by catpaw | 2 Mar, 2025 | country Stamps, Stamps
Sorry for the pun about the 2025 Åland stamps. Okay, no, I’m not really sorry. I’m weak and admit it. You’ll understand in a few minutes. I was just observing in another post recently (Algeria 2025) that I was now in the fifth year of this stamp project. It started as a little something to while away the Covid lockdown and has bloomed into an exiting exploration of countries and cultures around the world. I’ve talked with post offices, artists and engravers, historians, designers, and so many more which has allowed my decades long love affair with stamps and story telling to evolve into a full time project. You have no idea how happy it makes me to know readers come from around the world to read these pages.
Åland was among the earliest countries I chose to showcase. Mostly because I knew so little about this country. The first article went up on January 2, 2021 and it’s been an epic ride since then. Looking back on the article, it was painfully obvious I was in the baby step stage of understanding their rich history and art. It’s a pretty barebones page. Since then, the amount of information has improved. I’m hoping this year will be even better.
A number of favourites make an appearance in 2025, and a special stamp will outshine them on. The fun Boathouses series enters it’s 3rd year with 2 more stamps, and Martin Mörck is back for another Lunar New Year release. 2026 will be the Year of the Horse. His artwork features the Stall Joy riding school in Hammarland. As the press release says, Mörck gives the Chinese New Year a distinct Åland twist.
A new International Peace Project stamp will go out in September. Liechtenstein post and Austrian embroidery specialists Hämmerle & Vogel, worked jointly to bring, The Dove of Peace project to life. Austrian collectors will be familiar with H&V as they have helped Austria pioneer some unique embroidered, cloth stamps. A common design will be used by 10 other European post offices. 
This year, I’m starting with the bones of the program and will pop back in to fill in details as the year passes. In previous years, I’ve added most of the details at the beginning, but 2025 will be the year of postal cliff hangers.
Enjoy
Catpaw
With thanks to Åland Islands post office for their top notch scans of all their stamps and covers.
January
More Fun Together – Valentine’s Day
5 stamps
offset
“Since Valentine’s Day is the day of friendship in Finland, the stamps depict friendship, not romantic love. It’s much more fun to do things with your friends than on your own. For example, cooking together can be quality time with friends or family,”
Minna Lehväslaiho
Artist: Minna Lehväslaiho
Minna’s artwork was also featured on the 2022 and Christmas 2023
Release date: January 15, 2025
February
Treasures of the Sea
franking labels
4 stamps, FDC, cancel, pre-paid maxi card, cancel
offset
Exploring sealife around Åland’s waters.
- bladderwrack (Fucus versiculosus) – largest algae found in the Baltic sea. Provides shelter for small species of sealife.
- three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) – a small, 4–10 cm, fish.
- blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) – are crucial in montoring the health of the sea.
- jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) – a native species in the Baltic.
The illustration on the FDC is a stickleback swimming among the bladderwrack. The maxi card has a different cancel than the FDC.
Artist: Bo Lundwall
Swedish artist Lundwall specialises in highly detailed wildlife and nature art. His works have appeared on over a dozen stamps from Sweden and Åland..
Designer: Johanna Finne
Release date: February 3 2024
Boathouses
3rd in series
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
offset
This series will wrap up in 2026.
- Classic boathouses found at Käringsund in Eckerö one of Åland’s oldest preserved fishing villages.
- New style from Bovik, Hammarland
” Inspired by the technique of “timber framing”, this new boathouse combines the joy of carpentry with traditional craftsmanship. Built of Åland pine, the boathouse measures 10 x 6 meters and has room for two boats.” Boathouse, Hammarland – mint – Åland Stamps
Previous stamps in this series:
Photographer: Kjell Söderlund
Söderlund started his exploration of photography in 1983, with film cameras. He has made a career out of his passion since 1995. His first stamp was the 2002 Norden- Art stamp for Åland. My favourite Söderlund stamps were his 2011 pair Potato Chips and The Champagne Find.
Designer: Johanna Finne
Release date: February 3 2024
March
Open Edition – Magical Island
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
This is a delightful series that gives artists free reign over the entire design of a stamp. This year features Amanda Chanfreau’s Magical Island, a whimsical look at the both life above and below the waters around Åland. A nice companion to Lundwall’s Treasures of the Sea.
Artist: Amanda Chanfreau
Chanfreau works as both an traditional artist and tattooist.
Designer: Johanna Finne
Release date: March 19, 2025
Moped Car – Symbol of Youth on the Island
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheets of 24
offset
This stamp introduces new artist Ksenija Chezhegova to the stamp design world.
The moped car, which is classified as a moped despite its car-like design, has become a popular means of transport among young people. With two seats and a top speed of 45 km/h, it may be driven from 15 years of age.
Young artist Ksenija Chezheghova’s interpretation of the moped car captures the sense of freedom and fellowship that this symbol of youth evokes.
Moped car –mint – Åland Stamps
Artist: Ksenija Chezhegova
Chezhegova recently graduated from the Åland Lyceum.
“I was really happy and felt both proud and responsible when I was entrusted with this task. I haven’t drawn so many vehicles before, so I was excited to take on this challenge. My first thought was freedom and relationships. A quadricycle is more than its physical components. An important part of owning a quadricycle car is being able to go for a ride with friends. The moped car is a symbol of freedom and represents the social network between young people that is created when they spend time together. This is exactly the feeling of freedom I wanted to try to capture”
Stamp Owner Blog: Moped car – part of youth culture in Åland
Designers: Rebecka Lundén & Johanna Finne
Release date: March 19, 2025
May
SEPAC – Architecture
1 stamp, sheetlet of 8 + 8 labels, FDC, cancel, sheets of 24 + 8 labels
offset
The second stamps give you a clearer view of the two labels that accompany the sheets.
SEPAC’s theme this year is an exploration of outstanding architectural gems. Åland chose to showcase early 20th century schoolhouses. The Åland Lyceum, in Mariehamn, built in 1903 was the work of Finnish architects Johan Jacob “Jac” Ahrenberg (1847–1914) and Sebastian Gripenberg (1850–1925).
Erected in 1903, the schoolhouse was the first large stone building in Mariehamn. Architecturally, the Åland Lyceum represents Swedish manor house style with tall, wide windows and small panes. From the outset, the building had bright yellow plasterwork, white mouldings, and a red roof. The decorative main entrance at the foot of the tower is framed by a soapstone portal adorned with the town’s coat of arms and water lily motifs, a tribute to the Art Nouveau ideals of the time.
Sepac 2025, architecture -mint – Åland Stamps
Designer: Kjell Ekström
Release date: May 9, 2025
EUROPA 2025: National Archaeological Discoveries
1 stamp, FDC, sheetlet of 8 + 4 labels, sheets of 24 + 4 labels
offset
Jettböle clay idol – from a stone age settlement in Jettböle, Åland. The idol was discovered in 1906 while archeologists were excavating a 5000-year-old Stone Age settlement in Jomala. Head over to Jan Fast Archaeology : Newly found stone-age clay figurines from the Åland Islands for an brief look at both the excavation and the idol. Then treat yourself to the Åland Museum for a deeper dive into the details on the Jettböle idol Jettböle settlement area | Ålands Museum. It has some fine closeups of the idol.
