NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 Issue # 436

Isle of Man—UNESCO World Biosphere Region

The set of 5 stamps is shown on an official First Day Cover at the top of the page. Alt- hough album makers will undoubtedly provide a space for just the Europa stamp, the com- On 21 March 2016, world herit- plete set would make age body UNESCO designated an interesting addition the entire island a Biosphere Re- to any collection. serve, celebrating and protecting the breadth and range of its bio- UNESCO says it is a “special diversity. place for people and nature”.

To mark the occasion, Manx Post issued a set of five stamps on 7 October 2016 “which reflects the Isle of Man’s dedication to protecting the environment through renewable energy and devel- opment of clean technolo- gy.”

As well as celebrating the Isle of Man’s UNESCO Bio- sphere status, this set includes the 2016 Europa stamp on the theme Ecolo- gy in Europe – Think Green. The Europa stamp was also produced in sheetlets of 10 stamps, as shown at left. NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-2

v = value(s) New Issues ms= mini-sheet ss = souvenir sheet FRANCE 2v FRANCE 1v PORTUGAL 2v KOSOVO 1v from a set of 2 Issue date 17 October 2016 Issue date 21 October 2016 Issue date unknown European Social Charter 950 Years France-Portugal Admission of Kosovo into Council of Europe Official Issue Joint Issue UEFA—the Union of European Football Associations

Madeleine Church, Rue Royale, Paris An official stamps was also issued in 2011 for this organiza- The other stamp in the set publi- tion. It is listed as Scott# 1o69, cizes Kosovo’s entry into FIFA — Michel # 69, and is described in the International Soccer Federa- EN 406-16. tion

sepac 2016 “Seasons” Rue Augusta Arch, Lisbon There is an allegorical group at the top of the arch, made by French sculptor Célestin Anatole Calmels, The annual sepac folder for representing “Glory rewarding Valor 2016 “Colorful Seasons 7” is and Genius.” now available at any of the Sepac countries philatelic EuroMed 2016 offices. See the sepac web- "Fishes of the site at Mediterranean" www.sepacstamps.eu/joint- stamp-issues/ MOROCCO 1v Issue date 9 July 2016 The Isle of Man has the ad- vantage for those of us on the western side of the pond of speaking English, but really any website will do. The IOM website ad- dress is www.iompost.com/stamps- coins/product/sepac-2016- folder/ Red banded seabream (Pagrus Auri- ga) is relatively widespread along the east Atlantic coast from Portu- gal to Angola but is not commonly found in the Mediterranean, however. Please, take a minute to send in your yearly dues now, — IUCN Red List of Threatened Spe- while it’s fresh in your mind. See the Insert. cies NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-3 v = value(s) ms= mini-sheet New Issues ss = souvenir sheet

BELGIUM 1v issued in BELGIUM ss sheetlets of 5 stamps (both Belgium has adopted a clean Issue date 24 October 2016 shown) new format for it’s “Annual Belgian Recipients of the Nobel Issue date 24 October 2016 Collections” website — each Peace Prize New NATO Headquarters Build- issue gets its own PowerPoint ing in Brussels formatted page(s) showing the The next to last stamp on the full sheet, and a blowup of sin- bottom shows the Reverend Started in 2010, it is slated for gle stamps if applicable. Dominique Pire, whose “Heart of completion this year. A very in- Europe” foundation (see Bel- novative design, it features a Shown here are the pages for gium Scott # central building from which jut two Europa-related issues B638-40, de- eight offshoot buildings., with scheduled for release on 24 sign shown room for more if needed. The October. at right) has project is described on the been includ- NATO website: ed in most nato.int/cps/en/natohq/ Europa col- topics_49287.htm. lections. See lot #35 in this months’ auction.

TURKEY 1v CYPRUS (Turkish Post) 1v (shown) Issue date 18 October 2016 TURKEY details not yet available SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE DE- Issue date 17 October 2016 FENSE MINISTERS (SEDM) Water Supply Project Joint Issue The Turkish Republic of Northern Cy- prus Water Supply Project (Turkish: KKTC Su Temin Projesi) is an international water diversion project designed to supply water for drinking and irrigation from south- ern Turkey to Northern Cyprus via pipe- line under the Mediterranean Sea. As such, the project is unique in the world. Cyprus is short of surface water Initiated in 1996, the SEDM rep- and groundwater due to inadequate resents a process of cooperation rainfall. The project aims to supply among the Ministries of Defense Northern Cyprus with water from Tur- of 15 Southeastern European key for a timespan of 50 years. countries, plus the USA. Moldo- va is an Observer. NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-4 v = value(s) ms= mini-sheet New Issues ss = souvenir sheet

