Yugoslavia and Trieste Train issue

Michel catalogue Yugoslavia block 4B (valued at 200 euro) 

and Trieste block 1A (valued at 250 euro):

This is one really "classic" issue from period of Yugoslavia.

Trieste issue are released 21 January 1950, and Yugoslavia are released 15 December 1949 to commemorate 100 year of railway in Yugoslavia.

Like most educated people know, after Second World War, or better say - during - Yugoslavian National Army liberated city of Trieste in Italy, according it, it was declared "Yugoslavian Liberated Territory" and Yugoslavia start to administrate this port city and also issued postage for use. Because strategic position of this port city, it come to "near" direct confrontation between USA and Yugoslavian army (maybe it is reason why USA bombed Yugoslavia in last civil war there?) - and result was in separation of this city in Zone A and Zone B, in any way - Yugoslavia issued stamp, that are very valued by world catalogues. Reason are few, and one of it is small quantity available, from 12 000 (Trieste) to 28 000 (Yugoslavia), but also topic issued (Train, Railway, Air Mail), and if we see, that Trieste was like "independent state" when is question of stamp, it can be easily collected all from this sphere and made one complete collection. When I say easily - I mean because quantity issued - all together for Trieste Zona B (Yugoslavian administration) existed around 145 stamp, it is not much, but main problem to build this collection will be price - yes, it is not cheap.

This one items from Trieste have an catalogue value of 250.00 euro, and on open market, hardly that someone will sell it less than full catalogue value, in the case that it is question of more purchased material in "one" it will have an reduction, but according my own experience, it will go for minimum 180-200.00 euro.

Collectors that want to purchase Yugoslavian issue, are little bit in better position when is talking about market value, it have an 200.00 euro catalogue value, and market will give You, I'm sure, for 120.00 euro in cash - main reason is that quantity are greater than from Trieste issue, and more important thing is that many people are now selling this material in Serbia, where some great collection are recently offered for sale.

In any way - I strongly suggest to any serious collector, to buy this item as soon as come across an offer - because time, and other element are running against any future availability for this item.

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As today (7/IX/2008) I really must to tell about one mail that I received from collector who recently visited this page, and on mail was one link to eBay, with same item offered for sale (Yugoslavia, block, perforated, used). eBay seller offered it, and how far I understand, sold it, for great 15.00 euro!!! I was in shock - start to think about "nonsense" when I told to reader that this kind of material, this item will be hard to find less than 100-180 euro per one! But, after "first sight" - I uploaded picture, and start to play with my PC - zoomed it, and what I discovered? First - one rust traces on top of block, after that come "trimmed" corners - than can be because block was hinged (hard hinges) or stick on page album, and cancel was "not so visible town name and date" (that give one suspicious about cancel alone, because cancel are well centered on block - like need to be when is in question "canceled to order") - and because no possibility to see back side condition of offered block - I simply say "too risky" to buy - but after that, second tought tell me that even if back side of block are with more damage - it is worth to purchase it for 15.00 euro!!!! If nothing else - You will have one sample on collection - yes, it is wasting 15.00 euro if You have one investment in mind - but if You are pure collector who don't care about "best as possible" quality in collection - it is good purchase.

Existed also other option for this item "low" price - that seller think, that this attractive item will reach on public auction much more participant and that price will reach much-much higher, even top - but, we must know market and collectors little bit more than just "place something for sale"! Now, when many of us are back from holiday, back from trip abroad, start school year, seller need to know, that this is not time for 'spending' on philately - many are just "recovering" from spending caused by traveling and other expenses and simply didn't allow other spending.

Any way - I can just say - THANKS to visitor who informed me about one bargain price, if nothing else - I learn!

Serbia and Montenegro modern but rare

Michel #3212-13A and 3236-38 (under Yugoslavia name in catalogue):

Let start with 3212-13A (picture on left side), that are issued on 25 Jun 2004, actually one overprint on number 2670-71 I, from "Monastery" issue, and what is rare in this issue is just perforation. It is perforated 13 1/4. Hardly that common collectors will notice it in any accumulation, if will not search detailed in. And most people will even pass it, because it is in small dimension and not so eye catching, but for specialist it will be great to find it and put in collection. Why it is so rare? Simply quantity issued on basic issue, and just rest or better say leftover are overprinted. Catalogue value it on 600.00 euro for mint or used sample, and on postally used cover is almost impossible to find it. I try to contact my supplier, and response is really grave - no available at present on market, mean - too late for to obtain it.

