Message

Two short messages

1. I have received several envelopes in the past few days, but I can't show these immediately because I'm very busy with the preparations for the special advance sales of the new Belgian stamps on March 7. I need to write some letters and prepare some envelopes, so there's no time to post things on my blog at this moment.
   
   
   But I'm sure you'll understand :) Actually, now is the time to send me an envelope (preferably of one of my missing countries of course) or some WWF items, if you want to get a cover with special cancellation in return. If your envelope arrives before 07.03.2009 you will get such cover in return. :)
   
   
2. I am member of a stamp club that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. For this occasion, there will be a little exhibition and I was thinking to participate in this exhibition with some stamps on the topic of elephants (both African and Asian). If you have stamps (used/mint), FDC, MC, leaflets or other things on this topic and you don't really need them or you are willing to trade them at reasonable conditions, please contact me. Information on all kinds of initiatives (protection, nature reserves for elephants, ...) is also most welcome!
   

Thanks to all and CU later!

Malaysia

Another cover from Malaysia, my 7th already. Thank you Ian.


To all collectors from Malaysia (and I know there are some who visit my blog every now and then... :)): I am looking for someone who can send me the 1995 WWF serie 'Clouded leopard' on envelope (or the local FDC/MC/...).

Now that I already have several covers from Malaysia, it's my goal to obtain some WWF items from that country first so that I can add items to my WWF collection :)

New country: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Thanks to Ganesh!

Hong Kong: Chinese white dolphin

Thank you very much Edward for your help to find me WWF items. This is a very nice FDC, picturing the Chinese white dolphin (Sousa chinensis).

More information on the Hong Kong WWF website: http://www.wwf.org.hk/eng/pdf/references/factsheets/factsheet14.PDF

Sri Lanka: 2nd cover!

Thank you Ravindra!

WWF Croatia: Orsini's viper and Purple heron

I was very happy when receiving these letters in the past few days. I have searched the 1999 Croatian WWF snake serie for some time, and now in 2 days time I have received the serie on cover 2 times! :) :) These are the covers (thanks Tommy and Zeljko!):

The snake pictured on the stamps is the Meadow Viper (Orsini's viper - Vipera ursinii). (read more: http://www.posta.hr/main.aspx?id=193&idmarke=322)


Zeljko also included a new FDC for me, which means I now have all 3 local fdc's from Croatia. :d The fdc shows the Purple Heron:

For more information, please check the excellent site of Croatian Post. (http://www.posta.hr/main.aspx?id=193&idmarke=496)

new cover from Algeria

WWF stamps from Lithuania

Thank you Leonardas for this impressive cover from Lithuania.

The WWF stamps sheet was issued in 1996 and pictures the European bison or wisent (Bison bonasus). http://www.ultimateungulate.com/Artiodactyla/Bison_bonasus.html

Also on the cover: a stamp commemorating the 2008 Olympic Games and the escutcheon / coat of arms of Širvintos.

Another cover from France

cover from Wallis et Futuna

Merci beaucoup, Roland!

First cover from Estonia

Thank you very very much Kristiina for this wonderful cover from Estonia with 4 WWF stamps!

The stamps picture the European flying squirrel (Pteromys volans) and were issued in 1994. These animals have a membrane that extends between their fore- and hind limbs. Unlike some other species of flying squirrels, Pteromys volans do not have a membrane between their hind limbs and the base of their tail. Their limbs are relatively short and thick and their hind feet are significantly larger than their forefeet. The length of the head and body is 120-228 mm.

If you want to know more about these cute little animals, follow this link:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pteromys_volans.html

Liechtenstein

Another Croatian cover

Thanks again Tomislav!!


The breeding of dogs, the classification of recognized breeds, the indigenous breeds are properties of the history and culture of a region, a country and of a nation. The dog breeds indigeneous to Croatia are: the Croatian shepherd dog, the Dalmatian, the Posavinian hunting dog, the Istrian wire-haired hunting dog and the Istrian short-haired hunting dog.

1. Istrian short-haired hunting dog (2.20 kn)
   
   One of its outstanding characteristics is the noble body shape, snow-white colour with clear red or yellow dots, a coat of short and thin hair and a long head with a ponited snout, a high-pitched, enduring voice. The shoulder height is 44 - 56 cm and the weight is 14 - 20 kg. This breed is used as an excellent hunting dog, mostly trained for and adapt at hunting hares, rabbits and foxes. Could be used as a bloodhound dog.
   
   
2. Posavinian hunting dog (2.40 kn)
   
   This breed is strong in body build and of average size. The colour clear red or yellow with a countershading of white on the neck, underneath, on the forearms and on the tail. It is of a moderate temperament, good-humoured. The withers height is 46 - 58 cm. It is used as a good, endurable tracking and hunting dog for hares rabbits, foxes and boars. It has a clear, sharp voice.
   
