Singapore APEC FDC

Singapore FDC
Name: Asia - Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2009 Meetings
Date of Issue: 09 November 2009

Formed in 1989, the Asia - Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is the only inter-governmental grouping in the world operating on the basis of non-binding commitments, open dialogue and equal respect for the views of all participants. Each year, the APEC meetings bring together 21 economies from the Asia - Pacific region and member economies take turns to host the meetings. Singapore is proud to host the APEC meetings for 2009. A year-long event from February to November, it will see more than 15,000 delegates from the 21 APEC member economies attend some 123 meetings and events in Singapore. This will culminate in the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November where Leaders of the 21 APEC member economies will meet.

Singapore's hosting of APEC 2009 is significant as it is the first time the 21 APEC Economic Leaders will meet in Singapore. Singapore last chaired the APEC meetings in its second year in 1990, when the forum had only 12 members who met at the Ministerial level. This year also marks APEC's 20th anniversary as an inter-governmental grouping since its formation in 1989.

APEC's mission is to enhance economic growth and prosperity for the region and to strengthen the Asia - Pacific community. Over two decades, APEC has made positive contributions to businesses as well as individuals through the reduction of tariffs and trade barriers across the Asia - Pacific region, creating efficient domestic economies and in creasing exports.

As Chair of the APEC meetings for 2009, Singapore has chosen the theme "Sustaining Growth, Connecting the Region" which reflects the continuing efforts of APEC to facilitate trade and investment in the Asia - Pacific region. Such efforts have gained greater importance in the face of a challenging global economic environment. The year-long APEC meetings will see representatives from the 21 APEC member economies convene to discuss measures to support economic growth; address the global economic crisis; support the multilateral trading system; accelerate regional economic integration; and explore avenues to strengthen APEC as an inter-governmental grouping.

With more than 15,000 participants in Singapore during the year-long event and up to 1,500 local and international media during the APEC Leaders' Week from 8 to 15 November itself, it is a golden opportunity for Singapore to play host to our foreign guests, and to showcase what Singapore has to offer - not just in terms of being an attractive business venue, but also to promote Singapore as an exciting place to work, live and play, with our vibrant multicultural heritage, efficient infrastructure, and thriving entertainment scene.

Lithuania Christmas FDC

Lithuania FDC
Name: Holy Christmas and New Year
Date of Issue: 07 November 2009

2009 Christmas FDC:
Lithuania.

2008 Christmas FDCs:
Canada: The Nativity, Canada: Winter Fun, Estonia, Italy, Lithuania.

2007 Christmas FDCs:
Estonia, Finland, Hong Kong, Japan, Lithuania, Ukraine, Vatican.

Estonia Manor Hall FDC

Estonia FDC
Name: Estonian Manor Halls - Saku Hall
Date of Issue: 05 November 2009

Saku Hall is the most outstanding architectural monument in the small town of Saku on the middle reaches of the Vääna River close to Tallinn, one of the most beautiful examples of Classical architecture in Estonia. The first reports of the manor go back to 1489 when the manor seat was situated a few kilometres to the south from the present location. It moved to where it stands today in the 17th century. It had a number of earlier owners but in 1765 Otto Magnus von Rehbinder bought the estate. His grandson Paul Eduard started to build up the mansion in a grand style. The manor hall has a portico with rich decor supporting on four beautiful columns and large “Venetian” windows. The architect has remained unidentified (the famous Carlo Rossi of St. Petersburg has been suggested as one of the possible authors). Stucco décor and stencilled paintings enhance the interior. In the 20th century the manor hall housed a domestic economy school and then a specialised secondary school. It has also served as the seat of the local government. Today Saku Hall functions as a holiday and seminar centre.

Hong Kong Football M/S FDC

Hong Kong Minisheet FDC
Name: Football (Brazil - Hong Kong Joint Issue)
Date of Issue: 05 November 2009

Football, a popular sport all over the globe, has long been a favourite pastime for people from all walks of life in Hong Kong. In Brazil, it is a sport played and watched with a national pride and passion that is deeply ingrained in Brazilian culture. To share with philately lovers the worldwide enthusiasm for the sport, Hongkong Post and Brazil Post jointly release the “Football” special stamps. This is our tenth joint issue with an overseas postal administration.

