Israel Global Warming FDC

Israel FDC
Name: The Environment – Global Warming
Date of Issue: 30 June 2009

The global warming phenomenon has attracted increasing attention among large numbers of the general public in recent years. Global climate researchers have discovered that the earth's average temperature has risen by 0.75ºC over the course of the past century. There is some disagreement among researchers as to the causes of this phenomenon however, the view that mankind's activity has greatly contributed to accelerating global warming in recent years is widely accepted. The crux of the problem lies in the burning of fossil fuel materials, such as crude oil and coal, which emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping heat close to the Earth.

This increased temperature causes weather changes and extreme weather throughout the world. Scientists point to phenomena such as glacial melting in the Polar Regions, continually increasing sea levels, consecutive years of drought and the outbreak of devastating storms. This phenomenon manifests in Israel in the form of decreasing annual rainfall, harm to water sources and the growth of desert areas in the country's southern region.

In an attempt to halt the global warming phenomenon, or at least slow its progress, researchers and entrepreneurs around the world are working diligently to develop alternative energy sources which will reduce the need to use fossil fuel, thus decreasing the greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere. Renewable and clean energy sources such as wind power, geothermal power and solar power are being especially emphasized.

Geothermal Energy
Geothermal power plants utilize heat stored deep within the Earth as a power production source. Boiling water that either bursts out naturally from within the Earth (in the form of geysers) or that is drawn out via special drilling mechanisms is transferred to turbines that produce electricity.

Solar Energy
The greatest potential for producing energy from natural sources lies in the utilization of the sun's rays. Israel is among the world's pioneers in this field. The solar heated water tank was developed in Israel in the 1950's and such tanks are currently used in most Israeli homes. Israeli companies have developed solar-thermal power stations that operate to effectively produce electricity at various locations around the world. Special effort has been made in recent years to develop inexpensive and effective technology that will enable the direct conversion of sunlight into electrical current through the use of photovoltaic cell panels. New regulations published recently in Israel encourage the installation of such systems in private homes and commercial facilities.

Denominations: (from right to left)
2.30 שח: Global Warming
The Earth is depicted as melting in a frying pan against a red background, in contrast to the tab featuring the international graphic symbols for alternative energy, ecology and the environment portrayed against a clean environment background.

2.30 שח: Solar Energy
A "green" house surrounded by green vegetation appears on the Earth; a photoelectric solar device is installed on the roof of the house. The tab features a photoelectric electricity production unit and a close-up photograph of solar cells.

2.30 שח: Geothermal Energy
The Earth is portrayed as a boiling kettle, illustrating the energy stored within the depths of the Earth. The tab features a photograph of a geyser with an adjacent turbine for the utilization of lost heat.

Poland Ship FDC

Poland FDC
Name: The Tall Ships' Races "Gdynia 2009"
Date of Issue: 30 June 2009

Who knows what fate human race would have faced if it had not been for navigation. Navigation was appreciated by the ancient Egyptians, Phoenicians, Greeks, Vikings... But for ships, there would not have been any trade development, new lands would not have been discovered, the wars would have been different. A Romans' maxim "Navigare necesse est" ("To sail is necessary") reflected perfectly the necessity of navigation. Through centuries, the sailing ships prevailed on the seas. Even though they were majestic and gorgeous and driven by the power of the wind, working there was not easy. Not until the 19th century were they ousted by ships propelled by steam power. In this day and age, sailing is, above all, sport and hobby. The training vessels are used to train future sailors.

The races of the tallest and prettiest ships attract masses of admirers of sea and all those who have dreamt of remote, adventurous sea journeys. During such events as the one in Gdynia, everybody has a chance to set their foot on board of a real sailing ship.

Regatta "The Tall Ships' Races"
The idea of the races dates back to the 30's of the 20th century. First regatta took place in 1956. Since the 70's the races have been ran annually. Aside from sizeable sailing ships, the competition is also open to smaller racing yachts. Gdynia received the races three times in 1974, 1992, and 2003. There are over a hundred of units, mainly training ones, participating in this year's regatta on the Baltic Sea. The races lead from Gdynia to St. Petersburg. The next port hosting the flotilla is Turku in Finland, and the last one Lithuanian Klaipeda. The races take place during the first and third phase whereas the second phase is devoted to cooperation, exchange and mutual meetings of the crews. Each port receiving the regatta has multitude of attractions - exhibitions, concerts, fairs, crew parades and first of all, the final Grand Parade of Sail.

New Stamp and envelope on FDC
On the occasion of the Tall Ships' Races, Poczta Polska issued a stamp in block. The stamp presents a silhouette of "Dar Mlodzieży" against the panorama of the port of Gdańsk. "Dar Młodzieży" is a frigate built in 1982 that belongs to the Naval Academy of Gdynia. The FDC envelope presents the ships as though they were observed through field glasses - equipment worth having during such an event as the races in Gdynia. The issue is accompanied by an occasional date stamp in use in Gdynia 1 Post Office.

Philately
Apart from the stamp in block, on the occasion of the races, Poczta Polska issued two sets of post cards. The first one presents 12 most famous sailing ships participating in the regatta "The Tall Ships' Races". These are the following Polish ships: "Dar Młodzieży", "Zawisza Czarny", and "Pogoria", Russian: "Sedov" (the largest sail training vessel), "Mir" (twin of "Dar Młodzieży"), "Shtandard" (a replica of tsar Peter 1 the Great), Norwegian: "Christian Radich" and "Sorlandet", German "Alexander von Humboldt" with her characteristic green sails and hull, Danish "Georg Stage", Dutch "Eandracht" and British "Lord Nelson" - the only sailing ship whose 50% half of crew may be disabled.

The other set of post cards issued in cooperation with Stowarzyszenie Żeglarsko-Szantowe (Sailing and Shanty Association) "Gejtawy" ("Clewlines") presents 7 most beautiful Polish sailing ships. These are: "Zawisza Czarny", ORP "Iskra", SV "Elemka", STS "Generał Zaurski", STS "Lwów", SY "Zew Morza" and celebrating this year the centenary of launching SV "Dar Pomorza".

