Friday, April 4, 2008

A Banner Postcard Day





Today I received 2 postcards in the mail, both of them from new countries in my collection. They make countries # 180 and 181. The countries in question are Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK North Korea) and the world's newest country , Kosova, which attained independence on 17Feb2008. First I will talk about the DPRK card. Back in March of 2006 when I started collecting postcards I felt that it was near impossible to receive a postcard from DPRK. I felt that a complete collection from every stamp issuing country or entity was probably just a dream. Well today , April 04, 2008, just a little over 2 years later, my dream just got a little closer to completion. I have received a postcard from North Korea. Thank you Hannah. She knows who she is, so I can leave it at that. I am actually impressed with the post service on this card , also. Hannah wrote the card on 26March , it was postmarked in Pyongyang 29March and arrived in my mailbox in Calgary, Canada 04April. That's not bad at all from North Korea to Canada. The stamp that Hannah used is 1 of a set of 12 definitives issued in 2002. I am a little surprised that it doesn't have The Glorious Leader on it, but it is a nice stamp just the same. The postmark reads DPR of Korea, 2008 03 29, Pyongyang . The front of the card shows an Air Koryo aircraft inflight. Air Koryo is the state owned national air carrier of North Korea. The aircraft shown is a rather old Soviet built Ilyushin-62. Just a wonderful addition to my collection.


The 2nd card today is from the new Republic of Kosova. Kosova declared independence on February 17, 2008. The card was sent by Artur of Pristina. The stamp used was issued March 19, 2008 to mark Kosova's Independence. The Independence Day Stamp is dedicated to all those who have contributed by their hard work, as well as sacrificed their lives for the liberation and announcement of the independence of the country of Kosova.

This card from Kosova now completes the European part of my world collection. So all in all this is certainly a banner day, a landmark day in this collectors postcard quest.

Take care and visit again soon.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello,
I picked up your blog though a simple websearch, I'm also from Calgary, but I've working in the DPRK before, and I could be working there again in the near future. I could send you a postcard as well. Do you know Hannah though Koryo tours?

Talk to you soon,

Michael

Gem from Airdrie said...

Hi Michael P.
Thanks for your comment. It's nice to know people actually look at my blog. Yes, that is the same Hannah. I contacted her and she was gracious enough to send me a card. It would be great if you can send me another card from DPRK , sometime when you are there. Thanks again for your comment and hopefully a card from you sometime.
Best regards,
Glenn

cddstamps said...

Glenn, hi.. hope you are well.. and read my blog as well :-)

so pleased you got that card from N Korea,

Am still planning to go to the DMZ .. when my wife arrives in a few weeks,, don't know if I can send a card..but will try..

best wishes.. michael cddstamps

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