BEYOND THE CATALOG

Washington, D.C., Manuscript Carrier Precancels (1850's) — A history of these plus illustrations of all four known carrier manuscript precancels from Washington, D.C.

A One-Frame Exhibit of U.S. Carrier Usages — Here's one of the areas I collect.

The Dies of the U.S. 2¢ Blackjack 1863-1868 — The Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue only notes two different dies for this stamp, and then only in the Proofs section. There are actually seven easily discernable varieties which came from three different dies. Learn how to tell them apart and learn which are the scarcer ones.

St. Thomas - La Guaira - Puerto Cabello Ship Letter Stamps 1864-1870 — Several different ships plied the triangle formed of La Guaira and Puerto Cabello in Venezuela and St. Thomas in the Danish West Indies. The stamps issued for their mail services can form a fascinating collection.

The First Issues of Serbia 1866-1867 — Describes the various printings of the coat of arms newspaper stamps and the Prince Michael issues, plus provides the plating of the newspaper stamps and a priced catalog of all the issues.