How to know rare stamps when you see one

Believe it or not, investing in rare stamps is a normal occurrence.  Usually, the collection and gathering of rare stamps is a hobby that is better appreciated by the advanced collectors. 

Unbelievably, rare stamps are investments that are of the tangible kind.  Compared to art they are also a worthwhile and enjoyable investment especially for enthusiasts. 

First things first, the fact is that rare stamps are really, definitely very rare.  But what is it that makes a stamp rare? 

The following are some of the reasons as well as circumstances that make a stamp that rare, expensive stamp that everyone would want to own.

The mother of all rare stamps

Believe it or not, there exists the stamp that would be considered as the mother of all rare stamps and quite possibly the stamp that - if given the chance - would be the one to rule them all.  

The stamp that costs one cent is the British Guiana.  This stamp is currently considered as the rarest stamp in the whole world because only one of such kind was made.  This stamp was reportedly discovered by a school boy back in the year 1873. 

Another valuable rare stamp is called the Penny Black where it is also considered as a very rare and valuable item for collectors. 

The father of all rare stamp collectors

A man with the name Philipp von Ferrary who lived during the years 1850 until 1917 was considered to be the collector of all collectors when he was able to amass stamps from all places in the world. 

Ferrary, as he was fondly called by his clients and almost everyone, began the hobby of collecting stamps when he was young.  Since he inherited a great fortune, he made it his life long quest to buy stamps that are rare. 

On the fifteenth of January, 1915, he relegated to the Berlin Post museum his collections.  But since he was an Austrian - who at that time was residing in France during the First World War - he left his albums to the embassy of Austria & left for Switzerland where he soon died. 

Post world war one brought on the government of France to confiscate his collection.  Since then, most rare stamps have a stamp of "ex-Ferrary" on them, because almost always, the stamps may have previously belonged to him.

Rare stamps found in a dresser

You know you have in your possession a rare stamp when people are suing you to have it back.

It was one hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of stamps that a judge granted the stamp's original owners when it was found that it was included in the dresser a Robert Ganter bought in a used store that sells furniture. 

The original owners discovered Ganter's find when the latter issued an ad in a stamp catalogue for collectors and offering it up to be sold.

Buying rare stamps is a cinch

So just how is one supposed to buy rare stamps when they see one?  The best method is by simply buying the best stamp that you could possibly afford. 

New rare stamps recently unveiled in Asia

Beginning in April of this year (2006), stamps that highlight Vietnam's birds, specifically the partridges as well as pheasants of the country was launched in Vietnam's Ministry of Post and Telecommunication.

These rare stamps provide the people who live in Vietnam with a magnificent documentation of how the country's birds thrive.  The birds that were included in the stamp include a partridge whose neck is orange in color; its scientific name is arborophila davidi.  Other birds in the stamps include lophura hatinhensis or the more popularly known Vietnamese pheasant.

Why are these birds featured in such a stamp series?  For one, putting their pictures on a stamp is one way to immortalize their existence as they are currently considered as endangered.   Their populations have been slowly dwindling due to the loss of their natural habitat as well as hunting. 

What do the stamps represent then?  The series also aims to showcase the varied and special life that Vietnam's birds live. 

All in all, collecting rare stamps is a fun, enjoyable and interesting activity to do especially if rare stamps are your cup of tea.