A Question About Michel Postal Stationary Catalogs

I have just purchased the Michel, Ganzsachen-Katalog Deutschland, 1977 for less than $10.00 (this includes shipping) and am awaiting its delivery.

However, I am curious as to any other catalog that I should purchase that is offered by Michel (on the cheap).

Does anyone here have any suggestions?

I have placed the MICHEL Ganzsachen-Katalog Europa bis 1960 (West & Ost) - 2008 in my cart, but I want to ask of anyone will such a purchase prove beneficial for me with reference to my Postal Stationary collection?

I am aware that Higgins & Gage covers such, but it is not easy to acquire, is Michel's catalog mentioned above comparable to this acclaimed reference?

Please advise.

Regards,
Stampalotapus

Is Michel comparable? First question to ask would be: Do you speak / read German? That is usually the big drawback with buying foreign catalogs!

Peter

I have taken German in school back when I was HS, and am capable of getting by without any real hindrances.

Additionally any roadblocks can be toppled with the use of translate programs available on the web & on smartphone apps.

Regards,
Stampalotapus

I would say that the Michel Ganzsachen catalogs are generally better than H&G for the areas that they cover. For postal stationary from outside of Europe, except for that of German colonies, you will need to look elsewhere.

I do find some of the listings difficult to follow, but struggle through them as well as I can.

The Michel Ganzsachen-Katalog Europa is a great reference. I have only the Europa West, and it is thorough and logical, as Michel tends to be.

If you familiarize yourself with the introductory material, especially the abbreviations and symbols used, that is most beneficial. Also, the design overview in the back can sometimes speed up your search.

German occupation issues for European areas is not included. For those you need the Ganzsachen-Katalog Deutschland.

Michel also publishes a German-English philatelic translation guide, which is worth revisiting from time to time.

I definitely intend to search for Higgins & Gage for other country listings outside of Europe.




My reasoning behind the initial post is that I was wondering if I should get this...

http://www.amazon.com/MICHEL-Ganzsa...p/B00DASUH3E

I have already purchased the Ganzsachen-Katalog Deutschland, just awaiting its arrival.




I have already found the pdf for this online somewhere (can't remember where).

Thank you all

Regards,
Stampalotapus

The "problem" with H&G is that, no matter how you collect, you probably need all 19. They are alphabetical, worldwide. If you are a British Commonwealth collector, you'll need everything from Vol. 1 (Aden, Antigua, etc.) to Vol. 19 (Zululand).

Cjd, I see what you are saying - such seems like it can become a costly endeavor to acquire the entirety of the latest H&G revision based on my web searches.

Regards,
Stampalotapus

Plus, the H&G is woefully out-of-date. I believe that last revisions were made in the early- to mid-1980's. (I know I could check this somewhere online ...)

What I've found works best is to combine any relevant Michel publications with whichever one-country (& colonies, if that applies) catalogs are available. A number of them, but by no means all, list postal stationery.

It might be interesting to put together a list of which catalogs do list postal stationery. Perhaps we could all pool our collective knowledge into creating such a list.

Japan is my specialty (with a minor in Korea), so I can report that the Sakura catalog lists postal stationery of Japan. Older editions also listed Manchukuo. The Japan Specialized (JSCA; also called "Nissen") lists all the postal stationery issued when Japan occupied something. The Sakura is in color; the JSCA is not.

For South Korea, the KPC (Korean Postage Stamp Catalogue) lists and illustrates postal stationery in color.

Hope that's helpful!

Yes very helpful.

I have already purchased and am awaiting on delivery of Michel, Ganzsachen-Katalog Deutschland, 1977 & Michel, Ganzsachen-Katalog Europa bis 1960 (West und Ost).

Since I have researched those publication's content I have revisited my decision to acquire H&G in its entirety.

I will need to be more selective as to what to acquire, so as not to duplicate.

Unfortunately I have already purchase and am awaiting delivery of H&G's Belgium section, of which will be covered in the Michel Europa Cat mentioned above.

Live and learn I guess.




I believe that such an endeavor can only prove beneficial for all involved at this fine Forum.

Regards,
Stampalotapus