The projects of the stamp and the FDC envelope was created with photographic materials: panorama of Gdynia - author Kacper Kowalski, "Dar Młodzieży" - author Tomasz Degórski, sailing ships - author Maurycy Śmierzchalski.

USA Grand Teton FDP

USA FDP
Name: Grand Teton National Park, WY
Date of Issue: 28 June 2009

Grand Teton National Park is a United States National Park located in northwestern Wyoming, south of Yellowstone National Park. The park is named after the Grand Teton, which, at 13,770 feet (4,197 m), is the tallest mountain in the Teton Range.

The name "Tetons" originally was intended to describe several hills near the town of Arco, Idaho. They were named by a French trapper who thought that they resembled the female body. (Ergo tétons, the French word for "nipples" or "teats".) Many years later the name was mistakenly applied to the mountains of present day Grand Teton National Park due to the poor map-making and map-reading standards of the time.

Grand Teton National Park was established on February 26, 1929. The park covers 484 square miles (1,250 km2) of land and water.

There are nearly 200 miles (320 km) of trails for hikers to enjoy in Grand Teton National Park. More...

Comment: Because this is an airmail stamp, so my friend sent this FDP from the airport post office.

Russia Youth Year FDC

Russia FDC
Name: 2009 - Year of Youth
Date of Issue: 27 June 2009

2009 in Russia proclaimed the Year of Youth. As the Presidential Decree "development of creative, scientific and professional capacity of young people, their active involvement in socio-economic transformation in the country, bringing up feelings of patriotism and civic responsibility among young people". Carried out in this year's activities are designed to strengthen the position of young Russians in the modern world, giving them strong support and confidence in their power to guarantee a prosperous future.

Russia Poltava Battle FDC

Russia FDC
Name: 300th Anniversary of the Battle of Poltava
Date of Issue: 26 June 2009

Denomination:
30p. Peter I of Russia

The Battle of Poltava (Russian: Полта́вская би́тва, Swedish: Slaget vid Poltava) on 27 June 1709 (8 July, N.S.) was the decisive victory of Peter I of Russia over Charles XII of Sweden in the most famous of the battles of the Great Northern War. It is said to have started the end of Sweden's role as a Great Power and the Russians took their place as the leading nation of northern Europe. This also meant the rise of Imperial Russia and an end to the independence ambitions of Ukraine. More...

Lithuania Song Festival FDC

Lithuania FDC
Name: The Millennium Song Festival of Lithuania "Song of the Centuries"
Date of Issue: 27 June 2009

Denomination:
3,35Lt: The Fragment of a Spindle

The first Song Celebration was organised on the 23–25th of August 1924 in Kaunas, with participation of 86 choirs, about 3000 singers, which sang 36 songs. The second Song Celebration on the 1st of July 1928 and the third Song Celebration, which also took place in Kaunas on the 20th of June 1930 on the occasion of 500th anniversary of the death of Vytautas the Great, had 6000 participants each.

Since 1950 Lithuanian Song Celebrations were regularly organised every five years, and in 1985 the record number of participants gathered – 38856.

The tradition and symbolism of Song and Dance Celebrations of three Baltic States was nominated as Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on the 17th of November 2003.

On the 1–6th of July 2009 Millennium Song Celebration of Lithuania "Song of the Centuries" will take place in Vilnius. In the city during the festival there will be organised performances of folk song and folk dance ensembles, masters of folk handicrafts, amateur theatres, choirs, wind orchestras, folklore collectives. Special concert will close the Song Celebration on 6 July in Vingis Park. This concert will last three hours, during it the multi-thousand choir together with the audience will sing the most beautiful Lithuanian folk songs.

Comment: This FDC has 2 registered labels, I don't know what happened, it's the first time that I receive the Lithuania FDC like this.

China Stamps: 2009-14

Sheetlet

China Stamps
Name: Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve
Number: 2009-14
Date of Issue: 25 July 2009
Value: 3 stamps/set

Denominations:
1.20元 (3-1): Geladandong
Geladandong Snow Mountain, the highest in the Tanggula Mountains, is where the Tuotuo River (headstream of the Yangtze River) originates.

1.20元 (3-2): Eling Lake
Eling Lake, the most important natural storage reservoir in the Yellow River source are, is one of the pair of largest freshwater lakes on the upper reaches of the Yellow River, the other being Zhaling Lake. The two are dubbed as "Sister Lakes at the Source of the Yellow River".

1.20元 (3-3): Dza Chu
Dza Chu, the headstream of the Lancang River, converges with the Angqu River, which originates from Mt. Gangguori of the Tanggula Mountains, to form the Lancang River.

Sanjiangyuan (Source of Three Rivers) Nature Reserve, covering an area of 152,300 square kilometers in southern Qinghai Province, is so named because of its location at the headwaters of the Changjiang (Yangtze), Huanghe (Yellow) and Lancang rivers. It was established to prtect the local plateau wetland ecosystem, alpine meadows and wildlife and plants. Here are numerous lakes and swamps, a dense network of rivers, and wide distribution of snow mountains and glaciers. Home to the world's highest-altitude wetlands, the Sanjiangyuan are is reputed to be the "Source of Rivers" and the "Water Tower of China".

Taiwan Butterflies FDC

Taiwan FDC
Name: Taiwan Butterflies (Issue of 2009)
Date of Issue: 25 June 2009

Denominations:
NT$5.00: The Asian Swallowtail (Papilio xuthus Linnaeus) (柑橘鳳蝶)
It has dark brown wings, although the coloration in females is somewhat lighter. There is a pale yellow crescent (lunule) behind the forewings and hindwings, and there are some light yellow markings near the base of the hindwings. The males and females are similar in appearance except for some obvious orange markings on either side of the bluish gray band on the underside of females' hindwings. In addition, there is a black spot on the front edge of males' hindwings, which is absent in females.

NT$5.00: The Golden Birdwing (Troides aeacus formosanus Rothschild) (黃裳鳳蝶)
The male has black wings, and the bright yellow markings on the upperside and underside of its hindwings are larger than those of the female. There is a row of black saw-tooth markings on the outer margin of its hindwings and some red markings on its thorax. Females are larger than males, with broader forewings and a complicated yellow and black pattern on their hindwings. This butterfly is an endemic subspecies to Taiwan. It is listed as a rare and valuable protected species.

