Lighthouses in Germany

Deutsche Post issued on June 7, 2011 a set - the second for 2011 - of two special postage stamps depicting Arngast and Dahmeshöved lighthouses.  This issue is part of the "Bacon" series which aims to raise awareness of the diversity of German lighthouses.

55c - The Arngast lighthouse is located about 4.5 km away from South Beach.  Since its commissioning in 1910, this maritime signpost is in continuous operation.  The 36-meter-high lighthouse is part of the traffic safety system at the Jade.  Its white light has a range of 21.0 nautical miles (approximately 40 km).  In 2003 the Arngast lighthouse entered the list of Germany's cultural monuments.

90c - The Dahmeshöved lighthouse was built in the years 1878-1879 at the Bay of Lubeck in Schleswig-Holstein and was put into operation in February 1880.  The octagonal lighthouse is built of red brick and has a round iron lantern.  The building is approximately 29 m high.  Due to its location, a few metres above sea level, this lighthouse has the mounting height with 34 m above sea level.  Its white light has a range of 23 nautical miles (approx. 43 km).  The lighthouse is open for public since January 1, 2003. 

Thank you very much Martin! :)

Mailing date: September 3, 2011

Delivery date: September 14, 2011

World Telugu Conference

The Mauritius Telugu Cultural Centre Trust along with the Mauritius Andhra Maha Sabha and the Telugu Speaking Union are hosting a World Telugu Conference in Mauritius from 8 to 10 December 2011.

Telugu as a language is of Dravidian origin, borrowing heavily on Sanskrit.  During the middle ages the word Andhra became synonym with Telugu and Tenugu.

Telugu is the second largest spoken language in India after the Hindi.  It is also the mother tongue for several Telugus living outside Andhra Pradesh and India.

The last World Conference organised in Mauritius was in December 1990.  Since the first World Telugu Conference in April 1975, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has not organised any conference either in Andhra Pradesh or outside except for the one in Malaysia in 1981.

The 2011 conference is being held at the Srimathi Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture located at Phoenix.  The subject for discussions will be on language, culture, traditions, arts and music.  Eminent personalities have been invited to make presentations.

Technical details:

Event: World Telugu Conference

Release date: 8 December 2011

Cover illustration: 2011 Conference Logo

Stamp: Rs7 (Aapravasi Ghat) of the Mauritius in World Heritage issue (2011)

150th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy II

I've already talked about the 150th anniversary of the Italian Unification and the issue of 9 miniature sheets by Poste Italiane here.  Today, I show you the sheet issued jointly by Italy and San Marino.  It shows, on the right of the stamp, the portraits of Anita and Giuseppe Garibaldi, and on the left, the Towers atop Mount Titano that symbolise the Republic of San Marino.

Thanks Ivan for your nice cover and the maxicard above.  This 60c stamp was issued on 13 January 1983 by Deutsche Bundespost Berlin (German Federal Mail of Berlin), the former governmental agency providing mail and telecommunication services for West Berlin from 1949 until 1990.

Mailing date: 18 August 2011

Delivery date: 30 August 2011

60th Anniversary of Petrusmok

Petrusmok is the most revolutionary book ever written by Mauritian author Malcolm de Chazal.  This masterpiece of 580 pages was penned in 170 days between July 11 and December 28, 1950!

In Petrusmok, Malcolm de Chazal reads through the strange sculpture of the mountains of Mauritius the signs of a mythical past, that of the lost continent of Lemuria.  According to legend, these mountains of Lemuria have been carved by a race of giants whose descendants still inhabit the island and have a language based on the analogy and correspondence.  The carcasses of giant trees and fossils constituting, for the inspired Petrusmok, the obvious remains of this civilisation.  That is what gives the Mauritian collective memory enough to feed his imagination for years to come, the myth giving up the fable to become the collective thought of an ancient people.

An extract from Petrusmok...

Sixty years later, this book still keeps its strength and is still a source of poetry giving another glimpse of the insular reality of Mauritius.

