Customer Reviews

The World in Stamps

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"The World In Stamps" by Laurent Lemerle. English Translation: Harry N. Abrams, New York, 2006.

It was many years ago (many decades!), that I started to collect postage stamps. After a short time, I discovered that there were just too many stamps, so I began to specialize in United States stamps. When I opened this extra-special book by Laurent Lemerle, I was overwhelmed by the vast quantity of stamps that this book displays. And, the book is not like a stamp catalogue, but rather, on page after page, a particular theme is presented.

Appropriately, the first theme is "Prehistoric Man", on pages 10-11, which begins the section on the History of Mankind. Then, there are sections on "Habitat", on to "Beliefs" and then to "Art". Each section shows stamps from many different countries which illustrate the particular theme being considered.

The book was originally written in French, but French stamps do not dominate. By the author's own count, the top five countries are:

United States 261 stamps

France 228 stamps

Great Britain 210 stamps

Russia 187 stamps

Germany 142 stamps.

So, this book covers the stamps of some of the more important countries in the world, but also some of the lesser known countries. For example, on page 42, you will find a 1978 stamp from Chile honoring their liberator, General Bernardo O' Higgins, (1778-1842) and on page 129, an Irish stamp portraying George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950). There are stamps for chess and stamps for swimming and stamps for soccer, with stamps for royalty and stamps for the common folk (Bolivia, page 175). There are so many stamps, that I do not know where a present-day collector should start...but this book may be a good place.

This book is great for stamp collectors and non stamp collectors. Every page is filled with lots of beautiful stamps in full color. It is organized by topics and makes a great history book. Graphic designers would love this book, too. A beautiful book to have out on your coffee table.

I bought it used for about $10 and it was a terrific buy. The used copy was just like new.

It's the size of a large coffee table book. The photographs of the stamps are gorgeous and the organization of topics is easy to follow. Although I gave up stamp collecting years ago, I still appreciate the miniature works of art that so many stamps are. Even though I now prefer ebooks, this hardcover book is a keeper.

My father is very satisfied with this stamp collecting book. He likes the bright colorful and informative pictures.