SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 Issue # 435

Principles and Values of the European Union

The stamps shown above, is- That such a message is timely sued by the Republic of CYPRUS goes without saying. After on 18 June 2016, were devel- Brexit there is much concern as oped in cooperation with the to where Europe is heading. As European Parliament, Ministry of I write this there has been Culture and the Cypriot Post Of- more terrorist activity and con- fice. The motifs suggest Peace, cerns over immigration policy. Justice and Solidarity. Economic uncertainty will Your humble editor concedes probably continue worldwide the artistic merit, which was the for some time, while the USA result of a contest among faces what is perhaps the most schoolchildren, but without ad- momentous election in dec- ditional wording it’s not immedi- ades. ately clear, at least to me, exactly “May you live in interesting times.” what the message is. — ancient Chinese curse SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-2 v = value(s) ms= mini-sheet New Issues ss = souvenir sheet Europa 2016 "Ecology in Europe - Think Green"

ALBANIA 1v printed in ms of 9 HUNGARY 1v printed in ms of 4 (shown) Issue date 9 July 2016 Issue date 6 May 2016

No Issues: STILL TO GO

GREAT BRITAIN ISLE OF MAN GREENLAND ARMENIA RUSSIA GEORGIA TURKEY KAZAKHSTAN

sepac 2016 “Seasons”

LUXEMBOURG 1v JERSEY 1v GIBRALTAR 1v Issue date 13 September 2016 Issue date 4 November 2016 Issue date 25 July 2016 (Tentative)

ICELAND 1v from a set of 4 Part of a set of 5 stamps com- This preview image is taken from memorating the 200th anniver- (shown) printed in ms of 10 self- the sepac competition website adhesive stamps sary of the Alameda Gardens Issue date 28 April 2016

From Iceland Post:

“The seasons constitute the SEPAC theme this year. Iceland issued a series of four stamps celebrating the seasons, with spring (stamp in upper left) being Iceland’s contribution to the SEPAC issue. Seasonal differences are rather pronounced at higher latitudes and the chang- es in climate and nature are usually impressive and fascinating. In spring the sun rises earlier and sets later – summer arrives with light- er nights and the scent of flowers.

The colors of nature are fair and varied in autumn. Migrating birds bid farewell and practice aerobatics before flying off to warmer lati- tudes. ... In the astronomical sense seasonal changes occur at solstice or equinox. “ SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-3 v = value(s) ms= mini-sheet New Issues ss = souvenir sheet EuroMed 2016 "Fishes of the Mediterranean"

The theme for the 2016 issues PORTUGAL 4v + ss has been announced, but de- Issue date 9 July tails from many countries have been spotty, due no doubt to the tension and un- rest enveloping the area. Herewith, what details we have so far. All issue dates are 2016.

FRANCE 1v Issue date 9 July Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)

The hills of Marseille are de- Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) picted in the background, and silhouettes characteris- tics of Notre Dame -de-la- Garde, Saint-Jean tower and the Old Major in foreground. In the ocean, red and white sea fans surround a red scor- pion fish, gurnard red mullet, bonito, roucaou, female pea- cock wrasse, and moray eel. Shown below is the tradition- al first day card:

Blacktail comber (Serranus atricauda) Painted comber (Serranus scriba)

Dusky Grouper (epinephelus marginatus) Comber (Serranus cabrilla) SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-4 v = value(s) ms= mini-sheet New Issues ss = souvenir sheet EuroMed 2016 "Fishes of the Mediterranean"

SLOVENIA 1v MALTA 1v Issue date 9 July Issue date 9 July

GREECE 1v Issue date 8 July

European pilchard (Sardina pil- 'Lampuka' is the Maltese name chardus) aka European sardine. for the Dorado Fish (Coryphaena hippurus) or the Dolphin Fish. CROATIA 1v The latter name was given to Issue date 7 July The Hellenic Post website de- this fish due to its habit of leap- scribes the design as simply ing out of the sea like a dolphin. “fish” It is also known by the name mahi-mahi. CYPRUS 1v Issue date 7 July LEBANON 1v Issue date 9 July

The ocellated wrasse, (Symphodus ocellatus) is recog- nizable by the blur of green, blue and sometimes black color, with intensely red rim, posi- tioned in the back part of the Mosaic consisting of a variety gills' cover. The blur is similar to of fish such as perch, making, An underwater view through a a false eye, hence the name oc- the lips, the sorkos and sea- “fish-eye” lens (pun intended). ellatus. bream.

