To mark the occasion of the centennial of Norwegian aviation, Norway Post issued a three stamp set on May 18, 2012. The stamps picture various aircraft that have figured in the country's aviation history: "Start" a German-built Rumpler Taube denominated Kr 14.00, a Douglas DC-3 Dakota denominated KR 15.00, and a Schempp-Hirth Discus B denominated Kr 27.00.
Norway rushed into aviation on June 1, 1912 when Hans Fleischer Dons flew from Gannestadjordet in Borre near Horten, to Øra near Fredrikstad. A Swedish pilot, Carl Cederström, had already flown over the Norwegian capital of Blériot. Anxious to regain their airspace a group of naval officers organized and raised funds to buy a German Rumpler Taube. The plane was named "Start" to note its connection to the birth of Norwegian aviation. A monoplane made from wood and steel wire with canvas wings, the Rumpler Taube was Germany's first mass produced military aircraft. Start was badly damaged in a 1914 crash. However the plane was completely rebuilt and named "Start 2." It can be seen at the Norwegian Armed Forces Aircraft Collection at Gardermoen.
The United States built Douglas Dakota pictured in the Kr 15.00 stamp is the military transport version of the DC-3 that figured so prominently in both military and commercial aviation in the 1930s and 40s. More than 10,000 DC-3s were produced, and the fact that some still fly today is testament to their robustness. The Dakota Norway Foundation owns and flies a DC-3 that was purchased from the Finnish Air Force in 1985.
The graceful glider (or sailplane) pictured in the Kr 27.00 high value of the set is a Schempp-Hirth Discus B. The Discus B was manufactured in Germany between 1984 and 1995; production has since transferred to the Czech Republic. The glider seats one person (the pilot). It is 6.58 m (21 ft 7 in) long and has a wingspan of 15 m (49 ft 3 in). Although considered a high performance craft, it is easy to handle and assemble making the Discus B popular with flight clubs.
Introduction to Stamp Identification
Minor variations in collectible stamps can mean the difference between a common item and a great rarity. This introduction to the art and science of stamp identification provides an invaluable overview to the field covering such topics as finding your stamp in a catalogue, design variations, watermarks, printing methods and papers.
The Worldwide Illustrated Stamp Identifier
The Worldwide Illustrated Stamp Identifier is a tool that helps to visually identify the country of origin of particularly challenging stamps. These stamps include those that have no country name written on them, and those where the country name is inscribed using a non-Latin writing script.
Grace Hopper, Josephine Cochrane and Stefania Maracineanu Featured on Romanian Stamp Set
On April 27, 2003, Romania's stamp issuing agent Romfilatelia released a set of three stamps entitled Women and Inventics in celebration of World Intellectual Property Day. Designed by Razvan Popescu the four-color stamps feature three femle pioneers in the fields of science, technology and mathematics: Stefania Maracineanu, Josephine Cochrane, and Grace Murray Hopper.
Leipzig Fair Philately
For the better part of 1,000 years, merchants have gathered at the Leipzig Trade Fair to sell their wares. In modern times the Leipzig Fair (Leipziger Messe in German) has produced a wealth of philatelic collectibles including stamps, covers, collector cards, and cancels.
Owls of Taiwan Stamp Issue of 2012
Released June 6, 2012 this attractive four stamp set features native Taiwan owls.
The Inverted Jenny - The World's Most Famous Stamp
There is no more iconic emblem of the stamp collecting hobby than the Inverted Jenny. The 1918 United States bi-color error features a blue Curtiss Jenny airplane, upside down in a red frame. The dramatic nature of the error and its storied history has left the Inverted Jenny as the world's most recognizable stamp.
Old Ironsides Commemorates War of 1812 Centennial
The frigate USS Constitution, popularly known as Old Ironsides, is the subject of this first class stamp commemorating the centennial of the War of 1812. One of six ships designed by naval architect Joshua Humphries, Old Ironsides is oldest commissioned warship still afloat.
400th Anniversary of the Founding of Québec City
Completing a five year series of issues celebrating the first French settlement in North America, on May 16, 2008 Canada and France jointly issued a 52 cent commemorative stamp to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec.