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Postage Stamps Celebrate with Roses
The rose has always been a symbol of beauty – with the long stemmed red rose often signifying romance. The ability of this plant to flourish in many countries throughout the world, and its obvious international popularity, is reflected with the many nations which have embraced its beauty and showcased this flower, in its many varieties and colours on postage stamps. In 1975, New Zealand issued a series of postage stamps depicting roses in shades of mauve, peach, yellow, red and white. These roses can be viewed in reality in the Hamilton Rose Gardens in the North Island of this nation.
The United States of America issued two stamps in 19888, one featuring a single pink rose and the other, a bunch of roses. The 25cent version shows the pink rose and the bunch of roses is shown on a 45cent version. San Marino released a 50lire stamp in 1992 which features a cascade of beautiful red roses. This tiny independent republic near the east coast of the Italian peninsula has an ideal climate for this beautiful rose. Slovenia released a postage stamp displaying the pink Dog Rose as part of its ‘Medicinal Plants’ series in 2002. This delightful stamp shows the rose both in full bloom and in bud. In 1994, Sweden issued a rose series of postage stamps featuring five varieties of roses. Four of the stamps show some of the traditional English roses adopted by this Scandinavian nation and the other portrays the wild rose native to the area. Switzerland issued a set of rose stamps in 1972 to benefit the ‘Children’s Fund’ within their country. Each of the stamps features the traditional roses which grow abundantly in this European nation.
Although roses feature strongly in European postage stamps, the African nation of Togo also released a 5franc version in 1966 showing a lovely pink rose going from bud to full flower in three stages. The diamond shaped stamp is large and the lemon background highlights the beauty of the flower. Tunisia, another African nation, showcased the Ariana Rose on a postage stamp released in 1997. This stamp also shows the three stages of development from bud to bloom. Roses adapt well to varying environments and Korea issued two stamps in 2001 featuring the Red Queen and Pink Lady, two very traditional old English roses. These stamps are diamond shaped and the Red Queen is shown in bud and in bloom whilst the Pink Lady is displayed in bouquet form.
Libya issued a rose postage stamp in 1965. This stamp is in a ‘Flower Series’ and the rich carmine red of the rose is reflective of the romantic era. Luxembourg portrayed the Grand Duchess Charlotte rose on a stamp issued in 1997. This rose is especially suited to the cooler European climate and the red bouquet has its beauty magnified by the lilac background.
Malaysia features the tea roses on its series of rose stamps released in 2003. The flowers shown are pink, red, apricot and the pink and white hybrid rose. From Asia to Africa, Scandinavia, America and Europe – roses are displayed and honoured on postage stamps. Their loveliness is captured as roses tour the world on postage stamps.
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