Ice Hockey World Championship 2011

Slovakia post issued a set of stamps to commemorate Ice Hockey World Championship 2011. When the Congress of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) during the IIHF World Championship 2006 in Riga, Latvia, decided to hold the 2011 World Championship in Slovakia, certainly, many hockey fans were delighted, but the officials were facing a difficult task – to provide for a presentable ice hockey stadium in Bratislava.
Based on various proposals, a solution to reconstruct the original ice rink at Tehelné Pole with a completion date by the end of 2010 was chosen. World-class hockey players will be playing in Bratislava and Košice from 29 April to 15 May, which means that the World Ice Hockey Championship is to be held in the country under the Tatra Mountains.

Slovak candidacy received 70 votes, while the Swedish one only 20 and the Hungarian one 14 votes. The last time our country received such an honour was sixteen years ago, but at that time it was a lower category, namely Group B World Cup. Since then, a lot has happened in the hockey world and even Slovaks contributed significantly to the history of the fastest collective game. In 2000 they became the world vice-champions and won silver medals.

Title: Ice Hockey World Championship 2011
Date of Issue: 25 March 2011
Country: Slovakia
Denominations: 0.40 €, 0.50 €

80th years of the Ho Chí Minh Communist Youth Union

Vietnam post issued a postage stamp to mark the 80th anniversary of the Ho Chí Minh Communist Youth Union. The H? Chí Minh Communist Youth Union is a social – political organization of Vi?t Nam youth founded by the Vi?t Nam Communist party and President H? Chí Minh.

Through 80 years, the H? Chí Minh Communist Youth Union has successfully completed its mission to considerably contribute to overall victory in the struggle for national independence, building and defending the country.

Title: 80th years of the Ho Chí Minh Communist Youth Union
Date of Issue: 26 March 2011
Country: Vietnam
Denominations: 2000d

Easter 2011 – Vatican

In the year 2011 Easter will be celebrated with a stamp featuring the central moment of the salvific mission of Our Lord as seen in a detail of a wall mural located at the main entrance to the Sistine Chapel.
The fresco is perhaps one of the least known of the Sistine Chapel and is a work by Flemish painter Hendrick van den Broeck. It is a copy of an original by Ghirlandaio which was destroyed when the door frame collapsed in 1522. The painting is one the masterpieces of the 1400s alongside the frescoed walls and great paintings by Michelangelo.

Title: Easter 2011
Date of Issue: 21 March 2011
Country: Vatican
Denominations: € 0.75

Jazz Appreciation

To celebrate America’s musical gift to the world, the U.S. Postal Service issued the Jazz Appreciation Forever Stamp.

Inspired by vintage jazz record-album covers, Pasadena, Calif., artist Paul Rogers captured the eclectic nature of jazz music and the spontaneity and improvisation of jazz artists in creating art for the Jazz Appreciation Forever Stamp.

“With this evocative Jazz stamp, we celebrate the music and the musicians who play it in studios, clubs and concert halls and on festival stages,” said Thurgood Marshall Jr., vice chairman, Postal Service Board of Governors. “I can’t think of a more perfect place to dedicate this new stamp than here in New Orleans, the birthplace of so many legendary jazz performers… and where jazz first flowered near the dawn of the 20th century.

“Jazz is a pastime that brings people together, regardless of race, ethnicity or background,” said Marshall. “It’s a lot like the Postal Service, which has been bringing people together for over 235 years, through the power of the mail.”

Title: Jazz Appreciation
Date of Issue: 26 March 2011
Country: USA
Denominations: Forever

Tanna Coffee – Vanuatu

Tanna Coffee’s objective is to provide the coffee consumer a unique and natural quality product, and ensure that the local smallholder farmers receive the maximum benefit for their efforts, while growing their product in a truly sustainable manner. The process begins with the hand picked cherries being processed at 35 pulperies on Tanna.

The cherries are pulped, naturally fermented, washed, screened and sun-dried prior to transportation to the Dry Processing Factory. Here the dry skins are removed, ‘green beans’ graded according to size and then bagged ready for shipping to Port Vila. The coffee beans are then carefully roasted as part of the 25 steps in the process from the ‘plantation to the cup’.

Modern international standard packaging completes the process. Currently, all coffee is sold in roasted and packaged form through Tanna Coffee’s facility in Port Vila with 70% being distributed locally and the balance being exported overseas. The Roasting Factory has now been developed to cater for tourist visits.

Production from the 550 farmers has increased and has allowed them the opportunity to increase their earning capacity and provide market access. Approximately 500,000 trees have been planted on Tanna alone and 100,000 planted on other adjoining islands with plans for more. The aim of creating a viable and sustainable industry capable of satisfying international demands will continue, while maintaining the unique quality that the 100% organically grown Tanna coffee possesses.

Title: Tanna Coffee – Vanuatu
Date of Issue: 23 March 2011
Country: Vanuatu
Denominations: 100 vatu x 2, 140 vatu and 160 vatu

Abd-al-Wali of Aland on stamp

On 1 April, the 'Aland cosmopolites' stamp celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of orientalist and Alander Georg August Wallin will be issued. Wallin travelled the Arab world on his exploration expeditions. To gain acceptance in and access to places otherwise forbidden to non-Muslims, he presented himself as a Russian subject from Central Asia, Muslim Abd-al-Wali.

The FDC features the desert, inspired by Georg August Wallin's journeys in the Arab world. Just like the stamp, the first day cover has gold printing.

