My name is Wahid Zia. I am collecting stamps since the last 37 years (1980). I created a blog which includes the information of Pakistan all stamps. W/W new issues & all issues of Pakistan from 1947 to date are available on this blog. I invite you to visit my blog and get useful information.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Pakistan 100 million Cellular Subscribers Celebrations Pakistan Telecommnication Authority Headquarters, Islamabad.

Issue Date: January 19, 2011
Size of Stamp: 60 x 30 mm
Size of Print: 57 x 27 mm
Sheet Contents: (8 x 13) = 104 stamps
Perforation: 13C
Denomination: Rs. 8/-
Colours: Multi Colours
Printing Technology: Lithography (Offset)
Format: Horizontal
Paper: 100 GSM W/M Gummed Paper
Gum: PVA
Quantity: 0.5 million
Design: Supplied by the customer
Printer: Pakistan Security Printing Corporation, Karachi

December 31, 2010 – Golden Jubilee of Capital City (1960-2010), Islamabad


Issue Date: December 31, 2010
Size of Stamp: 50.00 x 41.00 mm
Size of Print: 46.00 x 37.00 mm
Sheet Contents: (3 x 8) 24 stamps
Perforation: 13C
Denomination: Rs. 5/-
Colours: Multi Colours
Printing Technology: Lithography (Offset)
Format: Horizontal
Paper: 100 GSM W/M Gummed Paper
Gum: PVA
Quantity: 0.5 million
Design: Supplied by the customer
Printer: Pakistan Security Printing Corporation, Karachi

Doot – Centenary of Gujarati Monthly Magazine


India post issued a stamp to mark the centenary of Gujarati Monthly Magazine the ‘DOOT’. It was first launched in January 1911,through very humble beginnings,from Mumbai. It originally catered to the miniscule Catholic community of Gujarat.

But over the years,it has grown by leaps and bounds and caters to a cross section of society,belonging to all religious and cultural backgrounds in Gujarat,in other parts of India and abroad. It has the distinction of being the second oldest Gujarati periodical in the country.

Title: Doot – Centenary of Gujarati Monthly Magazine
Date of Issue: 15 January 2011
Country: India
Denominations: 500p

Wichita State grad designs U.S. postage stamp

A Wichita State University graduate has designed a U.S. postage stamp that celebrates neon.

Michael Flechtner was asked to do the neon stamp after U.S. Postal Service art director Phil Jordan saw Flechtner's work hanging at the Museum of Neon Art in Los Angeles. Flechtner graduated from Wichita State in 1984 with a master's degree in fine arts.

The stamp, featuring neon fireworks, will be released March 25. It's touted for use on celebratory mailings such as greeting cards and invitations.

Lithuania Post's Stamp Dedicated to European Mens Basketball Championship 2011

On the 22nd of January (Saturday), Lithuania Post introduced a new stamp dedicated to the European Men's Basketball Championship 2011. The stamp, created by the artist Evelina Paukstyte, depicts a flying basketball encircled by the national flag of Lithuania.

"This year, after a 72 years break, Lithuania will host the European Men's Basketball Championship. This is really a significant event which will attract basketball fans not only from Lithuania, but from other countries as well. Lithuania Post contributes to the promotion of this championship by issuing a special stamp," Vytautas Jastiuginas, head of philatelic department, said.

The stamp dedicated to the European Men's Basketball Championship is not the first stamp issued for this occasion. To commemorate the 3rd European Men's Basketball Championship held in Kaunas in May 1939, a series of 3 stamps was issued by Lithuania Post.

The European Men's Basketball Championship of 2011 will be held from August 31 until September 18. The 24 strongest European men's basketball teams will compete for medals and qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Celebrating Lunar New Year - First of 'All-Forever' First-Class Mail Commemorative Stamps Issued

The U.S. Postal Service today issued the first of its "all-Forever" First-Class Mail commemorative stamps in recognition of the upcoming Lunar New Year celebration.

"Today's event is important, not only because it's our first stamp dedication ceremony of the new year, but also because it gives me the chance to reinforce one of the Postal Service's top priorities, and that is to improve our customers' experience doing business with us," said Linda Welch, Postal Service area vice president, Southwest Area.

As of today, all First-Class Mail commemorative stamps will be Forever Stamps. Their value will always be equal to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce rate, whether they are used this Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rabbit, or in 2018, the Year of the Dog, or even in 2050, the Year of the Horse.

"The Postal Service made this change to meet our customers' needs," said Welch. "You have told us you appreciate the convenience of knowing that when you buy stamps, they'll be good forever and now you don't have to worry about future price changes. Stamps can be used forever."

