'Fight against poverty' stamps from Luxembourg

This philatelic design contest, organized in support of the initiative "2010: European year for the fight against poverty and social exclusion", took place from September 2009 to February 2010 and was organized in partnership with NGO Chreschtlech Solidariteit International (CSI), Caritas Luxembourg and the ministries of National Education and of Family.

This contest was designed for primary school students (the specific theme was "The fight against poverty in developing countries") and for students in secondary schools (the specific theme was "The fight against poverty in industrialized countries").

For each of two age categories, the first prize was 1,000ˆ and publication of the design in the form of a postage stamp.

In the primary school category, the winner is: Timothy CLEMENT, living in Bettel, 5th grade.

In the secondary school category, the winner is: Cinthya GONCALVES GUERRIRO, living in Differdange, Technical Lycee of Arts and Trade.

Friends and Heroes – Christmas Story

IOM post present a Christmas miniature sheet featuring the animated bible story ‘Friends & Heroes.’ ‘Friends and Heroes’ is an animated TV adventure series for children, featuring Bible stories from both Old and New Testaments.

Produced by an Isle of Man company based in Ramsey, it has been broadcast on the BBC’s CBBC and BBC2 channels.

Friends and Heroes is now being dubbed into Manx Gaelic by an enthusiastic group of Manx speakers – the first mainstream TV animation ever produced in the Manx Language, available on DVD too for use in schools and homes.

Based in a fascinating and turbulent period of history, 69-71AD, Friends and Heroes introduces bible stories in a fresh way, creating clear connections between the bible themes and the exciting adventure stories. In each episode cartoon-style 2D animation tells the adventure, mixing seamlessly to 3D animation for the bible stories.

Title: Friends and Heroes – Christmas Story
Date of Issue: 1 October 2010
Country: Isle of Man
Denominations: £ 1.00 x 3

World's second-oldest stamp could bring $41,850 at auction

Selling in the US with the Penny Black is its rarer and more valuable sibling: the Two Penny Blue

We've already reported on the rare mint condition 1840 Penny Black stamp - aka the world's first-ever postage stamp - appearing in The Colonial Stamp Company's philatelic auction, tomorrow (September 30).

But selling alongside it is something even more remarkable: the Penny Black's significantly rarer and more valuable sibling, the Two Penny Blue.

It was issued in the United Kingdom and Ireland on May 1840, sometime after the 1d Black, and helped pioneer the use of adhesive postage stamps which would eventually spread around the world.

The rare and valuable original Two Penny Blue stamp

While both stamps were intended to be released at the same time, there is some doubt about this. The earliest post-mark ever seen on a Two Penny Blue was stamped on May 8, 1840, two days later than the Penny Black.

This Two Penny Blue specimen appearing in Colonial's auction is from the stamp's first 1840 print run. It is imperforate, as befits a stamp of its era, with four full and clear margins.

According to the seller's description, the stamp's top border shows a portion of an adjoining stamp at its top (as shown in the above image).

Classified as "very fine" and "a very rare mint stamp", the piece will appear for sale with an RPSL certificate and is estimated at $41,850.

Special Stamps from Switzerland – Dinosaurs and Optical Illusions

Numerous skeleton and footprint finds confirm what a lot of people do not know: many millions of years ago, there were dinosaurs in Switzerland too. Reptiles which are now extinct (saurians) lived not just on terra firma, but also in the water and in the air. Three new special stamps showcase a selection of Swiss saurians, bringing them back to life. The new CHF 0.85 stamp features a theropod, the CHF 1 stamp an ichthyosaur, and the CHF 1.40 stamp a pterosaur with the jaws of a predator.

These creatures from the Triassic Period are not the only visually impressive new stamp issues from Swiss Post. The artist Youri Messen-Jaschin from Lausanne has created three stamps that confound the observer with their clever optical illusions. For example the ball on the CHF 0.85 stamp appears to hover in 3D above the paper, while similar images that appear to be in motion grace the CHF 1 and CHF 1.40 stamps.

Rare tiger stamp leaps to £34,000 in Singapore collectors’ sale

Torn in half, but rejoined into an atractive whole, the 5 cent blue is one of the great rarities of Pahang

At the weekend, Spink held two substantial auctions of rare stamps in Singapore, a growing centre for collecting.

The grandeur of the Stolz collection with its sale of a cover worth nearly £100,000 has slightly overshadowed the other. However, as it was too significant to overlook, it's time to redress the balance.

