China Stamp: 2008-12

China Stamps
Name: Olympic Expo Beijing 2008
Number: 2008-12
Date of Issue: 30 April 2008
Value: 2 stamps/set

Denominations:
1.20 Yuan (2-1): Inheriting Olympic Spirit
1.20 Yuan (2-2): Inspiring Beijing City

Olympic Expo Beijing 2008-Olympex (Chinese: 北京2008年奥林匹克博览会; Abbreviation: OEB 2008) is the first Olympic Cultural Event jointly sponsored by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC), and China Post Group, and organized by China Post Group. OEB 2008 will be an international Olympic cultural event with the greatest scope, widest coverage and highest level in the Olympic history.

With "Inheriting Olympic Spirit, Inspiring Beijing City" as its theme, OEB 2008 will intensively display the Olympic Movement and the Olympic history, and promote Olympic movement and culture. By showcasing Olympic stamps, coins, pins and works of arts, OEB 2008 will enhance people's understanding of the Olympic value of "Friendship, Respect, Excellence", as well as the Olympic spirit of "Faster, Higher, Stronger". As a platform for international culture exchange, OEB 2008 will fully demonstrate the three concepts of "Green Olympic, High-Tech Olympic and People's Olympic". OEB 2008 will serve as a window through which the rest of the world will have a better understanding of Olympic culture and China, so the friendship and cooperation between the peoples in the world will be further deepened.

OEB 2008 will be held in Beijing Exhibition Centre, coinciding with the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. We will strive to make all the preparatory work with great enthusiasm. We are looking forward to meeting friends from all over the world in Beijing.

Official Website of Olympic Expo Beijing 2008

Lithuania Museum FDC

Lithuania FDC
Name: From the Stocks of Museums, Rokiškis Regional Museum
Date of Issue: 19 April 2008

In 1933 a couple people gathered and formed an association of Folklore. They established a museum in two rooms of Rokiškis region library. Already in 1939 the funds of the museum contained 1046 valuable articles. Some years passed and the museum was moved to Rokiškis palace, but later on it was transformed to another place. Only in 1952 the museum was returned to the palace where it exists up to this day.

In the newly renovated Rokiškis palace the museum exhibits history of Rokiškis region, the culture of the palaces found in the region. One of the extensive exhibitions – the carvings of Lionginas Šepka, a craftsman of carved gods.

To continue old traditions of cultural activity in Rokiškis palace, numerous concerts of classical music, evenings, meetings, exhibitions, plain-air sessions, traditional wood carving competitions take place in this palace and its surroundings.

In 2001 Government of Lithuanian Republic announced the area of Rokiškis palace to belong to the sites of cultural heritage. In the program, called 1000 years of Lithuania, the museum of Rokiškis region is named as the cultural center for the whole Aukštaitija region.

Comment: Lithuania Post issues some beautiful series stamps every year, this is the first set in 2008. I like this FDC, Lithuania Post didn't rip off the beautiful coupons from the sheetlet.

From the Stocks of Museums Series FDCs:
2007 Trakai History Museum
2008 Rokiškis Regional Museum
2009 Palanga Amber Museum

Algeria Football FDC

Algeria FDC
Name: 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of the National Freeing Front Football Team
Date of Issue: 12 April 2008

The resolutions taken during the Soummam Congress stipulated the creation of a number of organizations recovering from the National Freeing Front.

As a result to these resolutions, the Algerian Muslim students General Union was founded in July 1955 and the Algerian Workers General Union was established in February 1958.
The Algerian Freeing Front considered as important to establish a sport organization which will bear the National Freeing Front's name and represent the country in the international events.

However, the decision to form a football team constituted of the Algerian players evolving in the French championship was made. The National Freeing Front launched an appeal to all players asking them to join the Revolution ranks.

After the Algerian players had left France to Tunisian territories on April 12th, 1958, the Algerian national team of football, under the control of the National Freeing Front was established.

Since the entire world was following carefully the preparing of the Sweden football world cup during the year 1958, the appeal launched by the Freeing Front engendered a great media echo.

Directed by "Boumezrag", the team represented the Algerian cause to the international level. It participated in 91 tournaments and matches in the following capitals: Tunis, Tripoli, Rabat, Baghdad, Oman, Moscow, Beijing, Budapest, Warsaw, Belgrade, Hanoi and Prague and also in other countries in which it succeeded in carrying high the Algerian standard.

The National Freeing Front football team won 67 matches. It registered 15 tied games and lost 07 matches only. It continued to play and to militate until the recovering of the independence of the country.

The same team was considered as the core of the Algerian football team constituted later.

The National Freeing Front football team was composed of the following players:
MAKHLOUFI Rachid – BOURTAL Hacène – CHABRI Hacène – HADDAD Said–BENTIFOUR Abdelaziz – MAZZOUZ Abdelkader – BOUMEZRAG Mohamed El Mokrani – BENFEDDA Ali – ZITOUNI Mustapha – BOUCHOUK Abdelhamid– ZOUBA Abdelhamid – MAOUCHE Mohamed – BOUBAKEUR Abderrahmane– KERROUM Abdelkrim – BRAHIMI Said – BOUCHACH Cherif – DOUDOU Ali- BOUCHACH Hocine – BOURICHA Mohamed – BEKHLOUFI Keddour – KERMALI Abdelhamid – DEFNOUN Dahmane – SOUKANE Mohamed – ARIBI Mokhtar– OUALIKENE Mokrane SOUKANE Abderrahmane–ROUAI Amar–OUDJANI Ahmed IBRIR Smaine IBRIR Abderrahmane – HEDHOUD Abdallah dit SETTATI AMARA Said, and sirs TALEB Chaib, ALEM Mohamed and FERROUKHI Mustapha were designated as political chiefs.

