Most expensive stamps in Big Blue: Aden-Czechoslovakia

Cape of Good Hope 

1857 Scott 3 1p rose "Hope" Seated

Big Blue Picture

I'm done with the 72 countries or blog entities listed alphabetically from Aden to Czechoslovakia in Big Blue, and it might be of some interest to rank the most expensive stamps with a catalogue threshold of $35. Obviously, the ranking will change as I get further along in the countries. I plan to update the ranking when enough new countries have been reviewed; next would be after the D’s and E's.

A few comments first...

The “C” countries added a significant number of stamps to the list; some classic, some quite surprising.

Some larger countries, such as Chile, Colombia, Congo (Belgian Congo), Costa Rica and Cuba have no stamps on the list. A special mention needs to go to Czechoslovakia. With 274 stamp spaces in Big Blue, the most expensive stamp is a 1920 overprinted Sokol issue semi-postal (B142) @ $12+.

Some countries, such as the Cook Islands and Castellorizo, generally had expensive stamps, but none quite reached the $35 threshold.

But other quite obscure or smaller countries had entries, such as Cape Juby (2!), Canal Zone, Ceylon, Chad (2!), Cape Verde, Cyprus and Cyrenaica. Chad and Cape Verde, in particular, were quite inexpensive, but still managed to put candidates on the list. In contrast, Cochin China, a former French colony, has 4 stamps in Big Blue with two that are on this list.

The classic Cape of Good Hope Triangulars naturally are on the list. And China has three entries; the Scott 78 1c on 3c red, ($250)- the MOST expensive stamp so far on the list, and two $50+ entries. Crete has a $120 entry. Three out of the six Confederate States of America stamps in Big Blue are on the list, the most expensive at $125.

What about the China Provinces expensive stamps, or the valuable Colombia 1917 E2 Special Delivery stamp found in the 1947 edition? Sorry, they are not eligible as they are not in the reference '97. But there is a "should have/could have" section in this blog where I list  the expensive stamps once found in Big Blue, but no more.

Now there is an elephant in the room. Or, to be more specific, a very large Maple Leaf.  ;-) What to do with Canada? Both the U.S. and Canada have much more comprehensive/expensive coverage compared with the rest of the world in Big Blue. Putting Canada in would frankly overwhelm the list. So there is a bit of a compromise. I put in the most expensive Canadian stamp (The three pence red “beaver”) in recognition of the wonderfully designed and classic Canadian stamps. This will serve as a marker for all expensive Canadian stamps. Elsewhere in this blog, there is a separate list of the Canadian stamps in Big Blue with a catalogue value greater than $35.

For all the “rules” of which stamps are eligible to be put on the list, see the end of this blog.

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

The List.....

1)China

$250 Scott 78 1c on 3c red

In 1897, China surcharged in black some Revenue stamps. One of them, the Scott 78 1c on 3c red, has been in Big Blue since at least 1941. The cost today? $250! Interestingly, the next stamp in the series, the Scott 79 2c on 3c red, was in Scott until 1969 when it was removed by the editors. Now the price for that stamp is way north of $350. Scott still provides a blank space next to the designated 1c on 3c red  under a "1897" age date. Although one could argue that a surcharged Revenue stamp- such as the Scott 79 listed above-is the most appropriate to choose, it is not mandatory. Scott only lists"1897" as the limiting criteria. Fortunately, there were 60! regular issue surcharged stamps issued in 1897. The least expensive are $10+-$20+, and look very good by comparison as a choice for the blank space.

2)Canada

$225 1852-57 Scott 4 Three pence red "Beaver"

Note: This is the most expensive of the Canadian stamps in Big Blue. The Three pence red “beaver” will serve as a marker for all the expensive Canadian stamps that reside in the Volume. I will not include other expensive Canadian stamps on this list, because frankly it would overwhelm the listing.

Scott used a much more liberal criteria for including expensive stamps for Canada, as it had for the United States. There are 29 Canadian stamps in Big Blue that “could” be put on the list, having exceeded the $35 catalogue value ; 13 of those have a value over $100. That compares to 32 stamps total that are now on the list from the rest of the world, and only 5 of those exceed $100. As compensation, I include in this blog a list of all the expensive Canadian stamps.

3)Cape of Good Hope

1853-64 Imperf (Triangulars) "Hope" Seated
One penny (Illustrated)
$210 Mint 1863-64 Scott 12 1p dark carmine

There are really three triangulars that are very close to each other in price that would work well. The Scott 12 ($210 mint) listed above, the 1853 Scott 1 1p brick red/bluish paper ($240 used), or the 1855-58 Scott 3 1p rose/white paper ($240 used). What a great classic stamp!

4)Crete

1909 (overprinted or surcharged)
$125 mint/$130 used 1909 Scott 97 5l on 20l carmine rose
Note: Scott 97 by default; no other choice for the blank space. Other 1909 stamps do not fit the space.

5)Confederate States of America

1861-62 Imperf

$125 1862 A1 design Scott 4 5c blue "Jefferson Davis"
Note: Other choice for this illustrated space would be 1861 Scott 1 5c green ($170+)

Other Confederate States stamps “on the list” are:
1863 Imperf
Scott 8 ($70) 1863 A5 design 2c brown red "Andrew Jackson"
Scott 13 ($40) 1863 A9 20c green "George Washington"

Note: I’m “lumping” all the Confederate States stamps into one entry.

Note: I’m keeping the U.S. “proper” off the list, as the entries would overwhelm, but elected to include the Confederate States.

