2021 Faroe Islands stamps start the year by celebrating 150 years of Postal History on the Islands and Denmark. The year will also see a couple stamps for bird collectors. Fourteen subjects have been announced as well as photos for most of the issues. Some of the upcoming topics include:
150 years of postal history
Transplanted – immigration stories
PUFFINS!
Royal Visit in the Faroe Islands in 1921 –
C. Z. Slania 100 Years
Christmas
Seeing all the Postal anniversaries around the world this year gives me an idea for a new niche to collect – Post Office Anniversaries. Or History of Mail Delivery on stamps.
If you collect Danish stamps, this year will be fun to get. The stamps are beautiful and tap into a rich vein of Island history and landmarks. Don’t forget to check back periodically for updates on stamp information. If I gather more info on the designers, I’ll drop extra information in.
2021 Faroe Islands stamps January
150 Years of Postal Service
150 years of Postal History
Special post mark for Torshavn Post office
Two anniversaries in one – the 150th anniversary of the Danish Postal Services Act (1871) and the 45th anniversary of Faroe Island takeover of the Danish postal administration within Faroe Islands.
This year the Faroe Islands will celebrate two postal related anniversaries. The first is the 150th anniversary of the Danish Postal Service’s Postal Act of 7 January 1871, when the Faroe Islands became a part of the Danish postal area for the first time.
The second is the 45th anniversary of the Faroe Islands’ takeover of the Faroese branch of the Danish postal administration. On 1 April 1976, Postverk Føroya, later Posta, was established and became responsible for mail deliveries in the Faroe Islands, as well as the issuing of Faroese postage stamps.
See Stamps.fo for a great writeup on the history behind the stamp.
We have chosen to celebrate the two anniversaries with an anecdotal look back in time at fragments of Faroese postal history. These little tales are told on a souvenir sheet containing three stamps.
Three stamps on a mini sheet (aka mini sheet), first day cancel, FDC + sheetlet
Designer: Kári við Rættará
Kári við Rættará previously designed the 2020 stamp British Field Post Offices in the Faroe Islands.
Release date: Jan 7, 2021
2021 Faroe Islands February
Transplanted – immigration stories
Transplanted – immigration stories
Six stamps, a souvenir sheet + two posters
Joel Cole, a Faroese American, celebrates the immigrant experience, both as a universal element of
the human story and through the particulars of his own life
Designer: Joel Cole
Release date: February 19, 2021
Faroe Island villages Kirkja & Hattarvík
Villages: Kirkja & Hattarvík
Two stamps in the series.
Released in a self-adhesive booklet containing 6 stamps + 2 postcards
Belarus 2021 stamps have been announced. Although no images were released, the subjects and issue dates are known. The list below is currently in English only because the news release, I have is in English. The Belarus website is excellent and is a treasure trove of information for stamp collectors. Information is easy to find and a pleasure to use. Wish more post offices followed their lead. Belarus post also has a link to convert pages to a “visual” version which converts pages to plain, easy to read text with no images. This would be great for people using page readers.
Belarusian folk writers – Kandrat Krapiva, Ivan Shamiakin, Ivan Melezh Souvenir sheet
Народные писатели Беларуси. Кондрат Крапива, Иван Шамякин, Иван Мележ | Belarusian folk writers. Kandrat Krapiva, Ivan Shamiakin, Ivan MelezhThree stamps + Souvenir sheetIssue date: Feb 8, 2021
Year of the Ox
Восточный календарь. Год Быка | Year of the Ox, Lunar New Year
One stamp
Issue date: Feb 8, 2021
Belarus 2021 stamps for March 2021
European nightjar
Птица года. Козодой обыкновенный | Bird of the year. European nightjar
Issue date: March 2, 2021
30-летие образования РСС | 30th anniversary of the RCC
Issue date: March 2, 2021
Belarus 2021 stamps for April 2021
30th anniversary of the RCC
Красная книга Республики Беларусь. Грызуны | Red Book of the Republic of Belarus. Rodents
4 stamps in series
Issue date: April
Belarus 2021 stamps for May 2021
Выпуск по программе «EUROPA». Исчезающие виды национальной дикой природы | EUROPA. Endangered national wildlife
2 stamps in series
Чемпионат мира по хоккею с шайбой 2021 года | 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship
Машиностроение Беларуси | Machine building of Belarus
2 stamps in series
Belarus 2021 stamps for June 2021
Достижения белорусской медицины | Achievements of Belarusian medicine
Belarus 2021 stamps for July 2021
Соколы Беларуси | Falcons of Belarus
6 stamps in series
Belarus 2021 stamps for August 2021
Гербы городов Беларуси. Герб Копыля | Municipal arms of Belarus towns. Kopyl
Belarus 2021 stamps for Sept. 2021
Архитектура Беларуси. Православные храмы | Architecture of Belarus. Orthodox churches
souvenir sheet
Служебные собаки. Собаки на службе белорусской таможни | Service dogs. Dogs at the service of Belarus customs.