Technical Details:

Event: 60th Anniversary of Petrusmok (1951-2011)

Release date: September 12, 2011

Cover illustration:  Portray of Malcolm de Chazal (1902-1981) + Quote: "Jamais le poète n'est plus vivant que  quand il est mort."

Stamp: Rs7 (Corps de Garde) of Mountains issue (2004)

Modern Art from Taiwan

ChungHwa Post issued on August 9, 2010 a set of 2 se-tenant gutter pair stamps portraying contemporary Taiwanese paintings.  James kindly affixed the stamps on the cover above posted from Taipei... thank you by the way! ><

The NT$5 stamp depicts Tsai Yun-yan (1908-1977) Bamboo Grove in Early Summer.  Bamboo Grove in Early Summer depicts the lush scenery of a bamboo grove with layers of bamboo overlaid with the foliage of a giant elephant’s ear and a loquat tree.  A bird perches on a branch of tree bringing a greater sense of vivacity to the painting.

Pear Espalier (NT$25) by Lu Yun-sheng (1913-1968) depicts the scene of a pear tree in full bloom and laden with fruits.

Mailing date: 16.08.2011

Delivery date: 25.08.2011

Postcard from Alberta, Canada

Another card from Glenn!  This time it shows the Alberta Badlands.  Badlands are a type of dry and barren terrain where softer sedimentary rocks and clay-rich soils have been extensively eroded by wind and water.  Canyons, ravines, gullies, hoodoos and other such geological forms are common in badlands.  They are often difficult to navigate by foot and often have a spectacular colour display that alternates from dark black/blue coal stria to bright clays to red scoria.

I'm told that the Alberta Badlands are 130km and 2½ hours drive northeast of Calgary.

Glenn used, from left to right, stamps depicting the Monarch butterfly's caterpillar (Danaus plexippus) and 3 of the 4 Mohawk Kings, namely: Sa Ga Yeath Qua Pieth Tow, Ho Nee Yeath Taw No Row and Etow Oh Koam. The fourth King is Tee Yee Ho Ga Row.  Thank you again Glenn! ><

Mailing date: August 8, 2011 (?)

Delivery date: August 24, 2011

1988 Winter Olympics Souvenir from Canada

The 1988 Winter Olympics were held in and around Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 13 to 28 February 1988.  57 nations and 1,423 athletes participated in those XV Winter Olympics, with 5 countries making their debut in the Winter Olympics.  The Soviet Union topped the medal table with 11 gold medals, 9 silver ones and 9 bronze medals, followed by East Germany and Switzerland.

Glenn sent me an amazing postcard from Creekside, Airdrie, Alberta showing the Canada Olympic Park lit at night.  During the 1988 Games, it was the main venue for bobsledding, luge, ski jumping and free style events.  Canada Olympic Park nowadays serves as a world class training centre, recreational ski hill and year-round tourist attraction.

Glenn franked his mail with, from left to right, a Royal Wedding stamp, another one dedicated to Canadian singer-songwriters Kate and Anna McGarrigle, and a 59c stamp celebrating the centennial of Canadian Parks.  Thx Glenn! -_-

Mailing date: August 8, 2011 (?)

Delivery date: August 24, 2011

Birth Centenary of Seewa Bappoo

The Mauritius Post is issuing a Special Commemorative Cover to commemorate the birth centenary of Hon. Seewa Bappoo.

Mr. Bappoo was born on November 10, 1911 in Vacoas, the eldest of 8 children to Mr. and Mrs. Ramchandar Bappoo.  His grandparents were both from Ratnagiri, in Maharashtra, India.

He was educated at the Church of England School in Phoenix and at the Curepipe Boys' School, and then completed his secondary education at the Royal College of Curepipe.

Mr. Bappoo was a keen philatelist and a lover of nature, mostly of the sea world.  He was also passionate about roses, especially blue ones.

From November 1963 to November 1976 he was a Member of the Legislative Assembly, and from 1974 to 1976 was appointed Parliamentary Secretary until he retired from politics.

In 1965, Bappoo attended the London Constitutional Conference at Lancaster House, which paved the way for independent Mauritius.

