Our Website Won a Gold at the APS Stampshow … and Europa News Garnered

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 Issue # 441

Our website won a Gold at the APS StampShow … and Europa News garnered

a Silver !

See page 2 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-2

Article Report from StampShow — Dana Roper

The 2017 APS StampShow, held in Richmond, VA from 3-6 August , was a great show. Lots of dealers with good material to look at. Two of my per- sonal favorite dealers—A&D Stamps and A to Z Worldwide — had adjoining multiple booths to form a “Great Wall of Stamps” that was twice as long as usual. You could spend days just at their two booths.

No Europa exhibits at the show — Steve Luster would have been disappointed. Still, I had fun eyeballing what was there and frequenting the dealer tables. The “Great Walls of Stamps”, still picture from the You Tube video, excerpted from Linn’s Stamp News Report. The judges’ comments regarding the website included praise for the wealth of information — the Handbook and other checklists, New Issues listings, auctions and back issues of Europa News. The judges called it a “Content rich website ... a valuable resource for ESU members.”

Some helpful suggestions included adding links in each webpage to get back to the previous ones and a Search function. I’ll get to work on these.

The EN comments brought me back to earth a bit, Joe Running (selfie taker), Joe Sullivan and me but then I reminded myself that I was looking for comments and suggestions. The comments there We held a Unit meeting on Saturday, and three boiled down to content and formatting. of our members showed up to talk stamps. Joe Content-wise, the judges were looking for more Running, Joe Sullivan and I spent a pleasant hour articles and original, analytical, material. There was talking about our collections and what we found a comment about too much new issues and filler. at the show. I brought EN back issues, handbook Well, the EN is a newsletter, so I make no apologies hardcopy, and a rummage box of Europa materi- regarding new issues, but as for more articles … al. Both Joe's took home a goodie from the what can I say? Friends, Europa collectors, country- box. All had a good time, and we wondered men, send me your articles. Bullet points, post-it where the hour went so quickly. notes, crayon, anything. I’ll take it.

I had taken a flier and submitted both the Euro- As to formatting, the judges had trouble following pa News and the website for evaluation and the flow from cover page through the content. I competition. I was really after comments and think that means make the cover page more like a suggestions. I got them. I attended the “Writer’s magazine cover. I tried that with this issue. The 3- Breakfast” — and learned that Europa News had column format also drew criticism. That’s been the gotten a silver award. That’s a little better than format for decades, so I never really gave it a the silver-bronze award we got a few years back, thought. They suggested that a 2-column layout but confirms the ATA’s judgment when we re- would be better. I tried that for this article and else- ceived a silver award shortly thereafter. where in this issue. I’d appreciate your feedback.

The real surprise came when I got home and re- One more time, many thanks to our officers for all ceived word in the mail that the website had re- their hard work, and to our members, for your con- ceived a gold award. tinued support! Much appreciated!! ▬ SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-3 New Issues Europa 2017 "Castles"

ARMENIA 1v Issue date 10 July 2017

The postage stamp depicts the ancient Armenian castle named “Amberd”, which means “fortress in the clouds”. The inscription of the castle’s name on the postage stamp in Armenian and English languages is done in medieval style.

Amberd is one of the well-preserved castles of Armenia dat- ed X-XIII cc. The castle is surrounded and protected by the gorge on three sides and only the northern side remains unprotected. According to some sources, the castle used to serve as a summer residence for Armenian Kings and Princes. It is situated at the height of about 2300 me- ters (~9000 ft, or 1.7 mi) above sea level and one-hour drive from Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. — from “Stamps of Armenia” at www.stamps.am GERMANY update to new issue information

In EN 439-6 we noted that Germany’s Europa issue for this year is a continuation of its popular “Castles” series that started in 2013. This year’s Europa was also issued in a self-adhesive format, and gets its own Scott number. But there’s a twist. The self-adhesive version was issued se-tenant along with the year’s previous castle stamp showing Schloss Ludwigsburg, which also got a new Scott number. The regular issue is Scott# 2972. The self-adhesive pair shown below gets Scott#s 2973 and 2974.

The German post office obviously wants you to collect the self-adhesive pair, but what will the album makers do? My best guess (and I could be wrong) is that we will only get spaces for the Europas in each format, (i.e., Scott#s 2972-3) and not the pair. It’ll be awhile before we know.

