Myanmar Post Reissues Second Stamp Sheetlet on 10 Arts Series

Just one week after releasing the first sheetlet, Myanmar Post has issued a second reprint—this time featuring the Myanmar Traditional Arts stamp series originally released in 2020. This move suggests that additional sheets from other popular series, such as Endemic Birds, Costume Series, and Butterflies of Myanmar Series, may also be reissued soon. Collectors will have to wait and see what comes next.

The original Myanmar Traditional Arts series began with the Panbe stamp (The Art of Blacksmithing) issued on 24 July 2020, and concluded with the Panyun stamp (The Art of Making Lacquerware) on 18 December 2020. In this new sheet format, the stamps are arranged in their original release order—five stamps on the top row and five on the bottom. The sheet’s margin is labelled “10 Traditional Art Forms of Myanmar”.

Untrimmed sheet with Mandalay GPO First Day Cancellation (U Sein Min)

However, the reissued sheet has drawn criticism. It is sold untrimmed, with a large blank margin beneath the stamps. The full sheet measures 9 x 7 inches (approx. 229 x 178 mm), and the excess blank area is large enough to accommodate another two rows of stamps. This forced collectors to manually trim the sheets using paper cutters or knives to mount them on covers for first day usages—resulting in inconsistent sheet sizes on different covers. No official first day cover (FDC) was issued for this release.

A total of 50,000 sheets were printed, with each pack containing 50 sheets. The official date of issue is 5 May 2025. Due to the oversized format, collectors have resorted to using larger cacheted envelopes, which may exceed the size allowed by standard postal regulations.

Collectors have also noted that the printing quality appears lower than that of the original 2020 stamps. Additionally, two distinct types of perforations have been observed: rough and sharp, adding further variation for specialists to examine.

The first day cancellation was rather messy. It attempted to squeeze illustrations of all ten traditional art forms into a single circular design by dividing it into ten equal segments. This approach resulted in a cluttered appearance. A similar design was used for the 12 Seasonal Festivals and Flowers sheetlet issued last month—this time with 12 segments, making the cancellation even more crowded and difficult to discern.

I have identified a color error involving missing cyan ink. This issue affects the right four stamps on the sheet, while the rest of the sheet appears normal. The image below shows a side-by-side comparison of the standard stamps and the error stamps.

My comparative study reveals that the new 2025 reissue is not a direct reprint of the original 2020 version but a redesigned mock-up. Unlike the 2020 stamps, which featured smaller text and a larger central image, the 2025 version displays enlarged text and a reduced main image. Additionally, the shadow effect in the title of the art, present in the original design, has been removed. The illustration below highlights these differences.

From the Arakan to the Album: Bhanbhagta Gurung on Royal Mail's WWII Stamp Issue

Royal Mail issued a set of ten stamps on 1 May 2025 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, celebrating the heroic efforts of individuals who served during the conflict. Among them is a stamp featuring Bhanbhagta Gurung, who served with the Gurkhas in Burma.

Sergeant Bhanbhagta Gurung (1921–2008), born in Nepal, served with distinction in Burma during the Second World War. He joined the Gurkha Rifles in 1940 and was part of Operation Longcloth in 1943, the first long-range mission deep into Japanese-occupied Burma. In 1945, during fierce fighting near Tamandu, he displayed extraordinary bravery in clearing enemy positions under fire—a feat for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. His heroic actions in Burma remain one of the most celebrated examples of Gurkha valour in the campaign. In recognition of his courage, the Gurkha training block at Catterick Camp in Yorkshire was named in his honour in 2000.

Royal Mail also released a collector’s sheet, featuring tabs alongside the stamps that depict images highlighting their roles. The tab accompanying the stamp of Bhanbhagta Gurung includes a map of operations during the Arakan Campaign in Burma. Similarly, the tab with the stamp honouring Mahinder Singh Pujji features an image of a fighter aircraft returning from a sortie over the Arakan.

