Prominent People in Indonesia

Thank you Irene for this nice cover from the city of Malang.  She used two stamps released on August 17, 2011 and depicting two prominent Indonesian personalities. 

- Dr. Mohammad Natsir [1/2 - left]

Dr Mohammad Natsir (1908-1993) is a Indonesian leader in the arena of politics and state affairs.  The peak of Natsir's political career occurred when he was appointed as Prime Minister of Indonesia.  In the New Order era, Natsir helped in the process of restoring diplomatic relationships with Malaysia, Japan, and several countries in the Middle East.

- Sutomo (Bung Tomo) [2/2 - right]

Sutomo (1920-1981) also known as Bung Tomo is best known for his role as an Indonesian military leader during the Indonesian National Revolution against The Netherlands.  He Played a central role in the Battle of Surabaya when the British attacked the city in October and November 1945.

Irene also franked her letter with a stamp released on August 14, 2011 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Indonesian Scouts.  The stamp (1/3) features the artwork of the Class A Winner of the 2010 Indonesia Stamp Design Contest.

Mailing date: 29 SEP 2011
Delivery date: 22 OCT 2011

Mechanical Lacework from France

La Poste issued on October 8, 2011 an innovative series of four souvenir sheets which include pieces of real mechanical lace...  The piece of lace was hot-glued on a paper that, after having been cut, was stuck on each stamp of the four sheets with a denomination of €2,50.

Merci beaucoup Daniel for this nice FDC from the commune of Le-Puy-en-Velay, in the Haute-Loire department, south-central France.  The Bobbin lace teaching centre is located there.

Postcard showing ladies waving lace.

Description on the back of the card.

The bobbin lace from Le-Puy-en-Velay is primarily made from linen and consists of geometric patterns (such as the partitioned diamonds on the stamp above).

Three other souvenir sheets, each depicting another type of mechanical lacework, were issued besides this one, 

Mailing date: 08 OCT 2011

Delivery date: 18 OCT 2011

Law Day

The Mauritius Post issued on April 4, 2012 a set of four stamps to mark the Law Day which is meant to reflect on the role of law in the foundation of a country and to recognise its importance in our society as a whole.

The establishment and celebration of the Law Day is one of the accomplishments of the World Jurists Association.  Mauritius celebrates Law Day on March 4 each year.  On that date in 1968, the Mauritius Independance Order was passed, thereby giving birth to the Constitution of Mauritius.

The Lady Justice

Mauritius is a democratic state constitutionally based on a rock-bedded rule of law.  Our constitutuion also entrenches the principle of the separation of powers between the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary.

Thus, our Judiciary is an independent body, headed by the Supreme Court which is held in high esteem nationally and internationally.  The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the country and is vested with all the powers and jurisdiction necessary to administer the laws of Mauritius.

Cover cancelled at the Philatelic Bureau, in Port Louis, on the first day of issue.

The Supreme Court also exercises supervisory jurisdiction over the subordinate Courts in order to ensure that justice is duly administered by any such Court.  The Supreme Court has jurisdiction to determine whether any provision of the Constitution has been contravened, including the power to determine whether any law made by Parliament is void on the ground that it contravenes any of the provisions of the Constitution.

Cover cancelled at Waterfront PO on April 9, 2012.

The Law Day gives us an opportunity to pay tribute to the people of the Legal Profession in appreciation of their dedication of the ideals of equality, justice and the rule of law.  The purpose of this day is also to reflect on the legal heritage and to inculcate respect for the rule of law in our democracy.

Mint set with serial number.

Rs7 - Grand Port District Court

It is a Court of first instance and is located in Mahébourg (South East).  The Court House was renovated in 2000 whilst retaining its historical outlook.

Rs8 - Interior of a Court of Justice

This is where court proceedings are held.

Mint set with Lady Justice illustrated on gutter.

Rs15 - Sir Michel Rivalland (1910-1967)

Sir Rivalland was the first post-independence Mauritian Chief Justice.  He attended the Royal College Curepipe and was a laureate.  He joined the judiciary in 1942 and was appointed Chief Justice on February 7, 1967.

Rs20 - The Gavel

It is used in Courts of law as a symbol of authority and to represent the judicial system.

Technical Details:

Release date: 04 April 2012

Designer: Nitish Peechen

Size:  44.45 mm × 29.94 mm

Printer: Cartor Security Printing

Process: Lithography

Number per sheet: 50 stamps set in two panes of 25

Perforation gauge: 14 × 2 cm

Gum: PVA

Cover illustration: The Lady Justice

Courtesy: Marc Daruty de Grandpré (owner of painting of the Grand Port District Court).

