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Love (U.S. 2021)

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From the U.S. Postal Service announcement on November 17, 2020:From the USPS: The Postal Service continues its popular Love series with a new stamp in 2021. The stamp art features a lighthearted and colorful digital illustration with the word “LOVE” and three large hearts shown in an unconventional palette of color duos, strikingly set against a dark blue background. Greg Breeding was art director; Bailey Sullivan created the original art and designed the stamp.

Additional information will be posted below the line, with the most recent at the top.

Updated January 4th:

[press release]
2021 Begins With Love
New Forever Stamps Available Jan. 14

WHAT: The U.S. Postal Service continues its popular Love series with a new stamp in 2021. The first stamp in the series was issued in 1973. The latest one features a colorful and lighthearted digital illustration.

News of the stamp is being shared with hashtag #LoveStamps.

WHO: USPS Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President Pritha Mehra will serve as dedicating official.

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. MST

BACKGROUND:
The virtual stamp event will be posted on the Postal Service Facebook and Twitter pages.Please visit usps.com/love for details of the dedication ceremony.

The first-day-of-issue location for the stamp is Loveland, CO. The city’s Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with the Postal Service for more than 70 years for an internationally renowned Valentine Remailing Program. Every year, more than 100,000 valentines, packaged inside larger envelopes, are sent to Loveland, where volunteers handstamp them with a Valentine’s Day verse and send them on to the intended recipients. A contest is held each year for residents to submit their designs and verses.

There are many reasons to say “I love you” and countless ways to show you care. Sending a card to a loved one or friend is a special way to declare your affection, friendship, gratitude or devotion. Today, there is renewed enthusiasm for handwritten notes that express exactly how you feel.

The playful, graphic lettering on this stamp will add color and whimsy to your mailings, making it clear that thought and care have been lavished on the message, inside and out.

Love 2021 is being issued as a Forever stamp in panes of 20. Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Preorders for the Love 2021 stamp can be made online at usps.com and by phone at 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724).

Updated December 7th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.67″ x 1.34″ The pictorial postmark measures 2.64″ x 1.14″

Updated December 3rd:

On January 14, 2021, in Loveland, CO, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Love 2021 stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 20 stamps (Item 565100). The stamp will go on sale nationwide January 14, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

The Postal Service™ continues its popular Love series with a new stamp in 2021. The stamp art features a lighthearted and colorful digital illustration with the word “LOVE” and three large hearts shown in an unconventional palette of color duos, strikingly set against a dark blue background. The design also includes a smaller heart, a rectangle, and a semicircle. Greg Breeding was art director; Bailey Sullivan created the original art and designed the stamp.

No automatic distribution.

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 – Love 2021
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 May 14, 2021.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Love 2021 Stamp
Item Number: 565100
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: Love
Issue Date & City: January 14, 2021, Loveland, CO 80538
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Bailey Sullivan, Brooklyn, NY
Typographer: Bailey Sullivan, Brooklyn, NY
Illustrator: Bailey Sullivan, Brooklyn, NY
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 200,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: PMS 289 C Dark Blue, PMS 7688 C Light Blue, PMS 485 C Red, PMS 7423 C Pink, PMS 1375 C Orange
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.05 x 0.77 in. / 26.67 x 19.558 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.19 x 0.91 in. / 30.226 x 23.114 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.76 x 5.55 in. / 146.304 x 140.97 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 11.52 x 22.20 in. / 292.608 x 563.880 mm
Plate Size: 320 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “P” followed by five (5) single digits in four corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in 4 corners
Back: ©2020 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (565100) • Plate position diagram (8) • Promotional text

Lunar New Year • Year of the Ox (U.S. 2021)

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From the U.S. Postal Service announcement on November 17, 2020:From the USPS: In 2021, the Postal Service will issue the second of 12 stamps in a new series of Lunar New Year stamps. Calling to mind the elaborately decorated masks used in the dragon or lion dances often performed during Lunar New Year parades, these three-dimensional masks are a contemporary take on the long tradition of paper-cut folk art crafts created during this auspicious time of year. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp with original art by Camille Chew.

Additional information will be posted below the line, with the most recent at the top.

Updated January 29th:
The ZIP code for the first-day city is now 60699.

Updated January 25th:
The USPS is selling two versions of the press sheet for this issue, with die cuts (480106) and without (480108). Both are $44.

Updated January 22nd:
[press release: ceremony details]
New Year, New Ox

What: The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the Lunar New Year with the release of the Lunar New Year: Year of the Ox Forever stamp. The Year of the Ox begins Feb. 12, 2021, and ends Jan. 31, 2022.

News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtags #LunarNewYear and #LunarNewYearOx.

Who: Luke Grossmann, senior vice president of finance and strategy, U.S. Postal Service, will serve as dedicating official.

Patrick McShane, president, Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce

Judy Hsu, evening anchor, ABC 7 Chicago

When: Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, 11 a.m. CST

Background: The Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce and USPS are teaming up to host a virtual ceremony, which will be posted to the Postal Service’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Please visit usps.com/lunarnewyearox for additional information. Of interest to philatelists, the designated first-day-of-issue city for the stamp is Chicago.

