Introduction to Siegel’s POWERSEARCH
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
To search for one lot where you know the sale and lot number
enter the information under Sale # and Lot #
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.
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.
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.