News Archive January - June 2016

Latest update of this archive: 16 April, 2017

For older items, see News Archive July - December 2015
News Archive January - June 2015
News Archive July - December 2014
News Archive January - June 2014
News Archive July - December 2013
News Archive January - June 2013
News Archive July - December 2012
News Archive January - June 2012
News Archive July - December 2011
News Archive January - June 2011
News Archive July - December 2010
News Archive January - June 2010
News Archive 2009
News Archive 2008
News Archive 2006-2007.

30 June 2016:

10th Anniversary of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

2016 sees the 10th anniversary of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and on 30 June 2016, the Monegasque Post issues a set of stamps to mark the occasion. The foundation is dedicated to environmental issues, and this is reflected in the stamps. One of 4 stamps issued in a miniature sheet - all denominated EUR 1.25 (World basic letter rate) - shows a Tiger.

The MS can be ordered from the Monegasque Philatelic Service.

Reported by Geir Arveng

23 June 2016:

800th Anniversary of Rzhev

Reported by Geir Arveng

23 June 2016:

Children's Songs from Denmark

On 23 June 2016 the Danish Post issues a set of stamps dedicated to children's songs. One of the stamps - denominated DKK 8.00 (inland letter) depicts the never ending, circular song "There were two cats, sitting on a table". The stamp is issued in both a gummed version (from the MS) and a self.adhesive version from sheetlets.

The DKK 32.00 miniature sheet includes all 4 designs, and also shows a kitten on the selvedge.

The same kitten can also be found on the presentation pack.

The stamps can be ordered from the Danish Philatelic Bureau, as well as from WOPA.

Reported by Nahum Shereshevsky

18 June 2016:

60th Anniversary of Lions Club Perugia

Reported by Geir Arveng

16 June 2016:

Italian Air Force Postmark

Reported by Elisabeth Hallsjö

13 June 2016:

Belgium: Centenary of WWI

On 13 June 2016 bPost issued a miniature sheet of 5 x 1 Europe stamps (European standard letter rate - EUR 1.13 on issue), commemorating the centenary of WW I. One of the stamps shows a front page of the clandestine newspaper L'Ame Belge (The Belgian Soul) with a prominent lion picture.

Reported by Geir Arveng

11 June 2016:

50th Anniversary of San Marco Table Tennis Club in Verona

Reported by Geir Arveng

11 June 2016:

Senafil 2016 - Philatelic Exhibition

Reported by Elisabeth Hallsjö

10 June 2016:

Romanian Cat Mask

Reported by Marci Jarvis

9 June 2016:

Montenegro's Olympic Team

Reported by Elisabeth Hallsjö

6 June 2016:

Visit of Prince Albert II of Monaco to Belfort

A commemorative postmark showing the Belfort Lion was in use in Belfort on 6 June 2016 to mark the visit of Prince Albert II of Monaco. The Monegasque Post marked the occasion up front, by issuing a stamp in April.

Reported by Geir Arveng

5 June 2016:

Teenie's Fishing Derby

The annual Teenie's Seniors & Handicapped Fishing Derby in Chittenden, VT takes place on 5 June 2016.

As usual the event will be marked by a special spostmark showing a tabby cat drawn by Donna Wilkinson.

The postmark will be available until 5 July 2016 by sending addressed and franked covers or postcards to:

Teenie's Tiny Poultry Farm
Fishing Derby Station
Postmaster
PO Box 9998
CHITTENDEN, VT 05737-9998
USA

Postage:
US postcard: USD 0.34
US letter: USD 0.47 or a Forever-stamp
International: USD 1.15 or a Global Forever-stamp

Reported by Nahum Shereshevsky and Marci Jarvis

4 June 2016:

12th International Congress of Urbino Lions

Reported by Geir Arveng

3 June 2016:

75th Anniversary of Tom Puss III

Following the silver "registered" stamp in March and the pre-personalised stamps in May, Post.nl issues a third stamp set to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Marten Toonder's beloved comic character Tom Puss on 3 June 2016.

