Stamp Investment Tip: New Zealand 1931 Airmails (C1-3)

In 1931, New Zealand issued its first airmail stamps, a nice typographed set picturing a plane over Lake Manapouri (Scott #C1-3). 50,000 sets were issued, and Scott '10 values it at $ 85.00 unused.

New Zealand is a modern, prosperous nation of about 4.3 million people, with a GDP of $115 billion. Over the last 10 years, annual GDP growth has averaged about 3%. The economy was hurt by the recent global financial crisis, and is beginning to recover. In 2005, the World Bank praised New Zealand as being the most business-friendly nation in the world.

Stamps of New Zealand are collected both domestically and by British Commonwealth collectors worldwide . The nation has a stamp collecting demographic similar to Great Britain's, and the demand for better material should increase dramatically as population aging accelerates. The percentage of New Zealander's aged 60 and over will rise from 18% in 2009 to 29% in 2050.

When purchasing this set, keep in mind that a scarce Perf. 14X15 variety exists of the 3p Chocolate (Scott C1a; Scott '10 Cat. Value of $ unused, used). A flight cover bearing the variety would be a real find, especially if the seller's valued it as the normal stamp.