My Stamp Menagerie

Sunday Stamp 024: From Russia with love

2011-12-11T22:40:00.001+07:00

This week I have a stamp here commemorating the centennial anniversary of Eugeny Feodorov:

The above stamp was issued in mini sheets with illustrations of ice on the margins. From the Russian Marka site:

Yevgeny Konstantinovich Fyodorov (1910-1981) is the outstanding scientist-geophysicist, state and public figure, academician, Chief Scientific Secretary of the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Hero of the Soviet Union.
In 1932-1938 he was the research assistant on the polar station. Director of the Arctic Scientific and Research Institute (1938-39). Head of Hydrometeorological Service of the USSR (in 1939-47 and 1962-74). Institutor and Director of the Institute of Applied Geophysics, Hydrometeorological Service of the USSR.Postage stamp depicts the portrait of E.K. Fyodorov on the background of a scene of researches on the polar station "North Pole-1".

Sunday Stamps 023: SEA Games on Thai stamp

2011-12-04T13:06:00.001+07:00

I am sharing this stamp from Thailand to commemorate the just-concluded 26th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia on 11-22 November this year.

Athletics is one of the official sports events since the beginning of SEA Games in 1959. Here shows the men's pole vaulting event.

The SEA Games is a biennial multi-sport event with participants from the 11 SEA nations, namely: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, East Timor, Thailand, and Vietnam. The first games was held in Bangkok in 1959 when it was still known as Southeast Asian Peninsular Games was participated in by officials and athletes from Thailand, Malaya (now Malaysia), Singapore, South Vietnam, and Laos competing in 12 sports.

This year's host, Indonesia, is its fourth time to host the SEA Games. It last hosted the event in 1997. The last SEA Games was held in Vientiane, Laos - the first time it ever held the games - at the same time commemorating the Games 50 years.

I remember the excitement I had watching the live broadcasts on television when I was younger. The Philippines in those days was within the top five rank, excelling mostly in basketball, boxing, and athletics, to name a few. I don't know what happened to Philippine sports now. Looking at the rankings in this year's SEA Games, we are on the 6th place, overtaken by a huge distance by Vietnam.

Next year's host will be Myanmar. That could be interesting.
More about the SEA Games hosted by Indonesia here, and SEA Games in general here.

Update: This is how the stamp should look like:

Thanks to Bob Scotney for drawing my attention.

Sunday Stamps 022: Children's art on stamps

2011-11-27T14:05:00.001+07:00

The United Nations Postal Administration issued in September 2008 six commemorative stamps on the theme "We Can End Poverty" depicting the winning artworks of children in the art competition sponsored by the UN's Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

The theme of the competition was "We Can End Poverty" and it was held as part of the celebration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and the end of the First Decade for the Eradication of Poverty.

This stamp was affixed to a UN postcard and mailed at the UN Post Office located in the UN headquarters in New York City. Thanks to my dear friend and fellow postcrosser Conniechiwa of Writings on the Wall for ever-so-thoughtful, never forgetting to send me postal love :)

Sunday Stamps 021: Beautiful blue cranes of Botswana

2011-11-18T13:51:00.001+07:00

We are free to choose what to post today so here's my share:

Blue cranes, also known as the Stanley Crane and the Paradise Crane, is a tall, ground-dwelling, beautiful pale blue-grey in colou. I wonder why they're coloured white in this stamp though.

The Blue Crane is now classified as vulnerable due to the sudden decline of its population in the 1980s. The Blue crane is nearly endemic to South Africa and is the country's national bird. There are, however, not many Blue Cranes in Botswana although huge numbers of them come and go at times.

Sunday Stamp 020: Sports on stamps

2011-11-11T17:15:00.001+07:00

Stamps relating to sports is the theme for this week. I did have several in my collection and amongst them, I've chosen the following:

Football is everything in Brazil, no question about that. And where else football is best enjoyed? Stadiums!

The Brazilian Post issued a set of four stamps in 2007 celebrating their modern football stadiums which are noted for its clean architectural lines. One of these is depicted on the left.

It's called the Estádio Serra Deurada, or the Serra Deurada Stadium, in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.

The stadium opened to the public with an inaugural match between Goiana and the national team of Portugal in 1975. The Goiás State All-Stars beat the visiting Portugal, 2-1.

I love the moving image!

One of then extraordinary stamps I've ever received came from Finland. This is one of the stamps included in the miniature sheet dedicated to alpine skiing issued in 2008. This particular sheet gives the stamps a moving illusion, thanks to the advanced imaging and printing technology these days, also called lenticular technology, if I am not mistaken, and which is also used on postcards.

