Poland Cover of Stamps - 2024

 

These cover stamps were received from a philatelist in Poland in January 2024.

Nippon Post Katsura Rikyu Stamp and Postcard of "Evening Snow at Mokubo Temple"

NIPPON POST issued in 1966 a series of stamps depicting the Fauna, Flora and Cultural Heritage of Japan. This particular stamp shows Katsura Rikyu, Katsura Imperial Villa and garden of Palace, Kyoto.

The postcard depicts "Evening Snow at Mokubo Temple" by Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864). On a beautiful winter's day an elegant lady sets out across the snow, lifting the hems of her kimono as she walks along on tall wooden geta sandals. A wooden bridge arches across the Sumida River in the background, the railings covered with snow as flakes gently fall through the pale gray sky and she wends her way to Mokubo Temple.  This artwork is one of three scenes from a triptych by Kunisada.

Romania Cover Stamps - 2024

 

These cover stamps were received from a philatelist in Romania.

Cover Stamps from Serbia - 2024

 

These cover stamps were received from a philatelist in Serbia.

USPS 50th Anniversary End of WWII Cinderella Atomic Bomb

 

USPS in 1994, as part of their 50th Anniversary since the end of WWII, planned to use a poster stamp to commemorate the use of the atomic bomb. After protests from Japanese government officials and intervention by President Clinton, the USPS rescinded the planned stamp commemorating the swift conclusion of WWII through the use of atomic bombs. Instead, a stamp of President Harry Truman announcing the use of atomic bombs was used.

This is the only commemorative stamp ever rescinded by the USPS. Ironically, the announcement was made public by the White House on 7 December 1994, exactly 53 years to the day after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor.

The detonation of the atomic bomb called "Little Boy" over Hiroshima, Japan on 6 August 1945 killed between 90,000-140,000 people either instantly or within a few days of the blast.  The bomb was dropped by a US B-29 Superfortress named "Enola Gay", piloted by Colonel Paul W. Tibbets and targeted Hiroshima, Japan. A second bomb was later dropped on Nagasaki. This led to the surrender of Japan to the Allies in World War II in August of 1945.

As a result of the controversy, the stamp became what in the philatelic world is known as a cinderella stamp. This particular stamp is in mint, never hinged condition as issued in 1995. It was not released by the USPS and therefore remains not valid for postage.

Viet Nam Cong-Hoa Battle in An Lôc in the "Glorious City of Long Binh"

 

VIET NAM CONG-HOA (SOUTH VIETNAM) on 25 November 1972 issued a commemorative First Day Cover of two stamps celebrating the Battle in An Lôc in the "Glorious City of Long Binh". The postmark cancellation originated from Saigon.

 

In March of 1972, the North invaded in what was called the Easter Offensive by the U.S. and Mùa Hè Đỏ Lửa (Summer of Red Fire) by the South Vietnamese. Or, the Battle of An Lộc was a major battle of the Vietnam War that lasted for 66 days and culminated in a tactical victory for South Vietnam. The struggle for An Lộc in 1972 was an important battle of the war, as South Vietnamese forces halted the North Vietnamese advance towards Saigon.

Like Stalingrad, Dien Bien Phu, and Khe Sanh, An Loc was a classic siege with the garrison supplied entirely by air. Unlike Stalingrad and Dien Bien Phu, the end results were much better for the besieged at An Lôc. Through the coordinated efforts of the U.S. Army advisors under General Hollingsworth; the air resupply effort, B-52 attacks, and tactical air strikes by the Air Force; and the determined resistance of the besieged ARVN forces, the South Vietnamese and their American allies were able to withstand a massive assault by the NVA and save the city of An Lôc. However, the North gained territory that it was allowed to occupy in the Paris Peace Accords signed in January 1973.

Yusei Jigyocho Stampf of Post Master affixed to Postcard of Empress Teimei

YUSEI JIGYOCHO (Japan Postal Agency) issued on 20 June 1927 a commemorative stamp of Baron Maejima Hisoka, founder of the Japanese Postal System. It carried a value of 1½ Japanese sen. The method of printing was offset lithography in a dull claret colour. It measured 26 x 30 mm and had a print run of 2,717,000 stamps.