The Year of the Ox is second in a new series of Lunar New Year stamps introduced in 2020. The mask on the stamp design incorporates elements with symbolic meaning. Several of the patterns were created with the style of Asian textiles in mind, as well as purple flowers that represent the arrival of spring, which Lunar New Year also signals in Chinese culture. The star in the center of the ox’s head references the celestial themes of the Chinese zodiac.

The stamp is being issued in panes of 20 as a Forever stamp, which will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp with original artwork by Camille Chew.

Lunar New Year is the most important holiday of the year for many Asian communities around the world.

Known as Tet in Vietnam and the Spring Festival in China and elsewhere, Lunar New Year begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice and historically marks the arrival of spring. In communities across the United States, people shop for food and other supplies, hang decorations and ceremoniously clean their homes to welcome the new year with a fresh start.

Preorders for the Year of the Ox stamps can be made online at usps.com or by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724).

Updated January 6th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:  [note that the zip code is now 60699]The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.87″ x 1.41″ The pictorial postmark measures 2.13″ x 1.23″

Updated December 31st from the Postal Bulletin:

On February 2, 2021, in Chicago, IL, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Lunar New Year – Year of the Ox stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 480100). This stamp will go on sale nationwide February 2, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The Lunar New Year – Year of the Ox commemorative pane of 20 stamps must not be split and the stamps must not be sold individually.

In 2021, the United States Postal Service issues the second of 12 stamps in a new series of Lunar New Year stamps. Calling to mind the elaborately decorated masks used in the dragon or lion dances often performed during Lunar New Year parades, these 3-dimensional masks are a contemporary take on the long tradition of paper-cut folk art crafts created during this auspicious time of year. The ox mask in the stamp design incorporates elements with symbolic meaning. Several of the patterns were created with the style of Asian textiles in mind as well as purple flowers that represent the arrival of spring, which Lunar New Year also signals in Chinese culture. The star in the center of the ox’s head references the celestial themes of the Chinese zodiac. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp with original art by Camille Chew.

No automatic distribution for Item 480100, Lunar New Year – Year of the Ox.

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 – Lunar New Year – Year of the Ox Stamp
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 June 2, 2021.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Lunar New Year – Year of the Ox Stamp
Item Number: 480100
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: Lunar New Year
Issue Date & City: February 2, 2021, Chicago, IL 60699
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Artist: Camille Chew, Providence, RI
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Foil Stamping, Flexographic, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 24,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Pantone 7579 Orange, Pantone 7563 Brown, Gold Foil Luxor MTS 413, Orange Foil Luxor MTS 404
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): 7.25 x 8.5 in./184.15 x 215.9 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 14.5 x 19.50 in./368.3 x 495.30 mm
Plate Size: 80 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by six (6) single digits in two corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Lunar New Year • Year of the Ox
Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: ©2020 USPS • USPS logo • 2 barcodes (480100) • Plate position dagram (4) • Promotional text

Updated December 4th:
This stamp will be issued Tuesday, February 2nd, with a Chicago postmark.

First Look: U.S. 2021 Stamps

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[press release — November 17, 2020]
This story is a work in progress and will be revised many times.
Hello, 2021
U.S. Postal Service Announces Upcoming Stamps

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Postal Service today revealed several new stamps to be issued in 2021.

“A handwritten letter shows the recipient how much you care. The stamp you choose to adorn your envelope adds an extra important touch,” said U.S. Postal Service Stamp Services Director William Gicker. “The new 2021 stamps are designed to look beautiful on your envelopes, to be educational and to appeal to collectors and pen pals around the world. As always, the program offers a variety of subjects celebrating American culture and history, and this year, we made a special effort to include a little fun.”

The 2021 stamp program commemorates Missouri statehood, Japanese Americans who fought in World War II and Chien-Shiung Wu, one of the most influential American nuclear physicists of the 20th century. Fun issuances include Western Wear, Backyard Games, Espresso Drinks, a stamp showcasing a visual riddle, and four Message Monster stamps with self-adhesive accessories. The program also includes Mid-Atlantic Lighthouses, the last of the popular Lighthouse stamp series.

This is a partial list of the 2021 stamp program. All stamp designs are preliminary and subject to change.

Lunar New Year • Year of the Ox
In 2021, the Postal Service will issue the second of 12 stamps in a new series of Lunar New Year stamps. Calling to mind the elaborately decorated masks used in the dragon or lion dances often performed during Lunar New Year parades, these three-dimensional masks are a contemporary take on the long tradition of paper-cut folk art crafts created during this auspicious time of year. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp with original art by Camille Chew.

Love
The Postal Service continues its popular Love series with a new stamp in 2021. The stamp art features a lighthearted and colorful digital illustration with the word “LOVE” and three large hearts shown in an unconventional palette of color duos, strikingly set against a dark blue background. Greg Breeding was art director; Bailey Sullivan created the original art and designed the stamp.

