"The Adventures of Tintin" exhibition opens at Singapore Philatelic Museum

SINGAPORE: Rarely seen original stamp artworks of the comic series, "The Adventures of Tintin", will be on display for the first time at the Singapore Philatelic Museum from Friday till May next year.

The character Tintin was created in 1929 by famous Belgian comic artist Georges Remi, also known as Hergé.

The exhibition aims to celebrate the works of Hergé, explore the influences in his work and career, and the development of characters in the comic series.

It will feature a full range of Tintin postage stamps issued by Belgium, France, the Netherlands as well as from the Permanent Collection at the museum. The exhibition will also feature rare stamps, colour trials and other philatelic materials from the Museum Voor Communicatie in the Netherlands and L'Adresse Musée de La Poste in France.

The exhibition coincides with the release of the animated movie "The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn".

"The Adventures of Tintin" series of comic books has sold more than 200 million copies worldwide.
Need a new stamp album or tongs for your stamp collection - try www.Boscastlesupplies.com

Source:http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1163297/1/.html

History in miniature - Stamp Collecting

WITH the art of letter-writing seemingly consigned to the dustbin of history by global internet usage, you could be forgiven for thinking that the sound of the death knell for stamp-collecting cannot be far behind.

But for philatelist and director of the Cyprus Postal Musuem Ploutis Loizou, nothing is further from the truth.

“Seventy per cent of collectors are actually under the age of 40,” he says.

The museum, housed in a traditional house in Nicosia’s old city, is a treasure trove of Cypriot history which, according to Loizou, is still highly relevant.

Loizou has put his life and soul into making the museum an alluring place ever since it fell under his auspices in 2004. Originally set up at a different down town location in 1981, it took a lot of work to get the new space organised when Loizou took over. But it was a labour of love for Loizou who has collected stamps ever since he was a young boy when relatives in Africa would send letters back home.

“Imagine how I felt when we would see stamps with elephants and tigers on them when I was eight years old!” he reminisces. As years went by and his stamp collection grew, little did he know that he would one day be surrounded by not hundreds, but thousands of stamps lined up in glass cases along the whitewashed walls.

“This is our history, it’s all here,” he says passionately as he gets up to take me into one of the exhibition rooms that take visitors back in time.

“Look at this, take a close look,” he says. Before me is a ‘Penny Red’ stamp boasting a portrait of Queen Victoria with a characteristic overprint of the word “Cyprus”. Dating back to 1880, it’s the first official stamp to have ever circulated in the country, issued by the British shortly after their arrival on the island in 1878.

Ploutis then engages in a full blown explanation of how the post worked before this date. Apparently Cyprus philatelic history began in 1343, with the first known letter sent from Famagusta to Constantinople. Foreign mail was carried by the captains of various ships and the foreign consulates in Larnaca. Inland mail was carried by privately hired muleteers. In 1837 Austrian Lloyd opened an agency in Larnaca and a post office was immediately established to carry mail via the shipping company’s steamers. At this point, blue and black imprints were simply used to mark the letters. Once the British took over, the Austrian post office immediately closed down and British stamps came into circulation shortly after.

But what’s perhaps most interesting, are the images that the stamps begin to portray as the years go by. “Although for a great number of years they only depicted British monarchs - albeit always overprinted with the word Cyprus - the stamps later take on a more local character as the British begin to include scenes from the island,” explains Loizou. “And these stamps were so successful among collectors that they kept on releasing more.”

He points to a series released in 1928 to mark the 50th anniversary of British rule as one of his “absolute favourite” with their images of Bellapais, Richard the Lionheart and the Larnaca Tekke.
Once Cyprus gained its independence in 1960, Cypriot philately really came into its own. We soon enter a different room which sheds light on a definitive set of three stamps bearing the map of Cyprus and commemorating the proclamation of the republic. “Stamps show you the history of your country and of the whole world,” he proclaims. He goes on to highlight stamps used to commemorate a number of important events including a Kennedy series issued in his honour for speaking out about “self determination for Cyprus” in a speech given in 1956.

The issue of a refugee stamp depicting a crouching lady behind barbed wire priced at 10 mills after the 1974 invasion is an obvious indication of political unrest. Other more modern issues show the wild flowers of the island, birds of prey, sporting events and political milestones.

One of the latest additions now circulating is a rather innovative scented ‘Rosa damascena’ stamp aimed at giving the receiver of the letter a whiff of the roses of Cyprus. And when it comes down to the design process, apparently it’s a long ordeal, with the modern day issues resting on the creativity of a group of young artists who take part in specialised seminars to learn about new technology and techniques. Sketches are then prepared months in advance before the final image goes to print, with about four to five series issued each year.

In the final room of the museum, you’ll come across scales used to weigh letters in days gone by, charming old bicycles, typewriters and sticks of original red brick wax used for sealing packages.
And with the man in charge himself excited about delving into every little detail about what’s on show, it comes as no surprise that he is keen on anyone interested in valuing their stamps or starting a collection to get in touch with him.

At this point I wonder how many people really take stamp collecting seriously on the island. “Oh there are thousands of collectors,” he replies.

And the government is trying to encourage an interest in stamps with schoolchildren now given packages on stamp collecting with a slogan reading “miniature treasure that grows with time”. And with that, Loizou pulls out a number of thick books that point to the history of the island through stamps.

“The adventures of people on the island, the great figures of history, the culture, the tourist attractions we have, our monuments. It’s all here,” he beams.

Out comes another bulky book, but this time, it’s a price catalogue. Turns out that the Penny Red, the very first stamp issued here by the British in 1880, could be worth a staggering €50,000. In an era that’s now taken over by computer and mobile communications, maybe it’s high time we paid more attention to that good old fashioned pen and paper.

The Cyprus Postal Museum, 3B Ayios Savvas St, across from Ayios Savvas Church, Old Nicosia. Monday-Friday 9am-3pm. Saturday 9am-1pm. Tel: 22-304711

Stanley Gibbons Opens new Office and is Welcomed to Hong Kong

News-Antique.com - Oct 31,2011 - The Stanley Gibbons Group plc, the AIM listed Company which trades in rare stamps, rare coins and historical documents and signatures for collectors and investors marked the opening of its new Asia office with a champagne reception for clients and dignitaries at the British Consulate General in Hong Kong last week.

