COVER N. 727 - USA 

Postmark: Figures of the American revolution First day of Issue Washington DC2066 10.04.2026 

Posted on the 10th April;  Received on the 8th June 2026

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Thanks A.W. for another excellent cover, and for the nice stamps inside, which I truly appreciated.

2026 marks the  250th anniversary of The United States of America as an independent country, a status emerging from what would go down in history books as "The American Revolution". 

A timeline for this period would put its beginning in 

1765, as this was the year when the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act which for the first time  imposed a direct tax on the 13 British Colonies in North America demanding that “many printed materials in the colonies be produced on stamped paper from London which included an embossed revenue stamp” (cf. Wikipedia) (what gave way to a slogan which to this day is every now and then echoed: "No taxation, without representation"),  

and its final in 

1789, the year when the Constitution of The United States became effective.

In between, many were the moments that would guarantee a specific entry in American history compendia, but none the more so than the 4th July 1776, the day the Second Continental Congress, in which the 13 colonies were represented adopted the declaration  of Independence that marked the definitive cutting of  ties with the United Kingdom.

It would be expected that such a round date as a quarter of millennium milestone would produce many celebratory mementos, and commemorative stamps, would, of course, be expected to be issued.

USPS has thus included several issues linked to the celebrations in its stamp issue programme, the first of which is the "Figures of the American Revolution"  issue, dated of  10APR2026, comprising 25 self-adhesive "USA Forever" stamps illustrated with portraits of famous "individuals whose actions were vital in achieving independence and establishing the principles that continue to guide the United States", as claimed in the release notes. Each of the stamps also feature a legend with a short explanatory text.

Three of these stamps, dedicated to

- John Dickinson  - "Penman of the Revolution" whose writings articulated America's revolutionary Ideals;

- Bernardo de Galvés - Governor of Spanish Louisiana who aided patriots drive the British from West Florida;

- Nathaniel Greene -  Quaker and skillful general whose tactics turned the tide of war by ending British occupation of the South

can be seen in this First Day cover, postmarked at Washington DC.

COVER N. 726 - SPAIN 

Postmark: 2 Mechanical: Correos Valencia Vignette: Correos La Compañia de Todos / Correos y Telegrafos (?) Vignette:  Valencia Postal (?) Siempre (?) 01.06.2026

Posted on the  22nd May;  Received on the 2nd June 2026

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Moltes Gràcies, Eva. I cannot but appreciate the effort you went through to complete the postage on this cover with stamps from different issues, while keeping the lot subordinated to the same theme that also transpires from the two lovely postcards inside the envelope: Valencia. 

A letter can be much more than a folded piece of paper inside an envelope. In its apparent simplicity a letter (and I mean the physical object, not the written message therein contained) can be an exercise of creativity or a statement of purpose that transcends its formal classic usage as vector for information transmission, for communication. This, as we all know, is most often reserved for the words written in the neatly folded sheets of paper - or the back of the postcards, as in this case - that surge to life once the envelope, that unsuspecting Pandora’s box, is desecrated by the recipient.

In these days of global electron mail, those that insist in writing letters and postcards using such "unconventional" tools as a ballpoint or, worse yet, a fountain pen, have, even if unconsciously, become part of an evolutionary drift that is producing a sort of a differentiated sub-species: the Homo sapiens epistolator, a being that views written communication not merely as an operative  functional necessity but as something akin to a craft.

Mail art is, of course, one flashing example that readily comes to mind; traditional letter writing fans another, but I think philatelists, in general, are also a part of this restricted universe, so much so, that they will go to the extreme of mailing envelopes empty but for a sheet of card inside to guarantee the envelop will not fold into itself,  just for the sake of getting a particular cancel or cachet on them, thus creating a unique piece that the recipient will hopefully treasure.

There is therefore a metalanguage in a Homo sapiens epistolator letter that might not be apparent to the whole species taxon, and knowingly using it, on one hand, and deciphering it, on the other, is of course a source of pleasure for the cognoscienti.

Stamps can lend themselves also to this particular metalanguage, for most of the times, they are quite semantically rich. 

Take Eva's cover, for instance. Who would notice, but those that have the habit of scrutinising each received letter as the latest product of a specialised manufacture,  that there is a hidden message on the face of this envelope, one that needs no passing the paper through an open flame to reveal itself...

The unaware recipient would probably notice what looks to be four stamps, one in warm colours and the other three in a contrasting cold palette; he or she might also notice that one stamp is not really a stamp, because it has no tariff indication and that sending a letter from Spain to Portugal is no longer a cheap indulgence since adding the cost of an "A" stamp - 0.96 € -  to the 1,29 € of the other two, generates a total of 2.25€....

