Sri Lanka History FDC

Sri Lanka FDC
Name: Ancient Sri Lanka – Proto - Historic Era & Early Anuradhapura Era
Date of Issue: 30 April 2008

Denominations:
5.00: Proto - Historic Era: Megalithic Cist Burial & Beads
Necklace found at Ibbankatuwa (600-400 B.C.)

10.00: Early Anuradhapura Era: Agriculture & Irrigation
Abhaya (Basawakkulama) Weva (3rd Century B.C.)

12.00: Early Anuradhapura Era: Language & Literature
Vallipuram Gold Plate (1st Century A.D.)

15.00: Early Anuradhapura Era: Metal Technology
Alakolaveva Iron Furnace (1st and 2nd Century A.D.)

30.00: Early Anuradhapura Era: Trade & Money
Gajalakshmi Coin (1st Century B.C. - 4th Century A.D.) & Punch Mark Coin (3rd Century B.C. - 4th Century A.D.)

40.00: Early Anuradhapura Era: Art & Craft
Sigiri Paintings (5th Century A.D.)

Comment: This is a stamp series named “Ancient Sri Lank”. According to its series number, it will totally issue 38 pieces stamps. These are 5/38 to 10/38.

Ancient Sri Lanka Series FDCs:
2nd Series: Proto - Historic Era & Early Anuradhapura Era
3rd Series: Late Anuradhapura Era

Poland Meteorology FDC

Poland FDC
Name: The Meteorological Phenomena
Date of Issue: 25 April 2008

Since the earliest times people used to watch carefully the nature, trying to foretell by the clouds or animal's behavior, for example, the oncoming storm, rain or drought. Nowadays we just look at the TV weather forecast while planning an excursion or simply choosing the suitable dress for tomorrow and to be sure if we would need an umbrella. The weather influences our general frame of mind, but we have no influence on it, either. Not infrequently the nature shows us its tremendous power in the floods or hurricanes, for example. But there are also many meteorological phenomena that may pass unwatched for us, and sometimes it is simply worth to look at the sky to see something beautiful and unusual.

The meteorological phenomena as to their nature: hydrometeors (rain, hail, frost, tornado), lithometeors (dust or sand blizzards or whirls), photometeors (halo, rainbow, mirage), electrometeors (storm, lightning, aurora borealis)

Meteorology - a branch of science, investigating the atmospheric phenomena. Based on the results of measurements of the main parameters (such as the air temperature, humidity, and pressure together with the wind speed) and the data, provided by the radars, air probes and satellites the complex analysis (today mostly computer-aided) is executed of their complicated mutual influences. Its results, or synoptic prognoses, are indispensable for the different sectors of country's economy, as in agriculture, for example, in order to avoid the catastrophic crops losses, or simply in the flight control.

Designs:
1.35 ZŁ: Sand blizzard
The sand being carried up high above the ground level by the strong, hot wind. It can be very arduous for the inhabitants of the desert areas.

1.35 ZŁ: Lightnings
The atmospheric electric discharges, born in the high rainclouds (cumulonimbus) in the result of the great temperature gradient and the strong wind. The lightning in fact is an electric spark, zeroing the charge difference between the cloud and the earth or between two individual clouds.

2.40 ZŁ: Rainbow
An arch of the diffracted sunlight. It emerges in the result of refraction, diffraction and the total internal reflection of solar rays in the small raindrops in the atmosphere. It is visible only if the Sun shines from behind of the observer and is sufficiently low (less than 40 degrees) above the horizon.

2.40 ZŁ: Tornado
A great funnel shaped whirl of air and liquefied water vapor, reaching up to the clouds. It rotates with enormous speed (400 km/h, for example, and creates giant difference of pressure inside. If it touches the earth, it destroys everything on its way, leaving behind a few hundreds meter wide trace of ruins on a distance of some 10-20 km.

The new stamps and the FDC envelope
The presented here four-stamp series shows the beauty of meteorological phenomena as fixed on the photographs. The graphic layout suggests that the slides have been shown in such a way to enhance their contrast and colors. Each stamp presents one phenomenon representative for each of the above mentioned groups hydrometeors, lithometeors, photometeors and electrometeors. On the FDC envelope the similar slides can be seen as lying on the back-light table. Their evaluation and choice of the best ones is suggested by the magnifying glass nearby.

