Germany: Research Vessel Polarstern on the Expedition PS107-ARK-XXXI/2

The Polarstern expedition PS107 to the Arctic (Tromsø – Tromsø) started on 23 July 2017 and led particularly to study areas in the central and eastern Fram Strait. With this expedition it contributed to various large national and international research and infrastructure projects (e.g. INTAROS, FRAM, SIOS, OceanSITES) as well as to the research programme PACES-II (Polar Regions and Coasts in the changing Earth System) of the Alfred-Wegener- Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung (AWI). The cruise ended on 19 August 2017 in Tromsø, Norway.

Note the signature on the cover, I'm not sure from who it is, but I suspect its from the Chief Scientist of this Expedition Ingo Schewe.

Stamp:
EUROPA "Castles" - Issued: 11-05-2017

Greenland: Paamiut

Paamiut, formerly known as Frederikshåb, is a town in southwestern Greenland in the Sermersooq municipality. It is located on the coast of Labrador Sea in the southern end of a small estuary called Kuannersooq ("Inlet"). With 1,515 inhabitants as of 2013, it is the eighth-largest town in Greenland.

I choosed this special round stamp, which is an joint Issue with New Zealand Post, to frank this matching postcard showing a Polar Bear. Because of expected habitat loss caused by climate change, the polar bear is now classified as a vulnerable species,

Stamp:
From Pole-to-Pole (Joint Issue with New Zealand) - Issued: 20-10-2014

Switzerland: Postcrossing Stamps

Another country that issued a Postcrossing stamp is Switzerland. Three stamps have been issued with Demoninations of 1,00 CHF, 1,50 CHF and 2,00 CHF. The comic illustrations on the three stamps depict how people in Switzerland use Postcrossing to connect to the world.

This Cover showing the 1,00 and 1,50 CHF stamps was only available at the International Stamp Fair in Sindelfingen, Germany. I was not able to sent it by mail so I just bought it for my collection.

Stamps:
Postcrossing (full Set) - Issued: 07-09-2017


Many thanks to Hansjürg for the upper Cover!

South Korea: Must-visit Tourist Destinations

Korea Post issued this nice set of stamps showing must-see tourist destination in Korea. This is the third edition of this series and it features four different stamps each with a Denomination of 330 won. On the stamps you can see Ullimsanbang Villa and Garden, Jinjuseong Fortress, Soswaewon Garden and Mungyoengsaejae Pass.

Stamps:
Must-visit Tourist Destinations (full Set) - Issued: 15-05-2017


Many thanks to Choonjong Park for this nice Cover! 

Latvia: Latvian Lighthouses - Roja Lighthouse FDC

On 8th September Latvijas Pasts issued the latest in their annual series commemorating Latvian Lighthouses. This issue features the Lighthouse of Roja. Roja is the administrative centre of Roja Municipality (Latvian: Rojas novads). About 6200 people are living in this Municipality and about 2500 in the city of Roja itself.

Stamps:
Latvian Lighthouses - Roja Lighthouse - Issued: 08-09-2017 with special first day of Issue postmark


Many thanks to Vera for this nice Cover!

Indonesia: Postcrossing Stamps

On 14 July 2017,  Pos Indonesia issued three (3) stamps and one minisheet dedicated to Postcrossing. These colourful stamps are illustrating travels through correspondence. The stamps are also commemorating the 12th Anniversary of Postcrossing. Now, Postcrossing got over 700.000 Member around the world in 214 Countries.

I'm happy to receive some Covers with the stamps from my indonesian friends:

All Stamps:
Postcrossing Strip of 3 - Issued: 14-07-2017
Postcrossing Minisheet - Issued: 14-07-2017


Many thanks to Jopi & Muhammad for the nice Covers!

Austria: EUROPA - "Castles"

Schönbrunn Palace (German: Schloss Schönbrunn) is a former imperial summer residence located in Vienna, Austria. The 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historical monuments in the country. Since the mid-1950s it has been a major tourist attraction. The history of the palace and its vast gardens spans over 300 years, reflecting the changing tastes, interests, and aspirations of successive Habsburg monarchs. This beautiful Palace was chosen by the The Austrian Post for their 2017 EUROPA theme.

