China_Space the post office

Spale-flight Commemorative envelope

November 3, 2011 
China opened a new post office on Thursday (Nov. 3) with a street address that is 213 miles (343 km) above the Earth.

Coinciding with the country achieving its first ever docking in space between the unmanned Shenzhou 8 spacecraft and Tiangong-1 space lab module, the "China Post Space Office" opened for business both on the ground in Beijing Aerospace City and, at least virtually, on board the newly established orbital complex.

Located on the ground near China's mission control, the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center (BACC), the new space post office even has its own zip code that extends into orbit: 901001.

China opened "China Post Space Office" (zip code 901001) after the Tiangong space station prototype was launched.

(Yang Liwei, first taikonaut of China, was appointed as head of the space post office.)

Like any postal facility, the office will process letters and, in this case, e-mails, making it possible for the public to write Chinese astronauts, or "taikonauts," on the ground and in space. The space post office will offer domestic and international delivery as well as philatelic products, with more services expected to be introduced as China's aerospace industry eventually expands.

Yang Liwei, who in 2003 became China's first taikonaut in space, will serve as the post office's honorary chief.

This scheme has already been quite a hit, especially amongst China's stamp collecting community. On the first day of business, most of the products sold out and the office had to delay its closing time. For those stamp fanatics who couldn't make it to Beijing, some contacted Beijing's philately fans online and asked them to get the postmark of the space post office for them. Another user, on Baidu's philately site, writing under the username Youshijidianyou, said: "Next time I go on a business trip to Beijing, I will drop by and get the postmark myself."

Other services are in the pipelines. For those who want to prove their love is otherworldly, the office will provide a service called "Let Space Witness Our Love" in the near future. Couples can submit photos of themselves, alongside specific vows, which will in turn be printed onto postcards, stamped and sent to space and back. Foreigners can submit their photos too, but if they want to have the postcard sent back to their country, they need to pay an international post fee. "Let Space Witness Our Love of Families" and "Let Space Witness Our Friendship" will be follow-ups.

Address: Space Post Office, Building 17, 102 Youyi Lu, Haidian district

Postcard from Germany

Postcard from СССР, России

Advertising postcards.

Postcard from Japan_1

Postcard from Japan

UAE_30th Anniversary of UAE-Korea Diplomatic Relations

 30th Anniversary of UAE-Korea Diplomatic Relations

The UAE and the Republic of Korea established bilateral relations in 1980. The diplomatic ties are still progressing at all levels through common initiatives in regional and international forums. These relations were highlighted through the exchange of official visits between senior officials from both countries that played an important role in giving a new impetus to bilateral relations between the tow counties and in other areas. As a result, a solid foundation has been established and paved the way for intensifying the exchange of official delegations at all levels. Korea puts the UAE on a priority list in its plans and projects with countries of the region. The reason for this is the political, economic and oil factors.

To commemorate the 30th Anniversary of UAE-Korea Diplomatic Relations, Emirates Post has released a joint issue of stamps with Korea Post in two denominations:

The Wind tower (Barjeel) (AED 1)

Barjeel, an early and very effective form of air conditioning, is a traditional architectural innovation used for many centuries to create natural ventilation in houses and buildings.  

Chimney of Mt. Amisan in Gyeongbokgung Palace (550 fils)

Korea’s traditional heating system called “on –doll” works through a fire in a furnace under the floor that heats the entire room. The heat that circulates under the room is funneled to the outside through a connected chimney. The Mt. Amisan chimney in Geongbokgung palace was installed in 1865 at Gyotaejeon hall, the living quarter of the queen.

Release Date
dd/mm/yyyy
 17/06/2010

Denominations
 AED 1, 550 Fils

Souvenir Sheet
 Nill

Size
 30 x 40 mm in sheets of 10 stamps

Designer
 Emirates Post

Printing Method
 Lithographic

Printer
 Cartor Security Printing - France

UAE_Camel Mazayina

Camel Mazayina

Camel Mazayina is divided into two categories: Asayel and Majahim. Asayel camels were referred to as Humr Al-Niaam in the tradition of the noble Prophet (Peace Be upon Him). They were also known as Red Nouq (Camels). They were mentioned in history when Antar abin Shaddad (the legendary warrior and poet) went to the west of the Arabian Peninsula to fetch them as dowry for his beloved Abla. Their origin and places of presence are the UAE and Oman.

