Serbia - new issue 2016:

23rd International Congress of Byzantine Studies - Belgrade 2016:

What to say, just "wow", and great!

This come to the market well on Aug. 22, 2016, to promote "23rd International Congress of Byzantine Study", which was held in Belgrade, Serbia this (2016) year.

Set of eight stamps, with very affordable face value, and with really great design by two artist (MA Marina Kalezich, MA Nadezhda Skochajich), this made it great!

We have (image on stamps) shown:

Grachanica Monastery, The Sarcophagus of  St. Stephan Dechansky, 

The Initial "V" (from manuscript of Isaak Sirin), Mother of God (from the Annunciation, 

Emperor Urosh and King Vukashin, Kalenich Monastery,

Archibishop Sava, Mother of God of Sokolica.

Why I say "great" for this issue?

Because in very "short" way, it is explained early period of Serbian history, with significance for education of future generation and whole world population, about Serbia and Serbian people.

Clearly, here we don't see any "modern" political intention, and it is "pure" scientific "show" of fact and proof that Serbian people have one history in written document, dated back to 1200+ year!

I'm just happy to see that Serbia and Serbian Post made this issue, because not every country in our small planet, still care about own peoples history. And not many made it by postage stamps as mean to show it! It is forever, it is written and it is effort worth to celebrate!

Glad to see, that responsible people in Serbian Post, also care about relatively low face value of this set, as face value come close to  3.40 US$, which will be affordable by any level collector that collect topical as: Religion, Churches, Archaeology, Manuscripts, Sculpture.... and some more.

How much will dealer ask? I think, that dealer will not go bellow 6.00 to 8.00 US$ per booklet, for near period. Probability that price will go down depend on availability of same issue, but, if Serbian Post decide to supply it in big quantities, that hope for "better" price exist.

 (See this article also on my another blog page: http://serbiastamp.blogspot.com)

Serbia: Classic period

This is one country (Serbia) with very interesting history!

 From great battle on Kosovo territory against Great Turkish Empire, till today's time!

How it affect Philately are very visible on, when someone wish to make complete collection, which can be almost impossible task.

In this small world, I know probably just one or two person that have it completed, and next 15 to 20 who reach one serious level.

We know that Serbia made first postage stamp on 1866 (May), with Coat of Arms design, and following it, come next issue (July) with Prince Mihailo Obrenovic III portrait on stamp.

(1967 issue, folded on middle)

When talking about completing this country in postage stamp collection, we must to understand, that stamps from this period, because time period, printing quality, and history, are mostly impossible to find in perfect, or even "good" condition. Most of material will be without glue, and with heavy hinges on back, if You will find samples without "rust", You can say "Hallelujah"!

There will be, as usually "missing" corner, or folded (as shown on photo), otherwise, if someone will offer You this period material in "perfect" or "very good" condition, be very suspicious, as it can be some kind of fake. There is NO samples of in perfect condition.

(1869 issue, missing "corner")

As You see from this issue from 1869 year (Prince Milan Obrenovic), there is "normal" quality You will (very hard) find on free market.

Another obstacle come with perforation varieties that are registered in Michel catalog, and there is many of it!

(1869 issue, perforation varieties)

So, what is reason that I say "Stamp Must Have"?

With all this quality in question, I still say, You MUST have it if You wish to make one serious collection, that will have market value, and that when "we" pass away, our children/s or grand-children/s will have something about what to talk, something that have VALUE!

I try to search market and collectors who offer this material on web or on direct sales, and result are very "grave"!

See in Michel catalog, and from first line You can read, that mentioned prices are for HINGED, to very hinged quality! Mean, that in good quality, You will pay premium over full catalog value, if You have luck to find it at all!

For items, that have high catalog value, obviously, You will need certificate, as price ranged from few $ to few thousand $ per sample!

That mean, if You go for "hunting" this material, do it just from personal dealer, or take risk (which can cost You lot)!

Good luck and "Mazal Tov" (מזל טוב) to any good purchase!

Yugoslavia - CETINJE issue 1945

...this come on end of WWII (1945), as fresh made Yugoslavia, overprint on Montenegro issue (under Italy occupation), set of 11 values, 

and additional PORTO issue of two values.

As technology at the time was not so advanced (according today's standard), there are some errors in typing, probably in printing plant, there are some missing latter so worker use "similar" letter in composing this overprint.

Here You can see one error on "A" letter (instead, used "D").

Michel catalog value it well, two sets and one value with error, can reach on market more than 700.00 euros, as this issue are very hard to find on market, reason are 7000/10 000 sets printed.

So keep an eye on this issue, and if You can afford, buy it!