Stamp Investment Tip: Portuguese India 1952 Stamp Exhibition strip (Scott 520-21,523a)

   Both the Portuguese and the French held some territory in India, while the British dominated the rest of it. Both of the lesser colonial powers in India issued stamps which are, for the most part, neglected by Indian collectors, and which have potential multiple market appeal in India, their home countries, and among collectors of European colonies. Interestingly, the Portuguese held out the longest of the three, and issued stamps for their colony until India seized it in 1961, ending the occupation. It's not the only time that obsolescent imperial visions of grandeur have benefited philatelists.

   In 1952, Portuguese India issued two souvenir sheets and a strip of two + label to celebrate its first stamp exhibition (Scott #522-23, 523a). The souvenir sheets picture St. Francis Xavier and his tomb, while the strip contains a one stamp picturing the saint and another picturing Portuguese India's first stamp. 30,000 of each were issued and Scott '14 prices the sheets and the strip unused at $29.00 and $25.00 respectively.

   These items have additional market appeal among collectors of India, Portuguese Colonies, and collectors of Religion and Stamp-on-Stamp topicals.

   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: Argentina 1956 Stamp Centenary Souvenir Sheet (Scott #653a)

   In 1956, Argentina issued a souvenir sheet celebrating the centenary of its postage stamps (Scott #653a). 100,000 were issued, and Scott '14 prices the unused sheet at $9.00.

   The sheet has additional appeal as a Stamp-on-Stamp topical.

I continue to favor all better stamps of Latin America as bets on the growth of the region's middle class. As collectors often focus on Latin America as a whole, demand for the stamps of the individual countries is supplemented by the the more general regional focus.

With a population of about 40 million, Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Historically, Argentina's economic performance has been uneven, as periods of high economic growth have alternated with severe downturns. Over the last 5 years, annual GDP growth has averaged an impressive 6.5%. However, over the last 20 years Argentina has weathered several major debt crises and recessions.

 "The Stamp Specialist" blog features my buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. I've posted a buy list for Argentina. 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: French Southern and Antarctic Territories 1968 Space Exploration (Scott #C16a)

   Of the seven countries which claim territories in the Antarctic, four issue  stamps for them. They are: Great Britain (British Antarctic Territory), Australia (Australian 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 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 there.

In 1968, the F.S.A.T. issued a set of two stamps honoring France's Dragon Rockets (Scott #C15-16), which should be bought as a triptych (Scott #C16a). 45,000 sets were issued, and Scott '14 prices the unused triptych at $40.- .

Demand for stamps of the French Antarctic is strong in France and among collectors of French Colonies/Area and Polar Topicals worldwide, and the triptych  has obvious appeal as a Space Exploration and Transportation topical. 

The Stamp Auction Bidders and Consignors Union (SABACU) is a forum for discussing stamp auctions, and represents the interests of stamp auction bidders and consignors in their dealings with stamp auctioneers. All stamp collectors and dealers are welcome to join.   
 

Phila-Trivia: The Guano Trade and the Clipperton Island Stamps

   While the California and Alaska Gold Rushes are well known and have been immortalized in films and literature, the Guano Trade of the mid- and late 19th Century is less so, though it  played a pivotal role in the development of modern intensive farming practices and inspired the colonization of remote islands in many parts of the world. Guano, the accumulated droppings of birds or bats, is an extremely effective fertilizer and a rich source of phosphorous and nitrogen, key ingredients of gunpowder.

   Among the historic relics of the Guano Trade are the stamps of Clipperton Island, a guano-rich coral atoll which was mined by the Oceanic Phosphate Company.

   

   Clipperton Island was named after the English mutineer and pirate John Clipperton, who made it his hideout in 1705. The French claimed Clipperton in 1855, but Mexican forces invaded in 1897 and stationed troops there until 1917. In 1930, the island again came under French rule. The island is the only atoll in the eastern Pacific Ocean, and it lies about 670 miles southwest of Mancanilla Bay, Mexico, the nearest mainland. It comprises a ring of dead coral surrounding a lagoon, measuring less than four square miles. Numerous birds use the deserted and uninhabited island as a nesting place and therefore it is rich in guano deposits.

   In 1892, the Oceanic Phosphate Company, an American firm, began to exploit these guano deposits. It was  estimated that there were about 1,000,000 tons of fertilizing material on the island, and valued at between $18 and $20 a ton.

   In 1895, 200 sets of ten stamps, denominated in American currency, were issued by W. Frese and Company, acting as agents of Oceanic Phosphate. The set's six similar designs  pictured the atoll surrounding the year "1895", as well as crawfish and birds - the Masked Boobies which abound there.

   Initial responses to these stamps published in the philatelic press were quite skeptical, as many viewed their issuance as yet another attempt to bilk collectors. However, W. Frese and Company responded:

"...There are but a few men on the island, but we will have between one hundred and two hundred at work there later. There is no communication with any nearer point than San Francisco, and this only by means of our vessels, which sail at irregular periods, as circumstances require. Heretofore we have carried the mail for our employees, and have taken the chance of collecting for this service. On this basis we have at times carried as much as $15.00 worth of mail matter on a single voyage of one of our vessels. We found it difficult, in most cases, to make them pay this charge, and to obviate this trouble in the future we

decided to issue stamps, which must be used to prepay postage by those sending mail to or from

Clipperton Island." 

Mexican stamps overprinted
for mailings from Clipperton Island

   Presumably use of the set was discontinued following the Mexican invasion of 1897. Thereafter, Mexican stamps were overprinted for mailings from the island. 

   Whether issued for philatelic purposes or not, the set is quite scarce and is occasionally offered at stamp auctions, at which it usually sells for around $ 500.- to $ 750.-. 

