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General Philatelic/Newcomer Cnr : How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

 

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tuscany4me
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18 Sep 2012
04:47:07pm
Ok. Please remember I'm new to this -- Although I understand what a definitive stamp is, being a "little" over-whelmed with these stamps, How do I determine which stamp is actually definitive.. as apposed to commemorative? (When it is NOT OBVIOUS to me)

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michael78651

18 Sep 2012
06:07:52pm
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Some do have some cross-over potential.

Generally, definitives are the usual stamps used to pay various postage rates. They are available for long periods of time. Commemoratives are single stamps or short sets that are issued to honor a specific event or person, valued at the current first class rate and are available for a short period of time.

From that description, I'm sure you could think of many cross-over issues.

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cdj1122
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..

19 Sep 2012
05:45:37am
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

And definitives are often reprinted over time as more are needed leading to the use of several plates for the process and thus frequently plate varieties and shade differences especially when they are used over many tears.

Image Not Found

The basic "Posthorn" design of Norway was first issued in 1871, (Yes 1871, that is not a misprint) and while there have been some changes is still being used for mail in Norway. A comprehensive collection of all the different printings can fill several pages of an album.
Image Not Found

Machin stamps (The simple side profile of Queen Elizabeth II) were first issued in 1967 and are not only being used will continue to be used as long as the queen remains on the throne of the United Kingdom.
With a little searching a collector can easily find well over six hundred color/value varieties, more counting minor shades. Specialists in this issue, obsessing over very small differences can gather some two thousand varieties or more. A large display of them is a festival of colors.



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PeterG
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19 Sep 2012
08:21:49am
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Please ask if there are any specific stamps you have doubts with, it´s not easy
The top stamps are definitives, the bottom stamps are commemoratives
Image Not Found


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tuscany4me
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19 Sep 2012
11:45:21am
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

DEFINITIVE?
Image Not Found

COMMEMM?
Image Not Found

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John Macco
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Astrophilatelist- Space Cover Collector

19 Sep 2012
12:26:45pm
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Clayton- You are correct. The top stamp was part of the Liberty Series. The bottom stamp is part of the Famous Americans series.

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cdj1122
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..

20 Sep 2012
12:20:21pm
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

And judging from the neat quarter circle cancellations on most of the of the Falkland Islands "definitives" I'd think that if not CTOs they are Favor Cancels.
While certainly attractive and interesting, they do seem like excessive for the 3,400 or so people that live on these islands.

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tuscany4me
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20 Sep 2012
12:48:54pm
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

So at this point.. can I assume that the one on left is a definitive and the one on the right is a commemm??

Image Not Found

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Jlav

20 Sep 2012
02:07:50pm
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Hi,

Both are definitives. The 1/2 cent is from the 1938 Presidential(Prexies) issue. The 7 cent is from the 1965 - 1981 Prominent Americans issue.

If you are concentrating on the United States, the Scott U S Specialized Catalogue has an identifier of definitives in the introduction.

Jacques.


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tuscany4me
Members Picture


20 Sep 2012
02:10:56pm
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Thank you. But I am too poor to own a Scotts' Anything. I couldn't afford the Cover of a Scott's. LOL

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Jlav

20 Sep 2012
02:15:24pm
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Hi again,

From another forum. Beginning with the 2013 Scott Specialized, 1042A (8 cent General John J Pershing) from the Liberty Issue will be renumbered to 1214.

Jacques.

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PeterG
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20 Sep 2012
02:19:30pm
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

I too think the Falklandese stamps are cto. They look a little bit too much the same. Or maybe they´ve been on the same huge cover as they have no gum on the backside.

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amsd
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Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads

20 Sep 2012
02:38:32pm
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Clayton,

keep an eye out on these auctions and on others, inc. eBay's, for older Scott's. If you are a US specialist, their US specialized is essential, and an older copy is fine if you don't mind missing recent stamps. They can often be had for a couple of bucks, plus shipping media mail, so you might be out 5 to 7 bucks.

I do think that reference material is an essential part of our hobby, and, for a beginner, the catalogues give you a way to talk the same language as others.

David

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"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

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drmicro68
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20 Sep 2012
05:09:59pm
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Almost every local public library has copies of Scott Catalogs for loan.

