It seems like the weather patterns in north east Texas have changed every year we have been here. This year has been milder than normal all year although July was as hot as last year. The good news is that we have had sunny days through out the year except for frequent showers which have keep everything green and growing. It has been especially nice after monitoring all the weather problems we see around the country and in other parts of Texas.

During July we have continued to update our web site listings. We finished all Austria issues including related areas and most of the German occupations and German states. We also added a couple thousand new images to the listings. We are slowly but surely getting our web site back up to snuff. As we correct the problems we are also adding many hundreds of new items to the listings.

We are getting more and more requests for assistance from individuals who have found or inherited stamp collections. One used to be able to take stamp collections to a local dealer or stamp show and get an idea of value or offers to purchase . Now there are fewer stamp shows and very few local stamp stores any where. Substantial collections, collections worth at least $1000, can always be sold through stamp auctions or offered to dealers who specialize in the stamps in the collection. Lesser collections can be sold on ebay if priced competitively. The biggest problem for potential sellers is that they have to have some idea of what the stamps are worth before they try to sell. . Hence we get many many inquiries about stamp values. We are happy to assist when we can and will give estimates of values for stamps from the areas we stock. Unfortunately we have limited expertise about stamps from other areas and can offer little help there. If you need estimates though be prepared to send images of the stamps – it is by far the easiest way for us to access values.

Austria – Ferchenbauer Catalog

Ferchenbauer Handbook of Austria 1850-1918 – published in Austria in 2008 is the most complete catalog in the world of Austrian philately for the years covered. This handbook/catalog is published in four hardbound volumes and totals well over 2000 pages of information. This catalog includes everything philatelic pertaining to Austria during the years 1850-1918. It includes images of stamps and covers in the most accurate colors of any philatelic publication. One can identify shades accurately by comparing stamps to the handbook’s images!

Although in German, the catalog listings are easy to use because of the detailed descriptions and the clear images. (The Austria Philatelic Society (US) has translated a good portion of this catalog already.) This catalog is for more advanced collectors who are acquiring covers and cards, or collect the many varieties that exist among the early stamp issues

The Handbooks are available in the US only from our firm. The price is $380 Postpaid. (We have only a few sets on hand and may be discontinuing stocking these sets soon.)

R Schneider Stamps
PO Box 978
Iowa Park TX 76367

Office (618) 975 2099
Fax (940) 213 3596

Email:
Rschneiderstamps@gmail.com

Website:

RSchneiderstamps.com