"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!

The Burma StaMPS Volume 3

The Myanmar Philatelic Society launched the quarterly publication of the brand-new "The Burma StaMPS" journal in 2022, which also serves as the society's newsletter. The journal is edited by Ko Toe, who hopes that publishing it in the Burmese language will attract new collectors to the hobby of philately and keep the society active and engaged.

Each issue contains 20 pages and is printed in full color. The final issue of each year, released in October, features a captivating compilation of articles centered around a single theme. In 2024, the chosen theme is "Maximaphily," aimed at introducing members to the creation and collection of maximum cards.

In 2024, four issues were published in January, April, July, and October. Digital copies of the journal are distributed to MPS members free of charge. The editor has compiled the four issues, along with a contents list, author index, subject index, and post office index, into a softbound printed book, comprising a total of 108 pages.

The first two volumes of "The Burma StaMPS" journal have received the following awards:

Volume 1: Silver Bronze (TAIPEI 2023, FIAP), Silver (THAILAND 2023, FIP)
Volume 2: Silver Bronze (JAKARTA 2024, FIAP), Silver (CHINA 2024, FIAP)

Kaiser - Myanmar Butterfly Species

Myanmar Post issued 9th stamp of the Myanmar Butterflies Species Stamp Series on 6 Dec 2024. It features Kaiser (Teinopalpus imperialis imperatrix). Myanmar Post issued the official FDC (blank) and sold at 400 Kyats each.  The info card was also sold at 400 Kyats.  Collectors also made their own first day covers, maximum cards and album pages.  

This stamp is the second last stamp in this series and two more stamps to be issued in 2025.

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 6 December 2024
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

Information Card

100th Anniversary of Myanmar Engineering Education

The introduction of engineering education in Myanmar began in 1923 with the establishment of the Engineering Department under Rangoon University. This department became the Faculty of Engineering, and in 1924, it inaugurated the B.Sc. (Engg.) degree program in Civil Engineering during the British colonial period. In 1961, a separate engineering university was established and named the Burma Institute of Technology (BIT). In 1964, it was renamed Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT).

In 1990, the institution was again renamed Yangon Institute of Technology (YIT) before becoming Yangon Technological University (YTU) in 1999, located west of Gyogone. Until the founding of Mandalay Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1991, YTU and RIT were the only engineering universities in the country.

In 2000, a new technical education system was introduced, which involved a five-year program following matriculation. This program consisted of two years for a Diploma, two years for a Bachelor of Technology, and one year for a Bachelor of Engineering. Several Government Technical Institutes (GTIs) were either closed or upgraded to Technological Universities (TUs), leaving only one GTI in operation nationwide.

In 2012, YTU and Mandalay Technological University (MTU) restarted undergraduate programs offering a six-year Bachelor of Engineering degree. In 2024, it is celebrating 100th Anniversary of Myanmar Engineering Education. Myanmar Post issued a stamp to commemorate the event.

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 21 November 2024
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
Designer: Ministry of Science and Technology

For this issue, there is no official FDC issued. Collectors produced their private covers.

White Dragon - Myanmar Butterfly Species

Myanmar Post issued 8th stamp of the Myanmar Butterflies Species Stamp Series on 11 Nov 2024. It features White Dragon (Lamproptera curius curius). Myanmar Post issued the official FDC (blank) and sold at 400 Kyats each.  The info card was also sold at 400 Kyats.  Collectors also made their own first day covers, maximum cards and album pages.  

Stamp Design

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 11 November 2024
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

150th Anniversary of UPU

In 2024, the Universal Postal Union marks its 150th anniversary. In October 9, 1874, representatives from 22 countries convened to sign the Treaty of Bern, establishing the General Postal Union, which would later be known as the Universal Postal Union (UPU). A century and a half later, the UPU connects the postal networks of 192 member countries, fulfilling its founders’ vision of creating a unified postal territory to serve people worldwide.

The theme for the UPU’s 150th year – “150 years of enabling communication and empowering peoples across nations” – celebrates this achievement and underscores its ongoing commitment to serving people across the globe for generations to come. To celebrate its 150th Anniversary, UPU distributed common design for stamp, FDC and maxicards.  

Myanmar Post also issued a stamp, using the common design, on 9 Oct 2024.

