Author: Richard Zimmermann

FIP and ECOWAS

by Richard Zimmermann

This beginning of the year is very quiet. Next to the early Chinese New Year stamps involving China PR, Hong Kong and Macao, only two omnibus series where initiated, one related to the centenary of the FIP, the other to the 50th anniversary of the ECOWAS.

On February 6, 2026, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates issued similar stamps to celebrate the centenary of the ‘Federation Internationale de Philatélie’ (FIP – International Federation of Philately) with a design based on the FIP logo. This two first issues coincided with the Dubai 2026 World Stamp Exhibition, the first world exhibition celebrating this FIP centenary. Apparently other countries will participate – actually all countries could participate – and so far the following have already announced it: Bosnia Herzegovina (June 16, 2026), Serbia (), Brazil (June 18, 2026) and Bosnia Herzegovina (Serbia) (October 9, 2026). We do not know if these stamps will be of the same design. Romania already issued a stamp on February 26, 2026, but with a completely different design, so, not part of the joint issue (the FIP logo appears in the margin of a souvenir sheet).

On February 12, 2026, the ECOWAS countries came together to issue a commemorative stamp at the occasion of the 50th anniversary of its creation (which actually took place on May 28, 1975). ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States, also known as CEDEAO in French and Portuguese) includes today 12 countries. All 12 countries participated to the issue with identical stamps bearing each a QR code to access further information. A 3×4 sheet bearing the 12 different stamps was issued at the same date, so including Benin – Cape Verde – Gambia – Ghana – Guinea – Guinea-Bissau – Ivory Coast – Liberia – Nigeria – Senegal – Sierra Leone and Togo. This information was provided by Kenneth Sequeira (Dubai). We now have to find information for all individual countries which remains always complicated for African countries.

Illustrations of the stamps to be released by Japan on April 26, 2026 in a joint issue with Singapore and of the Indonesia stamps to be relased jointly with Uruguay (date of issue still unknown) became already available thanks to Kenneth Sequeira, Dubai.

Enzo Cafaro (Italy), provided also the illustration of the future Europa stamp to be released by Armenia (exact date of release still unknown). In the meantime, some countries have already issued their 2026 Europa stamps or shown the future design: Aland (May 8, 2026), Belgium (April 13), Finland (May 6), Guernsey (April 1), Liechtenstein (March 2), Monaco (May 9) and San Marino (March 2).

Among the other interesting information, one has to note that Denmark has decided, from January 1, 2026 on, to dismantle the Post, which has for consequence that all post boxes have been removed and that this country will not issue stamps anymore. The postal services are taken over by private companies from now on (which apparently will not issue stamps, but work with labels and QR codes only).

Albania, Barbados and Palestine

by Richard Zimmermann

One just needs to be patient to get the information from several countries we have been missing. Eric Contesse (France) was the first one to provide the proof that the Barbados embroidery stamp associated to the [T20250919] issue. He transferred the copy of the first day cancellation from December 8, 2025 of the Barbados stamp, while a good quality picture of thee stamp became available through dealers. This series seems now to be complete.

Albania finally also issued the 2024 Euromed stamps with a first day cancellation from January 23, 2026 (!) (information and pictures provided by Enzo Cafaro, Italy). We can now expect to see the 2025 Euromed stamps as well as the 2025 Europa or even the UPU anniversary stamps. There are still no explanations for the more than one year regular delays for all these stamps from this country.

Palestine is the third country that made available older stamps belonging to joint issue series. At the beginning of February 2026 (exact date still unknown), two Palestinian stamps appeared on the market, the first one related to the UPU 150th anniversary [T20241009] and the other related to Gaza [T20241129], with designs identical to the basic forms. Information was provided by Enzo Cafaro (Italy). Unfortunately, we are missing high quality images for the time being. One has also to take in account that these new stamps are supposed to come from a country that is completely locked, on which there is an embargo and in a war situation. It is highly probable that these stamps may never have reached the country itself, and may have been brought on the market directly by dealers not living in this territory. Further explanations are needed.

Among more recent issues, Dominique Josse (France) succeeded in creating, not without difficulties, private mixed first day cancellations of the Japan – France joint issue [T20251007]. Thanks a lot, Dominique.

