First Class
by Chris West (Author), Gordon Griffin (Narrator)
1 Used! | New! from $23.41 (as of 01/31/2013 20:12 PST)
Stamps
The 2012 edition features two impressive editorial enhancements and more than 9,000 value changes. The first is the addition of a new section listing the Colombia Consular overprints using the service established by established by the Sociedad Colombo-Alemana de Transportes Aereos (SCADTA). The second editorial enhancement is the reorganization of the listings for the two die types of the 2¢ 1903-08 Washington Shield stamps. The type I perforated and imperforate stamps are now Scott 319 and 320, respectively, and the type II stamps are Scott 319F and 320A, respectively. Error collectors will be pleased to note the addition of 20 new errors, some of which are carried over from the 2012 Vol. 1. Among the more impressive mistakes is a post-printing foldover on a pane of 8¢ Eisenhower stamps (Scott 1394) that yielded four new errors, including stamps printed on the gummed side, and stamps with all three colors and tagging missing.
The Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting, introduces the collector to the full scope of United States stamps and stamp collecting. Beginning with an introduction to; stampless covers; (letters mailed before the introduction of postage stamps), it then introduces the many stamps issued from their inception with the 1845 Postmasters' Provisionals through the stamps of the early 21st century. Other chapters deal with the host of stamps known to collectors as; back-of-the-book; issues, including stamps issued for air mail, special delivery, U.S. possessions, revenue purposes, and postal stationery. The history of the Postal Service and the various stamp printers, including the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is explored.
A section of the Encyclopedia highlights the technological innovations of stamp production, the history of the movement of the mails, markings applied to envelopes, and meters and machine generated postage. While a book about U.S. stamps and stamp collecting, in a larger sense it is a history of American politics, culture, values and technology seen through the prism of the nation's postage stamps and postal service.
Each of the sixty-two chapters employs a similar format, wherein an introductory article is followed by practical tips on collecting; an almanac of chronological dates to orient the reader within each historical era; a selection of quotes, both contemporaneous and modern, to provide context; examples of postal usage; and a compilation of references to which the reader can turn for more information.
While the Encyclopedia will be welcomed by many advanced stamp collectors, it was written with the beginning collector in mind. It assumes no prior experience with collecting, and includes a comprehensive glossary of philatelic terms. The full color, hard-bound, 730 page book is generously illustrated with stamps, covers and related material.
America issued its first stamp honoring an African American in 1940 when it recognized Booker T. Washington, who was born a slave and became one of the nation's great educators. This work centers specifically on over 1,000 U.S. and foreign stamps that feature over 100 African Americans who have received recognition for their achievements. Stamps featuring such well-known personalities as writer Alex Haley, civil rights activists Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., can be found in this reference work. Beginning with an introduction to stamp collecting, this work discusses the collecting of African American stamps as a hobby and as an investment opportunity, and provides biographical information on those African Americans with their own stamps as well as illustrations of and data about the stamps.
Beginning with the first stamps released in 1847, The Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps covers over 4,000 stamps issued up to the present, and provides color illustrations of every stamp as well as detailed listings that include Scott catalog numbers, used and unused prices, dates of issues, and quantities issued when known.
Every category of U.S. stamp is included—definitive, commemorative, airmail, duck stamps, stamped envelopes—all organized into easy-to-use, color-coded sections for quick access.
Also featured in this philatelist's bible is a rundown of the current year's commemorative stamp program; advice on starting your own collection (from assessing the condition of your stamps to displaying your collection), and a complete resources section. This is the one book that no serious stamp collector should be without.
The Official Blackbook Price Guide to United States Postage Stamps 2013 is an indispensable, easy-to-use sourcebook for collectors. Filled with the most current values and the latest market reports, this guide has all the information you need to become a knowledgeable collector of stamps.
Features include:
•Listings by Scott number for every stamp ever issued
•Thousands of illustrations for easy identification
•An updated market review that traces current trends in collecting and investing
•Exclusive prices for first day cover, mint sheets, plate blocks, line pairs, and PNCs
•Extensive information on buying, selling, and grading stamps at auctions, online, and through the mail
The 2011 edition of the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue Volume 2 includes countries of the world C-F. Value activity was robust with more than 30,000 changes. Leading the way was the People's Republic of China with more 7,000 changes. Other countries showing a high number of value changes are Colombia (3,101), French Offices Abroad (2,263), Canada (2,120), Chile (1,496) and Ethiopia (1,003). In the People s Republic of China, early issues show generally modest increases in value. The startling increases appear in the late 1950s and early 1960s and the Cultural Revolution era.