Assistant Trade Commissioner, Claire Ip, speaking on behalf of the UKTI said, “We in UKTI Hong Kong have been working with Stanley Gibbons since 2008 and we are delighted to see that they have now established an office here. This demonstrates their commitment to what is a very important market. We look forward to continuing to work alongside Stanley Gibbons in the future to help build on their success”.
Deputy Trade Commissioner John Woodruffe gave a short speech at the reception welcoming the Stanley Gibbons Group to Hong Kong which was followed by a presentation by Stanley Gibbons CEO, Mike Hall, who spoke about Stanley Gibbons plans for the future.
The reception marked the culmination of more than twelve months preparation by the Group, who have also recently launched a China Rare Stamp Index which tracks the change in prices of rare Chinese stamps and shows an average annual growth of 44% between November 2006 and April 2011.

Examples of rare stamps and autographs traded by the Group were on display throughout the event including a signed, hand-written Mozart manuscript, original Einstein letter and Bruce Lee martial-arts manual.
The Hong Kong office is a major step forward in the Group’s plans for international growth. It also places Stanley Gibbons in a strong position to buy rare Chinese stamps to satisfy increased market demand both in Britain and in Asia as well as satisfying demand in the region for stable, tangible investments and trophy assets from a highly reputable source.

Visit www.boscastlesupplies.com for your stamp collecting supplies.

Tasmanian plate block sets itself apart from the rest at Australian colonies auction

'Stamps continue to perform admirably' with Tasmania the star at Prestige's Australian sale.

If a stamp is rare enough, condition is less important for the knowledgeable buyer. That's the message given by the ugly little piece of paper shown below, which sold for $4,830 at a recent Melbourne auction.

Prestige Philately achieved this remarkable result in their "Australian Colonies/States" auction, though the star was a plate block in fine condition.

The initials 'I.E.' stand for "Intestate Estates", one of the most elusive of the 50 or so South Australian government departments that used their own official issues between 1868 and 1874. Only a few examples of this stamp are recorded in private hands.

The auction was the latest in a string of "name sales" and concept sales held in recent years by Prestige Philately.

Auctioneer Gary Watson said "This offering was a bit of a risk, because some aspects of Colonies philately have been rather soft over the past decade".

No looker, but desirable just the same: The Intestate Estate Southern Australian overprint stamp

He was therefore very pleased that, of the 1100 lots on offer, 82% were sold, with the total realisations being equal to 90% of the total estimates. The all-inclusive final result was a very healthy $741,000.
The auction kicked off with a fine collection of colourful American Fleet Cards formed by well-known collector and one-time auctioneer, Hugh Freeman from Sydney.

Issued in 1908 to commemorate the visit to Australia of the American "Great White Fleet" this visually appealing material attracted strong interest. Top price of $6,900 was paid for the unique New South Wales 1d card with 'OS/NSW'' perfin.

One highlight of the Tasmania section was an interesting collection of revenues formed by Michael Blake from Adelaide. $1,437 was paid for a master die proof of the 1880 Platypus design. Errors in this series were popular, with a plate block of 6 with double 'REVENUE' overprint selling for $2,990 or almost three times estimate.

Unissued Tasmanian stamp plate block in wonderful condition (The devil's in the detail)

This section also included the highest priced lot in the sale. $29,900 was paid for plate blocks of 8 of the unissued 2/6d and 10/- prepared in 1886. These blocks were previously sold in the first Australia Post archival sale-by-tender back in 1987. The price on that occasion was a mere $1,200.

Summing up the auction, Gary Watson observed that the market for fine material remains very strong.
"With the financial markets fluctuating wildly, with shares and property prices under pressure, it's great to see that stamps and covers continue to perform admirably.

"Many of our clients find that their collecting interests take their minds off the pressures of day to day life, and that has to be a good thing", he said.

In general Prestige's results will bring confidence to collectors of the British Empire/Commonwealth. Of course they should be contented in any case, given the successes of the Steinberg and Chartwell collections.

Source:http://www.paulfrasercollectibles.com/News/STAMPS/Tasmanian-plate-block-sets-itself-apart-from-the-rest-at-Australian-colonies-auction/8715.page?catid=80

The Fine Hobby of Stamp Collecting Heats up in Asia

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The market for rare and collectable stamps in Asia is heating up despite the recent global financial crisis. The price hike can be attributed to the Chinese buyers in mainland who are happy to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for stamps they see as a good investment. Now, let's take a look at a couple of examples some people would pay big money for.

At one point, five-million of them were thought to exist, but their price per ounce was more than gold at the Zurich Asia Auction in Hong Kong.

This sheet of Red Monkey stamps was sold for 160-thousand US dollars to an undisclosed Asian collector at last Sunday's Zurich Asia auction in Hong Kong.

Issued in 1980, they mark the highly auspicious year of the Golden Monkey that comes around only once in 60 years in the Chinese Zodiac.

The growing wealth of the Chinese mainland new middle class has seen a boom in collecting - and record prices.

Anna Lee, at Hong Kong's Philatelic Society, acknowledges that investment in stamps from the Chinese mainland is "speculative," and often not the work of real stamp collectors.

Anna Lee said, "Stamps are definitely a good form of investment, but you have to have the knowledge. Stamps are a little one-inch piece of paper, and sometimes even tatty-looking. But, the value is in its history, you know. You have to enjoy stamp collecting, you have to have the cultural background or whatever, you have to know the history aspects, before you understand it."

She points out that stamps of lower value are repackaged as gift sets in the Chinese mainland, commanding a much higher price based on appearance only.

Major international auction houses like Sotheby's and Christie's have so far concentrated their stamp sales outside of Asia, but renowned British stamp trading company, Stanley Gibbons, has said that it plans to open an office in Hong Kong later this year.

