This Identification Guide is intended to aid both novice and more advanced collectors by providing details of each classic issue. Every effort has been made to make stamp identification as easy as possible, classification being relatively simple. It is intended as an initial identification guide, as it does not go into minute identification of some subvarieties. References are given for advanced studies of some issues.

When a stamp is potentially valuable, it is recommended to have it expertise by a recognized professional service, which will provide a certificate of authenticity listing a definitive identification and a description of any faults.

This site does not pretend to replace edited catalogues or specialized works and studies but offers a quick guide to identify stamps and their relative valuation (See "Rarity Indicator" in the Introduction on Specific Information about this Site). For precise updated valuations, refer to current specialized catalogues as Scott "Specialized Catalogue of U.S. Stamps".

How to Navigate and identify stamps

As you can see, the site has two dynamic column frames. The Index at the left gives you links to the pages appearing at the right.  All links, in the index or elsewhere, will open a page in the right frame. You can click on the "Back" button of your browser to return to the previous page. If you prefer to open a full page in a new window, you will have to right click on the link. External links will always open in new windows.

The index is in multiple parts. The main part links to the stamp issues and their description. The last part refers to US Classic Philately links, Useful Classic Philately links in general and the Bibliography.

The issues are arranged in the index by group of designs, arranged by period. By clicking on a particular design period, all the stamps of this period will be displayed in the right frame. Each thumbnail stamp displayed in the right frame is a link to every issues of the same design and to an approximate 5x enlargement of the original design. Each main variety of the same design has its specific characteristics described, to distinguish it from others, as well as a link to Detailed Information. There is a direct link to the detailed information when the design has been issued only once (no varieties).

The Detailed Information includes, as far as a first level identification can go, description of subvarieties and shades. Scott Catalogue Reference Numbers are also specified at the end of each detailed information page. However, the date, denomination and color of a stamp is sufficient to locate it in any other current catalogues.

Please refer to "How to Identify a Stamp" in the Introduction ("Specific Information about this Site") for more information about using this guide.

Note: There will be a black image when image of the stamp is not available. The pictures in this site are digitally reconstructed from pictures of existing stamps and do not correspond to any real stamps. The absence of colors in this site is only to put in relief the colors and shades of the stamps. Please take into consideration that scans and computers will not always accurately render specific color shades.