Thursday, July 31, 2014

National Stamp Week 27.9.1976

An 18c stamp and a miniature sheet of four 18c stamps were issued at all Australian post offices and philatelic sales centres on the opening day of National Stamp Week, 27th September, 1976.

This was only the third miniature sheet in Australian philatelic history. The previous two miniature sheets were issued in 1928 during an international philatelic exhibition in Melbourne and in 1970 to mark the Cook Bicentenary celebrations.

Mr. Ray Honisett's National Stamp Week designs feature a portrait of Blamire Young (1862-1935) an English-born water colourist who played a leading part in the design of the 1913 Kangaroo and Map stamp series, Australia's first uniform stamp issue.

The miniature sheet is intended to illustrate progressive colour steps in photogravure stamp printing. The first stamp is printed in yellow, the second has red added to the yellow base and a further colour effect is achieved in the third stamp by the addition of blue

The Kangaroo stamps of Australia, commonly known as Roos, were the Kangaroo and Map series of definitive stamps of the Australian Commonwealth first issued in 1913. They were issued in 1913, over 12 years after Federation. Although the delay had several causes, one of the major reasons was political wrangling regarding the design. There was a considerable amount of opposition to any inclusion of British royal symbols or profiles.

A design completion was announced in 1911, and several designs, including royal profiles were chosen. The government decided on having only one design, and Charles Frazer, then postmaster-general, inspired the basic outline of the new design.

Blamire Young, a local watercolour artist, was commissioned to produce the final design. There was some criticism and minor changes made, and the first issues were released in January 1913. The stamps were issued in 16 values ranging from a halfpenny to a two pound value.

When Joseph Cook took over as Prime Minister in mid-1913, he promptly had issued a series of stamps featuring the profile King George V. However, the Kangaroo and Map series continued to be issued, and was not removed from sale for over thirty years.

Thank you Maria.



Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Singapore 8.11.2013 - Fashion - Singapore France Joint Stamp Issue

Singapore has grown from strength to strength and it is brimming with resources. The nation has become a prosperous economic crossroads, bolstered by its rapid technical industrialization and its strategically-located commerce port at the door to Asia. As a major producer and consumer of fashion, Singapore has started to gain a key position as a fashion capital in Asia. Today, the fashion industries actively promote the creativity of young local talent. 



Beautifully illustrated in these stamps issued on 8.11.2013 are the sophisticated fashion’s in France and Singapore, with the cultural costumes of Singapore done in a tasteful fashion. Singapore's vibrant and multicultural heritage has allowed many traditional costumes to be still worn and commonly seen throughout the island, especially during the festive seasons.


Shashi sent me this lovely cover.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Spain 2.1.1992 - 500 Years since the capitulation of Granada

This cover and the wonderful postmarks on it commemorate 500 Years since the capitulation of Granada.
The Treaty of Granada was signed and ratified on November 25, 1491 between Boabdil, the sultan of Granada, and Ferdinand and Isabella, the King and Queen of Castile, León, Aragon and Sicily. It ended the Granada War which had started in 1482, culminating in the siege and battle of Granada beginning in spring 1491.

Also known as the Capitulation of Granada, the treaty provided a short truce, followed by the relinquishment in January 1492 of the sovereignty of the Moorish Emirate of Granada (founded five centuries earlier) to the Catholic monarchs of Spain. The treaty guaranteed a set of rights to the Moors, including religious tolerance and fair treatment in return for their surrender and capitulation.

An uprising by the Moors in 1500 caused the Catholic side to consider that the Moors had violated the Treaty: this gave them a justification for revoking its provisions.

Thank you My friend Maria.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

SWA 17.9.1976 - State Hospitals

South West Africa had two state hospitals in the Windhoek area in Namibia. These two hospitals are depicted on these 1976 stamps. The 15c stamp shows the hospital at Augustineum and the 20c stamp the one at Katutura. The name Katutura strangely means "where no one wants to live".

Thank you Maria.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Year of the Horse 17.11.2013

With its “Chinese Signs of the Zodiac” series Philately Liechtenstein seeks to draw special attention to the friendly relations between the Principality of Liechtenstein and the People’s Republic of China. Following the two stamps marking the “Year of the Dragon” (2011) and the “Year of the Snake” (2012), the focus this year is on the sign of the Zodiac for the coming Chinese year: the “Year of the Horse” (face value CHF 1.90).

