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

In 2024, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) celebrates its 150th anniversary. On 9 October 1874, 22 countries gathered to sign the Treaty of Bern, creating the General Postal Union, which would later become known as the Universal Postal Union. A century and a half later, the UPU now unites the postal networks of 192 member countries, having realized its founders’ vision of establishing a single postal territory to serve people everywhere. 

Stamp:

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

Many thanks to Vera!

USA: The Alex Trebek Stamp

Alex Trebek was a beloved Canadian-American television personality best known as the host of the quiz show "Jeopardy!" for 36 years, from 1984 until his death in 2020. The stamp artwork evokes the style of the game in which a provided answer prompts contestants to respond with the corresponding question. 

Stamps:

2x The Alex Trebek Stamp  - Issued: 22-07-2024

Many thanks to Michael!

Latvia: Intangible Cultural Heritage - "Gauja rafters"

For a long time, the River Gauja was an important waterway for rafting timber to Rīga. The ancient rafting trade has been included in the Latvian intangible cultural heritage list and in the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list.

 

Stamp:

Intangible Cultural Heritage - "Gauja rafters" - Issued: 12-04-2024

Many thanks to Vera!

France: Pokémon

In June 2024, La Poste issued a book of twelve postage stamps based on the iconic Pokémon. The Pokémon phenomenon appeared in Japan on February 27, 1996 with the first video games released on Game Boy, then expanded into playing and collecting card games, TV series, mobile applications, and derivative products. Pokémon is today one of the most popular entertainments among young and old all over the world. To note, Eric was so kind to send me the first cover from the Philex Paris 2024 Stamp Exhibition. On the left you can see the signature of the stamp Designer. The postmark says May 30th 2024, but the official start of selling seems to be June 17 2024.

 

Stamps:

Pokémon (from a set of 12) - Issued: 17-06-2024

Stamps:

Pokémon (from a set of 12) - Issued: 17-06-2024

Euro - Issued: 01-01-1999

Greetings Stamp - Issued: 10-06-2001 

Thanks a lot Steve!

Malaysia: Traditional Dances of Malaysia 2024

Stamps:

Traditional Dances of Malaysia (stamps and m/s) - Issued: 26-03-2024

Many thanks to Henry!

Liechtenstein: EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna"

Stamps:

EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna" (full set) - Issued: 03-06-2024 (on official First-Day-Cover)

South Korea: The 100th Anniversary of the The Chungsuk Academic Foundation

The Chungsuk Academic Foundation is the parent foundation of the Cheongju university. The Cheongseok Academic Foundation’s beginning can be traced to 1924, when Daeseong Primary School was founded with the mindset of saving the country, which was under Japanese rule, through education. Today, it has become a landmark of education, made up of seven schools ranging from elementary schools to universities. The Cheongseok Academic Foundation has raised 140,000 talented individuals to this day, and is currently aiding 20,000 students in their pursuit of knowledge in its capacity as a national private school of tradition. The stamps on the first day covers below are commemorating the 100th Anniversary.

 

Stamp:

The 100th Anniversary of the The Chungsuk Academic Foundation - Issued: 12-04-2024

Stamp:

The 100th Anniversary of the The Chungsuk Academic Foundation - Issued: 12-04-2024

Many thankt to Park Pyo Jun and Choonjong Park!

 

 

 

 

China: The 50th Anniversary of China-Malaysia Diplomatic Relations - Joint Issue w/ Malaysia

On May 31st 2024 a joint issue between China and Malaysia was put into circulation. The stamps commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations between these two countries. The commemorative stamp features iconic plants from both countries, namely the Merbau, Malaysia's national tree, and the Greeting Pine, one of China's most famous trees. I'm happy to receive a cover from both Countries, Malaysia and China. Many thanks to Raymond and Xu Wei!

China:

Stamps:

The 50th Anniversary of China-Malaysia Diplomatic Relations - Issued: 31-05-2024

Malaysia:

Stamps:

The 50th Anniversary of China-Malaysia Diplomatic Relations - Issued: 31-05-2024

 

Vietnam: The 70th Anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory

The Battle of Điện Biên Phủ was a climactic confrontation of the First Indochina War that took place between 13 March and 7 May 1954. It was fought between the French Union's colonial Far East Expeditionary Corps and Viet Minh communist revolutionaries.

