Category - Touch
Subcategory - Stamps made from different material - Wood
Gabon 1982 The 22nd Anniversary of Independence Wood Stamp sheet
Issue date 17 August 1982
On the occasion of the 22nd Anniversary of Independence, Gabon Post has issued a wooden souvenir sheet featuring Okoumé tree which represents the symbol of forest wealth in Gabon. It singly constitutes the bulk of the wealth of the Gabonese forest.
Okoumé, has always occupied a special place in the crafts and the life of the Gabonese people. It is used to make canoes, coal and its bark can also be used in traditional medicine.
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Wood and Wood Paper Stamps
Disclaimer - Information about the stamp issues on this page has been taken from the net and are for informational purposes only. No copyright claim is made for the above mentioned information/pictures.
Category Sight
Subcategory Transparent Stamps/ Odd Shaped Miniature Sheet
New Zealand 2015 Christmas Stained Glass Transparent Stamp
Issue date 4 November 2015
New Zealand Post has issued a set of colourful stamps featuring Christmas-related imagery from stained-glass windows around New Zealand, ranging from central characters from the nativity story to the ‘New Zealand Christmas tree’- the pōhutukawa.
80c - Angel
This stained-glass depiction of an angel is part of the Kelvin and Janice Loveday commemorative window in St Mark’s Church, Carterton. Angels play an important role in the nativity story, with the Angel Gabriel telling Mary that she would give birth to Jesus and an angel bringing the news of Jesus’s birth to the shepherds.
$1.40 - Dove
The dove is recognised as a symbol of peace as well as one of the forms of the Holy Spirit. Doves are often seen as a decoration on New Zealand Christmas trees. The dove depicted on this stamp is part of a larger stained-glass window at St Aidan’s Anglican Church, Remuera, Auckland.
$2.00 - Mary and Jesus
This vibrant stained-glass window sits inside St Mary’s-in-Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, Auckland and depicts Mary with the baby Jesus. According to the nativity story Mary and Joseph were unable to find a room at the inn, and took shelter in a stable in Bethlehem, where Jesus was born.
$2.50 - Pōhutukawa
Often referred to as the New Zealand Christmas tree, the native pōhutukawa is symbolic of summer and the festive season. The pöhutukawa shown on this stamp is part of a larger window in the Christchurch Hospital Nurses Memorial Chapel.
$3.00 - Wise Men
According to the nativity story, the three wise men were kings of the East who were led to where Jesus lay by an angel. There they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. This stained-glass window is one of three windows portraying the nativity story in St Benedict’s Church, Auckland.
The miniature sheet that encapsulates the theme of stained-glass windows. The miniature sheet is printed on translucent gummed paper and is die-cut in the shape of traditional stained-glass church windows.
A friend asked me on receipt of his miniature sheet, "It appears to be translucent, how is it transparent?" Made me think about the miniature sheet.."what if he was right?"..then it struck me when I saw the apple logo shining at the back of my laptop..
My response to him was with the following pictures -
The miniature sheet are replica's of stained glass. When we go to church to see a stained glass, we do not see the birds flying across behind the glass but we do see the sunlight coming though the stained glass highlighting the various colors on the stained glass.
Can you see the Apple Logo behind the miniature sheet ?
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Transparent Stamps
Odd Shaped Miniature Sheet
Disclaimer - Information about the stamp issues on this page has been taken from the net and are for informational purposes only. No copyright claim is made for the above mentioned information/pictures.
Category - Sight
Subcategory - Unusual Covers, Envelopes, Folders and Postcards
Australia 2009 Letter to Mary First Day Cover with letter attached
Issue date 26 June 2009
Australia Post along with An Post (Ireland) and the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery has issued a special first day cover with a copy of a love letter from heart broken husband, James Walsh, to his wife Mary - banished in 1841 to serve seven years in the harsh prison colony of Van Diemen’s Land (VDL) in Australia, for allegedly stealing from a local shop in Ireland. After 200 years this issue is an international plea for more information to assist in resolving, what has come to be called, ‘The Mary Walsh mystery’. This letter is exhibited in the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery.
