“Year of the Dog” on Stamps
Legend states that, when the great Buddha found enlightenment beside an old oak tree, he invited all the animals to his kingdom to celebrate. Only 12 animals arrived, and Buddha promptly rewarded them by naming each new year in honour ...
Saturday, February 6th, 2010
50 Years of Australian Christmas Stamps
[Originally published in Stamp News Australasia, December 2007. Republished by kind permission of the author.] Each year since 1957 Australia has issued Christmas stamps to facilitate the mailing of greeting cards to inland addresses, sometimes at a reduced postage rate. In ...
Sunday, October 19th, 2008
A Lepidopterist’s Delight in West Africa: Butterfly and Moth Stamps of Gabon
This little hunt for butterflies in West Africa requires neither net nor mosquito repellent, so forget your pith helmet and take a relaxing look at the beautiful and exotic stamp issues of Gabon. Please note that all the stamps shown are ...
Sunday, January 3rd, 2010
Advertisement
Some stamps have been issued having an advertisement printed on the back. The most well-known are certain Queen Victoria issues of New Zealand, but some British stamps were also printed experimentally. Modern self-adhesives from Sierra Leone have advertisements printed on ...
Wednesday, July 9th, 2008
Australian Space Tracking Stations
When I first began collecting stamps back in the late sixties ‘space’ was one of the ‘in’ topics. It was the time of the ‘space race’ when people all around the world followed avidly the achievements of the Russian and ...
Thursday, February 21st, 2008
Australian Stamp Varieties: Rock Posters and Dangerous Australians (2006)
Only one Rock Posters issue in September but plenty of variations and other poster paraphernalia. Then came the Dangerous Australians on 3rd October and the infamous $1 Red-back Spider stamp. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...Australian Stamp Varieties: ...
Tuesday, June 16th, 2009
Between the Wars: Interesting Stamp Issues of 1919-1939 (Part One)
I am have always been quite interested in World history between the First and Second World Wars. This turbulent period saw the end of many monarchies, the rise of communism and fascism, a period of hyperinflation, wealth and the Great ...
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009
Booklets Offer More
Travel the world on the magic carpets of philately. Stamp booklets take you back in time, reveal facts about historical events, shed light on cultural activities and help you learn about everyday living in distant lands. Booklets arouse your passion ...
Monday, February 25th, 2008
Cats on Stamps
Cats are wonderful companions. Generally they are intelligent, affectionate and sensitive. The evolution of the cat began millions of years ago and today's domestic cat may be a descendant of a wild African cat the Egyptians tamed perhaps as early ...
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
Christmas Angels
Angels, the messengers of God, have become an integral part of the Christmas story, because an angel was sent to tell Mary of her chosen role in the birth of baby Jesus. Nearly all world postal administrations have featured angels ...
Saturday, December 13th, 2008
Eagles
A popular name for the 1864 issues of Mexico, which showed an eagle tramping a snake underfoot. Also applied to the 1845 and 1847-9 issues of Geneva. Above: 1864 "Dragon" issue of Mexico Above: 1845, 1846 and 1847-9 issues of Geneva If you ...
Thursday, April 17th, 2008
Famous Train Journeys (1992)
There is still something about a train journey which holds nostalgic memories for many people. Although many train services have disappeared for compelling political or economic, reasons largely due to the emergence of air transportation over longer distances, still others have ...
Saturday, July 4th, 2009
Germany Federal Republic: 50 Years Women’s Suffrage (1969)
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Constitution of the Weimar Republic the Deutsche Bundespost issued a commemorative postage souvenir sheet to mark the introduction of franchise and eligibility for German women. The block bears the inscription “50 ...
Wednesday, May 28th, 2008
Hamlet’s Elsinore
The Danish city of Elsinore is located on the northern coast of Sealand opposite the city of Helsingborg in Sweden. Two ferry lines link the two cities; the crossing takes some 20 minutes. Lots of Swedes travel to Elsinore every ...
