10
As collectibles, rare stamps fall under passion assets as discussed earlier. The world’s first adhesive stamps, the penny black and twopenny
blue, were issued on 6th May 1840
2
. Stamps come in a variety of issues: Definitives; Provisionals; Commemoratives; Miniature sheets; Charity
issues and Limited issues. There are also a number of other kinds of issue which can hold a special interest for collectors, but usually on a
smaller scale.
STAMPS IN CONTEXT
$6,911,100
2012
2011
2006
1998
1995
1989
$5,097,100
$2,247,700
$1,746,600
$1,186,400
$550,500
UK
7%
CHINA
17%
US
9%
1975
1000+
60
MILLION
GLOBALLY
40
MILLION
IN ASIA
20
MILLION
IN CHINA
STAMPS IN NUMBERS
NUMBER OF COLLECTORS
VALUE OF CHINA’S STAMP INDEX
DEALERS IN THE US
INVESTORS WITH WEALTH IN
STAMPS AND ALTERNATIVES**
2013
490
Source: *includes asda members ** includes art, wine, jewellery, antiques and other collectables.
BILLION
GLOBAL VALUE
$3
200
9000
NEW STAMPS
ISSUED EVERY YEAR
COUNTRIES
ISSUING STAMPS
2013
1989 - 2012
1975 - 2013
