Some recent issues from Argentina have come to our attention over the past few weeks. Thank you for your submissions. There has been some information on the new web store site from Argentine Post. If you have additional information or links, please tell us.
 Argentina 2015-03-09, 50th Anniversary of South Pole Expedition On March 9, 2015 Argentine Post issued a special sheet marking the 50th anniversary of “Operation 90” the first Argentine expedition to the South Pole. An edited translation of the text from the web site describes the background of the expedition. In 1965, a group of men from the Argentine Army proposed reaching the South Pole by land from the General Belgrano Base, located at 77 ° 46 ‘south latitude and 38 ° 11’ west longitude, on the Filchner Barrier. The expedition began on October 26, 1965 and was an extremely arduous journey, slowed by deep cracks and ridges of wind-blown snow (sastrugis). However, despite the difficulties, the team, traveling by snow cats, continued their journey and reached the South Pole on December 10, 1965. They returned to Belgrano Base on December 31, 1965. Additional information is also available on these two comprehensive web sites, here and here. The sheet, measuring 100mm x 150mm contains two stamps, in denominations of $11 and $14 Argentine Pesos (ARS). The upper stamp, $11, has a picture of the team leader, Colonel Jorge Edgard Leal, along with a map showing the Belgrano Base, and an inset map of Argentine territories in Antarctica. The lower stamp, $14, depicts the team, saluting the Argentine flag on December 10, 1965 at the South Pole. The remainder of the sheet shows the route the team traveled, along with specific dates and images of research activities carried out along the way. Issued in conjunction with the 50th anniversary sheet is a single $6 denominated stamp [not shown here] marking the discovery, in 1986 by an expedition from the Argentine Antarctic Institute to James Ross Island, of the remains of an unknown species of dinosaur, Antarctopelta Oliveroi. The genus of dinosaur ankylosaur represented by a single species, Oliveroi, that lived in the late Cretaceous period in what is now Antarctica, which is depicted on the stamp, and there is no map on this single stamp.
  Some recent issues from South America have come to our attention over the past few weeks. It has been difficult to find detailed information and also official postal issuing agency links for these items. If have additional information or links, please tell us.
The first issue is from Chile Post and is a set of seven stamps with various types of, possibly older, maps and charts. Issued in 2015, denominations for the set range from $10 to $1000 Chilean Pesos (CLP).  In ascending order, the $10 stamp depicts a large-scale street/block map of Santiago, the $50 and $60 denominations show the Antarctic continent with what appear to be territorial claim boundaries. The remaining four stamps depict islands, the $80 and $100 denominations are of Isla Robinson Crusoe (Juan Fernández Islands) . Visible on these two stamps is what appears to be a statue of a man. The final two stamps, both $1000 show Isla de Pascua (Easter Island), each with slightly different shape, possibly due to the date of the maps.
In addition to the map set, another issue from Chile for Christmas 2015 was also released. Assumed as a set of one, this $310 denominated stamp features the shape of Chile as the white trunk of a Christmas tree on a green background, with what appear to be various postmarks in red and white depicting the ornaments on the tree.
Some recent issues from Argentina have come to our attention over the past few weeks. Thank you for your submissions. There has been some information on the new web store site from Argentine Post. If you have additional information or links, please tell us.
 Argentina 2015 Ciudad Evita Mini-sheet In 2015, Argentine Post issued a mini-sheet showing an aerial view of the planned community, Ciudad Evita (Evita City). The mini-sheet contains two $25 Argentine Peso (ARS) denominated stamps on the left side. The upper stamp shows an image taken from a painting by Argentine artist Daniel Santoro entitled “The dream of home ownership“ (2009). The lower stamp appears to be a photograph showing a street level view of two-story houses, probably from the planned community. The remainder of the sheet shows an aerial map view of Cuidad Evita, showing structures and areas of open parcels. Portions of the street network are embossed into the sheet. Some say that the layout of the community is in the silhouette of Evita Peron. In 1997 the city was declared a National Historic Monument of Argentina.
