by catpaw | 25 Mar, 2023 | country Stamps, Stamps
Confession time. I was really hoping to see another invertebrate issue starting the Botswana 2023 stamps. Artist Baboloki Samolekae’s Myriapods last year was a standout.
Whether you love creepy crawlies or not, you have to admit, his artwork is fantastic. But I think I like Totang Mokoloki’s Scorpions more. Mind you, I have a weird love of scorpions. As far as arachnids go, they are the tops. Can’t stand spiders, but scorpions are cool.
How could you not love a creature that glows in the dark? Instead of crawlies, 2023 starts with Keitshupile Tshiba’s artwork highlighting the importance of protected bird areas. Despite the lack of scorpions, it’s an excellent start to the year.
2022 also saw the premier of Botswana’s first crypto set that shone a light on 5 of their classic designs from the past 50 years.
2022 was a strong year for new Crypto releases world wide, but Botswana? They did their first issues right. It was nice seeing the best of their past years showcased.
Now, to my primary problem. I am having difficulties finding information about the artists and designers listed. If you have any links or details about them, could you leave a link in the comments or reach out via the contact form (in the navigation bar above). I’d appreciate your help.
The best way to keep up with Bitter Grounds is through my weekly newsletter. It’s free & includes all updated countries & links to new articles.
Sign up for our NEWSLETTER!
March
Important Bird Areas in Botswana
4 stamps, FDC, cancel, souvenir sheet
offset
This set was designed with the help of BirdLife Botswana
Artist: Keitshupile Tshiba
This is Tshiba’s first stamp (2) Keitshupile Tshupo Tshiba | Facebook
Designer: Shathani Basupi
Basupi began working with Botswana Post in 2020. He designed the 2022 Bridges of Botswana, 2021 African Fish Eagle with artist Cheri Verster and 2020 Water Conservation.
Release date: March 23, 2023
Folktales – Cryptostamps
2nd set of NFTs
Chiwele and the Giant
rarity: Common
Kgori is not Deceived
rarity: Rare
Nyambi’s Wife and Crocodile
rarity: Super Rare
Clever Hare
rarity: Ultra Rare
Each stamp is based on a Botswana folk tale. They first appeared on the postage stamp series Folktales on August 1980. See Luc’s page for blockchain, value and issue numbers: BOTSWANA – Crypto-Stamps.org
I haven’t found a reliable source for Botswana folk tales yet. If you have one, please leave it in the comments. Most sources I’ve found are from western writers or simply lump all stories under “African” without references regional ties. I’m interested in a site, or book from Botswana.
Designer : Professor Walter Whall Battiss (1906-1982)
The University of South Africa has a brief write up on Prof. Battiss Walter Battiss (unisa.ac.za). In it they describe him as a “gentle anarchist”.
Battiss, Walter Whall « Vincent Art Gallery
Walter Whall Battiss – Grahams Gallery This page has an excellent chronology of Battiss’ work
Release date: June 11, 2023
Diamonds of Botswana
12th definitive set
Joint release with Botswana Post and Debswana Diamond Company
16 stamps, 2 FDCs, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel
Botswana Post created a detailed brochure on this set that explains the history of mining in the country, diamond cuts and various mining operation sites. You can download it here Botswana Post | Philately (philatelybotswana.co.bw)
Artist: Totang Motoloki
Designer: Monkgogi Samson
Totang and Monkgogi have teamed up for 2 sets in the past. They were the brilliant duo behind both Spiders of Botswana (2020) and Scorpions (2021). Even an arachnophobe like me found lots to love in the Spiders set.
Release date: June 11, 2023
Fish of Botswana
4 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
- Southern mouthbrooder (Pseudocrenilabrus philander)
- Largemouth squeaker (Synodontis macrostoma)
- Banded jewelfish (Hemichromis elongatus)
- Southern African pike (Hepsetus cuvieri)
Artist: Keitshupile Tshiba
This is Keitshupile’s second stamp.
Designer: Onica Lekuntwane
Onica has been designing stamps for Botswana Post since 2015. She also runs workshops on designing stamps for up and coming artists in Botswana.
