CANADA – Ranunculus Renoncule
The annual flower stamp issue from Canada Post features a coil pair and souvenir sheet of ranunculus asiaticus, or Persian buttercup, popular among Canadian gardeners and sought after for use in centrepieces and wedding bouquets. The single or double flowered plant with rose-like blossoms comes in a variety of colors and can be found most often in pastures and sunny hills. Designed by Stéphane HuotIssu, the Permanent domestic value stamps were issued March 1 and are available from here.
GHANA – Caracal
The medium sized wild cat, known as the caracal is native to arid areas from Africa to northwestern India. The cat has a short face with black markings, long canine teeth, long tufted ears, short legs and a robust build. Ghana issued a sheetlet of six and a complimentary souvenir sheet on March 13 featuring the feline that has a “least concern” conservation status. The caracal is nocturnal and typically lives alone or in pairs, preying upon birds and small mammals. The sheetlet and souvenir sheet are available from here.
GREAT BRITAIN – King Charles III
A set of four non-denominated stamps featuring a portrait of King Charles III was designed by Martin Jennings, based on the portrait used on Great Britain’s new coinage. According to Royal Mail, “the use of the coin image is a continuation of a long tradition dating back to the creation of the Penny Black in 1840.” Printed gravure with appropriate phosphor bars by Cartor Security printers, the stamps maintain the same colors as the values of the previous Queen Elizabeth II Machin-style stamps: First Class in plum purple; Second Class in holly green; First Class Large in marine turquoise; and Second Class Large in dark pine green. The definitives are available from here.
GREENLAND – Greenlandic Ghost Stories
The fourth and final set of two in the Greenlandic Feature Films series was issued February 28 in two values. Depicted on the stamps are film posters from the comedy Hinnarik Sinnattunilu (2009) and the horror film Qaqqat Alanngui (2011). Hinnarik Sinnattunilu was the first feature film ever to be produced entirely by and with native Greenlanders. Qaqqat Alanngui is a typical horror tale of a group of friends on a trip for the weekend to a cabin in the mountains of Greenland who find the truth behind a local legend. The stamps are available from here.
LATVIA – Fund for Nature
The Latvian Fund for Nature collaborated with Latvijas Pasts in issuing a new €1.52 stamp and cover depicting the rare and endangered vendace or European cisco on March 7. The fish depicted was designed by artist Edgars Folks and shows coregonus albula, a cold-loving high value fish subject to special protection and of restricted use in Latvia. It is a freshwater whitefish of the salmon family, living in northern European lakes and feeding on small crustaceans and their larvae. The Latvian Fund for Nature logo appears in the bottom right. The stamp can be purchased online from here.
MONACO – Sir John Arthur Brabham
Legendary Formula 1 driver Jack Brabham is honored on a pair of €1,00 se-tenant stamps issued March 7. Born in Australia, the three-time world champion (1959, 1960 and 1966), was also a brilliant mechanic and car maker. His skills made it possible for him to be the only driver crowned world champion when behind the wheel of a car he designed himself. That vehicle, the Brabham BT 19, is shown on the larger of the two stamps with Brabham on the left stamp. Sir John was the first driver knighted by Britain’s queen. He died in 2014 in Gold Coast Australia. The pair of stamps can be purchased online from here.
NETHERLANDS – Typically Dutch
The third in the PostNL Typically Dutch series was issued March 20 in a sheetlet of six identical designs showing stylized tulips. The stamp was designed by Adam Lane and Edwin van Praet, of Total Design, Amsterdam and the stamp is denominated for the domestic rate. The stamp shows the flowers in yellow, purple and pink with green leaves and stems on a green background, continuing into the stamp above and below. The Typisch Nederlands logo is printed on the top of the stamp flanked by a folded Dutch flag and can be purchased from here.
SLOVENIA - Easter
The Easter holiday and festive heritage is celebrated with many different regional differences in Slovenia. To commemorate the occasion, three stamps designed by Maja Tomažič were issued March 9 with the A denomination depicting Easter eggs in black and red; the B denomination showing a close-up of an Easter egg decoration; and the C denomination featuring an Easter cloth showing the Lamb of God. According to the Slovenia Post website, “the egg is an ancient symbol of fertility, and in Christianity, the red-painted egg is said to represent the drops of blood from the dying Christ on the cross.” The stamps are available from here.
UKRAINE – Warriors of Light.
Warriors of Goodness
While the war in Ukraine continues to rage following the invasion by Russia, the postal service issued a souvenir sheet titled “Warriors of light. Warriors of goodness” on February 15 to show that “Ukrainians are deeply grateful to the specialists… who selflessly restore the roadway and communication 24/7 after the enemy missile attacks and return light, heat and gas to the homes of Ukrainians.” The five-stamp sheet, in shades of blue and yellow by artist Oleksandr Nikityuk, depicts men and women working on infrastructure repairs with a map of Ukraine in the background. The souvenir sheet is available from here.