Stamp Investment Tip: Ecuador 1945 Red Cross Issue (Scott #440-43/C131-34)

   In 1945, Ecuador issued a compound set of eight stamps honoring the International Red Cross (Scott #440-43/C131-34). Only 10,000 sets were issued, and Scott '13 prices the unused set at $58.40.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an international humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide which was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and to prevent and alleviate human suffering, without any discrimination based on nationality, race, sex, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. From a philatelic investment perspective, the support of almost 100 million of people for this movement creates a significant collector base for better Red Cross/Red Crescent topicals. This topical appeal, as well as the growth in interest in stamps of Latin America, should bolster the value of this currently inexpensive set.

Ecuador, a democratic republic of 13.6 million people, is considered a medium-income country, with about 38% of its population living below the poverty line. Ecuador's natural resources include petroleum, fish, shrimp, timber and gold. In addition, it has a prosperous agricultural sector, producing bananas, flowers, coffee, cacao, sugar, tropical fruits, palm oil, palm hearts, rice, roses, and corn. While Ecuador's economy suffered during the 2008-09 financial crisis, weathering a default and repurchase of its debt at a discount, it seems to be recovering. Annual GDP growth over the last 5 years has averaged about 5%.

I've begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", which features wholesale buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing, as well as links to other dealers' buy lists.  Viewing such buy lists every now and then is an excellent way to keep current on the vagaries of the stamp market.

Stamp Investment Tip: Albania 1924 Red Cross Semi-postals (Scott #B5-8)

In 1924, Albania surcharged stamps of its 1923 Scenes issue, issuing a semi-postal set to benefit the Red Cross (Scott #B5-8). 28,000 sets were issued, and Scott '13 prices the unused set at $44.00 .

The set appeals to collectors of Red Cross topicals as well as collectors of Albania.

A nation of 3.2 million people, Albania is poor by Western European standards, but has experienced healthy GDP growth, averaging  slightly under 5% over the last 5 years. Foreign investment has increased but has been dampened somewhat by the country's inadequate infrastructure. Modernization will be Albania's main challenge over the next decade.

Those interested in joining a community of stamp investors are welcome to join the "Stampselectors" group on Facebook. The group provides a valuable forum for those who wish discuss this blog, as well as trade or communicate with stamp collectors, dealers, and investors from all over the world.

Stamp Investment Tip: Switzerland 1940 National Fete Day Souvenir Sheet (Scott # B105)

In 1940, Switzerland issued a semi-postal souvenir sheet honoring National Fete Day (Scott #B105). 75,384 sheets were issued, and Scott '12 prices it unused at $ .

Proceeds from the non-postal surtax funded the Swiss National Fund and the Red Cross, thereby rendering this issue a Red Cross topical.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an international humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide which was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and to prevent and alleviate human suffering, without any discrimination based on nationality, race, sex, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. From a philatelic investment perspective, the support of almost 100 million of people for this movement creates a significant collector base for better Red Cross/Red Crescent topicals.


Switzerland, a nation of 7.8 million people,is one of the richest countries in the world by per capita, with a nominal per capita GDP of $67,384. The country experienced slow growth in the 1990s and the early 2000s, and was hurt by the global financial crisis, which has resulted in greater support for economic reforms and harmonization with the European Union. Annual GDP growth has averaged about 1.6% over the last five years.

Stamp Investment Tip: Netherlands Antilles 1944 Red Cross Airmail Semi-postals (CB13-20)

In 1944, the Netherlands Antilles issued an airmail semi-postal set portraying Princess Juliana (Scott #CB13-20). The excess, non-postal funds from the sale of the set went to fund the Red Cross. 40,000 sets were issued, and Scott '11 prices the unused set at $14.30.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an international humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide which was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and to prevent and alleviate human suffering, without any discrimination based on nationality, race, sex, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. From a philatelic investment perspective, the support of almost 100 million of people for this movement creates a significant collector base for better Red Cross/Red Crescent topicals. This topical appeal, as well as the growth in interest in stamps of the Netherlands Colonies should bolster the value of this currently inexpensive set.


I continue to favor stamps of the European colonies and possessions over the stamps of their mother countries. The quantities issued for the colonies tend to be modest, and worldwide interest in them often grows at a faster rate. For the most part, stamp of the Netherlands Antilles appeals to Netherlands Colonies collectors, but as Curacao is a popular tourist destination, it's likely that in the future, interest in its stamps will grow in the Americas as well.

With about 16.6 million people, the Netherlands is the 16th largest economy in the world. It is an affluent industrial and trading nation, with a well-educated population, and an active stamp collecting community. Its annual GDP growth has averaged about 2.5% over the last 5 years, reflecting a slowing due to the global financial crisis.