Canada Stamps Profile

Canada is a country in North America bordered by USA to the South & North (Alaska), North Atlantic Ocean to the East, and North Pacific Ocean to the West. Human presence is established in the Northern Yukon areas as far back as 26,500 years ago. The aboriginal peoples of Canada include the First Nations, Inuit, and Metis. European presence started when the Vikings settled briefly in Newfoundland around AD 1000. John Cabot of Italy in 1497 and Jacques Cartier of France were the explorers who helped establish permanent European settlements. Not to be outdone, the English established fishing outposts in Newfoundland around 1610. A series of Inter-colonial wars followed between 1689 and 1763 and culminated in the ‘Treaty of Paris’ whereby most of Canada was ceded to Britain. The Province of Canada was established in 1841 and the Confederation on July 1, 1867 (Dominion Day). Dominion Day became ‘Canada Day’ in 1982. Canada has a land area of 3.85M square miles and a population of around 34M resulting in a population density of just around 8 per square mile. Its population density is one of the smallest and the land-area is the second largest in the world. Due to the vast size, Canada has a wide variety of climates. Canada has a per-capita GDP of around $40,000 (ppp) making it a very wealthy country. It has vast amounts of natural resources in the form oil (second largest after Saudi Arabia) & natural gas, zinc, uranium, timber, etc. They are net exporters of energy although they have a sizable manufacturing sector. Agriculture is another important sector and Canada is one of the world’s largest supplier of agricultural products.

Present day Canada includes the provinces of British Columbia, Vancouver Island, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland. These areas previously issued their own stamps. The first stamps of the province of Canada were issued in 1851 and feature three different designs. The set of three stamps (Scott #1 to #3) are worth a small fortune – close to $110,000 for MNH and around half that for Used. The most valuable among them is the 12p QV issue (Scott #3) at around $80,000 for MNH and $55,000 for Used. The designs show Beaver, Prince Albert, and Queen Victoria. The same set was reissued in the 1852 to 1855 time-frame in woven paper instead of laid paper. The first two stamps in that set is also fairly valuable at around $1000 and $10000 for MNH and around $200 and $1200 for Used. Certain varieties sell for even more. This was followed by a single issue (Scott #7) released in 1855 showing Jacques Cartier, the famous 16th century French explorer who first explored Canada. This stamp is also extremely valuable at around $6000 for MNH and $1500 for Used. A few other reissues and certain other varieties in the QV theme dominated the scene until 1898. Significant among them is a set of eleven stamps (Scott #50 to #65) released on June 19 1897 showing QV portraits from 1837 & 1897. It was released to mark the sixtieth year of Queen Victoria’s reign. The set catalogs for around $3000 MNH and $1000 for Used.


Below are other relevant stamp issues of Canada over the years:

