Stamp Magazine

29 Jan 2015

Nicaragua – Stamps and Land Disputes

Latin America has been troubled with conflicts and wars through centuries, but there’s one conflict that happened in 1937 that left a scar on the region. And the reasons for this conflict are the usual suspects - land, pride and postage stamps.

The competing parties are Nicaragua and Honduras, the subject is ‘territory’, the trigger - postage stamps. While other countries are drawn into war because of aggression or dropped bombs, the case of these two Central American countries started with a postage stamp... Read More

Stamp

18 Jan 2015

Stamp Insurance - An Investment You Can Count On

While insurance has been traditionally associated with fixed assets and real estate and even one’s life, keep in mind that it can also work for your stamp collection. According to industry bloggers like Carrie Van-Brunt-Wiley and Samantha Alexander, it pays to secure your stamp collection and to do it now. Philately is not just about searching and researching about valuable stamps; responsible philately also means securing your collection so that the future generations (and enthusiasts) can appreciate all these. Signing up for insurance serves as your cover in case the stamps are compromised.

Sure, you can count on albums, plastic covers and archive or museum-quality plastic sleeves, but often these are not enough in protecting the integrity of the stamps. But it’s a different... Read More

Stamp, Tips

1 Jan 2015

Red Cross and Red Crescent

The Red Cross and Red Crescent, both symbols used in voluntary health work and humanitarian initiatives, are also highly sought-after subjects for stamps. Stamp collectors and enthusiasts are now starting to appreciate the value and the history that comes with these symbols. It was during the First World War that these symbols were used on mails, primarily for fundraising activities. And since these were for humanitarian purposes, the stamps were accepted and gained traction among the general public.

The story of the Red Cross and stamps can be traced to Jean-Henry Dunant when he decided to organize Red Cross as a way to address the suffering after the Battle of Solferino (1859). The colors that have become iconic through the years were produced when uniform fabric and blood... Read More

Stamp, Thematic

25 Dec 2014

China and Mongol Empire - A Look at the Early Postal Stations

The many dynasties of China and the Mongol Empire are two of the earliest and influential empires in Asia and the rest of the world, and they made their mark on different fronts. In terms of military might, China and the Mongols are known for their military prowess. In fact the Mongol Empire produced some of the best military tacticians including Genghis Khan.

While the advanced culture and military prowess are the main advantages of these two empires that allowed them to prosper and become two of the world’s early powers, these two also relied on a basic messaging system that kept them ahead of the rest. In 1200, the Mongol Empire through Genghis Khan adopted a postal station, and an empire-wide message system carried out by their messengers.

Kublai Khan, the grandson... Read More

Stamp, Chinese Postal History, Postal History