Modern stamps have never been considered as an investment by the experts in Europe although recent auctions which included modern varieties and a wide range of stamps from the QEII reign have proven to be a huge success.

However, according to Asian colelctors and dealers modern commemorative zodiac animal stamps are proving to be a lucrative investment for collectors in China. 

China has been releasing the 12 zodiac stamps yearly since 1980 and they have all appreciated in value considerably. This year’s rabbit stamps are expected to be no exception. The year of the rabbit is jumping ahead with China Post’s release of the latest addition to its zodiac stamp series to commemorate the year 2011.

According to China Post, sales of the new stamps have been magnificent with most stores selling out within four hours of their release. YES THAT;S TRUE, 4 hours after their release the stamps were being sold out. Does this not remind collectors in Europe of the 1970’s?

Wu Cai Hong, general manager, Shanghai Post Company, said: “The stamp industry is very prosperous this year. The value of all stamps has appreciated.

“The price of many old-edition stamps has increased a lot. It managed to put an end to the 13-year depressed stamp market, so collectors are very eager about purchasing the zodiac stamps this year.”

And stamp collectors this year are especially excited about their investments. The 1.20 yuan (18 US cent) stamps appreciated threefold in just one day.

Zhao Shi Liang, a stamp investor, said: “… Many people have high expectations for the value of these zodiac stamps because the value of the first edition stamp has appreciated up to US$1,641 (11,000 RMB) each.

“Because of such enthusiasm in the zodiac stamp investment, the value has been climbing since the beginning of this year.”

Mr Yang said: “This book includes all the zodiac stamps issued since 1980 and it’s priced at US$1,940 (13,000 RMB). I love collecting stamps.”

One of the stamps was only worth 0.011 US cents 30 years ago – today, it’s worth US$761.

Last year’s Tiger stamp has doubled its price, while the 2008 Ox stamp is worth 80 US cents today compared to 18 US cents 2 years ago.

So it is turning out to quite a Happy New Year for stamp collectors this year. 

The first Chinese Zodiac stamps was issued in 1980 for the year of the monkey. According to the All-China Philatelic Federation, there are about 20 million collectors in the mainland to date.

So whoever said stamp collecting was a dying hobby should once think it all over again. The Internet has given a major boost to philately with new websites and eBay helping collectors buy and sell their stamps in a way they have never been able to do so before.

Postal Administrations are now finally realising that the best way to sell more stamps is by improving the promotional campaigns and issuing much more beautiful and appealing stamps rather than increasing their face value. Auction houses are also becoming more accessible to collectors with average size collections so finally it seems that the hobby we all love so much is once again maturing and that the stamps we so much adore are now appreciating in value in both stamp catalogues and the open market.

published January 30th, 2011