Both the stamp featuring Bhanbhagta Gurung and the complete collector’s sheet make meaningful and attractive additions to any Burma-themed philatelic collection. The technical details about the stamp are as below.


Stamp format: Landscape
Stamp size: 37mm x 35mm
Design: Supple Studio
Stamps per Sheet: 50
Printer: Cartor Security Printers
Print process: Lithography
Perforations: 14 x 14.5
Phosphor: Bars as appropriate
Gum: PVA

New Book Release: Postage Rates of Burma (Myanmar) 1937–2024

New Book Release: Postage Rates of Burma (Myanmar) 1937–2024
By Ko Toe – Launching 2 May 2025

Ko Toe is proud to announce the release of his new book, Postage Rates of Burma (Myanmar) 1937–2024, a comprehensive reference documenting postage rates from the colonial period through to the present day. These rates have been meticulously gathered from a wide range of sources—including Acts, research articles, postal guides, official leaflets, and travel guides—in both Burmese and English. This meticulously researched volume will be an invaluable resource for postal historians and collectors interested in Burma’s philatelic and postal history.

Book Details

• Total Pages: 220

• Binding: Hardcover with thread binding

• Contents: Full-colour printing on 100 gsm coated paper

• ISBN: 978-981-94-2908-0

• Edition Size: Limited to 100 copies

• Price: SGD 50

To purchase a copy, please contact the author directly via email [toekyawkyar@gmail.com]. Trackable registered shipping by SingPost is SGD 44. 

Myanmar Post to Re-Issue Festival Stamp Series as a Sheetlet

In 2019, Myanmar Post issued a stamp series celebrating the country's twelve monthly festivals, each accompanied by the seasonal flower associated with that month. Each stamp represented one festival and flower, with sheets containing 30 stamps of a single design.

The series is now being re-issued as a single sheetlet containing all twelve stamps. While the designs remain unchanged, the new format brings all twelve together in one unified layout. The sheetlet, measuring approximately 203 x 221 mm (8 x 8.7 inches), contains twelve stamps of 200 Kyats each, making the total face value 2,400 Kyats per sheet. The official release date is 28 April.  Total production is 50,000 sheets.

Interestingly, while the Burmese calendar traditionally begins with the month of Tagu—usually falling in April—the original 2019 series began with Pyatho, which fell in January that year. Although the sheetlet’s April release appears coincidental, the arrangement of the stamps on the sheet follows the original order: from left to right, top to bottom, starting with Pyatho.

However, this move has drawn criticism from collectors. Since the stamps themselves are identical to the original 2019 versions and lack any distinguishing features or overprints, removing them from the sheet makes it nearly impossible to tell them apart from the original issue. This could lead to confusion in stamp classification. Some collectors have suggested that an overprint, a revised face value, or the inclusion of the year of issue in the stamp design could have helped distinguish the re-issue.

The sheetlet bears the title “Twelve Seasonal Festivals and Flowers”.  No official First Day Cover (FDC) will be issued, but first day cancellations will be available. Each packet contains 50 sheetlets.

As previously reported in the report for the month of Tabaung, there was an unintentional error in the original stamp design regarding the scientific name of the Tharaphi flower. The correct scientific name for Tharaphi is Calophyllum amoenum, but it was mistakenly labeled as Calophyllum inophyllum, which actually refers to the Ponenyat flower. To address this mistake, the scientific name on the stamp for the month of Waso was replaced with the common name "Alexandrian laurel," which, during the design stage, was noticeably not italicized. However, in the final issued stamp, Myanmar Post italicized the name.

In this 2025 re-issue, it appears Myanmar Post may have used the original design file, resulting in the non-italicized common name being retained—an outcome that is arguably more correct.

Costumes ~ Ava Era

Stamps featuring Ava era costumes are the third sets in the costume series and were issued on 8 Dec 2021.  The set includes two stamps depicting man and woman in Ava era costumes.  At Yangon GPO, Mandalay GPO and Naypyitaw CPO, the envelopes with cachet are sold at 200 Kyats each.  In addition to the envelopes, the folding card with the design facts is also sold at 200 Kyats each.

