Iceland 17.5.1965 - 100 Years of The International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

On 24 May 1844, Samuel Morse sent his first public message over a telegraph line between Washington and Baltimore, and through that simple act, ushered in the telecommunication age.

On 17 May 1865, after two and a half months of arduous negotiation, the first International Telegraph Convention was signed in Paris by the 20 founding members, and the International Telegraph Union (ITU) was established to facilitate subsequent amendments to this initial agreement. Today, some 145 years later, the reasons which led to the establishment of ITU still apply, and the fundamental objectives of the organization remain basically unchanged.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was founded in 1865 making it the oldest international organization in the UN family. ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology issues, and the global focal point for governments and the private sector in developing networks and services.

From its beginnings in 1865 up until the present ITU has produced a multitude of documents that chart the organization’s history and contribution to information and communication technology issues.

These two stamps on the FDC given to me by Maria were issued on 17.5.1965 to coomemorate the 100^thAnniversary of the founding of the ITU.

Finland "FROSTY NIGHT" World's FIRST Transparent Stamp

Finland's post Itella issued a stamp called "Frosty Night" on 6.11.2008. This innovative stamp is printed on a special clear film, and it is believed to be the first transparent stamp in the world.

The Frosty Night stamp depicts the atmosphere of a Northern winter night with a frosty snowflake, twinkling stars and aurora borealis in the background.

The stamp is printed with blue shades on a clear filmic self-adhesive material from UPM Raflatac. The card or envelope behind the stamp then gives its own colour to the transparent snowflake and stars. Thank you Ella for this lovely and memorable  First Day Cover.

Finnish Popular Art16.2.1992

This stamp was issued on 15.2.1982 in Finland to highlight the importance of Finnish Popular Art in tapestry and rug making. Ryijy is a form of Finnish tapestry or cloth rug.

The name ryijy originated with the Scandinavian word rya, which means "thick cloth". The decorative ryijy rug is an art form unique to Finland. In the late 19th century, ryijy rug weaving developed as a folk art. Some of the most beautiful tapestries were woven then.

Ryijys date back from as early as the 9th century. Similar in nature to a knotted Persian carpet, the ryijy knots are further apart and are much larger and longer. Originally woven for use as coverlets and bedding, they were mainly in natural colors, white, gray, and black. Some tones of yellow, red, green, and blue were introduced with vegetable dyes. Later, aniline dyes added another dimension of color and design.

Today ryijy-making techniques include new fibers such as paper string, available in hundred of colors, as is the traditional wool. They are designed for a multitude of places and purposes, but each is an individual work of art. Thank you Pia for this nice FDC.

Vienna International Centre] (VIC)

This FDC and the stamp on it were issued on 13.11.1981by the UN Postal Service in Vienna to highlight its 10 Years development workers – Program for people around the world. The conferences on this subject were held at the VIC. Thank you Merja.

The Vienna International Centre^] (VIC) is the campus and building complex hosting the United Nations Office at Vienna. As colloquially also known as UNO City, the VIC is only the one part of it. The other one is the Austria Center Vienna (ACV).

The VIC, designed by Austrian architect Johann Staber, was built between 1973 and 1979 just north of the river Danube. The initial idea of setting up an international organization in Vienna came from the Chancellor of Austria Dr. Bruno Kreisky. Six Y-shaped office towers (as seen on the cover) surround a cylindrical conference building for a total floor area of 230,000 square metres. The highest tower stands 127 metres tall, enclosing 28 floors. About 5,000 people work at the VIC, which also offers catering and shopping facilities and a post office (postal code 1400 Wien). Two banks (Bank Austria and United Nations Federal Credit  Union offices), travel agents and other commercial services have offices on the premises.

The VIC is an extraterritorial area, exempt from the jurisdiction of local law.

Complementing the ongoing asbestos removal works in the VIC, a new conference building has been put into service in 2009. This facility, previously designated “C2”, now termed “M Building”, was constructed over the existing parking deck near the southern perimeter of the campus. The M building is hosting all conferences while the C building, where the VIC conference facilities were originally located, is undergoing renovation from 2009-2011. Both buildings will later be used for meetings. Larger conferences can be accommodated in the neighbouring Austria Center Vienna (ACV), a separate conference and exhibition centre with a capacity of 6,000, which is with the VIC campus part of the UNO-City. The ACV has an indoor link to the VIC buildings.

The impressive modern setting of the Vienna International Centre (VIC) has been home to numerous international organizations since 23 August 1979. On daily guided tours, visitors can learn about the work of the United Nations and experience the Vienna International Centre's striking architecture and vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere of the VIC.