Stamps:

The 70th Anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (full set) - Issued: 05-05-2024

 

Many thanks to Andrei!

 

Luxembourg: Summer Olympics in Paris 2024

The 2024 Summer Olympics,  and officially branded as Paris 2024, is an upcoming international multi-sport event scheduled to take place from 26 July (the date of the opening ceremony) to 11 August 2024 in France. Paris is the main host city, with events held at 16 other cities spread across Metropolitan France, plus one subsite in Tahiti—an island within the French overseas country and overseas collectivity of French Polynesia.

Stamp:

Summer Olympics in Paris 2024 - Issued: 14-05-2024

Many thanls to Steve!

Switzerland: 100 years Einsiedeln World Theatre

The village of Einsiedeln has been staging world theatre performances for a century and celebrates the festival’s centenary this summer. The outdoor theatre in the village of Einsiedeln, Canton of Schwyz, will raise the curtain for the 17th time this summer – 100 years after the very first performance. The world theatre is inspired by a play written by the Spanish philosopher Caldéron. Since 2000, this play has been revisited to produce performances that don’t just involve Caldéron, but also current issues. The village has traditionally been involved both backstage and on stage, and the anniversary stamp pays tribute to this huge collective effort. (Source: www.post.ch)

To note on this se-tenant stamp sheet only the mid stamp acually got a face value (CHF 1,00), not the other two. This seems different compared to older issues like this one of the Rhine Falls from 2016 or this one from 2020. This cover also got a matching day postmark from Einsiedeln dated on 2nd May 2024, the first day of issue.

Stamps:

100 years Einsiedeln World Theatre - Isued: 02-05-2024

Admission of Switzerland to the UN - Issued: 10-09-2002

Many thanks to Hansjürg!

Romania: EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna"

 

Stamps:

EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna" (full set) - Issued: 24-04-2024

Many thanks to Mihnea!

Latvia: EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna"

Stamps:

EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna" (full set) - Issued: 26-04-2024

Many thanks to Vera for this nice Cover with first day Cancellation!

USA: Chinese New Year - Year of the Dragon

Stamps:

2x Chinese New Year - Year of the Dragon - Issued: 25-01-2024

Many thanks to Geoff!

Malaysia: Traditional Firearms of Malaysia

 

Stamps:

Traditional Firearms of Malaysia (single stamps and sheet) - Issued: 27-02-2024

Many thanks to Henry!

Luxembourg: The 75th Anniversary of NATO

In 2024, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) celebrates 75 years of collective defence. Since its creation on 4 April 1949, the transatlantic Alliance has grown from 12 founding members to 32 member countries. Luxembourg is one of the founding members of 1949.

Stamp:

The 75th Anniversary of NATO  - Issued: 12-03-2024

Many thanks to Steve!

Switzerland: The First Mission of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit

The very first mission of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit was deployed in 1974 to the Lake Chad region (Niger, Chad, Nigeria and Cameroon), which had been hit by a terrible drought. The stamp pays tribute to the remarkable efforts of the unit’s 80 members, who worked side by side with local people to improve the situation. It took several months to build storage facilities and hospitals, repair wells and distribute around 260 tonnes of grain.

(Source: https://shop.post.ch)

 

Stamp:

The First Mission of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit - Issued: 07-03-2024

Many thanks to Hansjürg for sending this cover on the first day of Issue!

France: Fête du Timbre 2024 - "River Navigation"

 

Stamps:

Fête du Timbre 2024 - "Navigation de plaisance" (m/s) - Issued: 09-03-2024

Fête du Timbre 2024 - "A bord d’un voilier" - Issued: 09-03-2024

Many thanks to my friend Eric!

Serbia: EUROPA 2019 "National Birds"

Stamps:

EUROPA 2019 "National Birds" (full set) - Issued: 09-05-2019

 

 

Many thanks to Branislav!

Malaysia: "Free Palastine"

In a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people's struggle, Pos Malaysia launched a special "Palestin Merdeka" stamp. I'm very happy to receive this FDC from my friend Henry in Malaysia. This was by the way the third time after 1978 and 1982 that stamps related to Palestine were issued from Pos Malaysia. Henry also send me a Postal stationery which was issued, too.

Stamp:

Free Palestine - Issued: Preview: 14-12-2023 (available from 18-01-2024)

Postal Stationary:

Many thanks to Henry!