Finally, Fabio Bonacina pointed at a very recent Great Britain souvenir sheet celebrating on January 21, 2026, the 50th anniversary of the first commercial flight of the Concorde plane. Surprisingly, these stamps are a copy of the stamps issued by Great Britain on March 3, 1969, in the frame of a joint issue with France reported under [P19690302] and related to the very first of Concorde. The first commercial flight was celebrated by a joint issue reported under [P19760121] with stamps that are different and to which Great Britain did not participate. In this new series, only the head of QEII was replaced by KCII. Obviously this is not a joint issue.

2025 Catalogue update and new Catalogue 2026

by Richard Zimmermann

On December 19, 2025, Morocco has issued two stamps completing earlier joint issues with identical stamps to the series of the 80th Arab League anniversary [T20250322] already involving 6 countries, and to the joint Arab Postal Union stamps [T20250803], involving now in total 9 countries. Both these series are probably not yet complete and we may expect additional countries to be added with stamps probably to be issued during the year 2026. Both Moroccan stamps became available in miniature sheets of 10 stamps [2×5] printed at 10,000 sheets each (Source: Eric Contesse, France).

Also, among older issues, the design of the stamp of Libya from the World Post day series from October 9, 2022 [B20221009] became available, but there is no proof yet that this stamp really exists. It is reported in the Michel catalogue, but no one has seen this stamp. Can some one help here?

The Laos-Russia From October 15, 2025 issue showing lynxes needs to be corrected. On a recently released mixed FDC, it appears that the Laos stamps are cancelled from October 7, 2025 and not October 15, 2025, on the contrary to the Russian stamp. The issue reported so far as [T20251015] needs to be modified in [C20251007].

There are two postal entities active in Andorra, Spanish Andorra and French Andorra, that provide stamps for this small entity created back to 788. Since the year 1278, this enclave is under the control of Spain, through the catalan Bishop of Urgell, and France, via, originally, the Count of Foix, later the French King, now the French President, which are both co-princes of Andorra. By 2026, an agreement has been reached with La Poste (France) and the Spanish postal service (Correos) for greater coordination on the themes and dates of issue for stamps from both postal entities, Spanish Andorra and French Andorra, strengthening collaboration between the two postal administrations. Among the most noteworthy initiatives is a special issue involving Correos (Spain), La Poste (France), and the Principality of Andorra, with two complementary issues reflecting their shared identity and cultural heritage. More to come, but probably this may translate in more joint issues between Spanish Andorra and French Andorra starting in 2026 (Information provided by Kenneth Sequeira, Dubai).

It looks that we almost missed a joint issue, but it appeared eventually that it was based on a wrong message printed in the margin of a souvenir sheet. Liechtenstein issued on June 2, 2025 a souvenir sheet including three stamps and entitled “Gemeinschaftsblock Liechtenstein – Österreich” which means “Joint stamp block Liechstenstein – Austria”. However, in this context this text is not meaning that this souvcenir sheet is part of a joint issue between the two countries, but simply that Liechtenstein honors the relationship through philately with Austria with this souvenir sheet that was released during the philatelic exhibition Överbria’25 in Hihenems, Austria. Obviously, it was not expected that Austria would issue a counter part for this item. So, this is not a unilateral joint issue, not even a joint issue at all, despite the wording used on the souvenir sheet. Liechtenstein is used to release similar souvenir sheets containing three stamps dedicated to the locality or even country in which philatelic events are taking place.

The Cyprus – Vietnam issue announced earlier with a first day cancellation on the Cyprus stamps from December 1, 2025, appears to be a personal stamp issue and there will be no Vietnamese counterpart. This issue is therefore removed from the catalogue.

Ali Allawati (Oman) pointed a couple of errors in previous editions of the catalogue: Regarding The Oman Singapore joint issue [T20250221], there was an error in the souvenir sheet’s image with the denomination error “Rail” instead of “Rial”. The stamp with the mistake was of course never issued and the picture came from an advertisement document. Also, the “Muscat Street” is illustrating these stamps is a street located in Singapore and not in Oman. Both mistakes were corrected. Thanks Ali.

Information about the Uruguay, part of the Uruguay – Romania stamps became available (thanks to Jaap Sarelse, the Netherlands). Uruguay stamps were released on December 5, 2025 (same date as Romania) and stamps are similar to the Romanian stamps (although with some additional flowers), confirming Twin status. Some illustrations are provided below.