The stamp dedicated today is the fourth of 12 stamps in the Postal Service's Celebrating Lunar New Year series, which began in 2008 with the Year of the Rat. The Year of the Rabbit begins on Feb. 3, 2011, and ends on Jan. 22, 2012.

Famous people born in the Year of the Rabbit include film director Francis Ford Coppola, athlete Michael Jordan and actress Drew Barrymore.

Art director Ethel Kessler worked on the series with illustrator Kam Mak, an artist who grew up in New York City's Chinatown and now lives in Brooklyn. The stamp design incorporates elements from the previous series of Lunar New Year stamps, using artist Clarence Lee's intricate paper-cut design of a rabbit and the Chinese character, drawn in grass-style calligraphy by Lau Bun, for "rabbit."

Feminists feature on Aussie legends stamps

The recipients of the 2011 Australia Post Australian Legends Award each rose to prominence during the 1970s, the period during which second-wave feminism flourished around the world, receiving official recognition when 1975 was declared International Women's Year by the United Nations. During this decade, they addressed various issues of women's inequality in Australia and internationally through their writing, activism, judicial work, advocacy or a combination of these activities.

Eva Cox AO
Eva Cox is a founding member of the Women's Electoral Lobby, established in 1972 as a feminist, non-profit, non-party-political organisation dedicated to influencing powerbrokers to adopt policies that would improve the position of women in Australian society.

Elizabeth Evatt AC
Former chief judge Elizabeth Evatt has made her mark through the legal system. The first woman to preside over an Australian federal court, she was the inaugural chief judge of the Family Court of Australia and a member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, serving as its chair for two years.

Germaine Greer
Professor Germaine Greer established her international feminist reputation early in her career, through the publication of The Female Eunuch, which quickly became a bestseller. Arguing for a radical response to patriarchy, the book became a seminal work for second-wave feminism.

Anne Summers AO
Writer and journalist Anne Summer was a co-founder of Elsie, the first women's refuge in modern Australia, and wrote the highly influential God's Whores and Damned Police: The Colonization of Women in Australia. From 1983 to 1986, she headed the Hawke government's Office of the Status of Women, where she was responsible for implementing affirmative action legislation and other reforms.

Anne Summers AO said she was honoured to feature on a stamp. "I hope the fact there are four women on Australian stamps at the time of International Women's Day and the centenary of International Women's Day will contribute to continuing to raise awareness about women's issues and the continuing need to fight for equality for women in Australia. I hope it will encourage people to realise that the fight for women's equality is not yet over," Dr Summers said.

The Australia Post Australian Legends Award began 14 years ago when Sir Donald Bradman was the first living person, other than a ruling monarch, to be featured on an Australian stamp. Since then, recipients of the Legends Award have included, among others, Arthur Boyd, Slim Dusty, Rod Laver, Dame Joan Sutherland, Barry Humphries, Nicole Kidman and the 2010 Legends, Peter Carey, Bryce Courtenay, Thomas Keneally, David Malouf, Colleen McCullough and Tim Winton.

Philpost to issue 'UST 400 years' stamps on Jan. 25

In time for the 400th anniversary of the University of Santo Tomas, the Philippine Postal Corporation will issue commemorative "Unending Grace" stamps starting January 25.

There are four designs for the stamps, three of which show buildings or edifices in the campus that have been declared by the National Museum last year as National Cultural Treasures. These are the Main Building, the Central Seminary, and the Arch of the Centuries.

The fourth stamp design features the painting "The Foundation of the University of Santo Tomas" by Archbishop Benavides.

The stamps will have a denomination of P7.00 and only 100,000 pieces will be issued.

A total of 10,200 pieces of souvenir sheets with a denomination of P37.00 will also be issued.

The souvenir sheets will feature the Quattro Mondial Monument by sculptor Ramon Orlina and the Benavides Monument done in 1889 by Tony Noel, along with the university logo and the facade of the Main Building.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

'Loriot - The Talking Dog' stamps from Germany


The welfare stamps are traditionally issued by the German Post in favor of voluntary welfare. This year's recipient of the additional cents mentioned on the welfare stamps is the Federal Association of Voluntary Welfare, organization according relief to destitute people.

The welfare stamps of 2011 show four episodes of the well-known animated film about Loriot, a talking dog, and his owner Dr. Sommer. Although Loriot is a comedy, it shows real social conditions and human behavior, reflecting funny situations of viewers' everyday life.

French Heart stamps by Maurizio Galante

Maurizio Galante, a famous Paris fashion designer, in collaboration with French Post has created 2 stamps to illustrate the designer brandname hearts.

