Stamp News

Issue of the week ~ Singapore: Know 10 trees

2010-05-31T08:00:00.004-03:00

Trees are important components of a natural landscape. They provide landmark recognition, shade, filter dust from the air, prevent soil erosion, and provide shelter for life forms under their foliage. Trees are long-lived, perennial woody plants, some reaching several hundreds years, forming an important component of our living biosphere.

In Singapore, trees can be found along highways, in parks, neighborhoods and gardens. Without them, the city would be a harsh concrete landscape. "Know 10 Trees" is an National Parks Board initiative aimed at raising the public's awareness of Singapore's most common roadside trees, which are colorfully depicted in this set of stamps. Join Singapore post on this journey of learning to identify, recognize and appreciate these 10 trees (Rain Tree, Angsana, Yellow Flame, Senegal Mahogany, Broad-leafed Mahogany, Tembusu, Sea Apple, Saga, Trumpet Tree and Sea Almond) that accompany our everyday lives.

Technical details

Date of issue: 26/May/2010
Printing process: Offset lithography
Stamp size: 28 mm. x 42.6 mm.
Sheets: 10 stamps

Visit Singapore Post‘s online shop.

Notes
1. 2010, Upcoming issues, Singapore Post website. Consulted 25/Apr/10.

June’s Activities: Move on!

2010-05-26T08:00:00.000-03:00

A gently reminder to this month activities. Move on!!!

Date	Name	Type	Place
4-Jun to 6-Jun	PIPEX 2010	Exhibition	Spokane, Washington, USA
4-Jun to 6-Jun	NAPEX	Exhibition	McLean, Virginia, USA
12-Jun to 20-Jun	Salon de Timbre 2010	Exhibition	Paris, France
16-Jun	Strand Stamp Fair	Stamp Fair	London, England

Issue of the week ~ Switzerland: World Circus Geneva 2010

2010-05-10T08:00:00.005-03:00

Do you remember your first visit to the circus? Were you so entranced by the acrobats and performing animals that you wondered where the time had gone? A visit to the circus often makes a lasting impression. In a nutshell: it is a spectacle for young and old alike.

There is much more to the circus than "just" a big top, a circus ring and sawdust, though. This year Geneva plays host to this diverse and colourful world. The "World Circus Geneva 2010" events series showcases the circus through a variety of cultural media. Dance and theatre performances, operas, art exhibitions and cinema matinees are planned – all with a touch of circus flair. One of the highlights will be the Geneva Festival, with its traditional fireworks dedicated to the circus ring. Artists from 65 countries will be taking part in the "World Circus Geneva 2010" throughout the year.

Swiss Post is delighted to join in this circus event and is issuing a new special stamp with a "circus look." The stamp, with a face value of CHF 1.40, shows a circus from an unusual angle: It presents a worm's eye view, with the tip of the big top resembling a clown's face.

Technical details

Date of issue: 6/May/2010
Printing process:
Stamp size:
Sheets: 20 stamps

Visit Swiss Post‘s online shop.

Notes
1. 2010, Philately & Stamps News, Swiss Post website. Consulted 25/Apr/10.

Cancellation on PHILALUX 2010

2010-05-07T08:00:00.002-03:00

The Organising Committee have announced that the international stamp exhibition and fair PHILALUX 2010 will be postponed to 2011 and will be renamed PHILALUX 2011. The new date for the exhibition will be from April 28 to May 1th 2011.

Spectacular Auction: Siegel auctioning the Steven C. Walske Collection of special mail routes of the American Civil War

2010-05-04T08:00:00.022-03:00

Special mail routes were used to exchange letters in the Confederate States of America (C.S.A.) and those across the military lines or frontiers separating the Confederacy from the rest of the world. These routes developed because the C.S.A. was almost completely surrounded militarily by the United States of America (U.S.), and an important Federal war strategy was to cut off all outside communications with the C.S.A.. These routes were used for mail between the C.S.A. and the U.S., for mail between parts of the C.S.A. separated by Federal military activities, and for mail between the Confederacy and other countries.
Postal history is the study of postal routes, rates, frankings and markings from a particular historical period. The best postal history reference sources are official postal regulations and documentation, such as instructions to postmasters or post office communications. However, the official record is invariably incomplete, so a census of covers relevant to the period can fill in the gaps by showing patterns of postal usages. The combination of a census with postal documentation, historical events and geography can be used to accurately re-create the details of a mail delivery system. This is the approach employed in the formation of this collection and in writing the related book, Special Mail Routes of the American Civil War: A Guide to Across-the-Lines Postal History by Steven C. Walske and Scott R. Trepel (referred to throughout this catalogue as Special Routes).