Monday, February 15th, 2010
Italy: Dante Centenary Stamps 1921
This is a contemporary report of the popular Dante Centenary stamps, issued by Italy in 1921, originally published in Stamp Collectors’ Fortnightly, October 1, 1921. From Il Giornale d’Italia, September 15th, 1921, kindly forwarded to us by our esteemed colleague, Dr. ...
Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Movie Moments
Betty Van Tenac FAP FRPSL In the early 1890s, inventors on both side of the Atlantic were on the brink of showing the first moving photographs. Still photography was well established, but the challenge was to invent a machine that would ...
Sunday, November 9th, 2008
Netherlands: XVIth Olympic Games Issue (1956)
Holland’s philatelic contribution to the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games comprises five brightly-coloured stamps. Four of them have a different sports motif – sailing, sprinting, hockey and water-polo. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...Postal Service Savings Bank Contained Stamp ...
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008
Norway: Polar Bear Stamp and Postcard (2008)
This polar bear postcard was supplied by one of our contributors, Leigh Kinrade. It was sent to him by a friend from Svalbard, beyond the Arctic Circle. The polar bear stamp is tied with an Aalesund CDS and it also ...
Friday, October 24th, 2008
Sir Edmund Hillary: A Retrospective
Sir Edmund Hillary, Mountaineer, Explorer, Statesman, Philanthropist died on 11th January 2008 aged 88. This New Zealand mint pair of stamps was issued in 2003 for the 50th anniversary of the Conquest of Everest. If you enjoyed this article, you might ...
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
Spain: First Floating Trade Fair Stamp (1956)
This interesting stamp (SG 1254/Scott 848) was issued 1956. The ship, CIUDAD DE TOLEDO, with a tonnage of 10, 123, was used to transport Spain’s first floating Trade Fair of national products around the world, was built by the Cia Euskalduna ...
Saturday, May 10th, 2008
Stamps of Bulgaria: Means of Transport Issue (1965)
This multicoloured 13 st. issue commemorated the International Conference of Transportation, Dock and Fishery Workers in Sofia was issued April 30, 1965. It showed plane, train, ship and whale. Designed by Stefan Kantschev and photogravure printed. If you enjoyed this article, you ...
Monday, March 16th, 2009
Stamps of Greece: The First Olympic Stamps (1896)
The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in April 1896, and Greece issued a series of twelve stamps to mark the occasion. The designs, by Professor Gillieron, were based on ancient Greek art and architecture connected with the ...
Friday, August 8th, 2008
Stamps of Greenland (Thule): The First Issues (1938)
Prior to 1938 there was little or no necessity for stamps since mail went to Denmark free of charge. Stamps were produced at Thule, the cryolite mines of West Greenland, and a linocut air stamp was produced in 1932 by the ...
Friday, May 30th, 2008
Stamps of Hong Kong (China): Panda Issue (July 1st 2008)
Hong Kong recently issued a set of stamps featuring a pair of Giant Panda cubs. The promotional material reads: "Le Le and Ying Ying, a pair of giant panda cubs, arrived in Hong Kong in 2007 as a gift from ...
Sunday, August 3rd, 2008
Stamps of Iceland: 25th Anniversary of the Republic of Iceland (1969)
[caption id="attachment_4630" align="aligncenter" width="198" caption="Iceland 1969 100k stamp"][/caption] There were two values (25 Krone and 100 Krone) of this commemorative issue celebrating the 50ty Anniversary of the Republic of Iceland, depicting the Icelandic flag and rising sun emblem issued June 17, ...
Friday, April 3rd, 2009
Stamps of Israel: Golda Meir Memorial Issue (1981)
This 2.60 Shekel stamp featured a portrait of the well-known Israeli Prime Minister, Golda Meir (1898-1978). It was designed by M. Krup and multicoloured photogravure printed by the Government Printer. Perf. 14x13, with tab. [caption id="attachment_4647" align="alignleft" width="178" caption="Israel 1981 2.60s stamp"][/caption] If ...
Friday, April 10th, 2009
Stamps of Israel: The First Issues (1948)
The first stamps of Israel were inscribed in Hebrew ‘Doar Ivri’ (Hebrew Post) and featured coins issued by the Jewish authorities at the time of the first and second Jewish revolts against the Romans, or in the reign of the ...
