Latest Updates from the world of philately
Stamps on Musical Instruments – Portugal – EUROPA 2014.
The theme for the year 2014 EUROPA issue was Musical Instruments. Azores, Portugal & Madeira issued stamps on Musical Instruments on EUROPA 2014 on 09 May 2014. A FDC with three stamps on Gaite de Fole Mirandesa, Viola da Terra & Brinquinho is listed.
Stamps on Gaite de Fole Mirandesa – Portugal 2014.
The theme for the year 2014 EUROPA issue was Musical Instruments. The Portugal issued a miniature sheet on 09 May 2014 containing two stamps on a prominent musical instrument of Portugal – Gaite de Fole Mirandesa. The stamps feature a musician playing a Gaite de Fole Mirandesa and the Gaite de Fole Mirandesa. The stamps are E 20g ( FV 0.70 euro).
Gaite de Fole Mirandesa — It is a type of Bagpipe known to be native to Tras-os-Montes region of Portugal. Some Portuguese Regiments from Minho, Tras-o-Montes & Guarda use these bagpipes for marching tunes
A First Day cover with Miniature sheet is listed.
Stamps on Viola da Terra – Azores 2014.
The theme for the year 2014 EUROPA issue was Musical Instruments. The Azores issued a miniature sheet on 09 May 2014 containing two stamps on a prominent musical instrument of Azores – Viola da Terra. The stamps feature a musician playing a Viola da Terra and the Viola da Terra. The stamps are E 20g ( FV 0.70 euro).
Viola da Terra — It is a stringed musical instrument from the Islands of Azores. Its 12 or 15 strings are arranged in either five or six courses. It is constructed of wood in the hourglass shape. Strings are made of metal of very light gauge.
A First Day cover with Miniature sheet is listed.
Stamps on Brinquinho – Madeira 2014.
The theme for the year 2014 EUROPA issue was Musical Instruments. Madeira issued a miniature sheet containing two stamps on a prominent musical instrument of Madeira – Brinquinho. The stamps feature a musician playing a Brinquinho and the Brinquinho. The stamps are E 20 gr ( FV 0.70 euro).
Brinquinho – A Brinquinho ( meaning toy) is a very popular musical instrument of Madeira. It consists of dolls dressed in traditional dress. The figures carry a small castanet on their back. The Figurines or dolls are most often filled with sawdust. They are arranged in a circular fashion on two circular and superposed metal arcs. The castanets are mostly in wood. Furthermore, soda or beer bottle lids are fixed to the feet of the dolls.
These dolls are all attached to an articulated piston by an ingenious mechanism. The closest I can think of to describe it is that it has similarities with the apparatus used to open and close an umbrella. This mechanism if skillfully handled makes the dolls dance rhythmically. This frenetic dance activates the castanets. Hence it acts as an indirect percussion instrument.
The origin of this instrument could be North Portugal or Angola.
A First Day Cover with Miniature Sheet is listed.
Postcards of GDR- Palace of the Republic Berlin
The Palace of the Republic was a building in Former East Berlin that hosted the Volkskammer, The Parliament of the German Democratic Republic from 1976 to 1990. After German Unification, it was demolished between 2006 to 2008 and all asbestos shipped to UAE for building Burj Khalifa. The Bundestag has approved building a new and modern Berlin Palace in 2008. Italian architect Francesco Stella has been chosen as the architect.
GDR issued a postage stamp on this monument on 26 Jun 1973 and also a Postcard on 29 Jan 1980.
Another Postcard on the Palace of Republic was issued 04 Nov 1986.
Cancellations on Christmas Markets – Offenbach – Germany.
A Christmas Market also known as Christkindlmarkt (Christ Child Market) or Weihnachtsmarkt is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent. These markets originated in Germany and are traditionally held in the town square, the market has food and drinks stalls, seasonal items, singing and dancing. Dortmund with 3.5 million visitors and Cologne with four million visitors are known to be the largest Christmas markets.
Cancellations issued on these Christmas markets can be good addition to any collection on Christianity, Christ, Fairs and Markets, Culture and Traditions collection. A cancellation on Offenbach Christmas Market dated 19 Dec 1989 is listed.
Offenbach International Christmas Markets – The 2019 Offenbach International Christmas Market will take place from 25 Nov to 30 Dec 2019 at Stadthof, Aliceplatz. Offenbach is the city of the state of Hesse in Germany in Rhine-Main region on river Main. Once known for machine-building,leather-making & Automobile industries it is now known for Automobile industries.
Cancellations on Christmas Markets – Frankfurt – Germany.
A Christmas Market also known as Christkindlmarkt (Christ Child Market) or Weihnachtsmarkt is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent. These markets originated in Germany and are traditionally held in the town square, the market has food and drinks stalls, seasonal items, singing and dancing. Dortmund with 3.5 million visitors and Cologne with four million visitors are known to be the largest Christmas markets.
Cancellations issued on these Christmas markets can be good addition to any collection on Christianity, Christ, Fairs and Markets, Culture and Traditions collection. A cancellation on Frankfurt Christmas Market dated 18 Dec 1989 is listed.
Frankfurt International Christmas Markets – The 2019 Frankfurt International Christmas Market will take place from 25 Nov to 22 Dec 2019 at Romerburg and St Paul’s Square. Frankfurt is the largest city of the state of Hesse in Germany in Rhine-Main region Once known for Imperial Coronations & Roman Empire, it is now known as Financial hub of the World with Frankfurt stock exchange being one of the largest in the World.
