Canadian Music Legend Bruce Cockburn honoured on Canada Post stamp

Canadians might find Bruce Cockburn in their mailbox this summer, following Canada Post's announcement of a new stamp featuring the celebrated singer-songwriter.

Canada Post said Thursday that a stamp honouring Cockburn will be issued on June 30 as part of the third instalment of its Canadian Recording Artists series.

His stamp will join the previously announced stamps of Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Robbie Robertson and Ginette Reno.

The series will be issued June 30.

"This is very exciting," the Ottawa-born Cockburn said in a statement.

The stamp's design — a black and white image of him against a red background featuring titles of his hit songs — is "beautiful," he added.

Over the years, the folk-rock singer and activist has won multiple awards for his music, which includes hits such as The Coldest Night of the Year and If I Had a Rocket Launcher. His original songs have inspired covers by a wide range of artists — from Jimmy Buffett to the Barenaked Ladies.

He released his 31st album, Small Source of Comfort, in March and is currently touring the U.S. Cockburn, who is also an officer of the Order of Canada and member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, is slated to publish his memoir in April 2012.

Source:  http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2011/05/05/cockburn-stamp-recording-artists.html

Spink's sale offers stamps 'you couldn't imagine in your wildest dreams' Boasting a GB Tyrian Plum

Boasting a Tyrian Plum among its many highlights, here's another look at the Chartwell Collection...

As compiled by the legendary philatelist Sir Cyril Humphrey Cripps, we've reported on highlights including the 12 Nissen reconstructions of the 1d black plates, as used to produce the legendary Nissen plate reference book of 1922.

But the unique and rare examples for sale don't end there. The collection also offers Sir Cyril's King Edward VII and King George V volume - the latter Monarch being otherwise unofficially known as "The King of Philately".

Among the Edward VII volumes is nothing less than one of the most celebrated stamps of Great Britain, the 2d Tyrian Plum. The stamp needs no introduction for keen philatelists. But, for the uninitiated, why is the stamp so rare and valued?

The Great Britain 1910 2d Tyrian Plum was first produced by Great Britain in 1910, intended as a replacement for the bi-coloured 2d stamp of King Edward VII which was in use at the time. The Tyrian Plum had just one colour in an effort to lower the costs of stamp production.

The new stamp was intended to satiate the then-avid public interest in stamps, and care was taken over the new stamp. Many colour trials were proposed and produced - including various shades of blue, green, brown, red and orange - until Tyrian Plum was chosen as the stamp's colour.

One-hundred-thousand sheets of 240 stamps each were produced by the printers De La Rue. These stamps were delivered to the post office stores for distribution to Postmasters. The decision was then take to hold back the new stamps until the old stocks of Edward VII 2d had been used-up.

A small piece of Great British history:
the 2d Tyrian Plum stamp

So far, so good... That is, until King Edward VII then fell seriously ill. Despite a period of apparent recovery, Edward died suddenly on May 6 1910. Afterwards, almost the entire stock of 2d Tyrian plum stamps were destroyed.

Today only 12 examples of the 2d Tyrian Plum  are known to exist. Three are in the Royal Philatelic Collection, including a the single-known used example once owned by George V himself.

Consequently, the stamp is very rare. One example was auctioned by Sotheby's on September 20, 2010 for £54,000. Meanwhile, the philatelic publisher Stanley Gibbons values the 2d Tyrian Plum at £95,000++ in its catalogue.

And another is presently for sale on the private market at £75,000 (pictured above).

Meanwhile, the George V section of the Chartwell Collection promises a number of exceptional Seahorses with many from the legendary Shaida sales (from the Grand Prix-winning collection of noted philatelist Hassan Shaida).

Undoubtedly, the sale will be sure to attract budding Shaidas. Spink recommends the occasion as "truly... an amazing opportunity for collectors, whether novice or advanced, to acquire elusive items missing from some of the greatest collections in the world today."

"Our expert team was discovering page after page of blocks and covers you couldn't even imagine in your wildest dreams," said Olivier Stocker, Chairman and CEO of Spink. "I'm sure the markets will be amazed by pieces that are about to come to light. What a treat for a the GB market."

