American Heritage...

Portuguese....
American Heritage

The past day... 25th September, Portugal issued one of its best stamp set ever. It's called American Heritage and according to our Post Office "this stamp issue illustrates the enormous heritage from the American continent that arrived in and was transformed by Europe between the 16th and 19th centuries".

Issue date:

2007/09 / 25

Stamps:

3 x € 0,30

€ 0,45

€ 0,61

€ 0,75

Souvenir Sheet with 1 stamp
€ 1,85

What do you think of them?
My favourite stamps from Portugal year 2007!

SPACE... the final frontier

50th anniversary of the launch of the
1st satellite - SPUTNIK

Few days ago some fellow collectors and Blog contributors talked about the stamp set that soon will be issued by the Australian Post office... and what a nice set that is... but space collectors everywhere rejoice! This is a great year for us... several countries are issuing SPACE related stamps... now it's time for the United Nations Postal Administration.


This set is to be issued on 25th October 2007, 3 weeks after the 50 year anniversary of SPUTNIK's launch on 4th October 2007.

Take care!

Nagoya Castle - Japan

Hello! Today I'm showing you one postcard of an aerial view of the Nagoya Castle. It's located in Nagoya Aichi, Japan. According to Wiki there's another castle named Nagoya in Hizen Province, interesting fact isn't it?
It was built around 1525. On top of the castle there are two golden imaginary tiger-headed fishes, motif used as a talisman for fire prevention. *Need to get some for my own home... you can't have too many fire protection, can you? More images and videos here.


On the back you can see 3 stamps... Of the 1st I didn't find any information... know anything about it? Issue date? Design? The 2nd and 3rd stamps belong to a 2v stamp set issued in 1971 about the Japanese National printing house. They are all very nice, aren't they?

Take care!

Australia Blast Off! 50 Years in Space part II

Yes these are rather interesting stamps.... some details... as asked for by someone...

Issue date is 2nd October.. and withdrawal date is 30th October.. so a short issue life if you want to get them. You can order from Australia Post or I am willing to get a set for people if you cover all my costs. Email me at cddstamps@gmail.com

There will be 5 50c stamps and one $1 stamp.. as you saw in the scan shown in the other posting here.

The paper will be gummed and self adhesive .. so two different sets. The printing process is Lithography.

There will also be:

1. a miniature sheet comprising the strip of 5 50c stamps plus the $1 stamp.
2. First Day Covers, one is gummed stamps, one is self adhesives and one is the Miniature sheet. Cost of those three is $10.40 AUS.
3. a prestige booklet ($ 10.95 AUS)
4. a collectors pack - whatever that is!!!

and, a limited edition ( 10,000 only) stamps and medallion cover ( $19.95 Aus)... plus gutter pairs ......plus plus plus... If you wanted one of everything you won't get much change from $100 AUS.

I'll be showing the FDC in due course... like as in after 2nd October...may even have one as a prize on my own blog.. or here as well :-)

Best wishes... Michael ( cddstamps)

US Polination - Birds and Bees

Pollination stamps showing
4 wildflowers and 4 pollinators

If the other day I've said that Canada will issue one great stamp set than US sure did issue another amazing one... It's the Pollination 4v stamps set issued this summer.

Today I've received a cover with 2 of those stamps.

But the most interesting fact is that these stamps consist of four images arranged in two alternate and interlocking patterns. You can see it perfectly bellow.

Fantastic 4 little pieces of paper, aren't they?

Australia 2007 Blast off! 50 Years in Space

Date of Issue: 2 October 2007

Long live the Motorcycle

Motorcycles Issue from Portugal

A reader of the Blog told me that I wasn't showing enough stamps from Portugal... so since your wishes are my commands... today I'm posting a set that I like a lot. It's about portuguese motorcycles and has the new "order of Christ" perforation, can you see it?

Issue Date:
2007 - 07- 04

S/S Design:

0,61€ - QUIMERA Alma 1952 0,61€ - CINAL Pachancho 1958

0,61€ - SIS Sachs V5 1965 0,61€ - CASAL K287 1985

Stamps Design:

0,30€ - SMC - Nacional 500cc 1935
0,52€ - FAMEL Foguete 1959
0,61€ - VILAR Cucciolo 1955
1,00€ - CASAL Carina 1969

Time to check if I have one in my garage!

