Andorra (Spanish post) 1974 - Focus

Andorra (Spanish post)

29th April 1974 - "Sculpture"
design : unknown
printer: Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre (FNMT) - Spain

Like the French post office, Andorra's Spanish post office has chosen a polychrome wooden virgin from the Romanesque period to illustrate the theme of "Sculpture".

image source Ibolli

This virgin appears on the first stamp (2 pesetas) and represents La Verge d'Ordino (The Virgin of Ordino) which is located in the church of Sant Corneli i Sant Cebrià in Ordino.  This 44-cm virgin is the smallest in the Principality and dates from the late 11th and early 12th centuries.

 image source Wikimedia Commons

The second stamp (8 pesetas) represents the Creu de les set banves [Creu dels set
braços], the seven-branched cross.

 

image source Ibolli

This Gothic cross with seven branches dates from the 16th century. It is located on the road between Prats and Meritxell. There is a legend associated with it, which you can read on the website of the Andorra Tourist Office.

Andorra (French post) 1974 - Focus

  Andorra (French post)

27th April 1974 - "Sculpture"
design & engraving : Albert Decaris
printer: Imprimerie des Timbres-poste et des ValeursFiduciaires (ITVF) - France

Andorra is rich in Romanesque churches. In 1974, the French Post of Andorra selected two "Virgins in Majesty" from this period to illustrate the common theme of "Sculpture".

These reliquary virgins were carried in procession and then placed on altars or embedded in the tympanums of churches.

 

image source Ibolli

The first stamp represents La Vierge de Pal (the Virgin of Pal, or it's exact name the Verge del Remei in Catalan) which is kept in the church of Sant Clement in Pal. This 12th century sculpture was restored in 1988. The virgin is holding an apple - symbolic of power - in her right hand.

  image source Diari d'Andorra

The second stamp shows La Vierge des remèdes de Santa Coloma (the Virgin of the Cures of Santa Coloma) from the 13th century and kept in Andorra's oldest church in Santa Coloma.

image source Ibolli

The child Jesus holds the apple in his left hand and extends his right hand in a gesture of blessing. Mary is carrying a container interpreted by tradition as the "vase of heavenly ointments".

 

 image source Wikimedia Commons

Ukraine 2026

Ukraine

Date of Issue: 10th July 2026

two stamps (A value = 1.20 USD & W value = 1.80 USD)

both stamps are issued in mini sheets of 4 stamps

NOTE 1 - A booklet of 1 souvenir-sheet of 2 stamp (A & W value) has also been issued

NOTE 2 - this block has been issued at 4'400 ex (1'700 ex as a booklet) and it's only reserved to whom subscribed to a premium subscription for all 2026 Ukrainian issues ! 

Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Date of Issue: 25th June 2026

two stamps (2x 4.- BAM) and one souvenir-sheet (2x 4.- BAM)

both stamps are issued mini-sheets of 10 stamps

NOTE : The tree motive took the second place in PostEurop's common design competition !

Best Sepac stamp 2025

Europe

We have a winner in the best Sepac stamp 2025 contest !

Malta wins for the 2nd time this contest. No more details were given by Sepac about the number of votes and so on.

 

In the past, the Isle of Man won in 2017, Guernsey won once in 2016, Greenland won once in 2013 so did Monaco in 2018. The Faroe Islands won this contest 3 times : in 2007-09, in 2011 and in 2015 so did Åland in 2014 ; in 2019 and in 2023. Malta won the first time in 2022.

NOTE - 2024 winner is unknown !

Faroe Islands 2026

Faroe Islands

Date of Issue: 22nd May 2026

one stamp (37.- DKK)

this stamp is also issued in a booklet of 4 stamps + 2 vignettes (stamps without value) - NOTE the stamps from the booklet are self-adhesive

Monaco - Sepac 2026

Monaco - Sepac

Date of Issue: 10th July 2026

one stamp (2.25 €)

this stamp is issued in a mini-sheet of 10 stamps