I don't know why it should be so difficult for me to identify the differences in coverage between the 1947 Blue and later versions. Actually, I suppose I do know and it is a combination of factors:
1) Most vexing is that some of the early Scott "table of contents" are in the order that countries appear in the album making comparisons more difficult with those albums that are in strict alphabetical order. For example, in the 1947 through at least the 1969 editions, Cochin China falls between British Honduras and Brunei. Many times the countries that are out of order occur because Scott has saved space by placing multiple countries with only a few issues on the same page. I believe when Scott switched to 4 parts (and perhaps even earlier when the 2-part version was released), all of the pages were put in alphabetical sequence. However, the multiple countries that previously were on a single page are the most likely to have been dropped in the multi-part versions.
2) Names of countries have changed: most famously, Siam is now Thailand and Abyssinia is Ethiopia. More obscure for most of us are countries like Belgian East Africa in the 1947 edition becoming East Ruanda-Urundi by 1969.
3) There is at least one transliteration change: Corea in the 1947 version is Korea in later editions.
4) Offices, occupations, states and other political changes can be problematic. For example, Columbia in the 1947 version originally included Bolivar, Boyaca and Cundinamarca that are missing in the 1969 version. All of the Columbian States are left out of the latest 4-part version!
I recently purchased a 1947 Blue which contained the countries A-E plus US. Here are the non-US differences between that version, the 1969 edition, and part 1-A of the 4 part latest edition. (As I only have part 1-A, it is not impossible that some countries noted as missing below might be in one of the 3 other parts.)
ANJOUAN - The country is in the 1947 version, but is missing in the 1969 and 4-part versions.
BADEN - in 1947, missing in 1969 and 4-part versions.
BRUNSWICK - in 1947, missing in 1969 and 4-part versions.
BERGEDORF - in 1947, missing in 1969 and 4-part versions.
BREMEN - in 1947, missing in 1969 and 4-part versions.
All four of the above German States are on the same page in the 1947 version.
CARINTHIA - in 1947, missing in 1969 and 4-part versions.
CHINA - 1947 version has a page for Offices Abroad (31 stamps) that is missing in the 1969 and 4-part versions.
CILICIA - In 1947 and 1969 but not in the 4-part version.
COLUMBIA - 1947 version has pages for Bolivar, Boyaca and Cundinamarca that are missing in the 1969 version. None of the States are in the latest 4-part version which ignores Antioquia, Santander, Santander Cucuta, and Tolima in addition to Bolivar, Boyaca and Cundinamarca.
COOK ISLANDS - This really doesn't belong here because the Cook Islands are represented in all versions, but for the record, the 1969 and 4-part versions are missing an entire page (37 stamps) that is in the 1947 version.
DALMATIA - in 1947, missing in 1969 and 4-part versions. In 1947 Dalmatia was on the same page as the end of Cyprus and all of Diego Suarez but before Cyrenaica.
EASTERN RUMELIA - in 1947, missing in 1969 and 4-part. In the 1947 version, Eastern Rumelia, Elobey/Annobon/Corisco and the first part of Curacao are all on the same page.
EASTERN SILESI - in 1947, missing in 1969 and 4-part versions.
[Update 2-17-09: Although outside the A-E span, the page for Hamburg, Hanover and Heligoland in the the 1947 is missing in the 1969 version.]
So this means the current 4-part version, although reportedly more complete than the 2-part, is still missing entire countries that were in the single part versions through 1969.
The famous stamp collector Josiah Lilly said that there were 100,000 postage stamps he wanted for his collection and he succeeded in acquiring 77,000. My considerably easier target is 35,000 of the more common stamps from 1840-1940 contained in the Scott Blue International Album Volume 1. This blog will record my progress, provide general information about Classic era philately and hopefully encourage other "Blue" collectors.
5 comments:
For the amount of money Scott is charging for the four part album, you would think that the coverage would be up to the coverages in the past.
I have bought used two International Jr. red spine hardbounds,copyright 1943 to strip. They track the countries in your 1947.
It is a shame that my $30 albums (one of which is in such good condition I kept it after stripping it)can hold more stamps than ones that will set you back over $500.
My other red hardback is now being used by a friend because it has better coverage of pre-1940 than his Harris album.
Bill
I couldn't agree more, Bill. While I think you can make an argument for biting the bullet and buying the four-parter (better paper and ease of adding pages which, of course, is a must because of what Scott has left out), I suspect that most serious collectors would want to acquire a 1943 or 1947 editions to have as a reference copy. (There is a 1940 version but I suspect it is missing the latest issues from 1939/40.) As you imply, collectors can acquire empty or largely empty copies of these at a reasonable price from eBay, et al, so there's no reason not to have one on hand.
Hello,
Just wanted to let you know how much I have been enjoying your blog. About two years ago I rekindled my childhood interest in stamp collecting with a U.S. and a pre-1965 worldwide collection, that date mandated by stumbling upon an unused Citation Album from that period.
Much as I enjoy the Citation album, I have decided to upgrade, and just recently purchased an unused Supreme Global Album from 1969-1970 in four volumes.
While never having had a stamp put in it, the album was expanded from it's original three volume form with a 1969 and 1970 supplement and a fourth binder.
My first project will be removing those pages, made easier by the fact that the previous and/or original owner, wrote the page number for each and every supplement page added in. As a note to some of your earlier mentions of the Minkus options, it does appear that the supplements for 1969 and 1970, in addition to providing space for those years, do expand issues from even earlier.
I'm also confused by the fact that the album itself bears a copyright date of 1966, and mention of a "1966 supplement" included. However, the 1967 and 1968 issues are covered in full as well.
Hopefully it will become clearer as I continue the project.
Regards,
Darren
Congratulations on acquiring the Supreme Globals. I've made half-hearted efforts to bid on these on eBay but they are in high demand. I will be very curious to see what you think of their coverage. I had intended to do a thorough comparison of the International vs. Master Global but it became obvious after spot checking a few countries that the Master Global leaves out too many common stamps, although it has the advantage of including countries missing from the International. My bet is that the Supreme Global would be very competitive.
I hope you will keep us apprised of your progress.
I'm fortunate to have a set of Scott Browns that have the copyright of 1939. They are very complete - the only problem is that Part 4 stops in the middle of 1938. How I wish it would go up to 1940. Perhaps there is an unknown Part 5 somewhere?! '^) Also, I still like my Stanley Gibbons New Ideal Postage Stamp Album. Interlaced but only goes up to 1935/6. You just can't win sometimes!!
Post a Comment