593. Cyprus Euromed Issue Aptly Depicts Boats Crossing The Mediterranean But Where's Malta?

  Cyprus Post will issue 2 sets of stamps on 9 July 2015. The first is a single stamp which will be released as part of the Euromed omnibus issue and the theme is "Boats of the Mediterranean". Given the current situation of the numerous boats crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe bearing thousands of refugees and migrants it seems to be a remarkably apt theme for 2015. Unfortunately the position of the boats on the map depicted on the stamp means that Malta, Sicily and many of the Greek islands can not be seen. I would have thought that might cause complaints from those countries which are missing from the design.

  The second issue is titled "The Beauty of Akamas" and is made up of 2 stamps - I particularly like the 34c value which depicts a delightful picture of the Akamas Peninsula.

  Australia Post's next batch of new issues are listed below:-

   7 July 2015 - Australian lighthouses (centenary of Commonwealth management of lighthouses):- 4 gummed 70c stamps, 1 x $14.95c "Prestige booklet" and 4 x 70c self-adhesive stamps from booklets of 20 stamps. The total cost of the above is $31.75c. Designed by Stacey Zass and lithographed by McKellar Renown:-

   14 July 2015 - Walking in Australia - 4 x 70c gummed stamps, 1 miniature sheet, 4 x 70c coil self-adhesive stamps and 4 stamps from booklets of 10 x 70c stamps. The cost of these items is $15.40c. Designed by MDMA Design and lithographed by Bambra McKellar:-

   14 August 2015 - Joint issue with Singapore and New Zealand (50th anniversary of diplomatic relations) - 1 x 70c, 1 x 1.85c and 1 x $1.95c gummed stamps and 1 miniature sheet. The total face value of these items is $9. The issue was designed by Sonia Young and lithographed by RA Print: 

  14 August 2015 - Singapore 2015 Philatelic Exhibition - 1 miniature sheet but note - "There will be different print versions of the Singapore Stamp Show minisheet available for those attending. These will also be available to collectors after the event". The exhibition lasts from 14 to 19 August and it appears that there will be a different miniature sheet for each day and so presumably there will be a total of 6 different miniature sheets to buy at a presumed total cost of $27:-

   25 August 2015 - Issue inscribed "Cocos (Keeling) Islands Australia" - Uninhabited islands of Cocos:- 4 gummed stamps (2 x 70c and 2 x $1.40c). Total face value is $5.60c. Designed by Lisa Christensen and lithographed by Bambra McKellar:-

    4 August 2015 - World Netball Cup, Sydney:- 1 gummed 70c stamp from a sheetlet of 10. Total cost of this issue is therefore just 70c. Designed by Australia Post Design Studio and lithographed by Bambra McKellar:-

   1 September 2015 - Neon signs:- 3 gummed stamps (2 x 70c and 1 x $1.40c stamps), 1 miniature sheet and 2 x 70c self-adhesive stamps from $7 booklets of 10 x 70c stamps). Total cost of these items is $12.60c. Designed by John White and lithographed by Ego Print:-

  Collectors who feel they must buy one of each item as detailed above will need to pay a grand total of $102.05c ( £50.23p). That means that from the beginning of May to the beginning of September 2015 the cost of all new issues from Australia Post totals at £95.28p - collectors will need to dig deep in their pockets to buy everything that appears on the market by the end of the year.