Chairperson(s):
Kim D. Johnson, Editor
1905 Stratford Drive
Champaign, IL 61821
The Durland Standard Plate Number Catalog, 2012 Edition
The Durland 2012 is the most comprehensive research source for plate number information on United States postage, special service, revenue stamps and other back of the book stamps listed in the Scott Specialized catalog and includes full-color illustrations of marginal markings and data on coil, sheet and booklets.
The 2012 edition of the Durland Plate Number Catalog, was introduced at the Society’s annual meeting at NAPEX in June of 2012, . The new Durland is an all-color presentation, with a three column 8-1/2” x 11” format that is available both perfect and spiral bound. All of the illustrations are created in digital format pruducing high-quality printed images; and there are illustrations on nearly every page.
The new edition includes plate number information for the last four years of new issues along with scores of previously unreported numbers for pre-Bureau and back of the book issues. The catalog also includes plate number information on Confederate issues, overprinted Possessions postage, Carriers, and WW II American Military Government stamps and is the most comprehensive reference for marginal markings.
Bureau precancel plate blocks have listed and priced for the first time, including the experimental precancels of 1916, which are illustrated. The Beer stamp section is greatly expanded on the basis of recent discoveries of proofs and Bureau records. The taxpaid revenue section is also greatly expanded. The 2012 edition has been formatted and digitized by Len Piszkiewicz and edited by W. Wallace Cleland.
The 2012 is the ninth edition produced by the USSS and its publication celebrates the 62nd Anniversary of the introduction of the Standard Plate Number Catalog. The Sterling Stamp Co. published the first Plate Number Catalog, Vol. 1, in 1950 and in successive years through 1981. Clarence B. Durland, himself initially edited the catalog with William Patten editing the later editions. In 1984 under the leadership of the late George Godin, the B.I.A. began editing, publishing and expanding the coverage of stamps. The Society produced subsequent editions in 1986, 1990, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2005 and 2008. The new 2012, formatted and digitized by Len Piszkiewicz, is edited by W. Wallace Cleland.
2014 Durland Supplement
The United States Stamp Society has released a supplement to the 2012 edition of the Durland Standard Plate Number Catalog. This 24-page supplement includes three pages of corrections and additions to the regular issues section of the catalog, eight pages of new issues from 2012, 2013 and early 2014, and seven pages of additions and corrections to the back of the book issues.
The supplement is produced in full color with numerous illustrations, especially of interesting pieces that have surfaced since the 2012 edition was released. This supplement together with the
2012 edition provide an up to date listing of all plate numbers used on U.S. stamps.
The next edition of the full catalog will not be issued before 2016, so plate number collectors are urged to update their 2012 Durland with this supplement; or if your edition is earlier than 2012, it would be to your advantage to get both the 2012 edition and the supplement, as both are in color and will bring you up to date.
2012 Annual Board Meeting Committee Report
The 2012 edition of the Durland catalog was introduced at NAPEX. This edition includes Bureau precancelled plate blocks and a greatly expanded section on Beer stamps and other Revenue issues. The catalog is available both in spiral bound and perfect bound versions. All illustrations are in color and the catalog includes all known plate numbers on U.S. postage and Revenue stamps. Plate number collectors will certainly want to obtain this edition of the Durland.