Eventually, the catalogue of joint issue was updated, and a new version 2026 for all volumes, also including a new volume 17 for stamps issued since January 1, 2026, was created. All new volumes are available from the Catalogue page.

Red Cross centenary 1963

by Richard Zimmermann

During the year 1963, the world celebrated the centenary of the Red Cross (1863-1963). In the catalogue volume 3 (1960-1963) two entries depict joint stamps related to this event, but limited to the British [D19630902a] and French [D19630902b] colonies stamps. In both sets, the stamps are identical, and were considered as joint territorial issues. The British participating entities include: Antigua – Ascension – Bahamas – Basutoland – Bechuanaland – Bermuda – Cayman Islands – Dominica – Falkland Islands – Fiji – Gambia – Gibraltar – Gilbert and Ellice (October 5) – Grenada – Guyana (British) – Honduras (British) – Hong Kong – Jamaica (September 6) – Malta – Mauritius – Montserrat – New-Hebrides – Pitcairn (December 9) – Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla – Saint Helena – Saint Lucia – Saint Vincent – Seychelles (September 16) – Solomon Islands – South Arabian Federation (November 25) – Swaziland – Tonga (September 10) – Tristan da Cunha (February 1, 1964) – Turks and Caicos – Virgin Islands. With the exception of seven postal entities, all of them were issued on the same day of September 2, 1963. Additionally Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika (KUT) issued also three stamps, but with a different design (some examples below).

On this same day, the following stamps from French colonie countrie were issued: Comoros – New Caledonia – New-Hebrides – Polynesia (French) – Saint Pierre and Miquelon – Somali Coast – Wallis and Futuna with a common design, as well as Madagascar – Mali (September 1) with a slightly different design (Some pictures below).

Our friend Leonard (Thailand) pointed at two Thailand stamps showing a similar design that was not reported in the catalogue so far. In fact, by screening closer all countries, it appears that dozen of countries have celebrated this event during the year 1963 (some of them in 1964 and even 1965) with a large number having issued their stamps on May 8, 1963, and this, of course needed an update in the catalogue describing these stamps. In fact, the new entry referenced as [B19630508] is not a true joint issue, but as they use most of them the same design, they are reported in the category ‘Borrowed Design’ [BD]. The list includes the following countries: Afghanistan (October 9) – Algeria (December 8) – Australia – Austria (October 25) – Brazil (August 19) – Bulgaria (January 27, 1964) – Chile (August 23) – Colombia (May 10) – Greece (September 16) – Guatemala (September 9, 1964) – Haiti (October 2, 1964) – Indonesia – Iran (June 10) – Iraq (December 30) – Ireland (December 2) – Japan – Korea (South) – Libya (January 1) – Maldives () – Nigeria (September 1) – Pakistan (June 25) – Papua New Guinea (May 1) – Paraguay (February 4, 1964) – Peru (January 29, 1964) – Philippines (September 1) – Poland – Sierra Leone (November 1) – South Africa (August 30) – South West Africa () – Soviet Union (August 8) – Sudan (October 15) – Switzerland (March 21 and June 1) – Syria (September 19) – Thailand (April 1) – Togo (June 1) – Tunisia – United Arab Republic (Egypt) () – Upper Volta (October 21) – Uruguay (June 5, 1964) – Venezuela (December 31) – Vietnam (North) – Vietnam (South (November 17) – Yemen (North) (October) – Yemen (Kingdom) (December 31) – Yugoslavia (May 5).

In total, 90 countries have issues stamps at this occasion, divided in three groups with similar design. In fact, additional 51 countries have also issued stamps with completely different designs. The list is provided as footnote in the catalogue and the catalogue was updated with these stamps.

Gaza, rivers and snake

by Richard Zimmermann

During the month of December 2025, so, with one year delay, Saudi Arabia also issued a stamp relative to the Solidarity with Gaza set. This new stamp has to be added to the [T20241129] stamp series of the same design that already included Algeria – Djibouti (November 11, 2024) – Jordan (November 28, 2024) – Libya (December 31, 2024) – Morocco – Oman – Qatar (November 28, 2024) – Syria (October 7, 2024) and Tunisia. Details (including exact date of issue) for this additional country are still missing.

