Editors:
Rodney A. Juell
P.O. Box 3508
Joliet, IL 60434
Steven J. Rod
P.O. Box 6
Maplewood, NJ 07040
Lynn Batdorf
6005 Kingsford Road
Bethesda, MD 20817
The Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting was introduced at the Washington 2006 International Exhibition. The book produced by the United States Stamp Society and edited by Rodney A. Juell and Steven J. Rod introduces the reader to the full scope of United States stamps and stamp collecting. Beginning with an introduction to “stampless covers” it then introduces the many stamps issued from their inception with the 1845 Postmasters’ Provisionals through the stamps of the early 21st century. Other chapters deal with “back-of-the-book” issues, including air mail, special delivery, U.S. possessions, revenue purposes, and postal stationery. The history of the Postal Service, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and various security printers is explored. Another section highlights the technological innovations of stamp production, the history of the movement of the mails, markings applied to envelopes, and meters and machine generated postage.
Each of the sixty-two chapters employs a similar format, wherein an introductory article is followed by practical tips on collecting; an almanac of chronological dates to orient the reader within each historical era; a selection of quotes, both contemporaneous and modern, to provide context; examples of postal usage; and a compilation of references to which the reader can turn for more information. While the Encyclopedia will be welcomed by many advanced stamp collectors, it was written with the beginning collector in mind. It assumes no prior experience with collecting, and includes a comprehensive glossary of philatelic terms. The full color, hard-bound, 730 page book is generously illustrated with stamps, covers and related material.
The initial printing of 5000 copies sold out, and a reprint of 3000 copies with minor additions and typographical corrections was produced, which also sold out.
The Second Edition of the Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting will be released on the opening day of World Stamp Show-NY 2016, May 28 at 1pm in room 1E08 of the Javits Convention Center. Throughout the show the book will be available at a special show price of only $25. After the show the book will sell for $40. The second edition has been fully updated with new information.
More information and a complete table of contents can be found under Resources: Encyclopedia of United States Stamps: Click Here
NEW START
The 2016 Edition of the Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting will be released at World Stamp Show – New York 2016
While there is a superb body of highly specialized literature available on various aspects of stamp collecting, there is no resource that encompasses all of the many facets of U.S. stamp collecting; the Encyclopedia fills that void.
Collecting U.S. stamps involves one in history, politics, production and technology, design, searches and detective work, and discovery. The collector learns about culture and institutions, geography and the arts, and many people whose visions shaped our country. As you look at the Table of Contents you will see the broad range of U.S. stamps covered in this book. You will also note chapters devoted to history, production, technology, and research that will help make you a more informed collector.
Each chapter employs a similar format, beginning with an introductory text providing an overview. Stamps and covers may be illustrated in other than actual size. Occasional “side-bars”, in tan shaded boxes, explore some aspect of the story. The introductory text is followed by “Notes on Collecting” which contains advice on collecting the stamps or subject matter under consideration. Next is the “Almanac” which provides a chronological reference for the topic. Following this is “What Others Have Said”, which presents the topic the way others have seen and understood it in the past, while also providing a sampling of the vast array of literature available to the serious U.S. stamp collector. Attribution of these quotes is abbreviated. The full reference for each is found in Appendix B – Print Resources. Next will generally be provided some examples of typical usage of this material. The majority of items illustrated are easily obtainable from a stamp dealer or local bourse. Finally, “Where to Find More Information” suggests resources for further study. Full citations for these sources appear in Appendix B – Print Resources. Many of these are available from dealers in philatelic literature.
For collectors new to the hobby, this book is an introduction to the many aspects of U.S. stamp collecting. For the experienced collector, many of the chapters may incite curiosity about a previously unexplored facet of the hobby. For all readers, we trust this book will educate, entertain, and inspire you as a U.S. philatelist.
