News Archive January - June 2012News Archive July - December 2011News Archive January - June 2011News Archive July - December 2010News Archive January - June 2010News Archive 2009News Archive 2008News Archive 2006-2007.Latest update of this archive: 17 September 2013
For older items, see 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.
Tour de France in Ajaccio
The 100th edition of Tour de France starts in Corsica this year, and this historical event is marked by local pre-stambed envelopes from the four major cities. One of the cities is Southern Corsica's capital Ajaccio, and the coat of arms of the city with its Heraldic Lions is shown in the cachet.
The PSE will be for sale in post offices in Ajaccio and surrounding districts.
Reported by Geir Arveng
Universiade Kazan 2013 - Snow Leopard Mascot
Reported by Nahum Shereshevsky
Hello Kitty Stamps from Japan
Reported by TS Tan
Alexandrov Coat of Arms
Reported by Geir Arveng
Hückeswagen Surprises!
Reported by Elisabeth Hallsjö
Doraemon on Anime Stamps
Reported by Geir Arveng
Canadian Heraldic Authority's 25th Anniversary
25 Years ago the Canadians took national control of official Canadian Heraldry by forming the Canadian Heraldic Authority. Prior to its creation, Canadians wishing to obtain a legally granted coat of arms had to apply to one of the two heraldic offices in the United Kingdom: either the College of Arms in London, or if of Scottish descent, to the Court of the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh.
Canada Post celebrates the event by issuing a pre-stamped envelope on 4 June 2013. The PSE is denominated P for Permanent (inland postage - CAD 0.60 on issue). It shows the authority's coat of arms with its Heraldic Lion both in the stamp indicium and in the cachet.
The envelope is sold at CAD 3.00 and can be bought from Canada Post's online store.
Reported by Nahum Shereshevsky
Chittenden Fishing Derby Postmark
Reported by Marci Jarvis
Eurasian Lynx in Cook Islands Wildlife Set
Australian Footy Stamps
The Roaring Lion Monument at Tel Hai
Another Janosch Postmark
Following the 14 April 2013 postmark for the opening of the Janosch art exhibition - "Bilder vom Leben" (Pictures from Life) - in Heimbach, Germany, the German Post offers a new commemorative postmark on 26 May 2013. The postmark shows some of Janosch's popular characters, including Little Tiger. The basic design is the same as the opening postmark, but the word "Eröffnung" ("opening") has been replaced by the word "Ausstellung" ("exhibition").
The postmark can be ordered by sending addressed envelopes / postcards franked with German stamps (computer postage not allowed) to:
Deutsche Post AG
Niederlassung BRIEF
Sonderstempelstelle
DE-53253 BONN, Germany
The outer envelope should be marked with "Sonderstempel nr. 09/120'", and must arrive at the Special Postmark Office no later than the date of use.
Postage rates:
Germany: Postcard EUR 0.45 / Standard letter EUR 0.58
International: Postcard/letter: EUR 0.75
Reported by Geir Arveng
62nd National Convntion of French Lions Clubs
Reported by Geir Arveng
Mantaritsa Nature Reserve Wildcat
Reported by Nahum Shereshevsky
Snow Leopard from Chisnau Zoo
The Wonders of Malaysian Forests
Lions Congress in Castelfranco
Reported by Marco Carelli
Centenary of Australian Banknotes
Animals from Antwerp Zoo
Reported by Geir Arveng
150th Anniversary of the Football Association (UPDATED)
On 9 May 2013 Royal Mail will issue a stamp set and a number of other philatelic items to celebrate the 150th annversary of the [English] Football Association and the 140th anniversary of the Scottish Football Association.
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Six of the 1st class stamps (GBP 0.60 on issue) show parts of the FA crest with its three heraldic lions on the players' uniforms. Furthermore the crest - or the Scottish one with a single heradic lion - is shown on the sheetlet selvedge for four more players. The six stamps exisits in both gummed versions from sheets and the miniature sheet and in self-adhesive versions from the prestige booklet (printed in litho/offset). One of the stamps - number 4 above - is also issued in a retail booklet printed in photogravure.
The set of 11 stamps - cooresponding to the number of players on a soccer team - is issued as individual stamps, in a sheetlet showing the 'dream team' set up with players from all four countries of the United Kingdom, as well as in both retail and prestige booklets.
