myStampJourney

This is quite new, and it just further proves the elaborate use of stamps beyond mainstream postage purposes. Newspaper stamps as the name suggests are affixed on newspapers or newspaper wrappers as means of paying the cost of mailing them. Quite specific, isn't it? There are many examples of newspaper stamps issued by many countries but since I happen to collect German stamps, I think that it is great to feature an example here.  1943 German Reich - Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia 7 Heller brick red  These are with left margin There are two versions of newspaper stamps (Zeitungsmarken) for this protectorate: the first set being released in 1939 (MiNr. 42-50) with nine denominations, and the second set being released in 1943 (MiNr. 117-125), also with nine denominations, however, bearing an additional inscription 'Deutches Reich'.  For the newspaper stamps that were released in 1943, they were the only stamps that were allowed to be used after the re-establishment of th

First and foremost, happy World Pneumonia Day (12 Nov 2020). I personally find that the significance of World Pneumonia Day this year has been greatly redefined by the COVID-19 pandemic. Pneumonia is the infection and inflammation of lungs that lead to fluid-filled air sacs (alveoli). This respiratory disease has long existed and therapeutic solutions against it includes vaccines and steps to lower its risk factors such as smoking. However, with the current pandemic affecting every country, the availability of medical oxygen has been put into attention - thus, this year's theme is 'Every Breath Counts'. 1989 Taiwan - Anti-smoking campaign Pneumonia was not as popular in philately compared to other medical themes such as Tuberculosis, Malaria, diabetes, AIDS, and now, COVID-19. Speaking of COVID-19 stamps, they fetch quite a premium with most, if not all, sold at several times their face value. Hence, after weeks of browsing through stamps that were offered by local sellers,

Mail-carrying rockets?  It was a plan first proposed by Heinrich von Kleist, a German editor of the Berliner Abendbl ä tter (Berlin Evening Papers) in 1810. However, the first rocket mail, after decades of fascination towards delivering mail via a faster projectile led the launching of the first rocket mail by Friedrich Schmiedl. Among other pioneers are Hermann Oberth, Gerhard Zucker, and Stephen Smith.  Friedrich Schmiedl To be honest, I was not aware that rockets were ever considered as another mode of mailing. The idea of mail being shot up the sky and finally parachuting down to its destination sounds cool but at the same time, quite risky. Changes in wind direction may steer the rocket off course.  In spite of that, there were numerous successful launches containing postal covers commemorating such. For instance, the launch of a long range rocket mail from the US submarine USS Barbero in 1959 to a naval station in Florida.  At the time of writing, I had only acquired one example

US Army Postal Service Collecting and studying Army Post Offices (APO) is a vast subject with over 1000 different A.P.O's between 1941 and 1945. One of the main reasons, if not, the prime reason for the development of A.P.O's is to enable soldiers to receive mail whilst maintaining anonymity.  When the opportunity presents itself, by opportunity I mean military covers that are sold at very cheap prices by local sellers, I would always grab a few to study.  This was sent from A.P.O. 704 (Manila, Philippines) [1] to Amsterdam on a 6¢ orange air post envelope/ postal stationery envelope (PSE) dated 26 OCT 1943.  Mail under the care of postmaster of San Francisco, California. Passed by US Army Examiner 16470 Now that I wouldn't want to plagiarize information, make sure to check out Jim Forte's website. I have learnt a great deal from that site alone [2].  References: 1. A Price Guide to U.S. A.P.O. Cancels of the Second World War by Jim Forte & Richard W. Helbock 2. htt

In the previous Basics in Philately, date stamp or postmark (used interchangeably to some extent) were mentioned in one of the examples. The concept of postmark is very easy: It is any markings done which is made on both the stamp and the mail to indicate that the stamp has served its purpose sufficiently in terms of postage charges. Postmarks are vital to prevent repetitive usage of the same stamps for postage. Air mail from Singapore to India dated 30 JUN 57 on SINGAPORE circular date stamp (CDS) It is a common sight on mails - recipient's address in the centre, stamps on the upper right corner, and a circular postmark overlapping both the stamps and the mail. Get enough mails and you would notice that the circular postmarks vary from size, style, and at times even shape.  Postmarks, in general, are applied either via handstamp or machine cancellations.  General classification of postmarks according to mode of cancellation. *Update: The term, 'Frank' is put under machine

When walking out of a grocery store promptly after paying at the cashier, a receipt is issued to indicate (and prove, if need be) that we have purchased the items. Similarly, stamps are essentially small pieces of paper affixed onto mails to indicate that we have paid for the postage.  Stamp affixed to upper right corner of an envelope with a date stamp. Date stamps are postmarks that indicate the stamp has been used or cancelled. This step is necessary, else, a single stamp could be used again and again - that's not good for the economy. However, the term stamp is an umbrella of many categories. Reiterating the definition, stamps can therefore be divided into subcategories depending the nature of its use. Likewise, they are printed differently indicating its purpose. Say, when a parcel is posted but is paid insufficiently for postage, the post office would affix postage due stamps in which the recipient would have to bear the additional charges to collect the mail.  The four gene

Morocco was a massive war zone where European power exerts immense interest. The French bombarded Tangier, and later Mogador in the Franco-Moroccan War in 1844. 15 years later, the Hispano-Moroccan War took place. Both wars forced Morocco to negotiate with the British. Morocco became a protectorate of Great Britain after the Franco-Moroccan War, and take loans from Great Britain after the Hispano-Moroccan War. The Treaty of Madrid (1880) was perhaps the beginning to European ownership of Moroccan land but was escalated by two factors: 1. Economic instability (Morocco was in a huge debt where the French happily agreed to settle in return for revenues in the future. 2. Concern raised by the German Kaiser in 1905, which he condemned France's increasing control over Morocco, which ushered the Algeciras Conference in 1906. Germany was shut off, other European powers supported French presence in Morocco and her rights to collect revenues in Moroccan ports. This was the First Moroccan C