Beneficial Insects from Canada

Low Value Definitives dedicated to Beneficial Insects

12 October 2007 Canada Post will issue 5 new definitive stamps.

I was really excited when I first saw these images... they are the most colourful definitive stamps I've ever seen! Aren't these the perfect stamps for our youngsters? They are cheap and with a colourful design. And insects is always a good topic to collect, don't you agree?

I'm not a kid anymore but I would love to get these stamps... so my Canadian readers please don't forget! eheh

My country doesn't have any definitive stamps similar to the ones above... what about your country? Did it issue such or even more colourful definitive stamps? Please let me know... by email stamp.friends@gmail.com or by leaving your comments here.

Take care!

Hong Kong's prime time!

Today is Hong Kong's prime time!

Above you can see a registered cover with 2 different commemorative stamp sets. They were both issued this year 2007.

The hexagonal stamps belong to a set of 4 on "Civic Education" and the rectangular one was issued to commemorate "The 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" in a 6v set.

Take care!

Another one... now from Cuba

Another Cover from the "Grave"

Yesterday I've shown you one FDC that was reused... today I'm showing you another one but this time from Cuba!

2 reused covers in 2 days... aren't those countries issuing new FDCs? Or are the senders in a revival mood? eheh!

The FDC above was issued on 5 Nov. 1970 depicting local folklore.

In the stamps, from left to right and top to bottom, we have the following designs:

Zapateo con sombreros

La conga de los Hoyos

El triunfo de la rumba

Fiesta de nañigos

Please click on the above links to see the images.

Reused or not I think that this FDC is great, don't you?

Take care!

Czechoslovakia revisited

Do you like the FDC above? As a space/cosmos collector I really like it... but what's its real philatelic value?

And why do I ask this? Well... lets see...

It's a 1966 Czechoslovakia FDC with 2 of a set of 6 stamps on topic Space Explorations reused this year 2007. Extra stamps from the now Czech Republic were added to complete postage.

The 2 stamps from 1966 have a face value of 1.30 Czechoslovak koruna.

The others have a face value of 13.50 Czech koruna (current currency of Czech Republic).

My question is... should a FDC from a country that since 1993 is split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia continue to circulate from Czech Republic? Could it also circulate from Slovakia?

And in your country? Does something similar happen? Can you put in the mail your old FDCs?

I'll wait for your comments and ideas!

120th Anniversary of Japan-Thailand Diplomatic Relations

The relationship between Thailand and Japan dates back hundreds of years but their diplomatic relationship was established on September 26, 1887. The cooperation between the two nations includes social, economic and political elements. At present, approximately 50,000 Thais reside in Japan and about 36,000 Japanese live in Thailand.

To celebrate the 120th anniversary of the Thai-Japanese relationship this year, the governments of both countries have agreed to organize various activities all year round. Some examples are the presentation of Thai pavilion as a gift to Ueino Park in Tokyo, the organization of Thai Festival in Yoyoki Park in Tokyo and Japan Festival in Bangkok.

Thailand Post will issue stamps for this event. The issue date is 26th September 2007, details are as below:

Quantity of stamps : 900,000 pieces per design.

Composition : 8 stamps per sheet (Mixed)

Printing Process: Lithography Multi-colour

This is the second series that Thailand Post issue, after the first series issued for 100th anniversary of Japan - Thailand Diplomatic Relations. That time, Thailand post issued one single stamp in 1987 and once Japan World Philatelic Exhibition 1991.

Gargoyles in Paris

We will always have Paris...

Yesterday I went to a marriage... and yes, that's the reason for not having posted... but I'm glad for having great blog contributors that frequently post, and they post it good, don't you agree?

Well... all this to say that the marriage was in a nice church that somehow made me remember one postcard I've received some days ago... I have to be very "stampoholic" to think of it when I'm attending a marriage, right? The postcard bellow shows us the gargoyles on top of the Notre-Dame Cathedral... what do you think of these Parisian watchdogs? A bit static... I would say... probably not the best candidates for a breakdance!


