Lincoln Brings In Millions

Last Friday a fantastic postage stamp collection went up for auction in New York City. By far, it is touted as one of the most amazing collections of President Lincoln stamps ever to be created. In total, the collection has more than 10,000 stamps depicting President Lincoln.

Originally inherited from his father, the stamp collection began to grow in 1977 when William J. Ainsworth’s interest in philately was sparked once again. Over the next 32 years he worked to create the most definitive collection of Lincoln’s image on United States postage stamps.

The collection was broken into more than 600 lots at the auction. One of the interesting favorites was the mint 90 cent vertical block of six Lincoln stamps that were issued in 1869. The stamps feature Lincoln’s portrait in black with a red background. They are considered rare because they have never been broken apart. There was also a proof of a block of eight mint condition 90 cent stamps of Lincoln with his image accidentally printed upside down.
This proof is one of only two proofs known to be in existence. There were many other Lincoln items available at the auction. Lincoln tax stamps, private issues, test printings, etc. There was even a die impression in red sealing wax of a test design with Lincoln’s profile. It was originally purchased at a flea market for 50 cents and included as one of the rare auction items.

This amazing collection sold at auction for almost $2,000,000.

Stamps Worth Millions Taken Away

Jim Ford, a stamp collector from Scotland, is mourning the loss of his precious stamp collection. The collection was originally started by his grandfather when he was a boy. The first stamps obtained were from letters from family members and friends who were scattered around the world. After his grandfather’s death, his uncle inherited the extensive stamp collection. Being confined to a wheelchair because of Multiple Sclerosis afforded him quite a bit of time to add to the already large collection of stamps from around the globe.

Ford, who collected stamps as a child, eventually inherited the collection. After an accident in 2001 left him disabled, he put his focus on expanding his collection. The collection feathered many valuable postage stamps. According to Mr. Ford, the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC wanted to display the 36 “Washington Pinks” that were in his collection because they covered the Civil War years. The stamps were on correspondence between a soldier in battle and his fiancée. The Smithsonian had tentatively valued these particular stamps at around £18 million.

After a gas leak at Ford's home, the collection was packed up and put outside on the porch for a few hours during the cleanup. Council workers were arranged to pick up the old damaged furniture from the back of the home, but took the postage stamps instead. The stamps are now lost forever, despite his calls to have his collection returned.

Included in the mistaken stamp pickup were 840 Penny Blacks which are estimated to be valued between £1900 and £5000 each, the 36 Washington Pinks and dozens of Penny Blues. According to Ford, there was also a strip of three very rare stamps which were valued at £155,000. The good news is that he still has 11,000 stamps left in his collection, but none as valuable as the ones that were taken that terrible day.

When Philately And A Presidency Collide

When do stamp collecting and politics appear in the same newspaper article? When the President of France decides to take up this fantastic hobby!

President Sarkozy, who has been known to be unpredictable and have a hot temper in the past, is enjoying his new found love…stamp collecting. This wife, Carla Bruni reports that she is glad that he has taken up such a calming activity as well.

His new passion is even being fueled by the upper echelon of political society. At a visit to Windsor Castle last year, Queen Elizabeth gave President Sarkozy a set issued by the Royal Mail in 2004. These stamps were issued to celebrate the centenary of the Entente Cordiale (Sarkozy’s now prize possessions) and many new stamp releases from Great Britain were supplied personally by the Queen. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Governor of California, gave him a leather album filled with postage stamps as well. Other heads of state are jumping on the band wagon and sharing their stamps too. His collection to date is already quite extensive. I guess this is just another bonus given to a seated President. I wonder what Barack Obama will have in store for Sarkozy in the future.

President Sarkozy is now sponsoring a newly formed stamp club called the Elysee Philatelist Club, which is named after his official residence.

Other famed heads of state stamp collectors include Franklin Delano Roosevelt, King George V, Prince Albert, and Tzar Nicholas III of Russia, Prince Rainier III of Monaco and King Carol II of Romania II, to name a few.

Another Thing To Do With Postage Stamps Part II Of II

Continuing from the post on Friday…

Did you know that one of the hottest new trends is to make postage stamps into jewelry? There are several ways to make the jewelry and I must say that each piece was quite impressive when it is complete. Necklaces, earrings, pins and pendants are the most popular pieces that you will find. These products are not mass produced and as a result, these one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry are making a huge hit at craft shows and online stores.

Postage stamps are also being made into jewelry boxes. From the pictures that I have seen, the stamps look as if they are carefully applied to beautiful wooden boxes with some sort of varnish. They make a beautiful one-of-a-kind box for jewelry or trinkets.

A jewelry store in Kansas City is manufacturing custom postage stamp jewelry of their own. Their line of cuff links feature authentic older postage stamps from around the world. According to The Star in Kansas City, “the stamp selections cover US and world history, art, music, politics, inventions, wildlife, and of course...sports!” Each set of cuff links arrives in a gift box with a label on the bottom identifying what country the stamp came from, date of issue and some important tid-bits about the stamp that is featured.

All of these pieces of postage stamp jewelry would be a fun way to show your love of stamp collecting.

Stamp Collecting Hits The Big Stage

A play called “Mauritius” first became recognized at Huntington’s 2006 “Breaking Ground Festival.” It went on to receive great praise and has continued to grace big city theaters around the United States.

Just like the name would lead you to believe, the play is story about postage stamps. The world of philately takes center stage when “half-sisters inherit a book of rare stamps that may include the ‘crown jewel’ of the stamp-collecting world. The battle for possession takes a dangerous turn when three rival collectors enter the sisters' world, willing to go to any lengths to stake their claim on the find” as the show materials explain.

In an effort to make sure that the stamp collecting terminology was correct, two stamp collectors were taken in as advisors. Robert Odenweller and David Petruzelli are credited with making sure that the language was perfect for the play. I did some research to see if there has ever been a play having to do with postage stamps. This is apparently the first of its kind.

Stamp collectors should keep a watchful eye out for the gem of a play, but plan on leaving the kiddies at home. It has strong language and is only recommended for the over 14 crowd. The reviews of this play have been fantastically positive. Not to spoil the story line, but the ending is noted as “ingenious” and something completely not expected. Who knew that a stamp collection could provide so much drama and comic relief?

If you have been fortunate enough to see this play, please leave a comment and let everyone know if you like it.