After having been married for over a decade, I can say with some confidence that "surprise" holiday gifts invariably end up on the short list for returns. You may "know" what you think someone wants, but, when the package is opened ... you're wrong.

So, what's the "perfect gift"? It does exist, and it is unexpected. Best of all, it doesn't have to come on Christmas morning. Simply put, it's an item — more often than not a collectible — that you didn't realize had value but does, especially now. Even better, it can be a gift to you.

It happens more often than you think. Your grandfather may have had an old stamp collection that's been in a drawer or closet shelf. None of the kids are interested, so you don't think much about it. Considering the new catalog values for classic postage stamps it's time to start thinking.

According to the Scott Specialized Catalog of U.S. Stamps (the bible of philately), the price for classic stamps has skyrocketed into the stratosphere. Even as the stock market roller coaster continues and gold fluctuates more than ever in history, the value of collectible postage stamps continues to steadily rise.

Understand, these are not the stamps on sale at post offices — at least not today. But, for those who purchased and saved stamps 150 years ago, the payoff has begun. For instance, in 2007, the value of a particular one-cent stamp of 1851 featuring Ben Franklin was an impressive $55,000. That's more than enough to buy a nice car. This year, a mere 12 months later, the value for that same stamp is $80,000. Upgrade to a Mercedes.

Even more astonishing is a five-cent stamp printed in 1858. The value for it last year was $35,000. Today, the price for that same stamp has more than doubled. It, too, is now worth $80,000.

The new Scott catalog lists over 12,000 value changes over last year — virtually all of them higher. Granted, most of the high-value stamps are accounted for and reside in the private collections or museums. But, the simple fact remains that more are out there waiting to be found. What a nice holiday gift to someone (including yourself) to find a new car or paid-off mortgage in a long-ignored drawer or closet.

The key is knowing what you're looking for or looking at. For that, a catalog is key. The full-color Scott catalog is over 1,000 pages in length and contains most every variety of every stamp issued in the United States. It even lists some created before postage stamps had even been created (think the "Stamp Act" of the late 1700s.) It can be found at many local libraries, purchased at a local stamp dealer or directly from the publisher. The cost of the Scott U.S. Specialized Catalog is $69.99. It's not cheap, but it could be money well spent if you — or someone special on your holiday list — has been meaning to look through an old stamp collection but just never gotten around to it.

Also available is a new 52-page supplement detailing premiums collectors pay for stamps that are especially well centered and in top condition. That 52-page addendum can be purchased in a print version or is available at no charge online at www.amosadvantage.com/valuesup.

For more information about Scott catalogs feel free to contact a local dealer you know or the publisher, Amos Press, online at www.amosadvantage.com or by phone by calling 937-498-0802.

If you do happen to find anything, please let me know. I won't ask for a cut, but you will make my holidays!

Note to Editors: A JPEG visual of the cover of the 2009 Scott Specialized Catalog of U.S. Stamps has been sent with this column.

To find out more about Peter Rexford and to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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