Release date: September 21, 2023
Hippopotamus of Botswana
3 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
offset
Each stamp started life as an oil painting.
“It was nice to step out of my comfort zone and explore painting landscapes which, oddly enough, I don’t usually do. So next time I travel I’ll surely be taking pictures for me to paint and explore my art as a direct reflection of the lifestyle I enjoy.” Meet Motswetla, the Artist Behind Hippos of Botswana Commemorative Stamps – Botswana Gazette (thegazette.news)
Artist: Itumeleng Motswetla
Itumeleng’s first stamps were the 2021 Nelson Mandela in Botswana set. The Botswana Gazette has an excellent interview/article on this artist. Meet Itumeleng Motswetla, the visual artist behind “Mandela in Botswana” postage stamps – Botswana Gazette (thegazette.news). The artist has an Instagram page Itumeleng Motswetla Art (@artbyitumelengm) • Instagram photos and videos
Designer: Petrus Des Kuhlmann
This is Petrus’ first stamp design.
Release date: November 23, 2023
by catpaw | 20 Mar, 2023 | country Stamps, Stamps
A single stamp represents Tanzania’s entire 2022 program. The sole issue was a joint one with Oman in the form of a souvenir sheet. And it’s a beauty. No idea who the artist is, but I wish I knew. They would be put on my designer spreadsheet in a heartbeat.
Tanzania has gone from a massive yearly release program of, at times, over 300 stamps to a very streamlined, Tanzanian focused stamp and postcard program over the last couple of years. 2021 was a little bit of a surprise, it had no stamps. Instead, Tanzania post offered 12 collect-worthy postcards. You can see them over here Tanzania Post’s 2021 program – no stamps, all postcards (bittergrounds.com). I like this shift because it offers a chance to plunge into Tanzania’s cultures and history without any distractions. I’m hoping to see at least 1 stamp for 2023 and if we’re lucky 2 or 3 that retain this Tanzanian centered focus.
If you’d like to receive notification when the new year comes out sign up for my newsletter. It comes out Sundays (or Mondays if I get distracted by friends, wine and conversation on Sundays).
Sign up for our weekly NEWSLETTER!
It’s free & includes all updated countries & links to new articles.
House of Wonders
Joint Issue with Oman
Topics: history | culture | Africa | architecture
1 stamp on souvenir sheet, sheets of 8
offset lithography
The House of Wonders is located in Zanzibar’s Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000.
This building was listed on the UNESCO World Monuments Watch list in 2014. This was done to help draw attention to both it’s cultural importance and the precarious condition. It has suffered two catastrophic collapses, with the most recent in 2020:
On December 25, 2020, a section of the most iconic building, the House of Wonders collapsed with the tragic loss of two lives. In January 2021, as part of a mission organised by UNESCO, WMF sent a team of structural engineers and architects to advise the Zanzibar government on emergency stabilization of the remaining part of the building to save the building from further collapse. House of Wonders and Palace Museum | World Monuments Fund (wmf.org)
House of Wonders and Palace Museum | World Monuments Fund (wmf.org)
Release date: October 9, 2022
by catpaw | 20 Mar, 2023 | country Stamps, Stamps
Tanzania Post’s 2021 program was a no stamp year, which was a bit of a surprise. The postcard replacements were a real treat. Tanzania’s post office issues a very small program, and not every year. 2022 saw the release of a single stamp featuring the UNESCO heritage site the House of Wonders. When I originally sat down to write about Tanzania in 2021 and I was a bit stymied as to what to do. No stamps were released that, but some excellent postcards were. At that time, I hadn’t made up my mind if I was going to include postcards or not. Over the last 2 years, I’ve gradually added the odd postcard when it fits the format. But Tanzania’s stampless year presented an interesting conundrum.
2021 was the first time in decades no stamps were issued. Tanzania has gone from a huge yearly stamp program, to a small focused one, and 2021 is a perfect example of what I mean. They issued 12 postcards (most of which quickly sold out) featuring people and animals from the country. Unfortunately, I can offer no details about the photographers or post card designers. Which is annoying, because this is a great set and the photographer deserves recognition.