In his maiden speech in December 1963, he said "that independence will come as a natural step in the development of any upsurge country.  To get our independence we must show ourselves up to standard, as we are far from facts that everyday proved our political maturity.  We must be determined to goive every citizen his freedom and employment, by helping the enlargement of various industries, helping the creation of new ones, facilitating the industrial, agricultural and economic development of Mauritius and eventually a real industrialisation of Mauritius.  We sincerely hope that we will help towards the progress and prosperity of this country, the pearl of the Indian Ocean."

In 1981, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the Queen Elizabeth II for his cultural involvement in the Marathi community in Mauritius and his political contributions from 1963 to 1976.

The late Honourable Seewa Bappoo passed away on March 3, 1992 at the age of 80.

Technical details:

Event: Birth Centenary of Honourable Seewa Bappoo, O.B.E.

Release date: December 3, 2011

Cover illustration: Portray of Seewa Bappoo, Underwater View & the 4 Colours of the Mauritian Flag

Stamp: Rs8 (fish repopulation) of the Ecology issue (2006)

The Singapore Spirit!

SingPost issued on August 8, 2011 a beautiful set of 4 stamps and a miniature sheet to celebrate Singapore's National Day.  This year's topic was Areas of Historic Significance in Singapore.  Besides, a postcard showing a wonderful night view of the Marina Bay where the National Day Parade (NDP) takes place was also released.  I received this card a few months ago from Terence.  Thank you! :-)

The 50c stamp illustrates Taman Jurong, one of the oldest inhabited areas of Singapore, as it is nowadays, i.e. a business and leisure destination in western Singapore.  The term 'Majulah!', inscribed in the first day cachet, is a famous one in Singapore which refers to the dynamism of the country and to its national anthem.

Mailing date: 08.08.2011

Delivery date: 25.08.2011

Royal Wedding in Monaco

Prince Albert II of Monaco married former South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock on 1 July last.  The wedding took place over two days: the civil marriage ceremony on 1 July 2011, followed by the religious ceremony on 2 July 2011  at the Royal Palace by the Mediterranean sea.  Up to 3,500 guests, from French President Nicolas Sarkozy to the heir to the Spanish throne, as well as fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld and supermodel Naomi Campbell, attended the lavish celebrations in Monaco afterwards.

Prince Albert II, 53, has been the ruler of Monaco since the death of his father, Prince Rainier III, in 2005.   Charlene Wittstock represented South Africa at the Commonwealth Games before competing in Sydney as part of the women's medley relay team that finished fifth in the final.

Panoramic view of Monaco

To commemorate this memorable event, the 'Office des Emissions de Timbres-Poste de Monaco' (OETP) issued a splendid set of 5 stamps and a souvenir sheet on the same day as the wedding.  The 0,89 stamp is featured on the nice souvenir envelope above sent from Monte Carlo.  Un très grand merci à David de France! 8-)

The slogan postmark reads: Centenaire de l'Institut Océanographique de Paris.  Comprendre, aimer, protéger les océans.  1911-2011.

Mailing date: September 6, 2011

Delivery date: September 12, 2011

HIV & AIDS Awareness

Today being World AIDS Day, I take this opportunity to share with you this FDC released by the Mauritius Post on October 9, 2011 in the context of World Post Day and to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Discovery of the Virus of AIDS.

Mauritius has an estimated HIV prevalence of 0,97% among the adult population, of which 5030 cases are known according to July 2011 statistics.  An average of 35 new cases of HIV are being registered every month.  20% of the affected population are women.

First Day Cachet...

The epidemic in Mauritius is driven by injecting drugs and is of a concentrated nature with prevalence as high as 47.4% among injecting drug users, 28.9% in commercial sex workers and 8.1% in men having sex with men.

To address the epidemic, the National HIV and AIDS Stategic Framework 2007-2011 is being implemented.  It is geared towards universal access to prevention, care & support, with a particular attention to the prevention of new infection amongst our Most At Risk Populations.

Unofficial FDC...

