Jan 31, 2010

China FDC on "Site of Shanghai Expo"











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China


Site of Shanghai Expo

Date of Issue : 21 January 2010

(Top FDC)
Souvenir Sheet : Expo Boulevard
Stretching one kilometer in the central part of the Expo Site, the Expo Boulevard is a two-story, semi-opening structure, which serves as the transportation hub of the Expo Site, topped by white films. Covering a floor space of 250,000 square meters, it it the largest single-unit building in the Expo Site. The Expo Boulevard links together China Pavilion, Theme Pavilion, Expo Center, and Performance Center, all contributing to an architectural spectacle. After the Shanghai Expo, the "one boulevard and four pavilions" will be permanently preserved on the site as the most significant exhibit and the major landscape zone in the Expo Site.

(2nd FDC from top)
4-1 : Expo Center
Covering a floor space of some 140,000 square meters on the southern bank of the Huangpu River to the west of the Expo Boulevard, the Expo Center will serve as the operational command center, celebration and convention center, media center, and forum venue of the Shanghai Expo.

(3rd FDC from top)
4-2 : China Pavilion
Towering 63 meters to the east of the Expo Boulevard and covering a total floor space of 160,000 square meters, the China Pavilion is the tallest and largest national pavilion in the Expo Site.

(4th FDC from top)
4-3 : Performance Center
Covering a floor space of 80,00 square meters on the southern bank of the Huangpu River to the east of the Expo Boulevard, the Performance Center will be the main venue for grand performing activities during the Shanghai Expo. Featuring a giant central stage, which varies in dimensions and shape according to the performance content, the Center is capable of accommodating an audience of 18,000 and adapting to different demands in stage design for various performing arts, being the first of its kind in China. After the World Expo, the Performance Center will be developed into a cultural district integrating art performance, art exhibition, athletic competition, and fashionable recreation.

(5th FDC from top)
4-4 : Theme Pavilion
Facing China Pavilion in the east across the Expo Boulevard and covering a floor space of 143,000 square meters, the Theme Pavilion is the largest of its kind in the history of the World Expo. It comprises three exhibition halls, namely Urbanian Pavilion, Pavilion of City Being and Pavilion of Urban Planet, which, alongside the Urban Civilization Pavilion and Urban Future Pavilion situated in Puxi section of the Expo Site, present the Expo theme, "Better City, Better Life", from varying angles.

All the 5 FDCs are very nice, especially the souvenir sheet FDC. I very much like them. On each FDC, you can found a 100 days count down to Shanghai Expo special cancellation. You could also notice that all the FDCs were sent from Zhoujiadu Post Office (周家渡邮局), which is the nearest post office to the Shanghai Expo.

Jan 29, 2010

Panama Postcard - Panama Canal



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Bilhete Postal

Panama

A card showing the Culebra Cut of the World famous Panama Canal.

Jan 28, 2010

Panama Postcard - Big Island



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Panama

A very nice card showing the Isla Grande (Big Island) off the Caribbean coast of Panama. Very nice view. I just wish I was there.

Jan 27, 2010

India FDC on "India Post Freighter"



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India

India Post Freighter

Date of issue : 12 October 2009

(The following information is from the website : http://philatelynews.com/2009/india/india-post-freighter)

India Post launched country wide services using Air India Cargo Aircraft from 13 Sep 2009. India post has been given three Boeing 737-200 aircraft’s of the 1970’s Vintage to cover the North East.

The three planes can together carry 40 tonnes of Mail which will be sorted at Nagpur Hub before being airlifted in AI cargo Freighter to the airport closest to the destination of the Parcel.

The size of the domestic express delivery services is estimated at Rs 7000 crore by the Indian Council for research on International Economic relations.

Jan 26, 2010

Iran Postcard - Hamedan Pahlavi Square



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Iran

A postcard of Hamedan Pahlavi Square, Iran. Hamedan is believed to be among the oldest Iranian cities and one of the oldest in the world.

