Download CRRPS’s philatelic magazine Timbre Vol. 37 for free. Edited by Alvaro Castro (most articles are in Spanish), this issue contains great articles:

• Colecciones aceptadas para Thailandia 2018 (Accepted Collections For Thailand 2018).
• Próximas Exposiciones (Future Expositions).
• El Pez Vela de 1937 (1937’s Sailfish).
• Vuelos desde Honduras y hacia ella (Flights from and to Honduras)
• Belice: Un paraíso escondido (Belize A Hidden Paradise)
• La Producción y las Marcas de Agua en la Prefilatelia Centroamericana – II Parte (Production And Watermars In Central American Pre-Philately II Part).
• PANAMA: Butterfly Country And Butterfly City.
• Butterfly – Mariposa
• Mophila Report La Gran Flota Blanca (Mophila Report The Great White Fleet)
• Los puentes en Angostura, Turrialba (The Angostura Bridges, Turrialba).
• Años conflictivos en la filatelia del Centenario (Conflictive years in Centenary’s philately).
• Actividades de la Asociación (Activities).

Download CRRPS’s philatelic magazine Timbre Vol. 37 for free!

Want to buy the best philatelic supplies? Remember to visit the ultimate stamp collecting supplies list.

Make sure to review our tips for stamp collecting in the XXI century.

To keep your stamps and postcards safe from stains and getting damaged we recommend Lighthouse stock books.

Stamp Magnifying Microscope: Celestron 5 MP Handheld Digital Microscope 

Stamp Magnifying Lamp Desk Clamp-Mount 90 SMD LED Adjustable Spring-Arm

Make sure to view these amazing full stamp pane protective storage bags.

Manual perforation measurement gauge which has a really low price.

Electronic perforation measurement gauge, that has a higher price, but is easier measure perforations.

The post Download CRRPS’s Philatelic Magazine Timbre For Free appeared first on Costa Rica Stamps.

Are you that kind of philatelic enthusiast that likes to surf the web looking for pics of stamps from time to time?

Well, here I am to help you! I know that looking at stamps can be hypnotizing. I know that once you start, you’ll leave your computer until you saw the last one.

I’ve been a Costa Rica stamp collector for over 20 years. And i’m pretty sure I never get tired of looking at stamps.

That’s why Estampillascr’s Facebook page has more than 1,500 pics of stamps…Costa Rica stamps. It doesn’t matter what you are looking for, we have plenty! We divided them in several sections, so it would be easier for you to browse them.

You can browse our albums of surface mail stamps, air mail stamps, semi postal stamps, Christmas stamps and proofs. If you like cancellations on stamps, there’s an album too. Also we have albums for postal history and postcards. At last but not least the “errors” albums will take your breath away.

If by any chance you don’t find the stamp you were looking for, don’t panic! Just let me know and I will help you finding it.

Also, you can view the rarest and most expensive Costa Rica stamps from the Frederick R. Mayer collection auction.

The post Costa Rica: pics of stamps – lots of pictures appeared first on Costa Rica Stamps.

It was common during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s that important people from the government embossed their stationery. This was usually made using an embossing die made of either iron, copper or bronze.

I was lucky enough to find 2 fantastic pieces of history: the embossing dies for Bernardo Soto and Tomás Guardia. Both of them presidents of Costa Rica during the 1800’s.

The first embossing die belonged to Bernardo Soto. Born in 1854. President in 2 terms from 1885 to 1888. In which decreed the creation of the Asilo Chapuí, the national lotery, the national museum and the national library.

It consists in a round iron die (with a screw on the back). On the front it has Costa Rica’s coat of arms and it reads: Bernardo Soto below it. On the back there’s a legend that reads: “STERN 47. Passage Panoramas”. All this point that this was made by Stern Graveur in Paris. Also it has an engraved number “1141” on the back pin.

The other embossing die belonged to Tomas Guardia, president in 2 terms. From 1870 to 1876 and from 1877 to 1882. During his terms approved a new constitution, abolished death penalty and started the railway to the Atlantic.

The die consists of a rectangular iron piece that on the front has Costa Rica’s coat of arms and it reads: General Tomas Guardia below it. Also it’s numbered “9296” on one side.

The post Bernardo Soto and Tomas Guardia’s Correspondence Embossing Die appeared first on Costa Rica Stamps.

There is a common question that beginner philatelist ask: what is the stamp’s printing or production process? We’ll take on this subject from a different angle: Stamp test as a design and production process.

The stamp test process starts when there’s an agreement or government decree. The selected provider starts to design the stamp(s). Below are a few examples.

1863 First Issue hand-drawn watercolor essay of the basic design with blank value tablets. Stamp size on India mounted on card measuring 39x44mm. The color being the shade chosen for the 1/2r value. Extraordinary detail in the drawing, very fine. Certainly unique and absolutely gorgeous.

Cocos Island, production file. Containing an enlarged original model of vignette on thick card measuring 320x177mm. 10c model with hand painted frame. Most initialed and approved, plus a few notes, fine-very fine; ex-American Bank Note Company archives.

National Exhibition, production file. Hand painted model; ex-American Bank Note Company archives.

The design is approved and the printer starts with die proofs. They can be of either centers, frames or complete stamps and sends them to be approved.

Large die vignette essay with retouched state with with inscriptions at bottom.

Health Day air post, production file. With enlarged photographic and hand painted model for 10c with alternative 1.35Col value tablet adjacent.

When the die proof is approved by the respective government, the printer starts printing complete sheets (plate proofs). Usually in different colors to determine which one will be the final one.

Trial color plate proof sheetlet of nine. This impression was taken from the original die at a later date. It was prepared for Waterlow & Sons sample books. Very few intact sets of sheetlet remain today.

After these are approved, the stamps are printed for circulation.

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