France - 150 Years of Universal Postal Union (UPU) 2024 #UPU150 #150UPU

France has played a naughty trick on the collectors, when it came to issuing a stamp on "150 Years of UPU" in 2024.

Instead of issuing a dedicated postage stamp to commemorate "150th Anniversary of Universal Postal Union (UPU)", on 14 October 2024, France printed the official UPU150 logo on a souvenir sheet already planned to be issued in the series "European Capitals" for Berne.

France Souvenir Sheet with UPU150 Logo - 150 Years of UPU - 2024

Thus without putting any extra effort, France managed to print a high-value souvenir sheet in the highly collectible theme of "150 Years of UPU Stamps". The face value of the French UPU150 Souvenir Sheet is 7.84 Euros.
The France UPU150 souvenir sheet from France contains 4 stamps of 1.96 Euros each.

Bern is also the headquarters of international organizations such as the Universal Postal Union (UPU), symbolized by the statue of the French sculptor René de Saint-Marceaux. For 150 years, with its 192 member countries, the UPU has brought together the world's postal players to provide a universal network of cutting-edge products and services.

France Souvenir Sheet with Logo - 150 Years of UPU - 2024

What are your thoughts about this clever tactics used by French Post? Is it intended to gain maximum revenue on a popular issue like "150 Years of UPU" in 2024?

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If you want to see the complete list of countries that have issued postage stamps to celebrate 150th Anniversary of UPU, please click here: 150 Years of UPU - All Stamps Issued

France 2017 - Lion's Club Centenary Stamp

France issued a beautiful stamp on the eve of 100 Years Anniversary of Lion's Club International on 27 May 2017.

France 2017 Lion's Club Centenary Stamp

Stamps issued on the same theme "Lion's Club Centenary 2017 - Complete List of Postage Stamps" by other countries can be seen by clicking the link.

Lions Club Centenary 2017 Stamps List - Issued by all countries

Lions Clubs International (LCI) is an international non-political service organization established originally in 1917 in Chicago, Illinois, by Melvin Jones. It is now headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois. As of now, it had over 46,000 local clubs and more than 1.4 million members (Lions & LEO) in more than 200 countries around the world.

Lion's Club Centennial Logo - 2017

The Lions motto is "We Serve". Lions Club programs include sight conservation, hearing and speech conservation, diabetes awareness, youth outreach, international relations, environmental issues, and many other programs. The discussion of politics and religion is forbidden.
The LIONS acronym also stands for Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nations' Safety.

In 2017, Lions Clubs International celebrated 100 years of the club with the title "Lions Clubs Centennial" or "Lions Clubs Centenary".  Lions and Leos from around the world participated in special initiatives, programs and events to celebrate a century of serving humanity. It was truly a celebration unlike any the world has ever seen.

From philatelic point of view, many countries issued special commemorative stamps to mark the occasion of Lions Club Centenary. While most of these stamps were issued in 2017, Sri Lanka mis-timed the issue in December 2016, whereas India & Panama joined in the race as late comers in 2018 as well.

Under mentioned is the compiled Lions Club Centenary Stamps List for stamps/ cancellations issued by all countries around the globe:-

• Australia - 1v - 7 June 2017
• Austria - 1v - 19 May 2017
• Brazil - 1v - 15 March 2017
• Bulgaria - 1v - 
• Colombia - 1v - 30 October 2017
• Croatia - 1v - 7 June 2017
• Cyprus - 1v (Out of a set of 3) - 24 March 2017
• Dominican Republic - 1v - 21 May 2017
• Estonia - 1v - 29 April 2017
• Finland - 2v + 1 SS - 20 January 2017
• France - 1v - 27 May 2017
• French Polynesia - 1v - 
• Germany - 1v - 
• Guyana - 6v in 2 SS - 
• Hungary - 1v - 3 April 2017
• India - 1v - 25 May 2018
• Indonesia - 2v - 1 June 2017
• Ireland - 1v - 1 June 2017
• Italy - 1v - 30 October 2017
• Japan - 5v - 24 May 2017
• Jersey - 6v + SS - 7 June  2017
• Liberia - 
• Malta (SMOM) - 2v - 
• Monaco - 1v - 1 June 2017
• Netherlands - 1v - 
• New Caledonia - 1v - 7 June 2017
• Pakistan - Cancellation issued by GPO Quetta
• Panama - 1v - 16 August 2018
• Portugal - 1v  + 1 SS - 29 April 2017
• Romania - Cancellation issued only
• Seychelles  - 1v - 30 May 2017
• Singapore -1v (Out of a set of 3) - 17 February 2017
• Sri Lanka - 1v - 1st Dec 2016
• Taiwan (China) - 2v - 20 January 2017
• Tanzania - 6v in 2 SS - 17 December 2017
• Uruguay  - 1v - 28 April 2017

