GERMANY – Cover from Mülheim / Ruhr, Germany to Braga, Portugal.

Cover with special postmark ‘Oberhausen Local Hero Woche’ commemorative of the 35th Anniversary of German Philatelist Youth over 0.70€ stamp from the ‘650 Städtehanse’ issue, posted on July, 31 2010.
(Special thanks to my friend Igor)

650 years Hanseatic Cities

650 years Hanseatic Cities 1356, representatives of several commercial cities in Lübeck in order to agree on a common strategy to enforce their trade interests and regional rulers. This meeting is now regarded as the founding of the League of Hanseatic Cities. Their main trade routes extended from London to Bruges and to Reval (now Tallinn in Estonia) and Novgorod (Russia) over the entire North and Baltic Sea region. But many inland cities such as Cologne and Halle an der Saale were integrated into the trading ring. In its heyday (until about 1400) combined the Hanseatic cities to 200 cities under the leadership of Lübeck.

Design: Joachim Riess, Chemnitz
Image: Drawing Hansekogge: © German Maritime Museum Bremerhaven; background drawing: © Germanic National Museum Nuremberg
Value: 0,70 EUR
Printing: Multi-colored, combined Stichtief/Offset print of the Austrian State GmbH, Vienna
Size: 46.00 x 27.32 mm
Paper: Coated white, fluorescent paper, postage stamps DP 2
Date of issue: 07 September 2006

The stamp is from a joint issue with Sweden.

TURKEY – Cover from Pasaport - Izmir, Turkey to Braga, Portugal

Cover and First Day Cover posted on August, 19 2010.
(A very special thanks to my friend Ahmet Demir)

SINGAPORE – Cover from Singapore to Braga, Portugal

First Day Cover of the Youth Olympic Games – Singapore 2010 issue posted on August, 14 2010.
(A very special thanks to my friend Terence Wong)

SINGAPORE 2010 YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES
14-26 August 2010

On 21 February 2008, Singapore celebrated with Fanfare when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced its decision to hold the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore in 2010. The announcement, broadcast live in front of an enthusiastic crowd, took place at the Padang.

Eighteen months later, thousands gathered once again at the Padang to celebrate the One-Year Countdown Event on 14 August 2009. It also celebrated the progress Singapore had made as well as Its readiness to host the first YOC with the unveiling of a Countdown Clock set against the historic City.

In August 2010, the nation will witness the official opening of the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games, inking Singapore in history books as the first Host City of the YOG.
The multi-sport event offers an integrated sport, culture and education program, aligned to the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect. Depicted in this set of stamps are the official mascots, Lyo and Merly, in different poses, representing the liveliness and youthfulness of the athletes.

The first two designs highlight the World Culture Village and Island Adventure formats of CEP. Athletes will learn about diverse cultures, teamwork and leadership through these two activities. The next two designs feature the mascots in their favourite sports of Aquatics – Swimming and Basketball respectively.

To welcome the coming of the inaugural YOG. the Youth Olympic Flame made its way across the world to one city in each of the five continents of Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. The Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame (JYOF) will connect people from all over the world to the Olympic Movement, uniting them in celebration of the spirit of Olympism.
(extract from the stamps issue brochure)

Date of issue: 14 August 2010
Denominations: 1st Local, 65C, $1.10, $2
Stamp Size: 48mm a 30.45mm
Perforation: 13¼ x 13¾
Paper: Unwatermarked Printing
Process: Offset Lithography
Printer: Joh Enschede Security Print
Sheet Content: 10
Designed by: Cubix international Pte Ltd

MALAYSIA – Cover from Malaysia to Braga, Portugal

Cover with the souvenir sheet of the 2006 'National Costumes of Various Races' stamps issue featuring different Malaysian traditional costumes, posted on July, 27 2010.
(A very special thanks to my friend Edna Chin)

Date of Issue: 29 August 2006
Designer: Hazel Design
Miniature sheet: 70 mm x 100 mm
Denomination: Stamps 50 sen x 3; souvenir sheet: RM1.00 x 2
Perforation: 14
Paper: SPM Watermarked, Phosphor Coated
Printing: Lithography Stamp
Printer: Percetakan Keselamatan Nasional Sdn Bhd

HONG-KONG - Cover from Ma On Shan, Hong-Kong to Braga, Portugal

Cover with two stamps of 2$40 from the 2010 ‘Characteristic Streets’ stamps issue, one stamp of 2$50 from the 1998’s ‘Year of the Tiger’ stamps issue and two stamps from the 2006 definitive issue, posted on July, 22 2010.

(2010 Characteristic Streets)

(2006 Definitives)

(1998 Year of the Tiger)

MALAYSIA - Cover from Ipoh, Malaysia to Braga, Portugal.