Almost 11,000 value changes were made in this year s edition of Volume 5. Leading the way was Norway with more than 2,200 changes. In Russia, both classic and modern issues show substantial increases. Other countries with a large number of increases include Papua New Guinea (860), North Borneo (802), Pakistan (484), Qatar (444), and Oman (438). On the editorial side beginning with Volume 5, the break-point boxes noting the change from valuing hinged stamps to never-hinged stamps are now shaded in yellow so they can be identified more readily in the listings.
More than 11,000 value changes have been made in the 2010 edition of the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers, with 5,800 of these changes being in the Postage section and more than 1,500 in the Revenue sections. The values for many classic rarities have increased, in many cases substantially. In the modern era, values are fairly steady, with occasional advances seen. Many plate blocks rise in value, and very modern plate blocks from panes of 100 with water-activated gum often have increased in value considerably. On the editorial side, nearly 2,500 illustrations have been replaced by new color scans in this year s volume, more than 1,600 of them in the postage section alone.
The 2012 edition features two impressive editorial enhancements and more than 9,000 value changes. The first is the addition of a new section listing the Colombia Consular overprints using the service established by established by the Sociedad Colombo-Alemana de Transportes Aereos (SCADTA). The second editorial enhancement is the reorganization of the listings for the two die types of the 2¢ 1903-08 Washington Shield stamps. The type I perforated and imperforate stamps are now Scott 319 and 320, respectively, and the type II stamps are Scott 319F and 320A, respectively. Error collectors will be pleased to note the addition of 20 new errors, some of which are carried over from the 2012 Vol. 1. Among the more impressive mistakes is a post-printing foldover on a pane of 8¢ Eisenhower stamps (Scott 1394) that yielded four new errors, including stamps printed on the gummed side, and stamps with all three colors and tagging missing.
More than 17,500 value changes were made in Volume 6 of the 2010 Scott Catalogue. Almost every country in Volume 6, which includes countries of the world So-Z, shows some value changes. Countries with the largest number of value changes include Uruguay with 2,828 changes, Tunisia (1,380), Tuvalu (1,084), Tonga (1,020), Spain (977), Sweden (951), Surinam (926), Zaire (815), North Vietnam (653, with another 113 for South Vietnam) and South Africa (500
Wondering how to get the highest price for your stamp collection? Best selling Top Dollar Paid! - The Complete Guide to Selling Your Stamps takes the mystery out of it and helps ensure maximum profit. It's a concise factual guide and an entertaining, revealing, behind-the-scenes narrative about the real-life world of stamp dealing written by veteran dealer, Stephen R. Datz, whose decades of experience include arranging for the sale of President Gerald R. Ford's collection-and making sure he got top dollar for it. Critically acclaimed, Top Dollar Paid! is an absolute must for anyone who buys, collects, invests, or is in the market to sell. Newly revised and updated.
A perennial favorite, newly revised and updated! Stamp Collecting contains everything you need to know to get started. Written by long-time stamp dealer and philatelic author Stephen R. Datz, Stamp Collecting covers the essentials in a series of convenient, easy-to-use chapters. Datz makes use of his experience and intimate knowledge of the hobby to explain how to go about obtaining the maximum enjoyment from philately. Profuse illustrations augment the text. Perfect for anyone interested in discovering the fun of the World's Most Popular Hobby!
Value activity in Volume 4 is centered on more of the modern issues. In Kuwait, starting about 1990 the number of value changes increases noticeably and the sizes of the value increases also are striking. In Macao, stamps from 1981 to mid-us.html00s era had considerable gains. An example is Scott 539, the 1.30p Dr. Sun Yat-sen souvenir sheet of 1 of 1986. It leaps to $62.50 (as of 01/12/2013 04:55 PST) mint, never hinged and $45 used, from just $12 mint, never hinged and $9 used in last year s Volume 4. There were more than 900 value changes in Latvia with sharp increases for stamps issued under Russian occupation in 1919, Scott 2N1-2N36. Volume 4 is the first Volume of the 2011 catalogues that features the new country alignments. The 2011 edition of Volume 4 contains countries of the world alphabetically from the J through the M countries.
For those who have inherited a stamp collection, want to start a collection, also for an advanced collector, beginning stamp dealer, advanced stamp dealer or wish to know if they have a one million dollar stamp in their collection.