P. R. China - again surprise!

You know, they start to surprise me every year! Before it was with "Musicians" issue, and today with this issue from 2011 year.



It is talking for issue numbered (by China Post) 2011-23, with name "Lord Guan". One s/s and one set of 2 value, in total face value of 8.40 yuan. Issued on Sept 12, 2011, this great s/s fascinated me well! This time not by graver work, but by design and quality of print, which is so detailed that You can see every segment of this "Lord Guan" face and cloth. Color composition, size of s/s all are well managed and well combined. 

I go around some web shop, and see that set and s/s can reach around 20.00 $ for mint. If You take additional few $ for PayPal fee and postage, be well prepared to pay near 30.00 US$ per one set, which is probably high for new China stamp. But, I can say - that it is worth it.

And just come to my hands new edition (#17) of Stanley Gibbons catalog, where this m/s are "torn" down with prices, as low as 3.75 BP per one in mint condition. Again searching internet, I see that it go down to 6.00 $, and again to 5.00 $ and now stand around 3.00 $ per one m/s. Reason for "sliding" in price, can be in quantity printed? Probably, but I still think, that even if You purchased it for 20.00 $ - You made it good deal.

P. R. China - Scientist, 1955 yr.

Scott numbered it 245-248a, China catalog C33M Scientist of Ancient China, issued Aug.25, 1955.

Not that it is made with great perfection, but for 1955 year, ethnology level, printing machines, color quality etc, this issue can be named like best -of-the-best!

Simple design give even more beauty to this m/s, and portrait are fine balanced.

here come persons on stamp:

Tsu Chungchin (429-500), mathematics

Chang Heng (78-139), astronomy,

Chang Siu (683-727), astronomy,

Li Shin-chen (1518-1593), physic & pharmacology.

All four stamp are face valued of 8f, at this time standard rate for all China stamp, and with this magic number "8" that characterized China effort in all field of life, from planning economy to the simple day-life.

One color, gravure, paper choice - give just "taste" in Philately, and in wish to include it in every serious collection. Catalog value as in Scott or in China catalog from 1998 and 2006 year, give nice value of 90-100 US$ per set, in mint condition - but if we go to explore little auction houses and eBay, we will discover very fine rise in prices. I see that on market, prices ranged around 300+ US$ per set of four m/s and set in mint condition - this is very nice investment opportunity, even today when we have "great recession"!

Overall feeling for this country philatelic material are and this period - simple, buy it at first glance! mint, used, CTO - don't think twice - even if market will go down, and prices will drop (that I can not see in near future), material will be more and more rare! Too many are going back to mainland, too many collectors in China want this period, material back to collection and offer are near minimum, that what I see on market are very-very high prices!

Right from SG #17 edition catalog, I see that it have 27.00 BP per set and 225.00 BP per four sheets, on China web - it have very great shortage in stock, and single that was available in 2007 year was sold same moment when offered, at the time it was sold for 16.00 $ per set and 144.00 $ per m/s.

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.