This collection is organized according to the routes used for across-the-lines mail. This represents a different perspective on the subject, and has resulted in new insights on how the mail was handled. For example, traditional studies have examined prisoner-of-war (P.O.W.) mail from the perspective of the prisons themselves, while this collection arranges the covers according to the routes which carried P.O.W. mail to or from those prisons. Similarly, covers reflecting new discoveries and significant insights are offered for the first time with respect to suspended mail routes, blockade-run mail, trans-Rio Grande mail, and private express mail.
The Civil War began slowly with the peaceful secession of South Carolina on December 20, 1860. At the time, most Americans assumed that the conflict would be resolved relatively quickly and peacefully. Virtually no one could project the four-year bloody struggle that ensued.
South Carolina’s path out of the Union was quickly followed by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana. Each of these states acted separately, and their status after secession was as independent states. However, the official stance of the U.S. was that these states were still part of the Union. As such, these independent states continued to use the U.S. postal system for mail within each state and to or from external addresses.
Mail sent in the U.S. postal system between these states and the U.S. during their independent state periods should not be considered across-the-lines mail, since there were no impediments to the trans- mission of the mails prior to the suspension of U.S. postal service in the South. Nonetheless, postal uses during the independent state periods are popular with collectors because of the short timeframes (as few as six days in the case of North Carolina) that they were in effect.
Throughout this period, the U.S. continued to operate the C.S.A.’s postal system, but many postal routes between the U.S. and the C.S.A. had to be abandoned due to armed conflict and the threat that the ships, trains or wagons used to transport the mail would be confiscated. The most significant example of this was the closure of the primary north-south postal route which ran between Washington, D.C. and Richmond by the U.S. military occupation of Alexandria, Virginia, on May 24, 1861.
Mail continued to be exchanged along the other major north-south postal route between Tennessee and Louisville until June 1861. Private express companies also carried small amounts of letter mail between the C.S.A. and the U.S. during the February to May 1861 period that the U.S. postal system was still operating in the C.S.A.. Their service supplemented the regular post office service.
The U.S. postal service in the C.S.A. was finally suspended on May 31, 1861, four months after the formation of the C.S.A.. After this suspension, the regular north-south post office routes were replaced by a complex array of special mail routes that expanded as the war grew in intensity and duration. Because of the difficulty and danger in getting mail across enemy lines, many of these routes show great ingenuity, and most carried only small amounts of mail. These special routes fall into the following seven categories, and the collection presented is arranged accordingly:

Suspension of the U.S. Post Office Across-the-Lines Routes (May 1861 until early July 1861) during a transitional period as the Federal government completed the suspension of the regular pre-war Post Office routes between the northern states and the seceded states.
Private Express Company Routes (February 1861 to June 1865) were used to supplement the regular U.S. post office service, and to carry mail within the C.S.A.. Mail carried between the U.S. and C.S.A. prior to June 1861 is not considered to have crossed the lines because there were no obstacles to the transmission of the mail. This special mail service temporarily filled the void created by the discontinu- ance of the U.S. post office across-the-lines routes, but ended with the August 26, 1861 U.S. ban on all communications with the C.S.A..
Flag-of-Truce Routes (September 1861 to June 1865) were maintained by both governments for the benefit of prisoners of war (P.O.W.), and a limited number of civilians. Mail was exchanged at a number of locations, but principally in southeastern Virginia. This mail service did not evolve until regular communication between North and South was prohibited. P.O.W. and parole camp mail which did not cross the lines is included to provide a full treatment of P.O.W. mail.
Trans-Mississippi Routes (April 1862 to April 1865) were used by both private and C.S.A. post office trans-Mississippi expresses after Union control of the Mississippi River in 1862 cut the Confederacy into eastern and western halves. Communication between the separated parts of the C.S.A. required new special mail routes to bypass the Union blockade along the Mississippi River.
Covert Mail Routes (September 1861 to June 1865) were maintained by a number of private across-the- lines mail systems which typically used inland waterways to cross the lines.
Blockade-Runner Routes (May 1862 through May 1865) connected the Confederacy with neutral West Indies ports, and were used by Confederate steamships to penetrate the Federal blockade of the Southern coastline.
Trans-Rio Grande Routes (July 1861 to June 1865) were maintained between Texas and Mexico, and were used to circumvent the Federal blockade.

Source
1. "The Steven C. Walske Collection of special mail routes of the American Civil War". Sale 988. Robert A. Siegel. New York, US, 2010.

Issue of the week ~ Spain: 100 años de la Gran Vía de Madrid

2010-05-03T08:00:00.014-03:00

The Gran Vía is one of the main streets of Madrid from an urban planning, social, economic and cultural point of view and this year commemorates its 100 anniversary. It was on April 4th 2010 when king Alfonso XIII inaugurated the construction works.

In the mid 19th century, Madrid's urban planners decided that a new thoroughfare had to be created, connecting the northeast to the city centre. However it wasn’t until 1861 when the Town Hall decided on building an alternative road to the congested Puerta del Sol with new open spaces and representative buildings. It wasn’t until 1866 that the project drafted by Carlos Velasco was approved and the first expropriations took place but the many difficulties that arose prevented the plan to be implemented. In 1895, the Ley de Saneamiento, Reforma y Ensanche Interior cleared the way for this project to come into force as it was declared of public utility. Three years later, with the Count of Romanones as mayor of Madrid, the project was undertaken by municipal architects López Salaberri and Andrés Octavio and was finally approved in 1904. The project comprised three stretches and the first one began en 1910. The third one was finished by the end of the 20’s although some buildings were built later on.

