Jim Henson, Muppets, get stamps of approval

Jim Henson and his beloved Muppets were immortalized on United States postage stamps today in Los Angeles at the Academy of the Television Arts and Sciences, the same organization that bestowed several Emmy Awards upon the extraordinary artist and visionary, and also inducted him into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.

The first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Jim Henson: The Man Behind the Muppets commemorative stamp sheet coincides with the 50th anniversary of Henson's most famous Muppet, Kermit the Frog, who emceed the event. The 11 stamp pane of 37-cent First-Class stamps is available in North Hollywood, CA, today and nationwide tomorrow.

USPS.COM
September 28, 2005

S.A. woman creates postage stamp

The U.S. Postal Service recently unveiled the new "Let's Dance Bailemos!" postage stamps to honor Hispanics during Hispanic Heritage Month. The postage stamps celebrate four popular Latin dances: Merengue, Salsa, Mambo and the Cha-Cha.

But local Hispanic entrepreneur Elizabeth Avelar thought the U.S. Postal Service overlooked other aspects of Hispanic culture by commemorating only Latin dances. To bring attention to the entrepreneurial spirit that thrives in the Hispanic community, she created a postage stamp to commemorate Hispanic entrepreneurs.

The stamp, named "Mi Negocio," meaning "My Business," has been approved for official U.S. postage and is the first to honor Hispanic entrepreneurs.

SANANTONIO.BIZJOURNALS.COM
September 28, 2005

Luxembourg unveil new issues

Luxembourg Philatelic Office release their fourth issue of 2005 on September 27 in the shape of three new sets of stamps.

The butterflies issue consists of three designs featuring different species – the Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), the Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) and the Chalk-Hill Blue (Lysandra coridon).

A booklet of eight stamps entitled 'Colors of Luxembourg' will also be made available, focusing upon a variety of landscapes found in the country and their contrasting shades.

To complete the release, three stamps depicting famous figures from Luxembourg's history will also be issued. Those adorning the stamps are: philanthropist Jean-Pierre Pescatore (1793-1855) and the writers Marie-Henriette Steil (1898-1930) and Marcel Reuland (1905-1956).

GIBBONSSTAMPMONTHLY.COM
September 27, 2005

Let's get ready to rumble!

Hungary Post issue a new stamp on September 26 to commemorate this year's Wrestling World Championship.

Taking place in the Papp Laszlo Sportarena between September 26 and October 2, over 500 competitors will be taking part in Graeco-Roman, freestyle and women's wrestling events. A first day cover will also be made available and special postmark used depicting different images, which capture the essence of the sport.

GIBBONSSTAMPMONTHLY.COM
September 26, 2005

Postage stamp will honor Mickey Mantle

Iowa Baseball great Mickey Mantle will be honored on a postage stamp.

The stamp bearing a likeness of the New York Yankees star will be issued in 2006 as part of a "Big Hitters" series.

Other stamps in the series will honor Roy Campanella of the Brooklyn Dodgers and Mel Ott of the New York Giants.

Marv Diemer, a former state legislator from Cedar Falls, has been pushing for the Mantle stamp since 2001.

Using a directory of baseball players, he wrote to retired major leaguers seeking their support.

Diemer says he got letters of support from a wide range of people, including the vice president of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York and several of Mantle's teammates on the Yankees.

WSTM.COM
September 25, 2005

Delayed Muppet stamps due out soon

The much anticipated Muppet stamps will finally be issued on 28 September by USPS in order to coincide with what would have been creator Jim Henson's 69th birthday.

The stamps were due out in March, but much to the frustration of Muppet aficionados around the world the release date was postponed until September. Fans of the popular puppets will now be able to personalize their mail with their favorite character, with thirteen Muppets including Kermit, Fozzie, Miss Piggy, The Swedish Chef, Animal, and Gonzo appearing on eleven different stamps.

GIBBONSSTAMPMONTHLY.COM
September 23, 2005

Austria Post honors Niki Lauda

Austria Post issued a new stamp on September 13 to honor Formula 1 racing legend Niki Lauda.

Andreas Nikolaus Lauda was born in Vienna on February 22, 1949, and to his family's displeasure, became interested in motor racing at an early age. He began with touring car racing, and then, from 1971 to 1972, took part in his first Formula 1 races in a March Ford, switching to BRM from 1976 on. It was during this time that he learned much about the cars, acquiring the huge specialist knowledge about the suspension and adjustment of the racing cars that was to benefit him so much at Ferrari.

When Enzo Ferrari made his acquaintance, he was so impressed by the young man that he offered him the opportunity of a lifetime – to drive for Ferrari. In 1975, of 13 starts, Niki Lauda finished twelve times, winning 5 of the races and grabbing his first Formula 1 World Championship title in the Ferrari 312T.

It was in 1976, at the Nurburgring that one of the most dramatic accidents in Formula 1 history occurred. The Ferrari crashed into a rock wall, collided with a number of other cars, the petrol caught fire and the car began to burn. Just in time, Lauda, unconscious, was dragged from the wreck with extremely serious burns to his skin and lungs. That he survived was due to his incredible will and the best of nursing care, and only 6 weeks later he was to be found back at the wheel of a racing car at Monza.

After his second World Championship in 1977, he had differences of opinion with Ferrari and switched to Team Brabham. In 1979, Niki Lauda left Formula 1 and, with two aircrafts, founded his own airline, Lauda Air. He was back in Formula 1 in 1982, driving for McLaren, and 1984 saw the pinnacle of his racing career with his third World Championship title. The following year he finally ended his motor racing career and turned his whole attention to his business, although he acted as part-time consultant to Ferrari in the 1990s, and as racing manager at Jaguar in 2001-2002.