This time around, we get a sheetlet of 10 1-denominated stamps (inland letter - EUR 0.73 on issue) in two designs, one showing Oliver B. Bumble and the other Tom Puss himself. Tom can also be found on the sheetlet's selvedge.

There's also a presentation pack containg a block of four from the sheetlet, sold at EUR 3.97.

The products can be ordered from Post.nl's Collect Club, and also from WOPA.

Reported by Geir Arveng

2 June 2016:

Lynx on German First Day Postmark

The German Post issues a single semi-postal stamp in the series "For Environmental Protection" dedicated to the Alpine Region.

The EUR 0.70 + 0.30 stamp does not show any cats (that we have been able to spot), but the Bonn first day postmark shows a stylized Eurasian Lynx.

Reported by Wolfgang Horst

1 June 2016:

Soyuzmultfilm Animation Studio Celebrated by Transnistria

Reported by Geir Arveng

1 June 2016:

Polish Family Stamp

The Polish Post celbrates families with a stamp denominated PLN 3.70 (inland letters 350-1000g) on 1 June 2016.

The stamp which shows a family with a dog and a cat is designed by Aleksandra Pietrzak. It is sold in sheetlets of 16.

The stamp can be ordered from Poczta Polska's online store.

Reported by Geir Arveng

June 2016:

Endangered Species Duo-Stamps

bPost issues a set of 5 pre-personalized DuoStamps with endangered animal species. One of the stamps shows a Siberian Tiger. The stamps are sold in packs of 10 stamps. 2 of each design. If you live in Belgium, you can order online, if not you can order from the Philatelic Service by e-mail.

Reported by Geir Arveng

28 May 2016:

Jersey Post & Go World Stamp Show Overprints

Jersey Post takes part in the NY World Stamp Show with a Post & Go Kiosk offering franking labels with commemorative imprints. The Jersey Crest labels will be available inn all colours and all six standard denominations. The commemorative imprint on the Jersey Crest Labels will include the stamp show logo with the iconic Statue of Liberty. The Jersey Flag labels will also be available, but with a text only commemorative imprint.

Reported by Nahum Shereshevsky

28 May 2016:

The Gendarmerie in St. Pierre & Miquelon

Reported by Geir Arveng

26 May 2016:

'The Sea Brides' Art Exhibition

Reported by Elisabeth Hallsjö

25 May 2016:

Alderney Queen Elizabeth II's 90th Birthday Prestige Booklet

Reported by Elisabeth Hallsjö

23 May 2016:

A Manx Tribute to Team GB

The British Olympic Team - Team GB sports a stylized Lion's head in Union Jack colours as its logo. On 23 May 2016, Isle of Man issues a set of four stamps honoring Team GB's participation in the Rio Olympic Games featuring the logo.

The stamps are all denominated GBP 1.27 (IOM/UK/CI Large Letter up to 250 g) and show various olympic sports.

The stamps are sold in a miniature sheet alongside 8 non-denominated, stamp-sized labels with similar designs.

The logo is also featured in the FDC cachet, on the First Day Postmark, as well as on the presentation pack.

These products can be ordered from the IOM Philatelic Bureau and from WOPA.

Reported by Geir Arveng

21 May 2016:

64th National Congress of Lions International

Reported by Geir Arveng

15 May 2016:

20th Statutory Congress of Lions Club District 108 TA2

Reported by Geir Arveng

13 May 2016:

75th Anniversary of Tom Puss II: Pre-personalised Stamps

In addition to the Tom Puss silver stamp issued in March, Post.nl continues the celebration of Marten Toonder's popular comic hero Tom Puss with a set of 4 miniature sheets, each with 3 different stamps showing characters from the comic strip. Only one of the twelve stamps shows the character himself, namely the middle stamp of the second MS in the series.

All stamps in the series are denominated 1 (inland letter rate - EUR 0.73 on issue). The set of four minature sheets are sold at EUR 9.95 (franking value EUR 8.76).

The miniature sheets can be ordered from Post.nl's Collect Club.