-Majahim's origins were in Najed, in Saudi Arabia

Release Date
dd/mm/yyyy
 29/12/2011

Denominations
 AED 1, AED 4

Souvenir Sheet
 AED 15

Size
 35 x 45 mm in sheets of 20 stamps

Designer
 Emirates Post Group Holding

Printing Method
 Offset

Printer
 Oriental Printing Press - Bahrain

  

 

UAE_Bu Tinah Island

Bu Tinah Island

Off the coast of Abu Dhabi is a protected marine biosphere where nature is respected and allowed to flourish. It's through the protection of Bu Tinah's unique environment and the conservation of its habitats and inhabitants that this important ecosystem has thrived. Valuable insight has been gained from it to help develop understanding and solutions for threatening environmental issues.

Release Date dd/mm/yyyy       30/11/2011
Denominations                        10 Stamps AED 1 each
Souvenir Sheet                       AED 15   
Size                                        48x30 mm in sheet of 20 stamps  
Designer                                Environmnet Agency - Abu Dhabi   
Printing Method                     Offset   
Printer                                   Cartor Printing Press - France    
Quantities                              Stamps 50,000 each / S. Sheets 5,000      

China_50th Anniversary of Asian-Pacific Postal Union

China National Philatelic Corporation issued a set commemorative stamps entitled “50th Anniversary of Asia-Pacific Postal Union” »

 On June 1, 2012 China National Philatelic Corporation issued a set commemorative stamps entitled “50th Anniversary of Asia-Pacific Postal Union.

Serial number: 2012-6
Denomination: 1.20 yuan
Date of issue: June 1, 2012
Size of stamp: 33 * 44 mm
Perforation: 13
Size of sheet: 44*25 mm  Bevell 30mm
Designer of stamp: Chen Jing Yi
Editor in Charge: Dong Yan

China_(Waxwing & Peace Dove)Symbols of Peace - Joint Issue Israel China

2012 marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and China, relations that have become stronger and more diverse with the passing years. During the course of these 20 years, trade between the two countries has developed rapidly and the number of Israeli companies in China and joint ventures continues to rise. The majority of this trade is in the realm of information and telecom technologies, agro-technology, water and ecology.

FDC

A white dove bearing an olive branch is one of the most recognized symbols of peace. This symbol stems from the biblical story of Noah and the Ark featured in the book of Genesis, when Noah sends the dove to find land after the flood. The dove, which returned to the ark bearing an olive branch, symbolized that the flood was over and that peace had come to the world.

                                                   Commemorative postmark

Legend has it that in ancient times a crow rescued the Chinese emperor. As a token of his gratitude for restoring his safety and saving his life, the emperor turned the crow into the “bird of peace”, now known as the “waxwing”. This bird represents the Chinese people as a people who strive for peace, hope, serenity and prosperity.

Both the Chinese and Jewish peoples stem from ancient cultures which have much in common.

Archeological remnants from the 8th century CE and earlier attest to the existence of trade between the Jews and the Chinese.

The Jewish community in Kaifeng, originally established around the 12th century, enjoyed equal rights and its members were never discriminated against or plagued by Anti-Semitism.

During World War II China issued over 30,000 visas to Jewish refugees from Europe, allowing them entry to the city of Shanghai. This gesture strengthened and deepened the friendship between the two peoples and it shall never be forgotten.

The histories of both the Chinese and Jewish peoples are long and rife with suffering but their quest for peace and happiness has never ceased.

Israel and China marked the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries by unveiling a set of commemorative stamps at a ceremony on Wednesday at the Jerusalem Music Hall.

The two commemorative stamps were created by Chinese designer Chen Shaohua.

According to the designer, the two birds have been chosen for the stamps because the waxwing is a symbol of peace and auspiciousness, while the dove can represent peace, friendship and holiness. The two birds on the stamp symbolize the two countries strong desire for loving peace.

