Stamp Investment Tip: Mexico 1935 Amelia Earhart Goodwill Flight Overprint (Scott #C74)

In 1935, famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart paid a goodwill visit to Mexico City, carrying mail bound for New York City on her return flight to Newark, New Jersey. In honor of her visit, Mexico issued an airmail stamp for mail carried on the return flight (Scott #C74) , by overprinting its 1934-35 20c Lake "Eagle Man" airmail (Scott #C68a). 780 stamps were overprinted, of which 480 were additionally overprinted "Muestra" ("Specimen") and sent to the Universal Postal Union for distribution to postal administrations worldwide. Scott prices the unused stamp at $ 3,250.- ($5,000.- for NH) .

About one hundred of the remaining three hundred stamps were used on the mail carried by Earhart to New York City. Some of these covers were autographed by her, and occasionally show up at auction. The sale of Earhart's flown philatelic souvenirs helped offset the expenses of her aeronautic adventures and further ensured her legacy in aerophilately.

The stamp may seem pricey, but I expect that it will become considerably more so, as it has dual market appeal for both collectors of Mexico and Aerophilatelists. The autographed flight covers are important relics of aviation history, and are coveted by those who collect autographs, stamps, and aviation memorabilia.

While I am not aware of any fakes of this stamps, as it is an overprint, I recommend purchasing it conditional on expertization, preferably by the Mexico-Elmhurst Philatelic Society ( M.E.P.S.I.). Those interested in learning more about Mexican stamps should consider joining, as it is the pre-eminent organization for Mexico philatelists.

With a population of about 109 million, Mexico has experienced consistent annual GDP growth of between 3 and 5%. It has a diverse and developing economy, but modernization remains a slow and uneven process, and current challenges include addressing income inequality, crime, and corruption, upgrading the infrastructure, and reforming tax and labor laws. Stamps of Mexico are popular among collectors in the U.S. .

I have begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", which will feature wholesale buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. The first such buy list is for Mexico, and includes the stamp 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.