Advice About Gibbons Vs. Scott Numbers

I'm normally a US definitives collector, so I've cut my teeth on Scott numbers. Now I'm starting a new collection of stamps from countries involved in WWI during the conflict.

As I'm building the album, I've realized that it might make more sense to label UK stamps by Gibbons number rather than Scott number. Actually, I've been surprised to find that there isn't even a 1-to-1 correspondence between the two. For example. Gibbons lists 6 different entries for the 1/2d George V - 351 (Green), 352 (Bright Green), 353 (Deep Green), 354 (Yellow-green), 355 (Very Yellow Green) and 356 (Blue-green). Scott on the other hand gives one number to the lot: 159.

So far, I think I'll use both numbers, but favor the fuller list of Gibbons.

Any advice for the more experienced out there? Does listing both make sense, or is there a more sensible approach?

My impression is which catalog numbers you use, depends on two things... firstly the target audience. those of us in North America more often than not use and know Scott numbers. Secondly, if you are going to specialize, then that will definitely affect the choice. Given my specialization is North America, Canada, then US and Caribbean, I stick to Scott Catalogues.

Thanks Dave9911 - The audience is me. I want to organize effectively. It seems like the Scott numbers are not as robust as the Gibbons for UK in this time period. And, I want to be able to find the stamps. At the US shows, will I see Scott numbers or Gibbons numbers on UK stamps?

Definitely keep both sets of numbers! It's often been said that 'Knowledge is power'. Pick up an SG 356 (½d blue-green - £40 mint) for the price of an SG 351 (½d green - £1 mint), and you're laughing. Do the same sort of thing for the rest of that set, and you've more than covered the cost of a new Gibbons 'Part 1'. And then there's the rest of the British Commonwealth ...

Mercenary considerations aside, you really will need to be able to speak Gibbons to collectors and dealers in the Commonwealth outside North America, if you want to deal with them. At US stamp shows, you'll see Scott numbers, but if you move on past that level, to the international marketplace, you'll have to use the common language for Commonwealth stamps, which is Gibbons.

It seems to me that Scott is best for North Amercia and the further away you get from there the worse the catalogue becomes. With Gibbons there are catalogus for whatever level of specialisation you need.

Your collection, your rules!

My 2-cents worth...

I would agree with 64 that it depends on your level of specialization. If you want to be a "generalist," then Scott will work for you.

I don't collect UK and I don't own a SG catalogue --- I'm basing my advice on my Canada collecting. The Unitrade catalogue is far superior (IMHO) to Scott. The major numbers are of course the same, but Unitrade has much more detail and listing of varieties.

KirkS

I hadn't even heard of Unitrade. Thanks for the pointer.

Here is an image of the top of the album page with both the Scott and Gibbons numbers. I set up these pages to accept strips of mounts so I can reconfigure them as I get more stamps. I usually pencil in the number under each stamp. If there are multiple series on the same page (not on this one) then I label the series at the top-left of the strip, again in pencil so it can reconfigured.

Thanks for all the help.