Reported by Geir Arveng

12 May 2016:

Joint Courses of the Italian State Police College

Reported by Elisabeth Hallsjö

10 May 2016:

Several Cat Items from Luxembourg

10 years ago, stamp buyers in Luxembourg got the opportunity to order personalised stamps through the online Mengpost service. To mark the anniversary a special set of three pre-personalised stamps have been made in cooperation with the National Animal Refuge, representing one of the most popular motifs on personalised stamps: Pets!

Two of the three stamps show cats, namely a EUR 0.70 (inland letter) stamp showing a red-tabby and white cat called Margot, and a EUR 1.30 (world letter) stamp showing a brown-tabby and white kitten called Mäischen.

On the same day there's also an issue for the Rio Olympics with a EUR 0.70 stamp featuring Team Luxembourg's stylized Lion-emblem.

A third cat-themed issue commemorates the 500th Anniversary of the Passage of the Thurn und Taxis' Postal Route Through Luxembourg. The EUR 4.00 single-stamp miniature sheet contains a non-denominated label showing the Thurn und Taxis CoA with two Lions Rampant.

All these issues can be ordered from Post Luxembourg's online store.

Reported by Nahum Shereshevsky

6 May 2016:

Stamp Day: Szombathely

Reported by Geir Arveng

10 May 2016:

700th Anniversary of the Birth of Charles IV

Reported by Geir Arveng

2 May 2016:

Haag Zoo Pre-personalised stamps

The Austrian Post - Post.at - issues a shettlet/folder with pre-personalised stamps showing animals from the Haag Zoo in Lower Austria on 2 May 2016.

There are 5 cats in the sheetlet: Leopard (EUR 0.68) Puma (EUR 0.80) Eurasian Lynx (EUR 0.68) Lion (EUR 0.68) Tiger (EUR 0.68).

The sheetlet can be ordered from Post.at's online store.

Reported by Geir Arveng

29 April 2016:

Gibraltar Celebrates Royal Wedding Anniversary

Reported by Elisabeth Hallsjö

28 April 2016:

Luxembourg Year in Czechia

In its ongoing series of commemorative pre-stamped postcards celebration the reign of House of Luxembourg on the Czech throne, Pressfil issued a set of cards on 28 April 2016. Three of the cards shows cat-themed heraldry.

More information (including ordering info) can be found on the Pressfil Blog.

Reported by Elisabeth Hallsjö

27 April 2016:

2nd Czech and Slovak Philatelic Exhibition in Žďár nad Sázavou

Reported by Geir Arveng

23 April 2016:

61st Regional Meet of the Lower Saxony Philatelic Network

The German Post takes part in the 61st Regional Meet of the Lower Saxony Philatelic Network in Königslutter am Elm on 23 April 2016. The meet also celebrates the 70th Anniversary of the regional network, and the commemorative postmark shows the CoA of Königslutter with a Demi-Lion Rampant.

On the day of the meet, the postmark can be obtained at

Hotelpark AVALON Königshof, Braunschweiger Str. 21a, 38154 Königslutter am Elm.

You can also obtain this postmark by sending addressed envelopes/postcards franked with German stamps (computer postage not allowed) to:

Deutsche Post AG
Niederlassung Brief
Sonderstempelstelle Berlin
DE-10770 BERLIN, Germany

The outer envelope should be marked with "Sonderstempel nr. 07/068", and must arrive at the Special Postmark Office no later than the last day of use.

Postage rates (as from 1 January 2016):
Germany: Postcard EUR 0.45 / Standard letter EUR 0.70
International: Postcard/letter: EUR 0.90

Reported by Geir Arveng

22 April 2016:

New London Pictorial Postmark with Lion

Royal Mail offers a new pictorial postmark in use in London SW1 from 22 April 2016. The postmark will be in use for one year until 21 April 2017.

