Stamp Investment Tip: Sudan 1935 Surcharged Airmails (Scott #C17-22)

In 1935, Sudan issued a surcharged airmail set (Scott #C17-22) , by overprinting some of the stamps from its 1931-35 Statue of General Gordon Issue. Only 10,000 sets were issued, and Scott '14 prices the unused set at $23.20.

While few of these stamps were actually used (the used sets are far pricier than the unused ones), the set is still undervalued, especially since it has potential dual market appeal among collectors of British Commonwealth and collectors of Sudan.

Until recently, Sudan was a nation of about 42 million people, living under what is perhaps the most vicious regime on the planet. It had suffered several civil wars over the last 50 years, including the one waged in Darfur, which earned the government international condemnation and charges of genocide. Recently, Southern Sudan (population = 8.2 million) gained independence, and it is unclear whether this will result in a lasting peace. Both countries are rich in oil, natural gas, and minerals. Agricultural production remains the most important sector, employing 80% of the workforce and contributing 39% of GDP, but most farms remain rain-fed and susceptible to drought. Political instability,adverse weather, and weak world agricultural prices ensures that much of the population will remain at or below the poverty line for years. Annual GDP growth (for Sudan as a whole) has been very high, averaging almost 8% over the last five years. However, it is very likely that most (or all) of the prosperity has benefited only the ruling elite, as Sudan was not only one of the world's most murderous countries, but also one of the most corrupt.

I recommend the set on the basis of its appeal among British Commonwealth collectors. Should a significant collector population ever develop within either of the two Sudans, it would provide an additional catalyst for price appreciation.

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Stamp Investment Tip: Sudan 1931-35 Statue of General Gordon (Scott #C4-15)

From 1931-35, Sudan issued an attractive set of 15 airmail stamps picturing a statue of General Charles "Chinese" Gordon sitting atop a camel (Scott #C4-15). 35,000 sets were issued, and Scott '12 prices the unused set at $53.40.

The set has potential dual market appeal among collectors of British Commonwealth and collectors of Sudan.

Until recently, Sudan was a nation of about 42 million people, living under what is perhaps the most vicious regime on the planet. It had suffered several civil wars over the last 50 years, including the one waged in Darfur, which earned the government international condemnation and charges of genocide. Recently, Southern Sudan (population = 8.2 million) gained independence, and it is unclear whether this will result in a lasting peace. Both countries are rich in oil, natural gas, and minerals. Agricultural production remains the most important sector, employing 80% of the workforce and contributing 39% of GDP, but most farms remain rain-fed and susceptible to drought. Political instability,adverse weather, and weak world agricultural prices ensures that much of the population will remain at or below the poverty line for years. Annual GDP growth (for Sudan as a whole) has been very high, averaging almost 8% over the last five years. However, it is very likely that most (or all) of the prosperity has benefited only the ruling elite, as Sudan was not only one of the world's most murderous countries, but also one of the most corrupt.

I recommend the set on the basis of its appeal among British Commonwealth collectors, as it's honored subject, General Gordon, gained fame as a martyr for the British Empire. Should a significant collector population ever develop within either of the two Sudans, it would provide an additional catalyst for price appreciation.

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Phila-Trivia: When Faith is More Than Skin Deep - The Sudan Watermark Incident

In 1898, Lord Kitchener, then British proconsul in Egypt and the Sudan, was concluding the suppression of the Mahdist Revolt, a bloody conflict which had lasted 17 years. A new set of stamps picturing a camel post rider was issued (Scott #9-16), replacing the former stamps of 1897 (Scott #1-8), which were simply Egyptian stamps overprinted "Soudan." It was hoped that the new set would be more popular, in that it would be distinctively Sudanese.

Unfortunately, a seemingly minor detail was overlooked. The stamps were printed on a paper which was the same as used for the stamps of some other British possessions, and bore a Rosette watermark, also referred to as a Maltese Cross. Not long after the issue was put in use, there was a noticeable murmur among the Sudanese, especially within religious circles, who were indignant at the prospect of having to kiss a Christian Cross when licking the back of the stamp to affix it to a letter. Kitchener ordered the stamps reprinted on new paper, and in 1902 a new set was issued, on paper bearing a star and crescent watermark (Scott #17-27).

This was probably the first and only time that an element of a stamp's design was changed in order to avert a religious conflict.

Stamp Investment Tip: Sudan 1935 Gordon Memorial Issue (Scott #51-59)

From 1899 through 1954, Sudan was officially under Anglo-Egyptian rule, but in fact administered as a British colony. In 1935, it issued a set of stamps commemorating the 50th anniversary of the matyrdom of General Charles George "Chinese" Gordon, one of the more colorful characters in the history of the British Empire (Scott #51-59). Gordon was killed in 1885 during the Mahdist Revolt , while unsuccessfully attempting to defend the besieged city of Khartoum. Ultimately, the British reasserted their control, reaching Omdurman, the Mahdist capital, in 1898. There, the British effectively used their shiny new Maxim machine guns to defeat a poorly armed native force more than twice the size of their own. Some 30,000 Mahdist soldiers were killed in the war, along with about 700 of the British forces, which included Egyptians and Sudanese.

The Gordon set strongly appeals to British Commonwealth collectors, as it beautifully illustrates the histrionic hubris and heroics of the former Empire. Only 5,500 were issued, and Scott '10 values it unused at $275.00 . I recommend the set based on my confidence in the growth of the British Commonwealth market, although it's possible that demand for it will receive an additional push should Sudan ever become a normal country.


Currently, Sudan is a nation of about 42 million people, living under what is perhaps the most vicious regime on the planet. It has suffered several civil wars over the last 50 years, including the current one being waged in Darfur, which has earned the government international condemnation and charges of genocide. The country is oil-rich, and currently exports over 180 million barrels per year. It also has significant deposits of natural gas, gold, silver, chrome, asbestos, manganese, gypsum, mica, zinc, iron, lead, uranium, copper, kaolin, cobalt, granite, nickel, tin, and aluminum. Agriculture production remains Sudan's most important sector, employing 80% of the workforce and contributing 39% of GDP, but most farms remain rain-fed and susceptible to drought. Political instability,adverse weather, and weak world agricultural prices ensures that much of the population will remain at or below the poverty line for years. Annual GDP growth has been very high, averaging almost 8% over the last five years. However, it is very likely that most (or all) of the prosperity has benefited only the ruling elite, as Sudan is not only one of the world's most murderous countries, but also one of the most corrupt.


That an attractive, historically significant set of stamps with such a meager printing quantity and some worldwide appeal, from a medium-sized country with valuable natural resources, is currently valued so low indicates a nearly total lack of a stamp market within that country, which is not surprising if the country is being run by mass murderers who do not care about the welfare of their fellow citizens. At worst, the Gordon set represents a conservative investment. If Sudan's situation improves, there will be ample reward for the patient investor who is willing to get in on the ground floor.