Paul Gaugin (Bosnia-Herzegovina 2023)

Posted on October 3, 2023 by VSC

Poste Srpske issued a miniature sheet on September 29 to mark the 175th anniversary of the birth of artist Paul Gaugin. The Bosnia-Herzegovina postal agency also produced an official first day cover (shown below). The denomination of each stamp is 3.50 BAM (“Bosnian Mark”), or about US $1.88. Collectors can place orders on Poste Srpske’s website [direct link to this issue]. In the upper right you will see a small flag and the letters “Sprsi.” Click on that, and the other choice on the dropdown menu is a British flag and “English.”

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (Canada 2023)

Posted on September 22, 2023 by VSC

Updated September 27^th

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Canada Post issues new stamps to commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Survivors Circle guided stamps that encourage Canadians to reflect on the truth of residential schools

BRANTFORD, ON, Sept. 27, 2023 /CNW/ – Today, Canada Post unveiled four new stamps that shed some light on the truth and legacy of residential schools, whose impacts are still felt by Indigenous Peoples today. The stamps – being released on September 28 in connection with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30 – are the second issue in the annual series for the future of truth and reconciliation.

Featuring stark archival images of residential schools in different parts of Canada, the stamps serve as a reminder of the fear, loneliness, pain and shame experienced by generations of Indigenous children in these federally and church-created institutions. The stamp issue serves as a vehicle for truth about Canada’s residential school system to help support the process of reconciliation and, ultimately, healing.

The stamps were unveiled earlier today at the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford, Ontario. The centre was established in 1972 after the closing of the Mohawk Institute Residential School; a photograph of the Mohawk Institute is featured on the Official First Day Cover.Truth before reconciliation
Canada Post worked closely with the Survivors Circle of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation this year on its annual Truth and Reconciliation stamp issue. The Survivors Circle stressed the necessity to address the truth before Canadians can collectively work toward reconciliation. Canada Post thanks the Survivors Circle for their guidance and collaboration.

The residential schools and school residence featured on the stamps are Kamloops Residential School, Kamloops, British Columbia; Île-à-la-Crosse Residential School, Île-à-la-Crosse, Saskatchewan; Sept-Îles Residential School, Sept-Îles, Quebec; and Grollier Hall, Inuvik, Northwest Territories.

About the stamps
The stamp issue includes an Official First Day Cover (OFDC) and a booklet of eight Permanent™ domestic rate stamps. The front of the OFDC features the Mohawk Institute, in Brantford, Ontario – the first school in Canada’s residential school system. The cancel location is Ottawa, Ontario, the seat of the federal government, where policies of assimilation were created that forcibly separated Indigenous children from their families and communities.

The stamp products will be available at canadapost.ca and postal outlets across Canada beginning on September 28, to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.

The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour support to former residential school students and their families. If you require support, please call 1 866 925 4419.

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Postes Canada émet de nouveaux timbres pour souligner la Journée nationale de la vérité et de la reconciliation
Fruits d’une collaboration avec le Cercle des survivants, les timbres incitent le public à réfléchir à la vérité au sujet des pensionnats.

BRANTFORD, ON, le 27 sept. 2023 /CNW/ – Postes Canada a dévoilé aujourd’hui quatre nouveaux timbres qui apportent un éclairage sur la vérité et les séquelles des pensionnats, dont les effets sont toujours ressentis par les peuples autochtones. Les vignettes, qui seront lancées le 28 septembre en vue de la Journée nationale de la vérité et de la réconciliation le 30 septembre, constituent le deuxième volet d’une série annuelle consacrée à l’avenir de la vérité et de la réconciliation.

Présentant de sombres photos d’archives de pensionnats de différentes régions du Canada, les timbres rappellent la peur, la solitude, la douleur et la honte vécues par des générations d’enfants autochtones dans ces institutions créées par le gouvernement fédéral et l’Église. L’émission sert à raconter la vérité sur le système des pensionnats du Canada et permet ainsi d’appuyer le processus de réconciliation et, ultimement, la guérison.

Les vignettes ont été dévoilées plus tôt aujourd’hui au centre culturel Woodland de Brantford, en Ontario, qui a été inauguré en 1972 à la suite de la fermeture du Mohawk Institute; une photo de l’institution figure sur le pli Premier Jour officiel.