Stamp Collecting Supplies from www.boscastlesupplies.com

Source:http://english.cntv.cn/program/cultureexpress/20110819/105645.shtml

$162,000 win for Victory of the Cultural Revolution stamp in Hong Kong

It wasn't just Bruce Lee that was flattening the rest at Dynasty, the pairing of Mao and Lin Biao did too

There were three stamps in a row which were estimated at up to HK$300,000 or over (about US$38,400): Two used copies of the famous 1968, 8f "Entire Nation Is Red" stamp (the first at HK350,000) and an unissued 1968, 8f Great Victory of the Cultural Revolution, Chairman Mao and Lin Biao.

The former was withdrawn on the day it was issued for failing to live up to its name and show that the entire nation was red. The stamp's designer Wang Wei Sheng neglected to fully colour in the island of Taiwan, over which China's Communist party claimed ownership.

"For a long time I was really worried that I would be jailed. Officials told me that it was a really big mistake, but in the end nothing happened." he later noted. At the weekend, both copies doubled their estimates.

Lot 1461, described as "a beauty" with "aneat, unobtrusive corner cancel" brought HK$747,500 whilst lot 1462, also described as "beautiful, highly attractive" but with a "minor internal wrinkle" brought HK$690,000.

However, both of those were put in the shade by the Great Victory of the Cultural Revolution.
Described as an outstanding example of this great rarity, the stamp is fresh and in excellent condition, with its original gum and having never been hinged. Very fine and choice, it is one of the key issues of the People's Republic of China.

Perhaps it is not surprising then that there was lively bidding for the piece which finally sold for HK$1,265,000 (US$162,000).

Boscastle Supplies for China Stamp Albums

Source: http://www.paulfrasercollectibles.com/section.asp?catid=80&docid=7810

Stanley Gibbons has produced respectable results for the six months

Stanley Gibbons has produced respectable results for the six months to the end of June.

The decline in margins is blamed on "flat" auction revenues, increased trading with rival dealers and a fall in sales of high-margin investment autographs such as a letter signed by Henry VIII to the Pope.

On the other hand, the tax charge remains at around 10 per cent because as much as half of the revenues now come through the company's recently enlarged Jersey office - which caters for high net worth investors.

But prospects are encouraging as Stanley Gibbons goes international. Last September, the company opened an office in Hong Kong and sales of rare Chinese stamps contributed £700,000 to interim turnover.

The Chinese also bought £200,000 worth of Penny Blacks and £300,000 of other collectibles, including gold sovereigns.

There was also strong demand for Indian colonial stamps and management is keen to tie-up a distribution deal in the US.

The somewhat lacklustre trading performance at home reflects, in part, modest price increases for many pre-1952 stamps. That situation may change following some spectacular stamp prices realised at Spink's Chartwell Collection auction in June.

Broker Peel Hunt forecasts 12 months' sales up from £26.4m to £29.7m, pre-tax profits of £700,000 higher at £5m and EPS of 17.4p (from 15.7p in 2010).

If you need any Stanley Gibbons products such Stamp Albums and Catalogues - Check out Boscastle Supplies Online Store

Source: http://www.investorschronicle.co.uk/Companies/ByEvent/Results/Analysis/article/20110808/04138194-c1ac-11e0-b8a0-00144f2af8e8/Steady-progress-at-Stanley-Gibbons.jsp

This is what Stamp Collecting is all about - having fun - a great video froma great kid!

Do you remember when stamp collecting was like this?

Get your kid to video their stamp collection - let me know and we will spread the word!



http://youtu.be/agbut4SYEFU

One of the most famous stamps in the World - The Mauritius Two Penny Blue sells for a Million Pounds

Stamps are considered to be the most collected items on earth
They are the 3rd most traded category on eBay.

Rare stamps are the most valuable commodity on earth by weight with the famous Treskilling yellow weighing in at US$3 million an ounce (As I write gold is currently $1,481 an ounce) .

There are over 48 million stamp collectors around the world .

18m of these are in China alone, where there are also 50,000 government sponsored philatelic societies.

Stamp collecting was actually banned by Chairman Mao but since his death in 1976 the pastime has gained considerably in popularity with world record prices being set month after month.

Stamps also have a pedigree and price history that dates back over 170 years which is invaluable to serious collectors and investors alike.

The demand for stamps is clearly there so how have the rarest stamps performed at auction?
Here's what happened at the Chartwell Collection auction this week...

Described as 'the most famous stamp in the world'.
Estimated £400,000 - 500,000.
Sold for £1,080,000.
This is the first single stamp to sell for over £1m at auction in the United Kingdom. The owner had paid £29,000 in 1972 resulting in a return of 9.7% per annum over the last 39 years.
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Described as 'The legendary "Missing Virgin"' variety.
Estimated at £50,000 - 60,000
Sold for £144,000.
A world record price for a British Virgin Islands stamp.
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Estimated £120,000-150,000.
Sold for £216,000.
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Described as "The finest and most attractive One Penny Black on cover in existence".
Estimated £150,000 - 200,000.
Sold for £348,000.
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It's clear that the top end of the stamps market is thriving.

The reason is very simple. There are very few £100,000+ stamps in the world.

They are priced at that level because they are so incredibly rare so when they do appear at auction they tend to outperform as collectors who have waited years to own an example battle it out on the auction floor.

I would guess that none of these stamps will be seen again for 10-20 years, as they will be held in long term collections. The opportunity to purchase them will be gone for a decade or so.

One anonymous bidder actually bought the Mauritius stamp and the Virgin Islands stamp, shelling out over £1.2m in a matter of minutes. 

The Chartwell Collection is such a large accumulation of stamps that it has been spread over many sales and is expected to realise over £20m.

The next sale is in a few months time and collectors can look forward to the appearance of the legendary Great Britain Tyrian plum stamp.

There are only 12 known copies of this rarity, and the Queen owns three of them.
They are safely locked away in the Royal Philatelic Collection at St James' Palace in London.

www.boscastlesupplies.com for your stamp collecting supplies and accessories.

