COVER N. 735 - FRANCE

Postmark: Salon Paris Philex 2026 - la nature à Paris - La Poste Paris 11.06.2026

Posted on the 11th June;  Received on the 25th June 2026

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NFT stamps... an absolute mystery to me. 

I bought the first Portuguese  NFT stamp and readily made a mess of all the registering process right away, so when I noticed that Eric had kindly sent me  a cover with one of the La Poste NFT stamps issued in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the publication in France of  Le Petit Prince, (pour laquelle que je te remercie enomerment, Eric) I began to get a bit shaky...

Contrary to the Portuguese stamp, though, the 8€ NFT stamp illustrated with an image of the Little Prince flying his own aircraft, has a QR code inscribed on it. Reading the QR code, returns a 3D-ish animation of the image on the stamp, so at least I was able to get to this part, which is a lot more than I was able to do with the Portuguese stamp.

As far as I think I understand, NFT stamps should be "stored" online but this is where I have no idea how to progress in order to create one's own "album". Maybe one day, i'll understand it, even though I think I cannot recuperate my original Portuguese NFT stamp which is living somewhere in a digital limbo....

Anyway, the Petit Prince NFT on the cover is part of a set of four single stamp souvenir sheets (4 x 8€ - NFTimbre 8.1-8.4)) issued on 19MAY2026, celebrating, as above mentioned, the 80th anniversary of the French publication of Le Petit Prince, by Galimard, in 1946. The stamps are illustrated with an image that is essentially a frame from the video accessible through the QR code inscribed on their surface.

The physical stamp was cancelled in the course of the Paris Philex 2026 philatelic show with the First Day Postmark of a Lettre Verte stamp that was issued during the event, on 11JUN2026, as the 2026 Philex CNEP (Chambre syndicale française des Négociants et Experts en Philatélie) issue, dedicated to the theme of the event: La nature à Paris (Nature in Paris).

As I was able to read on the internet, CNEP has been  issuing souvenir sheets with a lettre verte stamp  for each of philatelic shows it organises or participates in, since 1980.

COVER N. 734 - FRANCE

Postmark: Les 80 ans du petit Prince - le Petit Prince - 80 - 1er Jour La Poste Paris 11.06.2026

Posted on the 11th June;  Received on the 25th June 2026

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The second "Le Petit Prince" themed cover that Eric sent me was also an FDC, featuring the 2.25€ stamp illustrated with a recreation of Saint-Exupéry's magnificent character.

Un grand Merci, Eric.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is mainly remembered as a writer  and as one of the pioneers of French Intercontinental airmail services, (Africa and later South America) through his collaboration with Aéropostale, the  company founded, with that aim in mind, in  the wake of the first world war, by aircraft  manufacturer (mainly flying-boats and seaplanes) Pierre-Georges Latécoère, as “Société des Lignes Latécoère”, which would  be rebranded in 1927,as “Compagnie Générale Aéropostale”.

The story of Aéropostale is an epic odyssey in itself  and several of its pilots would be forever remembered as examples of tenacity, endurance and  courage, so many were the hurdles, challenges and life threatening situations they had to overcome while carrying mail in their planes over the Andes or the African deserts.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Jean Mermoz, Henri Guillaumet, probably the most famous of all the Aéropostale pilots. They all lived a life devoted to aviation.... so much so that they all died while flying... Saint-Ex over the Mediterranean Sea while on a photo reconnaissance flight in 1943; Mermoz in 1936 over the South Atlantic, while crossing it from Senegal to Brazil and Guillaumet also shot down over the Mediterranean, in 1940.

Saint-Ex's own experience with accidents was instrumental in his writing of the Little Prince, for the plot draws on the situation he went through when crashing in the Sahara desert during what was supposed to be a record flight between Paris and Saigon, in 1935. Hhe and his co-pilot spent 5 days in the desert, with almost nothing to drink, being finally rescued by a Bedouin who happened to be passing close by.