Meanwhile, the first-day envelopes, designed to mark the establishment of diplomatic relations, were also issued.

Israeli pianist Arie Vardi also gave a splendid performance at the ceremony.

Zhou Tienong, the vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress, and other Chinese and Israeli officials were on hand for the commemorative ceremony.

Viet Nam_50th Founding Anniversary of Asian Pacific Postal Union

FIRST DAY COVER (FDC)

Asian-Pacific Postal Union(APPU) is an inter-governmental organization of 32 postal administrations of the Asian-Pacific region. APPU is affiliated to the Universal Postal Union.

The purpose of the APPU is to extend, facilitate and improve postal relations between member countries and to promote cooperation in the field of postal services.

Viet Nam_Bears

FIRST DAY COVER (FDC)

 

FIRST DAY COVER (FDC)

Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Now, there are only eight species of bear in the world which are living in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern Hemisphere and partially in the Southern one. In Vietnam, two species Ursus malayanus and Ursus thibetanus only are founded and threatened with extinction at present.

Bears of Postcard

Asian black bear (Ursus Thibetanus)

Sun bear (Ursus Malayanus)

Sun bear (Ursus malayanus)

 Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus)

Bloc: Gấu ngựa (Ursus thibetanus)

To propagate to the community, working together to protect bears, on the 1st of April 2012, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) issues stampset: “Bears”, consisting of 4 values and 1 block.

The 50th Anniversary of Korea-Colombia Diplomatic Relations joint stamp issue

The year 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Colombia. The two countries have been developing a traditional friendship in such diverse areas as politics, economy, culture and society over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962. In celebration and commemoration of this 50th anniversary, Korea Post and its Colombian counterpart are issuing a set of joint stamps featuring the representative crops of the two countries: Korea's ginseng and Colombia's coffee.

The 50th Anniversary of Korea - Mexico Diplomatic Relations

The year 2012 celebrates the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Mexico. During the epoch of immigration to Mexico by Korean people, which started in 1905 and has passed the century mark and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries which has passed half a century, the two countries have consolidated solid cooperative relations through active exchanges in various areas such as the economy, culture, education, etc. To commemorate this meaningful 50th anniversary, Korea Post and its Mexican counterpart are issuing a joint stamp featuring "the gray whale."
Unlike other whales, only two different populations of the gray whale, which are on the brink of extinction across the world, were reported: the West Pacific population that migrates between the Sea of Okhotsk and Korea’s East Sea and the East Pacific population that journey between Alaska and Mexico. The West Pacific gray whale was first reported to the academic circle in 1912 by Loy Andrew, the American explorer, under the name of “Korean gray whale.” Due to overhunting, they are now endangered, and currently it is reported that only 130 of the species are living in the sea of Okhotsk, Russia. The East Pacific gray whale, that mate and give birth in Baja California, Mexico, was once also endangered due to reckless hunting. Currently, however, thanks to the steadfast protection policy, there are 20,000 of them roaming the waters.
The stamp features a young gray whale and its adult version. The stamp featuring the young gray whale shows the gray whale’s own, inherent skin pattern without any barnacles or whale lice attached to the skin. The stamp featuring the adult gray whale, on the other hand, vividly shows both the adult gray whale’s unique characteristic covered with traces of barnacles once attached but now gone, as well as the gray whale’s own unique outer appearance of its thick lower jaw.