The treat begins on June 28-29 in London, with the sale of Sir Cyril Humphrey Cripps' British Empire/Great Britain Line-Engraved Proofs, Essays, Stamps & Covers.

Source: http://www.paulfrasercollectibles.com/section.asp?docid=6734&n=040511

Invest in stamps if looking for new options

Do not be surprised if your financial adviser some day suggests to you to pick up a few stamps to diversify the investment portfolio. Investing in stamps can help you earn handsome returns in the long term. The famous Rs 10 Mahatma Gandhi stamps, issued in 1948, are a good example. A set of hundred of these stamps with the word 'service' on them were exclusively printed by the postal department for the then Governor-General of India, C Rajagopalachari, for his official usage.

A single stamp of this lot went for €38,000 (approx. Rs 24,49,000) in the David Feldman's auction sale on October 5, 2007. However, like stocks, while a few stamps give exceptional returns, there are several examples where the price has remained flat for years.

"It is difficult to predict how a stamp will perform in future. Stamps tend not to move in a linear fashion, but in 'steps', driven by the market movements. Therefore, we encourage a minimum five year holding before crystallising gains," says Keith Heddle, investment director, Stanley Gibbons, established in 1856, deals in stamps, philatelic publishing, auctioneering and manufacturing of philatelic accessories.
"The best available indicator of the rare stamp market is the Stanley Gibbons GB30 Rarities Index (listed on Bloomberg Professional), which tracks the prices of 30 classic British stamps recommended for investment. It has shown a compounded annual growth of 10% over the last 50 years and has never fallen during that time," he adds.

Rohit Prasad, a Delhi-based stamp collector says, "For a middle class person, who can afford to put some money in stamps, it would only be an alternative medium of savings and not investment. Unless you make a big-ticket investment, at least Rs 10 lakh or more, what you buy in terms of stamps may not go up in the same rate as other investment options."

Compared with developed nation like Europe and US, where investment in stamps is a recognised and well-organised channel of investment, the Indian market is still in its nascent stages. Since the percentage of people who look at it as an alternative investment channel is pretty less, the demand, and therefore value, of Indian stamps is also comparatively low.

A to Z of stamps A glossary to simplify the philatelic jargons for you. ALBINO - A design impression without colour BLIND PERFORATION - Perforation which has not been punched out. BLOCK - Four or more unseparated stamps. COMMEMORATIVE - A stamp issued to mark a special anniversary or event. ERROR - A mistake in stamp design, printing or production. FIRST DAY COVER - A cover bearing stamps postmarked on their day of issue. IMPRINTED STAMPS - Stamps other than adhesives, printed direct on postal stationery items. MINIATURE SHEET - A small sheet of one or several stamps, usually with a decorative margins, issued as a souvenir. MINT - A stamp in it's original pristine state, with full gum (if so issued), when it is said to have it's 'original gum'. 'Unmounted mint' stamps have not been hinged. PAIR - Two unseparated stamps, joined as originally issued. ROULETTE - Stamps separated by a series of cuts instead of perforations SE-TENANT - Stamps of different design or face value etc. joined together. UNUSED - An uncancelled stamp, not necessarily 'mint'. USED - A stamp which has been used and appropriately postmarked. VARIETY - A stamp differing in some detail from the normal issue. Source: www.stanleygibbons.com

"A complete sixty-year collection of post-independence Indian stamps will cost around Rs 2-2.5 lakh, which is cheap compared to other countries," says Prasad. However, the demand for Indian stamps have been rising from the past two-three years. So, it might be the right time to park some funds here before prices go beyond your reach.

WHAT EXACTLY IS PHILATELY?

Normally, the first image that forms in your mind when you hear 'philately' is huge collections of postal stamps. However, it is much more than that. Philatelic material includes, mint stamps, used stamps, unused stamps, commemorative stamps, First-Day Covers, brochure accompanying these stamps, collectors' packs, miniature sheets, stamp catalogues and other postal matter.

While definitive stamps are used for regular mailing purposes, it is commemorative stamps which collectors generally put their money in. These stamps are printed in limited quantities and one can buy them from the Philatelic Bureaux and its counters.

BUILDING A PORTFOLIO

Like any other investment, knowledge is the key to succeed in putting together a collection that would give decent financial returns in future.

