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Bitter Grounds 

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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...

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Vietnamese Tet 2023 Year of the cat

Tết Quý Mão – Vietnamese New Year 2023

Happy Tết Quý Mão to my Vietnamese readers! 2023 is the Year of the Cat, so time to celebrate because a person can never have too many cats in their life.  VNPost's introduction to the set evokes a nostalgic sense of anticipation for the celebrations: The weather in the North starts in winter with chilly winds, somewhere the whispers of passersby can be heard. The scent of incense wafts in the...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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