firstfrog2013
Member 
Posts: 3,276 
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Jun 8, 2015 16:45:34 GMT
A rain day allowed me time to start tackling the growing pile of new arrivals.PROBLEM..... first album no longer holding pages through 1937, bigger problem volume two is full as well.There are two choices available ,the first and easiest is to increase volume two to a three inch binder the second is to move twenty pages on down the line through volume twelve.Guess I'm going shopping for three inch binders.The other bigger problem is the space I have reserved to mount stamps is now thick with glue stick residue.Just cleaning it up involves cleaning the whole top of my table which at this point is looking like an all day event.I hate to waste an entire stamp day (which have become few) just clearing table to get things back out again.I also have the contents of two collections spread out on my station and at this time it would be wise to start putting them in a stockbook in order,I guess. I doubt I will actually get to mount any stamps today and thus end up back to the overwhelming number one problem new arrivals have outpaced my mounting ability.If there is anyone with spare time and wants to come hang out in the mountains just drop by unannounced I'll point the way to the stamp room and feed you when you're hungry.
I haven't even begun to mount and inspect stamps from any purchases for last three months.I have resorted to putting them into glassines and putting them into the appropriate page protectors for future scoping and mounting. Many of my recent buys are of the nature that require more intense research so time has become an issue right now.Hate to rain on anyone's parade but winter can't come fast enough for me at this time.
Hope no one else encounters such messes as this.The only big solution would be to stop buying things and we know that ain't going to happen. Welcome to my world.
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rod222
Member
Posts: 9,913
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Jun 8, 2015 22:34:34 GMT
Yep, everything sounds normal, typical hardcore collector. "Mess" is the standard.  I would advise caution with larger binders, gravity begins to act on the pages, and you get the dreaded "sag" Better to employ more albums in my opinion. Then in Slipcases, and if not, those cardboard pigeon boxes to add stability. |
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Ryan
Member
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,721
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Jun 9, 2015 3:08:04 GMT
Hmmm - am I catching the first hints of another future FROG BOX??
As far as the "not gonna buy anymore" plan of attack, I haven't been doing too badly with that but 100% success eludes me. My "yet to sort" pile is still vastly larger than the "already sorted" pile (and at that, my "sorting" so far consists merely of getting a clean stamp in the correct country bin / envelope / whatever). But progress is continual, I've soaked three more sinks full today already! Go me! ha ha
Ryan
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Jan 9, 2016 1:05:34 GMT
So now for another really big problem(mess). With the purchase of a new catalog long overdue, I now have eight or so years of sorting and mounting not to mention making pages. The newer issues have been accumulating in a cigar box and large manila envelope(hmm maybe in the cubby as well?). If I apply myself to put away the last two collections and dispense with the other new purchases I MAY find room to work on them. If anyone is looking for something to do......... Wait for it... I must also go shopping for some new binders,maybe some more shelving.......
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Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
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Post by Jerry B on Jan 9, 2016 10:54:13 GMT
Hi Rodney "cardboard pigeon boxes"  ?? New OZ Dictionary entry or I just do not know what that is? Jerry B |
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rod222
Member
Posts: 9,913
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Jan 9, 2016 11:58:45 GMT
Hi Rodney "cardboard pigeon boxes" ?? New OZ Dictionary entry or I just do not know what that is? Jerry B Sorry Jerry, Google "Marbig Stor-a-file" I get 2 stamp albums to fit neatly into each space. so Storage of 12 stamp albums for $24.95 These are inside a steel cupboard. If used just in a room, I think the dust would still penetrate.  |
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rod222
Member
Posts: 9,913
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Jan 9, 2016 12:26:27 GMT
So now for another really big problem(mess). With the purchase of a new catalog long overdue, I now have eight or so years of sorting and mounting not to mention making pages. The newer issues have been accumulating in a cigar box and large manila envelope(hmm maybe in the cubby as well?). If I apply myself to put away the last two collections and dispense with the other new purchases I MAY find room to work on them. If anyone is looking for something to do......... Wait for it... I must also go shopping for some new binders,maybe some more shelving....... Take a hint from your Mum. Collecting has no end. Just enjoy the trip, you have your whole life to tackle them, take it one page at a time, try Steiner pages, saves heaps of time, and I note Unitrade uses Scott numbers. You can add your own pages , interspersed, for the gaps of your non listed material. An average collection, has about 60 pages per 30 years frame. If you mount just 1 page per week, in 1 year you'll have a ripper collection to leaf through. |
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Jan 14, 2016 15:45:56 GMT
Just a progress report and update.I have mounted most of the backed up new issues I had on hand which mostly consisted of S/S. The biggest problem I've had is when creating pages I did not allow enough room for the size of the sheets. I am just now printing more pages to move around a bit. I've gone through about 100 sheets of cardstock and used all my page protectors I had on hand.