First Day Cover of the ‘Threatened habitats’ stamps issue posted on July, 15 2010.
(A very special thanks to my friend Khor Kok Keong)

Date of Issue: 15. 07. 2010
Face value: 60sen; 70sen; 80sen
Dimensions: 22 x 32 mm
Perforation: Layout/Format: Sheets
Stamps per Sheet: 20
Number in set:
Stamp designer: World Communications Network Resources (M) Sdn Bhd
Stamp engraver:
Printer: Percetakan Keselamatan Sdn Bhd
Print technology: Lithography

SINGAPORE – Cover from Singapore to Braga, Portugal

Cover with 5 stamps of the Sing post 26 of May 2010 'Known 10 Trees' stamps issue featuring various essential trees of Singapore, posted on July, 27 2010.
(A very special thanks to my friend Edna Chin)

(The ten stamps)

GERMANY - Cover from Hildesheim, Deutschland to Braga, Portugal

Cover with stamp of 2$20 from the 2010 ‘1000 Jahre St. Michaelis Hildesheim’ stamps issue, posted on August, 14 2010.
(Special thanks to my friend Manuel Correia)

1000 Jahre St. Michaelis Hildesheim

St. Michael at Hildesheim was founded in 1010 by Bishop Bernward (960-1022) as his burial place.
Bernward was an influential cleric, close contact with the rulers of his day was. It was shortly after his death, canonized by Pope Celestine III. (Term 1191-1198).
The Church of St. Michael is one of the most important pre-Romanesque religious buildings at the north of the Alps and involves a number of outstanding art treasures. Since 1985 it belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage.
After the Reformation was agreed that the area of the tomb of Bishop Bernward reports to the Catholic Church and the rest of the structure to the Lutheran Church.
On 22 March 1945 razed to the ground, St. Michael's has quickly built up an admirable way again.
(text extracted from the Deutsch Post Philately web page)

Design: Bianca Becker and Peter Kohl, Hamburg
Image: Illustration church St. Michaelis in Hildesheim
Photo: Eckhard Jordens, Hildesheim
Value: 2.20 €
Printing: multicolor offset
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
Securities printing Leipzig
Size: 35.00 x 35.00 mm
Paper: Coated white, fluorescent paper, postage stamps DP 2
Issue date: 02 January 2010

GREENLAND - Cover from Tasiilaq, Greenland to Braga, Portugal

Official Greenland postal administration cover with stamp from the ‘Air Greenland 50th anniversary’ stamp issue posted on April, 20 2010.

During its lifetime, Air Greenland has facilitated in transporting people around Greenland and, in 2010, it is celebrating its 50 anniversary since the company first operated aircraft in Greenland. The jubilee year commences on 18th January 2010 when POST Greenland will issue a commemorative postage stamp and Air Greenland will, at the same time, launch its commemorative website www.airgreenland.gl this will be followed up with celebrations around the coast during the jubilee year, and of course, aboard the aircraft.
(text extracted from the Greenland Collector Magazine)

Air Greenland 50th anniversary
Value: DKK 16.50
Date of issue: 18th January 2010
40 stamps per sheet
Size: F - Vertical
Artist: Ina Rosing
Outer measurements: 33.44mm x 28.84mm
Typography: Dorit Olsen Printing method: Offset
Paper: Sopal

ALGERIA - Cover from Setif, Algeria to Braga, Portugal

Registered cover with stamps from the 2009 Algerian issues – International Polar Year and Protection of Glaciers and Jewels of Southern Algeria posted on July, 22 2010.
(Special thanks to my friend Ouari Khemissi)

Poles and Glacier Protection

Over the millennia, glaciers have experienced periods of growth and melting, their mass, as is the natural fluctuation dictated by climatic cycles. From 'the last decades, they have begun the decline that continues today.

As and when the ice melts, there is less and less solar energy being reflected from the ice and more and more absorbed by the ocean. A significant decrease in glaciers and ice covering the sea in 'polar regions has been registered. Thus, the thickness of the ice in the Arctic Ocean
increased from 4.88 m on average in 1980 to 2.75m in 2000, a decrease of 2.13 m in 20 years. Studies conducted during 2003 by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) , the Arctic lost around 10% its permanent ice.

During the past century, temperatures in the northern regions has increased, average of 1.51 ° C, which produced the phenomenon of global 1'atmosphère, a phenomenon linked primarily to the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The largest projected temperature rise during this century, will vary between 2 ° C and 6 ° C and will affect primarily the northern regions of the 'planet. Also, methods of production of different energies have clearly demonstrated their close association with the phenomenon of global warming that threatens the planet.