Chien-Shiung Wu
Chien-Shiung Wu (1912-1997) was one of the most influential nuclear physicists of the 20th century. During a career that spanned more than 40 years in a field dominated by men, she established herself as the authority on conducting precise and accurate research to test fundamental theories of physics. Art Director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp with original art by Kam Mak.

Garden Beauty
Garden Beauty celebrates America’s love of flowers and gardens with 10 new stamp designs in a booklet of 20. The stamps include a pink flowering dogwood; a rose-pink and white tulip; an allium, or ornamental onion; a pink and white Asiatic lily; a magenta dahlia; a yellow and pink American lotus; a pink moth orchid with mottled petals; a pink and white sacred lotus; an orange and yellow tulip; and a yellow moth orchid with a pink center. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamps with existing photographs by Allen Rokach.

Mystery Message
The new Mystery Message stamp will put your sleuthing skills to the test. Featuring bright colors and interesting shapes, the stamp design is a visual riddle spelling out a message. Each colorful square contains a letter in an interesting pattern. The patterns, though seemingly random, were carefully placed so that when put all together, the message reads, “MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE!” Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp.

Colorado Hairstreak
The Colorado hairstreak graces the eighth nonmachinable butterfly stamp for use on irregularly sized envelopes, such as square greeting cards, invitations or announcements. The stamp art is a highly stylized, simplified image of a Colorado hairstreak (Hypaurotis crysalus). Artist Tom Engeman created the stamp art. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

Barns
Four new postcard stamps celebrate the beauty and history of American barns. With differing qualities of light and color, each piece reflects one of the four seasons: a round barn surrounded by the hazy light and warm colors of fall, a gambrel-roofed barn in summer, a forebay barn in an early spring countryside, and a Western barn on a winter’s night. Ashley Walton designed the stamps with original artwork by Kim Johnson. Greg Breeding was the art director.

Backyard Games
These stamps capture many of the games Americans play for outdoor fun. A pane of 16 stamps features eight unique designs including: badminton, bocce, cornhole, croquet, flying disc, horseshoes, tetherball and a variation on pick-up baseball. Greg Breeding was the art director. Mike Ryan designed the stamps with original artwork by Mick Wiggins.

Day of the Dead
In recent decades, Day of the Dead has caught on in the United States as a festive and increasingly popular celebration for all ages. These new stamps will be the first issued by the U.S. Postal Service to mark this holiday. Luis Fitch designed and illustrated the stamps. Antonio Alcalá was the art director.

Brush Rabbit
The Postal Service features a brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani) on this beautiful new additional-ounce stamp, available on a pane of 20 or in a coil of 100. The pencil-and-watercolor illustration is from preexisting artwork by designer and illustrator Dugald Stermer. The brush rabbit is a small brownish cottontail rabbit of the U.S. West Coast and Baja California, Mexico. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp.

Heritage Breeds
These stamps pay tribute to heritage breeds, preindustrial farm animals that are enjoying renewed attention for their versatility, adaptability and unique genetic traits. This pane of 20 stamps includes photographs of 10 heritage breeds: the American Mammoth Jackstock donkey, the Narragansett turkey, the Cayuga duck, the San Clemente Island goat, the Mulefoot hog, the Cotton Patch goose, the American Cream draft horse, the Barbados Blackbelly sheep, the Milking Devon cow and the Wyandotte chicken. Zack Bryant designed the stamps with photographs by Aliza Eliazarov. Greg Breeding served as art director.

Raven Story
Merging traditional artwork with modern design touches, this stamp depicts one of many stories about Raven, a figure of great significance to the Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast. Among the cultures of the region, Raven plays an essential role in many traditional tales, including stories about the creation of the world. Inspired by the traditional story of Raven setting free the sun, the moon and the stars, Tlingit/Athabascan artist Rico Worl depicts Raven just as he escapes from his human family and begins to transform back into his bird form. Antonio Alcalá served as art director.

Go for Broke: Japanese American Soldiers of WWII
With this commemorative stamp, the Postal Service recognizes the contributions of
Japanese American soldiers, some 33,000 altogether, who served in the U.S. Army
during World War II. The stamp, printed in the intaglio method, is based on a photograph. “Go for Broke” was the motto of the all-Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team and came to represent all Japanese American units formed during World War II. The stamp was designed by art director Antonio Alcalá.

Western Wear
The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the enduring legacy of Western wear with four fun new Forever stamps in a booklet of 20. The stamp art features four graphic illustrations of Western wear staples — a cowboy hat, a cowboy boot with a spur, a Western shirt, and a belt buckle featuring a longhorn head. Each image is framed by elements common to the American West and iconography of the region, including cacti, snakes, roses and stars. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps with original art by Ryan Feerer.

Mid-Atlantic Lighthouses
The long-running series celebrating American lighthouses continues with five new stamps. The mid-Atlantic lighthouses featured in this issuance are: Thomas Point Shoal, MD; Montauk Point, NY; Harbor of Refuge, DE; Navesink, NJ; and Erie Harbor Pierhead, PA. The late Howard Koslow was the artist for these stamps as well as previous issuances in the Lighthouse series. Mid-Atlantic Lighthouses were the last stamps he illustrated for the Postal Service. The art director was Greg Breeding.

