Please Help New Member Out With Identifying These Stamps

Hello,

I have been collecting stamps for about a year now and came across a set of stamps that I've never seen anything similar to. I'm usually able to find stamps that I'm not familiar with pretty quickly online but have come up with very little on this and wanted to see if anyone might be able to help me. As you can see their is a Red Cross on the top left as well as the word "Specimen" in red across the upper border of the frame of the picture as well as a hole on the bottom right. From what I've found, it seems like a set of Netherlands Colony Red Cross Specimen stamps from 1944. It says there was only 200 sets made but that was on an international website so I'm not sure if this is true or not.

Please take a look and let me know what you think.

Netherlands Antilles, Air post Semi-Postal Stamps, Princess Juliana, 1944.
Edit; Sorry, forgot to mention that the surtax was for the Red Cross

Hello,

Thanks so much for the reply. I saw this article that mentions what sounds like you are mentioning at around $14 http://stampselector.blogspot.com/2...erlands.html

But mine has the word specimen on the top in red. I've read there's far fewer of these minted. Is the one you're referring to including the Specimen overprint?

Thanks

Specimen stamps are generally created for distribution to UPU-member postal authorities to assist in recognition of legal vs. illegal stamps used to frank international mail. Most have been available to the public in limited quantities from the agents contracted by governments to carry out distribution of the stamps. "Specimen" has sometimes been punched into stamps (holes arranged in the shape of the word Specimen) to demarcate their special purpose

In contemporary times some have the opinion that specific countries issue Specimen stamps simply as pseudo-rarities to generate revenue from sales to distribution agents.

Okay thanks. Any idea of where I can find the value of the Specimen version of this stamp?

Here is an example of a perfed SPECIMEN.



Even some specialized catalogues are inconsistent with how and when they list specimens. I think they are neat to have, though I don't specialize in them, myself.

I am curious what you mean that you "came across" these stamps. Are they yours? Are they someone else's that you might seek to acquire? If yours, I assume you know what you paid for them. Are you trying now to determine what they are worth?

That's a really cool specimen stamp with the holes.

I bought a lot on ebay from someone who had inherited it. I've found a lot of old and valuable stuff from it so far (26 pound box). I saw the exact same stamps that I've shown here going for 2,000 pounds on a british website but am aware anyone can ask what they want for it so I was trying to get an idea as I've seen the production on these are very low.

I would like to know how much it's value is but I wouldnt sell it because of the historical importance that it represents.

What I would suggest is finding the year of issue first. This can be done in the library or by searching Netherlands Antilles listings on ebay, bidstart, and delcampe. Once armed with the year of issue, google "netherlands antilles specimen stamps" to find dealers who have the material listed on their site. My guess is you will find a few European dealers with deep stock of this country. Hopefully by searching within the semi-postal stamp listings (the stamps appear to be semi-postals) for the year of issue, you will find a similar set priced.

There is a listing for this set below, with a Catawiki catalogue value at the end:

http://www.catawiki.com/catalog/sta...imen-bossing

So is it really saying this set is worth 2,000 Euro, roughly $2,500? Is this a legitimate reference point for stamp values?

@ Dw9540

In untouched condition, maybe...

Assuming as well that the "Specimen" overprint is genuine.

Oh okay, thanks. Is there a particular company or referring website to a local dealer that is trustworthy and highly recommended in regards to appraising something like this as far as legitimacy and value?

Thank all of you so much. I am looking forward to spending more time on here and learning and trying to help others.

Also, is there an iPhone app, that I can download for access to this website and forums? If not, I'd highly recomend it, if possible.