The Stamp Collectors Corner

When the banking crisis sent the stock market reeling, gold wasn’t the only place shrewd investors started stashing their money. The value of collectible stamps started rising in 2008 as people moved their holdings out of stocks and into rare collectibles. Rare stamps, rare coins, vintage cars, antique silver spoons and other highly-sought collectibles have long provided the financially savvy with a hedge against financial disaster. For those who seek financial security in philatelic gold, stamp appraisers are the keepers of the vault.

When Fox Business focused its Rare Collectibles series on stamps, Alex Birman, owner of County Stamp Center and a noted stamp appraiser, was one of the experts they sought out. If you’ve been collecting stamps since you were a kid or inherited your grandfather’s stamp collection, the rising value of rare stamps makes this a good time to have your collection appraised.

Birman recommends talking to a dealer at a local stamp show to get a rough idea of the collection’s worth before taking it to an expert appraiser. Birman told Fox, “I tell people, if they are thinking about a professional appraisal, they should go in expecting the collection to be worth at least $4,000 because it is a costly process.” But the discovery of one rare stamp could make the cost well worth while!

With Fox Business seeking out the advice of our own owner for stamp appraisal information, shouldn’t you too when you have a stamp collection to sell?

In February 2009, Canada Post issued two new stamps in honor of Black History Month. The stamps capture the memory of two great pioneers and activist who fought for the rights of African Americans and Canadians.

One stamp commemorates Rosemary Brown (1930-2003). This African-Canadian was born in Jamaica but later moved to Canada. While studying at McGill University in Montreal, she began an active career fighting for the rights of minorities as well as women’s rights.  At the age of forty two she was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in the British Columbia legislature. Additionally, she was the first woman to run for a federal political party — in her case the New Democratic Party.

The other stamp memorializes Abraham Doras Shadd (1801-1882). Born in the United States, he fought for the abolition of slavery and was instrumental in aiding the famous Underground Railroad, which allowed Black slaves to escape to the North and often to Canada.

He later joined many of the people he helped free in Ontario, Canada. In 1859 he was elected to the Council of Raleigh, Ontario, making him the first Black person elected to public office in Canada.

When Doris Miller, a mess attendant, began his service on the battleship West Virginia he probably did not envision himself as being an American war hero. But his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 easily afforded him that title.

Doris Miller is considered the first African American hero of World War II.  During the attack by the Japanese, he rescued many of his shipmates that were wounded or trapped on the damaged ship.  Although he was never trained to operate machinery, he also manned a machine gun and fired on approaching Japanese aircraft until he was ordered to abandon ship.  His heroic efforts were portrayed by Cuba Gooding, Jr. in the blockbuster movie “Pearl Harbor” in 2001.

On February 4, 2010, the United States Postal Service paid tribute to Doris Miller and 3 other “Distinguished Sailors” by issuing postage stamps in their honor.   The set features Doris Miller, William S. Sims, John McCloy, and Arleigh A. Burke. The dedication ceremony for the 44-cent postage stamp set was fittingly held at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, DC.  If you would like to add the entire set of Distinguished Sailors postage stamps to your collection, contact Stamp Center.  We always offer free shipping to our US customers and $4.50 flat rate shipping to our international customers.

Once you see these adorable animal themed postage stamps, it will be hard to choose another!  With the help of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the United States Postal Service unveiled their latest social awareness promotional campaign in the spring of 2010.  Dubbed “Stamps to the Rescue”, the Animal Rescue: Adopt A Shelter Pet commemorative postage stamp set has been a huge hit since its official sales date of April 30, 2010.

The postage stamps feature 5 cats and 5 dogs that were all residents at a Connecticut animal shelter.  Each adorable animal featured on the stamps have now been adopted into a forever home.  These social awareness stamps were created in hopes of bringing awareness to the plight of homeless animals and responsible pet care throughout the United States.  Each year, there are between 6-8 million unwanted cats and dogs that are dropped off at animal shelters throughout the United States.  Sadly, almost half of those animals are euthanized due to a lack of available homes.

In support of the efforts of the USPS and national animal shelters, Ellen DeGeneres, who owns a holistic pet food company, will be donating one million meals to animal shelters nationwide.

If you would like to add this adorable set of postage stamps to your collection, contact Stamp Center today.

New York City is a popular tourist destination for travelers from the United States and those around the world.  Rockefeller Center is ranked as #56 out of 150 of America’s Favorite Architecture spots to visit.  One of the favorite views among tourists, and New Yorker’s alike is the iconic figure of “Wisdom” which is installed over the entrance to the GE Building at Rockefeller Center.  This New York skyscraper is the centerpiece of Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhattan.  You can’t help noticing “Wisdom” as he is a 37 foot art deco giant.  He can be seen all the way from Fifth Avenue and is a popular tourist landmark.

The United States Postal Service issued a postage stamp that featured this incredible work of art in October of 2003.  The $1 postage stamp was then reprinted again in September of 2008.

