Canada-USSR Hockey Summit (Canada 2022)

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We had some questions about this issue. Canada Post’s answers are at the bottom of the page. [click here]

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Stamp celebrates the shared experience millions of Canadians had watching Team Canada’s epic Summit Series victory 50 years ago
Special video also released with prominent Canadians sharing their Summit Series memories

Issue date: 21 September 2022

OTTAWA – Canada Post today marked the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series with a stamp that celebrates the experience that millions of Canadians shared in as they watched an unprecedented clash of hockey titans – and Team Canada’s dying-seconds victory in Game 8 – on television.

The stamp’s design, depicting a faceoff in the frame of a 1970s-style television, recalls Canada glued before its TV screens as our best professional hockey players went up against the Soviet Union’s national team for the first time. For nearly a month, Canadians rode an emotional roller coaster together, from confidence to sobering defeats.

Canada Post has also released a special video in which several prominent Canadians recall their experience and the impact it had on the country. They include:

  • Television journalist Lisa Laflamme
  • Retired television journalist Peter Mansbridge;
  • Sports broadcaster Pierre Houde;
  • Paralympian Rick Hansen;
  • Montreal Gazette editorial cartoonist Terry Mosher (a.k.a. Aislin),
  • Five-time women’s world hockey champion France Saint-Louis;
  • Scientist and broadcaster David Suzuki;
  • President and CEO of Historica Canada Anthony Wilson-Smith; and
  • Canada Post President and CEO Doug Ettinger.


On September 28, 1972, an estimated 13 to 15 million Canadians (out of 21 million) tuned in for that decisive game. They watched in their living rooms and panelled basement rec rooms. They watched in bars and Royal Canadian Legion Halls. They watched in factories and offices. They lined up shoulder to shoulder in front of televisions on sale in department stores. Schoolchildren watched on boxy TVs on stands wheeled into their gymnasium or classroom. Businesses closed to let employees watch.

With a mere 34 seconds left in the game, Paul Henderson scored the series-winning goal. He later said, “When I saw it go in, I just went bonkers.” So did the country.

Booklet Cover

About the stamp issue
The Summit Series stamp was designed by Jim Ryce, and illustrated by Gary Alphonso of Toronto. The illustration is inspired by a faceoff between Team Canada’s Phil Esposito (7) and a Soviet player in Game 3 at the Winnipeg Arena on September 6, 1972. The stamp issue is cancelled in Winnipeg. Printed by Lowe-Martin, the stamp issue includes a booklet of 10 Permanent™ domestic rate stamps and an Official First Day Cover. Stamps and collectibles are available at canadapost.ca and postal outlets across Canada.

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Le timbre sur la Série du siècle rappelle l’expérience des millions au pays qui ont regardé la victoire d’Équipe Canada il y a 50 ans
Une vidéo spéciale a également été publiée avec des personnalités canadiennes partageant leurs souvenirs de la Série du siècle</em

Jour d’emission: 21 Septembre

OTTAWA – Postes Canada a souligné aujourd’hui le 50e anniversaire de la Série du siècle de 1972 par un timbre rappelant l’expérience vécue par des millions de personnes au pays qui ont regardé à la télé un affrontement sans précédent de géants du hockey – et la victoire d’Équipe Canada dans les dernières secondes du huitième match.

Le motif du timbre, qui illustre une mise au jeu dans le cadre d’un téléviseur des années?70, rappelle comment tout le Canada avait les yeux rivés sur l’écran alors que nos meilleurs hockeyeurs professionnels affrontaient pour la première fois l’équipe nationale de l’Union soviétique. Pendant près d’un mois, la population est passée par toute la gamme des émotions, de la confiance arrogante à la tristesse des défaites.

Postes Canada a également publié une vidéo spéciale dans laquelle plusieurs personnalités canadiennes se souviennent de leur expérience et de l’incidence de cet événement sur le pays. Les voici :

  • Lisa LaFlamme, téléjournaliste
  • Peter Mansbridge, téléjournaliste à la retraite
  • Pierre Houde, commentateur sportif
  • Rick Hansen, athlète paralympique
  • Terry Mosher (alias Aislin), caricaturiste, Montreal Gazette
  • France Saint-Louis, cinq fois championne du monde de hockey féminin
  • David Suzuki, scientifique, animateur de télévision
  • Anthony Wilson-Smith, président et chef de la direction d’Historica Canada
  • Doug Ettinger, président-directeur général de Postes Canada


Le 28 septembre 1972, entre 13 et 15 millions de personnes (sur 21 millions) se sont réunies dans leur salon ou leur sous-sol pour regarder la partie décisive. Elles l’ont aussi regardée dans les bars, les salles de la Légion royale canadienne, les usines et les bureaux. Elles se sont entassées devant les téléviseurs en vente dans les grands magasins. Les élèves l’ont regardé sur des téléviseurs installés au gymnase ou dans la salle de classe. Les commerces ont fermé pour permettre au personnel de voir la partie.