The gutter of the stamp sheet is decorated with oriental patterns and an extract from Georg August Wallin's handwritten diary written during his first journey to the Orient.

Australia Post's Gallery Series - NGV Flowers on Stamps

This stamp issue celebrates the 150th anniversary of the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and features five paintings by Australian artists drawn from the collection of the NGV.

Flowers have long been a favourite subject of artists, and this stamp issue features a selection of floral still life paintings:

A bunch of flowers by Nora Heysen (1911-2003)
Camellias by Arnold Shore (1897-1963)
Fruit and flowers by Vida Lahey (1882-1968)
Still life, Zinnias by Roy de Maistre (1894-1968)
A cottage bunch by Hans Heysen (1877-1968).

Royal Mail to issue royal wedding stamps

The Royal Mail announced on Tuesday it planned to issue two official stamps to commemorate the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton.

The stamps will feature photographs taken by Mario Testino to mark the couple's engagement and will be available at post office branches from April 21, eight days before the ceremony.

"We are honoured to be celebrating this very special and historic occasion," said Stephen Agar of the Royal Mail.

"We believe that that this set of stamps will be very popular with people both in the UK and around the world."

The postal service said the Queen gave the final approval for the issue of the stamps.

It is the third time Prince William has appeared on a Royal Mail stamp - he was featured on a sheet of stamps to celebrate the Queen and the Queen Mother's 100th birthday in 2000 and in 2003 became the first member of the royal family to have a set of stamps produced to celebrate their 21st birthday.

He is also the first of the Queen's grandchildren to have their wedding commemorated on a set of stamps.

The commemorative stamp sheet consists of two first class stamps and two 1.10 pound stamps, which capture the couple in both formal and informal poses.

The formal image was taken in the Council Chamber of St James's Palace in London while the informal image shows the couple in the Palace's Cornwall room.

First Class Way To Save Endangered Animals

The Royal Mail has issued a set of stamps, miniature sheet and prestige stamp book to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of WWF. Forests are the Post Europ theme for 2011 so the WWF Miniature Sheet depicts the Amazon Rainforest where the WWF are involved in a number of projects to protect and conserve the forest and its plants and animals. The 1st Class stamp bears the Post Europ logo in addition to the WWF logo.

The stamps show the African Elephant, Siberian Tiger, Mountain Gorilla, Polar Bear, Amur Leopard, African Wild Dog, Golden Lion Tamarin, Iberian Lynx, Red Panda and Black Rhinoceros.

David Nussbaum of WWF-UK said: "The stamps raise awareness of the global conservation challenges we continue to tackle head on, such as deforestation, climate change, and reducing humanity's footprint on the natural world. Behind every stamp is a story of hope and the organisation's determination to build a future where people and nature thrive."

Owners of iPhones will also be able to scan the stamps to view exclusive WWF endangered species video footage.

Slovenian stamp to honor 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Paris

Posta Slovenije has released a stamp honoring 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Paris.

The stamp was illustrated and designed by Matjaz Ucakar, Ljubljana.

Numerous different international treaties and peace accords have been signed in Paris throughout history. The term Treaty of Paris most often refers to the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, which was signed in Paris on 18 April 1951 at the initiative of French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman. The Treaty, which was ratified by Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the former Federal Republic of Germany, entered into force on 26 July 1952 and remained in force until 23 July 2005.

The establishing of the Community was the beginning of the realisation of a vision of efforts to establish peace and overcome nationalism in Europe, which was increasingly present in the exhausted countries after the end of the Second World War.

The successful cooperation in the European Coal and Steel Community led six years later to the founding of the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community by the same countries. Both treaties were signed on the same day in Rome and are now referred to as the Treaties of Rome. With the signing of these treaties, the path to a union of European countries was laid out. The Treaty of Paris was thus the formal beginning of the process which finally led to the creation of the European Union, and therefore the anniversary of its signing is an important date for all EU Member States.

New Easter postage stamps by Croatia

Croatian Post has released fourteen new commemorative postage stamps with the theme "Easter - Stations of the Cross". Each stamp depicts one of the fourteen Stations of the Cross and has a face value of HRK 3.10.

A work by Zlatan Vrkljan, a contemporary Croatian visual artist, was selected for the motif of the stamps, while the stamps themselves were created by Orsat Frankovic and Ivana Vucic, designers from Zagreb.

This Easter, Croatian Post has decided to issue fourteen new commemorative stamps, each one portraying one Station of the Cross, the depiction of the final hours in the life of Jesus Christ.

The tradition of the Stations of the Cross originated in pilgrimages to Jerusalem, where pilgrims followed the footsteps of Christ to the cross. The artist, Zlatan Vrkljan, has created many sacral works, varying from oil paintings to stained glass, and has held exhibitions in Croatia and other countries in the world. He has also represented Croatia at the Venice Biennale.

NZ Post Recalls Royal Wedding Stamp Packs

New Zealand Post wants to recall more than 2000 Royal wedding stamp collection packs after an 'embarrassing' mistake.

The text on the presentation pack issued on Wednesday, said Prince William was born on 21 May 1982. The correct date was 21 June.

New Zealand Post says the error was not picked up during the checking process and it is regrettable and embarrassing.

The company is asking people to return the product.

But a leading British stamp dealers, Apex Philatelic Auctions, says people should not return them because the mistake, and the small number of packs may increase their value.