The Gran Vía, besides being a major communications axis of Madrid, is an ornate and upscale shopping street located in the city centre. This lively street is one of the Madrid’s most important shopping areas, with a large number of hotels, cinemas and theaters; it is also noted for the grand architecture prevalent among many of its buildings such as the Metrópolis, the Grassy, La Estrella, the Círculo de la Unión Mercantil e Industrial, Casa Matesanz, Telefónica, Madrid-Paris, Palacio de la Música, Palacio de la Prensa, Capitol and Coliseum amongst others. The stamp depicts one of the most popular views of the Gran Vía.

Technical details

Date of issue: 21/Apr/2010
Printing process: Offset
Stamp size: 28.8 mm. x 40.9 mm.
Sheets: 25 stamps

Visit Correos de España's online shop.

Notes
1. 2010, 100 años de la Gran Vía de Madrid, Correos de España website. Consulted 25/Apr/10.

Around the houses

2010-04-30T08:00:00.041-03:00

Warwick & Warwick, United Kingdom ~ February 2010

The world’s first postal order issued in 1881 (1s) has been sold at auction in Great Britain by the original owner’s family. The order was sold for £4,485 (US$7,000) nearly twice its guide price. On January 1, 1881, Arthur Bull bought the one-shilling order, bearing the serial number 000001, from the Lombard Street post office in London. He never cashed it, keeping it in a leather case, which was passed down for two generations. Finally, his grandson’s widow agreed to auction it. According to Warwick & Warwick, the auctioneers, only five other postal orders from 1881 bearing the same serial number exist today.

Cavendish Philatelic Auction, United Kingdom ~ March 2010: The Smith Collection

The ‘Smith’ Collection saw most countries 100% sold with the hottest demand for the 120 Malta lots; many lots sold for double and treble estimates; the 1830 oval “LAZARETTO/MALTA” (lot 136) reaching £2,800 ($4,250), and the spectacular pictorial letter-sheets (lots 149/150) realising more than 4 times estimate at £2,800 ($4,250) and £2,570 ($3,900) respectively, while the unique 2/- Brown Pair (lot 192) fetched £4,680 ($7,100). The highest prices of the day came, however, for ‘Cinderella’ items; the Hertford College Oxford local issue Essays reaching previously unknown levels at £7,000 ($10,600) and £6,400 ($9,700) (lots 243/4), with tremendous demand across the board for the College Stamps. Likewise the section of British Columbia & Vancouver Express covers (lots 23-51) were a sell-out with most lots doubling estimates and more, the top price of around £1,000 ($1,500) being paid for the BC&V SG3 cover (lot 41). Then there was the off-cover ‘Lady McLeod’ 5c Blue (lot 91) at £4,400 ($6,600), and the GB ‘Court Bureau’ covers (lots 293/4) at around £2,000 ($3,000) and £2,200 ($3,300) each.

Spink, United Kingdom ~ April 2010

The auction of British and British Empire stamps and postal history held at London on 15 and 16 April broke interesting number to mention. There were four interesting lots which made healthy numbers, however much lower than catalogue's price. The most notable lots were:

Line Engraved Proofs and Essays Cancellation Trials 1840 1d. black Plate Ia, a horizontal pair lettered GI-GJ with large balanced margins (1228) had an estimate of £100,000-£120,000 ($152,000-$182,000) made £85,000 ($130,000).
1840 One Penny Black Plate Ia BF, good to large margins, on entire from London to Paisley, tied by two clear strikes of the red Maltese Cross, dated on reverse in manuscript "London 6 May 1840" and overstruck by clear strike of the B (evening) code B/my-6/1840 c.d.s. (1230) with a catalogue price of £125,000 ($190,000) made a healthy £44,000 ($67,000).
1840 One Penny Black Plate V CJ-CK horizontal pair, with large part original gum, large balanced margins (1284) with a catalogue price of £45,000 ($69,000) made £16,000 ($24,000).
1840 One Penny Black Plate VII MC-ME horizontal strip of three (MD showing constant variety), large part original gum, large balanced margins all round (1309) with a catalogue price (pair + single) of £56,000 ($85,000) made £14,000($21,000).

Siegel Auction, United States ~ April 2010: The Louis Grunin Collection of Illustrated Covers

More than 70% of the auctioned pieces were sold most of them for above of estimated prices. Mulready caricatures and the Ocean Penny Postage lots made very good prices. Notable to mention a Barnabas Bates Illustrated "Cheap Inland and Ocean Postage" propaganda cover sent to Cleveland O., 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), large margins to slightly in, tied by well-struck dark blue "Troy N.Y. Jun. 27" circular datestamp (1579) made $13,500 from an estimate of $2,000-$3,000.

Source
1. "World’s first postal order auctioned". Union Postale. Bern, UPU, March 2010. Pag. 29.
2. 2010, Cavendish Philatelic Auction website. Consulted 29/Apr/2010.
3. 2010, Spink website. Consulted 28/Apr/2010.
4. 2010, Siegel Auction website. Consulted 28/Apr/2010

Spectacular Auction: Rapp auctioning Ticino Collection

2010-04-29T08:00:00.004-03:00

The Ticino Collection will be the most outstanding object of the Rapp Auction that is scheduled for 1 to 4 June 2010 in Wil/SG, Switzerland. The Ticino Collection is the most important and valuable collection of Swiss stamps from the 1843-1854 period to be auctioned in 50 years. Even insiders were completely ignorant of its existence. For decades, some of its most precious items even were considered lost. These include, for example, three copies of the socalled “Neuchâtel” stamp on a beautiful 1852 cover from Geneva to the Canton of Fribourg. This cover alone is estimated to realize more than a quarter million Swiss Francs. Meanwhile auctioneer Peter Rapp’s amazement when he had a chance to inspect this rediscovered collection for the first time has infected the entire trade. This doesn’t come as a surprise since the collection includes some absolutely unique items as well as others of which very few copies are known to exist.