   
3. Istrian wire - haired hunting dog (3.80 kn)
   
   Snow-white colour is modified with clear red and yellow patches. The head is long, with thich eyebrows. This breed has a strong body built, and a grave, sometimes gloomy expression. It has a strong, upwards straighten tail. It has a strong, deep voice. The withers height is 46 - 58 cm, the ideal for the male being 52 cm and for the female 50 cm. The average weight of a grown-up dog is 16 - 24 kg. This breed is used as an excellenttracking and hunting dog for hares, rabbits and foxes. It can also be an excellent bloodhound dog.
   
   
   (http://www.posta.hr)
   

New cover from Croatia

Thanks to my new friend Tomislav for this very nice cover on Croatian autochthonous breeds!

1. Istrian ox (2.80 kn)
   
   The Istrian ox, locally called Boškarin, belongs to the genus of primigenius bovine animals. In the osteological sense it is close to the genuine fossil genus Bos primigenius (Posavi et al.), 2003).
   
   The origin of the Boškarin is not completely explained. There are several theories about the origin of the Istrian ox. Some consider that it arrived to our areas with the Roman legions, Avar hordes or that it had been in these areas from times immemorial. The answer to the question about the origin of the Istrian ox could be obtained from molecular genetics. By comparing the genetic record of the Boškarin with other breeds, their similarity could be determined, i.e. in what way they were related. Bulls of the Podolac breed participated in the creation of the present-day Istrian ox. In the crossbreeding there were also used bulls of the Italian genera Romagnola and Maremana, but in the first half of the 20th century it was decided that the basis of the selection should be the domestic breed. In the course of several decades the Istrian ox was ousted from its long-term environment by mechanization and by other bovine breeds, so that it almost disappeared by the end of the 20th century. In 1989 the Istrian Cattle-breeders Association was established in Višnjan, and its members have been engaged in the preservation of this genuine breed of thoroughbred head of cattle which represents great support in the preservation of genuine breeds.
   
   The Istrian ox is bred in Istria, but several specimens can be found elsewhere in the northern Adriatic region. Nowadays the population of the Istrian ox under the selective coverage numbers 350 cows and 18 bulls (Annual report for the year 2005, HSC [Croatian Livestock Centre], 2006). Owing to this small number of animals great care has to be paid to the mating so that too extensive breeding within the kinship should be avoided.
   
   The animals are primarily exploited for working and also used for producing milk and meat. The Istrian ox is large-bodied with a heavy constitution and rough body. Its colour is dark grey to light grey with shades of darker pigment on the head, neck, shoulders and stomach. It has a heavy skeleton, better developed in the front part of the body. The head is relatively coarse, with dark pigmentation of the mucous membrane of the nostril plane, the mucous membrane of the palate and in the mouth there is a dark grey tongue. Its head is adorned with large horns, grey-yellowish at the root, and their tips are usually black. The horns are about 40 cm long with a span of more than one meter and their shape is very similar to a lyre. The mean height of the cow is 138 cm and the bull’s is 148 cm. The cows weigh 600 kilos on the average while bulls can weigh more than 1,000 kilos. Their legs are strong, with black and strong hoofs well adapted to moving through the karst region. The animals are sedate, obedient and persevering in their work and are used for ploughing fields or as beasts of burden. They show great tenacity, modesty with regard to nutrition and are well adapted to the exploitation of the sparse Istrian pastures. The productive capacities of the Istrian ox are low. The cows give 1,000 l milk on the average, when fed with a better quality food and through selection they can give up to 2,500 l milk. Crossing with meat-giving breeds crossbreds could be created that are good for fattening which is a form of exploitation of this bovine breed for commercial purposes. The fact is that state incentives alone are not sufficient for the survival of this fine animal. Despite the work invested up to the present in the preservation of this genuine bovine breed, it still has the status of an endangered breed and according to the FAO classification it is on the verge of extinction.
   