Comment: This set was issued on 25 April, the stamps on this FDC were cancelled by "25.04.2008" special cancellations. But my friend sent this FDC on 13th May, 18 days after issue day, and he only added 1.30 ZŁ definitive stamps on this FDC. That's meaning the cancelled stamps' postage is still valid after 18 days, and I think it could be longer than 18 days, do you know how long about it?

Portugal Olympic Games M/S FDC

Portugal Minisheet FDC
Name: Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Date of Issue: 30 April 2008

Denominations:
€ 0,75: Equestrian
€ 0,75: Rowing
€ 0,75: Shooting
€ 0,75: Rhythmic Gymnastics

The official opening of the 29th Olympic Games will take place on 8th August 2008 in Beijing, People's Republic of China.

Peking - or Beijing - Chinese capital through five dynasties, has a population of around 14 million and boasts the world's most famous palace, The Forbidden City, located on its main thoroughfare.

Selected in 2001 to host this year's games, the city has been the scene of intensive preparations ever since. The venue for the opening and closing ceremonies will be the Beijing Olympic Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest due to its nest-like lattice of iron and steel, which has capacity for 91,000. Other facilities have also been specially built for the event, such as the Water Cube, enveloped in an opaque membrane with over three thousand pneumatic cushions made of recycled plastic, arranged to resemble the organic cells of living beings.

The emblem for this year's games, comprising 302 events in 28 sports and involving around 10,500 athletes, is a dancing figure with outspread arms against a red background, to symbolise the country's joy at hosting these games and the warm welcome it extends to the rest of the world and the athletes from all five continents.

Portugal first took part in the Stockholm Olympics in 1912, parading its recently adopted red and green flag at the opening ceremony; its four athletes competed in the marathon, athletics, wrestling and fencing.

This year, the Portuguese team numbers some 46 athletes, who will compete in Athletics, Cycling, Judo, Sailing, Shooting, Swimming, Taekwondo, Trampolining.

Comment: Portuguese Olympic Games' stamps have 2008 Beijing Olympic Games emblem, but the stamps on the minisheet haven't it. Who knows the reason?

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.

Israel Export Institute FDC

Israel FDC
Name: The Israel Export Institute - 50th Anniversary
Date of Issue: 28 April 2008

"The Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute" marks the 50th anniversary of its founding against the backdrop of the outstanding achievements of Israeli exports in international markets.

Today's exports constitute a central component in Israel's economic strength and are a significant factor in the economy's growth momentum.

The government and the private sector jointly founded the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute (IEICI) as a non-profit organization in 1958. The Institute's objective was to promote Israel's industrial and service exports and to develop commercial ties, collaborations and strategic alliances with foreign companies.

The Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute promotes industrial exports and the export of services through international initiatives and unique programs. The Institute operates in many countries via official Israeli representatives, commercial and economic attaches, and local commercial development representatives. The Institute maintains close business ties with foreign diplomatic representatives and commercial attaches serving in Israel, as well as with international trade organizations throughout the world. The Institute provides comprehensive information in the field of international trade, advice and contacts and helps to promote exports from Israeli companies as well as complementary services to businesses overseas. The Institute initiates and organizes incoming and outgoing delegations and also organizes, establishes and manages national booths at international exhibitions around the world in which it presents Israel's capabilities in the areas of: life sciences, communications and software, security and safety, water technologies, ecology and agro-industry, industry and construction, commodities and more.

Since its inception, the Export Institute has striven to increase and expand Israeli exports, as it understands the importance of foreign trade to the Israeli economy which lacks raw materials and a regional market for its products. The prominent presence of Israeli merchandise, products, knowledge and services in global markets attests to the many years of effort made by thousands of exporters, large and small, as encouraged by the Export Institute to go out into the world and successfully break into international markets.

Promoting Israeli foreign trade is a national task and the Export Institute will continue to do so diligently, while strengthening Israel's status as a developed and modern economy and its position as an advanced market in the forefront of world technology.

Comment: This FDC overpaid again. What shall I say? Could I ask my money back? The irresponsible Israel Post clerk should be blame! :(

Israel Independence FDC

Israel FDC
Name: 60 Years of Independence
Date of Issue: 28 April 2008

Design:
The stamp design is based on the official symbol of Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations, which was created for the office of the Prime Minister's Anniversary Planning Committee, headed by Minister Ruhama Avraham Balila. The symbol was designed by the advertising division of the "Arad Communications" firm and the logo was designed by the firm's Remo Sintes.