Same story are with second issue that I see in my collection, it is Michel #3236-38 (picture on right side) dated 10 February 2005, from basic issue number 2607 IIC and 3136-37, also overprint, and here more collectors will noticed it because topic are "stamp on stamp", "transport" and other, here is more quantity issued, and automatically catalogue valued it less, at present Michel have it for 70.00 euro, but dealer will sell it for less, even 50-60% of catalogue value.

I still didn't search my postally used cover accumulation from this country and period, but if I will find it - I will made it on this page visible.

Czechoslovakia Michel #Block 7, FD Cancel

I "grabbed" some free time from my job, and I don't know why, I "surf" my Czechoslovakia collection, by way - I come across this beautiful sheet! Something, that will not catch Your eye at first glance, but if You will take it by hands, and little "think" about design and message that it deliver, You will find something more than worth to include this sheet in Your collection.

This sheet are issued on August 29, 1945 - smoke of WWII still "on the air", and Czechoslovakian Post issue an set commemorating Slovakian/National Uprising against the Germans, great! Set of 5 stamp, perforated 10 1/4 - not something special at all, but sheet come on "hard" paper, without perforation, no glue, dimension 148x210 mm, design is more like "classic" for war and post-war period, flags (SSSR, GB, USA and CSSR), sunrising, soldier, town (B. Bystrica, T. Sv Martin, Zilina).

What is "capital" on the sheet? Picture - on right up part of sheet, one beautiful drawing of mother and three children cry on tomb of fallen soldier (father)!!! So perfect symbol and message for future generation! I'm really sorry, that today's generation didn't remember past - even that it is not so long ago, just over 60 year - and they didn't know even what is that stamp and sheet telling to them!

Let's see what catalogue say about prices. Michel (2002 yr), have this block with first day cancel valued at 320.00 euro, that is one "good" starting prices for dealer - I think that on market today You can buy it for 80% of this price, but just in the case that You will find someone who are selling it! Because this disparity, Scott catalogue (#288-297, note) value used sample just 100.00 US$, I opened my other catalogue (Specialized Manual for Czechoslovakia, 1988 edition) - and see that they are really near identical value like Michel catalogue. In this "Manual", prices are not stated, it have one "point" grade for value stamp - and there are "great" 300 point for this sheet with FD cancel!!!

What that mean 300 point? It is like - if standard, not cheap, common stamp have an minimum price of 1 point, this one issue are 300 time more valued than that!!!

I personally like it - and specially, because it remind me about past, about our grandparents and about something that can not be forgotten!

Yugoslavia fauna issue

Michel #738-749 fauna: 

issued Jun 30, 1954, one really great set of 12 value, with picture so perfectly designed for postage stamp, and really-really worth to include in collection. It is one classic material, that any serious collector need to have! Prices? High and worth it, Michel catalogue from 2002 year valued it for mint set 150.00 euros, and Scott have it too low just over 40.00 $. This is point where Scott editors need to think, because this set is not easy available on market, and recent eBay offer are around 100.00 euros starting prices - because that I think, this disparity need to be corrected, specially today, when US$ are sliding every single day against euro! Quantity issued for this set ranged from 2 400 000 to low 80 000 pieces, hardly to satisfy collectors need.

This topic continued with issuing another set from same fauna on September 10, 1956 - Michel numbered 795-803, 

set of 9 value, where we see drastic decrease in catalogue prices, it come down to 50.00 euro, in Scott it is more down just little bit over 20.00 US$.

Even that, because quantity issued, it will be hardly to find it on free market, quantity printed range from 2 and half million, and lower quantity is 112 354 pieces.

Other set in this topic, issued after this two, have rapid decrease in value, mostly reason was

quantity printed, 2 and half million with lower quality design, but again in very satisfactory way. I think, that it is worth to have.

P.R. of China - Andersen issue

Great-great-great!

That was what I can say - China Post made one deluxe work, great design, clever idea that can go on top issue ever made in last few year.

Yes - it is expensive for ordinary collectors, but worth investment, and yes, worth to include in every serious collection that is connected to China or Andersen alone.