On the back of the postcard were 2 stamps issued this year 2007. One definitive stamp of 0.05 Euro and a commemorative stamp of the WC Rugby belonging to a m/s with 10 stamps.

Talking about rugby...
What do you think of the Portuguese team?

Not doing a very bad work for an amateur team...
wouldn't you agree?

The last but not the least...
Let me Thank You...

Thank you all... the readers of this blog... for making it pass the barrier of the 1000 visitors... Thank you... Hope you enjoy it and continue to visit!

Please remember that all and any comments are always welcome and appreciated.

Take care!

Cancelled but no Postage Stamp

This is a postcard sent to my Grandfather during the WWI here in Namibia, which was then known as DSWA - Deutsch Südwestafrika.

The card was cleared by censors. What intrigues me is why there was no stamp on it?

I thought perhaps the stamp had been removed, on inspection it was clearly never stamped.
Just a little tidbit of interest. - i will post something more recent next time.

Australia M/S

Architecture Landmark stamps M/S

Hello, I was invited to write a piece.. not having an original thought today as I have been working - as in work for company - I decided to show you this cover. I hope you like it.

Anyone know why it is a bit special... as in a first for Australia Post?

Enjoy your stamps.. best wishes..Michael

Slovenian Autopsy

The Philatelic Autopsy: Season 1 Episode 4

Country of Origin: Slovenia

Stamps: 2 stamps + 1 S/S. Currency: Euro

Definitive Stamps: Definitive stamps from the Flowers of Slovenia Series. Issued Jan 2007.

Commemorative Stamps: The S/S depicts the Danube clouded yellow - Colias myrmidone (Esper, 1780). "It's a daytime butterfly of the Pieridae family, which is a typical eastern species. In many European countries it is rare and in some places it is already extinct. That is why it is included in the European directive of habitats and the protection areas Natura 2000 were designated for its preservation."
The 0.24 Euro stamp has a Tiger moth – Callimorpha quadripunctaria (Poda, 1761) in its design. "Tiger moth is a night-time butterfly of the Arctiidae family. Tiger moth is quite common in Slovenia but endangered in Northern Europe. That is why it is also included in the European directive of habitats and the protection areas Natura 2000 were designated for its preservation."

Cancellation Date: 10-9-2007.

Postal Tariff: 0.45+0.24+0.01 = 0.80 Euro. Correct postage for international mail from Slovenia for a up to 20g letter is 0.45 Euro + priority add-on service of o.25 Euro = 0.80 Euro. This letter travelled with the correct postage fee.

Have you enjoyed this new episode?
Hope to hear what you have to say about it!

FDC from Malaysia

Aga Khan Award for Architecture

Date of Issue
04.09.2007

Denomination
50 sen


Thank you Blog contributor Kenny Wong!

South Korea Autopsy

The Philatelic Autopsy: Season 1 Episode 3

Country of origin: South Korea

Stamps: No. 4 . Currency: won

Definitive Stamps: Issued 2006 in a single stamp with a facial value of 80 won depicting the Great Tit, parus major.

Commemorative Stamps: Theme "A Wholesome Internet Culture Special" were issued 20 April 2007 in a 2v stamp set. The design of each stamp stamp depicts The Internet Culture that Unites the World into One (left stamp) and The Internet Culture that Brights Up the Future (right stamp).

Cancellation: Bupyeong. Date: 7-9-2007.

Postal Tariff: 90+90+250+250 = 680 won. Correct postage for airmaill from South Korea to a Region 3 country for a up to 20g letter is 650 won, this letter travelled with an extra postage fee of 30 won (0.02 Euro).

Hope you have enjoyed episode 3 of my autopsy series!
Bye!

In and Out with Halley's Comet

Mark Twain and Halley's Comet

In 1909, Twain is quoted as saying:

“I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it. It will be the greatest disappointment of my life if I don't go out with Halley's Comet. The Almighty has said, no doubt: 'Now here are these two unaccountable freaks; they came in together, they must go out together.'”

