Flora, a theme appreciated not only by the philatelic collectors, represents the new postage stamp issue that reveals to the viewer the incredible sensorial world of geraniums.
Romfilatelia will introduce into circulation the Windows’ smile, Geraniums postage stamp issue on Friday, November 17th, in its own shops network in Bucharest, Bacau, Brasov, Cluj-Napoca, Iasi and Timisoara and online on https://romfilatelia.ro/store/.
Originating in Southern Africa (Cape of Good Hope), where it grows spontaneously, but also in Australia and New Zealand, geranium is a rustic, decorative plant with a long flowering period.
Known since the 16th century, the geranium is one of the most widespread plants in the world. Vividly coloured, with rounded and slightly scented leaves, grown in pots or flowerboxes, adorns the windows and window sills of houses and cheer up gardens and parks.
In 1738, Johannes Burmain named it Pelargonium, a genus to which belong 300 species.
The 4 postage stamps of the Windows’ smile, Geraniums issue associates in a graphic composition in accordance to the project’s title, the following species:
One of the most spectacular plants is the ivy-leaf geranium or cascading geranium (Pelargonium peltatum), illustrated on the stamp with a face value of Lei 2.20 The plant originates in South Africa and has been known in Europe since the 17th century. Flowing geraniums are considered the ideal flowers for balconies and terraces. Flowers are simple or multi-petal, in shades of red, pink, mauve or white, and unlike other species, they have glossy and round ivory-like leaves. Geraniums with simple flowers have more flowers than those with multi-petals. They are easy to care for, blooming from spring to late autumn and need plenty of water and light.
The stamps with the face value of Lei 2.50 and Lei 15 illustrate the horse-shoe pelargonium (Pelargonium zonale) in two tinges, red and pink. Spread in both rural and urban areas, it is the most used flower for decorating balconies. The leaves of this geranium are dark green, velvety, horseshoe-shaped and slightly rounded. They frame the differently coloured flowers: red, pink, orange or white. It can winter in dark places, at lower temperatures.
On the stamp with the face value of Lei 8 is a regal pelargonium (Pelargonium grandiflorum). This plant of large flowers, velvety petals, similar to pansies. The flower is of special elegance and has special colours, ranging from white and cream to purple and lilac. The regal pelargonium does not need much water to grow and survive. Also, it does not love moisture and does not bear direct sunlight.
The postage stamp issue is completed by a First Day Cover and as page composition, there were used a block of 4 postage stamps of the issue for the philatelic album, a sheet of 32 stamps, a minisheet of 5 stamps and a label.
The philatelic album is created into a limited edition of 253 pcs. and is equipped with the block of 4 postage stamps of the issue and the First Day Cover having the “first day” postmark clearly imprinted in gold foiling. Each element is numbered in black from 001 to 253.
Romfilatelia thanks the „Dimitrie Brândză” Bucharest University Botanical Garden for the documentary support granted in the creation of this postage stamp issue and to the photographer Octavian Chende.
For further information, please contact the Public Relation Office:
Tel: 021 / 337 24 42
anamaria.anton@romfilatelia.ro