6)Austria
$105 1854 Scott 1d  1kr yellow "Coat of Arms" Imperf
The other choice is 1850 Scott 1 for $115. A nice classic!

7)Cape Juby

1935 Overprinted Spanish Morocco 1935

$85 mint/used  Scott 57 25c crimson with black overprint

The1947 catalogue values this @ 75 cents, or ~$7.50 in today's prices. Obviously,a large increase above inflation. But since none of my Big Blue's have Cape Juby stamps, it will be awhile before I need to fill this space. :-)

8)Cyrenaica

1930 (1926 Italian semi-postals overprinted)
$85 mint B28 5L+1.50L indigo & green

9)Cochin China

1886-88
$72+ Scott 5 15c on half of 30c brown/bister
Note: Scott 5 exists mint; was prepared, but never issued. But it is in Scott. !?

Four stamps in Big Blue, and two make the "Most Expensive" list. !

10)Andorra (Spanish administration)

1929

$65 Scott 19a 30c olive brown (a 1933 issue-Perf 11 1/2)
A surprise, as the rest of the 6 stamps in the series are $1-$6. Did Big Blue actually intend to put this expensive stamp in? The alternative,1929 Scott 19 (Perf 14) is $160; and should perhaps actually have preference for inclusion as this is a 1929 series in BB.

11)Cape of Good Hope

Four penny "blue" (designated)
$60 1855-58 Scott 4 4p blue
Note: because of designated color, BB's only strictly correct choice; but other 4p issues include the 1863-64 Scott 13 4p dark blue ($60+), and the 1853 Scott 2 4p deep blue/lightly blued paper($120+).

12)Belgium

$57+ Scott B132 semi-postal 5c + 5c dull green "View of Old Abbey"

Intended for the restoration of Orval Abbey, Big Blue includes four more stamps in the set (B133,B134,B135,B136) for $52+ each: $263 total! Of interest is that the '97 Big Blue cut out the 1939 "Restoration of Orval Abbey" semi-postals (B250-B253) priced at only $2+-$3+, but kept this set in.

13)China

1928 Marshal Chang Tso-lin

$55 279 $1 red

14)Austria: Lombardy-Venetia
$52 1864-65 Scott 21 3s green
A classic issue, the other choice for the space is the 1863 Scott 16 3s green for $125.

15)China

1929 President Chang Kai-shek

$50 283 $1 dark red

16)Alaouites

$50 1929-30 Air Post Scott C21 Syrian stamp 15p on 25p (Bk & R) surcharged and overprinted, with additional overprint of plane.
Actually an attractive collectible stamp with the airplane overprint. Not too surprised, as all nine of the Alaouites Air Post stamps in Big Blue are not cheap.

17)Cape Juby

1934 overprinted Spanish Morocco stamps 

$50 Scott 50 1p yellow green
The Scott 1947 catalogue values Scott 50 @ $1; which is about $10 today based on inflation rates. So clearly, the stamp price has increased much more.
Note: This is a blank space choice; other choices are $100+ and $120.
Note: Blank space requires a horizontal format; there is a Scott 53 @ $2+, but a vertical format stamp, and doesn't fit!

18)Canal Zone

1924-25 Overprinted U.S. Postage Due
$50 used J14 10c deep claret

 Note: I’m keeping the U.S. “proper” off the list, as the entries would overwhelm, but elected to include the Canal Zone overprinted U.S. postage due.

19)Cochin China

$45 used Scott 4 5c on 25c black/rose with "c" overprint

20)Australia

$44 1913 Scott 7 5p orange brown "Kangaroo"
(Also $35 Australia 1913 Scott 6 4p orange "Kangaroo") The classic first issues of Australia, I love 'em!

21)Ceylon

1857 Queen Victoria (Imperf)
one penny (illustrated)

$42+ Scott 3 1p deep turquoise 

I love this classic stamp - nice!

Note: other choice would be Scott 1p blue ($250+)
Note: A judgement call : I interpret the "1857" date by BB strictly, and do NOT include the less expensive perforated 1861,1863, and 1863-67 one penny issues. If BB wanted us to consider the latter issues, they should have printed "1857-67" for the space. If you wish to put perforated issues into the space, just alter BB's date to "1857-67".

22)Cyprus

1934 King George V/Pictorials
$42+ Scott 134 18 pi olive green & black "Buyuk Khan,Nicosia"

23)Chad

1927-33
$40 Scott 47 1.75fr  olive brown & violet

Note: two expensive stamps for Chad; the 1927-33 Scott 47 1.75fr  olive brown & violet ($40), and the 1930 postage due  J22 3fr deep red & brown ($35 mint). The smaller stamp issuing entities in Big Blue seem to have these surprisingly expensive 1930's era stamps.
Note: The 1933 issue Scott 47 is a higher denomination stamp, and the most expensive of the thirty-two stamps in the issue. Big Blue did not choose to put in Scott 39,43,44,48 of the series: all much cheaper at $1+-$2+.

24)Cape Verde

1926 Ceres A6 design

$40 1926 Scott 182 10e pink
Note: This choice is forced by blank space.
Note: I'm giving the blank space choices for the '26 Ceres issues as that is clearly the intent of BB.  But Scott now lumps all the A6 designed Ceres together under the "1914-26" dates. So if one wants to insert ANY A6 Ceres choice, then (alternative suggested) 165(<$1) and 168($2+) could be put here.

