Thailand: THAILAND 2025 - Asian International Stamp Exhibition, Bangkok, 8-12 August 2025

The Asian International Stamp Exhibition – Thailand 2025 took place in Bangkok from August 8 to 12, 2025, at the historic Grand Postal Building on Charoen Krung Road in the Bangrak district. The event was organized by the Philatelic Association of Thailand under the patronage of H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The stamps on the front were issued for this occasion. They are a showing a newly discovered plant species with the botanical name 'Impatiens sirindhorniae', named after the Princess of Thailand Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. 

Stamps:

Chinese New Year - Year of the Pig - Issued: 01-01-2019

Coronation of King Vajiralongkorn to Rama X - Issued: 04-05-2019

Thanks a lot to Xu Wei!

Germany: Lufthansa First Flight (LH 5640/5641) Frankfurt a. M., Germany <-> Figari (Corsika), France

Lufthansa subsidiary Air Dolomiti expanded its route network and lauched a new connection for the summer season 2025. It started to fly between Frankfurt and Figari on Corsica. From May 17, 2025, Air Dolomiti operated the route once a week with an Embraer E190. I'm happy to show two nice covers that document both the first flight from Frankfurt to Figari and the first flight back from Figari to Frankfurt.

Lufthansa Flight (LH 5640) Frankfurt a. M., Germany <-> Figari (Corsika), France  w/ Arrival postmark on the back

Stamps:

World of Letters Definitive (1,10 €) - Issued: 01-03-2022

World of Letters Definitive (0,15 €) - Issued: 01-08-2024

 

 

Lufthansa Flight (LH 5641) Figari (Corsika), France <-> Frankfurt a. M., Germany  w/ Arrival postmark on 19th may (Monday) of Frankfurt-Airport (IPZ)

 

 Stamp:

 

Chinese New Year - Year of the Snake - Issued: 20-01-2025 

 

 

Many thanks for the help Eric!

Germany: Kiel Week 2025

The Kiel Week 2025 took place from June 21 to June 29, 2025, under the shared motto “WIR-Woche” (“WE Week”). The event featured numerous sailing competitions, including the Windjammer parade with over 100 ships. Beyond sailing, the Kieler Woche offered a diverse program with concerts, international markets, an Ocean Funpark, and various family-friendly activities. The German Navy and its partners once again opened their ships to the public during “Open Ship” days at the Kiel Naval Base. I'm happy to receive two covers from the Kiel Week with special postmark and Kiel Week-Stickers. 

 First Cover has got a ship cachet from the Frigate Bayern:

 Stamp:

World of Letters Definitive (0,95 €) - Issued: 04-08-2022

 

(c) Tagesschau - Tagesschau.de, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=164832921

 

 

Second Cover has got a cachet from the Minehunter Pegnitz:

Stamps:

World of Letters Definitive (0,10 €) - Issued: 02-11-2022

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

 

(c) PIZ Marine

USA: 60th U.S. Presidential Inauguration (January 20, 2025)

The 60th presidential inauguration took place on January 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The ceremony included the swearing-in of the president and vice president, as well as performances and speeches that reflected the political and social atmosphere of the time. However, the new president’s rise to power is not without controversy. While some see his leadership as a chance for change, others believe his approach is driven more by a desire to weaken political opponents and push through his agenda without compromise than by a focus on national unity. Critics also point out the contradiction in his public image: though he presents himself as a fighter for working-class Americans, he is a billionaire with deep ties to the elite circles he claims to oppose.

Stamps:

Special Delivery stamps - Issued: 21-11-1969

 

Many thanks to Yan!

Austria: "Christmas 2024" - 63rd "Weihnachtsballonpost" ("Christmas Balloon Post")

 Merry Christmas to everyone!

Like last year, I'm happy to show this year's Weihnachtsballonpost ("Christmas Balloon Post"), too. As a reminder, this is an annual tradition and philatelic charity champaigne of sending specially designed Christmas covers and postcards via hot air balloon from Sonthofen, Germany to the town of Christkindl in Austria. The envelope bears a pictorial cancellation from the Christkindl post office on the right and on the left the black Cachet of the Ballon including a customized stamp celebrating the 63rd Weihnachts-ballonpost and depicts a festive scene with St. Nicholas and a postal worker. The green-framed flight label provides detailed information about the balloon transport. 