Monday, May 26th, 2008
Stamps of Italy: The First Fascist Issues (1923)
A series of six stamps celebrating the assumption of power by the Fascists. The fascist emblem, the ancient Roman fasces or axe and rods, depicted on the highest denomination stamp (5 lire), was featured on many Italian stamps from 1923-1944. If you ...
Thursday, June 12th, 2008
Stamps of Liechtenstein: Pope Pius XII Mourning Issue (1959)
This issue, released on 15 April 1959 was designed by M. Frommelt and printed by Courvoisier from a photo. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...Who’s Who on the Stamps of Ecuador: Charles Darwin Issue (1936)Who’s Who on ...
Friday, October 10th, 2008
Stamps of Malagasy Republic: Aquarium Fish series (1994)
Illustrated are some of the stamps and the very handsome miniature sheet, featuring a splendid Goldfish, in the series devoted to Aquarium Fish. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...“Year of the Dog” on StampsUnited States Flags on United ...
Monday, July 14th, 2008
Stamps of Monaco: 150th Birth Anniversary of Jules Verne (1978)
There were eight fascinating designs by Pierre Forget, printed in gravure, celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of the author, Jules Verne and his works: If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...Cats on StampsThe Stamps of BrecqhouHamlet’s Elsinore
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008
Stamps of Netherlands Antilles: Sports Issues (1985)
This colourful series from Netherlands Antilles, issued on March 27, 1985, featured football (soccer) players. They were designed by Edwin Ayubi and printed by Joh. Enschedé & Zonen. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...Stamps of Nova Scotia: The ...
Monday, July 28th, 2008
Stamps of Norway: 1989 Christmas Issue
The subject of the 1989 Christmas stamps of Norway was Christmas tree decorations. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...Norway, Sweden & Denmark Map (Lincoln Stamp Album 1899)World’s Oldest Stamp Design – Norway’s Posthorn Stamp Still Going StrongNorway: Polar ...
Saturday, December 13th, 2008
Stamps of Senegal: Interpol 50th Anniversary Issue (1973)
[caption id="attachment_4637" align="aligncenter" width="269" caption="Senegal 1973 75fr stamp"][/caption] This 50 Fr. stamp, issued October 6, 1973, celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Interpol and showed the Headquarters Building at Saint-Cloud in France. It was designed and engraved by Lacaque and recess printed at ...
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009
Stamps of Sri Lanka: Opening of Parliament Building Complex (1982)
This multicoloured 50c. stamp was issued on 29 April, 1982 to celebrate the opening of the Parliament Building Complex at Sri Jayawardanapura, Kotte. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...“Year of the Dog” on StampsCats on StampsItaly: Dante Centenary ...
Thursday, January 15th, 2009
Stamps of Thailand: UNICEF Issue (1964)
The seventeenth anniversary of UNICEF was marked by 50 satangs and 2 baht stamps, issued in January 1964. The stamps reproduced the mother and child emblem of UNICEF and were designed and printed in photogravure by the Japanese Government Printing Bureau, ...
Thursday, June 12th, 2008
Stamps of the Netherlands: De Stijl Issue (1983)
On June 21 1983 the Netherlands PTT issued two special stamps featuring "De Stijl" (The Style). The stamps were designed by Prof. Wim Crouwel of Amsterdam. Values and designs were: 50 cents. The painting "Composition 1922" by Piet Mondrian (private collection) on ...
Saturday, November 22nd, 2008
Stamps of the U.S.: 1983 “Inventors” Issue
This block of four stamps honors the contributions of American inventors Charles Steinmetz, Edwin Armstrong, Nikola Tesia and Philo T. Farnsworth. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...Who’s Who on the Stamps of Ecuador: Charles Darwin Issue (1936)Who’s Who ...
Sunday, September 14th, 2008
Stamps of Turkey: Cyprus Peace Operation Issue (1974)
This multicoloured 250 kurush stamp (Scott 1982) featured the Dove of Peace carrying a Turkish flag in its beak over a map of Cyprus. Issued on August 26, 1974 it was designed by Prof. Namik Bayik and offset printed by Tarik ...