NT$12.00: The Tailed Jay (Graphium agamemnon) (綠斑鳳蝶)
Females and males have identical wing patterns. The male has black wings with four vertical rows of yellowish green spots on each wing. There is a fuzzy gray brand in the fold at the inner edge of the hindwings. Females lack the brand and are larger than males.

NT$12.00: The Paris Peacock (Papilio paris nakaharai Shirôzu) (琉璃翠鳳蝶)
It has black wings. There is a broad, metallic greenish blue marking on its hindwings, which shimmers during flight. It is one of the most beautiful butterflies in Taiwan. There is a row of red crescents on the outer edge of the underside of its hindwings. Females and males are similar in appearance, except that in males the blue marking on the upperside of the hindwing extends narrowly below and above.

Hong Kong Heartwarming FDCs

Hong Kong FDCs
Name: Heartwarming
Date of Issue: 25 June 2009

Hongkong Post releases the fourth issue of the Heartwarming Stamps series focusing on the familiar themes of "Love and Care" and "Celebrations" to convey affection and heartfelt wishes.

The design of the new set takes after the third issue released in 2007. Interesting cultural similarities and differences are highlighted with felt appliqué in cheerful colours. The "Celebrations" stamps compare the exciting festivity of the Chinese lion dance with fun-filled parties in Western style. The blossoming flowers and fluttering butterflies in the "Love and Care" stamps tell us that there is warmth and romance in the air.

The Heartwarming Stamps bear a "Local Mail Postage" or "Air Mail Postage" marking instead of value indicators. The "Local Mail Postage" stamps are valid on local mail items weighing not more than 30 grams (currently valued at $1.40) and the "Air Mail Postage" stamps can be used to send airmail items weighing 20 grams or less worldwide (currently valued at $3).

The "Celebrations" and "Love and Care" Heartwarming Stamps add tidings of joy and cheer to precious moments such as birthdays, achievements, anniversaries, weddings and births.

Estonia Monument Postal Stationery

Estonia Postal Stationery
Name: Opening of the War of Independence Victory Monument
Date of Issue: 22 June 2009

Erection of the monument has been an important theme throughout the period of independence. Repeated attempts have been tangled by political disputes, lots of argument and the change of political regime. After 90 years waiting it will be opened on the first minutes of 23rd June. Opening of the monument will begin on 22 June at 22.00.

The postal stationary - War of Independence Victory Monument was designed by Estonian artist Martin Saar, who´s work has gained attention also in the rest of the world.

Comment: Because the opening of the monument began on 22 June at 22.00. Postal stationary with first day cancellation was available during the opening ceremony at 22.00-24.00 on the terrace of the cafeteria Kultus (formerly Cafe Moscow). So it's very difficult to get this real posted postcard.

Singapore Botanic Gardens S/S FDC

Singapore Souvenir Sheet FDC
Name: 150 Years of Singapore Botanic Gardens
Date of Issue: 19 June 2009

When Sir Stamford Raffles established the first Botanic Gardens in 1822, its main purpose was to evaluate for cultivation, crops that were of potential economic importance. However, without a full-time salaried director and sufficient funding, the garden languished and was closed in 1829. It was not until 30 years later, in 1859, that the present Singapore Botanical Gardens was founded by the Agri-Horticultural Society. Planned as a Lesure Garden and Ornamental Park, the Society organized flower shows and horticultural fetes.

It is fair to say that the history of the Gardens is in many aspects the history of its dedicated administrators. The Garden's first Director, Henry Nicholas Ridley, came to the Gardens in 1888 and worked tirelessly for the next 23 years to usher the Gardens into the twentieth century and its most productive period historically. It was also during Ridley's administration that Singapore's national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim, was named.

Beginning in 1928, Professor Eric Holttum, Director of the Gardens from 1925 -1949, set up laboratories and conducted the first experiments in orchid breeding and hybridization. His techniques led to Singapore being one of the world's top centres of commercial orchid growing. Today, it also has a world-renowned orchid garden.

In mid 1960s, when the 'Garden City' campaign was launched, the Gardens took a leading role in the greening of Singapore. To meet the need for urban landscapes and recreational areas, the Gardens became involved in supplying planting material and in plant introduction to rapidly increase the intensity in road side and park plantings.

In 1973, the Botanic Gardens merged with the Parks and Trees branch of the Public Works Department, to form the Parks and Recreation Department.

In 1988, Dr Tan Wee Kiat became Director of the Gardens and refocused the Gardens as a tropical botanical institution with roles in research, conservation, education and recreation. To better fulfill these roles, the National Parks Board was formed in 1990. it was under his direction and vision that masterplan for the redevelopment was formulated in 1990. By 1995, the 3-hectare National Orchid Garden, a major tourist attraction today, was opened.

In July 1996, the Ministry of National Development merged the National Parks Board and the Parks and Recreation Department into the new National Parks Board, with Dr Tan as CEO. Dr Chin See Chung took over the role of Director of the Gardens. Besides continuing the Gardens' traditional roles in research, education and conservation, Dr Chin steered the completion of the redevelopment masterplan to provide better public facilities and amenities and new botanical attractions. Major projects completed include the Visitor Centre, Ginger Garden, Evolution Garden, Children's Garden and the Botany Centre. These are keeping the Gardens relevant as a leading destination and botanical institution.

Today, the Gardens is geared towards entrenching itself as a tropical botanical institution of international renown, a key tourist destination and a flagship park. Significant new attractions are being planned in a continuing renewal programme.

Singapore Botanic Gardens FDC

Singapore FDC
Name: 150 Years of Singapore Botanic Gardens
Date of Issue: 19 June 2009

When Sir Stamford Raffles established the first Botanic Gardens in 1822, its main purpose was to evaluate for cultivation, crops that were of potential economic importance. However, without a full-time salaried director and sufficient funding, the garden languished and was closed in 1829. It was not until 30 years later, in 1859, that the present Singapore Botanical Gardens was founded by the Agri-Horticultural Society. Planned as a Lesure Garden and Ornamental Park, the Society organized flower shows and horticultural fetes.

