Armenian-French Joint Issue . 2007

On May 22, 2007, Armenia and French released the joint issue stamp features the art and architecture of both countries. The issue stamp consist of two stamps.

French Post chosen picture of  A fragment of a high relief of Our Lady of Rheims (Notre Dame de Reims) . Reims is famous for its great samples of French Architecture, one of which is Our Lady of Rheims Catholic Cathedral (1221-1311), the construction was finished in XIV-XV cc.

Meanwhile Armenia Post depicted Lectionary, 1460, was illustrated in the city of Artke. Lectionary belongs to the late period of Vaspurakan school and is kept in Matenadaran, Yerevan.

Blogger Tags: Armenia, French, Joint issue, Lady of Rheims, Lectionary

Jersey at Le Salon Du Timbre 2004

Jersey Post  commemorated their contribution in the Philaletic Paris Expo 2004 by issued the souvenir sheet which contain only one stamp depicts orchid flower and its habitat as background picture. The issue sheet marked “Jersey at Le Salon Du Timbre 2004”.

Argentine at the World Philatelic Exhibition China 2009

On April 04, 2009 , Argentine Post issued one souvenir sheet to commemorate their participation at the World  Philatelic Exhibition China 2009. The issue sheet contain only one stamp depicts recreation of the twelve chinese zodiac signs.

Vietnam - Asean Joint Stamp Issue - 2007

2007 is a special year in the process of building one ASEAN community of peace, development and prosperousness.

In the past 40 years, ASEAN has made quite many changes of quality, style and content in co-operation. That makes it become a regional co-operative organization most successful in the world.

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of ASEAN’s foundation, on August 8, 2007, the Vietnam’s Ministry of informatics and communications (MIC) issued the stamp set “ASEAN joint stamp issue” consisting of 10 values of 800d each, presenting each monumental  building of ASEAN countries.

50th Anniv. of the diplomatic relationship between Việt Nam and Cuba

On 2 December 2010, the Vietnam Post issued the stamp series for celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Vietnam and Cuba. The issue stamp only one  which depicts flags and the specific flora  of both countries.   The other issues are two official first day cover which depict logo of relationship of both countries.

The two first day covers  which have a special postmarked and logo of the relationship.

Kiribati participation at Hong Kong ’97

Kiribati Post issued the souvenir sheet depicts the butterfly flight surrounding  flower and background of Hong Kong city for commemorating their participation in the International Stamp Exhibition Hong Kong 1997. The issue sheet have logo of Hong Kong ‘97.

Papua New Guinea at Hong Kong ’97

Papua New Guinea Post issued the souvenir sheet depicted bull species on stamp and background of Hong Kong City in the entire sheet  as commemorative issue for their participation in the International Stamp Exhibition , Hong Kong 1997.

Vietnam-water puppetry at the World Expo 2000 USA.

Vietnam Post has issued the stamp series features their culture, Water puppetry, as commemorative stamp for their participation at the World  Expo USA 2000.
Water puppetry is a tradition that dates back as far as the 11th century CE when it originated in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam. Today's Vietnamese water puppetry is a unique variation on the ancient Asian puppet tradition.

The puppets are made out of wood and then lacquered. The shows are performed in a waist-deep pool. A large rod supports the puppet under the water and is used by the puppeteers, who are normally hidden behind a screen, to control them. Thus the puppets appear to be moving over the water. When the rice fields would flood, the villagers would entertain each other using this form of puppet play.

 

 

Modern water puppetry is performed in a pool of water 4 meters square with the water surface being the stage. Performance today occurs on one of three venues—on traditional ponds in villages where a staging area has been set up, on portable tanks built for traveling performers, or in a specialized building where a pool stage has been constructed . Spotlights and colorful flags adorn the stage and create a festive atmosphere.

 
 

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6-1: Little Tễu

The puppets are carved out of wood and often weigh up to 15 kg.Up to 8 puppeteers stand behind a split-bamboo screen, decorated to resemble a temple facade, and control the puppets using long bamboo rods and string mechanism hidden beneath the water surface. The puppets enter from either side of the stage, or emerge from the murky depths of the water.

