Stamp Investment Tip: Rhodesia 1910 Queen Mary and King George (Scott #101-18)

  I'm initiating coverage of Rhodesia with an issue which is popular among British Commonwealth collectors, the 1910 Queen Mary and King George set (Scott #101-18). 9,550 sets were issued, and Scott '14 prices it unused at $4,640.-   .

  I expect that this set will prove a conservative investment based upon the steady growth of demand for better British Commonwealth stamps. I do not think that there will be much demand from collectors in the Republic of Zimbabwe, as its economy and near-term prospects for the development of a middle class there have been set back by the three decade dictatorship of Robert Mugabe, who celebrated his 90th birthday in February.

   A nation of about 13 million people, Zimbabwe is rich in gold, platinum, and diamonds, and also benefits from agricultural exports and tourism.  Unfortunately, until recently, much of the revenues wound up in the hands of President Mugabe and his cronies. In 2008, a new president, Morgan Tsvangirai, was elected, and a power-sharing deal between he and Mugabe was negotiated. Donor nations have adopted a 'wait-and-see' attitude, wanting to see real change being brought about by this merger before committing themselves to funding rebuilding efforts, which are estimated to take at least five years.Annual GDP growth has been slightly negative over the last five years, but has begun to recover.

    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: Panama 1956 Popes (Scott #403Note)

  In 1956, Panama issued a set of twelves stamps picturing various popes (Scott #403Note). The quantity issued is not known; however, I would guess that no more than a few thousand sets were issued. Scott '14 prices the unused set at $100.- .

   The set was not intended to be used as postage, and consequently Scott notes it but does not assign it a catalog number. Despite this, it has obvious appeal as a Religion topical.

  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 consumer per capita 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: Greenland 1994 Winter Olympics Souvenir Sheet (Scott #B19a)

  In 1994, Greenland issued a semi-postal souvenir sheet celebrating the Winter Olympics, held in Lillehammer (Scott #B19a). 80,088 were issued, and Scott '14 prices the unused sheet at $12.00.

   Stamps of Greenland are popular among collectors of Scandinavian stamps, and this souvenir sheets also has worldwide appeal as a Sports/Olympics topical. 

  Much of the demand for these stamps originates in Scandinavia, a region containing about 26 million generally affluent and well-educated people and a thriving stamp market. Also there are many people of Scandinavian ancestry living overseas, including about 12 million Scandinavian Americans.

   In 2008, the people of Greenland passed a referendum supporting greater autonomy, and it is likely that it will achieve independence from Denmark and become a sovereign state within the next 20 years. It is among the northerly parts of the world that is actually benefiting from global warming, because extensive mineral wealth is being revealed as its ice sheet recedes.

     The Stamp Auction Bidders and Consignors Union (SABACU) is a forum for discussing stamp auctions, and it also offers advice to stamp auction bidders and consignors to assist them in their dealings with stamp auctioneers. All stamp collectors and dealers are welcome to join.    

Stamp Investment Tip: Thailand 1972 Costumes Souvenir Sheet (Scott #632a)

In 1972, Thailand issued a souvenir sheet featuring national costumes of Thai women (Scott #632a). 50,000 were issued, and Scott '14 prices the unused sheet at $47.40.

The sheet represents an inexpensive investment in the economic growth of Thailand.

A nation of 66 million people, Thailand is the second largest economy in Southeast Asia after Indonesia. Despite this, Thailand ranks midway in the wealth spread in Southeast Asia as it is the 4th richest nation according to GDP per capita, after Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia. Though most of the country's population still works in agriculture, the relative contribution of agriculture to GDP has declined while exports of goods and services have increased. Major industries include automobiles and automotive parts, financial services, electric appliances and components, tourism, cement,, appliances, computers and parts, furniture, plastics, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, and tobacco. Annual GDP growth has averaged just over 3% over the last 5 years, but this takes into account a 2% contraction in 2010, 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: Afghanistan 4th Asian Games Souvenir Sheets (Scott #603Note)

  

 In 1962, Afghanistan issued a set of stamps and pair of souvenir sheets honoring the 4th Asian Games (Scott #603Note). 3,000 of the souvenir sheets were issued, and Scott '14 prices them unused at $7.00 .

  The set has appeal as a Sports Topical. Despite the fact that Scott only notes the sheets rather than assigning a catalog number to them (thereby questioning their legitimacy), the low issuance quantity, thematic appeal, and price make them a very low-risk speculation.

A nation of over 28 million people, Afghanistan is one of the world's poorest countries. In 2010, the nation's GDP per capita was about $1,000. Its unemployment rate is 35% and roughly 36% of its citizens live below the poverty line. About 42 percent of the population live on less than $1 a day, according to USAID. However, due to the infusion of multi-billion dollars in international assistance and investments, as well as remittances from expats, the economy has significantly improved, with the GDP growing at an astounding 10 percent per year over the past five years. Opium production is a major part of the underground economy, employing over 2 million Afghans.

Recent discoveries of major mineral deposits make the country look compelling from a long-term perspective. In 2010, Pentagon officials, along with geologists from the United States, announced the discovery of $1–3 trillion worth untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan. The country may possess up to 36 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, 3.6 billion barrels of petroleum, up to 1.3 billion barrels of natural gas liquids and huge deposits of gold, copper, coal, iron ore, lithium, and other minerals.

