Pieter Wenning

Pieter Willem Frederick Wenning (9 September 1873 – 24 January 1921) was a South African painter and etcher, considered to be the progenitor of the style of Cape Impressionism.

Pieter Wenning was born in The Hague, the son of Heerke and Elizabeth Wenning. The family moved to Leeuwarden when Wenning was aged five years. His father owned a shop where he dealt in artists' materials, pictures and prints. He also had a cousin, Ype Wenning, who was a well known Frisian painter, thus coming into contact with painting at an early age.

Wenning was sent to the Hogere Burgerschool where the art teacher, a Mr. H. Bubberman, discerned the boy's talent and encouraged him. Despite Bubberman's persuasions, Wenning's parents were dubious and steered him towards a position at headquarters of the Hollandsch Ijzeren Spoorweg Maatschappij in Amsterdam, where he gained rapid promotion and was transferred to an administrative post in Zaandam. His sympathies with the plight of the Dutch poor became his undoing, when, in 1903, he participated in a general strike in solidarity with blue-collar railroad workers. The strike was suppressed and he was summarily dismissed.

Wenning had married a young widow, Johanna Hillegonda Kramer, on 3 September 1898, and she had two children from a previous marriage. To support his family he obtained employment with the firm of J. H. de Bussy in Amsterdam, the largest publishing house in Holland. When the offer came of a position as a clerk in a bookshop in South Africa, he leapt at the opportunity. The firm of H.A.U.M. de Bussy & Jacques Dusseau appointed him to the de Bussy branch in Pretoria.

Wenning and his family lived in a wood and iron cottage in Rietfontein on the outskirts of Pretoria. He sold books, stationary, prints and artist's materials, earning £17 a month. Unable to afford the materials for painting, he drew incessantly and through diligent saving, eventually imported a second-hand etching press from Holland, with which he became a pioneer in etching in South Africa. It was also at Rietfontein, around 1909, where Wenning began experimenting with oils.

Thank you Maria.

Register and Vote 1.8.1964

U.S. 5¢ Register and Vote stamp was issued on 1.8.1964 at Washington, DC, to remind Americans that “voting is both a privilege and a responsibility”. The stamp pictures the American flag in its natural colors and is one of few American issues not to include “U.S.” or “U.S.A” in the design.

Register and Vote. Since the Constitution, several amendments have been passed concerning voting rights. These amendments grant that states can’t restrict voting rights that “infringe one’s right to equal protection under the law (14th Amendment), on the basis of race (15th Amendment), sex (19th Amendment), or age concerning people 18 or over (26th Amendment)”. 

Initially, voters had to go to state offices to register to vote, but in the mid-1990s, steps were taken to make registering easier and increase the number of voters. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 made it mandatory for state governments to make the registration process easier by providing registration services through drivers’ license registration centers, disability centers, schools, libraries, and mail-in registration. 

Thank you Merja.

Postal franking labels - Velvet Scoter decoy 7.2.2014

The current 3-year series of postal franking labels featuring old wooden duck decoys started in 2012. Åland Post Stamps now ends the series in 2014 with a Velvet Scoter decoy.

Wildfowl decoys are lifelike dummies used by hunters to encourage birds to land nearby. Back in the day, decoys were made from plants and wood but, today, decoys are mostly made from plastic.

The Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) is common in Åland waters. It belongs to the family of sea ducks and measures from 48 to 56 centimetres. The name of the bird indicates a dark plumage. The male bird is, indeed, entirely black with a small white mark underneath the eye, whereas the plumage of the female bird is dark brown.

This issue completes the 3-year series of Frama labels on duck decoy motifs. Artist Juha Pykäläinen designed the franking labels. 

Thank you Ella.

Cycads of Transkei

These four lovely stamps on the FDC depict the very attractive Cycads of Transkei, now in South Africa.