Monday, November 17th, 2008
Stamps of U.S.A.: 1973 Christmas Issue
The design of the 1973 Christmas stamps by Dolli Tingle, which features a whimsical old-fashioned Christmas tree, was the first U.S. stamp ever designed in needlepoint. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...Christmas AngelsWho’s Who on the Stamps ...
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
Switzerland – The Different Stamp
As a collector of Swiss stamps I enjoy the unique issues of Switzerland. This country has been very innovative with its stamp issues. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...Switzerland Map (1935)Switzerland Map (Gall and Inglis 1871)American Helvetia ...
Tuesday, June 17th, 2008
The Pleasures of Stamp Collecting (1975)
[This article originally appeared in the New Zealand Stamp Collector, the official journal of the Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand. It is republished by kind permission of the Society.] Investment The Royal Philatelic Society was privileged recently to hear an interesting ...
Monday, February 23rd, 2009
The Stamps of Brecqhou
[Published by kind permission of the Editor of Stamp News Australasia.] Today more and more collectors are turning to the somewhat esoteric areas of philately. Many are probably disgusted by the endless avalanche of new stamp issues from countries which previously ...
Saturday, November 22nd, 2008
Thematic or Topical Collecting for Beginners
In the vast stampscape of philately Thematic or Topical collecting is constantly increasing in popularity. What you collect is only limited by your imagination. Here are some suggested Themes or Topics to inspire you to start your collection: If you enjoyed this ...
Monday, February 25th, 2008
Thematics In Australia
Thematic philately is the collecting of stamps and various types of philatelic material according to the subjects they display or the stories they tell, rather than in chronological order by country of origin. It has the potential to be among ...
Saturday, January 26th, 2008
Topical Stamp Collecting
"Topical collecting is so entertaining, artistically satisfying and versatile … it can be the panacea for most stamp ills such as sheer boredom, disgust, disinterest and disillusionment. It can be taken very seriously as a major collecting interest with extensive ...
Tuesday, March 17th, 2009
United States Flags on United States Stamps
The first United States stamp to show the U. S. flag-four of them-was issued in 1869. It is Scott 121, the 30¢ of the set, and the Flags shared the small space (21mm X 21mm) with a shield and an ...
Monday, September 14th, 2009
Who’s Who on the Stamps of Costa Rica: Eusebio Figueroa Oreamuno Issue (1903)
Born on May 18, 1827 in the city of Cartago, Costa Rica, Eusebio Figueroa Oreamuno lost his parents during his youth. He was left without funds and went to the city of Grenada, Nicaragua where he completed his education under ...
Saturday, September 26th, 2009
Who’s Who on the Stamps of Costa Rica: Jesús Jiménez Issue (1901)
This article is the beginning of a series looking at important people featured on world stamps. Jesús Jiménez was born in the city of Santiago, Costa Rica, on June 18, 1823. He received his preliminary education in Cartago and was later ...
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
Who’s Who on the Stamps of Costa Rica: Juan Rafael Mora Issue (1901)
Juan Rafael Mora was born in San José, Costa Rica on February 8, 1814. His primary education in that locality ended with his fifteenth year when his father provided him with employment. At twenty-one, on the death of his father, ...
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
Who’s Who on the Stamps of Ecuador: Charles Darwin Issue (1936)
For those collecting the various Charles Darwin issues in this (2009) the bicentenary of his birth, it is interesting to note this early issue commemorating the famous scientist. This 20c. stamp was issued by Ecuador in 1936. If you enjoyed this ...
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009
World of Thematics: Chess
Chess is the oldest of all games of pure mental skill - those in which the element of chance does not enter. Further, no game has been as influential in cultural history as chess. I was surprised that the ATA ...
Monday, September 15th, 2008
Yacht Type
A popular name for the design of stamps used in German Colonies after 1900, which features the imperial yacht HOHENZOLLERN. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...Intermediate Type of the 2M “Deusches Reich”Stamps and Postal Service of German New ...
Wednesday, March 5th, 2008
