Philately is a rewarding hobby, especially if you come across rare stamps, which are much sought after. Some stamps are repositories of historical events and historical sources. While the use of stamps for postage is waning with the advent of email and digital technology, the thrill of having a rare stamp or stamps in your collection can be especially exciting. To start off, I would like to share a few Japanese stamps that could be valuable.
Sun Yat-sen Stamps, China
These are some of the most sought-after stamps featuring Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of modern China. These portrait issues were featured on definitive and commemorative stamps through the 1930s, 1940s, and the hyperinflation years. During the occupation years, these very stamps were overprinted by the Japanese as the Japanese army advanced faster than the printing presses could keep pace. It is interesting to see Japanese characters printed over the Chinese stamps.
Coronation Stamps from Japan
The 1915 Taisho era Coronation stamp of the Emperor is particularly interesting. It is a rare stamp marking the ascension of Emperor Taisho to the throne.
The stamp below is another commemorative stamp issued in 1915 to celebrate the coronation of Emperor Taisho to the throne.
Some more Stamps from Japan (the Chrysanthemum Series)
Base Design: Part of Japan's definitive "Chrysanthemum" (Kiku) series introduced around 1899–1900, featuring the Imperial Chrysanthemum crest in the center flanked by decorative floral patterns and traditional motifs.
The Overprint: Look closely at the vertical characters printed over the design (reading downwards on the sides or across the middle). It features a Japanese postal overprint reading "支那" (China), indicating it was specifically issued and used at Japanese post offices operating within Chinese treaty ports.
This is a ½ Sen (0.5 sen) grey postage stamp from the Chrysanthemum Series (Kiku) issued by the Empire of Japan in 1901.
Key Specifications:
Country: Japan (Meiji Period)
Denomination: ½ Sen (indicated by ½ in the lower-left corner and the Japanese Kanji character 半 (han/half) at the bottom)
Color: Grey / Slate Grey
Issue Date: March 27, 1901
Catalog References:
Scott Catalog: #92 / #A359
Sakura Catalog: #102
Stanley Gibbons: SG #133
Design Details:
Central Motif: Features the 16-petaled Imperial Chrysanthemum Crest (Kiku), which is the official emblem of the Japanese Imperial Family.
Top Corners: Features small post-town bell (Ekirei) motifs in the upper corners.
Cancel/Postmark: This stamp shows a circular Japanese black postmark (maru-ki). Unlike the previous stamp you shared, this copy does not have the "China" (支那) overprint and was issued for domestic use within Japan.
This is a 3-sen postage stamp from the Japanese Empire, belonging to the "Chrysanthemum" (Kiku) definitive series issued during the Meiji period.
The Mount Fuji Stamps
The Mount Fuji stamps were among the first stamps to depict scenery. This is a vintage postage stamp issued by the Empire of Japan, belonging to the classic Mount Fuji and Deer (Fuji Shika) definitive series. These stamps were printed from 1922 to 1930.
Philatelic Week (切手趣味週間 - Kitte Shumi Shūkan) commemorative series issued by Japan Post (Nippon Yūbin).
The first stamp depicts a girl blowing on a Glass toy. It was printed in 1955. The Original Artist was Kitagawa Utamaro (喜多川 歌麿, c. 1753–1806). The second stamp depicts a Girl returning from the bathhouse. It was issued in 1958. Original Artist: Torii Kiyonaga (鳥居 清長, 1752–1815). The third stamp depicts a Girl Bouncing a ball. It was issued in 1957. Original Artist: Suzuki Harunobu (鈴木 春信, c. 1725–1770).
German WW II Postage Stamps
These two stamps are part of the Adolf Hitler Definitive Series (Dauermarkenserie Adolf Hitler), which was the standard postage stamp issue in Nazi Germany (Deutsches Reich) during World War II. The first stamp has a Profile portrait of Adolf Hitler facing right, designed by artist Richard Klein. It was issued from 1941 to 1944. The second stamp was also issued from 1941 to 1944.
Official Correspondence Stamps
This is an official German stamp (Dienstmarke) issued by the Deutsches Reich during the Nazi era.
Here are the key details about this specific stamp:
Issuing Entity: Deutsches Reich (German Reich)
Type: Official / Service Stamp (Dienstmarke), which was used exclusively for official correspondence by government offices and public authorities rather than general public mail.