Similarly, Sudan released three stamps at the occasion of the Arab Postal day, with the same design as the stamps proposed on August 3, 2025 [T20250803] by seven other countries (Algeria – Egypt – Iraq – Libya (2025) – Oman – Tunisia (August 4, 2025) and the United Arab Emirates). Exact date of issue remains unknown for these three new stamps (difference can be seen only at the level of the denomination).

Regarding the previously reported joint issue between Laos and Thailand [T20251219], the stamps from Laos had not been shown yet. Here is a first illustration showing clearly the twin character. However, it is still not clear if Laos issued a second stamp similar to the second stamp from Thailand.

Egypt and Portugal celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relationships on December 18, 2025 with souvenir sheets containing each a pair of stamps representing the Nile River and the Douro River. Details from the Egyptian souvenir sheet are missing. The Portuguese souvenir sheet, size 95×125 mm has been issued at 20,000 samples only.

We got also some information about a potential joint issue involving Jordan and India for stamps supposed to be issued on December 16, 2025, but so far nothing could be confirmed and no stamps have been seen. Also, we are still looking for the illustration and exact date of issue of the Uruguayan stamp produced jointly with Romania and showing horses. Similarly, there are no news so far, from the Vietnam stamps supposed to be issued in parallel of Cyprus on December 1, 2025. Latest information seems to confirm that the Cyprus stamps could remain unilateral.

Thanks to Kenneth Sequeira, Dubai, and Jaap Sarelse, the Netherlands, for providing a large part of the information described in this page.

Horses, map and traditions

by Richard Zimmermann

On December 5, 2025, Uruguay and Romania issued joint stamps at the occasion of the 90th anniversary of their diplomatic relations establishment. The commonly accepted topic was horse breeding illustrated by two stamps showing the Romanian Lipizzan horse and the South American Criollo horse. The Uruguayan stamps have not been seen so far, but their issue confirmed by an announcement describing a se-tenant pair of stamps printed at 2,500 samples in miniature sheets of 4 pairs (so, only 625 miniature sheets available). At the other end, Romania is still complicated in terms of proposing different sub-types and their limited number of prints. In this country the following items are available: the two stamps, issued in panes of 32, within which the next to last row is printed upside down to allow creating tête-bêche samples (printed 2×5,472 stamps, i.e., 2×171 sheets only – a part was taken to create first day covers), 2 miniature sheets with 3 stamps and one label at the top right position (122×91 mm – printed 2×1,550 miniature sheets), one illustrated souvenir sheet with a pair of non se-tenant stamps (120×164 mm – printed 3,150) and another illustrated souvenir sheet with the non-se-tenant stamps, same size, but imperforate and numbered, available only in a folder produced at 277 (!) samples.

The 40th anniversary of the relationship between Oman and Russia was finally released on December 10, 2025 (after 5 successive announcements of changes of issue dates). The issue initially intended to celebrate the Omani explorer Ahmed bin Majid and the Russian traveler Afanasy Nikitin, led finally to a common stamp showing an old map, taken from the manuscript Kharīdat al-ʻAjāʼib wa Farīdat al-Gharāʼib, or ‘The Pearl of Wonders and the Uniqueness of Things Strange’ (written 1419), by Oman scientist Umar ibn Muẓaffar al-Wardī (died 1447). In both countries, the stamps have been released as miniature sheets [3×3], containing 9 stamps for Oman, but with central label for Russia, so, only 8 stamps in the Russian miniature sheet. Oman released another souvenir sheet, showing the two explorers, with a perforation centered over the portrait of the Omani traveler. This item shows a design which could have been used by Russia, simply by shifting the perforations, but this was not translated in a Russian product. The choice of the map as common design, may also explain the delays, probably upon reluctancy of the Russian post to use the Omani proposal (which is not a standard Russian stamp printing form).

On December 11, 2025, Indonesia and Serbia surprisingly issued stamps to celebrate relationship illustrated with typical local houses and a couple dressed in local costume. For both countries, the stamps are issued se-tenant, in miniature sheets of 4 pairs.

The first images of the December 19, 2025, Laos Thailand joint issue have been made available, but details for Laos are still missing. The Thailand stamps were issued in miniature sheets of 5 se-tenant pairs, chessboard ordered.