Comment: This is my first real posted FDC from Africa. I like it very much not only these players should be respected and remembered but also Algeria Post uses a suitable S/S to depict this issue. It's difficult to depict all of players on the stamps, but for a S/S, it becomes easy.

Russia Olympic Games FDC

Russia FDC
Name: Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Date of Issue: 15 April 2008
There are many sport events on this set, from top strip to bottom strip:
1st strip: Volleyball, Badminton
2nd strip: Swimming, Canoe / kayak, Synchronised swimming, Water Polo
3rd strip: Boxing, Pommel horse, Rhythmic gymnastics, Equestrian, Marathon, High Jump, Weightlifting
4th strip: Sailing, Diving, Javelin, Fencing, Tennis, Taekwondo, Baseball
5th strip: Basketball, Floor exercise or Balance beam?, Shooting, Cycling, Wrestling, Pole vault, Archery
6th strip: Hockey, Hurdle, Trampolin, Football, Rings
7th strip: Beach volleyball, Handball

Comment: it has a mistake on this set. Players don't wear the hugo in Taekwondo match?

Estonia 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Gold Medalist Autographed FDC
Estonia 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Silver Medalists Autographed Postal Stationery

2008 Beijing Olympic Games FDCs:
Algeria, Belarus, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Estonia Sheetlet, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Hong Kong M/S, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Portugal M/S, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Ukraine.

2008 Beijing Paralympic Games FDCs:
Czech Republic, Slovakia.

Latvia Bat WWF FDCs

Latvia FDCs
Name: Bats – WWF
Date of Issue: 12 April 2008

Designs:
22 & 45: The Barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus)
The Barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus), also known as the Western Barbastelle, is a European bat. It has a short nose, small eyes and wide ears.

It is rare throughout its range.

31 & 55: The Pond Bat (Myotis dasycneme)
The Pond Bat (Myotis dasycneme) is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family. It is found in Belarus, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Sweden, and Ukraine. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Comment: Amazing!! There are 3 registered labels on every Latvian FDC; Latvian registered label, Finnish registered label and Chinese registered label.

Turkey Linguist FDC

Turkey FDC
Name: The 1000th Birth Anniversary of Mahmud Kashgari
Date of Issue: 10 April 2008

Mahmud ibn Hussayn ibn Muhammad al-Kashgari (Arabic: محمود بن الحسين بن محمد الكاشغري; Turkish: Kaşgarlı Mahmud; Uyghur: Mehmud Qeshqeri), born in 1008, was an early Turkic linguist of Turkic languages from the Kara-Khanid Khanate, born in Kashgar, East Turkestan (modern day Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of People's Republic of China). He was a renowned scholar and lexicographer of Turkic dialects.

His father, Husayn, was the mayor of Barsgan and related to the Karakhanid ruling dynasty. His mother was Bibi Rābiy'a al-Basrī. He studied Turkic dialects and wrote the first comprehensive dictionary of Turkic languages, the Dīwān ul-Lughat al-Turk (Arabic: Collection of Turkic words) in 1072. It was intended for use by the Caliphs of Baghdad, the new, Arabic allies of the Turks. Mahmud Kashgari's comprehensive dictionary contains specimens of old Turkic poetry in the typical form of quatrains (Persian/Arabic: رباعیات rubāiyāt; Turkish: dörtlük), representing all the principal genres: epic, pastoral, didactic, lyric, and elegiac. His book also included the first known map of the areas inhabited by Turkic peoples.

Mahmud Kashgari died in 1105 at the age of 97 in Opal, small city southwest of Kashgar, and was buried there. There is now a mausoleum erected on his gravesite (opened on May 26, 2006). He is remembered as a prominent Uyghur scholar.

Comment: His Tomb is located in China, but I think only less people knows him including me. I only know him from this issue. Shame!!

Singapore Museum Collection C/S FDC

Singapore Collectors' Sheet FDC
Name: Peranakan Museum Collection
Date of Issue: 08 April 2008
Printing Process: Offset Lithography with an application of "caviar beads"

Located at the old Tao Nan School at 39 Armenian Street, the Peranakan Museum features the world’s first comprehensive display of the eclectic and colourful Peranakan culture. Drawing from the traditions of both China and Southeast Asia, the Peranakans are renowned for the beauty of their intricately crafted furniture, jewellery, embroidery, beadwork, textiles, garments and porcelain.

A National Heritage Board Museum managed by the Asian Civilisations Museum, the Peranakan Museum houses the best collection of Peranakan artifacts in the world. This set of stamps features some of the finest examples of Peranakan embroidery, beadwork and porcelain from the collection of the Peranakan Museum.

