A collecting forum. CollectingBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » CollectingBanter forum » Stamps » General Discussion
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Your experience please...



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old April 25th 12, 03:45 PM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
gogu[_11_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 31
Default Your experience please...

Hi all!
Since I've recently started collecting stamps (I've collected stamps as a
young boy but randomly and most of them cancelled), I have a few dumb
questions:
1) is there a guide for new collectors like the one for coins "Coin
Collecting for Dummies" or similar?
I want (mostly) to learn the stamp collecting terminology and all those
acronyms I don't fully understand...
2) I saw that all stamp collectors are using a SG numbering system which I
presume comes from Stanley Gibbons catalogues.
Question: are all catalogues (Scott, Michel, etc) using the same numbering
system?...
3) Can one purchase some decent catalogues for specific countries without
having to purchase the entire catalogue for the whole world which is usually
over $200?...Which companies have such catalogues by country?

Thank you all for your insight.



--

E' mai possibile, oh porco di un cane, che le avventure
in codesto reame debban risolversi tutte con grandi
puttane! F.d.A

Coins, travels and mo
http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb120/golanule/
http://gogu.enosi.org/index.html


Ads
  #2  
Old April 25th 12, 06:33 PM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
Terry Reedy
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 188
Default Your experience please...

On 4/25/2012 10:45 AM, gogu wrote:
Hi all! Since I've recently started collecting stamps (I've
collected stamps as a young boy but randomly and most of them
cancelled), I have a few dumb questions: 1) is there a guide for new
collectors like the one for coins "Coin Collecting for Dummies" or
similar?


There are various beginner guides on amazon under $10
including Stamp Collection for Dummies.

When I was a kid, there was a nice guide I got free from one of the big
companies. It included an identifier section, about 6 pages, that I
believe would have identified two of the three in the recent thread. It
had both words in latin, greek, and cyrillic and some pictures. I later
bought Linn's Stamp Identifier, which expands greatly free version.

I want (mostly) to learn the stamp collecting terminology and all
those acronyms I don't fully understand...


Online auction catalogs have a 'abbreviations' section that defines the
ones they use.

Looking as https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamp_collecting
I discovered https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/World_Stamp_Catalogue

2) I saw that all stamp collectors are using a SG numbering system
which I presume comes from Stanley Gibbons catalogues. Question: are
all catalogues (Scott, Michel, etc) using the same numbering
system?...


Unfortunately not. Each publisher has its own *proprietary* system.
Scott has successfully prevented some commercial uses without license.

There have been proposals for a unified non-proprietary world system,
but change is difficult. Here is one:
https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/World_...mbering_System

3) Can one purchase some decent catalogues for specific countries
without having to purchase the entire catalogue for the whole world
which is usually over $200?...Which companies have such catalogues
by country?


Scott has specialized US. SG has same for GB. Ditto Michel and I presume
Yvert for Germany and France. Some countries have a specialized catalog
by a in-country publisher that does not, as far as I know, do worldwide.
Sweden, Switzerland, Italy come to mind.

Thank you all for your insight.


tjr
  #3  
Old April 25th 12, 11:59 PM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
Pedro
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 133
Default Your experience please...



"gogu" wrote in message ...

Hi all!
Since I've recently started collecting stamps (I've collected stamps as a
young boy but randomly and most of them cancelled), I have a few dumb
questions:
1) is there a guide for new collectors like the one for coins "Coin
Collecting for Dummies" or similar?
I want (mostly) to learn the stamp collecting terminology and all those
acronyms I don't fully understand...
2) I saw that all stamp collectors are using a SG numbering system which I
presume comes from Stanley Gibbons catalogues.
Question: are all catalogues (Scott, Michel, etc) using the same numbering
system?...
3) Can one purchase some decent catalogues for specific countries without
having to purchase the entire catalogue for the whole world which is usually
over $200?...Which companies have such catalogues by country?

Thank you all for your insight.


Hello,
1) Using google, you may find many guides to stamp collecting for
beginners. Regarding terminology, I recently bought an excellent book, not
very expensive by the way, titled "PHILATELIC TERMS ILLUSTRATED" author is
James McKay. It is like a dictionary where you can search alphabetically the
term you need to understand. Anyways, google again is a very helpful tool.
You can search "stamp glossary" for example and can find lots of webpages
with ordered lists of acronyms and philatelic terms explained. Wikipedia is
also a very useful source of information regarding stamp collecting in some
cases.

2) as stated in a previous answer by Terry, each catalogue producer uses
their own numbering system, that sometimes suffers minor changes from year
to year. Worldwide catalogues for obvious reasons do not show images of
every different stamp in an specific country, but one representative of each
series that can be different in design to the rest of the stamps of the same
series. This makes sometimes diificult to find some stamps in the catalogue,
but not impossible.

