World Stamps News

Belarus: Thirteenth definitive issue “Belarusian ornament” #Stamps

2012-01-25T05:58:00.001-08:00

On January 27, 2012 the Ministry of Communications and Informatization of the Republic of Belarus will issue 2 stamps of the 13th definitive issue "Belarusian ornament".

Designer: Yauheniya Biadonik. Printing: offset. Colour: multicoloured. Paper: chalk-surfaced, gummed. Perforation: comb 13^1/4: 14. Size of the stamps: 18x26 mm. Sheet composition: 21 (7x3) stamps. Size of the sheets: 144x110 mm. Print quantity: mass production.

No. 901

Belarusian ornament

Elements of protection

Letter "N" is equal to the surface tariff of a postcard abroad.

No. 901

Belarusian ornament

Elements of protection

Letter "M" is equal to the air-mail tariff of a postcard abroad.

SOURCE:

http://www.belpost.by/eng/stamps/stamp-catalogue/2012-chrono-eng/03-2012-19-01-eng/

PNG: Reef Fish (Assorted)

2012-01-25T05:50:00.001-08:00

Papua New Guinea is at the heart of what's known as the 'Coral Triangle', a semi-triangular geographical region that includes the tropical waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, Timor-Leste, the Solomon Islands, the Philippine Islands and PNG, incorporating an area of almost 6 million square kilometres of ocean.

This unique and fascinating oceanic environment is a zone of complex ecosystems and is the global centre of biodiversity harbouring more species than any marine environment on the planet. Not only does the Coral Triangle have the highest diversity of coral anywhere in the world... over 600 species, embracing over 75% of the world's known total, it also boasts the highest assortment of reef fish as well... over 2,200 species, comprising over 50% of all coral reef fishes in the entire Indo-Pacific region and over one third of all known world wide.

PNG is right in the middle with a reef fish species count of well over 2,100. The reasons for this extraordinary congregation of undersea life are as vast and as varied as the range of habitats within PNG, and perhaps might be the impetus for another stamp issue in the future. The bountiful diversity of life in Papua New Guinea's reefs is as remarkable as it is breathtaking. To try and create a small, but representative sampling of reef fish found in the waters of PNG is a nearly impossible undertaking for there are so many beautiful, unusual and iridescent specimens from which to choose. Suffice it to say, the creation of this publication involved some very difficult decisions given the array of choices available from PNG's amazing reef dwellers.

Diving since 1959, I have logged in excess of 10,000 dives world wide to date. I began diving PNG in 1990 and have returned over and over again, drawn by its incredible, pristine underwater beauty and the prolific culture of the country on the surface. After well over 1,000 hours underwater exploring and photographing PNG's amazing reefs and coral reef creatures, without doubt, of all the places I have visited around the world in the band of Tropics, Papua New Guinea boasts the 'best of the best' in world class diving opportunities. On numerous of my many PNG diving adventures, I have attempted to count the different species of reef fish I encountered just to have an idea of the abundance I was experiencing.

These 'fish count' dives lasted sometimes over an hour with a maximum depth to approximately 35 metres. On all these dives, in very different geographical locations (from Kimbe Bay to Milne Bay; from the Bismarck Sea to the Coral Sea; from Madang to Rabaul; from Kavieng to Alotah to Port Moresby), my 'creature count' exceeded 200 species... in each case... on one dive, in one hour! Nowhere else in the world have I experienced such munificence of marine diversity.

I founded PHOTODIVE INTERNATIONAL (www.photodive.ca) well over 25 years ago with the goal of creating a diving oriented, educational organization. Its ongoing primary directive is the creation of an extensive library of underwater images for use in conjunction with articles, public awareness presentations, the promotion of eco-tourism and the development of definitive publications, all dedicated to the preservation of ocean and coastal ecosystems and environments around the world. Papua New Guinea's underwater biodiversity, and that of the Coral Triangle are currently at a critical fail/safe point.

These crucial marine environments are being threatened by a number of pressing issues: destructive and/or unsustainable fishing; poor marine management; local disregard for the future of marine fish stocks; pollution from growing urban areas and irresponsible coastal logging; corruption of elected officials and the lack of political will... to name but a few. It is my hope that, through the collaboration of organizations such as POST PNG and PHOTOTDIVE INTERNATIONAL with enlightening productions like this stamp issue, we can create an effective, cohesive awareness in country and worldwide to mitigate these pressing problems. From awareness, comes understanding and with understanding (hopefully) safeguards can be developed that might guarantee the future of these critical marine ecosystems with which PNG is so amply blessed... borne witness to by these stunning coral reef fish presented in this issue. I am honoured to have been included in this important, ongoing campaign.

Rick Tegeler
Diving since 1959, Rick is an award winning, internationally known photojournalist living in British
Columbia, Canada. For the past thirty years he has dived, photographed, written about, and traveled extensively in the band of Tropics around the world, amassing a stock library of over 50,000 images.

Stamp Set
Details

...................................................................
K1.20 - Yellow-mask Angelfish, Pomacanthus xanthometopon
K1.20 - Emperor Angelfish, Pomacanthus imperator
K6.00 - Meyer's Butterflyfish, Chaetodon meyeri
K8.00 - Barrier Reef Anemonefish, Amphiprion akindynos
...................................................................

Retail price
K16.40

Souvenir Sheet
Details

...................................................................
K10.00 - Bearded Scorpionfish, Scorpaenopsis cirrhose
...................................................................
Retail Value
K10.00

Souvenir Sheetlet
Details

...................................................................
K1.20 - Clown Anemonefish, Amphiprion percula
K1.20 - Clown Triggerfish, Balistoides conspicillum
K1.20 - Clark's Anemonefish, amphiprion clarkia
K8.00 - Spotfin Lionfish, pterois antennata
...................................................................

Retail Value
K16.40

First Day Cover - Stampset
First Day Cover - Souvenir Sheet

Retail Value - K18.00
Retail Value - K12.00

First Day Cover - Sheetlet
Stamp Pack

Retail Value - K18.00
Retail Value - K18.00

TECHNICAL DETAILS:
Stamp Size:
42.58mm x 28mm
Denomination:

K1.20, K1.20, K6.00 & K8.00
Souvenir Sheet; K10.00
Sheetlet; K16.40
Quantity Printed:

390, 000 Stamps
Sheet Contents:

25 Stamps
Format:

Horizontal
Perforation:

2mm
Colours:

4 Colour Process
Paper:
102 gsm
Gum:
Unwatered mark, PVA Gummed
Printing Technique:
Multi Colour Offset Lithography
Designer:
Banian Masiboda
Post PNG Philatelic Production
Printer:
Southern Color Print Ltd, NZ
Issue Date:
5th January, 2012
Withdrawal Date:
5th July, 2012

SOURCE:
http://www.postpng.com.pg/philatelic_files/stamp_issue_files/reeffish_2012.html

Japan: Anime Hero Heroine Series Collection 17 "Dragon Ball Kai"

2012-01-25T05:38:00.001-08:00

(1) Vegeta: (1)

(2) Goku (sold very loss) (1)

(3) Son Gohan (Gohan loss) (1)

(4) Piccolo (1)

(5) Trunks

(6) Vegeta (2)

(7) Goku (sold very loss) (2)

(8) Piccolo (2)

(9) Son Gohan (Gohan loss) (2)

(10) Goku (sold very loss) (3)

10 per sheet (two five horizontal × vertical) and from each sale / ※ 1.

Size rowing

36.50mm × 28.05mm Horizontal Vertical

Indian cotton Dimensions

33.50mm × 28.05mm Horizontal Vertical

Sheet size 140.25mm 212.5mm × vertical side

Color printing 版式 Color offset 6

Issue Number Like 15 million (1.5 million sheets)

Point of sale Post offices and postal service branch offices nationwide, Ltd.

