USPS unveil holiday stamps

USPS yesterday unveiled a set of new stamps which will be released to celebrate the upcoming holidays.

A new Christmas stamp features Lorenzo Monaco’s portrait of Madonna and child and will be issued on 14th October, whilst a stamp celebrating Hanukkah will be issued a day later.

An African-American non-religious festival, Kwanzaa, which takes place from 26th December until 1st January also features on a new stamp to be issued on 16th October.

A further selection of holiday stamps arrive on 16th November, this time depicting four painted glass Santa ornaments laying upon tissue paper. A special unveiling ceremony will take place in New York on the same day.

USPS.COM
September 28, 2004

Aland unveil holiday release: Holiday issue coming shortly

Aland Post are to release their 2004 Christmas stamp on 8th October.

The stamp depicts a typically wintry scene with Santa Clause delivering presents against a snowy backdrop. Aland Post have decided to start issuing Christmas stamps each year and deemed Leif Holmqvist’s design perfect for this year’s release.

The stamp measures 35.96 x 25.73mm and will have a face value of 45 cents.

GIBBONSSTAMPMONTHLY.COM
September 25, 2004

New Stamp To Honor War Hero

The Grand Lodge of New York, Order Sons of Italy in America State President, Joseph J. DiTrapani is pleased to announce that World War II hero John Basilone will be honored with a commemorative postage stamp in 2005.

Marine Gunnery Sergeant Basilone will be one of four Marines to be honored in a USPS Distinguished Marine stamp series that will be released sometime in 2005. The other Marines are Daniel J. Daly, John A. Lejeune and Louis B. Puller.

The design for the Basilone stamp has been approved, but the date of its unveiling has not been set.

John Basilone was the only enlisted Marine in World War II to earn both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross, the nation's two highest military honors for bravery in battle. General Douglas MacArthur called him "a one-man army" for his valor in a battle with a Japanese regiment during the Battle of Guadalcanal on October 24-25, 1942.

SOUTHBAYNEWS.COM
September 22, 2004

Jersey Coral issue due out shortly

Jersey Post release the fifth issue in their Marine Life series on 28th September, this time featuring corals.

Six stamps and a souvenir make up the issue and feature the following designs:

32p - Deadman's Fingers Alcyonium digitatum
33p - Devonshire Cup Coral Caryophyllia smithii
40p - White Sea Fan Eunicella verrucosa
54p - Pink Sea Fan Eunicella verrucosa
62p - Sunset Cup Coral Leptopsammia pruvoti
70p - Red Fingers Alcyonium glomeratum
1.86p - Souvenir Sheet

The 40mm x 30mm stamps have been designed by Colleen Corlett, and a first day cover and presentation pack will also be made available.

GIBBONSSTAMPMONTHLY.COM
September 20, 2004

Crimean War heroes saluted

Six new stamps are to be issued on 12th October by Royal Mail to salute some of the heroes who fought in the Crimean War after Britain joined the fray 150 years ago.

The stamps feature the portraits of six undecorated soldiers who had their photographs taken by order of Queen Victoria. Stamp designer Ian Chivers discovered the portraits in a book entitled Crimean Heroes whilst researching the subject.

In addition to the stamps, a Presentation Pack, First Day Cover and six Postcards will also be made available.

GIBBONSSTAMPMONTHLY.COM
September 18, 2004

Sickle Cell Disease Awareness stamp to be issued by U.S. Postal Service

To raise awareness, encourage early testing, treatment, and focus attention on finding a cure, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the 37-cent Sickle Cell Disease Awareness postage stamp on Sept. 29 in Atlanta at the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America's 32nd Annual Convention.

Affecting one in 12 African Americans, sickle cell disease damages blood cells by changing smooth and round cells into sickle shapes and making them hard and sticky. This results in the blocking of blood flow and damage to organs. Complications range from intense pain to stroke or death.

Stamp illustrator and designer James Gurney of Rhinebeck, NY, created a tender image of a mother holding her baby for the Sickle Cell Disease Awareness commemorative stamp. Featuring the inscription "Test Early for Sickle Cell," the design conveys the importance of early testing. Gurney, best known for his highly acclaimed "Dinotopia" books, created fifteen U.S. postage stamps for the 1997 World of Dinosaurs commemorative pane.

USPS.COM
September 15, 2004

Austria Post salute The Herminator

Austrian skiing legend Hermann Maier will be honored by Austria Post on 25th September when they release a new 55c stamp featuring the record breaking sportsman.

Born in Altenmarkt on December 7, 1972, Maier was introduced to the world of competitive skiing by his father who ran a skiing school in Flachau. He remained relatively unknown until he made his debut at the giant slalom at Hinterstoder in 1997, but it was at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics that he really made his name.

Having suffered an horrific accident which earned him the nickname "The Herminator", Maier returned to the slope just three days later and captured the gold in the Super G, followed by Gold in the Giant Slalom. Victory in the overall World Cup later that same year capped a remarkable series of achievements for the Austrian.

