Japan: German frigate "Baden-Württemberg" (F 222) - Mission: "Indo-Pacific Deployment 2024" (May - December 2024)

For around six months, from May to December 2024, german frigate "Baden-Württemberg" and replenishment ship "Frankfurt am Main" will be traveling westwards around the globe. The voyage is formally a so-called foreign training cruise. Above all, this means that the naval vessels and crews will use the time for their own training – especially in cooperation with various partner navies in the Indo-Pacific region. The cover below was mailed during the port call to Tokyo from 20 to 25 August 2024 with the cachet of the Crew "Echo".

 

Stamp:

Definitive Stamp "Kerria japonica" - Issued: 02-02-2015

Picture of the Ship during the port call to Tokyo:

Picture: (c)Bundeswehr/Julia Kelm

 

Cyprus: German frigate "Brandenburg" (F 215) - Operation "UNIFIL" (March 24 - July 24)

Under the command of frigate captain Andreas Scheiba, the crew of the german frigate "Brandenburg" departed from Wilhelmshaven, Germany in March 2024 to support maritime surveillance off the Lebanese coast and train the Lebanese navy as part of the UNIFIL mission (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon). Numerous maneuvers took place with international partners. The covers below show port calls of the frigate in Limassol, Cyprus, in Spain (too bad no postmark on the cover) and from the arrival back in Wilhelmshaven, Germany.

  

Stamps:

Euromed 2023 - "Mediterranean Festival" - Issued: 10-07-2023

Refugee Fund Tax Stamp 2023

 

EUROPA 2023 - "Peace - the highest value of humanity" - Issued: 09-05-2023

Stamps:

Sights in Germany - "Der Brocken" - Issued: 01-03-2024

Definitives - "Flowers" - Issued: 18-12-2018

Picture of the Ship:

 

Source: https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/einsaetze-bundeswehr/unifil-fregatte-mtf-5780552

 

Germany: First Flight of Lufthansa LH2426 from Munich Airport to Trondheim <-> Trondheim to Munich Airport

Starting April 28 2024, Lufthansa commenced twice-weekly flights from Munich to Trondheim (TRD), Norway’s third-largest city. The covers below document both very first flights. The first one from Munich-Airport to Trondheim on April 28 2024 with Airbus A319 D-AILS "Heide". Also to note the arrival postmark of Trondheim on the left. The second cover the Way back from Trondheim to Munich-Airport.

Flight Munich-Airport -> Trondheim

Stamps:

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

 

Flight Trondheim -> Munich-Airport

With a arrival postmark of "Briefzentrum 85" (= Freising, Munich Airport) of April 29th 2024

Stamp:

Norway Memories (from a set of 6) - Issued: 21-04-2023

 

 

Brazil: The 200th Anniversary of German Immigration

Beginning in 1824, German settlers established communities in Brazil, particularly in Rio Grande do Sul, leaving a lasting impact on cities like Blumenau and Joinville. This anniversary honors the rich German heritage that has become an integral part of Brazil's diverse cultural landscape, highlighting the successful blending of traditions that continues to shape the nation today. Thus both countries issued a stamp commemorating this event. 

Stamp:

The 200th Anniversary of German Immigration - Issued: 24-05-2024

Many thanks to Damiao!

 

Unfortunately, I don't have the German stamp (Issued: 06-06-2024) on cover, but it looks like this:

Furthermore, from June 27 to June 29, a Germany-Brazil Bilateral stamp Exhibition was held in Haldensleben, Germany. The Special Cover below (besides others), with special postmark and personalized stamp was issued during this event.

Germany: RV "Elisabeth Mann Borgese"

The Elisabeth Mann Borgese is a German research vessel named after the renowned marine law expert and environmentalist Elisabeth Mann Borgese. Operated by the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, this ship is primarily used for scientific exploration of the Baltic Sea. Equipped with advanced technology, it supports research in marine biology, chemistry, and geology, contributing significantly to our understanding of marine ecosystems. Launched in 2012, the vessel plays a crucial role in environmental monitoring and the sustainable management of marine resources.

