JULY-AUGUST 2014 Issue # 422

Cooperation on the Moselle River

The Moselle Commission is a public intergovernmental institution based in Trier. Its legal basis is the Convention on the Canalisation of the Moselle (Moselle Convention), signed in 1956 by Germany, France and Luxembourg.

26 May 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Mo- selle as a large-vessel waterway. For this special occasion, the Mo- selle Commission organized cele- brations in June 2014 in the three countries through which the Mo- selle flows.

The Moselle Commission’s general remit is to promote the interests of shipping and ensure that it oper- ates profitably. In 2013, more than 14 million tons of goods were regis- tered at the Koblenz lock. — from Post Luxembourg

LUXEMBOURG 1v WHAT'S IN THIS ISSUE Issue date 8 May 2014 ARTICLES DEPARTMENTS 50 years of large-vessel shipping on the Moselle River Cooperation on the Moselle River 1 Editor's Page...…..…...…………..… 19 EUROPA 1957 (cont'd) …………….. 14-17 New Issues: EUROPA 2014……….…. 4-7 Europafrique …………………………. 9-13 New Issues: sepac 2014…..……….. 3 Report from NTSS………………….. 18 New Issues: General……………….. 1-3,20 FEATURES New Issues: with Scott #s…..…. 8 mini-Auction #422 Insert JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-2 r2 v = value(s) New Issues ms= mini-sheet

LITHUANIA 1v LITHUANIA 1v POLAND 1v issued in ms of 9 Issue date 29 March 2014 Issue date 26 April 2014 Issue date 1 May 2014 10th anniversary of Lithuania’s 10th anniversary of Lithuania’s 10th anniversary of Poland's ac- accession to NATO accession to the European Union cession to the European Union

SPAIN 1v Scott #3949 MALTA 1v PORTUGAL 2v issued as self- Issue date 3 January 2014 Issue date 30 April 2014 adhesive strips called “franking la- 60th anniversary of the European 10th anniversary of Malta’s acces- bels”; i.e., “framas” to which a spe- Organization for Nuclear Research sion to the European Union cific value can be added. (CERN) Issue date 5 May 2014 European Parliamentary Elections

ITALY 1v CERN was founded in 1954 on the SAN MARINO 1v initiative of 12 countries in Europe. Joint Issue date 5 June 2014 Headquartered in Geneva, Switzer- 75th anniversary of the Conven- land, CERN is the world's most im- tion of Friendship and Good portant research centre into parti- Neighborhood between Italy and cle physics. Its laboratories and San Marino facilities cover an area of 600 hec- tares on the border between France and Switzerland. The stamp design shows the underground tun- nel at CERN where the particle col- lider is located. It is surrounded by the flags of the member states and the CERN logo. — Correos Espana

LUXEMBOURG 1v issued as The design shows a porcupine and sheets of 10 stamps w/selvage two ivy branches, symbols of peace Visit the website Issue date 8 May 2014 and friendship. Porcupines will de- www.posteurop.org/europa2014 European Parliamentary Elections fend themselves, but don't go into to vote. Votes will be accepted thru See last page for more information wars of aggression. 31 August 2014. JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-3 v = value(s) ms= mini-sheet New Issues ss = souvenir sheet

Sepac 2014 — Flowers ROMANIA ss BULGARIA 1v issued in ms of 6 TURKEY ss Issue date 7 March 2014 LIECHTENSTEIN 1v from a set Issue date 10 October 2013 135th anniversary of diplomatic 135th anniversary of diplomatic of 3 Issue date 2 June 2014 relations with Romania relationship and 100th anniversary of Carol I Mosque in Istanbul. Joint Issue

KAZAKHSTAN ss Siberian Iris, which is also found in Issue date 2013 central Europe and even Turkey. History of Communication—

JERSEY 1v from a set of 8 Regional Communications Cooper- ation Issue date 30 June 2014

Pictures of the Mosque (outside and inside) and town of Istanbul.

