NOVEMER—DEEMER 2015 ESU Best Europa Stamp Ballot Insert ... · FIBA (International Basketball Federation) EuroBasket 2015 was the 39th annual edition of the EuroBasket championship

NOVEMBER—DECEMBER 2015 Issue # 430

Best Europa Stamps of 2015

Vote for your favorite 2015 Europa issue and pay your an-nual dues, all in one easy step.

See the insert for details

Jury Prize Public Prize

ESU Prize

WHAT'S IN THIS ISSUEARTICLES DEPARTMENTS

Best Europa Stamps of 2015 ……….. 2 Editor's Page...…..…...….………..….. 15

Desiderius Erasmus …………………….. 16 New Issues: EuroMed 2015 ……….…. 3

Lindau Post Route ………………………. 8 New Issues: EUROPA 2015 ……..….… 3

Poland Postal Stationery ……………….. 9 New Issues: EUROPA 2016 ……….….. 4

EUROPA 1958 (The Luster Chronicles) 10-14 New Issues: norden 2016 ……………… 4

FEATURES New Issues: sepac 2015 ……………… 3

ESU Best Europa Stamp Ballot Insert New Issues: General …………...…….. 4-6,16

ESU Dues Coupon for 2016 Insert New Issues: with Scott #s …...……… 7

ESU Europa Mini-Auction Insert

NOVEMBER—DECEMBER 2015 430-2

Best Europa Stamps of 2015

PostEurop Jury Prize winner:

Russia

Eight experts of the philatelic world

were once again invited to judge

the year’s Europa stamps based on

their artistic judgment. This was the

fifth year that the so-called Philatel-

ic Jury was convened to render their

opinions. Results were announced

last September in Brussels’ Town

Hall.

This is the second year that Russia

won a prize. The previous winner

was the beautiful stamp issued for

the “Visit…” series in 2012. Runners-

up were Sweden (lower stamp) and

Latvia (the €1.71 value).

— information quoted from the Europa

blogspot

PostEurop Public Prize winner:

Turkey

This is the third time that Turkey

has won the on–line voting and

since 2011 they have always fin-

ished in the top 2. They won in 2011

and 2013 and finished second in

2012 and 2014.

The Best Europa stamp design com-

petition has been an annual event

since 2002. All official Europa stamp

issues are eligible to be entered

into the competition.

The result of this year’s competition

was announced during PostEurop's

Plenary Assembly held this October

in Limassol, Cyprus.

Best Europa Stamp Jury Prize Members (l to r): • Andrée Trommer, General Secretary of the Fédération Internationale de Philtélie (FIP), Luxembourg • Olaf Neumann, Designer, Germany • Stefan Klein, Designer, Germany • Botond Szebeny, PostEurop's Secretary General, Hungary • Guy Coutant, Pro Post, Belgium • Eric Contesse, Philatelist expert, timbredujura.blogspot.com, France • Arie Piet, Enschedé Printing, the Netherlands • Antonio Manuel Amaral, PostEurop's coordinator (not part of the jury) • Jürgen Haepers, Philatelist expert, europa-stamps.blogspot.com, Switzerland

The stamp, which was one of a two-

part set, was selected via the inter-

net; anyone who wished to could

vote through PostEurop's website.

More than 10,000 votes were regis-

tered this year. Second place went to

Hungary and third place to Finland.

At press time it

was not clear

which stamp

was judged in

either set.

Hungary has

also been consistently in the win-

ner’s circle, which shows the im-

portance of “getting out the vote.” — information from the Europa blogspot


PALESTINIAN

AUTHORITY

1v

Issue date 9 July 2015

New Issues

Europa 2015 ~ Old Toys

UKRAINE 1v + 2 ss

Issue date 2 September 2015

This should drive the album makers crazy. One single stamp, plus a souvenir sheet which reproduces the stamp, but in a different color and denomination. Finally, a booklet that contains a different souvenir sheet with two stamps.

