The Queen has been on postage stamps since 50 years and going strong. Her reign on England and Postage Stamps is quite remarkable. This linkage further entwines into her own personal wealth, so as to speak of.
As of 2015, she is worth £300million but is “asset rich and cash poor”, claims the most comprehensive analysis of her wealth in decades.
Some of her most valuable possessions are kept under wraps, or rather protective sheets.
She inherited the Royal Philatelic Collection, the world’s most comprehensive collection of postage stamps of Britain and the Commonwealth, from her father, George VI.
Many of the most prized pieces were assembled by his father, George V.
With just one set of penny blacks valued at £4million, the Queen’s total collection must be worth £10million although some estimates put the figure at £100million.
The Queen also owns a valuable art collection worth many millions.
On 9 September 1918 the Latvian postal authorities give an order for the printing of 3.000.000 stamps. The value must be 5 kapeiki. In total 11.956 sheets of 228 stamps were printed: 2.725.968 postage stamps.
After Germany signed the Armistice with the Allied Powers on 11th November 1918, Latvia quickly proceeded to declare its Independence on 18th November 1918 – though German troops and administrators remained in Latvia until late in December.
The Latvian government in Riga took delivery from the Riga printer of the first instalment of Map stamps on 17 December.
The first stamps were delivered on 17 december 1918 on the main-postoffice of Riga. Some consider 27 december -the main postoffice of Riga under control of Latvia- as the first day of issue of the first Latvian stamp.
The stamps were printed by printing house Schnakenburg in Riga, later -end 1919- the Latvian state-printing house.After the war in Latvia there was lack of paper, so the stamps were printed on the back of German military maps.Collectors can specialize in plate errors, but also in types of maps.
Front side of the stamp
Backside of the stamps
The first illustration below shows a blank philatelic cover cancelled 18th December 1918 but this is unusual – most Riga cancellations on Map stamps are dated for the last five or six days of December. Then the trouble begins.
The Latvian Government evacuated from Riga on 2 January 1919 and on the 3 January 1919, Soviet Latvian troops entered the city.
The government evacuated first to Jelgawa (Mitau / Mitava) and then to Liepaja (Libau, Libava).It returned to Riga on 22 May 1919 and took delivery of more Map stamps (which may simply have been kept in store during the Soviet occupation). But it seems doubtful that these new supplies were issued.
So if you are looking for postage used Map stamps, then for Riga they will only be found in a 14 day period from 18 December to 1 or 2 January. After that, they can be found from other cities and towns – but rarely – and they were soon replaced by further issues with a wider range of values – the Map stamp only exists in one 5 kopeck denomination.
These unaddressed items are not so common – either they had addresses written in soon after or they were “harvested” for used copies of the Map stamps and so no longer exist.
A bit more ambitious are Registered covers like this one. But it has no cancellation on the back and is one of a batch which were probably handed straight back to the “sender”.
The 20th century threw Latvia into endless trials and turbulences: a revolution, two world wars, freedom fights, several occupations, deportations, refugees and a large exodus among them. However, this was also the century when the Latvian state was created. In the aftermath of World War I, realising its right of self-determination the Latvian nation became a sovereign in the territory which since times immemorial had been inhabited by Latvians.
In June 1940, Latvia was occupied by the Soviet Union. Fifty years later, on May 4, 1990, Latvia proclaimed its independence again and obtained full independence on Aug. 21, 1991.
During the post-World War I era, Germany was wracked by one of the most famous and spectacular bouts of inflation in history. Under the strain of huge war reparations demanded by the victorious Allies, prices for everything from pumpernickel to postage stamps soared out of control.
To put things in perspective, consider this: In July of 1923, the rate for someone to mail a letter from Germany to the United States had risen from 300 marks to 900 marks (equal to a little more than half a cent in U.S. money). Only three months later, the cost to mail that same letter was 6,000 marks. By November, the mark had plunged even further, and stamps were being printed at values as high as 20 billion marks.
Beginning in August 1923 and proceeding through October of 1923, the postal service began applying re-valuation overprints to existing stocks of lower denomination stamps. The re-valuations ranged from 5,000 Marks to 2,000,000 Marks.
The 1923 postal rate table, for domestic / foreign letters under 20 grams, is shown below.By October of 1923, 2,000,000 Marks wasn’t even enough to mail a single domestic letter, thus by that time, most of the re-valued stamps, shown in the images above, were all useless.
Letter Postage Rates for 1923 ForDomestic / ForeignLetters, Less than 20 Grams
1923-JAN-15 — 20 Marks / 150 Marks
1923-MAR-01 — 40 Marks / 300 Marks
1923-JUL-01 — 120 Marks / 800 Marks
1923-AUG-01 — 400 Marks / 3,000 Marks
1923-AUG-24 — 8,000 Marks / 60,000 Marks
1923-SEP-01 — 30,000 Marks / 200,000 Marks
1923-SEP-20 — 100,000 Marks / 750,000 Marks
1923-OCT-01 — 800,000 Marks / 6,000,000 Marks
1923-OCT-10 — 2,000,000 Marks / 15,000,000 Marks
1923-OCT-20 — 4,000,000 Marks / 30,000,000 Marks
1923-NOV-01 — 40,000,000 Marks / 200,000,000 Marks
1923-NOV-05 — 500,000,000 Marks / 4,000,000,000 Marks
1923-NOV-12 — 5,000,000,000 Marks / 40,000,000,000 Marks
1923-NOV-20 — 10,000,000,000 Marks / 80,000,000,000 Marks
1923-NOV-26 — 40,000,000,000 Marks / 320,000,000,000 Marks
1923-DEC-12 — 50,000,000,000 Marks / 300,000,000,000 Marks
Due to the rate of hyperinflation, the previously surcharged issues had become obsolete. This required the creation of a new series of postage stamps, suited to keeping up with the rising postal rates.
