Although I enjoyed looking at stamps from Algeria 2021, I was frustrated by the lack of coherence on Algerian Post’s website. The stamps are wonderfully focused on representing various aspects of Algeria and Algerian history and I enjoyed exploring the country through it’s stamps. But finding quality photos for this post was problematic at best. I felt like I was spinning circles at times. However, that doesn’t take away from enjoying their unique style.
A few thoughts on covers & stamps from Algeria 2021
I could find a handful of covers, but came up empty for most issues. Algerian Post isn’t that good at showing off their shiny new editions. They do publish a richly detailed newsletter for each stamp, but they fall completely flat in promoting anything beyond single stamps. It has proven to be a bit of a trial finding decent quality FDCs. I have reached out to Algerian Post to see if they offer anything useable by way of scans. Who knows what will come of the request.
Highlight of the year is definitely their entry to the EUROMED 2021 competition. This year’s theme is Handicraft Jewelry of the Mediterranean. After digging around a bit, I found some outstanding videos about how their ambergris necklaces are made. It’s posted below for you. Although not in English, like many things on the internet, not everything needs to be translated. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable watch.
Of course I have to babble a bit about the Traditional Dishes stamps. Anytime I run across food themed topics I get almost as excited as I do with pioneer aviation. If there are two things that make my heart sing it’s exploring food from around the world and pioneer aviation/airmail. Better make that three things – stamps that cover both topics as well.
Cancels – the old complaint
Algeria does issue some interesting cancels to rummage about for. However, no images I found were particularly crisp so I haven’t included them. If I have any success with Algeria’s post office, I’ll update this page. Fingers crossed. I would really like to include more images because turns out, I enjoyed Algeria’s designs.
Designers
This was my first serious stroll through Algeria’s stamps. As per usual, I tried to search for details about designers & artists. I’ve come up empty handed and disappointed. One of the great joys of stamp collecting is discovering who designed them, the (largely) unsung heroes of this hobby. I’ve run into a classic case of language and culture differences creating problems when I search for info. I’ll keep plugging away.
February’s stamps from Algeria 2021
Covid 19
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
Designer: SÉHINI Ryma
Release date: Feb. 1, 2021 with FDC on Feb. 27 & 28.
March
Let’s Consume Algerian
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
Designer: Kamar Eddine Krim
Release date: March 15, 2021
Fight Forest Fires
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
Designer: Tahar Boukeroui
Release date: March 23, 2021
April stamps from Algeria 2021
Popular Games – Kharbga & Sig
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
Designer: Zakaria Morsli and Sofiane Dey
Release date: April 20, 2021 with FDC issued April 18 & 19
May
Fruits – strawberries & blackberries
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
Designer: Mohamed Guettouche (strawberry), Smain Karaoui (blackberry)
Release date: May 18, 2021 with FDC issued May 16 & 17
Traditional Dishes – Rechta and Harira
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
I love these stamps. Any excuse to explore new food.
Two videos showing how both dishes are made. Although in French, they are easy to follow.
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
Designer: Zineb Bahri
Release date: May 20, 2021 with FDC May 18 & 19
June stamps from Algeria 2021
Circular Economy – recovery, recycling and waste exploitation
stamp, FDC, cancel
Designer: Djazia Cherrih
Release date: June 8, 2021 with FDC on June 6 & 7
July
Independence Day – July 5, 1962
stamp, FDC, cancel
Designer: M.D.N
Release date: July 7, 2021 with FDC on July 5 & 6
EUROMED 2021: Traditional Jewelry of the Mediterranean
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
Stamp one shows a chemassa (broach) and the second a skhab (ambergris necklace)
Skhab
The “Skhab” necklace – Eastern Algerian tradition
Although this video isn’t in English, it isn’t difficult to follow. The demonstrations of creating ambergris necklaces is fascinating.
The “Skhab” or ambergris necklace, is a precious traditional necklace of brown or black color made for Algerian women and worn by them on occasions. It gives off good scents of musk and amber that can embalm for decades, no matter how many times it is used, the temperature of the environment or where it is kept.
The “Skhab” is used in many parts of our country, including Constantine, Tebessa, M’sila, Batna, Khenchela, Boussaâda and Guelma. It is composed of:
- Wheat flour or date grains after burning,
- The souchet, round seeds with a good smell, sold at herbalists and perfumers,
- The dried fruit of a plant not too well known in our country and that smells very good,
- Natural musk, a natural fragrance with a strong and refreshing smell,
- The clove, or what is locally called “oud” and which smells very good,
- Natural amber.