   
2. Posavina horse (3.50 kn)
   
   The Croatian Posavian or Posavina horse, like the majority of horses (Equus caballus) originates according to one theory from a living genuine form, the wild Mongolian horse (Equus przewalsky).
   There is also another theory, i.e. that horses originate from several genuine species. It is a fact that the Posavina horse is a conjoined form of large European feral horses and the smaller, mobile oriental horses. The reason for this theory is that it was created in the area the river Sava basin, stretching from Zagreb to Županja. In these areas of our country in the past various clashes of civilizations have occurred. The first attempts of the matriculation of the horse took place on two occasions, in 1978 and 1980. At that time a total of 83 horses were registered, to be precise in settlements of the Sisak-Moslavina County: Tišina Kaptolska, Mahovo, Posavsko Jezero, Ljubljanica and Martinska Ves. The work on the matriculation was stopped until the year 1991 when systematic work began in this part of our horse breeding (HSC [Croatian Livestock Centre], 2006). Up to that time the breed was left over to disorder and it was their environment, free breeding in great herds as well as natural selection that influenced its formation (Posavi et al., 2003). The greatest part of the population of the Croatian Posavina horse can be found in one location (Nature Park Lonjsko Polje). Nowadays we believe that herds of some 200 head each are big herds, though the animals would not infrequently be found in herds of more than 2,000 head. The total head number covered by the selective grasp is 3,321 head (Yearly report for the year 2005; HSC [Croatian Livestock Centre], 2006). In the 70s of the 20th century their population numbered round 12,500 head. The Croatian Posavina horse is temperamental, strong and resistant, modest and obedient (Posavi et al., 2003). It is a working horse of medium weight. The mean height of the stallion’s withers is 155 cm, and in mares it is 150 cm. The most frequent colours are reddish brown and dark reddish brown, rarely black, grey or dappled. Its head is not too elongated, spare, with characteristically wide nostrils, markedly clear eyes and small, protruding ears (“mouse ears”). Its neck is firmly attached to the withers; it is short and nicely shaped, with a thick mane. Its body is compact and strong. Its croups are cleft, more frequently steep, with the tail positioned lower with ample horsehair. The legs are relatively thin with a short cannon-bone; they are straight in posture with the pasterns grown over by hairs standing erect (HSC [Croatian Livestock Centre], 2006). The hoofs are flat and prominently wide which means that they have been adapted to the long-term breeding in soft swampy grounds This breed has excellently adapted to the conditions of keeping, which is proved by the fact that these animals used to be kept in the swampy pastures along the Sava almost throughout the year (from March to the first snow). In the course of the winter they would be scantily fed on hay, with a little maize and sometimes a bit of oats. The animal has been used for pulling out oak logs from the hundred-year-old forests; it used to pull ships and ferryboats, carry riders and pull carts. Like the majority of horse breeds today, it is not so much valuable as a working animal but as a horse for recreation purposes and therapeutic riding. It has an even higher value for the preservation of the landscape where it had been created. Though much effort is put into the preservation of this breed, it is still endangered, particularly through the export of a great number of animals for the purpose of getting horse meat. The state uses financial incentives to stimulate the preservation and safety of the breed, first of all in its primary habitat. In the preservation of the breed a significant role was performed by the associations of breeders of the Posavina horse.
   
   
3. Dalmatian donkey (5.00 kn)
   
   The donkey has been known in these areas from times immemorial. It was an irreplaceable help in working on the rough land. There are numerous records about the donkey and its presence on the area of the Republic of Croatia. One of the earliest records about the donkey originates from the year 1214 and is written in the Statute of the city and island of Korčula. The donkey was also mentioned in the works of many of our writers like Gundulić, Držić, Marinković and others. The donkey (Lat. Equus asinus) was domesticated by crossing specimens from two presently living forms of the Nubian wild donkey (Equus asinus africanus) and Somalian wild donkey (Equus asinus somaliensis). The animal arrived on the territory of Croatia, precisely the coast of the Adriatic Sea owing to the development of trade connections with the civilizations of Persia, Egypt and Greece (Posavi et al., 2003). The present-day donkey is the result of natural selection more than of human choice. It persevered in extremely hard conditions of keeping and nourishment and this is the reason that it is significantly lower, smaller than the original species. Owing to its great endurance and modesty it was used as workforce in outstandingly unfavourable conditions. The Dalmatian donkey has also been called the Primorje-Dinara donkey (in the littoral and the Dinara mountain region) and, accordingly, we can find it from the mountain ridges in the north (Velebit, Dinara, ...) to the islands in the south of our country. We can even find it in Žumberak where they arrived with the Uskoks from Senj. Some fifty years ago the donkey population was very numerous (round 40,000 Posavi et al., 2003). Work on the preservation of indigenous breeds of donkeys started in 1997 when the Central register of matriculated head in the Croatian Livestock Centre registered 68 head. Nowadays the population of all the donkeys (80% of all the donkeys in Croatia are Dalmatian donkeys) that are covered by the selection comes up to 1,120 specimens (Annual report for the year 2005, HSC [Croatian Livestock Centre], 2006). According to some evaluations it is assumed that the total number of donkeys is more or less 2,000 head. The Dalmatian donkey is an animal of lower stature, the height of the withers round 100 cm and the overall weight round 95 kilos. The body is grey with a dark stripe along the back and shoulder blade forming a characteristic cross. The belly and the inner side of the legs are lighter, with darker stripes on the upper side of the legs. The head is of medium size, with a protruding forehead and the muzzle is white. On the head there are the markedly large eyes with a ring of white hairs (spectacles). The ears are of medium length with light long hairs on the inside and black ones along the edge. The neck is of medium length and the back narrow, proportionally linked to the rest of the trunk, overgrown with a black erect-standing mane. The withers are of medium length and weakly pronounced, the back narrow, and the croups lowered and weakly muscled. The chest is narrow, legs strong, hoofs small, round and hard. Donkeys are animals that live in a herd (they like being social) so that they find being on their own hard to bear. In the course of history the donkey had best results in working in the karst regions in the coastal area and the islands. On these areas cultures like olives and vineyards are to be found that demand manual cultivation. Even with the shortage of food, the donkey is an ideal help and working animal. It can carry the load of up to 120 kilos to great distances (more than 6 km). While working it has a lively step and is markedly persistent which stands in clear contrast to the prejudices that it is a stubborn and lazy animal. Donkeys are usually used as pack animals and more rarely engaged in pulling loads. Nowadays the value of the donkey is first of all in the preservation of the biological variety, but also of the tradition of our littoral and islands and as a tourist attraction. The state stimulates keeping donkeys by paying financial incentives so that this is, accompanied by the stimulation of family estates, the only way for the preservation of the donkey.
   
