Stamp Investment Tip: French Southern and Antarctic Territories 1967 20fr Rocket (Scott #29)

Four countries claim territory in the Antarctic and issue stamps for their territories. They are Australia (Australian Antarctic Territory), Great Britain (British Antarctic Territory), New Zealand (the Ross Dependency), and France (the French Southern and Antarctic Territories). Of these, the French territory, also known as French Antarctic and abbreviated as F.S.A.T. or T.A.A.F., is of most interest to philatelists, because most of the F.S.A.T. stamps were issued in modest quantities and many are beautifully engraved. Most stamps issued for the various Antarctic territories are sold to collectors, as only a few hundred scientists reside in research facilities in the Antarctic.

In 1967, the F.S.A.T. issued an attractive 20fr stamp in honor of the launching of the first space rocket from Adelie Land (Scott #29). 60,000 were issued, and Scott '12 prices the unused stamp at $26.00.

Demand for stamps of the French Antarctic is strong in France and among collectors of French Colonies/Area, and the Rocket stamp has the added appeal of being a Space topical. Despite its beauty and topical appeal, it has lagged behind some of the territory's other early issues with comparable printing quantities, some of which sell for 5 to 10 times as much.