Stamp Investment Tip: Armenia 1997 1,700th Anniversary of Christianity in Armenia Souvenir Sheet (Scott #549)

In 1997, Armenia issued a set and souvenir sheet picturing Armenian churches and honoring 1,700 years of Christianity in Armenia (Scott 544-48, 549). 100,000 sets and 30,000 souvenir sheets were issued, and Scott '13 prices them unused at $7.50 and $ 5.00, respectively.

I recommend purchase of the souvenir sheet, as it is an attractive Religion and Art/Architecture topical and also appeals to Armenian nationalist sentiment.

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 just under 3% over the last 5 years, although this reflect a contraction of 14% in 2009 due to the global financial crisis.

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: Peru 1936 Airplane in Flight (Scott #C4-5)

In 1936, Peru issued a pair of airmail stamps picturing a plane in flight (Scott #C4-5). 60,000 sets were issued, and Scott '13 prices the unused set at $21.50. It is likely that the vast majority of these high-denomination stamps were used as postage and discarded, as they would have been too costly for the average Peruvian to purchase as collectibles during the Great Depression.

Peru has issued a number of undervalued sets, which I intend to cover in the future. Demand for the country's stamps is boosted by the tendency of many collectors to focus on Latin America as a region.


With a population of 29 million, Peru is an emerging market nation which has experienced significant economic growth over the last 15 years, and annual GDP growth averaging 7.2% over the last 5. Major exports include copper, gold, zinc, textiles, and fish meal. In 2010 Peru's per capita income is about $10,000. Poverty has steadily decreased since 2004, when nearly half the country's population was under the poverty line, although great inequities in income distribution persist. As the trend continues and more Peruvians join the middle class, the country's better stamps should do very well.

I have begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", which will feature wholesale buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. I've posted a buy list for the Peru, and it includes the set 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: Brunei 1943-44 Japanese Occupation Overprints (Scott #N1-20)

  Between 1942 and 1944, the Japanese occupied Brunei, which had been a British protectorate since 1888. They overprinted stamps of the 1907-21 Issue, showing a boatman on the Brunei River, with colored handstamps (Scott #N1-20).

  Unfortunately, quantities issued information is unavailable for these stamps. I recommend purchase of  most valuable of them (N8,N9, N18,N19,N20), which all catalog $900.- or more, because each of these were almost certainly issued in quantities of a few hundred of less, and because they are pricey enough to justify purchasing expertization, which is necessary on these overprinted stamps.

  The stamps have triple market appeal among collectors of British Commonwealth, Japan/Japanese Occupation issues, and Brunei.

   With a population of over 400,000, Brunei is now a wealthy state for which oil and natural gas production account for about 90% of GDP. It has the second highest Human Development Index among the South East Asia nations after Singapore, and Forbes ranks it as the fifth richest nation out of 182 nations due to its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields. Annual GDP growth has average about 1% 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" page at Facebook. The  page hosts 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: Romania 1936 Marine Exposition Semi-postals (Scott #B66-68)

 In 1936, Romania issued a set of three semi-postal stamps picturing ships in celebration of its Marine Exposition (Scott #B66-68). 60,000 sets were issued, and Scott '13 prices the unused set at $ 8.75.

   The set has dual market appeal to collectors of Romania and Transportation/Ship topicals.

A nation of 22 million people with a GDP per capita of $ 12,285.- (about 46% of the EU average), Romania is considered an upper-middle income country. Romania's main exports are clothing and textiles, industrial machinery, electrical and electronic equipment, metallurgic products, raw materials, cars, military equipment, software, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, and agricultural products. Though the economy has been hit recently by the global financial crisis, GDP growth has averaged about 3.8% over the last ten years.

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: Azerbaijan 1994 Olympic Committee Centennial (Scott #474-76)

  In 1994, Azerbaijan issued a set of three stamps celebrating the centennial of the International Olympic Committee (Scott #474-76). 30,000 were issued, and Scott '13 prices the unused set at $3.00.
  
The set has obvious topical appeal for Sports/Olympics topicalists, as well as being an inexpensive bet on the growth of Azerbaijan's economy. Recommending it is consistent with my belief that one of the best ways to play the new and newly resurrected countries of Europe and Asia is to focus on popular topicals with low printings.

Azerbaijan is an oil-rich nation of about 9 million people, which also has significant reserves of natural gas and various minerals. Agriculture and tourism are also important to the Azerbaijani economy. The country shares all the problems of the former Soviet republics in making the transition from a command to a market economy, but its energy resources brighten its long-term prospects. It has begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and structures are slowly being replaced. Annual GDP growth has averaged a stellar 16% over the last 5 years, largely based on the frenetic development of the country's oil wealth - an estimated 7 billion barrels of reserves.

Those interested in becoming part of an international community of stamp collectors, dealers, and investors are welcome to join the "Stampselectors"page at Facebook. The  page hosts 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.