Stamp Investment Tip: Elobey, Annobon, and Corisco 1907 Alfonso XIII (Scott #39-54)

  Most of the early definitive sets of the various Spanish Colonies picturing King Alfonso XIII (as an infant, boy, or young man) are very scarce, and they are overlooked by the market because the colonies are often obscure and the sets are seldom seen. The condition of these sets is often far from ideal, and the stamps within frequently have rough perfs or poor centering. If found in F-VF+ LH condition and reasonably priced, they should be purchased and held as long-term investments.

  Such is the case with many of the sets of Elobey, Annobon, and Corisco, a group of islands administered by the Spanish which issued 60 postage stamps (all of which are good) between 1903 and 1910. The islands are now part of the nation of Equatorial Guinea.

   In 1905, the Spanish colonial administration of the islands issued a set of 16 stamps portraying Alfonso XIII (Scott #39-54). Only 2,500 of the 10p Rose high value were issued, and Scott '14  prices the unused set at $148.25 ($275.- for NH). I recommend purchase of either the entire set or the 10p if found in either F-VF+ NH, LH or used condition.

  I view the issue as a conservative investment based on the growth in popularity of Spanish Colonies stamps. I think that the development of a significant stamp collecting population in the foreseeable future is unlikely, but should that happen, it could dramatically boost the value of all of the stamps of Elobey, Annobon, and Corisco.

   Equatorial Guinea is one of the smallest nations in Africa, with a population of just under 700,000. It is one of the richest nations on a per capita basis due to significant oil reserves; however, the the wealth is distributed very unevenly and benefits a tiny elite, and 70% of the population lives on about $2 per day. The country's brutal regime protects the wealthy and maintains the inequity, as  Equatorial Guinea has one of the worst human rights records in the world, consistently ranking among the "worst of the worst" in Freedom House's annual survey of political and civil rights

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Elobey, Annobon, and Corisco 1905 Alfonso XIII (Scott #19-34)

  Most of the early definitive sets of the Spanish Colonies picturing King Alfonso XIII (as an infant, boy, or young man) are very scarce, and they are overlooked by the market because the colonies are often obscure and the sets are seldom seen. The condition of these sets is often far from ideal, and the stamps within frequently have rough perfs or poor centering. If found in F-VF+ LH condition and reasonably priced, they should be purchased and held as long-term investments.

  Such is the case with many of the sets of Elobey, Annobon, and Corisco, a group of islands administered by the Spanish which issued 60 postage stamps (all of which are good) between 1903 and 1910. The islands are now part of the nation of Equatorial Guinea.

   In 1905, the Spanish colonial administration of the islands issued a set of 16 stamps portraying Alfonso XIII (Scott #19-34). Only 2,000 of the 10p Claret high value were issued, and Scott '13  prices the unused set at $ 811.60 ($1,500.- for NH) . I recommend purchase of either the entire set or the 10p if found in either F-VF+ NH, LH or used condition.

  I view the issue as a conservative investment based on the growth in popularity of Spanish Colonies stamps. Also, though  the development of a significant stamp collecting population in Equatorial Guinea in  the foreseeable future is unlikely, should that happen, it could dramatically boost the value of all of the stamps of Elobey, Annobon, and Corisco.

   Equatorial Guinea is one of the smallest nations in Africa, with a population of just under 700,000. It is one of the richest nations on a per capita basis due to significant oil reserves; however, the the wealth is distributed very unevenly and benefits a tiny elite, and 70% of the population lives on about $2 per day. The country's brutal regime protects the wealthy and maintains the inequity, as  Equatorial Guinea has one of the worst human rights records in the world, consistently ranking among the "worst of the worst" in Freedom House's annual survey of political and civil rights.

   Those interested in becoming part of an international community of stamp collectors, dealers, and investors are welcome to join the "Stampselectors" group at Facebook. The group hosts lively discussions concerning stamp investment and practical aspects of collecting, as is also an excellent venue for those who wish to buy, sell, or trade stamps.

Stamp Investment Tip: Cuba 1890-97 Alfonso XIII (Scott #132-55)

From 1890-97, the Spanish issued a long set of twenty four stamps for Cuba, picturing the Infant King Alfonso XIII (Scott #132-55). Only 10,000 were issued, and Scott '11 prices the unused set at $294.45 and the used set at $95.20. This is one of many scarce issues of Cuba which should be targeted for investment. It is absurdly undervalued, because it is unlikely that more than one or two thousand sets survive in any condition, and because it has multiple market appeal to collectors of Spanish Colonies, Cuba, and Latin America in general.

I believe it inevitable that Cuba will join the fold of more-or-less free nations, and that tourism and trade will explode as a result. Currently, the average wage of each of the 11 1/2 million people living in this "socialist utopia" is under $20 per month, and GDP per capita is 107th in the world. Annual GDP growth has been high, averaging 6.4% over the last 5 years, but given the levels of corruption and favoritism shown to high ranking Communist Party members, it's an open question whether much of that new wealth has been filtering downward. Eventually, something will have to give. The current market for Cuban stamps, especially of the Pre-Castro Period, is bolstered by interest of stamp collectors within Cuban-American community, currently about 1.6 million strong, and far wealthier than their compatriots on the island. Interest in Cuban stamps is likely to increase, especially given the likely prospect of a replacement of the stale, "gerontocratic" regime within a decade or so.

I have begun a new blog, " The Stamp Specialist ", featuring my buy lists for stamps which I wish to purchase, including some Cuban stamps. Periodically viewing dealers' buy lists is an excellent way to remained informed about the state of the stamp market.

Those interested in becoming part of an international community of stamp collectors, dealers, and investors are welcome to join the "Stampselectors" group at Facebook. The group hosts lively discussions concerning stamp investment and practical aspects of collecting, and is also an excellent venue for those who wish to buy, sell, or trade stamps.

Stamp Investment Tip: Marianas 1899 Spanish Handstamped Issue (Scott 1-6)

In 1899, Spain issued stamps for the Marianas Islands, which it had claimed as its possession since 1668, the arrival of Spanish Jesuits intent on Christianizing the local natives, the Chamorro, who were nearly wiped out by wars with the Spanish and diseases introduced by colonists over the next eighty years. Stamps of the Philippines, which Spain had just lost in the Spanish-American War, were crudely handstamped "Marianas Espanolas" and were used for only a single mail shipment that was transported off the island in December of 1899, before Spain sold the Marianas to Germany in 1900.


These stamps are extremely scarce, and the covers are about as rare as hen's teeth. They are occasionally offered at auction. Expertization is a necessary condition of purchase, because forged handstamps exist. Many of the Spanish Marianas stamps are poorly centered, so attempt to either select one that has F-VF or better centering, unlike the one pictured, or discount for mediocre centering or condition problems.

The quantities issued and Scott ' 10 Catalog Values are as follows:

• 1 2c Dark Blue Green (500 issued; $875.00 unused, $ 325.00 used)
• 2 3c Dark Brown (500 issued; $ 675.00 unused, $ 225.00 used )
• 3 5c Carmine Rose (500 issued; $ 1,000.00 unused, $ 350.00 used)
• 4 6c Dark Blue (50 issued; $ 6,500.00 unused, $ 5,000.00 used)
• 5 8c Gray Brown (700 issued; $ 500.00 unused, $ 200.00 used)
• 6 15c Slate Green (150 issued; $ 2,500.00 unused, $ 1,300.00 used)