Slovakia 2010

Even that it is new issue, I must say clearly, include it in Your collection! It is worth, it is great, it is best issue in all history of Slovakian Post - and it will have nice value!

About what is talking? This is one issue named for "400 yr of Zilina Synod" - in description for this issue on Slovakia Post web site, between all, it say: "...the Zilina Synod meant constitution and creation church organization of Evangelical Church...".

Issued on March 30, 2010, one s/s, with single value stamp on, face value are 1.10 euro, (by way, Slovakia installed euro like Slovakian currency, which are, by my opinion, very great dumb move), quantity printed are just 60 000 - too low for all collectors, hardly that You will find it postally used on envelope - and also because many topic collectors will need it in personal collection. You can include it to art, religion, churches, history, birds, Bible and one more intriqued - to JUDAICA topic!

Why Judaica when it is Evangelical Church? See on top/middle of stamp! There is name "God" in Hebrew inscription (even that it is against Jewish tradition to "..use God name in no reason occasion..."). and also one "Magen david star".

But what to say about overall impression for this sheet? I think it is masterpiece! Gravure, color, detail, composition - in one - perfect work!!!!

And black print? Even more than original in beauty! For black print, I don't have information about quantity printed, it is not available on web site, but every one sheet in black color have numeration imprinted - samples that I have are numbered 001509 and 001510 - probably, no more than few thousand, but I can not say for sure. sales prices for black print directly from Slovak Post are 2.50 euro, if You will add next expense for postage delivery, payment delivery, and delivery to Your client - that will rise prices to almost 12-15.00 euro in sales prices to final collectors - and after few year - no one will sell it in less than 50.00 euro per one - if You will be lucky to find seller.

I have just few left in my stock - and probably it will be offered just on "first come - first serve" basis.

Jordan 2009 issue "Breast Cancer"

Even that I don't have lot information about this issue, I must to include it in collection, this is joint issue with USA and many other countries.

Same design like in every other country that issued it, between all I remember also Macedonia, Kosovo, other countries list You can obtain from Gerald Shean, who made one great collection of it.

Short info is here:

I have a small paper from Jordan Post that says the designer was Creative Marketing Solutions; the printer was Oriental Press, in Bahrain; and that the quantity was 5,000 stamps for each value. (I think there is only one value -- 30 Piaster).

From sheetlet, I can see that stamp are originally printed in one face value, but additional value of 30 piaster are imprinted - probably that will go to charity.

For me, design are really great! Body and "pain" color are well represented - and design alone are well done job.

Czech Republic, 2009, Praga Gallery

And again, Czech republic made us happy - I will shout again - HAPPY - and thanks to Czech Post! 

This is one really great work, great choice for ART stamp, to give one presentation of work from Frantisek Zenisek (1849-1916), with his work "Oldrich and Bozena" from 1884 yr. I really ask - why, but why other countries didn't made same design, same tehnique to made stamp? Just Czech Post have money for it? Other countries, with bigger industry and population didn't do it! Why? Just because stamp are less valued from other things? If I don't make mistake, stamp are legal tender, to pay some service - isn't? Same like money! This sheet/block are really one art work! Face value are 1.90 US$ at present, but hurry to obtain it from Post in Czech, because in next few month Michel catalogue will valued it much-much more! If You will choice/prefer dealer to supply You with it - prepare to pay twice face value - and in the near future it will go for three time more. I don't know what other collector think about, probably someone will prefer modern art, but I'm sure - everyone will like this one. Suggest to all, include it in Your collection!

Czechoslovakia Michel Block 38 - Tiziano

For long period I didn't have time to "search" my stock with material that are available for sale, and today, simply, working around stamp, I "catch" this item at first sight! I don't know why, but it come like "star" - gravure, color, and composition of author, this beautiful block can tell us lot!

Michel block 38, Scott 2197, 

issued on 1978, Sept.12, originally, it is block 37, but additional imprit is made on the side of sheet for entrance ticket PRAGA Philatelic Exhibition - this inscription is main difference between two block, and yes - difference in prices also!

What "catch" my eye is main picture of Tiziano, and choice of author, to made two stamp out from this picture, where we have violinist (Apolon escorter), and King Midas. Music and death, King and escorter to death, King's thinking about punishment, beautiful lady taking skin of Apolon, with another devil bringing water to the scene - You can actually, sit against this issue (better against original picture, but...) and practicing Your feeling in art! Color in use, this finest expression of artist, it must be fascinating in original! I think, that this issue MUST be in every serious collection.

