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On June 22, 2010, in New York, New York, the Postal Service™ will issue a 44-cent, Oscar Micheaux commemorative stamp, designed by Derry Noyes, Washington, DC.

The 33rd stamp in the Black Heritage series honors pioneering filmmaker Oscar Micheaux, who wrote, directed, produced, and distributed more than 40 movies during the first half of the 20th century.

An ambitious, larger-than-life figure, Micheaux thrived at a time when African-American filmmakers were rare, venues for their work were scarce, and support from the industry did not exist. Micheaux’s entrepreneurial spirit and independent vision continue to inspire new generations of filmmakers and artists.

The stamp features a stylized portrait of Oscar Micheaux by artist Gary Kelley, Cedar Falls, Iowa. The artwork is based on one of the few surviving photographs of Micheaux, a portrait that appeared in his 1913 novel, “The Conquest”.

Source US Post

published June 10th, 2010

It was Thue Christiansen, artist and retired head clerk of the Greenlandic Home Rule, who – 25 years ago – designed the Greenlandic flag, Erfalasorput. And it is Thue Christiansen himself, who now has created the image for the stamp, which celebrates Greenland’s first 25 years with Erfalasorput.

The stamp is a beautiful graphic composition, printed in offset, with the value DKK 7.00, which is the postal rate for regular air mail letters up to 20 grams in Greenland. Thue Christiansen expressed earlier this year his thoughts and feelings behind the birth of the flag to POST Greenland’s subscriber’s magazine, Greenland Collector: “We were seven Greenlandic artists who were asked to come up with a flag design proposal without a cross. These would then compete with other proposals with crosses. As you know, my proposal won. (read more)

published June 10th, 2010

The PHILALUX 2011 will be organised jointly by the ‘Federation Internationale de Philatelie (FSPL) and P&T Luxembourg. It benefits from the patronage of the Federation of European Philatelic Associations (FEPA) and is recognised by the Federation Internationale de Philatelie (FIP). The patronage of FEPA and the recognition of FIP will make PHILALUX 2011 a part of the international philatelic and cultural life and it will create new human relations and deepen existing friendships.

Philatelic exhibitions have a long tradition in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg: the first took place in 1952 and since then, roughly every 10 years, P&TLuxembourg and the FSPL have had the honor of offering to philatelists and the general public an occasion to celebrate the magnificent pastime that collecting postage stamps represents.

The last international exhibition of this type in Luxembourg goes back to 1998 with the organization of the JUVALUX philatelic exhibition for youths which exhibitors present at the time still remember today. (read more)

published June 10th, 2010

A set of six postage stamps plus a Miniature Sheet has been issued on 8th June 2010 to mark the 15th anniversary of the Jersey Festival Rose Show.  Organised by the Jersey Rosarians, this annual festival is now known as the Jersey Rose and Flower Show and is held in the beautiful grounds of Samares Manor in the Parish of St Clement.  The stamps and Miniature Sheet feature a selection of the beautiful rose species to be found in Jersey.

(read more)

published June 9th, 2010

The international Collector Fair is the largest gathering of collectors in the CEE region.  Since its inception in 1998, Collector has sought to establish a collectors’ event in Prague that would stand in comparison to established exhibitions in Western Europe.  The broad directory of collectibles comprises philately, numismatics, minerals, gemstones, cards, historical postcards, posters, and other fields of collectors’ interest.  Experts, traders, and visitors from the general public will all get their money’s worth.  In the words of the great poet and collector J. W. Goethe, “Collectors are happy people”.  The organising committees are looking forward to seeing as many happy people as possible at the fairground.

The fair is held under the auspices of the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic Mrs. Miroslava Kopicová and (read more)

published June 9th, 2010

Illegal stamps are postage stamp-like labels (with perforations and gums, etc) issued in the names of existing independent countries or territories, entities claiming to be independent, or completely fictitious regions. They are  simply philatelic fakes and forgeries.