It is fair to say that the history of the Gardens is in many aspects the history of its dedicated administrators. The Garden's first Director, Henry Nicholas Ridley, came to the Gardens in 1888 and worked tirelessly for the next 23 years to usher the Gardens into the twentieth century and its most productive period historically. It was also during Ridley's administration that Singapore's national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim, was named.

Beginning in 1928, Professor Eric Holttum, Director of the Gardens from 1925 -1949, set up laboratories and conducted the first experiments in orchid breeding and hybridization. His techniques led to Singapore being one of the world's top centres of commercial orchid growing. Today, it also has a world-renowned orchid garden.

In mid 1960s, when the 'Garden City' campaign was launched, the Gardens took a leading role in the greening of Singapore. To meet the need for urban landscapes and recreational areas, the Gardens became involved in supplying planting material and in plant introduction to rapidly increase the intensity in road side and park plantings.

In 1973, the Botanic Gardens merged with the Parks and Trees branch of the Public Works Department, to form the Parks and Recreation Department.

In 1988, Dr Tan Wee Kiat became Director of the Gardens and refocused the Gardens as a tropical botanical institution with roles in research, conservation, education and recreation. To better fulfill these roles, the National Parks Board was formed in 1990. it was under his direction and vision that masterplan for the redevelopment was formulated in 1990. By 1995, the 3-hectare National Orchid Garden, a major tourist attraction today, was opened.

In July 1996, the Ministry of National Development merged the National Parks Board and the Parks and Recreation Department into the new National Parks Board, with Dr Tan as CEO. Dr Chin See Chung took over the role of Director of the Gardens. Besides continuing the Gardens' traditional roles in research, education and conservation, Dr Chin steered the completion of the redevelopment masterplan to provide better public facilities and amenities and new botanical attractions. Major projects completed include the Visitor Centre, Ginger Garden, Evolution Garden, Children's Garden and the Botany Centre. These are keeping the Gardens relevant as a leading destination and botanical institution.

Today, the Gardens is geared towards entrenching itself as a tropical botanical institution of international renown, a key tourist destination and a flagship park. Significant new attractions are being planned in a continuing renewal programme.

India Library FDC

India FDC
Name: Rampur Raza Library
Date of Issue: 19 June 2009

The Rampur Raza Library located in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, India is a repository of Indo-Islamic cultural heritage and a treasure-house of knowledge built up by successive Nawabs of Rampur.

It contains very rare and valuable collection of manuscripts, historical documents, specimens of Islamic calligraphy, miniature paintings, astronomical instruments and rare illustrated works in Arabic and Persian. Rampur's Raza Library also contains printed works in Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil and Turkish, and approximately 30,000 printed books (including periodicals) in various other languages. More...

Comment: I think it's the first time that my Indian friend made a real posted FDC. Well done, but he has more spaces to improve his skill. Come on my friend, lol!

Russia Nuclear Fleet FDC

Russia FDC
Name: 50 Years of Russian Nuclear Fleet
Date of Issue: 18 June 2009

Denominations:
7.00: Nuclear Powered Icebreaker "Lenin"
NS Lenin is a Soviet icebreaker launched in 1957, and is both the world's first nuclear powered surface ship and the first nuclear powered civilian vessel. Lenin was put into operation in 1959 and officially decommissioned in 1989. More...

8.00: Nuclear Powered Icebreaker "Taymyr"
Taymyr (sometimes spelled Taimyr) is a shallow-draft nuclear powered icebreaker, and the first of four similar vessels. She was built in 1989 for the Soviet Union in Helsinki, at the Finnish shipyard Wärtsilä, by order of the Murmansk Shipping Co.

The Taymyr was delivered to Russia for the installation of the reactor system. It has a nuclear-turbo-electric reactor giving up to 50,000 hp. This shallow-draft icebreaker is used mainly for clearing rivers, including their mouths and estuaries of ice and opening channels in order to make winter navigation possible. More...

9.00: Nuclear Powered Icebreaker "Yamal"
The NS Yamal (Russian: Яма́л) is a Russian Arktika class nuclear powered icebreaker operated by the Murmansk Shipping Company. It is named after the Yamal Peninsula in Northwest Siberia; the name means End of the Land in the Nenets language. More...

10.00: Nuclear Powered Icebreaker "50 Years Since Victory"
NS 50 Years Since Victory or 50 Years Anniversary of Victory (Russian: 50 лет Победы, transliterated as 50 Let Pobedy) is a Russian Arktika class nuclear powered icebreaker, the largest in the world as of 2007. More...

China Booklet: SB38

China Booklet
Name: The Great Hall of the People
Number: SB38
Date of Issue: 18 July 2009
Value: 10 stamps/booklet

Denominations:
1.20元 (2-1): The East Gate
The East Gate is the main entrance to the Great Hall of the People, where welcome ceremonies for national guests take place while the Guard of Honor of the three services of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is reviewed.

1.20元 (2-2): The Great Auditorium
The ceiling illumination system of the Great Auditorium has a red five-star lighting as the center, surrounded by golden sunflower petals and rays of luster, and the rest of the ceiling is dotted with more than 500 lamps shining like stars, symbolizing that people of all ethnic groups of the nation rally closely around the CPC Central Committee.

Constructed in 1959, and personally named by Chairman Mao Zedong, the Great Hall of the People covers an area of 15 hectares with a floor space of 171,800 square meters. In addition to the 10,000-seat Great Auditorium, the Banquet Hall, the conference hall of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the building also houses 34 reception chambers named after different provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and special administrative regions of the country. It is an important venue for the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State government to hold political, diplomatic and social events, and there the Standing Committee of the NPC handles official business.

Over the past 50 years, the Great Hall of the People has witnessed the course of the Chinese people towards great prosperity through reform and opening-up under the leadership of the CPC, the construction and development of China's socialist democracy and legal system, and the remarkable achievements of the nation in economic, political, cultural and social construction. The year 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of the Great Hall of the People.

China Stamps: 2009-15

China Stamps
Name: The Great Hall of the People
Number: 2009-15
Date of Issue: 18 July 2009
Value: 2 stamps/set

Denominations:
1.20元 (2-1): The East Gate
The East Gate is the main entrance to the Great Hall of the People, where welcome ceremonies for national guests take place while the Guard of Honor of the three services of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is reviewed.

