Sri Lanka 12.12.12 Postcard - Traditional Kandyan Dancers

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Sri Lanka

A Sri Lankan postcard sent on the special date of 12.12.12. The postcard shows the traditional Kandyan dancers with drummers. Thank You very much to my friend !

Israel FDC on "The High Priest's Breastplate"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Israel

The High Priest's Breastplate

Date of Issue : 12 December 2012

The mini souvenir leaf features the High Priest against the background of the magnificent Holy Temple built by King Herod and the city of Jerusalem in the latter part of the Second Temple period. The image of Jerusalem is based on the model designed by the late Prof. Michael Avi-Yonah in the 1960’s which is now permanently displayed at the Israel Museum. To the right is the large area housing the Temple Mount and the Holy Temple and to the left, behind the image of the High Priest, is the lower city. The red roofs of the luxurious upper city houses can be seen clearly, located in the area where the Jewish Quarter of the Old City now stands.

Malaysia 12.12.12 Cover

Cover
封
Sobrescrito

Malaysia

Really very clear Sarawak 12.12.12 datestamp cancellation. I very much like it! Thank you very much to my friend !

Hong Kong 12.12.12 Cover

Cover
封
Sobrescrito

Hong Kong

Two Hong Kong 12.12.12 Covers, one with a postage label from Kowloon Bay Post Office. The other one with a "Year of Dragon" stamp.

Taiwan FDC on "Deep-Sea Creatures in Taiwan"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Taiwan

Deep-Sea Creatures in Taiwan

Date of Issue : 12 December 2012

(Top FDC)
Souvenir Sheet A : includes four stamps

Eurypharynx pelecanoides (NT10): This mesopelagic and bathyalpelagic fish lives at depths of 500-3,000 meters.

Argyropelecus aculeatus (NT12): Commonly known as the Atlantic silver hatchetfish, it lives at depths of 200-1,000 meters.

Bufoceratias shaoi (NT10): This species lives at depths of 500-1,200 meters.

Regalecus glesne (NT12): This mesopelagic fish is found at depths ranging from the surface to 1,000 meters. The world’s longest bony fish, it can grow up to 11 meters. It is nicknamed the “earthquake fish” in Taiwan because it is often spotted by fishermen after earthquakes.

The marginal inscription features Leptocephalus (upper left corner), Ctenophora (lower right corner) and Bobtail squid (lower left corner).

(2nd FDC)
Souvenir Sheet B: includes one stamp
Histioteuthis celetaria pacifica (NT25): This species lives at depths of 300-500 meters.

The marginal inscription features Pyrosoma sp.(upper left corner), Tomopteris sp. (right), Malacosteus niger (bottom) and Gnathophausia sp. (bottom left).

Russia FDC on "Emblems of Cities of the Russian Federation - Moscow"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Russia

Emblems of Cities of the Russian Federation - Moscow

Date of Issue : 30 November 2012

The postage stamp features the emblem of Moscow depicts contemporary emblem of the city, on the margins of the souvenir sheet there are emblems of the following years: 1730, 1781, 1883,1924.

Latvia FDC on "Christmas"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Latvia

Christmas

Date of Issue : 1 December 2012

The design of the new stamps draws on traditional Christmas themes - a Christmas tree and gifts hidden under it. The first-day cover depicts a winter scene with a house surrounded by fir trees covered with snow and a snowman, while the cancellation depicts a decorated Christmas tree.

China FDC on "Confucius Institute"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

China


Confucius Institute

Date of Issue : 1 December 2012

2-1 (Left) : Exchanging.
2-2 (Right) : Teaching

The Hanban (Confucius Institute Headquarters) established Confucius Institutes overseas since 2004. Confucius Institutes are non-profit organizations that aim to teach the Chinese language and spread Chinese culture. By 2012, a total of 400 Confucius Institutes and over 500 Confucius Classrooms have been set up in 108 countries.