The set of 8 is part of a larger series featuring coastal photographs depicting the seasons. The sepac stamp is part of the “summer” group. ROMANIA ss (shown) + 2v MONACO 1v UKRAINE 2v with center label Issue date 14 June 2014 Issue date 21 December 2013 UNESCO World Heritage

The Church of the Savior at

Berestovo, near Kiev (Ukraine),

The Church of the Sucevita Mon-

astery (Romania).

The protea, or sugrabush, an exotic plant that originated in the super- continent of Gondwana and is now native to South Africa. It is grown worldwide for its beauty. JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-4

v = value(s) New Issues ms= mini-sheet ss = souvenir sheet Europa 2014 — National Music Instruments

ITALY 2v self-adhesive ARMENIA 2v issued in mini- Turkish CYPRUS 2v issued in Issue date 9 May 2014 sheets of 6 stamps each ms of 10 each and as a ss (shown) Issue date 30 June 2014 Issue date 23 May 2014 The Zampogna is an Italian double chantered pipe. Long associated with Christ- mas, it is now popular in folk music festi- The Pku, alternatively spelled pzuk, vals. is an Armenian musical instrument,

similar to a clarinet. It has been The Launeddas (also called triple called the national instrument of clarinet or tri- Armenia. plepipe) is a typical South- ern Sardinian Top stamp: The Tef (or Daf) is a woodwind in- large Persian frame drum used in strument popular and classical music. When made of three equipped with small cymbals it is pipes. analogous to a large tambourine.

The Zurna, like the duduk and Ka- Bottom stamp: The zurna is a multi- val, is a woodwind instrument used national outdoor wind instrument, VATICAN 2v to play Anatolian, Middle Eastern usually accompanied by a davul Issue date 20 May 2014 and Central Asian folk music. See (bass drum) in Anatolian folk music. also Turkish Cyprus . See also Armenia. The Biagi organ in the MONTENEGRO 1v issued in Basilica of St. ms of 8+label French ANDORRA 1v John Lateran Issue date 18 April 2014 Issue date 24 May 2014

The gusle is a single-stringed musical instrument (and musical style) Pipe organ traditionally at St. Peter’s used in the Basilica Dinarides re- gion of south- “La Buna”, or Catalonian bagpipe. eastern Eu- rope. It is always accompanied by singing, usually epic poetry. JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-5

v = value(s) New Issues ms= mini-sheet ss = souvenir sheet Europa 2014 — National Music Instruments

PORTUGAL — AZORES — MADEIRA For each country: ss of 2v, plus a single stamp of the leftmost stamp in the sheet; Issue date 9 May 2014

IRELAND 2v issued in ms of 10 each Issue date 8 May 2014 The Celtic (Irish) Harp, long associated with the Gaelic The bodhrán, is an Irish frame drum. ruling class, requires great The crossbars are increasingly rare on skill to play. modern versions.

MALTA 2v GREECE 2v Issue date 9 May 2014 Issue date 19 May 2014

The Cretan lyra is considered the most popular surviving form of the me- dieval Byzantine lyra, an ancestor of most European bowed instruments.

Correction to last issue SWEDEN ss of 2v The stamps portray details from Issue date 8 May 2014 the oil painting of the renowned Italian artist Girolamo Gianni who Both stamps feature a was active in Malta in the latter Nyckelharpa, a tradi- part of the 19th century. The tional and recently popu- stamps portray bagpipe and drum lar stringed instrument musicians performing at Valletta's with keys. Porta Reale. — from Malta Post JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-6

v = value(s) New Issues ms= mini-sheet ss = souvenir sheet Europa 2014 — National Music Instruments

ESTONIA 2v On 2 June, Estonia’s postal ad- MACEDONIA 6v + ss Issue date 8 May 2014 ministration changed its interna- issued as two sin- tional name to Omniva. The gle stamps, a sou- name Eesti Post will be retained venir sheet of 1 for post offices and mail delivery. stamp, and a sheetlet of 4 LITHUANIA 2v stamps in a block, Issue date 3 May 2014 issued as a book- Väike kannel, a small harp let pane

Issue date 4 June 2014

Ožragis, a Lithuanian folk musical instrument from a goat's Lõõtspill, or small accordian horn with holes and a wooden mouthpiece TURKEY 2v Skrabalai is a Lithuanian folk Issue date 9 May 2014 tuned percussion instrument consisting of wooden bells, played with wooden sticks.

