Bolivia

1894 Scott 46 100c brown rose "Coat of Arms"

Quick History
The Republic of Bolivia was established in 1825, and named for Simon Bolivar, the leader of the Spanish American wars of Independence. Located in central South America, the country became landlocked after losing the Port of Antofagasta to Chile during the War of the Pacific (1879-81). La Paz is the "de facto" highest capital in the world  at 11,942 feet in elevation. The population was about 3.5  million in the 1940's. Bolivianos are mostly descended from the indigenous native people, which greatly influences Bolivia's cultural folk art and music. The major languages are Spanish(60%), Quechua (20%), and Aymara (15%).

1939 Scott 251 & 252 2c green & 4c fawn "Llamas"

Big Blue Picture
Spread out over 8 pages, Big Blue (1997) has spaces for 164 stamps. The same coverage is on 5 pages for the 1969 Big Blue. The 2011 Scott Classic specialized catalogue has 361 major stamp descriptions. Coverage is 45% by Big Blue.

Unfortunately, with little additional financial outlay for the collector of Bolivia, Big Blue could have been "great", rather than "good".

Why?

 Well, I found an additional 111 stamps ( many <$1,- a few up to $5), that are not in Big Blue. That would add another 31% to the coverage (76% total).

Additional stamps that the Big Blue collector could ( and should) consider....

Classic stamps (Note: I love classic stamps, so hence the tolerance for higher, but reasonable catalogue prices)
1867-68 Imperf "Condor"
1,2,5,7,($20+-$40+)

1868-69 "Coat of Arms"
10,11,15,16,17, ($10+-$30+)

1878
23($30+)

1890-93
33,34,($5+-$20+)

1899
57($10+)

1899-1901
68($2+)

1901-02
76($2+)

1904
77($1+)

1901-1913 various issues
76,77,79,80,81,87,88,89,99,100,101,108,109,110, (<$1-$2+)

1919-27 "Coat of Arms"
25 stamps (<$1-$5+) See discussion in Big Blue Bottom Line

1924-1940 various issues- 69 stamps for <$1-$2+ !
138,139,140,142,143,150,151,152,153,154,155,156,157,158,159,160,162,178,179,180,184,190,193,194,195,196,200,202,203,204,206,207,208,209,210,211,212,225,233,234,235,236,237,238,239,240,268,C1,C2,C3,C5,C29,C30,C31,C32,C33,C34,C40,C41,C49,C50,C51,C52,C53,C54,C55,C56,C71,RA2 (<$1-$2+)

1866-68 Scott 2 5c green "Condor"

Big Blue checklist
1878 Arms and "The Law"
20,21,22,($5+)

1866
1 or 2 ($20+)

1887
24,25,26,($2+-$5+)

1890-93
28 or 35 ($2+)
29 or 36 ($2+)
30 or 37 ($2+)
31 or 38 ($2+-$5+)
Blank space: suggest 32 or 39 ($5+-$40+)
Note: 1890 Scott 28-32 is Perf 12; 1893 Scott 35-39 is Perf 11.

1894 thin paper
40($20+)
41,42,43,($1+-$2+)
44,45,($5+-$20+)
46($40+)
Note: thick paper stamps cancelled in Paris with oval heavy bars-value of set: $5

1897
47,48,49,50,($2+)
51,52,53,($5+-$10+)

1899-1901
62,63,64,69,65,66, ($2+)
Blank space: suggest 67($2+)

1901-02
70,71,73,74,(<$1)
75($1)

1909
82,83,(<$1)
84,85,86,(<$1)

1910
92,93,94,(<$1)

1911
95(<$1)

1912
98(<$1)

1913
103,104,105,106,107(<$1)

1916-17
111,112,113,114 *,116 (<$1)
*Note: Big Blue's illustration for stamp shows 114, a  type 1; rather than 115, which is type 2.

1919-27 "Coat of Arms"
118 or 128 (<$1)
165,166,167(<$1)
120(<$1)
121 or 131 (<$1-$10+)
168(<$1)
Note: see discussion about this series in Big Blue Bottom Line

1928
189,191,199,201,(<$1-$1+)

1931
197,198,205,(<$1)

1933
213,214,215,216,217,(<$1)

1935
218(<$1)

1935-37
219,220,221,222,223,224,226,(<$1)
227,228,229,230,231,232,(<$1-$1+)

(1937)
241(<$1)

1938
242,246,247,249,250,(<$1-$1+)
243,244,245,248,(<$1-$1+)

1939
251,252,253,254,255,,256,(<$1-$1+)
257,258,259,260,261,262,263,(<$1-$1+)
264,265,266,267,($1+)

1940
269($2+)

Postage Due
1931
J1,J2,J3,J4,($1+-$2+)
J5,J6,($5+-$10+)

1938
J7,J8,J9,($1+)

Air Post stamps
1928
C8,C9,C10,($1+-$2+)

1930
C27,C28,(<$1)

1932
C35,C36,C37,C38,C39,(<$1)

1935
C42,C43,C44,C45,C46,C47,C48, (<$1)

1938
C66,C67,(<$1)
C63,C64,C65,C68,C70,C69,(<$1)
C73,C74,C76,C77,C79,(<$1-$1+)
C80,C78,C75,(<$1)
C72,C81,(<$1-$1+)

Postal Tax stamp
1937
RA1 (<$1)

Kinds of Blue
The 1997,1969,1947 and 1941 editions are identical for content.

Living happily together in Big Blue?