France 2019 - International Year of Indigenous Languages (IYIL) Stamp

France issued the following stamp on 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages (IYIL) Stamp:

France 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages Stamp

Stamps issued on the same theme "International Year of Indigenous Languages" by other countries can be seen by clicking the link.

EUROPA 2016 Think Green Cover from FRANCE

This beautiful EUROPA 2016 cover was posted from France with 2 lovely different stamps.

The EUROPA 2016 stamp issue has been one of the most loved issue of EUROPA CEPT stamps. Most of the countries issued the Common-Design Stamps to raise awareness among the populace for the use of Green energy and cleaner environment. The 1 Euro stamp was issued by France on 8 May 2016 with the common-design.

 The stamp on the left shows the Grand-Lejon Lighthouse (Scott 3371d), issued on 9 Nov 2007. It was issued as a part of a set of 6 stamps issued in a souvenir sheet - titled "Les Phares" meaning "The Lighthouses". Interestingly when I tried to translate Les Phares" from French to English using the Google Translator, the result turns out to be "The Fog Lights". The image of the Souvenir Sheet is as below

FIFA World Cup 2010 FDC with Stamp Sheet from France

What a beautiful First Day Cover it is? I fell in love with this cover at the first instance. The cover was sent to me by Eric Contesse from his blog at "Blog Timbre de ma Philatelie". Thanks a lot Eric! 

The FDC featuring the Souvenir sheet of four stamps from France issued on the event of FIFA World Cup 2010 being played in South Africa . The Stamp sheet and FDC were issued on 13 Jun 2010 and depicts football players, player & ball, Pretoria’s Parliament Building, View of Capetown & Flags of Countries playing the FIFA World Cup.

#19: France; Harry Potter Stamps 2007

I absolutely love this cover from France. The cover features characters from my favorite book series – “Harry Potter”. I started reading the first part of the book on the recommendation of a younger sis and could not quit reading until I was finished with all the seven parts of the series.

I have also gone through the initial movies of the series. Although they are magnificently made but still they are NO match to the books. JK Rowling definitely Rules!!!

The above stamps were issued by France on 17 March 2007. "Fete Du Timbre" printed on the stamps means "Celebration of Stamps". The three stamps feature Harry Potter (Two stamps on Left), Hermione Granger (Top right) and Ronald Weasley (Bottom right).

The remaining stamps pasted on the cover were issued in 2005. The French stamps of 0.01 and 0.05 Euro feature Marianne. Marianne is a symbol of Republican France. A Marianne is a portrait of a proud and determined woman wearing a "Phrygian Cap". She symbolizes the attachment of the common citizens of the revolution to the Republic - Marianne is liberty, egality and fraternity. The one shown on these stamps is Lamouche Marianne. Thanks to Contesse Eric for this beautiful cover.

Another miniature sheet was also issued on the occasion which I have already shared in a previous post. It can be seen here:-

Harry Potter Miniature Sheet from France 2007

Cover # 11: France FDC: Launch of Dial Satellite 1970

Here is a lovely FDC from France issued to commemorate the launch of Dial (Diamant Allemagne) satellite in 1970. The satellite was launched on 10th March 1970 and the stamp/FDC was issued on 28th March 1970. The Dial satellite was launched on a Diamant B launcher from Kourou into a 301 x 1631 km orbit inclined at 5.41 degrees. The German microsat was used to study the hydrogen geo-corona and the ionosphere. 

The data became difficult to intercept because of vibration damage caused during the launch. The satellite re-entered on 5th October 1978.

This beautiful FDC from France was sent to me by Jean-Michael from France.

