Ukraine - Zaporozhets

ZAZ Zaporozhets, was a series of subcompact cars designed and built from 1958 at the ZAZ factory in Soviet Ukraine "Zaporizky Avtomobilny Zavod", or Zaporizhian Automobile Factory. Different types of Zaporozhets were produced until 1994. The name Zaporozhets means a Cossack of the Zaporizhian Sich. It can also mean а man from Zaporizhia oblast.

Zaporozhets is still warmly remembered in many ex-USSR countries. Like the Volkswagen Beetle or the East Germany's Trabant. The Zaporozhets was destined to become a "people's car". It was the cheapest Soviet car and so the most affordable to common people. At the same time, it was rather sturdy and well suited to Soviet roads. They were known for good crossing performance on poor roads; better, than bigger Soviet passenger cars. Among the main differences was an air-cooled V-engine of indigenous design, bigger wheels and front suspension on torsion bars. One of the reasons of choosing rearwards-opening doors was easier access for disabled persons. It introduced significant "ears" - air intakes on sides. Also a rear suspension was new.

My friend Stan who sent me the FDC and the card travelled 500 kms to get to the Zavod, I mean factory for the Anniversary celebrations. Actually, he himself created the card and the personal stamps on the cover. Well-done Stan. Keep it up. And many many thanks.

Helsinki Stamp Fair 5.11.2010

Helsinki stamp fair is the largest annual philatelic event in Finland. It gathers thousands of collectors. The Helsinki stamp fair 2010 was arranged by the largest stamp company in Finland; Suomen Filateliapalvelu oy – Philatelic service of Finland. Philatelic Service of Finland Ltd are co-arranging with The Finnish Post. The Fair is at the Helsinki fair centre and there’s no admission fee for visitors, so the fair is expected to get many visitors. Ella sent me this Exhibition card and the cover with the lovely Christmas stamps issued on 05 November 2010. Incidentally, the card shown has already been used in connection with 14 exhibitions this year.

China – Shanghai EXPO2010

Here’s another card of the Shanghai Expo2010 about which I had written earlier on this blog. On the reverse side of the card are some Expo commemoratives among a few lovely Chinese stamps. This interesting card is due to the kind courtesy of my friend Stan.

Argentina – PhilexFrance’89

The minisheet displayed was issued by Argentina to commemorate the International Philatelic Exhibition PHILEXFRANCE”89 in Paris. The picture on the sheet highlights Liberty, with a scene from the French Revolution in the background. This impressive mini was given to me by Viviana.

Russia - Baltiysky Zavod (Baltic Shipyard)

This miniature sheet was issued in 2006 by Russia to commemorate the 150^th Anniversary of the Baltiysky Zavod (Baltic Shipyard). This ship building facility is another shipyard in St. Petersburg which used to be one of the leading enterprises of the defense industry. After the disintegration of the former Soviet Union, Baltiysky Zavod became the only yard in Russia capable of constructing commercial vessels with full displacement of up to 100,000 tons. Baltiysky shipyard is self contained and has the facilities of all necessary supporting industries: engineering department, woodwork production, marine machine building, power engineering, metallurgical production, research and development department and the shipyard itself with three slipways. An international commission which includes representatives of the international classification society Bureau Veritas, Quality International and the Russian firm Soyuizsert of the company Oboronsertifica, confirmed Baltiysky Zavod's compliance with international standards. Baltiysky Zavod became the third shipyard in North-West Russia, after Vyborg and Almaz shipbuilding yards, to obtain an international quality certificate. From the very moment of its foundation Baltiysky Zavod became a leading enterprise among the industrial and shipbuilding companies in Russia. In all, the shipyard built more than 500 warships, submarines and civil ships.

Today Baltiysky Zavod JSC is under a Joint Industrial Corporation umbrella. It occupies a significant position among the shipbuilding companies in Russia. Baltiysky Zavod is experienced in constructing icebreakers and ice-class ships with the nuclear-powered and diesel plants, large-capacity cargo vessels and warships as well. Within the limits of prospective shipbuilding program Baltiysky Zavod JSC is able to divert its activities into construction of floating atomic power plants. My friend Natasha gave me this mini.

Czech Republic – The Forever Stamp Series

April 28th, 2010 marked a historic milestone in Czech stamp design as the Czech Post's first self-adhesive stamp, identified with a letter in place of a value, came out. The new type of self-adhesive stamps are identified with the letter A, E or Z according to the value and destination country. Favorite Czech comics with fifinkou, myšpulínem, bobíkem and Pion to become the main motive marks with the letter A. A-stamps can be used to mail letters or postcards in the Czech Republic. The first A-stamp features Fifinka, or a pretty dog woman from the cult children comic book series Čtyřlístek (Four-Leaf Clover in English). The Fifinka stamps are available in booklets of ten. All fans of the comic book series can look forward to the next stamp with Myšpulín, or a cat scientist, that is to appear in December 2010. The Fifinka stamp is accompanied with a commemorative handstamp (available from April 28th to May 12th at the Prague main post office in Jindřišská street) and a first day cover. The designer is Jiří Němeček, illustrator of the comic book series.