Missouri Statehood
This stamp celebrates the bicentennial of Missouri statehood. Missouri became the 24th state in the Union on Aug. 10, 1821. The stamp art is an existing photograph of Bollinger Mill State Historic Site by noted landscape photographer Charles Gurche. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp.

Message Monsters
The four fun designs on this new pane of 20 stamps invite interactivity with dozens of self-adhesive accessories that personalize your cards, letters and envelopes for delighted recipients. Decorations include hearts, hats, voice balloons, flowers and thought bubbles. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the pane with new illustrations by Elise Gravel.

Espresso Drinks
America’s love of coffee is celebrated with four new stamps in a booklet of 20. Four digital illustrations feature cups of four different drinks: caffe latte, espresso, caffe mocha and cappuccino. The names of the espresso drinks appear in art-deco-inspired lettering above or below each cup. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps with original artwork by Terry Allen.

Happy Birthday
This Happy Birthday stamp conveys exuberant greetings by calling to mind the childhood excitement of a birthday party. Each of the five letters in the word “HAPPY” is inspired by a different party decoration in the midst of a flurry of multicolored ribbons and confetti. This stamp was designed by Lisa Catalone Castro and Rodolfo Castro, featuring a digital illustration by the latter. Ethel Kessler served as art director.

Stained Glass Wiindows (Christmas) (UK 2020)

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[press release]
Royal Mail Reveals Special Stamps for Christmas 2020

  • Royal Mail celebrates Christmas 2020 with a series of six stained-glass Nativity scenes
  • The stamps showcase the extraordinary detail and craftmanship of this highly specialised decorative art, covering a range of eras, styles and technique
  • Stained glass windows from the following churches are included in the set:
    • St Andrew’s Church, East Lexham, Norfolk
    • St Andrew’s Church, Coln Rogers, Gloucestershire
    • Church of St James, Hollowell, Northamptonshire
    • All Saints’ Parish Church, Otley, West Yorkshire
    • St Columba’s Church, Topcliffe, North Yorkshire
    • Christ Church, Coalville, Leicestershire
  • The Nativity is a common subject in stained glass artistry and from the 13th Century onwards, scenes often focused on the relationship between the new-born infant Jesus and his mother, the Virgin Mary
  • The techniques of making stained glass have hardly changed since the Middle Ages
  • Help Royal Mail’s postmen and women deliver this year’s festive mail by posting early this Christmas and using the postcode
  • The stamps are on sale from today (3 November). They will be available at www.royalmail.com/christmas2020, by phone on 03457 641 641 and 7,000 Post Offices across the UK. In addition, around 1,000 retailers will stock Christmas stamp booklets this year

Royal Mail has revealed its Christmas 2020 stamps featuring a series of six stained-glass Nativity scenes.

The stained-glass Nativity scenes showcase the extraordinary detail and craftmanship of this highly specialised decorative art, covering a range of eras, styles and technique.

Stained glass windows from the following churches are included in the set:

  • St Andrew’s Church, East Lexham, Norfolk
  • St Andrew’s Church, Coln Rogers, Gloucestershire
  • Church of St James, Hollowell, Northamptonshire
  • All Saints’ Parish Church, Otley, West Yorkshire
  • St Columba’s Church, Topcliffe, North Yorkshire
  • Christ Church, Coalville, Leicestershire

Traditionally, stained glass windows are assembled from pieces of coloured glass, held together with lead. The techniques of making stained glass have hardly changed since the Middle Ages.

The Nativity is a common subject in stained glass artistry and from the 13th century onwards, scenes often focused on the relationship between the new-born infant Jesus and his mother, the Virgin Mary.

Philip Parker, Royal Mail said: “Our beautiful Christmas stamps feature the Nativity as told through the artistry of different styles of stained-glass windows.”

The origins of stained glass:
Stained glass originated in late antiquity. The Romans were the first to use coloured glass in windows, often set into plaster, stucco or metal frames. The oldest known examples of coloured window glass in England were excavated from the site of the former Anglo-Saxon monastery at Monkwearmouth Jarrow, Northumbria, which was founded in the 7th century.

By the 10th century, stained glass windows were being constructed with lead, which was more malleable and enabled greater versatility of design. Stained glass was a popular and expensive art form in the Middle Ages, used to decorate churches and other prestigious buildings. The translucent qualities of coloured glass meant that these windows projected coloured light into buildings, while illuminating colourful pictures.

Panels of late 12th century stained glass survive at both Canterbury Cathedral and York Minster, but most surviving stained glass in the UK dates from the 13th century onwards. Following the Reformation in the 16th century, fewer religious stained glass windows were commissioned and, with a handful of exceptions, it was not until the 19th century that stained glass once again became a popular art form. Medieval windows provided inspiration for 19th century artists, who revived medieval techniques. Today, exquisite examples can be seen in the windows of our churches, town halls and other public and private buildings across the UK.

