Big Blue Switzerland

Please identify by Scott number the first two Switzerland stamps (2 Rappen & 10 Rappen pale blue) shown in the International Jr. Album 1941. I do not see them listed 1854-1862.

A 1947 Scott catalogue shows a 1862 "Scott 34" 2r gray (CV $10), and a 1855 Scott 36 10r pale blue (CV 50 cents). these stamps appear to fill the "1854-62" two spaces, a 2 Rappen ilustration cut, and a "10 R pale blue" descriptive space.

In the 2011 Scott catalogue, these spaces are now Scott 35 2r gray (CV $250 unused), and Scott 37b 10r pale blue (CV $27+). I think the now major number, Scott 37 10r blue (CV 21+), could be put in instead.

Excellent explanation and a fine reason to save the elder catalogues. Thank you.

When I was penciling Scott numbers for these early Swiss stamps in my International I "gave up" reconciling the differences between the album and catalogs and simply noted that I should feel free to put in the least expensive issues that matched the denominations. Take that Scott "Blue" editors.

I love the inconsistancies,catalogue changes,mistakes,etc. in Big Blue. I find out all the information such as JKjblue offered and then I do it my way. I usually defer to the more expensive stamps. I love to hear all views and ideas on the subject and stay very loose and adaptable. I have several serious collections but Big Blue is the most fun!

I picked up a Switzerland Sc #36 & 37 as one lot. Decided not to get a #36b pale blue. Liked the color of the 37 better. Held off getting a 35 until I can tell the difference between genuine & forgery.

I finally purchased the Karelia set in Big Blue now that I can differentiate between genuine & forgery.

Correction on my previous post. Decided not to get a #37b pale blue.

Cool! I love that set.

About the Big Blue checklist....

I find the stamp(s) that best go into the space based on BB's illustration cut, description, and date criteria. It is a bit like a Suduku puzzle.

But what the collector does for the space is up to him or her.

So far, which has not been long, I have stayed with BB's spaces except for the one Swiss blue stamp. If there is room I will add #1's,stamps that interest me,higher values and even a very few replica stamps that tickle my fancy.

I have a 1941 Jr BB my main album and two 1947 editions. What year catalogue would be best to purchase to find the changes that have been made from the 1940's. Would any between 1941-1947 suffice as your answer about the Swiss stamps was a 1947 edition. How many catalogues was the world back in 1943 and 1947.

I believe 1943 was the year Scott first split the WW catalog into 2 volumes. In the initial year, I believe the catalog was available BOTH in single- and two-volume versions. I don't have that year, so I cannot confirm. The catalog did not split into a 3rd volume until 1972.

Scott did issue single-volume simplified editions in 1951 and 1952. But that edition was short-lived.

Sorry I cannot help you with a recommendation for a specific catalog year suitable for your needs.

If you are trying to find a Scott catalogue that closely mimics the descriptions in the '41 edition, anywhere between '41-'47 should do. My '47 is one book that has both volumes in it- it was sold also as two separate volumes.

One would also need a modern Scott catalogue, as that is how the stamps would be sold now. Then, one will need to interpret between the catalogues to find the closest match in the modern catalogue.

Have fun.

Do you know which year Scott quit providing the 2-volume sets as single-volume also?

There is a Scott 1942 one volume catalog available for $15. Sound reasonable for my 1941 Jr BB?

A '42 should work well. I should say that a 40s catalogue and a modern catalogue will agree about ~90% of the time- that is the catalogue descriptions, numbers etc will be the same. But you will need an earlier catalogue for those other 10%.

I don't know when Scott stopped selling the catalogue as either two volumes or as one book with both volumes in it.

I believe the one-volume Scott went away after 1971. Don't quote me on that, though.