by catpaw | 29 Jan, 2025 | Catpaw's Picks, country Stamps, Stamps
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 each post office to showcase their country’s natural biodiversity.
By shedding light on the underwater world, this EUROPA stamp motif tried to emphasise the importance of preserving fragile marine ecosystems, which are vital to the planet’s overall health and sustainability.
The 2024 Most Beautiful EUROPA Stamp Competition winner is La Poste France, PHILAPOSTE – PostEurop
The three finalists were from France, Monaco, and Azerbaijan, with France’s Underwater Diversity taking top spot.
This single stamp managed to capture a snapshot of the rich underwater coral reef on France’s coastline. Designer Faunesque (Phil Constantinesco) wrote about the honour of designing the stamp. – A few weeks/months ago I had the pleasure of drawing again a stamp for La Poste in the Europa series on the theme of French underwater fauna and flora. What more can you ask for? I was immediately engulfed by the theme obviously!”
“With a presence in 4 of the world’s 5 oceans, and the 2nd largest maritime area in the world, France is committed to ensuring that the marine environment is in good condition, through international, European and national policies to preserve and restore biodiversity.…
…The splendor of gorgonian and coral forests should not blind us to the fact that 50% of coral reefs have disappeared in the last 30 years. Faced with an often endangered fauna, it’s more important than ever to take action”. © La Poste – Fabienne Azire – Tous droits réservés
Monaco’s Octopus and Azerbaijan’s Blue Whale were in 2nd and 3rd place:
A special award was made by the Dutch Underwater Federation (Nederlandse Onderwatersport Bond). They gave a special diploma to the Czech Post for their busy glimpse of a fresh water biome. Husband and wife design team Libuše and Jaromír Knotek highlighted at least 5 different animals species as well as insects and flowers in the tiny square. The Federation felt this stamp beautifully represented the diverse flora and fauna that can be found in fresh water. They further stated “The similarity between all the creatures visible on the stamp and the ones that exist in the Dutch waters, is big. Besides that, the stamp itself is full of detail of all the different plants, fish, reptiles and invertebrates shown on the stamp.”
Underwater life does not consist of plants and fish only, but also of amphibians, reptiles and a great number of invertebrates. Among the fish, the designers chose the pike – the queen of the native ponds. They added the beautifully coloured perch. Amphibians are represented by the northern crested newt, and crustaceans by the narrow-clawed crayfish. The swan mussel, a typical inhabitant of the native ponds, and the great ramshorn, are members of the Bivalvia and Gastropoda class, respectively, whereas the great diving beetle represents water beetles. The flora is represented by the beauty of native ponds, the white water lily.
Czech post office info page
Check out the entire year here.
2025 competition is underway
The topic for PostEUROP 2025 is “National Archaeological Discoveries”, something that should offer up fascinating history and cultural treasures. The stamps are coming in already so look for the annual article soon. It’ll be posted on the 2025 Country list page.
This theme was originally planned for 2024, but the Russian invasion of Ukraine put a wrench in the plan. A special theme, PEACE the highest value of humanity, was organised instead. A common image was picked to signify unity. Neither Russia nor Belarus were allowed to participate, and haven’t since the invasion. A number of post offices included their own interpretations of Peace. You can see them here.
PostEUROP 2026 – EUROPA turns 70
The theme for 2026 will be a celebration of the 70th anniversary of EUROPA stamp. The Europa community will once again use a common design for this issue. On January 8th, the design was unveiled. 15 designs were submitted with Finland’s Klaus Welp complex design being picked.
“In today’s turbulent world, there is an increasing need for peace, unity, and a strong community spirit, as well as reliable communication systems. A well-functioning national postal service is a fundamental pillar for democracies, providing security and connectivity for citizens. It was an honour to participate in this design competition and celebrate the 70th anniversary of PostEurop with this small piece of graphic art. As a designer, it is immensely gratifying to know that this stamp will be printed and published in so many European countries and shared across the globe.
At the start of the design process, I explored several visual concepts for the stamp. Together with Tommi Kantola, Design Manager at Posti, we refined one of these concepts into the final, winning proposal. With more than two decades of collaboration and over 120 stamp projects, our teamwork once again resulted in a successful outcome.
The design of the 2026 EUROPA Stamp combines abstract and symbolic elements. The diagonally ascending dotted line represents both the perforation of a stamp and the progressive work of the PostEurop . The seven dots, connected by a straight line, symbolize seventy years of unified effort by postal operators across the continent. The blending gradients and dotted patterns in the background form a cohesive and vibrant surface, reflecting the joyful mix of colours from the European flag and symbolizing the unity of all member nations.”