À seulement 34 secondes de la fin de la rencontre, Paul Henderson a marqué le but qui a donné la victoire au Canada. Plus tard, il a dit : « Quand j’ai vu la rondelle toucher le fond du filet, j’ai eu un choc. » Le Canada aussi.

Booklet Cover

À propos du timbre
Le timbre de la Série du siècle a été conçu par Jim Ryce et illustré par Gary Alphonso de Toronto. L’illustration s’inspire d’un affrontement entre Phil Esposito (7) d’Équipe Canada et un joueur de l’équipe soviétique lors du troisième match à l’aréna de Winnipeg, le 6 septembre 1972. Imprimée par Lowe Martin, l’émission comprend un carnet de 10 timbres PermanentsMC au tarif du régime intérieur et un pli Premier Jour officiel oblitéré à Winnipeg. Les timbres et les articles de collection sont en vente sur postescanada.ca et dans les comptoirs postaux partout au pays.

Canada Post answers questions from The Virtual Stamp Club community

Q: Why is the emphasis in the stamp design and the Official First Day Cover on television, not the hockey games?

A: We issued the Summit Series stamp issue to celebrate the shared experience of millions of Canadians who watched Team Canada’s Summit Series victory 50 years ago. When we mark a major milestone through our national stamp program, we try to identify and amplify a specific piece of the story.

For the 1972 Summit Series we decided to focus on what was happening back in Canada instead of focusing on the actual hockey. The stamp features a television set with an accurate illustration on the screen.

Q: Why is Phil Esposito’s jersey number 7 clearly shown, but the Soviet player is not identified?

A: The focus on Esposito was an artistic decision, as the stamp was presented from the perspective of the Canadian viewer and focuses on the Canadian experience.

Q: Is the Soviet player Vladimir Petrov?

A: The stamp illustration was inspired by game play between Phil Esposito (7) and Viktor Kuzkin (19), Game 3, Winnipeg Arena, September 6, 1972.

AFDCS Honors 3 For Service

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[Press Release]
AFDCS Gives Top Honors to Three: Litvak, Thompson, Fall

The American First Day Cover Society has given its top honors to three of its long-time leaders, Michael Litvak of California, Mark Thompson of Tennessee and Tris Fall of Pennsylvania.

Litvak, who recently stepped down for health reasons after more than 31 years as Executive Vice President, was named an Honorary Life Member, the first person to receive the society’s highest award in 13 years. In addition to serving in that post, Litvak had also chaired the AFDCS Fundraising Auctions, helping bring them to a new level of funding for the organization, and is a founding member of one of the most active chapters, the Claude C. Ries Chapter #48 in Southern California. Until recently, the former public schoolteacher was Ries Chapter President. [Photo: Litvak at Americover 2017]

Litvak also served on the AFDCS Board of Directors for many years, was president of the American Ceremony Program Society (another AFDCS chapter), and has written dozens of articles for the AFDCS journal, First Days.

Thompson and Fall received the Distinguished Service Award for their meritorious service to the AFDCS. Thompson is currently AFDCS Treasurer and has been the advertising manager for First Days for the past nine years. The treasurer position is normally an auditor, but in the dark days following the sudden death of executive director Douglas Kelsey, Thompson was instrumental in reconstructing and restructuring the society’s financial records and accounts.

As advertising manager, he cleared up and collected thousands of dollars in past-due accounts, to the point where, today, no advertisers are in arrears beyond the current cycle. His exhibit “Women of the Black Heritage Series” has won gold medals and proven to be a crowd-favorite with nine most-popular awards at national shows. [Photo: Thompson mounting his exhibit at the Great American Stamp Show/Americover in 2022]

Tristram R. Fall III is an attorney in Philadelphia. “Tris” was advising the AFDCS on legal matters regarding intellectual property — one of his specialties — even before he became General Counsel in 2014. He writes or examines all contracts involving the AFDCS. In addition, when necessary, he acts as parliamentarian for AFDCS meetings and is a member of the Bylaws Committee. His wide-ranging collecting interests include the U.S. Bicentennial, aviation, and space.