5c dark green 1919-20 perf 12 engraved American Bank Note Co. Scott 120

10c vermilion Scott 121 or 1923-27 perf 13 1/2 re-engraved Perkins,Bacon & Co. Ltd. Scott 131

20c light olive green 1927 perf 13 1/2 lithographed Waterlow & Sons Scott 168

Big Blue Bottom Line
A common witticism is one needs a strong stomach to witness either the making of sausage or the "making" of laws. Well, how about certain stamp series in Big Blue that are all thrown together "mishmash"? :-)

Take a look at the seven stamp spaces for Bolivia's "Coat of Arms" 1919-27 series.

Big Blue throws together FOUR issues  consisting of different year of issues (1919-20,1923-27,1925,1927), three different printers ( American Bank Note Co.(ABNC), Perkins,Bacon & Co.(PBC), Ltd, Waterlow & Sons (WS)), different perforations (12 & 13 1/2), different colors for the same denomination, and an engraved, a re-engraved, a second re-engraved, and a lithographed version!

Specifically:
1c (illustrated) carmine Scott 118 (1919-20) engraved perf 12 ABNC or Scott 1923-27 re-engraved perf 13 1/2 PBC (<$1)

2c (illustrated) Scott 165 yellow(<$1)-the lithographed version by WS!:different enough from the 2c engraved versions, that Scott gives a separate illustration (A55 rather than A54), and Big Blue shows the lithographed version. This rules out the engraved Scott 119 2c dark violet($2+) by  ABNC, and the re-engraved Scott 129 2c deep violet(<$1) by PBC

3c "pink"- lithographed Scott 166
4c "red brown" lithographed Scott 167

5c "dark green" engraved Scott 120(<$1). The color specification by Big Blue eliminates for consideration PBC's re-engraved Scott 130 deep green(<$1), or the second re-engraving 1925 version by WS Scott 144 deep green(<$1).

10c "vermilion" engraved Scott 121(<$1) or re-engraved Scott 131($10+)!

20c "light olive green" Scott 168.  Because of color, Big Blue specifies the lithographed version. Gone for consideration are the engraved Scott 122 dark blue, or the re-engraved Scott 132 slate blue. All the versions are <$1.

What an arbitrary mess. Twenty-five stamps in the"Coat of arms" were not picked up by Big Blue ( Scott 119,122,123,124,125,126,127,129,130,132,135,136,137,144,145,146,169,170,171,172,173,174,175,176,177,). Twelve of these stamps are <$1, while the remainder vary from $1+-$5+.

I'm feeling a little queasy.  ;-)

Links
Bolivia - Bud's Big Blue
Bolivia 1867-1916 - a closer look

Bermuda

Quick History
Bermuda, a British Crown colony, is a group of about 20 inhabited islands in the semitropical north Atlantic 600 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The Capital is Hamilton, and the population was 30,000 in 1943.
Bermuda was discovered by a Spaniard, Juan De Bermudez, in 1505. Bermuda, the Island, known as the Isle of Devils for the surrounding reefs, was unoccupied, and hence settled by England in 1609. The town of St. George, founded in 1612, is the oldest continually inhabited "English" town in the Americas. Bermuda today remains  the oldest British overseas territory.

The stamps of Great Britain can be found handstamped from 1845, with Bermuda issues beginning in 1865.

Trivia:  Shakespeare's play,The Tempest was thought to have been inspired by an account of the 1609 shipwreck of the Sea Venture, flagship of a the flotilla originally set to recolonize Jamestown, but instead founding a new colony.


Big Blue Picture
Big Blue (1997) on two pages has 60 stamp spaces. The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has 129 major stamp descriptions. Big Blue has 47% coverage. 


The stamps of Bermuda are rather expensive, but I did find 18 stamps,16 of them far under $10, that could be considered for the Big Blue collector.


Additional choices...
Pick up the "inexpensive" non chosen from the checklist, and/or
Scott 8 6p violet($20+) ('03)
Scott 21 2p brown purple ($1+) ('98) 
Scott 25 1sh olive bister($20+)
75 2 1/2p ultramarine ($2+)
76 3p violet on orange ($5+)
MR1 war stamp (<$1)
MR2 war stamp ($1+)


Big Blue checklist
1865-1893
(All seven stamp spaces are illustrated)
1/2p Scott16 brown ($5+) or 18 deep gray-green ($1+)
1p  Scott 1 rose red($1+) or 19 aniline carmine(<$1)
2p Scott 2 blue($20+) or 20 blue($5+)
2 1/2p Scott 22 ultramarine (<$1)
3p Scott 3 buff($70+) or 7 buff($70+) or 23 gray($5+)
4p Scott 17 orange($2+) 
6p Scott 5 lilac($10+) or 4 brown lilac($80+)


1901 surcharge
26($1+)


1902-10 "Dry Dock"
31,32,33,34,35 (<$1-$2+)
38($5+)
39(<$1)
Blank space: suggest 36 or 37($5+)


1910-36
1/2p brown 40 or 81 ($2+)
1/2 p (illustrated) 41 yellow green or 82 green (<$1-$2+)
1p carmine 83(<$1) Note: 42 1p red(<$1) ruled out by color specification
1 1/2p red brown 84
2p gray 43($2+) or 85($1+)
2 1/2p apple green 86($1+)
2 2/1p ultramarine 44(<$1)
3p ultramarine 88($20+) 
3p violet on yellow 45 or 89 ($2+-$1+)
4p red on yellow 46 or 90 ($2+-<$1)
6p claret 47($7) or 91($1+)
1sh black on emerald 92 ($1+)
Note: two series
1910-24 Scott 40-48
1922-34 Scott 81-93 wmk 4


1920 "Seal of the Colony and King George V"
55($2+),56($5+),67(<$1),57($10+),
Blank space: suggest 68 ($10+)


1940 (Stamp of 1938 surcharged)
129(<$1)


