 Portugal/Vietnam Joint Issue 2016-07-01 While not much information about this issue has been found, on July 1, 2016 Portugal and Vietnam postal agencies released a joint issue marking, what appears to be, 500 years of trade and cultural relations. The issue consists of a total of four stamps, two common designs, one from each country. The 0.47EUR and 12000VDN denominations feature an oblique view of Lisbon from 1593, described by Portuguese Post as “Olissipo quae nunc Lisboa, em Civitates orbis terrarum, Georgio Braunio.” The 0.80EUR and 3000VDN denominations feature a similar oblique image, but of Hoi-An, a port city located on the eastern coast of Vietnam. Hoi-An was first visited by Portuguese traders in the mid 1500s, and who sought to establish a trading center at the port. Today Hoi-An is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The stamps also feature “pottery objects,” depicting what appears to be a “plate with oriental designs” (0.47EUR and 12000VDN), and a “kind of vase” (0.80EUR and 3000VDN). Flags of both Portugal and Vietnam are also featured on the stamps. [ this is a nice looking issue but unfortunately difficult to find much information. updates are welcome. -admin]
 Switzerland (WebStamp) 2016 As part of promotional activities for the International Map Year (IMY) the Swiss Cartographic Society has issued a personalized “WebStamp” through Swiss Post. The Swiss Post’s personalized “WebStamps” enable online design of adhesive stamps. The horizontal formatted label depicts a perforated “stamp” area on the left containing the International Cartographic Society (ICA) logo in the upper left corner, with the IMY logo along the lower section of the stamp. The Swiss Cartographic Society Logo is in the upper right corner of the stamp. The remainder of the label consists of a 2d-barcode, denomination and postal permit markings. The label also contains the “pro clima” logo, signifying that delivery of the letter will be carbon-neutral, thanks to a “high-value” climate protection contribution from Swiss Post. There are a total of 4 denominations, all in Swiss Francs (CHF) of 0.85, 1.00 (standard denomination), 1.30, 1.80. The Swiss Cartographic Society will be using the stamps on all Society mail and hopes that the stamps will raise awareness of the IMY and other cartographic related activities. [ Note: If you are interested in purchasing one or more of the labels, please email CPS member Thomas Schulz. There are two offers: OFFER 1: Two (2) mint stamps at 1.00 CHF plus a nicely postmarked “WebStamp” on the envelope for 10 USD/EUR/CHF or OFFER 2: The whole set of four (4) stamps at 0.85 / 1.00 / 1.30 / 1.80 CHF plus a nicely postmarked “WebStamp” on the envelope for 15 USD/EUR/CHF ]
 Luxembourg 2016-05-10 On May 5, 2016 Luxembourg Post issued a new mini-sheet marking the 500th anniversary of the Thurn and Taxis Postal Route’s passage through the country. As described by Luxembourg’s Philatelic web site, the first postal routes were formed from the necessity to exchange messages among the royal, imperial and pontifical courts. Since the 15th century, the Taxis family was known for its courier and message services. Following a convention signed in 1516 between the family and Charles V., the Netherlands – Germany – Italy postal route even passed through northern Luxembourg with a probable postal relay at Hoffelt, as described in a document dated 19 July 1520. On 18 June 2016, this bit of philatelic history will be commemorated through a series of joint events with Luxembourgian, German and Belgian post offices in the cities of Arzfeld and Asselborn with special post offices and philately associations. From a cartophilatelic standpoint, the mini-sheet depicts a map with red circles representing five postal stations (Flamisoulle, Bourcy/Michamp, Hoffelt, Asselborn, Arzfeld) shown in the upper section of the sheet. In addition, the sheet portrays the territorial evolution of Luxembourg. The five postal stations depicted on the sheet were part of Luxembourg 500 years ago. However, since 1839, only two postal stations, Hoffelt and Asselborn, still remain in Luxembourg. Arzfelt is now in Germany and Flamisoulle and Bourcy/Michamp are in Belgium. Historically, the north-western part of Luxembourg was integrated into Prussia, in 1815 and the western, French speaking part of Luxembourg, was integrated into Belgium as the Province of Luxembourg in 1839. Forest areas, depicted by groups of small trees along with postal riders on horses are interspersed in the background of the sheet. In the center of the sheet are two horizontal stamps. The €4.00 left stamp shows the post rider and horse with commemorative slogan. The right stamp is an non-denominated label and shows two coats of arms, the one on the right appears to be the Thurn and Taxis coat of arms, however there is no mention about the one on the left. [ if anyone has clarifications and more information about this sheet or the coat of arms, please let us know. thanks to CPS members Neil C. for telling us about this issue, and Pierre M for providing a clarification of the detailed historical background so much history shown in one small sheet! -web admin ]