Characterised by elaborate design and a brilliant colour palette, Peranakan Chinese tastes tend towards the exuberant and eclectic. Pictured on these stamps are decorated objects associated with celebration days and special occasions for the community.

Exquisite beadwork is a distinctive aspect of Peranakan material culture. Reputed for their creativity, nonyas used brilliantly coloured miniscule glass beads to create intricate designs on anything from slippers to tobacco pouches.

Embroidered items were highly prized as embroidery was a rare skill among Peranakan Chinese women. Mastering this skill required an immense amount of time, which not everyone could afford. Some of the beautiful embroidered items were more than just decorative, such as the delightful embroidered kneepads young Peranakan brides-to-be would sew for their future husbands to use during their wedding. The kneepads cushioned the knees against the discomfort of kneeling repeatedly over the course of the customary 12 day Peranakan wedding.

The Peranakans are also well-known for their love of porcelain. Peranakan porcelain is decorated with a distinctively brilliant palette of enamel colours featuring pastel colours such as pink, blue and lime green as well as muted tones such as orange, olive green and brown. Motifs such as the phoenix and peony would often adorn chupus or kamchengs. Fine porcelainware were carefully looked after and used only special occasions.

Comment: This sheet is the world's first beaded stamp in which "caviar beads" are manually stuck onto the stamp.

Singapore Peranakan Museum Collection FDC
Singapore Peranakan Museum Collection Beaded Sheet FDC

Singapore Museum Collection FDC

Singapore FDC
Name: Peranakan Museum Collection
Date of Issue: 08 April 2008

Located at the old Tao Nan School at 39 Armenian Street, the Peranakan Museum features the world’s first comprehensive display of the eclectic and colourful Peranakan culture. Drawing from the traditions of both China and Southeast Asia, the Peranakans are renowned for the beauty of their intricately crafted furniture, jewellery, embroidery, beadwork, textiles, garments and porcelain.

A National Heritage Board Museum managed by the Asian Civilisations Museum, the Peranakan Museum houses the best collection of Peranakan artifacts in the world. This set of stamps features some of the finest examples of Peranakan embroidery, beadwork and porcelain from the collection of the Peranakan Museum.

Characterised by elaborate design and a brilliant colour palette, Peranakan Chinese tastes tend towards the exuberant and eclectic. Pictured on these stamps are decorated objects associated with celebration days and special occasions for the community.

Exquisite beadwork is a distinctive aspect of Peranakan material culture. Reputed for their creativity, nonyas used brilliantly coloured miniscule glass beads to create intricate designs on anything from slippers to tobacco pouches.

Embroidered items were highly prized as embroidery was a rare skill among Peranakan Chinese women. Mastering this skill required an immense amount of time, which not everyone could afford. Some of the beautiful embroidered items were more than just decorative, such as the delightful embroidered kneepads young Peranakan brides-to-be would sew for their future husbands to use during their wedding. The kneepads cushioned the knees against the discomfort of kneeling repeatedly over the course of the customary 12 day Peranakan wedding.

The Peranakans are also well-known for their love of porcelain. Peranakan porcelain is decorated with a distinctively brilliant palette of enamel colours featuring pastel colours such as pink, blue and lime green as well as muted tones such as orange, olive green and brown. Motifs such as the phoenix and peony would often adorn chupus or kamchengs. Fine porcelainware were carefully looked after and used only special occasions.

Singapore Peranakan Museum Collection FDC
Singapore Peranakan Museum Collection Beaded Sheet FDC

Estonia Bird FDC

Estonia FDC
Name: Bird of the Year - Black Grouse
Date of Issue: 03 April 2008

The black grouse (Tetrao Tetrix) is a bird in the grouse family, a long-established gamebird in Estonia. It breeds mainly in the Eurasian forest and forest-steppe area, extending from Western Europe to the Far East. The black grouse is a sedentary species that probably arrived in Estonia when suitable habitats developed in the area after the last ice age. The plumage is clearly different in the cock and the hen: the cock mainly black with a lyre-shaped tail and the hen greyish brown. The species is polygamous with a very distinctive courtship ritual known as lek. The female takes all responsibility for nesting and caring for the chicks. In Estonia the black grouse is a protected species of the 3rd category and may not be shot.

Comment: I think the stamp depicts a male black grouse, and the illustration of FDC depicts a female black grouse. I'm not an avian expert, but I think male is always more beautiful than female in the nature.

Taiwan Cartoon FDCs

Taiwan FDCs
Name: Cartoon Animation - Finding Nemo
Date of Issue: 03 April 2008
Number: Sp.517

To stimulate interest in philately among youths, this Post has selected "Finding Nemo", an animated movie much loved by the young.

Disney's "Finding Nemo" is an animated movie shown in about 120 countries around the world and won an Oscar for best animated feature. The film is about a single clownfish father and his son Nemo. One day, Nemo is captured and then put into a fish tank. To find his beloved son, the anxious father embarks on a difficult and dangerous journey. On his way, he confronts all kinds of crises, but he is eventually reunited with his son thanks to the help of enthusiastic ocean friends. An illustration of the world under the sea serves as the background for one of the souvenir sheets, and a photo of an underwater landscape serves as the background for the other. The stamps feature Nemo (a clownfish and star of the film), Tad (a long-nosed butterflyfish), Sheldon (a little seahorse), Squirt (a little green sea turtle), Peach (a starfish), Bubbles (a yellow tang), a school of sea turtles, Dory (a blue tang), and Pearl (a flapjack octopus). These small squares of stamps spread joy and happiness with the colorful undersea world they capture. The set is well worth collecting and treasuring.

