News & Announcements

TNCP 43 Dispatched to Members

The 43rd issue of the Society’s Journal, The New CartoPhilatelist, is filled with 20 pages of articles, news and images. Starting out this issue, are meteorologists Don Hillger and Garry Toth who take a look at The Earth as Seen from Space. Their detailed article traces the history of geostationary earth observation satellites and various full disk earth images as they are shown on a number of stamp issues. Be sure to check the author’s web site for a very comprehensive checklist of related issues. Next up is the final installment of FSAT Illustrated on Map Stamps by Society vice-president, David Wolfersburger, and showcases the remaining issues of cartophilatelic importance from this most famous and important philatelic authority. In the next article, Mark Honig, Society President, has complied an in-depth look at the Stamps of the Dominican Republic issued in 1900. This fascinating series is at the top of every cartophilatelist’s list. As many collectors know this issue nearly cause the outbreak of a war between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. This issue is also known for forgeries and Mark gives details on spotting them. The next article Brian Marshall, the CPS’s  Asia/Pacific Representative provides a report of the large and very well attended Australia 2013 World Stamp Exhibition held in May 2013 in  Melbourne. With the number of special issue new Roo commemorative items at the show, we wished we could go along with Brian. In the next article, Society Member Ap Koopman examines the geologic history of the Krakatau volcanic eruption as depicted in two issues from Indonesia.  Mark Honig reports about Society News and the recent coverage of some important map issues in the philatelic press. There is also some information about a raise in membership dues caused by recent postal rate
increases, so be sure to check this information. The issue is rounded out with an article on new issues by David, an update of the checklist, and a number of recent new issue images.

Trial Use of New Shipping Method for Printed Journals

As many of our members know, we use HP’s MagCloud “print on demand” service for printing of the hardcopy TNCP journals. Recently we began investigating the use of MagCloud to also handle the packaging and shipping of those journals to our members. The shipping, to some members, of the October issue was carried out by MagCloud as a trial. While this has worked very well from initial feedback, we recently discovered that a few digital members may have received a printed October issue. We apologize to those digital members that were surprised upon receipt of a hardcopy issue. If you unexpectedly received a hardcopy issue, please keep it as an example of MagCloud’s high-quality printing service.  For those members that regularly receive a printed Journal, we would like to hear if there were any issues regarding the packaging or delivery of your October issue. Please contact us with your feedback.

Discovery of Some Previously Unknown Map Stamps

New Caledonia sc651

New Caledonia scC275

China sc3031

South Korea sc1516

Cartophilatelic Society president Mark Honig informs us of finding some previously unknown map stamps. First up is the 170fr August 26, 1991 issue from New Caledonia for the French Institute of Scientific Research (sc651). A number of research themes are depicted on this very colorful stamp. In the center is a stereo or dissecting microscope and on the stage of the microscope is a map of New Caledonia.  Definitely a hidden map! The next newly discovered map stamp also comes from New Caledonia. The 130fr airmail issue of July 20, 1996 marks the Indonesian Centenary (scC275). The stamp depicts a man and woman dressed in traditional Indonesian attire. Behind the couple is a tree. In the branches and leaves of the tree, the islands of the Indonesian Archipelago can be seen. A very interesting and uniquely designed map stamp. From the South Pacific we move to North Asia.  Here, the first newly discovered map stamp is from the June 1, 2000 “Stampin’ the Future” children’s stamp design issue (sc3031). The 60f denomination stamp features an image of a young girl in front of a computer screen which depicts a map of China and Taiwan and a “bridge being constructed” across the South China Sea between China and Taiwan. The next discovery is from South Korea (sc1516), with the 80w October 8, 1988 issue marking the 22nd Congress of The International Iron and Steel Institute, that we assume was held in Seoul about that time.   This thematic stamp depicts a large foundry ladle in a steel mill pouring out molten metal. A world map with a very interesting looking projection is shown on the side of the ladle. For our final discovery we move to the Netherlands and a personal note from Mark regarding the next newly discovered map stamp. Mark writes, when I was browsing ebay for map stamps I noticed this stamp with what looks like a small map. I immediately knew I must have this stamp because it is a stamp from my own country. I pulled my album and I scanned for the stamp. This stamp has been issued, as part of a set of 4, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the liberation for the Netherlands from nazi-Germany in 1945.  The detail shown in the map is part of a newspaper, “The Flying Dutchman,” air-dropped by the Allied Air Forces, and shows the Russian front advancing from Tarnopol to Cherzon.  After a bit of searching I found the map was shown on  the cover of the March 16, 1944 issue. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that this stamp has been in my album for 28 years without me noticing it as a map stamp.  The stamp (and set) are not expensive. The stamp has also been issued as a coil stamp. These coil stamps can be recognized by the cut perforations along the top and bottom. Mint coils have a number on the back of every 5th stamp.  Perhaps now is the time to check your own collections for more hidden map stamps, you never know what may be hiding there. Please let us know what you find!

