Cyprus: German frigate "Brandenburg" (F 215) - Operation "UNIFIL" (March 24 - July 24)

Under the command of frigate captain Andreas Scheiba, the crew of the german frigate "Brandenburg" departed from Wilhelmshaven, Germany in March 2024 to support maritime surveillance off the Lebanese coast and train the Lebanese navy as part of the UNIFIL mission (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon). Numerous maneuvers took place with international partners. The covers below show port calls of the frigate in Limassol, Cyprus, in Spain (too bad no postmark on the cover) and from the arrival back in Wilhelmshaven, Germany.

  

Stamps:

Euromed 2023 - "Mediterranean Festival" - Issued: 10-07-2023

Refugee Fund Tax Stamp 2023

 

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

Stamps:

Sights in Germany - "Der Brocken" - Issued: 01-03-2024

Definitives - "Flowers" - Issued: 18-12-2018

Picture of the Ship:

 

Source: https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/einsaetze-bundeswehr/unifil-fregatte-mtf-5780552

 

China: Suzhou Industrial Park

The Suzhou Industrial Park is a development region in Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. The industrial park was established in February 1994, as part of the reform and opening up campaign in the 1990s, and is unique in its joint governance by Chinese and Singaporean officials. The Suzhou Industrial Park spans an area of 278 square kilometres (107 sq mi), and has a population of 807,800 permanent residents, per a 2019 publication released by the industrial park.

Many thanks Xu Wei for another great cover, which came directly from Suzhou!

Stamps:

Sincerity - Issued: 20-08-2014  

4x Suzhou Industrial Park - Issued: 10-06-2024

Paraguay: America UPAEP 2012 - "Myths and Legends"

On this cover from Paraguay (my very first) you can see a stamp which is part of the 2012 UPAEP issue from Paraguay. The topic was Myths and Legends and the nice sheet from Paraguay shows different stamps of "Los Hijos de Tau y Kerana". The stamp on this cover shows "Teju Jagua", the first son of Tau and Kerana and one of the seven legendary monsters of Guaraní mythology. The Tupi-Guarani mythology is the set of narratives about the gods and spirits of the different Tupi-Guarani peoples, who are living in the south-central part of South America, especially in Paraguay and parts of the surrounding areas of Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia.

Stamp:

America UPAEP 2012 - "Myths and Legends"  (from a set of 7) - Issued: 07-06-2012

Many thanks to Gabriel!

Norway: Bjørnøya Meteo (Bear Island Weather Station), Svalbard

Bear Island (Norwegian: Bjørnøya) is the southernmost island of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago. The island is located at the limits of the Norwegian and Barents seas, approximately halfway between Spitsbergen and the North Cape. Despite its remote location and barren nature, the island has seen commercial activities in past centuries, such as coal mining, fishing and whaling. However, no settlements have lasted more than a few years, and Bear Island is now uninhabited except for personnel working at the island's meteorological station. I'm very happy to show a cover I recently received from this particular weather station. To note: The cover also shows a Signature of the station leader Nils-Rune Hansson.

Stamps:

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

"Posthorn" - Issued: 15-11-2010

 

 

 

South Korea: "King Sejong Station, Antarctic" - International Polar Year 2007/2008

The King Sejong Station (Korean: 세종과학기지) is a research station for the Korea Antarctic Research Program that is named after King Sejong the Great of Joseon (1397–1450). Not actually a cover from the Antarctic Research Station itself but a nice souvenir sheet issued in 2008 for the International Polar Year. 

Stamp:

"King Sejong Station, Antarctic" - International Polar Year 2007/2008 (s/s) - Issued: 15-02-2008

 

Many thanks to Choonjong Park!

Portugal: Ethnobotany

Ethnobotany is the study of the cultural interactions between plants and humans, a relationship which began at the dawn of our history and took on progressively more sophisticated forms as human societies evolved into civilisations. It was agriculture that made this evolution possible, providing the steady supply of food that was indispensable for stability and social cohesion.

Stamps:

Ethnobotany (from a set of 6) - Issued: 28-08-2023

 

Many thanks to Eric!

Bulgaria: EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna"

 

Stamps:

EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna" (from a set of 2) - Issued: 17-05-2024

Stamp:

EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna" (from a set of 2) - Issued: 17-05-2024

 

Thanks a lot to Emil!

Serbia: 170 Years of Vocational Education in Serbia

By the Decree of Prince Aleksandar Karađorđević in March 1854, the first vocational school in Serbia was founded – the First Vocational School, for the planned and systematic preparation of personnel necessary for the new military factory (Topolivnica). It was the first institution of its kind in Serbia. On the stamp you can see the portrait of Prince Aleksandar Karađorđević.

Stamps:

2x 170 Years of Vocational Education in Serbia - Issued: 12-06-2024

 

Many thanks to Jelena!
 

