Beginning of end or...?

Montenegro Philately:

Beginning of End or…?

So, what reason for this "terrible" name of article?

Reason is very good, as one, at first glance, simple advertisement for "Special Offer" come across my desk.

At simple reading, it is one good offer, but if we go little bit to analyze this offer, we will see slightly another picture.

Let's start from beginning:

I read this "Special Offer" in one Journal from leader company in Philately (based in Europe), where offered are (as written in Journal): "…first 4 sets, the first 8 sheets with tab, the first 4 souvenir sheets, inclusive the special imperforated first booklet pane…" (no offered cover for this booklet).

Nice advertisement, with small resolution picture of material. Till now, nothing unusual, as we know many-and-many of this kind offerings in our hobby. Then I read next sentence: "…limited edition of 5 000 copies…"!

Huh, let's analyze it:

First 4 set are:

1) "Flag and Coat of Arm" 2005 year, set of 4 value, Michel #100-103,

Scott #123-126, MR # 177-180, print run 500 000 copies.

2) "EUROPA – Gastronomy" 2005 year, Michel # 104-105, Scott # 127-128, MR # 181-182, print run: 2 different sheets of 8 stamp+gutter on middle, 5 000 sheets (40 000 sets):

3) "50 year of EUROPA issues", 2006 year, Michel #108-111, Scott # 129a-d, MR # 187-190, a print run 2 000 numbered sheets of 16 stamps + 4 gutters on middle (total 8 000 sets):

4) "Winter Olympic Turin", 2006 year, Michel # 112-113, Scott # 131-132, MR # 196-197, print run of two different sheets of * stamp + gutter on middle 4 000 sheets (total 32 000 sets):

So, all is fine with offer, except that "…5 000 copies limited edition…" which sound very attractive, but don't stand in fact, as it is NOT CLEARLY explained if it is talking about stock available in seller hand, or as print run in Montenegro Post! For ordinary collectors, who don't goes and search for printing quantity information for each issue wanted to obtain, this is not so important, because he/she want to buy something as offered "limited edition"!

As I'm one of people who like to research, I see that it is not so "limited edition", because original print run from 500 00/40 000/8 000/32 000 quantity sets printed, it is correct when talking about booklet pane and sheets of 8+1 gutter (5 000 quantity print), wherein offer are not stated, that all (usually) booklet panes have cover included, and in this case, there is no cover included!

Then, we come across one information, connected to "50 year of EUROPA issues", which are initially printed in 505 000 souvenir sheets (Michel # Bl. 3, Scott # 130, MR # 3) – this issue are printed in huge quantity (505 000), from this 500 000 are sold to dealer in Spain, later revoked (problematic financial transaction as reason), revoked material was removed or destroyed, rest of 5 000 quantity was sold inside country to the post offices and standing order collectors.

Question is, how to offer for sale, "…limited edition…", as we see that it is not so limited, and there where it is indeed limited to 5 000 copies, most are out of hand for dealers! Probability that exist much more quantity in dealers hands than officially claimed?

Analyzing catalog prices, I see that it is very correctly stated in offer, as 451.00 Euros total catalog value, which seller have in first offering price of 135.00 Euro (30% Michel catalog value), and now in this "Special Offer" for 81.00 Euro asking price (18% Michel catalog value).

What face value say? So, not so big profit, as face value for all material offered are 88.00 Euro, selling in first offering for 135.00 Euro (65% up of face value), and in second offering of 81.00 Euro (7.00 Euro less than total face value), which is still with profit, as we know, that Post of Montenegro give great discount on higher quantity ordered/purchased (range from 5% to 30% discount on total balance sheet, depending on quantity purchased).

So, to summarize, that value of Montenegro stamps are going slowly down, as time go on! If it is just result of dealers dumping stock after 10 years of keeping it in stock, or as inactivity on market, as collectors are not willing to obtain material from this small country by so high asking prices?

My personal opinion is, that Post of Montenegro made one great mistake, as Croatia made, and go with Spain dealer to some problematic adventure, which resulted in mistrust and in high market prices for new issues offered in first ten year.

Now when we take in account, that service to standing order holder from Montenegro Post are very-very slow, with administrative barriers (selling postage stamp in Montenegro to the foreign address, are treated as export, which mean, proper paper work must include every shipment, with custom declaration involved, no matter of quantity ordered) which slow delivery time and involve additional dues as shipping cost which are very high.

All this "problems" made collectors to abandon interest for Montenegro postage stamp, so also dealers, who keep some bigger quantity in stock, after this 10 years keeping material in store, now go, and sell it out.

If it will have effect on market, just time will say, as now, I don't see any price drop on any internet sale, and my personal stock are very low, as I don't keep quantity in stock, but this "special offer" made one really good opportunity to buy low and avoid high catalog value. We will see reaction from Michel catalog 2015 edition, which comes out in next few months.

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.

End of 2010 year

Finally - I received rest from 2010 year. What to say about service from Montenegro Post is nothing good, too late with delivery, money in advance, damaged stamp delivered, printing sheet without border (border is removed) - and explanation is "delivered what was available"! God, which kind of responsibility!

