COVER N. 700 - SRI LANKA

Postmark:  Headquarters P. O. Colombo Mail 24.03.2026  

Posted on the 24th March;  Received on the 13th April 2026

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While Sri Lanka commemorates the 75 years of its Air Force, I celebrate the 700th cover on my blog... all in one go. So the usual බෝහම ස්තුති goes out to Ravi, who kindly helped me get another nice aviation cover and stamp in my collection.

The Sri Lanka Air Force was established on the 2nd March 1951 as the Royal Ceylon Air Force, drawing on the assistance and experience of the Royal Air Force.

According to SLAF's site, it's first aircraft were the trustworthy De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk trainers that arrived in Sri Lanka in 1950, what puzzles me a bit, since the same source says the upon inception (1951) SLAF had no aircraft...

Anyway, today, SLAF's inventory is quite a mixed bag, since it comprises aircraft of as diverse origins as China (Chengdu J-7, Hongdu JL-8, Harbin Y-12) USA (Beechcraft King Air,  Lockheed C-130,  Bell 206/212/412, Cessna 150), Russia (Antonov An-32, Mil Mi-24/Mi-17), Germany (Dornier 228) and Israel (Kfir C12).

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of its national Air Force, Sri Lanka Post issued on 02MAR2026 a 70 Rupee stamp, illustrated with a fly by over parading troops, of  aircraft that were historically part of the operational history of SLAF: Hunting Jet Provost; Douglas DC-3 Dakota; Westland Dragonfly; De Havilland Dove and De Haviland Chipmunk.

The stamps also bears the Badge of the Sri Lanka Air Force and the 75th anniversary logo.

A usual with Ravi's letters, this one bears the postmark of Colombo's Central Post Office.

 My National Covers

Every now and then I have the opportunity to add what I call a "National Cover" to my collection.

These are nothing fancy. In fact they are but covers that I print  at home with the flag and coat of arms of a specific country and which I then either send to a fellow collector who is willing to help or give to friends or family or take my own self whenever travelling abroad, in the hope that these might find a way to a local post office to get a stamp and a postmark.

I will be adding these to a new "My National Covers" section in this blog.

If you don't see your country here and are willing to help me add your own country's national cover to my collection, please email me at pnsoares1@gmail.com. 

You'll get a cover from Portugal (if you want I'll be happy to print a Portuguese National Cover just like the ones I print for myself, although in a somewhat larger envelope) and a printed envelope with the relevant symbols printed, so that you can then return it to me.

Thanks a lot.

Note: Whenever possible I will try to transcribe the flag and coat of arms information from the relevant national site. Failing that I'll transcribe from Wikipedia.

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Argentine Republic / República Argentina 

The Flag

The flag of Argentina was created by Manuel Belgrano on February 27, 1812, during the struggle for Independence of the United Provinces of Río de la Plata. Belgrano took the colors of the badge that was already in use. The first time the flag was raised in Buenos Aires on 23 August 1812.

Following the declaration of independence on July 9, 1816, sky-blue flag and white was adopted as a symbol by Congress on July 20 of 1816, Congress added the sun was on 25 February 1818. On June 20 is declared Flag Day as a tribute to Manuel Belgrano (died June 20, 1820).

It consists of three horizontal stripes of equal size, upper and lower blue-blue, and white center, in the middle, a golden yellow sun. The Official Flag measures are 1.40 m long by 0.90 m high (ratio 9 / 14).

The sun will be the figure of eight gold coin shields and silver eight reales, which is recorded in the first currency in Argentina, by Act of the Sovereign Assembly on 13 April 1813, with thirty-two flamboyant and straight rays alternately placed in the same position observed in those currencies. The color of the sun is yellow gold.

Source: Consulado General en Sidney | Our Symbols

The Coat of Arms

Elliptical shape.

Cut sky-blue and silver (white).

In the bottom half, right-handed two-handed shake, holding a pole in sky-blue half holding a Phrygian cap, symbol of freedom. In the end, a rising sun (figuratively, of gold) with twenty-visible rays alternately straight and flame.

Two branches of laurel wreath on the forming face of the sun and cross at the base, tied with a ribbon with the colors of the National Flag.

Source: Consulado General en Sidney | Our Symbols

The Stamps

Being a very large country it is no surprise that Argentina has quite a few national parks and natural reserves, which some sources say number more than 50 in total.

Since 2019, Correo Argentino, the national postal operator has issued several sets illustrated with images of the nation's parks and reserves.