But a few would look further afield and notice that there is a leit motiv in all the stamps that is carried into the contents of the envelope, and it is here that the taxon differentiation takes effect: "Ah, Ah, a Valencia themed cover, how nice and thoughtful", the Homo Sapiens epistolator would utter in sincere pleasure, appreciating all the effort that his/her correspondent went through to construct this exercise of thematic unity.

Receiving this particular letter, greatly enriched the exchange of correspondence Eva and I had on the subject of Valencia, a city I recently had the pleasure of speed dating, taking it to a significance level that  vastly transcends the nonetheless very relevant written message it contained... 

So, if you think that one cannot have augmented reality in a snail mail exchange, try to buy some interesting stamps next time, and do take the time to exercise your orthographic skills in paper and ink one of these days... a whole new universe will (re)open itself to you...

Stamps:

- The World Exhibition of Philately, ESPAÑA 2004 took place in Valencia in May 2004. On the occasion, Correos de España issued a two stamp (0,52€; 0,77 €)  + vignette se-tenant set illustrated with images that evoke  the city and its relationship with the sea.

The 0,52€ stamp bears an image of the Bravo España, a sailing yacht of the Real Club Náutico de  Valencia, famous for its participations in the America's Cup, which first took to the sea in Valencia, in 1999.

The 0,77 € stamp is illustrated with some of the city's landmarks, notably the buildings of the City of Arts and Sciences, the Torres de Serranos and the Cathedral.

- The Fallas de Valencia, which take place every year between 15 and 19 March, are the city's most famous festival, during which wooden sculptures (Fallas) are erected in the city's neighbourhoods, and later burnt down.

The festival was awarded Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Humanity status by UNESCO in 2016.

On 01MAR 2022, Correos de España issued the self-adhesive Tariff A used on the cover, illustrated with a photo of a Falla on fire.

As writing paper, Eva used beautiful postcards showing two of the many baroque wonders of Valencia: the decorations and frescoes of the Church of San Nicolás de Bari and San Pedro Mártir

and the incredible Alabaster decoration of the entrance to the palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas,  (which I cannot pardon myself for not having seen, having been not more than a hundred meters or so from it...) which now houses the Ceramics Museum.

POSTCARD N.23 - PORTUGAL

Postcard sent on the 1st June; received on the 5th June 2026

Postcard image:  Vila Nova de Cerveira

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I rarely post mail from my own country here since for one this blog is mainly fed with mail I receive from abroad and for another, apart from the odd postcard I send myself whenever I travel, or a very particular Portuguese stamp issue that I might want to highlight on a self-sent FDC, these days I almost don't get any Portuguese stamped mail.

So it is always a pleasure to receive mail with nice Portuguese stamps, particularly when it is sent by a friend.

Um grande Obrigado. Eric. Gostei muito de receber este postal. Quem sabe se um dia não nos veremos em Vila Nova de Cerveira?

Vila Nova de Cerveira is a nice little town perched on the Portuguese bank of the Miño which goes out into the ocean just some 10 km away, at Caminha, the last town on the Portuguese side.

Spain is just 150 m away, on the other bank, so rowing your way or even swimming across might be options, but these days a fast hop through the Ponte da Amizade (Friendship Bridge) will get you to Goián (and much cheaper gas.... :-)) in a matter of minutes.

Vila Nova de Cerveira, probably got its name from tthe fact that Deer (Cervos) were once a common sight in the region, something that is no longer the case (and I suspect hasn't been for centuries...?).

Even so, the visitor can find a couple of deer in town, either in the statue of a deer that is located in a public park  and which occupies the centre of the postcard, or high above, on a viewpoint on the hills overlooking the town.

V. N. Cerveira is famous for its Sculpture biennial that has been taking place since 1978 and which has left a trace on the town itself since quite a few sculptures from past editions of the bieenial are today part of the urban landscape, like the Sculpture "Esforço" (Effort) by José Rodrigues, dated of 1983, which is shown in the centre photograph in the left column of the postcard.

The Town Hall image occupies the top of the same column while the bottom photo shows the entrance door to the Village castle.

The column on the left shows, from top to bottom:

-  The Monument to the Heroes of 1808, honouring the local defenders that faced the French Napoleonic invaders; 

- The Green House, a privately owned palace of the 19th century

- A typical village street.