1.20元 (2-2): The Great Auditorium
The ceiling illumination system of the Great Auditorium has a red five-star lighting as the center, surrounded by golden sunflower petals and rays of luster, and the rest of the ceiling is dotted with more than 500 lamps shining like stars, symbolizing that people of all ethnic groups of the nation rally closely around the CPC Central Committee.

Constructed in 1959, and personally named by Chairman Mao Zedong, the Great Hall of the People covers an area of 15 hectares with a floor space of 171,800 square meters. In addition to the 10,000-seat Great Auditorium, the Banquet Hall, the conference hall of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the building also houses 34 reception chambers named after different provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and special administrative regions of the country. It is an important venue for the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State government to hold political, diplomatic and social events, and there the Standing Committee of the NPC handles official business.

Over the past 50 years, the Great Hall of the People has witnessed the course of the Chinese people towards great prosperity through reform and opening-up under the leadership of the CPC, the construction and development of China's socialist democracy and legal system, and the remarkable achievements of the nation in economic, political, cultural and social construction. The year 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of the Great Hall of the People.

Estonia Song Festival FDCs

Estonia FDCs
Name: 25th Estonian Song Festival
Date of Issue: 18 June 2009

The tradition of All-Estonian song festivals was born in 1869, when the first such festival took place in Tartu from 18 to 20 June. This year's festival is the 25th, and 140 years will pass since the first festival this year. The Estonians often like to be described as a singing people – it is an expression of the national identity of the people, which has united them in their struggle for independence both in the early years of the 20th century and during the Soviet occupation. The common consciousness of the Estonian people includes two convictions connected with the song festivals. The first of them says that thanks to singing a nameless farming people achieved the status of a European nation in 1918, and the second one, connected with a later period, that the Estonians restored their freedom in the Singing Revolution of 1988-91. By today the Baltic Song and Dance festivals, including those of Estonia, have won wide acclaim and belong to the list of UNESCO Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Malaysia Nature Conservation FDC

Malaysia FDC
Name: Conservation of Nature
Date of Issue: 18 June 2009

The conservation of nature is no longer an option; it is necessary to ensure that earth's vital natural resources are preserved and protected for the future generations. Through the centuries, mankind has destroyed forests, ravaged mountain slopes, polluted water and air, and even today it is ongoing. The ecology has become a victim of human activities.

Today, natural resources, which provide the basic necessities of life, have become scarce. They have been sacrificed in the name of development and economic well-being. The delicate ecological balance has been altered due to the indiscriminate damages inflicted upon nature. Global warming, receding water tables, depleting ozone layers, are only among some of the consequences of these damages.

Worldwide, organisations involved in the preservation of nature have taken initiatives to preserve the environment and are recommending holistic conservation strategies to ensure that natural resources are utilised in a sustainable fashion.

In Malaysia, steps have been taken by the relevant conservation organizations and authorities to ensure that Malaysia's environment is well preserved. The vast tropical rainforests, the unique marine life as well as the clean air is dependent on how we preserve and protect them. Today the conservation of nature has become a necessity of life.

Denominations:
30sen: Clean Water
Malaysia's warm climate coupled with heavy rainfall makes our oceans an ideal home for a myriad of underwater marine life. However intense development has caused irreversible damages to our fragile water world. Conservation efforts are being initiated in order to protect and preserve our marine eco-system.

50sen: Go Green
The Malaysian rainforest is home to most of the plant and animal species in the world. However, due to deforestation, many of these species are becoming extinct. Our tropical rainforest play an important role in helping to sustain life. They act as a natural air purifier for our environment. With all the benefits that are derived from the rainforests, we must ensure they are protected.

50sen: Fresh Air
Malaysia rapid emergence as an industrialized country has reaped many benefits economically. With increased development, environmental concerns have also arised and our country has to monitor the increasing air pollution. Thus, air quality monitoring is an important part of the country's strategy in the pollution prevention program to ensure clean and fresh air for healthy living.

Algeria Monuments FDC

Algeria FDC
Name: Monuments and Sites of the Roman Era
Date of Issue: 14 June 2009

Denominations:
15.00: Archaeological Site of Madaure
Madaure, Latin Madaurus, hence the name of M'daourouch, is an ancient Roman city located 45 kms from Thaghaste (now Souk-Ahras) north east of Algeria. Its creation dates back to the year 75 BC during the reign of Roman Emperor Vespasian. The city has lived through the invasion Berber, Roman, Byzantine and Vandal. Regarded as a center for educational outreach, it is distinguished by its university, one of the first with Carthage in Africa. The story reveals the names of two great teachers: Maximus the grammarian and the rhetorician Apuleius. Among students Madaure is the philosopher and theologian Saint Augustine, founder of the religious thinking of Catholicism. Seven hectares and a half have been excavated since 1905 on the area that in the archaeological park listed since 1968. The park also contains the remains still resistant to the vicissitudes of time.

20.00: Archaeological Site of Khemissa
Distance of 37 kilometers from Souk-Ahras, the city of Khemissa whose ancient name is Thubursicu Numidarum, is a city next to a hill with a vast territory irrigated and a large water resource (the source of Medjerda) .

Numidian city, it became a municipality in the second century AD under the emperor Trajan, and settlement fees in the third century. At the strategic level, this city was an important because it was located on a road linking the port of Hippo Regius (near Annaba) in the camp of the Legion of Africa (Tébessa).

Bishops are mentioned between 354 and 411: Fortinius, Maurentius and Januarius.

The ruins cover an area of over 65 ha and contain important monuments: the old place in the eastern district of the city, the theater at the foot of the hill to the north, the great basilica colonnaded court, also the monumental gateway to a single bay. Khemissa is a beautiful place among the ancient cities of North Africa.

30.00: Ancient theater of Guelma
Guelma or Calama in antiquity, situated in the east, was a Numidian city before becoming a municipality under the reign of the emperor Trajan and Roman colony in the late third century. Of its Roman past, the city has retained a theater that is, in the opinion of competent persons, an architectural masterpiece. This theater has a large number of stands divided into four zones and traversed by stairs. The scene of this monument is impressive and is marked by an architectural-based front articulated itself around a staircase of seven steps. On both sides of the staircase on the platform and in a harmony are two huge gates formed by two very tall columns and two pilasters. Against the stage wall stands, on both sides, two colossal statues of Aesculapius and Neptune. The ancient theater of Guelma museum houses the largest city on archeology. This monument remains a witness to the cultural influence that the city experienced in the early third century.