Thank you Merja.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Czechoslovakia 4.2.1991 – 150th Anniversary of Steamboat Bohemia

Martin from Prague sent me this FDC which commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the Czechoslovakian Steamboat Bohemia.

 The first steamboat in Bohemia is connected with two gentlemen: J. Andrews and J.J.Ruston. The ceremony during which the steamboat named BOHEMIA was launched and which was presided by J.J.Ruston himself took place in Karlín, Prague, in 1841. The boat was 38,8 m long and 4,9 m wide and it was built in a very modern way using the combination of wood and iron. The steamboat engine was brought from Greenwich. The precise positioning of the engine and masterfully manufactured construction of the boat resulted in an exceptionally low submergion – only 0,42 cm.

When BOHEMIA appeared in Dresden for the first time on 26th May 1841 the local Saxony boats were put of out operation as there was not enough water. BOHEMIA was able to take aboard travellers who were waiting in vain for a Saxony boat. The new steambaot soon became a sensation in Dresden and on the way back it was introduced to the Saxony royal court at Pillnitz Chateau.

BOHEMIA surprised the locals again when to the swimmers’ amazement „the steamboat steered into a narrow shipping channel which was carefully avoided by all swimmers and sailed through it unharmed“ (news from Sächsische Dorfzeitung from 29. 5. 1841). This very well illustrates the masterful design of the steamboat which can still be seen on the original drawing stored in the Technical Museum in Vienna. It has to be said though that the steamboat as it appears in the picture(s) is slightly adjusted conforming the art fashion of that time.

The regular cruise to Dresden took only a day downstream and BOHEMIA was on its route twice a week. The cruise usually did not start in Prague but in Obříství (a village not far from Mělník) as there was not enough water in the Vltava river and people had to use other means of transport to get to Prague from here.

On of the most famous passangers on BOHEMIA was the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen who travelled on the boat on 31st June 1841 and described the river cruise in the book A Poet's Bazaar.

Thank you Martin.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Denmark 16.5.1974 - Pantomime Theatre in the Tivoli Garden’s in Copenhagen

This Danish stamp issue of 16.5.1974 depicts the delightful Pantomime Theatre in the Tivoli Garden’s in Copenhagen.

The Pantomime Theatre (Danish: Pantomimeteateret) is an open-air theatre located in the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark. As indicated by the name, it is primarily used for pantomime theatre in the classical Italian commedia dell'arte tradition which is performed daily. Besides this original function, the theatre leads a second life as a venue for ballet and modern dance.

The Pantomime Theatre is Tivoli's open-air silent stage (as depicted on the stamp). Every night, the Chinese Peacock Theatre presents a drama without words of the romantic love between Columbine and Harle-quin, with the foolish clown Pierrot as the eter-nal guardian of Columbine's virtue.

The pantomime came to Denmark from Italy in 1800 at a time when it was popular and widely performed all over Europe. Naturally, Tivoli also wished to introduce this attractive entertainment, and it has been a tradition in Tivoli since 1844.

As in silent movies, the humour is slapstick: blows and falls, silly mistakes and cunning rudeness. This is combined with graceful steps and a special sign language, which replaces dia-logue in Tivoli's pantomimes.

Many of the plays performed today are several hundred years old and date from the time when travelling troupes of actors toured Europe. Today, the Pantomime Theatre operates only in the summer season and for the rest of the year a majority of the performers are employed at the Royal Ballet.

Thank you Maria.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Singapore 22.11.2013 - 50th anniversary of TV in Singapore.

At 6pm sharp on Feb 15, 1963, a picture of the Singapore flag fluttering in the breeze appeared on more than 2,400 television sets around Singapore. For the thousands more gathered around these magic boxes for the momentous occasion, it must have been a sight to set their hearts fluttering as well.
Television had arrived in Singapore.

2013 marked the 50th anniversary of  TV in Singapore.
The first person to appear on screen was then Minister of Culture S. Rajaratnam, and he said with prescience:

"Tonight might well mark the start of a social and cultural revolution in our lives."

To celebrate TV broadcasting’s golden jubilee, SingPost released a stamp issue featuring Singapore’s TV journey over the last 50 years. Called 50 years of TV, this colourfully-illustrated set of five stamps showcases and chronicles the development of Singapore’s TV broadcasting landscape in the last 50 years. The stamps come in five denominations - 1stLocal, S$0.50, S$0.65, S$0.80 and S$1.10. 

