Turks and Caicos Islands Page
Minkus Supreme Global Album
Into the Deep BlueIt depends.
Do you have the ambition.. and funds.. of a Josiah Lilly, or would you rather rummage through a bankers box of castoff albums bought on the cheap?
How much time..and shelf space.. can you devote to the hobby?
Do you tend to be a completist, or do your eyes focus..and give pleasure.. on the stamps you have?
Truth be told, collecting the world is a crazy thing to do. Collecting a small corner of the world is where it's at. You can find a tidy little specialty, and you needn't read on.
Enjoy!
.................................................
..............Still here?
O.K. don't say I didn't warn you. ;-)
It occurred to me that the just posted "Turks and Caicos Islands" stamp country could serve as another "Yelp" review in the WW collectors quest to have the "perfect" WW stamp album.
(pssst...there is no "perfect" album, but one might be more right than the others based on one's own collecting desires.)
(and yes, one can use stock books or stock pages to house stamps and collections.....this approach is especially common in Europe and other parts of the world. Perhaps this may be the "perfect" choice for you. But I will limit the discussion here to album possibilities.)
For the U.S. based collector, especially, these are the albums that, in my opinion, work well for the WW collector.
(I base the choice on the "classical era 1840-1952", as that is what I collect.)
* Big Blue (Scott International Part I 1840-1940). The Scott International albums continue, if one wishes, up to the present time. Yes, the color of the binder is blue.
* Minkus Supreme Global Album 1840-1952. The Minkus, now owned by Amos & Scott, also continues, if one wishes, to the present time.
* Steiner WW "classical package" pdf pages that can be printed out. Again, one can choose the year cut-off for any given country.
* The "Browns"- the original Scott International 1840-1938 (now -1940) comprehensive albums. Sold then by "Vintage", and now marketed by Subway stamp shop. Yes, the color of the binder was brown.
* Scott Specialty country albums- generally in a green binder- and marketed by Scott, especially after they were no longer adding to the "Browns" coverage.
All of the album spaces descriptions were based on the Scott catalogue, except the Minkus, which had their own (now defunct) numbers and catalogue.
I have compared/contrasted these albums in previous blog posts.
To refresh the memory...
A Three Album Shootout
Four Album "Hermes Head" Cagefight
"Goldilocks" Album for WW Classical Collectors?
(Note: I reviewed some of my previous musings, and "borrowed" some of the same wording for this post.)
Why did I choose to use "Turks and Caicos Islands" for this review? Well, I just finished with a post about these islands, and it is fresh in my memory. And luckily, I have an essentially complete Turks and Caicos Islands collection from the classical era. I can therefore illustrate the album pages filled with stamps, rather than empty spaces. :-)
Big Blue 1840-1940 Part IA1, IA2, IB1, IB2
Big BlueWhat do these admonishments have to do with Big Blue?
"Eyes bigger than one's stomach"
"Biting off more than one can chew"
"Be careful what one wishes for"
...and the opening blog post caution "Truth be told, collecting the world is a crazy thing to do."?
I liken collecting the world to attempting to sail in the chilly Pacific ocean- it is fraught with the probability of drowning time wise, money wise, and knowledge wise.
Yes, a lake would be so much easier and friendlier- and that is what Big Blue provides.
I think Big Blue tends to get short shrift when discussing WW album possibilities- all because its assets are rather seen as faults by many collectors.
* BB provides 35,000 spaces. (Why not 45,000 or 55,000 spaces grouses the collector, myself included. ;-)
* BB limits stamp spaces generally to the more affordable variety. (Why didn't BB include all the spaces for the issue set grouses the collector, myself included. ;-)
* BB telescopes stamp choices so one doesn't need to bother with watermarks or perforation varieties. (The completist and compulsive collector, myself included, has a need to parse, and sub-parse, and sub-sub-parse.)
From a previous post...
"We are familiar indeed with Big Blue, as much of the focus of this blog is taken up with the merits/demerits of this "representative" album.
Its more modest ambition is reflected in the purpose on the title page...
"Provides for a representative collection of the postage stamps of the world, 1840-1940, as well as blank spaces for additional stamps."
Nevertheless, 35,000 spaces is nothing to sneeze at, considering there are very few collectors that have successfully filled all the pages.
