Germany: Research Vessel "Planet"

The "Planet" is a state-of-the-art naval research vessel operated by the German Navy and is considered the most modern research ship within NATO. Built using the Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) design, it offers exceptional stability even in rough sea conditions. Commissioned on May 31, 2005, the "Planet" serves primarily as a platform for testing advanced sonar systems and studying maritime environmental conditions. 

 Stamp:

Natural Climate Protection - Issued: 05-09-2024

 

 

Picture of the Ship:

Source: (c) Bundeswehr

 

 

New Zealand: Preserve the Polar Regions and Glaciers - "Franz Josef Glacier"

Every year on March 21st, World Glacier Day highlights the importance of glaciers and their alarming retreat due to climate change. One striking example is Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand, a once-majestic river of ice that has dramatically shrunk over the past decades.

Located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park, this glacier was one of the few in the world that advanced during the 20th century. However, since the 2000s, it has been retreating rapidly, losing over 1 km in length. Scientists warn that continued warming could make it inaccessible without a helicopter in the near future.

 

Stamps:

Preserve the Polar Regions and Glaciers - "Franz Josef Glacier" - Issued: 04-03-2009

Scenic Definitives 2007 + 2009 - Issued: 09-05-2007 + 01-07-2009

Many thanks to Pieter!

Singapore: Raffles Institution Bicentennial & 50th Anniversary of Sport Singapore

Raffles Institution is the oldest English medium school in Singapore, with a history that paralleled the nation's history. 2023 marked as the school's 200th anniversary. Separately, Sport Singapore (SportSG) celebrates 50 years of serving Singapore through Sport. It will continue to work with a vast network of public-private-people sector to enable all to Live Better Through Sport.

 Stamps:

Anniversaries "Raffles Institution Bicentennial &  50th Anniversary of Sport Singapore" - Issued: 28-04-2023

Many thanks to Henrik!

Luxembourg: The 150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU)

This special cover was issued by the Luxembourg Post on the occasion of the 2024 International Stamp Fair in Ulm. In the bottom left corner, you can see a small image of Ulm's city skyline. The special postmark on the cover was also applied at the fair in Ulm.

 Stamp:

 The 150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) - Issued: 10-09-2024

 

Germany: Lufthansa First Direct Flight (LH 852/853) Frankfurt a. M., Germany <-> Rovaniemi (Santa Claus Village), Finland

From November 30, 2024, Lufthansa started to fly twice a week from Frankfurt to Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland in northern Finland, for the first time. Rovaniemi is located on the Arctic Circle and is surrounded by untouched nature and not far away from the famous Santa Claus Village. The covers below record both the flight from Frankfurt to Rovaniemi and the flight back. 

1. Lufthansa LH 852 Frankfurt a.M. -> Rovaniemi (with an arrival postmark of Napaiiri, which is a district of Rovaniemi). To note, the flight was not done with an Airbus A319 as planned, instead with an Airbus A321, as indicated by the cachet on the top left.

Stamps:

Christmas - Issued: 02-11-2015 

Snow Man - Issued: 03-11-2014

2. Lufthansa LH 853 Rovaniemi -> Frankfurt a.M. with a postmark from the Santa Claus Main Post Office

Stamp:

The Glow of the Sun (from a set of 2) - Issued: 11-09-2024 (many thanks to Kimmo)

Philippines: The 125th Anniversary of the First Philippine Republic ("Philippines’ longest Postage Stamp")

In celebration of the 2024 Araw ng Kalayaan and the 125th anniversary of the First Philippine Republic of 1899, the Philippine Postal Corp. or PHLPost issued the “longest stamps” to set a new Guinness World Record. The commemorative stamp features historical vignettes that transpired from the declaration of Philippine Independence in 1898, the arrival of Aguinaldo in Malolos Bulacan, the inauguration of the first Philippine Republic at the Barasoain Church in 1899, the Philippine American War, Aguinaldo’s odyssey in Northern Luzon with women nursing the wounded, Apolinario Mabini in Pangasinan, and Aguinaldo’s capture in Isabela but others continued to fight for liberty in 1901. The sheetlet strip of three measures 200 mm.

(Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1226769)

Stamp:

The 125th Anniversary of the First Philippine Republic - Issued: 14-06-2024

Many thanks to Ani!

China: Yi Si Year (Year of the Snake, 2025)

The Year of the Snake is one of the 12 signs in the Chinese zodiac, and it occurs every 12 years. People born under this sign are often considered wise, intelligent, and mysterious. They are also seen as graceful and sometimes a bit secretive. The Snake is associated with traits like intuition, elegance, and a deep inner strength. In Chinese culture, the Snake is also linked to wealth and good fortune, but it can also represent danger or caution because of its connection to the serpent.

Stamps:

Yi Si Year (Year of the Snake) (full set) - Issued: 05-01-2025

New Year Greetings (full set) - Issued: 05-01-2025

 

Many thanks to Xu Wei!

Taiwan: Sports

Stamps:

Sports (full set of 4) - Issued: 10-07-2020

Many thanks to Su Wu-Chang!

Japan: The 150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU)

 

Stamps:

The 150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) (from a set of 10) - Issued: 09-10-2024

International Letter-Writing Week (from a set of 3) - Issued: 07-10-2024

 

 

 

Many thanks to Masako!

France: T.A.A.F - Port-aux-Français, Kerguelen Islands - "on board of the R/V Marion Dufresne"

The French Southern and Antarctic Lands is an overseas territory of France. It consists of: Adélie Land (Terre Adélie), the French claim on the continent of Antarctica, Crozet Islands (Îles Crozet), a group in the southern Indian Ocean, south of Madagascar, Kerguelen Islands (Archipel des Kerguelen), a group of volcanic islands in the southern Indian Ocean, southeast of Africa and southwest of Australia, Saint Paul and Amsterdam Islands (Îles Saint Paul et Amsterdam), a group to the north of the Kerguelen Islands and Scattered Islands (Îles Éparses), a dispersed group of islands around the coast of Madagascar.

The cover below was sent in late spring 2024 to the research vessel Marion Dufresne for the upcoming cruise season. It has several cachets from the crew members and is signed by the ship's commander, Ganor Ginat. The letter was then cancelled in Port-aux-Français, the largest settlement on the Kerguelen Islands.

Stamp:

Personalities - "Philibert Commerson (1727-1773) - Issued: 02-01-2023

Italy: The 25th Anniversary of the Venice Foundation for Peace Research - Joint Issue w/ Vatican

The Venice Foundation for Peace Research was instituted on 3 November 1999. According to Article 2 of its statute, it has the aim of “carrying out research activities in cooperation with national and international bodies and institutions on issues related to security, development and peace, and implementing and promoting initiatives aimed at publishing results of the research undertaken”. The Foundation’s  President, Antonio Silvio Calò, explained that over the years, the Foundation “has implemented actions which, taking account of the social and political contexts, have fostered peace processes, particularly through the defence of the rights of individuals and peoples”.

Many thanks to Eric for sending me both the italian stamp on cover and the one from Vatican send on the first day of issue! 

Italy:

 

 

Stamps:

 

The 25th Anniversary of the Venice Foundation for Peace Research - Joint Issue w/ Vatican - Issued: 14-11-2024

 

 

 

Vatican:

 

Stamps:

The 25th Anniversary of the Venice Foundation for Peace Research - Joint Issue w/ Italy - Issued: 14-11-2024
 

Thailand: Micro Shells of Thailand

 

Stamps:

Micro Shells of Thailand (full set) - Issued: 26-09-2024

Many thanks to Andrei!