Not shown on the postage stamp are the words that are printed below this artwork, presumably because it is a Biblical passage.  The sign reads, “Wisdom and Knowledge Shall Be the Stability of Thy Times” which is from Isaiah 33:6.

Continuing from Friday…

In February of 2009, the images of 12 Civil Rights Pioneers were forever immortalized by the United States Postal Service with the issuance of the “Civil Rights Pioneers” postage stamps.  These 42 cent commemorative postage stamps pay tribute to Ella Baker, Daisy Gatson Bates, J.R. Clifford, Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, Charles Hamilton Houston, Ruby Hurley, Mary White Ovington, Joel Elias Spingarn, Mary Church Terrell, Oswald Garrison Villard and Walter White for the incredible achievements they accomplished, and the sacrifices they made during the Civil Rights Movement.  The stamps in the set are unique because the USPS has blended pictures of two different pioneers together to make into one stamp.  There are six stamps total in the set.

The release of the Civil Rights Pioneers postage stamps coincided with the NAACP’s 100th anniversary.  Each person honored on the stamps are connected to the NAACP by helping break down the racial barriers and promoting racial equality in the United States.

If you would like to add this fabulous set of Civil Rights Pioneers postage stamps to your collection, contact Stamp Center today.  We always offer free shipping to our US customers and $4.50 flat rate shipping to our international customers.

For many people in the United States, the civil unrest that once existed during the Civil Rights Movement was unbearable.  Although most of the suffrage of folks occurred in the southern part of the United States, the turmoil, and social and political unrest affected the entire country.  The Civil Rights Movement was a time where people began to take a stand against racial discrimination against African Americans.

There were several groups that were formed during the Civil Rights Movement, most notably the NAACP.  As the various groups formed, protests and rallies occurred around the country where Civil Rights Pioneers told the world about the struggles of the lack of basic freedom, dignity, respect, and social and economic equality that affected the African American communities.

As a result of the many sit-in’s, boycotts, and marches, many new laws were formed that banned discrimination, allowed voting and immigration, and provided fair housing to African American’s.  Despite the new laws, many Civil Rights Pioneers had to continue their fight for equality through years of civil unrest in the United States.

Please check back on Monday for the conclusion.

The Bixby Creek Bridge is located 18 miles south of Carmel, California.   This two lane highway was originally constructed in 1932.  In order to withstand any potential earthquakes that might hit the region, it was retrofitted in 1996.

The Bixby Creek Bridge is considered to be one of the most prominent landmarks on this popular portion of US Highway 1.  This historic bridge is one of seven concrete arch bridges that run along the Big Sur coast.  The bridge, and its breathtaking views of the canyon and Pacific Ocean below, is one of the most photographed locations on the west coast. 

The Bixby canyon, creek, and bridge are named after Charles Bixby, who owned the property prior to its current owner, the State of California.

On February 3, 2010, the United States Postal Service issued an $18.30 Express Mail postage stamp that features the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge.  You can find this beautiful postage stamp, and many others to add to your stamp collection, by visiting Stamp Center.

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated by American’s each year on the fourth Thursday of each November.  In present day and past celebrations, it is a day where we gather together with family and friends to give thanks for the blessings that life has bestowed upon us.  We celebrate Thanksgiving Day by feasting on an abundance of food, watching sports events, and enjoying local parades.  Thanks to the wonders of television, we are able to view the largest of all Thanksgiving Day parades…the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which takes place in New York City.

The United States Postal Service issued a set of 44 cent postage stamps to honor and help celebrate our national tradition of Thanksgiving Day Parades.  These colorful stamps feature iconic scenes from a typical Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  On the stamp design you will see a marching band, crowds of spectators, horses, and hot air balloons.  When you place the stamps side by side, the four designs create a nice panoramic view of a parade.

If you are looking to add fantastic postage stamps to your collection, consider stopping by Stamp Center.  We have a huge selection of stamps that everyone will enjoy!

Continuing from Wednesday…

Issuing the Mother Teresa postage stamp has not been supported by everyone however.  An atheist group has protested the issuance of the Mother Teresa postage stamp after the United States Postal Service announced its pending release last year.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation discounted the fact that Mother Teresa was being honored because of her 50 years of humanitarian contributions.  They believe that she should be excluded from having a stamp because of her religious affiliation to the Catholic Church.  They further believe that having the postage stamp is another means of paving the road to sainthood for Mother Teresa…which the Catholic Church scoffs at.

The United States Catholic League also joined in the fight saying that the atheist group is only rejecting the issuance of the Mother Teresa postage stamp because of the “saintly nun’s opposition to abortion.”  Additionally, some other folks believe that issuing the Mother Teresa postage stamp is a violation of rule number nine of the postal service because you cannot separate Mother Teresa’s humanitarian efforts from her religious efforts and therefore, she should not have had a postage stamp issued in her honor.

Despite the controversy and debates, the Mother Teresa postage stamp is now available for collectors worldwide!