Introduction to Siegel’s POWERSEARCH

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Welcome to Siegel’s POWERSEARCH, stamp collecting’s most advanced searchable database from America’s premier stamp auctioneer. Some basic familiarity with how the information is stored in the database will make it easier for you to get the most out of it. Below are some tips and suggestions for using the database

  1. To search for one lot where you know the sale and lot number

    enter the information under Sale # and Lot #

  2. To search for a specific Scott number

    the Scott number under Catalogue # at bottom. It is not necessary to change the choices under Area, Sub Area, General or Issue/Country unless searching for something non-U.S.

  3. To search for varieties or Contains under Catalogue #

    best to narrow the search field using any of the Area, Sub Area, Category or Issue/Country fields, depending on how narrow you want to define your search. For example, selecting 1847 Issue under Issue/Country and Contains 2 in Catalogue # will only return Scott No. 2 and its varieties, while selecting 19th Century in Category and All in Issue/Country will return Scott Nos. 2, 12, 21, 22, etc. in your results.

  4. To search for covers

    can take some finesse, depending on how complicated the item is. For most U.S. covers with one stamp on them, the best place to look is under the U.S. Stamps Sub Area, then by Scott number. For example, select Scott 72 in Catalogue # equals, then select Covers under Symbol. To find all varieties of 72 (72a, 72b, etc.) on cover, select 1861-66 Issue under Issue/Country, then Catalogue # Contains 72. To find all examples of Scott No. 72 on cover to Australia, enter Australia in Key Word. To find all 1861-66 Issue covers to Australia regardless of Scott number, select 1861-66 Issue in Issue/Country, the cover symbol, and then Australia in Keyword with no Catalogue # specified.

    If lookingfor multiple franking covers, where you are not sure of the dominant Scott number or are looking for the secondary Scott number, try the following: Narrow your choice using the Category or Issue/Country fields, then leave Scott # blank. Select Cover in the Symbol field. Under Key Word, put in the information on the Scott number you are looking for, such as 3c Dull Red (11). This will then find that keyword in the descriptions, and acts as an informal Catalogue # search.

    If looking for something like Hawaii/U.S. mixed frankings, one should look under both Hawaii and the U.S. stamp issue, to cover all bases.

    cover searches, in the Postal History, Confederate States or Autographs categories, may be searched using either Key Word, or using Catalogue # with a Contains search. For example, to find George Washington free franks, change Area to Autographs and Free Franks, change Issue/Country to Presidential and Wives Autographs and Free Franks, then under Catalogue # search for Contains Washington.

Explanation of database fields

Sale Date
Narrow your search to a range of dates.
Lot Class
Search all sales, Rarities sales only or non-Rarities only.
Area
Use this to select the broadest range of choices.
Sub Area
Use this to narrow the Area search. Most covers are listed under U.S. Stamps, under the dominant Scott Number.
General
Narrow down the Sub Area. Useful for broader searches than specific Issue/Country.
Issue/Country
Use this to narrow your search to specific issues. Useful when using “contained in” under Catalogue #, or keyword searches. For example, select “1847 Issue”, then Catalogue # Contains 2 will return all double transfers or other varieties.
Catalogue #
Use for specific Scott Nos., or Contains searches for varieties. For non-U.S.  we often have both Scott and Gibbons or other relevant catalogue numbers in the field, so using Contains for those areas may yield better results.
Symbol
Looking for just covers, or Mint NH stamps? Use this to narrow results. Hold down the Ctrl key to select more than one symbol.
PF or PSE Grade
Use this to find graded stamps. You can search by either expertizer.
Key Word
Use this to find a word contained in a description.