Illustrator: Fredrik Tjernström
Designer: Johanna Finne
Release date: May 9, 2025
June
Children’s Åland
4 stamps, booklets of 8, FDC, cancel, maxi card
offset
This is a collaboration between Åland Post and the Åland School of Art and Design, and students aged 6 to 16. The four stamps were illustrated by Sofia Topoeva, Joel Höglund, Lowa Johansson and Elsa Carlström. The FDC and cancel by Frida Carlsson and Mathilda Jansson and the maxi card and its special cancel were designed by Anna Sophie Czajkowski and Michelle Horner
Designer: Johanna Finne
Artists: Sofia Topoeva, Joel Höglund, Lowa Johansson and Elsa Carlström
FDC art and cancel: Frida Carlsson
Release date: June 9, 2025
Postal Stationary – Flowers
4 pre-paid postal stationary cards, cancel
offset
Freelance photographer Tiina Tahvanainen returns with what may be her best stamp to-date. This set features flowers found around Älvdalens Trädgård on Åland.
On a former grass meadow, we are building a lush garden with a small-scale cut flower cultivation. It all started as a wild idea that during 2020-2021 was allowed to mature and slowly begin to take shape. Jeppe in particular has always been interested in cultivation and we have grown vegetables for our own use for many years. Helena loves to create and be creative, and growing cut flowers suddenly felt just right. Here we can combine our interests and create something together that can also be a joy for others! Wonderfully!
About – Älvdalens Trädgård
Photographer: Tiina Tahvanainen
Release date: June 9, 2025
Postal Boat Race
postcard
1 postcard, cancel
This postcard wasn’t available until the June 14 race concluded.
Since 1974, the Postal Boat Race has been an annual summer event arranged to commemorate the obligation of the farmers in Swedish Väddö and Åland Eckerö to carry mail and passengers across the Sea of Åland in all weathers for almost 400 years.
Approximately 30 boats take part every year, and the crews of four are required to wear contemporary clothing and the boat must also be true to the period. The goal is to cross the Sea of Åland, a distance of 44 km, as quickly as possible. The boat and team acquiring the highest total score for clothing, boat, and speed wins. Every participating mail boat carries a mail bag.
The Postal Boat Race is organized by Roslagen Marine History Society and Eckerö Local History Society in cooperation with Swedish PostNord and Åland Post.|
Postal boat race, commemorative card – Åland Stamps
No photographer was listed.
Release date: June 14, 2025
August
The Gustaf Erikson Shipping Company Archives
This is a special stamp. It features Åland’s first UNESCO World Heritage entry. The archives were entered into UNESCO’s International Memory of the World Register on 24 May 2023.
Designer: Juta Policja
Policja is a Latvian artist currently living on Åland.
Release date: August 25, 2025
34th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC)
This year the conference is being chaired by Åland and held in Mariehamn.
Designer: Bo Söderlund
Release date: August 25, 2025
September
The Dove of Peace
Joint Issue
This will be Åland’s first embroidered stamp. They join countries like Austria in using Hämmerle & Vogel embroidery manufacturers to create this unique stamp.
Release date: September 19, 2025
October
Lunar New Year – Year of the Horse
“… Stall Joy riding school in Hammarland on Åland, which has specialized in equestrian therapy for children and adults with various disabilities.”
Designer: Martin Mörck
Release date: October 25, 2025
Christmas – Togetherness
Designer: Jonas Wilén
Release date: October 25, 2025
by catpaw | 7 Feb, 2025 | country Stamps, Stamps
Hard to believe, but the Algerian 2025 stamps represent the 5th year of exploring Algeria. During the past half decade, I’ve discovered some excellent artists and designers, but am still stymied in my research into them. They seem to be a shy lot. But, after so many stamps, I feel much more comfortable writing about the country. I’ve sourced some strong Algerian sites that shed light onto cultural and historical moments that, as a North American, are often missing in our news coverage. Stamps are great, aren’t they?
Last year, Algerian post issued a number of interesting stamps, but in retrospect, their celebration of arts education seems to be the most timely. With so many tech bros pushing to do away with the arts and personal creativity, Algeria chose to highlight the “need to strengthen arts education in schools to make it a breeding ground for the education of talents, promoting their development at the national level in various fields in order to orient them towards a real artistic industry”. Bachelor’s Degree in Arts 2024 – Algeria Post (poste.dz) Designer Zakaria Medjaour pulled together so many elements of the arts, it was fun to examine.
Algeria is one of those countries that excels in creating info brochures for each stamp. For a collector, they make good companion pieces for an album, especially if you can’t afford a stamp catalogue. Algerian 2025 stamps kicked off the year with a beautifully constructed one for the Amazigh Literature and Language Prizes.
Written in three languages, with extra info details included, its a nice bonus. I’m playing around with the idea of including the info sheets, but haven’t decided. Guess we’ll find out when the stamps start rolling in.
Enjoy your trip to Algeria.
Catpaw
January
Fifth Edition of the President of the Republic’s Prize for Amazigh Literature and Language
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
The prize has four categories:
- Non-Material Amazigh Cultural Heritage Research
- Technological Sciences and Digital Innovation
- Linguistics
- Amazigh Literature and Translated Works
This year’s winners:
No first prize was awarded in the Linguistics, 2nd and 3rd prizes went to:
Second prize: Naima Hamdi (Béjaïa)
Third prize: Ferkanis Elias (Béjaïa)
Amazigh Literature and Translations:
First prize: Farhat Amr Ouchaban (Tizi Ouzou)
Second prize: Tegourabet Rachida (Tizi Ouzou)
Third prize: Houssam Haddad (Batna)
Non-Material Amazigh Cultural Heritage Research saw no award for 2nd prize:
First prize: Bezza Abdelnasser (Batna)
Third prize: Mohamed Mouloud El Wass (Tamanrasset)
For Technological Sciences and Digital Innovation, no 1st or 3rd was awarded:
Second prize: Belkhraz Abdelrazak (Béjaïa)
Winners of President’s Prize for Amazigh Literature Honored
Designer: High Commission for Amazighity
Release date: January 14, 2025
School Sports
3 stamps, FDC, cancel
offset
This stamp is part of the Algerian government’s new program to encourage Physical Education and Sports within schools.
Designer: not listed
Release date: January 14, 2025
February
World Safer Internet Day – Together for a Better Internet
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
This stamp is part of an international campaign to promote the idea of creating a less hostile environment on the internet. It began as a EUROPA initiative in 2005 with their Safe Borders initiative.
Designer: Tahar Boukeroui
Boukeroui is a familiar name in Algerian stamp design. His works date to as early as his 1975 National Network Of Satellite Telecomunications 3 stamp set.
Release date: February 13th, 2025
March
Women and Modern Technology
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
… modern technologies have enabled women to overcome many obstacles that once stood in their way, providing them with the opportunity to achieve their personal fulfillment and actively participate in building the future Women and Modern Technology – Algeria Post
Algeria post designed a beautiful pdf info sheet that included artwork from the stamp. Here’s the top of it. Whoever the artist is, should have been given credit.