6-2: Fairy

A traditional Vietnamese orchestra provides background music accompaniment. The instrumentation includes vocals, drums, wooden bells, cymbals, horns, Đàn bầu (monochord), gongs, and bamboo flutes. The bamboo flute's clear, simple notes may accompany royalty while the drums and cymbals may loudly announce a fire-breathing dragon's entrance.

 
6-3: Farmer working with harrow

In ancient Vietnam, the rural Vietnamese believed that spirits controlled all aspect of their lives, from the kitchen to the rice paddies. The Vietnamese devised water puppetry as a way to satisfy these spirits, and as a form of entertainment, using what natural medium they could find in their environment

 
 
 



6-4: Woman farmer

In ancient times, the ponds and flooded rice paddies after harvest were the stage for these impromptu shows.When the rice fields would flood, the villagers would entertain each other using this form of puppet play.

 
6-5: Drummer

Singers of chèo (a form of opera originating in north Vietnam) sing songs which tell the story being acted out by the puppets. The musicians and the puppets interact during performance; the musicians may yell a word of warning to a puppet in danger or a word of encouragement to a puppet in need.

 

 

 

 


6-6: Fisherman

The theme of the skits is rural and has a strong reference to Vietnamese folklore. It tells of day-to-day living in rural Vietnam and Vietnamese folk tales that are told by grandparents to their grandchildren. Stories of the harvest, of fishing and of festivals are highlighted.(Resources from Wikipedia).

Technorati Tags: World Expo 2000,USA,Vietnam,Water-puppetry

Antigua-Barbuda at Beijing 2010

Antigua & Barbuda Post has issued the stamp series features Giant Panda, endangered species for commemorating their participation at the International World Stamp Exhibition 2010, Beijing, China.

The giant panda lives in a few mountain ranges in central China, mainly in Sichuan province, but also in the Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. Due to farming, deforestation and other development, the panda has been driven out of the lowland areas where it once lived.The panda is a conservation reliant endangered species. A 2007 report shows 239 pandas living in captivity inside China and another 27 outside the country.

Technorati Tags: Giant Panda,Antigua&Barbuda,Beijing 2010

Azerbaijan–Mexico Joint Issue -2010

Azerbaijan Post and Mexico Post collaborated to issue the souvenir sheet featured the heritage building of their country on year 2010.  The sheet have background of their relieves  and flags . Azerbaijan Post issued stamp depicts the Baku Ateshgah meanwhile Mexico Post issued the stamp depicts Teotihuacan.

Teotihuacan is an enormous archaeological site in the Basin of Mexico, containing some of the largest pyramidal structures built in the pre-Columbian Americas. Apart from the pyramidal structures, Teotihuacan is also known for its large residential complexes, the Avenue of the Dead, and numerous colorful, well-preserved murals. The city was thought to have been established around 200 BCE, lasting until its fall sometime between the 7th and 8th centuries CE. At its zenith in the first half of the 1st millennium CE, Teotihuacan was the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas. At this time it may have had more than 200,000 inhabitants, placing it among the largest cities of the world in this period. The civilization and cultural complex associated with the site is also referred to as Teotihuacan or Teotihuacano. 

 

The Baku Ateshgah  or "Fire Temple" is a castle-like ancient Hindu religious structure in Surakhani, a suburb of greater Baku, Azerbaijan. "Atash" (آتش) is the Persian word for fire.The pentagonal complex, which has a courtyard surrounded by cells for monks and a tetrapillar-altar in the middle, was built during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was abandoned after 1883 when oil and gas plants were established in the vicinity. The complex was turned into a museum in 1975 and now receives 15,000 visitors a year. It was nominated for World Heritage Site status in 1998 and was declared a state historical-architectural reserve by decree of the Azeri President on 19 December 2007.

Vietnam - France Joint Issue -2008

 

On the fifth of October 2008, Vietnam and France have been jointly issued in the first time.The stamp series depicts the sceneries of Ha Long bay (in Vietnam) and Bouches de Bonifacio (in France).

Value (2-1): Bouches de Bonifacio in France. Bonifacio is a commune at the southern tip of the island of Corsica, in theCorse-du-Sud department, SartÌne district (arrondissement), Bonifacio total (canton). Bouches de Bonifacio is located on the Mediterranean Sea with the roughly limestone and coastal further into cliffs. This is an attraction famous of France.