He died of a heart attack on 21 April 1910.

Halley's Comet appears only every 75-76 years. The last time it appeared was in 1986.

I can kick myself for not getting up in the early hours of the morning when it was here last, to see this beautiful comet - but at the time i was a young mum and very tired. Fortunately there have been other comets since then, and the last one, the McNaught comet, we went to watch most nights. It was stunning so i am told.

Germany (DDR)

800 Years of the City of Leipzig

In 1965 Germany (back then, Deutsche Demokratische Republik - East Germany side) issued a set of stamps to commemorate the 800 Anniversary of the city of Leipzig.

Leipzig's name is derived from the Slavic word Lipsk, which means "settlement where the linden trees (US; lime trees in UK) stand" - Wikipedia information.

I'm showing you today one very interesting postcard... at least I think so... will let you judge for yourself... ok?


On the front it has the old cities' view and on the back it has the stamps in full set with the 1st day cancellation... how often do you see this kind of circulated maxicard? Yes, I know it's not a maxicard since the stamps are on the back and there shoudn't be more than on per postcard... but you understood the idea, didn't you? How often do you see ones like this?

Just to publicly thank Georine for her steady contributions to the blog!

Thank you and please continue your great postings!

Bye for now!

Mystery FDC - part 2

I assume that these came from South Africa at the time as my grandfather was from South Africa originally and these were in my Father's possession.

I have many King George VI stamps,(as seen above the FDC) mainly used. Two mint ones I found I attached lightly to the envelope - pity there is no cancellation!

Interesting nonetheless. The Envelope looks much nicer with a few stamps - or?

Have a wonderful weekend all.

Mystery FDC

Blank FDC

Here is a blank envelope, issued 1937 to commemorate the coronation of King George VI... well, what puzzles me is... from which country is it? I guess it's from GB or any of its colonies at the time.


Since it's the first time I see a blank FDC from this period I don't know for sure where it was issued... some stamps affixed to the cover would help, wouldn't they?

Have you any idea of where it was issued?

Where are King George stamp experts when you need them? eheh!

Kinkakuji Temple - Japan

A few days ago... yes, we were still in August... I've wrote about a postcard I've received from Japan depicting the Kinkakuji Temple here. The most interesting thing is that today I got another one... different sender... what a coincidence, don't you think? I wonder... how popular is this subject in postcards? If I would to guess... I would say very much... being an UNESCO World Heritage Site and all.

Above you can see 2 stamps that were on the back of the postcard. It's a complete set of 2v issued in 1975 for the Philatelic week. Very beautiful, aren't they?

Enjoy the Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)!

FDC from Jamestown

400th anniversary of the settlement
of Jamestown

In the FDC above you can see the triangular 0.41USD stamps featuring a painting of the three ships that carried the first English colonists in 1607 to Jamestown, Virginia.

Do you know why the stamp is triangular shaped? Well... at first... me neither! But after doing some online research I've found out that the Jamestown settlers shortly after their arrival built a fort in a triangular formation with circular bulwarks, or watch towers, at each point. You can literally (virtually, that is!) visit the Fort at Virtual Jamestown! I'm sure you'll enjoy it... it's a return to the past in just a few minutes!

"the fort is called, in honor of His Majesty's name, Jamestown."

William Strachey,
Jamestown Secretary, 1610

Sunset

Sunset in the Caribbean

A friend sent me 3 beautiful pictures showing the sun setting behind Klein Bonaire, a small uninhabited islet off the west coast of the Caribbean island of Bonaire.

The pictures above reminded me of a set of stamps issued by Philippines, 7 April 1960, depicting the Sunset at Manila Bay.

These are the only stamps I can remember about sunsets... do you know others?

Goodbye for now! Time to enjoy the sunset!

From Ceylon to Mozambique

From Ceylon to Mozambique in 1970

Bellow you can see a cover that was sent from Ceylon (Sri Lanka after 1972) to Songo, Tete - Mozambique (Portuguese colony at the time). Address was digitally removed for security reasons.

What do you think of the cover?

It's for sale!

Email me your offers. Thank you!