Stamps:
2x EUROPA - Issued: 09-05-2017

Germany: 2017 G20 Hamburg Summit

The 2017 G20 Hamburg summit was the twelfth meeting of the Group of Twenty (G20), which was held on 7–8 July 2017, at Hamburg Messe, in the city of Hamburg, Germany. Apart from the recurring themes relating to global economic growth, international trade and financial market regulation, the G20 Hamburg summit was expected to focus on the following "issues of global significance":Migration, digitisation, occupation, health, Women's Economic Empowerment and development aid. In the weeks prior the summit and during the summit a lot of protest actions and marches took place. In total, more than 15,000 police were deployed from across the country, while 100,000 protesters attended.

Stamp:
German G20 Presidency - Issued: 01-03-2017

Vietnam: ASEAN 50th Anniversary

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organisation comprising ten Southeast Asian states which promotes Pan-Asianism and intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, military, educational and cultural integration amongst its members and Asian states. Since its formation on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, the organisation's membership has expanded to include Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Its principal aims include accelerating economic growth, social progress, and sociocultural evolution among its members, alongside the protection of regional stability and the provision of a mechanism for member countries to resolve differences peacefully.

Stamps:
4x The 50th Anniversary of ASEAN - Joint ASEAN Issue - Issued: 08-08-2017


Many thanks to Huynh for this cover!

Germany: Fix and Foxi - First-Day-Cover

Fix und Foxi, created by the comic book editor Rolf Kauka, is one of the most successful and best known German comic series. The weekly magazine, taking its name from the two fox protagonists, was published for more than 40 years between 1953 and 1994. Re-christened Fix & Foxi, it was relaunched as a monthly magazine in 2000, 2005 and 2010 respectively. Since the end of 2010 publication has once again ceased.

I'm happy to receive this cover with special First-Day-Cancellation. The Facevalue of the stamp is 1,00 € (0,70 Cent as postage + additional 0,30 Cent for the "Stiftung für Philatelie und Postgeschichte")

Stamp:
Fix & Foxi - Issued: 07-09-2017 with special First Day of Issue postmark

Japan: Year of the Rooster

The Rooster is the tenth sign of the twelve year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac (and similar zodiacal systems) related to the Chinese calendar.  The name is also translated into English as Chicken. Rooster is the only bird included in the Chinese zodiac. However, the Chinese term is more generic, as it applies to barnyard fowl of either sex. The Rooster is strong and athletic. Great at sports. There are many football Athletes that became pro that are roosters. It is also said that the rooster is also incredibly smart.

I'm happy to receive this nice cover from Yokohama with minisheet stamp and beautiful postmark.

Stamp:
 Chinese New Year - Year of the Rooster (m/s) - Issued: 16-01-2017


Many thanks to Mitsuhiko for this nice Cover!

Poland: The 100th Anniversary of the Fatima Apparitions

Our Lady of Fatima is a Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary based on the famed Marian apparitions reported in 1917 by three shepherd children at the Cova da Iria, in Fátima, Portugal. The three children were Lúcia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto. Bishop José da Silva declared the miracle worthy of belief on 13 October 1930, officially permitting devotion within the Catholic Church. The event is commemorated each year on that same date.

This is a Joint Issue with Luxembourg, Portugal & Slovakia.

Stamp:
The 100th Anniversary of the Fatima Apparitions - Issued: 12-03-2017


Many thanks to Roman for this nice Cover!

Indonesia: World Press Freedom Day

Every year, 3 May is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. This year the UNESCO, the Government of Indonesia, and the Press Council of Indonesia co-organized the World Press Freedom Day's main event and the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize Ceremony in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 1-4 May 2017.

This nice cover was sent to me from Pontianak, Indonesia. The city is located precisely on the equator, hence it is widely known as Kota Khatulistiwa (Equatorial City). The city center is actually less than 3 kilometres (2 mi) south of the equator.

Stamps:

World Press Freedom Day (full Set) - Issued: 03-05-2017

Many thanks to Muhammad for this nice Cover!

