JULY-AUGUST 2017 Issue # 440

… Return to Earth !

On 2 June 2017 FRANCE issued a special souvenir booklet of four self-adhesive stamps to cel- ebrate the return to earth of Eu- ropean Space Agency (ESA) as- tronaut Thomas Pesquet. His six- month mission — which he named Proxima — was conduct- ed on the International Space Station to maintain the weight- less research laboratory and run scientific experiments for hun- dreds of researchers on Earth.

Proxima is the ninth long- duration mission for an ESA as- tronaut and was named after the closest star to the Sun – continu- ing a tradition of naming mis- sions with French astronauts af- ter stars and constellations.

Pesquet left Baikonur cosmo- drome in Kazakhstan on a Soyuz rocket with NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson and commander -cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky on 17 November 2016. He returned to earth on 2 June. JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-2

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MALTA 2v ITALY 2v VATICAN CITY 2v Issue date 9 May 2017 Issue date 9 May 2017 Issue date 4 May 2017

The Doria is shown tow- ering over the village of Dolce- acqua; in the foreground is Pon- te Vecchio on the Nervia. Origi- nally the structure was made in the 12th century; it was enlarged in the sixteenth century by the The first stamp features the St then Local Stefano Doria. The €0,95 stamp features a fa- Agatha Tower, also known as In 1942 the castle became prop- cade of the papal palace in Cas- the Red Tower, built in 1647 erty of the City of Dolceacqua. tel Gandolfo where the Vatican during the reign of Grand Mas- Observatory telescope can be ter Lascaris de Castellar. It was seen. The palace originally be- painted red so it could be easily longed to the Gandolfi family visible from far away. In 2015, from which the modern day the Tower was awarded a Certifi- town in Latium takes its name. It cate of Excellence by the popu- became a patrimony of the Holy lar travel website, TripAdvisor. See under the pontificate of Clement VII. The second stamp depicts the Gourgion Tower in Xewkija, It was traditionally used by the The Scaliger Castle in Malcesine, Gozo which was built in 1690. popes as a place for vacation up as seen from the lake Garda. The Legend has it that on its site the until the beginning of the 1600s fortress of Malcesine dates back people of Gozo heard St Paul when Urban VIII made it his to the last centuries of the first preaching from as far as Malta summer residence. Pope Francis, millenium BC. The castle was de- following his shipwreck in AD 60. the only one not to have vaca- stroyed by the Franks in 590 AD For two and a half centuries, the tioned there, decided to allow and then rebuilt. In 1902 the building served as a fortress public access to the building by castle was declared a national against pirate attacks. transforming it into a museum.

monument. It is a popular site The €1,00 stamp depicts the Pal- Unfortunately, it was demolished for weddings. in 1943 to make way for an air- — from and local websites ace of the Belvedere, currently field that was considered neces- part of the Vatican Museums, built by Innocent VIII (1484- sary for the Allied invasion of Sicily. Ironically, the airfield was The 2016 Handbook Update is 1492) and located at the far only used just once. While the attached to this issue and avail- northern part of the Vatican hill. Allied Forces had offered to re- able on our website. Michel The stamp shows part of the fa- build it or compensate financial- numbers will be added and cade with its characteristic basti- ly, the owners chose the latter. posted to the website over the ons adorned with decorations of — from Malta Post summer. vases. — from the Vatican City State website JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-3

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ESTONIA 2v LATVIA 2v LITHUANIA 2v Issue date 8 May 2017 Issue date 21 April 2017 Issue date 29 April 2017

The Castle of Keila - Joa was Cesvaine Palace was built in The Castle of Biržai was con- one of the first neo-Gothic style 1896 for the German baron Emil structed around 1586 on the buildings in Estonia. The flat roof von Wulf. It is built in the late southern shore of Lake Širvėna. two story building is character- Tudor Neo-Renaissance style. This is the only bastion-type for- ized by lancet arch windows and Picturesque frames, towers and tress in Lithuania, which is also a tower with a crenelated balus- turrets of different forms and one of the best preserved in trade in the back corner of the sizes, high decorative chimneys northern-eastern Europe. At pre- building. The manor house com- and steep roofs were all charac- sent, the palace of the castle plex was built in 1833. teristic features of the style. In houses the Biržai regional muse- 2002 the palace suffered heavily um “Sėla” and a town library. in a fire and restoration work has been slow.

The Maarjamäe summer estate that lies on the eastern coast of The castle of Klaipėda was first the Tallinn Bay was probably mentioned in 1252 – in a docu- completed in 1874. The most Bauska Castle is a complex con- ment whereby the master of the remarkable part of the historicist sisting of the ruins of an earli- German Order and the bishop of main building is its tower that is er castle and a later palace on Kuršas agreed on the construc- pseudo-Gothic in form, quad- the outskirts of the Latvian city tion of a castle between the riv- rangular at the base and octago- of Bauska. In 1706, during ers Nemunas and Danė. The cas- nal at the top. Above the spec- the Great Northern War, both tle was called Memelburg. For tacular portal that vivifies the castle and palace were blown up many centuries, the castle suf- facade has been fastened the by the retreating Russians and fered from aggressive attacks, arms of Orlov - Davõdovs with left unrestored. Only ruins re- was burned, destroyed and re- the motto Fortitudine et Con- main from the seat of the Livoni- constructed again. stantia (Fortitude and Constancy) an order; the palace, however, is Currently, the site of the castle — from Eesti Post fully restored and can be visited houses a museum. In the muse-

daily during the summer um of the castle, visitors can months. Bookmark our website at walk on the oldest pavement of — from Wikipedia www.europastudyunit.org Klaipėda, which was laid in the so it’s only a click away ! 16th century. — from Lithuania Post JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-4

