USA Gerald Ford FDC

USA FDC
Name: Gerald Rudolph Ford
Issue date: 2007 August 31st

Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr. (July 14, 1913 – December 26, 2006) was the 38th President of the United States (1974–1977), and is, to date, the only person to occupy that office who had been elected neither to the presidency nor the vice-presidency. Ford was the first person appointed to the vice presidency under the terms of the 25th Amendment, and, after serving as the 40th Vice President (1973–1974) of the United States for less than a year, became President upon Richard Nixon's resignation. Prior to 1973, he served for over eight years as the Republican Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; he was first elected to Congress in 1948 from Michigan's 5th congressional district.

In foreign policy, the Helsinki Accords marked a move toward detente in the Cold War, even as the former ally South Vietnam was invaded and conquered by North Vietnam; Ford did not intervene, but did help extract friends of the U.S. At home, the economy suffered from inflation and recession. Ford came under intense criticism for granting a preemptive pardon to President Richard Nixon for his role in the Watergate scandal. In 1976, Ford narrowly defeated Ronald Reagan for the Republican nomination, but ultimately lost the general election to Democrat Jimmy Carter.

After experiencing health troubles and being admitted to hospital four times in 2006, Ford died on December 26 of that year, aged 93.

Gerald Ford Infromation in Wikipedia.com

China Pre-stamped Postcard TP33

Envelope of this set

4-1: Gadan Songzanlin Lamasery	4-2: Napa Lake
4-3: Baima Snow Mountain	4-4: Lisu Village

China Special Pre-stamped Postcard
Name: Customs of Diqing
Number: TP33
Issue date: 2007 September 13th

Diqing, means "a piece of auspicious and fascinating land" in Tibetan. Diqing is a Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest Yunnan. It occupies an area of 23,870 square kilometters. The population is over 350,000 involving 26 nationalities, 9kings of ethnic languages and 5 kinds of characters. There are 3 counties in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, namely Shangri-la County, Deqin County and Weixi Lisu Autonomous County. Located in an important region of The Three Rivers Parallel Flow which is regarded as the World Natural Heritage, Diqing enjoys the distinctive topography, picturesque views, lofty snow-capped peaks, glorious gorges, countless crystal-clear lakes, rich grasslands with herds of cattle, simple and unaffected villages, as well as the majestic monasteries. All of these charming sceneries and ethnic customs enhance each other's beauty and create a piece of auspicious and fascinating land - Shangri-la.

Taiwan Sun Moon Lake Postcards

Taiwan Scenic Pre-stamped Postcards
Name: Sun Moon Lake
Issue date: 2007 September 10th

This is the first scenic pre-stamped postcards in Taiwan.

Design:
1. A Night Scene
2. A Birds-eye View
3. Spring
4. Lalu Island
5. Wharf
6. Carnival

Sun Moon Lake (Chinese: 日月潭; Pinyin: Rìyuètán) is the largest lake in Taiwan as well as a popular tourist attraction. Situated in Yuchih, Nantou, the area around the Sun Moon Lake is home to the Thao tribe, one of aboriginal tribes in Taiwan.

Sun Moon Lake is located 748 meters above sea level. It is 27 meters deep and has a surface area of approximately 7.93 km².

In older English literature it was commonly referred to as Lake Candidius, after the 17th century Dutch missionary Georgius Candidius. In the middle of the lake is the Lalu Island, which is the holy ground for the Thao tribe. Originally, the Lalu was where the Thao people inhabited. Under the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, the Japanese named it the "Jade Island". After Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist Government moved to Taiwan, the island was renamed "Kuang Hua" (signifying brilliance and China) and in 1978 the local government built a pavilion where annual weddings took place. The 921 Earthquake destroyed the pavilion and sunk most of the island. In recent years, due to increasing social and political awareness, more deference and recognition are being given to Taiwanese aborigines. As a result, after 921 earthquake, the island was renamed in the Thao language as "Lalu".

Several hydroelectric power plants have been built in the Sun Moon Lake since 1919. When Taipower finished the first plant in 1934, it was considered to be one of the most important infrastructure constructions of the time. The Jiji Line railroad was built to facilitate the construction.

