956. Mauritius Commemorates 25 Years As A Republic.

  🇲🇺 Mauritius Post issued a single stamp on 12 March 2017 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the country becoming a republic. The rather undistinguished stamp depicts the national coat of arms and must have taken very little imagination to design. Rating:- **.

  If you think I'm being unfair about the design compare it with one of the 1968 Independence stamps and how the national coat of arms was incorporated in an exciting and original design on that occasion.

  🇮🇪 In Blog 954 I outlined the upcoming new issues from Ireland's An Post and now illustrate three of the issues:-

  1 June 2017 - Centenary of Lions International - 1 stamp. The stamp was designed by Red Dog from photography by Paul McCarthy and lithographed by Cartor and perforated 13.5. Rating:- ****.

  8 June 2017 - Centenary of the Battle of Messines Ridge - 1 stamp. The stamp was designed by Ger Garland and lithographed by Cartor and perforated 13.5. Rating:- ****.

  29 June 2017 - 150th anniversary of the death of Thomas Meagher - 1 stamp. Designed by WorkGroup from an illustration by Charles Cullen and lithographed by Cartor and perforated 14 x 14.5. Rating:- ***.

  🇮🇳 Recent My Stamp issues from India Post which I have not yet mentioned in the Blog are listed and illustrated below. They are generally issued in sheetlets of 12 and sold at a premium above face value:-

  9 February 2017 - Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, a Hindu monastic institution in Kanchipuram in Tamil Nashua said to have been founded by Audi Sankara in 428BC. 1 stamp with attached label. Rating:- ***.

  11February 2017 - Centenary of the founding of the Anglo-Indian Montfort School in Yercaud in Tamil Nahdu by Brother Eugene Mary of the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel. 1 stamp with attached label. Rating:- ***.

  17 March 2017 - 160th Anniversary of the founding of the University of Mumbai. 1 stamp with attached label. Rating:- ***.

  17 April 2017 - Global Exhibition on Services. 1 stamp with attached label. Rating:- ***.

  🇭🇰 Hong Kong Post issued a set of 6 stamps and 1 miniature sheet on 25 April 2017 on the subject of the revitalisation of historic buildings which is actually the second in a series. The issue was designed by Eric Chan and lithographed by Enschede and perforated 13.5 x 14.5. A HK$50 "Prestige booklet" was also issued. Rating:- ***.

  Hong Kong Post will issue a miniature sheet on 20 June 2017 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the stationing of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in Hong Kong. The design which depicts goose stepping troops marching under the flag of the Chinese People's Republic with the city of Hong Kong in the background makes for a very interesting issue. Rating:- ****.