Saarland Referendum Postcard and Stamp - 1935

GERMAN propaganda postcard from the 1935 SAARLAND referendum, promoting the region's return to Germany. Two figures, representing soldiers from WWI, with the text "Wir starben für Dich! Und Du?" (We died for you! And you?) was designed to encourage a sense of national duty and sacrifice, urging Saarlanders to vote for reunion with Germany. 

After World War I, the Saarland was placed under the League of Nations administration, with a plebiscite scheduled for 1935 to determine its future. The referendum was a major propaganda victory for the Nazi regime, with over 90% of voters choosing to rejoin Germany.

The reverse side of this historical postcard was dated 13 January 1935. It originated from the "Saargebiet" (Saar region), specifically "Saarbrücken i." (Saarbrücken), a major city in the region.

The text "Volksabstimmung Saargebiet" (Plebiscite Saar region) refers to the Saar status plebiscite held on 13 January 1935, which determined the region's future status.

The postcard was addressed to Kurt Schwaben at Andreas. Hohstr. 26. in Saarbrücken i. The sender's message is  mostly illegible. What can be read is the closing phrase "...Heil Hitler, Your Uncle Arthur..."

The stamp itself features a building, possibly the Kaserne Saarlouis (barracks in Saarlouis), first issued in 1926. The text reads "SAARGEBIET" with a value of "40" (40 Pfennig).

Bohemia And Moravia PROTECTORATE"Deutsches Rotes Kreuz" 1940

BOHEMIA AND MORAVIA PROTECTORATE (German-occupied territory during World War II) philatelic cover featuring German Red Cross ("Deutsches Rotes Kreuz") stamps. They are marked with denominations like "60h +40h" and "120h +80h," indicating a surcharge for charitable purposes, likely supporting the Red Cross. The postmarks indicate "PRAHA 32" (Prague 32) and the date "12.V.40-16," signifying 12 May 1940. The envelope was addressed to "odin P. Mahler, Trgovina maraka ZAGREB, Jurišićeva ul. 12 Jugoslavija," indicating a stamp dealer in Zagreb, Yugoslavia (present-day Croatia).

On the reverse side of the envelope is the German "Geöffnet" stamp, which means "opened," indicating the letter was inspected by censors. "Oberkommando der Wehrmacht" (OKW) stamps like this one featured an eagle and swastika emblem, signify the involvement of the Supreme Command of the Wehrmacht, the highest military command of Nazi Germany during WWII. The combination of "Geöffnet" stamps and the OKW markings suggests the letter was subject to military censorship, a common practice during wartime to control information flow.  "ZAGREB" postmark indicates the letter was processed in Zagreb, likely under German occupation or influence during the war. The postmark included the date refers 16 April 1940.

Hrvatska Pošta Historical and Cultural Cover

This HRVATSKA POŠTA (Croatian Post) is a cover containing three Croatian postage stamps, each featuring a significant cultural or historical subject.

Vučedolska golubica (Vučedol Dove): a ceramic bird-shaped vessel which is a prominent artifact from the Vučedol culture of prehistoric Croatia.

Petar Berislavić and Krsto Frankopan are notable  figures in Croatian history. Petar Berislavić was a cardinal and Ban (viceroy) of Croatia, whilst Krsto Frankopan was another influential Croatian Ban.

Otok Lokrum (Lokrum Island) is a small island near Dubrovnik, known for its natural beauty and historical significance.

Belgium Resistance and Liberation 1945

BELGIUM on 28 January 1945 issued a series of First Day Cover stamps commemorating Belgian resistance during World War II and the liberation of Belgium. The particular design of this stamp represented members of the Belgian resistance movement, with a soldier holding a rifle in the background and other figures, including a woman and a man, in the foreground. It had  a face value of "5 Fr + 40 Fr," indicating that the 40 Fr was a surcharge intended for a specific cause, likely benefiting prisoners of war or resistance fighters. This FDC maxicard (postcard) with stamp has a postmark cancellation that originated from Brussels. Jules van Ael (1912-1997) designed / engraved the stamp. It was print by Atelier du Timbre (Malines, Belgique), using a Héliogravure method.

USPS Pacific Coast Rainforest Douglas Squirrel and Baseball Players

USPS cover displays a collection of postage stamps, including one featuring the Pacific Coast Rainforest Douglas Squirrel and four featuring notable baseball players.