The first stamp of 0.95 ˆ named "Engrave your initials" is covered with a red metallic film on which you can "engrave" a message or your initials.

The second stamp of 0.58 ˆ titled "Paint me" gives you the freedom to colorize it at your will. Thus, everyone can manifest creativity and become author of his own stamp.

Nature themes appealed to the Finns

The Finns have chosen Fjeld Landscape as the most beautiful stamp in 2010. It was released in November 2010 along with other Christmas stamps. The stamp, designed by Tommi Vallisto, depicts snowy mountains, the magical twilight and Santa Claus riding his reindeer-powered sleigh through the sky.

The winner received 5,445 votes, equal to over 12% of the total of 45,063 votes cast. The voting took place through the Postia Sinulle customer magazine and Posti's website.

The voters clearly liked nature themes since the themes of the runners-up were also related to nature. The Torronsuo National Park stamp, designed by Teemu Ollikainen, received 5,105 votes, enough for second place.

Third place was shared between Pussy Toes (3,534 votes) and the Reindeer Christmas stamp (3,531 votes).

Among the 65 stamps released in 2010, the following also performed well in the voting: Autumn, mallard-themed stamp by Asser Jaaro and Wings, a butterfly-themed stamp with a spring atmosphere, designed by Ari Lakaniemi and Susanna Rumpu.

New Post and Go Stamps by Royal Mail

The second set of Faststamps depicting birds will be issued on 24 January, one of three sets to be issued this year. As before, these will be sold from Post & Go machines at selected Post Offices across the UK and from the Philatelic Bureau at Tallents House. The second set also depicts common garden birds and is issued in time for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Big Garden Birdwatch.

Post & Go terminals allow customers to weigh their letters and packets, pay for and print postage labels and stamps without the need to visit the counter. The first Post & Go machine was trialled in The Galleries Post Office in Bristol in 2007.

The labels can be obtained with 5 different service indicators: 1st class & 1st class Large up to 100gr, Europe up to 20gr, Worldwide up to 10gr and 20gr, singly or in strips of up to 5 of the same value or various values. Thus there are 30 different value/design combinations in total.

Passenger ferry series by Aland

Two new stamps in the Aland passenger ferry series will be issued in February.

The stamps designed by artist Hakan Sjostrom feature M/S Alandia and M/S Apollo.

Alandia was built in 1939 as M/S Basto in Moss, Norway. The ship had been in Norwegian service for many years and even been used by the German army for troop transportation in 1944, when she came to the newly established company Rederiaktiebolag Eckero in 1961. During her first year of operation, Alandia ran under the name Alpha and was the first roll-on/roll-off car ferry operating in Aland ferry service. In November 1961, the ship met with trouble when she capsized and was waterlogged upon arriving in Grisslehamn. Thanks to resolute intervention, everybody onboard was saved. Alpha was soon to be nicknamed "Round-trip Aland" after that.

Apollo was delivered in 1970 from Jos. L. Meyer Schiffswerft in Papenburg, West Germany. Both M/S Viking 1 and M/S Marella were delivered to Viking Line the same year. Apollo served for Viking Line from May 1970 until March 1976, when she was sold to a Danish shipping company. Today, Apollo operates in Canada where she provides service for the Woodward Group under her original name Apollo.

Rocky Mountain stamp show in Denver May 13-15

The Germany Philatelic Society has announced their 2011 society convention will take place at THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN STAMP SHOW (ROMPEX 2011), at Denver, Colorado, May 13-15, 2011.

The exhibition and bourse will include circa 340 frames of competitive & non-competitive exhibits and 40-50 stamp and postal history dealers.

Among the special events will be two Power-Point lectures:

May 13: "Having Your Stamps Expertized in Germany" by Dr. Gernot Reiners.

May 14: "Inexpensive Additions to Your Collection of German Stamps. Varieties, Color Shades, Fly Specs & Cancellations" by Jerry Jensen.

Renowned aero-philatelic, postmark, censorship (etc) specialists will also be attending and available for questions and answers at the GPS society table & in the GPS hospitality suite.

The GPS general meeting for members & non-members will take place on Saturday, May 14, at the show hotel, and an informal GPS Dinner is scheduled the evening before on Friday, May 13, at a local German-fare restaurant. Times will be posted at the show.

USPS Celebrates King, Displays New Stamp


A new but still unreleased postage stamp was on display in west Louisville Friday morning as part of an annual Martin Luther King Day celebration.

The stamp commemorating Barbara Jordan was featured in the Oak and Acorn ElderServe center. Jordan was the first African-American woman from the south elected to Congress. The stamp is part of the Black Heritage series.

