Stamp Investment Tip: Bulgaria 1953 Medicinal Flowers Souvenir Sheet (Scott #843a)

In 1953, Bulgaria issued a souvenir sheet picturing Medicinal Flowers (Scott #843a). 50,000 were issued, and Scott '12 prices it unused at $55.00 .

Aside from being an investment in Bulgaria's economic development, the souvenir sheet also appeals to collectors interested in either Flower or Medical topicals. I think it likely that interest in Medical Topicals will trend upward as the number of medical professionals increases.

Since the fall of communism, Bulgaria, with a population of about 7.6 million, has experienced rapid economic growth, although its GDP per capita is only about $13,000, about 40% of the European Union average. It has an industrialized, open free-market economy, with a large, moderately advanced private sector and a number of strategic state-owned enterprises. The World Bank classifies it as an "upper-middle-income economy." Tourism is a steadily growing, and the country also benefits from rich natural resources, a highly educated population and an export-oriented agricultural sector. Annual GDP growth has averaged 2.5% over the last 5 years, reflecting a recent major contraction due to the European debt mess.

Stamp Investment Tip: Bulgaria 1935 Balkan Soccer Tournament (Scott #267-72)

In 1935, Bulgaria issued a set of six stamps commemorating the 5th Balkan Soccer Tournament (Scott #267-72). Only 7,000 sets were issued, and Scott '11 prices the unused set at $ 326.-.

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, with a following of billions of fanatical fans, many of whom live in emerging market nations. Philatelic investors who focus on better Soccer topicals will certainly get more out of it than a kick in the shins.

Since the fall of communism, Bulgaria, with a population of about 7.6 million, has experienced rapid economic growth, although its GDP per capita is only about $13,000, about 40% of the European Union average. It has an industrialized, open free-market economy, with a large, moderately advanced private sector and a number of strategic state-owned enterprises. The World Bank classifies it as an "upper-middle-income economy." Tourism is a steadily growing, and the country also benefits from rich natural resources, a highly educated population and an export-oriented agricultural sector. Annual GDP growth has averaged 2.5% over the last 5 years, reflecting a recent major contraction due to the European debt mess.

Stamp Investment Tip: Bulgaria 1933 Balkan Games set (Scott #244-50)

In 1931 and 1933 Bulgaria issued two sets honoring the Balkan Games, a regional version of the Olympics. Both are attractive Sports topical sets, although the second set represents a better investment prospect.

Both sets feature identical designs - athletes engaged in various sporting activities- but the second set was printed in different colors than the first. The first set (Scott # 237-433), available to the general public at post offices throughout Bulgaria, had a printing of 30,000. The second (Scott #244-50), available only at the philatelic agency, had a total printing of only 4,500, and has a Scott '10 Catalog Value of $ 665.00.

Since the fall of communism, Bulgaria, with a population of about 7 million, has experienced rapid economic growth, although its GDP per capita is only about $13,000, about 40% of the European Union average. We may expect better stamps of Bulgaria to increase in value as the economy continues to grow.

Stamps of this issue often have rough perfs. When purchasing, try to select a set with relatively clean perfs, at least on the high values.