While swimming in Sun Moon Lake is usually not permitted, there is an annual 3-km race called the Swimming Carnival of Sun Moon Lake held around the Mid-Autumn Festival each year, and in recent years the participants have numbered in the tens of thousands. Other festivies held at the same time include fireworks, laser shows, and concerts.

The lake and its surrounding countryside have been designated one of thirteen National scenic areas in Taiwan.

Taiwan Summit FDC

Taiwan FDC
Name: First Taiwan - African Heads of State Summit
Issue date: 2007 September 9th

The first state summit between ROC President Chen Shui-bian and the heads of state of Taiwan’s African allies will be held on September 9, 2007 at the Grand Hotel, Taipei. The aim of the summit is to further strengthen the friendship between Taiwan and its African allies. To mark the occasion, one of the most important diplomatic events of the year.

The background of the stamp is an interrupted projection map of the world, symbolizing the global prospective of our nation's diplomatic development. An English letter "e" is employed to symbolize information technology. It connects the continent of Africa to Taiwan and represents the friendly and close international ties between Taiwan and its African allies.

Ukraine Fishes FDC

Ukraine FDC
Name: Fishes (Ukraine - Moldova Joint Issue)
Issue date: 2007 September 6th

Design:
Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii): Left
Russian sturgeon is one of the most valuable species of the rivers of Russia, where it is known under the name Osétr (Осётр) or Ossetra; it is said to inhabit the Siberian rivers also, and to range eastwards as far as Lake Baikal. It was so abundant in the rivers of the Black and Caspian seas that more than one-fourth of the caviares and isinglass manufactured in Iran and Russia was derived from this species. However, due to poaching and overfishing it is now a threatened species.

Zingel (Zingel zingel): Right
Occurs in shallow water of the Danube, Prut, and Dnestr river systems. Mainly nocturnal. Feeds on benthic animals and fish eggs and larvae. Spawns March to April between gravel at places with strong current.

Indonesia Lighthouses FDC

Indonesia FDC
Name: Lighthouses
Date of Issue: 17 August 2007

Design:
Semarang Lighthouse (left):
Semarang Lighthouse is located at the Tanjung Emas Harbor of Semarang, capital city of Central Java Province. This lighthouse plays a significant role to guide marine traffic entering the harbor since it was built in 1879. Its international ID is K.1132, and listed as DSI.3200 in the Indonesian List of Lights. The 32 meters with 12 sided cast iron tower was built during the Dutch colonial era to facilitate the movement of V.O.C vessels.

From the top of the tower, absolutely we can see almost the entire part of the Tanjung Emas Harbor area surrounded by older Dutch colonial buildings. The 20 nautical mile luminance range of revolving light provides sufficient signal in group flashing to guide mariners bearing their vessel entering the port.

Cikoneng Lighthouse (right):
Cikoneng Lighthouse or so called Anyer Lighthouse is located seaward about 150 km west of Jakarta. Approaching the famous tourism Carita Beach in the Province of Banten, the lighthouse can be found at the right side of the road. Built by the Dutch during the colonial era in 1885, it was 77 years since Governor General Dandles entered Java for the first time. The 60 m white painted steel chub tower concludes 18 stories and a long ladder of 300 steps which can be entered upon permission of the guard.

A splendid panoramic view can be observed from the top story. The thick and strong iron shield enforces the tower to remain long. This lighthouse experienced several eras in the history of Indonesia including colonial war era and a major earthquake of the famous Mount of Krakatau. The lighthouse is still properly operated to serve safety for seamen who sailing through Sunda Strait. Its 20 nautical miles range of lantern provides sufficient signal to anybody who needs direction during sailing in the night.

