2014 till end of...

Terrible time go on, and almost full year, I was unable to find reliable supplier of new issues from this tinny country! As Post of Montenegro philatelic section go to be very unreliable, I was pressed to search for another person that can handle my orders, at one time, in first half of 2014, there was one very nice person in Montenegro, who actually made great job. To health problems of her, and loss of job, she was unable to continue, so I was left in between nothing and searching.

To my luck, one collector come with possibility to handle my need, but it resulted in higher fees on new issues, more expensive come shipping fees and percentage for every shipment go up in price.

So what we can see on market, is not so nice to hear, as new issue will be more costly.

Just to remind, that Montenegro have some 620 000 citizens, and printing quantity of each issue come around 20-30 000, so this "small" quantity, actually made very "stable" selling price of any issue from Montenegro. Even more than that, it can be main factor (small quantity), in forming sales price.

What I see on Michel catalog, that most new issues are priced on double+ price, on some web auction, same items will reach 3x face value (even more if taking also shipping cost per item), than, probability that this is good area to collect are great!

Here it is from continue from previous post, as stamp go:

9-2014 World Cup:

April 9, 2014 date, set of one stamp and one m/s, with combined face value of 1.90 euro, 

all in green (Army) color, which I hate, because design and artist, still continue to apply this far-end scale of color! There is or green or black, red....., no "between" colors used!

10-2014 Radio-Telegraph:

July 20, 2014, what to say? Nothing! If it is home work for pupil, I will give some 75-80 grade, no more than that! Why? because FDC are very poorly made, with stamp attached, cancel applied and it is all job made!

11-2014 King Nikola will:

July 27, 2014, what an great importance for Montenegro! Last will of King! King is alive - long live for King! Hy man, are we live in which century? There is no more important cause to celebrate? Just last will of King?

12-2014 Hotel Lokanda:

Sept. 5, 2014, someone know this hotel? No? I also never hear about it! Even that 150 years of existence deserve to be mentioned, I don't think that it need to be on postage stamp!

13-2014 Personalities:

Nov. 8, 2014: Mihailo Lalic, writer, good one, and deserve to be on postage stamp. problem come as he work and made all his life in Yugoslavia!!!! So that his roots come from Montenegro, "modern" politician take his work as Montenegrin writer! How much it can be correct, I really don't know!

14-2014 Joy of Europe:

Oct. 22, 2014 - I still want to cry! Basic elements are here, children drawing, as usually in this topic. But! On stamp You will see Montenegrin folklore, dance of Montenegro, with people custom on, over this go some "stars"!!!!! Which stars? European one! Something as GREAT REICH over Montenegrin people! GREAT to loss own identity!

15-2014 Cultural Heritage:

Nov. 12, 2014: Aha, let's see what we have here?! Set of three value, in total face value of 2.05 euro!

Still not so big face value (for west countries), but, if we take in consideration that medium salary in Montenegro is between 400 and 800 euro, than we come to conclusion that it is still very high face value!

What they wish to show us as Cultural Heritage? First value (0.30) come to celebrate painter Anastas Bocaric. I really never hear about him, but why they put him in cultural heritage, and not in prominent persons?

Second issue (0.80 euro), are for Orlov Krs' (Eagle's Rock, in local translation), here I can say, that many overseas collectors that use translator online will see one direct translation as "Eagle's Rubble"!

What is important here is mausoleum of Bishop Danilo. This one can be included in "History" topic, but if they prefer it as cultural heritage, so let it be!

Last third value (0.95 euro) are old archaeological site "SVAC'"!

16-2014 Danilovgrad Library:

Nov. 17, 2014: Someone translated it as Reading Room in Danilovgrad! As fact, back 125 years, there was no Library at all! There was one small room in home, where newspaper will be put on table, and educated people will come to drink coffee, and read newspaper. One nice cultural heritage I can say!

17-2014 Gymnasium:

Nov. 28, 2014: Actually name was translated as General High School, but before 150 years, there was not high, middle or other school - there was GYMNASIUM! (What You think, artist use Google translator?).

18-2014 Stamp Day:

Dec. 15, 2014 - Stamp Day topic will lead us to imagine stamp design that will show some artist toys, cancel, post office or something related to STAMP!

Actually, we receive portrait of one women, which was actually first woman (female) post officer!

So, to which topic You will include this issue?

That is all for 2014 year!

Something that we will remember as continuing in "old way" of making things happen!

Nothing to comment, nothing to be proud of, and nothing that we can say are changed in producing postage stamp!

Montenegro - Crna Gora - next in this year:

5-2013 EUROPA - Postal Vehicles:

This single stamp, of really high face value (for Montenegro standard), 0.95 euro for single stamp!

What to say!? Just - bad as can be! What is that "artist expression" of  "splashed color" on FDC and on stamp design alone! I understand art as basic, and expression as my graphic design education that I have, but when we talk about design of postage stamp, we can not simply made one "avantgarde" design and what ordinary people and collectors will understand - it is not artist problem!

I personally think, that artist wish to "splash color" on EUROPA (in indirect way of expression), what other reason can be to made such "naive" work!

