What’s New in the Library gives you:

• Recent Additions to the Library – click here for a listing of both new and older publications that have been added to the National Philatelic Society Library in recent months
  
  

• Philatelic Books – Taken from reviews that have appeared in the Society’s magazine, Stamp Lover, this section seeks to give an idea of the wide range of subjects covered by philately and philatelic literature, as represented by some of the additions to National PS Library of late.

The books listed here are only a small proportion of the philatelic books contained in the National PS Library - to search and browse the listings of over 5,000 philatelic books, plus a wide range of philatelic journals from around the world, click here to visit the National PS Library Books and Periodicals Search Page.

If you would like to donate any philatelic titles we would be very pleased to hear from you via email or by post to National PS (Library), The British Philatelic Centre,Charterhouse Street, London EC1M 6PT 

Updated: 2nd November 2005

Discovering Seahorses by Brian Kearsley. Approximately 300 pages and over 380 illustrations (some in colour). Published Great Britain Philatelic Society. Claimed to be the first comprehensive study of the King George V Seahorses stamps, the book describes the creation and printing of these popular stamps which were issued by the British Post Office about 90 years ago. The research took about six years and explains why and how the many changes occurred. The plates are identified, the quantities printed and the numerous varieties are disclosed, many of which are expected to be listed in the next Specialist Catalogue to be published. In addition a whole section is devoted to the overseas overprints. Checklists devoted to shades and varieties are also included. 

The Early Postcards of Zanzibar. Published by the East Africa Study Circle. 230 pages A4, perfect bound. Profusely illustrated and a fascinating book to those interested in these islands and this part of East Africa. The earliest card Listed illustrates a drawing of the Sultan’s palace and was posted from Dar es Salaam on 27th April 1897. Over 1,000 postcards are listed from 1897 onwards. These have been categorised with serial numbers, which in turn indicates that many cards have still to be traced and identified. It is hoped that readers who have collections of their own which contain any items not listed will be able to provide the author with information on these. Over the years the island was served by many shipping lines and was a stop­over anchorage where passengers often went ashore and acquired a selection of postcards for souvenirs or to post to friends and families. . 

Postal arrangements following the Liberation of Prague in May 1945 by Robert J Hill. Published by Czechoslovak Philatelic Society of Great Britain.  An interesting book, written 60 years after the liberation. Covers, stamps and cancellations are generously illustrated and the events of the liberation are very well described, with a Forward by Peter Kleskovic who was present in Prague at the time. 

Johannes Paul II by Hans G Schoen. 240 pages in colour. Hardback. This colourful book reproduces the very wide range of stamps and miniature sheets, which depict the late Pope and were issued between 16th October 1976 and 2^nd April 2005. There are many superb illustrations. Text in German. 

Insects on Stamps by Donald Wright Jr (American Topical Association Handbook No 150). The latest in this series of topical handbooks. This huge 460-page work covers insects on stamps issued from the beginning of 1992 until the end of 2002 with most of the issues of 2003. It picks up where ATA Handbook 123 left off. Part one of the new book is a listing by country and part two lists these small life forms by Taxonomic Order and Family. The book covers stylised, unidentified and implied insects in addition to those that are identifiable. All legitimate stamps and US postal stationery are included, but because many collectors have shown an interest in knowing about so-called “stamps” from some parts of the former Soviet Union and other illegal issues from various countries, these labels are also included “for the record’. Not listed are locals, revenues, cinderellas non-USA postal stationery or seals. Insects that are depicted in the areas surrounding stamps are identified with the word “border” to indicate the marginal’ area within the perforations and “margin” to indicate areas lying outside the individual stamp(s).

0SS Hitler Stamps - A philatelic study on a disputed stamp issue by Wolfgang Baldus. This study deals with the American forgeries and parodies of the German 6 and 12 pfennig Hitler head stamps that were produced for propaganda purposes during World War II.  Written in English this work looks at all sides of the arguments in an attempt to discover the truth behind the “fakes” and the “authentic stamps” Incontestably genuine stamps and copies from the disputed issue are compared in enlarged illustrations, having been scanned under the same conditions. 

