Theme : Zodiac signs 02 b

It's been a long time since I posted something on Israeli stamps, regarding zodiac signs.

The set I posted earlier : http://rainbowstampsandcoins.blogspot.be/2011/05/theme-zodiac-signs-02.html

Now I proudly present two FDC's with the full set of stamps cancelled on Feb. 27, 1961.

Honestly, I'm not a big fan of FDC's, as they are all CTO cancels, but on the other hand, it's a good way to collect clear cancels on all stamps of a certain set.
An FDC (First Day Cover) also gives you some extra information.

As you might know, Hebrew's language is written from right to left.
Therefore, you can see that the set starts in the right hand corner and values add up gowing to the left.

All stamps have their TAB. This is very typical for Israeli stamps.
On each tab you can see the latin name of the zodiac sign, as well as the circle with all 12 signs.

Cancel both on stamp and on tab

I noticed it before, but also here you can see that the tab on 2 stamps (Virgo and Leo) is shorter then on the other 10 values of the set.

short and longer tabs

Theme : Volkswagen Beetle - 13

In 2001, the smal country of Luxemburg, made me happy.
Luxemburg always makes me happy, but this time, it was for a special reason.
A small booklet with 12 auto-adhesive stamps was issued, dedicated to the Postal Services of Luxemburg.
Depicted were two cars that were used by the postal services.
One was the Citroën 2CV, the other one the Volkswagen Beetle.

Being in the middle of two big countries in Europe (France and Germany). A set of stamps with the most famous cars of both countries, wasn't a bad idea at all.

Altough there are 2CV collectors, I will focus on the Volkswagen Beetle, as it 's my topic.

VW Beetle, used as postal vehicle in Luxemburg

On the booklet there are 6 stamps with the Citroën 2CV and 6 with a Volkswagen Beetle.
The Citroën has a facevalue of 0,07 €; the Volkswagen 0,45 €

inside the booklet

outside the booklet

I was lucky to be in Luxemburg at the time of issue.
This made it possible to find (and buy) two additional first day covers.

First day cover with two different stamps

First day cover with two 'beetle stamps'

First day cancel

Theme: Volkswagen Beetle - 01

The Volkswagen Beetle

In the late 20's of the 20th century, the German nazi-leader Hitler, came up with the idea of a car, affordable by any German family. The car should be decent, solid and under the price of 1000 German Marks.
Although the idea seemed unattainable, Ferdinand Porche, managed to create a car within the given limits.

The initially by F. Porche called 'Porche Type 60', was officially named the KdF-Wagen by Hitler, when the project was lauched. The name refers to : Kraft durch Freude ('Strength Through Joy'), the official leisure organization in the Third Reich. In order to obtain a car, families could save 5 German Marks per week on a 'saving card'. No one ever managed to get a full card, and because of the second World War, the KdF-Wagen never came into production. In order to promote the car and the automobile and motorcycle exhibition in 1939, Germany issued a set of stamps of which the 25 + 10 pfennig was the highest value.

Other issues with Volkswagen Beetle : April 16, 1971 (the year Volkswagen sold over 1,3 million !! Volkswagen Beetles). Germany introduces new traffic rules. On the FDC a picture of a Volkswagen Beetle is shown while applying the new rules.

Finally, in 2002, a set of 5 stamps were issued. They depict some of the most famous cars. A Volkswagen Beetle is shown on a 55 + 25 pfenning stamp.

The legend goes on...