Klaus Welp Posti, Finland Wins Design Competition – Marking EUROPA Stamp’s 70th Anniversary in 2026 – PostEurop
You can read more about Welp here WELP. He’s an accomplished artist in many fields – illustrations, photography, video and music. Oh and of course stamps. He has created a number of Finland’s striking stamps, including the 2015 Moomins pair and the kinetic 2022 The Finnish National Theatre 150th and the National Ballet 100th anniversary set.
And that wraps up January 2025. I’ll lurk around the EUROPA pages looking for little stamp news tidbits.
Enjoy
Catpaw
By the way, you can buy me a coffee, ensuring I stay properly caffeinated. ↓
by catpaw | 17 Jan, 2025 | country Stamps, Catpaw's Picks, Stamps
Hard to believe it’s time for a new Jersey stamp program. Yet, here we are. Jersey issues one of my favourite programs primarily because the stamps are perfect island ambassadors Jersey Post sources so many local artists and photographers to highlight the Island’s culture and history, it’s hard to think of a better put together program. Once again, I’d like to thank the people at Jersey Post for their help with background information and such wonderful stamps to add to my collection. The Canadian postal strike put a cramp in my Jersey stamp collection so I didn’t manage to get the last few editions, but by and large, my album looks good.
There is no better way to start a new year, than with a retrospective of 2024. For details on the above stamps, head over to the 2024 season. The link will open a new tab.
What was the best of the year? Hard choice when you are faced with engraved stamps by master engraver Martin Mörck, history of Jersey’s key industries, food and heavy machinery, Debussy, wildlife – damn, it really was a fun year. What was the best set?
I guess it depends on how you judge “best”. One of the most intriguing, and thought provoking was the Jersey Women of Achievement set.
The artwork was provided by transplanted Canadian Kiera Melville, who now makes her home on Jersey. This set led me on an exiting history chase through archives and websites to fill in details. Nothing is more satisfying than a couple days skipping through archives. The sheer joy of researching this series ranked it top of the list.
The second winning set, Construction Vehicles of Jersey by Martin Mörck was one of three sets he created for Jersey in 2024. So why Construction Vehicles, when I had Debussy, dragons and dairy to choose from? Well, Mörck, for starters, and construction vehicles! Hydraulics and dump trucks! I lurk around construction sites taking photos of heavy machinery. It ranks up there with food and aviation. Ok, a little below aviation, but definitely top 3 loves. Why? Not a clue. I just love watching hydraulics at work. Combine that with Martin’s fine details, and you have industrial art.
As expected the new season kicks off with Jersey’s yearly Lunar New Year stamp. China Post’s Chief Art Consultant Wang Huming returned to create his 10th Lunar New Year for Jersey. There is better way to start a year.
January
Lunar New Year – Year of the Snake
1 stamp, 1 stamp on souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 2 maxi cards, sheets of 20, 2 presentation packs
offset
The artwork for the stamp, includes a golden snake representing good fortune and wisdom. Additionally, within the body of the snake, Wang Huming has illustrated four types of flowers have been depicted, including peach blossom, lotus, chrysanthemum and wintersweet, all of which signify spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Jersey Post Media Release: January 2, 2025
Designer: Wang Huming
Huming has created all of Jersey’s current Lunar cycle, starting with his 2016 Year of the Monkey stamps. He has designed a number of stamps for Jersey, including Links with China – Woodland Wildlife (2019 and 2018).
Release date: January 2, 2025
by catpaw | 17 Jan, 2025 | country Stamps, Catpaw's Picks, Stamps
Canada’s 2025 stamp program has arrived. In words only, but I’ll take it. Normally this page is published well before the holidays, but 2025 was very late appearing. At least it is here and this year Canada Post isn’t pulling any punches with some of the content – they have dived deep into Canada’s history, warts and all.
But first, a number of old friends return including Canada Post’s Community Foundation fundraising semi-postal stamp. Funds raised from this go to support children and youth programs across the country. Also making a return are the popular Eid, Diwali, Hanukkah and Christmas stamps.
2024’s Community stamp by designer/artist Seung Jai Paek. Seung has designed 2 previous stamps for Canada Post, Diwali 2021 and Year of the Rat 2020
Spring isn’t official until the annual Spring Flower stamp makes its appearance in March. This year, the 19th in the series, will feature peonies. Last year Canada Post treated us to 2 Wildflowers by designer Andrew Perro and artist Alain Massicotte.
Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) and spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata) Released March 1, 2024
Black History Month will focus on the heartbreaking story of Marie Joseph Angélique, a slave in New France who ended her short life tortured and executed by the government. This stamp will start the program and should appear in the next week, just prior to the start of Black History Month in February. This series, along with the fall Truth and Reconciliation set are some of Canada Post’s most powerful stamps. They offer a look into our history, and not just the nice bits that make people happy. Canada’s history is complex and riddled with incredibly dark chapters of inhumanity and kudos to Canada Post for shining a light on it.