1921 King George V
71,72,73,(<$1-$2+)
74($5+)


1935 Silver Jubilee
100,101,102,(<$1-$1+)
103($10+)


1936-40
105,106,107,111 (<$1-$1+)
108,109A,110,112,113, (<$1-$2+)


1937 Coronation
115,116,117,(<$1-$1)


1938
1p 118 (<$1)
1 1/2p 119 ($1+)
2p 109 "black and turquoise blue"* ($10+)
2 1/2p 120 or 120A('41) ($1+)
3p 121($2+) or 121A(<$1)('41)
1sh 122(<$1)
*Note" 109 In BB "black and turquoise blue" is "brown black & turquoise blue" in Scott

1918 Scott MR1 1p rose red War Tax stamp: only in 1947 and 1941 editions.

Kinds of Blue
The 1969 and 1997 editions are identical.
The 1947 (and 1941) editions have a 1918 War Tax stamp Scott MR1(<$1) that is NOT in the 1969 (and1997) editions.


Big Blue Bottom Line
The British Colonies stamps, as demonstrated by Bermuda, are classic and cleanly designed. No wonder the British Colonies are so popular with collectors.

Benin

1893 Scott 29 40c red/straw "Navigation and Commerce"

Quick History
Between the 17th and 19th century, the land on African's west coast by the Gulf of Guinea was ruled by the Kingdom of Dahomey. The area was known as the slave coast, because of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. In 1892, the slave trade was banned, and France made it a Possession. The stamps of the French colonies were used from 1892-1894. The Capital was Benin with an area population of about 500,000. In 1895, Benin became part of the Dahomey colony. Then in 1899, the land became part of the French West African colony.

 In 1960, Dahomey became independent. After some years of Marxist-Leninist dictatorship and turmoil, it was renamed the Republic of Benin in 1991.

Historical Fact: The Kingdom of Dahomey from the 17th to the 19th century sold their war captives into slavery; otherwise the captives would have been killed in a ceremony known as the Annual Custom.

Big Blue Picture
Big Blue (1997), on one line of one page offers 7 stamp spaces for the 1893 and 1894 French Colony issues.
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue  has 49 major stamp descriptions beginning with the handstamped "Benin" issues of 1892. Coverage is 14%.

In the '69, edition, Benin is located at the end of the page with Bavaria and Batum, and before Bechuanaland Protectorate. Of interest, Benin is not listed in the "Sequence of Countries in this Album" list in the '69. !

The 1892 issue is fairly expensive ($20+-$1,000+), so Big Blue does not provide coverage. But for $5+, there are six additional stamps from the 1892 and 1893 issues ( Scott 23,24,29,30,37,38) that might interest the Big Blue collector.

Closeup of 1894 Scott 33 1c black/bluish "Navigation and Commerce"

Note the change in Name

Big Blue checklist
1893 Navigation and Commerce
20 1c black ($2+)
21 2c brown ($2+)
22 4c claret ($2+)

1894
33 1c black ($2+)
34 2c brown ($2+)
35 4c claret ($2+)
36 5c green ($2+)

Benin, Dahomey, French West Africa, Dahomey, Benin

Kinds of Blue
The 1997,1969,1947 and 1941 editions are identical for content.

Big Blue Bottom Line.
Part of the French colonies, and therefore no true bargains. But reviewing the area history, a sobering reminder what man will do to man.

Note: Stamp image (Scott 29), map appear to be in the public domain.

Note: You will need to consult a Scott catalogue for specific pricing. I only give a very "ball park" price, and never the actual catalogue value.
<$1= less than a Dollar
$1+= more than a Dollar
$2+= more than two Dollars
$5+= more than five Dollars
$10+= more than ten Dollars
$20+..and so on.

Belgium

1851-54 Scott 6 & 7 10c brown & 20c blue

King Leopold I

Quick History
Belgium , in western Europe along the North Sea, has traditionally been considered part of the Low Counties along with the Netherlands and Luxembourg. However Belgium seceded from the Netherlands  in 1830 and Prince Leopold became King of the Kingdom of Belgium with the capital in Brussels. This Constitutional Monarchy form of government continues in this country of 8 million (1941census), consisting of half Dutch speakers (Flemish), and half French speakers (Walloons). King Leopold I was on Belgium's first stamps issued in 1849.

Trivia: French Fries originated in Belgium.

1896 Scott 79 5c deep violet

Brussels Exhibition Issue: "St. Michael and Satan"

Big Blue Picture
Big Blue (1997) on 24 pages ( not including blank pages) has 549 stamp spaces. The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has 971 major stamp descriptions for regular, semi-postal, air post, special delivery, postage due, official, newspaper, occupation, and parcel post (railroad) stamps.
Big Blue(1997) has 57% coverage.

Big Blue has a large selection of the 1910-1940 Belgium semi-postals on eight pages with 179 stamp spaces!  The semi-postals are quite attractive, and many are inexpensive, BUT some are not. Look at this set...

(1933) Restoration of Orval Abbey

B132 ($57+), B133,B135,B136,B134 ($52+ except noted)

Note: Four $52+ stamps and a $57+ stamp! Counterfeits exist.

Yes it will cost $263+ retail for this set.

Overall, I rate Big Blue's coverage of Belgium "good". But BB has an annoying trait of dropping a series too early with cheap stamps on the table. This was especially noticeable with the Parcel Post (Railroad) stamps. Also, Belgium's surcharged stamps seem to have a harder time making it into Big Blue. ( I've noticed this "surcharge shortage" with other countries too.)

Why not a rating better than "good"? Because I found 200 stamps that one could argue should be in Big Blue. Way too many to discuss in depth, but I present the list below.

Additional stamps to consider...