Technical Information

Date of Issue: 8 December 2021
Denomination: 200 Kyats
Perforation: 14
Colour: 4
Quantity: 300,000 Pieces
Printing Process: Offset
Stamp Composition: 50 Stamps per Sheet
Stamp Size & Format: 30 mm x 42 mm (Vertical)
Printer: Security Printing Works (Myanmar)
Stamp Designer: Professor Myat Tun Aung, Aung Than Hitay
Historical Perspective Adviser: Dr. Chit San Win
Art From Adviser: Academy Zinyaw MgMg (Film), Thiha Lwin (TMH)

Myanmar - Russia Tiger Population Preservation Stamps 2022

The 2nd International Tiger Forum was held in Vladivostok, Russia, on September 5, 2022. The forum aimed to evaluate the outcomes of the Global Tiger Recovery Programme since its launch in 2010 and to discuss future strategies for tiger conservation, with a special focus on the Amur tiger. To commemorate the event, Myanmar Post issued three postage stamps along with three first day covers (FDCs).  Empty first day covers (without stamps or cancellations) were sold for 400 Kyats each.

Additionally, Myanmar Post released a large-format special edition FDC in a limited run of only 200 covers, which were presented as gifts to officials. A notable stamp error was discovered by U Maw Lwin Sein—on one sheet, the bottom row of five stamps was imperforate due to a missing row of perforation.

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 5 Sep 2022
Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)
Printing Process : Offset
Stamp Size and Format : 42 mm x 30 mm (Horizontal)
Color : 4
Perforation : 14
Denomination : K200
Sheet Composition :  50 Stamps per Sheet
Quantity : 100,000 pc per design
Designer : The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Conversation of Myanmar

First Day Covers

Official FDC 1

Official FDC 2

Official FDC 3

Royal Mail Issues "DEC Myanmar Earthquake Appeal" Slogan Postmark

At 12:50:52 Myanmar Time on 28 March 2025, a devastating earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck the Sagaing Region of Myanmar. The epicenter was located near Mandalay, the nation’s second-largest city. It was the most powerful earthquake to hit Myanmar since 1912 and ranks as the second deadliest in the country's modern era. The quake caused severe destruction throughout Myanmar and led to significant damage in neighboring Thailand. Urgent humanitarian assistance is needed for those affected.

In support of relief efforts, Royal Mail has teamed up with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to help raise awareness and encourage public donations. To mark this campaign, a special slogan postmark is being used on UK mail. The slogan features the message "DEC Myanmar Earthquake Appeal" enclosed in a box, with the line "DONATE NOW AT DEC.ORG.UK" printed directly beneath.

Mockup slogan dated 05-05-2025

The Norvic Philatelics Blog has shared several examples of this postmark, seen on mail processed at Mount Pleasant Mail Centre and dated 2 April 2025, Bristol Mail Centre dated 3 April 2025 and Peterborough Mail Centre on 5 April 2025. The example I acquired was processed from North & West Yorkshire on 2 April 2025.  According to Norvic Philatelics Blog, the postmark may have been used for a short period only, probably until 10 April 2025.

Red Lacewing - Myanmar Butterfly Species

Myanmar Post issued final stamp of the Myanmar Butterflies Species Stamp Series on 19 Mar 2025. It features Red Lacewing (Cethosia biblis). Myanmar Post issued the official FDC (blank) and sold at 600 Kyats each.  The info card was also sold at 600 Kyats.  Collectors also made their own first day covers, maximum cards and album pages.  