80 years past the publication in France of his most beloved book, on 11JUL2026, La Poste once again decided to honour this man of many talents, with a 2,25 € stamp with a digital recreation of  the little boy who tamed a fox, originally drawn in ink and painted in watercolour, which sits on many a bookshelf across the whole world.

 

POSTCARD N.236 - FRANCE

Postcard sent on the 12th of June; received on the 25th June 2026

Postcard image: Le Petit Prince

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Le Petit Prince, the Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s magnum opus... the first book I have the recollection of it being offered me by my father, in its Portuguese translation, of course: O Principezinho.....

And somehow, in the beginning of the current week, I felt that Saint-Ex's famous illustration of a boa digesting an elephant could be a perfect metaphor form my letterbox, for after Mr.Postman's visit, it too became immobile for the rest of the week, while trying to digest the huge load of French First Day Covers I got from Eric, and which I will be, of course, posting here these coming days.

Un gran merci, mon ami. Tu m'as bien apprivoisé....

The Little Prince is the world's most translated book after the Bible, having been published in more than 600 different languages and dialects.

The history of the Little Prince, the only living boy in asteroid B612, who ended up on Earth after  abandoning his little celestial body to escape a pretentious rose and to find a way of keeping baobabs from occupying all its surface, only to be taught by a fox that we are responsible for what we tame (sounds confusing? well, not a bit.) has been read, cherished and loved by generations of people willing to be tamed in all corners of the world  ever since it was first published, in 1943, in both French and English, by  Reynal & Hitchcock, in New York

The first French Publication would  sadly be a posthumous one, for Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's had been banned from publication by the Vichy Regime. Thus, when the book was finally published in France, by Galimard, in 1946, his author had already lost his life, what sadly occurred in April 1943, during a flight in a  F5B,  a reconnaissance version of the American Lockheed P-38 Lightning, over the Mediterranean, not far from Marseille.

The 80 years of the French publication of Le Petit Prince were chosen by La Poste as one of the events and places to be honoured with stamp issues during 2026's Paris Philex  a well established stamp exhibition and competition held annually in Paris.

To this view,  La Poste issued both a 12 x "Lettre Verte" stamps booklet and a single 2,25 € (International 20g) stamp, both illustrated with images inspired by the fabulous original watercolours also authored by Saint-Exupéry, used to illustrate the book.

Two of the "Lettre Verte" stamps, cancelled with the first day postmark dated of 11JUN2026,  can be seen on the Petit Prince themed postcard Eric sent me.

The postmark featuring the portrait of the famous character superimposed on a 80 and the legend les 80 ans du Petit Prince (80 years of the Little Prince) was applied at Philex 2026, I presume.

POSTCARD N.235 - SPAIN

Postcard sent on the 12th of June; received on the 25th June 2026

Postcard image: The Guinness Paella World Record 

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Lately, if you're in the habit of dropping by to see what's cooking (pun intended....) you might have noticed that Paella has been a theme for friendly Iberian discussion with Eva, the dedicated keeper of the Mail Adventures blog, from across the border.

To wrap up our exchange on such a relevant icon of Iberian gastronomic culture, Eva good-humouredly sent me a postcard that is exemplary of the pride that Valencia puts in its most famous dish. 

Interestingly enough, I think there is more in that postcard than the simple fact it showcases: the cooking up, in 1992, in Valencia (where else?)  of the biggest paella ever made, (in what is probably also the largest paellera ever built)  enough to feed 100000 souls, under the supervision of chef Juan Carlos Galbis, a feat acknowledged by the supreme registry of unusual, curious or downright idiotic accomplishments: The Guinness Book of Records.

And it is this passion for food related record breaking and for its inscription in the Guinness Book of records that I find is very much an Iberian thing.

When I first looked at Eva's postcard, I immediately thought of a portuguese counterpart for the Guiness paella: The  biggest Feijoada à Portuguesa (Portuguese bean stew) ever served, that was consumed by 17000 people on the longest table ever laid (5 km) - also a Guinness record - on the inauguration of Vasco da Gama Bridge linking Lisbon to Montijo, over the Tagus, in 1998.