150th Anniversary of the Unity of Italy, joint issue of Italy and Vatican

On 21 March, 2011 the Italian Post jointly with the Vatican Philatelic Office issued a minisheet commemorating 150 years of the Unity of Italy. In 1861 the Kingdom of Italy was created by the unification of Italy under the influence of the Kingdom of Sardinia which is its legal predecessor State. It existed until 1946 when the Italians opted for a republican constitution.

The stamp reproduces the vintage photo depicting a view of Piazza del Popolo in Rome, with the Flaminio obelisk and, the twin churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto in background.

The stamp is surrounded by a linear framework with the colors of the Italian flag, at top left and right logos of the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy and the Italian Post are reproduced respectively.

NZ Post set to release royal wedding stamps

New Zealand Post has issued its official stamps for the royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton.

There are two choices available, one in which the prince and his future bride are standing and a second in which they are in a casual pose.

New Zealand Post chose the images from the couple's official engagement shoot, and both options have a silver fern in the bottom left corner.

"It's the wedding of the year and it's something in which everybody can have a share of and keep," said Ivor Masters from NZ Post.

The NZ Post is also responsible for the design of the Niue version of the stamps.

The royal wedding will be held at Westminster Abbey on April 29.

New Book on Stamps of Ethiopia Published in British Virgin Islands

A new book narrating the story of Ethiopian stamps from the days of Menelik II and Ras Tafari to date has been published in the British Virgin Islands.

The book is aimed at new collectors who have an interest in Ethiopian stamps and provides very useful information on all aspects of Ethiopian philately: from the introduction of a postal service in Addis Ababa in 1895, to the rise to power of Ras Tafari, his exile and the 1942 restoration of Haile Selassie.

The book also examines stamp issues of the revolutionary period and those of the 1990s and the new millennium.

Specific chapters deal with the Lion of Judah, early mail, the rise of Tafari, the post-war years, thematic stamps of Ethiopia, Ethiopian stamp designers, philatelic literature and a specialized approach to collecting Ethiopian stamps and postal history.

The 48-page book is profusely illustrated in color and is being sold in Europe and USA by specialised booksellers.

The author of "An Introduction to the Stamps of Ethiopia, from the Queen of Sheba to the Third Millennium" is BVI Philatelic Society president Dr. Giorgio Migliavacca.

International Year of Forests - stamp from Argentina

The Argentina Post has issued a stamp commemorating the International Year of Forests (IYF). It illustrates a synthesis of a tree and its reflection which presents the logo of IYF.

The icons that make up the foliage and the trunk of this tree represent the diversity which is vital for the provision of goods and services, tangible and intangible.

The position of man points to his role in the care of the forest.

All these elements reinforce the concept that forests are vital to the survival and welfare of people, food and medicine production, preservation of plant and animal species, regulation of water basins and the balance of climate and, in short, the whole environment.

Three new stamps in 'Croatian Fauna' series

Croatian Post has released three new commemorative postage stamps in the "Croatian Fauna" series.

The stamps feature endangered species which inhabit the territory of the Republic of Croatia: the brown bear (face value HRK 1.60), Eleonora's Falcon (face value HRK 3.10) and the Mediterranean Monk Seal (face value HRK 4.60).

The authors of the photographs featured on the stamps are Duro Huber (brown bear), Gvido Piasevoli (Eleonora's Falcon) and Gianni Pechario (Mediterranean Monk Seal).

The stamps themselves were created by Tomislav Vlainic, a designer from Split.

Gibraltar Stamps Europa 2010 - Children's books stamps series Europa 2010 - Children's books stamp series SEPAC 2009 Stamps SEPAC 2009 Stamps - Beau

The French Post has released a stamp commemorating the creative work of French artist Jean Bazaine.

Major painter of the School of Paris, Jean Bazaine seeks through his work the unity between man and the outside world. His quest for the impregnation of elements naturally leads him to the theme of water.

The stamp features one of his pictures entitled "Plongee" (Submersion).

Mysterious Liangzhu Artifacts on new Chinese stamps

The Chinese Post has issued a set of two stamps dedicated to the famous Liangzhu jade artifacts - Jade-cong and Jade-bi.

Jade-cong and Jade-bi were produced by the Liangzhu culture (3400-2250 BC); later examples date mainly from the Shang and Zhou dynasties.

In form, a cong is a tube with a circular inner section and squarish outer section. The outer surface is divided vertically or horizontally such that the whole defines a hollow cylinder embedded in a partial rectangular block. Proportions vary - a cong may be squat or taller than it is wide. The outer faces are sometimes decorated with masklike faces, which may be related to the taotie designs found on later bronze vessels.

A bi is a flat jade disc with a circular hole in the centre. Neolithic bi are undecorated, while those of later periods of China, like the Zhou dynasty, bear increasingly ornate surface carving (particularly in a hexagonal pattern) whose motifs represented deities associated with the sky (four directions) as well as standing for qualities and powers the wearer wanted to invoke or embody.

Although generally considered to be a ritual object of some sort, the original function and meaning of the cong and bi are unknown. Later writings speak of the cong as symbolizing the earth, while the bi represents the heavens. The square represents the earth and a circle represents the heavens.

Motorbikes – Apfelbeck

Just two years after releasing the R100, the first KTM motorbike, the Mattighofen based company launched itself in the image-conscious sport of road racing in 1955.
At that time four-stroke engines were a much more promising basis for success in constructing a racing machine than the robust two-stroke engines of the endurance sport (nowadays called “Endurosport”) as used by KTM in their production models.