"This is the 34th stamp in the series. Usually we try to have a theme stamp for this event. Last year, for example, we had the Negro League Baseball stamp that we had on display here," says Postal Service spokesperson David Walton.

The event was not an official unveiling of the Barbara Jordan stamp. It will go on sale in September.

Stamp in honor of Monte Carlo Rally centenary


Monaco Post has issued a stamp celebrating the Monte Carlo Rally centenary.

100 years after its creation, the 79th Monte Carlo Rally will run from January 19 to 22, 2011. To celebrate the Rally's centenary year, the stages and route will include famous locations from the past that have gone towards creating the now legendary Monte Carlo Rally. The event is organised by the Automobile Club de Monaco and receives media coverage in over 70 countries.

Endangered Birds on Icelandic Stamps


World Wide Fund for Nature will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year. On this occasion Iceland Post is issuing 4 stamps with endangered birds as motifs.

A comprehensive survey of endangered birds was first issued in the year 2000 listing 32 bird species which account for 42% of all Icelandic breeding birds. Not all these species are in immediate danger of extinction.

Barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) migrates mainly from northern regions. These birds stop over in Iceland for some weeks every year. The breeding population has increased somewhat in the last few decades.

White-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) is a migratory bird in Iceland. The population numbers around 25.000 birds and has been decreasing during the last decade.

Common scoter (Melanitta nigra) is one of the rarer species of ducks breeding in Iceland. It is a migratory bird and is wholly protected in Iceland.

Gadwall (Anas strepera) was probably first seen in Iceland in the 19th century. It is estimated that the breeding population numbers 200–300 pairs, mainly around Myvatn. It is a migratory bird with its main winter quarters in Ireland. It is wholly protected in Iceland.

Beetles on new postage stamps by Taiwan


Taiwan Post is issuing a second set of four stamps, featuring long-horned beetles - Aeolesthes oenochrous, Doliops similis, Thermistis taiwanensis, and Dorysthenes pici.

The designs follow:

Aeolesthes oenochrous (NT$1.00): Commonly known as the Wu-she blood-spotted long-horned beetle in English, the body of this large beetle is densely covered with shiny red hairs. The last three segments of the male's back-sweeping antennae extend beyond the tips of its elytra, whereas the female's antennae are shorter than its body. It is found in broad-leaved forests between 600 and 1,500 meters above sea level in mid and northern Taiwan, as well as in China.

Doliops similis (NT$3.50): This species is a mimic of the hard-shelled Pachyrrhynchus. This attractive beetle has a black body covered with iridescent blue markings. It has large femurs and tarsi. An endemic species of Taiwan, it can only be found on Orchid Island.

Thermistis taiwanensis (NT$10.00): This beetle has a black body, with a yellow blotch on the front of its head, a yellow band on each side of its pronotum, and tubercles on the outer edges of the pronotum. Its elytra are black with yellow bands. Its antennae are black. Its femurs are yellow and the remainder of its legs and claws are black. Endemic to Taiwan, this species is found in broad-leaved forests between 1,200 and 1,500 meters above sea level.

Dorysthenes pici (NT$32.00): It has a dark brown, almost black body and a very developed mandible. There are two serrations on its pronotal edge. The male's antennae extend over half way down its elytra, whereas the female's only reach the length of one third of its elytra. Endemic to Taiwan, the species is found in broad-leaved forests between 300 and 1,400 meters above sea level in northern Taiwan.

UK makes sure queen's head will grace its stamps


Britain's business minister says he will guarantee that the monarch's head will appear on British postage stamps even if Royal Mail is sold to a foreign buyer.

Sculptor Arnold Machin's depiction of a youthful Queen Elizabeth II has appeared on billions of stamps since it was first commissioned in 1967 and has become a classic of British design.

So there was disquiet when media reports suggested that plans to part-privatize the Royal Mail could mean that the queen's head would disappear from Britain's letters and parcels.

Business Minister Ed Davey told the Mail on Sunday newspaper that he would put forward an amendment to make it impossible for a buyer to remove the monarch's image from stamps without royal assent.

Danish Rheumatism Association Charity Stamp


The annual charity stamp is being issued on behalf of the work of the Danish Rheumatism Association, which has been working since 1936 to secure a better quality of life for people with arthritis, and raises funds for research into rheumatic diseases. The DKK 0.50 surcharge per stamp sold will go to support the work of the association, and will benefit the many people affected by rheumatic diseases.

The stamp is designed by Post Danmark Stamps and produced in offset.