The State of Israel was founded in 1948 and immediately forced to confront its neighbors in a war over its very existence. The hasty departure of the British Mandatory Government left most of the official institutions in a state of utter chaos. Israel’s foreign relations were severed, the country was in the throes of an economic crisis and it suffered severe shortages of the most basic staples. Under these difficult conditions, the Israeli population, numbering some 600,000, also had to deal with the absorption of throngs of penniless new arrivals, European Holocaust refugees, British detention camp prisoners and immigrants from countries to the East.

Despite these impossible initial conditions, the State of Israel succeeded not only to survive and subsist, but it developed as well, attaining a long series of impressive world-class achievements in a wide range of fields. As space will not allow a complete list, suffice it to name but a few.

Israeli agriculture is very advanced and has made multiple achievements. Israel developed the drip irrigation method, which enables increased crop quantities while significantly saving on water consumption. Through meticulous fostering of cattle herds and the development of innovative milking methods, Israel has achieved world record average milk yields per cow. Unique, locally developed varieties of hothouse flowers have made Israel the third largest flower exporter in the world.

Israel's hi-tech industry is world renowned. Israeli companies have developed unique products, such as Firewall and ICQ, and revolutionized the field. International computer companies in both the hardware and software realms have established global industry-leading research and development centers in Israel. Israel is among the top three countries in the world in registration of technological patents.

Israel has developed a series of innovative, unique solutions for creating solar energy. Israeli pharmaceutical companies have developed innovative drugs, based on discoveries and breakthroughs made by researchers at Israeli universities. Israeli scientists are credited with many achievements in various scientific fields and they have led Israeli research institutes, such as the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology and the Weizmann Institute of Science, to the global forefront.

Israel's defense industry is among the most progressive in the world. In the space field, Israel belongs to a small, prestigious group of countries which are capable of producing satellites as well as the launching means required to situate them in space; The "Hetz" (arrow) interceptor missile system, which defends against ballistic missiles, constitutes a technological breakthrough and Israel is among the world leaders in the development of unmanned aircraft.

Throughout the years of its existence, Israel has absorbed more than two million new immigrants, providing them with housing, education, employment and the chance for a better future. From a faltering country on the brink of destruction, Israel has become a progressive country with a stable economy and which is able to provide aid to other countries in a variety of fields. Despite security difficulties and the state of emergency the country has found itself in ever since it was established, Israel has a multi-party democratic regime, with few like it in the world.

Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations provide a good opportunity to appreciate the country's many achievements and to feel a sense of pride for our part in that unique creation which is "The State of Israel".

Comment: 1. Israel Post made a big mistake on this FDC, the regular airmail postage from Israel to China is 5.25 Israeli New Sheqel, but the total postage of this FDC has only 4.50 Israeli New Sheqel, this is not the only mistake from Israel on this issue day, I will update the other wrong postage FDC from Israel next time. 2. This FDC was sent by regular mail, so the Israel Post added a machine postmark on this FDC, interesting!

Sri Lanka Youth Meeting FDC

Sri Lanka FDC
Name: 7th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting - 2008
Issue date: 26 April 2008

The 7th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (CYMM) hosted by the Government of Sri Lanka will be held from 27th to 30th April 2008 in Colombo. The Theme of the meeting is "Youth and Peace Building". 54 Delegations are expected to attend the CYMM representing 51 full members, 2 self Governing Territories plus the Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General and Conference Secretary of the Commonwealth Secretariat. Most of the Delegations will be led by the Ministers-in charge of Youth Affairs or the Deputy Ministers or Permanent Secretaries. Anticipated attendance of the meeting is 250-300 including the Sri Lanka Delegation, the Commonwealth Secretariat team and possible observer organizations.

The Meeting is expected to:

• Enable the Ministers to debate on emerging issues related to youth development in particular the linkages between peace building, social development and transformation.

• Provide a policy direction for the Commonwealth Youth Programme and Youth Development over period from 2008-2012.

The Opening Ceremony of the meeting will be held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in the afternoon of 27th April 2008 under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President and Hon. Rathnasiri Wickramanayake, the Prime Minister respectively of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary General will grace the occasion as the Guest of Honour. Plenary Sessions of the Meeting will be held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo from 28th to 30th April 2008.

This stamp depicts a young man and woman attired in the traditional dress depicting the culture, and youth and is framed in the Commonwealth Logo releasing a pigeon of peace.

Comment: Sri Lank Post is very strange, their post offices don't work at weekend, but they issued this set on 26th April (Saturday), and processed this FDC on 28th April (Monday).

China Stamp: T7-2008

China Semipostal Stamp
Name: Fighting Earthquake & Reducing Victims
Number: T7-2008
Date of Issue: 20 May 2008
Value: 1 stamp/set

The 2008 Sichuan earthquake (Chinese: 四川大地震), at a magnitude 7.9 Mw, occurred at 14:28:01.42 CST (06:28:01.42 UTC) on 12 May 2008 in Sichuan province of China. In China, it was named the Wenchuan earthquake (Chinese: 汶川大地震), after the earthquake's epicenter in Wenchuan County in Sichuan province. The epicenter was 80 kilometres (50 mi) west-northwest of Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, with a depth of 19 kilometres (12 mi). The earthquake was felt as far away as Beijing (1,500 km away) and Shanghai (1,700 km away), where office buildings swayed with the tremor. The earthquake was also felt in nearby countries.

Official figures (as of May 20, 18:00 CST) state that 40,075 are confirmed dead, including 39,577 in Sichuan province, and 247,645 injured. The Chinese government warned that the death toll could reach 50,000. Tens of thousands are missing, approximately 14,000 of them buried, and eight provinces were affected. The earthquake left about 4.8 million people homeless. It was the deadliest and strongest earthquake to hit China since the 1976 Tangshan earthquake, which killed over 240,000 people. More...

Comment: China Post's reaction is as fast as the China Government on this serious earthquake. Because only few collector knew this set's issue date, I have gotten enough quantity from my local post office.

India Jasmine FDCs

Stamps FDC
Minisheet FDC

India FDCs
Name: Jasmine (Scented Stamps)
Date of Issue: 26 April 2008

Variously known as Juhi, Chameli, Mogra and Malati in North India and as Malligai and Mallepoovu etc. in the south, the fragrant and delicate Jasmine flower is deeply embedded in the Indian psyche.
The very name 'Jasmine' evokes the romance of balmy summer evenings redolent with the haunting fragrance of flower in bloom.

A native to the tropics and warm temperate regions of the world, Jasmine belongs to the family Oleaceae, and may grow as a shrub or as a climbing vine. Typically its leaf shape is simple, trifoliate or pinnate, with up to nine leaflets growing opposite each other. The small and delicate flowers are usually white in colour, though some species bear yellow blossoms. Flowering in the spring and summer, the blossoms bloom in the dark, perfuming the night air with a lingering sweet fragrance.

Widely used in religious offerings, the flowers are also popular for decorative purposes. Many Indian women wear these flowers in their hair. The flowers are also kept inside homes to perfume the air.

Commonly grown as a houseplant in much of south East Asia, the plant is now widely cultivated across the globe for commercial purposes. In fact, the aromatic oil distilled from its flowers are prized in aromatherapy, and in the making of joss sticks, cosmetics, and perfumes, etc. It is also used to add flavour to tea and rice in China and in South Asia. Many believe that daily consumption of Jasmine tea helps in preventing certain cancers.

Intrinsic to the collective consciousness of the Indian sub-continent, there are numerous references to the Jasmine in Indian poetry and literature in many languages. The flower also finds mention in English poetry, as in the following lines of Thomas Moore:

"Plants that wake when others sleep
timid jasmine buds that keep
their fragrance to themselves all day,
but when the sunlight dies away
let the delicious secret out
to every breeze that roams about".

Turkey Airplanes FDC

Turkey FDC
Name: Airplanes
Date of Issue: 25 April 2008

Designs:
65Ykr: B-24 D
First model produced on a large scale; ordered from 1940 to 1942, as a B-24C with better engines (R-1830-43 supercharged engines). During the production run, the tunnel gun in the belly was replaced by a remote-sited Bendix belly turret; this was later replaced by a Sperry ball turret. In late B-24Ds, 'cheek' guns were added.

80Ykr: Curtiss Hawk
Hawk was a name common to many aircraft designed and produced by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company. More...