LIECHTENSTEIN 1v

Issue date 16 November 2015 Archaeological Finds in Liechten-stein: Jewelry

The competition for best 2015 sepac stamp is now open. Go to the following website: www.sepacstamps.eu/contest/stamp-competition-2015/ You can also take part in the draw for the year collections from all the SEPAC members issuing SEPAC stamps. The competition runs up to the end of 2015:

1st Prize: a year collection from eve-ry post participating in the 2015 SEPAC folder (worth approx. €600) + the 2015 SEPAC folder

2nd Prize: seven year collections selected by the prize winner + 2015 SEPAC folder

3rd Prize: three year collections se-lected by the prize winner + 2015 SEPAC folder As of this writing, (late October) Faroe Islands was way ahead with this design

sepac 2015 CULTURE

v = value(s) ms= mini-sheet ss = souvenir sheet

TUNISIA 1v


EuroMed 2015 ~ Boats

http://www.sepacstamps.eu/contest/stamp-competition-2015/

http://www.sepacstamps.eu/contest/stamp-competition-2015/


Other New Issues

New Issues

Europa 2016 "Ecology in Europe - Think Green"

Norden 2016

“Nordic Food Culture”

v = value(s) ms= mini-sheet ss = souvenir sheet

GERMANY 1v

Issue date 1 October 2015 25th Anniversary of German Unifi-cation

On 3 October 1990 the German Democratic Republic (DDR) acceded to the Federal Republic of Germany. Since then, the Germans live reunit-ed in one country, and a major stumbling block to European unifi-cation was removed.

In the meantime, an "all-German" generation has grown up, who know the German division and the "wall" only from their parents' sto-ries

— information from Deutsche Post

MOLDOVA 1v

Issue date 30 July 2015 40th Anniversary of the Signing of the Helsinki Final Act

“Forty years ago in Helsinki, world leaders got together to sign a unique document that would revo-lutionize the concept of compre-hensive security. The Helsinki Final Act was a historic triumph of coop-eration over conflict, bridging the gap between East and West and setting the stage for the end of the Cold War. Today it remains the de-fining document that guides the work of the Organization for Secu-rity and Co-operation in Europe.”

— from the website of the OSCE

DENMARK ss

Issue date 31 March 2016

Denmark has the distinction of being the first to show their design for the 2016 Europa theme. If past is prologue, Belgium should be close behind.

DENMARK 2v

Issue date 4 January 2016

Again, Denmark is first from the

box. We can expect stamps from

the following countries:

Aland

Faroe Islands

Finland

Greenland

Iceland

Norway

Sweden

sepac 2016 “Seasons”

The theme for 2016 has been an-

nounced as “Seasons”, which

should provide some colorful offer-

ings. Guernsey has announced that

it will participate, and issue stamps

on 16 May.


New Issues v = value(s) ms= mini-sheet

LIECHTENSTEIN 2v se-tenant

SLOVENIA 2v se-tenant Issue date 7 September 2015 “Alpine Habitat” Joint Issue

This joint Slovenia/Liechtenstein

issue focuses on the Alps as a habi-

tat. The two stamps show the Mal-

buntal in Liechtenstein and the Ve-

lika Planina plateau in Slovenia, and

were both printed on an 8-stamp

sheetlet.

With its well-preserved herders’

dwellings, the Velika Planina, which

is located a good hour drive by car

northwards from the Slovenian cap-

ital of Ljubljana, is a popular tourist

attraction. Ever since prehistoric

times, the plateau has been used by

sheepherders over the summer

months. The typical huts depicted

on the stamp are spread over the

mountain pasture in the form of

dispersed settlements. The oldest

among them have an oval layout.

The kitchen, where cheese is made

now as before, is always situated in

the middle.

In Malbuntal the alpine meadows

and mountain pastures are also still

used for agriculture. But the Alps

have long since been discovered by

holiday makers even here. Nature

lovers, hikers and winter sports en-

thusiasts enjoy spending their free

time in the picturesque mountain

area of Liechtenstein.

RUSSIA 2v

AZERBAIJAN 2v se-tenant Issue date 22 September 2015 “Modern Architecture” Joint Issue

“Modern Architecture” is a trend

characterized by usage of new ar-

chitectural methods, which meet

the modern social needs, aesthetic

demands at the industry develop-

ment level.

The Moscow Kremlin is a fortress in

the center of Moscow and the old-

est part of it, the main socio-

political, historical and artistic com-

plex of the city, the official resi-

dence of the President of the Rus-

sian Federation. Nowadays the main

sights of Moscow are not only the

old buildings in the city center, but

the skyscrapers that have been built

over the past 10-15 years.

One of the most majestic and mys-

terious monuments of Baku is the

Maiden Tower (Giz Galasi). It rises in

the southeastern part of the for-

tress, and has been considered as a

symbol of the city. Flame Towers is

the highest building in Azerbaijan,

located in Baku. Postage stamps depict:

1. Moscow River embankment with

the Moscow Kremlin walls on the

background;

2. Maiden's Tower with Flame Towers

in Baku on the background. — from Russia Post

SWITZERLAND 2v

ALAND 2v

Issue date 3 September 2015

“Costume Jewelry” Joint Issue

The stamps depict costume jewelry

from the two countries and have a

rhomboid shape. The transparent

foil stamping produces a 3D effect

that makes the brooch motifs stand

out. — from Swiss Post

ITALY 2v

SAN MARINO 2v se-tenant

Issue date 23 October 2015

“Techno Science Park San Marino-

Italy” Joint Issue

Publicizing the joint Technology

Park, dedicated to cooperation in

the field of scientific and technolog-

ical research and innovation.


New Issues

EuroBasket 2015

MONTENEGRO 1v CROATIA 1v issued in ms of 9 stamps + 1 label (shown)

Issue date 22 May 2015 Issue date 4 September 2015

FIBA (International Basketball Federation) EuroBasket 2015 was the 39th annual edition of the EuroBasket championship that is organized by FIBA Europe. It took place in four different countries (Croatia, France, Germany, and Latvia), making it the first EuroBasket held in more than one country. It started on 5 Septem-ber and ended on 20 September 2015.

The top two teams (Spain and Lithuania) qualified to the 2016 Summer Olympics. The next five teams (France, Serbia, Greece, Italy and the Czech Republic) advanced to the World Olympic Qualifying Tour-nament.

Spain won their third title by defeating Lithuania 80–63 in the final. France won bronze at home soil against Serbia. — information from Wikipedia

HUNGARY 1v

Issue date 4 June 2015 EuroBasket Women 2015 The 35th edition of the continental tournament in women's basketball, sanctioned by the FIBA Europe, was co-held in Hungary (that hosted the championship for the fifth time after 1950, 1964, 1983 and 1997) and Romania (that hosted it for the second time after 1966) from 11–28 June 2015.

Serbia won their first title by defeating France 76–68 in the final.

The design features a basketball shoe and a high-heel shoe, referring to the diversity of sportswomen, and the national flags of the host nations.

— information from Magyar Posta and Wikipedia

NIGER 2ss


European Soccer 2016 The 2016 Union of Euro-pean Football Associa-tions (UEFA) European Championship, com-monly referred to as Euro 2016, will be the 15th edition of the UEFA European Championship, the quadrennial interna-tional men's football championship of Europe. It is scheduled to be held in France from 10 June to 10 July 2016. For the first time, the European Championship final tournament will be contest-ed by 24 teams vs. 16 previously.

— information from Wikipedia


NEW ISSUES WITH

Scott CATALOG NUMBERS

From Linn’s <— September & October —>

Special Editions

= position in proposed new HB outline (ref. EN# 404-12)

COUNTRY SCOTT # DATE OF ISSUE DESCRIPTION *

Albania 2953 9-Oct-14 Europa 2014, se-tenant pair in s/s. Booklet: 2953c 1 Albania 2962 8-Dec-14 Candidate for Admission to European Union EN 426-6 2a Andorra (Spanish) 410 23-Apr-15 Europa 2015 1 Azerbaijan 1071-2 19-Nov-14 Venues for European Games, s/s of 3 each EN 426-6 3c Azerbaijan 1075 19-Dec-14 Folk Art, joint issue with Romania EN 426-4 3b Azerbaijan 1077-8 6-Mar-15 Europa 2015, 1078a: booklet pane of 4 each 1 Azerbaijan 1082 7-Apr-15 30th Anniversary Marmara Group EN 428-3 3b Azerbaijan 1083-7 23-Apr-15 European Games, s/s each w/4 stamps EN 428-10 3c Belgium 2750 13-Apr-15 Europa 2015, s/s of 2 1 Belgium 2764 1-Jun-15 Battle of Waterloo, s/s of 5 including Napoleon 4c Croatia 944 31-Mar-15 Lace, joint issue with Spain 4037 EN 427-7 3b Croatia 953-4 7-May-15 Europa 2015 1 Cyprus 1232 2-Apr-15 Orphanages: joint issue with Armenia 3b Cyprus 1237-8 5-May-a5 Europa 2015, 1238a booklet of 4 each 1 Czech Republic 3631 18-Feb-15 Pizen, European Capital of Culture EN 426-4 3a Estonia 785-6 6-May-15 Europa 2015 1 Germany 2845 7-May-15 Europa 2015 1 Hungary 4352 8-May-15 Europa 2015, se-tenant pair 1 Hungary 4352 4-Jun-15 European Women’s Basketball Championships EN 430-6 3c Iceland 1373 30-Apr-15 Games of Small European States EN 428-1 3c Iceland 1376-7 30-Apr-15 Europa 2015 1 Iceland 1378-8 30-Apr-15 Europa 2015, self-adhesive in booklets 1 Kazakhstan 741 15-Jan-15 Europa 2014, se-tenant pair in s/s with 4 pairs 1 Lithuania 1038 2-Jan-15 Introduction of the Euro EN 426-5 2a Luxembourg 1402-3 5-May-15 Europa 2015 1 Luxembourg 1408-9 1-Jul-15 Presidency of the Council of Europe EN 428-3 2a Malta 1539-40 9-May-15 Europa 2015 1 Russia 7598 16-Jan-15 Europa 2015 1 Spain 4042 23-Apr-15 Europa 2015 1 Vatican City 1591-2 19-May-15 Europa 2015 1

