Hello, well here I am again, back in the UK.. and welcomed by such lovely English weather.. rain.. 

Excellent flights.. and even went into the newly opened Bangkok airport. In fact it only opened the day I flew in. Rather large terminal, and very modern style of architcture, although I did not get much time to look around.

Only real news is to remind you of the 24 hour stamp chat Marathon the Directors of the IPDA are holding.. starting at 9pm tomorrow ( Saturday my time here in the UK). I will be online.. and then again some 5 or 6 hours later to join my fellow Director from Sydney.  I do hope to see you log in and chat for a while.   easy ..  just go to our web site, http://www.ipdaonline.org  then click the chat button, enter your name.. and you will be in

Looking forward to chatting with you...  Time for my afternoon nap..      Michael..

Hello,  am a bit short for time tonight,, but wanted to show you this stamp, a Downey Head variety I picked up on eBay..  nice I think..

Details later..  can you see the variety.. ?.

Enjoy your stamps.. Michael

What has that to do with stamps..  well nothing I can think of but it is the story of my past few days as I have been to see the show twice..  nuts.. well not quite.. I had a corporate dinner on Friday and then family outing last night.. two nights into bed past 1 am..    guess how much stamp thinking I have done this wekend..      ok.. think hard..    yep.. none.. 

Saw these though while sorting a few covers tonight..  thought well that should be me.. wildlife..   ha ha ha ha.. more like nightlife.. or not as the case may be..

so do you like these..   I do..   memories of '77.. can you remember what you were doing then..  if you can, as they say, you weren't having a good time     Reminds me of a line from the Boy from Oz..  Peter Allen is going to the Gold Coast here in Australia. to work as a young lad.. I think about 16  or 17 years of age.. his mother says, oh no that place is sex, drugs and rock and roll,, and he replies.. Mum I hope you are telling the truth..  

But seriously,, lets talk stamps..

1) the 24 hour stamp chat marathon starts in 6 days time.  join me ok  visit http://www.ipdaonline.org for details

2) I leave for UK in 4 days time ..  if you want any stamps to be sent to you and you are prepapred to pay the costs please let me know in next two days

3) I will only write a few more blogs before I leave, so if there are any subjects you want me to write about please let me know soon.

Oh, and to win this cover..    what noun do you use to describe a group of otters..

Hey,  who ever said stamp collecting was boring      email me at cddstamps@gmail.com     20th entry gets the cover  ( chance for all you slow coaches   )    Enjoy your stamps..  Michael

Hello, I have so many topics to write about.. I chose these two.

First, and for a fabulous prize..   all sorts of covers that have not previously been won.  yes not everything gets won you know..  I will have a few for someone if they can tell me:

what stamp is this image from: country of issue, year of issue and value will do.

why am I showing it - clue if you know the stamp you will know the person and if you know the person you might work out that today is a special day .. well it would have been had he still been alive    and if you dont know any of that look at the image and work it out.. oh so simple   I am sure I make these too easy   

Second subject is the Virtual Stamp exhibition that is on at http://www.freewebs.com/maeca71/index.htm  I hope you have time to have a look.. I have even posted a set of 16 pages myself, although pretty poor next to all of the others.  If you want to see 16 pages of green stamps..  all the same - well not to the specialist - as they are the GB GV 1/2d  Downey Head.. have a look.

Enjoy your stamps and thanks for the replies to the energy competition.

Look forward to hearing from you... Best Wishes .. Michael  

Hello everyone...  some "energy" stamps..

In 1978 Great Britain issued these.. I think they are ok..   your view? 

This FDC is with the Special First Day of Issue Postmark from Edinburgh.  If I don't get a winner to the following quiz it will go for a song on Stampoffers in the not too distant future

Which energy is not represented?  ok so there are more than one I will admit.. just tell me one..     email me at cddstamps@gmail.com..  10th email wins the cover....    Enjoy your stamps... Michael

 

It says that postage purchased online will cost no more than that which uses ordinary stamps.  That is a relief;  maybe it should be cheaper since we are doing the printing of the bar codes using our paper not theirs and no more awful stamp design from the Royal Mail...  I don't think so  ...  but wait for my return from UK .... if anyone in the UK wants to send me a letter with these on I would be pleased to reciprocate with some nice Australian covers..  