 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 2016-03-21 French Post has issued a set of six stamps for the overseas collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon on March 21, 2016. The set share a common design, [not sure if they are to be considered a definitive issue] a map of the islands, which appears to be a satellite image, clipped to the shoreline of the two islands. The ocean background of the imagery has been replaced by six solid colors (light blue, light yellow, light green gray, lilac and pink) one for each denomination, €0.01, €0.02, €0.03, €0.05, €0.10, 20g (grams). The original black water pixels from the imagery are still visible in scattered small ponds, and in both the Grand Étang de Miquelon and the Étang de Mirande, two large ponds in the northern region of Grande Miquelon island. However the Grand Barachois lagoon has been filled with the respective background color. The stamp depicted here looks like a self-adhesive, but the web page states the issue is gummed. [ any additional information is welcome. some of the denominations appear to be sold out on the French Post webstore. -admin ]
On March 28, 2016 Malta Post issued a souvenir sheet making the 450th anniversary of the Foundation of Valletta. Much fascinating information can be found about the history of Malta. The Wikipedia entry about Valletta describes the Great Siege of 1565, when Fort Saint Elmo fell to the Ottomans, but the Order of St. John eventually won the siege with the help of the Spanish.
 Malta 2016-03-28 The victorious Grand Master, Jean de Valette, immediately began to build a new fortified city on Sciberras Peninsula to fortify the Order’s position in Malta and bind the Knights to the island. The city took his name and was called La Valletta. The Malta Post website adds some additional information. On March 28th 1566 a foundation stone bearing the eight-pointed cross was placed near the gate to what was to become the new city. The site was decorated with flags, some of which depicted the emblem of the Order and that of the Grand-master. Legend has it that coins in circulation together with some specially minted ones as well as medals were placed inside a lead cup together with the stone and embedded in the masonry. The single stamp souvenir sheet depicts an image of de Valette on the right. The €4.25 denominated stamp, possibly depicting one of the specially minted coins, is shown in the center of the sheet. Below the stamp appears to be a heraldic escutcheon, possibly de Valette’s. On the left of the sheet is an antique city plan of the new city and fortifications, that later would become the capitol of Malta. The entire city of Valletta was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, and has been selected as the European Capital of Culture for 2018. As a result, various restoration projects are under way. [if anyone has a reference for the city plan shown on the souvenir sheet, please let us know. a quick image search of Valetta turned up a number of nice looking maps, including this large scale AMS 1943 topographic city plan from the magnificent online archive at the University of Austin’s Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection. -admin]
On February 18, 2016, Iceland Post issued a new stamp marking the 150th anniversary of the town of Ísafjörður (Fjord of ice), which is located on the Vestfirðir (Westfjords) peninsula in the northwest of the country. The self-adhesive, ISK 170 denominated set of one depicts the town in the foreground with a large cliff and mountain outcrop in the background. While the actual stamp does not contain a map, a large-scale street network/block view is visible in the left and right selvage of the sheet. The sheet contains 10 stamps. The stamp appears to be for domestic use.
 Iceland 2016-02-18
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Welcome to the CartoPhilatelic Society Celebrating our 67th Year as a Society. Come and Join Us!
The CartoPhilatelic Society has entered our 68th year as a Society! In 1955 a group of philatelists with a keen interest in map stamps founded the CartoPhilatelic Society. Today we carry on their passion for map stamps in the collections we assemble and the research we conduct.
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