The University of Iceland

The University of Iceland (Háskóli Íslands) (10.00Kr) is a public research university in Reykjavík, Iceland, and the country's oldest and largest institution of higher education. Founded in 1911, it has grown steadily from a small civil servants' school to a modern comprehensive university, providing instruction for about 14,000 students in twenty-five faculties. Subjects covered include social sciences, humanities, medicine, natural sciences, engineering and teacher education. It has a campus concentrated around Suðurgata street in central Reykjavík, with additional facilities located in nearby areas as well as in the countryside.  

The stamps on the minisheet on the FDC portrays Benedict Sveinson (1.00 Kr) and Bjorn M. Olsen (1.40Kr). These two gentlemen were associated with the University for many years. These stamps and the FDC were issued to commemorate 50 Years of the University of Iceland.

Benedict Sveinson was a member of Parliament from 1861 until his death, a total of 38 years in 22 assemblies. The seven assemblies, he was president of either lower division or the combined Assembly.He played a very active role in the independence of Iceland and was for many years one of the main political leaders of his country.

Bjorn M. Olsen - ( Bjorn Magnusson Olsen ) - ( 14 July 1850 – 16 January 1919 ) was a Member of Parliament , the first dean of the University of Icelandand a professor in the Icelandic grammar and cultural history since 1911.

Unique Birds of Malaysia

Birds have often captivated the imagination and inspiration of mankind. From watching and studying this winged wonders, mankind has learned to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of these creatures. Malaysia has over 742species of birds, totaling, about 7% of the world’s population. Approximately 63 of these species are endemic (found nowhere else in the world). The details of the birds shown on the stamps (left to right) are given below. This pretty FDC was issued on 21.1.2009.

The Malaysian Peacock-Pheasant(30sen) is one of the gems of Malaysia's bird species  and is now on the list as one of the of the four species special or endemic to Peninsular Malaysia. Previously widespread in Thailand and Sumatra, today they are only confined to Central Peninsular Malaysia. The Malaysian Peacock-Pheasant is medium-sized, up to 53 cm long, brownish with blue-green oceilli on its wings, back and tail. It has elongated glossy green crest and bare orange facial skin. The female is smaller and its colours duller. Due to ongoing threats of  habitat loss, poaching, small population size and limited range, the Malaysian Peacock-Pheasant is now classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN List ot Threatened Species.

The Malaysian Whistling Thrush (50sen) if one of the four endemic birds of Peninsular Malaysia. It is a rare and reclusive bird found in broadleaf evergreen forest, preferring streams as well as hills and highlands. About 26cm in size, the thrush has a small yellowish bill, bright metallic blue and black wings and body. Both sexes look alike. The resident species has also be classified by IUCN as Vulnerable.

The Milky Stork (50sen) is a large wading birdof freshwater habitat, living in wetlands and wet farmlands across southern Asia. They are also found on the coast, where intertidal wetlands provide food and refuge. Milky Stork can reach a length of 97cm and has a thick, yellowish bill and blackish flight feathers. Both sexes look almost alike. this species can be found in Kampuchea, Peninsular Malaysia and most of the larger Indonesian Islands.

The Wreathed Hornbill (RM5), depicted on the wooden embossed minisheet at the left hand bottom corner of the First Day Cover, is a colourful species of hornbill found in forests from far north-eastern India and Bhutan, east and south through mainland Southeast Asia and the Greater Sunda. It is about 70 to 100cm in size, with both sexes looking almost alike. These birds prefer broad-leaf evergreen mixed deciduous forests and forest on islands and are found at a maximum elevation of about 1,800 metres.

Seitseminen National Park 8.2.1982

Seitseminen National Park is located in the municipalities of Ikaalinen and Ylöjärvi in Finland. The national park was established in 1982 and later expanded in 1989. It now covers 45.5 square kilometres (17.6 sq mi). The park is a typical mix of upland and lowland coniferous boreal forests of the Suomenselkä watershed region. Upland areas are dominated by closed productive stands of Norway Spruce and Scots Pine while lowland areas are covered by sphagnum swamp and bog areas that also contain stunted (Scots Pine) and shrub like (Norway Spruce). These swamp and bog areas appear to be barren due to the sparse tree densities. Parts of the park contain some of the most ancient and oldest forests that are accessible to public in Finland.

The Kovero Farm, a tenant farm established in 1859, is part of the cultural heritage area of the park. Seitseminen National Park received the European Diploma of Protected Areas on June 19, 1996.  Thank you Pia for this interesting cover which was issued on 8.2.1982 on the inauguration of this Park.