Baron Maejima Hisoka  (1835 – 1919), born Ueno Fusagor, was a Japanese statesman, politician, and businessman in Meiji-period Japan. Maejima founded the Japanese postal service, and is known as Yūbin Seido no Chichi, or "Father of the Postal System".

Appointed to the Ministry for Popular Affairs in 1870 Baron Maejima would establish Japan’s postal system in 1877. Later, as Vice-Minister of Communications, the baron also established Japan’s state-owned telephone service in 1890, making the telephone available to businesses and the general public.

The  postcard depicts Sadako Kujō (Kujō Sadako, 1884 – 1951), posthumously honoured as Empress Teimei (Teimei-kōgō), was the wife of Emperor Taishō and the mother of Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito) of Japan. Her posthumous name, Teimei, means "enlightened constancy". This official photo was taken in 1912.

Pos Malaysia 25th Anniversary of ASEAN

POS MALAYSIA on 8 August 1992 issued three First Day Cover stamps commemorating the 25th Anniversary of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). The ASEAN logo of seven brown sheaves of rice stalks, one for each founding members is presented in the background of these colourful stamps. The stamps depict the peoples, flowers and landmarks of ASEAN, which at the time included  Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand; ASEAN has since grown to include Kampuchea (Cambodia), Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The postmark cancellation on the cover shown here originated from Kuala Lumpur, although Labuan and Melaka were additional locations.

These attractive stamps included:

- 30 cents - The national costumes of each ASEAN country

- 50 cents - The national flowers of each ASEAN country
- 1.00 dollar - The national landmarks each ASEAN country

Deutsche Bundes Post 100th Anniversary of German Cinema

DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST on 6 September 1995 issued three First Day Cover stamps dedicated to the 100th anniversary of German cinema. Shown here is a souvenir sheet and maxim card with "Metropolis" stamp affixed to it. Postmark cancellation originated from Berlin.

Stamps featured:

- 80 - "Metropolis" (1925/27) by Fritz Lang

- 100 - "Der Untertan" (1951) by Wolfgang Staudte
- 200 - "Der Himmel Uber Berlin" (1987) by Wim Wenders

Nippon Post "Lakeside Seated Woman" by Kuroda

NIPPON POST on 20 April 1967 issued a First Day Cover stamp  entitled. "Lakeside Seated Woman" by Japanese artist Kuroda Seiki (1866-1924) . The stamp was valued at 15 sen, and is shown here affixed to a maxim card.

The woman, Teruko  Kuroda, is depicted sitting against the background of a lake, Ashinoko in Hakone, and mountains on the far shore. Although this painting is nowadays widely known under the title Lakeside, it was originally submitted to The 2nd Hakubakai Exhibition in 1897 entitled "Summering. Together with Wisdom, Impression, Sentiment", it was also exhibited at the International Exposition held in Paris in 1900. Kuroda is recognised as a Japanese Impressionist in the Western style.

Kuroda spent the summer of 1897 in Hakone with his wife, Teruko. It was during this stay that this painting was executed. His wife recalls the occasion as follows: "It was when I was 23 years old. I went to watch my husband at work on the lakeside. He told me to sit down on the rock over there, so I did and then he said, 'Good, from tomorrow I shall study that.' There were rainy and foggy days so that it took about a month in all."

Source: Kuroda Memorial Hall

Viet Nam Cong-Hoa "Victory in Quang Tri"

VIET NAM CONG-HOA (SOUTH VIETNAM) on 24 February 1973 issued a commemorative First Day Cover of two stamps celebrating their "Victory in Quang Tri" (or the Second Battle of Quang Tri).

When the Easter Offensive began on 30 March 1972, four North Vietnamese army divisions, with nearly 200 armored vehicles and tanks, move into I Corps. They routed the South Vietnamese 3d Division and attacked Quang Tri City. Cloud cover hindered the effectiveness of U.S. air support, and the city’s civilians fled south toward Hue. Many of them were killed by North Vietnamese artillery on Highway 1 and near the Truong Phoc Bridge. North Vietnamese forces captured Quang Tri City on 1 May 1972.