You can obtain this postmark by sending addressed and franked postcards or letters to:

London Special Handstamp Centre
Royal Mail
Mount Pleasant
Farringdon Road
LONDON EC1A 1BB
United Kingdom

The outer envelope should be clearly marked "Special Handstamp no. 13777"

Postage:
UK/Channel Islands/IoM: GBP 0.55 (2nd class) or GBP 0.64 (1st class)
Europe (< 20g): GBP 1.05
World: (<10g): GBP 1.05 (<20g): GBP 1.33

Reported by Geir Arveng

21 April 2016:

90th Birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth II

First day postmark for the stamp issue to celebrate HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Reported by Ian Billings (Norvic Philatelics)

21 April 2016:

300 Years of Postal Services in Spain

For the presentation of the 2nd installment of the stamp series to commemorate 300 years of postal services in Spain, a commemorative postmark was in use in Madrid on 21 April 2016. The postmark shows one of the famous Madrid Lion letter boxes.

Unfortunately this item came to our attention too late for ordering.

Reported by Geir Arveng

17 April 2016:

20th Statutory Congress of Lions Club District 108 TA3

Reported Geir Arveng

15 April 2016:

87th Annual Congress of the Association of Scottish Philatelic Societies

The Association of Scottish Philatelic Societies arranges its 87th Annual Congress in Perth, Scotland 15 April 2016. There's a commemorative postmark with two heraldic Lions for the occasion.

You can obtain this postmark by sending addressed and franked postcards or letters to:

Scotland & Northern Ireland Special Handstamp Centre
Tallents House
21 South Gyle Crescent
EDINBURGH EH12 9PB
United Kingdom

The outer envelope should be clearly marked "Special Handstamp no. 13782" and must be postmarked no later than the (last) date of use for the postmark.

Postage:
UK/Channel Islands/IoM: GBP 0.55 (2nd class) or GBP 0.64 (1st class)
Europe (< 20g): GBP 1.05
World: (<10g): GBP 1.05 (<20g): GBP 1.33

Reported by Marci Jarvis and Geir Arveng

10 April 2016:

78th Regional Meet of the Middle Rhine Philatelic Network

The German Post takes part in the 78th Regional Meet of the Middle Rhine Philatelic Network in Pulheim, Germany on 10 April 2016. The meet also celebrates the 70th Anniversary of Frechen Philatelic Club, and the commemorative postmark shows the CoA of Frechen with a Lion Rampant.

Should you be around Frechen on 10 April, the postmark can be obtained at Dr.-Hans-Köster-Hall, Postal stand in the Foyer outside the little hall, Steinstr. 13, 50259 Pulheim.

You can also obtain this postmark by sending addressed envelopes/postcards franked with German stamps (computer postage not allowed) to:

Deutsche Post AG
Niederlassung Privatkunden/Filialen
Sonderstempelstelle Weiden
DE-92627 WEIDEN, Germany

The outer envelope should be marked with "Sonderstempel nr. 07/063", and must arrive at the Special Postmark Office no later than the last day of use.

Postage rates: Germany: Postcard EUR 0.45 / Standard letter EUR 0.70
International: Postcard/letter: EUR 0.90

Reported by Geir Arveng

5 April 2016:

Centenary of the National Parks Legislation in Spain

The Spanish Post issued a stamp to celebrate the centenary of the first legislation for national parks on 5 April 2016. The stamp itself does not show any cats, but the first day postmark from Madrid show a handsome Iberian Lynx.

Reported by Geir Arveng

1 April 2016:

Spring Philatelic Fair in Belfort

Monaco has an ongoing series of stamps presenting former territories of its princely house, and on 1 April 2016 the stamp for Belfort was issued for the Spring Philately Fair in same Belfort. The stamp previews the planned princely visit to the city in June 2016. The cat-theme is not very self-evident in the stamp, but the top of the famous Belfort Lion can be spotted above the rooftop on the stamp. The Lion is more prominent in the commemorative postmark used by the Monegasque Stamp Office at the fair.

The French post used a commemortaive postmark on the actual princely visit 6 June 2016.

For the fair itself, the French post also issued a stamp denominated EUR 0.70 showing the Belfort Lion.