Year of the Rabbit – Australia

Year of the Rabbit - AustraliaAustralia post issued a set of stamps to welcome the coming Lunar year of Rabbit.

The Rabbit is the fourth sign in the Chinese zodiac and symbolizes creativity, compassion and sensitivity. In the Chinese story of the Jade Rabbit, three sages transformed themselves into pitiful old men, and begged for food from a fox, a monkey and a rabbit.
Year of the Rabbit - Australia
The fox and the monkey both had food to give to the old men, but the rabbit, who had no food to give, jumped into a blazing fire to offer his own flesh instead. The sages were so touched by the rabbit’s sacrifice that they let him live in the Moon Palace, where he became known as the “Jade Rabbit”.
Year of the Rabbit - Australia Minisheet
The stamps show the development of the Chinese character for the Rabbit, shown fully in the $1.80 stamp, and the way it is derived from its pictorial representation, shown in the 60c stamp. Paper-cut motifs are used to pictorially represent the Rabbit in the 60c stamp. Paper cuts are one of the most popular forms of Chinese art and are commonly used to decorate windows, lanterns, mirrors, gates and walls during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

The miniature sheet tells the story (in Chinese and English) about the Jade Rabbit and how he came to be on the moon.
Year of the Rabbit - Australia FDC
Title: Year of the Rabbit – Australia
Date of Issue: 11 January 2011
Country: Australia
Denominations: 60c, $1.80

Endangered plants of Belarus 2011


Belarus post issued a set of two stamps depicting flowers “Oxlip paigle” and “Dark-winged orchis” from the series “Flora. Endangered plants of Belarus”.

Letter “H” is equal to the surface tariff of a letter up to 20 gram abroad.
Letter “P” is equal to the air-mail tariff of a letter up to 20 gram abroad.

Title: Endangered plants of Belarus
Date of Issue: 10 January 2011
Country: Belarus

Year of the Rabbit – New Zealand

Lunar Year of Rabbit New Zealand

New Zealand post issued a vibrant range of stamps to welcome the coming Chinese lunar year – The Year of Rabbit.

60c – Year of the Rabbit
Through one of the oldest styles of calligraphy, the 60c stamp features a Chinese character that reflects the awareness and alertness of the rabbit. Lunar celebrations have become more and more popular in recent years with festivities occurring all over New Zealand.

$1.20 – Paper-cut Rabbit
The distinctive art of Chinese papercutting dates back to the 6th century when women pasted gold and silver foil cuttings onto their hair at temples. Today, paper cutting is a pastime enjoyed by many young Kiwi children. A paper-cut rabbit appears on the $1.20 stamp conveying liveliness and peace.

$1.90 – Painted Rabbit
The Chinese meticulous painting technique is characterised by highly detailed brushstrokes. It is often vibrant in colour and depicts narrative subjects. The $1.90 stamp uses this technique to portray the well known Chinese story in which the rabbit jumps down from the moon (where the essence of the rabbit is said to have originated).

$2.40 – New Zealand Icon
Kites are an important part of the Chinese culture and appear at Chinese festivals around the world. The first Chinese kites were made using silk and bamboo more than 2000 years ago. The $2.40 stamp shows a traditional Chinese kite being flown above the Christchurch Cathedral in New Zealand.
Lunar Year of Rabbit New Zealand MS
Title: Year of the Rabbit – New Zealand
Date of Issue: 12 January 2011
Country: New Zealand
Denominations: 60c, $1.20, $1.90, $2.40

Year of the Rabbit – Thailand

Year of the Rabbit - Thailand
Thailand post issued a postage stamp to welcome the Chinese Lunar year of Rabbit.

Title: Year of the Rabbit – Thailand
Date of Issue: 1 January 2011
Country: Thailand
Denominations:3 Baht

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Viet Nam new date (2010) 500,000-dong note confirmed


500,000-dong (US$26.20), (20)10. Like P124, but new date.

Jamaica 50-dollar commemorative confirmed

Jamaica_50_2010.10.01_fJamaica_50_2010.10.01_r
Jamaica_50_2010.10.01_detail
The Bank of Jamaica commemorated the 50th anniversary of its founding by issuing a new 50-dollar (US$0.60) note on 15 November 2010, even though the official anniversary celebrations aren't expected to begin until May 2011.

The front of the commemorative note is like the current note (P83) in design and security features, but the bank's logo printed in blue, with the words "50th anniversary and 1960-2010" printed above and below the logo. The back of the commemorative features the Bank of Jamaica headquarters building at Nethersole Place set against a medallion background of morning glory blossoms. This new vignette replaces the Doctors Cave Beach scene on the back of the current $50 note. Both new and old notes will circulate in parallel.