1. A set of eight stamps (Scott #96 to #103) released on July 16 1908 showing royal portraits and historic scenes. The set released to mark Quebec’s Tercentenary catalogs for around $1700 MNH and $475 for Used. The designs show Prince & Princess of Wales, Jacques Cartier & Samuel de Champlain, Queen Alexandra & King Edward, Champlain’s Home in Quebec, Generals Montcalm & Wolfe, View of Quebec in 1700, Champlain’s Departure for the West, and Arrival of Cartier at Quebec.
2. A set of five stamps (Scott #141 to #145) released on June 29 1927 to mark the sixtieth year of the Canadian Confederation. The set catalogs for around $75 MNH and $15 Used. The designs show Sir John A. Macdonald, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, “The Fathers of Confederation”, Parliament Building at Ottawa, and Map of Canada.
3. A set of six stamps (Scott #211 to #216) released on May 4 1935 to mark the 25th anniversary of the accession to the throne of King George V. A sister set of eleven stamps (Scott #217 to #227) was also released on June 1 1935. The first set catalogs for around $40 MNH and $10 Used and the second set for $210 MNH and $20 Used. The designs in the first set show Princess Elizabeth, Duke of York, King George V & Queen Mary, Prince of Wales, Windsor Castle, Royal Yacht Britannia, and King George V. The second set shows King George V, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Confederation Conference at Charlottetown (1864), Niagara Falls, Parliament Buildings of Victoria in BC, and Champlain Monument of Quebec.
4. A set of fourteen stamps (Scott #249 to #262) released in 1942 to mark Canada’s contributions to the war effort. The set catalogs for around $200 MNH and $15 Used. The designs show King George V, Grain Elevators, Farm Scene, Parliament Buildings, “Ram” Tank, Corvette, Munitions Factory, and a Destroyer.
5. A set of fourteen stamps (Scott #417 to #429A) released between 1964 & 1966 in the “Promotion of World Peace” theme. The designs shw Three-Mapled-Leaf Emblem (Canadian Unity), White Trillium and Arms of Ontario, White Garden Lily and Arms of Quebec, Mayflower & Arms of Nova Scotia, Purple Violet and Arms of New Brunswick, Prairie Crocus and Arms of Manitoba, Dogwood and Arms of British Columbia, Lady’s Slipper and Arms of Prince Edward Island, Prairie Lily and Arms of Saskatchewan, Wild Rose and Arms of Alberta, Pitcher Plant and Arms of Newfoundland, Fireweed and Arms of Yukon, Mountain avens and arms of Northwest Territories, and Maple leaf and arms of Canada. The beautiful set is surprisingly inexpensive at $3 for MNH and Used. It is a great starter collection for collectors who would like to specialize in the ‘World Peace’ theme.
6. A long set of seventeen stamps (Scott #586 to #601) released between 1972 and 1976 showing Great Men of Canada and local scenes. The set catalogs for around $15 MNH and $7 Used. The designs show Sir John A. Mcdonald, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Sir Robert L. Borden, William Lyon Mackenzie, Richard Bedford Bennet, Lester B. Pearson, Louis St Laurent, Queen Elizabeth II, Mountain Sheep of Western Canada, Grain Fields in the Prairies, Polar Bears of the North, Vancouver in BC, and the Seashore of Quebec.
7. A set of five stamps (Scott #909 to #913, #913a) released in 1982 to mark the International Philatelic Youth Exhibition held in Toronto in 1982. The set and the souvenir sheet each catalog for around $3 MNH and Used. The design shows ‘Stamps on Stamps’ of the following Canadian Issues – Scott #1, Scott #102, Scott #223, Scott #155, and Scott #158.
8. A set of twelve stamps (Scott #955 to #966) released on June 30 1982 to mark the first ‘Canada Day’. The set catalogs for around $7 MNH and $6 Used. The designs show the following paintings: The Highway near Kluana Lake by A.Y.Jackson, Montreal Street Scene by Adrien Hebert, Breakwater by Christopher Pratt, Along Great Slave Lake by Rene Richard, Tea Hill by Molly Lamb, Family and Rainstorm by Alex Colville, Brown Shadows by Dorothy Knowles, The Red Brick House by David Milne, Campus Gates by Bruno Bobak, Prairie Town – Early Morning by Illingworth Kerr, Totems at Ninstints by Joe Plaskett, and Doc Snider’s House by Lionel LeMoine FitzGerald. This issue was followed every year by a set of stamps in the same theme. ‘Canada Day’ or a broader ‘Independence Day’ theme can be another excellent theme for collectors who want to specialize. Most of these sets are inexpensive and can be acquired with minimal effort.
9. A stamp (Scott #1270) released on April 5 1990 to mark the Multicultural Heritage of Canada. The stamp is inexpensive at less than a dollar for MNH and 20c for Used. There is an error variety with Inscriptions omitted which fetch a huge premium at around $1000.
10. A strip of four stamps (Scott #1591 to #1594) released on January 9 1996 in the ‘Birds’theme. The set catalogs for around $3 MNH or Used. The designs show American Kestrel, Atlantic Puffin, Pileated Woodpecker, and Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
11. A set of ten stamps (Scott #1725 to #1734) and ten labels released on June 17 1998 in the ‘Canals of Canada’ theme. The set catalogs for around $12 MNH and around half that for used. A booklet pane with the labels can be had for a slight premium. The designs show St. Peters Canal of Nova Scotia, St. Ours Canal of Quebec, Port Carling Lock of Ontario, Locks of Rideau Canal in Ontario, Peterborough life lock of Trent-Severn Waterway in Ontario, Chambly Canal of Quebec, Lachine Canal of Quebec, Ice Skating in Rideau Canal of Ottawa, Boat on Big Chute Marine Railway at Trent-Severn Waterway, and Sault Ste. Marie Canal of Ontario.
12. A long set of seventeen sheets (Scott #1818 to #1834). Each sheet show four stamps in a particular theme. The entire set can be had for around $70 MNH or Used. The themes and designs were Media Technologies: IMAX movies, animation software, Ted Rogers and radio tube, and Invention of radio facsimile device; Canadian Entertainment: Calgary Stampede, Performers from Cirque du Soleil, Hockey Night in Canada, La Soiree du Hockey; Entertainers: Portia White (singer), Glen Gould (pianist), Guy Lombardo (band leader), Felix Leclerc (singer), Fostering Canadian Talent: Roayal Canadian Academy of Arts (men viewing painting), Canada Council (sky, musical staff), National Film Board of Canada, and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Medical Innovators: Sir Frederick Banting (insulin), Dr. Armand Frappier, Dr. Hans Selye, Maude Abbott; Social Progress: Nun, doctor and hospital, Statue of woman holding decree, Alphonse Desjardins and wife Dorimene, Father Moses Coady; Charity: Canadian International Development Agency, Dr. Lucille Teasdale, Marathon of Hope, Meals on Wheels program; Humanitarians and Peace Keepers: Raoul Dandurand, Pauline Vanier, Red cross volunteer and Elizabeth Smellie, Head of various nursing services, Lester B. Pearson, Prime Minister and Nobel Prize winner and Dove, Amputee and shadow; Canada’s First People: Chief Pontiac, Tom Longboat, Inuit Sculpture of Shaman, Medicine Man; Canada’s Cultural Fabric: Norse Boat, Immigrants on Halifax’s Pier, Neptune Theater, Stratford Festival; Literary Legends: W.O.Mitchell novelist and prairie scene, Gratien Gelinas actor and playwright and stars, Le Cercle du Livre de France book club, Harlequin paperback books; Great Thinkers: Marshall McLuhan, Northrop Frye, Roger Lemelin, Hilda Marion Neatby; A Tradition of Generosity: Hart Massey, Dorothy and Izaak Killam, Eric Lafferty Harvie, and Macdonald Stewart Foundation; Engineering and Technological Marvels: Map of Rogers Pass, Manic Dams, Canadian Satellites, Remote Manipulator Arm, CN Tower; Fathers of Invention: George Klein, Abraham Gesner, Alexander Graham Bell, Joseph Armand Bombardier, Snowmobile; Food: Sir Charles Saunders, Marquis Wheat, Pablum, Dr. Archibald Gowanlock Hunstman, Products of McCain Foods; Enterprising Giants: Hudson’ Bay Company, Bell Canada Enterprises, Vachon Company Snack Cakes, George Weston Limited.