Cycads are seed plants typically characterized by a stout and woody (ligneous) trunk with a crown of large, hard and stiff, evergreen leaves. They usually have pinnate leaves. The individual plants are either all male or all female (dioecious). Cycads vary in size from having trunks from only a few centimeters to several meters tall. They typically grow very slowly and live very long, with some specimens known to be as much as 1,000 years old. Because of their superficial resemblance, they are sometimes confused with and mistaken for palms or ferns, but are only distantly related to either.

Cycads are found across much of the subtropical and tropical parts of the world. They are found in South and Central America (where the greatest diversity occurs), Mexico, the Antilles, southeastern United States, Australia, Melanesia, Micronesia, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and southern and tropical Africa, where at least 65 species occur. Some can survive in harsh semidesert climates (xerophytic), others in wet rain forest conditions, and some in both. Some can grow in sand or even on rock, some in oxygen-poor, swampy, bog-like soils rich in organic material, and some in both. Some are able to grow in full sun, some in full shade, and some in both. Some are salt tolerant (halophytes).

Cycads belong to the biological division Cycadophyta. The three extant families of cycads are Cycadaceae, Stangeriaceae, and Zamiaceae. Though they are a minor component of the plant kingdom today, during the Jurassic period, they were extremely common. They have changed little since the Jurassic, compared to some major evolutionary changes in other plant divisions.

Cycads are gymnosperms (naked seeded), meaning their unfertilized seeds are open to the air to be directly fertilized by pollination, as contrasted with angiosperms, which have enclosed seeds with more complex fertilization arrangements. Cycads have very specialized pollinators, usually a specific species of beetle. They have been reported to fix nitrogen in association with a cyanobacterium living in the roots. These blue-green algae produce a neurotoxin called BMAA that is found in the seeds of cycads. This neurotoxin may enter a human food chain as the cycad seeds may be eaten by bats, and humans may eat the bats. It is hypothesized that this is a source of some neurological diseases in humans.

Thank you Maria.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) 1.7.1971

Issued on July 1, 1971, this stamp marked the official beginning of the U.S. Postal Service. Prior to this date, it had been known as the U.S. Post Office. An 8¢ first-class postage stamp depicting Loewy’s logo was released simultaneously all over the country. Customers could obtain free commemorative envelopes at any post office (or create their own), affix the stamp, and have it cancelled as an official souvenir of the occasion. Many philatelists still collect these first day covers of the stamp. There is a special catalogue devoted to them, and cancellations from some of the small rural post offices are quite rare.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) came into being on July 1, 1971 as the result of a four-year reform of the old U.S. Post Office Department. Previously, politicians controlled post office jobs, salaries, and promotions (the postmaster general was usually the sitting president’s former campaign manager). Mounting customer complaints and a 1970 postal workers’ strike, however, demonstrated the need for change. The USPS that emerged from the reform was a semi-independent agency expected to operate like a business and place new emphasis on efficiency.

Postmaster General Winton M. Blount wanted a new corporate seal to replace the ‘horse and rider’ that had been in use since the nineteenth century. Raymond Loewy, a famous industrial artist who had created iconic logos for some of the country’s most successful brands (including Studebaker, Hoover, Exxon, Shell, and International Harvester) was hired to design it. Loewy’s dramatic profile of an eagle about to take flight was more appropriate for an age in which most mail was transported by air.

To celebrate the reform and inaugurate the USPS, President Richard M. Nixon proclaimed July 1 as National Postal Service Day.  

Thank you Merja.

Kennedy Memorial stamp

U.S. 5¢ Kennedy Memorial stamp was issued on 29.5.1964 at Boston, MA for the 47th birthday of late President John F. Kennedy. The design, which was selected by former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, pictures J.F.K. and the eternal flame from the lighting ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. It also includes a portion of Kennedy’s Inaugural Address.

John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) 35th American President

The youngest man ever elected president; John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard University, and after serving with distinction in the U.S. Navy in World War II, was elected as a Massachusetts’ congressman in 1946, and then senator in 1952. In 1960, he was elected President.