Professional football in Hong Kong dates back to 1968. The British style dominated at the beginning. From late 1990s onwards, however, more and more Brazilian footballers joined in, particularly the First Division clubs, bringing their unique style of play to the Hong Kong pitch. The Hong Kong Football Representative Team, which represents Hong Kong in international football tournaments, competed for the first time in World Cup qualification in 1973 and further advanced to the knockout stage in 1977 and 1985. To promote the sport locally, the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) organises various programmes to nurture young players. Talented footballers have the opportunity to join clubs in the HKFA leagues or represent Hong Kong in international competitions.

Football made its first touch down on Brazilian soil over a hundred years ago. It has now captured the energy and imagination of the whole nation from the streets to the leagues. Brazilian football emphasises aggressive attacks, passing skills and swift movements. What sets Brazilian football apart is its stylistic footwork with rhythm and choreography. Brazil appeared at the first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930 and hosted the World Cup in 1950. The Brazil National Football Team is considered one of the most successful national football teams in World Cup history with its record five victories in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.

In 2005, the Brazil National Football Team made its first visit to Hong Kong to play a friendly match against the Hong Kong Football Representative Team. With top-notch players from the five-time champion team, the event was exhilarating for football fans in Hong Kong.

The joint issue depicts players in action from both the Brazil and Hong Kong teams in comic strip style. The four stamps feature Header by Striker ($1.40), Defense by Goalkeeper ($2.40), Long Pass by Skipper ($3) and Tackle by Defender ($5). In the design, quarters of the football positioned in different corners of the stamps come together at the centre to form a complete picture, symbolising the team spirit of this popular sport.

China Sheetlet: 2009-27

China Sheetlet II
Name: Ancient Academies (2nd Series) 古代书院 (二)
Number: 2009-27
Date of Issue: 15 November 2009
Value: 8 stamps/sheet

Denominations:
1.20元 (4-1): Shigu Academy & Han Yu (石鼓书院 & 韩愈)
Shigu Academy was named after its location on the Shigu Mountain north to Hengyang City, Hunan Province. It was originally the place where Li Kuanzhong, a scholar in the Tang Dynasty, Built a studio, and later it became, in the Song Dynasty, an academy, attracting many famous scholars and followers. Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty bestowed the land and the tablet bearing Shigu Academy on it, making the Academy highly reputed throughout the country.

1.20元 (4-2): Anding Academy & Hu Yuan (安定书院 & 胡瑗)
Anding Academy lies in the Taizhou Middle School in Jiangsu Province. Hu Yuan, a renowned educator in the Northern Song Dynasty, once taught here, and developed the educational thought of combining both theory and practice, and implementing the education by subjects. The Academy was built by Chen Gai, the then governor of Taizhou in the Southern Song Dynasty, on the former site where Hu Yuan gave lectures. As one of the earliest academies of classical learning in Jiangsu Province, it had cultivated a large number of outstanding talents.

1.20元 (4-3): Ehu Academy & Zhu Xi, Lu Jiuyuan (鹅湖书院 & 朱熹, 陆九渊)
Located north of the Ehu Mountain in Qianshan County, Jiangxi Province, Ehu Academy was built by Cai Kang, a judicial official in the Song Dynasty, to mark the Ehu Meeting of such philosophers as Zhu Xi, Lv Zuqian, Lu Jiuyuan and Lu Jiuling. Now, the major architectures of the Academy have been well preserved with an integral layout after several times of destruction, rebuilding and renovation during the ups and downs over the past 800 years.

1.20元 (4-4): Dongpo Academy & Su Dongpo (东坡书院 & 苏东坡)
Dongpo Academy, situated in Danzhou, Hainan Province, was first built in the Song Dynasty with the original name of Zaijiutang. It gradually evolved from a venue where Su Dongpo, a great scholar in the song Dynasty, assembled with local scholars during his exile in Danzhou to an academy with sacrificial and educational functions. Dongpo Academy, the supreme academy in Danzhou for all the following dynasties, is an important cultural site in Hainan Province.

Hong Kong Football FDCs

Hong Kong FDCs
Name: Football (Brazil - Hong Kong Joint Issue)
Date of Issue: 05 November 2009

Football, a popular sport all over the globe, has long been a favourite pastime for people from all walks of life in Hong Kong. In Brazil, it is a sport played and watched with a national pride and passion that is deeply ingrained in Brazilian culture. To share with philately lovers the worldwide enthusiasm for the sport, Hongkong Post and Brazil Post jointly release the “Football” special stamps. This is our tenth joint issue with an overseas postal administration.