The baseball players depicted on the stamps are: 

Dizzy Dean: A Hall of Fame pitcher known for his colorful personality and dominant pitching in the 1930s, primarily with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Honus Wagner: A legendary shortstop and one of baseball's first five Hall of Fame inductees, renowned for his all-around play and considered one of the greatest players of all time.

Josh Gibson: A powerful catcher and slugger in the Negro Leagues, widely regarded as one of the greatest hitters in baseball history.

Satchel Paige: A legendary pitcher who played in the Negro Leagues and later in Major League Baseball, known for his longevity and unique pitching style.

Postwar Allied-Controlled Postcard and Stamps Liberation of Dachau 1947

POST-WWII POSTCARD AND STAMP FROM ALLIED-CONTROLLED GERMANY, depicting a poster advertising a "Befreiungsfeier Dachau 1947" (Liberation Celebration Dachau 1947), commemorated the liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camp. 

The postcard's imagery, featuring figures in striped prisoner uniforms, reflected the experiences of those imprisoned during the Holocaust. This memorial postcard's design is attributed to Gerhard Kreische from Berlin-Zehlendorf. It was published by the "Vereinigung der Verfolgten des Naziregimes (VVN)" (Association of Persecutees of the Nazi Regime) to commemorate the liberation day in Munich.

A DEUTSCHE POST stamp depicted Heinrich von Stephan, who was instrumental in the establishment of the Universal Postal Union and the German postal system. It commemorated the 50th anniversary of the death of Heinrich von Stephan. It was issued by the Allied Control Council for use in the American, British, and Soviet Occupation Zones of Germany (Trizone) following World War II.  A special postmark (the triangle used on concentration camp prisoner uniforms) from Dachau, dated 18 May 18, 1947, with the inscription "DACHAU-GEDÄCHTNISKUNDGEBUNG" (Dachau Memorial Rally),  indicating the stamp was used in the town of Dachau, which was historically significant for its concentration camp during the Nazi regime.  The stamp carried a denomination value of 24 Pfennig. 

The Dachau Concentration Camp, located northwest of Munich, Germany, was the first regular concentration camp established by the Nazis in 1933. It served as a model for other concentration camps and a "school of violence" for the SS. On 29 April 1945, American troops liberated the camp, freeing around 30,000 starving prisoners.

USPS Cover of Various Stamps

USPS cover stamps, featuring various commemorative issues:

Christmas Stamp: An 8-cent stamp featuring a stained-glass image of the Madonna and Child from the National Gallery of Art. 

US Department of the Air Force 50th Anniversary: Two 32-cent stamps celebrating the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Department of the Air Force (1947-1997), showcasing iconic aircraft. The U.S. Air Force was established as a separate branch on 26 September  1947. 

Maine Statehood: A 6-cent stamp commemorating Maine's statehood (1820-1970), featuring a lighthouse. 

Bob Hope: Multiple 44-cent stamps honouring the comedian and entertainer Bob Hope.

United States Post Office "100 Years of Progress of Women" 1948

UNITED STATES POST OFFICE on 19 July 1948 issued a First Day Cover commemorating "100 Years of Progress of Women" from 1848 to 1948. Shown here is a block of four 3-cent United States postage stamps, celebrating  this centenary. The cancelation postmarked on this envelope originated from Seneca Falls, N.Y. The stamps featured portraits of three prominent figures in the women's rights movement: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Carrie Chapman Catt, and Lucretia Mott.

The year 1848 marked the Seneca Falls Convention, the first women's rights convention held in the United States, where Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a key organiser.

Carrie Chapman Catt was a leader in the women's suffrage movement, who played a crucial role in securing the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.

Lucretia Mott was an abolitionist and a women's rights advocate, also instrumental in organising the Seneca Falls Convention.

The cachet on the envelope depicted portraits of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Carrie Chapman Catt and Lucretia Mott under a banner reading, "Commemorating  100th Anniversary of the First Woman's Rights Convention held July 19-20, 1848, at Seneca Falls,. N.Y.

Việt Nam Cộng Hòa Rural / Agricultural Development 1968

This postcard shows a flower kiosk in Saigon, SOUTH VIETNAM, during the Vietnam War. It was posted on 31 May 1968 from Vung Tau, South Vietnam and destined for Edinburg, Scotland.

On the reverse side of this postcard there are two stamps, same design, from the Republic of Vietnam (Việt Nam Cộng Hòa). The design, showing a bulldozer and farmers, was first issued on 26 January 1968,   to illustrate rural or agricultural development (Xây Dựng Nông Thôn) in South Vietnam. The artist / designer was Nguyễn Đức Tuấn. 

I found the postcard interesting in that two ARVN soldiers, Vietnamese women wearing the traditional Áo Dài and other civilians are pictured around the flower stall. 

To put 1968 in perspective,  the Battle of Khe Sanh, Tet Offensive and Massacre in Hue during the Vietnam War occurred earlier in January. The North Korean government seized the USS Pueblo and its crew of eighty-three in January. The U.S. Civil Rights Act initiated by JFK became law in April. Civil Rights leader  Martin Luther King was assassinated in April. Massive student protests and strikes across France happened in May. Robert Kennedy was assassinated in June. Richard Nixon was elected U.S. President in November.  I was an Eighth Grade student at Bookcliffe Junior High School in Grand Junction, Colorado. 

It's almost hard to imagine this all happed nearly 60 years ago.

Deutsches Reich RAD, Youth Day and European Postal Congress 1942-43,

DEUTSCHES REICH on 26 June 1943 issued a set of four stamps to commemorate the 8th anniversary of the Reichsarbeitsdienst (Labour Service Corps) or RAD.  

Stamps in the set included:

- 3P7Pf - Dark yellow brown -

Spade signifying digging of fortifications.

- 5+10Pf - Olive green - Sickle used to harvest crops.

- 6+14Pf - Dark ultramarine - Building the Autobahns.

- 12+8Pf - Red (shades) -Military Service.

The RAD was in effect an extension of the Hilter Youth and although it started as a voluntary organisation by 1943 it was compulsory to join for a minimum of 6 months once a male child had become 17 years old.

As can be seen by the design of these stamps the purpose of the RAD was to assit with government building projects such as autobahns as well as military service. Designed by Müller-Rabe and engraved at the State Printing Office in Vienna these stamps were produced on sheets (10x5) and had perforations of K14.

Another DEUTSCHES REICH stamp shown on this cover is "Tag der Verpflichtung der Jugend 1943" (Day of Commitment of Youth 1943), which was first issued on 26 March 1943 to honour the Hitler Youth and it remained valid until the end of the war in May 1945. The stamp was designed by Eric Meerwald and was printed using a photogravure method on (10x5) sheets and had horizontally ribbed yellow gum. The perforations were K14 and the paper was unwatermarked.

Another DEUTSCHES REICH stamp on this cover depicted a postillion. The first day of issuance was 12 October 1942 to commemorate the European Postal Congress of the Axis Powers in Vienna. This was one of three different postillion stamps released for use in Axis controlled Europe. This stamp was overprinted (19 October 1942) to commemorate the signing of the Convention of the European Post Office and Telecommunications Union.

This particular cover was  addressed to "Herr Oberlehrer (Head School Master) Heinrich" in "Grünstadt, Westmark". Postmarks from "Frankfurt (Main) are visible, dated 17 September 1943. A red "R" mark with "Frankfurt (Main) 9 955 aa" suggests it was a registered letter or piece of mail.

USPS Cover Physical Fitness and Post Office Murals

USPS cover of three commemorative postage stamps received from a stamp collector/seller:

- The 20-cent stamp that depicts three joggers and is titled "Physical Fitness" was issued in 1983 to commemorate National Physical Fitness Month, designated by President Reagan in May of that year.

- This Air Mail stamp was one of five  stamps issued in the 2019 "Post Office Murals" series. It was originally painted in 1941 by Dan Rhodes (1911-1989). The mural remains at the Post Office in Piggott, Arkansas.

- Another stamp in the "Post Office Murals" series was the stamp showing  the mural from the Rockville, Maryland Post Office.

The origin of Post Office murals can be traced back to 1933. That year, in a letter to longtime acquaintance President Franklin D. Roosevelt, artist George Biddle suggested that the U.S. government should commission artists in need of work to enliven the walls of public buildings. Later that year, perhaps spurred by Biddle’s plea, the Roosevelt administration established the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP). Funded by the Civil Works Administration and overseen by the Department of the Treasury, the New Deal programme led to the hiring of more than 3,700 artists. Between 1934 to 1943 more than 1,000 murals were painted.

Post Belgie/Belgique Cover

POST BELGIE/BELGIQUE cover with three postage stamps affixed to the envelope. I received to this from a Beligian stamp collector/seller recently. 

The stamps included:

- Semi-postal stamp, likely issued around 1961, which is a painting called "Mother Love" by Francois Joseph Naves. It carried a denomination of 1+0.50 fr - Belgischer Franc, indicating a charitable surcharge for Anti-tuberculosis Fund 1961.

- "Europa" stamp series was issued by European postal administrations to promote European cooperation. This specific design, featuring stylised CEPT Plants Fruits Leaves Animation, was issued in 1965 with a denomination of 1F. 

- The stamp on the right, issued in 2014, features four pencils arranged to create an optical illusion of only three pencils. It had a face value of 2 Euros.

La Poste Republique Française Cover

I received this cover from a stamp collector/seller in France a few days back. Three (possibly four) LA POSTE REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE postage stamps were affixed to the envelope:

- The 25th International Congress of Geography held in Paris-Alpes in 1984, featured a mountainous landscape, likely representing the Alps, and included the text "25e Congres International de Geographie Republique Francaise".

- The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference held in Nice in 1989, depicted a modern building and included the text "Union Internationale des Telecommunications Conference de Plenipotentiaires UIT Nice 89".

- The 1997 World Judo Championships commemorated a judo practitioner in action and included the text "Championnats du Monde de Judo 1997 République Francaise".

Deutsches Reichpost Paul von Hindenburg and "Remember the Lost Colonies" - 1934

DEUTSCHES REICHPOST on 30 June 1934 issued to a set of stamps to "Remember the Lost Colonies", Germany's colonies stripped from her following WWI. The stamps showed famous German colonial figures. This cover also featured former Field Marshal and President Paul von Hindenburg. Postmark cancellation originated from Dusseldorf, dated 4 July 1934.

The stamps depicted:

      3 Pf — Franz A.E. Lüderitz, German Southwest Africa.

      6 Pf — Dr. Gustav Nachtigal, Togo and Cameroon.

    12 Pf — Dr. Karl Peters, German East Africa.

    25 Pf — Hermann von Wissmann, German East Africa.

The “x” values have vertically rippled gum, while the “y” values have horizontally rippled gum.

Deutsches Reich Deutsche Profession Nothilfe and Luftpost 1934

DEUTSCHES REICH issued in 1934 a commemorative set of Deutsche Nothilfe (German Emergency Fund) charity stamps, also known as the Winter Relief. These stamps featured images representing various trades and professions in Germany, including an office worker, smith, stonemason (shown), miner, architect (shown), farmer (shown), researcher, artist, and judge. This particular cover also has a Deutsche Luftpost (airmail) stamp. Postmark cancellation originated from Charlottenburg (Berlin), 22 November 1934.

This set of stamps is considered to be one of the more sought-after  issues from the Third Reich period, and very difficult to find covers.

Egypt (UAR) Air Mail Stamped 1959

EGYPT (UAR)  on 30 September 1959 issued a set of three air mail stamps First Day Cover stamps were issued.

Top Left (5m): Pyramids of Giza, a prominent symbol of Egypt's ancient history.

Top Right (15m): Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, with an airplane flying overhead, signifying airmail. 

Bottom (60m): view of Cairo, likely featuring a mosque or other significant architectural landmark, with "Air Mail" and "UAR" clearly visible, and potentially related to World Meteorological Day based on similar stamps. 

These stamps were issued during the period of the United Arab Republic (UAR), a political union between Egypt and Syria that existed from 1958 to 1961, though Egypt continued to use the UAR designation on stamps for a period afterward. 

Egypt 1927 Statistical Congress in Cairo

EGYPT on 29 December issued a set of three postage stamps to commemorate the Statistical Congress held in Cairo that year. The 1927 Statistical Congress in Cairo was a significant event, marking the first International Statistical Institute (ISI) congress held outside Europe. It also holds historical importance as the first ISI congress to receive a delegation from the Republic of Turkey. The congress took place from 29 December  1927 till 5 January 1928. 

