Catalog Recommendations

I am looking for catalog recommendations for the countries like Yemen, UAE, UAR, Qatar, Fujeri etc. that do not have Scott listings.
Any assistance greatly appreciated.
Paul

As far as I know, Michel is the only major catalogue-produced that lists the Trucial States series that are, for very good reason, not catalogued elsewhere. UAR and UAE stamps are listed in all catalogues, I think.

Wheelman,
I agree with Geoff, "Gulf States" by Michel, in English, a cracker Catalogue.

Only missing, are the stamps / labels of "State of Oman"
The Sultanate is addressed.

Of course it won't do you any good now, but I heard somewhere that Scott has announced that, over the next several years, they will begin adding a few Trucial States each year to their catalogs.

Coastwatcher - That is interesting. Scott takes the position for years that many of the issues are not legit and when the collectors market is persistent in purchasing those issues more and more aggressively Scott changes it's position. Either they are legit or not.

Postal history type examples of these stamps genuinely used would make for an interesting topic. Perhaps I will start one.

I agree Michel is the best and was glad when I heard Scott was adding them. People should decide what they want to collect and catalog makers should provide information to support their needs. It should include the context of the history.

If APS still had their black blot program in place, most of what issued today would be listed.

Given that these are New York creations with no relevance to the Trucial States aside from some dollars bunged to Emirs, perhaps Scott could include them at the back of its US Specialised catalogue?

wheelman -

I also recommend the Michel Gulf States Catalog (English) (latest is the 2013 2nd Edition) which you can pick up for between $50-$60 new (paperback) on eBay.

A free option is this excellent web page:

http://www.ohmygosh.on.ca/stamps/uae/uaeindex.htm

which, of course, does not have catalog numbers, but is useful for identification.

Sand Dune issues are much hated, particularly in North America. There is a worldwide market - which can lead to some interesting buying/selling opportunities, armed with the Michel Catalog. Particularly with MNH and overprints, some of which are scarce and valuable.

Which I guess proves the adage, You make a stamp (or label), and they will come...

John

I noted that Scott added quite a few listings for Qatar several years ago. These were mainly overprint issues of the mid-1960s that were produced to align with currency changes. You can see how this large addition of listings has screwed up the numbering for Qatar in the latest catalogs.

The fish definitive set of 1965 (Scott 69-85) was overprinted for the new currency, and I've seen it sell for thousands on eBay. Granted, that was when Qatar was being speculated in years ago but it's a rare set regardless (Scott 115-115P, $1,075 in the 2017 catalog). These listings were a major oversight in the past but at least Scott has tried to rectify the situation.

As of 2017, Scott still does not list a set of 4 postage dues from Qatar that have long been listed by other catalogs such as Gibbons (listed in the "front" of the book chronologically for some reason). They are also very rare. Gibbons in the most recent Middle East catalog that I own lists them I believe for about $300, but I've seen a set sell for over $3,000 on eBay. Has Scott listed them since 2017?

Hi wheelman

If I remember correctly, Minkus had a catalog just for these countries. I believe it was 1980's. If you ever see one on eBay or another auction site, I would grab it.

Jerry B

Some in US are realizing they have value as well. When I have seen them listed, they are not giving them away. I collect them when I obtain some.

Yup, me too. Gone are the days when you could get a good sized box of MNH material (and specialty stuff) in the US for $50-60. Mostly now all you see is the CTO stuff. I'm not knocking that, either...

I like some things just because others do not like them.

The Gulf States Michel Catalog definitely gives you a huge advantage when you are buying.

I keep searching for that elusive box of postally used covers...

Talk about a gold mine.

John

Thanks all for the great feed back. Searching now for your recommendations.

I was clearing out some worldwide issues from my boyhood accumulation today and found in the box this yellowed clipping from the Philadelphia Inquirer, 13 August 1978. Touches upon this question and outlines the "black blot" program.

Thought I would risk taking the liberty of bumping this old thread with a blast from the far past, back when major metropolitan dailies had a "stamp editor." I wonder when the last one was shown the door.

Rogdcam - along the lines of your post in this thread, be sure to read the last paragraph challenging collectors to collect postally used black blot material....

Jleb - Neat article! I never proceeded with my topic because I could not find any genuine material to share.

Back in those days there was pretty serious opposition generally throughout the hobby to collecting those issues, although there were a few dealers who had them.