Czechoslovakia 1919

Here we come to one "Diamond" in every collection.

Nice or not nice, it is one classic issue from 1919 year, overprint on Austro-Hungarian stamp (Michel number 205 II), catalog Michel have it by number 56 IIb, 3 Kr lilarot (lilac red), 

overprint "Posta Ceskoslovenska 1919" in black color, and Scott have it under number B19a.

Examining Scott and Michel catalog, also Specialized Czechoslovakia catalog, I see that this issue is not summarized in "set" like we know to name some issue of x, y stamp in issue - that mean, this overprinted stamp come to the use "as situation required" but here we have too much to study, which is not my intention at present - I'm not so big specialist in this field.

Now, why I think that it is worth to have?

First, it is early period of country, after that one more reason is overprint alone, next come that this specific stamp is not in "basic" set - mean, that "basic set" value of 3 Kr come in brown-carmine color, and here shown come in claret. Scott mention this "variety" (number B19a), which is actually not variety, but regular color of original Austro-Hungarian set. 

I just purchased this one lot of 4 stamp, where between four, one is exactly mentioned number, in VF, LH condition, og.

What decided that I go after it was, rarity of this issue, and because it (specific stamp) is signed on back, which actually is some kind of certificate about same. I don't have wish to track and buy one sample with certificate, also because it will be so costly and also because not many of this stamp are know. Signature on back actually give me some kind of secure sleep, when is talking about forgery - but, without certificate it still have one level of chance that it can be "bad".

I also read little about this stamp in "Specialized Guide for Czechoslovakian Stamp" which say that color is correct and also dimension is correct, actually existed "small" (25x30 mm) and "big" (25.7x29 mm) dimension, which just confirmed that I have right stamp.

What say catalog value?

Michel 2000.00 euro, Scott 2750.00 $ and "Guide" (don't have prices - but "points") marked it 2R (mean: 201 to 400 know discovered). If I know that my sample is in VF, LH condition, that will reduce level to one fair market price of around 60-70% of Michel catalog.

Want it, have it? Keep for it, and if it is in Your collection - put it on the bottom of box, as dark side as can be - it is really one valued stamp!

Slovakia - Korea Joint Issue 2013

Here we come with one fresh new issue, that come in this (2013) year. Even that I don't like to favorize something new, that I prefer to "wait-and-see" period, to made it sure that item/s have reason to be included in "must have" status, this issue "blink" in my brain!

And it is not first time in last few years, it happen also with P.R. of China "Musician" (Beethoven) issue, and now with joint issue with Slovakia and Korea.

Let's start about technical details:

Date of issue May 31, 2013. Two stamps in set, face value of set is 2.00 euro. In Korea set, face value is 540.00 won (0.37 euro). Difference in face value between two countries are great, from 2.00 euro to 0.37 euro, that will not reflect real value or standard, it is question of standard inside each country and not topic of this post. What I wish to say, is that this issue have one really great intention, to show us this beautiful native tradition in dancing, music, colors, ornament of native costume, and diplomatic relationship and connection between two countries.

I must say, that this issue made it all of this task well done!

Here we have shown this two stamp, one that show us "Pansori" genres of music (drummer and singer), on Korean tradition, and "Lucnica" Slovakia dancing troupe (ensemble).

Stamp design of native costume, native dancing, and colors that "blind Your heart". Designer made it really with whole heart and mind! 

Even printing process (recess printing from flat plates combined with offset) are much better than for "ordinary" stamp issue (where is mostly used offset process), which give us more "precise" detail and view of fine line of each color.

What will be next reason to have it in collection? To mention just 150 000 sets printed in sheet of three sets, which will give us 25 000 this sheets out on market - when we know that this issue can be included in few topical collections like: flag on stamp, costume, joint issue, dancing and in the end also art, You really believe that it will be (quantity) really available for everyone who will wish it in personal collection?

As today, almost 5 months after date of issue in Slovakia, I don't see even one sheet of 6 sets on sale by eBay, and on Delcampe! 

This fact give You good reason to find it around, it is probably still available on Slovak Post direct purchase, but if You don't have "nerve" for official way, You can find it (probability are low) from some dealers, but be prepared to pay more than 20.00 US$ for Slovakian sheet of three sets, yes - plus postage, shipping and handling, payment fee... mean, starting market value for this new issue will go over 30.00 US$. Let's see if future will verify this!

Montenegro, 2005 issue

Here come one issue, that I discovered almost by accident, and make me angry at first, but after minute of thinking, I say even better - I'm happy!

