Stamp Investment Tip: Philippines 1984 Summer Olympics Issue

In 1984, the Philippines issued a set of six colorful stamps and a souvenir sheet in celebration of the Summer Olympics, held in Los Angeles (Scott # 1699-1704, 1705). 20,000 sets and 15,000 souvenir sheets were issued, and Scott '11 prices them unused at $18.00 and $15.00, respectively. Imperforate versions of the set and souvenir sheet were also issued, in quantities of 3,000 and 5,000. These are noted by Scott, which prices them at $100.00 and $50.00. The Philippines has produced imperforate versions of popular sets every now and then, and while it is certainly true that such were issued mainly to appeal to collectors and were not intended to serve as postage, they're issuance quantities are much lower than those of the regular stamps, and they are therefore worthy of consideration.

From the perspective of philatelic history, the Philippines is interesting because it has issued stamps under Spanish dominion, U.S. Administration, Japanese Occupation, and as an independent nation. It is also compelling as an area of research for the philatelic investor, because of its rapid economic growth, and because it has issued a number of scarce yet overlooked issues, including some modern popular topical sets, such as the Sports/Olympics topical issue featured in this article.

As a newly democratic and newly industrialized country of 92 million which is moving away from from its centuries-old complete dependence on agriculture, the Philippines could turn out to be one of the most successful emerging markets in the Pacific Region. The government tends toward fiscal conservatism coupled with long-term economic planning, and annual GDP growth has been around 6%-7%. Barring extreme political instability, it is likely that the Philippines will be one of the fastest growing economies over the next decades.

I have begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", which will feature wholesale buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. I've just posted a buy list for the Philippines, and it includes the set and souvenir sheet recommended in this article. Viewing dealers' buy lists every now and then is an excellent way to keep current on the vagaries of the stamp market.

Those interested in joining a community of stamp investors, dealers, and collectors are welcome to join the "Stampselectors" group at Facebook. The group provides a useful venue for those who wish to buy, sell, and trade stamps, and discuss philatelic investing and practical aspects of stamp collecting.

Stamp Investment Tip: Uruguay 1924 Olympics Issue (Scott #282-84)

In 1924, Uruguay issued a set of stamps celebrating the 1924 Paris Olympics (Scott #282-84), and picturing the "Victory of Samothrace," a partially restored Greek statue that is one of the masterpieces of the Louvre. 35,000 sets were issued, and Scott values the unused set at $ 60.00. In addition, 500 sets were issued on yellow ("golden") paper (Scott #282-84Note), to commemorate Uruguay's soccer victories and gold medal won at the Summer Olympics. Many of these special sets were affixed to souvenir folders and given to dignitaries. Scott prices the "yellow paper" set at $ 650.00.

The set is particularly compelling because of its modest printing quantity, its thematic appeal as a combination Olympics/Art Topical, and because of Uruguay's prospects for economic growth. The special "golden" set is also a Soccer Topical. Soccer is now the most popular sport in the world, with billions of fans, many of whom live in emerging market nations.


With a population of about 3 1/2 million people, most of whom are of European or mixed descent, Uruguay has a stamp collecting population which will probably approach European levels in the years to come. Uruguay is one of the most economically developed, politically stable and least corrupt countries in Latin America, and is moving away from its dependence on agricultural exports and toward development of commercial technologies, especially software. Annual GDP growth has averaged a little over 3% over the last 5 years.

I have begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", which will feature wholesale buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. It includes a buy list for Uruguay, and includes the sets recommended in this article. Viewing dealers' buy lists every now and then is an excellent way to keep current on the vagaries of the stamp market.

Stamp Investment Tip: Haiti 1939 De Coubertin Semi-postals (Scott #B1,CB1-2)

In 1939, Haiti issued a compound semi-postal set (B1,CB1-2) honoring Pierre de Coubertin, the organizer of the modern Olympic Games. 6,296 sets were issued, and Scott '10 prices the unused set at $ 77.50 .

I recommend the set as an undervalued and beautiful Olympics topical issue.
Haiti is one of several less developed nations, which include Ethiopia and Liberia, for which the stamps have some interest for American and European specialists. However, as it is the poorest nation in the hemisphere, with low GDP growth of between 1% and 3%, a grossly unequal distribution of wealth, and a high level of corruption, I do not expect a significant middle class (or stamp collecting population) to develop within Haiti soon. This set is recommended solely on the basis of my expectation of growth in demand for it among Sport Topicalists. Should significant interest develop within Haiti, it'll be like icing on the cake.

Stamp Investment Tip: South Korea 1948 Olympic Issue (Scott #85-86)

In 1948, South Korea issued a pair of stamps commemorating its participation in the 1948 Olympics (Scott #85-86). 100,000 sets were issued, and Scott '10 prices the set at $ 80.00 unused ($ for 175.00NH).

The set has appeal both as a scarce issue from a rapidly developing "Asian Tiger" nation, and as a Sports/Olympics topical.

Stamp Investment Tip: Lebanon 1924 Olympics Set (Scott #18-21)

In 1924, the Olympic Games were held in Paris. The postal authorities in Lebanon, then a French Mandate Territory, joined in the celebration by overprinting the basic French Olympics set "Grand Liban" and surcharging it in local currency (Scott #18-21). Issuance quantities were not recorded , but they were probably 10,000-20,000. Scott '10 values both the unused and the used set at $ 130.00 .

The set is of interest to collectors of Lebanon, French Colonies, and of course, Sports and Olympics topical collectors. This is one of many scarce sets of Lebanon which should significantly increase in value as the various factions within that country learn how to get along, and Beirut returns to its former preeminence as the "Paris of the Middle East."