Collectors Alert: Problems With Mail and Packages to and from Venezuela

Collectors ALERT: if you're going to rely on postal services from Venezuela, please read the following warning published by our dear member Carlos Rodriguez [venezuelanphonecards]. More information can be found on Colnect's forum.

Hello fellow collectors,

I want to state that all incoming and outgoing mail from Venezuela are amazingly delayed, collectors have been waiting at about 3 or 4 whole months to receive their letters, so these delays are becoming a very serious problem, because it can´t be guaranteed that the letters are going to arrive in a short period of time till the problem with the mail system get solved

What i know from a employee is that the main branch at the capital city (Caracas) is currently out of capacity of handling the huge ammount of incoming and outgoing mail, so the handle the most recent mail and older mail has no priority. There is one more thing and is that the company don´t have efficient ways of transport, they trucks are used in other tasks different from Ipostel and also there are a lot of trucks out of service. There could be more reasons, unknown by me

The problem are not the secondary branches from the cities around Venezuela, they all work fine and efficiently, at least offices from Maracaibo works very well and efficient, as i´ve noticed, the main problem has always been the mail branch at Caracas

Having said all this, on behalf of the community of collectors of Venezuela i´m asking to the whole community of collectors of Colnect please understand this situation that has been developing for several months and when making or receiving a proposal for exchanging know the shipment will take longer than usual and you will have to be patient at the time of receiving the letter and know that any events that may occur after the letter was sent is not the responsibility of the sender but the company where the shipment is made

---

Quiero informar que todos los envios entrantes y salientes de Venezuela han estado enormemente atrasados, muchos coleccionistas han tenido que esperar entre 3 y 4 meses para recibir sus respectivas cartas. Estos atrasos se han convertido en un problema serio, ya que de esta forma no se puede garantizar que las cartas vayan a llegar en un corto tiempo hasta que el problema se resuelva

Lo que he sabido por una empleada es que en la sede principal en la capital Caracas es que están trabajando fuera de capacidad de manejo de la correspondencia, por lo tanto no pueden manejar las enormes cantidades de correo que entra y sale, entonces al manejar la correspondencia no se tiene ninguna prioridad ya que las cartas recientes son mezcladas con las viejas entonces se envía lo primero que este a la vista sin importar lo demás. Hay otra cosa mas y es que la empresa no cuenta con formas eficientes de transporte, los camiones son destinados a otros usos distintos a las funciones propias de Ipostel, eso sin mencionar el monton de camiones que están fuera de servicio. Pudiera existir otras razones, pero las desconosco

Una aclaración es que el problema no se debe a las sedes secundarios de las ciudades alrededor de Venezuela, en mi opinión todas funcionan bien, al menos aquí son muy eficientes, tal como lo he notado, el problema es cuando toda la correspondencia es enviada a la sede principal en Caracas

Habiendo dicho todo esto, en nombre de la comunidad de coleccionistas de Venezuela le pido a toda la comunidad de coleccionistas de Colnect que por favor, comprenda esta situación se ha venido desarrollando desde hace varios meses y la toma de cuándo o recibe una propuesta de intercambio de conocimientos el envío tomar más tiempo de lo habitual y tendrá que ser paciente en el momento de recibir la carta y sepan que todo evento que pueda ocurrir después de haber sido enviada la carta no es responsabilidad de quien envía sino de la empresa por donde se realiza el envio

Pido a todos los coleccionistas de Venezuela, aparte de mi persona, que actualmente tengan problemas con sus intercambios favor hagan sus comentarios aqui

Colnect - Where 22,222 Collectors Connect

Following our tradition of reporting statistics in interesting numbers, we're happy to announce there are now 22,222 collectors connecting on Colnect. During the last month, Colnect has been visited by more than 150,000 people. If you're one of those collectors visiting Colnect but have not yet chosen to become a member, you're welcome to join us. Colnect is really special in the services it offers collectors.




Right now, Colnect offers public catalogs of stamps, phonecards, coins, banknotes, bottle caps, tea bags, post cards, bank cards, travel tickets, Casino cards, hotel key cards and beer coasters.
Now a days Colnect’s phonecards catalog is the largest one in the world.