We are still missing information from Vietnam about the joint issue with Cyprus issued on December 1, 2025. So far we had only access to the FDC cover from Cyprus.

Most of this information was provided by Kenneth Sequeira (Dubai) and Enzo Cafaro (Italy). Thanks to both of them.

                                                                                                       –

November: discoveries and complements

by Richard Zimmermann

Madagascar finally joined the countries celebrating the 150th anniversary of the UPU from October 9, 2024 [T20241009] with the same common stamp. This country issued its stamp on December 30, 2024 (actually printed by the Tunisian Post Printing Office, on November 4, 2024) and produced stamps in panes of 20 [4×5] and a souvenir sheet containing a block of 4 stamps [2×2] (Source: Benjamin Busch)

The stamps from Iran so far reported in the catalogue in this same UPU anniversary series are described as customized personalized stamps, not officially recognized and hence, not part of the series. On July 7, 2025, Iran issued an official stamp that was only reported recently. Iran integrates officially this UPU series listed under [T20241009]. The new (horizontal shape) stamp is shown below next to the first customized (vertical shape) stamps.

On September 5, 2022, several countries dedicated at least one stamp to the International Forum on Tiger Population Preservation in Vladivostok, Russia. This Issue reported under [P20220905] involved all countries that are the tiger’s habitat, including Cambodia (September 22) – India (September 1) – Korea (North) – Laos (September 1) – Malaysia – Myanmar – Russia – Vietnam. Among them, Myanmar issued three stamps in panes. This country re-issued recently (2025, exact date unknown) these stamps in a leaflet/souvenir sheet as a triplet of se-tenant stamps. Illustrations of the original stamps and the new reprint are provided below (Source: David Caleb, Enzo Cafaro).

Libya is a new country to be added to the Post day issue “Towards more innovative postal services” from August 3, 2025, which included already Algeria – Egypt – Iraq – Oman – Tunisia (August 4) and the United Arab Emirates (Kenneth Sequeira, Dubai).

An older series of stamps dedicated to the Covid pandemy was discovered recently (Costas Mengoulis). These stamps produced by Stamperija on behalf of Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Niger and Sao Tome and Principe have not been reported so far, and their exact date of issue remains unknown. Each country proposes a pane with 16 different stamps, identical from one country to another. Knowing the source and the reason of this issue (mainly to fool collectors), we do not recommend to buy and to include them in your collection. However they need to be reported in the catalogue, but without details, with the same purchase recommendations. In absence of details, these stamps have been added to the description of [B20200427].

The catalogue pages have been updated accordingly. Thanks to all the contributors mentionned between brackets in the text.

November 2025 update

by Richard Zimmermann

Latest issues:

On November 6, 2025, PR China joined Samoa to issue stamps related to birds. Two identical stamps were issued by each country, showing the white horse chicken (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) and the tooth-billed dove (Didunculus strigirostris). Detailed information from Samoa is still missing and the Samoan stamps depicted below may only be a design and not the final one.

From November 9 to 21, 2025, China (PR), Hong Kong and Macau organized the 15th Chinese National Games held in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. These games were celebrated with stamps from each postal entity that became available on the opening day on November 9, 2025. China released three stamps representing artistic (synchronized) swimming, fencing and table tennis, in panes of 12 each (3x[3×4]), but also as a souvenir sheet containing two strips of the three stamps. Hong Kong issued four different stamps depicting rugby sevens and track cycling, fencing and beach volleyball, golf and triathlon (swimming, cycling, running), handball and basketball. These stamps were issued in panes of 25 stamps (4x[5×5]). Macao released four different stamps showing rugby sevens, basketball, table tennis and volleyball in form of blocks of 4 printed in panes with 4 blocks each, also in four different orders, so that the four se-tenant stamps can be collected either in blocks or in strips of 4 ([2b4x2]. Additionally, all these 11 stamps were printed also within a souvenir sheet, which leads to consider this issue as a Se-tenant issue [S20251109], similar to the Chinese astrological signs stamps issued by these same three postal entities at the beginning of each year (Eric Chan, USA).

