BELGIUM – World Cycling Championship
A self-adhesive jersey-shaped stamp was issued by Belgium to commemorate 100 years after the first UCI Road World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark. The 2021 event was held in the Flanders region of Belgium in September where there is “a terrain of winding, narrow and sometimes brutal roads, the ancient cobbles stand testament to the pain, courage and endurance of many of the most hardened cycling champions.” The stamp is available from the Belgian Postal Group here.
CANADA – Valour Road
Originally named Pine Street, the Winnipeg, Manitoba, street was renamed Valour Road in 1925 to recognize the three soldiers who lived there and were recipients of the Victoria Cross (VC) during the First World War. The highest honor for bravery in the face of the enemy in the Commonwealth, the VC was awarded to Corporal Lionel (Leo) Clarke, VC; Lieutenant Robert Shankland, VC, DCM; and Company Sergeant Major Frederick William Hall, VC. An artistic interpretation of their Pine Street homes is shown in the foreground and the Victoria Cross in the upper left of the design. Issued on October 21, 2021, the booklet of 10 domestic rate Permanent stamps and a pane of five are available from here.
FRANCE – Sports
The COVID-19 pandemic affected participation in numerous sports, particularly first time disciplines during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. La Poste salutes six of these new events by issuing a round souvenir sheet of six stamps in June 2021. Encircled by a yellow ring indicating Asia, the stamps depict male breakdancing, male fencing in handisport, female skateboarding, female climbing, judo and rugby sevens. The 1,50 € denominated Sports Couleur Passion stamps designed by Chimbaud Sandrine are available online from here.
GERMANY – Stamp Day - Treasures of Philately
One of philately’s better known covers is the Bordeaux letter, the only cover still in existence that was franked by both the rare two pence deep blue and one penny orange-red stamps depicting Queen Victoria, from the British colony of Mauritius. The letter was posted on October 4, 1847, in the capitol of Mauritius, Port Louis, by Edward Frances, a wine merchant, addressed to his trading partner, Ducan & Lurguie, in Bordeaux, France. The design shown on the semi-postal 0.80 € + 0.40 € surcharge from Deutsche Post shows only the top right corner of the cover, which in fact is an entire with contents intact. That letter confirms “the sale of 30 of the 48 casks of wine received earlier.” The stamp, issued on September 2, 2021, is available in sheets of 10 from here.
JAPAN – Definitive Flowers
Japan recently expanded their flowers definitive set with five more stamps. Unfortunately, the issue dates are not available on their website. The 94 ¥ stamp features Violets on a green background while the others depict a Primrose on pink (100 ¥), a Fuji on purple (120 ¥) and a Yama on light blue. (140 ¥). Beginning on January 1, 2021, the transmission of electronic customs clearance data became mandatory. “Items sent with handwritten EMS labels may result in a delay in customs clearing at addressed countries or may be returned. Also, items sent to the U.S. with handwritten labels cannot be accepted as a general rule.” Find it from here.
NEW ZEALAND – Christmas
New Zealand Post took a more contemporary style with their annual Christmas issue. Released on November 3, 2021, the stamps “feature colour-blocked gradients that evoke stained-glass windows.” The stamps are available in both gummed ($1.50, $2.80, $3.60 & $4.10) and self-adhesive ($1.50, $2.80, $3.60) options, souvenir sheets and booklets of 10. The stamps depict an angel ($1.50), the Christ child ($2.80), a shepherd ($3.60) and a Wise Man from the East ($4.10), on a symbolic starry background. Designed by Cam Price, New Zealand Post, the stamps are available from here.
VATICAN CITY – Endangered Wildlife
The Europa 2021 series focused on national wildlife at risk of extinction, including the natural habitat of 23 hectares known as the Vatican Gardens. Vatican City issued two stamps in support of that cause on May 25, 2021, depicting the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), in front of St. Peter’s Basilica on the € 1.10 and a wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) in the foreground of a wider view of the city on the € 1.15. The wren is known as the “elf of the woods” and thrives amongst tree roots while the kestrel has adopted to the urban ecosystem of the Vatican. Issued in sheets of 10, the bird stamps are available online from here.
New worldwide stamps images are presented for information and are not necessarily shown at the correct scale. The quality of images available at the time of release varies widely and we resize to achieve the best possible reproduction.