Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
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We need more specific information on what you collect to answer that question. It's like asking me what stamp should you buy. I want US #2 on cover, but you may not even collect US and that would be of little interest to you.
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Does Linn's still publish their Almanac? Lots of interesting, useful stuff in there that would appeal to just about any collector.
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Here's a book that I would recommend:
Standard Handbook of Stamp Collecting
Author: Richard McP Cabeen
Publisher: New York, T.Y. Crowell Co. (1965)
628 pages
Sure, it is a little dated, but it has a lot of information covering most all of the aspects about stamp collecting. Something useful no matter how you decide to specialize.
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This isn't terribly expensive, but I learned a LOT reading it and it explains a lot about how you can find certain anomalies on older issues:
Printing Postage Stamps by Line Engraving by James H. Baxter
Lars
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shantige,
If you are interested in US stamps, I recommend The Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting.Edited by Rodney A, Juell and Steven J. Rod. Copyright 2006, United States Stamp Society, and published by Kirk House Publishers, Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to the Chairman of the Board of the United States Stamp Society, this book is a one-stop resource for all United States stamp collectors.
Hope this helps,
Mel (mbo1142)
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"Fundamentals of Philately", by L.N. Williams is offered through the American Philatelic Society. It can be purchased by members and non-members. Probably available on eBay or Amazon too. The most recent edition is from 2008, and it is 862 pages long. A great reference volume of the hobby.
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Thank you everyone for your suggestions. Now I have lots of gift ideas to share. 
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"How to save a lot of money, by not being a stamp collector", by B. A. Scrooge - 
Mike
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I doubt if it is still available other than as a Pre-loved item, but Otto Hornung's Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Stamp Collecting is a good read.
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Thanks for the information. Of course, now I want all of them!
Shannon
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All hangs on whether you have been a Good Girl all year.
If you haven't, you stand a chance
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I can also recommend Otto Hornung's book. It fits neatly between "juvenile" Stamp Collecting for Dummies -type basic books , and the more specialised reading.
It gives a resume of different approaches to collecting, and while it is very readable it captures the essence of each subject in sufficient detail to be tantalisingly interesting without getting into so much detail that it will only interest the already expert. It can also be dipped into in bite-sized chunks - so you don't get bogged down in detail
If you need it the ISBN number is 0 600 01797 4
It is quite an old publication ( my copy is 1970 ! ),but it is no less useful for that.The author was one of the " elder statesmen " of European philately who also wrote a lot of articles for UK magazines.
It should be available from Amazon ( discontinued from Libraries perhaps). You may have to source it in the UK -I am not sure how widely available it was in the USA when it was in print.
Malcom
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Not sure about the best but this link is to free downloads for a number of stamp/philately books. Most are no doubt out of print but still relevant. They also have foreign language books.
Using the search feature on the left leads you to lists where you can select your download.
https://www.gutenberg.org/
Vic
(Modified by Moderator on 2014-11-24 15:19:57)
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Hi, I just joined the stamp hobby a year a go; I have the following stamp books:
The Complete Guide to Stamps & Stamp Collecting by Dr. James Mackay 256 pages 2014
The Unitrade Stamp Collectors Handbook 144 pages 1997
The Postal Service Guide to Stamps 31st edition 576 pages 2003
Officcial Stamp Collectors Bible by Stephen R Datz 542 pages 2003
2013 US/BNA Price Guide by H E Harris 400 pages 2013
The Postal Service Guide to US Stamps 33rd edition 352 pages 2005
2014 Canada Postage Stamps CWS 160 pages+
Stamp Collectors Handbook by Samuel Grossman 192 pages 1968
My question: Should I need another book? Are the ones recommended by you guys that much better? If so,... I can hunt some down.
I have stamp albums for US and Canada. I am also using World stamp albums for the rest. I do see a time when I will be moving some to stock books.
Anyways,..will very much appreciate some of your thoughts.
Thanks
art kritzer
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Art, you have a very good basic philatelic literature collection for US and BNA. The answer to whether you need more is how much more specialized do you want to become, and about what. You have more reference books than most first year collectors. If I buy additional books, it's always to answer questions I'm eager to ask.
David
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thanks
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Thanks for the thread everyone. Just put a bunch of 'holds' on library books. Lots of reading coming up! 
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By the way, the book by R. Cabeen is available on NOOK for free. You can also find several used copies on half.com for under $1, before shipping cost.
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Well, Christmas is coming... does anyone have a suggestion for a great book about collecting? I'd love to be able to share the name with my family and fingers crossed, find it under the tree!
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re: Best reference book about collecting?
We need more specific information on what you collect to answer that question. It's like asking me what stamp should you buy. I want US #2 on cover, but you may not even collect US and that would be of little interest to you.
Login to Like
this post
re: Best reference book about collecting?
Does Linn's still publish their Almanac? Lots of interesting, useful stuff in there that would appeal to just about any collector.
