La Poste France "Journée de la Femme" 2009

LA POSTE FRANCE on 9 March 2009 issued a set of 12 First Day Cover stamps entitled "Journée de la Femme"  (International Women's Day), which reproduced portraits of women from around the world by French navigator and artist Titoun Lamazou. The stamps featured  two phosphorescent bars and were printed using a gravure method. These stamps appeared on individual and grouped maxi cards.

Maxi Card #1-

 - Deborah, France 

- Blessing, Nigériane à Nouadhibou

- Kabari, Bangladesh 

- Nandita, India

Maxi Card #2

- Helena, United States

- Dayan, Columbia

- Daya, Indonesia 

- Francine, Rwanda

Maxi Card #3

- Mei Mei, Sal bytimbanque à Beijing

- Elmas, Réalisatrice à Istanbul 

- Malika, Morocco 

- Nadia, Indienne Camaiura (Brazil)

International Women's Day (IWD) is a holiday celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women's rights movement. IWD gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. Spurred by the universal female suffrage movement, IWD originated from labor movements in North America and Europe during the early 20th century.

Source: Wikipedia 

Postes Republique Francaise Henri Matisse Blue Nude

POSTES REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE on 10 November 1961 issued a First Day Cover stamp of the Henri Matisse  painting "Blue Nudes". Postmark cancellation originated from Paris, France.

The Blue Nudes is a series of collages, and related colour lithographs, by Henri Matisse, made from paper cut-outs depicting nude figures in various positions. Restricted by his physical condition after his surgery for stomach cancer, Matisse began creating art by cutting and painting sheets of paper by hand; these Matisse viewed as independent artworks in their own right. The Blue Nudes refers also to the editioned multiples based on the cut-outs. Matisse supervised the creation of these lithographs until his death in 1954.

The color blue signified distance and volume to Matisse. Frustrated in his attempts to successfully marry dominant and contrasting tones, the artist was moved to use solid slabs of single color early in his career, a technique that became known as Fauvism. The painted gouache cut-outs that compose the Blue Nudes were inspired by Matisse's collection of African sculpture and his visit to Tahiti, in 1930. 

Source: Wikipedia 

Rheinland-Pfalz Teufelstisch Definitive 1947

RHEINLAND - PFALZ (Rhineland-Palatinate) in post-WWII French zone state, was established on 30 August 1946. It was formed from the Northern part of the French Occupation Zone, which included parts of Bavaria (the Rhenish Palatinate), the Southern parts of the Prussian Rhine Province, and parts of Hesse-Darmstadt. The new state was confirmed by referendum on 18 May 1947, and its capital was established at Mainz.

The new state of Rheinland-Pfalz issued their first definitive postage stamps between May 1947 and February 1948. The stamps were photogravure and printed on unwatermarked papers of varying quality.

The new definitive set featured twelve designs. Among these being the Teufelstisch stamp which is affixed to this maxim card of the same. The postmark cancellation originated from Hinterweidenthal and is dated with special franking 11 May 1947.

Teufelstisch (The Devil's Table) in Hinterweidenthal is a 14 metre high mushroom rock in the German part of the Wasgau region, the southern Palatine Forest in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate). It is one of the landscape symbols of the Palatinate and is also the subject of a local legend.

The Rehberg Formation commonly forms table rock formations such as the Devil’s Table. The siliceous harder rock zones lie on top of the softer thin layers, that are more susceptible to weathering and erosion. The tabletop-like blocks protect the remaining pillars of less resistant material from further erosion. The shape of the Devil’s Table and its thin pillars is defined by preexisting fractures at the upper and lower end of the tabletop. The natural monument of the Devil’s Table represents an important landmark of the Palatinate Forest and was classified as a "National Geotope“ in 2006.

