Switzerland Stamp Catalogues

Hello,

I am going to begin collecting switzerland stamps.
I would like to ask you which catalogue is the best for switzerland stamp collector.
I do not mind if it is written in german language.

Furthermore I checked in the web and I find these catalogues:

1. Zumstein Switzerland/Liechtenstein 2013
2. Zumstein Spezialkatalog Schweiz 25. Bd1 & Bd2
3. Schweizer Briefmarken-Katalog (SBK) 2013
4. Michel Swheiz/Liechtenstein Spezial 2012

I need the catalogue to be specialized especially at the early switzerland stamps(cantones).

Which you think in the best choise?

Thanks in advance.

Panayotis

Hi McBerry. As a vintage Switzerland collector I use the Zumstein, since it is Swiss own! The first one on your list is great for "all purpose" or general collecting. If your main object is older stamps and you indicated it is, than you will definitely find the Spezialkatalog Band 1 und 2 the best. However, it is not in color and is over ten years old!

Peter

You might want to think about using the SBK. Its treatment of the Strubels is better and more consistent with current analysis than the Zumstein. Both use the same numbers and are cross referenced to Michel. But either way, you would be good with either.

If you are beginning Switzerland, I would stay away from the Zumstein specialized, its got more than what you need now, plus it's getting long in the tooth.

Since both Zumstein and SBK have the Michel numbers not sure what the logic would be there. Most/many serious CH collectors use the Zumstein numbers but if you want to buy via ebay.com, Michel numbers come in handy and the Zumstein and SBK have those.

Just my 2 rappen,

Larry

Larry, since you seem to use the SBK, how is their treatment of the Portofreiheitsmarken? Does it show pictures of any of the plate faults, like the Zumstein does?

Peter

Which is the latest edition (year) of the 2. Zumstein Spezialkatalog Schweiz Bd1 & Bd2 ?

It is good choise to buy the michel catalogue first?
Is good catalog?

And then buy the zumstein spesialized?

I would like someone to post some images of the zumstein catalogue in order to see this catalogue organization?


Panayotis

Peter,

WRT plate fault pictures of the portfreiheitsmarken, I don't see those in my 2010 edition of Zumstein, but if you're referring to the portomarken, the SBK does have pictures of the plate faults and in the case of the SBK, I think that they are using much the same picture, except that the pictures are larger in the SBK than the Zumstein. Bith both catalogs are pretty equivalent, though in general it looks to me that the SBK has more and better pictures. All the captions in the SBK seem to be in German whereas the Zumstein does also have the French.

Peter, just like you, the Zumstein is my default, its just that their treatment of the Strubels is better, in my view.

And, McBarry, the last edition of the Zumstein specialized is dated 2000.

Larry

Thanks Larry. The Zumstein specialized of 2000 has the pictures in it that I was referring to. Peter

I am not a specialized collector of Swiss stamps but I am interested in the list of control numbers with the pertinent organizations of the Franchise stamps of Switzerland. I understand that the list is contained in the Zumstein Specialized catalog but I can't really justify the cost of the catalog for just that narrow purpose. Is anyone willing to share the list me? Or is there another source for the codes?

Hello,

Yes, I am interested in certain Switzerland Franchise stamps that deal with my Deaf topic.

I do have a listing of control numbers that I am seeking.

Would any one of you know if there are dealers that would carry an extensive line of such stamps.

Thank you,

Kenneth