Prices have it different from Scott and Michel - they usually have it because market covering each territory of catalogue. Michel in Europe have an value of 40.00 euro for this block, that are much more higher that first block 37 (have it at 15.00 euro), and Scott in USA valued it at

just 25.00 $ - difference are great, but when I checked my evidence how much was sold from initial stock of 50 pcs before one year - I see that is left just 11 pcs - main market in Europe valued it well - in USA I sold just two copy - not enought for serious market - probably most collector need just basic issue and not this one imprinted.

I lok at quantity printed, and Michel tell us that it is 233700 copy imprinted, 371100 without inscription - not big quantity today, but probably, when it was Czechoslovakia it was enought for collectors around globe.

I wish to everyone serious collectors think about this issue - it is fascinating!

Czech republic - Nature Protection:

And here we come again! 

Really nice surprise for Jewish New Year (5770) - no, it don't have any connection, it simply, fell near this Jewish holiday - it is better say - like usually - continuing with nice topic of Protected Nature Reserve, which have an UNESCO recognition - because of beauty, because quantity printed, and because country origin - I think that it must be in every collection.

Issued on September 2, 2009 - face value of 53.00 KC (around 3.00 US$ per sheet), have an set of 4 value and 4 coupon. Printed in gravure and offsett color tehnique. Quantity is relatively low, 80 000 printed, that reflect probably collectors subscription and some quantity to be delivered to post offices - but hardly that You will find "many" on postally used cover around. I personally ordered one CTO just to have one in collection, and if we will count quantity that are used on FDC's - chance that You will find it on postally used cover are slim.

On stamps are shown: Eudia Pavonia, Aglia Tau, Cervus Elaphus, Bubo Bubo, Ciconia Nigra, Lunaria rediviva, Tyto Alba and on coupon is shown Caprimulgus Europeaus, Myotis Myotis, Smerinthus Ocellatus, Muscardinus Avellanarius and Rana dalmatina.

I will warmly recommended it to everyone!

Czech republic: Asian Art - 2009 year

I must say - better, SHOUT!!! Great-great-great!!!! Thanks to Czech Postal Authority to give us (collectors) this quality, this "clever" and human product, that fill collection perfectly with ART!!!!

I have this issue in my hand, recently receive it directly from Post of Czech, You can feel this gravure by Your finger, Your eye have an easy surf on every part of stamp, colors, design and dimension - all fit perfectly! I can just pray, that this country continue with it.

Here we have 2 stamp in set, one is 18 CKr face value (less than 1.00$US face), with Chinese culture drawing. Pictured is Lu Tung Pin, one from Eight Immortals. and second is 24 CKr face value (little over 1.10 US$), with Indonesia (Bali) culture. On this second value, we have pictured scene from Hindu epic Ramayana, king Rama and his wife Sita. Again one complex and hard to produce drawing - but result are LUXURY!

On the left side of FDC we have also gravure of Horse (China) and Sita (Indonesia/India), cover alone (FDC) are from high quality paper. This item will have value in the future, and it is continuing from previous ART issue, that come each year - hope it will continue.

For market prices, at present You can easy to obtain it from Post of Czech, but take in account, that You will need to send payment in advance, plus shipping and handling cost, that will rise face value nearly double-tripple if You will order just set - because that, I think that on free market You will need to prepare little bit more that face value, but over year or two, You will have nice item in collection, that are worth minimum 60% catalog value which will be actually 20-30% of that You invested.

Slovakia - Michel #155 Kleinbogen "For Childrens"

Again one nice discovery in my stock - it come from Slovakia (before part of Czechoslovakia), issued December 18, 1944 - near end of WWII, country ruined, people displaced, no food and many children without parent left! One effort, by Post Authority to rise little money and issued this simple, but very eyecatching stamp. Two color print, and lot of visual talk/message - see just artistic work, two children, male and female in young age, relaxing view - every one who will put this picture in fron of eye will think and wish just peace.

What catalogue say? Michel have it correctly valued, single stamp have an 4.50 e value, that reflect correct value, but I will be very surprised if someone will find it in nh condition, mint, nh will have an premium for sure.

Follow: one small sheet of 8 stamp with vignete on middle that have catalogue value of 60.00 euro - this will be acceptable for mint, hinged, without original glue - but in mint, nh, og - You will need to pay much more - I'm affraid near 100-120 euro in best case.

Third option: in Michel catalogue are single stamp no perforated have an great value of 400.00 euro, possible too much for one stamp but it is rare and hardly available - I personally didn't come accross any in my carrieer.

Last option: are same sheet of 8 in imperforated condition - great 10 000.00 euro - possible too much for collectors, but it can be valued this high, because give me name of person who have it!!!!

Quantities are too small for this nice isue - 424 000 pcs issued, that will say - 50 000 sheet of 8 stamp possible on market, less situation in WWII, after that come period when people didn't have so good storage book, and period till today - all at all - little quantities on market. I think that premium prices can be well acceptable if You will find it on market.