But then, as far as Portuguese gastronomic Guinness records are concerned,   there is also the largest chestnut roaster in Vinhais, the Largest Omelette ever made, in Ferreira do Zêzere; the biggest limpet rice, in Madeira, the biggest sardinhada (grilled sardines) in Setúbal; the biggest Bolo-rei (our version of the French Galette des Rois), in Matosinhos, and I am sure, a handful more...

And if on our side, there are so many records,  Eva's side does not fall behind with the largest ‘bocadillo de jamón’ (ham sandwich) in Huelva, the biggest gazpacho (cold soup) in Almeria ; the biggest tortilla de patata (potato omelette) in Vitoria, and some other, I'm sure.... even the original  Paella record has already been broken by the same chef, this time cooking in Madrid, not in Valencia...

Be it as it may, food is something that it taken very seriously in all of the peninsula and people are indeed very proud of their traditional gastronomic heritage on both sides of the border. 

I would even say that the Portuguese and the Spanish are as related in kind in their languages as they are in their cuisine, which in essence is as simple and creative as it is hearty.

In fact, if you never been to the Iberian Peninsula and never tasted any of the dishes that people call theirs, you really don't know what you are missing....

- Tourism represents 15.5 % of Spain's GDP. Such an high stake in the country's production of value does not come without its share of inconvenience, and achieving sustainability in tourism has to be an ever present goal for the government either at national or regional or even municipal level.

Sustainable tourism in Spain is also the theme of the A (domestic 20g) Tariff stamp on the cover, issued on 20FEB2026 as part of a set of two (1 x "A" + 1 x "D") self-adhesive stamps dedicated to Tourism in Spain.  The stamp is illustrated with  the image of a mother and a child cuddling a cow, with the legend Turismo sostenible y regenerativo (Sustainable and regenerative Tourism).

- The 23rd world Handball Championships took place in January 2013 in Spain. Incidentally, the end result could not be more satisfying for the organisers, since Spain was also the team that won the event.

Celebrating this fact, Correos de España issued  the 1 € stamp on the cover on  09JUL2013, the stamp being illustrated with a hand holding a handball ball in Spain's national colours: red and yellow.

- Felipe VI became the King of Spain on 19 June 2014. The first definitive series featuring his portrait was issued on 19JAN2015, and the 0,04 € stamp on the cover is part of that issue which comprised 6 values (0,01; 0,04; 0,10; 1;L 2; 5 €), the stamps being all equal but printed in different colours.

COVER N. 733 - UK - BRITISH OVERSEAS TERRITORIES - BRITISH ANTARCTIC TERRITORY 

Postmark: British Antarctic Territory - Rothera  05.03.2026

Posted on the 5th March;  Received on the 6th June 2026

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Antarctica. The last bit of land still relatively protected from international abuse, thanks to an international treaty that froze all territorial claims so as to ensure that Antarctica is a territory devoted to science and peace.

The Antarctic Treaty was signed on the 1st December 1959 by the 12 countries who had and have since maintained scientific missions in and around Antarctica - Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (now the Russian federation), the United Kingdom, and the United States of America - and it effectively puts a ban on any new territorial claims, while maintaining the current status quo (but not formally recognising) as to existing territorial claims on the continent.

One of the original treaty signers was the UK who, since the beginning of the 20th century, maintains a claim for what is known as the British Antarctic Territory, for the  region south of 60°S latitude and between longitudes 20°W and 80°W,  a claim that in itself partially overlaps those of Chile and Argentina (an example of how important this treaty is....)

UK presence in the continent is managed under the auspices of the British Antarctic Survey established in 1962, which operates five research stations in the claimed territory; Rothera on Adelaide Island; Halley Research Station on the Brunt Ice Shelf; Signy Research Station on Signy Island; Fossil Bluff logistics facility on Alexander Island and Sky Blu logistics facility in Ellsworth Land.