Stamps

Eric used a 0,69 stamp of the Camélias dos Açores (Azorean Camellias) issue dated of  04APR2025.

This issue comprised three stamps (0,69; 1,21; 1,33 €) and a one stamp Souvenir Sheet (3,51€) all illustrated with different camellia species.

Camellias were introduced in the Azores for ornamental purposes in the 19th century and they adapted quite well to the local  temperate and humid climate, so much so that the Azores is the only place in Europe where Tea (itself a camellia species) is produced, in  the Island of São Miguel.

Postage was completed with a 0,04 stamp from the "Bicycles and Cycling" issue dated of 18MAR2026, comprising 5 stamps (0,04; 0,73; 1; 1,30; 1,45 €).

The stamps are illustrated with photos of famous Portuguese Cyclists, the 0,04 € stamp on the cover featuring José Bento Pessoa (1874 - 1954) who held the 500 metres world record and won the 1897  Spanish National Road Race Championships.

Eric's postcard reminded me of a trip to the region my wife and I and our two girls took quite a few years ago, so I  searched  my archives for some photos, and here they are:

The deer at the Deer viewpoint

The view from the Deer viewpoint: Vila nova de Cerveira in the foreground , the Minho river and the ocean on the horizon, past the Hill of Santa Trega, in Spain

COVER N. 725 - USA 

Postmark: Manual - Carthage IN 45115 USPS Mechanical -  Indianapolis IN 22.05.2026

Posted on the  22nd May;  Received on the 2nd June 2026

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This cover is the logic sequence to the previous blog entry, since this was the cover that contained the APO cover which Alex had sent me and which had ended up in the United States.

So, a large Thank You, John, for  going through the trouble of  forwarding the cover back to me. Truly appreciated.

John used three of the 10 self-adhesive "USA Forever" stamps themed on fruits and vegetables issued on 17JUL2020.

Tiny as they are, these stamps do exhibit some pretty nice still life photos. I especially like the Plums...

"...

Forgive me

they were delicious

so sweet

and so cold"

Postmark from Carthage, a town in the State of Indiana of roughly 1000 inhabitants.

COVER N. 724 - USA - ARMY POST OFFICE

Postmark: Army Post Office APO AS ???? 22.04.2026

Posted on the  22nd April;  Received on the 2nd June 2026

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Another first in my collection, thanks to the "Ghost who walks", the restless wanderer, my friend The Phantom.

This time he managed to send me a letter through the America Army Post Office, although the letter took a bit of a detour and ended up in Indianapolis...

So on this particular ocasion I have not only to say Danke Sehr to Alex, but also a king size Thank You to John, who put my letter back on track from Indianapolis to Portugal, and ultimately to  my letterbox.

Army Post Office is, I believe, as the name implies, a vector for mail circulation and distribution amongst members of the military stationed abroad, who can send their mail as if they were sending it from their own country, the PO at their location being attributed a ZIP code.

Anyway, be it as it might, The Phantom managed to send me a cover through APO, but instead of it going directly to my mailbox if was sent to Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. There  its recipient kindly forward it to me through regular mail, so all is well that ends well...

Alex used three of the four self-adhesive "USA Forever" stamps issued on 15MAR2024, featuring photographs of hummingbirds. 

The postmarks are rather blotched but this is indeed a very interesting addition to my collection.

Update: Alex tells me the APO used was Garmish, in Bavaria.

COVER N. 723 - CANADA

Postmark: Canada Post Postes Canada A24 Ovens Ave New Westminster B.C. V3L 1YD 25.05.2026

Posted on the  25th May;  Received on the 2nd June 2026

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Philatelic Matter. Please Hand Cancel.... the true mantra of the cover collector... what a nice cover from Canada, graced not only with no less than 5  large stamps but also with very large and clear postmarks.  Thanks a lot, Evelyn.

Stamps, left to right, Top to Bottom:

- Canada Post Christmas issue of 1981 comprised three 15 cent stamps, dated of  16NOV1981, illustrated with Christmas trees, the stamps offering an overview of christmas tree decoration evolution in the span of 200 years: 1781; 1881, 1981.

The stamp on the cover featuring a tree as it would be decorated in 1781 shows the humble pine all dressed up with  natural items or low technology ones, that is, fruit; pine cones and candles, a far cry from today's  trees, all decorated in led chains and exquisite ornaments.

- The  XX winter Olympics took place in Torino, in 2006. Canada Participation resulted in a total of  24 medals, 7 Gold, 10 Silver, 7 Bronze.