Thestampsshown above in denominations from 500,000 Marks through 50,000,000,000 Marks, were issued inOctober 1923. Actually, after about two months, these new stamps were also on the verge of being obsolete. By the beginning of December 1923, a domestic letter cost 50,000,000,000 Marks to mail, and a letter being mailed outside Germany cost 300,000,000,000 Marks.
During this period of runaway inflation, it became harder and harder to cram enough stamps onto letters and documents to pay for postage or revenue stamp fees. According to sources, one Swiss document had to be sent with 10 feet of paper attached to it, just to hold the required amount of revenue stamps. Eventually, the situation became so bad that Germany temporarily stopped requiring stamps to mail letters. Instead, they allowed customers to pay for postage in cash at the post office, and officials would simply mark the letters as paid.
In December 1923, hyperinflation in the Weimar Republic ended!A new currency, the Rentenmark, was instituted, and the German economy began to recover.
In 1924, one Rentenmark (or Reichsmark) was equivalent to ONE BILLION Papermarks of the Weimar Republic hyperinflation period. Exchanging the old paper currency was futile, and many people, businesses, and banks, either re-cycled the old paper Marks or threw them in the trash.
Thenewseries ofstamps, againdenominated in Pfennig, shown above was issuedDecember 1, 1923.
They all feature a circular central design, with the numeral of value printed over it. The numerals were printed separately from the stamps, so there are also many shifts on this series. This whole series also exists imperforate and with missing value numerals. Most of them are scarce and expensive.
It would be unfathomable to even imagine the effect the hyperinflation had on businesses that relied on mail advertising, mail billing, mail order sales, etc., and on people, who may have lost their homes, possessions, or that may have even starved to death, because they didn’t have the means of paying for food or necessities. History would soon forget the hyperinflation of 1921-1923, and Germany would once again become a thriving nation, but theGerman peoplewouldNEVER FORGETthe pain and suffering they endured through this period in history. Combined with the Great Depression at the end of the decade, these events would lead to the eventual downfall of the Weimar Republic.
The Graf Zeppelin was Dr. Hugo Eckner’s crowning achievement in the concept of the zeppelin. Even though the later Hindenburg and the Graf Zeppelin II would be technologically superior to the Graf Zeppelin, no other airship was so beloved by nearly all the world.
The pioneering flights of the giant German airship made front-page news around the world. The dirigible became the first commercial aircraft to span the Atlantic Ocean in 1928 and it set other aeronautical records in subsequent years. Before being decommissioned in 1937 and dismantled in 1940, it had traveled further than any zeppelin before or since: 590 flights, more than a million miles and 144 ocean crossings.
Two collectors of Ukrainian background sought to have mails transported on this new aerial conveyance. The renowned collector Eugene Vyrovyj and the stamp dealer Katherine E. Shattuck (later spelled Shutock) were philatelic associates who set up a trans-Atlantic correspondence. Both were members of the Society of Ukrainian Philatelists in Vienna, Austria. While he was a Ukrainian living in Prague, Czechoslovakia, she was an American-born Ukrainian (both mother and father having emigrated from Chernivtsi in 1902. The U.S. address on several of the covers that appear in this article was also the address of Miss Shattuck’s ECHO Stamp Co. Both parties conducted many successful and unique stamp exchanges over a number of years.
Mr. Vyrowyj and Miss Shattuck would address and send envelopes to each other – in quantity cancelled at special events. Subsequently, a received portion of the envelopes would be returned to the other in normal mail.
Figure 1
Figure 1 is a cover from the Graf Zeppelin that raveled on the return (second) leg of the first round trip between Germany and the U.S. The airship first arrived in Lakehurst, N.J., on October 15, 1928, after a 111-hour flight from Germany. It left the U.S. on October 30 bearing a great deal of commemorative flight materials, including the illustrated cover, which was mailed by Miss Shattuck to Mr. Vyrovyj. The envelope carries 6 cents airmail franking and a special violet commemorative marking that proclaims: “First Flight Air Mail Via Graf Zeppelin, United States – Germany.”
The return flight was much faster, since the aircraft was now riding the prevailing westerly winds. The cancels on the reverse reveal that the ship arrived at its home base of Friedrichshafen on November 1 and was delivered to Krale Vinohrady in Czechoslovakia two days later.
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 2 and 3 are a postcard and envelope both highlighted with the same round blue cachet that in German states: “The Airship Graf Zeppelin, First America Trip [of] 1929.” (This flight was the aircraft’s second trip to America.) Both items were mailed by Mr. Vyrovyj to Ms. Shattuck on or about May 16, 1929 (note special black “Luftschiff Graf Zeppelin” [Airship Graf Zeppelin] cancellation). However, 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) into the flight engine trouble developed and the ship became unmanageable. The Graf Zeppelin drifted a considerable distance in a short time. Finally, with the assistance of a ground force, it landed at Cuers, a French military airport. It took several days for temporary repairs to be made, after which the Zeppelin headed home, landing safely at Friedrichshafen.