PALESTINE ss of 10v Issue date 3 July SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-5 v = value(s) ms= mini-sheet New Issues ss = souvenir sheet

POLAND 1v SLOVAKIA 1v GERMANY 1v Issue date 24 June 2016 Issue date 1 July 2016 POLAND 1v NATO Summit in Warsaw Issue date 2 June 2016 The Presidency of the Slovak 25 years German-Polish Youth Republic in the Council of the Office European Union Joint Issue

The meeting was held in the Na- tional Stadium in Warsaw.. Sev- eral steps were taken to strengthen NATO’s presence in Eastern Europe. LUXEMBOURG ss

The NATO Secretary Gen- Issue date 18 June 2016 eral signed a Joint Declaration with the Presidents of the Euro- 500th Anniversary of the Pas- pean Council and the European sage of the Thurn & Taxis Post- Commission to take partnership al Route through Luxembourg between NATO and the Europe- In 1991, the German and Polish an Union to a higher level. The governments created the Polish- Declaration sets out areas where German Youth Office (DPJW). NATO and the EU will step up Hardly any other country suf- cooperation – including mari- fered so much from the German time security and countering aggression in World War II as hybrid threats posed by a more Poland. So 25 years ago, Berlin aggressive Russia. and Warsaw proposed a new —- from Wikipedia chapter. Young Poles and Ger- mans would meet with the sup- port of DPJW to share the cul- NETHERLANDS 2v printed se- tures of their neighbors, and to tenant horizontally and vertically socialize, so that the past does in sheets of not repeat itself. 10 stamps The first postal routes were born from the necessity to exchange Since its inception, the DPJW Issue date messages among the royal, im- initiated more than 70,000 pro- 18 July 2016 perial and pontifical courts. jects with approximately 2.7 mil- Europride Since the 15th century, the Taxis lion subscribers. The encounters Amsterdam family was known for its couriers range from a common physical 2016 and message service officers. education class to Theatre Following a convention signed in Workshops. This Gay Pride 1516 between the family and In the anniversary year 2016, celebration Charles V., the Netherlands – projects take on a “Merit Badge” has been held Germany – Italy postal route flavor, emphasizing things like in different even passed through the north painting equipment at a school cities since of Luxembourg probably with a playground or spring cleaning in 1992. The postal relay at Hoffelt. A docu- the city park. Young people are event usually ment dated 19 July 1520 makes encouraged to share pictures draws thou- mention of this. and videos of the action in social sands of visi- — from Post Luxembourg networks. tors. — excerpted from Deutsche Post SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-6 v = value(s) ms= mini-sheet New Issues ss = souvenir sheet

SLOVAKIA 1v GERMANY 1v Issue date 27 January 2016 Issue date 2 June 2016

European The Alps - Diversity in Europe Figure Skating Championship In Bratislava, 25-31 January

Figure skating is one of the oldest sports in Slovakia, having been performed there for 145 years. In the men's event, Spain's Javier Fernández won his fourth consecutive European title. The Federal Ministry of Finance has introduced a new logo for charity stamps — five colored dots forming a plus along with the motto of "doing KOSOVO 1v issued in a ss of 2v as shown Issue date (May 2016?) good - helping with postage stamps." European Individual Chess Championships

It is expected that this stamp will introduce a new series of annual stamps called “For the Environ- ment.” Deutsche Post explains the rationale for this first stamp issue:

The Alps are not only the largest water reservoir of Europe. Its forests also contribute significantly to the Air Treatment and stability. To protect one of the last bastions of nature in Europe against eco- nomic and tourist excesses, a solid sustainability program is needed. With the special stamp "The Alps - diversity in Europe" everyone can make a personal contribution. The contract value of 30 cents flows into a fund which supports actions and projects for the protection of the Alpine region.