               Rivalland Family for the photograph of late Sir Michel Rivalland.

International Customs Day 2012

For the second consecutive year, the Mauritius Post released a Special Commemorative Cover to mark the International Customs Day, commemorated every 26th January.

The theme chosen this year by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) is "Borders divide, Customs connect".

Connectivity is high on the agenda of the WCO as the concept is critical for facilitating the movement of legitimate goods and persons across borders.

The ultimate aim is to move towards a Globally Networked Customs (GNC) where the export declaration in a country becomes the import declaration in the receiving country.  This is the vision of a future Customs community - free exchange of information, not only for traded goods but also on intelligence and risk management.

The WCO has developed conventions, declarations and recommendations to facilitate connectivity, including Dta Model, Global Customs Network, n-CEN, CENCOMM, Mutual Administrative Cooperation and model Customs legislation.

The Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) has been chosen by the WCO to pilot the n-CEN and by the IATA to pilot the e-freight.  These projects are in the implementation process.  Based on the Mauritian experience, these projects would be rolled out to other administrations.

Technical Details:

Event: International Customs Day

Release date: January 26, 2012

Cover illustration:  "Borders divide, Customs connect"

Stamp: Rs8 (Sampan) of the Ship Models Issue (2005)

Postcard from Gotha, Germany

Gotha is a town in Thuringia, within the central core of Germany.  It is the capital of the district of Gotha.  Thank you Jiayi for this nice postcard showing the downtown of Gotha. :)

Jiayi used a stamp issued jointly by Germany and Japan in 2011 to commemorate 150 years of diplomatic relations between those two countries.  The stamp depicts the Regensburg Cathedral, built between 1273 and 1520, in the medieval centre of the city of Regensburg - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The second stamp of this set illustrates Yakushi-ji Temple in Nara City, Southern Japan built from 680 till 697.

Mailing date: 03 October 2011

Delivery date: 18 October 2011

Peafowl from China

The peafowl is a non-migrant bird.  There are only two species of it in the world.  The green ones (Pavo muticus) are found in western and southern Yunnan of China and Southeast Asia, and the blue ones (Pavo cristanis) inhabit India and Sri Lanka.  The white peafowl is the albino aberrant form of the blue peafowl. 

Peafowl dwell in subtropical grasslands and jungles less than 2000 metres above sea level.  They usually move in flocks of 3 or 5 and feed on grass, seeds, fruits and insects.  The male bird is over 2 metres in length, in iridescent blue and green, with a crest and tail coverts.  The coverts make a splendid fan when spread, and are like a beautiful curtain when closed.  The female does not have tail coverts and is pale brown on the back. Peafowl are precious birds that people love as a symbol of auspiciousness.

China Post issued on April 13, 2004 the above set of 2 stamps (2004-6) depicting the green peafowl (representing grace) and the white one (representing charm).  Thank you very much Wei for this beautiful cover posted from Suzhou. =)

Mailing date: 27 September 2011

Delivery date: 28 October 2011

Large Indian Civet in Singapore

Singapore Post issued a set of 14 definitive stamps on the Fauna and Flora of Singapore on June 7, 2007.  The denominations range from 5 cents to $10.  The $1,10 stamp, which is affixed on the cover above posted from Rochor Road Post Office, depicts the Large Indian Civet.

The Large Indian Civet (Viverra zibetha) is a grizzled greyish brown mammal native to Southeast Asia.  The species is classified as Near Threatened, mainly because of the known heavy trade as wild meat.  They are nocturnal and solitary beings.  In essence, Large Indian Civets are terrestrial, yet they could climb as well.  One marks his own place via the gland secretions, and this is not just for "territorial purposes", but as a simple means of identification of the place.  It produces a substance called 'civet', which is used commercially in perfumes.

Mailing date: 29 December 2011

Delivery date: 10 January 2012

Benyoucef Benkhedda in Algeria

Benyoucef Benkhedda (1920-2003) was an Algerian politician.  He headed the third Groupement Provisoire de la République Algérienne (GPRA) exile government of the National Liberation Front (FLN), acting as a leader during the Algerian War (1954-62).  At the end of the war, he was briefly the de jure leader of the country, however he was quickly sidelined by more conservative figures.

Thanks Omar for this FDC released on September 19, 2011 and posted from Imama, Tlemcen.