All the mail that was on the zeppelin was overprinted with a red, one-line, German inscription that stated: “Conveyance delayed because of a break in the first American journey.” Mails received subsequently, while the Zeppelin was being repaired at its home hanger, did not carry this marking. Consequently, mail with this overprint has a greater value, for fewer items were carried on the original aborted flight.
On August 1, 1929, after the engines had received extensive repairs, the zeppelin again departed for its second Atlantic crossing, this time completing the trip without further incident.
Figure 4
The Graf Zeppelin‘s subsequent excursion was its most ambitious to date: a journey around the world. This trip was as big a global news story as the moon landing 40 years later. Carrying 16 passengers and a crew of 37, the airship left Lakehurst in the early morning hours of August 8, 1929. It made only three stops on her 19,500-mile trip. The first destination was its home base in Germany.
Figure 4 is of a pre-stamped 5 -cent airmail cover (with 1 cent stamp added), mailed by Miss Shattuck to Mr. Vyrovyj and carried on the first leg of this historic trip from the U.S. (postmark is New York on August 7, 1929) to Friedrichshafen (arrival cancel of August 10). The item was subsequently forwarded to Prague, arriving two days later.
From Germany the ship flew over Siberia to Japan, where it made its second stop in Tokyo. It next proceeded westward over the Pacific to Los Angeles for its final stop and then returned to Lakehurst on August 29, having journeyed for 21 days, seven hours, and 26 minutes – a new record for around-the-world travel. More amazing was the fact that only about 12 of those days had been spent in the air. The round violet cachet on the cover proclaims “First Round-the-World Flight, U.S. Air Mail” and lists the three stopover sites of the flight as well as Lakehurst, the beginning and end point.
Figure 5
The above pictures, figure 5, is of a postcard traveling in the opposite direction, once again making a groundbreaking journey – this time a Europe-Pan American tour. The German message in the round, light red cachet reads: “Airship Graf Zeppelin, South America Trip 1930.” This time Mr. Vyrovyj used a typewriter to print out Miss Shattuck’s address, as well as a short inscription under the cachet: “By Airship Graf Zeppelin to Lakehurst.”
His Ukrainian message on the back contains instructions for his philatelic partner. It reads:
Prague May 14, 1930 Highly Esteemed Miss Shattuck!
I am sending you three cards and four letters. If you like, keep for yourself one card and one letter and return two cards and three letters to me in a registered letter. If you like, you may retain one additional letter. Please also send me two-three letters by zeppelin, franked only with airmail stamps and not with some others. Sincerest greetings and I wish you all the best. E. Vyrovyj
P.S. [In the left margin] In another letter I inserted a prepared addressed envelope.
On May 18, 1930 the Graf Zeppelin left for Seville, Spain – the first stage of its Europe-South America-North America flight – and arrived the following day. Note the cancellation dated the 19th, which was undoubtedly applied in flight. Shortly after midnight of the morning of the 20th, the airship departed for a long (6,400-kilometer, or 4,000 mile) flight to Pernambuco, Brazil, arriving on May 22 after a flight of 61 hours. On the 27th, a short flight was made to Rio de Janeiro. After 70 minutes on the ground, the zeppelin returned to Pernambuco. The following morning, the aircraft proceeded northward on its historic trek, heading for Havana. Because of the weather, the ship skipped this rendezvous and continued on to Lakehurst, arriving at daybreak of May 31. The ship returned to Friedrichshafen by way of Seville, Spain.
Figure 6Figure 7
Figures 6 and 7 are items apparently prepared by Miss Shattuck, but never carried on the last leg of this journey. The applied stamps were quite high-value for their time and were part of a three-stamp set released by the U.S. Postal Service in the spring of 1930. The stamps were specifically issued for use on mails carried on the first Europe-Pan-America round-trip flight of the Graf Zeppelin in May of 1930. Relatively few of these stamps were issued and today they are among the most valuable of all U.S. airmail stamps. The stamp in Figure 6 might be worth about $200, while the one in Figure 7 about $400. Why these two items were never mailed remains a mystery.
More about the U.S. Graf Zeppelin stamps
In February of 1930, Hugo Eckener, the pilot of the Graf Zeppelin, went to Washington to receive the National Geographic Society’s Gold Medal for his around-the-world flight. He used this occasion to lobby for and convince the U.S. Post Office to issue a set of zeppelin stamps.
Mail carried aboard the Graf Zeppelin airship bearing three U.S. Graf Zeppelin airmail stamps, first issued in Washington DC, April 19, 1930
The stamps, valued at $.65, $1.30 and $2.60, were quickly designed and placed on sale initially at the Washington post office and the Philatelic Agency on April 19, 1930. Two days later, they began to be sold at other post offices. This was about a month before the airship’s next scheduled big flight, from Europe to South America and then North America. The stamps were withdrawn from sale at post offices on June 7, 1930, a week after the arrival of the aircraft in the U.S. The stamps continued on sale at the Philatelic Agency for the benefit of stamp collectors until June 30, 1930. Subsequently all remainders were destroyed.
