The Brothers Grimm 200th Anniversary - Stamps Telling History

Stamps and well written tales have something very important in common. They both serve a purpose to tell a story, and for both there will always be passionate people, be it avid readers of books or Collectors of Stamps, who's love and appreciation help conserve these important stories and pass them on from generation to generation.

"The Brothers Grimm", depicted on a German stamp issued in 1959 

This year marked the 200th Anniversary of the Brothers Grimm's first published collection of folk tales named "Children's and Household Tales" ("Kinder- und Hausmärchen"), that was published in 1812.

"Cinderella and her coat" and "Cinderella and her shoe" , German Stamps, 1965

The Brothers Grimm (German: Brüder Grimm or Die Gebrüder Grimm), Jacob (1785–1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786–1859), were German academics, linguists, cultural researchers, and authors who together collected folklore. They are among the most well-known storytellers of European folk tales, and their work popularized such stories as "Cinderella" (Aschenputtel), "The Frog Prince" (Der Froschkönig), "Hansel and Gretel" (Hänsel und Gretel), "Rapunzel", "Rumpelstiltskin" (Rumpelstilzchen), and "Snow White" (Schneewittchen).

"The story of Hansel and Gretel", German Stamps, 1961

The popularity of the Grimm's collections of folk tales endured well beyond their lifetimes. The tales are available in more than 100 translations and have been adapted to many popular films around the world, crossing all cultural barriers. They have created a legacy that enriches the lives of many entire nations, reaching them one child at a time.

"Snow White", German Stamps, 1962

In honor of the 200th Anniversary of the Brothers Grimm's body of work we wanted to display the lovely German series of Stamps, displayed on the Colnect Stamp catalog, made about their most famous published works. The series, issued throughout the 1960's, depicts different famous moments and plot points from their most well known tales. Almost each year there was a new tale of the Grimm brothers retold through Stamps. The artist beautifully depicted, in a childlike simplified nostalgic style, scenes we all grew up to be so familiar with, as were our parents, their parents before them and so on.

"Little Red Cap", German Stamps, 1960

We hope that the best stories of our culture will continue to be remembered and retold through Stamps, as well as other collectibles, with the dedication, enthusiasm and understanding that so many collectors and collectors communities we have come to know and cherish on Colnect have shown again and again.

Cheerful Holidays and Happy Collecting :)

Egypt Regained Freedom from England - February 28 - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

Egypt was born ninety years ago, today, on February 28, 1922 when Great Britain officially conceded via a unilateral declaration of Parliament that Egypt was a free country. With its independence, came an identity: this is Egypt.



The post card is often a rare window into the past, and here in Colnect's catalogs there is featured Egypt's gorgeous This is Egypt post card to highlight the ancient culture and the history surrounding their freedom from colonization.

When the British army defeated the Egyptians in 1882 at Tel El Kebir, a colony was born that would not be rescinded until a nationalist movement began an uprising and ultimately a revolution that ousted the foreign rule in 1922.

The rich culture of Egypt, once free, could share its amazing ancient pyramids, artifacts, and history of one of the world's earliest successful civilizations. The post card is tremendously realistic; the only word is "Egypt" in white, and a man rests on a camel on the desert dunes with the incredible wonders of the world: the Gaza pyramids lining the horizon at either sunset or sunrise. The colorful browns and oranges from this piece are breathtaking.

Post cards are one of the myriad treasures that are stored on Colnect for all collectors to find and enjoy.

Anniversary of Disney's Pinocchio - February 23 - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

On February 23, 1940 Walt Disney's animated version of the classic fairy tale Pinocchio opened in the United States. It would go on to become a world-wide success and sensation, in part because it's based on an age-old European folk tale.



Colnect brings forth another rarity from from out of its vast stamp catalog, and this Pinocchio from the 1980 Christmas series in Turks and Caicos Islands is over thirty years young. The legendary tale was probably passed on via oral tradition long before it was written down. Pinocchio is a wooden boy crafted by a lonely smithy, and Pinocchio comes to life to fulfill the wishes of the man to have a son. In the Disney movie, as in the lore, whenever Pinocchio lies his nose grows long.

The 40 x 38 mm rectangular four cent Pinocchio stamp was released on the twenty-fifth of September in Turks and Caicos Islands, and it showcases a gorgeous scene from the Disney film of 1940. The bordering is white and the nose of the wooden Pinocchio is so long that a bird nest is out on the end of it, complete with baby blue birds and Jiminy Cricket.

