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

Norway: UK Arctic Research Station, Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard

The UK Arctic Research Station is funded by NERC and managed and operated by British Antarctic Survey, and situated in the international research community at Ny-Ålesund on the high Arctic island of Spitsbergen, part of the Svalbard archipelago. Ny-Ålesund is often referred to as the northernmost Community on the World. Originally established as a mining town in the early 20th century, Ny-Ålesund underwent a transformation in the mid-20th century, evolving into a scientific research center. 

I'm very happy about this cover, because it also got a signature from the Station Manager Iain Rudkin (?). I sent it to the station around August/September 2023 and it arrived back in March 2024.

Stamp:

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

Portugal: Horror Movie Classics - "Friday the 13th"

Friday the 13th is a 1980 slasher film produced and directed by Sean Cunningham and written by Victor Miller.  The stamp used on the cover below is part of set of 4 personalised stamps dedicated to 4 different Horror Movie Classics.

Stamp:

Horror Movie Classics - "Friday the 13th" (from a set of 4) - Issued: 00-00-2023

Many thanks to Jose!

Slovakia: EUROPA 2022 - "Stories & Myths”

 

Stamp:

EUROPA 2022 - "Stories & Myths” - Issued: 02-05-2022

Canada: Dawson City, Yukon Territory (YT)

Dawson City, officially the City of Dawson, is a city in the Canadian territory of Yukon. It is inseparably linked to the Klondike Gold Rush (1896–1899). Its population was 1,577 as of the 2021 census, making it the second-largest city in Yukon. Its located approx. 240 km south of the northern arctic circle and its nickname is "Paris of the North".

 Stamps (from left to right):

Traditional Arts and Crafts - Issued: 02-01-2002

Canadian Aircraft - Flying Boats (full set) - Issued: 15-11-1979

Canada-Australia Joint Issue. "Marco Polo" (Emigrant Ship) - Issued: 19-03-1999

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

To note the left pictorial cancel shows the Dawson City Palace Grand Theater. The Palace Grand Theatre is a fully restored, gold rush era theatre maintained by Parks Canada as a part of the Klondike National Historic Site.

 

Many thanks again to Linda! 

 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawson_City#/media/File:Dawson_Yukon_June_07.jpg

 

Malaysia: "Free Palastine"

In a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people's struggle, Pos Malaysia launched a special "Palestin Merdeka" stamp. I'm very happy to receive this FDC from my friend Henry in Malaysia. This was by the way the third time after 1978 and 1982 that stamps related to Palestine were issued from Pos Malaysia. Henry also send me a Postal stationery which was issued, too.

Stamp:

Free Palestine - Issued: Preview: 14-12-2023 (available from 18-01-2024)

Postal Stationary:

Many thanks to Henry!

Albania: The 50th Anniversary of the First Europa Stamps

 

Stamp:

The 50th Anniversary of the First Europa Stamps (m/s) - Issued: 01-10-2005

Many thanks again to Alex!

Uruguay: Personalities - "Dr. Jorge W. Larrañaga (1956-2021)"

Jorge Washington Larrañaga Fraga (8 August 1956 – 22 May 2021) was a Uruguayan lawyer and politician of the National Party (PN) who served as Minister of the Interior from 1 March 2020 until his death. He previously served as Intendant of Paysandú from 1990 to 1999, as well as a Senator between 2000 and 2020. 

Stamps:

2x Personalities - "Dr. Jorge W. Larrañaga (1956-2021)"  - Issued: 13-12-2023

The 100th Anniversary of the 8 Hours Law - Issued: 17-11-2015

Many thanks to Javier!

Lithuania: The 250th Anniversary of the Commission of National Education

 

Stamp:

The 250th Anniversary of the Commission of National Education - Issued: 13-10-2023

Many thanks to Vera!

Canada: Carcross, Yukon Territory (YT)

Located on the Klondike Highway south of Whitehorse, the village of Carcross was originally named Caribou Crossing by miners who had reached this junction point on their way to the gold fields. It is home to the Carcross/Tagish First Nation. Carcross is mainly known for its world class mountain biking on the near-by Montana Mountain, and for the nearby Carcross Desert, often referred to as the "world's smallest desert.

Stamps:

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

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

Canadian Mammals - Issued: 18-01-1989

Christmas (from a set of 4) - Issued: 29-10-1986 

 

 

Many thanks to Linda!

 Source: https://rs.locationshub.com/Home/LocationDetail?rsLocationId=999-17099

 

Peru: America UPAEP 2023 - "Stamps and Philately"

The Postal Union of the Americas, Spain and Portugal ("UPAEP") is a regional association of the postal authorities in Latin America, the Caribbean, the United States, Canada, Spain, and Portugal, headquartered in Montevideo. It was founded in 1911 as a restricted union of the Universal Postal Union. As the Europa stamps, each country issue a single or a set of stamps following a common theme. The 2023 theme was "Stamps and Philately".

Stamps:

America UPAEP 2023 - "Stamps and Philately" - Issued: 22-11-2023

2x Flor de la Cantuta - Issued: 00-00-2019

 

To note this cover was send on leap day 29th February!