As is - is, single stamp, on market April 19, 2013, worth to buy? You decide!

6-2013 "125 year of Property Code":

Again one unnecessary issue! It is nice to celebrate 125 year of something, I don't say no, but to celebrate some "General Property Code" is very strange by my opinion!

There is lot of other "happening" that make much bigger mark on Montenegro, and this "Property Code" - is something that can be on margin of history, not forgotten, but also not so big significance that deserve postage stamp!

Single stamp, come on market on May 10, 2013, low face value of 0.30 euro, that will hardly go up with catalog value any time soon!

7-2013 "Tourism":

To cry? No, not worth it! See what they made! One set of two green stamp! With picture of "hiking" and "Biking" - I really wish to see who will go hiking on Montenegro mountain! This who will do it will be called avanturist and not tourist! All around is in green color, (US$ in mind?), and worst of all, it come out in booklet format too! Booklet? All but not booklet - because cover of same are two time size of stamp that need to be inside cover, properly attached on cover - we don't have it all!

Now, You will need in collection two stamp like set + booklet, that will cost You by face value of 1.40 euro, and printing sheet of 20 that 99% of collectors will avoid!

Set come on market on May 14, 2013 - nothing to say "great"!

8-2013 "Olive Tree":

Issue come on market at may 23, 2013, with still "green color" in use, all of this are in green color! Understand that olive come in this color, but when I look on stamp, hardly that I can understand about what is here talking! Too confusing design, FDC as simple as can be!

Low face value of 0.30 euro, can be single satisfaction for collectors!

9-2013 "Sport":

You know, at first glance, I say "Fine - Finally" but, I calm down quickly! Issue come on market at June 7, 2013 with two stamp in set, where I see big name EUROBASKET! We know that there in Slovenia is happening Championship in Basketball, and nice that Montenegro issue stamp to celebrate this, but to mix one issue with second stamp in, and topic of second stamp is Football Club of Lovcen - hey guy, what is that now? 

design is more or less right, but - don't mix it together, we all know what that mean for topical collectors!

10-2013 "Edict of Milan":

Here it come one very-very important happening in history of all SLAVENS on the Balkan, and Montenegro come to with one single stamp celebrating this history! Single stamp come on market at June 26, 2013 - again low face value of 0.30 euro, with very simple, but sympathetic design. Probably not so attractive like Serbian issue for this 1700 years of Edict of Milan (where is on year 313 allowed to Christian to freely preach religion), but still nice! 

11-2013 "Ship - Seamanship":

When we made stamp with topic of "Seamanship" or "Ship", we want at first sight to see "Ship" on stamp, but Post of Montenegro didn't think this way! They made one stamp, that can be included in "Persons on Stamp" topic and not in this "Navigation" or "Ship" topic!

Here we have one statue of person, and on background of design we have navigation instrument and book of captain - what is that! If not FDC design, where we can clearly understand that this issue have "Navy" connection (ship on it), we will be in very dire situation to miss this issue in collection!

Nothing more I can say! Issue come on market at June 28, 2013 with low face value of 0.30 euro.

It was long time from my last post that I didn't write - not my fault, but probably, I'm not so big client of Montenegro Post, and receive new issue just once per year - what to do, even that last shipment cost me not so small amount.

Let's start to see what we have in:

3-2010 - "Personalities", Danilo Kis (1935-1989):

Writer, born in Subotica (Serbia, Voivodina), some will include this issue to Judaica topic, because father of person was Jew (deported to Auschwitz), but this can be problematic, because mother of Danilo was Montenegrian. However - he was one of best in his profession and deserve to be on stamp. Issue have date of Feb 22, 2010, with face value of 0.50 e, not small amount to spend for one stamp.

4-2010 "Flora":

Issued on March 18, 2010 - set of four stamp, face value of 2.35 e, under name "Flora - Melliferous Plant" - probably Post of Montenegro think that they will made one "big deal" to issue set with high face value, in printing sheet of 5+gutter, FDC and CM - it will be too much for simple collectors to pay - even that

design is not bad, but hardly to say that it is attractive. For instance - gutter show us flower and seed of each plant - but it is in color that actually "hide" fine detaile of so beautiful plant and drawing. sadly - this design and color use are applied to all four stamp. Each stamp present plant as follow: 0.25 e (Slvia Officialis L.), 0.50 e (Satureja Subspicata Bartl.ex Vis), 0.60 e (Tilia Tomentosa Moench), and 1.00 e (Epilobium Angustifolium L.).

5-2010 "Europa", Children's Literature:

Issued on April 22, 2010. Set of 2 stamp, one mini sheet (2 stamp also), face value for full set and m/s is 3.00 e. Now because it is printed in sheet of 8 stamp with gutter on middle, collector will need to prepare nice amount of money to have one issue that don't deserve this money. Design is usually "face" of topic, and topic is children's book - according it - we have also children's drawing on stamp design. because my profession and because people that I know from Montenegro, I can say - that person who approved this design, probably receive one order to choice just this design - Montenegro have much-much better artist and better illustration to choice!