Source: http://www.paulfrasercollectibles.com/section.asp?catid=80&docid=7224

Investors warned off stamp collector's promise of rich returns

Experts urged not to believe all of stamp dealer's Stanley Gibbons's marketing spiel.

Would you put £10,000 into an unregulated investment plan on the back of an unsolicited mailshot?

Would alarm bells start ringing if this leaflet repeatedly urged you to "act quickly" to take advantage of "this unique opportunity" where "you could easily earn 698pc or more" – with no apparent risk to your capital?

Seasoned investors might assume such claims are the work of some fly-by-night company, ramping up penny shares or a dodgy investment plan. The language is more akin to that of a Reader's Digest prize-draw flier than an attempt to promote a serious investment scheme.

But those who don't bin the leaflet on reading "the investment world doesn't get better than this" might be surprised to learn it comes from Stanley Gibbons, one of the world's most respected stamp dealers, and holder of a Royal Warrant, no less.

Ian Lowes, the managing director of Lowes Financial Management, a firm of independent financial advisers, said: "Reading the marketing material made me shiver. It highlights how careful investors have to be when buying unregulated products – like stamps and other collectables. If I tried to sell investments like this to my customers I'd be shut down by the regulator.

"Stanley Gibbons uses every trick in the book to make people part with their money. There is no attempt to explain the risks involved, or detail potential downsides, like early exit charges."

He added: "It is not surprising that the regulator is examining the promotion of various non-regulated investments, particularly those deemed unregulated collective investment schemes.

"The direct marketing techniques used can lure consumers into making long-term investments that are highly unsuitable for them."

Up to 400,000 of these Stanley Gibbons leaflets are sent out a year. While there may be good reasons to invest in rare stamps – which, like many other collectables have risen in value in recent years – those doing so on the back of this kind of marketing should ensure they fully understand what they are buying – and what capital protection applies.

Stanley Gibbons makes some extraordinary claims. It talks about stamps as a "government-issued" investment. Of course stamps are issued by the government, via the post office. But they aren't backed by the government as an asset class. And the government certainly doesn't underwrite the value at which stamps are then traded on the second-hand market.

It also makes the rather generic claim that stamps are "better than stocks, bonds or property". But a graph in the brochure shows that while an index tracking the value of 30 rare British stamps is currently outperforming gold, property and the FTSE 100, this certainly isn't the case over different historic time frames.

Philately went through a long slump in prices after a boom in the Seventies. One of the best-known British stamps – the 1929 £1 PUC (Postal Union Congress) stamp – cost around £1,700 in the Seventies. Last year it had a Gibbons catalogue value of £750, but was available from some reputable dealers for less than £400.

According to Caron de Vico of the auctioneers Harmers, stamps can be a good long term investment for those that are interested in them, but are not for those looking to "make a quick killing". Three years ago it sold a block of four 1840 twopenny blue British stamps in mint condition for £70,000. Two years later, valuer David Flint pointed out that if this lot came back to auction it might only make £65,000.

But Stanley Gibbons isn't promoting stamp investing in general, it is seeking investors for its Capital Protected Plan, which offers a money-back guarantee.

Here, investors deposit a minimum of £10,000 for a period of between five and 10 years. This buys a portfolio, typically of between five and seven rare stamps. They can keep it at home, or Gibbons will store and insure it at its Guernsey office for free.

At the end of the term, if the portfolio has fallen in value, when compared to the prices listed in the Stanley Gibbons catalogue, investors will get their money back.

But consumers should remember a guarantee is only as good as its guarantor. If Stanley Gibbons ran into financial difficulties, and couldn't afford to meet these promises, then investors would have no recourse to the statutory compensation schemes, as stamps are not a regulated product.

Gibbons points out: "This risk is negligible. Remember we've been around since 1846." But a long and illustrious heritage hasn't stopped other companies hitting the buffers, as investors in Equitable Life, Lehman Brothers and even Woolworths will testify.

If the portfolio has risen in value, investors have two options: sell the stamps through Gibbons – where the dealer will take 30pc of any profit, or sell them privately. Here, of course, there will still be dealing or auction prices to pay, and the risk that the price you get may be less than price listed in Gibbons' catalogues. In fact you could conceivably make a loss, but in such cases the "money back guarantee" would not apply.

A spokesman for Gibbons defended the leaflet, pointing out that it had been sanctioned by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission and the Committee of Advertising Practice – which checks claims made in such mailings are accurate.

He added investors responding to the mailshot would talk to a portfolio manager before putting money into the scheme. They would receive a more detailed brochure, with all terms and conditions clearly explained – plus a detailed price history of the stamps they were buying.

A spokesman said: "We give this guarantee because we are confident that the price of these rare stamps will continue to rise. There is a huge international market for stamp collecting, and rare stamps in mint condition continue to fetch a premium.

"Collectables often do well in periods of inflation. As one of the UK's leading dealers we have given a structure, via this Capital Protected Plan to enable investors to access the market." This plan requires a minimum investment of £10,000, but he says other options o are available – although without the guarantee.

The "buy now while stocks last" claim also appears misleading. A portfolio manager at Gibbons said that there is a limited number of funds that can go into the plan each year – to ensure the guarantee can be met. But he added that it wasn't oversubscribed last year and could not recall the last time it wasn't available.

A spokesman for the Financial Services Authority said it couldn't comment on the promotion of this investment plan, as it fell outside its remit.

But it said it has become concerned about the number of unregulated collective investment schemes being marketed, often through advisers.

These can invest in all manner of assets – from golf courses in Mexico to off-plan apartments in eastern Europe to French wine. However, investors are not buying the assets direct – as with the Stanley Gibbon scheme – but buying units in a fund that owns such assets.

A spokeswoman for the Money Advice Service said before investing in any scheme people should check what the downsides are, seek a second opinion on the realistic growth prospects, and check who is underwriting any guarantee.

"Remember the two key tenets of investments: you don't get high returns without taking some risk. And if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is."