Jan 25, 2010

Taiwan FDC on "Flowers Postage Stamps (III)"



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Taiwan

Flowers Postage Stamps (III)

Date of Issue : 20 Jan 2010

NT$7 stamp : Michelia champaca (黃玉蘭)
This medium-sized evergreen tree of the family Magnoliaceae is commonly known as a yellow jade orchid tree in English. Its yellow orange flowers are produced singly from the axis of a leaf. The sweet smelling flowers are often seen as a symbol of luck, suggesting “a house full of gold and jade.” It prefers a warm climate, and can be planted in the ground or in a large container.

NT$15 stamp : Duranta repens cv. Lass (蕾絲金露花)
This evergreen shrub is a member of the family Verbenaceae. Its leaves are oval in shape. Its flowers are arranged in terminal or auxiliary racemes. Its tubular corolla is blue-purple with lavender edges. The petals are slightly curved and appear to look like lace. The fruit, growing in yellow when ripe, is poisonous.

NT$20 stamp : Ixora chinensis (仙丹花)
This evergreen shrub of the family Rubiaceae is commonly known as Chinese ixora or red ixora in English. Its leaves are either ovovate or elliptical. The inflorescence is in the form of a terminal umbel. The orange red corolla is slender. Its long flowering season and its tolerance of drought and heat make it an ideal ornamental or hedge plant.

NT$34 stamp : Lagerstroemia speciosa (大花紫薇)
This large deciduous tree of the family Lythraceae is commonly known as queen crepe-myrtle in English. Its leaves are elliptical to long elliptical. Its terminal panicle is elegant with either hot pink or violet crinkled petals. The salient feature of this tree is that its blossoms are rose red during the day and purple at nights.

A very nice stamp issue of Taiwan. Thank You very much to my friend.

Jan 22, 2010

Slovakia FDC on "Winter Olympic Games 2010 Vancouver"



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Slovakia

Winter Olympic Games 2010 Vancouver

Date of Issue : 15 January 2010

The XXI Winter Olympic Games will take place on 12 - 28 February 2010 in Vancouver, Canada.

It is my first 2010 Winter Olympic Games FDC. Very nice stamp.

Jan 21, 2010

Iran Postcard - Tehran



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Bilhete Postal

Iran

A very nice postcard of Tehran, Iran with clear postal cancellation. I very much like the multi-language airmail label.

Jan 19, 2010

Latvia Postcard - Riga



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Bilhete Postal

Latvia

A very nice multiview postcard showing the old town of Riga, the capital city of Latvia. You can see Klostera Street, John's Yard, the Powder Tower and the Jacob's Barracs on the card. The stamps affixed on the card are also nice too.

Jan 18, 2010

Sri Lanka Postcard - Harvesting Tea near Kandy



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Sri Lanka

A very nice postcard from Sri Lanka. I very much like the stamps and the clear cancellation.

Jan 17, 2010

Indonesia FDC on "Indonesia - Iran Joint Issue"



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Indonesia


Indonesia - Iran Joint Issue

Date of Issue : 18 December 2009

(2-1) 3000 : Al Markaz Mosque, Makassar, Indonesia
The Mosque was designed by Ir. Achmad Nu'man. Initiated by General M.Jusuf, the building started on 8 May 1994 and finished on 12 January 1996. Located at Mesjid Raya Street Makassar City, this three floor building looks lovely with a green color nuance. Beside its main functions as praying place, this mosque serves as an education center of Islam.

(2-2) 1500 : Soltanieh Dome, Iran
Soltanieh Dome (Gonbad Soltanieh) is the biggest dome in Iran and one of the most splendid buildings throughout the Islamic world. Soltanieh Dome was constructed in the 15th centry during the reign of Sultan Mohammad Khodabandeh (Oljaito) in the years 704-712 AH.

Jan 15, 2010

Macau FDC on "Lunar Year of the Tiger"



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Macau

Lunar Year of the Tiger

Ano Lunar do Tigre

Date of Issue : 02 January 2010

The "Lunar Year of Tiger" stamps issued by Macau Post continue to use the conceptual design of the previous two stamps, Lunar Year of Rat and the Ox, to combine the different forms of the Tiger and the distinguishing characteristics of "Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth", and to apply it to the stamps.