The Ideal Stamp and The Ideal Postcards. Two booklets by Tim Rusden. When the first one-penny stamp was issued for the reign of King George V it received much public criticism. The Junior (now National) Philatelic Society decided to organise a competition to give the public, especially artists, the opportunity to design what was known as the ‘Ideal’ stamp (or label). The winning design was printed in considerable quantities for the 1912 Jubilee International Exhibition as a souvenir of the Exhibition and for a recruiting campaign for the Junior Philatelic Society. This stamp (or label) has fascinated many collectors of Great Britain stamps for nearly a century and this year two new booklets or catalogues have been produced entitled “The Ideal Stamp” (16 pages) and The Ideal Stamp Postcard (8 pages). The main booklet lists all the different colours in which this stamp was printed,  together with cylinder numbers. The Postcards catalogue reports that these were sold at 1d each or seven for six pence. They were on sale at the International exhibition, but were unlikely to have been printed on location. They advertised the Show and included a two colour enlargement of the ‘Ideal stamp' This booklet also lists the colours used for printing.  

Stanley Gibbons How to Identify Stamps. 40 pages, card cover with coloured illustrations. A most useful book for the novice or less experienced collector, as it aims to assist those who need help in identifying the inscriptions on some of the stamps in Gibbons Stamps of the World Catalogue. There is also information on recognising unfamiliar script used by some countries. 

A Postal History of the Prisoners of War and Civilian Internees in East Asia during the Second World War (Volume 3 - Burma, Thailand, and Indochina, 1942-46 – The railway, the river and the bridge). By David Tett. Published by B.E A.Publishing, Wheathampstead, Herts. With a Forward by Terry Waite CBE, the book contains 380 pages of text and is very well illustrated, mainly in colour. This volume concentrates on the postal history of the POW’s and civilian internees in Burma, Thailand and Indochina, most of whom were British, Dutch, Australian or American. There are numerous reproductions of covers and cards. In addition lists are included of cards sent by POW’s, while POW “Letter” parties in Singapore and Malaya in 1945, are also mentioned. A massive bibliography of published books and articles is another feature.  

Togo Overprints on Stamps of the Gold Coast 1915-1920 By Peter Duggan. Published by West Africa Study Circle. 136 pages, A4 size, hardback, with some illustrations in colour. This is an in depth study of a dozen Gold Coast stamps bearing the head of King George V which were overprinted Togo Anglo-French Occupation in 1915 after French and British troops had occupied the German colony in World war I. The overprints were produced 1915 at Accra, Gold Coast, by the Government Printing Press. The printer made many variations in the style and position of the overprints and this book is a detailed study of the typefaces used for the overprints and the varying positions of the overprint on each stamp. A full set of the current Gold Coast stamps overprinted “Togo Anglo­-French Occupation” was also ordered from the well-known London printer Dc La Rue. There were fewer problems with this supply and the book contains data on how to distinguish between the stamps produced in London and those in Accra. 

The Aerogrammes of the Union of South Africa 1942-1961 by Eddie Bridges. Published by the South African Collectors Society. 96 A4 pages, card cover with many colour illustrations. In addition to the Introduction, the book contains eight chapters packed full of information on the origins of the Air Mail letter cards; stampless Air Mail letter cards; special Air Mail letter cards; the Springbok letter card; Military Air Letters; Civilian Air Letters; Inland Air Letters and unfranked commercial Air Letters. There is also a Bibliography plus Checklist and Cross Reference Listing.  

Medicine and Stamps – Volume 3 edited by Mark A. Shamp, Ph D. and Robert Kyle, M.A. Published jointly by Mayo Proceedings and Dowden Health Media Inc. 216 pages, hardback. An interesting volume containing over 200 pen-portraits of well known personalities who have appeared on stamps from many countries worldwide This book will form a very handy reference guide for collectors specialising in stamps issued to record achievements in medicine. 

The Victorian Era of British Stamps. An interesting 8-page paper published by the Postal Heritage Trust which provides basic notes on the reform of the postal system by Rowland Hill from 1837, the first stamps (1d Black and 2d Blue); perforations; a unified system; recess and letterpress stamp printing. 

The Stamps and Postal History of Nineteenth Century Samoa by Robert P Olldenweller RDP, FRPSL. Published by The Royal Philatelic Society, London and RPS, New Zealand. 416 pages, case bound with over 225 illustrations in colour. A mine of information covering the pre-post era (1836-1877); the Samoa Express and the Palm Trees issues; postage rates; manipulated and otherwise altered covers; two different catalogues; challenges for future students; Appendices; plus bibliography and a very thorough index.

Collect Motor Vehicles on Stamps, 1^st edition. 212 pages, black and white illustrations. An interesting  thematic catalogue.  

The Mail Road Across Land & Sea by Bo Andersson & others. 123-pages. An English language historical travel guide through three regions in Sweden. The book covers the postal history of three mail routes from the founding of the Swedish Post Office about 1636. The routes comprise the mail road between Stockholm and Grisslehamm, the mail road over Aland, and along the mail road to Turku/Abas.