The pros of having a pro stand in for you at a stamp auction: Morning Report

Linn's Stamp News gives you a quick look at what's going on in the world of philately:

1. Pro's pros

Forbes contributor Richard Lehmann opined in a Jan. 28 post on the benefits of having an auction agent represent you at a stamp auction.

"Using an agent at an auction you can’t personally attend can be a cost saving," Lehmann writes. "The agent allows you to keep secret from the auctioneer exactly how high an opening price he can set and where he can fabricate bids to push up the price."

Read the full Forbes post here.

2. Learning about love

Janet Klug's latest addition to the Linn's Stamp News "Refresher Course" page is a look at love and stamps. 

"Love stamps became an annual event beginning in 1984," Klug writes. "Since then, U.S. Love stamps have varied widely, from colorful graphics, an infatuated doe-eyed puppy, candy hearts, lacy valentines, lovebirds and loads of flowers."

3. What's new on Linns.com?

Canada Post recently unveiled a stamp honoring Nelson Mandela, a nondenominated stamp that will be issued Jan. 30 for Black History Month.

Get the full story here.

4. Yesterday's most-read post

Only Carpatho-Ukraine stamp

5. Being social

Any cricket playing stamp collectors out there? These circular stamps will be issued by @nzpost Feb. 4. @ICC_CWCscore pic.twitter.com/mwmJJZg35G

— Amer Philatelic Soc (@APS_stamps) January 23, 2015