Classic issues
1865 Scott 13 1c green ($20+)
1867 Scott 20 or 20a 30c brown ($10++)
1867 Scott 21 or 21a 40c rose ($20+)

1866-67 Coat of arms issue Note: Not included at all by BB
Scott 24 or 24a 1c gray($10+)

1869-78
36 1 fr dull lilac($10+)
38 50c gray($10+)

1883
47 25c blue($30+)
48 50c violet($30+)

1884-91
54 1 fr brown/greenish($10+)
57 25c violet brown ($2+)

1893-1900
72($20+)
75($10++)

As I mentioned, I found 200 stamps that could be considered for addition. This includes 35 regular issues, 31 semi-postals,17 postage dues, 29 newspaper stamps and 79 parcel post (railroad) stamps.

Twentieth century additions
(Scott 129,130,131,132,133,157,164,166,169,170,194,210,211,212,228,172,173,174,175,176,177,178,179,180,182,183,232,233,234,235,240,241,254,255,256,C6,C7,J1,J2,J11,J12,J15,J17,J18,J19,J20,J21,J33,J34, B11,B12,B15,B16,B17,B19,B20,B21,B22,B23,B24,B58,B72,B73,B222,B223,B250,B251,B252,B253,B264,B269,B270,B271,B272,B273,B274,B275,B276,B277,B278,J35,J36,J37,J38,J39,Q5,Q6,Q13,Q14,N5,N6,N7,N21,N22,N23,E6,P8,P10,P11,P12,P13,P14,P15,P16,P17,P18,P20,P21,P22,P23,P24,P25,P26,P27,P28,P29,P30,P32,P33,P34,P35,P36,P37,P38,P39,Q7,Q11,Q12,Q13,Q14,Q67,Q69,Q71,Q72,Q73,Q77,Q78,Q79, Q80,Q83,Q91,Q92,Q95,Q97,Q99,Q100,Q101,Q102,Q107,Q108,Q109,Q110,Q111,Q112,Q113,Q114,Q116,Q118,Q119,Q120,Q121,Q122,Q123,Q124,Q125,Q126,Q127,Q130,Q131,Q137,Q138,Q174,Q175,Q197,Q198,Q199,Q200,Q201,Q202,Q203,Q204,Q205,Q206,Q215 and 1940 issued Q216-Q236.) (<$1 to a few in the $10 range- remember this includes semi-postals.)

1914 B28 5c green & red

Red Cross semi-postal: "Merode Monument"
An "O" rather than a "Q" in "Belgique": Forgery!

2021 Note: There is also a "more difficult" forgery with the "Q" intact

See: https://stampforgeries.blogspot.com/2021/02/belgium-1914-merode.html

Big Blue checklist
1850-63 King Leopold I
10c brown -Scott 3 Imperf ($190+) or 6 Imperf ($5+) or 10 Imperf ($5+) or 14($2+)
20c blue - Scott 4 Imperf ($60+) or 7 Imperf ($5+) or 11 Imperf ($5+) or 15($2+)
40c carmine rose-Scott 5 Imperf ($500+) or 12 Imperf ($80+) or 16 ($20+); or 16d vermilion ($30+) or 16f bright vermilion ($40+)
Note: Either Imperf or Perf can be put in these spaces.
Note: Consult Scott for the additional minor numbers based on paper thickness, perforations, or stamp height.

1866 King Leopold
18 or 18a ($2+)
19 blue  or 19b blue  or 19c Prussian blue ($2+-$5+) Note: BB specifies "blue"

1869-78
28,29,30,32,33,37, (<$1-$1+)
34,35, ($2+-$5+)
Note: 40,41,42,43,44(<$1-$2+) are either "wrong" colors and/or "wrong" year (1881).

1883
45,46,($2+-$5+)

1884-91
49,50,55,51,52,56,53,58 (<$1-$2+)

1893-1900
60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67 20c olive green*,68,69 (<$1-$2+)
70 50c bister ($20+)
71,73 ($2+)
* Note: "olive green" in catalogue is "reseda" in BB.

1894
76,77,78 ($2+-$1+)

1896 Brussels exhibition issue
79,80($2+),81 (<$1 except noted)

1905-07
82,83,($5+),84,85,86,87,88,89(<$1 except noted)

1912-13
92,93,94,95,96,97,99,(<$1)
100($2+)
103,104,105,107,(<$1)

1915-21 perf 14
108,109,110,111,112,113,114,115,116,117,118, (<$1)
119,120 ($1+-$2+)
Note: 116-120(<$1-$5+) with minor numbers  perf 15 available.

1919
123(<$1)

1919 King Albert in Trench Helmet
124,125, (<$1)

1920 King Albert in Trench Helmet
126,127,128 (<$1)

1920
139(<$1)

1921 semi-postals surcharged
140,141,142,143 (<$1)

1921-23
144,146 3c fawn (<$1) Note: "fawn" in catalogue is "terra cotta" in BB.
147,148,149,150,151,152,154,156, (<$1)
162,163,165,167, (<$1)

1926-28
145,153,155,158,185,186,187,159 (<$1)
160,161,188,(<$1)
189($1+)

1927 surcharged
191,192,193 (<$1)

1929-30
195,196,197 (<$1)

(1929-30)
198,199,200,201,202,203,204,205,206,207,208,209, (<$1)

1930
218,219,220, (<$1-$1+)

1932 Balloon
251,252 (<$1-$2+)
253 ($11+)

1930
216,217 (<$1)

1931
227,229,230,231,(<$1)

1932 Gleaner, Mercury
245,246,247,248,249,250,(<$1)

1934 King Albert memorial issue
257(<$1)

1934
258,259,260,261, (<$1)