China Minisheet: 2008-11

China Minisheet
Name: Scenery on the Qiandao Lake
Number: 2008-11
Date of Issue: 16 April 2008
Value: 2 stamps/set

Denominations:
1.20 Yuan: Beautiful Qiandao Lake
1.20 Yuan: Green Islands on the Qiandao Lake

The Qiandao (Thousand Islands) Lake (Chinese: 千岛湖), located in Chun'an County of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, is a man-made lake built in 1959 to store water for the Xin'anjiang Hydropower Station. The lake covers an area of 573 sq km and over 1000 islands of different shapes and sizes are scattered on it; hence the name. With a vast expanse of water and beautiful scenery, the lake is really a natural landscape scroll. The islands scattered on the lake look like pearls on a jade plate. In the open part, it's a vast expanse of misty, rolling waters; while in the narrow part, the waterway zigzags, just like a maze. Around the lake are mountains covered with lush trees, in which birds sing and flowers blossom. It is a brilliant pearl in the hinterland of the Yangtze River Delta. With its charming landscape, it has attracted numerous Chinese and foreign tourists.

Comment: Obviously, the minisheet is more beautiful than the stamps.

2008-11 Scenery on the Qiandao Lake Stamps
2008-11 Scenery on the Qiandao Lake Minisheet

Thailand Provincial Emblems S/L FDC

Thailand Sheetlet FDC
Name: Provincial Emblems (2nd Series)
Date of Issue: 02 April 2008
Number: 843

Designs: from top to bottom, left to right.
1. Nakhon Ratchasima (นครราชสีมา)
2. Nakhon Si Thammarat (นครศรีธรรมราช)
3. Nakhon Sawan (นครสวรรค์)
4. Nonthaburi (นนทบุรี)
5. Narathiwat (นราธิวาส)
6. Nan (น่าน)
7. Buri Ram (บุรีรัมย์)
8. Pathum Thani (ปทุมธานี)
9. Prachuap Khiri Khan (ประจวบคีรีขันธ์)
10. Prachin Buri (ปราจีนบุรี)

2007 Thailand Provincial Emblems FDCs: (1st Series)
(Part I), (Part II), (Part III), (Part IV)
2007 Thailand Provincial Emblems Sheetlet FDCs: (1st Series)
(Part I), (Part II)
2008 Thailand Provincial Emblems FDCs: (2nd Series)
(Part I), (Part II)
2008 Thailand Provincial Emblems Sheetlet FDC (2nd Series)
2008 Thailand Provincial Emblems FDCs: (3rd Series)
(Part I), (Part II)
2009 Thailand Provincial Emblems FDCs: (4th Series)
(Part I), (Part II)

Thailand Provincial Emblems FDCs-2

Thailand FDCs
Name: Provincial Emblems (2nd Series)
Date of Issue: 02 April 2008
Number: 843
Nan
Nan (Thai: น่าน) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from south clockwise) Uttaradit, Phrae and Phayao. To the north and east it borders Xaignabouli of Laos

The provincial seal shows a Usuparatch bull carrying the pagoda of Phrathat Chae Haeng. The buffalo goes back to a legend that the rules of Nan and Phrae were brothers, and met at a mountain to decide about the boundary between their lands. The ruler of Nan went there on a buffalo, while the ruler of Phrae went there on a horse. More...

Buri Ram
Buri Ram (Thai: บุรีรัมย์) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from south clockwise) Sa Kaeo, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham and Surin. To the south-east it borders Oddar Meancheay of Cambodia. Like many of Isan provinces, it was once part of a great Khmer Empire, as evident in the Khmer ruins and large population of ethnic Khmers. The name Buri Ram means City of happiness (The Thai word Buri is a derivative of the Khmer word Borey).

The provincial seal shows the Phanom Rung sandstone castle, a Hindu shrine of the Shivaite sect. The monument was in use from the 9th till the 12th century when the Khmer Empire was overthrown from Ayutthaya. It is now a historic park. More...

Pathum Thani
Pathum Thani (Thai: ปทุมธานี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Bangkok and Nonthaburi.

The province is located directly north of Bangkok and is part of the Bangkok metropolis. In many parts the boundary between the two provinces is not noticeable anymore, since both sides of the boundary are being equally urbanized.

The provincial seal shows a pink lotus flower with two rice ears bending over it. Both symbols stand for the fertility of the province. More...

Prachuap Khiri Khan
Prachuap Khiri Khan (Thai ประจวบคีรีขันธ์) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Phetchaburi in the north and Chumphon in the south. To the west it borders Tanintharyi Division of Myanmar.

The provincial seal show the Kuha Karuhas pavilion, which was built when King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) visited the Praya Nakorn Cave (Amphoe Sam Roi Yot). Depicted behind the pavilion is the island of Ko Lak in Prachuap bay, the historic center of administration. More...

Prachin Buri
Prachin Buri (Thai: ปราจีนบุรี) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Nakhon Ratchasima, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao and Nakhon Nayok.