2008 Latvia Akmeņraga Lighthouse FDC
2008 Estonia Mehikoorma Lighthouse FDC
2007 Germany Lighthouses FDC
2007 Indonesia Lighthouses FDC

Portugal Nadir Afonso FDC

Portugal FDC
Name: Portuguese Artist (Nadir Afonso)
Issue date: 2007 September 5th

Born in 1920 in Codeçais, Chaves, he completed an Architecture Degree at esbap (Oporto School of Fine Arts), moving to Paris in 1946 to study art and painting at the École des Beaux Arts. His predilection for painting over architecture manifested itself at an early stage, along with his continuing search for essences and absolute.

His work under architects Le Corbusier (1948-1951) and Oscar Niemeyer (1952-1954) did nothing to alter his conviction that "architecture is not an art [...] it is a science, a team elaboration" and a "labyrinth of contingencies" in which art cannot assert itself.

He was a member of the artist collective the "Independentes" (Independents) alongside Resende, Lanhas, Pomar until 1946, and by 1943 was already fascinated by optics and geometry, although his paintings were expressionist, if not at times surrealistic. During the 40s, he progressively evolved from human figuration with supple contours, to geometric abstraction evoking landscapes, a drift that began above all while working alongside artists Fernand Léger (1948-1951) and Dewasne and Edgard Pillet. Geometric abstraction was further explored during the 50’s with a greater use of patterns in his so-called "baroque" period, and "Egyptian period" series marked by total geometric stylization (1950-1955) and his famous series of kinetic works, Espacillimité (1956-1963). He was part of the group of the Denise René gallery, exhibiting alongside Vasarely, Herbin and Bloc.

In the mid 60s he abandoned architecture, and during the 70s and 80s painted a prolific number of works for his "cities" series. At the end of the 80s, he made a number of studies of the human form using lines identical to those found in the backgrounds and compositional relations of geometry and gesture.

His books La Sensibilité plastique (1958), Les Mécanismes de la création artistique (1970), Aesthetic Synthesis (1974), Le Sens de l’Art (1983) are all products of the aesthetic reflection so characteristic of his work.

China Pre-stamped Postcard JP145

China Pre-stamped Postcard
Name: World Economic Forum - Inaugural Annual Meeting of the New Champions
Number: JP145
Issue date: 2007 September 6th

At the core of the "new champions" are a new generation of companies that will fundamentally change the global competitive landscape. We call them Global Growth Companies. These business champions come primarily from rapidly growing emerging markets, such as China and India, but also include fast movers from developed economies.

In addition to the business new champions, the Forum is identifying and engaging the next generation of global leaders, fast-growing regions, competitive cities and technology pioneers from around the globe. All of the New Champion groups will be present and represented at the Annual Meeting of New Champions in Dalian this September.

Official website of Inaugural Annual Meeting of the New Champions

Lithuania Church Belfries FDC

Lithuania FDC
Name: Wooden Church Belfries
Date of Issue: 01 September 2007

Denomintaions:
5 ct: Belfry of Vabalninko church(Vabalninko bažnyčios varpinė), 19 c
35 ct: Belfry of Varputėnų church(Varputėnų bažnyčios varpinė), 18 c
1.35 Lt: Belfry of Degučių church(Degučių bažnyčios varpinė), 19 c
1.55 Lt: Belfry of Geidžių chapel(Geidžių koplyčios varpinė), 19 c
2.15 Lt: Belfry of Pavandenės church(Pavandenės bažnyčios varpinė), 17 c

"Wooden Sacral Architecture of Lithuania" Definitive Series:
2008: 5 ct, 10 ct, 20 ct, 35 ct, 1.35 Lt, 1.55 Lt.
2009: 10 ct, 20 ct, 1.35 Lt.

"Wooden Church Belfries" Definitive Series:
2007: 5 ct, 35 ct, 1.35 Lt, 1.55 Lt, 2.15 Lt.
2009: 50 ct, 1,35 Lt.

Lithuania Juozas Miltinis FDC

Lithuania FDC
Name: The 100th Birth Anniversary of Theatre Director Juozas Miltinis
Issue date: 2007 September 1st

Juozas Miltinis (September 3, 1907 in Akmenė, Lithuania – July 13, 1994 in Panevėžys, Lithuania) was a Lithuanian theatre director and founder of the Panevėžys Drama Theatre. Miltinis has brought up a number of actors, including Donatas Banionis.