25)Bolivia
$40 1894 "Coat of Arms" Scott 46 100c brown rose "thin paper"
There are plenty of "thick paper" 1894 :Coat of Arms" series stamps fraudulently cancelled in Paris with heavy bars forming an oval. Value of set:$5  

26)Bahrain
$40 1933-34 Scott 13 2r brown-orange & carmine-rose
(Stamps of India, 1926-32, overprinted in Black: BAHRAIN)
Note: This is a large blank stamp space in Big Blue, and this is the least expensive choice for the space.


27)Albania

$37 X 5= $185 1940 Postage Dues Scott J40- J44 (Issued under Italian Dominion)
$37 Scott J40 4q red orange
$37 Scott J41 10q bright violet
$37 Scott J42 20q brown
$37 Scott J43 30q dark blue
$37 Scott J44 50q carmine rose
Note: There are 12 Albanian Postage dues for $1-$4 that are NOT in Big Blue, and Big Blue puts this expensive series in. An odd choice.

Addendum: Bob Skinner of “Filling Spaces” blog fame did an analysis of the 1943 Scott catalogue PD prices, and he found this set was reasonable back then.

28)Argentina

$35 1939 Scott 472  1.50p dark brown  "record and winged letter"
Note: Somehow issuing stamps for the mailing of phonograph records turned out not to be very popular. ;-)  So Argentina has a comparatively "rare" stamp instead.

29)Chad

1930
$35 mint J22 3fr deep red & brown

Note: Big Blue, uncharacteristically complete, includes the entire eleven stamp 1930 postage due series ending with J22.

1859 Scott 15 5c vermilion "Beaver"

The “Canada” list

1851-59
Three pence red "Beaver"
1852-57 Scott 4 ($220+) or 1851 Scott 1($1,000+)

1859 Scott 14 1c rose Queen Victoria ($80+)

1859 10c (illustrated)
Scott 17 red lilac ($140+) or Scott 16 black brown ($5,400+)

1859 Scott 15 5c vermilion "Beaver" ($37+)

1868 Large Queens

1c Scott 22 brown red ($100+) or Scott 23 yellow orange ($200+)

2c green Scott 24 ($90+)

3c red Scott 25 ($35)

6c dark brown Scott 27 ($120+)

12 1/2c blue Scott 28 ($100+)

15c Scott 29 gray violet ($50+) or Scott 30 gray ($50+)

1888-93 “small queens”

10c Scott 45 brown red ($50+) or 45a dull rose($50+) or 45b pink ($50+)

20c Scott 46 vermilion ($100+)

50c Scott 47 deep blue ($70+)

1897 The "older" Queen

Scott 73 10c brown violet ($70+)

1897 Jubilee issue
1/2c Scott 50 black ($110+)
5c Scott 54 deep blue ($40+)
Three blank spaces: suggest Scott 55 6c yellow brown ($170+) and Scott 56 8c dark violet ($60+) and Scott 57 10c brown violet ($110+)

1898 The "older" Queen  (Numerals on bottom corners, rather than maple leafs)

80 6c brown ($40+)

84 20c olive green ($100+)

1908 Quebec Tercentenary Issue

99 5c dark blue ($50+)
100 7c olive green ($100+)
Blank space: Suggest Scott 101 10c dark violet ($120+) or Scott 102 15c red orange ($120+)

1903-08 King Edward VII

94 20c olive green ($50+)
95  50c purple ($170+)

1923-24 Imperf  Note:spelled "Imperfect" in BB  ;-)
Scott 136 ($35) 1c Note: "yellow" in BB is "orange yellow" in Scott
Scott 137 2c green ($35)

1928 King George V & pictorials

158 50c dark blue Schooner "Bluenose" ($60+) Iconic design!

The should have/could have list

Here are expensive stamps that were in the ’47, but are not in the ’97, and therefore not eligible for the formal list.

$375 China 1897 Scott 79 2c on 3c red

$125 Bremen 1866-67 Scott 15 5 sgr green

$110 (mint) Bremen 1866-67 Scott 12 5gr black/rose

$62+ Bremen 1866-67 Scott 11 2gr orange

$60 Manchuria Province 1929 (Unification issue of China,1928 overprinted in red)
Scott 28 $1 dark red

$60 Colombia Special Delivery stamp 1917
Scott E1 5c gray green

$50 Brunswick 1862-63 1sgr blk/orange

$45 Sinkiang province 1929 (Unification issue of China, 1928 overprinted in red)
Scott 77 $1 dark red

$40 Manchuria Province (Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum issue of China overprinted in black)

Scott 32 $1 dark red

$37+ Sinkiang Province (Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum issue of China overprinted in black)

Scott 81 $1 dark red

The “rules”
A) I'm not going to include the United States, as we all know that Big Blue was more comprehensive with the "home" country, and there are a lot of costly 19th century stamps listed. Certainly, not least would be the Scott 2, the 10c black George Washington valued at $1200. Also some (many?) collectors keep their United States collection in other albums. I will not include Canada either, as again, there is a North American bias for the "home" area. Just to play fair, I will include the Three pence red "Beaver" 1852-57 Scott 4 ($220+) as a marker for Canadian stamps. See the separate “Canada” list in this blog. Finally,I will probably not include the Penny Black, Scott 1 1p valued at $325, although I might change my mind. Any album that claims stamp listings from "1840-1940" will necessarily include the Penny Black, but not for reasons of appropriateness.

B) The Country has to be on the roster of the "97 Big Blue, my reference. So China Provinces, for instance, are not included. See the “should have/could have” list for those that missed out.