At his inauguration President Kennedy launched his “New Frontier,” challenging people to “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” His presidency had many high points: he created the Peace Corps, he committed America to putting a man on the moon, he stood up to the Soviet Union and the threat of nuclear war during the Cuban missile crisis, and civil rights were advanced.

Americans felt a great connection to the young Kennedy family. John’s wife, Jacqueline, was educated, charming, and elegant. Their children were the youngest to live in the White House in over 60 years. Many people use the term “Camelot” to refer to this seemingly enchanted period in White House history.

On November 22, 1963, during a motorcade visit in Dallas, Texas, President Kennedy was assassinated. The nation mourned. After taking the presidential oath, Lyndon Johnson told the world, “This is a sad time for all people. We have suffered a loss that cannot be weighed....”

Thank you Merja for this memorable FDC.

50th Anniversary of the Donald Fraser Hospital in Vhufuli

This first day cover was issued in Venda on 18.8.1984 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Donald Fraser Hospital in the small town of Vhufuli.

Thank you Maria.

Cyprus Stamp Centenary 17.3.1980

On 1st April 1880 the General Post Office in London handed over the management of the Cyprus Postal Services to the British Authorities in Cyprus, which released 6 stamps overprinted CYPRUS. These stamps which are considered the first Cypriot stamps retained their denominations of 1/2d, 1d, 2 1/2d, 4d, 6d, and 1 shilling and were kept in use for 15 months until 30th June 1881. 

Out of the 750000 stamps (of all denominations) issued, only half were used and the rest were sold to Stanley Gibbons for £800, i.e. a quarter of their face value. The present issue is released to celebrate the centenary of these first Cypriot stamps which at that time were cancelled with special oval obliterators which were very common in Cyprus at that time and had a distinctive number for every post office. A second round of stamps bearing the name of the office and the date was put on the envelopes. The distinctive number of the obliterators were: Larnaca 942, Nicosia 969, Kyrenia 974, Limassol 975, Paphos 981, Famagusta 982, Polemidhia Camp D47, Nicosia H.Q. Camp D48 and Platres 098. 

This first day cover bears a mini sheet of the Centenary Issue in 1980.

Thank you Merja for this wonderful FDC.

Child Health

These three stamps were issued by Transkei on 3.12.1979 to spread the importance of Child Health in the erstwhile state.

Thank you Maria.

Homestead Act 20.5.1962

U.S. 1962 4¢ Homestead Act stamp was issued in honor of the 100th anniversary of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signing the Homestead Act, which allowed qualified people to gain land at cheap prices. The stamp was issued in Beatrice, Nebraska on 20.5.1962, near where Daniel Freeman filed the first claim for land under the new Act. The stamp shows a settler and his wife in front of a sod hut, which was the common way to build a dwelling in a land with few wood resources.

The Homestead Act Speeds Nebraska’s Settlement. After the Revolutionary War, the U.S. government sold its public lands to raise money. Farmers believed undeveloped land should be free, or at least sold at a very affordable price. During the 1840s and 1850s, the “homestead” movement became a national issue. Like many other political issues of the time, it became embroiled in the battle between the North and the South over slavery. The Homestead Act was passed after the Southern states seceded from the Union, in May 1862.

The Homestead Act allowed any person over 21, who was the head of a family, and a citizen or an alien intending to become a citizen, to obtain 160 acres of public land. All that was required was that the person would live on the land for five years and work to improve it. This meant turning it into productive agricultural land. A settler could also buy land for $1.25 an acre – with no obligation. Between 1860 and 1900, the Homestead Act attracted about 500,000 families to the West.  

Thank you Merja.

Stamps to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Finnish artist and writer Tove Jansson Moomins 31.1.2014

On Friday January 31, Itella Posti Oy published a miniature sheet consisting of two stamps and a beautiful gift set to mark the 100th anniversary of the Finnish artist and writer Tove Jansson (1914-2001).

