China Stamp: 2008-16

China Stamps
Name: Murals of Qiuci (Kucha) Grottoes
Number: 2008-16
Date of Issue: 06 July 2008
Value: 4 stamps/set

Denominations:
1.20 Yuan (4-1): Bodhisattva (菩萨)
1.20 Yuan (4-2): Heavenly King (护法天王)
1.20 Yuan (4-3): Flying Apsaras (飞天)
1.20 Yuan (4-4): Maitreya in Preaching (弥勒说法)

The Qiuci grottoes are scattered on more than 20 sites in the area of ancient Qiuci Kingdom (today's Kuche County and some of its neighboring counties in Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region).Founded in the 3rd century and ended in the 12th century, Qiuci Kingdom was one of the cradles of the Buddhist culture in China. Its grotto murals were mainly devoted to religious subjects and also included such contents as farming, hunting, dancing, and folk customs. On the basis of integrating the Oriental and Western cultures, the murals gradually formed their own artistic style. At present, there are more than 600 Qiuci grotto remains, housing nearly 10,000 square meters of murals. Kzir Grotto, a typical representative of the Qiuci grottoes, is the first Buddhist grotto in Chinese history.

Thailand Orchids FDCs

Thailand FDCs
Name: Amazing Thailand (1st Series) - Orchid
Date of Issue: 13 June 2008
Number: 847
Design
3BAHT:: Brassocattleya Ploenpit Star
3BAHT: Aerides falcata
3BAHT: Arachnis Hookeriana X Vanda Doctor Anek
3BAHT: Phalaenopsis Little Mary
3BAHT: Dendrobium sutiknoi
3BAHT: Paphiopedilum callosum
3BAHT: Grammatophyllum speciosum
3BAHT: Vascostylis Prapawan
3BAHT: Vanda Robert's Delight

Comment: Orchid is a very beautiful and special flower, but it's hard for me to differentiate these orchids. Only orchid expert could do it. :)

2008 Amazing Thailand FDCs (Orchids)
2008 Amazing Thailand Minisheet FDC (Orchids)
2008 Amazing Thailand FDCs (Saneh Bangkok)
2008 Amazing Thailand Sheetlet FDC (Saneh Bangkok)

China Pre-stamped Postcard JP148

China Pre-stamped Postcard
Name: 2008 International Grassland and Rangeland Congress
Number: JP148
Date of Issue: 29 June 2008

2008 Joint Meeting of the International Grassland Congress and the International Rangeland Congress is held on 29th June – 5th July, 2008 in Hohhot, China. This is the first time that IGC and IRC have met together to allow an international exchange and discussion on the multi-function of grasslands and rangelands in a changing world. This will be a significant milestone in the history of IGC and IRC, and in research and development of grasslands and rangelands.

Official Website of the 2008 International IGC-IRC Congress

Hong Kong Jellyfish FDC

Hong Kong Self-Drawing FDC
Name: Jellyfish
Date of Issue: 12 June 2008

Drifting gracefully with the currents, jellyfish exude the elegance of a dancer moving to the rhythm of ocean waves. This set of special stamps depicts six different species of jellyfish. For the first time, these stamps are printed with a luminous effect to juxtapose the gorgeous jellyfish against a contrasting dark background.

Denominations:
$2.40: Brown Sea Nettle (Chrysaora fuscescens)
The name of the Brown Sea Nettle originates from the radiating brown stripes on their bells and the bee sting-like nematocysts. Feeding on microplankton and other jellies, they can grow up to 30 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Brown Sea Nettles occur in Japan and the Bering Sea.

Comment: This is my first self-drawing FDC, my Hong Kong friend is good at drawing. He often makes self-drawing FDC for his own collection. Perhaps he wrote the wrong address this time, and this FDC was sent to me. I'm so lucky! lol

2008 Hong Kong Jellyfish FDCs (Complete set & Minisheet)
2008 Hong Kong Jellyfish Bookelet Sheets FDCs (Special Cancellation)
2008 Hong Kong Jellyfish FDC (Self-Drawing FDC)

Hong Kong Jellyfish B/S FDCs

Hong Kong Booklet Sheets FDCs
Name: Jellyfish
Date of Issue: 12 June 2008

Drifting gracefully with the currents, jellyfish exude the elegance of a dancer moving to the rhythm of ocean waves. This set of special stamps depicts six different species of jellyfish. For the first time, these stamps are printed with a luminous effect to juxtapose the gorgeous jellyfish against a contrasting dark background.

Denominations:
$1.40: Flower Hat Jelly (Olindias formosa)
This rare species of jellyfish has multicoloured tentacles hanging from a translucent, pinstriped bell. Being semi-benthic, they sometimes stay on the sea floor. Feeding on small fish in the sea, they can grow up to 15 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Flower Hat Jellies occur in Brazil, Argentina and the deep ocean waters off the coast of southern Japan.

$1.80: Octopus Jelly
Octopus Jellies have 8 trailing oral arms. They move up at daytime to allow the symbiotic algae on their bells to photosynthesise and remain in deeper zones after sunset. Feeding on microplankton and nutrients from algae, they can grow up to 30 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Octopus Jellies occur in Indo-Pacific waters.

$2.40: Brown Sea Nettle (Chrysaora fuscescens)
The name of the Brown Sea Nettle originates from the radiating brown stripes on their bells and the bee sting-like nematocysts. Feeding on microplankton and other jellies, they can grow up to 30 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Brown Sea Nettles occur in Japan and the Bering Sea.

$2.50: Moon Jelly (Aurelia aurita)
The Moon Jelly is so named because of its moon-like circular bell. One can tell when they have just taken brine shrimps from the orange tint in the four stomach pouches in their translucent bells. Feeding on microplankton, they can grow up to 35 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Moon Jellies occur in tropical and temperate waters.