“Being the attorney for a stamp society isn’t a flashy post, but oh so necessary in this litigious age,” said AFDCS president Lloyd. A. de Vries. “Tris has helped keep us out of trouble.” [Photo: Fall at Americover 2015]

DSA recipients are chosen by a vote of past DSA recipients. Honorary Life Memberships are recommended by the Honors and Awards Committee (currently chaired by James Tatum, Jr.) and confirmed by the Board of Directors.

The AFDCS publishes an award-winning bimonthly journal, First Days, handbooks, catalogues, and directories, produces video presentations on Zoom and makes them available on its YouTube Channel, and advocates for first day cover collecting and exhibiting. The AFDCS also is a co-host of the Great American Stamp Show, which next will be held August 10-13, 2023, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Memberships start at $24 a year (without printed copies of First Days). For more information on the AFDCS, visit its website www.afdcs.org, email afdcs@afdcs.org or write to the society at Post Office Box 246, Colonial Beach, VA 22443-0246.

Canadian Stamps on the Passing of Queen Elizabeth?

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In a response to an inquiry from The Virtual Stamp Club, Canada Post hints that stamps honoring Elizabeth are likely. Here is the reply received Wednesday evening from Lisa Liu:

“Canada Post has been honoured to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s remarkable life and connection to Canada through our national stamp program.

“Since 1935, when young Princess Elizabeth was first featured on a stamp, Canada Post has featured Queen Elizabeth II on more than 70 Canadian stamps. Over the years, stamps have been issued to commemorate milestones, historical events, and Royal Tours to Canada.

“The first time Queen Elizabeth II appeared as Queen on a Canadian stamp was in May 1953, more than a year after She ascended the throne on February 6, 1952. Throughout her unprecedented reign, stamps were issued to celebrate her Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilee, as well as a special stamp in 2015 when she became Canada’s longest-reigning sovereign, surpassing her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria.

“To celebrate Her Majesty’s 70-year reign, Canada Post issued the Platinum Jubilee stamp in February 2022. This stamp is the final one to bear an image of Queen Elizabeth II issued by Canada Post and remains available for sale at post offices and online. It features The Queen’s profile based on a sculpture created by Arnold Machin, O.B.E., R.A. While the image has been used consistently in British and other Commonwealth stamps since 1967, the Platinum Jubilee stamp marks the first time the Machin profile was used on a Canadian stamp.

“Any future stamp issues related to the change in Sovereign will be reviewed by the Canada Post Stamp Advisory Committee and production will follow our detailed process. This process will take time, but plans are already underway. We look forward to sharing details in the future.

“For more details on the Platinum Jubilee stamp and other commemorative stamps featuring Queen Elizabeth II, you can visit this site [Canada Post Magazine].”

Emphasis added.

VSC has the press release and large images of the stamp and products here.

First Nations Honor Queen Elizabeth II

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Not surprisingly, all three are Inter-Governmental Philatelic Corporation clients. Surprisingly, it took six days for these stamps to be announced. However, note that Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea and Grenada are all members of the British Commonwealth. Here’s the press release:

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Elizabeth II: The British Queen Dies At 96
Nations Around the World Honor the Memory of Queen Elizabeth II on Postage Stamps

New York, September 14th, 2022 | IGPC is pleased to release the recently approved stamp images honoring Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Visuals of the official postage stamps In Memoriam of the Queen from the nations of Grenada, Papua New Guinea and Tuvalu are attached. We anticipate the release of additional Nations, which will be shared soon.

On 8th September 2022, Her Majesty the Queen, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and a symbol of stability died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The Queen’s death comes seven months after she marked the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, a milestone achievement in her remarkable life.

At the very young age of 25, Queen Elizabeth II ruled seven Independent Commonwealth Nations making her the World’s longest reigning monarch since her coronation in 1953. Throughout her many decades on the Royal Throne, the Queen has witnessed major political change and engaged some of the most influential World Leaders, including thirteen United States Presidents.