Many thanks to the Europa Blogspot (europa-stamps.blogspot.com/) for an interactive map locating the various castles on this year’s Europa stamps. Once on his website (see link in previous sentence) simply click on any of the pinned locations to get background on the castle in question. Very nice. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-4 New Issues EuroMed 2017 “Trees of the Mediterranean”

FRANCE 1v PORTUGAL 4v Issue date 11 July 2017 Issue date 10 July 2017

“The Mediterranean is a haven for all kinds of species, animal or vegetable. In addition to a maritime ecosystem that has no equal, the Mediterranean rim can also boast of an une- qualed plant richness on its coasts “ — from La Poste Cork Oak (Quercus suber) Iberian Pear (Pyrus bourgaeana) Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) Olive Tree (Olea europaea) The stamp pictures leaves from the olive tree, maritime pine Despite Portugal not directly bordering the Mediterranean Sea, the and oak, mimosa and arbutus. country is dominated by the temperate Mediterranean climate, typically characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, damp win- ters. CYPRUS 1v — from Portugal ctt Issue 10 July 2017 SLOVENIA 1v LEBANON 1v Issue date 9 July 2017 Issue date unknown

The stamp depicts a composite tree showing the leaves of ol- “Strawberry tree” No other ive and pine trees and the information regarding the de- fruits of carob tree and orange sign was provided. The famous “Cedars of Leba-

non.” No other information The olive tree can live thou- — from Pošta Slovenija available at this time. sands of years. Other common trees of the Mediterranean are pine trees, palm trees and ce- dar trees. True Fact Dept. : The Facebook page for EuroMed postal issues was last — from Cyprus Post updated on 16 December 2014. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-5 New Issues Sepac 2017 “Local Crafts”

GIBRALTAR 1v from a set of 9v

Gibraltar Military Heritage

Issue date 25 July 2017

From Gibraltar Post, the subject matter is as follows (starting at upper left): The Convent - Official residence of the Governor of Gibraltar

Cross of Sacrifice - A war memorial designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield in 1917

100 Ton Gun - By Rosia Bay stands the Napier of Magdala Battery (1884), home of Gibraltar’s 100 Ton Gun.

Gibraltar War Memorial (the sepac issue) - The monument com- memorates the fallen of the First World War and was sculpted by Cat- alan Jose Piquet Catoli of Barcelona. It was constructed of Carrara marble. The memorial was unveiled by the Governor of Gibraltar, Sir Charles Monro, during a ceremony on 27 September 1923.

Nelson’s Anchorage - HMS Victory was towed to Rosia Bay after Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar. Parson’s Lodge Battery - Used during both World Wars, the Battery had three 10-inch rifled muzzle- loading guns guarding the approaches to Rosia Bay, the only natural harbor in Gibraltar.

Garrison Library - Founded in 1793 by Captain (later Colonel) John Drinkwater Bethune. Trafalgar Cemetery - Site of an annual commemorative ceremony on Trafalgar Day.

American War Memorial - A World War I memorial built for the American Battle Monuments Commission in 1933.

Editor’s Note: This seems a strange choice for the year’s theme, but maybe memorials are Gibraltar’s forte.

LUXEMBOURG 1v Ceramic Sculpture From HB Editor Alex Cwiekalo Issue date 19 September 2017 comes word of this year’s sepac folder. It will be available through the various post offices on or after 4 September 2017.

Sculpture titled “Green Fingers”. No other information as of press time. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-6 New Issues European Anniversaries and Events LITHUANIA 1v ITALY 1v ESTONIA 1v Issue date 12 January 2017 Issue date 2 March 2017 Issue date 13 May 2017 25th Anniversary of the 60th anniversary of the Treaties Estonian presidency of the “January 13th Events” of Rome Council of EU

“In the beginning of January 1991 in Lithuania, Soviet Union “… a woman's profile on a back- troops armed with heavy mili- ground of leaves with a star in tary equipment attempted a front of it; on the left in her hair coup d'etat. Paratroopers bru- is a geometric drawing of the tally seized Vilnius Television Capital in Rome, which symbol- Tower and Lithuanian radio izes the place where the Treaties In July 2017, Estonia began its and television center, and of Rome were signed.” first Presidency of the Council of planned attacking the building — from Poste Italiane the European Union. This means of then Supreme Council (now that for a 6-month period, Esto- Lithuanian Parliament), that BULGARIA 1v nia will be responsible for find- were protected by thousands Issue date 7 April 2017 ing common ground between of peaceful protesters. Varna—European Youth Capital the interests and positions of all

