BELGIUM ~Cover - Beste Wensen 2015~

...Lovely cover showing Belgian "Best Wishes" Christmas gift stamp with nice first day cancellation!
 Thanks  a lot Johan!

Unfortunately the prices for stamps are going "once again" up in 2015... the price for standard international mail rises from €1.07 to €1.10 (within Europe) and from €1.29 to €1.32 (rest of the world).
Not so good news for us postcard collectors! ☹☹ It's becoming more and more and expensive hobby. "sigh"

Bpost issued two self adhesive stamps -
with value National and inside Europe.

SINGAPORE ~Covers~

Thanks Edna for this nice covers and for the great magnets included!!

Singapore-Brunei Joint Issue - Stamp (Issued 27-11-2012) and
Singapore Destination self-adhesive postage label, with machine code S412 from Ang Mo Kio Central Post Office.

Zodiac Series-Snake Stamps (Issued 04-01-2013) and
Commemorative stamp Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic games (Issued 14-08-2009)

AUSTRIA ~Cover~

Nice cover from Austria...Thanks a lot Edna for the "sweet" Korean magnets included!



 Stamps: Flowers (Violet) (Issued 27-04-2007) and sonderpostamt - bunch of flowers/species roses used for sending abroad (Issued 07-01-2013)

ARGENTINA ~Cover~

...Sweet postcard in a great cover!! Thanks a lot Viviana for this lovely surprise!!!
Best wishes for you too! ^__^

Stamps on the left:
Literature, Press and Comics (Newspapers & Journalists) stamp
Subject 200th Anniversary of the Gazeta de Buenos (Issued 05-06-2010)
Economy & Industry History (History of Peoples) stamp
Subject 2010 Population, Accomodation and Lodging (Issued 18-09-2010)
Argentina's Traditional Games - Bowls and "Truco".(Issued 27-10-2010)

Stamps on the right:
Couldn't find anything about the star stamp (Issued 2012)
Aviation Geography & Meteorology (Artic and Antarctica) stamp
Subject The First Argentine Landing at the South Pole 1962-2012 (Issued 03-03-2012)

SINGAPORE ~Cover~

Nice cover with three great stamps!! And thanks a lot Edna for the keychain included!!

1. Stamp Reservoirs of Singapore 2012
2. Flora and Fauna (defenitives) 2007
3. Singapore's 2012 Christmas stamp

BELGIUM ~Last Day Cover~

...Hello everyone!!
I'm happy to post this sheet...that means the world didn't end as predicted...nothing happend, we all survided "doomday december 21".:D:D Altough I never believed it and I can't understand the people who did... So let us all send lots of postcards in the future!!:D:D

"Last Day Cover" with Maya stamp, issued by the Belgian Post for there abonnees (on a limited edition of 10.000 examples)

From NASA:The Mayan calendar does not cease to exist on December 21, 2012. This date is the end of the Mayan long-count period but then -- just as your calendar begins again on January 1 -- another long-count period begins for the Mayan calendar.

SINGAPORE ~Cover~

Nice cover with sweet Christmas stamp...I can't imaging how it must feel to celebrate Christmas on a tropical island.:D Thanks Edna and for the great magnet included!

On October 17 2012, SingPost issued stamps on the four main festivals in Singapore which are: Christmas, Deepavali, Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Even though Singaporeans don’t get to experience the four seasons, much less snow, we definitely know when the season to be jolly. Christmas in the Tropics is a month-long festival that takes the carnival to the streets in Singapore’s all-year round balmy, summer heat.

AUSTRIA ~Cover~

Thanks a lot Edna for this lovely cover with special cancellation... And I do love the two magnets included in the envelope!!:D
Cancellation on 150 Death Anniversary of Johann Nestroy.

The Austrian writer, actor, singer, playwright and satirist Johann Nepomuk Nestroy (1801 – 1862) was beyond doubt one of the most significant representatives of the old Viennese popular comedy.His spontaneous improvisations in the middle of a performance were always a thorn in the censor’s flesh, since it was in this way that he was able to find a hearing for his socially critical content. Nestroy died in Graz on 25 May 1862 at the age of 61, following a stroke. Naturally, he continues to live today in his literary works.

AUSTRIA ~ Cover~

And another wonderful cover from Austria arrived today with great special cancellation... THANKS A LOT EDNA especially for the Keychain inside the envelope; the letter G!:D:D

By resolution 61/193, the United Nations has declared this year to be the International Year of the Forest. On this occasion, in cooperation with the Austrian Mint, an attractive commemorative block is being released whose round motif shows typical representatives of the flora and fauna of the Austrian forests. The aim of the United Nations here is to promote awareness and knowledge of the maintenance and sustainable development of all kinds of forests for the benefit of present and future gener.

AUSTRIA ~ Cover~

Got a wonderful cover from Austria... With inside a soooo cute spanish magnet!!
This new stamp in the "Classic Trademark" series was released on 15 February 2011.The special postmark for this new special-issue stamp "Niemetz" will be available at the special post office on the day of issue only. This stamp features the popular "Schwedenbombe" sweets. I really would like to taste those "Schwedenbombe".:D:D
THANKS AGAIN EDNA!!