La vérité avant la reconciliation
Postes Canada a travaillé en étroite collaboration avec le Cercle des survivants du Centre national pour la vérité et la réconciliation, qui l’a guidée dans l’élaboration de l’émission de cette année et a souligné qu’il est nécessaire d’aborder la vérité avant de pouvoir travailler ensemble à la réconciliation. Postes Canada remercie le Cercle des survivants pour ses conseils.

Voici les résidences scolaires et les pensionnats présentés sur les timbres : le pensionnat de Kamloops, à Kamloops (Colombie Britannique); le pensionnat de l’Île à la Crosse, à l’Île à la Crosse (Saskatchewan); le pensionnat de Sept Îles, à Sept Îles (Québec); et le pensionnat Grollier Hall, à Inuvik (Territoires du Nord Ouest).

À propos des timbres
L’émission de timbres comprend un pli Premier Jour officiel (PPJO) et un carnet de huit timbres PermanentsMC au tarif du régime intérieur. Une photo du Mohawk Institute de Brantford, en Ontario, la première école du système de pensionnats du Canada, figure au recto du PPJO. Le lieu d’oblitération est Ottawa, en Ontario, là où le gouvernement fédéral a créé des politiques d’assimilation pour séparer de force les enfants autochtones de leurs familles et de leurs communautés.

Les produits philatéliques seront offerts sur postescanada.ca et dans les bureaux de poste partout au pays à partir du 28 septembre en vue de la Journée nationale de la vérité et de la réconciliation le 30 septembre.

Les survivants et survivantes des pensionnats et leurs familles peuvent accéder en tout temps à la ligne d’écoute téléphonique nationale de Résolution des questions des pensionnats indiens. Pour obtenir du soutien, veuillez composer le 1 866 925-4419.

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Canada Post to unveil four new stamps to commemorate National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

Canada Post invites you to attend the unveiling of four new stamps in connection with the

The 2022 T&R stamps

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Wednesday, September 27 in Brantford. This stamp issue is the second in the annual series in the Truth and Reconciliation stamp series.

The stamp products will be available at canadapost.ca and postal outlets across Canada beginning on September 28, to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.

WHO: Dale LeClair, Director of Northern and Indigenous Affairs, Canada Post
Heather George, Executive Director, Woodland Cultural Centre

WHERE: Woodland Cultural Centre
184 Mohawk Street
Brantford, Ont.

WHEN: Wednesday, September 27 at 2 pm

Willie O’Ree (Canada 2023)

Posted on September 19, 2023 by VSC

[This issue was confirmed October 23rd with the media advisory of the unveiling. See below. The stamp design is here.]

VSC contributor Danforth Guy reports that “Hockey pioneer and philanthropist” touted by Canada Post for a stamp will be Willie O’Ree, “the first Black man to play in the NHL. The issue date is October 30” and the first-day city will be O’Ree’s birthplace, Fredericton, New Brunswick. (He is shown on the right in 2019.) The issue was later confirmed by Canada Post.

O’Ree was born October 15, 1935, so he will be 88 when the stamp issued. He played for the Boston Bruins. (He is shown below in 1961.) His grandparents were escaped slaves who came to Canada via the Underground Railroad.

O’Ree’s numerous honors include having his jersey retired by the Bruins in 2022; the Order of Canada, the highest civilian award for a Canadian citizen, in 2008; Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2020; and a U.S. Congressional Gold Medal for his contributions to “hockey, inclusion and recreational opportunity.” O’Ree was the first player in NHL history to receive the honour. You can read more about O’Ree on Wikipedia.

The NHL produced this tribute video:

Here his speech upon induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame:

And the Royal Canadian Mint’s website has an article you may find of interest, “10 Things You May Not Know About Willie O’Ree.” We will post more information as it becomes available, although that may not be until the day of issue.

Updated October 28:
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
New stamp celebrates hockey pioneer Willie O’Ree
Stamp pays tribute to the first Black player of the National Hockey League®

EDMONTON – Canada Post issued a new commemorative stamp honouring the life and legacy of Willie O’Ree, the National Hockey League’s first Black player. The stamp was unveiled at an event Saturday in Edmonton as part of the 2023 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic weekend festivities.

O’Ree made history when he took the ice for the Boston Bruins® against the Montreal Canadiens® on January 18, 1958, at the Montréal Forum.