2011 stamp program from POST Greenland


POST Greenland has announced its stamp program for 2011. This year it will issue 22 new stamps. This is 2 stamps more than in 2010. As has been customary since 2001, the Greenlandic stamps will be dispatched by subscription three times a year: in January, May and October.

The first 3 stamps issued in 2011 have the title "Communications in Greenland". Anne-Birthe Hove has interpreted the theme beautifully on three stamps which will be printed in offset. The three stamps each depict an era of communication in Greenland: Kayak Post, The newspaper AG's 150-year anniversary and the submarine cable Greenland Connect.

This year's two Greenlandic stamps in the EUROPA series will be issued with the theme "Forests". The trees depicted on the stamp with the denomination of DKK 10.00 are the oldest exotic trees in Greenland and have their origin from the Danish botanist Rosenvinge's experiments with seeding in 1892, at Qinngua at bottom of Tunulliarfik fjord at Narsarsuaq. The trees sprouted the following year in 1893, so now they are 117 years old.

This year's Greenlandic additional value stamp will be sold for the benefit of the artists' association KIMIK. The stamp was designed by Ivalo Abelsen.

Rowan berries and mountain cranberries adorn the two stamps that represent the beginning of a new series designed by Nina Spore Kreutzmann. The series "Greenlandic herbs" will continue over the next three years in which a total of six stamps will be issued featuring delicious local herbs.

Marshall Islands to issue new stamps featuring tulips


On January 11, 2011, the Marshall Islands Postal Service issues six new stamps featuring beautiful tulips.

This graceful garden flower, which we traditionally associate with the Netherlands, is actually an exotic native of Asia Minor. The first bulbs found in Europe came to Vienna, Austria, from Constantinople in Turkey. A passionate interest in the flower resulted, and by the 17th century the tulip reigned as the most popular flower in many European countries. Hardest hit by "tulipomania" was Holland, where Dutch citizens invested in tulips much like modern speculators invest in stocks or real estate. Many lost their entire fortunes during this horticultural craze, and the Dutch government eventually passed legislation to regulate bulb trade. Tulip cultivation remains a vital industry in the Netherlands, where hundreds of thousands of cup-shaped flowers herald the advent of spring and the opening of the season's bulb markets.

SingPost Welcomes 2011 with the Rabbit Zodiac Stamp Issue


Singapore Post (SingPost) welcomes 2011 with the release of the Rabbit Zodiac stamp issue - the fourth of 12 stamps in its Zodiac stamp series, which began in 2008 with the Year of the Rat.

There are three stamp designs for this stamp issue comprise 1st local, S$0.65 and S$1.10 stamps.

Adding to the philatelic collection is the special Collector's Sheet (S$16.80) - the first-of-its-kind offset printing on hot foiled golden metallic film with matt UV varnish. Under this special effect, one can simultaneously view the Rabbit with the Tiger on the S$5 stamp. The S$10 stamp features the same interesting effect with the Rabbit and the next year’s zodiac animal, Dragon.

In addition, an exclusive folder and a pack of designer hongbaos featuring the Rabbit stamp design and the Chinese character for 'Rabbit' in several ancient styles, will be given free with every purchase of the Collector's Sheet.

Also available on sale are the Pre-cancelled First Day Cover affixed with the complete set of Rabbit stamps (S$2.75), the Presentation Pack (S$3.75) and the 1st Local self-adhesive sheetlet (S$2.551).

First day cover will be cancelled with a special Rabbit postmark.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Macau to issue 2011 Year of the Rabbit stamps


Macau Postal Office announced on Jan. 3 that it will issue 2011 Year of the Rabbit stamp sheets on Jan. 5 to welcome the Lunar New Year. The price of the five-set stamp, highlighting the Chinese Zodiac sign of Rabbit, is set at 11 yuan. The first-day cover, the miniature sheet as well as the teapot gift set that come with the stamp will also be available on Jan. 5.

Stamps for 2011 celebrate Finland and Finns in a modern way


In 2011, Finnish stamps will be used to celebrate a number of special occasions. The stamps were designed both by young first-time designers as well as by experienced and recognized artists.

The program year begins on January 24 with the celebration of the 100-year-old Finnish National Opera. The miniature sheet resembles a festive stage set where the light puts scenes from beloved operas center stage. The miniature sheet designed by Tarja Salonen depicts scenes from the operas Eugene Onegin, The Red Line and The Last Temptations.

