My original response to this thread seems to have disappeared into cyberspace. But there is not a lot that I can add to the 'Marking of Exhibits' message that Tony refers to above when commenting on my silence. I remain of the opinion that the FIP is factually incorrect when it implies that we alrea...

I agree totally with Robin Restall's positive advice about working to improve matters and, in particular, contributing articles on your speciality which will help inform judges. Even if they don't read them when published, include references in your Title Page (or synopsis) drawing attention to what...

What fun this hobby is! Not only do we have stamps and covers to intrigue and divert us, the messages posted on this board and others enlighten/instruct/inform/annoy/depress us on an almost daily basis. I persist in hoping against hope that I will one day read a contribution from Robin T radiating p...

Well said, Tony. Stamp collecting should be about enjoyment, not conforming to someone else's view of what you should and shouldn't do. Like Tony, I have the greatest respect for the person who assembles his collection over decades, lavishing love, care and attention on it, learning about it, making...

Robin, I dispute what you say on practically all counts, though your stream of consciousness rant makes it difficult to formulate any kind of rational response. There are plenty of folk out there that collect a wide range of GB material - I spoke to a number of them at the GBPS stand at London 2010....

My experience of specialist dealers is limited but Conrad Graham and John Barefoot spring to mind. I'm not sure, however, of contact details or whether either has any internet business.

Let me be a little more positive! Your title for this thread rightly emphasises the fact that these are fiscal stamps, or revenues as they are more commonly known. The collection of revenues is increasingly popular and one of the chief exponents is Chris Harman who is not only a member of this Socie...

You are probably correct. The high value stamps were normally used for accounting or telegraphic use. In the past purists often insisted on postally used copies and the original single circle cancellation (which is almost certainly genuine in this case) was probably embellished to give the appearanc...

Tony, with his usual courtesy, consulted me before quoting the contribution I made to the Newsletter. As I am active in philatelic research I freely admit a vested interest in starting what I hope might be a constructive debate about the present FIP rules and guidance relating to Research. Let me ma...