Mailing date: 28 September 2011

Delivery date: 15 October 2011

Significant Rivers of Singapore & Egypt

Singapore Post issued on October 17, 2011 a set of 2 stamps (probably the longest on Earth - 162mm × 30mm) to celebrate the strong bilateral relations between Singapore and Egypt.  A very original theme to illustrate this issue: Significant Rivers!

The Singapore River has accompanied the people of Singapore since 1819 when the country was created while the Egyptians have always depended on the Nile, the longest river in the world, ever since the time of the Pharaohs.

Special thanks to Terence for this amazing First Day Cover sent form Singapore Post Centre.  (=

Mailing date: October 17, 2011

Delivery date: October 25, 2011

Happy Year of the Dragon!

I wish you all a very joyful and prosperous Year of the Dragon! :)

In traditional Chinese culture, the Dragon is an auspicious, mythical creature incarnated as an emperor, representing supreme power and commanding great respect.  It is believed that people born in the Year of the Dragon are confident, courageous and clever.

I seize this occasion to present the Year of the Dragon covers I received:

Chunghwa Post issued on December 1, 2011 (year 100) a set of 2 stamps and a souvenir sheet to commemorate the Lunar New Year.  Thank you James for the interesting FDC above. (=

The NT$3.50 stamp represents a pair of dragons staring into each other’s eyes, thus conveying the idea of “belonging to each other” and symbolizing that “all one’s wishes will come true.” 

In the NT$13.00 stamp, the image of this dragon holding its head up high and ready to spring into action represents “pride” and symbolizes “joy and good health.”

Finally we have this nice FDC which I bought on January 9, 2012 in Hong Kong.  Unfortunately the stamps were to be released only on January 14...  so couldn't affix them on the cover.

Mailing date: December 1, 2011 (Taiwan)
Delivery date: December 12, 2011

Europa 2010 & Astérix from France

The 2010 Europa theme was Children Books and so Phil@poste issued on May 9, 2010 a single stamp (0.70 €).  The stamp illustrates a girl engrossed in reading a book and sitting on a pile of books, and surrounded by famous children characters: The Beauty & the Beast and Cinderella.

The 0,56 € stamps depicts the renowned comic book character Astérix.  This stamp, issued on December 3, 2009 with a very nice souvenir sheet, commemorates the 50th anniversary of this very much-appreciated children character.  Designed by Albert Uderzo, the plot shows how Astérix, along with his friend Obélix, the latter's pet Dogmatix and the rest of their Gaul village, resist Roman occupation.

On the occasion of the 84th Congress of the Fédération Française des Associations Philatéliques (10-13 June 2011, Metz), La Poste issued the 0,58 € stamp, with a vignette, on the top right of the envelope.  Three landmarks are illustrated on the stamp and the vignette:  the Saint-Stephen Cathedral and the Protestant Temple Neuf (stamp) and the Medieval City gate - or Porte des Allemands (vignette).

Lastly, we have a stamp designed by Pierre Albuisson which portrays the ruins of the Gaul temple of  Janus and two statues from the Saint-Lazare cathedral which can be seen in the background.  The commune of Autun, in the Saône-et-Loire department, in eastern France, is home to all of these iconic figures.

Thank you very much Eric! :D

Mailing date: 27 September 2011

Delivery date: 03 October 2011

Moths & Butterfly from Kenya

Hi everybody!  Wish you all a very Happy New Year!  (=

So here we go with this nice mail from Nakuru, Kenya.  Thx a lot Bhavin for my first cover from this country! :D

From right to left, the KSh 25 stamps depict:

-  The Hodebertia testalis, a species of moth.  Moths are insects closely related to the butterfly with most species being nocturnal.

-  The Zalaca snelleni, another species of moth.

-  The Red Tip Butterfly (Colotis antevippe), found in the Afrotropic ecozone.

These stamps were issued in 2011 to promote the work of the The African Insect Science for Food and Health (ICIPE), previously the International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology.  It was established in Kenya in 1970 and its mission is to help alleviate poverty, ensure food security and improve the overall health status of peoples of the tropics by developing and extending management tools and strategies for harmful and useful arthropods, ie. insects, arachnids, crustaceans and myriapods.

Note the 2 distinct postmarks - one using blue ink and the other one black ink - applied on this envelope...

Mailing date: 22 November 2011

Delivery date: 30 November 2011

My First Mail from Denmark!

Thank you Lars for this cover posted from Sydjyllands Postcenter. :)  If I'm not mistaken, the postmark indicates that the stamps were canceled at midnight!