On November 25, 2025, as scheduled, Luxembourg and the Vatican State joined to celebrate the 100 years of the Pontifical Institute for Christian Archeology – Pontificio Istituto di Archeologia Cristiana (PIAC), with an identical stamp showing the portrait of Bishop Jean-Pierre Kirsch (1861-1941), the building of the historic headquarters on Via Napoleone III in Rome and the seal of the Institute showing the ‘Christ shepherd’. The PIAC was founded on December 11, 1925, by Pope Pius XI with the Apostolic Constitution Ad providentiam of March 2, 1925, and with the motu proprio “The Primitive Christian Cemeteries,” thanks also to the dedication of the Luxembourgish prelate Johann Peter Kirsch, who was its first Director (Eric Contesse, France and Enzo Cafaro, Italy).

At the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the relationship between Indonesia and the Vatican State, the Vatican issued a stamp on November 7, 2025, that has not yet found a counterpart in Indonesia. This stamp description is reported here primarely to obtain information out of Indonesia and to confirm that it will probably not lead to a joint issue.

From Jaap Sarelse, the Netherlands: On May 7, 2025, Liechtenstein and Switzerland each issued a crypto stamp (Crypto CHLI) as a joint issue showing a cow and mountains, forming a continuous image when placed next to each other. The cow was available in 6 colors, with the rainbow cow having the lowest circulation (50) and the green cow the highest 7500. FDCs were also available, but in limited circulation: 10 copies with rainbow cows; 2500 copies with green cows. This issue was reported earlier.

Liechtenstein and Switzerland decided to extend this series with a similar crypto joint issue. On November 19, 2025, the so-called world’s first Christmas Crypto Stamp was released as an exclusive joint issue of Liechtenstein and Swiss Post (Crypto CHLI 2.0). The same six crypto cows from May 7, 2025 are now presented in a winter landscape. The stamps are embellished with glittering snowflakes. As you can imagine, these items, considered more as numismatic items than philatelic ones, even if they really can be used as stamps, look again like a lottery and have been created to fool collectors. Prices for individual items vary between 10 and 500 Swiss Francs (CHF) for stamps and between 30 and 2,000 CHF for mixed FDCs. We do not recommend to buy them, but they will be reported in the catalogue in the same way as the original items were described [P20250507], with the usual purchasing warning.

On September 16, 2025, San Marino issued a series of four stamps dedicated to UNESCO sites in Andorra, Cyprus, Malta, and Portugal. None of these stamps was associated with stamps issued at the same date by one of these countries. On November 4, 2025, however, the post of Spanish Andorra issued a stamp related to ‘about’ 30 years of diplomatic relationship (1993-2023), without any counterpart from San Marino. There is no link between these two stamps and therefore, also no joint character for these issues. They are reported here simply for information purpose (Enzo Cafaro, Italy).

Issues to be released soon:

On December 1, 2025, Cyprus and Vietnam will celebrate their fiftieth anniversary of diplomatic relations with a twin issue. The Cyprus FDC became available recently (Kenneth Sequeira, Dubai).

The joint issue between Russia and Oman, originally scheduled for April 22, 2025, postponed to September 26, 2025, then successively to October 15, November 14, and December 5, 2025, is now planned to be issued on December 10, 2025.

The Barbados embroidery dove stamp associated to the [T20250919a] issue is apparently expected to be issued on December 8, 2025.

All this information was introduced in the updated catalogue sections (Vol 16). A great thanks to all the contributors mentionned in the text between brackets.

October 2025 News

by Richard Zimmermann

First of all, we have to thank Kenneth Sequeira, Dubai, who discovered a China PR-Indonesia joint issue from August 30, 2025, that we completely missed. This twin issue celebrates the 75th anniversary of relationship between both countries and is illustrated with landscapes of lakes and pagodas: the West Lake with Jingzi Tempel in Hangzhou, China PR and Lake Bratan with the Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, Hindu tempel in Bali, Indonesia.