Switzerland: Definitive Stamps - Swiss Railway Stations ("2024 Overprints")

Originally issued in 2016 as part of the new “Swiss railway stations” definitive stamps set the two designs, of Lucerne and Brig railway station were re-issued by Swiss Post with an overprint. Because not all of the stamps were sold and the face values have changed, the remaining stamps were simply lying around in stock. Swiss Post gave the “old” stamps a second chance by overprinting them with the current face values. 

Many thanks to Hansjürg for sending me this nice Cover with one stamp with the Railway Station in Brig from the 2016 Issue and one from the 2024 overprint-issue. Mailed on the first day of Issue from the City of Brig.

Stamps:

Definitive Stamps - Swiss Railway Stations "Brig" - Issued: 08-09-2016

Definitive Stamps - Swiss Railway Stations (Overprint) "Brig" - Issued: 05-09-2024

Coins - Supplementary Stamps (from a set of 3) - Issued: 01-01-2022

Lithuania: EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna"

 

Stamps:

EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna" - Issued: 26-04-2024

Brazil: MERCOSUR 2023 - "Video Games"

Stamps:

MERCOSUR 2023 - "Video Games" - Issued: 13-12-2023

Many thanks to Damiao!

Cyprus: 50 Years of the Cyprus Thalassaemia Association + 70 Years of the Pancyprian Greek Teachers Organization (POED)

 

Stamps:

50 Years of the Cyprus Thalassaemia Association - Issued: 04-04-2023

70 Years of the Pancyprian Greek Teachers Organization (POED) - 04-04-2023

Refugee Fund Tax Stamp 2023

Tunisia: The 150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU)

Stamps:

3x The 150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) - Issued: 09-10-2024

Thanks a lot Mohamed!

Greenland: Alluitsup Paa

Alluitsup Paa is a small settlement in southern Greenland, located in the Kujalleq municipality. It lies along the coast of the north atlantic. Traditionally a fishing and hunting community, the village has a rich Inuit heritage. Most towns and settlements in southern Greenland exhibit negative growth patterns over the last two decades, with many settlements rapidly depopulating. Alluitsup Paa has been losing population faster than most of its neighbors; its population decreased over 40% between 2000 and 2010 and was around 202 ind 2020. To note this cover was cancelled on the last day of the village post office operation. 

Stamps:

2x  International Migratory Bird Day  - Issued: 10-10-2023

Germany: Lufthansa First B777-Cargo Flight (LH 8442) Frankfurt a. M., Germany <-> Shenzhen, China

In July 2024 Lufthansa Cargo expanded its reach in Asia by adding a new destinations in China to its freighter network. The airline’s B777F long-haul fleet, based in Frankfurt, will now include twice a week Shenzhen Boa’an International Airport (SZX). The following covers are a record of these first flights.

Flight Frankfurt-Airport -> Shenzhen Boa’an International Airport (LH 8442)

Stamps:

2x Four Seasons "Summer" - Issued: 13-07-2006

 

Flight Shenzhen Boa’an International Airport via Dubai -> Frankfurt-Airport (LH 8443)

 

Stamp:

High-speed Railway Development  - Issued: 25-11-2017 

 

 

Canada: Iqaluit, Nunavut (NU)

Iqaluit is the capital of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. It is the territory's largest community and its only city, and the northernmost city in Canada. It was known as Frobisher Bay from 1942 to 1987, after the large bay on the coast on which the city is situated. Its traditional Inuktitut name was restored in 1987. 

Stamps:

The 100th Anniversary of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada  - Issued:01-06-2000

Pierre Trudeau (Former Prime Minister) Commemoration - Issued: 01-07-2001

Tourism - From Far and Wide (from a set of 11) - Issued: 14-01-2019

Canadian Maple Leaf Emblem - Issued: 10-02-1983

Houses of Parliament - Issued: 08-03-1979

Traditional Trades - Issued: 29-04-1999

Many thanks again to Linda!