Prestige booklet sold at GBP 11.11 (franking value GBP 10.56 on issue). The crests are shown on the cover and on stamps. Pane 1 also includes a non-denominated label with the FA crest.
The retail booklet contains two football stamps and four definitives, and is sold at GBP 3.60 on issue.
At the time of writing, there's no information on the Royal Mail Website, but all items from this issue can be pre-ordered from Norvic Philatelics.
Reported by Geir Arveng and Ian Billings
Guardian Stone Lions from Canada
Reported by Marci Jarvis and Greg Balagian
Curaçao MS for the Throne Passage
The Dutch Throne Passage is marked by Curaçao by a miniature sheet consisting of 2 ANG 10.00 stamps. The Dutch Royal Lion is also shown (mainly on selvedge, but with parts of the paws running onto the stamps themselves).
Issue date: 30 April 2013. The NAPost website has not been updated with any stamp informations lately.
Reported by Geir Arveng
French Pre-personalised Domestic Cat Stamps
France's La Poste issued a sol called "Collector" of four pre-personalised stamps showing domestic cats. The stamps are self-adhesive and denominated 'Priority Letter up to 20g' (EUR 0.63 on issue). All four show kittens of unspecified breed.
The sheetlet can be ordered from La Poste's on-line boutique for EUR 4.90 (franking value 2.52).
Reported by Nahum Shereshevsky
Canadian 'Adopt a Pet' Booklet and MS
Canada Post issued a set of stamps to promote pet adoption on 22 April 2013. Two of the five P-denominated (CAD 0.63 on issue) stamps show cats.
The stamps are issued in self-adhesive versions in booklets of 10 stamps (2 of each design), as well as in gummed versions in a miniature sheet with 5 stamps.
The stamps can be ordered from the Canada Post online shop.
Reported by Evelyn Vogelaar
Janosch Postmark
On the occasion of a Janosch art exhibition - "Bilder vom Leben" (Pictures from Life) - in Heimbach, Germany, the German Post offers a commemorative postmark on the opening day 14 April 2013. The postmark shows some of Janosch's popular characters, including Little Tiger.
The postmark can be ordered by sending addressed envelopes / postcards franked with German stamps (computer postage not allowed) to:
Deutsche Post AG
Niederlassung BRIEF
Sonderstempelstelle
DE-53253 BONN, Germany
The outer envelope should be marked with "Sonderstempel nr. 07/059", and must arrive at the Special Postmark Office no later than the date of use.
Postage rates:
Germany: Postcard EUR 0.45 / Standard letter EUR 0.58
International: Postcard/letter: EUR 0.75
Reported by Geir Arveng
Hungarian Lynx
On 9 April 2013 the Hungarian Post issued a set of stamps dedicated to the Fauna of Hungary. The issue consists of four stamps and a single-stamp miniature sheet. One of the stamps shows a Eurasian Lynx. The Lynx stamp is denominated HUF 230 (European priority letter rate).
The set can be bought from the Hungarian Post's Webshop. The set was presented in Hungarian Stamps no 10/2013.
Reported by Geir Arveng and Marci Jarvis
Joint Issue Indonesia and Mexico: 60 Years of Diplomatic Relations
Indonesia and Mexico have maintained diplomatic relations for 60 years, and marks the occasion by a joint stamp issue on 6 April 2013. That such occasions be marked with stamps showing cats, is naturally loudly applauded by this website.
The cats in question are the Clouded Leopard from the jungles of Indonesia and the Jaguar from the Mexican wilderness.
Both countries issue the stamps in se-tenant pairs - the Indonesian stamps each denominated INR 8000 (international letter rate) and the Mexican stamps MXN 15.00 (world letter rate).
Reported by Tono D. Putranto and Marci Jarvis
725th Anniversary of Düsseldorf
To mark Düsseldorf's 725th anniversary, a slogan postmark showing the heraldic lion from the city's CoA will be in use at the Düsseldorf Regional Sorting Centre from 2 April - 30 September 2013.