In the auction, these spectacular rarities will be supplemented with many other precious stamps, covers and coin holdings. As a consequence, collectors, investors and museum directors from many different countries have indicated buying interest. They will come in person to attend the auction. After all, the demand for rare philatelic collectibles generally is very strong – even among investors. Therefore Rapp Auctions, an international trade leader for some 40 years, expect a total realization of approximately 15 million Swiss Francs ($13.7 millions). This auction very likely will prove to be the most important and strongest-selling – and certainly the most spectacular – event of the auction season.

Source
1. 2010, Rapp Auction website. Consulted 28/Apr/2010.

May's Activities: Move on!

2010-04-28T08:00:00.006-03:00

A gently reminder to this month activities. Move on!!!

Date	Name	Type	Place
5-May to 6-May	Philatex Extra	Stamp Fair	London, England
6-May to 8-May	Essen International	Stamp Fair	Essen, Germany
8-May to 15-May	London 2010 Festival of Stamps	Exhibition	London, England
14-May to 16-May	ROMPEX	Exhibition	Denver, Colorado, USA
19-May	Strand Stamp Fair	Stamp Fair	London, England
21-May to 23-May	Veronafil	Philatelic & Numismatic Fair	Verona, Italy
28-May to 30-May	NOJEX	Exhibition	New Jersey, USA

Issue of the week ~ Argentina: South American Sails 2010

2010-04-26T09:00:00.000-03:00

In 2010, between the first days of February and the last days of June, parts of the Atlantic, Pacifics and Caribbean oceans will get more beautiful thanks to the presence of either civilian or military brigs, corvettes, schooners and frigates that are going to participate of "South American Sails 2010" an international fixture regatta for large sailing ships. This important event is being organized by both the Argentine and the Chilean Navies within the celebrations for the Bicentenary of the first Patriotic Governments who opened the way toward the Independence of both countries.

Boats, coming from Latin America and Europe will call at fourteen ports, namely: Río de Janeiro (Brazil); Mar del Plata (Argentina) where a spectacular naval revue will take place at the imposing Corrientes cape; Montevideo (Uruguay); then: Buenos Aires, Isla de los Estados (Staten Island), and Ushuaia, in Argentina; Cape Horn, Punta Arenas, Talcahuano and Valparaíso, in Chile; Callao (Peru); Guayaquil (Equator); Cartagena de Indias (Colombia); La Guaira (Venezuela); Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), and Veracruz (México).

$1,50 - Frigate Libertad. The 3-mast frigate Libertad, pertaining to the Argentine Navy. An isologotype of Bicentennial of the May Revolution

$6 + $6 - Souvenir Sheet

$6: A photo of the brig-schooner Esmeralda, pertaining to the Chilean Navy, navigating. An isologotype of Bicentennial of the May Revolution.
$6: A photo of the 3-mast frigate Libertad, pertaining to the Argentine Navy. An isologotype of Bicentennial of the May Revolution.
Souvenir sheet: A logotype of the regatta, and a map showing the event sailing directions. On both upper and lower sites, valueless complements showing photos and specifications sheets of the participating sailing ships. An isologotype of the Bicentennial of the May Revolution.

Technical details

Date of issue: 20/Feb/2010
Printing process: Offset
Stamp size: 40 mm. x 50 mm. / Souvenir sheet: 150 mm. x 100 mm.
Sheets: 16 stamps

Notes
1. Volante Filatélico Nro. 1165. Correo Argentino. Buenos Aires, Argentina. 2010.

May's Auctions

2010-04-25T09:00:00.003-03:00

May 4: CERES Philatélie (FR) ~ France, French Colonies and Europe. The auction consist of all aspects of France philately, French Colonies & French occupation. Large section including of stamps and covers lots and collections. Visit auction's site.

May 4: Sandafayre (UK) ~ British, British Commonwealth and Worldwide.. Almost 6000 lots. Visit auction's site.

May 5: Dorotheum (AT) ~ Classic Europe. Stamps and postal history. Special note to Reich and World War II period. Visit auction's site.

May 9: Darabanth Auctions Ltd (HU) ~ Hungary, Austria, and Germany. Hungary occupation issues. Hungarian classical postal history, postal history classical and modern including airmails. Hungarian philately some nice errors.
The foreign part is mostly focused on Gemany, Austria, and many good sets from several countries. Visit auction's site.

May 19: Grosvenor Auctions (UK) ~ John Forrest Collection of Cancellations of the British Empire. The outstanding collection of over 650 lots, presenting rare items and specialised studies of the cancellations and postal markings of the post offices of Australasia and the Pacific Islands, Canada, Cyprus,the Indian Ocean, Southern and West Africa, Sudan and other countries. Download catalogue.