South Vietnamese forces retook the city later that year on 15 September. Casualties on both sides were very high, and the city was left largely destroyed.The northern sector of the province remained in North Vietnamese control until the war ended in 1975.

Oesterreich Post Franz Anton Beckenbauer

ÖSTERREICH POST on 12 April 2006 released a First Day Cover stamp of German footballer Franz Anton Beckenbauer (1945-2024), which was adapted from an artwork by Andy Warhol. Franking depicted the outline of a football field, whereas the cachet was a photo of Beckenbauer when he managed the Germany World Cup Champions. Special soccer field postmark cancellation originated from Vienna.

The stamp had a face value of 75 C. and was dedicated to this former West German football player, coach, official and president of the 2006 World Cup committee. Beckenbauer  was also President of FC Bayern Munich and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of FC Bayern Munich AG. From 1998 to 2010 he was one of the DFB Vice Presidents on the DFB Presidium. His greatest successes were winning the 1974 World Cup as captain of the West German team and 1990 World Cup as Manager for Germany.

Deutsche Bundespost Berlin Kongresshalle 14th Annual Congress - 1962

DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST BERLIN on 3 March 1962 issued a First Day Cover stamp (here, 1 Pf. block of 6 + 1 international) of the Kongresshalle (Congress Hall)" marking their 14th Annual Congress. The stamp for this release was  printed on fluorescent paper, which is written vertically to the left of the cachet.

The cachet is perhaps more interesting given the Brandenburg Gate is cordoned off with Concertina wire. The caption below the photo is more telling, insomuch as the date, 13 August 1961,  is when erection of the Berlin Wall commenced. Behind the wire is the now historic sign that states,  "Achtung! sie verlassen jetzt West Berlin (Attention! You are leaving now leaving the West Berlin)."

 

Deutsche Bundespost Berlin "Alt Berlin" Series 1962-1963

DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST BERLIN issued between 27 June  1962  till 6 December 1963  a series of 12 stamps representing images of “Alt  Berlin (Old Berlin)”. Intaglio printing was the method used. In addition to individual stamps, First Day Covers for each stamp was issued. Shown here, oddly enough, with six of the twelve stamps is a cachet and cancellation postmark representing the International Toy Fair that was held in Nuremberg on 10 February 1963.

The stamps in this series included:
-   7pf - Berlin um 1650 Die Linden
- 10pf - Waisenbrücke 1783
- 15pf - Mauserstrasse um 1780
- 20pf - Schloss 1703
- 25pf - Potsdamer Platz um 1850
- 40pf - Schloss Bellevue 1800
- 50pf - Fischerbrücke un 1830
- 60pf -  Hallesches Tor 1850
- 70pf - Parochialkirche um 1780
- 80pf - Universitität um 1825
- 90pf - Operahaus um 1780
- 1DM - Grunewaldsee um 1790

Those unfamiliar with postwar stamps in Germany should know that in the years immediately after WWII, each of the four powers issued different stamps in their respective districts, including Berlin. As the two German states emerged separate postage was used for the Federal Republic of Germany and German Democratic Republic. Such stamps as the ones represented here emerged one year after the erection of the Berlin Wall.

Viet Nam Cong-Hoa Cover of Stamps from 1960

SOUTH VIETNAM in 1960 issued the following three stamps shown on this postcard: "Refugee Family and Why Emblem", "Establishment of Cooperative Rice Farming" on a cooperative farm, and "Centenary of Red Cross founder Sir Henri Dunant". The postmark cancellation originated from Saigon, dated 4 September 1960.

The postcard depicts a troupe of Cambodian royal court dancers attired in traditional costume – Sampot which is made of soft silk, shaped into various folds and often dyed in red, yellow, green, blue and black. The sampot costume is then decorated with gemstones and detailed embroidery.

 

Yusei Jiguocho Stamp of Yomei Gate, Tosho Shrine and Postcards of Itsukushima Shrine and Yasukuni Shrine

YUSEI JIGYOCHO (Japan Postal Agency) issued in 1926 a red engraved stamp representing the Yomei Gate, Tosho Shrine, Nikko.

