Philately and Stamp in The World

Captain Robert A. Bartlett

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:49:00 PDT

“The truth was I could not stop myself in pursuit of adventure. I was committed to the Arctic. I’d got the poison in my veins.”

Captain Bartlett (from his journals)

In the golden age of Arctic exploration, there was only one “Captain Bob.” Deemed the greatest ice captain of the 20th century, Bob worked as a sealer, Arctic explorer, ice captain and scientist. In more than half a century at sea, he sought high adventure and fresh discoveries in some of the wildest, remotest corners of the world.

Robert Abram Bartlett was born in Brigus, Newfoundland, on August 15, 1875, into a family of renowned seal hunters and sailing masters. His mother hoped he would enter the ministry, but, alas, the sea was in his blood.

From 1898 to 1909, Captain Bob accompanied renowned American explorer Robert E. Peary on three separate attempts to reach the North Pole. During the third voyage, he led the expedition to 87°48' N latitude—farther north than anyone had reached before him. He later captained the Karluk on the Canadian Arctic Expedition. When the ship was crushed in the Arctic pack ice, Bartlett and an Inuk made a 700-mile journey to land and down the Siberian coast to rescue the stranded crew. During the last two decades of his seafaring career, Captain Bob led the Effie M. Morrissey on scientific expeditions to Greenland, Iceland and the high Arctic. In 1969, Bartlett was designated a person of national historic importance by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Icy blues and snowy whites make a fitting backdrop for the commemorative stamp issued to mark the 100th anniversary of Captain Bob’s legendary attempt to reach to the North Pole. The issue features Bartlett holding a sextant, an instrument used to measure latitude and longitude at sea. “We chose the photo because it represents the navigational expertise for which he was renowned,” explains designer Karen Smith. The top-left corner of the stamp features an outline of the globe from the North Pole downward, which bleeds onto the stamp’s frame. The background features an image of the Roosevelt (the ship that Bartlett both skippered and captained on the Peary Polar Expeditions) superimposed onto a recent photograph of the Canadian Arctic. Smith adds, “We opted for a newer photo because the vivid colours capture the cool, harsh conditions of the region.” Scattered between the on-looking Captain and his ship are the Inuit people whose knowledge of the region ensured the survival of the explorers in the harsh Arctic climate.

Those involved with Bartlett’s legacy are thrilled with this postal tribute. “Captain Bartlett brought the Arctic to the world,” says the Honourable Edward Roberts, Chair of the Celebrating Bartlett 2009 Steering Committee and former Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador. “His accomplishments and popular lectures changed the way the world looked at Canada’s Arctic lands. We are delighted that Canada Post is putting its “stamp of approval” on his legacy.”

To learn more about Captain Bartlett’s legacy and associated celebrations, visit www.bartlett2009.com

80 Years of Canada/Japan Diplomatic Relations Commemorative Envelope

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:37:00 PDT

In 2009, as Canada celebrates the 80th anniversary of the establishment of its diplomatic presence in Japan, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan will pay a visit to Canada. This visit is an important symbol of our solid and ever-growing relationship—a relationship founded on such shared values as freedom, democracy, open markets and good governance. The ties between Japan and Canada continue to grow as we cooperate on peace and security, enjoy strong trade and investment ties, and engage in numerous community and cultural exchanges.

This July, Canada Post will mark this anniversary and celebrate Their Majesties’ visit with a commemorative envelope. Designed by Céline Morisset, Manager of Graphic Design at Canada Post, the envelope showcases the richness of Japanese art and speaks to its welcome place in Canadian culture. It features cherry blossoms and Japanese calligraphy set against a kimono, the traditional clothing of Japan. Cherry blossoms, sakura in Japanese, are the flowers that grow on cherry trees. Over 200 cultivars of sakura are native to Japan, where they are considered omens of good fortune, a symbol of love, and an enduring metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life. “The design, with the vivid colours of the cherry blossom, imparts a sense of flamboyance amid tranquility,” Morisset explains.

A bonsai pine tree was used as the cancellation mark. An ancient horticultural art form practiced by the Japanese, bonsai involves growing miniature plants through the use of skilled pruning. “In Japan, the pine represents the spiritual culture of the ancients,” notes Morisset. On the preprinted stamp image, the Canadian and Japanese flags fly side by side against a bright blue sky. “This concept is symbolic of the strong relationship between the nations.”

Date of Issue: July 8, 2009
Price: $3.00
Denomination: Domestic postage paid
Design: Canada Post Graphic Design Group
Quantity: 10,000

Roadside Attractions

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:06:00 PDT

Nothing beats a Canadian road trip. From the rocky splendours of the west, through spectacular stretches of alpine meadows, towards the sweeping ocean vistas of the east—it seems that, no matter which way we steer the wheel, there’s something to see. But it’s not all natural scenery; the landscape abounds with quirky landmarks that capture the spirit of small-town Canada and never fail to get tourists talking. This July, Canada Post will issue the first set in a three-year stamp series showcasing Canada’s famous roadside attractions.

We kick off our cross-country journey in the wonderful west, home to vistas of snow-peaked mountain ranges, panoramic seascapes, and, of course, Mr. PG. At a staggering 8 metres tall, this giant “log” man is hard to miss. He’s been welcoming visitors to Prince George, BC, since 1960.

Next stop: Watson Lake, YK, where a special kind of forest—a signpost forest—is nestled within spectacular stretches of untamed wilderness. It all began in 1942, when a homesick U.S. Army G.I. working on the Alaska Highway put up a sign pointing the way and showing the mileage to his hometown. Others followed suit, and the Watson Lake Signpost Forest’s count today exceeds 64,000 signs.

So many signs—which way to go? We follow the eastbound arrow until, as luck would have it, we stumble upon Hay River, NWT’s Inukshuk. Built in 1978 as a symbol for the Arctic Winter Games, this stunning sculpture belongs to the age-old Inuit tradition of building stone giants to guide travelers through Canada’s vast landscape. Our guide points south, and on we go.

A long journey down the Yellowhead Highway leads us to Vegreville, AB, where a massive Easter egg—the largest in the world, in fact—is on display at the entrance to Elk Island National Park. Its name, Pysanka, is Ukrainian for “Easter egg,” and it symbolizes Vegreville’s vibrant folk culture.

This set of stamps is as fun and whimsical as the attractions they celebrate. Designer Fraser Ross of Halifax’s Semaphor Design Company notes, “They’re all iconic in their own way, so we wanted to give them each a monumental quality.” The stamps feature traditional oil paintings by Nova Scotia artist Bonnie Ross. The detail and dimension within them was captured by adding layer upon layer of graduated colour. Meanwhile, the lively colour scheme lends a cartoonish aspect to the scenes. Fraser adds, “This quality highlights the originality and quirkiness of these attractions; they’re so much fun and we wanted the stamps to speak to that.”

While getting acquainted with the roadside attractions, Ross came to see that their excitement extends well beyond their quirks. “They’re like historical landmarks in both a literal and figurative way,” he says. “They literally mark a location, but they also mark a time and place. On family vacations, we all stop; we stare; and we rarely leave without a picture. Over time, we may forget the details of a vacation, sometimes even the destinations themselves, but somehow the roadside attractions we meet along the way find a permanent place in our memories and photo albums.” This July, these lively landmarks can also find a permanent place in your stamp collection.

Where will the road take us next? Stay tuned to find out!

Date of Issue: July 6, 2009
Denomination: 4 x 54¢
Layout: A: Booklet of 8 stamps
B: Souvenir sheet of 4 stamps
Product No: A: 413739111 ($4.32)
B: 403739145 ($2.16)
Design: Fraser Ross (semaphor)
Illustration: Bonnie Ross
Photography: iStock Photo; CanStock Photo;BigStock
Printer: Lowe-Martin
Quantity: A: 4,000,000, B: 250,000
Dimensions: A: 35 mm x 41 mm (vertical)
B: 95 mm x 109 mm (vertical)
Perforations: A: Kiss cut, B: 13+
Gum Type: A: Pressure sensitive, B: P.V.A.
Printing Process: Lithography in 7 colours plus varnish
Paper Type: Tullis Russell
Tagging: General, 4 sides
Official First Day Cover (OFDC) Cancellation: Prince George, British Columbia
Product No. and Quantity: 413739131 ($3.16 – 19,000)

Ashes fever commemorated in three new stamps

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 03:27:00 PDT

Ashes fever has been vividly captured on a special England v Australia 2009 miniature sheet, containing three postage stamps, to be released by the Isle of Man Post Office in association with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the Isle of Man Cricket Association, on June 29.

The Queen has granted royal approval for the three engaging £1 stamps that include a silhouette of her head and depict the legendary "W G Grace at Lord's"; "The MCC Ashes Trophy & Urn"; "England v Australia, Lord's 2005".

The idea for the Ashes Series 2009 miniature sheet was conceived by this correspondent during Spring STAMPEX 2009 at the Business Design Centre, Islington - a stamp show that featured some wonderful displays of "Cricket and Stamps", never seen before in public. The MCC Museum at Lord's Cricket Ground, Chapman and Mitchell covers (Terry Mitchell and John Chapman), and the Isle of Man Cricket Association provided invaluable help and advice.

The miniature sheet was designed by Gautam Saha, and printed by BDT international, the security printers based in Ireland, using four colour offset lithography. The text for the special presentation pack and first-day cover insert was written by this correspondent. The dramatic painting "Two to Win" on the front of the presentation pack and the illustration "Umpire" on the first day cover are by well-known cricket artist Christina Pierce.