Algerian Post Office
Chemassa
Its name is derived from its shape that corresponds to the shape of the sun. It is a circle with pointed borders that represent the light that springs from the sun. It is also known as “Ibzim” (the loop) in many parts of the country. The “Chemassa” is a brooch that is placed in the collar. It is made of precious metal which is either gold or silver. It is one of the best known traditional Algerian jewels, just like the “Skhab”.. Algerian Post Office
Designer: Tayeb Laidi
Release date: July 12, 2021
You can see all the EUROMED 2021 stamps here EUROMED 2021 – Jewelry of Mediterranean
You can vote on your favourite stamp as well with our poll.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
Designer: Sofiane Dey
Release date: July 18, 2021 with FDC on July 16 & 18
October
Oued Medjerda – joint issue with Tunisia
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
Between the banks of the valley “Oued Medjerda” flows a river whose source is located in the region of Souk-Ahras, in the East of Algeria. “Oued Medjerda” flows into the Gulf of Tunis in the Mediterranean Sea. More than 450 kilometers long, a large part of this valley is located inside Tunisian territory. On its route, one of the largest dams in Tunisia has been erected, namely, the “Sidi Salem” dam.
The name of the valley is derived from the Greek word “Bograda” which designated this valley for hundreds of years, where many cities have been founded throughout history, thanks to the abundance of water and the fertility of the soil, such as the cities of “Ghar al-Dima”, “Jendouba”, “Bou Salem”, Testour, “Medjez elBab”, “Tebourba”, and “Djedeida”. Oued Medjerda – Algeria Post (poste.dz)
Designer: Tunisian Post
Release date: October 2, 2021
Darbouka & Tar Musical Instruments
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
Darboukas are percussions instrument dating to the Babylonians and Sumerians eras. Traditionally made of clay, pottery and with goat skin covering. Modern versions are made of aluminum, copper or silver.
Tars are another percussion instrument, approx 20 to 25 cm in size, with copper cymbals. Tars resemble tambourines. They are “of Persian origin. Its use spread very early in Central Asia: the Middle East and the Arab Mashreq then it was introduced to the Maghreb by the Andalusians. Both women and men can play tar and the player is usually called El Tarar. Tar is used in classical choir, folk groups, religious songs and prophetic praise. It is also used by women’s groups.” Algerian Post
Designer: Mohamed Guettouche
Release date: October 3, 2021 with FDC on Oct. 1 and 2.
If you enjoyed Algeria’s offerings, why not check out something completely different? Try out some Awesome Canadian stamps. Very different sense of design and style. It’s fun to compare countries.
World Teacher’s Day
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
Designer: Smain Karaoui
Release date: October 07, 2021, with FDC on October 5 and 6, 2021
Djamaa El Djazaïr
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
Designer: Tahar Boukeroui
Release date: October 21, 2021, with FDC on October 19 and 20, 2021
November
The group of 22
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
Algerian National Movement
Designer: Ali Mechta
Release date: November 3, 2021
Traditional Saddles
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
Algerian post has some interesting details about the construction of the saddles:
The saddle consists of an arched upper part at the back of the “seat” called “troussequin” and another lower part on the front side called “pommel”, with a wool “quilt” covered on the outside with leather, and with a number of leather straps connected to attach the mare’s body on the chest and abdomen side. Two stirrups are also attached to the saddle with, at their ends, stirrups where the knight puts his feet. Between the saddle and the back of the horse there is the “cloth” and the “carpet” which are sometimes cotton fabrics.
Designer: Zakaria Morsli
Release date: November 11, 2021 with FDC on November 9 and 10, 2021
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Nice work. Very interesting. Wonder if the consume Algeria stamp was in response to the covid pandemic.
I also wonder what happened to the Afcon 2021 stamp. The tournement was abandoned and the stamp seems to have been released in 2022 instead, however I have seen one image on the web where there is a date of issue of 2021.
That’s an interesting question about “consume Algeria”. I have some notes I took when I first looked up the stamp. I’ll see if they make any mention of it.
And I’ll also check about the Afcon stamp. Now you have me curious.
UPDATE:
I went back to the original press release for the “Buy Algerian” campaign. The campaign was launched in 2015, so pre-dates Covid:
Algerian Post office Press release