Christmas 2021

 

New Christmas 2021 stamps

Date of Issue : 12 November 2021

Slovakia

Christmas Mail to Baby Jesus is a unique project organised by the Slovak Post in collaboration with its partners and a major part of the most wonderful festivities of the year.

Austria

Date of issue : 12 November 2021

The rocking horse - the nostalgic toy as a motif for a commemorative Christmas stamp

This vintage stamp shows a drawing of a rocking horse, a Christmas ball and a gift. In red letters it wishes „Merry Christmas“.

The rocking horse stands as a symbol of toys that have lasted for generations. Already in ancient times, small horses on wheels were used for trailing or mounting. The current runners have been known since about the 17th century. It is believed that they were invented in the USA and came to Europe in the 19th century. Even then, the rocking horse was on many a wish list, but not all children could get one - that's why the rocking horse is also symbolic of unfulfilled dreams.

Traditionally, they are made of wood, but they are also available with plush fur - or not as a horse at all, but as a completely different animal. Even today, they are the ideal toy for children. Not only does a rocking horse stimulate the imagination, it also promotes motor development and trains the sense of balance. And even if it is not a present under the tree this year, the rocking horse will certainly find its way into Christmas rooms as a decorative tree ornament or as a gingerbread motif.

Netherlands

Date of Issue : 15 November 2021

The following winter scenes are depicted on the December stamps 2021 in the form of papercuts: A mole with candy cane and rucksack, 2 love-struck blue tits under a mistletoe, a fox with a fluttering scarf and envelope, a mouse in a red postal car, a badger decorating the Christmas tree with his scarf, 2 mice decorating a peacock, a squirrel pushing a sleigh with gifts and treats, a squirrel, hare, dog and owl by the skating pond, a hare with a bunch of Christmas roses, and a fallow deer decorated as a Christmas tree.

All the animals are depicted in a friendly winter landscape, a cosy animal forest with brightly coloured picture elements. Sometimes a larger scene can be seen, other times all the attention goes to one animal. There are three types of sky: light blue, bright blue and dark blue for the morning, afternoon and night respectively. Each December stamp tells its own story. Together, the ten December stamps form a whole because the animals are all, in one way or another, engaged in the theme of Christmas, winter or December.

Liechtenstein

Date of Issue : 15 November 2021

The traditional and popular Christmas stamps are presented in oriental style this year, which is reflected in the choice of colours and detailing in gold.

On the stamp "The Guiding Star" (face value: CHF 0.85), the star that pointed the way to Bethlehem for the Three Wise Men takes centre stage. "The Shepherd" (face value: CHF 1.00), symbolically represented by a sheep, refers to the shepherds who, after an angel proclaimed the birth of Jesus, also set out to see the Son of God lying in a manger.

The "Holy Spirit" (face value: CHF 1.50), who had come upon Mary as the Spirit of God and made her conceive her son nine months earlier, appears in the form of a dove like in the Bible. A candle flanked by a plant represents "The Gifts" (face value: CHF 2.00), which the Wise Men from the East offered to the Saviour.

New Zealand

Christmas 2021

Date of Issue : 3 November 2021

USA

 The visit of St. Nicholas on Christmas Eve 

Date of Issue : 10 October 2021

Garden Beauty on new US stamps

 

Date of Issue : 23 February 2021

Here is a beautiful set of stamps featuring garden flowers. This Garden Beauty celebrates America's love of flowers and gardens with 10 new stamp designs in a booklet of 20. The stamps include a pink flowering dogwood; a rose-pink and white tulip; an allium, or ornamental onion; a pink and white Asiatic lily; a magenta dahlia; a yellow and pink American lotus; a pink moth orchid with mottled petals; a pink and white sacred lotus; an orange and yellow tulip; and a yellow moth orchid with a pink center.

New Festival and holiday stamps from USPS

 

To be  Issued on 13 October 2020

Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture held from December 26 to January 1, culminating in gift-giving and a feast of faith, called Karamu Ya Imani. It was created by Maulana Karenga and first celebrated in 1966 during the aftermath of the Watts riots as a specifically African-American holiday. According to Karenga, the name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning "first fruits of the harvest".

Kwanzaa is a festive time for rejoicing in the prospect of health, prosperity, and good luck in the coming year. It is also a time for contemplation and recollection of past hardships, faced by both individuals and communities and the ways in which history can inform and impact future happiness.

