The Philatelic Foundation, over the past 30 years, has released a series of “Opinions” publications that brings into focus some of the items which are sent into the Philatelic Foundation for expertizing. Ite
ms of significant philatelic and financial value are submitted regularly for the Expert Committee’s review. These publications highlight some of the more interesting stories behind these items. Moreover, the authors are some of the most recognized individuals in philately. Each are scanned as a PDF file and are fully text-searchable. Click here to download and read the books.
Stamps with Low Fair Market Value
The Philatelic Foundation has announced a new service for stamps with low market value despite their high catalogue value which really reflect the value of very fine, fault-free examples. Therefore, submitters can expect the same quality and expertise for their stamps without having to pay a high fee for their certificate. The fees, which are still based upon catalogue value are:
A. Catalog value of $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 with an actual fair market value estimate of 25% or less of catalog value due to condition issues, including faults and/or poor centering.
Flat fee of $75.00
B. Catalog Value in excess of $10,000.00 with an actual fair market value of 25% or less of catalog value to due to condition issues, inclu
ding faults and/or poor centering.
Flat fee of 5.5% based on fair market value with minimum fee of $100.00
For each, the submitter is to state the fair market value, subject to revision by PF, if the fair market value is grossly undervalued. Applications are exactly the same and can be found here.
Hawaii Foreign Mail to 1870 Awarded Large Gold Medal at PHILAKOREA 2014
The 3-volume Hawaii Foreign Mail to 1870 was just awarded the Large Gold Medal in the international literature competition at PHILAKOREA 2014, with a special prize for “best in class.”
This honor, together with three major awards won previously, confirms Fred Gregory and the PF as the worldwide authority in the early Hawaii post.
Hawaii Foreign Mail to 1870 is Now the Recognized Authority
Gregory has made Hawaii postal service research his life’s work, which led to several journal articles and his outstanding website, Post Office in Paradise. Bringing this experience to the PF project, Gregory lays out a clear, compelling narrative on 1,233 golden-edged pages that brings the era to life.
Entertaining and informative, Hawaii Foreign Mail to 1870 details pioneer stampless covers, whalers and missionaries, the use of Hawaii and U.S. postage stamps on Hawaii mail and rates and markings. Maps and illustrations trac
e the routes Hawaii mail traveled while a comprehensive list of vessel arrivals and departures provides an invaluable reference for determining the authenticity of postal history from this period.
Hawaii Foreign Mail to 1870 also appeals to armchair historians with generous color illustrations and details on the everyday lives of missionaries, ship captains, fur and sandalwood traders, and a relatively isolated island nation emerging as a power player on the world stage. As the StampShow Judges’ noted in their critique, it’s“an outstanding work of depth and wide interest. Clear, easily readable… and thoroughly reliable… This will be the standard reference for a very long time.”
About 20 years ago, experts working on behalf of the Philatelic Foundation began updating Meyer and Harris’ classic 1948 research volume, Hawaii, Its Stamps and Postal History. Our expert consultant, Fred Gregory, took charge of the project over time and its scope changed to become a completely new work.
The result – the ultimate resource for information on Hawaii’s early postal system and the first major work on Hawaiian philately in over half a century.
It’s Easy to Add this Important Work to Your Philatelic Library –
Order Today
Order Today
Collect with Confidence
Publishing Hawaii Foreign Mail to 1870 continues a 69-year tradition of providing philatelists with the information they need to collect with confidence. The Philatelic Foundation is renowned for its expertise, which is combined with access to the foremost in technological advances and one of the best reference collections in the industry. That’s why beginner and advanced collectors, leading experts and dealers place trust in our certificates. The expertization process provides confidence in the identification, condition, quality, and genuineness of a philatelic item based on it being “reviewed” by a leading team of philatelic experts. This can have a significant impact on the potential value of an item. Your stamps and covers deserve nothing less.