   Igor Štoković (http://www.posta.hr)
   

2nd cover from Uzbekistan!

WWF Denmark

Charity stamp issued by Denmark on January 7, 2009. With this issue, Danish Post supports the work of World Wildlife Fund to improve conditions for impoverished peasant farmers in Vietnam.

The stamp also marks the 75th birthday of HRH Prince Henrik, the Prince Consort. The Prince has been president of Verdensnaturfonden, the Danish chapter of the World Wildlife Fund, since its inception in 1972. The stamp vignette was photographed by Sandra Greig and Kristian Jepsersen, and the drawing is by Martin Mörk.

(http://www.wwfstamp.com)

Hong Kong

Thank you very much Edward for this excellent cover from Hong Kong!















The stamps in the sheet picture the Chinese white dolphin (Sousa chinensis). Some of you may know that the dolphin stamps were issued as single stamps too, and that the single stamps all show the WWF logo. This is not the case with the stamps of the sheet: as you can see, they do not have the WWF logo... I think I will be able to show you the WWF stamps soon, so you can compare yourself :)

WWF Slovakia (2)

Thanks again to Robert for his cover and 4 first day covers picturing the European Wild Cat (Felis silvestris silvestris)!

Fine artwork from Turkey

Thank you Ahmet for this very nice cover franked with the 2008 Europa stamps 'the letter'.

Italian WWF cover

I have just received my first Italian cover. Thank you Lorenzo! :) And it's a very special one for me, as it is franked with one of the 1991 WWF stamps:

The animal pictured on the left stamp is the Abruzzo brown bear (Ursus arctos marsicanus). The brown bear is the most widespread member of the bear family, which is found throughout Europe, Asia and North America. Scientifically, more is known about brown bear than any of the other bear species except for the American black bear.

Despite its name, the brown bear ranges in color from black to yellow, reddish and even beige. In some areas, brown bears grow as large as polar bears and in other places they are less than half that size. Because of these differences in size and colour , people used to think there were many different species, not just on.

In the northern hemisphere the brown bear was long feared, admired and even worshiped as the king of beasts, taking a special place in folk tales.

(to read more, follow this link: http://www.bearplanet.org/brownbear.shtml)


The second stamp was issued to commemorate the historic university of Ferrara (1391-1991).

Belgium

USA birdlife

Egypt Air

Endangered doves

Thank you André for the beautiful cover below, franked with a complete serie of Madeira WWF stamps!


The animal pictured on the stamps is the Turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur). I don't know if this species is still endangered at this moment, I have seen a couple while going to my work lately... :) Also, I found this on the internet:

'This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 1,000,000-10,000,000 km². It has a large global population, including an estimated 6,900,000-14,000,000 individuals in Europe (BirdLife International in prep.). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern.'

(http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=2498&m=0)

Anyway, it would be great if this animal is no longer endangered. I think you all agree with me that nature has already suffered enough so far, so any positive change would be more than welcome.

cover from Slovakia

Another nice WWF cover to add to my collection, thanks to Robert.


The stamps picture the European Wild Cat (Felis silvestris silvestris).

The Wild Cat is extinct in most parts of Europe and today it can only be found in a few parts of Scotland, Germany and Slovakia. Its natural habitat is thick forest land. This fierce, handsome animal is heavier and larger than the domestic cat and although rarely seen, can be distinguished by its thick bushy tail. Its staple diet is mice, voles, rabbits, hares and small birds at night. Mating occurs in March and most litters, of between one and eight kittens, are born in May.
(http://www.pofis.sk)

These four stamps were actually printed in one sheet.

Freemasonry cover