To note on this cover a stamp commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Elisabeth Mann Borgese issued in 2018 (3,70 € face value) was used. On the left you can also see on the bottom the current ship postmark and a postmark of the managing company Briese Schiffahrts GmbH & Co. KG Research.

Stamp:

The 100th Anniversary of Elisabeth Mann Borgese - Issued: 12-04-2018

 

Picture of the Ship:

Source: https://briese-research.de/research-department/research-vessels/rv-elisabeth-mann-borgese

 

Germany: Brig "Roald Amundsen" Baltic Sea Journey 2024 (May - August 2024)

Roald Amundsen (often abbreviated 'Roald'; named in honor of Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen), originally named 'Vilm', is a German steel-ship built on the Elbe River in 1952. Having worked in different areas, she was refitted in 1992 to 1993 as a brig (two-masted square-rigged sailing ship) and now serves as a sail training ship. During summer, she usually operates in the Baltic Sea, and usually embarks for journeys to farther destinations for winter, including several trans-Atlantic crossings. 

This cover documents the start of the Baltic Sea journey of 2024 in Emden (Day Postmark Emden 03-05-2024), as can be seen from the small postmark on the left bottom "Auslaufen Emden" (= departure Emden). During its journey, the ship will call at several ports, for example in Sweden, Poland and Estonia. I hope to show some of them here.

Stamps:

Sights in Germany - "The Brocken" - Issued: 01-03-2024

Definitives "Flowers - Cardamine pratensis" - Issued: 18-12-2018

UPDATE September 2024:

Recently I received two other covers with nice stamps and postmark from the post calls in Mariehamn, Aland and Szczecin, Poland.

Stamp:

EUROPA 2016 - "Think Green" (from a set of 2) - Issued: 09-05-2016

Stamps:

European Universities Games in Lodz - Issued: 15-07-2022

The 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the Commission of National Education - Issued: 14-10-2023

 

Picture of the Ship:

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roald_Amundsen_(ship)#/media/File:Roald_Amundsen_Kiel2007_1.jpg

Djibouti: German frigate "Hessen" (F 221) - Operation "EUNAVFOR Aspides" (February - April/May 2024)

In February 2024, the frigate "Hessen" departed from the port of Wilhelmshaven for the Red Sea with about 240 people on board in order to assist the EU mission Aspides, which aims to protect shipping from Houthi attacks. This letter was carried on board of the ship and was mailed during the harbour stay in Djibouti. On the left you can see the cachet which was used for this operation.

Stamp:

Monument of the Unknown Soldier - Issued: 18-04-2004

Picture of the Ship:

Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hessen_(Schiff,_2006)#/media/Datei:FGS_Hessen-2012-2.jpg

Germany: The 50th Anniversary of "Playmobil" - "50 Years of Play, Fun, & Variety"

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the brand "Playmobil". Founded in 1974 by German inventor Hans Beck, Playmobil began with a simple idea: to inspire imaginative play through miniature figures and detailed playsets. Today, Playmobil is produced by the Brandstätter Group headquartered in Zirndorf, Germany. The signature Playmobil toy is a 7.5 cm (3.0 in) tall (1:24 scale) human figure with a smiling face. The figures can bee seen on the stamp below, the face on the First-Day-Cancellation.

Stamp:

The 50th Anniversary of "Playmobil" - "50 Years of Play, Fun, & Variety" - Issued: 01-03-2024

Located next to the Playmobil headquarters in Zirndorf lies the Playmobil FunPark. Its a popular amusement park which spans over 90,000 square meters, offering an immersive playground for children and families to explore. The card below was sent from there.

 

Stamp:

"The Gruffalo" - Issued: 01-03-2019

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
 

Cyprus: First foreign Mission of the german frigate "Baden-Württemberg" - "UNIFIL" (October 23 - Janaury 24)

On Friday, 20 October 2023, the german navy frigate "Baden-Württemberg" left her home port of Wilhelmshaven, Germany with the crew "Delta" to take part in the mandated foreign mission "UNIFIL" (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) off the Lebanese coast. Blue helmets from the UNIFIL mission have been working for peace between Lebanon and Israel since 1978. This makes the mission one of the oldest peacekeeping operations of the United Nations (UN). In January 2024 the mission ended. I'm very happy to receive the cover below sent from Limassol, Cyprus with a nice Cachet from the mission. 

