Iraq Cradle of Civilization

IRAQ on 11 September 2006 issued a set of First Day Cover (FDC) stamps highlighting the rich ancient history of Iraq, often referred to as Mesopotamia, the "Cradle of Civilization". Postmark cancellation originated from Baghdad.

Ancient Mesopotamian artifacts and figures pictured in the stamps:

- Left stamp (200 Fils) depicted a Lamassu, a protective deity from ancient Assyrian mythology, often depicted with a human head, the body of a lion or bull, and bird's wings.

- Middle stamp (150 Fils) showed a Bull's Head Lyre, a prominent example of Sumerian art and music from the Royal Tombs of Ur.

- Right stamp (1000 Fils) featured the Bronze head of an Akkadian king of Nineveh Sumerian civilization.

San Marino Centenario del Francobollo U.S.A. - 1947

SAN MARINO on 24 December 1947 issued a First Day Cover series entitled "Centenario del Francobollo U.S.A." stamps. This FDC was postmarked Città di San Marino (City of San Marino). The stamps were designed by R. Franzoni (Des) and printed by Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato, Officina Carte Valori-Rome, using a Recess print method.

The stamps carried various denominations (e.g., 2 Lire, 3 Lire, 6 Lire, 35 Lire, 50 Lire, 100 Lire) and showcased portraits of prominent American patriots, including Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, who were featured on early U.S. stamps. American and San Marino flags, as well as iconic images of each country (e.g. statue of Liberty and three castle landmarks in this mountainous country) were represented in select stamps.

Belgie Post General George S. Patton Jr. awarding Brigadier General Anthony C. McAuliffe - 1957

BELGIE POST on 28 October 1957 issued a set of four postage stamps commemorating the Battle of the Bulge or the Battle of the Ardennes, among these being a First Day Cover of General George S. Patton Jr. awarding Brigadier General Anthony C. McAuliffe the Distinguished Service Cross on 30 December 1944, for his leadership and heroic defense of the town of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. The ceremony took place at the 101st Airborne Division's headquarters in a chateau in Bastogne, Belgium, recognizing McAuliffe's command of the surrounded American troops.  

This rare maximum card with affixed stamp has a special postmark cancellation that originated from Brussels. Engraver/Designer was Jean Malvaux (E) | Jean van Noten. Photogravure method was used to print 230,430 stamps. It had a face value of 3+1 fr - (Belgian franc).

The  Battle of the Bulge  was a  pivotal battle fought in the winter of 1944-1945. It was the last major German offensive on the Western Front during World War II, primarily in the Ardennes region of Belgium.

General Patton's Third Army played a crucial role in relieving the besieged American forces in Bastogne, Belgium, where McAuliffe famously issued his "Nuts!" reply to a German surrender demand.

Polska Cover

 

POLSKA (Polish) postage stamp cover:

- The stamp to the left represents Spiżarnia Caritas" (Caritas Pantry). It is depicted in a heart shape formed by various food items, symbolizing the Caritas organisation's efforts to provide food assistance.

- The centre left stamp features a portrait of Wisława Szymborska (1923-2012), a renowned Polish poet and Nobel Prize laureate in literature.

- The centre right stamp commemorates Poles who rescued Jews during the Holocaust, specifically highlighting the Baraniki family.

- The right stamp is a commemorative issue for the All-Poland Philatelic Exhibition held in Ruda Śląska in 2023.

Republique Française La Poste Santons de Provence

REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE LA POSTE in 1995 issued a series of postage stamps entitled "Santons de Provence". These are traditional Provençal clay figurines, meaning "little saints," that depict various characters from 19th-century Provençal life and trades, often used in Nativity scenes. The stamps show different 'Santon' figures, including "la poissonnière" (the fishmonger) and "le remouleur" (the knife grinder or sharpener). 

In France, Provençal Christmas traditions represent the community coming to the manger with offerings for the baby Jesus.

Liechtenstein Post The Four Cardinal Virtues

LIECHTENSTEIN POST on 10 June 1985 issued a set of four First Day Cover stamps dedicated to "The Four Cardinal Virtues". The designer was Gerhard Gloser. Rotogravure printing was realised by Hélio Courvoisier SA, La Chaux-de-Fonds. Postmark cancellation originated from Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein. 

The stamps affixed to maximum cards (postcards):

JUSTICE

Colours: ochre, orange, black, red. Value: 35 Rappen.