Nations around the world have traditionally honored and paid tribute to the Queen throughout her beautiful life. Now Government Postal Authorities represented by IGPC mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and honor her life and legacy with new official postage stamps. Of the first nations around the world to honor the Queen after hearing the sad news of her passing are the Caribbean Island Nations of Antigua & Barbuda, Grenada, St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, the Pacific Island Nations of The Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, the Central American Nation of Guyana and the African Nation of The Gambia.

Stamp collectors and enthusiasts will be sure to add these significant stamps to their collection and are able to purchase these stamp sheets from the local Post Offices of the issuing government or from their local stamp dealer. Additionally, stamps are available directly from the IGPC website at www.igpc.com.

Royal Mail Guidance after the Queen’s Death

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Royal Mail issue guidance on stamps and postboxes

Following the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II, Royal Mail has confirmed that stamps bearing the image of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II remain valid for use.

These include Definitive stamps – regular ‘everyday’ stamps – and Special Stamps. As previously announced, following the introduction of barcodes to everyday stamps, these stamps remain valid until the end of January 2023.

All Special Stamps that have already been announced will be issued, although the launch dates of some may change.

In line with past practice, following the death of a monarch all existing post boxes will remain unchanged. Post boxes already in production or being prepared for installation, will also retain the insignia of Queen Elizabeth II.

A gallery of GB stamps on which The Queen featured is available on the RM website: A life in stamps.

No further announcements on stamps will be made before the funeral, and then only at the appropriate time, after consultation with Buckingham Palace.

U.S. Scott Catalogue Update (September 2022)

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5703 (60¢) Mariachi – Guitarist and Moon
a. Imperforate
5704 (60¢) Mariachi – Guitarist and Sun
a. Imperforate
5705 (60¢) Mariachi – Violinist and Sun
a. Imperforate
5706 (60¢) Mariachi – Bass Guitarist and Sun
a. Imperforate
5707 (60¢) Mariachi – Trumpet Player and Sun
a. Imperforate
b. Horiz. strip of 5, #5703-5707
c. Imperforate horiz. strip of 5, #5703a-5707a

5708 (60¢) Pete Seeger
a. Imperforate

5709 (60¢) Buzz Lightyear – Head in Profile
a. Imperforate
5710 (60¢) Buzz Lightyear – Standing With Legs Visible
a. Imperforate
5711 (60¢) Buzz Lightyear – Running
a. Imperforate
5712 (60¢) Buzz Lightyear – Standing, Feet Not Visible
a. Imperforate
b. Vert. or horiz. strip of 4, #5709-5712
c. Imperforate vert. or horiz. strip of 4, #5709a-5712a

5713 National Marine Sanctuaries pane of 16
a. (60¢) Balloon fish
b. (60¢) Red-footed boobies
c. (60¢) Humpback whale
d. (60¢) Sea stacks
e. (60¢) Mallows Bay-Potomac River Marine Sanctuary at sunset
f. (60¢) Farallon Islands
g. (60¢) Elkhorn coral
h. (60¢) Hawaiian monk seal
i. (60¢) Queen angelfish
j. (60¢) Sea otter
k. (60¢) Young rockfish exploring reef
l. (60¢) Atlantic sea nettle
m. (60¢) Sea lions
n. (60¢) Sand tiger shark
o. (60¢) Corals and fish, Rose Atoll
p. (60¢) Ice on shoreline of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
q. As #5713, imperforate
r. As #5713a, imperforate
s. As #5713b, imperforate
t. As #5713c, imperforate
u. As #5713d, imperforate
v. As #5713e, imperforate
w. As #5713f, imperforate
x. As #5713g, imperforate
y. As #5713h, imperforate
z. As #5713i, imperforate
aa. As #5713j, imperforate
ab. As #5713k, imperforate
ac. As #5713l, imperforate
ad. As #5713m, imperforate
ae. As #5713n, imperforate
af. As #5713o, imperforate
ag. As #5713p, imperforate

Het Loo Palace (Netherlands 2022)

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[from press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Het Loo Palace

Appearance: 10 personal stamps in 10 different designs, marked with ‘1’, the denomination for items up to 20g in weight destined for delivery in the Netherlands
Design: studio026, Velp
Photography: Het Loo Palace
Item number: 820058With the Het Loo Palace issue, PostNL highlights the reopening of Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn this year after a thorough renovation. The stamps focus on the personal rooms of queens who lived and worked in the palace. The stamp sheet comprises ten personal stamps in ten different designs. Each stamp is marked ‘1’, the denomination for post weighing up to 20g sent to an address within the Netherlands. The design of Het Loo Palace was created by studio026 in Velp.

