Happy 2009!!!

Hello! How are you all?

Today is new years eve and well... what can I talk to you about?

1st of all

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Canadian 2008 s/s Year of the Rat!

Well... I'll talk to you about the Lunar New Year! What do you say?

C'mon... Let us all shout:
Away with the Rat enters the Ox!!!!

New Zealand 2009 s/s Year of the Ox

"People born in the Year of the Ox are patient, speak little, and inspire confidence in others. They tend, however, to be eccentric, and bigoted, and they anger easily. They have fierce tempers and although they speak little, when they do they are quite eloquent. Ox people are mentally and physically alert. Generally easy-going, they can be remarkably stubborn, and they hate to fail or be opposed. They are most compatible with Snake, Rooster, and Rat people."

Hong Kong 2009 s/s Year of the Ox

I was born is the lunar year of the Monkey and what experts say about me?

"Monkey: Clever and skilful to the point of genius, practical and given to detail, you generally have a low opinion of others. Your best relationships are with the dragon, rat and ram and worst with the tiger"

People born in the year of the Ox aren't dragon, rat or ram... but sure aren't tigers... so even so... maybe I'll still get lucky!!! LOL!!!

Getting serious again... Hope you've enjoyed these new S/Ss that will be issued only in January by each of the countries' POs.

Wishes of a happy 2009 with lots of stamps to collect... preferably on my topics and at an affordable price! Stamp new issues are just getting more and more expensive each year... worldwide... It's a stampyn global warming!!!

Take care y'all!

Official vs. Non-official

Hello!

Today I'm posting about Official versus Non-official First Day Covers.

Official FDCs are the ones issued by the countries' Postal Agency, like the one I'm showing you bellow, issued 30.4.1973:

PORTUGAL: Europa CEPT issue of 1973

On the same day, a Portuguese national collectors' association, named CFP and probably one of the biggest in the country, also issued its FDC, with of course a different cachet.


Some more examples of other FDCs issued by the CFP:

In my personal opinion, all cachet makers have their space in the philatelic market, the US is a good example of that... with so many makers!!! Yes... I know that the official US PO FDCs are blank ones, wich leaves more market room for all the makers!

Our Portuguese official PO FDCs are not blank but with a chachet.... And that is probably the reason why, here in Portugal, today no one makes any cachet FDCs! We all buy the oficial ones or none at all!

So... I leave here an enormous congratulation to all former cachet makers of Portugal and all the still active cachet makers in the world... that still give us the chance to pick a FDC from a huge variety of diferent cachet images :) Thank you all!!!

Annual Stamps Book - PT

Hello Fellow Collectors,

The year of 2008 is almost ending... and the Portuguese PO will not issue any more stamps this year: not even a Xmas issue! Yes, terrible, I know!

Well... If you're interested in acquiring all the sets and s/s issued this year, you can buy the Annual Book with a face value of 108.23 Euro, numbered and authenticated by the publisher in a limited issue of 12.000 copies!

I can thank Santa for mine :) ehehe!

See you soon! Bye!

Naked Heart

Hello!

How was your Xmas eve? Hope you had a great time with lots of stampy presents!

Recently a fellow collector sent me this amazing picture of a heart tattoo! What do you think of it?

Hearts are the most common symbol for love, passion, and adoration. This doesn't change with heart tattoos.

Each heart tattoo will mean something different to each person.

For me, as a stamp collector, it reminds me of the 2008 US Wedding Hearts stamps featuring vines that form the shape of a heart.

These stamps are designed especially for mailing wedding invitations and RSVPs.

The stamps are available in two denominations to cover both the one-ounce and the two-ounce mailing rates.

Did you ever receive a wedding invitation with these stamps?

Are you the "I would sooner make a tattoo than getting married ever?" type of person? Or are you pro-marriage?

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas

Poland --- Cover!

" A little about this cover:

From time to time philatelists in Poland prepare the car post, the motorcycle post, the railway post and so on.

What does it mean?

The letter is sent to the post office X, they place on the cover a special postmark, next it is transported by car, motorcycle... to the post office Y, usually there is cancelled again with a different postmark (in connection to te 1st one) and then the letter is sent to the addressee.
Tbere are additionall postmarks informing p.e the car post (like this time).

The postmarks tell about the Polish national anthem: one (used in Srem) shows Wybicki, the author of the anthem and the 2nd one (used in Poznan) shows Polish Czarniecki, mentioned in the anthem.

The stamps shows the White Eagle - Polish National coat of arms; next: the warriors of Czarniecki and the last stamp depicts the Polish Flag."

Thank you Roman for this great philatelic cover! WOW!!!

Ukranian Merry Xmas!

Postal Stationery card

Details of the printed stamp bellow.

The drawings on reverse side depicts Christmas.


Date of issue: 28th October 2008

Ukraine on her best!!! Wouldn't you say?

No comments... part 2!

Another good example of a philatelic cover... now from Portugal!

No comments!

Perfect example of a philatelic cover!

Do you like it?
Yes? No? Why?

Postcard FUN!

Hello!

Today 2 postcards:

Sagrada Familia - Barcelona - Spain

The 1st one sent to me from Barcelona... by a Czech girl... Thank you Vanda! We sure had a great time in that amazing city in the summer of 2005... or was it 2004? Well.... It was great!


The second postcard was sent to me by Georine... another blog participant! Thank you!

This postcard depicts the 100 Years Anniversary of the Etosha National Park in Namibia!

Thank you both for these kind gifts!
Wish you all the best!

Canada in danger!

Hello Fellow Collectors...

Today I bring you news from Canada... This year 2008 Canada issued another souvenir sheet depicting endangered species.

This is a very important theme since year after year the number of species that are close to soon be extinct rapidly increase.

As a collect of WWF stamps I have a special taste for endangered species stamps... so if any of my blog readears want to send me a cover with this set please do! Thank you!

What do you think of Canada's endangered species stamp series? Should they continue fissuing these for many years or is this a waste of time and the money should be directly donated to wildlife protection organizations?

I want to hear your thoughts... See you soon!

European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (EYID) 2008

"The European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (EYID) 2008 recognises that Europe’s great cultural diversity represents a unique advantage. It will encourage all those living in Europe to explore the benefits of our rich cultural heritage and opportunities to learn from different cultural traditions."

More details at: http://www.interculturaldialogue2008.eu/

Day of issue :

2008/ 10/ 23

Stamps:

€0,31

€0,47

€0,67

€0,80

"The Portuguese post office (CTT Correios de Portugal) is commemorating the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue with a stamp issue celebrating a society of diversity, rich in different heritages, a result of the meeting of realities, so similar and yet so different, just like the world and Europe themselves."

Bridges - Portugal 2008

Bridges

Aren't bridges the best thing in the world?

You don't think so?

What about that bridge that makes it possible to go from Porto to Gaia? Or the bridge that connects a mother to their children?

Or even the "The Bridges Of Madison County"... do you remember this amazing film with Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood? I know that you're a romantic so you will surely remember it, right?

No? Hmmm... then watch the clip bellow and go run to your video store and rent the DVD!!! Yes, go now!!!



.... Let's get back to the stamps.... Today I want to show you a set of stamps issued yesterday by the Portuguese Postal Authority about bridges... These are some really nice stamps... what can I say... I like bridges on stamps and also beneath my car wheels...

Hope you have enjoyed these stamps as much as I did!

100 Years of Demarcated Wine Regions

Issue day:

2008/ 10/ 02

Stamps:

10 stamps x €0,31 – 280 000 each

BUCELAS WINE (2 stamps)
COLARES WINE
CARCAVELOS WINE
MOSCATEL OF SETÚBAL (2 stamps)
DÃO WINE (2 stamps)
GREEN WINES (2 stamps)

"The history of the Portuguese civilisation is closely bound with the history of wine-growing."

