Category Archives: 2019 New Issues

First Black Mailman (Canada 2019)

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[press release]
Canada Post issues stamp honouring postal pioneer
Albert Jackson regarded as the first Black letter carrier in Canada

TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2019 /CNW/ – Tomorrow, Canada Post will issue a stamp honouring Albert Jackson, thought to be the first Black letter carrier in Canada. Jackson earned his appointment to the civil service in 1882, but faced racism from his colleagues, media and members of the public as he pursued what ultimately turned out to be a successful 36-year career with the postal service.

“Albert Jackson’s determination opened the doors for many Black Canadians to enter the postal service,” says Ann Therese MacEachern, Chief Human Resources Officer at Canada Post. “His courage laid the foundation for the diverse workforce we have at Canada Post today.”

Originally from Delaware, Jackson was born into slavery. He was just a toddler when his mother, Ann Maria, fled the United States with seven of her children. She made the daring escape after her two eldest sons had been sold. The family arrived in Toronto via the Underground Railroad in 1858 and settled in St. John’s Ward, near Osgoode Hall.Growing up in Toronto, Jackson was able to pursue his education and, as an adult, he competed for and won a position as a letter carrier in 1882. However, when he reported for work his co-workers refused to train him and he was assigned a lower job as hall porter. After political pressure, particularly from Toronto’s Black community, and intervention from Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald, Jackson was soon out walking his delivery route in Harbord Village, where a laneway has since been named after him.

The stamp comes in a booklet of 10 (right) and is available at canadapost.ca and at postal outlets across Canada.

Evolution of the Postal Agency (Netherlands)

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[press release]
Postage stamps illustrate 220 years
From a traditional postal service to a logistics e-commerce service provider

The Hague, 24 January 2019. All local postal services in our country were nationalised in January 1799, 220 years ago. PostNL, the successor to these postal services, honours this special jubilee with the issuance of the 220 Years of Postal Service postage stamp sheet.

Three-dimensional effect
The 220 Years of Postal Service postage stamp sheet combines the classic PTT red with dark blue and two shades of orange. A striking UV coating was applied as an extra layer. The shimmer creates a festive, but also three-dimensional effect.

From conveyor belt to festive garland
The designers, Haico Beukers and Marga Scholma from Haarlem, illustrated the postal company’s history on the postage stamp sheet, based on the movement volume of letters and parcels. Marga Scholma: ‘You can also view the design as a conveyor belt in a sorting centre, which moves the post from left to right. I know that the flow is, in fact, separate, but as a designer, you have some leeway. The alternating use of colour and the block pattern on the postage stamp sheet also makes it look like a festive garland. After all, a jubilee gives cause for celebration.’

Proud of the history
Stephan van den Eijnden, Commercial Director of PostNL, is just as proud of the new postage stamp as he is of the company’s history. ‘Of course, so much has happened over 220 years. Our company’s name has also undergone frequent changes: from Post & Telegrammen in 1799 to the current PostNL. But, regardless of our name, we want to continue to be valuable to our customers. This also applies now that PostNL is transforming from a traditional postal service into a postal and logistics e-commerce service provider.

Availability
The 220 Years of Postal Service postage stamp sheet consists of 2 stamps with 2 designs, all marked with Nederland 1, the denomination for mail weighing up to 20 g destined for the Netherlands. The stamps are available as of 24 January 2019 from the post office counter in Bruna stores and online via www.postnl.nl/bijzondere-postzegels. You can also order the stamps by phone from the Collect Club customer service on telephone number +31 (0)88 – 868 99 00. The validity period is indefinite.

Queen Elizabeth II (Canada 2019)

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[press release]
Canada Post issues new stamp for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Issue continues more than a century of royalty featured on Canadian stamps

[New variety in Spring 2020; see below]

OTTAWA, Jan. 14, 2019 /CNW/ – Canada Post issued a new stamp paying tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, bearing a 2017 photo of the Queen taken in Portsmouth, England, by Chris Jackson. Queen Elizabeth II has appeared on Canadian stamps since the coronation issue was released in May 1953 – and was also featured on several stamps while still a Princess during the reigns of both King George V and King George VI.

Designed by Steven Slipp, the back of the booklet bears a photo of Her Majesty wearing the Canadian Maple-leaf brooch during her 2010 Royal Tour of Canada, a piece of jewelry worn during royal tours to Canada by several generations of women in the Royal Family.

