NOLLAIG 2009 - An Post Home. In Ireland, no one … 06/09 Christmas 2009 ‘Tis the season to keep in touch Fauna & Flora - Dragonflies Colourful creatures you can collect 2009 ÉIRE

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Christmas 2009

‘Tis the season to keep in touch

Fauna & Flora - Dragonflies

Colourful creatures you can collect

2009

ÉIRE 55c

NOLLAIG2009

ÉIRE 82c

NOLLAIG2009

ÉIRE 55c

NOLLAIG2009

ÉIRE 82c

NOLLAIG

AD HERE

This limited edition collection costs €60 (postage €6.00 within Ireland and €7.50 rest of the world) and is a must-buy for model enthusiasts and collectors alike. Available now from the Philatelic Shop, GPO, Dublin 1,

00353 (1) 705 7400 or online at www.irishstamps.ie.

An official limited edition collection of five An Post Model Vehicles is available to purchase from the Philatelic Shop, GPO, Dublin 1. The vehicles featured, which measure 80mm x 30mm approx. are, the Model T Ford, Horse Drawn Vehicle,

Anglia Van, Transit Bus and VW Transporter. Each of these vehicles featured in the fleet over the years and has its own legitimate Fleet Number.

The collection is contained in a superb presentation box set. A card showing an illustration of the General Post Office sits on top of a foam underlay. The models are housed in five cut-outs making for a delightful set. The collection is limited to 2,500

sets with each one being certificated and individually numbered.

An Post Van Set

Product Code: 03VANSET Price: @60.00

CONTENTS

DEAR

COLLECTOR...

News and Information 4

Fauna & Flora - Dragonflies 6

Christmas 2009 8

Irish Year Book and Pack 2009 10

Very Important Philatelists 12

The card that made Christmas 14

Collector’s Voice 16

Last Chance Saloon 18

Welcome to this, the last edition of The Collector of the year, full of interesting stories as ever.

We know collectors always look forward to seeing our special Christmas stamps, and this year’s have been especially worth waiting for. You’ll see what we mean when you turn to page 8 and admire the beautiful images for these stamps, provided courtesy of the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin.

Then we take a look at some of the most colourful examples of Irish wildlife, dragonflies, featured in the newest addition to our Fauna & Flora series. On page 10, you’ll find details of our new Irish Stamps Year Book and Pack for 2009, where we have gathered all our special and commemorative stamps from the year for you to collect. We also have a look at some world leaders who were also famous philatelists.

‘Last Chance Saloon’ and ‘Collector’s Voice’ are here again, and we have a little story that shows how Christmas cards can spread good cheer around this time of year. Altogether, lots for you to enjoy when you relax into The Collector for the last time in 2009. See you in 2010!

Joanne Murphy,Marketing Manager, Irish Stamps

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Stampa 2009 ReminderCollectors - don’t forget STAMPA 2009 takes place at the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October. Open daily from 11am to 6pm, entry costs only €5 and includes admission to the October Coin Fair and the Over 50s Show. Be sure not to miss this fantastic annual exhibition!

Cork Philatelic ShowThe annual Cork Stamp & Coin Exhibition will take place from 10am to 4pm Saturday 21 November 2009 at The Imperial Hotel, South Mall, Cork. An Post and leading Irish stamp and coin dealers will attend. Admission will be €3 for adults, accompanied children will be admitted free of charge. Expert dealers will provide free valuations of stamps, coins and medals. Of special interest to collectors attending this year’s Cork Stamp & Coin Exhibition will be the two souvenirs available. There will be a special souvenir booklet limited to 350 copies and an overprinted €3 Volvo Ocean Race miniature sheet which will be limited to 500 mint copies and 500 copies cancelled by the pictorial exhibition cancel. All enquiries to Pádraig O' Shea, Raven Stamps, 12C Washington Street West, Cork, Tel. 087 257 4309 or email [email protected]

Lord Iveagh (Mr Edward Guinness) and his sons Arthur (6) and Rupert (4) were special guests at the unveiling of the stamp to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Guinness Brewery. The stamp was unveiled at the Guinness Storehouse on 27 August.