Harm Reduction Programmes, namely the Needle Exchange Programme and the Methadone Substitution Programme for injecting drugs users have been put in place to contain the epodemic among people who inject drugs.  Treatment facilities are decentralised in regional hospitals and anti retroviral therapy is provided free of charge to people living with HIV.

Special World Post Day handstamp...

Prevention being the only vaccine against HIV, information, education and communication campaigns are ongoing at community level and in the media.  An HIV and AIDS Act was passed in 2006 in order to provide a legal framework for the prevention and treatment of HIV, to protect the rights of people living with HIV and AIDS, and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against them.

... and World Post Day date stamp.

A multi-sectoral approach has been adopted to fight HIV in the country.  The response engages in Government, NGOs, civil society and the private sector, and is led by the National AIDS Secretariat based in the Prime Minister's Office.

Cancelled-to-order block of four

"Let us fight HIV,

not people living with HIV."

Technical Details:

Release date:  09 OCT 2011

Designer: Nitish Peechen

Illustration: National HIV/ AIDS Logo

Printer: BDT Intl. Security Printing Ltd.

Process: Lithography

Size: 29.94 mm ×44.45 mm

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

Perforation gauge: 14 × 2 cm

Gum: PVA

Courtesy: National AIDS Secretariat (Prime Minister's Office)

                Prévention Information Lutte contre le Sida (PILS)

2010 World Expo Souvenir from China

Thank you Danny for the postal stationery above sent from the City of Shanghai.  The imprinted stamp illustrates the 2010 World Expo logo featuring the Chinese character 世, which means 'World' in Chinese, on a green background and a world map.  The mascot of the Expo 2010, Haibao, is also present on this stamped envelope.

The postage was completed with the 4,20元 stamp from the Birds definitive series and with the 10分 stamp from the Protection of Our Planet definitive set.

Mailing date - August 2, 2011

Delivery date - August 23. 2011

2012 Olympics and Paralympics from the UK

Well, as all of you know, the 2012 Summer Olympic Games will take place in London, UK from 27 July to 12 August 2012 and from 29 August till 9 September for the Paralympic Games.  204 countries and 10,500 athletes are estimated to take part in those XXX Olympiad in 26 Olympic sports.

Royal Mail is commemorating London’s hosting of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by issuing three sets of 10 x 1st Class stamps in the run up to the London 2012 Games in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

The concept is to issue 30 stamps to mark the 30th Olympiad and London 2012 Paralympic Games. Each of the sporting areas celebrated in these Games will have its own stamp and each of the 30 stamps will be created by a different contemporary artist, illustrator or designer.  The first set of 10 was issued in 2009, the second in 2010, and the third on July 27 last.

Thank you Nigel who affixed the Cycling stamp from the 2010 issue and the Paralympic sailing, Athletics field and Beach volleyball stamps from  the 2011 set on the lovely cover above.  Note that the logo for the 2012 Paralympics is slightly different form the Olympics one.

Mailing date: 11 August 2011

Delivery date:  18 August 2011

New Cover from France

Here's a cover sent from Lyon and franked with interesting stamps (as usual) pertaining to various topics.  Big thank you to Eric! =)

France had the honour to assume the Presidency of the G-20 in 2011 with the summit held from 3-4 November last in Cannes.  The town of Deauville on the other hand hosted the G-8 Summit earlier this year in May.  La Poste issued on July 11, 2011 a special 0,89€ stamp to mark these unique events.  The motto "Nouveau monde, nouvelles idées" (New World, New Ideas) and the logo of this 6th meeting of the G-20/ 8 are present on the stamp.  The G-20 represents 85% of the global economy and two third of the world population.  Its principle is based on a system of annual rotating presidency.  

La Poste also issued a commemorative stamp on June 23, 2011 to celebrate the birth centenary of former President - from 1962 to 1968 - Georges Pompidou (1911-1974).  The stamp was designed by Yves Beaujard, also the designer of the Marianne stamps, from a photograph taken at the reception by President Pompidou of British Prime Minister Edward Heath, with in the background the Georges Pompidou Centre, designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers.

