Slovenia

New nice cover from Slovenia.

It's spring and with it this letter with flowers.

An ode to nature.

Thanks, Maks!

Croatia

Thanks to Davor, from Zagreb, I received this beautiful cover, the first one from Croatia. On the right corner up we can see a stamp with Pope John Paul II, one among my favorite topics.

I invite you to have a look at the interesting Davor's web-site: www.geocities.com/davor2405/philately.html

He collects stamps ww related to aviation. Certainly you have something he is looking for, and vice-versa.

Thank you again, Davor, for your nice cover, your stamps and the post cards, as well.

Ukraine

My collection urgently needed a beautiful cover from Ukraine. And here it is, surprisingly. Three stamps with colorful and elegant women faces decorate this letter. Because of its beauty and ellegancy, when I received it, the first image recalled me the Cossaks of Ukraine - folk Ukrainian groups who used to visit Portugal often in the 70's.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the large and very respected Ukrainian community resident in Portugal.

Thank you, Igor, for your contribution to the cult of friendship through stamps.

Slovenia

Beautiful new letter from Cvetko, with 4 stamps. The stamp with the facial value of 0.48 euros evoques Primoz Trubor, author of the first Slovenian book. On the left side up, again European Union, the Slovenian block issued in beginning of 2008.

I would like to remember Cvetko has an interesting philatelic blog we can join through the following address: http://freeweb.siol.net/stanisa1/401.html

Thank you, Cvetko, for this nice cover and the copious stamps gift, too. Maybe we'll meet each other, soon ...

Israel

I'm greatful to Lev by his kindness in sending me my first letter from Israel. On the top of the cover we have a John Paul II stamp, next to the Wall of Lamentations, as far as I understand.

Apart stamps, Lev is interested in swaping sugar packets (we currently use to add to coffee), and tea packets, too. Now, we will not be indifferent whenever we have quietly a cup of coffee or tea ...

Thank you so much, Lev.

Poland

Who does not remember the stories of their childhood?
This simple but very expressive letter from Poland is exactly remembering one of the most story writers in the world, of all time - Hans Christian Andersen (Odense 1805/Kobenhaven 1875). He was, according to scholars, the "first genuinely romantic voice to tell stories for children" and sought always pass patterns of behaviour that should be adopted by the new company that is organized, including pointing the clashes between "powerful" and "unprotected", "strong" and "weak", "exploiters" and "exploited". He also wanted to demonstrate the idea that all men should have equal rights.
Courtesy of Kasimierz. Thank you so much!

Belgium

This is my first cover received from Belgium.
Both stamps on the left commemorate the “Human Right Declaration”.
On the right we have a remembering of René Magritte (1898/1967), one of the most reputed Belgian painters related with surrealism school.
His works are metaphors that present as realistic representations, by the juxtaposition of common objects and recurring symbols in his work, such as the female torso, the hat coco, the castle, the rock and window, among other more, but a mode impossible to be found in real life.
Thank you, Holger!

India

We are sharing the beauty of one more cover.

The stamps represent a deep call for friendliness among peoples and also a call for healthy coexistence between man and nature. The 4 stamps on the left, with butterflies, are a recent issue from India.

Thanks to the kindness of Baiju.

Algeria

Nouveau courrier reçu d'Algerie. Il est vraiment superbe: À part les timbres dits "communs", on nous propose le block "Fontaines d'Alger" (2ème série), sortie le 23 février 2008 à Alger. Ma photo est très pauvre mais l'image réelle de l'ensemble est très belle - les quatre timbres de la série et la ville d'Algers en fond.

Cette lettre est remarquable en beauté et en abondance: un block (4 timbres) et encore 8 timbres en complément. Gentille proposition d'Ouari. À encourajer...

Merci, Ouari.

New cover from Algeria. It is really wonderful. Apart from the "common" stamps we are offered the block "Fountains of Algiers" (2nd serie) issued in Algiers on February 23, 2008. My photo is very poor but the real image overall is very beautiful - four stamps and the city of Algiers. This letter is remarkable richfull of beauty and abundance: a block (4 stamps), and yet complement 8 stamps. It's an Ouari nice proposal. To encourage ...