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PORTUGAL 1v + ss of 2v The Castle of Almourol (top Issue date 9 May 2017 stamp and single value) may ac- tually trace its roots back to the 1st century BC, having been re- modeled over the centuries by the Alans, Visigoths and Moors. Today, it is one of the more em- blematic medieval military monu- ments of the Reconquista, and best representation of the influ- ence of the Knights Templar in Portugal.

The Fortress of Marvão (lower stamp) is a well-preserved medi- eval castle that post-dates the year 1299. It is actually two encir- cled courtyards, displaying nu- merous characteristic features of a crusader-era castle. In 2013, the Cultural Centre of Marvão re- ceived the concession to manage and operate the castle. — from Wikipedia

PORTUGAL—AZORES 1v + ss of 2v The Fort of São Brás (top stamp Issue date 9 May 2017 and single value) is a 17th- century maritime fort situated on the southern cliffs of the island of Santa Maria. The interior mon- ument was inaugurated on 4 Oc- tober 1929, and renovations have occurred on an irregular basis. The municipal council eventually ceded the site to the Santa Maria Motorcycle Club.

The Fortress of São João Baptista (lower stamp) also known as the Fort of São Filipe, is a histor- ic fortress and defensive emplace- ment, located on the Portuguese island of Terceira. The fort was erected after the conquest of Ter- ceira by the Spanish military, as a consequence of the events relat- ed to the Iberian Union (1580– 1640). — from Wikipedia JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-5

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PORTUGAL—MADEIRA 1v + ss of 2v The Fortress of Sao Tiago, i.e. Issue date 9 May 2017 Santiago Fort (top stamp and sin- gle value) was built in 1614 to protect Funchal Island from the corsairs. In 1767 it was enlarged and exclusively served military purposes until 1992, when Madei- ra’s Regional Government decid- ed to use it for cultural activities.

The São João Baptista Fort is a replica of a previous fort dating from 1730, built to protect the town from the attacks and pillag- ing by pirates that were common at the time. In 1998 the Town Hall of Porto Moniz acquired the ruins of the Fort. The restoration started two years later, with the admin- istration not only preserving what was left of the former exterior walls, but also reusing the existing stones, restoring them to their original form. — from Madeira-web.com

POLAND 1v 2v se-tenant Issue date 5 May 2017 Also in booklets with 2 sets (straight edges on horizontal sides) Issue date 18 May 2017

Pieskowa Skała castle was erected in the first half of the 14th centu- Palamidi ((left hand stamp) is a fortress in the Peloponnese region ry as part of the chain of fortified of southern Greece. Nestled on the crest of a 216-meter high hill, castles called “Eagle’s Nests.” It is the fortress was built by the Venetians during their second occupa- one of the best-known examples tion of the area (1686–1715). To reach the top of the fortress there of a defensive Polish Renaissance are over one thousand steps. . The Castle of Methoni (right hand stamp) is a medieval The castle was rebuilt and in southwestern Greece that occupies the whole area of the cape changed hands many times over and the southwestern coast and is protected by the sea on its three the centuries. Over time it was sides. On the south part of the walls rises the spectacular sea gate turned over to the Polish govern- which has recently been restored. — from Helenic Post and Wikipedia ment and has been meticulously restored. — from Wikipedia JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-6

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ANDORRA (French Post) 1v MONACO 1v FAROE ISLANDS 2v Issue date 5 May 2017 Issue date Issue date 15 May 2017 9 May 2017

The stamp represents a very Just above the old town of Santa beautiful drawing of the princely Coloma stands the Roc d'Enclar, palace, residence of the lords a small rocky mountain which, and princes of Monaco since thanks to its geostrategic loca- 1297. — Monaco Office des Timbres tion, has allowed a visual control on the bottom of the valley from GREENLAND 2v + 2v self- 1800 BC until the 19th century. adhesive; each regular stamp in The paréage, signed in 1278 be- a ms of 9 stamps, and the self- tween the Comte de Foix and adhesive stamps in a booklet of “Once in a while you have to lay the Bishop of Urgell, stipulated, 6 sets down the cards and decide to inter alia, that the work of fortifi- Issue date 15 May 2017 pass, realizing that you can’t be cations in progress should cease in the round simply because you and that the existing building don’t have the right hand of should be destroyed. Thus, from cards. the castle that stood at the time “This was the case with the prep- on the Roc d'Enclar, only the arations for the EUROPA stamps, foundations remain and only the which this year feature the church could be restored faith- theme of castles. From whatever fully. — from Andorra Post angle we looked at the chal- lenge, there was nothing we could do. Simply put, we do not Email Alert: have any castles in the Faroe Is- My emails are not making it to lands. the following members. Would “However, we have a legend you please send me your latest about a princess—The Princess email address so that I can let of Nólsoy—who did not want to you know when the new issues stay in her father's castle - and are posted? moved to the Faroe Islands. And “Our country is magnificent in August Bouquet this is the kind of scenario which nature, but we have no cas- we can accept. There are fami- Michael Lamothe tles. The EUROPA stamp could lies in Nólsoy (and in the Shet- David Corney-Walker therefore be challenging. Artist land Islands) which according to Buuti Pedersen has been creat- Send your info to the legend are descendants of ing stamps for us since 1995 and [email protected] the escaped princess and her solves the artistic challenge.” .” — excerpted from — from Greenland Post husband Faroe Islands JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-7

