The Calgary Stampede imbues an irresistible pioneer spirit to the city, one that is embraced by residents and tourists alike. The streets and midways teem with people in shiny—or sometimes dusty—boots, belt buckles and cowboy hats donned for the occasion. They stand in line for hearty pancake breakfasts that spring up in schools and community centres before they head off for another day at the Stampede. The excitement never stops—after the ropin’ and ridin’ is done for the day, visitors take to the streets for Stampede parties and barbecues.

Joining the centennial celebration, Canada Post will issue two stamps that will evoke the Wild West and pioneer new digital technology such as our first augmented reality stamps.

Sinewy-strong and beautiful, a powerful rodeo horse stands saddled on the domestic-rate PERMANENT™ stamp. Featured prominently on the U.S.-rate stamp is the Stampede’s limited-issue, silver-and-gold anniversary belt-buckle, one hundred of which are being produced as much-prized event trophies this year. A souvenir sheet, bearing one of each stamp, brings out the human element with a cowboy readying for the rodeo.

An archival photograph of the late Guy Weadick, the cowboy who was the driving force behind the establishment of the stampede, appears on the U.S. booklet cover. Weadick was a Wild West performer on the vaudeville circuit across North America at the turn of the 20th century. He travelled to Calgary where, together with several wealthy cattlemen who became known as the `Big Four,’ he founded the Stampede in 1912.

“To have been chosen to work on the stamps for the Calgary Stampede Centennial is the honour of a lifetime,” says designer Xerxes Irani, who has been creating print materials, logos and other physical objects for the Stampede for more than 13 years. “Having grown up in Calgary in a home full of western art, this feels like a further extension of my roots and heritage.”

The Calgary Stampede is a great source of Western and Canadian pride. We hope you’ll agree that these stamps are a fitting nod to the 100th anniversary of this world-famous, outstanding rodeo and exhibition.

Title: 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede
Date of Issue: 17 May 2012
Country: Canada
Denominations: permanent, $1.05

Source: http://www.canadapost.ca

When the RNZAF (Te Tauaarangi o Aotearoa, or ‘New Zealand Warrior of the Sky’) was formed on 1 April 1937 as a separate arm of New Zealand’s military forces, it brought with it the promise of expansion and modern aircraft. Equally important was the team of dedicated personnel, whose service through the years has played a vital role in the success of the organisation, and in protecting and defending Aotearoa, New Zealand.

In its early years the RNZAF was heavily involved in World War II. In New Zealand it trained aircrew as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme; and overseas many of its aircrew served with squadrons of the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces. It also played a key role in the Pacific, providing combat squadrons in support of the United States’ operations to defeat the Japanese in the Solomon Islands. Following World War II, the RNZAF supported operations in countries such as Malaya, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.

Outside battle, the RNZAF has played an important role in search and rescue. Such operations had their beginnings in World War II, with searches of missing Allied airmen. The aircraft used for search and rescue from the mid-1960s were P3 Orion maritime surveillance aircraft, supplemented by Iroquois helicopters. Today, the RNZAF continues to respond to local emergencies including floods and earthquakes, and provides support to the police in operations such as searching for missing trampers.

Title: 75 Years of the RNZAF
Date of Issue: 15 March 2012
Country: New Zealand
Denominations: 60c x 15

Source: http://stamps.nzpost.co.nz

The largest passenger steamship in the world at the time, the Olympic-class Royal Mail Ship RMS Titanic was owned by the White Star Line and constructed at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Ireland, UK. After setting sail for New York City on 10 April 1912 with 2,223 people on board, she hit an iceberg four days into the crossing, at 11:40 pm on 14 April 1912, and sank at 2:20 am on the morning of 15 April. The ship did not sail into the iceberg head on but rather suffered a glancing blow in a manoeuvre trying to avoid it. Further the iceberg did not open her plates like a can opener but rather tore them apart in the riveted joints.

The Titanic was designed to survive a head on collision that would flood the first four of her water tight compartments or a collision from another ship that would ram her in the middle and flood maximum two compartments; however, this long opening in the hull was not foreseen and the crew soon realised that the ship was going to sink.

The high casualty rate resulting from the sinking was due in part to the fact that, although complying with the regulations of the time, the ship carried lifeboats for only 1,178 people. A disproportionate number of men died due to the “women and children first” protocol that was enforced by the ship’s crew. This procedure meant that many boats were only half filled. Since the sea was calm, it would have been safe to fill all boats to capacity and thereby rescue an additional 500 persons. Further, only a few were picked up from the water after the sinking out of fear of the boats being overfilled or capsizing. Another factor that crucially contributed to the high death rate was the failure of the nearby ship the Californian to come to the rescue. The Titanic stayed afloat for more than 2½ hours, which meant that the Californian would have had enough time to reach her before she sank. In the end it was the Carpathia which came to the rescue and picked up the survivor from the lifeboats but not until the Titanic had been sunk for almost 2 hours.