Lithuania Museum FDC

Lithuania FDC
Name: From the Stocks of Museums, Palanga Amber Museum
Date of Issue: 13 June 2009

Palanga Amber Museum is a branch of the Lithuanian Art Museum and was established on the 3rd of August 1963. The museum has about 29 thousand amber showpieces. Part of them, about 4,5 thousand are displayed in the exposition, which is renewed every year and supplemented with archaeological findings, amber inclusions and other valuable pieces. The exposition of the museum shows the history of amber formation, its global distribution, and ways of trade, processing and practical application. The visitors are mostly attracted by the collection of amber inclusions.

Denominations:
1.55Lt: The Estate of the Counts Tiškevičiai
This stamps shows the estate of Count Feliksas Tiškevičius, built in 1897, in which the Amber Museum is established. The estate palace in neo classicist style, also with features of renaissance, baroque and classicism is surrounded by large and beautiful Palanga Botanical Park.

1.55Lt: Sun Stone, 3524 gram
This stamp pictures the most prominent showpiece of the Amber Museum – "Saulės akmuo" ("Sun stone"), which is one of the largest pieces of amber in the world. The stone is almost round, in size equalling to the size of a man's head, dark yellow with some lighter spots in the areas where it has been polished.

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

Indonesia Suramadu Bridge S/S FDC

Indonesia Souvenir Sheet FDC
Name: The Inauguration of Suramadu Bridge
Date of Issue: 10 June 2009

Suramadu Bridge is a 5,438 m long bridge connecting Java Island and Madura Island. Considered as a longest bridge in Indonesia so far, Suramadu Bridge becomes a new landmark of Indonesia, especially East Java Province. Officially started in 2003, the construction is undertaken simultaneously on all of its three parts, both Surabaya and Madura side as well as central part comprising approach bridge and main bridge. Suramadu Bridge is inaugurated by President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on 10 June 2009.

Stretched across Madura Strait, this bridge consists of three parts, namely causeway, approach bridge and main bridge. The bridge provides four 3.5 m width two-ways lines and two 2.75 m width emergency lines. Special line for motorcycle rider is available along the outer side of the bridge. Two causeways connect the bridge with the land across the shallow water at both sides. The 672 m long approach bridges link causeways with the main bridge. The main bridge is made up using cable stayed construction supported by twin towers erected 143 m high. The bridge allocates 35 m high free space above the sea level to accommodate shipping traffic across Madura Strait.

Suramadu Bridge is built to increase transportation traffic of people and logistics from and to Madura Island. The increasing traffic is believed will accelerate development in Madura Island which less developed than other parts of East Java Province. Hopefully, the bridge will pace the growing economics activity of this area. Whereas, the instant economics benefit comes from revenue of toll charged to every vehicles pass the bridge.

Indonesia Suramadu Bridge FDC

Indonesia FDC
Name: The Inauguration of Suramadu Bridge
Date of Issue: 10 June 2009

Denominations:
1/3 1500: Surabaya Access
2/3 1500: Suramadu Bridge
3/3 1500: Madura Access

Suramadu Bridge is a 5,438 m long bridge connecting Java Island and Madura Island. Considered as a longest bridge in Indonesia so far, Suramadu Bridge becomes a new landmark of Indonesia, especially East Java Province. Officially started in 2003, the construction is undertaken simultaneously on all of its three parts, both Surabaya and Madura side as well as central part comprising approach bridge and main bridge. Suramadu Bridge is inaugurated by President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on 10 June 2009.

Stretched across Madura Strait, this bridge consists of three parts, namely causeway, approach bridge and main bridge. The bridge provides four 3.5 m width two-ways lines and two 2.75 m width emergency lines. Special line for motorcycle rider is available along the outer side of the bridge. Two causeways connect the bridge with the land across the shallow water at both sides. The 672 m long approach bridges link causeways with the main bridge. The main bridge is made up using cable stayed construction supported by twin towers erected 143 m high. The bridge allocates 35 m high free space above the sea level to accommodate shipping traffic across Madura Strait.

Suramadu Bridge is built to increase transportation traffic of people and logistics from and to Madura Island. The increasing traffic is believed will accelerate development in Madura Island which less developed than other parts of East Java Province. Hopefully, the bridge will pace the growing economics activity of this area. Whereas, the instant economics benefit comes from revenue of toll charged to every vehicles pass the bridge.

Indonesia Environmental Care S/S FDC

Indonesia Souvenir Sheet FDC
Name: Environmental Care
Date of Issue: 05 June 2009

Established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference the Human Environment, World Environment Day (WED) is commemorated every year on 5 June. WED is one of the principal instruments through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. WED is a people's day that gives opportunity for everybody to be part of the global action to promote the protection of our planet, the sustainable use of our natural resources and the adoption of lifestyle friendly to environment.

With the theme of 'Your Planet Needs You-Unite to Combat Climate Change', global celebration of WED 2009 is held in Mexico City as a principal venue. Mexico is chosen for its growing role in fighting against climate change as well as its participation in carbon market. This country has also pledged for planting 25 per cent of total trees needed under UNEP's Billion Tree Campaign.

This year's World Environment Day will also highlight the 'Green New Deal' - a solution to the global financial meltdown and global warming by calling for increased investments in renewable energy-efficient production processes. The deal is believed not only will create jobs and spur recovery but also help tackle global warming. Investment of the substantial new economic stimulus packages in the green economy can turn today's crisis into tomorrow's sustainable growth.

As a commemoration of this international event in Indonesia, a stamp series of Environmental Care is issued on 5 June 2009. The stamps feature winning artworks of 2008 National Stamp Design Contest painted by Howard Julio T. (Jakarta), Ranggi Prahita (Yogyakarta) and Edi Jatmiko (Yogyakarta).

Indonesia Environmental Care FDC

Indonesia FDC
Name: Environmental Care
Date of Issue: 05 June 2009

Denominations:
1/3 1500: Edi Jatmiko (Yogyakarta)
2/3 1500: Howard Julio T. (Jakarta)
3/3 1500: Ranggi Prahita (Yogyakarta)

Established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference the Human Environment, World Environment Day (WED) is commemorated every year on 5 June. WED is one of the principal instruments through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. WED is a people's day that gives opportunity for everybody to be part of the global action to promote the protection of our planet, the sustainable use of our natural resources and the adoption of lifestyle friendly to environment.

With the theme of 'Your Planet Needs You-Unite to Combat Climate Change', global celebration of WED 2009 is held in Mexico City as a principal venue. Mexico is chosen for its growing role in fighting against climate change as well as its participation in carbon market. This country has also pledged for planting 25 per cent of total trees needed under UNEP's Billion Tree Campaign.

This year's World Environment Day will also highlight the 'Green New Deal' - a solution to the global financial meltdown and global warming by calling for increased investments in renewable energy-efficient production processes. The deal is believed not only will create jobs and spur recovery but also help tackle global warming. Investment of the substantial new economic stimulus packages in the green economy can turn today's crisis into tomorrow's sustainable growth.

As a commemoration of this international event in Indonesia, a stamp series of Environmental Care is issued on 5 June 2009. The stamps feature winning artworks of 2008 National Stamp Design Contest painted by Howard Julio T. (Jakarta), Ranggi Prahita (Yogyakarta) and Edi Jatmiko (Yogyakarta).

Estonia National Flag FDC

Estonia FDC
Name: 125th Anniversary of Estonian National Flag
Date of Issue: 05 June 2009

The idea of the blue, black and white colour combination was conceived in the spirit of the Estonian national awakening on 29 September 1881 in Tartu, at the founding meeting of the student fraternity Vironia (later the Estonian Students' Society). The first tricolour was made in 1884 and was blessed on 4 June 1884 at the Otepää parsonage. Later, the flag was associated with Estonian patriotism and was adopted as the national flag after the Republic of Estonia declared its independence on 24 February 1918. Although use of the national colours was prohibited in Soviet Estonia, Estonians carried them in their hearts, while the Estonian flag lived on in public outside the borders of the Soviet Union. The historical flag was brought out of hiding during the Singing Revolution and the blue, black and while tricolour was flown from the top of the Pikk Hermann tower once again on 24 February 1989 after a period of 45 years. Less than ten per cent of the world's national flags are older than 100 years. Even more unusual, however, is the fact that people have been able to preserve the original flag to this day, despite the occupations that ravaged the country. Estonian people have formed a strong emotional bond with the colours of blue, black and white, and the country's flag has become one of the most important and loved national symbols. The Estonian tricolour has been depicted on 17 postage stamps previously issued by Estonian Post Ltd.

Comment: What a perfect FDC, the additional stamps are also perfect! One additional stamp is as same as the FDC illustration, and the other one is the National Emblem of Estonia. Do you think so?

Estonia Painting Postal Stationery

Estonia Postal Stationery
Name: The Year of Bernt Notke in Tallinn
Date of Issue: 04 June 2009

Bernt Notke (born c. 1435 in Lassan in Pomerania; died winter 1508/1509 in Lübeck) was the most important German painter and sculptor in Northern Europe in his times.

Most famous is his sculpture Sankt Göran och Draken for the Storkyrkan in Stockholms Gamla stan. An exact copy of this sculpture is at St. Cathrines Church in Lübeck. He is the creator of the world's largest Triumphant Cross, in Lübeck Cathedral. His Danse Macabre in St. Mary in Lübeck was destroyed in the course of an allied bomb raid.

Parts of his Danse Macabre for Reval are saved in St. Nicholas' Church, Tallinn. This painting depicts the transience of life, the skeletal figures of Death taking along the mighty as well as the feeble ones. Only the initial fragment of the original 30 metres (98.4 ft) wide painting (accomplished at the end of the 15th century) can be seen in the St Nicholas' Church

Comment: What a long "stamp" on this postcard, isn't it? This painting is saved in St. Nicholas' Church (Niguliste Museum), the nearest from museum is Viru Post Office. What a pity, the Viru Post Office's postmark only shows "Tallinn", and the small "g" represents the Viru Post Office.

Algeria Sports FDC

Algeria FDC
Name: 16th Mediterranean Games
Date of Issue: 03 June 2009

Denominations:
15,00: Sailing
20,00: Equestrian

The Mediterranean Games held every four years in their history back to the year 1951. The games began as an initiative by Tahar Pacha, President of the Egyptian Olympic Committee wants to make these competitions a symbol of peace in a period marked by various conflicts and tensions in the Mediterranean basin.

And the city of Alexandria, which housed the first edition of these games, thereafter Barcelona in 1955, Beirut in 1959, Naples in 1963 and Tunis in 1967, Izmir in 1971, Algiers in 1975, Split in 1979, Casablanca in 1983, Lattakia in 1987, Athens in 1991, Agde in 1993, Bari in 1997 and Tunis in 2001 and 2005 in Almeria.

In this year 2009, the flame will rise Mediterranean in Pescara (Italy) to host the prestigious sports Abruzzo 16th edition of the Mediterranean Games scheduled from 26 June to 5 July. Throughout this great sporting event will compete with teams and athletes from 23 countries bordering the Mediterranean.

The disciplines included in the games of Pescara in 2009 there were 25, namely athletics, swimming, football, handball, basketball, volleyball, boxing, judo, wrestling, fencing, weightlifting, cycling, gymnastics, karate, tennis, table tennis, shooting, beach volleyball, water polo, golf, sailing, equestrian, kayaking, rowing and wheelchair.

Algeria will take part in this edition with 17 subjects divided into three categories of performance, it will aim to collect as much medals as well as the acquisition of experience in preparation for the London Olympics to be held in 2012.

Malaysia China Relations Pre-stamped Envelope

Malaysia Pre-stamped Envelope
Name: 35th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Malaysia and the People's Republic of China
Date of Issue: 31 May 2009

The year 2009 marks the 35th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Malaysia and the People's Republic of China. A Joint Communiqué between the two governments was signed in Beijing on 31 May 1974, which formally established diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Bilateral relations have since developed and flourished over the years through numerous activities between the two countries. Malaysia – China relations are characterized by substantive bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, tourism and education. The solid friendship is reflected through exchanges of visits at the various levels. China continues to be one of Malaysia's largest trading partners.