Date of Issue : 10 June 2020

Hanukkah is eight day long  Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. It is also known as the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah 2020 will begin in the evening of 
Thursday, 10 Decemberand ends in the evening of Friday, 18 December'

Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, called a menorah (or hanukkiah). One branch is typically placed above or below the others and its candle is used to light the other eight candles. This unique candle is called the shamash (Hebrew: שַׁמָּשׁ‎, "attendant"). Each night, one additional candle is lit by the shamash until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival. Other Hanukkah festivities include playing the game of dreidel and eating oil-based foods, such as latkes and sufganiyot, and dairy foods. Since the 1970s, the worldwide Chabad Hasidic movement has initiated public menorah lightings in open public places in many countries.

Holiday Delights

Date of Issue : 24 September 2020

Inspired by folk art but with a modern graphic vibe, these stamps are intended to add a touch of whimsy to  holiday mailings. With a traditional palette of red, green and white, illustrator Kirsten Ulve channeled her love of Christmas, vintage ornaments and Scandinavian folk art to create unique digital illustrations of four holiday icons: a prancing reindeer with antlers; an ornament tied with a bow and ready to hang; a tree topped with a star; and a stocking holding a teddy bear and a sprig of holly. 

Thank you

Date of Issue : 21 August 2020

four new stamps in a booklet of 20 available for notes, cards and letters of thanks sent to acknowledge a favor, an act of kindness, a job well done or gifts sent for any occasion. Highlighted in gold foil are the words “Thank you” in cursive script and an elegant floral design that swirls through and around the words. Each stamp features one of four background colors: blue gray, deep blue, muted green or soft maroon. 

Fulbright Scholarships

Date of Issue : February 28, 1996

The Fulbright Scholarship is a grant by the United States government for research, teaching, or graduate study under an international exchange program. The scholarship’s primary goal is to promote mutual understanding between the people of the US and other countries. The US Postal Service issued a postage stamp on February 28 1996 on Fulbright Scholarships.

On August 1, 1946, President Harry Truman signed legislation establishing the Fulbright Program. In the aftermath of World War II, Senator J. William Fulbright proposed a program that would build understanding between the US and other countries through education. He suggested that the US use the proceeds from the sale of post-war surplus to fund this program. Other nations could reduce their debts by participating and funding the program in their own countries.

The Fulbright Act created the largest educational exchange program in history. According to Fulbright, his program’s mission “is to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship.”

Golden FDC 

These annual awards allow US citizens to study or work in other lands, and permit people of other countries to work or study in the United States. Following Fulbright’s plan, money for the awards initially came from the sale of World War II surplus. The US government, participating countries, and universities now fund the scholarship. About 160 countries participate in the program each year.

These annual awards allow US citizens to study or work in other lands, and permit people of other countries to work or study in the United States. Following Fulbright’s plan, money for the awards initially came from the sale of World War II surplus. The US government, participating countries, and universities now fund the scholarship. About 160 countries participate in the program each year.

About 8,000 grants are awarded every year, with about 1,600 going to US students, 1,200 to US scholars, 4,000 to foreign students, 900 to foreign scholars, and the rest to teachers and industry professionals. In the years since it was created, more than 370,000 people have received Fulbright Scholarships. Of those, 60 have won Nobel Prizes, 86 have won Pulitzer Prizes, 75 have been MacArthur Fellows, 37 have become heads of state, and 10 elected to US Congress. Today, the Fulbright Scholarship is considered one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world.

Earth Day 2020

22 April - Earth Day

One Earth, One Family: Earth Day 50th anniversary celebrations

Date of Issue : 14 February 2020

Earth Day originated in 1970 as a way to underscore the need for conservation of the Earth’s natural resources and is celebrated by the United Nations on 22 April each year. In 2020, on the occasion of its 50th anniversary and coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the encyclical Laudato si’, the Vatican marks for the first time what is the largest environmental event on the planet. 

The philatelic minisheet of two values ​​issued for the occasion (0.30 and 1.10 euros), designed by the artist Joyce Chiarella, aims to seek and simultaneously represent everywhere the beauty and harmony of creation: in the forms, in the sounds and colours of nature, but also in the face of a child with its innocent gaze admiring the surroundings. In the upper left sun shines on the coat of arms of Pope Francis, while the moon, on the right, reflects the title of the issue. This celebration aims to remind us that creation is a gift we have received from God and, for this reason, as the Holy Father teaches in Laudato si’, we have a mission to care for it and to protect it.

Source : UFN

Environmental art on 2020 UN Earth Day Stamps

Date of Issue : 22 April 2020

Earth Day has been observed on 22 April each year in many countries since 1970. The United Nations General Assembly designated 22 April as International Mother Earth Day in 2009.

Earth Day, also known as International Mother Earth Day, is celebrated to remind each of us that the Earth and its ecosystems provide us with life and sustenance.