MALTA 2v The painting on the rightmost CZECH REPUBLIC 1v RUSSIA 2v printed in sheets of stamp entitled 'View from Vitto- LIECHTENSTEIN 1v

10 with 2 labels riosa Gate', presents an idyllic Issue date Issue date 24 May 2016 view of the Birgu waterfront 7 Septem- The Art of Nicholas Krasnoff which also serves as a pathway ber 2016 Joint Issue to the ancient Fort St. Angelo “A Young Birgu is a very old lo- Woman on a Balcony" cality with its origins reaching back to medi- Joint Issue eval times. Prior to the establishment of Vallet- ta as capital city of Malta, military powers seeking to rule the The work Maltese Islands would by the need to obtain control Dutch artist of Birgu due to its sig- Gerrit Dou nificant position in the (1613-1675) Nicholas Krasnoff (1864–1939) Grand Harbor. hangs in was an Academician of Architec- the Nation- ture, artist and the chief architect The gate in this painting was al Gallery of of the city of Yalta. He lived in built during the British occupa- Prague, the Malta from 1920-1922, where he tion in Malta so as to provide capital of the Czech Republic. It taught pictorial art and took up access to St. Angelo and the is one of the works of art donat- water-color painting. The artist church. The painting also fea- ed by Johann II of Liechtenstein also made several sketches of tures two women in Malta's tra- to the then private company of Maltese stamps. ditional costume - the Ghonnella patriotic art lovers, the direct or Faldetta. predecessor of today's National The leftmost tamp depicts the Born in 1869, Nicholas Krasnoff Gallery. Dulber Palace in Crimea, which is considered an architectural gem was a painter, an architect and Gerrit Dou, also known as Ger- of Ukraine. It's fabulous snow- an author of many Yalta cultural rard, Gerard, Douw or Dow white asymmetric structure with objects. He studied at the St. Pe- (7 April 1613, Leiden - silver cupolas and elegant turrets tersburg Academy and became 9 February 1675, Leiden) was a noticeably stand out against a President of the Moscow Cham- Dutch painter. He studied with ber of Architects. engraver Bartholomew Dolend, background of the Crimean mountains. Krasnoff came to Malta as a ref- glass painter Peter Kouwhoorn, and eventually in Rembrandt’s The design of the palace is based ugee in 1919. Princess Nathalie painting workshop where he on sketches by Prince Nikola- Poutiatine, a member of the Russian royal family, wrote of spent three years. yevich who, due to poor health, often travelled to the Middle East him as a 'well-known' and Although he began as a portrait upon doctors' advice. He was in- 'talented artist'. He gave her art painter, he became famous as a spired by the architecture he en- lessons and taught her the im- painter of landscapes with a countered on his travels and col- portance of light and shade as great sense of detail. He used a lected sketches of them in a well as techniques in watercolor. magnifying lens, concave mirror He died in 1947 at the age of 78. and specially designed miniature scrapbook. The painting on this stamp can be found in the Yalta — from Malta Post brushes to create his paintings

Historical and Literature Muse- — from Česká pošta and Philatelie um. How are we doing? Liechtenstein Please let us know with your dues payment. NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-5 v = value(s) ms= mini-sheet New Issues ss = souvenir sheet CZECH REPUBLIC 1v + label The stamp features a portrait of HUNGARY 1v + label Jan Jessenius by the Nuremberg POLAND 1v + label engraver Lucas Kilian made in SLOVAKIA 1v + label 1618 and the label shows the

Issue date 22 June 2016 title page of Jan Jessenius’ work

Jan Jessenius (1566-1621) — Anatomy published in Witten- berg in 1601. Doctor, Politician, Philosopher

Joint Issue Magyar Posta only sells the special set of stamps (emphasis mine, Hungary’s product is shown below. –ed.) The set contains the stamps of all four countries as well as a mint Slo- vak black print in a mount. The product made of exclusive card contains a brief description of He was elected Rector of the Jan Jessenius’ life in English and University of Prague and be- Slovakian, and the issue also came one of the leaders of the shows the special postmark of anti-Habsburg movement of the the four postal administrations Bohemian estates. In 1618 he participating in the joint issue. travelled to Hungary as a diplo- mat, where he tried to influence Magyar Posta (Hungary) de- Slovak Post (Slovakia) offers this the Hungarian estates to not scribes this issue as follows: biography of Jessenius: vote for King Ferdinand of Habs- The countries involved in the is- The most famous achievement burg. For that, he was arrested sue are linked by hundreds of and imprisoned. of Jan Jesenius was the first pub- years of history, an example of The uprising of the Bohemian which is the life and work of Jan lic autopsy, which he performed in Prague in June 1600. From estates was suppressed at the Jessenius from the village of Battle of White Mountain in Nagyjeszen in present-day Slo- 1601 he lived in Prague, where he taught and acted as the per- 1621 which was followed by cru- vakia, who lived at the turn of the el reprisals. Jesenius was ac- 16th and 17th centuries. sonal physician of Emperor Ru- dolph II. At that time his lectures cused of rebellion and insulting The joint stamp issue also under- on anatomy were very progres- the crown and was sentenced to lines the historical background of sive. death. His execution was partic- the participating countries that is He was also interested in the ularly brutal:. His head along the same in many respects and with those of 11 Czech lords was their similar cultural community. political situation and as a Lu- theran was strongly committed displayed as a warning on the The stamps with a label were to the defense of the Evangelical terrace of Old Town Tower in made using the same graphic faith. Prague for over 10 years. ▬ design. NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-6 v = value(s) ms= mini-sheet