C) The stamp will need to be actually the least expensive choice that works for the space provided by Big Blue. Yes there are quite expensive stamps that can be put in Big Blue, but if a cheaper stamp definitely works within the "intentions" of the space, the more expensive stamp doesn't count.


Note: For the "most expensive stamp" list in BB, I make exception to the general “binning” price listing policy and include the actual 2011 catalogue price.

If you enjoyed this post, or have some information to share, or have some constructive criticism, please share your thoughts and reactions in the "comment" section. Thanks!

Jim Jackson

Kinds of Blue: review of the "C" countries

1862 Scott 12 10c bright blue "Christopher Columbus"

Space for this classic stamp from Chile only found in '69 and '97 editions

Big Blue Picture for Kinds of Blue

For each country in Big Blue, there is a section called "Kinds of Blue" where any differences between the '41,'47,'69, and '97 editions is reviewed. But here, as we have done before, we will present all the "C" country listings in one convenient blog, and comment about overall trends.

Overview...

A) These countries are identical in content in ALL editions reviewed ('41,'47,'69,'97)

Canal Zone

Cape Verde

Caroline Islands

Chad

Cochin China

Confederate States of America

Cook Islands

Corfu

Crete

Cyrenaica

Comment: As has been seen before, a remarkable adhesion between the editions.

B) For the "C" countries/stamps in the '69 edition, the '97 edition was IDENTICAL in content in all cases.

Comment: NO changes! The '97 and '69 appear to be, with VERY few exceptions, IDENTICAL except the '97 is more spread out, and individual categories ( postage due, air post etc) have their own page. In my previous "Kinds of Blue" assessment for the "A" and "B" pages, I was more sanguine about the '97 adding significant -specifically Austria and Belgium semi-postals- sections compared to the '69.. I was wrong- the '69 actually had those sections. For a more detailed explanation, see Carinthia "Kinds of Blue".

Does that mean the '97 is a bad deal? No, not necessarily, in my opinion.  The edition can easily provide room for the stamps/sections/countries dropped in the '69, and for additional inexpensive stamps that could be added by the Big Blue collector. AND the '97 retains all the GOOD additions that were added to the '69.

C) The '69 editors strengthened the remaining sections of a number of countries that survived the well known '69 pruning.

Canada

Cape Judy

Chile

Colombia

Congo (Belgium Congo)

Costa Rica

Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovakia-Bohemia and Moravia-German Protectorate

Czechoslovakia-Slovakia-German Protectorate

Comment: My note about the Czechoslovakian additions/subtractions sums this up nicely...

"The most obvious difference is that the '47 and '41 include 13 Newspaper stamps and 3 Special delivery stamps in their editions. These BOB stamps were removed by the '69 editors, and did not return in the '97 edition. What is not so well known ( Well, I didn't know it ;-), is that the '69 and '97 editions offers 15 more semi-postals and 1 air post compared to the earlier editions. This follows the trend I've seen before where the '69 (and '97) removed some BOB stamps, while as compensation (sometimes) strengthened the other sections. So it is not as simple as saying the '47 is a "good" edition, while the '69 is a 'bad" edition. In one area the '47 might be better, while in others the '69 might be better."

D) Yes, the '69 did remove some countries, or large sections of a country.

Carinthia (actually 19 stamps were removed, and 19 stamps were added; see Carinthia section for detail)

China: Offices Abroad (Provinces)

Cilicia

Colombia: Colombian States

Comment: Not good, what can I say? For the '69 and '97 editions, the BB collector should find room for these "lost" countries/sections.

E) The '69 indeed did a purge: especially the BOB areas. Here is a list of the "C" counties affected.

Canada

Cayman Islands

Central Lithuania (Not '69 editors fault; Scott collapsed the Perf/Imperf varieties into only one major number)

Ceylon

China

Colombia

Congo (Belgium Congo)

Cuba

Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovakia-Bohemia and Moravia-German Protectorate

Czechoslovakia-Slovakia-German Protectorate

Comment: Most of these BOB stamps could be easily added back-especially if one has the '97 version. Of interest, though, the '69 editors removed some significantly expensive classic stamps from China. See the China section for specifics.

F) The '41 cannot keep up with the '47

 The '47, with few minor exceptions, is definitely the better edition, as the '41 is missing a number of (usually) 1930s era stamps. See the individual "Kinds of Blue" for each country for specifics.

G) Printing errors for the "C" countries in BB

Canada ('69,'97)

The '69 editors added two spaces ( Scott 50 1/2c black "illustration", and blank space) on the first page for the 1897 Jubilee issue, while NOT editing out the spaces for these stamps on the next page. This error remains in the '97 edition.

Ceylon ('69,'97)

The '69 and '97 have a printing error for the Scott 236 15c green on yellow space: "12c green on yellow" The '47 and '41 editions have the correct printing.


Cuba ('69,'97)
Printing error for date in BB for Postage Due "1918" J9,J10,J11 rose-red issue. Actually a 1927-28 issue. Change date in BB to 1927-28

Czechoslovakia ('41,'47,'69,'97)

Big Blue has a minor printing error for Czechoslovakia noted in all editions: BB has an illustration for Postage Due J59 10h dark red to begin the series; then has a description in the next space for J59, the 10h dark red-the same stamp! Just ignore the J59 illustration cut, and put in the J58 5h dark red.

