Chairperson(s):
Kim D. Johnson, Editor
310 E N 3rd St.
Georgetown, IL 61846
The Durland Standard Plate Number Catalog, 2016 Edition
The Durland 2016 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 2016 edition of the Durland Plate Number Catalog, was introduced at the Society’s annual meeting at World Stamp Show – New York 2016. 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 prouducing 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 Kim Johnson.
The 2016 is the tenth edition produced by the USSS and its publication celebrates the 66nd 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, 2008 and 2012. The new 2016, formatted and digitized by Len Piszkiewicz, is edited by W. Wallace Cleland.
The next edition of the full catalog will be issued in 2020.