Palestine Post 75th Anniversary of Palestine Nakba

PALESTINE  POST in May  2023 issued a souvenir sheet with six stamps marking documenting the 75th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba.

The memorial type design contains paintings that express the memory of the Nakba and the great price incurred by the Palestinian people as a result of this ongoing tragedy.

The paintings used in the Palestinian Nakba stamp card were six paintings drawn by a number of Palestinian artists, namely Suleiman Mansour, Ismail Shammout, Raed al-Qatanani, Yasser al-Khalidi, Kamel Jaber and Anwar Fanoun, Ahmad al-Khattab was the designer of this series.

Egypt 5th Anniversary of "PALESTINE - GAZA LIBERATION" - 1962

EGYPT (United Arab Republic) issued in 1962 this First Day Cover stamp of "PALESTINE - GAZA LIBERATION". It marked the 5th anniversary of the 1956 Tripartite War  and return of Gaza to Palestinians. Note the postmark states Gaza, Palestine, and not Cairo, UAE.

Egypt Palestine "World Refugee Year" and "Palestine Day" - 1960 and 1961

 

EGYPT (United Arab Republic) issued in 1960 and 1961 these First Day Cover stamps of "PALESTINE - WORLD REFUGEE YEAR and PALESTINE DAY", each  with Gaza postmark.

Egypt 16th Anniversary of Ramadan War - 1989

 

EGYPT on 6 October 1989 issued a First Day Cover of three stamps commemorating the 16th anniversary of the Ramadan War (also known as the Yom Kipper War). The stamps depicted the 6th October  Panorama Museum and crossing of the Suez Canal where Egypt breached Israeli fortifications.

Egypt and Israel both claimed victory for their forces. However, the ramifications of the war resulted in government and military shakeups in both nations.

In response to those countries that supported Israel,  Saudi Arabia instigated a 5% reduction in oil production and an embargo that led to increased prices in petrol and a worldwide shortage in fuel. King Faisal of Saudi Arabia who gave the green light to cut production was assassinated  two years later in 1975.

On a more positive note, in 1978, Egypt and Israel signed the Camp David Accords. Ultimately both got what each wanted: Egypt regained the Sinai  and Israel achieved peace and recognition from Egypt. Three years later, President Anwar Sadat of Egypt was assassinated on the 8th anniversary of the Ramadan War in 1981.

Solomon Islands Centenary Anniversary of Sergeant Major Jacob Vouza

SOLOMON ISLANDS on 3 May 1992 issued a centenary series of First Day Cover stamps honouring Solomon Islander and WWII hero Sergeant Major Jacob Vouza. Four stamps depicted him various times in his life.

 

Sir Jacob Charles Vouza, KBE, GM, KPM (c. 1892 –1984) was a native police officer of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate, who served with the United States Marine Corps in the Guadalcanal campaign during World War II.

Vouza was highly decorated for his World War II service. The Silver Star was presented to him personally by Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift, commanding general of the 1st Marine Division, for refusing to give information under Japanese torture. In 1945, he also was awarded the Legion of Merit for outstanding service with the 2nd Raider Battalion during November and December 1942, and was made an honorary sergeant major in the Marine Corps. From the British government, Vouza received the George Medal (GM) for gallant conduct and exceptional devotion to duty, and the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. In the 1957 New Year Honours, he furthermore was appointed a member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for public services in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate, and in the 1979 Birthday Honours promoted to a knight commander of the same order (KBE) for outstanding services to his country and local community.

Source: Wikipedia

PHLpost Col. Jesus Villamor - World War II Pilot and Ace

PHL POST on 9 April 1973 issued a First Day Cover honouring Col. Jesus Villamor, World War II Pilot and Ace. Two stamps with different values were offered, showing him a dogfight with Japanese aircraft. A total of 1,000,000 were printed.

Col. Jesús Antonio Villamor (1914 – 1971) was a Filipino-American pilot, spy, and Medal of Valor awardee who fought the Japanese in World War II, served during the Korean War and Vietnam War for the CIA.