Your Donations Matter
The Philatelic Foundation is a nonprofit organization and relies on the generous donations of collectors like you. Discover how easy and rewarding it can be to help support our important work. Click here.
The Philatelic Foundation Announces Carl A. Contiguglia Becomes a Trustee
The Philatelic Foundation is pleased to announce that Carl A. Contiguglia has become a Trustee. Carl is a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley and has provided financial advice and raised capital for large corporate clients globally for 25 years and currently serves as Global Head of the firm’s Natural Resources Group. Carl received his A.B. with distinction from Cornell University’s College of Arts & Sciences and his M.B.A. with distinction from Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management.
Carl is a student of Postmaster Provisionals, Carriers and Locals, Western Expresses, Italian States and Hawaiian Philately.
Carl resides in Manhattan with his wife and two daughters.
The Philatelic Foundation is a not-for-profit educational institution chartered in 1945 to encourage and advance philately. The Foundation engages in a broad range of educational activities including the expertization and authentication of rare stamps and covers and the development of educational projects. The Foundation is located at 341 West 38th Street, New York, NY10018.Website:www.philatelicfoundation.org.
Getting to Know the Philatelic Foundation – Mark Schwartz
Who are the individuals behind the Philatelic Foundation – the experts, the executive director, the trustees – who continue to keep the high standard of what the Philatelic Foundation has become known for over the many decades of it’s continuing service to philately? Here we interview Mark Schwartz who is one of the Board of Trustees for the Philatelic Foundation.
Click here to see Mark’s interview as well as other Staff and members of the board…
Research Articles
A page dedicated to various research articles has been uploaded online. These primarily consist of articles written in The Philatelic Foundation Bulletin. Many of these were written in the 1980s-1990s and were distributed and sent to Contributing members on a regular basis. In the future, more articles will be placed online. These are organized in sections for those interested in particular pieces.
Why Should I Expertize?
Whether you are a collector – from beginner to advanced, expert or dealer, confidence in what you buy is essential. That’s why people turn to the Philatelic Foundation for expertizing their stamps. Our newly updated “Why Expertize” page will take you through some of the reasons – with real-life examples – as to why you should place trust in our opinions. This page will highlight what you can expect on a certificate, protecting your investment by getting a certificate, some challenging areas of collecting and what grading can do to value.
Updated Certificate Fee Rates
The Philatelic Foundation has had a change in certificate fee rates. Despite these nominal increases, the Philatelic Foundation remains the best value for expertizing and commands the greatest respect in the field of philately.
The changes in the rates will be as follows for all submissions:
– Fee: The percentage of submitted value has gone from 5% to 5.5%.
– Minimum Fee: The minimum fee has not changed and will remain at $27.00. Thus, not affecting most a majority of the volume of submissions.
– Maximum Fee: This will be raised from $650.00 to $1,000.00 (which only affects less than 2% of submissions)
The above fees will be regardless of the service requested (Standard, Priority and Express)
Foreign Stamps and Covers
– Minimum Fee: This will be $35.00 with the exception of a) overprints (including those not found genuine) and b) used examples in which the value is in the cancellation in which the minimum fee will be $50.00.
– Turnaround Time: While we do the best to turn around items within 30-35 business days, exceptionally difficult items may take 90-150 days.
– Services: As before, no Priority or Express services are offered on foreign stamps and covers and they cannot be in a “Keep Together” with U.S. submissions.
– Payment: Checks for payment must be payable to a US Bank. If payment is made by Euros, please add a 5% processing fee. If payment is made through PayPal, please add a 3% convenience fee.
Fakes and Forgeries Online
A 5 frame exhibit on U.S. Fakes and Forgeries from the Philatelic Foundation’s Reference Collection has been uploaded online. This sneak peak into the Philatelic Foundation archives is sorted by issue and shows some of the reference material on file to assist in the expertizing process. Click here to learn more…
PF Awards Certificate #500,000
A letter mailed from Fairfield, Conn. to John Hancock in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. Click here to learn more…