Austria: "Christmas 2025" - 64th "Weihnachtsballonpost" ("Christmas Balloon Post")

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Like last year, I'm happy to show this year's Weihnachtsballonpost ("Christmas Balloon Post"), too. As a reminder, this is an annual tradition and philatelic charity champaigne of sending specially designed Christmas covers and postcards via hot air balloon from Sonthofen, Germany to the town of Christkindl in Austria. The envelope bears a pictorial cancellation from the Christkindl post office on the right and on the left the black Cachet of the Ballon including a customized stamp celebrating the 64rthWeihnachts-ballonpost. The green-framed flight label provides detailed information about the balloon transport. 

Stamp:

Christmas – The Birth of Christ, St Leonhard parish church - Issued: 14-11-2025

Latvia: EUROPA 2025 - "National Archaeological Discoveries"

Stamp:

EUROPA 2025 - "National Archaeological Discoveries" - Issued: 09-05-2025

Andorra: EUROPA 2025 - "National Archaeological Discoveries" (Spanish Post)

Stamp:

EUROPA 2025 - "National Archaeological Discoveries" - Issued: 09-05-2025

I mailed this cover to myself during my visit at the 2025 Ulm International stamp fair.

South Korea: President Lee Jae Myung's first 100 Days in Office

Lee Jae-myung was elected President of South Korea on 3 June 2025 and officially took office on 4 June 2025.  To commemorate his first 100 days in office, Korea Post issued a special inauguration stamp — issued on 11 September 2025.

Stamp:

President Lee Jae Myung's first 100 Days in Office - Issued: 11-09-2025

Many thanks to Park Pyo Jun!

Philippines: Philippines 80-year UN membership

Stamps:

Philippines 80-year UN membership - Issued: 26-06-2025

Spain: Cycling - "La Vuelta a España 2025"

Along with the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia, "La Vuelta a España" is one of the three Grand Tours of professional road cycling. Held every year in late summer, the 2025 "Vuelta" took place in Italy, France, Andorra and Spain. It started on 23 August in Turin, Italy and finished on 14 September in Madrid, Spain. The race was won by danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard, taking his first Vuelta in his career.

Stamp:

Cycling - "La Vuelta a España" - Issued: 31-07-2025

I mailed this cover to myself during my visit at the 2025 Ulm International stamp fair.

Luxembourg: EUROPA 2025 - "National Archaeological Discoveries"

Stamps:

EUROPA 2025 - "National Archaeological Discoveries" - Issued: 06-05-2025 (to note a new additional word "Philately" in the postmark)

Malaysia: Flowers of Malaysia

Stamps:

Flowers of Malaysia (full set) - Issued: 30-07-2025

Flowers of Malaysia (mini sheet) - Issued: 30-07-2025

Many thanks to Henry!

Austria: EUROPA 2025 - "National Archaeological Discoveries"

Stamp:

EUROPA 2025 - "National Archaeological Discoveries" - Issued: 01-05-2025

Switzerland: EUROPA 2025 - "National Archaeological Discoveries"

Stamps:

EUROPA 2025 - "National Archaeological Discoveries" (full set) - Issued: 08-05-2025

Germany: Lufthansa Special Flight LH 2572 Munich, Germany -> Mount Pleasant (Port Stanley) (Falkland Islands)

This cover traveled aboard a Lufthansa special charter flight from Munich, Germany to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, 'arriving' on March 12, 2025 (Port Stanley Philatelic Service Postmark). Originally scheduled for March 10, the flight was delayed by one day due to a strike at Munich Airport (lower black cachet). The aircraft carried scientific personnel on behalf of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI). This personnel was en route to board the German research vessel Polarstern, which would bring them to Neumayer Station III in Antarctica for the institute’s 2025 expedition season.

 

Stamps:

World of Letters Definitive (1,10 €) - Issued: 01-03-2022

World of Letters Definitive (0,15 €) - Issued: 01-08-2024

Bermuda: Fruits of Bermuda

Stamps:

Fruits of Bermuda  (from a set of 6) - Issued: 15-04-2024

Many thanks to John!

Thailand: THAILAND 2025 - Asian International Stamp Exhibition, Bangkok, 8-12 August 2025

The Asian International Stamp Exhibition – Thailand 2025 took place in Bangkok from August 8 to 12, 2025, at the historic Grand Postal Building on Charoen Krung Road in the Bangrak district. The event was organized by the Philatelic Association of Thailand under the patronage of H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The stamps on the front were issued for this occasion. They are a showing a newly discovered plant species with the botanical name 'Impatiens sirindhorniae', named after the Princess of Thailand Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. 