Denomination: 6 Pfennig (indicated by the number "6" in the top corners).
Release Date: Introduced starting January 18, 1934.
Design Features: It features a central swastika enclosed within an oak leaf wreath, rendered in a dark green color. The text at the bottom reads "Dienstmarke Deutsches Reich" (German Reich Official Stamp) written in traditional German Kurrent/Fraktur script.
Catalog Designation: Commonly listed under Michel-Katalog No. 135.
Stamps of this type are historical artifacts from the Weimar-to-Nazi transition period and World War II era administration, often collected today by historians and philatelists specializing in postal history of the 20th century.
German Hyperinflation Stamps
These stamps were issued by the Deutsches Reich (German Weimar Republic) during the height of the catastrophic economic crisis in 1923.
The Historical Context
Following World War I, Germany was saddled with massive war reparations. To pay them, the government printed staggering amounts of paper money, leading to runaway hyperinflation. Prices doubled every few days—and eventually every few hours.
Because postal rates skyrocketed, the post office couldn't print new stamp designs fast enough. Instead, they took older, low-denomination stamps (or existing stocks) and black-overprinted them with brand-new, astronomical values.
What More?
Beyond a rare stamp's monetary value, it also has historical value. Stamps are capsules of historical events, whether they are commemorative events or definitive or thematic.
Vintage Flag Stamps of America
1. 6¢ White House & Flag Stamp: The first stamp was printed from the 1960s through the early 1970s as part of the Americana definitive series. It features a U.S. flag flying over the White House.
2. 8¢ White House & Flag Stamp: This stamp was a similar White House and flag motif, updated for the 8-cent first-class postal rate introduced in 1971.
3. 15¢ "Land of the Free" Flag Stamp: The Stamp features a waving U.S. flag with the patriotic inscription "THE LAND OF THE FREE / THE HOME OF THE BRAVE" down the left side.
4. 18¢ Flag Over Wheat Field Stamp: It features a U.S. flag over a rural landscape with the caption "...for amber waves of grain" (a line from "America the Beautiful") and was issued in 198.
5. 22¢ U.S. Capitol & Flag Stamp: It features a waving U.S. flag over the United States Capitol building, accompanied by a quote from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address ("Of the people, by the people, for the people"). The stamp was issued in 1985.
6. 10¢ Crossed Flags Stamp: It features two historical/variant American flags (including a 13-star colonial flag) crossed against a wooden background. It was issued in 1973.
The Eisenhower Stamps
1. The first stamp was issued on May 10,1971. It was first issued in large post office sheets.
2. The second stamp was issued in the Booklet / Coil Style.
Significance: Both stamps are common vintage pieces from the early 1970s, reflecting postal rate changes of the era (specifically when the first-class mail rate rose to 8 cents).
American Stamps: Famous Personalities
Top Row
1¢ Thomas Jefferson (Green)
Series: Prominent Americans Series
Issued: January 12, 1968
Details: Features a profile of the third U.S. President and principal author of the Declaration of Independence.
4¢ Abraham Lincoln (Purple)
Series: Prominent Americans Series
Issued: 1965
Details: Depicts the 16th U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln.
20¢ George C. Marshall (Olive/Brown)
Series: Prominent Americans Series
Issued: October 24, 1967
Details: Inscribed "Statesman / Soldier", honoring the World War II General, Army Chief of Staff, Secretary of State, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
40¢ Thomas Paine (Blue)
Series: Prominent Americans Series
Issued: 1968
Details: Features the Anglo-American pamphleteer and revolutionary whose writings like Common Sense, inspired American independence.
Bottom Row
7¢ Woodrow Wilson (Rose/Carmine)
Series: Liberty Series
Issued: January 10, 1956
Details: Honors the 28th U.S. President, based on a portrait drawing by artist F. Graham Cootes.
15¢ Oliver Wendell Holmes (Magenta)
Series: Prominent Americans Series
Issued: March 8, 1968
Details: Features Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., the renowned U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice and legal philosopher.
21¢ Amadeo P. Giannini (Green)
Series: Regular Issue / Prominent Americans era
Issued: June 27, 1973
Details: Inscribed "Banker", honoring A.P. Giannini, the visionary founder of the Bank of Italy (which later became Bank of America).
1¢ Thomas Jefferson (Green)
Series: Prominent Americans Series
Issued: January 12, 1968
Details: A duplicate of the first stamp in the top row.
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