February 2012
1 post
4 tags
Penny Red with rare imperfections set to sell for...
One of the rarest and most sought after stamps ever produced is up for sale and expected to fetch over half a million pounds. The plate 77 Penny Red has been dubbed the ‘Holy Grail of philately’ and is one of just nine examples of the stamp ever recorded.
Although millions of Penny Reds were printed between 1841 and 1879, a number of plates were never used due to technical faults. Flaws in...
October 2011
1 post
5 tags
Autumn Philatex 2011 ~ 3rd to 5th November @...
International Stamps & Cover Show.
There are upwards of 80 Dealers with stands, buying and selling Philatelic material. Tables and chairs at the stands make for comfort. You can buy or sell, get valuations or just browse and see what the hobby is all about. There are various specialist society meetings on the Saturday to which everyone is welcome, whether member or not.
Venue The Royal...
June 2011
1 post
3 tags
British Postal Museum & Archive: New website... →
The new website boasts a new, more attractive design, and improved presentation of text and images. Content from the old website has been revised, and there are a number of new webpages to discover. Find more information in this blog.
May 2011
6 posts
3 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ United States: Garden of...
At Yew Dell Gardens in Crestwood, Kentucky, near Louisville, the Postal Service issues a Garden of Love definitive stamp (Forever® priced at 44 cents), in 10 designs in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps. The designs depict an abstract garden of bright flowers, a butterfly, and a strawberry and doves, interlaced with vines that run from one stamp to another. Each prominent...
5 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ Spain: World Heritage the...
The Alhambra and the Generalife in Granada were declared “World Heritage” by UNESCO in 1984. The Alhambra features in this souvenir sheet depicting one of its beautifully decorated rooms, whilst the circle-shaped stamp resembles a 2 € coin with an image of the Patio de los Leones in the centre. In 1994 the declaration of World Heritage was extended to the neighbourhood of the...
3 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ Finland: Fresh Happiness...
Spring and summer are a time for celebrations. The fresh Happiness Tree stamps are an excellent choice for congratulations cards, invitations, and summer greetings. The five-stamp miniature sheet was designed by graphic artist Päivi Unenge, whose previous works include children’s book and postcard illustrations. This sheet is printed in a quantity of 300,000 sheets by the Netherland’s...
4 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ Czech Republic: EUROPA...
This year’s central theme for the annual EUROPA issue, announced by the Association of European Public Postal Operators PostEurop, is “Forests”.
An alluvial forest is a hardwood forest found on low levees, ridges and terraces with a high level of underground water within the floodplains of streams and rivers. This type of forest grows in areas that are slightly elevated above...
3 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ United States: Project...
The Project Mercury and MESSENGER Mission stamps were designed by Donato Giancola of Brooklyn, New York, under the direction of Phil Jordan of Falls Church, Virginia. A three-time winner of the Hugo Award for Best Professional Artist, Giancola is known for his cover illustrations for science fiction authors, including Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Phillip K. Dick, and Arthur C. Clarke. His ...
3 tags
History of the Postage Stamps of the United States...
Tiffany wrote the first comprehensive book on the stamps of the United States. It was first published in French by the Belgian dealer, J.-B. Moens: Les Timbres des Etats-Unis d’Amerique (in three parts, 1883). He subsequently revised and expanded it, and it was published in 1887 as History of the Postage Stamps of the United States of America.
Gutenberg Project published the full text of...
March 2011
3 posts
5 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ Lithuania: 650th...
The series features 3 images of Kaunas: Town Hall, Main Post Office and house of Perkūnas in Kaunas.
Technical details:
Date of issue: 19/Mar/2011
Denominations: 3 x 3 Lt
Printing process: Offset
Design: H. Ratkevičius
Stamp size: 39mm x 30.25mm
Souvenir sheet size: 90mm x 80mm
Edition: 20,000
Source Express Information, Lithuanian Post. 2010, N.76. Pag.3.
3 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ Lithuania: Famous people
The series features: writer and public figure Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė (1861–1943), artist Justinas Vienožinskis (1886–1960) and philosopher and teacher Stasys Šalskauskis (1886–1941).
Technical details:
Date of issue: 5/Mar/2011
Denominations: 1.35 Lt, 2.15 Lt and 2.90 Lt
Printing process: Offset
Design: A. Ratkevičienė
Stamp size: 34.5mm x 30mm
Edition: 100,000; 150,000 and 100,000
...
3 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ Monaco: ATP Monte-Carlo...
Technical details:
Date of issue: 2/Mar/2011
Denominations: €0.75
Printing process: Rotogravure
Design: Andrew Davidson
Stamp size: 30mm x 40mm
Sheet: 10 stamps
February 2011
49 posts
3 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ Poland: Nationwide week...