The legendary Dr William Gilbert Grace, (1848-1915) was the outstanding English all-round amateur cricketer of his day - a right- handed batsman and a bowler - who captained England and Gloucestershire. Grace, who qualified as a medical practitioner in 1879, was known as "the doctor". He played first-class cricket for 44 seasons, 1865-1908. Only Bradman stands beside him in cricket's history.

W G Grace - depicted on the first stamp - shown in a painting batting at Lord's Cricket Ground in 1895, played for the MCC, 1869-1904; Gloucestershire, 1870-1899; and London County, 1900-1904. He captained England on 24 occasions.

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) was founded in 1787. Before then aristocrats and noblemen played their cricket in White Conduit Fields at lslington, London. Cricket was considered a manly sport for the elite who asked Thomas Lord, a bowler with White Conduit CC, to set up a new private ground. Lord leased a ground on Dorset Fields in Marylebone - now Dorset Square.

The first match was played on May 31 1787 and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) was formed. After a short stay at North Bank, Regent's Park, between 1811 and 1813, Lord's moved to a new rural ground in St John’s Wood during 1814.

Lord's cricket ground, depicted on the third stamp in a vibrant painting "England v Australia, Lord's 2005" by Karen Neale, remains the home of MCC.

Karen, MCC's "Young Cricket Artist for 2005", based at Lord's, told The Times: "My passion is sketching and painting the world around me."

In 1998 MCC commissioned a Waterford crystal trophy modeled on the world famous Ashes Urn - both the trophy and the urn are shown on the second stamp in the miniature sheet - which is now presented to the winner of each Ashes series. This trophy was first presented to the Australians after their success in the 1998-99 series.

The term "Ashes" was first used after England lost to Australia - for the first time on home soil - at The Oval on August 29 1882. A day later, the "Sporting Times" carried a mock obituary to English cricket that concluded: "The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia".

A few weeks later an English team captained by the Hon lvo Bligh (later Lord Darnley), set off to tour Australia. The side lost the first of the three scheduled Tests but won the next two. Before Christmas 1882 a fun match was played at the Rupertswood estate of Sir William Clarke, President of the Melbourne Cricket Club. Lady Clarke burnt a bail and presented the "Ashes" in an urn to the England Captain as a memento of his visit. Bligh subsequently took the urn back to England, and following his death his widow presented the urn to MCC, where it remains permanently in the Museum at Lord's.

The iconic four-inch urn arrived at Lord's in 1929 and went on display in the Long Room. It was moved to the museum when that opened in 1953. It has rarely moved from Lord's, but in 2006/07 was displayed in six Australian cities during a unique 14- week exhibition tour. The Ashes Urn, which was never intended as a trophy, is extremely fragile. Recognising the need for a trophy for the series MCC in 1998 commissioned a magnificent Waterford Crystal Trophy for the 1998-99 Ashes Series. Up until the summer of 2009 only one England Captain - Michael Vaughan of Yorkshire - has had the honour of lifting the trophy, during the never-to-be-forgotten English summer of 2005.

The Isle of Man Cricket Club was formed in April 1930 to foster the interests of cricket on the Island and assist existing clubs - Ramsey, Fencibles and Castletown. In July 2004 the Isle of Man Cricket Association was elected as the 90th member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and in 2005 competed in a European Championship for the first time. Each year the MCC sends a touring side to the Island to play against King William's College, and a fixture against the Island senior side is always included.

Cricket and stamp collecting is a winning combination and this topical Ashes 2009 miniature sheet will appeal to stamp collectors and cricket enthusiast alike. It will certainly rekindle vivid memories of great cricket matches in past years. Non-collectors stumped for new ideas could do no better than open a new innings: "Cricket and Stamps".

Cricket used to be a quintessentially English game played by gentlemen. But no more. In recent years television has brought cricket to many of the countries listed in the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth Catalogue and all the countries which are members of the ICC (International Cricket Council) – founded on June 15 1909.

Stanley Gibbons Catalogue Editor, Hugh Jefferies, confirmed to The Times: "The Isle of Man Post cricket miniature sheet will be listed in the 2010 Stanley Gibbons stamp catalogues because it is on sale at post offices at £3, the face value of the three postage stamps." Mr Jefferies added: "The three £1 stamps will not be listed separately because they are not available as singe stamps but only as a miniature sheet."

If England win, in what is likely to be a closely fought home Ashes series this summer, Royal Mail will have an opportunity to issue a miniature sheet to complement the "The Ashes England Winners 2005" released on October 6 2005. Stamp collectors and non collectors alike will eagerly anticipate the Isle of Man "England v Australia 2009" miniature sheet re-issued with the memorable overprint "ENGLAND WINNERS". Cricket, Lovely Cricket!

Date of Issue: 29th June 2009

Australian Bush Babies

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:34:00 PDT

This stamp issue features four species of some of the most popular Australian marsupials and their young.

The four marsupials featured on the stamps are:

* Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
* Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)
* Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)
* Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus)

Bush Babies postmark

The Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) is a large kangaroo (males can weigh up to 70 kilograms) second in size only to the Red Kangaroo and is the only kangaroo species found in Tasmania.

The Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecular) is familiar to many urban dwelling people as it has successfully adapted to life in highly populated areas. Its natural habitat extends over much of Australia, from rainforests to dry eucalypt woodlands.

One of Australia's iconic animals, the Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is found in the eastern Australian states excluding Tasmania. Koalas spend most of their life in eucalypt trees which also provide the species' entire diet.

Like the Koala the Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus) has a backward-opening pouch. It is found in south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Its habitat is varied, ranging from coastal forest to alpine woodland and grassland. Wombats build burrows, leaving a mound of excavated earth outside the entrance. Gestation lasts a month.

Technical Details
Issue date: 1 July 2009
Issue withdrawal date: TBA
FDI withdrawal date: 29 July 2009
Denominations: 1 x $1.45, 1 x $2.10, 1 x $2.90, 1 x $4.20
Designer: Adam Crapp
Printer: McKellar
Paper (gummed): Tullis Russell
Paper (self-adhesive): B100
Printing process: Lithography
Stamp size: 37.5mm x 26mm and 26mm x 37.5mm
Perforations: 13.86 x 14.6
Sheet layout: 2 x 25 stamps per module, 200 per sheet
National postmark: Gumly Gumly, NSW 2652

Australia's Favourite Stamp

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:04:00 PDT

The results are in! Australia Post invited the public to vote for its favourite Australian stamp. The chose was from choose from 150 stamps representing Australian culture and heritage, major events and significant achievements since the first stamps were issued by New South Wales in 1850.

The Results in order of popularity

1. £2 Kangaroo and Map (1913-38)
2. 5s Opening of Sydney Harbour Bridge (1932)
3. 2½d Peace and Victory (1946)
4. 8½d Gwoya Jungarai, "One Pound Jimmy" (1950)
5. 6d Kookaburra (1914).

The £2 Kangaroo and Map stamp was originally issued in 1913 as part of the first uniform issue of stamps by the Commonwealth of Australia. It caused considerable controversy, as it did not include a portrait of the reigning British monarch.

The public's second choice was the 5s Opening of Sydney Harbour Bridge issued in 1932. The "Five Bob Bridge", as the stamp became affectionately known, has long been an elusive item for generations of collectors. The stamp design is unusually free of embellishment to emphasise the bridge's size and this is reinforced by the tiny image of R.M.S. Orford, one of the passenger liners on the Australia-England run, passing underneath the bridge.

The third choice, the 2½d Peace and Victory issued in 1946, features a seven-pointed star and wreath, the star representing the Australian states and territories, and was issued to celebrate the end of World War II. The 8½d Gwoya Jungarai, often known as "One Pound Jimmy", issued in 1950 was the public's next choice. Gwoya Jungarai was a member of the Walbiri tribe of Central Australia. The fifth choice was the 6d Kookaburra issued in 1914. It was part of a new series designed to replace the Kangaroo and Map stamps.

Technical Details
Issue date: 26 June 2009
Issue withdrawal date: 31 December 2009
FDI withdrawal date: 24 July 2009
Denominations: 5 x 55c
Designer: Jo Mure
Printer: Energi Print/Pemara/McKellar
Paper (gummed): Tullis Russell
Paper (s/a): B90
Printing process: Lithography
Stamp size: 37.5mm x 26mm
Perforations: 13.86 x 14.6
Sheet layout: Modules of 50
National postmark: Sydney, NSW 2000

40th Anniversary - Investiture of HRH The Prince of Wales

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:30:00 PDT

On 1st July 2009, Jersey Post will mark the 40th Anniversary of the Investiture of HRH The Prince of Wales with a commemorative Miniature Sheet.

Prince Charles was created the 21st 'Prince of Wales' by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, when he was just nine years old. However, it was not until some eleven years later that the Investiture took place because Her Majesty The Queen wanted to wait until Prince Charles understood exactly what it meant to be bestowed with the title. The ceremony was conducted on 1st July 1969 within the medieval walls of Caernarfon Castle with an immediate audience of 4,000 guests. Countless thousands more stood outstide the castle and a worldwide audience watched via television cameras.

Taiwan Butterflies Postage Stamps

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:38:00 PDT

To call public attention to conserve natural habitat, Chunghwa Post is following up with a souvenir sheet on swallowtail butterflies. The designs follow:
1. Papilio xuthus Linnaeus (NT$5.00): It has dark brown wings, although the coloration in females is somewhat lighter. There is a pale yellow crescent (lunule) behind the forewings and hindwings, and there are some light yellow markings near the base of the hindwings. The males and females are similar in appearance except for some obvious orange markings on either side of the bluish gray band on the underside of females’ hindwings. In addition, there is a black spot on the front edge of males’ hindwings, which is absent in females.