TEMPERANCE 

Colours: ochre, red, green, blue, grey, brown. Value: 50 Rappen.

PRUDENCE

Colours: ochre, red, green, violet, blue. Value: 70 Rappen.

FORTITUDE

Colours: ochre, red, brown, black, grey, violet. Value: Fr. 1.

JUSTICE is fairness and righteousness in how we treat others, ensuring fair and reasonable treatment in social interactions and upholding what is owed to others. In practice it involves advocating for fairness, acting with integrity in society, and giving to others what is due. 

TEMPERANCE involves self-control, moderation, and discipline in managing desires and emotions, redirecting them toward good purposes rather than just pleasure.

PRUDENCE is the ability to make wise, sound, and practical decisions by recognising good and evil and choosing the right course of action. In practice it involves thinking before acting, seeking wise counsel, and discerning what truly helps or hinders a good outcome. 

FORTITUDE refers to courage and inner strength to face challenges, endure difficulties, and act on one's convictions, even when it's hard or risky. In practice this means being able to face fear for the sake of doing what is right, balancing a willingness to act with self-control, rather than being cowardly or rash. 

Muslim scholars call these four cardinal virtues ummahāt al-faḍā’il. Justice is ʿadl; temperance is ʿiffah; prudence is ḥikmah; and fortitude is shajāʿah. When the rational soul is balanced, the result is prudence or wisdom. Whoever is given wisdom has been given much good (QUR’AN , 2:269). 

Israel Post Ancient Roman Arenas

ISRAEL POST on 19 December  2017 issued a First Day Cover set of three stamps entitled "Ancient Roman Arenas". The stamps depicted various Roman entertainment venues in ancient Israel/Palestine: 

- Hippodrome in Caesarea featured a chariot race in a hippodrome.

- Theatre in Beit She'an showed a theatrical performance on stage.

- Amphitheater in Beit Guvrin Illustrateed gladiatorial combat in an amphitheater.

The text to the bottom left, from Genesis Rabbah 9:9, reads: "We must be grateful to the nations of the world who bring in performers to their theatres and circuses and play in them". 

Postmark  represented a actor, gladiator and chariot. The cancellation originated from She'an.

Deutsche Reichspost Berliner Weihnachtsmarkt and Winterhilfswerk 1936

DEUTSCHE REICHSPOST postcard depicted a "Berliner Weihnachtsmarkt" (Berlin Christmas Market) with prominent Nazi swastika banners, indicating the political climate of the time, specifically in 1936.

It demonstrates how the regime integrated its ideology and symbols into public life and traditional events like Christmas markets. 

The two Deutsche Reichspost stamps affixed to the postcard were part of the "Winterhilfswerk" series of modern buildings and construction during the early 1930s in Germany.

Shown here:

- Ministry of Aviation in Berlin, 4 plus 3 Pfennig

- Reichsautobahn -- "München-Reichsgrenze" autobahn route between Munich and the German border, 3 plus 2 Pfennig 

Cancellation postmark originated from Berlin and highlighted  the Berliner Weihnachtsmarkt (Berlin Christmas Market) on 13 December 1936.

VVN Bavaria Revenue Stamps

VVN (Vereinigung der Verfolgten des Naziregimes), which translates to the Association of Persecutees of the Nazi Regime, was founded in 1947 and aimed to represent the interests of all resistance fighters, all victims of Nazi terror, and all those harmed by the Nazi regime to continue fighting courageously for a democratic and peaceful Germany.

The image on the card depicted a family, likely representing the victims and survivors, standing in front of graves marked with crosses, symbolising the losses and sacrifices made during the Nazi era.

A set of five "Gebührenmarken" (revenue stamps) issued by the "Staatskommissariat für rassisch, religiös und politisch Verfolgte" (State Commissariat for Racially, Religiously, and Politically Persecuted Individuals) in Bavaria, Germany. 

These stamps were likely used to raise funds or as a form of administrative fee related to the support or recognition of those persecuted during the Nazi regime. This was indicated by the text "Wir vergessen euch nicht" (We do not forget you), highlighting a message of remembrance or solidarity.

Each stamp featured a central design of a hand reaching through a barred window, symbolising imprisonment or persecution, and captioned with the text "Verfolgte in Bayern" (Persecuted in Bavaria).

The stamps shown carried various denominations: 50 Pfennig, 1 Mark, 1 Mark 50 Pfennig, 2 Mark, and 2 Mark 50 Pfennig.

