<
https://thevinylfactory.com/features/the-curious-tale-of-bhutans-playable-record-postage-stamps/>
"Quite possibly the smallest vinyl records that can still be played with a
stylus, those of you after a set will be happy to know the stamps still
sporadically appear on eBay, with prices pushed up by that geekiest of venn
diagrams between stamp and record collectors.
Listen to a haunting version of the Bhutanese national anthem, as recorded from
a stamp, below.
If you’re looking to make a smart investment in vinyl, among the most promising
items to look out for right now are a set of Bhutanese talking-stamps. Issued
in 1972 in a set of seven, the stamps are miniature, one-sided, 33 1⁄3 rpm
vinyl records playable on a standard turntable. You peeled off the backing
paper and stuck them on an envelope or postcard. Content includes Bhutanese
folk songs and histories of the country in English and Dzongkha, the local
language.
For decades, the stamps were dismissed by the philatelic establishment as tacky
novelties and were, correspondingly, as cheap as chips. In 1993, when they were
first listed in the collectors’ bible,
Scott’s Standard Postage Stamp
Catalogue, a mint condition set was valued at around £17, the equivalent of
£28 at 2015 prices. But following their recent discovery by collectors of rare
vinyl, particularly in the US, you will be lucky to pick a set up for less than
£300. Some observers predict the price will double, or even triple, over the
next few years."
Via Esther Schindler.
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
