About this DCStamps
DCStamps.com is a website based on collecting stamps and currency from countries which no longer exist — often defined as a “dead country”. According to Linn’s Stamp News, the definition of a dead country is “any area that has ceased existence and no longer produces postage stamps”. Although my definition is somewhat different (see my definitions page), the spirit remains the same, a focus on collecting postage stamps and/or banknotes from countries, colonies, revolutionary entities or occupational forces which no longer exist (in my case, ending before 1956).
My name is Michael Adkins, and as an avid collector in this area, I have a fairly broad collection and knowledge of the subject. The purpose of this site is to share my interest in this specialty and begin documenting what can be a daunting area for collectors. While I enjoy the organizing and collecting aspect of the hobby, I find that understanding the people, the historical context, and the political situation of the country from where it came, provides huge insight into the individual pieces of history we collect.
Another purpose for this site is to begin organizing and sharing my personal collection. I read on a blog a while back about building a digital stamp album. This concept intrigued me as I can organize and display my collection where it can be viewed it in a meaningful fashion, while the actual items remain safely in my stockbook, without hinges, albums or over handling the specimens.
Making these digital albums involves 4 simple steps. 1) Designing a country by country album using PowerPoint, 2) Scanning the items in my collection into a .jpg format, 3) “Pasting” the scans digitally into the album, and 4) Converting the album into a .pdf format for easy display.
This site will always be “under construction”. It will take quite a while to put together album pages for my entire collection, I plan to continually adding to my collection, and of course I am always learning new things about the history of a region or country.
About this Me
My name Michael Adkins and I have been a collector of stamps from “dead countries” for many years. While I am not an expert on banknotes, I do collect banknotes from Dead countries as well. However, it a secondary to stamps, primarily because of the expense and difficulty in locating notes.
My interest in stamps started at a young age, as my grandparents were postmasters in a very small town in California. In fact the post office was an extension of their house. They got me interested in stamps by buying me new issues when they were issued, and since my grandfather also ran a small export business on the side, he would receive mail from many different countries, always giving me the envelope and stamp to add to my collection. I believe that this gave me a keen interest in geography, maps and finding out about far and distant lands. Over the years, as I developed a love for travel, and an interest in history and culture, my collecting interests gradually narrowed to countries which no longer existed — “dead” countries.
Currently, we live in Florida. As you can see from the picture of me and my wife of 29 years at Machu Picchu, one of my true passions is travel. Over the years, we have visited more than 80 “non-dead” countries, including living in Japan for 3-1/2 years. But when at home, stamp/banknote collecting allows me to explore the unique history of an area, and to “travel when I am not travelling”.
Please feel free to explore the site, offer suggestions, ask questions, let me know of countries not on my list, or even debate my definitions of a “dead country”.
Thank you for visiting.
Michael
Your comments are encouraged.
Greetings Michael,
What a fascinating achievement you’ve made. I just came upon it today and am excited to explore the work you’ve done. I, too, collect Dead Countries, starting way back when the Baltic States and The Ukraine were still Dead Countries. Your work on occupations, overprints, name changes, etc. will enrich my interest. Thank you.
By the way, I recently got a little book called “Nowherelands: An Atlas of Vanished Countries 1840-1975” by Bjorn Berge. It’s nicely done, but only scratches the surface of your work here. I wonder if your work would be marketable in book form.
Hi Tom
Welcome to DCStamps and thank you for your kind comments. I am glad to find other Dead Country collectors. It is such an interesting topic. I haven’t seen this book, but will try and find it. Stamp work is always slow during the summer, as vacation times and grand kids visiting. Will get back to publishing more articles after the summer.
Keep in touch
Michael
What a wonderful resource! I found you thanks to an email notification from the First Issues Collectors Club (of which I am proud to be member #2). Our club members collect the first stamp or first issue of each nation. Most of us collect Scott #1 of each nation (or L1 or M1 or whatever each of us chooses to collect).
Your site is a wonderful overview and checklist. I can’t believe how much work has gone into your site. Congratulations on producing a site that I will visit again and again!
Congratulations on your well made site. I acquired East Karelia N1-27 recently. My Lighthouse Finland album has space for type one and type two black overprints. Do you know the difference?
Hi Robert, Welcome to DCStamps
I am sorry for the late reply, I have been away from stamps for a while to finish my Masters degree.
From my understanding, there are two types of overprints for the first five stamps: Karelia N1-N5. Look at the middle “A” in Karjala. Type I, the top of the “A” is flat, while in type II, it is pointed. If you look at my album, my N1-N5 stamps are type II. Hope this helps.
