Norway: The Netherlands Arctic Station, Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard

The Netherlands Arctic Station is owned and run by the Arctic Centre of the University of Groningen. It is  situated in Kongsfjorden on the island of Spitsbergen and is part of an international research community in the former mining town of Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard. In this town, more than 10 nations have their own station while using shared facilities for meals and recreation. The whole local community is focused on science and maintenance of infrastructure. Several stations have independent terrestrial research programs and the Netherlands Arctic Station is the smallest of all. During the summer months the Station Manager is Maarten Loonen, who is very collectors friendly, which can be seen from the beautiful cover below.

Stamp:

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

 

Many thanks to Maarten for this beautiful cover!

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!

 

France: The 500th Anniversary of the Discovery of New York

Wednesday, April 17, 2024, marked the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the New York Bay by Giovanni Da Verrazzano. This Italian navigator who worked for France called the new land Nouvelle-Angoulême, in honor of the King he served: François Ier, count of Angoulême. 

I'm very happy to receive two covers with a very nice sheet commemorating this event 500 years ago. The first cover was mailed from Lyon, many thanks Eric! The second was mailed from Roland from this year's Philex Stamp Exhibition.

Stamp:

The 500th Anniversary of the Discovery of New York (m/s) - Issued: 15-04-2024

Stamp:

The 500th Anniversary of the Discovery of New York (m/s) - Issued: 15-04-2024

Slovenia: The 100th Anniversary of Football in Slovenia

 

Stamp:

The 100th Anniversary of Football in Slovenia - Issued: 13-07-2020

Many thanks to Primoz!

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!

Åland: EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna"

 

Stamp:

EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna" - Issued: 08-05-2024

Many thanks to Rune!

Bulgaria: The 50th Anniversary of Shumen University

The Constantine of Preslav University of Shumen in Bulgaria is named after Constantine of Preslav, the student of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Shumen University is one of the five classical public universities in Bulgaria it is recognized as a leading university that offers modern facilities for education, scientific researches and creative work. The university was founded as the Higher Pedagogical Institute with a decree of the State Council of the People's Republic of Bulgaria in 1971. In 1995 it was transformed into Constantine of Preslav University of Shumen.

Stamps:

Souvenir Sheet of 4x The 50th Anniversary of Shumen University - Issued:  01-11-2021

Thanks a lot Emil!

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!

Mexico: Various Joint Issues (2019 - 2022)

 

Stamps:

FAMEX Airshow 2019 - Issued: 24-04-2019 (not a joint issue; Canada was the "Country of Honour")

The 200th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with Colombia - Joint Issue w/ Colombia - Issued: 20-12-2021

70 Years of Diplomatic Relations - Israel-Mexico Joint Issue - Issued: 13-09-2022

The 75th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with Lebanon - Issued: 30-09-2020

 

Many thanks to Bernardo!

 

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

Romania: EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna"

 

Stamps:

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

Many thanks to Mihnea!

Moldova: Treasures of the National Museum

 

Stamp:

Treasures of the National Museum (m/s) - Issued: 20-10-2023

Many thanks again to Alex!

Canada: Haines Junction, Yukon Territory (YT)

Haines Junction is a village in Yukon, Canada. It is at Kilometre 1,632 (historical mile 1016) of the Alaska Highway at its junction with the Haines Highway, hence the name of the community. The Yukon Bureau of Statistics lists the population count for 2022 as 1,018. Haines Junction has a subarctic climate (Dfc) with mild summers and long, severely cold and snowy winters, with annual snowfall averaging 64.5 inches (164 cm). 

Stamps:

Tourism - From Far and Wide (from a set of 11) - Issued: 14-01-2019

The 23rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference - Isued: 07-03-1978

Old Utensils - Issued: 08-04-1983 

The 100th Anniversary of the Victorian Order of Nurses - Issued: 12-05-1997

First Canadian-Born Governor General - Issued: 01-02-2002 

Many thanks again to Linda!

 

 

 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haines_Junction,_Yukon#/media/File:Haines_junction.jpg

 

Philippines: Hidilyn F. Diaz - First Filipino Olympic Gold Medalist - Olympic Games Tokyo, 2020

Hidilyn "Hidi" Francisco Diaz-Naranjo, born February 20, 1991, is a Filipino weightlifter. On July 26, 2021, at the 2020 Summer Olympics for the women's 55 kg category for weightlifting, Diaz won the first ever gold medal for the Philippines, becoming the first Filipino to ever win an Olympic gold medal for the country. PHLPost horored this with the issue of a set of 10 different stamps. Some of them are shown on the covers below. 