The postmark can be ordered by sending addressed envelopes/ postcards franked with German stamps (computer postage not allowed) to:
Deutsche Post AG
Niederlassung Brief, Stationäre Bearbeitung
Elisabeth-Selbert-Str. 6-8
DE-40764 LANGENFELD, Germany
The outer envelope should be marked with "Werbestempel Nr. 05/BZ009", and must arrive at the Special Postmark Office no later than the last date of use.
Postage rates:
Germany: Postcard EUR 0.45 / Standard letter EUR 0.58
International: Postcard/letter: EUR 0.75
Reported by Geir Arveng
Tiger Postmark at Bhupex-2013
Bhupex 2013 has been arranged in Bhubaneswar, and on 26 March 2013 India Post was present with a commemorative postmark showing a White Tiger from the Nandakanan Zoological Park.
Reported by Geir Arveng
RAF 210 Squadron Honoured on Gibraltar Stamps
On 25 March 2013 the Gibraltar Post Office issued a set of four stamps and a four-stamp miniature sheet honouring the Royal Air Force and four of its squadrons. The RAF 210 Squadron's badge shows a heraldic Griffin, and it is shown on the GBP 0.76 stamps from both the set and the MS.
The badge is also shown on the cover of both presentation packs. The packs are sold at GPB 4.03.
The stamps and other items of this issue can be ordered from the Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau's Webpages.
Reported by Geir Arveng
A Lion in the Meadow
With a set of 5 stamps, New Zealand Post honours the acclaimed children's author Margaret Mahy (1936-2012) on 13 March 2013. The set's NZD 0.70 (inland letter rate) stamp shows a scene from the famous book A Lion in the Meadow.
In addition to the set of stamps, there's also a miniature sheet with all 5 stamps of the set, sold at NZD 9.30.
The Lion can also be found on the presentation pack, both on the cover and inside.
The stamps and related products can be ordered from New Zealand Post's Online Shop.
Reported by Nahum Shereshevsky
Czech Presidential Inauguration
For the Czech presidential inauguration on 8 March 2013, a special postmark was in use in Prague. The motif is the presidential banner with a lion rampant in two quadrants.
A postmark with similar design was also in use on election day on 11 January 2013.
Reported by Marci Jarvis
Wild Cats from Niger
Niger has obviously decided to have a go with the Stamperija Philatelic Agency and has issued a series of no less than 50 miniature sheets on 1 March 2013 dedicated to Nigerien Fauna (two of them - showing Giraffes - in cooperation with WWF). For us cat people there are four MSs of interest. Two are titled Wild Cats of Africa. The 4-stamp MS (4 x XOF 750) shows African Wildcats (one stamp and selvedge), Sand Cats (two stamps) and Servals (one stamp and selvedge). The XOF 2500 single-stamp MS shows Caracals (on stamp and selvedge).
Then there's a pair of miniature sheets titled Lions and Leopards in the same denominations. The XOF 4 x 750 MS has two stamps of each of the species with artwork flowing into the selvedge, while the XOF 2500, single-stamp MS has a Leopard on the stamp, and Lions and another Leopard on the selvedge.
Reported by Geir Arveng
Winnie the Pooh Stamps from Japan
On 1 March 2013 Japan Post issued two sheetlets of 10 self-adhesive stamps each, both showing characters from the Hundred Acres Wood. The the sheetlets consist of 10 x JPY 50 and 10 x JPY 80 stamps respectively. Tigger can be found on two of the stamps and on the selvedge of the JPY 50 sheetlet, and on three of the JPY 80 stamps.
If you understand Japanese, you can read all about this issue on the Japan Post Philatelic Website.
Reported by TS Tan and Marci Jarvis
German Janosch Stamps
On 1 March 2012 Germany will issue two stamps honouring the children's book author and illustrator Janosch (Horst Eckert), His famous Little Tiger character is shown in both stamps, denominated EUR 0.45 (inland postcard) and EUR 0.58 (inland letter).
The Tiger is not featured in any of the First Day Postmarks, but rumours are that he will be in the FDC cachet (we haven't seen that yet, though).
We have only ben able to lift a fairly low quality screenshot of the stamps yet.
In addition to the ordinary gummed stamps, there will also be somewhat smaller, self-adhesive versions of both stamps, sold in booklets of 10 stamps (marketed as 'MarkenSet' by Deutsche Post).