These stamps offer a glimpse into the administrative and social efforts in Bavaria concerning victims of racial, religious, and political persecution, after World War II.

R.O.C. (Taiwan) Cachet and Cover Circa Early 1970s

REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN) cachet and four cover stamps issued in the 1970s. Interestingly this cover is a bit of an oddity; most, but certainly not all,  cachets are related to the stamps affixed to an envelope. This one falls in that mishmash category.

The  cachet commemorated the Republic of China winning of twin championships in the 9 September 1975 Little League World Series. There was a stamp issued, but it was not included on this cover. The cachet was printed by the Directorate General of Posts, Ministry of Transportation and Communications of the Republic of China.

The stamps:

- The photograph of Chiang Kai-shek and his mother, Wang Caiyu,  was one of three different postage stamps  issued to commemorate the 90th birthday of President Chiang Kai-shek. The value of the stamp was likely 2.00 ROC dollars. It was first issued on 31 October 1976.

 - To celebrate the 120th Birthday of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the portraits of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the "Founding Father" of the Republic of China, and Chiang Kai-shek was featured in a single stamp. It commemorated the Eleventh National Congress of the Kuomintang of China. It was a face value of 10.00 ROC dollars. It was issued on 12 November 1976. Yan Qishi  illustrated it, whereas the printer was China Color Printing Company.

- The stamp positioned vertically represented Taichung, which was the second-largest port in Taiwan, located in Wuqi District, Taichung. It carried a face value of 3.00 ROC dollars. This stamp was issued circa 1974.

- A postage stamp of the Northern Railway Line from Hualien to Ilan, was part of the "Nine Major Construction Projects" series in R.O.C. (Taiwan). The denomination was presumably 1.00 ROC dollars. It was issued on 31 October 1974.

Postes Republique Française "Pour nos victimes de la guerre"

POSTES REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE (Postes, Télégraphes et Téléphones) on 21 May 1945  issued a First Day Cover stamp dedicated to "Pour nos victimes de la guerre" (For our war victims) and "Aux P.T.T. Victimes de la Guerre" (To P.T.T. War Victims), indicating a focus on support for those affected by World War II.  This French stamp and  maxi postcard or cover from 1945, commemorated the "Semaine Nationale des P.T.T." (National Week of the P.T.T.) which took place from May 21-27, 1945. 

The central illustration depicted a family, likely displaced or returning, with belongings in a wheelbarrow, symbolising the struggles faced during and after the war.

This charity surcharge stamp carried a value of 4F+6F (Francs) and featured a special postmark cancellation from Paris, dated 21 May 1945, marking the start of the national week.

Post Indonesia Cover of 2013 Stps

POS INDONESIA cover of stamps issued, each with a face value of 2500.

One stamp features a dragon design, referencing the Year of the Dragon.

Another stamp commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of West Irian.

Lastly, one stamp depicts traditional Balinese dancers and a temple structure, likely representing the iconic Pura Lempuyang Luhur with its "Gates of Heaven". This would have been part of "Visit Bali Year".

West Germany Cover Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff and Gustav Heinemann

This West Germany postage stamp cover  features a portrait of Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff (1699-1753), a prominent German architect and painter known for his work in the Frederician Rococo style. Knobelsdorff's notable works included the Berlin State Opera House, Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam, and extensions to Charlottenburg Palace.  He is particularly recognised for his collaboration with Frederick the Great, advising him on art and architecture and designing significant structures like the Amalthea garden. This Deutsche Bundespost Berlin stamp was issued in 1974 and has a denomination of 20 pfenning.

The other stamp depicts Gustav Heinemann, the third President of West Germany. Gustav Heinemann served as President from 1969 to 1974. This stamp was issued in 1973 and has a denomination of 110 pfenning. A series of definitive stamps of Heinemann in various colours and denominations were released by Deutsche Bundespost at the same  time.

Nippon Post Cover

Cover stamps from a letter recently received from a stamp dealer in Japan.

Shown: 

- Nippon Post stamps showing various shells.

- Nippon Post issued in 1965 stamps depicting the painting "Jo-no-mai" (The Introductory Dance) by Uemura Shoen.

- Nippon Post stamp representing the Mountain Hare, also known as the blue hare or snow hare, is a Palearctic hare whose fur typically turns white to provide camouflage in snowy environments.

