Vols. 4A and 4B of 2019 Scott catalogs available

From the Scott Editors — By Donna Houseman

This year celebrates another milestone in the 150-year history of the Scott catalogs. The 2019 volumes are the 175th edition of the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue. Vol. 4A includes listings for countries of the world J-L. Listings for countries of the world beginning with the letter M can be found in Vol. 4B.

2019 Scott Standard Vol. 4A 

Japan received a line-by-line review through the stamps of 1950, resulting in more than 1,500 value changes. Most of the changes result in increases, some significant. The 1908 Empress Jingo set of two stamps (Scott 113-114) are among the stamps that reflect a strong market. The 5-yen green jumps from $850 unused to $900, and from $6 used to $11. The 10y dark violet moves from $1,200 unused to $1,500, and from $10 used to $15.

Among the exceptions to the increases in value are a few of the early issues, including the first issue, Japan Scott 1-6, which declines in value. The 1871 48-mon stamp (1) drops from $250 unused and used to $225 both ways. Scott 2-6 experience similar declines.

Scattered value changes were made from 1951 onward, reflecting a strong market for Japanese stamps.

Many footnoted values for stamps of Katanga with inverted overprints rose substantially this year. Be sure to give them a careful review if you collect this country.

Collectors of Kazakhstan will be pleased to see that country’s values on the rise. More than 920 changes were recorded, and the vast majority are increases of 10 percent or more. The more robust increases are seen among popular topicals such as fauna and Olympic sports. The 2005 Olympic Gold Medalists sheet of four (Scott 491) advances from $7.50 mint never-hinged and used in 2018 to $9 both ways in the 2019 catalog.

More than 4,300 value changes were made in South Korea. Increases predominate among the issues of Imperial Korea. The 1900 1-poon-on-5p green stamp with red surcharge (Scott 15B) jumps significantly in value, from $3,500 unused to $6000, and from $750 used to $2,500.

South Korea, beginning with United States military rule in 1946, is on the decline, with numerous decreases in values throughout. Among the exceptions is the iconic 1948 President Syngman Rhee stamp (Scott 90). This stamp moves from $375 in never-hinged condition to $450, from $200 unused to $260, and from $180 used to $200. Although many of the early souvenir sheets are on the decline, the 1957 Christmas and New Year imperforate souvenir sheets (265a-267a) increase from $625 each mint to $650.

Mostly decreases are found among the more than 875 value changes throughout the listings for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea).

The editors gave Kyrgyzstan a complete review, which resulted in more than 450 value changes. Overall, modest declines predominate, with some scattered increases. Among the Kyrgyz Express Post issues (found after the semipostal listings), increases are seen for the 2014 through early 2016 issues. The Wild Animals sheet of four (Scott 5) springs up, from $12 mint never-hinged and used in the 2018 catalog to $15 both ways this year.

A mixture of increases and decreases are spread throughout the listings in Latvia, resulting in more than 500 value changes. The editors did not see any significant movement in either direction. Fairly typical among recent issues is the 2012 Birds set of two (Scott 808-809), which moves up just 25¢ in mint and used condition, from $4.75 in 2018 to $5 this year.

Editorial enhancements for Vol. 4A

Jamaica: Scott 85a is newly assigned to the 3-shilling Monument to Sir Charles Metcalfe with the “C” of “CA” missing in error from the Multiple Crown and CA watermark.

Japan: New listings for booklet panes have been added to the classic issues. Values have been added to footnotes for numerous New Year sheets.

Jordan: Among the new images in this volume are images showing the differences between the bars on the normal 1½-millimeter spacing and the narrow ½mm spacing for Jordan’s 1953 overprinted stamps (Scott 297-305). The bars were overprinted on Jordan’s 1952 Relief Map stamps (270-278) issued to honor the unity of Jordan April 24, 1950. The values for the overprinted set remains unchanged at $21.75 mint and $11.95 used.

Korea: Two souvenir sheets for the Winter Universiade 1997 were added as Scott 1895a-1896a, with a value of $1.25 each mint and used.