At the time of reporting, there's nothing on the German Post's web pages, but the issue is reported in the information magazine Stempel & Informationen no. 3/2013.
There are two presentation packs in different formats. First an A5-sized Erinnerungsblatt (souvenir folder) with pairs of the stamps cancelled by first day postmarks and sold at EUR 4.95.
Then, a so called KünstlerBlatt (artist's folder) with MNH blocks of four of both stamps and then text and illustrations, all designed by Janosch himself. It is in A4 format and sold at EUR 19.95.
Reported by Geir Arveng and Nahum Shereshevsky
Centenary of Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem
Reported by TS Tan
German Heraldic Lion Postmark
The Germering Stamp Friends (germeringer Briefmarkenfreunde e.V.) arranges an Exchange Day on 17 February 2013. To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of twinning between Balatonfüred in Hungary and Germering, the German Post takes part with a commemorative postmark showing the two cities' coats of arms. Germering's CoA contains a Heraldic Lion.
The postmark can be ordered by sending addressed envelopes/ postcards franked with German stamps (computer postage not allowed) to:
DEUTSCHE POST AG
Niederlassung Privatkunden/Filialen
Sonderstempelstelle
DE-92627 WEIDEN, Germany
The outer envelope should be marked with "Sonderstempel nr. 02/008" + the postmark number (see above), and must arrive at the Special Postmark Office no later than the last date of use.
Postage rates:
Germany: Postcard EUR 0.45 / Standard letter EUR 0.58
International: Postcard/letter:
EUR 0.75
Reported by Geir Arveng
Domestic Cats from Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands has joined the Stamperija Philatelic Agency, and on 15 March 2013, they will issue a set of two miniature sheets with domestic cats.
There's a 4 stamp MS denominated SBD 28.00 (4 x SBD 7.00) and a single-stamp SBD 35.00 MS.
The 4 stamp MS shows
- a Manx (though it looks semi-longhair to us, which makes it a Cymric in most registries),
- a Bambino (this is a first on a stamp we think - the Bambino is a cross between a Sphynx and a Munchkin - only recognized as an experimental breed
by TICA as far as we know)
- a Bengal
- a Sphynx
on the four stamps, as well as
- a Bambino and
- a Maine Coon
on the selvedge.
The single-stamp MS shows
- a Devon Rex
on the stamp and
- a Bengal
- a Savannah and
- a Siberian
on the selvedge
One might have one's thoughts about the plethora of stamps from the Stamperija agency, but at least these are very good pictures of the breeds - easily recognizable to anyone in the cat fancy. You seldom see such a well rounded Siberian and a clearly "boxed" Maine Coon on stamps. Except for the Manx/Cymric mix-up, this set would be applauded at a Cat Show (and yes, your webmaster have displayed both good and bad breed renditions on stamps in cat shows).
Reported by Geir Arveng
Solomon Islands Remembers Princess Diana
Solomon Islands issued two miniature sheets remembering Princess Diana on 15 February 2013. One is a four-stamp MS with 4 x SBD 6.00 stamps amd the other is a single-stamps MS denominated SBD 28.00. The Princess' Coat of Arms is shown on the selvedge of both miniature sheets.
Reported by Geir Arveng
Serbia: Year of the Snake
Serbia issued a set of two stamps for the Lunar New Year on 8 February 2013 (previously reported for 1 February). The main topic is, of course, snakes. But on each stamp, in the backround, a full circle of the lunar zodiac animals are shown, with a Tiger in the eight o'clock position. The stamps are denominated RSD 22 and 46, respectively, and they are presented at the Serb Post's website.
Reported by Mirosad Zahic
Spring Greetings Stamps from Japan Post
NOTE: This issue was previously wrongly reported for 1 March 2013.
Japan Post issues a set of grreting stamps for Spring on 1 February 2013. The set consists of two self-adhesive Miniature Sheets with 5 x JPY 50 and 5 x JPY 80 stamps respectively.
Two of the JPY 50 stamps show a little orange kitten. The only scan we have seen so far is from a low-resolution pdf-brochure. If Japanese is your strong suit, you can read all about the issue on Japan Post's philatelic website.