The $.65 and $1.30 values were used for postcards and letters respectively carried on the last leg of the journey from the U.S. to Seville, Spain and Friedrichshafen. The $1.30 and $2.60 values were used for post cards and letters respectively carried on the round trip flight Friedrichshafen to Friedrichshafen or Seville. These latter items were delivered to Germany by boat and forwarded to Friedrichshafen for the start of the trip.
Very few of these Graf Zeppelin stamps were sold. The U.S. and the world were still in the throes of the Great Depression and the $4.55 value for the set represented a week’s food allowance for a family of four. One million copies of each stamp were printed, but less than 8 percent survive and they remain the smallest U.S. issue of the 20th century (only 229,260 of these stamps were ever purchased). Despite this fact, the U.S. Post Office was able to present Dr. Eckener with $100,000 raised towards the expenses of the trip.
About Count Zeppelin and the flight around the world
Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin (1838-1917) was a retired German brigadier general who developed the rigid dirigible, a lighter-than-air vehicle that became known as the zeppelin. His first craft was completed in 1900. Despite many setbacks, Zeppelin persevered and continued his research to modify and improve his designs; in 1910, one of his airships was able to provide the first commercial air service for passengers. One of Zepplein’s closest associates from 1906 was Dr. Hugo Eckener. After World War I and Zeppelin’s death, Dr. Eckener became the chief proponent of dirigible travel.
Even with all its novel design innovations and the excitement and support of the German people, getting the Graf Zeppelin built was slowed by the lack of money. It had taken a plea to the German people by Dr. Eckener to raise most of the funds to have it built and more arm-twisting in the government to get enough monies to finish the ship. Finally christened on July 8, 1928, the ship was launched on September 18, 1928, but further financial support was needed to keep it flying. Such support was found by way of an American businessman and airship supporter, William Randolph Hearst.
Hearst put together a shrewd deal with Dr. Eckener that would benefit both the Zeppelin Company and Hearst’s newspaper companies. Hearst would put up the money for a global flight of the Graf Zeppelin that would gain it the publicity it would need to form a solid reputation for dependability. In return, he would get exclusive U.S. rights to the story.
Dr. Hugo Eckener
Figure 8
Dr. Eckener, having been a journalist and writer before going to work for Count Von Zeppelin, knew how to make the most of this publicity and did so at every opportunity. The global flight would begin in Friedrichshafen and proceed to Lakehurst, N.J. Lakehurst would then mark the official starting point of the journey, as stipulated in the contract drawn up by Hearst.
Although the Graf Zeppelin was not the first aircraft to circle the globe, it was by far the fastest. What took months for a British military heavey bomber to do, with many breakdowns and hardships along the way, the Graf did in three weeks in comfort and style with a full passenger load over much previously uncharted land (Figure 8). The trip was a complete success and the world, particularly the US, caught “Zeppelin Mania.” Once safely moored at Lakehurst, Dr. Eckener was treated to a ticker-tape parade in his honor in New York City and the newspapers dubbed him the “Magellan of the Air”.
Figure 9
Six different Graf Zeppelin badges commemmorating the round-the-world flight were made available at auction (Figure 9). Made of heavy copper, each badge type was enameled a different color: blue, green, yellow, red, black, and white. These 4.5 cm (1.75 inch) medallions were slightly domed to give a globe-like effect to the central hemispheric map that appears on each badge. The four major stops of the journey were spelled out in the outer frame and their initials (L, F, T, and LA) appear on the maps and on the backs. The badges were almost cetainly manufactured in Germany and indicated by the “Tokio” spelled on the frame.
Postal history of China is very fascinating as much as intricate if one considers the gradual decay of imperial China, the years of civil wars, the Japanese Occupation in the 1930s and World War II.
Imperial China Early records from the first millennium BC show evidence of regular governmental postal service during the Chou Dynasty. By the 12th century, organised postal services existed as per Marco Polo’s records. He reported the mailing of private letters by the Min Hsin Chu (a system of letter guilds) and the setting of post stages, as many as 10,000.
The Treaty of Kyakhta in 1727 allowed the regular exchange of mail between Imperial China and Russia. In the 19th century, the Opium War ended the policy of isolation and ‘treaty’ ports opened, allowing some countries to operate their ‘foreign post offices’ from 1844.
In 1865, Shanghai organised its own local post and the Englishman Robert Hart set up a mail service for the Imperial Maritime Customs for carrying consular mail to and from the ‘treaty’ ports. This function was available to the public on May 1878. Hence, China’s first postage stamps, the ‘Large Dragons’ were issued to handle payment, and were inscribed “CHINA” in both Latin and Chinese characters, and denominated in candareens.
Initially, all mail to foreign destinations went through Shanghai, but by 1882, twelve post offices opened. Twelve years later, the postal operations were reorganised, Min Hsin Chu and the Shanghai local post ceased to operate, Customs Port became the Imperial Postal Service (effective 1 January 1897) and the postal system adopted cents and dollars as the new units of currency.
The lack of postage during the first half of 1897 forced the use of existing postage and revenue stock surcharged in cents, with some varieties. The first new stamps, inscribed “IMPERIAL CHINESE POST” went on sale in August 1897 with twelve values, ranging from 1/2c to $5. These lithographed stamps were printed in Japan and used desgns of a dragon, a carp and a wild goose.
