Additionally this cover carried three definitive stamps currently used in Germany.
Myriad philatelic content from around the world, such as first day covers, block stamp sets, maxicards, may be found at this website.
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Deutsche Post Cover America's First Mail Delivery and Definitives
Monday, April 28, 2025
La Poste France 150th Snniversary of the Opera Carmen
This cover was posted on 5 April, arrived in Malaysia on 24 April and delivered today, 28 April. Apparently it was misplaced in transit last week, which rarely happens.
Sunday, April 27, 2025
India Post Cover for India Post Anniversary and Indian Air Force Anniversary
Maroc Postes Traditional Moroccan Jewelry
- 15 Francs: daggers from southern Morocco
- 20 Francs: jewelry from Fez
- 25 Francs: fibulas from the Atlas Mountains
- 50 Francs (air mail): fibulas and necklaces in northern Morocco
These stamps were likely issued to raise funds for social causes in Morocco. The circular postmarks on these stamps included the text "Cherifien Postes Tangers" (French Protectorate) and dated 28 March 1953. This particular cover was posted to New York.
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Canada Post Willie O'Ree -- 'The Jackie Robinson' Of Ice Hockey.
Willie O'Ree's lifelong love of hockey began at just three years of age. As he grew, his talent for the sport became increasingly evident. His remarkable athletic abilities extended beyond the ice, and as a gifted baseball player, in 1956, he was scouted by the Milwaukee Braves. Despite his potential in baseball, a pivotal moment occurred during tryouts in Georgia, where he experienced racial segregation for the first time. Ultimately, O'Ree chose to return to his hometown of Fredericton, dedicating himself entirely to hockey.
In 1956, O'Ree embarked on his professional hockey career with the Quebec Aces. This minor league team had an agreement with the NHL's Boston Bruins to provide players when needed. On 18 January 1958, O'Ree broke barriers when he made his NHL debut, becoming the first Black person to play in an NHL game, with the Boston Bruins winning 3-0 against the Canadiens at the Montreal Forum.
O'Ree's historic journey continued on 1 January 1961, when he scored his first NHL goal in a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, becoming the first Black player to score a goal in the NHL.
Following his remarkable 21-year career, which included 45 games in two seasons with the Bruins, O'Ree retired from the San Diego Hawks of the Pacific Hockey League in 1979.
Willie O'Ree's contributions to hockey extended far beyond the ice. In 1998, the NHL recognised his dedication by appointing him as director of youth development and ambassador for NHL diversity. O'Ree's passion for promoting inclusion and diversity in hockey led to the establishment of 39 grassroots hockey programmes under the "Hockey Is for Everyone" initiative. His tireless efforts have inspired thousands of boys and girls from diverse backgrounds to embrace the sport.
Throughout his life, O'Ree received numerous awards, including the Order of New Brunswick in 2005, the Member of the Order of Canada in 2008, and induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018 and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2020-21.
In 2018, the NHL established the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award to recognise “an individual who – through the game of hockey – has positively impacted his or her community, culture or society.”
NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams. © NHL 2023. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Canada Post Sergeant Thomas "Tommy" George Prince
Born on St. Peter's Reserve, Manitoba, into the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Sergeant Thomas (Tommy) George Prince, мм (1915-1977), was one of Canada's most decorated Indigenous non-commissioned officers and war veterans. In 1940, during the Second World War, he enlisted with the Royal Canadian Engineers, training as a sapper. Two years later, he joined the 1st Special Service Force (known as the Devil’s Brigade), a joint Canada-U.S. specialised reconnaissance and raiding unit in which he was known for his marksmanship, stealth and tracking skills, not to mention sheer nerve. He once repaired the broken telephone line he was using to report on enemy positions by posing-in full view of German soldiers - as a farmer weeding his crops. Pretending to tie his shoelaces, he rejoined the wires and strolled back to the abandoned farmhouse to resume his reports, which resulted in the destruction of four German posts. His bravery and service earned him the Military Medal, Silver Star (U.S.) and nine other decorations, including three (one posthumous) from the Korean War, where he did two tours of duty. Between the wars, Prince waged a different battle when, as vice-president of the Manitoba Indian Association, he spoke out in favor of abolishing the Indian Act and respecting existing treaties.