Following a trailblazing career, O’Ree has continued to inspire generations of Canadians, dedicating his life to promoting diversity and inclusion in hockey. His work encourages young people to follow their dreams despite obstacles or prejudice. In 2018, O’Ree was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame for his work on and off the ice, and the NHL has since created the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award in his honour.About the stamp issue
Featuring a recent photo of O’Ree wearing his signature fedora cap and an inset photo of him in action on the ice in 1960, the stamp was designed in black and yellow to mirror his uniform colours while playing with the Boston Bruins between 1958 and 1961. The recent photo was taken by photographer Philip Cheung in O’Ree’s San Diego home. [The cover of the stamp bookleet is shown on the left.] The stamp issue is cancelled in Fredericton, New Brunswick, where O’Ree was born and raised. Printed by Colour Innovations, the stamp issue includes a booklet of six Permanent™ domestic rate stamps and an Official First Day Cover.From left to right at the unveiling Saturday: Sarah Nurse of the PWHL Toronto team; Jeff Scott, Vice-President, Community Development and Industry Growth, NHL; Evander Kane of the Edmonton Oilers; former NHLers Grant Fuhr and Anson Carter; Doug Ettinger, President and Chief Executive Office, Canada Post; Brian Jennings, Senior Executive Vice-President, Marketing, and Chief Branding Officer, NHL; former NHLer Georges Laraque; and Nazim Kadri of the Calgary Flames.

Updated October 27:
From Canada Post on Friday evening: “Unfortunately, Willie O’Ree will not be attending the unveiling on Saturday, October 28.”

Updated October 23:

Media advisory: Canada Post celebrates hockey pioneer Willie O’Re

EDMONTON – Canada Post invites media to attend the unveiling of a special stamp to celebrate the life and legacy of Willie O’Ree, first Black player of the National Hockey League®.

The upcoming stamp will be officially issued on Monday, October 30, after it is unveiled on Saturday, October 28.

WHO: Willie O’Ree will be joined by family, friends, Anson Carter (former NHL® player), Brian Jennings (Senior Executive Vice-President, Marketing, and Chief Branding Officer, NHL), Jeff Scott (Vice-President, Community Development and Industry Growth, NHL), and Doug Ettinger (President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Post).

WHERE: Wayne Gretzky Ballroom
J.W. Marriott Edmonton ICE District
10344–102 Street NW, Edmonton

WHEN: Saturday, October 28, 11 am, MT

RSVP: We request that media RSVP to media@canadapost.ca to confirm attendance.

Donald Sutherland (Canada 2023)

Posted on September 19, 2023 by VSC

[This was confirmed 19 October, the day of issue. The press release is below, along with illustrations of the stamps and products.]

According to VSC contributor Danforth Guy, the clues are “‘DS’, along with a first day city of St. John, New Brunswick,” he said. “St. John, NB, is his birthplace. The issue date is October 19 for a domestic-rate (92¢) booklet of 10 self-adhesives.” The issue has not been confirmed by Canada Post.

Sutherland was born July 17, 1935, making him 88 years old now. (The photo on the left is from 2013.) His awards include an Emmy, a Golden Globe and an

Honorary Academy Award. Among his many films are “The Dirty Dozen,” “M*A*S*H” (shown on the right), “Ordinary People,” “Kelly’s Heroes” and the “Hunger Games” series. (Wikipedia’s filmography is here.)

We will provide more details as we get them, although it may not be until the day of issue.

Updated 19 December:

“I kept saying: ‘I’m a Canadian and now I’m a Canadian stamp. God damn. This is really something,” Sutherland told Canadian Broadcasting. Its main story is here. He also gave an interview to CBC Radio’s “Q” program, a summary of which is here.

Updated 19 October:

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
New stamp honours internationally acclaimed Canadian actor Donald Sutherland
The prolific performer has appeared in nearly 200 feature films and television programs over seven decades

SAINT JOHN – Canada Post issued a new stamp today commemorating the career of one of Canada’s most respected and versatile actors, Donald Sutherland.

Born on July 17, 1935, in Saint John, New Brunswick, Sutherland studied engineering and drama at the University of Toronto before moving to England to pursue his passion for acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

He appeared in stage productions and television shows, making his feature film debut in 1963 as “Tall Man in Nightclub” in The World Ten Times Over. In 1967, Sutherland starred in his breakthrough role as killer Vernon Pinkley in the classic Second World War film, The Dirty Dozen.

On the left, Sutherland is shown with Canada Post’s President and CEO Doug Ettinger and a framed stamp enlargement. Photo by Rossif Sutherland and courtesy Canada Post.