Technical details:
Date of issue: 28/Feb/2011
Denominations: PLN 1.55
Printing process: rotogravure
Design: Jacek Konarzewski
Stamp size: 31.25mm x 39.5mm
Sheet: 50 stamps
Edition: 300,000
6 tags
PhilaNippon 2011 ~ World Stamp Exhibition: 28th...
Under the theme of “Stamps Link the World”, the Japan World Stamp Exhibition 2011 is to be held with the aims of opening the world renowned stamp collections to the public, developing philately, and promoting philately to the wide public. We are now preparing to fulfill these purposes. Postage stamps reflect and convey history, nature, and arts of their country to foreign countries, referred to as...
3 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ Lithuania: General census...
Technical details:
Date of issue: 26/Feb/2011
Denominations: 1.35 Lt
Printing process: Offset
Design: J. Levickaitė
Stamp size: 34.5mm x 30mm
Edition: 150,000
Source Express Information, Lithuanian Post. 2010, N.76. Pag.2.
4 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ United Kingdom: Musicals
Royal Mail looked back at more than seven decades of popular stage musicals to find the most suitable shows for the set. Criteria included the shows’ origin, writers and composers, longevity and success. A conscious effort was taken to represent the evolving nature of musical theatre, and to include shows based upon successful films and songs from popular artists’ back catalogues. Oliver, Blood...
4 tags
Royal Wedding in Australian Stamps
Together with the forthcoming stamps commemorating the marriage of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, Australia has produced three Royal Wedding stamp issues, which embrace three generations of the royal family.
On 20 November 1947, the marriage of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh was commemorated by a 1d (one penny) stamp featuring a portrait of Princess Elizabeth, based on a...
3 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ Norway: Nordic World Ski...
The Nordic World Ski Championships will be held in Oslo on 24 February - 6 March 2011. Twenty-one cross-country, Nordic combined and ski jumping events will be arranged in the course of these twelve days.
A number of cultural and festival events will also take place at the ski jump and in the city centre. The goal is to create a memorable and eventful ski festival for the whole country. The ski...
5 tags
Lugano 2011 ~ National Philatelic Exhibition: 6th...
The “Club Filatelico Lugano” is organizing a National Philatelic Exhibition to be held in Lugano, Switzerland from May 6th to May 8th. The event is being held under the patronage of the Swiss Philatelic Society. Lugano 2011 will host various classes including: Traditional Philately, Postal History, Thematic Philately, Aerophilately, Astrophilately, Maximaphily and Philatelic Literature...
4 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ Australia: Air Force...
This stamp issue marks the retirement of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) most prominent aircraft –the F-111 “Pig”. After 37 years service, this stalwart of aviation combat is being replaced from 2010. The aircraft represent a range of military functions and capabilities and includes F-111’s replacement.
The F-111 “Pig” is a twin-engine, swing-wing aircraft that can take off and land at...
4 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ Canada: Art Daphne Odjig
A Canadian artist of Aboriginal ancestry, Daphne Odjig was born September 11, 1919, and raised on the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve on Manitoulin Island (Lake Huron), Ontario. Her father, Dominic Odjig, and her grandfather, Chief Jonas Odjig, were Potawatomi, descended from the great Chief Black Partridge. Her mother, Joyce Peachy, was an English war bride. Her family migrated north and...
3 tags
U.S. Postal Service: National Consumer Protection...
The office of Consumer Affairs and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are working to educate consumers about fraudulent schemes and to provide them with the information needed to combat these frauds.
During National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 6–12, 2011, the Postal Service and the Postal Inspection Service will be hosting events nationwide to provide information on a variety of common...
1 tag
UPU ~ 2011 International letter-writing...
The theme retained for the competition is: “Imagine you are a tree living in a forest. Write a letter to someone to explain why it is important to protect forests”. This theme coincides with the International Year of Forests, which will be celebrated in 2011.
International Year of Forests
In proclaiming 2011 the International Year of Forests, the United Nations is inviting...
9 tags
March's Auctions
Mar 1: Siegel Auctions (US) ~ Sale #1004 The Gordon Eubanks Collection of the U.S. 1869 Pictorial Issue. Download catalogue.
Mar 2: Warwick & Warwick (UK) ~ Stamps Sale 667. Visit auction’s site. Worldwide stamps auction featuring 883 lots.
Mar 2: Siegel Auctions (US) ~ Sale #1005 The “New Amsterdam” Collection of City Despatch Post. The city despatch post was established...