“At the TV Tower some pro- EU member states, trying to testers became victims as the strike a balance between differ- troopers went through the ent viewpoints and needs. Esto- crowd of civilians by tanks and nia will therefore speak on be- were shooting at them. During half of the EU Council. this Lithuanian citizens' re- As the country holding the pres- sistance against Soviet troops, idency, Estonia wants to draw 14 civilian freedom defenders attention to the ways digital so- lost their lives and more than a lutions can simplify everyday life thousand were wounded. The European Youth Capital, and make administrative matters launched by the European Youth “13 January is commemorated quicker in every aspect. Estonia Forum, is a one year award in plans to focus on maintaining a as the Freedom Defenders' which the winner is given the Day, commemorating those clean environment, on the secu- opportunity to develop and pre- rity of Europe, on using innova- who defended Lithuanian inde- sent its youth-oriented life. This pendence from the Soviet Un- tive technologies for economic includes a huge number of activ- development, and on managing ion.” — from Lithuania Post ities regarding cultural, social changes to the way people live Note: On 25 December 1991 and political life. The first time and work, in order to prepare for Mikhail Gorbachev resigned his this happened was in 2009, and Europe’s future. post as president of the Soviet the first city chosen was Rotter- The Estonian Presidency of the Union and the Soviet hammer dam. For 2017, Varna was cho- EU Council runs from 1 July to and sickle flag was lowered for sen to be a meeting point for innovative ideas. — from the 31 December 2017. the last time over the Kremlin. — from Eesti Post Europa European Youth Portal SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-7 New Issues Northern Countries

ALAND 2v+ ss (shown) incorporating the same 2v FINLAND 5v self-adhesive in booklet strip

Issue date 24 May 2017

Sauna Tradi- tions Joint Issue

This may be a bit of a stretch, but here goes:

Sauna Traditions would seem to fit into the category of “Nordic Culture”, and as such could be a candidate for category 1b — Nordic cooperation. The designs are the winning results of a photo competition —> held during the summer of 2016.

New Issues European Anniversaries and Events

MONTENEGRO 1v issued in a ms of 8v+label (as shown) Issue date 5 June 2017 Montenegro’s Admission to NATO

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-8 New Issues Philatelic Exhibitions

FINLAND ss LUXEMBOURG ss Issue date 24 May 2017 NETHERLANDS ss FINLANDIA 2017 Stamp Exhibition Issue date 25 August 2017 Multilaterale Hertogpost 2017 Joint Issue

Up to now I had considered these to be a national show, but the text above FINLANDIA says “European Stamp Exhibition” so that qualifies it as Europa. Could any armchair Sherlocks out there tell me whether this is a new development, and if so for how long has it been thus? Denmark The Multilaterale is an initiative that came from also issued three FRAMA stamps for the event. the Philatelist Associations of the German- speaking countries (Germany, Switzerland, Aus- tria, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg) as well of Slovenia and the Netherlands.

New Issues This year, the Dutch Philatelist Association and European Events and Promotions the Dutch Post Office held a Multilaterale exhibition from 2 thru 27 August in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, a city in the southern Netherlands. SERBIA 2v issued in a sheet of 5 sets with a cen- The multilateral exhibition usually takes place tral label down the middle Issue date 1 June 2017 every two years, each time in a different country. Nature Protection (showing ECY logo) It was Germany’s turn in 2015, and in 2019 the exhibition will be held in Luxembourg. It’s the second time that the multilateral exhibition has taken place in the Netherlands; the first time was in 2005 in Kerkrade.

Stamp designer Linda Bos explained her design as follows: “During the Multilaterale, 7 countries will come together. I wanted my illustration to visualize this unity. I combined them into an im- aginary skyline running from the North Sea (left) to the Matterhorn (right).” — from POST Luxembourg and PostNL SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-9 New Issues European Sporting Events

TURKEY 3v LUXEMBOURG 1v

Issue date Issue date 4 July 2017 12 February 2017 2017 Tour de France’s starting

European Youth stage in Mondorf-les-Bains Olympic Festival

The 2017 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival was held Luxembourg is widely associat- in Erzurum, Turkey from 12 to 17 February 2017. The mascot of 2017 ed with the cycling race and is Festival is a little snowman named Karbeyaz. The name is combined therefore well known and re- from the Turkish words Kar (snow) and Beyaz (white). spected abroad. Altogether, in (No mention of 7 dwarves. —ed.) 2017, five international compe- titions will have wholly or part- ly included routes in Luxem- Joint Issue bourg. The most famous and Hungary—Austria most popular race is certainly First Hungarian Postage Stamp the Tour de France.

In 2017, two stages will once HUNGARY ss again go through the country. AUSTRIA ss This is already the eighth time Issue date 25 August 2017 that the “Grande Boucle” has

1867 was the year when stopped off in Luxembourg. On Hungarian statehood 3 July, the riders will cut across was restored and the Luxembourg from north to Austrian Emperor Franz south over 115 km. On 4 July Joseph I was crowned the fourth stage will start from King of Hungary. Austria Mondorf-les-Bains racing -Hungary was thus cre- along the Mosel up to the French city of Vittel in the ated. Vosges region. The newly independent — from Post Luxembourg Hungarian postal service promptly ordered its own postage stamps. To save time and money, until 1871 the two sepa- rate postal administrations used stamps with the same design.