E- and Z-stamps are designed for international service (E for European, Z for non-European destinations). The first E- and Z-stamps, featuring Gismonda and the Zodiac (respectively) by Alfons Mucha, will be available at post offices in booklets of six, starting from May 26^th

All stamps identified with a letter have a permanent validity. The selling price is the price of the corresponding postal service at the time they are purchased, but the buyer can use the stamps for an unlimited time, even if the price of the service gets increased. As such, these 'forever' stamps are a good long-term investment. Stamps identified with a letter are not intended to replace 'classic' stamps. The latter will still be available, and new issues will appear every year. Both types can be combined and used to mail any sort of domestic as well as international products. The introduction of the new type of stamps does not mean that the Czech Post is going to increase the prices of stamps.

My friend Stan has been sending me cards with these stamps on them. Here I display both sides of the card for your perusal.

New Zealand – World Cup Rugby 9.9..2011

I am displaying here two first day covers issued by New Zealand to announce that the next Rugby World Cup in 2011 will be held at Auckland. So guys, if you are interested you better start planning now. The 2011 Rugby World Cup will be the seventh Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. At a meeting of the International Rugby Board (IRB) held in Dublin on 17 November 2005, New Zealand was selected as the host country in preference to Japan and South Africa. The event is expected to cost about NZ$310 million to run and to generate NZ$280 million in ticket sales. It will be the largest sporting event ever held in New Zealand, eclipsing the 1987 Rugby World Cup, 1990 Commonwealth Games, 1992 Cricket World Cup, 2003 America's Cup and 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand. Around 70,000 visitors from overseas are expected to travel to New Zealand for the associated games and events.

The event will be held over seven weekends from the weekend starting 10 September and culminating the weekend starting 22 October 2011. The weekend of the final was chosen as it falls on a long weekend caused by the New Zealand public holiday of Labour Day (Monday, 24 October 2011). The final will be played in Auckland at the Eden Park.

After speculation that the number of participating teams would be reduced to 16, the IRB announced on Friday, 30 November 2007 that the 2011 tournament would again feature 20 teams. Twelve teams qualified as a result of finishing in the top three in each pool in the 2007 tournament. The remaining eight berths will be determined by regional qualifying tournaments. Madhavi gave these nice covers to me.

New Zealand – Scenic Definitives

New Zealand is internationally renowned as an astonishingly beautiful place to visit – and you can see why in NZ Post’s new range of Scenic Definitive stamps. Featuring a selection of the country’s favourite visitor destinations, the stamps showcase the visual wonders of its natural environment.

$1.20 – Mitre Peak, Milford Sound
The $1.20 stamp features an iconic image of Mitre Peak, which rises almost 1700 metres above the waters of Milford Sound in the south-western South Island. The Maori name for Milford Sound is ‘Piopiotahi’ meaning ‘Place of the Singing Thrush’. The name ‘Mitre Peak’, probably given by a survey crew from the HMS Acheron in 1851, reflects its resemblance to a Christian bishop’s mitre or head-dress when viewed from the south.

$1.90 – Queenstown
Surrounded by the magnificent Southern Alps and sitting on the shores of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown has cemented its place as New Zealand’s premier lake and alpine resort. Its tourist activities include a cruise on the TSS Earnslaw - a 98-year-old vintage twin-screw steamer that’s the only remaining passenger-carrying, coal-fired steamship in the Southern Hemisphere.

$2.40 – Lake Rotorua
At 79.8 square kilometres, Lake Rotorua is the second largest lake in the North Island. Close to its centre is Mokoia Island, a rhyolite dome that rises 180 metres above the lake’s surface. Privately owned by Maori and managed in association with the Department of Conservation, the island is a sanctuary for some of New Zealand’s rare bird species, including the kokako, the kiwi and a breeding population of the endangered saddleback.

$2.90 – Kaikoura
The town of Kaikoura is nestled between the majestic Seaward Kaikoura mountains and the vast Pacific Ocean, on the rugged east coast of the South Island. Its strikingly beautiful location and proximity to the offshore Hikurangi Trench have seen it develop as a popular ‘eco-tourist’ location, offering an extensive range of marine-related activities such as whale watching and dolphin swimming.