1934-35 King Leopold III
262,263 (<$1)

1935 King Leopold III
264 (<$1)

1936-38
265,266,267,268 dark violet (<$1) Note: "dark violet" in catalogue is "indigo" in BB.
269,270,271,272,273,274,275,(<$1)
284 1F rose carmine King Leopold III (<$1)

1936-40 King Leopold III
294,295,296,298,299 (<$1)
301,302,303 (<$1)

1937
309,310(<$1)

1938
317(<$1)

1938
318,319,320,321 (<$1)

Semi-Postal stamps
1910
B1,B2,B3,B4,B5,B6,B7,B8 ($1+-$5+)

1914
B28,B25,B26,B27($40+),B29 ($1+-$5+ except noted)

1915
B31,B32,B33 ($3-$10+)

1918
B34,B35,B36,B37,B38, B39,B40, (<$1-$5+)

1920
B48,B49,B50 ($1+-$2+)

1925
B53,B54,B55 (<$1-$1+)

1922-1923-1926
B51,B52,B56 (<$1-$2+)

1926
B62,B59,B60,B61,B63($5+), (<$1 except noted)

1927
B64,B65,B66,B67,B68 (<$1-$4+)

1928
B69,B70,B71,B72, (<$1-$1+)
B74($21) Note: B73($2+) was not used; instead  B74

1928-31
B78,B79,B80,B81, B82($10+),B94, (<$1 except noted)
B93,B95,B96,B97 (<$1-$5+)

1930
B99,B100,B101,B102 (<$1)
B103,B104 ($5+-$2+)

1931
B107,B108,B109,B110,B111($5+),B112($2+), (<$1-$1+ eN)

1932
B114,B115,B116 (<$1-$2+)

(1933) Restoration of Orval Abbey
B132 ($57+), B133,B135,B136,B134 ($52+ except noted)
Note: Four $52+ stamps and a $57+ stamp! Counterfeits exist.

B125,B126,B127,B128 (<$1-$1)

1933
B144,B145,B146 ($1+-$2+)
B147($10+)

1934
B151 ($5+)

1934
B156,B157,B158,B159 ($1-$2+)

1935
B163,B164,B165 (<$1-$2+)

1935
B166,B167,B168 (<$1-$2+)

(1935)
B170,B171,B172,B173 (<$1)
B174,B175,B176,B177 (<$1-$2+)

1936
B180,B181,B182,B183 (<$1)
B184,B185,B186,B187,B188 (<$1-$2+)

1937
B189,B190,B191,B192, (<$1-$1+)
B193,B194,B195,B196, (<$1-$5+)

(1937)
B200,B201,B202,B203 (<$1)
B204,B205,B206,B207 (<$1-$5+)

(1937)
B197,B198 (<$1)

1938
B209,B210,B211,B212,B213 (<$1-$2+)

(1938)
B225,B226,B227,B228,(<$1)
B229,B230,B231,B232, (<$1-$10+)

1938
B214,B215,B216,B217,(<$1)
B218,B220($11+),B219,(<$1 except noted)

1939
B233,B234,B235,B237,B239, (<$1-$1+)
B236,B238, (<$1)
B240($6+)

1939
B244,B245,B246,B247($15),B242, (<$1-$4+ except noted)
B241,B248($19),B243, (<$1 except noted)

1939
B249,B252,B253,B250,B251($2+)
Note: These semi-postals are NOT in the '69 or '97 edition; only the '47 and '41 editions.


1940
B256,B257,B258,B259, (<$1)
B260,B261,B262,B263, ($1+-$10+)
B265,B266,B267,B268 (<$1)

Air Post stamps
1930
C1,C2,C3,C4 (<$1)

Special Delivery stamps
1929
E1,E2, (<$1)
E3,E4, ($5+)

1931
E5($2+)

Postage Due
1895-1915
J3 (<$1)
Five blank spaces: suggest J4,J5,J6,J7,J8 or J9 (<$1-$5)
Note: 1916 issue "not eligible"

1922-32
J22(<$1)
Ten blank spaces: suggest J23,J24,J25,J26,J27,J28,J29,J30,J31,J32 (<$1)

Official stamps
1929-38 overprinted
Sixteen blank spaces: suggest 20 stamp choices O1,O2,O3,O4,O7,O8,O9,O10,O11,O12,O16,O17,O18,O19,O20,O21,O22,O23,O24,O25 (<$1)

Newspaper stamps
1928-29 Parcel post stamps of 1923-27 overprinted "Journaux Dagbladen 1928"
P1,P2,P3,P4,P5,P6 (<$1)
P7 ($2+)
Note: 1929-31 series is ruled out for inclusion, as illustrated overprint is not the same; therefore Big Blue does not provide room for the 1929-31 series.

Parcel Post (Railroad) stamps
1895-98
Q16,Q18,Q19,Q20 (<$1-$1+)
Q21,Q22,Q23, ($1-$2+)
Q24($15)

1902
Q25,Q26,Q27,Q28 ($1+)

1902-06
Q29,Q30,Q31,Q32 (<$1)
Q33,Q35,Q36,Q38,(<$1)
Q39,Q40,Q41 (<$1)
Q42,Q43,Q44,Q45 (<$1)

1912-14
Q34,Q37,Q46,Q47,Q48 (<$1)

1916-20

Note: The "1916-20" BB spaces consist of a selection from three issues: 10 stamps from the 1916 issue; 10 stamps from the 1920 issue; and 5 stamps from the 1920-21 issue.