Thank you, Ouari.

Republic of Korea

What a beautiful cover just arrived at my hands! It was sent from Republic of Korea, courtesy of Jung Min.

The stamps are numerous (8!), the themes varied and magnificent and with a very clear cancellation. I paid particular attention to those of the top left corner, as they are focused on one of my preferred topics: wine / grapes. (I was surprised, and excuse my ignorance, because I didn't know this topic was the subject of several series issued by the Postal Service of South Korea...).

Really very nice surprise!

Jung Min has an interesting web site on postage stamps, you will like to have a look at: http://hiphila.blogspot.com

Belarus

Again a letter from Alexander. His letters and the stamps on reveal always a certain harmony. On the left side we can see two Orthodox churches integrated in a green landscape and in the upper right corner, we have stamps with birds, a church and a call to renewable energy. The nature thanks. Thank you, Alexander, for this new beautiful letter and this message.

Je viens de recevoir un nouveau courrier d'Alexander, de la Biélorussie. Ses lettres et les timbres utilisés révèlent toujours une certaine harmonie. Nous voyons dans la lettre, du coté gauche, un paysage vert avec deux églises orthodoxes encadrées dans un paysage vert et, sur le coin supérieur droit, nous voyons des timbres avec des oiseaux, une église et un dernier timbre qui fait appel à l'énergie renouvelable. La nature remercie. Merci, Alexander, pour cette très belle lettre et le message.

Slovenia

One new cover from Slovenia.

Europe is a small geographical area on Earth, where the diversity of language and culture constitute an invaluable richness. The stamps at the top of this envelope evoke exactly this: First, the stamp with a blue background have a reminder of the presence of Slovenia in the European Union and, the stamp on the left, one of the traditional costumes of that country. To crown it all, two stamps with flowers, always a nice element remembering every citizen for respect and the intimate coexistence with nature. Thank you, dear Ziga, for this wonderful idea and congratulations!

L'Europe est un espace géographique limité sur Terre, où la diversité linguistique et culturelle est une richesse inestimable. Les timbres en haut de cette enveloppe évoquent exactement ceci: Dans un premier temps, le timbre sur un fond bleu évoque la présence de la Slovénie dans l'Union Européenne et, celui sur la gauche, l'un des costumes traditionnels de ce pays. Pour finir, deux timbres nous parlent des fleurs, un très bel élément qui nous appèle à tous au respect et à la cohabitation intime avec la nature. Merci beaucoup, cher Ziga, et félicitations pour cette idée et ce tableau magnifique!

Finland

It is very difficult to speak of this envelope.
It is indeed very interesting and innovative. It comes from Finland. This surprising philatelic object is a "long sized"block consisting of 4 different stamps and has ski as the central theme.

So far, nothing new. The novelty comes from the material used: a synthetic fiber, whose name I do not know, and it causes the motion of the pictures whenever we change our position. The pictures shown are static. However, when we have this over in our hands, we see whole cold and snowy landscape moving. This concept is not new. But postage stamps made with such material is an inovation, at least for me...

Really great.

Thank you so much, Anne-Lisa!

Spain

Mi segunda carta de España y mi segunda recibida de la Comunidad Autónoma de Galicia, el vecino cercano de la región Norte de Portugal. Es una carta muy bonita de verdad. Estoy muy agradecido a José Luís.

My second letter from Spain and my second one received from the Autonomic Region of Galicia, the close neighbour region of the North of Portugal. It's a really very nice letter. I'm very greatful to José Luís .

Nederlands

New and peculiar cover received from Nederlands, a nice gift from Manuel.

There are two stamps on, and both contain seeds corresponding to the flowers shown. It's a quite unique concept and I really enjoyed it.

Thanks!