$3: Lion's Mane Jelly (Cyanea capillata)
The Lion's Mane Jelly is a highly toxic species. They are named for their trailing tentacles reminiscent of the mane of a lion. Feeding on microplankton and other jellies, they can grow up to 40 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Lion's Mane Jellies occur in the western Pacific around Japan.

$5: Pacific Sea Nettle
Similar to the Brown Sea Nettle, the Pacific Sea Nettle is equipped with nematocysts which sting. They have dusky brown bells with deep red tentacles. Feeding on microplankton and other jellies, they can grow up to 1 metre in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Pacific Sea Nettles occur in the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.

Comment: Because only the regular mail could be cancelled by special cancellation. My friend sent all of the booklet sheets FDCs by regular mail. The third FDC was sent by priority mail, but this priority doesn't deserve the name, it was slower than the air registered mail and air regular mail.

2008 Hong Kong Jellyfish FDCs (Complete set & Minisheet)
2008 Hong Kong Jellyfish Bookelet Sheets FDCs (Special Cancellation)
2008 Hong Kong Jellyfish FDC (Self-Drawing FDC)

Hong Kong Jellyfish FDCs

Hong Kong Stamps & Minisheet FDCs
Name: Jellyfish
Date of Issue: 12 June 2008

Drifting gracefully with the currents, jellyfish exude the elegance of a dancer moving to the rhythm of ocean waves. This set of special stamps depicts six different species of jellyfish. For the first time, these stamps are printed with a luminous effect to juxtapose the gorgeous jellyfish against a contrasting dark background.

Denominations:
$1.40: Flower Hat Jelly (Olindias formosa)
This rare species of jellyfish has multicoloured tentacles hanging from a translucent, pinstriped bell. Being semi-benthic, they sometimes stay on the sea floor. Feeding on small fish in the sea, they can grow up to 15 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Flower Hat Jellies occur in Brazil, Argentina and the deep ocean waters off the coast of southern Japan.

$1.80: Octopus Jelly
Octopus Jellies have 8 trailing oral arms. They move up at daytime to allow the symbiotic algae on their bells to photosynthesise and remain in deeper zones after sunset. Feeding on microplankton and nutrients from algae, they can grow up to 30 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Octopus Jellies occur in Indo-Pacific waters.

$2.40: Brown Sea Nettle (Chrysaora fuscescens)
The name of the Brown Sea Nettle originates from the radiating brown stripes on their bells and the bee sting-like nematocysts. Feeding on microplankton and other jellies, they can grow up to 30 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Brown Sea Nettles occur in Japan and the Bering Sea.

$2.50: Moon Jelly (Aurelia aurita)
The Moon Jelly is so named because of its moon-like circular bell. One can tell when they have just taken brine shrimps from the orange tint in the four stomach pouches in their translucent bells. Feeding on microplankton, they can grow up to 35 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Moon Jellies occur in tropical and temperate waters.

$3: Lion's Mane Jelly (Cyanea capillata)
The Lion's Mane Jelly is a highly toxic species. They are named for their trailing tentacles reminiscent of the mane of a lion. Feeding on microplankton and other jellies, they can grow up to 40 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Lion's Mane Jellies occur in the western Pacific around Japan.

$5: Pacific Sea Nettle
Similar to the Brown Sea Nettle, the Pacific Sea Nettle is equipped with nematocysts which sting. They have dusky brown bells with deep red tentacles. Feeding on microplankton and other jellies, they can grow up to 1 metre in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Pacific Sea Nettles occur in the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.

Comment: Obviously! This is a very gorgeous set. I like it very much. I think this set will be the most popular Hong Kong set in 2008.

2008 Hong Kong Jellyfish FDCs (Complete set & Minisheet)
2008 Hong Kong Jellyfish Bookelet Sheets FDCs (Special Cancellation)
2008 Hong Kong Jellyfish FDC (Self-Drawing FDC)

Malaysia Artefacts FDC

Malaysia FDC
Name: Cultural Instruments & Artefacts (2nd Series)
Date of Issue: 10 June 2008

Malaysia is blessed with multi-ethnic community with different values, culture and heritage. This assortment of different culture, values and race have resulted in the various cultural instruments and artefacts.

Cultural instruments and artefacts featured in the stamps of this Series II are stone grinder, 'supu' and coconut grater; instruments that were used traditionally and are still being used today display the fine handicraft and artistic creativity by the people of Malaysia. Other beautiful handcrafted instruments such as the stone mill, 'celapa', coconut grater and tiffin carrier are examples of traditional instruments with artistic and aesthetic values that were used and are still used in the daily life and in weddings, although some have been modified to suit current modern needs.

Denominations:
30sen: Stone Grinder
'Batu giling' or stone grinder is a traditional tool consisting of two parts made of stone, referred to as "mother" and "child". The "mother" is the millstone or base part of the grinder where the chilli or spices are placed, whereas the "child" is the smaller piece of stone used to roll onto the base stone to crush and grind the said spices.

Using this stone grinder will produce a fine and well grounded paste of spices or chilli.

50sen: Supu
'Supu' is a small container used to keep tobacco. Made of silver and beautifully decorated with fine carvings, it is also used as a decorative accessory by the Bajau community in the district of Kota Belud, Sabah. Amongst the Dusun Tindal community, it is known as 'kuapu' and is used as a decorative accessory for the bride and bridegroom's wedding costume.

50sen: Coconut Grater (triangle)
'Kukur kelapa' or coconut grater is a tool used to grate or scrape the flesh of the coconut from its shell. The traditional coconut scraper is shaped out of a piece of wood for the seat and at the end is a sharp-edged metal spur. Creativity from the artistic Malays have resulted in the 'Kukur kelapa' carved based on the design of a four-legged animal complete with the tail and other carvings of nature-inspired motives such as plants.