(in the bottle Yu Home "SHOP stamp" also sold well as postal communication.) (※ 1)

Such as issuing a postage stamp designs

Dragon Ball Kai

Akira Toriyama's manga "Dragon Ball (Weekly Shonen Jump series)" and adaptation of Heisei 21 (2009) April 31, 2011 (2011) is the animated television series that aired on Fuji TV until March. 1986 (1986) original anime aired since "Dragon Ball", a sequel to 1989 (1989) has been broadcast since "Dragon Ball Z". The "Dragonball Z" has been digitally re-mastered re-edited version broadcast as a robot cell from hen to hen except Saiyan Majin Buu Part of the "Dragon Ball Kai" is.

Works

Goku saved the crisis of youth was sent to Earth every day and peaceful four-year-old son, Son Gohan beloved father and his wife, spaceship earth from outer space capsule suddenly one day open. What a dream come true and also align seven "Dragon Ball" began the battle finally over ... unimaginable.

SOURCE:

http://www.post.japanpost.jp/kitte_hagaki/stamp/tokusyu/2011/h240123_t.html

Canada: Year of the Dragon

2012-01-25T05:30:00.001-08:00

Issued: Jan. 10, 2012

Article published in

Canada's Stamp Details (Vol. XXI No 1; January to March 2012)

Thinking of dragons may conjure up fire-breathing, serpent-like beasts of fantastic legends, but in many Asian cultures, these magical, mythical creatures are benevolent, associated with wisdom and longevity. They are revered for their influence over the primal forces of nature; for example, the Chinese water dragon has potent and auspicious powers over rainfall, hurricanes and floods.

The presence of the dragon in Chinese culture dates back thousands of years. Dinosaur bones unearthed in ancient China are documented as "dragon bones," and dragon statues and jade badges of rank have been discovered as far back as the fifth millennium BC. Excellent and outstanding people are compared to the dragon, and leaping, swooping dragons operated by a full team of people are a common sight at Chinese festivals.

This year, Canada Post honours the Year of the Dragon—a time of innovation, risk and achievement—the fifth sign of the Chinese zodiac. The dragon in the PERMANENT™, domestic-rate stamp in this series is fully embossed. Gold foil is used prominently in the dragon's scales. Swirls, a graphic element from ancient Chinese designs, are placed at the bottom of the domestic-rate stamp to represent the water element. The Chinese characters in the top right corner spell out "dragon."

"It's always a challenge to find novel ways to showcase the Lunar New Year stamps," says Alain Leduc, Canada Post Stamp Design manager. "Designer Louis Fishauf, who also designed the extraordinary Year of the Monkey stamp from the first Lunar New Year series, did a great job with all of this year's stamp products as well. The images are complex and striking, and the foil and embossing techniques are outstanding."

A fiery red dragon bursts from the water on the dramatic souvenir sheet bearing an international-rate stamp and imagery taken from the domestic stamp. The embossing on the dragon's head is carved by hand, with touches of foil to give it vibrancy. The background is red, a colour symbolizing good fortune and joy that is used prominently during Chinese New Year celebrations.

The highly collectible uncut press sheet features 12 souvenir sheets. The Chinese characters on the selvedge bear the names of all the Zodiac creatures, and the calligraphy along the bottom offers greetings and wishes for luck in the New Year, in a tone similar to messages found in fortune cookies.

A couple of brand new products will appear this year for the very first time. A second souvenir sheet—a 'transitional' collectible—features last year's Rabbit stamp exiting from the left, as the Dragon stamp enters from the right. Lunar New Year enthusiasts will be thrilled that a wallet-sized mini-booklet with six self-adhesive stamps is available, allowing them to keep a supply of Dragon stamps on hand for their New Year greetings. And speaking of greetings—this year for the first time, Canada Post will offer celebrants a chance to share the festive dragon that graces the stamps with friends and family with a package of Lunar New Year notecards—with ten PERMANENT™ stamps—available early in January.

Stamp Specifications

Product #: 403814107
Layout: Pane of 25 stamps
Date of Issue: Jan. 10, 2012
Price: $15.25
OFDC Cancellation Location: Toronto, Ontario
Denomination: 1 x PERMANENT™ domestic rate
Design/Illustration: Louis Fishauf/Charles Vinh
Dimensions: 32 mm x 32 mm (square)
Paper Type: Tullis Russell
Perforations: 13+
Printer: Lowe-Martin, Gravure Choquet
Printing Process: Lithography in 6 colours, one foil stamping, embossing plus varnish
Tagging: General, 4 sides
Quantity: 5,250,000

Product #: 413814111

Layout: Booklet of 6 stamps
Date of Issue: Jan. 10, 2012
Price: $10.80
OFDC Cancellation Location: Toronto, Ontario
Denomination: 1 x $1.80
Design/Illustration: Louis Fishauf/Charles Vinh
Dimensions: 32 mm x 32 mm (square)
Gum Type: Pressure sensitive
Paper Type: Tullis Russell
Perforations: Simulated performation
Printer: Lowe-Martin, Gravure Choquet
Tagging: General, 4 sides
Quantity: 1,800,000

Product #: 403814145

Layout: Souvenir sheet
Date of Issue: Jan. 10, 2012
Price: $1.80
OFDC Cancellation Location: Toronto, Ontario
Denomination: 1 x $1.80
Design/Illustration: Louis Fishauf/Charles Vinh
Dimensions: 40 mm x 140 mm (vertical)
Gum Type: P.V.A.
Paper Type: Tullis Russell
Perforations: 13+
Printer: Lowe-Martin, Gravure Choquet
Tagging: General, 4 sides
Quantity: 500,000 SS

Product #: 403815145

Layout: Transitional souvenir sheet of 2 stamps
Date of Issue: Jan. 10, 2012
Price: $3.55
OFDC Cancellation Location: Toronto, Ontario
Denomination: 1 x $1.75; 1 x $1.80
Design/Illustration: Louis Fishauf/Charles Vinh
Dimensions: 116 mm x 90 mm (horizontal)
Gum Type: P.V.A.
Paper Type: Tullis Russell
Perforations: 13+
Printer: Lowe-Martin, Gravure Choquet
Tagging: General, 3 sides and 4 sides
Quantity: 200,000 SS

Product #: 403814149

Layout: Uncut press sheet of 12 souvenir sheets
Date of Issue: Jan. 10, 2012
Price: $29.95
OFDC Cancellation Location: Toronto, Ontario
Denomination: 1 x $29.95
Design/Illustration: Louis Fishauf/Charles Vinh
Dimensions: 360 mm x 610 mm (tall)
Gum Type: P.V.A.
Paper Type: Tullis Russell
Perforations: 13+
Printer: Lowe-Martin, Gravure Choquet
Tagging: General, 4 sides
Quantity: 15,000

SOURCE:

http://www.canadapost.ca/cpo/mc/personal/collecting/stamps/2012/2012_jan_year_of_dragon.jsf