France: Pokémon

In June 2024, La Poste issued a book of twelve postage stamps based on the iconic Pokémon. The Pokémon phenomenon appeared in Japan on February 27, 1996 with the first video games released on Game Boy, then expanded into playing and collecting card games, TV series, mobile applications, and derivative products. Pokémon is today one of the most popular entertainments among young and old all over the world. To note, Eric was so kind to send me the first cover from the Philex Paris 2024 Stamp Exhibition. On the left you can see the signature of the stamp Designer. The postmark says May 30th 2024, but the official start of selling seems to be June 17 2024.

 

Stamps:

Pokémon (from a set of 12) - Issued: 17-06-2024

Stamps:

Pokémon (from a set of 12) - Issued: 17-06-2024

Euro - Issued: 01-01-1999

Greetings Stamp - Issued: 10-06-2001 

Thanks a lot Steve!

Philippines: National Children's Month 2023

National Children’s Month is celebrated in November in the Philippines every year. This month-long celebration aims to give Filipino children access to a healthy environment, good education, and healthcare. Each year there is also a special stamp issue. On the cover below you can see four stamps from the 8-stamp-issue from 2023. To note: This cover was mailed from Romblon, an archipelagic province of the Philippines located in the Mimaropa region.

Stamps:

National Children's Month 2023 (from a set of 8) - Issued: 15-11-2023

Papua New Guinea: Provincial Flags + Local Hairdresses

A new country in my collection. Many thanks to Eric! Papua New Guinea, officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania that comprises the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and its offshore islands in Melanesia (a region of the southwestern Pacific Ocean north of Australia). It shares its only land border with Indonesia. For this Cover Eric used stamps from two issues of 2004. The cover was mailed from the city of Ukarumpa, located in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. The current population is approximately 600.

Stamps:

Provincial Flags (from a set of 6) - Issued: 20-10-2004

Local Hairdresses (from a set of 6) - Issued: 02-06-2004

 

 

 

Malaysia: Traditional Dances of Malaysia 2024

Stamps:

Traditional Dances of Malaysia (stamps and m/s) - Issued: 26-03-2024

Many thanks to Henry!

Germany: First Flight of Lufthansa LH2426 from Munich Airport to Trondheim <-> Trondheim to Munich Airport

Starting April 28 2024, Lufthansa commenced twice-weekly flights from Munich to Trondheim (TRD), Norway’s third-largest city. The covers below document both very first flights. The first one from Munich-Airport to Trondheim on April 28 2024 with Airbus A319 D-AILS "Heide". Also to note the arrival postmark of Trondheim on the left. The second cover the Way back from Trondheim to Munich-Airport.

Flight Munich-Airport -> Trondheim

Stamps:

2x Four Seasons "Summer" - Issued: 13-07-2006

 

Flight Trondheim -> Munich-Airport

With a arrival postmark of "Briefzentrum 85" (= Freising, Munich Airport) of April 29th 2024

Stamp:

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

 

 

Guernsey: The 50th Anniversary of Guernsey Postal Independence

Stamps:

The 50th Anniversary of Guernsey Postal Independence (from a set of 6) - Issued: 01-10-2019

Switzerland: The 175th Anniversary of the Swiss Post

This year Swiss Post celebrated its 175th Anniversary with two Anniversary Stamps which can be seen on this nice Cover below mailed from city of Merenschwand located in the north of Switzerland in the canton of Aargau. 

 

Stamps:

The 175th Anniversary of the Swiss Post  (full set) - Issued: 21-03-2024

Many thanks to Hansjürg!

Greenland: Karupelv Valley Project 2024

Started in 1988, the Karupelv Valley Project (KVP), led by Dr. Benoît Sittler, is an ongoing, long term research project in North-East Greenland. It is jointly carried out under the auspices of the University Freiburg (GER) and the Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique (F). Its main objective is to provide new insights into the processes that govern cyclic fluctuations of lemming populations in high-arctic ecosystems. 

For more Information: https://www.karupelv-valley-project.de/english/

 

Stamp:

EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna" (from a set of 2) - Issued: 24-05-2024

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

From May 30 to June 1 2024, Paris-Philex 2024 stamp exhibition took place at La Porte de Versailles, Paris, France. Several postal administrations took part at this exhibition. Ukrposhta, the national post of Ukraine, was one of them. Besides a special postmark (#standwithurkaine), which can be seen on the cover below also a speical prepaid cover was issued during this event. 

Stamps:

EUROPA 2023 - "Peace - the highest value of humanity" (full set) - Issued: 24-05-2023

Ukraine Fine Arts (Textiles) - Issued: 14-12-2018 

Many thanks Eric for sending me this nice Cover from Paris-Philex 2024!

