The Stamp Atlas

Rating:
Summary: Cape Juby, Heligoland, and more
Review: As any stamp collector quickly finds out, there are a lot of countries that used to issue stamps that don't anymore. The history of postage stamps is linked to the history of the countries that issued them, which can make things very confusing without some background knowledge. As colonies changed hands, countries were occupied, and new nations came into being, new stamps were issued to carry the mail. It helps to have a good reference book to straighten things out.

"The Stamp Atlas" is such a book. It's an historical atlas, almanac and postal history reference all rolled into one. For each country, there are historical maps, brief write-ups concerning the political and postal history of the area (including the pre-stamp era), and illustrations of its stamps. There are also numerous maps of mail routes to get the postal historian going.

I resisted buying "The Stamp Atlas" for quite awhile, on the theory that most of its information was available elsewhere. That may be true, but it's a lot easier to have the basics in one concise volume. The only complaint I have is that the book's 1986 publication date makes it useless for the postal history of the last few decades. However, since many stamp collectors cut off their collections before the very recent period, that's less of a problem that it sounds. But an updated addition would be much appreciated.

Rating:
Summary: Don't leave home without it....
Review: This book is an invaluable reference for any stamp collector. If you collect worlwide stamps, owning this book is an absolute requirement!! It is well organized, very comprehensive and easy to use. Just owning this book has pointed out many holes in my collection by showing me the details of the political changes to which postage stamps are inherently tied. The world has changed much since 1986, however, and an updated version would be helpful at times.

Rating:
Summary: Don't leave home without it....
Review: This book is an invaluable reference for any stamp collector. If you collect worlwide stamps, owning this book is an absolute requirement!! It is well organized, very comprehensive and easy to use. Just owning this book has pointed out many holes in my collection by showing me the details of the political changes to which postage stamps are inherently tied. The world has changed much since 1986, however, and an updated version would be helpful at times.