WWII  Exploits during Japanese Invasion of Philippines
Villamor lead the 6th Pursuit Squadron shortly before the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in December 1941. In the skies above Zablan and Batangas Fields, against Japanese Zeros, his squadron of P-26 fighters engaged the enemy. Despite numerical and mechanical disadvantages, Villamor and his squadron was credited with four kills: one Mitsubishi G3M bomber and three Mitsubishi A6M Zeroes. Two of them were personally shot down by Villamor himself. For leading his squadron and for his two confirmed kills, Villamor was twice cited by the United States Army for bravery, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross for actions on 10 December 1941 and an Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a second award of the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for actions on 12 December 1941. Viillamor is the only Filipino to receive the DSC twice.
 

Papua New Guinea 25th Anniversary of WWII in the Pacific

PAPUA & NEW GUINEA on 26 July 1967 issued a First Day Cover marking the 25th anniversary of WWII in the Pacific. Four stamps honoured Coast Watchers and veterans of Milne Bay, Coral Sea and Kokoda Trail. The cachet featured Anzac and New Guinea soldiers. Postmark for this FDC originated in Port Moresby.

Papua & New Guinea - 1961

PAPUA & NEW GUINEA on 26 July 1961 issued a First Day Cover with four stamps depicting some of the different tribes in their country. The cachet of the Raggiana (Bird-of-Paradise) featured in PNG's flag is a symbol of national freedom and independence. The postmark originated from the national capital, Port Moresby.

Stamps shown here:
- Goroka Woman - 1d
- Tribal elder from Tari, centre of Huli country, Southern Highlands - 3d
- Traditional Okapa Dancer - 1'/
- Traditional Male Dancer - 2'/

Pos Malaysia Penang Hill Railway Centenary

POS MALAYSIA  on 23 August 2023 issued two First Day Covers to mark the Centenary Anniversary of The Penang Hill Funicular Railway.

In conjunction with Penang Hill Railway Centenary Celebration (1923-2023), this special stamp issue commemorated the railway’s remarkable century-long journey by featuring funiculars from three generations:

- First-Generation Funicular – 1923 (30sen)

- Second-Generation Funicular - 1977 (60sen)

- Third-Generation Funicular - 2011 (RM 1.30).
- The latest generation funicular is also featured on a Miniature Sheet (RM5).

The Penang Hill Funicular Railway is the only one of its kind in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, and it is among the steepest in the world. With a total of 6 peaks and the highest standing impressively at 833 meters (2733 ft) above sea level, Penang Hill features the best lookouts in Penang, offering panoramic views of the island and mainland.

The Penang Hill funicular railway is 2km long and is one of the longest funicular tracks in Asia. A one-way trip takes approximately 4.5 minutes. Since its inaugural launch on 21 October 1923 it has welcomed over 47 million visitors from both domestic and international travellers.

Source: Pos Malaysia and Wikipedia

Jordanian Post Palestian Refugees - 1969

 

JORDANIAN POST in December 1969 issued an unusually large set of postage stamps, to be precise 60 stamps! Shown here are nine of those stamps. The issue commemorated two closely related experiences, which together form one of the most politically sensitive topics in Jordanian history: the memory of the defeat in the 1948 war against Israel and the problem of Palestinian refugees, hundreds of thousands of whom fled to Jordan during the war, following which the term Nakba (e.g. catastrophe) was coined, denoting the disaster that the Palestinians experienced.

Egypt Millennium Aniversary of Al-Azhar Mosque

EGYPT on 28 June 1982 issued four First Day Cover stamps dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of Al-Azhar Mosque. It was built within the city of Cairo and purposely designed to become its major mosque. Since its construction, the mosque has been used as not only a mosque but a school to teach Islam. Al Azhar became and remains a university, moreover one of the most important centres for Islamic studies The mosque is considered the second oldest continuously existing university in the world after Al-Qarawiyyin University. Since 1961, the University of Al Azhar has become an independent multi-disciplinary university.