The biggest problem I have in writing about African countries is a shameful lack of access to African sourced material. If you have links that could supply history/cultural information, could you drop it in the comments below. Any books or journals would be helpful as well. I have access to a good reference library here and could trot down to see if they have any of them to reference.
Cheetahs
Cheetah postcard one
Cheetah postcard two
Cheetah Postcard three
The Maasai People
The Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania – Global Pan Africanism Network (gpanafrica.org)
The Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania, one of the most famous tribe in Africa | SchoolForAfrica.org — Giving Children a Fighting Chance
Maasai Family
Maasai Woman
Maasai with cows
Maasai Boy
Maasai Children Dancing
Maasai-Dancing
Maasai Dancing-Ngorongoro Crator
The Maasai of Ngorongoro | Ngorongoro Conservation Area | Tanzania (ngorongorocratertanzania.org)
Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust – Kenya Wildlife Conservation
Maasai Women
Maasai Woman and child
by catpaw | 18 Mar, 2023 | country Stamps, Stamps
This post on Sweden’s 2023 stamps is a rare back-to-back listing, I’m publishing both the 2022 and 2023 programs at the same time because the artists and designers are fresh in my mind, and I was eager to get both years posted. I spent a bit of time going over the 2021 year looking for common themes and stories, and fell down a Swedish rabbit hole of folk tales, history and design. That’s the thing about stamps, if you let them, they’ll tell you amazing stories.
I started researching Sweden because I wanted to flesh out some of the stamp stories a bit better. And, yes, I spent a couple of glorious weeks hopping from site to site, making notes and just enjoying the ride. Will I use all the information? Likely not, but it gave me a deeper appreciation of the culture and history of Sweden.
So, now you are thinking, was there a “best of 2022” stamp? I surprised myself with my 2021 pick – Winter Activities, which, for a known cold-phobe was shocking. 2022 was harder to pin down. Sweden doesn’t issue a large program, it’s more like a carefully curated art show, which really made last year’s diverse styles difficult to pick from. But … ok … I think the best last year was Anna Handell’s beautiful Bluebells for Sweden’s National Flower set.
Everything from the typography to postmark was perfect on this pair of stamps. Typography was supplied by Henrik Karlsson, who has also designed a number of stamps for PostNord. Kudos to Sweden for bringing recognition to the delicate art of typography, something they regularly do in their descriptions. These two stamps were Sweden’s official EUROPA entry, but were also part of a 10 stamp set released at the same time.
This booklet of 10 stamps was designed by Anneli Frisk, with Karlsson’s typography. It’s interesting to see two different artistic styles combined in series, a bit of an unusual occurrence. Using Frisk and Handell created two distinct sets under one umbrella. I especially love the different artwork for bluebells.
This year will be another compact program, with an expected 9 sets. It starts off with a pink elephant and ends with another winter celebration. Releases arrive in January, April, August, October and November every year. Hope you enjoy the stamps as much as I have enjoyed exploring them. If you’d like to receive notification when this page (or the site in general) is updated, sign up for my free newsletter. It comes out on Sunday nights, unless my friends tempt me away with food, wine and laughs. Then it comes out on Mondays.
Sign up for our weekly NEWSLETTER!
It’s free & includes all updated countries & links to new articles.
January
Hello There!
Topics: children’s shows | cartoons | animals
10 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
offset
This set of stamps celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Swedish children’s show “Fem myror är fler än fyra elefanter” (Five ants are more than four elephants). Created by Bengt Linné and Lasse Haglund, the show premiered November 19, 1973 and ran until 1975. It’s still a popular cartoon seemingly passed “on from generation to generation”.
Illustration: Owe Gustafson
Gustafson, artist, illustrator & cartoonist, created the original animated pink elephant in 1973.
Release date: January 12, 2023
500 Years of Sweden
Topics: history | architecture
6 stamps, 2 souvenir sheets, FDC, cancel
offset
Although modern Sweden is celebrating it’s 500th birthday, the people of the region can trace their roots back to between 8,000 to 6,000 BCE. The current state traces its origins to the reign of Gustav Vasa (1523–60). History of Sweden – more than Vikings | Official site of Sweden has an interesting, and digestible start to learn more learning more about Sweden’s history.