Mary Walsh lived in Tipperary county, Ireland with her husband James and their three children, baby daughter Mary and sons Jonny Hays and Maurice, Mary was charged in December 1841 with stealing cashmere from a local Clonmel shop, a crime she vehemently denied. Police claimed that Mary distracted the shopkeeper, while two other women made off with the fabric. Despite Mary’s protestations that she did not even know the other women, she was, together with her two co-accused, Mary Halfpenny and Catherine Baldwin, condemned to be transported to serve seven years in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania). In mitigation, James organized a petition which was signed by 27 local dignitaries including the Clonmel mayor, and the two parish priests. James also paid the local tailor to write to the Lord Lieutenant begging that Mary be allowed to serve her sentence in an Irish jail. But all his efforts proved fruitless, and Mary was consigned to deportation.
Accompanied by little Mary, her one year old daughter, Mary Walsh sailed from Ireland on 10 April 1842 in the prison ship Hope, and arrived in Hobart Town, the capital of Van Diemen’s Land on 17 August 1842. Mary’s VDL convict records depict her as being 5’ 6” (168cm) - relatively tall for a woman at that time – with an oval face, fresh complexion, hazel eyes, a pointed nose, rounded chin, and dark brown hair. She was recorded as being “a housemaid who could wash”. The record also stated that Mary could read but not write.
On arrival at Hobart, mother and daughter were parted, as was the custom. Offenders were not permitted to keep their babies, and the child was placed in the Hobart Queen’s Orphan School. In May 1844, it is recorded that little Mary passed away from “inflamation [sic] of the lungs”. It is unlikely that, during the 18 months before her death, her mother ever saw or held her baby daughter again.
As part of her ‘rehabilitation’, Mary (police number 484) was assigned as a maid to the Brooks family in Hobart and it was to the Brooks residence that in July 1843, James addressed his passionate letter. Unfortunately, by the time it arrived, Mary had moved to another (undetermined) position. Given the excellent condition of the envelope when it was purchased from an American collector by Australia Post in 2003 (and subsequently donated to the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery), it seems unlikely that the letter was ever delivered. According to Elspeth Wishart, Senior Curator of History at the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery, “James’ letter probably ended up in a dead letter office in Hobart”.
In the light of her general good conduct record, Mary was recommended for an unconditional pardon in February 1846, and by January 1849 she was a free woman. However, after leaving her position in the Brooks household, Mary’s trail effectively goes cold and she completely drops out of sight, leaving many intriguing questions left unanswered.
As a free person, did Mary Walsh manage to return to her native Ireland to be reunited with her family? However, passage back to Ireland was an expensive option and, given her employment status in the Colony, it seems unlikely that Mary could have saved enough to afford the return voyage. Nor would it seem possible she could have paid for James to make the trip from Ireland to join her despite this being uppermost in her husband’s mind.
As James’ letter seemingly remained undelivered, Mary may have assumed that her husband had given up on their marriage, and perhaps remarried and remained in Van Diemen’s Land. She had, after all, been previously betrothed to William Hays, who died 12 months prior to her union with James, with Jonny being the child of her marriage to William, while the two younger children, Maurice and Mary were James’ children.
While there is evidence of a Mary Walsh marrying Henry Geddes at Brown’s River Church, on 6 September 1843, it was not ‘our’ Mary, but another Mary Walsh who had, by chance, also arrived in VDL on 17 August 1842 from Ireland in ‘The Hope’
James Walsh's trail also goes cold following the dispatch of the letter. He may have died during the famine. While the local graveyard at Clonmel boasts no tombstone to him, not all the graves of those who perished during those dark days bore the names of the deceased. It is possible that James decamped from Tipperary to be with son Maurice who was then apparently working in Cork.
The fates of both Mary and James remain a mystery despite great interest and extensive research.
This is the complete letter from James to Mary
Clonmel July 16th, 1843
My dear Wife, I have received your kind and welcome letter of the 20th of March which is the greatest happiness I have enjoyed ever since the day I have parted my dearest Mary. It gives consolation to my troubled mind to know that you are comfortably situated in your exile and that you have the great pleasure of seeing your sweet child at times. It would be the only wish of my heart, Dear Mary, to go to you even on my knees, but I have not the means at present for I have to pay so much a year for Maurice out of my wages, and as there is no Emigration nor any provision made by Government for that country renders my state unable to go out to my lovely and dearest Mary.- Therefore if you could by any means make interest to bring me out would be the only happiness in this life which I would desire. So if you can learn any way let me know of it in your next Letter for you are my thoughts by day and night.