The coconut grater was once a very important tool in every Malay household as coconut milk is an essential ingredient in Malay cooking. Although it is usage by the city folk have reduced due to the preference of electric tools, this tool is still much in use in the outskirts.

Some myths about 'kukur' is that it is either male or female. Women are not allowed to use male 'kukur' especially during major feasts.

Lithuania EXPO FDC

Lithuania FDC
Name: World Exhibition "EXPO Zaragoza 2008"
Date of Issue: 07 June 2008

The main topic of the world exhibition EXPO Zaragoza 2008 (Spain, 14 June – 14 September 2008) is "Water and Sustainable Development". 104 countries participate in the exhibition, it is expected that the number of visitors will be about 8 million.

The Lithuanian pavilion has an impressive exposition "Home of Rain", it displays lots of informational material; books, amber articles and souvenirs are sold here. The Lithuanian National Day will be on the eve of St John's Day (23 June).

It is for the first time that an original drop-shaped postage stamp is dedicated to the participation of Lithuania in a world exhibition.

Lithuania has officially participated in world exhibitions in Paris (1937), New York (1939), Seville (1992), Taejon (1993), Lisbon (1998), Hanover (2000) and Aichi (2005).
Comment: This is a drop-shaped self-adhesive stamp, I don't know whether this is the first self-adhesive stamp in Lithuania and the first drop-shaped stamp in the world. Anybody knows it?

Indonesia Environmental Care M/S FDC

Indonesia Minisheet FDC
Name: Environmental Care 2008
Date of Issue: 05 June 2008

Denominations:
Rp2500: Bicycle for Earth
Rp2500: Plants for Earth

World Environment Day is celebrated every June 5 world wide. The World Environment Day 2008 celebration is centered in New Zealand adopting theme of "CO2 Kick the Habit, Towards a Low Carbon Economy". Located at southern hemisphere, this country is elected as a host for being the first country pledging a carbon-neutral future. The message sounded by this campaign is finding solutions as well as changing the habit in de-carbonizing the economy and lifestyle.

A Low Carbon Economy is a popular term referring to an economy with a minimal output of Greenhouse gas emissions into biosphere. Most scientific and public opinion has come to conclusion of unreasonable accumulation of Greenhouse gas in our atmosphere, especially CO2. The over-concentrations of these gases will fundamentally change the global climate in the near future. Therefore, a Low Carbon Economy has to be globally started to avoid that catastrophic climate change. The implementation requires integrating all aspects of manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, power generation as well as technologies that use efficient energy and produce minimal output of Greenhouse gas emission.

In Indonesia, this year's theme is translated into national slogan "Change Behavior and Stop Environmental Pollution". Started with Bicycle for Earth campaign, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono appealed the people to use bicycle instead of car to go to work and asked local and provincial authorities to provide space for that cycling activity. Nevertheless, Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Indonesia organizes Indonesia Environmental Week 2008 in Jakarta June 5-8, 2008. This exhibition program is one of crucial moments to disseminate awareness that environmental problem is not solely responsibility of individual, but a collective. In order to raise criticism on environmental sustainability through people capability and courage to control environmentally damaging activities, a positive atmosphere within society to drive greater participation of people must be developed. People should be empowered to access and check environmental policy formulated and executed favorably to those suffering from its impact.

Comment: This is a very good stuff for Bicycle topical and thematic collectors. Not only can the bicycle help us to exercise our body, but only can protect our environment.

2008 Indonesia World Environment Day FDC
2008 Indonesia World Environment Day Minisheet FDC
2008 Thailand World Environment Day FDC
2008 Turkey World Environment Day FDC

Indonesia Environmental Care FDC

Indonesia FDC
Name: Environmental Care 2008
Date of Issue: 05 June 2008

Denominations:
1/2 Rp1500: Bicycle for Earth
2/2 Rp1500: Plants for Earth

World Environment Day is celebrated every June 5 world wide. The World Environment Day 2008 celebration is centered in New Zealand adopting theme of "CO2 Kick the Habit, Towards a Low Carbon Economy". Located at southern hemisphere, this country is elected as a host for being the first country pledging a carbon-neutral future. The message sounded by this campaign is finding solutions as well as changing the habit in de-carbonizing the economy and lifestyle.

A Low Carbon Economy is a popular term referring to an economy with a minimal output of Greenhouse gas emissions into biosphere. Most scientific and public opinion has come to conclusion of unreasonable accumulation of Greenhouse gas in our atmosphere, especially CO2. The over-concentrations of these gases will fundamentally change the global climate in the near future. Therefore, a Low Carbon Economy has to be globally started to avoid that catastrophic climate change. The implementation requires integrating all aspects of manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, power generation as well as technologies that use efficient energy and produce minimal output of Greenhouse gas emission.

In Indonesia, this year's theme is translated into national slogan "Change Behavior and Stop Environmental Pollution". Started with Bicycle for Earth campaign, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono appealed the people to use bicycle instead of car to go to work and asked local and provincial authorities to provide space for that cycling activity. Nevertheless, Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Indonesia organizes Indonesia Environmental Week 2008 in Jakarta June 5-8, 2008. This exhibition program is one of crucial moments to disseminate awareness that environmental problem is not solely responsibility of individual, but a collective. In order to raise criticism on environmental sustainability through people capability and courage to control environmentally damaging activities, a positive atmosphere within society to drive greater participation of people must be developed. People should be empowered to access and check environmental policy formulated and executed favorably to those suffering from its impact.