 Argentina 2015 ITU 150th Anniversary To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the International Telecommunica-tion Union (ITU), Argentine Post issued a single stamp depicting the ARSAT-1 the first geostationary communications satellite built and operated by Argentine organiza-tions. The $10 ARS denomination shows the ARSAT-1 satellite orbiting the Earth, with the northern portion of the south american continent visible in the lower left corner of the stamp. In the lower right corner, is the ITU 150 year anniversary logo.
 Argentina 2015-04-27 On April 27, 2015 Argentine Post issued a block of four stamps depicting the multiple uses of trees. Four kind of trees are shown [Lapacho Rosado, Araucaria, Sauce, and Brea] along with various products obtained from the trees. These products include foods, liquids and various kinds of medicines. Featured on each stamp is a map of Argentine provinces showing, what appears to be, the distribution of each tree species depicted shown in green on the map. The perforated block of four stamps are all in a denomination of $6 ARS.
 Niue 2015-10-13 The south-pacific island of Niue will issue a mini-sheet of eight stamps marking the island’s gallant contribution of joining New Zealand’s Expeditionary Forces in World War I. As presented on the New Zealand Post web site, “Although Niue’s population was small, they volunteered for service for the First World War in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces as soon as word of the war reached their shores in September 1914. Initially New Zealand rejected their offer, but it was reconsidered when the numbers of the Māori Contingent were severely affected during the Gallipoli campaign. In October 1915 150 men left Niue for Auckland, where they trained at Narrow Neck Camp before departing for the Western Front. Sadly, despite the best of intentions, the Niuean contribution encountered many difficulties, including struggling with the standard issue footwear, the cold climate and a lack of immunity to European diseases. By the end of May 1916, 80 per cent of the men had been hospitalised, and so they were withdrawn from the Western Front and transferred to the New Zealand convalescent hospital in Hornchurch, England. They returned to Auckland for further medical care before being sent home by late 1916. Even with all the hardships they faced, the Niuean’s still volunteered for duty once more, but the offer was declined.” The mini-sheet of two columns of four stamps depicts various time-line events and places during the Niuean deployment with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. One stamp, the $1.20 denomination features a map of northern Egypt where the Niueans were stationed in February 2016 as part of the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion where they engaged in engineering support.
 Finland, 2015-09-11 Finland Post autumn graphic design inspired “Animal Town” mini-sheet features 6 self-adhesive stamps representing various buildings as pictured from a large scale, oblique perspective “map-like” view. The September 11, 2015, 6,60€ denominated mini-sheet issue features an urban designed by graphic artist and illustrator Lotta Nieminen and depicts a “good-humored imaginary town in which animals and people live happily side by side.” Nieminen, “designed a small house in each of the stamps, allowing people to put together a miniature town of their own when they use the stamps on an envelope or package,” said of her design.
 Croatia, 2015-07-09 Another issue, also depicting an extremely large scale oblique perspective “map-like” view is this September 7, 2015 issue of a stamp design contest from Croatia Post. The 3.10 HRK denominated single stamp features the theme of Children’s Traffic Safety and uses a brightly colored drawing by stamp design competition winner and student Ema Harčević. The stamp illustrates various traffic safety related themes, such as a cross-walk/intersection, roads with cars, signals and signage, along with potential accident scenarios.
[while these may not be traditional “A type” map stamps, as defined by by the MoS Checklist, they are worthy of consideration as “O type” map stamps of some variety. perhaps it is the “oblique aerial perspective” or generalized designs. in any case, they represent unique forms of map stamps. in similar consideration, some may wonder if this issue from Latvia is a kind of map stamp? it is an aerial image and while a number of satellite and aerial images are listed as “O type” map stamps, however because of its scale, should this issue from Latvia also be listed in the MoS? ]
Swiss Post released a set of three mini-sheets making the bicentenary of the cantons of Geneva, Neuchatel and Valais joining the Swiss Confederation.
