The stamp commemorating the 200th anniversary of Johann Strauss was voted the most popular music-themed stamp of 2025 by collectors worldwide. Issued by Austrian Post, the stamp combines the figure from the Johann Strauss monument in Vienna’s Stadtpark with a detail from the title page of the first edition of the piano score for the waltz ‘The Blue Danube’. The stamp was designed by Viennese artist Kirsten Lubach, who is being honoured with the Yehudi Menuhin Trophy 2026 for her work.
The ‘The Pixies’ Christmas’ stamp from the Faroe Islands took second place. The stamp was designed by Janus á Húsagarði, a Faroese photographer and visual artist based in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland. Taking third place was the German stamp ‘Semper Opera House’. For the design, graphic artist Jan-Niklas Kröger utilised the AI image generator DALL·E.
James Bendon passed away on 4 May 2026, while his latest book, Great Britain used in Morocco, was in the final stages of production. The book has been published in his memory by his family, who will be operating his website for the time being.
The Great Britain used in Morocco is about British postage stamps and postal stationery without Moroccan overprint used by the British postal service in Morocco in 1872–1885 and 1937–1949. This new, generously illustrated handbook is packed with information that will be of interest and value to collectors of Morocco, Gibraltar and Great Britain Used Abroad. Postal stationery cards and registration envelopes (including those overprinted TANGIER) are covered in depth.
Published by Oxford Book Projects in 144 pages (xii + 120 + announcements), 216 x 280 mm and hardbound. Details: https://www.jamesbendon.com
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https://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/james_bendon-800.jpg800800Costas Chazapishttps://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/fepanews_logo-107x138-1.pngCostas Chazapis2026-08-18 13:04:002026-08-18 13:06:32Great Britain used in Morocco
The 64th National Philatelic Exhibition—EXFILNA 2026, the Spanish Philatelic Championship—will be held in Mérida from 23 to 27 September at the city’s Conference Centre. It is organised by the Spanish Federation of Philatelic Societies and the State Postal and Telegraph Company (Correos), with the collaboration of the Mérida City Council, the National Mint and Stamp Factory (FNMT-RCM), the Regional Government of Extremadura, the Provincial Council of Badajoz, ANFIL, EDIFIL, the Extremadura Philatelic Federation, and the Mérida Philatelic Group.
This year, the Argentine Philatelic Federation (FAEF) has been invited to participate. Its president, Miguel Casielles, will attend as a judge and commissioner. He is also the president of the Inter-American Philatelic Federation (FIAF).
An estimated 1,500 primary and secondary school pupils have participated in ‘Stamp for Mérida’, a parallel event to EXFILNA 2026. The winners and finalists will receive their diplomas, prizes and gifts at a special ceremony during the exhibition.
The five-day event will also feature several historical demonstrations, conferences, lectures, and round-table discussions on philately.
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https://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Exfilna2026-800a.jpg800800Costas Chazapishttps://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/fepanews_logo-107x138-1.pngCostas Chazapis2026-08-14 17:56:042026-08-14 17:56:0464th EXFILNA 2026 in September
Yehudi Menuhin Trophy 2026
The stamp commemorating the 200th anniversary of Johann Strauss was voted the most popular music-themed stamp of 2025 by collectors worldwide. Issued by Austrian Post, the stamp combines the figure from the Johann Strauss monument in Vienna’s Stadtpark with a detail from the title page of the first edition of the piano score for the waltz ‘The Blue Danube’. The stamp was designed by Viennese artist Kirsten Lubach, who is being honoured with the Yehudi Menuhin Trophy 2026 for her work.
The ‘The Pixies’ Christmas’ stamp from the Faroe Islands took second place. The stamp was designed by Janus á Húsagarði, a Faroese photographer and visual artist based in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland. Taking third place was the German stamp ‘Semper Opera House’. For the design, graphic artist Jan-Niklas Kröger utilised the AI image generator DALL·E.
Details: https://www.motivgruppe-musik.com/en/2026/08/10/yehudi-menuhin-trophy-2026-schoenste-musikbriefmarke-2025
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Great Britain used in Morocco
James Bendon passed away on 4 May 2026, while his latest book, Great Britain used in Morocco, was in the final stages of production. The book has been published in his memory by his family, who will be operating his website for the time being.
The Great Britain used in Morocco is about British postage stamps and postal stationery without Moroccan overprint used by the British postal service in Morocco in 1872–1885 and 1937–1949. This new, generously illustrated handbook is packed with information that will be of interest and value to collectors of Morocco, Gibraltar and Great Britain Used Abroad. Postal stationery cards and registration envelopes (including those overprinted TANGIER) are covered in depth.
Published by Oxford Book Projects in 144 pages (xii + 120 + announcements), 216 x 280 mm and hardbound. Details: https://www.jamesbendon.com
…
64th EXFILNA 2026 in September
The 64th National Philatelic Exhibition—EXFILNA 2026, the Spanish Philatelic Championship—will be held in Mérida from 23 to 27 September at the city’s Conference Centre. It is organised by the Spanish Federation of Philatelic Societies and the State Postal and Telegraph Company (Correos), with the collaboration of the Mérida City Council, the National Mint and Stamp Factory (FNMT-RCM), the Regional Government of Extremadura, the Provincial Council of Badajoz, ANFIL, EDIFIL, the Extremadura Philatelic Federation, and the Mérida Philatelic Group.
This year, the Argentine Philatelic Federation (FAEF) has been invited to participate. Its president, Miguel Casielles, will attend as a judge and commissioner. He is also the president of the Inter-American Philatelic Federation (FIAF).
An estimated 1,500 primary and secondary school pupils have participated in ‘Stamp for Mérida’, a parallel event to EXFILNA 2026. The winners and finalists will receive their diplomas, prizes and gifts at a special ceremony during the exhibition.
The five-day event will also feature several historical demonstrations, conferences, lectures, and round-table discussions on philately.
…