 
The Railways of Provence are made ​​up of three rail networks among which the Alps network with the line between Nice and Digne-les-Bains, completed in 1911, being among its lines.  Today under the authority of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, it is the only railway line still in operation and carries more than 400,000 passengers per year.  The line will soon have one new and more modern rail car.  The 0,58€ stamp, designed by Claude Perchat and released on June 27, 2011 illustrates the 'Train des Pignes'.

Mailing date: August 8, 2011

Delivery date: August 16, 2011

Flora from Jersey

Heartfelt thanks to James from Taiwan who once again managed to send me a cover from the island of Jersey. -_-

Jersey Post's interpretation of PostEurop's 2011 theme Year of Forestry focuses on the foliages of trees which can be found in Jersey's woodland areas.  The 55p stamp on the envelope above illustrates the Beech (Fagus sylvatica).  The 3 other stamps of this set released on February 8, 2011 depict the Silver Birch, the English Oak and the Lime respectively.

The Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa) is depicted on the 25p stamp, issued on 22 June 2007 along with 7 other ones.  This flowering plant is the sole food of the butterfly species Polyommatus coridon, or the Chalkhill Blue.

Mailing date - 30 August 2011

Delivery date - 10 September 2011

Bangkok 2000 Stamp Exhibitions from Indonesia

From 25th March to 3rd April 2000, Bangkok hosted the World Youth Stamp Exhibition and the 13th Asian International Stamp Exhibition.  To commemorate its participation at these meetings, Pos Indonesia issued on March 23, 2000 a special souvenir sheet depicting the King Dragon (Naga Raja in Sanskrit) flying.  The logo of these events is also present on the upper right hand side of the sheet.

A big thank you to Irene for this nice cover! :)  She completed her postage with a stamp from the Year of the Rabbit set issued at the beginning of the year and which I've already talked about in a previous post.

Mailing date: August 8, 2011 (?)

Delivery date: August 16, 2011

My First Cover from Mexico

Thx a lot Pablo for sending me my first cover from your country. :-)  He first used two 50c stamps released in 2010 to mark the centennial of aviation in Mexico.  The Beechcraft T-34 Mentor (left) is a propeller-driven and single-engined military trainer aircraft.  The Douglas DC-3 (right) on the other hand is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s.  Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made.  Many DC-3s are still used in all parts of the world.

Mexico hosted from 18 June to 10 July 2011 the FIFA U-17 World Cup (Copa Mundial Sub-17 de la FIFA México 2011 in Spanish).  Mexico won the cup, being the first team to achieve it as hosts defeating Uruguay 2-0 and managing their second title in the category.  Correos de México hence issued a nice set of 3 stamps (above) on June 15, 2011 to mark this event.

Conserva set

The last stamp portrays Daniel Cosío Villegas (1898-1976) who was a prominent Mexican economist, essayist, historian and diplomat. This stamp was issued in 2001 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his death.

Special thx again to Pablo for that nice cover and the awesome stamps enclosed! :)

Mailing date - 5 July 2011

Delivery date - 12 August 2011

Gorges du Tarn Postcard in France

Daniel sent me this colourful postcard showing The Gorges du Tarn, a touristic canyon formed by the Tarn River between the Causse Méjean and the Causse de Sauveterre, in southern France.  The canyon, mainly located in the Lozère department, and partially in the Aveyron department, is about 53 km long.

Daniel affixed a beautiful stamp issued on May 5, 2011 about Reims Cathedral, a cathedral of the thirteenth century.  Major achievement of Gothic art in France, it is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1991.  In spring 2011, the cathedral will celebrate its 800th anniversary.  As such, La Poste  issued a block of two round-shaped stamps showcasing the colourful and beautiful stained glasses of the Cathedral.  The 2 other stamps on this card are Beaujeard's Marianne definitive.

Un grand merci à Daniel! ><

Mailing date:  29.07.2011

Delivery date: 13.08.2011

International Commemorative Events 2011

The Mauritius Post released on September 8, 2011 a set of 3 stamps to celebrate international (scientific) events.  It was the first time ever that stamps of denominations Rs11 & Rs17 were issued.

