CPS Resource CentreRecent New Issues from French Overseas Territories
France Post has issued some recent Overseas Territory (France d’outre-mer) issues that will be of interest to fellow CartoPhilatelists.
French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF/FSAT), Issues of 2018-01-02.
 France (TAAF/FSAT) 2018-01-02 issue 1 |
 France (TAAF/FSAT) 2018-01-02 issue 2 |
 France (TAAF/FSAT) 2018-01-02 issue 3 |
Saint Pierre and Miquelon (2017-11-13)
 Saint Pierre and Miquelon (2017-11-13) issue 1 |
 Saint Pierre and Miquelon (2017-11-13) issue 2 |
Azores Geoparks Issue Features Beautiful Landscapes and Maps
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| Portugal – Azores 2017-09-07 |
Coinciding with the 14th European GeoParks Conference held in the Azores in early September 2017, Portugal Post (CTT) issued a set of four (4) stamps and a souvenir sheet with two (2) stamps on September 7, 2017. A Geopark “is a unified area that advances the protection and use of geological heritage in a sustainable way, and promotes the economic well-being of the people who live there.” This issue commemorates the Azores Geopark, established in 2009/2010, which is comprised of a network of 121 geographically-dispersed sites of geographic heritage and marine areas that covers the nine volcanic islands of the archipelago of the Azores. The Azores Geopark is part of the European Geoparks Network and the UNESCO-assisted Global Geoparks Network. Denominations for the set of four stamps are €0,50, €0,80, €0,85, €1,00, respectively, while the souvenir sheet contains two stamps, with denominations of €0,85, €1,00. All denominations are placed in the lower right corner of each stamp. Each of the stamps has a map, and the souvenir sheet also has small scale a map of the Azores archipelago covering two-thirds of the sheet. The park maps, occupying the upper section of each stamp, use subtle hill shading to portray the terrain. Additionally, local access roads, major hydrographic features, and sparse annotation are also present on the maps. The park or feature is depicted using shades of green while the surrounding areas are shown as only bare terrain. Conversely, a color photograph of a “geo-feature” or landscape occupies the lower section of each stamp. The maps are tied directly to the feature shown in the photograph. Running horizontal through the center of each stamp is the phrase Geoparque Açores with the feature name directly below, in the photo area. The latitude and longitude, presumably of the feature, are shown in a vertical colored bar along the right edge of each stamp. The stamps have a syncopated perforation, resembling a “Knights Templar Cross” common on recent Portuguese issues. This is definitely one of more important cartophilatelic issues of 2017. [after researching these, i think it is time for a trip to the azores! – web admin]
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| Portugal – Azores 2017-09-07 Souvenir Sheet |
Maps Featured on Australia Nostalgic Fruit Labels Issue
Australia 2016-06-07
The June 7, 2016 Australia Post issue of “Nostalgic Fruit Labels” contains two stamps featuring both a map of Australia and one of Tasmania. The issue contains four $1 AUD denominated stamps, as either gummed or self-adhesives. The designs across either type appear to be the same. Cartophilatelists will be interested in two stamps from the set. The “River’s Pride” Oranges with a map of Australia inset with an image of a paddle-wheel steamer on a river. Varieties of oranges are shown in the foreground of the label. The “Robin Brand” Apples label depicts a map of Tasmania with a robin perched on a tree branch. Some historical background from Australia Post follows. In the early 20th century Australia became a major food exporter, particularly to Great Britain until well after World War II. An early means of identifying fruit for market was by stenciling wooden fruit cases, using metal stencils brushed with black paint. Details included the grower’s name as well as the type, size and grade of fruit. As Australia’s fruit export industry expanded, so did the need for marketing of the fruit. Soon paper labels, pasted onto the end of wooden cases, formed part of the fruit industry landscape between the 1920s and 1970s, before the widespread use of cardboard cartons. There were local market labels, grower labels and more, but the most colorful were the labels used for export. While labels were used for various types of fruit,apple labels from the “Apple Isle” Tasmania were by far the most numerous. In addition to the State Library of Tasmania, one of the largest public collections of fruit labels is part of the Troedel Printing Archive in the State Library of Victoria. The sample books of lithographic printing firm Troedel and Cooper contain an amazing array of colorful designs. Three of the labels featured in this stamp issue are from that collection. The fourth is the Western Australian
label for Paterson & Co., one of the largest shippers of apples and pears in the west from the labels era. [ be sure to check out Australia Post’s new philatelic and collectables web site. also, watch for another post about the Fair Dinkum Aussie Alphabet (current and forthcoming issues) -admin]
Portugal/Vietnam Joint Issue Features Oblique City Views
Portugal/Vietnam Joint Issue 2016-07-01
While not much information about this issue has been found, on July 1, 2016 Portugal and Vietnam postal agencies released a joint issue marking, what appears to be, 500 years of trade and cultural relations. The issue consists of a total of four stamps, two common designs, one from each country. The 0.47EUR and 12000VDN denominations feature an oblique view of Lisbon from 1593, described by Portuguese Post as “Olissipo quae nunc Lisboa, em Civitates orbis terrarum, Georgio Braunio.” The 0.80EUR and 3000VDN denominations feature a similar oblique image, but of Hoi-An, a port city located on the eastern coast of Vietnam. Hoi-An was first visited by Portuguese traders in the mid 1500s, and who sought to establish a trading center at the port. Today Hoi-An is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The stamps also feature “pottery objects,” depicting what appears to be a “plate with oriental designs” (0.47EUR and 12000VDN), and a “kind of vase” (0.80EUR and 3000VDN). Flags of both Portugal and Vietnam are also featured on the stamps. [ this is a nice looking issue but unfortunately difficult to find much information. updates are welcome. -admin]
Swiss Cartographic Society Promotes ICA International Map Year with “WebStamp”
Switzerland (WebStamp) 2016
As part of promotional activities for the International Map Year (IMY) the Swiss Cartographic Society has issued a personalized “WebStamp” through Swiss Post. The Swiss Post’s personalized “WebStamps” enable online design of adhesive stamps. The horizontal formatted label depicts a perforated “stamp” area on the left containing the International Cartographic Society (ICA) logo in the upper left corner, with the IMY logo along the lower section of the stamp. The Swiss Cartographic Society Logo is in the upper right corner of the stamp. The remainder of the label consists of a 2d-barcode, denomination and postal permit markings. The label also contains the “pro clima” logo, signifying that delivery of the letter will be carbon-neutral, thanks to a “high-value” climate protection contribution from Swiss Post. There are a total of 4 denominations, all in Swiss Francs (CHF) of 0.85, 1.00 (standard denomination), 1.30, 1.80. The Swiss Cartographic Society will be using the stamps on all Society mail and hopes that the stamps will raise awareness of the IMY and other cartographic related activities. [ Note: If you are interested in purchasing one or more of the labels, please email CPS member Thomas Schulz. There are two offers: OFFER 1: Two (2) mint stamps at 1.00 CHF plus a nicely postmarked “WebStamp” on the envelope for 10 USD/EUR/CHF or OFFER 2: The whole set of four (4) stamps at 0.85 / 1.00 / 1.30 / 1.80 CHF plus a nicely postmarked “WebStamp” on the envelope for 15 USD/EUR/CHF ]