The booklet of 10 stamps and the Official First Day Cover (OFDC, below) are available at canadapost.ca and at postal outlets across Canada. The OFDC was cancelled in Ottawa, Ontario.

Updated April 24, 2020 from Details magazine:

Now available is a limited run of the 2019 booklet of 10 PermanentTM stamps featuring Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, without the security feature underprint on the reverse under the adhesive.

A new philatelic article number was created for the reprint of the 2019 Queen booklet of 10 (411242210). Collectors with a standing order for reprints will automatically receive this booklet of 10. The stamp design has not changed. Note that the C is NOT underlined on booklets that DO NOT have the security feature underprint.

Legends: Children’s Authors (Australia 2019)

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[press release]
Children’s authors honoured in this year’s Australia Post Legends Awards

Five of Australia’s exceptional storytellers for young people will be honoured in Australia Post’s 2019 Legends Awards, which celebrates their significant contribution to Australian children’s literature.

The 2019 legends — Mem Fox AM, Morris Gleitzman, Leigh Hobbs, Alison Lester and Shaun Tan — will each have their portrait featured on new postage stamps which will form part of the 2019 Australian Legends of Children’s Literature stamp issue.

Australia Post Executive General Manager Community & Consumer, Nicole Sheffield, said these outstanding individuals have been recognised for their part in shaping the social and cultural life of Australia.

“This year’s recipients are celebrated authors who create impactful stories that children and adolescents love and remember,” Ms Sheffield said.

“I really cherished reading stories to my children when they were small, and now enjoy seeing them explore new perspectives and ideas with books as they’ve gotten older.

“These authors hold a very special place in the bookshelves of many Australian families, and we’re excited to celebrate their achievements with this new stamp release,” said Ms Sheffield.

Now in its 23rd year, the Australia Post Legends Award celebrates living Australians who have made a unique contribution to the nation through their field of endeavour, inspiring the community and influencing the way Australians think about themselves and the community.

Past recipients include Sir Donald Bradman, Dame Joan Sutherland, Barry Humphries, Sir Gustav Nossal, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, Cate Blanchett, Stephanie Alexander, Rod Laver and Bert Newton. A complete list of recipients can be found at auspost.com.au/legends.

The 2019 Australia Post Legends will be honoured at official Australia Day Council events hosted in Melbourne and Sydney, with the first luncheon taking place in Melbourne today. Each Legend will be presented at the luncheon with a 24-carat-gold replica of the stamp on which they are represented.

The 2019 Australian Legends of Children’s Literature stamp issue comprises of five $1 stamps, a first day cover, stamp pack, maxicard set, five booklets of ten $1 stamps, and a booklet collection pack.

The stamps and associated products are available at participating Post Offices, via mail order phone 1800 331 794, and online at auspost.com.au/stamps from 17 January 2019 while stocks last.

From Far And Wide (Canada 2019)

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[press release]
From Far and Wide returns
Nine more stamps celebrating coast-to-coast-to-coast splendor

This series continues to invite Canadians to seek out this country’s most picturesque places.

Canada Post has issued the second set of stamps in the multiyear From Far and Wide series – its name inspired by a line in the lyrics of “O Canada” – that promises to take Canadians on an armchair journey to some of the most breathtaking and memorable must-see locations.

The nine definitive stamps, smaller stamps used mainly for mailing, cover off the new 2019 postal rates with five domestic-rate Permanent™ stamps, as well as stamps bearing U.S., International and Oversized rates, plus the single-purchase $1.05 rate. The 2019 edition of the stamp series offers fascinating views of the following destinations:

  • Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon
  • Athabasca Falls, Jasper National Park, Alberta
  • Quttinirpaaq National Park, Nunavut
  • Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
  • Little Limestone Lake Provincial Park, Manitoba
  • Castle Butte, Big Muddy Badlands, Saskatchewan
  • Smoke Lake, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario
  • Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec
  • Iceberg Alley, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador

The Permanent domestic stamps are available in booklets of 10 (two of each image) and coils of 100, while the U.S.-rate, Oversized-rate and International-rate denominations are available in booklets of six and coils of 50. The issue also includes a souvenir sheet and several other formats for collectors, as well as an Official First Day Cover, cancelled in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, the location featured on one of the Permanent stamps. The issue was designed by Stéphane Huot of Montréal and printed by the Lowe-Martin Group.