Although there were a couple of covers with Indian stamp used in Singapore (overlapping with the Stolz auction), the key lots in the collectors' sale were unattached rarities.

The first key lot was a strip of rare stamps from Brunei, specifically a strip of 1896 (1 October) overprints on stamps of Labuan issue. The black and vermilion strip of ten, being a complete vertical row of the sheet with margins at both top and toe has a 'two cents' overprint on each of the eight cents stamps.

Except that there is a slight variation in this case: The fifth stamp received two overprints whilst the final stamp received none. This is because the surcharging was made from a setting of fifty in two operations. On one sheet the misplacement of the plate resulted in the fifth row receiving a second surcharge, and the tenth row receiving none.

One of the greatest rarities in Brunie philately, the strip sold for S$27,000 (£13,006) - in the middle of its estimate range.

Another rarity sporting an overprint double is a block of British Military Administration 1945-48 Issue 25c dull purple and scarlet.

The multiple, numbering twenty (2x10) being rows three and four of the sheet with margins at left and at right, stamps 1, 2 and 10 in each row show the overprint double whilst stamps 4 to 9 in each row shows partial ink impressions of the overprint in reverse on the face.

Only a single sheet is known with doubling of the overprint, and this block shows the effect the best, which explains why it achieved a winning bid of S$46,000 (£22,158).

Reunited rare stamp bisect

The top lot however is both attractive and fascinating, being a diagonal bisect of an 1897 Kuala Lipis Provisional from which the two halves have been reunited. The 5 cent blue has '3 c' in black manuscript on one half and '3c' on the other.

Fine and exceptional, with fresh colour and with part of its original gum, the unused stamp is unique and one of the great rarities of Pahang philately - even having graced the great collection of Count Ferrary.

The piece hit the top of its estimate range: S$70,000 (£33,719), and will make a fine investment for its new owner.

Thailand: Thai Banknote Expo 25-26 Sept 2010

Bank of Thailand (BOT) has organised "Thai Banknote Expo", a two day event to let public know more about history of Thai banknotes, identification of counterfeits, taking care of banknotes, etc. Commemorative banknotes issued during the last 10 years are also on sale. Public can exchange soiled banknotes as well.

On 26th there will be 300 lots of banknotes for auction. The lots are mainly made up of specimen notes and banknotes having solid serial numbers.

Many banknotes are on display following the theme "Best of Thai banknotes". Extremely rare banknotes right from the 1st series to unissued varieties are on display. The unissued notes and provisional issues are just awesome. I did not even know that some of these banknotes ever existed. They have not been reported in catalogues or numismatic websites. I will cover them next week.

Overall the expo was small but very informative. Below images show the atmosphere inside the expo.


Entrance to Thai Banknote Expo

Banknote displays
Famous Thai TV personalities Paul-Pattarapol and Pui-Pimonwal were MC's
People queuing up for commemoratives
BOT official explaining printing process


Banknotes on display

Roses on new stamps from Luxembourg

On September 27th 2010, Luxembourg issued a series of stamps featuring different types of roses.

The "roses" sheet, made up of 10 self-adhesive stamps with ten different roses is the first sheet of stamps to be distributed by the automated teller machines of P&TLuxembourg. It is a European premiere!

Porta Pia stamp by Italian Post

The Italian Post has issued a stamp under the name "Porta Pia" dedicated to a picturesque place of the Italian capital.

Porta Pia is a gate in the Aurelian Walls of Rome. One of Pope Pius IV's civic improvements to the city, it is named after him. Situated at the end of a new street, the Via Pia, it was designed by Michelangelo. Construction began in 1561 and ended in 1565, after the artist's death. A 1561 bronze commemorative medal by Gianfederico Bonzagna shows an early plan by Michelangelo, very different from his final design. The facade on the outside of the city was completed in 1869 under the Neo-Classicist design by Virginio Vespignani.

Irish Stamps In Honor Of Legendary Showbands

On 23 September, 2010, An Post issued four stamps to celebrate Legendary Showbands.

The term 'showband' generally refers to a particular type of musical act popular in Ireland in the 1950s and 1960s which played to crowds in ballrooms across the country.

The stamps depict images of the four iconic bands in this most famous era.

The showbands featured on the stamps are:

- The Miami Showband. The original Miami showband was formed in 1961 and in 1962, Dickie Rock joined the existing members and they became a smash hit across the country. They had many number one singles including 'There's Always Me' and 'I'm Yours'. In 1965, the band had three Number One hits, the following year, Dickie represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest adding to his popularity, he still performs to this day.