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 19 Mar 2025
Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)
Printing Process : Offset
Stamp Size and Format : 42 mm x 30 mm (Horizontal)
Color : 4
Perforation : 14
Denomination : K200
Sheet Composition :  50 Stamps per Sheet
Quantity : 200,000 pc
Subject Matter Consultants : Dr Khin San Wai (Entomologist), Dr Thein Aung (Ornithologist)
Design Consultants : Kyaw Myo Naing, Academy Zinyaw Mg Mg (Film), Thiha Lwin (TMH), U Aung Ko (Philatelist)
Artist : Cho San Lin
Graphic Designer : Ahmonoo 

First Day Covers

Official FDC

Private FDC by U Sein Min

Costumes ~ Yatanarbon

Last set of costume series was issued on 29 Jun 2022.  The set includes two stamps depicting man and woman in Yatanarbon era costumes. No official FDCs and folding cards were sold.  Collectors made their own FDCs and maxicards.

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue : 29 Jun 2022
Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)
Printing Process : Offset
Stamp Size and Format : 30 mm x 42 mm (Horizontal)
Color : 4
Perforation : 14
Denomination : K200 two designs
Sheet Composition :  50 Stamps per Sheet
Quantity : xxx,xxx pc per design
Stamp Designers : U Aung Than Htay, Prof Myat Tun Aung

First Day Cover

Private FDC by U Sein Minn

Private FDC by U Chan Myae Aung

"Postage Stamps of Myanmar" Now Available in English

For those who follow Myanmar philatelic literature, you may recall a Burmese-language book published in 2018 titled Postage Stamps of Myanmar. Written by U Kyaw Myint Maung and published by U Thiha Lwin (TMH), the book has been a valuable resource for collectors.

Now, in an exciting development, the book has been translated into English by Daw Mra Hnin Si, with the English edition officially released in October 2024.

Book Details:

Title: Postage Stamps of Myanmar
Author: U Kyaw Myint Maung
Publisher: U Thiha Lwin (TMH)
ISBN: 978-99986-57-24-3
Price: $28 per copy
Pages: 327 (full-color)
Binding: Hardcover with dust jacket
Bonus: Includes a bookmark with an actual stamp insert

Unlike many traditional philatelic catalogs, this book focuses on the historical narratives behind Myanmar’s postage stamps. It explores the background events depicted on stamps issued from 1937—when Myanmar was still under British rule—through to the latest 2024 butterfly-themed issues.

This marks the eighth book by U Kyaw Myint Maung, further cementing his contributions to the field of Myanmar philately. The quality of this edition, with its detailed historical insights and premium design, makes it an essential reference for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Congratulations to both the author and publisher on this remarkable achievement!

Costumes ~ Konbaung

The fourth set of costume series was issued on 2 Mar 2022.  The set includes two stamps depicting man and woman in Konbaung era costumes. No official FDCs and folding cards were sold.  Collectors made their own FDCs and maxicards.

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue : 2 March 2022
Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)
Printing Process : Offset
Stamp Size and Format : 30 mm x 42 mm (Horizontal)
Color : 4
Perforation : 14
Denomination : K200 two designs
Sheet Composition :  50 Stamps per Sheet
Quantity : 300,000 pc per design
Stamp Designers : U Aung Than Htay, Prof Myat Tun Aung

First Day Covers

Private FDC by U Sein Minn

Private FDC by U Sein Minn

74th Anniversary of Independence Day

On 4th Jan 2022, Myanmar Post issued a set of stamps comprising of three stamps to commemorate 74th anniversary of Independence Day as issued in every year.  Myanmar Post sold three types of covers with cachets (same designs as the stamps issued).  No official FDCs were sold for this issue.

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue : 4 January 2025
Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)
Printing Process : Offset
Stamp Size and Format : 42 mm x 30 mm (Horizontal)
Color : 4
Perforation : 14
Denomination : K200
Sheet Composition :  50 Stamps per Sheet
Quantity : 300,000 pc per design
Stamp Designers : Ministry of Information

First Day Covers

Private FDC by U Gabriel Latt

76th Anniversary of Union Day

Myanmar Post issued a stamp to commemorate 76th anniversary of Union Day (12 Feb 2023).  The graphics elements of the stamps include the ethnic nationals in related costumes and the Panglong Independence monument.