 

Yasukuni Shrine (Yasukuni Jinja, lit. 'Peaceful Country Shrine') is a Shinto shrine located in Chiyoda, Tokyo. It was founded by Emperor Meiji in June 1869 and commemorates those who died in service of Japan, from the Boshin War of 1868–1869, to the two Sino-Japanese Wars, 1894–1895 and 1937–1945 respectively, and the First Indochina War of 1946–1954, including war criminals. The shrine's purpose has been expanded over the years to include those who died in the wars involving Japan spanning from the entire Meiji and Taishō periods, and the earlier part of the Shōwa period.

Of the 2,466,532 people named in the shrine's Book of Souls, 1,068 are war criminals or alleged war criminals including fourteen men charged with Class A war crimes (eleven were convicted on those charges, one was found not guilty of Class A but guilty of Class B, two died during or before trial) by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, following World War II.

 

The postcard shows the Itsukushima Shrine (Itsukushima-jinja), which is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima), best known for its "floating" torii gate. It is in the city of Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan, accessible from the mainland by ferry. It is said to have been erected in 593 CE supposedly by Saeki Kuramoto during the reign of Empress Suiko (592–628 CE).

Yusei Jigyocho Red Tazawa Stamp on Geisha "Debayashi" Postcard

 

YUSEI JIGYOCHO (Japan Postal Agency) issued on  31 October 1913 a series of definitive stamps with the Taisho  Coats of Arms / Chrysanthenum. Initially these stamps had no watermark; later issues did to prevent counterfeiting.  Printing method was simply Typography on white paper. The red stamp shown here had a value of 4 Japanese sen. Size was 21 x 26 mm.

This new series came about with the passing of Emperor Meiji. The new era of Taisho began, thus stamp designs were completely changed. For the first time an open contest with prizes was held to select a new stamp design. An entry by Tazawa Shogen (an employee of the Printing Bureau) was chosen and adopted as the design for the new standard stamps. These stamps are known as the 'Tazawa stamps' after the design's creator.

The stamp on this postcard with geisha "debayashi" musical theatre ensemble (1905). was posted in the early years of Teisho's reign. A debayashi ("on stage") ensemble was made up geisha musicians performing nagauta ("long song") dance music. The ensemble consisted of shinobue (transverse bamboo flute), kotsuzumi (drum played on the shoulder), shamisen (3-string long neck lute), and shimedaiko drum.

Magyar Post Japanese Art

MAGYAR POST on 1971 issued eight First Day Cover stamps depicting Japanese art (Ukiyo-e woodblock print). They were released as perforated and unperforated stamps as well as maxim cards. These Japanese prints were obtained from the Museum of East Asian Art, Budapest. Shown here is a Maxim card depicting the Ama pearl divers of Chiba by Kitagawa Utamaro. Additionally, an FDC with three of those stamps.

Yusei Jigyocho "Commemoration of Peace" Postcard and Stamps - 1919

YUSEI JIGYOCHO (Japan Postal Agency) issued one of two postcards designated  for the "Commemoration of Peace" at the end of WWI in 1918. One of these was two children and white pigeons is entitled "Heiwa Kinen E-Hagaki" by Japanese artist Kiyokata Kaburagi (1878-1973). The printing technique utilised was the woodblock method. Four commemorative stamps were issued. Only one of those stamps is affixed here. The other is an orange Tazawa stamp with overprint from Hebei, China which was issued during the Taisho era.

"Commemoration of Peace" stamp

Tazawa stamp with overprint from Hebei

Nippon Post ``Returning from the Bath in the Rain''

NIPPON POST on 20 April 1958 printed a First Day Cover stamp called "Returning from the Bath in the Rain'' by Japanese artist Kiyonaga Torii (1752-1815). The cachet featured the full Kiyonaga Torii woodblock print. To mark the Philately Week beginning with 20 April 20, this 10 yen postage stamp had for its design a work by Kiyonaga Torii, a ukiyoe artist (1752-1815) of the Yedo period. It was released for sale throughout Japan and by correspondence with the Philatelic Agency, Tokyo Central Post Office.