The motif on the FDC is based on a portrait of King Gustav Vasa (1490–1560)
Design: Eva Wilsson
Wilsson’s 2016 EUROPA Old Toys won silver in the annual competition. Her first stamp was the 2009 Two Countries, One Future – Sweden and Finland .
I started my career in 2000 in London, first with typographer and book designer Peter Wilberg and then at the design company Design by White where we did art direction for fashion photography. For three years I was at the Amsterdam agency Thonik, designing books, exhibitions and visual identities. Design Eva Wilsson » stamp
Wilsson relocated back to Sweden and now runs Design Eva Wilsson
Illustration: Graham Samuels, based on photos
Graham Samuels Illustration / Clients
Photographers: Kalmar Castle/Jörgen Tannerstedt, Nordic Museum/Alexander Assal,
Strykjärnet building/Peter Holgersson, Själevad Church/Robbin Norgren
Release date: January 12, 2023
Queen Silvia 2023
Topics: royal family
1 stamp, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
offset
This photo has been used on previous stamps, but with different colour grades.
Photographer: Anna-Lena Ahlström
+ (annalenaahlstrom.se)
Designer: Daniel Bjugård
Daniel Bjugård Design (bjugard.se)
Release date: January 12, 2023
April
EUROPA 2023 – Together for Peace
Topics: EUROPA
5 stamps, FDC, cancel, collector sheet
offset
First stamp in this set is the official EUROPA 2023 stamp. This year the theme is a bit more complex than usual. The first stamp in the set was designed by Luxembourg based designers Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir. Their design will be used by all participating countries to stress solidarity with Ukraine. The theme explores how delicate peace is and how it should be the highest value humanity should be working towards. This theme replaces the one originally planned for 2023, Underwater Fauna & Flora, which will be the 2024 theme.
PEACE the highest value of humanity
The world needs a new Peace symbol, uniting all nations.
Cultural differences perchance a barrier for a state of Peace. If only mankind could respect each other’s differences by understanding their significance and responding to them with consideration, the world would be a better place.
According to the special jury’s opinion, the winning design motif reflects the idea of the 2023 EUROPA competition in the most appropriate way. It’s a successful attempt to create a new sign representing peace on the basis of European centuries-old visual motif of a knot, symbol of infinite unity, friendship and love. This universal sign is also a perfect philatelic representation in relation with the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of PostEurop in 2023.
ADC’s Peace symbol voted to appear on the 2023 Europa stamps in over 50 countries. – A Designers’ Collective
Illustration of Europa stamp: Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir
Bos and Eglisdottir are part of A DESIGNERS COLLECTIVE in Luxemburg. Their design was picked to represent all Europa nations in this year’s theme.
Typography: Carina Länk
Design domestic stamps: Jesús Verona
Verona is a book illustrator based in Stockholm. He uses a combination of pen, pencil and computer techniques to create his artwork. Previous stamps include 2020 Active Leisure and 2014 Among Berries and Leaves.
Release date: April 27, 2023
Carl XVI Gustaf – 50 Years as Head of State
Topics: royal family
1 stamp, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
offset
Carl XVI Gustaf is Sweden’s longest-reigning monarch.
