Sunday, August 04, 2024

Belgium: "The Olympic Dream" - Olympic Summer Games Paris 2024

Team Belgium has a total of 170 athletes for Paris 2024, including 84 women and 86 men and 10 reserves including 5 women and 5 men. In 21 sports Team Belgium will be represented. Team Belgium is traveling to the Olympics with the largest delegation of athletes since 1928 (Amsterdam). 

Stamp:

"The Olympic Dream" - Olympic Summer Games Paris 2024 - Issued: 10-06-2024


Many thanks to Wesley!

Saturday, August 03, 2024

South Korea: The 100th Anniversary of the The Chungsuk Academic Foundation

The Chungsuk Academic Foundation is the parent foundation of the Cheongju university. The Cheongseok Academic Foundation’s beginning can be traced to 1924, when Daeseong Primary School was founded with the mindset of saving the country, which was under Japanese rule, through education. Today, it has become a landmark of education, made up of seven schools ranging from elementary schools to universities. The Cheongseok Academic Foundation has raised 140,000 talented individuals to this day, and is currently aiding 20,000 students in their pursuit of knowledge in its capacity as a national private school of tradition. The stamps on the first day covers below are commemorating the 100th Anniversary.

 

Stamp:

The 100th Anniversary of the The Chungsuk Academic Foundation - Issued: 12-04-2024


Stamp:

The 100th Anniversary of the The Chungsuk Academic Foundation - Issued: 12-04-2024


Many thankt to Park Pyo Jun and Choonjong Park!

 

 

 

 

Friday, August 02, 2024

Switzerland: Olympic Summer Games Paris 2024

Swiss Olympic has selected 120 athletes to represent Switzerland in Paris. By the way Paris is hosting the Olympic Games for the third time. In 1900, women were finally permitted to take part, but only 22 did. By 1924, women made up 4 percent of the athletes. A century on, and there will be just as many female as male athletes competing this year.

 
Stamps:

Olympic Summer Games Paris 2024 - Issued: 02-05-2024
Alinghi - Winner of the America's Cup - Issued: 07-03-2003


Many thanks to Hansjürg!

Thursday, August 01, 2024

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

 

Stamps:

EUROPA 2023 - "Peace - the highest value of humanity" (1 from a set of two) - Issued: 30-05-2023
Deserted Stations  - Issued: 15-05-2017

 
This Cover was cancelled in the City of Nuuk.

 


Monday, July 22, 2024

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!


Thursday, July 18, 2024

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



 

Wednesday, July 17, 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!


 

Saturday, July 13, 2024

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


Thursday, July 11, 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!

Tuesday, July 09, 2024

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!


Saturday, July 06, 2024

Åland: EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna"

 

Stamp:

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


Many thanks to Rune!

Wednesday, July 03, 2024

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!


Sunday, June 23, 2024

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!

Thursday, June 20, 2024

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!

 


Sunday, June 16, 2024

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



Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Romania: EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna"

 

Stamps:

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


Many thanks to Mihnea!

Sunday, June 09, 2024

Moldova: Treasures of the National Museum

 

Stamp:

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


Many thanks again to Alex!

Wednesday, June 05, 2024

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

 

Tuesday, June 04, 2024

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!



 

Monday, June 03, 2024

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!

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

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!

Monday, May 27, 2024

Brazil: International Polar Year 2007-2008

Stamps:

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


Many thanks to Damiao!

Sunday, May 26, 2024

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!

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Malaysia: Traditional Firearms of Malaysia

 

Stamps:

Traditional Firearms of Malaysia (single stamps and sheet) - Issued: 27-02-2024


Many thanks to Henry!

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

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!

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

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


Friday, May 10, 2024

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

 

 

Thursday, May 09, 2024

Cyprus: EUROPA 2021 - "Endangered national wildlife"

Stamps:

EUROPA 2021 - "Endangered national wildlife" (full set) - Issued: 06-05-2021
Refugee Fund Tax Stamp 2023

Tuesday, May 07, 2024

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!

Sunday, May 05, 2024

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!