Jan 31, 2011

China FDC on "Fengxiang New Year Woodprints"





First Day Cover
首日封
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China


Fengxiang New Year Woodprints

Date of Issue : 10 January 2011

4-1 : "General with a Whip in Hand"
4-2 : "The Boy Bringing Blessing"
4-3 : "Women Obsessed with Chrysanthemums"
4-4 : "Vase of Wealth and Honor"

The Fengxiang New Year Woodprints, primarily produced in Nanxiaoli, Beixiaoli and Chenzhen in Fengxiang County, Shaanxi province, has a history traced back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Today, more than 200 of traditional designs of the woodblock picture have been preserved, featuring a wide range of festive and auspicious subjects, block color printing, elegant yet bright colors and strong and smooth strokes. In the pictures, the door gods are vividly depicted by combining the images in traditional art forms like shehuo and Qinqiang Opera; women and little kids look beautiful and adorable, with typical northwestern characteristics; and opera stories and flowers are portrayed in distinctive styles. As one of the important genres of Chinese folk picture to celebrate the New Year, the art was included on the first National Intangible Cultural Heritage List by the State Council in 2006.

Jan 30, 2011

Taiwan FDC on "Long-horned Beetles (II)"



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Taiwan

Long-horned Beetles (II)

Date of Issue : 26 January 2011

Aeolesthes oenochrous (NT$1.00): Commonly known as the Wu-she blood-spotted long-horned beetle in English, the body of this large beetle is densely covered with shiny red hairs. The last three segments of the male’s back-sweeping antennae extend beyond the tips of its elytra, whereas the female’s antennae are shorter than its body. It is found in broad-leaved forests between 600 and 1,500 meters above sea level in mid and northern Taiwan, as well as in China.

Doliops similis (NT$3.50): This species is a mimic of the hard-shelled Pachyrrhynchus. This attractive beetle has a black body covered with iridescent blue markings. It has large femurs and tarsi. An endemic species of Taiwan, it can only be found on Orchid Island.

Thermistis taiwanensis (NT$10.00): This beetle has a black body, with a yellow blotch on the front of its head, a yellow band on each side of its pronotum, and tubercles on the outer edges of the pronotum. Its elytra are black with yellow bands. Its antennae are black. Its femurs are yellow and the remainder of its legs and claws are black. Endemic to Taiwan, this species is found in broad-leaved forests between 1,200 and 1,500 meters above sea level.

Dorysthenes pici (NT$32.00): It has a dark brown, almost black body and a very developed mandible. There are two serrations on its pronotal edge. The male’s antennae extend over half way down its elytra, whereas the female’s only reach the length of one third of its elytra. Endemic to Taiwan, the species is found in broad-leaved forests between 300 and 1,400 meters above sea level in northern Taiwan.

A very nice FDC from Taiwan. On the bottom of the FDC, you can see 2 "Long-horned Beetles (I)" stamps (issued on 21 May 2010). The NT$2.5 stamp features the Rosalia formosa conviva, while the NT$5 stamp features Aphrodisium faldermannii yuagii. Thank You very much to my friend !

Jan 28, 2011

Hong Kong FDC on "Year of the Rabbit"





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Hong Kong

Year of the Rabbit

Date of Issue : 22 January 2011

In traditional Chinese culture, the Rabbit is a symbol of agility and acuity. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be gentle, kind and quick-witted.

The four stamps, in denominations of $1.40, $2.40, $3.00 and $5.00, vividly portray four different breeds of cuddly rabbits. Five-colour printing is used to capture the gradation of light and shade, highlighting the adorable rabbits against a background of silver foliage.

The First Day Cover design aptly combines paper-cutting with computer aided drawing. The paper-cut pattern lends a note of festivity, and the lively rabbit in the foreground heralds the Year of the Rabbit.

2011 Year of Rabbit FDCs :

Greater China : Hong Kong, Macau, China, Taiwan

Other Countries : South Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Latvia (Pets, 2011), Malaysia (Children's Pets)

Very nice Year of Rabbit stamps. I very much like the stamp design. On the FDCs, you can see the autograph of Mr Bon Kwan, the stamp designer of the Year of the Rabbit stamps and the Hong Kong Bird definitive stamps.

Jan 27, 2011

Malaysia FDC on "Children's Pets"



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Malaysia

Children's Pets

Date of Issue : 18 January 2011

It was a pity that there was a datestamp cancellation dated 19 Jan, coincide with the special postmark dated 18 Jan. It seems that it was very hard to avoid double cancellation on Malaysian FDC. Anyway, as I was born in the year of rabbit, I very much like this FDC. Thank You very much to my friend !

Jan 26, 2011

Latvia FDC on "Pets - Rabbits, 2011"



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Latvia

Pets - Rabbits, 2011

Date of Issue : 14 January 2011

A really nice stamp and FDC from Latvia. Thank You very much to my friend !