If you collect and want to connect with other collectors, Colnect is the best place for you.

March 9, 1959: The First Barbie Doll - 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.

The first Barbie doll was presented at the american Toy Fair in New York March 9, 1959 by her creator Ruth Handler. The almost immediate success of this new kind of doll gave chance to her husband and another partner to create the Mattel Creations. The Barbie doll with its opulent breasts, its thin waist and long legs would, in fact, completely against the style of dolls and asexual round of the day.

Barbie is short of Barbara, the name of the daughter of Ruth Handler. Initially Barbie was a copy of an adult German doll named Lilli, Ruth Handler had given to her daughter Barbara after observing that children preferred playing with paper dolls representing adult women. Her measurements, initially hypertrophied, were reduced to normal proportions over the years.

From 1959 to 1960, Barbie was only black and white: its her was platinum blonde, the apple of its eye was white and it wore a striped shirt. The reason is that advertising Barbie mobilized a new medium at the time: Television. It had to be at its best on the small screen that does not yet broadcast in color. In addition, from 1959 to 1970, the Barbie looks slightly downwards and right. Since then gently bent the doll's head, it gave the false and mischievous eyes subjected women of the time.

In 1997 Malibu Barbie blonde heady tanning flawless' look straight ahead at last. The reason is that Barbie now drives its own car can no longer be doing so, it looks through. From that moment, Barbie had its multiply trades, professions and leisure in a perspective more explicit diversification role of women.


If since 1980 the ethnic type of Barbie has so much more diversified, it is not so much of its original companion Ken that he has changed little over the years. In 2005, Barbie has also severed its connection with Ken for Blaine, an Australian surfer; but Mattel relaunched Ken in February 2006 against the indifference of young buyers for Blaine.

Collectibles on Colnect that Commemmorate This Day in History:

➢ PHONECARDS:
Several countries released Gift cards to commemorate and celebrate Barbie Doll:

Valentine's day 14, February : The day of Lovers - 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.

" Before the feast of St. Valentine became the event that we know today, its origin dates back to ancient times  that it is well to remember."

Let us remember Rome. Growing up Roman Empire should continue to ensure its security, it passed between the protection of other borders forced integration of its recalcitrant of other especially since they were Christians, a religious movement not very good for the central government. Making Empire “safe and secure” to make an unfortunate analogy with the leitmotif of rules current well-intentioned required that from time to Decapitate time some heads “wrong” thinking.
It is here that Valentinus, the father was valentinus a Christian priest in Rome in the third century JC. The Emperor Claudius II, so did imprison thousands of Christians whose father Valentinus. During his imprisonment, Valentine performs a miracle: he gave sight to the blind daughter of his jailer! His Passat feat does not go unnoticed and he was beheaded on ... 14 February of the year 268.

Why Valentine's Day is the patron of engaged couples?

The legend says that before his arrest, in contrast Valentinus with Roman law was the blessing of youth engaged in secret. Then before his execution he sent to his daughter keeper of the heart-shaped leaves. ... And the legend crossed the centuries ... In the Middle Ages, a girl was accompanied by his "Valentine" on first Sunday of Lent. But it was not until 1496 that St. Valentine was canonized by decision Pope Alexander VI.

Why February 14?

Celebrations rhythm to our way of life. The change of seasons is celebrated since the dawn of humanity on our planet. A Christmas is the winter solstice, ie when the days are getting longer. Mid-February is the return of spring. In ancient Rome this time corresponds to the Lupercalia, which were annual festivals celebrated on February 15 in honor of Lupercus, the god of fertility. Even if not in astronomical terms, the return of spring is often marked by the return of migratory birds. Yet precisely February 14, if a young girl who goes to see "if The rose is blooming "sees a robin, she will marry a sailor, a sparrow means a happy marriage with a poor man, a Chardonnet marrying a rich man (but it does not say if it's a happy marriage).
In conclusion, ladies if you leave the tip of your nose pretty day of valentine and you see a pigeon ... you get married ... with whom?