Rs11 - 250th Anniversary of the Observation of the Transit of Venus from Rodrigues

Mauritius takes pride in having been associated (concurrently with 61 other sites of observation around the world) with the astronomical study of the Transit of Venus on June 2, 1761.  The 'Académie des Sciences' sent a team headed by French scientist and Clergyman Cannon Alexandre-Gui Pingré for this observation in the island of Rodrigues.

In spite of the unpredictable climatic conditions, the mission was successful.  Pingré observed the track of Venus over the disk of the Sun and the distance of Venus to the border edge of the sun, with a micrometer applied to the bezel of 18 foot.  At the same time, a member of his team observed the passages from the edges of the Sun and Venus by a wire horizontal and vertical of a quarter-circle.

 In his report submitted to the 'Académie des Sciences', Clergyman cannon Pingré described the methodology used to define the observations of the parallax of the Sun.  From the observations made in Rodrigues in 1761 and those of 1769 in Saint Domingue (Caribbean region), he calculated the distance of the Sun to be of 92,796,950 miles which is only at 0,17% of the estimated distance of 92,956,038 miles.

The ecliptic conjunction of the Venus and the Sun lasted for 6 hours.

Rs12 - International Year of Chemistry

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry in conjunction with the UN and UNESCO have proclaimed the year 2011 to be the International Year of Chemistry (IYC 2011).  The goals of IYC 2011 are to increase public appreciation of chemistry, to encourage interest in chemistry among young people and to generate enthusiasm for the creative future of chemistry.

2011 coincides with the centenary of the Nobel Prize awarded to Marie Curie and this is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women to Science.  This year also marks the centenary of the founding of the International Association of Chemical Societies, providing a chance to highlight the benefits of international scientific collaboration.

The stamp illustrates chemists at work and on the right Mendeleev's Periodic Table and the chemical formula for water, H₂O.

Rs17 - International year of Forests

The UN General Assembly has proclaimed 2011 as the International Year of Forests which conveys the theme of  "Forests for People".  It celebrates the central role of people in the sustainable development of our world's forests.  The Forests and Reserves Act No.41 of 1983 caters for the protection and management of state forests and reserves.

The forests of Mauritius were once abundant sources of valuable timber and this situation led to the decimation of most of our indigenous forest during early colonisation.  Today, less than 2% of the total surface area of Mauritius is still occupied by native forest.  However, in an attempt to conserve and reforest degraded land, the Forestry Service, in collaboration with other institutions are actively involved in the conservation and restoration programs to recreate the pristine ecosystems.

The stamp shows a native forest in Mauritius.

Technical Details:

Release date - September 8, 2011

Designer - Nitish Peechen

Printer - BDT International Security Printing Ltd.

Process - Lithography

Size - 29.94 mm × 44.45 mm

Perforation gauge - 14 × 2cm

Gum - PVA
Sheet format - 50 stamps set in two panes of 25

Anniversaries and Events 2011

The Mauritius Post issued on June 30 last a set of 4 stamps to commemorate various Anniversaries and Events for the year 2011.

Rs7 - Population Census

The 18th population census was carried out in the Republic of Mauritius from  20 June to 31 July 2011 by the Central Statistics Office.  At the census, everyone is asked the same questions on the same day (the Census Night) to produce a unique set of facts and figures about the nation.  The Census Night was fixed on 03-04 July 2011.

Besides telling how many people live in the Republic and their characteristics, the census provides baseline information to determine what types of services they need now and are likely to need in the future.  It helps the Government and local authorities to allocate funds, decide future policy and plan important services such as transport, housing, health and schools.

The population count in 1735 was around 800 inhabitants and in 2011, this number reached 1,303,717.  The stamp illustrates the census form of XIX century.

Rs14 - Birth Centenary of Sir Moilin Jean Ah Chuen (1911-1991)

Sir Moilin Jean Ah Chuen was born on February 22, 1911 in Port Louis and played a very active and significant role for more than 50 years in thecommerce and industry, and in the socio-economic, cultural and political development of Mauritius.