2019 Scott Standard Vol. 4B

In Vol. 4B of the 2019 Scott Standard catalog, more than 950 value changes are recorded for Macedonia. There are no major fluctuations to note, but most of the changes are increases of 10 percent or so. Fairly typical is the 2000 Birds set of four (Scott 195-198), which moves from $3 mint never-hinged and used in the 2018 catalog to $4 both ways this year. Proportionately larger increases are seen for the postal tax stamps. Values also swing upward for a few souvenir sheet varieties described in footnotes.

A review of the listings of Mexico resulted in more than 260 values changes. Most of the value changes show slight increases. The value for the set of 2002-05 Conservation definitive stamps moves upward, from $265.90 mint to $341.05, and from $58.50 used to $74.95. The dash in the mint value column for the 2008 6.50-peso Fight for Mexican Independence Bicentennial stamp with the country name in black (Scott 2584a) has been replaced by a value of $100. The 1930 20-centavo airmail in a horizontal pair imperforate between (C23c) is now valued at $100 used.

Increases are found among the 1913 “Ejercitos,” revenue stamps with a coupon attached and used provisionally as postage (Scott 347a-353a). The 5c brown (349a) increases in value from $2 unused to $9, and from $1.50 used to $7. The 50c ultramarine (352a) climbs from $60 unused to $70.

For many countries, discernable patterns often emerge that simplify the valuing process. Such was not the case this year among the more than 825 value changes made in Moldova. For the most part, values soften for stamps issued through 1999, and values rise for stamps after that. It was a challenge for the editors to determine what the market was doing because the percentage change for the new values often varied, sometimes noticeably, from one issue to the next.

A line-by-line review of modern and back-of-the-book issues for Montenegro resulted in more than 570 value changes. Among the postage issues, modest increases predominate for stamps issued from 2005 through 2009. A mixture of decreases and increases are seen for stamps issued during 2010-15. Among back-of-the-book issues, values were updated for almost all Italian and German occupation issues.

Significant increases are seen for used examples of these stamps. The 1943 5-lira dark red on salmon paper overprinted stamp issued under German occupation (Scott 3N14) jumps from $1,250 used to $2,000. The value for an unused example decreases from $250 to $125. The other four values in the set move upward from $100 each used to $160, but slide downward from $18 each unused to $12.

More than 1,200 value changes are the result of a thorough review of the southeast African nation of Mozambique. The review resulted in a mixture of increases and decreases. Classic-era stamps show more increases, including the 1893 5-real on 40r chocolate stamp (Scott 23A), which soars to $250 unused, from $150 in the 2018 Scott Standard catalog. The value for used examples more than doubles, from $50 to $110. The 1949 4.50-escudo stamp rises from $1 unused to $2.75, and from 50¢ used to $1.25.

Values for stamps issued from 1970 through the 1990s show an overall softness in the market, but other years see more increases than decreases.

Editorial enhancements for Vol. 4B

Mexico: A new perforation variety (gauge 14 by 13) was added as a minor number, Scott 2418a. This 6.50-peso stamp is part of the 2004-06 Conservation definitive series. No. 2418 is perforated gauge 13 by 13½.

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Montenegro: Editorial notes have been installed at the beginning of the listings for Italian and German occupation issues to alert catalog users that values for used stamps are for postally used examples. Be aware that canceled-to-order stamps will sell for substantially less.

Mozambique: Two new major numbers were added to the listings. A large 30-metical imperforate stamp measuring 89 millimeters by 85mm enters the catalog as Scott 695A. This stamp features a frog (Ptychadena porosissima). The number 965B has been assigned to a souvenir sheet issued Oct. 25, 1985, for the Italia 85 philatelic exhibition in Rome. This souvenir sheet has simulated perforations.

To purchase the 2019 Scott catalogs, contact your favorite dealer, or call Amos Media at 1-800-572-6885. Also visit Amos Advantage. For Scott eCatalogues, visit Scott Online.