- Nippon Post stamp of the Moomin characters, likely Moomintroll and Moominmamma or Moominpappa, in a forest setting with a lamp.

- Nippon Post stamp showing the Japanese Serow, a goat-antelope native to Japan and a national symbol.

Postes Algerie Red Cross 1954

POSTES ALGERIE issued in 1954 a First Day Cover stamp  commemorating the humanitarian aid of the International Red Cross organisation. It had a face value with charity surcharge of 12F+3F.

"Tous Freres", a French phrase meaning "All Brothers", is prominently stated on the maximum card (postcard) indicating there was a theme of unity or solidarity between France and Algeria.

The two individuals on the stamp and maximum card (postcard) were nurses from France and Algeria. The Verdun Hospital and palm trees in the background represented a scene related to healthcare in Algeria.

More specifically, the French nurse for this Red Cross stamp is Geneviève Bize who served as the model, along with an Algerian friend.

Geneviève, a 22-year-old Red Cross nurse, first enlisted in July 1943 as a military nurse for the Tunisian campaign. She embarked in Bizerte on 15 April 1944, then was dispatched to Naples on 17 April to serve in the Italian campaign from 30 August until 8 September 1944 in Saint Maxime (Var). She returned with the First French Army to Germany on 5 June 1945. Demobilized in 1947 to Algiers, she continued her work as a nurse until her departure from Algeria in 1964.

Deutsche Bundespost Berlin inCarl Gotthard Langhans

DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST BERLIN on  11 October 1982 issued a First Day Cover stamp commemorating Carl Gotthard Langhans (1732-1808), a prominent German architect known for his neoclassical designs, including the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.  

The building depicted on this stamp and maximum card (postcard) is the Theatre Building (Theaterbau) at the western end of Charlottenburg Palace, which was commissioned by Frederick William II in 1788. 

Since September 2022, this building has housed the Käthe Kollwitz Museum, which moved from its previous location in Fasanenstraße.

Deutsche Bundespost Berlin 250th Anniversary of the Arrival of Salzburg Emigrants in Prussia

DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST BERLIN issued on 6 May 1982 a First Day Cover celebrating the 250th anniversary of the arrival of Salzburg Emigrants in Prussia 1732 (1732 Ankunft der Salzburger Emigranten in Preussen). The image on the stamp and maximum card depicted grateful Protestants, who were expelled from their Catholic city of Salzburg in Austria, arriving at the border of Prussia.

In 1731, the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, Leopold Anton von Firmian, issued an Edict of Expulsion against the Protestant population, demanding they recant their faith or leave. 

The expulsion was a significant event in the continuation of confessional c byonflicts after the Peace of Westphalia, demonstrating ongoing tensions between Catholic and Protestant states within the Holy Roman Empire. 

The emigrants were given sanctuary by Prussia’s Protestant King Frederick William I of Prussia. Most of the 20,000 expelled Protestants moved to East Prussia, a sparsely populated region in Prussia's territory, while others sought refuge in the British colonies of Georgia.

Deutsche Bundespost Berlin 750-year Celebration of Spandau

DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST BERLIN on 18 February 1982 issued a First Day Cover stamp to commemorate the 750-year celebration of Spandau's existence as a city ("750-Jahr-Feier der Stadt Spandau"). It carried a nominal value of 60 Pfennig, along with a "1000" marking which might refer to a specific edition or series.

The stamp illustrated a historical scene of Spandau, featuring a river with boats, buildings along the banks, and people engaged in various activities, including fishing and loading barrels onto a boat. It clearly identified with "Berlin 12" and the emblem of Spandau, including a stylised castle or fortress, highlighting its connection to the city's history and its fortress ("Festung der Stadt Spandau").

Deutsche Bundespost Berlin 100 Years Berliner Philharmonic Orchestra 1882-1982

DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST BERLIN on 15 April 1982 issued a First Day Cover to commemorate "100 Jahre Berliner Philharmonisches Orchester 1882-1982" (100 Years Berliner Philharmonic Orchestra 1882-1982). 

The main image on the maximum card (postcard) depicted an early photograph of the orchestra. The stamp with "Berliner Philharmonisches Orchester 1882-1982" which carried a value of  60 Pfenning.