The stamps are on sale now and will be available at www.royalmail.com/christmas2020, by phone on 03457 641 641 and in 7,000 Post Offices across the UK. In addition, around 1,000 retailers will stock Christmas stamp books this year.

2nd Class stamp
Adoration of the Magi
Location: East window of St Andrew’s Church, East Lexham, Norfolk. This is an Anglican church, dedicated to Saint Andrew and is one of 124 existing round-tower churches in Norfolk. It is thought to date from circa 900AD and said to be one of the oldest in England.

The Window: Mid-19th century stained glass, believed to have been made by Clayton & Bell in c.1859 – the designs adopted the gothic style of the 15th century in keeping with the perpendicular east window. The east window depicts scenes relating to Christ’s birth and death. The upper tier shows Christ carrying the Cross, The Crucifixion and Christ being taken down from the cross. The lower tier shows events related to Christ’s birth – the annunciation, Adoration of the Magi, and the presentation of Christ in the temple.

1st Class stamp
Virgin and Child
Location: St Andrew’s Church, Coln Rogers, Gloucestershire. This is an Anglican parish church and is dedicated to Saint Andrew. It is often described as being rather unique, as it has a Saxon nave and chancel which have survived almost intact. It dates to the mid-11th century.

The Window: The three main lights of the east window of the church, dated c.1865 and made by the studio of Heaton, Butler and Bayne, focus on nativity scenes (including the Shepherds, Mary and Joseph with the Christ child and the three Magi). In the central light (from which this is a detail) Mary cradles the new-born Christ child.

£1.45 stamp
Virgin and Child
Location: Church of St James, Hollowell, Northamptonshire. The Church of St James was built in 1841 in the gothic style, and is known for its beautiful stained-glass windows in the eastern apse of the chancel, and the rose window above the west door.

The Window: Chancel apse, south east window designed by Henry Holiday (1839-27) and made by J Powell & Sons, 1863. This is one of three lancet windows in the apse of the chancel. Each lancet window features a single narrative panel contained within a quatrefoil set against a background of decorative painted foliate grisaille (in the manner of the 13th century, decorated style). The north-eastern window depicts the Baptism of Christ, the central the Crucifixion, and the south-eastern (as pictured) shows the Virgin Mary and Christ child within the stable. The brightly coloured pieces of flashed ruby glass, and turquoise, blue, pink and purple tones demonstrates the wide variety and high-quality of the glass made at Powell’s glassworks.

£1.70 stamp
Virgin and Child
Location: All Saints Church, Otley, West Yorkshire. The first church building on the site was Anglo Saxon but only the foundations from this early church remain. A Norman church was built over them in the 11th century and this forms the present-day chancel. It was enlarged in about 1240. Further additions and modifications took place during later centuries, Including the installation of a number of stained-glass windows by various makers in the Victorian period.

Window: This window is from a two-tier three light window in the South Transept of the church. The lower tier main lights show the Nativity with the Crucifixion in the upper tier above. It was manufactured by Clayton & Bell and installed in 1862. This image is the central scene of the Nativity. In the centre Mary is seated and holds the infant Jesus on her knee.

£2.50 stamp
Detail of the Holy Family
Location: St Columba’s Church, Topcliffe, North Yorkshire. St Columba’s is the parish church of Topcliffe, near Thirskand the present building dates from the 13th century and was largely rebuilt by railway architect George T Andrews in 1885.

The Window: This well-known window is one of two windows located on the south side of the chancel of the church. The window is divided into three lights, showing three scenes in the life of Mary which also relate to the birth of Christ. On the left is the Annunciation, in the centre panel are Mary and her cousin and the panel on the right shows the Holy Family – Joseph, Mary and Jesus. This detail is from the scene of the Holy Family. It was designed by Michael Halliday and manufactured by Lavers & Barraud c.1860.

£2.55 stamp
Virgin and Child
Location: Christ Church, Coalville, Leicestershire. The church was built between 1836 and 1838, with a west tower, large nave, transepts, chancel and vestry added later in 1936.

The Window: Whilst most of the glass is Victorian there are also three modern windows, which include the North chancel lancet window of the Nativity. The scene focuses on the virgin and child, with the ox and donkey watching over them (c. 1976). Harry Harvey (1922-2011) worked during the latter part of the twentieth-century producing stained-glass in a distinctive modern style. He died in 2011.

Canada’s 2021 Stamp Programme

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[press release]
Centennials of insulin’s discovery, launch of the legendary Bluenose are among subjects honoured in Canada’s 2021 stamp program
Heroes of Valour Road, early Black settlements and colour-changing creatures also to be featured

OTTAWA – The stories behind some of Canada’s most historic milestones, significant achievements, iconic artists and natural wonders will come to life in the 2021 stamp program. Here are some highlights:

  • the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin;
  • five camouflaging mammals that turn white in winter;
  • two legends of Canadian ballet;
  • the 100th anniversary of the launch of the legendary schooner Bluenose;
  • the three First World War heroes of Winnipeg’s Valour Road.

