£5 Pound Orange

£5 Pound Orange by Dr John Horsley (IPDA Member)

This superbly illustrated 312 page book written by Dr. John Horsey covers all aspects of the £5 Orange.  For the first time under one cover this book contains the fruit of a lifetime’s research and presents a detailed analysis of over 3,500 £5 Oranges covering all aspects of this iconic stamp from essays; proofs; papers; trials; imprimaturs and specimens to its uses; cancellations; plate varieties; Officials; forgeries and related Cinderella items. Also included is an important section on the identification of forgeries and ‘enhancements’ and how to detect them including fake bluing, regumming, repairs, forged cancellations and fraudulent use.

It has received much acclaim, including reviews such as “The best philatelic book I have ever read” (Andrew Claridge).

Air Crash Mail of Imperial Airways and Predecessor Airlines

Air Crash Mail of Imperial Airways and Predecessor Airlines – by Ken Sanford (IPDA Member)

This 225 page book lists all the known crashes, interruptions and forced landings of Imperial Airways (Britain’s international airline between 1924 to 1940) and its predecessor airlines. This is the first time a book has been published detailing the crash mail of a single airline. The book includes a photo or illustration of nearly every Imperial Airways and predecessor aircraft that crashed or had a forced landing. It also shows a cover and every known variety of cachet, label, manuscript marking or post office explanation where mail has been recorded. There are 187 aircraft photos, 96 covers and 174 cachets shown, plus reproductions of newspaper clippings about Imperial Airways crashes.

The book is based on the author’s extensive collection of Imperial Airways crash mail as well as years of research by the author in archives, newspaper libraries, early aviation magazines and consulting over fifty books, magazines and other publications.

LZ-129 HINDENBURG, ZEPPELIN CRASH MAIL, by Dieter Leder

LZ-129 HINDENBURG, ZEPPELIN CRASH MAIL, by Dieter Leder.

Order from the author Dieter Leder by e-mail: zpj@arcor.de, or by mail at: Seepromenade 6, D-88709 Meersburg, Germany

On May 6, 1937, airship LZ-129 Hindenburg crashed at Lakehurst, NJ. Of the 17,000 pieces of mail onboard, only 372 were officially recovered. The Hindenburg is the most famous aircraft crash in history and Hindenburg crash covers are the most expensive of all crash covers.  The book describes the mail handling before and during the flight and all nine mail recovery operations. A 120-page census lists all recovered articles and illustrates them, if documented. Eastbound mail intended for the return flight is also part of the Hindenburg crash mail story.

The book is very well done and will be an essential reference for anyone interested in crash covers in general or Hindenburg crash covers specifically.

George V’s Obsession – a King and his stamps

George V’s Obsession – a King and his stamps by Jack Shamash

This is the first biography of King George V for over 30 years and tells the story of his life through his obsession with stamps. As a shy and deeply conservative person stamp collecting was one of the few areas of life in which he found true fulfillment. This book sheds life on the sheltered life of the royal family and also on the impulses which motivate collectors of all types. The author is a member of the Royal Philatelic Society London and writes for the Guardian, The Times and The Independent.

The Philatelic Book of Secrets

The Philatelic Book of Secrets  by Bruce McDonald 

A book to end the guess work about stamps. Ever wonder if your stamp has been re-gummed? Wonder at the meaning of the term “reperforated”? Or do you, like all collectors of stamps, simply want to be the best educated, the most learned as you possibly can be to better understand your hobby and protect your investment? 

The information you seek, until now, has been scattered far and in between in myriad locations, and often times are guarded secrets kept close by experts and dealers. But now, the Philatelic Book of Secrets is the ultimate all-in-one guide that will aid the collector, from casual to professional. The book includes many aspects of grading as well as many of the repairs, touchups, re-gums, forgeries, and other deceptions found in stamps today. Full color images taken under digital magnification offer clarity never before available to the general public. Part one of the book contains articles from top experts in the field and aid the collector in detecting repairs and forgeries. Part two is a comprehensive guide to stamp grading, fault identification, and much more.

Philately: The Art of Stamp Collection

Philately: The Art of Stamp Collection by John Sundararaj 

A wonderful book for beginners as well as anyone interested in stamp collecting. As the title of the book reads, the art of stamp collecting is well explained in the book. A must for all stamp collectors. Source Amazon Books.

A handbook, to help all collectors understand how to collect and what to collect and how stamps should be presented in an exhibition.  A handbook on philately which will be for everyone who collects and which  includes some basic thoughts to further the knowledge of newcomers to the hobby. It includes tips on soaking, types of stamps, types of cancellations, types of post offices, a few websites, and a glossary of philatelic terms.

Journal of the American Philatelic Research Library (PLR) 

Journal of the American Philatelic Research Library (PLR)

Not a book per se but a source of material. Philately is believed to produce more books, journals and periodicals than any other. The PLR, published quarterly and available by subscription, is one of the few journals concentrating on the publication of philatelic material. In addition to reporting on recent library acquisitions, the PLR provides reviews of books, catalogues and research papers. Ongoing features include publishing updates from new releases and research, to literature awards, and news of worldwide philatelic libraries. The Clearinghouse is a regular feature where readers list literature they want to buy or sell. Source:  stamps.org/Quarterly-Journal

Every stamp tells a story

Every stamp tells a story   A National Postal Museum publication

Published in 2014 and edited by Cheryl Ganz, the curator emerita of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, the book pulls back the curtain on the USA national stamp. It provides an engaging introduction to the National Philatelic Collection, with a focus on the United States. The book is organized to appeal to non-collectors. The 18 chapters are light on text and heavy on illustrations.  The captions accompanying the 121 figures are short and, for the most part, free of philatelic terminology. A reader can well appreciate the panorama of stamps and covers on display at the Gross gallery simply by looking at the figures, without referring at all to the chapter text.