The above stamp showed a moving alpine skier. The image comes to life when you turn the stamp in your hand. Awesome!

Sunday Stamps 019: Children's health on New Zealand stamps

2011-10-29T23:23:00.000+07:00

I'm posting this early lest I forgot again. I'll be busy tomorrow entertaining guests who are visiting the city for the first time.

Here is one of the five stamps issued by the NZ Post in 2006 in support of the global health campaign "5+ a day". It is a campaign encouraging young and old alike to eat five or more servings of colourful fruits and vegetables everyday.

Isn't it a great way to spread the word?

Sunday Stamps 017 and 018: Two entries, one post

2011-10-23T19:05:00.002+07:00

To make up for my absence last week, I'm posting two entries today.Here are my stamps for last week's theme, mainland Asia:

The stampset above were issued in 1990 by the Vietnamese Ministry of Posts consisting of six values issued together in se-tenant block of six stamps. All the six stamps in this set form a composite illustration depicting one of the popular Vietnamese folktale, Thạch Sanh.

For this week's theme, Oceania and Island-nations, here I present the stamps from Indonesia, the world's most largest archipelago (with more than 13,000 islands, much more than the Philippines 7,000 odd-islands) and the most populous country in the world after China, India, and the United States. (Source)

These are two definitives issued in 2001 by the Indonesia Postal Office under the theme “Ucapan Selamat” or Greeting Stamps.

Sunday Stamps 016: Stamps from Moldova

2011-10-09T20:24:00.001+07:00

These stamps came from my first and only postcard from Moldova courtesy of my Moldovan colleague who is based in Chișinău:

Neat cancellation marks.

From the Poşta Moldovei, on the right side is a 2009 commemorative issue on the 60th anniversary of the Council of Europe; while on the right is a definitive stamp (one of the six) in a set issued in February this year featuring Moldova's protected historical buildings. On it is the Gimnaziul de fete 1916, or. Soroca or the Gymnasium for Girls, 1916 (here's the complete set here).

Sunday Stamps 015: Astronomy on Luxembourg stamps

2011-10-02T15:30:00.001+07:00

Here are my first stamps from Luxembourg:

On the left is probably a 2002 definitive stamp, depicting a 0.20€ coin, valued at 0.20€. I could not find other pertinent details about this stamp, so please, correct me if I'm wrong. On the right is one of the two Europa special stamps issued in 2009 to commemorate the International Year of Astronomy. Incidentally, it is also the 400th anniversary of the first observations made by Galileo with the aid of a telescope, so he is honoured in this stamp.

I learned that EUROPA stamps are not just any other stamps from European countries. They are special stamps issued by European postal administrations/enterprises and bears the official EUROPA logo (here is the new Europa logo), a PostEurop registered trademark under the aegis of PostEurop in which Europe is the central theme. (Source)

The first Europa stamps were issued in 1956 by the 6 founding members/countries: France, Belgium, West-Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and Holland. Nowadays, there are more than 50 countries that issue Europa stamps. Until 1973, the stamp design was the same for all countries. In 1974, the rule changed: a theme was proposed and each country was free to have its own design as long as it fits the year subject. (Source)

Sunday Stamps 014: Falcons on UAE stamps

2011-09-25T16:21:00.000+07:00

From the arid desert of the United Arab Emirates come these two beautiful stamps which feature the falcon:

Falcons are featured on many stamp issues of the UAE Postal Office.

The falcon is used for hunting in Arab lands, and remain an important cultural symbol in the country. The stamps used in this cover feature a stylised illustration of a falcon (left) that was issued in 2007 valued at 5dirhams, and the 6dirham definitive (right) which I believe was a 2007 re-issue of the 1990 falcon series of the same design.

If you notice the cancellation mark is upside-down. Actually the stamps were glued to the cover upside-down so I scanned it the other way around so the stamps are in the correct position (at least for one of the stamps) :)

Sunday Stamps 013: My Brazilian stamps

2011-09-18T12:20:00.001+07:00

This week I'm featuring my favourite stamps from Brazil. These stamps are original artworks of one of Brazil's prolific artists, Hector Consani.

I just love the illustrations on the stamps. The drawings represent professions of the common tao (man, or woman) - costureira (dressmaker), sapateiro (shoe repairman), and manicure. Don't you just love the artistic figures? The costureira's hair reminds me of my aunt's hair in massive hair rollers/curlers! lol.