Rod, that 60 pages for thirty years is totally unrealistic. I was only behind six years and used in excess of a hundred pages. A S/S occupies a full sheet by itself in most cases.If ya throw in room to acquire a used copy as well double every page.
I have also gone through a lot of my larger size mounts and out of necessity will be replacing them.I have yet to make a list of missing numbers and contact a seller to fill my needs.
The new arrivals are piling up again,mostly older issues that will need some study.A never ending battle of time,money and life.
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Feb 5, 2016 18:42:25 GMT
I've hit the old problem again.It seems no matter how much room I seem to create in a volume I am soon at the full mark again. I've already split 1/2 of volume one and combined with 1/2 of volume two making room in those two and just adding an in between volume. Now volume one is full again and my now volume three is full,full. Not really sure how to do this one as easy as the last. If anyone is available I could use some help here. Moving pages isn't as easy as it sounds it all takes room which means putting everything away,something I haven't done in some months now.
I've also just purchased a considerable expertized set of centenial varieties and a extended paper variety assortment of parliment issues all of which is going to involve making considerable new pages and combining some of the older ones.
To top it off with the mild winter here the phone is ringing again and we may start working again soon. Where has the winter gone? I've worked on stamps everyday but don't feel like I've made much progress.
Jack, if you get stuck looking at my mess,I'm sorry. I'll re-double my efforts til dozer time.It's the best I can do.
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khj
Member
Posts: 1,467
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Post by khj on Feb 5, 2016 19:35:42 GMT
This is why for my WW collection, I re-punch my album pages and use 3-ring binders. I can very easily move pages about and use readily available office-grade binders. When I need to break up one binder into two, I can temporarily use a thinner binder if necessary. If you get the heavy-duty office binders, I can tell you know that they've last longer than the philatelic binders that I've used over the decades. It's no contest.
Using color binders, I can color code my collection. While I keep my Scott Internationals in black binders, many of the country collections are in colored binders.
In addition, I bought 30+ zipper binders at clearance. They were like $2 each. While they aren't as "professional" looking as philatelic binders, they do the job of keeping dust out, and likewise I can color code my collection. And yes, if you get the right sized zipper binders, the wide Scott pages and the tall Harris pages WILL fit in them. I think there was one set of Harris pages I did have to trim slightly.
Of course, now I'm moving to Steiner pages on standard letter size, which makes finding binders and moving things around even easier...
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Feb 5, 2016 20:03:27 GMT
Exactly Kim, I've been using office binders for years now the only requirement i look for is the "D" rings. I often find them at garage or rummage sales sometimes for a quarter, now that's stamping on a budget. Never heard of a zip binder not sure what that is. Because I use sheet protectors on every page, it is slippery to move more than two or three pages at a time. Makes moving a fifty pages from binder to binder to binder a time consuming ordeal.
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rod222
Member
Posts: 9,913
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Feb 5, 2016 21:20:17 GMT
I use a lockable steel Stationery Cupboard. (2nd hand $80 New $189)
4 shelves, each hold 20 stamp albums, total 80 stamp albums.