The Bosnia Herzegovina (Bosnia) – Indonesia joint issue was finally relased on October 3, 2025. This issue was originally scheduled to be released on October 4, 2024, but was finally postponed by more than one year. The stamps issued in miniature sheets of two se-tenant stamps represent the Istiklal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, and the Istiklal Mosque in Sarajevo, Bosnia. The Indonesian souvenir sheet is available perforated and imperforate. The word “Istiklal” in Arabic stands for ‘Independence’. The Jakarta Mosque was opened in 1978. The Sarajevo Mosque was a gift from the Indonesian people and Government of Indonesia for Bosnia and Herzegovina as a token of solidarity and friendship between the two nations. This Mosque was opened in 2001 (Information provided by Kenneth Sequeira, Dubai)

On October 7, 2025, France and Japan celebrated the Week of Letter Writing with a twin issue depicting gardens. On one side the French Vaux-le-Vicomte castle and gardens were represented, on the other one, the Gingaku-ji tempel or Silver Pavilion near Kyoto, Japan, was shown. France issued the stamps in two miniature sheets of 10, while Japan produced a single miniature sheet with 5 se-tenant pairs. Mixed official first day documents and a mixed folder with all four stamps, mint, became also available (This information was first provided by Dominique Josse, France).

Mongolia and India celebrated on October 14, 2025, the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship with identical souvenir sheets containing two stamps showing the Mongolian Biyelgee dance and the Ramlila theatrical performance (India). The margins show both national flags, the anniversary logo, national animals (horse and elephant), folk arts, Mongolian ger (yurt) and the blue sky (information provided by Kenneth Sequeira, Dubai, and Robert Schrijvers, Mongolia).

China (PR) and Monaco are celebrating the 30 years of diplomatic relations (1995-2025) on October 15, 2025, with two stamps showing identical flowers, i.e., Canterbury bells, Campanula medium and an orchid, Cymbidium.

The Cat stamps related to the Laos – Russia joint issue from October 15, 2025, were presented in the previous page. Kenneth Sequeira was able to provide the illustration from Laos which is producing both perforated and imperforate stamps and souvenir sheets. The stamps show the Marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata) and the East Siberian lynx (Lynx lynx wrangeli). Russian stamps are self-adhesive, sold in miniature sheets of 4 pairs, chessboard ordered. Laos stamps are available as perforated or imperforate souvenir sheets containing the pair of stamps.

The Gibraltar – Liechtenstein issue announced for December 2025 will in fact be released on November 10, 2025. It design is already available on the Liechtenstein postal administration web site (information provided by Kenneth Sequeira). Surprisingly this issue will be available in form of two souvenir sheets containing each a stamp from each country (different stamp designs), which defines this issue as Se-tenant joint issue [S2]. Stamps show falcons and are dedicated to the migration of these birds. Stamps are also available in sheetlets, and mixed FDCs are available.

Catalogues Vol 1 and Vol 16 have been updated with all this information covering the months of September and October 2025.

September 2025 update

by Richard Zimmermann

Sorry for this long time of silence. A lot of new information was gathered over this past month, in addition to the “Dove of Peace” series described in the previous page. The data are summarized hereunder, thanks to Kenneth Sequeira (Dubai), Ali Allawati (Oman), Adam Paish (UK), Enzo Cafaro (Italy), Dominique Josse (France), Sim Tng Kwang (Singapore), Mohamed Achour Ali Ahmed (Algeria), and Marci Jarvis (USA).

The official day of issue of the Oman stamp related to the Arab Postal Day from August 3, 2025, initially announced as being released on August 10, 2025 for this country, has to be corrected to August 3, 2025, according to FDC images provided by Ali Allawati.

The Oman stamps from the Oman Iran issue initially scheduled to be released on May 27, 2025, became available only on August 26, 2025 (date shown on the Oman FDC cover). However, information from Iran is still missing and we do not know if it will become a real joint issue, despite the clear indication on the stamp itself.

The Maldives-Singapore joint issue which design was revealed on June 30, 2025, was finally released on September 5, 2025. This issue includes two stamps featuring fishes, turtle, corals, the Lazarus Island (Singapore) and Hulhudhoo (Maldives), which were also included in a souvenir sheet (Singapore). Good quality images and final product description from the Maldives are still missing.

Singapore was involved a second time this month, on September 19, 2025, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Thailand-Singapore diplomatic relations. As previously, Singapore issued also both stamps in a form of a souvenir sheet. The Thai stamps has been printed in se-tenant checkerboard-formatted sheets of ten stamps.

On September 16, 2025, the 640 years of the crowning of Sigmund of Luxembourg in Hungary was supposed to be celebrated by Luxembourg and Slovakia with a common stamp which design was released earlier this year by the Slovak Post. It happened that this issue disappeared from both postal administration philatelic programs. Explanations are needed here.

