Polish and Argentine Post with joint issue of stamps
The Rufous-crested Pochard and the Crested Tit are the stars of the newest postage stamps. These unique nature-themed issues, titled "Birds of Argentina and Poland," entered circulation on November 25th of this year.
Fulfilling its educational role, Poczta Polska introduces stamps commemorating not only important figures and events in our country, but also themes related to technology, culture, science, and nature. An example of this latter is the latest issue, "Birds of Argentina and Poland," featuring two stamps and a dedicated first-day-of-circulation envelope.
The Polish stamp was designed by Paweł Myszka. He used photographs by Maciej Zdziarski, the photographer behind Czubatka, and J. Ghiorzo – The Rusty Potter, whose design was created by Maria de Los Angeles Nores. The joint issue with Argentina was created in cooperation with the Polish Embassy in Buenos Aires.
The stamps were created using a stochastic raster technique used in the production process. This technique allows for the finest details of the birds' plumage to be highlighted. The colorful graphics of both stamps, set against the birds' background, incorporate their Polish and Latin names, the issue title, and the inscription "Poland." The FDC envelope presents both stamps, their shared graphics, the issue title "Birds of Argentina and Poland," and a date stamp with the date of issue.
Both bird species build unusual structures worth mentioning. The Rusty Potter's nest is made of reeds and mud, closely resembling a closed clay pot or a bread oven. Both males and females incubate the eggs and care for the chicks. As a breeding bird with medium populations, the Crested Tit is strictly protected in Poland. It builds its nests in decayed trees, carving out cavities. Interestingly, the Crested Tit stores food for the winter, which it presses into the bark cracks of the tree where it has its cavities or into the moss covering them. These nests are located low to the ground (usually up to 1.5 meters) and are lined with moss, grasses, and lichens, and topped with hair and fur. Occasionally, these birds also use squirrel nests or nesting boxes, but only if they are not too close to people, which is due to their shyness.
The Polish Post has issued stamps featuring birds on numerous occasions in the past. The first two issues of the "Polish Birds" issue included stamps in the form of blocks depicting the Common Kingfisher in 2014, and in 2019, the stamps featured the White Stork, the Black Stork, the Great Egret, and the Grey Heron. In 2015 and 2017, stamps featuring eight species of native owls were introduced, including the Eurasian Eagle Owl, the Barn Owl, the Great Grey Owl, and the Long-eared Owl. In 2019, a stamp from the "Europe" issue featuring the Common Chaffinch also entered circulation.
About stamps:
Project author: Paweł Myszka
Number of stamps: 2
Values: 4 PLN
Circulation: 240,000 copies (120,000 each)
Printing technique: offset + stochastic raster
Stamp size: 51 mm x 39.5 mm
Paper: fluorescent
Sales sheet: 8 stamps
Date of entry into circulation: November 25, 2022
