First Firsts

[Nick]

I have started a new web page trying to identify the first issue of all the various stamp types I can find reference to. This is at:

http://www.snap-dragon.com/first_firsts.htm

I only began last weekend, so the research is incomplete and I have hardly any of the stamps yet. Is there a full list available anywhere of all the Scott BoB types which might suggest additional categories?

I would appreciate any help on other types, Scott numbers I have failed to find and any other errors or omissions.

Is it worth reformatting this and sending it in as an article for the club newsletter, or is it too broad (or has it been done before)?

Cheers

Nick (FI score 198)

[BobSyl]

Interesting Website, Nick.  I don't know of any list that would show the categories you are interested in.  I do think that an article on "First Firsts" would be appropriate for the newsletter.  So by all means submit it if you have the time to do so.  At the moment, I don't have any articles for the next "First issues".  The deadline is September 1st.
Bob

[Nick]

Hi Bob

I'll try to get something ready for the end of August - I should have some of the stamps by then to use as illustrations.

Any advice on the contents still appreciated.

cheers

Nick (still 198)

[BobSyl]

Great!  A few illustrations always make an article more interesting.  
Bob

[Tim_Balm]

Nick,

Just returned from a week on holiday.  Vacation is always refreshing!  I have the Italy C1-C2 if you need a scan of those.  Might be best to send them to Bob along with the "featured stamps" and let him add them to the article.  Bob can also email you the .jpgs to put up on your web site.

Tim

[Nick]

Tim

Thanks for the offer, I have an eBay Italy C1 on the way.

I have quite a number of Italian stamps on my wanted list (largely because they issued 100th anniversary commemoratives for many of the original state issues). Does anyone know a good dealer in Italian stamps who will ship to England?

On a more general note, I seem to recall in the Newsletter backnumbers, mention of one or two recommended dealers (besides the Founder). Is there any mileage in having a slot in the Forums for discussions of this type. Maybe it is already being done, here or elsewhere and I have missed it.

regards,

Nick (still stuck on 198)

[Tim_Balm]

Tim  ...  Does anyone know a good dealer in Italian stamps who will ship to England?  ...  On a more general note, I seem to recall in the Newsletter backnumbers, mention of one or two recommended dealers (besides the Founder). Is there any mileage in having a slot in the Forums for discussions of this type. Maybe it is already being done, here or elsewhere and I have missed it. ...

Nick,  As I recall, the general feeling is that the forums should be used primarily for discussion of 1st issue topics.  The exception was the OTHER WANT LISTS thread under the STAMP EXCHANGE forum.  Perhaps you could place your query there.   Tim

[Nick]

That's a fair point, Tim.

Nick (199 at last)

[Denikin]

Impressive job, Nick.  but your sources all missed on the first Foreign Mail issue - Mexico's were issued in 1887    First issue Scott numbers are 120 - 127.  Domestic rates in Mexico were much higher then than the UPU treaty mandated for international mail, so a seperate issue of stamps (and accounting system) was created for mail going abroad.  

[Nick]

Hi Denikin

Thanks for your help - any comments and corrections greatfully received.

Could I ask you to clarify which stamp your are referring to for Mexico foreign? My 2001 Scott Classic shows 120-127 as definitives of 1881 and 1879 (strangely ordered). The 1887 stamps  are numbered 184 to 211. There are no references to foriegn mail in my edition.

I have noticed the  1875 Porte de Mar issue JX9 - JX19. These also look like good candidates.

This could all be simple naivety on my part - don't forget how new I am to this game.

Cheers

Nick

[Denikin]

Hi Nick

I expect Jesper's passed the relevant info. along to you by now.  I would have sent you the Follansbee catalogue page scan but was too lazy to look up your e-mail address - Jesper also questioned this, so I sent it to him.  Plus, it seems that Scott's re-numbered Mexico, so nothing lines up & fits.  Normal.  

[Denikin]

Stop the Presses, Gentlemen.  It turns out that Guatemala's Foreign Mail Issue (Scott 5 & 6) predates Mexico's by several years.  Which is nice to know, I guess, but puts this category now out of reach for the majority of us  

[Jesper]

Perhaps there are even earlier examples of Foreign Mail issues, those valid for postage beyond the issuing country's borders?

Most countries issued stamps which were only valid locally, within the country. At some point most countries entered into some kind of agreement about transporting mail for each other without the need for extra stamps.

Who was first and when?

[Nick]

Hi chaps

The description in Mackay's Guinness is:

"Foreign mail stamps have been issued in certain countries for mail going abroad, to distinguish them from mail destined for internal delivery. The first country to produce separate sets for inland and internal [I think that should be external] mail was Turkey, which issued such stamps, mainly for printed matter, between 1901 and 1911."

Cheers

Nick

[Jesper]

Seems MacKay is wrong ;-)

The Mexican Foreign Mail issue of 1879 was supposedly meant for foreign mail ONLY since the Hidalgo issue became valid for internal mail only. This was due to lower foreign rates dictated by the UPU, of which Mexico had become a member in 1878.

Guatemala seems to predate the Mexico issue with its 1873 issue...

Keep on studying! And when you find out MacKay IS wrong, do not hesitate to let him know