When you left Dublin I sent Maurice to the County Cork, to my sister Mary and I have not seen him those 12 months past, but I intend on tomorrow the 17th July to go to see him, he is in good health as I receive letters from him. I have a new suit of clothes for him.- Jonny Hays is in good health, along with the Prendergasts (near your Uncle Jack) in Service. I see him oftener than Maurice, for I do not leave Jonny Hays out of my memory at all, but give him every little thing that he wants. I am employed ever since you left home at Thomas Kennedys at Pass and at Thomas Rourks. My dear Mary there is not a moment but I am thinking of you day and night and will be always so 'til it pleases God to restore you once more to my arms for you are my only thoughts by day and my dreams at night.
I am sorry my dear wife that I did not leave my children go out with you for I could be able to follow you in a short time if people were carried out free as they were before. I would go out to you when I received your Letter but they are not without a great deal of money if a lived for 100 years you would be as fresh in my heart, as you were the day you left me. I expect a letter from you at every opportunity as it is the only pleasure I can enjoy, since my loving wife is so far far away from me, it is my prayer morning and night to bring you safe to my bosom. I am glad to hear that my sweet little Mary is so well.- My dear Mary this is a broken hearted letter I am sending you as I cannot bring it myself.- Send me word in you next letter if you intend to come home to me, when your time is out for I could not live at home without being in this place where my poor Mary used to be.- I would send you another letter in a short time after this but fearing that you would remove from the place you are in at present, let me know how long you are to remain where you are at present.
Think of your broken hearted husband and children as long as you live. I am very well in health, as also are your children, all your friends are well.- All the neighbours are well, and very sorry for you but I hope God will restore you once more to me and be happy together for ever together again. I will keep you Letter next to my heart until I receive another from you my darling wife. My dear Mary when I used to go to work every Monday morning from you I would feel the week a year long until I would see you on Saturday evening but what must my heart feel now when I cannot see you at all.- For when I am at work, my labour cannot give me any concern, but thinking of you. My brother Jack and Maurice and families are well in health.
My brother Jack lives now in the County Cork, in Mucroom, it troubles me very much to have my child so far from me, as it would be great comfort to my mind to see him once a week. I received your kind letter on the 11th July which removed a mountain from my heart.- Whenever you write direct your letter to Thomas Kennedy. [ . . .] all your friends and neighbours send you [..] blessing.
I know my dear loving Mary that you will deserve the love and esteem of those with whom you live, as you have meritted the good will of all who knew you at home.- Now my dear wife as I am at the point of finishing my letter , farewell, farewell and may receive as much consolation at reading of this as I have the reading of yours. May your rest be calm and your dreams sweet always thinking of him, who always thinks of you.- again farewell until I can shake hands with my darling Mary, until death do us part.
I remain your ever loving and Affectionate husband,
James Walsh
I have offered a pound to Hennessey the writer if he
Could do anything for me by Writing to the Lord Lieutenant
Hope this post finds somebody who is related and knows about these persons and bring the story of a happy ending to all concerned. Here's wishing for the best..
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Unusual Postal Stationery
Disclaimer - Information about the philatelic issue on this page has been taken from the net and are for informational purposes only. No copyright claim is made for the above mentioned information/pictures.
Category - Sight / Touch
Subcategory - Multi-Sensory Stamps Sets/3D Anaglyph Stamps/ Stamps with Textured Rough Surface/Stamps with Interactive (QR/Bar/Augmented Reality/C) codes / Glow in the Dark Stamp Under UV Stamps
Spain 2015 - Dinosaurs Stamps Set with phosphorescence, scale textures, 3D and Augmented Reality (AR) features
Issue date 07 May 2015
Spanish Postal Authorities Correos has issue a set of 4 stamps with different printing techniques such as phosphorescent stamps, scale textures, 3D and Augmented Reality (AR).
See the video presented by Correos -
Ankylosaurus or "fused lizard" had armour-like skin and a tail ending in a kind of club. It could measure up to 9 metres long and weigh 6 tonnes. It was a quadruped, with the hind legs longer than the forelegs, a low, very wide body, and a wide triangular head. It was a herbivore with small teeth and no molars. This stamp features scaled textures.
Tyrannosaurus was one of the largest predators and the most famous dinosaur. It could reach over 12 metres long and weigh 8 tonnes. It had an enormous skull and a long, heavy tail with over 40 vertebrae which helped to balance its body. A bipedal carnivore, its upper limbs were small while its legs were very long in proportion to its body. It was an excellent hunter with a short, muscular, S-shaped neck. This stamp features the 3D Anaglyph printing technique giving a 3D view using a special Red and Blue glasses.