His first lead role in a major motion picture came in 1970 when he played Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce in the bitingly dark comedy, M*A*S*H. The role transformed him into a Hollywood A-lister and one of the biggest movie stars in the world. It also earned him his first of nine Golden Globe nominations.

Sutherland’s incredible talents and eclectic tastes led him to take on a broad range of roles over the course of his seven-decade career. He is known for memorable performances in a variety of films, including Klute (1971), Ordinary People (1980), Backdraft (1991), Disclosure (1994), A Time to Kill (1996), Fallen (1998), Pride & Prejudice (2005), and The Hunger Games franchise (2012-2015).

With his international success, Sutherland has remained a proud Canadian and starred in many Canadian productions, including the TV movie Bethune (1977) and the 1990 feature film Bethune: The Making of a Hero, playing legendary Canadian Dr. Norman Bethune in both.

His work in nearly 200 films and television productions has garnered him many awards, including a Genie (1983), an Emmy (1995), two Golden Globes (1995 and 2002), the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement (2000), and an Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (2017).

He has also received stars on Canada’s Walk of Fame (2000) and the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2011) and been named a Companion of the Order of Canada (2019) and a Commandeur of France’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (2012).

About the stamp
The movie-poster-inspired stamp, designed by Paprika and printed by Colour Innovations, features an image of the actor’s profile, with several of his movie titles in English and French. Cancelled in Sutherland’s birthplace of Saint John, the issue includes a booklet of 10 Permanent™ domestic rate stamps and an Official First Day Cover with an image of Sutherland as the character Sgt. Oddball in Kelly’s Heroes (1970).

The stamp and collectibles are available at canadapost.ca and post offices across Canada.

Added 21 October:
Technical Details:

Booklet of 10 stamps
Product number: 414239111
Denominations: 10 x Permanent™ (domestic rate)
Designer: Paprika
Dimensions:
Flat: 136 mm (W) X 154 mm (H)
Folded: 68 mm (W) X 154 (H)
Printer: Colour Innovations
Printing process:
Stamps side: 4 COLOUR PROCESS + 2 PMS – FIRST PASS
1 PMS + TAGGING – 2ND PASS
Cover side: 4 COLOUR PROCESS + 1 PANTONE + VARNISH
Quantity: 200,000

Official First Day Cover:
Product number: 414239131
Denominations: 1 x Permanent™ (domestic rate)
Dimensions: 190 mm (W) x 112 mm (H)
Quantity: 7,000
OFDC cancellation location: Saint John, New Brunswick

John Lewis Dedication at NYC African Burial Ground

Posted on September 11, 2023 by VSC

From the National Park Service and ESPER:

On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 11 A.M. at the African Burial Ground National Monument, 290 Broadway, New York, New York, the U.S. National Park Service in collaboration with The Black Women’s Leadership Caucus, Inc. will host a Special Dedication and Unveiling of the Forever U.S. Postage Stamp of The Honorable Congressman John A. Lewis. The stamp celebrates the life and legacy of Congressman Lewis who spent more than 30 years in Congress and a lifetime defending our democracy – our civil rights.

The Rev. Al Sharpton is our keynote speaker. The program includes the U.S. Postal Service Color Guard, a member of the Metropolitan Opera, an aspiring spoken word artist and gift bags to the first 50 guests. Stamps and other John Lewis memorabilia will be available for purchase.

The event is free and open to the public, and no reservation is required. However, “Security at 290 Broadway is airport-like; travel light, no large bags,” says the National Park Service.

Dame Shirley Bassey (UK 2023)

Posted on September 7, 2023 by VSC

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Royal Mail to Honour Dame Shirley Bassey with a Set of 12 Special Stamps

The first solo female music artist to be honoured with a dedicated stamp issue
Eight stamps in the main set capture Dame Shirley Bassey performing throughout her illustrious 70-year career, while a further four stamps, presented in a Miniature Sheet, capture her during recording sessions and rehearsal sessions
The stamps are available to pre-order now at www.royalmail.com/shirleybassey and by telephone on 03457 641 641
The stamps will be issued 21 September

Royal Mail has revealed images of 12 Special Stamps being issued to celebrate the musical icon Dame Shirley Bassey, 70 years on from the start of her career in 1953.
This is the first time Royal Mail has dedicated an entire stamp issue to a solo female music artist. Solo artists previously honoured with a dedicated stamp issue are: David Bowie (2017); Sir Elton John (2019); and Sir Paul McCartney (2021).