So despite its more modest aim, it still deserves the moniker "Big Blue" "
So, if one has come to the realization that perhaps it is not in the best self interest of the collector (and his family) to have an all consuming Ahab like quest to collect the world without limits, then Big Blue provides a friendly harbor indeed.
The MSG is an overall great "representational" WW album that provides 76,000+ spaces for 1840-1952+. For a more in depth look, check out my "Goldilocks" blog post.
I'm convinced that, if the MSG was originally a Scott album, it's usage and popularity would be 2-3 times as much as it is now. But it is hampered by a now defunct Minkus numbering system for the spaces. Not impossible to use, but does require greater "energy of activation" than a nominal Scott product.
Nevertheless, I like it- a lot.
I also used to be turned off by the "crowding" of the pages. But now I rather like the look. The white pages simply glisten with stamps
Deep Blue (Steiner) Pages housed in Vario F
and Vario G BindersSteiner (Deep Blue)
The Browns (Vintage version- six volumes) covers the world from 1840-1940, and "Contains spaces for every principal variety of Postage Stamp issued by any Government in the World"
Presently, they can be purchased on good paper printed on one side at Subway Stamp Shop Inc.
A complete set of the "Browns" will take up a fair amount of shelf space, specifically 12-19 binders.
One disadvantage for the "Browns" are the fossilized stamp descriptions and spaces, reflecting, specifically for the Nineteenth Century volume, a Scott 1919 catalogue.
But the "Browns", for many countries where there has not been major changes within the catalogue, presents a very elegant and attractive package for the WW collector.
The "Browns" have a septia toned aura about them that reminds one of the days when world wide classical stamp collecting was the norm.
The advantage is one can order the pages on good paper -all six volumes- from Subway Stamps- and be up and running without the fussiness of printing out one's own pages, and continue to share in the legacy of the many classical collectors whom have used this album.
Big Blue- Page 1
From my previous post, I know that BB provides 51% coverage for Turks and Caicos Islands, and manages to not have any expensive ($10+) stamp spaces.
Here, on page 1, it provides the same coverage of the 1900-09 "Dependency's Badge" issue (5 spaces) and the 1909 "Edward VII" issue (4 spaces) as it's main "representational" rival, the Minkus Supreme Global. The Supreme does provide two spaces for the 1911 Scott 24 1/2p red "Turks-head Cactus" Wmk 3 stamp, and the 1921 Scott 1/2p red Wmk 4 stamp. BB telescopes the Wmk 3 and wmk 4 stamps into one space.
Here, on page 1, it provides the same coverage of the 1900-09 "Dependency's Badge" issue (5 spaces) and the 1909 "Edward VII" issue (4 spaces) as it's main "representational" rival, the Minkus Supreme Global. The Supreme does provide two spaces for the 1911 Scott 24 1/2p red "Turks-head Cactus" Wmk 3 stamp, and the 1921 Scott 1/2p red Wmk 4 stamp. BB telescopes the Wmk 3 and wmk 4 stamps into one space.
Big Blue- Page 2
Note: Click and enlarge for clarity
Note: Click and enlarge for clarity
The 1913-21 "George V" issues have seven spaces, and telescopes the Wmk 3 and Wmk 4 stamps into one space. There is nothing wrong with that, as that is what BB does. The Supreme, OTOH, has three more spaces for the Wmk 3 stamps, and four more spaces for the Wmk 4 stamps, as the Supreme pays some attention to watermarks. Along with the additional coverage by Minkus is more expense, as the additional 2sh red/blue green and the 3sh black/red are @ CV $10+.
BB's 1923-26 issue has eight spaces, the same as the Supreme. The 1928 issue (8 spaces) in BB is bested by one space in the Minkus.
Note the four space coverage for the War Tax stamps in the '47 edition (illustrated here). The war tax coverage was dropped in the '69 and later BB editions. Minkus includes nine spaces for the War Tax stamps, a big improvement.
Big Blue- Page 3
The 1938 BB issue has nine spaces, lacking the two 1945 issue stamps, as well as the three 2sh-10sh higher denominations. (Part II 1940-49+ Scott International has spaces for the two 1945 issue stamps.)
The Minkus includes the entire 14 stamp issue. That does add expense, as the 2sh rose carmine is @ CV $10+, and the 5sh green is @ $25.
Finally, even the most ardent Minkus Supreme owner has to acknowledge that Big Blue, especially in the modern four part version housed in four binders, is elegant indeed in terms of the more leisured layout. The wonderfully hued cream colored thick paper does nothing to dissuade one from a most favorable impression.
