Monday, July 14, 2008

Yugoslavia and Trieste Train issue


Michel catalogue Yugoslavia block 4B (valued at 200 euro



and Trieste block 1A (valued at 250 euro):



This is one really "classic" issue from period of Yugoslavia.
Trieste issue are released 21 January 1950, and Yugoslavia are released 15 December 1949 to commemorate 100 year of railway in Yugoslavia.
Like most educated people know, after Second World War, or better say - during - Yugoslavian National Army liberated city of Trieste in Italy, according it, it was declared "Yugoslavian Liberated Territory" and Yugoslavia start to administrate this port city and also issued postage for use. Because strategic position of this port city, it come to "near" direct confrontation between USA and Yugoslavian army (maybe it is reason why USA bombed Yugoslavia in last civil war there?) - and result was in separation of this city in Zone A and Zone B, in any way - Yugoslavia issued stamp, that are very valued by world catalogues. Reason are few, and one of it is small quantity available, from 12 000 (Trieste) to 28 000 (Yugoslavia), but also topic issued (Train, Railway, Air Mail), and if we see, that Trieste was like "independent state" when is question of stamp, it can be easily collected all from this sphere and made one complete collection. When I say easily - I mean because quantity issued - all together for Trieste Zona B (Yugoslavian administration) existed around 145 stamp, it is not much, but main problem to build this collection will be price - yes, it is not cheap.

This one items from Trieste have an catalogue value of 250.00 euro, and on open market, hardly that someone will sell it less than full catalogue value, in the case that it is question of more purchased material in "one" it will have an reduction, but according my own experience, it will go for minimum 180-200.00 euro.

Collectors that want to purchase Yugoslavian issue, are little bit in better position when is talking about market value, it have an 200.00 euro catalogue value, and market will give You, I'm sure, for 120.00 euro in cash - main reason is that quantity are greater than from Trieste issue, and more important thing is that many people are now selling this material in Serbia, where some great collection are recently offered for sale.
In any way - I strongly suggest to any serious collector, to buy this item as soon as come across an offer - because time, and other element are running against any future availability for this item.

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As today (7/IX/2008) I really must to tell about one mail that I received from collector who recently visited this page, and on mail was one link to eBay, with same item offered for sale (Yugoslavia, block, perforated, used). eBay seller offered it, and how far I understand, sold it, for great 15.00 euro!!! I was in shock - start to think about "nonsense" when I told to reader that this kind of material, this item will be hard to find less than 100-180 euro per one! But, after "first sight" - I uploaded picture, and start to play with my PC - zoomed it, and what I discovered? First - one rust traces on top of block, after that come "trimmed" corners - than can be because block was hinged (hard hinges) or stick on page album, and cancel was "not so visible town name and date" (that give one suspicious about cancel alone, because cancel are well centered on block - like need to be when is in question "canceled to order") - and because no possibility to see back side condition of offered block - I simply say "too risky" to buy - but after that, second tought tell me that even if back side of block are with more damage - it is worth to purchase it for 15.00 euro!!!! If nothing else - You will have one sample on collection - yes, it is wasting 15.00 euro if You have one investment in mind - but if You are pure collector who don't care about "best as possible" quality in collection - it is good purchase.
Existed also other option for this item "low" price - that seller think, that this attractive item will reach on public auction much more participant and that price will reach much-much higher, even top - but, we must know market and collectors little bit more than just "place something for sale"! Now, when many of us are back from holiday, back from trip abroad, start school year, seller need to know, that this is not time for 'spending' on philately - many are just "recovering" from spending caused by traveling and other expenses and simply didn't allow other spending.
Any way - I can just say - THANKS to visitor who informed me about one bargain price, if nothing else - I learn!