Specifications of the stamp

Date of issue: 12 Feb 2023
Printer: Security Printing Works (Myanmar)
Printing Process: Offset
Stamp Size: 42mm x 30mm
Color: 4
Perforation: 14
Denomination: K200
Sheet Composition: 50 stamps per sheet
Quantity: 300,000 pcs
Designer: Myanmar Post

First Day Covers

Official FDC

Green Spotted Triangle - Myanmar Butterfly Species

Myanmar Post issued 10th stamp of the Myanmar Butterflies Species Stamp Series on 1 Feb 2025. It features Green Spotted Triangle or tailed green jay (Graphium agamennon). Myanmar Post issued the official FDC (blank) and sold at 600 Kyats each.  The info card was also sold at 600 Kyats.  Collectors also made their own first day covers, maximum cards and album pages.  

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 1 Feb 2025
Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)
Printing Process : Offset
Stamp Size and Format : 42 mm x 30 mm (Horizontal)
Color : 4
Perforation : 14
Denomination : K200
Sheet Composition :  50 Stamps per Sheet
Quantity : 200,000 pc
Subject Matter Consultants : Dr Khin San Wai (Entomologist), Dr Thein Aung (Ornithologist)
Design Consultants : Kyaw Myo Naing, Academy Zinyaw Mg Mg (Film), Thiha Lwin (TMH), U Aung Ko (Philatelist)
Artist : Cho San Lin
Graphic Designer : Ahmonoo 

First Day Covers

Official FDC

Malaysia Assumes 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship with Commemorative Stamps: A Note for Burmanica Collectors

On January 1, 2025, Malaysia officially took over the ASEAN chairmanship, marking its fifth time leading the regional bloc since ASEAN’s founding in 1967. To commemorate this occasion, Malaysia issued two special stamps and a miniature sheet, celebrating its leadership role.

For Burmanica collectors, a key highlight of this issue is the depiction of the Myanmar flag on the margin of both the stamp sheet and miniature sheet, alongside the flags of other ASEAN member nations.

Additionally, official First Day Covers (FDCs) and Maximum Cards were released. One of the maxicard designs features the Myanmar flag, making it a notable item for collectors. While the flag does not appear directly on the stamp itself, its presence on the margin adds significant value to the Burmanica collection.

This issue presents a great opportunity for collectors of ASEAN-themed philately.

22nd Olympic Games of 1980

Burma Post issued a set of three stamps featuring sports to commemorate the 22nd Olympic Games, commonly known as the Moscow Olympic Stamps. These stamps were released on 21 July 1980 and printed by Wazi Security Printing Works in Myanmar. The stamps were produced using the offset lithography printing method, perforated at 14, and measured 42 x 30 mm. Each sheet comprised 50 stamps arranged in 5 columns and 10 rows, printed on unwatermarked white wove paper with white gum.

The issue was delayed by two days, originally scheduled for 19 July 1980, due to international political controversy surrounding the games, particularly the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. However, all first-day covers (FDCs) were pre-canceled with the date 19 July 1980 before the actual release.

77th Anniversary of Independence Day

On 4th Jan 2025, Myanmar Post issued a set of stamps comprising of three stamps to commemorate 77th anniversary of Independence Day.  Myanmar Post sold three types of covers with cachets (same designs as the stamps issued).  Starting from this issue, Myanmar Post increased the price of cacheted envelopes to 600 Kyats per pcs.

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue : 4 January 2025
Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)
Printing Process : Offset
Stamp Size and Format : 42 mm x 30 mm (Horizontal)
Color : 4
Perforation : 14
Denomination : K200
Sheet Composition :  50 Stamps per Sheet
Quantity : 200,000 pc per design
Stamp Designers : Ministry of Information

FDCs

Official FDC 1

Official FDC 2

Official FDC 3

Private FDC by U Sein Minn