Speaking at the event, Diageo Managing Director John Kennedy said Guinness is one of Ireland’s most famous products, recognised worldwide as intrinsically Irish. ‘What a fitting tribute from An Post to dedicate a stamp to mark our 250th anniversary. A commemorative

Irish stamp ensures an appropriate honouring and celebration of the man Arthur Guinness, the famous brand he created and the St. James’s Gate brewery,’ he said.

An Post Chief Executive Donal Connell said ‘As this stamp travels around the globe it carries with it a strong message of Irish pride in the Guinness tradition, in its commercial success nationally and internationally and in its ability to evolve and adapt to an ever-changing market in an ever-changing world’.

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Guinness Brewery stamp LaunCH

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If you have an anniversary, event or any idea that you’d like to see marked on our stamp programme for 2012, we would be delighted to hear from you. We are as always planning well in advance and are welcoming any stamp suggestions that our collectors may have to put forward for consideration. To put a suggestion forward please write

to us at the address below or email us at [email protected]

The Secretary, The Philatelic Advisory Committee, Stamp Suggestions 2012, An Post, GPO, Ground Floor, Dublin 1, Ireland.

The closing date for receipt of suggestions is Friday 29 January 2010.

Stamp Suggestions 2012

A set of six postcards were recently issued to commemorate the GPO’s important place in Irish history. Four of these postcards depict images of the GPO giving a timeline of the building from the 19th century right up to the present day. The two other postcards

feature the 1916 Proclamation and the statue of Cúchulainn, both of which are held in the GPO. The postcards are available at €9 for the set or individually priced at €1.50 and include postage paid to anywhere in the world.

Philatelic Postcards

Guinness Brewery stamp LaunCH

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The Fauna & Flora of Ireland provide a source of endless fascination to many people, not just nature enthusiasts, but stamp collectors too. This year there’s more reason than ever for philatelists to take an interest in Irish wildlife, as An Post brings you a new issue featuring the colour and beauty of dragonflies. It’s the latest in our always popular Fauna & Flora series, now in its 31st year.

Four dragonflies have been chosen to feature in the 2009 issue, each exquisitely illustrated by Ian Loe, with superb typography and layout by Wendy Williams. On each stamp we see a

different species found in Ireland: the Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens), the Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata), the Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) and the Irish Bluet (Coenagrion lunulatum).

These remarkable creatures are some of the biggest and most colourful insects you’ll see in Irish wetlands. Though closely related and belonging to the same order of insects, dragonflies and damselflies are slightly different, with 17 species of dragonfly in Ireland and 11 damselfly species.

IRISH SECURITY STAMPPRINTING LIMITED

1A

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Fauna and Flora - DragonfliesFauna agus Flora - Snáthaidí Móra

ÉIRE 55c

Goirmín Corránach Irish Bluet Coenagrion lunulatum

ÉIRE 55c


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Béchuil Dhearg MhórLarge Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula

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ÉIRE 82c

Ruagaire Ceathairbhallach Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata

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These remarkable creatures are some of the biggest and most colourful insects you’ll see in Irish wetlands

Fauna & FLOra - DraGOnFLies

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Both dragonflies and damselflies live in the air for just a few weeks in the summer. Before that, the longest part of their life cycle, two to four years, is spent as an aquatic larva, known as a nymph. This explains why they’re mostly found around lakes, bogs and fens.

The Banded Demoiselle is often found along slow-moving streams and rivers, as is The Four-spotted Chaser. The Large Red Damselfly is one of the first to emerge each year, usually in April or May. The Irish Bluet is actually more common in Northern Finland. It got its name in English from the fact that it’s found here, but not in Britain!

There are three beautiful stamps for you to collect, plus a Minisheet and two First Day Covers. With such colourful, vibrant imagery, this is sure to be a popular addition to the Fauna & Flora series, so make sure you catch these dragonflies. They’re available from 16 October 2009.

Order now, using the form attached, by calling +353 (1) 705 7400 or visiting www.irishstamps.ie from date of issue.

Technical detailsDate of Issue: 16 October, 2009

Value & Quantity: 2 x 55c se-tenant (.334m) 82c (.26m) 95c Minisheet (20k)

Illustration: Ian Loe

Typography & Layout: Wendy Williams

Stamp Size: 150mm x 65mm

Colour: Multicolour with phosphor tagging

Perforations: 13 x 13 (95c)

15 x 14 (82c)

14 x 15 (55c)

Printing Process: Lithography

Printer: Irish Security Stamp Printing Ltd.