SERBIA 2v BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA Serb Post 2v Issue date (May 2016?) Issue date 16 May 2016 European Nature Protection, showing ECY logo European Nature Protection

Kučaj & Beljanica Mountain Range Pešter Plateau SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-7 v = value(s) ms= mini-sheet New Issues ss = souvenir sheet CROATIA 2v GREECE ss + 4v with the same designs Issue date 28 June 2016 Issue date 18 April 2016 Sports in Croatia 2016 — Year of Greece in Russia

EUROPEAN JUNIOR SYNCHRO- NIZED SWIMMING AND DIV- ING CHAMPIONSHIP IN RIJEKA 26 June—3 July 2016

The year of Greece in Russia and Russia in Greece was decided in an agreement signed between the two coun- tries in October 2013. Its aim is to lay the foundations for useful and mutually beneficial partnerships with sub- stantive economic re- sults, extending Greek access to broader stra- ta of Russian society, especially in the re- EUROPEAN UNIVERSITIES gions, opening up new sectors of scientific, academic and business GAMES, ZAGREB - RIJEKA 2016 cooperation and seeking out new markets for tourism, Greek prod- ucts and innovative Greek productivity. The stamps of the series sym- bolize the historical ties of Greece and Russia, and reflect the desire that this year should be the occasion for even stronger relations to develop between the two peoples. — from Hellenic Post

MACEDONIA 2v Issue date 2016 (Exact issue date is unknown) European Capitals

The program of the European Universities Games 2016 includ- ed 21 sports. The Games hosted 5000 students from more than 350 European universities. EU- SA—the European University Sports Association—is an um- brella organization of all nation- al university sport federations in Europe. It is supported with the These stamps showed up on a dealer’s new issue list. They are an help of 2000 volunteers. apparent continuation of an ongoing series. Shown here are the cit- ies of Bratislava (Slovakia) and Amsterdam (Netherlands). SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-8

New Issues Catch-Up Europa Briefs

GERMANY 1v ITALY 1v The stamps shown below are

Issue date 4 August 2016 Issue date 21 October 2015 machine-vended postage from

Benedictine Monastery Mün- Austria. They were issued in con- 10th Regional Seapower Sym- junction with last year’s single sterschwarzach near Würzburg posium of the Mediterranean 1200 Years stamp publicizing the Eurovision and Black Sea Countries Song Contest in Vienna (ref. EN# 429-9). This is the kind of thing that is usually tucked away on other portions of a country’s website, if it is listed at all. Suf- fice it to say that these got by me the first time around.

St. Benedict is called the “Father of Europe” In 1995, upon conclusion of the International Seapower Sympo- sium held in Newport, RI (USA), POLAND 2 postal cards it was stressed that there was no Issue date 17 June 2016 similar regional activity for the Friendship with Germany Mediterranean and Black Sea area. On that occasion, the Ital- ian Navy was asked to organize such an event and, since 1996, she has been hosting the Sym- posium every two years.

The Venice Symposium is the leading forum in the Wider

Mediterranean Region, hosting The stamp sheet shown here the largest gathering of Navy was issued by the Netherlands Leaders, Organizations and on 1 September 2015. Agencies with a key role in the maritime dimension.

The stamp design is a reproduc- tion of the painting Il Ponte sull Arsenale by Canaletto, on which the Italian Navy coat of arms is set in the upper right corner. — from Poste Italiano and the Symposium website

It is part of a series titled “Pioneering the Air” and shows an Airbus A380. PostNL says that “...this image is also used for the corresponding Personal Stamps.” Personalized stamps must be a popular (and lucra- tive) concept. The Netherlands has kicked off a series this year for Europa (see article on the Logo of the conference back page). ▬ SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-9

New Issues

Okay, now that all of that other All French stamps were stuff is out of the way, we can issued in March and get to what is truly important to April 2016. most Europeans — the Europe- an Football (i.e. Soccer) Champi- onships. This year was as excit- ing as ever, with Portugal taking the title via a 1-0 upset victory over host country France. Al- most as exciting was the sheer number of stamps issued by the host country to publicize the event (and make more than a little money, of course).