The following are borderline “Cinderellas” (aka “junque”) Solomon Islands 1371 30-Aug-13 Airbus A320, s/s of 4 3b Solomon Islands 1438 22-Nov-13 Concorde, s/s of 4 3b Solomon Islands 1663 20-Nov-14 Concorde, s/s of 4 3b Solomon Islands 1679 20-Nov-14 Concorde, s/s 3b Solomon Islands 1687 28-Nov-14 Concorde, s/s of 4 3b


Catch Up —- The Lindau Post Route

AUSTRIA 1v

GERMANY 1v and postal stationery

LIECHTENSTEIN 1v

SWITZERLAND 1v

Joint Issues Issue dates (all 2014): 27 September (Austria) 4 September (Switzerland) 1 September (Liechtenstein and Germany) Called “Lindau Messenger”, the ser-

vice operated between the Bavarian

town of Lindau on Lake Constance

and Milan, Italy, also passing

through Austria, Liechtenstein and

Switzerland. The Lindau Messenger

transported goods, money and let-

ters. The service ended in the early

19th century.

Today the firm Coaching in Bavaria,

founded by Andreas Nemitz in

1973, offers horse-drawn excursions

following the route. The website

Coaching in Bavaria provides a his-

tory of the original courier service:

“The ‘Lindau Messenger’ was the

name given to the many personages

who served as a courier between the

Free Imperial Town of Lindau/Lake

Constance and the City of Milan/

Italy on behalf of the Chambers of

Commerce in both towns between

1322 and 1824, a span of more than

500 years.

“In those times it took the courier

5½ days (in good weather) to cross

the Alps, rivers, and lakes on his

weekly route from Lindau to Milan

and back.

“In winter and summer the Lindau

Messenger did his tour with mail,

goods, and passengers. It was a dan-

gerous route through avalanches of

snow or rock, rain, snow, loose rocks,

narrow bridges crossing deep gorges.

Even nowadays, the road and the

landscape still give more than a

glimpse of the hazards of those

times ….”

The €0.60 German stamp pictures a

coach with four horses. Passengers

are shown inside and riding on the

top. Their luggage is in the back.

The commemorative is part of Ger-

many’s Stamp Day series, and the

inscription Tag der Briefmarken

(Stamp Day) appears near the bot-

tom of the stamp.

The same design appears on the

imprinted stamp on a German post-

al stationery envelope issued 27

September.

The carriage is represented by a

wheel on the left side of the 1.40fr

stamp from Liechtenstein. A boat,

which the courier needed to cross

lakes, is pictured at the top of the

design; a packhorse is shown on the

right.

The names

of the

stops on

the route

are also

written

across the

design.

The labels

on the full

sheet show

eight stops

on the

route.

Numbers in the selvage symbolize

the altitude of the locations, with

the highest at Splugen Pass, at

2,133 meters (6,900 feet) above sea

level. Hans Peter Gassner designed

the stamp from Liechtenstein.

A map of the route is shown on the

right side of the 1.40-franc stamp

from Switzerland. The design also

shows a coach pulled by five horses

with the driver, groom and passen-

gers riding on top.

A detailed 16th-century map by

Aegidius Tschudi will be featured on

the €0.90 Austrian stamp.