New Issues ss = souvenir sheet RUSSIA 1v in a sheet POLAND postal card (shown) of 7 with label (shown 1v+ss same design as Vatican: below) SLOVENIA 1v

Issue date 27 May 2016

Russian Orthodox Chapel on the Vršič Pass

Joint Issue

The Russian Orthodox Chapel on the Vršič pass, dedicated to Saint Vladimir “Equal-to-the- Apostles”, was built in 1916 in the memory of fallen Russian prisoners of war.

During World War I Slovenia was Disease was rife and there were drawn into being a part of the many accidents. As if this were Austro-Hungarian Empire. In July not enough, in March 1916, fol- 1915, a work camp for prisoners lowing a harsh winter, two ava- of war, mainly Russian soldiers, lanches on Mojstrovka buried was established on the Vršič several hundred prisoners and some of their guards. pass.

The wooden chapel was built by It is estimated that several thou- Russian POWs transported here sand young Russian prisoners from the Eastern Front in 1915 died building this road. For 100 by the Austro-Hungarian army in years they have lain here, in Slo- order to quickly build a road vene soil, far from home, next to the road. over the Vršič pass to the new front line that formed in the In 2006 the road was officially VATICAN CITY 4v ms + 1v ss Soča (Isonzo) Valley following named RUSKA CESTA – the Rus- Issue date 20 July 2016 Italy’s sudden switch to the En- sian Road – in their honor. This World Youth Day, Cracow tente side and declaration of war modest wooden chapel, similar on its former ally Austria in ex- to the “tserkvushkas” of their Joint Issue change for promised territorial homeland, was built at a time of On the Vatican sheets, the Holy gains (Trieste and the surround- war and death. Today, however, Father is depicted with a group ing area, Istria and part of Dal- with the annual memorial cere- of young people of different matia). monies, it contributes ethnic backgrounds, recalling The Austrians transported to weaving and deepening ties the international nature of the around 12,000 Russian POWs to between two friendly nations, event drawing people from the area (this number almost Slovenia and Russia. around the world, as well as cre- — by Igor Furlan, Vice-President of the certainly included soldiers of Slovenia-Russia Society, ating a sense of the universality other nationalities serving in the and from the website of ‘Marka’, The itself of the Gos- Imperial Russian army). They Russian Federal State Unitary Enterprise pel message. Publishing and Trading Centre were accommodated in primitive The logo of barracks, freezing cold in winter, World Youth Day in several locations from shows the cross, Kranjska Gora to the Trenta val- Vršič Pass since the essence of World ley. They were poorly clothed Youth Day itself is the personal and underfed, given the heavy encounter of young people with work they were required to do. Jesus Christ, as represented symbolically by the circle. — from Vatican Post NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-7 v = value(s) ms= mini-sheet New Issues ss = souvenir sheet

KOSOVO ss LUXEMBOURG ss MALTA ss MACEDONIA ss VATICAN CITY ss SAN MARINO ss Issue date 23 March 2016 Issue date 13 September 2016 Issue date 18 October 2016 Mountain Tourism 350° Anniversary of the Virgin Malta-San Marino Friendship Joint Issue Mary Elected Patroness of the Joint Issue City of Luxembourg

Joint Issue

The Maltese artist Cedric Galea Pirotta has painted two beautiful The establishment of the Jesuit landscapes for the leaflet dedi- Society in the late 16th century cated to the issue jointly San laid the foundations for the Mar- Marino-Malta, to strengthen re- ian culture in what was then the lations of cooperation and Duchy of Luxembourg. The Jesu- friendship between the two re- Each ss contains 1v plus a label, it, Jacques Brocquart, played a publics. One shows the First but the pictures on the stamps significant role when, on 8 De- Tower of San Marino, which is and labels are reversed, thus giv- cember 1624, he and a group of the largest and the oldest of the ing priority to the local stamp. students carried the statue of three fortresses dating back to the “Consoler of the Afflicted” to ALBANIA 1v the eleventh century. The sec- the city gates. Issue date 9 August 2016 ond scene reproduces the an- BALKANFILA 2016 On 10 October 1666, when the cient fortified Citadel and Cathe- Consolatrix Afflictorum dral of Gozo, Malta (Consoler of the Afflicted) was —- from Poste San Marino elected Patronae Civitatis (Patroness of the City), Marian FRANCE 2v culture was given a mighty ITALY 2v boost in Luxembourg. Issue date 30 November 2016