Accompanying the Truth set, will be the fourth Celebrating Indigenous Leaders stamps issued to coincide with National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21. This is a true powerhouse series that draws attention to the leaders in the First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities. You can read more about last year’s 3 here.
Indigenous Leaders III Souvenir Sheet 2024
Elisapie | ᐃᓕᓴᐱ (b. Elisapie Isaac, 1977)
Josephine Mandamin – Anishinaabe Elder
Christi Belcourt apihtâwikosisâniskwêw / mânitow sâkahikanihk (b. 1966) – Métis artist, environmentalist and community organiser
Remembrance Day this year will continue with Canada Post’s exploration of Canadian history with a set featuring Canadian war heroes who “broke down barriers to serve their country”. Again, there is a lot to chose from, but it will be worth the wait.
A second set of Canadian Graphic Novelists will appear, possibly in May, like last year’s stamps. The first edition was released in May 2024, featuring Chester Brown – Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography, Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki – This One Summer, Michel Rabagliati – Paul Paul à Québec and Seth – Clyde Fans. Subplot Design Inc designed the first series.
Canada Post will pay tribute to former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney who died last February. It might appear mid February, but that’s a guess.
Rounding out the program will be three new topics. The first shines “a light on the dark history of civilian internment in Canada”. This is a much under read part of Canada’s history. Most are now familiar with the WW2 Japanese Interment, but very little is written about the WW1 camps that included Ukrainian Canadians, the homeless, conscientious objectors, political and cultural prisoners, to name some of the targeted groups. WW2 saw Germans, Italians, Japanese, and Jewish refugees imprisoned, at first with NAZI prisoners of war. Once again, we’ll have to wait to see this set.
The second new topic will appear in May, just before Pride month, with a focus on “places and events that set the stage for the evolution of 2SLGBTQIA+ rights” in Canada. .
The last set will make a certain friend happy – fungi! Yes, our friend the fungi will be featured on a pair(?) of stamps. I’m assuming a pair because last year’s spring nature stamps highlighted Endangered Frogs, with two stamps.
The fungus will likely show up mid April. But, with Canada Post, you never know. They are cagey about the details and keep us guessing. In anticipation I’m going to lay out my guesses about release dates and see if I get them right. Oh and expect a stamp or two not on this list. Occasionally we are treated to an unplanned stamp.
January
From Far and Away
4th in series
4 oversized rate stamps, sold in coils and booklets
- Restigouche River in New Brunswick – photographer Guylaine Bégin
- Admiralty Islands, Thousand Islands – photographer Ian Coristine
- Qarlinngua sea arch in Arctic Bay, Nunavut – photogarpher Clare Kines
- Point Prim Lighthouse, PEI – photographer Sander Meurs
Designer: Stéphane Huot
Release date: January 13, 2025
Black History Month – Marie Joseph Angélique
1 stamp, FDC, cancel booklet of 6
note how the front and back of the FDC are part of the map.
Marie Joseph was a Black slave in Montreal. She was accused of arson as a way of escaping, subsequently, imprisoned, tortured for a confession, found guilty and executed.
In that final interrogation, Angélique continued to deny that she had set the fire, and so the judge called in Mathieu Leveille, the “master of the means of torture,” and he applied the boots to Angélique’s legs and began to pound and shatter them with his hammer. Angélique broke under the relentless application of the torturer’s instrument of punishment, and she screamed that it was her who had set the fire, but that she did it all by herself. The judge was satisfied – but not completely, because Angélique still refused to name Claude Thibault as her accomplice.
She did confess her guilt, not that confession would save her. With or without it, he would still be hanged.
The Hanging of Angélique: The untold Story of Canadian Slavery and the Burning of Old Montreal, by Afua Cooper. (Harper Perennial 2006), Chapter XII, pp. 282-283.
Artist Alexis Eke wrote on her Instagram page about designing the Angélique portrait:
Had the honour of illustrating a stamp for Canada Post, highlighting the story of Marie-Josèphe Angélique. Although we don’t have any photos of Angélique, her story as an enslaved Black woman in Montreal has become a symbol of Black resistance and freedom to many.
I’m so grateful to have contributed to Canada’s history in such a unique way and to see my work on letters, packages and postcards all across Canada ❤️ Thank you @canadapostagram for the incredible opportunity!
Alexis Eke (@alexis.eke) • Instagram photos and videos
No portraits of Angélique exist. Elke based her dynamic illustration on a photograph of Haitian Canadian actor and model Penande Estime, taken by Jorge Camarotti. It captures the defiance and pride of Marie Joseph Angélique.
Artist: Alexis Eke
Eke is an Afro-Caribbean artist artist, based in Toronto. Her work has been used by the AGO, Canada Goose, Penguin Random House, The Walrus and CBC, to name a few of her clients. She writes in her bio:
… she aims to increase the representation of black women in design and offer a space for deep reflection. … Her work reflects her cultural and personal experiences as a woman of Caribbean upbringing with a strong Christian faith, and asks “How are Black women represented in the art world?”
