Friday, December 22, 2017

2017 End of the year:

Serbia: ...end of 2017 year, with few very interesting Topical.

Stamps that go to:
Art, Fauna, Religion, Icons, ZOO, Horses.... shortly, for everybody - something!
Still very affordable prices in face value, low quantity printed, little or non-exist in really postally used condition, and CTO just "on request".

I think, that only Serbia made it (exit on market) by "clever" way, with small quantity printed (very balanced with subscription quantity and market need).

Croatia made great mistake with AFINSA scandal, Slovenia go on market with "tons" of CTO material, Macedonia have it very wrong with "authorized dealer", Montenegro go badly with foreign dealer and design, Bosnia have it "hard time" with three separated postal entity (Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja Luka = Bosnia and Herzegovina, Herzeg Bosna, Republika Srpska), and Serbian Autonomy of Kosovo go totally "out of order" when they decide to print postage stamps but not under cover from UN (under independent name, no UPU member).

But, in the end - we can say - Happy Collecting!

14-2017 "Museum Exhibition":



Really good issue, with local artist included, May 19, 2017, set of 4 value and gutter on middle. Little bit complicated to collect, as there are five set in sheet, all with different gutter. But face value are affordable, and market will be not more than 3.00-3.50 US$ per set!

15-2017 "Nature Protection":



As usually, Nature Protection come out on market in set of two values, with nice design that include one DUCK! Birds, nature, Water.... all are here. Jun 1, 2017 and again affordable face value.

16-2017 "180 years of GB and Serbia":


It is very interesting issue, that, actually, give us information how much years go, and Serbia have an connection with GB. History say very negative fact about this connection, but 180 and still going is good point to made this postage stamps. June 5, 2017 on market, single stamp.

17-2017 "Air Serbia":


Here we have it! 90 years and Air Serbia still work!
yes, under different names between this period, when still in Yugoslavia it was Yugoslavian Air Transport (JAT),  on the day of establishing it was called AD Aeroput (1927), and till now, under name Air Serbia. 
Say what You want, I like this logo, and design in particular.
August 21, 2017, single stamp.

18-2017 "Ljubicevo Equestrian":



It is not Olympic, but "local" Equestrian games in Ljubicevo. Serbian tradition in horse and sport are long and with tradition, so this happening deserve postage stamp!
September 1, 2017, single stamp.

19-2017 "Joy of Europe":



Good cause that come to life every year, with children evenings on focus.
As usually it is also children drawings shown on postage stamps.
Single stamp, with very complicated sheet composition of 8 stamps and 7 tabs or gutter (how You like to call it), so show me one person that will have all option from sheet in collection.
I think, that it "miss the point" in deciding to made it in this composition!
September 29, 2017, single value.

20-2017 "Icon - King of Serbia The First":


Huh, You know!
Show me country, that have King, 800 year ago!
This is exactly that, about what this issue is talking!
Named after King Stefan Prvovencani, the first-crowned King of Serbia (cca.1165-1228).
Someone want to say that Serbia 'backward state"?
I don't think so!
October 6, 2017, single value with design from Studenica Monastery.

21-2017 "Stamp Day":


Not too much to talk, as this single value teach about postage stamps in Serbia, history...
This time with IRC shown on it, with low face value, October 9, 2017 hit the market!

22-2017 "Christmas":


Another one in Serbian tradition, Christmas that we all celebrate in own way!
So, stamps is just showing us all element from Christmas Table in Serbian family!
FDC much better give picture to me, than stamp alone!
October 2, 2017 on market, set of two stamps.

23-2017 "Art":



Here we have one issue, that come on market just in booklet format. Little bit strange, as I know, that Serbia have it in sheet of 10 or 8+1 tab, but, I have just this information about booklet.
Interesting, that we have here set of six stamps, all showing us "local" important persons that made Serbia known in the world. Obviously, Ivo Andric (1892-1975) is included in this set!
Photographer, painter, poet, lyrics, Nobel Prize winner, educator and architect are shown here!
November 1, 2017, set of six stamps.

24-2017 "Children's Stamps":



Really "Children's Stamps"? Or probably someone mixed it with Belgrade ZOO?
I don't know, but here we have it with Fauna on. 
Not bad made, to be fair, and nice item to be included in collection. 
November 9, 2017.

2-2017 "Postage Due":


Next one single stamp, reprint of previously issued one, design of part from Serbian National costumes.