Use office grade binders, (4 ring A4) with page protectors.
I name the spine with a drop in tab.
Czech is getting large, 4 albums >8 Kg
I name the spine tab "Czechoslovakia 1 to 1965" , "Czechoslovakia 2 to 1990" "Czechoslovakia B.o.b" etc
when 1 binder perhaps starts to become full, you simply move the last 5 -10 pages to the next album in sequence
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Feb 9, 2016 18:32:44 GMT
I made the trip for more binders today as luck would have it custom heavy duty binders were misplaced on the shelf and after a trip through customer service I got them for the price marked on shelve basically half price.My one solution for part of the problem is to move the centennial series 1967-71 plus the same years stamps to a separate binder. This makes more room in the preceding volume and moves two years from following one.
I have yet to figure out the volumes containing years 1979-84 and 1985-90 both are quite full.The answer may be to add a third volume say 1983-1986.It is starting to make some more sense although I'll be looking for more shelf room. My biggest limitation is the size of my stamp room.It was essentially a large walk in closet type room 6' X 7' with a six foot table in it, not a whole lot of room left for expansion. The door may have to be reversed to open out instead of in so I can gain room for shelving.
The plus part is I can leave everything out and just close the door. Open the door, turn on the lights, and back to stamps ! If you consider I also claimed one bedroom for my music room, I occupy more than my fair share of our dwelling.
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lisag
Member
It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. - Aristotle Onassis
Posts: 63 
What I collect: Worldwide collector
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Post by lisag on Feb 10, 2016 13:38:56 GMT
firstfrog2013 - you actually have more room than I do! I have a corner off the living room...I use whatever good-looking binders I can find. Always "D" ring to prevent the movement of pages every time the binder is opened or closed.
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Feb 10, 2016 15:55:39 GMT
Apparently when I was re-mounting years 1981-87 I was getting confused, lazy or both.I have one big mess to straighten out. Some of the stamps appear to be strangely out of order. I must get the older Unitrade out as at least it had release date notices high lighted in blue. I also picked up new labels which I plan to specify not only years contained in each binder but catalog numbers ranges. Collecting is a learn as you go thing. The first game plan may not end up being the final, bend with the wind.
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rod222
Member
Posts: 9,913
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Feb 10, 2016 21:47:43 GMT
Apparently when I was re-mounting years 1981-87 I was getting confused, lazy or both.I have one big mess to straighten out. Some of the stamps appear to be strangely out of order. I must get the older Unitrade out as at least it had release date notices high lighted in blue. I also picked up new labels which I plan to specify not only years contained in each binder but catalog numbers ranges. Collecting is a learn as you go thing. The first game plan may not end up being the final, bend with the wind. That was the revelation, changing from Stanley Gibbons cataloguing, to Scott what a breath of fresh air. Scott lumps all like issues under a "set", then puts issue dates below. How sensible! Gibbons, with some stamp sets were 10 years apart One spent countless hours flipping through pages trying to locate odd additions to sets. That appeals to the world wide collector especially, specialists understandably may opt for date of issue sequence. |
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lisag
Member
It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. - Aristotle Onassis
Posts: 63
What I collect: Worldwide collector
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Post by lisag on Feb 11, 2016 13:56:05 GMT
I've always used Scott, although I do have a few SG catalogs. I think Scott puts things in an easy to deal with order and makes it relatively simple to use. However, when they start changing numbers in new volumes, things get all messed up!!
