Friday, September 28, 2012

About Turkmenistan

One of the more interesting philatelic oddities we offer is a Turkmenistan Double Error.
Turkmenistan #8 was issued in 1992, when the country was a new breakaway republic from the Soviet Union.
It features "President for Life" Saparmurat Niyazov and the Turkmenistan flag.
The official stamp was issued perforated.  This is an imperforate version.  However, we offer this as a set of two, and the second stamp is not only imperforate, but missing colors!  We offer this fascinating pair for just $12.95.

Its capital city is Ashgabat, on the border with Iran.  It is a fairly new city, and filled with interesting white marble buildings, and unique monuments, as seen in this short (and silent) video:
 Want to know more?  Here is a link to the Turkmenistan Wikipedia page:

We also have available for $7.00 Turkmenistan #23 Mint Never Hinged Souvenir Sheet.  This 1992 issue celebrates the Barcelona Summer Olympic Games and features Equestrian, Weight Lifting, Rowing, and Gymnastics.

Monday, September 24, 2012

How it's Made

Have you ever watched "How it's Made" on cable TV?  I really like that show.  My favorite segments have been building an RV at Winnebago, building giant construction equipment at Caterpillar, and building a modern Norwegian Cruise Line ship.  I find those enormous projects fascinating.  Today I want to share with you a "How it's Made" about a much smaller product, the subject of our favorite hobby, the postage stamp.  This video is British, but it examines the production of a U.S. postage stamp, the $4.00 Mount Rushmore.  Ever wonder why errors and misprints are so rare?  You will find out in this quickly moving, entertaining seven minute segment:

United States #C37 DC-4 Skymaster

The 1948 5c Airmail Coil issue features the Douglas DC-4 Skymaster.  This 4 engine, propeller-driven aircraft was in use throughout World War II, and served during the Berlin Airlift.  It also had a long life in civilian service worldwide.
Wilton Stamp Company offers US #C37 mint never hinged singles for $2.00, coil pairs for $5.00, and coil line pairs for $12.00.

Here is a short video of a landing of the C-54/DC-4.  C-54 is the military designation for the DC-4.
 


Friday, September 21, 2012

1925 Viking Ship

The 5c Viking Ship stamp is one of two Norse-American Centennial stamps.  They were produced to honor two historic American events.  First, to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the settling of Norwegians in America. In 1825, fifty two immigrants arrived in New York on the sloop Restaurationen from Norway.  Second, to honor the finding of the North American continent by Norwegian explorer Leif Erikson around the year 1000.  This 5c stamp features a Viking Ship, likely a close replica of  the one used by Ericson, five hundred years before Columbus.  This ship is flying an American flag, as it sailed from Norway to America for the World's Colombian Exposition in 1893.
The design of this stamp is dark blue and black.  Bi-color stamps were uncommon in 1925.  Although this was a popular issue, they were produced in smaller numbers as the bi-color process was laborious and expensive. 

The above stamp was released October 9, 1968, Leif Erikson Day, chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the day the first Norwegian immigrants, aboard the ship Restaurationen, landed in New York.  
The statue in this 6c 1968 issue is located at the Hallgrimskirkja, the largest church in Iceland.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

FDR - The Stamp Collecting President

You may already know that Franklin Delano Roosevelt, four-term 32nd President of the United States, was a passionate stamp collector.  We highly recommend "FDR: The Stamp Collector in Chief".  In this fascinating 5 minute video produced by the Smithsonian Institution, we learn about why FDR began collecting in the first place, and the back story of his influence on the U.S. postage stamps produced while he served as President.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Welcome

Hello from Wilton Stamp Company!  
Welcome to our blog. We will use this blog to keep you informed of great new items on our shelves.  
To start with, this month's special, we have a fascinating collection of United States Coast Guard Covers!
Featuring on-board cancellations, embossed seals, and unique cachets detailing missions, cutters, and stations.  Mailed by Commanding Officers on Cutters and at Stations!  This is a fun, US history, US military, themed collectible, available for for just $25.00, just $1.00 each when you buy 25.  

Please see our Contact page to reach us regarding this item or to request stamps on approval.

Thank you!  We are happy you have found our blog, please check back often for updates and new offers!!