Source: Linns Stamp News

The One-Cent Magenta: Inside the Quest to Own the World’s Most Valuable Stamp

The One-Cent Magenta: Inside the Quest to Own the World’s Most Valuable Stamp by James Barron

This book tells the story of the rare stamp that was sold at auction for $9.5 million in 2014. Written by New York Times reporter James Barron, the book was called “delightful” by a review in the Washington Post. The One-Cent Magenta is Barron’s jaunty romp through what he calls “Stamp World.” It’s the sort of oddball, breezy read that’s perfect for a long flight or train trip.  “It has been a record-setter time after time not because it is a stamp but because it is the only one of its kind,” Barron writes.

Source: Philatelic Literature & Research Companion blog to the Philatelic Literature Review, quarterly journal of the American Philatelic Research Library.

Passing in Review

Passing in Review by Herman L. Halle

An account of the political chaos that engulfed post-WWII Germany, largely told with original documents from that turbulent era. It covers German Post War Postal History from 1945 to 1949.

Persiphila Iran Classic Philatelic Reference (Volume 1 – Qajar Dynasty)  PersiCat 2007  – Review by Lee Coen

Persiphila Iran Classic Philatelic Reference (Volume 1 – Qajar Dynasty)  PersiCat 2007  – Review by Lee Coen

This is one, if not the, essential book to have for anyone collecting Iran philately.  This excellent reference book of 200+ pages contains a comprehensive listing of Iran fakes. forgeries and postal values. It is an awarded reference and if you have an interest in Iran philately this is a must have catalogue and reference guide.  To learn more about this and other reference books I recommend you visit www.persi.com. You can also order the book from this site.  If you have questions I welcome them at Lee Coen, IPDA Member 251.

Airmail – 100 Years of History  – The American Philatelist Monthly Journal of the American Philatelic Society

Airmail – 100 Years of History  – The American Philatelist – the Monthly Journal of the American Philatelic Society  – review submitted by member Michael Dodd

This is a free sample copy of the May 2018 issue of the journal which is likely to be of interest to aerophilatelists. A 216 page issue (including  many full page advertisements) but covering  an interesting array of historical aviation aspects including The Origin of Scheduled US Airmail, A “Chronicle of Early Airmail” capturing an insight into the early years of airmail and aviation taken from the American Philatelic Research Library (APRL) material,  and more. One interesting article was the excerpt from the book Stamp of the Century as  issued in May 2018 about the Inverted Jenny.  Overall, lots of interesting articles, old photographs and other images worth viewing.  The issue is available from this link –  http://digitaleditions.walsworthpri…ion_id=20118

The Al Raddi Collection of Scott 1285 Albert Einstein FDCs

The Al Raddi Collection of Scott 1285 Albert Einstein FDCs

A new book from the American First Day Cover Society chronicles a collector’s love for the 8-cent Albert Einstein stamp of 1966. The Al Raddi Collection of Scott 1285 Albert Einstein FDCs shows 163 different first day covers for the Prominent Americans issue.

Each of the cachets is shown in color. Raddi, from Michigan, invites readers to send information about other cachets that exist for this issue.

The book starts with a brief biography of the scientist, and information about both the U.S. Einstein stamp and those issued by other countries.

The Al Raddi Collection is available as a .pdf download from the AFDCS for $8 ($6 for members) or a printout may be purchased for $15 ($13) postpaid. Either version may be ordered from the AFDCS website by clicking this link. The printed version may also be ordered by mail from AFDCS Sales, PO Box 44, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-0044.

AFDCS PUBLISHES LAWRENCE WORK ON JENNY FIRST DAY COVERS

AFDCS PUBLISHES LAWRENCE WORK ON JENNY FIRST DAY COVERS

The Jenny airmails may be among America’s best-known stamps, but little is known about the first day covers of those stamps. In fact, well-known philatelic author and researcher Ken Lawrence says there may only be one genuine FDC.

First Day Covers of 1918 Air Post Stamps — Or Are They?  brings together in one volume four previously published articles, along with a new “afterword” essay by Lawrence and an introduction by aerophilatelic exhibitor Andrew McFarlane. The book is the latest publication from the American First Day Cover Society. Publication coincides with the centenary of both U.S. airmail service and the issuance of the first U.S. airmail stamps, depicting the “Jenny” airplane.“It’s difficult to believe that after all these years there could still be so many outstanding questions regarding these Jenny ‘first day’ covers,” writes McFarlane. “I think it’s safe to say that many of these questions can now be safely put to rest” by this book.

First Day Covers of 1918 Air Post Stamps — Or Are They? Is available as a .pdf download from the AFDCS for $12 ($10 for members) or a printout may be purchased for $20 ($17 member price) postpaid. Either version may be ordered from the AFDCS website by following this link. The printed version may also be ordered by mail from AFDCS Sales, PO Box 44, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-0044.