Stamp Investment Tip: Brunei 1943-44 Japanese Occupation Overprints (Scott #N1-20)

  Between 1942 and 1944, the Japanese occupied Brunei, which had been a British protectorate since 1888. They overprinted stamps of the 1907-21 Issue, showing a boatman on the Brunei River, with colored handstamps (Scott #N1-20).

  Unfortunately, quantities issued information is unavailable for these stamps. I recommend purchase of  most valuable of them (N8,N9, N18,N19,N20), which all catalog $900.- or more, because each of these were almost certainly issued in quantities of a few hundred of less, and because they are pricey enough to justify purchasing expertization, which is necessary on these overprinted stamps.

  The stamps have triple market appeal among collectors of British Commonwealth, Japan/Japanese Occupation issues, and Brunei.

   With a population of over 400,000, Brunei is now a wealthy state for which oil and natural gas production account for about 90% of GDP. It has the second highest Human Development Index among the South East Asia nations after Singapore, and Forbes ranks it as the fifth richest nation out of 182 nations due to its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields. Annual GDP growth has average about 1% over the last 5 years.

Those interested in becoming part of an international community of stamp collectors, dealers, and investors are welcome to join the "Stampselectors" page at Facebook. The  page hosts lively discussions concerning stamp investment and practical aspects of collecting, and provide a useful venue for those who wish to buy, sell, or trade stamps.

Stamp Investment Tip: Japan 1949 Moon and Geese Souvenir Sheet (Scott #479a)

  In 1949, Japan issued a souvenir sheet of five stamps picturing the famous "Moon and Geese" print by the artist Hiroshige (Scott #479a). 200,000 of the souvenir sheet were issued, and Scott '13 prices the unused sheet at $325.00 ($ 500.-  for NH) .

  Few Japanese were collecting stamps in the early postwar years, as most were poor. It is likely that most of these expensive 40 yen sheets were broken up and used as postage on parcels. It has added appeal as both an Art and Animals/Birds topical, and I recommend it as a conservative investment. Note, however, that these sheets are often found with gum bends or toning, defects which significantly detract from value.

I've no doubt that Japan's economy will  rebound after having been hit by the recent horrific earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster which caused so much devastation. Japan is the third largest economy in the world (after the U.S. and China), and has a large and active stamp collecting community.

Those interested in becoming part of an international community of stamp collectors, dealers, and investors are welcome to join the "Stampselectors" group and organization page at Facebook. The group and page host lively discussions concerning stamp investment and practical aspects of collecting, and provide a useful venue for those who wish to buy, sell, or trade stamps.

Stamp Investment Tip: Japan National Parks Souvenir Sheets

Japan began issuing sets and souvenir sheets honoring its National Parks in the late 1930s. Some of these attractive souvenir sheets, especially the earliest, were issued in quite modest quantities, and should continue to increase in value in the future. The five scarcest are:

- 1939 Aso National Park s/s (Scott #293a; Scott '11 CV= $85.00/$140.- for NH ; 76,000 issued)

-1940 Daisetzuan Nat'l Pk. s/s (Sc. #306a; Sc.'11 CV= $190.-/$350.- for NH ; 42,000 issued)

-1940 Kirishima Nat'l Pk. s/s (Sc. #311a; Sc. '11 CV =$150.-/$350.- for NH ; 50,000 issued)

-1940 Daitan and Niitaka-Arisan Nat'l Pks. s/s (Sc. #318a; Sc.'11 CV=$ 80.-/$175.- for NH; 76,000 issued)

-1941 Tsugitaka-Taroko Nat'l Pk. s/s (Sc. #323a; Sc.'11 CV=$80.-/$175.- for NH ; 76,000 issued)

These souvenir sheets were issued with folders, and those with accompanying folders command a premium. Most were issued on very thin, fragile paper, and gum bends and minor creases are common defects of which to be aware.

I've no doubt that Japan's economy will eventually rebound after having been hit by the recent horrific earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster which caused so much devastation. Japan is the third largest economy in the world (after the U.S. and China), and has a large and active stamp collecting community. I believe that the National Parks souvenir sheets will continue to grow in popularity, especially as increasing interest in environmental preservation worldwide supplements Japanese demand, which is based on a cultural reverence for natural beauty.