100 years of Liechtenstein postage #stamps

2012-01-21T19:28:00.001-08:00

The Principality of Liechtenstein's first three stamps appeared on 1 February 1912. The stamps had a face value of 5, 10 and 25 heller (cents) and featured the then reigning Prince Johann II of Liechtenstein. A portrait of Prince Johann II (face value CHF 1.00) now adorns one of the four special issues, with which the Philatelie Liechtenstein is marking this special anniversary. The other three stamps show the princes that have succeeded him to date as reigning Princes of Liechtenstein: Franz I (face value CHF 1.40), Franz Josef II (face value CHF 2.20) and Hans-Adam II (face value CHF 2.80). Despite the historic background of the last 100 years, Hans Peter Gassner, the graphic designer entrusted with producing the design, was commissioned to create contemporary stamps. So he placed each of his hand-drawn portraits of the heads of state in front of a background of a different colour showing the years from 1912 to 2012 in Roman numerals. The special issues appear both in a sheet of eight and in an unperforated sheetlet, and are available from 1 February 2012. 150-year Anniversary of the Constitution and Parliament The Principality of Liechtenstein celebrates two important political anniversaries in 2012: both the small state's constitution and also its parliament will be 150 years old. In 1862 Prince Johann II of Liechtenstein granted his country its first constitution, which also involved establishing a parliament with democratic legitimacy, the Landtag. Both special issues created by the graphic designer Cornelia Eberle show the "Vereinsthaler" ("union" thaler) issued in 1862 a silver coin of the member states of the German Customs Union, to which Liechtenstein also belonged. The image of the currency of the time is finished with a multi-level emboss. In addition, the "150 Years of the Constitution" stamp (face value CHF 1.00) shows the first page of the constitutional charter, while the appointment of the National Administrator Karl Haus von Hausen by Prince Johann II on the opening of parliament was represented on the "150 Years of Parliament" (face value CHF 1.40). Europe 2012 Annually since 1956, the 48 member states of PostEurop, the present-day association representing the European postal industry, have issued a stamp on a common theme. The designers of this issue used the slogan "Visit ..." to focus on what might motivate holidaymakers to visit the PostEurop member country in question. The design of the Liechtenstein Europa stamp 2012 (face value CHF 1.40) comes from Julia Kubik, whose proposal won the Art Academy of Liechtenstein's competition. The stamp shows how the annual Alpabfahrt, the transhumance of livestock, goes by the newly rebuilt parliament building, thereby illustrating the link between tradition and the present." In addition to the geographical and cultural characteristics of the Principality, discovering such contrasts in Liechtenstein can provide yet another appealing reason for a visit. The new postage stamps are available at all post offices and from Philatelie Liechtenstein from 1 February 2012 (100 Years of Liechtenstein postage stamps) and from 5 March 2012 (150 Years of the Constitution and Parliament, Europa 2012). Website: www.philatelie.li

Thanks to: Juan Franco Crespo, Spain.

Link:

http://bit.ly/zegEWv

NEW Gibraltar Chess festival 10th Ann

2012-01-21T05:07:00.001-08:00

NEW Gibraltar Chess festival 10th Ann (view technical specs)

In his book 'A Century Of British Chess', Philip Sergeant writes that Britain's first chess club, Parsloe's, which opened in 1774, numbered among its early supporters George Eliot, later General Eliot, Governor of Gibraltar and commander of the forces during the Great Siege of 1779-1783. Many famous military men have played chess. Down the ages Gibraltarians, together with other local residents and Gibraltar garrison personnel, have included chess amongst their leisure activities.

The Gibraltar International Chess Festival, now one of the most prestigious open tournaments in the world, began as a much smaller event in 2003. Its popularity has grown year on year, and today well over 300 participants, players of all levels, return to the Rock every January, many calling Gibraltar their favourite event on the chess calendar. For eleven days the festival venue, the Caleta Hotel, is transformed into a hive of chess activity. Arriving here from all corners of the world, players can be sure that old friendships will be renewed, and - win or lose - new ones made.

In a separate development, the first Gibraltar International Junior Chess Festival took place in August, 2011. Children from the UK, Spain, and Gibraltar took part. Over the past decade, thanks to a dedicated teaching programme, many hundreds of children in Gibraltar have received chess tuition at school. One young Gibraltarian, Stephen Whatley, has scored notable tournament successes in the UK, while several other young local players show similar promise, with more juniors keen to follow.

The games featured on the stamps have been specially chosen as representing the best of the many thousands contested in Gibraltar over the past decade. All the players shown are grandmasters. Two are women. Pia Cramling (Sweden) has played in all ten Gibraltar festivals, while Natalia Zhukova (Ukraine) won the top female award in 2010. Michael Adams, Nigel Short (both England) and Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine) are all former Gibraltar champions. Viktor Bologan (Moldova) and Fabiano Caruana (Italy) are elite players with aggressive styles popular with the public. Chess legend Viktor Korchnoi (Switzerland) fought two World Championship matches with arch-rival Anatoly Karpov.

The festival is followed by fans online thanks to the technical back-up of Gibtelecom, Gibraltar's main telecommunications provider, whose loyal support over ten years has been crucial to the festival's development and success. Tradewise Insurance (Twi) took over the role of lead sponsor in 2011, and demonstrating the fullest commitment they are raising the profile of chess still further. Thanks to these, and other, local sponsors, and with an important contribution from the Gibraltar Government's Sports & Leisure Authority, the small territory of Gibraltar has, in ten years, firmly established itself as a capital city of world chess.

Special thanks to: Mr Brian Callaghan OBE, Mr Tim Bristow and Mr Stuart Conquest

Technical Specs

Design:

Stephen Perera

Illustration / Photography:

Stephen Perera

Printer:

BDT International

Process:

Offset Lithography

Colours:

4 cols.

Stamp size:

25.73 x 39.56mm

Issue date:

2012-01-23

Stamp Values:

2p, 30p, 75p, £2

Price First Day Cover: £3.67

SOURCE: http://www.gibraltar-stamps.com/index.php?controller=stamps&action=issue&id=463

CORDIALES SALUDOS
JUAN FRANCO CRESPO *

Belarus: 20th Anniversary of Establishing Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Belarus and the People’s Republic of China

2012-01-19T06:01:00.001-08:00

On January 20, 2012 the Ministry of Communications and Informatization of the Republic of Belarus will issue the souvenir sheet "20^thanniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the People's Republic of China".

Artist: Alexander Mityanin; designer: Anna Malash. Printing: offset. Colour: multicoloured. Paper: chalk-surfaced, gummed. Perforation:frame x 14^1/4: 14. There is 1 stamp in the souvenir sheet. Size of the stamp: 28x40 mm. Size of the souvenir sheet: 100x55 mm. While printing the souvenir sheet they used the technology of selective varnishing and relief stamping. Print quantity: 20.000 souvenir sheets.

Historical reference: The Agreement about establishing diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the People's Republic of China was signed in Beijing on January 20, 1992. During these years the Belarusian-Chinese relations have become a model of international partnership and strategic interaction.

Souvenir sheet No. 85	No. 900 20^th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the People's Republic of China 15000 BYR
Elements of protection

	Colour of the postmark — red. FDC designed by Ivan Lukin. Special postmarks designed by Anna Malash.
Special cancellations on FDC will be carried out at the Main Post Office of Minsk and in Beijing (China) on the souvenir sheet issuing day. SOURCE:20th Anniversary of Establishing Diplomatic Relations between http://bit.ly/yaZfrb

South Korea: The 50th Anniversary of Korea - Mexico Diplomatic Relations

2012-01-19T05:55:00.001-08:00

The year 2012 celebrates the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Mexico. During the epoch of immigration to Mexico by Korean people, which started in 1905 and has passed the century mark and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries which has passed half a century, the two countries have consolidated solid cooperative relations through active exchanges in various areas such as the economy, culture, education, etc. To commemorate this meaningful 50th anniversary, Korea Post and its Mexican counterpart are issuing a joint stamp featuring "the gray whale."

Unlike other whales, only two different populations of the gray whale, which are on the brink of extinction across the world, were reported: the West Pacific population that migrates between the Sea of Okhotsk and Korea's East Sea and the East Pacific population that journey between Alaska and Mexico. The West Pacific gray whale was first reported to the academic circle in 1912 by Loy Andrew, the American explorer, under the name of "Korean gray whale." Due to overhunting, they are now endangered, and currently it is reported that only 130 of the species are living in the sea of Okhotsk, Russia. The East Pacific gray whale, that mate and give birth in Baja California, Mexico, was once also endangered due to reckless hunting. Currently, however, thanks to the steadfast protection policy, there are 20,000 of them roaming the waters.

The stamp features a young gray whale and its adult version. The stamp featuring the young gray whale shows the gray whale's own, inherent skin pattern without any barnacles or whale lice attached to the skin. The stamp featuring the adult gray whale, on the other hand, vividly shows both the adult gray whale's unique characteristic covered with traces of barnacles once attached but now gone, as well as the gray whale's own unique outer appearance of its thick lower jaw.