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Last Updated: 07/2011.

Goodbye Alameda, Hello Kochi!

On our quest for financial independence we relocated to Kochi in Kerala, India. Kochi is the industrial city in the tiny state of Kerala bordered by the Arabian Sea along the southwestern coast of India. We considered several locations for relocation before settling on this unlikely place. These factors contributed to our decision:

1. Cost of Living: As we expect a lull before generating income from our vocation (few years possibly), it was critical that we stretch our money as far as possible. To this end, Kochi won hands down - as we had a place to live (which needed remodeling) the day-to-day expenses should be low on an ongoing basis. Kochi along with most other second-tier cities in India does very well in this regard, for many of the recurring costs such as property taxes, utility rates, labor charges, etc. are low compared to global standards.
2. Education: Kerala has a well-developed school system (literacy close to 100%) with numerous choices. Costs vary depending on the type of school (public vs private) and on the value-added services offered. Though public schools are free they were not an option for us given their limited facilities. Private schools usually conduct an entrance examination even for lower grades - sometimes having connections can help get an admission. We chose a newer private school around ten miles away from our residence mostly because they offered admission without an entrance test and partly because from friends we learnt that the school catered to expatriates like us. Despite being one of the more expensive private schools in the state, costs are only about one-tenth of the average cost of sending kids to private schools in the US.
3. Language: When considering relocation to a foreign country, language skills (or its lack of) can be a major impediment. Many schools offer alternate language options but it can be hard if the medium of instruction is in a new language altogether. Kerala was a good choice for us in that regard as our kids were in the beginning stages of becoming literate in Malayalam.
4. Logistics: Proximity to family is priceless.

We relocated towards the end of May and our things arrived a month ago none the worse for the move. Of this relocation experience, we have to say that while there were many surprises, overall it has been net positive. Kids are happy at their new school, house remodeling is progressing albeit slowly, and this blog is falling into gear with the frequency catching up to the time when we were in Alameda. Working on our vocation had been in the back burner for some time now, although we should be able to reverse that trend in the coming months.

Above all, it is a great feeling to be freelancers – no one to report to, no stress of deadlines, taking the time to ensure that kids are doing well at school while also trying to do well at our commitments. We will update this series on a regular basis from now on focusing on our experience being expatriates.

Carnival of Road to Financial Independence #21

Welcome to the July 20, 2010 edition of road to financial independence.

Beating Inflation

jacqjolie presents The ratio-nal way to retire early posted at Single Mom, Rich Mom, saying, "Beefing up savings and keeping your lifestyle in check by an early retiree."

FMF presents Just Say ”No” to TIPS posted at Free Money Finance, saying, "Buying gold is often touted as being a key to beating inflation. But is it a good investment?"

Frugal Living

jim presents How to Frugally Stock Your Home Toolbox posted at Home Tool Review.

Karen Anderson presents 13 Timeless Finance Tips From The Bible posted at Online Christian Colleges, saying, "In fact, the Bible has over 1,000 verses that discuss money. In this article, we’ll discuss thirteen timeless pieces of financial advice straight from the Bible, as well as give you the actual Scripture references."

Roshawn Watson presents Why Is Debt Really Decreasing? posted at Watson Inc, saying, "In the first quarter of 2008, our debt to disposable income peaked at a staggering 131%. This means for every dollar we earned, we spent $1.31. As of March, our debt as a share of our annual income is presently 122%. If you think this change indicates that we have collectively been so scarred by the "Great Recession" that we are now behaving fiscally responsible, think again. There is a surprising and sad reason why our debt has gone down. Hint, it has nothing to do with frugality."