Comment: Greenhouse effect is a very serious problem in many developing countries. I'm glad Thailand, Turkey and also Indonesia (I think there are more countries had issued this theme stamps) paid much attention on this problem, at least their Postal Administration did it. :)

2008 Indonesia World Environment Day FDC
2008 Indonesia World Environment Day Minisheet FDC
2008 Thailand World Environment Day FDC
2008 Turkey World Environment Day FDC

Slovakia Paralympic Games FDC

Slovakia FDC
Name: Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games
Date of Issue: 06 June 2008

The XIII Paralympic Games will be held 6 – 17 September 2008 in Beijing. The sailing and equestrian competitions will be hosted by Qingdao and Hong Kong, respectively. A record number of competitors – more than 4,000 sportsmen and sportswomen from 150 countries – will compete in a record number of 18 sports, with the assistance of 2,500 trainers and support team members. A total of 471 gold medals will be distributed. Media coverage will involve 4,000 people, and 30,000 volunteers from all over the world will facilitate the smooth course of the Games. The competitions will take place in the Olympic sports facilities with the paralympic slogan 'Spirit in Motion'. The Paralympic movement was inspired by Sir Ludwig Guttman (1899 – 1980), a great physician, the Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and the father of the idea of sport as a method of therapy for the disabled. He is also the founder of the British Sports Association of the Disabled, as well as the Summer (1960) and Winter Paralympic Games (1976). He was awarded the Fearnley Cup (1956) – an award for outstanding contribution to the spreading of the Olympic ideal - and inspired many devoted successors. As evident from the increasing number of participants at the Paralympics Games, the paralympic movement is flourishing. The first PG was organised in Rome in 1960 and attended by 400 competitors from 23 countries. The fifth PG in Toronto 1976 was attended by 1,600 competitors from 42 countries. As many as 3,195 sportsmen and sportswomen from 103 countries competed at the X Paralympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, including Slovak competitors who won 11 medals. The Slovak Paralympic Committee was founded on 31 January 1995 as a body associating disabled competitors with physical, sensory (sight and hearing), and mental impairments. It is a member of the International Paralympic Committee associating 161 countries. Let's hope that the track record of 10 gold, 7 silver, and 14 bronze medals from the Paralympic Games in Atlanta, Sydney, and Athens, in athletics, cycling, archery, swimming, table tennis, and volleyball, will inspire these outstanding sportsmen and sportswomen in the run-up to the Olympic challenge.

Comment: This is the first real posted FDC of 2008 Paralympic Games in my collection. I know many countries had issued or will issue 2008 Olympic Games stamps, but only few country had issued or will issue 2008 Paralympic Games stamps.

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.

Turkey World Environment Day FDC

Turkey FDC
Name: World Environment Day
Date of Issue: 05 June 2008

The consequence of increased CO2 gasses in the atmosphere which cause the "Green House" effect which in turn is blamed for "Climatic Changes" is known as "Global Warming". The basic reasons of Global Warming are particularly attributed, mainly to excessive increase of CO2 emissions and green house gasses into the atmosphere, produced by the industrial countries. With the increase and density of these gasses, which absorb and hold the sunlight for an indefinite period of time in the atmosphere, consequently cause a gradual increase of temperature over the surface of the earth.

World wide climatic change which so far caused floods, hurricanes and extensive forest and bush fires, not forgetting the destruction of vegetation as well of live-stocks, not being quite used to this sort of climatic changes. With the decline of green pastures and the destruction of trees large swaths of the world are now reduced to desolate deserts. If the necessary drastic measures are not immediately taken, the consequences of universal climate change are thought to result in the demise of millions of lives due to viral epidemic diseases.

Global Warming and universal Climate Change are now considered and accepted phenomena which will culminate in the most devastating and dangerous environmental disasters. To reduce the effect of Global Warming upon the world, benign energy resources must be encouraged to be sought, economic and diligent use of energy must be considered; protection, preservation, cultivation and increase of green land must be encouraged and most importantly the use of fossilised energy products must be restricted.

At present our country still has not signed up yet to the KYOTO AGREEMENT, which effectively is a serious a serious attempt and humanitarian duty by the signatories thereof to ward off the impending disasters by reducing the CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. To ward off the impending dangers of Global warming is indeed a serious matter and therefore it is incumbent upon the world and the hole humanity as a duty to tackle it.

Various civil organisations as the foundation TEMA (Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion) are institutions that are engaged in disseminating useful information against the disastrous onslaught of Global Warming.

Comment: After the Joint Issue with Thailand in May. Turkey and Thailand issued the same topic again on same day. But it is not a joint issue this time.

2008 Indonesia World Environment Day FDC
2008 Indonesia World Environment Day Minisheet FDC
2008 Thailand World Environment Day FDC
2008 Turkey World Environment Day FDC

Thailand World Environment Day FDC

Thailand FDC
Name: World Environment Day
Date of Issue: 05 June 2008
Number: 846

Purpose:
To commemorate World Environment Day and to make the people realizing the impact of global environmental crisis and cooperating to reduce the global warming.

Designs:
3BAHT: Deforestation and industrial pollutions are the main causes of global warming.
3BAHT: Greenhouse effect reduces the capacity to protect the radiation from the sun.
3BAHT: The effects of global warming are drought, wildfire and fold.
3BAHT: Cooperating to protect the world is a way to reduce the global warming.

World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.

The World Environment Day slogan for 2008 is Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy. Recognising that climate change is becoming the defining issue of our era, UNEP is asking countries, companies and communities to focus on greenhouse gas emissions and how to reduce them. The World Environment Day will highlight resources and initiatives that promote low carbon economies and life-styles, such as improved energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption. More...