Stamp:

Christmas – the Traismauer Nativity Play - Issued: 14-11-2024

Japan: 58th Japan Philatelic Exhibition (JAPEX 2023)

The 58th JAPEX took place from 3rd to 5th November 2023. One of the Commemorative Exhibits was the "Ukrainian Stamp Exhibition". Therefore a special stamp, cover and postmark was put into circulation. I'm very happy to receive the cover below, it was exclusively painted for me by Linda. Linda developed a great philatelic project to raise money to help the Ukraine. Check out her Website: https://www.stampoutwar.com/

 Stamp:

Definitives - Greetings - Issued: 17-03-2022

 

Many thanks again Linda!

Austria: "Christmas 2023" - 62nd "Weihnachtsballonpost" ("Christmas Balloon Post")

This cover was supposed to be transported by hot-air balloon from Sonthofen, Germany (southernmost town in Germany) to the town of Christkindl in Austria. It was part of the annual and perhaps oldest philatelic charity campaign. Due to strong winds, the balloon could not take off. As can be read on the rectangular Cachet at the bottom left. Also to note is the green Cachet of the Ballon at top left and the both special postmarks applied by Austrian Post.

Stamp:

Christmas (from a set of 3) - Issued: 17-11-2023
 

France: Belfort - "Host City of the 20th Stage of the 2023 Tour de France"

Belfort is a city in northeastern France, situated approximately 25 km (16 mi) from the Swiss border. Belfort hosted the Tour de France on more than a dozen occasions, mostly as a starting venue. The stage started on July 22nd 2023 and after traversing several mountains the finish after 133,5 km was situated in Le Markstein, a ski station 8 kilometres after the Platzerwasel. I'm very happy to receive this nice Cover including a great Maxi-Card with help of my friend Eric!

Stamp:

Belfort - "Host City of the 20th Stage of the 2023 Tour de France" Personalized stamp

 

Maxicard - "Carte Postale Souvenir Philatélique"

 

Germany: Postal Stationary - "Germania: Myth and Stamp"

Germania stamps are definitive stamps that were issued by the German Empire and the Weimar Republic between 1900 and 1922, depicting Germania. Germania is the personification of the German nation or the Germans as a whole. The stamps represent the longest running series in German philately and are in their many variations and derivations an essential part of German philatelic collections. This Postal Stationary was issued during this year's IBRA23 in Essen.

Stamp:

Personalised Stamp

Germany: 100th Anniversary of the "Ernemannturm"

The Ernemann-Werke is a historic complex of production and administration buildings for the optical industry in Dresden-Striesen. The iconic "Ernemannturm" is part of it and celebrated its 100th Anniverary in 2023. Its named after the former owner of this facility Heinrich Ernemann. The covers below were created for this event. The covers are both transported to "Weißer Hirsch" by funicular railway and to "Oberloschwitz" by suspension railway as seen on the special cachets. 

Stamp:

ATM "Brandenburger Tor" 

Stamp:

ATM "Brandenburger Tor"

South Georgia: Bird Island Research Station

Bird Island Research Station is an important centre for research into bird and seal biology. Lying off the north-west tip of South Georgia, Bird Island is one of the richest wildlife sites in the world. The research station, active since 1957, was completely redeveloped in 2005 and today provides accommodation for 10 staff.

To note the second postmark on the cover showing a nice cachet of "RRS Sir David Attenborough". It is a research vessel owned by the Natural Environment Research Council and operated by the British Antarctic Survey for the purposes of both research and logistic support. The vessel is named after broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough. 

Stamp:

Queen Elizabeth 90th Birthday s/s - Issued: 21-04-2016

Germany: International Stamp Fair "Ulm 2023"

The International Stamp Fair (Internationale Briefmarken-Börse) in Ulm, Germany took place from Thursday, 26. October to Saturday, 28. October 2023. I sent this cover below to myself during my visit. On the back you can see some postmarks of postal administrations that participated.

Stamp:

Postal stationery "International Stamp Fair Ulm 2023" - Issued: 05-10-2023

Backside: Definitves Stamps "Flowers - Eranthis hyemalis" - Issued: 08-06-2017

Germany: 90th Anniversary of the steam Ice-Breaker "Stettin" + Season-ending 2023

