Special stamp on Blind Talents by Latvia post

Date of Issue : 26 July 2019

 Blind Talents - Painters

Latvijas Pasts in collaboration with the social company Blind Art has released a new stamp and a cover featuring works of art created using the tactile painting technique, a way of painting adapted to visually impaired people. The drawings have been made by the pupils of Strazdumuiža Residential Secondary School. 

The design of the stamp and the cover incorporates several works created during the classes of visual and tactile art at the development centre of Strazdumuiža Residential Secondary School by the pupils of grades 4 to 8, working jointly under the supervision of the teacher Baiba Pika.

The stamp created by the gifted blind persons includes the painting Garāmgājējs (A Passer-by), while the cover is decorated with the drawings Balerīna (Ballerina) and Gribu būt karalis! (I Want to Be King!). The first day postmark depicts the stylus, a centre-punching tool used in tactile painting.

Tactile Painting

Tactile painting is a special type of drawing adapted to visually impaired people. Paper is attached to a specially designed drawing object and a stylus is used to centre-punch the contour of the drawing object. The resulting silhouette of the drawing is turned over and painting with specialised finger paints or oil chalks is carried out by touching the tactile dots made in the centre-punching process. 

Crypto Stamp

Date of Issue : 11 June 2019

Here is an extraordinary stamp issued by Austria Post "Crypto Stamp" using the latest software technology ' Ethereum blockchain'. A collectible item for stamp collectors. It is definitely a unique item issued for the first time in the world by Austria Post. 

According to the press release, the so-dubbed “crypto stamp” is the first stamp in the world to be authenticated via blockchain technology. The postal service has reportedly issued 150,000 copies sold at € 6.90 apiece.

When purchased, the stamp set comes in two parts. As pictured below, the left part, which is stylized with a unicorn associated with Ethereum, functions as a standard stamp that can be used to send mail. The right section, on the other hand, contains the credentials used to authenticate the crypto collectible via blockchain.

Austria Post launches Crypto Stamp

Stamps go Digital

With the innovative crypto stamp, Austrian Post is for the first time offering a stamp which also exists as a digital asset (crypto collectible) in the Ethereum blockchain, and is thus breaking completely new ground.

The blockchain is a special form of decentralised immutable data storage. For this, data are not stored in a single computer centre but are distributed across many independent computers. A sophisticated mechanism ensures that completed transactions cannot be subsequently manipulated. Using the QR code printed on the stamp, the owner can look at the digital version of his/her crypto stamp in the Ethereum blockchain and then transfer it to other users.

The Crypto Stamp

The crypto stamp on the one hand comprises the physical stamp which you can remove from the mini sheet along the perforated line and use for postage like any “normal” stamp. The second part of the sheet contains (in addition to the stamp), concealed under a scratch-off layer, access data (address and private key) to a so-called wallet, a “virtual wallet”. This contains the associated digital crypto stamp. In the Ethereum blockchain everybody can see which wallet address the digital crypto stamp is assigned to. However, the identity of the owner of this wallet address is not visible.

Only the owner of the private key belonging to the wallet can access the crypto stamp. On the mini sheet this code is given in the form of a “secret word list” which is revealed after scratching off the coating on the third section. This code enables the owner to access the pre-configured wallet address and also to transfer the stamp to other wallets. Every transfer of ownership is irreversibly documented in the blockchain so that legal ownership can always be proven.

The unicorn depicted on the stamp block has a symbolic meaning: successful start-up companies valued at at least one billion US dollars are referred to as unicorns in the world of business as they are just as rare as these mythical creatures. The unicorn is also the heraldic animal used to represent the Ethereum community.

How Blockchain Will Invade Everyday Life

Austria’s crypto stamp is but a first glimpse at the future of digital property. The use case is relatively novel compared to the types of things you can do with your blockchain wallet in the future. One day it will be possible to prove ownership of a car or a right to a rental of any kind. Or perhaps the most common use will be paying tolls and transit fares.

The possibilities are endless. But the blockchain wouldn’t be nearly as interesting if it were merely one more paper-generating layer on the gears of our commerce system. Instead, blockchain offers the ability for people to retain permanent receipts. The need for multiple wallets will make itself evident when people are shuffling thousands of on-chain tokens instead of papers. The upside is clear: you’ll never lose your birth certificate again.