With the help of the Phantom, I was able to secure a cover from the British Antarctic Territory, namely from Rothera Station, to my collection. Danke Sehr, Alex!

- RRS Ernest Shackleton was launched in 1954 in Sweden as MV Arendal (III), having been bought by Falkland Islands Dependency Survey, the predecessor of the British Antarctic Survey, in 1955, when it was refurbished and renamed as RSS Ernest Shackleton. She stayed with the British Antarctic Survey until 1969, and after having passed through several owners, she was finally scrapped, as Sea Profiler, in 2011.

- Royal Research Ships was also the theme of a 6 x 76 p stamp set issued on 20NOV2017, illustrated with photographs of ships that have operated for the British Antarctic Survey. 

RRS James Clark Ross Icebreaker as launched in 1990  and served with the British Antarctic Survey until 2021, when it was sold to the Ukraine, where it now operates under the name Noosfera. Her final voyage as James Clark Ross, in 2021,  is the theme of a set of 4 stamps (68; 78 p; 1.04; 1.26 Pound) issued on 23NOV2021, illustrated with photographs of the vessel.

Postmark from Rothera Research Station, on Adelaide3 island  - 67°34′08″S 68°07′30″W .

COVER N. 732 - KIRIBATI

Postmark: Butaritari Republic of Kiribati Postal Service 19.05.2026

Posted on the 19th May;  Received on the 12th June 2026

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Kiribati. A new country joins the list thanks to the generous help from Eric, the Flying Dutchman, and his friend  Wolfgang. who mounted the operation. A huge many thanks to both of you. 

I've said it before: This blog is as much as mine as of some friends who relentlessly try to enrich it with mail from origins I would never ever think of, or even know about. 

Without being exhaustive at all, take Ravi's Rattlesnake island, Alex's Abkhazia, Roland's Lundy or Eric's present Kiribati covers, to name but four friends and as many uncommon origins. How on earth would I ever add these pearls to my collection without their more than generous and friendly help?

I am in debt to all of you. Without your help, I am sure my friend Mr. Postman would never get the chance to wonder "How on earth does this guy manage to get such strange mail sent to him...?"

Kiribati became famous a quarter of a century ago (my, does time pass....) for being the first country to enter into the new millennium.

Another not so happy call to fame that the Pacific Island State can unfortunately claim is that there is a strong possibility of all of its territory being submerged due to the rise of the sea levels as a consequence of climate change. As a result of this menace, Kiribati's government has already bought some land on Fiji with a view to the relocation of population in the future....

Kiribati comprises 32 Islands and atolls, 12 of them being uninhabited, and its territory spreads over an  oceanic area of 3,440 square kilometres and an extension of 2,900 kilometres, its economy relying mostly on tourism and  fishing licences on its waters.

The country, a former British protectorate, known as  Gilbert and Ellice Islands, became independent, as Kiribati, in 1979, now encompassing the Gilbert islands (Ellice Islands becoming Tuvalu) the Line islands and the Phoenix group.

Stamps:

Sir Rowland Hill  is a name that needs no introduction to Philatelists, for this teacher, inventor an social reformer who lived between 1795 and 1879, is the person to blame for originating the hobby they pursue since his was the idea of using a bit of pre-paid adhesive paper  on the letters as proof of payment of postage... we all know the concept, right?

On the centenary of his passing, which coincided with Kiribati’s year of  independence, Kiribati issued,  on 04OCT1979, a set of four stamps (10; 20; 30; 45 Australian cent) on a souvenir sheet featuring a logo mimicking a postmark, with the words Sir Roland Hill 1795 1879 and a line version of Kiribaty's coat of arms with its motto  "Te Mauri, Te Raoi, Ao Te Tabomoa," ("Health, Peace, and Prosperity").

The stamps include fac-similes of  stamps of the former Gilbert and Ellice Islands protectorate.