This was a great question and I think I will include a description of the overprint types on my album page.
Regards
Michael
Hello its nice to meet you and your wife.
I came across your collection and articles of stamps related to dead countries or lands interesting. Why I am writing I came across some stamps in a thick envelope from Britain
I purchased this envelope not knowing its contents. To my surprise I begin to study them.
I am now reaching a conclusion someone was doing as you did collecting dead lands of stamps. But these stamps were put togather in the 70’s and well preserved. Some cancelled some not.
I very exciting to discover the whole meaning of this collection.
It actually took some old Scott books to help identify some of those special stamps.
Thank you for your interest and specialty in this field of stamps.
I am not a large collector but a small time with a few books.
I am though looking to sell what I have acquired to the right collector.
A collector who would need what I have in their collection. If you would like a list or for some one else I would be happy to send pics .
Thank you for your wonderful article.
Brenda Adams
Hi Brenda
Welcome to DCStamps, sorry for the late reply, as I have been a way from stamps for a while.
I don’t list collections, however, I would suggest you find a local stamp club in your area and attend one of the meetings. There are usually people who will be very helpful.
Good Luck
Michael
Michael, where are you located in Florida? I live in Jacksonville but am currently visiting in Greece with a friend. She has a set of 7 stamps from the Autonomous Republic of North Epirus. They are on a pice of paper and have been cancelled. They were given to her by a friend, now deceased, whose uncle worked in the post office where the stamps were sold. He purchased them, in 1914, for himself, attached them to a paper and cancelled them with Argyrokastro (in Greek) in 1 May 1914. She is interested in selling them. Do you have any advice on how to do that?
Hi Ann
Welcome to DCStamps. I would suggest that you approach find a local stamp club in your area and speak to someone there. It is tough to give estimates or advice without actually seeing the stamps.
Good Luck
Michael
Michael,
Thanking you for such a thorough, insightful collection. Along with many others I have taken over my parents stamp collection as I’m the only one in the family with a desire and interest. It is refreshing to read through the history and view the collection you’ve acquired. I will continue to visit often. At present I’m organizing the most complete collection I can on Nyassa. The stamps are beautiful and expressive. My ancestors are from the Azores and settled in Hawaii in the 1880’s. My Grandfathers shared many stories with me as a boy of their Portuguese heritage and far away places. My parents have several of the Nyassa stamps collected and organized. I will be continuing with it. Thanks for the inspiration through your great work ! I can relate to the passion you have for your work.
Hi Michael
Welcome to DCStamps, and I sincerely apologize for such a late reply, as I too most of 2017 away from Stamps and Dead Countries. I am glad you are continuing on the collection. I too am the only one who has any interest, but who knows, as my grandkids grow up, I might be able to get at least one of them interested.
Regards
Michael
Michael,
Like your site quite a bit, I am a collector that started with my grandfather’s interest in stamps and am now on my lifelong quest to have a stamp from every issuing entity – ever. Just compiling a list of such entities has been a fairly sizable project and sites like yours are invaluable to my lists and goals. In my own collection of stamps I include a small card with the historical and stamp issuing information in the books adjacent to the stamps so much of this is done through searching books, online sources (such as Linn’s – http://www.linns.com/insights/stamp-issuing-entities-of-the-world.html, private sites, catalogs, etc), and well as other sources. This has given me a fairly significant catalog of stamp issuing entities (probably well over 1000 distinct entries) I like your idea of a “dead-country” organization as well. I’d love to help/contribute/join.
Hi Paul
Welcome to DCStamps, and thank you for the kind words. I am definitely familiar with Linn’s list of Stamp issuing entities. Although there are a few entities I disagree with, it is a excellent resource. Good luck with your goal of collecting a stamp from every Stamp Issuing entity. There are a few entities which might prove difficult, as the only known stamps are in museums, but I would never say never. I will definately add you to the growing list of people interested in the Dead Country group. Stay Tuned —
Michael
Hi Michael,
Interesting site you have. Without realizing I am a collector of dead countries too. Classic Montenegro, Republic of Central Lithuania, Allenstein, Marienwerder, Upper Silesia, Danzig and Memel of which I all have exhibition collections. I have just started to build a new collection on classic Hyderabad and by looking for info on this subject I came across your website. Good luck with your collections.
Best regards,
Victor
Victor
Welcome to DCStamps, It is always nice to find a fellow dead country collector. Let me know where you display your collections. Will keep an eye out.
Also, Keep us in mind as we begin exploring putting together a specialty group in the area. I will be somewhat different from other philatelic group.
