Using A Scott Catalog

I know how to use a catalog, but have a question. How do I know where all the references are to an illustration? I know I can find several references within a few pages of the illustration itself. But how do I know where to stop looking? Thanks.

Next to the illustration is a design # . This design number also follows/should follow the catalog # in the listings. So, the listing may not be directly under the illustration and design #. It may be in the next listing, or further down the page.

Sometimes under the listings, Scott is nice enough to point out other stamps of the same design and give catalog #s.

Plus, there are a few stamps that are considered to have a common design across several countries. These will have an illustration number beginning with CD, and are shown at the front of the volume.

There's no simple answer. Let's say I'm working on design A5. First I look at the end of the series where A5 first appears. As someone pointed out, often the later instances of A5 will be listed there as well as sucharged and overprinted A5s.

Next I just scan down the illustration numbers in each new series to see if it recurs. After a while, when I see nothing but A12 or A27, I figure there are no more.

One of the worst in this regard are the US designs A138, A139, A140., A148 -- the notorious Washington-Franklins. They go on forever and a day with other designs interspersed. You just have to buckle down and learn them.

But it can be done. And then you will feel proud of your prowess.

Hieronymus and others: Thanks so much for the guidance. Hieronymus hit the nail on the head; this is what I was trying to figure out. Thanks again.

For the US designs mentioned by Hieronymus, you can use the "IDENTIFIER OF DEFINITIVE ISSUES" toward the front of the US Specialized Catalogue. It will list all of the definitive issues that use a particular design (such as A139). Am not familiar enough with the worldwide catalogues to know whether they have something similar.

JLLebbert, thanks for this heads up! I've been using this a lot since you pointed it out. Very handy. Thanks.