Comment: For the permanently embedded errors, one would think that Scott had to be aware of them at some point. Were the errors left, so if the album was copied, they would have a "marker"? ;-)

H) "C" countries NOT in the table of contents in BB

Cochin China ('69)

Corfu ('69)

Cyprus ('97)

Comment: The lack of the '69 TOC not listing Cochin China and Corfu may account for reports in the past that these countries were missing from the '69 edition. As of this year (2011), Amos Advantage does not list Cyprus as an included country in their Part I 1840-1940 ('97) edition.

Now on to the specific "C" Country "Kinds of Blue"....

1939  Scott E9 10c on 20c dark carmine

 Special Delivery Stamp from Canada only found in the '69 and '97 Big Blues

"C" Country "Kinds of Blue"

Cameroun

The 1997 and 1969 editions are identical.

1939-40 issue (Compared to '41, eight stamp advantage for '47 -and '69 and ''97 BB)
The '41 has 2 illustrative, 4 descriptive and 2 blank spaces= 7 total spaces
The '69 has 2 illustrative, and 13 descriptive spaces= 15 total spaces
Therefore the '47 ( and '69 and '97) have spaces for 247,248,249,250,251,252,253,254, missing from '41.

Canada

The '69 and '97 editions are identical for content.

The '47(and '41) gives a space for "small queen" 1889 2c "blue green"($2+) - now a Scott minor number: 36d. The '69 editors (rightfully) removed this stamp space, so it is not found in the '69 and '97 editions.

Of note is Scott 41 3c "bright vermilion" in the '47 and ''41 editions becomes "vermilion" in the '69 and '97 editions.

Also, as mentioned earlier, the '69 editors added two spaces ( Scott 50 1/2c black "illustration", and blank space) on the first page for the 1897 Jubilee issue, while NOT editing out the spaces for these stamps on the next page. This error remains in the '97 edition.

The '69 (and '97) has a space for the 1939 special delivery Scott E9 ($6+). The '47 and '41 editions do not.

The '47 and '41 editions had a space for two 1875-79 Registration stamps (F1($5+) and F2($5+)). The spaces were removed in '69 (and '97) editions.

Canal Zone

The '41,'47,'69, and '97 editions are identical.

Cape Judy

The '69 and '97 editions are identical for content.

The '47 and '41 editions LACK 10 stamp spaces found in the '69 and '97 editions.

Specifically.....

The'69 and '97 editions have designated spaces for the 1937 Scott 77,78,79,80,81, and a space for blank space choice Scott 76. The '47 and '41 editions do NOT have spaces for these 1937 issue stamps.

The'69 and '97 editions have designated spaces for the 1939 Scott 86,87,88, and 89.
The '47 and '41 editions do NOT have spaces for these 1939 issue stamps.

Cape of Good Hope

The '97 and '69 editions are identical.
The '41 and '47 are also identical to the "69 and ''97 for content.
However, The '69 and '97 editions have a color change for two stamp spaces compared to the '47 and '41 editions.
Specifically the 1864-87 "Hope" Seated Issue..
6p Scott 18 and 37 "bright violet" in '97,'69, and 2011 and 1947 Scott catalogues is "violet" in '47 and '41 editions.
1s Scott 19 "yellow green" in '97,'69, and 2011 and 1947 Scott catalogues is "green" in
'47 and '41 editions.
Obviously, Scott changed the colors in the catalogue for these stamps sometime prior to 1947, and Big Blue then changed the color listing sometime later: certainly by 1969.

Cape Verde

The '97,'69,'47, and '41 are identical in content.

Carinthia (Missing C’s)

As noted in the Checklist, the '47 and '41 editions ,under the "Carinthia" entry have the Austrian and Slovenian semi-postals for the Carinthian Plebiscite.

My '69 editions and my '97 edition do not have a separate entry for "Carinthia". But as outlined above, one of my '69's and the '97 DO have the Austrian Carinthian Plebiscite stamps PLUS four more stamps to complete the set in the Austrian semi-postal section. But neither the '69 not the '97 have the Slovenian semi-postals in the Yugoslavia section.

I said "one" of my '69s because my other '69 edition has no Austrian semi-postal section! Very curious indeed. The '69 that has the semi-postals, including of course the Austrian Carinthian Plebiscite stamp spaces, has the same layout as the '97 edition. These layouts are different than the '47 and '41 semi-postal Austrian sections, so the '69 semi-postal section is NOT borrowed or inserted from an earlier edition.

So why doesn't the other '69 edition have an Austrian semi-postal section? Frankly, I don't know. Several possibilities....
a) The semi-postal section was removed for some reason before I acquired the album. Possible, as not everyone is interested in semi-postals.
b) There are several "sub-editions" or iterations of the '69 edition. I'm beginning to wonder if this might be the case, because I've had other reports of '69 editions with additions/deletions that did not square with my edition(s).

Caroline Islands

The '41,'47,'69, and '97 are all identical in content.

Catellorizo

The '41, '47, '69 and '97 editions are identical for content.
Note: the '41 and '47 editions have Castellorizo (and Caroline Islands) listed after Bolivia.

Cayman Islands

The '97 and '69 editions are identical for content.

The '47 and '41 editions have four war tax stamps (MR4,MR5,MR6,MR7($1+), (<$1 except noted).
These war tax stamps are NOT in the '69 and '97 editions.

The '41 edition does NOT have two 1938 issue stamps: Scott 108 1s red brown($1+), and the Scott 109 2s green($10+).
These stamps are in the '47, '69 and'97 editions.