85Ykr: P.Z.L. XXIV
The PZL P.24 was a Polish fighter aircraft, designed in mid-1930s in the PZL factory in Warsaw. It was exported to several countries, but not used in Poland. Turkish P.24s were used for training until the late 1940s. Some were refitted with Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp engines. The only surviving example of a PZL P.24 in the world is a museum piece in Turkey. More...

Commment: Obviously, these airplanes are vintage airplanes, and were used in WWII period.

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

Portugal Olympic Games FDC

Portugal FDC
Name: Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Issue date: 30 April 2008

Denominations:
€ 0,30: Cycling
€ 0,30: Running
€ 0,75: Triple Jump

The official opening of the 29th Olympic Games will take place on 8th August 2008 in Beijing, People's Republic of China.

Peking - or Beijing - Chinese capital through five dynasties, has a population of around 14 million and boasts the world's most famous palace, The Forbidden City, located on its main thoroughfare.

Selected in 2001 to host this year's games, the city has been the scene of intensive preparations ever since. The venue for the opening and closing ceremonies will be the Beijing Olympic Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest due to its nest-like lattice of iron and steel, which has capacity for 91,000. Other facilities have also been specially built for the event, such as the Water Cube, enveloped in an opaque membrane with over three thousand pneumatic cushions made of recycled plastic, arranged to resemble the organic cells of living beings.

The emblem for this year's games, comprising 302 events in 28 sports and involving around 10,500 athletes, is a dancing figure with outspread arms against a red background, to symbolise the country's joy at hosting these games and the warm welcome it extends to the rest of the world and the athletes from all five continents.

Portugal first took part in the Stockholm Olympics in 1912, parading its recently adopted red and green flag at the opening ceremony; its four athletes competed in the marathon, athletics, wrestling and fencing.

This year, the Portuguese team numbers some 46 athletes, who will compete in Athletics, Cycling, Judo, Sailing, Shooting, Swimming, Taekwondo, Trampolining.

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 EUROPA FDC

Estonia FDC
Name: EUROPA 2008 - Letter
Date of Issue: 30 April 2008

PostEurop has picked the letter as the theme of this year's Europa stamp. The letter is a missive from the sender to the receiver and for its delivery postal services have been set up in all world countries today. Regular postal carriage in Europe started on the initiative of Franz von Taxis in 1495 on the Vienna-Brussels route. Estonia received its first regular postal link with Sweden 1638. For the linguistic expression of the contents of letters men have devised sign systems that have developed from ancient pictograms and cuneiform signs into powerful and supple instruments of human communication. Whether alphabetic, syllabic or hieroglyphic, writing can express the whole range of human thought and can besides take highly artistic forms. Although e-mails are winning more and more popularity today, the traditional "hard copy" letter is still very much alive and kicking as the millions of letters postal systems daily deliver to addressees prove.

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

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

Taiwan Cactus FDC

Taiwan FDC
Name: Cactus
Date of Issue: 30 April 2008
Number: Sp.518

The cactus family is a group of unusual looking plants with distinctive habits and gorgeous blossoms. Almost all of the families are native to the Americas. After being cultivated here in Taiwan for many years, a few species now grow naturally on beaches and other wild places.

Designs:
NT$5.00: Red Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus)
Commonly known as red pitaya or night blooming cereus, the stems of Hylocereus undatus are jointed, each with three prominent angled ribs. They can develop aerial roots on one side to clamber up walls, tree trunks, cliff surfaces or dykes.

NT$5.00: Thelocactus bicolor
It has a globular shaped stem with neat rows of beautiful spines (modified leaves). Its colorful flowers are very showy and are larger than the globose stem itself. This stunningly beautiful cactus is often cultivated as an ornamental.

NT$12.00: Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri)
Aptly named “joint-leaf cactus” in Chinese, Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri features flat, segmented leaf-like stems. Its stem segments have smooth undulations instead of sharp teeth along the margins. Its flowers are funnel-shaped with radial symmetry.

Russia Black Sea Fleet FDC

Russia FDC
Name: The 225th Anniversary of the Black Sea Fleet
Date of Issue: 29 April 2008

The Black Sea Fleet (Russian: Черноморский Флот) is a large sub-unit of the Russian (and formerly Soviet) Navy, operating in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea since the late 18th century. It is based in various harbors of Black Sea and Sea of Azov coast. More...