3) Regarding specific catalogues of one individual country, I can tell you
that here in Spain you have the Edifil catalogue which shows photographs of
every stamp issued in every series. Other countries should have their own
catalog too, I suppose, like Stanley Gibbons. There are also specialized
catalogues for more advanced stamp collectors and numerous detailed
publications regarding specific topics in stamp collecting

You're welcome!

Pedro

--

E' mai possibile, oh porco di un cane, che le avventure
in codesto reame debban risolversi tutte con grandi
puttane! F.d.A

Coins, travels and mo
http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb120/golanule/
http://gogu.enosi.org/index.html

  #4  
Old April 26th 12, 05:19 AM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
chrisj.doran%[email protected]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 7
Default Your experience please...

On Apr 25, 3:45*pm, "gogu" wrote:
3) Can one purchase some decent catalogues for specific countries without
having to purchase the entire catalogue for the whole world which is usually
over $200?...Which companies have such catalogues by country?


You only really need a specialised catalogue for early stamps where a
lot of varieties exist. There are fewer varieties of modern stamps,
and you should be able to find web pages about them anyway.

Therefore, you can start cheaply by buying out-of-date country-
specific catalogues like those produced by SG. There are a lot of old
ones at very low prices on eBay, where they often don't sell at all.
Consequently, I have a large pile here which I haven't bothered to try
to sell and if I have the country(s) you're interested in, I'll be
happy to exchange one/some for used stamps from your own country.

Here in the UK, the cheapest way to buy catalogues without paying high
postage is at library sales of withdrawn books, but they usually only
have the "simplified" worldwide versions. YMMV.

Chris
P.S. The strange posting address is a black hole -- postmaster {at}
chrisjdoran {dot} plus {dot} com to contact me.
  #5  
Old April 26th 12, 01:35 PM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
gogu[_9_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 54
Default Your experience please...

Ο "gogu" έγραψε στο μήνυμα
...
Hi all!
Since I've recently started collecting stamps (I've collected stamps as a
young boy but randomly and most of them cancelled), I have a few dumb
questions:
1) is there a guide for new collectors like the one for coins "Coin
Collecting for Dummies" or similar?
I want (mostly) to learn the stamp collecting terminology and all those
acronyms I don't fully understand...
2) I saw that all stamp collectors are using a SG numbering system which I
presume comes from Stanley Gibbons catalogues.
Question: are all catalogues (Scott, Michel, etc) using the same numbering
system?...
3) Can one purchase some decent catalogues for specific countries without
having to purchase the entire catalogue for the whole world which is
usually over $200?...Which companies have such catalogues by country?

Thank you all for your insight.



Thank you all for your answers and help, greatly appreciated!


--

E' mai possibile, oh porco di un cane, che le avventure
in codesto reame debban risolversi tutte con grandi
puttane! F.d.A

Coins, travels and mo
http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb120/golanule/
http://gogu.enosi.org/index.html


  #6  
Old April 26th 12, 02:23 PM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
gogu[_11_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 31
Default Your experience please...

? ?????? ??? ??????
...
On Apr 25, 3:45 pm, "gogu" wrote:
3) Can one purchase some decent catalogues for specific countries without
having to purchase the entire catalogue for the whole world which is
usually
over $200?...Which companies have such catalogues by country?


You only really need a specialised catalogue for early stamps where a
lot of varieties exist. There are fewer varieties of modern stamps,
and you should be able to find web pages about them anyway.


I see.
Well, I have (re)start collecting but in a very "unprofessional" manner;-)
I do not collect/hunt for rarities, I'm just collecting stamps from 4
specific countries that *please* my eyes!
So I've decided to collect stamps from Greece, Vatican, Romania and San
Marino.
I don't know if later I'll decide to extend to other countries but it's less
probable.
Returning to what pleases my eyes, I mainly like representations of arts on
stamps, like paintings, sculpture, etc, also figures with ships (old),
statesmen etc.
Based on this I suspect that older catalogues will be of no help to me at
this moment.
What I need is catalogues for these four countries for their modern stamps,
let's say 1900-1920 and later.

Therefore, you can start cheaply by buying out-of-date country-
specific catalogues like those produced by SG. There are a lot of old
ones at very low prices on eBay, where they often don't sell at all.


You have a point here.
Maybe I'll try it when (and if) my stamp collecting horizons will be
expanded in the future.

Consequently, I have a large pile here which I haven't bothered to try
to sell and if I have the country(s) you're interested in, I'll be
happy to exchange one/some for used stamps from your own country.