However, since the KTM range did not include any four-stroke engines, two production racing bikes from MV Agusta had to act as organ donors. The 125-cc Italian engines were built into a KTM chassis with a leading link fork, the so-called Earles Fork, in order to carry out the first tests.

Title: Motorbikes – Apfelbeck
Date of Issue: 15 March 2011
Country: Austria
Denominations: 0.75 EUR

Fishes of Taiwan

The native freshwater fish of Taiwan’s rivers, lakes, and estuaries comprise the most diverse group of vertebrates within the island’s terrestrial ecosystem. Taiwan Post issued a set of stamps to introduce the beauty of Taiwan’s freshwater fishes. The first set of the series features Taiwan endemic fishes: Candidia barbatus, Opsariichthys pachycephalus, Spinibarbus hollandi, and Squalidus banarescui.

1. Candidia barbatus (NT$5): This silver white fish has an obvious deep blue lateral stripe extending from its gill cover to the base of its caudal fin. It typically measures about 6 to 12 centimeters long, but large examples can sometimes reach 20 centimeters. It is commonly seen in the upper stretches of rivers and their branches in western Taiwan. As a result of human introduction in recent years, it can be found in the rivers of the Hualien and Taitung.

2. Opsariichthys pachycephalus (NT$5): An adult male has some ten blue-green vertical streaks on the sides of its body and displays nuptial coloration in the area below its gill covers as well as at its pelvic, pectoral, and anal fins. Vigorous and ferocious, the species’ strong predatory characteristics make it a popular target for stream fishing. It typically measures about 8 to 15 centimeters long, but large examples can reach 20 centimeters. It is commonly seen in the rivers of western Taiwan.

3. Spinibarbus hollandi (NT$12): The fish has a medium-to-large mouth aperture and two pairs of barbels. The back of its body is slate gray and its sides are silver white. This large carp typically measures about 20 to 40 centimeters long. The largest examples can reach 60 centimeters in length. The stamp features a medium-sized adult. It can be found in the middle stretches of rivers in southern and eastern Taiwan.

4. Squalidus banarescui (NT$25): This fish is slightly transparent, with a black and gold lateral line on the sides of its body. There is a black marking that resembles the Chinese character for eight “?” on each of its lateral line scales. This small carp measures about 8 to 10 centimeters long. It can only be found in relatively deep and slow and slightly muddy rivers in central Taiwan.

Title: Fishes of Taiwan
Date of Issue: 10 March 2011
Country: Taiwan
Denominations: NT$5, NT$5, NT$12, NT$25

Women of Achievement II

Celebrating 100 years since the Nobel Prize for Chemistry was awarded to Marie Curie, four stamps will feature just a few of the many women whose achievements are internationally renowned.

Title: Women of Achievement II
Date of Issue: 8 March 2011
Country: Jersey
Denominations: 36p, 45p, 60p, 72p

New Zodiac Postage Stamp by Canada Post

This stamp in honour of Aries, the Ram, features a stylized ram's head in the foreground, with the constellation from which it originates in the background. This twinning of imagery will continue on every stamp in the series.

Aries is the sign that begins the zodiacal year, and those born under it are thought to be natural leaders, open to new ideas and staunch defenders of freedom of thought.

According to Paprika Design's Creative Director and Associate Louis Gagnon, the design assignment was both rigorous and stimulating. "We wanted to design a series with a strong aesthetic value, but also develop it on multiple levels to bring depth and relevance to each stamp issue in the series." Gagnon adds, "We hope collectors will enjoy discovering all the attributes of the entire series over the years."

For Stamp Design Manager Alain Leduc, this series is both intensely creative and informative. "Each stamp reflects the characteristics of the sign's main attributes and colours in a very contemporary and sensitive way, each OFDC reveals a more precise understanding of the stars' positions in the universe - and even the cancels for each sign depict early modern simplifications of the conventional pictorial representations of the signs, symbolism that has existed since the Hellenistic age. The entire series is an astrological learning experience."

On this topic of continuity and complementary imagery, Leduc adds that this year's souvenir sheet of 4 stamps - to be released in July - will add yet another level of information and show how facts have been a force in the design, since the constellations of all four stamps will be shown on the same sheet.

"Just wait until we get to see the entire set of 12 first day cover - which have been designed to form a wheel of the zodiac of all 12 sun signs, created simply by positioning each envelope as part of a coloured circle, as if they were on a sky map. This series is the perfect example of how understanding and respecting the information brings richness and dimension to the design - this is what stamps are all about."

Europa 2011 Postage Stamps by San Marino

The Europa 2011 theme is dedicated to forests. This set by San Marino is made up of two values: the ˆ0.60 value represents an age-old lush, flourishing forest, contrasted with the image of the ˆ0.65 value, which shows a pile of tree-trunks as a symbol of man's repeated, uncontrolled and unauthorised exploitation.

The images have been taken in the Teso Forest of the Municipality of San Marcello Pistoiese in the Tosco-Emilian Apennine.

'Centenary of Powered Flight in Hong Kong' Special Stamp Issue

Hongkong Post has issued a stamp sheetlet commemorating the centenary of powered flight in Hong Kong.

