There are some superb and incredibly useful reference books, and catalogues out there. And tools to measure perforations or paper thickness or LED magnifiers etc Please add your new discoveries - and recommendations to this forum. As in all forums, you can post photos of your favourites and recommendations.
If you mostly collect pre-1940 (or pre-1953 British Colonies) the Scott Classic Specialized Catalogue is a worthwhile reference. The bad thing is it retails for US$179 and is seldom discounted much.
Even when several years old, people get $100+ for them. I don't know why, but Amazon is letting you pre-order the 2024 edition (will be released in mid-November) for $53.99 i.e. 70% off.
This is unheard of. Amazon doesn't charge for pre-orders until shipping, so I don't see how this could be a scam -- if the product turns out to not be available, you won't get charged for it. Have a go at getting one on the cheap if you need it...
I think Amazon show 'temporarily out of stock' when the book has not yet been released.
Ian Billings - Norvic Philatelics - clearing Machins stock before Royal Mail burn them all, singles, booklets, booklet panes, regionals - lists here: or email/DM your general needs and I'll let you know whether it's worth sending a wants list.
I relayed this to a US forum (where the market may be bigger).
Chas Snee has come back on there and written:
Hello, Ian et al.: That listing did not originate with Amos Media, publisher of the Scott catalogs. It has been reported to Amazon.
Best,
Chad Snee
Senior Editor, Linn's Stamp News
Contributing Editor, Scott Catalogs
Ian Billings - Norvic Philatelics - clearing Machins stock before Royal Mail burn them all, singles, booklets, booklet panes, regionals - lists here: or email/DM your general needs and I'll let you know whether it's worth sending a wants list.
Amos etc, are not the seller of 99.99% of Scott cats on Amazon (or Ebay) so Chad's comments are surely meaningless? Retailers have always priced as they see fit.
If buyers are not charged now, how does a scammer gain from this sort of thing?
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Ian Billings - Norvic Philatelics - clearing Machins stock before Royal Mail burn them all, singles, booklets, booklet panes, regionals - lists here: or email/DM your general needs and I'll let you know whether it's worth sending a wants list.
I believe it. Whether or not it is realistic, or reasonable is a different matter.
Chas has been a member here. I believe he did what he said he did - therefore the response is credible.
Ian Billings - Norvic Philatelics - clearing Machins stock before Royal Mail burn them all, singles, booklets, booklet panes, regionals - lists here: or email/DM your general needs and I'll let you know whether it's worth sending a wants list.
The short answer only states the obvious but does not give any information about the presence or absence of a highly discounted sales agreement between Amos and Amazon.
That's why I say the answer is political and hence not reliable.
Italian Social (Not Socialist ) Republic Postal History
I'm not sure why there needs to be any discussion.
The very fact that 'The listing has been reported to Amazon', whilst odd - if it is Amazon selling the book - Indicated to me that Amos were not aware of it.
But it really doesn't matter. I'm not buying the book. I don't even collect US stamps.
I copied the OP to the other forum and it was welcomed by members as it was here.
I coped the Snee reply to this forum and all I get is flak.
Enough already!
Ian Billings - Norvic Philatelics - clearing Machins stock before Royal Mail burn them all, singles, booklets, booklet panes, regionals - lists here: or email/DM your general needs and I'll let you know whether it's worth sending a wants list.
) Republic Postal History