The provincial seal shows the Bodhi tree. It symbolizes the first Bodhi tree planted about 2000 years ago in the temple Wat Si Maha Phot. The provincial colors are red and yellow - red stands for the land, and yellow for Buddhism. More...

2007 Thailand Provincial Emblems FDCs: (1st Series)
(Part I), (Part II), (Part III), (Part IV)
2007 Thailand Provincial Emblems Sheetlet FDCs: (1st Series)
(Part I), (Part II)
2008 Thailand Provincial Emblems FDCs: (2nd Series)
(Part I), (Part II)
2008 Thailand Provincial Emblems Sheetlet FDC (2nd Series)
2008 Thailand Provincial Emblems FDCs: (3rd Series)
(Part I), (Part II)
2009 Thailand Provincial Emblems FDCs: (4th Series)
(Part I), (Part II)

Thailand Provincial Emblems FDCs-1

Thailand FDCs
Name: Provincial Emblems (2nd Series)
Date of Issue: 02 April 2008
Number: 843
Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima (Thai: นครราชสีมา), often shortened to Korat or Khorat, is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (clockwise, from north) Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Buriram, Sa Kaeo, Prachinburi, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, Lopburi.

The provincial seal shows a monument of Thao Suranaree (1772-1852), the local hero of the province. She was the wife of the governmental councillor, when in 1826 she gathered the local people to assist the Thai army to fight the Laotian King Anouvong. King Rama III gave her the honorary title Tao Suranaree in recognition of her bravery. More...

Nakhon Si Thammarat
Nakhon Si Thammarat (often in short Nakhon, Thai: นครศรีธรรมราช) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, at the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from south clockwise) Songkhla, Phatthalung, Trang, Krabi and Surat Thani.

The name of the province derives from its Pali-Sanskrit name Nagara Sri Dhammaraja (City of the Sacred Dharma King), or Bandar Sri Raja Dharma in Malay, which in Thai pronunciation becames Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The provincial seal shows the Phra Baromathat Chedi of the Wat Phra Mahathat Voramahavihan, one of the most important historical sites in southern Thailand. According to the city chronicle it was already built in 311, but archaeology dates it to the 13th century. The chedi is surrounded by the animals of the Chinese zodiac in the seal. The twelve animals represent the twelve Naksat cities or city-states which were tributary to the Nakhon Si Thammarat kingdom: the mouse of Saiburi; the ox of Pattani; the tiger of Kelantan; the rabbit of Pahang (actually a city in Pahang which is said to be submerged by a lake now); a large snake of Kedah; a small snake of Phatthalung; a horse of Trang; a goat of Chumphon; a monkey of Bantaysamer (might be Chaiya, or a town in Krabi Province); a cock of Sa-ulau (unidentified city, might be Songkhla, Kanchanadit or Pla Tha); a dog of Takua Pa and a pig of Kraburi.More...

Nakhon Sawan
Nakhon Sawan (Thai: นครสวรรค์) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring Provinces are (from north clockwise) Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phetchabun, Lop Buri, Sing Buri, Chai Nat, Uthai Thani and Tak.

The provincial seal shows a Wiman, a mythological castle located in heaven. This relates to the name of the province which translates to Heavenly City. More...

Nonthaburi
Nonthaburi (Thai: นนทบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Bangkok and Nakhon Pathom.

The provincial seal shows earthenware, a traditional product from Nonthaburi. More...

Narathiwat
Narathiwat (Thai: นราธิวาส) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from west clockwise) Yala and Pattani. To the south it borders the Malaysian state of Kelantan.

The provincial seal shows a sailing boat with a white elephant on the sail. The white elephant is a royal symbol of Thailand, and is put on the seal to commemorate the animal called Phra Sri Nararat Rajakarini that was caught here and given to the king. More...

2007 Thailand Provincial Emblems FDCs: (1st Series)
(Part I), (Part II), (Part III), (Part IV)
2007 Thailand Provincial Emblems Sheetlet FDCs: (1st Series)
(Part I), (Part II)
2008 Thailand Provincial Emblems FDCs: (2nd Series)
(Part I), (Part II)
2008 Thailand Provincial Emblems Sheetlet FDC (2nd Series)
2008 Thailand Provincial Emblems FDCs: (3rd Series)
(Part I), (Part II)
2009 Thailand Provincial Emblems FDCs: (4th Series)
(Part I), (Part II)

Thailand Guardians M/S FDC

Thailand Minisheet FDC
Name: Thai Heritage Conservation Day 2008
Date of Issue: 02 April 2008
Number: 842

Purpose: To Commemorative Thai Heritage Conservation Day 2008 and to enhance public awareness of the importance and value of national arts.

Designs:
3 BAHT: The door – guardians painted on the door – panels at the rear of the Buddhaisawan Chapel National Museum, Bangkok
3 BAHT: The guardians painted on the window – panels at Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Bangkok
3 BAHT: The guardians Wood carved on the door – panels Ayutthaya – style at Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Ayutthaya
3 BAHT: The guardians Wood carved on the door – panels Ayutthaya – style at Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, Bangkok

Thailand Heritage Conservation Day 2008 FDC
Thailand Heritage Conservation Day 2008 Minisheet FDC

Thailand Guardians FDC

Thailand FDC
Name: Thai Heritage Conservation Day 2008
Date of Issue: 02 April 2008
Number: 842

Purpose: To Commemorative Thai Heritage Conservation Day 2008 and to enhance public awareness of the importance and value of national arts.