The 18th century to today ... The tradition of Valentine's Day is perpetuating the name of "Valentines" was given to letters that were sent to beloved. Decorated in subtle Victorian, they are industrially produced in the United States in early twentieth and now have millions of "eCards" which are sent daily.

Collectibles on Colnect that Commemmorate This Day in History:

➢ PHONECARDS:
Several countries released phonecards to commemorate and celebrate Valentine's day:





➢ STAMPS:
Several countries released stamps to commemorate and celebrate Valentine's day:

Croatian Football Club HNK Hajduk Split Has Its 100th Birthday - February 13, 1911 / 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.

Croatian football club HNK Hajduk Split was founded on February the 13th 1911. It is one of the most famous and most popular clubs in Croatia and its region. Club has a nicknames „Bili“ (The Whites) and „Majstori s mora“ (Masters form the sea). The clubs traditional home colors are white shirts alongside with blue shorts and socks. Since 1979. the club plays its home matches in Split's football stadium Poljud.


An interesting thing about the club is that it was founded in today's capital of Czech Republic Prague in its famous and centuries-old pub Flek. The club was founded by group of students from Split: Fabijan Kaliterna, Lucijan Stella, Ivan Šakić and Vjekoslav Ivanišević.




The club's name originates from hajduks, fighters that fought against Ottomans. In its 100 years old history club has never changed its name. During that period it played in the championships of several different countries that existed during that time, and won 17 national champion titles, 14 national cup titles and 5 national super cups.

Credits for this post go to Kresimir Kljaic [kljaja], a 2-star contributor to Colnect.

Release of Nelson Mandela - February 11, 1990 / 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.

" After 27 years of prison, Nelson Mandela, The leader of the movement to end South African apartheid, is released on February 11, 1990. "

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (Madiba ", his tribal name), born in July 18, 1918 at Mvezo in South Africa. He was a politician and head of state of South Africa and one of the historic leaders of the struggle against the political system of apartheid before becoming president of the Republic of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, following the first non-racial national elections in the history of the country.

Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1944 to fight against the political domination of the white minority and racial segregation led by it. Became a lawyer, he participated in the nonviolent struggle against the apartheid laws, which begin to be implemented by the National Party government in 1948. The ANC was banned in 1960, and the peaceful struggle does not yield any tangible results, Mandela founded and directed the military wing of the ANC, Umkhonto we Sizwe, in 1961, leading a campaign of sabotage against government facilities and military . Arrested by the South African government, in collaboration with the CIA, he was sentenced at the Rivonia trial in prison and hard labor for life. He becomes a celebrity over the years supported international symbol of the struggle for racial equality.

After twenty-seven years in prison in conditions often harsh, Mandela was released on February 11, 1990, and supports reconciliation and negotiation with the government of President Frederik de Klerk. In 1993 he received the latter in conjunction with the Nobel Prize for Peace for their shares in favor of the peaceful end of apartheid and for laying the foundations for a new South Africa démocratique.

After a difficult transition when De Klerk and him avoid a civil war between supporters of apartheid, those of the ANC and those of the predominantly Zulu Inkatha, Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa in 1994 . He leads a successful policy of national reconciliation between whites and blacks and fight against economic inequality, but neglects the fight against AIDS, expanding in South Africa. After a single term, he retired from active politics but continues to publicly support the African National Congress while condemning its excesses.

He continued the fight against poverty but also the fight against AIDS through several associations, especially after the death of his son from the disease. It is a world personality played about human rights and is hailed as the father of a multiracial South Africa and fully democratic, described as rainbow nation heaven, even though the country still faces serious problems of economic inequality, social diversity and community declines.

Collectibles on Colnect that Commemmorate This Day in History:

➢ PHONECARDS:
Several countries released phonecards to commemorate and celebrate Mandela's life:

Gandhi Assassinated - January 30, 1948 - 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.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the political and spiritual leader of the Indian independence movement, is assassinated on this day in New Delhi by a Hindu fanatic.

Born in Porbandar, Gujarat October 2, 1869, and died in Delhi on January 30, 1948. He was a political and an important spiritual leader of India's independence movement in this country. He was commonly known and called in India and the world as Mahatma Gandhi (from Sanskrit, Mahatma: Great Soul) - "Mahatma" is a title all his life he refused to associate himself.

