As in Moldova and Russia, Christmas in Belarus often takes second place to New Year’s Eve celebrations, a holdover from Soviet times when ideology demanded the abandonment of “Western” and religious holidays. However, Belarus does have a historical connection with Christmas, and the observance has become increasingly popular. Even if New Year’s is the bigger … Continue reading Happy New Year 2023: Belarus
first day covers
Happy New Year 2023: Russia
№ 2022-121/5 -- November 7, 2022 № 2022-122/5 -- November 7, 2022 № 2022-123/5 -- November 7, 2022 In Russia, New Year is a a much bigger holiday than Christmas. Since Christmas in Russia falls on January 7, most people work until December 30 without any particular interruptions, except for New Year corporate parties – … Continue reading Happy New Year 2023: Russia
Postcrossing Topical Catalogue 2011-2022
Welcome to my updated catalogue of Postcrossing-themed stamps, issued between 2011 and the present 2022. This covers mainly those stamps officially released by postal administrations around the world. There are also a number of personalized stamps on this topic, some official but most privately created as well as a large variety of pictorial cancellations and … Continue reading Postcrossing Topical Catalogue 2011-2022
Introducing ‘MY COLLECTIONS’
Earlier this week, I launched a new blog which I call MY COLLECTIONS. It is based on an idea that I had while on Greeting Duty one morning (it's a fairly mindless task and my thoughts tend to meander between my wai'ed "Good Mornings"). Basically, I have long wanted to just share images of collectibles … Continue reading Introducing ‘MY COLLECTIONS’
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
A Philatelist’s Tribute to 9/11
Tuesday, the 11th day of September 2001 means many different things to many different people. For me, it evokes a number of strong memories. I consider there to be several powerful connections between myself and 9/11. First, I associate it with the death of both my mother and a favorite cousin. My mother passed away … Continue reading A Philatelist’s Tribute to 9/11
Philatelic Pursuits: April 2015
Another month gone and this one went by very quickly indeed! I was on holiday for much of April due to the Thai New Year (Songkran) occurring mid-month and my language school students canceled most of their lessons in order to enjoy the nationwide bout of laziness. Even my local postman took a couple of … Continue reading Philatelic Pursuits: April 2015
Happy Valentine’s Day 2015
Muang Phuket Local Post: New Issue — 180 Years of Thai-American Friendship, 11 December 2013
In 1818, a merchant ship from the very young United States of America first arrived in the ancient Kingdom of Siam in the first recorded contact between the two nations. The ship carried a letter of greeting from U.S. President James Monroe. Christian missionaries soon arrived, becoming the first Americans to settle in the … Continue reading Muang Phuket Local Post: New Issue — 180 Years of Thai-American Friendship, 11 December 2013
Muang Phuket Local Post: New Issue — The Gettysburg Address 150th Anniversary, 19 November
Tuesday, 19 November 2013 is the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln's famous two-minute speech given at the dedication of the National Cemetery at the famous Pennsylvania battlefield. Muang Phuket Local Post (MPLP) will join in this commemoration by issuing a single 25-satang artistamp, imperforate and ungummed, in sheets of fifteen (three rows … Continue reading Muang Phuket Local Post: New Issue — The Gettysburg Address 150th Anniversary, 19 November
Mark Joseph Jochim 