Last (and latest) word

latest) word on Pitcairn stamps

The Pitcairn Island Stamp Catalogue 1981 Edition. By Bill Hornadge. Published by Review Publications Ltd, 1 Sterling St. Dubbo, NSW.

Australia 2830. SA9 within Australia postpaid. No ISBN provided.

A revised and updated edition of The Pitcairn Islands Stamp Catalogue edited by Bill Hornadge has been published.

The 1981 edition has been enlarged to 224 pages and has a striking four-colour cover de signed by Jennifer Toombs, the English artist who has been responsible for many fine Pit cairn stamps in recent years.

When the first edition of the catalogue appeared in 1976 it quickly established itself as the definitive work on Pitcairn stamps and postal history. This reputation will only be enhan ced by the new edition which has been revised and contains much new material.

The stamp listings run to more than 70 pages and cover perforations, watermarks, print ers, designers, plate numbers, quantities and a great amount of background detail on designs.

Varieties are extensively covered (the major ones are illustrated) and hundreds of new varieties and flaws are mentioned in the new edition.

All stamps are priced mint and used, and prices are given for sets. First Day covers and imprint blocks. Prices are those generally prevailing at retail level in Australia late in 1980.

The listings are up to date and include all stamps issued up to and including January 1981.

A feature of the catalogue is a new 60-page section dealing with the postal markings of Pitcairn. This includes a com plete numbered and illustrated checklist of all known postal markings compiled by the English expert in this field Mr Cy Kitching. The listing is the

fullest coverage of the subject yet published The catalogue really amounts to an in-depth handbook on both the history and postal history of Pitcairn and includes extensive chapters on Pitcairn history, Pitcairn postal history, the Specimen stamps (including the forgeries), the complete story of the 1940 booklets, the 1938 Radio covers, the 1939 Byrd Expedition cachet, the 1950 Air Letter (a myth exploded). Burn ing Remainders, Pitcairn As sociated stamps. Ships of Pitcairn Island and a bibli ography.

The work is illustrated with a double-page map showing key island features and with illus trations of old prints, unusual covers and postal items. The catalogue is produced on good quality paper and is perfect bound.