First Day Cover - 750 years of MELAKA

This first day cover was released on 7th October 2012 to commemorate 750 glorious years of MELAKA.

Malacca (known as Melaka in Bahasa Malaysia) is a state rich in cultural and traditions heritage.  After been ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch and later the English for close to 450 years, a part of the city  that testifies to this colourful journey through time has been preserved and is now recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site since 7th July 2008.

the first day cover envelope completes with 2 new stamps

This stamp featuring the Masjid Kampong Hulu, Melaka at 90 cents each

this one featuring Cheng Hoon Teng temple, Melaka at 50 cents each, both in rectangular shape

The Miniature Sheet priced as 750 cents depicts the Governor's Museum (Muzium Yang DiPertua Negeri Melaka).

I have not been to Malacca, would love to have a family trip there one of these days, it would be a very educational trip for my girls.   Personally, I would like to see the popular historical attraction of Christ Church Melaka and the Clock Tower.  Would be pleased to know what are the "must visit" attractions and places to eat at Malacca from you, any recommendations??

 picture image from Wikipedia

picture image from Wikipedia

Malaysian First Day Cover - Malaysian Festival Siri II

The post office issued a First Day Cover on 27 September 2012.  The theme is "Malaysian Festivals Siri II".  There are a series of 5 stamps with a denominations of 0.60 cents each.  

This issue is not as popular as the one issued on 13 September 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee for Queen's Elizabeth II and the Royal visit of Prince William and his wife, Catherine to Malaysia.  For this issue, I still managed to buy the stamps, the inserts and envelopes today, one day after it was issued, unlike the earlier, I still have not got the First Day Cover envelopes for the stamps and a stamp chop on them.

The stamps for the "Malaysian Festival Siri II" are pretty cute.  Malaysia is a country rich with a mix of races, religion  and culture, therefore, there are festivals celebrated by each races.  The festivals on the stamps are Hari Raya Aidiladha, Moon Cake Festival, Thaipusam, Pesta Kaul, Regatta Lepa.  

I bought 3 sets, 1 for my colleague whom also a collector of First Day Covers.  She managed to get 2 more sets later in the afternoon too..

getting ready to stick and paste the stamps on the envelopes.  At the same time trying to figure out how is the best way to arrange the stamps so that they look nice..*;*

I got the rubber stamp now and ready to stamp chop on the stamps to make them into the official First Day Covers :)

done with the rubber stamping 

I particularly like the Christmas Tree on the envelope, it further enhances the meaning of this issue of First Day Covers "Perayaan Di Malaysia Siri II".  It is a beautiful piece of First Day Cover with the colourful Christmas tree image.

A closer look 

The Christmas Tree image

On my way out, I noticed this bunting.  A special series of setemku collection  on the adventure of Upin Ipin has been released on 15 September 2012.  If you are a fan of the Malaysian most popular animated children series, visit Pos Malaysia to collect the limited edition of Kembara of Upin & Ipin Setemku Collection.    

Next to it is the Perayaan Di Malaysian Siri II bunting.

First Day Cover / New Stamps for The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II

When I first arrived at the Main Post Office in KK just before 8am this morning, there was already a long queue in front of the entrance.  I told myself that there must be a first day cover released today, but I am not sure what theme is being released today.  The crowd seems to be very excited telling each other how early they have been here at the post office.

I did not line along with the queue because I do not need to take any queuing number from the counter, I just need to buy stamps to send my products off to my buyers as usual.  

Before the door was opened, the post office staff informed the people in the queue that there are limited numbers of First Day Covers for everyone, for those who have registered their names the day before will get theirs and no additional are available for sale if they want more, some might not get a complete set.  With no idea of what's being released, Clet and I proceed to buy our stamps at the other counter.  

After almost done with sticking the stamps on our posts, one of the elderly lady holding her First Day Cover envelope and stamps on her hands and puzzling how to place it on the envelope, with her asking for help, I moved over to help her out.  I was surprise to see this special release of these new stamps for The Diamond Jubilee for Queen Elizabeth II, there is also stamp for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and his wife Catherine.  These stamps are so nice that I want to have them instantly.  The best is the Duke and Duchess has actually arrived in Kota Kinabalu last night, they are actually here in Sabah for their 2-day visit.   It is very meaningful day to have the First Day Cover.

I asked for the elderly to take a photo of her envelope and stamps

queuing up

I quickly queue up (the queue has became shorter by then) hoping for a chance to get this set of stamps.  Luckily Clet helped to queue up on the other line which he got his turn before me.  We did not manage to get any First Day Cover's envelope and folder, they were all sold out.  But I am happy to get hold of 2 sets of the stamps.  They are meant to be kept for my 2 little girls. 

another line of people queued up

the new released stamps, 2 designs

Stamp of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to commemorate the royal visit to Malaysia, at RM1.50 each

First Day Cover stamp design

A "stamp on stamp" design, with an older stamp which was released on June 2, 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, it is now being re-released after 60 years, the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty on the throne.  RM1.50 per piece.

I ended up late to work this morning (slightly la) because of this, I can't kept my excitement having those stamps that I showed them to my colleagues, they all got excited too..one of my colleague walked all the way to Tanjung Aru Post office to buy these stamps but returned with disappointment that these stamps have not arrived to their post office yet.

I would have missed this fabulous First Day Cover if I hadn't gone to the main post office today.

Malaysia First Day Covers

I used to collect First Day Covers whenever there were releases some 10 years ago.  I kept them in a box like a treasure, these collections are meant to be for my children.  After many times of shifting, I could not remember where I have placed them, I will have to search for them from the boxes in the store, hopefully they are still as good as new.

Due to frequent to the main post office lately, I have come to notice the issues of First Day Covers. I couldn't afford to queue like most people do as I need to rush to work after I have posted my mechandise, what I did was to ask from counter on the very next day to see what's left.  They usually have some stock left but the chances of getting the complete set is slim,  so long there is cover envelope and stamps that's good enough for me, and I am allowed to use the First Day Cover stamp chop all by myself, stamp as many and however I want to.

Here are the First Day Covers I managed to get in the recent months.  I am selective of which First Day Covers to collect, I do not collect all the releases :D

Yes to Life, No To Drugs, released on 27.02.2012

 Underwater Life, released 21.03.2012

 Malaysian Antarctic Research Programme, released on 08.03.2012