 These labels may be used to defraud postal administrations, stamp collectors and the general public, but some are used to fulfill actual domestic postal needs of unrecognized entities, and a few are nothing more than propaganda labels. According to the UPU, the market is estimated to be at least $500 million per year. Illegal stamps are unfortunately flourishing still in the 21st century.

Illegal stamps are said to result in adverse consequences for several different parties. Countries lose revenue to illegal issues and stamp collectors may lose money by mistakenly buying illegal stamps that have little or no monetary value. In addition, inexperience or non-philatelists have been tricked into buying illegal stamps that are worthless memorabilia for their favorite hobby or interests. (read more)

published June 8th, 2010

LONDON.- Just days before the 2010 World Cup kicks off, unused postage stamp designs from the 1970 World Cup have been uncovered by archivists at The British Postal Museum & Archive (BPMA).

The designs, by one of the UK’s most prolific stamp designers, David Gentleman, were commissioned in the event that England should have a successive World Cup victory following its win in 1966.

It’s thought that David Gentleman was briefed to prepare the 1970 designs after the more hasty production of the celebratory stamp for the World Cup four years previously. Although the Royal Mail had produced a hugely popular set of stamps to mark England’s hosting of the World Cup in 1966, when the national team won, there was only time to modify the existing stamp with the words ‘ENGLAND WINNERS’ to celebrate the triumph.

Jennifer Flippance, exhibition manager for the London 2010: Festival of Stamps said: “Royal Mail was obviously determined (read more)

published June 8th, 2010

When the New Zealand Maori rugby team played their first ever game and won, they set the standard for all the games to follow. They also established a playing culture and style for which they have since become famous, in New Zealand and around the world.

Since that first game 100 years ago, New Zealand Maori rugby teams have been an inspiration for generations of young, talented players – offering a pathway to sporting excellence, and providing New Zealand with a representative team renowned for its pride, tenacity and moments of sheer sporting brilliance.

In this new stamp release, (read more)

published June 8th, 2010

200 billion copies so far and counting!

Unbelievable to many but this is the approximate figure of copies sold to date of the Queen’s Machin head stamp. The photographer who took the photo of the Queen’s head was none other than John Hedgecoe, a world renowned photographer

John Hedgecoe (born 1937 – died 7th June 2010) was an award-winning photographer and best-selling author of over 30 books on photography. He established the photography department in 1965 at the Royal Art College where he was Professor from 1975–1994 and is currently Professor Emeritus. His photographs appear in permanent collections at the New York Museum of Modern Art and London’s National Portrait Gallery

Hedgecoe’s profile shot of the Queen was made by him in June 1967, well over forty years ago and was (read more)

published June 7th, 2010

As we had reported on our article published the 4th May, Stanley Gibbons investment department had recently acquired the world famous GB stamp 1904 6d Pale Dull Purple (I.R. Official) with a view of selling it.

Well, we are pleased to inform you that in a record time, this magnificent stamp has been sold to an anonymous buyer for the impressive sum of £400,000! We at www.worldstampnews.com are thrilled that there is so much demand for these type of stamps nowadays.

The stamp was issued on 14 March 1904, but was withdrawn almost immediately after issue. Amazingly only 19 sheets were ever printed and on withdrawal, it was thought that all had been destroyed.

 Director of Stanley Gibbons Investment, Keith Heddle, said: “The 6d I.R. Official is one of the most sought-after stamps in the world.

“Understandably our client is thrilled to own such a unique and coveted piece.”

published June 7th, 2010

George Roll Breifmaken GMBH started as a one-man-company in the new issue stamp business many decades ago and up until one year ago the company was one of the most important philatelic agencies and wholesale philatelic companies in the German speaking countries in Europe, Swiss and the Benelux market.

The company represented over 50 Postal Administrations and had a contract with German Post for representation at major philatelic exhibitions worldwide. All of a sudden and without anyone expecting it, the prestigious company went into liquidation and according to credible sources in the industry, several Postal Administrations have been left with considerable unpaid debts.

The worldwide philatelic press has not said much about the matter.

Why the silence? Did the economic crisis affect their business? What happened to the customers of George Roll? (read more)

published June 7th, 2010