Armand Rousso in the Journal Of Commerce

Rousso hopes to change the way stamp collectors buy and sell stamps.
The typical stamp collector 20 years ago was a knowledgeable treasure seeker who hunted philately in hopes for the print that would compete a collection. Now, claims Mr. Rousso, the collector is a sophisticated investor seeking to buy stamps low and sell them high, less interest in the specimen’s history, more interest in its value.

Mr. Rousso insists a new type of collector has already begun to appear on the scene: the young person who collects for both profit and pleasure, who is interested in learning all he can about stamps, and who will put money behind that interest.

A buyer in France, Mr. Rousso says, could save a trip to a New York auction house. Using a computer terminal, the dealer or collector could pursue the stamps sold on the exchange and the prices the sellers are asking.
Mr. Rousso’s say he has already received stamps worth more than $20 million in Scott’s Catalog value, an industry standard from collectors in Florida, New York, California and Texas. These stamps are to be sold.

The idea seems to appeal to enough collectors that First American Bank and Trust in Palm Beach Fla., is willing to offer qualified buyers personal lines of credit of up to $25,000, via “gold cards.” It is offering qualified dealers credit lines of up to $100,000.