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rod222
Member
Posts: 9,913
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Feb 12, 2016 0:25:46 GMT
I've always used Scott, although I do have a few SG catalogs. I think Scott puts things in an easy to deal with order and makes it relatively simple to use. However, when they start changing numbers in new volumes, things get all messed up!! I wasn't aware of that. Hmm. Probably number changes only for the last few inclusions in the old catalogue, when new stamps surface. I still have the SG catalogues, for Commonwealth fly specking, SG is second to none for that, and values. I also invested in the 2012 SG catalogue for the penny blacks and reds. |
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bobby1948
Departed
Rest in Peace
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Sir Edmund Burke
Posts: 690
What I collect: WW to 1945; US mnh 1922-1990; US used and unused to 1922
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Post by bobby1948 on Feb 12, 2016 0:50:33 GMT
I've always used Scott, although I do have a few SG catalogs. I think Scott puts things in an easy to deal with order and makes it relatively simple to use. However, when they start changing numbers in new volumes, things get all messed up!! I wasn't aware of that. Hmm. Probably number changes only for the last few inclusions in the old catalogue, when new stamps surface. Don't take this as gospel, but I heard that Scott made substantial changes in numbering sequence in the Portuguese area. Hope I'm wrong, but I am not going to plunk down the price of a new set to find out. BTW, 2016 (or maybe it is 2017, not sure) will be the last in the current format for Scott. Amos Publishing has not announced its new format, but speculation has 10+ volumes divided regionally as opposed to alphabetically. Prices are expected to stay the same per volume. Myself? I'd rather spend what little money I have on stamps, so I will not be purchasing any new volumes. I have substantially narrowed my collecting areas and will most likely reduce it further to encompass only those issues included in the "Scott Classic Specialized" single volume edition. |
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Feb 12, 2016 4:20:20 GMT
The biggest problem I find with Scott numbers is they tend to group the sets together way out of sequence of release.If you go looking for a forty cent flag it can not be found anywhere near forty cent rate in the catalog instead it will be found in the earlier releases. I'm a stickler for presenting things in order of release something the old Darnell catalog did very well. Common sense you would not expect to find a small queen to be listed in large queen section, same deal why would you find stamps released six of seven years hence with the earlier issue? Keep it simple stupid doesn't apply to accurate specialized collecting. Should not a catalog that states for the specialist maybe be printed for the specialist and not the general collector? Always flying solo but that's my opinion for what it's worth.
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BC
Departed
Rest in Peace
Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 836
What I collect: Worldwide USED up to the 1960's, later years from countries that came into existence after then, like Anguilla, Tuvalu and Transnistria.
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Post by BC on Feb 12, 2016 5:33:05 GMT
I use Scott too. I don't really like how they separate airmail and semi-postals and make them BOB, but I know others like that. When I do my pages, put them with the regular sets they belong to, like this French Polynesia page:  |
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rod222
Member
Posts: 9,913
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Feb 12, 2016 5:39:38 GMT
I use Scott too. I don't really like how they separate airmail and semi-postals and make them BOB, but I know others like that. When I do my pages, put them with the regular sets they belong to, like this French Polynesia page: Lovely Page. (Perfectly balanced) I am surprised French Polynesia attract heavy bidding. I lost every one of 15 bids, recently on this material. It could have been 1 buyer, starting a collection, but the bidders on the lots were many and varied. |
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BC
Departed
Rest in Peace
Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 836
What I collect: Worldwide USED up to the 1960's, later years from countries that came into existence after then, like Anguilla, Tuvalu and Transnistria.
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Post by BC on Feb 12, 2016 5:55:38 GMT
Spot on. After having plenty of luck on eBay with French Polynesia earlier last year, I am now consistently striking out for good used material to fill holes.
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Ryan
Member
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,721
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Feb 12, 2016 12:27:00 GMT
And I've never had any luck with French Polynesia, nor with TAAF (French Southern & Antarctic Territories). There are plenty of collections out there but it always seems they go for high prices - good if you like to sell, not good if you like to buy. And Afars & Issas too, maybe those are always stupid expensive just because they come near the front of every album so people think about those stamps first. Oh well.
