What Are Your Favorite Books On Stamps/Collecting And Why?

Which reference books, besides a basic catalog, do you use the most, and why are they important to you? Cheers, *RON*

Hi Ron,
I've found myself using Tyler's Focus on Forgeries a lot more often lately. It's useful for me to help "weed" out commonly forged stamps, especially in areas I'm not as familiar with.

I find "THE STAMP ATLAS" by Stuart Rossiter & John Flower to be a great beginner's book. It covers the whole world with concise info about the history of postage stamps, the evolvement of the postal entities, and various geographical, social and political backgrounds.

One of my all-time favorites is the Identification Guide to US Stamps by Charles Micarelli. Simple, easy to use and very informative, it is a great tool for collectors of all levels.

Morldwide collector
No Favourites, every catalogue, manuscript, bulletin, monograph, has equal importance.

Men and women, specialists in their field, offer up their life's work,
in print form for us to appreciate, often, at the simple cost of a hearty meal.

A good library, is a Joy.
I am privileged to have around 1000 catalogues, a large amount, donated by members here on SCF. 200 catalogues cover just Australia

Most used may be "Fritz Billigs" (that will set you back circa $1000)

50 odd volumes that cover the world, with information, not seen in a lot of popular catalogues.

Example : Canada

Encyclopedia of Plate Varieties on US Bureau-Printed Postage Stamps by Loren French is a must-have. Also agree that Micarelli is an excellent resource. But specialists in Australia material have to use the Australian Commonwealth Specialists' Catalogue.

The Neinken Book on the one cent 1851 - 1861

This gets my vote.

Staggering amount of research and history.

VGG book on Canada 1st cent issue, by Arfken and Leggett

If we are limiting this to non-catalogue reference books, I continue to be delighted with Le Patrimoine du timbre-poste français, Flohic Editions,1998, for working with my French collection.

In other threads I've recommended this heavily color-illustrated volume of 900+ pages for understanding the content and context of French issues, as well as convenient details of issue, withdrawl, designer & engraver, and lots of great little details. One needs to read French for the fullest enjoyment and profit, but this is a sumptuous volume.

Here is a representative page spread.

I would add to the list the annual collection books issued by Canada Post in the last 40 years. Nice coffee table books.