The marriage of the then Prince Charles to lady Diana Spencer was one of the most resonating pieces of news (if not the most...) in 1981.

Many if not all of the former British colonies and protectorates issued stamps sets celebrating the occasion, and Kiribati was no exception.

A set of four stamps (2 x 12; 2 x 50 Australian cents) was thus issued on 29JUL1981 (the date of the wedding).

Two of the stamps (12 and 50 cents) featured the portraits of the couple alongside an image of  royal yachts of days gone, namely the Katherine and the Osborne (the latter being the stamp on the cover), while the other 12 + 50 cents pair, in an elongated format,  carried the message "Congratulations from the people of Kiribati" ib between the portraits of Charles and Diana.

Postmark from Butaritari, one of the atolls of the Gilbert islands.

COVER N. 731 - GREENLAND 

Postmark: 3911 06.05.2026

Posted on the 6th May;  Received on the 8th June 2026

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Roland sends me a lovely cover from Greenland. Un grand Merci, mon ani.

Greenland, The largest island in the world and an Autonomous Region of the Kingdom of Denmark, whose name in the language of its nationals, Kalaallit Nunaat, says all that needs to be said to a few who think that the world is their playground: Our Land.

Tusass is the Post and Telecommunications services provider in Greenland, after a merger of both the previous post and telecom providers, that took place in 1997 and a rebranding from the original "Tele-Post"  that ensued.

The origins of the telecommunication services in the Island, according to Wikipedia, can be traced back to 1879. so the  company under a previous iteration had already been well established when the first telegram was sent from the Island "from Qeqertar suaq to King Christian X in Denmark on 6th September 1925 at 2:23 p.m." (cf. the release notes on "Greenland Collector"). 

Marking the 100th anniversary of this important event Tusass issued on 06SEP2025, the two stamp set on this cover, with faces values of 3 and 25 Danish Krone, featuring two joyful Greenlanders clad in typical attire on a  happy telephone conversation, one using a fixed terminal and the other a mobile device.

Both stamps carry the "Tusass 100" celebration logo.

The Postmark was applied at Sisimiut, Greenland's second largest city, located in the centre west of the island, with a population of roughly 5.5 thousand inhabitants.

POSTCARD N.234 - CZECH REPUBLIC

Postcard sent on the 4th of June; received on the 10th June 2026

Postcard image: The Infant Jesus of Prague  (Pražské Jezulátko)

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Francisca sends me a much welcome surprise from one of the cities that I have been to that I love the most: Prague.

Muito obrigado Francisca. É sempre um gosto receber um postal seu, mais ainda sabendo do gosto e cuidado que foram colocados no envio desta bela lembrança da não menos bela cidade de Praga.

The Infant Jesus of Prague is one of the more venerated and famous images of the Infant Jesus in the world. 

Its origin can be traced back to 1556, the year when a Spanish noblewoman, D. María Maximiliana Manriquez de Lara y Mendoza took it to Bohemia, on the occasion of her marriage to the High Chancellor of Bohemia, Vratislav II of Pernštejn.

Legend has it that the 48 cm tall image had been given to D. María's mother by none other than the Carmelite nun that would go into history as Saint Teresa of  Ávila. 

Same has it had happened with her, D. Maria passed on the image to her daughter, Polyxena as a wedding gift for her first marriage, in 1587,   to Wilhelm von Rosenberg.

Polyxena, who would become Polyxena of Lobkowicz upon her second marriage, in 1603, to Imperial High Chancellor Zdeněk Vojtěch Popel of Lobkowicz, gave the  image to the  Discalced Carmelites of the Carmelite Church of Our Lady Victorious in 1628, the place where it has been preserved ever since that day .

The image is highly venerated by Catholic believers and through its history has been offered precious vestments as a sign of devotion.

Throughout the year the image is thus dressed following the liturgical code of colours, red as featured in the images on the postcard and stamp being worn on Christmas and Easter.

The legend on the back of the postcard informs that the vestment worn on the photograph is the oldest that is still preserved, which was given by the Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III, in 1650.