The 70 øre stamp was issued in 1973 and depicts the 'Crowned with Thorns, and carrying the Cross', a fresco in Biersted Church, Jutland, painted around 1400.

The 160 øre stamp illustrates the childhood home of Kaj Munk, a Danish priest and resistance man during Second World War, killed by the Nazis in 1944.   His home is situated in Opager, the island of Lolland.

Finally, the 12.50 kr stamp was issued on 15 May 2002 along with three other stamps, each showcasing a landscape photograph by Kirsten Klein.  Here its the district of Thy which is depicted.

Mailing date: 20 September 2011

Delivery date: 05 October 2011

100th Anniversary of Medine

The Medine Sugar Estates was created in 1911 and operates on the west coast of Mauritius.  Sugarcane, amongst other cultures in place at that time, gradually became the company's main focus and has over the years driven the company's strategies accordingly.

In 2004, foreseeing the end of the Sugar Protocol with the European Union and the need to rethink its operation and strategy, the company commissioned a team of town-planners, architects and sociologists to elaborate the Medine Master Plan 2005-2025.  This document stands as a blue-print for Medine's judicious integrated and diversified developments and projects for the next 20 years.

In 2009, The Medine Sugar Estates Co. Ltd. was renamed Medine Limited, in accordance with the company's new development strategy and vision, as well as its restructuring into tree main clusters, namely Agriculture, Property and Leisure.

Medine was a pioneer in the conception and implementation of the first Mauritian Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS), the Tamarina Golf Estate.

Technical Details:

Event: Centenary of The Medine Sugar Estates

Release date: November 11, 2011

Cover illustration:  The Tamarina Golf Estate

Stamp: Rs25 (Medine Sugar Factory) of the Anniversaries and Events Issue (2011)

Oriental Small-Clawed Otter in Singapore

The Oriental small-clawed otter is the smallest member of these semi-aquatic carnivores, weighing less than 5 kg.  Singapore Post featured this mammal on a set of 4 se-tenant stamps released on June 3, 2011 and designed by Edmund Chen.

It inhabits mangrove swamps and freshwater wetlands, living in groups of about six or more animals.  This otter is distinctive for its forepaws, as the claws do not extend above the fleshy end pads of its toes and fingers.  These attributes give it a high degree of manual dexterity in using its paws to feed on molluscs, crabs and other small aquatic animals.

Due to ongoing habitat loss, pollution and hunting in some areas, the Oriental small-clawed otter is evaluated as 'vulnerable' on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

A big thank you Terence for this awesome FDC!  :-)

Mailing date: October 17, 2011

Delivery date: October 25, 2011

Travel in Taiwan!

So as to provide its customers with more design options, Chunghwa Post released a set of stamps on September 27, 2011 centering on travel in Taiwan with ten designs, with each of the designs depicting a famous scenic spot of Taiwan thus taking us on a round-the-island tour, and printed in two denominations: NT$3.5 and NT$5.

Thank you James for the nice FDC above, affixed with five of the ten NT$5 stamps.  From left to right:

- Love River in Kaohsiung.  After an environmental restoration, Love River has become a new spotlighted feature of the city. Th e dragon boat races held during the Dragon Boat Festival captures perfectly the passion and energy of southern Taiwan.

- Kenting.  Kenting is a hot tourist destination in the summer.  Lazily sunbathing under the blue sky or sitting under an umbrella is a perfect way to enjoy a hot summer day on the beach.

- The Liushidan Mountain.  The yellow sea of daylilies there creates a mystical Shangri-La in Hualian.  The stamp depicts a plainly dressed farming woman happily and diligently picking daylily flowers.

- The Taroko National Park. The Park offers a treasure chest of geological resources.  Two visitors joyously gesturing on a winding trail while marveling at the craftsmanship of Mother Nature.

- Jiufen.  To enjoy a drizzling day in this mountain town is to sip tea in a tea house while gazing upon tourists strolling down the quaint street outside. ;-)

Mailing date: October 1, 2011

Delivery date: October 11, 2011

Cover and Stamp Sets from China

Today I show you a mail which traveled for exactly 1 month around the world... :)  The stamps from right to left:

- 3元 stamp issued on 17 November 1994 (1994-19) as a souvenir sheet to mark the 4th Congress of the All-China Philatelic Federation (ACPF) held in Beijing on the same day as the date of issue.  Set up on Jan. 30, 1982, the ACPF was admitted as a full member by the International Philatelic Federation and the Inter-Asia Philatelic Federation respectively in 1983.