Included in this definitive series are drawings of a barber, a baker, a carpenter, and a shoeshine. Found this in the translated version of Hector Consani's blog:

"The design is simple: the head is round, the hair look like the sun's rays from a child's drawing, eyes and mouth are represented by a single black circle, the overalls with the switches hit the barber each provider uses a T-shirt (shirt, Brazil), arms and fingers seem a fork, there are three to four well-defined color. But this minimalism trace contains all the information, and the date and the price of the stamp.

If convene the history of art, find elements of expressionism, pop art and comics. Consani One vignette tells a story of life, a state of mind, a profession and their local designation (or national), the relationship with his professional activity: a bench, chair, tools, sometimes the client, shown on the side or back.

In addition, the seal is a small piece that reaches other parts of the world and takes the art and information of the issuing country. The seal is an outstanding ambassador of modern culture."

I hope the Brazilian Postal Office invites him again and again to make more stamps. I really love his artwork.

Sunday Stamps 012: Of bugs and celebrations

2011-09-11T21:21:00.000+07:00

I have a postcard from Mexico, unfortunately, it did not have Mexican stamps as it was sent from Venezuela and in an envelope. So I am sharing stamps from Canada instead.

The stamp shown on the left is a 3-cent green lacewing from the Beneficial Insects definitive series issued in 2007 by Post Canada. Green lacewing is commonly used in biological pest control. On the right is a "celebration-in-the-mail" themed domestic stamp designed with traditional celebration symbols - swirls of ribbons, burst of fireworks, and cluster of confetti exploding from an envelope. All these make a fun, vibrant stamp. (Source)

Sunday Stamps 011: Dahlias on Finnish stamps

2011-08-28T21:25:00.001+07:00

My entry for today is one of the several “unusual-shaped stamps” by the Finnish Post Office this year.

The Finnish PO never fails to surprise us with their unique issues every year! The stamp is a glow-in-the-dark kind :D

Lovely dahlia flowers on Finnish stamps – above is one of the pair of self-adhesive, second class stamps that the Finnish PO circulated in April.

Dahlias originate in North America and Mexico and they were brought to Europe as early as in 16th century. The two incandescent dahlias are easy to pick up from the dark sheet reminding old time wallpaper.

On the sheet there are ten self-adhesive stamps, it makes five pairs. - Source

Sunday Stamps 010: Figure-skating championships on Estonian stamp

2011-08-21T19:19:00.001+07:00

This post is dedicated to my niece Chappi who, at the very early age of three (turning four this October) has adamantly set her sights on becoming a figure-skater when she grows older! I know her dream is kind of unrealistic as we have no winter season in the Philippines and ice-skating rinks (for recreation, not competitive sports) are only found in Manila. But hey, we do not have the heart the discourage this little one’s dream as of yet. I find it cute and endearing though for this little girl to visualise herself as a figure skater.

Anyhoo, on to the stamp…

This trapezoid-shaped stamp (am I right?) is a special issue of the Estonian Post on the occasion of the European Figure Skating Championships in January 2010 held in the capital, Talinn.

Figure skating is very popular in Estonia and itt was a big deal for the Estonian Skating Union and the Estonians, in general, because it was the first time Estonia hosted the biggest international skating event since it gained independence from the Soviet Union. The Estonian public was treated to the spectacle of watching the best figure skaters in Europe -right at their own turf – competing for the title of European champions. Estonia was represented by a team of six at the championships.

Sunday Stamps 009: Prehistoric animals/dinosaurs on Cambodian stamps

2011-08-14T22:13:00.001+07:00

I was really surprised to find these at the Post Office. This is something you don’t expect to be issued in Cambodia. Anyways, this is a set of five definitive stamps under the theme prehistoric animals/dinosaurs and was issued in January 2000. It also included a souvenir sheet. From top to bottom, clockwise: diplodocus, stegosaurus, and euplocephalus.

I sent this cover to a guy in Slovakia who is into prehistoric animals. Another one is going out to a friend in Canada :) Sadly, when I came back to the philately department of the post office, I was told that they don’t have anymore stocks of these stamps.

Sunday Stamps 008: Postal workers on Croatian stamps

2011-07-24T21:11:00.001+07:00

Do you know of any country in the world whose postal service office offer its employees a day of fun, fitness and camaraderie?

Well, think no more.

