How to know rare stamps when you see one
Believe it or not, investing in rare stamps is a normal occurrence.
Usually, the collection and gathering of rare stamps is a hobby that is better
appreciated by the advanced collectors.
Unbelievably, rare stamps are
investments that are of the tangible kind. Compared to art they are also a
worthwhile and enjoyable investment especially for enthusiasts.
First things first, the fact is that rare stamps are really, definitely very
rare. But what is it that makes a stamp rare?
The following are some of the reasons as well as circumstances that makes a
stamp that rare, expensive stamp that everyone would want to own.
The mother
of all rare stamps
Believe it or not, there exists the stamp that would be considered as the
mother of all rare stamps and quite possibly the stamp that – if given the
chance – would be the one to rule them all.
The stamp that costs one cent is the British Guiana. This stamp is
currently considered as the most rare stamp in the whole world because only one
of such kind was made. This stamp was reportedly discovered by a school
boy back in the year 1873.
Another valuable rare stamp is called the Penny Black where it is also
considered as a very rare and valuable item for collectors.
The father of all rare stamp collectors
A man with the name Philipp von Ferrary who lived during the years 1850 until
1917 was considered to be the collector of all collectors when he was able
to amass stamps from all places in the world.
Ferrary, as he was fondly called by his clients and almost everyone, began
the hobby of colleting stamps when he was young. Since he was able to
inherit a great fortune, he made it his life long quest to buy stamps that are
rare.
In the fifteenth of January, 1915, he relegated to the Berlin Postmuseum his
collections. But since he was an Austrian – who at that time was residing
in France during the first world war – he left his albums to the embassy of
Austria & left for Switzerland where he soon died.
Post world war one brought on the government of France to confiscate his
collection. Since then, most rare stamps have a stamp of “ex-Ferrary” on
them, because almost always, the stamps may have previously belonged to him.
Rare stamps found in a dresser
You know you have in your possession a rare stamp when people are suing you
for them to have it back.
It was one hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of stamps that a judge
granted the stamp’s original owners when it was found that it was included in
the dresser a Robert Ganter bought in a used store that sells furniture.
The original owners discovered Ganter’s find when the latter issued an ad in
a stamp catalogue for collectors and offering it up to be sold.
Buying rare stamps is a cinch
So how I one supposed to buy rare stamps when they see one? The best
method is by simply buying the best stamp that one could possibly afford.
New rare stamps recently unveiled in Asia
Beginning April of this year,
stamps that highlight Vietnam’s birds, specifically the partridges as well as
pheasants of the country was launched in Vietnam’s Ministry of Post and
Telecommunication.
These rare stamps provide the people who live in Vietnam with a magnificent
documentation of how the country’s birds thrive. The birds that were
included in the stamp include a partridge whose neck is range in color, its
scientific name is arborophila davidi. Other birds in the stamps include
lophura hatinhensis or the more popularly known Vietnamese pheasant.
Why are these birds featured in such a stamp series? For one, putting
their pictures on a stamp is one way to immortalize their existence as they are
currently considered as endangered. Their populations have been
slowly dwindling due to the loss of their natural habitat as well as hunting.
What do the stamps represent then? The series also aims to showcase the
varied and special life that Vietnam’s birds live.
All in all, collecting rare stamps is a fun, enjoyable and interesting
activity to do especially if rare stamps are your cup of tea.
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