标题：中国邮票影响大 华尔街日报也在宣传它

中国邮票影响大 华尔街日报也在宣传它

                                                     谢祖全

华尔街日报 （The Wall Street Journal ）是美国乃至全世界影响力最大，侧重金融、商业领域报导的日报，创办于1889年。日发行量达200万份。同时出版了亚洲版、欧洲版、网络版，每天的读者大概有2000多万人。

随着中国的和平崛起，中国政治、经济实力不断增强，在国际上影响越来越大，作为中国国家名片的中国邮票也愈加引人关注。华尔街日报 （The Wall Street Journal ）最近刊发的一篇关于对中国邮票出现爆炸性需求的文章就是明证。下面是该篇文章的英文全文：

Getting The Chinese Stamp Of Approval

2010年 08月 03日 15:39

http://cn.wsj.com/gb/20100803/inv154323_ENversion.shtml

In the 20 years since Jeffrey Schneider's first Hong Kong stamp auction, demand for Chinese issues has exploded. 'It's such a booming market because you have the influence of China, and an enormous Chinese diaspora too, and they tend to collect Chinese stamps whether they're living in the U.S., Scandinavia or South America,' he says. Back in 1990, Mr. Schneider was working at Christie's, which that autumn tested the appetite for rare Asian stamps with a modest sale. This past weekend, as a principal with stamp specialists Interasia Auctions Ltd., he oversaw an auction of more than 2,000 Chinese stamps that realized in excess of 61 million Hong Kong dollars (about US$8 million) -- a Hong Kong stamp-auction record and more than 33% above the presale estimate. Several lots sold for more than HK$1 million, including an envelope from 1897 bearing two Emerald Lady stamps that went for HK$2.99 million.

Mr. Schneider talked to Duncan Mavin in Hong Kong about how to build a collection of rare stamps. The following interview has been edited.

WSJ: What makes a stamp valuable?

Mr. Schneider: People come to me and say, I have this Guatemalan stamp and there's only one known -- but if there are not two collectors that doesn't matter. It's a combination of rarity and demand.

WSJ: What are the chances your childhood stamp collection is valuable?

Mr. Schneider: Over the years there have been some legendary discoveries. I've had a few. Normally the rule of thumb is to have something valuable you have to have spent some money on it, but people can pick things up in flea markets.

WSJ: How can I start collecting stamps seriously?

Mr. Schneider: Knowledge is important. Large stamp brokers such as Stanley Gibbons issue catalogues that give very detailed stamp classifications. It's only a sketchy reflection of the market value, but to actually classify the stamps that's where you'd start.

WSJ: Should I be concerned about fraud?

Mr. Schneider: When stamps are selling for millions of dollars, the temptation to forge is strong. So go to a reputable dealer for guidance. There are also recognized expert committees where you can submit your stamps for authentification.

WSJ: What particular categories of stamps are strong right now in China?

Mr. Schneider: Stamps from the Cultural Revolution have become very popular; the value of Chinese stamps from the '60s and '70s is enormous. The value of stamps of the same era from Belgium, the U.K. or the U.S. is less than the face value.

The most romantic of all issues for Chinese collectors are the stamps known as the 'Red Revenues.' In 1897, China changed its currency. Its stamps, including revenue stamps used to pay certain taxes, were in the old currency. China ordered new stamps from Japan but they didn't arrive on time, so the government surcharged old stamps with the new values. The revenue stamps are red, and that's a lucky color for Chinese collectors.

WSJ: How do I look after my collection?

Mr. Schneider: Always buy quality stamps from reputable sources. Storage is a problem; I've seen many collections held in humid countries just turn brown. You have to keep them in a room with a constant temperature with a dehumidifier.

Duncan Mavin