There remains to this day a 60th Anniversary of Paris & strong bond between Mary and Rome — Twin Cities Joint Issue the Luxembourg people, which The issue also celebrates the is especially apparent during the 350th anniversary of the found- Opening in Tirana, from 5 to 9 annual pilgrimage season known ing of the Academy of France in May 2016, this Balkan event was as the Octave. Rome. No images were available held for the first time in Albania. — from Post Luxembourg at press time. NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-8 v = value(s) ms= mini-sheet New Issues ss = souvenir sheet Concorde: 40th anniversary of Commercial Service

SOLOMON ISLANDS 2ss DJIBOUTI SI-16204a/b 2ss Issue date 1 August 2016 DJ-16311a/b Issue date 5 May 2016

CENTRAL AFRICA 2ss CA-16204a/b Issue date 16 May 2016

The Royal Family was on the maiden flight

MOZAMBIQUE 2ss MZ-16215 a/b NIGER 2ss Issue date NE-16320a/b 10 May 2016 Issue date 15 August 2016

Supersonic Aircraft featuring he Concorde NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-9 v = value(s) ms= mini-sheet New Issues ss = souvenir sheet

MOZAMBIQUE 2ss High Speed Trains MZ-16220a/b MADAGASCAR 2ss Issue date 10 May 2016 CENTRAL AFRICA 2ss No NEOFILA number for this en- 130th anniversary of the birth CA-16202a/b tity of Robert Schuman, one of the Issue date 16 May 2016 Issue date unknown founding fathers of the EU Euro 2016 Soccer Group F

Eurostar is the leftmost stamp

The map of Europe depicts the high speed rail lines across the conti- nent. The train in the stamp is the prototype French TGV.

St. THOMAS & PRINCE IS. 1 ss from a set of 2 ST-16208b Issue date 30 March 2016

These turned up in a dealer’s New Issue list. OK, so … if it says Madagascar (vs. Malagasy) are they real stamps? Even if they are, are there similar sheets for Groups A thru E? Maybe not, since the logo for UEFA 2016 is missing. Instead there is a shield saying Why is this a big deal for “Legends of European Football.” Mozambique? Are these even real stamps? Should we even Caveat Emptor for sure on this bother to ask? Caveat Emptor. one. NEOFILA thinks they are worth upwards of $15. Uh-huh. The center train is the Eurostar NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-10

— So Where Are We Now?

The 2 October 2016 edition of The former home secretary Like Mr. Cameron, Mrs. May BBC News provides an excellent took over from David Cameron, was against Britain leaving the summary of where the situation who resigned on the day after EU but she says she will respect now stands. The following, and losing the referendum the will of the people. the diagram at right, are ex- cerpted from the article “Brexit: All you need to know about the UK leaving the EU.”

What does Brexit mean? It is a word that has become used as a shorthand way of saying the UK leaving the EU - merging the words Britain and exit to get Brexit, in a same way as a possible Greek exit from the euro was dubbed Grexit in the past.

Why is Britain leaving the Euro- pean Union? A referendum - a vote in which everyone (or nearly everyone) of voting age can take part - was held on Thursday 23 June, to decide whether the UK should leave or remain in the European Union. Leave won by 52% to 48%. The referendum turnout was 71.8%, with more than 30 million people voting.

What was the breakdown across the UK? England voted strongly for Brexit, by 53.4% to 46.6%, as did Wales, with Leave getting 52.5% of the vote and Remain 47.5%. Scotland and Northern Ireland both backed staying in the EU. Scotland backed Re- main by 62% to 38%, while 55.8% in Northern Ireland voted Remain and 44.2% Leave.