Hong Kong FDC on "150th Anniversary of Stamp Issuance in Hong Kong"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Hong Kong

150th Anniversary of Stamp Issuance in Hong Kong

Date of Issue : 8 December 2012

As early as 1841, a postal bureau was established locally to handle mail items for the British Army and postal matters for the public. In its early days, the Post Office (now also known as Hongkong Post) did not issue stamps but focused on postal service, and mail items were postmarked as a proof of postage payment. It was not until 1862 that Hong Kong had its first stamp issue.

The first set of stamps was released on 8 December 1862 when Hong Kong was under British rule. The stamps came in a set of seven and featured Queen Victoria in profile.

$1.4 stamp : The two-cent stamp from our first stamp set appears on the left. The Chinese term "先時" is the then transliteration of "cents".
$1.8 stamp : The eight-cent stamp from our first stamp set appears on the right.
$2.4 stamp : The 12-cent stamp from our first stamp set appears on the right.
$2.5 stamp : The 18-cent stamp from our first stamp set appears on the left.
$3 stamp : The 24-cent stamp from our first stamp set appears on the left.
$5 stamp : The 48-cent stamp from our first stamp set appears on the right and is accompanied by a QR Code. One can scan the QR Code on the stamp to gain instant access to the webpage of "The 150th Anniversary of Stamp Issuance in Hong Kong" and browse the stamp information.
$10 Stamp Sheetlet : The 96-cent stamp (highest denomination) from our first issue at the centre of the stamp portion.

(From Hong Kong Post : http://www.hongkongpoststamps.hk/eng/stamps/latest_stamp_issues/2012/20121208b/introduction.htm)

Bolivia Postcard - The Andes

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Bolivia

My first postcard from Bolivia. A beautiful postcard showing the view of the Andes and a Condor. Thank You very much to my friend !

Estonia FDC on "Christmas"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Estonia

Christmas

Date of Issue : 22 November 2012

Slovakia FDC on "ART: Viera Žilinčanová (1932 – 2008)"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Slovakia

ART: Viera Žilinčanová (1932 – 2008)

Date of Issue : 23 November 2012

A significant representative of the Slovak contemporary fine arts, she followed the tradition of magic realism and surrealism in European and global art.

She represented our fine arts at numerous exhibitions and painting festivals in Bratislava, Košice, Trenčín, Prague, Brno and other cities in Europe and overseas. She was awarded the National Prize and the Jury Prize for her works at the International Painting Festivals in Cannes sur Mer; the Prize of Cyprián Majerník and the Main Prize at the International Biennale of Painting in Košice

Korea FDC on "New Year’s Greetings"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

South Korea

New Year’s Greetings

Date of Issue : 3 December 2012

The year 2013 is the year of the snake.

The “New Year’s Greetings” stamp for this year consists of two stamps: the “snake” stamp and the “Jaegichagi” stamp that features “Jaegichagi,” one of the folk games played on New Year’s Day. In the “New Year’s Greetings” stamp for this year, glow-in-the dark ink was applied to the snake’s body shown as white and the snow particles (in the “snake” stamp), the snow particles (in the “Jaegichagi” stamp), and the three snakes and the snow particles (in the souvenir sheet).

Taiwan FDC on "New Year’s Greeting Stamps (Issue of 2012)"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Taiwan

New Year’s Greeting Stamps (Issue of 2012)

Date of Issue : 3 December 2012

2013 marks the Chinese New Year of the Snake. Each of the stamps features an artistically papercutted snake or a pair of snakes colored in bright yellow and royal purple against a pale-orange background with random yellow splatters. The bright color scheme spotlights the joyous atmosphere of the Year of the Snake.

NT$3.50 Stamp: The long bodies curled against each other in symmetry and the heads pointing to opposite directions, this pair of snakes represents the spirit of “one mind” and symbolizes “warmth and all one’s wishes will come true.”

NT$13.00 Stamp: The snake’s head surges forward, with the plump, curved body curling behind. The snake looks spirited and ready to spring into action. This image represents “courage” and symbolizes “marching ahead bravely.”

NT$12.00 Souvenir Sheet: With its upper body standing erect and the head tilting to one side to face its curved tail, this snake signifies “mettle,” and reflects the spirit of “sprightliness and “everything goes according to one’s wishes.”

