1328) Aeromfila 2020, Romania: Centenary of the Franco-Romanian Air Navigation Company (CFRNA) (1920-2020) celebrated with a set of 3 Stamps issued by Romfilatelia (Romanian Post): Date of Stamp set issue: 23.04.2020:

1328) Aeromfila 2020, Romania: Centenary of the Franco-Romanian Air Navigation Company (CFRNA) (1920-2020) celebrated with a set of 3 Stamps issued by Romfilatelia (Romanian Post): Date of Stamp set issue: 23.04.2020:

Rofilatelia (Romanian Post) has brought out a 3-Stamp set on 23.04.2020 titled "Aeromfila 2020".

At the initiative of Nicolae Titulescu, during the Trianon Conference on 23.04.1920 - the First International Transcontinental Air Navigation Company in the world for passengers, mail and cargo was created - the "FRANCO-ROMANIAN AIR NAVIGATION COMPANY" - thus registering a memorable page in the history of world aviation.

The passengers and the post arrived from Paris to Constantinople, with aircraft, in a day and a half, not in three days as when using the "ORIENT EXPRESS" train.

This Airline allowed the connection between the cities - Paris - Strasbourg - Vienna - Prague - Budapest (Arad at the beginning) - Belgrade - Bucharest - Constantinople, as well as, Warsaw, departing from Prague, facilitating the extension of the European relations after World War I.

Appreciating the CFRNA initiative, the Association of Romanian Philatelists, in an initiative to honour this, as well as, other pioneering achievements in the field of Aviation related to the initiative of the representatives of the Romanian people - set up the Aerophilately Commission on 23.04.1970, within the Association of Romanian Philatelists and marked this date with the first edition of the "Aeromfila" Philatelic Exhibition.

From a timid beginning, with 7 exhibits, after 50 years, the initiative now has conducted 35 National editions, some with international attendance and jury.

The three aforementioned events are reflected in this Stamp issue consisting of a set of three stamps, a perforated Souvenir Sheet and a First Day Cover:

The 3 Postage stamps of Lei 2.20, Lei 2.70 and Lei 20.50

The Postage Stamp of the face value of Lei 2.20 is dedicated to the establishment on 23.04.1920 of the first International Transcontinental Airline in the world - CFRNA - and illustrates the Airline route - Paris - Strasbourg - Vienna - Prague - Budapest - Arad - Bucharest - Constantinople and the logo of the company, which is presented in the form of two wings and a flag with the FRA initials, with the specification that this route was little used.

When establishing the route, Arad was replaced with Belgrade, and to better mark the "atmosphere", French registration planes were used, so one can see the registration of a "POTEZ-IX-F-F RF" plane.

The establishment on 23.04.1970 of the Aerophilately Commission within the AFR, and in time, of the 20 Aerophilatelic groups placed throughout the territory of Romania was marked on the Postage stamp with the face value of Lei 2.70.

The reproduction of the logo of the Aerophilately Commission commends the objectives of the activity and presents the history and evolutions in the aircraft lighter than air (the balloon and the airship), in airplanes and missiles.

To the first edition of the Aeromfila Philatelic Exhibition is dedicated the Postage stamp with the face value of Lei 20.50.

The airplane reproduced on this Stamp is a COUDRON -C61, which was used by CFRNA at the opening of the first international might airline with Belgrade - Bucharest regular flight on 10.09.1923.

        The Souvenir Sheet bearing a Stamp of Lei 29.00

On the perforated Souvenir Sheet with the face value of Lei 29.00, the company's route is completed with London and with the extension of the section from Warsaw to Moscow.

The illustrated border of  the perforated Souvenir Sheet presents the medal minted on 23.04.1920 in Paris on which is inscribed the text - "CFRNA -Founded on April 23rd, 1920" and the name of the Romanian Aristide Blank - the one who financed the establishment of the Company.

The event that took place on 12.11.1922, with the "consolidation" of the Paris - Constantinople airline through Bucharest, was marked by the erection of a monument in each airport where the CFRNA flight had a layover. The only monument of the 8 unveiled in 1922, which still  exists on the airport site is the one at Baneasa Airport.

In order to mark the other two anniversary events, the logo of the Aerophilately Commission is pictured on the border of the Souvenir Sheet and on the Stamp of the Souvenir Sheet is the Aeromfila logo.