— from Magyar Posta SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-10 New Issues Other Joint Issues

BULGARIA ss (shown) AUSTRIA ss Issue date 12 May DENMARK ss UKRAINE ss CROATIA ss Issue date 13 May FAROE ISLANDS ss Issue date 22 May 2017 HUNGARY ss Issue date 12 May GREENLAND ss Black Sea Fauna and Flora SLOVENIA ss Issue date 16 May Issue date 15 May 2017 Joint Issue with common design UKRAINE ss Issue date 13 May Royal Golden Wedding Anni- all 2017 issues versary 300th Anniversary of the Birth Joint Issue with common design of Maria Theresa Joint Issue with common design

HM Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and HRH Prince Hen- rik are celebrating their golden

0.65 Leva - Black Sea Dolphin wedding anniversary this year. (Delphinus delphis ponticus) PostNord is issuing a stylish 2.00 Leva - Marine Bivalve Mol- mini-sheet to mark the event. lusc (Barnea candida) In accordance with the wishes of the royal couple to celebrate Maria Theresa of the House of The Baltic Sea is an example of their wedding anniversary in a Habsburg was a Princess of the a shared ecosystem between private manner, the mini-sheet Holy Roman Empire, Archduch- the two countries. features a photo of them free ess of Austria and Duchess of from official pomp and circum- Hungary, Bohemia and Germa- stance. ny. She reigned as the Arch- duchess of Austria from 1740 The mini-sheet is a common- The following are the abbrevia- and as the Queen of Hungary wealth issue, released jointly tions and symbols currently being and Bohemia, and then by her with Denmark, Greenland and used in the Europa News: the Faroe Islands – discreetly marriage to the Holy Roman Emperor Francis I of the House symbolized through the inclu- v = value(s), i.e., the number of sion of a polar bear, a ram and unique stamps issued, usually in a of Lorraine, as Holy Roman Em- set a swan printed in gold at the press between 1745 and 1765. ms = miniature sheet, usually a She was the “mother” of the bottom of the sheet. small pane of a few stamps — from Posta Faroe Islands House of Habsburg-Lorraine. ss = souvenir sheet

€ = Euro Maria Theresa sought to im-

▬ = end of an article prove the daily lives and fate of Correction not only the Hungarians but also Re. EN #437-8, the second set = Catch-Up, i.e. what should have been a new issue, but the other peoples of the multi- of souvenir sheets for the Bat- we missed it national polity. As an enlight- tle of Siget incorrectly identi- ened absolutist ruler setting fied the pair as being issued = Cinderella; e.g., a stamp practical aims, she laid the foun- from Croatia and Turkey. It from a country known to be dations of modernity and creat- should have been Hungary targeting just collectors (other than the USA) ed further opportunities for de- and Turkey. I apologize for the velopment. — from Magyar Posta error. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-11 New Issues European Fast Trains

DJIBOUTI ss MOZAMBIQUE 2ss NIGER ss DJ-16602a MZ-16409a/b NE-16609b Issue date 25 November 2016 Issue date 10 August 2016 Issue date 21 December 2016

The stamp in the upper right position depicts the Thalys The stamp depicts the Eurostar, the vignette shows the Thalys.

BENIN 1ss from a set of 2 No NEOFILA # (even they think it’s junque) The stamp in the lower right po- Issue date unknown sition depicts the Eurostar

SIERRA LEONE ss SL-16B11a Issue date 28 November 2016

The Eurostar is depicted on the stamp; the vignette shows the French TGV.

Eurostar is in the upper left TOGO 1ss from a set of 2

TG-17112a

Issue date 28 February 2017

The second stamp is the French TGV, which was the original prototype for the Eurostar. The stamp in the upper left position depicts the Eurostar SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-12 New Issues Concorde

SIERRA LEONE 2ss MALDIVE IS 2ss MOZAMBIQUE 2ss SL-16B03a/b MV-16B10a/b MZ-17130a/b Issue date 16 November 2016 Issue date 28 December 2016 Issue date 10 February 2017 40th anniversary

Note the ever-so-slightly different NEOFILA numbers from the stamps shown in EN# 427-9. Perhaps the Maldives forgot that they had already issued stamps for this anniversary?

TOGO 2ss

TG- 17115a/b

Issue date 28 February 2017

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-13 New Issues Concorde

MALI 2ss

No NEOFILA number

Issue date 2016

40th anniversary of first commercial flights

The left hand sheet shows the first flight from Paris to Dakar. Dakar was actually a stopover on the way to Rio de Janeiro.