_________________________________________

Are you looking for a Lighthouse Stamp Album for your Stamp Collection? Go to www.boscastlesupplies.com for a full range.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/investing/8582410/Investors-warned-off-stamp-collectors-promise-of-rich-returns.html

Canada Post Workers Begin Rotating Strikes - This sucks

If property tax, heating and energy bills aren't delivered because of a postal strike, they still have to be paid.

The City of Peterborough, Peterborough Utilities, Hydro One and Enbridge Gas are notifying customers of options available to find out billing information and to pay amounts owing if this area is affected by the work disruption at Canada Post that was slated to begin in Winnipeg at midnight.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers announced Thursday that its members in Winnipeg would strike for 24 hours, then the strike would continue in other locations that would be announced later.

Canada Post offered last-minute concessions in talks late Thursday night, but they failed to sway the union, which represents 54,000 workers.

Peterborough Utilities customer service manager David Whitehouse urged customers to sign up for pre-authorized payments and electronic billing.

"People who don't have access to the Internet, we're going to be taking some alternative methods to be able to get those bills out," he said, not specifying how the bills would be delivered.
If the strike at Canada Post becomes a serious issue for payments, Peterborough Utilities may reconsider its late payment fees, Whitehouse said.

"We'll look at the impacts of waiving the late payment fees," he said.

Peterborough Utilities customers can pay their bills online, using a telephone system or through an automated teller machine. There are also drop-off boxes for bills at the Peterborough Utilities office on Ashburnham Dr. and City Hall.

Whitehouse said any customers that have sent payments through the mail in the last four days should contact Peterborough Utilities to make sure that the payment has been received.

Hydro One customers were sent a notice with their last bill to inform them of the options for billing and payments if there's a postal workers strike, said Daniele Gauvin, a spokeswoman with Hydro One.
"We want to make sure that our customers are aware that they have options to reach us to find out what their billing balance is and to make payments should there be a postal disruption," she said.

Hydro One customers can visit www.hydroone.com to manage their accounts or can call 1-888-664-9376 to determine account balances.

Enbridge Gas customers should sign up for pre-authorized payments at www.enbridgegas.com, said Chris Meyer, an Enbridge Gas spokeswoman.

Customers who don't have access to the Internet can use Enbridge's automated phone system at 1-877-362-7434 to check account balances, she said.

Property taxes still need to be paid if there's a postal strike, financial services manager Richard Freymond said.

"Taxpayers are still responsible to ensure that their property tax installments are paid as they come due," he said.

Suppliers that sell items to the city can register for direct deposits to get their payments from the city, Freymond said, adding the form to register can be found on the city's website.

Social services has arranged for the pick up or drop off of documents, such as cheques, for Ontario Works, Freymond said.

"Direct deposit is offered for clients," he said.

The union argues Canada Post is demanding an end to sick leave for all employees and the imposition of a short-term disability plan that provides inadequate coverage for short-term illnesses. It claims Canada Post is demanding a starting wage 22% less than the current starting rate.

Canada Post responds that the union's offer would increase costs by $1.4 billion over the life of the contract and doesn't provide any compromises to help address the challenges facing the company.

Looking for stamp collecting supplies - www.boscastlesupplies.com

Website Makeover for World’s Oldest Stamp Dealer

Following the redesign and re-launch of the Group’s memorabilia and rare signatures website, frasersautographs.com, at the beginning of February, The Stanley Gibbons Group plc has today announced the re-launch of its core philatelic and investment website, stanleygibbons.com.

Like the Fraser’s Autographs site, stanleygibbons.com has been built on the renowned Hybris platform by e-commerce specialists, Sceneric, who have undertaken successful development projects for companies such as Zurich, LOVEFiLM and B&Q.

The new SG.com site has been pared down visually to make it easier to navigate and to signpost the business’ key areas of expertise, stamp dealing, auctions and rare stamp investments. It has also incorporated a more dynamic content management system allowing the use of voucher and special offer codes that were previously only available from their mail-order department and retail store at 399 Strand, London.

“Our new ecommerce platform puts Stanley Gibbons at the cutting edge of online functionality and provides the foundation for our multi-channel strategy” said Keith Heddle, Stanley Gibbons’ Group Sales & Marketing Director.

This relaunch marks the first stage in the development of the Stanley Gibbons site, with an online trading platform due for completion later this year.

Looking for Stanley Gibbons Stamp Albums? Check out stamp supplies at www.boscastlesupplies.com

New Postage Stamp Honours Parks Canada

On Thursday, May 19, 2011 it was one hundred years ago to the day that Parks Canada was created.

At Fort Anne National Historic Site in Annapolis Royal it was reason to celebrate as site manager Lillian Stewart and Canada Post local area manager Marcia Longley-Caroppi unveiled a stunningly beautiful and vivid commemorative stamp to mark the historic centennial of the world’s first national parks system.

In 1917 Fort Anne became Canada’s first national historic site.

“It is therefore fitting that we are here today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Parks Canada – the world’s first national parks service – with the launch of a commemorative stamp,” Longley-Caroppi said to a small crowd that had gathered for the event.

Stewart said Parks Canada was delighted to work with Canada Post to unveil the commemorative stamp, adding that the launch also signifies the beginning of a summer filled with special activities to help celebrate the centennial anniversary.

“Parks Canada manages one of the finest and most extensive systems of protected natural and historic areas in the world and we hope that you’ll be able to return to visit here, and other Parks Canada places this summer,” Stewart told those in attendance.”

Longley-Caroppi said that in Canada we tend to be a bit spoiled when it comes to beautiful lakes, majestic mountains, and well-preserved historic sites – “we have so many.”

In fact, Parks Canada looks after 42 national parks, 167 national historic sites, and four national marine conservation areas.

“Most Canadians relate to our national parks by remembering vacations they experienced there,” said Longley-Caroppi. “That’s why Tim Nokes, who designed the Parks Canada stamp, decided to take a retro approach. If you’ve ever seen any of the famous CP Rail posters from the 1920s and 1930s, you’ll recognize the evocative style of illustration that inspired the design of the stamp.”
It features bold, vibrant colours and strong compositional elements.

