Europa 2010 issue:

It come on May 5, 2010, with surprisingly nice design, that I didn't see in many countries. Theme for this year Europa issue are "Book Illustration" that give us lot of space to made one really good issue. To my sorrow, not many countries made it!

At present, I have just this postally used cover FDC with regular and first day issue cancel, it is also "R" mail, with Serbian and Israel bar code, stamp drawing are really great.

What is problematical - it is face value, that have it at 66.00 and 77.00 Serbian Dinar (as today, May 14, 2010, it is 1.81 US$) - no one of it math any postal rate in Serbia, and many people ask what for they made this face nominal? My personal opinion are that it is simply, just to made clear profit, because hardly that this issue will be used in regular mail around country. Probably, will be shortage with low value of 66.00 dinar, because this will be used for mail delivery outside mainland (with additional stamp) and this will result in shortage of same stamp on market.

What made me suspicious about this issue, is that it come out but with difference from originally planned program on the start of year. In program, it is stated that face value will be 33.00 and 66.00 face value dinar, but it come out with 66.00 and 77.00 dinar! Second surprise come, that originally is planed set and s/s - in the end it come without s/s - that give us some suspicion that "game" are in option! Probably on the market we will see also imperforated issue, or issue with other face value that will be claimed like proof or revoked print - let's wait and see.

Topical collectors will have an hard time to obtain this issue, specially that it is printed in 60 000 quantity (from program information) not issued s/s was planed to print in 25 000 quantity. Now if You take in that it can be many topic (flora, fauna, children, Europa) - this will be (60 000 pcs printed) very hard to obtain - I think just first collectors who have direct connection with post of Serbia, and collectors directly inside Serbia, will have issue - but who will "think and wait" - probably will be left without this nice stamp.

Let's made also some math: if it is really 60 000 printed, when divide it with 8 (it is printed in sheet of 8 + 1 tab) we will have 7500 printing sheet issued, and don't forget, that many specialized collectors of this country, will obtain also printing sheet (kleinbogen) in personal collection - with 7500 of it on market, hardly that some will reach post office for regular issue.

Because that, I can ranked this issue in "buy it now" grade!

5-2010 "Olympic Committee of Serbia":

issued on Feb. 23, 2010, with one single stamp issued to celebrate this occasion, one nice jubilee that no many countries around globe have. Design are little bit more "modern" than need - because many "simple" collectors and ordinary people will visually decide about "worth or worth-not" stamp, and this design have number "100" in very "fragile" manner shown! But - probably other people will like it. Like I told, one stamp, face value low, around 0.30 US$, comfortable for any collector with sport topic.

6-2010 "World Expo Shanghai 2010":

Great! you can not see it well here, because I made just 300 dpi scan, but if You need better scan - just ask me, I will send it to You - on sheet of 10 stamp, You can see great detail of design, visual effect, artist work well done - this issue can be in many topic, starting from architecture to art, artist really made "hard work" for this issue! Issued on Feb 26, 2010, to celebrate World Expo in Shanghai, P. R. of China - and it is 110 yr of first Expo presentation of Serbia! Not bad for one small country - You agree? Here we have set of two stamp, face value of 1.05 US$ also affordable for collectors worldwide - yes, dealer will ask more, even more for sheet of 10 stamp - but, it is just for specialized collectors, who will need more that 20.00$ to buy this sheet of 10. I think - it is worth!

7-2010 "Frederic Chopin":

200 yr of birth, famous, great, and here it stop - what he have common with Serbia? Nothing - but, philately will ask to do it - I, in principle agree - but not "must be" for one country to issue it. Let's see which mistake existed on back of FDC - there is one explanation, that this great man are born in Poland and after that come statement that this first western composer to incorporate Slavic element!!?? Let's be nice - if he is born in Poland, he can not be western composer - he can be just and just eastern composer, say what You want - fact is fact. Single stamp, face value 0.68$ - affordable, but dealer will take more!