$3.40 – Christchurch
Christchurch (often called the ‘Garden City’) is the South Island’s largest city. As well as being a business hub, it offers a lively arts and entertainment scene and boutique shopping, as well as the gardens and wide open spaces for which it’s internationally famous. Many visitors enjoy a punt on the Avon River – named by John Deans in 1848 after the River Avon in Scotland.

New Zealand – 100 Years of Maori Rugby 9.6.2010

In this new stamp release, NZ Post pays tribute to the players, coaches, administrators and supporters who have taken New Zealand Maori rugby through the decades, overcoming challenges to emerge stronger and more relevant than ever.

This year sees 100 years since an official New Zealand Māori side 1st took the field. The following from the NZRU: New Zealand Māori made a winning start to its rich and successful history when the first official New Zealand Māori side met and defeated a Rotorua sub-union team 100 years ago today.

That encounter, played in Rotorua and won 25-5 by New Zealand Māori, launched the team on a Century of rugby that would see them play 429 times for 297 wins and only 109 losses, with 23 drawn matches. Those results included 58 wins over international sides against 30 losses and five draws.

Try-scorers in that historic first match included H Harrison (Thames Valley), C Tipene (Otago), R Dansey (Otago) and Southland’s Billy Stead. The team was captained by Alex Takarangi. The FDC and the minisheet were given to me by My dear Madhavi.

New Zealand – Remembrance ANZAC

For the people of New Zealand, 25 April will always be a day of remembrance. Designated as ‘Anzac Day’ in 1916, it’s an opportunity to remember a wartime event of extraordinary bravery and, ultimately, sacrifice: the World War I Gallipoli campaign, in which 2,721 New Zealand soldiers died.

‘Remembrance’ is the theme of this, the third stamp release in New Zealand Post’s ANZAC Series. It’s a reminder to all to honour the courage, tenacity and loyalty of those who have fought for freedom on the other side of the world.

Finland - International Philatelic Exhibition FINLANDIA88

Further to my post on this subject I place before you another FDC with a minisheet specially issued to commemorate the International Philatelic Exhibition FINLANDIA88, held in Helsinki Finland in 1988.

New Zealand – A Slice of Heaven

From the Titahi Bay Boatsheds to Tane Mahuta, from Auckland's Sky Tower to the Christchurch Cathedral, New Zealand Post has captured the country's' 'Slices of Heaven' in its latest stamp issue 'New Zealand - a Slice of Heaven'.

The stamp concept has been developed with the premise that 'If you tried to capture a day in the life of New Zealand on something the size of a postage stamp, you might end up with this' Originally a painting on canvas, this artistic stamp issue captures a variety of uniquely kiwi experiences including: rural rugby, a 'typical country town' (with main street, garage, church, statue and tow truck), a camp ground during the school holidays, two hour traffic delays to pass a single-lane bridge on the way to a summer-holiday destination, and a world-famous New Zealand vineyard. New Zealand Post Stamps Marketing and Commercial Director, James Te Puni, said the 25 x 60 cent stamps in this release reflect New Zealand's culture, heritage and various iconic locations. "Each stamp shows a snapshot of the country and together the stamps form a unique image that captures 'a day in the life of New Zealand'. "The stamps creatively convey the distinctive kiwi culture and diverse landscapes that have led New Zealanders to refer to this beautiful nation as 'A Slice of Heaven' " said Mr Te Puni. One can go on a journey through the sights and sounds of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Along the way you’ll discover the unique kiwi culture and diverse landscapes which have lead New Zealanders to refer to this beautiful nation as ‘A Slice of Heaven’.

"Slice of Heaven" is also a single by New Zealand singer/songwriter Dave Dobbyn with the band Herbs, released in 1986 on the soundtrack of the animated motion picture, Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tail Tale. The single charted at No. 1 in New Zealand. It also appeared on Dobbyn's 1988 album, Loyal. Slice of Heaven featured in Nature's Best—New Zealand's Top 30 Songs of All Time, coming in at number 7. It was voted number 1 in 2009 by C4 viewers as the New Zealand's favourite song, and is often mistaken for the country's national anthem. This really remarkable sheetlet of stamps was given to me by Madhavi.

UK - Solar eclipse of August 11, 1999

A total solar eclipse occurred on August 11, 1999 with an eclipse magnitude of 1.029. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partially obscuring Earth's view of the Sun. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across the surface of the Earth, while a partial solar eclipse will be visible over a region thousands of kilometers wide.