Roger

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amsd
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Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads

20 Sep 2012
05:24:39pm
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Would that that were true

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"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link.php?PLJZJP
michael78651

20 Sep 2012
05:43:51pm
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

I don't know where you live, but see if you have a local stamp dealer. They often get old catalogs from collections that they buy. Depending on the catalog, they will probably sell it to you very cheap, or maybe even give it to you.

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Bujutsu
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20 Sep 2012
07:58:59pm
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think it is the Norway 'post horn' definitives that have the longest running design for the whole world (?)

Chimo

Bujutsu

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michael78651

21 Sep 2012
01:09:45am
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

You are correct.

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Jansimon
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collector, seller, MT member

21 Sep 2012
04:31:24am

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re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Last week I got my hands on a 16 page booklet dedicated to how to recognise all the different Posthorn stamps, starting with skilling / ore, going to sans-serif / serif and then all the way to the multicoloured offset stamps that are in use now. Very useful and suppose one could get all these stamps, it would fill a small album.

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DRYER
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The past is a foreign country, they do things different there.

21 Sep 2012
02:01:55pm
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Kudos to "amsd" for using the subjunctive, a dying verb tense, and some would say deservingly so.

John Derry

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tuscany4me
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22 Sep 2012
01:51:30pm
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Maybe I will "try" to sneak a Scotts Catalog into the house, when my wife isn't looking

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cdj1122
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..

23 Sep 2012
12:25:07am
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

" .... I certainly wish that more Libraries would have had the foresight to purchase a current set. ...."


How's that one, John ?

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".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
michael78651

23 Sep 2012
01:50:38am
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

I used to donate a complete set to the local library each year when I bought the new set. However, the catalogs have gotten so high priced that I need to sell the previous set in order to help offset the costs of the new one. I also no longer buy a new set every year.

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auldstampguy
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Tim
Collector, Webmaster

23 Sep 2012
03:43:59pm
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Clayton,
I think you have a Philatelic Library over your way, I think it is called the WesternPhilatelic Library. They will have many copies of almost any catalog you want to look at and will probably let you borrow them.

Regards. Tim

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Joeg
Members Picture


24 Sep 2012
06:19:09am
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

For US collectors, one inexpensive alternative to purchasing a catalogue is the free online catalogue at Mystic's website (www.mysticstamp.com). The catalogue is fully illustrated in color, uses the Scott numbering system, and categorizes stamps into "regular issues" (for definitives) and commemorative sets. I use it to supplement my normal Scott catalogues that I last updated in 2008.


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cdj1122
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..

24 Sep 2012
10:38:48am
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

And if someone actually buys something from Mystic and gets on the mailing list a nice glossy full color catalog issue will arrive by mail several times a year.


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".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
John Macco
Members Picture


Astrophilatelist- Space Cover Collector

24 Sep 2012
01:35:44pm
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

In the October 1, 2012 Linns, it is reported the General John Pershing stamp Scott#1042A is being assigned a new catalog number#1214 taking it out of the Liberty Series.

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auldstampguy
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Tim
Collector, Webmaster

24 Sep 2012
08:51:08pm
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Thanks for the headsup John.

Regards ... Tim

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"Isaac Asimov once said if his doctor told him he was dying, he wouldn’t lament, he would just type a little faster. "

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butterflystamp
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Stamps show the culture and history of the world

05 Nov 2012
03:10:43am
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Any views on the Definitives of Asia.Willing to hear.Image Not Found

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"Everyones needs and wants stamps."

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PeterG
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06 Nov 2012
11:08:07am
re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Not all of these are definitives. R1 #1 and R2 last stamp and all the butterflies are definitives, the rest are commemoratives.
I love the butterflies series, I lack some of the lowest denomination stamps from the various states, I have all the butterflies from the federation.

Image Not Found

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Author/Postings
Members Picture
tuscany4me

18 Sep 2012
04:47:07pm

Ok. Please remember I'm new to this -- Although I understand what a definitive stamp is, being a "little" over-whelmed with these stamps, How do I determine which stamp is actually definitive.. as apposed to commemorative? (When it is NOT OBVIOUS to me)

Like
Login to Like
this post
michael78651

18 Sep 2012
06:07:52pm

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Some do have some cross-over potential.