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SLOVENIA 2v 2v in a ss of 2 sets (shown) Issue date 26 May 2017 Issue date 5 May 2017

Brestanica—Rajhenburg Castle has presided on its rocky promi- nence over the Sava River at least since the 9th century and still represents an important cul- tural and historical monument. It boasts the oldest Romanesque chapel from the beginning of the 12th century and the oldest The Andrássy Castle (upper left and lower right) was built between preserved Renaissance frescoes 1886 and 1890 in an area of extraordinary natural beauty, which is in the castle hall from the begin- still breathtaking today. The castle’s exterior blends the characteris- ning of the 16th century in Slo- tics of several Transylvanian castles that served as models. Accord- venia. After having undergone a ing to legend, the building reflects the year by having 4 entrances full restoration, the castle was for the 4 seasons, 12 towers for the 12 months, 52 rooms for the 52 reopened on 1 December 2012. weeks, and 365 panes of glass for the 365 days. The historic building — from Seviqc Brežice cultural website has been fully renovated and operates as a visitor center.

Nádasdy Castle (upper right and lower left) was built in the spirit of 16th-century English and Scottish architectural traditions and is a unique building in Hungarian castle architecture. After the Second World War, the building was neglected and the treasures it housed were dispersed. In 1993 it was listed as a major historic monument and came under the ownership of the state. — from Philatelica Hungarica

Once again, the Ger- Sevnica is a town in the heart of man-speaking postal Slovenia, where First Lady administrations of Melania Trump spent her child- Europe (Austria, Ger- hood. Sevnica Castle, on a hill many, Liechtenstein, above the town, dominates the Luxembourg, Nether- lands and Swizter- center and offers beautiful vistas land) have issued a over the town and the surround- souvenir folder for ing forest-covered area. Dating the Europa issue. The back to medieval times, it is the price on their web- main tourist attraction of the sites is €14.95. This area and restoration is under- was done before: in 2013 for the Postal way. Van, and again in — from the website “I FEEL sLOVEnia” 2016 for Think Green. JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-8

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BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA (Croat Post) 2v + ms of 2 set (shown) CROATIA 2v Issue date 9 May 2017 Issue date 9 May 2017

With its appearance and the for- est park surrounding it, Trakošćan is an example of a romantic perception of the cen- tral European country architec- ture from the middle of the 19th century. Today, the castle con- tains architectural elements of gothic (14th century), renais- sance and baroque (16th to 18th century), and neo-gothic (19th century) architecture.

Old (upper left and lower right stamps) is located in central Bosnia in the valley of the river Bosna, in the top of steep and inac- cessible cliffs. It is first mentioned in written documents in 1410. Ottomans occupied it in 1463 and it remained in their hands until the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Austro- Hungarian Empire in 1878. After 1890, the fortress ceased to exist as a military strategic place.

Old Town Počitelj (upper right and lower left stamps) is situated in Herzegovina, on the left bank of the Neretva River, built on a rocky Veliki Tabor was built at the be- cliff that rises steeply toward the river. In the Middle Ages it was the ginning of the 16th century as a center of the Parish of Dubrava and has important strategic signifi- castle-burg of the Ratkaj cance. It is assumed that it was built during the reign of Bosnian (Rattkay) family. The creation King Stephen I. It is first mentioned in written documents in 1444. In and the construction develop- 1471 the city became part of the , in whose compo- ment of Veliki Tabor was condi- sition it remained until 1878. After the establishment of the Austro- tioned by historical circumstanc- Hungarian authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina Pocitelj lost its es during several centuries, and strategic importance. it has not undergone any signifi- — from Hrvatska pošta Mostar cant changes until the present time. Since 2001 Veliki Tabor has been an integral part of the Next ESU Meeting: institution entitled Museums of

APS StampShow, Richmond VA Hrvatsko zagorje that also in- cludes five other museums. Saturday, 5 August @ 12 noon Room E22b — from Croatia Post Open to all. Lots of material to look through! JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-9

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BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA (Serb Post) 2v + booklet pane, the lat- 2v ter printed tete-beche (as shown) in a booklet pane of 2 sets, with Issue date 9 May 2017 one or two straight sides, and individually in ms of 8 stamps with a central label Issue date 28 April 2017

The stamp shows Maglič, a me- dieval castle from the 13th cen- tury - about 20 km south of Kraljevo, Serbia. Its name means "The Foggy One" from the Serbi- an word "Magla", meaning fog. Maglič was included on the Na- tional list of Cultural Monuments of Exceptional Importance in 1982. — from PostEurop

