Korea Stamp Society

For anyone studying Korean postage stamps and postal stationery, understanding the structure of the Korean language and the Korean alphabet will enrich the understanding of any material which you have. The Korean language is highly structured and regular. Some sixty percent of its vocabulary derives from written Chinese (called in Korean Hanja 漢字).

The printed matter (“Drukwerk”) cover shown here was mailed aboard the frigate Hr. Ms. ”Johan Maurits van Nassau” in January 1953. Its destination was Yokohama, Japan. The frigate was on assignment in Korean waters during the Korean War. Upon the frigate’s arrival on January 22, 1953 in Yokohama, Japan the letter was delivered to a […]

The first stamp in this series is the 5 Poon. The stamp is designated Scott #6 and Minkus #3. Black and white images and data are from Brady-Tyler, Zirkel, G. La Francesca and colour images and data are from MikeG Canada (Stampboards), Florian Eichhorn, David Phillips, KSS and other sources.

For anyone studying Korean postage stamps and postal stationery, understanding the structure of the Korean language and the Korean alphabet will enrich the understanding of any material which you have. The Korean language is highly structured and regular. Some sixty percent of its vocabulary derives from written Chinese (called in Korean Hanja 漢字).

Recently, in going over my Korean inflationary issues and presentation sheets, I was struck by a cancellation that is almost too perfect for a routine postal strike: neat, clean, sharp and almost printed-looking. Reviewing KOREAN PHILATELY, I found I am not alone in my suspicion – but its status is still indeterminate. 

What follows is an update on my article of 1996 about the investment potential of South Korean stamps. In 1972 (when stamps were touted as investments) Linn’s Weekly Stamp News began it’s “Investment Suggestions” which is now called the “Tip of the Week”. In about 1980 Linn’s began a “Trends of Stamp Values” which purported […]

One of our members showed a series of pictures with all sorts of items. The question is: what are these items? Do you recognize them? Then please leave your ideas in the comments below the items. You can refer to them by the number given with the figures.

Back in April 2019 I received an inquiry of the German MICHEL-catalog editor. He related a reader’s question on probably different printings of 1964/66 ROK definitives (KPC #218/236), commonly known as the 1st granite paper series.

My interest in Chinese stamps has focused for the past few years on Manchukuo. During this time I have collected a number of books that have aided my research and one of the most useful has been a book with the catchy title “The Postage Stamps and Commemorative Cancellations of Manchoukuo/Manshukoku, Manchou Tikuo, Manchukuo”, written […]

What started with a simple article about someone’s stamp album pages has since become quite a series. So far however all the album pages shown by members are used to store and show postal stamps. Fiscal stamps, or revenue stamps, are a completely different story.

Because of the corona virus doing the rounds the Korean Stamp Museum is, like so many other such institutes, closed at the moment. However, just a few days ago KoreaPost issued a link on its website to a complete virtual tour of the Korean Stamp Museum. When clicked one starts just outside the museum, underground, […]

The KSS has published a new edition of the KSS magazine, Korean Philately, the second KP of 2020. Just as was the case with issue no. 1 of this year you can own a full-colour magazine-style printed hard-copy version of this KP! As a member you can download this edition of Korean Philately for free […]

(News from 우정사업본부 / KoreaPost) On 16 April 2020 KoreaPost issued a stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of Duksung Women’s University / 덕성여자대학교. According to its Wikipedia page the school was established in 1920, as part of the drive for improved education which arose out of the March 1st Movement. Its founder […]

(News from 우정사업본부 / KoreaPost) On 26 February 2020 KoreaPost issued a series of four stamps showing “Historic Architecture in Korea”, in this particular case (parts of) the royal palaces of Korea. Besides a “regular” set of stamps the stamps were also issued as a set with the same subjects, but with a different printing […]

(News from 조선우표사 / Korea Stamp Corporation) On 25 May 2020 the Korea Stamp Corporation issued a stamp series titled “Great General’s March to Mt Paektu”. This series was according to the KSC to commemorate that “Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un put forward the great programme for the education in revolutionary traditions, looking round the […]

(News from 조선우표사 / Korea Stamp Corporation) On 23 May 2020 the Korea Stamp Corporation issued a stamp series showing brass instruments. The series is also available in a minisheet of 2×4 stamps, effectively creating several possible combinations of stamps on cover (both horizontal and vertical).