In one discussion on FaceBook Page, about "Regional Philately" (Yugoslavia and former Republic of Yugoslavia), members discussed about Montenegro issue from 2005 year, "Flag and Coat of Arms".

As we know there is three type of this set, difference are on face value and date of printing/issued, which first set/printing of 4 values come to the market on Dec. 15, 2005, value on stamp go from 0.25 e, 0.40, 0.50 and 0.60 euros, up side logo of Montenegrin Post and text "Crna Gora - Montenegro". 

Second printing/type come out on unknow day of June, 2006, even that on the same stamp is imprinted "2005" instead of 2006, two stamp/values in set, 0.25 and 0.40 euros face value. 

Difference from "first printing" are in, under logo of Post of Montenegro is also text "Posta Crne Gore", that didn't appear in first printing, and also second small difference come on bottom of stamp, where is name of printer "Axis Studio" 2 mm to the right of left/down corner line.

Third printing  come to the market on unknow day of Sept. 2006, with set of three value, 0.25, 0.40 and 0.60 euros. Difference are, in 2006 year (down on the middle of stamp), and name of printer (down left side) "Axis Studio" are positioned exactly on the "corner" line/frame of stamp. Next "small" difference is also on "Eagle" are little smaller than in first and second printing.

Now, if it is just because of this differences, I will never put this issue to the range of "Stamp Must Have", or because few different option of printing sheet, where we have sheet of 8 + 2 labels and also sheet of 20 no labels and next option with sheet of 10 and no tabs, but because strange happening that follows this issue!

First, how it is possible that even own Post of Montenegro don't have official date of release for each issue/printing? (because they printed at the same time all three issue, or just first and second printing)!

Second, how it is possible that NO evidence about quantity of FDC issued? (because FDC are produced just "on request" base with no any time limit involved)!

How can I be so sure about my claim?

As I mentioned from beginning of this article, I just checked my stock with FDC from Montenegro, I see that most of quantity that was available for sale are gone (not big quantity, around 10 sets), and one that is left is with first and second printing!!!!

YES - first two stamp from first printing, second two stamp with second printing, on the official cover of Post of Montenegro, with official cancel dated Dec. 15, 2005!!!!!!

What else come to the side of my claim?

Because I purchased this stamp directly from Montenegro Post, and at the time, they delivered material in 3 months period of date of issue, I still keep original Invoice of it. That mean, Post of Montenegro, have ready two printing of set, or in different printing plant, or with different face values, but ready for "future release".

This fact, give me decision that this issue need to be included in "Stamp Must Have" collection!

New Zealand, 1994 year:

Here, is one issue, that I will give little information, and probably some specialist will correct me some way, but my intention is not to give detailed description about this stamp.

I just examined my album, and saw that this stamp have some kind of "beauty", even that on "first sight" it is not so attractive!

Like we know, it is 1994 year, 18 Feb. issue of "Mount Cook" definitive. 

Many of us will say, that it is no need to print 20$ face value stamp, except if Post made it intentionally ta "grab" some cash from collectors around.

Why I think, that it is worth to be included in every collection?

First, it is high value, that not every person will have budget to spend on, that mean, who have it - have some kind of "advance" over other, in collection value. Second, in used condition it will be more difficult to have it in collection, because not so many samples are actually used on any documents or parcels. And in mint condition, my professional opinion is, that because of printing, paper, glue - will be even more hard to keep it inside album.

I see, after 10 year in my album, that my two samples start to be some way "old", if it is chemical process of glue and color I don't know, maybe gold foil/color applied up/down also made some "feeling" of "old" stamp.

And if You will have in Your collection also one mint, that have some "error" (left stamp), don't "jump" of luck! Examine this left stamp, more closely, and You will see that it actually have this color variety of "damaged zero" because of printing process and not of "error".

This issue is printed in recess printing technique , where printed field You can feel under Your fingers (like on US$ bill), but it give very big "hard life" for printing operator, because of dry-time for color, if it is not dry enough, it will stick together (very softly) stamp - and when you separate it, You will even not notice that two stamp was stickied together, but color part will flee with other stamp, and You will think, that error in printing is discovered!

As is is - I think, that it is worth to keep it in collection, and used on document, will be worth premium.

From world catalog, I see that it is valued around 25.00 US$, and used sample have better value of mint. On New Zealand soil, it will be valued around 30.00 - 35.00 NZ$ (I think).