Postes Afghanistan King Mohammed Zahir Shah and Landmarks -1951

POSTES AFGHANISTAN  issued in 1951 a series of definitive stamps, depicting King Mohammed Zahir Shah, who reigned from 1933 to 1973. Additionally, this cover included a series of historic landmarks of Afghanistan, also issued in 1951. The historic landmarks on this cover depicted the Minaret of Jam, Goharshad Mausoleum in Herat and Khodja Abu Pasar Mosque at Balkh. Postmark cancellation on this cover originated from Kaboul, dated. 27 July 1955. These specific stamps were printed by Waterlow & Sons Limited in London.

 

Postes Republique Française Red Cross 1953

POSTES REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE  on 12 December 1953 issued a Premier Jour" (First Day) cover stamp featuring an artwork by Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, entitled "Self-Portrait with Her Daughter, Julie". It was used to commemorate the Red Cross and its humanitarian efforts, using a renowned work of art to symbolise care and compassion.

This double portrait, created in 1786, showcased the artist, Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, with her only daughter, Jeanne-Julie-Louise Le Brun. It exemplifies the typical Rococo style and displays the beauty of  maternal tenderness and affection. 

The stamp carried a face value of 12 francs with an additional 3 francs surcharge for the Red Cross fund. The special Red Cross postmark cancellation originated from Le Havre.

Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun was a prominent French painter known for her portraits, particularly those of Marie Antoinette and other members of the French aristocracy. 

Deutsche Post Cover Hamburg’s Speicherstadt and Welt der Briefe Stamps

DEUTSCHE POST on 3rd July 2023 release the fourth edition of its Historic German Buildings crypto stamp series, featuring Hamburg’s Speicherstadt — a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its iconic warehouse architecture, which is affixed to this cover.

A limited edition of 50,000 hybrid stamps was paired with a physical stamp and a digital NFT twin. Each NFT design is reimagined by artificial intelligence, blending heritage with modern innovation. While the physical design stays consistent, the NFT is issued 

Additionally, two stamps -- lotus and grouper fish -- from the "Welt der Briefe" (World of Letters) definitive series was included on this cover.

Deutsche Post Cover of 1000th anniversary of Deggendorf, FIFA World Cup 2006, Peacock from Welt der Briefe

This cover from DEUTSCHE POST arrived recently, together with commemorative envelope, likely a First Day Cover, from the "Internationale Münchner Briefmarkentage" (International Munich Stamp Days) held from 7-9 March 2002; and postage stamps, including one commemorating the FIFA World Cup 2006 held in Germany, and another with a peacock design from the "Welt der Briefe" (World of Letters) definitive series.

The envelope featured a cachet and matching stamp commemorating the 1000th anniversary of Deggendorf (982-1982), a town in Bavaria, Germany.

French Post-WWII Zone of Württember-Hohenzollern Lindauer Herbstwoche

FRENCH POST-WWII ZONE OF WÜRTTEMBER-HOHENZOLLERN (1947-1948) was created in 1945. It consisted of the southern half of the former state of Wurttemberg and the Prussian administrative region of Hohenzollern. Its capital was Tubingen. 

On the right side of this postcard is a 12 Pfg (Pfennig) stamp featuring a portrait of Friedrich von Schiller and a special commemorative cachet related to the Lindauer Herbstwoche, originating from the French Occupation Zone of Württemberg. Postmark cancellation originated from Lindau, dated 28 September 1947.

The postcard cachet commemorates the Lindauer Herbstwoche (Lindau Autumn Week) Stamp Exhibition that was held in 1947. Specifically it states, "Briefmarken-Ausstellung" (Stamp Exhibition) and the dates "13-28. September 1947". 

Lindau is a Bavarian town located on an island in Lake Constance (Bodensee), hence the illustration of the Lindau harbor with its iconic lighthouse and Bavarian Lion sculpture.

Republik Indonesia Post Ramayana Ballet.

REPUBLIK INDONESIA POST on 15 January 1962 first issued six stamps featuring scenes from the Ramayana Ballet. The stamps depicted various characters and scenes from the Sendratari Ramayana (Ramayana Ballet), a highly stylised dance that visually represents the epic Ramayana.

This is a traditional Javanese dance drama that narrates the epic story of Prince Rama's quest to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon king Ravana. 

The set included denominations of RP.1, RP.1.50, RP.3, and RP.5, as well as 40 sen and 30 sen. 

This cover was postmarked in 1963 and posted to Haarlem, Holland.