Year of the Pig (Canada 2019)

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[press release]
Canada Post unveils the Year of the Pig stamps

Canada Post invites you to greet the Year of the Pig a little early with the unveiling of this year’s two-stamp issue, the 11th in its most recent series honouring the Lunar New Year, on Thursday, January 17, 5:30 pm, at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto.

WHAT: Unveiling the Year of the Pig stamps

WHERE: Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto
Johnny K. H. Fong Multi-purpose Hall
5183 Sheppard Avenue East, Scarborough

WHEN: Thursday, January 17, 5:30 pm

Updated January 22nd:

[press release]
Canada Post celebrates the Year of the Pig
Lunar New Year stamps feature character from famous Chinese novel

MARKHAM, ON – Canada Post rings in the Lunar New Year with a two-stamp issue on January 18, the 11th in its current 12-year series. In honour of the Year of the Pig, the stamps feature Zhu Bajie, or Pigsy, a character from the celebrated 16th century Chinese novel Journey to the West.

“Canada Post is proud to join Canadians of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and other East Asian heritage celebrating the Lunar New Year,” says Jo-Anne Polak, Vice-President, Communications and Public Affairs at Canada Post. “Since this annual issue kicked off with the Year of the Ox stamp in 1997, it has only grown in popularity.”

Designed by Albert Ng and Seung Jai Paek of Albert Ng and Associates, the Year of the Pig issue offers Permanent™ domestic- and international-rate stamp booklets plus:

  • a traditional gummed pane of 25 domestic-rate stamps, featuring four Chinese blessings; and
  • philatelic collectibles including an unsealed international-rate Official First Day Cover (OFDC), suitable for use as a “money envelope” in traditional gift-giving. [shown

The Year of the Pig begins on February 5, 2019, and ends on January 24, 2020. Those born under the sign are said to be frank, trusting, compassionate, diligent and determined.

The stamps and related collectibles are available at canadapost.ca and at postal outlets across Canada.

Updated January 30th:

In response to an email query from The Virtual Stamp Club, Canada Post says there are significant differences between the Permanent sheet stamp and the Permanent booklet stamp: “The stamps on the panes are both foiled and embossed. The stamps in the booklet are not.”

Also, there is not a separate “OFDC” for the international-rate stamp: The souvenir sheet includes that stamp and rate, so it covers (sorry!) that. “Note that the international-rate stamp in the souvenir sheet is foiled and embossed, while the international-rate stamp in the booklet is foiled but not embossed.”

Year of the Pig (Australia 2019)

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[press release]
Australia Post celebrates the Year of the Pig
Issue Date: 8 January

To celebrate the Year of the Pig 2019, Australia Post is releasing two commemorative Lunar New Year stamps – the 12th and final stamp to complete the current Lunar New Year 12-design series.

With the edition featuring the Chinese calligraphic character for the Pig in the $3 stamp and its pictorial representation with floral inlay in the $1 stamp, Australia Post designer Dani Poon said the stamps give everyone the opportunity to send wishes of good fortune to family and friends, both here and overseas.

“The Pig minisheet design shows that in ancient times a Chinese family home only seemed complete when it included a pig, because the Pig’s plump appearance was seen as a symbol of happiness and plenty. We can see this in the fact that the Chinese calligraphic character for “family” incorporates characters for ‘roof’ and ‘pig’”.

Those born under the Pig sign are known to be kind, patient and empathetic, making them suited to a career as a teacher, doctor, vet or social worker. The Pig’s lucky flower is marigold; lucky colours are yellow, grey, brown and gold; and lucky numbers and 2, 5 and 8.

Famous people born in the Year of the Pig include Alfred Hitchcock, Julie Andrews, Hillary Clinton, Lisa McCune, Dannii Minogue and Adam Gilchrist.

A highlight of the stamp issue is the zodiac sheetlet, which completes the Lunar New Year series. In this issue, the zodiac stamps feature graphic illustrations of each Chinese Zodiac animal with an equivalent Australian animal according to Chinese legends and Aboriginal Dreamtime stories. Australia Post is also releasing a special joint sheetlet pack with China Post. Other products associated with this stamp issue include a first day cover, stamp pack, silk minisheet pack, postcards, international and domestic postage-paid envelopes, Happy New Year postal numismatic cover, Dragon postal numismatic cover, medallion cover, prestige booklet featuring stamps from the zodiac sheetlet, and a Lotus sheetlet pack.

The Lunar New Year: Year of the Pig 2019 commemorative stamp issue is available from 8 January at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at auspost.com.au/stamps, while stocks last.

