Stamp Investment Tip: Manchukuo 1937 Completion of Capital (Scott #116-19)

In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria following the Mukden Incident, in which the Japanese military staged an act of sabotage in order to provide a pretext for war. In 1932, the Japanese formed the puppet state of Manchukuo, with Henry Pu-Yi, the former Emperor of China, as its head of state.

In 1937, Manchukuo issued a set of four stamps commemorating the completion of its National Capital (Scott #116-19). 84,000  sets were issued, and Scott '14 values the set unused at $18.25 ($24.- for NH).

I consider this issue to be a low-risk investment due to its scarcity and potential dual market among collectors of both China and Japan. It has been overlooked by Chinese collectors, due to their current tendency to spurn stamps issued by foreign occupiers. Eventually, this resentment will be diluted by reticence, and the undervaluation of this and similar issues will become obvious. Had this set been issued by the People's Republic, it's market value would be 50-100 times greater.

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Stamp Investment Tip: Manchukuo 1934 Enthronement (Scott #32-35 )

In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria following the Mukden Incident, in which the Japanese military staged an act of sabotage in order to provide a pretext for war. In 1932, the Japanese formed the puppet state of Manchukuo, with Henry Pu-Yi, the former Emperor of China, as its head of state.

In 1934, Manchukuo issued a set of four stamps picturing either the Emperor's
Palace or a phoenix, symbolizing the former emperor's "restoration" (Scott #32-35).  120,000 were issued, and Scott '14 prices the unused set at $51.50 ($75.- for NH).

I recommend this issue due to both its scarcity and potential dual market among collectors of both China and Japan. I believe that it has been overlooked by collectors in China, due to their current tendency to spurn stamps issued by foreign occupiers.

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Stamp Investment Tip: Manchukuo 1933 1st Anniv. of Establishment of the State (Scott #19-22)

In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria following the Mukden Incident, in which the Japanese military staged an act of sabotage in order to provide a pretext for war. In 1932, the Japanese formed the puppet state of Manchukuo, with Henry Pu-Yi, the former Emperor of China, as its head of state.


Manchukuo issued a set of four stamps commemorating the first anniversary of the establishment of the puppet state in 1933 (Scott #19-22). Only 50,000 sets were issued, and Scott '10 values the set unused at $ 50.50 ($75.- for NH).


I like this issue due to both its scarcity and potential dual market among collectors of both China and Japan. I believe that it has been overlooked by collectors in China, due to their current tendency to spurn stamps issued by foreign occupiers.

Stamp Investment Tip: Manchukuo 1934 15f Rose (Scott #30)

In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria following the Mukden Incident ,

in which the Japanese military staged an act of sabotage in order to provide a pretext for war. In 1932, the Japanese formed the puppet state of Manchukuo, with Henry Pu-Yi, the former Emperor of China, as its head of state. Pu-Yi's life was the subject of the Oscar-winning film The Last Emperor.

A set of stamps picturing Pu-Yi and the Liaoyang Pagoda, printed on granite paper, was issued in 1934 (Scott #23-31). The key stamp from this set (and from the complete country, for that matter) is the 15 fen Rose (Scott #30), of which 100,000 were issued. Most were probably discarded after being used on overseas mail or parcels. The stamp is frequently sold individually, so not having the accompanying remainder of the set does not detract from its value. Scott values the stamp at $ 450.00 in unused condition and $ 200.00 for used.

Manchukuo stamps are sought after by collectors of both China and Japan. I recommend purchase of Scott #30 in either F-VF or better NH condition or F-VF+ Used.