1830) "Endangered National Wildlife", Estonia: EUROPA - 2021: Omniva (formerly Eesti Post) has issued a set of two Stamps featuring Critically Endangered National Wildlife - The Lady's Slipper ("Cypripedium calceolus") and The Eurasian Hoopoe ("Upupa epops"): Date of Stamp set issue: 06.05.2021:

1830) "Endangered National Wildlife", Estonia: EUROPA - 2021: Omniva (formerly Eesti Post) has issued a set of two Stamps of 1.90 Euro each, featuring Critically Endangered National Wildlife - The Lady's Slipper ("Cypripedium calceolus")  and The Eurasian Hoopoe ("Upupa epops"): Date of Stamp set issue: 06.05.2021:

About Europa 2021 - Stamps:

EUROPA Stamps are special stamps issued by European postal administrations. 

They bear the official EUROPA logo, a PostEurop registered trademark under the aegis of PostEurop in which Europe is the central theme. 

EUROPA stamp issues are among the most collected and most popular stamps in the world and have been issued for over 60 years.

Every year a new theme is assigned by PostEurop and all participating countries issue stamps with their own interpretation of the theme. The theme for 2021 is "Endangered National Wildlife". 

More about EUROPA Postage Stamps:

EUROPA Postage stamps (also known as Europa - CEPT - European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations - until 1992) are special stamps issued by European Postal Administrations/Enterprises and bears the official EUROPA logo, a PostEurop registered trademark under the aegis of PostEurop in which Europe is the central theme.

EUROPA stamps underline cooperation in the posts domain, aimed at promotion of philately. They also build awareness of the common roots, culture and history of Europe and its common goals.

As such, EUROPA stamp issues are among the most collected and most popular stamps in the world.

Since the first issue in 1956, EUROPA stamps have been a tangible symbol of Europe's desire for closer integration and co-operation.

In 1993, PostEurop became responsible for issuing EUROPA stamps.

When CEPT decided to focus more on telecommunications in 1993, PostEurop took over the management of the Europa issues. The CEPT logo was replaced by a new logo created by PostEurop i.e. the word "EUROPA" leaning towards the right hand side.

Each year, PostEurop's "Stamps & Philately Group" selects the EUROPA stamp theme:

1993 - Contemporary Art

1994 - Great Discoveries

1995 - Peace and Freedom

1996 - Famous women

1997 - Tales and legends

1998 - Festivals and National Celebrations

1999 - Nature Reserves and Parks

2000 - Common Design. Tower of 6 stars

2001 - Water - Treasure of Nature

2002 - The Circus

2003 - Poster Art

2004 - Holidays

2005 - Gastronomy

2006 - Integration through the eyes of Young People

2007 - Scout Centenary

2008 - Writing Letters

2009 - Astronomy

2010 - Children Books

2011 - Forests - International Year of Forests

2012 - Visit …. (for instance "Visit Finland" etc.)

2013 - Van of the Postman - Postal vehicles 

2014 - Musical instruments - National musical instruments

2015 - Old Toys

2016 - Ecology in Europe - "Think Green". Common Design

2017 - Castles

2018 - Bridges

2019 - National Birds

2020 - Ancient Postal Routes

2021 - Endangered National Wildlife

2022 - the theme will be "Stories & Myths". 

About Europa 2021 - "Endangered National Wildlife Stamps issued by Omniva (formerly Eesti Post):

This year’s PostEurop stamp theme is ‘Endangered National Wildlife’, and Omniva (Eesti Post) has depicted the Lady's Slipper ("Cypripedium calceolus") and the Eurasian Hoopoe ("Upupa epops") which are critically endangered.

These beautiful stamps feature species that are locally registered from "Critically Endangered" through to "Near Threatened".

The EUROPA Stamps issued by Omniva  (formerly Eesti Post) features the Lady's Slipper and the Eurasian Hoopoe:

The Lady’s Slipper ("Cypripedium calceolus"):

 The EUROPA Stamp of 1.90 Euro depicting the Lady's Slipper issued by Omniva (formerly Eesti Post)

It is the Orchid with the largest flower in Estonia and Europe. 

The flowers measure up to 10 cm and are shaped like shoes. It blooms from late May until early July. 

