Scott Catalogs

When I was a kid and just starting out in stamp collecting, we couldn't afford the catalogs. Now that I'm older and back into it, I am confused. Can someone please explain the difference between the Scott Catalog, Volume 1, and the Scott U.S "Specialized" catalog? If I purchase the specialized catalog (probably 2 or 3 years old) does that also cover all of the definitives, commemoratives, etc., or should I purchase both? I am interested in both stamp I.D. as well as values, even though they may be outdated by a year or three. What, if any, are the advantages to owning both, since I only collect U.S. Stamps...at least at this point. Thanks. Larry

I have always thought that, for U.S. only, one would only purchase the U.S. Specialized Catalog. That's what I have. The "regular" Scott Catalog Vol. 1 also contains worldwide countries A-B. Other than that, I don't know of any other differences. I would GUESS that the Specialized is, well, more specialized in the U.S. by providing more information. What that is, I don't have a clue.

Everything in Vol 1 is also in the Specialized, plus MUCH more. If you are going to collect US seriously you need the specialized. If you are going to collect the world and only collect US in a basic postage-airmail-postage due-special delivery kind of way than Vol 1 is a better idea.

OK...thanks, guys! That clears it up. In reality, I was hoping that would be the answer. I may branch out later on to other specific countries, but that's 2-3 years down the road. Larry

And, if you happen to only want to collect a country to 1940 (or 1952 for a British Commonwealth country), then the Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 one volume catalogue would be a good choice. Otherwise, one might need the six (very large) volume set.