Stamp Investment Tip: Republic of China 1962 UNICEF Souvenir Sheet (Scott #1341a)

  In 1962, the Republic of China issued a souvenir sheet commemorating the 15th Anniversary of UNICEF (Scott #1341a). 100,000 sheets were issued, and Scott '14 prices them unused at $16.00.

  I continue to like the U.N. as a topic, long-term. The market for U.N.-related topicals should grow over the very long haul as institutions of world government develop in order to take on serious (and possibly existential) problems which can only be coped with globally. Despite the present inadequacy, corruption, and ineffectiveness of the U.N., I view its reform and gradual strengthening as a gradual but irresistible trend.

   Better stamps and souvenir sheets of the R.O.C. have done well over the last few decades, but the market has been cooler than that for stamps of the People's Republic. I believe that as capitalism and incremental democratization take hold in the P.R.C., relations between the "two Chinas" will gradually improve, as will demand for stamps of the R.O.C.. The process of thawing may have already begun: as of 2008, more than $150 billion was invested in the P.R.C. by Taiwanese companies. About 10% of the Taiwanese labor force works in the P.R.C., often to run their own businesses.

    In the meantime, most of the demand for stamps of Taiwan will originate from collectors in Taiwan itself and among overseas Chinese (of which there are approximately 35 million). Taiwan, a nation of 23 million people, is one of the four "Asian Tigers," and has experienced explosive economic growth and industrialization over the last 5 decades. Annual GDP growth has averaged just under 4% over the last 5 years, but this partly reflects a contraction of 2% in 2009, a result of the global financial mess.

  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: Republic of China 1955 Chiang Kai-Shek 69th Birthday Souvenir Sheet (Scott #1126a)

  In 1955, the Republic of China issued a souvenir sheet celebrating the 69th Birthday of its beloved dictator, Chiang Kai-shek (Scott #1126a). Only 20,000 were issued, and Scott '13 prices the unused souvenir sheet at $180.- .

Better stamps and souvenir sheets of the R.O.C. have done well over the last few decades, but the market has been cooler than that for stamps of the People's Republic. I believe that as capitalism and incremental democratization take hold in the P.R.C., relations between the "two Chinas" will gradually improve, as will demand for stamps of the R.O.C.. The process of thawing may have already begun: as of 2008, more than $ 150 billion has been invested in the P.R.C. by Taiwanese companies, and about 10% of the Taiwanese labor force works in the P.R.C., often to run their own businesses.

In the meantime, most of the demand for stamps of Taiwan will originate from collectors in Taiwan itself and among overseas Chinese (of which there are approximately 35 million). Taiwan, a nation of 23 million people, is one of the four "Asian Tigers," and has experienced explosive economic growth and industrialization over the last 5 decades. Annual GDP growth has averaged about 4% over the last 5 years, but this reflects the zero growth of 2009, a result of the global financial mess.

Stamp Investment Tip: Republic of China 1961 Chiang Kai-shek Souvenir Sheet (Scott #1319a)

In 1961, the Republic of China (Taiwan) issued a souvenir sheet celebrating the 1st anniversary of President Chiang Kai-shek's 3rd inauguration (Scott #1319a). Given the number of issues honoring Chiang Kai-shek, it would seem that the citizens of the R.O.C. were most grateful for the many years of their paternal dictator's leadership. 100,000 were issued, and Scott '12 values the unused souvenir sheet at $20.00.

Better stamps and souvenir sheets of the R.O.C. have done well over the last few decades, but the market has been cooler than that for stamps of the People's Republic. I believe that as capitalism and incremental democratization take hold in the P.R.C., relations between the "two Chinas" will gradually improve, as will demand for stamps of the R.O.C.. The process of thawing may have already begun: as of 2008, more than $ 150 billion has been invested in the P.R.C. by Taiwanese companies, and about 10% of the Taiwanese labor force works in the P.R.C., often to run their own businesses.


In the meantime, most of the demand for stamps of Taiwan will originate from collectors in Taiwan itself and among overseas Chinese (of which there are approximately 35 million). Taiwan, a nation of 23 million people, is one of the four "Asian Tigers," and has experienced explosive economic growth and industrialization over the last 5 decades. Annual GDP growth has averaged about 4% over the last 5 years, but this reflects the zero growth of 2009, a result of the global financial mess.

Those interested in learning more about investing in stamps are encouraged to read the Philatelic Investment Guide ($5), available on Kindle, and accessible from any computer.

Stamp Investment Tip: Republic of China 1952 Land Tax Reduction (Scott #1046-51)

In 1952, the Republic of China (now known as Taiwan) issued a set celebrating the reduction of the land tax (Scott #1046-51), as well as a special imperforate version of the set (Scott #1046-51Note). 80,000 of the normal, perf. set and 20,000 of the imperf. set were issued, and Scott '12 values them unused at $351.00 and $1,100.- respectively.