Earth Day also recognizes a collective responsibility to promote harmony with nature and the Earth to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations of humanity.

The Designs

For this stamp issue, UNPA has selected six artists whose works are influenced by environmental issues. Each sheet contains an artist’s statement describing how the planet and sustainability has inspired their work.

Designer: Rorie Katz (United Nations)

Artists:

– US$ 0.55 – Zaria Forman (USA)

– US$ 1.20 – Courtney Mattison (USA)

– CHF 1,00 – Mathilde Roussel (France)

– CHF 2,00 – Benjamin Von Wong (Canada)

– € 0,85 – Paul Villinski (USA)

– € 1,35 – Nicole Dextras (Canada)

Source : UN Stamps

Earth Day stamp from USPS

Date of Issue : 18 April 2020

The United States Postal Service  issued a forever stamp on April 18 to mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

Special  Digital cancellation

The U.S. Postal Service honors the 50th anniversary of Earth Day by putting its own stamp on raising awareness of our environment and the communities in which we live and serve. The new Earth Day Forever stamp marks five decades of Americans coming together to celebrate the importance of protecting the environment. The stamp was issued onon April 18,2020.

The Postal Service had canceled the first-day-of-issue ceremony for the Earth Day stamp due to social distancing guidance. 

Earth Day 2020 Stamps

Date of Issue : 18 April 2020

Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the US Postal Service will  issue a stamp featuring a playful painting of the planet, with small green lines surrounding Earth and hand-lettered text. 

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network in more than 193 countries.

2020 The 50th Anniversary of Earth Day

Date of issue : 14 February 2020

The Postal administration of Vatican City issued  a miniature sheet on 14th February 2020 to commemorate 50th Anniversary of World Earth Day ( 22 April).

The UNPA will also issue 6 mini sheets of 10 stamps on 22 April 2020 commemorating World Earth Day.

Hearts Blossom - New Love stamp from USPS

Date of Issue : 10 January 2019

Twelve colorful hearts visually expressing love’s joyful, bountiful nature illustrate the first Forever stamp issued in 2019 by USPS

Hearts Blossom is the latest stamp in the Love series from the U.S. Postal Service. The stamp art features the word "Love" in cursive script below 12 colorful hearts. The color palette — red, purple, orange, and pink — is intended to create a happy and positive feeling. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp.

There are several theories how the familiar heart-shaped symbol came to be associated with the human heart. However, the symbol’s connection to love is very clear, as the heart is where people believe feelings reside. Today, wherever it appears — as an artistic motif, in religious symbolism, or as an expression of affection or support — a heart is instantly recognizable as a representation of love, whether it be romantic attachment or affection for people, places, causes or ideas.

The Postal Service has successfully captured the essence of love ever since issuing the first stamp in the series in 1973. Although the stamps are released early in the year, they are not just for Valentine’s Day but can be used to deliver love during any season.

Hearts Blossoms Framed stamps

Special framed stamps issued by USPS ( 7 x 9 inch  frame) . It features a whimsical illustration of heart shaped balloons that are tied with strings to the word “love” and includes a mounted Heart Blossoms Forever stamp

Source : USPS

“Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!”

Date of Issue : 14 July 2018

Here is a beautiful stamp to be issued by USPS on 14 July 2018 on a famous cartoon Character Scooby- Doo.

This new issuance is a 12-stamp sheet featuring Scooby-Doo helping out by watering a blossoming plant in a flowerpot — a simple act symbolizing a component of the “Doo Good” campaign’s effort to provide young people with tools and activities geared toward enriching the environment. The campaign, launching this year in partnership with generationOn, the youth division of Points of Light, also focuses on helping the hungry and acting as animal allies.

The lovable, iconic Great Dane Scooby-Doo has solved mystery after spooky mystery since his 1969 debut. With his teenage friends — Fred, Daphne, Velma, and Shaggy — Scooby is at the heart of one of the most enduring cartoon franchises in television history. The charismatic canine has now fronted more than a dozen TV series, plus direct-to-video animated films, comic books and live-action cinematic releases.

In Scooby-Doo’s comedy–mystery adventures, he and the gang investigate strange plots in eerie locales as they travel in their colorful van, the Mystery Machine. Scooby Snacks are always on hand; the tempting treats empower the cowardly Scooby to sniff out clues. Once the gang musters courage, cooperates, and persists in their dogged investigations, the spooky schemers’ plots are exposed.

Three generations of fans have now embraced Scooby-Doo and the “meddling kids,” as they are often called by the villains unmasked at the conclusion of each Scooby-Doo mystery.