Stamp Design

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 9 October 2024
Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)
Printing Process : Offset
Stamp Size and Format : 30 mm x 42 mm (Vertical)
Color : 4
Perforation : 14
Denomination : K200
Sheet Composition :  50 Stamps per Sheet
Quantity : 200,000 pc
Designer: UPU

First Day Covers

Official FDC

Private FDC by U Sein Minn

Private FDC by U Sein Minn

Blue Pansy - Myanmar Butterfly Species

Myanmar Post issued 7th stamp of the Myanmar Butterflies Species Stamp Series on 9 Sept 2024. It features Blue Pansy (Junonia orithya). Myanmar Post issued the official FDC (blank) and sold at 400 Kyats each.  The info card was also sold at 400 Kyats.  Collectors also made their own first day covers, maximum cards and album pages.  

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 9 September 2024
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 

FDC

Official FDC

Information Card

ASEAN Post Stamp

On 8th August 2024, all the member country of ASEAN issued the stamps to commemorate the 57th anniversary of founding of ASEAN.  All the stamps shared the same theme of "General Post Office". 

Regarding cooperation in issuing stamp with ASEAN Members' General Post Offices, the Myanmar Post issued this stamp with the image of Naypyitaw Centraal Post Office, with 200 Kyats denomination.  Total of 200,000 pcs is printed.  It is in horizontal format (42 mm x 30 mm).

Myanmar FDCs

Official FDC

Private FDC by U Sein Min

I will slowly update the images of other ASEAN countries in this post.

Peacock Pansy - Myanmar Butterfly Species

Myanmar Post issued sixth stamp of the Myanmar Butterflies Species Stamp Series on 31 Jul 2024. It features Peacock Pansy (Junonia almana). Myanmar Post issued the official FDC (blank) and sold at 400 Kyats each.  The info card was also sold at 400 Kyats.  Collectors also made their own first day covers, maximum cards and album pages.  

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 31 July 2024

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 

JAKARTA 2024 Asian International Stamp Exhibition

Jakarta 2024 was held from July 3 to 7, 2024, at Pos Bloc Jakarta. Pos Bloc Jakarta is a historical building; it was the first post office in Jakarta, then known as Kantor Filateli Jakarta (Jakarta Philatelic Office).

Jakarta 2024 involved 24 countries with a total of 241 exhibits comprising 1036 frames. Myanmar submitted three exhibits. Toe Kyaw Kyar's exhibit "British Burma Postal Stationeries 1857 - 1937" scored 80 points and won a Vermeil medal award. Additionally, his one-frame exhibit titled "Prepaid Propaganda Postcards of Burma (1964-1972)" scored 72 points in the One Frame Class. Myanmar Philatelic Society's journal, "The Burma StaMPS Volume 2 (2023)," scored 67 points and won a Silver Bronze medal award.

First Day Cover Seminar

Myanmar Philatelic Society donated a "Burmese Harp Model" as a special prize, which was awarded to an exhibitor from China.  Along with the exhibition, philatelic seminars were also held. I attended the "First Day Cover" seminar and the "Picture Postcard" seminar, both presented by Glen Stafford. Additionally, I attended the FIAP Exco meeting as an observer, which was held from 2 to 4 PM on July 6, 2024.

FIAP Exco Meeting

Common Rose - Myanmar Butterfly Species

Myanmar Post issued fifth stamp of the Myanmar Butterflies Species Stamp Series on 20 Jun 2024. It features Common Rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae gloiopeltis). Myanmar Post issued the official FDC (blank) and sold at 400 Kyats each.  The info card was also sold at 400 Kyats.  Collectors also made their own first day covers, maximum cards and album pages.  

Stamp Design

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 20 June 2024
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 Minn

Return to Sender Due to Conflicts in Myanmar

Since the 2021 military coup, Myanmar has descended into a full-scale conflict. Revolution forces have been gaining strength, progressively taking control of more areas and towns. As a result, the territories under the control of the military junta have been shrinking.  The ongoing conflict has severely disrupted postal services. Many regions have become inaccessible to mail carriers, leading the postal service to mark undeliverable mail with "Please make it Return to Sender and cite "Road Closures" as the reason.

Type I

Usually, these marks are applied at the Yangon or Mandalay mail exchange centers. The instruction given to the foreign postal mail exchange (FPME) is to "Please make it 'Return to Sender'." This allows the FPME to return the undeliverable mail to the originating countries overseas.

Type II

There have been instances where mail intended for areas no longer controlled by the military has been found, but it remains unclear whether these items were returned to the sender or simply discarded. So far, two such examples have been documented, and it is likely that more will surface as the situation continues to evolve.

