World Stamps and Postmarks: December 2008

Wednesday, 31 December 2008

Malaysia - Christmas Postcard 2008

Thanks to Nurulhuda Kadir:
Christmas Postcard sent from Johor, Malaysia to Portugal.

Tuesday, 30 December 2008

Czech Republic - Kroneriz 17-12-2008

Thanks to Milan Zacek:
Cover sent on 17-12-2008 from Kroneriz, Czech Republic to Portugal.

Israel - Christmas Noel 2008

Thanks to Paulo Duek: Cover sent on 08-12-2008 from Israel to Portugal.

Monday, 29 December 2008

Turkey - Istanbul Postcards

Thanks to Hosgakal. Postcards sent on 05-03-2008

Monday, 22 December 2008

Canada - FDC Christmas 1992

Canada - FDC Christmas - Ottawa, ON 13-11-1992

Guiné - FDC Centenário da União Internacional das Telecomunicações 1965

Guiné - FDC Centenário da União Internacional das Telecomunicações - Bissau 17-05-1965

Soud-West Africa - FDC African Bushmen Tribes 1978

Soud-West Africa - FDC African Bushmen Tribes - Gobabis 14-04-1978

Bulgaria - FDC Balkan Games 1963

Bulgaria - FDC Balkan Games 1963 - Issued on 13-09-1963.

Australia - FDC Christmas 1982

Australia - FDC Christmas 1982 - Melbourne 15-September-1982

Australia - FDC Christmas 28-SEP-1981

Australia - FDC Christmas 1981 - Melbourne 28-09-1981.

Australia - FDC Christmas 1981

Australia - FDC Christmas 1981 - Melbourne 2-11-1981.

Australia - FDC Australian Animals - Endangered Species - Tasmanian Tiger

Australia - FDC Australian Animals - Endangered Species - Tasmanian Tiger - Melbourne 01-07-1981.

Tuesday, 16 December 2008

Japan - Hikarigaoka Tokyo

Thanks to Mar Malaki: Cover sent from Japan - Hikarigaoka Tokyo to Portugal on 20-11-2008.

Thursday, 11 December 2008

Macau - FDC Emissão Carta Geográfica 1956

Macau - FDC Emissão Carta Geográfica 10-05-1956 with 3 Avos Stamp

Romania - WWF Maximum Postcard 1984

Romania - WWF Maximum Postcard 1984 - Dalmatian Pelican.
The Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) is a member of the pelican family. It breeds from southeastern Europe through Asia to China in swamps and shallow lakes. The nest is a crude heap of vegetation.

This is the largest of the pelicans, averaging 170 cm (67 inches) in length, 11-15 kg (24-33 lbs) in weight and just over 3 m (10 ft) in wingspan. On average, it's the world's heaviest flying species, although large male bustards and swans can exceed the pelican in maximum weight. It differs from the White Pelican in that it has curly nape feathers, grey legs and greyish-white (rather than pure white plumage). It has a red lower mandible in the breeding season. Immatures are grey and lack the pink facial patch of immature White Pelicans. The latter also has darker flight feathers.

This pelican migrates short distances. In flight, it is an elegant soaring bird, with the flock moving in synchrony. The neck is then held back like a heron's.

As is well known, pelicans catch fish in their huge bill pouches, most, like this species, while swimming at the surface.

Like the White Pelican, this species has declined greatly through habitat loss and persecution. As of 1994, there are around 1,000 breeding pairs in Europe, most of them in Russia, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania (Karavasta Lagoon).

The Dalmatian Pelican is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

Canada - Christmas: Winter Fun 2008

Cover sent from Canada to Portugal on 17-11-2008 with three stamps and one stamp sheet of three stamps.

Christmas: Winter Fun 2008. Skiing, tobogganing and playing in the snow are favourite pastimes for Canadians of all ages. These stamps celebrate these popular winter activities and playfully capture the spirit of the holiday season.

Stamp from Beneficial Insects Serie of 2007.Date of Issue: 12 October 2007. Northern Bumblebee.

Stamp from Beneficial Insects Serie of 2007.Date of Issue: 12 October 2007. Canada Darner.