Kabak (Pumpkin) kemane, a Birbynė, an aerophone that can widely used stringed folk in- be either single or double- strument reeded and may or may not have a mouthpiece Kanklės is a Lithuanian plucked string musical instrument (chordophone), of the zither family.

Armenian post Ud (or Oud), a Turkish lute, of Nagorno- readily distinguished from a KARABAKH traditional lute by its lack of 2v frets and smaller neck. As with Issue date June the lute, it is considered an an- 2014 cestor of the guitar. JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-7

v = value(s) New Issues ms= mini-sheet ss = souvenir sheet Europa 2014 — National Music Instruments

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA (Serb KOSOVO 2v + ss Issue date 8 May 2014 Post) 2v issued in ms of 8 each + label. Issue date 25 April 2014 Kosovo is not a mem- Also in booklets of 3 sets arranged se-tenant; the ber of PostEurop or perforations and stamp size are different than the UPU, and the the regular stamps (see illustration) stamps do not have the EUROPA logo, but album makers have been including them.

UKRAINE 2v POLAND 1v Issue date 6 May 2014 Issue date 5 May 2014

The Kobza is a The stamp design is a detail from a fascinating musical instrument depicted Ukrainian folk more fully on the official fdc shown below music instrument of the lute family, a relative of the Central Euro- pean mandora.

Kozak-Mamai, the most popular figure in Ukrainian folk painting of the 17th–20th cen- turies, playing a bandura. JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-8

NEW ISSUES WITH SCOTT CATALOG NUMBERS - Don Smith From Linn’s May & June Special Editions * = position in proposed new HB outline (ref. EN# 404-12)

COUNTRY SCOTT # DATE OF ISSUE DESCRIPTION *

Ascension 1110-3 28-Apr-14 Napoleon I 4c Azores 528a, 529b Nov-10 Europa 2010 booklets 1 Azores 552-3 9-May-13 Europa 2013 (553 a s/s of 2) 1 Kyrgyzstan 440 17-Aug-13 RCC, Airbus EN 419-5 3b Madeira 290a, 291b Nov-10 Europa 2010 booklets 1 Madeira 308-9 9-May-13 Europa 2013 (309 a s/s of 2) 1 Montenegro 339 19-Apr-13 Europa 2013 1 Montenegro 344-5 7-Jun-13 Euro Basketball Tournament, (345a: s/s of 2) 3c Mozambique 2960a 25-Mar-13 Winston Churchill 4a Netherlands 1441 22-Apr 13 Europa 2013 (se-tenant pair; 1441e bklt 3 pairs) 1 Netherlands 1449 12-Aug-13 Netherlands/Belgium Connection, s/s of 6 3b Poland 4088 31-Jul-13 BRITE Constellation EN 421-6 3b Poland 4092 11-Sep-13 Traditional Costumes joint w/Romania 5483 3b Poland 4095 11-Oct-13 Landmarks in European Capitals: Zagreb, Croatia 3b Portugal 3513-4 9-May-13 Europa 2013 (3514 a s/s of 2) 1 Romania 5444-5 30-Apr-13 Europa 2013 (5444a sheet 6, 5445a sheet 6, 5445b 1 s/s of 2 each) Romania 5464 9-Jul-13 Cooperative Treaty w/Russia (5464 sheet 6 + 2 labels, 3b 5464b s/s of 1) Romania 5483 11-Sep-13 Traditional Costumes joint w/Poland (5483a sheet 10, 3b 5483b s/s Romania 5492 10-Oct-13 King Carol I Mosque, joint w/Turkey (5492a sheet 6, 3b 5492b s/s) Spain 3939 28-Oct-13 150th Anniv. Red Cross, joint issue with Belgium 3b Spain 3949 3-Jan-14 60th Anniversary of CERN EN 422-2 2a Spain 3968 24-Mar-14 Euro coin on UNESCO s/s 3a Vatican City 1557 21-Mar-14 Pope John XXIII, joint issue with Italy 3b Vatican City 1558 21-Mar-14 Popes John Paul II & John XXIII, joint w/Poland, s/s of 2 3b Vatican City 1559-61 21-Mar-14 Pope John Paul II, joint issue with Poland 3b

Note: the following are evidently part of a multi-country omnibus issue. E.g., see similar issues described in EN 421-6. Caveat Emptor.