What has happened since the referendum? Britain has got a new Prime Minister - Theresa May. NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-11

— So Where Are We Now? — cont’d

What about the economy? So, it’s been an interesting ride, Meanwhile, some pols in Scot- The UK economy appears to to say the least. Those getting land are threatening to disen- have weathered the initial shock the most traction out of it all gage from the UK (and re-join of the Brexit vote, although the seem to be the pundits, who of- the EU, as Scotland voted over- value of the pound remains near fer no shortage of opinions on whelmingly to remain). a 30-year low, but opinion is what the vote will mean. The only philatelic recognition sharply divided over the long- The Wall Street Journal report- that I have seen so far is the term effects of leaving the EU. ed that “Eurozone Exports Rose “glass slipper” item below, from Some major firms have pointed in August, Easing Brexit Fears”, the Central African Republic. At out that the slump in sterling but cautioned that “… policy last check, neither Great Britain has increased their costs. makers warn it is too early to (nor Ireland for that matter) has Britain also lost its top AAA conclude the Brexit vote won’t paid any notice via stamps. So, credit rating, meaning the cost affect the Eurozone’s recovery”. at least in the world of stamps, of government borrowing will be The British Pound (£) took a life goes on. ▬ higher. But share prices have beating, losing some of its value recovered from a dramatic with respect to other currencies. slump in value, with both the However, one wag in the Journal CENTRAL AFRICA 2ss CA-16515a/b FTSE 100 and the broader FTSE opined that the devalued pound Issue date 22 August 2016 250 index, which includes more might actually be good for Brit- BREXIT Vote British-based businesses, trading ons, since they won’t notice it higher than before the referen- much internally, but externally it dum. means that British goods just got cheaper, which could help So when will Britain actually trade. leave it? For the UK to leave the EU it has Others in the media were not so to invoke an agreement optimistic, however. called Article 50 of the Lisbon The Economist was one of the Treaty which gives the two sides opinion journals that made no two years to agree the terms of bones of the fact that Brexit the split. Theresa May has con- would be a calamity. Now that it firmed this will be done by the has come to pass, the magazine end of March 2017, meaning the continues to insist that calamity UK will be expected to have left awaits. Unless, that is, the Brits by the summer of 2019, depend- choose a path that they dub a ing on the precise timetable “soft Brexit”, versus the “hard agreed during the negotiations. Brexit” alternative that the Brits Once negotiations officially presumably voted for, and that begin, we will start to get a clear their new PM seems intent on idea of what kind of deal the UK implementing. will seek from the EU, on trade Soft Brexit, as might be ex- and immigration. The govern- pected, is a much more gradual ment will also enact a Great Re- disengagement from the EU, peal Bill which will end the pri- with the hope that full separa- macy of EU law in the UK. It will tion never actually happens. incorporate EU legislation into They have polls showing that a UK law, after which the govern- Certainly a matter of great im- growing minority is leaning this ment will decide which parts to portance to the residents of way. keep, change or retain. Central Africa (?) NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-12 NEW ISSUES WITH Scott CATALOG NUMBERS - Don Smith

From Linn’s <—- September and October —-> Special Editions

 = position in proposed new HB outline (ref. EN# 404-12)

COUNTRY SCOTT # DATE OF ISSUE DESCRIPTION *

Andorra (French) 755 8-Jan-16 Euro Coinage, horizontal pair EN 434-9 2a Andorra (French) 760 8-May-16 Europa 2016 1 Andorra (Spanish) 422 22-Apr-16 Europa 2016 1 Armenia 1053 28-Dec-15 Europa 2015 1 Austria 2613 12-May-16 Shrines of Europe EN 435-15 2a Austria 2614 14-May-16 Europa 2016 1 Austria 2619 10-Jun-16 European Soccer Championships EN 435-13 3c Azerbaijan 1099 3-Dec-15 Satellites, joint issue w/Belarus EN 431-5 3b Azerbaijan 1102-4 25-Jan-16 Europa 2016 (1104 a s/s) 1 Azerbaijan 1112 12-May-16 Eagles, se-tenant pair, joint issue w/Belarus EN 434-9 3b Croatia 999-1000 28-Jun-16 European Games EN 435-7 3c Croatia 1001 7-Jul-16 EuroMed 2016 EN 435-4 1d Croatia 1002 18-Jul-16 Battle of Lissa 150th Anniv. joint issue w/Slovenia 1188 3b Germany 2895 11-Feb-16 European emergency number 112 EN 433-5 3b Germany 2915 2-May-16 Europa 2016 1 Germany 2922 2-May-16 Shrines of Europe EN 435-16 3a Germany 2927 2-Jun-16 German-Polish Youth Office, joint w/Poland EN 435-5 3b Germany B1118 2-Jun-16 Protection of the Alps EN 435-6 3b Greenland 715 18-Jul-16 Sepac 2016 EN 432-3 1c Greenland 725-6 21-Mar-16 Norden 2016, 726b: ss w/both values EN 423-3 1b Greenland 727 12-May-16 Airbus 330-200 3b Iceland 1397 18-Feb-16 Norden 2016 EN 431-3 1b Iceland 1405 28-Apr-16 Sepac 2016 EN 435-2 1c Iceland 1409-10 28-Apr-16 Europa 2016 1 Iceland 1411-12 28-Apr-16 Europa 2016, booklet stamps, self-adhesive 1 Italy 3339 21-Oct-15 Mediterr/Black Sea Countries Symposium EN 435-8 3b Italy 3340-1 23-Oct-15 Techno Science Park, w/San Marino 946-7 EN 430-5 3b Kazakhstan 748 22-May-15 Eurasian Economic Union 3b Luxembourg 1428-9 10-May-16 Europa 2016 1 Luxembourg 1436 10-May-16 Thurn and Taxis EN 435-5 3b Malta 1560-1 9-May-16 Europa 2016 1 Malta 1562-3 24-May-16 Paintings, joint issue w/Russia 7725 EN 436-4 3b Monaco 2843 9-May-16 Europa 2016 1 Monaco 2849 1-Jun-16 European Soccer Championships EN 435-12 3c