Deutsche Post Sudeten-Deutscher-Tag 1954

DEUTSCHE POST BERLIN and DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST on 5 June 1954 issued a special commemorative cover for "Sudeten-Deutscher-Tag 1954" (Sudeten German Day 1954). It was -- and still is -- an annual gathering of Sudeten Germans, an ethnic German population expelled from Czechoslovakia after World War II. These gatherings served to maintain the cultural heritage and identity of the Sudeten German community.

This particular cover featured several German stamps first issued in 1953, including aviator Otto Lilienthal (5 pfennig), poet Theodor Fontane (8 pfennig), inventor Ottmar Mergenthaler (10 pfenning) and a stamp celebrating the 500th anniversary of the  Gutenberg Bible (4 pfennig).

The postmark cancellation shows the Coat of Arms of Sudetendeutsche Landsmannschaft, which originated from Munich, Germany. This perhaps was the result of many Sudeten Germans settling in Bavaria following WWII.

In the months directly following the end of World War II, when the Czechoslovak state was restored, the government expelled the majority of ethnic (Sudeten) Germans (about 3 million altogether), in the belief that their behaviour had been a major cause of the war and subsequent destruction.   Several thousand Germans were murdered during the expulsion, and many more died from hunger and illness as a consequence of becoming refugees.

Additionally, the regular transfer of ethnic nationals among nations, authorised according to the Potsdam Conference, proceeded from 25 January 1946 until October 1946. An estimated 1.6 million "ethnic Germans" (most of them also had Czech ancestors; and even Czechs, who spoke mainly German over the last years), were deported from Czechoslovakia to the American zone of what would become West Germany. An estimated 800,000 were deported to the Soviet zone (in what would become East Germany). Estimates of casualties related to this expulsion range between 20,000 and 200,000 people, depending on source. Casualties included primarily violent deaths and suicides, rapes, deaths in internment camps and natural causes.

Source: Wikipedia

Deutsche Bundespost Saarland no50 Jahre Grossstadt Saarbrücken

DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST SAARLAND on 18 June 1959 issued a First Day Cover stamp commemorating "50 Jahre Grossstadt Saarbrücken" (50th Anniversary of Greater Saarbrücken).  It refers the formation of the modern city of Saarbrücken when it was merged with the cities of St. Johann and Malstatt-Burbach in 1909. 

The blue coloured illustration of the stamp depicts the city of Saarbrücken, including its prominent buildings and a bridge over the Saar River. Saarbrücken is the capital and largest city in the state of Saarland (Germany), located on the Saar River and bordering France.

Deutsche Demokratische Republik First Death Anniversary of Bertolt Brecht

DEUTSCHE DEMOKRATISCHE REPUBLIK on 14 August 1957 issued a First Day Cover commemorating the first death anniversary of Bertolt Brecht (1898 – 1956), a renowned German poet and  playwright.

The stamps featured portraits of Bertolt Brecht, a key figure in 20th-century theatre known for his development of "epic theatre". The two stamps had different denominations: 10 pfennig (green colour) and 25 pfennig (blue colour). 

The cover also featured a quote attributed to Bertolt Brecht: "So wie die Erde ist, muss die Erde nicht bleiben. Sie anzutreiben, Forscht, bis ihr wisst!" which translates to "As the Earth is, so the Earth does not have to remain. To propel it, research until you know!"

Deutsche Post 200th Birth Anniversary of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

DEUTSCHE POST on 20 July 1949 issued a set of five stamps commemorating the 200th anniversary (1749-1949) of novelist, playwright and poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's birth. The design depicted Goethe at various ages in his life.

The stamps were produced from the Soviet Occupation Zone of Germany (East Germany), specifically for general issuance from 1949.  The value of each stamp was denoted in different colours and denominations, according to Goethe at different ages.

This cover letter was addressed to Firma Ragnar Breda Sørensen in Drammen, Norway, dated 18 August 1949. The Einschreiben! marking and RO 864 label signify that it was sent as registered mail. 

Royal Mail Monty Python

ROYAL MAIL on 14 August 2025 paid tribute to one of Britain's most influential comedy troupes – Monty Python. The main First Day Cover collection of six stamps celebrated the BBC TV series that ran from 1969 to 1974. The showcase highlighted the Spanish Inquisition, the Ministry Of Silly Walks, the Lumberjack Song, the Dead Parrot Sketch, Nudge Nudge, and Spam. The Monty Python's Flying Circus team was made up of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Sir Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam.