5. Library - Stamp Catalogues

Range, scope and location

The Society has a representative range of the world's standard catalogues and a number of specialist listings. In particular, there is a virtually complete range of all sections of Stanley Gibbons publications from the early 1900's. It is library policy to maintain the run as new editions are published, and to obtain missing editions through donations and by purchase when suitable opportunities occur.

Good runs also exist for some of the world's other major catalogues published since 1900, including runs for AFA, Michel, Yvert & Tellier, Scott and Zumstein.

In addition, there is a representative collection of historic pre-1900 catalogues.

The most recent editions of the standard catalogues are kept with the main collection of monographs in a separate section in the small library.

The remainder of the active collection is housed in the basement stack area. It is filed in main collecting areas, in date order, by individual publisher. The historic items are also housed in this area, but on closed access. They are filed according to size, sub-divided into English and foreign languages, to maximise the use of space.

Key to access

All catalogues may be consulted on the premises. Borrowing by members is not permitted, to ensure that they are always available for immediate use.

Post-1900 issues in the basement stack area may be obtained on application to the House Manager or a member of the Library Committee for entrance to this limited-access area. Pre-1900 historic issues may be consulted on application for a particular volume.

An initial index of post-1900 catalogues for Stanley Gibbons, AFA, Michel, Yvert & Tellier, Scott and Zumstein is available. Work is in progress to prepare an index from listings of the remaining publications, including those pre-1900.