2008 Indonesia World Environment Day FDC
2008 Indonesia World Environment Day Minisheet FDC
2008 Thailand World Environment Day FDC
2008 Turkey World Environment Day FDC

Taiwan Stag Beetles FDC

Taiwan FDC
Name: Stag Beetles of Taiwan
Date of Issue: 05 June 2008
Number: Sp.520

Belonging to the family Lucanidae, order Coleoptera, and class Insecta, stag beetles have large heads and flat bodies. They are called "shovel-shaped bugs" in Chinese because their elytra look like shovels. In order to further understand about stag beetles, this Post is issuing a set of four stamps featuring four endemic species of Taiwan: Neolucanus swinhoei Bates, Dorcus schenklingi Möllenkamp, Lucanus datunensis Hashimoto and Cyclommatus asahinai Y. Kurosawa. The stamps were planned by Mr. Yang Ping-shih, a professor of the Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University.

Denominations:
NT$5.00: Neolucanus swinhoei Bates
Neolucanus swinhoei Bates is found in the mountain areas of the island. They have glossy black heads and nota, and most of them have reddish orange elytra. Males have serrated mandibles with five to seven minute teeth on the inner edges. They like to suck the sap of ring-cupped oaks and tangerine trees. They are typical diurnal stag beetles, and are rarely attracted to light at night.

NT$5.00: Dorcus schenklingi Möllenkamp
Dorcus schenklingi Möllenkamp is found in the mountain areas of the island. The color of their bodies is black. In larger males, there is an obvious tooth in the middle of their mandibles and a hook-like tooth at the tips. They like to suck the sap of ring-cupped oaks, cork oaks, Castanopsis fargesii and Arishan oaks. Dorcus schenklingi Möllenkamp is a rare and valuable species and is protected in Taiwan. It is against the law to catch beetles of this species from the wild to keep as pets.

NT$10.00: Lucanus datunensis Hashimoto
Lucanus datunensis Hashimoto is only found in Mt. Datun in northern Taiwan. Males are usually reddish brown with short thick mandibles that bend slightly inwards and are forked at the tips. Their matt elytra have black seams. Females are fewer in number. They have darker coloration and their elytra are glossy. As a diurnal stag beetle, this species is not attracted to light at night.

NT$12.00: Cyclommatus asahinai Y. Kurosawa
Cyclommatus asahinai Y. Kurosawa is found in the mountain areas of the island. Males are glossy and tan in color. Larger males have mandibles that are forked at the tips. Each of their mandibles has an obvious tooth at the base and a smaller one in the middle. They are attracted to light at night.

Comment: There are nine stag beetles on this FDC, I think the European Magpie is very exciting. What a delicious feast! lol

Algeria Child FDC

Algeria FDC
Name: The Child and The New Technologies
Date of Issue: 01 June 2008

Nowadays, the new technologies are used in numerous fields especially in teaching, in aim to improve and to modernize the educational processes.

The use of computer constitutes a fundamental teaching method. Thus, and for a better use of computing, a preliminary knowledge, helpful in exploiting the various programmes is required.

In deed, the introduction of a module concerning the new technologies is very important in school programmes. The use of computing allows the user to enlarge his knowledges and it permits the exchange of ideas and information through the electronic library via the internet.

The modern information and communication technologies allow the operator to use and to exploit a variety of programmes and technics which contribute a lot in researchs and discoveries.

Because of his attentiveness and his observation's developped spirit, the child remains the main actor fascinated by the manipulation of the multiple ranges of technological equipments. These last offer him possibilities of learning by playing and making researches and because he is curious, he'll make new discoveries.

The rational use of the new technologies supported by a particular assistance to the child, urges this last one to an adequate and a useful exploitation.
Comment: There are some problems on this stamp and FDC. On stamp: 1. The child uses his left hand to take the balloons, but according to Muslims etiquette, the left hand is reserved for bodily hygiene and considered unclean. Thus, the right hand should be used for eating. Shaking hands or handing over an item with one's left hand is an insult; 2. There are 5 balloons on this stamp, but there are only 4 lines on child's hand. On FDC: My friend paid 95 Algerian Dinars (you could see it on the registered receipt) for this registered mail FDC, but there are only 90 Algerian Dinars postage on this FDC, because Post Office hadn't low value definitive stamps.

Taiwan Birds (III) FDC

Taiwan FDC
Name: Birds of Taiwan (3rd Series)
Date of Issue: 05 June 2008
Number: Def. 128 (III)

After having issued the first two sets in the "Birds of Taiwan" definitive stamp series on November 3, 2007 and January 30, 2008, this Post is following up with a third set of four stamps, featuring Streptopelia orientalis, Passer montanus, Pica pica and Zosterops japonicus.

Denominations:
NT$7.00: Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis)
This common resident bird, about 30 centimeters in length, is an endemic subspecies of Taiwan. It has orange irises and black pupils. It is lavender from its crown, to its forehead, cheeks, throat and belly, with a black and white striped patch on the side of its neck. The edges of the feathers on its back are brownish orange. The flight feathers are black. The undersides of its wings, and the uppertail and undertail coverts are gray. The tail is black with white edging.

NT$15.00: Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
This common resident bird is about 14 centimeters in length. It has black eyes and inconspicuous ivory eye rings. Its black beak is short and wide. There is a black spot on its throat and both of its cheeks. It is chestnut from head to nape. Its back is reddish brown with black streaks. There are two white wing bars visible when the wings are closed. The edges of the wings are black. It has buff underparts. Its tail feathers are wheat colored with black trim.

NT$20.00: European Magpie (Pica pica)
This uncommon resident bird is about 45 centimeters in length. It is black from the head to the breast. Its belly is white, its back is the deepest hue of blue, and its undertail coverts are black. Its wings are blue-green with white scapulars. In flight, the white stripes that form a V on its back and the white on the outer edges of its wings become obvious.

NT$34.00: Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus)
This common resident bird ranges between 10 to 11 centimeters. It has black lores and obvious white eye rings, a distinctive feature used for identification. Its back is yellow-green, and its forehead, cheeks, throat and undertail coverts are yellow. It is dull white from the lower breast to the belly. Its tail feathers are green.