Francisca couldn't have used a more matching stamp to post her postcard. The self-adhesive "E" (Europe) tariff  stamp bearing the image of the Infant Jesus of Prague, dressed in a festive red and gold vestment was issued on 30NOV2021.

The postmark, as expected, was applied at Prague.

COVER N. 730 - USA 

Postmark: Rattlesnake Island Local Post 01.06.2026/ Port Clinton Lighthouse 125th anniversary 1896 - 2026 Port Clinton Ohio 43452 02.06.2026

Posted on the 1st June;  Received on the 12th June 2026

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The last cover I got from Ravi, from the United States, is a true gem: a fantastic envelope from a little island on lake Erie, Michigan, sent through what is the only private local mail service of the USA: Rattlesnake Island Local Post. Another huge Bohoma Sthuthi, Ravi. You're spoiling me...

Rattlesnake Island is a very exclusive place, it seems. The Island belongs to the members of the Rattlesnake Island Club which are limited in number to 65 and only them or their invitees can set foot on the island, armed security guards making sure there are no trespassers...

Anyway, besides that bit of Hollywoodesque trivia, what is really interesting to stamp lovers is the fact that the Island has had an operating  Local Post Service on several occasions, which until today is still  the only one of its kind in the United States of America, being fully recognised by USPS.

The story of RILP dates back to August 1966, when the then owner of the island started it to overcome the refusal of USPS in delivering mail to the Island.

Since then and up to 1989 the service was provided with air mail from the island being carried first in Ford tri-motors of  Island Airlines,  being rerouted, once it reached the mainland, by USPS through Port Clinton, in Ohio. From May 1979, though, when the Island was sold to a new owner, stamps were no longer used, these being only used for First Day Cover issue purposes.

The second iteration of RILP began in 2005 and ran up to 2010, again under the supervision of the founder of the service, Dr. James Frackleton. The aircraft now used were the DeHavilland Beaver and Piper Saratoga of Griffing Flying Service.

In 2022, RILP was again set in motion, now under the supervision of Post Master Dave Gill, who has been the person responsible for RIPL stamp issues ever since.

Ravi also included a very nice postcard also issued by RILP with an aerial view of the tiny island which from tip to tip measures about 1 km in length.

The green "padded" level area is the airstrip, which doubles as an 18 hole golf course, when planes are not in sight....

The stamps on the cover are the 2024 RILP stamp issue featuring aircraft used for mail services to the island, namely the above mentioned  Piper Saratoga - 50 Cent; DeHavilland Beaver - 75 Cent and Thin Lizzie (Ford Trimotor) -  1 Dollar and they are obliterated by the classic diamond shaped RILP postmark.

I think I also read that the triangular stamps result from an imposition by USPS for them not to be confused with USPS stamps, but I can't go back to where I think I read it...

The cover also carries an USA Forever Stamp, (1794 Compass Rose, issued on 24JAN2025) for the "regular"  international service to Portugal, obliterated with a lovely Postmark celebrating Port Clinton's Lighthouse 125th anniversary.

All in all a fantastic cover. Thank you so much, Ravi!

COVER N. 729 - USA 

Postmark: Boston 2026 World Expo 250th Youth and Family Day - Station Boston MA 02205 30.05.2026

Posted on the 23rd May;  Received on the 11th June 2026

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Third cover I got from Ravi from the Boston World Expo features an amazing line up of  American lighthouses, on a prepaid envelope with an American Flag pre-printed stamp. Bohoma Sthuthi, Ravi.

Looking at Ravindra's cover it is easy to understand why Lighthouses is a popular theme amongst stamp collectors, Ravi being a dedicated one himself.

In fact,  these structures are not only quite frequently located at incredibly beautiful, and often protected sites but they also exhibit a baffling diversity in architectural terms, given that in their essence they are basically a tower with a lantern on top.