He was a pioneer and theorist of satyagraha, resistance to oppression by using the mass civil disobedience, all based on ahimsa (total non-violent), who helped lead the India to independence. Gandhi has inspired many liberation movements and civil rights around the world and many other personalities such as Albert Schweitzer, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko, the Dalai Lama and Aung San Suu Kyi. His major criticisms against modern Western, forms of authority and oppression (including the state), also earned him a reputation as a critic of development whose ideas have influenced many political thinkers. Gandhi was known as the Father of the Nation in India, his birthday is a national holiday. This date was declared International Day of Non-Violent by the UN General Assembly.

Lawyer who studied law in England, Gandhi developed a method of nonviolent civil disobedience in South Africa, by organizing the Indian community's struggle for civil rights. Upon his return to India, Gandhi encouraged the farmers and poor workers to protest against taxes as too high and the widespread discrimination and put on the national struggle against colonial laws created by the British. Became the leader of Indian National Congress, Gandhi led a nationwide campaign to help the poor, for the liberation of Indian women, for brotherhood between communities of different religions or ethnicities, for an end to untouchability and discrimination caste, and economic self-sufficiency of the nation, but especially for Swaraj - the independence of India from foreign domination.

Gandhi led the Salt March, the famous opposition to the tax on salt. It was he who also launched the Quit India movement appealed to August 8, 1942. He was imprisoned several times in South Africa and India for his activities, he spent a total of six years of his life in prison.

Follower of Indian philosophy, Gandhi lived simply, organizing an ashram that was self-sufficient. He made his own clothes - the traditional Indian dhoti and shawl, with cotton yarn with a charkha (spinning wheel) - and was a vegetarian. He practiced rigorous fasts for long periods, for self-purification as well as a means of protest.

In an effort to end India's religious strife, he resorted to fasts and visits to the troubled areas. He was on one such vigil in New Delhi when Nathuram Godse, a Hindu extremist who objected to Gandhi's tolerance for the Muslims, fatally shot him.

Collectibles on Colnect that Commemmorate This Day in History:

➢ PHONECARDS:

These are a few of the phonecards issued by different countries to commemorate Gandhi's life:

➢ STAMPS: Several countries released stamps to commemorate and celebrate Gandhi's great achievement:

18,888 Collectors Collect and Connect with Colnect

The New Year has welcomed us with the exciting news that the Colnect community is continuing to grow rapidly.  Just over a month and a half ago we announced that we have 17,171 collectors on Colnect.  The holidays and festive season ensured a surge in new collectors visiting Colnect and today we are proud to announce that we now have 18,888 Collectors who are Collecting and Connecting on COLNECT.  That is a remarkable addition of 1,717 new collectors in just over a month!

18,888 COLLECTORS COLLECT AND CONNECT WITH COLNECT!
By reaching this milestone it is evident that more and more people are being hit by the “collector bug” and they are all joining in on the fun at Colnect.  We welcome our new additions to the Colnect family and we wish you all an enjoyable journey collecting and connecting with our global community on Colnect.

With a continuously growing membership base it is guaranteed that there are a larger number of collectibles available for trade and just as our numbers of collectors is increasing, so are our catalogs of collectibles growing in size.  No doubt that there’s something for everyone!

It is with our deepest gratitude that we acknowledge each and every one of you who has supported and contributed to our community in any way and who continues to ensure that we are able to offer the best service available to everyone.

If you have not yet joined in on the fun and become a member, don’t delay any further – joining Colnect is free.  Click here to sign-up today!

We also challenge and urge all our collectors to invite and recruit more collector friends to join Colnect. It’s all about sharing the experience and expanding the Colnect community.

May your collection grow during 2011 and may you meet many new collector friends while having fun on Colnect. . .

Happy collecting :)

Happy New Premium Year!!!

For the first time in the history of Colnect, premium services will be open to ALL MEMBERS during the next 7 days!

You can now enjoy Quick Mark and Custom Personal Lists throughout the week.