Åland: EUROPA - Kastelholms Slott

Kastelholm Castle (Swedish: Kastelholms slott) is a Swedish-buil medieval castle located in Sund, Åland, Finland, approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) northeast of of the capital Mariehamn, overlooking a fjord to the south of the village of Kastelholm. Built in the 14th century, and held in fief during the Middle Ages by various nobles, feudal chiefs, and kings, it had significant period in the 15th and 16th centuries. Today it is an important part of the tourist circuit in Åland.

I'm happy to receive this cover with a matching illustrated postmark from Kastelholm Castle!

Stamp:
EUROPA "Castles" - Issued: 09-05-2017 with matching postmark

Latvia: EUROPA - "Castles"

Latvia is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe, one of the three Baltic states. The capital of Latvia is Riga. For this year's EUROPA theme Latvian Post issued two stamps. The first one shows Bauska Castle (Nom. 1,71 €). It is a complex consisting of the ruins of an earlier castle and a later palace on the outskirts of the Latvian city of Bauska. The other one is Cesvaine Palace (Nom. 0,78 €). It is located in the town of Cesvaine in the Madona District. Next to the palace are the old medieval castle ruins, remains from the old bishops castle. Cesvaine Palace was built in 1896 for the German baron Emil von Wulf.

Stamps:
EUROPA Castles (full set) - Issued: 21-04-2017


Many thanks to Vera for this nice Cover!

France: EUROPA - "Castles"

For this year's EUROPA Issue the french Post put together three castles on one stamp. You can see Castles of the Loire Valley, Chambord (Loir-et-Cher), Azay-le-Rideau (Indre-et-Loire) and Chenonceau (Indre-et-Loire). The Loire-Valley, the region, where all these castles are located is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. 

Stamp:

EUROPA 2017 "Castles" - Issued: 14-05-2017

Many thanks to Eric for this nice Cover!

USA: Total Solar Eclipse of August 21st 2017

Today, on the 21st of August 2017, a total solar eclipse crosses the USA from Oregon to South Carolina. On this day, the Moon completely obscures the Sun.  The day instantly turns to deep twilight and the Sun's corona becomes visible for a precious two minutes. As you can see on the card the total eclipse is only visible within a 110-km (70-mile) wide path that crosses the USA. In other countries it will only be visible as a partial eclipse.

I'm very happy to receive this special card for this lifetime event with also a special stamp. The stamp looks black, but if you press your finger on it the moon will appear.

Stamp:
Total Solar Eclipse - Issued: 20-06-2017


Many thanks to Nancy for this great Card!

Germany: Search and Rescue Vessels of the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS)

The German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (German: Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Rettung Schiffbrüchiger - DGzRS) is responsible for Search and Rescue in German territorial waters in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, including the Exclusive Economic Zone. The headquarters and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre of the Society are located in Bremen, Germany. It was founded in Kiel on 29 May 1865. It owns 61 lifeboats at 54 stations which are operated by 185 employed crew members and 800 volunteers.

The DGzRS operates 59 vessels on 54 stations in the North Sea and Baltic. 20 of which are seagoing cruisers (German: Seenotrettungskreuzer) between 20 m and 46 m of length and 39 vessels are classified as inshore lifeboats (German: Seenotrettungsboote). A feature of the cruisers is that all but the 20-m class carry a fully equipped small lifeboat on deck which can quickly be released through a gate in the aft for conducting operations in shallow waters.

In this Post I'd like to show you some Covers from my collection with Ship-Cancellations and/or Cachets of these Cruisers and Lifeboats.


1. SK Bernhard Gruben

This is a 23.1-m class Cruiser. It's homeport is Norderney, which is one of the seven East Frisian Islands off the North Sea coast of Germany. As you can see from the Cachet this Cruiser got a small but fully equipped lifeboat on Deck. The Cruiser was built in 1997 and was named after Bernhard Gruben, a foreman, who died in accident in 1st January 1995.

2. SK Anneliese Kramer

This is a 28-m class Cruiser. It's homeport is Cuxhaven. This is a very new Cruiser, which was built in 2017 and it also got a lifeboat on Deck. The Cruiser was named after Anneliese Kramer, who donated much of her fortune to DGzRS after she died.