Add to this the  conspicuity of the high visibility paint scheme that is also a feature of many a lighthouse, the fact that they  are quite frequently centuries old, often with many a story to tell, plus the romantic aura they exhale (especially on stormy winter days) and there is no escaping their allure... 

Between 1990 and 2021 USPS issued a total of 7 issues based around the same concept: a 5 stamp se-tenant strip (self-adhesive, from 2003 on) dedicated to the lighthouses of a given region of the US (the first issue escaping this categorisation, for it includes lighthouses that cross the full span of the country, from Washington in the Pacific coast to New Jersey, on the Atlantic side).

For this cover, Ravi used precisely the original issue, that of 1990, comprising 5 x 25 cents stamps.

From left to right, the lighthouses depicted in the beautiful paintings are:

- Admiralty Head, Washington  

Now deactivated, this 9.1 m tall lighthouse, was built in 1903.

- Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

Built in 1870 and twice relocated (last time in 1999) Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, is 64 m in height.

- West Quody Head, Maine

Located at the easternmost point of the contiguous United States, this 15 m tall lighthouse was built in 1808.

- American Shoals, Florida

Located off shore of Key West, Florida, the 34 m high American Shoals lighthouse was constructed in 1880.

- Sandy Hook, New Jersey

The oldest operating lighthouse in the United States, the 31 m high Sandy Hook lighthouse was built in 1764.

COVER N. 729 - USA 

Postmark: Boston 2026 World Expo 250th anniversary of the US - Station Boston MA 02205 23.05.2026

Posted on the 23rd May;  Received on the 9th June 2026

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Second cover I got from Ravi from the Boston World Expo features some stamps of a very recent issue celebrating another of the most famous US icons: Route 66. Again, a large Bohoma sthuthi, Ravi.

2026 marks the centenary of this most famous of American routes, originally crossing about 2/3 of the country, linking Los Angeles, (later Santa Monica) California, on the West coast, to Chicago, Illinois, on the shores of lake Michigan.

Today, Route 66 is no longer. Parts of it have been altered, merged, replaced by new infrastructures, due to the exponential increase in traffic since the opening of the original road and, as a matter of fact, Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985. Still its importance as a vital artery for internal migration and especially the role it played in the years following the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl and the post-war boom of the 50s have granted it a place in American history, today crystallised in what is known as the Historic Route 66, which comprises about 85% of the initial road.

On the centenary of Route 66, USPS issued on 05MAY2026 a set comprising 8 self-adhesive USA Forever stamps illustrated with photographs of Motel, Cafe and Gas stations signs existing on Route 66, themselves pretty iconic images too.

Ravi used three of these stamps on this cover, postmarked from the postmarking station of the World Expo dedicated to the Day of the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States. I wonder if he came across any of the Joads or maybe Billy or Captain America in their Harleys....

COVER N. 728 - USA 

Postmark: Boston 2026 World Expo Stamp Collectors Day - Station Boston MA 02205 25.05.2026

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

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Turns out that the Boston Postcard was just an apetiser for the several fantastic covers that Ravi most kindly and generously sent me from the Boston 2026 World Expo. Bohoma Sthuthi, Ravi. Truly appreciated it.

First one was this cover on a prepaid envelope with a printed USA Forever stamp:

 The "World Stamp Show", which took place in Boston, Massachusetts, from the 23 to the 30 May was one of the events integrated in the celebrations of the 250th Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America.

Previously to the show, on 14 August, USPS issued a  couple of terrific in-taglio printed "Forever" stamps to promote this important philatelic event and also to celebrate the country's anniversary.

According to USPS, the stamps, which when closely analysed exhibit a very fine 3D appearance, were created as replica vintage engravings so as to celebrate the stamps issued in the 19th and the early years of the 20th century, and they are illustrated with images of  the Old North Church, which is oldest church building in existence in Boston, as it appeared during the American Revolution, and of a  “Midnight rider”  galloping with a lantern in one hand, so as to light his way.