The Lady’s Slipper is pollinated by insects, the faint vanilla scent of the flowers attracts small insects. However, the flower is a trap for pollinators because the only way out of the shoe-shaped labellum is by climbing past the anthers and stigma.

 The plant reproduces both by seeds and vegetatively by rhizome. Usually grows on wooden meadows, forest edges and in thinner spruce and mixed forests.

The Eurasian hoopoe (Upupa epops):

 The EUROPA Stamp of 1.90 Euro depicting the Eurasian Hoopoe issued by Omniva (formerly Eesti Post)

This is a bright and colourful bird about the size of a pigeon. It has a feather tuft on the top of its head which stands up when excited. 

The elegant bird may often be seen walking on the ground or sometimes even running short distances. It is also capable of climbing trees, but this can rarely be seen. 

Its flight is reminiscent of a large butterfly because of its undulating path and rapid wing flapping. 

The Eurasian hoopoe nests in hollows in trees, on the ground or in walls. It is afraid of humans but not of man-made structures. The bird tries to reuse its nest for several years. 

They do not clean the nests which is why they tend to smell. The Eurasian hoopoe mainly eats insects, particularly beetles and their larvae.

The First Day Cover (FDC) features the Eurasian Hoopoe at left and the two EUROPA stamps are affixed at top right cancelled with a special Handstamp/postmark which features a leaf in the centre. The Cancellation is of Tallinn Post Office and is dated - "06.05.2021".

                             

A Full Sheet (FS) of 10 Stamps depicting the Lady's Slipper Orchid with Tete Beche.

Tete Beche:

In philately, tête-bêche (French for "head-to-tail", lit. "head-to-head") is a joined pair of stamps in which one is upside-down in relation to the other, produced intentionally or accidentally. 

Like any pair of stamps, a pair of tête-bêches can be a vertical or a horizontal pair. In the case of a pair of triangular stamps, they cannot help but be linked "head-to-tail".

Mechanical errors during the process of production can result in tête-bêches. During the printing of stamps for booklets, the pages of stamps are usually printed in multiples from a larger printing plate. This can result in tête-bêche pairs. 

Most booklet stamps are printed in sheets, each containing 4 booklets. Looking at such a sheet 2 booklets, one above the other, come in from the left with the other 2 sheets coming from the right which appear to be upside down.

 

Where the columns of stamps from each side meet there is therefore a row of tete-beche pairs. It is unusual for these pairs to find their way into the postal system, as the sheets are cut into individual booklet pages before binding into the distributed booklet.

A Full Sheet of 10 Stamps depicting the Eurasian Hoopoe with Tete Beche.

Technical details:

Issue Date: 06.05.2021

Designer: Vladimir Taiger

Printer: AS Vaba Maa

Process: Offset

Colours: 4 Colours

Size: 44.64 mm x 37.00 mm

Links:

Links to posts on "Endangered National Wildlife" on this Blog, the theme of PostEUROP "EUROPA -2021 theme:

1) "Barbary Macaques - II", Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory (BOT): "Endangered National Wildlife" : EUROPA-2021 Theme: Date of Stamp Set issue: 05.02.2021

2) Endangered National Wildlife, Liechtenstein: EUROPA-2021: Liechtensteinische Post (Liechtenstein Post) has issued a set of two Stamps of CHF 1.50 each, featuring the "Noble Crayfish" and the "Weasel": Date of Stamp set issue: 01.03.2021

3) "Endangered National Wildlife", Jersey, a British Crown Dependency (BCD): EUROPA - 2021"Jersey Post has issued a set of six Stamps of the values of 54p, 70p, 84p, 88p, 1.05 Pounds, 1.18 Pounds featuring Endangered Jersey Seabirds & Marine Life: Date of Stamp Set issue: 11.03.2021

4) "Endangered National Wildlife", Guernsey, A British Crown Dependency (BCD): EUROPA-2021: Guernsey Post has issued eight Stamps of the values of 50p, 70p, 73p, 1.00 Pounds, 1.15 Pounds, 1,20 Pounds, 2.20 Pounds and 3.50 Pounds featuring critically Endangered Guernsey Wildlife: Date of Stamp Set issue: 07.04.2021

