In 1948, Colombia overprinted a set of 1942 Postal Savings stamps with the phrase: “Colombia Sobretasa 1 Centavo” This roughly translates to “Colombia Surcharge 1 Cent” The Postal Savings Stamps, inscribed: “Banco Postal de Colombia Ahorro Postal” which translates to “Post Bank Colombia, Postal Savings” Postal Savings stamps were purchased by an individual as […]
Colombia: “Industry” Stamps 1932-1951. Printings, Unlisted Varieties, and Flaws
In 1932, Colombia issued a series of stamps featuring various industries. New designs were introduced in 1935 and 1939, and many of the designs went through various printings through different printing companies. I don’t have many of the examples noted, but have added images of those I do possess. During this period, for these […]
Colombia – 1921 Retardo Overprint on 2c Narino Stamp of 1917
Starting in 1886, Colombia began using stamps inscribed “Retardo” on mail to charge for items that had missed normal collection. In 1914 this practice was discontinued and the last legit stamps with the overprint were issued. These stamps are listed as Scott Numbers I1 through I7 in the back of the Colombia catalog. However, […]
Cyprus – Postal Tax Stamps of 1974-2008, and the 1984 font type differences
The Cyprus Postal Tax stamps used starting in 1974 and through today were, according to Scott, for the “Refugee Fund” In the Scott Catalog, after the 1984 Issue (RA4), Scott notes “There are two types of No. RA4”. Unfortunately, Scott does not elaborate further. The Michel Catalog comes to the rescue with Zypern #4 in […]
1971 Bangladesh Overprints on stamps of Pakistan
Last year I obtained a packet of “500 different” Bangladesh stamps from an online seller. Much to my surprise, half of these stamps were Pakistani stamps with a Bangladesh overprint. In 1971, East Pakistan broke away from Pakistan and formed the new country of Bangladesh. Without postage stamps of their own, they authorized the overprinting […]
Armenia – Chassepot Un-Issued stamp set of 1920
In my collection of Armenia, I came across a set of mint stamps that did not have a catalog number in Scott, but, received a mention in a note with a few pics of the designs. The note in Scott states: “A set of 10 stamps in the above designs was prepared in 1920, but […]
Chile – Color and Watermark Varieties of the 1934-1953 Airmail Series
The set of stamps, Chile Airmails of Scott Type AP4 and AP9 were first issued in a series that ran from 1934-1939. A second unwatermarked series was issued 1944-1955, and a final series with different colors issued in 1951-1953. In addition to the cataloged color and watermark varieties, there are also quite a few color […]
Chile 1878 – 1901 Columbus Issue Types
There are a number of design types of the early Chile Columbus issues. I am missing quite a few, but do have a few examples to share, along with their design varieties. Columbus was featured on the first Chile stamp in 1853. My first copy begins in 1867 1867 This design is in […]
Canal Zone 1941 Airmail Cover to Washington DC
The following cover was sent via Airmail from Fort Clayton, Canal Zone to Ellen Holland in Washington DC. It initially was postmarked in Fort Clayton on October 13th, 1941. Then postmarked again upon arrival in Washington DC on October 16th. Fort Clayton was a US Army Base in the Canal Zone. This cover features […]
Canal Zone – Dry versus Wet Printings – 1928-1940
In both the USA and it’s Canal Zone Posession, the printers experimented with a new Dry Printing technique. Many issues of the period exist in both their “Wet” and “Dry” printing types The wet printings used a thicker, stiffer paper and in some cases display distinct color differences. The following images show a few […]
Canal Zone Overprint Types of 1924 – 1931
The stamps of the Canal Zone, under US Possession starting in 1924 used a Canal Zone overprint on USA stamps from the period. Prior to this, stamps of Panama were overprinted for use, and starting in 1928, most of the stamps were issued specifically for the Canal Zone (with a few USA overprinted stamps […]
Albania Ahmed Zogu Perforation Varieties
In 1925 Albania released a series of stamps featuring then President Ahmed Zogu (later King Zog). This definitive series featured 2 designs in various denominations. This series later was overprinted and surcharged and was in use from 1925 through 1929. The standard perforation for this series is Perf 13.5, but I came across a few unlisted […]