However, the polar regions play an important role in the global climate system by storing the energy of all the hot zones exist worldwide, and exchanging heat flows from Ecuador against the flow of cold water north and vice versa.
Polar regions, seen also as a factor in regulating the climate of the world, used to study many questions related to the planet such as climate, biodiversity, ozone depletion, atmospheric chemistry, ocean dynamics The structure of the globe, etc.

Our planet appears as a whole when the climate is partly dependent on complex interactions between ocean, atmosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, and human activity. The issue of concern to humanity at present and how to slow the advance of climate change on the entire planet to reduce their impact on living beings.

With the aim of reducing the rapid progress which is the phenomenon of global warming, the optimal use of different energies is needed. Algeria is supported, in turn, and whatever the dangers may be caused to the nature, all efforts by the international community to protect and preserve our planet.
Date of Issue: 28. 03. 2009
Face value: 38 DA
Dimensions: 26 x 36 mm Perforation: 14 x 14 Layout/Format: TL
Stamps per TL: 25
Number in set: 1
Stamp designer: Kamardine Krim
Stamp engraver:
Printer: Imprimerie de la Banque d’Algérie
Print technology: Offset

Jewels of Southern Algeria

The southern Algeria, a vast territory and crossroads of nomadic and sedentary, had all the advantages of developing a rich and prosperous jewelry. Jewelers have largely contributed themselves to the distribution of their products. But they chose to settle primarily in major centers where the clientele was important. The jewels of southern Algeria are often perforated and filled grounds, giving them certain originality.

Fibula circular Saharan Atlas
On the hollow center of the circular fibula of silver of the Saharan Atlas is fixed barb. 'The edge of the disc comes in pellets, on the periphery of the center, it is decorated: four cabochons set with colored glass and filigree patterns.

Collier amulets Ia Saoura
The necklace is silver amulets from Saoura region is composed of a bundle of five chains, three square boxes, two triangular and two cylindrical. These boxes amulets hollow inside are decorated with geometric and plant using the technique of embossing.

Ornament pectoral I'Atlas Saharan
The pectoral ornament of the atlas Silver Sahara consists of two perforated fibulae decorated with floral motifs. Both fibulae are connected to the other, by a moon chain tripled.

Silver fibula from Saoura
Formed dune plate decorated with incision and added to obtain floral and geometric disposed on any surface of the plate. The basis of this fibula ends with a crescent.

Date of Issue: 13. 05. 2009
Face value: 1 DA, 5 DA, 9 DA and 10 DA
Dimensions: 22 x 32 mm
Perforation: 14 x 14 Layout/Format:
Stamps per Sheet:
Number in set:
Stamp designer: Kamardine Krim
Stamp engraver:
Printer: Imprimerie de la Banque d’Algérie
Print technology: Offset

SERBIA - Cover from Belgrade, Serbia to Braga, Portugal

Registered cover with stamps and souvenir sheet the ‘FIFA World Cup 2010’ stamps issue posted on July, 20 2010.

Stamps and souvenir sheet from the Serbian FIFA 2010 stamps issue.

With this letter I received the stamps and FDC of the Serbian EXPO 2010 Shanghai participation stamps issue.


Title of issue: World Exhibition - SHANGHAI 2010
Date of Issue: 22-06-2010.
Face value: 22 and 50 CSD
Dimensions:
Perforation: Layout/Format:
Stamps per sheet: 10
Number in set: 2
Stamp designer: Nadežda Skočajić
Stamp engraver:
Printer: Forum at Novi Sad, Serbia
Print technology: Offset

In this jubilee year, which marks the 110th anniversary of the presentation of the Kingdom of Serbia at the Paris World Expo – for which the Serbian Painter Paja Jovanović created his historical piece “Crowning of Emperor Dušan on April 14 1346” and won a gold medal – Serbia will have a change to appear for the first time as an independent state in a World Expo – EXPO 2010 Shanghai. China, as the pretender to the future throne of global economy, has left nothing to chance: this will be the largest World Expo ever, with about 200 exhibiting countries and an estimated attendance of 70 to 100 million. Visitors of the Pavilion will learn about the economic, cultural and tourism potentials of Serbia, with sports and famous Serbian sportsmen and women as the distinguishing feature of our country at this prestigious world event.
EXPO exhibitions are thematic, and this year national Pavilions in Shanghai will offer their visions of better life in urban environments.
This year’s World Expo theme, “Better City, Better Life”, will be met by Serbia’s “City Code”, an effort to divine the code rooted deep in the Serbian city, the code that is the fine thread linking the past, the present and the future of cities, the code that is at once both unmistakably local and universal to all cities the world over. Like the threads of traditional carpets for which the town of Pirot in Serbia is known, the elements of urban life intertwine, creating a unique, always new pattern – the city code. Serbia Pavilion will also offer concrete solutions for better life in cities, emphasizing time as one of the codes and a versatile resource. The better we learn to make use of time, with higher quality and efficiency, the more pleasant and fulfilled our living in urban environments will be. Time will be the cohesion factor for numerous exhibits and events at the Serbia Pavilion, e.g. the art installations “Time Machine”, “Roundabout” and “The Beautiful Face of Serbia”, which will give Serbian citizens an opportunity to present to Pavilion visitors their vision of better use of time in urban environments. The calendar of our renowned scientists Milutin Milanković will be one of the highlights of the exhibition.