— information from Linn’s Stamp

News & Insights, and Philatelie

Liechtenstein

http://www.coaching-in-bavaria.com/


EUROPA-related Postal Stationery of Poland — Dana Roper

Postal Stationery is an area often

overlooked by Europa collectors in

the US and elsewhere. But some well

chosen pieces can add interest to

any collection. In a previous issue, we

rounded up some nice items from

Estonia. Here are some issues from

Poland, which your editor came

across on the poczta-polska website

as he was trolling for new issues.

Young Philatelists meeting in Opole 2002 (1 postal card) Michel P1316

Polish Year in Austria 2003 (1 postal card) Michel P1333 (If there is a corresponding item from Austria I could not find it. --Ed.)

Ukrainian Year in Poland 2006 (1 postal card) (My Michel catalog only goes to 2005. —Ed)

Polish Year in Germany 2005/6 (1 postal card)

Polish Solidarity with Czech Re-public and Slovakia 2006 (1 postal card)

25th Anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize award to Lech Walesa, 2008 (1 postal card) His Solidarity movement was instru-mental in liberating Poland from the USSR.

10th Anniversary of Polish Acces-sion to NATO 2008 (1 postal card)

600th Anniversary of the Polish - Lithuanian Union in Horodle 2013 (1 postal card)

European Philatelic Exhibition in Lublin Euro - Cuprum 2001 (2 postal cards) Michel P1298-99. See also Scott# 3599-3602, 3v+ss

Editor’s Note: The aforementioned website has an option to add items to a shopping cart and order. When I tried that, however, I found (after a few emails) that orders outside Po-land could only be purchased by di-rect wire transfer to the Polish Post Office. No checks, no PayPal, not even cash. After another exchange of emails I realized that there really was no other option. That would have set me back >$40 for $9 worth of postal cards.


The 1958 EUROPA Stamps — a Monograph by Steve Luster (Part 2)

France issued two Europa stamps with the same design in 1958. They were denominated 20f and 35f. The 20f stamp was printed in red and the 35f stamp was printed in blue. The stamps were designed by André van der Vossen and engraved by Pierre Gandon. Both stamps depict the 1958 common design. The stamps were recess printed on un-watermarked paper, perforated 13 x 13 by the Atelier de Fabrication de Timbre-Post, Paris in sheets of 50 stamps. 19, 805,000 of the 20f stamp and 9,210,000 of the 35f stamp were printed. The D’Urso Catalogue assigned the number 35 to the 20f stamp and the number 36 to the 35f stamp. In addition to the complete set of 2 stamps, the D’Urso Catalogue lists blocks of 4 stamps, the stamps in imperforate condition (D’Urso 35/36A), a deluxe proof with the set of stamps in their issued colors (35/36B), a collective deluxe proof with the complete set of stamps in their issued colors (35/36C), an imperforate deluxe sheetlet in their issued colors (35/36D), a perforated deluxe sheet in their issued colors (35/36E), the sheetlet on cover 35/36F). D’Urso lists a number of varieties for the stamps. For the 20f value a color plate proof and an artist’s die proof both in monochrome (35G), color plate proofs in various colors (35H), the color plate proofs also come in various color combinations (35I), offset printing on the back of the stamp (35K), a white spot under the letter “E”, but which letter “E” is not identified (35L) and a white spot over the numbers “35” (35M - which I think is in error as the 35f value is D’Urso number 36 and not 35. This would make the number 36-something). For the 35f value the following varieties are listed. Color plate proofs in various colors (36G), color plate proofs in various bi-colors (36H), offset printing on the back of the stamp (36I), no color line within the letter “E” (which letter “E” is not explained - 36L), no color line within the letter “E” on cover (36LA), The color line within the letter “E” is almost completely missing (36M). First day covers were also produced for this issue. They are known with the following cancels: “Paris” (D’Urso number T22 (35/36N); “Strasbourg” (type IX 35/36O); and “Bruxelles Ex-po” (35/36OO). Finally, maximum cards were prepared for this issue (35/36P). According to D’Urso one of four different cancels are on these cards. I believe the number should be 5 cancels. One dated April 28, 1959 “Conseil de l’Europe” (35/36Q); a machine cancel “Strasbourg Siège du Conseil de l’Europe” (35/36R) and the three cancels shown below. Souvenir booklets were also prepared by a par-ty unknown. Each contains the complete set in blocks of four stamps. The stamps were canceled in either Paris or Strasbourg on their first day of issue (35/36S and 35/36T).