Several years ago, I elected to go with the classical era Steiner pages for my collection, as I found myself too frustrated with the number of stamps with no spaces in Big Blue. I have continued to fill a "virtual" Big Blue, by using the BB checklists. But, as many of you are aware, the stamps are now put into Deep Blue (Steiner).
Though truth be told, every time I open the (still empty) four part 1991-92 edition Big Blue, housed in four blue binders, I have an urge to fill the cozy pages for real!
The Minkus includes the entire 14 stamp issue. That does add expense, as the 2sh rose carmine is @ CV $10+, and the 5sh green is @ $25.
Finally, even the most ardent Minkus Supreme owner has to acknowledge that Big Blue, especially in the modern four part version housed in four binders, is elegant indeed in terms of the more leisured layout. The wonderfully hued cream colored thick paper does nothing to dissuade one from a most favorable impression.
Several years ago, I elected to go with the classical era Steiner pages for my collection, as I found myself too frustrated with the number of stamps with no spaces in Big Blue. I have continued to fill a "virtual" Big Blue, by using the BB checklists. But, as many of you are aware, the stamps are now put into Deep Blue (Steiner).
Though truth be told, every time I open the (still empty) four part 1991-92 edition Big Blue, housed in four blue binders, I have an urge to fill the cozy pages for real!
Minkus Logo
Minkus Supreme GlobalThe MSG is an overall great "representational" WW album that provides 76,000+ spaces for 1840-1952+. For a more in depth look, check out my "Goldilocks" blog post.
I'm convinced that, if the MSG was originally a Scott album, it's usage and popularity would be 2-3 times as much as it is now. But it is hampered by a now defunct Minkus numbering system for the spaces. Not impossible to use, but does require greater "energy of activation" than a nominal Scott product.
Nevertheless, I like it- a lot.
I also used to be turned off by the "crowding" of the pages. But now I rather like the look. The white pages simply glisten with stamps
Minkus Supreme Global- Page 1
Click to enlarge for study
Click to enlarge for study
A full MSG stamp page is a sight to see. ! True, if one wishes to use mounts, it will be a challenge. But it can be done.
As I am committed to Steiner for the 1840-1940 (-1952 British Commonwealth), I use the thick paper (as now sold by Amos) MSG as my album for "extras", as well as for the 1940-1952 era. (I also have the thick paper 1953-1963 MSG pages. I have been too busy with the 1840-1952 period to do much with them, however. ;-)
As I am committed to Steiner for the 1840-1940 (-1952 British Commonwealth), I use the thick paper (as now sold by Amos) MSG as my album for "extras", as well as for the 1940-1952 era. (I also have the thick paper 1953-1963 MSG pages. I have been too busy with the 1840-1952 period to do much with them, however. ;-)
Minkus Supreme Global- Page 2
The middle section of stamps here comprise a separate Steiner page!
One concern I've heard is that Minkus stamp pages seem to not command the same level of $ sale as a similar Scott collection.
A 32,900 stamp filled BB , broken down into country lots, recently sold for $35,000 on e-bay. I'm not aware of a comparable Minkus Supreme Global sale.
One concern I've heard is that Minkus stamp pages seem to not command the same level of $ sale as a similar Scott collection.
A 32,900 stamp filled BB , broken down into country lots, recently sold for $35,000 on e-bay. I'm not aware of a comparable Minkus Supreme Global sale.
Minkus Supreme Global- Page 3
The 1950 George VI issue here is a nice reminder that the MSG covers all countries up to 1952+. Many collectors now agree that pre-1950 is the new pre-1940. In other words, "classic".
and Vario G Binders
We now turn to the comprehensive WW albums- Steiner, the "Browns", and the Scott green country specialty albums. Each have their strong points.
But a word of caution is in order.
As stamp collectors, many of us tend to want to be "completists". That might be alright for a several country specialty, but for the world? No, really?
That is why, even if we tend to be obsessive completists, a "representative" album (BB, MSG) may be the better... and saner...choice.
Frankly, to do WW comprehensive albums justice, a 20,000+ stamp 1840-1940 collection is about the minimum, unless one wishes to stare at a lot of empty spaces. ;-)
But a word of caution is in order.
As stamp collectors, many of us tend to want to be "completists". That might be alright for a several country specialty, but for the world? No, really?