“It’s meant to project a sense of freedom and evoke a sense of self-discovery, education, and inspiration from nature,” Longley-Caroppi said.

The stamp depicts a hiker with walking stick in the foreground with a stream running towards him from far-away mountains. A moose grasses in the middleground.

After Longley-Caroppi and Stewart unveiled a large, framed version of the stamp, those gathered also enjoyed slices from a Parks Canada centennial cake handed out personally by Stewart.

The event was preceded by live entertainment and was officially opened by Town Crier Peter Davies.

Looking for a Canada Stamp Album? Try www.boscastlesupplies.com

Source: http://www.novanewsnow.com/News/2011-05-24/article-2532310/Stamp-honours-Parks-Canada/1

William and Kate Royal Stamps - It's all about the hats

Catherine Middleton can be seen wearing two different hats in the border of this Isle of Man souvenir sheet issued shortly after the announcement was made of the royal engagement.

While all eyes and television cameras were on Catherine Middleton as she walked down the aisle wearing a designer ivory gown with an eight-foot train, it was hard to miss the sea of hats worn by guests at the April 29 royal wedding in Westminster Abbey.

An Associated Press story from London began: "It's all about the dress – and the hats.

"Floppy, feathered, bold and expensive – hats were in full force Friday as guests streamed into Westminster Abbey for Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding."

Hats also can be seen in full force on many stamps commemorating the engagement of Catherine and William.

In fact, a hint of the hats to come are found on the first souvenir sheet announcing the engagement. The Isle of Man issued this sheet Nov. 26, 2010, just 10 days after the Nov. 16 engagement announcement. While the two £1.50 stamps in the sheet reproduce black-and-white photographs of Prince William, the selvage shows a montage of color photographs, including two of Catherine wearing hats.

In the center of the sheet, she is wearing a black wide-brimmed hat while attending an Oct. 23, 2010, wedding in Cheltenham, England. The United Kingdom web site of the fashion magazine Marie Claire reported, "Her wide brimmed hat wasn't perhaps the best choice for a windy day, but Kate simply giggled and held tight when the wind threatened to dislodge her headgear."

Catherine Middleton wore a black-and-white feathered hat created by Philip Treacy to the 2008 ceremony in which Prince William was installed in the Most Noble Order of the Garter. The hat is shown on a souvenir sheet from Canouan, an island of the St. Vincent-Grenadines.

Another photograph shown on the Manx sheet pictures a feathery creation by Irish designer Philip Treacy, which Catherine sported at a 2006 wedding.

London milliner Treacy also designed more than 30 of the hats worn by guests at the recent royal wedding. In addition, his creations can be seen on a 65-penny stamp in Great Britain's 2001 Hats set and on a €0.82 stamp in Ireland's 2010 Irish Fashion Designers set.

Sierra Leone and Union Island also issued Royal Engagement stamps showing Catherine in this feathery hat by Treacy.

The hat worn by Catherine Middleton on this stamp from Antigua and Barbuda has made at least two public appearances: Catherine wore it to a wedding and her mother wore it to the races at Ascot.

The previously mentioned broad-brimmed hat, though, is perhaps the most popular on the Royal Engagement stamps.

At last count, it appeared on stamps of Antigua & Barbuda, Bequia, Guyana, Liberia, Micronesia, Mustique, Nevis, St. Kitts and St. Vincent-Grenadines. (Bequia and Mustique are islands of the St. Vincent-Grenadines. Other such islands that issued Royal Engagement stamps include Canouan, Myreau and Union Island.)

Catherine Middleton chose a fur hat for warmth while attending the Cheltenham races in 2006. The Cook Islands is among the postal administrations showing her in this mink hat.

The $3 stamp from Nevis is from an unusual souvenir sheet issued Dec. 10.

The sheet contains four stamps inside a perforated circle. The center stamp also is circular, surrounded by the other three stamps. One of these reproduces a photograph of Catherine in another Treacy hat. This black hat with a heart-shaped loop was part of Catherine's attire at Prince William's 2006 graduation from Sandhurst Military Academy. For other glimpses of this hat, see stamps of Canouan, Guyana, Mustique and Sierra Leone.

Catherine chose another Treacy hat for the June 16, 2008, ceremony in which Queen Elizabeth II appointed Prince William a knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, a chivalry order that dates back to 1348. The black-and-white feathered hat tops Catherine's head on stamps of Canouan, Montserrat and Myreau.

In 2007, Catherine Middleton wore a beret to the Cheltenham races. On a stamp from The Gambia, a photograph from this event is superimposed on a photograph of Big Ben at night.

A stamp from Penrhyn depicts her in a black hat at a wedding in 2005, while stamps of Antigua and Barbuda, Canouan, Grenada and Mustique show her in a white straw hat with lavender feather flowers at a wedding in 2009. Her mother, Carole Middleton, later borrowed the white hat for the races at Ascot.

On less formal occasions, Catherine has adopted styles of other countries: a French beret, Russian fur hat and a leather Australian bush hat. So far, the last-mentioned hat has only made one stamp appearance, on a $225 stamp from Guyana. Although this denomination seems extraordinarily high, it is the equivalent of $1.10 in United States currency.

The "something borrowed" worn by Catherine Middleton during her April 29 wedding to Prince William was a Cartier-made tiara loaned by Queen Elizabeth II. A stamp from Australia shows a photograph from the ceremony.

The mink fur hat helped keep her warm at the Cheltenham Festival Races on March 17, 2006. Scenes from that day are captured on photographs reproduced on stamps of the Cook Islands and Grenada-Grenadines.

The following year (2007), Catherine selected a chocolate-color beret for the same event. On a 40-dalasy stamp from The Gambia, Catherine and beret are pictured in the foreground with Big Ben at night in the background. Stamps of Aitutaki, Grenada-Grenadines, Liberia, St. Kitts and Union Island also depict the beret.