If memory — abetted by my personal database — serves, this First up is a single stamp (shown Note that the 3-D version does “tradition” began with Euro 2000 above enlarged) and the same not have the bar code in the when host countries Belgium design in a souvenir sheet of 5 lower left. Expect to pay about self-adhesive stamps. These two $30 for that one. and Netherlands together issued items alone retail for about $14 a variety of stamps. In 2004 host Below right is the usual first day country Portugal was the first to on auction sites. They were de- of issue souvenir card that go truly overboard, with stamps scribed more fully in EN# 433-7. France produces for all it’s and souvenir sheets showing the The souvenir sheet was also pro- stamps. I have only seen this for various host cities, the stadiums, duced in a “3-D” version shown the trophy stamp. the logo and so on. In 2008 it below, consisting of a glossy was Austria’s turn, and for 2012 overlay on the trophy that Ukraine and Poland did likewise. makes it appear raised up.

Given that history, I shouldn’t have been surprised by the number of ways host country France found to extract some of our money, but I was, neverthe- less, if only because I had trou- ble telling from the La Poste website just how much there was. By trolling eBay and delcampe I was able to piece together what I hope is a com- prehensive listing of everything that’s out there. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-10

New Issues

Part of the tradition has been to issue stamps showing the host cities and their stadiums. For 2016, France issued a set of 10 self-adhesive stamps showing the team mascot visiting the various cities.

To the left is a large souvenir sheet contain- ing all 10 of the stadium city series. This re- tails for about $20.

To the right is a packet of 10 individual min- iature sheets, each containing one of the sta- dium stamps. This retails in the neighbor- hood of $36 for the packet of 10.

To the left is a tri-fold souve- nir book con- taining all 10 stamps. This costs about $22. A more deluxe “album” version is also sold, as shown on the right. This version retails for about $36. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-11

New Issues

The item above showed up in a new issue dealer’s email and was de- Another unique set of stamps, the item above is a booklet con- scribed as follows: taining 10 stamps showing soccer players in different poses dur-

“Unusual (Perhaps Unique) Soccer ing play. It retails for about $16. Stamp that plays online game. Only sold from vending machines in Paris. Game is online 20 May to 20 July but stamps already sold out. Only one per customer please“

The email was dated 28 June. The seller was asking $23 but I was able to find it on eBay for under $8. It is a self -adhesive stamp that is truly 3-D, as the soccer ball is a round and puffy bit of soft plastic. That plastic is also a little sticky, perhaps owing to the summer weather, but it will make I confess not to know what the item above is. It showed up on mounting the stamp a challenge. I am the delcampe auction website, with the seller asking €16.00 hoping that a large Showgard-type (about $18). It says it is a souvenir of the games and given the mount will not adhere to the soccer price I’m guessing that they are express mail stamps. My French ball, but it will bear watching. is non-existent so I rely heavily on Google Translate.

That is what I know of the stamps of France. Of course, other countries have issued stamps for the event as well, which are chronicled on the following pages. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-12 v = value(s) New Issues ms= mini-sheet ss = souvenir sheet

PORTUGAL wasted no time producing a souvenir sheet with a MONACO 1v group photo of the winners. The final match was on 10 July. The Issue date 1 June sheet was issued one or two days after that.

ARMENIA 1v Issue date 15 July

The issue date is 5 days after the BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA Serbian Post ss final game {?) Issue date 10 June One last item from FRANCE, found on delcampe. This is a self- adhesive priority mail stamp with the UEFA 2016 logo. Starting bid was €8.00 (about $8.50) SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-13 v = value(s) New Issues ms= mini-sheet ss = souvenir sheet

AUSTRIA 1v + 2 machin stamps Issue date 10 June

MACEDONIA 1v TURKEY 4v Issue date 10 June Issue date 10 June

THAILAND booklet of 16v + postal card Issue date unknown ROMANIA 4v issued in sheets of 5v each + label (shown) Issue date 10 June The booklet stamps depict each game since 1960, with its re- spective winners. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-14 v = value(s) New Issues ms= mini-sheet ss = souvenir sheet

UKRAINE 1v ALBANIA 2v se-tenant Issue date 22 May Issue date 10 June

SLOVENIA postal card Issue date unknown CROATIA-Krajina 2v KOSOVO-Serb 2v

These are privately issued labels that show up now and then and mimic real stamps. They are presented here with caveat emptor in large bold letters. They appeared on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $20 for each pair. HUNGARY 1v Issue date 3 June The so-called “cinderella” issues continue to abound. Those that Scott might eventually list will be recorded as I become aware of them. Others, such as a set of 24 miniature sheets of 3 stamps each from the Republic of Guinea, may not be legiti- mate and are mentioned here just for the record. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-15

“Pilgrimage in Europe” — Dana Roper

Austria : Mariazell Basilica

Austria issued a single stamp on 12 May showing the Mariazell Basilica, which Austria Post called their country’s “most im- portant pilgrimage to the Basili- ca of the Nativity of Mary” and the shrine’s website calls it a “gift of heaven.”

