Sunday, November 12, 2023

Thursday, November 09, 2023

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


Saturday, November 04, 2023

UK: 100 Years since the Discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb

In 1922, a team led by British Egyptologist Howard Carter in the Valley of the Kings excavated Tutankhamun's tomb, in an effort that was funded by British aristocrat George Herbert. The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb received worldwide press coverage; with over 5,000 artifacts, it gave rise to renewed public interest in ancient Egypt, for which Tutankhamun's mask, now preserved at the Egyptian Museum, remains a popular symbol.

This cover was sent from Edinburgh, Scotland. Many thnaks to Jerome!

Stamps:

2x Tutankhamun (from a set of 8) - Issued: 24-11-2022

Wednesday, November 01, 2023

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Romania: Ana Aslan and "The Elixir of Youth" - Joint Issue w/ Armenia


 Stamps:

 Ana Aslan and "The Elixir of Youth" - Joint Issue w/ Armenia - Issued: 03-04-2023


Many thanks to Mihnea!

Sunday, October 29, 2023

Slovenia: EUROPA 2010 "Children Books"

Stamps:

Europa 2010 "Children Books" (full set) - Issued: 28-05-2010


 

Many thanks to Slavica!

Monday, October 23, 2023

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

 


Thursday, October 19, 2023

Faroe Islands: EUROPA 2019 "National Birds"

This Cover was sent from the City of Saltangara. The birds on the stamp are black guillemot or tystie (Cepphus grylle).

 

Stamp:

EUROPA 2019 "National Birds" (from a set of 2) - Issued: 29-04-2019


Many thanks to Henrik!

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

France: The Route Napoléon

The Route Napoléon is the route taken by Napoléon in 1815 on his return from Elba. The route begins at Golfe-Juan, where Napoleon disembarked 1 March 1815, beginning the Hundred Days that ended at Waterloo. The road was inaugurated in 1932 and meanders from the French Riviera north-northwest along the foothills of the Alps. It is marked along the way by statues of the French Imperial Eagle.

Stamp:

The Route Napoléon (s/s) - Issued: 13-07-2023 w/ First Day Cancellation from Grenoble


Many thanks to Eric!


Monday, October 16, 2023

Japan: Greetings - "Autumn"

 

Stamps:

Greetings - "Autumn" (63 Y) (from a set of 10) - Issued: 09-08-2023


Many thanks to Mitsuhiko!

Sunday, October 15, 2023

Spain: Spanish Antarctic Research Station "Gabriel de Castilla" + BIO Hesperides

Gabriel de Castilla Base is a Spanish research station located on Deception Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. The station was constructed in late 1989. The station is named for Gabriel de Castilla, a 17th century Spanish navigator and according to some reports the first person to sight the mainland of Antarctica. BIO Hespérides (see my other cover) (A-33), is a Spanish polar research vessel. She was built in 1990, by Bazán Shipyards of Cartagena, Spain. Hespérides is used to service the research bases in Antarctica.

Stamp:

The 50th Anniversary of the Faculty of Computer Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid - Issued: 18-10-2021


Saturday, October 14, 2023

South Korea: Honey Bees

 

Stamps:

Honey Bees (full set) - Issued: 19-05-2023 w/ Fist-Day Cancellation


Many thanks to Park Pyo Jun!

Friday, October 13, 2023

Gibraltar: Our Schools - "St. Anne’s School"

St. Anne’s School is a 500-place upper primary school for 7- to 11-year-old students. The school serves the northern district in Gibraltar. A new building was completed in September 2019 which can be seen on the stamp.

Our Schools - "St. Anne’s School" (from a set of 4) - Issued: 30-04-2020
The 50th Anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (from a set of 4) - Issued: 20-02-2003


Many thanks to Eric!

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Philippines: The 100th Anniversary of the University of the Philippines College of Business Administration (UPCBA)

The University of the Philippines is a state university system in the Philippines. It is the country's national university. Widely regarded and often cited as the Philippines' top university system, its alumni include a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, 7 of 17 Philippine presidents, 14 of 26 chief justices, 36 of 42 national scientists, and 40 of 57 national artists, the most of any university. The College of Business Administrationwas established in 1916, initially as a school within the university. It has since been the leader in management education in the Philippines, not because it is the oldest academic institution in management but because of its continuing pursuit of academic excellence. 

To note: Stamp inscriptions are misleading in that it appears to be the centennial of the Alumni Association of UPCBA, when in fact the Alumni Association is just the sponsor of the issue, not the celebrant (see: Source).

Stamp:

The 100th Anniversary of the University of the Philippines College of Business Administration (UPCBA) - Issued: 04-12-2016


Many thanks to Ani!


Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Indonesia: "The 25th World Scout Jamboree" - Sae Man-Geum, South Korea

"The 25th World Scout Jamboree" was held from 1–12 August 2023 at Saemangeum, North Jeolla, South Korea, hosted by Korea Scout Association with the theme, "Draw Your Dream". About 43,000 participants from 158 countries attended.


 Stamps:

"The 25th World Scout Jamboree" - Sae Man-Geum, South Korea - Issued: 25-07-2023

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

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!


