Stamp Investment Tip: French Morocco 1928 Airmail Semi-postals (Scott #CB1-10)

In 1928, French Morocco issued a set of airmail semi-postals picturing scenes of Morocco (Scott #CB1-10). 51,237 sets were issued, and Scott '10 prices the set at $ 47.50 unused.

Now an independent kingdom of about 32 million people, Morocco has enjoyed annual GDP growth averaging 5.5% over the past 5 years. The services sector, especially tourism, accounts for over half of GDP, and mining, manufacturing, and agriculture. Since the early 1980s the Moroccan government has pursued an economic program toward accelerating real economic growth,reforming the financial sector and privatizing state enterprises.


Better issues of the French Protectorate period have a potential dual market. Currently they are mainly sought by collectors of French Colonies. I expect that they will rise significantly as the stamp market develops within Morocco itself.

Practical Advice: How to Use Buy Lists

A stamp dealer will create and publicize a buy list for one of two reasons:

1. 1) to purchase stamps so as to re-sell them to his customers, or


2. 2) to "pump up" the market value of stamps which he has hoarded, and which he intends to re-sell, or "dump."
   

Generally, buy lists reflect a genuine demand for the stamps listed. Those which are issued for purposes of "pumping and dumping" usually will list only the few stamps that the dealer has hoarded, and there will be little or no competition from other dealers' buy lists. The use of a buy list to manipulate the market for particular stamps is completely legal, as long as the dealer publishing it fulfills his obligation to purchase the stamps that he is advertising to buy. However, most buy lists note that the dealer reserves the right to limit quantities purchased, so if a listing seems dubious, it may be prudent to contact the dealer in order to determine what quantity of a listed stamp that he is willing to buy.

Vest-pocket dealers often study and save buy lists because they provide useful information on the minimum values of various stamps. It is often possible to purchase a stamp from one dealer for less than another dealer is offering for it, because it is unlikely that a dealer will know the current market value of every stamp in his inventory. Clipping buy lists and organizing them by country and date of publication in a portable notebook gives one the opportunity to profit from this kind of arbitrage when visiting stamp shops, attending shows, or bidding at auctions.

Stampselectors interested in targeting stamps of particular countries for investment should familiarize themselves with the buy lists for those countries, and consider keeping a file of them, as well.

Stamp Investment Tip: Egypt 1933 Aviation Congress (Scott #172-76)

In 1933, Egypt issued a set of stamps honoring the International Aviation Congress, which was held in Cairo (Scott #172-76). 52,000 sets were issued, and Scott '10 prices the set at $ 76.50 unused. The set has appeal to Aviation and Zeppelin Topicalists as well as collectors of Egypt.

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.

Stamp Investment Tip: Peru 1935 Founding of Lima Issue (Scott #C6-12)

In 1935, Peru celebrated the 400th Anniversary of the Founding of Lima by issuing a set of airmail stamps (Scott #C6-12). Only 6,000 sets were issued, and Scott '10 prices the unused set at $ 62.20.

Peru has issued a number of scarce sets which I intend to recommend in future articles. With a population of 29 million, Peru is an emerging market nation which has experienced significant economic growth over the last 15 years, and annual GDP growth averaging 7.5% over the last 5. Poverty has steadily decreased, although great inequities in income distribution persist. As the trend continues and more Peruvians join the middle class, the country's better stamps should do very well.

Stamp Investment Tip: Qatar 1965 Fish Set (Scott #69-85)

In 1965, Qatar issued a beautiful Fish set (Scott #69-85). 20,000 sets were issued, and Scott '10 prices it at $ 194.25 for unused. The set appeals to Animal topical collectors, as well as collectors of Qatar.

With a population of 1.4 million, Qatar has experienced rapid economic growth over the last five years, with annual GDP growth averaging 9%. The country has 15 billion barrels of oil reserves and natural gas reserves estimated at between 80 trillion to 800 trillion cubic feet - enough energy reserves to make every Qatari a centimillionaire or billionaire. Gilding the gilded lily, Qatar is also funding the development of a "knowledge economy," establishing the Qatar Science and Technology Park and Education City. It has also established Doha Sports City, and plans to build an "entertainment city" in the future, in case Qataris become bored with their other leisure activities, such as collecting stamps.

Stamp Investment Tip: Brazil BRAPEX Souvenir Sheet (Scott #C53)

In 1943, Brazil celebrated the centennial of its first postage stamps by issuing a "Stamps-on-Stamps" topical souvenir sheet (Scott #C53) at the BRAPEX Philatelic Exhibition. Brazil was the second country (after Great Britain) to issue postage stamps , and the designs pictured on the souvenir sheet somewhat resemble the Brazilian "Bull's Eyes" issued in 1843. 20,100 sheets were issued, and Scott '10 prices it at $ 50.00 for unused.


With 191 million people, Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America, and the world's eighth largest economy. Political and economic reforms have given the country a brighter future than it had in the bad old days of oligarchical dictatorship. The Brazilian economy is diverse, the country is aggressively investing in its future by generously funding technological research and education, and exports are booming. Annual GDP growth has averaged a little over 5% over the last 5 years.


There are a number of grossly undervalued Brazilian issues with printing quantities of 10,000 to 100,000, some of which have topical appeal, and recommending them for accumulation seems a no-brainer. Brazil looks destined to become an economic superpower, and even if it mirrors the philatelically anemic U.S. and only one out of a thousand Brazilians become serious stamp collectors and one out of a fifty become "unserious" ones, they'll be competing for their nation's better stamps, only to find that the cupboard is bare.

Stamp Investment Tip: Poland Stratosphere Flight Souvenir Sheet (Scott #B31)

In 1938, Poland issued a souvenir sheet in advance of a proposed stratosphere flight (Scott #B31). 60,000 sheets were issued, and Scott '10 prices it at $ 55.00 unused ($110.00 NH). The souvenir sheet is an attractive Aviation topical, and I strongly recommend it as an investment.


With 38 million people, Poland is one of the fastest growing economies of all of the post-Communist countries, with annual GDP growth averaging about 5.5% over the past 5 years. The nation has steadfastly pursued a policy of liberalizing the economy, and was not severely impacted by the recent global financial crisis.


Better stamps of Poland will rise in value as the country prospers and the population of Polish stamp collectors increases. Interest in Polish history and national pride are important elements in the culture of this oft-conquered people, and there are some 10 million Polish Americans with ties to the country.