Parallel

New 1950 entry – New sub-class of Parallel Issue

by Richard Zimmermann

Through Fabio Bonacina and Enzo Cafaro (Italy) , a request came from a reader of Vaccari News to re-qualify the following Italian and San Marino stamps:

The Italian stamp and the San Marino (RSM) stamps have been issued on the same date of April 12, 1950. The Italian stamp is a specific stamp for the 28th Fiera di Milano (Trade fair), while the RSM stamps are definitive stamps overprinted with the Fiera di Milano reference. The definitive RSM stamps were also issued on April 12, 1950. Such stamps are usually not considered as joint issues, because no specific stamp was issued at this occasion by RSM. From the general rules, overprinted stamps are just considered as Non-accepted [N], in this case, subclass overprinted [OP] (which are reported in the catalogue).

However, there is an exception, when the overprint is combined with a change of color. In others words, and also in this particular case, these three RSM stamps have been specially printed for the Fair and overprinting appears only on stamps with a different color. As such they have to be considered as joint. In the same way, during this 1950’s period, France produced also a series of overprinted Tunisia and Algerian stamps with different colors, which were considered as Territorial issues [TD]. There was no such a territorial/colonial relationship between RSM and Italy, and stamps do have a different design. Parallel issue [P] would be the best definition. This seems to be the first encountered case and it needs the creation of a new sub-class of Parallel issues that will be called [P3]. It corresponds to Commemorative stamps issued on the same day, with a different design, in which at least one country is using overprinted stamps, but those stamps do not exist as non-overprinted standard stamps.

Standard San Marino stamps with the same design show respectively the colors, red and brown (5L), violet and black (15L) or blue-green and blue (55L), while the overprinted stamps are respectively green and blue (5L), black and red (15L) or brown and blue (55L) with overprint respectively black (5L), blue (15L) or black (55L). Non-overprinted stamps with these colors do not exist. At the same date of April 12, 1950, Trieste (Zone A) issued the same Italian stamp with overprint “AMG-FTT” in red. Italian stamps were issued at 3,305,000 samples, San Marino at 3×37,411 samples and Trieste stamps at 150,000 samples. Note that the nine non-overprinted San Marino stamps were issued only at 14,033 samples each.

The catalogue Vol 2 will be updated accordingly and the new definition of [P3] will be introduced in Catalogue Vol 1.

Euromed stamps 2022 now available

by Richard Zimmermann

Don Birschel (USA) collected all information relative to the Euromed 2022 stamps, topic submarine archeology, which started to appear at different countries’ post offices since July 8, 2022. The collection is not complete yet, but he was able to provide most of the illustrations of the following countries:

Croatia (July 11 – 1 stamp, issued 30,000; ancient city of Pula-Pola, amphitheater) – Cyprus (July 11 – 1 stamp) – France (July 8 – 1 stamp, [5×3], 495,000; West Giraglia 2, submarine excavations, Cap Corse) – Greece (July 11 – 2 se-tenant stamps and souvenir sheet with 2 pairs of stamps, as well as a booklet with two pairs; [2px4], [1px2] and [2px1]) – Malta (July 11 – 2 stamps, 100,000 and 30,000; Citadella Victoria, Gozo and Phoenician shipwreck site, Xiendi Bay, Gozo) – Montenegro (July 12 – 1 stamp printed 40,000, in miniature sheet of 8 stamps [3×3] with central label; coin of King Ballaios (2nd century BC) – Morocco (July 11 – 1 stamp; view of Titwan) – Portugal (July 11 – 2 stamps; 2x[5×4], 2×75,000) – Slovenia (July 11 – 1 stamp, ancient city of Ajdovscina; [5×5]) – Spain (July 11 – 1 stamp; [4×4]; 134,000) – Tunisia (July 11 – 2 stamps; [5×4] and [4×5]; child paintings of Tastur and Takruma) – Turkey (July 9).

Although normally issued at time of printing this page, we are still missing detailed information from Cyprus , Morocco, Spain and Turkey. We know that Bosnia Herzegovina will issue its stamp only on November 15, 2022. Eventually, compared to previous years, we could also expect participation from the following countries: Albania, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine.

On top of this, the Albania Euromed 2021 stamps were issued on May 11, 2022. (block of four, issued 4,000, [b4x2]). Albania Euromed 2022 may become available only in 2023.

Switzerland – Thailand 2021

by Richard Zimmermann

The Switzerland – Thailand joint issue was released as planned on November 11, 2011. This series is celebrating the 90 years of relationship between both countries. Topics are different (trains and mountains) but related to both countries. Thailand stamps are printed as se-tenant pairs issued in miniature sheets of 5 pairs. Mixed FDCs are also available.

Blue Belt programme

by Richard Zimmermann

From Adam Paish (UK): The British government’s flagship ‘Blue Belt Programme’ has been supporting a number of UK Overseas Territories with the protection and sustainable management of their marine environments since 2016. The territories currently involved in the initiative are: 

  • Ascension Island
  • Saint Helena
  • Tristan da Cunha
  • British Antarctic Territory
  • British Indian Ocean Territory 
  • Pitcairn Islands
  • South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands

On November 9, 2021, the postal administrations of Ascension Island and South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands each released four stamps and a souvenir sheet (containing slightly different versions of the stamps) to publicise the programme. Stamps of similar designs will be released by Tristan da Cunha and the British Antarctic Territory as part of this issue, but no release date for these has yet been announced. The other territories are not expected to participate.