Anyone visiting Alderney and hoping to see some dragonflies would do well to head for Mannez, in the east of the island, although true enthusiasts will want to contact kindred spirits at the Alderney Wildlife Trust (www.alderneywildlife.org).

The species featured on the stamps are as follows:

Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum (36p): a resident species which most of us in the British Isles have probably seen, had we but known it.

The Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator (45p): with its vivid blue body, one of the largest of British species, and a powerful, vigorous hunter.

The Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans (56p): another colourful character which, perfectly at home in Alderney, can also be found as far away as the Middle East, Russia and even China. (read more)

published January 21st, 2010

Tigranes the Great (140 – 55 BCE) also called Tigranes II and sometimes Tigranes I was emperor of Armenia  under whom the country became, for a short time, the strongest state east of the Roman Republic. He was a member of the Artaxiad Royal House. Under his reign, the Armenian kingdom expanded beyond its traditional boundaries, temporarily becoming an empire and involved itself in many battles against opponents such as the Parthian and Seleucid empires and the Roman Republic.

Armenia became one of the most powerful and developed countries in the region during the days of Tigran the Great glorified by the title “King of kings”. King Tigran the Great, famous representative of Artashesyan dynasty (B.C 95-55), had a significant role in strengthening the Armenian statehood. (read more)

published January 20th, 2010

On 5 February 2010, the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) will continue its Coin and Flag series by releasing 24 new stamps in the denominations of US$ 0.44, CHF 0.85 and € 0.65. Three mini-sheets of eight stamps each will be released.

This is the fourth year of the stamp series representing the coins and flags of Member States of the United Nations. The series is expected to run for approximately eight years until stamps representing all 192 Member States are issued.

Original Post: UNPA website

published January 15th, 2010

The International Federation of Stamp Dealers Associations ‘IFSDA’ was created by a group of philatelic businessmen to regulate the business and set high standards within the industry

The objectives of IFSDA are the following :

• - To promote and maintain a high standard of professional integrity among Philatelic dealers throughout the world.
• - To promote the exchange among the member organizations of information and literature likely to be of service to the philatelic trade.
• - To try in all ways to reduce the barriers in international Philatelic trade.
• - To promote the exchange of information regarding the marketing of stolen, forged, faked and repaired stamps.
• - To promote and help promoting stamp collecting throughout the world.

IFSDA cooperates with (read more)

published January 13th, 2010

The U.S. Postal Service salutes the Lunar New Year with a commemorative 12-stamp souvenir sheet issued today. The Celebrating Lunar New Year: Year of the Tiger stamp was dedicated at the El Pueblo Historical Monument.

All 40 million 44-cent first-class stamps are available nationwide or online at www.usps.com/store. “Throughout our nation, Asian communities have shared their traditions, culture and heritage and, in return, the Postal Service is pleased to contribute by issuing the third of 12 stamps in our Celebrating Lunar New Year series,” said Postal Service Vice President, Employee Development and Diversity, Susan LaChance. “The Postal Service is a microcosm of the diversity of America, and that diversity (read more)

published January 12th, 2010