Taiwan "Birds of Taiwan" FDC (I)
Taiwan "Birds of Taiwan" FDC (II)
Taiwan "Birds of Taiwan" FDC (III)
Taiwan "Birds of Taiwan" FDC (IV)

Slovakia Olympic Games FDC

Slovakia FDC
Name: Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Date of Issue: 04 June 2008

The XXIX Olympic Games will be held 8 – 24 August 2008 in Beijing, with the slogan 'One World One Dream'. The Olympic Football Tournament will be played in Shanghai, Tianjin, and Quinhuangdao, while Qingdao and Hong Kong will host the sailing and equestrian competitions, respectively. About 10,500 sportsmen and sportswomen will compete in 302 disciplines (thereof 165 men's, 127 women's, and 10 mixed competitions) covering 28 sports. At the 112th IOC Session, which took place in 2001 in Moscow, Beijing was elected the Host City for the Games, beating candidates such as Toronto, Paris, Istanbul, and Osaka. Today, the official symbol 'Dancing Beijing' invites the world to experience Chinese culture. The modern architecture of sports facilities and the impressive flower decoration of Tiananmen Square - otherwise having very different connotations - should make the impression that the country of over a thousand years' of traditions is ready to make another leap. This time, it's a leap into the 21st century. Controversies on questions such as human rights violations, the situation in Tibet, Myanmar, and Sudan's Darfur, will not lead to the boycotts which hampered the Olympic Games in Moscow 1980 or Los Angeles 1984 – but not the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. Jacques Rogge, President of the IOC, and Juan Antonio Samaranch, the Honorary President of the IOC, team up with main sponsors like Adidas, Volkswagen, Coca-Cola, and McDonald's in the hope that the Games will be successful. About 50 Slovak competitors will expect difficult climatic conditions and tough global competition. The organisers are planning an Olympic torch relay to the top of Mt. Everest. In view of the recent 15th anniversary of the Slovak Olympic Committee (December 19, 1992), each member of the Slovak Olympic family surely hopes to climb his or her personal 'Mt. Everest' and enrich the Slovak collection of 15 Olympic medals.

Comment: Because it has a woman long jump athlete on the stamp. I guess whether her prototype is Galina Dmitriyevna Chistyakova (Russian: Галина Дмитриевна Чистякова, Slovak: Galina Čisťaková; born July 26, 1962). She is a Slovakian and the Women's Long Jump World Record Holder.

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.

Estonia EU Central Bank Postal Stationery

Estonia Postal Stationery
Name: The First Ten Years of European Central Bank
Date of Issue: 02 June 2008

The European Central Bank (ECB) is one of the world's most important central banks, responsible for monetary policy covering the 15 member countries of the Eurozone. It was established by the European Union (EU) in 1998 with its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. More...

Comment: The building on this postcard is the current headquarters of The European Central Bank.

China Stamp: 2008-15

China Stamps
Name: The 2nd National Land Survey
Number: 2008-15
Date of Issue: 25 June 2008
Value: 2 stamps/set

Denominations:
1.20 Yuan (2-1): Land Survey in Rural Areas
1.20 Yuan (2-2): Land Survey in Urban Areas

China started its second national land survey on July 1st, 2007 to obtain up-to-date and accurate land data for policy making. Local authorities should finish the survey before the end of June 2009 and report the new land data to the Ministry of Land and Resources on Oct. 31, 2009.

China will use advanced remote imaging technologies to survey all the land used for different functions including farmland, forests, land used by industry and infrastructure and development parks. Acreages and their distributions will be mapped and recorded nationwide. China will build an electronic database for all the survey findings and figure out statistical and monitoring methods to track changes in land resources and a system to update the information quickly, said the circular.
The second land survey will help build a resource-saving and environmentally-friendly society and to maintain sustainable economic growth. The survey will help the government carry out scientific land planning, use and protect land effectively, and introduce tough measures to protect arable land

China conducted its first national land survey in 1996 but, given the huge changes that have taken place in urban and rural areas, the data collected 12 years ago are now out of date.

Russia Stepanov PCBCS

Russia PCBCS (Post Cards Bearing Commemorative Stamp)
Name: The 150th Birth Anniversary of A.S. Stepanov, a painter
Date of Issue: 07 Apirl 2008

Aleksei Stepanovich Stepanov (Russian: АЛЕКСЕЯ СТЕПАНОВИЧА СТЕПАНОВ)(born April 24, 1858, died October 5, 1923) was a very famous animal painter in Russian history. The Illustration of the PCBCS depicts one of his work "Moose" that was painted in 1889.

Russia Margelov PCBCS

Russia PCBCS (Post Cards Bearing Commemorative Stamp)
Name: The 100th Birth Anniversary of V.F Margelov, a General of the Army
Date of Issue: 07 Apirl 2008

Vasily Filipovich Margelov (Russian: Василий Филиппович Маргелов)(born December 27, 1908, died March 4, 1990) was the General of USSR Army. He created the post-war Soviet Airborne Forces.

His Biography (Russian Version)

China Sheetlet: 2008-14

China Sheetlet
Name: The Construction on The West Coast of the Taiwan Strait
Number: 2008-14
Date of Issue: 18 June 2008
Value: 8 stamps/sheetlet

Denominations:
1.20 Yuan (4-1): Scenery along the Minjiang River
1.20 Yuan (4-2): Port of Xiamen
1.20 Yuan (4-3): Convention and Exhibition Centre
1.20 Yuan (4-4): Fujian-Taiwan Kinship Museum

Coupon Design:
Heavenly Empress Temple-Meizhou Ancestral Temple & The Statue of Mazu at the Meizhou Island.