The ten stamps included in the Het Loo Palace stamp sheet feature cut-outs of colour photographs of the following 5 rooms in the palace:

  • Mary Stuart’s bedchamber
  • Sophie of Württemberg’s dressing chamber
  • Emma of Waldeck-Pyrmont’s sitting room
  • Wilhelmina of Orange-Nassau’s sitting room and
  • Juliana of Orange-Nassau’s bedroom.

Each room is featured on two stamps, one with an overview picture and one with a detail picture. The details depicted are

  • a flower holder (Mary)
  • a mirror (Sophie)
  • a clock (Emma)
  • a table centrepiece (Wilhelmina) and
  • a suitcase (Juliana).

The overview picture and detail picture are placed alternately above and below each other. Each detail picture is framed by a geometric line pattern, the basic shape of which is derived from a characteristic pattern in the room in question. This basic shape also returns in the four corners of the picture on the overview stamp.

On the sheet edge, adjacent to the detail pictures, the first names of the female residents are printed in capitals. Adjacent to the overview pictures, the names of their spouses are printed in lower case, using initial capitals. A dotted line connects both stamps via the right-hand perforated edge of the stamps. Next to the names of each queen there is a monochrome portrait; an adaptation of a painting that belongs to the collection of Het Loo Palace. The name of the Het Loo Palace (Paleis Het Loo) stamp sheet can be found along the top edge, across the entire width of the stamp sheet. The lower left tab features the logos of PostNL and Het Loo Palace. The right-hand side of the stamps features a brief description of what we are looking at. The bottom of the sheet edge features an explanation of the issue.

Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn was built in 1686 as a hunting lodge for Stadtholder William III and his wife Mary. After their coronation as King and Queen of England, the residence was converted into a palace and expanded with 4 pavilions and a large garden.

Het Loo Palace was used as a summer residence and working palace for successive generations of the House of Orange-Nassau until 1975.

After an extensive restoration to bring the palace and gardens back to their 17th-century state, the building opened as a museum in 1984. The palace was renovated again between 2018 and 2022 and it was reopened 15 April.

The Het Loo Palace stamps highlight the personal rooms of five female residents of the palace: Mary Stuart (married to King Stadtholder William III from 1677 to 1695), Sophie of Württemberg (married to King William III from 1839 to 1877), Emma of Waldeck-Pyrmont (married to King William III from 1879 to 1890), Wilhelmina of Orange-Nassau (married to Prince Hendrik of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1901 to 1934) and Juliana of Orange-Nassau (married to Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld from 1937 to 2004).

The principal characters on the stamps are, in chronological >order,

  • Mary Stuart
  • Sophie of Württemberg
  • Emma of Waldeck-Pyrmont
  • Wilhelmina of Orange-Nassau and
  • Juliana of Orange-Nassau.

Said stamp co-designer Anne Schaufeli, ‘For each lady, we chose a room you can visit in the palace, furnished the way it was during their time. Juliana, for example, lived there as a child, but not later on, which is why you can only visit her bedroom. In contrast, since she stayed there the longest, many of Wilhelmina’s rooms have been restored to their former state … It was difficult to choose, they are all beautiful images.’

The same team of Schaufeli and Huub de Lang designed the Netherlands from the Air (2022) Historic Motorcycles (2021) Old postal routes (2020) and 150 years of the Red Cross in the Netherlands (2017) stamps for PostNL.

Technical Details:
Stamp size: 30 x 40mm (wxh)
Sheet size : 170 x 122 mm (wxh)
Paper: normal with phosphor print
Gum: gummed
Printing technique: offset
Printing colours: cyan, magenta, yellow, black
Print run: 8,000 sheets
Appearance: sheet with ten different personal stamps marked ‘1’, the : denomination for post weighing up to 20g sent to an : address within the Netherlands
Design: studio026, Velp
Photography: Het Loo Palace
Item number: 820058

Typically Dutch: Football (Netherlands)

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[from a press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Typically Dutch – Football (“Voetbal”)

Date of issue: 15 August 2022
Appearance: sheet of six stamps in six identical designs
Item number: 420762
Design: Claire Bedon and Edwin van Praet (Total Design), Amsterdam

This issue is the fifth and last in this year’s Typically Dutch series. In 2022, the multi-annual series is dedicated to five sports in which the Dutch excel. The six identical postage stamps will be marked ‘Nederland 1’, the denomination for items weighing up to 20g destined for the Netherlands. The Typically Dutch – football issue was designed by graphic designer Clair Bedon and creative director Edwin van Praet from Total Design in Amsterdam. Earlier this year, stamps featuring ice skating (3 January), hockey (21 March), cycling (4 April) and sailing (9 May) were published as part of this series.

