Stamp Investment Tip: Bolivia 1952 Eduardo Abaroa (Scott #365-70, C157-62)

  In 1952, Bolivia issued a compound set of  twelve stamps honoring Eduardo Abaroa, its  foremost hero of the War of the Pacific (1879–1883), which pitted Chile against Bolivia and Peru (Scott #365-70, C157-62). 50,000 sets were issued, and Scott '13 prices the unused set at $ 21.05 .
  
 This set strongly appeals to Bolivian nationalism, and  is yet another grossly undervalued issue from a Latin American country. Also, there are many collectors who focus on the region as a whole, which supplements demand for the stamps of the individual countries.

 A nation of about 11 million people, Bolivia is the poorest country in South America, despite being rich in natural resources. Along with substantial reserves of silver and tin, Bolivia has the second largest natural gas reserves in South America and 50%-70% of the world's lithium, for which demand is expected to rise significantly over the next decades, because of its use in making batteries for electric vehicles. Since 1985, the government of Bolivia has implemented a far-reaching program of macroeconomic stabilization and structural reform aimed at maintaining price stability, creating conditions for sustained growth, encouraging foreign investment, and alleviating scarcity. Annual GDP growth has averaged 4.6% over the last 5 years.

I have begun a new blog, " The Stamp Specialist ", featuring my buy lists for stamps which I wish to purchase, including some Bolivian stamps. Periodically viewing dealers' buy lists is an excellent way to remained informed about the state of the stamp market.

Stamp Investment Tip: Qatar 1965 ITU Souvenir Sheet (Scott #68a)

 In 1965, Qatar issued a set and souvenir sheet picturing satellites and celebrating the centenary of the International Telecommunication Union (Scott #61-68,68a). 100,000 sets and 10,000 souvenir sheets were issued, and Scott '13 prices them unused at  $ 35.75 and 40.00, respectively.

   The issue has dual market appeal to collectors of Qatar and Space Topicals.

With a population of 1.4 million, Qatar has experienced rapid economic growth over the last five years, with annual GDP growth averaging 9%. The country has 15 billion barrels of oil reserves and natural gas reserves estimated at between 80 trillion to 800 trillion cubic feet - enough energy reserves to make every Qatari a centimillionaire or billionaire. Gilding the gilded lily, Qatar is also funding the development of a "knowledge economy," establishing the Qatar Science and Technology Park and Education City. It has also established Doha Sports City, and plans to build an "entertainment city" in the future, in case Qataris become bored with their other leisure activities, such as collecting stamps.

Those interested in learning more about investing in stamps are encouraged to read the Philatelic Investment Guide ($5), available on Kindle, and accessible from any computer.
 

Stamp Investment Tip: Panama 1941 New Constitution Overprint (Scott #331-38, C67-71)

In 1941, Panama issued a compound set of thirteen overprinted stamps celebrating the ratification of its new constitution (Scott #331-38, C67-71). 7,000 sets were issued, and Scott '13 prices the unused set at $49.90.

As with all Latin American stamps, there are many collectors who focus on the region as a whole, which supplements demand for the stamps of the individual countries.

A nation of 3.4 million people, Panama is the fastest growing economy and the largest per capita consumer in Central America. Panama's economy, because of its key geographic location, is mainly based on a well developed service sector heavily weighted towards banking, commerce, tourism, trading. The handover of the Canal and military installations by the United States has given rise to large construction projects. Tourism has grown rapidly during the past 5 years due to the government offering tax and price discounts to foreign guests and retirees. The country also has valuable copper and gold deposits, which are beginning to be developed. Annual GDP growth has averaged over 7% over the last 5 years.

I have begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", which will feature my buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. I've just posted a buy list for Panama, including the set and souvenir sheet 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.

Stamp Investment Tip: Russia 1931 North Pole Issue (Scott #C26-29, C30-33)

In 1931, the U.S.S.R. issued two sets of stamps intended for use on Zeppelin mail, and honoring Arctic exploration (Scott #C26-29 and C30-33). 50,000 of the first, perforated set was issued, along with 30,000 of the imperforate set, and Scott '13 prices the unused sets at $100.00  and $200.00, respectively.

Zeppelin stamps and covers are extremely popular among "Zepp" collectors and Aviation topicalists, especially in Europe. Those issued by destination-countries which are likely prospects for rapid economic development represent compelling investments.

In addition to their being  Zepps, the sets also picture the Russian Icebreaker "Malygin" and a Polar Bear, and therefore have multiple topical appeal to Ship, Animal and Polar topicalists.

The market for better Russian stamps from the Czarist through the Stalin periods is very hot right now. With 142 million people, Russia is the 8th or 9th largest economy in the world, with vast reserves of natural resources and a highly educated population. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has experienced several major economic crises in its transition to capitalism, although annual GDP growth has been strong over the last 5 years, at around 7%. The country is still plagued by corruption and organized crime, making it somewhat reminiscent of America during its "Wild West" and Robber-Baron periods. Nevertheless, the middle class has grown from just 8 million people in 2000 to 55 million in 2006.

I favor all better items of Russia, as I believe it likely that both its economy and stamp collecting population will grow substantially over the next decades.

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.

Stamp Investment Tip: India 2002 UN Climate Change Souvenir Sheet (Scott # 1978a)

In 2002, India issued a souvenir sheet honoring the UN Climate Change Convention, and picturing Indian native trees (Scott #1978a). 50,000 were issued, and Scott ' prices the unused souvenir sheet at $5.00.