ST.THOMAS & PRINCE IS. 2ss ST-17204a/b SIERRA LEONE 2ss Issue date 8 May 2017 SL-17402a/b Issue date 28 April 2017

GUINEA-BISSAU 2ss GB-17303a/b Issue date 26 April 2017 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-14 New Issues Concorde

NIGER 2ss DJIBOUTI 2ss GUINEA 2ss NI-17118a/b DJ-17202a/b GU-17204a/b

Issue date 20 February 2017 Issue date 15 March 2017 Issue date 22 May 2017

The second ss depicts the fiery CENTRAL AFRICA 2ss prelude to the fatal crash that CA-17303a/b brought the Concorde era to Issue date 26 June 2017 an end.

A big Thank You to Gary Lightbody, for his donation of 16 packs of 30 Europa stamps each to Vera Felts for the ATA “Taste of Topicals” initiative. (ref. EN# 440-20) SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-15

Article Ship Europa — Dana Roper, Don Smith

In the listing of new issues, Don Smith’s eagle eye caught a couple of items in the fine print for the Solomon Islands’ usual flurry of stamps. One was for European royalty (turns out all the royalty was Nordic) and the other was the ship “Europa”. When I asked him about it, Don said simply “For some rea- son I liked the ship ‘Europa!’ I know royalty is a huge stretch - but ….”

Well, first I wanted to see what the stamp in question looked like. Scott is no help here, but and between South Georgia, The Europa sports an impres- at least they provide an issue Tristan da Cunha, and Cape sive figurehead, shown below, Town. of Europa and the Bull, the date. Using that I was able to find the item in question on “In 2013-2014 Europa circum- mythological basis for the Eu- ropa label we use today. (The the NEOFILA website. It is navigated the world together lady is very modern and quite NEOFILA # SI-16322a, and is with two other Dutch tallships, attractive.) shown at the right. Europa is Tecla and Oosterschelde. They the stamp in the lower right sailed from South Africa to So there’s the tie-in we were corner. Mauritius, Australia and New looking for, at least for those

Now that I knew it’s a tall ship, Zealand. In October 2013 Euro- who collect mythological Euro- I did some more research (aka pa participated in the Interna- pa. If I were to mount this tional Fleet Review in Sydney. stamp, I would include a pic- Google) and found this from Wikipedia: “From New Zealand, the ship ture of the masthead to explain what’s going on. You’d never “The Europa is a steel-hulled sailed an official Cape Horn know from the illustration barque registered in the Neth- rounding and in June 2014 Eu- that’s on the stamp. erlands. Originally it was a Ger- ropa completed her circumnav- man lightship, named Senator igation by arriving in Amster- See www.barkeuropa.com/ for Brockes and built in Germany dam. “ a lot more information. ▬ in 1911. Until 1977, it was in use by the German Federal Coast Guard as a lightship on the river Elbe. A Dutchman bought the vessel (or what was left of her) in 1985 and in 1994 she was fully restored as a barque, a three-mast rigged vessel, and retrofitted for special-purpose sail-training.

“Europa cruises worldwide and accepts paying voyage crew ... including ocean crossings, Sail Training Association races, and annual voyages to Antarctica, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-16

Article Europa Stamps “Marathon” — Laurent Villoing

In Sept / Oct 2017 I will Laurent Villoing has be showing part of my been collecting Euro- Europa stamp collec- pa stamps for most of tion in 8 stamp clubs in his life (since the age Sydney and was hop- of 8), and during this ing that Dana would September - October have space to publicize 2017 “Europa Mara- that info in the Sep- thon Displays” he will tember issue of the Eu- display the full collec- ropa News magazine. tion of Europa stamps Looks like he did, so from 1956 to 2017 here goes: (including all stamps from 1956 to 2016 + Since 1956, a bit more most of the 2017 cas- than 60 years ago, EU- tles issues) in 8 differ- ROPA stamps have ent stamp clubs across been a symbol of Eu- the Sydney region. rope’s desire for closer integration and co- You might find most operation. These spe- other Europa collec- cial stamps are issued tions are presented by by European Postal year of issue. Laurent’s Administration and collection is innovative bears the EUROPA in the way that it is logo. presented by country, and all countries will be introduced in 8 different stamp clubs around Since 1993, PostEurop has been the responsible Sydney with the following schedule: organization for issuing EUROPA stamps and each year, philately experts select forthcoming Europa Part 1: Europa 1956 (the first year) - 6 Europa themes (for example, Bridges theme for countries: stamps, FDC cover, commercial cover, 2018 and National Birds theme for 2019). Europa special postmarks, épreuve de luxe, stamp ma- stamps is one of the most collected stamp the- quette, stamp design drawings, maxi-cards, post- matics worldwide. cards, souvenir, memorabilia and much more.