The economic zone on the west coast of the Taiwan Straits is a regional economic complex, mainly for Fujian Province and its neighboring areas. This explains its features and advantages, including an economic cluster effect. Over the past 30 years since reform and opening up in 1978, Fujian has witnessed remarkable socio-economic achievements, gradual improvement in infrastructure, and notable advancement in its people's living standards. The zone is expected to become the pilot region to advance scientific development as well as exchange and cooperation with people across the Taiwan Straits.

More information of Mazu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsu_%28goddess%29

Lithuania Sajudis FDC

Lithuania FDC
Name: 20th Anniversary of Lithuanian Movement "Sąjūdis"
Date of Issue: 31 May 2008

At a meeting at the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Mokslų Akademija) on June 3, 1988 intellectuals formed an Initiative Group of the Lithuanian Reform Movement Sąjūdis. The group composed of 35 members, mostly prominent people and the young, surprisingly rapidly and successfully boosted Lithuania's rebirth.

Due to active and balanced activities, Sąjūdis gained great trust of the nation, together with the Popular Fronts in Latvia (Latvijas Tautas Fronte) and Estonia (Rahvarinne) led the three Baltic nations to the alive Baltic Way on August 23, 1989, won an overwhelming majority in the elections in Lithuania to the USSR People's Deputies Congress in 1989, compelled the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to declare the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact to be null and void.

On March 11, 1990 the deputies of Sąjūdis having won the elections to the Supreme Soviet of the Lithuanian SSR peacefully restored independence of the Republic of Lithuania, which led to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Comment: The Lithuanian Academy of Sciences is situated on Gedimino pr. 3, LT-01103 Vilnius. This FDC was sent from the Vilnius Region Main Post Office (Gedimino pr. 7, LT-01001 Vilnius). What an exactly locality FDC!

Poland EURO 2008 FDC

Poland FDC
Name: European Football Championship EURO 2008
Date of Issue: 30 May 2008

European Football Championship EURO 2008

Football - the most popular sport game in Europe - is simple, cheap, and above all brings about a lot of emotions for its players as well as for its fans. The European Football Championship take place every 4 years, just as the Olympic Games, and is organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), established in 1954. The first European Championship was organized in France in 1960 under the name of the European Nations Cup. Only the four best teams had taken part in it, and the winner was the USSR. The same rules were continued up to 1976, while in the years 1980-1992 the number of participants had been increased up to 8 teams, and since 1996 up to now there are 16 teams. In that number, beside the winners of final eliminations, there is a team of the host of actual championship. The final games are preceded by the qualifications in groups, starting as early as in the autumn two years before the date of championship. The championship popularity grows steadily with its every turn, since it used to bring about the most unexpected surprises, such as that of the 2004 games when the first place had been won by Greece. The matches of Euro 2008 are to be played in June 7-29 on the eight Austrian and Swiss stadiums.

The Polish contribution

This year Polish football fans may feel happy no matter what the final results of the Euro 2008 will be, as the national Polish football team has qualified to the final contest of the European Championship first time in its history. Moreover, in 2012 Poland will host (together with Ukraine) the games of the next European Championship, what guarantees participation of the Polish team again.
The main achievements of Polish football are: the 4th place at the 1936 Olympic Games, the golden medal at the Olympic Games in 1972, the silver olympic medals in the years 1976 and 1992, and the 3rd places at the World Cup in 1974 and 1982.

The new stamp and FDC envelope

On the occasion of the Euro 2008 Poczta Polska presents the stamp and FDC envelope adorned with an illustration, associating so well with an atmosphere of the crowded stadium stands, full of shouting fans with painted faces, what fits the official slogan of the white-and-reds at this championship: "... because only sport and good fun counts!". The issue is accompanied by an occasional postmark, being applied at the Warszawa 1 Post Office.

The philately

Poczta Polska had issued the stamps with football motives many times on the occasions of the World Cup and Olympic Games, and the particular Polish achievements, such as for example in 1974, when the special series of stamps with se tenant labels had been issued to commemorate successes of the coach Kazimierz Górski's team.

Comment: Polish National Team was knocked out yesterday, what a pity! it was their debut appearance in The European Football Championship. Anyway, they did good job. Because they will be the host of EURO 2012, I hope they will get better place in 2012.

Estonia Peasant War FDCs

Estonia FDCs
Name: Peasant War at Mahtra, 150th Anniversary
Date of Issue: 31 May 2008

A system of corveé survived in the Russian province of Estland (North Estonia) well into the second half of the 19th century. Triggered by a new Peasant Law, which failed to bring any alleviation to the statute labour done to the manor or do away with the hated additional labour, a wave of peasant unrest rolled over the province in 1858. Peasants on 18 manors refused to do additional labour, but contrary to other manors, the peasants at Mahtra did not permit the Russian punitive expedition to beat them and force them to work but summoned help from the neighbourhood. On 2 June (14 June Old Style) there was clash between 700-800 peasants brandishing sticks and forks and 50 soldiers and two officers armed with guns, the peasants putting the soldiers to flight. The War at Mahtra became a symbol of the Estonians' desire for freedom already at the time; the national movement period of the 1860s and the novel, War at Mahtra, by Eduard Vilde published in 1902 further increased its meaning.

Comment: The Mahtra Peasantry Museum is situated in Juuru, and one of the FDC was sent from Juuru Post Office. The other one was sent from Tallinn as usual. :)

Official Website of Mahtra Peasantry Museum (Estonian Version)

Estonia Hermann Castle FDCs

Estonia FDCs
Name: My Stamp - Narva Hermann Castle
Date of Issue: 22 May 2008

My Stamp is a stamp with an attached label. The label has a view of Narva Hermann Castle (also Herman Castle, Narva Castle, Estonian: Hermanni linnus). It is a castle in Narva, eastern Estonia. It was founded in the thirteenth century.

