Serbia and Australia: new issues - worth to watch:

I never thought about new issues and IF it is worth to have keep in collection as "Stamp Must Have" class, simply, I don't pay attention about.

Recently, one issue from Australia and one from Serbia, made me "click", and think, that it will be worth to have it, as "in any case" situation, and time will tell us if I was correct!

Serbia: "Patriarch Pavle"

This issue, that come on market Sept. 11, 2014, made one fascinating premiere in collectors community. First because person alone, who was very popular in Serbia and in Serbian Orthodox Church. It is anniversary of 100 years of birth, and as this person was very respected, popular, authoritative in Serbian community and worldwide, this postage stamp almost disappear from market in 24 hours! Now, someone speculate, that it is all done by one or two stamp dealer/s just to manipulate market (what is not strange in Serbian collectors community), but I personally believe that it is simple matter of respect, popularity and interest in Serbia for this person (I also admire him, not because religion, but because his speeches and thinking)!

Now, face value of this issue, as one stamp issued, are really low, 23.00 Serbian dinar, as is worth today 0.24 US$, searching on web auctions, You will see that starting bid is placed on four time face value, and selling well by this 1.00 $ price tag per stamp. Probably from Your personal dealer, You can have it by half prices of this one $, but You will need to calculate also postage fee to have it on Your table. searching on groups around web, I come to information, that in Belgrade (Serbia), there is no available this issue! Why? Good question! As I know, Serbia have an very low quantity printing of any stamp issue, between 30 000 and 50 000 total per issue, and if we divide it to 9 stamp in printing sheet (shown) it will come to 3750 sheetlets of 8 stamp and gutter on middle! This sheetlet is very popular for collectors, as format, same as catalog listing that in world popular catalogs have very good prices.

Now if we will take minimum printed quantity of 30 000, with face value of 0.24 US$ per one, we will see that TOTAL value of all printed are 7200.00 US$! Too much for? I don't think! Even medium size stamp dealer can purchase all quantity, and manipulate market as wish!

Keep an eye on it!

Australia: "Concession Stamp"

This sef-adhesive stamp come on my table recently, and as all self-adhesive, I don't respect it well! Just examined it in one view, and thought to put it in stock page, but....

"Concession stamps for use only on letters within Australia", plus that my friend who supply it told me that this stamps are issued for pensioners/seniors, who need to produce card as verify status, and after that will have right to purchase limited quantity of same stamp! 

Now think alone: how many person will go, and produce this senior/pensioners card? How many persons actually use snail-mail today? How many pensioners/senior exist in Australia? How many same people are aware of existence of this stamp/services?

I think that rarely someone will use it on envelope, and too little people are aware of existence of this stamp! It is time consumpting to go to the gov't offices, made this card, or if You almost have this card, to go in Post Office, wait in line to purchase this stamp, and in the end, write mail and deliver it in post! 

This facts are main reason, that I think, will have impact of catalog/market value for this issue!

And in really postally used condition, on envelope, will be really hard to find! Probably dealers will have it in stock, in mint condition, but in really on cover used condition? 

Who know? In the end, time will tell!

Face value are just 3.00 AU$, as I see on web auctions, starting prices range from 5.00 AU$ to 16.00 US$ for mint booklet pane, to 7.50 AU$ per 100 gr used on paper. See also few offering for pair of mint for 7.50 AU$! Now, are that good investment?

Again - time will tell!

Yugoslavia 1953 year, 3th issue of "Industry":

Here is another issue of "Industry" (3th in row), with really nice design and one good catalog value.

We are talking of issue from Feb. 10, 1953 year, and wish to show You one "wide" set, that include also stamp from  Feb. 28, 1954. Michel catalog have it under number 717-723 and 760. 

What is specific in this set? 

Let's say, that it is nothing specific, but if You collect "Industry" or if You have this set in 1st or 2nd issue, it will be good to have also this 3th issue of same design, and if You will have it, have it in "wide" option where You have also 10 DIN in yellow green option, 5 DIN with "broken A", 8 DIN in black color and 15 DIN with vertical line under left hands of woman.

