Colors of the 1977 USA Valley Forge Issue

The 1977 Christmas issue consists of 2 definitive sized stamps, one of which (Scott #1729) is of George Washington praying at Valley Forge. I immediately noticed variations in the colors of his hair, coat and clothing. The catalog doesn’t mention any color differences, but I began to save various copies of this stamp, and you […]

Mounting Wallpaper – Stamps of Equatorial Guinea

The stamps of Equatorial Guinea are, plentiful, colorful, and for a period from about 1972 through 1979, primarily bogus.   In fact, even though for a few years prior to 1972, and most years since 1980, Equatorial Guinea issued legitimate stamps, these are very hard to come by mint or used.   A search on eBay does […]

Barranquilla Local on Half Cover

When you keep your eye on eBay long enough, you can always find oddities that will add interesting pieces to your collection. If you are a “purist” – Then, maybe this kind of fun isn’t for you.  However, if you enjoy the oddities of philately, including, things that were obviously contrived and faked, then sources […]

Albania Komitetit Te Qindreses On 1944 Cover (First Set)

A great find I was able to snag in an eBay auction for a large Albania collection that included this cover bearing the first 4 stamps of the “Exile Government” (Komitetit Te Qindreses) stamp series. This is only the 3rd cover from the period I know about, the first one I was able to purchase, […]

USA 1934 Admiral Bird Sheet of 6 First day Cover and More

In my quest to complete the Major Numbers of my USA collection (at “least” from 1930 through 2010), I have, as you can imagine, quite a few holes. Filling these holes is sometimes a challenge, so I have decided that, when possible, fill the hole with something interesting. This brings us to the Admiral Byrd […]

Jean Adolph Michel, Unpaid Postmaster, and the story of the Ethiopian Issue of 1919

This is the story of how a small note in a stamp catalog can lead you down a rabbit hole of reading, research and fact finding that will ultimately lead to the story behind the stamps. The stories behind stamps, whether this Ethiopian issue in 1919 or any issue from any country, is what is, […]

Dios, Patria, Libertad (God, Homeland, Liberty) – Dominican Republic

When you collect stamps, you learn interesting things that otherwise you would have no occasion to ever know. Today, for me, it was the motto of the Dominican Republic: “Dios, Patria, Libertad” which, in English, means “God, Homeland, Liberty”. In this case, the motto appeared on a tiny un-identified stamp (unfortunately damaged) that I was […]

Albania – 1914 Valona Postcard with Fantasy Issue and Italian Offices Stamp

From 1909 through 1916, Italy issued stamps overprinted “Valona” for their offices in Valona during their occupation of Albania.  These were legit stamps used during that period. I acquired a cover bearing the 1st issue of this series (10pa on 5c green) affixed to a postcard sent to Rome.   The postcard also features the […]

Denmark 1977 Water Lily’s Stamp – Color / Printing Varieties

Always on the lookout for color varieties, I came across some variation in the Denmark 1977 Water Lily’s stamp from the Protection of the Environment set. The color difference appears seems to show missing or underinked green coloring on the lily’s as well as the posthorn. My copy of the correct color stamp is a bit […]

Denmark 1947 Locomotives – Facit Types I and II

The 1947 Locomotives issue of Denmark commemorating the Centenary of the State Railways has a few interesting design types that are noted in the Facit Catalog but not mentioned in Scott or Michel. The series contains 3 stamps.  A 15o, 20o, and 40o each featuring a locomotive from various eras. The first 2 values, according […]

Denmark Definitives Part 5 – Small National Coat of Arms – Varieties and Types

The small national coat of arms series (Scott refers to it as Small State Seal) began in 1946 and continues through at least 2010. There is not a ton of varieties in this issue, but I do note a few interesting things with them. For starters, these stamps were printed on 2 different paper varieties, […]

Denmark Definitives Part 4 – “Caravel?” Ship Series

In 1927 and continuing through 1940, Denmark issued a set of stamps featuring a ship called a “Caravel” according to both Scott and Michel.  The Facit catalog just refers to it as “Skepp” (or “Ship”). Here is the thing though…I don’t think this ship is a Caravel.  The Caravel was a Portuguese ship, however, this […]

Denmark Definitives Part 3 – The Wavy Lines Numeral Issue 1905 – 2010

The Denmark Wavy Lines Numeral series is one of the longest running series of same-design definitive stamps from any country other than Norway (who holds the record with their Posthorn series which began in 1872 and continues through today!) The Denmark series first began in 1905, and the latest issues on record are (I believe) […]

Denmark Definitives Part 2 – Arms 2 Numeral Issue of 1882 – 1907

In 1882 Denmark issued a new series of definitive stamps featuring 2 numerals centered by the coat of arms. This issue exists in a number of varieties and values. The first issue in 1882 of 5o Green and 20o Blue are the high catalog value stamps ($70 to $100 each).   These stamps are distinguished […]

Denmark Definitives Part 1 – Bi-Color Numeral Issues of 1870 – 1904

My collection of Denmark Definitives begins with the Bi-Color Numeral Issues from 1870 through 1904. These stamps come in a number of challenging varieties, especially the “Inverted Frame” variety that exists on most of the stamps.  This variety is poorly illustrated in all 3 of my catalogs (Scott, Michel and Facit) The stamps come in […]

Canada Odds and Ends – Meters, Revenues, Postcards, Slogan Cancels and More

I have a habit of saving most everything that comes my way.   The key is that I am able to identify and catalog it in some way. For items that are not listed in regular catalogs, this is where specialized catalogs come in handy.  And, in many cases, online resources that contain listings for […]

Cover Showoff – Canada 2013 Cover with Souv Sheets

I have gotten into the habit of saving most covers these days.  As long as they are clearly postmarked, and contain fairly recent issues. This cover is oversized so will go into my collection of oversized covers.  It contains nearly $15 in catalog value worth of stamps and souv sheets. 1998 – Scott #s 1715-1720 […]

Canada 1982 Scott #973 – Repellex Error – Orange Color in Background

Sometimes, us simple worldwide collectors get lucky.   We all hope to find that big dollar stamp variety lurking in a lot of off paper stamps, and every once in a while, we get a little taste. Not a million dollars worth of course – But in this case, I suppose about $100. The 1982 […]

Canada – 1968 – 479 – Red over Blue Variety

Another example of Unitrade providing additional minor number varieties for Canadian Stamps. This Meteorology stamp, issued in 1968, is Scott (Unitrade) number 479.   Printed in 4 colors, dark blue, light blue, yellow and red. The variety, according to Unitrade is called “Red Over Blue” where the red edge of the dish appears to be […]

Canada 1964 – 429A – Deformed Maple Leaf Varieties

This stamp, issued in 1964, is the last in a series of 14 stamps featuring provincial flowers and coats of arms.  This final stamp features the Canada Maple Leaf along with the national Canada coat of arms. The Unitrade catalog lists a variety of this stamp called the “Deformed Maple Leaf” variety and gives it […]

Another Churchill FDC with Komitetit Te Qindreses Stamp Attached

In addition to these previous 4 covers, I acquired another Churchill FDC cover showing Scott #1264 along with Komitetit Te Qindreses #11B (Perf 14). This cover is an “ArtCraft” cachet cover.  ArtCraft has been producing covers since 1939 and is still producing them today.    

1927-1928 Barranquilla Local Labels and Paquebot Covers

I came across 2 Colombia Barranquilla stamps that are unlisted and appear to be some sort of local label or local charity / tax stamp of some kind. Both are denominated 1/2c and share a common center design with different inscriptions. Issue #1 : Barranquilla Defense Board This first stamp is inscribed “Junta de Defensa de […]