Schwedenbomben are creations from Austria, and consist of glair foam and a filmy covering of bitter chocolate with and without coco crumbles. A legend tells that this kind of candy speciality was invented 90 years ago. Schwedenbomen means “Swedish bombs” in English language. It’s told that the inventors best friend was from Sweden.

BELGIUM ~Cover- Zodiac Stamp~

Found a lot great items in my mailbox today!!

Thanks to Johan I received a beautiful cover! With a stamp of the "Signs of the Zodiac", new Belgian stamps with great first day cancellations, issued on 17-01-2011! They are with extra adhesive round stickers to put in the middle of the stamp to personalize them...
And the stamp on the postcard is from a set of three famous Belgian "Writers homes" with Erasmus huis, Het lijsternet (Stijn Streuvels) and La Maison Blance also with speciale first day cancellation!
Toch nog ontvangen... Beter laat dan nooit :D:D... Heel Erg Bedankt voor deze speciale uitgiften Johan!!!


The history of the museum at the Erasmus House is closely tied in with that of the Chapter of Anderlecht (16th century). Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam stayed at this very house in 1521. The house was converted into a museum in 1932. Today, the collections (furniture, works of art, engravings, books and archives) form a unique collection illustrating assorted stages in European history : the Renaissance, the reign of Charles Quint, the Humanist movement, the flowering of printing and burgeoning religious conflict. A reading room containing one of the world's largest collections of 16th century volumes can be visited by arrangement.

ARGENTINA ~Cover~

Its so great that I met through my postcards so many wonderful new friends...
Some of "Hard-to-Get-Countries" of which I never could have dreamed to receive cards from... and now have wonderful collections.
And cards from closer to home but also speciale... I'm touched by all of you...
A BIG THANKS!! GERDA ^__^

Got a beautiful envelope from Viviana with great card. You can't find such wonderful envelopes here in my country... Love the stamps too!!


The card comes from:
"Rutas solidarios" or"Pathways of Solidarity" and it is a project of the Solidarity Network which aims to promote the development of community centers (soup kitchens, homes, gardens, schools, libraries and health centers).

ARGENTINA ~Cover~

Wow!! To find such wonderful envelope from Argentina in my mailbox today is so great ... This stamps are one of the most beautiful I ever received and with one of my favorite animals the whale!! It can't be better!! I think those stamp sheets and special label are just so nice as postcards and really interesting...
Thanks Viviana for this great surprise. :D:D

Miniature sheet of 2 of 2 designs: "Argentine Arctartica-Members of the first Argentine Polar Expedition" issued on24 september 2005 from a set of 3 sheets!
Miniature sheet of 2 of 2 designs: "Tribute to His Holiness The Pope John Paul II" issued on 23 april 2005 from a set of 3 sheets!
Stamps from a sheet of 4: "Natural Monuments" issud on 8 Juli 2006!

Since 1998, the Argentine Post adds to their shipping systems a label sticker. During the current year were put into circulation labels illustrated with the isotype of the Bicentennial of the May Revolution, accompanied by the issuance of commemorative postage stamps. And for the first time a legend is added: STOP DISCRIMINATION PREVENTION is key to HIV.

BELGIUM ~ Jean-Michel Folon~

Got this really nice items thanks to Johan from his visit to a temperorary postoffice at the La Hulpe Castle to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Folon Foundation. Even though he is a world famous artist from Belgium, I never heard of him... but I must say that I like his work very much!!
Jean-Michel Folon spent most of his childhood in Walloon Brabant and chose the La Hulpe Castle farm as the site for its artistic heritage, his personal collection of more than 300 water colors, sculptures,engravings,tapestries... Thanks a lot Johan! :-)


Stamp from a set: Bedreigde Beroepen/Métiers menacés "Before they disappear..."

"La magie de Folon"
"eau-forte et aquatinte", 1977

Jean-Michel Folon (1 March 1934–20 October 2005) was a Belgian artist, illustrator, painter, and sculptor. Folon was born in Uccle, Brussels, Belgium in 1934 where he studied architecture at the Institut Saint-Luc. In 1955 he settled in a gardener’s house in the outskirts of Paris. Over a period of five years he drew morning, noon and night. In 1985 he moved to Monaco where he worked in a large workshop surrounded by numerous artists.

BELGIUM ~ Cover- Andre Buzin~

Thanks to Johan I got a really wonderful cover today.:-)
Its from his visit to an exhibition about our well-known philatelic artist, Andre Buzin because we are celebrating the "25th anniversery of the Belgian "birds" stamps of Andre Buzin this year.
It has a great speciale cancellation and is signed by the artist himself!! Thanks a lot Johan for this unique item...



André Buzin (born 1946 in Dinant) is a Belgian artist who paints animals and flowers. He is known on the philatelic scene for the Birds series, a definitive stamp series of Belgium.