8-2010 "Easter":

I like it - every single year they show us nice stamp and nice topic, that fit in "fresque" or "icon" topic. Two stamp in set, nice design, nice work - keep it in collection! face value at 0.93 $ - probably not for investment, but for collection is worth. Issued on March 2, 2010 - hope that Serbian Post will continue with nice design.

9-2010 "160 yr Military academy":

Again one good celebration, not just good but important! Design can fit to "Flag on Stamp", "Coat of Arms", not bad at all design! One stamp, face value of 0.30 $ affordable - I think that it will never reach "important" status in catalogue - but will fit in any serious collection! date of issue is March 18, 2010.

Postage Due 2-2010:

Here I can not say lot, just that it is "Anti-Cancer", like usually every year - no date of issue, and hardly that dealer will give You without 0.50$.

Now I need to go - today is Independence Day of Israel (April 19, 2010 - 62 year of Israel) - and out is great celebration - children will like it and go for joy!

Start of 2010:

We will start this year with issue:

1-2010:

NIN Journal, issued Jan 26, 2010, with one single stamp, celebrating 75 year of this weekly magazine. When I lived there in Yugoslavia, it was my favorite journal, because of hios neutral nature, and good journalist work done. It rise from begining with only 50 000 copy and on hight of history it come to 150 000 copy distributed. This single stamp have low face value, just around 0.30 $, but You will pay nearly 10% premium to obtain it from dealer - not "big deal" at all. Quantity printed are still "in frame" for country of around 6 mil. - it is 38 000 copy, that will be, probably, distributed around post branches for franking mail - hardly that collectors will "run" for it, because topic are less attractive.

2-2010:

China New Year (Year of Tiger), that are issued on Jan 27, 2010 - follow many country that celebrate this occasion - with, by my opinion, little bit "more than need" use of color - it nearly "hide" main topic (tiger) from space of stamp! Issue have set of 2 stamp, and even that I expected also to be with sheet - it didn't happen. Printed just set, in printing sheet of 25, face value around 1.01 $ - for this issue - enough money to spend. When talk about quantity, they made progress and printed 78 000 sets, probably thinking for more need on collectors side, because of topic that are popular around globe.

3-2010:

Nature Protection, like usually for every year - this issue didn't come like surprise. probably surprise are format printed, where we have same stamp in set, sheet and sheetlet of 8+1 tab, that will just ask more investment from collectors. I don't think that You will find it in use on regular mail, also because topic and also because face value that are around 1.86 $. Quantity printed are little bit in disproportion, because 22 din face value are printed in 528 000 copy, and second value just 78 000 copy, sheet is just 38 000 copy - how it will result on market is unknown, but I think that no impact will be seen!

4-2010:

Winter Olympic, Vancouver - Issued on Feb 12, 2010, to celebrate this occasion - nice design, but Olympic emblem really didn't fit at all, but it is not in "hand" of stamp designer, who made good job with this issue. Simple set of 2 value, valued at 1.05 $ - to obtain sheetlet of 8+1 tab I will suggest to all collectors - simple, it is nice to have it in any album, and will worth after year-two, around 25.00 euro in Michel catalogue. Quantity are again 528 000 for 22 din value, and just 78 000 for 50 din value.

Postage Due 1-2010:

Two stamp this time, one for "Street to Children" and second "Roof for Refugee" - in minimal face value of 0.13$ per one - date of issue I don't have in evidence but I see on stamp, that "Street for Children" come from 2009 year, and "Roof for Refugee" are from 2010 year.

End of 2009 year:

20-2009:

FINA Water Polo Champ, issued on Oct 10, 2009, held in Rome this year, where Serbian national team take gold medal, issued one single stamp, with face value around 0.68 US$, but hardly that You will buy it from dealer for less than 1.50 US$, not because it is rare or something else, but because other expenses that dealer have. By exchange, You will have it for face value. Design is common for this topic, and I don't see any other possibility to made this stamp look better - simple as can be.

