Collecting Austria And Would Like To Know About Good Catalogue Sources For My New Interest.

Over the the last few years I have have acquired a good bit of items from Austria. I have taken interest in collecting the country and would like to know from those of you that collect Austria what is your best catalogue source ? Thanks.

Michel would be my number 1 suggestion for Austria.

Worth checking out Austria Netto Katalog. For stamps there is a standard catalogue, a special catalogue, and a 4 countries catalogue (Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein).

Available only in German?

ANK Catalogue : A Tautology.

Yeah, you're going to have to get past that, I'm afraid. And honestly, it's not as big of a deal as some people make it.

Get yourself the ANK Österreich Spezialkatalog (pink for 20/21), and it'll handle 99.5% of everything you'd need for Austria.

Here's the TOC:

A point of clarification- specialized catalogues are great for the advanced collector. The OP seems to be just now organizing his materials, for which Michel would cover both his immediate needs as well as years of many if not most future needs. To me, specialized catalogues are added to general catalogues when the collector gets fairly involved in specialization.

Also, since Michel is the favored catalogue for many if not most dealers of Central Europe stamps, it's numbering system is widely accepted and commonly used by sellers of Austria material.

ANK and Michel numbers are virtually identical for general issue postage, and ANK is cheaper to buy (at least is for me in the States). Can't go wrong with either, but Austria has a number of printing and paper varieties pre-1938 that ANK definitely covers, Michel may or may not (don't have it, so don't know).

Have recently ordered the 2021 Michel Austria specialized. Will provide thoughts once it arrives (should be this coming week hopefully).

~Greg

I appreciate all of the responses and it gives me quite a few options. It's always fun to head into a new collecting interest. So much to learn ,so little time.

As you get into it more, consider the Ferchenbauer (four volumes) catalog and handbook. It is the final word, although may be more than you want right now. A Michel specialized is great for most everything. Ferchenbauer adds lot of depth as you dive deeper.

I would advocate Scott, and perhaps a 1970's type Stanley Gibbons (Pay about $5)
I like the strength of Scott, in having a common cataloguing system that is familiar with millions of collectors, ebay research etc.

For any German or Central Europe country, the best is Michel. I guess there's an English version.
I personaly, don't like Scott. For European countries is too simple and, in my view, too childish. But, being very much an European (with a love for Central Europe) my view could be somewhat biassed...

Is there a U.S. source for the ANK catalog?

Dale

Finally received the Michel Austria specialized 2021 a couple weeks ago (was a mix up in delivery, but it worked out as I also received 2 other catalogues as well at no charge!).

It is very good, as expected, up to Michel's usual quality standards & clearly laid out. In German, but no issues with that once you get the philatelic terms down. Covers Austria to current, Lombardy-Venetia, Austrian offices, Danube Steamship, postal stationary, lots more. Covers in detail the early issues and their distinguishing characteristics, varieties, plate flaws, etc. In all very happy with purchase - with two small dislikes - the print is very small (and my eyes aren't getting younger!) and could have used even more info on early types/varieties, as that is the bulk of what I'm going through.

If anyone wants more detailed info, let me know.

~Greg

Haven't found one. I ordered mine from an Austrian dealer.