Title	The 50th Anniversary of Korea - Mexico Diplomatic Relations Commemorative Stamps
Types	2
Date of Issue	January 26, 2012
Quantity	650,000 stamps each
Denomination	270 won
Design	Gray Whale
Stamp No.	2838 ~ 2839
Printing Process and Colors	Offset, five colors
Size of Stamp	45mm × 36mm
Image Area	45mm × 36mm
Perforation	13
Sheet Composition	5 x 4 (235mm x 180mm)
Paper	White Unwatermarked
Designer	Junghwa ROH (Korea), Sergio Barranca (Mexico)
Photograph	Multi-Bits Images/Minden Pictures, Discovery Channel
Printer	Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation

The schedule is subject to change without notice.

Ascension Island - Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

2012-01-16T07:36:00.001-08:00

To celebrate a remarkable 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II as Monarch of Great Britain,

Ireland

and the British Dominions beyond the seas, we are pleased to announce the issue of a new stamp issue from Ascension Island.

2012 will be the year we commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of the Accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty became Head of the Commonwealth and Queen in 1952 and was crowned in Westminster Abbey on June 2nd 1953. During her 60 year reign she has become the most widely travelled Head of State in World history. During this time she has witnessed numerous wars and conflicts as well as landmark historical events from the landing of the first man on the moon up to the present day of the digital age.

Queen Elizabeth II is the longest lived and second longest reigning Monarch in British history next to Queen Victoria.

Each stamp features a charming portrait of Her Majesty. 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.

Photo credits for each stamp are shown below.

15p The Queen on official visit to Windsor, Berkshire in 2011. CAMERA PRESS/James Veysey.

25p The Queen during a reception for her eldest son, the Prince of Wales, on the eve of his 50th birthday at London's Buckingham Palace on Friday, November 13th, 1998. Fiona Hanson/PA Archive/Press Association Images.

35p The Queen attending Maundy Service in Lichfield in 1988. Tim Graham/Getty Images.

40p Official portrait taken by Peter Grugeon in October 1975 at Windsor Castle. CAMERA PRESS/Peter Grugeon.

60p Formal photograph taken in Buckingham Palace, ahead of the Queen's official visit to

India

and

Pakistan

in 1961. AP/Press Association Images.

£1.25 Newly-crowned Queen photographed on June 4th 1953 in a Norman Hartnell gown designed especially for her Coronation two days earlier. Getty Images.

Souvenir Sheet £2.00p

Prince Philip and the Queen during their Silver Jubilee year 1977 in Westminster Abbey. Camera Press/LNS.

Technical Details

Designer CASCO Studio

Printer BDT International

Process Stochastic lithography

Stamp Size 36 x 36mm

Sheet Format 8

Souvenir Sheet 6

Mini Sheet 1

Perforation 13.5 per 2cms

Release Date 6 February 2012

Production Co-ordination Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd

For further information, please contact John Smith,

Pobjoy Mint Ltd, Tel: +44 (0) 1737 818181 Fax: +44 (0) 1737 818199

email: jcs137@pobjoy.com

FROM: JUAN FRANCO CRESPO, Spain.

Sri Lankan anger over foreign 'Tamil Tiger' #stamps

2012-01-13T05:15:00.001-08:00

COLOMBO — Sri Lanka has reacted furiously to a spate of "personalised" foreign postage stamps bearing the image of slain Tamil Tiger rebel supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran.

The stamps, from Britain, Canada and France, were reportedly put together by overseas Tamil Tiger support groups, using services sanctioned by state postal agencies that allow people to combine personal photos with official stamps.

"Sri Lanka has protested in the strongest possible terms and made it clear that any foreign mail with these stamps will not be welcome in Sri Lanka," a foreign ministry official told AFP on Friday.

The official said they were the work of a "terrorist rump" trying to keep the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) alive after their final military defeat by Sri Lankan troops in May 2009.

Following a formal complaint, Britain's Royal Mail apologised "for any distress caused" and said it had blocked the offending stamp and cancelled the account it was created on.

Earlier this month, the foreign ministry called in the French ambassador to register its "acute concern" over similar stamps that had been put together there.

As well as images of Prabhakaran -- killed in the final military offensive against the LTTE -- the stamps showed the LTTE flag with its sword-crossed tiger emblem.

The LTTE is listed as a terrorist organisation by the European Union and Canada, as well as the United States.

SOURCE:Sri Lankan anger over foreign 'Tamil Tiger' stamps http://bit.ly/w9f513

Imagen from: UKTAMIL NEWS: http://www.uktamilnews.com/index.php/archives/36091

Via Yimber Gaviria, Colombia

USA: Danny Thomas stamp unveiled at L.A. gala

2012-01-12T06:16:00.001-08:00

Danny Thomas, the late founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, is being honored with a commemorative postage stamp.

The 45-cent Forever stamp was unveiled Saturday at a star-studded gala in Los Angeles that celebrated the hospital's 50th anniversary and Thomas' 100th birthday. The event was headlined by longtime friends Tony Bennett and Ray Romano along with Thomas' son-in-law, Phil Donahue.

Thomas, an entertainer whose career spanned four decades, appeared on radio and film as a comedic actor over four decades, and was well known for his philanthropic work.

In 1962, he founded St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., with the mission to treat children with pediatric diseases, regardless of the family's ability to pay. The hospital has treated thousands of children for childhood cancers.

The stamp was painted by Tim O'Brien, and features a prominent image of Thomas with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in the background.

"We went with a night scene that allowed me to use stars in the sky," O'Brien said. "Perhaps the stars have multiple meanings: the Hollywood connection, but also the countless children he's helped through the hospital."

The Danny Thomas Forever stamp will go on sale Feb.16.

SOURCE:http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/01/danny-thomas-stamp-unveiled-.html

Estonia: Population and housing census

2012-01-09T10:45:00.001-08:00

Price:	0.45
Date:	12.01.2012
Print:	ofset
Designer:	Indrek Ilves
Perforation:	11¼ : 11¼
Sheets:	2 x 5
Quantity issued:	1 000 000
Printing house:	AS Vaba Maaa

A population and housing census began on December 31 in Estonia for the 11th time and will last until March 31, 2012. During the three months all the present residents of Estonia and their housing will be counted. The census is the only survey that provides comprehensive statistics on how many residents there are in Estonia, and in what areas and in what conditions they live. The first census in Estonia took place in 1881, and the last one in 2000. In the census of 1959 the data were processed with a computer for the first time. On the initiative of the United Nations residents of most world countries were counted in 2010 and 2011, with no census organised in only six countries.

FDC

LINK: http://www.post.ee/?id=1946&prod_id=8283&&langchange=1

CORDIALES SALUDOS / JUAN FRANCO CRESPO

The Danish Queen's 40th Jubilee on Greenlandic #stamp

2012-01-05T06:13:00.001-08:00

Today, POST Greenland issues a stamp in collaboration with the postal services of the Faroe Islands and Denmark on the occasion of the first forty years of her Majesty the Queen's reign.

POST Greenland is very proud to issue a large and beautiful stamp featuring the portrait of her majesty the Queen. The portrait, which adorns the stamp, was painted by Mikael Melbye while the engraving was created by Martin Mörck.

The stamp is a joint issue in collaboration with Post Danmark and Posta Faroe Islands. The stamp issue marks the 40th jubilee of her Majesty, which is a festive event to bemarked all over the entire Commonwealth of the Realm in 2012. Read more about the stamp issue at www.stamps.gl.

When her Majesty Queen Margrethe II (Margrethe Alexandrine Þórhildur Ingrid) ascended the Danish throne on 15th January 1972 and was proclaimed Queen by the then Prime Minister Jens Otto Krag, Greenland and the Faeroe islands also had a new monarch with a great fondness for the northern parts of the kingdom.

Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II is most dear in the Greenlanders' hearts. Her Majesty the Queen is known for her many journeys to Greenland, where Her Majesty has done her fair share of visits to towns as well as settlements on the west and east coast and the northern parts of Greenland.