Macau Post adopted the "Heavenly Stems" calculation method to figure out the nature of the "Five Elements" in the third series of Chinese Zodiac stamps. This year, the tiger's nature from the "Five Elements" is "Metal Tiger", so it becomes the main character of the five stamps.

"Metal Tiger" (MOP 5 stamp and the souvenir sheet) : In discussing character, the "Metal Tiger" is a "Home Tiger".

"Earth Tiger" (MOP 1.5 stamp) : The "Earth Tiger" is a "Tiger with Great Ambition".

"Fire Tiger" (MOP 1.5 stamp) : The "Fire Tiger" is a "Leader Tiger".

"Wood Tiger" (MOP 1.5 stamp) : The "Wood Tiger" is a "Chivalrous Tiger".

"Water Tiger" (MOP 1.5 stamp) : The "Water Tiger" is a "Talented Tiger".

Vietnam "Year of Tiger" FDC
Korea "Year of Tiger" FDC
China "Year of Tiger" FDC

The designer of Macau's "Year of Tiger" stamp issue is Mr. Wilson Chi Ian Lam. He is also the designer of Canada's "Year of Tiger" stamp.

South Africa Postcard - Johannesburg



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Bilhete Postal

South Africa

A nice multiview card of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Jan 14, 2010

China FDC on " Centenary of the Birth of Comrade Song Renqiong"



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China


Centenary of the Birth of Comrade Song Renqiong (宋任窮)

Date of Issue : 08 January 2010

Song Renqiong (1909 - 2005), born in Liuyang, Hunan Province, was an excellent member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) since 1926.

Jan 13, 2010

China FDC on "Year of the Tiger - Geng Yin Year"



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China


Year of the Tiger - Geng Yin Year (庚寅年)

Date of Issue : 05 January 2010

According to Chinese lunar calendar, 2010 is Geng-Yin Year, or the Year of the Tiger.

Vietnam FDC on "Year of Tiger"
Korea FDC on "Year of Tiger"

Jan 12, 2010

Australia Postcard - Sydney



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Australia

A very nice multiview postcard showing Sydney, Australia.

Jan 11, 2010

Korea FDC on "Visit Korea Year"



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South Korea

Visit Korea Year

Date of Issue : 04 January 2010

On the occasion of “2010∼2012 Visit Korea Year,” Korea invites the world to Korea.

The grand prize winning piece (Yongsoon NA’s Saekdongeolgul) and Award of Excellence piece (Jaekuk JUNG’s Taegeukmaji) under the theme of general category -- “Visit Korea Year”-- of the 2010 International Postage Stamp Design Contest are issued as stamps. Saekdongeolgul expresses, using Korea’s unique pattern, Saekdong, the smiling face that greets guests. Taegeukmaji that utilizes Taegukgi, the national flag of Korea, as a motive, expresses two figures, one dressed in Hanbok, traditional Korean attire, and the other in modern clothing, with raised hands in extending a warm welcome to his guests.

Jan 10, 2010

Bangladesh Postcard



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Bilhete Postal

Bangladesh

Jan 8, 2010

Cyprus Postcard - Lefkosia



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Bilhete Postal

Cyprus

A very nice multiview card of Lefkosia, Cyprus

Panama Postcard - Cathedral of Panama



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Bilhete Postal

Panama

A very nice cityview card showing the Cathedral of Panama.

Jan 7, 2010

China FDC on "80th Anniversary of Gutian Conference"



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China


80th Anniversary of Gutian Conference (古田會議)

Date of Issue : 28 December 2009

Gutian Conference, officially known as the Ninth Congress of the Fourth Front Army of the CPC Red Army, took place on December 28, 1929, in Gutian Town of Shanghang County, Fujian Province. The meeting deliberated and approved Gutian Conference Resolution, a guideline document for the construction of the Party and the Red Army, drafted by Mao Zedong.

Jan 5, 2010

Algeria FDC on "Popular Tales of Algeria"



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Algeria

Popular Tales of Algeria

Date of Issue : 07 December 2009

This stamp issue consist of 4 stamps. The stamp on the FDC above is one of them features the story "The Red Rose".

Bangladesh Postcard



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Bangladesh

This is my first postcard from Bangladesh.