PabloPabla presents How To Avoid Impulse Buying | The Frugal Beagle posted at The Frugal Beagle, saying, "It is easy to go into a spending frenzy when we are not alert enough about it. This article offers tips on how to avoid impulsive buying."

nissim ziv presents Career: Quotes about Careers Goals & Inspirational Career Quotes posted at Job Interview Guide, saying, "Deciding to move your career forward or to choose a new career?
Usually that is the hardest part, making the decision to do just that – to take action.
Then comes the second part, deciding on how you’re going to set goals and maximize your career potential.

What ever you decide to do, you can always get inspiration from those who already made it."

Joel Ohman presents If I get a check from my auto insurance company do I have to get my car fixed? posted at Car Insurance Comparison, saying, "Come on - all of us super frugal people have wondered this before if we have ever received a check from an insurance company for damages to our car: do we really have to use the check for the car or can we just pocket the money and leave our vehicle with the damages...?"

OmarAdams presents Broke Billionaires: 12 High-Profile Modern Tales of Riches to Rags posted at Online Accounting Degree, saying, "You might assume that being a billionaire equates to an easy life of no money problems, but for many high-profile people, this is certainly not the case. It is tough for most people to lose a job or a home worth thousands, but imagine losing millions or even billions of dollars in the blink of an eye."

Matt T. Henterly presents How to Live With a Low Credit Score posted at The SimpleChecking Blog, saying, "For those with bad credit, some tips on living with a low credit score."

BWL presents The Best Pre-Paid Credit Cards & Who Should Use Them posted at Christian Personal Finance, saying, "This article looks that the good and bad with prepaid credit cards and looks at who would be best suited for using them."

SWE presents How To Sell Something on Ebay posted at Sell With Ebay, saying, "Selling on Ebay can be a simple way to earn some extra cash - here are some tips for getting started..."

Gal Josefsberg presents Do Frugality and Dieting Work? posted at Equally Happy, saying, "Frugality has a bad reputation in some circles as a pointless pursuit of a few more cents at the expense of joy and happiness. I think this is a misconception. To me, frugality is less about chasing one more dollar and more about finding ways to improve life that also happen to save a bit of money."

Passive Income

Madison DuPaix presents Unique CD Strategy to Lock in Higher Rate posted at My Dollar Plan, saying, "Find out how to get a higher rate on your CD's!"

DepositAccounts presents 10 Mistakes People Make with Their Bank Accounts posted at Deposit Accounts, saying, "It is possible to make mistakes with your bank patronage, resulting in lower returns than you could be getting or even in losses. Here are 10 mistakes people make with their bank accounts."

Alexander presents Dividend Income Strategy posted at Dividend Stocks, saying, "Dividend stocks provide regular passive income. Learn more out the income that dividend paying stocks provide."

Dan presents Sector Review: Utility ETFs for High Yield and Stability posted at ETF Base, saying, "Income investors looking for passive income via high dividend payouts can rest easier with these broad-based utility stock ETFs rather than picking individual equities. With yields of 4-6% and low volatility, they make for great income portfolio additions."

Reducing Expenses

Jessica Bosari presents Four Money-Saving Fails: What Went Wrong Here? | billeater.com posted at Billeater, saying, "Common money saving tactics and how they can go wrong."

Estate Yard presents Simple Ways to Lower Home Energy Bills posted at Estate Yard .com.

FMF presents Save the Most on Groceries in the Least Amount of Time posted at Free Money Finance, saying, "How to save the most on groceries even if you're pressed for time."

Craig Ford presents Student Loan Debt Forgiveness | For Ministers & Non-Profit Workers posted at Money Help For Christians, saying, "How ministers and non-profit workers can have student loan debt forgiven."

Ramsay presents Guaranteed Ways To Keep Your Phone Bill Down posted at Need Money Tips, saying, "Save money on your cell phone bill by reducing unnecessary expenses from your monthly bill."

Contact presents Is Discover the Rodney Dangerfield of Credit Card Issuers? posted at NerdWallet Blog - Credit Card Watch, saying, "Discover has a reputation for not being widely accepted. And while the bad reputation is not without merit, it’s quickly fading from truth into perception. Even since 2007, when Discover was the butt of jokes on Futurama and Family Guy, things have improved substantially."

Stock Investments

Dividend Growth Investor presents How to increase your dividend income with these four stocks posted at Dividend Growth Investor, saying, "There are three major factors, which will allow you to build a viable dividend income stream in retirement."

Carlos Sera presents A Competitive Tale; Financial Tales posted at Financial Tales, saying, "In every new client relationship the conversation always turns to how will the advisor be compensated? Periodically I am asked why I or others don’t charge clients based on the profits that we generate. When they ask me this question I always ask them to choose between two colors. I ask them which is their favorite black or red. When they look at me quizzically"

PT Money presents Should You Invest with Exchange Traded Funds? posted at Prime Time Money, saying, "ETFs are definitely an investment everyone should know about and consider using over mutual funds."

Brenda D. Chapman presents 8 Most Expensive State Construction Projects posted at Construction Management Schools.

Control your Cash presents Shortcuts Are More Work Than They’re Worth posted at Control Your Cash, saying, "Stock investments through the eyes of the late Coach Wooden"

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of
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Stock Portfolio and Watch List Update for July 2010

Following are the activity from the previous month:

1. Doubled down on Frontline (FRO) and added 50% more Harris (HRS) with about 3.5% of our total portfolio value.
2. Added Becton Dickson (BDX) with about 2.5% of our total portfolio value.
3. Wrote cash covered puts on Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Jan 2011 40 at $2.11 and Ameritrade (AMTD) Feb 2011 15 at $1.35. The cash coverage requirement for the combined position is about 4.5% of our total portfolio value.
4. Added about 6% of our total portfolio value in cash. As mentioned in the update last month, this is part of a nest egg that was built up in the last year, being put to work.

The cash coverage requirements on the puts account for about 30% of our cash position. Despite portfolio additions, the cash position in our portfolio is still pretty high at around 47%. We will continue to use cash-covered puts along with direct puchases spread-out over a period of time to build the portfolio.

Below is our updated portfolio – it is aound 2% in the red:

Stock	Buy Date	Buy Price	Current Price	Current % Of Portfolio	Unrealized % Return	Yield as % of Portfolio Value
Altria (MO)	Various	16.69	21.46	1.23	28.62	0.10
Philip Morris International (PM)	1/4/2005	32.19	50.10	1.92	55.63	0.11
Kraft Foods (KFT)	Various	26.33	29.32	2.25	11.37	0.11
Pfizer (PFE)	Various	24.37	14.87	1.43	(38.98)	0.07
ICICI Bank (IBN)	5/18/2006 and 08/01/2008	25.28	38.72	3.71	53.19	0.17
Advantage Energy Fund (AAV)	11/2/2006	3.85	6.45	0.62	67.53	0.10
Central Europe & Russia Fund (CEE)	Various	39.23	33.59	2.25	(14.37)	0.01
Itron Inc. (ITRI)	11/07/2007	85.01	63	1.21	(25.98)	None
Anthracite (ACPIQ – formerly AHR)	11/09/2007	7.97	0.009	0.00	(99.89)	0.00
iRobot (IRBT)	12/18/2007	18.65	19.38	1.49	4.81	None
LDK Solar (LDK)	01/22/2008	30.49	6.02	0.35	(80.26)	None
Aegon N.V. (AEG)	04/28/2008	15.99	5.86	0.34	(63.34)	0.00
Frontline Limited (FRO)	10/06/2008	36.95	30.83	1.77	(6.19)	0.06
DryShips Incorporated (DRYS)	02/09/2009	6.96	4.05	0.54	(41.84)	0.00
Plum Creek Timber (PCL)	07/23/2009	30.50	36.91	2.83	21.02	0.17
CPFL Energia S.A. (CPL)	07/28/2009	50.45	67.68	2.60	34.15	0.21
BP plc (BP)	08/05/2009	51.49	38.92	1.49	(24.41)	0.10
AT&T (T)	08/27/2009	26.38	25	1.92	(5.25)	0.13
Sysco Corporation (SYY)	10/13/2009	25.23	30.18	2.32	19.60	0.10
Exelon (EXC)	12/30/2009	49.38	41.76	2.40	(15.44)	0.21
Telefonica SA (TEF)	02/09/2010	68.74	64.20	2.46	(6.67)	0.29
Vonage Holdings (VG)	04/06/2010	1.51	2.42	0.93	59.80	0
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)	04/23/2010	28.27	26.87	2.06	(4.97)	0.09
Intel Corporation (INTC)	04/23/2010	23.98	21.51	2.06	(10.30)	0.11
Google Inc. (GOOG)	05/03/2010	528.36	494	1.89	(6.50)	0
Cardinal Health (CAH)	05/06/2010	34.42	35.88	2.06	4.24	0.08
Pearson PLC (PSO)	05/06/2010	14.32	14.63	1.96	2.14	0.19
Nokia (NOK)	05/14/2010	10.35	8.86	1.70	(14.40)	0.17
Harris (HRS)	06/07/2010	45.65	44.74	2.57	0.78	0.09
Beckton Dickson (BDX)	06/23/2010	70.20	69.36	2.66	(1.20)	0.11
Cash				46.96
Total Portfolio					(2.11)	2.67

Below is a summary of transactions during the year:

Stock	Buy Date	Buy Price	Sell Date	Sell Price	% Gain (Loss)	% Portfolio Return*
Ameritrade (AMTD)	5/21/2008	17.69	01/19/2010	17.45	(1.33)	(0.02)
AMTD Jan 17.5 Covered Calls (TQAAW)	1/19/2010	NA	9/10/2009	NA	NA	0.22
COST Jan 60 Covered Calls (PRQAL)	1/19/2010	NA	9/10/2009	NA	NA	0.06
IBN Mar 40 Covered Calls (ITZCN)	1/22/2010	NA	10/06/2009	NA	NA	0.20
Costco (COST)	8/01/2009	62.27	02/09/2010	58.18	(6.57)	(0.08)
Realized Gain/(Loss) YTD	-	-	-	-	-	0.04

• % Gain/Loss Relative to Portfolio Value at Beginning of Year + Deposits
• The table assumes realization of profits associated with selling options only after the option is exercised or expiry.