Tove Jansson, world-famous for the Moomins, was a versatile artist who completed many paintings, works of graphic arts and public works of art during her career. In addition to the Moomin books, she received recognition for her short stories and novels. Tove Jansson was a prolific artist whose career started in the 1930s and continued long into the 1990s.

The sheet of two 1st class stamps features views of the archipelago where Tove Jansson spent a lot of her time as a child and after that. Of the Moomin characters, Sniff appears in the stamps as a silhouette standing in Jansson's hand. The sheet also features the Tove 100 anniversary logo. The stamps were designed by graphic designer Klaus Welp. 

An experimental artist and a writer with an eye for details. As an artist, Jansson mastered many techniques and held exhibitions that took her art into new and sometimes experimental directions. In addition to paintings, her works include a lot of works of graphic arts and public works of art from murals to mosaics. Throughout her life, open-mindedness and the pursuit of freedom were among Tove Jansson's strengths.

Tove Jansson also became known as a writer who put her mind to writing with the utmost meticulousness. Her short stories and novels are known for minimalistic narration and careful composition.

The Moomins remain popular from generation to generation. The first time Jansson drew the Moomintroll character it was for Garm, a liberal and satirical magazine that sniped at the world of global leaders during the Second World War.  The Moomins and the Great Flood, published in 1945, was the first in a series of books that became the most visible and best-known part of Tove Jansson's career. The third Moomin book, Finn Family Moomintroll, was published in 1948 and increased Jansson's fame outside Finland and Sweden.

In the 1950s, Tove Jansson started to draw and write a Moomin comic strip for the most widely read evening newspaper in the world, Evening News, which was published in London. Soon the comic strip was read in more than 20 countries.

The popularity of the Moomins has continued from generation to generation. The Moomin books have been translated into more than 30 languages and the Moomins have become familiar figures on television, in films, on theatre stages and in opera, too.

The Moomins have also been a popular theme for stamps. From 1992 to 2013, Itella Posti Oy has published ten stamp series with a total of 45 different Moomin-themed stamps.

Designing the stamps was an honour. Graphic designer Klaus Welp, the designer of Tove Jansson's anniversary stamps and gift set, considered the task an honor. "My first thought was that Tove Jansson is too great a figure for a postage stamp. The second was that the stamp should show the Tove Jansson behind the Moomins, her desire to be remembered as an artist and writer. My third feeling was a shudder over being given the chance to design a stamp in honor of my own and my family's favorite artist."

Thank you Ella for this great FDC.

University of Cape Town 150 years

The stamp on this First Day Cover issued on 1.10.1979 at Rondebosch, commemorates 150th Anniversary of the Cape Town University in 1979.

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is a public research university located in Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. UCT was founded in 1829 as the South African College, and is the oldest university in South Africa and the second oldest extant university in Africa. The language of instruction is English

The University of Cape Town is the highest-ranked African university in the QS World University Rankings, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and the Academic Ranking of World Universities. It achieved a rank of 156 in the 2011 QS World University Rankings and a rank of 113 in the 2013 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, making it the only African university in the top 200. Within this same ranking UCT was placed in the top 50 in the categories of life sciences and social sciences. UCT's MBA programme was globally ranked at 54 in 2012 by the Financial Times, and was ranked first in the "value for money" category. In addition to this, The University of Cape Town was placed as the second best business school in Africa and the Middle East in the 2010 QS Global 200 Business Schools Report. The University also achieved a rank of 141 - 145 in the Russian based Global Universities Ranking In the QS World University Rankings by subject for 2013, UCT was ranked at 32 in the subject area of education and training and ranked in the top 100 for earth and marine sciences, politics, psychology, law and legal studies, history and archaeology, geography and English language and literature.

Thank you Maria.

