A number of familiar series return with Türkiye’s 2024 stamp program, including a continuation of the flower definitives, the ever-popular Cartoon Heroes, World Environment Day and the EUROPA and EUROMED sets.
While pulling this page together I was struck by how little information is available on Turkish designers and artists, Hunting for details takes a certain amount of stubbornness, but is so satisfying. Online catalogues shamefully tend to list the designers as PTT Matbaasi, Ankara or simply not listing them. The info is available, you just have to dig into the PTT website for the marvelous info pages the post office releases for each stamp. The names are all listed there.
If you’d like to see these sheets posted with each stamp, drop a message and I’d be happy to add them. They are in 3 languages, Turkish, English and French. The lack of recognition is a major irritant because it doesn’t give credit to the artists and photographers who spend time creating the little works of art. It’s so frustrating, I’m playing with creating my own database to track their designs. Not sure if I have time, given the number of articles I’m currently juggling, but it would make life easier when it comes to researching.
And for fans old and new of Türkiye’s stamps, here’s a reminder of where it all started.
The 1883 lithographed Toughra issues of the Ottoman Empire. Think of this stamp as you look at Türkiye’s all digital press releases. Times have changed.
Cheers
Catpaw
January
Centenary of Rauf Raif Denktaş’ (1924-2012) Birth
topics: history | politicians
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
digital
Considered the father of Northern Cyprus and president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. More info will be posted with the 50th Anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation July release.
Designer: Mehmet Sayar
Sayar designed the 2023 100th Anniversary of the Lausanne Peace Treaty set.
Release date: January 27, 2024
February
Ancient City of Sagalassos
topics: history
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
digital
This is a longer than usual excerpt, but the UNESCO page described the site and its history best:
The first traces of hunter/gatherers in the territory of Sagalassos date back to some 12 000 years BP. During the eighth millennium BC, farmers settled along, the shores of Lake Burdur. During the Bronze Age, territorial “chiefdoms” developed in the region, whereas Sagalassos itself was most probably not yet occupied. This may have changed by the 14th century BC, when the mountain site of Salawassa was mentioned in Hittite documents, possibly to be identified with the later Sagalassos. Under Phrygian and Lydian domination the site gradually developed into an urban centre. During the Persian period, Pisidia became known for its warlike and rebellious factions; a reputation to which the region certainly lived up in 332 BC, when Alexander the Great experienced fierce resistance at Sagalassos while conquering the region as part of his conquest of the Persian kingdom.
Pisidia changed hands many times among the successors of Alexander, being incorporated into the kingdom Antigonos Monopthalmos (321-301 BC), perhaps regaining its autonomy under Lysimachos of Thrace (301-281 BC), and then being conquered again by the Seleucids of Syria (281-189 BC) and later given to Attalids of Pergamon (189-133 BC). The use of Greek, the development of Municipal institutions and material culture of Greek origin seem to testify to fairly quick Hellenisation, but the recent discovery at Tepe Düzen of an indigenous city, with a possible Hellenistic date makes clear that Hellenisation must have been a complex process. After the Attalids bequeathed their kingdom to Rome, Pisidia at first became part of the newly created Roman province of Asia, then, around 100 BC of the coastal province of Cilicia and once more of Asia around the middle of that century.
Sagalassos and its territory turned into dependable and very prospering Roman partners. In fact, the control of an extremely fertile territory with a surplus production of grain and olives, as well as the presence of excellent clay beds allowing an industrial production of high-quality table ware (“Sagalassos red slip ware”), made the export of local products possible. Rapidly, under Roman Imperial rule, Sagalassos became the metropolis of Pisidia. Trouble only started around 400 AD, when the town had to fortify its civic centre against, among others, rebellious Isaurian tribes. Sagalassos seems to have remained rather prosperous even under these conditions. After the earthquake around 500 AD, it was restored with a great sense of monumentality.
As a result of recurring epidemics after the middle of the 6th century and related general decline of the economic system in Asia Minor, the city started to lose population. Large parts of the town were abandoned and the urban life was replaced by a more rural way of living.
