1459. 🇹🇷 Northern Cyprus Issues Its Europa Stamps.

   🇹🇷 The postal service of the Turkish Republic Of Northern Cyprus issued a se-tenant pair of stamps on 20 June 2019 as its contribution to the 2019 Europa omnibus, the theme of which is ‘National Birds’. The stamps were designed by GK Sönmezer and digitally printed by Bolan Dijital Baski Ltd. A fine pair if stamps. Rating:- ****.

 🇲🇻 By the time that Maldives rejoins The Commonwealth next year (see Blog 1454) I do hope that its postal service will have given up allowing Stamperija to issue such appalling rubbish as the stuff illustrated below which is being offered for sale on internet auction sites this week. It is almost as awful as the recent Royal Mail ‘Marvel Comics’ and upcoming ‘Curious Customs’ issues:-

   🇲🇾 Pos Malaysia issued a set of 3 stamps and 1 miniature sheet on 19 June 2019 on the subject of Sour Fruits. The attractive if rather inconsequential issue was designed by KY Lim of Reign Associates. Rating:- ***.

 🇿🇦 The South African Post Office has issued a diamond-shaped miniature sheet on the subject of, not surprisingly, Famous South African Diamonds. The sheet contains 10 different stamps each depicting a different notable diamond. The miniature sheet is self-adhesive. The date of issue was 19 June 2019. Rating:- *****.

1458. 🇦🇺 Australia Post Excessive Issuing Continues.

  🇦🇺 Vast numbers of new philatelic products are to be issued by Australia Post in the coming 2 months. They are all thematic subjects with little reason to be placed in a new issue programme at this time apart from the hope that the theme will attract someone sufficiently to persuade them to hand over money to Australia Post. The one notable anniversary to be commemorated is related to the achievements of the USA rather than Australia.

  A set of 3 gummed stamps will be released on the 3 July 2019 on the subject of ‘Freshwater crayfish’. As far as I can see there are no accompanying self-adhesive stamps with this issue. If only that were always the case. The stamps were designed by Roger Swainston and Simone Sakinofsky and lithographed by RA Printing and perforated 14 x 14.5. An attractive enough issue but wholly unnecessary. Rating:- *.

   🇳🇫 An issue inscribed ‘Norfolk Island Australia’ on the subject of Philip Island Landscapes will be released on 9 July 2019 and is made up of 2 gummed stamps and 1 miniature sheet. Designed by Stacey Zass of Page12 design using photographs by Ian Rolfe and lithographed by RA Printing and perforated 14 x 14.5. Rating:- ***.

  16 July 2019 - 50th anniversary of the first manned lunar landing - 4 gummed and 4 self-adhesive stamps from coils and 4 self-adhesive stamps from coils and 4 self-adhesive stamps (issued in 4 Booklets each containing 10 of each design) and 1 gummed miniature sheet. Designed by Gary Domoney of VISUA and lithographed by EGO and perforated 14.5 x 14. Rating:- 0.

  1 August 2019 - Stamp Collecting Week - Gardening - 5 gummed stamps and 4 self-adhesive stamps from $10 Booklets (10 x $1) and $20 Booklets (10 x $2) and 1 miniature sheet containing 5 different stamps. Designed by Andrew Hopgood and Jo Muré and lithographed by EGO and perforated 14 x 14.5. Rating:- *.

13 August 2019 - Bush citrus fruit - 3 gummed and 3 self-adhesive coil stamps and 1 gummed miniature sheet. Designed by Anita Xhafer and Jo Muré and lithographed by EGO or Multi Color Corp. Vic on the self-adhesive coil stamps and perforated 14 x 14.5. Rating:- *.

  🇦🇺 Issue inscribed ‘Australian Antarctic Territory’ - 20 August 2019 - ‘Mapping the Australian Antarctic Territory’ - 4 stamps and 1 miniature sheet. Designed by Lisa Christensen of Three Branches Design and lithographed by EGO and perforated 14.5. Rating:- ***.

  🇨🇽 Issue inscribed ‘Christmas Island Australia’ - 27 August 2019 - 19th century explorers in Christmas Island- 2 stamps and 1 miniature sheet. Designed by Simone Sakinofsky and lithographed by RA Printing and perforated 14 x 14.5. Rating:- ***.

   Australia Post uses every possible opportunity to extract cash from collectors and so it finds it necessary to release no less than FIVE miniature sheets to mark its participation in the Singpex 2019 International Stamp Exhibition to be held from 31 July to 4 August 2019. The first four are perforated while the fifth is imperforate which combines all 4 stamps designs.

 Among other products due for issue from Australia Post are 2 of the very tiresome stamp packs sold for $23 each containing stamps with attached labels. The first is titled Snoopy Journey To Deep Space in which the labels are attached to $1 ‘Moon landing’ stamps and the second is a packing titled 30 Years of Gardening Australia containing 2 panes of Greetings stamps. Rating:- 0.

  Australia Post will also issue 18 sheetlet packs, each containing panes of 15 Map of Australia greetings stamps with attached labels and sold for $23 each on the subject of Australian football season teams. Clearly any Australian football enthusiast keen to buy a sheet for every team will face a total bill of $235 dollars. Rating:- 0.