ANDORRA (SPANISH) - Hiking
Nestled in the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France, the Principality of Andorra has an active tourism industry centered around outdoor activities. On June 2, 2021, an €0.80 stamp was issued to advertise the sport of hiking (senderisme). The scene on the stamp depicts a hiker and part of the network of safe, well marked trails “that run through valleys and peaks and allow visitors to know the most incredible landscapes that the Principality offers.” Andorra is home to three natural parks, the Comapedrosa Valleys, the Sorteny Valley, and the World Heritage UNESCO site of the Madriu-Perafia-Claror Valleys. The stamp, issued in sheets of 25, is available online here.
CROATIA – 100th Anniversary of Croatian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
A unique design was used on a stamp issued by Croatia on August 26, 2021, in sheets of 12, to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Croatian Association of the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing. Alenka Lalić, a designer from Zagreb, used the one handed alphabet to spell out the occasion. The organization was founded in the early 20th century by the first graduates of the Zagreb School for the Deaf, established in 1885 by the hearing impaired teacher, Adalbert Lampe. The 3,30 HRK stamp is available online here.
FRANCE – Solar Impulse
A €1.08 denomination stamp issued June 21, 2021, depicts an Eloïse Oddos design, based on photographs, showing the Swiss-designed solar powered aircraft above the clouds. The experimental, single-seated monoplane Solar Impulse 2 completed a circumnavigation of the Earth in 16 months (due to delays from battery damage that took months to repair) becoming the first fixed wing aircraft to do so solely on solar power. La Poste offers a special complete decorative sheet to those who purchase 12 of the Solar Impulse domestic rate stamps available online here.
GREAT BRITAIN – DC Justice League
On September 17, 2021, Royal Mail released an issue featuring DC Comics superheroes and villains. Shown here is the souvenir sheet depicting members of the Justice League on 1st denominated stamps: Batman, Green Lantern and The Flash, Wonder Woman, Superman, Aquaman and Cyborg, and finally Supergirl and Shazam! with the Hall of Justice in the background. The 12 1st Class stamps in the accompanying set, in two se-tenant strips, were designed by comic artist Jim Cheung and colorist Laura Martin. The images depict Batman, Batwoman, Robin, Batgirl, Alfred, and Nightwing in the first “heroes” strip and The Joker, Harley Quinn, Penguin, Poison Ivy, Catwoman and The Riddler on the “villains” strip. The stamps are available here.
GREENLAND – 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Czeslaw Slania
Czeslaw Slania (1921-1995) has engraved over 1000 stamps during his 50-year career. Greenland saluted the 100th anniversary of his birth with an engraved 33.50 DDK stamp and souvenir sheet. Born in Poland, Slania attended the Krakow School of Fine Arts in 1945 and his first engraved stamp was issued by Poland in 1951. Five years later he relocated to Sweden to work as a stamp engraver for Sweden’s postal service and expanded his services to over 30 countries by 1959. Slania continued engraving stamps until his death. The stamp shows Slania engraving a stamp with a Greenland landscape in the background. The souvenir sheet, souvenir folders and a rare black print of the stamp are available online here.
IRELAND – Irish Singer Songwriters at Glastonbury
An Post celebrates “four leading Irish artistes who have graced the Pyramid and Acoustic Stages at the famous Glastonbury Music and Arts Festival” with a €4.40 booklet of domestic N stamps featuring Irish singer/songwriters Christy Moore, Sinéad O’Connor, Lisa Hannigan and Andrew Hozier Byrne (Hozier), in live performances. The An Post website notes that “2% of the sale of each booklet will be donated to the Irish Music Industry Covid relief fund, capped at €50,000.” The stamps are available online here.
MARSHALL ISLANDS – In Remembrance of 9/11
The Oceanic Nation of the Marshall Islands has issued a souvenir sheet and sheetlet of four to honor the memory of the victims of the terrorist attack on the twin towers of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The IGPC website states, “We will never forget the 2,977 fallen victims, the countless injured, the heroic firefighters and law enforcement, and the brave men and women who continue to fight for our freedom.” The souvenir sheet features the New York City skyline at night with the spotlights of the National 9/11 Memorial Museum to the left beside a white rose on one of the name panels. The stamps are available from the issuing country or the IGPC website at www.igpc.com
ROMANIA – Tokyo Olympics, Romanian Medalists
Romfilatelia proudly presented a set of four stamps on August 18, 2021, to celebrate the winning of four medals at the Tokyo Olympics. Represented on the 2-lei value are gold medallists Nicoleta Ancuţa Bodnar and Simona Geanina Radiş in the double rowing event that secured a gold medal as well as setting a new Olympic record. Shown on the 7-lei stamp is fencer Ana-Maria Popescu, winner of a silver medal. The 9-lei depicts Marius Vasile Cozmiuc and Ciprian Tudosă who won a silver in the men’s double frame event. On the 10.50-lei stamp is the four-frame event and the silver medal won by Mihăiţă Vasile Ţigănescu, Mugurel Vasile Semciuc, Ştefan Constantin Berariu and Cosmin Pascari. The stamps are available online here.
UNITED NATIONS – Mother Teresa
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love” is the quote from Mother Teresa shown on a UNPA definitive stamp issued on August 12, 2021. The renowned nun ministered to the sick, orphaned, poor and dying from the age of 18. She guided the Missionaries of Charity for 45 years, expanding from India to many other countries. Her work was recognized with many awards and accolades including a Nobel Prize in 1979. After her death on September 5, 1997 (aged 87) the day was designated the International Day of Charity by the UN. She was canonized on the first anniversary of her death. The stamp can be found online here.