General Foreign
- (JQ5), plate # block, VERY FINE, og, NH - 408933Your Price $4,750.00 Originally $5,000.00
- U.N. - HIGH QUALITY MINT POSTAGE SELECTION IN SHEETS - 410445Your Price $3,750.00 Originally $4,000.00
- ADEN – SOUVENIR & MINIATURE SHEETS – 409864Your Price $1,900.00 Originally $2,000.00
- CANADA - SPECIAL DELIVERIES, POSTAGE DUES AND OFFICIALS - 409951Your Price $390.00 Originally $400.00
- CANADA & PROVINCES - MOSTLY PREMIUM SELECTION - 408586Your Price $725.00 Originally $750.00
- CANADA - VERY NICE HIGH QUALITY CLASSIC SELECTION - 405737Your Price $490.00 Originally $500.00
- HONG KONG - HIGH QUALITY SELECTION OF THOUSANDS WITH PREMIUM - 409341Your Price $3,250.00 Originally $3,500.00
- TRUCIAL STATES – MASSIVE MINT SELECTION - 409860Your Price $4,750.00 Originally $5,000.00
- TRUCIAL STATES - EXTENSIVE MINT NH SELECTION - 409055Your Price $2,750.00 Originally $3,000.00
- BRITISH EMPIRE - HIGH QUALITY SELECTION OF THOUSANDS OF SETS & SINGLES, NEARLY ALL-MINT - 410432Your Price $1,900.00 Originally $2,000.00
- AFGHANISTAN - PREMIUM MINT SELECTION - 409118Your Price $1,900.00 Originally $2,000.00
- (200var, perf 11; MI 154B), €50 perf stamp, sheet of 100 (€5,000), VERY FINE, og, NH - 406935Your Price $390.00 Originally $400.00
- (9), tied on wrapper, VERY FINE - 405549Your Price $5,250.00 Originally $5,500.00
- (326-339), VERY FINE, og, NH - 409428Your Price $650.00 Originally $675.00
- AUSTRIA - WELL FILLED SPECIALIZED 19TH CENTURY COLLECTION INCLUDING #1-2, VERY FINE - 410272Your Price $825.00 Originally $850.00
- AUSTRIA – MINT & USED SELECTION - 411091Your Price $3,250.00 Originally $3,500.00
- AUSTRIA - Extensive Mint & Used Stock - 407396Your Price $975.00 Originally $1,000.00
- AUSTRIA USED IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA - Specialized Classic - 407354Your Price $1,700.00 Originally $1,750.00
- P3, ON NEWSPAPER PIECE, VERY FINE, - 402652Your Price $8,500.00 Originally $9,000.00
- BELGIUM – EXTENSIVE STOCK SELECTION – 411084Your Price $5,250.00 Originally $5,500.00
- BELGIUM - HUGE SPECIALIST'S SELECTION OF MORE THAN 10,000 - 409165Your Price $725.00 Originally $750.00
- BELGIUM – COMPREHENSIVE COLLECTION - 408598Your Price $1,500.00 Originally $1,600.00
- BELGIAN BACK-OF-THE-BOOK, PLUS BELGIAN CONGO - HIGH QUALITY SELECTION - 406891Your Price $1,100.00 Originally $1,200.00
- BELGIUM - HIGH QUALITY SELECTION LOADED WITH BETTER STAMPS - 406881Your Price $1,800.00 Originally $1,850.00
- BELGIUM - HIGH QUALITY COLLECTION IN A BEAUTIFUL ALBUM - 406226Your Price $875.00 Originally $900.00
- BELGIUM - NICE THREE VOLUME COLLECTION - 405043Your Price $1,900.00 Originally $2,000.00
- (B106), Fine-Very Fine, og, NH - 408819Your Price $470.00 Originally $475.00
- BURUNDI – HIGH QUALITY SELECTION - 409496Your Price $1,100.00 Originally $1,200.00
- THE EX-FRENCH CONGO - HIGH QUALITY THREE VOLUME SELECTION WITH EXCELLENT - 405605Your Price $340.00 Originally $350.00
- BELGIUM & COLONIES - NICE COLLECTION OF OVER 2,200 DIFFERENT - 406395Your Price $1,200.00 Originally $1,250.00
- BHUTAN - COMMERCIAL & PHILATELIC MAIL - 409174Your Price $875.00 Originally $900.00
- BOLIVIA - SPECIALIST SELECTION - 409829Your Price $525.00 Originally $550.00
- BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA – EXTENSIVE STOCK ACCUMULATION - 409196Your Price $975.00 Originally $1,000.00
- BRAZIL - SPECIALTY SELECTION - 409830Your Price $390.00 Originally $400.00
- BRAZIL - Over 20 Documents Circa 1920 - 406168Your Price $975.00 Originally $1,000.00
- BRAZIL - Over 200 Documents Circa 1920 - 406167Your Price $975.00 Originally $1,000.00
- (22), small thin, VERY FINE, og - 408925Your Price $270.00 Originally $275.00
- BULGARIA & MORE - HIGH QUALITY SELECTION OF BLOCKS - 405279Your Price $2,100.00 Originally $2,200.00
Collectible Foreign Stamps
One of the great things about collecting stamps is that it gives you a little taste of what life is like around the world without leaving your home. Aside from being beautiful in their own right, stamps are a wonderful window into the customs and histories of various countries — even some that no longer exist!
At Apfelbaum, Inc., we’ve been serving the philatelic community since 1910. If you’re looking to add to your worldwide stamp collection, there’s no better place to start than at one of our public auctions.
A Brief Postal History
The first national postage stamp — the Penny Black — was produced in the United Kingdom in 1840. Prior to that, each mail system had its own method for collecting payment. The stamp was a simple, straightforward way of handling payments that meant less work for mail carriers.
As a result, stamp use quickly spread throughout both the British Empire and the world at large. While the first stamps generally depicted political figures, designs soon became more ornate and pictorial, eventually evolving into a way to symbolize historic events, national priorities and cultural touchstones.
Collectible Foreign Stamps
Stamp collecting first emerged as a popular hobby soon after the first national postal systems were founded. Countries found they could generate revenue by issuing limited-run stamps solely for the collectible market. While many collectors specialize in a specific country, there’s no denying that an exhaustive worldwide stamp collection has a certain exotic cachet that speaks of far-off lands and distant customs.
Dead Country Stamps
One fascinating offshoot of historical philately is the practice of collecting “dead country” stamps. Dead country stamps are postage stamps from countries or territories that no longer exist. Stamps from former Soviet Republics, areas under colonial rule, and since-annexed territories are all highly prized by certain collectors.
Building Your Foreign Stamp Collection
Apfelbaum, Inc. frequently holds auctions of collectible foreign stamps and you can always find them for sale in our Stamp Store and Buy It Now sales as well. If there’s something in particular that you’re looking to add to your collection, contact our office by phone or email for assistance. We also offer appraisal services at your location to better serve you.