Texel (Netherlands 2019)

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[press release]
Focus on nature and architecture on own stamp of Texel

The Hague, 2 January 2019. The Dutch Wadden Islands are the theme of the well-known stamp series ‘Beautiful Netherlands’ in 2019. Today the first stamp sheet from this series was published, with ample attention for the nature and architecture of Texel. Later this year PostNL will publish stamps about Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland, Schiermonnikoog and a collection sheet about the 5 islands. Scenic beauty
The series ‘Beautiful Netherlands’ has been focusing on local history, cultural wealth and scenic beauty since 2005. The new series this year about the Dutch Wadden Islands was designed by Birza Design from Deventer.

Recognisable Texel images
The island form plays a key role in the design of ‘Beautiful Netherlands 2019’: Texel’. This is evident for the map of Texel, which the designers have placed on a small scale on the stamps and on a large scale on the stamp sheet. The stamps show recognisable Texel images: the lighthouse of Eierland, the iron sea cape near the village of Oosterend, a Texel sheep pen and a Texel lamb. The typical form of the island is also depicted in other ways in the design. For example, the font of the captions is a so-called case letter, consisting of elements which are independent of another.

Rightful pride
Almost all used photos are from a working visit to Texel by the graphic designers Ingmar and Carla Birza in the sunny summer of 2018. Carla Birza describes Texel as “a very special island of which the inhabitants of Texel are rightfully proud. For example, the undulating roads on the Hoge Berg through the garden walls, the special vegetation of the Slufter where the sea enters the land, the clay pits with water where the sheep can drink. Or the slightly elevated church in Den Hoorn, which you can clearly see from almost all sides in the flat farmland.”

Availability
The stamp sheet ‘Beautiful Netherlands 2019’ Texel’ contains five of the same stamps marked with the value ‘Nederland 1’, intended for items up to 20g in weight for delivery in the Netherlands. The stamps are available at the PostNL locations on the island of Texel from 2 January 2019 and online through www.postnl.nl/bijzondere-postzegels. The stamps can also be ordered by phone from the Collect Club customer service, please phone +31 (0)88 – 868 99 00. The validity period is indefinite.

Mammals (Netherlands 2019)

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[press release]
Spotting wolves on stamps

The Hague, 2 January 2019. The wolf has returned to the Netherlands! Not only in the border region with Germany, but now also on new stamps about mammals in our country. They will be published today by PostNL, as the first issue of the second volume from the series ‘Experiencing nature’.

Portrayed mammals
In the Netherlands more than 100 mammal species live in the wild. Ten mammal species play a main role on the stamps: wild cat, Geoffroy’s bat, wolf, grey seal, stoat, polecat, European otter, fox, badger and rabbit. Each of the 10 portrayed mammals has its own stamp on the sheet, with images of the animals in their natural environment.

Sensory and associative
The stamps have been designed by graphic designer Frank Janse from Gouda. The sensory and associative aspects of the experience of nature are highlighted in his concept. Janse: ‘Mammals are the most pettable, recognisable and intelligent animals we know. However, they also have nails, teeth and spines. I wanted to show this contrast, because these animals also have a dark side. Whether they are a predator or a prey animal. For example, think of the fear the wolf causes. and how people are terrified by flying bats. This is because we cannot predict their behaviour.’

Beauty of nature
With the new stamps PostNL pays tribute to the diversity of nature in our country. “It’s much greater than we sometimes realise at first,” according to Stephan van den Eijnden, PostNL’s commercial director for Mail. ‘This is also evident on the new stamp sheet, with beautiful photos of the 10 mammals. What I also particular like are the almost transparent images of 7 other mammals on the sheet. Try to find them, you will see them quickly.’

Buiten-Beeld
Later this year PostNL will publish another 3 stamp sheets for the series ‘Experiencing nature’, with a main role for exotic plants (25 Februari), butterflies (11 June) and trees and leaves (16 September). All photos on the stamps come from Buiten-Beeld, the Dutch image database for nature photography. In shops an individual stamp sheet ‘Experiencing nature’ costs € 8.70. The price for the full series is € 34.80, including a storage folder.

Moon Landing (U.S. 2019)

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This issue was finally announced by the USPS on March 20th. No date of issue was given. The first landing on the moon occurred on July 20, 1969.