2 stamps
Belarus 2021 stamps for Oct. 2021
С Новым годом и Рождеством Христовым! | Happy New Year! Merry Christmas!
2 stamps in series
Belarus 2021 stamps for Nov. 2021
150 лет железнодорожной магистрали Смоленск-Минск-Брест |150 years of Smolensk-Minsk-Brest railway
Some of the Australia 2021 stamps have been announced. Yes, it’s that time of year when post offices around the world tease out upcoming releases. Australia Post’s stamps for Jan and Feb offer tradition, history, creatures, and home comforts. One set will appeal to aviation, airmail, Australian history, and militaria fans around the world. As of this articles publication date (Dec 29, 2020), none of the stamps listed are for sale yet, but check Australia Post office closer to release dates Stamps – Sending (auspost.com.au).
Stamp subjects for Australia 2021
Chinese New Year
5 Home comforts with Memorable Moments
Happy Birthday
100 Years of the RAAF
Norfolk Island Lizards
Front Line Heroes
Australia 2021 stamps – Kicking off with Lunar New Year Jan 8, 2021
It’s now expected that post offices will issue a Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, stamp and Australia Post’s Christmas Island stamps don’t disappoint. Of all the Lunar New Year stamps I’ve seen this set will go down as my favourite.
Year of the Ox 2021 Christmas Island $1.10 value
Year of the Ox 2021 Christmas Island $2.20 value
Year of the Ox 2021 Christmas Island $3.30 value
It’s interesting to see how each country interprets the same subject. I was thinking this morning that this would make for an interesting study. The Lunar New Year series, will also come in souvenir sheets, maxi cards, covers etc.
Come hither and buy my stamps
Christmas Island’s First Day of Issue cancel is, well, adorable. The ox looks like flirtatious. Not sure if that was intentional, but now I want to get hold of a cancel. It’s a hell of a “come hither” glance.
Australia Post outdid themselves with this issue. If there is a stamp collector in your life that is near and dear to you, you might want to consider the gold mini-sheet folder. It’s breathtaking.
Australia 2021 stamps feature a gold mini sheet with folder
Sydney, Australia based artist Chrissy Lau designed the series, and when I wandered through her site, I realised I’ve seen her art before. She designed Guernsey Islands Year of the Rat stamp series last year. Check out her distinctive style on her website: Chrissy Lau | Artist Illustrator | Portfolio.
Australia Post also has a full Chinese zodiac souvenir sheet displaying all the animals and years they are associated with. It would round out a Lunar New Year collection.
Souvenir keeper showing entire Chinese zodiac
5 Home comforts with Memorable Moments – Jan 25, 2021
This is a set designed for comfort and home thoughts. Memorable moments for Australia 2021 stamps were designed by Keith Downes and Sonia Young, Australia Post Design Studio. Release date: January 25, 2021. Five stamps in series. In the series will be:
$1.10 Bunnies showing stuffed toy rabbits
$1.10 Thank You
$1.10 Balloons showing colourful heart balloons
$1.10 Heart showing a heart graphic
$2.20 Blossoms
You can never go wrong with bunnies – designed by Sonia Young
Thank you designed by Keith Downes & Happy Birthday Heart Balloons by Sonia Young
Heart designed by Sonia Young and Blossoms by Keith Downes
The postmark reflects the overall “home comforts” theme.