- The Drifters Showband. This famous midlands band started when two Dolan brothers, Joe and Ben, together with some friends, entered a talent contest and won. They had a string of hits including 'The Answer to Everything'. The band went through many line-up changes and Joe became an international star.

- The Freshmen. The Freshmen formed in the early 1960s in Ballymena, Co. Antrim and was fronted by Billy Brown and Derek Dean. They were not the usual Showband which played cover versions of the hits of the day. They mostly wrote their own songs and were noted for their brilliant vocal harmonies. Some of their hits include 'Go Granny Go' and 'Just to See You Smile'.

- The Royal Showband. This famous band from Waterford formed in 1957 and within two years had turned professional. Brendan Bowyer was the front man and they enjoyed many successes. They were the first Showband to release a single 'Come Down the Mountain Katy Daly', the first Irish act to win the Carl Alan Award in Britain, and they travelled to Las Vegas and became the first Irish Showband with international appeal.

The stamps and first day cover were designed by Steve Simpson based on photography by Michael O'Reilly and Sean Magee.

Brihadeeswara Temple – India

India post today issued a postage stamp featuring The Brihadeeswara temple of Thanjavur. An Indian monuments listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage list of historical sites and monuments.

The Brihadeeswara temple is the major center of tourist attraction at Thanjavur. This temple is one of India’s most prized architectural sites.The ‘Vimana’ – or the temple tower – is 216 ft (66 m) high and is among the tallest of its kind in the world.

Thanjavur is the ancient capital of the Chola kings. King Rajaraja Chola constructed the Brihadeeswara Temple in 10th century AD and the architect Sama Varma designed it. Thanjavur was the center of learning during 10th to 14th century AD. The Brihadeeswara temple is one of the few great Indian monuments listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage list of historical sites and monuments.

Title: Brihadeeswara Temple – India
Date of Issue: 27 August 2010
Country: India
Denominations: 500 p

£96,000 cover from the famous Heard correspondence tops Singapore stamp sale

Spink's auction of the Peter Stolz collection also featured a cover mis-sent to Australia

The extraordinary collection of philatelic items from Peter Stolz's collection of the postal history of British South-East Asia was sold at the weekend with some exciting results for those who invest in rare stamps and covers from the region.

Three lots in particular from the near 800 lot auction which auctioneer Spink held in Singapore stood out:

Firstly, there was an entire letter from Batavia to Greenock, bearing 4 1annas stamps (three of them touched or cut-into on one or more sides) and 1 4annas (cut to form an octagonal shape), all cancelled by circle of dots (Type K1, one of two recorded) which was applied in Singapore.

The piece which showed framed "india paid" and London Paid transit circular datestamp (22.1) with, on reverse, framed "singapore/Paid" datestamp in red for December and light arrival datestamp.

A museum-grade investment, it had been estimated at S$50,000-60,000, but keen bidders pressed it up to $80,000 (£38,536).

Secondly, an envelope marked "Via Singapore paid" to Nelson, New Zealand, which bears an Indian 1856-64 4annas black horizontal pair, each neatly cancelled with circle of dots (Type K1) with superb "labuan" circular datestamp (Type D1) in red below.

Singapore cover (mis-sent to Melbourne)

Showing framed "mis-sent to/melbourne.victoria" stamp in blue with Nelson arrival circular datestamp (30.1) alongside, the reverse with Melbourne transit circular datestamp (18.1) in blue.

An attractive and very rare early franked cover, it is one of only three items bearing Indian stamps used in Labuan, and performed particularly well against its estimate of S$40,000-50,000, achieving S$80,000 (£38,536).

There was no question about the top lot, however, which wasa Penang cover using 1854 4annas Indian stamps - the earliest to do so in the Straits Settlements - taken from the famous correspondence of New England businessman Mr Heard, with made use of adhesive stamps as soon as they were available.

The cover, addressed to Canton via Hong Kong bears a magnificent 4 annas second printing pair, both centrally cancelled by diamond of dots.

Penang 1854 Indian stamp cover

One of the finest pieces in South-East Asian philately, it was estimated at S$100,000-150,000, but finally left the stage for a stunning $200,000 (£96,340).

With interest in rare stamps and philately growing in Singapore, and even more so in India, it represents a strong investment. Collectors will now look ahead to the twin auctions of British Indian and Sri Lankan stamps taking place next month at Spink Shreves.