Design: Daniel Bjugård
Photos: Thron Ullberg
Jubilee emblem: Elis Nyström
Release date: April 27, 2023
August
From Hobby Horses to Gold Medals
Topics: animals | horses | sports
5 stamps in booklets of 10, 6 stamps on souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
offset
Photographers: Daniel Stiller and Emma Wallskog/Bildbyrån, Susanne Walström, Mikael Sjöberg, Ebba Häggström, Mattias Burling, Henrik Karlsson
Release date: August 24, 2023
The Fall Gardens – Harvest Joy Skördeglädje
Topics: flora | plants
10 stamps in booklet form, 1 stamp, FDC, coils
Designer: Henning Trollbäck
SHOP / Henning Trollbäck (trollback.se)
Release date: August 24, 2023
November
Christmas 2023 – Winter Blooms
Topics: Christmas | holidays
1 stamp, 10 stamps in booklet form, FDC, coils
offset
Designer: Rebecca Elfast
Elfast originally trained as an architect. She now works as a freelance illustrator and pattern designer. She previously designed Åland’s Christmas 2021,
Rebelform – Illustration and Pattern Design by Rebecca Elfast – Illustration
Release date: November 2, 2023
Winter
Topics: seasons
5 stamps in booklets of 10, FDC, coils
offset
Designer: Daniel Bjugård
Photographer: Johanna Hanno
“My subject matter is the personal. My fascination of the self derives from an ever growing and deeply rooted interest in the human being and their many faces, assets and ways of existing within society.” BIO — Johanna Hanno
Release date: November 2, 2023
by catpaw | 18 Mar, 2023 | country Stamps, Stamps
When I sat down to catch up with Sweden’s 2022 stamp releases, I was surprised by the details I managed to squeeze into 2021’s article. I often look at previous years while constructing a country page, but I didn’t have that luxury for 2021. It was my first serious dive into Swedish stamps. I had quite a bit of fun looking for artists and designers who previously created stamps for Sweden, as well as common themes that from past years.
PostNord has an incredible depth of talent to choose from, which means it can be difficult narrowing down a specific release as the year’s best. 2021 had a number of outstanding issues. I fully expected the Czesław Słania set to be tops, but, as much as I loved the tribute to this giant in the stamp design world, I surprised myself by preferring a set that celebrates …. winter.
Get outdoors and enjoy!
Friluftslivets år 2021 – the Year of Outdoor Recreation 2021
Photographer: Pierina Wester
Designer: Henrik Karlsson
November 11, 2021
Anyone who knows me, will be chuckling over this. I’m a bit of a grump when it comes to slogging through snow and cold. But, that doesn’t stop me from having a appreciation of the sheer beauty of a perfect winter day. Like most northern countries, Sweden shares a love of winter so, this set really resonated with me. I may not enjoy slogging around in the cold, but I understand the desire to be outside, enjoying the strange quiet that settles over the landscape after a snow.
By the way, if you love cancels, then Sweden should be on your collector’s list.
Interesting and beautifully designed, Sweden treats their cancels like miniature works of art.
If you’d like to receive notification when the website is updated, sign up for my free newsletter. I include country listing updates and new articles. It comes out on Sunday nights, unless my friends tempt me away with food, wine and laughs. Then it comes out on Mondays. Blame my friends.
Sign up for our weekly NEWSLETTER!
It’s free & includes all updated countries & links to new articles.
January
Povel Ramel (1922-2007) Centenary
Topics: artists
5 stamps, booklets of 10, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
offset
Swedish entertainer with a wide swath of interests, which included, music, comedy, art (drawing, painting), writing, film & radio, cooking and more. He was a man of wide interests and talents loved for his gentle, infectious humour.
Designer: Carina Länk
Carina and Torbjörn Länk formed Länk Graphic Design & Illustration HB more than 20 years ago. Carina is a multiple award winning artist/designer, winning 2010 Stamp of the Year, Graphis Poster Gold 2013, 2012, 2010 & 2007 (NY), to name a few.
Previous stamps include 2021’s Porcelain
Illustrations: Povel Ramel and Carina Länk
Release date: January 12, 2022
SIS 100 years – The Swedish Institute for Standards
1 stamp, 5 priority post on strip. FDC, cancel, souvenir sheet
offset
Swedish Institute for Standards, SIS – Swedish Institute for Standards, SIS
Designer/illustrator: Gustaf Öhrnell Hjalmars
Gustaf Öhrnell Hjalmars (goh.nu)
Release date: January 12, 2022
Queen Silvia 2022
Topics: Royal Family
1 stamp, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
offset
This issue uses the same cancel style and photograph found in the 2021 release and was used in the 2023 stamp. The colour overlay changes year to year.
Photographer: Anna-Lena Ahlström
+ (annalenaahlstrom.se)
Designer: Daniel Bjugård
Daniel Bjugård Design (bjugard.se)
Release date: January 12, 2022
April
EUROPA 2022 – Stories and Myths
Topics: Europa | Myths | Flowers
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, souvenir sheet
*** This stamp is part of a larger series featuring flowers native to Sweden. The bluebell stamp is the only official EUROPA entry.
