Montenegro - Crna Gora, 2013 first four issue:

Finally, after so great effort and few "pilot" supplier, I made one contact from Montenegro, who, with big surprise, was effective, expeditive, precise - and most of all polite in dealing with client! (me).

Strange for You? Probably not for You so strange, but who know "Balkan" mentality will be very surprised!

As is - we advanced with second order from there, and let's see what will happen!

Here it is, first four issue in 2013:

1-2013, "Art in Montenegro":

What to say, Montenegro post continue with same "kind of design" to produce postage stamp, that can be classified like un-attractive, full of "hard" color, and I just have feeling that they absolutely didn't care about collectors opinion or even more, about attracting people to montenegro by use of Philately!

Here come this first issue in set of four stamp, with topic "Art" - can You see here one stamp that can really fit to "Art" topic? No, there was "Important People" (local), part of "National Costume", and "Icons" - all together mixed, can be some kind of "sub-Art" topic, but for sure not in main topic of "Art"!

Issue come out on Jan. 31, 2013 - four value, with face value of 2.45 euro per set! Not low value at all, it will be sold from dealer for double face value (4.50 euro), but if You want to specialize this country, and wish to have also printing sheet of 20, that will cost You lot - I just asked few dealer, to inform me about availability of printing sheet of 20, and all told me to prepare 100.00 euro +!!!

Reason? 15 000 set printed, some sold to "big" dealer in germany, some to every PO Branch, and what is left, is little to find freely on market!

2-2013, "Njegos'", writer, ruler, poet:

What to say, to celebrate 200 years of birth of this kind people, that actually made all Balkan countries more educated and organized, and to made so poor design - by my opinion, it is provocation! It is not enough just to print face of this respected person, no, it is not the way!

Issue come out on Feb. 22, 2013, single stamp, low as possible face value of 0.30 euro,  15 000 single stamp printed - let's see if You will have it in collection! It is printed in format of 8 stamp and gutter on middle, which resulted of 1875 small sheet on the market - 90% will be sold in this format, (1680) - too low for market!

3-2013, 200 year of annexation of Boka:

Even that official name for this issue use word "Union" instead of "Annexation", it will make just small difference, but actually difference are big!

Boka was not united with Montenegro, it was annexed by Montenegro, and same Njegos' ruler, after they defend French Napoleon Army, and declared union on 1813.

Design? No, it is far from "design of post stamp"! if You see, it is just "200" on postage stamp! What is behind "200" simple collector will not know if he will not read Wikipedia!

Single stamp, out on market on Feb. 27, 2013, again low value of 0.30 euro, again 15 000 printed, but now in printing sheet of 20, which will give You just 750 printing sheets available for specialized collectors of this country!

4-2013, "Flora and Fauna of Montenegro":

I have need to cry over this issue!

What is this olive color on the whole sheet? Something that suggest what? What it will (this color) confers? Are designer think that collectors will use magnifier to enjoy this flower and butterfly?

Issue come out on March 15, 2013, two stamp in set, face value of set is 1.75 euro! Where is logic?

For "important people" You print lowest possible face value, and for "Flora and Fauna" highest?

I can call it something like "less work - more profit" attempt! Let's see if market will buy it!

Again just 15 000 sets printed, in sheet of 20, 750 sheets available on market - and if someone will give it to You by double face value - take it!

(In confidence - dealer are asking 150.00 euro for sheet of 20).

Holy Moses - End of 2011 year:

This is an great and ugly experience! Manager and workers in Post of Montenegro made me one very unpleasant, but useful course that can be named "How to be patient with Montenegro Postal Service"!

I learned, and decided that I'm not able to continue with this people any more! Reason is simple. Before one months finally I have official information, that end of 2011 year, and 3/4 of 2012 year, stamp issue, are ready to be delivered to me, and that Invoice is x,y (in hundreds) of Euro!

Fine! One full year, full of my patience, kindly asked and (never received), request for pro-forma invoice for material from 2011 and 2012 (my standing order) finally arrived - God, I say, no more - I'm giving up!

It took me one week to find contact person in one very serious local Phila Club, to be member and start to receive new issue according same standing order! Nice? Yeah!

From one old friend of my - I understand that Post of Montenegro is on "Quiet Slowdown" with way to be "privatized", mean, first to go for bankruptcy  and after that, when "good" investor is on horizon, to be sold on "as is" base! (probably You know what that mean).

As is is, just now I have end of 2011 year issues, and 2012 will follow!

12-2011 "Concordat Montenegro - Vatican":

Come out on market at Oct. 7, 2011, with single stamp. Face value of 0.30 euro, that will cost You minimum two face value on market. 

What to say (and shake my heads), about?

Except that just one point is there normally made. It is "Coat of Arms" on stamp, but, if You are not so well educated, and if You have problem with eyesight - probably this will go unnoticed by You! Other? At first sight, I was thinking that it is issue about race, black and white people, or something like that! Stamp show us two hands shaking, one in white collar (Boss and managers?), and second is black collar (blacksmith, workers, miners etc). Artist have an luck, that on FDC we have some kind of "wings of Angel" and that give me "click" in my head, and I understand that it is just one "Religion Topic" on stamp. This issue is planned to celebrate 125 years of "contract" between Montenegro and Vatican that give to Vatican "...freedom of action..." - I think it say lot!

13-2011 "Joy of Europe":

One stamp, face value 0.90 euro, in sheet of 8 stamps + gutter on middle.

Like usually, You will need much more to pay, if You want stamp+gutter option!

Out on market at Oct. 21, 2011, with again, one child drawing design. I will silently suggest to Montenegro Post, to freeze this topic! "Joy of Europe" is simply out of date, it is legacy from Yugoslavia period, when children are well cared, educated, and full of joy! Today, when is opposite situation in whole Europe, especially in ex-Yugoslavia republics, to made this "topic" on postage stamps can be taken like cynic message to the public! And hardly that child, which made this drawing received any royalties - You don't think?

14-2011 "Historical Legacy":

Out on market on Nov. 11, 2011, four stamp in set, face value of 2.10 euro. Not small money if You know that average wage in Montenegro is somewhere between 400-450 euro per months. If You collect also printing sheet (of 20 stamp) - see alone how much You need to work overtime!

This four stamp will inform us about frescoes, newspaper, fortress of Crnojevich and personalities - to be fair, good idea, good intention with low quality design! Again too much color in use, confusing design of stamp, with lot of element on small piece of paper!  

15-2011 "Stamp Day":

Come out on Dec. 15, 2011, single stamp with face value of 0.40 euro.

Nothing new in design! Amateur in work I will say. But, can be accepted if You don't search for "classic" design or, better say, if You are in need of "modern children expression"!

Even stamps "on stamps" are without face! Blank - You will better call it "tab on stamp" topic.