In the 7th century AD, the situation had further aggravated due to continuous Arab raids and new epidemics when the city was struck once more with a heavy earthquake, most probably around 590 AD. Despite this disaster, recent research has proven that the city remained occupied until the 13th century in the form of isolated and well-defended hamlets, located on some promontories which maintained the name of the former ancient city. One of these hamlets found on the Alexander’s Hill of Sagalassos was destroyed in mid 13th century, by which time Seljuk’s had already build a bath and a caravanserai in the village in the valley (Ağlasun).
The abandoned ancient city was then rapidly covered under vegetation and erosion layers. As a result of its remote location, Sagalassos was not really looted in later periods and remained to be one of the best preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean.
Archaeological Site of Sagalassos – UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Designer: Serdal Dokgöz (FDC)
Derya Paçal (souvenir sheet)
Release date: February 22, 2024
Quilling (KatI’) Art
definitive
topics: art | flowers
3 stamps
digital
Quilling is a type of paper and leather cutting art that is unique to Central Asia. The name comes from the word Kat which means cut. There are two thoughts about where it started: in Afghanistan in the 14th century and a century later in Central Asia as part of regional folk art. By the 16th century, KatI’ found a home with the Ottoman kingdom, especially under Suleiman the Magnificent where it became popular with book binding craftsman.
This page, KATI’ – TDV Encyclopedia of Islam (islamansiklopedisi.org.tr), is in Turkish, but translates ok and offers a detailed look at the artform.
Designer: Safyre Morçay
Morçay is a KatI’ artist from Istanbul. If you have a Facebook account, check her page. She has a number of photos demonstrating her technique.
Release date: February 28, 2024
March
Ara Güler (1928-2018) – Photographer
topics: photographers | history
4 stamps, FDC, cancel, portfolio
digital
The Eye of Istanbul
“People call me an Istanbul photographer but I am a citizen of the world. I am a world photographer.,”
Ara Güler (araguler.com.tr)
Internationally renowned photojournalist whose work appeared in Hayat, Life, Time-Life Magazine, Sunday Times of London, Paris Match and Stern. One of the best photographers of the 20th century with awards ranging from the 1962 Master of Leica, Légion d’honneur, France, 1999 Photographer of the Century Turkey, 2009 Lucie Award for Lifetime Achievement, New York, and the 2016 Leica Hall of Fame Award.
His poignant, majestic archive preserves a vision of Turkey that began to vanish early in his lifetime. In his most famous shots, black-and-white cityscapes from the nineteen-fifties and sixties, couples rush through back alleys flanked by wooden homes. Horses pull carts down cobblestone streets, and skiffs crowd the waters of the Golden Horn, a bustling harbor since Byzantine times. Throughout the twentieth century, Güler’s œuvre interpreted Istanbul for a Western audience without ever exploiting its residents. What Ara Güler, “The Eye of Istanbul,” Saw in His Homeland | The New Yorker
Photographer: Ara Güler
This is the first time Güler’s photos have appeared on a stamp that I could find. If you know of an earlier release send me a message.
Release date: March 14, 2024
Ahlat – Cittaslow
definitive
topics: cities
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
digital
Cittaslow promotes cities “where living is good”. The Movement of Cittaslow was started in 1999 with the aim of improving the quality of life.
“We are looking for towns where men are still curious about the old times, towns rich in theatres, squares, cafes, workshops, restaurants and spiritual places, towns
with untouched landscapes and charming craftsman where people are still able to recognise the slow course of the seasons and their genuine products respecting
tastes, health and spontaneous customs ……”
cittaslow_2019_brochure_1.pdf
This stamp features the city of Ahlat, in the Bitlis province. Ahlat Belediye Başkanlığı – Bitlis
297 cities are involved in this initiative.