We have covered calls written against 40% of our ICICI Bank (IBN) shares (Sep 2010 40) and 100% of our Advantage Energy Fund (AAV) shares (Aug 2010 7.5). We also have cash covered puts on Glaxo (GSK) shares (Jan 2011 35), Nucor Steel (NUE) shares (Jan 2011 40), Nutrisystem (NTRI) shares (Sep 2010 17.5), Emerson Electric (EMR) shares (Sep 2010 43), Automatic Data Processing (ADP) shares (Jan 2011 40), and Ameritrade (AMTD) shares (Feb 2011 15) with a cash coverage requirement of about 30% of our cash position.

We added Darden’s (DRI) to our watch list. Our current watch list follow – Air Products & Chemicals (APD), Brown-Foreman (BF-B), BHP Billiton (BHP), Caterpillar (CAT), Cresud (CRESY), Disney (DIS), AgFeed (FEED), Goldman Sachs (GS), Home Depot (HD), McDonalds (MCD), China Nepstar (NPD), NYSE Euronext (NYX), Owens & Minor (OMI), Pitney Bowes (PBI), Qiagen (QGEN), UPS (UPS), VF Corporation (VFC), and Waste Management (WM).

Cameroon Stamps Profile

Cameroon is a country in Central Western Africa bordered by Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, and the Atlantic Ocean (Bight of Bonny – Gulf of Guinea). Human presence dates back to the Neolithic period (around 9000 BC). The earliest continuous presence was by groups such as Baka in the early 6th century AD. The colonial period started when the German Empire claimed the territory as the colony of Kamerun in 1884, although Portuguese sailors reached its coast in 1472. After World War I, the nation was split into French Cameroon and British Cameroons under a League of Nations mandate. French Cameroon gained independence in on January 1, 1960 and joined with the Southern Cameroons on October 1, 1961 to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. Cameroon has a land area of about 185,000 square miles and a population close to 19 million, for a population density of around 100 per square mile. The country has an eclectic terrain characterized by the coast, desert, mountains, rain-forest, and the savanna. Cameroon has a per capita GDP of around $2300 (PPP) – majority of the people depend on sustenance farming for lively hood although around 30% of the GDP is accounted for by factory-based industry. The country is characterized as ‘not free’ in terms of people’s rights, as the President of Cameroon controls everything and his party is the sole legal one.

The first stamps of Cameroon were issued in 1897 and were overprints on German issues from the same year. The set of six stamps (Scott #1 to #6) catalog for around $60 MNH and around $100 for Used. The first original issues were a set of thirteen stamps (Scott #7 to #19) released in 1900. The design shows the German Emperor’s (Kaiser) Personal Imperial Yacht “Hohenzollern” in two different sizes and many colors. The design itself is a common design type used in many other colonial issues from the period. The set catalogs for around $275 MNH and $720 Used. The same stamps were reissued with a different watermark between 1905 and 1918. That set catalogs for around $35 MNH. A couple of Used stamps in the set (Scott #23 & #25) fetch a huge premium ($125 & $4750 respectively) as they are extremely rare. There is also a reissue of the same set in 1915 under British occupation. That set (Scott #53 to #65) features a ‘C.E.F.’ (Cameroons Expeditionary Force) overprint along with a surcharge. The set is very expensive as they were only used for a very short period and catalog for around $900 MNH and over $3600 for Used. Varieties with double surcharges and inverted overprints fetch a premium. Counterfeits & forged overprints do exist as well. The areas under French Occupation issued a long set of fifteen overprints (Scott #101 to #115) the same year. This set is also very expensive at around $1800 for MNH and $1500 for Used. The following Gabon issues were used in the overprints: Scott #37, #49-#52, #54, #57, #58, #60, #62 to #64, #66, and #69 to #71. A few other overprints on Middle Congo issues from 1907 were also issued between 1916 and 1921. These sets (Scott #116 through #146) are relative more affordable – many individual issues can be had for less than a dollar while some of them are valued into the 50s.