Also on January 24, two stamps in the shape of a plus sign, each with a different value will be issued; these can be used to increase the value of previously purchased stamps if necessary. The themes of the stamps illustrated by Teemu Ollikainen and Timo Berry are a birch bud (ˆ0.20) and a birch leaf (ˆ0.30).

A miniature sheet entitled "Branches of Friendship" will be released to celebrate Valentine's Day - known as Friend's Day in Finland. The stamps, illustrated by Janne Harju, show an adorable flock of friends in their colorful nests.

India and Mexico celebrate dancing on new postage stamps


India and Mexico have released a joint stamp issue to commemorate the completion of 60 years of Diplomatic relations between the two countries. The stamps depict the costumes / dances of Mexico and India.

One of the stamps shows the Kalbelia Dance of Rajasthan in India. It is a vigorous dance form performed by women. The dancers embellish themselves in traditional black skirts with silver embroidery. The dance, set to folk songs, reminds one of the graceful movements of a snake. The sensual rhythm increases in tempo and vigour with the increase of the beat. Male participants take care of the musical part of the dance. They use different instruments (such as Pungi, Dufli, Been, Khanjari, Morchang & Dholak) to create the rhythm on which the dancer performs.

The other stamp shows the Jarabe Tapatio. Each region and state in Mexico presents the Mexican dance form in a style that reflects its own unique customs and traditions. The Jarabe Tapatio, or the Mexican Hat Dance, is one of the most beloved dance forms in Mexico and is considered as the national dance of Mexico. While the women wear the traditional china poblana, which includes a fringed blouse, a skirt and a shawl, the men are dressed in an ornate charro or cowboy suit. The dance gained immense popularity when the famous ballerina, Anna Pavlova, incorporated it in her repertoire.

Estonian stamp in honour of adoption of the euro


Estonia joined the Euro zone as its newest member on Saturday and Estonian Post issued a stamp to celebrate this occasion.

The euro denomination appeared parallel with the kroon on an Estonian postage stamp for the first time in 1999 when the stamp dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Council of Europe was issued. In the period from 2006 to 2010 the face value on Estonian stamps was shown in both kroons and in euros.

The stamp issued to mark Estonia's transition to the euro currency is the first Estonian stamp on which the face value with the symbolical denomination of ˆ1 is indicated in euros alone.

Stamps with the face value in kroons will be valid for postage until December 31, 2013; stamps with the face value in two currencies will be valid for postage indefinitely.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Flora – South Georgia

South Georgia post issued a set of stamps featuring the flora found in their surroundings.

Although South Georgia was sighted as early as 1675, knowledge of its flora did not begin until James Cook landed on the island one hundred years later. He recorded “Not a tree or a shrub was to be seen, no not even big enough to make a toothpick… Our botanists found here only three plants, the one is a coarse strong bladed grass which grows in tufts, Wild Burnet and a Plant like Moss which grows on the rocks…..The land or rocks bordering the Sea Coast, was not covered with snow like the inland parts, but all the vegetation we could see on the clear places was the grass mentioned above”. The grass was Tussac grass Poa flabellata, which fringes much of the island. The Wild Burnet was Acaena magellanica, but the identity of the “Plant like Moss” is uncertain – it might be a moss as Cook literally reported.

Small Fern Blechnum penna-marina, shown on the 27p stamp, is only known on north facing slopes in a valley above Husvik, where it is frequent. It is widespread in the Falklands, other subantarctic islands and southern South America, and has been found in England as an introduced plant, though here it is known as Little Hard-fern. The plant has separate vegetative and fertile fronds, with the latter growing up to 35 cm high. Its Latin name Blechnum is derived from the Greek name for a fern – Blechnon.

Water Blinks Montia fontana (70p stamp) often covers patches of damp ground by streams, though its small white flowers can be confused with another plant that occurs in the same habitat – Antarctic Water-starwort Callitriche antarctica. Water Blinks has a widespread distribution across the globe and the plant genus Montia was named after the Italian botanist Giuseppe Monti who died in 1760. Its leaves are edible, though make a somewhat bland addition to a salad.

Antarctic Pearlwort Colobanthus quitensis (95p stamp) is, as its name suggests, found in Antarctica and is one of the continent’s two native flowering plants (the other is a hair-grass, Deschampsia antarctica). On South Georgia it is widespread and often forms cushions on stony ground. The flowers are only a few millimetres across and rarely stand more than a centimetre above the cushion. Its range extends north along the Andes to Mexico and so it is sometimes called Andean Pearlwort.

