Name: International Year of Astronomy 2009
Date of Issue: 5 June 2009
Country: Austria
Denominations: 0.65 EUR

On the occasion of the International Year of Astronomy, the Europa 2009 commemorative also looks at this topic — or to be more precise the launch of the first Austrian nanosatellite TUGSAT-1, developed for the BRITE Austria (Bright Target Explorer) mission.

Name: 200th anniversary of the Battle of Aspern and Essling
Date of Issue: 4 June 2009
Country: Austria
Denominations: 1,10 EUR

Name: Bless the Motherland
Date of Issue: 1 June 2009
Country: China
Denominations:
80Yaun (4-1): Love for Motherland
1.20Yaun (4-2): Happy Life
1.20Yaun (4-3): Peace Lovers
1.20Yaun (4-4): Enthusiasm for Science

Children are the future and hope of a country. With the care and support of the Party, the government and society, Chinese children are growing into qualified future builders of the country’s socialist cause by setting up long-range ideals, upholding patriotism, studying science, cultivating moral integrity, and building healthy and strong physiques. This set of stamps was issued to mark the “June 1″ International Children’s Day. Featuring pictures drawn by Chinese children depicting their beautiful lives and lovely homes, these stamps reflect the brilliant achievements of the country since New China was founded 60 years ago, and extend Chinese children’s wish and blessing for an even more splendid future of their motherland.

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Name: Canadian Diplomacy
Date of Issue: 1 June 2009
Country: Canada
Denominations: 54c

For more than a century, diplomacy has shaped Canada’s relations with–and place in–the world. With representatives and interests that span the globe and an international reputation as a peacekeeper, the nation is a key player on the world’s diplomatic stage. This, however, was not always the case.

For many years, Canada had little control over its own external affairs. As a British colony, its politics and economy were controlled by Britain. Even with Confederation in 1867, Canada’s foreign policy remained under British direction. The country’s founders were convinced that, with its unsettled border and stretches of vast, empty spaces, Canada would not have the power to assert its independence on the world stage.

But as Canada grew and prospered, Canadians were ready for more independence than the country’s founding fathers had envisioned. Proud of their achievements during the First World War and more conscious of their interests as a maturing country, they wanted to take charge of their own affairs. In 1931, the Statute of Westminster gave Canada the right to have an external policy separate from Britain’s. And by the end of the Second World War, the nation had achieved considerable status as an economic and military power. An active and responsible internationalist, Canada emerged as an important member of such postwar multilateral organizations as the United Nations (UN), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Commonwealth, and la Francophonie. To celebrate Canada’s growing presence on the world stage, Canada Post will issue a domestic rate stamp on the 100th anniversary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).

The commemorative stamp features a Canadian flag and an image of the globe, which intersect midway. “For this design, we wanted to capture the philosophy of the department that has driven Canada’s growing role on the world’s diplomatic stage for the past century,” explains David Craib, Creative Director at Ottawa’s Parable Communications. “We also wanted to express the way the department sees itself, in a modern and clean style.”

To depict this, the Parable design team found inspiration in the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s remarkable story of transformation. Founded in 1909, and originally housed above an Ottawa barbershop, the Department has evolved into a modern, dynamic foreign and trade ministry. Craib explains, “Since the department has grown as Canada’s role on the world stage has expanded and strengthened, the intersection between these two symbols represents the fusion of global activities and sensitivities, with our national identity, culture and ingenuity.”

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Name: XIII Games of the Small States of Europe
Date of Issue: 1 June 2009
Country: Malta
Denominations: €0.10 / €0.19 / €0.37 / €0.67 / €1.77
On the occasion of the XIII Edition of the Games of the Small States of Europe, on Monday, 1st June 2009, the MaltaPost Philatelic Bureau will be issuing a set of five postage stamps. The set, designed by Daniel Mangani, feature five of the various disciplines in which the Maltese team excels in such Games. These are Sailing (ˆ0.10), Judo (ˆ0.19), Shooting (ˆ0.37), Swimming (ˆ0.67) and Athletics (ˆ1.77). All stamps include a coloured strip which represents the continents colours as represented in the official Olympic logo. The Cyprus 2009 logo is also included in the design.
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Name: Sports of the 2010 Winter Games
Date of Issue: 12 January 2009
Country: Canada

Ice sledge hockey—Ice sledge hockey was invented at a rehabilitation centre in Stockholm, Sweden, in the 1960s. The sport made its Paralympic debut at the Lillehammer 1994 Paralympic Winter Games.

Snowboard—Inspired by skiing, surfing and skateboarding, snowboard is an exciting addition to the Olympic winter sports family. The sport made its Olympic debut at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan.

Freestyle skiing—Freestyle skiing involves aerial manoeuvres performed while skiing downhill. Moguls were added to the official program of the Albertville Olympic Winter Games in 1992, and aerials made their first appearance at the Olympic Winter Games in 1994 in Lillehammer.

Bobsleigh—Though sleds have been used for centuries as a mode of transportation, bobsledding was not born until the late 19th century, when the Swiss attached a steering mechanism to a toboggan. In 1924, a four-man bobsleigh race took place at the first Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix, France.

Curling—Though Canada is recognized as the major home of curling today, the game was actually developed in Scotland. It was included in the program of the first Olympic Winter Games and, after a lengthy absence, made its way back into the official Olympic program for the 1998 Nagano Games.

