recognize. Of course, one is dependent on the indexing and organizational functions of the books being consulted (see below). My stamp room and computer room are in different parts of the house (and while the stamp room is always my own, the computer is shared with 2 others).
I wish that Scott were more thorough in its approach; it seems half-hearted in most things, except US, and there it is maddeningly inconsistent. Worse, it is so poorly organized, it requires pounds of post-its that I use to direct my attention to this or that, for instance, watermarks used in BC stamps. Try finding those convenient to stamps of CoGH or Barbados or....
David
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I have two books that I use for stumper stamps, they seem to work about 95% of the time. One is "Linns Stamp Identifier" and can be purchased from most stamp dealers that sell supplies. The other one is "Identify Your Stamps" by Ervin J. Felix, I have had this one for a long time and have no recollection of where I bought it. Hope this helps
Merry Christmas
Tom
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I knew Ervin Felix, when I lived in Long Island, NY.
Is he still alive?
Richaard
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I don't know, but the book I have by him (Ervin Felix) was printed in 1967
Tom
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06:39:06pm
For years I have been using two small paperback booklets, one from Gibbons and the other from H.E. Harris, to help in the identification of some of those difficult worldwide issues. I would like to improve upon these and am looking for some suggestions that would be both practical and reasonable in cost.
Thanks for any help.
Bob
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re: Reference Books to help ID country from which stamps were issued
Bob,
If you go on Ebay right now, type in "stamp identifier" under the category 'Stamps', you'll find 4 identifiers up for bids at the moment.....assuming of course you are an Ebay user.
Musicman/Randy B.
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07:52:33am
re: Reference Books to help ID country from which stamps were issued
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. Unfortunately, I must not have been clear as to what I am seeking.
I'm looking for personal recommendations for a reference book, not a place to buy books, and not a web site where identification is available.
My stamp collecting is an enjoyable experience, away from the computer and the world in general. And yes, I am the type of person who still buys books and reads them for both pleasure and information. So it is that I find myself wanting of a book that I can have by my side as I sort through a new acquisition.
Still searching, and still....
Bob
Login to Like
this post
re: Reference Books to help ID country from which stamps were issued
Hello Bob,
If you say "identification of worldwide issues" you mean finding out the country of issue for a certain stamp?
I have never owned a separate reference book that crossreferences foreign inscriptions on stamps and their respective country of origin. So I cannot speak directly to your desired personal recommendation. I know such reference books exist. However, their usefulness has been greatly diminished in the internet age where free online tools are available for researching and identifying stamps.
Also, let me ask you, what stamp catalog do you use? The best tool in identifying stamps for me has always been a stamp catalog. Maybe a "better" stamp catalog will eliminate the need for a separate stamp identifier reference.
Login to Like
this post
re: Reference Books to help ID country from which stamps were issued
So Arno, which stamp catalog do you find to be the best?
Regards ... Tim.
Login to Like
this post
re: Reference Books to help ID country from which stamps were issued
I think it was HE Harris who produced a small stamp identifier booklet in which identifying details of various countries' stamps were shown. I use it in conjunction with Scott's identifier in the back of their catalogues. Together, they are pretty good at finding most things. If this is what you're after, I'll get the specific name of the thing and you might be able to find one, or I could copy it for you.
David
Login to Like
this post
re: Reference Books to help ID country from which stamps were issued
In my experience, there really isn't a "best" catalogue. The best catalogue depends on your collecting needs. Scott and Stanly Gibbons are fairly basic, listing the main varieties. Scott is now printed in color, which is very helpful, but for many countries will only show a representative stamp from any given set, so you have to rely on written descriptions. I believe that Stanly Gibbons is the same.
If you collect just one or a few countries, it's best to look for country-specific catalogues. I collect North Vietnam, and a few years ago found what apparently is the ony specialized catalogue in English for that country. It even includes National Liberation Front issues which were never recognized by UPU and were never, so far as I know, used on international mail.