Below are other relevant stamp issues of Cameroon over the years:

1. A long set of forty two stamps (Scott #120 to #211) issued between 1925 and 1938 featuring local scenes. The set is somewhat affordable at around $65 for MNH and $40 Used. The designs show Herder & Cattle Crossing Sanaga River, Tapping Rubber Tree, and Rope Suspension Bridge. A sister set of thirty stamps (Scott #225 to #254) followed in 1939 in the same theme. That set catalog for around $30 MNH and $25 Used. The designs show Mandara (native of Mandara mountains, a descendent of the Mandara Kingdom) Woman, Falls on M’bam River (tributary of Sanaga River) near Banyo, Elephants, and Man in Yare.
2. A set of nineteen stamps (Scott #304 to #321) released in 1946 in the ‘People of Cameroon’ theme. The designs show Tikar Women (native of North Western Cameroon), Porters Carrying Bananas, Bowman, Lamido (traditional ruler) Horsemen, and Farmer. The set catalogs for around $12 MNH and $5 Used.
3. A set of fifteen stamps (Scott #358 to #372) released in 1962 in the Animals theme. The set catalogs for around $15 MNH and $3 Used. The designs show Mustache Monkey, Elephant at Ntem Falls, Buffon’s kob (Kobus Kob Kob), Hippopotamus, Manatee at Lake Ossa, Buffalo at Batouri (Eastern Cameroon), and Giraffes at Waza Reservation (National Park of far north province, Cameroon). A couple of sets were also issued earlier in the year for use in the former United Kingdom Trust Territory of Southern Cameroons that features President Ahidjo and Prime Minister Foncha. The first set (Scott #352 to #354) catalogs for around $50 MNH and $45 Used. The set (Scott #355 to #357) is a surcharged variant. These are very rare and each stamp in the set catalog for $150 MNH or Used. They were in circulation only for a few days thus accounting for the rarity.
4. A set of ten stamps (Scott #476 to #485) released on July 25, 1968 in the ‘Fish and Crustaceans’ theme. The set catalogs for around $16 MNH and $2 Used. The name Cameroon comes from 'Rio dos Camaroes', the name given to the area by the Portuguese on their arrival in the late fifteenth century - the phrase means 'River of Shrimp' as they saw plenty of fish and crustaceans in the Wouri River they navigated. The designs show River Crayfish, Nile mouth-breeder, Sole, Common Pike, Crab, Spade Fish, Shrimp, African Snakehead, and Threadfin.
5. A set of five stamps (Scott #654 to #658) released on September 20, 1979 in the ‘Protected Animals’ theme. The set catalogs for around $10 MNH and a dollar for Used. The designs show Rhinoceros, Giraffe, Gorilla, Leopard, and Elephant. A long series of sister sets followed starting with the issue of a set of two stamps (Scott #678 and #679) on December 24, 1980 in the 'Endangered Species' theme. The set catalogs for around $6 MNH and $2 Used. Other sets in the same series are: A set of three stamps (Scott #691 to #693) released on July 20, 1981 featuring Mououroum, Tortoise, and Scaly Anteater. The set catalogs for around $4 MNH and a dollar for Used; A set of three stamps (Scott #746 to #748) released on September 22, 1983 featuring Civet Cat, Gorilla, and Cobaya. The set catalogs for around $9 MNH and $2 Used; Two sets of stamps (Scott #761 to #762 and #763 to #764) released in 1984 featuring Wild Pig, Deer, Nightingale, and Vultures. The set catalogs for around $7 MNH and $2 Used; A set of two stamps (Scott #823 and #824) released on August 20th 1986 featuring Varanus Niloticus and Panthera Pardus. The set catalogs for $6 MNH and $2 Used.
6. A set of four stamps (Scott #874 to #877) released in August 1992 in the ‘Cameroon Soccer League’ theme. The designs show Mbappe Mbappe Samuel, Linafoote League Emblem, and Stadium. The set catalogs for around $12 MNH and $9 Used. As the most successful African nation in Soccer, the sport is the most popular in Cameroon.

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Last Updated: 07/2011.

Cambodia (formerly Kampuchea) Stamps Profile

Cambodia (Kampuchea) is a country in South East Asia bordered by Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and the Gulf of Thailand. Radiocarbon dating has established human activity in the area as far back as 6000 BC. More recently, the Khmer Empire was established around the ninth century. The Khmer Empire flourished till the 15th century when it became a vassal state of Ayutthaya Kingdom. The next four centuries are termed the Dark Ages of Cambodia as it was either a vassal kingdom of Ayutthaya or Vietnamese kings for most of this period. Cambodia was a protectorate of France during the colonial period from 1863 to 1953 when it became independent. Cambodia’s history after independence was tumultuous with a constitutional monarchy giving way to the infamous Khmer Rouge during a 4-year period between 1975 and 1979, when about 1-in-5 in the country got killed either directly or indirectly because of the extreme form of social engineering and genocide enforced by that totalitarian rule. Cambodia has a land area of about 70,000 square miles and a population close to 15 million, for a population density of around 210 per square mile. Its landscape is dominated by the Mekong River (world’s twelfth longest) and Tonle Sap (Large Fresh Water Lake and river system). The climate is tropical with a wet & humid rainy season (monsoon) followed by a dry & hot summer. Cambodia has a per-capita GDP of $2000 (ppp) – the country has seen good growth in the recent past as the country stabilized politically.

