Stamp Collecting Tip - How do I separate stamps from a sheet of stamps?

Hello Chuck - I find it easier to fold a sheet of stamps along the perforation before I gently tear them apart - this just allows for a more solid separation of the stamps - Regards - -  Susan

40 historic objects that shaped the UAE: 4. Postage stamp - 1968

Mohammed Al Fahim, the Abu Dhabi businessman and author of "Rags to Riches" tells the story behind an extremely rare 1968 prototype stamp of Sheikh Zayed.

China Stamp Rarity - Sun Yat-sen stamp invert could turn over $200,000 at Cherrystone

In a few weeks' time Cherrystone is holding another of its auctions of Rare Stamps and Postal History of the World, anchored by the exceptional Santa Fe Collection, including exceptional Chinese rarities.
Two of the particular highlights from this section include, firstly, a 1923 stamp surcharged in red on first Peking printing: 2 Cts on 3c blue-green, with the surcharge inverted in error.

The whole stamp boasts a deep bright colour with characteristic centring to the bottom, position 19. It is fresh with full original gum (partially dried and streaky) with a handstamped guarantee mark, signed by Holcombe, with his 1996 certificate ("a very rare variety of which under 20 copies are recorded to date.")

1923 Chinese stamp surcharged in red on first Peking printing

According to contemporary reports (Theodore Sidall), only thirteen of these stamps exist and were acquired at Wanhsien, a small port about half way between Chungking and Ichang, in July, 1924, by Dr. A. Germain, the medical officer on the French gunboat "Balny."

He applied two of the stamps to separate covers which he mailed to himself locally and sold ten mint examples to the French dealer Theodore Champion.

Champion than sold a block of four and a single to M.D. Chow, two singles to Bush and one each to Hinds and Hawkins.

1941 Dr Sun Yat-sen inverted stamp

It is one of the "Four Treasures of the Republic" another example of this rarity was sold at Cherrystone's June sale for $150,000 plus buyer's premium. It is listed at $150,000 again here.
Expected to beat even this, however, is a 1941 Dr. Sun Yat-sen, New York print $2 black and blue, centre inverted single stamp, with deep rich colours and post office fresh condition.

There is characteristic centring of the frame to the bottom, but this example has never been hinged, and is in very fine condition. Only one sheet of fifty is believed to have been printed with this error.
A comparable (but poorer quality) example realised HK$ 1,725,000, and this example is expected to reach $200,000.

Cherrystone's auction will take place on December 7-8 in New York and online.

Rare stamps from the region have often achieved extraordinary results in recent first (such as the remarkable 1980 'Year of the Monkey' stamp sheets, which aren't even very rare).

It's partly for this reason that we're so proud to be offering the most philatelic piece of Hong Kong philately, the unique 96c olive-bistre block of four, and why it qualifies for our unique 120% guarantee.

Finest Quality Stamp Albums are available at www.boscastlesupplies.com

Source: http://www.paulfrasercollectibles.com/News/STAMPS/Sun-Yat-sen-stamp-invert-could-turn-over-$200,000-at-Cherrystone/8889.page

Fremont resident Albert J. Vizinho recounts his life-long love of stamp collecting in this personal essay

National Geographic Magazine fed my fascination with this world, its peoples, countries and histories. At about age ten, stamp collecting further added to my interest and curiosity.

Let me focus on my stamp-collecting hobby. My first album was one from the 1940's with the names of countries that no longer existed as independent entities at that time: Montenegro, Croatia and the other members of the former Yugoslavia; Danzig, Tanu Tuva, Manchukuo, etc. I wondered about these places and always hoped to find stamps from these faraway places.

I did acquire stamps, both by purchase and by trading, of many countries that existed then as they do today. They showed kings and queens, emperors and emirs, flora and fauna, presidents and prime ministers, monuments and mountains. What a motivation for a kid to wonder about these people, places and things!

This led to the public library to find out more about these countries and also to check out the fat stamp catalogs available. Hours were spent reading and also paging through the catalogs to see if I had any "priceless" stamps. For the most part, a three-cent stamp in my album was worth just that; but I was never discouraged. My interest in stamps continued into young adulthood. I continued saving stamps even after my interest flagged. A new door opened for me: travel.

