Cat

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.

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.

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.