Andy Pastuszak
Member 
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,533 
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Jan 21, 2021 3:33:51 GMT
Scott 3642-3645 is a se-tenant of 4 Toy Vehicles stamps. The stamps are die cut 11 and have a 2002 microprint on them
In 2003, the USPS released the same stamps, but they now have a 2003 microprint and they have an 11 x 11 1/4 die cut. And the Scott catalog says the "design is smaller." Scott assigned MINOR catalog numbers (3642a-3645f) to these stamps. it seems to me that Scott assigns major catalog numbers to stamp varieries that have different perforations/die-cuts or that have different microprints.
Does anyone know why Scott didn't assign these stamps major catalog numbers?
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,533
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Jan 21, 2021 19:26:22 GMT
Got a reply from Amos.
1. The die cut only changed ¼. Amos only assigns a major catalog number if the perforation/die-cut is ½ or more.
2. Amos/Scott does not assign major numbers to the same stamp design that just has a date change. There must be a change to the vignette of the stamp for it to get a major catalog number.
So, I guess we now know their rules for major catalog number assignment.
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,348
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Jan 22, 2021 11:26:16 GMT
The other significant aspect is that Scott usually only provides spaces in their album for major catalog items so think this is one of the factors of the policy.
I would collect booklet stamps as a separate item especially if they have a straight edge compared to the sheet version, One can use the minor booklet pane number as the single from the booklet.. This is what drove many of my Mystic album customizations.
This again is about who is your target audience. Do you provide minimum of spaces (just Scott major) or add others? Another way to look at if added promoted more stamps to major catalog numbers it would drive more dealers to stock these items.
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,348
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Jan 23, 2021 12:16:43 GMT
Let me add another comment. If I wanted to create a new stamp album, I would add varieties NOT included in a standard album like Mystic as many affordable and readily available. It adds a challenge of completeness and exposing someone that there is more if you want to delve into aspects as year dates, small / large dates. etc. When I look at used collections being sold on ebay, Mystic albums seem to be the most offered for sale with more recent material. You can find Harris and Scott but many most were initial sold in. the 70's and 80's.
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,533
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Jan 25, 2021 14:15:00 GMT
The Mystic does not include all Scott major numbers. I know I have found a few that were missing.
The Mystic Heirloom is designed to allow Mystic to sell stamps for maximum profit. After hacking away at the Heirloom, I have figured out why they do what they do.
1. If they're able to get more strips out of a sheet, than a block of four, they will make room for the strip instead of the block of 4.
2. If a connected se-tenant forces them not use a significant portion of a sheet, then they break up the se-tenant into individual stamps in the album.
The album is designed to help them sell more stamps. It's actually a pretty smart business strategy.
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