Smederevo Fortress is a medie- The stamps show two views of Kastel Fortress, the oldest historical val fortified city in Sme- monument in the city of . It was built on the left bank of derevo, Serbia, which was tem- the Vrbas, between the present Town and the mouth of the porary capital of Serbia in the River Church. In the past, Kastel was very military fortification and Middle Ages. It was built be- protected the valley of the Vrbas from enemy onslaught, mainly tween 1427 and 1430. from the north. The fortress was surrounded on all sides by thick The Fortress was declared a na- stone walls, on which were raised loopholes and watchtowers. tional Monument of Culture of

Today, in addition to the summer stage, playgrounds for children Exceptional Importance in 1979. and the national restaurant, are the rooms of the Institute for Pro- In 2010, the fortress was placed tection of Cultural and Natural Heritage of the Republic of Serbia. on the tentative list for possible nomination as a UNESCO World In early 2012, the EU announced that it was providing funding for Heritage Site . — from Wikipedia the reconstruction of the fortress Kastel. In 2013 numerous objects from the 17th and 18th centuries were found in the ramparts, in- cluding one completely preserved egg. Make someone happy! — from Posta Srpske See “Taste of Topicals” on the back page. JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-10

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MOLDOVA 1v ss+2v, the latter printed tete-beche (as shown) in a booklet Issue date 28 April 2017 pane of 4 sets, with two straight sides, and individually in ms of 10 stamps Issue date 14 April 2017

For the first time since 2002 (circus), the Post of Moldova has issued only one EUROPA stamp.

The Mimi family mansion was built towards the end of the 19th century. It was the first "chateau" in Bessarabia. Built There are two castles in Mardakan and both have played an im- with two reinforced concrete portant role in Azerbaijan' history. They are known as Mardakan floors (a novelty at that time), Towers and they have different tower shapes: one is round and the the castle cellar had a capacity other one is quadrangular. The latter is shown on the 20 qapik of 300,000 liters of wine, pre- stamp. served in the bloom. Ramana Tower, shown on the 60 qapik stamp, is a bit more pictur- esque. Both castles are on the Absheron peninsula, and date back to In 2011 the renovation of the the 14th century. — from Wikipedia, and everycastle.com architectural ensemble started to become an attraction for tour- ists. With the reconstruction, the mansion was also named "Mimi Castle" in honor of its founder. With the completion of the ren- ovation of the "Mimi Castle Complex" there will be a muse- um, an art gallery for young art- ists, a conference room, a hotel, a restaurant, and of course, a winery. — from Wikipedia.ro

BREXIT, FREXIT?

French voters rather decisively de- cided to go with their more moder- ate candidate, Emmanuel Macron, and in so doing stay with the EU.

Across the channel, Ms. May’s gam- ble didn’t go well for her, with Brit- ons seemingly giving second thoughts to her “BREXIT means The 12th century in Baku is pictured on the stamp BREXIT” statement. Maybe a “Soft and the fragments of the “” – the “Palace of Shirvanshahs” BREXIT” is in the cards after all. and “Qosha qala” doors, are pictured on the field of the sheet. — from the Azemarka Facebook page JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-11

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New Issues ms= mini-sheet ss = souvenir sheet Europa 2017 "Castles"

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA 2v issued in a ms of 5 se-tenant sets + MONTENEGRO 1v + ss of 1v ms of 1 set (shown); also in a booklet pane of 3 se-tenant sets in the same design but with a Issue date 9 May 2017 white background Issue date 9 May 2017

King Nikola's Palace is located in Cetinje, Montenegro, and for The Walled city of Jajce is the medieval fortified capital of the Bos- more than 50 years served as nian Kingdom, with long defensive walls and large , in Ja- the seat of the Montenegrin jce, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Jajce was first built in the 14th century Royal family. In 1926 it became a and served as the capital of the independent Kingdom of Bos- museum; from 1980 it was one nia during its time. The Walled city of Jajce is declared a National of the departments of the Na- Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina. — from Wikipedia tional Museum of Montenegro. — from Montenegro.com MACEDONIA 2v + ss Issue date 8 May 2017

The Skopje Fortress (upper left) commonly referred to as Kale (from kale, the Turkish word for 'fortress'), is an historic fortress located in the old town of Skopje, the capital of the Republic of Macedonia. It is situated on the highest point in the city overlooking the Vardar River. The fortress is depicted on the coat of arms of Skopje, which in turn is incorporated in the city's flag.

Samuel's Fortress (upper right) is located in the old town of Ohrid. It was the capital of the First during the rule of Tsar Samuel at the turn of the 10th century. Today, this historical monument is a major tourist attraction and was renovated in 2003.

The souvenir sheet depicts how the castles looked in JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-12

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TURKEY 2v ARMENIA postage of Mountainous NAGORNO-KARABAKH 2v Issue date 9 May 2017 printed in ms of 9 stamps each, and a ms of 4 sets and 1 label as shown below

Bayburt Castle stands on the steep rocks north of Bayburt in northeastern Turkey. It was held by the Bagratuni Dynasty in the 9th, 10th, and 11th centuries and was completely rebuilt be- tween 1200 and 1230. The castle has been uninhabited since 1829. The castle is open to tour- ists but access is difficult.