Aristotle once said, "In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous." Perhaps nowhere is this more true than when it comes to our tiniest of creatures: the insect. Don't let the insect's small stature fool you- these marvels of nature are incredibly useful. In fact, scientific research asserts that humans - and probably most life on earth - would perish without insects. This little-known fact is what prompted Angelique Dawson, the Stamp Services archivist at Canada Post, to suggest Canada's beneficial insects as a worthy stamp theme. "I looked to my own backyard - literally - for the inspiration behind this stamp issue. My garden is abundant in butterflies, ladybugs, bumblebees and lacewings because I strongly believe in a well-balanced ecosystem; one that uses beneficial insects instead of pesticides and insecticides," says Dawson. After a great deal of research, the list of potential beneficial insects to feature was whittled down to a select five: the golden-eyed lacewing, cecropia moth, northern bumblebee, Canada darner, and convergent lady beetle, better known as the ladybug. The valuable services provided by insects include wildlife nutrition, pest control, pollination, and dung burial. As warm weather approaches, Canadians are accustomed to seeing bumblebees busily helping to pollinate their gardens. But less familiar is the northern bumblebee (Bombus polaris), as portrayed on the 5¢ stamp with a bountiful head of clover. This docile bumblebee that thrives in the Arctic survives in below-freezing temperatures by shivering its flight muscles to generate heat. A number of Arctic flowers are almost entirely reliant on this large species for pollination. Each of these five beneficial insects is presented on its own pane of 50 stamps, as well as together on a souvenir sheet of five stamps and an uncut press sheet. In addition, a dynamic souvenir sheet OFDC buzzes with countless insects in motion. "Each stamp is centred on the way it is lit, creating a sense of strong light on each insect as well as enabling each to stand out from the background," says designer and illustrator Keith Martin. Moreover, by darkening and fading the edges, Martin created a unified border so that when the stamps touch, they bleed together as one. But neither Martin nor Danielle Trottier, Manager of Stamp Design and Production at Canada Post, could resist a touch of playfulness in the overall design. "The more I thought about bugs in general and these five in particular," says Martin, "the more I delighted in the seeming lack of a 'right side up'." To capture this particular insect feature, Martin positioned each bug in a different orientation on the stamp. Trottier adds that even the stamps themselves now have no "right side up" because the type runs on both sides. "I also adore that the bugs refuse to 'fall in line,' and happy stragglers can be seen walking off the edges of the souvenir sheet," says Trottier. "But when it comes to fun, it really comes down to the design of the OFDC - it's like a party ... a veritable bugfest!" Bugs just wanna have fun! Bugs are universally appealing to kids, who love to collect the real-life version. With these cheerfully coloured stamps being so affordable, the possibilities for fun are endless. -These stamps pose a perfect opportunity to introduce that special youngster in your life to stamp collecting. -If you know any teachers, tell them about the fun of using stamps in the classroom; lesson plans and activities are available at www.postalplanet.ca. -Beneficial insects are an ideal topic to launch a science lesson and the stamps can be used as prizes for lessons learned. -Young scholars will enjoy practising mathematical basics by creatively combining stamps of different monetary values.
Canada Post Corporation. Canada's Stamp Details, Vol. 16, No. 4, p. 8-10.

Mozambique - FDC IV Aniversário da Independência 1979

Mozambique - FDC IV Aniversário da Independência - Beira 25-06-1979

Hong Kong, China - Christmas

Thanks to Tse Lai Kwong:
Cover sent from Hong Kong, China to Portugal on 16-11-2008 with three stamps and a Christmas postmark:

Stamp of 20¢: Collared Scops Owl - 2006 Hong Kong Definitive Stamps. Date of Issue: 31 December 2006. A common and ubiquitous resident which can be found in practically any wooded habitat. It is a medium-sized owl which shows ear tufts when alarmed. At night, it is recognised by its soft “hoo-oo” call, which is repeated at about ten-second intervals. It breeds in tree holes and also nest boxes installed in country parks. Category II protected species in China.

Heartwarming. Date of Issue: 10 Sep 2003. Following the successful launch in 2001 of the Personal Greetings special stamps which allowed customers to add their photos onto the tabs of the stamps, a set of Heartwarming Special Stamps with similar feature will be issued on 10 September 2003 (Wednesday). This is the first set of Hong Kong stamps without a value indicator. Each stamp comes with "Local Mail Postage" indication with the value equivalent to current postage of HK$1.40, or "Air Mail Postage" indication equivalent to the airmail postage of HK$3.00. Irrespective of future postage revision, "Local Mail Postage" may be used for mailing a first class local letter of the minimum weight step (30g) and "Air Mail Postage" for payment of postage of the minimum weight step (20g) for a Zone 2 airmail letter.

"Special Attractions of the 18 Districts in Hong Kong". Date of Issue: 18 July 2006. Hong Kong is small, but despite its size, the territory exudes charm in each of its districts, offering a kaleidoscope of attractions - trendy hot spots, state-of-the-art skyscrapers, historic architecture, venerable customs and bewitching landscapes.

Each of the stamps portrays three different elements of its own particular district. Some incorporate a cultural aspect as well as a famous landmark or a particularly popular shopping mall, others have a religious connection or a museum represented, and all are in one denomination only of HK$1.40.

The set of special stamps is designed by Ms. Shirman LAI and printed in photogravure by Joh. Enschede B.V., the Netherlands.

Finland - Multiview Postcard 20-11-2008

Thanks to Emilia: Postcrossing official card sent from Finland on 20-11-2008 with Christmas stamp.

Cheerfull Christmas stamps! The designer of the Christmas stamps is Julia Vuori, who has charmed children and grown-ups alike with her adult uniqueness and childlike merriness in her illustrations for children’s picture books and art books as well as her humorous animal cartoons.

The stamp mainly for Christmas cards shows a big and a small bear traipsing through a snowy forest: they are getting their Christmas tree. The first class Christmas stamp shows forest animals gathered together around a Christmas tree for a round game. Both stamps are self-adhesive.

Transparent Frosty Night stamp is believed to be the world’s first transparent stamp. It depicts beutifully the magic of Northern winter Night . The stamp was designed by Nina Rintala.

France- Père Noel 2008

Thanks to Père Noel. :)
Cover from France, Liborne - Père Noel (Santa Claus).

Monday, 8 December 2008

Japan - Harry Potter Postcard

Thanks to Wired-lain:
Harry Potter postcard sent from Japan to Portugal on 21-03-2008

Hungary - House Martins Postcard - 2007

Thanks to Stoned: House Martins Postcard sent from Hungary to Portugal on 11-05-2007.

Mozambique - Fábrica de Xaropes e Refrigerantes do Vumba - 1975

Cover sent from Mozambique to Portugal on 02-09-1975.

Finland - Frog Postcard

Thanks to Marja2006:
Frog Postcard sent from Finland, Seinajoki to Portugal on 27-02-2008 with Frog stamp.

The stamp on card belongs to this serie issued on 2008.

Canada - From anywhere to anyone - 2007

Thanks to Jeffrey Errick: Cover sent from Canada to Portugal on 16-05-2007. Cover with flower stamp ans postmark "From anywhere to anyone - De Partout jusqu'à vous.