Maier’s domination continued for the next three years, however he suffered major injuries in 2001 when a car crashed in to him whilst he was riding his bike. Maier was lucky not to lose a leg and fears were that his short but glittering career had come to a premature end. However, he returned in January 2003 ("Merely skiing here is a victory for me", said Maier at the time) and amazingly, won the overall World Cup in 2004.

GIBBONSSTAMPMONTHLY.COM
September 11, 2004

John Wayne hits the trail as 10th legends of Hollywood U.S. Postage stamp

An image of legendary actor John Wayne is the centerpiece of a new 37-cent commemorative postage stamp issued today by the U.S. Postal Service. The ceremony was held at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. A crowd of family members, invited guests, philatelists and tourists applauded as the 10th entry in the U.S. Postal Service's popular Legends of Hollywood stamp series was dedicated.

John Wayne remains one of America's most beloved celebrities. In November 2003, he once again commanded a top-ten spot in the annual Harris Poll asking Americans to name their favorite movie star. No other deceased star has achieved such ranking since Harris began asking the question in 1993. In a 2001 Gallup Poll, Americans selected Wayne as their favorite movie star of all time.

Artist Drew Struzan based his painting for the stamp on a black-and-white publicity still of Wayne taken during the filming of "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" (1962). In that movie, Wayne portrayed rancher Tom Doniphon. The selvage art, also by Drew Struzan, depicts Wayne starring as Ethan Edwards in the classic film "The Searchers" (1956).

USPS.COM
September 09, 2004

All downhill now for Hello Kitty: popular cartoon celebrates 30th birthday

Chunghwa Post are attempting to boost the popularity of philately among youths in Taiwan by releasing two new miniature sheets featuring the cartoon character Hello Kitty.

Hello Kitty is hugely popular throughout Asia and is celebrating her 30th birthday this year. Her image is certainly a familiar one, having adorned a huge variety of products over the years.

Two souvenir sheets, each consisting of two stamps will be released on 24th September. The first sees Hello Kitty and Dear Daniel (her boyfriend, apparently) enjoying a cup of coffee and taking a break from their hectic schedules in front of the Taipei 101 building.

The other sheet, once again features both Hello Kitty and Dear Daniel, this time feeding the birds on Fisherman’s Wharf in Danshuei.

In addition to the two sheets, a First Day Covers, special album page and folder will also be available.

GIBBONSSTAMPMONTHLY.COM
September 07, 2004

Engelbert Humperdinck honored

The writer of one of the world’s best loved operas is to be commemorated with a new stamp by Deutsche Post. Engelbert Humperdinck will be featured on a new issue which is to be released on 9th September to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the composer’s birth.

Born on 1st September, 1854 in the German town of Sieberg, Humperdinck spent much of his life teaching and conducting music, even tutoring the son of Richard Wagner. He is best remembered, however, for writing one of the most well-known children’s stories - Hansel and Gretel.

Conceived as an opera, Hansel and Gretel premiered on 23rd December, 1893 and was an instant hit. It is still one of the world’s most popular and best loved operas today. Humperdinck died at the age of 67 in Neustrelitz on 27th September, 1921.

The 46 x 27.32 mm stamps has been designed by Professor Ernst Junger und Lorli Junger and has a face value of 45c.

GIBBONSSTAMPMONTHLY.COM
September 06, 2004

Belarus to release butterflies: four species featured on new issue

Belarus are to issue four new stamps on 10th September featuring a different species of butterfly.

The four designs are as follows:

BYR 300: Euphydryas maturna
BYR 500: Pericallia matronula
BYR 800: Zerynthia polyxena
BYR 1200: Eudia pavonia

Each of the stamps measures 28 x 40 mm and have been designed by Alexander Mityanin. A special sheet and first day cover will also be available.

GIBBONSSTAMPMONTHLY.COM
September 04, 2004

Navajo Jewelry Stamp showcases artistry of Navajo Silversmiths

Featuring a striking painted detail of a Navajo silver and turquoise necklace with sand-cast "squash blossoms," the new two-cent Navajo Jewelry definitive stamp was issued on August 20 at the Americover Stamp Show in Indianapolis, IN. The stamp is part of the U.S. Postal Service's American Design series.

The stamp features artist Lou Nolan's painted detail of a Navajo silver and turquoise necklace with sand-cast squash blossoms set with polished blue turquoise nuggets. Nolan based his painting on a photograph by Peter T. Furst. The necklace itself belongs to a private collector and is believed to have been made sometime during the 1940s or 1950s.

With the issuance of the five-cent American Toleware stamp in 2002, the Postal Service launched a new series of definitive stamps featuring examples of the rich diversity of American design. The American Design series showcases objects from various regions, eras and ethnic cultures that combine utility with beauty, and function with form.

USPS.COM
September 01, 2004