The paper was watermarked. The following year, a new series of engraved stamps printed in London were issued in similar designs by using thicker Chinese watermarked paper. The inscription changed to ‘CHINESE IMPERIAL POST’.
New printings commenced in 1899 but used non-watermarked paper and from this run, stamps were in use until the end of the Empire. It’s noticeable that the compliance to the Universal Postal Union saw the introduction of three values and the change of some colours.
The anniversary of the first year of reign of Emperor Xuantong was ideal for the first Chinese commemorative stamp in 1909, printed on 3 denominations and depicting the ‘Temple of Heaven’ in Beijing.
Revolution and Republic
The 1910s –The revolution of 1911 resulted in overprints on the imperial stamps in 1912. Examples of the overprints are that of ‘Foochow’ (neutral post office available to both sides) and ‘Nanking’ and ‘Shanghai’ (indicating part of the Republic of China). Postmasters throughout the country used unofficial overprints.
The first new designs of the Republic were two commemorative sets of 12 each, the first set depicting Sun Yat-Sen and second Yuan Shikai. Both issues were available from 14 December 1912.
5-cent “junk” from the redesign of 1923
Chinese definitive postage stamps made their mark in May 1913 with the release of the ‘Junk design’ stamps. Progressively, the higher issues depicred a farmer reaping rice and the ‘gateway to the Hall of Classics’. Initially printed in London, the stamps were manufactured in Beijing from 1915. The series was re-engraved in 1923.
The 1920s –China produced new commemorative issues, of four stamps each, during the 1920s. These are the 25th anniversary of the Chinese Post Office (1921), the Temple of Heaven / New Constitution (1923), Marshal of the Army and Navy Zhang Zuolin (1928), the Unification of China / Chiang Kai-Shek (1929) and the State Funeral of Sun Yat Sen (1929).
The 1930s and 1940s –In 1931, new definitives depicting Sun Yat Sen and in 1932, the ‘Six martyrs of Kuomintang’ were printed in volumes and were well used in the next several years.
Manchuria was invaded in 1931 by the Japanese and ‘Manchukuo’ issued its own stamps. During World War II, some existing postage stamps from previous issues were surcharged.
Chinese definitive postage stamps made their mark in May 1913 with the release of the ‘Junk design’ stamps. Progressively, the higher issues depicred a farmer reaping rice and the ‘gateway to the Hall of Classics’. Initially printed in London, the stamps were manufactured in Beijing from 1915. The series was re-engraved in 1923.
The 1920s –China produced new commemorative issues, of four stamps each, during the 1920s. These are the 25th anniversary of the Chinese Post Office (1921), the Temple of Heaven / New Constitution (1923), Marshal of the Army and Navy Zhang Zuolin (1928), the Unification of China / Chiang Kai-Shek (1929) and the State Funeral of Sun Yat Sen (1929).
The 1930s and 1940s –In 1931, new definitives depicting Sun Yat Sen and in 1932, the ‘Six martyrs of Kuomintang’ were printed in volumes and were well used in the next several years.
Manchuria was invaded in 1931 by the Japanese and ‘Manchukuo’ issued its own stamps. During World War II, some existing postage stamps from previous issues were surcharged.
25 cents on a stamp of 1931
Kansu surcharge on a stamp issued in 1940-41
Although not the first appearance of Chiang Kai-shek on a stamp, this October 1945 commemoration of his inauguration includes a broader array of nationalistic symbols.
Towards the end of the War, the Nationalist Government was still struggling with the Communist forces. Still, the postal authorities were able to release some commemorative issues on President Lin Sen who died in 1943, the anniversary of Chiang Kai-Shek in October 1945, and for celebrating the Alllied victory.
Severe inflation required a steady stream of overprints; this $2000 value is from 1946
Needless to say, as with many European countries affected by the War, China experienced increased inflation in 1945 and 1946. The need for postage of higher values necessitated the release of older stamps with surcharges up to $2,000. A new design of Sun Yat Sen was inscribed with the value of $5,000 but in the following year another issue came out with $50,000 that was superceded with the 1948’s $5,000,000 stamp!
Adoption of a gold yuan standard delayed inflation only for a short time. This $1000 stamp was issued in early 1949.
In 1948, the ‘gold yuan’ standard was adopted and existing stamps were surcharged with values from 1/2c and up. This currency reformation proved infufficient due to inflation as by early 1949, the overprinted values reached the $5,000,000 mark! In desparation, the government printed undenominated stamps and sold them at the daily yean rate. Later, the silver yuan standard was adopted and more stamps were overprinted. By August 1949, the Nationalists’ last issues were denominated in silver Yuan.
The postal system of the People’s Republic of China was established in Beijing in that year and was expanded to the liberated areas. This enabled the authority to cease the sale of regional stamps by end of June 1950, with the exception of the Northeast Liberation Area and the Port Arthur & Dairen Post & Telegraph (by end of 1950). The unified administration issued its first postage stamps in October 1949 that consisted of four with designs of ‘lantern and the Gate of Heavenly Peace’.
This silver yuan overprint on a revenue stamp was used for only a few months in mid-1949.