Saturday, November 04, 2017

9-2017 and up

9-2017 "Cities of Serbia":

Set of three stamps, dated April 13, 2017, will show us three of it. 
Capital of Serbia - Belgrade,
Capital of Serbian Autonomy of Vojvodina - Novi Sad,
Regional city of Nis.
I think, that this set are very good by design, where main element of city are shown in very clear way. (MA Boban Savic, academic painter)
Three stamps, each with under $ face value, will make one very nice item in any collection, as it is represented by few topic in Philately, as History, Architecture, and on FDC and CM even much better visible are fortress of this cities.




10-2017 "Belgrade Marathon":

Single stamp issued on April 21, 2017. Very low face value of 0.23 $, but also in no so very attractive design. On stamp we see runner, bridge of Belgrade, great church of S. Sava and Kalemegdan fortress. 
Belgrade marathon is held for the last thirteen years, and known around world as one of "must be".


11-2017 "Flora":

What to say? Just one really GREAT issue by design! This time, artist (Miroslav Nikolic), made it PERFECT! Clearly visible element of any fruit shown (Pear, Plum, Apple, Walnut), than in very fine balanced colors, You will have feeling that it is almost natural! Sheet composition is as usually, 5 sets in sheet, with gutter on middle of sheet. Face value for set of four are affordable 2.00 $ per set, but in this sheet composition You will need little bit more than 12.00 $ per sheet. Date of issue are April 24, 2017, in full Spring time!
Highly recommended to any collectors of Fauna.



12-2017 "Serbian Literary Cooperative":

One stamp, issued April 28, 2017. celebrating 125 years of this Cooperative, with very nice design. As I'm printing plant technician by profession, I like this initials used on design. Really nice to see also information talking about this Cooperative, which was established in 1892 year.


13-2017 "EUROPA":

As usually, on beginning of May, every year, come to market EUROPA issues. This year, topic was CASTLES, and Serbia made choice of two. One come from city of Smederevo, and second come from Maglič. Even on FDC we have shown one from Monastery Resava. One really complete composition, to show us beauty of Serbia. 
face value are little bit high, for two stamps You will need 1.80 $, and if You chose sheet of eight with gutter on middle, that will cost You more than 22.00 $, so, find best deal with Your stamp dealer, who can make (probably) some better deals than You have on web auctions or eBay.




Saturday, July 15, 2017

2017 start with:

1-2017 "Lunar New Year":

Issued Jan. 27, 2017, with two stamps in set. One better design regarding this topic, and as I saw many countries issue "Lunar New Year", I can say, that Serbia made one of better design. Face value are still in very affordable price range, so dealers will sell it somewhere between 1.50 to 1.80 US$ per set. 




2-2017 "Easter":

As usually at this time (Feb. 7, 2017) come one "Easter" issue. Again in set of two, and this time design come from frescoes of STUDENICA monastery. Again very affordable face value, with same dealers prices of 1.50 to 1.80 US$ per set.




3-2017 "Toplica Uprising":

One stamp in this issue, with very important information about Toplica Uprising, which was about WWI period, when in Toplica and Jablanica district revolted against Bulgarian occupation forces.
Result was very grave for Serbian population, with 8767 people killed and 43484 buildings burned down. Brutal as can be, and no one called it "Genocide" - isn't?




4-2017 "25 years of BSEC":

Hardly that someone of us will know what that mean "BSEC", so it is for "Black Sea Economic Cooperation". Hardly that in today as world are very polarized, have any significance, but Serbia, as one of twelve countries "in", still keep this organization alive. 




5-2017 "Protected Animals":

March 16, 2017, with usual set of four stamps. This time, it is about OWL!
Nice intention, but design less attractive, as it is artist drawing but not one original photo of same birds. It is again, in printing sheet of five sets, with gutter on middle of sheet, as gutter is over all five set one picture, You will need all five set to complete this gutter full picture. Personally, I don't like this ides, but, it is still attractive to have.
Set is little bit expensive for local population, some 4.00 to 4.50 US$ dealer will ask, so if You can find it on exchange base, that will be fine!




6-2017 "Serbian Theater Actors":

March 27, 2017, and still continuing in same  design and format of 8 stamps with gutter on middle of sheet. Here we have eight actors that are very popular in Socialistic Federate Republic of Yugoslavia, and many people loved this actors. 




7-2017 "Science":

April 10, 2017 come with "Science" in mind. Set of two stamps, showing us well known Maria Sklodowska-Curie (1867-1934) and Kosta Stojanovic (1867-1921). Both are well known mathematics and physicist, so I will not talk lot of about. design was really nice and well made, with all elements inside, to tell us main field where this two genius work. face value of stamps are well low, and dealer will sell it for around 1.00 to 1.30 US$ per set. This time sheet format are of 10 stamps, which will make one nice item in every collection.