Apart from theoretical awareness, it is also important that you have a genuine interest in stamps. Prasad says, "You might learn all the facts and history, but it will be your passion for stamps that will help you in the long run." For the beginner, the Internet can be a wonderful place to start reading on the subject. Since there are no marked 'shops' selling rare stamps, consider joining philatelic clubs and associations.

"In India, you would not find professionals to manage your portfolio. Get in touch with local philatelists who can guide you in making a collection as per your interest. Finding stamp enthusiasts outside India and making them your penfriends in another old but popular way to start," says Prasad.

Stamps can be collected on the basis of time periods (year-wise), countries they belong to or according to a particular theme such as flowers, birds, monuments, armed forces stamps, etc. To make it easier and attractive, many philatelists, take it as an investment option, would advice you a thematic collection. But Prasad recommends otherwise.

"Thematic collections have not done well in terms of pricing. A collection of random stamps won't fetch you any money and in a thematic collection, most novice, tend to end up collecting a lot of junk. To get valuation you need to have a complete set," he says.

To get the best deals, it is important that you build your collection over time. "If you are willing to pay you can make a collection within a few days but to get good bargains, you should phase out the process," says Prasad. Spend time hunting through stamp pages, albums, network with all kinds of stamp dealers and collectors, attend philatelic society meetings and events and you will definitely find the best deals to complete a collection at a lesser price.

Also, it is important that you build a balanced portfolio. Don't put all your funds in one stamp or of a single type. If you have a portfolio of rare stamps, Heddle recommends holding on to it for a few years to maximise the returns as trading volumes are low in case of rare items.

ASSESSING ITS WORTH

A rough estimate of the market value of a stamp can be had by using a price catalogue such as the annual Indian publication from Kolkata, Phila India or you can go to Allworldstamps.com, an online stamp catalogue to search details of stamps from various countries all over the world. You can even find information about different dealers here. These price catalogues come in a variety of formats from simplified to specialised.

WHEN BUYING A STAMP It is very difficult to assess authenticity and condition from a picture, so it is important that you physically see the stamp before you purchase it. If you are to buy stamps online, make sure you buy it from a seller you can trust. Since the seller won't have a license to prove his authenticity, ask specific questions such as - How much experience do they have in the market? What assurances do they provide and how good is their trading history? How do they guarantee the authenticity for their stamps? etc. to avoid making bad decisions.

Although a catalogue will give you an idea of the price, it is not adequate for assessing whether a stamp is of investment grade or not. The rule of demand and supply applies to the stamp market as well.

The condition of the stamp also plays a vital role in its valuation. Even though catalogues specifically mention that the price quotes are for stamps in 'fine' condition, many make the mistake of pricing them strictly on the basis of this document. If you find a stamp in better than 'fine' condition, you might have to pay a higher price, while the price for a similar stamp in poor condition will be substantially lower.

"Every single feature of a stamp needs to be considered separately before a judgment on its value can be passed. However, there are some consistent factors such as the condition of the gum, colour of the stamp, margins, perforation and the quality of cancellation, which fall under essential considerations before estimating its value. Ultimately, rarity and number of examples available will have the biggest bearing on the price," says Heddle of Stanley Gibbons. So, if you are lucky to acquire one of those uncommon tickets of which only handful of examples are known to exist, you can easily expect to receive a small fortune for it. But be careful when picking the rare material as it is easy for a novice to misidentify a stamp.

A subtle difference in colour could mean you have a rare 'error of colour' thus elevating an ordinary stamp to something extraordinary or it could be just a poor quality faded stamp which is actually of lower value. Also, many flaws are not visible to the naked eye and certain characteristics such as the quality of the cancellation can only be judged by an expert who has vast experience of handling stamps. "You should take an expert's opinion before you make any expensive purchase," says Heddle.

 PRIZED COLLECTION

The world's most expensive and rarest stamp, 'penny magentas', issued in 1856 was last bought for $935,000 in 1980.After that, it is believed to be locked away in a bank vault while its owner was in prison.

The costliest Indian stamp is the four anna inverted head litho stamp, where the queen's head appeared inverted. It is this printing error which makes it a unique example and worth around Rs 1 crore.