While still in college, I made my first trip to Europe with special interest in visiting Portugal, my parents' country of origin. I had to see this country that I had heard so much about and from which I had accumulated so many postage stamps. In the years that followed, I have been able to visit many of those countries that I first learned about from my stamp album: Brazil and most of its neighbors; Egypt, the former Tanganyika now called Tanzania, Kenya, China, Japan, Korea, Australia, India, Tibet, Bhutan, Turkey and so many other names to which I was introduced by those small pieces of paper: postage stamps.

I am fortunate, despite my almost three quarters of a century, to continue to learn more about those faraway places. My wish list of places to visit seems to grow rather than diminish: Tunisia, Libya, and return visits to some of the countries that have left me wanting to experience more. Stamps have helped enrich my life, as I never imagined they could.

Visit Boscastle Supplies for all your Philatelic Needs

Source: http://www.tricityvoice.com/articlefiledisplay.php?issue=2011-11-18&file=story3.txt

GB Royal Mail seeking Beckenham man who designed stamp 40 years ago

Royal Mail has renewed an appeal to find a Beckenham man who designed a stamp more than 40 years ago – aged six.

James Berry, of Bromley Road Infants School, Beckenham, chose a snowman, with a trilby hat on the 1s 6d stamp in 1966. It was the first time children’s work had been used on British stamps and he would now be 51.

Royal Mail spokesman Hilary Robertson said: “We are intrigued to find out how James has got on in his life and what he is up to after all this time. I wondered if someone might be using it as their claim to fame, but I’ve had no success.”

Anyone who can help can email kate.nelson@archant.co.uk.

For all your stamp collecting needs contact www.boscastlesupplies.com

Stamp Collection of a Chess Champion... Anatoly Karpov’s stamps go up for sale

Anatoly Karpov is one of the greatest chess players of all time, being a long-serving World Champion and a destructive force in chess tournaments. But he has also been very active in both the last century and this one in many other pursuits.

He has been equally energetic and very successful in such fields as politics, ecology, art appreciation and of course by no means least, philately.

His collection of Belgium has gained great fame not only due to the importance and quality of the items (with many of those being from the 19th Century), but also for its vastness and volume. He has made studies of the issues of Belgium almost from the beginning to the end - a remarkable feat!
We took a look at Karpov's collection for our newsletter last December. By some estimates it is worth as much as $15m.

Needless to say, for stamps to have Anatoly Karpov as a previous owner gives an extra layer of desirability to the collection. Many stamp collectors are impressed with the cerebral struggle of chess and would consider it a privilege to add to their collections items which are 'ex-Karpov'.

David Feldman is naturally delighted to be offering the collection, as he explained to us: "World Rarity, Connoisseurship and Legend all meet together for the first time in my 44 years of auctioneering ... It is a great honour and privilege to bring The Anatoly Karpov Belgium collection to the market!".

Karpov's exquisite Belgian Congo green stamp with inverted centre

It's difficult to pick out enough highlights to give a true feel of the collection, but one of the highlights is the most beautiful 10f green with inverted centre from the Belgian Congo.

Considered the finest example of just five known copies, it is in beautiful condition with rich colour and freshness, and its original gum. It is expected to achieve CHF50,000 ($56,600).

Another extraordinary piece is an important multiple of Belgium's first stamps, the 1849 epaulettes:
This is a brown sepia, horizontal strip of six (positions 125 to 130 of the second panel) with a huge sheet edge, in excellent condition with its original gum (four of the stamps have no trace of being hinged).

This too is expected to sell for CHF50,000 in David Feldman's auction which is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland on December 8.

Fine multiples from the early years of stamp use are highly coveted by collectors, such as this rare block of 12 from Great Britain's rainbow trials.

Boscastle Supplies has the largest stock of Stamp Collecting Albums and Accessories - Visit www.boscastlesupplies.com

Source: http://www.paulfrasercollectibles.com/News/STAMPS/Collection-of-a-Chess-Champion...-Anatoly-Karpov’s-stamps-go-up-for-sale/8788.page?catid=80

Canada Post launches Winnipeg Jets NHL Hockey stamps

If you want a stamp depicting the reincarnated Winnipeg Jets’ first goal, you’d better act fast.
Canada Post has produced a limited run of 10,000 sheets of 21 stamps depicting the new team’s first goal, scored by Nik Antropov in the season opener against the Montreal Canadiens last month.
The stamps went on sale at 1 p.m. Thursday online and at all Canada Post outlets in Manitoba.
They can be used as regular postage, but at $34.95 for a sheet of 21, they cost more than normal stamps.