This stamp will tell you the answer:

A stamp issued in 2008 depicting the POŠTANSKI ŠPORTSKI SUSRETI. I love the dominant yellow colour here – it strikes the eye right away. And the black stick figures of postal workers (I initially thought they look like ants, please excuse me) and the other red details contrast each other, together, they stand out against the yellow background.

Every year, since its beginning in 2000, the Croatian Post hosts its Sports Meeting of its postal employees across the country That means not only the one working inside the post office but also the postal men and women who tirelessly deliver mails every day without fail.

This important and fun event gathers all postal workers across Croatia, an initiative to bring forth camaraderie among the employees by engaging in exciting activities which included games, both individual and team, as well as other activities (read: parteeh!) that allow the employees to socialise and develop camaraderie. Games include bowling, tabletennis, football, basketball, chess, race walking, darts, among others.

Like a true sports event, medals and cups are awarded to winners in individual and team events, respectively. A special cup called “Fair Play Cup” is also also awarded to the postal centre that displays greatest enthusiasm in socialising (the most friendly, in other words) cheering (perhaps the loudest cheerers), and best sportsmanlike behaviour.

I think a day each year for this fun event is a great idea.Postal employees get a time off from work, to meet their co-workers from across the country, share good memories and passion, develop closer bonds that will help strengthen their service further.

Thank you, Tomi, my friend, for this beautiful stamp.

More info on this stamp at Croatian Post site.

Sunday Stamps 007: Birds on stamps

2011-07-17T14:44:00.001+07:00

Today we are featuring birds on stamps at Viridian’s Sunday Stamps. I think I have three to share, all coming from different countries.

First stop, Lietuva (Lithuania):

This stamp is part of a set of three se-tenants, a 2007 joint-issue of Lithuania and Belarus depicting Čepkeliai and Kotra Nature Reserve, situated on the southern edge of Lithuania, consists of the biggest array of marsh in the country, overgrown continental dunes, forests and relic lakes. The River Katra marks the southern boundary of the reserve as well as the state border with Belarus. Behind it the Katra sanctuary runs in Belarus.

The Great Snipe (Gallinago media) is a very rare bird of the family Scolopacidae in Lithuania and is considered as a universally declining bird species included to the Red Data Book of Lithuania. A bird’s body reaches up to 28 cm in length; weight is 62-74 g. When flying may be recognized from white sides of the tail and 2 or 3 white strips along the wings. (Lietuvos Paštas)

Next stop, Austria:

Austrian Post released this stamp along with the bee-hawk month as part of its environmental protection stamps in 2008. This bird is called a hoopoe (pronounced hoo'-poo or sometimes hoo'-poh) found only in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The hoopoe has quite a unique look. With its distinctive coloration, a fan-like crest atop its head, and a mouth dominated by a long, slightly down-curved beak, the hoopoe is instantly recognizable.

Even its call is quite recognizable as a three syllable oop-oop-oop. The "oo" sound in its call has led to its name of hoopoe and well as its scientific name of Upupa epops (pronounced oo-poo'-pa ee'-pops).

The magnificent crest as shown on the Austrian stamp is not usually upright unless the bird is alarmed or otherwise excited. Normally, the crest lays down nearly flat and the plumage that is upright when the bird is alarmed will protrude rearward.

Humans have been in contact with the hoopoe for a long time, and the bird has even been identified in several religious texts. In the Old Testament book of Leviticus, for example, the hoopoe is listed among the birds, such as eagle, the great owl, and the vulture that are not to be eaten.

Even though the bird is not kosher for Jewish food, it is well known in Israel. In late May, 2008, in a contest to pick the Israeli national bird, the hoopoe won with a majority of votes. (Stamps of Distinction)

Last, but not the least, from Taiwan:

After issuing the first of the “Birds of Taiwan” definitive series in 2007, the Taiwan post issued another set of four stamps, including this stamp showing a grey treepie bird (below), Dendrocitta formosae, as a follow up.

This common resident bird, about 34 centimeters in length, is a subspecies endemic to Taiwan. The coloration of the bird is largely black, gray and brown. Its black hooked beak is thick and powerful and slightly bents downward. Its forehead and cheeks are black and its crown and nape are grayish black. Its wings are black with white wing patches. Its back and breast are chestnut colored and its belly pale gray. Its tail is long and black with gray uppertail coverts and orange brown undertail coverts. (Chunghwa Post)

Sunday Stamps 006: Summer Olympics

2011-06-25T22:31:00.001+07:00

Sunday Stamps are meant for Sundays but I’m already putting it up today (Saturday)! So what comes to my mind when I hear the word “summer”? Instantly, images of sun, sand, and the sea fills my head when summer is being talked about.

