358. Birds And Monkeys Of Tanzania.

  On 30 July 2012, Tanzania issued a set of 18 stamps on the subject of Birds of Tanzania. The stamps were lithograph printed by Oriental Press in Bahrain in a format of 3 sheetlets (1 of 8 different stamps and 2 of 4 different stamps) and 2 single stamp miniature sheets. This set has only just appeared on the market and is one of the locally relevant sets that sometimes appear from the Tanzania Post Office rather than being one of the issues emanating directly from its foreign philatelic agents:-

  A second local issue was released on 15 October 2012 on the subject of colobus monkeys of Tanzania. The issue consisted of a sheetlet of 6 stamps with an accompanying single stamp miniature sheet (see also the blog of 18 July 2012):-

  As previously mentioned, the British postal service, Royal Mail, will release 6 stamps on 4 February 2014 on the theme of "Working Horses" for no obvious reason apart from it being a potentially popular theme and possibly with some relationship to the Chinese New Year (The Year of The Horse) and the hope of large far-eastern sales of the set. At least, for once, we are spared an accompanying miniature sheet or booklets but the face value is still £5.52p which is not a modest sum. Of course, that is not the end of the matter since Royal Mail also released a "generic sheet" on  10 December 2013 to commemorate The Year Of The Horse and that is comprised of 20 x 1st class stamps with appropriately illustrated attached labels (the face value of that being £12 although the sale price is £12.50p). I long ago gave up collecting these generic sheets and do not regret their absence from my collection of British stamps at all.

  A similar generic sheet had been issued on  7 February 2013 to commemorate the Year Of The Snake so Royal Mail managed to squeeze 2 of these sheets for successive lunar new years into 2013. In all 5 generic sheets were issued by Royal Mail in 2013 (2 Lunar new years, 1 for Dr. Who and 2 for International Philatelic Exhibitions in Australia and Thailand - total cost to the collector being £62.50!) I wonder how well these items sell given their high cost and if the lunar new year issues sell particularly well in far eastern countries.

  Philatelic Collector Inc. have just given details of their latest products which bear the names of Cook Islands, Tonga and Samoa. They have managed to pack a lot of philatelic items into the first few days of 2014.

 An issue for Cook Islands was made on 3 January 2014 which was titled "Highland Paradise" and consisted of 9 stamps. I am not sure if the title of the issue is a mistake and should read "Island Paradise" or if the stamps depict life on higher ground in Cook Islands. The stamps were designed by the agency's favourite designer, Alison Ditko, and at least depict subjects of relevance to The Cook Islands and one can easily see them being used on mail sent by tourist visitors to the islands.

p.s. "Highland Paradise" is apparently a tourist attraction in The Cook Islands on one of the highest points of the territory hence the name. Perhaps it should be "Island Highland Paradise"(!)

  Unfortunately, that was not the only set produced for Cook Islands in January. On 6 January 2014 another 12 definitives which feature insects were released as well as an accompanying sheetlet which contained all 12 designs. The designer of this issue was again Alison Ditko:-

  Of course there was also a "Year of The Horse" issue, this time a miniature sheet of 2 stamps which is said to have been released on 8 January 2014 and designed by the Chinese artist, Huang Li:-

  And philatelic agencies have not yet exhausted the profits-boosting potential of little Prince George of Cambridge who featured on a miniature sheet released on 14 January 2014 to commemorate his christening:-

  We are not yet done with Cook Islands since there is also the inevitable Year of The Horse issues to be mentioned which were produced with the inscriptions "Aitutaki Cook Islands" and "Penrhyn Northern Cook Islands" - one sheetlet from both, each consisting of 4 different stamps. These items were also designed by the ubiquitous Alison Ditko and the Aitutaki item is particularly irritating since only two of the stamps contained within it can be displayed correctly because the other two lie at right angles to them:-

  On to Samoa - a sheetlet of 6 different stamps was released on 8 January 2014 to, inevitably, commemorate "The Year of The Horse":-

  Then, on 10 January 2014, 12 more definitives which depict marine life were issued although, pleasingly, there was no accompanying sheetlet:-

  And so, to Tonga. Not too much of a surprise that there is yet another "Year of The Horse" issue from  Tonga - another sheetlet of 4 different stamps designed by, yes you guessed it, Alison Ditko and released on 6 January 2014:-

                                             

  

 On 3 January 2014, a miniature sheet had also been released on behalf of Tonga which commemorated the christening of Prince George of Cambridge, even though the country has its own royal family which could be featured on its stamps:-

  A third Tongan issue, inscribed "Niuafo'ou", was also released on 6 January 2014 and was yet another "Year of The Horse" production. The designer was Alison Ditko:-

(See also Blog 332). p.s. See the upcoming Blog 359 for even more Tongan new issues.

