There is also, imho, an excellent illustrated stamp identifier in the back of every volume of the Scott catalog. It's for those stamps that don't have Roman-alphabet writing on them. It's the same in each volume.
For those stamps that do have some Roman lettering on them, the index at the back of each volume will also get you to the right country. If the country is listed in the particular volume you're looking in, it'll refer you to the right page in that volume. If it's in a different volume, then the index will direct you to the correct volume number. You then need to look it up in the index in the destination volume, and it'll give you the page number.
Admittedly, the index means that it's at its most useful having the full 6-volume set handy, but the illustrated stamp identifier, immediately before the index, is the same no matter the volume.
Also, check with your local library and see if they carry the Scott catalogs. If not, perhaps the main branch in the next largest city does (in the US). And while the most current set will likely be in the non-circulating reference section, oftentimes the next-most recent ones (and sometimes a few years prior) do circulate and so are available for checkout.
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"You gotta put down the duckie if you wanna play the saxophone. (Hoots the Owl -- Sesame Street)"
Thank you, very right.
Forgot about the identifier in Scott.
And in this case exactly the series is shown.
Will make sure I check there first next time.
I have an idea I actually found this little stamp there years ago.
Thousands of stamps makes it difficult to keep track of what is done or not.
Stamp collecting is prolly the ultimate in patience and persistence.
Takes years to find a good enough reason to take the time to research low value stamps.
That is what makes stamp collecting so valuable in all walks of life.
A lonesome option though.
Dave,
No, I appreciate the reminder and no problem at all.
I just found a huge challenge, listing the Vietnam's. A total nightmare !!!
There are about 200 and I seem to have handled half so far.
The rest are tedious and time consuming. No dates or indications.
My motto is to give my customer as much detail as possible, not that it is always correct.
In this way, I also get to enjoy the logics in stamp collecting.
Causes me many queries but I stick to it.
Oh yes I am SUPER new to the hobby (as most know), and appreciate every single tip I can get.
I actually have one volume of the Scott's album, but have not had a lot of time to look at it, but now my interest is very peaked and I will be looking at that tonight.
Thanks guys for helping me and for this great thread!
For those who don't have access to a printed catalogue there are a number of stamp identifier sites on the internet, diligent use of google will will locate a few - choose the one which seems to suit you.
As a guide Japanese and Chinese language inscriptions, while being superficially similar are actually quite different, and observation shows that yours is definitely Japanese. Also after a short while you can tell from just looking at the design of the stamp ( which has many characteristics of Japanese stamps of the period ) the approximate period it was produced - in this case 30s to 40s, so a Japanese Occupation of somewhere is a fairly safe bet , but then that is where the experience comes in.
Incidentally you notice that I don't mention Korean or Tibetan inscriptions !!
Malcolm
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