Especially, on two wonderful occasions, it has been a great honour to receive Her Majesty. The first occasion was at the handing over of the home rule law on 1st May 1979 to the then chairman of the parliament, Mr. Lars Chemnitz, on the day of introduction of the home rule law; and, again, in the same parliament, when the autonomy law was handed over to the chairman of the parliament, Mr. Josef Motzfeldt, in June 2009.

We, in Greenland, congratulate Her Majesty and look forward to the next time we may bid the Queen welcome back to Greenland.

If you have any questions, please contact Philatelic Manager, Allan Pertti Frandsen,

Yours sincerely POST Greenland

CORDIALES SALUDOS JUAN FRANCO CRESPO

Faroe Island: Queen for 40 years #Stamp

2012-01-05T05:52:00.001-08:00

Queen Margrethe II – 40 years on the throne.

On 14 January 2012, forty years have passed since Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II became Queen of Denmark.

Queen Margrethe is the constitutional head of the Kingdom of Denmark, which includes Denmark and the two

autonomous regions: Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

On this occasion the Faroese Posta, Post Denmark and Post Greenland issue a common stamp issue which

consists of one stamp and a mini-sheet.

2 x 10,50 DKK

Souvenir folder
In connection with the stamp issue "Queen for 40 years" which is a joint issue between the Faroe Island, Denmark and Greenland a beautiful souvenir folder with all three souvenir sheets has been made.
45,00 DKK

First Day Cover
FDC with minisheet "Queen for 40 years"
15,50 DKK

CORDIALES SALUDOS

JUAN FRANCO CRESPO

Monaco: THE FRESCOES OF THE SALLE GARNIER,MONTE-CARLO OPERA #STAMP

2012-01-05T04:54:00.000-08:00

The Monte-Carlo Opera House was designed and created by Charles Garnier in 1878 and inaugurated in 1879.

The vaulted ceiling is adorned with four painted canvas panels measuring 15 metres by 6 metres :

"Music"by Gustave Boulanger is situated above the stage, while"Comedy"by Frédéric Lix is on the side facing the sea.

"Dance"byGeorges Clairin,on the left side of the room,

portray sall kinds of dancing, and depicts some most primitive and unusual costumes.

"Song and Eloquence,"above the Prince's box, expresses the painter François Feyen Perrin's poetic and melancholic

character.

D r a f t

Photo:GiuseppeMAZZA©S.B.M.

Printingprocess:Heliogravure

Size of the stamps:80x32mm horizontal

Sheet of 4 stamps with illuminations

CORDIALES SALUDOS JUAN FRANCO CRESPO *

CHINA: Chinese Year Of The Dragon Postage Stamp Deemed 'Too Ferocious'

2012-01-04T07:26:00.001-08:00

Webo/China Post

What A Difference A Year Makes: China's Year of the Dragon stamp, left, is decidedly more fearsome than last year's model, of a rabbit.

To welcome the Year of the Dragon, China's postal service plans to release commemorative postage stamps featuring the fabled beast. But many customers are finding the image to be a little over the top.

Here are some reactions cited by China's Xinhua news agency:

"'The moment I saw the design of the dragon stamp on newspaper, I was almost scared to death,' wrote Zhang Yihe, on weibo.com, China's Twitter-like social networking service and microblogging service provider, on Tuesday.

'The dragon on the stamp looks too ferocious,' echoed one post on the Web.

'It is roaring and intimidating," read another."

The new image for year 4710 is quite a turnaround from that of 4709, which was the Year of the Rabbit. The stamp issued by China Post to mark that occasion features a cuddly rabbit with a shy streak — a far cry from the roaring demon staring out from the new stamp.

But perhaps customers in China shouldn't complain too much: after all, the price of the stamp hasn't changed — although there are reports that the stamp is expected to become scarce enough to warrant high resale prices.

And the dragon image is meant to invoke another stamp, from back in 1878 — when the Qing Dynasty still ruled. Postal officials and the stamp's designer defend it on those grounds, saying that the image of an iconic beast, engrained in China's historic identity, should never be rendered as a mere cartoon.

The new stamp will officially go on sale Thursday.

Celebrations for Chinese New Year kick off in earnest on Jan. 8, and culminate in the start of the new year on Jan. 23.

SOURCE:Chinese Year Of The Dragon Postage Stamp Deemed 'Too Ferocious' : The Two-Way : NPR http://n.pr/yO9b6I

USA: Birds of prey featured on Postal Service stamps

2012-01-01T08:07:00.001-08:00

The service will release five Birds of Prey stamps on Jan. 20.

The U.S. Postal Service salutes five kings of the sky with the Birds of Prey stamps: the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), osprey (Pandion haliaetus), and northern harrier (Circus cyaneus).

These powerful birds are depicted in colorful portraits and shown from the neck up. The artwork appears against a plain, white background.

Birds of prey, also known as raptors, thrive in diverse habitats and live on every continent except Antarctica. The roughly 500 species of raptors include birds that hunt by day, such as falcons, eagles, and harriers, and birds that hunt by night — the owls. They share several common characteristics. Birds of prey are carnivorous and use their powerful talons to capture prey. Their exceptionally keen eyesight allows them to see small objects in detail, even from a great distance. As predators high on the food chain, raptors play an important role in maintaining the balance of nature.

Illustrator Robert Giusti worked with art director Howard E. Paine on this issuance. Giusti painted the original designs in acrylic on canvas board. The Birds of Prey stamps are being issued at the three-ounce rate.

SOURCE:http://beyondtheperf.com/2012-preview/#stamp-birds-of-prey

Water Mills of Ukraine

2011-12-31T11:32:00.001-08:00

Size of the block – 140х95 mm.
Size of each stamp – 45,24х27,84 mm.
Comb perforation – 11 1/2.
Face value of the stamp No. 1166 – 1,80 UAH.
Face value of the stamp No. 1167 – 2,20 UAH.
Face value of the stamp No. 1168 – 6,50 UAH.
Face value of the stamp No. 1169 – 7,70 UAH.
Printing run of the block – 104 000.
Protection of the stamps: face values and fragments of images of
water luminesce under UV-light.
Protection of the block – microprint «Ю. Логвин».
Block selvages are artistically decorated; text on the block selvages in
Ukrainian and in English: «Водяні млини України», «Water mills of Ukraine».
Artist of the stamps and postmark – Yurii Lohvyn.
Block is multicolored; printing process – offset.
Block is printed on SE "Integrated Printing Plant "Ukraina" for production of securities".
Barcode 4823027132303.

SOURCE:

http://www.ukrposhta.com/www/upost_en.nsf/(documents)/15A02BE9BF371B2EC22576010040D823

Lyceum of the Philippines University’s 60th Anniversary Commemorative #Stamp

2011-12-31T11:10:00.001-08:00

Technical Description: 1952 Lyceum of the Philippines University 2012 60^th Anniversary Commemorative Stamp
Kind of Issue: Commemorative
Denomination and Quantity: Php7.00 / 104,000 pieces
Date of Issue: January 2, 2012
Last date of Sale: January 1, 2013 (or as stocks allow)

Sheet Composition: 40
Size: 30 mm x 40 mm
Perforation: 14
Printing: Litho offset (4 colors)
Paper: Imported Unwatermarked
Printer: Amstar Company Inc.
Designer: LPU 60^th Anniversary Committee

Design: The stamp design shows the magnificent tower of LPU that has withstood the test of times and is enveloped in the number 60, colored golden yellow representing the anniversary celebration with the map of the Philippines in the background. A white ribbon with the inscription, "A Jose P. Laurel Legacy" honors the man who is the inspiration behind Lyceum of the Philippines University's pride of long and rich tradition of Academic Excellence.

SOURCE:

Lyceum of the Philippines University's 60th Anniversary Commemorative Stamp http://bit.ly/sB1FoS

Philippine Postal Corporation
Address: Central Post Office Building, Liwasang Bonifacio, 1000 Manila, Philippines Telefax: +63 2 527 0067 E-mail: info@philpost.gov.ph

Hong Kong: Year of the Dragon

2011-12-25T19:34:00.001-08:00

Issue Date: 14th January 2012

Year of the Dragon" is the first special stamp issue of the fourth Lunar New Year Animal series. Almighty and commanding respect, the dragon is not only a totem for superior status, but also for the Chinese race. Featuring different representations of the dragon and a silk stamp sheetlet, this cheerful set is filled with Chinese elements perfect for this auspicious season.