8-2017 "Belgrade Key Handover":

April 19, 2017 give us one m/s to celebrate 150 years of Belgrade Key Handover, when Turkish (Ali Riza pasha), hands over the keys of the city to prince Mihailo.
Design of stamp from m/s is little bit "grey", but overall design for m/s is very good, with maps, old photo, and old drawing of Belgrade city. One composition of drawing, that show us part of history!
I think, that it is one of better issue from Serbia. Now, face value is not small, and prices from dealers can reach even 1.80 to 2.00 US$ per this m/s.




1-2017 "Postage Due":

First three stamps in Postage Due this year, to celebrate "Roof 2017" effort to provide home to all refugee in Serbia, than come another stamps to celebrate Seniors European Wrestling Championship held in Novi Sad, and third is for European Indoor Athletic Championship in Belgrade.
face value lowest as can be, but it will be very hard to obtain it from dealer, mint or used condition will be priced sometimes not less than 1.00 US$ per sample. Not because it is rare or low quantity printed, but because not everyone handle Postage Due stamps. So, good luck!




Friday, April 21, 2017

17-2016 till end 2016:

17-2016 "Joy of Europe":



Date is Sept. 29, 2016 one stamp issue with children's drawing. This time it is "Dalmatian" dog shown on this stamp. Interesting? Nice, as I can say. 70.00 dinar Serbian, something like 1.25 USA$ from dealer will cost, but as postage delivery are very high, it is almost impossible to purchase just one item. 

18-2016 "Stamp Day" (60 years of EUROPA issue):


Oct. 11, 2016, set of two stamps commemorating 60 years of first issued EUROPA stamp topic.
Actually, it is also "Stamp on Stamp" topic, probably also as "Castle on Stamp", "Archaeology"... one nice design in the end. Face value very attractive, as it have just 0.85 USA$ for this two stamps, and it is still available from post offices in Serbia. 

19-2016 "Christmas":



Oct. 18, 2016, two stamps in set, and this time, little bit different design for "Christmas" issues. I noticed, that sheet format come not as usually 8 stamps and gutter, probably this is now sheet of 20 or more stamp on printing sheet, we will see more information in catalog. 
Here we have Fresco from the GRADAC Monastery, "Nativity of Jesus".
Face value little bit higher than previous, 123.00 Serbian dinar (1.10 US$), but for sure, as this topic is very popular, dealer will take much more to sell it.

20-2016 "Victims of the WWII":



Oct. 21, 2016. Single stamp issue, for WWII victims that happen in city of Kragujevac in 1941 year.
Design show us monument in Kragujevac city, "Monument of Pain and Defiance", which are one of well known monument in Yugoslavia, Serbia. 
Single stamp, with low face value of 23.00 Serbian dinar (0.20 US$). Sheet composition as usually, 8 stamps + gutter.

21-2016 "Museum Exhibit":


Nov. 3, 2016, set of three (3) stamps. Still very affordable face value of 119.00 Serbian dinar (near 1.00 US$), I can say, very affordable for this nice design. Here we have (Serbian: "Stećci") medieval monolithic tombstones shown.  Very attractive design showing us tombstones around Serbia dating back to 14th century. This time, it is issued in sheet composition of 10 stamps, so, it will be little bit expensive who collect it in this form.

22-2016 "Children's Stamp:


Nov. 9, 2016 - set of four (4) stamps, with really nice design from the book "A Frog is Reading a Newspaper", J. J. Zmaj. Great illustration of frog, stork, flowers...so, one really good topic with nice design. Even face value are very affordable (under 1.00 US$), so I will recommend it!
Sheet composition strange and new, as it is sheet of 16 stamps (4 sets).

23-2016 "ART":


Nov. 23, 2016, set of eight (8) stamps, face value of 3.25 US$, whish is very high by Serbian standard. It come in booklet format only, and sheet of booklet is separated from booklet cover, so, not to be surprised. Here we have: Mikhail Afanasyevich Bulgakov (1891-1940), Lajos Zilahy (1891-1974), Simeon Milutinovic - Sima Sarajlija (1791-1847), Laza Kostic (1841-1910), Stanislav Vinaver (1891-1955), Augustin Tin Ujevic (1891-1955), Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944), and Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904).

I understand when Serbia keep remembering Serbian artist on postage stamp, but here we have some artist from other countries, but in the end, it is art to be celebrated. 

24-2016 "Persons of Serbia":


Dec. 12, 2016, single stamp, commemorating Dr. Vojislav M. Subotic, who was founder of forensic psychiatry in Serbia. Low face value of 23.00 Serbian dinar (0.35 US$), design of his portrait and building.