In all fairness to the catalogue publishers, the prices are based on well centered, perfect examples. The used ones of equal quality, typically with a light cancelation that does not detract from the stamp. Prices can drop off quite quickly with imperfections. Sadly many ebay stamps are priced above their condition. I don't use it often but I do use lighter fluid. It evaporates slowly enough that you should have no problem in seeing the watermark. The myriad of colors can make for an interesting collection without bothering with the identity of the actual printer. The 6d is especially good for color variations. Looking forward to your George V specialized collection. I bought a fake Tyrian plum for $2. Does help in telling the story of Edward VII issues.
I have some heavily duplicated stamps I can test with Lighter Fluid, so I think I'm going to give that a try. Yes, The Tyrian Plum would have been a lovely stamp, shame it never made it to sale, I will look for a copy of one.
Congratulations on another great overview and video! It might be worth mentioning that Stanley Gibbons produces an intermediate level catalogue between the "Collect British Stamps" book and the very intensive "Specialized" Catalogues. This is the "Great Britain Concise" catalogue, and is the one that I use most of the time. To put things in perspective here are the current page counts for the King Edward VII era stamps in these three catalogues: - Collect British Stamps: ~1 page? - Great Britain Concise: 5 pages (including the overprints) - 4 Kings Specialized: 73 pages! (in the 14th Edition) The SG Specialized catalogues are considered to be THE definitive books for specialist collectors of Great Britain. But they are definitely overwhelming for many of us!
I'd always thought that the "Collect British Stamps" was the concise, I didn't realise there were 3 tiers of catalogue. Thanks, I'll have to pick that edition up!
Interesting video, thanks. One point: the prices in Collect British Stamps for Edward VII in unused condition are for lightly hinged, not unmounted mint.
Greetings from the US. another great video. I've watched all of yours. You hit upon one of the great things about this hobby of ours. We can collect at any level we wish. There is no right or wrong way. I've been at this long enough (50+years) to where I now look for plate varieties, etc. I use lighter fluid for watermarking. It is so much less expensive than commercial fluids on the market. I have no problem with it at all. I've used it for years. My collection of GB and Australia and Jamaica is fairly advanced but I still learn things from your videos. Thank you.
There is so much detailed info in the specialised catalogues, in that as you scratch the surface, you realise you have a lot more to learn. That's what I love about the hobby, some people see stamps as just boring everyday items, yet we know there are so many layers.
Another wonderful video John! I like the idea of the simplified catalogue; would you recommend the Collect British Stamp catalogue to all collectors of British Stamps? A simplified collection appeals to me as it seems to be more attainable.
Hi Smokey, I'd definitely recommend the Collect British Stamps catalogue for any beginner to GB stamps. As well as covering all Monarchs, it still contains a thorough listing of all Machin stamps, including the variants (phosphor bands, printers, etc). If you later decide to jump in deeper, go for the more specialised catalogues, but Collect British Stamps is the best jumping on point, and it is relatively inexpensive, cover price is £19.95 and it is all in colour.
@@johncollectsstamps Thank you so much for the Information, I have the Scott catalogue for Great Britian, but I really like how you have shown the Collects British Stamps Catalogue in your videos. I see me purchasing one in the near future.
I've had some success using Isopropyl alcohol, if they are stuck to a "normal" paper envelope. I spray or brush the paper of the envelope from the rear until soaks in, and then use tweezers to lift. Not guaeranteed, especially if the stamps have the anti-peel security slits.
☹ Too general. You fail to mention the many colour variations and paper differences between the 3 printers shades, also the famous 2d Tyrian Plum stamp produced but not issued due to his death. You could also menton the KGV Brookman trials for the printing contact using the image of King Edward. You could have made a better job.
I don't claim to be an expert in this field, I am a hobbyist/collector, and it was only meant to show a simplified look at the stamps. Sorry you didn't enjoy, horses for courses as they say.
In all fairness to the catalogue publishers, the prices are based on well centered, perfect examples. The used ones of equal quality, typically with a light cancelation that does not detract from the stamp. Prices can drop off quite quickly with imperfections. Sadly many ebay stamps are priced above their condition.