  Leaving the productions of Philatelic Collector Inc. behind us for now, I illustrate some recent issues of Eritrea, which of course is not a Commonwealth country but is one of those territories which at one time was administered by the British (though admittedly for a relatively short period) and which, because its stamps are so interesting, I still include in my collection. The country released 2 issues during 2013 - the first being a miniature sheet produced in The People's Republic Of China to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Eritrea. Eight stamps were included in the miniature sheet - 4 depicted buildings and wildlife of Eritrea and the remainder depicted similar subjects in China. The stamps were designed by Ma Xiao Ling (see also Blog 301):-

  Eritrea issued 8 new definitive stamps on 27 June 2013 which depicted a previously used view of Ge'a'lo. The stamps were printed in lithography by Enschede:-

  Prior to these issues, Eritrea had not issued any stamps since 3 September 2011 when it had released 2 stamps which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the armed struggle for independence against Ethiopia. The set was designed by Michael Adonai and lithographed by Enschede:-

  The same printer and designer were involved in the production of another set of 2 stamps which the Eritrea Post Office released on 17 June 2011 which commemorated the 20th anniversary of Eritrean Martyrs Day:-

  A set of 3 stamps was released on 23 May 2011 which commemorated the 20th anniversary of the achievement of Eritrean independence at the end of the long war of liberation against the Ethiopians. This set was also lithographed by Enschede but was designed by Behana Adonai:-

  I think it is possible to see just how interesting the issues of this philatelically conservative country are and certainly they are much more interesting to me than an endless flood of "Year of The Horse" stamps, most of which have no relevance to the country whose name has been inscribed on the items.

357. Zimbabwe Hairstyles And Mao Tse Tung Anniversary.

  Zimbabwe issued a set of 4 stamps and 1 miniature sheet on 17 December 2013 on the subject of "Hair designs of traditional women in Zimbabwe". The issue is comprised of 4 colourful painted portraits of Zimbabwean women and all 4 designs are united in the miniature sheet. It would have been so easy for the Zimbabwe Post Office to have used for 4 photographs in the designs but the collector is here rewarded with original artwork and I wish more postal administrations and philatelic agencies would commission original artwork for use in stamp design rather than manipulating a stock photograph on a computer screen and adding a bit of lettering to it. Top marks to Zimpost for this issue.

  A number of issues from Commonwealth territories have appeared during 2013 which are interesting because they are clearly entirely aimed at sales on the Chinese philatelic market. They are all territories which allow a large New York-based philatelic agency to manage their new stamp issue programmes and the stamps appear to have been produced in The People's Republic Of China. 

  The subject of the issues is the 120th birth anniversary of the former Chinese leader, Mao Tse Tung, and what is particularly interesting is that the Mandarin language is used more on the inscriptions of the stamps than is English although I doubt that many inhabitants of the countries whose names appear on the sheets will be able to understand what the inscriptions say. However collectors in China will immediately know what has been written; presumably that will increase the chance of interesting Chinese collectors in these particular items and increasing their sales.

  Ghana appears to have had 2 sheetlets prepared for it, each containing 6 different stamps:-

  As is the case with similar issues from other countries, I do not know the "date of issue" at present. A second China-themed and produced issue has also appeared from Ghana - a sheetlet of 9 different stamps which depict camellias. These were produced in conjunction with the "China International Collection Expo" which was held in late September 2013:-

  Back to the Mao Tse Tung issues - 3 sheetlets have been produced with the name of Sierra Leone inscribed on them. The date of issue was 10 September 2013. Sierra Leone's issue is centred around poems written by Mao but there is little chance of anyone in Sierra Leone understanding what they say as they are again printed in Mandarin:-

  Two sheetlets have been produced in the name of Guyana - one containing 4 different portraits of Mao and the second containing 5 portrait stamps plus a sixth which depicts a landscape. I do not know the date of issue of this pair of sheetlets:-

   Tanzania has 1 sheetlet of 6 different stamps issued on its behalf - the designs all feature photographic portraits of Mao Tse Tung:-

  There is also 1 sheetlet produced with Uganda's name printed on the 6 stamps which it contains. The designs (shown above) are principally colour photographic portraits. I do not know the date of issue.

  Finally, there are 2 sheetlets from Grenada one of which contains 6 different stamps and the other contains 2 x 3 different stamps. Again, I do not know the date of issue yet:-

  All of the above issues have no relevance in subject matter to the territory whose name appears on the item and so I will not add any of them to my collection but if these items sell well to Chinese collectors then I don't suppose the philatelic agents will be at all bothered about what I buy.

