Funny enough, since last year, I was planning to write a post about some of the interesting stamps I have in hand. I kept on putting it off because I couldn't find one that my brother gave me. Last month I finally found it, it was hidden inside a red envelope that I had never thought of checking. Then @mipiano announced the February topic in the Hive Collection community was postage stamps, perfect timing for my post!
Qipao stamp from Hong Kong
This is the missing stamp from my brother, it's part of a set issued in 2107 on the evolution of qipao, a traditional dress that became popular in the 1920s. The qipao is a body hugging dress (but not tarty), usually sleeveless or short sleeves, shin length with side slits to accentuate the female body's elegance. You need a good figure to wear it gracefully. This particular HK$20 (USD2.5) sheetlet is special because the outline of the stamp, should one decide to use it, is in the outline of the qipao. But more importantly, it's printed on taffeta paper giving it a smooth silky fabric feel.
Princess Diana stamps from UK
Deceased first wife of our current King, and mother of our future King, Princess Diana was probably the most photographed woman in the world when she was alive. Gen Z probably won't know who she is, and paparazzi chasing after celebrities may seem a norm nowadays. Back in the 90s paparazzi were at their worst, hounding over Princess Diana's every move, nothing was off limits to them to get the photo they wanted. It's fair to say the paparazzi contributed to the death of Princess Diana.
Princess Diana's death shocked the world, particularly in the manner she died. I can still remember where I was when the news came through. This set of stamps was issued in memory of her death and features a special postmark. My sister sent it to me when it was first released.
Go fxxk yourself stamp from Ukraine
Back in 2022 when Russia first invaded Ukraine, they bombed Snake Island, a rocky island less than 1 sqm, but of strategic importance due to its location. The Russians demanded the Ukrainian forces surrender, and their response was "Russian warships, go fxxk yourself". Bravo, don't let the bullies win!! This became a famous incident and a message to the world on how determined the Ukrainians are to defend their country. The Ukrposhta issued a set of stamps about this incident, which I understand were very hard to get. Luckily my good friend @zirochka managed to get a set, you can read about it here. When we met in HiveFest in Amsterdam, @zirochka gave me one of these precious stamps 💑 Three years on, the war is still ongoing. The war needs to stop, go fxxk yourself back in Russia Putin!!!
The terracotta warriors from United Nations
This set of stamps is quite special because I got it from a previous visit to the United Nations in USA many moons ago.
The booklet talks about the history of the terracotta army in China, a burial site that remained undiscovered for over 2000 years till 1974. The army consists of around 8000 life sized soldiers, each unique with a different appearance and fully armed. They were built by China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang, a controversial figure who united China into one country, standardised language, weight and measure, built roads and canals and the great wall of China to protect his empire. In his quest to protect his empire, he also buried scholars and burnt books, and sought for immortality, hence the terracotta army to protect him in afterlife.
There are 6 sets of stamps in this booklet, each set has four stamps have United Nations printed on them instead of a country name. If you ever have a chance to go to the United Nations, stamps are a very unique memorabilia to purchase.
Some of you may know I did a postcard experiment in the past, where I offered to send postcards out to people from Taiwan. I did two rounds, one in 2019 and another in 2023. In return, many people were very kind and sent one back to me. I have posted about them before and since I'm not a fan of recycling content, if added the post links below if you're interested to see them, and the stamps I received.
First postcard
Second postcard
Two more postcards
Fifith postcard
Another two more postcards
Twist
Round 2 of my postcard experiment
Those are some really cool stamps. The one from Hong Kong is defintely unique to me. Never seen anything like it before. Princess Diana was so beautiful and did so much good with her position. The Terracotta stamps are neat too. I am always fascinated by Chinese history. The one I really like is the Go F Yourself one from Ukraine. HAHA.
I enjoy collecting random things, and luckily I have enough on stamps to create a (self claimed) interesting post 😀
Would love to see it.
