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Building on the success of its Apple and Android smart phone applications, the U.S. Postal Service this week launched a usps.com app for BlackBerry. The BlackBerry app will allow users to track and confirm a package, locate a Post Office, and look up a ZIP Code more quickly and easily.

“Since more and more people are accessing the Internet from mobile devices, we wanted to be sure our customers’ experiences on their smart phones are convenient and user-friendly,” said Kelly Sigmon, vice president, Channel Access. “This BlackBerry app is the latest example of our continuing efforts to make it easier for customers to conduct postal business, when and where they want.”  (read more)

published September 25th, 2011

What does it mean to be “Living Australian?” The Australian day Council of NSW with the support of Australia Post encouraged Australians from across the country to explore
the theme of “Who We Are” as a nation, by showcasing how they live as Aussies every day through the creative medium of photography.

The response was overwhelming, with 3,350 images submitted in the categories of Community; Pride; Family and Mates; and Freedom. The winning entries, including the overall winner “Best Friends” by Ann Clarke of South Australia, are featured in Living Australian 2011 Stamps Series.

The overall winner: Best Friends.
The bond between man’s best friend and his owner has always been a strong one. Dogs offer companionship, loyalty, and for large numbers of people they also provide a service.

To view all entries to the Living Australian photography competition visit (read more)

published July 25th, 2011

The U.S. Postal Service is providing a sneak peek at the stamps it will be issuing in 2012.

On Monday, the post office revealed a special Cherry Blossom Centennial Forever stamp that “celebrates the friendship between America and Japan.”

The stamp commemorates the relationship between the two countries that began 100 years ago when the city of Tokyo gave 3,020 cherry trees to D.C.

“In this unusual design, two stamps form the left and right halves of a single, panoramic view of cherry trees blooming around the Tidal Basin in the nation’s capital,” a website featuring the new designs states.

The stamp features two girls dressed in bright kimonos and a family on a stroll on one side, and American tourists at the Tidal Basin on the other.

The stamp is designed by art director (read more)

published July 21st, 2011

published May 23rd, 2011

Only six years after his death, John Paul II will be beatified on May 1st. The miraculous healing of French Sr. Marie Simon Pierre Normanda has been offi cially recognized and attributed to his intercession. The process which has led to the beatification of Karol Wojtyla is quite extraordinary since five years are usually required after death before starting a cause for beatification. Nevertheless, Pope Benedict XVI recognized the “reputation of holiness” which surrounded John Paul II, even when he was still alive, and he decided to allow the cause of beatification to begin just a few weeks after his death.

(read more)

published March 21st, 2011

Although World Stamp News is a philatelic website, we thought it was appropriate to report on the NEW Coin to be released by Great Britain for the Royal Wedding whilst all collectors patiently await for the stamps to be announced.

Finally the official coin for Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding on April 29 was unveiled yesterday, showing the couple on one side with Queen Elizabeth II’s official image on the reverse side of the coin as is standard on all British and Commonwealth circulating and commemorative coins.

The £5 commemorative coin published by the Royal Mint features the text as follows, “William and Catherine, 29 April 2011″, and shows the couple looking at each other.

According to the artist’s impression of the coin, which the prince has approved, Kate, 29, is smiling naturally, showing her teeth, with her long hair covering her ears, while William, 28, has his mouth slightly open. (read more)

published March 4th, 2011

On 4 November, 2010, An Post issued three commemorative stamps depicting the Annunciation, the Nativity and a festive Robin. For the first time ever, the images on the gummed stamps (the Annunciation and the Nativity) also appear on the new Stamps on a Roll (SOAR) format.

The feast of the Annunciation marks the visit of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, during which he told her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is celebrated on 25 March each year, and occurs 9 months before the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day.

The Nativity tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ and the (read more)

published November 26th, 2010

Year-round sunshine and warm weather makes the Bahamas a favourite destination for travellers in need of rest, relaxation, and a fun-filled getaway.  Each year around 4 million visitors make their way to the sunny shores of Nassau/Paradise Island and other islands of the archipelago, which are found just 50 miles off the Florida coast.

Arriving by air and sea, the peak holiday season starts from mid-December as travelers escape their colder climates and head to the exotic Bahamas to soak up the beautiful island life and enjoy the traditional festivities such as the world famous Junkanoo and firework displays throughout the islands; the perfect atmosphere for celebrating Christmas and the New Year with family and friends.

 With tourism directly and indirectly employing 50% of the Bahamian workforce and accounting for approximately half of the country’s GDP, this year’s Christmas stamps are a celebration for all who will be enjoying the islands this Christmas. The stamps have been designed in a classic Art Deco poster style and depict four of the main elements of tourism.

(read more)

published November 8th, 2010

On 12th October 2010, Jersey Post has introduced a new series entitled ‘Jersey Archaeology’.   With so much emphasis on the Island’s natural beauty, it is easy to bypass the fact that it is home to one of Europe’s most important archaeological sites, known as La Cotte de St Brelade.  Serious excavations first began 100 years ago, in 1910 and Prince Charles, himself a student of archaeology and anthropology at Cambridge University, joined in a dig at La Cotte in 1968.   Jersey Post’s Archaeology – La Cotte de St Brelade stamps feature some of the finds excavated from the site :-  

39p – Human Teeth

 45p – Woolly Rhinoceros skull

55p – Woolly Mammoth Tusks & Tooth

60p – Flint Tools

80p – Giant Deer Antler

Technical Details:- Stamps, First Day Cover envelope and Presentation Pack painted by Nick Shewring.  Stamps printed by Österreichische Staatsdruckerei GmbH in four colour process offset lithography in sheets of ten (2 across x 5 down).  Stamp die size 40mm x 30mm. Stamp product designs © Jersey Post Ltd 2010.

published October 16th, 2010

The Royal Mail sorting office in Coventry has been sold to a midlands-based development firm. The sorting office will be closed at the end of the year once the transfer to the new owners have been carried out. Despite the protests from 600 staff members with regards to the move, the sale has still gone ahead. A Spokesperson from the royal mail said:

“There have been no compulsory redundancies as a result of the move. Staff have either been redeployed in the Coventry area, given voluntary redundancy or will move to the new South Midlands Mail Centre with an enhanced travel package.”

(read more)

published September 19th, 2010

Marianne is a symbol of the Republic of France. A Marianne is a bust of a proud and determined woman wearing what is known as a Phrygian Cup. She symbolises the attachment of the common citizens of the revolution to the Republic – Marianne is liberty, egality and fraternity.

Marianne has been used on most definitive stamps issued since 1944, as well as several commemorative issues. When Marianne is not clearly wearing a Phrygian cap, as is the case on some Marianne stamps, she is known as ‘the Republic’

The Marianne stamps are for French Philatelists like the Machin Head are (read more)

published July 3rd, 2010