Bangkok-based British philatelic dealer, Michael Hamilton, has been in the trade for almost 50 years, and specialises in British West Indies. Over that period, he has handled tens of thousands of items.
So, he started compiling various WIP (work-in-progress) files containing text or images of covers of certain origins / destinations that have appeared in the market over the last many decades. In his own words:
“I started continuous trading in late 1978. The first year was selling only early St. Vincent. The second year I ventured into the other Caribbean islands, and at a much later point took on adhesive only covers of various classic British Commonwealth countries – for the latter pre-stamp was excluded, and also most covers after about 1885.
These WIP files give you exactly the same knowledge that I currently work with. They can be your buying edge, they can stop you buying a cover where stamps are missing, or just faked in one way or another. For you it is near impossible to replicate my work – buying the hundreds of auction catalogues whether for a single country or 40 countries. My costs (prices) are for my 48 years of hard slog – and just one purchase can make the acquisition worthwhile. These are digital PDF and probably best kept on your desk computer or laptop which allows all information at your fingertips whether at a Stamp Fair or auction. As these are WIP (work-in -progress) it means I am daily adding information and purchase allows you to have two free updates as and when required.”
A list of WIP files on sale is can be seen on Hamilton’s website – search in the sections ‘MH Publications’ or ‘Buy the Best’. For further details, contact him directly, either by WhatsApp on 0044 7541 213769 or email michael-hamilton57@hotmail.co.uk.