Canada Post also produced two other Jets stamp designs, showing the team’s primary and secondary logos.

Those stamps, which cost $24.95 for 21, also went on sale Thursday, as did pre-paid postcards featuring Jets photos for $4.95. There is no limit on the number of postcards or logo stamps available.
Canada Post CEO Deepak Chopra, who unveiled the items in Winnipeg Thursday, said the Crown corporation likes to stay relevant in part by commemorating historical events, like the return of the Jets.

“If you just looked at the stories on our stamps, you’d learn the history of our country without reading history books,” Chopra said.

The corporation has produced many hockey-themed stamps over the years, featuring the likes of Wayne Gretzky and Rocket Richard, as well as events like the 1972 Summit Series.

“We’re humbled to be in the company of these individuals and cherished moments in our hockey history,” said Jim Ludlow, president of True North Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Jets.
Chopra said Canada Post produced the stamps as costlier, commemorative “picture postage” rather than regular, large-run stamps because the standard process for introducing a new stamp design can take up to two years.

“This was the fastest mechanism available to us,” he said.

For all your Canada Stamp Collecting Supplies - contact www.boscastlesupplies.com

Source: http://www.winnipegsun.com/2011/11/10/air-mail-canada-post-launches-jets-stamps-postcards

The 12th GPS Philatelic Exhibition starts this Saturday

The Gozo Philatelic Society will be holding its 12th Philatelic Exhibition between the 12th and the 18th of November 2011 at the Exhibition Hall, St. Francis Square Victoria.

There will be Traditional Philately, with the theme”Nature & Nurture,” Social Philately, Postal History and Juniors.

Everyone is invited to attend and enjoy the beauty and benefits of the hobby of stamp collecting. Admission to the exhibition is free.

Stamp collecting accessories can be acquired, including Exhibition card (and others) and personalised stamps.

The EcoGozo-cofunded book “”Isle of Joy” (based on philatelic representations of Gozo) will be launched on this occasion.

Canada Post issues 2011 edition of bestseller Collection Canada

The perfect holiday gift for that "hard-to-buy-for" loved one now available in Chapters Indigo stores

OTTAWA, Nov. 8, 2011 /CNW/ - Canada Post has issued the 38^th edition of Collection Canada, a highly visual 90-page coffee-table book featuring every Canadian stamp design issued this year. Each year, more than 25,000 copies are sold worldwide, making it a five-time Canadian bestseller.

Popular and highly collectible, these annual yearbooks gather all of Canada Post's definitive and commemorative stamp designs from the year into a single, richly illustrated and beautifully designed hardcover volume to celebrate another chapter in Canada's philatelic history.

"Stamps are works of art, and Collection Canada 2011 reflects that in proud detail, making it the perfect coffee-table or showpiece book in any home," says Jim Phillips, Director of Stamp Services. "There is something for everyone - a fairy-tale wedding, heroes and stars, paintings and architecture, science and nature - all of it a reflection of our vast, beautiful country."

Every year, collectors and other Canadians appreciate the diversity of stamps that cover a range of fascinating people, places, events and institutions. This wealth of Canadian philately, combined with the talents of those involved in writing and designing the book, results in evocative language, fascinating stories, striking imagery, modern-age design and cutting-edge printing. That's what makes Collection Canada a perennial Canadian bestseller.

Collection Canada can be purchased at Canada Post retail outlets and this year, for the first time, at Chapters Indigo stores across Canada. Copies can also be ordered online at canadapost.ca/collecting.

Boscastle Supplies in the leading supplies of Stamp albums and Acessories

Smithsonian Postal Museum to Offer Stamp Collecting Merit Badge Programming for Boy Scouts

When you think of Boy Scout merit badges, Camping, Emergency Preparedness, and Swimming badges may be the first to come to mind. While we don't plan to build a pool or allow campfires in our galleries, the Postal Museum Education Department will offer Boy Scouts the opportunity to work toward the Stamp Collecting Merit Badge in 2012.

Boy Scouts completing the merit badge will be real philatelic experts. According to the requirements, Boy Scouts must define topical stamp collecting and show examples of everything from overprinted stamps to first day covers.