Comment: Eesti Post used 2 different special cancellations for this set as usual. One was in Tallinn, the other was in Narva, the castle on this stamp is located in Narva. My friend made both special cancellations for me. The Tallinn special cancellation's FDC reached to me on 31st May, only 9 days. But the Narva special cancellation's FDC reached to me today, it costs 26 days. You know, I worried whether it had lost, finally..... I'm happy now.

Estonia Post Horn FDC

Estonia FDC
Name: Post Horn - 0.50 (Definitive Issue)
Date of Issue: 31 May 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: Actually, Eesti Post didn't issue the official FDC for this stamp, only special cancellation was available on issue day. But I asked my friend to use the past Post Horn blank official FDC to make the "self-made official FDC" for me, it's special and interesting.

Poland EUROSAI FDC

Poland FDC
Name: VII EUROSAI Congress in Krakow
Date of Issue: 30 May 2008

EUROSAI

The state audit and control institutions of all the world are united in the INTOSAI - International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions. One of its eight regional groups is the EUROSAI - European Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions, uniting 48 such institutions. The EUROSAI congresses are held every 3 years, and the leadership of organization is usually taken over by the actual host. The next congress is to be held on June 2-5, 2008 in Krakow, Poland. The previous congresses have taken place in Madrid (1990 - the Establishing Congress), Stockholm (1993), Prague (1996), Paris (1999), Moscow (2002), and in Bonn (2005).

NIK

The Supreme Chamber of Control - is the most important state audit organization in Poland. Its main task is auditing the management of the public means. NIK reports annually on its activities to Sejm - the Lower Chamber of Polish Parliament.
NIK coordinates the activities of the EUROSAI Working Group on Environmental Auditing. During the Krakow Congress an important ecology-friendly novelty will be introduced: all the materials will be available in the electronic form, and not as a printed matter as before.

The new stamp and FDC envelope

On the occasion of the VII EUROSAI Congress and taking over by NIK the leadership of organization Poczta Polska has issued a special stamp with the Congress logo. The magnifying glass on that stamp is a symbol of audit. On the FDC envelope there are graphically processed flags of the 6 countries which up to now have hosted the previous congresses and consequently have played one by one a role of the EUROSAI leaders.
The author of the Congress logo, printed on the stamp and on the FDC envelope as well, in which the stylized dragon's head stands for the letter S, is Joanna Sowula, a student of the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, whose project has been chosen by the NIK representatives from among other prize winners. The stamp will be accompanied by the occasional postmark, applied at the Krakow 1 Post Office.

Comment: I think this FDC looks very harmonious. You could see 6 former host countries' flag-button on the Illustration of FDC, and the current host country, Poland's flag-button on the stamp which is enlarged. There are all same styles.

Turkey The Cities FDCs

Turkey FDCs
Name: The Cities (Definitive Issue)
Date of Issue: 28 May 2008Denominations:
5 YENİ KURUŞ: Zonguldak
Zonguldak (Greek: Sandraka) is a city and the capital of Zonguldak Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey. Its population according to the 2000 census was 104,276. It is an important port on the Black Sea, and is famous for its coal mines.

50 YENİ KURUŞ: Yozgat
Yozgat (also Yuzgat or Yuzgad, Armenian: Յոզգաթ), formerly Bozok, is a city and the capital district of Yozgat province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 113,614 of which 73,930 live in the city of Yozgat.

65 YENİ KURUŞ: Aksaray
Aksaray is a city in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey and the capital district of Aksaray Province. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 236,560 of which 129,949 live in the city of Aksaray. The district covers an area of 4,589 km² (1,772 sq mi), and the average elevation is 980 m (3,215 ft), with the highest point being Mt. Hasan at 3,253 m (10,673 ft).

85 YENİ KURUŞ: Van
Van (Turkish: Van, Armenian Վան, Kurdish: Wan; from Armenian Van - village, settlement) is a city in eastern Turkey and the seat of Van Province, and is located on the eastern shore of Lake Van. The city's population in 2005 was 284,464. According to the Encyclopedia of the Orient, Kurds form the majority though no census based on ethnicity was ever held in Turkey.
Denominations:
65 YENİ KURUŞ: Kırıkkale
Kırıkkale is the capital of the Kırıkkale Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. It is located 80 km east of Ankara. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 225,005 of which 205,078 live in the city of Kırıkkale. The name of the city means broken castle.

The town of Kırıkkale is located on the Ankara-Kayseri railway near the Kızıl River in central Turkey. Formerly a village, it owes its rapid rise in population mainly to the establishment of steel mills in the 1950s. These works, among the largest in the country, specialize in high-quality alloy steel and machinery. In the 1960s chemical plants were added.

80 YENİ KURUŞ: Karaman
Karaman (formerly Larende) is a town in south central Turkey, located north of the Taurus Mountains, ca 100 km (62 mi) south of Konya. It is the capital district of the Karaman Province. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 152,450 of which 105,834 live in the town of Karaman. The district covers an area of 3,686 km² (1,423 sq mi), and the town lies at an average elevation of 1,039 m (3,409 ft). The Karaman Museum is one of the major sights.

1 YENİ TÜRK LİRASI: Bayburt
Bayburt (Armenian: Բաբերդ, Baberd) is the provincial capital of Turkey's Bayburt Province. Bayburt was once an important center on the ancient Silk Road and it was visited by Marco Polo and Turkish excursionist Evliya Celebi. There are remains of its Byzantine castle still exist. There are several interesting mosques, Turkish baths and tombstones in the city as well as the Catalcesme Underground City and the natural wonder Sirakayalar Waterfall.

4.50 YENİ TÜRK LİRASI: Batman
Batman (short for Batı Raman Mountains) is the provincial capital of Batman Province, Turkey, also known as Êlih or Iluh in Kurdish, is a city on the Batman River in the predominantly Kurdish southeast of Turkey.