Reference materials

[larsdog]

I'm looking for suggestions for ONE reference book for 19th century U.S. stamps. Something fairly basic and comprehensive. I have Max Johl's Stamps of the 20th Century Volume I that covers everything from the Second Bureau forward in great detail, but I'm lacking a good summary reference of just 19th Century issues. Anyone have any suggestions of the BEST book to buy if you were limited to ONE book?

On a side note, I added both Wawrukiewicz Rates volumes to my library and discovered that there are still a few issues available from the author. Send me a PM for more info.

[michael78651]

Aside from the Scott US Specialized, what information are you looking for? There are specialized books written for many stamps of that era, but not in one volume as they address particular issues. There is the Post Office Department annuals, "Postage Stamps of the United States". It won't matter which edition you get of that as they normally just added the newest year's releases to the book and kept the earlier material the same. If it's due to shelf space, that book is only about 1/2 inch thick.

[lokos]

Would something like the Micarelli Guide be the type of thing your looking for or maybe thats too basic.
Now its called "SCOTT IDENTIFICATION GUIDE OF US REGULAR ISSUE STAMPS 1847-1934" but I believe its the same book from 30 years ago just with updated content and name.
https://www.amosadvantage.com/scottonli ... tegory=BKS

Rick

[larsdog]

Thanks, Rick! That looks promising!

It's not a shelf space issue as much as a desire to keep things as orderly as possible. I have the Scott Specialized, the most recent Scott Monthly mags, Johl, the 2 rates books, a printout of the Alphabetilately web site in a binder, a binder with other interesting articles, and a binder with a printout of my stamp collection web site, and a binder with my certs. That just seems like enough reference material for my purposes except I don't have any detailed info on 19th century stamps. I like how the Johl book gives more details such as how many were printed, why they were issued, etc.

Thanks, guys!

[michael78651]

I think you'll find that the Scott Specialized and Johl books contain pretty much the same information that is in the USPD book.

[revcollector]

I'm looking for suggestions for ONE reference book for 19th century U.S. stamps. Something fairly basic and comprehensive. I have Max Johl's Stamps of the 20th Century Volume I that covers everything from the Second Bureau forward in great detail, but I'm lacking a good summary reference of just 19th Century issues. Anyone have any suggestions of the BEST book to buy if you were limited to ONE book?

On a side note, I added both Wawrukiewicz Rates volumes to my library and discovered that there are still a few issues available from the author. Send me a PM for more info.

The 2 volume "19th Century Postage Stamps of the United States" by Lester Brookman. I have been told by some of the experts at the Philatelic Foundation that this is still one of the best reference works around.

[larsdog]

The 2 volume "19th Century Postage Stamps of the United States" by Lester Brookman. I have been told by some of the experts at the Philatelic Foundation that this is still one of the best reference works around.

Thia sounds better still! It looks like there was a 2 volume set issued in 1947 and an updated 3 volume set in 1965 or so. I will certainly add that to my Christmas list (anniversary, valentine's day, birthday and father's day are already past). I just started a long dry spell!

[michael78651]

What? You don't get anything now and then for "being a good boy"?

[revcollector]

The 2 volume "19th Century Postage Stamps of the United States" by Lester Brookman. I have been told by some of the experts at the Philatelic Foundation that this is still one of the best reference works around.

Thia sounds better still! It looks like there was a 2 volume set issued in 1947 and an updated 3 volume set in 1965 or so. I will certainly add that to my Christmas list (anniversary, valentine's day, birthday and father's day are already past). I just started a long dry spell!

I have the '47 set myself, I have not looked at the later one. Great stuff. Every bit as good as Johl(I have them, too, and I don't even collect postage). There are a number of classic philatelic works that are 50, 60, even 100+ years old that are still invaluable.

[larsdog]

What? You don't get anything now and then for "being a good boy"?

No, I'm married. The best I can do is adequate, and that only rarely.

[larsdog]

I have the '47 set myself, I have not looked at the later one. Great stuff. Every bit as good as Johl(I have them, too, and I don't even collect postage). There are a number of classic philatelic works that are 50, 60, even 100+ years old that are still invaluable.

And I don't collect covers, but the info in some of the older reference materials about rates is just invaluable!

Thanks to everyone for their inputs here. I think I have my answer for 19th Century U.S. Brookman it is!

So as long as were are going down this road, anyone want to chime in with their favorite CSA reference book? I'd like to add just ONE book that covers stamps, rates, adversity covers, blockades, post office admin, etc. Any suggestions?

[michael78651]

There is the Dietz Confederate States Catalog and Handbook. Might be the most comprehensive available. Has not bee updated since 1997. 270 pages for around $75 to $95.

http://subwaystamp.com/products.asp?dept=469

[larsdog]

There is the Dietz Confederate States Catalog and Handbook. Might be the most comprehensive available. Has not bee updated since 1997. 270 pages for around $75 to $95.

http://subwaystamp.com/products.asp?dept=469

Perfect. I've heard of Dietz. That sounds like a really good choice. I think that would work nicely!

Thanks, Mr. Numbers!

[larsdog]

I'm looking for suggestions for ONE reference book for 19th century U.S. stamps. Something fairly basic and comprehensive. I have Max Johl's Stamps of the 20th Century Volume I that covers everything from the Second Bureau forward in great detail, but I'm lacking a good summary reference of just 19th Century issues. Anyone have any suggestions of the BEST book to buy if you were limited to ONE book?

On a side note, I added both Wawrukiewicz Rates volumes to my library and discovered that there are still a few issues available from the author. Send me a PM for more info.

The 2 volume "19th Century Postage Stamps of the United States" by Lester Brookman. I have been told by some of the experts at the Philatelic Foundation that this is still one of the best reference works around.

What a WONDERFUL suggestion!!! I finally nabbed a set (got the 3 volume 1989 Phillips Publishing reproduction of the 1966-67 release). The original 1947 release was in 2 volumes and the 1966-67 release was in 3 volumes. I don't know if there is more material or if the binding is smaller on the later printings, but what a WEALTH of material. I am having so much FUN diving into these volumes! I especially like how chronologically close I can get to some of these issues. In particular, I was interested in the reason for the Special Printings of the 19th Century stamps. Instead of a 1947 or 1967 version of the history, I was treated to a quote by John N. Luff (Google that name if you don't know who he is) from the turn of the century and then EXTENSIVE and detailed lecture notes from a 1934 lecture by the leading authority. I just can't recommend this highly enough!

Thank you revcollector!!!

[revcollector]

You are welcome. Luff is a name that is largely forgotten now, but at one time was considered the foremost authority on US postage stamps alive. People unfamiliar with some of the greats of the past might enjoy this:
http://www.stamps.org/almanac/alm_HallofFame.htm