Thanks a lot Shashi. 

Monday, July 21, 2014

Spain 11.12.1990 - European Tourism Year

Mr Cardoso e Cunha, a member of the Commission, with the 18 Ministers
for Tourism of the Member States for the Community and the EFTA
countries in attendance, launched the European Tourism Year on 11 December in Strasbourg.

Proposed by the European Parliament and approved by the Council of
Ministers, 1990 was declared as the European Tourism Year.

Major national and Europe-wide events as well as projects and
competitions were planned to take place throughout the year in the 18
participating countries. The aim being to emphasize the economic and social
importance of a tourist industry. The colourful stamp issued by Spain on 11.12.1990 cleary underlines this aim.

Thank you Maria.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Faeroe Islands 21.2.1983 – Old Steam Ships

The stamp on the cover is one of three depicting old steam ships. The First Day Cover, shows the "Arcturus" on the 700c stamp.   

In 1856, a small steam-powered cargo ship known as the Victor Emanuel set sail in the Mediterranean. Privately owned and operated, she weighed only 331 tons and spanned a mere 156 feet in length. For several years she was used exclusively on a route between England and Glasgow. However, when the Faro Islands began to emerge as an important industrial power, the Victor Emanuel and many other cargo ships served to transport the many imports the Faroe Islands needed. It was at this point that the Victor Emanuel was purchased by Koch and Henderson -- a Scottish shipping company. The new owners re-christened their ship the S.S. Arcturus ... named after the brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere. Most vessels would make the hazardous journey to the Faroe Islands only in Spring and in late Summer. However, the rugged Arcturus made five to seven trips a year for over ten years. Even though she was the most reliable ship to service the Islands, her small size always put her at a disadvantage to the many larger cargo ships of her day. Thus, in 1867 the Arcturus was torn down and rebuilt into a vessel of much greater size. She then faithfully served the needs of the Faroe Islands for some twenty more years.


Both the Faeroe- and Iceland-stamp show two masts which date the source drawings to before 1872, the year in which "Arcturus" gained a third mast and new steam engine.  Koch & Henderson merged with two other shipping companies in 1867 to form DFDS (United Steamship Company), for whom "Arcturus" continued to sail on the Faeroes-Iceland run continually until 1870.  She collided with the British steamship "Savona" on 5th April 1887 and sank.  


Thank you Merja.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

50th Anniversary of Regular Radio Broadcasting 21.11.1973

The stamp on this cover and the cover itself were issued to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Regular Radio Broadcasting in Australia.
Radio is a way of transmitting signals without wires. It uses electromagnetic radiation to transmit sounds made in one place to listeners in many places. Radio is also known as 'wireless telegraphy', or 'wireless', as earlier methods for sending signals (such as the telegraph and telephone) used wires. Australia adopted radio for communications at sea and in lighthouses, and wireless telegraphy gradually replaced the Overland telegraph which had been completed in 1872.
From the first public radio broadcast in 1923, public and domestic radio sets encouraged communities of listeners. Families and groups gathered around a wireless box or radiogram. Then as radios became cheaper and more portable – particularly with the introduction of transistor radios from the 1950s – personal radios became common, and individuals could listen according to their own preferences.
In December 1922, the Australian Government issued “The Regulations: radio laws for the amateur”. The first licensed broadcast station in Australia, under these new regulations, was 2CM, owned by Charles MacLurcan. The licence (number one) was signed by the Prime Minister, The Rt Hon Billy Hughes. Callsign 2CM is listed by the Federal Government as Never to be Reissued”, in recognition of the pioneering achievements of Charles MacLurcan. 2CM was the first radio station in Australia to publish a regular program guide.

Thank you Maria.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Spain 19.8.1990 - 500th Anniversary of "Tirant lo Blanch"