These are both symbols of the American revolution for lanterns in the bell tower of the  Church, there placed momentaneously, at the request of Paul Revere, on the night of April 18, 1775, warned patriots of the movements of the British troops.

Paul Revere himself was one of  the "midnight riders" (and the most famous of them all), evoked in one of the stamps, these being patriots dispatched to warn fellow revolutionaries of the whereabouts of the British troops, prior to the first battles of the American revolution: Lexington and Concord, which took place on the 19th April.

The Postmark was applied at the Expo on the 25th May at the "Stamp collectors' day" postmarking station.

POSTCARD N.233 - USA

Postcard sent on the 25th May; received on the 5th June 2026

Postcard image:  Boston skyline from the sky...

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There are images I will keep forever in my cerebral photobook... 

Boston, Massachusetts... that's where they were going to.... whole families, by the end of the summer, after visiting relatives,  in their nicest clothes,  nervously waiting for the boarding call at the airport terminal, with the father always taking with him a couple of bottles bound together, artistically covered in some sort of intertwined plastic straw that would create  patterns on the cover (red and white, being the colours I vividly remember). Binoculars, we called them... inside the glass bottles the aguardente that their families had been producing for ages.... for a special occasion... a birthday, a christening, a marriage... a bit of liquid island to wear off the saudades (they say the word can't be translated, but it means a deep longing, missing something very much).

"Charlie, come here", said the mother to the  little kid running and jumping as kids do, between the rows of the seats of the airport terminal (in those days there was no specific boarding room, just a general pre-flight area, where passengers and general public could be together).

"Charlie, ... come here" said the mother, this time a bit louder and with more assertivness, but Charlie, did not seem to hear, or couldn't care less.

"Charlie, don't you hear me? Come here!", shouted mother... same result

"Eh Carlinhs, nan tás aouvi? vencá!" Charlie, as if hit by lightning, froze and immediately  calmed down and went to join mother at the end of the room...

Massachusetts ranks as the second most important Azorean emigration destination, after California, so flights to Boston were the best transportation option for those that would later regain their communities in Fall River or New Bedford.

Carlinhos should be 5 or 6 years younger than me... In his American home, I wonder if he still keeps  father's binoculars as a souvenir of days gone....

Ravi used a "Forever Global" self-adhesive stamp issued on 24Jan2025, illustrated with a 1794 Compass Rose that was drawn in 1794 by "...Lucia Wadsworth — the aunt of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow — in her school geography notebook...", according to Wikipedia.

Postmark from Boston, the Capital of the State of Massachussets.

Bohoma sthuthi, Ravi, for another great postcard and the opportunity to rememeber happy days....

POSTCARD N.232 - USA

Postcard sent on the 27th May; received on the 8th June 2026

Postcard image:  Gingerbread Cottages at Martha's Vineyard

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Ravi sent me one of his fantastic and much appreciated mail barrages from the United States.

I'll dedicate the next posts to the cards and covers that have been falling into my letterbox rather frequently these last few days.

Bohoma sthuthi, friend. You're spoiling me with all these great pieces of mail.

Martha's Vineyard is an island in the State of Massachusetts, off the coast of Cape Cod, famous as an exclusive holiday destination.

The island, which can only be reached by air or sea, is also famous for its Victorian Architecture , namely the famous gingerbread cottages dating from the 19th century such as those depicted in the postcard Ravi sent me.

The term Gingerbread refers to the elaborate wooden trim that decorates the façades roofs and porches.

Ravi used a "Forever Global" self-adhesive stamp issued on 24Jan2025, illustrated with a 1794 Compass Rose that was drawn in 1794 by "...Lucia Wadsworth — the aunt of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow — in her school geography notebook...", according to Wikipedia.

The stamp was originally cancelled with a large red manual postmark issued at Edgartown, Massachusetts, Martha's Vineyard administrative capital, on the 27th May. The next day, a mechanical cancellation was also applied, this time at Providence,the Capital of the neighbouring State of Rhode Island.

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.231 - 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.