Stamp Investment Tip: Manchukuo 1937 Completion of Capital (Scott #116-19)

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 1937, Manchukuo issued a set of four stamps commemorating the completion of its National Capital (Scott #116-19). 84,000  sets were issued, and Scott '14 values the set unused at $18.25 ($24.- for NH).

I consider this issue to be a low-risk investment due to its scarcity and potential dual market among collectors of both China and Japan. It has been overlooked by Chinese collectors, due to their current tendency to spurn stamps issued by foreign occupiers. Eventually, this resentment will be diluted by reticence, and the undervaluation of this and similar issues will become obvious. Had this set been issued by the People's Republic, it's market value would be 50-100 times greater.

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.