2. Troides aeacus formosanus Rothschild (NT$5.00): The male has black wings, and the bright yellow markings on the upperside and underside of its hindwings are larger than those of the female. There is a row of black saw-tooth markings on the outer margin of its hindwings and some red markings on its thorax. Females are larger than males, with broader forewings and a complicated yellow and black pattern on their hindwings. This butterfly is an endemic subspecies to Taiwan. It is listed as a rare and valuable protected species.

3. Graphium agamemnon (Linnaeus) (NT$12.00): Females and males have identical wing patterns. The male has black wings with four vertical rows of yellowish green spots on each wing. There is a fuzzy gray brand in the fold at the inner edge of the hindwings. Females lack the brand and are larger than males.

4. Papilio paris nakaharai Shirôzu (NT$12.00): It has black wings. There is a broad, metallic greenish blue marking on its hindwings, which shimmers during flight. It is one of the most beautiful butterflies in Taiwan. There is a row of red crescents on the outer edge of the underside of its hindwings. Females and males are similar in appearance, except that in males the blue marking on the upperside of the hindwing extends narrowly below and above.

By-issues
(1) First Day Cover in large size to be sold at NT$3.00 apiece.
(2) Folder especially prepared for the souvenir sheet to be sold at NT$8.00 apiece.
(3) Folder with crystal mount for better protection of the souvenir sheet to be sold at NT$8.00 apiece.
(4) Loose-leaf stamp album page with plastic cover to be sold at NT$16.00 apiece.
(5) Maximum card to be sold at NT$30.00 a set.
(6) Pre-cancelled First Day Cover affixed with a souvenir sheet to be sold at NT$37.00 apiece.
(7) Pre-cancelled maximum card comprising 4 stamps to be sold at NT$64.00 apiece.

To purchase the relative philatelic products, please go directly to the post office branches, or order on line at http://stamp.post.gov.tw

Issue date: 2009-06-25
Printer: Cardon Enterprise Co., Ltd.
Paper: Phosphorescent stamp paper
Print color: Colorful
Process: Deep etch offset
Drawer:
Photographer: Delta Design Corporation
Creative Director:
Sheet composition:
Dimension of stamps(mm): 40 × 30（公釐）
Dimension of complete set (mm): 126 × 92（公釐）
Perforation: 111/2 x 12
Back:
Designer: 126 × 92（公釐）
Engraver:
Suspersion date:

75th Anniversary of Thammasat University Commemorative Stamp

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:45:00 PDT

Thammasat University was founded on June 27th, 1934. Its Thai name at birth was the "Wicha Thammasat and Karnmuang University' (the University of Laws and Politics) and its aim was to teach subjects related to the country's administration under a democratic system. It was initially operated as an open university offering an equal right and opportunity to education to all. It became a regular university in 1947 and the word 'Karnmeung' (Politics) was dropped from the university's title in 1952.

The Dome is the University symbol for all students and they often for all students and they often refer to themselves as 'Children of the Dome'. It is a building complex that was adapted from four old military barracks. Roofs were built to connect the four buildings and the centre of the third building became and additional part, decorated with a dome in the middle. The shape of the dome was inspired by an octagonal shape pencil, shapened to a fine point symbolizing how educational administration can sharpen the mind.

Issue Name: 75th Anniversary of Thammasat University Commemorative Stamp
Issue Date: 2009-06-27
Perforation: n/a
Denomination: 3 Baht
Quantity of stamps: 1,500,000 pieces
Composition: 20 stamps per sheet
Printing Process: Lithography Multi-colour
Designer: Mr.Thanet Ponchaiwong (Thailand Post Company Limited)
FDC Price: 10.00 Baht
Quantity of FDC: 20,000 covers
Size: 30 x 48 mm. (Vertical-measured from perforation to perforation)
Printer: Thai British Security Printing Public Company Limited, Thailand

Anthony Trollope

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:14:00 PDT

Born in England in 1815, Anthony Trollope joined the Irish Post Office as a surveyor's clerk in 1841. During his time in Ireland, he began his writing career and wrote three novels, the first of which was The Macdermots of Ballycloran (1847), which included his experiences in Ireland and featured strong Irish characters.

His fame today rests chiefly on two fictional cycles. The Barsetshire Chronicles are gentle satires of provincial life in the West Country, while The Palliser novels are gritty tales of political intrigue, which featured an Irish character, Phineas Finn. A much later satire, The Way We Live Now, written in his late fifties, is widely regarded as a comic masterpiece.

He left Ireland in 1859 and went on to have a successful career as a novelist and post office official. While his famous novels keep his name alive, those in the mail business honour him as a postal pioneer and the man responsible for popularising the pillar-box.

The stamp and first day cover were designed by Q Design. The stamp is based on an albumen print of Anthony Trollope (1864) by Julia Margaret Cameron, reproduced courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, London. The first day cover features an image of five of Trollope's books with an Irish association - Castle Redmond; The Kellys and the O'Kellys; The Macdermots of Ballycloran; An Eye for an Eye and The Landleaguers.

Technical Details
Date of Issue: 26 June, 2009
Value & Quantity: 82c (.26m)
Stamp Design: Q Design
Stamp Size: 29.79mm x 40.64mm
Colour: Multicolour with phosphor tagging
Make-up: Sheetlets of 16
Perforations: 14 x 14
Printing Process: Lithography
Printer: Irish Security Stamp Printing Ltd.

Canadian Recording Artists

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:35:00 PDT

Not too lon g ago, our southern neighbours held the only key to fame and fortune in the music industry. Canadian musicians striving for stardom had no choice but to cross the border, as Canada lacked the resources to showcase its own stars. But thanks to those who fought to keep our talents at home, we now boast a thriving music industry of our own. In July, Canada Post will issue a set of four stamps celebrating Canadian music icons.

Each star featured has made remarkable contributions to the Canadian music scene. International rock superstar Bryan Adams helped develop an infrastructure to propel other Canadians to the top of the charts. Renowned folklorist Stompin’ Tom Connors protested the policies he felt were hindering Canada’s artistic potential. A pioneer in French-Canadian rock, Robert Charlebois gave voice to and furthered the development of the chanson. And Acadian sensation Édith Butler promoted familiarity with and appreciation for her Acadian culture across Canada and around the world.

Like the first stamp issue celebrating Canadian singers and songwriters released in 2007, this set was designed by Winnipeg’s Circle Design Inc. Designer Robert L. Peters tells us, “We were thrilled with the success of the first issue and delighted at the opportunity to work on the next installment.”

The stamps are square in format and feature monochromatic photos of each artist alongside their Order of Canada insignias. To reflect the glamour of these “living legends,” each is captured in the limelight.

Peters explains, “We brought them all into the same ‘performance space’ by close-cutting them into the background, making it appear as though they’re standing in the spotlight.” The effect brings life to each performer. “It’s as though we’re watching them on stage,” adds Peters.

Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams is one of the world’s most highlyacclaimed musicians. Since he launched his career more than three decades ago, this Canadian rocker

“It is a wonderful honour to be amongst the great men and women who have graced our Canadian stamps,” Bryan Adams says of this postal tribute. “I am humbled by the recognition.”

has achieved number one status in more than 40 countries and recorded many chart-topping singles. He is also an accomplished photographer, using the proceeds of his photographic projects to finance his namesake foundation. Awards and accolades to Adams’ name include Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, a Grammy Award, and many American Music Awards and Juno Awards. He has also been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and Canada’s Walk of Fame.

Édith Butler
This Acadian sensation brought the toe-tapping folk songs she grew up singing in her living room to coffee houses, recording studios and concert halls. Hailed as the “mother of Acadian music,” she is now the best-known Acadian singer in the world.

“It was quite a shock,” she says of Canada Post’s news. “I collected stamps as a child, and I learned a lot about history and culture through this hobby. Considering the lasting power of a stamp, this recognition really stands on its own.”

Édith Butler has released 27 hit albums, with songs that reflect the Acadian and Micmac traditions that shaped her heritage. Though she has garnered many awards and accolades over the years, she is especially fond of this tribute. Butler, who pursued degrees in literature and traditional ethnography, has a real passion for history.

Stompin’ Tom Connors
Beyond Canadian borders, when you hear a Stompin’ Tom record, you can’t wait to get back home. A staunch supporter of Canada, this singersongwriter, fiddler and guitarist has spent most of his life capturing our heritage in song.

“I am delighted, humbled and overwhelmed at this wonderful recognition that Canada Post, and indeed all Canadians, have given me with this great honour.”

Before being discovered in Timmins, Ontario, Charles Thomas “Stompin’ Tom” Connors spent many years traveling across the country, working and writing songs along the way. Today, 300 songs and 50 albums into his career, Connors remains mindful and proud of his humble roots.

Robert Charlebois
Touted for his charismatic on-stage performances, Robert Charlebois pioneered the chanson and revolutionized the French-Canadian music scene when he brought British and American pop influences to his folk roots. This legend, known to fans as “Garou,” established a reputation as one of the most influential figures in the history of Québec music and la Francophonie

“I have been stamped as a zany singer all my life, but now, finally, I am globally acknowledged as a man of letters,” says Robert Charlebois of the upcoming stamp issue.

Cancellation sites: Paquetville is the small Acadian village where Édith Butler was born and raised. Stompin’Tom was first recognized in Timmins, Ontario, where he was granted a 14-month contract to play at the city’s Maple Leaf Hotel.