Eight stamps in the main set capture some of her spellbinding performances from her illustrious career:

At the Pigalle nightclub, 1965
In Bournemouth, 1974
At the BBC Electric Proms, The Roundhouse, 2009
At the Safeway Picnic in the Park, 2002
In Brighton, 1988
On a TV show, 1963
Singing ‘World in Union’ (with Bryn Terfel) during the Opening Ceremony of the Rugby World Cup, 1999
Performing during the Oscars held at the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, 2013

An additional sheet of four stamps features a beautiful selection of candid photographs taken of Dame Shirley during recording sessions and rehearsal sessions during her career.

Born in 1937 in Tiger Bay, Cardiff, Dame Shirley toured theatres and revues until she signed a record deal with Philips and scored the number one hit, ‘As I Love You’, in 1959. By the 1960s, she was an international star with numerous hit albums spanning contemporary pop, show tunes and soundtracks. Some of her greatest work was with film composer John Barry, creating the James Bond themes ‘Goldfinger’, Diamonds Are Forever’ and ‘Moonraker’, which became her signature songs.

In the 1990s and 2000s, she attracted a whole new audience, performing the official song for the 1999 Rugby World Cup with Bryn Terfel and attending the 2007 Glastonbury Festival in diamante wellington boots. She was awarded a CBE in 1994 and a DBE in 1999.

Dame Shirley Bassey said: “I am absolutely thrilled and would never have dreamed that one day my face would be on a stamp…that one day a letter might arrive and there I am, with a postmark next to me!

“It’s an absolute honour to be the first solo female artist to receive a collection from Royal Mail. The stamps are wonderful, and I hope my fans & collectors love them as much as I do.”

The pages of the Prestige Booklet

David Gold, Director of External Affairs and Policy said: “For seven decades Dame Shirley Bassey has captivated fans across the world with her distinctive and powerful voice. This stamp issue is a fitting celebration of one of the UK’s most revered and longest serving musical icons.”

The stamps are available to pre-order from now at www.royalmail.com/shirleybassey and by telephone on 03457 641 641. A Presentation Pack including all 12 stamps in the set is priced at £19.50. The stamps go on general sale on 21 September.

[VSC Notes: Bassey is now 86. The Royal Mint issued a commemorative coin in her honour earlier this year. See the photo. In addition to the stamps, other philatelic products include framed stamps signed in gold ink by Bassey herself (£249.99); various coin covers ranging from £19.99 to £750.00; a collector’s sheet, a fan sheet; first day covers; a press sheet; postcards; and various stamp sheet configurations of just the first-class stamps and just the £2 ones.]Videos:
Shirley Bassey singing “Goldfinger” in 1965:

Shirley Bassey singing “Goldfinger” in 2011:

The official first day cover

The gold medal FDC. The same design is used for all the medal covers.

The three first-day postmarks available for this issue.

The framed set of stamps signed by Bassey — £249.99

The Fan Sheet

The Collector Sheet

PostNL Celebrates Disney Centennial (Netherlands 2023)

Posted on August 29, 2023 by VSC

[from PostNL material] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
100 Years of Disney

• Date of issue: 7 September 2023
• Format: sheet of five personalised stamps in five different designs; one personalised stamp with 24-carat gold denomination 1 for post weighing up to 20g with destinations within the Netherlands
• Item number: 830062 (five stamps) and 830047 (stamp with 24-carat gold)
• Illustrations and design: The Walt Disney Company – Benelux

PostNL will release the 100 Years of Disney personalised stamps on 7 September 2023 to mark Disney’s 100th anniversary. The sheet of five stamps stars the Disney characters Snow White, Dumbo, Princess Elsa, Simba and Mickey Mouse. The denomination on these stamps is ‘1’, the denomination for items weighing up to 20g with destinations in the Netherlands. The stamps were designed by The Walt Disney Company’s Benelux creative team. A sheet of ten stamps costs €5.05.

In addition, PostNL will release a Mickey Mouse stamp with 24-carat gold (shown on the right), in an edition of 1,000 stamps. PostNL will deliver the gold stamp along with a special storage box (shown below; click here) with a certificate of authenticity. The retail price is €50.00.

The special anniversary will be celebrated by Disney in various ways, including new films, festive events, exclusive Disney 100 products and special activities in the theme parks. Brothers Walt and Roy Disney founded The Disney Brothers Studio on 16 October 1923. The company name was later changed, first to Walt Disney Productions and then to The Walt Disney Company. The media group focuses on films, music, media channels, theme parks and consumer products.