The first definitive series were released in February 1950 and featured the Gate of Heavenly Peace against a background of clouds. These stamps came in nine values ranging from $200 to $10,000. The design was modified several times over the next few years and today, philatelists have identified six issues. By the end of 1950, all provinces were entered into the unified postal service.
Like much of the global economy these days, the center of the world’s multibillion-dollar stamp-collecting market is shifting east. Auction houses are sprouting up in Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing, and rich collectors are catching the bug, especially in China. All of that is helping breathe new life into a hobby—and for some, an investment strategy—that was starting to seem decidedly passé in the West. Without rich Chinese collectors, some experts say, stamp collecting would have continued its long, slow decline from mainstream hobby to near-extinction.
At least a third of the world’s 60 million stamp collectors are now in China, and the number is growing rapidly, Stanley Gibbons says. China, including Hong Kong, has also become a big stamp-trading hub, with at least six auction houses in Hong Kong and another four major houses on the mainland plus several smaller ones, most opening in the past four years. Stamp shows have proliferated, drawing hundreds of thousands of buyers and gawkers at a time when similar events in the U.S. are lucky to break into the five figures.
Online exchanges have also sprouted, with tickers scrolling across the screen like stock markets. Stanley Gibbons says Asian clients now make up 5 percent of the firm’s investments in terms of volume—but almost 18 percent in value, as they spend more.
How much more? Three years ago, two sheets of the first ever-issued stamps for Formosa, the name of the island that later became Taiwan, sold to a Hong Kong collector for HK$10.4 million, or over $1.3 million.
In 1895 China ceded Taiwan to Japan. The Taiwanese reacted by establishing the short-lived Republic of Formosa, which issued its own stamps.
In 2011, a block of four stamps from 1968 called “Chairman Mao’s Inscription to Japanese Worker Friends” sold for more than $1 million at a Hong Kong auction.
The stamps, which feature Chairman Mao’s handwriting declaring that the revolution would succeed in Japan, were printed but never issued—except through a post office in Hebei, China, which started selling them before they were canceled.
This great rarity is understood to be the largest existing multiple and probably the only surviving block of four of the stamp.
Last year, a pair of 1941 stamps that featured Sun Yat-sen, the revolutionary leader who began the Republic of China in the early 20th century, sold for $709,000 at an auction in Hong Kong. Like many other expensive stamps, their value was due to human error: The text and the $2 sign were printed upside down.
Chinese buyers tend to like alternative investments, from art to jade to homegrown liquors—and now stamps. According to a report by the private-wealth division at Barclays, China’s high-net-worth individuals put 17 percent of their wealth in these type of investments, compared to 9 percent of America’s rich and only 7 percent of the British wealthy. Stamps are also a relatively cheap collectible for countries that have new and growing middle classes and the hope is their young population will wish to take up Philately as a hobby, keeping the demand for their country stamps growing.
To a stamp collector, inheriting a relativeʼs stamp collection is almost like winning the lottery. But a non-collector who inherits a stamp collection has a dilemma: he or she has heard that stamps may be valuable, but hasnʼt a clue how to find out the value of their new collection, much less how to turn it into cash.
Stamp collecting is a surprisingly fascinating field, but a pastime that is literally dying. Many people are INHERITING stamp collections — with absolutely no interest in the hobby, or knowledge of what the collection is worth, or how best to sell it.
The inheritor of a stamp collection has three choices, as long as we ignore the fourth one, which is to put the collection in storage and forget about it, and that is not a good solution.
The three choices are these:
1. Become a collector
2. Donate your collection
3. Sell your collection
Please bear in mind that these choices are by no means equal, or necessarily advisable, today we focus on the 3rd option.
Selling stamps drops you into shark-infested waters. Dealer and collectors know full well the ignorance of most people when it comes to what the value is of stamp collections they own — especially so for the folks who inherit such windfalls. The temptation is overwhelming to pay the minimum needed to unburden the disinterested of their stamps — it’s human nature, and not worth getting too worked up about. It’s what MOST people would do.
EXAMPLE: This month a local woman went to an international stamp show with her collection of Chinese stamps. She walked up tothis one table, where the dealer gladly paid her $400 for a collection that was worth at least $10,000 — and likely MUCH more. Best Advice:
=====
Most of us who inherit a stamp collection would want to believe it’s precious– a good place to start is by meeting a few ( not one ) assessors who could estimate the worth of the collection.
Once assessed an option for you would be to donated some stamps to a local charity directly and took the write-off of the ones which may not be to your care taking best. How to sell, using a local dealer and eBay — mostly for the experience. But the most valuable part of the collection you could approach an auction house to sell at a major show. It’s pretty clear that, if you DO have a valuable stamp collection, the auction option is normally going to yield you the best return — though this option is not without pitfalls as well.
==== HERE’S SOME OF WHAT WE LEARNED:
1. Trust no one. Or at least, don’t BLINDLY trust people in the business. Indeed, often it seemed the more sincere and friendly the dealer, the less likely you’ll be getting a good deal. However you will still have to go through a grind. You could check some of the online portals who offer indicative current price to stamps. 2. Trying to figure the value of a stamp is daunting to the uninitiated. MANY factors are in play beyond simple scarcity. The QUALITY of the stamp is all important — new or franked, how “badly” franked, WHERE it was franked (some collect based on such an odd factor), the adhesive method used to put the stamp in the album (and the resulting damage to the stamp), the number of perforations (!), centering (big factor), country, etc. Suffice it to say that — unless you become a collector yourself — this analysis is beyond the capability of 99.9% of the populace.