Continued on next page NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-13 NEW ISSUES WITH Scott CATALOG NUMBERS - Don Smith From Linn’s <—- September and October —-> Special Editions

 = position in proposed new HB outline (ref. EN# 404-12)

Continuation from previous page

COUNTRY SCOTT # DATE OF ISSUE DESCRIPTION *

Poland 4222 9-May-16 Europa 2016 1 Poland 4223-4 10-May-16 World Youth Day,4234 is a ss; joint w/Vatican 1626-7 EN 436-6 3b Also a postal card, Michel # not yet known Poland 4229 2-Jun-15 Polish-German Youth, joint w/Germany EN 435-5 3b Poland 4232 22-Jun-16 Jan Jessenius, joint issue w/Czech Rep., Hung., Slovakia EN 436-5 3b Poland 4233 24-Jun-16 NATO Summit EN 435-5 2b Russia 7725 24-May-16 Paintings, joint issue w/Malta 1562-3 EN 436-4 3b Slovenia 1171 27-May-16 WWI Chapel, joint w/Russia EN 436-6 3b Slovenia 1172-3 27-May-16 Europa 2016 1 Slovenia 1187 9-Jul-16 EuroMed 2016 EN 435-4 1d Slovenia 1188 18-Jul-16 Battle of Lissa 150th Anniv., joint issue w/Croatia 1002 3b

The following issues have earned our (not-so-) coveted “cinderella” designation: Maldive Islands 3166 7-May-14 Channel Tunnel 20th Anniv. ss of 4 3b Maldive Islands 3175 7-May-14 Eurostar train 3b St. Thomas & Prince 2835-6 16-Mar-15 Europhilex Stamp Show, London 2015, 2836 a ss 3b St. Thomas & Prince 2842 16-Mar-15 Churchill, sheet of 4 a-d 4a St. Thomas & Prince 2852 16-Mar-15 Battle of Waterloo/Napoleon, sheet of 4 -a d 4c St. Thomas & Prince 2957 18-Nov-15 Concorde, sheet of 4 a-d EN 432-11 3b St. Thomas & Prince 2976 18-Nov-15 Concorde EN 432-11 3b St. Thomas & Prince 2977 18-Nov-15 Eurostar train EN 432-10 3b

Two Europa-related Articles in Linn’s Stamp News

The two issues of Linn’s Stamp The October cover story is enti- Climate change would no doubt News shown above each have a tled “After the Deluge” and fea- get the blame today, but back cover story that will be of inter- tures the Rhine Flood Relief set then it was simply a “perfect est to Europa collectors. The from Liechtenstein, Scott # B7- storm of rain and snowmelt.” All September issue’s cover story is 10, Michel # 78-81, issued in told some 25 countries chipped “Autumn Leaves” and features 1928. The flood occurred in late in to help dig Liechtenstein out stamps depicting colorful fall September1927, and “… turned of the mud. I’ve always consid- foliage. Two of this year’s sepac the tiny principality of Liechten- ered this set to be an early ex- stamps are featured on the cov- stein into a pond.” Actually, a ample of a subject suitable for er. The story also highlights muddy bog would be more like the Subset 3b, “General Coopera- stamps from Germany, Sweden, it, with only church steeples visi- tion” section of a Europa collec- Russia and the USA. ble in many areas. tion. ▬ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-14 The 1958 EUROPA Stamps — a Monograph by Steve Luster (Part 7)

The Luster monographs continue this issue with the 1958 Europa stamps of Luxembourg.

Luxembourg issued three Europa stamps with the same design in 1958. They were denominat- ed 2.50 F, 3.50 F and 5 F. The 2.50 F stamp was printed in red, the 3.50 F stamp was printed in green and the 5 F stamp was printed in blue.