5) "Endangered National Wildlife - The Great Black Grouse, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar): EUROPA - 2021: Mostar Post has issued a set of two Stamps of the values of 3.00 BAM each featuring the critically Endangered GreatBlack Grouse: Date of Stamp Set issue: 05.04.2021

6) The "Calf of Man Nature Reserve", Isle of Man, A British Crown Dependency (BCD) "75th Anniversary" Celebrations (1946-2021): A set of Ten Stamps issued by the Isle of Man Post (IOMP) commemorating the milestone of this UNESCO designated Biosphere Island: (Also includes the EUROPA stamp on "Endangered National Wildlife" theme":Date of Stamps issue: 12.04.2021

7) "Endangered National Wildlife", Romania: EUROPA - 2021: Romfilatelia (Romanian Post) has issued a set of two Stamps of the values of 3.40Lei and 19.50Lei featuring critically Endangered Romanian Wildlife - The European Mink and The Great Bustard respectively: Date of Stamp set issue: 22.04.2021

8) "Endangered National Wildlife", Norway: EUROPA - 2021: Posten Norge (Norwegian Post) has issued a set of two Stamps of the values of 20g each. featuring critically Endangered Norwegian Wildlife - The Bumblebee and The Puffin Bird respectively: Date of Stamp set issue: 23.04.2021

9) "Endangered National Wildlife", Latvia: EUROPA - 2021: VAS Latvijas Pasts (Latvian Post) has issued a set of two Stamps featuring critically Endangered Latvian Wildlife - The Freshwater Pearl Mussel (1.00 Euro) and The Black Stork (1.27 Euro) respectively: Date of Stamp set issue: 23.04.2021

10) "Endangered National Wildlife", Bosnia and Herzegovina: EUROPA - 2021: Republic of Srpska Post (Srpske Poste) has issued a set of two stamps featuring the critically Endangered Republic of Srpska Wildlife - The Chanchares or Hermann's Tortoise (1.95 BAM) and The Dwarf Mouse (2.70 BAM): Date of Stmp set issue: 16.04.2021

11) "Endangered National Wildlife", Finland: EUROPA-2021: Posti (Finland Post) has issued a set of three stamps featuring critically Endangered Finnish Wildlife - The Kingfisher Bird, Apollo Butterfly and The Siberian Flying Squirrel: Date of Stamp Set issue: 28.04.2021

12) "Endangered National Wildlife", Switzerland: EUROPA - 2021: Swiss Post has issued a set of two Stamps featuring critically Endangered Swiss Butterflies - The Woodland Brown ("Lopinga achine") and The Scarce Large Blue ("Phengaris leleius"): Date of Stamp set issue: 06.05.2021

13) "Endangered National Wildlife", Faroe Islands: EUROPA - 2021: Postverk Foroya or Posta (Faroe Islands Post) has issued a set of two Stamps featuring critically Endangered National Wildlife of the Faroe Islands - the Puffin (17.00 DKK & 27.00 DKK): Date of Stamp set issue: 26.04.2021

14) "Endangered National Wildlife", Vienna, United Nations Branch: EUROPA - 2021: United Nations Poatal Administration (UNPA) has issued a set of four Sytamps featuring criticcally Endangered National Wildlife - The Orange-bellied Parrot, Babirusa, Bridled nail-tailed Wallaby and Telipogon-like Lepanthes: Date of Stamp set issue: 07.04.2021

15) "Endangered National Wildlife", Geneva, United Nations Office: EUROPA - 2021: United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) has issued a set of four Stamps featuring Critically Endangered National Wildlife - The Golden-headed Lion Tamarin, Greater Bilby, Ring-tailed Lemur and Grand Spider Orchid: Date of Stamp set issue: 20.04.2021

16) "Endangered National WildLife", New York, United Nations Office: EUROPA -2021: United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) has issued a set of four Stamps featuring Critically Endangered National Wildlife - Waigeo Cuscus, Helmeted Honeyeater, Venus Flytrap and American Alligator: Date of Stamp set issue:20.04.2021

17) "Endangered National Wildlife", Principality of Andorra ("Principat d'Andorra"): EUROPA - 2021: Correos (Spanish Post) has issued a set of two Stamps featuring Critically Endangered National Wildlife - The Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus): Date of Stamp set issue: 30.04.2021