Mint Stamps
Stamp Sheet
Stamp Sheetlet
Silk Stamp Sheetlet
Presentation Pack
Datestamped First Day Cover
Datestamped First Day Cover (Prestige version)
Postage Prepaid Lunar New Year Greeting Card
Datestamped Postage Prepaid Lunar New Year Greeting Card

SOURCE:

http://bit.ly/rVUeYZ

New Zealand: 2012 Year of the Dragon

2011-12-25T19:31:00.001-08:00

The 2012 Year of the Dragon stamp issue is certainly one to celebrate. The powerful dragon is the most vibrant of all 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac and when the Year of the Dragon begins on 23 January 2012, it will bring with it health, wealth, prosperity and success.

The individual stamps in this issue are as follows:

60c - Year of the Dragon

Calligraphy is a traditional Chinese art form, and the Chinese character for 'dragon' expressed on the 60c stamp is from the Xi Xia Song stone monument. Carved in the 'Lishu' calligraphy style, the character has an authoritative feel that reflects the strength and confidence of those born in the year of the dragon.

$1.20 - Paper-cut Dragon

Paper-cutting is a much-loved Chinese folk art that became popular shortly after paper was invented. It is used for many Chinese weddings, ceremonies and festivals, and the skilfully crafted paper-cut dragon n the $1.20 stamp indicates prosperity, amiability and celebration.

$1.90 - Dragon Lantern

Chinese lanterns are an important part of Chinese New Year, and the Chinese Lantern Festival marks the end of the 15-day Chinese New Year celebrations. The dragon lantern featured on the $1.90 stamp was used in the Auckland Lantern Festival, which annually celebrates New Zealand's multicultural society.

$2.40 - New Zealand Icon - Dunedin Railway Station

Situated in the South Island, Dunedin was one of the earliest settlements for Chinese immigrants in New Zealand. Over the centuries New Zealand has welcomed many different cultures and this is depicted by the pair of swallows on the $2.40 stamp, which in the Chinese culture symbolise hope, blessings and happiness in the land.

Date of issue:	5 January 2012
Number of stamps:	Four gummed stamps
Miniature sheet:	One sheet with four gummed stamps
Denominations:	60c, $1.20, $1.90 and $2.40
Stamps, miniature sheet, first day covers and presentation pack designed by:	Bananaworks, Auckland, New Zealand
Printer and process:	Cartor Security Printing, France by offset lithography
Number of colours:	Four process colours
Stamp size and format:	30mm x 40mm (vertical)
Paper type:	103gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper
Number of stamps per sheet:	25
Perforation gauge:	13.25 x 13
Special blocks:	Plate/Imprint blocks may be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps from a sheet. Barcode blocks are available in A and B formats.
Period of sale:	Unless stocks are exhausted earlier, these stamps will remain on sale until 4 January 2013

SOURCE:

2012 Year of the Dragon http://bit.ly/tZdlwn

USA: Year of the Dragon

2011-12-25T19:27:00.001-08:00

In 2012 the U.S. Postal Service continues its Celebrating Lunar New Year series with a Year of the Dragon stamp, the fifth in the series. The stamp art shows the head of a colorful dragon against a brilliant blue sky. The Year of the Dragon begins on January 23, 2012, and ends on February 9, 2013.

In the United States as elsewhere, the occasion is marked in various ways across many cultures, often with parades and parties. Performing before delighted crowds, skilled teams of dancers manipulate colorful dragon figures such as the one depicted in the stamp art. By tradition, dragons are not feared, but are considered magical or divine, hence auspicious at this time of renewed hope for the future. Lucky foods are eaten — kumquats, for example (issued in 2011) — and given as gifts. Festive lanterns, colored red for luck (issued in 2008), are common decorations at Lunar New Year celebrations, where they are frequently hung in rows.

The artist for the series, Kam Mak, was born in Hong Kong and grew up in New York City's Chinatown after his family moved to the United States in 1971.

Combining Mak's artwork with two elements from the previous series of Lunar New Yearstamps — Clarence Lee's intricate paper-cut design of a dragon and the Chinese character for "Dragon," drawn in grass-style calligraphy by Lau Bun — art director Ethel Kessler has created a culturally rich stamp design that celebrates the diversity of the American experience.

The Celebrating Lunar New Year stamp for the Year of the Dragon is being issued as a Forever® stamp. Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.

SOURCE:http://www.beyondtheperf.com/2012-preview/#stamp-year-of-the-dragon

London 2012 Olympic Games by Paul Smith (2)

2011-12-25T08:09:00.001-08:00

Date of Issue: 1st January 2012

We commemorate the biggest sporting event the British Isles has hosted in many years with a set of stamps and miniature sheet that are bound to turn heads. Designed by internationally-renowned British designer Sir Paul Smith there could not be a more appropriate way to mark the events of London 2012

SOURCE:London 2012 Olympic Games by Paul Smith http://bit.ly/rZ8pcw

IOM: London 2012 Olympic Games by Paul Smith

2011-12-25T08:01:00.001-08:00

Date of Issue: 1st January 2012

Our fabulous cycling-themed miniature sheet celebrates the London 2012 Games and is inspired by Sir Paul Smith's own long-held love of the sport.

His ambition was to become a proessional racing cyclist until, aged seventeen years, he was involved in a road accident. Three months in hospital followed and the rest is history.

With Manxman and Tour De France 2011 Green Jersey-winner Mark Cavendish gearing up to compete in Team GB, we hope our cycling miniature sheet brings them good fortune!

Measures 120 x 78mm

SOURCE:

London 2012 Olympic Games by Paul Smith http://bit.ly/uGQwJ7

Philippine:New Year 2012: “Year of the Dragon” Special #Stamps

2011-12-25T07:45:00.001-08:00

The Philippine Postal Corporation recently came up with the New Year 2012: "Year Of The Dragon" stamps, which was issued last December 5, 2011. It is classified as a "Special" kind of issue with denominations of P 7.00 and P 30.00 and quantity of 35,000 pieces each. Also to be issued are souvenir sheets with a denomination of P 74.00 and quantity of 5,000 pieces.

The design for the Se-tenant Pair shows the Philpost Chinese characters series depicting the Year of the Dragon.
The technical description of the New Year 2012: "Year Of The Dragon" stamps are as follows:

Kind of Issue: Special

Denominations and Quantity: Php 7.00 / 35,000 pieces

Php 30.00 / 35,000 pieces

Date of Issue: December 5, 2011

Last date of Sale: December 4, 2012

Sheet Composition: 10 (2 x 5)

Size: 40 mm x 30 mm

Souvenir Sheet: Php74.00 /5,000 pieces

Perforation: 14

Printing: Litho offset (4 colors)

Paper: Imported Unwatermarked

Printer: APO Production Unit

Designer: Jesus Alfredo D. Delos Santos

Design Coordinator: Dr. Ngo TiongTak

SOURCE: New Year 2012: "Year of the Dragon" Special Stamps http://bit.ly/va99gp

Philippine Postal Corporation

Ukraine: “Seven nature Wonders of Ukraine” #stamp

2011-12-18T18:08:00.001-08:00

- No. 1155 "LAKE SVITIAZ";
- No. 1156 "GRANITE-STEPPE LANDS OF THE BUH";
- No. 1157 "ASKANIA-NOVA";
- No. 1158 "LAKE SYNEVYR";
- No. 1159 "THE DNIЕSTER RIVER CANYON";
- No. 1160 "PODILSKI TOVTRY";
- No. 1161 "THE MARBLE CAVE".
Size of the small sheet – 135х160 mm.
Size of each stamp – 41,76х29,58 mm.
Face value of each stamp – 2,20 UAH.
Harrow perforation – 11 1/2.
Printing run of the small sheet – 132 000.
Protection of the small sheet: microprint «М. Гейко».
Protection of each stamp: image of the small coat of arms of
Ukraine luminesces under UV-light.
Designer of the small sheet – Mariia Heiko.
Designer of the postmark – Yevhenii Borodai.
The small sheet is multicolored; printing process – offset.
The small sheet is printed on SE "Integrated Printing Plant
"Ukraina" for production of securities".
Barcode – 4823027132280.

