Customer Reviews

The Official Blackbook Price Guide to United States Postage Stamps 2010, 32nd Edition (Official Blackbook Price Guide to U.S. Postage Stamps)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Don't waste your money on this guide.

After reading the beginning chapter written by someone from the well respected Linn's Stamp News and titled "Linn's Look at the New Stamp Issues," I had to check the cover to make sure I had the 2010 Blackbook. That opening chapter is about stamps issued in 2007 and compares them to 2006 issues. Did someone forget to change that chapter from a previous guide? Ouch! Not a good way to instill confidence in your guide by not updating the first chapter.

So then I figured I better check to see that the stamp listings were at least a little more recent than 2007. To my initial relief, I saw the listings included stamps for 2009. But there was only one problem . . .

The stamps listed as 2009 were actually the stamps issued in 2008! The 2008 listings were for 2007 stamps and the 2007 listings were for 2006 stamps!

But then it didn't end there, it actually gets worse.

The stamps issued in 2003, 2004, and 2005 are listed under 2002. And the headings for the stamps issued in 2001 and 2002 start a couple of pages too late, meaning that some 2002 stamps are listed in 2001 and some 2001 stamps are listed in 2000.

Ugh! What a mess. Need I say more.

The only reason I gave it two stars instead of one is that there were some nice articles in the guide. But the mistakes in the stamp listings make me doubt the accuracy of all the data in those listings. So what's the point in owning a guide you don't trust?

This is supposed to be a 2010 catalogue, yet the latest airmail stamps listed are from 2001. None of the seven airmails issued since then--or any variety thereof--is included. Moreover, all the airmail stamps that the USPS issued from 1993 to 2001 are listed under the year 1993. The semi-postal page lists Scott B1 and B2, but B3 is not listed. None of the newspaper stamps issued from 1865 to 1895 is listed. Even at the low price, this catalogue is not a good buy. From now on, I'm going to buy the Scott Pocket Stamp Catalogue instead.

This should be a standard for all who are interested in stamps,
stamp collectors and those who are courious about stamp values.
Its handy size is perfect, handbook size to take in the car, glove box
or in your briefcase. If your thinking of becoming a collector, having this
book will give you a great cross section from common to rare stamps and all
that's in between. A must have handbook that is chock full of U.S. Postage
Stamps and current values.

A good book for the money. All pictures are in black and white and the paper is newsprint - thus allowing a lower cost. Some of the pictures are very grainy.

Overall, a good value.

Father say's this book has all the current stamp prices and he is very satisfied with it.