My first attempt at a philatelic exhibition

THE INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEAR (2007-2009)

I have never before attempted to prepare a philatelic exhibition. But with this important international endeavor and the announcement, last year, that there will be some sort of an Omnibus series celebrating the end of this 3-year programme, I figured this to be the best time to try to mount a one-frame exhibit.

But first a little background on this philatelic event. It was on September 20th 2008 at the Austria Center in Vienna that this major philatelic event relating to the “International Polar Year 2007-2009” was presented. Originally discussed during a state visit to Finland by Michelle Bachelet, the president of Chile, where it was decided to call attention to the environmental impact of global warming.To pay tribute to all the efforts made during this fourth “International Polar Year” 2007-2009 and to deliver a strong message aimed at the whole world, the postal administrations of about 40 countries decided to produce a common stamp issue concerning the problem of Global Warming and to promote the protection of not only the regions but also the glaciers thus putting forth the slogan “Preserve the Polar Regions and Glaciers”.Each participating country was free to decide the theme and illustration for the issue, but had to agree to share a common campaign logo.

The design for the logo, a “protected ice crystal”, was created by Saku Heinänen a Finnish graphic designer and Master of Arts but also a keen amateur naturalist.

The Finnish Philatelic Center’s Director, Markku Penttinen, is the leader of this campaign. As Director Markku Pertinnen said, “A stamp is a receipt for postage paid but it is also a media … millions of people all over the world will see this message and its appeal”.

Thus, after reading this quote I decided that this message should not end with the year 2009 and that it should be carried on for as long as possible. If successful with this project I then hope to be able to carry on this message at various philatelic exhibitions and by constantly working on it make it to the highest levels.

So, if you are interested to follow this project you are more than welcome to follow it, comment on it, add your suggestions and as with any philatelic projects, maybe develop some frienships along the way.

Issue from Canada

On April 9, Canada issued its contribution to the International Polar Year. Although it is a beautiful sheet I regret the fact that no glacier has been depicted on the sheet.

What we see represented are wild animals from both end of planet Earth.

Representing the Arctic, we see the Polar Bear and the Arctic Fox. From the Antarctic, we see a group of Penguins and the Arctic Tern.

Why an Artic Tern in antarctica? Very simply put this bird migrates yearly between the two poles. It was therefore decided by the designer of this sheet (Tiit Telmet) to use the Tern as a symbol showing that both poles are united.

The stamps have also been issued in sheets of 16 with marginal inscription. The post office was already out of the sheet when I went, so as soon as I get it I will upload it.

The stamps have been issued at 2,000,000 examples while the issued quantity for the souvenir sheet is 225,000.