The Walt Disney Company’s foundation is the production and distribution of successful content, including classic animated films like Snow White, Bambi, The Lion King and – more recently – Frozen, Encanto and Lightyear. The company operates six theme parks worldwide (in California, Florida, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai) as well as a cruise line (Disney Cruise Line). The group includes TV channels such as ABC and Disney Channel, streaming channel Disney+, sports channel ESPN and 10 regional TV channels and 71 local radio stations in the US. A separate division deals with consumer products, merchandising and licensing, including for children’s books and comics.

The Walt Disney Company acquired the rights to Jim Henson’s Muppets in 2004. It acquired Pixar Animation Studios (known for Toy Story and Finding Nemo, among others) in 2006 and Marvel Entertainment (known for Spider-Man, X-Men and The Incredible Hulk, among others) in 2009, followed by Lucasfilm.

The 100 Years of Disney stamps feature five popular Disney characters. Each stamp features the 100 Years of Disney anniversary logo. The main characters on the stamps are from several of Disney’s classic animated films and comics. From left to right are Snow White (from the film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), Dumbo (from the film Dumbo), Princess Elsa (from the film Frozen), Simba (from the film The Lion King) and Mickey Mouse (from numerous animated films and comics).

The top sheet edge features a collage of the same images in a pattern composed of triangles, representing the facets of a diamond. The sheet edges of the stamp sheet are platinum in colour, with the typography in white. The stamps with 24-carat gold feature the same drawing of Mickey Mouse against a gold background.

“We’re celebrating our 100th birthday together with our fans,” says Roos van der Wijk, Disney’s Senior Manager Brand Partnerships & XLOB Promotions for Benelux. “There are new films coming out, concerts and all sorts of other events. All sorts of things are also happening in the theme parks, including together with the Make-a-Wish Foundation. We are also launching all kinds of exclusive products as part of 100 Years of Disney. Temporarily and in limited editions.”

Van der Wijk says everyone has a connection to Disney. “The unique storytelling, the imagination and creativity, the magic and wonder — all of this makes us have that strong connection with audiences of all ages. Whether it’s a product with a Disney character on it or a fond memory of a specific film or character, we all grew up with it.”

She says at first, just using Mickey Mouse on the stamps was considered, but instead, the five characters were chosen. “These are Disney icons, the classics that everyone knows. Timeless and with something for everyone, young and old,” Van der Wijk says. “Dumbo and Simba appeal mainly to children, while Snow White and Elsa are real power women. And Mickey Mouse is, of course, everyone’s favourite.”

The characters on the stamps span Disney’s 100-year history. The oldest is Mickey Mouse. Walt Disney came up with him in 1928 for the animated film Plane Crazy. Mickey appears in numerous cartoons, animated films and TV shows and has become a true ambassador of the Disney brand.

[The box and certificate for the gold stamp is shown on the right.]

Snow White is also from an animated Disney film titled Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The story in the 1937 film is based on the Grimm brothers’ fairy tale of the same name.

The little elephant Dumbo is from the 1941 animated film of the same name. The story is taken from Dumbo, the Flying Elephant by Helen Aberson. In this 1939 children’s book, a baby elephant learns to fly in the circus.

The lion Simba, son of lion king Mufasa, is the star of the 1994 animated film The Lion King. The great success of this film, set on the African savannah, led to several sequels and a musical, among other things.

Finally, Princess Elsa is one of the main characters from the 2013 animated film Frozen. The film builds on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Snow Queen. Frozen shows how Elsa, who possesses magical powers she cannot control, overcomes all kinds of adversities together with her sister Anna.

Technical Details:
Stamp size: 30 x 40mm (WxH)
Sheet size: 170 x 122 mm (WxH)
Paper: normal with phosphor print
Glue: gummed
Printing technique: offset
Printing colours: cyan, magenta, yellow, black and PMS gold
Print run: 5,000 sheets (sheet with five stamps)
1,000 stamps (stamp with 24-carat gold)
Format: sheet of five personalised stamps in five different designs; one personalised stamp with gold
Denomination: denomination 1 for post weighing up to 20g with destinations within the Netherlands
Illustrations and design: The Walt Disney Company – Benelux
Item number: 830062 (sheet with five stamps)
830047 (stamp with 24-carat gold)

Note: PostNL does not sell directly to collectors in North America. Its website refers to a company called Nordfirm, which says it sells Dutch new issues at face value. The Virtual Stamp Club has no connection to this company.