The aviation industry is one of the key drivers underpinning the rapid development of Hong Kong into an export, tourism and logistics hub. The era of powered flight in Hong Kong was initiated by Mr Charles Van den Born, a pioneer from Belgium, who took to the sky over Sha Tin in a Farman biplane on March 18, 1911.

The design of the stamp sheetlet comprises a backdrop set in nostalgic colours depicting the busy flow of passenger and air traffic as well as skyscrapers along Hong Kong's shoreline. The core feature includes two stamps capturing a historic moment when the Farman biplane lifted off and its replica on display at the Hong Kong International Airport.

Easter 2011 postage stamp by Hungary

In keeping with its traditions Magyar Posta is releasing a new postage stamp to send greetings at Easter.

The stamp design uses a reproduction of a work by the textile artist Erzsebet Szekeres entitled Hungarian Golgotha. The stamp's first day cover is adorned by a detail from another work by the same artist, Lamb of God. The graphic design of the special postmark employs a stylised version of the lamb on the cover.

Belarus celebrates 850th anniversary of the Cross of St. Euphrosyne of Polatsk

On March 21, 2011 the Republic of Belarus will issue two souvenir sheets entitled "850th anniversary of the Cross of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk".

The Cross of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk is a unique monument of jeweler's art of ancient Belarus, religious and spiritual treasure of the Belarusians.

The Cross was created on request of St. Euphrosyne as an ark for storage of Christian relics by the Polotsk craftsman Lazar Bohsa in 1161. It is made in the form of a six-pointed cross of height 51,5 cm. First the Cross was kept in Polotsk, then from 1929 to 1941 - in Mogilev Regional Museum. In 1941 it disappeared without a trace during the evacuation of the museum. In 1997 Brest artist-jeweler Nikolai Kuzmich made the full-size copy of the Cross, which was inaugurated and handed over to the Savior and St. Euphrosyne convent in Polotsk.

New Kate Middleton and Prince William Royal Wedding Postage Stamps Released

The Cook Islands, a New Zealand Dependency in the South Pacific, are getting into the Royal Wedding spirit by releasing some Royal Wedding related stamps.

Each mint set of 10 features candid photos of the Royal Couple, highlighted by a stamp picturing the sapphire and diamond engagement ring - the same ring Charles gave to Diana on their engagement 30 years ago! These 30 historic mint stamps and 3 commemorative sheets are truly a glorious beginning to an extraordinary new collection.

New 'Treasures of Malta' stamps

The Philatelic Bureau of MaltaPost p.l.c. continues its series of "Treasures of Malta" with the issue of a philatelic commemorative set of three stamps.

The stamps feature some of Malta's cultural and unique landscapes which are Valletta, Manoel Island and Cittadella.

The stamps are designed by local artist Edward Said.

The ˆ0.37 stamp depicting the Manoel Island will form part of the third in series of the joint stamp issue titled "Beautiful Corners of Europe 3" in the SEPAC Collection (Small European Postal Administrations Cooperation). The SEPAC collection will include a special folder containing the 12 SEPAC stamps issued this year from each member postal administration. The SEPAC issues are aimed to highlight member countries and promote philately. SEPAC members are the postal administrations of Aland Islands, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Guernsey, Iceland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, and Gibraltar.

Vegetables of Yore stamps from Belgium

The Belgium Post has issued a "Nature" series dedicated to ancient vegetables returning to the flavor of the day:

a. pink potatoes and artichoke
b. squash
c. purple carrot and parsnip
d. chard
e. cardoon

NZ Kapa Haka 2011 stamps

Kapa Haka means to stand in a row or rank (kapa) and dance (haka). Distinctive from other indigenous performing arts, Kapa Haka combines song, dance, expression and movement. It's an art form that takes on various disciplines, as illustrated in New Zealand Post's latest stamp issue that captures the dynamism and strong cultural tradition of Kapa Haka.

Performed both ceremonially and competitively, the power of Kapa Haka to convey a range of emotions is undeniable. Every two years, the nation's most elite Kapa Haka performers come together to compete at Te Matatini National Festival - widely regarded as the 'premier Maori cultural performing arts festival'.

The six self-adhesive stamps in this compelling issue feature stances that illustrate six aspects of Kapa Haka performance. Each team competing at Te Matatini Festival consists of 20 or more members and performs for 30 minutes, during which time they cover each of the six disciplines of Kapa Haka.

The groups featured on the stamps represent excellence at Te Matatini 2009 as defined by Te Matatini Society. The five teams that appear on the stamps achieved a top three overall placing, or were winners of one of the six disciplines.

European Year of Volunteering stamp from Luxembourg

The European Year of Volunteering aims to create favorable conditions for volunteering in the European Union and to increase the visibility of activities in a broad range of volunteering activities.

The European Year has the following objectives:

- To work to put in place a favorable framework for volunteering in the European Union
- To provide the means for voluntary organizations to act and improve the quality of volunteers
- To reward and recognize the activities of volunteers
- To increase public awareness of the value and importance of volunteering

The program of events taking place in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in support of the European Year of Volunteering found on benevolat.lu

U.S. Postage Commemorative Forever Stamps Honor Entertainment Giants

Five legendary musicians and performers of the Latin sound whose contributions have had a lasting impact on American music - Selena, Carlos Gardel, Carmen Miranda, Tito Puente, and Celia Cruz - today were honored on U.S. commemorative Forever stamps.

"From this day forward, these colorful, vibrant images of our Latin music legends will travel on letters and packages to every single household in America," said Marie Therese Dominguez, vice president, Government Relations and Public Policy.

