Poland: Postcard from Wilamowice

Wilamowice is a small town in southern Poland, situated in the Bielsko County, Silesian Voivodeship. The endangered language of Wymysorys is spoken here by about 70 native speakers, the majority of them elderly. The language was the main one of the town until the early communist period (1945–1956), when authorities repressed it. The inhabitants identifying themselves with the original culture are Wilamowiczanie.

Postcard arrived in this cover with this definitive flower stamp issued on 15.07.2016.


Thank you Paulina!

Postcrossing cover from Romania

On 24.02.2017 Romanian Post issued Postcrossing stamp, as a 14th postal administration in the world with this favorite stamp theme for us Postcrossers. This cover sent me Mihnea Raducu, whose persistence and commitment to this idea in every step of the way were crucial in bringing this new stamp to life.

Issue Date: 24.02.2017
Designer: Razvan Popescu
Process: Offset
Colours: 4
Stamp size: 48 x 33mm
Value: 4 Lei


Thank you very much Mihnea!

Another postcard from Andorra with mixed stamps

I received another postcard from Andorra with mixed stamps from two different postal administrations. This time with stamps from France and Andorra (French post). Used stamps are:

French stamp: UNESCO "Moenjodaro - Pakistan" (from set of three), issued on 15.11.1980.
Andorran stamp: Coat of arms (stone carving) at the old town hall of Andorra (from set of two), issued on 28.03.1987.

Polar regions preservation on cover from India

I received a cover from India with minisheet Preserve Polar Regions and Glaciers, issued on 19.12.2009. This is a joint stamp issue involving several countries to bring awareness to the effects of climate change. Each issuing administration was permitted to use whatever design they desired so long as it incorporated the crystal snowflake insignia. The original series was started by Chile and Finland and involved several nations with interests in the polar regions. The series ran from 2007 to 2009. Through the UPU, the series was extended in 2010 and 2011 to other nations that had not participated in the initial series.

Rest of the stamps are Samrat Vikramadittya, issued on 22.12.2016. and The 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Marudur Gopalan Ramachandran, 1917-1987, issued on 17.01.2017.


Thank you Bibhudatta!

Europa 2017 Castles on parcel from Romania

I ordered postcards from postcardsmarket.com, and they sent them in this parcel with this nice stamps used for postage, not just a R sticker like most of them. First stamp is Javan tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica), from set Recently Extinct Species, issued on 21.04.2017. Second and third stamps are complete set Europa 2017 Castles, issued on 12.04.2017. First castle is Hunyadi castle, in Hunedoara, and second is Károlyi castle, in Carei.


Thank you Mihnea!

Chinese Dinosaurs

China Post issued big souvenir sheet with six stamps dedicated do dinosaurs find in China. Referred to as a world leading dinosaur nation, China is rich in dinosaur fossils and dinosaur research has developed quickly though it started late. After nearly a century, China now leads the world in paleontological fossil discovery and research, and had named 244 species of dinosaurs by May of 2014, ranking first in the world. Sheet is issued on 19.05.2017.


Thank you Jarod!

Åland Islands: Flag card with special cancellation for Postcrossing meetup

This is my first received postcard from Flags of the World Series, with special cancellation for Postcrossing meetup held in Åland Islands on 09.06.2017. Cancellation is designed by local artist Ammi Krogius.

This triangular shape stamp is dedicated to Olympic Games in Beijing 2008, issued on 09.05.2008.

Thank you Nina!

Malaysia: F1 circuit Sepang with matching stamp

The circuit was designed by German designer Hermann Tilke, who would subsequently design F1 venues in Shanghai, Sakhir, Istanbul, Valencia, Marina Bay, Yas Marina, Yeongnam, Greater Noida and Austin. The circuit was officially inaugurated by the 4th Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Dr Mahathir Bin Mohamad on 7 March 1999. With a length of 5.543 km, the track features 15 turns and 8 straights with access speeds of more than 300km/h. The track allows ample opportunities for overtaking, to ensure a race full of suspense and thrill.

 This matching stamp is from set F1 Malaysian Grand Prix 1999, issued on 16.10.1999.


Thank you Bernard!

Switzerland: Europa 2017 Castles

I received a registered cover from Switzerland with stamp set Europa 2017 Castles. On this stamps we can Sasso Corbaro, Montebello, Castelgrande, three castles in Bellinzona.

Castelgrande – depicted on the right-hand stamp – is the oldest of the three castles and was first mentioned in 590. From 1506 it became the seat of the federal governors of Canton Uri.

Castello Montebello is the fortication in the middle. It was built towards the end of the 13th century, just as the Gotthard Pass was becoming the most important route across the Alps. It was home to the governors of Canton Schwyz.

Castello di Sasso Corbaro, shown on the left, is the smallest and newest of the three castles, but enjoys the most elevated position. In 1506 the castle fell into the hands of Canton Nidwalden and remained there until it was passed on to newly founded Canton Ticino in 1803.

This Europa stamps are issued on 11.05.2017. Other to stamps are:
Traditional Swiss Handicrafts (from set of two), issued on 05.05.2011.
DivertiMento, issued on 12.11.2015.


Thank you Mirek!

Coffee cover from India

Scented Coffee stamp in the form of Souvenir sheet was released on 23rd April 2017. The saga of Indian coffee began on a humble note, with planting of ‘Seven seeds’ of ‘Mocha’ during 1600 AD by the legendary holy saint Baba Budan, in the courtyard of his hermitage on ‘Baba Budan Giris’ in Karnataka. For quite a considerable period, the plants remained as a garden curiosity and spread slowly as back yard plantings.

It was during 18th century that the commercial plantations of coffee were started, thanks to the success of British entrepreneurs in conquering the hostile forest terrain in south India. Since then, Indian coffee industry has made rapid strides and earned a distinct identity in the coffee map of the world.

Thank you Akhil!