Drawing: Ministry of Post and Telecommunications
Release date: March 10, 2025
The Arab League: Eighty Years of Joint Arab Action
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Drawing: The Arab League
Release date: March 24, 2025
Women’s Ceremonial Outfits of the Eastern Region of Algeria
3 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
offset
In December 2024, UNESCO declared these types of dress as part of their Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognises the “cultural achievement and constitutes a global recognition of the historical and artistic value of the Algerian women’s traditional costume”. The women’s ceremonial costume in the Eastern region of Algeria: knowledge and skills associated with the making and adornment of the ‘Gandoura’ and the ‘Melehfa’ – UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
From Algeria Post’s website:
The Caftan: The Algerian Qadi Caftan is one of the oldest traditional costumes in the city of Constantine. It reflects the excellence and creativity of the famous Constantinian embroidery art, known as Fetla and Mejboud (Tarz). This authentic embroidery, made with meticulous precision by Constantine craftsmen, is distinguished by its refined patterns and sumptuous ornaments.
Originally, the Algerian caftan was a masculine garment worn by judges and high dignitaries of the state. Over time, Algerian women have appropriated it by adapting it to their femininity and elegance, making it one of the most emblematic traditional women’s garments.
The kaftan is made from a variety of luxurious fabrics, such as silk, velvet,
short velvet, cotton and wool, giving it an elegant and distinctive appearance combining refinement and comfort.
The Melehfa: It is a loose, draped garment, which was originally unsewn and held at the shoulders by two silver brooches. Excess fabric is folded over the chest backwards, while the waist is belted with a long colored wool rope belt or a silver belt.
The elegance of the Mlehfa is enhanced by traditional accessories. The head is covered with a Ghenur (turban) or veil, and adorned with a Jabin diadem fixed on the forehead. It is often associated with Mechref, large circular earrings decorated with simple geometric engravings, as well as bracelets and rings that enhance the beauty of the arms. The Khalkhal (anklet) is worn to add a touch of charm and grace to the ankles.
The Gandoura: It is a long dress in satin or velvet, embroidered with motifs inspired by nature, whether floral or animal, using techniques such as gold thread (majboud), fetla, tell or decorative embroidery.
Artists: Zineb Bahri and Yasmina Boukhari
Release date: March 27, 2025
May
Algerian Digital Platform for the Quran – MAQRAA
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
This project began April 25, 2020.
The Electronic Maqraa of Algeria was founded on the 1st of Ramadan 1441H, corresponding to April 25, 2020, with the establishment of an electronic platform on the official website of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Wakfs. It brings together more than 100 teachers (men and women) spread over several time slots, allowing learners to correct their recitation and recite what they have memorized.
A year after its launch, an academic Maqraa has been established, where learners are divided into classes and levels, according to approved educational programmes.
The Algerian Digital Platform for the Quran – MAQRAA – Algeria Post
Artwork: Ministry of Religious Affairs and Wakfs
Release date: May 4, 2025
Ancient Mosques
3 stamps, FDCs, cancel
offset
This set features the 3 mosques. Details courtesy Algeria Post’s website.
Okba Ibn Nafaa al-Fihri Mosque – Biskra – It was built over the tomb of Okba Ibn Nafaa al-Fihri, after his martyrdom at the Battle of Tahuda in 63 H (682 AD). It is the third oldest mosque in the Maghreb, after the Kairouan Mosque in Tunisia and the Abou al-Mouhadjir Dinar Mosque in Mila, Algeria.
The mosque stands out for its unique and irregular architectural design, measuring 60 meters long and 37 meters wide. It includes a prayer hall surrounded by galleries on three sides, in addition to a place for ablutions and several chambers. The prayer hall itself is irregular, consisting of seven vertical plates intersected by seven cross-aisles parallel to the qibla wall. The pyramidal minaret is 16 meters high. The main gate, known as “Bab Tobna”, is a true work of art, made of cedar wood and inlaid with bronze nails, decorated with arabesque patterns, illustrating the beauty of traditional Islamic art.
Qutub Main Mosque, Yusuf Bin Tashfeen – Tindouf The mosque was inaugurated on Tuesday, 22 Moharram 1443 AH, corresponding to August 31, 2021. This religious complex is one of the largest religious structures in the region, with a capacity of about 4,200 prayers, making it one of the largest mosques in the wilaya.
The design of the mosque is the work of the late architect Hamoudi Al Nazir, who dedicated many years of his life to this project since 2004. The design is inspired by the Maghreb-Andalusian architectural style, reflecting a historical and cultural fusion between North Africa and Andalusia, which gives the mosque a unique and distinctive architectural identity.
Ibn Saadoun Mosque – Blida: The mosque located in the center of the city of Blida is one of the most important historical and religious monuments of the wilaya. Its construction dates back to the 16th century, and it is named after its founder, Sheikh Ibn Saadoun Bin Mohammad Bin Baba Ali.
The mosque covers an area of about 258 square meters and can accommodate about 800 prayers. It is distinguished by its traditional architectural design, comprising four galleries and five rows of columns, crowned with capitals similar to those of the Bani Hammad Fortress, giving it a unique heritage character.
Designer: Ali Kerbouche
Kerbouche is a prolific designer for Algeria. He has contributed artwork for over 100 stamps for both Algeria and 2 for Serbia.
Release date: May 15, 2025
Algerian Cuisine Based on Wild Herbs
3 stamps, FDC, cancel, First Day card
offset
Finally, Algeria returns with a delicious stamp. Once again, Algeria’s post office offers the best write up:
Wild Purslane with “Dersa”: This is one of the traditional and popular Algerian dishes, prepared with a plant called “wild purslane”, also known as “Bakla” or “Bandraq”. It is a seasonal wild plant with fleshy green leaves, which grows in spring. It is known for its unique flavor and nutritional richness, especially omega-3 and iron.
Wild purslane is usually cooked in olive oil and seasoned with a mixture called “Dersa”, a puree made of garlic, salt and red chilli (sweet and hot), traditionally prepared in a mortar. This dish is served as a main or side dish, especially in rural and inland areas.
Couscous with Milk Thistle (Guernina): This is a traditional seasonal dish made with two ingredients: couscous – an emblematic symbol of Algerian cuisine – and “Guernina”, a wild plant with a sweet taste, even raw. It is also beneficial for health as it is rich in vitamins, including vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium. It is found in abundance in North Africa and the Mediterranean basin, especially in late winter and spring. Algerian families, especially in the central and eastern regions, celebrate spring by preparing this dish.
Guernina, once cleaned of its thorns and cut, is first steamed, then added to a couscous sauce made of onions, chickpeas, spices, and sometimes meat (fresh or dried). The couscous, steamed and drizzled with olive oil, is then topped with this fragrant sauce.
Shakhchoukha with Wild Mallow (Khoubiza): This is a seasonal spring dish that adorns the tables of Algerian families in the interior and highlands. It combines two elements: a type of “chakhchoukha” (crumbled cake) and wild mallow, a plant with semi-circular and serrated leaves, known for its richness in vitamins, minerals, fibers and antioxidant properties.
Mallow leaves are cleaned and cooked in a sauce of olive oil, green onions, garlic, and spices. They are then mixed with the shakshushha, cooked and crumbled beforehand.
Hungry yet?
Artist: Yasmina Boukhari
Release date: May 26, 2025
by catpaw | 30 Jan, 2025 | Stamps, country Stamps
The 2025 US stamps offer up a lot of familiar faces, among them Betty White. We’ll always miss her.
I’m a bit late in creating the US page. It’s normally up by the middle of January. This year, I took more time to decide a few issues. This time around, I’ve spent more energy outlining the designers and artists in a way that shows how complex the design process can be. It’s not a matter of one person sitting down and tossing a few images together. Sometimes there are 3 or more people are involved.
I am however, still shaking my fist in a southerly direction and cursing the USPS for its utter lack of timelines. Their preliminary release lacks any indicator as to month, let alone day, making it frustrating to maintain. This means many stamps are in wildly wrong positions which in turn causes a major shuffling of the order almost every month. The initial program is released in 2 parts, and by the second release we get a handful of dates. After that, it’s a big dog pile of beautiful stamps. I have to confess, occasionally frustration gets the better of me and I roll on past the US page and go have an espresso instead of working on it. That being said, many of my American readers are … struggling with extraordinary times. I’m gong to take a little more care with this page, so at least you have a small refuge from reality and we can enjoy a bit of tranquility among the stamps.
Drop me a note if you feel the urge. If you want a reply don’t forget to include your email address. I often get questions, but no way to contact the writer.
Hope you enjoy the little bonuses I sourced for you. I’ve tried to flesh out some of the designers and topics a bit more and have a few treasures hidden among the stamps. Instead of writing something for each stamp at publication time, I decided to wait. That’ll give us something light and fun to explore together throughout the year.
Cheers and stay strong my American readers
Catpaw
Oh and one last note. Before I get into spelling squabbles, again, I’m Canadian so colour is spelt with a U up here.
January
Lunar New Year: Year of the Snake
1 stamp, FDC with a digital colour cancel and a traditional black ink cancel, sheets of 20, pinbacks, pre-stamped red envelope
offset, foil stamping, microprint, flexographic
If you are interested in printing techniques, check this page on flexographic printing methods What Is Flexographic Printing? – Complete Overview (2020) | Printmatics
USPS often offers special additions to some releases. With the Lunar New Year, collectors can also purchase pinbacks (these are so cool!), matte mounted stamps, and special release ceremony memento packs. Each Lunar New Year, they also offer a special stamped red envelope. Red is generally associated with good luck. Unfortunately the scans for some of the items tend to be a bit teeny so they aren’t the best.
Artist Camille Chew returns for her 6th stamp in the current Lunar New Year cycle. The stamps in her series features a carefully created 3D paper mask to represent each animal. From the USPS News release:
Camille Chew constructed a three-dimensional snake mask out of hand-printed paper, then cut, scored and folded it into shape. After the front was embellished with acrylic paint and additional paper elements, the back was covered with a layer of papier-mâché. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp from a photograph of the mask by Sally Andersen-Bruce.
Artist: Camile Chew
Chew describes herself as “an illustrator whose work
marvels at the magic present in the everyday.
Exploring and comparing the transformative
processes of art-making, cooking, and witchcraft.
You can see more of her art on her website About/Contact – Camille Chew
Designer: Antonio Alcalá
Photographer: Sally Andersen-Bruce
Andersen-Bruce’s photographes have graced at least 12 previous stamps. Her Adopt a Shelter Pet, April 30, 2010 was voted Most Popular stamp of 2010
Release date: January 14, 2025
Love (2025)
1 stamp, FDC, digital colour cancel, sheets of 16, pinbacks, (notecards available)
offset, microprint
There appears to be only a colour cancel available for this stamp.
Untitled (1985) drawing.
Keith Haring Foundation has an excellent bio, In His Own Words | Keith Haring. He was an extraordinary person who never lost touch with fans and had an immense respect for them.
“The things that have always given me the strength and confidence not to worry about [negative criticism] are, first of all, support from other artists, artists whom I look up to and respect much more than I respect these critics or curators, and second, things that come from real people, people who don’t have any art background, who aren’t part of the elitist establishment or of the intellectual community but who respond with complete honesty from deep down inside their hearts or their souls.”[
Transitions | Keith Haring
Artist: Keith Haring (1958–1990)
Haring’s artwork previously appeared on a French stamp in 2014 for the Necker Hospital for Sick Children in Paris, France. The artwork, titled Tower, was created for the Hospital in 1987.
“Haring painted this tower, originally a fire escape from a now-destroyed building, during a visit to Paris. He offered to paint the tower free of charge to entertain the sick children of the Necker hospital. The mural was made by Keith Haring freehand without prior sketches, in three days, in the rain and cold.” Keith Haring (1958-1990) Necker Hospital Paris, French stamps issued in 2014
Credits: AP Photo – HP Necker Hospital, © Keith Haring Foundation
Designer: Antonio Alcalá
Antonio maintains a blog on his website 2024 September – Studio A. He sometimes highlights the stamps he has designed. Not a lot of insight into his design process, but a fun interlude.
Release date: January 17, 2025
James Hubble Telescope – Spiral Galaxy and Star Cluster
2 stamps, 2 FDCs with a digital colour cancel and a traditional black ink cancel for each stamp, 2 blocks of 4
offset, microprint
A lot of agencies had a hand in this stamp. Images were supplied by:
Spiral Galaxy
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, the Space Telescope Science Institute, Janice Lee (Space Telescope Science Institute), Thomas Williams (Oxford) and the Physics at High Angular resolution in Nearby GalaxieS Team.
Star Cluster
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, the Space Telescope Science Institute, Kevin Luhman (Penn State University) and Catarina Alves de Oliveira (European Space Agency)
The USPS began their 2024 program with a pair of Hubble photos, Pillars of Creation and Cosmic Cliffs. The same team that created this year’s set, also designed 2024’s.
The first time Hubble images used were the Edwin Hubble sheet sheet released in 2000.
Designer: Greg Breeding
Release date: January 21, 2025
1794 Compass Rose
1 stamp, FDC with a digital colour cancel and a traditional black ink cancel, sheetlets of 10
offset, microprint
This stamp uses an illustration by a 10 year old schoolgirl Lucia Wadsworth. The compass was part of her geography lesson in 1794. Her notebook, along with those belonging to her classmates have been carefully preserved. Lucia was Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s aunt. .
Lucia Wadsworth’s Geography Notebook, completed in 1794, is the earliest example of schoolgirl mapping included in this exhibition. Wadsworth was only ten years old when she created her geography notebook, and throughout its pages, one can see descriptions and word maps, as well as colorful maps such as this “Chart of the Western Continent.” Like the other school children working through their geography lessons in these notebooks, Wadsworth practiced her penmanship and her spelling. Small spelling corrections, like adding an h to “Northern,” remind us that these maps were learning experiences and works in progress.
