December 2024

1927 Strasbourg Philatelic Exhibition miniature sheet featuring the 5f. blue and 10f. red Sower stamps with central label 'STRASBOURG 1927

France – The 1927 Strasbourg Philatelic Exhibition Issue

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  The 1927 Strasbourg Philatelic Exhibition stamps and miniature sheet are among the most coveted philatelic items from France, known for their beauty, rarity, and historical significance. Issued on June 4, 1927, these stamps were created exclusively for the Strasbourg Philatelic Exhibition, marking one of the earliest instances of an organized philatelic event in France. […]

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France 1950 National Relief Fund stamp set featuring revolutionary leaders André Chénier, Lazare Carnot, Robespierre

France 1950 National Relief Fund Stamps: Revolutionary Celebrities

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  The France 1950 National Relief Fund stamps, issued on July 10, 1950, honour six key figures from the French Revolution. This semi-postal series was created to raise funds for national relief while commemorating revolutionary leaders and intellectuals. The stamps are masterpieces of engraving, featuring frames in slate-blue, and include a surcharge for the National

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France 1947 Road Maintenance Fund stamp with milestone from the Liberty Road, symbolizing Allied forces’ journey during WWII

France – The 1947 Road Maintenance Fund Stamp

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  The France 1947 Road Maintenance Fund Stamp, featuring the milestone on the Road of Liberty (La Voie de la Liberté), is a powerful tribute to the Allied forces and their monumental efforts in liberating France during World War II. This semi-postal stamp and its associated commemorative milestones mark an enduring legacy of liberation, unity,

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1945 French War Victims' Fund stamp and campaign card featuring displaced postal workers, with PTT Paris postmark and cachet

France 1945 PTT War Victims’ Fund: Iconic Stamp and Campaign Card

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  The France 1945 PTT War Victims’ Fund stamp is a semi-postal issue that holds immense historical significance. Released on May 16, 1945, it supported displaced postal employees and their families following the devastating effects of World War II. The stamp, combined with its campaign card, serves as a poignant reminder of resilience and the

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1923 Soviet Far East overprinted stamps reflecting gold currency values, including perforated and imperforate varieties

Soviet Union Far East Issues (1923): A Glimpse into Early Gold Currency Surcharges

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  In 1923, the Soviet Union issued surcharged stamps specifically for use in Eastern Siberia. These stamps, originally from the pre-Soviet Russian Empire, were overprinted to reflect values in the new gold-backed currency. This temporary measure addressed the transition period before the official implementation of the gold currency system across the Soviet Union. The surcharges

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1957 Laos Air Mail stamps featuring Buddhist almsgiving designs in perforated and imperforate varieties

Almsgiving on Laos 1957 Air Mail Stamps: A Cultural and Religious Insight

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  The 1957 Air Mail stamp series from the Kingdom of Laos offers a fascinating portrayal of Buddhist almsgiving, or Dāna (दान), a central act of humility and connection in Buddhist practice. The standout design in this series, the “Offertory,” depicts monks collecting alms, symbolizing a timeless tradition that bridges the spiritual and the secular.

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1973 UAE first definitive stamp series featuring national symbols and landmarks

United Arab Emirates: The First Definitive Issue of 1973

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  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued its first definitive series of postage stamps in 1973, just two years after the country was officially established in December 1971. This set celebrates the unity and heritage of the federation, which is composed of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi (the capital), Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and

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The Penny Blac

The Penny Black: A Revolutionary Milestone in Postal History

165 Comments / United Kingdom /

Date Issued: 1 May 1840 Catalogue Reference: Stanley Gibbons No. 1 Watermark: Small Crown Cancellation: Red Maltese Cross The Penny Black holds a special place in the history of philately as the world’s first adhesive postage stamp issued for public use. Its debut on 1 May 1840 forever changed how postage was handled, marking the

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1937 Kedah stamps featuring Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah – a royal philatelic treasure from Malaysia

Kedah 1937 Stamps: Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah

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  These striking 1937 stamps of Kedah, part of the Malaysian States issues, beautifully honour Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, the 26th Sultan of Kedah. Issued during British Malaya’s colonial era, the set depicts the Sultan in full ceremonial attire, with ornate designs and bold colours, capturing the prestige and history of his reign. A

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Russia

The Stamps of Russia’s Post Offices in the Ottoman Empire: 1865–1867

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The stamps of the Russian Levant—issued for Russian Post Offices in the Ottoman Empire—are an intriguing chapter in philatelic history. Known for their iconic ship and double-headed eagle design, these stamps hold a unique place in global postal history, symbolizing Russia’s strategic postal influence in the Eastern Mediterranean during the mid-19th century. Historical Context In

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