Cover # 8: France FDC, Isard 1971

Another cool FDC from France. The French stamp featured on the cover was issued on 24 April 1971. The stamp was issued as an effort for Nature Protection. The stamp and the FDC feature a beautiful animal called "Isard", somewhat like belonging to a deer family. Lovely addition in my collection.

Cover #7: France, Harry Potter miniature sheet

Here is a beautiful real posted cover from France with beautiful Harry Potter miniature sheet. Harry Potter is one of my favorite characters in books and movies. I recommend Harry Potter books to everyone who is reading this post. The movies are also good but not as classic as the books. The set of 7 Harry Potter Books is a must-read for every book lover. The miniature sheet was issued in 2007. "Fete Du Timbre 2007" printed on the miniature sheet means "Celebration of Stamps 2007" or "Stamp Celebration 2007". Thanks Marie for the quick translation.

The remaining stamps pasted on the cover were also issued in 2005. The French stamps of 0.01, 0.05 and 0.10 Euro feature Marianne. Marianne is a symbol of Republican France. A marianne is a portrait of a proud and determined woman wearing a "Phrygian Cap". She symbolises the attachment of the common citizens of the revolution to the Republic - Marianne is liberty, egality and fraternity. The one shown on these stamps is Lamouche Marianne. Thanks to Michael Adam for this beautiful cover.

FDC #6: World Cycling Championship 1972; France

Another wonderful FDC from France is here for you. The FDC commemorates the event of World Professional (Elite) Road Cycling Championship held in Gap - a commune in Southeastern France. GAP is also in the run for hosting 2018 Winter Olympics.

The stamp and the FDC were issued on 22 July 1972. The race consisted of 272.564 km and the best time was 7 hours, 5 minutes and 59 seconds. 89 cyclists started the race but only 42 of them reached the finish line. It was surely a tough one. Isn't it?

Marino Basso of Italy won the Gold medal while his fellow Italian Franco Bitossi got Silver. The third position went to Cyrille Guimard of the host country France.

My sincere Thanks to Jean-Michel for sending me this beautiful FDC from France. 

FDC #4: 7th Men's World Handball Championship 1970, France

Today I will share this beautiful FDC from France. The FDC was issued on the eve of 7th Men's World Handball Championship which was held in 1970 in France. The FDC features a beautiful stamp depicting a handball player. Three other players are also shown on the FDC envelope. 

An interesting thing which I noticed is that on the envelope, the shirt number of the player(in blue shirt) making the shot is inverted "9" or may be double-inverted "6". What do you say?

The FDC was issued on 21 February 1970 and it has been cancelled in the beautiful city of France - Paris.

The Championship was won by Romania getting the Gold medal, where as East Germany and Yugoslavia got Silver and Bronze medals respectively.

FDC #3: France: Munich Olympics 1972

Hello Pals!
I am here after a little absence. I have to show you a beautiful cover from my Olympics collection. It is an official FDC from France marking the event of Munich Olympics 1972 held of course in Munich (Then West Germany).

Unfortunately, the event saw a massacre on September 5 by some members belonging to the Black September Organization who broke into the Olympics village and took 11 Israeli athletes hostage in their apartment. They killed two of the athletes in their apartment after fighting back.

Afterwards during a botched German rescue attempt at the military airport of Furstenfeldbruck, where the captors with their hostages had been transferred by helicopter, ostensibly to board a plane bound for another country, all the surviving Israeli hostages were killed by a terrorist who threw a grenade into the helicopter carrying the hostages in one helicopter and another terrorist who sprayed the second helicopter with machine gun fire.

The games were suspended for some time but the Olympics committee decided that "the Games must go on". Competition resumed a day later.

The 1972 Munich Olympics were officially named as Games of the XX Olympiad. The official motto of the games was "The Happy Games". The emblem of the Games was a blue solar logo (the "Bright Sun"). The Olympic mascot, the dachsund "Waldi", was the first officially-named Olympic mascot.

France finished in 17th position in the final medal rankings, with two gold medals(Cycling, Men's 1000m Sprint and Sailing, Men's Finn) and 13 medals overall. Pakistan also competed in the event and managed to win a silver medal in Men's Field Hockey Team Competition.

I think that this particular cover was issued during the torch relay of Olympics. Can anyone put me wise on this issue? The FDC was sent to me by M. Chapeau Jean-Michel from France. Thanks Michel for such a nice cover.