| CATALOGUE |
| A stamp catalogue is an essential item in the stamp collector's "tool kit", because it gives details on why and when stamps were issued. It shows you what other stamps you need for your collection and gives you an indication of what they will cost. A catalogue gives two prices for each stamps, one for a new stamp and another for a used stamp. These prices are known as the catalogue value. It is fun to look up your best stamps to find out how much they are worth. Most catalogues are expensive, so if you cannot afford to buy one, take a look in the library. The U.S. Postal Service sells a pocket-size color catalogue which pictures every U.S. stamps ever issued. TYPES OF CATALOGUE There are many types of catalogues available. they may, like Stanley Gibbons Stamps of the World , provide a listings of stamps that differ only in appearance, ignoring such things as watermarks and any differences in perforations. Others provide more details, listings all possible stamp variations as well as providing other useful information such as a stamp's designer and printer. Example of catalogs used are from Great Britain (Stanley Gibbons), United States (Scott), Germany (Michel), and France (Yvert et Tellier). Catalogs may cover a geographic area, such as Central America, or a single country. Thematic subjects such as birds, railroads, and ships also have their own catalogs. Most major stamp catalogs, such as the Scott catalogs,are published at regular intervals, and some have supplements to keep the listings up to date. Information about new issues of stamps can be found in stamp magazines. As a collector's hint, dates are often included in stamp designs. These can be a great help in finding stamps in the catalog, especially if the country has issued many stamps. USING A CATALOGUE Always read the introduction to a stamp catalog . This will tell you what sorts of stamps are included. Most catalogs, for example, list only stamps issued by government postal administrations; privately produced stamps are not included. Sometimes stamps that have been issued just for collectors and serve no real postal need are listed in a special section. The introduction is also likely to explain about perforations, papers, watermarks, and other items of a technical nature. All catalogs are well illustrated. Some show just one stamp in a set, others show all the designs within a set. The illustrations, together with brief descriptions of the stamp's designs, make it possible to find the stamp you are looking for. The number beside each listed stamp is the catalog number. This number serves as a convenient way of referring to a stamp without having to describe it in full. PERFECT PRICE The value given in the catalogue is the price for which the dealer will sell the stamp when it is in perfect condition. If you are buying stamps, you will probably pay less than the catalogue value. The price depends on the condition of the stamps. Any defects, even small ones, will greatly reduce the value of a stamp. So don't expect to sell the stamps in your collection for that price! FIND THAT STAMPS! Follow this simple steps to find one of your stanps in a catalogue. 1. What country does the stamp come from? 2. Look for the year of issue on the stamp. If there isn't a date on the stamp, look for one on the postmark. Sometimes the picture on the stamp will give a clue to the year when the stamp was printed. 3. Look at the designs of stamps in the catalogue. If there isn't a picture of your stamp , there will be a description. Sometimes there will be a picture of another stamp from the same series that looks very similar. 4. Once you find the set in the catalogue, look for the stamps with the same face value as your stamp. 5. Check that all the details in the catalogue are the same as your stamp. Then read the other information - you may want to write notes from the catalogue in your album. STAMP TERMS Adhesive Postage Stamp. Stamp affixed by gum, as opposed to handstamped, embossed, or printed onto a postal item. Aerogramme. Lightweight pre-stamped stationery that folds to form its own envelope. Aniline. A fugitive ink, that is, one that runs when immersed in water. Backstamp. Postmark applied to a postal item's back. Bisect. Stamp cut in half and used at half of its original value. Block. Four or more stamps joined together, but at least two across and two down. Bogus Stamp. Stamp issued for a fictitious place or postal service or for political propaganda purposes. Booklet. Small panes of stamps bound together between covers. Modern panes usually have a single pane stuck to a folded cardboard cover. Cachet. An inscription on a card or cover making a special event, usually applied by handstamp. CDS. Abbreviation for "circular datestamps" Cover. An envelope or wrapper used in the mail. CTO. Abbreviation for "canceled to order". These are stamps that, though canceled, have not performed a postal service. Die. An original engraved plate used to prepare a printing plate. Duplex Cancel. Postmark in which the datestamp and canceling device form one piece. Embossing Under Construction! |
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| Updated 4/28/01 |
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