I try to veer from that usual response with my entry for this week. My stamps are devoted to the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympic Games from Estonia and Italy, respectively.

This stamp from Estonia was issued in 2004 to commemorate not only the Summer Olympics held in Athens, Greece, but also to dedicate to their athletes who were competing under the Estonian flag for the first time. Prior to their independence from the Soviet Union, Estonian athletes were all part of the Soviet Union team.

The Estonian Olympic Committee resumed its activity in 1989 and since that time Estonian sportsmen have competed under their own flag at the Games. In all, Estonian sportsmen have won 22 gold, 18 silver and 25 bronze medals at the Games. (Source)

This stamp is one of the two-stamps issued by the Italian Post under the Lo Sport Italiano (Italian sports) series dedicated to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games with a denomination of € 0.85 (left) and €0.60. T

he € 0.85 features a disc framed in by a Greek border on the left and a floral border on the right. On the left-hand side of the disc, there are some figures of athletes similar to those designed on Ancient Greek ceramics; on the right-hand side there are some Asian athletes. The five Olympic rings are pictured in the centre of the disc.

The words “GIOCHI OLIMPICI-PECHINO 2008” (BEIJING 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES), “ITALIA”, and the denomination “€ 0,85” complete the stamp.

(Source)

I get so excited when Olympics are staged, whether it be a summer or winter games. It’s just a great celebration for all of the world. I know there are controversies that rock the Olympics Committee but still, it’s one of the most highly-anticipated event in the whole wide world! So many years have already passed and yet the excitement and grandeur of the Olympic Games have remained unrivaled. I wonder how many of the participants share the same sentiment with me.

Sunday Stamps 005: Thanksgiving day parade

2011-06-19T15:10:00.001+07:00

In 2009, the USPS issued four commemorative stamps featuring the iconic scenes of one of the merriest holiday celebrations in the US… the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Out of the four se-tenant stamps on a strip, I only have two:

Here is the complete strip for your reference:

Some of the scenes of this happy celebration are depicted on the strip above: a lively marching band, large inflated balloons of favourite animals and popular pop culture characters, and crowds of delighted onlookers. (Source)

I have never been to the US yet to witness this extravagant affair but I am a great admirer of parades and floats. Having said that, I think the stamp design is fantastic as it perfectly captures the rich and colourful Thanksgiving Day Parade (at least, the one I often see on TV)and it gives us a bit of a glimpse of the American culture.

The stamp, designed by Paul Rogers, based the stamp design on advertising and poster art from the mid-century. He then used the digital medium and techniques to create this very colourful images on stamps. Fantastic!

Sunday Stamps 004: I Love You!/Mahal Kita!

2011-06-12T16:33:00.001+07:00

I have several choices for this week but then, today, in the Philippines we are celebrating our country’s 113th anniversary of Independence. So it’s a no-brainer, really, that I chose to post stamps from the Philippines, the land of my birth.

I find the design a bit cheesy – but hey – respect, respect. lol.

The stamp on the left shows hearts coming out of an envelope with “I Love You” written on it. On the right, the stamp shows roses and heart and the words “Mahal Kita”, the Tagalog phrase for “I Love You”. Although it is issued in se-tenant pair, the sheet composition shows alternate placing of each design in each row.

Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular celebrations in the Philippines, next to Christmas, and highly-commercialised, if I may say so.

Anyhoo, before I end this post…

Isang mainit na pagbati sa lahat ng mamamayan ng Pilipinas, saan man kayo naroroon, sa ika-113 taon ng ating Kalayaan. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay tayong lahat!

Warm greetings to my fellow countrymen, wherever you may be, on the 113th anniversary of our Independence. Long live the Philippines! Godspeed to us all!

***

Special thanks goes out to GingMaganda, my sister at the Miss Igorota Sisterhood, for the beautiful postcard and stamps.

Cyprus’s Refugee Fund Tax stamp

2011-06-07T23:06:00.001+07:00

The following stamps were affixed in this Protaras postcard.

The stamp on the right is a part of the 5-set definitive stamps issued in 1994, showing the traditional costumes of Cyprus. The one on the left is the current issue of what the Cyprus Postal Service Office calls a Refugee Fund Tax Stamp.