The Castle of Kars was built Askeran Fortress (corner stamps), also called Mayraberd around 1153. Since then it was in Armenian, is in the town of Askeran in Azerbaijan in the Armenian destroyed and rebuilt numerous -controlled Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. It was built by times over the course of wars the Karabakh khanate ruler Panah Ali Khan and consists of two sec- and invasions. Within the castle tions. The left-bank section features a double line of stone walls. In are military lodgings, an ammu- 1810 the peace talks between the Russians and Persians were con- nition depot, and a small ducted at the fortress. mosque that was rebuilt in the 1990s. The Amaras Monastery (central stamps) is an Armenian monastery

Today, the castle is administered in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. It was a prominent by the Ministry of Culture and religious and educational center in medieval Armenia. At the begin- Tourism. In 2005, the castle ning of the fifth century Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of hosted a music concert by Turk- the Armenian Alphabet, established in Amaras the first-ever school ish pop singer Sezen Ak- that used his script. The monastery was plundered in the thirteenth su attended by around 25,000 century by the Mongols and was abandoned during the Soviet peri- people. od. — from Wikipedia — from Trip Advisor and Wikipedia JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-13

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KOSOVO 2v + ss CYPRUS (Turkish Post) 2v Issue date 9 May 2017 Issue date 11 May 2017

The Hilarion Castle lies on the Kyrenia mountain range, in Cyprus. It is the best pre- served ruin of the three former strongholds in the Kyrenia mountains, the others be- ing Kantara and Buffavento.

Saint Hilarion was originally a monastery built in the 10th century. It was later fortified, but much of the castle was disman- tled by the Venetians in the 15th century to reduce the up- keeping cost of garrisons.

Prizren Fortress (upper right) once served as the capital of the . It was built on a hill above Prizren, around which the modern city developed. The first fort, erected on this location by the Byzantines, was further expanded by Emperor Stefan Dušan (r. 1331–1355). The fort then came under the control of the Ottomans for four centuries. It was declared a Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance in 1948. It was the site of a Mary McBride Band Concert sponsored by U.S. Embassy in 2016. Kyrenia Castle sits at the east Fortress (upper left and ss) is a medieval Serbian fortress end of the old harbor in Kyrenia about 12 miles from Pristina. The fortress was built in the early 14th in northern Cyprus. Built in the century to protect gold, silver, iron and lead mines which were 7th century, the first historical abundant throughout the area. Together with the castles of Prizre- reference to the castle occurs in nac and , which guard access roads to the fortress, Novo 1191, when King Richard the Li- Brdo helped form a defensive complex overlooking the lucrative onheart of England captured it mining operations. For its fortress and production of silver and gold, on his way to the Third Crusade.

Novo Brdo has been referred to as the "Mother of all Serbian cities.” The castle was subjected to sev- After 's declaration of independence, the site was established eral over the years. The as a Special Protective Zone of Kosovo. Constant illegal digging to Kyrenia Department of Antiqui- find buried treasure, plundering, and amateur excavations are de- ties took over custodianship of stroying valuable archaeological strata throughout the area. the castle in 1950. — from Wikipedia — from Wikipedia JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-14

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BULGARIA 2v, each issued in ms of 5v+label, ss of 2v (shown), and two booklet panes of 4v each; also one envelope or postal card with Euxinograd (upper right stamp the low value (also shown) and stationery) is a late 19th- Issue date 4 May 2017 century Bulgarian former royal summer palace and park on the Black Sea coast north of Varna. The palace is currently a governmental and presidential retreat hosting cabinet meetings in the summer and offering ac- cess for tourists to several villas and hotels. Since 2007, it is also the venue of the Operosa opera . The park and palace were closed until the summer of 2016 due to extensive renova- tions.

Asen’s Fortress (lower left stamp) is a medieval fortress in the Bulgarian Rhodope Moun- tains. The best preserved and most notable feature of Asen's Fortress is the Church of the Ho- ly Mother of God from the 12th- 13th century. Today it is in reg- ular use as a Bulgarian Ortho- dox church.

Baba Vida (shown on the souve- nir sheet and on the cachet of the stationery) is a medieval for- tress in in northwest- ern and the town's pri- mary landmark. It consists of two concentric curtain walls and about nine towers of which three are preserved to their full medieval height, including the original , and is said to be the only entirely preserved medieval castle in the country. Today, Baba Vida castle func- tions as a museum. Being a pop- ular tourist attraction, the for- tress is being kept in repair. — from Wikipedia and Philatelicmarket.com JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-15

v = value(s) New Issues ms= mini-sheet ss = souvenir sheet Sepac 2017 “Local Crafts”

MONACO 1v GREENLAND 1v GUERNSEY 1v from a set of 4v Issue date 1 June 2017 Issue date 15 May 2017 Issue date 17 May 2017

Monaco opened its own ceram- From : ics workshop in 1874. The first “The Humble Guernsey - Flying pottery in Monaco offered a var- the flag the world over” This ied and abundant production for Greenland Post simply lists this stamp issue includes four ten years until its closure in stamp as “Local Handcrafts”, de- stamps each depicting one of st 1884. Prince Albert 1 inaugu- signed by Michael Tonsberg, the many countries throughout rated the second pottery shop in who is a Danish photographer. the world where Guernseys are 1907 which ceased trading in Not surprising that Greenland exported today. 1914. A number of workshops would excel at creating cold “The ‘Guernsey’ has not changed continued until today to pro- weather attire, and a very stylish in design over the years and was duce ceramic and thus continue coat at that. originally hand knitted with each the tradition of Art pottery of pattern being specific to a par- Monaco. — from the Monaco Stamp Office ticular family so that if the sailor drowned he could be identified and returned to his family.

