Stamp Investment Tip: Netherlands Indies 1931 1g Java-Australia First Flight (Scott #C13)

   In 1931, the Netherlands Indies issued a 1 Gulden airmail stamp for use on covers flown on the first flight from Java to Australia (Scott #C13). 35,768 were issued, and Scott '14 prices the unused stamp at $11.00.

The stamp has multiple appeal among collectors of Netherlands and Colonies, Indonesia, and First Flight Cover collectors.

With about 16.6 million people, the Netherlands is the 16th largest economy in the world, and its annual GDP growth has averaged about 2.5% over the last 5 years. Indonesia is a rapidly developing, though still poor, country of 230 million people, with an annual GDP growth rate hovering around 5%-6%. Like most emerging market nations, it faces challenges which will have to be addressed, including corruption and major inequities in the distribution of income.

 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: Indonesia 1988 Butterfly Souvenir Sheet (Scott #1373)

In 1988, Indonesia issued a set and souvenir sheet picturing butterflies (Scott #1371-72, 1373). Only 22,000 of the souvenir sheet were issued, and Scott '12 prices it at $12.00 for unused. Butterflies are among the most popular Animal topicals, so demand for this issue should continue to increase, regardless of what happens to the stamp market in Indonesia.

A recent Price, Waterhouse, Coopers report projects that Indonesia will be one of the world's fastest growing economies over the next forty years. Should this prove accurate, and should a burgeoning Indonesian middle class provide a base for a developing stamp market, then it is likely that the values of the country's better modern souvenir sheets will increase many-fold.

Indonesia is a rapidly developing, though still poor, country of 230 million people, with an annual GDP growth rate hovering around 5%-6%. It is the largest economy in Southeast Asia. While the manufacturing and service sectors are growing rapidly, agriculture still employs more of the working population than either. The country has extensive natural resources, including crude oil, natural gas, tin, copper, and gold. Its major export commodities include oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, rubber, and textiles. Like most emerging market nations, Indonesia faces challenges which will have to be addressed, including corruption and major inequities in the distribution of income.

Stamp Investment Tip: Indonesia 1988 Summer Olympics Souvenir Sheets (Scott #1354a-55a)

In 1988, Indonesia issued a pair of souvenir sheets celebrating the Summer Olympics (Scott #1354a-55a). Only 20,000 sets were issued, and Scott '11 prices them unused at $45.00 . Olympics issues are among the most popular Sports topicals, so demand for these souvenir sheets should continue to increase on that basis alone.

A recent Price, Waterhouse, Coopers report projects that Indonesia will be one of the world's fastest growing economies over the next forty years. Should this prove accurate, and should a burgeoning Indonesian middle class provide a base for a developing stamp market, then it is likely that the values of the country's better modern souvenir sheets will increase many-fold.


Indonesia is a rapidly developing, though still poor, country of 230 million people, with an annual GDP growth rate hovering around 5%-6%. It is the largest economy in Southeast Asia. While the manufacturing and service sectors are growing rapidly, agriculture still employs more of the working population than either. The country has extensive natural resources, including crude oil, natural gas, tin, copper, and gold. Its major export commodities include oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, rubber, and textiles. Like most emerging market nations, Indonesia faces challenges which will have to be addressed, including corruption and major inequities in the distribution of income.

Stamp Investment Tip: Indonesia 1989 Flowers Souvenir Sheets (Scott #1378)

In 1989, Indonesia issued a set and souvenir sheet picturing flowers (Scott # 1376-77, 1378). Only 20,000 of the souvenir sheet were issued, and Scott '11 prices it unused at $35.00. Flowers are a very popular collecting topic, so demand for this issue should continue to grow on that basis alone.

A recent Price, Waterhouse, Coopers report projects that Indonesia will be one of the world's fastest growing economies over the next forty years. Should this prove accurate, and should a burgeoning Indonesian middle class provide a base for a developing stamp market, then it is likely that the values of the country's better modern souvenir sheets will increase many-fold.

Indonesia is a rapidly developing, though still poor, country of 230 million people, with an annual GDP growth rate hovering around 5%-6%. It is the largest economy in Southeast Asia. While the manufacturing and service sectors are growing rapidly, agriculture still employs more of the working population than either. The country has extensive natural resources, including crude oil, natural gas, tin, copper, and gold. Its major export commodities include oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, rubber, and textiles. Like most emerging market nations, Indonesia faces challenges which will have to be addressed, including corruption and major inequities in the distribution of income.

