-
Understanding the Inconsistencies in the Scott Catalog: A Technical Analysis by Phil Pritchard
The world of philately is intricate, with layers of complexity that both fascinate and frustrate collectors. One such complexity lies in the use of major and minor catalog numbers within the Scott Catalog, a cornerstone reference for stamp enthusiasts. Phil Pritchard, a dedicated completist collector, delves into this issue, highlighting the challenges and inconsistencies that…
-
The Mystery of the “Frankenstein” Cover: A Lesson in Philatelic Fraud
Collecting rare covers offers the thrill of uncovering stories from history, but sometimes those stories come with hidden twists. In this blog post, we explore a lesson from philatelist Edward Grabowski, who recently shared a surprising case of philatelic fraud from his New Caledonia Group Type collection. This tale of a cleverly crafted “Frankenstein” cover…
-
The Story Behind the 1959 U.S. Oil Centenary Commemorative Stamp: Honoring the Birth of the Modern Oil Industry
n 1959, the U.S. Postal Service released a unique commemorative stamp to celebrate the centennial of the American oil industry. Designed with a stark, modern drilling rig, this stamp commemorated the centenary of the first successful oil well drilled in Titusville, Pennsylvania, by Edwin Drake in 1859. Known as the Drake Well, this site marked…
-
Exploring Pressure Sensitive Labels from US Post Offices (1977-1984) on Great Britain Covers
Duncan Barber recently delivered an enlightening presentation on a lesser-known aspect of philately: pressure-sensitive package labels, or as he clarifies, “peel-and-stick” stickers, that the United States Post Office used on Great Britain (GB) covers between 1977 and 1984. Barber’s deep dive into this fascinating postal detail opens new doors for philatelists who may have overlooked…
-
Italy’s First Post-WWII Airmail Stamps: History and Design
Italy’s philatelic history is rich with both artistry and significance, and its first airmail stamp issue after World War II is no exception. Released in October 1945, this post-war set of airmail stamps reflects a transitional period in both the country’s history and its postal system. In a recent presentation, Roger Mooney offered insights into…
-
Postmark Identification with the Postmark Reveal: A Philatelic Tool
Introduction In a recent presentation, Tara Stewart introduced the Postmark Reveal tool, a free online service that helps philatelists decipher hard-to-read postmarks. The tool was brought to the philatelic community’s attention by Edward Grabowski and has quickly gained popularity due to its simplicity and effectiveness. Tara provided a live demonstration, illustrating how this tool can…
-
Rare Avis de Réception (AR) Markings From French Colonies
Introduction to the French Colonial Group Type In this presentation, philatelist Edward Grabowski shares his extensive knowledge and personal collection of French colonial stamps, focusing on the “Group Type” and locally produced return receipt (AR) markings. Between 1976 and 2019, Grabowski built an impressive collection, studying the locally produced hand stamps and AR markings used…
-
From Greece to Korytsa: Exploring a Recent Philatelic Acquisition
In this presentation Allan Smith explores the complex history of Greek and Albanian stamps, focusing on the turbulent period from 1912 to 1916. This historical journey begins with a simple letter containing a Greek stamp purchased on eBay and quickly unfolds into an exploration of the stamps from the island of Kastellorizo, the region of…
-
Korçë (Korytsa) 1912-1917: Postal History Amidst Balkan Turmoil
Allan Smith’s recent presentation explored a remarkable piece of postal history—a military letter from 1913, sent during the First Balkan War. This rare artifact offers a fascinating glimpse into the turbulent period when Greece briefly controlled territories that would later become part of Albania. Despite the unfinished nature of Allan’s presentation, it provides valuable insights…
-
A Comprehensive Reference on Portuguese Colonial Stamps
Philately offers an intriguing way to explore the rise and fall of empires, and the stamps issued by the Portuguese Empire tell a vivid story of its global presence. In his recent presentation, Phil Pritchard guides us through the fascinating history of Portuguese colonial expansion, its key treaties, and the rich variety of stamps that…
