Hot market for Hong Kong FDCs from British colonial era

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

Hong Kong is on the Kowloon peninsula on the south coast of China. One of the most densely populated territories in the world, it is located on the eastern side of the Pearl River estuary. Hong Kong also includes Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island and about 200 other small islands.

A British colony from 1841, it reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Today, it is a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China.

The market for Hong Kong first-day covers from the British colonial era is hot.

Here are some examples of recent sales: 1935 Silver Jubilee issue (Scott 147-150), $260 to $450; 1937 King George VI Coronation issue (151-153), $120; 1938 King George VI definitives (158-159 and 161-162), $260; 1941 Centenary issue (168-173), $165 to $260; 1946 Victory issue (174-175), $140; 1948 Silver Wedding issue (178-179), $405; 1953 Queen Elizabeth II Coronation issue (184), $230; 1954 Queen Elizabeth II definitives (185-192, 194 and 196-198), $700; 1962 Elizabeth II definitives (204-217), $520; 1965 International Cooperation Year (223-224), $120; 1969 Chinese University of Hong Kong issue (251), $280 to $520; and 1973 Elizabeth II definitives (275-288), $107.

The market for Hong Kong FDCs will be completely confusing to anyone who has not been actively engaged in it recently.

Prices vary widely depending on whether the FDC is cacheted or uncacheted, registered or regular mail, addressed or unaddressed, and so on. The cachet also affects prices noticeably.

Close study is recommended before buying or selling.

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