This is a lovely depiction on stamp and cover of the famous Spanish Novel 'Tirant lo Blanch'. The stamp issued on 19.6.1990 commemorates the 500th Anniversary of this novel.
'Tirant lo Blanch', a romance written by the Valencian knight Joanot Martorell and published in the city of Valencia in 1490. The title means "Tirant the White" and is the name of the main character in the romance.
Tirant lo Blanch tells the story of a medieval knight Tirant from Brittany who has a series of adventures across Europe in his quest. He joins in knightly competitions in England and France until the Emperor of the Byzantine Empire asks him to help in the war against the Ottoman Turks, an Islamic tribe of invaders threatening Constantinople, the capital and seat of the Empire. Tirant accepts and is made Megaduke of the Byzantine Empire and the captain of an army. He defeats the Turkish invaders and saves the Empire from destruction. Afterwards, he fights the Turks in many regions of the eastern Mediterranean and north Africa, but he dies just before he can marry the pretty heiress of the Byzantine Empire.
The loss of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire in 1453 was considered at the time to be a major blow to Christian Europe. In writing his novel, Martorell perhaps rewrote history to fit what he wanted it to be - which in a way makes it a precursor of the present-day genre of alternate history.
The cover shows the Title page of the first Castilian-language translation of Tirant lo Blanc, printed in Valladolid by Diego de Gumiel.

Thank you Maria.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Transkei 25.7.1985 - Match Stick Industry in Transkei


These four nice stamps on an appropriately designed first day cover depict the various processes in the Match Stick Industry in Transkei. 12c stamp depicts the process of peeling of logs. the 25c stamp shows how splint chopping is done. The 30c stamp displays the VPO machine that gathers the sticks. And finally the 50c stamp shows the match boxes being filled.

Thank you Maria.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Denmark 18.10.1973 - 300th anniversary of Danish Royal Library

The stamp printed in the Denmark shows St. Mark, from 11th Century Book of Dalby. It was issued to commemorate the  300th anniversary of Royal Library, in 1973.

The Royal Library in Copenhagen, Denmark, is the national library of Denmark and the university library of the University of Copenhagen. It is the largest library in the Nordic countries.
It contains numerous historical treasures; all works that have been printed in Denmark since the 17th century are deposited there. Thanks to extensive donations in the past the library holds nearly all known Danish printed works back to the first Danish book, printed in 1482.

The library was founded 1648 by King Frederik III who seeded it with a comprehensive collection of European works. It was opened to the public in 1793. In 1989 it was merged with the prestigious University Library (founded 1482) (UB1) and in 2005 it was merged with the Danish National Library for Science and Medicine (UB2), now the Faculty Library of Natural and Health Sciences. The official name of the organization as of 1 January 2006 is The Royal Library, the National Library of Denmark and Copenhagen University Library. In 2008 the Danish Folklore Archive was merged with The Royal Library. Open to anyone above the age of 18 with a genuine need to use the collections. Special rules apply for use of rare and valuable items.

Thank you Maria.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Powerlifter Kenneth ”Kenta” Sandvik 31.5.2014

One of Åland’s largest export items, physically speaking, powerlifter Kenta Sandvik, now adorns an Åland stamp for the first time. Photographer Daniel Eriksson tagged along to the gym, Kenta’s home turf. 

About 20 years ago, Kenneth ”Kenta” Sandvik first slunk into the gym behind a friend who was more comfortable in the gym. Today, he competes in 8 to 10 competitions every year. He has seven world and six European championship medals on his shelf and has a place in the International Powerlifting Federations Hall of Fame. 

“I began to compete to stay motivated. And I aimed at not always ending up last,” Kenta Sandvik says. 

He has now been competing since 2001. At close to 40, he sees no reason to scale down or put down his barbells.

“I still find it stimulating and I enjoy the strong sense of fellowship in our club. The only thing that could make me want to quit is if I hurt myself or lose the incentive.” 


For the sake of the anecdote, we should let you know that Kenta Sandvik works for Åland Post. Therefore, we are likely to have the strongest mail carrier in the world working for us. 

Thank you Ella.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Transkei 1.5.1986 i - Aloe Pratensis


The four lovely stamps on this cover issued at Mount Ayliff in the erstwhile state of Transkei represent the various kinds of Aloe pratensis prevalent in the area. Aloe pratensis is a small to medium sized Aloe. The plants are found growing in rocky outcroppings and grassland. Aloe pratensis flowers in habitat from June to October.

Distribution of Aloe pratensis is in the Eastern Cape,Transkei,Lesotho and Kwazulu-Natal.
Aloe pratensis (Rocky Meadow Aloe) - A small clustering aloe with 8 inch wide rosettes of upright gray leaves that have sharp pale reddish-brown spines along the leaf margins and white tubercles on the lower leaf surface. Each rosette can produce up to 4 unbranched flower spikes with white papery bracts and pale peach to yellow flowers, usually between early winter and mid spring. This aloe comes from the Eastern Cape Province and KwaZulu Natal in South Africa where it grows from sea level up to high elevations in the Drakensberg Mountians. The specific epithet 'pratensis' meaning "growing in a meadow" is unfortunate as this plant is more often found growing among and wedged between rocks.  