Michael
Thank you for a wonderfully informative website. I have inherited a stamp collection and am now the third generation of my family that loves and adds to this collection, which started in the Union of South Africa before WW2, has developed through South Africa’s apartheid years and now through democratic South Africa and all the changes in Africa. The bantustans, or homelands of South Africa are dead countries – even though they were not recognised anywhere outside of South Africa, they issued stamps and had their own laws and governments. Keep up the great work!
Hi Helga, Thank you for visiting DCStamps. I think it is great that you are continuing on with your inherited collection, some many relatives end of selling off collections as they have no interest in the hobby. Of course I have heard of the bantustans, such as Transkei or Venda. I have also seen some of their stamps. For my collection, I only include countries which ceased to exist before 1955 (although thinking of moving it up to 1960).
Thank you again, and your comments are always welcome.
Michael
Michael, a wonderful site and I congratulate you on the content. In a similar way to you I like to know the history of the period of a DC and how/why they became ‘comme ca’. This also adds to ones historical and general knowledge, something singularly absent from the youth of this poor benighted country named the United Kingdom, where historical memory ends circa 1980! Of course Philadelphia has a great interest for me, a rather significant event took place there during the eighteenth century.
Hi Michael
What a fantastic website, makes it worthwhile turning the computer on.
I mainly collect Estonia (which was a dead country when I started) and also French definitives,
but I also use a 1947 Stanley Gibbons Europe catalogue, and try to collect whatever I come across that is listed in it. I have to say I had a great feeling of satisfaction when I managed to obtain a Temesvar collection. I am concentrating a Fiume and Memel at the moment being a great sucker for surcharged stamps. The great thing about the site is the visual checklist for what I may need.
Brilliant Site please keep it going
Best Wishes
Steve
Hi Steve
Thank you for visiting and your kind words. Sounds like you have a good collection going, and understanding the history around your stamps makes it all the more interesting. I actually count the Republic of Estonia that existed before WW2 as a dead country. My rule of the thumb is that if it was dead for more than 50 years or so before it was “resurrected”, then the earlier country is a “dead country”. In fact I categorize them as “resurrected countries”. Just so you know, I am currently working on about 15-20 countries, and Estonia (the earlier rendition) is one of them.
Good luck with your collection, and please don’t hesitate in leaving comments or questions at any time.
Michael
If you are interested in dead countries, you might be interested in the “Republic for a day” of Ruthenia, also called Carpatho-Ukraine by Czechoslovakia, which issued its only stamp on March 15th, 1939. The next day the (Nazi) Hungarians took over. There is a listing of #1 for 3 crowns with a view of Jasina.
This region was part of Hungary, then Austria-Hungary, then Czechoslovakia, then Soviet Ukraine, now split between NE Slovakia and Transcarpathian Ukraine. There may be articles about it in philatelic publications. Since there is only one stamp, a complete collection is rather easy. I visited my relatives in the Ukraine part in 1999, and the regional capital Uzhhorod.
Hi David, thank you for the information. I am familiar with Carpatho-Ukraine, and the very turbulent times in the overall region around both world wars. Its this kind of history that makes collecting “dead countries” so interesting. It is even more interesting when you have a family connection to the region as it makes it more personal.
Michael
Tsar bin not killed.
Gold was thrown over the China birder in 7 coffins ” with Grand Dukes Konstantinovich, V.Paley, Grand Duke Sergey Mikhailovich and sister of Empress Elisabeth”. But they all bin in life ” after dead”. Publishing is not correct, but you may know it. Semenov – family of tsar. Regards, Victoria.
Tsar have family connection to Ukraine. This is war. His daughter is my paternal grandmother, but thus know only relatives who did DBA of FTDNA ( Huston) and relatives on Gedmatch.com, and puppets of almost dead country know it from July 2012.
Regards,
Victoria
Hello Mr Adkins,
I was wondering if i could pick your brain for a moment?
I recently found an old stamp album in my loft and it appears that the owner began
collecting in 1929.
The Free State of Danzig page has a 1923 50000 mark all green stamp mint but hinged on it, (i see in your collection that you have 2 of them 1 mint and 1 used)i found a website that says that its rare and could command quite a price. Is this true?
I would be very gratefull for your input.
Thanks for your time
Kindest regards
Mike from North Wales UK
Hi Mike
Thank you for visiting DCStamps, and I always enjoy questions and comments.
I believe you are referring to Scott#132. The vast majority of these issues have a watermark with a webbing or honeycomb design. Apparently for this stamp, there is a very rare variety with a watermark of intertwining wavy lines which catalogues for $4,000 USD. Alas, none of my stamps have this watermark.