Canadian Recording Artists
Date of Issue: July 2, 2009
Denomination: 4 x 54¢
Layout: A: Booklet of 8 stamps
B: Souvenir sheet of 4 stamps
C: Set of 4 booklets
Product No: A: 413738111 ($4.32)
B: 403738145 ($2.16)
C: 413738701 ($17.28)
Design: CIRCLE
Photography: Robert Charlebois: Manon Boyer
Édith Butler: Pierre Dury
Bryan Adams: Self portrait
Stompin’ Tom Connors: Art Stanton
Printer: Lowe-Martin
Quantity: A: 4,000,000, B: 275,000, C: 4,000
Dimensions: A: 32 mm x 32 mm (square)
B: 103 in diameter
Perforations: A: Simulated perforation
B: 13+
Gum Type: A: Pressure sensitive
B: P.V.A.
Printing Process: Lithography in 9 colours plus varnish
Paper Type: Tullis Russell
Tagging: General, 4 sides
Official First Day Cover(OFDC) Cancellation: Timmins, Ontario, Paquetville, New-Brunswick
Product No. and Quantity: 403738144 ($3.16 – 19,000)

World Heritage

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:43:00 PDT

Jeju, the place where ancient mysteries remain alive.

Created by volcanic activity that has taken place since 1.2 million years ago, Jeju Island, as a whole, displays such magnificent diversity of volcanic topography to be called “a huge, living volcanic museum.” Thanks to its superb natural scenery and geological significance that shows the history of the earth’s creation, “Jeju volcanic island and lava tubes” that encompass Mt. Hallasan, the Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone and Geomunoreum Lava Tube System was inscribed as World Natural Heritage in 2007.

Rising 1,950 m above sea level at the center of Jeju Island, Mt. Hallasan has Baeknokdam Crater, a huge crater, at its summit. It contains curious rock formations and cliffs, and 40 or so oreums (Jeju’s dialect signifying volcanic cones). Moreover, it is home to 1,800 types of plants including diverse arctic-alpine plants, which produce splendid scenery in each season. Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone, located on the east coast of Jeju like an old enormous castle, creates a magnificent spectacle of the sun rising in the morning, which has earned it its other name of “oreum where the sun rises.” As a hydrovolcano that was formed by volcanic eruption from the shallow seabed, its internal structure exposed along the sea cliff are highly regarded as important research material that illustrates the eruption and deposit processes of the hydrovolcano. As a group of lava tube caves created by lava that erupted from Geomunoreum and flowed down onto the seashore about 100,000 to 300,000 years ago, Geomunoreum Lava Tube System includes Bengdwigul Lava Tube, Manjanggul Lava Tube, Gimnyeonggul Lava Tube, Yongcheondonggul Lava Tube and Dangcheomuldonggul Lava Tube. In particular, Yongcheondonggul Lava Tube and Dangcheomuldonggul Lava Tub e are rare caves in the world, because despite both being lava tube caves, they also display the qualities of a limestone cave, displaying awesome sights and mysteries that draw gasps of admiration from viewers.

Title: World Heritage Special Stamps
Types: 2
Date of Issue: June 26, 2009
Quantity: 850,000 stamps each
Denomination: 250 won
Design: Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes (Yongcheondonggul Lava Tube and Dangcheomuldonggul Lava Tube)
Stamp No: 2681 ~ 2682
Printing Process and Colors: Offset, seven colors + Intaglio, one color
Size of Stamp: 36mm×52mm, 24mm×52mm
Image Area: 36mm×52mm, 24mm×52mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet Composition: 2 × 4 + 2 (144mm×232mm)
Paper: White Unwatermarked
Designer: Junghwa ROH
Printer: Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation
Contact:
# 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.k

Korea - Mongolia - Kazakhstan Joint Issue

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:47:00 PDT

Korea, Mongolia and Kazakhstan have recently been engaged in active exchanges and cooperation in such diverse areas as economic, social and cultural affairs, with ever-increasing interest. The postal authorities of the three countries, after about a year of collaborative effort, a set of joint stamp that features each country’s “earrings.” It is hoped that the issuance of this stamp will spur and promote understanding and friendship among the people of the three countries and to strengthen cooperation in the field of postal service.

The Korean earring showcased in the stamp is an earring made in the 5th~6th centuries for the royal family of the Silla dynasty. It was excavated from a Bubuchong (a couple tomb), in Bomun-ri, Gyeongju city. Boasting sophisticated esthetics and excellent metal craft, this earring is considered the most superb and elaborate example of the Silla period earrings. Designated as National Treasure No. 90, it is 8.7cm long and housed in the Museum of Korea. The Mongolian earring shown in the stamp was used by noblemen in the 18th∼19th centuries. Its 20.0 cm long form hangs down vertically. It is adorned with not only gold and silver but turquoise and coral as well, and is housed in the Mongolian National Historical Museum. The Kazakhstan earring depicted in the stamp was used by noblemen from the 2nd century BC to 1st century AD. It features a wild boar attacking humans, and is made of gold, turquoise, and carnelian. It is 3.85 cm long and kept in the State Central Historic Ethnography Museum. The setting of each stamp is in the pattern of Korea’s gold crown of the 5th∼6th centuries, Mongolia’s traditional pattern of the 19th century, and the pattern of a Kazakhstan female apparel of the 18th century. These patterns inserted into the setting of the stamp present a sense of harmony with the earrings.

Title: Korea - Mongolia - Kazakhstan Joint Issue
Types: 1
Date of Issue: June 12, 2009
Quantity: 600,000 stamps each
Denomination: 250 won
Design: Korean earring, Mongolian earring, Kazakhstan earring
Stamp No: 2678 ~ 2680
Printing Process and Colors: Photogravure, six colors
Size of Stamp: 40mm×30mm
Image Area: 40mm×30mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet Composition: 4 × 3 (225mm×135mm)
Paper: White Unwatermarked
Designer: Jaeyong SHIN(Korea), B. Damdinbazar(Mongolia), Danyar Mukhamedjanov(Kazakhstan)
Printer: Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation
Contact:
# 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.k

World's first postage stamps displayed at Canadian Museum of Civilization

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:16:00 PDT

The world's first postage stamps - known as the Penny Black and the Twopenny Blue, both of which feature the image of a young Queen Victoria - form the centrepiece of an exhibition presented by Canada Post at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

"Her Majesty's Stamps" consists of more than 400 items from the Royal Philatelic Collection, which was formed by King George V and added to by subsequent monarchs, including the present Queen.

Housed in St. James's Palace in London, it's considered the finest collection of British and Commonwealth stamps in the world, the museum says.

The exhibition features "unique philatelic pieces that reveal key moments in Canadian history," said Michael Sefi, who oversees the collection.

Highlights include such "famous but rarely seen pieces" as an album of Canadian stamps commemorating Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897, and the first Canadian postage stamp, the Three Penny Beaver designed by Sir Sandford Fleming in 1851, said Bianca Gendreau, curator of the Canadian Postal Museum, who has been planning the exhibition for many years.

Also displayed are "creative entries" in the 1839 British design competition that led to the invention of postage stamps, and a rare collection of mail carried on the first transatlantic flights.

The exhibition opened June 19 and continues until January 2010.

-

On the web:

www.civilization.ca

Quality Of The Environment - Global Warming Series From Israel

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:46:00 PDT

Israel Post is issuing a new stamp to help spread awareness of global warming.

The stamp was designed by Igal Gabai.

The Earth is depicted as melting in a frying pan against a red background, in contrast to the tab featuring the international graphic symbols for alternative energy, ecology and the environment portrayed against a clean environment background.

Issue Date: 30/06/2009
Designer: Igal Gabai
Series Name: Quality of the Environment - Global Warming
Series Subject:
Stamp Name: Global Warming
Denominations: 2.30
Size of Stamp: mm X mm
Additional Details

Issue Date: 30/06/2009
Designer: Igal Gabai
Series Name: Quality of the Environment - Global Warming
Series Subject:
Stamp Name: Geothermal Energy
Denominations: 2.30
Size of Stamp: 30.8 mm X 30.8 mm
Additional Details

Issue Date: 30/06/2009
Designer: Igal Gabai
Series Name: Quality of the Environment - Global Warming
Series Subject:
Stamp Name: Solar Energy
Denominations: 2.30
Size of Stamp: 30.8 mm X 30.8 mm
Additional Details

Zion National Park, Utah definitive stamps

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:12:00 PDT

This international-rate stamp in the Scenic American Landscapes series features a photograph of Zion National Park by Richard Cummins of Temecula, CA. The photograph reveals layers of sedimentary rock that reflect the park’s geologic origins in the slickrock area on the east side of the park.

The text on the stamp reads, “Zion National Park, Utah.”

The stamp was designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, MD. All 40 million stamps will be available in sheets of 20 go on sale June 28. The stamp is good for mailing postcards and letters weighing up to one ounce to Mexico.

Issue Type: Definitive
Issue City: Washington, DC 20066
Issue Date: June 28, 2009
Issue Series: Scenic American Landscapes

Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at the Postal Store website at www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. Customers should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others, and place them in a larger envelope addressed to the following addresses. Orders must be postmarked by the date in parentheses.

Zion National Park, UT, Stamp (Sept. 1, 2009)
Special Cancellations
PO Box 92282
Washington, DC 20090-2282

Ordering First-Day Covers
Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:

Information Fulfillment
Dept. 6270
U.S. Postal Service
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014

Stamp collection pulls in $5 million

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:58:00 PDT

A United States stamp depicting an upside-down electric car cost just 4 cents when it was issued in 1901.