Reported by Geir Arveng

2 April 2016:

Classic Stamp Issues from Austria

On 2 April 2016 Post.at - the Austrian Post - issued a miniature sheet with two stamps. The MS is the first in a series of stamp issues celebrating classic stamps. The MS shows stamps from the Austro-Hungarian empire's first stamp issues from 1850, namely Austria #2 and Lombardy-Venetia #3. Both stamps show the Austro-Hungarian Empire's CoA with a Crowned Lion Rampant.

The MS can be ordered from Post.at's online store.

Reported by Wolfgang Horst

2 April 2016:

The Lorne Scots' 150th Anniversary

Canada Post issues a commemorative envelope on 2 April to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of The Lorne Scots (army regiment).

The regimental badge with a crowned demi-lion rampant is shown both in the stamp indicium and the cachet.

The envelope can be ordered from Canada Post's Webshop.

Reported by Geir Arveng

1 April 2016:

Spring Stamp Fair in Belfort

 

Reported by Félipe Gonzales

28 March 2016:

New COSSU Website

The American Topical Association's Cats on Stamps Study Unit (COSSU) has opened a new website. The old site (catsonstamps.org) has been closed, and the brand new look can now be found at www.catstamps.info

COSSU publishes the excellent publication Cat Mews. If you are not acquianted with it or COSSU, do click on the link and check them out!

Reported by Marci Jarvis

22 March 2016:

Iraq: Farm Animals

Iraq issued a set of stamps and a miniature sheet dedicated to farm animals on 22 March 2016. One of the stamps, denominated IQD 750, shows a cat.

The cat is also present in the IQD 1500 miniature sheet. All stamp motifs from the set can be found in the MS on undenominated labels forming a composite design with the selvedge.

There are two FDCs - one with the stamps and one with the MS.

The cat can also be found in the first day postmark. In our scan it is somewhat masked by the stamp, but it is right up there at around two o'clock.

Reported by Marci Jarvis

20 March 2016:

20th Anniversary of Lions Club District 108 Ab

Reported by Geir Arveng

18 March 2016:

75th Anniversary of Tom Puss I: Silver Stamp for Registered Mail

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Marten Toonder's popular comic character Tom Puss (Tom Poes in Dutch), Post.nl issued a set of limited edition silver stamps on 18 March 2016. Tom Puss himself is shown on one of the two stamps, the other shows his best friend, Oliver B. Bumble. Both stamps are denominated "aangetekend", which means "registered", and is good for an inland registered letter weighing up to 2 kilos.

The limited edition silver stamps were sold in separate presentation folders at EUR 25.00 each, and reportedly sold out in a few days.

Reported by Marci Jarvis

17 March 2016:

25th Anniversary of Šumava National Park

The Czech company Pressfil issued a commemorative pre-stamped postcard on 17 March 2016 for the 25th anniverary of Šumava (Bohemian Forest) National Park. The card has Pressfil catalogue number 09/16. More information (including ordering info) can be found on the Pressfil Blog.

Reported by Jiri Neumann

1 March 2016:

Austrian Wild Cats Booklet

Post.at - The Austrian Post - issued a booklet with 8 pre-personalized stamps showing wild cats on 1 March 2016. The booklet is sold at EUR 10.90 (franking value 5.92).

There are 4 stamps denominated EUR 0.68 (inland letter rate) showing
* European Wildcat
* Tiger
* Cheetah
* Ocelot

and 4 stamps denominated EUR 0.80 (European letter rate) showing
* Jaguar
* Eurasian Lynx
* Puma
* Lion

The booklet can be ordered from Post.at.

Reported by Geir Arveng

1 March 2016:

1250th Anniversary of Schwetzingen Self-adhesive Stamp

A self-adhesive version of the stamp for the 1250th Anniversary of Schwetzingen/Suezzingen is issued on 1 March 2016. The first day postmark shows a Demi-Lion Rampant from the Schwetzingen CoA.