Though the torch has not yet been lit, the Olympic Spirit is already spreading across Canada as fans, athletes and officials from around the world await the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. To mark Canada’s role as Host Country of the world’s most celebrated sporting event, Canada Post will issue five PERMANENT™ domestic rate stamps showcasing 2010 Winter Games sports. This vibrant stamp set features curling, snowboarding, freestyle skiing, bobsleigh and ice sledge hockey.

The 2010 Winter Games provide Canadians with an opportunity to continue a tradition that began with the first Olympic Winter Games in 1924 in Chamonix, France. What began as a 16-event competition with 16 countries participating has grown to 86 medal events and more than 80 countries (in the case of the Olympic Winter Games), and 64 medal events and more than 40 countries (in the case of the Paralympic Winter Games).

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Name: Vancouver 2010 Winter Games Mascots and Emblems
Date of Issue: 2 January 2009
Country: Canada
Denominations:

The Emblems

Of the two PERMANENT™ domestic rate stamps, one features the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games emblem, which is a contemporary interpretation of the inukshuk—a traditional Inuit sculpture that provides guidance to travellers. The other features the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games emblem, an image that embodies the harmony between athlete, the sport and the environment.

The blue and green colour scheme in the stamps’ background represents the Vancouver 2010 Sea to Sky theme—a concept linking the scenic coastal city with Whistler’s majestic ski slopes. An added dash of creativity makes these domestic definitives extra special. Danielle Trottier, Manager of Stamp Design and Production at Canada Post, explains, “For the first time ever, two different stamps will alternate throughout the same coil.”

The Mascots

The Vancouver 2010 mascots—Miga, Quatchi and Sumi—were inspired by British Columbia’s iconic geography and are rooted in Aboriginal legend. Together, they capture the spirit of Vancouver and Canada.

Sumi*, an animal guardian spirit, is the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic mascot and is found curling on the oversize denomination stamp. Miga is a sea bear who transforms from orca whale to white Kermode bear. She shows off her ski tricks on the US rate stamp. Quatchi, a shy, adventurous sasquatch, plays hockey on the international rate stamp.

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Name: Madras Regiment
Date of Issue: 28 May 2009
Country: India
Denominations:500p

Name: Passenger ferries
Date of Issue: 1 June 2009
Country: Aland
Denominations:Inrikes (€0.75) (s/s Viking), Europa (€0.80) (Newbuilding 2009)

In June, Åland Post starts a new series of stamps on the theme passenger ferries, which operate or has operated to and from Åland since the start of passenger ferry service in 1959. The first two stamps depict the first ferry and the newest.

One of the ships featured is the s/s Viking; the other is so new that is has not yet been named. This is the reason why it is still called Newbuilding 2009.

On 1 June 1959, the first proper passenger ferry, the s/s Viking, sailed off on its maiden voyage from Galtby in the Finnish archipelago of Turku, via Mariehamn to Gräddö in Roslagen. The ship was owned by the shipping company Rederi Ab Vikinglinjen, founded by the Ålanders Gunnar Eklund and Henning Rundberg. The s/s Viking was built as the s/s Dinard in 1924 for Southern Railways Company.

The second stamp to be issued 1 June shows Viking Lines’ newbuilding, which will be operating between Kapellskär, Sweden, and Mariehamn, Åland. She is planned to be put in traffic at the end of 2009 or in the beginning of 2010. It will be the first newbuilding ever for short-route service across the Sea of Åland.

The passenger ferry series starts in 2009 and is planned to continue for quite a few years ahead. Shipping has always been of great importance to Ålanders, not to say a bare necessity if you wish to travel to or from Åland. Consequently, the Post has a considerable number of shipping companies and passenger ferries to choose from when planning future stamp motifs.
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Name: The 100th Anniversary of Korean Cartoon
Date of Issue: 2 June 2009
Country: Korea
Denominations: 250 won

The year 2009 is meaningful in that it is the 100th anniversary of the Korean cartoon.

On June 2, 1909, Daehanhyeophwoi (Korea Association), one of several Anti-Japanese Social Associations, published the cartoons of Lee Do Yeong which touched upon current issues on the first page of the first edition of 『Daehanminbo』, a daily which used both Korean and Chinese characters. This marked the first page of the history of Korea’s cartoon.

Since then, in the gloomy history of modern Korea where Korea’s restoration of independence from Japan was followed by Korea being divided into two countries and by cruel dictatorships, cartoons became the messenger of both dreams and hopes, and the sharp tongue that criticized and satirized the absurdity of reality. And in those times when there were no proper pastimes, the cartoon imparted a tiny bit of enjoyment into a dreary life. Though once estranged as a subculture, the cartoon is now positioned as an important contents across the cultural industry such as movies, dramas, games, studies, advertisements, etc.

Believing in the power of the Korean cartoon that has grown splendidly for the past 100 years, we anticipate that it, sometimes with humor that enables us to curl up and other times with pithy satire, will remain, even a hundred years later, as a source of the enjoyment in our everyday lives and a momentary respite from our tough life.

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Korean cartoon, a commemorative stamp is issued, featuring such recollective cartoons as “Mr. Gobau” by KIM Seong-Hwan, “Run, Hany” by LEE Jin-Ju, “Little Dino Dooly” by KIM Soo-Jeong, “Mengkkongi Village School” by YOON Seung-Un, and “Robot Zzibba” by SHIN Moon-Soo.