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: Brazil 1949 Franklin D. Roosevelt Souvenir Sheet (Scott #C76a)

   In 1949, Brazil issued a stamp and souvenir sheet (Scott #C76, C76a) in memory of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The stamp is common, but only 30,000 of the souvenir sheet were issued, and Scott '14 prices it unused at $29.00.

   The souvenir sheet has obvious dual market appeal to collectors in Brazil and the U.S..

With 191 million people, Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America, and the world's eighth largest. Political and economic reforms have given the country a brighter future than it had in the bad old days of oligarchical dictatorship. The Brazilian economy is diverse, the country is aggressively investing in its future by generously funding technological research and education, and exports are booming. Annual GDP growth has averaged a little over 5% over the last 5 years.

    There are a number of undervalued Brazilian issues with printing quantities of 10,000 to 100,000, some of which have topical appeal, and recommending them for accumulation seems a no-brainer. Brazil looks destined to become an economic superpower, and even if it mirrors the philatelically anemic U.S. and only one out of a thousand Brazilians become serious stamp collectors, they'll be competing for their nation's better stamps, only to find that the cupboard is bare.

 "The Stamp Specialist" blog features my buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. I've posted a buy list for Brazil, including 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: U.S. 1929 Electric Light Perf 11 Plate Block of 6 (Scott #654)

   In 1929, the United States issued a stamp celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the invention of the electric light bulb. The stamp was issued in three different formats (Scott #654-56), and was meant to honor the inventor Thomas Alva Edison. Actually portraying him was forbidden, since the law prohibited placing a living person's face on a U.S. postage stamp.

   About 31.6 million of the Perf. 11 Flate Plate stamp (Scott #654), 210 million of the Perf. 11x10 1/2 Rotary Press stamp (Scott #655), and 133.5 million of the Perf. 10 Vertical Coil (Scott #656) were issued. Though I'm not recommending investing in any of these as singles, I believe that the plate block of 6 of #654 is undervalued. Since the stamps were printed in sheets of 100,

only about 316,000 plate blocks of #654 were issued. I think it likely that at least 90% -95% of these were broken up and used as postage, leaving between about 16,000 and 32,000 plate blocks remaining.


   Scott '15 prices the unused, Never Hinged plate block at $42.50, and I recommend purchase of it in that condition. Avoid plate blocks with poor centering, or those for which the selvedge has been trimmed.

   This issue holds great appeal and is of historical significance, as Thomas Edison is generally considered America's greatest inventor thus far.

     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: Zululand 1892 5sh Rose (Scott #11)

   Zululand, a British colony, issued 24 stamps between 1888-1896, and all are worthy of consideration as investments. In 1897, Zululand was annexed to  Natal, which in turn was integrated into the Union of South Africa in 1910.

   In 1892, the Colony issued a 5 shilling stamp (Scott #11) by overprinting 998 of Great Britain's 1884 5 shilling Victoria stamp (Scott #108).   Obtaining expertization for Zululand #11 unused is not necessary because GB #108 is actually more expensive, despite being far more common. Scott '14 prices Zululand #11 at $700.-  for unused.

  The main sources of demand for stamps of Zululand are British Commonwealth collectors and collectors of South Africa, both of which I view as growing markets. A recent Price Waterhouse report projects that South Africa will be one of the world's fastest growing economies over the next 40 years.

  As a a middle-income country of about 49 million, South Africa has an abundant supply of resources, well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors, a stock exchange that ranks among the top twenty in the world, and a modern infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the entire region. South Africa is ranked 25th in the world in terms of GDP. Annual GDP growth has averaged about 2.5% over the past 5 years.

However, the country has a two-tiered economy- one rivaling other developed countries and the other with only the most basic infrastructure, similar to a Third World nation. Unemployment is extremely high and income inequality is approximately equal to Brazil. Also, there is an 18% HIV infection rate among South African adults, among the highest in the world.

Given the somewhat mixed picture that South Africa presents, I feel that better stamps from the country and its related issuing entities should be viewed mainly as conservative plays on the growth of British Commonwealth collecting. I am hopeful that over time, most of South Africa's worst problems will be ameliorated or solved, but whether that will require years or decades is an open question.

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: Costa Rica 1947 Columbus in Cariari (Scott #C148-53)

In 1947, Costa Rica issued a set of six stamps picturing Christopher Columbus in Cariari (Scott #C148-53). 62,000 sets were issued, and Scott '14 prices the unused set at $4.55.

The set is grossly undervalued, especially since there are many collectors of Latin America who focus on the region as a whole.

With 4 1/2 million people, Costa Rica is unique as the only Latin American country to have escaped the plague of repressive dictatorships and oligarchies endemic to the region. Costa Rica has generally enjoyed greater peace and more consistent political stability than many of its fellow Latin American nations. The government offers generous tax exemptions to those investing in the country,and in recent times electronics, pharmaceuticals, financial outsourcing, software development, and eco-tourism have become the prime industries in Costa Rica's economy. High levels of education among its residents make the country an attractive investing location. Annual GDP growth has averaged 5.6% over the last 5 years.


"The Stamp Specialist" blog features my buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. including Costa Rica. Viewing dealers' buy lists every now and then is an excellent way to keep current on the vagaries of the stamp market.