The Luster monographs continue this issue with the 1958 Europa stamps of France.

France has always offered a treasure trove of varieties to collect, and Steve delves into them with gusto.


The 1958 EUROPA Stamps — a Monograph by Steve Luster (cont’d)

The printing process, especially when doing die engraving, can be fairly complex. A number of strikes of the die in different phases of its production, are made. Various colors and color combinations are tried out. Imperforate sheets of stamps in trial colors were prepared as well as imperforate sheets in the selected, issued colors. Here are some examples of France’s 1958 Europa stamps in various stag-es of production.

Signed, color artist’s sunk die proof (left) and imperforate monochrome color plate proofs in different colors

(35/36H)

Imperforate sunk deluxe proofs of the 20 F and 35 F stamps in their issued colors (left and center - 35/36C) and a perforated, compound deluxe sheet (right - 35/36E)

Examples of a color plate proof in the issued color (left - 35G) and deluxe proofs in the issued colors

(center and right 35/36B)



Here is yet another example of the different philatelic products produced by the French. The products include some that were made by the master engraver during the die production process. Yet others were officially produced as souvenirs to be given to important people. Finally, some were pro-duced for the archives.

Compound, imperforate deluxe sheet in the issued colors (35/36D).

One of the last stages of stamp production is to prepare full imperforate sheets. Below are examples taken from various parts of an imperforate sheet.

Imperforate stamps from various parts of an imperforate sheet (35/36A)



One of the seldom seen booklets is illustrated below. According to the D’Urso Catalogue, this is a “souvenir booklet containing the complete set of stamps in blocks of 4, canceled in Strasbourg on the first day of issue”. The same booklet exists with a “Paris” cancel. According to an internet seller, the booklet was engraved by Jacques Combet a French master engraver (35/36T). Examples of the offset on back variety on the 20f value and a color variety can be seen below. The offset illustration is from the D’Urso Catalogue.

The stamp on the left is illustrated for comparison purposes. The stamp in the center has the design in reverse. This is typically caused when a still-wet sheet comes out of the printing press and another sheet is placed on top of it. If many sheets are added to the stack, then it is possible to get the ink to offset on the back of the upper sheet (35K). The stamp on the right is ultramarine in color. This dif-fers from the normal dark blue color. This variety is not listed in the D’Urso Catalogue.



Partial sheet of 25 stamps of the 20 F value of France’s 1958 Europa set:

Lower right margin partial sheet of 25 stamps, from a complete sheet of 50 stamps.

The plate number “109” can be seen in the selvedge at the bottom of the second stamp.

This is the third excerpt from Steve’s monograph. The next installment will resume the discussion of the stamps of France,, starting with the many varieties of first day covers that exist.. ■


BULLETIN OF THE EUROPA STUDY UNIT,

AN ASSOCIATION OF PHILATELISTS DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF PHILATELIC MATERIALS COVERING THE IDEA OF A UNITED EUROPE... UNITED IN A POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL SENSE.

www.europastudyunit.org

EDITOR: Mr. Dana Roper, 7266 Prices

Cove Place, Gainesville, VA 20155;

email: [email protected].

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS:

PRESIDENT: Mr. Dana Roper

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: Mr. Tonny

VanLoij

TREASURER: Tonny VanLoij

VICE PRESIDENT: Tonny Van Loij,

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT: open

DIRECTORS: Mr. Alex Cwiekalo, Ms.

Caroline Scannel, Mr. Dan Shilcrat

WEBMASTERS: Dana Roper, (acting)

AUCTION MANAGER: Mr. Donald W.

Smith, P.O. Box 576, Johnstown, PA

15907.

EUROPA HANDBOOK: Alex Cwiekalo

ANNUAL DUES: (Including one year

of the EUROPA NEWS): Electronic

Membership only $10/yr; Standard

membership (hardcopy of EN mailed):

$20/yr USA; $30/yr outside USA.

Dues are payable as of January 1st

each year*. Payments must be made in

U.S. Dollars; cash, or a bank draft, or a

money order (made payable to the

Europa Study Unit). We also have a

PayPal account (europastudyunit,

email [email protected]) to

which any payments can be transferred.

Any of these methods is acceptable;

however, when using PayPal please

add 7% to cover PayPal costs.