Emily Dickinson 28.8.1971

Born in 1830, Emily Dickinson (1830-86) is believed to have written eight hundred poems during the Civil War era alone. However, she only allowed seven of her poems to be published during her lifetime, and insisted these be published anonymously. Much of her work deals with death and immortality. Dickinson is believed to have written 1,800 poems during her lifetime, yet the first complete collection of her poetry became available for the first time in 1955 with the publication of The Poems of Emily Dickinson.

This 8¢ Emily Dickinson stamp issued on 28.8.1971 at Amherst, MA honours this humble, modest but wonderful person.

Thank you Merja.

Fort Sumter

In 1961, the U.S.P.S. began a series commemorating the Civil War centenary. One stamp was issued each year from 1961 to 1965 to coincide with the beginning and end of the five-year war. Each stamp recalled a milestone from a different year of the war.

Fort Sumter was the site for the first fighting of the Civil War. The fort is located on Sullivan’s Island at the entrance to the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. Construction of the fort began in 1829, and was still in progress in 1861, when the Civil War began. The fort was named after Thomas Sumter, a hero of the American Revolution. On April 28, 1948, the fort was made a national monument. This 4¢ Firing on Fort Sumter stamp was released on 12.4.1961 from Charleston, SC.

When South Carolina seceded from the Union in 1860, plans were made quickly to seize the U.S. forts in the Harbour at Charleston, S.C. – Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter. The forts were under the command of Major Robert Anderson. Anderson had established his command at Fort Moultrie, but moved to Fort Sumter for its superior defenses.

Fort Sumter was of little strategic importance to the U.S. It was incomplete, and all 60 of its guns faced the sea. However, it became a symbol of national unity. To President Lincoln, giving up the fort meant accepting secession. After demands for surrender, Confederate forces began a fierce bombardment of Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. Two days later, Union forces evacuated the fort. The Confederates allowed Anderson and his men to leave with their flag and weapons. Union forces regained control of Fort Sumter in February 1865.

Thank you Merja.

Centenary of the Fredrika Bremer Association

50th anniversary of the Christmas Stamp Fund

This stamp was issued in South Africa to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Christmas Stamp Fund. The stamp shows children looking at a candle. Maja Christiansen was the Founder of the South African Christmas Stamp Fund. Maja Christiansen was the wife of Danish Consul. The fund was originally set up to raise money for tuberculosis sufferers.

Thank you Maria.

San Juan, Puerto Rico 12.9.1971

This 8¢ San Juan stamp commemorates the 450th anniversary of San Juan, Puerto Rico - the oldest continuously inhabited city in America. It was released on 12.9.1971 at San Juan, Puerto Rico.

In 1508, Spanish Explorer Juan Ponce de León established the settlement of Caparra on the south shore of San Juan Bay. A year later, the Caparra settlement was moved to a small island on the north side of the bay and renamed Puerto Rico. Its name was changed to San Juan in 1521, with the entire island taking on the name of Puerto Rico. Due to its prominence on the trade routes, a series of fortifications was built to defend the settlement. Known generally as “El Morro,” the fort withstood attacks by British, French, and Dutch raiders, as well as numerous pirate attacks. The fort still stands today.

The stamp design is based on a woodcut.

Thank you Merja.

Ignacy J. Paderewski

The seventh addition to the “Champions of Liberty” Series, U.S. 4¢ Ignacy J. Paderewski, honors Polish patriot and musician Ignacy Jan Paderewski. The stamp pictures an image of Paderewski based on a painting by famed Polish artist Tade Styka. The stamp was issued on 8.10.1960 at Washington, DC. The postmark also includes the Townhall in Krakow in Ploland.

Ignacy J. Paderewski (1860-1941) was a Polish Composer/Statesman. Born in Poland, Ignacy Paderewski was arguably the finest musician of his era, and also famed for his wit. Paderewski frequently performed before huge crowds in the U.S. He bought land in California and established a vineyard.  Paderewski championed Poland’s independence and later served as its third Prime Minister. He died in New York in 1941 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Thank you Merja.