About — Alexis Eke
Designer: Nathalie Cusson of Scooter Design
Release date: January 31. 2025
March
Spring Flower – Peonies
2 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, booklets of 10
Cytherea’ and ‘Marie-Victorin’ are two hybrids created by Canadian-born horticulturists.
The semi-double Cytherea was registered in 1953 by Arthur Percy Saunders, an expert on peony hybridization. He was the son of the first director of Canada’s Central Experimental Farm.
Marie-Victorin was first propagated in 2004 by Lindsay D’Aoust and named after Brother Marie-Victorin (1885-1944), founder of the Montréal Botanical Garden.
The series began in 2007. You can see the entire series here Canada’s Spring Flowers. – 17 years & counting. It’s been updated to 2025.
- 2007 – lilacs
- 2008 – peonies
- 2009 – rhododendrons
- 2010 – African violets
- 2011 – sunflowers
- 2012 – day lilies
- 2013 – magnolias
- 2014 – roses
- 2015 – pansies
- 2016 – hydrangeas
- 2017 – daisies
- 2018 – lotus
- 2019 – gardenias
- 2020 – dahlias
- 2021 – crab apple blossoms
- 2022 – calla lilies
- 2023 – ranunculus
- 2024 – wildflowers
- 2025 – peonies
Photographer: Jeffery Ofori
Designer: Stéphane Huot
Release date: March 3, 2025
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha – Canadian Prayer Rug
7th in series
1 stamp, booklet of 6, FDC, cancel
EID this year started March 30th and ended March 31.
This stamp is a celebration of multi-faith outreach between Canada’s Indigenous and Muslim communities. The rug was designed by Métis artist Kit Craven and Muslim weaver Noor Iqbal, using knowledge gained from conversations with Indigenous Elders and descendants of early Muslim settlers. It’s a special endeavour was created in 2016 by the Green Room in Edmonton.
The rug’s design depicts Alberta’s diverse landscapes and distinct seasons. At its centre are an archway and a lodgepole pine – a tree that supports teepees and lodges and is reminiscent of the cypress of settler homelands.
Weaved with locally sourced wool, dyes and other materials, the prayer rug reflects the rich cultural and geographical history of the region, bringing together elements that honour the community’s heritage.
More than a work of art, the rug symbolizes unity and multiculturalism within Treaty 6 Territory, which includes Edmonton. It celebrates the deep, enduring connection between Indigenous and Muslim communities, which helped to open the country’s first mosque in Edmonton in 1938.
Prayer rug celebrating ties between Indigenous and Muslim peoples adorns new Eid stamp | Canada Post
Designer: Kristine Do
Illustrations: Kit Craven
Photographer: Maya Visnyei
Do also created the 2024 EID stamps Eid Festival 2024 : Ma`mul Pastries
Release date: March 10, 2025
Right Honourable Brian Mulroney
1 stamp, booklet of 10, FDC, cancel
Conservative party Prime Minister of Canada from 1984 to 1993.
Mulroney, who served as prime minister from 1984 to 1993, believed that Canadian democracy “is advanced by the collision of great ideas and the articulation of competing visions of the country.” Having won back-to-back Conservative majorities in the 1984 and 1988 federal elections – a feat that hadn’t been achieved in Canada since the Liberals secured a second term in 1953 – he spent his tenure pursuing a vision and championing ideas that were transformative. Brian Mulroney: booklet of 10 Permanent™ stamps – Canada Post
He died February 29, 2024.
Designer: Paprika
Stamp photographer: Bill McCarthy
Booklet cover photographer: Tony Bock
Release date: March 21, 2025
April
Blue Rodeo
1 stamp, booklets of 6, FDC, cancel
Formed 1984 in Toronto, Blue Rodeo is a legend in Canadian rock history. Still going strong, 41 years later, they have accrued an armload of honours including 12 JUNO Awards, induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame and a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement.
Featured on the stamp:
Mike Boguski, Jimmy Bowskill, Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor – front row, and Colin Cripps, Bazil Donovan and Glenn Milchem in the back row.
About | BlueRodeo.com
This stamp is part of a long, storied series celebrating Canadian music talent such as Robert Charlebois (2009), The Tragically Hip (2013), Beau Dommage (2013), Stan Rogers (2021) and Sarah McLachlan (2024)
Designer: Jim Ryce
Artist: Katy Lemay
Release date: April 4, 2025
Community Foundation Semi-Postal
1 stamp, booklet of 10, prepaid postcard, FDC, cancel
This annual semi-postal raises funds for a variety of community based children’s charities, community programs and schools.
Designer: Paprika
Artist: Anne-Julie Dudemaine
Dudemaine is a Montreal based illustrator, muralist and pattern designer. You can see more of her work here Anne-Julie Dudemaine.
