Defining The Classic Era Of Stamp Collecting

Rhett - depends how you define the era of World War II. Japan's intervention in Manchuria in 1931 would definitely be the start of the road that would lead to war in the Asia-Pacific area and Pearl Harbor, for example. And Italy's conquest of Ethiopia in 1935-1936 would not only allow Hitler to split the Western European allies of 1918 but would embolden him to engage in a more aggressive foreign policy that would eventually lead to the invasion of Poland in Sept 1939.

For me, classic era stamps in the US involve Scott 1-313 which would be the 1902-3 definitive series. But more generally I consider line engraved stamps as classics and when I adopt that definition and consider my WW collection, I realize that most of the world was producing or issuing beautiful engraved stamps, often bicolored certainly through the 1920's and often up to 1940 as well. Even the poorest countries on Earth were participating and by this I am referring to most of Africa, Ethiopia, and Haiti for example.

If over 100 years old doesn't qualify as a classic then I don't know what does.

Well... the US Philatelic Classics Society covers stamps through the small bank note period. I have felt that you could include the first two bureau issues but that's about it.

Just my opinion though, take it for what it's worth.