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. 

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