From 23 to 25 May, the OC Marke + Münze, with the support of the Verband Österreichischer Philatelistenvereine (Austrian Philatelic Federation), Austrian Post, and many other sponsors, successfully organised the 21st competitive exhibition of ranks I and II with international participation, alongside the Austrian Specialised Fair for Philately and Numismatics.
This year’s event had a special significance: during the opening ceremony, Austrian Post unveiled a miniature sheet commemorating the 175th anniversary of the first Austrian postage stamp, issued on 1 July 1850. A commemorative stamp featuring the late Pope Francis was also introduced.
Children participated in the opening by creating drawings for personalised stamps specially produced for the occasion. A local school choir also performed, contributing to the festive atmosphere. Welcome addresses were delivered by Helmut Kogler, President of the Austrian Philatelic Federation; Patricia Lieberman, representative of Austrian Post; Dr Armin Lind, President of the Organising Committee; Werner Bauman, Mayor of Seiersberg-Pirka; and Igor Pirc, representative of FEPA.
In the competitive section, around 70 exhibits were displayed in frames, covering Austrian philately from the first stamp in 1850 to the present day. It was a unique opportunity to view some of the most outstanding collections of Austria’s traditional and postal history.
The Marke + Münze organisers received the FEPA Certificate of Appreciation in 2022 in recognition of their long-standing dedication to promoting philately—an honour truly well deserved.
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https://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/mm2025-800.jpg800800Costas Chazapishttps://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/fepanews_logo-107x138-1.pngCostas Chazapis2025-05-26 11:30:192025-05-26 11:30:19Marke und Münze in Seiersberg-Pirka, Austria
The Board of the European Academy of Philately (AEP) has unanimously decided to award the AEP Prix européen de la Presse philatélique for 2024 to FEPA News magazine. This annual prize is awarded to a magazine that demonstrates a high philatelic standard and wide European circulation.
Bill Hedley, FEPA President and FEPA News Editor, accepted the award on behalf of FEPA from Peter Suhadolc, AEP President, on 10 May during the EuroPhilEx Birmingham 2025 Palmares dinner.
Photo: Bill Hedley (left), Peter Suhadolc. [photo credit: Jack Zhang]
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https://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AEP2024award-800.jpg800800Costas Chazapishttps://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/fepanews_logo-107x138-1.pngCostas Chazapis2025-05-25 11:29:582025-05-26 20:12:21FEPA News receives the AEP Prix européenne de la Presse philatélique
“Explore the powerful stories of enslaved people whose labour fuelled 19th-century postal ships,” says The Postal Museum in London, inviting visitors to the exhibition, which runs until 5 January 2026.
Postal ships carried mail between the UK and the Caribbean, enabling enslavers to manage plantations via the postal service and distance themselves from the atrocities of transatlantic slavery. Through letters between plantation owners and managers discovered in our archive, we can begin to piece together glimpses of the lives of enslaved people and their courageous acts of resistance.
For years, the postal ships themselves were also refuelled by enslaved people on the island of St. Thomas. Learn how Caribbean coal workers are honoured today in a special film (https://youtu.be/ivTIur59Dg0), by filmmaker Emmanuel Phillips, created with the Museum’s partners, Dollar fo’ Dollar – the St. Thomas based organisation that works to ensure their legacies live on to inspire people.
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https://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Voices-of-Resistance-800.jpg800800Costas Chazapishttps://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/fepanews_logo-107x138-1.pngCostas Chazapis2025-05-24 11:24:062025-05-24 11:24:06Voices of Resistance: Slavery and Post in the Caribbean
Marke und Münze in Seiersberg-Pirka, Austria
From 23 to 25 May, the OC Marke + Münze, with the support of the Verband Österreichischer Philatelistenvereine (Austrian Philatelic Federation), Austrian Post, and many other sponsors, successfully organised the 21st competitive exhibition of ranks I and II with international participation, alongside the Austrian Specialised Fair for Philately and Numismatics.
This year’s event had a special significance: during the opening ceremony, Austrian Post unveiled a miniature sheet commemorating the 175th anniversary of the first Austrian postage stamp, issued on 1 July 1850. A commemorative stamp featuring the late Pope Francis was also introduced.
Children participated in the opening by creating drawings for personalised stamps specially produced for the occasion. A local school choir also performed, contributing to the festive atmosphere. Welcome addresses were delivered by Helmut Kogler, President of the Austrian Philatelic Federation; Patricia Lieberman, representative of Austrian Post; Dr Armin Lind, President of the Organising Committee; Werner Bauman, Mayor of Seiersberg-Pirka; and Igor Pirc, representative of FEPA.
In the competitive section, around 70 exhibits were displayed in frames, covering Austrian philately from the first stamp in 1850 to the present day. It was a unique opportunity to view some of the most outstanding collections of Austria’s traditional and postal history.
The Marke + Münze organisers received the FEPA Certificate of Appreciation in 2022 in recognition of their long-standing dedication to promoting philately—an honour truly well deserved.
…
FEPA News receives the AEP Prix européenne de la Presse philatélique
The Board of the European Academy of Philately (AEP) has unanimously decided to award the AEP Prix européen de la Presse philatélique for 2024 to FEPA News magazine. This annual prize is awarded to a magazine that demonstrates a high philatelic standard and wide European circulation.
Bill Hedley, FEPA President and FEPA News Editor, accepted the award on behalf of FEPA from Peter Suhadolc, AEP President, on 10 May during the EuroPhilEx Birmingham 2025 Palmares dinner.
Previous award-winning magazines can be found here: https://www.aep.eu.com/en/award
Photo: Bill Hedley (left), Peter Suhadolc.
[photo credit: Jack Zhang]
…
Voices of Resistance: Slavery and Post in the Caribbean
“Explore the powerful stories of enslaved people whose labour fuelled 19th-century postal ships,” says The Postal Museum in London, inviting visitors to the exhibition, which runs until 5 January 2026.
Postal ships carried mail between the UK and the Caribbean, enabling enslavers to manage plantations via the postal service and distance themselves from the atrocities of transatlantic slavery. Through letters between plantation owners and managers discovered in our archive, we can begin to piece together glimpses of the lives of enslaved people and their courageous acts of resistance.
For years, the postal ships themselves were also refuelled by enslaved people on the island of St. Thomas. Learn how Caribbean coal workers are honoured today in a special film (https://youtu.be/ivTIur59Dg0), by filmmaker Emmanuel Phillips, created with the Museum’s partners, Dollar fo’ Dollar – the St. Thomas based organisation that works to ensure their legacies live on to inspire people.
…