The stamps were designed by André van der Vossen. All three stamps depict the common design. The stamps were recess printed on watermarked paper, perforated 14 x 12¾ by Joh. Enschedé en Zonen, Haarlem, in sheets of 50 stamps. 2,010,000 of the 2.50 F stamp, 692,500 of the 3.50 F and 777,500 of the 5 F stamp were printed.

The D’Urso Catalogue assigned the number 41 to the 2.50 F stamp, the number 42 to the 3.50 F stamp and the number 43 to the 5 F stamp.

In addition to the complete set of 2 stamps, the D’Urso Catalogue lists blocks of 4 stamps.

D’Urso lists a number of varieties for the stamps. For the 2.50 F the dove’s beak is broken (41A). For the 3.50 F value, the dove’s beak is also broken (42A) and a white dot under the letters “LU” in the word Luxembourg (42B). For the 5 F value, the dove’s beak is also broken (43A) also, there is a white dot over the letter “F” (43B).

First day covers were also produced for this issue. They are listed with the following cancels: “Europa Luxembourg” ((41/43C); and “Bruxelles Expo” (41/43E). A maximum card with the “Europa Luxembourg” cancel is also listed in D’Urso (41/43D).

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-15

The 1958 EUROPA Stamps — a Monograph by Steve Luster (cont’d)

Here are some examples of cacheted first day covers with either of the two listed cancels. First, the regular cancel:

And then, the Brussels Expo cancel:

All are franked with the complete set.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-16

The 1958 EUROPA Stamps — a Monograph by Steve Luster (cont’d)

On this page I illustrate some registered first day covers, a maximum card and an addressed cover bearing the complete set of Luxembourg’s 1958 Europa stamps with the “Brussels Expo” cancel.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-17

The 1958 EUROPA Stamps — a Monograph by Steve Luster (cont’d)

Proof material from Luxembourg is very scarce. I ran across this photo proof on the Internet:

Here are two variations on the same maximum card. At card at the left is franked with the complete set of three Luxembourg 1958 Europa stamps. The three cards on the right are each franked with a different value of the Luxembourg set.

This is the seventh excerpt from Steve’s monograph, which concludes the stamps of Luxembourg. The next install- ment will examine the stamps of Netherlands ■ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-18

“Treasures of Philately” Europa Briefs

FRANCE issues a LOT of A recent troll of the eBay and There are some really interesting stamps, as evidenced in the pre- delcampe auction sites finds items in Don’s latest auction vious newsletter (EN #435) re- each sheet selling for at least (#135) included with this issue. garding just the UEFA 2016 is- $22 apiece, and full year sets First is lot #29, a scarce item that sue. Well, it seems as if France going for ten times that and thought of still another way to is hard to find for less than $100. more. separate stamp collectors from It is the Belgium Europa issue of their money. The sheets are relatively large, 1963 (Scott #598-9, Michel

In 2014, France began a new 5- easily taking an album page by #1320-1). It is described in the year series (2014-2018) of sou- themselves. I suspect that spe- Domfil catalog as a “deluxe venir sheets titled “Treasures of cial albums will also be made proof” and is valued at $123. Philately”, described by La Poste available. Scott doesn’t mention it. Michel as “… mythical stamps issued adds an annotation that it is val- At press time, the designs for during the golden age of intag- ued at 100€. So what is it? lio, from 1928 to 1959, reprinted 2016 had not been announced. … in accordance with the aes- So far Hugo is the only Europa- thetics of the time.” related design.

Each year, ten special souvenir Note to Caroline Scannel: there sheets will be printed, each re- have been two sheets already printing just one earlier French with the UPU as a theme:. You stamp in five different colors. will recognize the stamps, I’m Shown below is one example sure. ▬ from 2015, in which the 1935 stamp honoring Victor Hugo is reprinted. As noted in EN# 433- 20, Hugo is considered to be an advocate of a united Europe. These special “deluxe proofs” are large souvenir sheets, printed on The souvenir sheets are “limited stiff paper, ungummed, and con- editions”, and fetch a premium taining a design which includes price. exact replicas of the pertinent

stamp issue. They are produced by Belgium Post in very limited quantity and often used as gifts to visiting muckety-mucks. This is a rare opportunity to own a nice little gem for your collection.

Also in this auction is a nice as- sortment of first day covers from France and Sweden. Plus, some more examples of oddballs from British waters, this time from Da- vaar Island, a close neighbor of Sanda, which was featured in the last auction and proved to be very popular.