Official name for the set: Midsummer Myth – Bluebell Bellflower, or Harebell(Campanula rotundifolia)
Bluebells were voted Sweden’s national flower in 2021.
This year’s European theme among stamps is “Stories and myths”. What’s better for a foreign greeting than flower magic in midsummer night? Kristina Olofsdotter, Head of Stamps at PostNord Sweden.
Illustrator: Anna Handell
Handell created Åland Post’s delightful 2021 Songbirds Franking Labels (her first stamps for Åland). She has draft illustrations of the bluebells on her website: PORTFOLIO I BILDER – Anna Handell — Stamps, PostNord, 2022
Design & Konst – ANNA HANDELL – grafisk formgivare, illustratör, konstnär
Typography: Henrik Karlsson
illustrator booklet stamps: Anneli Frisk
Release date: April 28, 2022
Sweden’s Flower
Topics: flowers
10 stamps, see above for souvenir sheet, FDCs etc
offset
These stamps are listed under Sweden’s National Flower, which was their 2022 Europa entry. The above Bluebell was Sweden’s official entry into the competition. Although this set is sold under the National Flower title, I’ve opted to separate them out so it’s easier to find the EUROPA stamp.
illustrator booklet stamps: Anneli Frisk
Frisk is a member of the Society of Botanical Artists. Graduate of both Mälardalen University and the Society of Botanical Artists in London. Frisk is an illustrator and teacher with over 25 years experience and in recent years, has turned her attention increasingly towards botany and nature.
Typography: Henrik Karlsson
Release date: April 28, 2022
Navy 500 Years
Topics: ships | history
3 stamps, 2 souvenir sheets, FDC, cancel
offset
The Swedish Navy was formed June 7, 1522 when King Gustav purchased 10 armed ships from the Hanseatic City of Lübeck. He had them sail to Slätbaken, where they formed the backbone of the new Swedish Navy. It is one of the oldest, continuously serving, navies in the world.
The Navy celebrates its 500th anniversary – Swedish Armed Forces (forsvarsmakten.se)
Naval Museum celebrates 500 years of the Navy (marinmuseum.se)
Designer: Henrik Karlsson
Image supplied by: Maritime Museum, Naval Museum, Henrik Dahlström/National Archives, Saab AB, © David Bergman
Release date: April 28, 2022
August
Skirt Bags Kjolväskor
Topics: folk art | textiles
1 stamp, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
offset
Kjolväskor is a type of embroidery folk art.
Once Swedish kjolväskor (skirt purses or pockets), part of the Swedish folkdräkt (folk dress), were used to carry oats or salt so the cows would follow you home. Today, they may hold your cell phone or your car keys! This practical decorative bag serves as a reminder of heritage and as a focal point of beauty as it carries your belongings … Natalie Norman Swedish Folkdräkt Fantasy – Nordic Center (nordiccenterduluth.org)
Designer: Norbert Tamas
Release date: August 25, 2022
My Cat
Topics: cats | animals
5 stamps, 2 souvenir sheets, FDC, cancel
offset
Illustrator: Annelie Carlström
Only five cats were selected out of 18.000, that competed in PostNord’s contest My cat. I had the great honor of portraying these amazing little creatures… Carlström on her Instagram post about these stamps
anneliecarlstrom (cargo.site)
Ape on the Moon posted brief bio on Carlström that is pure delight The Detailed and the Surreal with Annelie Carlström – Ape on the Moon
Release date: August 25, 2022
November
A Magical Christmas
Topics: Christmas
10 stamps, booklet, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, 2 postal envelopes
A series of greeting cards were also produced using the same motifs
Designer: Sabina Wroblewski Gustrin
Sabina considers her work with PostNord as one of her career highlights.