Be sure to tap into the massive amount of rare collectibles and stamps on Colnect.

John Glenn's First Orbiting of Earth - February 20 - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

On February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first American to completely orbit the earth in a spacecraft. He was the third man to enter space and a pioneer of the world's space exploration.



The amazing stamp collection archive of Colnect features a rarity in the Maldives Space Explorations of US and USSR series with the John Glenn and USA Mercury Spacecraft stamp.

The space race captured the attention of people all over the globe, as human beings strove for the mastery of discovering what lay beyond earth's atmosphere. John Glenn was pivotal to the US's voyages into the great beyond, and on February 20 1962, he became the first to actually orbit the planet.

The achievements of Glenn are beautifully represented on the rectangular two Maldivian laari valued stamp of Maldives. It was issued in February of 1974, and is not only in great shape, but is strikingly colorful and detailed. John Glenn and the USA voyager Mercury are shown amidst a starry backdrop of green, blue and black space.

Who would not want to relive the epic space endeavors through the fabled stamp collections of Colnect and its historic and interesting collectors' finds?

Retirement of Cycling Legend Lance Armstrong - February 16 - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

One year ago, on this day, the legendary bicycler of unparalleled success and determination, Lance Armstrong, announced his retirement from the sport that brought him to every corner of the globe.



Colnect proudly features the Lance Armstrong Nike gift card amongst its vast catalog of rare collectibles.

February 16, 2011 marked the end of an era for the world-wide sport of professional road racing cycling. Lance Armstrong is history and inspiration. His achievement of seven consecutive Tour de France wins, from 1999 to 2005, has yet to be matched. And it is all the more reason to look up to Armstrong who was diagnosed as having testicular cancer that required brain and other surgeries and chemotherapy from 1996 onward. The man did not quit and went on to win many awards, including Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year award, and he has founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation to research the fight against cancer.

Nike launched this Lance Armstrong gift card in the US, and it features the man on his bike in his patented yellow Live Strong duds and extended racing helmet. Few men have inspired so many to not only fight cancer vehemently but to win over it and help others battle too.

Gift cards of rare makes and valuable photographs are posted by myriad collectors on Colnect, where the world's treasures are highlighted and categorized.

Anniversary of the Barbie Doll - February 13 - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

One of the most recognized toys and doll personalities of all time first went on sale on this day, February 13, in 1959.



There is some dispute as to whether the Barbie doll was born on the February date or in March of the same year, but what is certain is that she appeared at the 1959 American international Toy Fair and that her cozy size, long models' legs and her flowing hair made Barbie an instant staple in American consumer's and collector's homes alike, and Colnect recognizes the fifty-third anniversary of her first going on sale with a rare one dollar silver coin from Tuvalu. The gorgeous coin is a fiftieth anniversary issue and is one of a mint of only twenty thousand.



Barbie, the fashion doll, became Mattel's figurehead since her inception, and the company made the Barbie doll not only a fun toy for people to dress up in myriad clothes that could be bought, but also held themes and limited runs putting Barbies in the collectible categories of the world.

The smooth round Barbie coin was made in the Perth mint in Australia and it features a dead-on likeness of Queen Elizabeth II on one side and Barbie Fiftieth Anniversary on the other. Most of the coin is silver, but the Barbie side does have a cloud of pink to infuse the famous doll with one of her favorite colors.

Colnect provides many categories for collectibles that are rare and valuable, and the Tuvalu Barbie silver coin is no exception.

50th Anniversary of Signing of Jamaica's Independance - February 9 - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

February 9, 2012 is fifty years to the day that the tropical island in the Bahamas where Bob Marley was born, the beautiful country of Jamaica, officially signed for its independence in 1962.



Colnect's tremendous array of collectible postcards offers up a look at the truly colorful Jamaican Sunset as celebrated by this 1990 portrait.

Throughout the late nineteen fifties, Jamaica fought to leave the colonial power of the United Kingdom and joined the Federation of the West Indies as an autonomous British island. It was not until February 9, 1962 that Jamaica would sign to remove itself from the federation and become its own independent country. It was not recognized fully until August of the same year, but February 9th was the historic date when the people signed off on their own freedom.