21-2009:

FINA World Champ - Golden Medal, issued same day like Water Polo, but this one come to 2 value in set, celebrating Nadja Higl - Golden medal winner, and european record in 200 meter breaststroke, second value is for Milorad Cavic - also golden medal winner. face value for this two value are low, some 1.37 US$, but again, dealer will sell it for 2.50-3.00 US$, depending on quantity and option, because this set is printed in sheetlet of 8+1 tab, that for sheetlet (kleinbogen) You0 will pay premium, also set with tab will take more money.

22-2009:

Stamp day, Michel Catalogue. Issued on Oct. 23, 2009, to mark 100 year of Michel catalogue, "reliable adviser for collectors" - I like this definition for catalogue any kind. Single stamp, with portrait of Hugo Michel, and cover issue of first edition, FDC are well arranged with photo of Michel catalogue 2009 edition and catalogue page for Serbia 1866 issue. If it is not stamp, I will say - good advertising label - not more than that. Face value is standard 46.00 SD, around 0.68 US$ - nice for collector of stamp on stamp, personalities.

23-2009:

Museum Exhibit - "Dinosaurs of Argentina - Giants of Patagonia", issued on Nov. 9, 2009, set of 2 value, face value some 1.01 US$, but here prepare to pay it twice face value to any dealer around, design are one of better for this year, and FDC are well made with good drawing of dinosaur Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis, and Giganotosaurus carolinii. CM are same good design and worth to obtain now, because with time this set can cause shortage on market. Printing sheet of 9+1 tab, will be even more hard to obtain, because serbian Post still keep low quantity printed.

24-2009:

Christmas - Like usually, religious motifs, that I agree with! Many countries around globe, made childrens drawing to celebrate this holiday, but - it is religious holiday, and I thing, that most appropriate will be to issue same religious motifs on any stamp with this topic. This time, Serbian post decided to show us fresque from Krusedol monastery, which have great 500 yr of existence - can You imagine it - 500 great year, not every country can say it! Almost every foreign army that occupied Serbia made some kind of destruction for this monastery, but it rise again and again from down. Set have two value, with each show us one fresque. 22 RSD is "Christ's Birth" from 1749 yr, and second 46 RSD is "Epiphany" from same 1749 yr. By my opinion, great work on original fresque, but hard work for stamp designer - because of dimension of original picture/fresque - to put it on stamp, almost impossible to show us beauty of it. Face value for this two stamp are also 1.02 US$, nothing big for collectors of this topic.

17-2009 - Train, 125 year of Train in Serbia:

Issued on Sept. 8, 2009 - set of 2 value, face value are 68 Serbian Dinar, that will be some near 1.10 US$, not so big investment for collectors that are specialized in this topic, but if they will wish to have an printing sheet of 10 - they will need to prepare some bonus to pay, because sheetlet are more attractive, and low quantity printed, that Serbia still practice. I think that this issue come with visible "coming down" in artist work effort. It have symptoms of "home work must be done" and compare it with "Orient Express" issue - it is really big difference. FDC have an map on it, that will show us train line from Belgrade to Nish (Nis) - and significance are great - because 125 year of train lane are lot of time and history - many european countries don't have this history of existence - and small Serbia have an train line!

18-2009 - Joy of Europe:

I really don't like it! Good name of issue, and intention also - but let see what is on stamp - it is one drawing of Danah KG, from Unated Arab Emirates. I was always thinking that "Joy of Europe" will serve first local childrens drawing, it in the end show that I'm not correct - what to do, human will learn all the way in life and die stupid - isn't?

I go further, and see that motif on the vignette is Bengkel KKK from Indonesia and also Young Artist Art Centre from Egypt! Oooooo - now it come some suspicion - are Serbian postal Authority handling some "good will" to other (Muslim populated) countries - or local children are less attractive, or perhaps didn't come with quality drawing that will give them place on this issue?