May 19: Grosvenor Auctions (UK) ~ British Empire & Foreign Countries Postage Stamps & Postal History. A specialised auction of over 2,100 lots, the property of 154 vendors, featuring Falkland Islands & Antarctica with the exceptional collection formed by the late Robert Barnes FRPSL, specialised King George V with the John Sussex RDP, FRPSL collections of Bermuda and Rhodesia Admirals, outstanding collections of Estonia formed by the late Karl Laas and Gibraltar by the late Henry Busto, as well as strong sections of Cyprus, Malta, New Zealand, Trinidad and other countries. Download catalogue.

May 19: Stanley Gibbons (UK) ~ Great Britain and British Commonwealth. Noteworthy sections in this auction include Canada, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, New Zealand, St Lucia, St Vincent and Great Britain. Visit auction's site. Download catalogue.

May 27: Siegel Auction (US) ~ The Steven C. Walske Collection of Civil War Special Routes. The sale catalogue will present nearly all of the covers that formed the basis of Steven Walske’s award-winning exhibit and book. The following categories of Special Mail Routes will be presented in the sale: Suspension of U.S. Post Office Routes, Across-the-Lines Private Express Routes, Flag-of-Truce Routes (civilian and prisoners’ mail), Trans-Mississippi Routes (government and private), Blockade Runner Routes, Trans-Rio Grande Routes, Covert Mail Routes. Visit auction's site. Download catalogue.

Issue of the week ~ New Zealand: Ancient reptiles

2010-03-01T08:00:00.002-03:00

A hundred million years ago, New Zealand land formed the eastern margin of the southern super-continent of Gondwanaland. Separated by ocean, ‘Zealandia’ had its own group of dinosaurs, pterosaurs (flying reptiles) and giant marine reptiles that thrived here for 20 million years. The Ancient Reptiles of New Zealand stamp and coin issue explores the behavior and habitats of this exceptional group of animals, as if an explorer has travelled back in time and observed them directly. Illustrations on the stamps and coins are ‘field sketches’ – reconstructions based on the most up-to-date information on animal behavior, ecology and New Zealand palaeontology.

50c - Allosaurus. At 12 meters long, Allosaurus was the largest meat eater on land in the region. It was at the top of the food chain and,it has been suggested,had a cooperative social behaviour, hunting in packs, much like lions do today. It was able to open its jaws extremely widely, allowing it to attack large prey.
$1.00 - Anhanguera. This pterosaur was the most common flying reptile in Zealandia. Fish eaters with a five-metre wingspan, they formed large coastal nesting colonies, similar to the seabirds of our time. They laid leathery eggs, and the flight centers in the brains of the young developed well before hatching, suggesting that they could fly from birth.
$1.80 - Titanosaurus. Titanosaurus was the last descendant of the giant sauropods. It was small for a member of this group of dinosaurs, just 14 meters long, but was still massive and weighed about 13 tonnes. It was tall enough to browse the treetops and large ferns, travelling as part of an extensive herd to protect itself from predators.
$2.30 - Moanasaurus. The mosasaurs (including Moanasaurus) were the top predators of the shallow coasts of Zealandia. At 12 meters long, with a 78-centimeter long skull, Moanasaurus would have been a fearsome predator, undulating its snake-like body through the water a little like a crocodile with paddled feet. Although mosasaurs were widespread across the world, Moanasaurus was specific to this region.
$2.80 - Mauisaurus. Mauisaurus was a 20-metre marine reptile (plesiosaur), the largest of its kind in the world. It was an ‘elasmosaur’, the type of plesiosaur with a tiny head and very long neck. This meant that, for all its size, its diet was restricted to small fish and squid in the shallow coastal waters in which it lived.

Technical details

Date of issue: 3/Mar/2010
Printing process: Offset Lithography in 4 colors
Stamp size: 52 mm. x 37.5 mm.
Sheets: 20 stamps

Visit New Zealand Post's online shop.

Notes
1. 2010, Ancient Reptiles of New Zealand, New Zeland Post website. Consulted 20/Feb/10.

March's Auctions

2010-02-20T08:00:00.002-03:00

March 2: Warwick & Warwick (UK) ~ Stamps & covers of the world. Visit auction's site

March 9: CERES Philatélie (FR) ~ France and Europe. Visit auction's site.

March 10: Millennium Philatelic Auctions (AU) ~ Australian Colonies, Australian Commonwealth, Pacific and Oceania. Collections and accumulations, including several deceased estates and some very heavy lots, followed by select groups of picture postcards, literature, medals and banknotes. Visit auction's site.

March 11: Corbitts (UK) ~ British, British Commonwealth and Worldwide. Collections, Stocks and Groupings including many specialized lots of Zeppelin postal history. Visit auction's site.

March 12-13: H.R. Harmer (USA) ~ British Commonwealth, Worldwide and United States. Collections, Stocks and Groupings including many specialized lots including substantial British Commonwealth. Visit auction's site.

March 24-25: Cherrystone Auctions (USA) ~ United States and Worldwide. Visit auction's site.