Mozambique 2840d 25-Mar-13 Eurostar train 3b Mozambique 2843 25-Mar-13 Concorde jet, sheet of 6 different 3b Mozambique 2872 25-Mar-13 Concorde jet 3b Niger 1230a 1-Jul-13 Concorde jet 3b St. Vincent 3876-7 26-Aug-13 Concorde jet (3877 a s/s) EN 419-5 3b

2014 marks the 20th anniversary of the Channel Tun- nel (“Chunnel”) between England and France. There should be some philatelic recognition before year end. JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-9

EuropAfrique — Emile Bayle, et al.

United Nations, and then proceed- “That, to put it mildly, would not ed to blackmail the U.S. and other be good for the free world. We are, free countries by voting against therefore, disposed to feel that their interests unless they came these trade pacts are very worthy out with plenty of ‘foreign aid’. of support, and we hope that the EUROPAFRIQUE stamps will even- Background “The EEC seems to prefer to try out tually prove completely acceptable The subject of EuropAfrique was another technique. Instead of dish- EUROPA material. first mentioned in Europa News in ing out wads of cash, steel mills, “Of course, things are not going to the November 1963 issue (EN#51- etc etc etc, they have, under these be easy, and there will be lots of 3) by editor Robin Crowley. He was recent trade pacts, provided these disappointments and worries. Eve- somewhat apprehensive about the new republics with a better oppor- ry now and again, even the Com- stamps, and in the February 1964 tunity to work their own way up in mon Market itself seems to be ra- issue he wrote more extensively the world, by their own efforts, and ther wobbly, and we must always on the subject. After repeating his using their own natural resources. be ready for shocks and harrowed earlier misgivings, however, he nerves. went on to say the following: “Perhaps the EEC hopes that these trade pacts will help to build up “However, we can equally hope “These stamps do indeed com- sound commercial communities that, as time goes on, the EUROPA memorate real trade pacts be- which will have a strong vested concept will continue to develop, tween the EEC and the republics interest in keeping their countries and even extend to embracing oth- concerned, and it is most greatly to respectable and, above all, free. lt er parts of Europe and of the be hoped that they will serve a use- is incredible that handouts of for- world, including the new African ful purpose. The ERP [European eign aid can go on forever, and un- republics.” Recovery Plan, aka the Marshall less these new republics can Plan — ed.] was an incredible and achieve a reasonably prosperous It is hard to believe that Robin was world—saving success, but it is economy of their own, the only writing this over 50 years ago! difficult to deny that subsequent obvious al- handouts of foreign aid to other ternative parts of the world have very fre- seems to be quently been dismally disap- that com- pointing. munism will “The ERP aid was given to educated spread all established countries with over Africa. shattered economies but posses- sors of all the skills and sense of responsibility required to rebuild them - with help from the U.S.

“On the other hand, it is hardly an exaggeration to say that what, sub- stantially, has usually happened with these new African republics has been that they immediately Figure 1. The first meeting between delegates of both continents. From the collec- applied for membership in the tion of Don Smith. JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-10