Many thanks to Gloria!

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!

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

Luxembourg: EUROPA 2015 - "Old Toys"

 

Stamps:

EUROPA 2015 - "Old Toys" (full set) - Issued: 05-05-2015

Many thanks to Steve!

Kuwait: 1987 World Maritime Day

Stamp: 

1987 World Maritime Day (from a set of 3) - Issued: 24-09-1987

 

Many thanks again to Alex!

Belgium: The 500th Anniversary of the Birth of Andreas Vesalius (1514 - 1564)

Andreas Vesalius (31 December 1514 – 15 October 1564) was a Flemish anatomist, physician, and author. He wrote one of the most influential books on human anatomy, "De humani corporis fabrica" (On the Fabric of the Human Body). Vesalius is often called the founder of modern human anatomy. Vesalius is the Latinized form of Andries van Wesel.

Stamp:

The 500th Anniversary of the Birth of Andreas Vesalius (from a set of 5) - Issued: 22-04-2014

Many thanks to Wesley!

Indonesia: 2022 G20 Bali Summit

The 2022 G20 Bali summit was the seventeenth meeting of Group of Twenty (G20), which was held in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia on 15–16 November 2022.

Stamp:

2022 G20 Bali Summit (from a set of 3) - Issued: 24-08-2022

Many thanks to Irene!

Nepal: Mountains + Trekking and Climbing Peaks of Nepal

 My 700th Post on this Blog was a Cover from Nepal and so will be my 800th! :)

Stamps:

2x Mountains (from a set of 2) - Issued: 29-12-2016

Rauta Pokhari, Udayapur - Issued: 00-00-2017

Trekking and Climbing Peaks of Nepal - "Abi Peak 6.097 m" - Issued: 09-10-2022

Many thanks to Ajay!

China: Writers of Ancient China (Part IV)

 

Stamps:

Writers of Ancient China (Part IV) (full set) - Issued: 08-11-2023

Many thanks to Xu Wei!

Liechtenstein: The 50th Anniversary of the Wedding of Prince Hans-Adam II and Princess Marie of Liechtenstein + EUROPA 23 - "Registered Cover"

On 30th July 2017 Prince Hans-Adam II and Princess Marie of Liechtenstein, who got married on this day in 1967, celebrated their 50th Wedding-Anniversary ("Golden Wedding"). The nice bloc stamp on the left was issued in 2017 to mark this occasion. Sadly Princess Marie passed away on 18th August 2021. A nice postcard from the Royal Family of Liechtenstein can be found on my Blog here. 

This Cover was mailed on 31st December 2023 from Schaanwald. The village is located in north-central Liechtenstein, close to Austrian borders of Feldkirch. It was the last day of old postal rates. Despite the old rates this cover is slightly overpaid (CHF 8,10 on this cover compared to the costs of a registered letter of CHF 7,80 in 2023)

Stamp:

The 50th Anniversary of the Wedding of Prince Hans-Adam II and Princess Marie of Liechtenstein - Issued: 05-06-2017

EUROPA 2023 - "Peace - the highest value of humanity" (from a set of 2) - Issued: 09-05-2023

Spain: The 50th Anniversary of the University of Cordoba

The University of Córdoba (Spanish: Universidad de Córdoba, UCO), is a university in Córdoba, in Andalusia, Spain, chartered in 1972. The university is structured in three main campuses: the Humanities and Legal and Social Sciences Campus, integrated in the urban center; the Health Sciences Campus, in the west of the city; and the Agrifood, Science and Technology campus of Rabanales, in the east of the city. UCO also contains the Polytechnic School of Bélmez, situated seventy kilometres away from Córdoba, where Mining Engineering and Public Works Technical Engineering degrees are offered. 

Source: Wikipedia

Stamp:

The 50th Anniversary of the University of Cordoba - Issued: 28-09-2022

I sent this cover to myself during my visit at the 2022 Ulm International Stamp Fair.

Algeria: The 19th Mediterranean Games 2022 - Oran, Algeria

The Mediterranean Games is a multi-sport event organised by the International Committee of Mediterranean Games (CIJM). It is held every four years among athletes from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea in Africa, Asia and Europe. The 2022 Mediterranean Games (Arabic: ألعاب البحر الأبيض المتوسط 2022,), was held from 25 June to 6 July 2022 in Oran, Algeria. 3,298 athletes (2,014 men and 1,284 women) took part in the games. 

Stamps:

The 19th Mediterranean Games 2022  - Oran, Algeria (from a set of 4) - Issued: 25-06-2022

Many thanks to Medhi!

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

 

Stamps:

EUROPA 2023 - "Peace - the highest value of humanity" (full set) - Issued: 26-05-2023

Many thanks to Emil!

Croatia: Children's World - Dogs

 

Stamps:

Children's World - Dogs (3 from a set of 4) - Issued: 21-02-2022

Many thanks to Tomislav!

Lithuania: EUROPA 2015 - "Old Toys"

 

Stamps:

2x EUROPA 2015 - "Old Toys" (from a set of two) - Issued: 09-05-2015

Many thanks to Regina!

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