Venda - 5th Anniversary of Independence - Community Development

These four pretty stamps were issued in Venda to commemorate the 5^th Anniversary of Independence.  Venda was a bantustan in northern South Africa, bordering Zimbabwe and is now part of Limpopo province. It was founded as a homeland by the Apartheid Regime for the Venda people, speakers of the Venda language. It was declared self-governing on 1 February 1973,  with elections held later in the year.  Further elections were held in July 1978. The territory was declared independent by the South African government on 13 September 1979 and its residents lost their South African citizenship.  In common with other bantustans, its independence was not recognized by the international community. The first President of Venda, Patrick Mphephu, was also a chief of the Venda people; he was born and lived in Dzanani in Limpopo . His successor, Frank Ravele, was overthrown in a military coup in 1990, after which the territory was ruled by the Council of National Unity. Venda was re-absorbed into South Africa on 27 April 1994.

The stamps focus on Community development and show the different kinds of housing.

(11c) Dzata Ruins (or Dzana ruins) are an archaeological site in Dzanani in the Makhado municipality, Vhembe district, in the north of South Africa. Dzata was the capital of united Venda. Dzata ruins are now one of the national monuments in South Africa.

(25c) Venda Hut appear at first glance to be like the Xhosa to the south, it does possess distinctive features.  The steps and stony site indicate the nature of the terrain, whilst the overhang of the hut roof, supported by timbers provides necessary shade in these tropical zones. The 30c and 45c stamps depict sub-economical and modern homes.

Thank you Maria.

Four Famous Waterfalls of Transkei

These stamps on the impressive cover were issued by Transkei Tourism highlighting Four Different Famous Waterfalls with the aim of attracting tourists. And I am sure they must have succeeded!

The major waterfalls in Transkei, though spectacularly beautiful, are almost all fairly inaccessible except to enthusiastic hikers. Enquiries should be made at the nearest town regarding the condition of the roads leading to the falls.

Bawa Falls (10c), six kilometres from Butterworth, are over 100 metres high and legend has that the sheer rock face was used as an execution site by die Fingo chiefs. Believed to be one of only three places in the world where a river enters the sea over a waterfall, Waterfall Bluff (15c) on the Mlambomkulu River is more than 60 metres high and after the rainy season is a unique sight, with the turbulent brown flood waters plunging into the waves lapping the Transkei coastline. The route to Waterfall Bluff is via Lusikisiki on the Lupatana Road and entails a 45-minute walk, but it is well worth the effort.

Also fairly close to Lusikisiki are the well-known Magwa Falls (4c). These falls appear insignificant at first glance but the narrow, slow-moving river suddenly plunges 125 metres down a narrow gorge, the spray from the falls drenching the rock face only metres away. Tsitsa Falls (20c), not far from Qumbu, are 106 metres high and present an awe-inspiring sight when in full flood. It is possible that within the next five years a hydro-electric scheme similar to and as large as that at Cabora Bassa will be sited here. These falls are situated about 15 kilometres from the main Durban/East London road. For centuries the small, pretty waterfalls found along every river have served both as a refreshing cold shower and as a laundry for Transkeians.

Thank you Maria for this nice FDC with very pretty stamps.

Prevent Drug Abuse4.10.1971

U.S. 8¢ Prevent Drug Abuse stamp was issued on 4.10.1971 in Dallas, TX. The Postmaster General Winton M. Blount said at the Prevent Drug Abuse stamp dedication ceremonies, "The stamp... is not, in fact, a commemorative stamp at all. It is, rather a warning, a plea for help and a call to the American people to take every step to lift up those who have fallen under the use of drugs, and to strike down those who profit from the misery of others..."

Thank you Merja.