Mexico Postcard - Orizaba

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Mexico

A Mexican postcard showing a view of Orizaba. Thank You very much to my friend !

Russia FDC on "Decorative and Applied Arts of Russia – Kasli Iron Castings"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Russia

Decorative and Applied Arts of Russia – Kasli Iron Castings

Date of Issue : 15 November 2012

Very special triangular stamps. Thank You very much !

China FDC on "Taizhou Yangtze River Bridge and Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul(Jointly issued by China and Turkey)

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

China


Taizhou Yangtze River Bridge and Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul(Jointly issued by China and Turkey)

Date of Issue : 26 November 2012

2-1 (Left) : Taizhou Yangtze River Bridge
Taizhou Yangtze River Bridge in Taizhou, East China's Jiangsu Province. The 62-kilometer-long bridge, which spans the Yangtze River and links Taizhou, Yangzhou, Zhenjiang and Changzhou in Jiangsu Province, opened traffic in 2012.

2-2 (Right) : Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul
The Bosphorus Bridge is one of the two bridges in Istanbul, Turkey, spanning the Bosphorus strait and thus connecting Europe and Asia. The bridge was built in 1973.

Latvia FDC on "XXX Olympic Games London 2012 Medal Winners"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Latvia

XXX Olympic Games London 2012 Medal Winners

Date of Issue : 23 November 2012

Māris Štrombergs (born March 10, 1987 in Valmiera) is a Latvian professional BMX racer. He won a gold medal in men's cycling BMX at London 2012 Olympics.

Mārtiņš Pļaviņš (born May 8, 1985 in Riga) and Jānis Šmēdiņš (born 31 July 1987) are Latvian beach volleyball players. They won a bronze medal in the men's beach volleyball at London 2012 Olympics.

Indonesia FDC on "Flora and Fauna 2012"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Indonesia


Flora and Fauna 2012

Date of Issue : 5 November 2012

Spilocuscus refoniger
Spilocuscus refoniger (black spotted cuscus) is one of Indonesia's biggest cuscus. This cuscus habitat is dense tropical forest spread over the northern part of the island of Papua.

Kandelia candel
Kandelia candel is one of a rare species of mangrove in Indonesia. Distribution only on the east coast of Sumatra and Kalimantan in part. Mangrove thrives in tropical areas near the equator. However, it can also be grown in sub-tropical regions.

Singapore FDC on "Singapore-Brunei Joint Issue"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Singapore

Singapore-Brunei Joint Issue

Date of Issue : 27 November 2012

S$1 stamp (Lower Left) : the iconic elements from past and present Singapore currency notes
S$2 stamp : the back of the 40th CIA anniversary commemorative note issued in 2007
S$1 stamp (Lower Right) : the iconic elements from past and present Brunei currency notes

An enduring symbol of the close friendship between Singapore and Brunei is the Currency Interchangeability Agreement (CIA) which took effect on 12 June 1967. Under the CIA, each country undertakes to accept the currency issued by the other, and to exchange it at par and without charges.

Slovakia FDC on "Sala terrena on Červený Kameň Castle"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Slovakia

Sala terrena on Červený Kameň Castle

Date of Issue : 23 November 2012

In the middle of the 17th century, the Červený Kameň (Red Stone) Castle underwent an early baroque reconstruction. Italian artists and craftsmen changed the cold former Fugger stronghold into an aristocratic residence with the interior full of baroque splendor according to the plans of the imperial architect Filiberto Luchese and on the order of the Count Nicolas IV Palffy. Especially the Sala terrena built on the ground floor of the south-west castle wing stands out as a whole. It is the only example of such specific space incorporated in an Italian way on the ground floor overlooking a park or garden and making the stay of nobility pleasant at a variety of social occasions, which is in an original and preserved state.

France FDC on "Great Moments in the History of France"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

France

Great Moments in the History of France

Date of Issue : 9 November 2012

The stamp features the Battle of Vouillé. The battle was fought in the northern marches of Visigothic territory, at Vouillé, Vienne near Poitiers (Gaul), in the spring of 507 between the Franks commanded by Clovis and the Visigoths of Alaric II, the conqueror of Spain.