(1916)

Q61 (<$1)
Seven blank spaces: suggest Q62,Q63,Q64,Q65,Q66,Q68,Q70, (<$1)
Q74 (<$1)
One blank space: suggest Q76(<$1)

(1920)
Q82 (<$1)
Eight blank spaces: suggest Q84,Q85,Q87,Q88,Q90,Q93,Q94,Q96 (<$1)
Q98 ($1+)

(1920-21)
Q103(<$1)
Three blank spaces: suggest Q104,Q105,Q106 (<$1)
Q117(<$1)

1923-31
Q139,Q140,Q141,Q142,Q143,Q144,(<$1)
Q145,Q146,Q147,Q148,Q149,(<$1)
Q150,Q151,Q152,Q153,(<$1)
Q154,Q155,Q156,Q157,(<$1)
Q158,Q159,Q160,Q161,(<$1)
Q162,Q163,Q164,Q165,(<$1)
Q166,Q167(<$1)
Q168,Q169,Q170,Q171,(<$1)
Q172,Q173 green surcharge,(<$1)

1922
Q132,Q133,Q134,Q135,Q136, (<$1)

1929-34
Q176,Q177,Q178 (<$1)
Blank space: suggest Q180 surcharged (<$1), as Q179 is $20+!

1934 Modern Locomotive
Q181,Q182,Q183 (<$1)

1935
Q184,Q185,Q186,Q187,Q188,Q189 (<$1)
Q190,Q191,Q192,(<$1)
Q193,Q194,Q195,Q196,(<$1)

1938
Q208,Q209,Q210, ($1+-<$1)

1939
Q211,Q212,Q213,Q214 ($2+)

German Occupation stamps
1914-15
N1,N2,N3,N4, (<$1)

1916
N11,N12,N13,N14,N15,N18,N19,N20,(<$1)

1917-18
N10,N16,N17,(<$1)

The 1929-31 Scott O8 10c olive green: More Officials, as well as Postage Dues and Parcel Posts are found in the '69 and '97 editions.

Kinds of Blue
The 1969 and 1997 editions are identical in content. The editions vary enough that I will break them down by category.

Regular issues (Advantage '47, '69, '97 editions)
The 1941 edition lacks the 1936-38 spaces for 265,274, and 284. Also, the 1941 lacks the 1936-40 spaces for 298,299,301,302,303,and 307. Of interest is the 1941 has TWO spaces for the 1.50 (294): a space for the "rose lilac"('41), and a space for the "rose"('39), that subsequently Scott demoted to a minor number (294b).

Semi-Postals
Actually the various editions do NOT have all the same semi-postals.

''69 & '97 edition
Lacks B249,B252,B253,B250,B251,($2+) compared to the '47 and '41 editions.

'41 edition
Lacks B27,B39,B40,B62,B63,B74 compared to the '47, '69 and '97 editions.

Total semi-postals
1947: 184
1969 & 1997: 179
1941: 178 ( But different mixture of missing semi-postals than '69 & '97)

Postage Dues ( Advantage '69 and '97 editions)
1895-1915
The '69 and '97 have two more spaces for suggested J7 or (J8 or J9) compared to the '47 and '41 editions.

1922-32
The '69 and '97 have 8 more stamp spaces for suggested J25-J32 compared to the '47 and '41 editions.

Official Stamps ( Advantage '69 and '97 editions)
1921-22
The '69 and '97 have 8 more spaces for suggested Q11-Q21 choices.

Parcel Post ( Advantage '69 and '97 editions)
1923-31
The '69 and '97 editions have 19 more spaces to cover completely Q139-Q172 compared to the '47 and '41 editions.

1935
The '69 and '97 has space for Q195 and Q196 compared to the '47 and '41 editions.

1938
The '69 and '97 has space for Q209 and Q210 compared to the '47 and '41 editions.

Bottom Line for Big Blue editions.
1) 1997 and the 1969 have all the stamps, only lacking 5 specific semi-postals from the '47 and '41 editions.
2) 1997 and the 1969 have 41 additional stamps in postage dues, officials, and parcel post outlined above compared to the '47 and '41 editions.
3) The 1947 has all the semi-postals, but lacks the 41 stamp space improvement that the '69 and '97 editions have.
4) The 1941 edition also lacks the 41 stamp spaces added by the '69 and '97, lacks 6 specific semi-postals compared to the '47 and '97 editions, AND lacks 9 regular stamp spaces found in the '47, '69, and '97 editions.

Note 7-2011: When I initially published this blog, I was under the assumption that the '69 did not have semi-postals, and the '97 restored them from the '47 and '41 editions. I was wrong. ;-) The '69 edition I consulted had all the semi-postal pages removed by a previous owner. The error was discovered when I checked the other '69 I have. So now the blog has been corrected to reflect that all the editions have semi-postals; just not exactly the same ones. ;-) See above for specifics.

1902-06 Q45 3fr black & ultramarine

Railway/ Parcel Post: "Winged Wheel"

Big Blue Bottom Line
Big Blue provides 549 stamp spaces for Belgium, admittedly quite generous. Still, around 200 stamps could be added by the Big Blue collector.

Links
Bud's Big Blue - Belgium

Comments appreciated!

Bechuanaland Protectorate

1932 Scott 105 1/2p green "George V, Cattle and Baobab Tree"

Quick History
Bechuanaland Protectorate was located north of the Union of South Africa, east of South-West Africa, and bounded by Angola and Southern Rhodesia. The country of 120,000 (In 1904) with a capital of Vryburg ( to 1895), then Mafeking, was a "Protectorate" of Great Britain until it achieved its' independence as the Republic of Botswana in 1966. Initially, the stamps of Bechuanaland were overprinted "Protectorate" in 1885. Yes a bit confusing. A southern part of the Protectorate with a population of 70,000 (1891),  was divided off, called "British Bechuanaland", ( including the former  Stellaland), and  also issued stamps until it was eventually annexed to the Cape of Good Hope Colony in 1895.