Generally, definitives are the usual stamps used to pay various postage rates. They are available for long periods of time. Commemoratives are single stamps or short sets that are issued to honor a specific event or person, valued at the current first class rate and are available for a short period of time.

From that description, I'm sure you could think of many cross-over issues.

Like
Login to Like
this post

Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
19 Sep 2012
05:45:37am

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

And definitives are often reprinted over time as more are needed leading to the use of several plates for the process and thus frequently plate varieties and shade differences especially when they are used over many tears.

Image Not Found

The basic "Posthorn" design of Norway was first issued in 1871, (Yes 1871, that is not a misprint) and while there have been some changes is still being used for mail in Norway. A comprehensive collection of all the different printings can fill several pages of an album.
Image Not Found

Machin stamps (The simple side profile of Queen Elizabeth II) were first issued in 1967 and are not only being used will continue to be used as long as the queen remains on the throne of the United Kingdom.
With a little searching a collector can easily find well over six hundred color/value varieties, more counting minor shades. Specialists in this issue, obsessing over very small differences can gather some two thousand varieties or more. A large display of them is a festival of colors.



Like
Login to Like
this post

".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
Members Picture
PeterG

19 Sep 2012
08:21:49am

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Please ask if there are any specific stamps you have doubts with, it´s not easy
The top stamps are definitives, the bottom stamps are commemoratives
Image Not Found


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tuscany4me

19 Sep 2012
11:45:21am

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

DEFINITIVE?
Image Not Found

COMMEMM?
Image Not Found

Like
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Members Picture
John Macco

Astrophilatelist- Space Cover Collector
19 Sep 2012
12:26:45pm

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Clayton- You are correct. The top stamp was part of the Liberty Series. The bottom stamp is part of the Famous Americans series.

Like
Login to Like
this post

Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
20 Sep 2012
12:20:21pm

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

And judging from the neat quarter circle cancellations on most of the of the Falkland Islands "definitives" I'd think that if not CTOs they are Favor Cancels.
While certainly attractive and interesting, they do seem like excessive for the 3,400 or so people that live on these islands.

Like
Login to Like
this post

".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
Members Picture
tuscany4me

20 Sep 2012
12:48:54pm

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

So at this point.. can I assume that the one on left is a definitive and the one on the right is a commemm??

Image Not Found

Like
Login to Like
this post
Jlav

20 Sep 2012
02:07:50pm

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Hi,

Both are definitives. The 1/2 cent is from the 1938 Presidential(Prexies) issue. The 7 cent is from the 1965 - 1981 Prominent Americans issue.

If you are concentrating on the United States, the Scott U S Specialized Catalogue has an identifier of definitives in the introduction.

Jacques.


Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
tuscany4me

20 Sep 2012
02:10:56pm

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Thank you. But I am too poor to own a Scotts' Anything. I couldn't afford the Cover of a Scott's. LOL

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Jlav

20 Sep 2012
02:15:24pm

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Hi again,

From another forum. Beginning with the 2013 Scott Specialized, 1042A (8 cent General John J Pershing) from the Liberty Issue will be renumbered to 1214.

Jacques.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
PeterG

20 Sep 2012
02:19:30pm

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

I too think the Falklandese stamps are cto. They look a little bit too much the same. Or maybe they´ve been on the same huge cover as they have no gum on the backside.

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this post
Members Picture
amsd

Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads
20 Sep 2012
02:38:32pm

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Clayton,

keep an eye out on these auctions and on others, inc. eBay's, for older Scott's. If you are a US specialist, their US specialized is essential, and an older copy is fine if you don't mind missing recent stamps. They can often be had for a couple of bucks, plus shipping media mail, so you might be out 5 to 7 bucks.

I do think that reference material is an essential part of our hobby, and, for a beginner, the catalogues give you a way to talk the same language as others.

David

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link. ...
Members Picture
drmicro68

20 Sep 2012
05:09:59pm

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Almost every local public library has copies of Scott Catalogs for loan.