Source : USPS

STEM Education stamps from USPS

Date of Issue : 6 April 2018

The US Postal service will issue a set of four stamps on science, technology, engineering and mathematics on 6th April 2018.

STEM Education

These Forever stamps celebrate the role of science, technology, engineering and    mathematics  education in keeping America a global leader in innovation. 

In an increasingly competitive world, proficiency in the fields collectively known as STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — is more critical than ever.  Designed to pique the curiosity of the viewer, each of these four stamps features a collage of faces, symbols, drawings and numbers that represent the complexity and interconnectedness of the STEM disciplines.

Bioluminescent stamps from USPS

Date of Issue : 22 February 2018

The United States Postal Service issued  10 extraordinary stamps on 22 February 2018..This pane of 20 stamps showcases 10 examples of Bioluminescent Life.   Although these stamps do not glow in the dark, they do incorporate a special effect. The stamp pane was produced using a proprietary rainbow holographic material that is highly reflective in white light. The stamps were produced using special techniques to enhance the reflective qualities of the material while maintaining the depth of color and detail of the individual images. The rainbow pattern imparts a sense of movement and light to the stamp pane.

Bioluminescence — the ability of some living things to generate their own light — occurs on many branches of the tree of life. 

At center top, the selvage — or area outside the stamps — features a transparent deep-sea comb jelly (Gregory G. Dimijian photo), surrounded by images of the firefly squid (Danté Fenolio). The title “BIOLUMINESCENT LIFE” appears on the selvage above the pane of stamps.

Eight stamp images represent the work of some of the top explorers of the bioluminescent ocean realm, and two portray land-based species. The stamps feature: deep-ocean octopus (Widder); midwater jellyfish (Widder); deep-sea comb jelly (Widder); mushroom (Taylor F. Lockwood); firefly (Gail Shumway); bamboo coral (Widder); marine worm (Widder); crown jellyfish (Widder); a second type of marine worm (Steve Haddock); and sea pen (Widder).

Bioluminescence performs a variety of functions 

Fairly rare among species on land, bioluminescence reigns supreme in the darkness of the deep ocean. Fishes, squids, jellyfish, worms and many other ocean organisms make varied use of their ability to glow. Their light can lure food, attract a mate or fend off a predator. For many species, bioluminescence is security lighting. For example, the midwater jellyfish — featured on one of the stamps — sets off flashing swirling rings of light when threatened. The display alerts other predators more likely to eat the attacker than the jellyfish itself.

Some species are born with bioluminescence, while others, like certain fishes and squids, have receptacles for displaying bioluminescent bacteria that they capture.

Since the late 19th century, many breakthrough discoveries regarding bioluminescence have come through the study of fireflies and flickering beetles. Because these beetles exist on every continent except Antarctica, they provide scientists with the most convenient means by which to investigate the phenomenon.

Fighting cancer and other diseases

Medical science has benefited tremendously from the study of luminous life-forms. Using genes that enable bioluminescence, scientists can make a cancer cell glow, enabling observation of how the disease behaves and spreads. Similar research is also vital in the fights against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, anemia, malaria, dengue fever, HIV and many other illnesses.

Through improved deep-sea exploration and advances in photography, scientists have identified thousands of bioluminescent species. Yet many mysteries of bioluminescence remain unsolved, and many benefits of research await discovery.

From left, the first row of stamps features a deep-ocean octopus (Stauroteuthis syrtensis) and a midwater jellyfish (Atolla vanhoeffeni), both photographed by Edith Widder of Ft. Pierce, FL. The octopus was photographed under external lighting. On each row of stamps, the third and fourth stamps repeat the first two designs.

The second row of stamps begins with a deep-sea comb jelly (Bathocyroe fosteri), also by Widder and lit externally, then a cluster of mushrooms (Mycena lucentipes) by Taylor F. Lockwood of Mount Dora, FL.

The third row features a firefly (Lampyridae) by Gail Shumway of Sarasota, FL, followed by a bamboo coral (Keratoisis flexibilis) by Widder.

Widder also photographed both fourth-row images: a marine worm (Flota) and a crown jellyfish (Atolla wyvillei). Both are shown under external lighting.

The fifth and final row of stamps offers another type of marine worm (Tomopteris), by Steve Haddock of Moss Landing, CA, and a sea pen (Umbellula) by Widder. Both marine species are shown under external lighting.

Source : USPS

Beautiful America..

O Beautiful !

US Postal Service will issue a set of 20 stamps featuring beautiful  America. With the release of O Beautiful, the Postal Service commemorates the beauty and majesty of the United States through images that correspond with one of the nation’s most beloved songs, “America the Beautiful.”. One of the stamps features a double Rainbow.