More than 35,000 value changes made in 2016 Scott Classic Specialized catalog

By Donna Houseman

Thousands of value changes, hundreds of new listings, and myriad editorial improvements, including many hundreds of revised and expanded listings, can be found in the 2016 Scott Classic Specialized Catalogue of Stamps and Covers 1840-1940.

The 2016 edition of the catalog, the 22nd edition, widely regarded as the best single-volume catalog for the classic-era stamps of the world, incorporates more than 15,850 value changes. When all the value changes made in the six-volume 2016 Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue listings are included, the total surges to more than 35,000 changes.

The 2016 Scott Classic Specialized catalog reflects an intense review of classic stamps of Russia. The 2,464 value changes reflect both substantial increases and decreases, depending on the issue.

For example, Russia’s first issue, the 10-kopeck brown and blue (Scott 1), increases dramatically in unused condition, from $25,000 in the 2015 edition to $62,500 in the 2016 edition, but the used value drops from $850 to $775.

Horizontal pairs, imperforate between, and vertical pairs, imperforate between, have been added to 1939 and 1940 sets. Back-of-the-book listings have been reorganized by perforation where applicable. Dozens of never-hinged listings have been added.

Values for Cuba have undergone a thorough review, from the stamps issued under Spanish Dominion up to United States intervention (the Puerto Principe issue). Almost 700 values have changed, with significant increases throughout. The 1855-56 ¼ reales plata on 2rp carmine stamp (Scott 5) jumps from $1,200 unused to $1,500, and from $210 used to $400.

For France, a mix of increases and decreases resulted in 221 value changes. For example, the 40-centime orange type I on yellowish paper (Scott 7) falls from $3,750 unused to $3,400, and from $475 used to $425. No-gum listings have been added to the 1849-50 issues where applicable.

Many of the French Africa countries were reviewed during the 2016 Scott catalog season, with mixed results. Senegal saw mostly decreases, along with a few increases here and there.

In German States, values for stamps of Baden received a thorough review. Some of the 237 value changes reflect significant drops. For example, the 1862 1-kreuzer black (Scott 15) plunges from $140 unused to $65, and from $190 used to $87.50. The 3kr rose stamp perforated gauge 13½ (Scott 18) slides from $5,400 unused to $2,250, and from $800 used to $290. In addition to value adjustments, a few no-gum, never-hinged and on-cover listings have been added.

Significant increases are seen for select stamps in Gibraltar’s 1904-12 set. The 1-penny violet stamp on red paper (Scott 50) doubles in value for an unused example, from $15 to $30.

Editorial enhancements found throughout

Several editorial enhancements can be found not only in Cuba and Russia, but throughout the catalog.

Among the many editorial improvements are substantially revised listings for the 1911-21 Iran Ahmad Shah First Portrait issue (Scott 481-500), along with updated values. New listings for this issue recognize two heights of the central (engraved) vignette, 23 millimeters (dry printing) and 22½mm (wet printing), and the different gauges of perforations.

Postal fiscal stamps for Chile (Scott AR1-AR12) are listed for the first time.

On-cover listings have been added to Afghanistan for the first time. A new Afghanistan No. 1, the 1-shahi black with the outer circle measuring 30 millimeters in diameter, was first introduced in Vol. 1 of the 2016 Scott Standard catalog and is listed for the first time in the 2016 Scott Classic Specialized catalog.

In Cape of Good Hope, under stamps issued in Vryburg under Boer Occupation, a footnote has been added for Scott N1b-N4b stating that the italic “Z” variety occurs in one position in the setting of 60.

Several on-cover, single-franking listings have been added to French Equatorial Africa.

Many new minor listings have been added to the Official stamp listings of the India Feudatory State of Travancore.

The Scott editors continue efforts to break out paper varieties where it makes sense to do so. Southern Nigeria’s 1904-07 Edward VII set is only one example that has been reorganized by ordinary and chalky papers.

Similarly, new minor listings have been created for perforation varieties. For example, gauge 12x11½ perforation listings have been added to the Gold Coast 1938-41 George VI and Christiansborg Castle set, as Scott 115a-126a.

New color images have been added to Armenia handstamps and surcharges that will make the stamps easier to identify.

Numerous color varieties and perforation varieties have been added to the listings for the Falkland Islands. Check the listings for the 1912-14 and 1921-29 King George V issues. New minor numbers also have been added to the 1938-46 set and the 1918-20 War Tax stamps.

As always, we encourage users of the catalog to pay special attention to the Number Additions, Deletions & Changes listings in the catalog.