Those interested in becoming part of an international community of stamp collectors, dealers, and investors are welcome to join the "Stampselectors" group and organization page at Facebook. The group and page host lively discussions concerning stamp investment and practical aspects of collecting, and provide a useful venue for those who wish to buy, sell, or trade stamps.

Stamp Investment Tip: Japan 1954 Kannon Booklet Pane (Scott #580a)

In 1954, Japan issued a 10 yen stamp picturing Kannon, or Guanyin, a bodhisattva venerated by Buddhists and associated with compassion (Scott #580). The stamp was issued in booklet form (Scott #580a), and only 60,000 booklets were issued. Scott '11 prices the unused booklet at $175.- .

10 yen was a lot for the average Japanese to spend on a stamp in the early '50s, when Japan was still just beginning to recover from the depredations of World War II. It is likely that most of these stamps were simply used to pay the postage on parcels, and that many of the booklets collected were originally purchased by foreigners.

I've no doubt that Japan's economy will eventually rebound after having been hit by the recent horrific earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster which caused so much devastation. Japan is the third largest economy in the world (after the U.S. and China), and has a large and active stamp collecting community. Furthermore, the Kannon booklet has worldwide appeal as a Buddhist Religion topical. There are hundreds of millions of Buddhists in the world, many of whom live in the rapidly developing countries of East Asia, and there is little doubt that Buddhist Topical stamps will grow in popularity over the long-term.

Note that these booklets are often found with minor condition problems, especially gum bends and perf separations. Try to buy a one that's clean and fault-free.

Stamp Investment Tips- Australia 1946-47 Military Stamps (Scott #M1-7)

In 1946-47, Australia issued a set of stamps for its military forces occupying Japan (Scott #M1-7), by overprinting seven values of its 1937-46 Issue for use by the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. Only 32,508 sets were issued, and Scott '10 prices the unused set at $ 185.- .

This set is interesting from an investment perspective, because it appeals to collectors of Australia, British Commonwealth, and also possibly Japan. Unfortunately, forged "B.C.O.F." overprints of the two high values exist, presenting an expertization cost problem, which may be coped with in one of four ways.


1 - Buy blocks of 4 or more of either the complete set or the 5sh high value (Sc. #M7), and get the block of M7 expertized.


2- Buy a block of the 1p Brown Violet with blue overprint (Scott #M2a- Scott '10 CV = $100.- , and $ 125.- for NH) and get it expertized. The quantity issued for this variety is unknown,but was probably in the low ten thousands.


3- Buy the 3p Dark Violet Brown with double overprint (Scott M3a- Scott '10 CV = $ 750.-) and get it expertized. The quantity issued for this overprint error is unknown, but was probably in the low thousands.


4- As covers which contain complete used sets exist, purchase one of these if you can find one in nice condition, and get it expertized.


I favor better stamps of Australia, as it is a prosperous nation of 22 million people and a diverse economy, with thriving service, agricultural, and mining sectors. Annual GDP growth has average 3.6% over the past 15 years. Recently, there has been considerable growth in mining and petroleum extraction, in part due to increased exports to the resource-hungry Chinese market. It is likely that Australia's stamp collecting population will grow significantly as the nation ages. The percentage of Australians over 60 is projected to rise from 16% in 2000 to 24.8% in 2025, and 28.2% in 2050.

Stamp Investment Tips: Ryukyus 1958 30y Light Olive Green Variety (Scott #24a)

The Ryukyus Islands were occupied by U.S. forces in 1945, and reverted to Japan in 1972. During the period of occupation, the U.S. issued stamps for use in the Ryukyus, which now are sought by U.S. and Japanese collectors.

In 1953, the Ryukyus issued a 30y Olive Green stamp picturing the Sonchan Utaki Altar at Shuri Castle (Scott #24)a s part of its 1952-53 Scenes set. While the normal stamp is quite common, a light olive green variety (Scott #24a), issued in 1958, is not, as only 1,300 of the variety were issued. Scott '10 prices the unused variety at $ 60.00.

The variety has been neglected, and has a strong dual market, appealing to both American and Japanese collectors.