Reported by Geir Arveng

26 February 2016:

Italian Conference on Child Abuse

Reported by Geir Arveng

25 February 2016:

New Johore Definitives

Reported by Geir Arveng

22 February 2016:

Mahamaham Mahathmiyam 2016

Reported by Geir Arveng

21 February 2016:

56th Anniversary of Lions Club Crotone

Reported by Geir Arveng

17 February 2016:

Royal Mail 500

Royal Mail celebrates its 500th Anniversary with a number of philatelic products issued on 17 February 2016 and coinciding with the opening of Spring Stampex.

Two of the stamps shows small versions of the Royal Coat of Arms on a classic pillar box on a 1st class stamnp and also on a GBP 1.52 stamp showing a mail coach.

There's also a set of six new Faststamps/Post & Go franking labels. One of the labels also shows a mail coach with the CoA on the door.

Reported by Elisabeth Hallsjö

17 February 2016:

Jersey Post & Go Franking Labels

Jersey Post has introduced a new set of Post & Go franking labels showing the Jersey Crest with its three Lions Passant Guardant. The labels are offered in six different standard denominations:
* Local Letter (0.47 on issue)
* UK Letter (0.57 on issue)
* Europe up to 20g (0.64 on issue)
* Local Large (0.73 on issue)
* International Letter up to 20g (0.85 on issue)
* UK Large (0.95 on issue)

The labels are also sold in 6 different colours: magenta, green, red, maroon, light blue, and orange. While the collectors' sets sold by the Philatelic Service will all be made in the colour/denomination combinations shown above, the self service Post & Go machines at stamp shows and Broad Street PO in Jersey will also deliver other combinations. There are thus 36 possible combinations of colours and denominations to collect, if you are so inclined.

For Spring Stampex in London there was also a set of Jersey Flag Post & Go labels inscribed "500 Years of Postal History". These were also issued on 17 February 2016, and issued in the six standard denominations listed above.

The labels are for sale fram Jersey Philatelic Bureau (Jersey crest labels - Spring Stampex labels).

LATEST:

The Crest Labels are now also available from the Philatelic Bureau inscribed "Broad Street".

Reported by Marci Jarvis, Abi Farnworth (Jersey Philatelic Bureau) and Geir Arveng

9 February 2016:

50 Years of Decimal Currency in Australia

50 years ago Australia changed from their traditional pound - shilling - pence to the decimal dollars and cents. The decimal currency jubilee is marked by the issue of an AUD 1.00 stamp on 9 February 2016. The stamp shows both a one-pound and a one-dollar note, both showing the Australian Commonwealth Coat of Arms with its Heraldic Lions.

Along with the stamp, there is also an official Maximum Card. The card is pre-franked and valid for worldwide postage.

The standard FDC does not show any Lions except the ones on the stamp itself, but a numiscover including a commemorative coin shows the CoA in the cachet.

There's also a prestige booklet sold at AUD 20.95 (franking value AUD 20.00).

The items are available from the Australia Post's online shop.

Reported by Geir Arveng

8 February 2016:

Serbian Year of the Monkey Stamps

Serbia issues a set of 2 stamps to mark the Year of the Monkey on 8 February 2016, denominated RSD 23 and 74, respectively. Both stamps show a full cycle of lunar zodiac animals in the background, but the Tiger is only visible on the RSD 23 stamp. The Tiger is also visible in the FDC cachet.

Reported by Uglješa Stefanović.

6 February 2016:

Transnistrisan Coat of Arms

The Transnistrian (PMR) Post (in the break-away part of Moldova) has issued a set of 7 stamps showing Coats of Arms of Russian families. The stamps were issued 6 February 2016. Three of the stamps show Heraldic Lions.

On an A-denominated stamp (inland postcard rate) you'll find the CoA of the Suvorov Family with two Lion Rampant Reguardant Supporters.