China post marked it by number 2005-12, with set of 5 value, in face value of 3.80 RnB - in standard edition, it is not problem to obtain it by face value, but it is issued also in sheetlet (perforated), sheetlet (self adhesive + stickers) and booklet. All this three option will take more than triple face value, and if someone will have booklet even by this prices, he can say "Hallelujah"!

Booklet alone have one great cover, printed also from inside, and here it come - we have one page "paus" transparent, and page with stamp on middle (perforated), again blank "paus" page and next stamp in row, five of them in beautiful design, technically perfect, best color and picture, really - I'm "out" of it!!!

I don't know how much will dealer ask for set of all three option of this issue - but if You will come across any offer - think to purchase it on spot, don't think twice!

Modern Bosnia (Sarajevo) first issue

For long period, I was thinking how to present to the public, some stamps, that I think, MUST be in every private collection.

Now, I will try to made some suggestion about it, and show pictures of material that can be suitable for every serious collector worldwide.

Prices, description, comment is solely my private opinion, not connected to any legal or professional company that sell stamps or deal with philatelic market, it is just one "thinking" about material that "pop-up" on market and till today is hard to find and obtain for many reason.

It is not "framed" just for classic period, it is wide period, mostly new, and from different countries - but again, I think that people who care for even small investment in collection, will consider and reconsider self policy where to spend money.

My private opinion (again) - is that if collector spend even one penny for philately, it will be better to spend it on material that (in the far or near future) will always return more that 50% of investment if not even more than 150% of it. When someone throw this penny for material that will never recover even 10% of same investment, I think it is really not justified and not worth to do.

Hope that collectors will understand my opinion - and if not, what I can do - wish to all happy collecting and enjoy.

I will start with one really great issue from modern BOSNIA (Sarajevo - Muslim part), where I have great trouble obtaining one complete issue/set in booklet format from first issue. It is listed in Michel by number 1-7 (Markenheftchen), issued on Okt 27, 1993 year, Scott have it by number 200-206, and here come that big story!

First it is in difference between catalogue value, where Scott have prices for this seven booklet (each booklet have 5 strip of 10 identical stamp, not like Scott say), in Scott is valued just set of seven from booklet, value 12.50 US$ (x50 set will have it 625.00 US$), but Michel have value for booklet separately from set - and booklet in Michel (all seven) are valued (in 2001-2002 edition) of 775.00 euro! Difference is visible!

I easy obtained six value from this set, but one (first of 100d face) was almost impossible to find for more than three year. I contacted all dealer in Europe (mostly Germany) but no one have it. From few I received really "strange" answer like, "...it will cost You lot of money...", "...try with Rockefeller..." etc. From one dealer, I received offer to sell me complete set for 1500.00 US$, in the end - I obtained it from small dealer inside Bosnia for less than half asked by dealer from Germany. Sometimes patience pay!

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As today (Oct. 13 2008) - I must to writte one story, that happen before few weeks, regarding this booklet/s!

Actually, one set of 7 booklets I sold to my customer who specialized with Yugoslavia and ex-Yugoslavia countries. He was really satisfacted when I informed him, that I can supply it, and price was really high. In Michel catalogue from 2007/8 edition, this set of 7 booklets have an 700.00 euro, it come down from 775.00 euro in Michel 2002 edition, loss of 10+% from basic value, that is still good investment - material was delivered, all fine, but!!!! But, one day - I received mail, where client say: "Some collegue in local club, told me that it is not mint (postfrishe), but can be considered like postally used!" - it was surprise (#1) for me, because, I controlled it before shipment, and never saw any sample of canceled - even no CTO - but, because it pass some time, I didn't remembered it at spot - I accepted it back and refund money - when booklets arrived back to me, come another surprise (#2) - On cover of one (Michel #) value, existed cancel/imprint of "Glavni Depo Maraka" - Sector for editing/printing and documentation - Main Depo! (see picture #2).

I was so happy that this one item come back to me - it is simple proof that this issue are original, not "speculative" or "illegal" - it (this "cancel") is more valuable than certificate! This booklet was stored in central post warehouse, for future use in regular administrative offices, it is really geniune.

What happened with client when I informed him about translation of this "cancel" - he simply didn't answered - total silence! I think that collectors in client local club simple was jelous, or maybe didn't understand language and made one wrong decision deciding that it is POSTAL cancel! Who know - in the end I'm really happy that I have it in stock and that can be used like proof of originality!