Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
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Is there something specific you seek? This is a pretty broad topic, and depending on what you want, there's a good number of people who could help you here. There's also a related group, US Specialized, started by one of our SOR members, that concentrates solely on US material, and has a large number of knowledgeable and talkative postal historians among its active ranks.
David
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I guess I am looking for a book, or books, that would provide a general introduction to cover collecting, as well as any reference works that most collectors consider to be "must haves" for cover collecting.
For example: what book would I consult to find the approximate value of a $0.03 Colombian Exposition stamp on cover? What source material would I use to find what rate this would fall under or if the stamp was used correctly? What general guidebooks exist for postmarks, cancellations, etc.?
Sorry to be so broad. Hope this helps.
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It's a very good start. The bible for rates are the two Beecher and Wawrukiewicz rate books: one domestic and the other international. They don't cover the stampless period, and, I believe, start sometime after the Civil War (1872 if I remember). They explain everything and all usages. If you want to understand US rates, you must have these.
Scott provides some guidance for US on-cover usage of 19 century stamps, but I have no idea how accurate it is. Often, valuation is limited to a specfic usage, say, UPU or registered or...
I think the market is a better judge. Perry and Dan Cohen are probably are two most knowledgeable early US collectors, although I don't know if either has familiarity with on cover usage. Saleem's a great rate guy, but I think he, like me, is more knowlegeable about this most recent century past than 19 C.
Dan Cohen can tell you about cancellation books. He has those bibles. He's only sporadically on line.
The 3c Columbian would be an interesting usage in period; i don't believe it paid any rate; maybe triple weight third class or triple weight local? That's off the top of my head. I suspect if you find a 3c Columbian paying either of those rare rates, it would be worth a pretty penny, as much for the rate as the stamp, and more for the combination. I'm not speaking with authority, now, though, so be careful what of this you take to the bank.
This should be a good start.
David
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Thanks for the help! I will follow your suggestions and track down Beecher and Wawrukiewicz.
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I am interested in learning more about 19th Century U.S postal history. What general guidebooks/catalogs would you recommend starting with.
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re: Looking for literature recommendations for 19th Cent. US Postal History
Is there something specific you seek? This is a pretty broad topic, and depending on what you want, there's a good number of people who could help you here. There's also a related group, US Specialized, started by one of our SOR members, that concentrates solely on US material, and has a large number of knowledgeable and talkative postal historians among its active ranks.
David
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this post
re: Looking for literature recommendations for 19th Cent. US Postal History
I guess I am looking for a book, or books, that would provide a general introduction to cover collecting, as well as any reference works that most collectors consider to be "must haves" for cover collecting.
For example: what book would I consult to find the approximate value of a $0.03 Colombian Exposition stamp on cover? What source material would I use to find what rate this would fall under or if the stamp was used correctly? What general guidebooks exist for postmarks, cancellations, etc.?
Sorry to be so broad. Hope this helps.
Login to Like
this post
re: Looking for literature recommendations for 19th Cent. US Postal History
It's a very good start. The bible for rates are the two Beecher and Wawrukiewicz rate books: one domestic and the other international. They don't cover the stampless period, and, I believe, start sometime after the Civil War (1872 if I remember). They explain everything and all usages. If you want to understand US rates, you must have these.
Scott provides some guidance for US on-cover usage of 19 century stamps, but I have no idea how accurate it is. Often, valuation is limited to a specfic usage, say, UPU or registered or...
I think the market is a better judge. Perry and Dan Cohen are probably are two most knowledgeable early US collectors, although I don't know if either has familiarity with on cover usage. Saleem's a great rate guy, but I think he, like me, is more knowlegeable about this most recent century past than 19 C.
Dan Cohen can tell you about cancellation books. He has those bibles. He's only sporadically on line.
The 3c Columbian would be an interesting usage in period; i don't believe it paid any rate; maybe triple weight third class or triple weight local? That's off the top of my head. I suspect if you find a 3c Columbian paying either of those rare rates, it would be worth a pretty penny, as much for the rate as the stamp, and more for the combination. I'm not speaking with authority, now, though, so be careful what of this you take to the bank.
This should be a good start.
David
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re: Looking for literature recommendations for 19th Cent. US Postal History
Thanks for the help! I will follow your suggestions and track down Beecher and Wawrukiewicz.
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