The first Indian stamp called 'Scinde Dawk', a small copper token valued at 2 annas , was generally the medium of payment for postage. Today, the red stamp will cost you something between Rs 15-20 lakh.

Source: http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/alternative-investment-option-put-your-money-in-stamps/1/14997.html

Today The United States Postal Service (USPS) is honoring the 50th anniversary of America's first manned spaceflight with a New Stamp Issue

Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is honoring the 50th anniversary of America's first manned spaceflight with the issuance of two new commemorative stamps. Join us for the First-Day-of-Issue Stamp Ceremony, featuring Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter and NASA and USPS officials, in the Rocket Garden on May 4, 2011, at 2:00 p.m.

One stamp salutes NASA’s Project Mercury, America’s first manned spaceflight program and NASA astronaut Alan Shepard’s historic flight on May 5, 1961, aboard the spacecraft Freedom 7. The other stamp draws attention to NASA’s unmanned MESSENGER Mission, a scientific investigation of the planet Mercury.

On March 17, 2011, MESSENGER became the first spacecraft to enter into orbit around Mercury. These two historic missions frame a remarkable fifty-year period in which America has advanced space exploration through more than 1,500 manned and unmanned flights.

The Project Mercury stamp depicts Shepard, the Mercury capsule Freedom 7 and the Redstone rocket launching. The MESSENGER Mission stamp depicts the MESSENGER spacecraft in orbit around the planet Mercury.

The Project Mercury and MESSENGER Mission stamps will be issued as Forever Stamps for use in mailing a one-ounce letter. Regardless of when the stamps are purchased or used, no matter how prices may change in the future, these stamps will always be equal to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price.

The USPS First-Day-of-Issue Ceremony is included with admission to the Visitor Complex.

Source:  http://kennedyspacecenter.com/stamp-ceremony.aspx

Philately: King of hobbies & hobby of kings

Stamp collecting is a common hobby but can be taken to great heights

Stamps are probably the most popular collectibles. Some rare stamps are deemed to be worth a fortune. However, every old stamp is not necessarily expensive. Even recent stamps can be extremely expensive, because a stamp’s value depends on rarity.

Stamps are graded as follows: mint, multiple mint stamps, single used stamps, stamps used on covers, misprinted stamps and misprinted stamps on cover. While it is better to get stamps in mint or excellent condition, those which are rejected by postal authorities or are printed on cover are exceptions.

Defective stamps are usually more valuable than regular ones because the entire print order is destroyed once the defect is detected. If a few manage to get into circulation before they are withdrawn, their value soars. The ‘inverted jenny’ series from the USA, issued in 1918, which contain the inverted images of the Curtiss JN-4 airplane, is one of the most spectacular examples in philatelic history. However, errata alone do not make stamps valuable. India Post comes up with so many defective stamps so often, that they are rejected in international markets.

What makes stamps invaluable is the history attached to them. An otherwise unremarkable stamp collection consisting of 550 used stamps fetched some $53,000 in an auction in 2005 by the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. The Museum committee feels it is a ‘cheap bargain’, because the stamps belonged to John Lennon.

The most expensive stamp in the world is a unique case in which fascinating history and rarity came together.

The Penny Magentas from British Guiana, originally worth one and four cents, are described as among the ugliest in the world. The Penny Magentas were provisional stamps issued by the British Guiana government in 1856, when the regular shipments failed to arrive from England, and were later withdrawn.

However, one of them remained with a schoolboy. It changed hands and, finally, appeared in an auction in 1922 where it was sold to American businessman Arthur Hind for $35,000, who outbid Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Mr Hind publicly burned the only other copy of the stamp in his pipe at that point, so his purchase would be the only Penny Magenta in the world. After his death, the stamp was bought by Frederick Small, an Australian businessman.

After two more auctions, the stamp was, finally, bought by John E du Pont for a whopping $935,000 in 1980. Du Pont died on 9 December 2010. The Penny Magenta remains in his bank vault. Philatelists continue to speculate about the appearance of a cousin of the most valuable stamp in the world, but it hasn’t surfaced yet.

Source: http://moneylife.in/article/philatelyking-of-hobbies-hobby-of-kings/16006.html