Become a Kiwi Collector

For beginner, there is a good introduction Stamp Collecting book issued by New Zealand Post. It is very informative and a guide on how to collect New Zealand stamps by setting up a Standing Order Deposit Account. If you interested to obtain a Free copy, you can contact: http://stamps.nzpost.co.nz/Cultures/en-NZ/

Treasures from the Archives - Large Stamp

Australia Post has created its first jumbo stamp, the size of a miniature sheet, to launch a new series Treasures from the Archives, which highlights items from the National Philatelic Collection. It features the 1932 printing of the two pounds Kangaroo and Map stamp, the highest value stamp in the first Australian Commonwealth series. Above shown is the Stamp Pack.

Royal Mail New Issue Leaflet and Collections Catalog

If you read my previous posting on British Philatelic Bulletin (http://funstamps.blogspot.com/2010/10/british-philatelic-bulletin-and.html), you need to pay for a subscription fee if you want a copy of the Bulletin. Alternatively, for collectors who just need to get alert from Royal Mail on new issues and a catalog where you can order past issues and forthcoming stamp issues, you can write to Royal Mail to have your name added to the mailing list to receive the "first" (send prior to every new issue) and Collections (published by season). Both printed in color and it is Free to all collectors. 

If you keen to obtain this information, please contact Royal Mail at: http://www.royalmail.com/.

Old Post Offices - 09.10.10 (KLCC Postmark)

This issued have 28 stamps in different designs, draw in sketch and water color. You can find unique building architecture of old post offices in different states in Malaysia. If you keen in drawing or would like to view the master piece of these paintings, you can go to GPO, Stamp Gallery in KL. Each painting is with artist signature at the bottom (not shown in the stamp). 

The FDC pictorial shown the evolution of the post box used in different period of time.

Thai Stamp Bulletin

Thai Stamp Bulletin is published by Thailand Post on quarterly basis. Customer of Standing Order Deposit Account (SODA) get it free and deliver by airmail. For non customers, you can subscribe to it with a minimum fee of THB 40.00 only (approx. RM4.20 to cover for the postage). Printed in color and in Thai and English.


For those who interested, can contact:
Postage Stamps and Philately Department
Thailand Post Co., Ltd. 
111  M.3  Changwattana Road, Laksi,
Bangkok 10210-0299,
Thailand.

Singapore Stamp Bulletin - Miniature World

Miniature World is published by Singapore Post, it only available to all Standing Order customers for Free. Nevertheless, you can download the soft-copy for free at http://www.singpost.com/.

You also can view the latest "Issue 83" at:

http://www.singpost.com/downloads/MW83.pdf

Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM 125 Years Anniversary) - Issued 22.06.10

Bangkok 2010 Overprint and Miniature sheet.

Mint stamps.

Booklet front cover.

Narrative inside the booklet. 

Booklet stamps (printed in strip of 10 stamps, with 5 designs).

This is a beautiful set of train stamps issued by Pos Malaysia on 22 Jun 10. The overprint MS is in limited quantity. In total, there are 8 different stamps and 1 miniature sheet.

Thailand Blind Education

Thailand Post issued a single commemorative stamp with Braille code embossed on the stamp. Similar to our Pos Malaysia "Caring Society" last year issued. You can read more here: http://funstamps.blogspot.com/2009/12/malaysia-caring-society-unicef-issued-9.html. Personally, this stamp worth to collect for the special Braille designed. I don't have time to decode the Braille code, if you know, please share with me.

Medical Breakthroughs - 16.09.10 (Royal Mail, UK)

The design of these stamps are simply beautiful, with fine illustrations of human organs. Narrative printed on the information card:

"Over the past century, British medicine has undergone dramatic transformations - scientific, political, financial and social. The challenges of mass health care, the pressures of war, the hazards and opportunities of the global pharmaceutical industry; all have created a setting in which scientific and technological breakthroughs have revolutionized the way we think about medicine, health, illness and the body". 

The stamps: Heart regulating beta blockers, Antibiotic properties of penicillin, Total hip replacement operation, Artificial lens implant surgery, Malaria and mosquitoes and Computed tomography scanner.

Indonesia Singapore Joint Stamp Issue - 28.10.09

Shown above are the Indonesia and both countries stamps on the Joint Issue FDC. 

Malaysia Korea Joint Issue - 23.02.10 (Tiger)

Joint issue cover with both Malaysia and Korean stamps.

1Malaysia Collection - 10.11.10 (Forthcoming issue)

Pos Malaysia will issue a new series of 1Malaysia collection stamps. With 4 denominations, i.e. 30c x 2 and 50c x 2 on this coming Wednesday, 10 Nov 10. Besides stamps, a set of 4 postcards will be issued as well (RM4 per set) plus Folder and FDC.

I believe Pos Malaysia hear most of the collectors comments, this issue is not expensive (RM1.60 per set) and the stamp design is very creative, it's combined traditional handicraft (such as Wau and Songket) with modern development and technologies (such as space exploration and multimedia). These creative element can be seen from the pictorial postmark. Well, no doubt the design partner is from our well known LimKokWing University.

I believe these stamps has been designed and approved before the new tariff, rightfully, for convenience standard letter rate, it should have 60c denomination. Well, this is just my opinion and personally I like the design very much. While our country have high aspirations to move forward to be a developed nation, we should preserve and maintain our heritages and cultures. These is what the stamp is trying to send this message to everyone.