Thank you Maria for this lovely cover with the four pretty stamps.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Liechtenstein 3.12.1983 - 1984 Winter Olympics, Sarajevo

The emblem displayed on the stamp on this cover symbolizes a stylized snowflake, as well as the embroidery produced in the Sarajevo region with the Olympic rings above. The stamp shown is but, one of a set of three issued by Liechtenstein in 1983 to advertise the  1984 Winter Olympics.

The 1984 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIV Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which took place from 8–19 February 1984 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, in present-day Bosnia-Herzegovina. Other candidate cities were Sapporo, Japan; and Gothenburg, Sweden. It was the first Winter Olympics and the second consecutive Olympics held in a Communist state, after the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, Soviet Union.

Thank you Merja.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Sydney Opera House 17.10.1973


The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Situated on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, close to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the facility is adjacent to the Sydney central business district and the Royal Botanic Gardens, between Sydney and Farm Coves.
Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, the facility formally opened on 20 October 1973 after a gestation beginning with Utzon's 1957 selection as winner of an international design competition. The NSW Government, led by Premier Joseph Cahill, authorised work to begin in 1958, with Utzon directing construction. The government's decision to build Utzon's design is often overshadowed by circumstances that followed, including cost and scheduling overruns as well as the architect's ultimate resignation.
The Opera House was formally opened by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on 20 October 1973. A large crowd attended. Utzon was not invited to the ceremony, nor was his name mentioned. The opening was televised and included fireworks and a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.

Thank you Maria.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Summer Cat 31.5.2014

Buoyant, energetic, sly and pleasure seeking. Ammi Krogius’ animals always have human qualities. On this year’s summer stamp, Ammi has featured a cat with a fishing rod, fishing for dinner. 
"This motif came out of a sensation of sitting on a rock, angling. I was thinking of how much I enjoy the Åland archipelago”, Ammi explains.
Ammi Krogius is a trained ceramist and, together with her husband, she previously ran a pottery for 25 years in Provence. Since 1999, however, she resides in Mariehamn, and the animals that previously took form in clay can now be seen in her paintings.
"I find it difficult to limn people. Instead, I feature animals and give them human qualities,” Ammi explains. She sees her style as somewhat naïve and finds inspiration using her own imagination.“I want my paintings to tell a story, but it must be a positive story, not a sad one. This time, I chose a cat; I like cats. They are bon vivants, sly and wise, indeed, many of their qualities remind very much of us.”

Thank you Ella, for this lovely fdc.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

The Christian Institute Effatha 3.10.1988


 The Christian Institute Effatha is a school for the deaf in Zoetermeer onOctober 17 1888 was established as the Christian Institute for the deaf Effatha by Prof. L. Lindeboom, Rev. J. Vonk and Rev. H. Basher.
Prof. L. Lindeboom struggled to find the right teachers to find. The  deaf students were given lessons in his own home. Only in 1891 was Effatha own building  Langebrug 87 in Leiden  . The growth of the number of students Effatha had to move to the former in 1899  orphanage "Bethel" by Rev. Eigeman, the Wolwevershaven to Dordrecht  . The students lived internally. The head of the school and his wife served as house parents. In 1902 Effatha moved to the property "Hainaut" Gravenstraat Dordrecht.
 
In 1926 Effatha bought a large area, Corner Burg and Arentsburg in Voorburg  , for over 100,000 guilders. The 97 students, 10 teachers, the house father and mother and eight servants moved to the new location. There was an auditorium that served as a theater and church. The students were given gifts from donors in Voorburg. Effatha received enough money from the government. Therefore, the foundation "Friends of Effatha" was established to raise funds. Today, this foundation gives money to charities such as schools for the deaf in developing countries.
 
During the Second World War, a coach house Corner Castle was destroyed. A portion of the building Arentsburg also was heavily damaged by a bomb. The auditorium was converted into an emergency hospital for the care of the wounded.

Thank you Maria for this nice Dutch cover.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

1988 EUROPA CEPT – Liechtenstein – Transport and Communications

The EUROPA CEPT theme for postage stamps in Europe in 1988 was ”Transport and Communications”. Liechtenstein issued these two stamps and the cover to portray this theme on 7.3.1988.  
The stamp on the left depicts Satellite Communications, and the stamp on the right depicts a monorail train, which greatly aid providing high speed convenient transportation.  