Eeeee! A real bucket list project: I got to illustrate a stamp for Canada Post!
Big thanks to the team at Paprika and to Rachel Huard for the art direction and trust.
The booklet of 10 stamps is part of the 2025 Canada Post Community Foundation edition. For every booklet sold, $1 goes to organizations that support children and youth across the country.
Anne-Julie Dudemaine (@annejulie_dudemaine) • Instagram photos and videos
Release date: April 30, 2025
Fungi
Canada’s Iconic Graphic Novelists
2nd edition
May
2SLGBTQIA+ rights
June
Indigenous Leaders
4rd in series
Released for National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21
September
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
You can read more about this day and see the previous stamps here. I’ll be updating the page when the new set comes out.
Diwali
Remembrance Day
November
Christmas – secular and sacred
Hanukkah
Right Honourable Brian Mulroney TBA
by catpaw | 14 Dec, 2024 | Catpaw's Picks, country Stamps, Stamps
HO, HO, Oh I’m so late in posting Christmas 2024 stamps! Yup, it was a weird and wobbly health year that resulted in fewer posts and everything being pushed back. The backlog of stamps is about the size of Mount Everest. I’m wading through them as fast as I can, as well as trying to pull together new articles to keep you busy.
The Christmas stamps from last year produced a number of excellent issues. The top three sets came from the Isle of Mann, the Netherlands and once again Sri Lanka. The first two were secular in nature and Sri Lanka produced the best religious themed set.
The Isle of Mann deserved their top 3 ranking courtesy of Manx artist Rowan Corlett’s wonderful Christmas animals. I mean we have a cat and a puffin! Win-win all around.
Linda Faas’ animals for the Netherlands was a combination of sweet, and nostalgic played out with Faas’ trademark whimsical animals.
Sri Lanka continues to wow with their unique artwork for the Gift of the Magi. The artwork definitely has a Sri Lankan artistic flair that put this one back in the top choices gain. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka post doesn’t list the artists for the Nativity stamps, which is a shame. It would be nice to credit the work.
2024 just may be Jersey’s year to shine. Just wait until you see their delicious offerings. Enjoy this work in progress. I’m posting this December 14, as I continue to find and post Christmas stamps. I never did like to wait to open presents.
Åland
Christmas 2024 – Knitted Presents
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
offset
Homemade Christmas presents
A series of Christmas seals was also released on the same day. Funds raised from the sale of the seals go to the 4-H Åland district.
“The grant will be used to purchase magnet fishing gear for the fishing school for children and for building materials for nest boxes to be hung along a nature trail in Jomala.”
Christmas seals 2024 – Åland Stamps
Artist: Anna Pers Bräcke
Designer: Johanna Finne
Release date: October 23, 2024
Alderney
Alderney Christmas – Snowman
7 stamps, FDC, cancel, presentation pack
offset
60p – Christmas Postings, High Street, St Annes
65p – Shooting Star, Bonne Terre Watermill
88p – Christmas Party, Roc a l’epine dolmen, Tourgis
£1.20 – The Christmas lookouts, Monk’s Chair, Clonque Beach
£1.36 – Is it a snowman? Navigational beacon, Old Jetty Braye Harbour
£1.68 – Lovebirds at Essex Castle
£1.74 – Festive dancing, Allees es Fees, Hauteville
Designer: Penny Dawes
Penny wrote “Once Upon an Island – A Treasury of Guernsey Folklore” which was also a special exhibit by the National Trust of Guernsey. She lives and works on Guernsey and loves to explore island folklore through her art.
Release date: October 30, 2024
Andorra – French
The King’s Cake (Tortell de reis) – Christmas 2024
1 stamp, sheets of 15
offset
The King’s Cake (Tortell de reis in Catalan) is typical of Catalan cuisine. Ring-shaped, made of puff pastry or other, and stuffed with marzipan, with candied fruit, pine nuts and icing sugar on top, decorated with a golden cardboard crown in the center of the cake. In recent times Tortells de reis stuffed with chocolate or cream, among other things, have also been popularized. The standard size is about 50 centimeters in diameter, which is 8 parts, although nowadays there are many dimensions. It is traditional to eat it on January 6 to celebrate the Day of the Kings (Epiphany), this cake contains two hidden surprises: a dried bean and a figurine (normally of one of the kings). According to tradition, whoever finds the figurine in his share is crowned, while whoever finds the bean must pay for the cake. Andorra Stamp – Tortell de Reis – La Poste
Designer/engraver: Line Filhon
Layout: Stéphanie Ghinéa
Release date: November 12, 2024
Andorra – Spanish
Christmas – Nadal (Wafers)
1 stamp, cancel
offset
We can always depend on the Spanish post office to supply us with at least one delicious stamp. This year, Andorra celebrates with a Christmas favourite – thin, rolled wafers made of flour, sugar and almonds.
