News Archive January - June 2018
Latest update of this archive:
14 May, 2018
For older items, see News Archive july - December 2017
News Archive January - June 2017
News Archive July - December 2016
News Archive January - June 2016
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.
19 May 2018:
60th Anniversary of Piggott Lions Club
The Lions Club of Piggott, AR celebrates its 60th anniversary, and this is marked by a commemorative postmark in use on 19 May 2018.
The postmark is free, and available until 19 June 2018 by sending envelopes or postcards franked with US postage to:
Lions Club
60th Anniversary Station
Postmaster
116 North 3rd
PIGGOTT, AR 72454–9998
USA
Postage:
US postcard:
USD 0.35 (or a postcard stamp)
US letter:
USD 0.50 (or a Forever stamp)
International postcard/letter:
USD 1.15 (or a Global Forever stamp)
Reported by Marci Jarvis
20 April 2018:
New Norwegian Personalised Stamp Prototypes
A new Norwegian postal rate structure introduced fra 1 January 2018, has spurred new designs for personalised stamps. Norway Post has issued prototypes for the new designs with a set of stamps showing 12 small "Instagram photots".
Both stamps have cats among the twelve photos. The Innland-denominated stamp (standard inland postage - NOK 14.00 on issue) has a tabby kitten in the 11th position, and the Europa-denominated stamp (standard European postage - NOK 18.00 on issue) has two cats - a child carryion a tortie cat in 2nd position, and a tabby kitten peeking out from its covers in 12th position.
The stamps can be ordered at face value from the Norway Post Webshop (real personalised stamps are sold at a premium):
They can also be ordered via WOPA.
Reported by Geir Arveng
5 April 2018:
Canadian Sphynx
Canada Post will issue a booklet and souvenir sheet from Great Canadian Illustrators on 5 April 2018. One stamp by Anita Kunz is of interest to us. A little girl dressed in a 19th century outfit is riding a Sphynx! The stamp is a "P" or Permanent value (CAD 0.85 on issue), like the Forever stamps in the U.S. The booklet consists of self-adhesive stamps, while the MS is gummed. The Sphynx stamp will thus exist in two versions.
The same design as the stamp has also been seen on an envelope mailed in Canada in the beginning of March. We have had this reported both as a commercial mass mailing and as personalised, computer vended, downloadable postage, and as per now we do not really know. If you know - please share.
UPDATE: We have now learned that this imprint was used on the (domestic version?) of the Canadian philatelic bulletin Details No. 3 2018 (see back cover).
Reported by Marci Jarvis
30 March 2018:
New Australian Footy Stamps
Australians are serious about their sports, and this is reflected each year when Australia Post issues their much loved series of football and rugby oriented "Footy Stamps". As has been the case for many years, the issue consist of a stamp pack - or large booklet - with pre-personalised stamp labels dedicated to the various top teams in the AFL (Australian Football League) and the NRL (National Rugby League) premierships.
Each stamp pack contains 10 stamps with pre-personalised labels, each denominated AUD 1.00. They are sold at AUD 23.00. Most teams are named after animal, several of them felines:
- Richmond Tigers (football)
- Brisbane Lions (football)
- Geelong Cats (football)
- Wests Tigers (Rugby)
- Penrith Panthers
These products have not yet been listed at Australia Post's online shop, but we have the ad from the Australian Philatelic Bulletin.
Reported by Geir Arveng
23 March 2018:
Daniel Striped Tiger First Day Postmark
A popular children's program aired from 1963-2001, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, was hosted by the softly-spoken Fred Rogers.
One of his puppet cats, Daniel Striped Tiger, will be on the digital color postmark for the US stamp commemorating him on 23 March 2018. Stringent specifications required for obtaining the digital color postmarks are explained at this link.
Daniel Striped Tiger was the first puppet ever to appear on the show. He is a shy tiger living in a non-functioning grandmother clock with no hands (because in make-believe, it is whatever time you imagine). Despite his shyness, Daniel shows wisdom and intelligence when he does speak. He allways wears a watch on one arm because "when you live in a clock you really should know what time it is".
Reported by Marci Jarvis
13 March 2018:
25th Anniversary of USS Montpelier
Some of you may remember USPS postmarks with USS Montpelier's "Leaping Catamount" from 2008 and/or 2013. (If you have a better scan of the 2008 postmark, please share.)
'Catamount' is another word for Puma/Mountain Lion/Cougar, and the cat is prominent featured in the submarine's seal.
The same seal for the USS Montpelier returns for the 25th anniversary of the nuclear submarine.
The postmark is free and available until 12 April 2018 by sending envelopes or postcards franked with US postage to:
Stephen Decatur Chapter #4
Universal Ship Cancellation Society
USS Montpelier 25th Anniversary Station
Postmaster
PO Box 719
NORFOLK, VA 23501-9998
USA
Postage:
US postcard:
USD 0.34 (or a postcard stamp)
US letter:
USD 0.49 (or a Forever stamp)
International postcard/letter:
USD 1.15 (or a Global Forever stamp)
Reported by Marci Jarvis
11 March 2018:
101st Heilbronn Stamp Fair: European Wildcat Postmark
On 11 March 2018, the German Post takes part in the 101st Heilbronn Stamp Fair with a commemorative postmark showing a European Wildcat. The Wildcat has ben chosen because the German Wildlife Foundation has named it as Animal of the Year 2018.