 

Kiyonaga Torii was a student of Torii Kiyomitsu and the fourth generation successor painter of the Torii school. A figure who belonged to the period between Suzuki Harunobu and Kitagawa Utamaro, active in the Tenmei Dynasty. Torii improved Suzuki Harunobu's paintings of beautiful and pitiful women, and absorbed the characteristics of other artists, changing the beautiful women into slender, realistic and healthy "Qingchangbijin" style beauties. This style had a profound influence on many beauty painters. 

Nippon Post Celebrations in Kyoto

NIPPON POST on 5 January 2003 issued four First Day Cover stamps representing the Kyoto celebrations: Aoi Festival, Gion Festival, Okuribi, Jidai Festival. Each stamp carried a value of 50 yen.

Nippon Post Utamaro Kitagawa Artwork: "Women Working in the Kitchen"

NIPPON POST on 20 April 1983 issued a  First Day Cover se-tent stamp set of the Utamaro Kitagawa artwork entitled "Women Working in the Kitchen". It carried a value of 60 ¥. The Photogravure printing method was used. A total of 11,250,000 stamps were printed.

Nippon Post Modern Art Series, Volume 4: "Harvest" and "Rafu"

NIPPON POST on 22 November 1979 issued a First Day Cover in the Modern Art Series, Volume 4. Two stamps were affixed to the cover:  "Harvest" by   which was 50 ¥ stamp that had a special cancellation postmark: Tokyo Chuo 54.11.22; the other stamp represented in this FDC series was an artwork by Kagaku Murakami (1888-1939) called "Rafu".

France "Japonaise Dénudée Sur Son Lit" Postcard by J. Seeberger

FRANCE postcard of "Japonaise Dénudée Sur Son Lit" by J. Seeberger,  published by Salon de Paris, early 1900s.

Australia Post 150th Anniversary of the 1868 Aboriginal Team that Toured England

AUSTRALIA POST on 1 May 2018 issued a First Day Cover stamps celebrating the 150th anniversary of the 1868 Aboriginal team that toured the UK continue. The stamp featured 10 Aboriginal members of the original 1868 playing squad, as well as captain Charles Lawrence, an English professional who coached and mentored the Aboriginal players, and team manager W Shepherd. Shown here is a maxim card of the team with the stamp affixed to it.

The stamp design, by Phil Ellett of Creative Ethos, incorporated player portraits from one of the few remaining photos of the Aboriginal XI taken while on tour in 1868, from the collection of the National Library of Australia. The portrait shows  the team in July 1868, midway through their tour, along with their manager. It does not feature King Cole (Bripumyarrimin) who contracted a fatal case of tuberculosis early in the tour, nor Sundown (Ballrinjarrimin) or Jim Crow (Lytejerbillijun) who returned home soon after. The background of the stamp design is a fence typical of those that existed at the sporting fields at the time, taken from a photograph of the Lord’s ground in England.

 

Altogether, the 1868 Aboriginal XI played 47 matches throughout England over a period of six months, winning 14, losing 14 and drawing 19; a good result that surprised many at the time. Their skills were said to range from individuals who were exceptional athletes down to two or three other team members who hardly contributed at all. The outstanding player was Johnny Mullagh. He scored 1,698 runs and took 245 wickets. An admired English fast bowler of the time, George Tarrant, bowled to Mullagh during a lunch interval and later said, "I have never bowled to a better batsman."

Source: Australian Cricket

Thailand Post "Thai Hill Tribes"

THAILAND POST in 1972 issued a First Day Cover commemorative set of four stamps called "Thai Hill Tribes".

Thai Hill Tribe is a term used in Thailand for all of the various ethnic groups who mostly inhabit the high mountainous northern and western regions of Thailand, including both sides of the border areas between northern Thailand, Laos and Burma, the Phi Pan Nam Range, the Thanon Range (a southern prolongation of the Shan Hills), as well as the Tenasserim Hills in Western Thailand. The seven major hill tribes in Thailand are the Akha (shown), Lahu, Karen, Hmong/Miao (shown), Mien/Yao (shown), Lisu, and Palaung, each with a distinct language and culture.

UK Cover Letter Famous British Persons 2023

Cover letter of assorted stamps from showing famous British women, 400th Anniversary of Welsh Bible translators  and British TV show host of 'Muffin the Mule'. These stamps were issued in 1988, 1996 and and 1997, respectively. I received this cover in January 2024.