Stamp Investment Tip: Chile 1948 Flora and Fauna Issue (Scott #254-55,C124)

  In 1948, Chile issued a compound set of three se-tenant blocks of 25 stamps honoring the centennial of Claudio Gay's "Natural History of Chile" (Scott #254-55, C124). Though quantities issued information is not available for these stamps, I estimate that 20,000 or fewer sets were issued. Scott '14 prices the unused set of three blocks at $110.-  ($ 60.00  for 254-55, and $ 50.00 for C124).

   The set has obvious topical appeal for Flora/Fauna topicalists. According to the American Topical Association, the "Animals" category of topicals is the most popular among U.S. collectors.

   A nation of 17 million, Chile is considered the most "European" Latin American nation, and the proportion of stamp collectors within the population is moving towards European levels. Major sectors include agriculture, fishing, forestry, mining, finance, and tourism. Although economic inequities common to most Latin American nations persist, the government favors gradual reform, and has a record of implementing sound economic policies. Annual GDP growth has averaged 3.2% 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 Chile. 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: Chile 1910 Independence Centenary (Scott #83-97)

In 1910, Chile celebrated the centenary of its independence from Spain by issuing a set of fifteen stamps (Scott #83-97). The printing quantity for this set is not known, but I estimate than no more than 20,000 were issued. Scott '11 prices the set at $124.40 for unused). The set has historically significance, as it depicts important events and military leaders from Chile's War of Independence.


Many of those who collect Chile also collect stamps of South America or all of Latin America, so demand tends to be more generalized than usual. This is not to say that there isn't demand originating from collectors focusing on the individual country as well, but rather that the tendency to collect the whole region is an important factor to consider.

A nation of 17 million, Chile is considered the most "European" Latin American nation, and the proportion of stamp collectors within the population is moving towards European levels. Major sectors include agriculture, fishing, forestry, mining, finance, and tourism. Although economic inequities common to most Latin American nations persist, the government favors gradual reform, and has a record of implementing sound economic policies. Annual GDP growth has averaged 3.2% over the last 5 years.

I have begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", which will feature my buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. I've just posted a buy list for Chile, 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: Chilean Souvenir Sheets of the 1950s and Early '60s

Chile began issuing souvenir sheets featuring designs in conjunction with the issuance of some of its more popular stamps in the 1950s, and many of the these souvenir sheets are quite scarce. Printed on thick card stock, these souvenir sheets were not intended for postal use, and should technically be classified as souvenir cards or presentation cards. Nevertheless, Scott, the other catalogs, and collectors of Chile treat the items as souvenir sheets. Scott notes these issues after the listings for the related stamps.

The following issues, listed with printing quantities and Scott '10 Catalog Values, are worthy of consideration:

• C168Note -1953 Postage Stamp Centenary (515 issued- Scott notes but does not list a value for this sheet- it retails for $400-$600)

• C172Note - 1954 Railroad Centenary (Unknown quantity issued- $200.00 )

• C191Note- 1956 25th Anniversary of Technical University ( 2,000 issued - $ 110.00)

• C193Note - 1958 O'Higgins (3,000 issued - $ 60.00 )

• C194Note - 1958 National Philatelic Exhibition ( Unknown quantity issued - $ 48.00)

• C195Note - 1958 Savings Bank (Unknown quantity issued - $ 48.00)

• C213Note - 1959 German School Centenary ( Unknown quantity issued - $ 60.00 )

• C218Note - 1960 World Refugee Year (3,000 issued - $ 110.00)

• C220DNote - 1960 1st National Government-150th Anniversary (Unknown quantity issued- $ 30.00)

• C221Note - 1960 Rotary Conference (Unknown quantity issued - $ 60.00 )

• C221 Second Note 1962 Malaria Overprint on Rotary s/s (2,000 Issued- $ 30.00 )

• C247Note - 1962 Soccer (Unknown quantity issued - $ 12.00 )

Chile is considered the most "European" Latin American nation, and the proportion of stamp collectors within the population is moving towards European levels. Given a rapidly developing economy spurred by a government which implements sound economic policies, the future looks bright for this nation of 15 million. I expect to see continued increases in the values of better Chilean stamps and souvenir sheets.