Trio of covers from the United Kingdom

This trio of covers from the United Kingdom came to me through the September Cover Exchange on StampBoards.

This first one is from the London 2012 Olympic Games with the Bradley Wiggins gold medal stamp. 

This second cover commemorates the London 2012 Paralympic Games and utilises the entire mini-sheet.

This third cover uses the commemorative mini-sheet to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee.

Thanks to my exchange partner for sending these covers across. 

December 12 Christmas Cover from the United Kingdom

The unique date of 12 December 2012 has no doubt inspired a flurry of philatelic activity amongst collectors.

This cover was received this month, a little creased and minor tear, but the stamp and postmark intact and clearly visible.

Thank you to BarbadosStamps for this cover!

Cover from the United Arab Emirates

Another recent arrival from the Monthly Cover Exchange on StampBoards was this from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

This is the first ever item of mail I have ever received from the UAE and I am impressed by the quality of stamps and the subject matter portrayed.

Thank-you to my exchange partner for this lovely addition to my collection.

Amusing Cancel

Was sorting through some Kiloware recently and came across this gem.

Not only was I excited by the fact that I did not have this stamp and it would fill a gap in my fine used Australian collection, but had to laugh at the placement of the cancel.

Cancelled on 22 July - the superb placement of the cancel closely resembles a mustache and goatee.

I must admit, it did make me laugh just a little !

The stamp is SG2041B $0.45c Australian Crew (Women's 470 Dinghy Sailing) (3 Oct). 

Canadian Covers

Just to prove that I don't only admire or collect Australian Stamps, here are a few Canadian covers that I have received via the Monthly Cover Exchange on StampBoards -

First up is a cover with the recent Canadian Christmas gingerbread Mini-Sheet.

Second a cover with stamps the celebrate 250 years of; The Black Watch, Royal Regiment & Royal Hamilton Light Infantry.

The third cover utilises stamps featuring Tommy Douglas and commemorate the birth of medicare - Universal Healthcare.

All three covers are postmarked 12 December 2012.

Many thanks to my December Cover Exchange Partner for this lovely trio!

To find out more about the Monthly Cover Exchange visit StampBoards.

Large Parcel Piece from Australia to New Zealand

Back in October I completed a trade with a fellow member on StampBoards. As part of the deal, he agreed to send back the parcel franking that I used to send his items over. The package was fairly heavy and the total postage was $27.95 - I have decided to keep the Parcel Piece intact as it is a very attractive piece of modern usage utilising International Postage Stamps, including six if the recently issued $4.50 Cradle Mountain stamps and pays the correct rate postage from Australia to New Zealand.

Another Twelve-Twelve-Twelve Postmarked item

Here we have a lovely example of some parcel franking. This was sent to me from Sydney (to Perth) attached to a large parcel last week. Its the full sheetlet of $2 stamps, $20 face in total. Many will no doubt recognise the "Castlecrag" postmark and quickly work out who sent me that package!

Modern "High-Value" Parcel Franking at its finest !