With over 1.2 million members, Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) is the largest sports association in the Netherlands. While the number of men’s footballers remains stable, women’s football has been on the rise for years, with over 160,000 members. Football in the Netherlands has a long history, with the founding of the first football club in 1879: the Haarlemsche Football Club (HFC). One of the founders, Pim Mulier, established the Royal Dutch Football Association (NVAB) ten years later. In 1895, athletics took its own course and in 1929, the football association received the designation ‘Royal’. This marked the birth of the name KNVB. In 1971, the Dutch Women’s Football Association (NDVB) merged into the KNVB.

The Dutch men’s team played its very first international match on 30 April 1905 in and against Belgium. Club-level women’s football in the Netherlands began in 1955. A year later, the Dutch women’s team played its first international match. When it comes to football, the Netherlands has one of the best teams in the world. Based on the situation in June 2022, FIFA (the world football association) positioned the women’s national team in fourth place in the FIFA rankings, and the men’s team in eighth place. The women became European champions in 2017 and vice-world champions in 2019. The men became European champions in 1988 and vice-world champions in 1974, 1978 and 2010. The basis for the Dutch school with the 4-3-3 formation was laid by Ernst Happel from Feyenoord and Rinus Michels from Ajax and the Dutch national team at the end of the 1960s. The most famous national coach in women’s football is Sarina Wiegman, who managed the Dutch women’s team from 2017 to 2021. The names of star players like Marco van Basten, Johan Cruyff, Lieke Martens and Vivian Miedema are known across the world. [PostNL issued a stamp for Cruyff in 2017, one year after his death.]

The stamps featured on the Typically Dutch – Football stamp sheet show an illustration of a footballer in action. With her eyes on the ball, the player moves their right leg backwards to prepare for a shot. In the background, you see a round shape intersected by a horizontal line, symbolising the centre circle of a football pitch. The bottom of each stamp has a white strip containing the sorting hook, the year 2022, the country (Netherlands) and the denomination (1). Both the ball and the heel of the left shoe run into this strip slightly. The same is happening with the footballer’s ponytail in the white strip at the top. The logo for the Typically Dutch series is printed above each stamp, with a folded Dutch banner on the left and right. The picture is repeated in enlarged form on the edge of the sheet. The dominant colour yellow continues on the two tabs on the right. The Typically Dutch logo appears once more on the top edge of the sheet, while the bottom edge features a short explanatory text.

According to graphic designer Claire Bedon, the sportsman on the stamp epitomises a professional footballer – someone who runs up and shoots the ball, perhaps taking a free kick or penalty shoot. ‘She radiates strength and is relaxed at the same time. Her strength can be seen in the upper legs and her relaxation is shown in her open hands and the balance she seeks by spreading her arms. It’s obvious that she knows exactly what she’s doing. She has already visualised the shot, and she is about to shoot and score.

This issue is the last in this year’s Typically Dutch series.

Technical Details:
Postage stamp dimensions: 30 x 40 mm:
Sheet size: 170 x 122 mm
Paper: normal with phosphor print
Gum: gummed
Printing technique: offset
Printing colours: cyan, magenta, yellow, black and orange
Print run: 75,000 sheets
Appearance: sheet of 6 stamps in 6 identical designs
Design: Edwin van Praet and Claire Bedon, Total Design, Amsterdam
Printing company: Cartor Security Printers, Meaucé-La Loupe, France
Item number: 420762

Available on the PostNL webshop.