"In this small way, we have created a lasting tribute to five extraordinary performers, and we are proud and honored to share their legacy with Americans everywhere through these beautiful stamps," Dominguez said.

Among the distinctive musical genres and styles represented by the music legends featured on the Forever stamps are Tejano, tango, samba, Latin jazz and salsa.

Russian stamp commemorates Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics

The Russian Post has issued a stamp block dedicated to the XXII Winter Olympic Games which will be held in Sochi, Russian Federation from 7 to 23 February 2014. The block illustrates the logo of the XXII Winter Olympics on a background of snow-covered slopes of Krasnaya Polyana, as well as a stylized torch with ribbons, painted in Olympic colors.

Sochi won the right to host the Winter Games at the 119th IOC session in Guatemala in 2007 over Pyongyang (South Korea), Salzburg (Austria), Alma Ata (Kazakhstan), Borzhomi (Georgia), Sofia (Bulgaria) and Jaca (Spain).

Dynasty stamps from Luxembourg

The Luxembourg Post has issued two stamps commemorating the 90th Anniversary of HRH Grand-Duke Jean and the 30th Birthday of HRH the Hereditary Grand-Duke Guillaume.

Grand Duke Jean has served His country as Chief of State for 36 years. Born on 5 January 1921 at Berg Castle and given the name Guillaume Robert Antoine Louis Marie Adolphe Marc d'Aviano of Luxembourg, He is the eldest son of the Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg and Prince Felix of Bourbon Parma. He succeeded his mother the Grand Duchess Charlotte on 12 November 1964. On the same day He was name General of the Luxembourg Army. On 9 April 1953, He married Princess Josephine-Charlotte of Belgium. Five children were born from this union: Princess Marie-Astrid, Prince Henri, Prince Jean, Princess Margaretha, and Prince Guillaume. On 7 October 2000, Grand Duke Jean abdicated in favor of His eldest son Henri.

Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg (Given names: Guillaume Jean Joseph Marie; born 11 November 1981) has been Heir Apparent to the crown of Luxembourg since his father's accession in 2000. He is also a descendant of the House of Nassau, founded in 1093, which has ruled Luxembourg since 1890. Guillaume was born in Luxembourg and is the eldest child of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and his wife Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Cuban-born.

Sea Squirts and Sponges on Jersey Post's Stamps

On 7th April 2011, Jersey Post will issue the ninth set of postage stamps in the Jersey Marine Life series. The six stamps and Souvenir Miniature Sheet feature some of the Squirts and Sponges waiting to be discovered in the sea surrounding the Island.

The stamps and Souvenir Miniature Sheet are as follows:

Local Letter Service (36p) - Gooseberry Sea Squirt
Local Priority Service (39p) - Yellow Finger Sponge
UK letter (45p) - Purse Sponge
60p - Star Squirt
72p - Light Bulb Sea Squirt
80p - Red Sea Squirt
£2.12 - Souvenir Miniature Sheet

Amnesty International, Stamp Day and Bowling special stamps from Luxembourg

The Luxembourg Post has issued three stamps commemorating the important events from the social life of the country.

The first stamp is dedicated to the 50th Anniversary of Amnesty International. Amnesty International is a movement dedicated to human rights of which independence and impartiality are fundamental principles. Amnesty International takes action to improve the lives of people by calling for international solidarity. Its members exert influence on governments, political authorities, and intergovernmental organizations. The association includes more than 2.8 million members in more than 150 countries and regions. Luxembourg has 4,000 members and donors of Amnesty International. The mission of Amnesty consists of conducting research and taking action to prevent and stop serious attacks on civil, political, social, cultural, and economic rights.

The second stamp celebrates 75 Years of Stamp Day. It was Hans von Rudolphi, an eminent German philatelist, who in support of a joint exhibition with Hungary in 1927 proposed to the Congress of German philatelists in Dantzig an annual commemoration of Stamp Day. The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg celebrated the first Stamp Day on 23 April 1939. The second commemoration took place on 17 March 1940, just before the invasion of the Grand Duchy by Nazi troops. After the liberation, the 4th Stamp Day was organized in Luxembourg on 30 September 1945. This year the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the creation of Stamp Day in Luxembourg will take place from 14 to 16 October in Wiltz. It is being organized by the SOPHIA Philatelic Circle of Wiltz.

The third stamp was issued to celebrate 50 Years of Bowling Federation. Formed on 13 July 1961, and now including almost 4,000 nine pin bowlers, the Bowling Federation is crowning 50 years of success marked by the winning of the world championship and the European championship at the team level as well as the individual level. The history of the federation, which includes not only its sporting achievements but also its cultural goals and social integration, will be covered in a 50th anniversary book. The stamp underlines the historical importance of bowling and recognizes the efforts supported by the Luxembourg Federation of Bowling.

2011 Games of the Small States of Europe stamps by Liechtenstein

The Liechtenstein Post has issued three stamps in honor of 2011 Games of the Small States of Europe held this year in Liechtenstein.

From 30 May to 4 June 2011 the Principality of Liechtenstein is for the second time since 1999 hosting the biennial Games of the Small States and under the slogan "Be part of it" bids sportsmen and -women from the European countries (Andorra, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino and Cyprus) come and participate in an honorable sporting contest. Some 800 men and women athletes are expected at the "LieGames", as the Games are called in the sport-crazed Principality; on five competition days these athletes will contend with one another at 13 venues in nine different sports and 108 events.