SOURCE:Seven nature Wonders of Ukraine http://bit.ly/gqy9Ry

Thailand: New Year 2012 Postage #Stamps

2011-12-11T15:23:00.001-08:00

STAMP

SHEET

FIRST DAY COVER

Stamp No.

957

Title

New Year 2012 Postage Stamps

Date of Issued

November 15 2011

Purpose

Denomination

3.00 Bath

Size

40.5 x 30 mm. Horizontal (Vertical-measured from perforation)

Quanity

Design

Stamp Designer

Euamporn Supharoekchai (Thailand post Co., Ltd)

Printer

Thai British Security Printing Public Company Limited, Thailand

Printing Process &

Lithography Multi – colour

Colour

Sheet Composition

10 Dot

First Day Cover

Bath

Designer

Euamporn Supharoekchai (Thailand post Co., Ltd)

SOURCE: http://www.postemart.com/en/historypage.php?HISTORY_ID=957

Hong Kong: "Tamar Development Project" Special #Stamps

2011-12-11T15:14:00.001-08:00

Date of Issue: 15 December 2011

Stamp sheetlet
Price: HK$10
Sales Quota: 10 Sheets
Descriptions: Containing a $10 stamp.

Presentation Pack
Price: HK$18
Sales Quota: 5 packs
Descriptions: A prestigious folder contains a stamp sheelet. The folder bears a special design matching the specific theme of the enclosed stamp products, making it a good addition to stamp collection.

Postage prepaid Postcard (Air Mail)
Price: HK$20
Sales Quota: 5 sets
Descriptions: Its postage is airmail prepaid and its design bears the same theme of the special stamp.

First Day Cover
Price: HK$1
Sales Period: Available at all post offices from 1 to 15 December 2011

Datestamped First Day Cover affixed with a Stamp Sheetlet
Price: HK$13.5
Sales Quota: 5 covers (available at the philatelic offices on 15 December 2011 only)
Descriptions: Serviced First Day Cover affixed with a stamp sheetlet and datestamped with the special postmark.

Special Postmark

SOURCE: "Tamar Development Project" Special Stamps http://bit.ly/s3bXek

Ukraine: “Commonwealth of Independent States” decorative postage stamp

2011-12-11T15:09:00.001-08:00

On 08.12.2011

Size of the stamp – 33х30 mm.
Comb perforation – 13 1/4.
Face value of the stamp – 2,20 UAH.
Number of stamps per sheet – 12 (3х4).
Printing run of the stamp – 150 000.
Protection of the stamp: element of emblem, text «20 років» luminesce under
UV-light; microprint «О. Шуклінова».
Text on the sheet selvages: «Співдружність Незалежних Держав»,
«COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES».
Stamp is multicolored; printing process–offset. Barcode 4823027131689. Order 1-3528. 28.10.2011.
Designer of the stamp and postmark – Oksana Shuklinova.
Stamp is printed on SE "Integrated Printing Plant "Ukraina" for production of securities".

SOURCE: Ukrpost Commonwealth of Independent States http://bit.ly/gqy9Ry

Taiwan: 100th Anniversary of the Alishan Forest Railway Commemorative Souvenir Sheet

2011-12-04T13:18:00.001-08:00

Description

Alishan, with its beautiful natural scenery and rich ecological resources, is a world famous tourist destination. The Beimen to Erwanping section of Alishan Forest Railway officially opened to traffic on December 25, 1912. Along with the mountain's sacred trees, sunrise, sunset, and sea of clouds, the railway is one of the "Five Wonders of Alishan." The Alishan Forest Railway was once a very busy train track because of logging on the mountain. With changes to Taiwan's economic structure, the railway's role has shifted from a transporter of lumber to a cultural asset with its scenic spots and historical architecture dating from a century ago. To mark the 100th anniversary of the opening of the railway, Chunghwa Post will issue a souvenir sheet.

The souvenir sheet has a bright color scheme with mountains and a route map in the background. Four different trains are featured. One of the two stamps features one train pulled by a No.31 steam engine passing through flowering cherry trees (NT$25); and the other, headed by a diesel engine, is coming out of the No.1 tunnel (NT$5). Elsewhere on the sheet there is a train on the No.13 Bridge over the Niuchou River and a train being pulled by the No. 25 steam engine. With its images of trains traversing the forest, the sheet is imbued with a great sense of dynamism. The beautiful golden emblem on the upper left corner signifies the railway's glorious service over the last hundred years.

A stamp pictorial will go on sale on December 25, 2011, the issuing date of the stamps. The pictorial comprises one souvenir sheet, an NT$5 denominated Alishan stamp of the Personal Greeting Stamps – Travel in Taiwan, a silver foil and a set of 6 postal cards.

Issue date	2011-12-25	Sheet composition
Printer	China Color Printing Co., Ltd.	Dimension of stamps(mm.)
Paper	Phosphorescent stamp paper	Dimension of complete set (mm.)	140 × 105（毫米）
Print color	Colorful	Perforation	121/2
Process	Offset	Back
Drawer		Designer	Tseng Kai-chih
Photographer		Engraver
Creative Director		Suspersion date

SOURCE:100th Anniversary of the Alishan Forest Railway Commemorative Souvenir Sheet http://bit.ly/tEkK6Y

Korea's Achievement of One Trillion Dollars in Trade

2011-12-04T11:36:00.001-08:00

Korea has become the ninth country in the world to achieve one trillion dollars in trade! In celebration of this historic milestone, Korea Post issues commemorative stamps to mark the occasion.

When the Korean government was first established in 1948, the Korean economy was suffering from widespread poverty and underdevelopment, with a trade volume which stood at a mere 230 million dollars. But as the country underwent rapid industrialization from 1962 with emphasis on trade and particularly exports, its trade volume skyrocketed to 1 billion dollars in 1967, 10 billion in 1974, 100 billion in 1988, and just 23 years later, 1 trillion dollars in 2011.

Only eight other countries in the world have accomplished this same feat. Following the industrial revolution which began in the 18th century, the UK reached 1 trillion dollars in trade in 2007, and in comparison, Korea achieved the same outcome within a very short span of 60 years. A country whose exports in the 1960s and 70s were comprised of squid, iron ore, cotton, plywood and other agricultural goods, has evolved into a global leader in high-tech industries including semiconductors, mobile phones, autos and shipbuilding. Achieving 1 trillion dollars in trade, which opens a new horizon of the Korean economy, signifies Korea's newfound position as a trade power, now capable of making its voice heard in the global economic arena that was previously dominated by advanced nations.

We would like to express our appreciation to the Korean people for making this accomplishment possible, and also hope this serves as an inspiration for us to keep charging towards the 2-trillion, and 3-trillion-dollar era.


