The streets of Hong Kong
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As a melting pot where east meets west and tradition blends with modernity, Hong Kong has many streets of individual character. Hongkong Post has specially selected 6 distinctive ones to constitute a set of 6 stamps. These snapshots give a sense of nostalgia to Hong Kong people
Hong Kong’s street markets are always full of excitement and colour. The market stalls are where Hong Kong’s dedicated shoppers hone their bargaining skills. There are a few for you to explore, such as Stanley Market, Temple Street Night Market, Ladies Market and Jade Market.
Hong Kong is a truly “Shoppers’ Paradise”. There are many shopping areas throughout Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories featuring stylish shopping malls, department stores as well as bustling open-air markets.
Taiwan Lighthouses
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Chunghwa Post first issued a set of stamps on lighthouses in 1989, and now it is following up with another set of four stamps on the topic, featuring the following lighthouses:
The Chilung Tao Lighthouse (NT$5): The lighthouse is located at the highest point on Chilung Tao, off Keelung Harbor. Built in 1980, this octagon-shaped concrete tower, with a black-and-white vertical-striped daymark, uses air batteries for electricity. In 1998, the lighthouse switched to solar power. In 2006, wind power was added as a secondary power source. The lighthouse has a nominal range of 13.8 nautical miles.
The Wenkan Tui Lighthouse (NT$5): Built in 1914, this skeletal steel frame light tower is located on Waisanding Sandbar off Kouhu Township, Yunlin County. In 1974 (read more)
New caligraphy stamps cause a stir in China
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A new set of chinese stamps issued on the 1th May have proved to be a success in China.
The set of six stamps feature calligraphy masterpieces from four of China’s most famous masters such as Lan Tingxu (303-361AD). The format of the issue isa world’s first as for the first time, the stamps are being printed on Xuan Zhi, Xuan paper, a traditional material in use throughout China for calligraphy for well over 1,000 years
Calligraphy is an art dating back to the earliest day of history, and widely practiced throughout China to this day. Although it uses Chinese words as its vehicle of expression, one does not have to know Chinese to appreciate its beauty. Because in essence, Calligraphy is an abstract art.
While viewing a Western abstract painting, one does not ask, “What is it?” When viewing Chinese calligraphy, one need not ask
(read more)
UNESCO World Heritage on stamps
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A set of four stamps featuring photographic landsapes from Australia has been recently issued by Aurtralia Post. Australia is home to some incredible natural wonders and this issue celebrates four UNESCO World Heritage listed sites.
Purnululu National Park in Western Australia was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2003 as an outstanding example containing the major stages in the Earth’s evolutionary history, superlative natural phenomena, and areas of exceptional natural beauty.
Kakadu National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in (read more)
Rotary International in Canada, 100th Anniversary
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“It is a man’s job to be a good Rotarian, and he who lives up to the precepts will be a good neighbour, a kind friend, a loving husband, a companionable father, and an asset to the community in which he lives.”
Paul P. Harris, Founder, Rotary International
Oh, the simple pleasures of small-town life: the sense of fellowship and community; the warm, friendly neighbourhood ties. If only these rural values could be brought to life in the city. And so began a movement—one that was born in a backroom in Chicago and would soon send ripples of goodwill across the border and around the world.
The first Rotary Club was founded in the United States as a small businessman’s club. Spearheaded by Paul P. Harris, a Chicago lawyer, the club’s membership expanded rapidly, as did its focus; Rotarians were soon using their newfound comradeship to reach out to less fortunate members of their community. (read more)
HM The Queen’s private collection
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Housed in St. James’s Palace, the Royal Philatelic Collection is said to be the world’s most comprehensive collection of postage stamps of Great Britain and the Commonwealth.
Starting in the early nineteenth century, the Collection was put together by Royal stamp enthusiasts. Key figures in its development were Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, the second son of Queen Victoria, and King George V, a keen stamp collector who built up a collection of world renown.
Later monarchs continued to preserve, develop and enjoy the Collection. Today the Collection continues to grow. It receives stamps of the UK and many Commonwealth countries in mint blocks of four or six. Occasional purchases of rare historical items are also made to enhance the Collection further. (read more)
Australia will host the 2013 World Stamp Expo
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Australia will be hosting a World Exhibition to commemorate the Centenary of the Kangaroo stamp issued as the first Commonwealth postage stamp.
Australia 2013 will be a FIP International Stamp Exhibition to be held in Melbourne Australia, from 14 – 19 May 2013 at theExhibtion Building, Cartlon, Melbourne.
A new website has been launched by the organising commitee www.australia2013.com More information on events, exhibits, standholders, dealers and children competitions will be updated to the site within the next months. The team at www.worldstampnews.com wish them the best of success and look forward to attending the show in 2013
Irish Art Stamps
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To mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of artist Roderic O’Conor, An Post issued two stamps on 27 May, 2010.
Roderic O’Conor (17 October 1860 – 18 March 1940) was an Irish Painter. O Connor lived fr many year in Paris and his method of painting with textured strokes of contrasting colours owed much to Van Gogh.
The stamps depict a painting of The Breton Girl, Bretonne, c.1903-1904 (oil on canvas) and a self portrait, 1928, (oil on board). The stamps and first day cover were designed by Ger Garland.
Source: An Post
How the Internet changed Philately
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OUR OPINION: There were many in the 90s that predicted stamp collecting and stamp sales would become extinct no thanks to the internet. Unfortunately, for Post Offices around the world, stamp sales have gone down as less and less people are sending letters via the post, preferring instead the immediacy of email, social networks and SMS message communication.
Thankfully, the contrary can be said of the hobby of stamp collecting. Even the most optimistic of collectors would not have predicted the new boom being experienced in Philately these days which by all accounts seems to be gathering force. (read more)
Spanish Nature Reserve Parks
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A set of three stamps featuring the most important nature reserves throughout Spain and the Iberian Peninsula has recently been issued. The stamps feature different photo montages of the different scenic locations. These locations are ‘The Sierra de Cazorla, The Garajonay National Park and the Parque de Dona Ana;
The Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park is located in the north-eastern part of the province of Jaén (Andalusia). It is the largest protected area in Spain and one of the largest in Europe. It was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1983 and also a Special Protection Area for migratory birds in 1988. Its large area embraces 23 municipalities spread over the mountain areas of Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas (read more)
Guernsey celebrates girlguiding centenary
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On their Twitter postings, Guernsey Post has announced that a brand new striking set of Girl Guide stamps are now available to buy from their website.
Girlguiding UK (originally known as The Girl Guides), was established in 1910. Two years later, the first Guernsey unit was set up by Miss Mellish, (the then Headmistress at Guernsey’s Ladies College) and now the Association boasts around 700 members.
Whilst each Guiding unit is different, there a number of things that make the Guernsey branch particularly special;
(read more)
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