Roger

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amsd

Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads
20 Sep 2012
05:24:39pm

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Would that that were true

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"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link. ...
michael78651

20 Sep 2012
05:43:51pm

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

I don't know where you live, but see if you have a local stamp dealer. They often get old catalogs from collections that they buy. Depending on the catalog, they will probably sell it to you very cheap, or maybe even give it to you.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
Bujutsu

20 Sep 2012
07:58:59pm

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think it is the Norway 'post horn' definitives that have the longest running design for the whole world (?)

Chimo

Bujutsu

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this post
michael78651

21 Sep 2012
01:09:45am

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

You are correct.

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this post
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Jansimon

collector, seller, MT member
21 Sep 2012
04:31:24am

Approvals

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Last week I got my hands on a 16 page booklet dedicated to how to recognise all the different Posthorn stamps, starting with skilling / ore, going to sans-serif / serif and then all the way to the multicoloured offset stamps that are in use now. Very useful and suppose one could get all these stamps, it would fill a small album.

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.etsy.com/nl/shop ...

The past is a foreign country, they do things different there.
21 Sep 2012
02:01:55pm

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Kudos to "amsd" for using the subjunctive, a dying verb tense, and some would say deservingly so.

John Derry

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"Much happiness is overlooked because it doesn't cost anything. "

parklanemews@gmail.c ...
Members Picture
tuscany4me

22 Sep 2012
01:51:30pm

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Maybe I will "try" to sneak a Scotts Catalog into the house, when my wife isn't looking

Like
Login to Like
this post

Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
23 Sep 2012
12:25:07am

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

" .... I certainly wish that more Libraries would have had the foresight to purchase a current set. ...."


How's that one, John ?

Like
Login to Like
this post

".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
michael78651

23 Sep 2012
01:50:38am

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

I used to donate a complete set to the local library each year when I bought the new set. However, the catalogs have gotten so high priced that I need to sell the previous set in order to help offset the costs of the new one. I also no longer buy a new set every year.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
auldstampguy

Tim
Collector, Webmaster
23 Sep 2012
03:43:59pm

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Clayton,
I think you have a Philatelic Library over your way, I think it is called the WesternPhilatelic Library. They will have many copies of almost any catalog you want to look at and will probably let you borrow them.

Regards. Tim

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Isaac Asimov once said if his doctor told him he was dying, he wouldn’t lament, he would just type a little faster. "

mncancels.org
Members Picture
Joeg

24 Sep 2012
06:19:09am

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

For US collectors, one inexpensive alternative to purchasing a catalogue is the free online catalogue at Mystic's website (www.mysticstamp.com). The catalogue is fully illustrated in color, uses the Scott numbering system, and categorizes stamps into "regular issues" (for definitives) and commemorative sets. I use it to supplement my normal Scott catalogues that I last updated in 2008.


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like this post.
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
24 Sep 2012
10:38:48am

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

And if someone actually buys something from Mystic and gets on the mailing list a nice glossy full color catalog issue will arrive by mail several times a year.


Like
Login to Like
this post

".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
Members Picture
John Macco

Astrophilatelist- Space Cover Collector
24 Sep 2012
01:35:44pm

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

In the October 1, 2012 Linns, it is reported the General John Pershing stamp Scott#1042A is being assigned a new catalog number#1214 taking it out of the Liberty Series.

Like 
3 Members
like this post.
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auldstampguy

Tim
Collector, Webmaster
24 Sep 2012
08:51:08pm

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Thanks for the headsup John.

Regards ... Tim

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"Isaac Asimov once said if his doctor told him he was dying, he wouldn’t lament, he would just type a little faster. "

mncancels.org
Members Picture
butterflystamp

Stamps show the culture and history of the world
05 Nov 2012
03:10:43am

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Any views on the Definitives of Asia.Willing to hear.Image Not Found

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"Everyones needs and wants stamps."

butterflypostcardand ...
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PeterG

06 Nov 2012
11:08:07am

re: How to determine if a stamp is a definitive

Not all of these are definitives. R1 #1 and R2 last stamp and all the butterflies are definitives, the rest are commemoratives.
I love the butterflies series, I lack some of the lowest denomination stamps from the various states, I have all the butterflies from the federation.

Image Not Found

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