Firefly - 10.05.10 (Section 17, PJ postmark)

This FDC brought in Section 17, PJ post office. It is located in the shopping mall (Jaya One). Thus, it is open until 8pm at night (if I recalled correctly). The cancellation is clear, I love this postmark.

Garden Flowers New Tariff Definitive - 01.07.10 (Puchong postmark)

This is the new tariff definitive issued. Brought it from Puchong post office in the evening. For those who is busy on the issue day, post offices operating in the shopping mall provided a good alternative to collectors. Unfortunately, the FDI postmark is not well maintain, it appeared slightly oval shape instead of round cancellation. Hence, you may not want to go this post office for FDC.

Grand Knight of Valour - 31.07.10 (KLCC postmark)

Pos Malaysia issued these stamps to commemorate our national hero. I brought this at KLCC post office. The pictorial postmark is very beautiful. Some tips for beginner, please note the 60c stamp is not cancelled. This is actually not a good FDC. All stamps affixed must be cancelled, this include miniature sheet, where not only the stamp within, but the sheet is cancelled together with the cover. So, next time when you purchase a FDC from a dealer or make for yourself, make sure the postmark is clear, especially the date of issue and all the stamps are cancelled.  

Great British Railway - 19.08.10 (Train thematic)

This is a great design train stamp by Royal Mail, with chosen black and white as the theme, it resembling the past glory of the train transportation in the United Kingdom. Refer to the information card for more details. 

2010 FIFA World Cup - Indonesia 01.05.10

I brought this FDC when I visited Medan early this year. Went to the main post office, the staff invited me to a small store room that stored all the current and previous philatelic materials. I am not collecting Indonesia stamps, but I found few thematic stamps that interest me, one of them is this FIFA World Cup issued. Nothing special for this cover, they still sell old issued FDCs, cancelled with designated postmark (above is Bandung postmark).

The good thing I can share here is all recent Indonesian FDC printed with control series number at the back, where this is the running printing quantity (see above) and it is limited to 4000 for this issue. In my opinion, this is consider low compared to the Indonesia populations, I do not know how many percent is stamp collector. Anyway, in my opinion, this is a good feature and I do hope Pos Malaysia do consider this or at least publish the quantity printed information to collectors. The cover also come with an information leaflet. 

Australia Songbirds - Issued 09.09.09

Australian songbirds is a stunning issued in 2009. It attracted many birds thematic collectors to own these master piece illustrated by the Australian wildlife artist, Christopher Pope. He is also the illustrator for this year "Australian Kingfishers" stamps issue. (http://www.stamps.com.au/shop/stamps/australian-kingfishers).   

Above shown is the stamp pack product with brief narrative below:

"Australia is home to an estimated 750 species of birds, the most prevalent group among them being the songbirds. There are 65 to 70 families of songbird worldwide – some of which are sub-oscine rather than true songbirds – with around 33 found in Australia, only one of which is a sub-oscine."   

Further reading on Songbirds related philatelic products, see page 4:

http://www.stamps.com.au/assets/document/1250027286-bulletin300_high.pdf

Australia Stamp Bulletin

Previously I highlighted Malaysia, Canada and Britain philatelic bulletins, it is an official philatelic publication publish by country's postal authority. Mainly to promote new stamps issue and usually it is given free to all collectors or standing order deposit account (SODA) holder. Above shown is the Australia Stamp Bulletin for issue no. 306, Oct 2010 (with sample page). For beginner or those who have not subscribed to it, please do so. It is free, printed in color and full of information. Published both print and online copy. Issue bi-monthly. To register or download a copy, go to below link:

http://www.stamps.com.au/collectors/publications

Please note Australia Post published 2 editions of bulletin, for adult and children (named Stamp Explorer). 

Happy readings! Get one for your kids and promote this healthy hobby or simply enhance their common knowledge. 

P/S: If you do follow my blog, most of my postings added with the "How To" elements to try my best to disseminate and pass down the knowledge for those who want to pick up this hobby. Through sharing to help others to truly enjoy this hobby. Issue no. 307 for Nov-Dec'10 is available online, get your copy now to obtain the first hand information on this year Christmas stamps - "Dear Santa".

Heritage of Pahang Souvenir Cover - 25 Oct 2010 (Part 2)

For Part 2 of this article, shown above are FDCs cancelled on 25 Oct 2010, with Counter Postmark from Kelana Jaya, Puchong Jaya and Jalan Semangat, PJ post office. I called this as souvenir cover due to the date is not FDI. For the last cover, it bear both 24 and 25 Oct cancellations (front and back). I don't know how we named this cover. This is the confusing part for collectors. I did it to record this issuing scenario. 

Worth to mention that Puchong Jaya post office opened on 24 Oct, the FDI cancellation provided on Sunday. Nevertheless, it still sell FDC on Monday to cater for those who cannot make it on actual day, but the cancellation is strictly on 25 Oct with Counter postmark, which I am fully agreed.

The only setback is cancel using counter postmark is very hard to get a perfect clear cancellation. Therefore, if you plan to do it, better have more than one in case the first one is not completely clear or satisfy you. Another thing to mention is the stamps for this issue is unusually large. Overall, it is an interesting journey to make these covers.