The final project can include showing a collection of over 200 stamps from around the world or a map-based display of international stamps.What better place to work on this project but the Postal Museum? And this opportunity won't just be open to scouts; contact us for information on how to participate.

Interested in this opportunity? Contact Erin at NPMprograms@si.edu for registration information.

Try www.boscastlesupplies.com to buy a new Harris USA Liberty stamp album - an ideal gift for any boy scout!

Unitrade Canada 2012 Specialized Canadian Stamp Catalogue - Just Released October 2011 - New!

Includes Provinces:

FEATURING THE ESTABLISHED SCOTT NUMBERING SYSTEM
USED THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA


FEATURES INCLUDE:

• Complete Canada and BNA listings
• Current market prices, by grade, in Canadian funds
• Scott Catalogue Numbers
• Complete Booklets
• First Day Covers
• Plate and Inscription Blocks
• Precancelled issues
• Issue dates
• Prisoner of War Free Franks
• Postal Stationery
• Spiral Bound, English-only edition in full colour

 

Buy a copy of the Unitrade Canada 2012 Stamp Catalogue at www.boscastlesupplies.com

Canada Post 2011 Christmas Stamps and Christmas Postal Deadlines Schedule

Is it starting to seem like Christmas is right around the corner? That might be the case, especially with three key holiday symbols popping up in the last 24 hours. 1.) Today was Calgary’s first snowfall. 2.) I saw my first 2011 “holiday section” in a department store last night (although my friends ensure me these sections have been on display for days/weeks.) 3.) Canada Post sent the newsroom an e-mail with its 2011 holiday stamps.

For fans of philately and stamp collecting, here’s a look at two of Canada Post’s 2011 Christmas stamps. The artwork is taken from the beautiful stained-glass windows of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Kingston, Ontario.

And, if you’re looking for an update from Canada Post on its holiday mailing deadlines, check out the following info.

 

From Canada Post:

(Ottawa) – A country as diverse as Canada means that holiday greetings are sent literally around the world, and Canada Post reminds everyone that it is already time to think about planning international holiday mailings. There are several mailing options to ensure delivery in foreign countries in time for the holidays and each product has its specific mailing deadline.

Holiday cards and packages can be sent through Canada Post to anywhere in the world and Canada Post has a service to suit everyone’s needs and budget. Holiday greetings can be sent via Letter-post, Surface Parcel, Air Parcel, Xpresspost™ and Priority™ Worldwide.

The earliest suggested deadline for the most economical parcel service is October 12 for Africa, the Middle East and New Zealand. Parcels for Central and South America, Asia and Australia should be sent by October 18; and October 25 for Carribean and European destinations. Parcels shipped to the US should be sent by December 8. Canada Post does offer priority services for those who cannot meet these early-bird special rates.

Below is a summary of all international mailing dates:

Holiday Cards		Holiday Packages
Mailing to…	I’m ready early	I want the most economical service…	Took me longer than I thought…		I’m at the last minute…
	Letter-post	Surface Parcel	Air Parcel	Xpresspost™	Priority™ Worldwide
Africa	November 22	October 12	November 22	December 1	December 15
Asia	November 29	October 18	November 29	December 6	December 17
Australia	November 29	October 18	—	December 6	December 16
Caribbean	November 29	October 25	November 29	December 6	December 17
Central/South America	November 29	October 18	November 22	December 1	December 17
Europe	November 29	October 25	November 29	December 6	December 17
Middle East	November 29	October 12	November 29	December 6	December 17
New Zealand	November 29	October 12	—	December 6	December 16
USA	December 13	December 8	—	December 16	December 20

Canada Post has a solution for domestic mailers as well, a package sent via Priority™ Next A.M. will be accepted up to December 22. Regular Parcels going across the country need to be in the mail system by December 12. Greeting cards going outside a province should be mailed by December 15; within a province by December 16; and local greetings should be in the mail by December 19.
Even though there is still plenty of time to send holiday greetings and gifts within Canada, last year Canada Post delivered over a million cards and packages during the holiday season. It really is important to mail holiday items in time to avoid disappointment.


Order you stamp supplies early and in time for Christmas delivery from www.boscastlesupplies.com

Source: http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2011/11/04/its-starting-to-feel-like-christmas-seasonal-stamps-arrive/

"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