China FDC on "Zhangzhou New Year Woodprints"

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China

Zhangzhou New Year Woodprints

Date of Issue : 18 Jan 2009

4-1: Lion Holding in Mouth a Sword
4-2: The Coming Flood of Wealth
4-3: Goddess Sending Children
4-4: Rat Marrying off Its Daughter

The Zhangzhou New Year Woodprints, originated in Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, emerged during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), developed during the Ming (1368-1644), and reached its zenith during the Qing (1644-1911). It adopts xylograph printing techniques and is mostly devoted to the subjects of welcoming a new year, bringing bless, exorcising evil spirits, and opera stories

Algeria Postcard

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Algeria

A beautiful desert card from Algeria with a very nice stamp. The stamp on the postcard is one of the stamps in the stamp issue : Cities From Algeria (issued on 18 Dec 2008). It shows the city of Biskra, or Vescera in the roman time, situated in the south of Algeria.

Estonia FDC on "Protection of polar areas and glaciers"

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Estonia

Protection of polar areas and glaciers

Date of Issue : 15 Jan 2009

Besides China and Korea, Estonia also have stamp issue on 15 Jan 2009. This is the first time I received a registered mail Estonian FDC.

China FDC on "Centenary of the Birth of Comrade Bo Yibo"

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China


Centenary of the Birth of Comrade Bo Yibo

Date of Issue : 15 Jan 2009

2-1: Bo Yibo during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression
2-2: Bo Yibo in Reform and Opening-Up

Bo Yibo (薄一波, 6 Feb 1908 – 15 Jan 2007), a native of Dingxiang County, Shanxi Province, was an outstanding member of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

The stamp design is nice. The design of the offical cancellation and the FDC cover are also great. It is the first time I have ever seen perforation around the picture of the FDC cover. But, I think it would be better to issue this set of stamps in 2008.

Germany Postcard - Brandenburger Tor

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Germany

The nightview of the famous Brandenburger Tor.

I very much like the round-shaped soccer stamps affixed on the card.

Korea FDC on "International Year of Astronomy 2009"

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South Korea

International Year of Astronomy 2009

Date of Issue : 15 Jan 2009

Stamp Design : Whirlpool Galaxy M51, Planetary Nebula NGC 3132

Both China and Korea issue new stamps on 15 Jan 2009 and I received the Korean FDC first

India FDC on "Saint Alphonsa - 12-10-2008 Cannonixation

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India

Saint Alphonsa - 12-10-2008 Cannonixation

Date of issue : 16 Nov 2008

Saint Alphonsa, born on 19 August 1910 at Kudamaloor in the Archdiocese of Changanacherry, Kerala

Korea FDC on "Bicentennial of Louis Braille’s Birth"

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South Korea

Bicentennial of Louis Braille’s Birth

Date of Issue : 02 Jan 2009

Stamp Design : The world seen by hands

Egypt Postcard - Sinai

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Egypt

I received a card showing a view of Sinai Peninsula yesterday.

Korea FDC on "New Year’s Greetings"

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South Korea

New Year’s Greetings

Date of Issue : 01 Dec 2008

The design of the stamp is very cute

Korea FDC on "Masks"

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South Korea

Korea - Hong Kong Joint Issue on Masks

Date of Issue : 06 Nov 2008

Korea’s mask - Chwibari mask seen in Bongsan Mask Dance Drama

Hong Kong’s mask - Big Head Buddha mask seen in the Lion Dance of the Southern area

It is one of the best FDC I have ever received from Korea. I very much like the stamp sheet with both the national flag of Korea and the flag of Hong Kong.

China FDC on "Year of the Ox"

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China


Year of the Ox

Date of Issue : 05 Jan 2009

I personally very much like the design of the special cancellation of Shanghai of this stamp issue

Korea "New Year's Greetings" FDC
Indonesia "Year of the Ox" FDC

Indonesia FDC on "The Small Outermost Island"

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Indonesia


The Small Outermost Islands

Date of Issue : 13 Dec 2008

1/4 Damar Island
Damar Island or commonly named by local people as Tokongatap is part of Anambas Islands located at Natuna Sea and bordering on Malaysia. This island is part of Jemaja District, Natuna Town, Kepulauan Riau Province. Beside of its fish resource richness, water area around Damar Island is knowned as a location of 4 sinking ship containing precious historical goods.

2/4 Sebatik Island
Sebatik island is divided into 2 territories, one part under the Republic of Indonesia while other under Malaysia. Sebatik is the farthest district at the east of nunukan Town, East Kalimantan province consisting 4 villages, namely Tanjung Karang, Pancang, Sungai Nyamuk, Tanjung Aru and Setabu. The weather is generally hot around 28.8 oC, the lowest temperature 22.9 oC in August whilw the hottest 33.0 oC strikes in April.

3/4 Batubawaikang Island
Batuwaikang Island is one the farthest islands at the north of Sulawesi bordering of the Philippines. This vertically stab of stone shaped island is part of Kawio Islands. The island is located at the north of Sangihe Island anf the northeast of Marore Island. Batubawaikang is part of North Tabukan Dostrict, Sangihe Town, North Sulawesi Province. The weather around the island is highly changing in short times. In northern wind seasons, the speed of wind can reach 40 miles per hour causing high wave that even a big ship can not passed this waterfront.

4/4 Bras Island
Bras Island is part of Mapia Islands bordering on the Republic of Palau. This island is 390 miles away from Babelthuap island (the Republic of Palau). Mapia Islands consists of 5 islands, namely Mapia or Pegun, Bras or Berasi, Small Bras, Fanildo or Faniroto and Small Fanildo. The islands territory is secured by Indonesian National Army stationed at Mapia Island. Bras Island is part of West Supiori District, Supiori Town, Papua Province, Sea bio-diversity richness as well as preserved ecosystem in Mapia Islands brings out opportunity to develop tourism industry, including nature, culture and historical site of World War II.