Reported by Geir Arveng
French Idiomatic Expressions
France's La Poste issued a booklet of 12 self-adhesive stamps denominated Lèttre verte 20g (2nd class inland letter up to 20g - EUR 0.58 on issue). The booklet's theme is proverbs, sayings and other idiomatic expressions. The booklet is titled "Sauter du coq à l'âne" - literally "Jumping from rooster to donkey" - an expression describing a person who abruptly changes the subject without any forewarning or natural connection.
Many such expressions are constructed around animals and their behaviour, as the feline related stamp "Le chat parti, les souris dansent" - literally "While the cat is away the mice are dancing" or the more common in English "When the cat's away, the mice will play".
The booklet can bebought at La Poste's online store.
Reported by Marci Jarvis
Sri Lanka and Japan: 60 Years of Diplomatic Relations
Sri Lanka celebrates 60 years of diplomatic relations with Japan with a set of stamps and a miniature sheet issued on 18 January 2013. On the MS selvedge, the two countries' flags are shown. The Sri Lankan flag shows a Heraldic Lion. The two-stamp MS is denominated LKR 70.00 (LKR 65.00 + 5.00).
Reported by Geir Arveng
Monaco International Cat Show
The Fédération Féline de Monte Carlo and the Association Féline de Monaco will be hosting the 6th edition of the Monaco International Cat Show on 2 and 3 February 2013.
To mark the occasion, the Office des Émmisions des Timbres-Poste will issue a EUR 0.56 stamp showing a Turkish Angora on 16 January 2013.
The stamp is presented on the OETP website (in French only at the time of writing) and can be ordered from their online shop after the date of issue.
The stamp is degned by Colette Thurillet and is sold in sheetlets of 10 stamps.
Reported by Nahum Shereshevsky
Czech Presidential Elections
There's a presidential election in the Czech Republic this year, and on election day 11 January 2013 the Czech Post offered a commemorative postmark for the occasion in Prague. The motif is the presidential banner with a lion rampant in two quadrants.
A postmark with similar design was also in use on inauguration day on 8 March 2013.
Reported by Marci Jarvis
Gujarat Tourism Postmark
On 10 January 2013 the Tourist Corporation of Gujarat Ltd. was the day sponsor at the VADOPEX 2013 Philatelic Exhibition in Vadodara. A commemorative postmark showing the Gujarat Tourism logo with a Lion's head was in use at the exhibition venue.
Unfortunately this postmark came to our attention too late for advance ordering.
Reported by Geir Arveng
A Tiger from the London Underground
Royal Mail starts the 2013 stamp programme with a set of 6 stamps and a 4-stamp Miniature Sheet to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the London Underground.
The MS' four stamps each shows 3 popular advertisements and posters. The GBP 1.28 stamp includes a poster for London Zoo showing a stylized Tiger.
At the time of reporting there's nothing at the Royal Mail website, but the set is presented at the Norvic Philatelics Website.
Reported by Geir Arveng
French Animals in Art Booklet and Year of the Snake Miniature Sheet
Reported by Marcu Jarvis and Greg Balagian
Treasures from German Museums
In a stamp issue dedicated to "Treasures of German Museums" a EUR 1.45 stamp shows the Ishtar Gate on display in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. The stamps will be issued on 2 January 2013. The stamp shows the Ishtar Gate with its animal mosaics, amongst them a Lion.
The Lion is also featured on the First Day Postmark for Berlin.
The stamp can be ordered from the Deutsche Post's online shop.
The gate and its Lion has been shown on German stamps before, namely on the 1966 DDR issue (MI 1229-1232) where the DDM 0.50 stamp shows a Lion, and you will also find it on stamps from Iraq (2009) and the Central African Republic (2012).
Reported by Geir Arveng
Cat Paintings and the Sphinx in Togolese Art Issue
In an extensive series of miniature sheets dedicated to art issued on 1 January 2013, the Togolese Post offers some stamps of interest to catstamp collectors. First - in a set of 2 MSs picturing Egyptian Art, one of the stamps from a 4 x XOF 750 miniature sheet shows the Great Sphinx of Giza.
Then another MS of 4 x XOF 750 plus one of XOF 2000 depict Cats in Art, showing works of Leonardo da Vinci, Pierre Bonard, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso and Andu Warhol, as well as a mural from an ancient Egyptian tomb.
Reported by Geir Arveng
For older items, see 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.