Adjusting to civilian life was not easy for Prince after World War II and Korea, and with painfully arthritic knees as a result of the long, harsh conditions during his military service, his capabilities were limited. Although he had been granted a small military disability pension due to his knee injuries, as a First Nations member he was unable to access other programmes. Prince was effectively denied access to the special Canadian armed forces WWII veteran benefits programmes, which included WWII veterans employment programmes, WWII veterans educational support, land purchase support for WWII military veterans, and supplementary income support programmes for WWII veterans. The information and application forms for these programs were available only at local Royal Canadian Legion chapters. First Nations members were forbidden entrance to Royal Canadian Legion locations under the terms of the Indian Act, as alcohol was present on Legion premises. For this reason, Royal Canadian Legion chapters maintained their own bylaws forbidding the presence of First Nations members due to alcohol on the premises. These bylaws were formally removed nation-wide in 1966, some 20 years after the end of WWII. The requirement by the government to access special war veterans programmes solely through Royal Canadian Legion premises, where First Nations veterans were forbidden entrance, appears to have been designed as a ruse to exclude First Nations from participation.
He died at age 62 in 1977 at Winnipeg's Deer Lodge Centre, a health care facility specialising in geriatric care and treatment of veterans, and was interred in Brookside Cemetery, Winnipeg. Despite the reduced circumstances of his later years, he had retained his fame and he was given a provincial state funeral, a notable event with significant official representatives and more than 500 people in attendance.
Source: Canada Post and Wikipedia
Monday, April 21, 2025
Canada Post Dinos of Canada, Magnolias and Children's Foundation
People's Republic of the Congo Chasse Indigene
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Republique du Congo First Anniversary Republic of the Congo
USPS Cover Cranes, Project Mercury, American Legion and Wonders of the Sea
Additionally, two 4-cent postage stamps commemorating Project Mercury, the first human spaceflight programme of the United States. Issued in 1962, the stamp features the Mercury spacecraft (which was involved in six manned flights) is set against a backdrop of the Earth and stars.
Shown on this cover are also two 6-cent postage stamps issued on 15 March 1969 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the American Legion. The design depicted an adaptation of the bald eagle from the Great Seal of the United States, clutching an olive branch. The text "The American Legion," "50 years," and "Veterans as Citizens" are also prominent.
Lastly, a 29-cent postage stamp issued in 1994 was part of the "Wonders of the Sea" series. Depicted here is a vibrant coral reef scene with various fish species, including angelfish and clownfish
USPS Cover of Wildflowers, American Legion and John Sloan Artwork
Shown on this cover are also two 6-cent postage stamps issued on 15 March 1969 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the American Legion. The design depicted an adaptation of the bald eagle from the Great Seal of the United States, clutching an olive branch. The text "The American Legion," "50 years," and "Veterans as Citizens" are also prominent. It was designed by Robert Hallock. It was printed using a lithographed and engraved Giori press.
Lastly, a 8-cent stamp called "The Wake of the Ferry" was issued in 1971 to commemorate American artist John Sloan (1871-1951) who was a member of the Ashcan School, known for his realistic depictions of urban life in New York City. He was a leading figure in this movement, which focused on portraying the gritty realities of urban life. He was also a teacher and his influence extended to artists like Jackson Pollock.
USPS Cover DC Comics Super Heroes,United States in Space and Wildlife Conservation
Perskutuan Tanah Melayu Installation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia MELAYU
Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail ibni Syed Hassan Jamalullail ascended the throne of the Perlis state government on 4 December 1945 but due to World War II, he was not installed until 12 March 1949. He remains the longest reigning Sultan of Perlis, and on 4 December 1995, he celebrated his Golden Jubilee after ruling for 50 years in Perlis.
He was appointed as the Third Yang di-Pertuan Agong and ruled the country from 21 September 1960 to 20 September 1965. At the age of 39 years and 301 days, he was the youngest Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Correos Espana "History of Discovery and Conquest of America" - 2nd Series
The stamps featured:
- 25cts - Sebastián de Belalcázar (1480-1551)
- 70cts - Blas de Lezo (1687-1741)
- 80cts - Rodrigo de Bastidas (1475-1527)
- 1 cts - Ñuflo de Chaves (1518-1568)
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
SingPost "City in Nature" Franking and Stanps
Monday, April 7, 2025
Correos Espana "History of Discovery and Conquest of America" - 4th Series
Diego de Almagro
Diego de Almagro was a Spanish conquistador. He participated in the conquest of Peru and is officially considered the discoverer of Chile. Diego de Almagro was born in the city in 1475. In 1535, Emperor Charles I awarded Almagro the governorship of Nueva Toledo, in southern Peru, and the title of Adelantado of the lands beyond Lake Titicaca, in present-day Chile.