The Mythical heroes crypto-stamps series was issued on September 18, 2025 (see detailed description under previous page). The final illustrations given below show small changes compared to initial illustrations provided earlier (e.g., new denomination for Luxembourg). The series includes Austria (2 units, Zeus and Hera, 2×150,000), Belgium (Athena, 20,000), Luxembourg (Artemis, 15,000), Netherlands (Hermes, 25,000) and Portugal (Poseidon, 25,000). The digital twins are stored in the blockchain in five different colors. The likelihood of getting a particular color depends on the color: for Luxembourg stamps, there are 150 red, 1,005 yellow, 1,995 blue, 4,005 green and 7,845 black stamps; for the other countries the exact number of colored subtypes has not been published but the figures remain probably close to the same ratio, i.e., 1% (red), 6.7% (yellow), 13.3% (blue), 26.7% (green) and 52.3% (black). The digital twin of the crypto stamp is randomly generated. By scanning the QR code on the stamp with a smartphone, one will find out which color is linked to the crypto stamp.

As an example, the Luxembourg stamp digital twins in the blockchain look as follow:

On September 25, 2025, the Embassy of the Republic of Peru in Kuwait hosted an event to present a commemorative postage stamp marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Kuwait and Peru. The postage stamps are featuring Kuwait’s Red Palace and Peru’s Real Felipe Fortress. Unfortunately, to our knowledge, this Peruvian stamp will remain unilateral.

The Oman-Russia joint issue, originally scheduled for April 22, 2025, postponed to September 26, 2025 (Oman source), then, a few weeks ago to October 15, is now scheduled for November 14, 2025. The date of October 15, 2025 remains unchanged for the issue of the joint stamps involving Laos and Russia and the first illustration of the Russian stamps became available recently.

Dove of Peace embroidery

by Richard Zimmermann

The ‘Dove of Peace’ stamps were issued as expected on September 19, 2025 (except for Greenland and Switzerland). The final list includes Aland – Armenia – Austria – Barbados () – Cyprus – Faroe Islands – Greenland (September 12) – Liechtenstein – Luxembourg – Switzerland (September 4) – United Nations (Geneva) – United Nations (New York) – United Nations (Vienna). These embroideries have a size of about 55×42 mm. Barbados was mentioned in the advertisement of the UNPA, but without illustration, on the contrary to all others, and so far no detailed information is available. If this information is confirmed, then it would not be surprising that other countries could also join over the next months. This has to be watched closely (details provided by Jaap Sarelse, the Netherlands, and Enzo Cafaro, Italy).

The denominations on the stamps are quite high (5 to 10 €uros) and the printing runs remained low. The first data we had access to are related to the following postal administrations: Aland [13,000] – Armenia [5,000] – Austria [90,000] – Liechtenstein [18,000] – Luxembourg [30,000] – UN Geneva [12,300] – UN New York [10,800] – UN Vienna [13,900]. The stamps from the countries with lower printing runs were sold out on the first day. Stamps really used on mail will be exceptions, while quality of the cancellation, even on first day covers, will remain bad, consequence of the thickness of the embroidery. The three stamps from the UPU administrations became available as a mixed FDC. Eventually, these stamps are just products for collectors.

UPU release also a label with the same shape, showing only the word “PAIX” and without denomination (so not considered as a stamp). This label attached to postal cards, without cancellation, was distributed to UPU VIPs, and some of them became available during the 2025 PhilaKorea philatelic exhibition. The printing number is unknown and the first items seen on Delcampe are sold above €200.

Enzo provided also a link to a very nice short video ‘Stitch by Stitch‘ created by Liechtenstein Post, showing the production steps of these specific stamps.

Canonization

by Richard Zimmermann

The Vatican City State, the Italian Republic, the Republic of San Marino, and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, issued on September 7, 2025, two joint postal issues to celebrate the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati. The four postal entities issued stamps based on the same pictures, on one side a portrait of Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925), by the painter Alberto Falchetti (1878-1951), owned by the Frassati family, on the other one, a photograph of Carlo Acutis (1991-2006), during one of his last school trips before his untimely death. The canonization took place on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square, presided over by Pope Leo XIV. Details about stamps are not yet available, but reproductions were provided by Enzo Cafaro, Italy.