P. R. of China: 2002 and 2003 year issues

 Have a little time, so I'm going through the stock of materials from P. R. of China!

I see that 2002 and 2003 were quite successful for them, both in terms of the number of issues and the quality of design and printing.

Because Gov't reduced quantity printed of each issue, collectors (Philatelist) and dealers, they were a little worried if it will affect catalog and sales prices, but as I see, all was calm and not too much "jump" in sales prices. 

Comparing it in catalogue (Michel and Stanley Gibbons), I see that prices are adequately placed, not too high and still affordable for this kind of material. I haven't checked, yet, in Scott, but believe it is same as in two mentioned.

So, my personal opinion is, that it is time to fill gaps in album!

Here I put one really attractive issue, which was printed in 2002 year.

SG catalog number: 4675-4683.

Michel catalog number: 3322-3326, 3508-09, 3811-12.

Scott catalog number: 3175-3179, 3336-37, 3547-48.

Full catalog value, for set of 9 values, in mnh condition:

SG catalog = 15.00 BP,

Michel catalog = 16.40 e,

Scott catalog = 9.90 US$.

So, we see that full catalog prices are really affordable for full set of 9 values, if wee talk about Scott catalog, and on European soil it is higher, but still affordable.

I know, a lot of collectors will say that they will not spend 10.00 US$ per set, but (according Scott and Michel, actually we have three sets), we know that on web catalog or eBay, 

You can find this material with reduced prices, just 

problem come when you buy just one set in purchase, where shipping cost will be expensive, so the purchase will be illogical.

From this set of 9, we have this 0.80 RnB value, printed in booklet format of 10 stamps and 2 labels, which SG catalog value at 6.25 BP, Michel catalog have it with 7.00 e and Scott catalog have value of 5.00 US$.

Again, on internet sites, web auction/shops and probably, even in your local 

Philatelic Club, someone will have it for 50-60% of catalog value.

In the end, we can say, this is not material to call "must have", but better say, "clever to have"!

Slovenia - "Idrijan Lace" 1996:

Most of collectors know Slovenia by as new (in)dependent country that separated from Yugoslavia, in 1991.

From beginning, they issued, I can call it, "acceptable" design, but very questionable quantity of postage stamps, which made some "backfire" after AFINSA scandal (scheme). Quantity they print range from one or two million, per set, or 300 000 per single issue, when some topical issue come, it was printed in half million stamps.

For country, that have two million people in population, we understand, that it was clearly, driven by "making profit for any price", and less for market need of Postal System, or people that send mail in "old way".

I was able to have all issues first 10 years, probably little more, so when in 1996 year come issue under name "Idrijan Lace", I was not, well, focused on design, as it was one color design, and in some strange form of printing sheet, that I didn't like.

Over time, it come information that this issue have, some kind of security print, background print in FC, which is visible under UV light, with post horn image and "1996". So, again, I check in catalog/s, see it have no "special" impact on price, and I just close my stock album.

To people that use Michel catalog, they will find it under number (basic set of 12 values) 153-164, and in Scott catalog under number 261-272. Need to mention, that set is issued in six pairs, and catalog value are for set of pairs, where separated stamp will affect market value.

Than, friend of mine, informed me to take care about this back ground overprint, or as they call it, security printing in fluorescent color. Normally, I check the Michel catalog and yeah, it is here!

Three type of it, indeed! Michel made change in listing, to:

153-164 x, 153-164 y I+II and 153-162 y III+IV

First and second option have it stable 6.00 euro per full set in pairs, but this third option made it hard for Philatelist!

Scott catalog have it mentioned in description under listing, where they inform, that "1997" year back print have catalog value of 150.00 US$. 

It is set of just 10 stamps (5 pairs), with "1997" background print, and catalog price are for it great 130.00 euro.

Problem come when You try to purchase it, because it have low quantity made, and not everyone have it in stock, recently, I wanted some samples to buy from Slovenia, but most of dealers there have no one to spare, and that what was available, come to asking price of more than full catalog value.

That was reason, why I put this issue under title "Stamp must Have", where I will suggest to all - check Your album for what You have there!

(Scott catalog number 261-272)

(Michel catalog number 153-162 y III+IV)

(cropped image from Slovenka catalog, 2016 edition)

Czechoslovakia - Poisonous Mushrooms:

 Czechoslovakia - Still popular in Philately:

Recently, obtained issue from this country, under topic of "Poisonous Mushrooms", with really PERFECT design, engraved, with quality of print, that is today available just in few countries worldwide!

Probably, one previous issue from 1958 year is better made, this one is not behind it and well "fit" in every specialized collection.

Here it is:

Year of issue 1989, in Michel catalog number have it under number 3017-3021, with affordable 4.00 euro catalog value.

Scott catalog list it under number 2758-2762, with catalog value per full set of 3.15 US$.

Stampworld catalog, which I admire as most "neutral" for market prices, have this set listed under number 3014-3018 with 3.51 US$ per set, in mnh quality.

If we want to see, what is real price on market, we can check it on eBay, where You will discover one really low price for set, which is around 2.00 US$ per one, but You will need to pay for postage, and probably PayPal fees, so price will be exactly as Stampworld say.

Now, if You want to see this issue in full beauty, You will need it is sheets of 10 stamps, which Scott catalog mention and value at 40.00 US$, Michel catalog is little bit more in price for same sheet of 10, it have 50.00 euro per set of 5. Next one option is listed in Michel catalog, but not mentioned in Scott, and it is that two values from set, are issued in sheet of 4, where Michel catalog for this two values (50 h and 3 K) have catalog value of 200.00 euro.

Expensive, but worth to have in this sheet option, especially, that on market, this sheets are no frequently available, and when it is available, it don't go down with price!

Enjoy!