No doubt, many more stamps will show Catherine and her headwear, particularly the tiara she wore during the wedding ceremony. In fact, just a few days after the wedding, Australia Post issued a stamp reproducing a photograph taken during the ceremony with the prince in uniform and the new Duchess of Cambridge in her gown and tiara. Loaned to Middleton by Queen Elizabeth, the tiara was made by Cartier in 1936.

Go to www.boscastlesupplies to get stamp supplies for your collection - quality stamp albums and stockbooks - we ship worldwide with great oprices and service

Source: linns.com

Stanley Gibbons is Selling a Single and very Rare Canadian Stamp for £110,000

If you can spare the cash here's the Stanley Gibbons sales pitch - I suppose if I were a billionaire then I'd buy it in a flash!
In fact, just 28  Commonwealth stamps are catalogued at over £100,000 at the moment. Just 28  stamps from 109 stamp issuing countries or regions across 160 years since 1847, and some of those are  errors rather than basic stamps.

We have only  handled five of these items in the last 30 years. Due to the nature of the  market it is very rare that we are able to offer you a Commonwealth stamp of such magnitude.

But, let me tell you about one  particular Commonwealth stamp that you have the chance to own...

The stamp is available  to buy for £110,000. At that price and coming from Stanley Gibbons, you know immediately that it is  very rare and very special. This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. The  stamp in question has not been on our books for over 30 years.

With only about  50 unused examples known to exist (10 of which are in horizontal pairs), its  scarcity and desirability is easily explained.

The stamp is one  of the first postage stamps issued by Canada. Three different  denominations were printed: a 3d (showing a beaver), a 6d (portraying Albert the  Prince Consort) and a 12d (showing the head of Queen Victoria).

The last stamp, a  black stamp, was given the denomination of 12d rather than 1s because a  shilling had different significance in various parts of North   America at the time. The inscription of 'TWELVE PENCE' on the  stamps ensured that there was no misunderstanding of their value.

There was not a  great need for the 12d stamp because so few people would send a letter that  required such a high value stamp. Consequently, the printers supplied only a  small number of the 12d.

They were not  even issued to every post office in Canada and they did not prove to be  popular with the public. In the few years they were available, only 1450 were  sold and the remaining 49,550 were withdrawn and destroyed.

Interestingly,  the value of this stamp was known to the earliest collectors as it featured in  the world's first printed catalogue - Alfred Potiquet's in 1862. The  stamps soon started changing hands for over £1 - a princely sum in those days.

In a book simply  called 'Famous Stamps' published in  1946 the price of the stamp was quoted as £750. Just over 60 years later and we  have just one available for you for £110,000.

The Canada 12d is  indeed a famous and very beautiful stamp. There are a couple of stories that  have earned it its place in stamp collecting folklore. Rather embarrassingly,  here at Stanley Gibbons, we may have  played our part in that folklore.

Hugh Jefferies,  editor of Gibbons Stamp Monthly, was telling me a story this week about our possible  role in making the one of Canada's  greatest rarities that little bit rarer...

One summer's day  early in the 20th century, a dealer had five examples of the stamp  laid out in front of him on a table. Unfortunately, with the window already  open, a colleague opened the office door creating a draught that swept the  prized rarities off the table into the street.

The common belief  is that this street was the Strand in London  and that the dealer in question was Stanley Gibbons. Unfortunately (especially  for the staff involved), none of the specimens was ever recovered.

Just imagine five  of these stamps floating down the Strand on a  breeze today. I think it's fair to say that the entire staff would be out  chasing after them! You'll be pleased to know that such an event couldn't occur  today.

Another dealer (not  Stanley Gibbons this time) allegedly  bought several specimens from a fine collection only to put them in an envelope  for safekeeping and subsequently throw the envelope into the wastepaper basket  - again, diminishing supply.

These losses simply  served to make the 12d black even more sought after. Now is your chance to secure  one, before this example disappears for another generation.

This is the  first Canada  12d black that we have been able to offer for over 30 years.

It is only fair  that last word on the stamp goes to our Director of Philately (and Commonwealth  specialist), Dr Philip Kinns who is  very proud to offer such a magnificent rarity:

"This is (and always has been) a very  valuable stamp. In January, Spink Shreve sold an 'unmounted' example with large  margins, promoted as the finest single known (which is a matter of opinion) for  $483K at auction."

All of a sudden, £110,000 seems like a good price for  it.

You can own this  famous rarity today. You will be securing a stamp with a great history and  provenance and one that has shown an astounding growth in value.

And remember,  this is the only single stamp we have in stock priced at over £100,000.

Need the perfect archival place to store your Rare Stamps - check out www.boscastlesupplies.com

US Postal Service Issues Semi Postal Animal Stamps That Benefit Endangered Species Protection

Now you can help protect endangered species while you mail in your rent. Or your electricity bill. Or when you are paying just about anything thanks to the United States Postal Service, which has debuted a special set of stamps the sale of which benefits several eNGOs dedicated to species protection.   

                      

In the first run 5 million stamps will be printed, and if enough demand is established, more will be made. The stamps, know collectively as the Save Vanishing Species semipostal stamps, will be sold at an 11 cent premium and the money raised will go to African Elephant Conservation Fund, Asian Elephant Conservation Fund, Great Ape Conservation Fund, Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund and Marine Turtle Conservation Fund.

You can preorder the stamps at usps.com/shop, which have an illustration of a tiger cub by artist Nancy Stahl. Other designs will follow, including a rhinoceros, a tiger, a gorilla, Asian and African elephants and a marine turtle.

According to USPS, this is only the third time that it has issued a semipostal stamp. The others are for:

Breast Cancer Research, 1998-current. Net proceeds of more than $74.1 million to date have gone to the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.
Heroes of 2001, 2002-2004. Net proceeds of $10.5 million went to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. No longer available.

Stop Family Violence, 2003-2006. Net proceeds of $3.1 million went to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. No longer available.

Contact www.boscastlesupplies.com for all your stamp collecting supplies needs 

New 2012 Scott Stamp Catalogue Is Now Available - Volume 2 - Canada & C-F

Scott 2012 Stamp Catalogue - Countries C-F
Almost 40,000 value changes were recorded in Volume 2.