Every letter, postcard and parcel has to have an additional refugee postage stamp on it (cost as at January 2011 is 2 cents) in order for it to enter the sending process. The proceeds of the refugee stamps go to the refugee fund, i.e. for the Greek Cypriots who became refugees from their homes in the north of Cyprus after the invasion in 1974. (Source)

Sunday Stamps 003: Die Blüten von Österreich

2011-06-05T22:29:00.001+07:00

I chose these beautiful flower stamps from Österreich for this week’s Sunday Stamps.

Both stamps above are standard issues. The one on the left features the Christmas rose, named such because it blooms in Austria as early as Christmas, but usually between January to April.

The stamp on the right shows the Guelder rose. It got its German name, schneeball, meaning snowball, because its blossoms resemble snowballs. It doesn’t show much in the scan but it does look like a snowball.Sometimes, it is also called as Herzbeer (Heart berry) for its heart-shaped seeds.The fruit is spherical and red when ripe, but poisonous when raw. (Austrian Post)

Sunday Stamps 002: Nigeria’s best

2011-05-29T17:36:00.001+07:00

I chose a stamp from the African region (it came with this beautiful Fulani maiden postcard several months ago). It is seldom we see and hear about the achievements of many Africans that’s why I am featuring somebody special from that continent. He is no other than Professor AWOJOBI Ayodele, one of Nigeria's best in the field of engineering.

Prof. Awojobi was the first African to be awarded the Doctor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, at the Imperial College London (Wikipedia).

I lifted parts off the Nigerian Village Square site's tribute to him:

He was in his 30s when he became a professor of engineering at the University of Lagos (Unilag), the youngest ever then, after a First Class B.Sc. from University of London and PhD from Imperial College, London, at the age of 28!

His engineering wizardry saw him singlehandedly converting the driving wheel of a motor vehicle from one side to another when Nigeria changed her road driving laws from left-hand to right-hand. He named it AUTONOV I. Then went further to design AUTONOV II, a bi-directional automobile that can be moved forward and backward without turning it round. Awojobi’s vehicle had two steering, four gears and three seats and, we are told, remain on display in the Unilag Mechanical engineering workshop.

But it is in his passion for and commitment to a better Nigeria that Awojobi towered above all. Like Tai Solarin, and Gani Fawehinmi – crusaders who gave their lives to the cause of a greater Nigeria and humanity as a whole, using all legitimate means (the law courts, protests on the streets) to demand for justice, human rights and good governance. And, as does happen to all those who want “to save the world”, Awojobi died in the process – in 1984 at age 47! Were he alive today, he would be 72.

For the complete write up, please follow this link.

Sunday Stamps 001: Food and Folk Arts

2011-05-22T21:11:00.001+07:00

This blog is supposed to be an extension of my Postcards Crossing blog where I could put all the stamps affixed in all of the postcards I’ve received. Since I have quite a number of stamps already in my possession, I decided to join Sunday Stamps.

So for this week’s theme, here are my selection:

From Finland,

Issued in 2006 as definitive with value equal to first class postage.

Blueberries are juicy and ripen in July and August. The blueberry is an ancient herbal remedy. Soup made from it is still used today to treat stomach disorders, and an infusion brewed from the leaves is said to balance the blood sugar. However, blueberries are mostly consumed as a delicacy. They are eaten raw and used in many kinds of cakes and juices. The stamp designer has also drawn a traditional summer dish for the stamp, a blueberry pie. In the foreground she has placed blueberry stems and next to the pie there is a cupful of berries.

Source: Posti Finland

From Turkey:

The stamp shows the Turkish people in traditional Turkish costumes celebrating the 800th birth anniversary of Haci Bektaş Veli, a renowned figure in the history and culture of both the Ottoman Empire and the modern-day Turkey.

And, lastly, from Crotia:

The stamp on the right is the first of the series on Croatia’s regional motifs of folk arts (Croatian Ethnographic Heritage) which I posted here. The one on the left, on the other hand, is part of the four-stamps released by the Croatian post in 2010 from the same series. I love the intricate details of the embroidery!

Celebrating 300 years of devotion to Our Lady of Penafrancia

2011-04-25T14:08:00.001+07:00

I was browsing through my Postcards Crossing account in Facebook when I saw a post by a good friend that caught my attention right away. Myron, of Filatelia Filipinas, announced that the Philippine Postal Corporation issued a commemorative stamp celebrating the tercentenary - that’s 300 years - of devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, and that he has several FDCs to swap with whoever is interested. Needless to say, I acted faster than a speeding bullet and sent him an email requesting to reserve/send me a souvenir FDC.