Clúdach Chéad Laeirishstamps.ie

PROduCT COdE 0923FdC Price €2.92

Clúdach Chéad Laeirishstamps.ie

PROduCT COdE 0923FdCMS Price €1.95LÁ A CHÉAD EISIÚNA • 1

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ÉIRE 95c

Brídeog Bhandach Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens


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Christmas is coming, one of the best times of year for people to show each other how much they care with gifts, kind words and actions. It’s also a great time of year to reach out and spread happiness to friends and family far and near. If you haven’t seen a dear friend in a while, just imagine the joy on their face when they open a Christmas card and see your name! And once again, An Post has created stamps to make your Christmas greetings extra special.

The 82c and the 55c gummed stamps both feature images from the Gospel Book from the Monastery of Gamaghiel, Khizan, reproduced

courtesy of the Chester Beatty Library. An integral part of the Library’s Armenian Collection, this historic manuscript dates from approximately 1451. The images chosen are beautiful representations of the Annunciation for the 82c stamp, and the Nativity for the 55c.

The Chester Beatty Library also provides inspiration for the 55c stamp in our special Christmas Booklet, based on a stunning portrait of the Virgin and Child by the renowned Flemish artist Simon Bening. Painted around 1530, this image comes from the Rosarium of Philip II, a prayer book that once

2009

ÉIRE 55c

NOLLAIG2009

ÉIRE 82c

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CHristmas 2009If you haven’t seen a dear friend in a while, just imagine the joy on their face when they open a Christmas card and see your name!

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belonged to the King of Spain. All three stamps are superbly designed by Steve Simpson.

This Christmas Booklet is on sale from 6 November 2009 at Post Offices all over Ireland. You get 25 self-adhesive stamps – plus one FREE! These can be used for Christmas cards up to 100 grams within Ireland. You can also use these stamps for Britain, Europe and the rest of the world by adding the extra postage due.

Order now, using the form attached, by calling +353 (1) 705 7400 or visiting www.irishstamps.ie from date of issue.

Please note these latest dates for posting:

Rest of the World 4 December

Great Britain 18 December

Ireland 19 December

Christmas Stamp Images and First Day Cover courtesy of the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin.

© The Trustees of the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin.

Technical detailsDate of Issue: 6 November, 2009Value & Quantity: 55c (2m) 82c (1.8m) 55c Promotional Booklet (1.165m) Strip of 2 (20k)Design: Steve SimpsonStamp Size: 40.64mm x 29.79mm 25mm x 30mm (Promotional)Colour: Multicolour with phosphor taggingMake-up: Sheetlets of 16Perforations: 15 x 14 Printing Process LithographyPrinter: Irish Security Stamp Printing Ltd. Australia Post - Sprintpak (Self-adhesive booklets)

PROduCT COdE 0924FdC Price €2.92LÁ A CHÉAD EISIÚNA • 6

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2009 saw many significant events taking place in Ireland and, as always, Irish Stamps is delighted to mark these events. The Volvo Ocean Race, also known as the ‘Everest of Sailing’ came to Ireland for the first time with a highly successful stopover in Galway. This splendid occasion was marked with a beautiful stamp issue based on paintings by Vincent Killowry.

An Post celebrated 25 years in business and a special set of ten stamps were issued showing the company’s involvement in the community. We’re also proud to commemorate a number of other important Irish anniversaries, from 150 years of The Irish Times to the birth centenary of

Francis Bacon. You’ll find these issues, together with all our other Commemorative Stamps, in our Year Book.This year the Irish Stamp Year Book again has the stamp and Minisheet mount positioned alongside the subject information, technical details and cancels. The book is designed by Ger Garland with text both in Irish and English by Anne Sexton and Paul O’Kelly, translated by Gearóid Ó Casaide, and covers 56 pages.

