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!