Thank you Merja.

Monday, July 7, 2014

50th Anniversary of the Australian Legacy Welfare Organisation 5.9.1973

This stamp was issued to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Australian Legacy Welfare Organisation on 5th September, 1973. 

Legacy is an independent organisation founded in 1923 by a small group of World War 1 veterans. They believed they had to accept a legacy of responsibility for the welfare of the wives and children of their comrades who were killed in war or died subsequently. Legacy also supports the dependants of today's Australia Defence Force who lose their lives as a result of service.


Each year ADCU is a Gold Sponsor for the annual Big Band Sound Concert fundraiser held in Canberra at the Royal Military College Duntroon.

This event aims to maintain and raise awareness of Legacy and helps to raise much needed funds so that they might continue their vital work.

Legacy is a charity providing services to Australian families suffering financially and socially after the incapacitation or death of a spouse or parent, during or after their defence force service. It currently cares for around 100,000 widows and 1,900 children and disabled dependants throughout Australia.  

Thank you Maria.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Robert Gabriel Helenius 9.6.2014


Robert Gabriel Helenius (born January 2, 1984, in Stockholm), nicknamed The Nordic Nightmare, is a Finnish professional boxer.

He lives a life of sharp contrasts. Robert Helenius swings between his rolls as a father of three and an aggressive heavyweight fighter, preparation and setbacks, Lumparland and Berlin. On the My Åland stamp he is depicted together with his family on a rock in the sun. On the FDC, a knockout hangs in the air.

The stamp series My Åland presents heavyweight fighter Robert Helenius in 2014. Together with his Åland partner Sandra Helsing and their three children, he now lives in Lumparland. Prior to meeting Sandra, Robert knew very little about Åland, but today he loves it and has only good things to say about his new domicile.

Thank you Ella.


Saturday, July 5, 2014

1990 EUROPA - Post Offices - Switzerland 22.5.1990

The EUROPA CEPT theme for 1990 was "Post Offices". Switzerland issued these two stamps featuring the historic buildings housing the Post Offices at Lucerne and Geneva.

Thank you Maria.

Friday, July 4, 2014

Transkei 18.2.1988 - Seaweeds


These four stamps issued on 18.2.1988 at Coffee Bay in Transkei depict the different types of seaweeds found in the coastal regions of the state.

Thank you Maria.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Australia 16.10.1972 - Tenth International Congress of Accountants

A 7c stamp was issued on 16th October, 1972, to mark the Tenth International Congress of Accountants which was opened in Sydney on that date.

The stamp design shows a grouping of numerals and portions of an abacus and a computer circuit representing the advances made in accountancy techniques. Main background colours in the stamp are blue and green-blue. Other colours used in the stamp are orange and black.
The 7c Tenth International Congress of Accountants stamp was designed by Mr. Gordon Andrews of Sydney and was printed by multicolour photogravure in sheets of 100 stamps on paper incorporating luminescence at the Note Printing Branch of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne.  

Mr. Andrews also designed two official first day covers for this stamp issue using themes from his stamp design. One cover showed the abacus with a background of computer circuitry and the other first day cover design presents a pattern of numerals.

A special postmarker was provided from 16th to 21st October, 1972, at a temporary post office at the venue of the Tenth International Congress of Accountants.

Thank you Maria.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Zero tolerance charity stamp 11.4.2014

Joakim Saul is the Åland artist behind the Zero tolerance charity stamp. At 37, he has already done most and worked with some of the largest customers in the world of advertising.
When asked to create a charity stamp on behalf of Åland Post, Joakim was intrigued, especially by the challenge of communicating the sensitive anti- drug message, the quintessence of the Zero tolerance stamp. He was also attracted to the idea of designing a legal tender which, in fact, a stamp is. At first glance, the stamp bears a certain resemblance to the design of a dollar bill.

Joakim found the commission challenging, in regards of both aesthetics and communication. The objective was to make people stop and think. Anti-drug messages are generally very difficult to communicate since they may very well create a boomerang effect, in this case, make the forbidden seem more attractive. With this in mind, he fell for the idea of “temptation leading into downfall” at an early stage, illustrated by suitable symbols such as forbidden fruit, carnivorous plants and snakes.
Leaping out from all other Åland stamps, the Zero tolerance stamp should bring further attention to the serious and important matter.

Thank you Ella.