Buzin designed his first stamps for Zaire in 1984. In Africa, he also created some stamp series for Mauritania and Rwanda. Almost all depicted local animals, but he designs stamps for the 1984 Summer Olympics.

His major series have been issuing by Belgian Post. In 1984 he prepared some paintings figuring birds that were accepted by the postal authority. They became 1985 the first stamps of the Birds series, still in use more than twenty years later. Thank to this series he was awarded by about ten philatelic artistic prices in Belgium and the "Prix du Roi" in 1995.

ARGENTINA~cover~

Received a lovely surprise cover from Viviana! They can put even stamps on the back of the envelope. I don't think we can do that here in Belgium. Thanks a lot Viviana!!:-)

ARGENTINA

Received a wonderful envelope! A special relaesed stationary postcard in Argentina for one of the most important philately events this year in Antwerp (Belgium). It was in April: Antverpia 2010. Since 19990 every four years is Birdpex a gathering of collectors and collections from all over the world. Unfortunately I couldn't visit it...:-( But I'm so happy with this beautiful bird card....


The Toucan shown on the stationary postcard is known in Argentina as Arasi Chico-it is 30to33cm long. Its song is like a repetitive vocalization, rough and cavernous. It inhabits the medium and shady strata of the Misones provinde forests thickets in Argentina. It is rarely seen in nature and this justifies that special attention be given tot the conservation of this species.

I also always love all the interesting information included in the evelopes Viviana sent... GREAT!!

ARGENTINA

This time no postcard but a wonderful cover with the set of stamps from this year's UPAEP series dedicated to the national symbols. The two Argentinian stamps, issued on 27 March 2010, feature the national coat of arms and the flag. I really love these stamps!
And a beautiful song about stamps, mail.... A brochure with explaining all about the origin of both the Argentine flag and Coat of Arms. I find it all really interesting!!

The national flag of Argentina is a triband, composed of three equally wide horizontal bands coloured light blue, white and light blue.The full flag featuring the sun is called the Official Ceremonial Flag (Spanish: Bandera Oficial de Ceremonia). The flag without the sun is considered the Ornamental Flag. While both versions are equally considered the national flag, the ornamental version must always be hoisted below the Official Ceremony Flag.
The Coat of Arms of Argentina was established in its current form in 1944, but has its origins in the seal of the Sovereign General Assembly of 1813.


Argentina Post issued on March 6, 2010 a commemorative stamp depicting the logo of the bicentenary chosen in a conquest.On May 25th, 2010 Argentina will celebrate the 200 years of the revolution that opened the way to Independence. The bicentenary of “The May Revolution” will be celebrated throughout the year through various activities and ceremonies that will end at the great feast of the May 25.

A song by Maria Elena Walsh.María Elena Walsh (born February 1, 1930 in Villa Sarmiento, Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires) is an Argentine musician and writer known for her songs and books for children. (Click to enlarge :-))

UNIQUE SOUTH POLE SOUVENIR POSTMARKED AT THE PRINCESS BASE

Today is May 1 Labour Day here, everyone has a day of from work and all our shops are closed..

Finally my VERY VERY speciale ordered souvenir sheetlet arrived yesterday... And I like it a lot!! Everything about Antarctica fascinates me and I'm proud of this Belgian achievement...

On the occasion of the official opening of the new Belgian Antarctic base "Princess Elisabeth" on 15 februari 2009 the Belgian Post, in cooperation with Polar Foundation brings out a unique "Antarctic Souvenir". Pictured on it is the new Belgian station, and it is stamped (postmarked) on Antarctica at the day of the official opening. It is a limited edition!!

This Belgian project is the only polar base that runs completely on renewable energy sources. It will be a place where the impact of climate change and Antarctics impact on the global climate is studied under the leadership of Alain Hubert!(The souvenir is signed by Alain Hubert)
http://www.antarcticstation.org/



Once back in Belgium they received an extra postmark on the back side.

STAMPS ~Preserve the Polar Regions and Glaciers~

Went today to my local post office to buy new issued stamps.The sheet is looking great. There are two stamps on with a value of 1.05euro each for sending outside Europe....

I think they are a bit speciale because Belgium has over a century of tradition and expertise in polar exploration.
On the 16 August 1897 Adrien Victor Joseph de Gerlache (lieutenant in the Royal Belgian navy) and his multinational crew set sail from Antwerp to Antarctica. It was the first scientific and most cosmopolitan expedition of the Heroic Age of Antarctic explorations. Two of its members subsequently became world famous; second officer Roald Amundsen the first person to reach the South Pole in 1911 and Doctor Frederic Cook who claimed to have reached the North Pole in 1908.

In 2009 about 40 countries will issue stamps on climate change. The common theme is Preserve the Polar Regions and Glaciers. The international stamp campaign is being coordinated by Itella’s Philatelic Centre in Finland.
Each participant country will issue its stamps on its own schedule in the period January-March 2009. Each country will also decide independently on the illustration theme for its issue. A shared feature for the issues is the crystal insignia, shown on the left.