Has anyone in another country got this service.. do email me.. or better still write to me at PO Box 3482, Dural, NSW 2158, Australia with an online stamp on the letter ..  I would like to see some please.

Philately is not what it used to be ????  What do you think..   Enjoy your stamps..

oh, one important last question..   has anyone heard from Buddy.  He and I wrote regularily ( as he did with many of us I am sure).  I've seen he has not been writing his blog..  not since 8th August and, he has not replied to one of my emails..  I am a bit worried about him..    can anyone help?     Best wishes..  Michael

Hello, so what / who are the Canadian Snowbirds    If you are from Canada, or maybe even the US you will know they are a rather brilliant and famous formation flying aerobatic team.  They have been flying for 35 years I believe and are based at the Canadian Forces Base at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Here is a cover issued a few months ago to commemorate them.

This fantastic cover is postmarked from Moose Jaw.   What a wonderful addition to my aircraft cover collection. Thank you again Jane.

On the subject of aircraft.. if anyone has anything they think is special......  I am thinking of flight covers from different countries here, please email me at  cddstamps@gmail.com or send me a gift   .. dont worry I will send you something nice in return... my address is on my website at www.cddstamps.com

As for gifts, well how about lucky draw prizes for the chat line and witty cartoon winners ..       At the IPDA,  as you will know,    we have our 24 hour chat marathon coming up in two weeks..  I do hope to chat with you.... I will be publishing in the next few days when I will be online.....  so keep reading ok..  but as for prizes.. have a look at  http://www.ipdaonline.org/html/competitions.html   a GB 2d blue even.. not too bad a copy .. useful spacefiller  if you dont have one.

More tomorrow now I have my scanner back..      Enjoy your stamps...  Michael

Hello everyone..  how good to be back with a scanner and some stamps pictures.

If you have been bored by scanner stories please bare with me and my final update. The power plug at the back of the scanner came lose, but, wait for it, I could not get it back into the connection because the internal bits had moved;   of course I finally did with technical help  (sure)  from my son. 

Stamps.  Well two items: first this cover.

I came across it while sorting some more GB covers and as my daughter has just finished her Duke of Edinburgh gold I thought I would offer this as a giveaway to whoever can tell me the year the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme was started.    Just email me at cddstamps@gmail.com and please include your mailing address.  4^th correct answer wins.

This cover has a SG cat of  £2.75 in my 2005 catalogue so a useful addition I am sure.

Talking catalogues, I am off to the UK in two weeks and hope to pick up some new catalogues from my visit to Stanley Gibbons in London. If anyone wants me to pick up some GB commemoratives for them please let me know – or if you want me to mail some commemoratives to you from London please say so.  I would appreciate you covering my costs (just the stamps not my airfare J )

Now how about this stamp: GB SG 512, from the recess printed “Festival”  high values issue of May 1951 –

This is cat £18 as fine used in my 2005 catalogue. Would you like this for your collection?  It is a lovely copy, excellent perfs.  It has been donated  by Machins made Easy as a prize in a draw that will be held by the Internet Philatelic Dealers Association - the IPDA.  

To enter the draw you have to say hello to one of the Directors during our 24 hour marathon chat.  I have mentioned this chat before – if you have not read my earlier posts have a look at http://www.ipdaonline.org/  and please join us for a chat about stamps. All you have to do is click the chat button, enter a name and you are in.  I will be chatting from London now, I think (I have not finalised my travel dates) but will be on line for Australia time as well as other times. I will put together a world time zone so you can see what the time it is at your place.

So turn up for our marathon chat and have some fun talking to us.  If you sell stamps and want to know more about the Association we would be pleased to tell you more.  If you are a collector just join us and ask for our advice, or tell us about your experiences with sellers.  Anything to do with stamps – I am sure someone will be able to help. Hey, and tell your friends.  Ok I know you don’t want too many people competing with you for this stamp but surely you want them to be able to join in as well J

Enough for now..   I have more tomorrow….. the Canadian Snowbirds on stamps..   Thanks Jane.. they were in my PO Box today.  Enjoy your stamps…..  Michael.