Big Blue Picture

On one page, Big Blue (1997), beginning in 1898,  has 36 stamp spaces. The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue lists 91 major stamp descriptions beginning in 1888.

Coverage by Big Blue of the Bechuanaland Protectorate issues is 40%. I'll have more to say about that in a bit.

I found an additional 15 stamps (including earlier coverage and postage dues) that are reasonably priced (<$1-$10+) , and could be considered by the Big Blue collector. (Scott 60,61,67,68,72,74,82,91,131,J1,J2,J3,J4,J5,J6).

But the real scandal is no apparent coverage by Big Blue of Bechuanaland! The Scott catalogue lists 42 major varieties between 1885-1897. I found 22 stamps valued between <$1-$10+ that appear quite collectable. (Scott 5,6,7,10,11,12,13,14,15,16, 23,25,31,32,33,34,35,36,38,39,40,41,).

No room in Big Blue for British Bechuanaland!

Big Blue Checklist
1898-1901 overprint
69,75,70,71 (<$1-$2+)

1904-12 overprint
76,77(<$1-$2+)

1912 overprint
82 (<$1)

1914-26 overprint (King George V issues)
83 or 96, 84 or 97, 85,86,87,88, 89 or 102, 90 or 103($50+), (<$1-$5+ except noted)
Note: consists of Scott 83-90 1913-24 wmk 33; Scott 96-103 1925-27 wmk 35
Note: Some stamps in the series are ruled out because of different color than Big Blue specifies.

1932
105,106,107,108,109,110,111 (<$1)

1935 Silver Jubilee
117,118,119,120,($1-$5+)

1937 Coronation
121,122,123,(<$1)

1938
124,125,126,127,128,129,130,(<$1-$2+)

1932 Scott J4 1/2 p olive green Postage Due: found only in '47 and '41 editions.

Kinds of Blue
The 1969 and 1997 editions are identical.
The 1947 (and 1941) editions include Postage Due 1932  J4($5+) and J5($5+) that are NOT in the 1969 (and 1997) editions.
( I did check all the editions('97,'69,'47,'41); and indeed there is no coverage of Bechuanaland)

Big Blue Bottom Line
As usual, Big Blue could have been more generous with the coverage of the Bechuanaland Protectorate. But there is NO coverage of Bechuanaland, ... and never has been.

Links
Bechuanaland Protectorate - Bud's Big Blue

Comments appreciated!

Bavaria

3kr blue ('49), 3kr rose ('62), 6kr brown ('50) 
"Broken Circle Numerals"

Quick History
Bavaria, formerly Freistaat Bayern, is located in the south-east region of Germany. The Capital is Munich and the population was 7 million in 1919.  The Kingdom of Bavaria existed from 1806 to 1918. Bavaria was a German confederation member, and a part of the German Empire in 1870.

The first Bavarian stamp was issued in 1849. After WW1, it declared itself a Republic, but lost its' stamp issuing independence to the German Reich in 1920.

Trivia: A common joke in Germany is that Bavaria is not part of Germany, but "near it".

1919 Scott 153 5m deep blue "Volkstaadt Bayern"

Overprinted during the short lived Bavarian Socialist Republic April-May, 1919

Big Blue Picture
Big Blue (1997) has 9 pages for Bavaria. ( Note: The 1997 edition uses more pages for the same coverage provided by the 1969 edition. I will also not "count" the blank pages that now are quite common.) There are 289 stamp spaces.
The 2011 Scott classic Specialized catalogue has 361 major stamp descriptions.
Coverage by Big Blue is 80%.


Although Big Blue has a quite generous helping of Bavaria, there are some additional possibilities for the collector. Here listed below:
Some nice classic Imperfs can be had for a reasonable price.
1862 Imperf
11 6K blue ($5+)
12 9K blister ($10+)


1867 Imperf
17 6K ultra ($10+)
19 7K ultra ($10+)


1870-73

Pick up the "non-chosen" 23 or 23a, 24 or 24a, 26 or 26b from checklist.

1875

33,34,35 (<$1-$3+) Note: These inexpensive issues "could" have replaced some more expensive stamps in the 1870-73 listing in Big Blue, but ruled out in Big Blue by a later date of issue!

1876-1900

Pick up all the stamps not chosen in the checklist.

In addition: 38,41,60a,63a,66a,70a,73 (<$1-$2+)

1914

101($1+)

1919

231,232,233 (<$1)

1920

234, 235,236 (<$1)

1920 (surcharged)

237(<$1)

1920

270A (<$1)

Postage Dues

1870

12 1K black ($5+) Pick up a classic issue!

Official stamps

1908

O1,O5, (<$1+-$2+)

1916-17

O18(<$1)

1918

O32,O33 (<$1-$2+)

1916-17 Official stamps B12-B15 "Coat of Arms"

Big Blue Checklist
1849-62  Imperf
1K (Illustrated in Big Blue): Scott 9 yellow ($10+) or Scott 4 pink ($10+) or Scott 1 black ($700+) !
3K blue: Scott 2 ($2+)
3K rose: Scott 10 ($2+)
6K brown: Scott 5 ($5+)
9K yellow green: Scott 6 ($10+)


1867 Imperf
15 1K yellow green ($5+)
16 3K rose ($1+)


1870-73
23 or 23a ($1+-$5+), Note: Scott 33(<$1) 1875 issue; not "eligible"
24 or 24a (<$1-$2+), Note: Scott 34(<$1) 1875 issue; not "eligible"
25 ($20+), 
26 or 26b ($2+-$30+), Note: Scott 35($3+) 1875 issue;not "eligible" 
27($2+),
28($2+), 
30($5+) Note "dull brick red" in catalogue is "red" in Big Blue
Note: Major numbers have wmk 92, Minor numbers have wmk 93, 1875 issues wmk 94.