As always our Year Book is available in two stylish formats:Standard Hardback Edition €60 Luxury Leather-bound Hardback €215

Chinese Year of the Ox

Bliain Shíneach an Daimh

2009 | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

De réir fhéilire traidisiúnta na Síne, is é an bhliain 2009 Bliain

an Daimh. Tá an féilire Síneach bunaithe ar shraith a

athfhilleann gach seasca bliain agus ar sraith í ina

sainaithnítear gach bliain de réir ainmhí éagsúil agus dúile

éagsúla. Deirtear go rialaíonn an cónasc sin carachtar agus

pearsantacht na ndaoine a shaolaítear faoina thionchar. Is iad

seo a leanas na hainmhithe: an fhrancach, an damh, an tíogar,

an coinín, an dragún, an nathair, an capall, an chaora, an

moncaí, an coileach, an madra agus an mhuc. Is iad seo a

leanas na dúile: adhmad, dóiteán, cré, miotal agus uisce.

Is Daimh iad daoine a rugadh tar éis an 26 Eanáir, 2009

(Bliain Úr na Síne) agus, chomh maith leis sin, tagann siad faoi

thionchar Cré freisin. Tá Daimh na bliana 2009

caoinfhulaingteach, modhúil, suaimhneach, dícheallach,

iontaofa agus foighdeach. Tá sé le rá ina leith nach féidir le

mórán daoine iad a shárú i dtaca le diongbháilteacht agus

easpa eagla de, nuair a chinneann siad ar thasc a chur i gcrích.

Mar gheall ar thionchar breise na Cré Yin (baineannach),

maolaítear uaillmhian chrua an Daimh lena ngabhann

cumhacht agus eagna, rud a fhágann gur bliain mhaith breithe

í an bhliain seo!

I measc na ndaoine clúiteacha a rugadh i mBliain an

Daimh, áirítear Meryl Streep, Anthony Hopkins, Charlie

Chaplin, Bruce Springsteen agus an Banphrionsa Diana. Chun

Bliain an Daimh a cheiliúradh, tá íomhá stílithe de dhamh

meidhreach dána cruthaithe i ndathanna dearg agus oráiste ag

Renze Zhou agus feictear é ag súgradh i bpáirc féir.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Date of Issue:

23 January, 2009

Values & Quantities:

82c (.26m)

Mini-sheet €2.46 (25k)

Stamp Design:

Renze Zhou

Stamp Size:

40.64mm x 29.79mm

Mini-sheet Size :

130mm x 74mm

Colour:

Multicolour with phosphor tagging

Make-up:

Sheetlets of 16

Perforations:

15 x 14

Printing Process:

Lithography

Printer:

Irish Security Stamp Printing Ltd.

Traditional Chinese dragon dance during

the Lunar New Year celebration in

Chinatown, Paris, on February 1, 2009.

According to the traditional Chinese calendar,

2009 is the Year of the Ox. The Chinese calendar

is a sequence that repeats every sixty years and

identifies each year with a different animal and

element. This combination is said to rule the

character and personality of those born under

its influence. The animals include: the rat, ox,

tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep,

monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. The elements are:

wood, fire, earth, metal and water.

Those born after 26 January, 2009 (Chinese

New Year) are Oxen, with the added influence of

Earth. The Oxen of 2009 are tolerant,

methodical, calm, hardworking, dependable and

patient. Very few, it is alleged, can equal their

resolve and fearlessness when it comes to

deciding to accomplish a task. The extra

influence of Yin (female) Earth tempers the

tough single-mindedness of the Ox with power

and wisdom, making this a highly fortunate year

to be born!

Famous people born in the Year of the Ox

include Meryl Streep, Anthony Hopkins, Charlie

Chaplin, Bruce Springsteen and Princess Diana.

To celebrate the Year of the Ox, Renze Zhou has

created a stylised image of a cheery and bold ox

in reds and oranges, at play, in a field of grass.

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Bicentenary of the birth of Charles Darwin

Cothrom Dhá Chéad Bliain bhreith Charles Darwin


Sa bhliain 2009, comórtar cothrom dhá chéad bliain bhreith

Charles Darwin arbh é an nádúraí é a chuir fianaise chun cinn

gur tháinig éabhlóid thar am ar gach uile speiceas ó shinsir

chomhchoiteanna trí phróiseas ar a dtugtar ‘roghnú nádúrtha’.

I mbliana freisin, comóradh cothrom 150 bliain fhoilsiú a

leabhair dar teideal On the Origin of Species by Means of

Natural Selection, a ndeirtear ina leith go bhfuil sé i measc

na saothar is suntasaí de chuid an dá chéad bhliain seo caite.