[press release]
U.S. Postal Service Unveils
1969: First Moon Landing Forever Stamps WASHINGTON — In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing on July 20, 1969, the U.S. Postal Service is pleased to reveal two stamp designs commemorating that historic milestone. Additional details are coming about the date, time and location for the first-day-of issue ceremony.

One stamp features a photograph of Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin in his spacesuit on the surface of the moon. The image was taken by astronaut Neil Armstrong. The other stamp, a photograph of the moon taken in 2010 by Gregory H. Revera of Huntsville, AL, shows the landing site of the lunar module in the Sea of Tranquility. The site is indicated on the stamp by a dot. The selvage includes an image of the lunar module.

Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp art.

Further updates will appear below.

Updated March 29th:
These stamps will be issued Friday, July 19th in Cape Canaveral, FL.

Updated June 1st:

[press release]
U.S. Postal Service Issuing 1969: First Moon Landing Forever Stamps

What: The U.S. Postal Service is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 and man’s first steps on the Moon with two Forever stamps.

The stamp dedication ceremony is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtags #MoonLandingStamps or #AstronautStamps.

Who: Thomas J. Marshall, General Counsel and Executive Vice President, United States Postal Service and Dedicating Official

Steven W. Monteith, Vice President, Marketing, United States Postal Service

Col. Robert D. Cabana, Director, John F. Kennedy Space Center, NASA

Russell L. (Rusty) Schweickart, former NASA astronaut and scientist, NASA

When: Friday, July 19, 2019, at 11 a.m. EDT

Where: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Space Commerce Way
Merritt Island, FL

RSVP: Dedication ceremony attendees are required to RSVP at usps.com/moonlanding.

Background:
On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin achieved something that had long been confined to the realm of science fiction when they landed a spidery spacecraft named Eagle on the Moon. A worldwide audience watched and listened when Armstrong stepped onto the Moon’s surface and famously said, “That’s one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind.”

On the 50th anniversary of this first Moon landing, two stamp designs commemorate that historic milestone. One stamp features Armstrong’s iconic photograph of Aldrin in his spacesuit on the surface of the Moon. The other stamp, a photograph of the moon taken in 2010 by Gregory H. Revera from his home in Madison, AL, shows the landing site of the lunar module, Eagle, in the Sea of Tranquility. The site is indicated on the stamp by a dot. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamps.

The 1969: First Moon Landing stamps are being issued as Forever stamps. Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

From the June 6th Postal Bulletin:

On July 19, 2019, in Cape Canaveral, FL, the United States Postal Service® will issue the 1969: First Moon Landing stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in two designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 24 stamps (Item 479100). The stamps will go on sale nationwide July 19, 2019, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The 1969: First Moon Landing pane of 24 stamps may not be split and the stamps may not be sold individually.

On the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing on July 20, 1969, the Postal Service™ is pleased to issue two stamps commemorating that milestone in history. One stamp features a photograph of Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin in his spacesuit on the surface of the moon taken by astronaut Neil Armstrong. The other stamp, a photograph of the moon taken in 2010 by Gregory H. Revera from his home in Madison, AL, shows the landing site of the lunar module in the Sea of Tranquility. The site is indicated on the stamp by a dot. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp art.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 479100, 1969: First Moon Landing (Forever Priced at the First-Class Mail Rate) Commemorative Pane of 24 Stamps: Stamp Fulfillment Services will make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices of a quantity to cover approximately 30 days of sales.

Special Dedication Postmarks must use this design:

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office™ or at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – 1969: First Moon Landing Stamps
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by November 19, 2019.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: 1969: First Moon Landing Stamps
Item Number: 479100
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 24 (2 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: July 19, 2019, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Typographer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Existing Photo: NASA photo taken by Neil Armstrong
Existing Photo: Gregory H. Revera
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 24
Print Quantity: 60,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Overall
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in./21.336 x 36.068 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in./24.892 x 39.624 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.6 x 8.5 in./193.04 x 215.9 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 22.8 x 25.5 in./579.12 x 647.7 mm
Plate Size: 216 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: 1969: First Moon Landing
• Plate number in bottom two corners of pane
Back: ©2019 USPS • USPS logo • 2 barcodes (479100) • Plate position diagram • Promotional text

Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.97″x1.45″ The B&W pictorial measures 2.98″x1.36″ The special postmark for use by local post offices measures 2.64″x0.88″

Updated June 22nd:

Canada is issuing its own Moon Landing anniversary stamps on June 27th, commemorating Canada’s contribution to the effort. The designs will not be released until the first-day. What we know is here.