EuropAfrique — cont’d

Two decades later, the concept of 1970)" and "Yaounde 2 (1971 / member states, took place in Rome EuropAfrique was well established, 1974)" between the EEC and the in January 1961, at the initiative of and a number of stamps had been African States and Malagasy Associ- the European Parliamentary As- issued to note various anniver- ates (EAMA). In 1975 this associa- sembly. A special handstamp was saries, much as Robin had predict- tion was replaced by the African, applied to mail from this meeting ed. The number has arguably been Caribbean, and Pacific States (ACP) (Figure 2). The meeting in Rome manageable, however, and in EU- and its agreements with the EEC made way for a conference that ROPA NEWS #256 and 257, Sep-Oct were governed by the Lome (Togo) took place in Strasbourg June 19- and Nov-Dec 1986, ESU member Convention 1 (1975-1980), Lome 24, 1961 (see Figure 1 on the pre- and monograph contributor Emile Convention 2 (1981), and Lome ceding page). Under the name Bayle provided a detailed discus- Convention 3 (1985). "Conference of the European Par- sion of the subject, in an article liamentary Assembly with the Par- titled “The European Community First period, 1958-1962 liaments of the African States and and Aid to Developing Countries”. According to the proposals of the Malagasy Associates" the meeting What follows is his article, with Treaty of Rome, there was formed gathered together for the first time many of the original illustrations, at the beginning of 1958 an associ- delegates from two continents to augmented with additional materi- ation of the European Economic discuss the ties between their al provided by ESU member Bill Community with the Overseas Land countries. and Territories (PTOM) having in Armstrong and myself. They especially examined the prob- common a dependence on some Introduction states of the Community. From its lems posed by the approaching An association between the Euro- first session in March 1958, the renewal of the Association in a new pean Economic Community and Parliamentary Assembly estab- form. The Council of Europe ‘Lands in the Course of Develop- lished a commission for the PTOM, opened the temporary post office ment’ was foreseen in the Treaty of with the presiding officer being the for the meeting and used a special Rome. It was set up after a gradual future president of the Republic of slogan cancel with the date stamp and five wavy lines (Figure 3). accession to sovereignty by these Niger, then a member of the countries between 1958 and 1962 French National Assembly. The As- The resolutions adopted at the from their former colonial status. sociation was to have a life of five Strasbourg meeting were approved years. by the Parliamentary Assembly dur- The first period of negotiation was governed by the "Convention of The first "Eurafricaine" meeting, ing its session of June 26 to July 1, Yaounde (Cameroon) 1 (1961/ with the representatives of 16 1961, which immediately followed the Eurafricaine meeting (Figure 4).

Figure 3.

Figure 4. Figure 2. Eurafricaine Meeting #1 JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-11 r1

EuropAfrique — cont’d

It was also approved in part by the By 1966 MIFERMA had invested the In 1963 Mauritania issued two heads of the African States and equivalent of some US$200 million more airmail stamps, Scott #C20- Malagasy Associates at a meeting in mining facilities at Kedia, port 21, depicting the beginning of min- in Tananarive, Madagascar facilities at Nouadhibou, and a rail ing operations and commemo- (Malagasy) on September 9, 1961 line to carry the ore to port for ex- rating the third anniversary of the (Figure 5). port. agreement to proceed. These are also shown in Figure 6 on page 12. In 1962 Maurita- nia overprinted On 1 July 1963, the Republic of one of its previ- Congo (formerly the Belgian Congo) ous airmail issued a series of seven stamps of stamps (Scott three designs evoking aid of the #C16) to publi- EEC to the Congo. (Scott #455-61) cize the approval The issue had two printings: the of the EEC- first in sheets of 100; the second in MIFERMA pro- sheets of 12 with the inscription ject. The design "Republique du Congo" in relief on Figure 5. used the word the border of each stamp. The set Europa joining of stamps is shown in Figure 7 on There was a new meeting in Stras- the six links of the EEC which in page 13. bourg from 14 to 16 May 1962, turn joined up with the words MIF- On June 20-21, 1963, the repre- between representatives of the ERMA. The overprint came in two sentatives of the Parliamentary Parliamentary Assembly and the varieties, where the Type II version Assembly and of the 18 African Parliaments of the 18 African states has a box around the word MIFER- states and Malagasy met once and Malagasy, which had become MA, and a double border around more in Strasbourg to prepare the independent. During this meeting the word Europa. (see Figure 6 on methods of payment in the Associ- the delegates foresaw changes to page 12). Neither of these over- ation's new Agreement. As during be made to the Agreement expiring prints is given a number in Scott the preceding meetings, the tem- at the end of the year. although they are mentioned. The porary post office was especially