First Day Cancel for the Moments series
Happy Birthday Available from Order Jan 11, 2021
The Happy Birthday heart balloon stamp (above) will also be available for a personalised birthday greeting. Australia Post allows people to pre-order the stamp and birthday cover with a specific date on the cancel. You choose the birthdate of your choice and it will bear the appropriate date on the cancel.
Happy Birthday to you
100 Years of the RAAF Feb 9, 2021
As an aviation buff, this is the set for me. Although, my interest in airplanes stops with the advent of jet engines. I’m a canvas and wood kind of woman. The Royal Australian Air Force was formed Mar 31, 1921 and this stamp will help celebrate their storied history.
1921 – 2021 the RAAF Logo for their centenary (not a stamp)
The usual covers, cards, stamps, and sheets will be issued. My favourite is the distinctive SE5a biplane. It’s hard to mistake that flat nose for anything but an SE5A.
The much-loved Scout
RAAF F-35 jet
Covers, maxi cards and sheets ready for purchase in Feb.
The first day cancel features an F-35 in flight. It’s too bad the SE5a wasn’t offered as well.
First Day issue cancel
RAAF souvenir sheet
The series was designed by Jamie and Leanne Tufrey, who designed the 2014 Centenary of Military Aviation & Submarines for Australia Post. This series shares the style of the ’14 set, especially the Bristol Military Biplane number CFS-3 stamp.
Bristol Military Box kite, CFS-8 in flight from 2014
Norfolk Island Lizards Feb 9, 2021
Not to be left out, little lizards will be featured on a Norfolk Island series.
Yet to be shown will be a series honouring the front-line workers of 2020. It sad it took a pandemic to make so many appreciate their day-to-day work. When details are released, I’ll post more.
And finally
That’s all the news for Australia 2021 stamps to date. I spent a couple days signing up for newsletters from various post offices so hopefully, I’ll be able to keep you up to date on new releases. Keep coming back, I have a few more country issues for 2021 lined up and will roll them out over the coming weeks.
In the meantime, check out Japan’s soon to be released MOOMINS.
USA stamps for 2021 will see some old friends return along with a couple of fun new issues. The ever-popular Black History Month, Love and Chinese New Year stamps will be back of course. I doubt a US postal offering would be complete without them. Although not shown in the USPS press release, there will also be Christmas and Diwali stamps available. The US Postal Service is also serving up a few new stamps in 2021 that piqued my interest. Among them are coffee and confusion.
Old favourites return
Jan 14 will see the return of the LOVE stamps. Hard to believe the first LOVE stamp was sold in 1973. Since then, it has gradually turned into a perennial stamp. Check out the USPS online store to pre-order them Love Stamp | USPS.com
Black Heritage Month will celebrate the late, very great playwright August Wilson.
Wilson, a master storyteller, honed his craft by walking the streets of his Hill District neighborhood as a young man, observing, and immersing himself in Black street life, listening to old-timers talk about their daily lives. It inspired what would become his plays’ vibrant characters and lyrical language. August Wilson Archive | University of Pittsburgh Library System
One of the USPS’ popular series has been the Lighthouses of America stamps. The series began 30 years ago, April 26, 1990. This year the following lighthouses will be shown: Thomas Point Shoal, MD; Montauk Point, NY; Harbor of Refuge, DE; Navesink, NJ; and Erie Harbor Pierhead, PA. I imagine collectors should start looking for them in April.
The flower offerings, Garden Beauties, will include a pink dogwood; a rose-pink and white tulip; ornamental onion; a pink and white Asiatic lily; a magenta dahlia; a yellow and pink American lotus; a pink moth orchid; a pink and white sacred lotus; an orange and yellow tulip; and a yellow moth orchid. (From the press release Hello, 2021 – U.S. Postal Service Announces Upcoming Stamps – Newsroom – About.usps.com).
New Stamps for 2021 – coffee and confusion
The USPS Espresso Drink stamps are, as expected, of interest to me. It’s not just the caffeine content that caught my eye, it’s the warm design that I appreciate. The stamps are a combo of rich colours and great typography. Four stamps will be sold – caffe latte, espresso, caffe mocha and cappuccino. Too bad they weren’t scratch and sniff. The stamps are nice little works of art so kudos to Greg Breeding who designed the stamps using the artwork of Terry Allen.