Poland Comic FDC

Poland FDC
Name: Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek
Date of Issue: 29 May 2009

Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek
It is hard to believe that the comic book about Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek is already 52 years old, and its creator has turned 86 this year. Henryk Jerzy Chmielewski, known as Papcio Chmiel (Papa Chmiel), was born in 1923. He participated in the Warsaw Uprising. In his youth, he served in the Polish Army where he started out on his artistic career as a supervisor of a bulletin. Since 1947 Henryk Chmielewski published cartoons in "¦wiat Przygód", and then, for many years in "¦wiat Młodych" magazine. In the recent past Papcio Chmiel published an autobiography whose second volume "Tytus zlustrowany" (Tytus screened) is, as the author himself puts it, "the reminiscences of a wacky gaffer and grey-moustached artist". According to what the author said, past May he created the last episode of the cartoon story entitled: "Tytus, Romek i A'Tomek jako warszawscy powstańcy 1944, z wyobraĽni Papcia Chmiela narysowani" (Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek as Warsaw insurgents, drawn from Papa Chmiel's imagination). Papcio Chmiel was invited to decorate the wall of the Warsaw Uprising Museum with a mural. Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek that appeared on the wall were presented as scouts of a field post office.

Henryk Chmielewski is the Knight of the Order of Smile. In 2007 he was honoured with the Glora Artis Medal.

Half a century of Tytus
Tytus de Zoo is an anthropoid ape that is accompanied by tall and thin Romek and short and thickset A'Tomek. Their adventures have entertained and educated several generations of children and youth. The first episode of Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek takes place in cosmos. Next episodes (still black and white) appeared in "¦wiat Młodych". Since the mid 60's new, book version volumes of adventures of Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek began turning up in bookstores. In total, there were 31 books, such as, among others, "Tytus zostaje harcerzem" ("Tytus becomes a scout") (1966), "Tytus kosmonaut±" (Tytus the spaceman) (1968), "Tytus na dzikim zachodzie" (Tytus in the Wild West) (1974), " Wyprawa na Wyspy Nonsensu" ("The expedition to the Nonsense Island") (1977), "Tytus tajnym agentem" ("Tytus the secret agent") (1997), "Tytus się żeni" ("Tytus is getting married") (2000), "Tytus graficiarzem" ("Tytus the graffiti writer") (2002), "Tytus kibicem" ("Tytus the fan") (2008).

New stamp and First Day Cover
Three stamps with the characters from Papcio Chmiel's comic book present them in the form of photographs from police files, which show exact height of a photographed person. As a result, we now know exactly how tall Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek are. At the bottom of each stamp, there is an author's signature. The issue is accompanied by an occasional date stamp taking form of speech bubbles in use in Warsaw 1 Post Office.

Philately
Poczta Polska has been issuing stamps devoted to children's literature and its popular characters for many years. In 1962 it issued a six stamp set with J. M. Szancer's illustration relating to Maria Konopnicka's tale "O krasnoludkach i sierotce Marysi" ("Little Orphan Mary and the Gnomes"). In 1968 there was an issue of set of stamps with the most popular characters from tales, and in 1987 and 2005 Poczta Polska brought out two sets regarding Andersen's fairy tales. In 1993 it issued stamps presented characters appearing in Kornel Makuszyński's stories: Koziołek Matołek (Matołek the Billy-Goat) and Małpka Fiki-Miki (Fiki-Miki Monkey), and in 1996 a set entitled "Brzechwa Dzieciom" ("Brzechwa for children").

Slovakia EUROPA FDC

Slovakia FDC
Name: EUROPA 2009 - Astronomy
Date of Issue: 28 May 2009

On 20 December 2007, the United Nations 62nd General Assembly proclaimed 2009 the International Year of Astronomy. The Resolution was submitted by Italy, Galileo Galilei’s home country. The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) is an initiative of the International Astronomical Union, UNESCO, and is also supported by Slovakia. IYA2009 celebrates the first astronomical use of the telescope by Galileo in 1609 - an event which had global implications. Now hundreds of telescopes both land- and space-based explore the universe 24 hours a day. Under the central theme ‘The Universe, Yours to Discover’ IYA2009 gives all nations the chance to participate in scientific discoveries and grandiose technical solutions. This year will highlight global cooperation for peaceful purposes - the search for our cosmic origin and the common heritage which connects all citizens of Earth. The coordinating body for the IYA2009 events in Slovakia will be is the Astronomical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Tatranská Lomnica. Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences on the Earth. It originated in the ancient Sumerian and Egyptian civilizations, which used cardinal points basic orientation and time measurement techniques as early as the 5th millennium BC. As a branch of science it has developed from the 16th century thanks to the works of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, and Newton. The subject of study - celestial objects - is accessible to all, so astronomy may be regarded as an international science typical of close cooperation and effective specialisation by individual countries. Thanks to concentrated efforts in three specific fields - solar and Earth-Sun relations research; the exploration of comets, meteors and asteroids; and stellar and stellar systems research - Slovakia has a firm place in the international astronomical research community. Astronomical organisations in Slovakia can be divided into three categories: (1) Basic research – the Astronomical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences; (2) Education – the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics of Comenius University in Bratislava and the Faculty of Science of P. J. Šafárik University in Košice; and (3) Popularisation – the Slovak Central Observatory in Hurbanovo and other observatories and planetaria of self-governing regions, cities, and municipalities. Astronomy fans are associated in the Slovak Astronomical Society under the Slovak Academy of Science and Slovak Association of Amateur Astronomers.

Comment: This FDC has 2 different currencies, Slovakia Koruna and Euro. it's very interesting because Slovakia adopted the common European currency Euro but the Koruna still can be used in Slovakia, I don't know what date is the last date for Koruna stamps.?

EUROPA Series FDCs:
2009 Astronomy:
Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Slovakia.

2008 Letter:
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Vatican.

China Pre-stamped Postcard JP159

China Pre-stamped Postcard
Name: The 10th IFSC Climbing World Championship
Number: JP159
Date of Issue: 30 June 2009

The 10th IFSC Climbing World Championship 2009 was held in Xining on June 30-July 5.