Time To Invest In A Catalogue Advice For A Newcomer

That is a bargain. Well done you.
You are on your way............

Our city has huge twice annual week-long used book sales in major shopping mall courts. The fire halls collect donated used books from the public and sale proceeds go to the Children's Hospitals. I've purchased a number of used Scotts there for $5 each and now have most countries covered off but for different years and some a bit dated.

Each year I'm able to find one or two old stamp collections this way too that have been donated as used books. Again these are sold for a few dollars each. To have a chance at these bonuses though you have to be there before opening time on the first day of the book sale and watch out for flying elbows when the whistle blows!

Libraries here have the most recent Scott catalogues which can be checked out for three weeks at a time and renewed repeatededly unless someone requests a title be returned. I've taken out the entire 2018 Scott collection at times. It's no joke to carry a plastic tub of those catalogues out to the car! The 2019 versions are kept in reference so not loaned out.

I've been told older book stock is sold off at year end by the libraries for very low prices as new titles come in so I will attempt to get a full year recent set of Scott's this way shortly. Wonder if there are similar opportunities for stamp collectors in other cities/countries?

I started out with one used Scott catalog and eventually ended up with a complete (not all same year). I should have just got all at once since often better deal. I have a couple of old ones I will donate to a local stamp club.

If I recall correctly, the Scott Classic Specialized went to color images in 2003. At the time, it was a big upgrade.

If and when you decide to buy a US Scott Specialized make sure that you get a 2008 or later issue. Scott changed the numbering and clarity of identifying 10, 10A, 11, 11A, 25, 26 etc. in 2008. Generally a more recent edition is better due to any additional information added in the front of the catalogs but only slightly.

Thank you for the advice - I might need to do some double checking, but I hope this will be a good beginners start for me.

I owned a 2005 Classic and thought a later one would be more useful. The changes are usually of interest to more specialized collectors.

One can get used catalogs and books from a local dealer at their store.