The Jamaica City series postcard, Jamaican Sunset, highlights the extraordinary magic that the tropical island contains with nature's blessing. In this delightful postcard, there is no city to be found, only tall palm trees and green, red, orange, yellow, purple and black colors vividly photographed. Once freedom emerged for the island, the opportunity for the growth of reggae and the singer, innovator, and peaceful prophet Bob Marley became possible. The island's music would echoes the beaches, the slender trees, and the surreal sunset.

This postcard seems to capture the very essence of the heart of Jamaica, and this is one of many examples of Colnect's rare collectibles being both historic and incredibly poignant in their representations.

Muhammad Ali Capturing Title - February 6 - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

Possibly the greatest boxer in the history of the world, Muhammad Ali rose to recapture and win the W.B.A. championship by defeating Ernie Terrell in fifteen rounds on February 6, 1967; Ali had been previously stripped of his title for fighting a rematch against Sonny Liston.

Colnect proudly features Austria's commemorative Personalities stamp with their Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali beauty.

Shortly after winning the World Boxing Association's championship belt for the first time, boxer Cassius Clay changed his name to Muhammad Ali to forever proclaim his allegiance to the Islamic faith. The fighter fought for peace throughout the world from that point on.

Due to his rebellious nature, the man who proclaimed himself "The Greatest" was stripped of the title, barely a month after this February 6th Terrell fight, because he refused to fight in the Vietnam War. Ali's stand is a historic event tied closely to his role model status that being a boxing champion garnered him: he did this before widespread protests had even begun, and he would help give credence to the anti-war movement throughout the world.

The Muhammad Ali stamp captures Ali standing over a knocked down opponent and taunting them, as he would often do; his quickness and patented crouched bobbing and weaving style were second to none. The golden background, bright red gloves, and detail make this 1.25 Euro stamp a true collectible.

View the numerous other stamps and Colnect categories to see rare treasures featuring historic events and highlights from all over the globe.

Building of Vimanmek Mansion - February 3 - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

Two hundred and twelve years later the gorgeous Vimanmek Mansion, the largest golden teakwood home in the world, is still one of the premier tourist attractions in Bangkok, Thailand.



The Vimanek Palace's creation in February of 1900 by Thailand's King Rama V is celebrated beautifully in one of Colnect's featured collectibles: the LENSO City of Culture Vimanek Palace Phone Card.



The world renowned mansion was constructed uniquely, without using a single nail with the golden teakwood. King Rama V built the Dusit Garden in between the Krungkasem canal and the Samsen canal and the Vimanek Mansion became its first permanent settlement, as King Rama V moved the royal family there.

This Thai baht phone card captures the essence of the innovative architecture found with the luxurious Vimanek Palace, which was renovated in 1982 to serve as a museum of Bangkok's culture and decadence. The phone card showcases the scarlet roof and the curvilinear golden wood walls amidst a glorious emerald lawn. The card itself is good for three hundred Thai baht worth of international calls.

The vast depths of Colnect's catalogs feature many rare, historic, and artistic artifacts in vogue with the Vimanek Palace phone card that is featured here today. Unique and amazing wonders of man's creation are celebrated for fun and, of course, for collecting.

January 27 Celebrates the Birth of Austrian Composer Mozart - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

January 27, 1756 was one of the most pivotal days in the history of humankind, as perhaps the world's greatest musical composer Wolfgang Mozart was born into our beautiful earth.



Amongst the many historical treasures that Colnect's collectors feature are actual artifacts into the past. Here we have a 1931 Austrian silver piece coin that was issued on January 27, 1931 to mark the 175th anniversary of Mozart's birth.

Coins have long been collectible because they are in fact monies with inherent value, and the precious metals used to craft them often rise in value with age. This gorgeous silver piece comes from Mozart's birthplace of Austria and details the key dates 1756-1931.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was one of the most influential and innovative classical music composers of the Classical Era. His art is treasured today, and this two schilling (Mozart) coin is a valuable homage to the man whose head is detailed on the shining silver surface.

Colnect culminates history and rarities to make up a great catalog of collectibles that are welcome in the hearts of collectors.

January 23 Marks the Birth of Film Legend Humphrey Bogart - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

Casablanca is widely considered to be one of the greatest films ever made, and on January 23, 1899 Humphrey Bogart - the lead man in the historic movie - was born.



Colnect proudly features a gorgeous stamp in its gargantuan collection that the Republic of Equatorial Guinea released in tribute to Bogart and in Homage to the great film Casablanca.

