Korea FDC on "Korean-Made Characters (1st)"

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South Korea

Korean-Made Characters (1st)

Date of Issue : 22 February 2011

Stamp Design : Pororo, The Little Penguin (Eddy, Crong, Pororo, Petty, Pipi and Popo, Poby, Harry, Loopy, TongTong, Rody)

The “Korean-Made Characters Series” (1st) features “Pororo, The Little Penguin”.

Pororo is a hip, little penguin wearing a aviator hat and aviator goggles. Filled with curiosity, Pororo lives in a snow-covered, pearl-white forest with his friends: Crong, the cute baby dinosaur who often causes trouble; Eddy, the smart, little fox who wants to become a great scientist and loves inventing gadgets; Rody, the strong robot made by Eddy; Poby, the polar bear with a heart as big as his mass; TongTong, the little dragon who is a magician and turns, with a magic wand, himself larger when flying in the sky; Loopy, the shy feminine beaver who loves to cook.; Petty, the bright penguin girl who is athletic; Pipi and Popo, alien friends filled with curiosity; and Harry, the cheerful hummingbird who loves to sing. Amid the rackets, big and small, that arise every day, these little friends solve problems without any help from grown-ups, yield to, help and love each other, all while learning the wisdoms of life.

Born in 2003 as an animation, Pororo has been exported to 110 countries around the world, including France, UK, Japan, Italy, South America, etc.

A really lovely and nice FDC from Korea ! Thank You very much !

Slovakia FDC on "20th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Visegrad Group"

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Slovakia

20th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Visegrad Group

Date of Issue : 11 February 2011

V4 is an informal grouping of four central European countries – the Czech Republic, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Poland and the Slovak Republic.

In the wake of post-1989 changes, three central European countries decided to forge closer cooperation with the aim of “returning” to Europe. Subsequently, on 15 February 1991, Czechoslovakia’s President Václav Havel, Poland’s President Lech Walesa and Hungary’s Prime Minister József Antall signed the Visegrad Declaration in Visegrád.

After the split of Czechoslovakia and the creation of independent Slovak and Czech Republics in 1993, the trilateral Visegrad cooperation was transformed to a V4 format.

For 20 years, regional cooperation of the V4 has successfully developed in the intersectoral / interministerial field, coordination of foreign policy positions and pursuance of common interests within the EU and vis-à-vis third countries/regions. The activities of the V4 are based on presidency programmes adopted by the Prime Ministers at Visegrad Group summits. The current presidency is held by Slovakia (1 July 2010 – 30 June 2011).

A very nice FDC from Slovak. On the FDC, there were the seal of the office of the foundation and the seal of the Visegrad Library. Thank You very much !

Australia Aerogramme - Roseate Tern

Aerogramme
航空郵簡
Bilhete Carta-Avião

Australia

This aerogramme features the Roseate Tern, also known as the Graceful Tern. Thank You very much !

Israel FDC on "Herod’s Building Projects"

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Israel

Herod’s Building Projects

Date of Issue : 7 February 2011

Herod was crowned King of Judea in the year 37 BCE. Herod was a decisive ruler who did much to develop the Land of Israel and its Jewish population as well as its foreign residents. During his long reign over Judea, Herod erected numerous elaborate and innovative buildings throughout his kingdom which were revolutionary from an engineering standpoint.

1.7 NIS : Masada
In the year 40 BCE Herod was forced to flee to Rome following a rebellion that broke out in Eretz Israel. When Herod became king, he decided to turn Masada into a stronghold that could serve him as a place of refuge if another insurrection should arise. Herod built two magnificent palaces, huge storerooms for arms and food and water reservoirs holding some 40,000 cubic meters of water atop the mountain adjacent to the Dead Sea. This turned Masada into a unique combination of a regal palace and a fortified stronghold.

1.7 NIS : Caesarea
Herod erected his kingdom’s main port city along the Mediterranean shore. He put up a broad breakwater topped with a wall and towers and built docks for ships, warehouses for storing goods and lodgings for sailors. He called the city “Caesarea” in honor of the Roman Caesar Augustus and populated it with foreigners. Herod constructed lavish entertainment facilities such as a theater and a race track, as well as a high aqueduct which brought fresh water from afar for the benefit of city residents, thus making Caesarea the crown jewel of Herod’s building projects.

2.5 NIS : Jerusalem
Herod renovated and glorified the Temple and its surroundings for his Jewish subjects. He demolished the old, dilapidated Temple and erected a new magnificent Temple in its stead. He enlarged the area on which the Temple stood using a series of arches and surrounded it with splendid buildings. The area around the Temple Mount and the paths leading thereto were renovated to accommodate the throngs of pilgrims who visited the Temple during festivals.

2.5 NIS : Herodian
When Herod fled his pursuers during the rebellion of 40 BCE he was forced to fight for his life a few kilometers to the southeast of Jerusalem. When he became king, he decided to erect a site there in which he would be buried upon his death. He called the place “Herodian” and built a round building surrounded by an artificial mountain. Herod built an enormous compound around the mountain, including palace chambers, a garden and large pool. Herod died in Jerusalem in the year 4 BCE and a grand funeral procession brought his body to his burial site at Herodian.

Monaco Cover

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Monaco

Beautiful cover from Monaco. Thank You very much to my friend in France!

Singapore FDC on "Pond Life (Definitive)"

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Singapore

Pond Life (Definitive)

Date of Issue : 16 February 2011

$1.10 : Tilapia
Tilapia is the common name for nearly a hundred species of Cichlid fish from the tilapiine cichlid tribe. Featured in this Definitive series is the Common Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus).