Professional football in Hong Kong dates back to 1968. The British style dominated at the beginning. From late 1990s onwards, however, more and more Brazilian footballers joined in, particularly the First Division clubs, bringing their unique style of play to the Hong Kong pitch. The Hong Kong Football Representative Team, which represents Hong Kong in international football tournaments, competed for the first time in World Cup qualification in 1973 and further advanced to the knockout stage in 1977 and 1985. To promote the sport locally, the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) organises various programmes to nurture young players. Talented footballers have the opportunity to join clubs in the HKFA leagues or represent Hong Kong in international competitions.

Football made its first touch down on Brazilian soil over a hundred years ago. It has now captured the energy and imagination of the whole nation from the streets to the leagues. Brazilian football emphasises aggressive attacks, passing skills and swift movements. What sets Brazilian football apart is its stylistic footwork with rhythm and choreography. Brazil appeared at the first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930 and hosted the World Cup in 1950. The Brazil National Football Team is considered one of the most successful national football teams in World Cup history with its record five victories in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.

In 2005, the Brazil National Football Team made its first visit to Hong Kong to play a friendly match against the Hong Kong Football Representative Team. With top-notch players from the five-time champion team, the event was exhilarating for football fans in Hong Kong.

The joint issue depicts players in action from both the Brazil and Hong Kong teams in comic strip style. The four stamps feature Header by Striker ($1.40), Defense by Goalkeeper ($2.40), Long Pass by Skipper ($3) and Tackle by Defender ($5). In the design, quarters of the football positioned in different corners of the stamps come together at the centre to form a complete picture, symbolising the team spirit of this popular sport.

Russia Rank FDC

Russia FDC
Name: The 75th Anniversary of a Rank of the Hero of Soviet Union
Date of Issue: 29 October 2009

The title Hero of the Soviet Union (Russian: Герой Советского Союза, Geroy Sovyetskogo Soyuza) was the highest distinction in the Soviet Union, awarded personally or collectively for heroic feats in service to the Soviet state and society.

The award was established on April 16, 1934. The first recipients of the title originally received only the Order of Lenin, the highest Soviet award, along with certificate (грамота, gramota) describing the heroic deed from the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. Because the Order of Lenin could be awarded for deeds not qualifying for the title of hero, and to distinguish heroes from other Order of Lenin holders, the Gold Star medal was introduced on August 1, 1939. Earlier heroes were retroactively eligible for these items. More...

Singapore Attractions JI FDC

Singapore Joint Issue FDC
Name: Tourist Attractions (Indonesia - Singapore Joint Issue)
Date of Issue: 28 October 2009

Singapore and Indonesia enjoy warm and friendly ties. Both countries are close neighbours and each other's major trading partners. Ministers and officials from both countries work closely together bilaterally, as well at international fora such as ASEAN to advance common interests. In this stamp issue, selected attractions of both countries are featured.

Denominations:
1ST LOCAL: Singa Ambara Raja Statue
Singa Ambara Raja statue is the landmark of Singaraja City on the northern part of Bali. Adapted from Buleleng regency symbol, this statue uniquely depicts a winged lion holding a big corn in one of its front leg. The statue was officially inaugurated on 30 March 1971 to signify the historical struggle of Singaraja people against Dutch colony.

65c: Merlion
The iconic Merlion is Singapore's most enduring symbol. The name of the half-lion, half-fish creature is a combination of both Singapore's ancient name "Temasek" (meaning "sea town") and original name "Singapura" (meaning "Lion City").

80c: Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful Indonesian Miniature Park)
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah or "Beautiful Indonesian Miniature Park" is a recreational spot with splendid cultural highlights of the grandeur of Indonesia. Officially opened on 20 April 1975, it covers nearly 250 acres of area at the eastern side of Jakarta. The park is a summary of Indonesian culture, with virtually all aspects of daily life of each provinces of Indonesia encapsulated in separate pavilions with collection of architectures, clothing, dances and traditions.

$1.10: Sentosa
Sentosa was a British military fortress until 1967 when it was handed back to the newly independent Singapore Government. In 1968, the Government decided to develop the island into a holiday resort for local visitors and tourists. The public was invited to suggest names for the island and "Sentosa" - meaning peace & tranquility in Malay - was eventually chosen for the island resort in 1972.