Central Lithuania

The '69 and '97 editions are identical.
The '47 and '41 editions have twice the spaces (86 rather than 43), as they provide room for both the Perf and Imperf varieties of each stamp. But the "modern" Scott catalogue (2011 and earlier?) has collapsed the two separate Scott numbers for each variety into one Scott number. So each stamp design only "deserves" one space  in BB. The reality, of course is this: One will choose to only put perforated (or imperforated) stamps in the Album; or mix and match the two varieties with the spaces provided; or find extra space in the Album or elsewhere to separate them out.  Your choice.

Ceylon

The '69 and '97 are identical for content.

The '69 and '97 have a printing error for the Scott 236 15c green on yellow space: "12c green on yellow"

The '47 and '41 editions have the correct printing.

The '47 and '41 editions HAVE space for four Tax stamps.

1918

MR1 (<$1) Note "brown orange" in Scott is "orange" in BB

MR2(<$1)

MR3(<$1)

MR4(<$1)

The '69 and '97 do NOT have space for these tax stamps.

The '47 and '41 editions HAVE space for three Official stamps.

1895-1904 overprinted "On Service"

Three blank spaces: suggest O8,O9,O12,(<$1)

The '69 and "97 do NOT have space for these official stamps.

The '41 edition does NOT have space for two 1938 King George VI & local scenes/pictorials.

1938

Scott 287 1r($1+)

Scott 288 2r($2+)

These stamp spaces ARE in the '47, '69, and '97 editions

Finally embedded in the DNA of all my editions ('41, '47, '69, '97) is a printing error for a designated space.

1899-1900

Space designated "30c violet & orange brown": suggest Scott 141 75c black & orange brown ($5+).

See discussion Big Blue Picture.

Chad

The '97,'69, '47 and '41 are identical in content.

Chile

The '97 and '69 editions are identical in content.

The '47 and '41 provide two less stamp spaces in the classical era.
Specifically, there is no blank space under the 1853-65 Imperf Heading.  That effectively leaves out Scott 12 10c bright blue ($10+) or Scott 10 10c sky blue ($20+).
Also, the 1867 Perf stamps do not have a designated space for Scott 20c green:($2+).
The two spaces were added by the '69 editors, and remain in the '97 edition.

China

The "97 and '69 editions are identical in content.

The'47 (and '41) have some significant differences compared to the '69 and '97.
The most obvious is the inclusion on one page of China Province stamps, or "China: Offices Abroad". This page was removed by the '69 editors, and did not return in the '97. I will have much more to say about this topic in a separate post.

There were some quite high value classic stamps that were removed by the '69 editors.
1885 Imperial Dragon (In '47 and '41)
3c greenish yellow: Scott 12 or 15 ($40+)

Issues of the Chinese Government Post
1897-1907 surcharge (In '47 and '41)
1c on 1c red orange: Scott 48($10+) or 66($10+) or 29($20+) or 39($170+) or 57($240+)
2c on 2c light green: Scott 49($10+) or 30($10+) or 67($20+) or 40($250+) or 58 ($3000!)

1897 Revenue stamps surcharged in black (In '47 and '41)
The '69 and '97 have a blank space, so I found some modestly expensive 1897 surcharged - but not the uber expensive revenue stamp variety-to put there. But the '47 (and '41) make their intentions clear. They specify the 2c on 3c red revenue stamp (Scott 79). The cost? $350+!!!!! Perhaps the '69 editors removed it for that reason.

1898 "Chinese Imperial Post" Engraved in London (Stamp switch)
The 5c "yellow" in the '47 and '41, rather than the 5c "salmon"(Scott 102) in the '69 and '97. The "yellow" is now minor number Scott 115a ($20+).

No Blank space in '47 and '41 for the 1898 series. Eliminates a large choice selection: "Choices not taken, or 110,114,115,116,118,119,($2+)" In the plus camp for the '69 and '97!

No other differences in the '47 compared to the '69 and '97.

The '41 has some major differences with the '47 ( and '69 and '97) In fact, because of a totally different layout for 1-2 pages, it became a headache correlating the editions. But here goes...

1931-34  Dr Sun Yat-sen  (missing four stamp spaces in '41)
301, 294 or 304, 295 or 305, 296 or 306 (<$1-$2+)

The '41 does have the three 1920 semi-postal stamps -B1,B2,B3 ($1+-$2+)- that I suggested under "additionals". So these were removed in the '47 and subsequent editions.

1933-37 surcharged ('41 missing three stamps)
325,330,341

1932-40 Martyrs Issue ('41 missing four stamps)
3c deep yellow brown: 406 or 425
8c deep orange: 409 or 428
13c deep yellow green: 411 or 430
15c brown carmine: 412 or 431

Other stamps missing in the '41 include:
1938-40 Dr Sun Yat-sen
2c:349 etc
50c dark blue:386 etc
$5: 346 etc
$10: 362 etc
$20: 363 etc
The '41 does have the 10c green -Scott 354(<$1)-that is missing (for no good reason!) from the '47 and subsequent editions. The '41 also has a space for the "50c green"-Scott 439(<$1) that disappeared in the '47 and subsequent editions. Looking at these "removal" decisions, they really make no sense from a philatelic point of view. :-)

China: Offices Abroad (Provinces)

As noted, the overprinted Chinese provincial stamp coverage on one page was removed in the '69 edition, and did not return in the '97. The 31 stamp selection available in the "47 and '41 editions is outlined above.