Stamps:

Chinese New Year - Year of the Pig - Issued: 01-01-2019

Coronation of King Vajiralongkorn to Rama X - Issued: 04-05-2019

Thanks a lot to Xu Wei!

France: Les timbres Coeur 2025 - "Pierre Hermé"

Pierre Hermé, often called the "Picasso of Pastry," is a world-renowned French pastry chef celebrated for revolutionizing the art of desserts. Born in 1961 into a family of bakers, Hermé trained under Gaston Lenôtre before developing his own innovative style. He is best known for reinventing the French macaron, introducing bold and unexpected flavor combinations such as rose, lychee, and raspberry. Today, Hermé owns boutiques across the globe and has authored numerous books. 

Stamps:

Les timbres Coeur 2025 - "Pierre Hermé" (Mini-Sheet) - Issued: 27-01-2025

Many thanks to Eric!

Japan: Nagasaki (August 9, 2025 - The 80th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki)

Nagasaki is the capital and the largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan. On August 9, 1945, it became the target of the second (after Hiroshima) atomic bombing in history. The bomb, dropped by the United States during World War II, killed tens of thousands instantly and left lasting effects from radiation exposure.

Today, Nagasaki is home to several important sites of remembrance. The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum documents the events and consequences of the attack, while the Peace Park serves as a memorial and a symbol of the city’s commitment to nuclear disarmament. One famous item in this Park of peace is the 13-meter-tall Peace Statue made by Seibo Kitamura (北村 西望, Kitamura Seibō) which can be seen on the postmark.

Stamps:

Definitives - Greetings and Occasion - Issued: 02-09-2024

Basic Greetings Stamps - Issued: 01-05-2024

Definitives - Issued: 02-02-2015

 

 

Many thanks to Linda!

Greenland: Karupelv Valley Project 2025

As a reminder: Karupelv Valley Project is an ongoing, long term research project in North-East Greenland. It is jointly carried out under the auspices of the University Freiburg (GER) and the Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique (F). Its main objective is to provide new insights into the processes that govern cyclic fluctuations of lemming populations in high-arctic ecosystems. The project in 2025 continues its field work: monitoring lemming populations and predators, and studies on the effects of global climate change. I'm very happy to receive the nice cover below set up by project leader Dr. Benoît Sittler, thanks a lot!

Stamps:

International Migratory Bird Day  - Issued: 10-10-2023

Arctic Deserts - Issued: 28-02-2020

Greenland Year 1500-1800 (from a set of 3) - Issued: 29-03-1984

Queen Margrethe II  - Issued: 26-05-1977

Vietnam: The 80th Anniversary of the People's Army of Vietnam

Stamps:

The 80th Anniversary of the People's Army of Vietnam (full set) - Issued: 18-12-2024

Many thanks to Khoa!

Philippines: In Memoriam - Pope Francis (1936-2025)

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) issued a commemorative stamp on June 5, 2025, to honor Pope Francis (who died in April 2025) and his legacy of faith, compassion, and service. The stamp features a se-tenant design with one side showing his spiritual humility and the other his global advocacy for peace and social justice. PHLPost printed 20,000 copies of this commemorative stamp, along with 1,000 official first day covers which makes them quite rare.

Stamps:

In Memoriam - Pope Francis (1936-2025) - Issued: 05-06-2025

UN: Greetings from the United Nations (UN) Headquarters New York City, USA

The United Nations (UN) is a global organization that works to maintain peace, promote human rights, and support sustainable development. While its headquarters are in New York City, USA, the UN has several other major offices around the world to carry out its work more effectively.

Stamp:

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (from a set of 2) - Issued: 06-04-2025

Many thanks to Anne for this nice card!

Germany: Lufthansa First Flight (LH 5640/5641) Frankfurt a. M., Germany <-> Figari (Corsika), France

Lufthansa subsidiary Air Dolomiti expanded its route network and lauched a new connection for the summer season 2025. It started to fly between Frankfurt and Figari on Corsica. From May 17, 2025, Air Dolomiti operated the route once a week with an Embraer E190. I'm happy to show two nice covers that document both the first flight from Frankfurt to Figari and the first flight back from Figari to Frankfurt.