Philatelic Society of Australia - 10.30 AM - at Phi- At the humble beginning of the Europa stamps, las House, 17 Brisbane Street, Darlinghurst, Syd- in 1956 they were only 6 issuing countries: Bel- ney, (20 September) gium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and Netherlands. Those countries issued a total of 13 Europa Part 2: Europa from Northern Countries stamps (interesting side note: Romania in Exile (Aland, Denmark, Faroe, Finland, Greenland, Ice- issued 3 anti-Europa stamps). (Editor’s note: these land, Norway and Sweden) and the Baltics were misunderstood at first. In subsequent years (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) the stamp designs made it clear that they were Burwood & District Stamp Club - 7.30 PM at 29 anti-communist.) Now in 2017, there are more Burwood Road, Concord, Sydney, (27 Septem- than 60 European countries’ postal administra- ber) tions issuing official Europa stamps making a total of more than 120 stamps being issued each [Note that these happen in succession, as I could year (+ many “unofficial” stamps from non- never get the hang of being in two places at official administrations / entities). once.] SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-17

Article Europa Stamps “Marathon” — cont’d

Europa Part 3: Europa of the Mediterranean Ba- Europa Part 8: Europa Eastern Europe sin (Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bosnia & (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh Herzegovina [Croat Post], Bosnia & Herze- [Armenia Post], Belarus, Georgia, Kazakh- govina [Serb Post], Croatia, Cyprus, Cy- stan, Russia, Ukraine [ plus Ukraine Exile, Abkha- prus [Turkish Post], Greece, Macedonia, Mal- zia, South Ossetia, Transdinistria]) ta, Montenegro, Serbian Montenegro & Turkey) North Sydney Stamps Club - 7.30 PM at Narem-

Willoughby Stamp Club - 7.30 PM at Willoughby burn Library, 7-9 Central Street, Naremburn, Syd- Club Annex, 26 Crabbes Avenue, Willoughby, ney (19th October) Sydney, (28th September) At each stamp club (according to space availa- Europa Part 4: Europa Western Europe (Austria, ble) Laurent will also introduce another part of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, his Europa thematic collection such as Ships Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, San Marino, named Europa (Editor’s note: Talk about coinci- Saarland, Switzerland & Vatican {+ Ile Roy, Ile dence. See article about a ship named “Europa” Barbe & French Algeria}) elsewhere in this issue!), Europa & Art, Europa

Epping Stamp Club - 7.30 PM at Epping Presby- Bridges, Europa Airplanes, Europa Zeppelins, Eu- terian Church, corner Bridge & Rawson Streets, ropa and Nobel Prize, Europa and Scouts or Epping, Sydney, (3rd October) Olympics, Royals & VIP related to Europa stamps. Europa Part 5: Europa Central Europe (Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Koso- Also on display will be some very special Europa vo, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slove- stamps, (imperf, variety, misperf, wrong color, nia, Yugoslavia, including governments in exile) pre-dating issue date, silver and gold stamps,

Earlwood & Districts Stamp Club - 7.30 PM at postal strikes, EuropAfrique, etc.) plus a selection Earlwood Citizen Centre, 362 Homer Street, Earl- of Europa coins, banknotes, phone-cards, post- wood, Sydney , (4th October) cards and maximum cards and much more to be discovered during each of the Europa stamps Europa Part 6: Europa British Isles (Great Brit- display. ain, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man & Jersey [+ also Jethou Island, Calf of Man Island, So travel by car, bus, train, ferry (and even plane) Sanda Island, Lundy Island, Davaar Island, Isle of as it does not matter how you come, but come Pabay / Skye Island, Isle of Stroma Island, Herm and discover this large historical and varied dis- Island, Guernsey Sark, Guernsey Alderney, Soay play. Island, Thomond Principality, Summer Isles & Bardsey Island]) You will be made to feel welcomed at all clubs. Laurent (cooking teacher by profession) will Parramatta Stamp Club - 7.30 PM at O.E.S. Hall, bring a very special {different} cake at every 23 Railway Street, Wentworthville, Sydney, (6th stamp club to share with club members (and October) hopefully many visitors also) and all club mem-

bers and visitors will also receive a special Europa Part 7: Europa Iberian Peninsula “EUROPA” related gift to take home as a souve- (Andorra French, Andorra Spanish, Azores, Gi- nir. braltar, Madeira, Portugal, Spain ( plus Govern- ments-in-Exile Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, French For more info please Email Laurent Algeria) at [email protected] (or call him on 02

Manly-Warringah Stamp Club at 7.30 PM at 9518 1066) Manly League Club, 563 Pittwater Road, Brookvale, Sydney, (10th October) Final Editor’s note: I really really really want to see your collection! It must be amazing!! ▬ SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-18 NEW ISSUES WITH Scott CATALOG NUMBERS - Don Smith From Linn’s July & August Special Editions

