(Continued from Page 7 Final Map Stamps and Conclusion The last map stamps that will be ‘mentioned are postage due stamps issued in 1986. They are valued from Ip to 25p. The 25p value is shown in. Figure 45 (Scott J6). TRISTAN, This concludes our visit to Tristan B DA CUNHA da Cunha. [hope you enjoyed leaning about the islands, its history, and people. # References and Sources Official Tristan da Cunha we Website (tristande.com Figure 12: 1534 - Gaspar Viegas — Map of the Atlantic Qoean ..J—Arcaixa & Arcaxam — HT Figure 45, Seott 56. stan da Cunha Figure 14: world_1595_mural_Ig__42161.1560357339 jps (3000«2134) (bigcommerce.com) Figure 16: Pascaarte vande Zee custen van Guinea, en Brasilia; van Cabo de Verde, toi C. de Bona Esperanca: en van R. de Amazones tot Rio de La Plata - Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps Inc, (raremaps.com) Does Tristan da Cunha have the world's weirdest place names? - Big Think Crawford, Allan B. (1999). Penguins, Potatoes & Postage ‘Stamps. Anthony Nelson, Mueller, Michael D. and Dr. Peter P. McCann (Eds.) (2006). Thirty Years of St Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da (Cunha Philately. St. Helena, Ascension & Tristan da Cunha Philatelic Society Why Israel's Map has Never Appeared on its Stamps Elchanan A. Bar-Lev, Ph.D. Every novice stamp collector is familiar with many map stamps, issued by nations across the globe, Most nations are keen to proudly display their lands and borders on postal stamps. For instance, all ex-Sovict territories wasted no time after getting their freedom from Russia to issue stamps with maps of their countries. Even unrecognized teritories, such as, Abkhazia, did so. Kosovo, a country that struggles to be fully recognized by the international community, issued @ map on is flag, and ‘many ofits stamps display that map. Bosnia & Herzegovina, another Balkan state, has three separate governing bodies (Muslim, Serb & Croatian). And yet, collectors are familiar with map stamps of that country, ‘But one country is unique in that sense: the | state of Israel. Ever since its independence in 1948, Israel has never issued a detailed ‘map stamp of its territory. A few months before Israel's independence, the Jewish "National Fund (a body that issues stamps mainly for development purposes) issued a stamp that showed the "partition borders” Figure 1: Fund of the Jewish and Arabic states in raising stamp issued Palestine that were authorized by UN. by the Jewish National. resolution 181 on Fund. ‘November 29, 1947 Figure 1), Aer the British mandate was about to expire, from carly March to May 16, 1948, INF stamps ‘were also used for mail delivery (marked as "post"). After Israel's independence, a stamp of the national map appeared in 1951 Bonds issue (Figure 2, Scott 45), but thes lines ofthe Israeli borders, plus eliminating the eastern 1949 cease-fire lines, require a profound imagination to match it with the actual twisted border lines. ‘The map on Issued to promote sale of, bonds. SS | the tab of that issue isa better map, but the AR image is not detailed enough to be | regarded as a proper state map and is {attached only tothe lower row of each sheet, Another undetailed map is shown on the tab of 1950 Negev stamp (Figure 3, Scott 25), but it shows only that part of {southern Ital, soit can't be regarded as & i {state map." Other than these two early issues ~ nothing to brag about. No “real” ‘map stamps. Figure 3:Israel__Why then, during the 18 years of the ‘Seatt25. cease-fire lines period (1949-1967) there is “he Negev by no stamp that clearly shows the country’s borders? There are some possible explanations: |. A.cease-fir line is nota final border for any country, let ‘alone one that is surrounded by hostile neighbors. A stamp that depicts such lines creates a possible action to formalize these lines and make them permanent. 2. Israel's leadership during that period was "havkis today’s terminology, and didn’t regard these lines as permanent. An exception to that was Moshe Sharet’s short tenure as Prime Minister (after David Ben-Gurion left office and setled in the Negev desert), but that period was too short to impact the stamp policy. 