Transformers (UK 2022)

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Royal Mail Issue Transformers Special Stamps That Are ‘More Than Meets The Eye’

  • Eight stamps in the main set are produced in pairs, featuring original illustrations of an Autobot and Decepticon locked in a battle, in retro Generation One style from the 1980s
  • Featured on the stamps are: Optimus Prime; Megatron; Bumblebee; Starscream; Grimlock; Shockwave; Arcee; and Soundwave
  • The exclusive illustrations were created for Royal Mail by three established British comic artists: Andrew Wildman (pencils); Stephen Baskerville (inks); and John-Paul Bove (colours) who have all contributed to The Transformers comic series
  • Each of the main eight stamps are printed with UV ink which reveal hidden details about the characters when shone under UV light
  • In addition, each of the eight stamps have a unique Augmented Reality animation which, when scanned on the Royal Mail App, brings the stamp to life and includes a clip from the original animated Transformers TV series
  • A further five stamps, presented in a miniature sheet, feature the Dinobots; Grimlock; Snarl; Slug; Sludge; and Swoop
  • The stamps are available to pre-order now at www.royalmail.com/transformers and by phone on 03457 641 641
  • The stamps go on general sale on 1 September, with the Presentation Pack, containing all 13 stamps, priced at £17.50

Royal Mail has announced the launch of a set of 13 Special Stamps being issued to celebrate the British contribution to the globally successful, Transformers, animated franchise.

The main set of eight stamp designs, are produced in pairs and feature original illustrations of an Autobot and Decepticon locked in a battle, in retro Generation One style from the 1980s.

Featured on the stamps are: Optimus Prime; Megatron; Bumblebee; Starscream; Grimlock; Shockwave; Arcee; and Soundwave.

The images were created exclusively for Royal Mail by three established, British comic artists: Andrew Wildman (pencils); Stephen Baskerville (inks); and John-Paul Bove (colours) – who have all contributed to The Transformers comic series.

The main eight stamps are printed with a hidden ink which reveals each of the character’s faction logos and names in the Cybertronian alphabet when shone under UV light.

In addition, fans who download the Royal Mail App, can scan the stamp, and watch a unique Augmented Reality animation including a clip from the original animated Transformers TV series.

A further five stamps, presented in a miniature sheet, feature the Dinobots; Grimlock; Snarl; Slug; Sludge; and Swoop.Matt Parkes, Director of Stamps and Collectibles, Royal Mail, said: ‘Since The Transformers burst onto the scene in 1984, British writers and artists have made a substantial contribution to the ongoing story of the popular warring mechanoids; to this day many continue to do so and have inspired new artists to do the same. We are delighted to be able to celebrate their work with this stunning set of stamps – which calls back not only to the early comics but also – by using the Royal Mail App to trigger hidden content – the original cartoon series as well!.”

The Transformers:
The Transformers – alien robots who can change into vehicles, machinery and weapons – first appeared in toy shops and on TV screens in 1984. Nearly 40 years on, thanks to the addition of comic books, computer games and movies, the likes of Optimus Prime and Megatron have become pop-culture titans.

The story of the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons has been told in many different ways, but the core premise is usually the same: a deadly civil war engulfs the distant metal planet of Cybertron and eventually spreads to Earth. Key to the warring mechanoids’ success in the UK and Ireland was Marvel UK’s The Transformers comic, which told an epic seven-year story across 332 issues.

As well as launching the careers of British writers and artists, such as Simon Furman, Geoff Senior and Andrew Wildman, ‘TFUK’ inspired fans to follow in their footsteps – with James Roberts, Nick Roche and Jack Lawrence continuing to expand the mythos, establish the definitive origin of the Transformers and reinvent the Robots in Disguise for the 21st century with characters and concepts that endure to this day.

The stamps are available to pre-order now at www.royalmail.com/transformers and by phone on 03457 641 641. The stamps go on general sale on 1 September, with the Presentation Pack, containing all 13 stamps, priced at £17.50.

The Royal Mail first day covers:The first-day postmarks:

FIP Okays Boston 2026

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[press release]
FIP Patronage Approved for Boston 2026

Boston 2026 World Expo has been granted FIP Patronage by the Federation Internationale de Philatélie (FIP).

The request for such FIP classification was initiated by Boston 2026 leadership and presented to delegates at its 76th Congress Commissions’ Conference Meeting and Meeting of the Associate Members taking place in Jakarta, Indonesia August 4-9. It was approved without objection and continues the tradition of such recognition by once-a-decade U.S. international exhibitions of years past.

An FIP consultant to Boston 2026 will be appointed to work with exhibition management, followed by formal contract negotiation and signing by both organizations in the upcoming year. This collaboration helps ensure a successful event for all involved.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at boston2026.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.