Value (2-2): Ha Long bay in Vietnam. Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. Ha Long bay consists of a dense cluster of 1,969 limestone monolithic islands with rich vegetation cover and many beautiful caves. This is not only one of the attractions famous in the world but also be introduced to nominate as World's 7 Natural Wonder.

 

Vietnam - Singapore Joint Issue - 2008

On November 18, 2008,  Vietnam  and Singapore  issued the stamp series shows the typical fruits of the two countries like  Dragon fruit of Vietnam and Durian fruit of Singapore. The each country only issued single stamps.

2-1: Durian fruit - Durio zibethinus Muray

The Durian, native to Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia, is the fruit of trees from the genus Durio belonging Malvaceae family. It is mostly planted in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, India and Australia.

The fruit can grow up to 30 centimetres long and 15 centimetres in diameter, typically weighs one to four kilograms and formidable thorn-covered husk. The shell splits into five segments when ripe, exposing the creamy whitish, yellowish or pinkish aril which surrounds large seeds. The taste is sweet and unique odour. The durian is commonly known and revered in Southeast Asia as the "King of the Fruits". 

 

 
 

2-2: Dragon fruit - Hylocereus undatus (Haw.)

Britton & Rose. Dragon fruit, the fruit of several cactus species, is cultivated as a flowering ornamental tree or fruit-tree. It not known exactly where the dragon fruit originated, but it is thought to have come from Central and South America. The dragon fruits are also cultivated in China, Taiwan and Southeast Asian countries .

Vietnam Dragon Fruit is a spectacular night flowering cactus with highly ornamental pink skin & white flesh fruit containing numerous small black seeds. Fruit can be up to 1kg with a melon like flavour. Dragon fruits are valuable fruit export of Vietnam.

Azerbaijan–Ukrainian Joint Issue -2009

Azerbaijan and Ukrainia has collaborated to issue stamp series features jewels on 18 September 2009. Both countries only issued one stamp. The shown picture represent the miniature sheet consisted of 4 postage stamps from both countries.

HUNGARIAN-JAPANESE JUBILEE YEAR -2009

 
 

Japanese-Hungarian relations officially began at the time of the Austro-Hungarian empire in 1869. Legations were only opened in the two countries later in 1960, which were raised to embassy status in 1964. Relations between the two countries, however, only gained real impetus after the change of political system in Hungary in 1989.

In relation to the Hungarian-Japanese jubilee year there will be numerous events presenting the traditional arts and music of the two countries for those interested. One of the most impressive moments of the varied cultural programme will be realised as a symbol of the friendship between the two countries.

Elizabeth Bridge over the Danube will be given new floodlighting designed by Ms Motoko Ishii. As part of the celebrations of the jubilee year Magyar Posta and Japan Post Service Co. Ltd. are making a joint stamp issue on 16 October 2009 .

In the Hungarian miniature sheet containing six stamps appearing for the occasion of the Hungarian-Japanese jubilee year, the stamps are laid out in the shape of a perforated letter H. 

The stamp designs shown a few of the national values of the two countries. The Hungarian designs are a flask from the Museum of Ethnography (Budapest), Matyo folk embroidery (Matyo Applied Art Folk Collection, Mezőkövesd) and the floodlit Elizabeth Bridge (based on a photo by József Hajdú and designed by Motoko Ishii). The Japanese designs are a tea caddy from the Tokyo National Museum, a kimono pattern and Mount Fuji (based on a photo by Yukio Ohyama). 

Russia–Vanuatu Joint Issue

This stamp issue marks 200 years since the first Russian-Vanuatu contact celebrated on 28 July 2009 in Port Vila.

On 25 July 1807 the Russian sloop “Diana” under the command of V.M. Golovnin with a young crew of fifty-five sailed from Kronstadt, a Russian seaport town in the Gulf of Finland, to Petropavlovsk-in-Kamchatka in the far east of the country.  Its voyage was one of provisioning to the new Russian settlements in the Far East and North America as well as of surveying and discovery in North Pacific waters.

On 26 July 1809 the sloop found itself entering a small bay in the tropical Pacific named by Captain Cook “Port Resolution” and by Tanna islanders – “Uea”. “Diana” had no orders to call at Tanna Island - her arrival was a consequence of a dramatic and unlikely series of events, including capture by the British, an escape from Simon's Bay in South Africa, at dusk and in a storm, and an exhausting, uninterrupted passage across the Indian Ocean and Tasman Sea with the intention of avoiding all encounters with the British fleet or British merchantmen in Australian waters.