Rugadh Darwin in Shropshire, Sasana, agus, tar éis an

scoil a fhágáil, bhí sé ag obair ar feadh tamaillín mar

phrintíseach ag a athair a bhí ina dhochtúir. Ina dhiaidh sin,

rinne sé staidéar ar an leigheas ach mheas sé go raibh na

léachtaí fadálach agus chuir an mháinliacht isteach air; dá

bhrí sin, d’athraigh sé chuig cúrsa Baitsiléara Ealaíon i

gColáiste Chríost in Cambridge. Bhain sé taitneamh iomlán

as saol an mhic léinn: rinne sé fiach, chuaigh sé ag bailiú

eiseamail staire nádúrtha, agus bhunaigh sé an ‘Glutton

Club’, is é sin le rá, club itheacháin a bhí tiomnaithe do ‘éin

agus beithígh nár blaiseadh riamh roimhe a ithe’.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Date of Issue:

20 March, 2009

Value & Quantity:

82c (.249m)

Stamp Design:

Steve Simpson

Stamp Size:

27.94mm x 44.45mm

Colour:


Make-up:

Sheetlets of 12

Perforations:

13.75 x 13.75

Printing Process:

Lithography

Printer:


The year 2009 marked the bicentenary of the birth

of Charles Darwin, the naturalist who presented

evidence that all species of life have evolved over

time from common ancestors, through a process

called ‘natural selection’. This year also marked the

150th anniversary of the publication of his book On

the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection,

arguably one of the most significant works of the

past two centuries.

Born in Shropshire, England, Charles Darwin

worked briefly as an apprentice in his father’s

medical practice after leaving school. He went on to

study medicine, but found the lectures dull, and

surgery distressing; so instead he switched to a

Bachelor of Arts at Christ’s College, Cambridge. He

enjoyed student life to the full, hunting, collecting

natural history specimens, and forming the ‘Glutton

Club’, a dining club devoted to eating ‘birds and

beasts which were before unknown to human palate’.

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Tanagra Darwini, illustration from The Zoology of the

voyage of HMS Beagle. Opposite: Charles Robert Darwin,

1868.

THE IRISH STAMP YEAR BOOK 2009Complete Prestige Collection

BLIAINIRIS STAMPAÍ NA hÉIREANN 2009Bailiúchán Iomlán Ardcháilíochta

An Post’s Year Book and Pack are a perfect seasonal gift for collectors

irisH year BOOk anD paCk

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The Year Book was produced and printed in Germany, by specialist philatelic printer Prinz Verlag GmbH and would make a wonderful gift for anyone interested in the culture and heritage of Ireland.

Our Year Book is a limited edition of 2,000 copies and the Luxury Edition Year Book is limited to just 150 copies. Make sure you order yours early to avoid disappointment - both editions are extremely sought-after by collectors every year.

Commemorative Stamp Year Pack 2009

Get your hands on all of our Commemorative Stamps from 2009 in a single, high-quality pack. Each stamp comes mounted and accompanied by interesting background information in a pack that contains material from 24 stamp issues throughout the year.

Available from 27 November and priced at just €35, our Year Pack is the perfect seasonal gift for collectors. Order now, using the form attached, by calling +353 (1) 705 7400 or visiting www.irishstamps.ie from date of issue.

COMMEMORATIVE STAMP COLLECTION 2009BAILIÚCHÁN STAMPAÍ CUIMHNEACHÁIN 2009

Chinese Year of the Ox

Bliain Shíneach an Daimh


De réir fhéilire traidisiúnta na Síne, is é an bhliain 2009 Bliain

an Daimh. Tá an féilire Síneach bunaithe ar shraith a

athfhilleann gach seasca bliain agus ar sraith í ina

sainaithnítear gach bliain de réir ainmhí éagsúil agus dúile

éagsúla. Deirtear go rialaíonn an cónasc sin carachtar agus

pearsantacht na ndaoine a shaolaítear faoina thionchar. Is iad

seo a leanas na hainmhithe: an fhrancach, an damh, an tíogar,

an coinín, an dragún, an nathair, an capall, an chaora, an

moncaí, an coileach, an madra agus an mhuc. Is iad seo a

leanas na dúile: adhmad, dóiteán, cré, miotal agus uisce.

