The Stamp Finder — H.E. Harris & Co. 1964 — Stamp Identifier - Free Shipping!

The Stamp Finder: Tells Country to Which Any Stamp Belongs Published by H.E. Harris & Co., 1964. Copyright 1964, printed in U.S.A.

A classic mid-century philatelic reference booklet, originally retailing for 25¢. This compact but surprisingly comprehensive guide was a staple for beginning and intermediate collectors and remains a charming and useful piece of philatelic history.

Contents include:

• The Stamp Finder — alphabetical index identifying the country of origin for stamps by inscription, overprint, or symbol. Covers hundreds of entries from classic European issues to colonial overprints, Arabic and Asian scripts, and obscure provisionals
• Miscellaneous Identifying Emblems and Symbols — visual guide to scripts and symbols including Germany, France, Russia, China, Japan, Persia, Siam, Korea, Philippines, Mongolia, Manchukuo, and Turkey
• U.S. Stamp Identifier — guide to distinguishing flat press, rotary, and offset printings; Farley special printings; souvenir sheets; stampless covers; watermarks and perforations
• How to Collect Postage Stamps — practical beginner's guide covering sourcing stamps, approval selections, stamp hinges, watermarks
• Organizing a Stamp Club — suggestions for club meetings and growing membership
• Stamp Treasures: The Stories of Some Stamps that Are Worth Fortunes — entertaining feature covering the world's ten most valuable stamps of the era, including the British Guiana 1¢ magenta, Mauritius 1847, Hawaii Missionaries, Alexandria VA provisional, and the famous Inverted Jenny story
• Back cover — illustrated chart of the top ten world rarities with prices current as of 1964 (British Guiana at $65,000; Mauritius at $27,500, etc.) — a fascinating historical snapshot of the rare stamp market

Physical Description: Saddle-stitched self-cover booklet, approximately 8.5 x 6 inches. Cover shows wear — spine is splitting at top, some creasing and soiling to covers consistent with heavy use. Interior pages toned but fully legible throughout. A well-used working copy.

Why collectors want this: The 1964 Harris Stamp Finder is a period piece — the rare stamp valuations alone make it an interesting time capsule (the British Guiana that sold for $65,000 in 1964 later sold for $9.5 million in 2014). Useful for identifying foreign stamps, and a nostalgic reminder of how the hobby was taught and practiced in the early 1960s.