Albania – Unlisted Color of 1967 Rose Series 25q
Examine the following scan below of two 25q stamps from the Albania 1967 Roses Series (Scott #1027 – 1034). The 25q is Scott 1030 The stamp on the left is the correct color, the stamp on the right seems to have color missing. This could be a printing error, or, possibly the result […]
Afghanistan 1976 – Scott Unlisted Color
The following 2 stamps are from the 1976 “Coat of Arms” series. In this series (#930-932) Scott lists: 25p salmon, 50p lt green, and 1af ultra. As you can see in the image, I have a 50p that is definitely not green. Some internet research on StampCommunity and found that this stamp is listed in […]
Afghanistan Stamps with USA Washington DC Cancels
While going through my Afghanistan stamps, I managed to find a group of stamps that all had Washington, DC cancels. I initially found this strange and took to some research to figure out what these were. It turns out that these stamps were affixed to letters sent to the United States in […]
Komitetit Te Qindreses – Ephermea
Some additional items in my collection I have acquired. A cover that was just used as a test of a philatelic cancel for the SANDICAL San Diego Stamp Show in 1989, as well as a few dealer sets still in their original packaging.
Komitetit Te Qindreses – Perforation Freaks
I have a few perforation “Freaks” in my collection. As with everything on these issues, they are probably manufactured errors.
Komitetit Te Qindreses – Overprint Errors and Varieties
A number of overprint varieties exist on these stamps including double overprints and upside down overprints.
Komitetit Te Qindreses – Overprints – Churchill
Similar overprints on series 4 and 5 exist with Churchill In Memorium overprint in both Black and Gold.
Komitetit Te Qindreses – Overprints – Kennedy
Both Series 4 and 5 were overprinted with Kennedy In Memoriam. Exist in both Black and Gold.
Komitetit Te Qindreses – Series 5 – Figures of Freedom – 1952
The Redrawn Figures of Freedom stamps were issued in new colors and inscribed with “1952” These exist Perf 14 and Imperf I am on the lookout for this series issued as perf 12.5 but have not found any yet.
Komitetit Te Qindreses – Series 4 – Figures of Freedom – Redrawn
These stamps, re-drawn based on the earlier design come in 2 perf varieties and imperf
Komitetit Te Qindreses – Series 2 & 3 – Air Relief Drops and Figures of Freedom
This series, issued in the late 1940’s (numbers 5 – 8) features air drop scenes. I have some paper varieties of these, as well as some blocks. In addition, I acquired a full sheet of 50 of the Series 3 Figures of Freedom Stamp
Komitetit Te Qindreses – Series 1 – Freedom Fighters
The first series in the Komitetit Te Qindreses Set. My page is below showing normal and taller paper varieties. I have yet to find these stamps with postmarks, or, overprints. See this article on a propaganda cover bearing this set.
Komitetit Te Qindreses – Committee of the Resistance – Albania Fantasy Series 1940’s – 1960’s
Background April 7th of 1939, Italy invades Albania and by April 12th, Albania capitulated, King Zog fled for Greece and the Albanian Parliament had offered the crown to Italian King Victor Emmanuel III. This created an environment that led to the rise of many Albanian “Resistance” organizations. First against the Italians, then the Germans, and […]
Albania Komitetit Te Qindreses – Partial Proofs
Came across this interesting item listed for sale by a Swiss Auction House. This interesting set appears to contain “proofs” of both the first set of 4 as well as the second “1952 overprinted” set of 4, with only the centers printed. The country name and values and borders are missing. Unfortunately the auction house […]
My First Mounted Stamp
When I finally elected to use Vario Stock Sheets for my collection back in early 2012, I resurrected my old childhood collection that was stored in an old kids USA album and began removing the stamps and loading them into my stock sheets. For whatever reason, I decided to start with the USA Airmail Stamps. […]
My First Post
My first post to my new site. Basically, I setup this site to do a few things: 1. Easily store and publish my want lists. 2. Back-end tracking of my inventory 3. Publishing information, images, and articles that I either come across, or put together