'Red Book Of Lithuania' postage stamps

Lithuanian Post has issued two postage stamps under the name "The Red Book of Lithuania. Forest Fauna and Flora".

The stamps feature:

1,35 Lt - The Stock Pigeon
1,35 Lt - The Lesser Emperor Dragonfly

The Stock Pigeon (Columba oenas) is a member of the family of Columbidae, doves and pigeons. It constantly inhabits the Curonian Spit and Kazlu Ruda forests in Lithuania. Larger colonies of these birds are distributed in the southern and eastern regions of the country - Dainava, Rudninkai, Lavoriskes, Labanoras forests where pine trees dominate. Since 1970, this species is listed in the Red Data Book of Lithuania, as well as the Berne Convention, Annex III.

The Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) is a dragonfly of the family Aeshnidae. It is found in Ignalina, Lazdijai, Moletai, Prienai, Trakai, Ukmerge, Varena, and Vilkaviskis districts in Lithuania. The Lesser Emperor usually inhabits the surrounding areas of forest lakes and ponds. Since 1989, this species is under protection in Lithuania.

A piece of history and nature on new stamps from Singapore

One of the 11 World War II sites in Singapore is now featured on Singapore postage stamps.

Officially opened in 1954 and gazetted by the National Heritage Board as one of 11 World War II sites in Singapore in 1995, the Kent Ridge Park is a 47-hectare public park located in western part of Singapore - between the National University of Singapore and the Singapore Science Park.

The Kent Ridge Park, formerly known as Pasir Panjang Ridge, was used as a fortress by the British to defend Singapore against Japanese invasion in 1942. The site for the Battle for Pasir Panjang, one of the last battles bitterly fought by the Malay Regiment against the Japanese Army during World War II, was at Bukit Chandu, a hill in the park. Today, a colonial bungalow at 31K Bukit Chandu has been restored and converted into a World War II war museum - Reflections at Bukit Chandu, commemorating the patriots.

Apart from historical significance, the Kent Ridge Park with its undisturbed habitat and abundant flora and fauna offers an educational nature trail. And the importance of this park is celebrated through the Heritage Trail: Kent Ridge Park Trail stamp issue released by SingPost.

Besides the complete set of four stamps (S$2.87), SingPost is also releasing a Presentation Pack (S$4.65) and Pre-cancelled First Day Cover affixed with the complete set of stamps (S$3.70).

Trolleybus on new Slovenian postage stamp

Slovenian Post has issued a new stamp under the theme "Trolleybuses in Ljubljana".

The stamp was designed and illustrated by Matjaz Ucakar.

Maltapost to have its own postal museum

Maltapost plc will have its own postal museum which is planned to exhibit artefacts related to the postal services collected over the years since the service was introduced in Malta.

Maltapost chairman Joe Said spoke about the museum during the inauguration ceremony of a philately exhibition about the postage stamp artwork of the late Emvin Cremona at the Fine Arts Museum.

Premises, which are centrally located, have been earmarked for the museum, which will house all of Maltapost's archives and will offer visitors a holistic experience on the technique and art involved in stamp printing.

Maltapost collaborated with Heritage Malta to hold the Cremona exhibition, entitled 'Shaping a modern identity in Malta philatelic heritage'.

Valletta-born, Mr Cremona started to contribute to philately in 1957. His designs raised the profile of Malta's stamp production during a time of important political developments. His first work in philately was a set of stamps commemorating the 15th anniversary of the award of the George Cross to Malta. His last designs featured a set of stamps marking Freedom Day on 31 March 1979.

The exhibition will remain open until the 17 October from 9am till 4.30pm.

Long Weekend – Australia

Australian post issued a set of postage stamps in the weekend series, featuring various activities undertaken by Australians on long weekends. The series begun in 2006.

Beginning with a beach weekend in the 1950s through to a skiing weekend in the 1990s. The other activities featured in the stamps include fishing, camping, surfing and house-boating.

Title: Long Weekend – Australia
Date of Issue: 22 September 2010
Country: Australia
Denominations: 5 x 60c

Garden dormouse – Estonia

Estonian post issued a stamp in the Fauna series dedicated to the dormouse (Eliomys quercinus L.). The dormouse is a rodent the size of a young rat.

It is an omnivore and eats plant fruits, seeds as well as snails, insects and even smaller rodents. Waking in the spring the animal only weighs about 45 grams but by the fall it acquires an abundant store of fat and then weighs nearly 120 grams.

