The Philatelic Database – Archive of Stamp Collecting Articles

The message from Danzig on the back of this card is a simple enquiry: “why has it been so long since we have heard any news from you?” The writer’s anxiety may well have been heightened when the card came back over three months later as the addressee could not be traced.

Most of us will be familiar with the Language of Flowers. In Victorian times flowers were often sent to convey messages. However few will be aware of the Language of Stamps.

The following article was first published in Australian Stamp Monthly (December, 1952) and written by Alec A Gavin. THE little Registered Label (R6 in P.O. phraseology) plays a very important part in a vital post office activity, and the collection and study of these items of Commonwealth postal stationery has attracted the attention of a [...]

Originally published in “The Railway Magazine” in March 1898, this article gives a fascinating insight into railway activities and life in Japan at the close of the nineteenth century.

For our many collectors of West Africa, here is a video which should prove informative

Periodically, reference is made in ”The Aero Field” to “All–Up” mails and the term appears to have puzzled some new collectors for the publishers have had several requests for an explanation. As the few that have written are probably only a small proportion of those who have been mystified the following notes may be of use to many readers.

This recently acquired photograph is a historic and nostalgic addition to our ever-expanding post office archive.

There is a certain romance about zeppelins and their stamps are eagerly sought by collectors. This issue from Paraguay consisted of five stamps released on May 6 1933.

World War I naval/military postal historians will find this article from Maurice Mishkel most interesting…

1867 map including Denmark, Iceland, Bornholm & Schleswig-Holstein.

This attractive issue was designed by E.Pizzi and consisted of three stamps 10l. yellow, lake and seoia, 25l. yellow lake and dull violet and 35l. yellow, lake and grey-black (pictured). It was released May 29, 1954.For information on Piux X, see the Catholic Encyclopaedia entry: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12137a.htm

Given recent events in the Vatican I thought this video quite apposite. It is the first film of a Pope and for collectors of Vatican stamps of some interest…:  

In 1909 ballet impresario Sergei Diaghilev began to produce a series of ballets which were to bring international fame to the dancers Pavlova, Karsavina and Nijinsky. They have been immortalised on numerous stamp issues ever since.

In its 76-year history the Commonwealth Games movement has had several names – the British Empire Games, the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, the British Commonwealth Games and now the Commonwealth Games.

The cover has a total postage of 1/ 7d made up of a pair of ½d orange KGV heads and the 1/6 Hermes airmail stamp. It has two ENMORE/ 130P 16 JL 36/ N.S.W postmarks plus a blue By Air Mail/ Par Avion vignette. It is addressed to E. L. Angeloglou. Esq./ 13. El. Manakh. [...]

This is a fascinating article written by William C. White, an American who was trying to obtain an interview with Adolf Hitler prior to his rise to power in 1933.