3. If your stamps do indeed have collector value, figure out a way to get a number of people to “bid” on them. This can be done at a stamp show (bigger is better), but in this day and age, there are two options:
A. Stamp auction B. Amazon / EBay and a few other internet sales 4. Modern stamp auctions are mostly internet auctions. Only a tiny fraction of the bidders are actually in the room. And things move lightning fast, as seldom is there a bidding war. We found that at an action we visited, the average time for an item to be sold (or not sold) was TEN SECONDS! Elaborate efforts are made by the auction houses to put out the information on their offerings in both hard copy auction books and Internet format prior to the auction — and naturally bidders are worldwide. 5. Recommendations from collectors as to who to use as an agent in such sales can be quite helpful, but always be aware that some get a small kickback for referring sellers to auction houses, etc. Ask around. You could invest a fair amount of time at a REMARKABLY well-run local stamp club, and the collectors/curators who would be anxious to share their expertise. 6. Because of the difficulty in grading stamps, the best way to sell on eBay/Internet is to do it on consignment. Yeah, your agent gets a hefty chunk of the proceeds, but we could not have done it any other way. Selling a lot of items on eBay is a business in itself with many aspects few master. But if your collection is worth much more than a $1,000 or so, the stamp auction house may be the better way to go.
7. Unless you are desperate for cash, take your time. No rush. You’ll probably net more from the sale. And the process itself can be surprisingly interesting. 8. A ROUGH gauge of the value/scarcity of a stamp is stampworld.com. But understand that some of the prices are usually inflated values. A rough rule of thumb is that a stamp can be sold for 15%-25% of the catalog listed price (new and used listed separately). But there can be a remarkable difference, depending on supply and demand — and quality. Occasionally a stamp can sell for even MORE than catalog — but that is seldom the case. Remember, it’s supply and demand that (should) establish value. And then you have to consider the cost of doing the sale — when thinking of what you will NET in such transactions.
—
We hope this information is helpful. If you still insist on getting ripped off just to quickly get rid of your stamps, let me be the first to offer you an incredibly “unfair” pittance for your collection. But my advice? Reject this offer!
I’ve been holding off on the bad news but here it is – most stamps and stamp collections are worth little to nothing.
• Mint stamps with original gum on the back are worth more than used stamps
• Earlier stamps are worth more than modern stamps
• Stamps with any faults (creases, tears, thins, etc.) are worth far less than those in perfect condition. One thing that is common with most collectibles, especially stamps, is that condition is everything. The same stamp that normally sells for $100 may not even be worth $10 if there are creases, thins, tears, etc.
• Boxes of loose used stamps are usually worth very little
• Stamp albums that are sparsely filled are usually worth very little
• Stamp albums for children or beginners are usually worth very little
• Used US postage stamps printed in the last 70 years are worth almost nothing
• Mint with original gumstamps printed in the last 70 years are, with a few exceptions, worth less than their face value and can be used for postage without worry. The net effect is that virtually all US stamps produced since the 1930s are available in quantities that far exceed collector demand so stamp collecting values have suffered. Sadly, for many stamp collectors that means that their stamp nest egg is worth only a fraction of what was originally paid.
Many stamps are rare but not valuable because there is not enough demand to drive the price up. But find a rare and high demand stamp and watch out. A handful of the crown jewels of philately have sold over the past few decade for multi-million dollar sums.
In April 2001 Gibraltar achieved a Guinness World Record by issuing the fastest stamp in history. A photograph of HM Queen Elizabeth II was taken that morning at Buckingham Palace for the Gibraltar stamps,. The photo was emailed immediately to the Bureau’s office in Gibraltar where the sheet was designed by Stephen Perera and then sent to the printers who commenced printing at 10.00am that same day. At midday, a representative of the Crown Agents flew to Gibraltar with the printed stamps and the stamps were put on sale that same afternoon (exactly 624 minutes after the photograph was taken.) The media published the story as follows; “Gibraltar gives a World Record to HM Queen Elizabeth II for Her Birthday!
Abdul Rasul’s trove of 5,915 mosque stamps sets a world record
Mr. Rasul, a 41-year-old IT professional who has entered the Guinness Book of Records for the largest collection of 5,915 stamps featuring mosques. The oldest stamp in his possession was released by the Afghanistan government in 1892. Mr. Rasul also has a rare stamp with inverted centre — printed upside down — released in Somalia in 1902.
There have been postage stamps that are records
Bhutan, an Asian nation in the Himalayan Mountains, issued a group of postage stamps that were actually phonograph records. These stamps, issued in 1973, had native folk songs recorded on one side and could be played on a record player.
Products were advertised on the back of stamps?
Sometime before 1883 advertising for various products was printed on the back of U.S. three-cent stamps.
Candles were once used to determine the postage rates?
In 1693, letters were held in front of a candle to determine the postage rate. The less the light shone through, the more costly the rate. This was known as candling.
An undersea post office actually did exist!