March 26-27: Postiljonen (SE) ~ Classic Sweden, Norway and Iceland. Exceptional quality material.

March 29: Lugdunum Philatélie (FR) ~ France, French Colonies and Worldwide. Visit auction's site.

Issue of the week ~ Canada: Mental Health Stamp

2010-02-15T08:00:00.006-03:00

Last year, Canada Post set out to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness so that those affected feel more able to discuss their challenges and seek solutions. We established the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health, collecting donations at retail counters last fall during Mental Illness Awareness Week, and through the sale of a semi-postal (fundraising) stamp. Thanks to the generous support of Canadians, Canada Post has raised 1.2 million dollars for the Foundation over the past year, more than $300,000 of which came from the sale of the stamp. Funds will be used to help communities deliver mental health services to those in need, and to support families facing the challenges of mental illness.

The stamp, which features natural scenery flowing through the outline of a human figure, was designed by Vancouver’s Signals Design Group. A tree was chosen as the stamp’s central element because it symbolizes health, growth and maturity, all attainable for people affected by mental illness. The shape of the tree refers subtly to the human brain, while the path progresses towards better health and a fulfilled life. “I thought of this as a moment of hope for this individual—a moment when the clouds break and the sun shines through,” explains John Belisle, Creative Director at Signals.

Technical details

Date of issue: 14/Sep/2009
Printing process: Lithography in 7 colours
Stamp size: 24.75 mm. x 35.25 mm.
Sheets: booklet of 10 stamps

Visit Canada Post's online shop.

Notes
1. "Mental health". Details. Ottawa, Canada Post, XVIII(4):6-7.

Issue of the week ~ United States: Distinguished Sailors

2010-02-08T08:00:00.006-03:00

With the issuance of the Distinguished Sailors stamps, the U.S. Postal Service honors four sailors who served with bravery and distinction during the 20th century: William S. Sims, Arleigh A. Burke, John McCloy, and Doris Miller.

William S. Sims (1858 -- 1936) commanded U.S. naval forces in European waters during World War I when he helped shape the Navy into a modern fighting force.
Arleigh A. Burke (1901 -- 1996) was one of the top destroyer squadron commanders of World War II. After his death, he was hailed as a "sailor's sailor" who was "relentless in combat, resourceful in command and revered by his crews."
John McCloy (1876 --1945) won two Medals of Honor for separate acts of heroism, a rare feat. McCloy retired from the Navy in 1928 after a 30-year career.
Doris Miller (1919 -- 1943) was the first African-American hero of World War II for his actions at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Technical details

Date of issue: 4/Feb/2010
Printing process: ???
Stamp size: ???
Sheets: ???

Visit USPS's online shop.

Notes
1. (2010), 2010 Stamp Program Unveiled, USPS website. Consulted 24/Jan/10.

Scott 2010 Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps & Covers

2010-02-02T08:00:00.009-03:00

More than 11,000 value changes have been made in the 2010 edition of the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers, with 5,800 of these changes being in the Postage section and more than 1,500 in the Revenue sections. The values for many classic rarities have increased, in many cases substantially. In the modern era, values are fairly steady, with occasional advances seen. Many plate blocks rise in value, and very modern plate blocks from panes of 100 with water-activated gum often have increased in value considerably. On the editorial side, nearly 2,500 illustrations have been replaced by new color scans in this year's volume, more than 1,600 of them in the postage section alone.

If you collect U.S. stamps, the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps & Covers is the single most important book you can add to your philatelic reference library. Covering everything from the earliest postmaster provisionals to beer stamps and postal stationery, the catalogue contains a wealth of information.

Amazon.com review

Product details

Paperback: 1042 pages
Publisher: Scott Publishing Company; 88 edition (October 10, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN: 0894874462
Retail price: US$ 79.99

Issue of the week ~ Australia: Bicentenary of Governor Lachlan Macquarie

2010-02-01T08:00:00.007-03:00

These four stamps, designed by Stacey Zass, celebrate the importance of Lachlan Macquarie (1762–1824) as Governor of New South Wales. During his time as governor (1810–1821), Macquarie provided an important vision for the colony. He embarked on a public works program, erecting churches, parsonages, courthouses, lighthouses, convict barracks and factories. These buildings would transform the physical appearance of the colony.

The architect Francis Greenway was often responsible for designing these buildings. Among the buildings Greenway designed for Macquarie were the Convict Barracks, Sydney (1817), Fort Macquarie, Sydney (1817), Government Stables, Sydney (1817), St Matthew’s, Windsor (1817), the Female Factory and Barracks, at Parramatta (1818) and St James, Sydney (1819).

Greenway was one of the former convicts who rose to prominence during the Macquarie era. In an age when former DESIGN MA convicts, known as emancipists, were treated as social outcasts, Macquarie believed they should be fully restored to society. In his opinion they could make as valuable a contribution to society as the free settlers.

The stamps feature Macquarie’s portrait and celebrate his vision, and they remember his enlightened policies towards the emancipists and his erection of substantial buildings to improve the physical amenity of all colonists.

Technical details

Date of issue: 16/Feb/2010
Printing process: lithography
Stamp size: 37.5 mm. x 26 mm.
Sheets: 50 stamps

Visit Australia Post's online shop.