Is Daimh iad daoine a rugadh tar éis an 26 Eanáir, 2009

(Bliain Úr na Síne) agus, chomh maith leis sin, tagann siad faoi

thionchar Cré freisin. Tá Daimh na bliana 2009

caoinfhulaingteach, modhúil, suaimhneach, dícheallach,

iontaofa agus foighdeach. Tá sé le rá ina leith nach féidir le

mórán daoine iad a shárú i dtaca le diongbháilteacht agus

easpa eagla de, nuair a chinneann siad ar thasc a chur i gcrích.

Mar gheall ar thionchar breise na Cré Yin (baineannach),

maolaítear uaillmhian chrua an Daimh lena ngabhann

cumhacht agus eagna, rud a fhágann gur bliain mhaith breithe

í an bhliain seo!

I measc na ndaoine clúiteacha a rugadh i mBliain an

Daimh, áirítear Meryl Streep, Anthony Hopkins, Charlie

Chaplin, Bruce Springsteen agus an Banphrionsa Diana. Chun

Bliain an Daimh a cheiliúradh, tá íomhá stílithe de dhamh

meidhreach dána cruthaithe i ndathanna dearg agus oráiste ag

Renze Zhou agus feictear é ag súgradh i bpáirc féir.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Date of Issue:

23 January, 2009

Values & Quantities:

82c (.26m)

Mini-sheet €2.46 (25k)

Stamp Design:

Renze Zhou

Stamp Size:

40.64mm x 29.79mm

Mini-sheet Size :

130mm x 74mm

Colour:


Make-up:

Sheetlets of 16

Perforations:

15 x 14

Printing Process:

Lithography

Printer:


Traditional Chinese dragon dance during

the Lunar New Year celebration in

Chinatown, Paris, on February 1, 2009.

According to the traditional Chinese calendar,

2009 is the Year of the Ox. The Chinese calendar

is a sequence that repeats every sixty years and

identifies each year with a different animal and

element. This combination is said to rule the

character and personality of those born under

its influence. The animals include: the rat, ox,

tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep,

monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. The elements are:

wood, fire, earth, metal and water.

Those born after 26 January, 2009 (Chinese

New Year) are Oxen, with the added influence of

Earth. The Oxen of 2009 are tolerant,

methodical, calm, hardworking, dependable and

patient. Very few, it is alleged, can equal their

resolve and fearlessness when it comes to

deciding to accomplish a task. The extra

influence of Yin (female) Earth tempers the

tough single-mindedness of the Ox with power

and wisdom, making this a highly fortunate year

to be born!

Famous people born in the Year of the Ox

include Meryl Streep, Anthony Hopkins, Charlie

Chaplin, Bruce Springsteen and Princess Diana.

To celebrate the Year of the Ox, Renze Zhou has

created a stylised image of a cheery and bold ox

in reds and oranges, at play, in a field of grass.

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Bicentenary of the birth of Charles Darwin

Cothrom Dhá Chéad Bliain bhreith Charles Darwin


Sa bhliain 2009, comórtar cothrom dhá chéad bliain bhreith

Charles Darwin arbh é an nádúraí é a chuir fianaise chun cinn

gur tháinig éabhlóid thar am ar gach uile speiceas ó shinsir

chomhchoiteanna trí phróiseas ar a dtugtar ‘roghnú nádúrtha’.

I mbliana freisin, comóradh cothrom 150 bliain fhoilsiú a

leabhair dar teideal On the Origin of Species by Means of

Natural Selection, a ndeirtear ina leith go bhfuil sé i measc

na saothar is suntasaí de chuid an dá chéad bhliain seo caite.

Rugadh Darwin in Shropshire, Sasana, agus, tar éis an

scoil a fhágáil, bhí sé ag obair ar feadh tamaillín mar

phrintíseach ag a athair a bhí ina dhochtúir. Ina dhiaidh sin,

rinne sé staidéar ar an leigheas ach mheas sé go raibh na

léachtaí fadálach agus chuir an mháinliacht isteach air; dá

bhrí sin, d’athraigh sé chuig cúrsa Baitsiléara Ealaíon i

gColáiste Chríost in Cambridge. Bhain sé taitneamh iomlán

as saol an mhic léinn: rinne sé fiach, chuaigh sé ag bailiú

eiseamail staire nádúrtha, agus bhunaigh sé an ‘Glutton

Club’, is é sin le rá, club itheacháin a bhí tiomnaithe do ‘éin

agus beithígh nár blaiseadh riamh roimhe a ithe’.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Date of Issue:

20 March, 2009

Value & Quantity:

82c (.249m)

Stamp Design:

Steve Simpson

Stamp Size:

27.94mm x 44.45mm

Colour:


Make-up:

Sheetlets of 12

Perforations:

13.75 x 13.75

Printing Process:

Lithography

Printer:


The year 2009 marked the bicentenary of the birth

of Charles Darwin, the naturalist who presented

evidence that all species of life have evolved over

time from common ancestors, through a process

called ‘natural selection’. This year also marked the

150th anniversary of the publication of his book On

the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection,

arguably one of the most significant works of the

past two centuries.

Born in Shropshire, England, Charles Darwin

worked briefly as an apprentice in his father’s

medical practice after leaving school. He went on to

study medicine, but found the lectures dull, and

surgery distressing; so instead he switched to a

Bachelor of Arts at Christ’s College, Cambridge. He

enjoyed student life to the full, hunting, collecting

natural history specimens, and forming the ‘Glutton

Club’, a dining club devoted to eating ‘birds and

beasts which were before unknown to human palate’.

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Tanagra Darwini, illustration from The Zoology of the

voyage of HMS Beagle. Opposite: Charles Robert Darwin,

1868.

irisH year BOOk anD paCk

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From the person you bump into on the street every day to princes and presidents, you can never tell who’s been bitten by the philatelic bug. Here are some stories about three VIPs: Very Important Philatelists!

Franklin d. Roosevelt

The 32nd President of the Unites States, Franklin D. Roosevelt was also one of the world’s most distinguished stamp collectors, having built an extensive collection that accompanied him everywhere he went. ‘I owe my life to my hobbies, especially stamp collecting,’ he said, talking about how the pastime helped him to recover from serious illness.

FDR took a great interest in the design of the stamps issued during his presidency, even as he was dealing with issues such as the Great Depression and World War II. One of his final acts as President was to approve a new ‘Towards United Nations’ commemorative stamp, on 12 April 1945.

Rainier III

This famous Prince was one of the longest serving monarchs of the last century, the husband of Grace Kelly – and reputedly the owner of one of the greatest stamp collections the world has seen.

Very impOrtant pHiLateLists!Fellow philatelists can be found in the highest places

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When he inherited the title Prince of Monaco in 1949, Rainier III also inherited a remarkable stamp collection, which had been in the family since 1917. As well as adding to this collection, the Prince took a very active role in the design, creation and production of stamps issued by Monaco during his reign, so much so that no stamp could be issued without his official approval. Nicolas Sarkozy

Despite being President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy still manages to find time to devote to his love for stamps. He is an enthusiastic member of the Elysee Philatelist Club, based at

his official residence in Paris. Since his election in 2007, President Sarkozy has worked to revitalise the French economy, and he also held the EU Presidency from July to December 2008.

He has been keenly interested in philately since he was a boy, and his collection steadily grows more impressive, partly because of the gifts he has received from political figures such as Queen Elizabeth II and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

As you can see, fellow philatelists can be found in the highest places. Perhaps collecting stamps is a good way to develop the skills that are needed to hold high office?

Very impOrtant pHiLateLists!

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A few years back, my wife and I found ourselves facing a quieter Christmas than we were used to. Why? Because our son and his family had decided to try their luck in Australia and John, his wife Maura and their two kids flew out from Dublin Airport in early October.

Of course, we still had lots of friends and relatives to keep us busy over the festive season. We certainly wouldn’t be short of visitors, or places to visit! But there was no getting away from the fact that we were going to miss John, Maura and especially the little ones, Michael and Kate. Still, we decided that

there was no point in letting it get us down. We could talk to them on the phone and swap emails. With modern technology, Sydney wasn’t really that far from Ireland, after all!

As the big day approached, we came to accept the fact that we wouldn’t have our son and his family with us for Christmas dinner – for the first time since little Michael was born. And then something wonderful happened. A Christmas card from Australia dropped into the mat in our hallway!