Jan 25, 2011

Slovakia FDC on "International Year of Chemistry"



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Slovakia

International Year of Chemistry

Date of Issue : 17 January 2011

The 63rd UN General Assembly in December 2008 approved the year 2011 to be the International Year of Chemistry – IYC on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the International Association of Chemical Societies – IACS (a few years later, it was transformed to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). The main theme of IYC 2011 is “Chemistry – Our Life, Our Future” and is focused on the achievements of chemistry and its contribution to well-functioning human society.

The basis of the stamp design is made up of two important chemical compounds, water and carbon dioxide, depicted according to the calotte model, which interact in photosynthesis. Colouring of the stamp reflects dual-wise two basic stages of photosynthesis: light – in the form of sunlight and dark – in the form of blue colour symbolizing water. Sunlight and chlorophyll are the catalyst of photosynthesis, which results in oxygen and glucose, two molecules of life, having an essential role in our lives. The green leaf appears on the first day cover (FDC), representing chlorophyll, along with formulas of entering and generated chemical compounds and completes the picture of this unique photochemical reaction. C60 fullerene is pictured on the FDC stamp. It is one of several allotropic forms of carbon. Fullerenes are of significant importance and they are used in nanotechnology, which is one of the most attractive technologies of chemistry today.

This FDC is really very nice. Thank You very much !