I don't use it often but I do use lighter fluid. It evaporates slowly enough that you should have no problem in seeing the watermark.
The myriad of colors can make for an interesting collection without bothering with the identity of the actual printer. The 6d is especially good for color variations.
Looking forward to your George V specialized collection.
I bought a fake Tyrian plum for $2. Does help in telling the story of Edward VII issues.
I have some heavily duplicated stamps I can test with Lighter Fluid, so I think I'm going to give that a try. Yes, The Tyrian Plum would have been a lovely stamp, shame it never made it to sale, I will look for a copy of one.
Excellent timing to release a video. Gonna watch now. By the looks of the title, this is gonna be another interesting one.
Hope you enjoy it!
Congratulations on another great overview and video!
It might be worth mentioning that Stanley Gibbons produces an intermediate level catalogue between the "Collect British Stamps" book and the very intensive "Specialized" Catalogues.
This is the "Great Britain Concise" catalogue, and is the one that I use most of the time.
To put things in perspective here are the current page counts for the King Edward VII era stamps in these three catalogues:
- Collect British Stamps: ~1 page?
- Great Britain Concise: 5 pages (including the overprints)
- 4 Kings Specialized: 73 pages! (in the 14th Edition)
The SG Specialized catalogues are considered to be THE definitive books for specialist collectors of Great Britain. But they are definitely overwhelming for many of us!
I'd always thought that the "Collect British Stamps" was the concise, I didn't realise there were 3 tiers of catalogue. Thanks, I'll have to pick that edition up!
Another lovely film John.
Thanks Mark
Interesting video, thanks. One point: the prices in Collect British Stamps for Edward VII in unused condition are for lightly hinged, not unmounted mint.
Thanks for the info, good to know.
Greetings from the US. another great video. I've watched all of yours. You hit upon one of the great things about this hobby of ours. We can collect at any level we wish. There is no right or wrong way. I've been at this long enough (50+years) to where I now look for plate varieties, etc. I use lighter fluid for watermarking. It is so much less expensive than commercial fluids on the market. I have no problem with it at all. I've used it for years. My collection of GB and Australia and Jamaica is fairly advanced but I still learn things from your videos. Thank you.
Thanks for watching and for your comment.
“Get yourself ready and strap yourself in.” Love it.
There is so much detailed info in the specialised catalogues, in that as you scratch the surface, you realise you have a lot more to learn. That's what I love about the hobby, some people see stamps as just boring everyday items, yet we know there are so many layers.
Another great video, thanks John.
Glad you enjoyed it
Another well presented video, looking forward to the George v one.
Coming soon!
Another wonderful video John! I like the idea of the simplified catalogue; would you recommend the Collect British Stamp catalogue to all collectors of British Stamps? A simplified collection appeals to me as it seems to be more attainable.
Hi Smokey, I'd definitely recommend the Collect British Stamps catalogue for any beginner to GB stamps. As well as covering all Monarchs, it still contains a thorough listing of all Machin stamps, including the variants (phosphor bands, printers, etc). If you later decide to jump in deeper, go for the more specialised catalogues, but Collect British Stamps is the best jumping on point, and it is relatively inexpensive, cover price is £19.95 and it is all in colour.
@@johncollectsstamps Thank you so much for the Information, I have the Scott catalogue for Great Britian, but I really like how you have shown the Collects British Stamps Catalogue in your videos. I see me purchasing one in the near future.
How do you get stamps off letters with the type of glue they use now?
I've had some success using Isopropyl alcohol, if they are stuck to a "normal" paper envelope. I spray or brush the paper of the envelope from the rear until soaks in, and then use tweezers to lift. Not guaeranteed, especially if the stamps have the anti-peel security slits.
th-cam.com/video/o3TwMX8Be7c/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=ExploringStamps
☹ Too general. You fail to mention the many colour variations and paper differences between the 3 printers shades, also the famous 2d Tyrian Plum stamp produced but not issued due to his death. You could also menton the KGV Brookman trials for the printing contact using the image of King Edward. You could have made a better job.
I don't claim to be an expert in this field, I am a hobbyist/collector, and it was only meant to show a simplified look at the stamps. Sorry you didn't enjoy, horses for courses as they say.