1876-1900
3 Pf green 48 or 59,(<$1-$2+)  Note: Scott 38($1+) 3 Pf light green is ruled out by color.
5 Pf  dark green 62a or 39,(<$1-$5+)
5 pf lilac 49 or 61 or 40, ($1+,$2+,$10+)
10 Pf carmine  63 or 50, (<$1) Note: Scott 41(<$1) is rose, Scott 63a (<$1) is carmine red; R/o by color
20 Pf ultra 64 or 51 or 64a or 42, (<$1-$2+)
25 Pf yellow brown 52 or 43 or 65, ($2+-$5+)
50 Pf scarlet 44, ($2+)
50 Pf deep brown 53 or 69, ($2+)
1 M (Illustrated in Big Blue) Both the Scott 54($1+) rose or the Scott 46($80+) !!! violet are eligible.
2 M orange 55 or 47 ($2+-$5+)
3 M olive gray 56($10+) Note: Scott 75 ($10+) issued in 1911 doesn't fit dates.
5 M yellow green 57($10+) Note: Scott 76($10+) pale yellow green issued in 1911 fits neither color or dates.
Note: Big Blue lumps four issues separated by dates together.


1890-1900
58,60,62,66,67,68,70(<$1)
71($2+)


1911 Prince Regent Luitpold
77,78,79,80,(<$1)
81($1+)
82,83(<$1)
84,84a($1+)
85($2+)
86,87 ($1+-$2+)
92,93 (<$1)


1914 King Ludwig III
95,96($1+), 98($1+),102,103,104,105,(<$1 except noted)
106,107,108,109,110,111,112 (<$1)
113,114 ($1+-$2+)


1916-19
94,115,97,99,100, (<$1)


1919
117,118,119,120,121 (<$1)
122,123,124,125,126,127,128,129, (<$1)
130,131,132,133,134,135 (<$1)


(1919) overprinted Volkstaat Bayern
136,137,138,139,140,141,142, (<$1)
143,144,145,146,147,148,149,(<$1)
150,151,152,153,154, (<$1)
155 ($1+)

(1919) overprinted Volkstaat Bayern (Imperf)
156,157,158,159,160,161,162,(<$1)
163,164,165,166,167,168,169, (<$1)
170,171,172,173,174 (<$1)
175($1+)

1919 German stamps (1906-1919) overprinted Freistaat Bayern
176,177,178,179,180,181,182 (<$1)
183,184,185,186,187,188 (<$1)
189,190,191 ($1+)

1919-20  overprinted Freistaat Bayern
193,194,195,196,197,198,199, (<$1)
200,201,202,203,204,205,(<$1)
206,207,208,209,(<$1)
210,211 ($1+)

1919-20  overprinted Freistaat Bayern (Imperf)
212,213,214,215,216,217,218 (<$1)
219,220,221,222,223,224,225,(<$1)
226,227,228(<$1)
229,230($1+)

1920 Plowman etc
238,239,240,241,242,243,244,(<$1)
245,246,247,248,249,250,(<$1)


1920 Von Kaulbach's "Genius"
251,252,253, (<$1)
254($1+)

(1920) "Deutches Reich" overprinted
256,257,258,259,260,261,262,(<$1)
263,264,265,266,267,268,269,270 (<$1)
271,272,273,274,($2+)

Semi-Postal stamps
1919
B1,B2,B3, (<$1)

Postage Due
1876-95
J10(<$1), J4($10+), J5($5+),
Blank space: J8 or J6 (<$1-$2+)
Note J11,J12 (<$1-$1+) issued in 1903 too late for consideration.

Official stamps
1908
O2,O3,O4 (<$1)

1916-17
O6,O7,O8,O10,O11 (<$1)
O13($1+)
O15,O16,)17, (<$1)
O9,O12,O14 (<$1)
O19,($1+)

1919 overprinted Volkstaat Bayern
O20,O21,O22,O23,O24,O25,(<$1)
O26,O27,O28,O29,O30,O31 (<$1)

1920
O34,O35,O36,O37,O38,O39,(<$1)
O40,O41,O42,O43,O44,O45, (<$1)
O46,O47,O48,O49,O50,(<$1)
O51($1+)

1920 "Deutches Reich" overprinted
O52,O53,O54,O55,O56,O57 (<$1)
O58,O59,O60,O61,O62, (<$1)
O63($1+)
O64,O65,O66,O67,O68 (<$1)
O69 ($5+)

If you like the classic era, Big Blue '69 &'97 provide more coverage.

Kinds of Blue
The 1997 and 1969 editions are identical (except the 1997 edition uses more pages).
The 1997 and 1969 editions include four more stamps in the classic era: specifically 1870-73 Scott 25 6k bistre and Scott 30 18k red; 1876-1900 Scott 56 3m olive gray and Scott 57 5m yellow green. These are NOT in the 1947 and 1941 editions.

Big Blue Bottom Line

Bavaria has very inexpensive attractive stamps, some in jumbo sizes. But the quantity-some 160 stamps in 1919-1920! The stamps also seem to be quite common in worldwide collections.

Big Blue continues to keep Bavaria in the album, while other German States (Baden,Bergedorf, Bremen, Brunswick,Hanover,Oldenberg) have disappeared since the 1947 edition. Scott, please bring them back!

Links
Bavaria 1849-1862 & Mill Wheel Cancels
Bavaria "Coat of Arms" Issues 1867-1911
Bavaria - Bud's Big Blue

Comments appreciated!