STAMPNEWS.COM
September 20, 2005

Let's Dance

Kicking off National Hispanic Heritage month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15, the U.S. Postal Service dedicated the Let's Dance/Bailemos stamps, which brings to life four sassy Latin dances: the Salsa, Cha-cha-cha, Mambo and Merengue.

The official first-day ceremonies were held in New York City at the Copacabana nightclub and in Miami at the Coconut Grove Expo Center. The 37-cent Let's Dance/Bailemos commemorative stamps are available nationwide today.

STAMPNEWS.COM
September 17, 2005

New U.S. Silver Coffeepot stamp is collectors' cup of tea

Featuring a simple and elegant illustration, the new three-cent Silver Coffeepot definitive stamp was issued today at the MILCOPEX Stamp Exhibition in Milwaukee, WI. The stamp is part of the U.S. Postal Service's American Design postage stamp series.

"We are very excited about adding this beautiful silver coffeepot stamp to our American Design series," said David Failor, U.S. Postal Service Executive Director of Stamp Services. "It's another wonderful example of American craftsmanship that reflects the spirit of our country."

The stamp, illustrated by freelance artist Tania Lee, features a watercolor and gouache painting of a pear-shaped silver coffeepot with a carved wood handle. It was made circa 1786 in Philadelphia and acquired by The Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1986.

USPS.COM
September 16, 2005

Estonia continue Churches series

Estonia Post continue their Churches series with the release of a new stamp commemorating St Catherine's of Karja, a beautiful church situated on the western Saaremaa Island.

The towerless church was built in the late 13th century and features attractive Scandinavian architecture. The stamp is issued on 20 September along with a first day cover.

GIBBONSSTAMPMONTHLY.COM
September 15, 2005

Belarus to issue chess stamps

Belarus release a new set of stamps on 23 September themed around the enduringly popular game of chess.

Two stamps and a variety of sheets and booklets will also be made available.

GIBBONSSTAMPMONTHLY.COM
September 12, 2005

Celebrating Greta Garbo

The United States Postal Service will introduce a Greta Garbo stamp Sept. 23 at Scandinavia House in New York, in a joint issue with Sweden's national postal carrier, which will hold a ceremony the same day in Stockholm.

Sept. 18 is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Garbo, and the stamp is just one part of a celebration planned by New York's American-Scandinavian Foundation. Fans can also catch the exhibition "Garbo's Garbos" and the film series "Forever Garbo," both at Scandinavia House. The exhibition, on view from Sept. 17 to Nov. 12, includes posters and other memorabilia, as well as 90 original portraits from the enigmatic actress's private collection. The film retrospective features 14 films, from early Swedish and silent movies to Hollywood blockbusters like "Mata Hari" and "Anna Christie."

NYTIMES.COM
September 09, 2005

Postal Service issues new stamp promoting Child Health

In a move to raise awareness of critical child care issues, the Postal Service dedicated the "Child Health" commemorative postage stamp today at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

The 37-cent social awareness stamp was designed to remind Americans that regular medical checks, proper use of car seats, a balanced diet and regular exercise are key to ensuring a healthy child's future.

The stamp, available nationwide today, comes at an appropriate time as next month has been designated as Child Health Month by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the year 2005 is designated "The Year of the Healthy Child" by the Surgeon General.

USPS.COM
September 08, 2005

Aus Post issue more Treasure from the Archive

Aus Post continued their "Treasure from the Archives" series with the issue of a new stamp on September 6. The stamp features the design of the 20 shilling stamp as it appears on a sheet held in the National Philatelic Collection.

The stamps were originally released in 1888-9 marking the New South Wales Centennial and are widely regarded as the world's first commemoratives as they feature the inscription "100 Years". They helped form an issue, which consisted of eight stamps, five of which were designed by winners of a public competition held by the NSW government, led by Premier Sir Henry Parkes.

Hannah Mattner, who also designed the first in the Treasures from the Archives series and the Royal Tour Jubilee issue is responsible for producing the stamp. A first day cover, stamp pack, sheet and maximum cards are also available.

GIBBONSSTAMPMONTHLY.COM
September 06, 2005

Spain release a self-adhesive of 'The Mailman'

On September 1, 2005 Spain released a self-adhesive of "The Mailman", honoring those who cross the streets of Spanish towns and cities delivering the mail. The blue and yellow colors of the Spanish postal institution are respected; as too are the mailmen and women who are today considered heroes.

The role of women in Spain's postal profession greatly increased after the approval of the Spanish Constitution. In 1979, the Law of Bodies of Post office and Telecommunication took affect. It guaranteed that all Spaniards could work in both the Post Office and Telecommunications industries without fear of sex discrimination. At the present time, this applies to the 34,000 people who comprise Spain's Postal industry."

STAMPNEWS.COM
September 04, 2005

China celebrate 100 years of cinema

China has honored movie stars Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Chow Yun-Fat in a commemorative stamp collection marking 100 years of Chinese cinema.

Hong Kong actor Chow, who has been focusing on his Hollywood career, said he is pleased by his selection.

"It's been a long time since I had a Chinese-language movie shown in the mainland, but everyone still remembers me," said Chow.

The stamps also salute famous Chinese films including "Fists of Fury," "Hero," "Farewell My Concubine" and "Infernal Affairs."

SEATTLETIMES.COM
September 02, 2005