Ryan
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AirmailEd
Member
Posts: 174
What I collect: Worldwide airmail stamps through 1940, unused
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Post by AirmailEd on Feb 13, 2016 0:16:18 GMT
The biggest problem I find with Scott numbers is they tend to group the sets together way out of sequence of release.If you go looking for a forty cent flag it can not be found anywhere near forty cent rate in the catalog instead it will be found in the earlier releases. I'm a stickler for presenting things in order of release something the old Darnell catalog did very well. Common sense you would not expect to find a small queen to be listed in large queen section, same deal why would you find stamps released six of seven years hence with the earlier issue? Keep it simple stupid doesn't apply to accurate specialized collecting. Should not a catalog that states for the specialist maybe be printed for the specialist and not the general collector? Always flying solo but that's my opinion for what it's worth. I agree, Frog. Mounting stamps by date clarifies for me what was issued, and when. Some countries' classic airmails are otherwise quite confusing. Chile and Paraguay are two examples. Sanabria follows the Scott model, or maybe the other way around. But Sanabria at least lists the issue dates, usually. That makes the sets easy to break up. Someone will struggle to put our collections together for sale, Frog. But that's our heirs' problem, isn't it? |
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Feb 13, 2016 1:00:07 GMT
Myself I put the whole selling problem off to Jack. I'm going to do my thing while I breathe. When Kirby (and Jack) come down to sort it all out they can have some fun putting things however they want. It may end up going back to the Canadian outback there to have a final sort.
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Feb 15, 2016 2:25:50 GMT
Anyone want to see first hand my fustration with Unitrade turn to page 181-183 in NEW 2016 catalog. What to my wondering eyes appears but stamps from 1972,1973,1974,1975,and 1976 all grouped together, not even definitives but commemoratives.Now I understand Scott did it but does it really make it right?? Would not moving them to the years of appearance be more fitting?? A footnote to forward readers to proper page would make more sense no?? I really feel ripped off by spending so much for a badly organized book that is supposed to be the go to reference material. to top it off a few pages were not cut properly and I ended up ripping the tops to separate them. I'm almost ready to just throw this piece of junk out. Thanks for nothing guys you had a chance to make a good product but in my eyes it's a failing grade. End of Rant.
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Feb 15, 2016 16:30:01 GMT
A nice looking page right?  But wait.. the stamps were actually released in 1972,1973 and 1977. you would think the stamp released in 1972 would come first in the catalog right? WRONG !! It actually appears last does this make sense to ANYONE !!  |
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area66
**Member** 
Inactive
Posts: 27
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Post by area66 on Feb 16, 2016 0:36:08 GMT
I use Scott too. I don't really like how they separate airmail and semi-postals and make them BOB, but I know others like that. Well I don't like the Semi and Air in BOB, Actually I think only Scott put them in BOB; Minkus, Michel, Stanley Gibbons , Yvert, place them with definitives and commemorative. I dislike also Watermark, this is why I use now the Stanley Gibbons Simplified Catalogue to makes my pages. |
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Feb 16, 2016 3:45:08 GMT
area66 Unitrade now has the monopoly for specialized Canada. At one time Holmes and Darnell competed and each had it's own good points. Now that we are stuck with Unitrade the Scott short comings are what we are stuck dealing with.I don't fault the creator but wish he had stuck to his guns and demanded the catalog the specialist uses almost universal by the Canadian specialist be a bit more accurate instead of a mirror image of Scott. We as collectors seem to have little say in what is put out for our needs.If feedback is not put out there the product will never improve.At the price of new catalogs you would think someone would listen to other than favorable sheep.I don't consider myself over educated about Canada but even I can see the thing has serious short comings. Most of these are the result of "paling" up with Scott to use their numbers.I often wonder who makes decisions about how things are listed. Do they have less knowledge than me Joe average collector? I ask because if I can find things wrong why can't they? I have even found a few things never listed but this is the go to specialist book we are supposed to rave about. Fiddle Sticks!!
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?? New OZ Dictionary entry or I just do not know what that is?
