Stamp Investment Tip: Mexico 1945 Peace Theater Reconstruction (Scott #801-04,C148-52)

In 1945, Mexico issued a compound set of stamps celebration the reconstruction of the Theater of Peace (Scott #801-04,C148-52). 15,000 sets were issued, and Scott '14 prices the unused set at $51.65.

The set has appeal as an Art/Architecture topical.

With a population of about 109 million,  Mexico has a diverse and developing economy, but modernization remains a slow and uneven process. Current challenges include addressing income inequality, crime, corruption, upgrading the infrastructure, and reforming tax and labor laws. Annual GDP growth has averaged about 2% over the last five years, which takes into account a contraction of 6.5% in 2009 due to the global financial crisis. Stamps of Mexico are popular among collectors in the U.S. as well as in Mexico, and those who wish to learn more about Mexican stamps should consider joining the Mexico Elmhurst Philatelic Society International (M.E.P.S.I.). MEPSI provides many useful services for collectors of Mexico, including expertizing Mexican stamps.

  "The Stamp Specialist" blog features buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. The buy list for Mexico includes 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: Mexico 1946 Zacatecas Anniversary (Scott #820-24, C163-66)

   In 1946, Mexico issued a compound set of stamps commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the Founding of the City of Zacatecas (Scott #820-24, C163-66). 20,000 sets were issued, and Scott '14 prices the unused set at $68.65.

  Most of the sets were probably used as postage and discarded, so it is likely that no more than 2,000-5,000 remain.

With a population of about 109 million,  Mexico has a diverse and developing economy, but modernization remains a slow and uneven process. Current challenges include addressing income inequality, crime, corruption, upgrading the infrastructure, and reforming tax and labor laws. Annual GDP growth has averaged about 2% over the last five years, which takes into account a contraction of 6.5% in 2009 due to the global financial crisis. Stamps of Mexico are popular among collectors in the U.S. as well as in Mexico, and those who wish to learn more about Mexican stamps should consider joining the Mexico Elmhurst Philatelic Society International (M.E.P.S.I.). MEPSI provides many useful services for collectors of Mexico, including expertizing Mexican stamps.

  "The Stamp Specialist" blog features buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. The buy list for Mexico includes 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: Mexico 1929 Emilio Carranza Airmail (Scott #C5-10)

In 1929, Mexico issued a set of six airmail stamps in memory of Captain Emilio Carranza (Scott #C5-10). Carranza was a noted Mexican aviator and national hero, nicknamed the "Lindbergh of Mexico." He was killed when his plane crashed while returning from a historic goodwill flight from Mexico City to the United States. 28,298 sets were issued, and Scott '13 prices the unused set at $29.10 ($75.- for NH) .

The set, issued the year following Carranza's tragic death, has dual appeal to collectors of Mexico and Aviation topicals.

With a population of about 109 million, Mexico has experienced consistent annual GDP growth of between 3 and 5%. It has a diverse and developing economy, but modernization remains a slow and uneven process, and current challenges include addressing income inequality, crime, and corruption, upgrading the infrastructure, and reforming tax and labor laws. Stamps of Mexico are popular among collectors in the U.S. as well as in Mexico, and those who wish to learn more about Mexican stamps should consider joining the Mexico Elmhurst Philatelic Society International (M.E.P.S.I.). MEPSI provides many useful services for collectors of Mexico, including expertizing Mexican stamps.


I've begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", which will feature wholesale buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. The first such buy list is for Mexico, and includes the set recommended in this article. The blog also contains links to other dealers' buy lists. 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: Mexico 1922 Eagle Airmail (Scott #C1)

In 1922, Mexico issued its first airmail stamp (Scott #C1). Only 3,000 were issued, and Scott '11 prices it at $67.50 for unused ($85.- for NH).. The normal stamp was printed in blue and red brown, and a somewhat scarcer dark blue and claret color variety was also produced (Scott #C1a- CV as unused = $90.-; $125.- for NH ). The stamps are distinguishable from the far more common 50c Eagles of 1927 and '28 by their colors and also because they were printed on unwatermarked paper.

I recommend purchase of this stamp unused, used, and on cover. The undervaluation of Mexico's first airmail stamp, issued in such a low quantity, would seem astonishing were it not the norm for many scarce stamps of Latin America.

With a population of about 109 million, Mexico has experienced consistent annual GDP growth of between 3 and 5%. It has a diverse and developing economy, but modernization remains a slow and uneven process, and current challenges include addressing income inequality, crime, and corruption, upgrading the infrastructure, and reforming tax and labor laws. Stamps of Mexico are popular among collectors in the U.S. as well as in Mexico, and those who wish to learn more about Mexican stamps should consider joining the Mexico Elmhurst Philatelic Society International (M.E.P.S.I.). MEPSI provides many useful services for collectors of Mexico, including expertizing Mexican stamps.