A strip of four of those stamps fetched more than $300,000 during the auction this week of famously flawed postage stamps owned by the late Mt. Lebanon investment adviser, Robert H. Cunliffe.

The complete collection of 3,000 upside-down postage stamps -- considered the world's most comprehensive -- grossed $5,041,000 in the two-day auction, which closed yesterday and drew bidders from around the world. The proceeds from Mr. Cunliffe's collection will go to his estate.

"This sale really was a stamp collector's dream," said Charles F. Shreve, president of the Dallas-based Spink Shreves Galleries, which held the auction at its New York gallery. "Mr. Cunliffe assembled a collection of the stamps that are probably the most sought after types of stamps because everything on them was a mistake."

Mr. Cunliffe, who died in April 2008 at age 83, left behind an assortment of inverted printed planes, cars, animals, U.S. presidents, landmarks and other designs.

Among the most expensive, Mr. Shreve said, was a 1902 Russian, 35-kopek stamp purchased for $115,000 and a 1920 Belgian stamp bearing an inverted image of a town hall that sold for more than $150,000.

About 30 collectors bid in person while hundreds more watched the auction via the Internet from countries as far away as Spain, Russia, the United Kingdom and Germany.

They were mostly "self-made men," business owners and financial types, who, like Mr. Cunliffe, enjoy the "thrill and pride of ownership," Mr. Shreve said.

"To spend this kind of money on stamps is a passion for them," he said. "They feel more comfortable putting money into a stamp than, perhaps, seeing the money evaporate into the stock market."

Sadie Gurman can be reached at sgurman@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1878.
First published on June 20, 2009 at 12:07 am

2009 EUROPA Stamp Competition – Astronomy

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:42:00 PDT

Welcome to our online EUROPA competition. All web viewers are invited to participate to select their favourite EUROPA stamp which this year is on the theme ‘Astronomy’.
Two persons picked out from those that have selected the winning stamp will be granted special prizes – a full set of the 2009 EUROPA stamp issues!

Votes are open from 9 May until 8 August. The winning stamp will be announced on 8 October during PostEurop’s Plenary Assembly that will be held in Bled, Slovenia. So try your luck today!

The EUROPA stamp best design competition is a yearly online event which result is announced during the Plenary Assembly. The first competition took place in 2002. All official EUROPA stamp issues can enter the competition. Web viewers and PostEurop members are invited to vote for their favorite stamps.

PostEurop's Stamps and Philately Working Group selects the EUROPA stamp theme for each year. This year the theme is "Astronomy".

This the country that was participating in this competition :

Aland

Perforated astronomy stamp

The theme for the 2009 Europa stamp is astronomy. Åland Post depicts the Big Dipper constellation or the Plough (UK), the stars of which have been punched in the stamp, creating seven holes in it.

The firmament is divided into 88 constellations, approximately half of which are mostly not visible from Åland, being placed on the southern sky. The Big Dipper is part of the Great Bear constellation (Ursa Major). The Great Bear is the third largest constellation and the Big Dipper is formed by the seven brightest stars in the Great Bear.

The Big Dipper on the stamp is shown exactly as it appears to an observer in Åland looking towards the south or south-west at midnight between 8 and 9 May. As a special effect of this sky-blue stamp, the stars are perforated, which means to say that they are punched in the stamp. Consequently, the stamp is best presented if affixed on a light coloured cover, allowing the background colour to shine through the stamp, making the stars of the Big Dipper appear clearly.

Three different constellations are depicted on the gutter pair strip: the Little Dipper, the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia. The names of the brightest stars are stated. The stars on the sheet have been printed with a silver colour.

Date of issue: 8 May 2009
Design: Cecilia Mattsson
Edition: 200 000
Denomination: Europa (€0.80)
Price FDC: €1.35
Size of stamp: 40 x 26 mm
Size of sheet: 2 x 16 stamps
Perforation: 13.5 per 2 cm
Paper: 105 g/m²
Printing method: 4-colour offset and perforation (5-colour offset on gutter pair strip)
Printing house: Posten Sverige
Contact:
ÅLAND - Åland Post Stamps

PB 1100
AX-22111 Mariehamn
Åland

Phone: +358 18636641
Fax: +358 18636608
Email: frimarken@posten.ax
Website: http://www.posten.ax

Andorra

EUROPA 2009 French Andorra

Astronomy is the science of observing the stars, seeking to explain their origin, evolution, physical and chemical properties. With more than 6000 years of history, the origins of astronomy dates back beyond ancient in prehistoric religious practices.

Issue date: 04.05.09
Format: 40 x 26 mm - Feuille de 50 timbres
Printing technique: Offset
Issuer: Enric Cardús
Contact:
ANDORRA FR - Service Philatélique de La Poste

Z.I. Avenue Benoît Frachon - BP 106 Boulazac
24051 Perigueux Cedex 09
France

Phone: +33 141874210
Email: 'sav-phila.philaposte@laposte.fr'
Website: http://www.laposte.fr/timbres

EUROPA 2009 Spanish Andorra

On April 23 will circulate a stamp series for the Principality of Andorra Europe, dedicated to Any International de l'Astronomia.

The next year will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the first telescopic observations did Galileo Galilei. For this reason, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) proposed the declaration of 2009 as International Year of Astronomy. The proposal, supported by UNESCO, was endorsed by the UN General Assembly. The word "Astronomy" comes from the Greek ast? Μ? A (? St? Et? Μ?), Which means "law of the stars." Astronomy is the science of observing the stars, which seeks to explain its origin, evolution, and their physical and chemical properties. Not to be confused with the celestial mechanics, which is a particular aspect. With more than 6000 years of history, is considered the oldest of sciences. Archaeologists found that some civilizations of the Bronze Age and Neolithic perhaps had knowledge of astronomy. Had understood the nature of the newspaper equinox and its relationship with the cycle of seasons. They knew also recognize some constellations. Modern astronomy owes its development to mathematics, from ancient Greek, and the invention of instruments for observation in the late Middle Ages. Is a science in which amateurs can have a certain role. It is practiced as a hobby by amateur astronomers public: part of them, the most experienced part in the discovery of asteroids and comets.

Issue: EUROPE.
Any International de l'Astronomia Principat d'Andorra .- 2009 .-
Issue date: 23/04/2009
Stamping: Offset
Paper: Coating, scrubbing, phosphorescent
Perforated: 13 3 / 4
Size of the Stamps: 28.8 x 40.9 mm. (vertical)
Face value of the stamps: € 0.62
Fold effects: 25
Edition: 150000
Contact:
ANDORRA ESP- International Philatelic Service
Correos

Via Dublin 7
E-28070 Madrid
Spain

Phone: +34 915969298
Fax: +34 915969662
Email: atcliente.filatelia@correos.es
Website: http://www.correos.es

Armenia

I apologize for this country, I am difficult to get its information for this stamp.

Date of issue: 11.05.2009
Contact:
ARMENIA - Haypost
International Relations and Philately Unit

22 Saryan Street - 6th floor
375002 Yerevan
Armenia

Phone: +37410 514768
Fax: +37410 532768
Email: anna.ghukasyan@haypost.am
Website: http://www.iatp.am/stamps

Austria

The first day of issue of this special-issue stamp is 5 June 2009. The matching postmark will be available at the special post office. When? 5 June 2009 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.. Where? Universitätssternwarte/University Observatory, Türkenschanzstraße 17, 1180 Vienna.

Date of issue: 05.06.2009
Contact:
AUSTRIA - Österreichische Post AG
Sammler-Service

Steinheilgasse 1
A-1210 Wien
Austria

Phone: +43 1250254040
Fax: +43 1250254080
Email: sammler-service@post.at

Azerbaijan

Design: Kh. Mirzoyev
Printing: ofset
Perforation: frame-shaped 14.0
Size of stamp: 28x42 mm.
Size of sheet: 136x84 mm.
Date of issue: 13.04.2008
Circulation: 12500 sheets or 50000 of each stamps

Design: Kh. Mirzoyev
Printing: ofset
Perforation: frame-shaped 14.0
Size of stamp: 28x42 mm.
Size of souvenir sheet: 80x80 mm.
Date of issue: 13.04.2009
Circulation: 50000 of each stamps and 15000 souvenir sheets
Contact:
AZERBAIJAN - State Enterprise "Azerpost"

Drogalny Str. 702
AZ1010 Baku
no selection

Phone: +994 124931741
Email: azermarka@office.az

Belarus

Ancient astronomy Modern astronomy

An artistically decorated booklet has been designed too. The booklet is one-sided. Folded size: 184,5x80 mm. Print quantity: 10.000.

There is a sheetlet of 6 stamps and 2 coupons inside. Size of the sheetlet: 167x64 mm. Designer: T. Stasevich.

A special cancellation on FDC will be carried out at the Main Post Office of Minsk on the stamp issuing day.

Colour of the postmark — black.
Special postmark and FDC designed by T. Stasevich.

