Difference Between Scott Catalog Versions?

I recently ordered from Amazon an old used copy of 2006 Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue vol. 1 (US, UN, and countries A-B). Even though the CV's might not be current, it is more to help me identify and keep track of my US stamps. Last night I read on another website that most American collectors of US stamps prefer the Scott Specialized Catalog of US Stamps and Covers. It was stated that vol. 1 of the standard catalog was more for non-American collectors of US stamps. That website didn't give an explanation. Can anyone explain to me why this may be? Thanks in advance.

The Volume 1 that you purchased is part of the Scott Standard Worldwide catalog set.

The US Specialized does not cover the countries A-B as does Volume 1. It covers everything in the front part of your Volume 1 from US through UN (i.e., the section before the beginning of the "A" country listings).

It covers the US through UN in far more detail, listing far more minor varieties, FDCs, plate blocks, complete booklets..., as well as cancel/cover values on the earlier stamps.

Also, it lists a LOT more (but not all) US items often referred to as "Back-of-the-Book" (BOB) items, such as revenues, Christmas seals...

If you want to get more into US, the US specialized should eventually be put on your "items to get" list.

Thanks khj,

After spending some time with the vol 1 of the standard catalog, I can see the areas that you pointed out that are lacking. FDC's and BOB's do interest me so I think I'll get the Specialized.

BTW, for anyone interested, Amazon appears to have better deals than ebay if you want to save money by buying a few years old used copy. I paid only $4 for the 2006 Scott vol 1, and I see 2011 Scott Specialized for only $16. I think I'll buy it!

Another question about Scott catalogs: Are all you serious US collectors buying a new Scott catalog each year? Or are you making do with the one you have for several years at a time? At this point I think I'd rather spend the money building up my collection.

fimpster, I'm not sure I am a serious collector, but I do not get new catalogs each year. I get a Brookman every 3 years or so, and make do with a 2007 US Specialized book, and a 2008 US Specialized on cd. I'm sure there will be as many opinions on this as there are collectors. Good luck and have fun with your collection! yakboomer

Definitely not! Way too expensive for the average collector to keep buying every new edition of the Scott catalog. Between stamp catalogs and stamp albums, one can easily spend all of their resources for these things and have little left to spend on stamps!

One new catalog every five years or so is adequate for me. In the interim years, I usually buy a less expensive catalog (i.e. the Postal Service Guide to US Stamps or the Scott Pocket Catalog) supplemented by information gleaned from the internet, which is usually sufficient to supplement anything I've missed since the last full Scott Specialized Catalog was purchased.

I have many older catalogs that I use for identifying stamps, but I do often get a copy of the U.S. Specialized from our public library.They keep them up to date,and it doesn't cost me anything

fimpster,

I stopped collecting new issues with the 2000 New Year's Baby issue. My 2011 Specialized catalog will suite me just fine for several more years to come, unless my cat decides to tear it into shreds. Spend your $$ on stamps or research books, build yourself a library and then read about what you are collecting. There is a lot more information about U.S. stamps than what you will find in the specialized, especially the early classics.

BTW,

Art