This article has been UPDATED is now available on Philatelic Pursuits. Please click HERE to read it. Thank you!
Canada
Stamps of 2023: France (January 2023)
La Poste has announced its first several issues for 2023, four in January and three so far in February. The four issues scheduled for January include a total of twenty-two stamps as detailed below. Jan. 6, 2023 Between Heaven and Earth France's first issue of 2023 is a set of 12 stamps titled "Between Heaven … Continue reading Stamps of 2023: France (January 2023)
Christmas Stamps 2022: Best of the Rest
Over the past several months, I have posted about the 2022 Christmas stamps issued by 15 different postal entities. This article contains images of those that I liked the designs for but never had the time to dedicate a full blog about. If you have favorites that were not included in this year's series, please … Continue reading Christmas Stamps 2022: Best of the Rest
A Philatelist’s Tribute to QEII
I tend to wake up earlier and earlier as I become older, often just to urinate and return to bed until the alarm jars me into the shower at a more reasonable hour. Thus, it was just after three o'clock in the morning that I awoke last Thursday, the 8th of September 2022, and discovered … Continue reading A Philatelist’s Tribute to QEII
Daily Phuket #4: 26 February 2021 – Mounting the Bluenose
Today's photo may seem like a bit of a cheat but I have honestly not left my home all day. It does depict an important part of my daily life, however...stamp collecting. After teaching at school every day, something that consumes even my rare days off, most of my free time is spent either working … Continue reading Daily Phuket #4: 26 February 2021 – Mounting the Bluenose
Philatelic Pursuits: January 2015
January was yet another philatelic-filled month and I added quite a few stamps to my various collections. Most were obtained online and I made two trips to the Phuket Philatelic Museum to buy new Thai stamps. I received a flurry of postcards at the start of the month but, alas, no further Christmas cards. I … Continue reading Philatelic Pursuits: January 2015
The 12 Days Of Christmas Stamps 2014: Day 5 – Canada & The Bahamas
On 27 October 2014, Canada released three stamps portraying Santa Claus performing some of his duties and are denominated for Canadian, US and international postal rates. “In each of the three figures, the kindness and generosity of Santa emerges”, says stamp designer Hélène L’Heureux. “Whether he’s answering letters, handing out gifts, or simply expressing peace … Continue reading The 12 Days Of Christmas Stamps 2014: Day 5 – Canada & The Bahamas
A History of Christmas Stamps
The history of Christmas stamps is an interesting one as there is quite a bit of disagreement of what was the actual first stamp to commemorate the holiday. It really depends on what your definition of a Christmas stamp is. Does the mere words “Christmas” (or similar term) make it a true Yuletide emission? Or … Continue reading A History of Christmas Stamps
The 12 Days of Christmas Stamps 2013: #1, Canada (1898)
While the first postage stamps were issued in May 1840 and the sending of Christmas cards had become popular in the latter half of the nineteenth century, it wasn't until late 1898 that any mention of the Yuletide holiday appeared on a stamp. Although the controversial abbreviated form "Xmas" is prominently featured on Canada's 2-pence … Continue reading The 12 Days of Christmas Stamps 2013: #1, Canada (1898)
Postcrossing: Received Card #14
I haven't been spending much time on my stamps or postcards recently. With the end of the long rainy season, November has been a real scorcher; hot and humid is not good philatelic weather! I have also been very busy teaching -- I now have at least one two-hour lesson each and every day of … Continue reading Postcrossing: Received Card #14
Mark Joseph Jochim 