 Switzerland 2015-05-07 The sheets issued on May 7, 2015 depict stylized images of the flags of the three cantons set in a 2 x 3 block of stamps. On the right hand portion of the sheets, three unique maps surround the stamps in the background of each of the sheets.
 Canada 2015-08-06 On August 6, 2015 Canada Post released a set of stamps marking the 2014 discovery of the remains of HMS Erebus, one of two ships from Sir John Franklin’s ill-fated 1840’s journey in search of the Northwest Passage. A number of formats of the issue exist. On the pane of 16 stamps, set in two columns with a red seal bearing Franklin’s portrait in gutter, are eight pairs of se-tenant domestic stamps. The left stamp depicts the HMS Erebus encased in ice, while the right stamp shows a map of the Arctic region where the expedition perished. Text in the gutter of the pane and locations on the map are written in Inuktut, a tribute to the stories of Inuit eyewitnesses, passed down through oral accounts which helped pinpoint the discovery of the remains. A single-stamp, international rate ($2.50) mini-sheet was also issued. The main background image of the mini-sheet shows an underwater photo depicting the finding of Erebus’ bell. This is overlaid by a a map of the region where the expedition perished. The international stamp on the mini-sheet features a sonar image of HMS Erebus with a line drawing of the ship’s main deck. A booklet, featuring 10 stamps from the domestic pane was also issued. The background on the booklet sheet appears to be a different smaller scale map of the area.
 Canada 2015-07-10  In addition to the Franklin Expedition issue, on July 10, 2015 Canada Post released a booklet of 10 self-adhesive domestic Permanent “P” denominated stamps honoring Canadian author and Nobel Prize winner Alice Munro. While there is no map on the actual stamp, a slightly visible map is shown in the upper left corner of the booklet pane. The main design of the issue features a photograph of Ms. Munro taken by her daughter Sheila. Regarding the rest of the design Canada Post describes as containing “a sample of Munro’s handwriting from archival material, and vintage images of Wingham, Ontario, the author’s birthplace and the stamp’s cancel site.” Perhaps the map is from that area, additional information would be helpful. Ms. Munro’s second husband, Gerald Fremlin, was a cartographer and geographer, so possibly the map design has a connection there too.
 Denmark 2015-06-27 Saluting the “Tour of Denmark” bicycle race, Denmark Post issued a sheet of stamps marking the 25th anniversary of the race. The June 27, 2015 issue features 10 franking labels. The images feature highlights from the history of the race, including some of the winners. In the center of the sheet is a map of Denmark showing the route. The sheet includes five franking labels with a denomination of DKK 7.00, and five franking labels with a denomination of DKK 10.00.
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| Spain 2015-06-04 |
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| Spain 2015-06-17 |
In two recent issues from Spain Post, the first on June 4, 2015 is a single EUR 0.42 denomination stamp dedicated to the World Food Program (WFP). The stamp depicts a world map made from food producing seeds a hand placing the seeds. Spain Post describes the dual symbolism of the image: on the one hand, WFP is working for a hunger-free world by providing the production necessary for universal provision and, at the same time, it is the hand that picks the food needed. The second issue on June 17, 2015 marks the 400th anniversary of the Mint of Madrid. The Mint of Madrid was founded by a Royal Decree from Felipe III on 18 February 1614. The mini-sheet includes a EUR 3.23 stamp with the portrait of the Duke of Uceda, the first director of the Mint. In the background, is what appears to be an oblique aerial view of the city streets and buildings surrounding the Mint, with the Mint building appearing at the bottom of the sheet. [better images on these two Spanish issues are needed. -admin]
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Welcome to the CartoPhilatelic Society Celebrating our 71st Year as a Society. Come and Join Us!
The CartoPhilatelic Society has entered our 71st 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.
Come and join us as we look forward to the future!
Web Site Last Updated:
April 25, 2026
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