"In 1907/1908, the government introduced a system of official regulations for the various “designations of origin”, which established the principles protecting and governing wine production and trade, “demarcating” or delimiting the geographic areas of the various designations, in particular for the Generoso or fortified wines of the Douro region, Madeira, Carcavelos and Setúbal and the Pasto or table wines of the Vinho Verde (Green Wine), Dão, Douro and Colares regions. Two years later, the Bucelas region was also demarcated."

Very beautiful set of stamps, don't you think?

See you soon... for me it's time for some real wine tasting from my cellar :) Take care!

Pharmacy... pre-viagra time! LOL!

Your neighbour Pharmacy… at your home… in flasks… bottles… etc…

You probably can buy the real thing at a Street Market…. If not… just collect this great set of stamps recently issued by Portugal!

On her Majesty's Service

Today I've received a letter from the Falkland Islands (city: Stanley)... Probably my 1st one!

The thing that caught my attention was the saying "On her Majesty's Service"... I know that the Falkland Islands are an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom but is this common on letters from these territories?

If you know... please leave a message! Thank you!

See you soon... Happy collecting!

Portugal new issues Sept 2008

Public Transport in Urban areas of Portugal


Issue:
2008/09/12

Stamps:
€0,06
€0,31
€0,47
€0,67
€0,80

New Information Technologies

S/S: 3 Euro

Finland is the WINNER!

Hello!

How are you all?

Well... do you remember my mailbox competition for postcards? If you don't know what I'm talking about please go here.

The winner is Eeva from Finland with this great picture:

Please send me your address and I'll send you 2 postcards!

Congratulations and keep returning to the blog... more prizes will appear in a near future!

A very interesting formation...

FROM CANADA

Hello Fellow Collectors!

Today I have another postcard to show you...

It's a vintage card with a woman in bikini. Today this piece of clothing have changed dramatically...

In your opinion.... Did it change for better or for worse?

On the back of the postcard is an $1.60 Orchid stamp similar to the one bellow.

Issued 2007

The END... and the new Beginning!

CHINA - UK

Today have ended the 2008 Olympic Games Beijing!

These were truly magnificent games... In the Olympic spirit of friendship for all the people...

Congratulations P.R.CHINA!!

The Olympic spirit will now travel to UK for the preparation of the next Olympic Games London!

Olympic games (The Handover) M/S

Issue Date: 22 August2008

"Issued jointly by Royal Mail and China Post, The Olympic Games Miniature Sheet features two stamps of ancient towers, together with two of modern iconic steel structures. From Beijing the astonishing mesh of steel of the National Stadium, known to many as the Bird's Nest, sits next to London's iconic London Eye, one of the UK's most striking attractions. Representing the past tradition of each country, further stamps show Beijing's Corner Tower of the Forbidden City - home to China's Emperors for five centuries - and another former Royal residence, the world famous Tower of London." in RoyalMail website

If any of my reader would trade me the FDC of this issue, please let me know!

Thank you!

Portugal in the Olympics 1912-2008

NEW ISSUE: OLYMPIC GAMES BEIJING 2008

To commemorate the Olympic games in Beijing... the Portuguese postal authority and the Portuguese Olympic Committee issued 24 PERSONALIZED stamps about the participation of Portugak in the Olympics between the years of 1912 and 2008.

10.000 sets were issued, all numbered!

Men's Triple Jump Champion Nelson Evora: 2008 Olympics Beijing

The PORTUGUESE Nelson Evora Wins Men’s Triple Jump Gold Medal

It's our first Gold Medal in 12 years in the Olympics.... so congratulations to you Nelson! Keep up the good work! He jumped 17.67 meters beating Great Britain and Bahamas. Very nice job!

Next... I have an FDC from Russia on topic... yes, of course, Beijing Olympics...

Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Date of Issue: 15 April 2008

There are many sport events on this set, from top strip to bottom strip:

1st strip: Volleyball, Badminton
2nd strip: Swimming, Canoe / kayak, Synchronised swimming, Water Polo
3rd strip: Boxing, Pommel horse, Rhythmic gymnastics, Equestrian, Marathon, High Jump, Weightlifting
4th strip: Sailing, Diving, Javelin, Fencing, Tennis, Taekwondo, Baseball
5th strip: Basketball, Floor exercise or Balance beam?, Shooting, Cycling, Wrestling, Pole vault, Archery
6th strip: Hockey, Hurdle, Trampoline, Football, Rings
7th strip: Beach volleyball, Handball

Hope you have enjoyed the news! Take care!

Portugal ATM 2008

International Year of the Fireman!

For all of you that like to collect ATM stamps... Today I'll show you some covers with a 2008 new issue from Portugal commemorating the International Year of the Fireman!

We have several different ATM machines distributed in the country. I'll show you 2 examples.


Above you can see the ATM stamps from the Crouzet machine. They are large ATM with a grey helmet design.

Bellow you can compare with the SMD ATM which are smaller and with a red helmet design!

And how are the ATMs in your country? Do they exist in your country? Do you like to collect them? Please let us know.... See you soon!

Ascension Island New Issue

Botanists & Plants 2008

Do you like Plants? If you're a plant lover you will surely like the new Ascension Island stamps set!

The earliest visitors to Ascension during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries found very few plants growing on the island.

Today the colourful profusion of flowering plants and trees which now cover much of Ascension is the result of introductions from around the world.

35p - Valerius Cordus was a German apothecary whose detailed botanical studies advanced pharmacology in the early 16th century.The genus Cordia (BORAGINACEAE) commemorates his name. Cordia sebestena is known as the Geiger Tree or Anaconda.

40p - Born in Warwickshire Nehemiah Grew practiced medicine in Lo don where he became famous for his work on plant anatomy. The genus Grewia (TILIACEAE), which commemorates his name, is native to tropical Africa, Asia and Australia. The common names for Grewia occidentalis are Starflower and Four Corners.


50p - The French botanist, Charles Plumier, after whom the genus Plumeria (APOCYNACEAE) was named, was born in Marseilles. Plumeria rubra is perhaps more familiar to people as Frangipani or Pagoda or Temple Tree.

£2 - Carl Peter Thunberg was born in Sweden and went on to study medicine at Uppsala University, where he also became a pupil of Linnaeus. The genus of tropical plants, Thunbergia (ACANTHACEAE), is named after him. Thunbergia grandiflora is known as Bengal Clockvine or Bengal Trumpet.

More details of the issue here.

WWF Muriqui Monkey

BRAZIL 1986

Hello!

I think you all know that I collect stamps related to COSMOS/SPACE and also WWF... Yes... I'm glad that you knew that!


Today I have the above FDC to show you... It is a local WWF FDC issued by the Brazilian Post Office and not an official one from WWF.

Myself, I prefer the local ones and not the oficial ones, and you?


This set was issued in 1986 and is the 1st WWF issue from Brazil! It depicts the Muriqui Monkey.The name muriqui comes from the Tupi Indians of Brazil.

In the wild, muriquis are restricted to small, isolated patches of Atlantic coastal forest in Brazil. There are fewer than 2000 muriquis remaining in the wild.

The majority of their diet is composed of leaves and fruit, but they also eat flowers, bark, and buds.

Natural predators of muriquis include felids, such as jaguars, as well as raptors, but because top predators require large home ranges, the isolated patches of forest in which muriquis live do not support these animals in high enough numbers to create a critical threat for muriquis at Barreiro Rico and Montes Claros

Information retrieved from: Cawthon Lang KA. 2006 August 30. Primate Factsheets: Muriqui (Brachyteles) Taxonomy, Morphology, & Ecology. . Accessed 2008 August 17.