Designs:
3 BAHT: The door – guardians painted on the door – panels at the rear of the Buddhaisawan Chapel National Museum, Bangkok
3 BAHT: The guardians painted on the window – panels at Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Bangkok
3 BAHT: The guardians Wood carved on the door – panels Ayutthaya – style at Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Ayutthaya
3 BAHT: The guardians Wood carved on the door – panels Ayutthaya – style at Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, Bangkok

Thailand Heritage Conservation Day 2008 FDC
Thailand Heritage Conservation Day 2008 Minisheet FDC

Estonia Post Horn FDC

Estonia FDC
Name: Post Horn - 9.00 (Definitive Issue)
Date of Issue: 01 April 2008

The first definitive stamps after the restoration of Estonian independence, featuring the coat of arms of the country (three leopards), were issued on 1 October 1991. Such stamps were issued in a total of 29 denominations. 22 October 1999 saw the issue of definitive stamps in a slightly altered coat of arms design; they exist in 13 different face values. In 2004 Eesti Post launched the issue of definitive stamps featuring county coats of arms, all of them in the lowest domestic letter rate. Twelve such stamps have been brought out until the present. As Estonia has 15 counties, the last three stamps in the series are scheduled for issue in 2008. Definitive stamps with face values above the lowest domestic letter rate began to be issued from February 2005. Featuring the Estonian national flag flying from the tip of the Pikk Hermann Tower, they were issued with three different face values. Definitive stamps with face values lower than the ordinary domestic letter rate were issued since September 2004 in three different flower designs and two face values. All the definitive stamps issued since September 2004 are self-adhesive. A new series of post horn definitive stamps in the same design but in different colours according to the face value will be launched in 2008. The first such stamp will be on sale in all Estonia's post offices from January 10.

Estonia Post Horn - Definitive Series FDCs
Denominations: 0.50; 5.50; 6.50; 9.00

Comment: This issue was really issued in time, Eesti Post had changed their International Priority Mail's tariff (up to 50g) since 1st April, 2008, it from 8.00 Kroons to 9.00 Kroons. But it's really interesting, they reduced the registered fee at the same time, from 14.00 Kroons to 13.00 Kroons. In this case, if you send a registered letter, the postage is as usual.

Poland Aviation FDC

Poland FDC
Name: Traditional and Contemporary Polish Aviation
Date of Issue: 31 March 2008

Design:
3 ZŁ: TS-11 Iskra (Spark)
The PZL TS-11 Iskra (Polish for Spark) is a Polish jet trainer aircraft, used by the air forces of Poland and India. It is notable as the main trainer plane of the Polish Army, the oldest jet plane still in service in Poland - and one of the most reliable. More...

3,55 ZŁ: F-16 Jastrząb (Hawk)
The Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force. Designed as a lightweight fighter, it evolved into a successful multirole aircraft. The Falcon's versatility is a paramount reason it was a success on the export market, serving 24 countries. The F-16 is the largest Western fighter program with over 4,000 aircraft built since production started in 1976. Though no longer produced for the US Air Force, it is still produced for export. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, which in turn became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta.

The Fighting Falcon is a dogfighter with innovations including a frameless, bubble canopy for better visibility, side-mounted control stick to ease control while under high g-forces, and reclined seat to reduce the effect of g-forces on the pilot. It was also the first fighter aircraft to be deliberately built to sustain 9-g turns. It has a thrust-to-weight ratio greater than one, providing enough power to climb and accelerate vertically - if necessary. Although the F-16's official name is "Fighting Falcon", it is known to its pilots as the "Viper", after the Battlestar Galactica starfighter.

On 9 November, 2006, it was unveiled that the Polish F-16s will be named Jastrząb (Hawk). Limited operational readiness will be achieved in 2008 and last F16 should be delivered by 2008. More...

Comment: I remember the registered postage from Poland to China is 8.80 ZŁ, but it has only 7.90 ZŁ on this FDC, I'm dizzy.

2007 India Airplanes FDC
2008 Poland Airplanes FDC
2008 Turkey Airplanes FDC

Thailand Amulet M/S FDC

Thailand Minisheet FDC
Name: Chatukham Rammathep (Thai Amulet)
Issue date: 29 March 2008
Number: 841

Designs:
Illustrate Chatukham Rammathep Wat Phra Mahathat, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Suriyan-Chanthra amulet B.E. 2530, the first generation of the Chatukham Rammathep series.

2008 Thailand Chatukham Rammathep (Thai Amulet) FDCs
2008 Thailand Chatukham Rammathep (Thai Amulet) Minisheet FDC

Comment: My friend used 4 different special cancellations to cancel this sheet. Thailand Post Office often uses several special cancellations on one issue, you could see the best example on my next Thailand update.

Thailand Amulet FDCs

Thailand FDCs
Name: Chatukham Rammathep (Thai Amulet)
Issue date: 29 March 2008
Number: 841

Designs:
Illustrate Chatukham Rammathep Wat Phra Mahathat, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Suriyan-Chanthra amulet B.E. 2530, the first generation of the Chatukham Rammathep series.

