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Bitter Grounds

exploring the stories stamps tell

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Cyprus 2025 stamp program – motorbikes and mosaics!

Jun 22, 2026

As promised in the 2026 article, here is the Cyprus 2025 stamp program. I don't believe it either, but let's just enjoy the moment. It's hard to go wrong when you start the year off with classic motorbikes. You don't meed to be a enthusiast to appreciate the beauty and design involved in them. And when you follow them up with a eye poppingly beautiful mosaic set, well, you have everything we...

This day in stamps

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Short story writer O. Henry, released from the Ohio Penitentiary early in 1901

July 24, 2026

On July 24, 1901 William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry, was released from the Ohio Penitentiary. He had been jailed five years for embezzlement on March 25, 1898,

Apollo 14 stamp complete with a mixed message

I've had this curious Apollo 14 stamp, in the form of an imperforate souvenir sheet, in my collection for about 2 decades, and it still puzzles me after all these years. It seems to have a bit of a god muddle going on. I found it in a box of cast-off stamps I bought cheap at an auction. It fit into my airmail collection niche, so I decided to keep it. It is a fun sheet but ... a little...

Catpaw's archive picks

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Cyprus stamps for 2026 – nice designs from mystery artists

Jun 20, 2026

Last time I posted Cyprus' stamps was way back in 2023. Somehow I missed them in 2024 and well, 2025 was a dead loss as far as work was concerned. HOWEVER ... I have already laid out and prepped the stamps for last year and you should see it up in a few days. Just...

2026 Jersey stamps – oh the journey we will take!

May 17, 2026

Buckle up mammals, we're off to see the 2026 Jersey stamps! How in hell do I find so much to write about them each year. It's a tiny island. I start with an innocent "just a few links, maybe a few cool facts". Before I hit the end of March I have over 900 words...

Japan 2026 stamps, cancels & pure joy

May 13, 2026

Ah Japan, the post mark cancel capital of the world. If you are a cancel hound, this is the country for you. Many countries create them, few attain the sheer delicate beauty and whimsy of Japan's. Here are a few samples from over the years: The little snowball...

Bitter Grounds

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