Paddington Bear Celebrated (UK 2023)

Posted on August 29, 2023 by VSC

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Royal Mail Celebrates Marmalade-Loving Paddington with a Set of Delightful Special StampsIssue date: 5 September

The 10 stamps also mark the 65th anniversary of the publication of A Bear Called Paddington, written by Michael Bond
Six stamps include images from Ivor Wood’s cartoon strips of Paddington from the late 1970s, while a further four stamps, presented in a Miniature Sheet capture moments from the 1970s BBC TV series, Paddington
The stamps are available to pre-order now at www.royalmail.com/paddington

Royal Mail has revealed images of 10 Special Stamps being issued to celebrate 65 years of the most beloved marmalade-loving bear – Paddington.

Six stamps in the main set are taken from Ivor Wood’s strip cartoons of Paddington, originally published in the London Evening News newspaper in the late 1970s.

In 1975, illustrator, animator, and writer Ivor Wood was instrumental in transforming Paddington from a beloved literary character into a star of the small screen. Working with animation company FilmFair, Wood designed and directed the first Paddington television series for the BBC. Four stamps presented in a Miniature Sheet capture moments from this TV series.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs and Policy, Royal Mail, said: “Paddington continues to bring cheer to generations of children worldwide. These delightful stamps will brighten up the day of anyone receiving mail with a touch of Paddington’s charm.”

Rachel Clarke, SVP Licensing and Retail UK at The Copyrights Group, said: “Paddington is a real heritage brand with a modern hero and we are delighted to be partnering with Royal Mail to celebrate 65 years since Michael Bond first introduced us to the beloved bear.”

The stamps are available to pre-order at www.royalmail.com/paddington and by telephone on 03457 641 641. A Presentation Pack including all 10 stamps in the set is priced at £17.70. The stamps go on general sale on 5 September.

About Paddington
For 65 years, British-born writer Michael Bond has delighted readers all over the world with his stories about Paddington, the bear from Peru, famous for his love of marmalade. The kindness and humour in the stories appeal to children and adults alike, ensuring Paddington’s enduring popularity from one generation to the next.

HarperCollins Children’s books have published Paddington’s adventures continuously since 13th October 1958 when, as William Collins, they first introduced A Bear Called Paddington to the world.

Since then, Paddington’s adventures have been adapted several times for television and at the end of 2014 Paddington made his debut onto the big screen, a further film “Paddington 2” followed in 2017 with a third in the works. The movies were produced by STUDIOCANAL, European leader in production, distribution and international sales of feature films and series, part of CANAL+ Group, major player in the creation and distribution of content worldwide. In 2020, a brand-new Paddington TV series designed for a pre-school audience, “The Adventures of Paddington” launched on Nickelodeon, introducing him to a whole new set of fans.

From VSC: Other products include first day covers of both the set of stamps (£13.40) and the minisheet (£8.10), each available with a choice of two different postmarks, a medal FDC (£19.99), postcards, and various sheets with some or all of the stamps.

Oisterwijk Region Featured in Nature Series (Netherlands 2023)

Posted on August 21, 2023 by VSC

[press release]
Forests and Fens with Ever-Changing Views on Ever-Changing Stamps

The Oisterwijkse Bossen en Vennen [“Forests and Fens”] are loved by nature lovers thanks to the wooded area with atmospheric fens, hidden heaths and the stream valleys of the Rosep, the Reusel and the Achterstestroom. In the series ‘Experience nature’, PostNL is today issuing a new stamp sheetlet that focuses on the flora and fauna of this varied area.

Most fens in the nature reserve date from after the last ice age. The names of some still recall their former use. This is how beer brewers cleaned their vats in the Brouwkuip. The Brandven owes its name to the extinguishing water that used to be extracted here.

Portraits of Nature
The following 10 inhabitants of this nature reserve are depicted on the stamps ‘Oisterwijkse Bossen en Vennen’: royal fern, kingfisher, water purslane, small newt, coral damselfly, black woodpecker, common frog, tufted duck, long-tailed tit and wild gale. On the sheet, the plants and animals, which are portrayed in their natural environment, each received their own stamp.

Lovely Places
It is a special area that is depicted on the stamps. Irma de Potter, forester Communication & Experience at owner Natuurmonumenten agrees. “Precisely because of the combination of forests, fens, streams and heaths. The variety is great, you always come across a different view. It is beautiful to see a forest reflected in a fen. There are lovely spots, such as along the Rosep stream, which regained its natural course 10 years ago. You have everything here for which people like to come to nature.”

