Minkus Stamp Album : Coat Of Arms Stamps :

Anyone aware of how many in the set please?

My Spring 1959 Minkus Publications catalog says there were 72 Coats of Arms adhesives (and 83 flags). Both were priced at 25 cents. At the back of the catalog it says that these are the "New, modern series," "bright and fresh" and not to be confused with "older, antedated issues." Now whether the older, antedated refers to Scott and other publishers or if it means that Minkus had an older seres, I don't know.

Thank you very much for that valuable piece of information
1840, I have a bunch of "flag" stamps in with the lot,
I thought maybe these were maybe H E Harris, but was feeling
uneasy about it due to the paper.
The Flags are on brownish "Carton" type paper.
I rather like the idea these maybe Minkus as well then.

This excerpt is taken from a 1971 Pittsburgh (PA) Newspaper where the Minkus Stamp Albums were being advertised. Note the reference for the "Comprehensive Stamp Outfit" which suggests they include "120 Coat of Arms" adhesives in "full color":

You're a Whizz wt1 :)
Thanks.
So how was / is Minkus viewed generally in US philately?
A "woolworths" type budget option? or higher
We don't see many, if any downunder.
Where stands the company today?
Either way I rather like these "Coat of Arms" set.

This should answer most of your questions:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minkus_catalogue

I recall buying (at a discount bookstore) one of their last Krause-Minkus Catalogs (as they were later known) and although nicely laid out, it was impossible to put it into real-world use, as the numbering system was so far removed from the Scott standard. The catalog did include a typed cross-reference guide with Scott catalog numbers, but that only meant a collector had to reference yet another listing, which was a real problem.

As you suggest, Minkus was primarily (as far as I recall) a Department Store quality item (in fact, the newspaper article I scanned earlier was from a local Dept. Store ad), and as noted in the Wiki link above, Amos (Scott catalog publishers) eventually bought their US catalog and numbering system out in 2004, and the last album supplements were discontinued in 2003.

As long as we're on the subject of Minkus stamp albums and catalogs, here's a mini-biography of Jacques Minkus you may be interested in reading:

Two examples for Canada:

Thanks Guys,
a nice little tribute to Mr. Minkus.

Hi




Amos Publishing (Scott) purchased the entire Minkus product line and now print Minkus albums and supplements.

In New York City Minkus had a "stamp store" situated in Gimbels department store. They also had a facility in Chicago but I do not remember which store it was located in. The Gimbel's counter was pretty popular. They did not sell just "Department Store quality item" they were a legitimate stamp store as any on Nassau Street. You could buy common to classics. Minkus was one of the first dealers to sell Israel stamps and at one time was about the only place in New York to purchase such stamps.

When one lived in New York City and frequented the many stamp shows one met quite a few of the "legends of philately". I met Jacques Minkus at Gimbel's and at one of the shows. When I wrote him a letter complaining that the Gimbel's staff would not sell me their last copy of the Latin America catalog, Mr. Minkus sent me one with a personal note. Sadly I misplaced his letter and haven't been able to find it.

Jerry B

The NY Times Obituary for Jacques Minkus also provides a nice story into his lifetime career:

http://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/19/n....html?src=pm

Nice Story Jerry.

Great information all, I love it.

These look like the same series. This is from the Poster Stamp Bulletin 1950 vol 16, number 2, page 1. The article mentions a complete sheet of 96 different stamps.



There was also a matching series of 88 flag stamps. This is the article from Poster Stamp Bulletin 1950 vol 16, number 3, page 2