All Indian souvenir sheets with printings of 100,000 or fewer should be accumulated, with priority given to those issues which have strong thematic appeal. The UN Climate Change Convention  souvenir sheet is both a United Nations and Flora topical (as well an an "Eco-topical"), and should do very well indeed. India is a rapidly developing nation of over a billion people, and millions of Indian collectors will likely be converted to the insidious cult of Philately over the next decades.

 Those interested in viewing a list of scarce stamps with printing quantities of 100,000 or fewer may wish to view the StampSelector Scarce Stamp Quantities Issued List, which currently contains over 9,700 entries. Researching quantities issued data is vital to determining in which stamps to invest.

Those interested in learning more about investing in stamps are encouraged to read the Philatelic Investment Guide ($5), available on Kindle, and accessible from any computer.

Stamp Investment Tip: Armenia 1995 Armenian Christianity Souvenir Sheet (Scott #492)

   In 1995, Armenia issued a souvenir sheet honoring 1,700 Years of Christianity in Armenia (Scott # 492). 30,000 souvenir sheets were issued, and Scott '13 prices it unused at $5.50 .

   This inexpensive souvenir sheet is an attractive Religion topical.

   Many of the new and newly resurrected nations of Central Asia and Europe have issued quite a few stamps and souvenir sheets in very modest quantities, and some of these represent interesting opportunities for speculation for those who wish to "get in on the ground floor." As these countries have only recently begun issuing stamps, their collector populations are minimal, although they are unlikely to remain so, especially if the countries prosper. The best way to play them is to target popular topicals with low issuance quantities, as these will have worldwide appeal, whether interest in these countries' stamps grows significantly or not.

   Armenia, a nation of about 3.2 million, has made steady economic progress in the face of a number of obstacles, including its legacy of dependence on the Soviet Union as a centrally planned economy, a catastrophic earthquake, and an unresolved conflict with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Major economic sectors include agriculture, chemicals, electronics, machinery, and mining, and new industries, such as precious stone processing and jewellery making, information and communication technology, and even tourism are beginning to develop. The economy is also bolstered by investment and support from 5.7 million Armenians living abroad. Annual GDP growth has averaged about 4% over the last 5 years, although this reflect a contraction of 14% in 2009 due to the global financial crisis.

  Those interested in learning about investing in stamps should read the Guide to Philatelic Investing ($5), available on Kindle and easily accessible from any computer.

Stamp Investment Tip: Papua 1934 Declaration of British Protection (Scott #110-13)

In 1934, Australia issued a set of four stamps for Papua, which it was administering, commemorating the 50th anniversary of British protection (Scott #110-13). 60,000 sets were issued, and Scott '13 prices the unused set at $17.10 ($27.50 for NH) .

Most of the collectors of Papua New Guinea are British Commonwealth collectors or Australians, because the country was administered by Australia until 1975, and maintains close ties with that nation. I recommend purchase of the better stamps of Papua, New Guinea, and Papua New Guinea based on the probable growth in interest among Australian collectors, and collectors of British Commonwealth.

Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by the rugged terrain and the high cost of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for most of the population of about 7 million. Annual GDP growth has increased dramatically over the last 5 years, from 1% in 2005 to about 7% in 2009. Still, the majority of the population is extremely poor, and I do not foresee the development of a significant collecting population within the country for some time.


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.

Stamp Investment Tip: Netherlands Antilles 1948 Wilhelmina (Scott #188-98)

   In 1948, the Netherlands Antilles issued a set of eleven stamps portraying Queen Wilhelmina (Scott #188-98). 20,000 sets were issued, and Scott '13 prices the unused set at $106.10.

   It is likely that most of the sets were used as postage and discarded.

I continue to favor stamps of the European colonies and possessions over the stamps of their mother countries. The quantities issued for the colonies tend to be modest, and worldwide interest in them often grows at a faster rate. For the most part, stamps of the Netherlands Antilles appeals to Netherlands Colonies collectors, but as Curacao is a popular tourist destination, it's likely that in the future, interest in its stamps will grow in the Americas as well.

With about 16.6 million people, the Netherlands is the 16th largest economy in the world. It is an affluent industrial and trading nation, with a well-educated population, and an active stamp collecting community. Its annual GDP growth has averaged about 1% over the last 5 years, reflecting a slowing due to the global financial crisis.

Those interested in viewing a list of scarce stamps with printing quantities of 100,000 or fewer may wish to view the StampSelector Scarce Stamp Quantities Issued List, which currently contains over 9,700 entries. Researching quantities issued data is vital to determining in which stamps to invest.
 

Stamp Investment Tip: Zanzibar 1952 Issue (Scott #230-43)

 In 1952, Zanzibar issued a set of fourteen stamps honoring Sultan Khalifa bin Harub and the schools named after him (Scott #230-43). 42,961 sets were issued, and Scott '13 prices the unused set at $53.45 .

In 1964, Tanganyika joined Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which changed its name to the United Republic of Tanzania in 1965. While it is likely that in the near-term, British Commonwealth collectors will generate most of the demand for stamps of Zanzibar, should a significant stamp collecting community develop within Tanzania, the undervalued stamps of the former protectorate will skyrocket.

Tanzania has a population of about 43 million, and its economy is mostly based on agriculture, which accounts for more than half of the GDP, provides about 75% of exports, and employs approximately 75% of the workforce. Topography and climate, though, limit cultivated crops to only 4% of the land area. The nation has many natural resources including minerals, natural gas, and tourism, and the government has instituted policies to promote development of these sectors. Annual GDP growth has averaged about 6.5% over the last 5 years.

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