 Belgium 2012-03-12 A new two stamp mini-sheet was issued by Belgium Post on March 12, 2012 to mark the 500th anniversary of the birth of Gerhard Mercator. The “Rate 3” denominated (€ 7.14) sheet features two stamps, the left one of Gerhard Mercator and the right of Jodocius Hondius. The background of the sheet appears to be an image of the “NOVA TOTIVS TERRARVM ORBIS GEOGRAPHICA AC HYDROGRAPHICA TABULA,” published in 1633 by [i believe] Hondius’ son Henricus. Hondius helped to re-establish the reputation of the work of Mercator, through the reissue and expansion of a series of previously published Mercator works. This is another fine looking cartophilatelic item for 2012.
 Germany 2012-03-01 The 500 year anniversary of the birth of Gerhard Mercator on March 5th was marked by German Post with a new high denomination stamp. The€2,20 square format issuefeatures an image of Mercator in the foreground holding what appears to be a pair of calipers placed on a small globe resting on a table. In the background, is a map of Europe and a series of white construction lines radiating from a single point forming what appears to be the graticule of the famous Mercator projection.“Mercator was born Gerard de gemor or de Cremer in the Flemish town of Rupelmonde, Mercator is the Latinized form of his name. It means merchant”. In 1554 he completed a large six panel map of Europe, with a second edition in 1572. Originally created by Erhard Etzlaub in 1511, Mercator refined the techniques and used the projection in a large world map, published in 1569. The projection had parallel lines of longitude to aid navigation by sea, and compass courses could be marked as straight lines. It was this projection that now bears Mercator’s name. Mercator was also thefirst person to use the term “atlas” for a collection of maps. Mercator started production of an atlas that was not fully published until after his death in 1594.
[ in searching around on the internet, besides a number of articles celebrating Mercator’s birth, i found a very interesting item which indicates that there is an error in this stamp. if anyone has some additional information regarding this, please contact the web admin.]
The first issue of 2012 begins with a detailed article about New Zealand pre-decimal map stamps, by resident NZ member Brian Marshall. Brian examines the history and provides some unique background information about the very popular early map issues from New Zealand. Next up, Roger Kirby describes a unique find with a personal connection this article about the beautiful map stamps commemorating Admiral Byrd’s second expedition to Antarctica. Be sure to check out the small note on page 3 mentioning a “stamp will,” a topic which should get more discussion. In late 2011 we learned of the sad news about the passing of two members of the Society, Dr. Martin Ira Glassner (d.2010) and Dr. Jack Child (d.2011). The next article in the issue is submitted from Peter Bleekrode in the Netherlands and describes the Zuider Zee and how that history is depicted on the very unique M.C. Escher designed Netherlands scB81. Society President David Wolfersberger has an update to his Maps and Trains articles with information about related stamps in a special category. The next article is the 3rd part of an article that first appeared in issue 34, and is a reprint of a richly illustrated French article on the History of Cartography as depicted in stamps, submitted by Maurice Touchette of Canada, with translation by Pierre Moise. Tom Tarabicos tells us about Greek history through cartophilately, in an article on page 10. Next, member Ang Kiang Kee of Singapore provides details on the massive South to North Water Diversion Project underway in China, and depicted in a souvenir sheet from China. The issues is rounded out with Society News, checklist updates and some sharp looking new issues.
 New Caledonia 2011-03-18 On March 18, 2011, New Caledonia’s Office of Posts and Telecommunications issued a single 110F denominated stamp to mark the [then upcoming] XIV Pacific Games that took place from August 27 – September 10, 2011 in Nouméa. New Caledonia was the official organizing host nation for the 14th gathering of the Pacific Games. The design of the stamp depicts an oblique like view of New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands with a series of points that could indicate event venues or points along the torch relay. The NC 2011 logo is shown in the bottom left corner of the stamp. In the top center, Joemy, the mascot of the games is shown in the air above the islands holding the torch. Following the curvature of the globe, Joemy’s motto “Pacifique Attitude” is written. New Caledonia obviously demonstrated a lot of “Pacifique Attitude” as evident in the final medal standings. Congratulations to all the participants and the organizing committee! [ upon first glance the view of the islands and position of the mascot appears quite similar to a previous New Caledonia issue and favorite of cartophilatelists, sc#322. –web admin ]
 New Caledonia 2011-08-08 On August 8, 2011 New Caledonia’s Office of Posts and Telecommu-
nications issued a single 75F denominated stamp with a map of the Ouvéa Atoll, part of New Caledonia’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stamp depicts a sea turtle on a sandy beach, with vegetation and a bird flying overhead. A map of both Ouvéa Atoll and Beautemps-Beaupré Atoll is shown in the upper right corner of the stamp. The UNESCO logo appears in the lower right corner. A large souvenir sheet was issued in December 2008 to mark the registration of the various lagoons around New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands in the UNESCO register.
 France 2011-09-09 On September 9, 2011 LaPoste issued a single, 0,89 € stamp marking the 50th anniversary of the Council of Europe’s “Social Charter.” The European Social Charter is a Council of Europe treaty which guarantees social and economic human rights. It was adopted in 1961 and revised in 1996. The Council of Europe first met in 1961 and today has 47 member states and is home to over 800M citizens. The stamp features a sphere, viewed from space showing the member countries of the European Council covered in a background of member nation flags creating a map. There are silhouettes of people along the bottom of the stamp. [ Please let me know if there are any factual issues with this post. –web 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!
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April 25, 2026
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