Category Archives: #1 in Postage Stamps

How Sir Rowland Hill’s Postal Reform Changed The World

Discover Topical Stamp Collecting

Imagine my enthusiasm as I stumbled upon an episode of BBC News podcast titled ‘Postage Stamp‘ inside the series 50 Things That Made The Modern Economy.  I really enjoyed listening to this entertaining story on the positive impact Rowland Hill’s creativity had on postal services and happy to share it here with you.   ‘In the mid-19th Century, a man named Rowland Hill got fed up with how Britain’s postal service worked, and decided to come up with a new system … Continue reading →

Factors behind the rising prices of collectibles such as Rare Stamps

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In a recent article on ThinkAdvisor‘s website, Keith Heddle, global head of investment with Stanley Gibbons, talks about several forces supporting the demand for rare stamps, at least for the foreseeable future. ” (…) The first—no surprise here—is demand from wealthy Chinese collectors and investors. Speaking simplistically, he says, many of them have accumulated sufficient “bling” assets and are seeking something “a bit more considered and less flashy.” One reason for this cohort’s interest in stamps was Chairman Mao’s ban … Continue reading →

First Ass to Appear on a Canadian Stamp…

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  Canada Post just launched their fourth issue in ongoing series of postage stamps celebrating Canadian musical talent with a set of four stamps depicting legendary bands:  The Tragically Hip, Rush, The Guess Who and Beau Dommage. Probably not the issue for which I would vote “best of the year” but something very interesting did trigger my attention in this set of stamps that woud fit just lovely inside a music on stamps topical stamp collection! For people who know … Continue reading →

France Rugby Silver Stamp Commemorates Rugby World Cup Editions

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Great news for Gold & Silver topical stamp collectors! To commemorate the 7th Edition of the Rugby World Cup, France issued on July 11, 2011 a beautiful silver stamp made of 0.999 silver and housed in a protective capsule to help resist tarnishing. Valid for postage, the stamp has a nominal value of 5 euros, which is quite high. In 2007, France hosted the Rugby World Cup and therefore issued a series of stamps devoted to Rugby in April, June … Continue reading →

Netherlands Guilders Silver Stamp on Cover!

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. When I went to pick up my “snail mail” today, I noticed in the pile of letters an envelope with a particular stamp on it… !?! . At first glance, its silver color got me thinking it was an hologram stamp, but checking it out more carefully revealed it was a stamp printed on silver foil. Imagine my excitement, as you don’t get this kind of mail every day! 🙂 . . I continued on the Web my investigation about … Continue reading →

Queen Elizabeth II’s Head To Be Chopped Off from Royal Mail Postage Stamps?

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United Kingdom, the only country in the world to not carry the country’s name on their postage stamps, are faced with financial difficulties leading them to consider the privatization of the Royal Mail’s operations. Under the actual rules and regulations, the new owner(s) is not obliged to keep up with the tradition in place since 1840 of printing the queen’s head profile on the Royal Mail postage stamps.     What a reaction that announcement caused when the news hit the media! Enough so, that members of the British Parlement … Continue reading →