Buy India's UPU Centenary sheet

India — The market for Indian stamps is still fairly active in India, Europe, Great Britain, and the United States, with certain mint sets from the 1960s through the 1980s in strong demand.

On Oct. 3, 1974, India Post issued a souvenir sheet of three stamps commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (Scott 636a). One of the stamps in the souvenir sheet features an innocent use of the swastika, which was an ancient Indian sun symbol for thousands of years before it became notorious as the symbol of the Nazi Party. The 2014 Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue values the souvenir sheet in mint never-hinged condition at $10.

I previously tipped this souvenir sheet in the Aug. 10, 2009, and Dec. 24, 2012, Stamp Market Tips columns. If you bought it then, you should be happy now. Since then, demand has only grown as this souvenir sheet continues to rise in value. The souvenir sheet is currently selling for around $50, and it is a good buy at that price.

A Linn’s editor did not find this week’s recommended stamps on zillionsofstamps.com.

Tip of the week

United States — In October 1958, the United States Post Office Department issued the $1 Patrick Henry stamp (Scott 1052) in the long-serving Liberty definitive series.

Henry, one of the Founding Fathers and a native of Virginia, opposed the Stamp Act and was an early advocate of American independence. He is remembered for his “Give me liberty or give me death” speech, presented March 23, 1775, to the Virginia Convention meeting at St. John’s Church in Richmond.

After independence was achieved, Henry served as Virginia’s first and sixth governor.

The stamps were produced by rotary press printing in 400-stamp sheets divided into four panes of 100.

The 2014 Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers values a $1 Patrick Henry stamp in mint never-hinged condition at $4.50 and a mint plate number block of four at $18.

While singles and plate blocks of the stamp are common, full intact unfolded panes with all selvage intact and no perforation separation are very scarce and easily worth $200 or more. When buying, make sure that the stamps in the pane are in the grade of fine-very fine or better. — H.G.