Lufthansa Flight (LH 5640) Frankfurt a. M., Germany <-> Figari (Corsika), France  w/ Arrival postmark on the back

Stamps:

World of Letters Definitive (1,10 €) - Issued: 01-03-2022

World of Letters Definitive (0,15 €) - Issued: 01-08-2024

 

 

Lufthansa Flight (LH 5641) Figari (Corsika), France <-> Frankfurt a. M., Germany  w/ Arrival postmark on 19th may (Monday) of Frankfurt-Airport (IPZ)

 

 Stamp:

 

Chinese New Year - Year of the Snake - Issued: 20-01-2025 

 

 

Many thanks for the help Eric!

Jersey: EUROPA 2023 - "Peace - the highest value of humanity"

Stamps:

EUROPA 2023 - "Peace - the highest value of humanity" - Issued: 09-05-2023

Norway: EUROPA 2025 - "National Archaeological Discoveries"

Stamps:

EUROPA 2025 - "National Archaeological Discoveries" (full set) - Issued: 24-04-2025

Many thanks to Rune!

Germany: Kiel Week 2025

The Kiel Week 2025 took place from June 21 to June 29, 2025, under the shared motto “WIR-Woche” (“WE Week”). The event featured numerous sailing competitions, including the Windjammer parade with over 100 ships. Beyond sailing, the Kieler Woche offered a diverse program with concerts, international markets, an Ocean Funpark, and various family-friendly activities. The German Navy and its partners once again opened their ships to the public during “Open Ship” days at the Kiel Naval Base. I'm happy to receive two covers from the Kiel Week with special postmark and Kiel Week-Stickers. 

 First Cover has got a ship cachet from the Frigate Bayern:

 Stamp:

World of Letters Definitive (0,95 €) - Issued: 04-08-2022

 

(c) Tagesschau - Tagesschau.de, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=164832921

 

 

Second Cover has got a cachet from the Minehunter Pegnitz:

Stamps:

World of Letters Definitive (0,10 €) - Issued: 02-11-2022

The 75th Anniversary of the Basic Law - Issued: 02-05-2024 

 

(c) PIZ Marine

France: The DC Superheroes

Stamps:

The DC Superheroes (from a set of 4) - Issued: 20-05-2025

Many thanks to Eric!

Japan: The 150th Anniversary of Japan Meteorological Agency

In 2025, Japan celebrates the 150th anniversary of its national weather service, founded in 1875. As one of the oldest meteorological institutions in the world, it has played a vital role in disaster preparedness, climate research, and public safety.

To mark the occasion, Japan Post has issued a commemorative stamp honoring the legacy and ongoing importance of weather forecasting in a country shaped by typhoons, earthquakes, and seasonal shifts.

Stamps:

The 150th Anniversary of Japan Meteorological Agency (from a set of 10) - Issued: 28-05-2025

Many thanks Mitsuhiko!

 

Liechtenstein: EUROPA 2025 - "National Archaeological Discoveries"

Stamps:

EUROPA 2025 - "National Archaeological Discoveries" (full set) - Issued: 01-04-2025

Italy: The 100th Anniversary of the University of Trieste

The University of Trieste (Italian: Università degli Studi di Trieste, or UniTS) is a public research university in Trieste in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region in northeast Italy. The university consists of 10 departments, has a wide and almost complete range of university courses and has about 15,000 students and 1,000 professors. It was founded in 1924 and celecrated in 2024  its 100th anniversary.

Stamps:

The 100th Anniversary of the University of Trieste - Issued: 21-11-2024
Poste Italiane - Self Adhesive (additional Value) - Issued: 01-07-2010

Malaysia: Malaysia Chairmanship of ASEAN 2025

Stamps:

Malaysia Chairmanship of ASEAN 2025 (full set) - Issued: 01-01-2025

Stamp:

Malaysia Chairmanship of ASEAN 2025 (Souvenir Sheet) - Issued: 01-01-2025

 

Many thanks to Henry!

Brazil: Pioneering Female Scientists of Brazil

Stamps:

Pioneering Female Scientists of Brazil (from a set of 7) - Issued: 24-11-2024

Many thanks to Paolo!

Germany: EUROPA 2025 - "National Archaeological Discoveries"

Germany’s contribution to the 2025 EUROPA stamp series, released on May 8, celebrates the UNESCO World Heritage “Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura.” The miniature sheet features iconic archaeological finds like the Lion Man, the Venus of Hohlfels, and the Mammoth of Vogelherd – one of the world’s oldest known figurative artworks.

 Stamp:

 EUROPA 2025 - "National Archaeological Discoveries" - Issued: 08-05-2025