Quiet Autumn Days
The stamp sheet ‘Experience nature – Oisterwijkse Bossen en Vennen’ is a design by graphic designer Frank Janse from Gouda. He chose photos that were mostly taken on a nice quiet autumn day, towards nightfall. Janse: “Then the sun is low, which can create all kinds of shades that you would otherwise never see. Just look at the color palette of the brown frog, there is little brown about it. The choice of color also took into account previous issues in the series ‘Experience nature’. Each stamp sheet in this series must be unique, also in the use of colour.”

In or Near the Water
Most animals and plants on the stamp sheet can be found in or near the water, in the fens, but also on the banks of the streams in the nature reserve. “You can spot the kingfisher there, for example, because it prefers running water,” says Janse. “Of course the forests have not been forgotten. For example, the stamp sheet shows the black woodpecker carving a nest in trees. And the royal fern that grows beneath it.”

Availability
The stamp sheet ‘Experience nature – Oisterwijkse Bossen en Vennen’ has 10 stamps in 10 different designs, with the value indication Nederland 1, intended for mail up to and including 20 grams with a destination within the Netherlands. The stamps will be available from August 14, 2023 at the Bruna stores and via the webshop. The stamps can also be ordered by telephone from the Collect Club customer service on telephone number 088 – 868 99 00. The period of validity is indefinite. The price per sheet with 10 stamps is € 10.10.

Typically Dutch: Mudflat Walking (Netherlands 2023)

Posted on August 21, 2023 by VSC

[press release]
Seemingly Randomly Scattered Footprints on Waddenpostage Stamps

The last stamp sheet of this year was published 14 August in the series ‘Typisch Nederlands’. In 2024, PostNL will continue this popular series with even more typically Dutch subjects. This multi-year series started in 2020 and this year was devoted to various sights that are important and typical of the Netherlands. The Dutch Wadden Sea is central to the latest PostNL stamps.

In the Netherlands, we mainly know the Wadden Sea from the Wadden Sea, a nature reserve that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The name Waddenzee was first used in the early 20th century for the northern part of what was then still called the Zuiderzee.

Sole and Heel
Typical of the mudflats is that at low tide it is possible to walk on the seabed. As an organized form of exercise and relaxation, mudflat walking dates from after 1945. The ‘Typisch Nederlands – Wadden’ stamp sheet contains illustrations of iconic forms of footprints, constructed from the sole and heel of a shoe. Complete footprints are depicted on each stamp and footprints that continue on the other stamps and to the sheet edge.

Visible Evidence
The seemingly randomly scattered footprints are grouped in a fixed pattern across the stamps. The stamps for 2023 from the multi-year series ‘Typisch Nederlands’ were designed by Total Design from Amsterdam, just like the previous editions. All stamp sheets feature iconic shapes that would most closely match the landmarks. For the mudflats these have become footprints, the visible proof that mudflat walkers have passed by. A typical shell shape has also been added to the footprints.

Exciting Illustration
Senior graphic designer Adam Lane of Total Design came up with a somewhat chaotic pattern because the bottom of the mudflats actually looks like this when mudflat walkers have walked on it. The pattern continues on the sheet edge, only on the right side of the sheet the shell seems to be just out of place. “This is how we break the pattern to make an exciting illustration of the whole thing,” says Lane. “This is done more subtly than on the other stamp sheetlets in the series. The pattern of the footprints is already irregular enough.”

Rising Water
According to fellow designer Edwin van Praet at Total Design, it is not only the form that dominates on the stamp sheet, there is also a substantive aspect to the choice of this design concept with iconic shapes and patterns. “With these stamps you can see that the footsteps, despite the fact that they seem to run together, still go in the same direction. You have to, because one of the most important agreements when walking on the mudflats is that you stay together as a group. And follow the guide’s directions to avoid being surprised by the rising water.”

Availability
The stamp sheet ‘Typisch Nederlands – Wadden’ has 6 stamps in 6 equal designs, with the value indication Nederland 1, intended for mail up to and including 20 grams with a destination within the Netherlands. The stamps will be available from August 14, 2023 at the Bruna stores and via the webshop. The stamps can also be ordered by telephone from the Collect Club customer service on telephone number 088 – 868 99 00. The period of validity is indefinite. The price per sheet with 6 stamps is € 6.06.