Below is one of the two FDCs he generously sent me :)

Sent by Myron dela Paz
Postmarked Araneta Center, Cubao Quezon City, Philippines

Stamp Designs:
Top, left: Image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, 1924; Top, right: Image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, 2009

Below, left: Our Lady of Peñafrancia Shrine; Below, right: Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Naga City

One of the many Catholic traditions the Spaniards brought to our country is the devotion to the Virgin Mary. One example of this devotion is exemplified by the people of Naga City’s (one of the first Spanish settlements in the Philippines in the 15th century) and Bicol region’s unshakeable faith and love to Our Lady of Peñafrancia. It is their belief that She will intercede for us and lift our prayers to God; thus, prayers and petitions are answered through Her intercession.

The feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is celebrated on the third Saturday of September in Naga City, Bicol. The feast day is preceded by a novena, nine days of prayer, in honor of the Virgin. On the first day, the image of the Virgin, a copy of the Madonna in Peñafrancia, Spain, is brought from its shrine to the Naga Cathedral where the novena is held. On the last day, the image is returned to her shrine following the Naga River route. The colorful evening procession is lit by thousands of candles from devotees in boats escorting the image. When the barge reaches its destination, the devotees shout "Viva la Virgen" (Long live the Virgin!) and the image is brought back in a procession to the cathedral.

The feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is considered to be one of the biggest, if not the biggest, religious festival in the Philippines. I have been witness to the festival many, many times and when you hear people say that we Filipinos are known for religious fervor and grandiose fiestas, then the Peñafrancia festival is the best example of such. Read this for more on the colourful Peñafrancia festival.

This entry is very special to me because I am reminded of my mother. My mother is from Naga City, and although she is living away from her hometown and beloved Ina for many decades now, she kept her faith and continued her devotion. When finances allow her, she goes back to her hometown in Naga City every September, along with other devotees and pilgrims, to fulfill a panata (vow).

For more about Our Lady of Peñafrancia, please visit Wikipedia, or better yet, check out the official Our Lady of Penafrancia site.

N.B.: This post originally appeared at my Postcards Crossing blog a week ago.

For cat-lovers

2011-04-12T10:43:00.001+07:00

Hi. It’s been a long while since I last posted. I had so many stuffs that I had to put in order first and about half a dozen blogs to make-over, all mine, of course. So one by one, I revived the blogs and this one is next. How did I do it? I know a lot of my friends would ask the same thing as I am not really Miss Organised. But well, I have a husband who is highly-organised and I learned vicariously from him.

So start off again… I’m showing something Japanese.
Last year I received a beautiful Japanese garden postcard – you can find it here – accompanied by these cute stamps:

So kawaii, especially the cat, isn’t it?

The grinning cat stamp is part of the sheet issued by the Japan Postal office in September 2009 showing 5 cats and 5 dogs. The stamp was published in Japan in celebration of the 60th anniversary of "Loving Pets Week". I haven't been able to find any information about the bee-and-flower stamp so sorry.

In Japanese society, cats, or neko, are regarded as “auspicious” and “fearful” at the same time. Cats with smiling and inviting look are considered auspicious and bring good luck and therefore you will find many smiling cat statues beckoning slowly with an upright paw displayed in restaurants and other businesses. Apparently, according to Japanese superstition, a raised left paw supposedly attracts money, while a raised right paw protects it. These cat ornaments are called Maneki Neko, translated as the Inviting Cat, the Welcoming Cat, the Lucky Cat, and many more. More often than not they are mistaken for Chinese.

On the other hand, a cat is also a feared animal in Japanese culture. In the old times, cats were thought to transform into monsters, they are called bake-neko (goblin cats).There is a popular saying in Japan related with cats and it goes like this:

"Kill a cat and you will be cursed for seven generations"

Scary, isn’t it? So please be careful when you encounter cats :D

Sources: Wikipedia – Maneki neko
About.com – Relationships with Animals: Cats

I would like to greet the Cambodians as they celebrate the Khmer New Year from 13 – 15 April. Suosdei Chhnam Thmey!

Robaim Tep Monorom

2010-10-11T12:01:00.002+07:00

I recently went on a stamp-shopping spree and this is one of the incredible stamps I purchased that day:

First Day Cover featuring one of the Khmer Classical Dances, Robaim Tep Monorom

It shows one of the classical Khmer dances, called robaim Tep Monorom, and is one of the most popular dances in the Khmer court dance repertoire. The dance depicts the gods and goddesses, dressed elegantly in silk phamoung (a traditional Khmer pants for men) and sampot (traidtional skirt for women) and adorned with golden headdresses, dancing gloriously.

