Another $20 Increase In 2014 Scott Catalogs

There are a lot of part time dealers that buy the complete sets..then there are the reference copies at the libraries...i imagine the number of catalogs that scott prints is something they do not want made public !

I started collecting when I was 13 and collected until 18 and didn't worry about values. After a 43 year Hiatus I started back in 2010. I didn't worry about values in 2010. A friend told me about the P.O. Guide to U.S. Stamps so I bought the 2011 P.O. edition. Under $20. I borrowed from the Library the 2012 Scott Specialized catalog. This year I bought the 2013 Scott Catalog so I am very well up to date. I probably won't buy anything for three or four years. I have however noticed a substantial increase in values from the 2012 and 2013 Scott values in many of the U.S. stamps. The P.O. edition lists the Scott values so IMO other than sheets and plate block values there really isn't any reason to spend the big bucks for the Specialized Catalog.

So, we all seem to have our own ways of existing with the Scott empire !

Scott does offer "sections" for $29.99 via their iPad app. Of course, that doesn't help if you are like me and want to make notations on the page.

I work in publishing and there are a variety of factors that are likely impacting the price of the cataogs. The catalogs are getting larger and larger, which naturally drives up expense. Also, the cost of buying paper is increasing, again adding to cost. Unfortunately, the publisher can't really control that one.

If the number of catalogs being purchased is decreasing - we can speculate it is but does anyone have actual figures? - then you can be assured they'll charge more per unit to try to achieve their desired margin.

i have to remember that its not only North Americans that purchase the Scott catalogs...who knows how many sets are sent to collectors around the world?...of course everyone does not use Scott numbers and values..but a lot of the internet sellers do !!

I'm due to replace either two or three volumes this year, plus the Classic. I replace about every five years; three years with the Classic since so much of my collection is pre-1940 (pre-1952 for British). I give my old volumes to the Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library and get a modest tax write-off.

Steve, thats an idea..i don't itemize..but the local libraries have book sales and I could donate my 2008s. What I do not understand is that I have brought my old (2008) catalogs to my stamp club and offered them for free...and I have to bring them home again...and I know that some of the members do not have catalogs...perhaps they collect without catalogs ?

Stanley Gibbons have regular open days at their warehouse, about 30 minutes drive for me, and on offer are all sorts of discounted items. But one of the good ideas is that if you bring along your old catalogues they will trade them for a 20% discount off the relevant new editions. If it weren't for the fact I just hate their catalogues I might have gone for that.

Terry

Maybe they should take this as a sign that their prices are just too high and eventually sooner or later people will not buy them.

i am more and more into postal history anyway..where value is a relative thing..what am I willing to pay if I really want an item ? The scott catalogs will be around after I am gone...how many will own current ones I couldn't say !

philb




Maybe it's because they smell Italian cheese...

Probably more like Dutch cheese..its the same old story if its for free they do not value it !!

I wish Amos would take a page from Yvert et Tellier and provide online catalog subscriptions. They have the technology they use for Linn's Stamp News, just apply that to the catalogs for a yearly subscription (be it for one catalog up to the entire set plus classic and specialized). I would think they'd make up more than they would lose in lower sales of the hard copy catalogs, and it would allow those of us who are NOT enthralled to the Apple Empire to be able to have digital access to catalog information.

Some where Scott needs to cut the new issue crazyness .I believe they are having good sucess with their 1840-1940 Classic volume.The Classic will continue to grow and maybe expand to a two volume set.Then there is a "GOLDEN AGE" of collecting between 1941-1980 .This could be seperate two volume addition with more detailed listings. But after 1980 they could issue a seperate series which could be update once every three years .
If they continue in their present policy they will see less and less sales with more librarys dropping them ,somewhere the cost is going to overrun the price they are getting .......and my take on the number of annual Scott Catalogs sets printed each year is about 7,000 sets per year.

I have just checked out at Vera Trinder's in London the price of the 2013 Scott Classic Catalogue of Stamps and Covers 1840-1940. A cool £120.00 plus £7.00 postage. Around $193.00 in total. Way too much for me. But how does that compare with the dollar price for a buyer in the United States?

Terry