3 comments about The Stamp Art & Postal History of Michael Thompson & Michael Hernandez De Luna.

1. One of my favorite art books since it also encompasses much history of popular culture much better than any history book would.
   
   Your old cranky auntie might not like it however, as it is Real everyday popular culture and politics so no topic is off-limits--death, condoms, revolution, dishonesty of certain public officials--each stamp is a reminder of some event that raised a stir temporarily or put the world on notice. Funny often, lewd sometimes, always original.
   
   Highly recommended.



2. This lavish oversized paperback is packed with full-page representations of postage stamp art, while accompanying text provides a postal history of stamp art. From early postal system stamps to the evolution of the stamp as a work of art, Stamp Art & Postal History Of Michael Thompson and Michael Hernandez De Luna packs in some excellent detail and lots of color.



3. As one who has always had an interest in philately, I was intrigued by the concept of the two Michaels: the notion of creating "artistamps" and affixing them as postage, the ultimate goal being the successful delivery of the letter complete with the Post Office's cancellation - the project carried a wonderful hint of (harmless) subversity to it. This book displays the results of their labors, full-page color reproductions of individual stamp sheets opposite examples of successfully mailed covers. The artists' aim in the design of their stamps seemed more motivated by how blatant the subject matter and the design could be and still be accepted as postage rather than trying to create something that could've passed as an actual postage stamp - which in my view takes much more imagination and effort.
   
   Of the two artists, Hernandez de Luna seemed more inclined to create stamps that were overtly puerile in design and subject matter, commemorating women's breasts, condoms, erect penises, animals fornicating, et al. These are more labels than stamps really, "thumbing their nose" at the subjects and designs of such postal bodies as the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee. Thompson, while not above this kind of callowness, more often suceeds in creating more realistic looking designs, notably from foreign countries - with his Kenyan "Afrodisiac" rhino, Norwegian "Chernobyl Deer," Japanese "Eat Whale" and the (amazingly tasteless) "Aum Shinrikyo" Sarin Gas stamps succeeding admirably.
   
   Often, the best artwork on view is not on the stamps, but on the covers the artists created for mailing them, utilizing vintage labels, old envelopes and custom lettering. The works are preceeded by several excellent essays on the history of artistamps and mail art, but ultimately the reader must decide whether the book's content justifies its price. It's art but, quite often, not very good art.

No comments about How to Detect Damaged, Altered and Repaired Stamps.

5 comments about Stamp With Style: More Than 50 Creative Cards & Projects.

1. I live in Washington, and spend more time than my husband would like in "Impress", whose owner penned this book.
   It is a great book for style and substance..but most of all, starters. The designs are not too complicated for the early - medium crafter, but will require specific tools.

   Ms. Perkins has great creativity (or a fabulous design team), which is evident in this book - but the suggestions also utilize several items exclusive to the "Impress" line of stamps and products. This fact wasn't as helpful to the friend I sent it to in Hawaii. She really loved the designs, but was apprehensive about spending so much on products and shipping from the author's web store.
   
   All in all, I do use this book, and add my own sense of personal style to the building blocks she has laid before us in "Stamping with Style". Worth a look. ~*~




2. It seems to be a great book for beginners with lots of neat card projects. The book is set out by months of the year and cards you could make that month. The card projects aren't as nice as I was hoping, but they definitely have potential and the instructions are clear and concise. There is even a section at the back of the book that lists stamping resources.

   I didn't give it that 5th perfect star because I was hoping the card projects in the book would be nicer and more colourful. I also didn't give it the 5th elusive star because alot of the stamps used in the book are now discontinued and very hard to get a hold of.




3. I received this book from Amazon just today and was simply thrilled when I browsed through it. I have been rubber stamping for quite sometime now and have wanted to get books with cards that look "professional" (cards that look more like what you buy from stores than those that look like "kid's art"). I find this book to give me the inspiration I need when I want to make a good quality card for someone special. The cards are simple-to-make yet look elegant. A good buy!



4. I recently started stamping cards and was so happy to have this book as one of the first in my library!! I loved the unique, classy designs - easy and fun to do!! The step by step instructions are great and the color pictures are very helpful. I shop at a local Impress store and love it! Each time I go in I have to control myself - they've got more great ideas in the store!!



5. Very classy stamping ideas in an easy to understand format. An appendix provides information on all the stamps used.

No comments about Scott 2000 Classic Specialized Catalogue: Stamps and Covers of the World Including U.S. 1840-1940 (Scott Classic Specialized Catalogue).

No comments about Scott 2005 U.S. Specialized Valuing Supplement: Extended Values in Six Different Grades for Selected United States Stamps (Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps Valuing Supplement).

2 comments about The Official Blackbook Price Guide to U.S. Postage Stamps, 26th edition (Official Blackbook Price Guide to United States Postage Stamps).

1. I have used the previous editions of this book for years as a quick and easy way to differentiate between varieties of US stamps. Granted, Scott's is the standard for all things philatelic, but the catalogs are expensive. I prefer to use Scott's publications at my local library. The Black Book is a terrific help for home use and for travel. Most of the time, it is the only resource I need for US stamps. Now if I could find something similar for worldwide stamps, even the more common ones ...



2. This claims to be an accurate price guide to US stamps, but it's not the one used by the vast majority of stamp collectors. If you want something that's more widely accepted, try the Scott catalogs. The Scott Specialized catalog for US stamps is THE standard catalog and price guide. Scott numbers and prices will give you a much better idea about the value of your stamps than this will. Most public libraries have a copy of Scott, and there is also a smaller, cheaper pocket edition.

No comments about Micarelli Identification Guide to U S Stamps: Regular Issues, 1847-1934.

No comments about The Beginner's Guide to Stamp Collecting.

1 comments about Stamping Through Mathematics.

1. Postage stamps can represent the best of art, in a very accessible format. This book, well-done by a professional mathematician and stamp columnist, has pictures of almost 400 postage stamps depicting mathematical subjects in full color, arranged in logical groupings, and with explanatory material concerning the stamps. The publisher has done a superb job of reproducing the stamps so they look almost real, employing bright colors. The color plates are fantastic!

   One need not be a mathematician to appreciate this book. Mathematics touches our lives in so many different ways. Also, this book shows how postage stamps can be used to illustrate a number of different concepts.

   It will make a wonderful coffeetable book or gift, and it is fun to browse through! It is well worth the price.

No comments about Who's Who on the Postage Stamps of Eastern Europe.