Stamp Investment Tip: Venezuela 1930-39 Plane and Map Issues

Between 1930 and 1939, Venezuela issued four airmail sets picturing a biplane and a map of the country. All four sets are undervalued, and have multiple market appeal to collectors of Venezuela, Aviation, and the small but growing number of Map-on-Stamp topicalists.

Winchester Security Paper

The four sets are Venezuela's first airmail set of 1930 (Scott #C1-16), the 1932 set of similar design issued on bluish Winchester Security Paper (Scott #C17-40- example pictured at right), the 1937 Surcharged set (Scott #C41-46), and the 1938-39 set issued on white paper without the imprint at bottom, which is pictured above (Scott #C119-26). 30,000, 15,300, 5,000, and 50,000 of these sets were issued, respectively, and Scott '12 prices them unused at $ 24.50, $167.05, $66.00, and $34.45 . Many of these Depression-era sets were probably used as postage and discarded. Few Venezuelans of the time could afford to purchase and save the stamps in unused condition.

With a population of about 26 million, Venezuela is resource-rich, and consistently ranks among the top ten oil producers in the world. Annual GDP growth has averaged almost 10% over the last 5 years, although it has been decelerating recently due to lower oil prices. Under Chavez-style quasi-socialism, the percentage of Venezuelans living below the poverty line has decreased from 48% in 2002 to 30% in 2006. The country has begun diversifying its economy away from its current near-total dependence on petroleum exports, and has spawned a rapidly growing manufacturing sector.

I have begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", featuring my buy lists for stamps which I wish to purchase, including many items from Venezuela .Periodically viewing dealers' buy lists
is an excellent way to remained informed about the state of the stamp market.

Stamp Investment Tip: Venezuela 1944 Howarth Issue (Scott #C199-205)

In 1944, Venezuela issued a set of seven airmails commemorating the centennial of the first cooperative shop in Rochdale, England by Charles Howarth (Scott #C199-205). Howarth was famous as a reformer and labor organizer. 15,000 sets were issued, and Scott '12 prices the unused set at $10.80 ($18.- for NH). Many were probably used as postage and discarded.

With a population of about 26 million, Venezuela is resource-rich, and consistently ranks among the top ten oil producers in the world. Annual GDP growth has averaged almost 10% over the last 5 years, although it has been decelerating recently due to lower oil prices. Under Chavez-style quasi-socialism, the percentage of Venezuelans living below the poverty line has decreased from 48% in 2002 to 30% in 2006. The country has begun diversifying its economy away from its current near-total dependence on petroleum exports, and has spawned a rapidly growing manufacturing sector.

I have begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", featuring my buy lists for stamps which I wish to purchase, including many items from Venezuela .Periodically viewing dealers' buy lists
is an excellent way to remained informed about the state of the stamp market.


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: Venezuela 1943 Habilitado Surcharge (Scott #384-87)

In 1943, Venezuela surcharged four stamps from earlier issues, creating a set which was sold primarily to stamp collectors (Scott #384-87). 6,000 sets were issued, and Scott '12 prices the unused set at $137.50 .

It is highly probable that most, if not all, of the sets still exist. Nevertheless, its low issuance quantity makes it a good bet on the growth of interest in stamps of Venezuela as well as those of Latin America in general.

With a population of about 26 million, Venezuela is resource-rich, and consistently ranks among the top ten oil producers in the world. Annual GDP growth has averaged almost 10% over the last 5 years, although it has been decelerating recently due to lower oil prices. Under Chavez-style quasi-socialism, the percentage of Venezuelans living below the poverty line has decreased from 48% in 2002 to 30% in 2006. The country has begun diversifying its economy away from its current near-total dependence on petroleum exports, and has spawned a rapidly growing manufacturing sector.

I have begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", featuring my buy lists for stamps which I wish to purchase, including the set recommended in this article.Periodically viewing dealers' buy lists
is an excellent way to remained informed about the state of the stamp market.

I encourage those interested in learning more about investing in stamps to view my book, A Guide to Philatelic Investing ($5 on Kindle).

Stamp Investment Tip: Venezuela 1951 Third Bolivarian Games Souvenir Sheet (Scott #C337a)

In 1951, Venezuela issued a souvenir sheet celebrating the Third Bolivarian Games (Scott #C337a). The Bolivarian Games are a regional multi-sport event held in honor of Simón Bolívar, and open to athletes from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela. 20,000 of the souvenir sheet were issued, and Scott '12 prices it unused at $20.00.