The first stamps of Cambodia were issued in 1951 and feature three different designs. The set of seventeen stamps (Scott #1 to #17) catalog for around $100 MNH and around half that for Used. Three souvenir sheets of the designs were also issued (Scott #15a, #16a, #17a) and each of those are valued at around $35. The designs show Apsaras, King Norodom Sihanouk, and Enthronement Hall. This was followed in 1954 by another long set of twenty stamps in four different designs. The set (Scott #18 to #37) catalogs for around $40 MNH and $25 Used. The designs show Phnom Daun Penh (a fourteenth century temple), East Gate – Angkor Thom (capital city of Khmer Empire from the twelfth century), Arms of Cambodia, and an Elephant Used for Mail Transport. A set of four souvenir sheets with five stamps from the set in each sheet was also issued. Each of hose (Scott #18a, #23a, #26a, #28a) catalog for around $45 MNH.


Below are other relevant stamp issues of Cambodia over the years:

1. A set of three stamps (Scott #129 to #131) released on March 3 1964 featuring Kouprey, the animal designated as the national animal of Cambodia in 1960. The set catalogs for around $3 MNH and around half that for Used. This is a very collectible item as the Kouprey is an animal shrouded in mystery - there is debate as to whether it is extinct and whether it is a separate species. It is characterized as a forest ox. This was followed on May 2nd with the issue of another set, this time featuring birds. The set (Scott #132 to #134) catalogs for around $6 MNH and $4 Used. The design shows Black-billed Magpie, Kingfisher, and Gray Heron.
2. A set of five stamps (Scott #152 to #156) released on February 1 1966 in the ‘Temples of Angkor’ theme. The set catalogs for around $10 MNH and $8 Used. The designs show Baksei Chamkrong (a small temple in the Angkor complex dedicated to Lord Shiva, built in the tenth century), Banteay Srei (temple dedicated to Lord Shiva built in the 10th located 24 KM away from the Angkor Complex - Citadel of Women), Angkor Wat (12th century temple complex depicted in the national flag), and Bayon temple of Angkor Thom (Early 13th century Khmer temple located at the center of the capital city of Angkor Thom).
3. A set of three stamps (Scott #210 to #212) released on October 10 1969 in the ‘Butterflies’ theme. The set catalogs for around $25 MNH and $6 Used. The designs show Papilio Oeacus, Papilio Agamenon, and Danaus Plexippus.
4. A set of twelve stamps (Scott #346 to #357) released on February 13, 1975 released to mark the 1974 World Cup Soccer Championships. Ten of these stamps are Lithographed while the other two (Scott #355, #358) are Lithographed & Embossed. The set catalogs for around $70 MNH. The designs show Soccer players and arms of Hamburg, Gelsenkirchen, Dortmund, Stuttgart, Dusseldorf, Hannover, Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin.
5. A long running series of sets in the ‘Khmer Culture’ theme. The first in the series was released on December 2, 1990 as a set of three stamps (Scott #1046 to #1048) showing Khmer architecture. The series continued with the following releases – A set of three stamps (Scott #1134 to #1136) released on April 13, 1991 showing statues; a set of three stamps released on April 13 1992 featuring nineteenth century structures (Scott #1209 to #1211); A set of three stamps (Scott #1270 to #1272) released on April 13, 1993; A set of three stamps (Scott #1353 to #1355) released on April 13, 1994 showing Khmer Statues; A set of three stamps released on April 13, 1995 (Scott #1431 to #1433) showing Statues; A set of three stamps released on April 13 1996 (Scott #1504 to #1506); A set of three stamps (Scott #1621 to #1623) released on April 13, 1997; A set of three stamps (Scott #1748 to #1750) released on April 13, 1998; A set of three stamps released on April 13, 1999 (Scott #1853 to #1855); A set of three stamps released on April 13, 2000 (Scott #1959 to #1961); A set of three stamps released on April 13, 2001 (Scott #2087 to #2089); A set of three stamps released on April 13, 2004 (Scott #2216 to #2218). Each set catalogs for around $3 MNH and a dollar Used. This series is an excellent choice for collectors who want to specialize in the area.
6. A set of fourteen stamps (Scott #1534 to #1547) released in the 1996-97 time-frame featuring Historic Sites. The set catalogs for around $8 MNH and around half that for Used. The designs show Apsaras, Statue of Angkor Wat, Statue of a Goddess, Carved Wall of Tonle Bati, Structures of Tonle Bati, and Views of Angkor Wat.
7. A set of five stamps and a souvenir sheet (Scott #2230 to #2234 & #2235) released on September 27 2004 in the ‘Tourism’ theme. The designs show Prasat Preah Khan, Prasat Preup, Prasat Banteay Samre, Prasat Bayon, Angkor Wat, and Prasat Bayon. The set catalogs for around $4 MNH or Used. 

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Last Updated: 07/2011.