Monday, June 30, 2014

Switzerland 19.5.1988 - 50th Anniversary of the Pro Aero North Pole flight to Anchorage



Switzerland 1988, "Pro Aero" stamp showing a Junkers JU-52 and Matterhorn north face in 1938. The cover which was carried by a Zurich – Anchorage DC – 10 flight on 19.5.1988, marks the 50th Anniversary of the Pro Aero North Pole flight to Anchorage.
This cover has also been postmarked by an interesting cancellation depicting a moose. The moose is an animal native to the State of Alaska in the USA.

The stamp was issued again in the year 1994 as stamp on stamp from Uruquay.
Thank you Maria for this interesting cover.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Centenary of Overland Telegraph line in Australia. 22.8.1972

This First Day Cover and the stamp on it commemorate the Centenary of Overland Telegraph line in Australia.

The Australian Overland Telegraph Line was a 3200 km telegraph line that connected Darwin with Port Augusta in South Australia. Completed in 1872 the Overland Telegraph Line allowed fast communication between Australia and the rest of the world. An additional section was added in 1877 with the completion of the Western Australian section of the line. It was one of the great engineering feats of 19th century Australia and probably the most significant milestone in Australia's telegraphic history.

Thank you Maria.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

2014 EUROPA - Finland - national musical instruments 5.5.2014

The accordion and kantele can be 'heard' in the May stamps released by Finland.

The 2014 EUROPA stamps released on May 5 represent national musical instruments.  

Sanna Mander, a new name among stamp designers, has illustrated two thoroughly Finnish instruments: the accordion and kantele. Being a fan of folk music, Mander approaches the traditional theme from a modern and personal perspective. The Europa: National Musical Instruments sheet contains ten 1st class stamps.

Thank you Ella.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Spain 7.3.1990 - 1992 Barcelona Pre Olympics



These two Spanish covers with stamps heralding the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympic Games were actually issued in 1990. Both the covers and the stamps depict judo and weightlifting.

The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same year since 1924, and place them in alternating even-numbered years, beginning in 1994. The 1992 Summer Games were the last to be staged in the same year as the Winter Games. Due to the end of the Cold War, these games were the first without boycotts since 1972. In fact the Olympics was the final success of the former Soviet Union (despite only part of it taking part), and biggest of the "Olympic flag" (Nations from the former USSR competed as the Unified Team, coming 1st in the overall rankings).

Thank you Maria for these lovely covers.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Costa Rica and Liechtenstein 6.6.1988 - Joint Issue

This first day cover has similar looking stamps from Cost Rica and Liechtenstein. They were issued to mark the cultural cooperation between the two countries.

Thank you Merja.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

1970 Health Stamps 5.8.1970

Association football (soccer) and netball were chosen as the sports to be represented on the 1970 Health issue.
The proceeds of the 'Health' value of health stamps were donated to the Children's Health Camps movement.

2 1/2c + 1c
Girls playing netball.
3c + 1c
Boys playing football with the goalkeeper making a spectacular save.

Thank you Maria.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Linnansaari National Park 5.5.2014

The fifth and final stamp of the stamp set representing Finnish national parks was also issued on 5th May. The stamp depicts the Linnansaari National Park which was established in 1956 and protects the valuable nature of Saimaa island as well as its beautiful landscapes. Linnansaari is one of the best habitats for the Saimaa ringed seal and offers one of the densest osprey populations in Finland. Designed by Teemu Ollikainen, the 1st class Linnansaari National Park stamp was issued in a self-adhesive booklet of ten stamps.

Thank you Ella.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Faroe Islands 5.6.1969 - Island Olympics



The third Island Games ("Island Olympics") of the IGA were held 1989 in the Faroe Islands, 5-13 July. A set of four postal stamps shows the most popular Faroese sports. Artist was Olivur við Neyst. Ste stamps were issued on 5th June 1989.
Thank you Merja.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Liechtenstein 29.81968 - Saint Josef Planken and Saint Maria Bendern



These stamps by Liechtenstein honour Saint Josef Planken and Saint Maria Bendern of Gamprin.

Thank you Merja.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Faeroe Islands 9.2.1987 - Farmhouses

The grass roofs are probably the first things you notice, and these have been a feature of the houses since the islands were first settled. In the Viking Age farmhouses had curved stone walls and the roof was supported by two rows of posts in a large common room with a longfire in the centre. Along the outer walls benches or seats were placed, a Faroese home today is still called a sethús (seat house) after these seats. And there is a good reason that the ancient name has survived, for on the Faroes the original longhouse lasted longer than any other place in Scandinavia. 

Thank you Merja.

Friday, June 20, 2014

Finland 5.5.2014 - Spring Flowers 5.5.2014

t would not be spring without a flower stamp. This year's stamp depicts a viola. Illustrated by Leena Airikkala, the 1st class Bunch of Violas stamp will be published in a sheet of ten stamps. The plant theme is familiar to Airikkala. Her Apple Blossom stamp was selected as the most beautiful Finnish stamp in 2005. 

Thank you Dear Ella.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Denmark 10.3.1988 - DanChurchAid

DanChurchAid (Danish: Folkekirkens Nødhjælp) is a Danish humanitarian non governmental organisation aimed at supporting the world's poorest people. It is rooted in the Danish National Evangelical Lutheran Church and is a member of ACT Development.
In 2011 it had a total income of DKK 528.7 million, including 107.3 million in EU grants. DanChurchAid’s stated aim is "to strengthen the world’s poorest people in their struggle for a life in dignity".
Thank you Merja.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Switzerland 13.3.1967 - Events and Anniversaries in 1967

The three Swiss stamps on this cover shows some important events in 1967 high-lighted by the Swiss Postal Department.
The 10c stamp is about Protection of blind with blind man's stick. A white cane is used by many people who are blind or visually impaired. Its primary uses are as a mobility tool and as a courtesy to others, but there are at least five varieties, each serving a slightly different need.
The 20c stamp shows the flags of EFTA MEMBERS. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is a free trade organisation between four European countries that operates in parallel with – and is linked to – the European Union (EU). The EFTA was established on 3 May 1960 as a trade bloc-alternative for European states who were either unable or unwilling to join the then-European Economic Community (EEC) which has now become the EU. The Stockholm Convention, establishing the EFTA, was signed on 4 January 1960 in the Swedish capital by seven countries (known as the "outer seven"). Today's EFTA members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, of which the latter two were founding members. The initial Stockholm Convention was superseded by the Vaduz Convention, which enabled greater liberalisation of trade among the member states.
And, the 30c stamp is in the EUROPA CEPT series for 1967 showing the Cogwheels with CEPT badge.
Thank you Maria.

Monday, June 16, 2014

Summer Landscapes 5.5.2014



Another new stamp designer for the spring is Janne Gröning, who has photographed traditional Finnish summer landscapes for six stamps. The 1st class Sweet Summer stamp was released in a handy foldable self-adhesive booklet in credit card size. The booklet issued on 5th May 2014 also contains Priority stickers. The graphic design of the Sweet Summer stamps comes from Tero Jämsä.

The themes include sunsets, lakes and the sea, fields, and forests. With his photographs, Janne Gröning wants to relay relaxing and therapeutic nature experiences to all who cannot or do not have the time to visit nature themselves. The views featured on the stamps were photographed in Iniö, the lsland of Keistiö, the shore of Lake Näsijärvi, Nauvo, and the Salo region.

Thank you Ella.