MASSIVE NUMBER OF VALUE CHANGES IN RUSSIA AMONG HIGHLIGHTS IN VOLUME 5 OF THE 2008 SCOTT POSTAGE STAMP CATALOGUE

There are more than 14,000 value changes in this year's Volume 5 of the Standard catalogue, with Russia leading the way with 5,214 changes. "Collectors who are active in the worldwide stamp market will not be surprised to learn that Russia is by far the most active country in Volume 5 this year. The voluminous value changes cover all time periods," according to Scott Catalogue editor James Kloetzel.

As was the case with the previous volumes, a competitive stamp market, rather than currency exchange rates, has driven the increases.

In the classic era for Russia, recent auction sales of very fine stamps push the values of the 1858 10k-30k issues, Scott 2-4, much higher. The 10k brown and blue, Scott 2, leaps to $4,250 unused from $1,750 last year; the 20k blue and orange, Scott 3, moves to $5,750 unused and $850 used, from $3,000 and $750 respectively; and the 30k carmine and green, Scott 4, jumps to $6,250 unused and $1,750 used, from $4,500 unused and $1,250 used. Values for classic inverted centers have also increased substantially.

Value changes in early 20th century are a bit more scattered, but the increases in value are significant in this area also. One very noteworthy increase is for the 1922-28 1k-80k Lenin, Worker and Peasant set, Scott 382-400, which skyrockets to $55 unused and $14.30 used, from just $24 unused and $6.85 used in the 2007 Volume 5. Increases continue through the war years and after. The 1948 30k-1r Young Pioneers set, Scott 1284-1288, jumps to $100 unused and $29 used, from $56.50 unused and $19.25 used last year.

In the second half of the 20th century, there are a number of notable increases. The dollar figures may not match earlier changes, but many 25¢ or 30¢ stamps have become 50¢ stamps, and souvenir sheets that were $3 now are often $5 in value. Russia back-of-the-book issues mirror the postage listings in number of value increases and in the size of these increases in each time period.

More than 2,400 value changes were recorded in Peru, many of them substantial. They begin in 1895 and continue to the present day. Other countries with significant numbers of value changes include Peru, Palau, Philippines, Sarr and Senegal.

On the editorial side, seven new Postal-Fiscal stamps have been added in St. Vincent as Scott AR1-AR7. These $5, $10 and $20 stamps from the 1980-84-time period were intended primarily for fiscal use but were also authorized and commonly used for payment of postal charges.

In Philippines, the large 1991-93 flowers set, Scott 2048-2088, has been separated into two sets, the first inscribed "1991" below the design, and the second inscribed "1992" below the design. All of the latter stamps except one are minors of the former and are numbered in the separate set as Scott 2048a-2088a.

The cover price for the printed version of Volume 5 and each subsequent 2008 Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue Volume is $65.99. The CD-ROM price for Volume 5 is $59.99. A package that includes print and CD-ROM versions of Volume 5 is also available for $99.99. Volume 6 (Countries of the World Solomon Islands-Z) will be released in September, the U.S. Specialized and the Fall U.S. Specialized Valuing Supplement in October, and the Classic Specialized in November.

For more information about the 2008 Scott Catalogues and CDs contact your favorite stamp dealer or write to Scott Publishing Co., Box 828, Sidney OH 45365, or call 1-800-572-6885. Information can also be found online at www.amosadvantage.com