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Bitter Grounds

exploring the stories stamps tell

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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 need to plunk in a bit more detail. Speaking of details, Cyprus Post isn't very good at supplying designer names. I've trolled...

This day in stamps

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World Refugee Day June 21

June 21, 2026

June 21 marks another World Refugee Day with little progress on tackling the root problems: climate change, political upheaval, wealth disparity. As of 2026, nearly 42 million people have been

A pencil sketch of a captivating little songbird

Still whiling away the Covid hours, this time with a little songbird pencil sketch. I've pottered around with the camera a bit, but nothing seems to pop out saying "post me". Plus, it's something to do with the relentless gloom. I started on another street scene, but I'm struggling with the basics. The perspective is almost there, but something is off kilter. It's difficult to pin down. To fight...

Catpaw's archive picks

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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...

Türkiye 2026 stamps, fdcs & smashing postmarks.

Apr 30, 2026

The stamp program for Türkiye this year is fascinating. It starts off with a bang with a spectacular piece of tech history. Al-Jazari isn't as well known in Western countries as he should be, and you'll learn more in a few minutes. That is followed up with Tughras,...

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Bitter Grounds

2026 updates & misc stuff