MALTA 1v from a set of 4v “Guernsey sailors all wore Issue date 28 June 2017 Guernseys, but they pronounced the name of the island as Gan- zey rather than the present pro- nunciation.

“Over time, sailors wives from ports across England realized the usefulness of the Guernsey/ The culture, history and also the traditional handcrafts of Malta are a Ganzey, and started to knit them legacy of the various powers that ruled over these Islands through- for their menfolk. They some- out the centuries. This issue captures four traditional handcrafts: times copied the patterns they boat building, the craft of bamboo fish traps, the art of weaving and had seen the Guernsey sailors also the original local art of tberfil. wearing, but often made up pat- terns of their own.” The craft of bamboo fish traps is depicted on the 59c SEPAC stamp and includes a man handcrafting a typical trap (nassa). These were The sepac stamp shows the USA first made with disa, a fine reed-like material. but these days they flag. The other three in the set are made out of nylon, which is virtually indestructible - but less at- depict Guernsey, Australia and tractive. — from Malta Post and “Times of Malta” Japan.

JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-16

v = value(s) New Issues ms= mini-sheet European Capitals of Culture ss = souvenir sheet 5v self-adhesive Under the slogan “Let's Rethink,” the Central Denmark Region is be- Aarhus, European Capital of ing transformed into a cultural laboratory, focusing clearly on the Culture 2017 role that art and culture have to play in an innovative and creative Issue date 30 March 2017 society. PostNord's contribution to the celebrations takes the form of issuing five stamps that highlight some of the most distinctive buildings in and around Aarhus: ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, Moesgaard Museum, Dokk1, The Iceberg, and Aarhus City Hall. — from Post Danmark

NOTE: Pafos, Cyprus is the site of the other 2017 European Culture Capital. CYPRUS issued a triptych of stamps on 24 March. The only picture I could find at press time is shown below from the PAFOS2017.eu website:

MACEDONIA 2v European Capitals Series: Valetta, London Issue date unknown

The illustration is from a new issue dealer’s website. This is a continuing series, in the same manner as France, and by coincidence, both feature Valetta (Malta) this year.

This is NOT part of the official European Culture Capitals issues shown above. JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-17

New Issues v = value(s) ms= mini-sheet ss = souvenir sheet SERBIA 2v FRANCE ss

“POSTAGE STAMP DAY European Capitals Series: Valetta – 60 years of Europa” Issue date 13 March 2017

Issue date 11 October 2016

How did we miss this one??

SERBIA 1v European Indoor Athletics Championships 2017— Issue date unknown Capital of the Republic of Malta, Valletta celebrated in 2016 its 450 year anniversary. It was in 1566 that the construction of this fortified city began, under the aegis of Jean Parisot de La Valette, 49th Grand Master of the Order of the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem.

The city was destined to serve as a bulwark against the advance of the Ottomans in Europe, after the terrible of Malta in 1565. Previously, only Fort Saint-Elme had been built, from 1552 on the bases of another fort, and completed only a month before the Turks came to besiege it. After heroic resistance and at the cost of many losses, the Knights of Malta, sheltered by the powerful , The event was held on 3-5 March succeeded in repelling the invaders.

2017, but the stamp may not Finally, the face of La Valette would not be the same without its fa- have been issued on one of mous Gallarijas, the typical balconies whose origin is uncertain. Bor- those dates. The next event is rowing from Turkish, Arabic, even Aragonese architecture, and built scheduled for Glasgow (Scotland) of stone, iron or wood, they adorn many facades of the city and give in 2019. the city a special charm. — (loosely translated from) LaPoste

This is a tax stamp, and so will Note: this is an ongoing series of French stamps, and is not part of the probably be given an “RA” prefix official European Culture Capitals issues shown elsewhere in this EN. by Scott. See the related issue from Macedonia on the previous page.

JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-18 NEW ISSUES WITH Scott CATALOG NUMBERS - Don Smith