Lourdes - Loreto - Fatima - Czestochowa - Mariazell - Altötting

The “Shrines of Europe” network Their experiences at the holy was created in 1996, linking to- place itself provide many people gether some of the most im- with new strength and energy; for portant Marian Shrines in Eu- the story they hear of the shrine Today around a million pilgrims rope. These include Fatima there, the rituals which are held visit Mariazell each year. In May (Portugal), Loreto (Italy), Lourdes and the praying people all create 2004, the Central European (France), Altötting (Germany), an atmosphere in which the soul Catholic Day (mitteleuropäische Czestochowa (Poland) and since can open and find peace. Katholikentag) took place there. 2004 Mariazell (Austria). The fol- See www.mariazell.at/ for a lowing italicized paragraphs are Europe is rich in places of pil- beautiful tour. from the website Shrines-Of- grimage. There are large places Europe.com: to which millions make their pil- According to Wikipedia, there grimage. And there are innumer- are three basic legends about Long before efforts were made to able regional shrines to which the founding of Mariazell and its development: unite Europe economically and people from neighboring areas or politically and long before the from the region wend their way. The legend of the towns found- flocks of tourists, men have ing says that in 1157, the St. crossed borders in order to reach All these places have one thing in Lambrecht Monk Magnus was the large places of pilgrimage. common: Thy provide spiritual sent to the area of the current When pilgrims set off from home, consolation and new strength for town as a minister. When his this was not always caused by living. Experience Europe in the way was blocked by a rock, he "wanderlust" and today, this can- footsteps of the pilgrims! set down the Marian figurine he not only be called tourism. had brought with him, whereby For 2016, the countries of Aus- the rock broke apart and left At these holy places, they hope to tria, Germany and Portugal joint- Magnus' way clear. On a nearby gain a new sense of the message ly commemorated the 20th an- bank, he settled down, placed given to them by their belief. The niversary of the Shrines of Eu- the figurine on a tree trunk, and strain and occurrences which rope Network, and publicized built a cell out of wood, which they experience on their way their own large sites of pilgrim- served as both his chapel and there give them more insight. age. his living quarters.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-16

“Pilgrimage in Europe” — cont’d

Germany: Altötting

Germany issued a single stamp on 2 May showing the “Chapel of Grace” and Our Lady of Altöt- ting:

The town of Altötting The Mariazell Basilica The second legend relates The octagonal chapel which how Henry Margrave of Mora- houses the image of Our Lady via and his wife, having been dates to about A.D. 660, and is healed of severe gout through the oldest Marian shrine in Ger- the help of Our Lady of Mariazell many. made a pilgrimage to that place The website altoetting.de/ pro- around 1200. There they built vides the following background: The shrine became a popular the first stone church on the site Boasting a privileged location in pilgrim destination when it be- of the wooden chapel. the attractive Alpine foothills of came known for the miraculous Upper Bavaria, Altötting is cen- recovery in 1489 of a young boy The third legend recounts a vic- tered between Munich, Passau, who had been drowned, after his torious battle of the Hungarian Salzburg and Lake Chiemsee. For mother laid his body before the King Ludwig I over a numerically over 1250 years the town has image and prayed to the Blessed superior Turkish army. Out of been Bavaria’s spiritual center Mother for a miracle. thanks he built the gothic church and for five centuries has fea- and endowed it with the tured Germany’s principle Mari- Many of the votive offer- Schatzkammerbild (treasury im- ings which have been given to an pilgrimage site. age) that he saw laid upon his the shrine over the centuries are chest in a dream. The objective for over one mil- displayed in the porch encircling lion pilgrims and visitors each the church. Also to be seen are The territory around Mariazell year is to see the ‘Black Madon- the small, silver urns in which was given to the Monastery of na’ kept in the octagonal Chapel many members of the Ger- St. Lambrecht around 1103, and of Grace. In all probability an man nobility would have their the monks built cells there in early Christian baptistery erected hearts placed after their deaths. order to serve the local resi- around the year 700, this small dents. Although the legend church structure stands at the The shrine was honored by a gives the town's founding day as center of the spacious chapel visit by Pope John Paul II in No- 21 December 1157, it is first square so elegantly surrounded vember 1980. He was accompa- documented in 1243. A Marian by Baroque buildings. The chap- nied by Cardinal Joseph altar was dedicated there in el also houses a silver urn im- Ratzinger, who was born in a 1266. In the church, a miraculous mortalizing the hearts of Bavari- nearby town. On 11 September wooden image of the Virgin an kings and prince-electors, as 2006, Ratzinger, newly elected Mary is honored. well as precious votive offerings. as Pope Benedict XVI, returned to the shrine and donated Deutsche Post advises that the the episcopal ring he had worn Commemorative Madonna statue is carved of lin- while he was the Archbishop of coin issued in denwood, and was covered by Munich. The ring is now a part of 2007 the carbon black from numerous the scepter held by the Blessed candles dating back to 1330. Virgin.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-17