Egypt Return of Al Arish - 1979

EGYPT on 31 March 1979 issued two First Day Cover stamps marking to the Return of Al Arish to Egypt, which was President Anwar Sadat's Signature Peace Agreement with Israel that resulted from the Camp David Accords. The postmark cancellation originated from Cairo International Airport.

Pakistan Post 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Pakistan and Spain

PAKISTAN POST on 14 January 2022 issued two First Day Cover Stamps to mark the 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Pakistan and Spain. The stamps feature two buildings: Islamia College Peshawar and Plaza de Cilebes Madrid. These multicoloured stamps,  valued at Rs.20.00  each, were printed using an Offset Lithographic method.

The designer was Mughiz Khan. The printer was National Security Printing Company in Karachi. A total of 400,000 stamps were printed. Shown here are two maxim cards, each featuring  the respective stamp with national landmark set against the facades of the Badshahi (Pakistan)  and Cordoba Mosque (Spain).  

Pos Malaysia 50 Tahun Bandar Raya Pertama Kuala Lumpur - 2022

 

POS MALAYSIA on 7 July 2022 issued a single First Day Cover marking "50 Tahun Bandar Raya Pertama Kuala Lumpur (or 50 Years of Malaysia’s First City– Kuala Lumpur)". It was launched in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee celebration organised by Kuala Lumpur City Hall to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Kuala Lumpur as the first city in Malaysia in 1972. Special postmark of the KL skyline originated from KL, of course.

This First Day Cover features a solitary stamp that depicts the iconic buildings and landmarks of Kuala Lumpur namely KL Tower, Petronas Twin Towers, Merdeka PNB 118, The Exchange 106, Saloma Link Bridge, Sultan Abdul Samad Building and The River of Life.

Source: Pos Malaysia 

Papua (British Protectorate) Definitive Stamps - 1932 and 1934

PAPUA (British Protectorate) issued a series of definitive stamps from 1932 till 1934 depicting the day-to-day lifestyle and colonial history of Papua. The stamps were printed using a Recess method. This particular cover letter carries three of those definitives from this time period. Two stamps appear to have been added later. Note the cancellation is either only on the stamp and the envelope or on the envelope with the stamp placed over the cancellation.

1932 - 6p - brown - "Papuan Motherhood". This design, art deco in appearance, looks like it should be part of a mural. Absolutely wonderful!

1932 - 1shilling - blue grey - "Dubu Ceremonial Platform". Papua villages, including "SAMARAI, BUNA BAY, BWAGAOIA, KOKODA, KULUMADAU", etc are printed in the margin of the stamp.

1934 - 2p - red brown - "Scene on H.M.S. Nelson at Port Moresby". For the 50th anniversary of the British protectorate, a four stamp set was issued in 1934.

Australia Post Centenary Anniversary of Public Radio Broadcasting in Australia

AUSTRALIA POST on 17 October  2013 marked a century of public radio broadcasting in Australia with a stamp illustrated by Harry Slaghekke and inspired by a 1940s Max Dupain photoshoot for the AWA Radiola. Postmark for this First Day Cover originated from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

The console radio design was set to the “Music Lovers Hour” on 2BL, now known as ABC Radio Sydney. Initially called 2SB, 2BL made the first official broadcast in Australia on 23 November 1923.

Harry Slaghekke has beautifully illustrated this iconic scene that was a snapshot into many Australian homes during the 1940s. The postwar period around 1949 was an optimistic time, radio was on still its own. Television hadn’t made an impact yet. Everybody got their news, their entertainment, children had programs, teenagers. There were serials, dramas and comedy shows.

Source: Australia Post

Polynesie Francaise (Tahiti) "Les Beautes de Polynesie Francaise"

FRENCH POLYNESIA (POLYNESIE FRANCAISE) on 30 May 2000 issued a commemorative stamp called "Les Beautes de Polynesie Francaise" (The Beauties of French Polynesia). The First Day Cover postmark for this stamp  originated from Papeete, Tahiti. Value of the stamp was 300F.

