1867 "The American Stamp Mercury"

Maybe I'm sharing something that is well known to SCF members, but in addition to stamp collecting, I'm also a history buff and enjoy reading some of the older newspapers/journals/books that I can get off of Google's digitized library.

I came across Vol. 1 No. 1 of "American Stamp Mercury" of 1867 ... that's 143 years ago! For interesting insight into the mid-19th century history of stamp collecting, it provides some interesting reading. There are about a half dozen issues in this link:

http://books.google.com/books?id=wm...ge&q&f=false

Fascinating reading. I like the older sayings especially. Nice perspective, thanks for sharing, and the link and idea.

Interesting read. Did you get the impression that collectors of that era did not have access to a lot of information? Publications like this one tried to fill in the gaps of knowledge.

Great stuff, thanks for the link, WT1. I like the story of the perils carrying mail between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

I had no idea Google did that - fascnating! Thanks, wt1!

It is funny that the printer of the book states he is looking for old or obsolete stamps. Can't have been many of either in 1867.

I need a time machine!

Nothing has changed in nearly 150 years. Older, wiser collectors are still telling new collectors that they can't buy everything at once and to have patience!

We are quite lucky (collecting wise) to be living in this information era. If we didn't we would not have this wonderful world wide group to which we belong.