“Pilgrimage in Europe” — cont’d

Portugal: Fátima In 1916, on three separate occa- sions, Lucia Santos and her two Portugal issued a single stamp cousins, Jacinta and Francisco and a souvenir sheet on 2 May Marto, began witnessing appari- honoring the Shrine of Our Lady tions of an angel in the region of the Rosary of Fátima. of Ourém. These visitations per- sisted until 13 May 1917 when, while tending their family's sheep in Cova da Iria, they wit- nessed the apparition of what The Shrine of Our Lady they later assumed was the Vir- gin Mary, and began doing pen- ance and self-sacrifice to atone The Miracle of the Sun was re- for sinners. portedly attended by 30,000 to 100,000 people. Several newspa- per reporters were in attendance and they took testimony from many people who claimed to have witnessed extraordinary solar activity.

According to these reports, the event lasted approximately ten minutes. The three children who originally claimed to have seen Our Lady of Fátima also reported seeing a panorama of visions, including those of Jesus, Our Lady of Sor- rows, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and of Saint Joseph blessing the people.

The event was officially accepted as a miracle by the Catholic Church on 13 October 1930. On 13 October 1951, the papal leg- Fátima is undoubtedly one of Many flocked to Fátima and ate, Cardinal Tedeschini, told the the main shrines of Marian de- Aljustrel to witness these appari- million people gathered at Fáti- votion in the world. tions along with the children, ma that on 30 October, 31 Octo- but not before the children were ber, 1 November, and 8 Novem- The Sanctuary of Fátima is actu- jailed for being politically dis- ber 1950, Pope Pius XII himself ally a group of Roman Catho- ruptive. These visitations culmi- witnessed the miracle of the sun lic buildings and structures in nated in the public Miracle of the from the Vatican gardens. ▬ the (civil parish) of Fátima, in the Sun. Although the last apparition municipality of Ourém in Portu- occurred on 13 October 1917, — This article was sourced, and text gal. The hyperlink for Portugal the region of Fátima has contin- was often simply lifted, from a num- on the Shrines of Europe website ued to be a popular destination ber of websites, including shrines-of- actually links to the municipali- of pilgrims from around the europe.com, many local sites and the ever popular Wikipedia ty’s website, not the shrine. world. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-18 NEW ISSUES WITH Scott CATALOG NUMBERS - Don Smith From Linn’s July & August Special Editions  = position in proposed new HB outline (ref. EN# 404-12)