Each stamp featured a seated statue of a pharaoh, likely depicting Amenemhat III or Amenhotep IV, based on similar historical imagery. The stamps were printed in different colours and denominations: 5 Milliemes (brown), 10 Milliemes (red), and 15 Milliemes (blue).

These stamps were issued during the Kingdom of Egypt era, which gained nominal independence from the British Empire in 1922. 

Senegal Lat Dior

SENEGAL on 11 January 1982 issued a First Day Cover  commemorating Lat Dior, a national hero of Senegal. The cover featured two stamps depicting Lat Dior, a significant figure in Senegalese history, known for his resistance against French colonial expansion in the 19th century. Postmark cancellation originated from Dakar, the capital of Senegal.

USPS 20th Universal Postal Congress

USPS issued on 19 November 1989  four First Day Cover stamps to commemorate the 20th Universal Postal Congress which was held in Washington D.C., hence the postmark cancellation on these maxim cards. These 25-cent postage stamps depicted traditional methods of mail delivery in the United States, from Colonial times to the early 1900s, including a stagecoach, a steamboat, a biplane, and a depot automobile.

Some of the transportation methods on these stamps had appeared on stamps before.  The Jenny had appeared on America’s first Airmails, and the Jenny and the stagecoach were included in a block of four stamps honouring the 200th anniversary of America’s independent postal service.  Plus, the automobile in this block is very similar to the one pictured on a 1912 15¢ Parcel Post stamp.

First-time stamp artist Mark Hess was hired to illustrate the Classic Mail Transportation Block.  He worked from a variety of sources, including photos from the National Philatelic Collection at the Smithsonian.  

The stamps:

- Stagecoach – Hess’ stagecoach image underwent the fewest changes.  It depicts a Concord coach, named for the city in New Hampshire where they were made. 

- Steamboat – The design that required the most work was the ship stamp.  Initially, Hess pictured a naval ship off-shore with a rowboat collecting mail for delivery to the ship.  The image had some inaccuracies, and it was ultimately decided that a steamboat on an inland river better represented that form of mail delivery.  The steamboat on which the stamp image was based is the 19th century packet Chesapeake.  The stamp also shows a man with a handcart bringing mail to the boat, which he had seen on one the Smithsonian pictures. 

- Curtiss JN-4H (Jenny) bi-plane – Hess’ original sketch of the Curtiss Jenny showed two open cockpits.  But he corrected it to show that one of the cockpits had been replaced with a mail compartment. 

- Early automobile – Hess based his image of an automobile delivering mail on a photo from the USPS archives.  It pictured a 1906 Columbia automobile on the streets of Baltimore.

USPS Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture"

USPS on 25 April 2025 issued a series of USA Forever stamps entitled "Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture," which honour Native American gatherings. The stamps featured original paintings by Cochiti Pueblo artist Mateo Romero, depicting Native American dancers in traditional regalia. Four different dance styles were represented: Women's Fancy Shawl, Women's Traditional, Crow Hop, and Men's Hoop Dance. Powwows are significant cultural events for Indigenous people, fostering community and celebrating traditions through dance, music, and art.

Post Danmark Cover

This POST DANMARK cover was received  from a fellow stamp collector who I had purchased a series of 1980  Olympic stamps from the former German Democratic Republic. 

This cover included a June 2025 souvenir sheetlet showing the theme "Nordisk Mytologi - Mytiske Steder" (Nordic Mythology - Mythical Places), specifically "Hólm Høje" and "Feggeklit". 

It  also came with a souvenir sheetlet  celebrating classic Danish films including: "Kosmorama", a silent film from 1910; "Lykkehjulet" (The Wheel of Fortune), another silent film from 1910, with Urban Gad credited; "Café Paradis" (Paradise Cafe), a film from 1950; and "Olsen-banden" (The Olsen Gang), a film from 1968.

Another sheetlet included the 2013 Europa stamp from Denmark featuring an electric postal bicycle, reflecting Denmark's commitment to sustainable mail delivery. 

A single stamp issued in 1976 commemorated the 100th anniversary (1876-1976) of the Carlsberg Foundation. It featured Professor Emil Hansen, a former director of the Carlsberg Laboratory.