Singapore Attractions M/S FDC

Singapore Minisheet FDC
Name: Tourist Attractions (Indonesia - Singapore Joint Issue)
Date of Issue: 28 October 2009

Singapore and Indonesia enjoy warm and friendly ties. Both countries are close neighbours and each other's major trading partners. Ministers and officials from both countries work closely together bilaterally, as well at international fora such as ASEAN to advance common interests. In this stamp issue, selected attractions of both countries are featured.

Denominations:
1ST LOCAL: Singa Ambara Raja Statue
Singa Ambara Raja statue is the landmark of Singaraja City on the northern part of Bali. Adapted from Buleleng regency symbol, this statue uniquely depicts a winged lion holding a big corn in one of its front leg. The statue was officially inaugurated on 30 March 1971 to signify the historical struggle of Singaraja people against Dutch colony.

65c: Merlion
The iconic Merlion is Singapore's most enduring symbol. The name of the half-lion, half-fish creature is a combination of both Singapore's ancient name "Temasek" (meaning "sea town") and original name "Singapura" (meaning "Lion City").

80c: Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful Indonesian Miniature Park)
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah or "Beautiful Indonesian Miniature Park" is a recreational spot with splendid cultural highlights of the grandeur of Indonesia. Officially opened on 20 April 1975, it covers nearly 250 acres of area at the eastern side of Jakarta. The park is a summary of Indonesian culture, with virtually all aspects of daily life of each provinces of Indonesia encapsulated in separate pavilions with collection of architectures, clothing, dances and traditions.

$1.10: Sentosa
Sentosa was a British military fortress until 1967 when it was handed back to the newly independent Singapore Government. In 1968, the Government decided to develop the island into a holiday resort for local visitors and tourists. The public was invited to suggest names for the island and "Sentosa" - meaning peace & tranquility in Malay - was eventually chosen for the island resort in 1972.

Singapore Attractions FDC

Singapore FDC
Name: Tourist Attractions (Indonesia - Singapore Joint Issue)
Date of Issue: 28 October 2009

Singapore and Indonesia enjoy warm and friendly ties. Both countries are close neighbours and each other's major trading partners. Ministers and officials from both countries work closely together bilaterally, as well at international fora such as ASEAN to advance common interests. In this stamp issue, selected attractions of both countries are featured.

Denominations:
1ST LOCAL: Singa Ambara Raja Statue
Singa Ambara Raja statue is the landmark of Singaraja City on the northern part of Bali. Adapted from Buleleng regency symbol, this statue uniquely depicts a winged lion holding a big corn in one of its front leg. The statue was officially inaugurated on 30 March 1971 to signify the historical struggle of Singaraja people against Dutch colony.

65c: Merlion
The iconic Merlion is Singapore's most enduring symbol. The name of the half-lion, half-fish creature is a combination of both Singapore's ancient name "Temasek" (meaning "sea town") and original name "Singapura" (meaning "Lion City").

80c: Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful Indonesian Miniature Park)
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah or "Beautiful Indonesian Miniature Park" is a recreational spot with splendid cultural highlights of the grandeur of Indonesia. Officially opened on 20 April 1975, it covers nearly 250 acres of area at the eastern side of Jakarta. The park is a summary of Indonesian culture, with virtually all aspects of daily life of each provinces of Indonesia encapsulated in separate pavilions with collection of architectures, clothing, dances and traditions.

$1.10: Sentosa
Sentosa was a British military fortress until 1967 when it was handed back to the newly independent Singapore Government. In 1968, the Government decided to develop the island into a holiday resort for local visitors and tourists. The public was invited to suggest names for the island and "Sentosa" - meaning peace & tranquility in Malay - was eventually chosen for the island resort in 1972.

China Stamps: 2009-29

China Stamps
Name: Stage Art of Ma Lianliang (马连良舞台艺术)
Number: 2009-29
Date of Issue: 28 November 2009
Value: 2 stamps/set

Denominations:
1.20元 (2-1): Summoning the East Wind (借东风)
1.20元 (2-2): Orphan of the Zhao Family (赵氏孤儿)

Ma Lianliang (1901 - 1966), a native of Beijing, of Hui ethnic group, was a renowned master of Peking Opera. At the age of eight, he entered Xi Lian Cheng Opera School. After graduation, he combined what he learned from the school with bold innovation, and based on stage practice, he gradually developed a unique artistic style of his own, which is now commonly known as the Ma School. The images he portrayed on stage featured distinctive personalities, and in addition to outstanding performance in singing, recitation and acting, the master impressed the audience with his accurate representation of scenarios and vivid depiction of dramatic figures, thus realizing a perfect fusion of play plots with artistic forms. His most representative plays, including "Summoning the East Wind", "Sweet Dew Temple", "Su Wu as a Shepherd" and "Orphan of the Zhao Family", enjoy great popularity among the audience. The superb stage art of Ma Lianliang made a great contribution to the development of Peking Opera, exerting a profound influence that still lingers today.