As is - is, one single stamp in issue, face value of 46 dinar, mean some 0.75-0.80 US$, expensive for un not attractive stamp - hope that Serbian Post will use it in regular post franking.

19-2009 - "Golden Pen":

Issued to celebrate 50th Anniversary of the International Exhibition "Golden Pen"! Sept. 21, 2009. And lot of "????????????" - what that mean for human population? I'm reading from FDC back side explanation: "...oldest exhibition of this kind in Europe...". See - I'm also very near of 50 - but I never hear about this exhibition and never know that it is very important for Serbia alone! Design? Not so "big deal" - except that if someone collect "mouse" on stamp, they will have one more in collection - face value also low - just 22.00 dinar - somewhere around 0.34 US$ - tell me who will order it?!

And in the end for this time:

Postage Due 4-2009:

it is two small stamp, for solidarity week, "Red Cross" - children, mother - and total 20.00 dinara face value. Like usually for this items - good intention, I will be glad to know if money collected really reach children in need! Hope that yes!

As today, Jan. 1, 2010,

Postage due 5-2009:

I received next three stamp for this postage sue, and two are self-adhesive stamp, with different face value, but same design like one perforated, and second is for "Beograd 1944-2009" Institute for Culture Monument - Belgrade.

11-2009 Church:

Here we will start with few new issue recently printed, and start with this, let's say, "normal" issue. It come in occasion of 70 year of Saint Sava Temple, on Vrachar (Vracar), Belgrade, Serbia. One single stamp like usually, face value of 0.31 US$, nothing that will attract collectors, but FDC is made well. Issued on May 9, 2009.

12-2009 European Nature Protection:

Continuing with this series, every year, I personally don't like it, because this is mostly draving of nature around Serbia, but just draving, with poor artist expression, that don't present beauty of Serbian places - on this set, two value, is presented Uvac river and Pcinja valley, one of few untouched places that is worth to visit. This two stamp, face value of 0.97 US$ - will worth more in Michel catalogue, and sheetlet of 8 set with tab on middle have another problem for collectors of Monastery topic. Issued on May 20, 2009.

13-2009 The battle on Chegar (Cegar):

I don't know why Serbian Post have this kind of artistic expression on stamp?! See which kind of it is! One small dimension of stamp, with painting of battle, that is IMPOSSIBLE to put it in visible manner on the small paper! This issue degraded one nice "way" that Serbia have in stamp design. two stamp in set, face value of 0.97 US$, good for collectors that collect cheap stamp. But, from history point, it have an significance for Serbian - this battle made one great history and give Serbian vision to the future of liberalization and freedom from Ottoman Empire. Issued on May 29, 2009.

14-2009 Serbian Classical Musicians:

Hardly that someone will recognized any of them, because in Yugoslavia they didn't care about advertisement and show, they focused on quality, here come issue of 8 stamps/persons that leave one great work in music history. Ljubica Maric, Vasilije Mokranjac, Kornelije Stankovic, Josif Marinkovic, Miloje Milojevic, Mihovil Logar, Petar Konjovic and Stevan Hristic made it on stamp. Design is in classical manner, thinking to made it "black and white" - with nice yellowish background - thinking nice. Face value are same for each stamp, but together will have it on 2.51 US$ - that is not too much. Issued on May 29, 2009.

15-2009 Studenica Monastery Icon:

Here we come across one significant issue, design is not so big "class" like some previous issue with "Icon" topic, printed in ZIN Printing plant, that is little shifting from Forum Printing plant - but, occasion are great! It is 800 year of painting in Studenica Monastery - great 800 year!!!! Small Serbia, that suffered lot in history, with all great and not-so-great power in globe wishing to erase Serbian country, and they stay JUST with monastery painting for 800 year! Show me other countries that have this great achievement, this great history. I'm sorry to see just one stamp in set, but let it be. Face value standard 0.31 US$. Issued on June 8, 2009.