Jan 24, 2011

Singapore Postage Due Cover to Hong Kong



Postage Due Cover
欠資封
Sobrescrito com Selos de Porteado

Singapore Hong Kong

Date Sent: 10 Jan 2010

Hong Kong Postage Due Label
~~~ Issued on 23 September 2004

On the cover, my friend affixed a Singapore 5 cents stamp out of the normal postage of 65 cents. On 22 Jan, I went to the GPO to get the mail and paid the postage due. The postage due is : ((60 / 65) x 2.3) + 4 = HK$6.10. On the cover, you can see the T 60/65 postmark from Singapore and a big rectangle "To Pay" chop from Hong Kong. The cancellations were clear. I really like it.

Jan 23, 2011

China FDC on "Xin-Mao Year"



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China


Xin-Mao Year

Date of Issue : 5 January 2011

According to Chinese lunar calender, 2011 is Xin-Mao year or the Year of the Rabbit. In real life, rabbit is a favorite of many people because of its tamed, lively and lovely nature. In traditional Chinese culture, while the three-legged crow represents the sun, rabbit is synonymous with moon. Considered an auspicious animal, the rabbit was often offered as a sacrifice to Gods and ancestors in the remote antiquity. Today it is remains symbolic of happiness and good luck, conveying people's wishes for better life.

Singapore Cover - Chinese New Year Slogan



Cover

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Singapore

A simple cover from Singapore with a "Year of Rabbit" stamp and cancelled with the Chinese New Year slogan postmark.

Jan 22, 2011

Estonia FDC on "Definitive Stamps"



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Estonia

Definitive Stamps

Date of Issue : 3 January 2011

A series of new definitive stamps in the uniform Post Horn design began on 10 January 2008. Until the end of 2010 the face value on the stamps appeared in two currencies; from 2011 the stamps’ face value is indicated in euros alone.

Jan 20, 2011

Israel FDC on "2011 International Year of Chemistry"



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Israel

2011 International Year of Chemistry

Date of Issue : 4 January 2011

The General Assembly of the United Nations has announced 2011 as the “International Year of Chemistry” (IYC2011). Two stamps were issued to commemorate the two Nobel Prizes in chemistry awarded to Israeli scientists.

4.2 Israeli shekel : Avram Hershko (born 31 December 1937), along with Aaron Ciechanover (born October 1, 1947) and Irwin Rose, was awarded the 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery of ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway has a critical role in maintaining the homeostasis of cells and is believed to be involved in the development and progression of diseases such as: cancer, muscular and neurological diseases, immune and inflammatory responses.

6.1 Israeli shekel : In 2009, Ada E. Yonath (born June 22, 1939) received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry along with Venkatraman Ramakrishnan and Thomas A. Steitz for her studies on the structure and function of the ribosome, becoming the first Israeli woman to win the Nobel Prize out of nine Israeli Nobel laureates

Really a nice FDC. I just like it. Thank you very much to my friend !

Jan 19, 2011

Latvia FDC on "100th Anniversary of Latvia Republic"



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Latvia

100th Anniversary of Latvia Republic

Date of Issue : 12 November 2010

The People's Council of Latvia proclaimed the independence of Latvia in Riga on November 18, 1918. So, in 2018, Latvia would celebrate 100th Anniversary of Latvia Republic.

A rather nice FDC from Latvia. My friend made a small mistake on my address. So, this FDC was returned to him, and he sent it again to me. This is my first "Return to Sender" FDC. Thank You very much to my friend !

Jan 18, 2011

El Salvador Postcard - Monument to the Saviour of The World



Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

El Salvador

A nice El Salvador postcard showing the Monument to the Saviour of The World, at Las Americas square at San Salvador. Thank You very much !

Jan 17, 2011

Singapore FDC on "Zodiac Series - Rabbit"



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Singapore

Zodiac Series - Rabbit

Date of Issue : 7 January 2011

The Chinese calendar is based on five cycles of 12 years each, with each cycle tempered by one of the Chinese elements - Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. Each year features one of 12 animal signs. The year 2011 is that of the Metal Rabbit and the Lunar New Year for 2011 starts on 3 February 2011.

Jan 16, 2011

Estonia FDC on "Accession to the Euro"



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Estonia

Accession to the Euro

Date of Issue : 1 January 2011

From the 1st of January 2002 a common currency, the euro, was introduced in twelve countries of the European Union. It was possible to make bank transfers in euros already starting from 1999 but the seven euro banknotes and eight coins came into use three years later. The euro denomination appeared parallel with the kroon on an Estonian postage stamp for the first time in 1999 when the stamp dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Council of Europe was issued. In the period from 2006 to 2010 the face value on Estonian stamps was shown in both kroons and in euros. The stamp issued to mark Estonia’s transition to the euro currency is the first Estonian stamp on which the face value with the symbolical denomination of €1 is indicated in euros alone.

Jan 14, 2011

Indonesia FDC on "Panfila Jakarta 2010"



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Indonesia


Panfila Jakarta 2010

Date of Issue : 10 December 2010

The design of the FDC looks very nice. Thank You very much !

Jan 13, 2011

Israel ATM FDC on "Endangered Even-Toed Ungulates Species"



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Israel

Endangered Even-Toed Ungulates Species ATM

Date of Issue : 2 January 2011

Israeli FDC are always nice. Here is another excellent ATM FDC from Israel ! Thank You very much to my friend !

Jan 12, 2011

Latvia Postcard



Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Latvia

A postcard showing the treasury note of Latvia 20 lats from the National History Museum of Latvia. Rather special.

Jan 10, 2011

Macau FDC on "Lunar Year of the Rabbit"





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Macau

Lunar Year of the Rabbit

Ano Lunar do Coelho

Date of Issue : 05 January 2011

The conceptual design of the "Lunar Year of Rabbit" stamp is combined with the different forms of the Rabbit and the distinguishing characteristics of “Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth”. This year, the rabbit’s nature from the “Five Elements” is “Metal Rabbit”, so it becomes the main character of the five stamps

The design of the souvenir sheet presented a vivid scene of a metal rabbit jumping out of a magician’s hat. The “Metal Rabbit” stamp is applied with emboss printing technique to highlight the image of metal rabbit on the bright full moon, while the hot foil stamping with holographic and gold are used respectively on the stamp’s surface, the face values and the characters.

"Metal Rabbit" (MOP 5 stamp and souvenir sheet) : The "Metal Tiger" is a kind of "moon rabbit", which is popular among all rabbits.

"Earth Rabbit" (MOP 1.5 stamp) : The "Earth Rabbit" is a kind of "domestic rabbit".

"Fire Rabbit" (MOP 1.5 stamp) : The "Fire Rabbit" is a kind of "wild rabbit".

"Wood Rabbit" (MOP 1.5 stamp) : The "Wood Rabbit" is a "foxy rabbit".

"Water Rabbit" (MOP 1.5 stamp) : The "Water Rabbit" is a "jade rabbit".

Jan 9, 2011

Hong Kong 1.1.11 Cover



Cover

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Hong Kong

Just a registered cover I sent to myself on 1 Jan 2011 at General Post Office (GPO).

Jan 7, 2011

Slovakia FDC on "Art: Gothic Madonna from Ľubica"



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Slovakia

Art: Gothic Madonna from Ľubica

Date of Issue : 26 November 2010

Another very nice FDC from Slovakia. Thank You very much !

Sri Lanka Cover - Seashells of Sri Lanka



Cover

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Sri Lanka

Another very nice cover from Sri Lanka. The souvenir sheet on the cover is from the Seashells of Sri Lanka stamp issue. Really beautiful. Thank You very much to my friend !

Jan 6, 2011

Taiwan FDC on "Fireworks Displays"



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Taiwan

Fireworks Displays

Date of Issue : 1 January 2011

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China, a souvenir sheet was issued on 1 January 2011.

This souvenir sheet includes four stamps, each depicting a firework sight fused into a river nightscape. From left to right: the Double Tenth Day fireworks display in Taipei (NT$5), Taipei 101’s New Year fireworks display (NT$5), the Lantern Festival fireworks display on Kaohsiung’s Love River (NT$25), and the Dragon Boat Festival fireworks display in Taoyuan County’s Longtan (NT$25). The background of the souvenir sheet features a fireworks display by the Taipei Ferris Wheel, which conveys a sense of universal celebration.

The souvenir sheet is printed in intaglio combined with offset. For the first time ever, the sheet is hot stamped with optical variable film to highlight the fireworks displays and the play of light and shadow on the Ferris wheel.

The souvenir sheet is really very nice. I like it very much. The datestamp of 1.1.11.11 is also very interesting. Thank You very much to my friend !