- 50分 stamp taken from a set of 4 stamps released on October 13, 1998 (1998-22) on the Longquan Kiln-China's Ceramics.

- 4.50元 stamp from the Foreign Musicians set of July 2010 (2010-19).  This stamp portrays  Ludwig van Beethoven (贝多芬 in Chinese, 1770-1827) one of the most famous composers and pianists ever.  Jean-Sébastien Bach (1685-1750), Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) are illustrated on the 3 other stamps of that issue.

- I could not find much information about the last stamp... ):   But it looks like its the Chrysanthemum which is a very popular flower in China.

Jiayi enclosed wonderful sets of stamps... Enjoy! (=

Landscapes in Dali (2000-8/ April 19,2000)

Architecture of Dai Nationality (1998-8/ April 12, 1998)

Taer Lamasery (2000-9/ May 5, 2000)

Seaside Landscapes - Joint Issue with Cuba (2000-18/ September 26, 2000)

Development of Chongqing (2007-15/ June 8, 2007)

Centenary of the Invention of the Airplane (2003-14/ August 9, 2003)

Airports (2008-25/ September 28, 2008)

Heartfelt thx to Jiayi! =D

Mailing date: 26 July 2011

Delivery date: 26 August 2011

Blanket Seller from Myanmar

A big thank you Wei for this awesome card - my first one by the way :) - from the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.  It shows a smiling lady selling a pile of colourful blankets.

 

The K30 stamp depicts the saung or the Myanmar harp, used in traditional Burmese music and the only surviving harp in Asia today.

Mailing date: 25 October 2011

Delivery date: 17 November 2011

Tea Industry

The Mauritius Post issued today December 19, 2011 a set - the last one for 2011 - of 4 postage stamps on the theme Tea Industry.

Tea is well anchored in Mauritian culture and the average consumption of tea is 1 kilo per head yearly.  With the increasing awareness of the population to adopt dietary habits that promote health, it is expected that Mauritians will continue to drink tea.

Scientific evidence is being acquired to confirm that tea is good for health and its consumption may reduce the development of heart diseases.

Tea (Camellia sinensis) was introduced in Mauritius by a French priest, Father Galloys, in 1760.  However, under French rule tea cultivation was not a priority and even the famous botanist Pierre Poivre kept it as a museum plant.

 

In the early 19th century, Sir Robert Farquhar, Governor of Mauritius, encouraged tea cultivation on commercial scale.  Plantations were encouraged and reached 190 hectares by the end of the century.  One of the pioneers was Mr. Raoul Corson.  After the second World War, Government accelerated the development of the industry and launched the Tea Smallholding Scheme and the Tea Project Planters' Scheme in 1955.

Mint set with serial number.

In 1960, Government decided to further intensify tea development in the super humid zones not suitable for sugarcane cultivation.  A Tea Development Authority (TDA) was created and by 1975, a total of 1234 additional hectares of tea were planted.  

The Tea Project Planters' Scheme encountered many difficulties and was taken by the TDA in 1974 and was subsequently absorbed into the Tea Smallholding Scheme.  It was only in 1984 when the price of tea increased on the world market that it was possible to lease out all the tea plantations.

In 1994, following a report on the future of the Public Tea Sector, Government took the decision to convert tea plantations into sugarcane principally.  The project started in 1995 and was completed in 2000.  Some 2500 hectares of tea plantation were in fact converted.

Presently some 1400 planters cultivate an area of around 715 hectares under tea.  The local production of tea annually ranges from 1300 to 1600 tons.  Three tea factories, namely: Corson Tea Estate Co. Ltd., La Chartreuse Tea Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and Société Usinière de Bois Chéri are in operation.  This production is domestic-oriented.  Tea is no more exported in a significant quantity, thus it can no longer be considered as a foreign exchange earner.

Technical Details:

Release date: 19 December 2011

Designer: Nitish Peechen
Denomination & illustration: Rs7 - Tea Leaves and Bud
                                           Rs8 - Tea Plucking
                                           Rs15 - Tea Product
                                           Rs25 - Tea Beverage

Size:  44.45 mm × 29.94 mm

Printer: BDT International Security Printing Ltd.

Process: Lithography

Number per sheet: 50 stamps set in two panes of 25

Perforation gauge: 14 × 2 cm

Gum: PVA

Courtesy: Corson Tea Estate Co. Ltd.  (Photo on Rs7 postage stamp)

                                                           (Painting illustrated on the FDC)