1375. 🇨🇰🇹🇴 Philatelic Collector Inc. Launches Bird Stamp Attack On Collectors' Pockets.

🇨🇰🇹🇴 Philatelic Collector Inc. appears to have released a very large number of philatelic items with the names of its client postal administrations and their associated philatelic agencies printed on them all on the subject of Birds of Prey but not necessarily species which are to be found in those particular territories. The philatelic entities involved in this philatelic onslaught are Cook Islands, Aitutaki Cook Islands, Penrhyn Cook Islands, Rarotonga Cook Islands, Tonga and Niuafo'ou (Tonga).

  Currently these stamps are being offered for auction on an internet auction site and the seller describes their availability as 'exclusive' whatever that may mean.

  Each philatelic entity, all 6 of them, has had produced on their behalf, 12 stamps from ordinary sheets, 2 miniature sheets each containing 6 different stamps and 1 sheetlet containing the 12 stamps sold in ordinary sheets. Effectively the collector is being asked to buy 3 sets in their various forms from the 6 different philatelic entities - the grand total being 72 stamps, 6 sheetlets of 12 and 12 miniature sheets.

  With many of the birds depicted being foreign to these various islands I do not have to waste my money on any of this stuff as my new issue purchasing rules include the intention of not buying stamps which feature subjects which are not relevant to the territory named on the stamps.

  Below I depict the 6 sheetlets, 12 miniature sheets and a single stamp from each set. Unfortunately I do not have the time, energy or inclination to provide illustrations of all 72 stamps. 

  I do not yet know the date of issue. Rating:- 0.

  Cook Islands - 

  Aitutaki Cook Islands - 

  Penrhyn Cook Islands - 

  Rarotonga Cook Islands - 

  Tonga - 

  Niuafo'ou - 

  🇯🇪 In Blog 1349 I illustrated the stamps to be issued by Jersey Post on 5 March 2019 on the subject of 'National birds and symbolism' which are that postal service's contribution to this year's Europa omnibus issue. There is an accompanying miniature sheet which contains 2 stamps, one depicting a mute swan and the other a kingfisher. There's no disputing that this is a very attractive issue but Jersey Post spoils it by issuing so very many stamps and other stuff that these items just get lost in the deluge. Pity. Rating, therefore:- **.

  🇳🇦 Nam Post, the postal service of Namibia intends to issue three new sets of stamps during 2019:-

  25 April - Whales - 5 stamps

  12 June - Cuckoos - 4 stamps and 1 miniature sheet 

  1 August - Large cats - 3 stamps.

  🇲🇼 eyeonwall in a comment at the end of Blog 1373 has kindly pointed out that Malawi Post will issue a set of stamps on 5 February 2019 on the subject of Insects of Malawi. The issue will include a sheetlet with a face value of K4500 and some single stamp miniature sheets each with a face value of K2700. Many thanks to eyeonwall for supplying the information.

  🇳🇿 New Zealand Post will issue 6 attractive stamps and 1 miniature sheet on 13 February 2019 on the subject of Alpine flowers of New Zealand. The issue was designed by Stephen Fuller and lithographed by Southern Colour Print and perforated 14. These are neat little stamps. Rating:- ****.