Designer: PTT staff
Release date: March 22, 2024
April
Cartoon Heroes (İBİ)
topics: cartoons
2 stamps, sheet of 5, FDC, cancel, 2 maxicards
digital
Ibi is a Turkish cartoon featuring an adventurous young girl (Ibi) and her best friend Tosi the turtle. It’s a popular educational cartoon that emphasises problem solving and math. It premiered June 15, 2015 and in 2023 İbi: Doğu Ekspresi’nin Gizemi (İbi: The Mystery of the Eastern Express), a full-length animated show was released
Designer: TRT Çocuk (Turkish television) and Koza Yayın Dağıtım Aş
Release date: April 23, 2024
May
Europa 2024: Underwater Fauna and Flora
topics: EUROPA | Oceans and seas
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
digital
Instead of focusing on specific underwater species, Türkiye’s EUROPA release looks at the entire interrelated eco system of Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara and Black Sea, an area that is home to over 5,000 plant and animals.
Designer: Mehmet Saya
Photographer: Dr. Bülent Gözcelioğlu
Dr. Gözcelioğlu has devoted his life to studying and photographing the waters around Türkiye.
Release date: May 9, 2024
Tea Culture
topics: tea | culture
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
digital
Türkiye is one of the top consumers of tea in the world. Tea culture is recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Turkish Tea Culture and Tradition (turkishfoodchef.com)
Designer: Aysu Bekâr
Previous designs by Bekâr include Extreme Sports (2023) and 100th Anniversary of Ankara becoming the Capital (2023.
Release date: May 15, 2024
June
World Environment Day – Ecological Footprint
topics: environment
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
digital
This world belongs to all of us. I do not think I am much more valuable than all living and inanimate things in nature. The fact that I’m thinking, talking and acting only puts more responsibility on me. Let’s not think that we are owning these just because we produce cement, we burn coal and generate energy, and we turn cotton into yarn.
Everything in nature already has its owner, this earth is entrusted to us, a gift lent to us from the future generations. These are our keen ancestors and mythologies founded on a love and respect for nature. Let us remember them. Esra İlter Demirbilek – İllüstratör ve Yazar (@esraidemirbilek_illustration) • Instagram photos and videos
Designer: Esra Ilter Demirbilek
Demirbilek is a book illustrator and author who drew before she began talking. She created the 2023 World Environment Day set.
Release date: June 5, 2024
Eid Al-Adha – Kurban Bayrami
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
digital
Feast of Sacrifice
Designer: Razman Türkmen
Release date: June 7, 2024
Art of Turkish Illumination
5 stamps
digital
If you’d like to learn more about Turkish Illumination art try this page: Turkish Illumination Tutorial Tezhip — Art of Islamic Illumination. It’s a step-by-step lesson on how its done. Nice site. Lots of fun.
Designer: Sebahat Kırçak
“I don’t have money, but I have stamps” Miniature to stamp “Sebahat Kırçak” – Breaking News (trthaber.com)
Ms Kırçak has been creating illuminated stamp art for PTT for over 2 decades. Her first was the 1999 Ottoman Palace Women release. The link above is an wonderful interview with the artist. Use a translator and prepare to fall in love with the artist.
Release date: June 28, 2024
July
EUROMED 2024 – Sports
topics: sports | Euromed
2 stamps on souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
digital
Sports featured: traditional Turkish Sports – Cirit, Matrak, Aba Wrestling, Oil Wrestling (Yağlı güreş), Mounted Sledding, Sword-Shield, and Mounted Archery
In the emergence of sports among Turks, the influence of primitive religions is less evident than the impact of warrior power. These sports within Turkish culture are divided into two categories: those with and those without horses. They were performed on days of mourning (yuğ) and celebration (toy).
If we list the “equestrian sports” in Turkish culture, they include flat horse racing, cirit, gökbörü, çevgen, beyge, alaman beyge, kızkovar, cop, topuz çarptırganı, yar atlama, sağmen, tellal, çambı atmay, ctlanay çarpış, aygır yarış, oğdarış, öpkü çarpış, kunan yarış, cırga tartu, male and female sayış, kuruş kapmak, mounted archery, mounted hunting, and rahfan. Among these, the sport of çevgen is internationally known as “polo.” Equestrianism is practically a sport that came to life with the Turks. Since horses were first domesticated by the Turks, we can better understand their contribution to world history. Therefore, Turks have always placed great importance on equestrian sports throughout history.
