Polynésie Française Centenary of the Universal Postal Union

POLYNÉSIE FRANÇAISE (FRENCH POLYNESIA) on 9 October 1974  issued a "Premier Jour" (First Day) stamp celebrating the centenary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), an international organisation established in 1874 to coordinate postal policies among member nations and manage the worldwide postal system. Presumably Louis Genty designed the stamp showing a Polynesian woman with floral garlands. It was printed by Philaposte. The postmark cancellation location was Papeete, Tahiti, the capital of French Polynesia. 

The cachet depicted a stylised globe with figures representing communication or postal services, symbolising the global reach of the UPU. 

Polynésie Française "Femmes en Polynésie"

POLYNÉSIE FRANÇAISE (FRENCH POLYNESIA) on 8 March 2003 issued a "Premier Jour" (First Day) stamp entitled "Femmes en Polynésie" (Women in Polynesia) which showed two Polynesian women. A special postmark cancellation was affixed to the stamp and maximum card (postcard) and originated from Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia.

Établissements Français de l'Océanie Cover - 1948

ÉTABLISSEMENTS FRANÇAIS DE L'OCÉANIE (French Settlements in Oceania) or French Polynesia cover features three stamps valued at 4F, 15F and 20F (Francs). These definitive stamps issued initially in 1948 depict a Polynesian woman (4F) and two island women in a relaxed setting (15F and 20F), reflecting the local culture of French Polynesia, then known as Établissements Français de l'Océanie. The "Polynesian woman" and "two island women" was rendered by Jacques Boullaire who was well known for his Tahitian artwork, whereas Jules Piel engraved these stamps. Charles Mazelin was the artist/engraver for the "Polynesian woman".

The cachet on this cover commemorates the premiere liaison Air France (first Air France connection) between Tahiti and Paris, specifically referencing the flight to Papeete, Tahiti. 

It is addressed to "AIR FRANCE, 12 Bd Norodom, Saigon," indicating the routing or a stopover in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City).

A circular postmark clearly shows "Papeete" and the date "28 - 3 (March) 1950," confirming the historical context of the inaugural airmail service.

Thailand Post Cover

Cover with a collection of Thai postage stamps, primarily featuring:

Phimai Historical Park Stamps: Several stamps depict the ancient Khmer temple complex of Phimai Historical Park in Thailand, known for its intricate architecture and historical significance. 

National Day Stamps: Stamps celebrating Thailand's National Day, featuring an elephant, a significant symbol in Thai culture. 

Other Thai Stamps: The image also includes stamps with other designs, such as those depicting historical or cultural scenes and possibly commemorating specific events or anniversaries related to Thai postal services.

Deutsche Demokratische Republik Rundfunk 1961

 

DEUTSCHE DEMOKRATISCHE REPUBLIK on 25 October 1961 issued Rundfunk  "Tag der Briefmarke" (Stamp Day) that featured a microphone and radio waves, symbolising broadcasting ("Rundfunk") from the German Democratic Republic.

In September 1961, following the construction of the Berlin Wall, the Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR) launched an anti-Western broadcast campaign called "Blitz auf Natosender" (Strike against NATO Broadcasters), which aimed to prevent its citizens from receiving Western radio and television signals. The DDR's official youth organisation, the FDJ (Freie Deutsche Jungend), encouraged people to remove or damage antennas pointing towards the West, where "mental border-crossers" were living. People who did not voluntarily give up Western television and radio were to have their antennas sawn off or turned by force "towards socialism and peace".

San Marino Allegoria Della Primavera

SAN MARINO issued on 23 September 1972 a set of three First Day Cover stamps showing Sandro Botticelli's famous painting, Allegoria Della Primavera (meaning "Allegory of Spring"). Primavera was a large panel painting created in the late circa 1482, depicting a group of figures from classical mythology in a garden. 

Venus, goddess of love and beauty, is one of the central figures in the painting's complex allegorical narrative. 

Flora is depicted wearing a dress covered in flowers, symbolising the abundance and beauty of springtime. The painting is an allegory of spring, filled with mythological characters and symbolic meanings, celebrating love, peace, and prosperity. At least 138 species of different plants have been identified within the painting, showcasing Botticelli's meticulous attention to detail. 

The Three Graces, mythological goddesses representing virtues like chastity, beauty, and love, are often shown dancing in a circle.

The painting originally adorned the summerhouse of the Medici family and is now housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.