Stamp Investment Tip: Argentina 1948 Postal Service Anniversary Souvenir Sheets (Scott #582-83)

   In 1948, Argentina issued a set of two souvenir sheets celebrating the bicentennial of the establishment of postal service on the Plata River (Scott #582-83).  20,000 sets were issued, and Scott '14 prices the unused set at $32.- .

   These colorful sheets have additional appeal to collectors of Transportation and Animal/Horse topicals. 


   I continue to favor all better stamps of Latin America as bets on the growth of the region's middle class. As collectors often focus on Latin America as a whole, demand for the stamps of the individual countries is supplemented by the the more general regional focus.

With a population of about 40 million, Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Historically, Argentina's economic performance has been uneven, as periods of high economic growth have alternated with severe downturns. Over the last 5 years, annual GDP growth has averaged an impressive 6.5%. However, over the last 20 years Argentina has weathered several major debt crises and recessions.

 "The Stamp Specialist" blog features my buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. I've posted a buy list for Argentina, including the set recommended in this article. Viewing dealers' buy lists every now and then is an excellent way to keep current on the vagaries of the stamp market.

Stamp Investment Tip: Uzbekistan 1999 Horses Souvenir Sheet (Scott #181 )

In 1999, Uzbekistan issued a souvenir sheet picturing horses (Scott #181 ). Only 10,000 were issued, and Scott '10 values it at $ 3.50 for unused. While the sheet was almost certainly produced to generate revenue from sales to collectors, it is nevertheless an attractive, cheap, and scarce topical that is worth the ride. As Uzbekistan's economic prospects seem promising, the souvenir sheet is "twice lovable."

A nation of about 28 million, Uzbekistan relies mainly on the production or extraction of commodities, including cotton, gold, uranium, potassium, and natural gas. The government is slowly relaxing state control of the economy, although it remains hostile to allowing the development of a significant private sector. Average annual GDP growth has been outstanding, averaging 8% over the last 5 years. However, average income has remained low, at around $610 per year (2006), largely due to the fact that much of the country's prosperity has benefited a tiny ruling elite of corrupt bureaucrats. Reforms are obviously necessary, although given the country's abysmal human rights record, the road to change will probably be a bumpy one.

Many of the newly independent and newly resurrected nations of Europe and Central Asia have issued popular topical sets and souvenir sheets in modest quantities, and most are currently very inexpensive. I view such issues as low-risk speculations, as only time will tell whether either the development of stamp markets within these countries or topical appeal will push them significantly higher. In a sense, they're comparable to penny stocks, but not as risky.