• = position in proposed new HB outline

COUNTRY SCOTT # DATE OF ISSUE DESCRIPTION * Czech Republic 3703 3-May-17 Europa 2017 1 Estonia 840-1 8-May-17 Europa 2017 1 Estonia 842 13-May-17 Estonian Presidency of the EU Council EN 441-6 2a Germany 2972-3 11-May-17 Europa 2017 (2973 Self-adhesive booklet stamp) 1 see page 441-3 in this issue for more information Hungary 4432 5-May-17 Europa 2017 (pair, printed in ss of 2 pairs) 1 Hungary 4433 12-May-17 Maria Theresa, joint issue w/Austria, Croatia, 3b Slovenia, Ukraine EN 441-10 Iceland 1433 27-Apr-17 Sepac 2017 EN 437-4 1c Iceland 1440-1 27-Apr-17 Europa 2017 1 Lithuania 1100 10-Feb-17 600th Anniv. Samogitian Diocese, joint issue 3b with Vatican City EN 439-10 Lithuania 1106-7 29-Apr-17 Europa 2017 1 Luxembourg 1466-7 9-May-17 Europa 2017 1 Malta 1589-90 19-May-17 Europa 2017 1 Monaco 2885 9-May-17 Europa 2017 1 Norway 1820-1 21-Apr-17 Europa 2017 1 Poland 4271 30-Jan-17 Vistula River EN 438-5 3b Poland 4282 5-May-17 Europa 2017 1 Serbia 755 29-Sep-16 Joy of Europe Children’s Competition 3a Serbia 756-7 11-Oct-16 60th Anniversary Europa Stamps EN 440-17 1 Serbia 772 14-Mar-17 Black Sea Economic Cooperation EN 439-8 3b Serbia RA75 26-Oct-15 European Water Polo Championships 2016 3c Slovakia 765-6 5-May-17 Europa 2017 (766 is a self-adhesive booklet stamp) 1 Slovenia 1219 13-May-17 Maria Theresa, joint issue w/Austria, Croatia, 3b Hungary, Ukraine Sweden 2796 16-Mar-17 Europa 2017, ss of 2 1 Switzerland 1637 1-May-17 Europa 2017, horizontal pair 1 Thailand 2919 10-Jun-16 European Soccer Championships, bklt of 15 EN 435-13 3c Turkey 3522 7-Sep-16 Battle of Szigetvar, joint w/ Hungary 4403 EN 437-8 3b Turkey 3526 17-Oct 16 Turkey-Turkish Cyprus Pipeline, joint w/Turkish Cyprus 800 3b EN 436-3 Turkey 3527 18-Oct-16 SE Europe Defense, 20th Anniv. EN 436-3 2b Ukraine 1054 15-Apr-16 Europa 2016 1 Ukraine 1058 22-May-16 European Soccer Team EN 435-14 3c Ukraine 1059 27-May-16 Kievan Princesses on European Thrones, sheet of 12 3b Vatican City 1655-6 4-May-17 Europa 2017 1

The following issues have earned our (not-so-) coveted “cinderella” designation:

Solomon Islands 2043, 2067 1-Aug-16 Concorde, 2043 ss of 4 EN 436-8 3b Solomon Islands 2076a, 2098 1-Sep-16 Airbus A380 EN 437-9 3b Solomon Islands 2079d 1-Sep-16 Ship “Europa” EN 441-15 3b Solomon Islands 2086a-d 1-Sep-16 European (Nordic) Royalty 1b SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-19

Editor’ s Page

BULLETIN OF THE One of the perks of being the My first thought was to check EUROPA STUDY UNIT, editor is that I get to do pretty with other dealers at the show. APS# 219613 much what I want. Maybe No luck. So when I got home I AN ASSOCIATION OF PHILATELISTS that’s why columnist Gene went straight to eBay. No luck. DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF PHILATELIC MATERIALS COVERING THE IDEA OF A Weingarten, in the Washington Next I tried the delcampe auc- UNITED EUROPE... UNITED IN A Post, refers to his editor as tion site. Jackpot. I found one POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL “Tom the Butcher.” That said, I dealer willing to sell it for €30. SENSE. don’t want to mess too much Of course, he wanted registra- tion, shipping and handling as www.europastudyunit.org with other peoples’ contribu- tions, nor do I want to be writ- well. But that seemed reasona-