Cilicia (Missing C’s)

The '47 and '41 editions are identical in content. Cilicia is not in the '69 and '97 editions.

Cochin China

The "97, '69, '47, and '41 editions are all the same in content. Cochin China is found in front of Brunei in the '69, and after Brunei in the '47 and '41. Curiously, I was unable to find Cochin China listed in the "Table of Contents" in the '69.

Colombia

The '69 and '97 editions are identical in content. The '69 editors appeared to  DROP all coverage of the Colombian States. I have two '69 editions, and neither one has Colombian States.  They did not return in the '97 edition. I will have a separate blog about the Colombian States coverage in the '47 and '41 editions.

The "47 and "41 editions do NOT have five classical era stamps spaces
Missing from the album are 1881 Scott 108($1+), 1883 Scott 122($2+) and one blank space ( suggest 123($1+)), and 1890-97 two blank spaces (suggest 147($2+) and 155(<$1)).

Also missing from the "47 and '41 editions are Air Post C101,C107,C108 ,C109(<$1-$5+).

Interestingly, only in the '47 edition will one find the 1932 Air Post Registration overprinted stamp.CF4 20c carmine ($5+).

The '47 and '41 editions of course do not have the Postal Tax stamp RA1 in two places-an error introduced by the '69 editors. The "47 and '41 DO have RA1 located in the 1935 regular stamp spaces, but do NOT have another space in the Postal Tax section.

Now the '47 and '41 editions DO have 16 spaces for Late Fee, City of Bogata, Registration, Acknowledgement of Receipt, and Special Delivery categories. This stamps were removed by the '69 editors, and not restored in the '97 edition. By the way, the Special Delivery E1 is $50+! Here is the list.

IN '47 edition and '41 editions.
Late fee stamp
1886,
I1($2+)

1892
I2 or I3 ($2+)

1902
I4($1+)

1914
I6($2+)

For City of Bogata
1889-1903
LX1,LX2,($1+)

Registration Stamp
1889-1917
F9* or F10 or F11 or F12, ($1+-$2+)
F19($2+)
F20(<$1)
F24(<$1)
*Note F9,10,11,12: different colors

Acknowledgement of Receipt stamp
1893-1904
H1* or H2($2+)
H3 ($2+)
H16($2+)

1917
H18($5+)
H19($2+)

Special Delivery stamp
1917
E1*($50+ mint)!
*Note E1: Most expensive Colombian stamp in BB for '47 and '41 editions.

The '41 edition is missing some additional Air Post - compared to the '47, '69, and '97 editions: C115, and Two blank spaces for C116 and C117.

Finally, the "41 has seven spaces for a "1940" Air Post issue (Four spaces illustrated: Scott C27-C30, and three blank spaces (could add C31-C33). But the issue didn't come out until 1941, so the spaces were subsequently removed from the '47 and later editions.

Colombian States (Missing C’s)

The '97 edition clearly does NOT have any Colombian States stamp spaces. I have two '69 editions, and NEITHER ONE has any Colombian states coverage.
The '47 and '41 editions are identical in coverage as outlined in the Big Blue Checklist section.

Confederate States of America

The '97,'69,'47, and '41 are identical in content.

1934 C12 5fr red brown "Fokker F VII over Congo"

Congo (Belgian Congo) Air Post stamp found only in '69 and '97 editions

Congo (Belgian Congo)

The '69 and '97 editions are identical in content.

The '47 and '41 ( in comparison to the '69 and '97), are  MISSING:
1931-37
150,152,153,(<$1)

Air Post
1930
C5,C6,($1+)

1934
C11,C12.,C13,(<$1)
Blank space: suggest C14($1+)

The '47 and '41 ( in comparison to the '69 and '97) HAS this addition.
Semi-postal
1918
B3(<$1)

The '47 and '41 editions are identical in content.

Cook Islands

The '97,'69,'47, and '41 editions are all identical in content. Note that the Cook Islands are located before Cyprus in the '69 edition. In the '47 and '41 editions, the Cook Islands are located after Congo (Belgian Congo).

Corfu

The '97,'69,'47, and '41 editions are identical in content. Note the Corfu section can be found at the bottom of the last page of Crete in the '69 and earlier editions. Surprisingly, if one checks the '69 table of contents list, Corfu is nowhere to be found. Corfu is listed in the table of contents in the '41 and '47 editions.

1926-37 Scott O78 45c brown & black

Official Stamp from Costa Rica found only in '69 & '97 Big Blue editions

Costa Rica

The "97 and '69 editions are identical in content.
The '47 and '41 editions are identical to the '97 and '69 EXCEPT the '47 and '41 editions have for the 1926-37 Official stamps ONLY SEVEN spaces (one illustrated and 6 blank), while the '69 and '97 editions have FOURTEEN spaces (one illustrated,10 descriptive, and 3 blank). This would effectively eliminate O77,O78,O90,O91,O79,O82,O83 (or another combination).

Crete

The '97,'69,'47, and '41 editions are all identical in content.

Cuba

The '69 and '97 editions are identical in content.

Unfortunately, the '69 editors dropped Special Delivery (Six stamps), Air Post Special Delivery (one stamp), and Newspaper stamps (Nineteen stamps). The specifics...