Sabina Wroblewski Gustrin (sabinawgustrin.com)
Release date: November 3, 2022
Winter Magic
Topics: photography | seasons
6 stamps, 2 souvenir sheets, FDC, cancel
offset
The photos used on this set of stamps are all from the 2021-2022 Ice Hotel. The Icehotel in Sweden | Since 1989 | ICEHOTEL
Photographers: Karin Alfredsson/Johnér, Asaf Kliger, Gunilla Falk, Mathias Darmell, Henry Arvidsson
Artist: Elisabeth Kristensen/Icehotel 32, Art Suite “Blue Tundra”
Kristensen is a Norwegian/Saami sculptor who specialises in natural materials to create fleeting pieces of art. She uses snow and ice to create temporary works that are to be appreciated in the moment, and in their natural settings, when possible.
In the center of her work lies the idea that everything is ephemeral, and part of a whole, because everything is subjected to the flow and transformation of life itself. The fact that something is permanent should not define its value, because temporality is also eternal. The most wonderful and the most painful moments in life are ephemeral and therefore eternity lies in every moment. Blue Tundra | ICEHOTEL
Release date: November 3, 2022
by catpaw | 12 Mar, 2023 | country Stamps, Stamps
If you are looking to improve your Lunar New Year collection, Macau’s 2023 stamp program is the place to go. Macau started their year with 廖文暢Liu Man Cheong’s watercolour rabbits. If you aren’t familiar with Liu Man Cheong’s work, then you are in for a treat. Three of his earlier stamp designs were award winners:
- 1993 Macau Post and Telecommunications Department competition – first prize for Chinese Immortals and Macau Temple
- 1993 Portuguese Postal Association – Best Macau Stamp Art Award
- 1994 Macau Post and Telecommunications Department competition – Eight Views of Macao
He carved out a decades long career in cinema painting and advertising before shifting focus to watercolours of wildlife and nature in the early to mid 2000s. If you compare his 2000 – 2003 Chinese New Year stamps with his current 2023 Rabbits, you will see a startling change in style:
This set has a distinct poster art look to them. They are fun, and the dragon and snake almost feel like they are looking directly at the reader. Now compare that trio to this year’s Rabbits:
The contrast is so sharp, it’s difficult to believe it’s the same artist. I wish I could provide more info him, but most of the links I found were out of date or simply rehashed the same information. Here’s hoping Macau has more plans for Liu Man Cheong’s artistry.
In an attempt to create more order through the years, I’ve started setting up thematic categories, and posting them under each title. These are my own descriptors, and will help me string related themes and content together over the years. I think it will be fun watching themes and ideas weave together, year after year. Later in the month, I’ll update 2022 and 2021 with similar categories.
The best way to keep up to date with any changes to this page, or the site in general is through my weekly newsletter. It includes weekly updates, links to new articles and subscriber only content. Bonus? It’s free. Just sign up and it’ll magically appear in your inbox – unless I go out with friends and have a bit too much wine and good cheer. Then the newsletter comes out on Monday.
Cheers
Catpaw
Sign up for our weekly NEWSLETTER!
January
Lunar New Year – Year of the Rabbit
Series: Chinese New Year
4 stamps, 2 info sheets, 1 stamp on souvenir sheet, sheets of 16, FDC, cancel, FDC joint issue with China, info leaflets, postcards, folder, postage pack
offset lithography
The design concept of the fourth series expresses the change of time with four seasons. This set of four stamps and one souvenir sheet, created by Macao artist Liu Man Cheong, features a watercolor painting of long-eared short-tailed rabbits against seasonal flowers, daffodils, lotuses, chrysanthemums and plum blossoms representing spring, summer, autumn and winter. Macau Post press release Issuance of “Year of the Rabbit” philatelic products
03/01/2023
You can see more Year of the Rabbit stamps, from around the world here Lunar New Year – Year of the Rabbit 2023 (bittergrounds.com)
Designer: 廖文暢 Liu Man Cheong
His name is also written Liao Wenchang in some articles. Translating names into English is tricky and can mistranslate a lot.
Wenchang designed his first stamp for Macau in 1992, Gods of Chinese Mythology (series one). His first Lunar New Year stamp was the 1996 Year of the Rat which was followed up with the 1997 Year of the Ox, 1998 Year of the Tiger, 1999 Year of the Rabbit, 2000 Year of the Dragon, 2001 Year of the Snake, 2002 Year of the Horse and 2003 Year of the Goat.
