A wonderfully written book detailing many aspects of philately and history of the postal system.

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Product Description

The Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting, introduces the collector 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.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #190747 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .3 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 730 pages

Review
Table of Contents
Stamps of the United States
1. Stampless Covers
2. Postmasters' Provisionals
3. Series of 1847
4. Series of 1851 and 1857
5. Series of 1861 and 1869 Pictorials
6. Bank Notes of 1870-1894
7. Series of 1894
8. Series of 1902
9. Washington-Franklin Series
10. Series of 1922
11. Presidential Series
12. Liberty Series
13. Prominent Americans Issue
14. Americana Issue
15. Great Americans Issue
16. Transportation Coils
17. Late Twentieth Century Definitives
18. Nineteenth Century Commemoratives
19. Twentieth Century Commemoratives, 1901-1933
20. Twentieth Century Commemoratives, 1933-1971
21. Twentieth Century Commemoratives, 1971-2000
22. Twenty-first Century Stamps
23. Air Mail Stamps
24. Special Usage Stamps
25. Federal Revenue Stamps
26. State Revenues
27. U.S. Possessions, Usages Abroad, and Occupied Areas
28. Postal Stationery
29. Precancels and Perfins
30. Carriers' and Locals
31. Confederate States of America
History, Production, and Technology
32. United States Post Office Department
33. United States Postal Service
34. Bureau of Engraving and Printing
35. Stamp Production - The Flat Plate Press
36. Stamp Production - The Stickney Rotary Press
37. Stamp Production - Modern Presses
38. Stamp Production - Modern Private Printers
39. Stamp Separation, 1857-1980
40. Stamp Separation, Since 1980
41. Self-Adhesive Stamps
42. Watermarks
43. Plate Construction and Layout
44. Plate Numbers
45. Marginal Markings
46. Plate Varieties
47. Stamps in Booklets, 1900-1977
48. Stamps in Booklets, Since 1977
49. Stamps in Coil Rolls, 1907-1980
50. Stamps in Coil Rolls, Post 1980
51. Inks, Colors, Papers, and Gum
52. Errors, Freaks, and Oddities
53. Essays and Proofs
54. Luminescence
55. Test Stamps Expanding the Collector's Scope
56. United States Stamp Society
57. United States Stamp Research
58. Postal History - Markings
59. Rates and Classifications
60. First Day Covers
61. Meters and Machine Generated Postage
62. Philately Never Ends --Table of Contents

About the Author
THE EDITORS: Rodney A. Juell (Joliet, IL) has been a general collector of United States stamps since the age of ten. He is a member of numerous philatelic organizations, including the American Philatelic Society and the United States Stamp Society. He is a member of the Board of Governors of the United States Stamp Society and has written for its publication, The United States Specialist. Steven J. Rod (South Orange, NJ) has been a collector of United States stamps since 1956. He is a former contributing editor of LinnÂ’s Stamp News and was elected to the APS Philatelic Writers Hall of Fame and serves as Vice President and General Exhibition Chairman of NY2016, the once-a-decade International Philatelic Exhibition to be held in New York City in 2016.