Luxembourg’s first stamp, issued in 1852, is affordable used

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

In the 19th century, there were 14 grand duchies in Europe. Today, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is the world’s last extant grand duchy.

The title of duke is derived from the Latin “dux,” the title of a military commander of a province in the Roman Empire.

A grand duchy is a monarchy headed by a grand duke or grand duchess, rather than by an emperor, empress, king, queen, prince or princess.

Wedged between Belgium, France and Germany, Luxembourg is the seventh smallest and one of the least populated countries in Europe.

The official language, Luxembourgish, is closely related to standard German. Although not official languages, French and German are also widely used in the administration of the country.

Luxembourg was established as a duchy in 1354. Ruled at various times as part of France and the Austrian Netherlands, Luxembourg emerged as an independent country from the Congress of Vienna in 1815 at the conclusion of the Napoleonic wars.

Luxembourg issued its first stamp (Scott 1), an imperforate 10-centime gray black featuring Grand Duke William III, on Sept. 15, 1852.

The Scott Classic Specialized Catalogue of Stamps and Covers 1840-1940 notes that Luxembourg Scott 1-47 are valued in unused, without gum condition because, although they were issued with gum, most available unused examples are without gum.

The Scott Classic Specialized catalog values Luxembourg Scott 1 at $2,100 in unused, without gum condition and at $3,500 in unused, original gum condition, which is beyond the range of many collectors.

However, the stamp is valued at $55 in used condition, and an attractively canceled four-margin example without defects is a good buy at around $45.

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