Looking a little like a rattlesnake’s rattle, the “flower” of Adder’s-tongue Ophioglossum crotalophoroides (£1.15 stamp) is sometimes hard to spot in its damp grassland habitat. This little plant puts out a single leaf from its bulbous rhizome and the spore cases are born on the “rattle” held on a short stalk a few centimetres long. It is also found in the Falkland Islands and central Chile. The family of the Ophioglossaceae is an early branch of the vascular plant lineage, and it is separate from that of the true ferns, which includes all the other ferns found on South Georgia.

Title: Flora – South Georgia
Date of Issue: 15 December 2010
Country: South Georgia
Denominations: 27p, 70p, 95p, £1.1

Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival 2011


Monaco post issued a postage stamp to mark the 35th International Festival to held in January.

Organised and presided over by H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie, the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival has become the most prestigious circus festival in the world. The 35th International Festival will run from January 20 to 30, 2011 and host a selection of the world’s best performers.

Title: Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival 2011
Date of Issue: 20 December 2010
Country: Monaco
Denominations: € 0.75

50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations Bulgaria-Cuba


Bulgaria post jointly with Cuba issued a set of stamps to mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

The stamp are:-
0.65 Leva – Havana Cathedral San Cristobal
1.40 Leva – Sofia Cathedral St. Alexander Nevski

Title: 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations Bulgaria-Cuba
Date of Issue: 10 December 2010
Country: Bulgaria
Denominations: 0.65 Leva, 1.40 Leva

150th Anniversary of the first Malta Stamp


The Philatelic Bureau of MaltaPost issued a philatelic commemorative miniature sheet to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the first Malta Stamp.

The miniature sheet features the Queen Victoria Halfpenny which was first issued for local use on 1 December 1860 and an image of an addressed envelope with the Malta Halfpenny Yellow tied by an ‘M’ cancellation mark – the earliest recorded use of the stamp.

Title: 150th Anniversary of the first Malta Stamp
Date of Issue: 1 December 2010
Country: Malta
Denominations: €2.80

Paraguay series E 50,000-guarani note reported

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According to an an article on La Nacion dated 12 December 2010, Banco Central de. Paraguay has issued a new Series E 50,000-guarani (US$10.75) which is like the Seres D notes issued 12 May 2008, but with a Motion security thread instead of a windowed metallic thread, and the removal of the second instance of “BANCO CENTRAL DEL PARAGUAY” above the watermark area on the back.

Estonia adopts euro on 01.01.2011

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Like the barn swallow on the back of one of my favorite Estonian banknotes shown above, the kroon will fly away on 1 January 2011 as Estonia joins 16 other countries which have traded their own individual currencies for the common euro. Kroon, we’ll miss you!

Pakistan 500-rupee notes to be demonetized on 01.10.2011

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The State Bank of Pakistan has informed the public that it will demonetize old 500-rupee (US$5.85) notes as of 1 October 2011. The old notes (Pick 42), which were introduced in April 1986, have been replaced with new notes (Pick 49) originally issued in 2006.

New Year's Greeting Postage Stamps by Taiwan

To welcome the year of the Rabbit, Chunghwa Post (Taiwan) has issued a set of two New Year's Greeting Postage Stamps and a souvenir sheet.

The designs find inspiration in modern art styles, such as action painting and pop art. The motif rabbits are depicted using black silhouettes that are adorned with orange and purple paint splatters, which create lively compositions.

The backgrounds, which are yellow with random red splatters, cleverly make use of traditional Chinese ink-wash effects. The bright colors symbolize joy and convey high expectations about the Year of the Rabbit.

King Arthur and Thunderbirds - new Royal Mail stamps of 2011

The Royal Mail said it believed the start of next year would see the most exciting range of new stamps launched.

The year will start with Genius of Gerry Anderson stamps, marking the 50th anniversary of his work, which includes Thunderbirds, Stingray and Joe 90.

Musicals will feature on eight new stamps in February, while in March they will reflect the tales of King Arthur and his court magician Merlin.

The 50th anniversary of environmental group WWF will also feature in March, with portraits of 10 animals on stamps, including the African elephant, the Siberian tiger and the African Wild Dog.

Stamps in April will depict Shakespeare plays, showing theatres where the Royal Shakespeare Company has performed in Stratford-upon-Avon through the years.

Philip Parker, Royal Mail stamps spokesman, said: ''This is by far the most exciting start to a year for Royal Mail stamps. The year blasts off with Thunderbirds, Stingray and the amazing TV series of Gerry Anderson, and the excitement doesn't stop there.

''There's something for everyone in the first half of 2011, with musicals, magical realms and WWF just some of the themes dropping on the doormats across millions of homes in the UK and across the world.''