Sorting through a “found” stamp collection can be quite an adventure in history and geography. I would recommend that you pop down to your local library and find the Stanley Gibbons stamp catalogues. They are an extremely valuable reference.
Good Luck.
Michael
Sir; I bumped into your blog letter about rare Danzig stamps and I have 2-50,000 mark stamps and they are watermarked with a wavy line grid . You state they are very rare and have a usd$ value of about $4,500.00. If possible I could take photos of them and send to you and see what you think;if that is possible to do.
Thanks
Dick self
Dicknphyl@cox.net
Dear Mr. Michael Adkins,
Hi and how are you?
I am Kartini Keyan, Masters student in University Sains Malaysia. I am doing a theses research on Philatelic History in Malaya and other Asian countries.
I would like to request some help from your kindself. I am writing on postal history of Malaya during WW2, I am looking for Dr. Eugene Garrett book titled
“Postal History of the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines 1942-1945”
I really urgently need to loan his book for my dissertation. If you have his book, can I borrow it for two weeks and return it to you. I will pay the postal charges. Tq. I suppose to submit my theses end of this month but have asked for 2 months extension until April.
I saw your name online and decided to write to you for help.
Your assistance in this matter is highly appreciated and will help my theses writing greatly. Look forward for your kind reply. Thank you. Bye
Your assistance in this matter is highly appreciated. Look forward for your kind reply. Thank you. Bye
Kind regards
Ms Kartini Keyan
Dear Ms. Kenyan
Your research project sounds very interesting. I regret that I do not have a copy Eugene Garrett’s book, but believe it is an important work in the area. I did search around and found there are several places which specialize in Philippine philately who referece the work, you might try one of them.
Good Luck on your search.
Michael
Hello Michael … Congratulations on your very interesting and informative webite. I have gone one step further and created a new ‘micronation’ from a previously ‘dead country’ albeit only in name at this stage.
Regards .. Peter
Peter
Good Luck with your new “nation”. Hopefully it won’t ever qualify for this site, e.g. become a “dead country”. 🙂
Michael
I recently acquired some stamps from dead countries and have to admit I find them fascinating. I found your sight and was thrilled to see all the information! So, I just wanted to say ..excellent job! I look forward to learning more about dead countries from your site!
Katie
Portland, OR
Thank you Katie, I am glad that are finding the site interesting. I am glad that you are enjoying your stamps, as dead countries tell stories of places that are often long forgotten. What dead countries do you have? If don’t have an entry yet, I will let you know if it is coming soon.
I haven’t added anything new to the site for a couple of months as my work schedule has been extremely heavy, however hopefully you will see a few new entries within the next few weeks.
Michael
Dear Michael,
Greetings.
Your work is worth praise as it has a collective information on my interest topic.
I followed the site and am sure will use it several times ahead in connection to my hobby of collection dead nation bank notes and coins. I am not into stamps and postcards though i have some pieces from Dead Nation.
I understand, that you are also into paper money collection.
Would you please post the pictures of those for our knowledge?
Would love to hear you.
Regards,
Avinash
India
+91 9741955886
Dear Avinash
I appreciate your comments and interest in the topic. I understand you not finding many actual images of banknotes, as at the moment, my collection of banknotes is limited (only about 50 notes). Also, When I own a banknote in a particular country, it is included in the album, but at the back, so I admit, they are harder to find.
The country albums that currently have any banknotes displayed are: Allenstein, Bavaria, Danzig Free State, German Empire, Memel, Azerbaijan, Russian Army of the Northwest, Provisional Government of Siberia, and the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines.
Your note gets me to thinking of how better organize this site, so I will consider having a separate page to cover some of the banknotes I have in my collection, to make them easier to find.
Thank you again for your comments, and wish you the best.
Michael
Great resource. Thanks very much for the work.
I blundered on your philatelic and travel sites from StampBoards. Both your sites are simply excellent … a great method of documenting your hobbies and life experiences. I really enjoyed scanning through them. What tool are you using to build your sites?
… Cal
Frank Calcaterra (Maryland, USA)
Collecting US, Canada, Topical: Navies, Police-Fire-EMS
Cal, thank you for the kind words. One of my ulterior motives for doing these sites, is to teach myself web design. For this site, (DCStamps), I use WordPress, a great online blogging tool. It’s free, and a link is available at the bottom of my homepage. I am also using a publically available template which allows me to not display the date, as I am not trying to offer a log of entries, rather a depositary of information which I update as I learn more.
For FarPlaces.org, that is a little more complex as I use Microsoft Expressions Web, and am writing the code in html and css. This is really a learning experience for me, as it probably takes me 10 times longer to get it right compared to a “real” web designer.
Michael