3. SRB Secretarius

This is a small 9,5/10,1-m class Boat and also one of the newest. It's homeport is the East Frisian Island Langeoog. The Ship Commissioning Ceremony was held on 12th August 2017 in Berne, Germany. On the Cover you can see the Cachet for this Ceremony. The Boat was named after the Organisator of the so-called "Bremer Eiswette", which is an annual bet since 1829 if the River Weser in Bremen is frozen on the 6th of January or not.

USA: Oscar de la Renta (1932-2014)

Óscar Arístides Renta Fiallo (22 July 1932 – 20 October 2014), known professionally as Oscar de la Renta, was a Dominican fashion designer. De la Renta became internationally known in the 1960s as one of the couturiers who dressed Jacqueline Kennedy. An award-winning designer, he worked for Lanvin and Balmain. US Postal Service honored him with a Stamps Set including 11 images - an evocative black-and-white portrait of de la Renta and 10 details from some of his most exquisite gowns.

Stamps:
Oscar de la Renta (1932-2014) (from a Set of 11) - Issued: 16-02-2017


Many thanks to A.W. Welch for this nice Cover!

Greenland: Princess Mary & Prince Fred of Denmark Copper Wedding Anniversary

In Denmark there are three major Marriage Milestones: Gold is 50 years, Silver is 25 and Cooper is 12½ years. Prince Frederik of Denmark wed Princess Mary, formerly Mary Donaldson, in May 2004 after meeting four years earlier at the Sydney Olympics. In November 2016 they now celebrated their Copper Wedding. For this special Occasion Greenland Post issued a special Sheet. This sheet contains a nice family portrait of the Royal Family. I used this sheet to send this cover from the International Stamp Fair in Essen.

Stamp:
Copper Wedding Anniversary, Frederik/Mary - Issued: 17-10-2016

Falkland Islands: Whale & Dolphin Definitives

This is my first Cover from Falkland Islands. The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf. The principal islands are about 300 miles (483 kilometres) east of South America's southern Patagonian coast, at a latitude of about 52°S. As a British overseas territory, the Falklands have internal self-governance, and the United Kingdom takes responsibility for their defence and foreign affairs. The islands' total population is about 3400, the capital is Stanley.

On the Cover you see two stamps from the Whale and Dolphin Definitives Set. The left one is the Long-finned Pilot and the right one are "Killer Whales"

Stamps:
Marine Life - Whales and Dolphins (from a Set of 12) - Issued: 09-11-2012

Germany: Zugspitze (Schneefernerhaus) - Germany's Highest Post Office

The Zugspitze at 2,962 m (9,718 ft) above sea level, is the highest peak of the Wetterstein Mountains as well as the highest mountain in Germany. It lies south of the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and the Austria–Germany border runs over its western summit. This nice Cover was cancelled at Germany's highest Post Office. On the Postmark you can see the Schneefernerhaus.  It is a former hotel in the Alps, that is now used as an environmental research station. It lies immediately below the summit of the Zugspitze at a height of 2,650 m and was opened on 20 June 1931.

Stamp:
The 200th Anniversary of the Invention of the Bicycle - Issued: 13-07-2017


Many thanks to Alexander for this nice Cover!

Switzerland: EUROPA - "Castles"

Switzerland issued two different stamps for the 2017 EUROPA theme. The stamps show three different Castles in Bellinzona: Sasso Corbaro, Montebello and Castelgrande. Bellinzona's castles and their fortified walls form part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Their history dates back to the Palaeolithic Period. Castelgrande - depicted on the right-hand stamp - is the oldest of the three castles and was first mentioned in 590. From 1506 it became the seat of the federal governors of Canton Uri.Castello Montebello is the fortification in the middle. It was built towards the end of the 13th century, just as the Gotthard Pass was becoming the most important route across the Alps. It was home to the governors of Canton Schwyz. Castello di Sasso Corbaro, shown on the left, is the smallest and newest of the three castles, but enjoys the most elevated position. In 1506 the castle fell into the hands of Canton Nidwalden and remained there until it was passed on to newly founded Canton Ticino in 1803.