As for non-equestrian Turkish sports, they include palvan wrestling, apan wrestling, oil wrestling, aba wrestling, şalvar wrestling, flag wrestling, karsak wrestling, and karakucak wrestling, which are currently popular among Turkish communities. Others include tomak, ordo, aşık, matrak, sword-shield, mace lifting, kızgıntaş, çelik-çomak, fortress destruction, rope pulling, taz süzüştürü, kösgüç, etc. Wrestling, in particular, flourished with the Ottoman Empire and developed rapidly as a physical activity. The fact that sultans supported wrestling and even established sports lodges to train athletes further increased the importance given to wrestling, our ancestral sport.
pttwebdosya.ptt.gov.tr/api/file/getFile?FileName=27cead3e-1e12-45ce-87df-03647bac22b2*tanitim_kagidi_Ao_akdeniz.jpg
Designer: Razman Türkmen
Release date: July 8, 2024
Phasianidae
definitive
topics: fauna | birds
3 stamps, FDC, cancel
digital
Phasianidae are “ground birds”, birds that live their lives scratching around on the ground. They can and do fly, but for short distances, mostly to get away from predators. There are over 200 species within the phasianidai family, including the three from Turkiye
- Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus) Black Francolin – eBird
- Caucasian grouse (Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi Caucasian Grouse (Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi) · iNaturalist
- Caspian snowcock (Tetraogallus caspius) Caspian Snowcock – eBir
Photographer: Professor/Dr. Ahmet Karataş
Release date: July 12, 2024
50th Anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation
topics: history
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
digital
Designer: Serdal Dokgöz
Release date: July 20, 2024
Paris 2024 Summer Olympics
topics: sports | Olympics
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
digital
One of the Olympics high points occurred when unassuming shooter, Yusuf Dikeç, strolled up in flipflops and casually won silver.
- Shooting Mixed 10 m air pistol team:
Silver Şevval İlayda Tarhan and Yusuf Dikeç - Boxing Women’s 50 kg
Buse Naz Çakıroğlu tbd - Boxing Women’s 54 kg
Silver Hatice Akbaş - Boxing Women’s 57 kg
Bronze Esra Yıldız - Archery Men’s team
Bronze Mete Gazoz, Ulaş Tümer, Abdullah Yıldırmış - Wrestling Women’s 68 kg
Bronze Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu
Designer: Serdal Dokgöz
Release date: July 28, 2024
August
Centenary of the Diplomatic Relations between Türkiye and Japan
topics: diplomacy | joint issue
1 stamp, 5 stamps on a souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
digital
This set features an unusual souvenir sheet fromTürkiye. Artist Aysu Bekâr Kocamiş captured both the spirit of Japan and the artistic styles for the 5 stamps. It’s a beautiful homage to the country. Japan issued a joint set the same day.
Designer for the Japanese tribute to Turkish culture was 楠田 祐士 Yuji Kusuda.
Designer: Aysu Bekâr Kocamiş
Release date: August 6, 2024
September
Wildflowers Officials series 4
4 stamps
digital
- Gladiolus atroviolaceus
- Phelypaea coccinea
- Daphne oleoides
- Campanula stevenii
Photographer: Oktay Subaşı
Subaşı’s photographs appeared on stamps in 2022 with the Wildflowers series 2 set.
Release date: September 4, 2024
Veterans’ Day
topics: history
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
digital
Sept. 19 marks the day when the Turkish Grand National Assembly bestowed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding father of the Republic of Turkey, with the rank of Marshal and the title of Gazi (war veteran) in 1921 for his accomplishments during the Turkish War of Independence.
Turkey remembers war veterans with nationwide events (aa.com.tr)
Designer: Mehmet Sayar
Release date: September 19, 2024
October
150th Year of UPU
topics: UPU | history
Release date: October 9, 2024
November
Butterflies
topics: fauna
Release date: November 6, 2024
0 Comments