There are two major factors that influence philatelic popularity- first, the number of collectors who have a nationalistic interest in the particular stamps and, second, the intrinsic sex appeal of the stamps from their use, colorfulness of area of origin or design. Thus US stamps or German stamps are popular under the first guide line and stamps such as the issues of French Southern and Antarctic Territories are popular under the second. Some philatelic specialties are popular for both of the above reasons and the stamps of the German Colonies are one of them. Germany was late to the Colony game and seemed to engage in colonial exploitation more out of a sense that a good empire required colonies rather than engaging in a nineteenth century form of mercantilism which seemed to be the British model. Germany issued stamps late for its colonies and most of the issues are of the same design. The designs have always appealed to collectors and the combination of German national interest and worldwide stamp collector demand have always made these stamps among the most popular in philately. There aren't many stamps that go up in price if the dollar get stronger or the euro gets stronger but the stamps of the German Colonies are one of them.