Osher Map Library
The Osher Map Library has a full scan of her notebook (as well as from other’s in her class), freely available for viewing online.
The original compass, from a scan of Lucia Wadsworth Geography Notebook, 1794. With great thanks to the Collections of the Maine Historical Society for making these images available.
https://oshermaps.org/map/4000390.0019
Another page from her notebook. From Lucia Wadsworth Geography Notebook, 1794 Courtesy Collections of the Maine Historical Society https://oshermaps.org/map/4000390.0019
Lucia Wadsworth, shortly before her death. This is the only portrait I could find of her (at least that I could confirm was Lucia). With special thanks to the Maine Memory Network. https://www.mainememory.net/artifact/100201/image/100201
Artist: Lucia Wadsworth
Designer: Greg Breeding
Greg is an Art Director with the USPS. You can see his portfolio of stamps here: Greg Breeding
He also part of the Journey Group. He has contributed a number of interesting articles on design on their website Essays — Journey Group, Including Designing the Mayflower Postage Stamp — Journey Group where he discusses how his design process starts. Art Direction, Design and the Magic Touch — Journey Group is another good essay on “elevating” stamp design. This isn’t an essay by Breeding, but one of his co-workers Zack Bryant, Moral Design — Journey Group. A thought provoking examination of modern design.
Release date: January 24, 2024
Black Heritage: Allen Toussaint (1938–2015)
1 stamp, FDC with a digital colour cancel and a traditional black ink cancel, sheets of 20, fieldnotes (matted mounted stamp also available)
offset, flexographic, microprint
Allen Toussaint (1938–2015), a true son of New Orleans, was the heartbeat of the city’s iconic rhythm and blues sound, bringing its infectious groove to audiences around the globe. The 48th stamp in the Black Heritage series celebrates this musical powerhouse — a virtuoso pianist, singer, songwriter, composer, arranger, and producer whose genius gave rise to countless hits across a wide range of genres.
Latest News – The Official Site of Allen Toussaint
Toussaint’s website has a delightful addition describing designer Ethel Kessler’s joy in going through the archived photos for this stamp. It’s well worth a minute to read.
Judging by the number of photos of Toussaint in various collections, it was clear to Kessler that he was a popular subject. “He was very handsome,” she says, “always dressed to impress in a smashing outfit when performing.”
Given Toussaint’s extensive career, choosing the perfect image for the stamp could have been daunting. However, his deep connection to the piano made the decision clear: The stamp would capture him at the instrument that defined so much of his musical genius.
“Once I started reviewing images of him for the stamp, I quickly zeroed in on my top picks,” Kessler recalls. “From there, it’s all about the lighting. I considered everything we could find — shots of him performing outdoors at a festival, or in the dim ambience of a venue. It’s really about how the image will translate to stamp size,” she explains. “I looked for a moment where he seemed fully immersed in the joy of his music.”
Kessler delivered. The final stamp captures a radiant Toussaint at the piano, elegantly dressed in black and bathed in a soft violet light against a dark background. The photograph, taken in New York City in 2007, marks a poignant chapter in Toussaint’s life. After Hurricane Katrina devastated much of New Orleans — destroying his home and recording studio — he began touring more extensively. Yet, even in the face of such loss, Toussaint’s signature grace and optimism shone through. As he put it, he believed good things would balance out the bad. And as he sang, New Orleans “doesn’t leave you just because you leave town. We’ve got our own special swing; it’s a New Orleans thing.”
Photo of Toussaint was taking in NYC in 2007.
Designer: Ethel Kessler
Kessler is an Art Director with the USPS and has been responsible for bringing over 250 stamps to life over her career. She wrote her aim in stamp design was to “educate and delight consumers and stamp-collectors with “America’s Story”” Kessler Design Group :: About
Photographer: Bill Tompkins
Release date: January 30, 2025
February
American Vistas
no details yet.
Designer: Greg Breeding
Artists: DKNG Studios, using vector illustrations
Release date: February 21, 2025
The Appalachian Trail
15 stamps, sheets of 15, Appalachian Trail Collector’s Set, set of vinyl stickers
offset
14 stamps that follow the 2,200 miles footpath trail through 14 states, from Maine-to-Georgia.
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, today the trail is managed by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, numerous state agencies and thousands of volunteers.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail (U.S. National Park Service)
Designer: Antonio Alcalá
Photographers:
- Dave Allen
- Justin Birt
- Sandra Burm
- Jenna Foster
- Ed Heaton
- Angelo Marcialis
- Brent McGuirt
- Hanit Mizrachi Avondoglio
- Jessica Rodriguez
- Kevin Rohn
- Nico Schueler
- Bart Smith
- Ryan Tasto
- Drew Housten
Release date: February 28, 2025
March
Freshwater Fishing Lures
Photographer: Sarah Cramer
Designer: Greg Breeding
Release date: March 13, 2025
Vibrant Leaves
postcard stamps
Designer: Antonio Alcalá
Release date: March 14, 2025
Betty White (1922–2021)
Photographer: Kwaku Alston photo taken in 2010
Illustrator: Dale Stephanos
Designer: Greg Breeding
Release date: March 27, 2025
TBA
Dahlias
Photographer: Denise Ippolito
Designer: Greg Breeding
U.S. Flag
Photographer: Doug Haight
Designer: Antonio Alcalá
Schooner – pre-stamped postcard
photo of a 2014 replica of the 1923 schooner Columbia
Artist: Libby VanderPloeg
Designer: Antonio Alcalá
Luna Moth
To get the fine details of the month artist Joseph Scheer used a composite technic. He took high resolution scans of of the different parts of a preserved moth and pulled them together to create a highly detailed examination of the Luna moth.
Artists: Joseph Scheer
Designer: Derry Noyes
Baby Wild Animals
Digital art work
Artist and designer: Tracy Walker
Winter Landscapes
Designer: Ethel Kessler
Photographers: not stated at this time
Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture
Artist: Cochiti Pueblo artist Mateo Romero
Designer: Antonio Alcalá
Battlefields of the American Revolution
This is the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution.
Designer: Derry Noyes
Artist: Greg Harlin
Photographers: Jon Bilous, Richard Lewis, Tom Morris, Gregory J. Parker and Kevin Stewart
Goodnight Moon
Illustrations: Clement Hurd for the original book by Margaret Wise Brown
Designer: Derry Noyes
SpongeBob SquarePants
Designer: Greg Breeding
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 | 27 Jan, 2025 | country Stamps, Catpaw's Picks, Stamps
Tết 2025 means it’s time for the snake to shine. Tết Nguyên Đán, the first day of the Lunar New Year festival in Vietnam takes place on January 29th. It’s a major festival and a time for families to gather. It also marks the 4th Tết article for Bitter Grounds. It’s a stamp I impatiently await every year.
Tết Ất Ty Year of the Snake – celebrating intelligence, wisdom, longevity and rebirth
This year’s stamp title is Tết Ất Ty, and I apologise to my readers for not supply a translation, but the translator threw a few cyber brain cells recently. It’s spitting up nonsense like: Deep frying in Vietnamese folklore and beliefs. So, I’d rather omit details rather than risk a gross mistranslation. I make enough errors on my own.
