Stamp Collecting

—Mel Coe

Atiny piece of paper, 1¾” x 2¾”, with an image of an inverted biplane sold at auction in 2016 in New York for $1,351,250. Quite a return on investment as in 2005 the stamp had fetched $577,500. What made it so expensive? Supply and demand; only 100 of the Upside Down Jenny were printed before the mistake was discovered and the plane was righted. That’s not to say philately (a fancy term for stamp collecting) is all about speculation. The hobby opens our eyes to foreign travel, history, architecture and art. The study of stamps as well as postal history is among the most fulfilling and fascinating pastimes. And it isn’t for nerds. John Lennon’s stamp album was displayed at that same New York show that sold the Upside Down Jenny and…

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Cigar Aficionado (Digital) - 1 Issue, March/April 2021

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