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!

Slovenia: EUROPA 2010 "Children Books"

Stamps:

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

 

Many thanks to Slavica!

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

 

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!

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!

Japan: Greetings - "Autumn"

 

Stamps:

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

Many thanks to Mitsuhiko!

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

South Korea: Honey Bees

 

Stamps:

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

Many thanks to Park Pyo Jun!

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!

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!

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

 

 

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!

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

USA: Waterfalls

 

Stamps:

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

Many thanks to Antoinette!

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!

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

 

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

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

France: Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923)

 

Stamp:

Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923) (m/s) - Issued: 27-03-2023 with First Day Cancellation

Many thanks to Eric!

Japan: Japan National Rugby Team World Cup 2019

This offical personalized Rugby stamp was issued in 2019 as a set of 5 different Stamps. The matching postmark from Higashiosaka-Hanazono, Osaka prefecture was put into circulation in 2019, too. It shows the Hanazono Rugby stadium at the foot of Mt. Ikoma, Rugby Players and Cherry blossoms. Many thanks to Masako for the explanations.

Stamps:

Japan National Rugby Team - Issued: 09-07-2019

International Writing Letter Week (from a set of 5) - Issued: 07-10-2022

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

 

Stamp:

EUROPA 2023 - "Peace - the highest value of humanity" - Issued: 04-05-2023 w/ postmark from the "Philatelieshop" in Dresden

Thanks Jan for your help!

Nepal: Flowers + Mountains Over 8000 Meters in Nepal + Trekking Routes

This is my 700th Post on this Blog and my very first cover from Nepal!

Stamps:

Flowers (from a set of 6) - Issued: 01-01-2022

Mountains Over 8000 Meters in Nepal  (from a set of 8) "Mount Lhotse" - Issued: 29-12-2021

Stamps:

left: Trekking Routes (from a set of 4) "Manaslu Circuit Route" - Issued: 29-12-2021

right: Mountains Over 8000 Meters in Nepal  (from a set of 8) "Mount Manaslu " - Issued: 29-12-2021

Many thanks to Ramesh!