Austrian Post will be making philatelic history when it releases a postage stamp commemorating the 15th Regenbogenparade (Rainbow Parade) in Vienna on July 3.

The special stamp was designed by Christian Högl, who works as a professional graphic designer in addition to his volunteer activities as HOSI Wien’s co-president. He also created the graphic designs for the Rainbow Parade for the last eight years.

“Austrian Post will dedicate one of the 60 postal stamps to be issued this year to this event,” said Jona Solomon, co-president of Homosexuelle Initiative (HOSI) Wien, (read more)

published May 5th, 2010

2010 marks 170 years of the world’s first stamp, the famous and much adored Penny Black which was introduced in Britain by Rowland Hill and was first officially put on sale in London on May 1 1840. (read more)

published May 1st, 2010

The Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau, a proven leader in online philately has is giving Gibraltar stamp collectors the chance to win a magnificent and rare £5.00 1938 stamp valued at £1300.

Any collector that spends £10 or more on www.gibraltar-stamps.com will be automatically entered into a draw to win 3 superb prizes: (read more)

published April 26th, 2010

Ever wondered what are the most expensive stamps in the world. All of us a stamp collectors realise that stamp collecting continues to one of the most popular hobbies in the world. Still known as the “Hobby of Kings and Kings of Hobbies” collectorsspend a lot of money to get a rare stamps and many have seen their investments double in value in relative short period of time. The following are expensive stamps (read more)

published April 20th, 2010

Battersea aims never to turn away a dog or cat in need of help; which is why it takes in 12,000 lost and homeless pets every year. So we are proud to mark the 150th Anniversary of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home with this special issue featuring some of the adorable creatures that this wonderful institution has rescued and rehomed.

All ten of the Special Stamps in the issue featuring delightful four-legged friends and brought to you in perfect, unmarked condition… (read more)

published February 20th, 2010

Philately is the study of stamps and related items. Philately is distinct from stamp collecting which does not usually involve the study of stamps. It is possible to be a philatelist without owning any stamps. For instance, the stamps being studied may be very rare or exist only in museums.

The word “philately” is the English version of the French word “philatélie”, coined by Georges Herpin in 1864.

Herpin stated that stamps had been collected and studied for the last six or seven years and a better name was (read more)

published February 7th, 2010

Welcome to the world little Mali, Melbourne Zoo’s newest addition to the elephant herd born 16 January 2010.

Initially called ‘Baby’ by her devoted keepers, the calf was named via an online public competition, with the overwhelming favourite being the Thai word for jasmine: ‘Mali’.

The Magic of Mali Souvenir Stamp Sheet celebrates another successful birth due to the mammoth efforts of the Australasian Conservation Breeding Program. Part of the proceeds of this stamp sheet go to the Melbourne Zoo to help in the conservation of the endangered Asian Elephant.

The breeding program is already off to a great start with Mali born in Melbourne, two male calves at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo and another pregnant elephant at each zoo. Personalised sheets as these ones are being issued during the breeding program

published January 21st, 2010

Famous stamp collectors

Freddie Mercury, lead singer of the band Queen, collected stamps as a child. His childhood stamp album is in the collection of the British Postal Museum.^[1]

John Lennon of the Beatles was also a childhood stamp collector. His stamp album is held by the National Postal Museu,^[2]

Star women’s tennis player Maria Sharapova has been an enthusiastic collector of stamps since a young age.^[3]

HRH King George V reportedly possessed one of the largest stamp collections in the world and became President of the Royal Philatelic Society at one point.^[4] This collection was passed on to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who (read more)

published January 3rd, 2010

Philatelic expertisation is the process whereby an expert is asked to give an opinion whether a philatelic item is genuine and whether it has been repaired or altered in any way.

Forging and faking of stamps is common in the philatelic marketplace and increasingly buyers demand an expert certificate before buying a valuable item. Some items are so often faked or altered that they may be almost impossible to sell without a certificate.

The process of expertisation

Experts may be individuals or committees but they will all follow a similar process to determine whether an item is genuine.

Stamps

Experts will attempt to determine whether a questioned stamp is a genuine example of a particular stamp issue; that is, whether it was printed at the same time from the same plate or stone as was that stamp issue. Among the factors they may consider are: (read more)

published January 3rd, 2010