The "Stettin" is a steam icebreaker built by the shipyard "Stettiner Oderwerke" in 1933. The economy of the city of Stettin (now: "Szczecin") strongly depended on the free access of ships to and from the Baltic Sea. Therefore, icebreakers were used to keep the shipping channels free from ice during the winter. From 1933 to 1945, Stettin was used in German Navy ("Kriegsmarine") service on the Oder River between Stettin and Swinemünde, as well as on the Baltic Sea. From 1945 on, she was used by the waterway and navigation authorities in Hamburg on the river Elbe. In 1981, Stettin was slated to be scrapped due to uneconomic costs. However, with the establishment of a development association, thousands of working hours, and support by generous sponsors, the ship was saved. Today, she is a technical culture monument. Her homeport is the museum port of Oevelgoenne in Hamburg, Germany. During summertime, Stettin cruises with invited guests on occasions like "Hamburg port birthday," "Hansesail Rostock," and "Kieler Woche," and is also used as a charter vessel.  (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Stettin_(1933) 

On this cover you can see a special personalised stamp showing a picture of the ship, a special postmark from its 90th Anniversary and on left a cachet postmark for the season-ending of cruises in 2023.

 

Stamp:

Personalised stamp "Ice Breaker Stettin" - Issued: unknwon

 

Germany: Special Postcard - "75 years of Norderney Town Charter"

Norderney is one of the seven populated East Frisian Islands off the North Sea coast of Germany. The island is 14 by 2.5 kilometres, having a total area of about 26.3 square kilometres and is therefore Germany's ninth-largest island. Norderney's population amounts to about 5,850 people. In 1948 Norderney offically granted city rights and this year they celebrated the 75 Anniversary of this pivotal moment. For this event a speical postcard, special personalized stamp and postmark was put into circulation as you can see below.

To note the small postmark on the left which is the offical postmark of the city administration. As on the special cancellation on the right side too you can see the coat of Arms of Norderney.

Many thanks to Sarah for this great card!

Germany: 70th Anniversary of East German uprising of 1953

The East German uprising of 1953, also known as the East German Uprising or the June 17th Uprising, was a significant event in the history of post-World War II Europe. It was a spontaneous and widespread protest against the oppressive policies of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), which was under Soviet influence and control. This uprising, though ultimately crushed, marked a crucial moment in the fight for freedom and democracy in East Germany. In 2023 now 70 years have passed since this pivotal moment in the history of post-World War II Germany and the Deutsche Post commemorated this with a special postmark as seen below.

Stamps:

1x 50th Anniversary of East German uprising - issued: 12-06-2003

3x Definitves Stamps "Flowers - Eranthis hyemalis" - Issued: 08-06-2017

Germany: The 100th Anniversary of the "Schleizer Dreieck"

The "Schleizer Dreieck" is a 3.805 km (2.364 mi) motorsports circuit with an average width of 10 m (33 ft) and elevation changes of 44 m (144 ft). The circuit is located in Schleiz, Thuringia, Germany. The circuit is the oldest racing track in Germany, and it was opened on 10 June 1923. The Special Cover dedicated to this event was put into circulation by the Philatelic Society of Thuringia.

Stamp:

The 100th Anniversary of the "Schleizer Dreieck" - Issued: 01-06-2023

 

Taiwan: The 110th Anniversary of the Founding of the Republic of China

 

Stamps:

The 110th Anniversary of the Founding of the Republic of China (from a set of 4) - Issued: 08-10-2021

Many thanks to Su Wu-Chang!

USA: Successful Landing of the Perseverance Rover on Mars on 18th Feb. 2021

 Stamp:

  Flowers - Chrysanthemum - Issued: 24-04-2020

Macau: 35th Asian International Stamp Exhibition MACAU'18

The Asian International Stamp Exhibition is a regional philatelic exhibition established by FIAP since 1977, aiming to develop the philately industry. It was the first time that the exhibition held in Macao and it was held from 21st to 24th September 2018. I'm happy to receive three covers, including one from Liechtenstein Post.

Stamps:
ATM
35th Asian International Stamp Exhibition MACAU'18  (from a set of 4) - Issued: 23-09-2018


Many thanks to Edward for these nice Covers!

Malaysia: "Malaysian Citrus - FDC"

On April 24th Pos Malaysia issued a stamp series featuring the well-known lime flavours frequently used in Malaysian cooking. The three stamps issued - and seen on the first cover - are the Calamondin Lime or Limau Kasturi (60sen), Kaffir Lime or Limau Purut (60sen) and Key Lime or Limau Nipis (60sen). A very nice minisheet was also issued. It can be send on the second cover. The sheet is printed with a gloss varnish finishing to accentuate the pomelo’s flesh. I'm very happy to receive both official FDC's.

Stamps:
Malaysian Citrus (stamps + m/s) - Issued: 24-04-2018


Many thanks to Henry for this great Covers!