Dead Countries Or Lost Nations

Greetings,

In my meager collection I have a small amount of USSR/Western Australia/Newfoundland stamps. What I am wondering if folks have favorite Dead Countries or Lost Nation areas that they like collecting and perhaps why?

Thank you

Ed

I do collect stamps from countries or other stamp-issuing entities that no longer do so. I find the histories interesting (e.g., Danzig, Newfoundland etc), and it is possible to put together a decent coverage if one is patient. I particularly like Canadian and Australian states. Often lovely, always interesting.

I have no favorite dead country. I DO enjoy learning about the story-behind-the-story, though. What was that piece of land before? Why did it change? What did it become after? Why? All fascinating stuff.

Section of land change identity for all kinds of reasons: Invasion (You are now ABC.), rebellion (We are now ABC.), some even have the identity imposed by an outside power (Everybody is now going to call you ABC.), plus probably a dozen other reasons. Who invaded? Who rebelled? Who imposed? I suppose another scenario is that they simply decide to call themselves something else - no invasion, no rebellion, just a change of name.

I love dead countries. Hawaii being my favorite, but Canal Zone, Guam, Puerto Rico, Ryukyu as a few of the US possessions. I enjoy them due to the history, why did they stop issuing? I also like them because the are finite. I can make a list and know there is is not going to be bloat every year.

For my first issue collection I normally collect the 'first issue'. US 1-2, South Africa 1, Netherlands 1-3, etc. for the small dead counties I will expand out a bit if I can get a complete country with another set or two. Spanish West Africa 1-15 & C1-8, La Aguera 1-26, Serbia 2N1-30, etc.

Because I am a lover of all stamps I can not say I have a favorite but I do have a slight leaning towards the Canadian Provinces.


Dianne

I collect East Germany (DDR). Growing up, we lived next to a refugee from the DDR. He and his friends saved the stamps for me so I ended up with a great deal of them, not just the CTOs you see in North America.

Being a completest, I decided to "finish" the collection. (No country is ever really finished). I have all the major Michel number stamps MNH including the officials.

There are some philatelic challenges like "the Heads," the Five-year plan and the officials so it's interesting.

I also met some collector-friends along the way.

Dan

Ceylon is one I recently added to the list of "what I collect." Proving to be quite interesting and fun, but not cheap! As an aside, I make an effort to read a book on the history of what I decide to add to the mix. Think it helps to add context and understanding to some of the stamps that end up in the album.

dan
almost same story here, I grew up with a very fine woman from the ddr and as a result I have several stamps tho I have not looked at them in a looong time. You have sparked my interest now, thank you

Andy
Always wondered about the few stamps I have from Ceylon. I think I will start reading up on them

Among my favorite "dead" countries:"

Somali Coast, Afars & Issas, Netherlands Indies, Curacao (up to 1948), Aden, Saar, and North Borneo.

Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Part I was because of the history surrounding the start of WW I.
Part II is now due to the endless perf varieties to seek out on seemingly similar issues.

I am working on a Scott International Part 1 and it contains more than its fair share of dead countries. I do, however, have my favorites and they are housed separately on comprehensive pages. The first is Hawaii, because it's probably my favorite place in the world. The second in Rhodesia, because I have a familial connection to it and, finally, Newfoundland, because I think that their stamps are absolutely gorgeous.

I suppose it depends on the area but is collecting Dead Countries or Lost Nations considered more expensive and harder than ongoing Nations or perhaps less expensive due to limited possibilities?

I pretty much exclusively collect a dead country, my own (New South Wales), but I can assure you that we're very much alive here!

Bobby
You are still very much alive? I am afraid we require proof of that fact lol

Ed

Ed,

If you decide to get back into collecting DDR and get to 50 posts so you can message me, let me know. I have some "orphans" that could use a home.

Dan

Thank you Dan, I will surely give them a good home