But, it is Balkan! I like it - even that all is in bad shape, people there live "easy" life. Yes - Post of Montenegro have some "strange" system - what to do?!

Here we go with:

13-2010 "Personalities" (Duke & Printer):

Issued on Nov. 16, 2010, single stamp. face value of 0.50 euro, design is simple as can be, nothing special and not something that "catch" Your eye!

14-2010 "Stamp Day":

Issued on Nov. 2, 2010, also one single stamp, face value 0.30 euro, again some amateur design, with too much color - but message are something in "style" to tell us that all races on this planet use mail and stamp?

15-2010 "Joy of Europe":

continue with this topic, every year it come out, even that i really don't know what for? The "good time" of Europe are gone, people are without any kind of "joy" - and still we print this issue - probably intention is just to take money, and rise income - nothing more than that. Even design is far from good, but if we take in mind that it is done by children, it will be accepted.

16-2010 "Legacy from Past":

set of four stamp, Duklja (Archeology - Coin), Mosque, I. Mazuranic (writer), and Miroslav's Holly Writing - face value not cheap - 2.40 euro, for Montenegro standard is expensive - and again this poor design! Except "Coin" and Holly writing - which are relatively good design, other two are less than minimum. Probably just collectors of "Mosque on Stamp" will need it in collection.

17-2010 "Nature Protection - environment":

Again and again they made so ugly design! This important topic need to be more "eye catching" - more with clear message, more "feeling" in design, but what we received is just "children home work" - nothing to say good.

Hope that 2011 will bring us more "clever" issues and more professional design - just hope?

9-2008 till end of 2008:

Today is March 13, 2009 - and just now I received shipment from Montenegro Post!!!! I say, Hallelujah - which kind of service You will hardly believe! What to do - they made some reorganization in Podgorica (Titograd - previously know name for capital) and - how much I see and feel, it go to worst than previously. Why? From past period it was much faster delivery and handling of standing order, with less paperwork involved and payment condition was much better like today. When I received shipment this time, it is inside around 5-6 pages of report from this to other person, revisor and director, all signed controlled and approved for delivery of material worth some 200 euro - can You imagine it? Three or four person involved in every shipment delivered! O.K. let's alone this problem, and go to other - more dangerous - and it is not delivered quantities according delivery notification - terrible!!!!!!

Nu - let's continue with this 2008 year:

9-2008 "Jadran Sail Boat":

Issued on 16/VII/2008 - good topic, worth sail boat for Navy in Montenegro. This sail boat was built in Germany (H. C. Silken Zon) some 75 years ago, and have an great history for "bakartine" type. Mostly was used like school ship for young cadet by Italian, and after WWII it was docked in Venetian channel like some kind of bridge, from here it was returned back to Montenegro, repaired, and as today, again serve like school and training ship.

Value - face 0.50 euro for single, but sheet of 20 will take some premium - dealer? Be happy if You obtained it for face + 100%!!!

10-2008 "Water Polo European Championship":

issued on 15/IX/2008 - to celebrate gold medal in this championship held in Malaga/Spain, poor design, that is what I can say! Face value again 0.50 euro (by way, minimum salary for ordinary worker in Montenegro is around 300.00 euro - and if I need to pay half euro for mail - I will think twice! What You think - how much used material will be on market from this country population of some 600 000-700 000 citizens!).

11-2008 "Art in Montenegro through centuries":

issued on 17/IX/2008 - to show peoples one rare and nice mosaic from Risan/Boka Kotorska/Montenegro - but author and designer failed in all aspect!!! Existed much better way to show on postage stamp this beautiful mosaic in one most clean coast town in Montenegro - sorry for it! Face value for set of 2 is 0.75 euro.

12-2008 : "Stamp Day":

issued on 2/X/2008 - one value of 0.60 euro, picture of post office(?) or better say just one home, made from postage stamps (really postage stamps with face value on it and Montenegro Post logo) - one continued, unrealistic, unnecessary vasting of paper and time - this issue will not have any impact on world philately except this topic (stamp on stamp) that probably will collector buy - even that picture on stamp are stamp never issued by Montenegro Post.

13-2008: "Alfred Nobel":

issued 21/X/2008 - one stamp issue, face value 0.50 euro, wish to scream!!! This is my short description of/for design of this stamp!

14-2008: "100 yr of First Railway in Montenegro":

issued on 31/X/2008, for important occasion in Montenegro, that start to 2/XI/1908 - first railroad opened and connected Bar and Virpazar town (village) at time, just 43 km long, but for this time it was one really great work done - most countries in Europe at time didn't have even paved road and not talk about rail transport - how clever and great is this people!?

1.50 euro face value - lot, but affordable. Problem will be to buy all combination in this issue, and it is set, sheet of 5, booklet with cover and FDC - prepare for dealer double prices with premium for booklet!

15-2008 "Joy of Europe":

issued on 20/XI/2008 - two value in set, face value 0.65 euro, nice picture on stamp and it is all what I can say.

16-2008 "60 yr Human Right declaration":

some combination with national flag and UN logo on stamp, again 0.50 euro face value, again "standard" design and again no comment!!!!

With this we will close 2008 year, even that I didn't see usually issued topic like Christmas and New Year - possible they didn't made it?