Stamp Investment Tip: Egypt 1932-39 Military Stamps

Between 1932 and 1935, the British provided stamps at a reduced rate for use by their military forces in Egypt, per the terms of a concessionary arrangement made with the Egyptian government. The stamps were to be affixed to the back of envelopes bearing an "Egypt Postage Prepaid" handstamp on the front, and were used by military personnel and their families for letters sent to Great Britain and Ireland.

These stamps are of particular interest because they have dual market appeal among collectors of both British Commonwealth and Egypt, with the growing stamp market in Egypt being a potentially powerful catalyst that could push the values of these stamps up significantly. I've listed the British Forces in Egypt stamps with the lowest printing quantities, along with their Scott '10 Catalog Values, below:

- 1932 3m Black on sage green (Scott #M2; 41,800; $ 55.00 )

- 1933 3m Brown Lake (Scott #M4; 54,000; $ 8.75 )

- 1934 3m Deep Blue (Scott #M6; 63,000; $ 8.25)

- 1935 1p Jubilee Overprint (Scott #M9; 27,000; $ 325.00)

- 1935 3m on 1p Bright Carmine (Scott #M11; 10,000; $ 25.00)

In addition, there is a non-Scott-listed variety of the 1935 3m Christmas stamp (Scott #M10). The normal vermilion stamp (Scott '10 CV=$ 2.25) is relatively common, with 101,100 issued. The neglected yellow orange variety (Michel #10b), which is currently valued at around triple the normal stamp, had a printing of only 12,075.

Also note that the 1935 1p Jubilee Overprint (Scott #M9) has added appeal as part of the George V Silver Jubilee Omnibus set of stamps issued by the various Commonwealth countries.

With an estimated 76 million people, Egypt possesses one of the most developed economies in the Mid-East, with a GDP growth rate of 5%-7%. The government is undertaking major economic reforms to further spur development, including massive investments in infrastructure and liberalizing economic and tax policies to encourage foreign investment. Egypt's main challenge in the years to come will be one of social and political democratization - how to assure that enough of the new wealth trickles down to the majority of the population to lessen the problems of poverty and political instability. Nevertheless, barring major political instability, it is likely that Egypt will be one of the fastest growing economies over the next several decades.

Stamp Investment Tip: Great Britain- Offices in the Turkish Empire 1906 1pi on 2p Green and Carmine (Scott #25)

Perhaps the rarest of all of the stamps issued for Great Britain's Offices Abroad (excluding varieties) is the 1pi Beyrouth Provisional Surcharge of 1906 (Scott #25). Despite the tiny issuance of 480 stamps, Scott '10 prices it at $ 1,500.00 for unused and $ 700.00 for used. Part of the reason for the undervaluation might be that fake surcharges exist, necessitating expertization (optimally by either the British Philatelic Association* or the Royal Philatelic Society of London).

A "crown jewel" of British Offices philately, the stamp makes an excellent stand-in for all British Offices in the Turkish Empire stamps, which appeal to collectors of British Commonwealth and the Mid-East, two growing markets.

Those interested in joining a lively and growing community of "stampselectors" are welcome to join the "StampSelectors" group on Facebook. The group offers the opportunity to meet and communicate with other collectors, investors, and dealers from all over the world, buy and sell stamps, and discuss investment recommendations and the content of this blog.

* I could not find the url of the B.P.A.- Mea culpa.

Stamp Investment Tips: Great Britain 1929 1 Pound Postal Union Congress (Scott #209)

In 1929, Great Britain issued the 1 Pound Postal Union Congress stamp picturing St. George Slaying the Dragon (Scott #209). Many collectors believe this to be Great Britain's most beautiful stamp. 61,000 were issued, and Scott '10 prices it unused at $ 850.00 ($1,400 for NH) . Many were probably used on packages and then discarded.

This is one of two or three stamps that could serve as a representative investment for all of the stamps of Great Britain. I view it as a blue-chip which should do well over the long haul, but probably does not have the same potential for explosive value increases as the more speculative items of emerging market nations.

Stamps of Great Britain are popular worldwide, especially in Commonwealth nations and in the U.S.. With about 61 million people and an advanced, diverse economy, Great Britain had annual GDP growth of around 2-3% until the the nation participated in the train-wreck of the global financial crisis, from which it is recovering. As with much of Western Europe, Great Britain's population is projected to age significantly over the next decades. The proportion of British citizens over 60 is projected to rise from 20.6% in 2000 to 29.4% in 2025, and 34% in 2050, according to a 2007 UN report. This will add to the ranks of stamp collectors seeking better material from Great Britain and its former colonies.