SERVICES TO MEMBERS: Periodic

bulletin (EUROPA NEWS) to all mem-

bers; website with special “Members

Only” section; periodic auctions (~3/yr)

of EUROPA-related material, EUROPA

Handbook, monographs and specialty

items available only to ESU members.

* Dues must be received by

31 January to ensure continued

membership, including uninter-

rupted receipt of the EN and ac-

cess to the Members Only web-

site.

The sepac Joint Folders are

probably the best way to collect

sepac stamps, since many countries

persist in issuing large sets with just

one sepac stamp in them. Alex

Cwiekalo is a sepac collector, and

asked me to let everyone know that

the folders are all available from

Malta Post. The website is at maltaphilately.com/en/products/phi/sef

Meeting this month’s printing

deadline was tight as my wife and I

did a good bit of travelling over the

last few weeks. Many thanks to Alex

for doing his usual thorough job of

editing and nit-picking my efforts

on very short notice. ■

Help wanted! Auction manager

Don Smith says that he could use

glassine envelopes, from very small

to FDC-size. Used, even with writ-

ing on them, is okay. He is getting

low, especially the very small one-

stamp size. The good news in there

is that Don has plenty to keep him

busy. The even better news is that

he is still willing to do it! Thanks

again, Don!!

One other note on auctions: one of

our members asked for the prices

realized from a recent auction. To

save space in the EN, I have been

posting prices realized from the

auctions on our website, but not in

the printed copy. I may have a half-

page opening up to include this

info (see next column). ■

The new EN mailing format has

gotten mostly positive reaction. I’m

referring of course to Tonny’s use of

separate mailers to hold the Europa

News and keep it in better shape. It

seems to be working: our overseas

readers are especially thankful. The

downside is that it costs a little

more and is more work for Tonny.

A compromise might be that we

only use the mailers for outside the

US. Let us know your thoughts.

Tonny pointed out to me that if we

stay with this format for everyone,

then it frees up the bottom half of

the last page for more Europa ma-

terial. ■

ROMEO is an acronym I discov-

ered recently. It stands for Retired

Old Men Eating Out, and is usually

a regular get-together of retirees in

a favorite restaurant. It’s a stretch,

but perhaps it applies to a tradition

that Don Smith and I have started.

BALPEX is an annual World Series of

Philately stamp show held in Hunt

Valley MD the first weekend of or

after Labor Day. Don motors in

from Johnstown, I come up from

the DC suburbs, and we talk stamps

and have a nice dinner at a local

eatery. It’s a high point of our phila-

telic year and we’d love to have

company. BALPEX 2016 will be held

2-4 September. If you are planning

to come, let us know. Maybe we

could schedule an ESU meeting as

well. ■

Editor’s Page

SAN MARINO 3v

Issue date 19 November 2015

OK, this doesn’t have anything to do with Europa, but I was fascinated by the topic. The stamps promote the UN’s World Toilet Day to publicize the need for proper sanitation. The designs were as bizarre as the topic — kids sharing a toilet is one thing, but wear-ing a top-hat to the loo? To poo? Who knew? Would you? ■

https://www.maltaphilately.com/en/products/phi/sef

http://www.balpex.org/


EUROPA NEWS Bulletin of the Europa Study Unit

Tonny VanLoij 3002 S Xanthia St. Denver, CO 80231-4237

Postmaster: Return postage guaranteed If not delivered.

Europa Proponent — Desiderius Erasmus

On 17 August 2015, NETHERLANDS issued a full stamp sheet to pro-

mote the tradition of Letter Writing. Two of the stamps on this sheet fea-

ture Desiderius Erasmus, who has been widely considered to be an early

proponent of a Europa idea.

PostNL describes the

issue as follows:

“The ten stamps focus

on the rich tradition of

writing letters to our

country by portraying

famous Dutch with ex-

cerpts from their let-

ters. Portrayed are Desiderius Erasmus, Rembrandt van Rijn, Christiaan

Huygens, Vincent van Gogh and Leo Vroman.”

A Prestige Booklet was also issued, depicting Erasmus

on the cover. “This handy prestige booklet contains all

the stamps in the series Writing Letters, supplemented

by extensive background information about the subject,

design and specifications.”

Documents

NOVEMER—DEEMER 2015 ESU Best Europa Stamp Ballot Insert ... · FIBA (International Basketball Federation) EuroBasket 2015 was the 39th annual edition of the EuroBasket championship