Then there are two K-denominated stamps (inland letter rate) showing - The Rumyantsev Family CoA with a Lion Rampant Guardant Supporter as well as a Leopard Rampant Guardant Supporter - The Vitgenshtein Family (House of Sayn-Wittgenstein) CoA with a Lion Rampant in the middle (the full CoA also includes two Lion Statant Supporters, but they are not included in the stamp).

Reported by Geir Arveng

5 February 2016:

New Fresh Produce Market in Brescia

Reported by Elisabeth Hallsjö

1 February 2016:

The Postal Museum Post & Go with New Logo

Reported by Gerald Martin

29 January 2016:

French Year of the Monkey Miniature Sheet

Reported by Geir Arveng

28 January 2016:

60th Anniversary of Mariehamn Lions Club

Reported by Geir Arveng

28 January 2016:

Uruguay: Year of the Monkey MS

Reported by Geir Arveng

25 January 2016:

Belgian Kittens Duo Stamps

Belgium's bPost offers a booklet/sheetlet of 5 self-adhesive pre-personalised stamps showing kittens. The stamps are denominated 1 (inland letter rate up to 50g - EUR 0.79 on issue). The stamps are sold in strips of 2 x 5 at EUR 8.40 (franking value 7.90). As opposed to earlier versions of DuoStamps, where the large personalizable label was detachable from the actual stamp, the new self-adhesive DuoStamps/MyStamps come in one piece, so that we are talking about personalized stamps rater than detachable labels.

The stamps can be ordered from bPosts's online store (inland orders), or from the Philatelic Service.

Reported by Nahum Shereshevsky

23 January 2016:

Flying Scotsman Postmark with Lion

Reported by Ian Billings (Norvic Philatelics)

22 January 2016:

Finnish Cat

Reported by Marci Jarvis

9 January 2016:

Tajikistastan Year of the Monkey Sheetlet

Reported by Geir Arveng

6 January 2016:

The Brukenthal National Museum in Sibiu

Reported by Marci Jarvis

2 January 2016:

German Postmarks

In its ongoing series Castles and Palaces (Burgen und Schlösser), the German Post starts the stamp year 2016 on 2 January with a EUR 0.90 stamp (basic international rate from 1 January 2016) representing Löwenburg (Lion Castle) in Kassel. We have not been able to see any lions in the stamps, but both first day postmarks are Lion-themed. The Berlin postmark shows a Lion statue, wheras the Bonn postmark shows a weather vane in the form of a Lion Rampant Reguardant.

Also on 2 January 2016, the German Post takes part in the celebrations of 1250 years celebrations of the city of Schwetzingen (Suezzingen in Swabian) in Baden-Württemberg. The postmark shows a Demi-Lion Rampant from the Schwetzingen CoA. We have previously reported that this postmark was withdrawn. The covers we sent away for postmarking have, however, arrived somewhat delayed but duly postmarked. The postmark was indeed in use on 2 January 2016, but reprtedly under another number than 26/420.

Should you be in Schwetzingen on 2 January 2016, the postmark will be in use at the Tourist Information, Dreikönigstr. 3, 68723 Schwetzingen between 10 a.m. and 1 pm (1000-1300).

You can also obtain this postmark by sending addressed envelopes/ postcards franked with German stamps (computer postage not allowed) to:

Deutsche Post AG
Niederlassung Privatkunden/Filialen
Sonderstempelstelle Weiden
DE-92627 WEIDEN, Germany

The outer envelope should be marked with "Sonderstempel nr. 26/420", and must arrive at the Special Postmark Office no later than the last day of use.

Postage rates (as from 1 January 2016):

Germany: Postcard EUR 0.45 /
Standard letter EUR 0.70
International: EUR 0.90

Reported by Geir Arveng

For older items, see News Archive July - December 2015
News Archive January - June 2015
News Archive July - December 2014
News Archive January - June 2014
News Archive July - December 2013
News Archive January - June 2013
News Archive July - December 2012
News Archive January - June 2012
News Archive July - December 2011
News Archive January - June 2011
News Archive July - December 2010
News Archive January - June 2010
News Archive 2009
News Archive 2008
News Archive 2006-2007.