The following popular series will also make an encore appearance:

  • this year’s crop of flower stamps featuring crabapple blossoms;
  • Lunar New Year, wrapping up with a stunning, multi-stamp retrospective;
  • Black History Month stamps paying homage to a pair of pioneering settlements: Amber Valley, Alberta, and Willow Grove, New Brunswick;
  • the Canada Post Community Foundation stamp issue, supporting Canadian children and youth;
  • new editions of the Eid, Diwali and Hanukkah stamps, celebrating our cultural diversity;
  • the latest Christmas and holiday issues, featuring a heavenly angel and portraits of classic characters.

Canada Post is proud of its role as one of Canada’s storytellers. The independent Stamp Advisory Committee recommends the subjects for our annual stamp program and relies on thoughtful input from groups and individuals to ensure that our choices are meaningful to Canadians.

[en Francaise]
Le centenaire de la découverte de l’insuline et le lancement du légendaire Bluenoseferont l’objet de timbres canadiens en 2021
Les héros de Valour Road, les premières colonies noires et des mammifères qui changent de couleur seront également mis à l’honneur

OTTAWA – Le programme des timbres-poste de 2021 donnera vie à des moments historiques, des réalisations majeures, de grands artistes et des merveilles de la nature du Canada. En voici quelques points saillants :

  • Le centenaire de la découverte de l’insuline
  • Cinq mammifères qui deviennent blancs en hiver pour se camoufler dans la neige
  • Deux légendes du ballet canadien
  • Le centenaire de la mise à la mer de la légendaire goélette Bluenose
  • Les trois héros de la Première Guerre mondiale qui ont habité sur Valour Road, à Winnipeg

Nous reverrons aussi les populaires séries de timbres suivantes :

  • Les magnifiques timbres floraux de cette année mettant en vedette les fleurs du pommetier
  • La série consacrée à la Nouvelle Année lunaire, qui se conclut avec une superbe rétrospective des timbres de chacune des émissions
  • Les timbres du Mois de l’histoire des Noirs rendant hommage à deux colonies de pionniers noirs : Amber Valley (Alberta) et Willow Grove (Nouveau-Brunswick)
  • Le timbre de la Fondation communautaire de Postes Canada, qui appuie les enfants et les jeunes du pays
  • De nouvelles émissions de timbres consacrés à l’Aïd, à Diwali et à Hanoukka, célébrant notre diversité culturelle
  • De nouvelles vignettes de Noël et des Fêtes, qui présentent un ange céleste et des portraits de personnages emblématiques

Postes Canada est fière de faire partie des conteurs du Canada. Le Comité consultatif sur les timbres-poste, qui travaille de façon indépendante, recommande les sujets du programme annuel des timbres en s’appuyant sur la contribution réfléchie de groupes et de particuliers pour s’assurer que ses choix sont significatifs pour les Canadiens.

Community Foundation (Canada 2020)

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[press release]
Canada Post Community Foundation to issue $1.3 million in grants to better the lives of children in 2020
Grassroots organizations across the country will receive support to assist in community-based initiatives for children

OTTAWA – The Canada Post Community Foundation today announced that approximately $1.3 million was raised for grants to groups that help children in communities across Canada.

The Canada Post Community Foundation raises money through the sale of a special stamp issued annually. The stamp that will raise funds for distribution in 2021 goes on sale today.

In addition to the annual stamp issue, the Foundation raises funds through a five-week in-store campaign to solicit point-of-sale donations from customers and a year-round employee payroll donation program. In previous years, retail locations across Canada held local fundraising events. However, in lieu of events during COVID-19, customers and the public are encouraged to donate online at www.canadapost.ca/community to protect the safety of employees and our customers. All funds go to organizations that operate in the province or territory in which they were raised.

Over the past nine years, the Foundation has granted nearly $9 million to hundreds of initiatives across Canada. They include literacy and language programs, youth outreach services, gender and sexual diversity programs, arts and recreation projects, special education programs, childhood health programs, anti-bullying initiatives, mentoring programs and many others. The 2020 grant recipients will be announced in October.

About the Foundation
Established in 2012, the Canada Post Community Foundation for Children provides grants to Canadian schools, charities and organizations in an effort to make a difference in the lives of children in our communities.

About the stamp issue
The 2020 Canada Post Community Foundation stamp issue by Vancouver’s Subplot Inc., features an illustration by Isabelle Arsenault that depicts a diverse community of animals living peacefully in a bountiful tree. It reminds us that, despite our differences, we have the power to come together, live in harmony and enrich each other’s lives.

The stamp, in a booklet of 10, and Official First Day Cover, cancelled in Ottawa. Ont. are available at canadapost.ca/shop. [en Français]
La Fondation communautaire de Postes Canada versera 1,3 million de dollars en subventions pour améliorer la vie des enfants en 2020
Des organismes communautaires partout au pays recevront du soutien pour leurs initiatives destinées aux enfants

OTTAWA – La Fondation communautaire de Postes Canada a annoncé aujourd’hui qu’environ 1,3 million de dollars ont été recueillis pour verser des subventions à des groupes qui viennent en aide aux enfants du pays.