Origin and Varieties:
Waffle production has become a specialized craft, with several regions offering their own unique versions. Several Mediterranean countries such as Catalonia, Italy and France have embraced wafers as a fundamental part of their festivities.
Catalan wafers: In Catalonia, wafers are a key element present on the table of any home during Christmas. They are often made with ingredients such as flour, sugar, and almonds, resulting in a crunchy texture and a rich, sweet flavor. Some versions include additional ingredients like cinnamon or lemon to give them a unique touch.
Wafers, a Christmas tradition that comes from afar – El Gourmet Català
Release date: November 5, 2024
Argentina
Viñeta
1 stamp, graphic cover, folder
The FDC doesn’t come with the stamp. If a person wants it stamped correctly, both the stamp and cover are purchased separately.
This stamp celebrates family around the Christmas table giving a classic Christmas Eve toast. No designer or artist is listed, which is a shame.
Release date: December 11, 2024
Armenia
No stamp has been issued as of posting.
Australia
Aussie Christmas & Treasures of the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
5 stamps, 1 FDC, FDC with mini sheet, cancel, stamp pack, 5 maxi and post cards, gutter strip with flowers, 3 sheetlets.
offset
Two sets are offered each year. The secular set is composed of 3 animals unique to Australia
- Carolling Kookaburra
- Kangaroo
- Koala
The second set is a religious themed ones with images taken from Aspremont–Kievraing Hours which is housed at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.
Mediaeval or Renaissance illuminated manuscripts combine hand-written text with decorative borders and pictures. The small images are often enhanced with burnished gold that reflects light and literally illuminates the page. Manuscripts were written and decorated by scribes and illuminators in monastic and secular production houses, and are typically produced on parchment (prepared animal skin). The Aspremont-Kievraing Hours was made in north-eastern France around 1300. The work comprises two volumes: the first is a Psalter, which is now housed in the Bodleian Library, in Oxford, and this volume is a Book of Hours, a type of personal, private prayer book that became increasingly popular in the late thirteenth century. The only clue to the identity of its makers is found in the Oxford Psalter, which includes an image of a bearded figure holding a scroll that reads ‘Nicolas [Nicolaus] who illuminated the book made me’. The Aspremont-Kievraing Hours takes its title from its two original owners, the knight Joffroy d’Aspremont and his wife, Isabelle de Kievraing, who were members of the Lorraine nobility.
Works | NGV | View Work
- 65c Annunciation to the Virgin
- $3 Annunciation to the Sheperds
Artist: Anita Xhafer (Secular)
Release date: November 1, 2024
Austria
Snow Boots
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, info sheet
offset
Austria issues a number of stamps, secular and religious. This year, Österreichische Post started the season with the 2024 addition to their philatelic winter clothing series. There are now 4 stamps in this set.
Designer: David Gruber
Release date: November 8, 2024
Christmas – Traismauer Nativity Play
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, info sheet
offset
The Traismauer glove maker Ferdinand Scheibl is considered the creator of the figures and the stage of the nativity play, whose final version likely dates back to 1810. However, some parts of the text are believed to be even older. Until 1917/18, the dialect texts and scenes were passed down orally. In the 1950s, the nativity play was rediscovered in the Traismauer Museum, and since then, it has been performed annually. Around 30 people are involved in a performance of the play. With 42 rod puppets, religious themes such as the birth of Jesus are depicted in 9 scenes and 28 songs. Folk figures are also introduced, and love songs and socially critical songs are performed. The Traismauer singing society stages the performances, in which the audience is traditionally also involved.
Commemorative stamp Christmas – Traismauer nativity play – PostAG
Designer: Marion Füllerer
Release date: November 14, 2024
Christmas Wreath
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, info sheet
offset
Designer: Lisa Filzi
Release date: November 14, 2024
Christmas Tree
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, info sheet
offset
The tree is made of the worlds to “Silent Night! Holy Night!”. The song, written by assistant priest Joseph Mohr in 1816, with music added in 1818 by village schoolteacher and organist Franz Xaver Gruber, the song is now considered part of Austria’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Designer: Anita Kern
Release date: November 29, 2024
Organ Nativity Scene at Wagrain Parish Church
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, info sheet
offset
The sculpture is located on a pillar in front of the gallery with the Joseph Mohr Memorial Organ: Joseph Mohr, who wrote the lyrics to the Christmas carol “Silent Night! Holy Night!”, was the vicar of this church from 1837 until his death in 1848. The sculptor Jakob Adlhart (1898–1985), the creator of the “Organ nativity scene”, produced numerous wooden sculptures for churches, primarily in Salzburg, Upper Austria, and southern Germany. In 1925, he created an expressionist crucifix for St. Peter’s Abbey, the Adlhart Cross, which was the motif for the 2010 special stamp series “Sacred art”. His works for the Kleine Festspielhaus (now known as the Haus für Mozart) in Salzburg are also very well known, particularly his marble mime masks from 1926 at the entrance.