Tanna was chosen by V.M. Golovnin as their resting and revitalizing spot, well removed from normal shipping routes and likely to be free of Europeans, yet supplied with ample fruit, some drinking water, and a neatly charted harbour.

All, in fact, passed off as well as Golovnin could have desired, after tense initial meetings with a Kwamera-speaking Tannese group led by an elder called Gunama.  Drawing maximum advantage from the works of the two Forsters who, had been at Tanna with “Resolution” in 1774, Golovnin proceeded cautiously but amicably.  A single day produced, through barter at the water's edge, some forty feet of sugarcane, 400 coconuts or more, and yams.  Uea Bay, meanwhile, was surveyed by cutter, and Tannese weaponry and other artifacts were collected and can be now seen at St. Petersburg Kunstcamera Museum.  Full notes were taken about the evidence of tribal warfare, social structure, navigation, husbandry and diet, clothing, ornament, and language.   “Diana’s” visit to Uea Bay was beneficial in both practical and scientific terms.

Joint issue of the Republic of Belarus and Islamic Republic of Iran–The Unique Monument - 2011

 
 

 

On September 28, 2011 the  Belarus Post issued  the souvenir sheet “Joint issue of the Republic of Belarus and Islamic Republic of Iran”.Designer of stamp is  Yevgeni Simonenko. The issue stamp feature the unique monument of both countries.

 
 
 

 

The Mir Castle is a unique monument of Belarusian architecture of the 16th century. Its construction was initiated by the Belarusian magnate Yuri Ilinich in 1520-ies.

Being one of the best examples of the Belarusian fortress building engineering of the 16th century the Mir Castle had for many centuries been used as a residence for Belarusian magnates. Now the Mir Castle is a branch of the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus.

In 2000 the Mir Castle was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List.

 

The Karimkhani Citadel in Shiraz is one of the most prominent architectural monuments of Iran. It was built in 1766 under Karim Khan Zend the ruler of Iran at that time. For its construction Karim Khan invited the most skilful architects, masons and painters. They used the best building materials. The fortress served as a royal palace and a military garrison. From 2008 the historical monuments of the Zends epoch in Shiraz are among the candidates for inclusion into the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Pacific Explorers – Norfolk Island

This issue stamps was launched at the International Exhibition on this theme in Sydney April 2005 by Norfolk Island Post for commemorating their participation.
The stamps feature the pacific explorers , The Polynesians who roamed the oceans and camped on Norfolk Island , Captain Cook who found many places throughout the pacific , Ferdinand Magellan who first circumnavigated the world. Who is the greatest Pacific explorer ?

Technorati Tags: Pacific explorer,Stamp Exhibition,Cook,Ferdinand Magellan,Norfolk Island

15th Anniversary of Friendship and Cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

On July 5, 2011 the Ministry of Communications and Information of the Republic of Belarus issued the souvenir sheet “15th anniversary of friendship and cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela”. 

In 2011 the Republic of Belarus and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of relations of friendship and cooperation, which are dynamically developing during the last 5 years owing to independent politics of the both countries.

 

Venezuela is a country on the northern coast of South America. On July 5, 1811 the National Congress of Venezuela in Caracas signed the Independence Act of the country setting an example to other colonies of the Spanish empire on the American continent. The liberation was brought to Venezuela 200 years ago by Simon Bolivar.

Jersey’s Participation at Hafnia ‘01–Denmark

To commemorate the participation at the Interantional Stamp Exhibition, Hafnia 2001 Denmark, the Jersey post  issued  a souvenir sheet  features barn owl and marked logo of Hafnia ‘01.

New Zealand – Indipex 2011

New Zealand Post issued a miniature sheet comprises of 3 postage stamps depicts three local nature scenic,  showcasing Mitre Peak, Queenstown and Lake Rotorua , on  February 2011. This issue to commemorate their participation at the World Philatelic Exhibition,  Indipex 2011, India which held on 12 till 18 February 2011.

The miniature sheet has logo of Indipex 2011 and background picture taken from one of three depicted stamp, $1.90.The stamp are set again a backdrop depicting the TSS Earnslaw plying the waters of Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand's South Island

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Joint Issue Cyprus - Romania 2010

Cyprus Post and Romania Post has collaborated to issue the stamp series features viticulture of both countries.