2008 Thailand Chatukham Rammathep (Thai Amulet) FDCs
2008 Thailand Chatukham Rammathep (Thai Amulet) Minisheet FDC

Comment: I only know these traditional amulets are very famous in Thailand. But I don't know what's meaning of these amulets. Anyway, it's a marvellous issue, they use relief printing on this issue.

Estonia Viljandi County FDCs

Estonia FDCs
Name: Viljandi County (Definitive Issue)
Date of Issue: 27 March 2008

Viljandi County (Estonian: Viljandimaa) lies in the Sakala Upland with deep primeval valleys cutting into it. Estonia's largest inland water body, Lake Võrtsjärv, spreads in the eastern part of the county, while the western part is taken up by big wetlands of the Soomaa National Park traversed by several tributaries of the River Pärnu and boasting a fifth season – high water. The county has 55,000 inhabitants and is divided into 15 local government units. The county town of Viljandi is known as the seat of a theatre and the venue of various cultural events, not least the summer Folk Music Festival when the town sees the number of its residents double. Northern Viljandimaa is proud to be the birthplace of the Kapp family of composers and of the 13th century Sakala elder, Lembitu, who put up a fierce resistance to invaders. The eagle holding a bared sword in its claws in the coat-of-arms of the county symbolizes the freedom eventually won, while the ears of corn in the small shield represent fertility – southern Viljandimaa, the Mulk Country, in particular has always been known for its industry and prosperity.

Comment: Why do I show 2 FDCs for this issue? Because one of FDC was sent from Tallinn (Capital of Estonia) and one of FDC was sent from Viljandi (County Town of Viljandi). Eesti Post used 2 differnt special cancellations in these 2 cities. I got all of them. Bravo!!

Estonia Counties' Coat of Arms - Definitive Series FDCs:
Viljandi County, Võru County.

China Stamp: 2008-11

China Stamps
Name: Scenery on the Qiandao Lake
Number: 2008-11
Date of Issue: 16 April 2008
Value: 2 stamps/set

Denominations:
1.20 Yuan: Beautiful Qiandao Lake
1.20 Yuan: Green Islands on the Qiandao Lake

The Qiandao (Thousand Islands) Lake (Chinese: 千岛湖), located in Chun'an County of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, is a man-made lake built in 1959 to store water for the Xin'anjiang Hydropower Station. The lake covers an area of 573 sq km and over 1000 islands of different shapes and sizes are scattered on it; hence the name. With a vast expanse of water and beautiful scenery, the lake is really a natural landscape scroll. The islands scattered on the lake look like pearls on a jade plate. In the open part, it's a vast expanse of misty, rolling waters; while in the narrow part, the waterway zigzags, just like a maze. Around the lake are mountains covered with lush trees, in which birds sing and flowers blossom. It is a brilliant pearl in the hinterland of the Yangtze River Delta. With its charming landscape, it has attracted numerous Chinese and foreign tourists.

Comment: This is the top part of Sheetlet. You could imagine it's a beautiful Sheetlet, but what a pity! You couldn't get this full Sheetlet in Post Office on issue day, because all of Sheetlets were rived.

2008-11 Scenery on the Qiandao Lake Stamps
2008-11 Scenery on the Qiandao Lake Minisheet

Turkey Anatolian FDC

Turkey FDC
Name: Anatolian Civilizations (Urartians)
Date of Issue: 27 March 2008

After the fall of the Hittite empire, at the beginning of the first millennium B.C., a new kingdom was formed in eastern Anatolia, which was to survive for three hundred years. This was the kingdom of the Urartu, who were related to the Hurrians and were closely related to the Hittites in origin. However, the Urartu are historically looked upon as a civilization that had its own particular set of characteristics. The Urartu carried many of the customs and traditions of the Hittites into the first millennium, and can be said to have been a typically Anatolian culture. During the Early Urartu period, they were grouped in a series of emirates known as the Nairi, but in 900 B.C., they formed a confederation under a central monarch. More...

Indonesia Olympic Games FDC

Indonesia FDC
Name: Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Date of Issue: 18 March 2008

Designs:
1/4 Rp2500: Sailing
2/4 Rp2500: Football
3/4 Rp2500: Badminton
4/4 Rp2500: Weightlifting

Summer Olympic Games 2008, officially known as Games of the XXIX Olympiad (29th Olympic Games) will be held in Beijing, People's Republic of China from 8 to 24 August 2008. The opening ceremony will be held at 08.08.08 (8 o'clock, 8 minutes, 8 seconds in the evening) at Beijing National Stadium. In the Chinese culture the number 8 is associated with prosperity.

Beijing was selected as the Olympic Games host city on 13 July 2001, after surpassing Toronto, Paris, Istanbul and Osaka during the 112th IOC meeting in Moscow. The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games emblem "Chinese Seal", Dancing Beijing is filled with Beijing's hospitality and hopes, and carries the city is commitment to the world. Inspired by the traditional Chinese calligraphic art, the character "Jing" (the latter of the city's name) is developed into a form of a dancing human Beijing, reflecting the ideal of a "new Olympics".

