Collectors of early worldwide issues now have access to the newly released Scott Classic Specialized Catalogue, the definitive reference for stamps of the first century of philately. Covering the years 1840–1940, the hardcover volume brings together classic issues from more than 350 countries, beginning with Great Britain’s iconic Penny Black and tracing the evolution of postal systems across the globe.
The 2026 edition is available now from CoinStampSupplies.com. Free shipping included.
Unlike the standard Scott catalogues, which span modern material across six volumes, the Classic Specialized focuses exclusively on the formative era of stamp production and postal history. Its 1,346 pages provide expanded listings designed for collectors who seek greater depth—details that often determine scarcity, desirability and market value. Entries commonly include colour and paper varieties, guidance on never-hinged versus hinged examples, and valuations for covers, multiples, used pairs and stamps without gum where those categories are traditionally collected.
Each annual edition incorporates thousands of updated values based on market research, reflecting changes driven by supply, demand and auction realizations. The editors also add hundreds of new or expanded listings, additional illustrations and editorial improvements to enhance usability. For collectors who specialize in classic issues, this continual refinement makes the volume as relevant to valuation as it is to identification and study.
In addition to major countries such as Canada, the United States, Great Britain and Germany, the Classic Specialized includes an extraordinary range of colonial, regional and short-lived issuing authorities. The catalogue covers everything from Australian States and Indian Feudatory issues to German States, Italian States, Caribbean islands, Middle Eastern emirates, African colonial territories and many more. For countries with complex philatelic histories—such as China, Colombia, Mexico and the early postal administrations of Eastern Europe—the volume provides a single, cohesive reference unmatched in breadth.
Since its first publication in 1868, the Scott Catalogue system has become the industry standard for collectors, dealers and exhibitors worldwide. Scott numbers are used universally in the hobby, and the Classic Specialized provides the foundational numbering for nearly every classic-era issue. For collectors who focus on the first hundred years of stamp production—whether by country, theme or era—the Scott Classic Specialized Catalogue is widely regarded as an essential resource and a cornerstone of any philatelic library.
The 2026 edition, SKU C26C, is now in stock and can be ordered through CoinStampSupplies.com.