Spain EXFILNA FDC

Spain FDC
Name: EXFILNA 2008, Oviedo
Date of Issue: 28 April 2008

On occasion of the XLVI edition of the National Philatelic Exhibition, one of the most important in Spanish philately whose aim is to promote stamp collecting, Correos, as always, issues a souvenir sheet depicting the Cross of Victory and in the background, the main building of the Campoamor theatre in Oviedo, the town where this year's Exfilna edition takes place from the 28th April to the 3rd May.

The Cross of Victory, also known as Pelayo cross, is the main theme of the stamp and souvenir sheet. This emblematic piece is the symbol of Asturias, it is kept in the Holy Chamber of the San Salvador cathedral in Oviedo and it is a remarkable exponent of the Asturian Pre-Romanesque period. It is a Latin cross with its arms widening towards their tips and at its centre there is a relic box. It is made of oak wood and covered in gold and precious gems. It was made during the reign of King Alfonso III the Great who donated it in the year 908. According to the legend, this cross was worn by Don Pelayo in the battle of Covadonga.

The Campoamor theatre is the venue where the prestigious Principe Felipe awards ceremony is held. It is a clear symbol and scenario of the cultural life of Oviedo. It was built by architects José López Salaberry and Sirgo Borrajo Montenegro from 1883 to 1892. It was named after the famous Asturian poet Ramón de Campoamor on proposal of writer Leopoldo Alas Clarin and suffered major restorations in 1916 and 1940 after being reduced to rubble during the Civil War. It reopened its doors in 1948 with a clear influence from the European romantic classicism and from then on has been the venue fro the performance of plays, zarzuelas, and concerts.

Oviedo is the capital of the principality of Asturias, a modern, commercial and monumental city which this year houses the XLVI edition of the Exposición Filatélica Nacional in the Auditorium-Congress Palace Principe Felipe.

Francisco M. Peñacorveira, Thank you sent this real posted FDC to me. Please send an email to me asap.

Comment: This is my 1st real posted FDC from Spain, I'm so surprise because I don't know the sender before this FDC. He did a very professional job, but I want to remind all of my blog's visitors, you'd better contact with me before you send anything to me.

Israel Sabra FDC

Israel FDC
Name: The Israeli
Date of Issue: 28 April 2008

The nickname "Sabra" has stuck with native Israelis since the 1930's. The image of "our cute and prickly Sabras", coarse mannered "on the outside" but kindhearted and full of humor "on the inside" took form as they adapted their own rich lexicon of slang derived from Hebrew, Arabic and other languages, a unique form of speech and articles of clothing that were all their own. Young people who immigrated to Israel from around the world sought to shed the customs of their native lands and to become like the Sabras, who appeared to them as if descended from gods. Palmach soldiers elevated the Sabra to new heights of glory during the years prior to the Declaration of Independence and the subsequent war.

In the 1950's, political caricaturists and children's book illustrators conceptualized the young State of Israel as a typical Israeli boy. The caricaturist Dosh (Kariel Gardosh), a Holocaust survivor from Hungary, called the boy "Little Yisrael" and turned him into a symbol of the State of Israel, just as "Uncle Sam" symbolizes the United States and "Marianne" symbolizes France. "Srulik", as people called him, was the central character in Dosh?s caricatures for 50 years. Over time, he grew to be a native youth, who continued to suffer and defend himself against acts of violence and hypocritical reactions from the world's nations.

In honor of Israel's 50th anniversary celebrations, The Israel Philatelic Service issued a stamp featuring "Srulik".

Over the years, Israeli society has moved away from the Sabra ideal that "Srulik" represented. The identity of today's young Israelis is no longer made up of one single mass: on one hand, there is a trend toward returning to the traditions of one's family's country of origin, and on the other hand, there are aspirations to belong to the youth culture of Europe and the U.S.

The image chosen to represent the "new Sabra" on the stamp marking Israel's 60th anniversary has traces of the previous Sabra: the hat, the short pants and the sandals. However, these no longer represent a young farmer, but rather the attire of an average Israeli possibly soldiers clothes or possibly intentional fashionable carelessness. Chutzpah, bluntness and directness still characterize today's Sabra, along with a large measure of affability, which compensates for the rest. The young Israeli is also a proud patriot, holding a flag in hand, but he no longer withdraws from the world, rather communicates with it through the internet and electronic mail.

Comment: This is an inland stamp without denomination, but it's very strange that this stamp's value couldn't be used in the international mail, so my friend and me wasted 1.55 New Israel Sheqel. :(