I've begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", which will feature wholesale buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. The first such buy list is for Mexico, and includes the stamp 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: Mexico 1935 Amelia Earhart Goodwill Flight Overprint (Scott #C74)

In 1935, famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart paid a goodwill visit to Mexico City, carrying mail bound for New York City on her return flight to Newark, New Jersey. In honor of her visit, Mexico issued an airmail stamp for mail carried on the return flight (Scott #C74) , by overprinting its 1934-35 20c Lake "Eagle Man" airmail (Scott #C68a). 780 stamps were overprinted, of which 480 were additionally overprinted "Muestra" ("Specimen") and sent to the Universal Postal Union for distribution to postal administrations worldwide. Scott prices the unused stamp at $ 3,250.- ($5,000.- for NH) .

About one hundred of the remaining three hundred stamps were used on the mail carried by Earhart to New York City. Some of these covers were autographed by her, and occasionally show up at auction. The sale of Earhart's flown philatelic souvenirs helped offset the expenses of her aeronautic adventures and further ensured her legacy in aerophilately.

The stamp may seem pricey, but I expect that it will become considerably more so, as it has dual market appeal for both collectors of Mexico and Aerophilatelists. The autographed flight covers are important relics of aviation history, and are coveted by those who collect autographs, stamps, and aviation memorabilia.

While I am not aware of any fakes of this stamps, as it is an overprint, I recommend purchasing it conditional on expertization, preferably by the Mexico-Elmhurst Philatelic Society ( M.E.P.S.I.). Those interested in learning more about Mexican stamps should consider joining, as it is the pre-eminent organization for Mexico philatelists.

With a population of about 109 million, Mexico has experienced consistent annual GDP growth of between 3 and 5%. It has a diverse and developing economy, but modernization remains a slow and uneven process, and current challenges include addressing income inequality, crime, and corruption, upgrading the infrastructure, and reforming tax and labor laws. Stamps of Mexico are popular among collectors in the U.S. .

I have begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", which will feature wholesale buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. The first such buy list is for Mexico, and includes the stamp 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: Mexico 1940 Stamp Centenary (Scott #754-58, C103-07)

In 1940, Mexico issued a compound set celebrating the Centenary of the Postage Stamp (Scott #754-58, C103-07). Only 5,000 sets were issued, and Scott '10 values the unused set at $ 141.00 ($ 340.00 for NH). Aside from the fact that this is a scarce set from a rapidly developing country, demand for it is augmented by its appeal as a "Stamps-on-Stamps" topical.


I've never seen a first day cover for this issue, but I'd guess that there are probably a few hundred of them around. If you happen to find one in decent shape, with a nice cachet, and selling for a slight premium over the cost of a used set (or less), then jump on it.


With a population of about 109 million, Mexico has experienced consistent annual GDP growth of between 3 and 5%. It has a diverse and developing economy, but modernization remains a slow and uneven process, and current challenges include addressing income inequality, crime, and corruption, upgrading the infrastructure, and reforming tax and labor laws. Stamps of Mexico are popular among collectors in the U.S. as well as in Mexico, and those who wish to learn more about Mexican stamps should consider joining the Mexico Elmhurst Philatelic Society International (M.E.P.S.I.). MEPSI provides many useful services for collectors of Mexico, including expertizing Mexican stamps.

I have begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", which will feature wholesale buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. The first such buy list is for Mexico, and includes 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: Mexico 1932 50c Air Official (Scott #CO18)

In 1932, Mexico overprinted its 1927 50c Dark Blue and Claret airmail stamps "SERVICIO OFICIAL," for government use. The vast majority of the stamps overprinted had watermarked paper (Scott #CO19) , but one hundred stamps of the 1922 issue (same design, but on unwatermarked paper), were also overprinted by accident, creating a very scarce stamp (Scott #CO18), which Scott '10 values at $ 1,000.00 for both unused ($ 1,600.00 for NH) and used.

The usual caveat for overprinted issues applies: purchase the stamp conditional on receiving authentication, preferably from the Mexico-Elmhurst Philatelic Society (M.E.P.S.I.). I believe this stamp has been unjustifiably neglected because it's a back-of-book issue, and because it's an unwatermarked paper variety. These factors will diminish in importance as the stamp market develops in Mexico.

With a population of about 109 million, Mexico has had consistent annual GDP growth of between 3 and 5%. It has a diverse and developing economy, but modernization remains a slow and uneven process, and current challenges include addressing income inequality and corruption, upgrading the infrastructure, and reforming tax and labor laws. Despite its problems, it is likely that Mexico will experience significant economic growth over the coming decades.

Stamp Investment Tip: Mexico 1934-35 20c Slate Color Error (Scott #C62a)

In 1934-35, Mexico issued a rather unremarkable set of three stamps reprising the Coat of Arms/Biplane design of 1929-34 (Scott #C62-64). The set would be of little interest to investors, were it not for a color error, the 20c Slate (Scott #C62a), of which only 180 were issued. The normal 20c Olive Green (Scott #C62), is extremely common (Scott 2010 as unused = 35c), but Scott '10 values the error at $ 500.- (both unused and used).

Taking into account the risks of mistaking a gray shade of the common olive green stamp for the slate error, or of purchasing a chemically induced color changeling, this stamp should be purchased conditional on obtaining expertization, optimally from M.E.P.S.I..

