A Very Common Stamp From Hungary With a Great Story

...but it's even better from the back!

In 1943, Hungary issued a series of stamps featuring historical heroes. The 4f value features Janos Hunyadi, a general and Governor of Hungary in the 15th Century.

After the end of World War II in 1945, the stamps were overprinted with new values. The 4f (forint) value was overprinted three times, with this stamp being the third overprint, 10f on 4f in carmine, SG800 Scott 657. Numerous overprint errors exist on this provisional issue, and it's a minimum value stamp in all catalogues.

In 1946, the Hungarian currency, the Pengo, collapsed, and Hungary went through a period of hyper-inflation. 

Reminiscent of Germany in the early 1920's, stamps with a face value of 500,000 billion pengos were issued during 1946, before the currency reform later in the year. Prior to the issue of the high face-value stamps, remaining stocks of low face value definitives were overprinted with a code, with the stamp being sold at the relevant rate for that code on a given day. The modern equivalent would be the "Forever" stamps.

In this case, our stamp was overprinted with "TI. 2.", which was an abbreviation for "Tavolsagi level", or "Inland letter", thus becoming SG890, Scott 811. I'm assuming that the "2" represented a different rate, but would appreciate feedback on this.

So there we have a stamp overprinted twice, telling the story of the collapse of an economy after a long and bitter war. The story should end there. That is, until you turn the stamp over.

I Need a Website Designer

Referrals and Recommendations Welcomed

I'm embarking on a medium to long term project to develop a website, and need a website designer to work with me.

I'm looking for a dedicated, professional, and committed designer that can work across time-zones if necessary (remembering that I'm in Australia), and can take constructive criticism and direction. I'll need to see live examples of websites created, and testimonials are required. Therefore, no beginners will qualify.

If you are a website designer (or can recommend someone without hesitation) and can meet the above criteria, please email me at globalphilately@gmail.com. 

The Grumpy Old Men's Club

Definitely "THE" Friendliest Stamp Forum on the Internet Celebrates It's 3rd Birthday

There's more than one stamp forum on the internet, and more than one that touts itself as being the friendliest.

The Grumpy Old Men's Club (where you don't need to be grumpy, old or a man!) is, in my opinion, the only one that can lay claim to the title. Created in 2010, and told it would last a month by the owner of another forum, The GOMC recently celebrated it's 3rd birthday.

There's a distinct lack of rules and no overbearing admin or moderation. There's a genuine sense of a club atmosphere, as members suggest Ebay items for others, find items for others, and produce gems like this for members just for fun

If you think you'd like to join a diverse range of philatelists, collectors and beginners, where mutual respect is the order of the day, click on this image in my sidebar

I hope to see you there soon!

Ebay Realisations Are Hot

or, How to Be a Constant Underbidder!

I buy most of my Ebay items from the UK and US, so most items end in the wee small hours when beauty sleep is trying it's best to work it's magic.

I use Gavel Snipe to place my bids for me, and I've had a spectacularly unsuccessful week, with prices heading upwards for the Silver Jubilee material I'm constantly seeking.

Here's a few examples:

First, a cheap stamp. Straits Settlements Silver Jubilee 8c, SG257, with a clear strike of Changi, Proud D2, although no year is shown. I collect the postmarks of the small post offices of the Straits Settlements, and I have no Changi in the collection

The stamp has a CV of £3.25, and Proud rates the postmark as 40, or £4. The stamp sold at double CV, £6.50!

Knowledge is Power

Sir Francis Bacon Said That  (Not a Well-Known Australian Stamp Dealer!)

The number of philatelic publications available to collectors is mind-boggling and can be overwhelming. 

Unless you're a basic, worldwide collector, it's important to keep your library up to date with catalogues other than Stanley Gibbons, Scott, Michel, Yvert & Tellier and the other majors.

I've been on a bit of a shopping spree, and these are the additions to my bookshelf this month!

Stefan Heijtz is the acknowledged expert in Falkland Islands philately, and his catalogue is simply marvellous.   Profusely illustrated in colour, with values based on auction and retail sales, this is a must-have for anyone with more than a passing interest in Falklands philately

As I'm also a collector of cinderellas and recently came across some scarce early Lundy material, I purchased the Lundy Island catalogue. It lists all printings, quantities and varieties, and everything is priced. Believe me, the early material is very much sought after!