Higgins & Gage World Postal Stationery Catalog
Encyclopedia
In philately
, the Higgins & Gage World Postal Stationery Catalog is the most recent encyclopedic catalogue of postal stationery
covering the whole world. Despite most volumes not having been updated for over twenty years, the catalogue and the H & G numbering system are still widely used by philatelists and stamp dealers although the values given in the catalogue are out of date.
The catalogue was published between 1964 and 1986 and comprises nineteen alphabetical volumes with supplements. The earlier volumes were edited by the late Edward Fladung who worked with Alexander D. Gage in the production of the catalogue. Later editions were edited by Melvin Feiner.
, postal cards
, lettercard
s, wrappers
, aerograms
and registration envelopes
Philately
Philately is the study of stamps and postal history and other related items. Philately involves more than just stamp collecting, which does not necessarily involve the study of stamps. It is possible to be a philatelist without owning any stamps...
, the Higgins & Gage World Postal Stationery Catalog is the most recent encyclopedic catalogue of postal stationery
Postal stationery
A piece of postal stationery is a stationery item, such as a stamped envelope, letter sheet, postal card, lettercard, aerogram or wrapper, with an imprinted stamp or inscription indicating that a specific rate of postage or related service has been prepaid...
covering the whole world. Despite most volumes not having been updated for over twenty years, the catalogue and the H & G numbering system are still widely used by philatelists and stamp dealers although the values given in the catalogue are out of date.
The catalogue was published between 1964 and 1986 and comprises nineteen alphabetical volumes with supplements. The earlier volumes were edited by the late Edward Fladung who worked with Alexander D. Gage in the production of the catalogue. Later editions were edited by Melvin Feiner.
Publisher
Originally published by Higgins & Gage Inc., the catalogue has now been acquired by Classic Philatelics of Huntington Beach, Pasadena, California. Classic Philatelics also produce a new issue postal stationery report.Scope
The postal stationery items which are included in the catalog are stamped envelopesStamped envelope
A stamped envelope or postal stationery envelope is an envelope with a printed or embossed indicium indicating the prepayment of postage. It is a form of postal stationery.-Use in the United States:In August 1852 an act of the U.S...
, postal cards
Postal card
Postal cards are postal stationery with an imprinted stamp or indicium signifying the prepayment of postage. They are sold by postal authorities. In January, 1869 Emanuel Herrmann of Austria described the advantages of a Correspondenz Karte. By October, 1869 the world's first postal card was...
, lettercard
Lettercard
In philately a lettercard or letter card is a postal stationery item consisting of a folded card with a prepaid imprinted stamp. The fact that it is folded over gives the writer twice as much room for the message compared with a postal card. The message is written on the inside and the card is...
s, wrappers
Wrapper (philately)
In philately a wrapper is a form of postal stationery which pays the cost of the delivery of a newspaper or a periodical. The wrapper is a sheet of paper, large enough to wrap around a folded or rolled newspaper and with an imprinted stamp to pay the cost of postage...
, aerograms
Aerogram
An Aerogram, Aérogramme or Air Letter is a thin lightweight piece of foldable and gummed paper for writing a letter for transit via airmail, in which the letter and envelope are one and the same. Most postal administrations forbid enclosures in these light letters, which are usually sent abroad at...
and registration envelopes
Registered mail
Registered mail describes letters, packets or other postal documents considered valuable and need a chain of custody that provides more control than regular mail. The posted item has its details recorded in a register to enable its location to be tracked, sometimes with added insurance to cover loss...
List of volumes
(Titles from most recent editions)- Vol.1 Abu Dhabi to Azores
- Vol.2 Baden to Bushire
- Vol.3 Cameroons to Czechoslovakia
- Vol.4 Dahomey to Dutch New Guinea
- Vol.5 East Africa to Ethiopia
- Vol.6 Falkland Islands to Funchal
- Vol.7 Gabon to Guyana
- Vol.8 Haiti to Hungary
- Vol.9 Iceland to Ivory Coast
- Vol.10 Jamaica to Kuwait
- Vol.11 Labuan to Luxemburg
- Vol.12 Macao to Muscat
- Vol.13 Natal to Orange River Colony
- Vol.14 Pakistan to Queensland
- Vol.15 Reunion Islands to Ryukyu Islands
- Vol.16 Sarr to Syria
- Vol.17 Tahiti to Turks & Caicos Islands
- Vol.18 Ubangi to Uruguay
- Vol.19 Vatican City to Zululand
Further reading
- "Some Observations on Higgins & Gage", in the Australasian Informer, August 1976.