356. New Bhutanese Stamp Issue Features Phallus Paintings.

  Bhutan Post has announced on its website the issue of 2 new sets of stamps and one of them is certainly something that you would not want to show to your elderly aunt. The first set is comprised of 2 miniature sheets, one containing one stamp and the second containing 4 stamps and on the subject of "Bhutan arts and happiness". The stamps were designed by Ugyen Wangchuk and lithographed by Cartor. The design of the single stamp in the first miniature sheet depicts Lama Drukpa Kunley (apparently known as The Divine Madman because of "his unrestrained sexual practices and rebellion against the dogmatic religious institutions"). The Bhutan Post publicity goes on to say that "He glorified the phallus in Bhutan giving it the popular name Magic/Flaming Thunderbolt Of Wisdom". He "used the phallus as a medium to tame the demons and demonesses and other malevolent spirits...." The stamp depicts the Lama with bow and arrows, seated on a deerskin and holding a dramyan (a Bhutanese musical instrument). "He had an unorthodox way of teaching Buddhism through poems and songs designed to shock people and make them think about the true essence of Dharma. Known for his outrageous behaviour and bizarre humour laden with sexual overtones, he is loved and respected by the people of Bhutan".

  The background of the miniature sheet depicts Chimi Lakhang - the "Divine Fertility Temple" - which was built in the 15th century to honour Lama Drukpa Kunley on a site where he is said to have overcome a demon and imprisoned it in a rock.

  The second miniature sheet depicts "a typical Bhutanese house with phalluses painted on the walls". They are variously symbols of fertility as well as methods of defending the home from The Evil Eye and The Evil Tongue. The Bhutan Post website goes into even more detail but I think I will leave it there.

  The 4 stamps on the second miniature sheet are rather, er, graphic and are depicted below. Each stamp is featured separately on the Bhutan Post website and each depict a different painting of a phallus:-

   It's extraordinary, isn't it, what little bye-ways of knowledge stamp collecting will take you down?The second issue is rather less unsettling and comprises 2 sheetlets, each with 12 blank stamps (apart from coloured upper and lower borders) which can be personalised as greetings stamps. Each sheet is inscribed "From The Land Of The Thunder Dragon" and the background of the first depicts Taktshang and the other features Bhutanese national symbols. The one piece of information that is not provided on the Bhutan Post website is the date of issue of both of these sets. One thing is for sure, however, a few people will have rather a surprise if they receive a letter from Bhutan with one of the above stamps affixed to the envelope!

  Moving on to a near neighbour of Bhutan, I have not yet seen any details of the  stamp depicted below issued by Bangladesh and which commemorates the 42nd anniversary of "Victory Day". I do not know the date of issue and it is not featured on the Bangladesh Post Office philatelic site but at least one dealer is offering it for sale on an Internet auction site. The stamp obviously depicts Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who led the resistance to West Pakistan with the Independence Monument featured in the background.

  Most dealers have not offered for sale the Migratory birds stamps set of 8 from ordinary sheets which was issued on 13 January 2013 (depicted below) although there has been no problem in finding the miniature sheet for sale which has the 8 stamps arranged similarly to the blocks of 8 from ordinary sheets. However some examples are for sale from Internet dealers. 

  Hong Kong China will issue 6 new "Heartwarming" stamps on 23 January 2014. They were designed by Jason Chum and lithographed by Cartor:-

  Following the Heartwarming set, 6 stamps will be issued on 20 February 2014 which deal with the subject of "Chinese Dinosaurs". Doubtless there will be an accompanying miniature sheet but I will add details of this issue when they are known. The designs clearly make up a dramatic composite design so perhaps a se-tenant block will be sold.

  Hong Kong will release a new definitive set in July 2014 which appears to depict various geological features of the territory which should be the basis for an interesting issue:-

  On 7 October 2013, rather late in the year, St. Vincent And The Grenadines had a sheetlet of 4 different stamps and 1 miniature sheet issued with its name inscribed on them which commemorated the 60th anniversary of the coronation of the country's monarch, Queen Elizabeth II:-

355. Australia Issues Stamps To Celebrate Ashes Victory.

  Australia Post will issue 2 gummed stamps, 1 self-adhesive stamp from sheetlets of 5 x$2.60 values and 1 miniature sheet on 20 January 2014 to commemorate the 5 - 0 whitewash victory over England in the recent Ashes cricket test match series. 

  p.s. See also Blog 360.

  This is the third issue of stamps of recent years which has commemorated various victories in Ashes series - the first was issued by Royal Mail to commemorate England's victory in the 2005 series and took the form of a miniature sheet which contained 2 first class stamps and 2 x 68p stamps. The sheet was issued on 6 October 2005.

  Australia got its revenge with a stamp issue released on 16 January 2007 which commemorated the return of The Ashes trophy to Australia after its victory in the 2006 to 2007 series.:-

  Just 3 days before the new cricket stamps, on 17 January 2014, Australia Post issued 5 new gummed stamps and 5 self-adhesive variants (issued as booklets of 10 stamps of each design) to commemorate 5 famous Australian cooks as part of the annual "Australian Legends" series.

  Each "Legend" was presented with a 24 carat gold replica of the stamp on which they appear. The stamps were designed by Lynette Traynor and lithographed by McKellar Renown.

  

  The first issue of 2014 from Cyprus will be released on 30 January 2014 on the subject of the olive tree and its products:-