5 tags
2011 Portugal & Spain Stanley Gibbons Stamp...
Last published in 2004, the Stanley Gibbons Portugal and Spain Catalogue is the only comprehensive catalogue published in English which covers all the stamp issues of both Portugal and Spain in one handy volume, along with stamps of the Azores, Madeira and French and Spanish Andorra. This latest edition is in a new, easier to use format, with a useful guide to stamp entries included for the...
3 tags
Great Britain Machins website →
A collector-based website with each Machin denomination/color having its own specialized listing page. It contains a virtually complete list of all major varieties, including regionals, denomination, color, value size, perforation changes, printing method, elliptical perfs, new design, phosphor bands, paper, and anniversary issues. A basic Machin album that features one example of every major...
3 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ Spain: Civic Values
Protection of Persons with Disabilities, Respect on the Net, the Use of the Safety Belt and Keep your City Clean are the four stamps of this year’s Civic Values issue.
The rights and freedoms of individuals should be enjoyed by people with disabilities on an equal footing. For this reason, governments are to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and...
5 tags
Sheffield 2011 ~ National Philatelic Exhibition:...
The Sheffield Philatelic Society is delighted to host the 2011 ABPS National Philatelic and Picture Postcard Exhibition. The event will be held at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre.
Frames of both competitive philately and non-competitive material will be on display hosting: Traditional (Great Britain, Rest of the World); Postal History (Great Britain, Rest of the World); Literature...
3 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ Ireland: St. Patrick's...
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and one of Christianity’s most widely known figures. Although the dates cannot be fixed with certainty, it’s widely believed he began his religious training during the second half of the fifth century. He studied for more than 15 years before becoming ordained as a priest and then travelled around the country converting the Irish people to Christianity....
6 tags
The British Post Office in Colombia 1821-1881 by...
Published 2010 by The Postal History Society, Somerset, England. Hardcover, xiv + 141 pp., color illus., ISBN 978-0-85377-031-2. Retail price £40, price to members £35 plus p&p. Website: www.postalhistory.org.uk
Postal History Society’s review:
This book gives an all round view of the British postal activities in Colombia set against a most informative description of the history,...
3 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ Singapore: Pond life
A pond is an inland body of standing water, either natural or man-made, which is smaller than a lake. It undergoes marked changes as time passes, and the most obvious changes that one will notice is that one form of plant follows or succeeds another, and the different life forms that make the pond a lively and busy place.
There are plenty of opportunities for exciting discoveries at a pond, and...
3 tags
UPU: Transforming the postal service
Postal leaders were activelly debating postal service’s future. Close to 600 delegates from 116 countries met in Nairobi, Kenya, last september. A highlight of the note published by Union Postale.
New technologies, electronic substitution, competition, mergers, changing customer behaviours and needs, market liberalisation and climate change are all affecting the nature and future of postal...
3 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ Australia: Centenary of...
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. It is the story of ordinary women as makers of history and is rooted in the struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. The IWD global centenary is celebrated in 2011.
The first IWD was held on 19 March 1911 when more than a...
3 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ United States: Patriotic...
USPS issues in Kansas City, Missouri, a Patriotic Quill and Inkwell 44-cent definitive stamp, in one design in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) coil of 3,000 stamps and a PSA coil of 10,000. The stamp, designed by Craig Frazier.
The stamp features a white quill pen dipping into a red-white-and-blue inkwell accented with stars. The image evokes the founding era and highlights the links...
4 tags
Phillips Collection online @ BPMA
In 1965, Reginald M Phillips donated his award-winning collection of British Victorian stamps to the nation. The former National Postal Museum was in part established to house the collection. Today, The British Postal Museum & Archive has taken over responsibility for caring and developing access to the Phillips Collection.
The Phillips Collection is an essential resource for the...
4 tags
135 years of Union Postale
On July 1, 1875, the Treaty of the General Postal Union came into force for 22 signatory states. Its new secretariat, known as the International Bureau (IB), was set up in Bern, the Swiss capital, and seat of the organization’s founding. On the ground floor of Bundesgasse 14 on what was described as the city’s “high street”, work began on September 15, 1875. The building had a noble neighbour...
4 tags
An Post Museum: Letters, Lives & Liberty...
Situated in a corner of Dublin’s GPO, The An Post Museum houses the exhibition - Letters, Lives & Liberty.
The exhibition explores the influence of the Post Office in Ireland and offers an insight into the role played by Post Office people in the development of Irish society over many years. From stamps and stamp collecting to An Post’s copy of the 1916 Proclamation and the...
4 tags
Sydney Stamp Expo 2011 ~ 31st March to 3rd April @...
This national exhibition will host various classes including: Traditional Philately, Postal History, Thematic Philately, Aerophilately, Astrophilately, Maximaphily and Philatelic Literature among others.