From Linn’s May & June Special Editions

• = position in proposed new HB outline

COUNTRY SCOTT # DATE OF ISSUE DESCRIPTION *

Armenia 1082 1-Dec-16 Europa 2016, se-tenant pair 1 Azores 569a,570b 19-Oct-15 Europa 2015 (booklet panes) 1 Azores 581-2 9-May-16 Europa 2016 (582 a ss of 2) 1 Gibraltar 1595-6 6-Feb-17 Europa 2017 1 Jordan 2063-7 30-Jun-16 EuroMed 2016 1d Kazakhstan 791 2-Nov-16 European Soccer Championships, se-ten pair EN 438-5 3c Lebanon 742 9-Jul-16 EuroMed 2016 EN 435-4 1d Liechtenstein 1708-9 6-Mar-17 Europa 2017 1 Luxembourg 1441 13-Sep-16 Virgin Mary, Patroness of Luxembourg, 3b with Vatican City 1631 EN 436-7 Luxembourg 1443 13-Sep-16 Sepac 2016 EN 435-2 1c Luxembourg 1461 7-Mar-17 Apparition of Virgin Mary, joint issue w/ Poland 4277, 3b Portugal 3888, Slovakia 759 EN 439-9 Macedonia 719 10-Jun-16 European Soccer Championships EN 435-13 3c Macedonia 734 23-Dec-16 Churches, joint issue with Russia 7796 EN 437-8 3b Madeira 339a,340b 19-Oct-15 Europa 2015 (booklet panes) 1 Madeira 347-8 9-May-16 Europa 2016 (348 a ss of 2) 1 Moldova 922 8-Sep-16 Woodworking, joint issue w/Belarus 1010 EN 434-9 3b Mongolia 2851 15-Apr-16 Asia-Europe Meeting (shows European flags) 3a Netherlands 1512 25-Apr-16 Europa 2016, se-tenant pair 1 Netherlands 1517` 18-Jul-16 Europride Amsterdam 2016, se-tenant pair EN 435-5 3a Poland 4267 9-Dec-16 European Handball 2016 Champions 3c Poland 4277 12-Mar-17 Apparition of the Virgin Marry, joint issue with 3b Lux. 1461, Port. 3888, Slovakia 759 EN 439-9 Portugal 3789 2-May-16 Statue of Virgin Mary at Fatima EN 435-17 3b Portugal 3791-2 9-May-16 Europa 2016 (3792 a ss of 2) 1 Portugal 3805-9 9-Jul-16 EuroMed 2016 (3809 a mini-sheet of 4) EN 435-5 1d Portugal 3810 11-Jul-16 European Soccer Championship 2016 EN 435-12 3c Portugal 3847-8 21-Oct-16 Paris/Lisbon Architecture, joint w/France 5111-2 EN 436-2 3b Portugal 3887 13-Mar-17 Apparition of the Virgin Mary, Pope visit EN 439-9. 3b Portugal 3888 13-Mar-17 Apparition of the Virgin Mary, joint issue w/Lux. 1461. 3b Poland 4277, Slovakia 759 EN 439-9 Romania 5792-3 4-May-16 Europa 2016 1 Romania 5808-11 10-Jun-16 European Soccer Championships 2016 EN 435-13 3c Romania 5900 27-Jan-17 Romania in EU 10th Anniv. EN 438-5 2a Russia 7785 16-Nov-16 Battle of Moscow 75th Anniv. Joint w/Kazakhstan 3b Russia 7796 13-Dec-16 Churches, joint issue w/Macedonia 734 EN 437-8 3b Russia 7810 15-Mar-17 Europa 2017 1 San Marino 1982-3 7-Mar-17 Europa 2017 1 Slovakia 759 13-Mar-17 Apparition of the Virgin Mary, joint issue w/Lux. 1461, 3b Poland 4277, Portugal 3888 EN 439-9 Spain 4135 7-Jul-16 Admission to EU 30th Anniv. 2a Spain 4150 6-Oct-16 Euro Coin: Segovia aquaduct 3a JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-19

Report from NTSS 2017 — Alex Cwiekalo

BULLETIN OF THE Summary: EUROPA STUDY UNIT, APS# 219613 It was announced that NTSS 2018 will be joint with APS Stamp AN ASSOCIATION OF PHILATELISTS Show 2018 in Columbus, OH, 9-12 August 2018. DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF PHILATELIC MATERIALS COVERING THE IDEA OF A • Overall the setup was nice as everything was in one large room on UNITED EUROPE... UNITED IN A POLITICAL, the ground floor with no crowding when walking around or view- ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL SENSE. ing exhibits. All the meetings, presentation, lectures, etc. were spread across rooms throughout the ground floor. www.europastudyunit.org

• The Youth/Beginner Area had its own room EDITOR: Mr. Dana Roper, 7266 Prices (which was nice). I brought my granddaugh- Cove Place, Gainesville, VA 20155; email: [email protected]. ter Kaitlin with us (see picture at left) and she OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS: enjoyed her time there Saturday morning. PRESIDENT: Mr. Dana Roper • Gary Lightbody and I had a nice talk with EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: Mr. Tonny Vera about the “Taste of Topicals” kits, See VanLoij article on the back page. TREASURER: Tonny VanLoij • I attended an interesting talk “Make Your Own Album Pages by VICE PRESIDENT: Tonny Van Loij, SECOND VICE PRESIDENT: open Computer” (Jack Congrove, ATA VP). The handout is a ,pdf file that DIRECTORS: Mr. Alex Cwiekalo, Ms. we can post on our website. Caroline Scannel, Mr. Dan Shilcrat WEBMASTERS: Dana Roper, (acting) Europa Study Unit Meeting: AUCTION MANAGER: Mr. Donald W. Smith, P.O. Box 576, Johnstown, PA Saturday, 24 June 2017, 3-4pm 15907. Attendees: Alex Cwiekalo and Gary Lightbody (see picture below ) EUROPA HANDBOOK: Alex Cwiekalo