Francisco de Toledo
Francisco de Toledo, July 10, 1515 in Oropesa, Toledo – 1584 in Seville, was a Spanish nobleman and military man, Viceroy of Peru. Descendant of King Alfonso XI of Castile and Doña Leonor Núñez de Guzmán. In 1535, Toledo joined the Order of Alcántara, for almost twenty years serving the emperor in the armies in Flanders and Italy. He was a friend of Emperor Charles V. He was the fifth of the Viceroys of Peru.
He held this position from 1569 to 1581. During his reign, in 1570, the Inquisition Tribunal was established. Coastal fortifications were built to prevent pirate attacks, and he destroyed the Inca stronghold at Vilcabamba, ordering the execution of Túpac Amaru. He centralized the essential aspects of colonial administration and established the foundations of what would become the colonial system in Peru.
Saint Toribio of Mogrovejo
Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo y Robledo Mayorga, Valladolid, November 18, 1538 – Saña, Peru, March 23, 1606. Spanish clergyman. Saint of the Catholic Church and second Archbishop of Lima. He was a tireless missionary and a great organizer of the South American Church. He began his missionary work by traveling to Lima, baptizing and teaching the natives.
At the age of sixty-eight, Santo Toribio fell ill in Pacasmayo, north of Lima, but continued working until the end, arriving in the city of Saña in a dying condition, where he made his will in which he left his personal belongings to his servants and the rest of his properties to the poor.
He died at 3:30 p.m. on Holy Thursday, March 23, 1606. He was beatified on June 28, 1679 by Pope Innocent XI, through his Bull “Laudeamus” and canonized on December 10, 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII, through his Bull “Quoniam Spiritus”.
Francisco Pizarro
Francisco Pizarro González, Marquis (Trujillo, Cáceres, March 16, 1476/1478 – Lima, June 26, 1541) was the Spanish explorer and conqueror of Peru, governor of New Castile, current Peruvian territory with seat of government in La Ciudad De Los Reyes (Lima).
He is remembered for having succeeded in dominating the Inca Empire with the help of various local chiefdoms, conquering the aforementioned imperial state whose center of government was located in present-day Peru, and establishing a Spanish dependency over it. Although he held the title of marquis, he was a "marquis without a marquisate"; his descendants held the title of Marquis of the Conquest. However, it is quite possible that he was granted the title of Marquis of Atavillos.
La Poste France "L' Apocalypse Tapisserie, XIV"
Sunday, April 6, 2025
UAR (Egypt) First Anniversary of the Burning of Al-Aqsa Mosque
The Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem was originally built by the fifth Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik (685–705) or his successor al-Walid I (705–715) (or both) as a congregational mosque on the same axis as the Dome of the Rock, a commemorative Islamic monument. Muslims regard the site as the third holiest in Islam, after Mecca and Medina.
On 21 August 1969, a fire was started by a visitor from Australia named Denis Michael Rohan, who initially set fire to the pulpit. The 12th-century minbar of the al-Aqsa Mosque was destroyed in the fire.
Rohan had hoped that by burning down al-Aqsa Mosque he would hasten the Second Coming of Jesus. Initially, Israelis blamed the fire either on an accident related to ongoing renovations, or to a false flag attack by Palestinian group Fatah.
Israel subsequently arrested, tried and sentenced Rohan to a mental institution after it was determined he had a history of mental illness. Eventually he was repatriated to Australia and sent to a mental institution.
The fire at Al-Aqsa was the cause of great anger in the Muslim world, and demonstrations and riots occurred. Muslims blamed Israel for this event. The event has been described as "an act which plunged the Middle East into its worst crisis since the June, 1967, Arab-Israel War", and was a key catalyst for the creation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Source: Wikipedia
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Deutsche Bundespost Munich Olympics 1972
Tragically the massacre of Israeli athletes by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September overshadowed the awards and records set in this Olympiad.
More FDC stamps of Deutsche Bundespost 1972 Olympics in Munich may be viewed HERE.
Friday, April 4, 2025
Deutsche Bundespost Helene Mayer
Helene Julie Mayer (1910 – 1953) was a German-born fencer who won a gold medal at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, and a silver medal at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.
Mayer has been called the greatest female fencer of all time, and was named by Sports Illustrated as one of the Top 100 Female Athletes of the 20th Century, but her legacy remains clouded.
The controversy stems from her participation in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. She was the only German athlete of Jewish ancestry permitted to represent Nazi Germany in fencing.