If you would like to send for this postmark, you can obtain it by sending addressed envelopes/postcards franked with German stamps (computer postage not allowed) to:
Deutsche Post AG
Niederlassung Multikanalvertrieb
Sonderstempelstelle Weiden
DE-92627 WEIDEN, Germany
The outer envelope should be marked with "Sonderstempel nr. 05/037", 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 Marci Jarvis
11 March 2018:
70th Anniversary of the Middle Rhine Philatelic Association
For the 70th Anniversary of the Middle Rhine Philatelic Association, the German Post will use a commemorative postmark showing the Rehin-Sieg District CoA with an armed and crowned Lion Rampant. The postmark will be offered in thw town of Hennef on 11 March 2018.
If you would like to send for this postmark, you can obtain it by sending addressed envelopes/postcards franked with German stamps (computer postage not allowed) to:
Deutsche Post AG
Niederlassung Multikanalvertrieb
Sonderstempelstelle Weiden
DE-92627 WEIDEN, Germany
The outer envelope should be marked with "Sonderstempel nr. 04/027", 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
1 March 2018:
Belarus Wildcat
Belarus issued a set of stamps and a miniature sheet on 1 March 2018 dedicated to nature reserves. On the 'A' denominated stamp (inland letter rate - BYN 0.42 on issue) there's a European Wildcat. It is issued both as a single stamp and as part of a two-stamp MS.
Reported by D.G.Naryshkin
1-29 March 2018:
German Slogan Postmarks: Löwenherz Foundation
The German Post will employ a slogan postmark in the sorting centres in Bremen and Hannover in the period 1 - 29 March 2018. The slogan celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Löwenherz (Lion Heart) Children and Youth Hospice Foundation. It shows a cartoonish Lion.
If you would like to send for this postmark, you can obtain it by sending addressed envelopes/postcards franked with German stamps (computer postage not allowed) to:
Bremen postmark:
Deutsche Post AG
Niederlassung BRIEF
Stationäre Bearbeitung
Hanna-Kunath-Str. 22
DE-28199 BREMEN, Germany
The outer envelope should be marked with "Werbestempel nr. 05/BZ003", and must arrive at the sorting centre no later than the last day of use.
Hannover postmark:
Deutsche Post AG
Niederlassung BRIEF
Stationäre Bearbeitung
Ludwig-Erhard-Str. 39
DE-30982 PATTENSEN, Germany
The outer envelope should be marked with "Werbestempel nr. 05/BZ004", and must arrive at the sorting centre 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
22 February 2018:
Croatian Cats
The Croatian Post issued a set of stamps in its "Children's World" series of stamps, focusing on pets, represented by 4 pedigree cats. The four HRK 3.10 stamps (basic inland letter rate), show a Russian Blue, a Sacred Birman, a Maine Coon, and a Persian Coulourpoint/Himalayan.
There are stylized cats in the FDC cachet, and also in the First Day Postmark from Zagreb.
Reported by Marci Jarvis
19 February 2018:
Dutch Birthday Stamps
Netherlands issued a sheet of birthday stamps on 19 February 2018 honoring a foundation that provides birthday celebrations to disadvantaged children. A gray and white cat is in the upper left label and a black and white cat is in the "e" position of the six-stamp sheet. The stamps are all denominated 1 for basic inland postage (EUR 0.83 on issue).
Reported by Marci Jarvis
14 February 2018:
Serbian Lunar New Year Stamps
Reported by Uglješa Stefanović
9 February 2018:
Opening of the Pyeongchang Olympics
The final South Korean stamp issue before the opening of the Pyeongchang Olympics consists of two stamps showing the main arena an the Olympic medals. So no Tiger mascot Soohorang on stamps or postmarks, but he is featured quite prominently on the FDC cachet, alongside his Bear counterpart, Paralympic mascot Bandabi.
Reported by Geir Arveng
26 January 2018:
Centenary of the Estonian Defence League
On 26 January 2018 Estonia issued a single EUR 0.65 stamp to commemorate the centenary of the Estonian Defence League. The stamp shows the Estonian CoA with its three Lions Passant Guardant.
Reported by Elisabeth Hallsjö and D.G.Naryshkin
22 January 2018:
Tigers of Vidarbha Region
Reported by Geir Arveng
19 January 2018:
Rundale Region CoA
Latvia issued 3 new stamps in its ongoing series of definitives showing coats of arms on 19 January 2018. The EUR 0.57 stamp shows the CoA of Rundale Region with a Crowned Lion Sejant Guardant.
Reported by D.G.Naryshkin
8 January 2018:
Christmas Island Year of the Dog Stamps
Reported by Geir Arveng
5 January 2018:
Macau Year of the Dog Stamps
Reported by Geir Arveng
2 January 2018:
Danish Cat Stamp
Denmark raises its letter rates from 1 January 2018, and a number of stamps will be issued on 2 January for the new rates. The inland letter rate (up to 50 g) goes to DKK 9.00, and in a 5-stamp set commemoration the birth centenary of Danish artist Bjørn Wiinblad, there's a stamp showing a cat silhouette.
Reported by Geir Arveng
1 January 2018:
Kazakhstan's Lunar New Year Issue
Kazakhstan issues a single-stamp MS denominated KZT 300. All animals of the Lunar Zodiac are shown on the selvedge. In Kazakhstan, the Tiger is traditionally replaced by a Snow Leopard which yo can find at four o'clock in the circle.
Reported by D.G.Naryshkin
For older items, see News Archive july - December 2017
News Archive January - June 2017
News Archive July - December 2016
News Archive January - June 2016
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.