“In Vietnamese belief, snakes are often seen as mischievous and cunning creatures, sometimes associated with malevolent traits. Yet, these very characteristics have led to their deification, with snakes revered as water gods. The duality of their nature evokes both fear and reverence, linking them to themes of power and protection.” Snakes in Vietnamese culture – The Saigon Times
Twelve animals were assigned a place in the Zodiac calendar by the Jade Emperor. He picked each animals to represent different attributes, but, to decide where they what order they would appear, the Emperor decreed they would race for their positions. The snake placed sixth in the race, just ahead of the horse. The snake used intelligence and cunning to cross the finish line by wrapping himself around the horse’s hoof, and letting the horse do all the work. As they approached the finish line, the snake unwrapped himself and in doing so frightened the horse so badly it reared up and fell. The snake crossed the line before the horse, thus giving himself the 6th position in the zodiac.
Next galloped in the horse, who was rushing through the race so quickly that it failed to notice the snake curled around its hoof! Just before crossing the finish line, the clever snake unfurled itself over the finish line and became zodiac animal number six. The horse was also taken aback by this surprise and made it into seventh place. The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac — Anjie Cho
Tết Ất Tỵ also means the return of Nguyễn Quang Vinh with his 6th Tet design.
It’s interesting seeing all of Nguyễn’s designs laid out together. It’s easier to pick out common design like the spring flowers and vibrant colours.
The 2022 Tigers broke with the design pattern with Nguyễn’s use of the Ðông Hồ woodcut folk art style. He returned to the common pattern with the Year of the Cat and has carried on with the flowered coated animals since. I have to confess, the Tiger is still my favourite set, both for the Tiger and the use of a traditional folk art style that nearly vanished with the march of modernisation. And yes, the cat is in second place.
This year’s set comes with the expected 2 stamps – smiling mother and father snakes facing each other. Both are essential because Tết is all about family. Also included is the souvenir sheet that shows the snakes happily intertwined. The flowers in place of scales adds a warmth to the image. Also included are the traditional spring flowers, usually peach, apricot or kumquat blossoms. Each flower represents a different hope: Hoa Dao – Peach blossom – peaceful and elegant; Hoa Mai – Ochna integerrima (Yellow apricot flower) – bright and shinning; Quat tree – Kumquat tree – lucky and fruitful. (Vietnamese Tet Flowers, Lucky Plants & Tree Markets – Vietnam Is Awesome)
Two FDCs and two maxi cards finish the story by bringing the family together. Both show parent snakes with a child.
More art from Nguyễn Quang Vinh
For fans of Nguyễn Quang Vinh (and snakes in general), don’t forget to seek out his impressive set of Year of the Snake postcards and the cover of this year’s Tạp Chí Tem Việt Nam – Vietnam stamp magazine. The postcards explore myths about Vietnamese snake gods and would be a great album companion to his stamps. If you’d like to see the full set and details about getting them, go to the link above.
Hope you have a peaceful and prosperous Tết Ất Tỵ.
Cheers,
Catpaw
Read about the race [Illustrations] The Mythological Race That Created Vietnam’s Zodiac, Retold in Watercolor – Saigoneer
by catpaw | 26 Jan, 2025 | country Stamps, Stamps
Belgium’s 2025 stamps usher in the fourth year of cataloguing the country’s extensive program. This all started innocently enough in 2021, with a project to keep busy during Covid. After 4 years, the pages have gone from a simple listing of stamps to a full blown exploration of themes, history and designers. It takes about 2-3 days research to pull together Belgium’s details. It takes so long because I have accumulated a fascinating archive of information on the artists and previous releases.
One of the newer features introduced late last year was showing earlier stamps with the same theme, and on occasion the first stamps by some of the designers. It’s part of the fun of stamp collecting to understand design heritage for each country. And does Belgium have a rich history. Among their modern designers are a few names you’ll see quite often – Geert Wille, Myriam Voz and the divine illustrator Marijke Meersman. In an interview with BPost a few years ago, Willie explained the design process.
“We design both permanent stamps for general use, such as the Royal stamp, and limited ‘collector’s stamps’. Each year we develop a program of 20 to 22 themes and each theme is depicted on a sheet that contains 2, 5 or 10 stamps. Our designs go through a whole process. After approval by my team manager, we submit the designs to the Philatelic Commission. This is a group of experts that includes representatives from bpost and the philatelic world, plus a few additional experts, such as an advisory historian. After that, adjustments are made and the final creations are finalized and made ready for printing.”
Stamp designer Geert Wille puts his stamp on your stamps! | Career Website
This year’s offerings include digital art from new upcoming gaming artists, an engraving treat from the formidable Martin Mörck, a pioneer flight, Smurfs and waterbears. It’s an eclectic program but works wonderfully.
With thanks to Bpost for their work in providing stamp lovers with excellent pre-release material. Please note: some designs may change.
All images are the sole property of © bpost.
January
Digital Arts and Entertainment
4 stamps on souvenir sheet
This is a fascinating study of 5 young artists who work in the video game industry as environment and asset artists. These are the skilled designers of all the background, characters and mood that can elevate a game from dull to dramatic. Without their attention to detail and incredible skills it’s doubtful games would be so engaging.
Artists in order:
- Finn Bogaert – technical environment artist for video games. Finn Bogaert (@finnbogaertdesign) • Instagram photos and videos for more of his work. Check out The Rookies – Bogaert Finn || Technical Environment Art 2024, by FinnBogaert for a bit of a look at this young artist and his thoughts on his art.
- Yanouk Verleysen – “As a digital artist, I love creating worlds and characters, that tell a story and can take place anywhere, in any period of time, to be only limited by your own imagination and above all to share it with other people. I aspire to help create digital worlds and characters for either the film or game industry.” (73) Yanouk Verleysen | LinkedIn
- Christiane Schaper – “I’m driven by the desire to create appealing and cool looking Images and visualise all the crazy or random Ideas i have in my head.” (73) Christiane Schaper | LinkedIn
- Otterworldly – Virtual reality gaming video creator
“Producing VR Content with a focus on Mixed Reality videos to showcase the magic & immersiveness of Virtual Reality.” OtterWorldly – Otter Worldly1
- Giant of the Steppe – This is a short animated film that you can view here The Rookies – Giant of the Steppe, by MariGallet. Be prepared for a genuine “HOLY SH*T!” moment. This short was the work of 6 art students and it took 6 months to create this 80 second film. The artists are HoodyFinn, MariGallet, Mondpanther, TheoniFotoglou, arnoutzeghari, and royterium. Just follow the link and you can find more about each artist.
The little QR code on the bottom right will opens a page with a short animated film and give you access to games.
Design: Studenten DAE -Howest
Layout: Geert Wille
Release date: January 27, 2025
600 Years of KU Leuven and UCLouvain
1 stamp on souvenir sheet
Originally the universities were called Old University of Leuven. It opened in December 9, 1425. It is the oldest university in Belgium and the Low Countries. Founded by Duke John IV of Brabant.