The origins of Khmer classical dances could be traced back to the Indian court dances, to the mystical apsaras of Hindu mythology. Apsaras are, in Buddhist and Hindu cultures, angels who are born to dance for the gods. The dances are usually performed in a slow but graceful moves. I have seen dances performed in weddings, big social gatherings but I want to see it on stage, a real stage, and a big production!

In the olden times, the women performed all the roles in the dances, a tradition that is still being held up to now, except for the role of monkey and demons (in Ramayana, for example), which are now given to men. If you look at the stamps, it shows two women, and you could tell them apart - which one is playing the female role from the one playing the male role just by looking at their clothing. Apart from the costumes, the headdresses, masks, and especially the movements identify each of the dance's characters.

Anyways, while it does have enough postage for registration, I expect the staff at the post office in Phnom Penh is still going to charge me like they did whenever I send FDC. It pisses me off because I know I already paid more for the FDC and still charging me extra for postage. That's pricing overkill!

I hope the gods of philately hears our pleas and intervene, and lessen the woes of hobbyists and collectors like me. AMEN.

Filipino comic superheroes FDC: Darna

2010-08-19T10:29:00.006+07:00

For my very first post here, I am featuring an FDC sent by Myron of Filatelia Filipinas.

... because I am a comics-fan at heart!

On the left side shows some of the Filipino superheroes created by the prolific Mars Ravelo. On the right shows Darna, arguably the most popular komiks superhero made by Mars Ravelo himself. Darna appeared in Pilipino Komiks on May 13,1950 and has been around ever since I can remember.

Back in the late 70s to 80s I can still recall watching Darna movies in black and white when I was little and it never failed to amaze me even if I'd seen it over and over again. And who wouldn't be? She may be a fictional character but to any growing up kid back then, she was cool, with great power from another planet, who came to earth manifesting through a girl named Narda. She was, and still is, my idol (at least the one in the komiks, and not the one in the movies ugh!).

When the Philippine Post issued stamps featuring Pinoy superheroes -- to celebrate the national stamp collecting month and, most especially, to honor the great achievers in Philippine art -- I got so excited. I've had the pleasure of seeing my favourite komiks characters on stamps and in effect, it brought out many pleasant childhood memories. Thank you, Myron, for the FDC =)

Here's an excerpt from *surprise-surprise* an online catalogue of international superheroes:

Darna has been around since 1950 (that makes her 60years old now!). According to the Manila Times "Darna is a cultural icon born at a time when the Philippines was struggling to come out of the devastation of the World War II. She served as a salve to a country looking for champion. " She has appeared in films, played by Rosa del Rosario, (Darna, 1951, plus Darna at ang Babaeng Lawin, 1952), Liza Moreno (Si Darna at ang babaeng impakta, 1963, plus Isputnik vs. Darna, 1963), Eva Montes (Darna at ang babaeng tuod, 1964), Gina Pareno (Si Darna at ang Planetman, 1969); Vilma Santos (Lipad, Darna, lipad, 1973, plus Darna at Ding, 1980), Brenda del Rio (Darna Kuno, 1979), and Nanette Medved (Darna, 1991). She was also the star of a 1977 TV series by Lorna Tolentino, a 1986 cartoon series by GMA 7, and a stage production by Ballerina Manila which starred Lisa Macuja. On April 4, 2005, the pilot episode of "Darna: The TV Series" aired on GMA-7 both in the Philippines and in Japan. Starring Angel Locsin as Darna, the series is the highest rated Filipino Prime-Time TV series.

What are Darna's natural abilities? Who are her enemies? To know more about Darna, please click this link:

My Stamp Menagerie -- a stamp collector's blog

2010-07-16T21:38:00.004+07:00

Hello and welcome to My Stamp Menagerie.

This is to accompany my main blog, Postcards Crossing, where I feature the postcards I receive. I normally include the stamps in my postcard blog but, after much thought, I decided to create a separate blog for stamps to give them the attention they so deserve and also to include the stamps used in the letters and parcels that were sent to me.

I have already featured some stamps in the other blog, so please, don't be surprised if you see it here again. I am merely giving these stamps a new home where they are the main attraction.

I am also open to swap stamps, covers and FDCs, and bank notes so please drop me a line or two should you like to make some arrangements with me. I, however, reserve the right to decline some requests whenever I see necessary.

This blog is still a work in progress, there's still much to be done so please come back from time to time to see what's changed and what's new.

See you!