Stamps:
EUROPA "Castles" (Full Set) - Issued: 11-05-2017


Many thanks to Hansjürg for this nice Cover!

Liechtenstein: EUROPA - "Castles"

Liechtenstein issued two different stamp for this year's EUROPA theme. The first stamps shows Vaduz Castle. Vaduz Castle (German: Schloss Vaduz) is the palace and official residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein. The castle gave its name to the town of Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein, which it overlooks from an adjacent hilltop. I got the stamp on a special Fair Cover from the International Stamp Fair in Essen including a special Fair Cancellation.

The second stamp shows Gutenberg Castle (German: Burg Gutenberg). It is a preserved castle in the town of Balzers, Liechtenstein, the centre of the municipality of Balzers. Gutenberg is one of the five castles of the principality and one of two that have survived preserved until the present day. Unlike Vaduz Castle, Gutenberg Castle does not serve as a residence of the princely family of Liechtenstein and is open to the general public as a museum.

Stamps:
EUROPA - Palaces and Castles (full Set) - Issued: 06-03-2017

Canada: Star Trek - Year 2

After last year the Canadian Post issued also this year a series of stamps dedicated to Star Trek. This series is called "Year 2", so one can expect more stamps to come? We will see. I received this nice Cover with the complete set on it. It shows five legendary leaders of the so-called Starfleet. Featured on the stamps are: Kirk (William Shatner), Picard (Patrick Stewart), Sisko (Avery Brooks), Archer (Scott Bakula) and Janeway (Kate Mulgrew). As an addition a permanent domestic rate stamp was also issued (you can see it one left). It shows the Shuttle Galileo. It appeared in episode "The Galileo Seven” and was deployed to navigate the treacherous parts of space that the U.S.S. Enterprise could not.

Stamps:
Star Trek - Year 2 (full Set) - Issued: 27-04-2017


Many thanks to Tristan for this great Cover!

Chile: Multi-View Card

I received this nice card from a friend of mine. He was hiking with friends on the "Greater Patagonian Trail" in Chile. It is a long distance network of trails in the southern Andes that spans from the outskirts of Santiago all the way to southern Patagonia. On this journey they made a documentary of their experiences to create more awareness for the issues the people are dealing with in this region.

They now started a Kickstarter-Campaign to make this documentary possible. If you like to contribute, check this link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1118318772/unbounded-a-feature-documentary

Stamp:
Label


Many thanks to Aljoscha and to the Crew of the Unbounded Film Project!


Also check their FB-Page: https://www.facebook.com/unboundedthefilm/

Ukraine: EUROPA - "Castles"

Ukraine issued two different stamps for the EUROPA 2017 theme. The stamps show Medzhybizh Fortress (left) and Olesko Castle (right). The first one is situated at the confluence of the Southern Bug and Buzhenka rivers, in the town of Medzhybizh. It was built as a bulwark against Ottoman expansion in the 1540s and became one of the strongest fortresses of the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland in Podolia. Olesko Castle is located within the borders of the present-day Busk Raion in Ukraine. The first historical records of the castle are in a document dated 1327, when Pope Boniface IX gave Halych, a Catholic bishop, this castle as a gift. It is located about seventy-five kilometers from Lviv, the largest city in western Ukraine.

Stamps:
EUROPA - "Castles" - Issued: 09-06-2017


Many thanks to Roman for this nice Cover!

Spain: Cover from B.I.O. Hesperides

BIO Hespérides (A-33), is a Spanish polar research vessel. It was built in 1990, by Bazán Shipyards of Cartagena (Spain). Hespérides is used to service the research bases in Antarctica, mainly the Spanish Juan Carlos I Antarctic Base, as well as to perform research voyages. It is operated by the Spanish Navy and the responsible of the scientific equipment is the Spanish National Research Council.

The Ship departed from its base in Cartagena back in December 2016 for its 30th Antarctic campaign. Throughout this campaign 17 scientific research projects took place. Many of these projects were related to research on climate change and global warming. It arrived back in Cartagena in the End of May 2017.

Stamp:
The 30th Anniversary of Spain as Member State of the European Union - Issued: 07-07-2016