Prior to this, the Nazi Party had rescinded her German citizenship while she was studying in the United States. As countries became aware of Nazi Germany's discriminatory practices, international participation in the Olympic Games came into question.
In the United States, sports organisations and trade unions discussed the possibility of boycotting the 1936 Olympic games. In 1933, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) of the United States, which supervised Olympic competitors, voted not to send a team if Jews were to be discriminated against in the German Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) asked for assurances from the Olympic Organising Committee of Berlin that German Jews would not suffer discrimination and would be permitted to try out for the German team. As a concession to mounting political pressure, the Nazis allowed twenty Jewish athletes to train for the Olympics. Eventually only one was allowed to compete for Germany – Helene Mayer.
While Helene Mayer left little historical record, what is known from her contemporaries is that she did not consider herself Jewish. Her father, Ludwig Karl Mayer, a physician, was Jewish; whereas her mother, lda Anna Bertha (née Becker) was Lutheran. Helene did not appear to identify with either parent. It was said that her primary concern was to be a successful athlete and that preoccupation may have blinded her to the Nazi racism. It was also supposed that Mayer saw Olympic glory as an opportunity to reclaim her German citizenship.
Whatever her reasons, Helene Mayer did represent Germany in the 1936 Olympic Games, placing second, earning the silver medal, and as all German athletes were required to do in Berlin that year, gave the Nazi salute. It should be noted that for all of Hitler’s claims of racial superiority, the gold medal went to the Hungarian Ilona Ela, also half-Jewish.
After the Olympics, she returned to the United States where she studied and taught German and fencing at American universities. She became a nine-time U.S. fencing champion. She received American citizenship in 1941 but returned to Germany in 1952 where she died from breast cancer in 1953.
Source: Centre for Jewish History, Wikipedia
Deutsche Bundespost Rudolph Harbig
A member of the Nazi party and professional soldier, holding the rank of Sargent, Harbig was sent to the Eastern Front in 1941 and fought in the Battle of Moscow. During the Soviet Dnieper–Carpathian Offensive against the Wehrmacht Army Group South, he was killed fighting with the 2nd Parachute Division at the Voronezh Front near Kirovohrad, Ukraine in 1944.
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
USPS "Black Heritage Commemorative Stamp Series"
Shown here is a block of four First Day Cover stamps honouring prominent African Americans:
- Harriet Tubman (13c stamp issued in 1978)
- Mary McLeod Bethune (22c stamp issued in 1985)
- Whitney Moore Young Jr. (15c stamp issued in 1981)
- Martin Luther King Jr. (15c stamp issued in 1979).
Harriet Tubman was the first African American woman honored on a U.S. postage stamp. Born into slavery, she escaped and became a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad, helping over 300 slaves to freedom. She also served as a spy and nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War.
Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955) was an influential educator, civil rights activist, and advocate for women's rights. She founded the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls in 1904, which later became Bethune-Cookman University. Bethune also served as an advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt on minority affairs, and was the first Black woman to lead a federal agency.
Whitney Moore Young, Jr. was a moderate civil rights leader who urged African Americans to work within the system. He served as executive director of the National Urban League for 10 years. In 1969, he received the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom.
This stamp honors the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr., Nobel Prize winner and champion of non-violence. A Baptist minister, King sought equality for all Americans and fought for peaceful solutions to racial issues. He was assassinated in 1968.
Egypt Post 50th anniversary of the October War
The postcards (maxim cards) featured four multi-colored, counterfeit-proof offset stamps equipped with QR code technology, enabling access to interactive knowledge about this occasion.
The Yom Kippur War, also known as the October War or Ramadan War, began on 6 October 1973. It was a surprise attack by a coalition of Arab nations led by Egypt and Syria against Israel.
The war had significant consequences. The Arab world, humiliated by the 1967 defeat, felt psychologically vindicated by its early and late successes in 1973. Meanwhile, Israel, despite battlefield achievements, recognised that future military dominance was uncertain.
The war served as a direct antecedent of the 1978 Camp David Accords. The impetus for the talks came when United States President Jimmy Carter invited both Sadat and Begin to a summit at Camp David to negotiate a final peace. The talks took place from 5–17 September 1978. Ultimately, the talks succeeded, and Israel and Egypt signed the Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty in 1979. Israel subsequently withdrew its troops and settlers from the Sinai, in exchange for normal relations with Egypt and a lasting peace, with the last Israeli troops exiting on 26 April 1982.