USPS Cover: Baseball, Christmas and Ecology

 

USPS cover stamps  presented with mixed themes: baseball, Christmas, baseball and Ecology stamps. The block set of Madonna & Child by Bondone and Vintage Kids Care Environment for Earth Day were initially released in 1995. Take Me Out to the Ball Game was issued in 2008.

LVZ POST (Germany) the 500 Year Anniversary of the Leipzig Disputation

LVZ POST (Germany) on 27 June 2019 issued a First Day Cover commemorating the 500 Year Anniversary of the Leipzig Disputation between Johannes Eck vs. Martin Luther. The stamp and maxim card depicted the famous event. A special cancellation postmark was also created showing these two theologians.

The 500th anniversary of the Leipzig Disputation between Martin Luther (advocated Protestant Reformation)  and Johannes Eck (represented the Catholic Church) was celebrated in 2019. The debate took place in 1519 at Pleissenburg Castle in Leipzig, Germany, and was a key moment in the Reformation.  

The debate covered a range of topics, including papal authority, the infallibility of church councils, the sale of indulgences, and the existence of purgatory. 

The debate began as a friendly argument between friends, but quickly descended into chaos. The debate was also marked by months of pre-debate theses and counter theses.

The debate opened in the presence of George the Bearded, the Duke of Saxony who was critical of Martin Luther. Luther entered the debate on July 4, 1519.Although the debate judges from the University of Paris took two years to decide and the judges from the University of Erfurt never reached a decision, the debate was won by Johann Eck. 

The debate led to Pope Leo X censoring Luther and threatening him with excommunication in his June 1520 papal bull, Exsurge Domine. The bull banned Luther's views from being written or preached. 

The debate is considered a key moment in Reformation history because it was the first time Luther publicly acknowledged that popes and church councils had made errors. 

Source: Wikipedia 

Deutsche Post Leipziger Messe Herbstmesse 1948

DEUTSCHE POST on 29 August 1948 issued two First Day Cover stamps for the Leipziger Messe Herbstmesse (Autumn Fair). These stamps were affixed to postal stationery showing the same enactments of (1) Merchants and Customs Barriers in 1388 (face value of 50pf- deep blue colour); and (2) Construction of Merchandise Warehouse in 1433 (Face value of 84pf - green in colour). The stamps were issued during the Soviet occupation of East Germany.

Deutsche Post Frühjahrsmesse and Herbstmesse in Leipziger Messe 1947

DEUTSCHE POST (DDR) on 5 March 1947 issued two First Day Cover stamps  for the Frühjahrsmesse (Spring Fair) Leipziger Messe. These stamps were affixed to postal stationery showing the same enactments of (1) Leipzig receiving market rights in 1160 from Margrave Otto of Meissen (with a face value of 24+26); and (2) Protection of foreign merchants through a decree from Margrave Dietrich von Landsberg in 1268 (with a face value of 60+40). Postmarks "MM" originated from Leipzig, although two additional special frankings were available on other FDCs.

DEUTSCHE POST (DDR) on 2 September 1947 issued two First Day Cover stamps  for the Herbstmesse (Autumn Fair) Leipziger Messe. These stamps were affixed to postal stationery: (1) Leipzig Assessment and collection of rent in 1375 (with a face value of 75 pfennig); and (2) Trade Fair Privilege of Maximilian I on 1497 (with a face value of 12 pfennig).

Nationally-owned companies exhibited for the first time at the Leipziger Messe in 1947. Universal fairs were held in spring and autumn from 1947 to 1990. This stamp series was designed by German graphic designer Erich Gruner and focused on the history of the Leipziger Messe.He designed seven issues with 14 special stamps issued between 1947 till 1950. He also designed the Leipziger Messe "MM" logo.

The Leipzig Trade Fair dates back to the Middle Ages, and is still celebrated today. It has traditionally been celebrated twice a year, with the respective fairs being referred to as the Frühjahrsmesse (Spring Fair) and Herbstmesse (Autumn Fair), though different names have been used over the years.