Collectors of any of the Scandinavian countries rely on the Facit specialized catalogue, now printed in English.
In 1940, and again in 1950 and 1962, the Japan Travel Bureau published Japanese Postage Stamps in English. The author is Yokichi Yamamoto, once the chief postmaster in Tokyo. It's much more than a catalogue, and in fact doesn't include retail values. But if you collect Japan, this book is indispensable.
An older and very useful catalogue, issued over a period of several years, is Sanabria's Air Post Catalogue, which provides information about airmail stamps not found anywhere else.
If you collect Canada, The Unitrade Unitrade Catalogue of Canadian Stamps is a necessity. For U.S. Specialists, the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps is a must.
Both Michel and Stanley Gibbons publish specialized catalogues for many countries.
You'll find that many catalogues were publlshed only once or over a brief period, and you grab them when you can. Most catalogues that are published annually are readily available in used copies, which can save you bushels of money.
Hope this helps.
Bob
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this post
Approvals
re: Reference Books to help ID country from which stamps were issued
In my opinion, the Michel catalogue is already specialized, compared to Scott's and the normal Stanley Gibbons. The only thing is that it is in German, although the publisher has started English language versions of certain titles.
Michel is also in full colour, and shows all stampdesigns, which is a big plus compared to Scott.
It should be obvious, I prefer Michel
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this post
03:40:37pm
re: Reference Books to help ID country from which stamps were issued
As usual..David's seems to be the most direct answer to the question. Interestingly enough, that's the combination (Scott & Harris) that I have been using, along with a Gibbons booklet.
There were those times that I could not find a strange script in any of these (perhaps it was there, but I could not find it) so I had to resort to the internet. This occasioned my original question, because as stated before, I am a book person.
Once again, thanks to all.
Bob
Login to Like
this post
re: Reference Books to help ID country from which stamps were issued
Bob,
The index to the catalog as well as the information on stamps with missing or foreign alphabet country identification (number of images etc.) is insufficient in Scott catalogs. If it was sufficient, you would not need an extra book to figure out a stamp's country of origin. Since the discussion of alternative stamp catalogs that have all the information necessary to identify stamps appears to be off-topic, I certainly do not want to bother you with it.
We are 100% on the same page with respect to being "book people," though. Most philatelic information I am interested in is not available on the internet anyway. And if it is available, I still prefer having it on paper so that I can have it next to me when organizing my collection. I hope someone can point out a more specific reference for a "country identifier guide" to you.
(Message edited by rhinelander on December 24, 2008)
Login to Like
this post
re: Reference Books to help ID country from which stamps were issued
i'm with you, Arno and Bob, I like my info in books, but I use the internet when I can phrase the question in a way that google is likely to recognize. Of course, one is dependent on the indexing and organizational functions of the books being consulted (see below). My stamp room and computer room are in different parts of the house (and while the stamp room is always my own, the computer is shared with 2 others).
I wish that Scott were more thorough in its approach; it seems half-hearted in most things, except US, and there it is maddeningly inconsistent. Worse, it is so poorly organized, it requires pounds of post-its that I use to direct my attention to this or that, for instance, watermarks used in BC stamps. Try finding those convenient to stamps of CoGH or Barbados or....
David
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this post
08:49:43pm
re: Reference Books to help ID country from which stamps were issued
I have two books that I use for stumper stamps, they seem to work about 95% of the time. One is "Linns Stamp Identifier" and can be purchased from most stamp dealers that sell supplies. The other one is "Identify Your Stamps" by Ervin J. Felix, I have had this one for a long time and have no recollection of where I bought it. Hope this helps
Merry Christmas
Tom
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this post
re: Reference Books to help ID country from which stamps were issued
I knew Ervin Felix, when I lived in Long Island, NY.
Is he still alive?
Richaard
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10:53:21am
re: Reference Books to help ID country from which stamps were issued
I don't know, but the book I have by him (Ervin Felix) was printed in 1967
Tom
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