COUNTRY SCOTT # DATE OF ISSUE DESCRIPTION *

Croatia 993-4 9-May-16 Europa 2016 1 Cyprus (Turkish) 777-8 25-Jun-15 Europa 2015, in souvenir sheet of 2 1 Cyprus (Turkish) 791-2 25-Feb-16 2016 European Soccer Championships EN 433-7 3c Cyprus (Turkish) 796-7 12-May-16 Europa 2016 1 Czech Republic 3666 16-Mar-16 Joint Institute for Nuclear Research EN 434-10 3b Czech Republic 3668 27-Apr-16 Czech/Slovak Philatelic Exhibition EN 434-10 3b Czech Republic 3670 4-May-16 Europa 2016 1 Estonia 814-5 9-May-16 Europa 2016 1 Moldova 897 11-Feb-16 Struve Geodetic Arc UNESCO Heritage Site EN 434-10 3a Montenegro 386 22-Oct-15 Joy of Europe EN 432-5 3b Serbia 693-4 16-Apr-15 Europa 2015 1 Serbia 699-700 20-May-15 European Nature Protection 3a Serbia 711 2-Oct-15 Joy of Europe EN 432-5 3a Serbia 716 20-Oct-15 Organization for Security & Cooperation in Europe EN 431-4 5a Serbia 718 9-Nov-15 Davorin Jenko, joint w/Slovenia #1145 EN 432-5 3b Serbia 723 27-Nov-15 Women’s Basketball: European Champs. EN 431-5 3c Slovakia 715-6 5-May-15 Europa 2015, 716 self-adhesive, 716a booklet pane 6 1 Slovakia 733 27-Jan-16 2016 European Figure Skating Championships EN 435-6 3c Sweden 2766 14-Jan-16 Europa 2016, self-adhesive coil 1 Sweden 2771 7-Mar-16 Norden 2016 EN 433-4 1b Switzerland 1599-1600 12-May-16 Europa 2016 1 Tunisia 1610 25-Apr-16 40th Anniversary agreement with European Union 2a Turkey 3416 28-Nov-14 600th Anniv. relations w/Poland, joint issue EN 429-7 3b Turkey 3439-40 9-May-15 Europa 2015 1 Ukraine 1009 5-Jun-15 Baku: European Games EN 429-7 3c Ukraine 1017-8 11-Aug-15 Europa 2015 EN 429-2, 430-3 1 Ukraine 1036 12-Oct-15 Defender’s Day EN 432-5 4b Ukraine 1045 18-Dec-15 Churches, joint issue with Poland #4208 EN 431-4 3b Vatican City 1621 10-May-16 Europa 2016 1 Vatican City 1626-7 10-May-16 World Youth Day, joint issue w/Poland, 1627 a ss 3b

The following issues have earned our (not-so-) coveted “cinderella” designation: St. Thomas & Prince Is 2755a 15-Oct-14 Churchill 4a St. Thomas & Prince Is 2800a,c 17-Nov-14 Charles de Gaulle 4a St. Thomas & Prince Is 2805,2822 17-Nov-14 Concorde (ss of 4, ss of 1) 3b Solomon Islands 1770,1788 24-May-15 Europhilex Stamp Exhibition, London (ss of 1, ss of 4) 3b Solomon Islands 1777,1795 24-May-15 Concorde Crash (ss of 4, ss of 1) EN 432-11 3b Solomon Islands 1905,1925 25-Sep-15 2016 Eur. Soccer Championships (ss of 4, ss of 1) EN 432-9 3c Solomon Islands 1938,1957 30-Nov-15 Reunification of Germany (ss of 4, ss of 1) EN 432-8 4b Solomon Islands 1941 30-Nov-15 High Speed Trains: Eurostar (ss of 4) EN 432-10 4b Tuvalu 1333-4 13-Apr-15 Europhilex Stamp Exhibition, London (2 ss) EN 431-10 3b

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-19

Editor’ s Page

BULLETIN OF THE Thanks again to Don Smith for And speaking of hard work, EUROPA STUDY UNIT, the outstanding job he does our HB editor has updated his AN ASSOCIATION OF PHILATELISTS with the auctions. The last auc- list per the latest Scott’s (see DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF PHILATELIC tion (#134) netted the club Don’s list this issue for evidence MATERIALS COVERING THE IDEA OF A $60.69. That adds up, but the that Scott is still catching up) UNITED EUROPE... UNITED IN A POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL SENSE. work of pulling the auctions to- and he is ready to declare victo- gether is something else again! ry. The HB update for 2015 is www.europastudyunit.org A complete listing of prices real- included with this issue and new