3. Despite 1949 cease-fire agreements with the Arab states, ‘most countries don't recognize Israel's borders and Jerusalem as Israels capital. While four countries, including the U.S. have embassies in Jerusalem, most countries established their embassies in other locations, mainly Tel Aviv. Thus, issuing a map-stamp showing borders could ignite an international uproar for no reason. ‘Some countries presented stamps depicting borders ofthe territory, but all showed no Jewish state within those borders, but only a Palestinian one. Notably two countries that since issuing them signed peace treaties with Israel - a 1991 Jordanian stamp (Figure 4, Seott 1411), and a 1960 stamp from, Egypt (as UAR) (Figure 5, Scott 514). (coninuedon Page 9 Pace 8 ‘Tae New CarToPHTaTELisr, Nummer 79, OCTOBER 2022Sn van saan! VO: Figure 4: Jordan Scott 1411 Palestinian Uprising. World Refugee Year. AA Syrian stamp of 1968 (Figure 6, Scott $11 is from another neighbor. Some distant countries contributed maps showing Arab desired hegemony —a 1967 Kuwaiti stamp owes (Figure 7, Scott 370), and a 2014 Algerian stamp, of which First day ‘Cover shows the shrinking territory within Jordan river to the sea area that the Palestinians dominate Figure 8, {Scott 1638). Since the 1967 Six Day War, Israel's borders have moved according to agreements that are signed from time to In 1975, U.S. foreign secretary ager pushed Israel to withdraw from Wester Sinai, and after the 1979 peace treaty with Egypt, the Figure 6: Syria whole of Sinai Peninsula was evacuated Palestine Day. by Israel. In the 1990s, because of the 1993 Osio peace accord with PLO, the Palestinian Authority was created, and territories within West Bank and Gaza strip were taken from Israel's control. In 2005 Israel withdrew completely from the Gaza strip ("Un-engagement plan"). ‘The Golan Heights, although proclaimed by law as Israel's territory in 1981, is not regarded as such by most countries (except the U.S., which recognized Israel's sovereignty there in 2018). ‘The idea of issuing an Israeli stamp ‘map seems more impossible than ever. ‘Let's imagine a mecting of a government ‘committe that tries to decide what lines willbe drawn on a new detailed map- stamp issue. There are no less than four possible choices for border lines on that Figure 7 Kuwait ‘Seott 370 UN Day Palestine Day. Stamp: 1, The June 4, 1967, lines, a choice that most countries aecept and recognize. However, these lines are no longer valid for most Israclis. The Golan Heights territory was, annexed as mentioned before, and so were Jerusalem neighborhoods beyond those lines, the Gush Etzion region (@ Jewish region before the 1948 war), Ariel region, etc 2. The June 44, 1967, lines include West-Bank Jewish settlements that are coded "C Areas” in the second Oslo ‘Accord with the Palestinians (signed in Washington on September 28, 1995). But until these areas are formally annexed to Israel (fit ever happens), i's impossible to depict them on maps and certainly not on stamps as part of the Israeli state, 3. Israel plus the areas within the "Partition Wall” between the two entities. As of today, this wall has no status of an agreed border, so it cant be used for marking Israel's caster line. Thus issuing a stamp depicting this line is unacceptable, 4, Israel that includes the West Bank — from the Jordan River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west — this hypothetical move is quite impossible, as no country (even the US.) will accept it as legitimate, So issuing such @ stamp is unthinkable. ‘We leamed that political sensitivities before the 1967 war avoided issuing stamps that show detailed maps of Israel. The current national and political situation guarantees that no change is foreseeable in the near future. Collectors will have to bee very patient until seeing such stamps in their albums. + a e etanoecnn ha 3 ea Figure 8: Algeria Scott 1638 Palestinian Unity. About the author: Plchanan A. Bar-Lev, Ph.D. stamp collector since 1961 E-Mail: charlev@smail,com retired Israeli educator, and a Important! Join the CPS Discussion Group! ‘The CPS Members Only Discussion Group ("group") isa valuable tool for sharing new map stamp finds, asking questions, and ‘communicating general Society news. However, only $6 of our members have joined the group. The CPS Officers see the group becoming the primary means of convenient and timely electronic communication for the Society. ‘The group works using email. A message sent to the "group address" is delivered to all group members. The group is managed as a "private Google Group.” To join the group, please review the Etiquette Rules, then using the contact form, send the email addres participating in the discussions. ‘Take a minute and join now! s you wish to use fo our web admin Reese Plews and he will register you to the group and provide instructions for ‘Tue New CartoPimareuist, NUMBER 79, OCTOBER 2022 PAGE 9)