                                  The First Day Cover (FDC)

On the First Day Cover (FDC) is carried the graphic of the Postage Stamp from the Souvenir Sheet, and the medal and the monument from the illustrated border of the Souvenir Sheet, along with the mention of the International Association of Philatelic Journalists - AIPJ - and the International Federation of Aerophilatelic Societies - FISA - institutions which are invited to the exhibition.

The FDC is titled -"AEROMFILA 2020". The Special Cancellation Handstamp/Postmark is of Bucharest and is dated - "23.04.2020".

A Mini-Sheet (MS) of 8 Stamps, 1 Label and 6 Tabs (shown above) in the above image.

A Mini-Sheet (MS) of 13 Stamps, 2 different Labels and 10 Tabs (shown below) in the above image and also below.

The Technical Specifications:

Stamp issue Date: 23.04.2020

Designer: Ion Chirescu

Process: Offset

Colours: 4 Colours

Stamp Values: Lei 2.20, Lei 2.70, Lei 20.50 and Lei 29.0 (Souvenir Sheet)

Size: Stamp Size: 36.0 mm x 36.0 mm

        Minisheet of 8 Stamps + 1 Label + 6 Tabs:                138.0 mm x 129.0 mm

        Minisheet of 13 Stamps + 2 different Labels +           10 Tabs: 138.0 mm x 213.0 mm

Perforated Souvenir Sheet: 136.0 mm x 100.0 mm (Stamps Size : 52.0 mm x 42.0 mm)

Links to some posts on Romanian currency and philately on this Blog:

1) Banknotes of Romania: Leu (Lei) and Ban (Bani)

2) Marine Landscapes in Painting: A set of four Stamps based on selected paintings by renowned Romanian Painters brought out by "Romfilatelia" on 07.07.2017

3) Wild Orchids found in Romania: A set of four Stamps on Orchids issued on 25.01.2017

4) Berries: A set of four stamps covering berries found in Romania, brought out by Romafilatelia on 20.09.2017

5) Romania's Centenary Anniversary of the Great Union of 01.12.1918: A 100 Lei Commemorative Banknote issued by the Banca Nationala'a Romaniei (Central Bank of Romania) on 01.12.2018

6) Pope Francis' visit to Romania (31.05.2019-02.06.2019: celebrated with 500 Lei Gold & Aluminium-Zinc 50 Bani Collector Coins and a 50 Bani Circulation Coin

7) 30th Anniversary of the Revolution against Communism, Romania: 50 Bani (Brass) and 10 Lei (Silver) Commemorative Coins issued by Banca Nationala a Romaniei (National Bank of Romania): Coin issue date: 16.12.2019

8) King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie, Romania: "History of Gold Coin Series" - an on-going annual series/programme brought out by Banca Nationala a' Romaniei" (National Bank of Romania) features their coronation Presentation pieces: Coins issue date: 01.12.2019

9) "Romanian Collections - Gramophones, Romania: Six stamps depicting Wooden Horn Gramophone (Lei 1.40), Brass Horn Gramophone (Lei 1.60), Veneer Horn Gramophone (Lei 1.80), Hot Air operated Gramophone (Lei 7.0), Child Gramophone with Chocolate Disk (Lei 8.50) & Coin operated Salon Gramophone (Lei 12.0): Date of stamp set issue: 12.12.2019

10) Romania's Centenary Anniversary of the Great Union of 01.12.1918: Ionel I.C. Bratianu (1864-1927): A polymer commemorative Banknote of 100 Lei issued by the Banca Nationala'a Romaniei (Central Bank of Romania): Date of issue: 01.12.2019

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

13) Romanian National Opera of Cluj-Napoca, Romania: Centenary Anniversary (1919-2019): A 10 Lei Silver Proof Coin issued by the "Banca Nationala a' Romaniei" (National Bank of Romania): Coin issue date: 17.02.2020

14) Roman Gold and Silver Artefacts, Romania: "History of Gold Coin Series": A Coin issued in the Collector Coin Series from the Banca a Nationala a" Romaniei stable: Date of Coin issue: 02.03.2020

15) "Ancient Postal Routes, Romanian Principalities XIX Century", Romania: A set of two Postage Stamps of Lei 20.50 and Lei 1.90 issued by "Romafilatelia" (Romanian Post) depicting Ancient Postal Routes and modes of postal transport: Date of Stamp Set issue: 09.04.2020

16) Aeromfila 2020, Romania: Centenary of the Franco-Romanian Air Navigation Company (CFRNA) celebrated with a set of 3 Stamps issued by Romfilatelia (Romanian Post): Date of Stamp Set issue: 23.04.2020