 

 

 

(c) Aaron Einstein (Aaron Lloyd) - Own work; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iqaluit#/media/File:Iqaluit_skyline.jpg

 

 

 

Poland: Never Again! + 80th Anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

On January 27, 2025, the world commemorates the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp. Liberated by Soviet forces in 1945, Auschwitz remains a symbol of the Holocaust's horrors, where over 1.1 million men, women, and children, mostly Jews, were murdered.

I haven’t shared this cover here before, so I think today’s the perfect day to do so. I sent it to myself from the IBRA 2023 stamp exhibition. 

Stamps:

2x Never Again - Issued: 27-01-2018 

80th Anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising - Issued: 19-04-2023

 

Hong Kong: Summer Olympic Games - Paris, France

 

Stamps:

Summer Olympic Games - Paris, France (from a set of 4) - Issued: 26-08-2024

Many thanks to Tk Cho!

Algeria: Musical Instruments (1984)

Stamps:

Musical Instruments (full set) - Issued: 20-09-1984

Germany: 90th Anniversary of Neuhardenberg Airfield (1934–2024)

The Neuhardenberg Airfield, located in Brandenburg, Germany, celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2024. The airfield was established during the early 1930s, a period of significant growth in aviation infrastructure in Germany. Like many airfields in Germany, Neuhardenberg was utilized for military purposes during World War II. After the war, its functions shifted under the Soviet occupation and later during the Cold War. During the special Anniversary celebration on June 8th and 9th 2024 a special commemorative flight was organizied to carry special stamped covers like the one below. The blue inscription “Befördert mit Flugzeug Cessna 172E / D-EMDE” ("Transported by aircraft Cessna 172E / D-EMDE") indicates that the cover was specially carried aboard.

Stamp:

World of Letters - Issued: 02-12-2021

Switzerland: Giants of the Ice Age

 

Stamps:

Giants of the Ice Age  - Issued: 07-11-2024

Many thanks to Hansjürg!

Malaysia: The 150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU)

Stamps:

The 150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) (souvenir sheet + stamp) - Issued: 09-10-2024

Many thanks to Henry!

Germany: Replenishment Ship "Rhein A 513 "

The Elbe-class replenishment ships are also known "Tenders" of the German Navy. In German, this type of ship is called Versorgungsschiff which can be translated as "supply ship" though the official translation in English is "replenishment ship". The blue cachet depicting the ship with a text references "Tag der Bundeswehr 2024" (Day of the German Armed Forces 2024), held at the Naval Base in Rostock-Warnemünde in 2024. The rectangular stamp at the top reads "Befördert mit FELDPOST" (Transported with Field Post) indicates that this cover was sent through the military postal service.

Stamp:

The 75th Anniversary of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany - Issued: 02-05-2024
 

 

Picture of the Ship:

(c) Pelz - Eigenes Werk, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21663637

 

 

Ireland: EUROPA 2019 "National Birds" + Louis Braille (1809-1852)

 

Stamps:

EUROPA 2019 "National Birds" (from a set of 2) - Issued: 11-04-2019

Louis Braille (1809-1852) - Issued: 23-01-2009

 

Many thanks to Holger!

Luxembourg: Pope Francis' visit to Luxembourg

Pope Francis visited Luxembourg on September 26, 2024, marking his 46th Apostolic Journey abroad. This visit was notable as the Pope typically travels to less-visited regions or areas with smaller Catholic populations. This was also the first papal visit since 1985, when Pope John Paul II visited Luxembourg. For this special occasion the Post of Luxembourg issued a nice souvenir sheet that can be seen on the cover below. 

Stamp:

Pope Francis' visit to Luxembourg 2024 - Issued: 10-09-2024
 

Romania: The 150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU)

 -- Happy New Year 2025 everyone --

Stamps:

The 150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) - Issued: 09-10-2024

Garden Flowers - Issued: 21-10-2022

Stamps:

The 150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) - Issued: 09-10-2024

Garden Flowers - Issued: 21-10-2022