British Commonwealth Catalog Recommendation

In addition to using Scott as my primary catalog, I would like to pick up a catalog for the British Commonwealth. How does the single volume Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Catalogue compare in terms of detail to the Scott Classic catalogue?

Being in the U.S. I have to say the thought of using a catalogue other than Scott seems a little out of my comfort zone, but stamps of the Commonwealth countries are so darned attractive it might be worth it.

Thanks in advance for the input.

Dale

The Gibbons is the best single volume source for Commonwealth & Empire material there is, but can certainly be read in conjunction with the Scott catalogue.

The Gibbons is still more detailed than the Scott Classic, though the latter is catching up. In recent years, the volume you speak of went up to 1952 so all issues of King George VI were included vs. Scott only extending up to 1949 issues. Newest volumes now go though 1970. Older Gibbons catalogs work just fine; see Amazon or ebay and don't order from someone using cheap plastic mailing bags. The books are too heavy for them.

Sets can constructed differently vs. Scott and color/colour names are different. If you are moderately good at using Scott, you should have no problems.

I can only agree with hy-brasil and Bobby in recommending the Gibbons Commonwealth And Empire Catalogue as the foremost resource for British Commonwealth collectors - up to 1970.
1970 is a good date for the British Colonial collector, as by that time most, if not all, ex-colonies had been granted independence.

If your interests lie post 1970, then you would have to switch to one of the more area specific catalogues e.g "The Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth Stamp Catalogue - Southern and Central Africa" lists stamps issued until just prior to the catalogue publication date

As a Scott user though, one major difference you should be aware of is that other than for Postage Dues, SG does not have separate Airmail and BOB categories. Instead, stamps are listed chronologically, which as a long time Gibbons user seems more logical to me. Although no doubt the Scott devotees would probably disagree with me on that.

Clive

I also use Scott as my primary catalog in par due to I use Steiner pages that are organized by Scott but also picked up the SG Commonwealth and Empire Stamps 1840-1970 to assist with varieties that Scott is less detailed about. Scott has less coverage in color varieties and paper types. SG has more major varieties that Scott will list as minor varieties.