I never really got into collecting stamps. I did have coins from all over the world, but they were not worth much. Such things can bring back memories though. I do like the Ukrainian stamp. You have to admire their courage.
I was into for a little while when I was a kid, but only because all my other friends were, so we were swapping stamps all the time, more of a FOMO thing.
Coins collection is an interesting one especially pre Euro days, I think I might still have some lying around, could be worth a post there.
I still have my postcard from the first round 🙂
Wow!! that was a long time ago!!!
Your stamp collection is amazing, I like them all!
What a great initiative about your experiment with postcards. Both, postcards and letters, are becoming scarcer every day ...communication has "evolved".
Thank you for sharing. Hug 🤗
The postcard experiment was a fun thing to do, and a great way to connect with people. I think everyone loves receiving something in the post that is not junk mail or demanding money from you. Unfortunately the mail service is still very unreliable in some countries. I know quite a few of my postcards from 2023 still haven't arrived yet, including to Cuba and Venezuela. ☹️
It is a pity that this is the case. I have received mail from Spain and I have had no problems and I have also sent to the same country and it worked. I have no other experiences, I would have to try with another country to see how it works. Hug 🤗
I remember we spoke about this last year, you said your aunty had sent you some colour pens (?) from Spain and they arrived safely. It's a pity my postcards from UK never arrived. In fact I even sent another postcard to Cuba when I was in Spain last November, it still hasn't arrived ....
So cool! I had a very small stamp collection when I was a kid, my uncled gifted me a case already with some of them; I never got that enthusiastic about it though. A big thumbs up for that ukrainian one! :)
Stamp collecting seems to be a much rarer thing for kids nowadays, you're more likely to find them collecting pokeman or football cards. The Ukrainian is definitely a great one
For sure. Cards and postcards sending has almost vanished, besides me I know only a handful of people that still send them, so even rarer to get a stamp that actually travelled. :)
That stamp was hidden because it already knew that a stamp theme was coming soon and it didn't want to come out until it was the perfect time haha it is very crafty! 😂
Nice collection, the Princess Diana stamps are beautiful, poor woman, so young, so cool, so beautiful, it was such a shock when she died 💔
That's probably true,funny how things happen. Likewise for Princess Diana. Of course being from UK it was massive news here but I'm not sure how much impact it had around the world. Seems like more than I imagined, just like the recent death of Liam Payne, I didn't realise he was so big in Argentina
Wow some real interesting stamps with a good source of history. I'll be honest, I cant even say which one is my favorite.
On stamps, just thinking, I can't even remember the last time I used one. No collection of them for me but my mother has a small collection.
People hardly send any letters now, I'm limited to pretty much a handful of Christmas cards every year. Stamps could be a thing of the past soon, that would be quite sad
Yes and I even wonder if they make self applied (lick) ones anymore 🤔 I use to buy a book of stamps almost every pay check, many years ago.
It's a pity I don't have a stamp collection, I used to have a few, but they don't count as a collection. The stamp from Ukraine seems to have the coolest name 😂
Collecting stamps is probably not the most interesting topic for youngsters nowadays, and I count you as one of them 😄. Plus less and less people post any letters now, making it more difficult to collect stamps. Gaming cards are probably more common for your generation?
Yeah I shared them with you before. Pokémon cards & Yugioh cards and pogs were more popular 😅
Yeah, i remember the pogs, i didn't know what they were
The February theme came just right on time then 😇
I am glad you found that missing qipao one from your brother, I have never seen such a stamp 😍 awesome! All your stamps are unique and thank you for your share, but Qipao is my favourite. :)
(did the stamp come from the future? 2107? 😁
Oh, and Princess Diana <3
I still remember how my grandmother was sad and shocked when she died in the accident. I hope you don't mind if I share here the song Elton John played at her funeral...
Thanks for the song, that was a very sad one, I think he said that was the only time he would sing that version, never again.
Do you not know that we, on Hive are the pioneers, we live in the future 😆
Thank you for orgainising a very interesting topic this month
I forgot that fact, sorry, that explains the year 😜