They multiply twice a year, with mostly 4 to 6 young in the litter. Dormice prefer deciduous and mixed forests with the presence of oak and hazelnut trees, as well as dry-stone walls and old farm seats. Sometimes they live in houses and outbuildings. Dormice are found in most parts of Europe but their population has seriously fallen in most parts of its area for unknown reasons.

They are only known to nest on the mainland, but there is a community on Suur-Tütarsaar Island in the Gulf of Finland. Due to its relatives rarity the dormouse is listed in the 2nd category of protected species. As there is practically no information about dormouse finds in Estonia it has been entered into the category of species with deficient data.

Title: Garden dormouse – Estonia
Date of Issue: 23 September 2010
Country: Estonia
Denominations: 0.35 EUR

Great Chinese Educators

To promote traditional cultural education, Taiwan Post will issue a set of two stamps based on portraits of Zhu Xi and Confucius in the National Palace Museum collection.

1. Zhu Xi (NT$5): Zhu Xi (1130-1200 AD), whose adult courtesy name Yuanhui, and he was referred to as Mr. Ziyang or Mr. Kaoting by other scholars. Zhu Xi was the leading figure in the School of Principle during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 AD), and he started the trend of studying philosophy in the Song Dynasty. Given the honorific suffix of “zi”, he became known as Zhuzi. Being a great philosopher and educator, Zhu Xi developed the schools’ codes and offered instruction himself. Zhu Xi also demonstrated concern about the state of politics. He once wrote Emperor Xiaozong to make the case for fighting the Jurchen, and he was admired for his loyalty and moral integrity. Zhu Xi was a prolific writer, and the “Four Books” he compiled are considered important classical works among modern Chinese.

2. Confucius (NT$25):Confucius (551-479 BC), whose given name was Qiu and whose adult courtesy name was Zhongni, was born in the State of Lu (in modern-day Shandong Province) during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC). At 15, he was bent on learning, and at 30 he was established in his career. He founded his own school and became a pioneer of private education. The founder of Confucianism, Confucius advocated that rulers administer their nations with humanity and morality. He promoted the ideas that “in educationthere should be no class distinctions” and that “students should be taught in accordance with their aptitudes.” Throughout his life, he believed that “when the great principle prevails, the world is a commonwealth,” and he aimed to establish a civilization base on ceremonies and a code of courtesy. His wide-ranging and profound philosophy is admired by the people of the world, and he is still revered in Chinese communities as the “great sage and teacher.”

Title: Great Chinese Educators
Date of Issue: 28 September 2010
Country: Taiwan
Denominations: NT$5, NT$25

'Mint' Penny Black stamp appears at auction, valued at $15,500

It's uncommon to find Britain's first-ever postage stamp in this condition - and it's a great investment

Considering that it was the world's first-ever postage stamp, inspiring the use of stamps around the world, it's funny that examples of Britain's Penny Black aren't especially rare on today's collectors' markets (they were produced in vast numbers after being issued in 1840).

However, while Penny Blacks often crop-up at auctions around the world, unused examples are relatively uncommon. And it's for precisely this reason that philatelists won't want to miss the Colonial Stamp Company's upcoming philatelic sale on September 30.

The 'mint' 1840 Penny Black

Among the various lots is a rare mint condition 1840 1d black - "mint" means that the stamp is in its original state of issue, remains unused, has never been mounted and still has its full adhesive gum.

According to the lot notes, the stamp has been watermarked, is imperforate (ie without perforations along the edge, seperated with scissors) and has four good margins.

Unsurprisingly, a significant value is attached to the stamp - although its price isn't beyond the means of many entry-level investors. This historic Penny Black has a Stanley Gibbons catalogue price of $15,500.

It will be hoped that this rare and historic Penny Black will sell for a figure in this region when it auctions next Thursday.

Centenary of Railway Service in Hong Kong

For many years, the railway has tirelessly served Hong Kong. In celebration of its centennial birthday, Hongkong Post is launching a special stamp issue of 6 different models of trains to commemorate this important milestone. Moreover, a special printing effect will be applied to the production of the stamp sheetlet, making this stamp issue ever more invaluable to train hobbyists and philatelists alike.

Lighthouses on new Spanish stamps

Spain has issued a series of six postage stamps dedicated to the following lighthouses: Aviles in Asturias, the Punta Cumplida on the island of La Palma, the San Cibrao in Lugo, the Punta de La Polacra in Almeria, Ciutadella on the island of Menorca, and Huertas in Alicante.