Employ the Handicapped28.8.1960

U.S. 1960 4¢ Employ the Handicapped stamp was issued in conjunction with the Eighth World Congress of the International Society for the Welfare of Cripples. The President’s Committee on Employment of the Physically Handicapped sponsored the Congress. The stamp was released to promote the hiring of the handicapped, and shows a man in a wheelchair using a drill.

The Congress was held in New York City, opening on the same day the stamp was issued. Over 3,000 people attended, including doctors, nurses, therapists, and voluntary workers.

Thank you Merja for this FDC with a very laudable aim.

Pieter Willem Botha

These two stamps on the special cover were issued by South Africa to commemorate one of the last agents of apartheid in that country PW Botha.

Pieter Willem Botha, DMS (12 January 1916 – 31 October 2006), commonly known as "P. W." andDie Groot Krokodil (Afrikaans for "The Big Crocodile"), was the leader of South Africa from 1978 to 1989, serving as the last Prime Minister from 1978 to 1984 and the first executive State President from 1984 to 1989. He died in 2006.

First elected to Parliament in 1948, Botha was outspoken opponent of black majority rule and international communism. However, his administration did make concessions towards political reform, whereas internal unrest saw widespread human rights abuses at the hands of the government. Botha resigned the party leadership in February 1989 after suffering a stroke and six months later was coerced to leave the presidency as well.

In F. W. de Klerk's 1992 referendum Botha campaigned for a No vote and denounced De Klerk's administration as irresponsible by opening the door to black majority rule. In early 1998, when Botha refused to testify at the Mandela government's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, he was supported by the right-wing Conservative Party, which had earlier contested his rule as the official opposition. By his refusal, he was fined and given a suspended jail sentence for crimes against human rights. Shortly before his death in late 2006, he renewed his opposition towards egalitarian democracy in favour of a confederate system based upon the principles of "separate development".

Botha was not related to contemporary National Party politician Roelof Frederik "Pik" Botha, his Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Thank you Maria.

Save Fuel

South Africa issued this Se-tennant pair of stamps to popularise the concept of "saving fuel". A most laudable idea. A concept that should be adopted by everyone. 

Thank you Maria for this nice FDC.

Ancient Finnish Castles 20.1.2014

The stamp year in Finland started on January 20th when a miniature stamp sheet/booklet representing ancient Finnish castles was released. It has been designed by Erik Bruun, one of the most respected graphic designers in Finland. He is well-known to the general public for numerous stamps, the last bills denominated in Finnish marks and highly popular nature and advertizing posters. 

The Ancient Castles stamp booklet contains six 1^st class stamps that depict the Suomenlinna, Häme, Raseborg, Kastelholm, Olavinlinna and Turku castles. These ancient castles were strategically important buildings considering Finnish defense and trading. Currently, they comprise Finland's most important national heritage and sightseeing sites. A brief about them is given below:

Soumenlinna Sea Fortress.  Augustin Ehrensvard initiated the construction of the Sveaborg fortress in 1748. The fortress surrendered to the Russians in 1808 and, after Finland declared independence, the fortress was named “Suomenlinna”.

Hame Castle. This castle was founded in the late 13^th century and was converted to a residential castle in the 18^th century. A prison operated in the castle from 1837 to 1972.

Raseborg Castle was built in the 14^th century. The castle was abandoned in the 16^th century and it started to fall into decay. Renovation commenced in the late 19^th century and continued well into the 1980s.

Kastelholm Castle was first mentioned in the contract of Queen Margaret in 1388. The Golden Era of the castle was in the 15^th and 16^th centuries.

Olavalinna Castle . Erik Axelsson Tott began the construction of this castle in 1475 to protect the Savo region. The history of Olavinlinna Castle is one of medieval sword fighting, roaring cannons and normal everyday chores of those days.

The construction of Turku Castle commenced in the 13^th century to be the administrative castle of the crown. Later on, it was the renaissance castle of the dukeship of John III, the official residence of the Governor General, and also a prison.