18) "Endangered National Wildlife", Hungary: EUROPA - 2021: Magyar Posta (Hungarian Post) has issued a set of two Stamps featuring Critically Endangered National Wildlife - The Stonechat and The Steppe Polecat: Date of Stamp set issue: 05.05.2021

19) "Endangered National Wildlife", Estonia: EUROPA - 2021: Omniva (formerly Eesti Post) has issued a set of two Stamps featuring Critically Endangered National Wildlife - The Lady's Slipper Orchid ("Cypripedium calceolus") and The Eurasian Hoopoe ("Upupa epops"): Date ofStamp set issue: 06.05.2021

Links to posts on "Ancient Postal Routes" on this Blog, the theme of PostEurop "EUROPA-2020":

1) Ancient Postal Routes - Mail Ships, Guernsey. a British Crown Dependency (BCD): A EUROPA set od six stamps brought out by Guernsey Post depicting six Mail Ships that sailed between Guernsey and the United Kingdom: Date of Stamp set issue: 01.04.2020

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

 3) "Ancient Postal Routes, Biga", Bosnia & Herzgovina: Two EUROPA stamps of 3.00 Euro each depicting a Wagon and the two faces of a Silver Coin issued on 05.04.2020

4) Ancient Postal Routes - the Postal Boat Race - between Aland and Sweden", Aland, Finland: A EUROPA Postage Stamp of 2.00 Euro issued by Aland Post: Date of Stamp issue: 08.05.2020

 5) "Ancient Postal Routes - Mail Ships", Jersey, A British Crown Dependency (BCD): A set of six stamps depicting the Mail Ships - Rover, the Atalanta, the Cygnus, the Lydia and Isle of Jersey and The Caesarea III, issued by Jersey Post: Date of Stamp set issue: 07.04.2020

6) "Ancient Postal Routes - The Postal Route from Christiania to Bergen", Norway: A Europa Stamp of 20g issued by Posten Norge (or Norwegian Post)depicting the difficult mountain route/stretch at Vindhellvegen & Kongevegen: Date of Stamp issue: 17.04.2020

7) "Ancient Postal Routes through blizzards, snow covered mountain routes and straits", Faroe Islands: Two Stamps of 17KR and 20KR issued by Posta (Faroe Islands Post) under the Europa theme for 2020: Date of stamp set issue: 27.04.2020

8) "Ancient Postal Routes during the time of Louis the Great - 14th century", Hungary: A set of two postage stamps issued by Magyar Posta of 650 HUF each: Date of Stamp set issue: 04.05.2020

9) "Ancient Postal Routes in the Ottoman Empire - 17th century" Serbia: A set of two Stamps issued by Serbian Post in the denominations of 74 ans 108 Dinaras (Dinars): Date of Stamp Set issue: 05.05.2020 

10) "Ancient Postal Routes, Santa Claus", Finland: A EUROPA Stamp released by "Posti" (Finland Post): Date of Stamp release: 06.05.2020

11) "Ancient Postal Routes, through Rheinhausen-Basel-Zurich", Switzerland: EUROPA theme for 2020: A set of two Postage stamps of 100 Swiss francs each issued by Swiss Post: Date of Stamp set issue: 07.05.2020

12) "Ancient Postal Routes - Packet ships The Lady Mary Wood (1842) and SS Iberia (1836)", Gibraltar: EUROPA 2020 Theme: A set of two Postage stamps in the denominations of 1.66 Pounds & 2.86 Pounds issued by Gibraltar Post: Date of Stamps issue: 08.05.2020

13) "Ancient Postal Routes - the Kholmogory post road (Arkhangelsk - Vologda - Yaroclavi - Moscow), Russia: Europa 2020 theme: A stamp brought out by "Pochta Rossii"(Russian Post) featuring this important post road: Date of Stamp issue: 15.01.2020

14) "Ancient Postal Routes - by Horse Transport & Bicycles", Latvia: EUROPA 2020 theme: A set of two postage stamps of 1,35 Euro and 1.42 Euro issued by "Latvijas Pasts" (Latvian Post): Date of Stamp set issue: 08.05.2020