Title	Korea's Achievement of One Trillion Dollars in Trade Commemorative Stamps
Types	2
Date of Issue	December 7, 2011
Quantity	750,000 stamps each
Denomination	270 won
Design	Korean Industries advancing by leaps and bounds, Taegeukgi, the national flag of Korea
Stamp No.	2836 ~ 2837
Printing Process and Colors	Photogravure, six colors
Size of Stamp	40mm × 30mm
Image Area	37.5mm × 28mm, 40mm x 29mm
Perforation	13
Sheet Composition	4 x 4 (230mm x 147mm)
Paper	White Unwatermarked
Designer	Jiwon MO, Jaeyong SHIN
Photographer	Changhwan KIM
Printer	Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation

Orders for Korean stamps may be placed with:
Seoul Central Post Office, SEOUL 100-709, KOREA KOREAN PHILATELIC CENTER C. P. O. 5122,
SEOUL 100-651, KOREA
Tel : +82-2-779-0667 Fax : +82-2-773-4438
E-mail : phila@phila.or.kr

The schedule is subject to change without notice.
Next issue : The 50th Anniversary of Korea – Australia Diplomatic Ties Commemorative Stamps – October 28, 2011

SOURCE:

Korea's Achievement of One Trillion Dollars in Trade http://bit.ly/tY3SmF

STEVE JOBS IN MEMORIAM /2011 Hungarian Philatelic News

2011-11-30T05:52:00.001-08:00

Magyar Posta is issuing a philatelic novelty in memory of Steve Jobs. The numbered commemorative sheet includes a perforated photograph and has been issued in a limited edition. The commemorative sheet will be available in a special holder for collectors of philatelic rarities and people who wish to preserve the memory of the visionary genius.

The perforated design of the commemorative sheet features a portrait of Steve Jobs. On the right of the border design there is the inscription "In memoriam Steve Jobs 1955-2011" and at the bottom left the inscriptions "EMLÉKÍV" and "Commemorative Sheet". The numbering is printed vertically at the top right and Magyar Posta's logo at the bottom right. The commemorative sheet can only be purchased as part of the commemorative card placed in a Hawid mount. The external and internal sides of the commemorative card are decorated by silhouettes of certain movements characteristic of Steve Jobs, while on the inside there is an extract from the writing of Ernő Rubik in Hungarian and English.

5,000 copies of the commemorative sheet and commemorative card, designed by Barnabás Baticz, were printed in the state printers Állami Nyomda and the printing works Con-X. The perforated size of the portrait within the commemorative sheet is 40 x 31.5 mm and the external imperforated size is 90 x 70 mm. The commemorative sheet cannot be used to pay for postage.

Order code: 4103808 • Date of issue: 28 November 2011 • Selling price: HUF 1000

MAGYAR POSTA

STAMP ISSUE INFORMATION:

Tel.: 36 1 767-7329 belyeg @ posta.hu ORDERS:

H-1540 Budapest Tel.: 36 1 767-7173 Fax: 36 1 288-1522 philately@posta.hu www.posta.hu/english

CORDIALES SALUDOS / GOOD LUCK /

JUAN FRANCO CRESPO * STAMP JOURNALIST

SÀLVIA 8 (MAS CLARIANA)
E-43800 VALLS-TARRAGONA (ESPAÑA-SPAIN-ESPAGNE-SPANIEN)

RADIOBLOG: EL MICRÓFONO MKS-EXCLUSIVE EN UN SELLO ESLOVENO

2011-11-30T05:46:00.001-08:00

Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 7:10 AM

Subject: RADIOBLOG: EL MICRÓFONO MKS-EXCLUSIVE EN UN SELLO ESLOVENO

EL MICRÓFONO MKS-EXCLUSIVE EN UN SELLO ESLOVENO

El 25 de noviembre de 2011 aparecía un precioso sello en Eslovenia, estaba dedicado al diseño industrial en aquel país balcánico que, indirectamente, entra de lleno en la temática radial aunque éste no sea el motivo central del timbre.

El MKS fue un micrófono diseñado en 1988, recibió dos prestigiosos premios: la medalla de oro en la 12ª Bienal de Diseño Industrial y el premio del Estado de Baden-Württemberg como mejor producto en Stuttgart (1993). Se distinguió por sus más altas prestaciones técnicas y un inmaculado acabado final que lo acabaron convirtiendo en una preciada pieza de museo desde su misma concepción. Sólo se fabricaron 50 micrófonos de este particular modelo.

De líneas suaves y ergonómicas, tiene una fuerte base circular, superficie mate plateada, presenta una alcachofa poco habitual en este tipo de instrumentos imprescindibles para el mundo de la radio en particular y la comunicación en general. El sello muestra varios detalles del producto y se complementa con la figura de un cantante, silueteada en blanco, en el lado inferior derecho enmarcada en un recuadro.

El diseñador de de la estampilla fue Robert Zvokelj, el fotógrafo Jaka Babnik; se realizó jugando con el negro y diferentes tonalidades que se complementan con el blanco de los textos y el azul del facial 0,58€ y un rectángulo donde aparece la leyenda del creador del micrófono.

La impresión se hizo en minipliegos de diez ejemplares en offset, dentado 14 ¼ y 13 ¾ sobre papel de 96 gramos Senador Natral Litho PVA empleado en la imprenta AS Vaba Maa (Tallin-Estonia). La ceremonia de primer día se realizó en la capital Ljubljana y el matasellos también recoge ese flamante micrófono en la parte superior izquierda del cancelador postal. Tuvo una tirada de 100.000 ejemplares.

El diseñador del micrófono fue Marko Turk (1920-1999), que alcanzó la plenitud profesional a mediados de los 60 cuando consiguió sus primeras medallas de oro en diferentes bienales. En 1964 su micrófono MD9 fue el primero que, originado en la entonces Yugoslavia, brilló con luz propia en la colección permanente del MOMA (Nueva York). Al año siguiente fue galardonado con el prestigioso diploma Preseren Award, el máximo galardón que Eslovenia tiene para las artes y las ciencias. Fue un creador que prácticamente recibió reconocimientos hasta el final de sus días, el último se lo otorgó el ICSID en la XIV Bienal de Diseño celebrada en 1994, justo un lustro antes de su muerte.

Aunque no era muy conocido por el gran público, Turk es una figura insustituible en el mundo del diseño industrial en esta zona de los Balcanes, especialmente en el terreno de la ingeniería acústica, sobre todo micrófonos y equipos de medida que al estar manufacturados en pequeñas cantidades acabaron convirtiéndose en preciados objetos de colección sumamente buscados y que prestigian a sus propietarios actuales.

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Luxembourg: Christmas 2011

2011-11-29T13:54:00.001-08:00

The Christmas 2011 stamp shows a happy family seated around a table and eating biscuits. Christmas decorations, including a tree, garlands, and golden stars, emphasise the festive side and magic of the moment.

The stamp was created by Luxembourg artist Muriel Moritz. Born in 1976, she received a diploma in Illustration and Comic Strip Design at the Académie royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels in 1999. Since 1996, she has forged a solid reputation as an illustrator of children's books, school books, and as an exhibitor.
Muriel Moritz runs workshops for children at the Académie d'été de Luxembourg (CEPA) and at Kulturhuef Grevenmacher.

Price of the stamp :	0,60 + 0,05 = 0,65 €
Price of the sheet:	7,80 €
Illustration:	Muriel Moritz (L)
Printing:	Offset polychrome with scent by bpost Stamps Factory, Malines (B)
Dimensions:	35 x 35 mm, 12 stamps per sheet with decorated borders.

SOURCE: Christmas 2011 http://bit.ly/rY5Fod

Italy: Holy Christmas - “Il Santo Natale”

2011-11-29T13:47:00.001-08:00


Date of issue	November 19, 2011
Value	€ 0.60
Edition	three million six hundred thousand copies
Cartoon	stamp on the secular subject is a typical snowy landscape characterized by some as a Christmas design elements, among other things, the reindeer that ideally stand on the night sky. Completing the stamp to the legend "Merry Christmas", the word "ITALY" and value "€ 0.60"
Stamp designer	Angelo Merenda
Print	Government Printing Office and Mint Spa, rotogravure
Color	three most fluorescent one person to lay the stamp
Paper	white, glossy neutral, self-adhesive, non-fluorescent
Weight	90 g / m
Support	white paper, self-adhesive Kraft siliconated 60 g / m
Adhesive	acrylic water, distributed in quantities of 20 g / m² dry
Paper size and printing	30 x 40 mm stamp dedicated to the subject for the layman
Format tracking	37 x 46 mm
Indentation	11 done by cutting
Sheet	forty-five exemplary value "€ 27.00"

SOURCE:Holy Christmas http://bit.ly/tLSiPF