The Lighthouse of Aviles, also known as San Juan, is located on the east bank of the mouth of the estuary of Aviles, in the municipality of San Juan de Nieva. It began to work in 1863.

The Lighthouse of Punta Cumplida is located in Barlovento, in the far north of the island of La Palma. It became operational on April 1, 1867.

The lighthouse of San Cibrao is located in Cervo, north of the province of Lugo. It was built in 1864 and consists of a conical granite tower.

The lighthouse at Punta La Polacra in Nijar (Almeria) was built in 1991 and has a height of 14 m. and a range of 14 nautical miles.

The Ciutadella lighthouse is located on the island of Menorca. It is a white tower with black stripes attached to a building.

The lighthouse Cabo de Huertas in Alicante has been operating since 1856 and is located between the neighbourhoods of La Albufereta and Playa de San Juan. It consists of a white circular tower and three overlapping bodies topped with the optical and lighting device of the lighthouse itself.

Queen’s Baton relay special covers – Part 4

Queen’s Baton is almost about to complete it’s Journey to Commonwealth Stadium, New Delhi where the opening ceremony is to be held. It will reach Delhi on 30 September and will remain there till the opening ceremony on 3 October 2010. Today I will present some more special covers issued during Queen’s Baton relay.
Special cover issued at Raipur

Special cover issued at Hyderabad

Special cover issued at Chennai

Special cover issued at Pondicherry

Special cover issued at Thiruvanantapuram

Special cover issued at Bangalore

IOM Internment – Art History

IOM post present the first of a landmark series of stamp issue focusing on the wartime Internment Camps of the Isle of Man.

‘Art History’ concentrates on the fortuitous coming together of European artists who were interned on the Island during the Second World War. Known as ‘His Majesty’s Most Loyal Enemy Aliens,’ these foreign nationals were separated from society rather than imprisoned and this unique concentration of talent in a handful of Manx guesthouses yielded a remarkable range of artwork that forms the basis of our stamp issue.

Under kindly captors a number of artists and musicians made the most of their time and some went on to become nationally and internationally famous in later life. Such artists as Kurt Schwitters, Martin Bloch, Ernst Eisenmayer and Hugo Dachinger developed their work to the sounds of the nascent Amedeus Quartet.

Title: IOM Internment – Art History
Date of Issue: 24 September 2010
Country: Isle of Man
Denominations: 35p, 36p, 55p, 67p, 132p, 132p

Queen Victoria's historic stamps could bring five figures at auction

Two philatelic rarities from the late 19th century are up for sale at Vance Auctions in October

Two historic Great Britain stamps will be appearing in Vance Auctions Ltd's upcoming October 14 auction, both dating to the reign of Queen Victoria.

The Victorian era saw an explosion of innovation in philately. The inefficiency of using scissors to cut stamps from their sheets, for instance, led to inspired trials with rouletting (separating the stamps with small horizontal and vertical cuts) and perforation - the latter becoming standard practice by 1854.

Queen Victoria stamp

Another significant development was the passage of the Customs and Inland Revenue Act in 1881, which decreed that stamps should also be valid as revenue stamps.

The two philatelic specimens in Vance's sale were each date stamped two years after the Act. They are definitive stamps, each worth one pound, and bear the likeness of Queen Victoria in profile.

According to Vance's pre-sale notes, the first is printed on bluish paper with a SON (that's "socked on the nose," ie stamped in the stamp's very centre) circular date stamp.

Another, stamped in Bristol

Stamps of this type and era are particularly sought-after in very nice colour. Because of this, this example - billed as "very fine" with a minor crease and a "choice stamp" has a catalogue price of $9,250.

Up for sale alongside it is another Queen Victoria One Pound stamp, and also bearing a SON circular datestamp applied in Paul Fraser Collectibles' home city of Bristol on November 4, 1883.

Like the $9,250 specimen, this stamp boasts "beautiful centring, excellent colour" and is "very fine" according to Vance - "a lovely looking stamp." It has a catalogue price of $7,750.

Bearing in mind that Stanley Gibbons price catalogue has formerly estimated examples of these stamps in the region of £13,000 (more than $20,300), philatelists won't want to miss out when these two examples go under the hammer on October 14 in Ontario, Canada.

Kent Ridge Park Trail

Singapore post will issue a set of postage stamps featuring Kent Ridge Park Trail in the heritage trail series.

