'The Philatelic Exporter' is the only independent magazine in the world for the international postage stamp trade, having been published every month since it first appeared in May 1945.

October 2007

All these News stories, and others, can be read in full in the October 2007 Philatelic Exporter

Spink acquires Shreves to create $100 million business
Spink has acquired Shreves Philatelic Galleries for an undisclosed amount of cash and shares, valuing the enlarged entity well in excess of US$100 million ...

Cyprus stamps show dual currency
Effective with the issue of a new set of definitives on October 2 2007, the stamps of Cyprus will be denominated in both Cyprus pounds/cents and euros ...

New PTS directory
Latest (2007/2008) Membership Directory of The Philatelic Traders' Society was sent to members free of charge in early September. Non-members can obtain a copy for £10 (UK incl p&p), or £13 (overseas airmail) from PO Box 371, Fleet, Hampshire GU52 6SZ.

A stamp all for nothing!
A postal administration that decides to have a stamp issue to celebrate an event well before its happening runs the risk of it being subsequently cancelled. This is just what has happened to Algeria Post ...

Self-adhesive souvenir sheet complements family album
Royal Mail's theme for the royal wedding anniversary is that of a family album to celebrate six decades of a marriage and family. To be issued on October 16, the Diamond Wedding Anniversary issue celebrates the 60th anniversary of the wedding of Princess Elizabeth to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten RN ...

Choice of Christmas stamps
For the first time in its history, Royal Mail will issue two sets of Christmas stamps. Available from November 6, a set of six stamps will feature musical angels, with additional 1st and 2nd stamps featuring new images of the Madonna and Child.

Also ...

Illuminating tweezers
Mauritius on Broadway
New Australian magazine
eBay to offer online postage
The humanitarian face of mail
New Australasian trade society
New range of portable UV lights
Jersey announces 2008 schedule
Major NZ collection goes to Japan
Postal monopolies safe until 2011
Estonian islands stamps are illegal
No stamps from Rwanda since November 2003
Canada to issue first North American Braille stamp

Special features this month

Gary Watson: Stamp show etiquette: how to win friends and influence philatelic people (part 2).

Tony Buckingham: Trust is a little word with a big meaning.

Riccione 2007 pictures.

Regulars:

About People

Over 20 people mentioned - what's happening in your life - tell the editor!

Around the Rooms

Auction action in the salerooms of Prestige, Brian Reeve, and Warwick & Warwick, ... also Grosvenor preview.

Auction Diary

Public stamp auctions around the world in October and November 2007.

Auction houses
If you would like your public stamp auctions included in the magazine please let the editor have your 2008 schedules.
For more publicity for your auctions why not advertise them in the 'Philatelic Exporter'? Contact our advertising department.

Back Stamps

What was in The Philatelic Exporter this month in 1954, 1969, 1970, 1980, and 1999.

Crime Column

Missing and stolen material - Arrochar, Renishaw, Melbourne.

New Issues

Hundreds of new stamp issues from around the world.

Postal administrations and/or agents
If you do not already do so, send to the editor details of your new stamp issues for inclusion in the 'New Issues' listing.
For increased publicity, why not advertise your new issues?

Obituary

James A Mackay, philatelic writer.

Trade Diary

What's on in the UK and overseas - events in the UK in October and November 2007, and international events up to 2010 are listed in the October 2007 Philatelic Exporter.

Event organisers
If you would like your stamp exhibitions or fairs included in these listings please let the editor have your 2008 schedules.
For more publicity for your events why not advertise them in the 'Philatelic Exporter'?

Your Letters

Have you got a view to express about any aspect of the postage stamp trade?
Fancy a moan, a gripe, or a groan?
Perhaps a complaint or compliment, a bouquet or brickbat?
Want to get something off your chest?
Then contact the editor.

From our contributors:

Albert Boerma - Europe

Austria's seeds fail to flower
The postal administrations of Austria and the Netherlands announced a common stamp issue for 2007. The code name for the secret project was 'Holland Flowers'. The Dutch one was heralded as a 'first': stamps with flower seeds encapsulated in them (see my column, July 2007) which was issued on May 1. The Austrians shared the project but insisted on a trial beforehand. In December 2006 the seeds from Japan were planted in Austria but no plants appeared after the promised "few" days. When the first stamps sheets with seeds arrived the trial was repeated in January 2007 but again to no avail, although a success rate of 80% had been guaranteed. The project was cancelled by the Austrians on March 26 "with regret" according to Dr Erich Haas, head of the philatelic service in Vienna ...

Also:
Colditz story reduced to a 'soap opera'? ... Disappointing meeting with minister ... Plea to President Sarcozy ... Josef Walter Koenig 1923-2007.

Read the column in the October 2007 Philatelic Exporter.

James Skinner - Great Britain

Fascinating phosphor find
Although I have been in this business for 30 years, I still find it remarkable when some previously unrecorded philatelic gem is unearthed. Over the years, I have been involved in the uncovering of many new errors and unknown varieties, so by now it really shouldn’t surprise me that many collectors are relatively unfamiliar with the stamps in their possession ...

Read the column in the October 2007 Philatelic Exporter.

Liz McKernan - Postcard World

Mixed reception for three-day show
This year the Picture Postcard Show was reduced from four days to three and there were many comments made by the dealers among themselves ranging from "It's made no difference to my takings at all" to "I've really missed the fourth day".  I over­heard several say that they were in two minds whether to do it again ...

Read the column in the October 2007 Philatelic Exporter.

David Rennie - New Books

All reviewed in the October 2007 Philatelic Exporter.

Glen Stephens -Australasia

Beware dodgy stamp sellers on eBay
One invaluable service that www.stampboards.com offers is a sounding board for the many dodgy sellers that infest eBay. There are sadly a good number of folks who knowingly offer material that is not what it is alleged to be. Even when they are advised it is fake ...

Also:
Superb banknote book ... Plastic fantastics.

Read the column in the October 2007 Philatelic Exporter.

Les Winick - USA

Only one in five new businesses survive five years
The US Commerce Department recently conducted a survey of small businesses which revealed that out of every ten small businesses, seven will still be in business after the first year, three will be around after three years, and only two after five years ...

Also:
Aerogrammes grounded... 'Heroes' funds distributed... New mail security measures... Elvis the King - of stamps... If you don't like it, don't pay it!... Numbers game.

Read the column in the October 2007 Philatelic Exporter.