And, check out lot #188, an im- perf set of stamps from Mozam- bique celebrating the 50th anniversary of Europa stamps. Michel, at least, listed them. ▬ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-19

Editor’ s Page

BULLETIN OF THE My grandson (age 3) has taken a Michel or not Michel, that is the EUROPA STUDY UNIT, liking to the children’s classic Question Dept.: AN ASSOCIATION OF PHILATELISTS Thomas the Tank Engine. The last few handbook updates DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF PHILATELIC Thomas have omitted the Michel num- MATERIALS COVERING THE IDEA OF A and his UNITED EUROPE... UNITED IN A POLITICAL, bers, as it has been difficult for friends ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL SENSE. our HB editor to get timely ac- have cess to them. I sent an email to www.europastudyunit.org been the our members asking for a quick subject EDITOR: Mr. Dana Roper, 7266 Prices show of hands to get an idea of of many Cove Place, Gainesville, VA 20155; how many people use Michel. email: [email protected]. books, Not surprisingly, the responses OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS: and an came mostly from our non-US PRESIDENT: Mr. Dana Roper endearing (and enduring) TV EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: Mr. Tonny members, who all said “Yes”, series. The intro to the show says VanLoij they would like to see the Michel that Thomas’ railway is located TREASURER: Tonny VanLoij numbers continued. VICE PRESIDENT: Tonny Van Loij, on the island of Sodor, but SECOND VICE PRESIDENT: open doesn’t say where that is. Thanks Leave it to Tonny VanLoij to step DIRECTORS: Mr. Alex Cwiekalo, Ms. to Google and All Gore’s amaz- into the breach. He gets the Caroline Scannel, Mr. Dan Shilcrat WEBMASTERS: Dana Roper, (acting) ing invention I quickly located it. newest catalogs and volunteered AUCTION MANAGER: Mr. Donald W. Sodor is situated between the to use the remaining hour of his Smith, P.O. Box 576, Johnstown, PA coast of Scotland and the Isle of time each day (somewhere be- 15907. Man. tween 3 and 4 am) to update the EUROPA HANDBOOK: Alex Cwiekalo handbook. So, we have a solu- ANNUAL DUES: (Including one year tion. of the EUROPA NEWS): Electronic Membership only $10/yr; Standard When Tonny has finished, we membership (hardcopy of EN mailed): will mail updated hardcopy of $20/yr USA; $30/yr outside USA. the HB to our non-US friends, Dues are payable as of January 1st each year*. Payments must be made in probably with the next EN. If any U.S. Dollars; cash, or a bank draft, or a of our stateside readers would money order (made payable to the like a copy, let us know. If you Europa Study Unit). We also have a do not use Michel, please don’t PayPal account (europastudyunit, ask for a special mailing, as the email [email protected]) to OK, so what if Sodor is just make Unit will be absorbing the cost. which any payments can be transferred. -believe? With all the other Brit- Any of these methods is acceptable; ish local islands (e.g. Sanda, Da- Of course, the online version of however, when using PayPal please vaar, et al.) issuing Europa the HB will be updated as soon add 7% to cover PayPal costs. stamps, I wonder if we’ll ever see as we have the new info availa- SERVICES TO MEMBERS: Periodic ble. bulletin (EUROPA NEWS) to all mem- a Europa issue from Sodor. Just bers; website with special “Members a thought. Only” section; periodic auctions (~3/yr) of EUROPA-related material, EUROPA Tonny has also added some Handbook, monographs and specialty Bookmark our website at generous prizes, to be given items available only to ESU members. www.europastudyunit.org away to our early so it’s only a click away ! responders. *Dues must be received by 31 January to ensure contin- Take a look at the insert in ued membership, including this issue and send in your Don reports that mini-auction uninterrupted receipt of the dues now, while it’s on your 435 did well, with about 30% of EN and access to the Mem- mind. You may even win a the lots getting bids. The results nice prize! bers Only website. are posted on the website where the auction link is located. NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016 436-20

EuroMed 2014 — a Philatelic Souvenir

From the Joint Stamp Issues So- ”So far it has been reported as “Of course this item was not ciety comes this interesting item being part of the first Euromed available for sale, but for the first with regard to the 2014 EuroMed series but that it had never been time a copy of the two sides of issue: seen other than as copies. such a collector became available. Here are the two pictures: “[An amazing] discoveries has to “It could therefore not be inte- be reported here. This was, grated in the joint series with “This item will be reported in the found by Dominique Josse, the other stamps having the quarterly catalogue but not as a France, [and] is related to the 9 same design. In fact a so-called collectable item, just for infor- July 2014 Euromed joint issue. Collector had been produced on mation. “ Dominique discovered the item the basis of a private initiative Translation: these may not be from where the French stamp is and distributed to selected VIPs actual stamps, just souvenirs. actually issued. (apparently UPU members). Nice to find one, though! ▬