Stanley Gibbons Catalog & Allworldstamps.com

A few questions sparked by me trying to understanding the catalog numbers written on the Austrian pages I puchased from the UK

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...TRK:MEWNX:IT

At first I thought these stamps were well identified by Stanley Gibbons catalog number (which I assume is more popular in the UK than Scott). Then I went to allworldstamps.com which seems to be the on-line version of the catalog. Now I'm confused.

* If I'm reading the on-line listing correctly the 1867-80 2k - 15k stamps are TYPE AH14 numbers SG59-SG64. The page in the auction link has hand written Type 6...not AH14. Where am I confused?

I also struggle to tell the difference between the "course print" and "fine print" of these 1867 stamps. I saw a sample on ebay of both and I think I can see more detail and darkness in the fine print but trying to detemine one from the other is still tough. I think only my 10k blue was fine print. ???

Do you find having both catalogs helpful for do you stick with one?

Do you use the allworldstamps.com site?

The online catalog (and Stamps of the World for which is based on) and country specific Stanley Gibbons catalogs are two different creatures.

The simplified listings in the online catalog (and Stamps of the World printed catalogs) omit almost ALL details (like watermark differences, perf. varieties, paper types etc) completely.

I think the question of which catalogs are useful to any particular person depends upon what a person's collecting goals/interests are. If someone is interested in varieties, plate flaws, color shades and the slightly oddball stuff, then the more catalogs, the merrier. If someone is hoping to define their collection in regard to Scott numbers, then additional catalogs will just drive them crazy.

Unless you're looking for the newest stamps, or hoping to find current values, you can use outdated catalogs for a lot of this information, which means you may find them used (cheap). Michel publishes a small guide for English-speaking users of their catalogs, which helps with German catalogspeak.

I haven't tried to find used Yvert catalogues yet, but that will be my next catalogue hunt.

I rarely look at allworldstamps. Maybe if I'm on the road and trying to guess at a conversion between Scott and SG numbering, but that's about it.

There is more rambling than solid information here...sorry.

Collin