The place was formerly known as Pasir panjang Ridge, and was a low land evergreen rainforest filled with crops such as pineapple, rubber, pepper and gambier. It was used as fortress by the British in the defense of Singapore and was the site of one of the last battle fought against Japanese.

Now the old colonial bungalow is converted in a World War II museum called Reflections at Bukit Chandu.

Title: Kent Ridge Park Trail
Date of Issue: 22 September 2010
Country: Singapore
Denominations: 2nd local, 65c, 80c, $1.10

Reopening of Vatican Library

Vatican post issued a postage stamps to commemorate Reopening of Vatican Library. The origins of the Vatican Apostolic Library go back to the fourth century, a time when there was evidence of the Scrinium of the Roman Church, which was both a library and an archive.

Pope Eugene IV ordered the first inventory of the Vatican Library, an initial collection of 350 Greek and Latin manuscripts, later inherited by his successor Nicholas V, who enlarged the collection significantly with the acquisition of more manuscripts and the transcription of others. When he died, the papal collection was the largest in Europe consisting of around 1,500 manuscripts.

Only with Sixtus IV and the bull Ad decorem militantis Ecclesiae (1475) did the manuscripts become part of a truly modern library with various collections and financial resources. In 1587 Sixtus V decided to construct new and larger premises for the Library, entrusting the project to the architect Domenico Fontana. The new building, which still houses the Library, was built on the stairway which divided the Cortile del Belvedere from the courtyard, which is now known as the Cortile della Biblioteca.

The top floor housed collections in the large, decorated room with two naves known as the Salone Sistino. In 1738 the Vatican Library added Greek and Roman artistic works, especially a coin (Medagliere) collection of Cardinal Alessandro Albani, the largest of its kind at the time after that of the King of France. Under Leo XIII, a process of modernization began under the tenure of the Jesuit Prefect, Franz Ehrle, who adopted a cataloguing system which remained in use until 1985, when a computerized system was developed. The Vatican Library will reopen to the public on 20 September 2010 after almost three years of renovation.

Title: Reopening of Vatican Library
Date of Issue: 20 September 2010
Country: Vatican
Denominations: € 0.65, € 0.85

Uruguay has issued a stamp commemorating 100th anniversary of the death of Florencio Sanchez. Florencio Sanchez (January 17, 1875 – November 7, 1910)

The World health Organization and the Alzheimer Disease International have declared September 21st as the World Alzheimer's Day. The Spanish Post Office joins this commemoration with a special stamp issue.

The stamp has been designed by Estudio Jesus Sanchez and depicts the logo "Absent thoughts. World Alzheimer's Day" with a blurred face representing the blurred brain of a person affected by this disease.

Theatre in Uruguay - Centenary of the death of Florencio Sanchez

Uruguay has issued a stamp commemorating 100th anniversary of the death of Florencio Sanchez.

Florencio Sanchez (January 17, 1875 – November 7, 1910) was a Uruguayan playwright, journalist and political figure. His artistic work unfolded in the River Plate region (Argentina and Uruguay).

He wrote more than 20 dramatic plays. The most famous between them are "La gente honesta" (The Honest People),"M'hijo el dotor" (My Son, the Doctor), "Canillita" (The Newspaper Vendor), "Cedulas de San Juan" (San Juan's Warrant).

Columbus discovers two exceptional rare stamps in New York

A $2 Red Brown and a 50c Slate Blue Columbian head Michael I Caspar's US stamp auction

This week, a large number of rare US stamps are waiting their turn to ascend the stage in New York for the Michael I Caspar Fall 2010 sale with 1,250 lots on offer in all.

The range of the sale is impressive, with the lots on offer including everything from the first regular issues and ranging through banknote issues and coil stamps to federal duck stamps.

Divided into two sections, the sale will feature a small, select offering of the finest certified and/or graded material by PSE for Part One (177 lots).

Material will be offered from several all time finest PSE registry sets, most of which has never before been available at auction (other than a few well-known pedigreed items). Highlights of Part One will feature numerous finest knowns, and material from the Scarsdale, Zoellner and Hethering collections will be up for grabs.

Part Two will feature a wide array of new material which hasn't seen the light of day in a long time, and will conclude with an offering of covers, newly emergent from a private collection.

The two most exciting lots are probably two Columbian stamps:

50c Columbian stamp

Firstly, a 50c Slate blue, Columbian (never hinged and with original gum) is a bottom margin single with genuinely exceptional centring. With deep colour, detailed impression and jumbo margins, it is a thing of beauty.