EDITOR: Mr. Dana Roper, 7266 Prices ized by lot is posted on our information has been posted to Cove Place, Gainesville, VA 20155; website. the website. email: [email protected]. OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS: By popular demand, Don is still Charter member Richard Dick PRESIDENT: Mr. Dana Roper at it. Look for a special “mini- (ESU #10) is still providing new EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: Mr. Tonny auction” in this issue. Sprinkled issues to his regular customers. VanLoij among the goodies are some He will turn 98 this fall (peace TREASURER: Tonny VanLoij items celebrating the 50th anni- and longevity — just one more VICE PRESIDENT: Tonny Van Loij, SECOND VICE PRESIDENT: open versary of Europa stamps back in reason to collect stamps). With DIRECTORS: Mr. Alex Cwiekalo, Ms. 2006. These are not mainstream his latest shipment he included a Caroline Scannel, Mr. Dan Shilcrat Europa and are proving to be letter to all of his Europa cus- WEBMASTERS: Dana Roper, (acting) somewhat elusive. This is a good tomers, from which I excerpt the AUCTION MANAGER: Mr. Donald W. opportunity to pick up a few following: Smith, P.O. Box 576, Johnstown, PA 15907. bargains. “One of our suppliers of Europa

EUROPA HANDBOOK: Alex Cwiekalo albums has now omitted what

ANNUAL DUES: (Including one year And another thank you is in most of us has accepted as the of the EUROPA NEWS): Electronic order to Chuck Hall, who has standard way to collect; e.g., Membership only $10/yr; Standard picked up the tab for two more Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria booklet membership (hardcopy of EN mailed): years of web hosting services. pairs. I believe what Robin Crow- $20/yr USA; $30/yr outside USA. We have two bills to pay each Dues are payable as of January 1st ley once said many years ago — each year*. Payments must be made in year. GoDaddy takes care of do- don’t let anyone tell you what or U.S. Dollars; cash, or a bank draft, or a main name registration. That’s how to collect YOUR EUROPAs. I money order (made payable to the the service that takes don’t believe an album printer, Europa Study Unit). We also have a “europastudyunit.org” and trans- or even Richard Dick, should tell PayPal account (europastudyunit, lates it to a real location on a you how to collect Europa.” email [email protected]) to real computer server. Then there I’ve noticed that Lighthouse which any payments can be transferred. is ICDSoft, that provides the Any of these methods is acceptable; stopped years ago from supply- hosting service, i.e. the server however, when using PayPal please ing even the space to mount add 7% to cover PayPal costs. space where all those bits and Greece coil (aka booklet) pairs. I bytes actually reside. SERVICES TO MEMBERS: Periodic think it’s a matter of simple eco- bulletin (EUROPA NEWS) to all mem- bers; website with special “Members That server could be in Florida, nomics: every supplement page Only” section; periodic auctions (~3/yr) Hong Kong or in Hillary’s base- adds cost and the price of a Eu- of EUROPA-related material, EUROPA ment; thanks to the miracle of ropa supplement is already heart Handbook, monographs and specialty the internet, it doesn’t matter to -stopping. items available only to ESU members. us. All we need to know is that My solution is simply to add one *Dues must be received by we have space, On that note, we or more pages to the end of the recently upgraded ourselves to 31 January to ensure contin- printed supplements. I call them the “Business Plan” so that we ued membership, including “The REST of the Story” (with a will be sure to have all the space nod to Paul Harvey). I’m more uninterrupted receipt of the we’ll ever need for years to annoyed when Lighthouse ex- EN and access to the Mem- come. That’s the bill that Chuck pects a horizontal pair and I was bers Only website. has graciously taken on. sent a vertical pair. Grrrr. ▬

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 435-20 Netherlands Salutes EUROPA’s 60th Anniversary

NETHERLANDS has launched This series also shows a beautiful The album, as shown on the a new series of personalized (or storage case” [sic]. PostNL website, retails for is it personalizable?) stamp €19.95, or approximately $22 The sheets pictured below are sheets. They appeared on and change. That gets us to $89 those currently available. Each 31 January 2016, and salute the plus the inevitable dispatch and sheet retails for €7.50 directly 60th anniversary of EUROPA VAT charges. from PostNL. For those of us on themed stamps. the west side of the pond, that’s That seems like a bit much, but The PostNL website says “On the about $8.40, or $67 for the lot everyone is free to collect as occasion of this 60th anniversary thus far. Will there be more? they please. We’ll have to see will appear special stamp sheets. whether Michel lists them. ▬

Paris, France Brussels, Belgium

Prague, Czech Republic Rome, Italy Valetta, Malta

Vienna, Austria Helsinki, Finland Athens, Greece