For some, this World Expo will reveal a glimpse of the future; for others, that future has already began. Hopefully, this Expo will also be a milestone for Serbia, both in terms of the country’s attitude to urban life and in terms of promotion of Serbia as a modern European country with long tradition and rich heritage, or, as the centerpiece of our exhibition area neatly sums it up: “Serbia – the Garden of Europe”.
Artistic realization of the stamps: Nadežda Skočajić, graduated graphic designer.
(Extract from the Serbian Post announcing bulletin)

OMAN - Cover from Oman to Braga, Portugal

Cover with stamps posted on July, 25 2010.

HONG-KONG - Cover from Kawlonn, Hong-Kong to Braga, Portugal

Cover with souvenir sheet from the ‘2010 International Year of Biodiversity’ stamps issue posted on July, 27 2010.

"Biodiversity" Special Stamps
Date of Issue: 15 July 2010

The United Nations declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity, calling on the international community to join hands in protecting biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance. Hong Kong is blessed with a diversity of natural habitats. This set of stamps presents four endemic species in the territory, so that our community will know more about these rare species, and evoke our admiration and devote more effort to nature conservation in Hong Kong.

Macropodus hongkongensis ($1.40) - A member of the Belontiidae family, Macropodus hongkongensis (commonly known as Hong Kong Paradise Fish) is the only freshwater fish named after Hong Kong. It can be found in the northeastern part of the territory including the northern New Territories, Tai Po and Sai Kung. The fish has an elliptical and laterally compressed body with elongated dorsal and anal fins. The first pair of gill-rakers extends to form a supplementary respiratory organ. The fish is generally solid black or greyish in colour. During spawning season, the males exhibit dark black body colour and their unpaired fins are lined with bluish-white edges.

Liuixalus romeri ($2.40) - Liuixalus romeri (commonly known as Romer's Tree Frog) is an amphibian of the Rhacophoridae family. Distributed in woodlands on Lamma Island, Lantau Island, Po Toi and Chek Lap Kok, it is the smallest among the frog species recorded in Hong Kong, with an average body length from 1.5 to 2.5 centimetres. The frog's whitish belly and brownish back with a dark X-shaped marking give camouflage in its natural habitat.

Sinopora hongkongensis ($3) - Sinopora hongkongensis is a medium-sized tree of the Lauraceae or Laurel family, and can reach 16 metres in height. Bracteoles bear rust-coloured hairs. Leaves are elliptical and flowers small and greenish-yellow, with globular and yellowish-brown fruits up to 4 centimetres in diameter. First discovered at Tai Mo Shan in 2005, Sinopora hongkongensis was identified as a species new to science and is the only known representative of the genus Sinopora.

Fukienogomphus choifongae ($5) - Fukienogomphus choifongae is a medium-sized gomphid. The dragonfly has a yellow and black body. The male has stout white superior anal appendages and widely divaricate black inferior anal appendages. The female also has white superior anal appendages but short black inferior anal appendages. First discovered at Wu Kau Tang in the northeastern New Territories in 2004, Fukienogomphus choifongae was identified as a species new to science. (Extract from the Hong-Kong Post announcing bulletin)

DENMARK - Cover from Søborg, Denmark to Braga, Portugal

Cover with Denmark’s NORDIA 2010 stamps posted on July, 5 2010.
(Special thanks to my friend Peter Gørtz-Christiansen)

The postal services of the Nordic countries are jointly issuing a three-part stamp series entitled
Nordic Coastlines. All eight Nordic countries will be issuing stamps and minisheets in this series during 2010, 2012 and 2014. The theme of the first part is "Life by the coast".

Date of issue: 24 March 2010
Artist and engraver: Bertil Skov Jørgensen
Paper: Self-adhesive
Printing method: Intaglio
Format: 33 x 29 mm Value: 5,50 kr.
Date of issue: 24 March 2010
Photos: Steen Larsen
Design: Post Danmark Stamps
Paper: Self-adhesive
Printing method: Offset
Format: 29 x 39 mm
Number of stamps per sheet: 36
Value: 8,50 kr.

SWEDEN – Cover from Bromma, Sweden to Braga, Portugal

Cover with Swedish NORDIA 2010 souvenir sheet posted on June, 6 2010.