Thursday, October 05, 2023

Austria: The 100th Anniversary of Bambi

"Bambi" is a classic coming-of-age novel written by Felix Salten (left picture on the cover) in 1923. It tells the story of a young deer named Bambi and his adventures in the forest as he grows from a fawn into a mature stag. The book explores themes of nature, survival, and the circle of life. "Bambi" has been adapted into various films and is beloved for its timeless portrayal of the natural world and its impact on a young deer's life.

 

Stamp:

The 100th Anniversary of Bambi  - Issued: 16-09-2023 with First Day Cancellation

Wednesday, October 04, 2023

Fiji: Birds - "Peregrine Falcon"

Fiji, Officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about 1,100 nautical miles (2,000 km; 1,300 mi) north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists of an archipelago of more than 330 islands—of which about 110 are permanently inhabited—and more than 500 islets, amounting to a total land area of about 18,300 square kilometres (7,100 sq mi). The most outlying island group is Ono-i-Lau. About 87% of the total population of 924,610 live on the two major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.

I'm very happy to recieve my very first cover from there sent from the capital of Fiji, Suva.


Stamps:

2x Birds - "Peregrine Falcon" - Issued: 25-07-1995

Tuesday, October 03, 2023

Åland: Special Exhibition Stamp IBRA 2023 - "Peace"

Åland Post Stamps took part at this year's Internationale Briefmarken Ausstellung (IBRA) ("International stamp exhibition") in Essen, Germany and issued a special designed stamp which was sold exclusively at this exhibition. 

Stamp:

Special Exhibition Stamp IBRA 2023 - "Peace" - Issued: 25-05-2023


Monday, October 02, 2023

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


Sunday, October 01, 2023

China: Modern Bridge Construction

Stamps:

Modern Bridge Construction (full set of 3) - Issued: 30-06-2023


Stamp:

Modern Bridge Construction m/s - Issued: 30-06-2023

 

Many thanks Xu Wei!

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Greenland: Aasiaat

Aasiaat is a town in the Qeqertalik municipality in western Greenland, located on its namesake island in the heart of Aasiaat Archipelago at the southern end of Disko Bay. With a population of 2,980 as of 2021, it is Greenland's fifth-largest town.

Stamps:

2x First Day In School - Issued: 10-08-2020
Aviation (from a set of three) - Issued: 13-05-2015

Sunday, September 24, 2023

Luxembourg: The 25th Anniversary of the European Institute of Cultural Routes

The European Institute of Cultural Routes (EICR) is the technical agency of the Cultural routes of the Council of Europe programme and hosts the Secretariat’s programme. It is responsible for the coordination of a network of over 20 European academic institutions aimed at encouraging research on Cultural Routes and hosts a specialised documentation centre at its headquarters located at Neumünster Abbey, Luxembourg.

 

Stamp:

The 25th Anniversary of the European Institute of Cultural Routes  - Issued: 16-05-2023

 

 

Friday, September 22, 2023

Italy: EUROPA 2023 - "Peace - the highest value of humanity"


 Stamp:

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


Many thanks to Marcello!

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

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



Tuesday, September 19, 2023

USA: Waterfalls

 

Stamps:

Waterfalls (from a set of 12) - Issued: 13-06-2023


Many thanks to Antoinette!

Friday, September 15, 2023

Malaysia: Chinese New Year - "Year of the Rabbit"

Stamps:

Chinese New Year - "Year of the Rabbit" (full set of 3) -Issued: 23-02-2023 w/ First-Day-Cancellation


Stamp:

Chinese New Year - "Year of the Rabbit" m/s -Issued: 23-02-2023 w/ First-Day-Cancellation

 

 Thanks a lot Henry!

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Estonia: Paintings - "Danse Macabre" by Bernt Notke

"Danse Macabre" is a painting by Bernt Notke. A fragment of the late fifteenth-century painting, originally some 30 meters (98.4 ft) wide, is displayed in the St. Nicholas Church, Tallinn. It is regarded as the best-known and as one of the most valuable medieval artworks in Estonia. As the painting, this stamp also got a very high face value of 6,00 EUR ($6,38). It's also quite large, with a size of 30,0mm x 141,00 mm.


Stamps:

Paintings - "Danse Macabre" by Bernt Notke - Issued: 18-05-2023
The 100th Anniversary of the Eesti Pank - Issued: 03-05-2019

 

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Liechtenstein: "Peace. For every child"

In 2022 the Post of Liechtenstein and UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) issued this stamp to help children from Ukraine, who had to leave their homes because of the horrible war. For every sold stamp 0.50 CHF went into UNICEF projects to support these children. This cover was sent from the city of Balzers.

Stamps:

2x "Peace. For every child"  - Issued: 28-03-2022


Monday, September 11, 2023

Germany: International Stamp Fair (IBRA23) in Essen, Germany

The 33rd International Stamp Fair in Essen took place from 25 to 28 May 2023. The following prepaid cover was sold at the Booth of Deutsche Post. To note the postmark on the backside indicates "Essen - Messe" (eng: "Essen - Fair") only available at the Stamp Fair itself. 



Stamps:

International Stamp Exhibition "IBRA 2023" - Issued: 04-05-2023
Backside: Definitves Stamps "Flowers - Eranthis hyemalis" - Issued: 08-06-2017