Stamp Investment Tips: Ryukyus "Heavenly Maiden" Airmails

The Ryukyus Islands were occupied by U.S. forces in 1945, and reverted to Japan in 1972. During the period of occupation, the U.S. issued stamps for use in the Ryukyus, which now are sought by U.S. and Japanese collectors. Three of the airmail sets, picturing a heavenly maiden playing a flute, are scarce, and I've listed their printing quantities and Scott '10 Catalog Values below:


C4-8 1951-54 Heavenly Maiden (75,000; $ 30.00)
C9-13 1957 Heavenly Maiden (48,800; $ 85.00)
C14-18 1959 Heavenly Maiden, Surcharged (80,000; $ 50.00)



Many of these stamps were used as postage by Americans stationed on the islands, for sending letters and packages back to the States. The sets have a strong dual market, appealing to both American and Japanese collectors, and I recommend their accumulation.

Stamp Investment Tip: Japan 1938-39 Definitives Coils (Scott #276-79)

From 1937-45, Japan issued a set of definitives (Scott #257-75). In addition, four of the values were issued as a set of vertical coils (Scott #276-79). The coil set is far scarcer than the basic definitives, with a printing of only 50,000, and a Scott '10 Catalog Value of $ 89.75 as unused.

Like many such coil varieties, this set is overlooked and undervalued. It will not remain so.

Stamp Investment Tips: Japan 1934 Plane Over Lake Ashi Souvenir Sheet (Scott #C8)

On April 20, 1934, Japan celebrated Communications Commemoration Day, and issued a souvenir sheet (Scott #C8) at a philatelic exhibition in Tokyo. The four stamps in the sheet had the same design as the 1929-34 Airmail stamps (C3-7), which pictured a passenger plane of Lake Ashi. 20,000 sheets were issued.


Scott '10 prices the unused sheet at $ 1,400.00 (and $ 2,200.00 for Never Hinged), which seems expensive. It isn't, considering that Japan, with its 128 million people, is the second largest economy in the world, has a healthy stamp market on par with those of Europe, and has one of the most rapidly aging populations in the world. The percentage of Japanese aged 60 and over, which was 23% in the year 2000, is expected to rise 42%, an 82% increase, by 2050.

Stamp Investment Tip: Japanese Occupation of Malaya and States

From time to time, I'll recommend whole categories or related groups of issues for which the same criteria apply. Such is the case for the issues of Japanese-Occupied Malaya and States, including Japanese-Occupied Straits Settlements. These are listed as "N" numbers following the regular issues of these countries.
In December of 1941, the Japanese invaded Malaya, then a British colony, which included its client states: Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor, Sungei Ujong, and Trengganu. As the Japanese occupiers did not wish to use the postage stamps of their enemies but had no stamps of their own on hand, they simply handstamped or overprinted stocks of stamps that the British had left behind.

Many of these stamps are scarce to extremely rare, with quantities ranging from under 10 for the rarest to the low thousands for the majority. Michel's Asia Catalogue lists the stamps and printing quantities (when known) following the regular issues of Japan. I've included many of the scarcest in the StampSelector Scarce Stamp Quantities Issued List (under British Asia).

These issues I consider among the "bluest of blue chips" in the world of philatelic investing. They are undervalued largely because since they are overprints, fakes exist, and therefore it makes sense to purchase only the better items which are worth getting expertized. Many of the better authentic Japanese Occupation issues were signed by the expert Milo Rowell, although forgeries of his signature exist. Expertization is absolutely necessary for all overprinted Japanese Occupation stamps, and the most recognized certificates for these stamps are issued by the British Philatelic Association and the Royal Philatelic Society of London.

Stamps of Japanese-occupied Malaya fall under 3 collecting areas: British Commonwealth, Japan/Area, and Malaya/Malaysia. As these stamps were stored in a tropical climate, many of them have brownish, toned, "tropicalized" gum. When purchasing unused examples, try to select those which are not toned, or heavily discount for those that are.

With a population of over 28 million, Malaysia is an emerging market nation and the 29th largest economy in the world. It has abundant minerals and petroleum, vast forests, as well as a thriving agricultural sector. Nevertheless, over the last four decades, the Malaysian government has committed the nation to a transition from reliance on mining and agriculture to manufacturing, and is moving to conserve its remaining forests and reforest the overcut areas. The government has recently taken steps to make Malaysia more business-friendly, and the number of Malaysians living in poverty has also decreased. As of 2007, average wages were around $34 per day, up from about $9 per day in 1999. Annual GDP growth has averaged almost 6% over the last five years, although the country is taking a hit in 2010 as a result of the global financial crisis.

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.