The Organizing Committee is firmly committed to supporting philatelic clubs and societies. The confirmed meetings are: Royal Philatelic Society of Victoria, Perfin Club of Australia and New...
3 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ United States: Navajo...
USPS issues in Charleston, South Carolina, a 2-cent Navajo Jewelry definitive stamp in a water-activated gum (WAG) coil of 10,000 stamps. The stamp, designed by Derry Noyes, Washington, DC, goes on sale nationwide February 12, 2011.
The Navajo Jewelry stamp was first issued in August 2004 in a pressure-sensitive pane of 20 stamps and was the fifth issuance in the American Design series.
First...
4 tags
Spring Stampex 2011 ~ 23rd to 26th February @...
Spring Stampex, organised by the Philatelic Traders’ Society, will be held at the Business Design Centre, Islington, (close by Angel Tube Station) from 23rd. to the 26th. February 2011. Opening times are from 11.30am to 7pm on the Wednesday, starting at 10am on the other days and closing at 6pm on the Thursday and Friday and 5pm on the Saturday. Entry is free on all days.
Displays The main...
5 tags
Spring Philatex 2011 ~ 24th to 26th February @...
International Stamps & Cover Show.
There are upwards of 80 Dealers with stands, buying and selling Philatelic material. Tables and chairs at the stands make for comfort. You can buy or sell, get valuations or just browse and see what the hobby is all about. There are various specialist society meetings on the Saturday to which everyone is welcome, whether member or not.
Venue The Royal...
3 tags
India's first cloth stamp
Hindustan Times reports:
A unique stamp printed on cloth is all set to grace the collections of philatelists world wide. In a bid to popularise philately (study and collection of stamps and related items), India Post has decided to release a stamp printed on khadi. A first such stamp in the country, it will bear the image of Mahatma Gandhi.
“We will issue the special philately stamp on...
3 tags
WADP Numbering System (WNS) →
Developed by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the World Association for the Development of Philately (WADP), the WADP Numbering System (WNS) was introduced on 1 January 2002 with the aim of creating a database of all authentic postage stamps issued by UPU member countries and territories on or after that date.
The goal is for the WNS to become the central point of reference against which...
2 tags
World’s largest stamp mosaic
New Guinness World Record holder of the largest stamp mosaic unveiled at Show. The Sandton Convention Centre was a hive of activity with the opening ceremony of the Joburg 2010 International Stamp Show, which saw the unveiling of the new Guinness World Record holder for the largest stamp mosaic.
The mosaic, which towers at 27 meters wide by six metres high, officially holds the Guinness World...
5 tags
There's Always Work at the Post Office by Philip...
Published 2010 by University of North Carolina Press. 472 pp., 46 illus., notes, bibl., index. Hardcover ISBN 978-0-8078-3342-1, $65. Paperback ISBN 978-0-8078-5986-5, $24.95. Website: http://uncpress.unc.edu/
From the publisher:
This book brings to life the important but neglected story of African American postal workers and the critical role they played in the U.S. labor and black freedom...
5 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ Belarus: Preservation of...
Recently the Earth’s climate is changing quite rapidly in the direction of global warming. Scientists find a lot of reasons of this phenomenon that lead to climatic reconstruction. Melting glaciers and reducing the intensity of the magnetic field of the Earth lead to irreversible consequences.
To draw attention to climate change the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union offered...
4 tags
Ireland introduced a new coil of self-adhesive...
Early this year Irish Post changed the format of box of 100 Self-adhesive stamps. The stamps is now issued in a wrapped coil of 100 stamps and is not issued in a box. The stamps contained within the coil are the 55c large flowered butterwort which can be used to cover the postage of a letter/postcard weighing up to 100g and no larger than C5 in size within Ireland.
Source The collector. Irish...
4 tags
Stamp issue of the day ~ United States: Ronald...
With this stamp, the U.S. Postal Service recognizes the centennial of the birth of Ronald Reagan (1911-2004), America’s 40th President. The stamp issuance is one of a number of centennial events taking place across the nation in 2011 to commemorate Reagan’s life and legacy.
The stamp art, by Bart Forbes of Plano, Texas, was created in oil wash on board. It is based on a photograph of Reagan...
3 tags
Centenary of the Philatelic Society of Australia
The Philatelic Society of Australia will celebrate its centenary during 2011. A commemorative book outlining the history of the society along with a limited edition souvenir item are planned for release during the year.
The society meets at Philas House, Sydney, on third Wednesday of each month except December. For details write to PSA, PO Box 220 Darlinghurst, NSW 1300.
Source Stamp Bulletin,...
4 tags