Though there is some controversy surrounding Bogart's actual date of birth, it most likely fell on the twenty third of January. Many believed it to be December 25, 1899 until it was alleged that this was a Hollywood ploy by Warner Brothers studio to romanticize the star. His birth certificate is not on record.

The stamp itself was good for a value of 100 FCFA, or Central African CFA Franc, and its amazing detail cannot be overlooked. The impactful scene of Bogart's former love requesting a song from the piano man is true to the black and white film and is outlined in blue.

Bogart is center stage in the stamp, as he was in films such as the Maltese Falcon and The African Queen, which are also held in high regard by movie enthusiasts of all ages. Colnect's catalogs contain numerous treasures to behold, and this is a prime example.

Postcard Recalls the First British Parliament Meeting of January 20 - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

On January 20, 1265, the very first Parliament met in England's tremendous Palace of Westminster, as the people of the nation began to vie with the monarch for representation. The eighth Earl of Leicester, Simon de Montfort, called a meeting labeled "Parliament" to negotiate peace terms with the king, Henry III, who had lost a war to Montfort.



Colnect and its many collectors harbor many treasures of history in its vaults of iconic collectibles, and the gorgeous British post card of Parliament Square is no exception.

This iconic date, January twentieth, is seen as the first mention of the word "Parliament" and also the first semblance of what would become the modern government House of Parliament, as there were representatives from each county and burgesses from the cities and towns.

The postcard captures the amazing architecture of the buildings making up the Palace of Westminster - that are now also known as the Houses of Parliament or the Parliament building - that were to become home to Parliament from this date in 1265 up to the present day.

Note the unique and regal buttresses and the great tower featuring the Big Ben clock that was added on in the nineteenth century. The rich color and detail of the photograph that is used really emanates warmth and the glory of the locale in London.

There are myriad postcards featured on Colnect's vast catalog, and this is a prime example of a rare beauty that can culminate history, tourism, politics, and artwork in one special item.

January 16 Stamp Commerates "Superman" Comic Strip Debut - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

On January 16, 1939, with the "Action Comics" comic book hero Superman's popularity steadily gaining, artist Joe Shuster and writer Jerry Siegel began the amazingly successful daily newspaper comic strip Superman to introduce broad audiences to the famous character.



Colnect features this iconic collectible in the Superman comic strip stamp. Though it is seventy three years after the Man of Steel began gracing newspapers nationwide, Superman is still one of the premier super heroes in popular culture worldwide. This strip was featured in over three hundred newspapers in the United States, and at its height boasted a readership of over twenty million.

In the early 1930's Siegel and Shuster changed their character to be more legendary and, in short, to make him a super hero. His costume was then crafted to be eye catching, as the Red "S" and the yellow and blue suit made Superman larger than life. They helped to invent the super hero genre of story-telling.

The actual stamp is one of Colnect's vast collectible catalog, and is a gorgeous reproduction of Clark Kent tearing open his disguise to become Superman in the strip. His face is dead-set on righting a wrong and helping those in need. January 16 was the start of a magical transformation of Superman becoming an icon known by nearly every household in the US. Be sure to look for other treasured rarities on Colnect.

January 13 Marks Simon Bolivar as El Libertador - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

Latin America's chief liberator, Simon Bolivar, successfully administered political and military leadership in order to free the nations that would become Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Panama from the rule of the Spanish Empire by January of 1825, and the beautiful depiction of El Libertador's legend is immortalized on the Angel Zeballos Simon Bolivar postcard.



Colnect's vast array of collectibles features this gorgeous Venezuelan postcard that reproduces the artist Angel Zeballos's famous portrait of Simon Bolivar. He is often shown with the sword, as he fought alongside soldiers in Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia and Venezuela against the Spaniards on his way to uniting the region, albeit for a short time, in the Pan-American Republic of Colombia.

The actual man was not just a military strategist, but also a fierce politician who used his intellect and belief to instill democratic ideologies and free the heart of Latin America from the colonial power of Spain, which is why he is also depicted in the postcard's portrait as writing at a desk.



Bolivar's letters are widely considered to be insights into his thoughts of republican values, including the "Carta de Jamaica" letter, and his adept use of the Spanish language marked him as a military hero that was also a learned man of education.

Though the united region of the Republic of Colombia disintegrated after Bolivar's resignation of the presidency on January 29, 1830, the legacy of El Libertador who instilled Latin American pride and freedom in the people of the Americas is a highly regarded one to this day. This postcard is one of numerous highlights that grace the Colnect Catalogs.

