Where Can I Find Stamp Data?

My specific area of interest right now is Persia (up to about 1970). I was wondering if there are any resources which could tell me, for example, the names of the designers of particular stamps? Or some background on why certain issues were approved or not, or certain colours chosen, as the case may be.

This sort of info would be great for writing up a collection. Although Persia is a bit outside of the mainstream for many collectors, the question applies generally - catalogues don't include this sort of info. Does it reside anywhere which is readily accessible?

Hi Ringo.

Try here: http://www.iranphilately.org/

I simply searched for Philatelic Society Persia

John

I think it's more that catalogues may or may not include this information, depending on what's available to them. For instance, the 1970s SG rest of the world catalogue that I have to hand includes designers for the stamps of Iraq, but not for those of Iran. Has SG included more information in its most recent, more specialised catalogue covering Iran?

Thanks for the advice. In terms of catalogues, I haven't consulted a modern one for many years. I use a Stanley Gibbons World catalogue from 1968, since virtually all my collection is pre-1970s, and its relatively small (one volume) and easy to handle.

The Philatelic Society link is great. I was aware of them, but never explored their site at length. Turns out there are exhibits of album pages and collections, and these include info of the sort I'm after in the write-up notes, so that's a help for sure. I'll have a dig around.

You might find this article of some interest:

http://www.iranicaonline.org/articl...ately-stamps

Ringo - that's why I collect stamp collaterals and ephemera. It has all the design, development and production information as well as indicating how the product was marketed. See the attached.