In 1948, Sir Moilin was elected President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Mauritius.   He became captain of the Mauritius Home Guard Contingent, as part of the country's defense structure during the World War II.

Sir Moilin was also appointed as a Nominated Member of the new Legislative Assembly in 1948, was elected in the 1963 and 1967 general elections and became Minister of Local Government in 1969.

He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 in recognition of his immense contribution in the field of political and public services, and made Knight of St. Gregory by the Vatican in 1991.  The Rs25 banknote also bears his hand engraved portrait.

Rs21 - 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Maurice Curé (1886-1977)
Dr. Maurice Curé was born on September 3, 1886.  In 1921, Dr. Curé got involved in politics and in 1936, he showed his will to serve the working class, advocating for constitutional reforms and denouncing exploitation and injustice.

In the same year, he launched an island wide campaign appealing for unity among the workers which culminated ina public gathering meeting organised at the Champ de Mars and attended by around 30,000 workers.  This marked the foundation of the Labour Party.

The following year, Dr. Curé and other leaders of the party were imprisoned following a general strike which affected almost all the sugar estates of the country.  The Hooper Commission instituted after the general strike, highlighted the needs for reform in favour of the workers and paved the way for the establishment of Trade Unions and the creation of a Labour Department.

Dr. Curé continued to press for further political reforms.  He was nominated as a meber of the Legislative Council in 1946 and 1948 and of the Legislative Assembly in 1964.

Rs25 - Centennial of the Médine Sugar Estates
The Médine Sugar Estates Ltd. were established in 1911 as a sugar producing company.  The factory is located in the western part of the island in the district of Black River.  In 2010, the Médine Sugar factory has crushed 408,114.76 tons of sugarcanes for a production of 46,127.96 tons of sugar.

From a company engaged solely in sugar production, it has diversified its activities in the middle of the last century in livestock. cattle, stag rearing, vegetable cultivation, farming, leisure and property development.

The stamp depicts the Médine Sugar factory.

Technical Details:

Release date - June 30, 2011

Designers - Nitish Peechen & Neshvin Ramsawmy

Printer - Cartor Security Printing

Process - Lithography

Size - 27.94mm × 44.45mm (Rs7 & Rs25)

          44.45mm × 27.94mm (Rs14 & Rs21)

Perforation gauge - 14 × 2cm

Gum - PVA

Paper - CASCO Watermarked

Sheet format - 50 stamps set in two panes of 25

Historic Steam Locomotives from Poland

Poczta Polska released on September 21, 2002 a very nice set of 4 stamps on the Historic Steam Locomotives of Poland.  Waldemar sent me 2 of the 4 stamps:

zł2 - Pm 36 is the name for a Polish experimental fast steam locomotive used by PKP (Polish State Railways). designed in 1936.  One year later two of these locomotives were built, one of whom (Pm 36-2/ Beautiful Helena) survived the war and was operated until 1965.

zł1,10 - Ok1-359 is a passenger locomotive (parowóz osobowy in Polish) built in Louis Victor Robert Schwartzkopff's factories in Berlin in 1917.  It survived World War II and is now in service in Wolsztyn, a town in western Poland, since March 1989.

The 50gr stamp shows the Mansion in Łopuszna, a small village in southern Poland.

Thx a lot Waldemar for this wonderful cover - my first - from Katowice, Poland. (=

Mailing date: 11 July 2011

Delivery date: 6 August 2011

James the Red Engine & Joe90 from the UK

Next is a lovely cover from the United Kingdom.  Thx Nigel for enabling me to talk about so memorable British children's characters. =)

Royal Mail kicked off the new year with another issue - on January 4 - playing on nostalgia of 60-somethings - the Genius of Gerry Anderson.

In 1961 the ITV network broadcast a revolutionary new puppet show called Supercar.  Frustrated by the primitive technology of previous puppet shows producer Gerry Anderson had devised a new kind of animation called Supermarionation.  This featured much more technically sophisticated puppets that were able to lip-synch dialogue while the problem of locomotion was solved by the simple expedient of putting the characters into vehicles for much of the show.