January 8 Celebration of "with The Beatles" Stamp - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

On the 8th of January in 1966 the Beatles single "We Can Work it Out" went Number One on the pop charts, and forty one years later Great Britain issued a British penny stamp titled "with The Beatles" to commemorate one of the greatest musical outfits of the twentieth century in print.



Colnect's rare catalog of collectibles features the January 7, 1997 issued British Beatles stamp in all of its historic glory. The band's single remained atop the charts for another three weeks beyond January 8, but the legend that came to surround the brilliant quartet, beginning with their early work, would capture their genius and project them as timeless.

The stamp itself is highly decorative and unusual in its uneven perforation that gives the effect of there being a stack of infamous Beatles records. The top album is an early one in black and white, but there is a gorgeous smattering of color above and behind the record, and these others are perfect representations of the LPs that changed the world.

The Beatles continue to influence and shape the musical universe in the twenty first century, and their history of sensuous melodies and innovative ventures is surely a welcome addition to any collection. This stamp captures a moment in time, and there are myriad moments of similar fortitude that grace Colnect's collectibles.

Belgium's January 5th Transportation Telecard - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

Seventeen years after this gorgeous Bastogne Transportation Ticket was issued in Belgium, the date of the rare collectible reflects back, as an exciting piece of history where nearly one hundred years ago the Austria-Hungary army attacked the Balkan state of Montenegro on January 5, 1916.



In 1995, this Belgium parking permit sold for twenty five Euro, but at Colnect the Euro-based item is immortalized as a European symbol of unification that was lacking in the winter of 1916. Less than two years prior to the attack on the Montenegro region, the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by Serbian nationalists setting off the powder-keg that would become World War I.



The royal red, blue, and gold mark the Bastogne ticket as a artistic right of passage and parking in the Belgium state.

The German states, like the Belgium region, allied themselves with Austrian forces and formed much of the Central Powers during the Great War that would cause strife across all of Europe, ripping the continent apart.

This rare piece, featuring a crowned crest and shield was good for up to fifty hours of parking in Belgium on January 5, 1995, and it is also one of Colnect's many collectibles that can be viewed through the massive catalog.

China's 1985 White Elephant New Year Stamp - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

China's celebration of the New Year often invokes an animal - the year of the Rabbit begins on February 14, 2012 - that is attributed to the annual period, but on January 1, 1985 the mythic Kings on White Elephant stamp was issued on the world's New Year.



The stamp's beautiful display of an ardent world myth encompasses Indra, or Pinyan in China, and is just one of the innumerable historic pieces that are featured on Colnect in the rare collectibles database.

Indran is the God of Weather and War, and is widely considered the King of Gods, or at least of demi-gods, in China, Asia and Europe. The gorgeous stamp is rich in color and detail and features worshipers and kings riding the back of the great Indo-European entity. Indra, who is a symbol of power, is depicted as an enormous white elephant complete with tusks and regal dressings that adorn a head and a boat-like object seating the people on its back.

The White Elephant stamp emerged in China on New Years day twenty-seven years ago, and is surely an excellent rarity to collect if you enjoy bringing a little history into the New Year. The Colnect Catalogs have a vast array of historic treasures waiting to be found.

Classic Bottle Caps with Coca-Cola’s “Christmas Coke" Bottles Re-Patented on December 25, 1923 - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

This December, on Christmas, marks the 88th anniversary of the Coca-Cola re-patent, through which Coke stamped December 25 on the Classic glass vessels that were later dubbed the “Christmas Coke" bottles by many avid collectors of Coca-Cola memorabilia and their Classic Coke bottle caps.



At Colnect there is a beautiful array of the Coca-Cola Classic bottle caps amongst our vast catalog of rare collectibles.

The story of Coke’s infamous dated bottles bolstered the company’s sales and forever linked them closely with the holiday, as many Coca-Cola Christmas advertisements began, and they have continued on for decades in the US and around the world.

The Classic red and silver cap design, in particular, became Coke’s biggest thematic element, as the flowing script amongst the classic, sleek, and yet always modern red, white,and silver cast the soda company into a collector’s Americana category. And this remarkable look has appeared in the majority of Coke’s marketing, as well as in their holiday advertising because the red and white coke elements work wonderfully with any Christmas aesthetic.