On the cover three of these stamps can be seen:

1500 Pesos, issued on 13NOV2023 - Laguna El Palmar National Park 

2000 Pesos, issued on 13NOV2023 - Campo de San Juan Federal Park 

200 pesos - issued on 03JUN2029 - Patagonia National Park

 

The Postmark

Although hard to read, I know that the postmark was applied at the Post Office of Ushuaia, the most austral town in the world, as the legend in the postmark reads.

Again, a huge thanks (clad in green, for my envy is immense), to Marta, my youngest daughter, who went through the trouble of getting to the post office at Ushuaia to send daddy a letter.

COVER N. 699 - INDIA

Postmark: Airoli Node Sub Office 400708 14.03.2026

Posted on the 14th March;  Received on the 31st March 2026

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Piyush always sends me outstanding covers, and this one is no exception. आपका बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद, Piyush.

Medicinal Plants. A truly fascinating world and by itself a great theme to collect, the more so when the stamps are as nice as these.

Medicinal Plants have been used from God knows when, and they are still the go to pharmacy of many that lack the comfort and ease of a pill washed down with water for many an ailment. In fact, an important proportion of the medicines we take today derive from active principles found in plants and it is an undisputable fact that there are a lot more waiting to be discovered. 

On 19DEC2025, India Post issued the very interesting set of 5 x 5 rupee stamps on the cover, each stamp featuring an illustration of a Medicinal Plant used in India.

From left to right:

- Shatavari, (Asparagus racemosus)

Shatavari is a species of Asparagus (Asparagaceae family)  which can be found from Africa to southern Asia, including the Indian subcontinent, and northern Australia.

It is used in Ayurvedic medicine as a fertility and lactation enhancer.

- Indian Pennywort (Centella asiatica) 

This is a member of the Apiaceae family,  native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australia, and islands in the western Pacific Ocean.

It is used both culinary and medicial uses.  As far as the latter is concerned, The Indian Pennyworth is used to treat dermatological conditions and also minor wounds.

- Long Pepper (Piper longum) 

Another plant that has both culinary and medicinal uses.

This flowering vine of the  Piperaceae family is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat respiratory infections (bronchitis, asthma, cough), enhance digestion, and reduce inflammation.

- Heart-Leaved Moonseed (Tinospora cordifolia)

A herbaceous vine of the family Menispermaceae native to South and Southeast Asia.

In Ayurvedic medicine it is used to boost immunity, treat chronic fevers, manage Type 2 diabetes, and protect the liver. 

- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

A member of the Solanaceae family, which can be found in the Middle East and North Africa, and also in other African regions, southern Europe, Indian subcontinent, and across Southeast Asia.

Its roots, once reduced to powder, are used to treat  stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.

Although long consumed for medicinal purposes, it should be noted that the entries in Wikipedia regarding these particular plants state that, in general, current clinical evidence is insufficient to confirm their safety or efficacy.

Postage was completed with a 5 rupee stamp issued in January 2016 as part of the year's issue of the definitive series "Makers of India", featuring the portrait of Nationalist Netaji Subash Chandra Boise (1897 - 1945). 

The very interesting Pictorial postmark featuring a pair of flamingos hails from Airoli Node, a residential and commercial area in the metropolitan area of Mumbai.

COVER N. 698 - RUSSIA

Postmark: ПОЧТА РОССИИ (Russia Post) - KM 652305 КEMEP. ОБЛ. 28.02.2026

Posted on the 28th February;  Received on the 26th March 2026

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t's been a while since I got mail from Russia, so I was quite pleased to see this large envelope in my letterbox. большое спасибо, Sergej.

I only wished that whenever I get a cover from Russia, I could set aside the awkward feeling that  the State, in abstract, surely not the people, evokes in me, now that 4 years have already passed from the fatidic day when the aggression on Ukraine began.

The world has changed quite a lot since the beginning of this unjustified war, and other absurd and just as or even more cruel aggressions have taken place in the world, with Europe, my Europe, most times, sadly and hypocritically turning a blind eye on them, 

The amount of suffering and hatred that is being generated these days by absolute lunatics driven by imperialistic desiderata,  delusions of grandeur or self-determined religious supremacy is beyond belief, and we all know where that leads to, for hate only generates more hate...

So let's think of letters, those simple well intentioned physical means of communication between people, as olive branches....  white doves are known to land on them!

 

- The 80 Ruble stamp, illustrated with an image of Moscow's Red Square and the legend МОЯ РОССИЯ (My Russia) was issued on 25NOV2025.

- The 50 Ruble stamp was issued on 26AUG2025 in celebration of the the fiftieth anniversary of the town of Kogalym, located in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Tyumen Oblast, in Siberia. The town was established in 1975 as a consequence of the exploitation of oil fields existent in the area.

