Need Some Help Thanks

G'Day all I was just trying to find a book of information that classifies the differences between years/dies/color of the early stamps (Scott's #1 say to #1000 ) as I find the Scott's hard to follow and there may be something more comprehensible regards Harry

Harry:

If you are studying British Empire & Commonwealth issues, your best reference would be the Stanley Gibbons Part I Catalogue. If you are studying the British Empire & Commonwealth issues of the king George VI reign, use the King George VI Commonwealth Catalogue from Murry Payne Ltd., in Somerset, England. I use that for my KGVI collection, it is VERY detailed.

David

Sorry mate I collect U.S. stamps already have the Aussie pre decimal collection almost finished except for some high priced roo's also have the die variations book on the definitive no that's not what I need,as I'm down under bit hard to find something on 2 cent Washington variations and as I stated a bit hard to follow the Scott's on them so I need information on U.S. die variations from Scott's U.S. #1 to say Scott's U.S.( #2500 just to put a number in )Thanks David regards Harry

Hi Harry,

Lester Brookman's "The United States Postage Stamps of the 19th Century" comes highly recommended (but I do not own it yet).

Also each series of classic US stamps has its own specialized literature.

http://www.Mainstreet-Philatelics.com has a good selection of US specialized books.

Thanks Tom one of my main problems is sellers #1 won't sell out side of the U.S. #2 won't except Paypal #3 won't charge an arm and a leg just to send it down under as some charge like wounded bulls anyway Tom I'm off to bed as its 2.05 am (2.05 pm) for me here look them up in my afternoon (morning)cheers Tom regards Harry

Thanks Tom just looked at Broookman 3 volumes $165 also volume 2 $50 and volume 3 $125 this one's the 20th century U.S.stamp catalog book but still I don't know,are the 3 volumes volume 1 or 1,2 and 3 please get back to me regards Harry

Harry....

Is there a specific Scott number you're looking for information on ? There are specialized books on many issues or series.

Yes there is nr the 2 cent Washington's are confusing the side scrolls and motto scrolls that define each die and year from the mid 19th century to the early 20th century color variation as well for the same die all very confusing if you haven't the reading material to support the diversity of the stamps so you see my situation regards Harry

Hi Harry,

Are you studying the 2c Washington of the first Bureau issue in 1894?
The 2c stamps with the different triangles, right?
James Dire has an online guide to the different triangle types.

There are three volumes in the 1966-67 edition of Brookman. Volumes 1,2,3 make a complete set.
The different editions of Brookman are described at Philatelic Bibliopole

You might also be interested in this book:

Encyclopedia of Plate Varieties on U.S. Bureau-Printed Postage Stamps by Loran C. French, detailed and extensively illustrated 1979, 337 pages, cloth, $45.00

available from Philatelic Bibliopole.

Tom you lifesaver that narrows it down to a choice book tho I'll have to put everything on hold as the construction contract has come up at Sydney's Mascot Airport and I start tonight so I'll be on the go till Christmas thanks for what you've done mate and I'll still look in every day but try to post when I can regards Harry

Thanks Tom I've sent an email regards Harry

Thank you Tom received the books in today's mail ,wow mate I'll be reading for months regards Harry

I'm glad all the books arrived. Enjoy!

My personal favorite U.S. classic era definitive guide is a Scott publication "The Micarelli Identification Guide to U.S. Stamps, Regular Issues 1847 - 1934." I have personally found this to be an invaluable reference, especially for the Washington - Franklins"

G'Day Cgrotha one of the books that was recommended was the Encyclopedia of Plate Variations it has what I need in the variety of Washington and Franklin stamps but I'll keep in mind your book thanks for the info mate regards Harry

Cloudy's book is an excellent source of information and the line drawing are superior to scans and photos which include to much useless image detail. His book while covers Bureau Issued Postage Stamps of the United States, learn the basic information, can be used on any other era or country stamps.