Ethiopian Postal Service Tokyo Summer Olympics

ETHIOPIAN POSTAL SERVICE issued on 15 September 1964 a set of four stamps representing the Tokyo Summer Olympics.

Ethiopia competed at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, sending a total of 12 competitors, all men, who took part in eleven events in three sports. Among these being, Abebe Bikila, who repeated as Olympic champion in the men's marathon.

Ethiopian Postal Service The Great Anciant Empresses of Ethiopia

ETHIOPIAN POSTAL SERVICE issued on 2 March 1964 a set of five stamps depicting The Great Ancient Empresses of Ethiopia. The artwork was created by renowned Ethiopian artist, Afewerk Tekle. These multicolour First Day Cover stamps were printed by Courvoisier (Helio Courvoisier) S. A., using a Photogravure method.

The stamps:

- 10c Sheba (990 BC)

- 15c Helen (1500 AD)

- 50c Seble Wongel (1530 AD)

- 60c Mentiwab (1730 AD)

- 80c Taitu (1890 AD)

 

Egypt Definitive Stamps of King Fuad - 1927 to1937

EGYPT between 1927 and 1937 issued a definitive series of the nation's King Fuad. Postmark cancellation on this post card originated from Cairo. Values 1 to 4 are shown here. The post card itself depicts Masjid Muhammad Ali in Cairo.

On another note, seven of the values (1/2/3 olive brown/4 yellow green/5/10 orange red and 15 ultramarine) had differing vignettes. The early printings ("Type I") had vignettes printed from plates with screens of vertical dots. The later printings had screens of diagonal dots ("Type II").

 

Masjid Muhammad Ali Mosque or Alabaster is situated in the Citadel of Cairo, Egypt and was commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha between 1830 and 1848.  This Ottoman-era mosque, the largest to be built in the first half of the 19th century, is, with its animated silhouette and twin minarets, the most visible mosque in Cairo. The mosque was built in memory of Tusun Pasha, Muhammad Ali's eldest son, who died in 1816.

Egypt Tomb of Aggressors - 1957

EGYPT (United Arab Republic) issued on 26 July 1957 a series of stamps entitled "Tomb of Aggressors". This set was issued to celebrate the end of the Suez War (also called The Tripartite Aggression). The set  represented five important victories of Egyptian troops throughout history.

The stamps included:

Battle of Avaris in 1580 BCE - 10m carmine.

Sultan Saladin at the Battle of Hattin 1187 CE - 10m olive green.

Louis IX of France in Chains at Battle of Mansourah in 1250 CE - 10m brown violet.
Map of the Middle East at Battle of Ain Jalut in 1260 CE - 10m green blue.
Control of the Port Said in 1956 CE - 10m yellow/brown.

Battle of Avaris

The Battle of Avaris stamp represents the Egyptian troops defeating the Hyksos in the city of Avaris in 1580 BCE. The Hyksos were an Arab population, coming from Palestine, who settled progressively in Egypt starting from 1800 BCE in the time of the 12th dynasty. Later, with the weakening of the Egyptian state, they established a kingdom with Avaris as capital. Ahmose I, the founder of the 18th dynasty, defeated the Hyksos and took control of their capital Avaris.

Sultan Saladin at the Battle of Hattin

This stamp shows a drawing of Sultan Saladin on his horse. It commemorates the Battle of Hattin, that often occurred in July 1187 CE, where Saladin achieved a crushing victory over the Crusader armies. In 1099 CE, areas in Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jerusalem in particular, were occupied by the Crusaders in the First Crusade. This occupation lasted for about a century.The direct cause for the Battle of Hattin occurred when  Raynald of Châtillon, the Lord of Oultrejordain, raided a caravan of Muslim merchants while a truce with Saladin was still in place. Saladin asked Guy of Lusignan, the then King of Jerusalem to compensate for the goods and punish his Lord for the truce violation. The king’s refusal led to war which ended in the Battle of Hattin, where the army of Saladdin crushed the crusaders’ army. This decisive victory opened the way for the liberation of Jerusalem and most of the coastal cities in current Palestine, Lebanon and Syria.