That is why, even if we tend to be obsessive completists, a "representative" album (BB, MSG) may be the better... and saner...choice.
Frankly, to do WW comprehensive albums justice, a 20,000+ stamp 1840-1940 collection is about the minimum, unless one wishes to stare at a lot of empty spaces. ;-)
Steiner- Page 1
A WW collection housed on Steiner pages for 1840-1940 (-1952 British Commonwealth) will take up some 44 1 1/4" binders (or some 60+ Vario F Binders), about 6,500 pages.
Steiner- Page 2
But it is not that difficult. I've done it, and I only really started on the WW collection in 2011.
Recently, I have been acquiring Vario F and Vario G Lighthouse binders to house the Steiner pages. They look nice indeed!
Recently, I have been acquiring Vario F and Vario G Lighthouse binders to house the Steiner pages. They look nice indeed!
Steiner- Page 3
I have some 45,000+ stamps in Deep Blue (Steiner), and, with a capacity of 83,000 spaces, many pages are reasonably full.
Steiner- Page 4
I initially began by using Big Blue as my album in 2011. The first country was Aden (as was the blog post), and by the time I reached Ethiopia, I realized, that for me, this wasn't going to work.
Steiner- Page 5
Big Blue is most satisfying if one "collects to the album". I started a checklist (which is an ongoing project), and tried to limit my acquisitions to what would "fit".
Steiner- Page 6
Then it struck me that I could have my cake and eat it also. ;-) By putting the stamps into Deep Blue (my affectionate name for the Steiner pages), I could have a space for every stamp. Yes!
Steiner- Page 7
Rather, I now had a "Virtual Big Blue", as, with the checklist, I was aware of Big Blue's inventory and possibilities.
Steiner- Page 8
Presently, I have some 29,000+ stamps in my virtual Big Blue. I continue to target my acquisitions to those that will be found in the BB album, which, fortunately, tend to be the more affordable stamps. I stay in the lake and safe harbor (economically speaking), although my ship (Deep Blue) is capable of ocean travel.
Steiner- Page 9
And a good thing too that the collection is housed in Steiner. Because, despite my intentions to look for Big Blue stamps, I have some 16,000 stamps that have no space in that album.
Lord, what a mess that could be!
(Not quite as bad as it appears. The reality is most of my 1940-1952 British Commonwealth stamps in Deep Blue (I don't know the specific number) at least would be able to find a home in the 1940-49+ or 1950-55 Scott Internationals.)
(And Bud's approach - putting the extra stamps without spaces in BB on supplementary pages successfully works for him.)
Lord, what a mess that could be!
(Not quite as bad as it appears. The reality is most of my 1940-1952 British Commonwealth stamps in Deep Blue (I don't know the specific number) at least would be able to find a home in the 1940-49+ or 1950-55 Scott Internationals.)
(And Bud's approach - putting the extra stamps without spaces in BB on supplementary pages successfully works for him.)
Steiner- Page 10
And, as one can see from the Turks and Caicos Islands collection illustrated here, Deep Blue (Steiner) does a very nice job with it indeed.
Volume I (Nineteenth Century) of The Browns
The BrownsThe Browns (Vintage version- six volumes) covers the world from 1840-1940, and "Contains spaces for every principal variety of Postage Stamp issued by any Government in the World"
Presently, they can be purchased on good paper printed on one side at Subway Stamp Shop Inc.
A complete set of the "Browns" will take up a fair amount of shelf space, specifically 12-19 binders.
One disadvantage for the "Browns" are the fossilized stamp descriptions and spaces, reflecting, specifically for the Nineteenth Century volume, a Scott 1919 catalogue.
But the "Browns", for many countries where there has not been major changes within the catalogue, presents a very elegant and attractive package for the WW collector.
The "Browns" have a septia toned aura about them that reminds one of the days when world wide classical stamp collecting was the norm.
The advantage is one can order the pages on good paper -all six volumes- from Subway Stamps- and be up and running without the fussiness of printing out one's own pages, and continue to share in the legacy of the many classical collectors whom have used this album.
The Browns- Page 1 in the 19th Century Volume
For Turks and Caicos Islands coverage specifically, one will find spaces spread out over five of the six volumes ( 19th century: 1 page; 1901-1920- 2 pages; 1920-29- 2 pages; 1934-38+ - 1 page). The good news is that the coverage is up to modern catalogue standards, and should pose no problem, as all the major numbers have a space.