15) "Ancient Postal Routes - 18th Century", Monaco: EUROPA 2020 theme: A postage stamp of 1.40 Euro issued by "La Poste de Monaco" (Monaco Post) on 06.05.2020

16) "Ancient Postal Routes - Within and Outside Europe", Iceland: Two Postage Stamps issued by "Islandpostur" (Iceland Post) in the denominations of ISK 3150: Date of Stamps issue: 07.05.2020

17) "Ancient Postal Routes - the Old Road Majstorska Cesta", Croatia: A Se-tenant of two Stamps of the values of 8.60 HRK issued by Croatian Post: Date of stamp issue: 08.05.2020

_{^{18) "Ancient Postal Routes - Historical Postal Routes Thurn & Taxis", Austria" Stamp issue date: 06.05.2020}}

_{^{19) Ancient Postal Routes, Netherlands: Theme of 2020-Europa Stamps: PostNL has issued a 6-Stamp Sheet featuring Ancient Postal Routes followed by Von Thurn und Taxis Postal Services during the 17th to 19th Centuries: Date of Stamp Sheet issue: 11.05.2020}}

_{^{20) Ancient Postal Routes - 2 historic spots on "Tartu-Voru Road" Estonia: EUROPA 2020 theme: "Omniva" (previously "Eesti Post) - Estonian Post - has issued stamps of the value of 1.90 Euro each, featuring two historic stops on the old Tartu-Varu Road: Date of Stamps issue: 14.05.2020}}

_{^{21) "Ancient Postal Routes - from the times of the Imperial roman Empire", Spain: Correos (Spanish Post) has issued a Premium Sheet of six stamps of the value of "B" Tariff each: Date of Stamp issued: 14.05.2020}}

_{^{22) Ancient Postal Routes, Malta: Europa 2020 theme: Malta Post has issued two postage stamps of the values of 0.59 Euro and 2.00 Euro as part of the PostEurop's campaign this year: Date of Stamps issue: 09.05.2020}}

_{^{23) Ancient Postal Routes - the Mounted Messenger and the Stage Coach", Liechtenstein: EUROPA 2020 Theme: Liechtensteinsche Post has issued two stamps of the value of CHF 1.50 each on the theme of Ancient Postal Routes: Date of Stamp set issue: 02.03.2020}}

_{^{24) "Ancient Postal Routes - Via di Zenta", Montenegro: EUROPA 2020 Theme: "Posta Cern Gore (Montenegro Post) has issued a postage stamp of 0.95 Euro: Stamp issue date: 09.03.2020}}

_{^{25) Ancient Postal Routes - Mail Ships "Prince Maximilian" & "Archiduco Ludovico" - 19th Century ", Greece: Hellenic Post (Greek Post) has issued two postage stamps in the denominations of 2.00 Euro and 4.50 Euro depicting the two maritime Postal Ships: Date ofStamp set issue: 08.05.2020}}

_{^{26) Ancient Postal Routes, Portugal: EUROPA 2020 Theme: CTT or CORREIOS de Portugal" (Portuguese Post) has brought out three Postage stamps of the values of 0.86 Euro each on the theme: Stamp set issue date: 25.05.2020}}

_{^{27) Ancient Postal Routes, Azores (An Autonomous Region of Portugal): EUROPA 2020 Theme: Two Stamps of 0.86 Euro each issued by Correios, (Portugal Post) on behalf of Azores: Date of Stamps issue: 25.05.2020}}

_{^{28) Ancient Postal Routes, Madeira (An Autonomous Region of Portugal): EUROPA 2020 Theme: Two Stamps of 0.86 each issued by CTT or "CORREIOS de Portugal" (Portuguese Post) on behalf of Madeira: Date of Stamps issue: 25.05.2020}}

_{^{29) Ancient Postal Routes, Principality (or "Principat" in Spanish) of Andorra (Spain): EUROPA 2020 Theme: A Postage Stamp of 1,45 Euro issued by "Correos Espanyols" (Spanish Post) depicting the EUROPA 2020 theme: Date of Stamp issue: 14.05.2020}}

30) "Ancient Postal Routes", France: A postage stamp of 1.40 Euro issued by La Poste (French Post): Date of Stamp issue: 05.06.2020