Silver stamps with diamonds from Nederland

 

 

Here are unique stamps to be issued by Nederland Post. The stamps are extraordinary made of pure Silver and Diamonds to attract the collectors . It’s a nice item for the collectors  of unique and extraordinary stamps.

Since April 30, 2013 Willem-Alexander is King of the Netherlands. To mark this event the Dutch Postal Authority (PostNL) together with the Royal Dutch Mint designed and produced a series of 10 legal tender stamps representing the portrait of King Willem-Alexander depicted in the format of Minted Photo Image (MPI) and 3D relief, with a rose cut diamond attached, and 9 other ruling European Monarchs. All the stamps are made of pure silver with a small diamond added.

Burgos as the Spanish Capital of Gastronomy for 2013

Here is a beautiful stamp from Spain featuring some popular dishes from Spain. Spanish cuisine  is a big tourist attraction in Spain. The stamp depicts a still-life of typical dishes such as black pudding, olla podrida, made with pinto beans, chorizo sausage and lamb, a variety of cheeses and a glass of local wine.

A jury consisting of eleven experts on gastronomy and tourism has chosen Burgos as the Spanish Capital of Gastronomy for 2013, a stamp was issued by Spanish Correos in this regard. The nomination is backed up by the prestigious US newspaper, the New York Times, which considered Burgos to be the Best Tourist Destination in Spain in 2013 and 25th in the world.

The culinary venture came into being in 2011, when the Spanish Catering Federation and the Spanish Tourism Journalists and Writers Federation decided to promote gastronomy as a tourist attraction in Spain and abroad. The award recognises that the quality of the city’s gastronomy excels in all aspects, from creative cooking to the wealth of products.

During this gourmet year there have been competitions for savoury tapas (snacks) and sweet tapas made with local liqueurs; also an artisan cheese contest, organized by the Spanish Cheese-makers’ Network, with over 150 varieties sent in from all over Spain, 24 of which were protected Designations of Origin.

The gastronomy of Burgos offers a wide range of local products that are outstanding for their quality. Therefore, it is no secret in the city that you can enjoy a tasty tapa or delicious set meal, washed down with wine from the Ribera del Duero or D.O. Arlanza.

As well as gastronomy, Burgos invites you to admire the art of its Gothic cathedral, a World Heritage Site, the arches and gates entering the old town, pedestrian streets, tree-lined walks and the most surprising spots. As for culture, there is the Museum of Human Evolution taking you on a journey to the past and the origins of man in Europe, with a display of the remains found in the archaeological site of Atapuerca.

Video Stamp from Australia Post…

 

With new technology many innovations have been made with the postage stamps. Here is the latest one from Australia Post with the most innovative idea of introducing a video stamp… Australia's mail service has injected modern technology into the simple postage stamp -- creating a "video stamp" to deliver a personal message that recipients can view on their mobile phone.

Australia Post said the Video Stamp, to be distributed for free on some parcel services in the pre-Christmas period, was the world's first to allow users to send a 15-second personalised video along with their packages.

How to use a Video Stamp

 

Australia Post has introduced a new kind of stamp: a QR code that allows you to record a personal video message to send with your package.

We're surprised, after Croatia introduced the QR code stamp last year, that the idea hasn't really taken off; after all, stamps are the perfect size and shape for the smartphone-scannable barcodes.

It's awesome to see Australia Post getting in on the action. Unlike the Croatian stamp, which was used to track the passage of your mail across the globe, though, Australia Post's version, called the Video Stamp, lets you record a video message to send with your post. You can record 15 seconds of footage up to 12 hours after you have posted your item.

When the recipient receives the package, they can scan the stamp using their smartphone to receive whatever message you want to send. If the recipient doesn't have a smartphone, they can enter an eight-digit code on the Australia Post website to view the video.

The videos can be shared via social media, so you might want to be careful about what you record, and can be viewed for three months after recording, which lowers their collectability slightly — so philatelists might find them a little disappointing.