Slovenia

New cover received from Slovenia, courtesy of my friend Cvetko.
He is a lover of the stamps, stamps about animal life, particularly dogs.
Cvetko has a nice internet site translated into several languages. It is very interesting blog and you can have a look on it at the following address: http://freeweb.siol.net/stanisa1 or directly from my favourite link: Lencova Domaca Stran.
Thanks again, Cvetko.

Liechtenstein

My first cover from Liechtenstein (1976?).

Thank you, Vladimír!

France

Cover with logo of Toulouse F.C.

Envelope dated 14.11.88.

Ghana

A cover from an UNICEF expert from Ghana.
Courtesy of Vladimír.

Czech Republic

"A cover from the Government Office of the Czech Republic" - Vladimír

Former Czechoslovakia

"A card with occasional cancellation to 200th anniversary of the founder ow water curing in Lázne Jeseník" - Vladimír

Former Czechoslovakia

"A month after the first decay of Czechoslovakia (14.03.1939) - postal entirely of Slovak State with a machine handstamp inviting people for loans to the new state for recovery and development" - Vladimír

Czech Republic

This is the new letter from Emilia and Vladimir, my friends recently in the Czech Republic. Friends I respect and admire for their daily courage and their generosity. They have been so generous to me, I remain always with the idea of insufficient and unfair return, from my side…In addition to this beautiful envelope with stamps of old trucks and flowers, they sent me also other envelopes (Former Czechoslovakia, Czech Republic, France, Ghana and Liechtenstein) with some peculiarities. I’ll talk about it very soon. In the meantime, for Emilia and Vladimír my sincere thanks and special greetings.

Spain

Puente de Alcántara y Puente Internacional de Ayamonte. Se trata de una emisión conjunta España - Portugal. El pasado y el presente, puentes de amistad entre los dos países Ibéricos.

Alcántara bridge and International Ayamonte bridge. This is a joint issue Spain - Portugal. The past and present, bridges of friendship in the history of the two Iberian countries.

Russia

New nice cover received from Russia.
The 4 main stamps refer to "The History of Russia. Alexander I (1777 - 1825)" and the scenes are painted by L. Zaytsev. It's a beautiful full set issue dated 2002.
On the left side of the envelope we have a view of Kalingrad.
Thank you, Alexey!

Argentina

Con la simpatia y gentilleza de Ernesto recibo este mi primer sobre de Argentina. Muchas gracias y un saludo muy cordial para el país del tango!

I'm receiving my first cover from Argentina, thanks to Ernesto's kindness. Many thanks and special greetings to the country of the tango!

Bahrein

Très beau courrier reçu du Bahreïn, gentille courtoisie de l'Embassade de France. Un grand merci.

Nice cover received from Bahrein, courtesy of France Embassy. Thanks.

Russia

Just MAGNIFICENT!
I've no words. Only to thank you, Andrew, for this unique moment you decided to share with all of us.
Philately is sharing and sharing is friendship.
Thank you so much again for this really beautiful moment.

Absolument MAGNIFIQUE! Je n'ai pas de mots. seulement à vous remercier, Andrew, pour ce moment unique que vous avez décidé de partager avec nous tous. La philatélie c'est partage et partage c'est amitié. Je vous remercie à nouveau, pour ce très, très beau moment.

Russia

New cover received from Russia. It's a really nice one, with interisting topic, related with cars and trucks from decades ago.
It's a kind Yuri's courtesy. Thanks!

Slovenia

Beautiful Cover from Slovenia, courtesy of Ziga.
Thank you!

Republic of Korea

These nice stamps present the Seomjin River winding through the foothills of Jiri Mountain.
This clean blue river has long been a habitat to various kinds of flora and fauna, including rare creatures and natural treasures, such as the osprey, wildcat, kestrel, otter, Fabriciana nerippe, etc.
Thank you, Kim!

Poland

Beautiful poscard with the view of Cracow city.

Using Greg's words, "this card is to commemorate 750 years of

location of the city of Cracow".

Thanks, Greg, for your nice initiative.

Belarus

The topic of the four stamps in evidence is showing game of chess, I suppose, popular enough in Belarus. On the stamp of the left, very discreet, there is a small bird and it seems quite sad... Is its favorite player losing the tournament?

Thanks a lot, Ihar, for this nice cover.

Norway

This is a very nice cover, the first one I received from Norway.

The baby on the main stamp is the Princess Ingrid Alexandra's photo.

The King Harold V is on the stamp, on the left.

Beautiful souvenir.

Thank you, Tonni!

Canada

Year of the Rat.

Thanks to Don, I received my first and original cover from Canada.

Hungary

Thanks, Lajos, for your beautiful envelope and the mint stamps you sent me.

Ho, as I miss the Danube and Lake Boloton ...

Republic of China

Thank you very much, George, for this nice FDC.

Spring is coming...

Algeria

Très beau courrier reçu d'Algérie.
Merci, Ouari.

Russia

Beautiful cover just received from Russia.
Thank you, Alexander, for the support to the WWF and the richness of the colors.

Portugal (Açores)

Moinhos de Vento (2007)
"O arquipélago dos Açores, oficialmente descoberto pelos Portuguses no séc. XV é bem o paradigma de um mundo que se quer manter verde, a bem da sustentabilidade (...). Herança dos primeiros povoadores, esta técnica de transformar o vento em pão é um técnica provavelmente a considerar, numa época de aposta nas energias renováveis". - In "Portugal em Selos 2007"

Windmills of the Azores (2007) "This archipelago, officially discovered by the Portuguese during the 15th century, is clearly the paradigm of a world that everyone wants to keep green for the sake of sustainability (...). The legacy of the earlest settlers, this technique used to transform wind into bread is probably to be considered at a time of the new focus on renewable energies". - In "Portugal in Stamps 2007"

Portugal

Velhos embaixadores (2006)
Esta emissão filatélica destinou-se a comemorar os 250 anos da Região Demarcada do Douro, a mais antiga região demarcada de vinhos do Mundo.
"Pelo mundo fora, o mais popular embaixador de Portugal é, sem dúvida alguma, o noss célebre Vinho do Porto, como o qualificou a UNESCO em 14-12-2001, ao colocar à cabeça dos bens então declarados Património Mundial, o Alto Douro Vinhateiro". - In "Portugal em Selos 2006"

Old ambassadors (2006)

This philatelic issue commemorates the 250th annyversary of the Douro Demarcated Region, the world's oldest wine demarcated region. "Throughout the world Portugal's most popular ambassador is undoubtely our celebrated Port Wine, as it was classified by UNESCO on December 14th 2001, on placing the Alto Douro wine Region at the head of the patrimony that was then declared World Heritage". In "Portugal in Stamps 2006

Lithuania

This is my first cover from Lithuania. It is a very beautiful one with stamps of one of my favourite topics (religion). A warm embrace from the west Atlantic to the Baltic Sea. Thank you, Kajetonas!

Portugal (Madeira)

Vinho da Madeira 2006 - "Essência Precisa"
"Já em1515 o Vinho da Madeira era exportado para a Corte de Francisco I de França; Shakespeare classificou-o como essência precisa em Henrique IV; o Duque de Clarence, irmão de Eduardo IV de Inglaterra e sentenciado pelo atentado ao Rei, escolheu morrer afogado num tonel de tal néctar; Napoleão contou com o suprimento deste vinho no exílio de Santa Helena... George Washington bebia diariamente um cálice de Madeira." - Extracto de Portugal em Selos 2006

Madeira Wine 2006 - "Precisous Essence"
Early as 1515 Madeira wine was exported to the court of Francis of France; Shakespeare classified it as "precious essence" in Henry IV; the duke of Clarence, brother of Edward IV of England who was sentenced for an attempt on the life of the king, chose to drown in a butt of this nectar; Napoleon relied on provision of this wine during his exile in Santa Helena... George Washington drank a glass of Madeira every day". - Extract from the book "Portugal in Stamps 2006"