1236) Domestic Cats, Romania: A Special Postal Album issued by Romfilatelia (Romanian Post) presenting the Persian Cat (Lei 1.80), Siamese Cat (Lei 2.0), British Shorthair (Lei 3.30), Bengal Cat (Lei 5.0), British Blue (Lei 8.50) and Sphinx Cat (Lei 11.50): Postage Stamp set issue date: 07.02.2020:
Romfilatelia (Romanian Post) has brought out a set of postage stamps on 07.02.2020, featuring Domestic Cats.
The Domestic Cat (Felis catus) is a small carnivorous mammal. It is the only domesticated species in the Felidae family.
Cats can be of three types - Domestic Cat, Farm Cat or Wild Cat. Unlike Wild Cats that live in freedom and avoid contact with humans, the Domestic Cat is around humans and limits its hunting instincts to species such as rodents and small birds in surrounding areas.
Automatically similar to the other species of Felidae, the Domestic Cat has fast reflexes, sharp teeth, a strong flexible body and retractable claws adapted for small prey.
The well-developed sense of smell and night vision ensure a real advantage in hunting. Although it is a sociable species, the Domestic Cat hunts alone. Cats manner of communicating includes vocalisations such as meowing, trilling, purring, growling, hissing, grunting and body language specific to cats.
They hear sounds with frequencies too low and too high for human ears. As a prey animal, the Domestic Cat's activity is most dynamic at dusk and dawn.
They hear sounds with frequencies too low and too high for human ears. As a prey animal, the Domestic Cat's activity is most dynamic at dusk and dawn.
Two First Day Cover (FDC) - one above and one below - show, at left, cats playing in their natural manner. At top right on each of the two FDCs are affixed three of the six postage stamps issued in the set.
The Special Cancellation Handstamp/postmark is of Bucharest Post Office and the cancellation is dated - "07.02.2020".
The six stamps issued in the stamp set
The Persian Cat:
The Persian Cat depicted on the postage stamp of Lei 1.80 is a breed with long fur, characterised by its round face, wide head with ears positioned far apart, big eyes, extremely short muzzle and short legs.
In the Middle East, it is known as the Iranian-Cat or Shiraz-Cat. These cats may have any combination of colours or markings on the fur.
The Persian Cat is generally described as a quiet cat with a peaceful temperament.
The Siamese Cat:
The Siamese Cat is depicted on the postage stamp of Lei 2.0. This is one of the most distinctive breeds of Asian cats. The modern Siamese is noted by its cylindrical, elongated and muscular body, as well as, its triangular head which forms a perfect triangle from the tip of the nose to the tips of the ears.
The eyes are almond shaped, blue and the ears are large, wide at the base and positioned towards the sides of the head. This breed has an elongated neck, narrow tail and a fine, glossy fur that adheres to the body.
Siamese Cats are intelligent, sociable, affectionate and playful since they are kittens and remain so at maturity. They have a need to interact with people and seek the company of other cats.
The British Shorthair:
The British Shorthair is depicted on the postage stamp of Lei 3.30 and is a traditional British breed. It is recognisable through its dense fur, thick body and wide face.
This is a breed with strong features, wide chest, thick and strong legs, rounded paws and a medium-sized tail. The head is relatively large and rounded with a short muzzle, wide-cheeks and large round eyes. The ears are wide and far apart.
The most common colour in this race is British blue, depicted on the postage stamp of Lei 8.50, which is noticeable by the monochrome, gray fur with blue tints and orange eyes.
The British Shorthair's fur is one of the defining traits of the breed. The coat is very dense, but has no undercoat and has a fluffy and not wooly texture.
The Bengal Cat:
The Bengal Cat depicted on the postage stamp of Lei 5.0 derives its origin to pairing Domestic Cat hybrids with the Asian Leopard Cat ("Prionailurus bengalensis") and the Egyptian Mau, which give them a golden glow to the fur.
One of the most distinctive features of this feline is its unique fur pattern and colouring. These cats have a wild appearance and their fur can present with spots, rosettes, arrows or a marble pattern.
Bengal Cats have an athletic appearance, with well-defined muscles, creating a sombre and balanced appearance. They have high cheek-bones, dark contours around the eyes and the ears are small and sharp around the tips.
The Sphinx Cat:
The Sphinx Cat is depicted on the postage stamp of Lei 11.50. It is known for its lack of fur, which is due to a genetic mutation of natural origin, although this breed was derived through selective breeding.
The Sphinx Cat has a long and narrow head and the skin exhibits the colour that its coat should have had and, as such, it can have a stained, tarred, striped or diffused colouring in strategic points of the body. The toes of the paws are connected by a membrane and due to lack of fur, it loses body temperature faster than other cats, forcing it to look for other heat sources.
Philatelic Album:
The Philatelic Album has been created with a limited edition of 225 pieces and is equipped with the block of the issue (containing six imperforated stamps, as well as, the set of two First Day Covers (FDCs) with the "first day" postmark clearly imprinted, with foiling.
Each Album is serially numbered from "001 to 225".
Maxi Cards:
Six Maxi Cards have been issued in this Stamp issue.
The technical specifications:
Date of issue: 07.02.2020
Designer: Geroge Ursachi
Process: Offset
Colours: 4 Colours
Stamp Size: 33.0 mm x 48.0 mm
Size of Mini Sheet (MS) of 5 Stamps + 1 Label:124.0 mm x 124.0 mm
Special Block of 6 imperforated Stamps (in Philatelic Album): 154.0 mm x 154.0 mm
Stamp values: 1.8 Lei, 2.0 Lei, 3.30 Lei, 5.0 Lei, 8.5 Lei, 11.5 Lei
Maxi Cards: six
Maxi Cards: six
Links to some posts on Romanian currency and philately on this Blog:
11) Flowers of Romania: A set of six Postage Stamps issued by Romfilatelia (Romanian Post) on Tulip (1.80 Lei), Daffodil (1.90 Lei), Peach Flower (2.20 Lei), Dahlia (2.70 Lei), Poppy Flower (3.30 Lei) and The Anemone (53.50 Lei): Stamp set issue date: 07.01.2020
12) Domestic Cats, Romania: A Special Postal Album issued by Romafilatelia (Romanian Post) presenting the Persian Cat (Lei 1.80), Siamese Cat (Lei 3.0), British Shorthair (Lei 3.30), Bengal Cat (Lei 5.0), British Blue (Lei 8,50) and Sphinx Cat (Lei 11.50): Postage Stamp set issue date: 07.02.2020
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