Given that caveat, however, the error is grossly undervalued, but will not remain so. It is priced at about 1/1,000th the value of an Inverted Jenny (U.S. Sc. #C3a), but is about half as rare (assuming that all of the 180 error stamps issued still exist). As the Inverted Jenny is one of the most famous errors in the world, however, perhaps this is not a fair comparison. The 20c Slate Color Error had a slightly lower printing than the U.S. 1893 4c Columbian Blue Color Error (Scott #233a), yet cats. at about 1/40th of the Columbian's value. To give some perspective on this, imagine a fantastical worst-case scenario, in which all 180 of C62a were to come on the market at once. They would probably be purchased for somewhat less than their full Scott value of
$ 90,000 ($ 500.- X 180) - less than a minor Mexican drug cartel makes on a slow day. The ludicrously low current valuation for this rarity is unsustainable.

With a population of about 109 million, Mexico has experienced consistent annual GDP growth of between 3 and 5%. It has a diverse and developing economy, but modernization remains a slow and uneven process, and current challenges include addressing income inequality and corruption, upgrading the infrastructure, and reforming tax and labor laws. Stamps of Mexico are popular among collectors in the U.S. as well as in Mexico, and those who wish to learn more about Mexican stamps should consider joining the Mexico Elmhurst Philatelic Society International (M.E.P.S.I.). MEPSI provides many useful services for collectors of Mexico, including expertizing Mexican stamps.

Stamp Investment Tip: Mexico 1939 Sarabia Airmail (Scott #C93A)

On May 23, 1939, Mexico issued an overprinted airmail stamp (Scott #C93A) for the May 25th flight of Francisco "Pancho" Sarabia from Mexico City to New York City, which he completed in record time, beating Amelia Earhart's previous record by almost 4 hours. On his return trip of June 7, the celebrated pilot crashed his plane, "El Conquistador de Cielo," into the Potomac River and was killed. An investigation found that the plane had crashed due to the negligence of a mechanic. Sarabia is now recognized as a national hero. Only 2,100 of the stamps were issued and Scott '10 prices it at $425.00 for both used and unused.

In my opinion, there are many scarce and undervalued issues of Latin America which should be aggressively targeted. I like the Sarabia stamp in particular because it appeals to Airmail collectors as well, especially given the tragedy associated with the flight. Flight covers bearing the stamp turn up at auction every once in a while, offering the opportunity to own a gem of Mexican aviation history.

With a population of about 109 million, Mexico has experienced consistent annual GDP growth of between 3 and 5%. It has a diverse and developing economy, but modernization remains a slow and uneven process, and current challenges include addressing income inequality and corruption, upgrading the infrastructure, and reforming tax and labor laws. Stamps of Mexico are popular among collectors in the U.S. as well as in Mexico, and those who wish to learn more about Mexican stamps should consider joining the Mexico Elmhurst Philatelic Society International (M.E.P.S.I.). MEPSI provides many useful services for collectors of Mexico, including expertizing Mexican stamps.

Stamp Investment Tips: Mexico 1934 University Issue (Scott 698-706/C54-61/RA138)

In 1934, Mexico issued a beautiful compound set of stamps honoring its National University (Scott #698-706/C54-61/RA138). Showcasing Mexico's Aztec heritage in Art Deco style, it's rather pricey, so the constituent sets are usually sold individually (and even as individual values). 1,300 of the regular issue and 1,500 of the Airmail sets were sold, and the regular issue (Scott # 698-706) has a Scott '10 Catalog Value of $ 1,736.00 unused ($ 2,400.00 for NH) while the Air set (Scott #C54-61) is valued at $ 1,617.00 unused ($ 2,600.00 for NH). The postal tax stamp (Scott #RA138) is common.

I feel that the sets are grossly undervalued despite their apparent costliness, and should do very well in the years to come. Individual high values also are attractive: the 10p and 20p top values (706 and C61) with printings of 1,300 and 1,500, respectively (Scott Catalog Values of

$ 1,100.00 and $ 1,250.00), the 5p Offering to the Gods (Scott #705- 2,000 issued; $ 325.00), and the 5p and 10p Airs (Scott #C59 and C60; 3,000 and 2,500 issued; $ 75.00 and $ 240.00).

With a population of about 109 million, Mexico has experienced consistent annual GDP growth of between 3 and 5%. It has a diverse and developing economy, but modernization remains a slow and uneven process, and current challenges include addressing income inequality and corruption, upgrading the infrastructure, and reforming tax and labor laws. Stamps of Mexico are popular among collectors in the U.S. as well as in Mexico, and those who wish to learn more about Mexican stamps should consider joining the Mexico Elmhurst Philatelic Society International (M.E.P.S.I.). MEPSI provides many useful services for collectors of Mexico, including expertizing Mexican stamps.

Note that a rare unwatermarked variety exists of the 10p Aztec Worshiper (Scott #706a), of which only 200 were issued. Scott values the variety at $ 3,250.00 unused ($ 5,000.00 for NH) . Should you decide to cough up for one, it could certainly become one of the crown jewels of your philatelic investment portfolio.