The PSE most recently rated it in 2007 at XF 90J, but the auctioneer seems positively offended by this judgment (we're inclined to agree), countering that "This is the most remarkable 50c. Columbian I have ever seen." It is listed at $11,000 and already carries a bid of $8,000.

However a $2 Brown Red Columbian (mint, never-hinged) is set to upstage even this. Boasting an extraordinary impression which reveals every intricate detail of this most handsome stamp, the exceptionally rare piece also has precise centring and rich colour.

$2 Columbian stamp

The auctioneer has confidently listed the XF-Superb 95 graded stamp at $57,700, and it seems to be re-paying that confidence as bids have already reach $42,500.

$200,000 for a stamp and cover from the finest collection of Ceylon philately

The two exceptional pieces are being offered by collector Joseph Hackmey

Regular readers will be familiar with the name of Joseph Hackmey, the businessman and collector who sold one of the greatest ever collections of New Zealand stamps earlier this year, as well as a strong US one. He owns a Van Gogh, and the most expensive newspaper in the world.

New Zealand is one of two countries which Hackmey has stamped his name on their philatelic history, and now Spink Shreves is preparing to sell the other.

The International Award-Winning Joseph Hackmey Philatelic Collection of Classic Ceylon (1797-1870) is the finest collection of this popular country ever formed. This collection contains an impressive array of rare and unique items, several of which have not appeared at auction in years.

The majority of stamps and postal covers featured in the Hackmey collection come to the market with outstanding provenance. Many have once resided in world renowned collections formed by such philatelic giants as Ferrary, de Worms, Caspary, Dale-Lichtenstein, Agabeg and Pearson.

Two spectacular lots stand out in particular:

Ceylon cover from the Gordon correspondence (Click to enlarge)

Firstly a cover sent from Kandy to London, marked "Via Marseilles", bearing two 4d dull rose stamps (one with close to large margins, the other just-into at the right), both of lovely rich colour, and a 1d blue, each cancelled by an oval of bars and the two 4d stamps clearly tied by a red London Paid arrival datestamp.

Addressed to John Gordon (the Gordon correspondence is well-documented) the reverse shows the red "kandy/post-paid" datestamp. One of the most important frankings in Ceylon philately it is listed at $75,000-100,000.

Equally exciting will be an exceptionally fine 4d dull rose single. One of the major British Colonial Classics, it has an attractive strong, rich colour and unused with large part original gum, it is one of the finest known to exist, and carries the same listing of $75,000-100,000.

Bicentenary of the birth of LEO XIII

Vatican post will issue a postage stamp to celebrate the Bicentenary of the birth of LEO XIII. Lumen in caelo (light in the sky) is the motto which summarizes St. Malachy’s prophetic vision regarding the pontificate of Vincenzo Gioacchino Pecci (Leo XIII), the bicentenary of whose birth is marked this year.

His papal coat of arms depicts a comet in the sky above a cypress tree. Gifted with great knowledge and a passionate interest in the Latin language in which he excelled from an early age, he studied under the Jesuits in Viterbo at the Collegio Romano.

He was ordained a priest at the age of 27 and was sent first to the diocese of Benevento and later to that of Perugia, where he remained for almost 30 years.

He was also a nuncio to Belgium and to Germany. He was elected the 256th pope and is remembered for the 86 encyclicals he wrote, also as a way to overcome the isolation in which the Holy See found itself after the unification of Italy. His most famous encyclical was Rerum Novarum (1891), which marked a turning point in the history of the Catholic Church.

It was the first time the Church addressed the reality of Italian life at the time, marked by social conflict due to the particular historical and political circumstances. Reflecting on this reality, the encyclical called for a united response from the Church, the State and civil society to find ways to resolve the “social question”. For this reason Leo XIII became known as the “the workers’ pope” and “the social pope”. Contrary to the shorter predictions, his pontificate lasted 25 years and marks the third longest in history. Leo XIII died on 20 July 1903 and was entombed in the Basilica of St. John Lateran. The bicentenary of his birth represents a very relevant occasion today, also in relation to the recent encyclical Caritas in Veritate by His Holiness Benedict XVI, which makes explicit references to Rerum Novarum.

Title: Bicentenary of the birth of LEO XIII
Date of Issue: 20 September 2010
Country: Vatican
Denominations: € 0.65