In 1824 the university was transformed into the KU Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven). Tensions between the two communities, Dutch and French, led to the establishment of 2 sister universities, one predominantly French, the other Dutch.
Charter collection of the Old University of Leuven restored to its former glory — News
Designer: Wim Vandersleyen
Release date: January 27, 2025
Smurfing Together for a Better World
10 stamps, sheetlet
- Decent work and economic growth – quality education
- Smurfs promoting a better future.
- No poverty – gender equality
- Life on the land – climate action
- Responsible consumption and production – zero hunger
- Peace, justice and strong institutions
- Good health and well-being
- Reduced inequalities
- Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- Clean water
- Sustainable cities and communities
Designer: Myriam Voz
Release date: January 27, 2025
100 Years of the First Flight to Congo
1 stamp, souvenir sheet, cancel
From Brussels to Kinshasa.
On February 12, 1925, former WW1 fighter pilot Edmond Thieffry, climbed aboard his Handley-Page tri-motor, nicknamed Princesse Marie-Josée. His goal was to to undertake a flight from Brussels, Belgium to Kinshasa, Congo (formerly called Leopoldville) to promote his new airline Sabena. Mechanic Joseph “Jef” de Bruycker and co-pilot Léopold Roger were with Theiffry on the perilous 8,200 kilometres flight.
The original flight plan estimated a 7 day journey, with landings at Marseille, Oran, Colomb-Bechar, Gao, Fort-Lamy, Bangui and Coquilhatville. The weather and luck had different ideas. The flight crew encountered strong winds ahead of them and a broken propeller that took time to replace. They finally landed in Kinshasa on April 3, 1925, at 11 in the morning.
Theiffry would be welcomed back to Belgium to great fanfare. Unfortunately, he would die in an air crash near Lake Tanganyika in 1929. Regular service wasn’t established between Brussels and Kinshasa until 1935.
Edmond Thieffry was one of the founders of Belgium airlines Sabena. In 2023, Bpost issued 5 stamps to celebrate the airlines 100th anniversary. Designer Myriam Voz picked classic travel posters to showcase the airlines history.
Designer: Myriam Voz
Release date: January 27, 2025
100 Years of Letter Franking Machine
1 stamp, 5 stamps on souvenir sheet
Letter franking machines are used by businesses to imprint proper postage on mail. Instead of laboriously licking and sticking stamps, companies can arrange to purchase a postal subscription. The letter is put into the machine and a lever pulled to mark or “frank” the letter. Modern machines are automatic – just put a pile of letters in and they weight and stamp them rapidly.
Designer: Geert Wille
Release date: January 27, 2025
EUROPA 2025: National Archaeological Discoveries – Caring for the Past, Caring for the Future
2 stamps on a foldable souvenir sheet
This year’s EUROPA theme National Archaeological Discoveries, was originally set for 2024 but moved to 2025.
Designer: Geert Wille
Release date: January 27, 2025
April
The East Cantons – Eupen-Malmedy
5 stamps on a cool cutout sheet showing the borders of the East Canton
The Eupen-Malmedy is composed of 3 cantons or districts on the eastern edge of Belgium. Eupen, Sankt Vith and Malmedy cover about 730 square kilometres.
Municipalities & Tourist Info – East Belgium
Designer: Myriam Voz
Release date: April 7, 2025
Belgium Inventors – Ernest Solvay
1 stamp, sheets of 10
Chemist, industrialist and philanthropist.
He created a process for making soda ash.
Although the ammonia-soda process had been understood since 1811, a suitable and economical means of large-scale commercial production had evaded industrial chemists. Solvay, who was unaware that the reaction itself had been known for 50 years, solved the practical problems of large-scale production by his invention of the Solvay carbonating tower, in which an ammonia-salt solution could be mixed with carbon dioxide. In 1861 he and his brother Alfred founded their own company and in 1863 had a factory built. Production started in 1865, and by 1890 Solvay had established companies in several foreign countries. Solvay’s method was gradually adopted throughout much of Europe and elsewhere and by the late 19th century had supplanted the Leblanc process, which had been chiefly used for converting common salt into sodium carbonate since the 1820s.
Ernest Solvay | Inventor, Industrialist, Entrepreneur | Britannica
Little known fact – he was a big supporter of Marie Currie, helping finance her research.
First page of a letter Ernest Solvay sent to Marie Currie.
1911
courtesy ark:/12148/btv1b9080321q Source: National Library of France. Department of Manuscripts. NAF 18463
Last year’s stamp featured Leo Baekeland, Plastics Pioneer (Bakelite).
Solvay was featured on a stamp in 1955, Belgian Scientists: Ernest Solvay (1838-1922), designed by Jean van Noten.
Designer: Geert Wille
Release date: April 7, 2025
June
Bruegel the Elder – Netherlandish Proverbs
10 stamps, foldable sheet
Bruegel’s work has been described as a “riot of a painting, expressing a dry and witty view of mankind through bringing to life various Netherlandish Proverbs of the day” (Netherlandish Proverbs by Pieter Bruegel). The stamps represent only a small portion of the “riot” going on in the work. To truly appreciate the intense energy, you should take a look at the entire painting. It holds 110 different proverbs, ranging from the practical to the borderline profane.
All the images are from Bruegel’s 1559, oil-on-panel Netherlandish Proverbs. The original title for this work was The Blue Cloak or The Folly of the World. Tucked into this busy painting are numerous old proverbs documenting the many human follies and occasional flash of common sense.
The stamps in order:
- To hang one’s cloak according to the wind – change opinions to match current opinions.
- To keep one’s eye on the sail – be careful.
- It is ill to swim against the current – it’s not always easy to go against popular opinion.
- Two dogs over one bone seldom agree – two people arguing over a bone or single idea will disagree over the same idea.
- If the blind lead the blind both will fall in the ditch – kind of self explanatory.
- To bell the cat – carry out a dangerous and usually impractical job.
- To cast roses before swine – in a larger view of this stamp, the man is standing between two pigs tossing roses down to them – generally means you’re wasting your time trying to curry favour from the ignorant.
- The world is turned upside down – well, this one hits a little too close to 2025, doesn’t it?
- To throw one’s money into the water – Wasting money by tossing it into a pond and hoping to profit from it.
- To sit on hot coats – a close look shows the soldier is plopping down on a pile of lit coals. Generally means you are too impatient.
The sayings often have a second meaning, but I chose the ones I’m most familiar with.
Nederlandish is currently owned by Gemäldegalerie Museum in Berlin, Germany. WikiArt has a good quality photo you can enlarge and examine Netherlandish Proverbs, 1559 – Pieter Bruegel the Elder – WikiArt.org
Designer: Myriam Voz
Release date: June 16, 2025
Iconic Belgian banknotes
5 stamps, souvenir sheet
This series on bank notes has a secondary link to stamp collecting. Often designers and engravers of notes also design stamps. A number of the designers listed below also created some of Belgium’s best known stamps..
1. Belgium’s first bank note series – issued January 2, 1851 and withdrawn in 1854. 5 denominations released. The Mille France was intended to be used by businesses and industrialists. It was a huge sum of money in 1851 and made transactions less cumbersome.