31) Ancient Postal Routes, Luxembourg: Two Postage Stampsin the denominations of 0.80 Euro and 1.05 Euro issued by Post Lexembourg: Date of Stamps issued: 09.06.2020

32) "Ancient Postal Routes," Belgium: EUROPA 2020 Stamp Theme: A postage stamp of 9.30 Euro, featuring "La chaise de poste" by Eugene Pechaubes" - Lithography enhanced with gouache, issued by Bpost (Belgium Post): Date of Stamp issue: 15.06.2020

33) Ancient Postal Routes, Vatican City State: EUROPA 2020 Theme: Two stamps of 1.10 Euro and 1.15 Euro issued by the Ufficio filatelico e Numismatico -Governatorato, Vaticano featuring ancient postal routes emanating from the Vatican City State during the 6th & 11th Centuries AD

Some other posts on Estonia on this blog:

1) The Toucan (Ramaphastos toco): The first coin in a Silver Coin Series titled "Series of the Toucan" brought out by the Niue Island (a part of the New Zealand Realm) and minted by the European Mint, Estonia in 2018

2) Tartu Peace Treaty, Estonia: A 2 Euro Commemorative Coin issued by the Bank of Estonia, celebrating the Centenary Anniversary of the Peace Treaty (1920-2020): Coin Circulation Date: Early 2020

3) 200 Years of the Discovery of Antarctica, Estonia: A 2 Euro Commemorative Coin dedicated to the Bicentenary of the Discovery of Antarctica by Admiral Fabian Gottlieb Benjamin von Bellingshauser on board the "Vostok": Coin issue date: 01/2020

4) Ugala Theatre, Estonia: Centenary Celebrations (1920-2020) of the establishment of the prestigious Theatre Company: Date of Stamp issue: 06.01.2020

_{^{5) Ancient Postal Routes - 2 historic spots on "Tartu-Voru Road" Estonia: EUROPA 2020 theme: "Omniva" (previously "Eesti Post) - Estonian Post - has issued stamps of the value of 1.90 Euro each, featuring two historic stops on the old Tartu-Varu Road: Date of Stamps issue: 14.05.2020}}

<sub><sup>6) "Canis Lupus", Estonia: The first of the two Euro Zone circulation coins to be released in spring 2021 by the Bank of Estonia, features Estonia's National Animal - the Wolf

7) The Finno-Ugric Peoples of Europe, Estonia: The second of the two Euro Zone circulation coins to be released in 08/2021 by the Bank of Estonia</sup></sub>

_{^{8) Kihnu Lighthouse, Estonia: A Postage Stamp of 0.90 Euro issued by "Omniva" (formerly Eesti Post) commemorating the 155th milestone of the iconic Lighthouse: Date of Stamp issue: 29.10.2020}}

_{^{9) "River Seine", Art from the Treasury of the Estonian Art Museum, Estonia: A postage stamp of 0.90 Euro issued by Omniva (formerly Eesti Post): Date of Stamp issue: 17.11.2020}}

_{^{10) Franking Labels, Estonia: Omniva (formerly Eesti Post)has provided a choice of four labels - National Stamdard Letter (0.90Euro), National Maxi Letter (1.75 Euro), International Standard Letter(1.90 Euro) & International Maxi Letter (4.85 Euro): Date of Franking Labels issue: 26.11.2020}}

_{^{11) Letipea LightHouse (or Letipea Tuletorn in Estonian), Estonia: 70 years milestone (1951-2021) celebrated with the issue of a postage stamp of 0.90 Euro by Omniva (formerly Eesti Post), the Postal Service of Estonia: Date of Stamp issue: 21.01.2021}}

_{^{12) Jarvselja Training and Experimental Forestry District, Estonia: 100th Anniversary Celebrations: A Wooden Souvenir Sheet: Date of issue: 13.04.2021}}

13) "Endangered National Wildlife", Estonia: EUROPA - 2021: Omniva (formerly Eesti Post) has issued a set of two Stamps featuring Critically Endangered National Wildlife - The Lady's Slipper Orchid ("Cypripedium calceolus") and The Eurasian Hoopoe ("Upupa epops"): Date ofStamp set issue: 06.05.2021