Changes

In describing reference books the word ''bible'' has been used too frequently of late. Slim booklets on a particular subject have the word emblazoned on their cover, which makes it rather difficult when you encounter a book – or in this case a set of six books – which merits the word. Stanley Gibbons 'Stamps of the World 2011' is genuinely a bible – an essential tool for a dealer and the serious collector. It's now available in six soft-bound volumes and is rightfully the company's flagship publication.

I know that the cover price seems expensive, but the first point to note is that the production values are second to none. Colour illustrations of stamps capture the nuances of colour and detail. They're clear and easy to look at and comparisons are simple. Print is small, but I'm afraid that goes with the territory: larger print would mean more volumes and an increased cover price. The balance is fair – provided that you make certain you read in a good light! Amazon suggests that this edition is spiral-bound, but my copies are normal soft-bound books. Spiral bound might well be easier to use as there's the usual tendency for the book to flop closed if you're working near the beginning or end of a volume, but usage will certainly cure this and once again there would be the additional cost to be considered.