Belgium

EUROPE - The European sky

Subject: EUROPA stamp nav Year of Astronomy and 400ste birthday of the first astronomical observation by Galileo Galilei
Created: Thierry Mordant
Value: 1 or € 0.90
Format: Seal: 48.75 mm x 38.15 mm
sheet: 125 mm x 90 mm
Print Process: Offset
Engraving (form cylinders): De Schutter "Neroc sa
Pressure: Stamps Production Belgium
Number plates:
Velindeling: 1 stamp
Serrated: 11 ½
Paper: lithograph phosphorescent
Order Code: 0909

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Catalogue no: 458
Perforation: 13 3/4
Face value: 2,00 KM
Quantitiy: 45 000
Motive: telescope

Catalogue no: 459
Perforation: 13 3/4
Face value: 1,00 KM
Quantitiy: 45 000
Motive: telescope

Catalogue no: 460
Perforation: 13 3/4
Face value: 9,00 KM
Quantitiy: 25 000
Motive: telescope

EUROPA 2009 - Pošte Srpske
Author: Miodrag Nikolić/Nebojša Djumić/Boži
Type of issue: commemorative
Date of issue: 23.04.2009 godine
Technique: multicolour offset
Printed by: Glas Srpske
Paper: muflep 100g
Sheet: 8+1 (3x3)
Contact:
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - Pošte Srpske a.d. Banja Luka
Philately

Kralja Petra I Karađorđevića 93
78000 Banja Luka
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Phone: +387 51215882
Fax: +387 51216563
Email: filatelija@postesrpske.com
Website: http://www.filatelija.rs.ba

EUROPA 2009 - Hrvatska pošta Mostar

International Astronomical Union and UNESCO declared the year 2009 the International Year of Astronomy with the aim of approaching the universe to the people and popularization of astronomy as well as a warning of disappearance of the black sky. World Year of Astronomy was selected because the men relationship toward universe has disappeared, and it is call for people to discover observatories and telescopes and to educate themselves about hurtfulness of excessive artificial lightning, known under the term of light pollution. For the first time, 400 years ago Galileo Galilei used telescope in astronomical purpose, looked the craters on the Moon, rings of Saturn and spots on the Sun. By his telescope he discovered the four largest natural satellite of Jupiter which was the first scientific evidence against geocentric system.

Croatian post Ltd. Mostar has issued two commemorative postage stamps in se-tenant, sheet 10 stamps (8+2 vignette, blindruck), postmark and first day cover.

Type: Commemorative
Motif: Astronomy
Author: Gordan Zovko
Size: 35.50 x 29.82 mm
Printed by: Zrinski d.d. Čakovec
Paper: White, 102 g, adhesive
Value: 3,00 BAM
Date of issue: 2009-04-05.
Sheet: 10 stamps (8 + 2 vignette)
Contact:
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - Hrvatska pošta Mostar
Marketing Department

Tvrtka Milosa bb
88000 Mostar
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Phone: +387 36445000
Email: stela.zovko@post.ba

Bulgaria

Description: Europa 2009: Astronomy - booklet
Date of issue: 28.04.2009
Denomination & quantity: 0.60 & 1.50 Leva - 28 000 (7 000 booklets)
Stamp size: 29 x 39 mm
Perforation: 13 : 13 1/4
Sheets: 4 x 1
Printing process: offset
Designer: Rosen Toshev

Description: Europa 2009: Astronomy - s/s
Subject: 0.60 Leva - Spiral Galaxy IC 342
1.50 Leva - Andromeda Galaxy, M 31
Background - Antennae Galaxies, NGC 4038 & NGC 4039
Date of issue: 28.04.2009
Denomination & quantity: 0.60 & 1.50 Leva - 50 000 (25 000 s/s)
Stamp size: 29 x 39 mm
Perforation: 13 : 13 1/4
Souvenir sheet size: 111 x 89 mm
Printing process: offset
Designer: Rosen Toshev

Description: Europa 2009: Astronomy - 2 m/s
Subject: 0.60 Leva - Spiral Galaxy IC 342
1.50 Leva - Andromeda Galaxy, M 31
Date of issue: 28.04.2009
Denomination & quantity: 0.60 & 1.50 Leva - 50 000 (2 x 10 000 m/s)
Stamp size: 32.5 x 43 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheets: 3 x 2
Printing process: offset
Designer: Rosen Toshev

Croatia

Parts of the Universe taken by the Hubble Telescope INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY AND THE ZAGREB ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY The astronomical observatory is located in the premises of Popov toranj (Priest’s Tower), the defence fortress built in the first half of the 13 century, in the Zagreb Old City (Upper Town), Opatička 22, and opened to public on 5 December 1903. The Observatory was founded on the initiative of dr. Oton Kučera (1857 – 1931) under the auspices of the Croatian Society for Natural Sciences, which since the year it was founded in 1885 was home to numerous naturalists and amateur naturalists in Croatia. Its main purpose is educational and disseminating information pertaining to the natural sciences, astronomy, astronautics and similar activities. In honour of the Observatory in Zagreb, German astronomer Max Wolf and discoverer August Kopf from Heidelberg Observatory, named the Asteroid number 589 Croatia. Asteroid is measuring in diameter 93 kilometres. In course of 105 years of its activity the Astronomical Observatory represented the gathering point of experts and amateurs active in disseminating information on topics of astronomy and astronautics, nowadays also in contemporary astrophysics, but also actively participating in educational, professional and scientific work. In the second half of the 20 century the Astronomical Observatory took astronomy to schools and organised astronomy sections and astronomy groups in schools on the entire territory of Croatia.

The Astronomical Observatory regularly conducts programs designed for young persons, seminars and summer astronomy schools, weekly lectures for public audiences and night sky telescope observations. The Observatory is opened to school groups for weekly visits, lectures and observations of the sky through telescope. The Observatory participates actively in other programs as seminars for astronomy teachers in elementary and secondary schools. Man and Space, popular and scientific journal is published by the Observatory for more than half a century and Bolid a popular and professional journal since 1974. For more than two decades the Observatory published Homo kaj Cosmo (Man and Space), the unique journal in the world published on Esperanto. The Observatory is engaged from time to time in publishing educational issues as sky charts, Sun, Moon, Venus, Mars, chart of the Universe, even some professional and popular books. Monitoring of the Sun has been conducted without interruption and results are published in media. The Astronomical Observatory cooperates with domestic and international astronomers and astrophysicists on scientific and popular basis. A first telescope (so called Kučera telescope) is presently on display at the entrance into the Planetarium of the Technical Museum in Zagreb, second telescope was installed at the Observatory in 1966 and the third sophisticated telescope was installed in summer 2007. At the end of 2008 a telescope for measuring neutron radiation was installed at the Observatory, and is one in the network of same telescopes installed in several countries of Asia and Europe. International Astronomical Union – IAU was founded in 1919, uniting national astronomical societies from different states around the globe. IAU acts as internationally recognised authority for discovering of and naming of celestial bodies: stars, planets, asteroids and others, and has a mission to promote astronomy in all its aspects. The organisation consisting of professional astronomers has friendly relationship with astronomical societies of amateurs, and is assisting and directing them within the frame of their possibilities.

IAU is a member of the Council for Science (ICSU). On the UNESCO and IAU initiative the International Year of Astronomy – IYA 2009 -was proclaimed by the United Nations on 20 December 2007. The motto of all the manifestations included in IYA 2009 is: «The Universe, yours to discover». The basic idea is to assist people all around the globe to understand and discover our place in the Universe. The motive for selecting the year 2009 is extremely important for our civilisation, it celebrates the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s use of his telescope in 1609, enabling people to penetrated into the depth of a Universe hidden to human eye. The opening ceremony of the IYA 2009 was held in Paris on 15 and 16 January 2009. Over one hundred states joined the IYA 2009 project, Croatia joined IYA 2009 too. The basic motive behind the IYA is to enable great number of people around the world to look out through the telescope and remember Galileo and his first homemade telescope he used to look out to the sky. IYA will serve as a platform for informing the public about the latest astronomical discoveries. One of the aims is also a fight against the overuse of artificial light, so called artificial light pollution and its negative effect of taking away the sky from the Earthlings. National central point of all the scheduled events in Croatia is the Astronomical Observatory on Priest’s Tower in Zagreb, organised under the auspices of the Croatian Astronomical Society (ACS). The Croatian Astronomical Society co-ordinates work of all astronomical societies in Croatia. The Zagreb Astronomical Observatory is in charge of organizing county and state competitions in astronomy. Along with the Croatian Astronomical Society, schools and faculties and around twenty astronomical societies all over Croatia, and the Observatory on Višnjan, the Zagreb Observatory plans to intensify popular, professional a scientific activities.

Value: 8 kn
Author: Goran Den Popović i Danijel Popović, designers from Zagreb
Size: 24,14 x 48,28 mm
Paper: white 102g, gummed
Perforation: Comb,14
Tehnique: Multicoloured Offsetprint
Printed by: "Zrinski" - Čakovec
Date of issue: 9.5.2009
Quantity: 200000
Contact:
CROATIA - Croatian Post Inc.
Sales & Marketing Dept.

Jurišićeva 13
10000 Zagreb
Croatia

Phone: +385 14981047
Fax: +385 14981296
Email: filatelija@posta.hr
Website: http://www.posta.hr

Cyprus

Contact:
CYPRUS - Department of Postal Services
Stamps and Philatelic Service

CY-1900 Nicosia
Cyprus

Phone: +357 22805727
Fax: +357 22302079
Email: philatelic@dps.mcw.gov.cy
Website: http://www.mcw.gov.cy/dps

Czech Republic

Theme Marks

PostEurop - Association of European public postal operators - declared a common theme EUROPA mark for this year astronomy. Year 2009 was the initiative of professional astronomers combined the International Astronomical Union declared UNESCO world as the International Year of Astronomy under the auspices of the UN. This event is closely linked to the 400th anniversary of the first use hvězdářského telescope Galileo Galilei. Czech Republic celebrates the 400th International Conference anniversary edition Keplerova significant publications Astronomia nova.