Combined with a fast moving sci-fi plot and plenty of special effects the show become an instant success and launched Anderson’s career.  Anderson was to produce five more iconic Supermarionation shows during the decade that followed before moving into live action TV with UFO, The Protectors and Space 1999.

Joe 90 is a late-1960s British science-fiction television series documenting the exploits of a nine-year-old boy, Joe McClaine, who embarks on a double life as a schoolboy turned spy when his scientist father invents a pioneering machine capable of duplicating and transferring expert knowledge and experience to another human brain.

Royal Mail also issued on 14 June 2011 a set of 6 stamps and a miniature sheet to commemorate the birth centenary of Reverend Wilbert Awdry, the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine.  The six stamps show Thomas and some of his friends from the TV series, namely: James (affixed on the envelope above), Percy, Daisy, Toby and Gordon. 

It was while his two-year-old son Christopher was suffering with measles that Wilbert tried to enliven his son’s bed-bound quarantine by telling stories and drawing pictures about a group of little engines.  He wrote down the stories and in May 1945 ‘The Three Railway Engines’ was published.  Between 1945 and 1972, Reverend Awdry wrote 26 volumes in ‘The Railway Series’.

James the Red Engine is a fictional locomotive from The Railway Series children's books and the spin-off TV series Thomas and Friends.  James is a mixed-traffic engine, which means he is just as capable of pulling coaches as trucks.  James first appeared in the Railway Series in 1946, in the book Thomas the Tank Engine.  Two books in the series, no. 3 James the Red Engine and no. 28 James and the Diesel Engines are dedicated to James.

Mailing date: 11.07.11

Delivery date: 22.07.11

World Book Day from China

World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated every 23 April worldwide.  China Post issued on April 23, 2011 a special 1.20元 stamp to celebrate this special event.  The stamp illustrates the turning pages of a book, a globe and three keys to remind us that books are the key to knowledge, and the words 世界读书日 (World Book Day in Chinese) and the date 4.23 complete the design.  This stamp is affixed on the official FDC above sent by Huang from the city of Wuhan.

Huang also used a 2元 stamp depicting the Welsh poppy (Meconopsis cambrica) issued in 2004 along with three other Meconopsis stamps, and a 80分 stamp on the Preservation of Polar Regions issued in 2002.  Thx a lot! :)

Mailing date: July 2, 2011

Delivery date: July 21, 2011

Owls from Taiwan

Chunghwa Post issued a set of 4 postage stamps on July 7, 2011 stamps on the owls of Taiwan.  Owls are known as "cat head hawks" in Chinese because their flat faces give them a catlike appearance.  Most owls are nocturnal and prey on insects, small birds and mammals.  There are currently 12 species of owls in Taiwan, all of which are listed as protected species.

James affixed 3 of the 4 stamps on the nice FDC above:

NT$5 - Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)

NT$5 - Oriental Scops Owl (Otus sunia)

NT$10 - Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)

The last stamp (NT$25) depicts the Collared Owlet (Glaucidium brodiei).

Thanks a lot James! ><

Mailing date: 7 July 2011

Delivery date: 19 July 2011

Chinese Idioms from Hong Kong

A Chinese idiom (Chengyu, 成语) is a traditional expression, most of which consist of 4 characters.  There are about 5000 Chinese idioms and their meanings usually surpass the sum of the meanings carried by the four characters, as idioms are often intimately linked with the myth, story or historical fact from which they were derived.  As such, Chinese idioms do not follow the usual grammatical structure and syntax of the modern Chinese spoken language, and are instead highly compact and synthetic.

Hongkong Post released on June 28, 2011 a set of 5 stamps on 5 different Chengyu.  It's the $2,40 stamp which Trudy sent to me on this nice FDC with the First day cancellation.  The illustration on that stamp matches perfectly the idiom "Practice makes perfect", with that guy practising hard his calligraphy.

Trudy completed her postage with the White-bellied Sea Eagle and the Scarlet Minivet stamps from the 2006 definitive set.  Thank you! (:

Mailing date: 28 June 2011

Delivery date: 13 July 2011