Stamps:

Football - FIFA World Cup 2018 - Issued: 28-03-2018

Refugee Fund Tax Stamp 2018

Picture of the Ship:

Source: www.bundeswehr.de

 

Germany: "Marvel Superheroes" series - "Spider-Man", "Black Panther", "Iron Man" & "Captain Marvel"

In 2022 Deutsche Post started to issue a new series called "Marvel Superheroes". Marvel Comics is an American comic book publisher and the property of The Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009. The first issue of this series was the "Spiderman" stamp and second was "Black Panther". In 2023 "Ironman" and "Captain Marvel" were issued. The series will be continued in 2024 and also in 2025.  

Stamps:

 

"Marvel Superheroes - Spiderman" - Issued: 07-07-2022

"Marvel Superheroes - Black Panther" - Issued: 06-10-2022

"Marvel Superheroes - Ironman" - Issued:  07-09-2023

"Marvel Superheroes - Captain Marvel" - Issued:02-11-2023

Germany: Research Vessel Polarstern on Expedition PS136

The Polarstern expedition PS136 started on 22 May 2023 in Bremerhaven, Grmany and led to the Fram Strait between Greenland and the Svalbard archipelago. The expedition wanted to contribute to various large national and international research and infrastructure projects (FRAM, MUSE, iFOODis, HiAOOS, ICOS-D, SIOS) as well as to the new research programme „Changing Earth – Sustaining our Future” („Erde im Wandel – Unsere Zukunft nachhaltig gestalten”) of the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz-Center for Polar and Marine Research (AWI). The cruise ended on 19 June 2023 in Tromsø, Norway.

Source: https://epic.awi.de/id/eprint/57718/1/Expeditionsprogramme_PS136.pdf 

To note, the Alfred Wegener Institute will no longer process collectors mail send to the Polarstern due to the "ever-increasing workload". This is very sad news for any Polarmail collector.

Stamp:

Definitive Issue - "Flowers" - Issued: 03-01-2005

Germany: Lufthansa Inaugural Flights Frankfurt a.M. -> Asturias (Oviedo) -> Munich

On April 23, 2023 Lufthansa expanded its operations in Spain with the start of a new non-stop service between Frankfurt am Main (FRA) and Asturias (OVD). The Cover below shows the Flight LH 1552 on Airbus A319 from Frankfurt a. M. to Ovideo on April 23, 2023 with a arrival postmark of April 24, 2023 (Oviedo Post Office). 

Stamps:

Diversity in Germany - Issued: 02-11-2022

2x Hyacinthoides non-scripta (20 ct.) - Issued: 08-06-2017

World of Letters (05 ct.) - Issued: 02-12-2021

This second cover shows another new operating Lufthansa route. This time Flight LH 1793 on Airbus A319 on April 29, 2023 from Ovideo to Munich Airport. With a arrival postmark of "Briefzentrum 85" (= Freising, Munich Airport) on May 2, 2023 (cover was processed this late maybe because of May the 1st, a day off in Germany).

Stamp:

Spain with Ukraine - Issued: 30-05-2022

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: Lufthansa's new Boeing 787-900 "Dreamliner" Testflights Frankfurt a.M. <-> Munich

Between 2022 and 2027, the Lufthansa Group will receive a total of 32 Boeing 787-900 "Dreamliners". The first were delivered in late August 2022 and tested on flights between Frankfurt a.M. and Munich Airport. The first Dreamliner was christened on October 17th 2022 and the inaugural flight took place from Berlin via Paderborn to Frankfurt. Later, the first public test flight was LH 96 on October, 19th 2022 from Frankfurt to Munich as shown on the cover below. The cancellation on the stamp shows "Frankfurt - Flughafen - IPZ 1" (Frankfurt Airport), after a flight of about an hour the cover arrived at Munich Airport which can be seen on the added "Briefzentrum 85" cancel. The red special postmark was applied to indicate this testflight.

