espresso, stamps & conversations

Bitter Grounds 

exploring the stories stamps tell

Cat drinking coffee

We are ad free!
Grateful thanks to all who have donated. You keep this site going … and super thanks for all the espresso you’ve bought to keep me well lubricated when writing.
Buy me a coffee offers single donations + modest subscriptions.
You can also choose to pay using Stripe for a secure donation.

Cyprus 2025 stamp program – motorbikes and mosaics!

Cyprus 2025 stamp program – motorbikes and mosaics!

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...

read more
EUROPA 2026 design

PostEUROP – a bit of winter 2025 stamp news

Poking around the PostEUROP website seems to be a good way to spend a blustery, chilly winter day here in Canada. I peeked out the curtains and saw snow and decided nope, stamps it is. Yea, not a fan of slogging through the white stuff.  The EUROPA 2024 winner  This year 57 countries participated in the annual PostEUROP competition. Last year's theme was Underwater Fauna & Flora, allowing...

Keep scrolling. More new articles to enjoy.

"
Cyprus stamps for 2026 – nice designs from mystery artists

Cyprus stamps for 2026 – nice designs from mystery artists

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...

read more
2026 Jersey stamps – oh the journey we will take!

2026 Jersey stamps – oh the journey we will take!

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...

read more
Japan 2026 stamps, cancels & pure joy

Japan 2026 stamps, cancels & pure joy

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...

read more

Copyright
© 2026
Bitter Grounds Magazine
All Right Reserved

You can usually find me lurking on Bluesky along with a large number of stamp lovers.

Just look for Catpaw!

‪@bittergrounds.bsky.social‬ 

Diversity is a strength.