Well thanks for your kind offer!
As I said I don't think I'll need one right now but if you want some stamps
from Greece (stamps I can find in the post office I mean) or used stamps
from my young child collection, I'll be more than happy to help, just let me
know.
The only problem is that I travel much abroad (some times even for a month)
so I can't send anything fast, I can do it only when I return home for a
week or 10 days...

Here in the UK, the cheapest way to buy catalogues without paying high
postage is at library sales of withdrawn books, but they usually only
have the "simplified" worldwide versions. YMMV.


BTW, what's the difference between a "full" catalogue and the "simplified"
version?
I've seen this on eBay and although I understand what it means "simplified"
I don't know what it lacks compared to the full version.
Less pictures maybe, or pictures only in b&w?...

Chris


P.S. The strange posting address is a black hole -- postmaster {at}
chrisjdoran {dot} plus {dot} com to contact me.


Yes, my address is a spamtrap for trolls and spammers.
When I was young and naive on internet I used to post under my real address
but I've learned my lesson the hard way: thousands of spam letters and every
wacko threatening me and my family or calling names..
I'll contact you soon and thanks again!




--

E' mai possibile, oh porco di un cane, che le avventure
in codesto reame debban risolversi tutte con grandi
puttane! F.d.A

Coins, travels and mo
http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb120/golanule/
http://gogu.enosi.org/index.html


  #7  
Old April 26th 12, 03:02 PM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
chrisj.doran%[email protected]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 7
Default Your experience please...

On Apr 26, 2:23*pm, "gogu" wrote:
ave (re)start collecting but in a very "unprofessional" manner;-)
I do not collect/hunt for rarities, I'm just collecting stamps from 4
specific countries that *please* my eyes!
So I've decided to collect stamps from Greece, Vatican, Romania and San
Marino.
I don't know if later I'll decide to extend to other countries but it's less
probable.
Returning to what pleases my eyes, I mainly like representations of arts on
stamps, like paintings, sculpture, etc, also figures with ships (old),
statesmen etc.
Based on this I suspect that older catalogues will be of no help to me at
this moment.
What I need is catalogues for these four countries for their modern stamps,
let's say 1900-1920 and later.


I have an old "Balkans" cat which covers Greece and Romania up to
1986, and an "Italy & Switzerland" which includes Vatican and San
Marino to 1996, if they're of any use.

Well thanks for your kind offer!
As I said I don't think I'll need one right now but if you want some stamps
from Greece (stamps I can find in the post office I mean) or used stamps
from my young child collection, I'll be more than happy to help, just let me
know.
The only problem is that I travel much abroad (some times even for a month)
so I can't send anything fast, I can do it only when I return home for a
week or 10 days...


I have a fairly large collection of the older Greek stamps, but not
much after 2000, so save your used stamps for me until you're ready
for the catalogues. Or if you're likely to be in the UK for long
enough to exchange parcels, get in tough.

BTW, what's the difference between a "full" catalogue and the "simplified"
version?
I've seen this on eBay and although I understand what it means "simplified"
I don't know what it lacks compared to the full version.
Less pictures maybe, or pictures only in b&w?...


The "Simplified" cats do not list varieties of perforations, shades,
watermarks, printing methods, slight size differences, etc. They often
combine long-running similar designs into a single set instead of
spread throughout the years (which sometimes makes it easier to find
things). They may also omit some types of stamp like mini-sheets,
foreign occupations, postal savings, etc. Nowadays both simplified and
specialised cats are usually in colour (the old ones I offered above
are b&w). As you suspected the specialised cats have more photographs,
but even they do not include every member of some of those difficult
sets where every design is different. Some of the specialised cats
have design indexes, e.g. you can look up all stamps which depict
particular places.

BTW if anyone else reading this wants an old (possibly very old) SG
specialised in exchange for stamps the same offer applies -- the
stamps are of more value to me than the small amounts of cash the cats
might raise.

Chris
  #8  
Old April 26th 12, 03:36 PM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
gogu[_11_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 31
Default Your experience please...

? ?????? ??? ??????
...
On Apr 26, 2:23 pm, "gogu" wrote:


I have an old "Balkans" cat which covers Greece and Romania up to
1986, and an "Italy & Switzerland" which includes Vatican and San
Marino to 1996, if they're of any use.


Well, those two would be of use to me!
Please keep them and we will find a way to exchange when I'll be back home.
I'll be out of country from May 4th until May 31st so we'll be talking again
at that time!

I have a fairly large collection of the older Greek stamps, but not
much after 2000, so save your used stamps for me until you're ready
for the catalogues. Or if you're likely to be in the UK for long
enough to exchange parcels, get in tough.


No, I'll be in the North Sea, Norway this time:-(
But we will make the exchange as soon as I'm back.
We will find something of your interest to exchange with those two
catalogues;-)

The "Simplified" cats do not list varieties of perforations, shades,
watermarks, printing methods, slight size differences, etc.


