John Collects Stamps - Episode 27 - George V Downey Heads and a Specialised Catalogue

[@patriciacronin5548]

john heck of a video very informative thanks dave cronin look like mechanics hands like mine

[@paulwright-kd7hy]

Hi John, enjoying your little videos. What I might add when looking at variations in shades is that these are best determined when looking at mint copies as used stamps are subject to light, water etc in ways that can affect shade. It also helps if they are certified and can then be used as reference material. I also enjoy this issue, especially looking for a missing cross (easily spotted as long as centred normally) or a perf 14 halfpenny! Keep up the good work.

[@michaelwest1]

Thank you very much for taking your time with this video John. So many useful tips. I'm trying to collect as many shade varieties as I can, but every shade looks the same to my aging eyes! I think for now, I'll do what you've done, buy from dealers who know what they are selling and just buy what I can afford. I've got the Stanley Gibbons Kings book, it's invaluable for comparing dies and plates. Again, thanks for the video, I know you've got a busy work schedule and lots of other videos to make, but I'd love to see more of your George V specialist collection.

[@johncollectsstamps]

The collection is still in it's infancy, though I do have several more of the "profile" definitives. I try and add a few each month. I tend to shop by catalogue number, be it on eBay, Hipstamp, or at a dealer. The biggies I want are the Seahorses in all their varieties, not easy and not cheap! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@michaelwest1]

@@johncollectsstamps It looks very impressive John, from what you showed us, you've really tried to get a lot of the shades you could. Oh no, Seahorses, I'm giving them a miss, since I saw another dozen colour varieties of the the 2/6!

[@granthouston6770]

Never realised how many colour variations etc there are. Great video yet again John. I only currently have the basic set of Downeys and that is what I stick to-for now - until I understand a bit more by reading up and watching your videos.

[@alunpugh6301]

I can sympathise with you on your call out rota having been in the same position for 20 years prior to retirement. Stamp collecting took a back seat and I'm having to catch up the last 25 years. Interesting topic the downey heads, will have to take another look at my collection. Thanks John.

[@johncollectsstamps]

I work in IT and have done for 20 plus years, so the on-call is par for the course. I get paid a decent retainer, so that makes it easier to stomach!

[@SnailmailwithSmokey]

A really wonderful video! I was not aware that there were so many varieties of the George V stamps. I imagine that it could take a while to collect them all.

[@johncollectsstamps]

Thanks Smokey. Welcome to the wonderful, wacky and convoluted side of GB Philately, haha.

[@mattys1467]

Another nice episode. I do like the Downey Heads, have collected the full concise range of shades. But, it is a rabbit hole of errors, specialist shades and watermark errors. I am close to completing the Royal Cypher range of concise shades which has been enjoyable. Keep up the good work

[@johncollectsstamps]

It is indeed a rabbit hole! I think the QV, KEVII and KGV are the most interesting areas of British Philately for me, alongside the other rabbit hole that is QEII Machins! Nice job in almost having a full set of Downey Heads!

[@johnwilson5637]

Excellent episode, as expected. I wondered what resources you used to identify your stamp types. I've now ordered a couple of Stanley Gibbons Catalogues from Ebay. Thanks for the tip.

[@johncollectsstamps]

Thanks. The specialised catalogues have so much info, more than I'll ever need, but they are helpful and interesting.

[@GreatStampAdventure]

Thank you for another interesting episode. That is really a bewildering amount of variations! Maybe it will be better to remain a novice and oblivious. Much easier. 🤔🤣

[@johncollectsstamps]

Some areas of British philately are full of so many variations of stamps.