Hello.. well  how good is it to get the old computer back..........  not good..   well ...it doesn't make a grinding noise now.. but I have tried everything  including reloading software but still cannot get the scanner to work..   dont you just love technology   ...  no stamps news...  sorry.. I  am sure I should have some.. well there is the  IPDA 24 hour marathon chat on 30th September..  am now looking at being in the UK that weekend.. so you could be forced to have me on the chat line even longer..   don't let that put you off    check out http://www.ipdaonline.org

  Got to get some sleep     will try again tomorrow..  Enjoy your stamps.. Michael

Hello..  latest news from Sydney.. I have my computer back ...  ok that is the good news.. the bad news...... I have not connected the scanner..  well I thought I had but I cannot scan..  so thank you to all who sent a scan of the GB £10 stamp.. which I referred to last night, hey!  it good to know I have some friends out there in cyberspace

 Thank you.. you know who you are.................

so no more stamps to show tonight  but I do want to mention the IPDA 24 hour stamp chat marathon..  I dont want to put you off joining in by saying I will be there      but then again maybe you will join .. knowing I will be there ..     September 30th through October 1st....  I seem to recall  .... put it in your diary... find a few minutes to sign in  and chat to us ... ask questions ..    look at http://www.ipdaonline.org   easy .. no registration.. just  put in a user name and you are there...   I really hope to be able to chat to you....

that's it for tonight..  will get that scanner working somehow       Michael

have you ever felt cool calm and collected when working with your stamps.. like every time..  and then there are computers.. I tried loading the scanner software and the Adobe Elements software and I still cannot scan..  ok ok ok I am technically slow..  I never used to be you know    so no stamps again... sorry,, and no one sent me any scans... 

But I read Adrians blog..  ( AKPhilatly  http://akphilately.blogspot.com/)  good stuff again...  and I thought about the security  aspect of the stamps..

One stamp I would show you if I could is the GB 10 pound issue some years ago with the Braille indentations on.  A rather unique level of security marking if you ask me.

What do you think...... what is the best / most interesting security feature you have seen on a stamp..  emails to cddstamnps@gmail.com..    surely a free stamps or two for the best reply...

Enjoy your stamps...Michael

Hello everyone,  hope you had a good weekend.  It has rained here for two days.. and that is just great.. we really need it..  not good for your stamps if the humidity / dampness get to them but I think I am safe there. A good reason to make sure you have your stamps in good quality albums and slip cases.

Now for Watermarks.  For those of you collecting GB you may find the following useful ( many thanks to Roy at Machins Made Easy ..  look at his web site.. http://gbmachins.co.uk/  getting better all the time I think -    he is helping me out while I still don't have my scanner hooked up as I didn't get my PC back..      If I get the time I may reload the software on this laptop tomorrow.. I have so many interesting stamps to show you.. anyway.. Watermarks..  this might help you..  and if you want some examples send me an email at cddstamps@gmail.com  and I may even send you some stamps .. especially if you are able to send me a FDC with aircraft on, in exchange, or just aircraft on stamps.. or better still the Airbus A380 aircraft on stamps.

As for the Philippines... Now this is a really good idea I think.. never been done before that I know of.. The Quezon Philatelic Club is going to host QUEZONPEX 3.   This is a Virtual Philatelic Exhibition.   It is open to anyone that wants to send in an exhibit, much as you would exhibit at a show, except it will be "virtual".    All collectors wanting to exhibit can send their 16 pages (yes just like a normal show exhibit) in scanned file format; originals in jpeg format is required with at least 300 dpi resolution. 

If you want to exhibit you can send your entry, on CD  to Alberto Alcala, Reymar Compound, 4301 Lucena City, Philippines. or email them to him at  maeca_mvcc@yahoo.com.

And guess who is helping to sponsor the awards, yes me..    so if you are a winner you will get a certificate and  FDC as a prize.  There may be other prizes but I don't yet know all the details..  any questions just email Alberto at maeca_mvcc@yahoo.com.     A website will be announced in the coming weeks.. you will be able to see the other exhibits....   I will keep you posted.  Isn't the internet just an amzing place where people from all over the world can participate and enjoy stamps together. 

