Monday, August 30

America-UPAEP

Europe

Did you know that the Europa stamps had a little brother on the American continent ?

Since 1989, the member countries of the Postal Union of the Americas, Spain and Portugal (UPAEP) issue the so called America-UPAEP stamps.


As the Europa stamps, each country issue a single or a set of stamps following a common theme. Each stamp bears, the word "America" and/or just the "UPAEP" logo.



Two European countries are member of the UPAEP: Portugal and Spain. Portugal took part only a few years at the America-UPAEP issues - 7 times between 1993 and 2003 as Spain is taking part non-stop since 1989.

This year's common theme is : "National symbols".

If somebody want's to swap America stamps with me for Europa stamps, don't hesitate to contact me ! :o)

Monday, August 16

European postal administration who don't issue Europa stamps

Europe

European postal administration who don't issue Europa stamps (for the moment) :

1. Alderney

Alderney is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey and its stamps are valid throughout the Bailiwick. Stamps issuing since 1983.

official website: http://www.guernseystamps.com
State website: http://www.alderney.gov.gg/stamps/

2. Mount Athos - [Hagion Oros]

In 2008 the Hellenic Postal Service started issuing postage stamps for postal use only at the two post offices of Mount Athos (Karyai and Dafni). The first set of 5 stamps was issued on May 16, 2008. The Hellenic Post issues the modern era Mount Athos stamps despite opposition from the Philatelic Federation and the Hellenic Philatelic Society.

source: Wikipedia

official website: http://www.agionorostamps.gr

3. Sovereign Military Order of Malta - [SMOM]

The stamps are issued for both postal and charitable reasons. Despite over 50 bi-lateral postal agreements the stamps are usually classed as cinderella stamps as they do not have postal validity throughout the world. Most postal agreements are with countries in which the order does charitable work.

source: Wikipedia

official website: http://www.orderofmalta.org

4. United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) - European offices in Geneva and Vienna

The idea for the UN to issue stamps originated in 1947 with José Arce the ambassador from Argentina and president of the United Nations General Assembly, who was himself a philatelist. (The League of Nations had used overprinted Swiss stamps.) The UNPA came into existence by agreement with the U.S. in 1951, soon after the UN moved into its headquarters in Manhattan. Prior to that, the UN used the facilities of the United States Post Office Department.

Ordinarily, mail must be taken to the UN offices and franked with the appropriate UN stamps. From time to time, though, by agreement with the United States Postal Service, the UNPA maintains a temporary office elsewhere, usually at stamp shows or special events.


source: Wikipedia

official website: http://unstamps.un.org
official website - Geneva: http://unstamps.un.org
official website - Vienna: http://unstamps.un.org

Thursday, August 12

Armenia 2010

Armenia

Date of Issue: 8th October 2010

one stamp (350.- AMD)


This stamp is issued in a mini-sheet of 9 stamps

Monday, August 9

1994

Europe

Issue n° 39 - 1994

"Great discoveries"

Number of countries : 49
Debuting countries : Åland, Greenland, Estonia, Latvia
Returning countries : none
Withdrawing countries : the Netherlands

Note : Albania and Gibraltar didn't use the official logo that year.

the Faroe Is., Iceland and Ireland issued a twin issue that year.



more here in the Europa stamps History - Part IV

Eurovision Song Contest 1994
Dublin (Ireland)
Winner: Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan "Rock 'n' Roll Kids" (Ireland)

my personal favorite that year: Dan Bittman "Dincolo de nori" (Romania)


Friday, August 6

1993

Europe

Issue n° 38 - 1993

"Contemporary art"

Number of countries : 45
Debuting countries : Czech Republic, Lithuania, Moldova, Slovakia, Slovenia
Returning countries : Vatican
Withdrawing countries : Norway

"In 1993, the CEPT decided to concentrate on telecommunication issues only and the Europa stamps issues coordination was transmitted to PostEurop the association of European public postal operators. Since then a new logo is in use on Europa stamps."

"That year two unofficial issues appeared. The first one from: Belarus; although the new logo was introduced that year they used the old CEPT on there stamps. The other one from the Croat post of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was the first postal administration of Bosnia to issue Europa stamps but they weren't recognized by the UPU at that time, that's why their issue is also considered as unofficial."

Note : Gibraltar and Belgium (!) didn't use the official logo that year. Albania used a logo depicting a V instead of an U which made the word Evropa. New Europa logo in use from that year.


more here in the Europa stamps History - Part IV

Eurovision Song Contest 1993
Millstreet (Ireland)
Winner: Niamh Kavanagh "In Your Eyes" (Ireland)

my personal favorite that year: Ruth Jacott "Vrede" (the Netherlands)