16-2009 Science and Scientist:

Important topic, that Serbia join other countries with this issue - and start with Charles Darwin, Pierre Curie, Dimitrije Putnikovic and Pavle Savic. For first two, I believe that every one know them, and nothing to talk about, they are well know for our civilization, but let's talk about other two - local, Serbian scientist. Pavle Savic - physicst, chemist, that have work with I. J. Curie on atomics experiments. Second is Dimitrije Putnikovic - teacher and pedagogue, that work mostly in "children's" sphere of education. Nice issue that mark Serbian history. Set of 4 stamp, with good design on FDC, stamp alone can be much better done - but, like is will satisfy collectors. face value is standard of 1.94 US$, but sheetlet of 10 stamp will need much more than just face value. Keep it in Your possession if You can - because Michel catalogue will value it much-much more than triple face value - also quantity are less than satisfactory - 28 000 set!!!! How much it is in sheetlet of 10? Just 2800 - not enough, but will have good catalogue value. Issued on June 22, 2009.

Postage Due 3-2009:

Here I will be very short, one stamp go for Red Cross, one for church S. Sava on Vrachar (Belgrade) and one - that will be hard to put in postage due, is for King Aleksandar Ist Karadjordjevic. I don't think that any country in this world, downgraded king with one small dimension stamp! All three stamp have face value of just 0.31 US$, Issued - I still don't have exact date!

Judaica issue from 2008 year:

In my previous pages - I mentioned this issue in "Postage Due 2008", (see page: Postage Due 2009, dated March 13, 2009), and made one "notice" after, when I received some information from my friend in Belgrade. Today, I come across one Auction House in Belgrade, and to my surprise, I see that I was little bit wrong, to classify this stamp in "personalized stamp"!!

But I was very wrong!

Here is description that I see on this Auction Web Page:

Description

9.IX.2008. Jewish historical museum in Belgrade and Post of Serbia, have issued a INSTITUTIONAL POSTAL STAMP of 20 din, on which the MENORA is shown, a typical Jewish religious symbol - a seven armed candlestick, carved on roman bricks found at the archaeological site Celarevo. It was determined that a tribe know as Hazars lived there, retreating from the areas of today's South Russia before the warrior nomad tribes. Stamp was printed in circulation of 200 items in sheets of 25 pieces. On same occasion the provisional invitation was printed - in form of postal card in circulation of 100 items. VERY RARE.

Starting price

320.00 €

Someone can explain me this? Probably "Judaica" specialist around globe can help me? In most optimistic day, I will never imagine that this stamp, face value of 20.00 Serbian Dinar, will have one starting prices of 320.00 euro!!!

I know that permission is given to print this stamp, and in same Auction Catalogue, I saw one sample where is this stamp used. It was on "Exhibition Invitation Card" that are delivered by post, to some VIP people, but what I see on this card is use of stamp, more like "additional" postage due, or probably (because I don't know postage rate for this kind of mail), it is used in combination with regular postage stamp, that can be mostly true.

Now, in description is stated "Institutional Postal Stamp" - WHAT THAT MEAN in simple philatelist language? Someone know? Probably person that write description, didn't know correct translation, or used some "b-fish" translate service, or I don't know what, but, according my knowledge, "Institutional " mean official - isn't? If it is really official, that mean, major catalogue will include it in, that will have great impact on prices! starting prices of 320.00 euro is really great, also just 200 copy printed is really great - but what about collectors????

8-2009: Art - issued on April 6, 2009 - They chose to celebrate three artist from Serbia, with three stamp in set, each artist have one main work.

Start with low denomination, 22.00 dinar, it is 100th Ann. of birth artist Milena Pavlovic Barilli. She was daughter of Italian composer Bruno Barilli. This stamp show us main work named "Self Portrait with a veil", from 1939 yr.