Both should do well as the stamp markets in both Chinas continues to develop. Although fewer of the imperforate set were issued, these were generally not used as postage, and it is likely that many of the perf. sets were used as postage and discarded.

Better stamps and souvenir sheets of the R.O.C. have done well over the last few decades, but the market has been cooler than that for stamps of the People's Republic. I believe that as capitalism and incremental democratization take hold in the P.R.C., relations between the "two Chinas" will gradually improve, as will demand for stamps of the R.O.C.. The process of thawing may have already begun: as of 2008, more than $ 150 billion has been invested in the P.R.C. by Taiwanese companies, and about 10% of the Taiwanese labor force works in the P.R.C., often to run their own businesses.

In the meantime, most of the demand for stamps of Taiwan will originate from collectors in Taiwan itself and among overseas Chinese (of which there are approximately 35 million). Taiwan, a nation of 23 million people, is one of the four "Asian Tigers," and has experienced explosive economic growth and industrialization over the last 5 decades. Annual GDP growth has averaged about 4% over the last 5 years, but this reflects the zero growth of 2009, a result of the global financial mess.

Stamp Investment Tip: Republic of China 1952 Chiang Kai-shek Return to Presidency, imperforate (Scott #1052-56 Note)

In 1952, the Republic of China (also known as "Taiwan") issued a set of stamps commemorating the second anniversary Chiang Kai-shek's return to the presidency (Scott #1052-56), and also released an imperforate version of the set (Scott #1052-56 Note) for the collector market. 180,000 of the normal sets were issued, along with 20,000 imperforate sets, and Scott '11 prices the unused sets at $180.50 and $ 460.- respectively.


Both versions of the set are worthy of consideration. Although the imperforate set had a much lower quantity issued, none were used as postage and discarded, while I'd estimate that at least 80-90% of the regular set were. I also recommend te 1953 4th Anniversary of Chiang Kai-shek's Return to the Presidency set and its imperforate baby brother (Scott #1064-69 and 1064-69 Note), of which 290,000 were issued, along with 10,000 imperforate sets (Scott Values for unused are $ 289.50 and $ 460.- , respectively). It's interesting to note that the crusty but not always benevolent dictator was considerate enough to repeatedly remind his people to celebrate his glorious return.

Better stamps and souvenir sheets of the R.O.C. have done well over the last few decades, but the market has been cooler than that for stamps of the People's Republic. I believe that as capitalism and incremental democratization take hold in the P.R.C., relations between the "two Chinas" will gradually improve, as will demand for stamps of the R.O.C.. The process of thawing may have already begun: as of 2008, more than $ 150 billion has been invested in the P.R.C. by Taiwanese companies, and about 10% of the Taiwanese labor force works in the P.R.C., often to run their own businesses.

In the meantime, most of the demand for stamps of Taiwan will originate from collectors in Taiwan itself and among overseas Chinese (of which there are approximately 35 million). Taiwan, a nation of 23 million people, is one of the four "Asian Tigers," and has experienced explosive economic growth and industrialization over the last 5 decades. Annual GDP growth has averaged about 4% over the last 5 years, but this reflects the zero growth of 2009, a result of the global financial mess.

Stamp Investment Tip: Republic of China 1954 Silo Bridge Souvenir Folder (Scott #1095a)

In 1954, the Republic of China, otherwise known as Taiwan, celebrated the first anniversary of the completion of its Silo Highway Bridge with the issuance of a souvenir booklet containing a souvenir sheet (Scott #1095a). Only 10,000 booklets were issued, and Scott '10 values it at $ 1,375.00.


Better stamps and souvenir sheets of the R.O.C. have done well over the last few decades, but the market has been cooler than that for stamps of the People's Republic. I believe that as capitalism and incremental democratization take hold in the P.R.C., relations between the "two Chinas" will gradually improve, as will demand for stamps of the R.O.C.. The process of thawing may have already begun: as of 2008, more than $ 150 billion has been invested in the P.R.C. by Taiwanese companies, and about 10% of the Taiwanese labor force works in the P.R.C., often to run their own businesses.

In the meantime, most of the demand for stamps of Taiwan will originate from collectors in Taiwan itself and among overseas Chinese (of which there are approximately 35 million). Taiwan, a nation of 23 million people, is one of the four "Asian Tigers," and has experienced explosive economic growth and industrialization over the last 5 decades. Annual GDP growth has averaged about 4% over the last 5 years, but this reflects the zero growth of 2009, a result of the global financial mess.