EDITORIAL ADDITIONS HIGHLIGHT IMPROVEMENTS TO 2008 U.S. SPECIALIZED

Feverish marketplace activity in the buying and selling of rarities push values higher in the 2008 edition of the Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers. However, several significant editorial additions overshadow the valuing information.

The most important editorial change is the expanded treatment of the 3¢ stamps of the 1851-57 issues. Four new major numbers have been established for Nos. 10A, 11A, 25A and 26A. In the case of 26A, this is simply a matter of raising the well-established former minor number 26a to major number status as No. 26A. For Nos. 10A, 11A and 25A, it is a matter of recognizing in the Scott catalogue what serious collectors of these issues have distinguished for many, many years, and that is that there are two main types of these stamp designs, those with recut outer frame lines but no inner lines, and those with recut outer frame lines and also recut inner lines at the sides. The details concerning these changes are explained in a Special Feature article in the catalogue.

Other editorial enhancements include a completely rewritten introductory section on military postmarks on pages 34A-35A, replacing the previous sections titled "World War I Soldiers' Letters" and "World War II." The Military Postal History Society supplied the scans for the new illustrations and penned the new, expanded section.

Further enhancements this year include new information on stamp designers for Bureau of Engraving and Printing-produced stamps where such information was lacking before. New listings in the postage section for stamps in never-hinged condition have been carried over from Volume 1 for Nos. 182-191, and new listings for stamps in never-hinged condition have been introduced in Hawaii (for the Bank Note and later issues) and in the Philippines (for all the listings).

A number of imperforate and part-perforate issues between 1979-93 on gummed stamp paper have been determined to be proofs from the American Bank Note Co. archives. This has resulted in many new footnotes where appropriate explaining the error-like items, and it also has resulted in changing previous footnotes incorrectly referring to printer's waste to accurately reflect the real nature of the items. Five imperforates previously listed as errors have been reclassified as proofs.

The Special Handling stamps have been reordered and revalued to more accurately reflect scarcity and chronology. Also, significant enhancements to the Post Office Seals section include the addition of many new and improved illustrations plus the addition of new varieties (including a new section on Dead Letter Office return seals). In Ryukyu Islands, a new section on tuberculosis prevention seals has been added.

There are more than 3,000 value changes in the Postage section. There are also significant changes in the Postage Dues, Officials, Newspapers and Periodicals, Postal Stationery, Revenues and Confederate States. All totaled, more than 12,000 value changes were recorded. Additional valuing information can be found in the Fall edition of the United States Specialized Valuing Supplement, which values the more expensive U.S. stamps in eight different grades, from Very Good to Superb.

The overriding trend for values in the 2008 U.S. Specialized is the tremendous gains for Postage rarities. This starts with the 1851 1¢ blue type I, Scott 5, which jumps to $80,000 used from $55,000 in this year's Volume 1. Scott 27, the 1858 5¢ brick red, shows an amazing increase unused to $80,000 from just $35,000 last year, as the extreme rarity of this stamp in centered, original gum condition is being recognized by the collector and dealer community.

Other examples of note concerning rare stamps that have risen significantly (and sometimes astonishingly) in value during the past year include Scott Nos. 81 used; 85D used; 119b with inverted center and original gum (one known); 120b inverted center unused; 121b inverted center unused; many used 1875 re-issues and some unused re-issues (such as Nos. 180, 181, 203 and 204); 315 used single, pair and block of four; 362 used; and C3a unused and mint never hinged. Plate blocks of Nos. 276, 276A, 277, 278 and 313 have sold recently at prices far in advance of the old Scott values. Such plate blocks are very rare and seldom traded, and previous Scott values had not been adjusted. Considering their rarity, the new values are well justified.

In modern postage, there are numerous and moderate value increases for items that continue to remain somewhat elusive in the marketplace. In Air Post, in addition to the enormous increase in value of No. C3a, the 1930 65¢-$3.60 Zeppelins, Scott C13-C15, creep up to $2,600 from $2,525 in never-hinged condition. Used Offices in China stamps are significantly higher across the board, and the 1875 Officials special printings are up again by about 10 percent. Postage Currency values are much higher, and there are some significant value increases in Hawaii.

The cover price for the printed version of the 2008 U.S. Specialized is $65.99. The CD-ROM price for the Specialized is $59.99. The Fall 2008 U.S. Specialized Valuing Supplement is $16.99. A special package that includes the printed versions of U.S. Specialized and the Fall Valuing Supplement is $69.99. A package that includes print and CD-ROM versions of the Specialized is also available for $99.99. The Classic Specialized will be released 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