The Postmark was applied at the town of Topki  in the Kemerovskaya Oblast, in southwestern Siberia.

POSTCARD N.216 - MALAYSIA

Postcard sent on the 6th January; received on the 25th March 2026

Postcard image: Suria KLCC Shopping Mall and Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur

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The Phantom started the year wondering around as it is his custom, and on his ramblings he went to Malaysia, from where he kindly sent me a postcard.

Danke Sehr, Alex!

The twin Petronas Towers were once the tallest building in the world, having been since surpassed by some 20 other buildings, mostly located in Asia.

Still, it continues to rank as the tallest twin towers structure in he world.

Having started to be laid on paper in 1992, construction would begin in March 1993 and be concluded in 1996. The inauguration of the building took place on 31 August 1999.

The stamps used are part of a set of five values (30; 50; 2 x 60 Sen + 5 Ringgit), dated of 05DEC2024, dedicated to Student Organisation uniforms, 

The 30 Sen stamp (on the left) is illustrated with an image of a marching group of young lads, members of the Student Cadets, a  corps specific to the Ministry of Education for primary schools, which aims at fostering discipline and patriotic spirit among the young students.

The 60 Sen stamp is dedicated to the Girl Guide Association of Malaysia, founded in 1916.

The set to which both stamps belong was issued within the framework of  Stamp Week 2024.

On the left of the card the First day postmark of the last issue of 2025, dedicated to rubber research in Malaysia, was also included.

 

Postmark from the “Biro Peminat Setem, Ibu  Fejabat Pos”, which  Google tels me means something like  Philatelic Bureau of the Post Office Headquarters.

POSTCARD N.215 - USA

 Postcard sent on the 10th March; received on the19th March 2026

Postcard image: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area - Calico Tanks

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Michal sent me a a beautiful postcard from the USA. Děkuji mnohokrát, Michal.

The planet was here before us and, hopefully, will be here after us. We're not owners; just users, fruitioners, but also guardians, keepers. This self-evident and yet strangely not so obvious truth is probably the most important thought that nature in all its grandiosity should impart on the visitor, the passer by, the local inhabitant.

"All things must pass," George Harrison aptly concluded in his most gracious and harmonious way, but some things last way longer than others and inanimate ones, like rocks and stones seem to have an innate ticket to eternity.

Images like the one of the card Michal sent me, always humble me. 

I know I will not be able in my limited life to actually enjoy the majority of the myriad of outstanding natural places that Earth has on offer, but, lucky as I am, compared to a lot of other humans, I have been to a few places which would look just as fine on a postcard.   

I have never been to the United States of America, though. Still, I have visited many of its natural wonders since my childhood days, in the always superior photos on the pages of the National Geographics that my father and later my own self subscribed to, long before the internet, e-mail, 

Or Trump, for that matter....

All things must pass...

Michal used a Forever stamp of the 2024 Flag issue which comprised 4 different designs. The set was issued on 14JUN2024.

Mechanical Postmark from Las Vegas, Nevada, this famous city being but a half an hour drive from the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, where the photo of the postcard was taken.

COVER N. 697 - AUSTRIA

Postmark: Sollenau Zustell basis 2601 09.03.2026

Posted on the 9th March;  Received on the 18th March 2026

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A very musical cover as so rightly befits the origin: Austria.

Vielen Dank, Manfred!

Two absolute landmarks of Vienna, Austria's capita,  that were brought back to life after their sad destruction during World War II: the Burgtheater, Austria's National Theather and Wiener Staatsoper,  Vienna State Opera.

So many such cases in history, one would think that humanity would learn from our errors of the past... sadly,  it is clearly not the case... 

Anyway, the reconstruction of both the Burgtheater, whose construction was ordered by Maria Theresa, the then ruling Habsburg Empress and which was inaugurated in 1741 and  the Staatsoper, inaugurated in 1869 during the ruling of  the Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth of Austria, went almost hand in hand, it seems, since both facilities were reopened in 1955.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the reopening Austria Post issued on 25OCT2005 the very beautiful souvenir sheet on the cover, comprising two in-taglio printed 0,55€ stamps, the one illustrated with the Burgtheater building coloured sepia and the one portraying the Opera building toned in blue. 

The level of detail included on both illustrations is outstanding and it does pay to have a good look at them under a magnifying glass.

Postage was completed with a 0.55 stamp issued on 18JUN2003 as part of a 4 x 0.55 € stamp set honouring the Rolling Stones, illustrated with the always very energetic Mick Jagger.

Postmark from Sollenau, in the State of Lower Austria, centre west of the country.