Stamp publications encompass all published works dedicated to the world of postage stamps, from price guides to stamp-collection albums to books about philately. Because all modern stamps indicate their country of origin in some form, the most common types of stamp publications available today are catalogs of yearly stamp releases organized by country. However, enthusiasts organize their personal stamp collections in all manners—from printing styles to transportation routes to stamp subjects (also known as thematics). One way or the other, for philatelists or collectors looking to find a complete list of all available stamps created in a certain location or time period, stamp publications provide a concise and easy way to do so.
The British Royal Family has been filled with passionate philatelists, dating back to Prince Alfred’s youthful hobby in the 1860s. After the Prince’s interest became public knowledge, the first collectible albums for British stamps were published within the decade, featuring printed outlines for every stamp variation available since the postmark was first introduced. An ever-increasing selection of stamps soon made this method impractical, and publishers frequently divided their books by country of origin. In 1904, Albert’s nephew, Prince George, paid the record-breaking price of £1,450 for an unused 2-cent stamp from Mauritius. Media attention on Prince George’s expensive acquisition helped to establish stamp collecting as both a popular pastime and a lucrative market.