My friend told me that the Merlion logo only appear on stamp margin for the first print (2011A) of definitive stamps and there will not be any Merlion logo on subsequent reprints (2011B, 2011C, etc). Nice FDC. Thank You very much !

Taiwan FDC on "Valentine’s Day (2011)"

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Taiwan

Valentine’s Day (2011)

Date of Issue : 14 February 2011

The concept behind the design of this set of stamps is the code of true love, which Chunghwa Post first ever makes use of QR code (quick response code) technology. QR code can store more information than regular barcode. To decode the hidden message, users only have to take a picture of the QR code with a mobile phone camera that can take images of over 300,000 pixels, and the decode software in the phone will read the message and display it on the screen.

The design of the stamp features a heart formed by a row of perforations, as well as images of roses, presents, hearts, and the word “LOVE” created from pixels. Through the interaction between the sender and the receiver, these stamps convey love and heighten the romantic atmosphere of Valentine’s Day. The message of the code is “Happy Valentine’s Day” for the NT$5 stamp and “I Love You” for the NT$25 stamp.

Indonesia FDC on "Year of the Rabbit"

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Indonesia


Year of the Rabbit

Date of Issue : 25 January 2011

2011 Year of Rabbit FDCs / Cover :

Greater China : Hong Kong, Macau, China, Taiwan

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

Sri Lanka Cover - Horton Plains National Park

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Sri Lanka

Really nice cover from Sri Lanka, with the Horton Plains National Park Souvenir Sheet. Thank You very much to my friend !

Australia Aerogramme - Eastern Curlew

Aerogramme
航空郵簡
Bilhete Carta-Avião

Australia

My second aerogramme from Australia. This aerogramme features the Eastern Curlew, also known as the Australian Curlew. Very nice. Thank You very much !

Israel FDC on "Endangered Species (WWF) Leopard"

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Israel

Endangered Species (WWF) Leopard

Date of Issue : 7 February 2011

The leopard, a carnivore belonging to the family Felidae, belongs to the genus Panthera, which includes the four species of large cats that are able to roar: jaguar, tiger, lion and leopard.

The remains of a leopard dating back 1.7 million years were discovered in Israel and the leopard is mentioned six times in the Bible and the Talmud as a symbol of might and bravery.

The leopard population of northern Israel was completely wiped out in the 1960’s (probably by shepherds). Today only a small number of leopards exist, in southern Israel, in the Negev and Judean Desert areas.

The leopards of Israel’s desert population are relatively small (males weigh up to 40 kgs and females weigh up to 32 kgs)

Really nice FDCs. I just like them. Thank you very much to my friend !

Uganda Postcard - Mountain Gorilla Family

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Uganda

I am really glad to receive a nice postcard from Uganda which shows the Mountain Gorilla family. Thank You very much !

Slovakia FDC on "Cultural Heritage of Slovakia: Church of St. George in St. Jur"

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Slovakia

Cultural Heritage of Slovakia: Church of St. George in St. Jur

Date of Issue : 28 January 2011

The stone Altar of St. George in Svätý Jur near Bratislava takes a prominent place among the works of art between Gothic and Renaissance period. The centre of altar architecture, basically divided into four horizontal registers, is the figure of St. George – who is a knight on horseback, with spear, killing the dragon under the horse’s hooves. Sculpture, almost in the form of free equestrian statue, is in the background completed by the relief of the landscape scenery, while garlands over it create a natural canopy. This décor is crowned by smaller scenes on the sides – on the wings of the altar, with four scenes from the life of the titular saint

In the dividing part, the groups of the Christ's Birth and Escape to Egypt are located; while in the middle there was originally the Adoration of the Magi, now preserved outside the altar. The gable over the main stage is dominated by spectacle of St. George in conversation with the Emperor; at the very top there is the Passion of St. Sebastian. Its motif, situated in the semi-circular medallion at the top of the altar, is the drawing on FDC.

Singapore Cover - Chinese New Year

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Singapore

Really glad to receive this nice cover with the Chinese New Year special cancellation. Thank you very much to my friend !

Israel ATM FDC on "Roe Deer of the Carmel"

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Israel

Roe Deer of the Carmel ATM

Date of Issue : 7 February 2011

The ATM and the FDC cover design are really nice ! Thank You very much !

Estonia FDC on "Chinese New Year - Year of the Rabbit"

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Estonia

Chinese New Year - Year of the Rabbit

Date of Issue : 3 February 2011

The Chinese new year this year falls on February 3, ushering in the Year of the Rabbit. The rabbit is regarded as the most propitious among the twelve signs of the zodiac because it is a symbol of longevity. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog

2011 Year of Rabbit FDCs / Cover :

Greater China : Hong Kong, Macau, China, Taiwan

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

Australia Aerogramme - Christmas 2010

Aerogramme
航空郵簡
Bilhete Carta-Avião

Australia

A very nice Christmas 2010 aerogramme from Australia, with the Sydney pictorial cancellation. Thank You very much !

Spain Cover - World Cup 2010 Champion

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Spain

A very beautiful Spain World Cup 2010 Champion Miniature Sheet. Thank you very much to my friend.

Ghana Postcard - Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Monument

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Ghana

A nice Ghana postcard showing the Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Monument. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah (21 September 1909 - 27 April 1972) was the first President of Ghana and the first Prime Minister of Ghana. The beautiful stamp affixed on the postcard also features Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Thank You very much !

France Cover - Year of Rabbit

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France

2011 Year of Rabbit FDCs / Cover :

Greater China : Hong Kong, Macau, China, Taiwan

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

A very beautiful French Year of Rabbit Miniature Sheet. The philatelic cancellation were nice too. It was very interesting that, the Miniature Sheet was issued on 10 January 2011, but the date shown on the philatelic postmark was 10 December 2010 ! Thank you very much to my friend.