Viticulture  is the science, production and study of grapes which deals with the series of events that occur in the vineyard. When the grapes are used for winemaking, it is also known as viniculture. It is one branch of the science of horticulture.

New Zealand Stamp at China 2011

China 2011 is the third FIAP international stamp exhibition to be held in China since the two successful exhibitions in 1996 and 2003. It will be held on 11 to 15 November 2011 . It will be participating by 31 countries and regions. The exhibition to be expected as one of the largest events on the 2011 philatelic calender.More than 250,000 international visitors are expected to visit the city of Wuxi to attend China 2011. Wuxi lies on the southern border of Jiangsu Province, about 128 kilometres northwest of Shanghai. 

 

 

 

New Zealand Post has issued an exhibition miniature sheet and exhibition souvenir cover to commemorate the event. The specially shaped miniature sheet incorporates three 2011 Round Kiwi stamps set alongside China’s national treasure – the giant panda.

 
 
 




 
The exhibition souvenir cover beautifully depicts Wuxi’s Lake Taihu, which is China's third-largest body of fresh water.
 
 

Norfolk Island attend at the Beijing Expo 2010

Max Stem will be attending the international Stamp & Coin Expo In Beijing from 7th to 10th November and will be representing Norfolk Island.The Bureau took the initiative and overprinted our Fungi Souvenir Sheet in gold foil with the Expo logo.

The 15c stamp is the Gyrodon sp. – This irregular shaped, brown in colour fungi, can be found in very damp conditions at the base of trees or decaying wood on the forest floor.

The 55c stamp is the Stereum Ostrea – This is a white rot fungus found on decaying wood.

The $1.40 stamp is the Cymatoderma elegans – This is found on old tree trunks and known locally as the Bowl fungus, which is a creamy fluted fungus which, when dried and lacquered, makes an unusual bowl.

The $2.05 is the Chlorophyllum molybdites – This variety of fungi can be found on the forest floor, in fields, lawns or even along the roadside.

When Norfolk Island receives heavy rainfall over an extended period of time, generally in the month of February, the growth of fungi can be seen in animal manure, in the fields and at the base of the trees in the forest. The colours vary from white, brown, yellow, orange, red or a variation of all .

LiveJournal Tags: Norfolk Island,fungi,Beijing Expo 2010,Stamp Exhibition

Joint issues Portugal - Korean Republic

Portugal  and Korean Republic have collaborated to issue the stamp features the war-ship. This issue consist of two stamps and released on  April 15, 2011.

The Turtle Ship
 

As a pioneering type of war ship of the Joseon Dynasty, the Turtle Ship was conceived in 1592 by Admiral Yi Sun-Shin​ who anticipated a Japanese invasion. The shape and tactical capabilities portrayed by Admiral Yi Sun-Shin himself are as follows:

“Wooden planks are laid on the upper deck of the ship, and on those planks, narrow cross-shaped ramps are placed to enable people to walk through, with sharp spear heads and spikes lodged on the rest of ship’s surface. The bow of the ship is shaped like a head of a dragon, while the stern takes the shape of the tail of a turtle. There are gun ports fore and aft and also six gun ports port and starboard respectively, where large projectiles are loaded and fired. When enemy soldiers attempt to board the vessel, a straw mat is placed over the blades on the back of the Turtle Ship so they cannot be seen. The Turtle Ship will hereinafter be in the vanguard of naval  warfare, with its sharp spear heads and spikes stopping enemy soldiers from climbing onto its back. When enemy ships try to siege the Turtle Ship, it can fire its cannons simultaneously fore and aft, port and starboard.” 

 

Yi Sun-Shin, Korea’s venerated admiral, utilized the Turtle Ship as an assault ship and gained victory in 23 naval battles over 7 years under the spirit of “If you want to live through combat, you will certainly die. But if you want to die at combat, you will certainly live.” The Korean people take immense pride in both Admiral Yi Sun-Shin and his indomitable Turtle Ship. 