Title: Titanic Centenary 1912-2012
Date of Issue: 31 January 2012
Country: Gibraltar
Denominations: 10p, 42p, 44p, 54p, 66p

Source: http://www.gibraltar-stamps.com

RTÉ now provides up to 12 hours daily of Young People’s Television, giving today’s Irish youngsters their own TV brands. Young people can see themselves, their Ireland and their lives on RTÉjr and TRTÉ. From the first days of Irish Television Daithí Lacha, Brogeen Follows the Magic Tune, Amuigh Faoin Spéir and Wanderly Wagon introduced a range of formats and, more recently, The Den and Hubble have in turn become part of young Irish life.

Television’s first News bulletins added the face of the studio newsreader to the familiar radio voice. Now News delivery has expanded almost beyond recognition, with live reports and interviews from every corner of the globe. And yet the face and voice in the studio continue to play a vital role. The newsreader is the trusted presence confirming the public’s faith in its broadcast news.

Title: 50th Anniversary of the first RTÉ Broadcast
Date of Issue: 24 November 2011
Country: Ireland
Denominations: 3 x 55c

Source: http://www.anpost.ie

$1.65 Didgeridoo musician
The didgeridoo is a wind instrument that originated in northern Australia at least 1,500 years ago. It is composed of a eucalyptus hardwood branch hollowed out by termites over time.

Title: Joint Issue Australia-Korea
Date of Issue: 30 October 2011
Country: Australia
Denominations: 60c, $1.65

Source: www.auspost.com.au

The Didgeridoo, a wind instrument, was created about 1,500 years ago by the aboriginal people in Northern Australia. It is made primarily from eucalyptus trees growing in Australia with its surface decorated with various patterns and wax being administered on the instrumental part where the player’s mouth is placed. The longer the instrument is, the lower the tone it produces. The most commonly used Didgeridoo is 1.2 meters long. Didgeridoo produces its sounds through the player’s breath and lip vibration. Since ancient times, it has been played during ceremonies either together with dances and songs or as a solo. Today, it is being widely played not only in Australia but also around the world.

Title: The 50th Anniversary of Korea-Australia Diplomatic Ties
Date of Issue: 28 October 2011
Country: South Korea
Denominations: 270 won

Source: http://www.koreapost.go.kr

Work on the First-edition Tripitaka Koreana began in the 2nd year of King Hyeonjong’s reign (the year 1011) during the Goryeo dynasty and its first engraving on woodblocks was accomplished in the 4th year of King Seonjong’s reign (the year 1029). The engraving resumed in 1046 and was completed in 1087. Based on the Gaebopan Tripitaka (the year 971) during the Northern Song dynasty, the world’s first woodcut Tripitaka, as well as referencing a selection of other Tripitakas in circulation during those days, the First-edition Tripitaka Koreana was created as Goryeo’s own unique Tripitaka. The superb cultural and academic foundations of those times resulted in the great feat of manufacturing “Gyojang,” the collection of Scriptures and Commentaries on the Tripitaka – the only one in the world. Currently, about 3,000 fascicles of the First-edition Tripitaka Koreana exist, holding a high bibliographical value. As the First-edition Tripitaka Koreana, stored at the Buin Temple in Palgong Mountain located in Daegu, was destroyed by fire in 1232 when Mongols invaded Korea, Jaejo Daejanggyeong (the Second-edition Tripitaka Koreana) was created from the 23th year (the year 1236) to the 38th year (the year 1251) of the reign of King Gojong of the Goryeo dynasty, which finally completed the 240-year-long, mammoth project of Tripitaka Koreana.

Title: 2011 Millennial Anniversary of the Tripitaka Koreana
Date of Issue: 23 September 2011
Country: South Korea
Denominations: 250 won

Source: http://www.koreapost.go.kr/

Title: Amnesty International 50th Anniversary
Date of Issue: 15 September 2011
Country: Island
Denominations: 100g

Source: www.postur.is

Source: http://www.jerseypost.com/

The stamps depicts
- Light-vented bulbul
- spotted dove
- yellow bittern
- Greater coucal

Title: 50th Anniversary of WWF
Date of Issue: 11 September 2011
Country: Macau
Denominations: 1.50, 2.50, 3.50 and 4.50 patacas

Source: www.macaupost.gov.mo