Stamps:

Hidilyn F. Diaz - First Filipino Olympic Gold Medalist - Olympic Games Tokyo, 2020 (from a set of 10) - Issued: 18-09-2021

Hidilyn F. Diaz - First Filipino Olympic Gold Medalist - Olympic Games Tokyo, 2020 (from a set of 10) - Issued: 18-09-2021

3x Different Greetings from Philippine Dialects (from a set of 11) - Issued: 00-08-2023   

 

Many thanks to Danny and Vanessa!

 

India: The 75th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with Mauritius - Joint Issue w/ Mauritius

 

Stamps:

The 75th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with Mauritius (m/s) - Issued: 20-11-2023

Definitives - Makers of India (Shivaji Maharaj, 1630-1680) (from a set of 2) - Issued: 00-01-2016

Many thnanks to Dilip!

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!

Brazil: International Polar Year 2007-2008

Stamps:

International Polar Year 2007-2008 (full set) - Issued: 13-03-2007

Many thanks to Damiao!

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!

Antigua and Barbuda: Marine Life - "Stingrays"

Antigua and Barbuda is a sovereign island country in the Caribbean. It lies at the conjuncture of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the Leeward Islands part of the Lesser Antilles. The country consists of two major islands, Antigua and Barbuda, which are approximately 40 km (25 mi) apart, and several smaller islands. I'm very happy to receive this nice cover (my first from Antigua and Barbuda) mailed from the General Post Office in St. John's, the capital of Antigua and Barbuda.

 Stamp:

 Marine Life - "Stingrays" (s/s) - Issued: 03-12-2012

Many thanks again to Alex!

Japan: Ogasawara Islands

The Ogasawara Islands (小笠原諸島 Ogasawara-shotō) are an archipelago of over 30 subtropical and tropical islands. Almost the whole area of the islands is included in the Ogasawara National Park. This area is known for whale watching (as can be seen on the nice pictorial cancellation). It is a tourist destination, even though the only access is via a 24 hour-long ferry ride from Tokyo. The Ogasawara Islands are about 1000 km away from Tokyo, which administers them. Of the more than 30 islands, only Chichijima (父島 "Father Island") and Hahajima (母島 "Mother Island") are inhabited. 

 

Stamps:

2002 World Figure Skating Championships (full set) - Issued: 08-03-2002

Canada: Inuvik, Northwest Territories (NT)

Inuvik ("place of man") is the only town in the Inuvik Region, and the third largest community in Canada's Northwest Territories. Inuvik is located 200km North of the Arctic Circle in what is sometimes called the Beaufort Delta Region, it serves as its administrative and service centre and is home to federal, territorial, and Indigenous government offices, along with the regional hospital and airport. In the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Inuvik had a population of 3,137. 

Some years ago, I received a nice letter from the Inuvik Town Administration, the letter can be found here!

Stamps:

Canadian Flag (43c) - Issued: 15-02-1993

Old Utensils - Issued: 08-04-1983

Canadian Mammals (44c + 76c) - Issued: 18-01-1989

"Canada 82" International Philatelic Youth Exhibition, Toronto - Stamps on Stamps (from a set of 5) - Issued: 11-03-1982

Many thanks again to Linda!

 

Buildings of central Inuvi

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inuvik#/media/File:Inuvik_skyline.jpg

 

 

Cyprus: EUROPA 2021 - "Endangered national wildlife"

Stamps:

EUROPA 2021 - "Endangered national wildlife" (full set) - Issued: 06-05-2021

Refugee Fund Tax Stamp 2023

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!

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

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!

Canada: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (NT)

Yellowknife (Dogrib: Sǫǫ̀mbak’è) is the capital, largest community, and only city in the Northwest Territories, Canada. It is on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake, about 400 km (250 mi) south of the Arctic Circle, on the west side of Yellowknife Bay near the outlet of the Yellowknife River. Yellowknife and its surrounding water bodies were named after a local Dene tribe, who were known as the "Copper Indians" or "Yellowknife Indians", today incorporated as the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. They traded tools made from copper deposits near the Arctic Coast. Its population was 20,340 per the 2021 Canadian Census.

Stamps:

Traditional Trades (9c + 10c) - Issued: 29-04-1999

Tourism - From Far and Wide (from a set of 11) - Issued: 14-01-2019 

The 100th Anniversary of the Knights of Columbus, Welfare Charity - Issued: 05-08-1997

The 150th Anniversary of Barreau du Quebec (Quebec Lawyers' Association) - Issued: 03-06-1999

The 45th International Pharmaceutical Sciences Congress of Pharmaceutical Federation, Montreal - Issued: 30-08-1985

Many thanks again to Linda!

 

Downtown Yellowknife

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowknife#/media/File:Downtown_Yellowknife_2.jpg