Commemorative stamp Christmas – organ nativity scene, Wagrain parish church – PostAG
Designer: Kirsten Lubach
Release date: November 29, 2024
Belgium
Christmas Reindeer
2 stamps, 2 sheets of 10
Designer: Myriam Voz
Release date: October 21, 2024
Canada
Christmas – Sacred and Secular
4 stamps 4 booklets, 2 FDCs, 2 cancels
Canada Post issues both a religious themed stamp as well as a Christmassy secular offering. This year features the Holy Family for the sacred and gingerbread houses for the secular stamps. The gingerbread houses come in 4 shapes:
a birdhouse for domestic deiivery, a doghouse for US bound mail and for international mail, a barn housing Santa’s sleigh and reindeer.
Secular designer: Katina Constantinou of Sugar using photos by Stacey Brandford. Brandford used Zoë Weinrebe’s gingerbread creations
Sacred designer: Underline Studio and illustrated by Amanda Arlotta
Release date: November 4, 2024
Denmark
Christmas Seals
There isn’t a philatelic Christmas stamp this year. The annual Christmas Seal set takes its place. Stamps, pins and notecards are available.
This year’s seal motifs follow a tradition dating back to 1907, marking the current royal succession in Denmark and honoring the King and Queen. Alongside the King and Queen, the Christmas Seal features a wide array of historical symbols, from the Viking ships of the past to today’s royal yacht, from the runes on the Jelling Stone to the letters of the Constitution, from the sky symbols of the Sun Chariot to the Danish astronaut on a mission in space. Queen Mary Participates in the Presentation of 2024 Christmas Seal
Release date: October 3, 2024
Faroe Islands
Julius – the Faroese Santa Claus
2 stamps, booklets of 6 and 2 postcards & maxis
offset
A bit lengthy but a good explanation about the modern origins of the Faroe Island Santa:
Let’s turn back the clock to 2016, when I stood in the heart of Tórshavn eagerly awaiting the lighting of the grand Christmas tree. Excited families gathered in anticipation, the air filled with festive cheer. The town was adorned with holiday decorations, offering homemade waffles in cozy stalls, while a towering fire engine stood ready to hoist Santa Claus up to the poinsettia at the top of the tree. It was a moment awaited eagerly by children and adults alike.
Then the priest started talking about the holiday, and so did the mayor. The children and I waited impatiently for Santa Claus. I remember being excited to see who this year’s Santa was and how he would do the job. Then I heard the words: “Let’s shout for Santa!” The children shouted louder and louder, and suddenly I heard the recognizable old whistle coming howling up the street. I looked around, hoping that the play would unfold as I had imagined. Fun and wild.
Santa got out of the fire engine and the children shouted: “Hello Santa!” It was the first time I wondered why they didn’t call Santa Claus by name. Then my thoughts began to fly. Perhaps I would like this task – to play a Santa Claus that all the children in the Faroe Islands would know by name.
When the Christmas tree was lit, I told the organizer who was standing next to me that I would like to try next year. The answer was clear: “You must be allowed to!”
Early the following year, I teamed up with a friend, Rógvi Brekku Dam, who has long been part of the entertainment scene in the Faroe Islands, to create a Santa that all families with children would know. The task was taken seriously. We were both excited and impatient. After much discussion, we decided that Santa’s outfit should reflect Faroese style, he should be lively, clumsy, mischievous with a crooked smile, and his name should be Julius.
We had many dreams and set ourselves big goals. The dream was to entertain the entire Faroe Islands, create Faroese children’s programs on TV, write new Christmas songs, stage theatrical performances, have our own website, and our biggest wish was to have the children shout, “Hello Julius!”
Sasho Bjartsson Stamps.fo
Designer: Allan Davidsen
Release date: October 17, 2024
Christmas Seals (15)
15 seal
offset
Money raised from the sales of these seals goes to the Faroese Christmas Seals Fund which supports a variety of programs aimed at children and young people in the Faroe Islands.
Designer/artist: Helga Djurhuus
Faroe Island native Helga Djurhuus studied at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen, and now makes her home in Denmark.
Release date: October 17, 2024
Finland
Christmas Miracle & Christmas Trails
2 stamps, 1 FDC, cancel
offset
Artist Mainelakeus took her inspiration for this Christmas set from Finland’s natural surroundings.
Designer: Hanna-Maria Mainelakeus
Release date: November 5, 2024
Gibraltar
Christmas 2024
6 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, 2 pack sets
offset
Designer: Stephen Perera
Illustration / Photographer: Donnay Style
These are Donnay’s first stamps.