La Fondation amasse des fonds en vendant un timbre spécial qui est émis chaque année. Le timbre permettant de recueillir les sommes qui seront distribuées en 2021 est mis en vente aujourd’hui.

En plus de son timbre, la Fondation collecte des fonds au moyen d’une campagne de dons en magasin de cinq semaines et d’un programme de retenues à la source auquel les employés peuvent participer tout au long de l’année. Dans le passé, des points de vente au détail partout au Canada ont organisé des activités de financement locales. Cette année, pour protéger nos employés et nos clients de la COVID-19, nous invitons les clients et le public à faire un don en ligne sur le site www.postescanada.ca/communautaire. Tous les fonds sont versés à des organismes dans la province ou le territoire où ils sont recueillis.

Au cours des neuf dernières années, la Fondation a accordé près de 9 millions de dollars à des centaines d’initiatives partout au Canada. Elle a appuyé entre autres des programmes d’alphabétisation et de langue, de mentorat, d’éducation spéciale et de santé visant les enfants, des services d’aide pour les jeunes, des programmes sur la diversité de genre et sexuelle, des projets artistiques et récréatifs et des initiatives contre l’intimidation. Les organismes bénéficiaires pour l’année 2020 seront dévoilés en octobre.

À propos de la Fondation
Créée en 2012, la Fondation communautaire de Postes Canada pour les enfants verse des subventions à des écoles, des œuvres de bienfaisance et des organismes du Canada dans le but d’améliorer le sort des enfants du pays.

À propos de l’émission de timbre
Le timbre de 2020 de la Fondation communautaire de Postes Canada, conçu par la maison Subplot Design Inc. de Vancouver, présente une illustration d’Isabelle Arsenault qui dépeint une communauté diverse d’animaux vivant paisiblement dans un arbre bien touffu. Cette belle image nous rappelle que, malgré nos différences, nous avons le pouvoir de nous unir et de vivre en harmonie dans un enrichissement mutuel.

Le timbre, offert dans un carnet de 10, et le pli Premier Jour officiel, oblitéré à Ottawa (Ontario), sont vendus sur le sitepostescanada.ca/achat.

Miffy Turns 65 (Netherlands 2020)

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Catching up; not posted until October 26

[press release; translated by Google]
Miffy celebrates the children’s stamps The Hague, 23 September 2020. Miffy is celebrating on the new children’s stamps because she turned 65. Due to this special birthday, PostNL is also issuing all kinds of other stamps with images of Miffy this year.

From today until September 30, more than 140,000 students from groups 7 and 8 will be selling the children’s stamps this year. Of course, the children are on the road safely, with the challenges surrounding corona, safety is of course paramount. With the applicable corona measures, various ways have therefore been developed to go through the doors both physically and digitally. With a special sales box and order forms through the letterbox, it is also possible to keep the necessary distance at the door. For example, children can send personal video messages to offer children’s stamps (for more information about this, click here).

Chance of a better life
Stichting Kinderpostzegels [“Stamps Foundation”] and PostNL have been issuing children’s stamps since 1924 to raise money for projects aimed at the well-being of vulnerable children. This is done through a supplement of € 0.45 per stamp. The proceeds from all allowances go to the projects of the independent Children’s Stamps Foundation Netherlands. The foundation is committed to offering vulnerable children a better future.

Leading role Miffy 65 years
This year’s children’s stamps feature Miffy and her family and friends. Over the past 65 years, Miffy has become the world’s most famous and most popular of all characters from the books of Dick Bruna (1927-2017). Many children identify with Miffy and her adventures. She is uncomplicated, innocent, positive and open to new experiences.

Icon of the Netherlands
Pascal de Smit, director Stichting Kinderpostzegels Nederland, is delighted that this year the birthday girl Miffy is on the children’s stamps. “Miffy is truly an icon of the Netherlands, so we are very proud of that. Just as proud as of the Children’s Postage Stamp campaign, which has now become intangible cultural heritage. ”

Safe at home
This year’s campaign is aimed at giving children a safe home. At the moment 1 in 15 children in the Netherlands lives in an unsafe situation. Due to the long closure of schools in the spring this year due to the corona crisis, the situation in these families has worsened. Especially for this group, help is desperately needed.

Series Miffy 65 years even more stamps
In addition to children’s stamps, more stamps dedicated to Miffy 65 years will be released this year. For example, a gold Miffy stamp appeared on 21 June [press release here] and a silver stamp on 8 September.

Availability
The children’s stamps will be sold in the week of 23-30 September 2020 by students from groups 7 and 8. The children’s stamps are also available from 5 October, while supplies last, from Bruna, via our website and on the website of the Children’s Postage Stamps Foundation Netherlands.

All other Miffy stamps are also available through the website [direct link]. Or order by phone from Collect Club customer service on telephone number 088 868 99 00.

Illustrations Dick Bruna © copyright Mercis bv, 1953-2020

Number Stamps With New Look [Netherlands 2020]

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I have to admit I don’t fully understand what this issue is. Can anyone shed some light?

