Wednesday 21 January 2009

Malaysia 2009 - Unique Birds

Pos Malaysia released its first stamp issue for 2009 (unique birds) on January 21, 2009. Three stamps (one design for 30 sen two designs for 50 sen) and a miniature sheet (RM5) were issued. These stamps and miniature sheet are definately gorgeous, and they are the art work of Teh Yew Kiang. One thing which attracts my attention is the miniature sheet. Two species of hornbills are depicted in the miniature sheet - whrethed hornbill and plain-pouched hornbill. For the very first time, these two hornbill species are being depicted in stamps of Malaysia. The plain-pouched hornbill is particularly interesting because, for Malaysia, it has only been recorded in Royal Belum and Temenggor. You may click here to check up other hornbill stamps issued by Malaysia postal authority.

Malaysian Peacock-Pheasant (Polyplectron malacense)

Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea)

Malaysian Whistling Thrush (Myophonus robinsoni)

Wreathed Hornbill (Aceros undulatus) and Plain-Pouched Hornbill (Aceros subruficollis)

PS:
The miniature sheet appears to have a major error - the word of Malaysia is not printed on the stamp area of the miniature sheet. The error seems to have violated the UPU rule. I have learnt that Pos Malaysia has withdrawn the sale of the minature sheet since February 3, 2009.