SPECIAL FOR PAYING PREMIUM MEMBERS:

During this week you can choose another Colnect member who will receive free premium membership for the month of January 2011.
Write to us now on this post and let us know who is your lucky selected member with whom you wish to share this service.

Enjoy the Premium Services!!!

May your collection grow during 2011 and may you meet many new collector friends. . .

Happy collecting :)

17 December - THE WRIGHT BROTHERS FLEW THE FIRST PLANE - 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.

17 DECEMBER 1903: THE WRIGHT BROTHERS FLEW THE FIRST PLANE
The Wright brothers, Orville (b. 19.8.1871 - 31.1.1948) and Wilbur (16.4.1867 – 30.5.1912), were two Americans who invented and built the world’s first successful self-propelled, heavier-than-air aircraft and they made the first flight with it on 17th December 1903.

The petrol-powered, propeller driven biplane stayed airborne for 12 seconds and covered 120 feet on its inaugural flight and it was piloted by Orville.

Orville and Wilbur Wright gained their mechanical skills required for their success by working in their shop with printing presses, bicycles, motors, and other machinery. From 1900 until their first powered flights in late 1903, they conducted extensive glider tests that also developed their skills as pilots.
The Wright brothers were also the first to invent aircraft controls that made fixed-wing powered flight possible. Their invention of three-axis control, which enabled the pilot to steer the aircraft effectively and to maintain its equilibrium was a fundamental breakthrough in flight. This method became standard and remains standard on fixed-wing aircrafts of all kinds.

From the beginning of their aeronautical work, the Wright brothers focused on unlocking the secrets of control to conquer "the flying problem", rather than developing more powerful engines as some other experimenters did. Their careful wind tunnel tests produced better aeronautical data than any before, enabling them to design and build wings and propellers more effective than had ever been done.
In 1909, the U.S. Army's Signal Corps purchased a specially constructed plane, and the brothers founded the Wright Company to build and market their aircraft.

Wilbur Wright died in 1912 of typhoid fever while Orville lived until 1948.
The historic Wright brothers' aircraft of 1903 is on permanent display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

Collectibles on Colnect that Commemmorate This Day in History:

➢ PHONECARDS:
These are a few of the phonecards issued by different countries to commemorate the historic first flight by the Wright brothers:

          

➢ STAMPS:
Several countries released stamps to commemorate and celebrate the Wright brothers' great achievement:

                

HAPPY COLLECTING!!! :)

15 December - THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA REOPENED - 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.

15 DECEMBER 2001 : THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA REOPENED

On this day in 2001, one of Italy's most famous tourist attractions,  the Leaning Tower of Pisa reopened after undergoing 11 years of stabilization work that cost $27 million to strengthen the tower that was facing possible collapse.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is also known as "leaning down of southern halt" (Italian: Torre pendente di Pisa) or simply the Tower of Pisa (La Torre di Pisa).

The tower was closed to the public on January 7, 1990 to commence the stabilization operation. Cables that were cinched around the tower were used to anchor it while the bells were removed to relieve some weight. Apartments and houses in proximity to the tower were also vacated for safety.  The tower was then straightened slightly to a safer angle in order to prevent the collapse of the tower.

An initial attempt in 1994 almost toppled the tower, but engineers were eventually able to reduce the lean by 18 inches by removing earth from underneath the foundation. This was achieved by removing 38 cubic metres (50 cu yd) of earth from underneath the raised end. After a decade of corrective reconstruction and stabilization efforts, the tower was reopened to the public on December 15, 2001, and was declared stable for at least another 300 years.

Entrance to the tower is now limited to guided tours, but this has not stopped tourists from flocking to the famous tower to pose next to it for photos while pretending to hold it up!

Collectibles on Colnect that Commemmorate This Day in History:

➢ COINS:

Italy produced this 500 Lire Coin in 1993 which depicts the Leaning Tower of Pisa:

➢ PHONECARDS:

Several countries have issued phonecards related to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. These are a few of them:

➢ STAMPS:

Italy released this stamp of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in 1973:

HAPPY COLLECTING . . .  :)