After a two year hiatus, Unitrade had issued the new Canadian Stamp Price Guide. It is currently the only specialized Canadian Stamp Catalogue on the market. As such, it is the market standard for suggested retail prices, in Canadian Dollars, for Canadian stamps issued between 1851 and 11 November 2003. Prices for the Maritime Colonies, Booklets, Postal Stationery, and some Revenues are also included.

Obviously the folks at Unitrade think bigger is better, as this edition of the catalogue is one third taller, but contains fewer pages, than the previous edition. The Brookman Catalogue style format is irritating from a portability standpoint, but allows for some layout improvements. Booklet pane images have been incorporated into the regular stamp listings and many stamp illustrations are adjacent to their respective numbers. The layout is at its best when the stamp images appear beside the price information in columns along the page margins. This format is inconsistent in the new catalogue. The 2003 Unitrade Stamp Catalogue is well done enough that if the stamp colours were truer for the earlier issues, you could almost be satisfied with leafing through the catalogue and dispense with saving the stamps. The use of colour boxes highlights previously under recognized aspects of pricing for proofs, and plate blocks.

A new metal ring binding has been used for this catalogue, so that the cover partially shields the rings. Presumably this is meant to aid shipping. Time will tell how this format holds up to extensive handling. At $39.95Cdn, plus applicable tax and shipping, the catalogue is a must have for students of Canada and British North America stamps. You may wish to keep a smaller, older edition to use as a checklist and carry to shows.

Unfortunately, since Unitrade uses the American Scott numbering system, under license from Scott U.S.A., there are 165, sometimes apparently arbitrary numbering changes in the new catalogue. Canada #1 and 2 and the fruit trees issues, among others, have been renumbered. Number changes are highlighted in red throughout the catalogue. The changes will mean want list updating.

Other noteable changes include: VF hinged or Fine Never Hinged stamps being priced at half the VFNH value after Scott #300, except as otherwise noted, and modern paper descriptions have been improved for discerning 1983/1990 paper types. For some B.N.A issues, including British Columbia and Vancouver's Island, it appears the original gum premium has risen to 150%.

The Unitrade Canada Specialized Stamp Catalogue is an indispensable reference for Canadian stamp collectors and dealers. You need one at your trading desk. We recommend you buy a new catalogue, or have someone get you one as a gift, at least once every five years.

Newsletter 24
Queen Elizabeth II Anniversary

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