Free Stamp Catalogs

I know for a fact that the USPS gives free stamp catalogs without any catch.

However, I also noticed that there are other stamp companies that give free stamp catalogs but they usually involve stamps on approval offers. I find this a hassle though as you need to spend for postage just to return the stamps and the free catalog is usually just a nespaper print copy and is not worth that much.

Any views on this? Thanks

Hi Johnstamp, and welcome to the forum.

You can go to your public library's reference section, and
look for Scott catalogs.

Some library's let you take them home, some don't.

Also, some libraries withdraw books on a regular basis and sell them. My local library replaces their Scott Catalogues every year and sells off the old ones for $2.50/book when they do.

This year was the first one I was lucky enough to be there when they did this. I now have a nice set of 2007's and they only cost me $12.50!

There are a few companies that you can get a free catalog without a stamp approval selection being sent to you. I think Kenmore has a catalog. While you are at the library or a book store look in the periodical section for a stamp publication ie. Linn's or Scott Stamp Monthly. There are many advertisers in them that have free or very inexpensive catalogs or price lists.

I already emailed the San Francisco Public LIbrary asking them if they have old catalogs to give away or to sell for a minimal fee....Hope they will accomodate me. Thanks for the tips

I picked up my Scott Catalogues for .50 each volume from my local library years ago , one of the librarians also happened to be a fellow stamp collector who frequented the same stamp bourse as me on a monthly basis so it helped tremendously that she could tip me off and save them for me , it doesn't hurt to frequently visit the library because I've seen the Stamp Catalogues offered several times.

Just want to share this....

Hi John,


I am in receipt of your inquiry about old stamp catalogs. We do not sell or give withdrawn materials to individuals – this link to explains our program for withdrawn materials: http://sfpl.org/librarylocations/ad...ribution.htm

I know they can be found for purchase on sites such as ebay, Alibris, etc. And your stamp club is right, some libraries do sell them, or their Friends organizations sell them on behalf of the library. I'm sorry we cannot help you on this.


Regards,

Laura Lent
Collection Development Manager
San Francisco Public Library
190- 9th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
415.557.4220 (tel)
415.437.4827 (fax)

Mystic Stamp Company has a very nice color illustrated catalog that is available for free. When I first became involved with them they used to send approvals but when I asked them to quit sending the approvals they stopped sending those. However, I've purchased enough product from them in the past that they still send out there catalog. This catalog is also available to view on-line at www.mysticstamp.com

Stampnaround, I find the Mystic Catalog the fastest way to find a Scott number for U.S. stamps. If you don't need the value or specialized information, it's great, especially with everything including all those recent stamps in color.

For a couple years, I used a GLOBAL catalog as my checklist -- they're not full color, but they're printed on "regular" (non-glossy) paper and are actually easier to mark and jot notes. Also, they're 5.5" x 8.5" -- a bit more "pocket sized."

The catalog is on their website (http://www.globalstamps.com/) but I think they also make a print edition; I'm not sure about approvals clause...

KirkS

Edit: By the way, I don't endorse Global's prices for their stamps -- just talking about using their catalog as a reference tool.

Larrys right about the Mystic catalog. It is a very easy reference to use for looking up Scott numbers. Their pricing is out of line but they are a retail company. I used them when first starting out until I was much more proficient with a Scotts catalog. I would greatly recommend one for beginners.

John, I'm sure you've noticed the country of San Francisco operates differently than the US. the vast majority of libraries sell their old catalogs when discarded. Have bought many from libraries in Ohio, Kentucky & Florida. The problem now is ebay.
people buy for $.25, $.50 or a dollar at libraries and sell them on ebay for $10.00.
I agree with Mac, a Scott catalog , even an older one, opens up a world of knowledge.

I've scoped out several library book sales before and found some great buys, but I've never seen Scott catalogues. I'm going to do some presale scouting and see what I can find!

Tom and I have the 2008s, but if I can find some really cheap, I'd be happy to help someone acquire a reasonably priced set. By the time I find some I should be over my dreaded 50 posts and be able to wheel & deal with the big dogs.

As mac & stampaholic said, the amount of information they give is phenominal.

Back to johnstamp's opening post on this thread... I really like the catalog the USPS puts out..I enjoy looking through it just to see what's been issued that I was unaware of and that might say, "Hey, hey, collect ME".

Do other countries put out catalogs like that?

I recently gave my Mystyc catalog to a stamp dealer at the St Louis Show. He said he would have to get one, so I just gave him mine. I looked up a Scott # for a collector next to me. I didn't mind because I only use them for quick reference and normally get 4 a year. I keep one in my desk at work due to their compactness, easy to use and all issues are in color.

with Modern.

The Mystic catalogue is easier to carry around at a show. The only problem is, they are expecting you to purchase a few stamps. They will not send a catalogue to Canada, unless you send them ten American dollars.

I can usually bum one off an American stamp friend.

David