[press release] [translated by Google]
Number stamps 1876 with a new look in 2020
The Hague, October 16, 2020. PostNL is issuing a stamp for the Day of the Stamp. The Day of the Stamp would be part of the POSTEX 2020, but unfortunately this fair cannot take place due to the corona crisis.

The Day of the Stamp is a regular part of the annual POSTEX in Omnisport in Apeldoorn. POSTEX is an international stamp event with exchange fairs, exhibitions and other special gatherings. Although POSTEX 2020 is canceled due to the corona crisis, PostNL is still issuing the Day of the Stamp 2020 stamp sheet October 16th.

½, 1, 1½, 2 and 2½ cents
The Postage Stamps Number Type 1876, also known as the Number Stamps 1876, were given low postage values to encourage the sending of newspapers and other printed matter by post. Based on a design with a large value figure, Joh. Enschedé & Zonen from Haarlem 144 years ago a uniform series with denominations of ½, 1, 1½, 2 and 2½ cents.

Rotating figures
Sandra Smulders from Gouda has redesigned and rearranged the graphic elements from the Number Stamps 1876 for the design of the Stamp Day 2020. For example, the value number 1 from one design has been rotated 180 degrees with respect to the value number 1 from the other design. Other elements from the numerical stamps are shown in a similar way, both in position and use of color.

Contemporary but respectful
Sander Smulders brought the design to 2020 in all kinds of ways, with respect for the original postage stamps from 1876. For example, the circle in the middle was given a shadow border, creating depth and color difference in the background. Gradients, multiple layers, depth, shadows and a lot of detailing were also used to bring the design up to date. That was also possible, says Smulders, “because the current techniques are many times better than they were then. In this way it has become a contemporary stamp sheetlet, while you can still clearly see what it is based on. ”

Postal Values Handbook
PostNL also publishes a stamp folder and a prestige booklet about the Day of the Stamp 2020 and the Number Stamps 1876. The prestige booklet is the 12th in the series about the history of the stamp in the Netherlands. All information in these 12 booklets is taken from the Handboek Postwaarden Nederland. Availability
The Dag van de Postzegel 2020 stamp sheet has 10 stamps in 2 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 are available from October 16 at the post office in the Bruna stores and via the PostNL website. The stamps can also be ordered by telephone from the Collect Club customer service on telephone number 088 – 868 99 00. The validity period is indefinite.

[You can purchase these stamps from the PostNL website here.]

Dutch Disk Jockey Honored [Netherlands 2020]

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[press release] [official PostNL translation]
Stamp + App = Honor For Dutch DJ

The Hague, 21 October 2020. One of the best DJs in the world now has his own stamp. Dutch DJ/producer Martin Garrix’s portrait photo features on the stamp. If you buy the stamps and download a special app, you will receive a virtual performance at home by the famous DJ.

Martijn Garritsen (Amstelveen, 1996) is professionally known as Martin Garrix. In 2013, he made his international debut with Animals. This was followed by many more successes with hits such as In The Name Of Love, Scared To Be Lonely and Summer Days. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, Martin Garrix was voted the world’s best DJ in the DJ Mag Top 100. In 2016, he founded his own record label: STMPD RCRDS.

Martin Garrix: ‘From an early age, I’ve been surrounded by stamps through my dad’s business. That’s why, when we founded my label, we chose a name with a reference to stamps: STMPD RCRDS. It’s an honour to feature on a stamp, and I’m really happy with the final result.’

Portrait in silhouette form
The stamps feature a silhouette portrait of Martin Garrix. His torso and head are dark blue and his arms light up. The silhouette itself features the DJ’s logo with the orangey red plus sign and x projected. The sheet edge has dark blue strips of torn paper at the top and bottom, with orangey red effects at the frayed edges.

Bold design
The Martin Garrix stamp was designed by Boris Lammertse, graphic designer at STMPD RCRDS. Lammertse has produced a bold stamp with solid dark areas and strong colours, interspersed with subtle lines in the blueprint drawing. Martin Garrix’ logo was placed in a prominent position on the stamp. Lammertse: ‘The plus sign and the x are very simple shapes, which means you can do a lot with them. We often use white, but orangey red fits in a lot better here.’

Virtual performance
Specially for this issue, there is a free app that can be downloaded through Google Play and the Apple Store. By scanning the stamps with the app, an AR application will launch a virtual performance by Martin Garrix. ‘It’s a fantastic app,’ says Stephan van den Eijnden, PostNL’s commercial director for Mail. ‘First you get a video call from Martin Garrix and then it tells you how to get this famous DJ to perform in your home. The app is free – you just need to buy the stamps and scan them.’ The app was developed in collaboration with PostNL, Joh. Enschéde, Wij Doen Dingen and Martin Garrix B.V.

Availability
The ‘Martin Garrix’ stamp sheet features five identical stamps with ‘Nederland 1’, the denomination for items weighing up to 20g in weight destined for mail in the Netherlands. The stamps are available as of 21 October 2020 from Bruna shops and online at www.postnl.nl/bijzondere-postzegels. The stamps can also be ordered by phone from the Collect Club customer service on +31 (0)88 – 868 99 00. The validity period is indefinite.