On the occasion, Canada Post issued on 03FEB2026 a se-tenant 2x 51 cent stamp set, the stamps highlighting two of the disciplines in the games: Team Pursuit in Speed skating and Skeleton. Further to the bilingual legend - XX Olympic Winter games XXes  Jeux Olympiques d'Hiver Toriuno 2006 - the stamps carry the five interlocking rings of the Olympic Games logo.

- Starting in 2022, Canada Post has been yearly honouring the  Indigenous Leaders of Canadian First Nations with issues illustrated with photographs of distinguished First Nations Leaders.

I have mentioned the "P" stamp issued on  20JUL2025, as part of a set of three,   honouring Julia  Haogak Ogina, an Inuit drum dance teacher and community leader when I posted cover 619, so please hit the link to go and take a look.

Josephine Mandamin was featured in one of the three stamps that were comprised in the 2024 Indigenous Leaders Issue, dated of 21JUN2024.

Quoting direct from the release notes:

Known as Grandmother Water Walker, Anishinaabe Elder Josephine “Biidaasige” Mandamin (1942-2019) trekked more than 25,000 kilometres – including around all five Great Lakes – to raise awareness of the need to preserve the sacred, life-giving gift of water.

The residential school Survivor and fourth-degree member of the Three Fires Midewiwin Society was born on Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, and lived most of her life in Thunder Bay, serving as a spiritual adviser and healer.

In 2002, she and a group of other Anishinaabe women founded the Mother Earth Water Walk movement to encourage people to protect water from pollution and other threats. Between 2003 and 2017, she led walks along the shores of waterways in Canada and the United States – singing, praying, and sharing the traditional ceremonies and knowledge of her people.

Her many honours included the Meritorious Service Cross, for her contributions to Indigenous leadership and reconciliation, and the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Excellence in Conservation.

Mandamin’s legacy lives on through community water walks and the dedicated Anishinaabe women she mentored, who continue to carry out her work and share her powerful message of environmental conservation.

The large and quite clear Postmark hails from  new Westminster, a city of about 80,000 inhabitants in the Province of British Columbia.

COVER N. 722 - MONACO

Postmark: Monaco Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies 26.05.2026

Posted on the  26th May;  Received on the 1st June 2026

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Monaco has a fine philatelic tradition. To this day, just like its neighbour, France, Monaco keeps issuing some fine intaglio printed stamps with some regularity, and these most likely than not are a sign of tradition and savoir faire that speaks a lot, in these days of almost one click digital creating, proofing and printing.

Roland, once again, sent me a cover from Monaco, with some very beautiful stamps on it, two of which fit the comment I made above 100 %. Un grand Merci, Roland!

- Prince Albert I of Monaco (1848-1922) was a keen philatelist, but I believe this not to be his main claim to fame. In fact, the thing that he will probably be more readily associated with is oceanic exploration, an activity to which he devoted a large part of his life and resources and which bore tangible fruits in the founding of Monaco's Institut Oceanographique and the Oceanographic museum two well respected institutions that survive to this day.

Some of his ocean exploration journeys were narrated in his book "La Carrière d'un Navigateur"  (A Navigator's Carreer) first published in 1902.

In 1977, the Postal Administration of the Principality issued two sets of nine multicolour  intaglio printed  stamps celebrating the 75th anniversary of the publication of La Carrière d'un navigateur, illustrated with what I would think could be replicas of photographs therein included.

The first set, which included the 0,80 Franc stamp on the top right corner of the cover depicting a navigation scene with Albert on the deck of one of his yachts talking to the man at the helm, was issued on 03MAY1977.

- The 1,70 franc below the  "La Carrière d'un Navigateur" one was issued by Monaco's Office des Timbres on 08NOV1978 and it celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Salvation Army,  (L'armée du Salut) a charitable institution and also a Protestant  Christian Church, founded in London in 1865, by  William and Catherine Booth, whose portraits appear on the foreground of the image illustrating the stamp, while the background is occupied by a Salvation army band  playing. The stamp also included the Salvation Army's crest with the motto “Sang et Feu” (Blood and Fire).

Last but not least,  the cover includes a more recent 1,96 € stamp dated of 20JUN2024, illustrated with a photo of the Facade of the Prince's Palace framed by two bugle playing guards in the foreground.

This particular stamp was Monaco's entry for Sepac's 2024 common issue programme, themed on "Main Tourist Attractions".

Postmark from the Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies, established by Prince Rainier III in 1950, to accommodate the collection started by Albert I, later expanded by Louis II and Rainier III himself.