The ribbed hobble skirt design for the glass Coke bottles was agreed upon, as was the metal bottle caps (rubber stoppers had been used in prior years), and the company re-patented this, receiving a December 25, 1923 date for it. The Classic Coca-Cola “Christmas Coke" bottles were then stamped with this date for years to come.

The Classic Coke bottle caps are extremely collectible and showcase a design that has become a legend over its near one hundred years in existence. These bottle caps are an inspiring and featured member of the Colnect bottle cap catalog that is well worth visiting.

Today In History Through Collectibles - 16 December

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

16 DECEMBER 1773 : THE "BOSTON TEA PARTY" TOOK PLACE

On this day in 1773, a group of colonists from Massachusetts who were disguised as Mohawk Indians boarded and raided three British tea ships at the Boston Harbour and proceeded to dump 342 chests of tea into the harbour.  This was popularly known as "The Boston Tea Party".

This midnight raid was in protest of the British Parliament's Tea Act of 1773, which was favouring the East India Company by lowering its tea tax and granting it monopoly of the American tea trade.

As soon as the three ships known as the Dartmouth, the Elanor, and the Beaver, arrived at Boston Harbour carrying the tea, the colonists were outraged and demanded that it be returned to England.  This request was refused by the Massachusetts Governor, Thomas Hutchinson and as revenge Samuel Adams, the Patriot leader organised the "tea party".

About 60 members of the Sons of Liberty resistance group  dumped $18,000 worth of tea into the Boston Harbour on the night of 16 December 1773.

The Boston Tea Party was an important event in the growth of the American Revolution. Parliament responded to the destruction of British property by implementing Coercive Acts which also resulted in the closure of Boston's commerce until such time that the British East India Company were reimbursed their losses.  This resulted in more protest actions by the colonists and the crises escalated resulting in the start of the American Revolutionary War in 1775.

Collectibles on Colnect that Commemmorate This Day in History:

➢ STAMPS:

 In 1973 a set of se-tenant stamps was issued in the United States to commemorate the "Boston Tea Party":

HAPPY COLLECTING!!! :)

14 December, AMUNDSEN REACHES SOUTH POLE - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.
Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

14 DECEMBER 1911 : AMUNDSEN REACHES SOUTH POLE
Norwegian Roald Amundsen became the first explorer to reach the South Pole by beating his British rival, Robert Falcon Scott.

Roald Amundsen born in Borge, near Oslo - Norway, in 1872. He was one of the heroes in polar exploration.
Amundsen planned to be the first man to reach the North Pole, and was about to embark on his mission in 1909 when he was informed that the American Robert Peary had already achieved the feat. He instead sailed for Antarctica in June 1910, where Robert F. Scott, the English explorer was also headed with the same aim of reaching the South Pole. Amundsen sailed his ship into Antarctica's Bay of Whales early in 1911 where he set up his base camp closer to the pole than Scott. Both explorers set off in October – Amundsen used sleigh dogs while Scott used Siberian motor sledges, Siberian ponies, and dogs. Amundsen's expedition won the race to the South Pole on 14 December 1911 and he returned safely to base camp in late January.

Scott's expedition was marred by misfortunate. His team reached the pole on 18 January 1912 only to find that Amundsen had preceded them by over a month.

Amundsen established a successful shipping business after his historic Antarctic journey. He later made attempts to become the first explorer to fly over the North Pole. In 1925 he flew within 150 miles of the goal, but in1926 he succeeded and he passed over the North Pole in a dirigible just three days after American explorer Richard E. Byrd had apparently done so in an aircraft. A diary that Byrd had kept on the flight was however found in 1996 that suggested that the he had to turn back 150 miles short of his goal due to an oil leak. This thus confirms that Amundsen's dirigible expedition was in fact the first flight over the North Pole.

Amundsen disappeared on June 18, 1928 while trying to rescue a fellow explorer whose new airship Italia had crashed at sea near Spitsbergen, Norway while returning from the North Pole. It is believed that the plane Amundsen was in crashed in fog in the Barents Sea, and that he was killed in the crash, or died shortly afterwards. His body was never found.


Collectibles on Colnect that Commemorate This Day in History:

➢ COINS:
Russia issued a silver coin in 1995 in their Expedition & Exploration series to honor this great man.

➢ PHONECARDS:
This is another of the Norway Phonecards that honour Roald Amundsen:

➢ STAMPS:
Several countries have honoured this noble man by featuring Amundsen on stamps:

HAPPY COLLECTING . . . :)