The path of the moon’s shadow began in the Atlantic Ocean and, before noon, was traversing Cornwall, Devon, Southern Wales, northern France, Belgium, Luxembourg, southern Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, and northern Serbia. Its maximum was at 11:03 UTC in Romania (next to a town called Ocnele Mari near Râmnicu Vâlcea); and it continued across Bulgaria, the Black Sea, Turkey, Iran, southern Pakistan and Srikakulam in India and ended in the Bay of Bengal.

It was the first total eclipse visible from Europe since July 22, 1990, and the first visible in the United Kingdom since June 29, 1927. To commemorate this event Royal Mail issued this nice and striking minisheet which My friend Emma sent me from England. The details about the eclipse in the UK and the minisheet are printed on the accompanying information card, which is also displayed. The next total eclipse which will be visible from mainland UK will be on 23 September 2090. Not a very long wait really ;-))

UK - Centenary of the birth of author Ian Fleming

I have been a great fan of Ian Flemings novels. I believe I have read everything he has published. As far as the movies based on his novels are concerned, I am a bit selective. I only see or approve of Bond movies starring Sean Connery and only Sean Connery. I have seen some 007 movies portraying other actors, but, none of them do I consider in the same class. This is because I strongly feel that the only actor who aptly portrays the character of James Bond 007 is or rather was Sean Connery. So, when I received this fabulous FDC issued by the UK on the Great man’s centenary, I thought some of you may like to see it too. The FDC was sent to me by Ella.

This stamp issue celebrates the centenary of the birth of author Ian Fleming and the 50th anniversary of the publication of Dr No - the first Bond novel to be filmed. The first James Bond story to be published was Casino Royale in 1953. The issue consists of 6 stamps, the same six stamps in a miniature sheet, and a prestige stamp book. The stamps depict six different books from the series, and each stamp features four editions: beginning with the Jonathan Cape first editions, then running through the UK paperback Pan edition, the US Jove paperback edition and the most recent Penguin paperback edition. This First Day Cover bears the Miniature Sheet created for the Bond novel stamps special issue. All six stamps are included and set in a border taken from one of Fleming’s notebooks. The envelope and insert capture the excitement of the Bond lifestyle through the film poster style graphics of Mike Bell. Not only for serious stamp collectors, this First Day Cover will capture the imaginations of Bond fans, book fans and movie goers. The insert features Mike Bell’s dynamic film poster style artwork. As an alternative to the Tallents House, Edinburgh postmark, pictorial and non-pictorial SE1 postmarks will also be available for this issue. Very appropriate, since London SE1 is the location of the British secret service headquarters. The pictorial details for the connoisseur are given below, stamp valuewise:-

1st class - Casino Royale - Bond’s first adventure (published 1953) pitted him against the ruthless SMERSH (Death to Spies Russian counter intelligence) paymaster Le Chiffre across the gaming table of Royale-les-Eaux. The original Jonathan Cape edition pictured here had a dust jacket designed by Fleming himself. Pan edition, artist unknown; Jove edition, illustration by Barnett Plotkin; Penguin edition cover design by Roseanne Serra and Richie Fahey. First U.S. paperback edition was retitled You Asked for It.

1st class - Dr No - Published in 1958, Dr No pits Bond against the scientist Dr Julius No from his secret base at Crab Key in Jamaica. The Cape edition has a cover by Pat Marriott; Pan edition, artist unknown; Jove edition, illustration by Barnett Plotkin; Penguin edition cover design by Roseanne Serra and Richie Fahey.

54p – Goldfinger - In Goldfinger Bond foils a plot by the gold smuggler Auric Goldfinger to steel Fort Knox’s gold deposits. The Cape book jacket here is designed by Richard Chopping; Pan edition, artist unknown; Jove edition, illustration by Barnett Plotkin; Penguin edition cover design by Roseanne Serra and Richie Fahey

54p - Diamonds are Forever - In Diamonds are Forever Bond takes on the Spangled Mob, a group of American gangsters running a diamond smuggling racket out of Africa to the USA. Cape edition jacket is by Pat Marriott; Pan edition, artist unknown; Jove edition, illustration by Barnett Plotkin; Penguin edition cover design by Roseanne Serra and Richie Fahey.

78p - For Your Eyes Only - Five Bond short stories in one volume. Cape dust jacket designed by Richard Chopping; Pan edition, artist unknown; Jove edition, illustration by Barnett Plotkin; Penguin edition cover design by Roseanne Serra and Richie Fahey

78p - From Russia with Love - In ‘From Russia with Love’ SMERSH hatch a plan to kill Bond using a decoding device and its beautiful operator as bait. Cape edition jacket devised by Ian Fleming and illustrated by Richard Chopping; Pan edition, artist unknown; Jove edition, illustration by Barnett Plotkin; Penguin edition cover design by Roseanne Serra and Richie Fahey.