Of course, this wasn’t the first Christmas card we’d got from John, Maura and company, but

Sending Christmas cards each year to family and friends is a little something we can all do to brighten up someone’s Christmas

tHe CarD tHat maDe CHristmas

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this one had a special meaning for us. And it touched us in a way that a telephone call or email never could. Here was something that had been in the hands of the people we were missing and now here it was, in our hands. And look – there’s Kate’s tiny handwriting, saying ‘Happy Christmas’, just for us!

Needless to say, that card took pride of place in our house all over the Christmas season. And it reminded us how great you can feel when you get a reminder that somebody’s thinking about you at this special time of year. It doesn’t have to be your kids or grandkids, and it doesn’t have to come from the other side of the globe.

It’s a feeling we’ve tried to share ever since, sending Christmas cards each year to family and friends both far away and close to home… and it’s a little something we can all do to brighten up someone’s Christmas!

tHe CarD tHat maDe CHristmas

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COLLeCtOr’s VOiCe... dedicated to our collectors.

Please send any philatelic stories you have to tell us by letter to:The Collector, Philatelic Marketing, An Post, Ground Floor, GPO, Freepost, Dublin 1, or email [email protected]

Dear Collector’s Voice,The first day cover in my collection which gives me most pleasure commemorates what is accepted to have been the world’s first ever scheduled airmail flight. Not because of any catalogue value it may have, but because it has a family connection.The flight took place on February 18, 1911, at the Uttar Pradesh Exhibition in Allahabad, India. Henri Péquet took off shortly after 5.30pm in a biplane similar to the French Sommer planes and fitted with a Humber 50 horsepower engine. He flew for about 13 minutes at 40 mph and delivered some 5,000 to 6,000 items to the postal official in Naini Junction on the Bombay-Calcutta railway, for onward transmission.The chaplain of Allahabad’s Anglican church used the occasion to raise funds for a new hostel. A nominal six annas extra were to be donated for a letter or card under one ounce. My great-aunt, Margaret ‘Meta’ Smith, a missionary teacher at Lady Muir Memorial College in Allahabad, contributed in this way. The letter, addressed to my grandmother, was received at Sixmilecross, County Tyrone at 8.30 am on March 11th.The first UK aerial post took place in September of the same year, from Hendon to Windsor, in association with King Edward VII’s coronation. The 50th Anniversary of both historic flights was celebrated in Britain in 1961.Best Regards,Bill Jackson

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Letter from Margaret Smith, Lady Muir Memorial College in Allahabad

Anniversary of first ever scheduled airmail flight FDC

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Last CHanCe saLOOn

Collectors, as you may know Commemorative Stamps are only on sale for one year from date of issue. We are offering you the chance to add products to your collection that you may not have had the opportunity to obtain during 2008. Please see below details of stamp issues from 2008 that you may wish to purchase before they are consigned to history.

Once they’re gone, they won’t be coming back!

Popular Dances (Joint Issue Ireland/Spain)

Issue Date: 7 November 2008

Expiry Date: 7 November 2009

This was the first collaboration between Ireland and Spain, themed around popular dances from the two countries. A Minisheet containing two stamps depicting Irish and flamenco dancing was issued by both An Post and Correos de España. This is an extremely popular issue, so be sure to have these colourful stamps in your collection.

Christmas 2008

Issue Date: 7 November 2008

Expiry Date: 7 November 2009

Once again, Christmas is just around the corner. It seems like only a short while ago that we were issuing our 2008 Christmas stamps. Designed by James Hanley, RHA, each stamp depicts a scene from the Nativity. These should definitely be part of your Christmas collection. Use the form attached to order today.

This year’s collection of our First Day Covers is the perfect way to acquire every IrishStamps commemorative FDC issued for 2009. Included in this are the Volvo OceanRace, European Dog Show and the 250th Anniversary of the Guinness Brewery FDC’s.

The First Day Cover collection contains 29 commemorative FDC’s, and includes 4FDC’s with minisheets. Priced at €80 and housed in an attractive presentation box,this collection is a great way to round up the full wealth of covers from 2009.

FDC 2009 add:Layout 1 01/10/2009 14:18 Page 1

NOLLAIG 2009 - An Post Home. In Ireland, no one … 06/09 Christmas 2009 ‘Tis the season to keep in touch Fauna & Flora - Dragonflies Colourful creatures you can collect 2009 ÉIRE

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