From 1932 on, he had studied in Paris, in the school of theatrical art conducted by Charles Dullin. After his return to Kaunas, Miltinis organized here his own theatrical studio and propagated the main tenets of his teachers, Charles Dullin and Jacques Copeau. The Panevėžys drama theatre was founded in 1940 and Miltinis was appointed as its chief art director. He retired from this position only in 1980. The main body of the young Panevėžys Theatre was made up from the pupils of this studio.

Panevėžys county library preserves the bibliographic heritage of Juozas Miltinis.

Japan Athletic Meets FDC

Japan FDC
Name: The 62nd National Athletic Meets
Issue date: 2007 September 3rd

The 62nd National Athletic Meets were held in Akita under the slogan "On Your Mark, Your Heart". The stamp depicts Akita Japanese cedar (the representative tree of Akita) and Rugby players. Rugby is popular sport in Akita.

China Stamp: 2007-26

China Stamp
Name: FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007
Number: 2007-26T
Issue date: 2007 September 10th

The FIFA Women's World Cup 2007 will be held in China from September 10-September 30 2007. Originally, China was to host the 2003 Women's World Cup, but the outbreak of SARS in that country forced that event to be moved to the United States. FIFA immediately granted the 2007 event to China, which means that no new host nation will be chosen competitively until voting is held for the 2011 Women's World Cup. The 2007 Championship is seen as a prelude to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, for which China is preparing at an accelerated pace with a high budget and much fanfare.

Teams
Africa (CAF): Nigeria, Ghana.
Asia (AFC): China PR (host nation - automatically qualified), Australia, Korea DPR, Japan (defeated Mexico in AFC-CONCACAF playoffs).
North America, Central America & Caribbean (CONCACAF): Canada, USA.
Europe (UEFA): Norway, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, England.
Oceania (OFC): New Zealand.
South America (CONMEBOL): Argentina, Brazil.

Venues
·Tianjin, Tianjin Olympics Center Stadium 60,000 Capacity
·Wuhan, Wuhan Sports Center Stadium 55,000 Capacity
·Hangzhou, Zhejiang Dragon Stadium 52,000 Capacity
·Chengdu, Chengdu Sports Center 40,000 Capacity
·Shanghai, Shanghai Hongkou Football Stadium 34,000 Capacity

Official site of FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007

Russia Biblio-Globus FDC

Russia FDC
Name: 50th Anniversary of Biblio-Globus Bookstore
Issue date: 2007 August 24th

Biblio-Globus Bookstore occupying a 19th century mansion on Myasnitskaya street is one the biggest bookstores in Moscow. Here you can find almost every book coming out in Russia and a wide choice of foreign literature.

China Pre-stamped Postcard JP144

China Pre-stamped Postcard
Name: China Jilin • Northeast Asia Investment and Trade Expo
Number: JP144
Issue date: 2007 September 2nd

Northeast Asia, the economy is largely characterized by its geographic features, embraces the Northeast, North and Northwest of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Mongolia and Far East Area of Russia, having in it a total area of 17,280,000 square kilometers and a population of 680,000,000 and taking up 1/5 of the world's economic volume.

Now the total volume of import and export trade between China and the other five Northeast Asian countries constitutes 25% of China's total foreign trade volume. Being the center of Northeast Asia, Jilin Province connects the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea and Japan in East Asia and borders on Far East Area of Russia.

Russia Regions (Irkutsk Oblast) FDC

Russia FDC
Name: Russia Regions - Irkutsk Oblast
Date of Issue: 21 August 2007

Иркутская область (Irkutsk Oblast)
Irkutsk Oblast (Russian: Ирку́тская о́бласть, Irkutskaya oblast) is a federal subject of Russia (an oblast), located in south-eastern Siberia in the basins of Angara River, Lena, and Nizhnyaya Tunguska Rivers. The administrative center is Irkutsk.


2008 Russia Regions FDC
2007 Russia Regions FDC
2007 Russia Regions FDC (Irkutsk Oblast)