first variety is the more common of opened for this occasion (Figure 8). The first Europe-Africa stamps the two. Plans to exploit the high-grade iron ore deposits at Kedia, near Zouîrât, began in 1952 with the formation of the privately owned Mauritanian Iron Mines Company (Société Anonyme des Mines de Fer de Mauritanie--MIFERMA). With support from the World Bank, the French government, and the Mau- ritanian government, MIFERMA Figure 8. (owned by French, British, Italian, and West German steel interests) In the next issue the article resumes with a discussion of the omnibus issues, which began operations in 1963. have appeared on an occasional basis almost every year since 1963. JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-12

EuropAfrique — cont’d

Figure 6. The Mauritania MIFERMA issues. Album page from the author’s collection. JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-13

EuropAfrique — cont’d

Figure 7. The Congo PRC Economic Aid issue. AYAL Album page from the collection of Bill Armstrong. AYAL specialized in topical issues, and produced pages for EUROPA, NATO, UN Worldwide, Space, etc. Unlike White Ace, their EUROPA pages went well beyond the annual issues, but the spotty quality of execution led to their eventual demise. JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-14

The 1957 EUROPA Stamps — a Monograph by Steve Luster (Part 6) Steve Luster’s monograph on the the Netherlands., whose postal The unabridged monograph will EUROPA issues of 1957 continues practices allowed the appearance be posted on our website when with a discussion of the stamps of of an oddity or two. this series concludes.

NETHERLANDS 1957

Netherlands issued a set of two Europa stamps with the same design in 1957. They were de- nominated 10 C and 30 C. The 10 C stamp was printed in dark grey and blue and the 30 C stamp was printed in dark green and blue.

The stamps were designed by Dick Elffers. They depict a six-pointed star with letters spelling out the word “EUROPA” at each point of the star. The letter “E” is shared with the word Netherland” and is in a darker color. The denomination in a square to the left and a stylized food or industry repre- sentation is in a circle to the right, complete the design.

The stamps were rotogravure printed, on un-watermarked paper, perforated 12¾ x 14, and were printed by Joseph Enschedé en Zonen, Haarlem, in sheets of 100 stamps. 32,542,250 stamps of the 10 C denomination and 3,743,800 of the 30 C denomination were printed.

The D’Urso Catalogue assigned the number 26 to the 10 C stamp and the number 27 to the 30 C stamp.

In addition to the complete set of 2 stamps, the D’Urso Catalogue lists blocks of 4 stamps. No varieties are listed for the stamps. D’Urso also lists official first day covers with an ‘s-Gravenhage cancel (26/27A) and with an ’s-Gravenhage Philatelistische Dienst cancel (26/27B). This latter cancel comes with “check” numbers “1”, “2”, “3” and “4”. D’Urso also lists maximum cards (26/27C).

JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-15

The 1957 EUROPA Stamps — a Monograph by Steve Luster (cont’d)

The Netherlands issued a publicity folder for its 1957 Europa stamps.

JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-16

The 1957 EUROPA Stamps — a Monograph by Steve Luster (cont’d)

The following are some examples of cacheted philatelic first day covers for this issue.

The D’Urso Catalogue did not depict the listed maximum cards; therefore, I do not know if the one shown below is the one meant, or if there are others designs on these cards. Here is the one I know about. JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-17

The 1957 EUROPA Stamps — a Monograph by Steve Luster (cont’d)

Here is an example of Netherlands 1957 Europa stamps used on cover.

The Netherlands allows cities to receive and deliver their own mail. Some cities charge for the service and use designs similar to Europa stamps, but on city labels. Figure 41 is an example of a full sheet of 10, city post “stamps” with design similar to the Netherlands 1957 Europa stamps.

End of Part 6. Next installment (Part 7) continues 1957 issues with a discussion of the stamps of the Saar. JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-18

Report from NTSS (Note: the handbook on CD-ROM is in MS-Excel, so listings of the annual issues can be produced in either portrait or landscape format). So far, everyone who has requested hardcopy has asked for portrait format, so it was further RESOLVED at the meeting that all hardcopy will henceforth be produced in portrait format.

