US WWII-era Stamps: Nations United for Victory and Win the War

This envelope cover has two WWII-era US postage stamps affixed to it: the 2-cent Nations United for Victory stamp and the 3-cent Win the War stamp. 

The postmark originated from Cologne, Minnesota, dated on 6 March 1945 (7 PM), which was the exact date the U.S. 1st Army captured the German city of Cologne during World War II.

The cachet (illustrated artwork on the envelope) depicts General Courtney Hodges of the U.S. 1st Army, a sketch of the Cologne Cathedral skyline, an American flag, and the title "Cologne: Our Prize Of Victory".

The patriotic cachet design was credited to artist L.W. Staehle (marked L.W. Staehle NY City).

Togo Silver Jubilee (25th anniversary) of Queen Sālote's Accession - 1943

KINGDOM OF TONGA (spelled TOGA on the stamp) issued a stamp around 1943–1944 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee (25th anniversary) of Queen Sālote's accession to the throne. Similar designs were originally released for her 20th anniversary (1918–1938).Que@en Sālote Tupou III (who reigned from 1918 to 1965). It featured the Queen in royal regalia standing next to the Tongan royal chair and a palm tree. The bottom text reads "UANIMA TA'U 'OE PULE 'A 'ENE 'AFIO 1918-1943" (marking years of the reign of Her Majesty). It carried a face value of 2d (2 pence) in purple and black.

Anti-Fascist Council for the National Liberation of Yugoslavia (Jajce) - 1943

DEMOCRATIC FEDERATION OF YUGOSLAVIA issued on 29 November 1943 this 50 para / 0.50 dinars (marked as 50 and D.5) stamp depicting the town of Jajce and the historical date 29-XI-1943, commemorating the second session of AVNOJ (Anti-Fascist Council for the National Liberation of Yugoslavia) held in Jajce.

Post Italian Social Republic King Vittorio Emanuele III Overprint - 1944

POST ITALIAN SOCIAL REPUBLIC (Poste Repubblica Sociale Italiana or RSI / Republic of Salò) issued a series of Express (Espresso) mail stamps , such as this 1.25 Lire (green), in 1944. Originally an express stamp of the Kingdom of Italy showing King Vittorio Emanuele III, it was overprinted in red with a fasces symbol and the text "Poste Italiane Repubblica Sociale Italiana".

Bulgaria Statue of the Republic

BULGARIA (НАРОДНА РЕПУБЛИКА БЪЛГАРИЯ) issued on 8 September 1946 a series of post-war commemorative stamps after the 1946 referendum that transitioned Bulgaria from a monarchy to a people's republic. These stamps featured a symbolic representation of the Statue of the Republic designed by artist Boris Angelushev, depicting a woman with a raised sword.

Bulgaria Legend of Khan Kubrat

KINGDOM OF BULGARIA (ЦАРСТВО БЪЛГАРИЯ) issued on 7 August 1942 a 14-stamp historical series. This 10 Stotinki (10 СТ.) stamp is one from the series depicting the Legend of Khan Kubrat (illustrating his sons breaking or tied by bundles of arrows/rods symbolising unity).

USPS Franklin D Roosevelt's Four Freedoms by Norman Rockwell and WWIi era Stamps

USPS in 1994 depicted Franklin D Roosevelt's Four Freedoms painted by American artist Norman Rockwell. The series was famously illustrated for Saturday Evening Post in 1943, which traveled across the United States to promote war bonds. 

Also included on this First Day Cover:

- Franklin D. Roosevelt 5¢ stamp released in 1945–1946 to honour President Franklin D. Roosevelt, featuring his portrait and the Four Freedoms text. 

- U.S. 1¢ "Four Freedoms" postage stamp issued on 12 February 1941 featured a profile of the Statue of Liberty holding the torch of freedom, accompanied by the Four Freedoms slogan: "FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND RELIGION, FROM WANT AND FEAR".

President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) outlined the FOUR FREEDOMS in his State of the Union Address to Congress on 6 January 1941.

FDR defined these fundamental rights as essential for people everywhere in the world:

• Freedom of speech and expression

• Freedom of worship (every person's right to worship God in their own way)

• Freedom from want (economic understandings for a healthy peacetime life)

• Freedom from fear (a worldwide reduction of armaments to stop physical aggression)

Roosevelt used the speech to challenge American isolationism and build support for aiding Great Britain and other Allied nations fighting the Axis powers in World War II.

These principles influenced the Atlantic Charter in 1941, the United Nations Declaration in 1942, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, which was championed by Eleanor Roosevelt.

Deutsches Reich Elderly and Children Charity Stamps - 1922

 

DEUTSCHES REICH (German Empire) in 11 December 1922 during the inflation period. These semi-postal charity stamps from the Weimar Republic era of the German Empire (Deutsches Reich), were issued to raise funds for the elderly and children (Alters- und Kinderhilfe).

Designed by Professor Johann Vincenz Cissarz, the stamps depicted a woman kneeling in a field next to a shovel while tending to a young sapling, symbolising growth, renewal, and care. The stamps had a waffle type watermark.

- Blue stamp - 6 Mark + 4 Mark surcharge for Alters- und Kinderhilfe / old age and youth welfare). 

- Orange/Red.stamp - 12 Mark + 8 Mark surcharge for Alters- und Kinderhilfe).

Belgie Stamp Cover

Belgian postage stamp cover received from a Belgian philatelic dealer.

Stamps shown: 

- Belgian Lion Rampant (Leo Belgicus) in 1 F (rose)  and 5 F (green) denominations 

- "Birds of Buzin" definitive series designed by artist André Buzin

- Europa sports-theme

- King Leopold III, issued in 1951

- 50th Anniversary of Belgian Television series, issued in 2003

- Belgian cattle breed

- 50th anniversary of the Royal Ardennes Horse Society (Société Royale du Cheval de Trait des Ardennes) and depicting traditional draft horses, issued in 1976

POSTI (Finland)150th anniversary of The Finnish National Theatre

 

POSTI (Finland) in 2022 issued a series of stamps celebrating the 150th anniversary of The Finnish National Theatre featuring the phrase "Sinä siellä!" ("You there!").

Shown is a performer or theatrical scene set against a swirling, patterned background with the shape of Finland in the top right corner.

Posti Finnish Artist Kim Simonsson

 

POSTI (Finland) on 7 September  2022 issued two postage stamps by artist  Kim Simonsson (born 1974). The left stamp shows  "Sleeping Girl Reading Moss" (2022), whereas the right stamp portrays  "Girl with a Bubble" (2008).

USPS Alden Partridge from “Great Americans” - 1985

 

USPS issued on 12 February 1985 an 11-cent honouring Alden Partridge, as part of the Great Americans Series.

Alden Partridge was seen as a controversial choice for a “Great Americans” stamp – he was once court-martialed for nearly launching a mutiny when he was replaced as head of West Point.  However, he went on to found Norwich University, the first nonmilitary school in the western hemisphere, as well as seven other schools. 

Designer Robert Anderson created the portrait on this stamp, based on an old engraving of Partridge in his fuss-and-feathers “Peacock” uniform.

USPS Dance Series - 1978

USPS Dance Series postage stamps issued by the U.S. in 1978. Each 13-cent stamp featured a colourful silhouette celebrating a style of American dance: Theatre, Ballet, Modern, and Folk.