“The antiquarian value of the castles was understood in the late 1800s and plans for their restoration began. In the 1930s, decades of work began to restore them. “Today, the castles are amongst Finland’s most important pieces of cultural heritage and most popular tourist destinations,” says Juhani Kostet, Director General of Finland’s National Board of Antiquities.

Hame Castle appears as a mirror image on a stamp due to an error with the original image. “Erik Bruun made the stamp based on an old photograph that the National Board of Antiquities gave him, which had at some earlier stage become a mirror image of the original. We believe that the stamp will be of interest to buyers despite – or even perhaps because of – the mistake and it will sell very well,” estimates TommiKantola, Product Manager from Itella Posti Oy.

Thank you Ella for this wonderful FDC. 

Valentine's Day 20.1.2014

Valentine's Day stamps were also released on 20^th January, depicting teddy bears. The Bear Friends mini sheet (on the displayed FDC) consisting of six 1^st class stamps illustrate endearing teddy bears around the themes of friendship and remembrance. Henna Takkinen, a graphic artist from Kemi, who designed her first ever stamps, knows the theme thoroughly; after all, she describes herself as a teddy bear artist. Through the stamps, Takkinen wishes to convey the ideas of universal peace, love and caring. 

“Teddy bears have taken me on an endless adventure, everything is possible in their world. I want to share through art a teddy bear world of universal peace and love. Through stamps that message of caring and friendship can be shared with the world,” says Henna Takkinen, describing her artistic vision.

The layout of the Bear Friends stamp is designed by Markku Kyröläinen, also from Kemi.

Teddy bears are a passion around the world. Not just of children but, of adults as well. A friend of mine in Finland is absolutely passionate about them, and has a huge collection of teddy bears. 

Thank you Ella for this lovely FDC.

Snowmen on a stamp for Winter Greetings 20.1.2014

The stamp on this first day cover is perfect for various winter greetings. Janne Harju, an award-winning illustrator, has designed a stamp which depicts two snowmen admiring a bright evening star in mild snowfall. This is how Janne Harju himself describes the feeling of the stamp, “The snowman and boy have spent a winter’s day on the sledging hill and also made snow lanterns. In the dark of night slowly floating snowflakes sparkle in the air. The crisp snow frost bites the snowmen’s cheeks, but there is warmth in the air as they stop to admire the clear winter evening sky for the first stars.”
Thank you Ella.

CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere) 27.10.1971

U.S. 8¢ CARE stamp commemorates the 25th anniversary of CARE (Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere) that delivered its first packages to Europe on May 11, 1946, in the aftermath of World War II. The program was a joint U.S.-Canadian initiative.

CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere) is a major international humanitarian agency delivering broad-spectrum emergency relief and long-term international development projects. Founded in 1945, CARE is nonsectarian, non-partisan, and non-governmental. It is one of the largest and oldest humanitarian aid organizations focused on fighting global poverty. In 2011, CARE reported working in 84 countries, supporting 1015 poverty-fighting projects, and reaching over 122 million people.

CARE's programmes in the developing world address a broad range of topics including emergency response, food security, water and sanitation, economic development, climate change, agriculture, education, and health. CARE also advocates at the local, national, and international levels for policy change and the rights of poor people. Within each of these areas, CARE focuses particularly on empowering and meeting the needs of women and on promoting gender equality.

CARE International is a confederation of twelve CARE National Members and two Affiliate Members, each of which is registered as an autonomous non-profit non-governmental organization in the country. The twelve CARE National Members are: CARE Australia, CARE Canada, CARE Danmark, CARE Deutschland-Luxembourg, CARE France, CARE International Japan, CARE Nederland, CARE Norge, CARE Österreich, Raks Thai Foundation (CARE Thailand), CARE International UK, and CARE USA. The two CARE Affiliate Members are CARE India and CARE Peru.

Thank you Merja.