The stamps are now available for free with Express Post and Express Courier International products and are currently undergoing a trial for the Christmas period. If they're successful, they'll be made available permanently.

Source : Crave

New extraordinary stamp from Jersey..

 

Date of Issue : 7 June 2013

Hi !

Here is a new extraordinary set of stamps issued by Jersey Post with some new features.  The stamp will be a nice collectible item for the collectors of Unique stamps. Jerse Post also issued a  Lenticular Miniature Sheet . A fast moving image of Man of Steel flies across the stamp and Miniature sheet when tilted.

Jersey Post issued a Man of Steel stamp collection to mark the film’s release. The set of six stamps feature a number of innovative production techniques, developed by Cartor Security Printing in France. Each technique pays tribute to the Man of Steel’s super powers and are brought together for the first time in one issue.

MAN OF STEEL STAMP
The 45p stamp features a close-up of Jersey’s own Henry Cavill. It also has its own superpower, triggering the augmented reality app through Smartsy. Download the free Smartsy APP and use your smartphone or device to hover over the stamp to view exclusive bonus material.

TRANSPARENT STAMP
The Man of Steel’s most famous superpower is his ability to fly, depicted here on the 55p transparent stamp that features a dramatic mid-air image.

FOIL STAMP
Featuring a dramatic image, this gleaming 60p stamp is printed on flat simili silver foiling, reflecting the Man of Steel’s incredible strength.

HEAT-SENSITIVE STAMP
The unique 68p stamp is printed with thermochromic ink; when warmth is applied, for example by holding it with your fingertips, the earth is revealed behind the Man of Steel.

GRANITE STAMP
Crushed granite taken from just one pebble on Beauport beach, which is Henry Cavill’s favourite place in Jersey, is applied to the face of each 80p thermographic stamp to give its rough, tactile finish.

GLOW IN THE DARK STAMP
Printed with glow-in-the-dark ink, the 88p stamp reveals a hidden message from the Man of Steel’s Kryptonian father, Jor-El. The words are visible only in darkness.

Jersey Man of Steel - Lenticular Miniature Sheet

A fast moving image of Man of Steel flies across the stamp and Miniature sheet when tilted.

 

Club News

ITS Postal Auction No.61 – Last Date: 6th July 2013

Complete list available at http://www.scribd.com/doc/145014408/ITS-Postal-Auction-No-61-Last-Date-6th-July-2013

Indian Thematic Society
MIG # 3464, Phase Two, Dugri Rd, Ludhiana – 141 013
Phone: +91 161 2521244 Mobile: +91 98728 51244
indianthematicstamps.webs.com/ OR itsstampnews.blogspot.com/
Emails: indianthematicsociety@gmail.com OR surajjaitly@hotmail.com

The world's first pop-up stamps from Netherlands

 

 

On 8 October 2012, PostNL issued the world's first pop-up stamps. The stamp sheet with the three-dimensional stamps on the occasion of the Children's Book Week is a world first. The special paper architecture changes the 2D character of these two stamps into 3D after pulling out the cardboard slider.

The stamps themselves as well as the front and back of the sheetlet show illustrations of plants, animals and elements that feature in the Children's Book Week Picture Book Hallo! These illustrations were made by Fleur van der Weel. On the part of the stamp that folds out, a bird and a butterfly are pictured taking flight, as it were. The trunk of an elephant and the neck of a giraffe are displayed in the horizontal area underneath.

This stamp is even more special because it can be placed upright. It is a pop-up stamp with a front and a back plus a secret inside. Thus, it was important that the design be simple for this fold-out 3D stamp. Designers Hans and Sabine Bockting laid the basis for a well thought-out concept. Fleur van der Weel was delighted to be able to receive the first copy of the stamps from the hands of Arno Bijnen of PostNL during the Children's Book Ball on 2 October.

Availability
The stamps are available  at € 5.00 per sheet at the Bruna shops, the Collect Club in Groningen and online via www.postnl.nl/collectclub. The period of validity is indefinite. The designation on these stamps is Nederland 5, which means that they are for letterbox packets weighing up to 500 grams destined for addresses within the Netherlands. In addition to the stamp sheet featuring two different stamps, a stamp booklet and a first day cover* will also be issued.

Read More…