Aside from its appeal to collectors of Venezuela and Latin America in general, the souvenir should also do well as a Sports topical. The sheet is large and was issued on thin paper, so when purchasing it, ascertain that is free of bends and creases.


With a population of about 26 million, Venezuela is resource-rich, and consistently ranks among the top ten oil producers in the world. Annual GDP growth has averaged almost 10% over the last 5 years, although it has been decelerating recently due to lower oil prices. Under Chavez-style quasi-socialism, the percentage of Venezuelans living below the poverty line has decreased from 48% in 2002 to 30% in 2006. The country has begun diversifying its economy away from its current near-total dependence on petroleum exports, and has spawned a rapidly growing manufacturing sector.

I have begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", featuring my buy lists for stamps which I wish to purchase, including many items from Venezuela .Periodically viewing dealers' buy lists
is an excellent way to remained informed about the state of the stamp market.


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: Venezuela 1932-38 Simon Bolivar (Scott #293-304)

From 1932 to '38, Venezuela issued a definitive set picturing Simon Bolivar, and printed on bluish Winchester security paper to prevent counterfeiting (Scott 293-304). 42,000 were issued, and Scott '11 values the set at $117.85 for unused. Issued over a period of seven years when few people were collecting Venezuela, most sets were probably used as postage and discarded. Perhaps a few thousand remain. The set is yet another example of a grossly undervalued issue of Latin America, which should do very well as the region continues its economic development.

With a population of about 26 million, Venezuela is resource-rich, and consistently ranks among the top ten oil producers in the world. Annual GDP growth has averaged almost 10% over the last 5 years, although it has been decelerating recently due to lower oil prices. Under Chavez-style quasi-socialism, the percentage of Venezuelans living below the poverty line has decreased from 48% in 2002 to 30% in 2006. The country has begun diversifying its economy away from its current near-total dependence on petroleum exports, and has spawned a rapidly growing manufacturing sector.

I have begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", featuring my buy lists for stamps which I wish to purchase, including the set recommended in this article.Periodically viewing dealers' buy lists
is an excellent way to remained informed about the state of the stamp market.


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: Venezuela 1899-1901 Bolivar Issue (Scott #142-49)

From 1899-1901, Venezuela issued an attractive set of definitives honoring Simon Bolivar (Scott #142-49). Fewer than 1,000 of the 2b Orange high value (Sc. #149) were issued, and Scott '10 prices the unused set at $ 375.00. I strongly recommend either the complete set or the high value for investment. It is yet another example of a grossly undervalued issue of Latin America, which should do very well as the region continues its economic development.

With a population of about 26 million, Venezuela is resource-rich, and consistently ranks among the top ten oil producers in the world. Annual GDP growth has averaged almost 10% over the last 5 years, although it has been decelerating recently due to lower oil prices. Under Chavez-style quasi-socialism, the percentage of Venezuelans living below the poverty line has decreased from 48% in 2002 to 30% in 2006. The country has begun diversifying its economy away from its current near-total dependence on petroleum exports, and has spawned a rapidly growing manufacturing sector.

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: Venezuela 1944 Baseball Issue (Scott #C189-97)

In 1944, Venezuela issued an airmail set commemorating the 7th World Amateur Baseball Championship Games, held in Caracas (Scott #C189-97). Only 10,000 sets were issued, and Scott '12 prices it at $ 42.50 for unused.

This overlooked issue is extremely attractive as an investment, as it combines scarcity, low price, a growing worldwide topical interest in Baseball, and an issuance country which is prospering and likely to continue to prosper for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, there is a general tendency among many stamp collectors to focus on Latin America as a region, which further adds to its appeal.

With a population of about 26 million, Venezuela is resource-rich, and consistently ranks among the top ten oil producers in the world. Annual GDP growth has averaged 3.5% over the last 5 years, which reflects a deceleration due to the recent global financial crisis. Under Chavez-style quasi-socialism, the percentage of Venezuelans living below the poverty line decreased from 48% in 2002 to 30% in 2006. The country has begun diversifying its economy away from its current near-total dependence on petroleum exports, and has spawned a rapidly growing manufacturing sector.

Varieties exist for stamps of this set, including imperforates and overprint varieties. Perhaps the rarest is the double overprint of "AEREO" on the 45 centavo Rose Violet (Scott #C193), which is listed in Michel, but not in Scott. These varieties are considerably rarer than the normal stamps, but since they are not Scott-listed, it is possible that you will find them priced at only a modest premium.