Designer: Leopold Wiener
Wiener also designed stamps starting with the 1849 King Leopold I type “Epauletten” series. Charles Baugniet was co-designer and John Henry Robinson engraved the stamp.
2. “Hendrickx series” – issued 1888 to 1910 when it was withdrawn. The oldest bilingual bank note issued. Has Dutch on the back.
Uses an agricultural motif with the Roman god of agriculture Ceres on the front and an agrarian scene in the background.
Designer: Henri Hendrickx.
Engraver: Albert Doms
Hendrickx designed the classic, early Belgium stamps Lions and Leopolds in 1869 . He worked with engraver Doms on the Lions and a number of other bank notes and stamps.
The Lions stamp was issued in 1869 and has a lion reclinging over the worlds Belgique.
3. First Belga series – issued 1933 to withdrawal in 1944. A number of design variations were released. This particular one features the Albert I and Elizabeth I on either side, with “Belgium personified” represented by a reclining woman.
Designers Guillaume Minguet and Emile Vloors
Engraver: Maurice Poortman
Poortman designed the 1937 series King Leopold III, but his first designs were the semi-postal 1932 Sanatorium “Les Pins” in “La Hulpe” as part of an anti-tuberculosis campaign.
Vloors designed predominately Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi stamps. His first series explored Congo women’s headdresses, which was part of the Indigenous portraits and crafts/skills series.
4. Penultimate series – issued 1982 and withdrawal in 1994. Features Guido Gazelle, the poet priest of West Flanders. This was the only bank note issued by Belgium dedicated to a literary figure. Gazelle’s home town Bruge is depicted in the background. He was featured in a 1949 stamp.
Designers: Yvon Adam, Manfred Hürrig, Charles Lecleroqz, Maurice Pasaternak, Anne Velghe.
Engraver: Henri Decuyper
Decuyper’s name should be very familiar to Belgian collectors. He was a prolific engraver of both stamps and bank notes. I’m not sure if anyone else helped with the engraving. Decuyper was the only mention I could find. One of the earliest stamps engraved by Decuyper was the 1957 50th Anniversary of Zeebrugge Harbour. The design was by F. Boudens.
Velghe (Anne Wisniewska-Velghe) designed dozens of stamps in the eighties and up to 2000. One of her earliest stamps was the King Baudouin (1930-1993) – type “Velghe” Big Format, with Jean De Vos engraving.
5. Last series – issued in 1996 and withdrawn in 2002 when the EURO was introduced. This series features the instrument maker Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone. Interesting notes about this stamp: the ink engraving was raised in sections of Sax’s portrait making it easier for visually impaired to feel the differences in bank notes. Belgium’s national bank has noted over 15 million bank notes from this series have never been handed in for exchange.
Designers: Monique Golaire and Kenneth Ponsaers.
Engraver: Benoit Gregoire
Ponsaers designed one stamp, World Telecommunications Day in 1973.
With special thanks to the National Bank of Belgium. I used their website extensively when researching these stamps. See more here NBB Biljetten
Designer: Myriam Voz
Release date: June 16, 2025
20 Years of Postcrossings
5 stamps, souvenir sheet in the shape of a postcard
“The goal of this project is to allow anyone to send and receive postcards from all over the world!
The idea is simple: for each postcard you send, you will receive one back from a random postcrosser from somewhere in the world.” About Postcrossing
You can sign up for this in just a few minutes. Postcards connecting the world – Postcrossing
Designer: Geert Wille
Release date: June 16, 2025
August
Piet Stockmans
1 stamp, sheetlets of 10
Flemish designer and ceramic artist.
‘t is de wind (2024) – It’s the wind
porcelain and cobalt blue
This work was part of the Infinite Blue: A Dialogue between West and East Huh Sang-wook & Piet Stockmans exhibition that took place October 5 – 26 2024.
How nice it is to be creative
with a simple material such as clay.
I did it my whole life
and still have new ideas.
How wonderful to express myself
every day
with this white gold
as porcelain is called.
Always
in the same philosophy
of tactility and vulnerability.
Piet Stockmans
Artist: Piet Stockmans
About — Piet Stockmans
Designer: Geert Wille
Release date: August 25, 2025
Hasselt City Square
5 stamps, souvenir sheet of 5
engraved
Provincial capital for Limburg.
Homepage | Visit Hasselt
Designer: Myriam Voz
Engraver: Martin Mörck
Release date: August 25, 2025
Do You Like Pi?
5 stamps on souvenir sheet
This set has a bit of fun with the concept of PI, using unusual circular shape for both the stamps and the souvenir sheet.
- Symbol for Pi
- Archemedes
- PI calculatoins
- World PI Day celebrations
- Einstein
Designer: Geert Wille
Release date: August 25, 2025
October
Pink Ribbon
1 stamp on sheetlets of 10
this set uses fluorescent ink
Annual breast cancer awareness campaign
Designer: Myriam Voz
Release date:: October 20, 2025
Land Mollusks
5 stamps on souvenir sheet
varnished print
- round-mouthed snail (pomatias elegas) – sometime called a land winkle.
- grove snail (cepaea nemoralis) – also called the brown-lipped snail, which leads me to wonder how powerful a magnifying glass needs to be to see their lips. Also called a Lemon snail.
- amber snail (succinea putris)
- cheese snail (helicodonta obvoluta) – the cheese nickname is derived from the shell’s shape that reminds some of a cheese wheel
- Two lipped door snail (alinda biblicata) – must be a hell of a magnifying glass to see two lips.
Designer: Marijke Meersman
Meersman is an exceptionally skilled nature illustrator. Her artwork is instantly recognisable to any lovers of nature illustrations. She has contributed a number of sets for Bpost, including the 2021 Nature in the Belgian Tricolor set, which included the Rooster (Gallus gallus domesticus), one of her best.
Intro | Marijke Meersman illustrator
Release date:: October 20, 2025
Microanimaux
5 stamps, souvenir sheet
These stamps are very small with the largest 2 x 5mm.
- water flea (dahnia pulex)
- (cyclops strenuus) – couldn’t find a common name for this cyclops
- transparent nematode (caenorhabditis elegans)
- rotifer (rotifera philodina)
- water bears (tarigrada) – also called moss piglets
Designer/artist: Sven Bellanger
Release date:: October 20, 2025
40 Years of André Buzin’s Birds – “From Pen to Brush”
5 stamps, souvenir sheet
- Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
- Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana)
- Common merganser or goosander (Mergus merganser)
- Eurasian bittern (Botaurus stellaris)
- Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
Buzin is a well known Belgium artist specialising in birds. His art has appeared on dozens of stamps, including 2024’s Birds of Buzin, featuring a Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus).
The first stamps Buzin’s art appeared on was the 1984 Garamba Park set from Zaire. The set contains 9 stamps including this se-tenant pair Kori Bustard & Black Crowned Crane.
Artist: André Buzin
André Buzin, painter of wildlife
Designer: Myriam Voz
Release date:: October 20, 2025
Sparkling Christmas Magic
2 stamps, 2 sheets of 10
Designer: Myriam Voz
Release date:: October 20, 2025