Stamp:

For the Youth 2022 - "Amphibians" (from a set of 3) - Issued: 04-08-2022

 

I'm also happy about this cover below showing the flight the other way back from Munich to Frankfurt Airport.

Stamp:

For the Youth 2022 - "Amphibians" (from a set of 3) - Issued: 04-08-2022

Germany: “Tag der Bundeswehr - German Military Day" 2023 in Wilhelmshaven

The "Tag der Bundeswehr" is an anual open-door event at several locationas of the german federal defence. I was able to get some covers from the Event at the naval base in Wilhelmshaven.

Stamp:

World of Letters - Issued: 02-12-2021

The cover above also got a blue cachet of the German Navy frigate "Baden-Württemberg"

Stamp:

World of Letters - Issued: 02-12-2021

The cover above got a black cachet, which commemorates the 175th Anniversary of the german naval military forces.

To note that both covers were delivered by "Feldpost", which is the German military mail service.

Both Covers also got this green cachet below on the backside, which indicates “Tag der Bundeswehr" ("German Military Day"), the city "Wilhemshaven" and the date 17.06.2023

Germany: Inaugural flight Lufthansa Cargo (LH8084) B777F from Frankfurt a. M. -> Mumbai -> Hanoi

Lufthansa Cargo has added Hanoi as a new destination to its global B777F route network for the winter flight schedule 2022/2023. The inaugural flight took place on November 2nd in Frankfurt. With a stop in Mumbai, India, the Boeing 777F reached Hanoi, Vietnam on schedule on November 3rd. The covers below document these flights.

Flight Frankfurt to Mumbai, India on 2nd November 2022 with special postmark from Germany and arrivial postmark from Mumbai (Viel Parle, East) on 3rd November 2022.

Stamps:

Definitves Stamps "World of letters" - Issued: 01-03-2022

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

Definitves Stamps "Flowers" - Issued: 03-01-2022

 

Flight LH8088/9 from Mumbai, India to Hanoi, Vietnam. The red cachet postmark indicates this flight. Arrival postmark from Hanoi, Vietnam 3rd November 2022 on the back. Unfortunately I don't have the flight back from Hanoi to Frankfurt.

Stamp:

The 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with Germany - Issued: 10-06-2021

Germany: Research Vessel Polarstern on Expedition PS129

The expedition PS129 of the German research vessel Polarstern wanted to provide contributions to scientific projects encompassing physical oceanography, marine biology and marine chemistry, with the aim to investigate the water masses of the Weddell Sea and adjacent oceanic regions, and the ecological and chemical cycles within the regions. The expedition was another continuation of the long-term time series work in the framework of Hybrid Antarctic Float Observation System (HAFOS). The Polarstern  departed from Cape Town, South Africa, on 3 March 2022, taking a route across the Southern Ocean to Antarctica and back, and ended on 28 April 2022 in Stanley, Falkland Islands.

Source: https://epic.awi.de/id/eprint/55571/1/Expeditionsprogramm_PS129.pdf

Stamps:

The Dangers of Climate Change - The Forest is Climate Protection - Issued: 07-10-2021

Definitive Series "Flowers" 0.10ct - Issued: 08-06-2017

Germany: Christening of Lufthansa's first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

The first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in the Lufthansa fleet, with the registration D-ABPA, was christened on 17th October 2022 at Berlin Brandenburg Airport by Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey. The first flight afterwards went from Berlin via Paderborn to Frankfurt am Main. The cover below was cancelled with a postmark from the "Sonderstempelstelle" in Berlin. It has two cachet postmarks: One from the Christening and one from the first flight. On the back you can see an arrival postmark from Frankfurt am Main Airport.

Stamp:

EUROPA 2022 "Stories and Myths" - Issued: 05-05-2022

Germany: Ulm International Stamp Fair 2022

 

Stamp:

Day of the Stamp (The Baden Misprint) - Issued: 06-10-2022

This cover was sold by Deutsche Post at the Ulm International Stamp Fair 2022. Only there you was able to get these stickers you can see on the backside of the cover!