Pictured: Dana Roper (President & EN Editor), Alex Cwiekalo (Handbook Editor), The discussion then centered on Gary Lightbody (ESU member), Fred Skvara (ESU member & ATA Director), Sue how the new handbook is and Rosenberg (ESU member & Penguin Person), Steve Chun (ESU member) Not Pictured: Jeff Hayward (ATA Director of Study Units), Derek Litman -- Alex' should be structured and what kind grandson and budding philatelist who took our picture of pricing might make sense. Alex has wisely broken the handbook up The 2014 National Topical Stamp The Europa Handbook into manageable segments, some Show was held in St.Louis, MO The main topic of discussion was of which follow the annual issue from 27-29 June. NTSS is the annu- the state of the ESU Handbook, and MS-Excel structure, others are in al show hosted by the American what we need to do going forward. MS-Word. Some, like the annual Topical Association, the ESU’s Alex has captured all annual issues, issues, are up-to-date or quite re- “mother organization” if you will. It and the complete contents of the cent; others could be decades old, is the one show that we all try to old hardcopy handbook, in comput- reflecting the original hardcopy attend. Unfortunately, we were er readable form. handbook. Left open was whether snake-bit, as Tonny Van Loij had to Meanwhile, the ATA is compiling a the other sections could be cancel at the last minute. Don database, using MS Access as the brought up to date. What is obvi- Smith also couldn’t make it. Bum- underlying engine. The plan is to ous is that the current price for a mer. Tonny had reserved a table, sell checklists on demand at 1c per hardcopy handbook is not realistic, which we had to reluctantly give listed stamp. Alex pointed out, and and many issues remain to be ad- back because without Tonny we all concurred, that a handbook dressed. The officers hope to pre- were missing our Energizer Bunny should be more than just a check- sent a forward plan to you, our (not to mention goodies for our list, but a checklist might be gener- members, in the near future. table). ated from it. From this discussion, We had a hard stop at one What we lacked in number was it was RESOLVED at the meeting hour, otherwise the meeting could more than made up for in enthusi- that any Europa Handbook will be a easily have run over . asm, however. ATA Director Jeff benefit to ESU members, and not Hayward opened the meeting by made generally available to the Europa News talking about the ATA and its bene- ATA. Sue Rosenberg said that the For the first time in its history, fits - once again speaking to the Penguins on Stamps Study Unit op- NTSS included a literature competi- converted as all present belong to erates the same way. tion. Tonny entered the Europa News and we won a Silver award. the ATA. Alex said that printing just the an- At this writing I have not received Tonny reported in absentia that the nual issues for all years would re- the judges critique, so I’ll post Unit treasury remains solid, due in quire ~250 double-sided pages, in more information in EN#423. large part to reduced printing portrait format. At 10c per sheet, Thank you, Tonny, for taking the costs. this would be $25 plus postage. trouble to enter us. ■ JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-19

Editor’s Page

BULLETIN OF THE Mile High Activities everywhere. This carried over to an EUROPA STUDY UNIT, Although Tonny Van Loij couldn’t ATA Study Unit officers meeting AN ASSOCIATION OF PHILATELISTS make it to NTSS, he was able to where everyone seemed to be DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF PHILATELIC MATERIALS COVERING THE IDEA OF A attend the Rocky Mountain Stamp scrambling to align themselves UNITED EUROPE... UNITED IN A POLITICAL, Show, which was held the last somehow with penguins. It quickly ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL SENSE. weekend of May. He sent along this became a running gag. Europa is a picture of the ATA table (that’s stretch, but let’s see: many EU www.europastudyunit.org Tonny to the far left) and reported: countries have bases in Antarctica,