Astronomer, mathematician, physicist and astrologer Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) came to Prague to the court of Emperor Rudolf II., Where he became a collaborator Tychona Brahe and after his death (1601) delivered instead imperial mathematician and astronomer. Kepler was convinced harmonious world order, which considered that the grouping of planets in the specific geometric patterns of world affairs is of paramount importance. Based on data obtained Brahe propočítal elliptical path of the planet Mars, and formulated the first two of his famous laws which govern the movement of planets. Results published in the year 1609 of file Astronomia nova. In 1612 Kepler went from Prague to Linz, where the year 1618, formulated its third law of planetary circulation. J. Kepler is one of the most astronomům 17th century. He geometry, observed a supernova explosion, improved and built astronomical telescope. He was the first to really calculate the Bethlehem star. The mark, which recalls the 400th anniversary of the publication of works of J. Kepler Astronomia nova, is a portrait of J. Kepler the schematic interpretation of the first and second law of elliptical path and speed of the movement of planets around the sun. Mark is accompanied by the logo and text EUROPA Johannes Kepler - Astronomia nova 1609 - International Year of Astronomy 2009.

Catalog number: 0596
Release date: 6.5.2009
The nominal value: 17 Kč
Press Sheets: 6 pcs Stamps
Image Mark: 38 x 38 mm
Art Designs: Jan Ungrád
Engraving:
Contact:
CZECH REPUBLIC- Czech Post
POSTFILA - Export Department

Ortenovo nám. 16
22506 Praha 7
Czech Republic

Phone: +420 251036248
Fax: +420 220875543
Email: postfila@cpost.cz

Post boxes miniature sheet & Smilers Sheet; Treasures of the Archive PSB - 18th August 2009

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:39:00 PDT

We’ve been using post boxes, for more than 200 years and research has discovered that the earliest known post box was installed at Wakefield Post Office® in 1809. To celebrate this anniversary Royal Mail is releasing a Miniature Sheet of four stamps featuring iconic wall mounted Post Boxes.

A post box is the overall title for any kind of posting box whether it’s standing proud on the pavement (pillar box), a smaller freestanding version (pedestal box), on, or in, a wall (wall box), or on a pole (lamp box). The first Post Boxes, often just slots into the office, appeared over 200 years ago at Post Offices® for the convenience of people posting unpaid letters (the letters were paid for by the recipient). Wall boxes as we know them today were installed from 1857 as a cheaper alternative to pillar boxes, and have established themselves as a national icon, serving the needs of smaller
communities. The first pillar boxes were installed in 1852 in the Channel Islands and 1853 on the mainland. Now, around 100,000 Post Boxes of all kinds exist across the UK.

Designs:
1st class - George V type 8 wallbox; 56p - Edward VII Ludlow wallbox; 81p - Victorian Lamp Box (here inserted in a wall); 90p - Elizabeth II Type A Wallbox.

The Miniature Sheet

1st Class – George V Type B Wall Box
This example with the royal cipher of George V was cast by W T Allen & Co Ltd, London, between 1933-36, and is from Cookham Rise near Maidenhead.

56p – Edward VII Ludlow Box
Introduced in 1887 this type of standardized box derives its name from the foundry where many of them were made. This example is from Bodiam, East Sussex.

81p – Victorian Lamp Box
The lamp box could also be attached to lamp post or other such structure. This example is from Hythe in Kent and was installed in 1896.

90p – Elizabeth II Type A Wall Box
This Elizabeth II Wall box is located in Slaithwaite near Huddersfield and would have been made between 1962 and 1963.

Prestige Stamp Book - Treasures of the Archive

On the same date Royal Mail will issue a Prestige Stamp Book entitled 'Treasures of the Archive'.

Some of the amazing artefacts held in trust for the nation by the British Postal Museum and Archive are shown in the booklet - including a stamp pane featuring all four of the Post Boxes stamps. The book contains four exclusive stamp panes unavailable anywhere else:

Booklet panes:

Pane 1: four 1st and four 20p Definitives, both stamps bearing the double image of Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria from the 150th anniversary of the Penny Black stamps, set around a Penny Post label first issued in 1990, with the Penny Black portrait of Queen Victoria in the background.

Pane 2: four 20p stamps featuring the Royal Mail Coach from the 1989 Lord Mayor's show issue, showing the door of the Bristol - London Mailcoach in the backgound..

Pane 3: all four of the Post Boxes stamps in a block of 4, rather than a strip. The background shows a Penfold hexagonal Victorian pillar box.

Pane 4: four 17p Machin Definitives, two 22p Machins and two 62p Machins around a GPO logo label, the background showing images of the proposed 1937 coronation issue for King Edward VIII.

Smilers Stamps

A generic sheet consisting of 20 x 1st class Postbox stamps from the miniature sheet, with 20 labels depicting postboxes or details from them.

Technical details:

The Miniature sheet was designed by Elmwood and is printed in litho by Walsall Security Print.
The Smilers Sheet was designed by Elmwood, and will be printed by Cartor Security Print in litho.
The Prestige Stamp Book is designed by Silk Pearce, with narrative by Douglas Muir, and is printed by Walsall Security Print in litho.
All stamp and other images are copyright Royal Mail 2009.

2009 Scenic Definitives

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:06:00 PDT

This year we are releasing a new set of Definitives to coincide with the change in required postage for international mail. They feature some of our favourite places – from the beautifully historic town of Russell in the north to Lake Wanaka in the south.

A fantastic celebration of New Zealand’s astonishing beauty, these stamps are tiny ambassadors for New Zealand.

For the first time since 2007, New Zealand Post has produced a selection of Scenic Definitive stamps, covering some of New Zealand’s favourite scenic locations. Join us, and you’ll catch a tantalising glimpse of our country’s stunning natural environments and sophisticated urban landscapes – these stamps help explain why New Zealand is a ‘must see’ destination for almost 2.5 million visitors every year.

The new stamps reflect a change to the required postage for international mail.

30 c – Tolaga Bay
Located on the North Island’s east coast, Tolaga Bay is well known for its wharf – the longest in New Zealand, at 660 metres. The wharf was built in 1929 to accommodate large coastal trading vessels, but it fell into disuse as improved roads and motor vehicles offered more efficient transport options.

$1.80 – Russell
The historic township of Russell (once known as Kororareka) was New Zealand’s first permanent European settlement and sea port. It was also the country’s first capital, but today it’s a Bay of Islands holiday town, with an abundance of shops, restaurants and bars.

$2.30 – Lake Wanaka
With an area of 192 square kilometres, Lake Wanaka is New Zealand’s fourth largest lake. Its crystal-clear waters (thought to be more than 300 metres deep) are an aquatic playground for tourists, sailors, water-skiers and kayakers, while walking tracks, rivers and the surrounding Southern Alps provide outdoor adventure opportunities aplenty.

$2.80 – Auckland
Auckland has the largest population in New Zealand, with about 1.3 million people. It’s a fusion of many cultures and offers a huge range of experiences and activities for visitors and locals alike. Popularly known as 'the City of Sails’, Auckland has more yachts and launches per capita than any other city in the world.

$3.30 – Rakaia River
Rising in the Southern Alps and travelling 150 kilometres to the
Pacific Ocean, the Rakaia River is one of New Zealand’s largest braided rivers – and it’s crossed by New Zealand’s longest road and rail bridges. It’s a celebrated Chinook salmon fishery and known for its populations of wrybills, black-fronted terns and banded dotterels.

$4.00 – Wellington
Wellington is New Zealand’s capital city and the country’s political centre, it also supports a thriving arts and entertainment scene, with more cafés per capita than New York City. Other attractions include the Museum of New Zealand – Te Papa Tongarewa, the biennial New Zealand International Arts Festival, the World of WearableArt, the New Zealand Sevens weekend and numerous film festivals. The $4.00 2009 Definitive replaces the existing definitive stamp that does not carry the New Zealand Post fern.

Technical details

Date of issue: 1 July 2009.
Number of stamps: One self-adhesive and six gummed stamps.
Denominations: 30c, $1.80 (gummed and self-adhesive), $2.30, $2.80, $3.30, $4.00.
Stamps and first day cover designed by: Stamps Business, New Zealand Post, Wellington.
Printer and process: Southern Colour Print, New Zealand – by offset lithography.
Number of colours: Four process colours (self-adhesive tagged with red phosphor).
Stamp size and format: 30mm x 25mm.
Paper type: Gummed: Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper; self-adhesive: Avery Dennison B100 PS1 Gloss Back Adhesive 210gsm.
Number of stamps per sheet: 30c - 100 stamps, $1.80, $2.30, $2.80, $3.30, $4.00 - 50 stamps.
Perforation gauge: Gummed: 13.33; self-adhesive: die cut.
Special blocks: Plate/Imprint blocks may be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps from a sheet. Barcode blocks are available in both A and B formats.
Period of sale: These stamps will remain on sale until further notice.

Jakarta Fair

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:53:00 PDT

Concerned about the Environment in 2009

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:32:00 PDT

In order to participate the international events in Indonesia, on 5 June 2009 issued a stamp series Care Environment. Design a stamp showing the paper stamps Design competition winner in 2008 National made by Julio T. Howard (Jakarta), smart Prathita (Yogyakarta) and Edi Jatmiko (Yogyakarta). On 5 June 2009, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, signed First Day Cover stamps series Care Presidential Palace in the Environment of Indonesia, warning in the event the World Environment Day.