Triceratops, or "three-horned face", is distinguished by the frill on the back of its skull and its three horns, one on the snout and two over the eyes, which could be over one metre long. It had a large, robust body and four sturdy legs. Its head was a third of its length. It was a herbivore.This stamp features phosphorescence or glow in the dark printing technique.
Diplodocus was one of the longest dinosaurs at up to 36 metres. It had four sturdy legs, slightly shorter in the front than the rear, a long neck and an extremely long, whip-like tail. This stamp features the 3D Anaglyph printing technique giving a 3D view using a special Red and Blue glasses.
All Stamps features Augmented Reality features which uses a special Smartphone app and shows a online feature on the dinosaurs.
See the following video on the Augment Reality features of the stamp
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Multi-Sensory Stamps Sets
3D Anaglyph Stamps
Stamps with Textured Rough Surface
Stamps with Interactive (QR/Bar/Augmented Reality/C) codes
Glow in the Dark Stamp Under UV Stamps
Disclaimer - Information about the stamp issues on this page has been taken from the net and are for informational purposes only. No copyright claim is made for the above mentioned information/pictures/video.
Category - Touch
Subcategory - Stamps with Materials affixed - Crystals/Odd Shaped Stamps/Odd Shaped Miniature Sheet
Happy Diwali to my Indian Friends.. Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year..
Sao Tome and Principe 2015 Indian Goddess Durga Miniature Sheet with Red Swarovski Stamp
Issue Date 21 May 2015
Sao Tome and Principe Post has issued a special odd shaped Miniature sheet with a limited flock effect featuring a 86000Db round stamp of a Indian Goddess Durga with a Red Swarovski attached on her forehead.
Sao Tome and Principe is a Portuguese speaking island nation in the Gulf of Guinea off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa.
Indian Goddess Durga is considered a source of great power and wellness in Hindu Mythology. The nine forms of Goddess Durga is worshipped during the nine days of Navratri (mid April). The nine forms of Goddess Durga are Sailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagouri and Siddhidayini.
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Stamps with Crystals
Odd Shaped Stamps
Odd Shaped Miniature Sheet
Flock Stamps
Disclaimer - Information about the stamp issues on this page has been taken from the net and are for informational purposes only. No copyright claim is made for the above mentioned information/pictures.
Category - Sight
Subcategory - Stamps with Hidden image
USA 1998 US Space Shuttle - Stamps with Hidden Image
Issue date 09 & 19 November 1998
NASA's space shuttle fleet began setting records with its first launch on April 12, 1981. Starting with Columbia and continuing with Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour, the spacecraft has carried people into orbit repeatedly, launched, recovered and repaired satellites, conducted cutting-edge research and built the largest structure in space, the International Space Station.
The final space shuttle mission, STS-135, ended July 21, 2011 when Atlantis rolled to a stop at its home port, NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Priority Mail rate stamp $3.20 which features a picture of the Space Shuttle landing was issued on 9 November 1998. A Definitive Express Mail stamp $11.75 featuring a Space Shuttle riding Piggyback on a modified Boeing 747 airplane was also issued on 19 November 1998.
Hidden Image on both the stamps using the USPS stamp decoder: "ENTERPRISE/COLUMBIA/CHALLENGER/ATLANTIS/ ENDEAVOR/DISCOVERY" featuring the names of all the Space Shuttles.
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Stamps with Hidden image
Disclaimer - Information about the stamp issues on this page has been taken from the net and are for informational purposes only. No copyright claim is made for the above mentioned information/pictures.
Category - Sight/Touch
Subcategory - Stamps with Holes/Design Perforations/Cut Outs / Odd Shaped Miniature Sheet
Liechtenstein 2015 Chinese Zodiac - 2016 Year of the Monkey Miniature Sheet
Issue date 16 November 2015
Liechtenstein Post has issued the fifth stamps in the Chinese Zodiac Series for the year of the Monkey 2016, Earlier issues were for the year of the Dragon, year of the Snake, year of the Horse and year of the Sheep.
People born in the Year of the Monkey are considered intelligent, clever and flexible. They are very inventive and are therefore able to solve most problems easily.
The motif of the special stamp (value: CHF 1.90) was designed as a delicate paper cut and produced using ultramodern laser technology with gold foil embossing. The 4-stamp sheetlet is also cut in the shape of a monkey.
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Stamps with Holes
Odd Shaped Miniature Sheet
Disclaimer - Information about the stamp issues on this page has been taken from the net and are for informational purposes only. No copyright claim is made for the above mentioned information/pictures.
