This is a more substantial and less ephemeral book on the subject of stamps than most of those on the market. It is in no sense a substitute for stamp catalogues, nor a manual for stamp collectors, Rather, it is a background book for people already interested in the subject, and wanting to know more of the historical aspects of stamps, and less about the actual A B C of philately. There is an excellent bibliography for those who would like to know where to go for the other types of information.