Stamp Investment Tip: Japan National Parks Souvenir Sheets

Japan began issuing sets and souvenir sheets honoring its National Parks in the late 1930s. Some of these attractive souvenir sheets, especially the earliest, were issued in quite modest quantities, and should continue to increase in value in the future. The five scarcest are:

- 1939 Aso National Park s/s (Scott #293a; Scott '11 CV= $85.00/$140.- for NH ; 76,000 issued)

-1940 Daisetzuan Nat'l Pk. s/s (Sc. #306a; Sc.'11 CV= $190.-/$350.- for NH ; 42,000 issued)

-1940 Kirishima Nat'l Pk. s/s (Sc. #311a; Sc. '11 CV =$150.-/$350.- for NH ; 50,000 issued)

-1940 Daitan and Niitaka-Arisan Nat'l Pks. s/s (Sc. #318a; Sc.'11 CV=$ 80.-/$175.- for NH; 76,000 issued)

-1941 Tsugitaka-Taroko Nat'l Pk. s/s (Sc. #323a; Sc.'11 CV=$80.-/$175.- for NH ; 76,000 issued)

These souvenir sheets were issued with folders, and those with accompanying folders command a premium. Most were issued on very thin, fragile paper, and gum bends and minor creases are common defects of which to be aware.

I've no doubt that Japan's economy will eventually rebound after having been hit by the recent horrific earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster which caused so much devastation. Japan is the third largest economy in the world (after the U.S. and China), and has a large and active stamp collecting community. I believe that the National Parks souvenir sheets will continue to grow in popularity, especially as increasing interest in environmental preservation worldwide supplements Japanese demand, which is based on a cultural reverence for natural beauty.

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