Scott Publishing Co. has been serving stamp collectors for more than 140 years. The company is known around the world as the publisher of the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue. It is the only catalogue produced on an annual basis that values and identifies all the stamps of the world.
The company was founded by a young immigrant from England, John Walter Scott, who dealt in stamps in an outdoor market in New York City shortly after he arrived in America in 1863. After a short venture to California, Scott returned to New York at the age of 21. Upon his return Scott published, in June 1867, his first "J.W. Scott & Co.'s Monthly Price List" which is now recognized as the forerunner to the modern day Scott catalogue. In September 1868, his list was expanded to a 21 page booklet. It was from these humble beginnings that Scott founded the firm that bears his name. Early on the company's founder was much more involved in the buying and selling of stamps than in the publishing side of things. In 1868, he produced the first of many in the long line of postage stamp albums and he also began publishing a monthly journal, which is now known as Scott Stamp Monthly. Because of his many accomplishments and contributions, J. Walter Scott is known as the "Father of American Philately."
Today the Scott Standard catalogue comprises six volumes and lists more than 650,000 individual stamps from more than 600 different countries. The company also produces specialized catalogues for United States stamps, and for classic worldwide stamps issued during the hobby's first 100 years: 1840-1940.
More than 58,000 value changes have been recorded in Volume 1. The large number of changes is the result of both strong overseas markets and worldwide currency fluctuations that have seen the U.S. dollar drop against other strong currencies. Almost 4,700 value changes were made in the United States, U.S. possessions and United Nations sections of Volume 1, and almost all the value changes in the U.S. section are upward. Various 19th century stamps rise in value on a selected basis, reflecting market results over the past six months. This includes the St. Louis Bears Postmaster Provisionals, Scott 11X1-11X8, which advanced in the 2008 Scott United States Specialized Catalogue and now advance once again in the 2009 Volume 1. Strong gains were also made for some back of the book items such as the 1879 1¢ - 50¢ Postage Due Special Printings, along with scattered increases in the Officials. More than 23,000 value changes were made for stamps of the British Commonwealth, with Australia leading the way with more than 4,800 changes. The Australian market remains quite strong for both the Australian States and Australia proper.
There are 18 different countries in Volume 2 with more than 1,000 value changes. Worldwide currency fluctuations and demand continue to propel the large number of changes made in this year’s catalogue. More than 7,000 changes were made in France alone. Other countries with large number of changes include Canada with more than 5,500, Czechoslovakia 3,235, Denmark 3,128, Finland 2,630 and China 1,914. All totaled more than 59,000 value changes were recorded in the 2009 edition of Volume 2.
Almost 50,000 value changes were made in this year’s Volume 3. Leading the way is Great Britain with 4,543 changes. More than 3,700 changes were made in Germany, 3,242 in Italy, 1,771 in Indonesia and more than 1,525 in Iceland. An active market and a strong British pound combine to push British Area values considerably higher overall. In India more than 3,800 value changes were made with increases of 20% or more for stamps from the 1930s to date..
Value changes in large numbers have been made across the board in Volume 4. Leading the way is Mongolia with 3,583 followed by Libya with 3,433, New Zealand with 2,937, Monaco with 2,188 and more than 1,200 each in Jamaica and North Korea. The gains of many foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar continue to propel the large number of value changes. More than 32,800 changes were made.
A record number of value changes have been made for 20 countries in Volume 5. The value change leader is Romania with 4,779. Other countries with large changes are Russia (4,148), San Marino (2,916), Saudi Arabia (2,611), Poland (2,410) and Sierra Leone (2,104). More than 1,000 value changes have been made for 15 different countries.
The 36,172 changes made in the 2009 edition of Volume 6, which includes countries of the world So-Z, brings the total this year to 274,129. "The exchange rate continues to be the catalyst for many of these changes. The market for stamps denominated in euros, British pounds, Canadian dollars and other various foreign currencies are largely made in the home countries, and anyone who wants to compete for those stamps must compete with those home-country buyers who are using their own strong currencies. This means that it will take more U.S. dollars to buy those stamps, and it will take more U.S. dollars for U.S. dealers to replenish their stocks," according to Scott Catalogue editor, James Kloetzel. Yugoslavia sees the most changes in this volume, with 3,201 value changes made.