Battle of Mansourah

The Battle of Mansourah stamp shows the capture of  King Louis IX. He, along with two of his brothers, Charles d’Anjou and Robert d’Artois, led the Seventh Crusader force. They were joined later by the king’s third brother Alphonse of Poitiers. These forces were mainly French with an English contingent led by William of Salisbury. After their first victory at the Port of Damietta, in June 1249 CE, they were unable to progress into Egypt. In February 1250 CE, they marched towards the city of Mansourah. But the attacking forces fell into a trap and most of them were decimated, including the King’s brother Robert d’Artois, and the English commander William of Salisbury. After a two-month long siege, they tried to retreat to the Damietta, but were attacked by Egyptian forces. The French King, his brothers and tens of French dignitaries were captured, and tens of thousands of combatants were killed.

Battle of Ain Jalut

The Mongol empire emerged in the 13th century in eastern Asia as major power during the rule of Genghis Khan. It expanded rapidly towards central and western Asia and Europe. In few decades, Mongols extended their control over all central Asia and Persia.

After several attacks on Syrian cities starting in 1244 CE, the Mongols besieged Baghdad, occupied and sacked it in 1258 CE. Damascus had a similar fate sometime later. After these victories, the Mongols sent envoys to Cairo demanding the Mamluks, who ruled over Egypt, to surrender.

In anticipation of a Mongol invasion, the Mamluk Sultan of Egypt, Saif ad-Din Qutuz, prepared an army and entered into Palestine. The Egyptian Mamluk and Mongol armies clashed in a locality in the south of the galilee called Ain Jalut. The Mongols were crushingly defeated by Qutuz’s forces, and the Battle of Ain Jalut has been considered a historical turning point in the Mongol invasions.

Control of the Port Said

The Port Said stamp depicts an international agreement, wherby the Anglo-French invading forced had to finish withdrawing by 22 December 1956 CE. The Israeli forces withdrew from Sinai and the Gaza Strip, in March 1957 CE. The withdrawal of foreign troops confirmed Egyptian sovereignty over the Suez Canal. Egyptian resistance at Port Said become a symbol of Egyptian victory, linked to a global anti-colonial struggle.

Palestine Philatelic Exhibition Postcard with Stamps in Tel-Aviv 1945

PALESTINE SPECIAL POST CARD FOR PHILATELIC  EXHIBITION is a pictorial postal stationery card with large advertisement for the Phila stamp exhibition. This First Day Cover features three Palestine landmarks: Mosque of Omar (Dome of the Rock), Rachel's Tomb and  Tower of David. Cancellation originated from Tel-Aviv (Palestine) and was dated 8 April 1945. These stamps  were part of a 22-stamp series was printed and released with scenes/sites from Palestine between 1927 till 1942, and apparently they were used up until the late 1940s. The stamps were printed in three languages.

 

Mosque of Omar (Dome of the Rock)
The Dome of the Rock is located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. It was completed in 691 CE. The Foundation Stone, on which it is built, holds great significance for Muslims, Jews, and Christians. It was constructed on the Second Jewish Temple site, which was destroyed by the Roman army in year 70 CE. Muslims believe this is the site of the Islamic miracle of the Isra and Miraj. Jews believe the Foundation Stone was the location of the Holy of Holies in the Temple, and view it as the epicenter (junction) of Heaven and Earth.  According to Jewish tradition, the stone is the site where Abraham was preparing to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Muslims believe it was Ishmael that was to be sacrificed.) 

Rachel's Tomb
Rachel's tomb (reputed) is within a Muslim cemetery, and is located on the edge of Bethlehem in the West Bank. Rachel, wife of Jacob, and mother of Benjamin, is revered, especially in the Jewish tradition. Rachel's tomb has been the site of Muslim/ Jewish cooperation and conflict, depending on the era. 

Citadel at Jerusalem
This ancient citadel (Tower of David) is located near the Jaffa Gate entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem. It has origins back to the 2nd century BCE. It now houses a Museum of the History of Jerusalem.