Croatia: EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna"

 

Stamps:

EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna" (1 from a set of 2) - Issued: 09-05-2024

EUROPA 2016 - "Think Green" (1 from a set of 2) - Issued: 09-05-2016

 

Many thanks to Maja, unfortunately your Cover arrived a little bit damaged!

Estonia: International Philatelic Exhibition "Mare Balticum 2024" - Tartu, Estonia

The International Philatelic Exhibition "Mare Balticum 2024" was held from 26th to 28th July 2024 in Tartu, Estonia. Tartu is not only one of the oldest cities in the Baltic States, but also one of the three European Capitals of Culture this year (besides Bad Ischl in Austria and Bodø in Norway). To note the two postmarks at the bottom of the cover applied by Latvian Post.

 

Stamps:

Personalized Stamp "Tartu, City Hall" - Issued: 22-02-2007

Arms of Estonia "Tartu" - Issued: 02-07-2007

The 100th Anniversary of the National University of Estonia, Tartu - Issued: 19-11-2019

Tartu - European Capital of Culture  - Issued: 26-01-2024

 

 

Many thanks to for this great Cover, Vera!

 

 

New Zealand: Chinese New Year - "Year of the Sheep"

 

Stamps:

Chinese New Year - "Year of the Sheep" (s/s) - Issued: 05-02-2003

Scenic Definitives (from a set of 6) - Issued: 01-07-2009

Many thanks to Pieter!

Brazil: The 200th Anniversary of German Immigration

Beginning in 1824, German settlers established communities in Brazil, particularly in Rio Grande do Sul, leaving a lasting impact on cities like Blumenau and Joinville. This anniversary honors the rich German heritage that has become an integral part of Brazil's diverse cultural landscape, highlighting the successful blending of traditions that continues to shape the nation today. Thus both countries issued a stamp commemorating this event. 

Stamp:

The 200th Anniversary of German Immigration - Issued: 24-05-2024

Many thanks to Damiao!

 

Unfortunately, I don't have the German stamp (Issued: 06-06-2024) on cover, but it looks like this:

Furthermore, from June 27 to June 29, a Germany-Brazil Bilateral stamp Exhibition was held in Haldensleben, Germany. The Special Cover below (besides others), with special postmark and personalized stamp was issued during this event.

Canada: Total Solar Eclipse - April 8th 2024

On April 8, 2024, a spectacular and rare celestial event unfolded over Canada, the United States and Mexico – a total solar eclipse. As the Moon aligned perfectly between Earth and the Sun, temporary darkness swept across parts of these countries, captivating countless spectators. One of the most stunning locations to witness this rare event was the Niagara Falls. Thanks to Linda for sending me a cover from there on the exact date!

Stamps:

Total Solar Eclipse - Issued: 14-03-2024

Christmas (from a set of 3) - Issued: 04-11-2019

From Far and Wide "Herschel Island-Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park, Yukon" (from a set of 9) - Issued: 13-01-2020

I recently received another Cover with this particular stamp on it. Many thanks to Inger!

Stamps:

3x Total Solar Eclipse - Issued: 14-03-2024

 

Cyprus: EUROPA 2022 - "Stories & Myths”

Stamps:

EUROPA 2022 - "Stories & Myths” (full set) - Issued: 06-05-2022

Refugee Fund Tax Stamp 2023

Germany: RV "Elisabeth Mann Borgese"

The Elisabeth Mann Borgese is a German research vessel named after the renowned marine law expert and environmentalist Elisabeth Mann Borgese. Operated by the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, this ship is primarily used for scientific exploration of the Baltic Sea. Equipped with advanced technology, it supports research in marine biology, chemistry, and geology, contributing significantly to our understanding of marine ecosystems. Launched in 2012, the vessel plays a crucial role in environmental monitoring and the sustainable management of marine resources.

To note on this cover a stamp commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Elisabeth Mann Borgese issued in 2018 (3,70 € face value) was used. On the left you can also see on the bottom the current ship postmark and a postmark of the managing company Briese Schiffahrts GmbH & Co. KG Research.

Stamp:

The 100th Anniversary of Elisabeth Mann Borgese - Issued: 12-04-2018

 

Picture of the Ship:

Source: https://briese-research.de/research-department/research-vessels/rv-elisabeth-mann-borgese

 

Indonesia: Musicians of Indonesia

 

Stamps:

Musicians of Indonesia (from a set of 8) - Issued: 17-08-2020

Many thanks to Irene!

China: China Shipbuilding Industry (Part II)

Stamps:

China Shipbuilding Industry (Part II) (full set) - Issued: 23-04-2024

Sincerity - Issued: 20-08-2014

 

Many thanks to Xu Wei!

Liechtenstein: EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna"

Stamps:

EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna" (full set) - Issued: 03-06-2024 (on official First-Day-Cover)

Serbia: EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna"

 

Stamps:

EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna" (full set) - Issued: 08-05-2024

Many thanls to Jelena!

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!

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!