Stamp Fair: Israel - Jerusalem 2018:

It (Fair) is happening right now, May 2018, and I can not say, that it is very important for valuable collection, but as all around globe, in all Exhibition that come under "World Class", organizers made some "special" issues, with different perforation, overprints, special printing.

Israel Fair is not different, so here come one really nice issue, under name:

"The Menorah - from the Temple to the symbol of the State of Israel"

On this scan (picture), is not so visible, but effect of quality and design is just fascinating!

Dimension are very balanced, so it "struck Your eye" directly, something that will give very big impression on memory and feeling!

It is very balanced color composition, (more visible on regular, perforated mini sheet), than elements on picture are just GREAT for "Archeology" topical collectors, than also topical as "Coat of Arms" for sure, but also as just "Menorah" topical.

This issue, come in special folder, mean "Special", because inside, You will find three mini sheets with certificate for originality and numbering of 1 to 1999.

I really don't know why 1999 (2000 less one), exactly, but, probably one sample go to very important people, or archive, really don't know.

If You will obtain one of this folder, so keep in mind, that  mini sheet printed in gold, will have (down right corner), numerals (as shown one), 625/1999, and mini sheet without perforation will have imprinted number 0625, so, this two mini sheet, inside folder, must match each other, as to be sure, that no manipulation was involved.

Yes, there in folder MUST be also "Certificate of Authenticity", signed by Elhanan Shapira, Director of Israel Philatelic Service.

Why I think, that this NEW ISSUE, must be in every serious collection?

Just simple fact, that it is PERFECT design of!

Something that will "struck" Your "taste" of collecting, and because it is REAL gem, which will be just valued over time, no matter how future time will be economically.

At the moment, and as it is printed just in 1999 quantity, Special Folder is price tagged on sale, for 350.00 Israel Shekel, translate it as 100.00 US$ in cash. 

My prediction, that in very near future, same folder will be offered for 200.00 or even as high as 300.00 US$, than over time, price will stabilized around 150.00 to 200.00 US$ per sample in best quality. But, with time, let's say in next 20-30 year forward, this items will reach price tag of 450.00 to 500.00 US$ for sure!

Let's live and see - Amen!

Israel 2015 New ATM:

No, don't to worry, I didn't put it under "Stamp Must Have" because it is new ATM!

To explain, I will go back little bit more than half year, when suddenly, ATM machine that was in CPO in my city, start to made one nice "rarities", "errors" as this one with double face value:

I was happy, as not everyone, or all collectors around have this chance to be at the "right place, at the right moment", so, I come again after week, and machine was covered with sheet cover over it: OUT OF ORDER!

So, I call one person responsible for ATM machines in Israel Post Company, even that I didn't have any hope for some precise explanation or answers, any way, I call this person, and one really nice voice told me that within six months, new machine will be there, with new design, as also new printing process (they call it Termo Transfer process)! 

Skeptical as I'm, I just waited to see what will be.

So, in middle of May, I call again, because in CPO "old" machine was still there, and this voice again assured me that on 1st of June, 2015, new machine will be there working!

Fine, I come to the CPO not on 1st of month, but 4th, as to give little bit "space" for possible delay.

And, Hallelujah!

Machine was there, brand new! And it work!

You must understand that for "Middle East" mentality, something happen "at the time as stated", and is working, it is very nearly as miracle!

New machine, under number #300, with option for 6 fares, as shown on picture:

the option #7 is for printing in one step, all set of six values!

So, I continue, making some sets, and "normally", something will be wrong, it was, that even as stated, that exist option to pay by credit card, it is not possible, what make me angry, was, that in the end of ordering material, machine will tell You that no payment possible, for this order, by credit card! So, cash is just one option, which I made, and pay.

So, here it is set of six value:

I can not resist to comment about design, as it have one really amateur way of expression, "copy" paste from main web page of Israel Post Company, but what I see from design is, that no mail are carried by train?

Next come, this truck, which is positioned across road, and no one can move forward or go from opposite way - something that will tell me, actual situation in Post of Israel!

So, as is, I was really happy, that ATM machine finally come, at the time, and work properly - so, because it is new design, new machine, new printing process, I think, that this set, will fit well to this range as "Stamp Must Have"!

Israel "First Coins" issue:

Even that I deal with stamp for more than 25 years around, rarely that I come across items like this issue, which recently, I sold to  my client that I will be free to say, is collector "Who Know What Philately Is"!

No more, and no less!

About what is talking?! For sure, about stamp, that MUST be included in any serious collection, if - IF - we (collectors) want to leave collection worth, to our future generation!

Here it is one short description: 

"First Coin" issue #1-9 (in all categories), that is issued by Israel on 1948 yr. Some stamp from this set come to my hand also before, but never in this perfect condition, even that 1-6 is really great condition, I didn't manage to find last three value in mint condition, but was happy to have 7-9 in perfectly used condition, that will fit well in my client hands! If it is worth this investment? I think - yes! Why? See, Scott for 2006 valued it at: 1-6 mint + tab = 210.00 $, and 7-9 mint + tab = 4750.00 $.

Searching around most know auction and dealers, I didn't manage to find prices in this range and 1-6 is worth around 550.00 $, 7-9 used only I managed to find, and this go for 1900.00 $. 

What is more important, is that for this kind of investment, preferable is to have it examined and certified - because this money is worth it! Here in picture, You have it shown - and I think it is great! Yes, certification will cost You additional expenses, that can reach, for this set - more or less between 250-300.00 $.

Worth this money? 2006 year 210.00 $ - 2012 year it is 550.00 $ - just don't say to me that it is "worth how much collector is willing to pay", because You and I know that it is worth it, even that not every collector is willing to pay it!