Release date: November 12, 2024
Greenland
Christmas in Greenland 2024
2 stamps, booklets of 2, 3 FDCs, cancel, 2 sheets of 10
offset
“I have depicted a scene where children are doing various activities in the snow. One motif is two children sledding down a hill, with a Christmas tree in the background and a Christmas star in the window. The other motif is a girl in national costume making a snowman, where you could imagine that she has just been to the church in the background. It is drawn in a children’s illustration style to emphasize the sweetness of the season and to focus on the fact that Christmas is part of the children’s world.”
Artist Coco Apunnguaq Lynge
Designer: Coco Apunnguaq Lynge
This is Lynge’s 3rd and 4th stamp for Greenland
Release date: October 17, 2024
Guernsey
Guernsey Christmas – The Snowman
7 stamps, FDC, cancel, presentation pack
offset
Each snowman in this series is visiting a different location on the islands.
- 60p – St Saviours Reservoir, watching Santa fly by
- 65p – Torteval Church, sledging down the valley
- 88p – Vazon Bay, winter seaside fun
- £1.20 – Fort Grey, flying with the birds
- £1.36 – Fermain Bay, paddleboarding
- £1.68 – The Fairy Ring, the fairies come out to play
- £1.74 – St Peter Port Lighthouse, watching the shooting stars
Designer: Caroline Veron
Guernsey native Vernon passion is illustrations for children.
” I absolutely love pouring over all of the gorgeous children’s books with my little girl. I like to create fun and colourful pieces with a splash of magic! “
Caroline Veron | Guernsey Arts
Release date: October 29, 2024
Isle of Mann
Father Christmas
6 stamps, 6 self adhesive stamps, 2 FDCs, cancel, self adhesive booklet, presentation pack
offset
Designers used imagery from the Victorian era.
Designers: Bee Design & EJC Design
Release date: October 28, 2024
Japan
Winter Greetings
10 different stamps on 2 sheets, 2 cancels
According to Japan Post, they originally considered at different design using Christmas bulbs but nixed them because they were too Christmasy. The point of the series was a celebration of winter with hints of Christmas to create a secular winter feel.
Designer: 貝淵 純子 Junko Kaibuchi
Release date: November 20, 2024
Jersey
Jersey’s International Christmas
6 stamps, FDC, cancel, presentation pack, 5 sheets of 10
offset
This set really should have been scratch and sniff. Just saying.
What a pleasure to produce these images for @jsypost new stamp collection. Working in miniature scale is a process I love doing
Photographer Glen Perotte
- Buche de Noel – rolled sponge cake filled with buttercream, covered in chocolate (France)
- Lé Podîn d’Noué. – traditional steamed Christmas pudding using a unique recipe from Jersey.
- Barszcz czerwony Barszcz czerwony – a sour, aromatic beetroot soup with a deep red colour. (Poland)
- Sarmale – stuffed cabbage leaves with fillings such as pork, rice, bacon and sauerkraut. Slow cooked and served with a heap of sour cream and polenta (Romania)
- Bacalhau da Consoada – Christmas Eve cod. (Portugal)
- Glazed gammon (South Africa)
- Christmas cake (Ireland)
- Roast turkey and trimmings (Britain)
Photographer: Glen Perotte
Perotte moved to Jersey in 2014, and in the ten years since has established an advertising photography company that caters to an international market.
Food styling: Chef Vilanca from The Savoy Jersey
Release date: November 11, 2024
San Marino
Christmas 2024
1 stamp, sheets of 12, cancel
offset
Painting: Madonna dell’Umiltà, c. 1415. The stamp uses a section from the painting.
Artist: Masolino da Panicale
Release date: October 25, 2024
United States
Christmas 2024 – Madonna and Child
1 stamp, 1 FDC with 2 cancels to collect, special ceremony mementoes
offset, microprint
This starts a new series using traditional Christmas motifs
Painting: Madonna and Child
Artist: Workshop of Sassoferrato.Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato (1609-1685).
Location: Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields with participation of William Gicker who acted as director of stamp services for 25 years.
Designer: Greg Breeding
Release date: September 14, 2024
Holiday Joy
4 stamps, 4 FDCs with 2 cancels, note cards (with stamps), special ceremony mementoes
offset.
USPS’ annual secular Christmas greeting includes 2 Christmas bulbs, a poinsettia and a snowflake stamp by Mexican-American artist Michelle Muñoz. You can see more of her artwork here Michelle Munoz.
If someone would’ve told me a few years ago that I would get the chance to have a nationwide stamp collection, I wouldn’t have believed it. Having my artwork reach such a large scale was something I never planned, but something I am incredibly grateful for.
My goal when creating these stamps was to ensure my Mexican roots would not only be represented, but also celebrated. While this project is a big milestone in my creative career, the most special part is it has allowed me the opportunity to represent many Latinas/os.
Artist Michelle Muñoz
Digital artist: Michelle Muñoz
Release date: September 14, 2024
