Switzerland: 200th Anniversary of the Bicycle

The first verifiable claim for a practically used bicycle belongs to German Baron Karl von Drais, a civil servant to the Grand Duke of Baden in Germany. Drais invented his Laufmaschine (German for "running machine") of 1817 that was called Draisine (English) or draisienne (French) by the press. Today, 200 years later, the bicycle is seen as an efficient and highly ecological means of transport that enhances the quality of life. Like in many other countries Bicycles are very popular in Switzerland, too. Swiss Post celebrates this event with a set of two different Stamps (CHF 1.00 Draisine and CHF 1.00 Modern Bicycle).

Stamps:
200th anniversary of the bicycle (full set) - Issued: 02-03-2017


Many thanks to Hansjürg for this great cover!

Germany: Town Musicians of Bremen

Like every year the german post issued a stamp series dedicated to Welfare. This year's Welfare Stamps Theme is "Town Musicians of Bremen". It is a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. In the story a donkey, a dog, a cat, and a rooster (or hen), all past their prime years in life and usefulness on their respective farms, were soon to be discarded or mistreated by their masters. One by one they leave their homes and set out together. They decide to go to Bremen, known for its freedom, to live without owners and become musicians there.

The Set of welfare stamps includes three different motifs out of this fairy tale: 1.  „Freunde treffen“ (70 Cent + 30 Cent), 2. "Der Überfall" (85 Cent + 40 Cent) and 3. "Im Neuen Zuhause" (145 Cent + 55 Cent).

Stamps:
Charity Stamps - Town Musicians of Bremen (full set) - Issued: 09-02-2017 with Special First-Day of Issue Postmark

France: "Coeurs Balmain"

Since the year 2000 the French Post issued a series of heart-shaped stamps. In the past, luxury designers like Lanvin, Christian Lacroix and Yves Saint Laurent have been selected to design the annual heart-shaped stamp, and this year, Balmain's Olivier Rousteing has been recruited.

Stamps:
Valentine's Day "Coeurs Balmain" (full set) - Issued: 20-01-2017


Many thanks to Eric for this great Cover!

Gibraltar: John Lennon & Yoko Ono

My first covers from Gibraltar. Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. It has an area of 6.7 km2 and shares its northern border with Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region. At its foot is a densely populated city area, home to over 30,000 Gibraltarians and other nationalities.

The stamps are showing John Lennon and Yoko Ono on their Marriage on 20th March 1969 in Gibraltar. John Lennon said: "We chose Gibraltar because it is quiet, British and friendly (...)".

I sent another cover to Gibraltar in October 2016 but the postmark was not very clear:

Stamps:
John Lennon - Issued: 20-03-1999