Prior to 1945, Germany issued a couple sets of stamps commemorating the 1940 and 1941 Spring Fairs under "Deutsches Reich".

The Allied Control Commission released three sets (1947 Spring & Autumn Fairs, 1948 Spring Fair, under "Briefmarken-Ausgaben des Alliierten Kontrollrats". 

The Soviet Zone then released three commemorative sets (1948 Autumn Fair, 1949 Spring and Autumn Fairs), also designed by Gruner, under "Briefmarken-Ausgaben der sowjetischen Besatzungszone".

Finally, once the DDR began issuing stamps, they continued the tradition, producing commemorative stamps every year from 1950-1990. 

After Reunification, the BRD issued a 500-year commemorative in 1997, under "Briefmarken-Jahrgang 1997 der Bundesrepublik Deutschland". Leipziger Messe.   

Deutsche Post J.S. Bach Postal Stationery & Definitive Stamps 1947

DEUTSCHE POST (DDR) postal stationery issued in 1947  shows Johann Sebastian Bach conducting a choir in Leipzig (Leipziger) in front of Thomaskirche (St. Thomas Church) where he worked as a cantor from 21 March 1685 – 28 July 1750. 

Affixed to the reverse side of the postcard are Deutsche Post definitive stamps of workers and peasants, postmarked 7 March 1947 from the Control District Leipzig, Soviet Zone.

Pochta USSR Russian folk tales.

POCHTA USSR (USSR Post) in 16 March 1977 issued a set of six First Day Cover stamps commemorating Russian folk tales.

- 4 K. "Welcome (Bread & Salt)" by N. M. Sloninkin, 1970.

- 6 K. "Along the Street" by V. D. Antonov, 1972.

- 10 K. "Northern Song" by J. V. Karapaev, 1970.

- 12 K. "Tale about Tzar Saltan" by A. I. Kozlov, 1956.

- 14 K. "Summer Troika" V. A. Nalimov, 1974.

- 16 K. "The Scarlet Flower" V. D. Lipitsky, 1969.

Pochta Rossii Ballet Series with M.M. Fokin

POCHTA USSR (USSR Post) on 18 January 1995 issued a set of four First Day Cover stamps honouring Russian ballet dancer, choreographer and teacher M.M. Fokin (1880-1942). Besides a stamp featuring Fokin, other stamps highlighted his chorography in "Firebird", "Petrushka" and "Scheherazade".

In 1909, Sergei Diaghilev invited Fokine to become the resident choreographer of the first season of the Ballets Russes in Paris. At Ballets Russes, he collaborated with other artists to create a ballet of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade", which premiered in 1910. The ballet was inspired by symphonic poems composed by Rimsky-Korsakov and the tale of the 1001 Nights. The sets designed by Léon Bakst matched the sexualized choreography. Despite the lack of historical accuracy, the ballet was successful due to its brilliant colors, exoticism, and sexual overtones. The 1910 production featured Nijinsky in the role of the Golden Slave.

"The Firebird" (1910), with music composed by Igor Stravinsky was also created by a "committee," a process inspired by the Wagnerian notion of Gesamtkunstwerk, which is the synthesis of elements such as music, drama, spectacle, and dance to create a more cohesive artwork.

"Petrushka" (1912), with music also composed by Stravinsky and set design by Alexandre Benois Petrouchka, was inspired by the Russian puppet which traditionally appeared at the Butter Week (Shrovetide) Fairs. In this ballet, Fokine included street dancers, peddlers, nursemaids, a performing bear, and a large ensemble of characters to complement the plot. The story was centered on the sinister Magician (Enrico Cecchetti) and his three puppets: Petrouchka (Nijinsky), the Ballerina (Tamara Karsavina) and the savage Moor (Alexander Orlov).

