Stamp News

One of the world's oldest insects to be featured on U.S. stamp

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

What do an architectural style developed by the ancient Greeks and a dragonfly have in common? Both are beautiful works of art featured on new stamps.

The US Postal Service is selling a new stamped postcard featuring an ink and watercolor drawing of a Corinthian capital, which is the topmost part of a building's column. Carved in an ornate decorative pattern developed in ancient Greece, Corinthian capitals adorn the columns of the General Post Office building in New York and the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC. The artwork for the 26-cent stamped postcard is from the records of the Architect of the Capitol. The card was designed by Gerald Gallo of Bethesda, MD.

On May 19, one of the world's oldest insects � the dragonfly � will appear on a postage stamp. The new 62-cent stamp is for First-Class Mail single pieces, such as square greeting cards. Fossil records show that dragonfly species have existed for 300 million years, since well before dinosaurs and 150 million years before birds.

The stylized illustration of a dragonfly is by Nancy Stahl of New York, who has worked on numerous stamp projects, including the Bighorn Sheep stamp and Florida Panther stamp. ---splitterQSWEDFR---What do an architectural style developed by the ancient Greeks and a dragonfly have in common? Both are beautiful works of art featured on new stamps.---splitterQSWEDFR---USA;

Ol' Blue Eyes returns to 'Stamping Ovation'

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

A new US postage stamp honoring legendary entertainer Frank Sinatra goes on sale on the 10th anniversary of his death.

Sinatra left his mark on American culture with his amazing vocals and romantic style. To celebrate the life of this great entertainer, the Postal Service is offering limited quantities of specially designed Sinatra shipping supplies, Sinatra musical greeting cards, classic Sinatra artwork and a new Sinatra Nothing But the Best CD.

Unique to CDs sold in music stores under the same title, the Postal Service limited edition offers an exclusive bonus track featuring "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself A Letter".

The CD also includes a collectible commemorative Frank Sinatra stamp bearing the official USPS first-day-of-issue postmark.

Art director Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, AZ, worked with stamp artist Kazuhiko Sano of Mill Valley, CA, to create the image based on a 1950s photograph of the entertainer. The stamp depicts Sinatra's charismatic smile, trademark fedora and striking blue eyes that earned him the nickname "Ol' Blue Eyes." Sinatra's autograph also appears on the stamp.---splitterQSWEDFR---A new US postage stamp honoring legendary entertainer Frank Sinatra goes on sale on the 10th anniversary of his death.---splitterQSWEDFR---USA;

New Zealand - Kingitanga

Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The Maori King Movement, or Kingitanga, is a movement that arose among some Maori tribes of New Zealand in the 1850s to establish a symbolic role similar in status to that of the monarch of the colonising people, the British.

Since the mid-1800s the Kingitanga has been a force in New Zealand society. The movement combines spiritual and political elements which conserve the "turangawaewae" (standpoints) of the past with practical leadership in the contemporary Maori world.

The position of Maori monarch is a non-constitutional role with no legal power in New Zealand, but it is a symbolic role invested with a high degree of mana (prestige). Since the 1850s the role has been vested in the Tainui iwi (tribe) who agreed to guard the position when it was created. The current Maori monarch, Tuheitia Paki, is descended from the first Maori king, Potatau Te Wherowhero, and was elected in 2006. His official residence is Turongo House at Turangawaewae marae in the town of Ngaruawahia.

The stunning images used in this stamp series were sourced from the collection of major artworks by Fred Graham called Nga Pou o Potatau and were acquired by the Waikato Raupatu Lands Trust in perpetuity for Tainui Iwi. The collection is a significant celebration of the Kingitanga movement and speaks also of the richness of whakapapa, history, symbolism and metaphor. Potatau Te Wherowhero, the first Maori King, was a pivotal figure in binding past and future visions - as represented in the artworks.

This special stamp series depicts three significant works within the collection that are linked with the first King. These pieces are based on three well known whakatauaki (proverbs) that Potatau was attributed as saying and continue to have relevance to followers of the Kingitanga movement today.

Date of issue: 2 May 2008---splitterQSWEDFR---The Maori King Movement, or Kingitanga, is a movement that arose among some Maori tribes of New Zealand in the 1850s to establish a symbolic role similar in status to that of the monarch of the colonising people, the British.---splitterQSWEDFR---New Zealand;

Pro Patria 2008 - Cultural Routes in Switzerland

Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The campaign and collection launched in 2007 to preserve and foster cultural treasures with a close link to Switzerland's key historical transport routes is continuing in 2008, in response to a proven need to protect these vital monuments to bygone architecture and travel. Swiss Post is issuing four special stamps in support of Pro Patria's work.---splitterQSWEDFR---The campaign and collection launched in 2007 to preserve and foster cultural treasures with a close link to Switzerland's key historical transport routes is continuing in 2008, in response to a proven need to protect these vital monuments to bygone architecture and travel. Swiss Post is issuing four special stamps in support of Pro Patria's work.---splitterQSWEDFR---Switzerland;