Notes

1. "A bicentenary of Governor Lachlan Macquarie". Stamp Bulletin. Australia Post, 302:8-9.

Issue of the week ~ South Africa: Joburg 2010 International Stamp Show

2010-01-25T08:00:00.009-03:00

Joburg, a world class African city” is the slogan of this vibrant city with its fascinating history of gold mining and rapid industrial development. There’s no doubt about it - the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is the greatest event to happen in Joburg’s 120-year history, except perhaps the discovery of gold, which got the ball rolling in the first place. From a philatelic point of view, 2010 will also be an important year as the Joburg International Stamp Show, as well as the 23rd Asian International Stamp Exhibition will be held here. To promote this event, the South African Post Office will issue two miniature sheets and two commemorative covers.

The South African Post Office and the Philatelic Federation of South Africa is proud to announce the hosting of the Joburg 2010 International Stamp Show and the 23rd Asian International Stamp Exhibition. These events will take place from 27 to 31 October at the Sandton Convention Centre. This venue is one of South Africa’s major world class centres for exhibitions, meetings and special events. Among several other international events, it has hosted the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002.

The first miniature sheet will feature a standard postage stamp bearing an image of the first stamp issued in South Africa inscribed with the words “South Africa”. The original stamp bears the words “Union of South Africa” and was issued in 1910 when South Africa became a Union. In 2010, this will mark 100 years since the original stamp was first issued.

The second miniature sheet features an international small letter stamp bearing the logo of the Joburg 2010 International Stamp Show.

Technical details

Date of issue: 23/Sep/2009
Printing process: lithography
Stamp size: 37.5 mm. x 28.74 mm.
Sheets: miniature sheet

Visit South Africa Post’s online shop.

Notes
1. (2010), South Africa Post's website. Consulted 3/Jan/2010.

February's Auctions

2010-01-24T08:00:00.009-03:00

February 2: Warwick & Warwick (UK) ~ Stamps & covers of the world. Visit auction's site

February 2-5: Earl P.L. Apfelbaum Inc. (USA) ~ Worldwide stamps and postal history. Visit auction's site.

February 6: A. Karamitsos (GR) ~ Greece & Greek Islands. Emphasis on Greece issues with Large and Small Hermes Head, Olympics, Greek Ottoman Post, Greek Islands, Territories & related area, postmarks & cancellations. Middel East with Levant Offices and Cyprus are included. Visit auction's site.

February 10: Antonio Torres (UK) ~ Worldwide stamps and postal history. All World better postal history and some stamps including specialized Great Britain & British Commonwealth, Argentina, Chile, Japan, Spain, Portugal, Italy and States, Belgium and Congo, China, Latin America and many more. Visit auction's site.

February 11: Raritan Stamps (RU) ~ The Georg von Steiden Collection of Carpatho-Ukraine. It's definitely the best collection ever formed for this area, including extremely rare and unique items with the total of 275 individual and collective lots. Visit auction's site.

February 11-12: Dorotheum ~ Germany, Austria & Europe. Visit auction's site. Download catalogue.

February 24: Tel-Aviv Stamps (IL) ~ Holy Land & worldwide. This auction includes the following Major Holy Land collections: Captain Yaakov Shabtai "The Doar Ivri Issue" (Part II), Jacques Kaufman - "British Palestine" (Part II), Marvin Siegel - "Th. Herzl & the Zionist Congresses" and Joel Latinsky - "The 1948 1st Festivals" (Part I). Visit auction's site.

Issue of the week ~ Hong Kong: 60th anniversary of People's Republic of China

2010-01-18T08:00:00.006-03:00

Founded on 1 October 1949, the People's Republic of China celebrated her 60th anniversary in 2009. Over the past 60 years, China has amazed the world with her remarkable success in development. While looking back with pride at our numerous accomplishments, all Chinese people strive for an even brighter tomorrow.

To mark this memorable moment, Hongkong Post issues a set of commemorative stamps and a stamp sheetlet. The set of six stamps is designed based on the winning entry of the Stamp Design Competition for the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China jointly organised by the Home Affairs Bureau, Radio Television Hong Kong, the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education and the Commission on Youth. Victoria Harbour and Tiananmen Square depicted on two interlocking cogwheels ($1.40), and the five-star national flag flying by the side of the "Forever Blooming Bauhinia" ($1.80), symbolise the intimate and inseparable bond between Hong Kong and our Motherland. The Bird's Nest ($2.40) reminds us of the country's first hosting of the Olympic Games while the successful launch of China's manned spacecraft Shenzhou-7 ($2.50) marks her rapid technological advancement and development. The Temple of Heaven against the backdrop of an illuminated globe ($3) and a golden dragon soaring above the Great Wall ($5) signify the nation's rising economic and international status. The six stamps also fit into a perfect ring on the souvenir sheet with the accompanying number "6", bringing out the theme of the 60th anniversary.