The Games of the Small States, held for the first time in San Marino in 1985 and taking place in 2011 for the 14th time, are supported by the European Olympic Committee (EOC).

In a design competition it was laid down that all nine of the sports featuring in the Games of the Small States 2011 should be reflected in the design of this stamp series. This requirement was met best by the Ruggell designer and former top sportsman Rene Michlig: the stamps, printed by photogravure, have been realized appropriately in the metallic colors of the medals awarded at such sporting events: "Bronze" (face value CHF 0.85), "Silver" (face value CHF 1.00) and "Gold" (face value CHF 1.40). The Bronze stamp depicts the competition categories athletics, volleyball and cycling, the Silver stamp shows judo, shooting and squash and the Gold stamp table tennis, tennis and swimming.

Australia Post's Floral Festival Stamps

The five stamps in this issue feature colourful photographic depictions of popular flower species - the gerbera, jacaranda, Australian everlasting, violet and tulip.

The flowers featured in the stamp issue each represent a better known floral festival, and together the stamps represent festivals in urban and regional areas across the country. These festivals draw attention and participation both nationally and from overseas and they are important to the local culture and economy of their respective communities.

KTM Motorcycle Celebrated On New Austrian Stamp

Fans of classic motorcycles may be interested in a new celebratory stamp issued by Austrian Post which depicts the KTM 125 - one of the earliest from the KTM stable.

Founded in 1934 by engineer Hans Trunkenpolz, KTM became a leader in off-road motorcycle production leading to the development of a range of motorcycles for all ages and requirements including the 2010 model - the 650 Enduro (pictured). It is however the KTM 125 that the company was perhaps the most famous for. At the time this model was introduced, KTM had just 20 employees, building just three cycles per day.

The stamp, which costs 0.75 Euros, was designed by Hannes Margreiter.

"KTM Motorcycles have long been the dream of many motorcycle enthusiasts. Back in 2006 we released another KTM motorcycle stamp depicting the R125 Tarzan - and now we have found another legendary motorcycle for this series," said Austrian Post Executive, Herbert Gotz.

Bird of the Year, Eurasian Curlew on new stamp from Belarus

On March 14, 2011 Belarus will issue a new stamp in its "Bird of the year" series featuring Eurasian Curlew.

The stamp is issued with the assistance of the public organization "Ahova ptushak Batskaushchyny" (Protection of Homeland Birds) which declared the Eurasian Curlew a bird of the year 2011.

There are logos of the International organization of birds protection "BirdLife International" and Belarus public organization "Ahova ptushak Batskaushchyny" (APB) on the stamps.

The Eurasian Curlew, Numenius arquata, is a wader in the large family Scolopacidae. It is the one of the most widespread of the curlews, breeding across temperate Europe and Asia. The largest wader in its range, at 50-57 cm length, and a 1 m wingspan. It is mainly grayish brown, with a white back, and a very long curved bill. Males and females look identical, but the bill is longest in the adult female. The familiar call, from which this bird gets its name, is a loud curloo-oo.

Centennial of Suankularb Long Building Stamp from Thailand

This new Thai stamp is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Suankularb School.

Suankularb Wittayalai School is an all-boys secondary school in Thailand and the first public secondary school of the country.

"Suankularb" means "rose garden" in Thai, as the original school was located in the area of a rose garden in the Grand Palace. The school was established by King Chulalongkorn on 8 March 1882 and was originally for Royal Page Lieutenants; it has always benefited from royal patronage.

The school became popular and grew quickly, changing its focus from military training to a much more broadly-based curriculum that reflected the needs of its students. The number of students rapidly swelled to many hundreds, consequently some were relocated to other educational institutes outside the Grand Palace area. The opening of the first building at this site (called the Memorial Suan Kularb Building, but known among students as "the long building" because for many years it was the longest building in the country) was presided over personally by His Majesty King Rama V. It was at this event that he famously announced the importance of education as a means of developing the country.

Renewable Energy II stamps by Liechtenstein

The Liechtenstein Post launches the second part of its "Renewable Energy" series.

This series of stamps started in 2010 features such energy sources, which are self-renewing and thus sustainably available resources.

"Photovoltaics" (face value CHF 1.00) is one of the few possible means of obtaining electricity from renewable energy. It works by converting solar energy directly into electricity by means of solar cells, which are predominantly made from silicon. Appropriately therefore this stamp also depicts a solar power module. By 2013 the installed capacity of the existing photovoltaic systems in Liechtenstein is to be increased by a factor of 2.5.

"Solar energy" (face value CHF 1.10) can however also be used to produce heat. This is done by means of the solar panels illustrated on the stamp, which are generally mounted on house roofs. In this field the aim is to triple the total area of solar panels in Liechtenstein by 2013.

The significance in Liechtenstein of "Wind power" (face value CHF 2.90) is still slight, despite the sometimes strong winds. In Liechtenstein's few wind turbines rotation of the rotors is converted into electrical energy and fed into the general electricity grid.

A heat-sensitive ink has also been used in this stamp series designed by Vito Noto. The body heat of a finger pressed on the black thermal ink causes a colored pictogram to appear which represents the energy which can be regenerated.

