As I wrote this rant on Australia Post’s annual stamp issue that isn’t really a Valentine’s Day stamp issue but just happens to always feature lots of love and roses, I came across a few examples of similar issues from overseas. So I thought I’d add them here for hopeless romantics or equally hopeless philatelists.
This year, the US has gone with this complicated little number tying eternal love in with their idea of Forever stamps (which I touched on in this entry.) Erm… yawn.
Here’s a Filipino stamp from last year that I’m not allowed to make fun of because it was designed by a child.
The French, naturellement, embrace the idea of putting out a stamp de l’amour, and being French, they get fashion designers to design their annual ‘heart’ issue. This year Jean-Charles de Castelbajac followed in the footsteps of YSL, Lacroix, Chanel, Givenchy, Hermes and others, giving us this issue, pictured in stamp and minisheet form. I assume those people are French kissing.
But Taiwan takes the heart-shaped cake in 2015 – if not for romance, then at least for cuteness. Chunghwa Post went with ten stamps depicting pairs of animals entwined in an embrace. Some of them are dressed as princes and princesses! Some of them are brides and grooms! Has heteronormativity ever looked so ADORABLE?!
Finally, New Zealand Post released its Valentine’s Day stamp in January.
YEAH! I WENT THERE BRO
Happy Valentine’s Day. x
This blog is brand new! If you enjoy my work, feel free to like, link, share, and generally big me up to your friends. I’m on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Tumblr. Thanks!
© Philatelic product images remain the copyright of issuing postal administrations and successor authorities
Punk Philatelist 
despite being desperately hegemonic, as you mention, those taiwanese animals are adorbs. i don’t mind the USA love issue after the hideous mess some of the recent releases, like the celebrity chefs (i have a sheet and i don’t even know how i ended up with them) or the FARMERS MARKET ones (uuuughhhhhh). i’m pretty into those french stamps because they look like cute swingy mid-century illustrations even if you can’t tell what the people are doing!
LikeLike
Thanks so much for your thoughts! I may have been a bit harsh on the US designs. You’re right, after some recent efforts these bring a touch of class with overtones of yesteryear. I’m fickle like that.
LikeLike