I see, something like VAM varieties in coins...
No, not of use for a small collector like me;-)
I'll go for the simplified ones.
So Chris please keep those two catalogues and we'll find something to
exchange after all:-)

rgrds


--

E' mai possibile, oh porco di un cane, che le avventure
in codesto reame debban risolversi tutte con grandi
puttane! F.d.A

Coins, travels and mo
http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb120/golanule/
http://gogu.enosi.org/index.html


  #9  
Old April 27th 12, 01:05 PM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
Alyn
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 28
Default Your experience please...

On Wednesday, April 25, 2012 10:45:33 AM UTC-4, gogu wrote:
Hi all!

....
1) is there a guide for new collectors like the one for coins "Coin
Collecting for Dummies" or similar?
I want (mostly) to learn the stamp collecting terminology and all those
acronyms I don't fully understand...


There is a Stamp Collecting for Dummies book, http://www.dummies.com/store/product...764553798.html. Stanley Gibbons has a book entitled Philatelic Terms Illustrated that could meet your needs. http://www.stanleygibbons.com/stanle...7/7898/SG53661

Also numerous guides from various larger dealers exist.

2) I saw that all stamp collectors are using a SG numbering system which I
presume comes from Stanley Gibbons catalogues.
Question: are all catalogues (Scott, Michel, etc) using the same numbering
system?...


Each Catalogue usies its own numbering system, Some dealers will provide lists that provide a description of the stamps along with Scott/Michel/Stanley Gibbons numbers. Use what ever catalogue is predominant where you are as it makes dealing with other collectors easier when referencing catalogue information and descriptions.

3) Can one purchase some decent catalogues for specific countries without
having to purchase the entire catalogue for the whole world which is usually
over $200?...Which companies have such catalogues by country?


Stanley Gibbons and Michel have catalogues that specialize by country or areas. Scott has 1 that is for the US and 1 that is for Classics (1840 - 1940 or 1952 for British Commonwealth countries)

Thank you all for your insight.


Hope this helps.
  #10  
Old April 27th 12, 02:29 PM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
gogu[_11_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 31
Default Your experience please...

? "Alyn" ?????? ??? ??????
news:10544081.480.1335528301008.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@vbmi19...
On Wednesday, April 25, 2012 10:45:33 AM UTC-4, gogu wrote:
Hi all!

....
1) is there a guide for new collectors like the one for coins "Coin
Collecting for Dummies" or similar?
I want (mostly) to learn the stamp collecting terminology and all those
acronyms I don't fully understand...


There is a Stamp Collecting for Dummies book,
http://www.dummies.com/store/product...764553798.html.
Stanley Gibbons has a book entitled Philatelic Terms Illustrated that could
meet your needs.
http://www.stanleygibbons.com/stanle...7/7898/SG53661

Also numerous guides from various larger dealers exist.

2) I saw that all stamp collectors are using a SG numbering system which I
presume comes from Stanley Gibbons catalogues.
Question: are all catalogues (Scott, Michel, etc) using the same numbering
system?...


Each Catalogue usies its own numbering system, Some dealers will provide
lists that provide a description of the stamps along with
Scott/Michel/Stanley Gibbons numbers. Use what ever catalogue is
predominant where you are as it makes dealing with other collectors easier
when referencing catalogue information and descriptions.

3) Can one purchase some decent catalogues for specific countries without
having to purchase the entire catalogue for the whole world which is
usually
over $200?...Which companies have such catalogues by country?


Stanley Gibbons and Michel have catalogues that specialize by country or
areas. Scott has 1 that is for the US and 1 that is for Classics (1840 -
1940 or 1952 for British Commonwealth countries)

Thank you all for your insight.


Hope this helps.
-------------------------

It sure helps a lot:-)
As I've seen on eBay, most of the sellers sellings the countries I'm
interested in use the SG numbering system so I'll go for it.

tnx

--

E' mai possibile, oh porco di un cane, che le avventure
in codesto reame debban risolversi tutte con grandi
puttane! F.d.A

Coins, travels and mo
http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb120/golanule/
http://gogu.enosi.org/index.html


 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Does anyone here have experience with NCS? Iagos Fool Coins 6 January 12th 08 02:49 PM
A New Experience Larry Louks Coins 7 December 4th 05 12:56 AM
Darthcardz, My experience DAYK Cards:- non-sport 0 January 29th 05 08:44 PM
eBay experience. Dave General Discussion 5 December 16th 03 10:55 PM
My experience with NCS Dale Hallmark Coins 18 September 9th 03 03:53 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:02 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 CollectingBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.