That will be "wide" set, which will have really nice impact of Your collection value.

What is catalog value? I will not polemic now of this question, but IF catalog value in Michel have it for basic set of 7 stamp, mint, nh condition for 90.00 euro, additional "option" for stamp 5 DIN will give plus 65.00 euro, 8 DIN next 8.00 euro, 10 DIN in yellow green color next 15.00 euro, 15 DIN with vertical line next 60.00 euro, and in the end 17 DIN from 1955 year will put next 4.00 euro to value. All together, from basic 90.00 euro will go up to 242.00 euro catalog value!

Someone will say, it is just catalog value and NOT market value, and I will agree! Will suggest to visit on-line store, auction houses, dealers and try to find even one offering to sell in this "wide" option!

No one to find! 99% of collectors will say, so - we will not have it - not big deal! It is just hobby in the end! Agree in principle, but what will Your future children's or grandchildren have in as to remember You, is great stamp issue, great complete and wide set, and in the end, great "card" in hands if they decide to sell Your collection!

Serbia, 1928 year, overprint King Aleksander

Here I see next one issue that is really-really worth to have!

It is talking about King Aleksander Karadjordjevic (1888-1934), named as Aleksander the Unifier, or Aleksander I of Yugoslavia.

It is basic set, issued on 1926 year, with 12 value in set, than, after two year in use, come need to overprint it, and on 7 Dec. 1928, come to the public, set of 10 stamp, overprinted with XXXX , intention is to cancel additional value on the basic set. 

Someone will ask me, why exactly this set to have in collection, as we have basic set from 1926 year and it is same catalog value? For simple reason, that this "basic" set have all three combination on it! Basic set, and second one that come in same 1926 year (additional value on basic value), and in the end this one, where overprint are on the additional value overprint, actually canceling this addition value!

As I see in Michel catalog, it is very highly valued for mint, nh condition (900.00 euro), but with lh condition, catalog value go down to 350.00 euro, what I see on internet auction/s around, starting prices for mint, nh go from 200.00 $ to 600.00 $, depending who and from where it is offered, but, I made some "zoom" on same offering and see that both samples are too even more that too fine condition, that give me very high impression that set is or re-gummed, or washed, or some other "manipulation" made on. As same Michel catalog suggest, there is many fake overprints on market available, and everyone who decide to invest in this set, need to made very good examination, or better, to ask for certificate (which will again, rise price for next 100.00 euro per exam).

What I decided when showing this one sample? First, to minimize possibility of fake, I keep one set with examiner mark on back of stamp, there is good reason that who stamped it, know well that it is original, and second, I prefer one set with this "old" glue on it, as it is original gum, used at the time.

Next reason? Simple, it can just go up with price, because no one will sell it in near future!

P. R. of China - 2013 year

What to take for explanation, why I think, that this particular set of two stamp, need to be included in "Stamp Must Have" album?

It is new issue, 2013 year, still freely available on exchange base, on eBay or other "contact", that no need to "rush" and obtain it!

Yes, this is all correct! But I still think, that this must be in come more "serious" collection!

Why?

See, first that is one great artist work on left stamp, showing us rice "flower" opened with one fine tuned combination of color! Really botanical artist work, that made all perfect! Detail, color, dimension - all is in perfect combination for one human eye. You simply have feeling to have this! 

Second stamp give us "road" from field to table - one bowl of rice over that branch of rice. Again, perfect combination to think!

This set can be included in some topical like  "Flora", "Ceramics", "Food", "Agriculture", probably also like "Science" because there is talking about "Hybrid Rice" that China Scientist make in in one hard work that take more than few years of.

Face value are really affordable, for this set of two, 2.40 RMB (0.40 US$), nothing hard that You can not afford. There is also one sheetlets of 8 set (2 sheetlets in set), that is probably more beautiful than set alone, but, in the end, it depend of Your taste.

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!