EDITOR: Mr. Dana Roper, 7266 ing everything myself. So ble, because newer folders, Prices Cove Place, Gainesville, VA please, send me any ideas, arti- available from the country post 20155; email: cle topics, suggestions, criti- offices, retail for €15. [email protected]. OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS: cisms, etc., you may have. I am Still, I wasn’t about to give up PRESIDENT: Mr. Dana Roper also a shameless plagiarist and without a little more digging. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: Mr. Ton- sponge. So, this page retains Just to be sure, I visited every ny VanLoij the old 3-column format be- TREASURER: Tonny VanLoij postal site I could for the sepac VICE PRESIDENT: Tonny Van Loij, cause (1) I am the editor, and countries. No one had it until I SECOND VICE PRESIDENT: open (2) I didn’t really feel up to re- got to Monaco. It didn’t show DIRECTORS: Mr. Alex Cwiekalo, formatting the whole thing. So up on their retail shop, but Ms. Caroline Scannel, Mr. Dan there. when I searched for “sepac Shilcrat WEBMASTERS: Dana Roper, folder” it came up! Still availa- (acting) It Pays to Shop Around redux. ble, and for €15. I added it to AUCTION MANAGER: Mr. Donald At StampShow I spent a couple my cart and because I’m para- W. Smith, P.O. Box 576, Johnstown, of enjoyable hours at the Nor- noid, I also bookmarked the PA 15907. dic booth, with Mr. David Bein site (thank heavens). I then EUROPA HANDBOOK: Alex (pronounced “bine”). David Cwiekalo went shopping for other Mon- represents the Nordic coun- ANNUAL DUES: (Including one year aco stamps that I needed, of the EUROPA NEWS): Electronic tries post offices, and offers which were a few., and put Membership only $10/yr; Standard most of their stamps at face. them in my cart. membership (hardcopy of EN So, of course I spent some mailed): $20/yr USA; $30/yr outside money there. I had fallen be- I then went to check out, and USA. hind on getting the annual panicked when I saw that the Dues are payable as of January 1st folders for the sepac issues, sepac folder wasn’t there! But each year*. Payments must be made and he had them all except for when I brought up my book- in U.S. Dollars; cash, or a bank draft, marked site and looked in my or a money order (made payable to year 1, shown below: the Europa Study Unit). We also cart, there it was! But all by it- have a PayPal account self. No other stamps. So what (europastudyunit, email eu- happened? [email protected]) to which It turns out that when I any payments can be transferred. Any of these methods is acceptable; searched for the folder, I ended however, when using PayPal please up at the Monaco Postal Mu- add 7% to cover PayPal costs. seum., not the Post Office.

SERVICES TO MEMBERS: Periodic Moreover, after I bought it (the bulletin (EUROPA NEWS) to all folder, not the Museum), they members; website with special reported it as Sold Out. I had “Members Only” section; periodic auctions (~3/yr) of EUROPA-related evidently purchased the only material, EUROPA Handbook, mono- When I asked where I might one they had. graphs and specialty items available find it, he said simply “Good I suspect that there’s a moral only to ESU members. luck.” here. I’m sure I’ll think of it. ▬ SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 441-20

Article and New Issue News EarthCARE Satellite

The Living Planet Pro- FLEX - The FLuores- gram (LPP) is a pro- cence EXplorer mis- gram within the Euro- sion proposes to pean Space Agen- launch a satellite for cy which is managed the global monitoring by the Earth Observa- of steady-state chlo- tion Programs Direc- rophyll fluorescence torate. in terrestrial vegeta-

LPP consists of two tion. Due to launch in classes of Earth Obser- 2021/2022. vation missions includ- Of these, EarthCARE ing research missions Artist’s rendition of the EarthCARE satellite in orbit recently received known as Earth Explor- (somewhat dubious) ers. philatelic recognition, Currently there are eight approved Earth Explorer as shown below. missions, four of which are in orbit and operat- ing: EarthCARE will advance our understanding of the GOCE – Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean role that clouds and aerosols play in reflecting Circulation Explorer - was launched on 17 March incident solar radiation back into space and trap- 2009. ping infrared radiation emitted from Earth's sur- face. One important aspect of all this is to meas- SMOS – Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity satellite ure the effect these phenomena have on climate will study ocean salinity and soil moisture; it was change predictions. launched on 2 November 2009. The mission will employ high-performance lidar CryoSat is designed to map the Earth's ice cover. (light detection and ranging) and radar (radio CryoSat-1 was lost in 2005 when the Russian SS- detection and ranging) technology that has nev- 19 "Rockot" malfunctioned and was terminat- er been flown in space before. It is a joint effort ed. CryoSat-2 was launched 8 April 2010. of the ESA and JAXA—the Japan Aerospace Ex- ploration Agency. ▬ Swarm – is a trio of satellites to map the Earth's magnetism. The SWARM constellation was — from the ESA, JAXA, eoPortal and Wikipedia websites launched successfully on 22 November 2013. BENIN 2ss Aeolus – Atmospheric Dynamics Mission will use an innovative la- European Space Agency’s EarthCARE satellite ser to measure winds. Due for Issue date unknown launch in 2017.

EarthCARE – Earth Clouds Aero- sols and Radiation Explorer will examine the formation and effects of clouds. Due for launch in 2018.

Biomass (satellite) - designed to calculate the amount of car- bon stored in the world's forests, and to monitor for any changes over the course of its five-year mission. Due to launch in 2020.