Beijing Olympic 2008 mascots are five Fuwa (friendlies), which represent the colors of the Olympic ring. They are Beibei (blue), Jingjing (black), Huanhuan (red), Yingying (orange) and Nini (green). They are portrayed as Fish (beibei), Panda (jingjing), Fire (huanhuan), Tibetan Antelopes (yingying) and Swallow (nini). In the Chinese traditional culture, fish and water are symbols of prosperity and harvest, therefore Beibei is believed to be the blessing of prosperity. Panda brings the blessing of happiness wherever he goes. It is shown in his dancing pose and the lovely wave of his black and white fur. As a national treasure and protected species, Pandas are adored by people from around the world. Huanhuan is a child of fire, symbolizing the Olympic Flame and the passion of sports. Huanhuan stands in the center of Fuwa as the core embodiment of the Olympic spirit. The antelope carries the blessing of health and the strength of body that comes from harmony with nature. Nini's golden wings symbolize the infinite sky and spread good-luck as blessing wherever she flies. When those five names are put together, they will create a Chinese phrase "Beijing huan ying ni" (Beijing welcomes you). The Olympic Games slogan is "One World, One Dream".

More than 10,500 athletes from many countries will compete in 302 events of 35 sports. Indonesia will take part 15 in sports.

The stamps issued for this event depict four sports, namely sailing, football, badminton and weightlifting, they are designed using Chinese painting style. The main character of the design is Barongsai, which symbolizes the spirit of sportsmanship, the beauty of physical power, the harmony of body movement and the teamwork at the same time. These qualities become relevant to sport world in general, particularly in representing the spirit of Olympic Games.

Estonia 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Gold Medalist Autographed FDC
Estonia 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Silver Medalists Autographed Postal Stationery

2008 Beijing Olympic Games FDCs:
Algeria, Belarus, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Estonia Sheetlet, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Hong Kong M/S, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Portugal M/S, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Ukraine.

2008 Beijing Paralympic Games FDCs:
Czech Republic, Slovakia.

Russia Heritage FDC

Russia FDC
Name: Archeological Heritage of Russia
Date of Issue: 25 March 2008

Designs:
12p: Bronze plate displayed the fantastic beast. 2nd century B.C.E. – 1 century AD.
12p: Bronze plate displayed oxen. 2nd century B.C.E. – 1 century AD.
12p: Metal plate in the form of a deer. 4th - 3rd centuries B.C.E.

Comment: These are beautiful relics, but I don't know which civilization did these relics belong to? Do you know that?

Japan Astronomical FDC

Japan FDC
Name: 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Astronomical Society of Japan
Date of Issue: 21 March 2008

Comment: I admit this is a very beautiful issue for mint stamp collectors. For me, a real posted FDC collector, the design is not good enough for cancellation.

China Stamp: 2008-9

China Stamps
Name: Boao, Hainan
Number: 2008-9
Date of Issue: 13 April 2008
Value: 2 stamps/set

Denominations:
1.20 Yuan: Dongyu Island
1.20 Yuan: Venue of Boao Forum for Asia

Founded in 2001, the Boao Forum for Asia (Chinese: 博鳌亚洲论坛; Abbreviation: BFA) is a non-government, non-profit international organization. It has grown into a high-level forum for leaders in government, business and academia in Asia and other continents to share visions on the most pressing issues in this dynamic region and the world at large. Since 2002, the Forum has been held annually in Boao, Hainan Province, and the BFA International Conference Center on the nearby Dongyu Island is the permanent site. As the Forum brings new opportunities to Hainan, the seaside city of Boao has served as a bridge linking Hainan with the world and become an epitome of Hainan's reform and opening-up, and economic achievements since the province was established 20 years ago.

Official Website of Boao Forum for Asia

Comment: China Post issued this set to commemorative the 20th Anniversary of Establishing of Hainan Province.

Ukraine Gogol FDC

Ukraine FDC
Name: 200th Birth Anniversary of Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852)
Date of Issue: 21 March 2008

Designs:
1.52: Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852)
2.47: Taras Bulba

Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol (Russian: Никола́й Васи́льевич Го́голь, Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol; Ukrainian: Микола Васильович Гоголь, Mykola Vasylovych Hohol) (April 1, 1809 – March 4, 1852) was a Russian writer of Ukrainian ethnicity. Although his early works were heavily influenced by his Ukrainian upbringing and identity, he wrote in Russian and his works belong to the tradition of Russian literature; often called the "father of modern Russian realism," he was one of the first Russian authors to criticize his country's way of life. The novels Taras Bulba (1835; 1842 [revised edition]), Dead Souls (1842), the play The Inspector-General (1836, 1842), and the short story The Overcoat (1842) are among his masterpieces. More...

Russia Glushko FDC

Russia FDC
Name: The 100th birth anniversary of V.P. Glushko (1908-1989), a scientist
Date of Issue: 17 March 2008

Valentin Petrovich Glushko (Ukrainian: Валентин Петрович Глушко; Russian: Валентин Петрович Глушко) (born September 2, 1908 in Odessa, Ukraine, died January 10, 1989) was a Soviet engineer of Ukrainian descent, and one of the three principal Soviet "Chief Designers" (along with Vladimir Chelomei and Sergey Korolev) of spacecraft and rockets during the Soviet/American Space Race. More...