The stamp sheetlet with two $5 stamps in Chinese red captures the excitement of the special occasion. The National Emblem and the dazzling Tiananmen Square on the left and the Regional Emblem above the splendid night view of Hong Kong on the right underline the close and harmonious tie between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

To celebrate this joyous occasion across the country, China Post, Hongkong Post and Macao Post jointly issue a souvenir pack on the same day, where three stamp sheetlets issued by the respective Posts under this stamp theme are presented in se-tenant style.
Stamp products include mint stamp, stamp sheet, presentation pack, souvenir sheet, stamp sheetlet, souvenir pack, joint souvenir pack. Serviced first day cover is also available at the philatelic offices on the issue day only.

Technical details

Date of issue: 1/Oct/2009
Printing process: lithography
Stamp size: 43 mm. x 30 mm.
Sheets: 25 stamps

Notes
1. (2010), Honk Kong Post's website. Consulted 3/Jan/2010.

Philatelic literature great sale

2010-01-15T08:00:00.011-03:00

The online shop of the legendary 399 Strand, Stanely Gibbons shop is having a great sale of over 1200 philatelic books with 20% off. It is a very good opportunity to fill some blanks in your library.

Sale runs until 17th January. Hurry up and visit www.stanleygibbons.com!!!

Around the houses

2010-01-15T08:00:00.007-03:00

Prestige Philately, Australia ~ 5-Dec-09

Samoa 1914 1mk red stamp "G.R.I./1 Shilling." overprints (843) made a very good AUD$11500 (estimated at AUD$7500). Queensland 1903 Crown/Q Type '6' Irregular Line Perf 12½,13 £1 deep green (355) made a healthy AUD$3600. Victoria Campbell & Fergusson printing 3d deep blue (478) horizontal pair made AUD$5000. Niue 1902 1d carmine stamp with the handstamp in bluish green (651) block of 6 (3x2) made a healthy AUD$5750.
New South Wales official stamp 1887-90 overprinted 'POSTAGE' in Blue £1 mauve & claret overprinted 'O S' Type 1 (245) reached only AUD$9500 bearing in mind that only nine are known, one of which belongs to the Royal Collection.

Iberphil.com, Spain ~ 22-Dec-09
Fernando Poo 1 cts green from year 1900 estimate of €1900 made very healthy €3250. Andorra (Spain administration) serie 1935 estimate of €4500 made only €2500. A 1872 certificate (50 mils blue, six stamps) from Madrid to Burgos made €2300.

Notes
1. Prestige Philately (2010), General Public Auction #152. Consulted 14/Jan/10.
2. Iberphil.com (2010), Spain & Ex-Colonies Public Auction. Consulted 13/Jan/10.

Yvert & Tellier France catalogue updated

2010-01-12T08:00:00.003-03:00

Created in 1896, the bible of philately offers an exceptional vintage update. This new edition invites readers to discover the Stamp Booklet with the Handbook of Expert.

The Handbook of Expert: This complete study is a unique and innovative approach philately. In a large iconographic wealth, it has been conducted by leading experts. Stamps are grouped and listed by subject.
Like every year, they are reviewed and corrected by an editorial board consisting of experts and professionals in philately. The Volume 1 lists all the stamps from 1849 to July 2009. A new section dedicated specifically to self-adhesive stamps, which lists all stamps stickers. Are also those whose method of distribution does not allow collectors to enter under the same conditions as a regular stamp, leaving the choice to philatelists to integrate or not in their collection. The layout, which had already benefited from improvements in the 2009 edition continues to evolve with the systematic adoption of a highlight key information of the stamp.

Issue of the week ~ United Kingdom: Classic Album Covers Stamp Set

2010-01-11T08:00:00.012-03:00

For decades the album sleeve has been the canvas for some of the most imaginative graphic artists in the world. This stamp issue salutes this unique art form and celebrates some of the greatest examples, used by UK artists. This band of designers and photographers have not only reflected the visual styles of many musical cultures, but have also defined and created them, too. Each of these pristine stamps features an album cover that is as culturally significant as the music that it was designed to represent.

The 10 albums are: Let It Bleed (1969) by The Rolling Stones, Untitled fourth album (1971) by Led Zeppelin, The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars (1972) by David Bowie, Tubular Bells (1973) by Mike Oldfield, London Calling (1979) by The Clash, Power Corruption & Lies (1983) by New Order, Screamadelica (1991) by Primal Scream, The Division Bell (1994) by Pink Floyd, Parklife (1994) by Blur and A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) by Coldplay.

Technical details

Date of issue: 7/Jan/2010
Printing process: lithography
Stamp size: 223 mm. x 188 mm.
Sheets: miniature sheet

Visit Royal Mail online shop.

Notes
1. (2010), Royal Mail website. Consulted 3/Jan/10.

King George VI 8th edition catalogue

2010-01-05T08:00:00.004-03:00

Stanley Gibbons has recently published this long-awaited new edition of the King George VI stamp catalogue. It will be invaluable to the collector of this extraordinarily popular area of collecting. it is now up-to-date in line with the Commonwealth & Empire Stamps 2010 and contains definitive information about the stamps of this popular reign. Completely redesined into the popular new Stanley Gibbons format with increased page size and attractive design - transforming the ease of use and accessibility of the information. Includes stamps issued both Great Britain and Commonwealth countries during King George VIth's reign. Full colour throughout, all design stamps now illustrated with well over 760 images.

Notes
1. (2010), Stanely Gibbons' website. Consulted 3/Jan/2010.