Abstract Expressionists

In celebration of the abstract expressionist artists of the 20th century, the United States Postal Service (USPS) issued on March 11, 2010 a 44–cent, Abstract Expressionists commemorative stamp in ten designs, designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, Maryland.

Art Director Ethel Kessler and noted Art Historian Jonathan Fineberg (Gutgsell Professor Art History, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign) selected ten paintings to be included on this pane of self–adhesive stamps. Kessler used elements from Barnett Newman’s Achilles (1952) to frame the stamps.

The stamps were arranged in a manner to suggest paintings hanging on a gallery wall. For design purposes, the sizes of the stamp are not in relative proportion to the paintings. The pane also features selvage text and a quotation by Robert Motherwell. Each of the stamps include the name of the artist and verso text that identifies the painting and briefly tells something about the artist.

The list of stamp artworks are:

• The Golden Wall (1961) — Hans Hofmann (1880–1966)
• Romanesque Façade (1949) — Adolph Gottlieb (1903–1974)
• Orange and Yellow (1956) — Mark Rothko (1903–1970)
• The Liver Is the Cock’s Comb (1944) — Arshile Gorky (1904–1948)
• 1948–C (1948) — Clyfford Still (1904–1980)
• Asheville (1948) — Willem de Kooning (1904–1997)
• Achilles (1952) — Barnett Newman (1905–1970)
• Convergence (1952) — Jackson Pollock (1912–1956)
• Elegy to the Spanish Republic No. 34 (1953–1954) — Robert Motherwell (1915–1991)
• La Grande Vallée 0 (1983) — Joan Mitchell (1925–1992)

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

The Royal Mail issues today March 11, 2010, the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home stamps to commemorate the center's 150th year.

The United Kingdom's oldest and most famous rescue center for dogs and cats was established and founded in 1860 by Mrs. Mary Tealby and is situated in the Battersea area of London, England.

Her Majesty Queen Victoria became Patron of the Home in 1885 and has been under Royal Patronage since then. At present, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the Patron with Prince Micheal of Kent as President.

Ten animals of the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home were selected by the Royal Mail design team. Animal photographer Steve Hoskins came out with beatiful photos of the animals.

Australia Post Issues Stamps on Centenary of Powered Flight

Australia Post came out with three stamps on March 9, 2010 commemorating significant powered flights from it's early aviation history.

The first stamp feature Englishman Colin Defries with his modified Wright Model A powered aircraft named The Stella that took a sustained and controlled flight on December 9, 1909 at the Victoria Park race course in Sydney.

Another stamp shows famous American "escapologist" Harry Houdini and his imported Voisin aircraft. Houdini made the first of several well-publicised flights in Australia on March 18, 1910. Houdini's name is emblazoned on the plane's tail.

The last stamp to complete the set is of John Duigan who was the first Ausralian who flew an Australian-designed and constructed powered aircraft. Duigan's self-designed biplane flew 180 metres at 64kph at an altitude of 3.4 metres at his family property at Mia Mia, Victoria on October 7, 1910.

International Women's Day is Today

Every March 8, the world celebrates International Women's Day. It is a global celebration of women.

This is the time that women are recognized for their efforts in the field of economics, politics and social advancements.

The 2010 theme of the United Nations' is "Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities, Progress for All".

Britain issued two stamps in 2009 to highlight the achievements of two women who were equality campaigners. The stamps portray pioneering feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, and Judy Fryd, founder of Mencap and campaigner for mentally handicapped children.

Cebu Stamp Club's March 2010 Stamp Meetup

The March 07, 2010 stamp meetup of Cebu Stamp Club took on a new twist as everyone agreed to hold the meeting in Eyan Yu's house in Talamban, Cebu City.

The group composed of yours truly, Dinah Potolin, Richard Guimbarda, Janice Benolerao, Janus Bariñan and Sharee Ann Trapa who came with a friend decided to converge infront of National Bookstore at the Ayala Center Cebu Mall at 1:30 PM. Once everyone arrived we all proceeded to Eyan's residence.

Eyan warmly greeted us and wasted no time in taking us on a tour of his house. He proudly showed his prized collections of stamps, coins, toys, models and antiques which amazed everyone. Polky, Eyan's son became the official photographer of the day.

The meetup was a very productive one with lots of sharings and free stamps for everyone. It was also decided that next meetup will be at the club president's residence on the third Sunday of April.

After the meeting, the host treated us with a delicious serving of Bam-i, a local type of noodles which he cooked himself along with some pastries and Coca Cola. Of course, we took out the Dunkin' Donuts, sandwiches, and chicharon that we brought.

Cebu Stamp Club, Incorporated's regular stamp meetup has strengthened our friendship with each while increasing our passion for philately.

For details and info on how to join Cebu Stamp Club, feel free to send an email to cebustampclub_inc@yahoo.com

Ancient Reptiles on New Zealand Stamps

New Zealand celebrates this year its extinct natural heritage with five stamps depicting species that disappeared 65 million years ago.

The Antient Reptiles of New Zealand stamps are available on March 3, 2010. The stamps feature the Allosaurus (50c), Anhanguera ($1.00), Titanosaurus ($1.80), Moanasaurus ($2.30) and Mauisaurus ($2.80).

Beautiful African Violets from Canada

Canada Post issues today two stamps featuring African Violet hybrids in full bloom, the Picasso and Decelles' Avalanche.

The plants incluced on the stamps were grown by the members of the Société des Saintpaulia de Montréal (SSM). The Picasso, hybridized by Michel Tremblay is a heavy bloomer that has double violet flowers above and white below while the Decelles' Avalanche, named after Yvon Decelles has semi-double red-fuchsia star blooms and medium green and cream variegated foliage.

African Violets are considered as the most popular houseplant in the world and very easy to care for.