Defined in the UN General Assembly 1972 to mark the opening of the Environment Conference in Stockholm, the Environment Day World diperingati each year on 5 June. Environment Day World is an important instrument used by the United Nations to raise awareness about the environment and encourage the attention and political action in the world. As belonging to the whole community, this anniversary provides the opportunity for all people to be part of global action in the protection of the planet calls us, the utilization of natural resources and a sustainable lifestyle-friendly environment.

Environment Day World in this year also marked with the initiative of 'The New Green' as a solution to the financial decline of the world with global warming and to stimulate increased investment for the energy source that can be maintained, infrastructure and ecosystem processes of energy production. This agreement is believed will not only create new employment opportunities and establish the recovery process, but at the same time will help solving global warming. Investment in green economic stimulus package that will be able to substantially change this crisis into a sustained growth in the future.

Mythical Creature

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:15:00 PDT

When the people at Royal Mail asked the author Neil Gaiman if he would be interested in writing some short stories about the mythical creatures of Britain, you suspect that they knew what they were doing. “They said: ‘We have these stamps but we need to get someone to do the words and we know that you love mythological stuff’,” smiles the 48-year-old with a Blue Peter badge on his jacket lapel.

And indeed he does. In fact, it is probably fair to say that the Hampshire-born, US-based author is the world’s “go-to guy” for the fantastical, the success of the animated adaptation of his book Coraline crowning a 25-year career of novels, comics and screenplays.

The stamps, illustrated by the regular Gaiman collaborator David McKean, depict creatures lodged in our collective consciousness — dragons and giants, pixies and fairies, mermaids and unicorns. McKean’s illustrations and Gaiman’s stories should therefore be instantly familiar but somehow are not — or, at least, not quite: although their fairy queen, for instance, is dainty, winged and arboreal, she glows with oddly malign intent, while their mermaid seems closer to being a sea monster than the standard fish-tailed nymph.

“She is so scary,” says Gaiman, examining the stamp. “But, of course, mermaids were always terrifying. With the exception of the Little Mermaid of the Hans Christian Andersen tradition, they would take your soul. And fairies were never things that people embraced — they were unknowable, dangerous, capricious. They could cause real trouble for you.”

Even if Gaiman were making all this up, you would be inclined to believe him. But all his stamp stories, which are published here for the first time, start with long-held British folk beliefs as their original source.

“I felt that, if I was going to do this, I had to get my mythology right,” he says. “Days of research went into the unicorn story and the history of the ‘unicorn horn’ in the Tower of London. Plus there is that relationship throughout Britain between geography and mythology, which is why I loved doing the giants story. When you’re walking on English hills, you may actually be walking on them.”

The result is that each creature is framed squarely in time and place. Gaiman’s tale of the doleful wingless “wyrms” of Britain being displaced by fiery Norse dragons, then seeing out their days in the damp of Wales is especially enchanting, but it is his take on pixies of which he is most proud because it is “resolutely up to date”. “The truth is, stories do so many things, one of which is to explain the world. And the cheerful, minor disasters are best explained by pixies in particular,” he says. “Anyone who has a mobile phone knows they don’t crash without reason at exactly the point where it makes life most problematic to you. I think that has to be pixies.”

Giants

If it were not for the giants, Britain would look very different. In the dawn days they feefifofummed across the land, picking up rocks and throwing them at other giants in friendly rivalry, or alone they would break mountains, crush rocks into causeways, leave henges and stone seats to mark their passing.

The giants were big but not bright. They were outsmarted by clever boys named Jack and fell from beanstalks or were tricked to death. They died, but not all of them are dead.

The remaining giants sleep, lost in deep, slow dreams, covered in earth and trees and wild grass. Some have clouds on their shoulders or long men carved on their sides. We see them from the windows of cars and tell each other that from some angles they look almost like people.

Even giants can only sleep for so long. Do not make too much noise the next time you walk in the hills.

Dragons

The native dragons of the British Isles, called wyrms, had poisonous breath and coiled snake-like around hills. They could not fly or breathe fire. They demanded oxen or maidens. They grew slowly, ate rarely and slept much.

Local species can be fragile: the new dragons, the firedrakes, came south with the Norsemen, crossed the stormy seas with the Saxons, accompanied the Crusaders back from the hot lands in the centre of the world. Nature can be cruel, and soon the wyrms were gone, their bones turned to stone. The new ones spread, alien and invasive, until the time came for them to lay their eggs. Dragons nest on golden treasure, but British gold was hard to find and soon they slipped away, another species that came and flourished and dwindled once again.

A handful of dragons hung on, half- starved in the Welsh wilderness, until time and the wet winters extinguished their fires. They went, like the wolf or the beaver; and they exit from the pages of history, pursued by a cave bear.

Mermaids

She keeps the souls of the drowned in lobster pots that she finds on the seabed.

They sing, the captive souls, and they light her way home beneath the grey Atlantic.

She had sisters once, but long ago they shed their tails and scales and stepped gingerly ashore to live with fishermen in their dry-land cottages. Now she is lonely, and not even the souls of the dead are company.

Walk the sea’s edge in winter and you may see her, too far away, waving to you. Wave back and she will take you down to her world, deep below the waves, and show you cold wonders, and teach you the songs of the merfolk, and the lonely ways beneath the sea.

Pixies

They’ll help you, folk say, unless you thank them: if you leave them gifts or payment they’ll be off into the night, never again to sweep your floor or sew your shoes or stack your CDs into alphabetical order.

But there are some that wouldn’t take a thank-you. Those are the bad hats that sour the milk, vinegar the wine, crash the computer and freeze every mobile phone.

One family had enough. They loaded up their SUV in the middle of the night with all the possessions they could not bear to part with, and drove away with their headlights off. When they reached the village they stopped for petrol.

“Going somewhere?” asked the attendant. From the back of the car, from the cardboard boxes of the last good wine, the ancestral china wrapped in rolled-up duvets, a pixie voice called out, “That’s right, George. We’re flitting.”

The family turned around and went home again. When a pixie has your number, they said, there’s nothing else you can do.

Unicorns

Nobody remembers who sent the first king of Scotland a unicorn. They are long-lived creatures, after all. The kings of Scotland were proud of owning a unicorn and left it to run, tangle-maned and alone, across the stark Highlands, an ivory flash against the heather.

And then James VI got the news from the south and he sent a maiden into the hills. She sat and waited until it came and placed its head in her lap, then she bridled it with a silver bridle and walked it, skittish and straining, to the king.

The royal procession was made all the more exciting by the presence of the fabulous beast at its head. And then they were in London, and the Tower rose before them.

The unicorn was led into its stall. It scented the animal caged across the way and heard it roar before it saw the golden mane, the tawny eyes. The only lion in England was caged in the Tower, beside the only unicorn. The artists placed them on each side of the crown.

Two hundred years later, the unicorn’s horn in the Tower was valued at 20,000 guineas; but now even that is lost to us.

Fairies

It’s not that they’re small, the fair folk. Especially not the queen of them all, Mab of the flashing eyes and the slow smile with lips that can conjure your heart under the hills for a hundred years. It’s not that they’re small. It’s that we’re so far away.

The six mythical creatures stamps, by David McKean, are issued in pairs from today. The two 1st-class stamps (32p) feature the dragon and unicorn, the 62p stamps the giant and pixie, and the new 90p stamps Queen Mab and the mermaid. They are available in a special presentation pack with words, as shown here, by Neil Gaiman.

Conserving The Environment

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:56:00 PDT

KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 (Bernama) -- Pos Malaysia will issue stamps and first day covers on conserving the environment on Thursday in conjunction with the World Environment Day on June 5.

Pos Malaysia Group managing director Datuk Syed Faisal Albar said the stamp was sold in three designs featuring themes of "Clean Water", "Go Green" and "Fresh Air".

Both the "Go Green" and "Fresh Air" stamps are available in 50 sen denominations while the "Clean Water" stamp is available in 30 sen denomination.

Meanwhile, Head of Stamp and Philately Unit Pos Malaysia Yasmin Ramli said that due to the overwhelming response, Pos Malaysia would issue an album of collectible stamps comprising special stamps issued last year which are not available in the market anymore.

She said more than 1,800 limited edition albums would be sold at RM190 each starting June 25 at the General Post Office here or online purchase could be made through www.posonline.com.my.

Marine Life VII - Seaweed

dna765mb@yahoo.com (dna765mb) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:04:00 PDT

On 7th July 2009, Jersey Post will release the latest set of postage stamps in its Marine Life series. The Island of Jersey has a very varied coastline. It has steep rocky cliffs, sandy beaches, pebbly beaches, rocky beaches and numerous variances in between. For the seventh set of postage stamps in the Jersey Marine Life series, some of the various seaweeds that grow onJersey’s shoreline are depicted.The low value 37 pence stamp shows Egg Wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum) while the 42p stamp pictures Gutweed (Enteromorpha sp). The middle two stamps in this 6 stamp set are a 45p stamp illustrating Red Rags (Dilsea carnosa) and the 55p stamp is of Sea Lettuce (Ulva lactuca). The last two stamps in the set picture yellow Laminaria (Laminaria hyperborean) on the 61p stamp and finally Velvet Horn (Codium tomentosum) of the 80p stamp.

The stamps printed by Cartor Security Printing of France in four color offset lithography in sheets of ten (2 across x 5 down). The individual stamps measure 40mm x 30mm. In addition to mint and CTO stamps, official First Day Cover envelopes and Presentation Packs will be available from the Jersey Philatelic Bureau, Postal Headquarters, JERSEY JE1 lAB, United Kingdom, at their shop located at the Broad Street Post Office, stamp dealers, and at their website which is //www.jerseystamps.com or by E-mailing them stamps@jerseypost.com