Painted Jezebel - Myanmar Butterfly Species

Myanmar Post issued fourth stamp of the Myanmar Butterflies Species Stamp Series on 5 May 2024. It features Painted Jezebel (Delias hyparete metarte). Myanmar Post issued the official FDC (blank) and sold at 400 Kyats each.  Collectors also made their own first day covers, maximum cards and album pages.  U Sun Myint Win produced the butterfly shape postcard as in previous stamps.  

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 5 May 2024
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

Parcel Insurance service introduced

Myanmar Post has partnered with First National Insurance (General), abbreviated as FNI, to introduce a parcel insurance service. This service commenced on November 1, 2023. The insurance fee is calculated at 1.25% of the insured value. For example, if you wish to insure a parcel valued at 1000 Kyats, an insurance fee of 12.5 Kyats will be added to the postage cost. It's important to note that this service is applicable only to domestic parcels.

Registered mail with PACEL INSURANCE label

Common Yellow Swallowtail - Myanmar Butterfly Species

Myanmar Post issued third stamp of the Myanmar Butterflies Species Stamp Series on 10 Apr 2024. It features Common Yellow Swallowtail (Papilio machaon). Myanmar Post issued the official FDC (blank) and sold at 400 Kyats each.  Collectors also made their own first day covers, maximum cards and album pages.  U Sun Myint Win produced the butterfly shape postcard also.

Stamp Design

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 10 Apr 2024
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

Official Infocard

Common Bluebottle - Myanmar Butterfly Species

Myanmar Post issued second stamp of the Myanmar Butterflies Species Stamp Series on 27 Mar 2024. It features Common Bluebottle (Graphium sarpedon luctatius). Myanmar Post issued the official FDC (blank) and sold at 400 Kyats each.  Collectors also made their own first day covers, maximum cards and album pages.  Notably, U Sun Myint Win produced the butterfly shape postcard as in first stamp.

Stamp Design

One issue with the stamp design is wrong spelling of the scientific name.  The middle word in scientific name should be sarpedon instead of sapedon.  This error was spotted by U Khin Maung Yee.  More than that, many production flaws are also recorded. Most flaws are broken characters in the denomination.

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 27 Mar 2024
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

Shape postcard produced by U Sun Myint Win

Official Info Card

The Golden Birdwing - Myanmar Butterflies Series

Myanmar Post issued first butterfly stamp of the Myanmar Butterflies Stamp Series on 1 Feb 2024.  The first stamp features The Golden Birdwing (Troides aeacus thomsani).  They can be found in India and in central Myanmar, primarily in the Poppa Region. Females lay eggs and breed on a traditional medicinal plant called Aithramuni. The wingspan ranges from 110 to 130 mm, with velvety black forewings featuring strongly concave termen margins and whitish vein stripes. The yellow hindwing has two marginal black spots resembling teeth and is less dusted with black towards the tornal area.

This butterfly is a powerful flier, often seen away from its jungle habitats. Its flight is rapid, and it can be easily spotted hovering over flowers or settling on damp sand. In South India, it can be found year-round at elevations between approximately 1,000 and 7,000 feet, while in North India it is found up to 5,000 feet. It is frequently observed in gardens.

Myanmar Post issued the official FDC (blank) and sold at 400 Kyats each.  Collectors also made their own first day covers, maximum cards and album pages.  Notably, U Sun Myint Win produced the butterfly shape postcard.

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue: 1 Feb 2024
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 by Myanmar Post

FDC by U Sein Min

Postcard by U Sein Min

Butterfly shape postcard by U Sun Myint Win

The list of twelve stamps designed for production is:
Golden Birdwing [Trides aeacus thomsani]

Common Bluebottle [Graphium sarpedon luctatius]

Common Yellow Swallowtail [Papilio machaon]

Painted Jezebel [Delias hyparete metarete]

Common Rose [Pachliopta aristolochiae goniopeltis]

Peacock Pansy [Junonia almanac]

Blue Pansy [Junonia orithya]

Monarch [Danais Plexippus]

White Dragon [Lampropteta curius curius]

Kaiser [Teinopalpus imperialis imperatix]

Green Spotted Triangle [Graphium agamennon]

Red Lacewing [Cethosia biblis]

One of the design was not approved by the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry (Myanmar). So, among twelve, only 11 will be issued.

76th Anniversary of Independence Day

On 4th Jan 2024, Myanmar Post issued a set of stamps comprising of three stamps to commemorate 76th anniversary of Independence Day.  Myanmar Post sold three types of covers with cachets (same designs as the stamps issued) at 400 Kyats each.

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue : 4 January 2024
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