ACSC shot themselves in the foot when they set their catalogue numbering rules. Currently:
- 1. Varieties are listed in order of their position on a sheet.
- 2. The same variety across different issues is given the same catalogue number suffix, e.g. the "(4)d" in "74(4)d".
In editing terms, the results are horrific. Let's say that the "saddle on emu" variety in plate 1, position 1, has not been identified. All of a sudden it pops up. This means that every stamp variety listed for Plate 1 for BW71 to BW82 has to be renumbered. (With the exception of BW75 which used a different Die III)
This in itself would be a deterrent, let alone the fact that the KGV volume of ACSC would need to be 4 or 5 times its current (large) size to accomodate the currently identified varieties. I used to have a 1956 printing of ACSC and it was only about 15mm thick and included all Commonwealth stamps issued by Australia. Now, the KGV volume of ACSC (which does not include the Kangaroo issues BW 1 to 58 and is about as thick as my 1956 all-issues ACSC) is almost twice as thick as that.