 

THE PORTUGUESE NAU 
 

The age of the Caravels came to an end when Cap Bojador was rounded in 1487. The prevailing Atlantic winds and currents that enabled this feat, rendered far-away voyages feasible and justified the choice of the Nau as a more suitable vessel for the Cape route. The reason was that it had much greater DW tonnage, it could carry more cargo thus enable larger profits and also more provisions, a larger crew, passengers, as well as cannons for protection against the corsairs. Generally, the Nau had 3 decks, 3 masts (2 fitted with square sails and one with a Latin sail), a forecastle and an aftercastle, and a carrying capacity varying between 120 and 1200 tuns. 

 

Naus that sailed on the so called “Carreira da Índia” (India route) played a leading role on the annual trade route between Lisbon and Goa, initiated with the discovery of the maritime route to India, a voyage that Valignano in 1574 described as being “the longest and most trying voyage there is”. A true odyssey, which documents, in a dramatic way, our “história trágico-marítima” (“tragic history of the sea”), a narrative of dramatic shipwrecks occurred in those times. 

LiveJournal Tags: Portugal stamp,Joint issued,war-ship

NORTH KOREA at Phila Nippon 1991

The Postal Authority of North Korea issued the miniature sheet features very colourful Tropical Fish for commemorate their participation at The International Stamp Exhibition, Phila Nippon 1991. The sheet comprises of 5 stamps with different of face value.

Palmpex 2010–New Zealand Stamp Exhibition

 

The Palmpex 2010 Stamp Show took place from 12 to14 November in Palmerston North. The city has hosted a number of successful stamp exhibitions in the past, and is located in the Manawatu region - halfway between Rotorua and Wellington.

To commemorate the event, New Zealand Post issued an exhibition miniature sheet and souvenir first day cover.These special products feature an image of the iconic Te Āpiti wind farm in the Manawatu, and three $1.50 Round Kiwi stamps – a perennial favourite with stamp collectors. 

New Zealand at Phila Nippon 2011

 

Philanippon 2011 held  from 28 July to 2 August 2011, and will bring the philatelic community together on an international scale.The theme of Philanippon 2011 is ‘Stamps Link the World’, and the exhibition will be featured approximately 2500 frames across 12 classes. Postal services from around the globe  participated the event, which is expected to attract upwards of 100,000 visitors.

 

 

New Zealand Post has issued a special exhibition miniature sheet and exhibition souvenir cover to commemorate the event. The exhibition miniature sheet incorporates two $1.90 All Blacks stamps as well as a $1.90 silver Round Kiwi stamp - all set against Mount Taranaki in New Zealand’s North Island. Part of a national park, this snowtopped 2518 metre mountain is a popular destination for tourists and trampers alike.

The Pitcairn Islands on Indipex International Stamp Exhibition Delhi

To commemorate the attendance of the Pitcairn Islands Philatelic Bureau at the International Stamp Exhibition in Delhi in February (Indipex 2011), a miniature sheet has been produced featuring important images from both locations. India is represented by the national flower Lotus Nelumbo nucipera gaertn and the internationally known Taj Mahal, while Pitcairn is represented by the endangered Yellow fautu Abutilon pitcairnense. Both flowers have been brought together in this colourful miniature sheet.

Abutilon pitcairnense or Endangered Yellow fautu  remains listed as a critically endangered species (IUCN 2000). The plant itself is described as a sprawling shrub, approximately 1M tall with alternate leaves 13 x 9cm.The flowers are somewhat bell shaped and appear to be nodding. They are yellow with 3cm long petals. The plant is found in scrub on often unstable slopes, and flowers in July / August.

Malta - Iceland Joint Issue 2011 "Fishing Villages"

Iceland and Malta are the northernmost and southernmost islands in Europe.  Fishing has been the main source of revenue for centuries on these two islands.
Iceland Post and Malta Post has been collaborating on a joint stamp issue occasioned by this relationship with fishing towns as the motif, featuring 'Fishing Villages' .  This set was issued on 15 September 2011.

 

The town of Húsavík is the motif of the Icelandic mini-sheet while the Maltese one depicts the town of Mgarr, Gozo. 

The Republic of Malta is a small and densely populated country on an island by the same name and some smaller islands in the Mediterranean. The islands are located between Italy in the north and the north-coast of Africa. The official languages are English and Maltese. Malta joined the European Union in 2004 and is now the smallest EU country both as regards size and population. Only three of the biggest islands are populated: Malta, Gozo and Comino.