He has created over 25 sets for Macau and it looks like this year’s Rabbit stamp is his first stamp in 20 years.
Release date: January 5, 2023
February
Year of the Rabbit (postage label)
Series: Chinese New Year
1 postal label, FDC, cancel, info sheet
offset lithography
Designer: 馮寶珠 Feng Baozhu
Baozhu also created the 2022 Year of the Tiger labels
Release date: February 1, 2023
March
110th Anniversary of the Macau Chamber of Commerce
Theme: history
4 stamps, 1 stamp on souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, info sheets
offset lithography
Macao Chamber of Commerce – History (acm.org.mo) has a good history of the organisation available in English.
Designer: 陸曦 Lu Xi
Release date: March 1, 2023
The 30th Anniversary of the Promulgation of the Basic Law of Macao
Theme: history
2 stamps, 2 sheets of 50, FDC, cancel, info sheet
offset lithography
Designer: Li Yonghan 李永漢
Release date: March 31, 2023
April
World Stamp Exhibition 2023
1 commemorative cover and cancel
This year’s World Stamp Fair will be held in Tokyo, Japan.
Release date: April 21-23, 2023
May
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
Commemorative Post Mark
1 cancel, special cover
Release date: May 17, 2023
June
The Five Great Ancient Chinese Beasts
5 stamps, 1 stamp on souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, sheet of 20, 2 info sheets
offset lithography with microprinting
Dragon, Turtle, Phoenix, Pixiu and Kirin
Chinese Bestiary | Immortal Mountain (wordpress.com)
Designer: Wu Wenyan 伍文燕
Release date: June 6, 2023
Luban Temple
Theme: history | architecture
2 stamps, 1 stamp on souvenir sheet, 8 stamps on sheetlet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 2 info sheets
Designer: Lu Zeqiang
呂澤強
Release date: July 28,2023
September
Visit Macau
Theme: tourism
4 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, sheet of 12, 2 infosheets
offset
Designers: Tung Man Kei, Chan Siu Ming 董文祺、陳紹明
Release date: September 1, 2023
10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative
1 stamp on souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, info sheet, souvenir pack
offset with cold stamping & pearlescent ink
China and Hong Kong both issued stamps celebrating the anniversary
Designer: Wang Hhuming 王虎鳴
Release date: September 9, 2023
October
Celebrate
2 stamps, FDC, cancel, info sheet, souvenir sheet
offset
Designer: Che Sin Teng 謝倩婷
Release date: October 9, 2023
The Centenary of the Birth of Henrique de Senna Fernandes (1923-2010)
Theme: history | people
2 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 2 sheets of 50, 2 info sheets
offset with microprinting
Writer and scholar. If you are interested in a decent deep dive into Fernandes life, see The Bewitching Braid Henrique de Senna Fernandes translated by David Brooksha w. It’ll open to a pdf. A Hong Kong University Press publication. It starts with a good primer on the background of Macau’s colonial period.
Henrique de Senna Fernandes was … was a member of a generation of intellectuals wh o began to explore and express the cultural
foundations of the Macanese and their social predicament at a time when their homeland began to undergo profound changes, and when the Portuguese colonial empire came under threat.
page 4 The Bewitching Braid Henrique de Senna Fernande s translated by David Brooksha w (hku.hk)
Designer: 馬偉達 Ma Weida
Release date: October 13, 2023
November
70th Macau Grand Prix
Theme: sports
2 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, sheet of 12, 2 info sheets
offset with microprinting
Designer: 余思 Yu Si
Release date: November 16, 2023
The 100th anniversary of Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau
Theme: history
4 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 4 sheets of 50, 2 info sheets
offset with microprinting
Designer: Lu Chong 陸翀
Release date: November 23, 2023
December
40th Community Chest Walk
2 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 2 sheets of 50, 2 info sheets
offset with microprinting
The 4oth walk took place December 10.
Designer: Ng Wai Kin 吳衛堅
Release date: December 10, 2023
