Thursday 31 May 2018

1232. 🇫🇰 RAF Centenary Issues From Ascension, Falklands And Tristan.

  🇫🇰 The postal services of The Falkland Islands, Ascension Island and Tristan Da Cunha all plan to issue sets of 4 stamps each on 2 July 2018 to commemorate the Centenary of the Royal Air Force. The stamps were designed beautifully by Robin Carter and lithographed by Cartor and perforated 13.5. Rating:- *****.
  Many thanks to Juliet Warner of Pobjoy Stamps for information about these issues.







  The postal service of St Helena has now issued or is just about to issue, though I'm still not sure of the precise release date, 2 new sets - 1 previously mentioned to commemorate the wedding of the Duke and Duchess Of Sussex made up of 4 stamps and 1 miniature sheet and the second to mark the final visit to the island by RMS St Helena, again made up of 4 stamps and 1 miniature sheet.

  The Royal Wedding issue:-




  The Final voyage of RMS St Helena issue:-






  🇹🇷 The postal administration of the Turkish Republic Of Northern Cyprus issued a pair of stamps and a miniature sheet containing 2 of each stamp on 18 May 2018 as its contribution to the annual Europa omnibus series which this year features local bridges. This is an attractive and pleasing issue. Rating:- ****.





Wednesday 30 May 2018

1231. 🇦🇬🇬🇲🇬🇾🇰🇳 More IGPC Philatelic Items.

  More philatelic products from IGPC, the Beijing- and New York-based agency:-

  🇦🇬 Antigua And Barbuda:- 29 May 2018 - The Caribbean reef octopus - 2 miniature sheets, one containing 4 different stamps and one containing a single stamp. Rating:- *.



   29 May 2018 - 65th anniversary of Elizabeth II, Queen of Antigua And Barbuda - 2 miniature sheets, one containing 5 different stamps and one containing 2 different stamps. Rating:- *.



  🇬🇲 The Gambia - 23 April 2018 - Birds of Prey - 1 miniature sheet containing 3 different stamps. All three featured species are found in The Gambia. The second miniature sheet contains 4 different stamps and all 4 depicted species are also found in The Gambia. Rating:- *.



  4 May 2018 - United States President Trump's visit to Belgium (why The Gambia should issue stamps to commemorate the event is not explained) - 1 miniature sheet containing 3 different stamps. Rating:- 0.


   4 May 2018 - 'China National Stamp Expo' Changzhou - Tianmu Lake - 1 miniature sheet. Rating:- 0.


  22 May 2018 - Chameleons- 2 miniature sheets, 1 containing 4 different stamps and 1 containing a single stamp. None of the featured species are native to The Gambia. Rating:- 0.



  23 April 2018 - The Milky Way - 2 miniature sheets, each containing 3 different stamps. Rating:- 0.



   23 April 2018 - Mammals of Africa - 2 miniature sheets, 1 containing 4 different stamps and 1 containing 2 different stamps. Several of the depicted species are not found in The Gambia. Rating:- 0.



  🇬🇾 Guyana - 3 May 2018 - National treasure of China, the Yin ruins. 2 miniature sheets each containing a single stamp. An illustration of only one of the sheets is available currently. Rating:- 0.


  🇰🇳 Nevis - 23 April 2018 - Swans - 1 miniature sheet containing 4 different stamps and 1 miniature sheet containing 2 different stamps. There are no species of swan found in St Kitts And Nevis. Rating:- 0.



   23 April 2018 - Geckos - 2 miniature sheets, 1 containing 4 different stamps and 1 containing 2 different stamps. While there are species of gecko to be found in St Kitts And Nevis, none of those depicted on this set are found in the islands! Rating:- 0.




Monday 28 May 2018

1229. 🇵🇬 New Art Issue From Papua New Guinea.

  🇵🇬 Post PNG (the postal service of Papua New Guinea) issued 4 stamps, a sheetlet containing 4 different stamps and 1 miniature sheet on 17 May 2018 as part of its ongoing 'Pioneer arts' series. The issue depicts the artwork of Joseph Bayagau and was designed by Kim Kaupa of PNG Philatelic and lithographed by Southern Colour Print. Rating:- *****.







  🇿🇼 The President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, announced on 15 May 2018 that the country had applied officially to rejoin the Commonwealth, fifteen years after the country's previous tyrannical ruler, Robert Mugabe, had withdrawn the nation from membership of the organisation. National elections will be held in July 2018 and it is believed that if these are held in a satisfactory manner then the route to Commonwealth readmission will be opened.
  🇬🇬 Guernsey Post Stamps and Collectables has tweeted news about this year's Post and Go cruise ship issues.
  It is possible that it has not given details of every issue but this is what we have so far:-
    14 May - inscription notes visit of Columbus and Royal Princess
    21 May - Britannia
    26 May - Royal Princess and Brilliance Of The Seas.

  🇦🇺 There is a new spate of stamp packs from Australia Post. Their subjects appear to have nothing to do with Australia.

  The first is a $23 pack titled 'Solo: A Star Wars Story'. The pack contains 2 panes each made up of 10 x $1 Map of Australia stamps with attached labels. Rating:- 0.




  Upcoming is a $23 pack titled '101 Dalmations' which contains 2 panes of 10 x 'Heart of roses' $1 stamps with attached labels. Rating:- 0.




  There will also be a $23 pack titled 'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' which contains 2 panes of 10 x $1 'Map of Australia' stamps with attached labels. Rating:- 0.




  Also released is a $12 pack containing a single pane of 10 x $1 'Map of Australia' stamps with attached labels on the subject of the US cartoon character Superman. Rating:- 0.



  There is also a $23 pack containing 2 panes each of 10 x $1 Heart of roses stamps with attached labels on the subject of 'Disney Princesses'. Rating:- 0.




  Another upcoming pack is the $23 'Sustainable Development Goals' pack which unusually has a serious message and also includes 20 x $1 'Map of Australia' stamps all in a single pane with the labels all being combined in the second pane without any valid postage stamps. Rating:- 0.




 If you thought that the stamp issues which Australia Post releases to commemorate the Queen's birthday were fairly straightforward then think again. This year - I don't know the precise date of issue - Australia Post has issued a 'Silver miniature sheet collection'. The collection is made up of 2 miniature sheets- one containing 4 x $2.95c values and the second containing 1 x $2.95c. Of course it's a limited edition (200) and it's shockingly expensive- $129.95c. How can one resist? Well quite easily actually. Rating:- 0.