And finally,  did I tell you there is an article in the next issue of the Canadian Stamp News, with me   ..  all about the IPDA.. Hope you get a chance to have a look.. and especially if you are a seller of stamps.. as I talk about the Internet Philatelic Dealers Association...  an Association you should be a member of if you want to promote your credibility as a stamp seller, even if only part time delear.

Enjoy your stamps.. and in case I dont get my scanner hooked up.. you all know by now how slow I can be at getting things done.. if you want to send me a scan of some interesting stamps I'll show them and write about them ... oh and finally yes I promise, finally for tonight, I mailed rather a lot of letters to many of you today..  well it was raining so I was able to catch up on my email and my outstanding stamp mailings..... so you should get some nice surprises in a week or two...   Best wishes.. Michael

Hello,  well I did not get my computer back and I have not loaded the scanner software on the laptop.. and I have spent all my free time packing stamps to send to many of you.. ooops, was I behind.. please be patient with me.. the stamps will arrive eventually...

Managed to get to my PO Box today.. got some nice stamps from many of you...  thanks..  one envelope was really good to get .. many thanks to Eric.. you have to read his blog  it is good and I dont say that because he helped me get these A380 stamps ( which I would show you if I havd a scanner.....  ...     he sent me a Mini sheet of the A380 stamp that was issued in France..  what an adition to my A380 collection.   I also am picking up two covers with first day of flight postmarks..  from someone else in Germany.  Amazing what we can do these days with the internet.. We could not have had the communication like this before the internet could we.     

I also found my GB Royal Mail copies of the Three Kings M/S    quick nice actually.. but it is a definitive issue... reissued.. what a way to collect money.. and hey, I am one of the collectors that buy these mini sheets.  Oh well I am happy to have a few copies...  

Another site I enjoy.. and am thinking of particpating in.. if I get some time... is this one.. http://www.geocities.com/coversmoderator/  have a look if you collect covers and want to join a cover group where you make covers and send them to others in a round robin like set up. Sounds interesting.

I also, finally, at last, so to speak,  filed all my aircraft FDC  and covers and various stamps I have been putting aside.. some lovely covers and many thanks to some of you who have sent them to me..  I will always take covers with aircraft on them..  and send other topics in exchange..  email me at cddstamps@gmail.com  if you want more details  

Finally, if you live in Canada or can get hold of the Candian Stamp News magazine, please look at the October issue.. due in a few weeks I guess.   You will, I think, see me..  derrgghh   ....  send me a copy and I will autograph it for you and add a  FDC with the return..  and if you sell stamps on the internet.. then sign up to the IPDA as well..      or if you buy stamps and the seller is not a member.. ask them why they are not a member of the IPDA       your support is to your benefit me thinks...

Have a great weekend and enjoy your stamps.. email me at cddstamps@gmail.com   Michael

Hello,  again thanks to Jim for the scans..  I do like these stamps.. they have so much information on them about the place..   have a look carefully at the details.. I hope I have done justice copying them across... Thanks Jim.. and if I haven't mentioned it before do have a look at his blog..  In Search of Stamps  always interesting stamps to see ..  http://stampsandcovers.blogspot.com/

So where are they from  ...  Yes I know, you all know dont you..   but I will tell you all the same.. and be really honest with you when I say I din't know.. so thanks to Jim for adding to my knowledge.   These are from Northwest Mongolia, a country that was absorbed by Russia  and for which there are only 38 stamps ever issued I believe. The plavc used to be called .  Tanna Tuva back in the 1930's also called Tuvinskaya ASSR and the capital was Kyzyl.  Anyone been there

One final item of news.. I hope  of interest to some. I am doing an interview with Canadian Stamp News this morning. If you can get the next issue I hope you do..  you might enjoy the article.

Have a grerat weekend and enjoy your stamps.   Best wishes....Michael

Hello, and a big thank you to everyone who has sent me scans of stamps..  of course I am hoping I can tranfer the images.. I dont have half the software on my laptop I have on my home PC.. but will try.