Netherlands sc666

“The Flying Dutchman,” March 16, 1944

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TNCP 42 Dispatched to Members

The 42nd issue of The New CartoPhilatelist Journal will be sent to members in early July.  This twenty page issue is filled with many interesting articles, news about the Society and new issue images.

For the first article in issue 42, Vice-President David Wolfersberger continues his in-depth look at the map stamps of the French Southern Antarctic Territories, examining the beautiful map stamps depicting the Crozet and Kerguelen Archipelagos.   The stamps are highlighted by a number of detailed map images shown on maxi-card issues.  Next up is a notice from Society Member Stuart Hamilton of Australia who introduces us to a selection of associated cartophilatelic and cartonumismatic issues.  One recent issue from Australia commemorates the centenary of the foundation of Canberra. A very interesting connection between maps on stamps and maps on coins. If you know of more, please tell us! Next is a brief announcement about the major updates to the Society’s web site.  This is followed by a fascinating, comprehensive article on Gronchi Rosa Forgeries by Paolo Vaccari. The translated article is sure to become one of the most definitive sources in English regarding this unique and highly sought after issue.  We thank Paolo and VACCARI srl Filatelia for their support in the translation of this article.  Tim Olmstead provides details of the voting results of the “All Star” baseball themed poll from issue 41, along with a new poll for the the January issue. Be sure to send Tim your choices!  In the next article, European Representative Volker Woesner examines the unique theme of “Canals” on map stamps, with an interesting  selection of issues from the Kiel, Suez and Panama canals.  Incoming Society President Mark Honig describes some of the interesting maps to be found on the gutters of Falkland Island stamps, and also updates us with some Society News. A bio of Mark is also provided in this issue. Christina Stitt contacts the Society with some interesting map cancellations that she had in and exhibit. Thanks for sharing this information Christina! The final article in issue 42 is from Society Member Ap Koopman who examines that interesting feature known as the “Caprivi Strip” and its history and depiction on map stamps. A selection of new issue news and images complied by David rounds out this issue.

Submissions Deadline for TNCP #43

Just a quick, but important reminder for Journal submission dates. Our Editor, Martin Oakes, has chosen the following date as the deadline for article submissions to the Journal:

TNCP #43, October 2013, submission deadline:   September 15, 2013

If you are interested in submitting an article please contact our Editor, Martin Oakes as soon as possible.   Martin has informed us that articles are needed for the October issue!

The “TNCP Style Sheet – Instructions to Authors” has been updated, so please download a revised copy before starting to author an article.

Remember there are many options for Journal content and Martin will be happy to discuss them with you. The list three issues of the Journal have been 20 pages. This is due to the wonderful amount of content that members have been submitting. The added pages will continue, as long as there is sufficient material available. Remember if you have feedback, please be sure to share with Martin or use the general?  Society contact form.

Issues 42 contained a fascinating in-depth article about the Gronchi Rosa Forgeries that was originally in Italian, and published by another philatelic journal.  As the Society is international in scope, we have various members that can sometimes volunteer translation resources.  The original publishers along with Society President Mark Honig and Journal Editor Martin Oakes worked a significant amount of time on refining the translation and adapting the format for our Journal. Their efforts really show!  For those of you that have non-english articles and would like to see them translated and published in The New CartoPhilatelist please contact our Editor Martin Oakes.