Stamp Investment Tip: Indonesia 1989 World Wildlife Fund Souvenir Sheets (Scott #1381a, 1383a)

Indonesia has issued a number of scarce souvenir sheets over the last thirty years, many of which feature popular topics and printing quantities

in the 20,000- 50,000 range. In 1989, Indonesia issued two souvenir sheets honoring the World Wildlife Fund and picturing Orangutans (Scott #1381a,1383a). Only 20,000 pairs of sheets were issued, and Scott '11 prices them at $140.00 for unused. World Wildlife Fund stamps picture Flora and Fauna that the Fund is dedicated to preserving, and they are among the most popular Plant/Animal topicals.

A recent Price, Waterhouse, Coopers report projects that Indonesia will be one of the world's fastest growing economies over the next forty years. Should this prove accurate, and should a burgeoning Indonesian middle class provide a base for a developing stamp market, then it is likely that the values of the country's better modern souvenir sheets will increase many-fold.

Indonesia is a rapidly developing, though still poor, country of 230 million people, with an annual GDP growth rate hovering around 5%-6%. It is the largest economy in Southeast Asia. While the manufacturing and service sectors are growing rapidly, agriculture still employs more of the working population than either. The country has extensive natural resources, including crude oil, natural gas, tin, copper, and gold. Its major export commodities include oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, rubber, and textiles. Like most emerging market nations, Indonesia faces challenges which will have to be addressed, including corruption and major inequities in the distribution of income.

Stamp Investment Tip: Netherlands/Netherlands Indies 1921 Marine Insurance Stamps (Scott #GY1-7)

In 1921, the Netherlands, and its main colony, the Netherlands Indies, both issued Marine Insurance Stamps (Scott #GY1-7, in both cases). These stamps were used to pay for a very unusual type of insured mail. Letters bearing the stamps were placed in safes mounted on the decks of ships en route between Netherlands and Netherlands East Indies. The safes were buoyant and were equipped with flares and bells. In the event that the ship sank, the safe would float off and the flares and bells would activate, hopefully leading to the recovery of the safe and its contents. Only 5,216 of the Netherlands set were issued, and 4,127 of the Netherlands Indies set, and Scott '10 prices them unused at $ 605.- ($1,500.- for NH) and $ 186.90, respectively.

Both sets should do well, although the Netherlands Indies set is "sexier," as it may potentially appeal to a dual market in both the Netherlands and Indonesia. With about 16.6 million people, the Netherlands is the 16th largest economy in the world, and its annual GDP growth has averaged about 2.5% over the last 5 years. Indonesia is a developing, though still poor, country of 230 million people, with an annual GDP growth rate hovering around 5%-6%. Like most emerging market nations, it faces challenges which will have to be addressed, including corruption and major inequities in the distribution of income.

Furthermore, global aging trends in both countries should bolster the population of serious stamp collectors in both countries in the coming decades. The Netherlands' population of citizens age 60+ is projected to rise from 18.3% in 2000 to 32.8% in 2050, while Indonesia's 60+ age group is expected to almost triple, from 7.6% to 22.3%.

Stamp Investment Tip: Netherlands Indies 1923 Wilhelmina Issue (Scott #151-157)

In 1923, the Netherland Indies issued a set of stamps picturing Queen Wilhelmina (Scott #151-57). 15,707 sets were issued, and it has a Scott '10 Value of $ 117.40 for unused.

I favor all scarce issues of the Netherlands Indies and Indonesia. Stamps of all former Dutch colonies are avidly collected in the Netherlands, and Indonesia is a developing, though still poor, country of 230 million people, with an annual GDP growth rate hovering around 5%-6%. Reforms will be necessary to address corruption and income inequities in this emerging market nation.

As a general rule, I consider issues of the European Colonies and overseas possessions better investments than those of the mother countries themselves. Quantities issued tend to be much lower, and the stamps have dual markets, both in the original "home" countries and in their former colonies, which are often developing nations.

Note that a scarce Perf. 11 1/2 X 11 variety of the 5c Myrtle Green exists (Scott #151a; Scott '10 Value as unused = $ 350.00 ; used CV = $ 110.00). It's possible that you may find one being sold as the cheap, normal stamp, which is Perf. 11 1/2, or the more common 11 X 11 1/2 variety. The difference is easy to miss.