Encyclopedia of United States Stamps 2006 Edition
The Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting introduces the reader to the full scope of United States stamps and stamp collecting. Beginning with an introduction to “stampless covers” (letters mailed before the introduction of postage stamps), it then introduces the many stamps issued from their inception with the 1845 Postmasters’ Provisionals through the stamps of the early 21st century. Other chapters deal with the host of stamps known to collectors as “back-of-the-book” issues, including stamps issued for air mail, special delivery, U.S. possessions, revenue purposes, and postal stationery. The history of the Postal Service and the various stamp printers, including the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is explored. A section of the Encyclopedia highlights the technological innovations of stamp production, the history of the movement of the mails, markings applied to envelopes, and meters and machine generated postage. While a book about U.S. stamps and stamp collecting, in a larger sense it is a history of American politics, culture, values and technology seen through the prism of the nation’s postage stamps and postal service.
Each of the sixty-two chapters employs a similar format, wherein an introductory article is followed by practical tips on collecting; an almanac of chronological dates to orient the reader within each historical era; a selection of quotes, both contemporaneous and modern, to provide context; examples of postal usage; and a compilation of references to which the reader can turn for more information. While the Encyclopedia will be welcomed by many advanced stamp collectors, it was written with the beginning collector in mind. It assumes no prior experience with collecting, and includes a comprehensive glossary of philatelic terms. The full color, hard-bound, 730 page book is generously illustrated with stamps, covers and related material.
- Page 702, the Scott number in the last line should be 1036b.
The following errors in the 1st printing are corrected in the 2nd printing:
- Page 97, the 7th bullet should include the following two web addresses:
http://www.1847usa.com/washfrank/washfrankmain.htm
http://www.askphil.org/W-F/Index.htm - Page 367, Figure 9, the last date in the caption should be December 13, 1941.
- Page 399, last line and continuing on page 400 should read:
those numbers beginning with “S” were printed by Sennett, with “A” by American Banknote Company, with “V” by Avery Dennison. - Page 616, line 25 should read:
term “penny post card”. The rate was finally raised to 2¢ on January 1, 1952. - Page 621, lines 1 and 2 should read:
example, one could search for covers which show the July 6, 1932-June 30, 1934 8¢ air mail letter rate and build a collection based on this rate. One could
Table of Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Stamps of the United States
- Stampless Covers
- Postmasters’ Provisionals
- Series of 1851 and 1857
- Series of 1861 and 1869 Pictorials
- Bank Notes of 1870-1894
- Series of 1894
- Series of 1902
- Washington-Franklin Series
- Series of 1922
- Presidential Series
- Liberty Series
- Prominent Americans Issue
- Americana Issue
- Great Americans Issue
- Transportation Coils
- Late Twentieth Century Definitives
- Nineteenth Century Commemoratives
- Twentieth Century Commemoratives, 1901-1933
- Twentieth Century Commemoratives, 1933-1971
- Twentieth Century Commemoratives, 1971-2000
- Twenty-first Century Stamps
- Air Mail Stamps
- Special Usage Stamps
- Federal Revenue Stamps
- State Revenues
- U.S. Possessions, Usages Abroad, and Occupied Areas
- Postal Stationery
- Pre cancels and Perfins
- Carriers’ and Locals
- Confederate States of America
History, Production, and Technology
- United States Post Office Department
- United States Postal Service
- Bureau of Engraving and Printing
- Stamp Production – The Flat Plate Press
- Stamp Production – The Stickney Rotary Press
- Stamp Production – Modern Presses
- Stamp Production – Modern Private Printers
- Stamp Separation, 1857-1980
- Stamp Separation, Since 1980
- Self-Adhesive Stamps
- Watermarks
- Plate Construction and Layout
- Plate Numbers
- Marginal Markings
- Plate Varieties
- Stamps in Booklets, 1900-1977
- Stamps in Booklets, Since 1977
- Stamps in Coil Rolls, 1907-1980
- Stamps in Coil Rolls, Post 1980
- Inks, Colors, Papers, and Gum
- Errors, Freaks, and Oddities
- Essays and Proofs
- Luminescence
- Test Stamps
Expanding the Collector’s Scope
- United States Stamp Society
- United States Stamp Research
- Postal History – Markings
- Rates and Classifications
- Meters and Machine Generated Postage
- Philately Never Ends
Appendices
Appendix A – Glossary
Appendix B – Print Resources
Appendix C – Internet Resources
Appendix D – Benefactors