Special Delivery ( In '47 & '41)
1899
E2($10+)

1902
E3($1+)

1910
E4($2+)

1914-17
E5 or E6 (<$1-$1+)

Air Post Special Delivery (In '47 & '41)
1936
CE1($2+)

Newspaper stamps (In '47 & '41)
1888
P1,P2,P3,(<$1)

1890
P7,P8,P9,P10($1+),(<$1 eN)

1892
P13,P14,P15,P16,(<$1)

1894
P19,P20,P21,P22($1+),(<$1 eN)

1896
P25,P26,P27,P28($1+),(<$1 eN)

The '47, though, is missing Three Postage Dues.
What the '47 and '41 editions have printed:
1914-28
Illustration; 2c rose red, 5c rose red

The "rose reds" (J8-J10) were the 1927-28 issue. That eliminates the 1914 issue which is "carmine rose"
So "missing" in the '47 and '41 are:

1914 (In '69 & '97)

J5,J6,J7,($1+-$2+)

The "47 and "41, in the 1864 issue has a specified space: "1r p Blue on Salmon", which is Scott 20($1+). The '69 and '97 instead have a blank space which allows these choices: suggest 18(<$1) or 20($1+) or 21($5+).

Cyprus

Curiously, the "List of Countries" as advertised by Amos Advantage for 1997 edition Part 1A1 1840-1940, Aden-Ethiopia, does NOT list Cyprus, although Cyprus and pages are clearly in the '97 edition. An oversight, or an ominous portent for the next edition? ;-)

The "97 and '69 editions are identical in content.
The "47 and '41 editions, for the 19 space King George V 1912-25 issues, have a different arrangement of the stamps following more closely the date of issue, rather than following the denominations as in the '69 and '97. But the end result is the same coverage.

Finally, the '47 and '41 for the 1934 King George V/Pictorials have two blank spaces rather than providing illustrations for Scott 133 and 134. I suppose one could then add - although realistically it would seem unlikely-Scott 135 @ $70+ as a choice for the '47 and '41 editions.

Cyrenaica

The '97,'69,'47, and '41 editions are all identical in content.

Czechoslovakia

The most obvious difference is that the '47 and '41 include 13 Newspaper stamps and 3 Special delivery stamps in their editions. These BOB stamps were removed by the '69 editors, and did not return in the '97 edition. What is not so well known ( Well, I didn't know it ;-), is that the '69 and '97 editions offers 15 more semi-postals and 1 air post compared to the earlier editions. This follows the trend I've seen before where the '69 (and '97) removed some BOB stamps, while as compensation (sometimes) strengthened the other sections. So it is not as simple as saying the '47 is a "good" edition, while the '69 is a 'bad" edition. In one area the '47 might be better, while in others the '69 might be better.

The specifics....

Overall, the '69 and '97 are identical in content while the '47 and '41 are identical in content.

The semi-postals

The '69 and '97 HAVE spaces for B52,B53,blank space-B80?, and blank space-B87?.

The '69 and '97 HAVE spaces for B134,blank space-B135?, and blank space-B142?.

The '69 and '97 editions HAVE spaces for the 1936 series B144,B145,B146,B147,B148,B149,B150,B151

These 15 spaces for the semi-postals are NOT in the '47 or '41 editions.

Air Post

The '69 and '97 HAS a space for C17. This space is not available in the '47 and '41 editions.

Special delivery

The '47 and '41 HAVE spaces for e Special delivery stamps.

1918-21

E1,E2,E3, (<$1)

Note: on yellow paper.

The '69 and '97 do NOT have these spaces. Carve out a little room for them. ;-)

Newspaper stamps

1918-26

The '47 and '41 HAVE spaces for 13 Newspaper stamps: P1,P2,P3,P4,P5,P6,P7,P8,P9,P10,P11,P12,P13, (<$1)

All are priced at minimum catalogue value. The '69 and '97 editions do NOT have a place for Newspaper stamps. Clearly, one would want to create some space for these very inexpensive stamps.

1939-40 Scott 37 5k green "Prague"

Stamp from German Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia only found in '69 and '97 editions

Czechoslovakia-German Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, and of Slovakia

Bohemia and Moravia-German Protectorate

The '69 and '97 editions are identical in content.

The '69 and "97 editions have for 1939-40, Scott 37 & blank space-38. These stamps are NOT in the '47 and '41 editions.

The '69 and '97 editions have for Postage due J11 & Two blank spaces-J8,J10. These stamps are NOT in the '47 and '41 editions.

The '47 and '41 editions ADD coverage of personal delivery and newspaper stamps

Specifically...

Personal delivery ('41 & '47 editions)

1939

EX1,EX2,($1+)

Newspaper ('41 & '47 editions)

1939

P1,P2,P3,P4,P5,P6,P7,(<$1)

P8,P9,P10*,(<$1)

*Note: P10 is '40 issue overprinted "GD-OT"

Slovakia-German Protectorate

The '69 and '97 editions are identical in content.

The '69 and '97 editions have the for 1939, 43A ( a '42 issue) that is NOT in the '41 and '47 editions.

The '41 and '47 editions have the following ADDITIONAL stamps

1939

32,33,(<$1)

1939

34,35,36,37,($1+)

Semi-postal

1939

B1($2+)

Newspaper

1939

P10, P11 or P20, P12,P13,(<$1)

P14($1+) or P23, P15,P16($1+) or P25,P17($1+),P18($1+), (<$1 eN)

Note: alternative choices P20,P23,P25 are wmk 263 and '40 issues. Since BB specifies "1939", you decide if choices are eligible.

If you enjoyed this post, or have some information to share, or have some constructive criticism, please share your thoughts and reactions in the "comment" section.  Thanks!