Ryukyu Bonanza

We usually get a circuit book for Ryukyu islands in our APS chapter circuit books...usually the prices are absurd..75 or 80 percent of catalog for mint hinged and used stamps are rarely seen...well it must be my Birthday because yesterday when the box came there was a Ryukyu book..untouched we were the first to receive it and the guy has like the first 55 stamps mnh at 1/3 of catalog...a chance like this does not come along very often...it has to be taken advantage..i am filling the spaces !!

What a great way to cap off a year.

Collin

Could you show us some please? I think Ryukyu is a Japanese islands territory (or used to be?). Are they like Japan stamps or different?
Thanks.
Doug

The stamps were issued during the US administration of the islands after the war. Once the islands were returned to Japan, stamps of Japan were used.

The "Heavenly Maiden" airmails are considered to be among the most beautiful of airmail stamps.

Thanks Colin ! Puzzler I would love to show them..but we purchased a new Dell computer with Windows 7..and Windows 7 does not support my 16 bit scanner from the dark ages of 2004 !! We are in the market for a new scanner...almost all the new scanners are the "ALL in One" type which combines the scanner,printer and sometimes fax machine..i miss my old flatbed scanner but technology moves on and they can only support add on things like scanners back so far...believe me I am looking forward to a scanner so I can show and tell here and list stamps for sale on Wensey.com !!

Way to go Phil...snatch all the ones you need before you buddy Collie
gets them..

The "Heavenly Maidens" are featured on the current homepage of StampSelector at stampselector.blogspot.com in small pictures and a short paragraph. (The post is dated November 6, 2009.) I don't hang out there; I only found it through a Google search a few minutes ago. Though I like airmails, I've never paid much attention to these issues as they are too new for me.

As for the scanner, we use laptops around the house, and our circa-2004 all-in-one doorstop was a pain. I casually mentioned in conversation that I might sell a few stamps if it was more convenient to scan them, and three days later the UPS guy brings a box from HP with a wireless all-in-one. Subtle? No. For what it is, it is reasonably convenient, and it is definitely out of the way. Needing only a wall outlet and no other wires adds a lot of flexibility.

Collin

Thanks bobgggg! Nice stamps.
I will check out the airmails!
I like the older mythology type airmails.

Just a question? - for Japan and Korean stamps

How do you know it's airmail stamps, if the english word "airmail" is not printed on the stamp?

Or is it standard practice - it HAS to have the english word "airmail" on it? (just like in the Philippines)

Thanks and please excuse the Q, just had to ask

Bobgggg, you are darn right..i am the APS rep and I get first pick..the box comes to my house...Colie is interested in the different varieties and printings and there are many...some of the early sets were printed in both the native currency and U.S. currency..like with almost all stamps you can specialize and go pretty deep..not to be funny..but I can tell the airmails in the scott albums as they are in "back of the book" !

Japanese airmail stamps that do not have the inscription "AIR MAIL" all have an airplane in the design or an airplane overprint.

South Korean airmail stamps from 1952 onward will have the 2 characters circled in red below:


South Korean airmail stamps before that will not have those 2 characters, but will have an airplane in the design.

The lone North Korean airmail stamp has an airplane in the design.

k

I have an old collection with about four dozen 50's and 60's Ryukyu stamps, unfortunately all mint. The collector marked prices in pencil of values between 4c and $1, I am presuming that they are worthless and that the airs and used stamps are where the value belongs? Is this so.

I have given up on how to post an image, it says to look for the photo icon, but there is none. Oh well, whatever. Anyway, here are the Ryukyu stamps I possess. Is it worth hanging on to them to trade at a later date, or should I consign them to the mercy of ebay

We must be degenerate stamp collectors to be on the forum on New Years Day...why not check Ryukyu on ebay and see what they are bringing...mint never hinged from the 1950's should do well !!

It has nothing to do with New Year's Day, Phil. It's 24/7/365!