Saturday, July 25, 2009

Demarks Old Maps and Labels

The latest series of stamps to be issued by Post Denmark features old maps of Denmark. Originally to be released on 10 June 2009, it was delays to 17 July 2009 which coincided with the international conference on the history of cartography held in Copenhagen from 11 to 17 July 2009. The rates of these issues was also increased from what was initially expected.

Denmark 2009 Franking Labels

The series consists of four stamp issues. A 12.00 DKK stamp featuring the oldest preserved map of Denmark by Marcus Jordan from 1585. The first printed map of Denmark dating from 1570 is featured on the 18.00 DKK stamps. In 1650 Danish cartographer Johannes Mejer presented Frederik III with the map featured on the 6.50 DKK stamps. And finally, the over sized 5.50 DKK stamp features the first official map of Denmark published in 1841 by the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences.

On 10 June 2009, Post Denmark released their 2009 franking labels. The theme of these labels is Danish hydro-electricity. When ordered from Post Denmark they come as a set of four with values of 5.00, 5.50, 8.00 and 9.00 DKK. But you can also order them in any value you like from 0.25 up to 99.75 DKK. As far as franking labels go, I found the designs of these to be quite appealing.

Denmark 2009 Old Maps

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Captain Robert A. Bartlett

Canada Post issued this stamp in sheets of 16 on 10 July 2009. It commemorates Captain Robert Bartlett and the 100th anniversary of his attempt to reach the North Pole. He had accompanied Robert Peary on three attempts at the pole and it was during the third attempt that his expedition reached a latitude of 87°48' N. This was farther North than any explorer had gone before him.

Canada 2009 Bartlett

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Matariki 2009

Typically when I receive mailings from New Zealand Post they come in postage paid envelopes without stamps or cancels. But this latest mailing was stamped with and cancelled on the day of issue of the $2.00 Matariki 2009 Hei-tiki stamp issue. It was a very interesting way of marketing the issue and also very effect since here I am writing about it.

New Zealand Post Cover

Matariki 2009 - $2.00 Hei-tiki

The Māori are the indigenous peoples of of New Zealand. And this year their new year, Matariki, was celebrated on 24 June. To mark the occasion, New Zealand Post issued a set of stamps featuring various Māori hei-tiki: decorative pendants worn around the neck by the Māori. These decorative pieces have become the icons of Māori art. The hei-tiki featured on my $2.00 stamp is 160 years old and held by the Museum of New Zealand.

The stamp series consists of six self-adhesive issues, each featuring a different hei-tiki. There was also a souvenir sheet issued featuring the same six stamps in a gummed format.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009