Armand Rousso in the Cox News Service

Rousso has taken a big step toward opening that window with the creation of the International Stamp Exchange in Miami Beach, a philatelic version of the stock exchange. Owners of valuable and rare stamps can sell them by listing with the exchange, which Rousso promises will be accessible to millions of people through personal computer hookups.

The U.S. Postal Service has estimated that there are about 22 million stamp collectors in the United States, although many of them are marginal at best. In fact, stamp aficionados lament that the hobby has been in decline. They mourn philately’s having taken a back seat to computers and movies, video games and break-dancing. Such a shame, the French-born Rousso says, when stamps have so much to offer.

“Stamps are a wonderful hobby,” he offers. “Where else can you find so much pleasure and learn so many things? With stamps, you can learn about geography, history, art, politics. It can feed all of one’s curiosities.”
Rousso says the exchange, which opened in September, already has 25,000 stamps worth $70 million being held for sellers under lock and key in the exchange. He has set up a network of 200 stamp dealer-brokers, similar to floor traders at the stock exchanges in New York, as a convenience for stamp collectors.

The difference with the stamp exchange is that anyone will be able to do his own buying and selling, using a personal computer, telex or telephone. Those who aren’t knowledgeable about a stamps market value or who don’t have access to a personal computer and telephone modem or a telex can use a broker.

Once this is done, Rousso predicts that stamps offered by the exchange would be accessible to five million people on top of the more than two million telex users. Rousso expects that another draw would be the exchange’s fee schedule of 6 percent seller and 3 percent to buyers. Auction houses charge 10 percent.