Activity was particularly heavy in China, where more than 14,600 changes were made in the three China sections: Imperial China, Republic of China and the People's Republic of China.

Following China, the country with most value changes is Finland and the Aland Islands, with 2,384 changes. Other countries with a lot of activity include Denmark, Costa Rica, Cuba, Canada,
Czechoslovakia and Cambodia. Stay on track with the changes that affect your collection with the latest information found in the 2012 editions.

The Scott 2012 Stamp Catalogue is now available from www.boscastlesupplies.com - click here for more information.

David Fieldman Auction has two full sheets of the 1980 Chinese New Year Monkey Stamp, each listed at HK$1.1m (US$141,500).

A great range of Chinese stamps, both Imperial and PRC, will sell alongside Hong Kong rarities

The Inaugural sale of David Feldman's Asia office in Hong Kong offers some classic items from the very earliest stages of philatelic history, notably fantastic covers featuring a rare strip of Penny Blacks, and a Double Geneva of a highly unusual variety.

To some however it will be even more exciting to see that it features many of the most exciting items of PRC including two full sheets of the 1980 Chinese New Year Monkey, each listed at HK$1.1m (US$141,500).

Also represented are Mei Lan Fang souvenir sheets and many early issues in full sheets. A very large offering of artist proofs of issues stamps or un-adopted designs with many from the Cultural Revolution period will go under the hammer too.

Imperial China is represented with a block of 6 of the used Large Dragon wide margin 5 candarins and the same in blocks of 4 for all 3 values. Also with a Large Dragon cover from Peking to Shanghai and several Small Dragon combination covers including combination with US Offices in Shanghai usage.

Hong Kong is well represented by a full double pane of 120 KG6 1938 pre-war $10 value, which is the most valuable of all HK KG6 stamps. An excellent postal history collection of Japanese occupation of HK is also presented.

There is also a section of covers some with letters addressed to President Sun Yat Sen as well as a selection of documents of 1911 revolution period and the formation of the Republic of China in 1912. The sale takes place this weekend, May 14-15.

 - For Quality Stamp Albums and 2010 supplements from Lindner, Lighthouse and Davo please check out www.boscastlesupplies.com

Source: http://www.paulfrasercollectibles.com/section.asp?catid=80&docid=6858

USA National Postal Stamp Museum Acquires Rare Confederate Printing Plate from the Franklin Institute

The printing plate contains 400 5-cent Jefferson Davis stamp images etched in copper and weighs nearly 100 pounds.

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum has acquired from The Franklin Institute a Confederate postage-stamp printing plate that was confiscated during the Civil War.

The printing plate contains 400 5-cent Jefferson Davis stamp images etched in copper and weighs nearly 100 pounds. The copper plate was ordered by the Confederate States of America and manufactured by De La Rue & Co. of London in 1861.

The federal vessel Mercedita captured the British ship Bermuda between Bermuda and Nassau April 27, 1862, and as part of the contraband, the printing plate was brought to Philadelphia and sold. It was never used to print stamps by the Confederacy.

The Confederate printing plate was acquired by The Franklin Institute in 1954, when it was actively building a philatelic collection. Subsequently, the institute has deacessioned and disposed of most of its postal-related objects, finding that philately is no longer consistent with its educational mission.

“This spectacular acquisition will be a centerpiece in the display case of the three-dimensional objects from the National Philatelic Collection to be featured in the new William H. Gross Stamp Gallery,”said Cheryl R. Ganz, chief curator of philately. “The 5-cent plate provides a wonderful connection to the first philatelic object ever collected by the Smithsonian Institution-a pane of the Confederate States of America’s 10-cent blue Jefferson Davis stamp.”

“It is appropriate that the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum was able to acquire the historic captured Confederate printing plate at the beginning of the commemoration of the Civil War Sesquicentennial,”said Trish Kaufmann, president of the Confederate Stamp Alliance. “Its significance to American postal history cannot be overstated.”

For a full range of Stamp Collecting Supplies such as Stamp Albums, Stamp Stockbooks and Stamp Hinges please visit our safe and secure online store - www.boscastlesupplies.com


Source: http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=47161

Sheffield Stamp Show’s Stamp of Approval as King George V Stamp Collection goes on Display

Published on Saturday 7 May 2011 06:30
 
SHEFFIELD is the stamp collecting capital of the country this weekend – with 2,000 enthusiasts descending on the city for one of the biggest shows of the year.

Ponds Forge is the venue for the two- day event usually held in London – and which has attracted not only collectors and dealers from all over the UK, but from countries like Germany and South Africa too.
It’s all a celebratory feather in the cap for the Sheffield Philatelic Society, founded in 1894 and one of the oldest around, which has just held its 2,000th meeting.

“There are some outstanding rarities on show here – including a good deal of material that is unique,” said Donald Radley, a member of the organising committee who’s been pursuing his hobby for more than 70 years.
It’s one thing, for example, to have on display a Penny Black – the world’s first stamp, issued in 1840. But it’s quite another to see the original drafts of the iconic design, including rejected versions, works in progress and stamps from the first plates ever printed.

This is material from the famous collection assembled by George V – impossible to value as it will never be put on sale.

The Queen has given her personal permission for items from the royal treasure trove to make the journey north from their usual home at St James’s Palace, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see them on show.
One of the visitors to the exhibition, which ends today, was John Susses from Pocklington near York, at 71 a collector for 55 years.

He said: “Stamp collectors do seem to be of a certain generation, but I think that has always been the case – it doesn’t mean it’s dying out.

“It’s a hobby a lot of people come to when they are in their 50s, I think it’s a nostalgic thing. And the hobby has also been given a boost by the increasing interest of people in their family backgrounds – stamps are a vital part of this country’s social history.”

Source: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/show_s_stamp_of_approval_as_king_s_collection_goes_on_display_1_3360215

For a full range of stamp collecting supplies for the preservation and presentation of you stamp collection - please check out - www.boscastlesupplies.com