Mystery Message stamps are intriguing. “The new Mystery Message stamp will put your sleuthing skills to the test. Featuring bright colors and interesting shapes, the stamp design is a visual riddle spelling out a message. Each colorful square contains a letter in an interesting pattern. The patterns, though seemingly random, were carefully placed so that when put all together, the message reads.” Ah yes, a dose of frustration offered up with the daily mail and morning espresso. What could go wrong?
USA stamps for 2021
USPS 2021 stamps – LOVE Pre-order now available Love Stamp | USPS.com On sale Jan 14, 2021
Hard to believe but much-loved Rupert the Bear is now 100. First appearing Nov 20 1920, Rupert has entertained young and old alike over the decades. I remember mom scouring bookstores looking for Rupert for me when I was younger. They were extremely hard to find in small town Ontario back in the 60s, but she managed to find a few that were treasured and read until they fell apart.
Isle of Man’s Rupert the Bear tribute
The Isle of Man stamps are usually attractive offerings, and their Rupert compendium is no different. Check out them out at the Isle of Man’s Post Office (iompost.com) store and splurge on a set for a bear loving soul in your life. It’s a bit pricey at £65, but you get a lot in return, including a copy of the Rupert Annual. Might be a little too late to order for Christmas, but you could put it away for a special day. Face it, no one is too old for Rupert.
A book, stamps & some coins to celebrate Rupert’s birthday
I tried to find just the sheet of stamps for sale at the online store, but it doesn’t look like they are sold separately, just as part of this pack. Either that, or they simply sold out.
Rupert the Bear Postal Cancel
Rupert the Bear Stamp sheet & cancel.
The special hand cancel is good fun on the covers and is almost as fun as the upcoming Japanese Moomins. Almost.
However, if you are a Rupert aficionado, track down Royal Mail’s wonderful Sept releases – Rupert the Bear’s 100th birthday stamps. Royal Mail outdid themselves with this set. But, then again, the subject makes an easy study.
Rupert the Bear on Royal Mail stamps
Then with a terrifying roar / The water bursts through the door.
The bath is rocked from side to side / And Pompey quite enjoys the ride.
Then Algy looks a trifle glum / “I’m going home,” he tells his chum.
The large bird says “Our king will know; climb on my back and off we’ll go”
“There’s something puzzling all of you,” / Says Rupert. “So please tell me too.”
“My cuckoo is back again – hooray! / He didn’t really go away.”
Though Rupert searches all around, / There’s not one spruce tree to be found.
The tree is such a lovely sight, / Then Rupert’s chums gaze in delight.
The 8 stamps are taken from 4 adventures – Rupert’s Rainy Adventure (1944), Rupert and the Mare’s Nest (1952), Rupert and the Lost Cuckoo (1963), and Rupert’s Christmas Tree (1947). I vividly remember when I received the Lost Cuckoo adventure. I read it until the cover fell off. Oh, the memories. Click on each stamp to see a large version. The details harken back to the classic advertising stamp designs of the early 1900s. Crisp colours, amusing, and full of whimsy. I think of the two sets, the Royal Mail’s is superior.
Each of the stories, displayed in this set, was written, and illustrated by Alfred Bestall, who penned over 200 of the best Rupert adventures.
Alfred Bestall 14 December 1892 to 15 January 1986 (aged 93)
It was Bestall who dressed Rupert in his iconic red sweater and yellow checked pants, after assuming the mantel of official illustrator. If you’re interested in reading more on him, check out Comicopedia’s entry Alfred Bestall – Lambiek Comiclopedia.
Rupert the Bear in a presentation pack, FDC, sheets & framed.
Rupert the Bear Presentation package
Royal Mail’s presentation packs are eye catching. I don’t tend to collect them, but this is one I’d like to get my hands on. These colourful brochures tend to be chocked full of interesting details about the subject and design. I looked through the online store and didn’t any info on the stamp designer. A shame really. They should be commended for this excellent collection.
As usual, full sheets of 60 stamps and half sheets of 30 are available through the online shop. My favourite is the framed stamps.
Looking for something different? Think about the framed set
This is an excellent set of Rupert the Bear memorabilia to have. If you collect comics, bears or Rupert, this is a must have set. If you enjoy stamps like the Rupert set, don’t forget to check out the Moomins from Japan.
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