Lithuania Geodetic Arc FDC

Lithuania FDC
Name: The World Heritage Objects: The Struve Geodetic Arc
Date of Issue: 24 October 2009

Denominations:
2 Lt: Triangulation Chain of Struve Arc
2 Lt: Point in Meškonys of Struve's Arc

Friedrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve (1793–1864), the professor of University of Tartu in Estonia developed methodology for measuring the arc of the meridian of the earth. He composed a triangulation chain of 258 triangles with special markings firmed on top. This chain was later named Struve Geodetic Arc in honour of the professor.

The establishment of Struve Geodetic Arc in 1816–1852 is one of the greatest and most impressive attempts to determine the exact size and shape of the earth. The triangulation chain passed through territories of ten countries – from the northernmost European city Hammerfest in Norway to Ismail in Ukraine at the Black Sea. The Arc crosses Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russian Federation, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova. The fragments of this triangulation chain, which extended through the mentioned countries 2822 kilometres, were used for the calculation of the arc of meridian.

In the territory of Lithuania 3 points of Geodetic Arc out of 18 present in the country are marked: one in Rokiškis district (Gireišiai village) and two in Vilnius district (Paliepiukai and Meškonys villages).

From 2005 the Struve Geodetic Arc was inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List. The Struve Geodetic Arc is the first trans-national nomination in the World Heritage List, introduced by ten states.

On June 16 2006 the geodetic point in Meškonys was introduced to the public.

Russia Road Safety FDC

Russia FDC
Name: Road Safety
Date of Issue: 22 October 2009

Road safety - a complex of measures aimed at ensuring the safety of all road users.

Ensuring safety on the roads of Russia Today includes a series of measures: tightening of administrative responsibility, the introduction of technical means and systems using photo-and video fixation, outreach and advocacy.

Estonia Windmill FDC

Estonia FDC
Name: Estonian Mills - Angla Windmill
Date of Issue: 22 October 2009

The Angla windmills lie in Angla Village at the Upa-Leisi road, one of the main traffic and tourist routes of Estonia's western Saaremaa Island. The group of windmills is a Saaremaa must, being a symbol of the island and one of the best surviving groups of windmills in Estonia, standing at its original location on Angla Windmill Hill. The group consists of five windmills – four post windmills with rotatory bodies, the fifth being an octagonal wooden Dutch windmill with a rotatory boat-shaped roof and gallery. The Reinu windmill, dating back to the beginning of the 19th century, is the oldest in the group. Lause windmill (1880) probably has older parts in its structure. The third windmill in the complex is that of Viita. The Vilidu windmill (1913) was thoroughly restored in 2008 and has the original function of grinding flour with a miller working as a guide there in the summer. The Tedre Dutch windmill (1927) is currently under restoration. The administrators of Angla Windmill Hill know their ancestors' heritage and how to take care of it and are now working at a paper about the history of Saaremaa's windmills.

Russia Admiral FDC

Russia FDC
Name: The 200th Anniversary of Birth of Vladimir Istomin, the Hero of the Sevastopol Defence 1854-1855
Date of Issue: 14 October 2009

Vladimir Ivanovich Istomin (Владимир Иванович Истомин in Russian) (1809 – March 7(19), 1855) was a Russian rear admiral (1853) and hero of the Siege of Sevastopol.

In 1827, Vladimir Istomin graduated from the Naval College. That same year, he then took part in the Battle of Navarino and later in the blockade of the Dardanelles (1828-1829). In 1836, Istomin was transferred from the Baltic Fleet to the Black Sea Fleet. In 1850, he was appointed commander of the battleship Paris (Париж), which would participate in the Battle of Sinop in 1853. During the siege of Sevastopol, Vladimir Istomin was in charge of the defense of the Malakhov Mound (Малахов курган) and nearby redoubts, setting an example of bravery and tenacity. He was killed by a cannonball on the Kamchatka redoubt on March 7, 1855.

Vladimir Istomin was buried in Sevastopol.