Source: Wikipedia

Royaume Du Laos Golden Jubilee of King Sisavang Von

ROYAUME DU LAOS on 4 March 1954 issued a set of three First Day Cover stamps commemorating the Golden Jubilee of King Sisavang Vong (1885-1959). The last king of the forerunner kingdom of Luang Prabang (palace depicted in the stamp), he was the founding monarch of the unified Kingdom of Laos.  The stamps depicted three different Lao temples, one from each former Lao Kingdoms: Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Champasak. The temples represented the unification of these three Lao Kingdoms to the Kingdom of Laos under King Sisavang Vong reign. Marc Leguay illustrated the set.

These air mail stamps included:

- 2P blue / violet

- 3P brown / maroon

- 50P black blue / blue-green (not shown)

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Laos was dominated in turn by Burma, China and Siam.

In 1893, France helped the Laotian kingdom drive out foreign invaders and incorporated it into the Indochinese colonial system. Vong worked closely with the French colonial authorities during his reign.

The most valuable of the set is the 50-piaster Laotian Temples airmail stamp . This stamp is in demand by royalty and religion topical collectors, as well as collectors of French colonies and Laos. 

Monaco John Huston

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) on 27 May 2006 issued a First Day Cover stamps honouring John Huston. The stamp shows a closeup of Houston and a scene of Marilyn Monroe and Clarke Gable from his film "The Misfits".

John Marcellus Huston (1906 -1987) was an American film director, screenwriter and actor. He wrote the screenplays for most of the 37 feature films he directed, many of which are today considered classics. He received numerous accolades including two Academy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 and the BAFTA Fellowship in 1980.

Huston directed acclaimed films such as "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (1948), "Key Largo" (1948), "The Asphalt Jungle" (1950), "The African Queen" (1951), "Moulin Rouge" (1952), "Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison" (1957), "The Misfits" (1961), "The Night of the Iguana" (1964), "Fat City" (1972), "The Man Who Would Be King" (1975), "Annie" (1982), "Prizzi's Honor" (1985) and "The Dead" (1987). During his 46-year career, Huston received 14 Academy Award nominations, winning twice. Huston acted in numerous films receiving nominations for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for "The Cardinal" (1963), and "Chinatown" (1974) respectively. He also acted in "Casino Royale" (1967), "Myra Breckinridge" (1970) and "Battle for the Planet of the Apes" (1973). He voiced the wizard Gandalf in "The Hobbit" (1977).

Source: Wikipedia 

USPS Orson Welles’ film “Citizen Kane”

USPS on 18 February 1999 issued a First Day Cover stamp honouring Orson Welles’ famous film “Citizen Kane” from the 1940s.  It was one of several 32¢ First Class Mail Rate stamps; it was part of their "Celebrate the Century" series released between 1998 till 2000. The FDC postmark cancellation originated from Dobbins Air Force Base, Georgia. The quantity printed included 188,000,000 stamps. Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. used an offset, intaglio printing method. It was designed by Carl Herrman of Laguna Niguel, California, and illustrated by Howard Koslow of Toms River, New Jersey.

Regarded as one of the most influential films ever created in the United States, “Citizen Kane” was Orson Welles’ first film. His dramatic use of lighting and music, as well as innovative narrative techniques, established him as a master filmmaker.

Welles wrote, directed, produced, and starred in “Citizen Kane.” The movie tells the story of a powerful newspaper magnate, based on the lives of publisher William Randolph Hearst and his mistress Marion Davies. Hearst’s failed attempts to block the film’s release in 1941 made his connection with the story even more obvious to critics and movie-goers.

The opening scene of “Citizen Kane” shows Xanadu, Charles Foster Kane’s immense estate, blanketed in fog. Looming above he mist, atop a man-made mountain, sits a castle with a single light shining from a window. Inside lies the dying Kane, clutching a crystal globe enclosing a winter scene. He utters one word, “Rosebud,” then dies. It is then up to a reporter to find out who the real Kane was, and the significance of “Rosebud.”

Source: USPS