Second value of 46.00 dinar is work of Jovan Bijelic, celebrating 125th yer of birth. Stamp is his art work named "Dead Nature with Parrot" - and third value is also 46.00 dinar, with art work of Paja Jovanovic, work named "The Young Woman in Pink Dress". This three stamp in set have an 1.62 $ face value, but on market it will come almost to 3-3.50 euro, depending on who sell and where, Design of three FDC (3-7.00 euro market prices) are even more better done than stamp alone, and if You wish to invest - buy sheet of 10 (valued around 35.00 euro).

9-2009: "Universiade sport event" - issued on March 31, 2009 - to commemorate sport event "Universiada" - that are held in Belgrade this summer. Sport event start on 1-12th July and have one record of athlete from 170 countries and 200 disciplines. Two stamp in series, with logo and mascot of event, nice artist design, but I can say - little bit childish art work for this importance. Set of two have an face value of 22.00 + 46.00 dinar, that is around 1.00 $, but again, dealer will charge You minimum 2.00 euro. Both stamp can be included in many topic - from athletics, tennis, basketball and other sport, and for FDC prepare 2-4.00 euro, sheet of 8+tab will take from You 15-18.00 euro.

10-2009: "EUROPA - Astronomy" - Here I will shout: "Thanks SERBIA for this nice issue"!! One of best that I can see around all countries in Europe. Issued on May 5, 2009 with two stamp, face value of 46.00+50.00 dinar (little bit more expensive but still affordable) - it is around 1.37 $ - but hardly that You will have it from dealer for less than 2-3.00 euro! Reason? Here is it - quantity printed is just 60 000 set (just less than 9 000 sheet of 8), think that most dealer will subscribe for more than 50 set of this issue, which will result in shortage on market. Who was that statue on stamp? Goddess URANIA, protector of Astronomy, and on other stamp we have Galileo's telescope and Milky Way, radio-telescope and nebula Horse Head. Quantity printed is around "middle" of practice that Serbia have, less than that quantity have just issue of less importance (28 000), and more important issue (for Serbian Authority) have quantity printed of 528 000 maximum. Why they decided to print just 60 000 pieces - I think because prices (higher value) and also to keep future catalogue value, that will constantly rise because of demand. For FDC prepare more than 4.00 euro, and sheet of 8+tab will cost You darly - 25-30.00 euro depending of dealer. I can suggest You just one simple way - if You have trading partner, exchange partner - take it twice You need - because if You will go to dealer - You are finished!

5-2009: Ecology - Joint issue with Bulgaria, issued 2/III/2009, with two stamp in set and one block (of same two stamp), one nice paiting, I can not say that it is not, but I can say, that existed many other way to make this issue more better than is now. It is drawing, it is far away from painting or art. Face value for this set and block is around 0.75 euro, sheet of 10 will made it 15.00 euro and FDC from Serbia only will cost You 1.72 euro, but FDC with Bulgarian issue will be hardly available around market.

6-2009: Easter issue, dated 9/III/2009, I will not use hard word, but it is one ugliest that I have in stock! WHY to downgrade quality that was in good shape? WHY to use this wood carving instead of beautiful Icons that existed around Serbian Monastery in Serbia? Probably someone didn't like when Serbia go to upper scale with quality and decided to damage little bit! Face value is same like previous issue just 0.75 euro, but hardly that it will reach this prices in any future catalogue - simple vasting!!!

7-2009: Great Serbian Artis, dated 17/III/2009, with 6 stamp in set. According dimension of stamp, it look like that economy in Serbia is improving, they have money to print stamp on "label" dimension, and to be fair also in "label" design! Nothing worth to say, no quality or artist imagination show here. Face value are in lower scale, just 1.87 euro per set, but loking for quality, I think that it is too much!

Postage Due 2-2009: Standard issue for Anti-Cancer, probably someone will made collection just with this small size stamp, it can be nice and cheap, because postage due have an face value of 0.10 euro, but it is all.