2011 Millennial Anniversary of the Tripitaka Koreana

A thousand years ago, work commenced on Korea’s first woodcut Tripitaka, the “Chojo Daejanggyeong” or "the First-edition Tripitaka Koreana.” Tripitaka (Daejanggyeong) is the collection of “Gyeongjang (Sutra Pitaka),” the compilation of Buddha’s utterances, “Yuljang (Vinaya Pitaka),” the record of Buddhist precepts and “Nonjang (Abhidhamma Pitaka),” the translation of what Buddha said. It was during the Goguryeo era in the 4th century that Buddhism was first introduced to Korea. It steadily developed over the eras of Baekje and Silla to reach its heyday during the Goryeo era. With the background of this Buddhist culture and in the face of the frequent invasions by the Khitan, Goryeo’s excellent scientific technologies, the art of printing and economic power were combined to create "Tripitaka Koreana," which embodies Goryeo people’s desire to overcome those invasions through the mercy of Buddha.
Work on the First-edition Tripitaka Koreana began in the 2nd year of King Hyeonjong’s reign (the year 1011) during the Goryeo dynasty and its first engraving on woodblocks was accomplished in the 4th year of King Seonjong’s reign (the year 1029). The engraving resumed in 1046 and was completed in 1087. Based on the Gaebopan Tripitaka (the year 971) during the Northern Song dynasty, the world’s first woodcut Tripitaka, as well as referencing a selection of other Tripitakas in circulation during those days, the First-edition Tripitaka Koreana was created as Goryeo’s own unique Tripitaka. The superb cultural and academic foundations of those times resulted in the great feat of manufacturing “Gyojang,” the collection of Scriptures and Commentaries on the Tripitaka – the only one in the world. Currently, about 3,000 fascicles of the First-edition Tripitaka Koreana exist, holding a high bibliographical value. As the First-edition Tripitaka Koreana, stored at the Buin Temple in Palgong Mountain located in Daegu, was destroyed by fire in 1232 when Mongols invaded Korea, Jaejo Daejanggyeong (the Second-edition Tripitaka Koreana) was created from the 23th year (the year 1236) to the 38th year (the year 1251) of the reign of King Gojong of the Goryeo dynasty, which finally completed the 240-year-long, mammoth project of Tripitaka Koreana. This Second-edition Tripitaka Koreana, more commonly called Palman Daejanggyeong, was designated, along with its Depositories (Janggyeong Panjeon), as a UNESCO Memory of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage, respectively, in recognition of its cultural excellence.
In celebration of the millennial anniversary of the Tripitaka Koreana, various events are being held this year including international workshops. In addition, a new step leading to the next millennium is being undertaken through the database work on the First-edition Tripitaka Koreana. Celebrating the Millennial Anniversary of the Tripitaka Koreana, one of our proud cultural heritages, a commemorative stamp is issued that features “the 15th volume of Yugasajiron (Yogacaryabhumi sutra)” and “Eojebijangjeon" engraving -- the printed papers of the First-edition Tripitaka Koreana.

Korea_The 10th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD

The 10th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD

Korea_Definitive Postage Stamps

Design: Taegeukgi,the national flag of Korea

As the postal rates are adjusted starting from October 1, 2011, 270 KRW stamps for standard letter mail (from over 5g up to 25g) .The 270 KRW-stamp for standard letter mail, expected to be most commonly used, features Taegueki (the national flag of Korea). For the convenience of postal customers, this stamp is issued as a self-adhesive stamp, with a sheet comprising 20 stamps.

Korea_New Year's Greetings Stamp

Design The: dragon crisscrossing the sky

Designer: Eunkyung PARK

Being a creature of legends, the dragon is described to have an immense body of a snake, the horns of a deer, the ear of a cow, scaly skin, and four legs. Since ancient times, the dragon has been associated to greatness, thus symbolizing royal authority or the throne. Almost everything associated with kings was preceded by the prefix of “yong” (dragon) such as Yongan (king’s face), Gollyongpo (king’s ceremonial attire), Yongsang (the low wooden bench on which the King sat), etc.

In addition, the dragon has been positioned as an auspicious symbol in our everyday life: a dream of forthcoming conception that involves a dragon led to the expectation of the baby growing up to be a great man; farmers worshipped the dragon as the god of water that governs the success of their harvest; fishermen worshipped the dragon as the Dragon King that governs the sea.

A new year’s greeting stamp is issued in commemoration of the Year of the Dragon, in the hope that just like the dragon that soars vigorously into the sky with the cintamani in its mouth, the year 2012 will be a year full of hopes for everyone. The New Year’s greetings stamps have been printed with photostorage ink since 2001. This year, the dragon's body and the pearl-white snowflakes in the stamp are also printed using photostorage ink and glow in the dark.