Billig's Handbooks:

I am about to negotiate on a full set,
anyone aware of what I may have to pay please ?

Any tips? advice on editions, anything?

Previously an SCF member:

Rod,

I've picked up 43 volumes for $600 incl shipping to Oz (from the US). If there is anything you need out of them, I'm happy to scan for you (they won't be in my hands for a couple of months, though).

Now, just to find vol 44.........

Thanks for any help.

I have only ever seen ONE of the handbooks and it belonged to a stamp dealer. Apparently everyone hangs onto number 44 as it is Plating the Penny Blacks.

Rod22 nice steal. You rarely see these go for under $20. US each copies. Of course certain copies have higher demand then others. I have one Billigs that includes Williams & Hurts local catalog of the world.

You have gotten a very nice price for the set at about $14 a copy. Plus shipping is not cheap to Australia. Also, what are the edition number. Try to get the latest editions on these.

ROD 222 ---I got a complete set and paid about $800.00 and that was 8 years ago and use them all the time with other more modern reference sources .Good buy for you .

A couple of dealer listings:
http://pbbooks.com/journals.htm (on this page)
http://www.philbansner.com/ (select Philatelic Literature and then Bilig's Handbooks from the list in the window on the left
http://jameslee.com (didn't see any in my cursory look. Probably because Jim deals predominantly in US literature).

Thanks all,
Just to confirm, I havn't purchased them as yet,
sorry if I misled by mis-wording.
I have had an offer at $1200 plus postage which seems high

So I am getting the feeling it should be around $800 plus postage
US to Australia possibly $200-$300

Vols 1-44

Ok, so I see what you mean now. I would say $800 would be on the high side and $600 a average deal. For shipping I would check on media mail for cost savings. Some may not like this route but it would really save .

Here is the one I have, Volume 34. Lots of wonderful information regarding plating Penny Blacks in this one, along with other great stuff about British Stamps and early handstamps.



Good luck with your hunt rod222, I hope you find a great deal and will keep my eyes open as I bop around here and there.

Have a good one,

Skilo54

I'm looking for the complete set of "Billig's grosses Handbuch der Fälschungen."
Let me know if you come across a set :-)