Well, how easy are the "Browns" to use in 2016?
Definitely not as easy as the Steiner.
But, considering that Scott has not updated the "Browns" for well nigh 75-95 years, it is amazing indeed - and speaks to their pedigree- that the "Browns" are often the choice of collectors even today.
Well, how easy are the "Browns" to use in 2016?
Definitely not as easy as the Steiner.
But, considering that Scott has not updated the "Browns" for well nigh 75-95 years, it is amazing indeed - and speaks to their pedigree- that the "Browns" are often the choice of collectors even today.
Scott Green Specialized Album for Greece
Scott Country Specialized AlbumsI am not going to show example pages of the green Scott Specialty country pages because, at least, most U.S. collectors are familiar with them. Generally, collectors consider them the "Gold Standard". albeit a bit tarnished, for housing a Scott based collection.
They, of course, have spaces for all the major Scott descriptive numbers. They are on fine thick paper, and the binders are substantial.
An advantage is a country can be collected up to any date the collector wishes by adding year supplements to the album.
Both the on-line Antonius Ra WW collection and the Cheng Chang WW collection tend to use Scott green country albums for their stamps. Many great WW collections that reach the major stamp auctions are found in the Scott green albums.
One approach would be to obtain various Scott country albums by buying collections housed in them. Often, the album itself is then valued nominally, or even only valued for the stamps inside. One could accumulate a number of the green country Scott albums, and use them as a basis for the WW collection. As necessary, Steiner pages could be added in separate binders for those countries/areas that are not covered by the collector's Scott green albums.
Actually, one doesn't have to be limited to the Scott green country albums with this approach. Any reasonably comprehensive country album in good shape (Minkus Country, Lighthouse, Palo, Schaubeck, Ka-Be, Davo etc) can serve as a basis for expanding the collection in that area.
If I knew then what I know now, this approach might very well have been the best choice. Without even trying, I have accumulated a number of Scott green country albums (and other brand albums) as feeder albums. But I have put the stamps into Steiner, and it is too late to change strategies now. ;-)
A caveat is the album pages, if bought new, are expensive, and many countries are no longer actively printed or available. And Steiner actually is easier to follow with the modern Scott catalogue, as many of these Scott green albums reflect an older Scott catalogue naming and descriptive set.
And let's face it. This is Big Boy (Girl) collecting.
They, of course, have spaces for all the major Scott descriptive numbers. They are on fine thick paper, and the binders are substantial.
An advantage is a country can be collected up to any date the collector wishes by adding year supplements to the album.
Both the on-line Antonius Ra WW collection and the Cheng Chang WW collection tend to use Scott green country albums for their stamps. Many great WW collections that reach the major stamp auctions are found in the Scott green albums.
One approach would be to obtain various Scott country albums by buying collections housed in them. Often, the album itself is then valued nominally, or even only valued for the stamps inside. One could accumulate a number of the green country Scott albums, and use them as a basis for the WW collection. As necessary, Steiner pages could be added in separate binders for those countries/areas that are not covered by the collector's Scott green albums.
Actually, one doesn't have to be limited to the Scott green country albums with this approach. Any reasonably comprehensive country album in good shape (Minkus Country, Lighthouse, Palo, Schaubeck, Ka-Be, Davo etc) can serve as a basis for expanding the collection in that area.
If I knew then what I know now, this approach might very well have been the best choice. Without even trying, I have accumulated a number of Scott green country albums (and other brand albums) as feeder albums. But I have put the stamps into Steiner, and it is too late to change strategies now. ;-)
A caveat is the album pages, if bought new, are expensive, and many countries are no longer actively printed or available. And Steiner actually is easier to follow with the modern Scott catalogue, as many of these Scott green albums reflect an older Scott catalogue naming and descriptive set.
And let's face it. This is Big Boy (Girl) collecting.
One Binder (original) to Two Binders (Interleaving) to Four Binders ('97 edition)
Big Blue 1840-1940
Out of the BlueIs this the end of the discussion on the best way to house a WW collection?
Of course not.
The answers are as varied as the situations collectors find themselves.
Note: "Moby Dick" print scan appears to be in the public domain.
Of course not.
The answers are as varied as the situations collectors find themselves.
Note: "Moby Dick" print scan appears to be in the public domain.
Comments appreciated!