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

Stamp Investment Tip: Niger Coast Protectorate 1892 Overprint (Scott #1-6)

   The Niger Coast Protectorate, a territory originally known as the Oil Rivers Protectorate, was a typical colonial "company territory" managed by the Royal Niger Company. The Company controlled the territory's land, resources, and people for the enrichment of its shareholders. It surrendered its charter to the Crown in 1899, and the Protectorate was then incorporated into the two new territories of Northern and Southern Nigeria, which were combined to form the colony of Nigeria in 1914.

   During its seven-year existence, the Protectorate issued 63 stamps (plus varieties), including some notable rarities. Among the more affordable and accessible is its first issue, the 1892 Overprints (Scott #1-6), which were created by overprinting some of the stamps from Great Britain's 1887-92 Victoria Issue. Only 6,720 sets were issued, and Scott '14 values the set unused at $155.75.  While I usually recommend obtaining expertization on scarce overprinted stamps, in this case doing so is unnecessary because the non-overprinted British stamps are actually more expensive, though far more common.

   Stamps of Niger Coast Protectorate have the potential for dual market appeal among collectors of British Commonwealth and Nigeria.

   A nation of over 154 million people, Nigeria is an an emerging market country, and is rapidly approaching middle income status, with an abundant supply of resources, well-developed financial, legal, communications, transport sectors, and a stock exchange which is the second largest in Africa. It is the eighth largest exporter of petroleum in the world. GDP growth has averaged almost 6% over the last 5 years. However, the country also has major problems, including corruption, human rights abuses, grossly unequal distribution of income, and internal religious and tribal conflicts.

Based purely on the growth of demand from British Commonwealth collectors, the set represents a conservative investment with little downside risk. Should Nigeria develop even a modest base of stamp collectors, the set will soar.

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: Panama 1930 Plane Over Map Airmails (Scott #C10-14)

 

In 1930, Panama issued a set of five airmail stamps picturing a plane over a map of Panama (Scott #C10-14). 10,000 sets were issued, and Scott '14 prices the unused set at $13.05.

It is likely that most of these stamps were used as postage and then discarded. Furthermore, the set appeals to a small but rapidly growing number of Map on Stamp topicalists, also known as "Cartophilatelists."

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.

 "The Stamp Specialist" blog features my buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. I've  posted a buy list for Panama. 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: Poland 1955 International Philatelic Exhibition Souvenir Sheets (Scott #B104-05)

   In 1955, Poland issued a set of two souvenir sheets honoring the International Philatelic Exhibition, held in Warsaw (Scott #B104-05). 73,600 sets were issued, and Scott '14 prices the unused set at $ 21.75.

   One of the sheets pictures pansies, giving it additional appeal as a Flower topical.

  With 38 million people, Poland is one of the fastest growing economies of all of the formerly Communist countries, with annual GDP growth averaging about 5.5% over the past 5 years. The nation has steadfastly pursued a policy of liberalizing the economy, and was not severely impacted by the recent global financial crisis. It is likely that Poland will be one of the world's fastest growing economies over the next several decades.

  Better stamps of Poland should rise in value as the country prospers and the population of Polish stamp collectors increases. Interest in Polish history and national pride are important elements in the culture of this oft-conquered people, and there are some 10 million Polish-Americans with ties to the country.

  Those interested in viewing a list of scarce stamps with printing quantities of 100,000 or fewer may wish to check out 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: Manchukuo 1934 Enthronement (Scott #32-35 )

In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria following the Mukden Incident, in which the Japanese military staged an act of sabotage in order to provide a pretext for war. In 1932, the Japanese formed the puppet state of Manchukuo, with Henry Pu-Yi, the former Emperor of China, as its head of state.

In 1934, Manchukuo issued a set of four stamps picturing either the Emperor's
Palace or a phoenix, symbolizing the former emperor's "restoration" (Scott #32-35).  120,000 were issued, and Scott '14 prices the unused set at $51.50 ($75.- for NH).

I recommend this issue due to both its scarcity and potential dual market among collectors of both China and Japan. I believe that it has been overlooked by collectors in China, due to their current tendency to spurn stamps issued by foreign occupiers.

The Stamp Auction Bidders and Consignors Union (SABACU) is a forum for discussing stamp auctions, and represents the interests of stamp auction bidders and consignors in their dealings with stamp auctioneers. All stamp collectors and dealers are welcome to join.   

Stamp Investment Tip: Iran 1950 U.P.U. Anniversary (Scott #931-32)

   In 1950, Iran issued a set of two stamps celebrating the th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (Scott #931-32). 20,000 sets were issued, and Scott '14 prices the unused set at $48.00.

   I believe that the set is undervalued due to the unpopularity of Iran's stamps, a consequence of its pariah status. Currently, Iranian stamps of the pre-revolutionary period are primarily of interest to collectors among the Iranians living abroad, a relatively affluent group, of whom there are about 1.3 million.

  Note that a common defect found on many Iranian stamps of the '50s is badly toned, "gloppy" gum. When purchasing #1047, endeavor to select examples with clean gum.

   Stamps of Iran are not widely collected at present, partly for political reasons and partly because of the ubiquity of fakes among the early overprinted issues. Nevertheless, it is an oil-rich nation (ranked second in both oil and natural gas reserves) of 76 million people, and there are signs that many of them are becoming fed up with the corrupt and reactionary theocracy that is isolating Iran from the rest of the world. Furthermore, it is beginning to diversify away from its dependence on oil into other industries, such as biotech, nanotech, and pharmaceuticals, and it has the potential to develop a thriving tourism sector, should it institute reforms and begin to improve its image.

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