The Stanley Gibbons Book Of Stamps and Stamp Collecting By James Watson
The Stanley Gibbons Book of Stamps and Stamp Collecting (Inscribed Collectible Hardcover Copy)
A Comprehensive Illustrated Guide to the History, Identification, and Art of Philately
A Comprehensive Illustrated Guide to the History, Identification, and Art of Philately
Bibliographic Specifications
- Title: The Stanley Gibbons Book of Stamps and Stamp Collecting
- Author: James Watson
- Publisher: Windward, Leicester
- Publication Date: 1981
- ISBN-10: 0906558662
- ISBN-13: 9780906558669
- Edition Details: Presumed First Edition thus (Windward imprint). Collectible copy featuring a personal contemporary ink inscription on the front endpaper.
- Binding: Original publisher's premium cloth boards with crisp gilt titles across the spine and front face.
- Physical Format: Large Quarto (4to). Extensively illustrated with high-quality full-colour plates, photographic reproductions, and archival historical overviews.
- Language: English
Official Condition Report
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The Book: Very Good (VG)
- Exterior Boards: The original cloth-bound boards are solid, square, and well-preserved. The gilt lettering remains bright and untarnished. There is minor, age-appropriate shelfwear along the edges and base.
- Interior: The text block is robust, tight, and securely bound. Internal pages are exceptionally clean, bright, and intact, displaying only a light, natural uniform tanning along the edges—entirely typical for a paper stock of this era. Free of marginalia, heavy highlighting, or dog-ears. A neat, elegant previous owner presentation inscription is present on the primary front endpaper.
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The Dust Jacket: Very Good (VG)
- Condition & Integrity: The original illustrated dust jacket is present and has been expertly preserved behind a protective cellophane cover wrapper. It shows limited signs of edge wear and minor surface friction, but remains completely intact without deep tears, major paper loss, or sun-fading.
Synopsis & Historical Value
First published under this authoritative imprint in 1981, The Stanley Gibbons Book of Stamps and Stamp Collecting serves as a cornerstone reference for both novice philatelists and advanced collectors. Written by the highly regarded philatelic authority James Watson, this classic manual provides a masterful introduction to the foundational principles of identifying, grading, and caring for stamps.
The work guides readers through the intricacies of watermark detection, perforation measurements, and proper collection curation. Beyond practical advice, it features a richly researched historical chronicle of British and international postal systems. Packed with stunning full-colour illustrations and high-fidelity photographs of classic rarities, this book stands out as both a useful reference manual and an appealing collectible specimen.
Author Profile: James Watson
James Watson was a prolific and deeply respected British philatelic author who dedicated much of his professional life to chronicling the nuances of stamp production and postal history. As an expert writer associated with the prestigious Stanley Gibbons brand—the world’s oldest and most renowned philatelic trade house—Watson wrote numerous definitive handbooks that helped popularise stamp collecting throughout the mid-to-late 20th century. His other notable publications include Stamp Varieties Explanated and Stamps and Ships. His clear, structured prose and passion for postal art made his works indispensable to global collectors.
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