First an easy one .. this link from Roy  (machins made easy) on some news issues.. for bird stamps collectors...  worth looking at...  http://www.sartma.com/art_3280.html  interesting web site as well....

Jim sent me some excellent pictures..   hope these show at your end..

So tell me about these - I do hope you can see them..  lovely stamps...  I get my computer back on Saturday.. and yes I am too lazy  - or maybe I dont have time to reload all the software on the laptop.. Sorry.. please be patient

Enjoy your stamps..  Michael

stamps tonight, again no pictures even though I thought I had made a way to send you some last night,...  there is a really good article in the Stamp News  Australia magazine  - September issue - on the New Zealand Kapa Haka set...  you have to read it,.,  I wish I could scan the stamps for you.. I think they are aweful, but what do I know,..   they compare with the recent.. past 5 years ... ha ha hah..   GB issues.. but are worse.. so no wonder people complained.

Anyone got any of these stamps.. if you had a standing order with NZ post you may have.. and you will be sitting on some valuable stamps.. me thinks ..and based on what I read.

If you read the Stamp News you will have seen the ad for the IPDA.. anyone thinking of joining .. .. if not why not .........do visit our web site   http://www.ipdaonline.org   and remember we have the marathon chat on 30th September..  hey how exciting., you could get to talk to me..          tell you what.. if you join the chat and mention my name and give a mailing address to a Director I will send you a free FDC..   how much fun is that..  Ok up to a limit of 100 covers or I will go broke.. moreso than I already am   ha ha

Finally.. if you live in Canada,., or get the Stamps News Canada  magazine ..... please read carefully because .. wait for it.. they are doing a piece on me.. ooops  typo.,,.,   no .. they are doing a piece on the IPDA,..     

Must crash.. pleas be patient while I wait to get my computer back..    enjoy your stamps... Michael

Hello, Thanks for scans of speed stamps.. have tried to copy them but on my laptop I dont have all the software I rely on from my other computer.. so the scans look like this,, hope they copy well... 

   I hope you enjoy seeing these.. anyone tell me the details of each car / speed record...  email me at cddstamps@gmail.com

I read in this evenings paper some news about some US stamps / Stamp FDCs being issued for the recent Motor Cycle issue.   I  think it was  - with the spelling Mororcyle..   or some such misspelling... anyone got an example they can scan and send me..  I am sure others would like to see this misspelling

Have to rush.. to bed..  zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz  enjoy your stamps.. Michael

Hello, I am wondering if anyone knows anything about speed on stamps, because today is the anniversary of Sir Malcolm Cambell setting a landspeed record. He did this in Utah in 1935 and acheived 301 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

He was knighted by George V in 1931.   No stamps isued them eh!!!!!!!!!!!    

Now, FYI..   I have lost my main computer and my access to scanning so cannot get any stamps scanned  that related to him or his very famous son.     

Would anyone be able to scan me some stamps???  please . ..  every scan sent (up to the first 25 received) will receive a FDC as a thank you.. and I will try to use your scan in future articles.  email me at cddstamps@gmail.com and please include a mailing address.  

Apology but I dont think I will be writing much of interest over next week without a scanner.. but I will try.

Have a great week.. and to the person who said I was so boring with only work and stamps to keep me occupied.. how wrong are you .  I only talk about work and stamps on this blog.. that is what it is for.. and mostly stamps..  and that is all I am going to talk about...  ...but I will try to improve.. so feedback gratefully accpeted

Michael...   www.cddstamps.com and www.ipdaonline.org

and just no time to write... Hello, hope everyone is well.. I have been having fun these past few nights and neglecting my stamps and writing.  Will try to find something to write about over the weekend.   Did you miss me ....  

just one piece of news you might be interested in hearing, and that is a marathon online stamp chat. Being run by the Interner Philatelic Dealers Association IPDA - 

The event will start at 09 PM on Saturday 30th September and continue through to 09 PM on Sunday 1st October.  That is, as in North America time.  If anyone want to join.. all are welcome.  More details later.. but make a note in your diary.  I will be chatting for  about four hours.. maybe more.. if there are lots of people to chat to.  

We did this last year and it was good fun.   Write to me at cddstamps@gmail.com for more deatils.

Enjoy your stamps..  Michael