It was established in 1939 as part of a scientific facility on the sea bed off the Bahamas. They used a special oval postmark that was inscribed “SEA FLOOR/BAHAMAS”. Here you can see the post office depicted on Bahamas 5 shilling stamp issued in 1965.
A stamp was created on the Moon!
In 1969 during the Apollo 11 moon flight, the astronauts took with them a die of a postage stamp which they pulled an impression of when they touched down on the moon. Thus, creating the moon’s first postage stamp! Once the die was returned to earth it was used to produce the 10 cent airmail stamp issued in September of 1969.
The world’s largest; smallest and Oldest post offices!
Chicago – biggest post office
Ochopee, Florida – smallest post office
Sanquhar Post Office (Scotland) – oldest working post office
The world’s largest post office is the head post office in Chicago, Illinois. The smallest post office in the world is located in Ochopee, Florida.
Sanquhar Post Office (Scotland) has the exclusive title of oldest working post office in the world. Having been in continuous operation since 1712, the tiny post office has more than a 300-year history.
Can you believe Cats were used to deliver the mail!
I’ve heard of many different types of animals being used to deliver mail – camels, reindeer, horses, dogs, pigeons, but CATS? Well it’s true. In 1879 Liege, Belgium employed 37 cats to carry bundles of letters to villages. This service didn’t last long as cats proved to be thoroughly undisciplined.
Great Britain is the only country which issues stamps without its name printed on them.
Instead the profile of the monarch appears on British stamps. The Universal Postal Union allows this because Britain was the first country to issue stamps.
The first post offices in America were bags hung in taverns.
The mail was handled by captains of ships.
When stamps were first issued, they had no gum on the back.
And if paste was not available, mailers sometimes pinned or even sewed stamps to envelopes.
The first touch of humor did not appear on a U.S. stamp until 1963.
The 5-cent City Mail delivery stamp was issued for the 100th anniversary of free city mail delivery. The design, by Norman Rockwell, featured a letter carrier holding an umbrella, followed by a smiling boy and a little dog.
Knowing the Agents of Deterioration and preventing them is important for private collectors as well so they might preserve family treasures for future generations. Below is a basic summary of the 10 Agents of Deterioration in no particular order:
Theft and Vandalismis willful damage to artifacts that is either premeditated or a “crimes of opportunity”. At home, similar precautions can be made based on the value of your collection, but locking high value artifacts away is an easy step to prevent theft or vandalism.
Firecan cause smoke damage, partial or total loss of the artifacts. As a result, it is important that fire prevention be given the highest priority possible. Fire suppression systems are advisable, at home it is important to have a fire extinguisher accessible. If some artifacts are of very high value it would be worth looking into acquiring a fire-proof safe.
Waterdamage can result from natural occurrences, technological hazards, or mechanical failures. Water leaks and floods are the most common causes of water damage, but can also simply be caused by spilling a beverage. Water damage causes warping and tidelines to your artifacts. It’s advisable that such precious collections are stored at least six (6) inches off the floor and inside cabinets in anticipation of a leak or flood. Storing artifacts off the floor and not placing drinks near your most treasured artifacts will drastically cut down on the danger of water damage at home.
Lightdamage is caused by overexposure to natural or artificial light. A loss of historical and monetary value can occur when artifacts fade from exposure to excessive light. The best method to prevent light damage is to store artifacts away from direct light.
Incorrect Humiditycan cause more damage than temperature. Large fluctuations in humidity can cause the artifacts to warp or grow mold. Attempt to keep humidity between 35% and 55%. It is important to keep artifacts out of basements and attics where the biggest shifts in humidity can occur.
Incorrect Temperaturesthat are too low or too high can damage artifacts adversely based on the material of the artifact, often accelerating deterioration. Attempt to keep temperatures between 65°F and 72°F. It is important to keep artifacts out of basements and attics where the biggest shifts in temperature can occur.
Pollutantscan be natural or man-made gases, aerosols, liquids, dust or dirt that are known to accelerate decay of artifacts. Aerosols and liquids that are commonly seen around artifacts are household cleaners, bug sprays, and detergents. The chemicals within these sprays can attach to the artifact and will slowly cause it to decay. When cleaning near an artifact, spray directly onto the cloth, away for the object and then wipe down the surface.
Pests, such as microorganisms, insects, and rodents, can make a feast out of artifacts. They are attracted to artifacts made from plants and animals, such as paper and fabrics. They especially enjoy cardboard boxes, so best not to store any family treasures in them. Having a regular pest inspection to check for infestation is vital to preventing any damage.
Physical Forcecan damage artifacts directly by causing rotation, deformation, stress, breakage and pressure. Examples of force: impact; shock; vibration; pressure; and abrasion. Most physical force is caused by general use but also by accident. At home, artifacts can be placed in cabinets or out of reach.
Neglectis the loss of the artifact or the information associated with the artifact, such as names, dates or locations. Also, not providing proper preservation is another form of neglect since the collections will continue to deteriorate. Most sophisticated collectors keeps thorough paper and electronic records pertaining to every artifact in its collection relating to its history and provenance. This is equally important for individuals trying to preserve and track family heirlooms.
The Queen has been on postage stamps since 50 years and going strong. Her reign on England and Postage Stamps is quite remarkable. This linkage further entwines into her own personal wealth, so as to speak of.
Philately & Stamps 