6-2010 :Religion", St. Vasilije of Ostrog:

Issued on May 12, 2010 - single stamp, face value 0.50 e. Important issue for history of one country. Celebrating 400 yr of birth Saint - not every country in this world have this occassion You will agree! Design is with some kind of hidden massage - where we have all space of FDC and CM printed in "blood red" and in right up corner - one "sun" on it is attached stamp of Saint - in the case that I will be observant - I will keep it in my room all the time! Stamp design alone is lets say "good".

7-2010 World Cup - South Africa:

Issued on Jun 11, 2010 - one single stamp, face value of 1.50 e, my comment - Funny issue design, simple - even very simple, I don't see reason why to made one and half euro face value - 0.25 e is more than deserve - but probably, because FIFA want more money, Montenegro Post didn't have other option to collect revenue and pay for usage of FIFA event logo.

8-2010 "Tourism":

It continue like every year, promotion of tourism in this small country, and like usually, we have set of 4 stamp, face value 2.35 e. Really one expensive set - not because 4 stamp only, but because it is printed in sheet of 5 with gutter in, and also in booklet format that is different from main sheet format - if You will like to have it in complete like will be mentioned in Michel catalog - You will need to have sheet of 5 set, and booklet pane and set alone included in collection - that will take You like 7 full set - if face value for set is 2.35 e x 7 = 16.45 e GREAT expense! Worth to have it? I think - hmmmmmmmmm - no!

9-2010 "Navigation - Ship":

Issued Jul 8, 2010. Thanks God, one nice issue that are made this year - probably will be winner for best stamp of the year in Montenegro. Also very affordable face value of 0.25 e - really nice from Montenegro Post! Issue are to celebrate "First Montenegrin long-cruise steamship under Montenegro flag". Ship named Jaroslav, arrived to Montenegro 1890 like an gift of the Russian Czar, but ship is built in America, delivered to Russia and from there to Montenegro - King/Prince of Montenegro used it like yacht. It was good time for rich - isn't?

10-2010 "Dynasty":

Don't ask me why they issued this stamp, probably to keep proud of nation on alert - but 650 year of one Dynasty is not something that can be put aside, many-many country on this planet don't have even 10% of this year in history - You will agree. Minimum face value of 0.25 e - that can be also included to Architecture topic because there is one castle, and also Archeology topic because on FDC is ruins of this castle. Issued on Jul 15, 2010 - single stamp in set.

11-2010 "Power Plant":

Issued on July 19, 2010 - to celebrate first power plant in Montenegro (from 1910), again - it is built (power plant) to serve Prince residence and street that surround this residence! I was thinking that it serve some hospital - but no - near same like today - isn't? Again minimal face value of 0.25 e - but designed like if someone want to hide it from person that will look at stamp - at first glance - You will not recognized about what is talking here! yellow, brown and black in use - on small paper will usually give You confused picture - long road to learn - sorry, not for my collection!

12-2010 "Kingdom revival":

If You don't know history and today situation in Montenegro, You will think that after 100 yr - there King come back! No - it is just revival of kingdom, that was long time ago in Montenegro - I will say - probably issue of stamp for this occasion is correct - just to show that Balkan have also King/s and Princes - nice - isn't? They even give it importance by face value, it is not minimum, but double - 0.50 e for single stamp - that i recommend to include in collection, because it is nice topic and keep history alive! Issued on August 28, 2010, stamp and FDC in option.

1-EMS label:

I must show it for reason that Montenegro Post start to use this service - and because it drive me crazy, but also give me satisfaction.

satisfaction is because it go relatively fast, and straight to Your door - not waiting for public company service to made job. But it also have it prices of too much for too little! My shipment arrived to me in the morning - it have an 0.459 kg weight, and cost me postage of 27.15 euros!!!! Now You know, why any dealer that pay for shipment, will not sell You new issue less than double of face value? I take my lens to see what is written on "EE" label - and discovered that postage pay is zero!!!!!!! God, I pay more than 27.00 e and You stick one label without face value like proof that I actually pay for it?! I again took "EMS Label" and read:

date received to post: 28 Sept. 2010

date delivered to me: 22 Oct. 2010

Total charges: 0.00

God! Something is wrong here! EMS is introduced instead of "EXPRESS" service worldwide - isn't? Someone discovered that this way, ordinary citizen will pay more for service that almost existed, but - because revenue need to be rise - we say to citizen - no EXPRESS any more - You want it to be delivered as soon as possible - pay it double prices and deliver by EMS. What I received? One months delivery time for 27.00 euros! Who is here of to explain me - why it is so great charge, why one months delivery time and why no proof that I pay for it (thanks God, I keep my Invoice).

Till next - just hope to better future. And by way - no news from Serbian Post about new issue and new issue delivery - they are still in blackout regarding "Jugomarka" distributor, they still don't have any new contractor to print and distribute new issue stamp, they still don't know who is responsible for this to blame - ANARCHY (but in Serbia is Democracy in power).

Sometime Democracy/Capitalism mean also CHAOS and ANARCHY!