Login to Like
this post
re: Best reference book about collecting?
Here's a book that I would recommend:
Standard Handbook of Stamp Collecting
Author: Richard McP Cabeen
Publisher: New York, T.Y. Crowell Co. (1965)
628 pages
Sure, it is a little dated, but it has a lot of information covering most all of the aspects about stamp collecting. Something useful no matter how you decide to specialize.
Login to Like
this post
re: Best reference book about collecting?
This isn't terribly expensive, but I learned a LOT reading it and it explains a lot about how you can find certain anomalies on older issues:
Printing Postage Stamps by Line Engraving by James H. Baxter
Lars
1 Member
likes this post.
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re: Best reference book about collecting?
shantige,
If you are interested in US stamps, I recommend The Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting.Edited by Rodney A, Juell and Steven J. Rod. Copyright 2006, United States Stamp Society, and published by Kirk House Publishers, Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to the Chairman of the Board of the United States Stamp Society, this book is a one-stop resource for all United States stamp collectors.
Hope this helps,
Mel (mbo1142)
2 Members
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12:15:01am
re: Best reference book about collecting?
"Fundamentals of Philately", by L.N. Williams is offered through the American Philatelic Society. It can be purchased by members and non-members. Probably available on eBay or Amazon too. The most recent edition is from 2008, and it is 862 pages long. A great reference volume of the hobby.
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re: Best reference book about collecting?
Thank you everyone for your suggestions. Now I have lots of gift ideas to share.
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this post
re: Best reference book about collecting?
"How to save a lot of money, by not being a stamp collector", by B. A. Scrooge -
Mike
3 Members
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12:19:29pm
re: Best reference book about collecting?
I doubt if it is still available other than as a Pre-loved item, but Otto Hornung's Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Stamp Collecting is a good read.
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re: Best reference book about collecting?
Thanks for the information. Of course, now I want all of them!
Shannon
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04:48:45am
re: Best reference book about collecting?
All hangs on whether you have been a Good Girl all year.
If you haven't, you stand a chance
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12:13:10pm
re: Best reference book about collecting?
I can also recommend Otto Hornung's book. It fits neatly between "juvenile" Stamp Collecting for Dummies -type basic books , and the more specialised reading.
It gives a resume of different approaches to collecting, and while it is very readable it captures the essence of each subject in sufficient detail to be tantalisingly interesting without getting into so much detail that it will only interest the already expert. It can also be dipped into in bite-sized chunks - so you don't get bogged down in detail
If you need it the ISBN number is 0 600 01797 4
It is quite an old publication ( my copy is 1970 ! ),but it is no less useful for that.The author was one of the " elder statesmen " of European philately who also wrote a lot of articles for UK magazines.
It should be available from Amazon ( discontinued from Libraries perhaps). You may have to source it in the UK -I am not sure how widely available it was in the USA when it was in print.
Malcom
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this post
re: Best reference book about collecting?
Not sure about the best but this link is to free downloads for a number of stamp/philately books. Most are no doubt out of print but still relevant. They also have foreign language books.
Using the search feature on the left leads you to lists where you can select your download.
https://www.gutenberg.org/
Vic
(Modified by Moderator on 2014-11-24 15:19:57)
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06:20:04pm
re: Best reference book about collecting?
Hi, I just joined the stamp hobby a year a go; I have the following stamp books:
The Complete Guide to Stamps & Stamp Collecting by Dr. James Mackay 256 pages 2014
The Unitrade Stamp Collectors Handbook 144 pages 1997
The Postal Service Guide to Stamps 31st edition 576 pages 2003
Officcial Stamp Collectors Bible by Stephen R Datz 542 pages 2003
2013 US/BNA Price Guide by H E Harris 400 pages 2013
The Postal Service Guide to US Stamps 33rd edition 352 pages 2005
2014 Canada Postage Stamps CWS 160 pages+
Stamp Collectors Handbook by Samuel Grossman 192 pages 1968
My question: Should I need another book? Are the ones recommended by you guys that much better? If so,... I can hunt some down.
I have stamp albums for US and Canada. I am also using World stamp albums for the rest. I do see a time when I will be moving some to stock books.
Anyways,..will very much appreciate some of your thoughts.
Thanks
art kritzer
Login to Like
this post
re: Best reference book about collecting?
Art, you have a very good basic philatelic literature collection for US and BNA. The answer to whether you need more is how much more specialized do you want to become, and about what. You have more reference books than most first year collectors. If I buy additional books, it's always to answer questions I'm eager to ask.
David
Login to Like
this post
re: Best reference book about collecting?
Thanks for the thread everyone. Just put a bunch of 'holds' on library books. Lots of reading coming up!
Login to Like
this post
11:13:24pm
re: Best reference book about collecting?
By the way, the book by R. Cabeen is available on NOOK for free. You can also find several used copies on half.com for under $1, before shipping cost.
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