EDITOR: Mr. Dana Roper, 7266 Prices and Antarctica has many penguins Cove Place, Gainesville, VA 20155; living there. Speaking of pen- email: [email protected]. guins…. EDITORS EMERITUS: Col. Stephen Luster (d) & predecessors Seriously, many of our members OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS: (including yours tru- PRESIDENT: Mr. Dana Roper ly) have other col- EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: Mr. Tonny lecting interests be- VanLoij sides Europa. If you TREASURER: Tonny VanLoij are interested in our VICE PRESIDENT: Tonny Van Loij, SECOND VICE PRESIDENT: open tuxedoed friends DIRECTORS: Mr. Alex Cwiekalo, Ms. “We had the best show in about 6 down below, check out the Penguin Caroline Scannel, Mr. Dan Shilcrat or 7 years, great turnout, booming People at WEBMASTERS: Dana Roper, Mr. Jas- business for the dealers (27). As http://www.penguinstamps.org/. son Cwiekalo you can see I secured a table for AUCTION MANAGER: Mr. Donald W. ESU, ATA and MotivGruppe Musik, ...and a nice NATO cover Smith, P.O. Box 576, Johnstown, PA Germany (also an ATA Unit). 15907. Part of the fun of stamp shows is EUROPA HANDBOOK: Alex Cwiekalo “We handed out ENs, member ap- making new acquaintances, and it

ANNUAL DUES: (Including one year plication forms and some goodies was my pleasure to strike up a con- of the EUROPA NEWS): Electronic (some old souvenir sheets and versation with Fred Collins on the Membership $10/yr; Standard member- stickers). We made many people shuttle from the airport. Fred ship (hardcopy of EN mailed): $20/yr USA; $25/yr outside USA. happy and hope to get some new draws his own cachets, which are Dues are payable as of January 1st members. Two of our Colorado then individually hand water- each year*. Payments must be made in members stopped by the first day colored. He is not a Europa collec- U.S. Dollars; cash, or a bank draft, or a but I had forgotten my camera.” tor, but when he learned of my money order (made payable to the Europa Study Unit). We also have a Note the copies of EN on the table. interests he went through his stock PayPal account (europastudyunit, Tonny gets all the leftovers (since and found a few that caught my email [email protected]) to he is the printer he’s entitled). attention, such as the striking cover which any payments can be transferred. below for the USA 1999 NATO 50th Any of these methods is acceptable; Penguins, Penguins anniversary issue. however, when using PayPal please Sharp-eyed readers who looked at add 7% to cover PayPal costs. the caption under the picture of SERVICES TO MEMBERS: Periodic NTSS attendees will note that ESU bulletin (EUROPA NEWS) to all mem- member Sue Rosenberg is identi- bers; website with special “Members Only” section; periodic auctions (~3/yr) fied with penguins. More to the of EUROPA-related material, EUROPA point, Sue is the indefatigable pub- Handbook, monographs and specialty licity person for POSSUMs items available only to ESU members. (Penguins on Stamps Study Unit

* Dues must be received yearly by 31 Members). Due to her efforts, pen- Fred’s handiwork is on display at January to ensure continued mem- guins became an ubiquitous pres- collinsfirstdaycovers.net/. ■ bership, including uninterrupted re- ence at NTSS. Penguin posters, ceipt of the EN. penguin cocktail napkins, penguins JULY-AUGUST 2014 422-20

“This Time It’s Different” - Post Luxembourg

From Post Luxembourg comes the following in- LUXEMBOURG 1v issued in a sheetlet of 10 (shown) formation, with tense changed to reflect the Issue date 8 May 2014 time of issue:

“The 2014 European elections took place between 22 and 25 May. In the 28 member states, 751 representatives of the European Parliament in Strasbourg were elected. The representatives are assembled according to the different trans- national political groups.

“There have been eight European elections since 1979. The EU-Parliament is elected by direct uni- versal suffrage. For the first time, the European Council must take the election results into account when choosing the next President of the European Commission. The nominee has to be confirmed by the new Parliament. In Luxem- bourg, the elections for the 6 Luxembourgish representatives took place on 25 May.”

The stamps also include an embedded web augmented reality (AR) function which uses the “Smartsy” app. See EN 420-5 for related information on this interesting new development. ■

EUROPA NEWS Bulletin of the Europa Study Unit

Tonny VanLoij 3002 S Xanthia St. Denver, CO 80231-4237

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