Randel's Postcard & Stamp Collection: 2014

Monday, December 15, 2014

Learn China from Stamps: Guqin

The guqin (ku-ch'in; literally "ancient stringed instrument") is a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument of the zither family. In 2003, guqin music was proclaimed as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. [Wikipedia]

In 2006, China and Austria jointly issued two stamps, on guqin and piano.

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Learn China from Stamps: Yangtze River

The Yangtze River (/ˈjæŋtsi/ or /ˈjɑːŋtsi/), known in China as the Chang Jiang or Yangzi, is the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world. A stretch of the Yangtze flowing through deep gorges in western Yunnan is part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. [Wikipedia]

In September 2014, China Post issued 9 stamps on Yangtze River, which are based on the murals in Great Hall of the People and Beijing Capital International Airport by Yunfu Yuan.

Among the stamps, you can find several famous cities and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Chongqing

Mount Lu, UNESCO World Heritage site

Huangshan, UNESCO World Heritage site

Nanjing

Shanghai

Friday, December 12, 2014

Learn China from Stamps: Huangmei Opera

Huangmei opera originated as a form of rural folksong and dance that has been in existence for the last 200 years and possibly longer in China. [Wikipedia]

In July 2014, China Post issued 3 stamps featuring 3 Huangmei plays, Fairy Couple, Female Prince, and Picking Grass.

Learn China from Stamps: Yuan Qu (poetry)

In Chinese literature, the Qu (Wade–Giles: chü) form of poetry from the Yuan Dynasty may be called yuanqu (W: Yüan-chü). The Qu form of poetry is a type of Classical Chinese poetry form, consisting of words written in one of a number of certain, set tone patterns, based upon the tunes of various songs. The fixed-tone type of verse such as the qu and the ci together with the shi and fu forms of poetry comprise the three main forms of Classical Chinese poetry. [Wikipedia]

In December 2014, China Post issued 6 stamps on Yuan Qu. The stamps show 6 poems and plays. Please find the introductions to them and/or their authors below.

Autumn Thoughts, Ma Zhiyuan

Thinking of the Past on My Way to Tong Pass, Zhang Yanghao

The Injustice to Dou E, Guan Hanqing

Over the Wall, Bai Renfu

The Orphan of Zhao, Ji Junxiang

Premature Death of a Beautiful Young Girl, Zheng Guangzu

Friday, June 6, 2014

Olympic Games Beijing 2008 Stamps

There are about 168 sets of stamps worldwide about Olympic Games Beijing 2008, from 2001 to 2010. Here are my collections.

Botswana (2008, 1/2)

Czech Republic, Olympic & Paralympics (2008)

Switzerland (2008, 1/2)

Zimbabwe (2009, 1/4)

Poland (2008)

Friday, May 23, 2014

Iran Joint Issue Stamps

2002

Joint issue Brazil

2003

Palaces, joint issue China

Caspic sea, joint issue Russia

2004

Joint issue India

Aeroplanes, joint issue Ukraina

Joint issue Venezuela

2005

Gardens, joint issue Spain

Culture, joint issue Afghanistan, Syria, Turkey

2008

Joint issue with Morocco

Joint issue with Kazakhstan

Joint issue with Kyrgyzstan

Joint issue with Tadjikistan

2009

Ramsar, joint issue with Cuba

Sea eagle, joint issue Portugal

Joint issue Indonesia

2010

Hungary joint stamp issue

2011

Pakistan joint stamp issue

Joint Issue with Belarus

Saturday, May 10, 2014

US Statehood Stamps

1935 – PRESENT

From California to the New York island: the states behind Old Glory’s stars — and the scenes that make them distinct.

Open to swap: Alabama (1969), Louisiana (2012), Nevada (2014, upcoming!), New Mexico (2012), West Virginia (2013).

Alabama (1969)

Connecticut (1998)

District of Columbia (1991)

Florida (1982/1995)

Mockingbird and Orange Blossom

Georgia (1988)

Idaho (1990)

Iowa (1996)

Louisiana (1962 / 2012)

Maine (1970)

Maryland (1988)

Massachusetts (1988)

Nevada (2014, upcoming!)

New Hampshire (1988)

New Mexico (2012)

New York (1988)

South Carolina (1970/1988)

Tennessee (1996)

Texas (1995)

Utah (1996)

Vermont (1991)

Virginia (1988)

West Virginia (2013)

Wisconsin (1998)

Friday, May 2, 2014

1970 US Commemorative Year Set Stamps for Trade

Stop pollution (4)

Natural history museum (4)

Christmas, toys (4)

Christmas

Mayflower

Edgar Lee Masters

Wildlife conservation

Fort Snelling

US servicemen (2)

United Nations

Woman suffrage

Stone mountain

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Worldwide Lunar New Year Stamps

Those countries or districts in color have issued Lunar New Year / Chinese Zodiac stamps up to 2010. I have collected those in green, and need those in yellow. Please contact me for a trade, thanks!

Brazil

Ox (2009)