Decorative Eggs on Liechtenstein Post's Stamps

For the second time since 2001 the Liechtenstein Post issues a stamp series dedicated to the exquisite decorative eggs collected by the Liechtenstein art connoisseur Adulf Peter Goop. In June 2010 he donated to the State of Liechtenstein his wide-ranging art collection including a unique collection of over 2,000 elaborately decorated Easter eggs.

The "Moscow workshop" stamp (face value CHF 1.00) shows a two-part Easter egg in cloisonne enamel, supported on a stand with three feet in the shape of a fish. Round the middle of the egg run two banderols made from white points, above which stand the Cyrillic letters "X B" for "Khristos Voskresie" (Christ is risen).

The most famous egg in the collection is the so-called "Apple Blossom Egg" by the jeweler "Karl Faberge", which bears the maker's mark of Mikhail Y. Perkhin (face value CHF 1.40). It is made of nephrite (jade), two-color gold, diamonds and enamel and stands on four red-gold feet in the form of miniature apple trees. The leaves are of green gold, the petals are enameled in opaque white and their centre and the buds are set with diamonds on pink foil.

The third egg was made by the tsar's court jeweler, "Pavel Akimovich Ovchinnikov" (face value CHF 2.60). It is likewise a two-part Easter egg in cloisonne enamel, chased silver, gilded and set with Russian garnets. The background shows Red Square with St. Basil's Cathedral. The printing process used is combined offset and steel engraving; the background is gold.

Tristan Corbiere stamp by France

France has issued a stamp commemorating the French poet with a tragic fate Tristan Corbiere.

Tristan Corbiere (18 July 1845 - 1 March 1875) was born in Coat-Congar, Ploujean, near Morlaix in Brittany, where he lived most of his life and where he died.

His mother belonged to one of the most prominent families of the local bourgeoisie. His father was known for his best-selling novel Le Negrier.

During his schooling at the Imperial Lycee of Saint-Brieuc where he studied from 1858 until 1860, he fell prey to a deep depression, and, over several freezing winters, contracted the severe rheumatism which was to disfigure him severely. He blamed his parents for having placed him there, far from his family's care and affection. Difficulties in adapting to the harsh discipline of the college gradually developed those characteristics of anarchic disdain and sarcasm which were to give much of his verse its distinctive voice.

His work was little known until Paul Verlaine included him in his gallery of poetes maudits (accursed poets), but Verlaine's recommendation was enough to get his work noticed and established him as one of the masters acknowledged by the Symbolists.

His only published verse in his lifetime appeared in "Les amours jaunes" (Yellow love), 1873. Corbiere died of tuberculosis at the age of 29.

The stamp represents the profile of Tristan Corbiere and several verses from "Les amours jaunes"

Four Elements - set of stamps from Germany

The German Post has issued four new stamps in its "Post" series - this time dedicated to the "four elements".

From time immemorial, the elements of "Water", "Earth", "Fire" and "Air" determine people's lives. From one part, they are indispensable foundations of life, but in their extreme forms of uncontrollable forces of nature they can be threatening at the same time.

Water: it quenches thirst and is the habitat of many animals and plants, but due to high tide and flooding water can be threatening. Water is a chemical compound of hydrogen and oxygen and is the only substance present in all three states: hard as ice, liquid in streams and lakes and gas in water vapor and clouds. From the perspective of religion and tradition water often plays a significant role. It stands for purity and authenticity and the ablution is essential part of religious practice.

Earth: plants grow on it, but huge tracts of land called earthquake are able to destroy buildings and even whole cities. The earth is made up of minerals, water and air in various manifestations and forms and "donates" to people the important raw materials. The symbol of the "Mother Earth" was made by many cultures and religions in the Center of the World Picture.

Fire: it warms and gives light, but also destroys it. It is made from fire light and heat. An uncontrolled fire after a spontaneous combustion, a lightning strike or a volcanic eruption could destroy everything. But fire fascinates people again and again despite everything. Negative impact of fascination is the often occurring arson. About 800,000 years ago humans learned how to make fire and use it.

Air: we need it to breathe, but when the wind turns into storm, hurricanes and tornadoes developing its destructive power, we suffer from it. The wind also plays a role in many religions. In the Bible, for example, the wind is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The air, mixture of different gases (78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% carbon dioxide and other gases) extends to a height of about 20 kilometers.

Lifetime of Service issue by Ascension Island

To commemorate a Lifetime of Service by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, a special set of stamps and souvenir sheets is being issued by the Ascension Island Post Office.

The stamps which are diamond shaped will be issued as a set of six with denominations 15p, 25p, 35p, 40p, 60p and £1.25p each printed in sheetlets of eight with decorative borders.

The same stamps will appear in a diamond shaped miniature sheet with two additional labels with face value of £3.00.

There will also be a single souvenir sheet containing a large diamond shaped stamp with denomination of £2.00p.

All stamps comprise of photographic portraits of Her Majesty, Prince Philip or the Royal Couple together.

New Iranian 'Nature Day' postage stamps

Iran Post has recently released its "Nature Day" commemorative stamps. The set features the images representing four seasons of the year. According to the Philairan.post.ir website, the stamps were designed by Mrs. Taheri and Mr. Sarrafzadegan using graphic computer technique.

International Women's Day stamp from Italy

The Italian Post has issued a stamp to celebrate the International Women's Day.

It illustrates three female faces in a row, representing the characteristic features of Caucasian, Asian and African women; on the left, within the word "donna" (woman), an image of planet Earth is integrated with the female symbol used in biology.