ANNUAL DUES: (Including one year of • Meeting was called to order at 3:05 the EUROPA NEWS): Electronic Mem- and adjourned at 3:45 (pm). bership only $10/yr; Standard member- ship (hardcopy of EN mailed): $20/yr • Previous minutes were reviewed USA; $30/yr outside USA. (osmosis) and approved. Dues are payable as of January 1st • There was no old business discussed or each year*. Payments must be made in new business brought to the floor. U.S. Dollars; cash, or a bank draft, or a money order (made payable to the • I had flyers for the meeting on the ATA Europa Study Unit). We also have a table, across from the Registration table PayPal account (europastudyunit, and posted around the ground floor. email [email protected]) to However, the room was down at the end which any payments can be transferred. of the hall past the entrances to the Any of these methods is acceptable; NTSS floor and Youth/Beginner Area however, when using PayPal please room. add 7% to cover PayPal costs.

SERVICES TO MEMBERS: Periodic bulletin (EUROPA NEWS) to all mem- Meeting of Study Unit Officers and Editors Breakfast/Forum bers; website with special “Members Only” section; periodic auctions (~3/yr) Sunday, 25 June 2017, 8:30–9:30 am of EUROPA-related material, EUROPA Handbook, monographs and specialty • Meeting led by Jeff Hayward, ATA Study Unit Coordinator and a items available only to ESU members. member of the ATA Board of Directors • Pretty much the same discussions as the one I attended in Port- *Dues must be received by land at NTSS 2015. Viz., how can Units increase membership and 31 January to ensure contin- participation, etc., etc. Jeff said he has set up a Google email of all ued membership, including units and will be contacting/soliciting them for information and to uninterrupted receipt of the request feedback, thoughts, ideas, etc. EN and access to the Mem- Let’s hope your August meeting is well attended! ▬ bers Only website. JULY-AUGUST 2017 440-20

Taste Of Topicals — Vera Felts, Alex Cwiekalo

Taste of Topicals is the title of I would like to challenge all ESU In closing, if you have stamps Vera’s Views in the American members to help us build and from any other topicals you Topical Association’s (ATA) May- distribute as many Europa Taste would like to donate towards June 2017 Topical Time. Vera of Topicals kits as we can by Taste of Topicals, please send Felts (ATA Executive Director) sending donations of your lefto- them (in any quantity) directly to outlines the initiative that the ver Europa stamps to Don Smith ATA. We’ll report donations re- ATA began about two years ago at PO Box 576, Johnstown, PA ceived in future issues. as a way to promote stamp col- 19907. If you have fewer than 30 Note: ATA’s original thought lecting and hopefully bring new Europa stamps to donate, simply was that the kits would be a collectors to the wonderful send what you can and we’ll good item to offer for youth col- world of philately. consolidate all donations to cre- lectors, which they are. Howev- ate Europa kits of 30 stamps. From stamp donations sent to er, about 2/3 of the kits pur- ATA they produce beginner top- We will also accept donations of chased have been for adults and ical stamp collecting kits Norden, NATO, Council of Eu- 1/3 for children, which backs up (currently in excess of 100 top- rope, Sepac and Europa-related Caroline’s observation. You can ics) that contain 30 different stamps to build kits for those visit the ATA website or contact stamps of the same topic, five topics, too. the ATA office for a list of cur- album pages, hinges and begin- ATA has a printable Europa page rently available topics. ner information, all housed in a they would use with any donat- Note; Don Smith added this clear page protector (see Figure ed Europa stamps we send them footnote to the material he used illustration). The ATA sells the to produce Europa Kits. If this to “kick start” our contribution: kits at stamp show Ambassador gets rolling, we could also make “Many years ago a dealer- tables for $4 to members and $5 our own kits using copies of member passed away and his for others. They can also be blank White Ace Europa pages daughter donated his entire purchased directly from the ATA. we have or mix in different years stock to the Unit. Ever since This project offers the Europa from Dana's PowerPoint header then I have sprinkled them into Study Unit a great opportunity page set, and put an ESU appli- the auctions - as many as 20-40 to promote our topic to begin- cation brochure in each and lots per auction, but the mem- ners that may (will?) help us in- then send them on to ATA. bers could only absorb so many crease our membership. Don and it was getting to the point Smith, our Auction Czar, has al- where much of his material was ready started the ball rolling by no longer bid on. sending leftover Europa stamps “Dana and I thought a good way from ESU member donations to get rid of them was to give and unsold auction items to the them to the packs the ATA ATA for them to begin building wants. I still have many hun- Europa Taste of Topicals kits. dreds of sets left. Some I can (More on that in the last col- still put into the auctions but umn). there is a lot of material that Director Caroline Scannell points does not sell. Many are not out that “Vera does very well "cheap" sets - some running in with those beginner kits the $3-5 range - but they simply (originally labelled 'for children', do not sell in the auctions. Any but customers in NYC were usu- other suggestions on how to ally spouses of stamp collec- dispose of them would be ap- tors). Grandparents also like to preciated - but the ATA has buy them, trying to spur an in- been the best way so far....if they terest in the grandchildren. “ Example of a “Taste of Topicals” Kit are wanted. “ ▬