As 2024 comes to an end, it's time for a brief review of philatelic activity, as I (and some of my colleagues) see it. The year was filled with many validations, exhibitions, and other philatelic events.1. General philatelic information about the postal issues for 2024
The thematic plan for 2024 was 100% implemented. The Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Bulgarian Philately and Numismatics Society (BPS) validated 34 postal issues compared to 45 postal issues for 2023, which is a 25% decrease. They included the following:
- 20 individual stamps;
- 14 stamps in a block;
- 10 pieces of block sheets (or mini-sheets);
- 2 illustrated envelopes;
- 2 illustrated postcards;
- 10 first-day envelopes;
- 3 pieces of booklet.
We can divide the publications by topic as follows:
- 18 postal issues related to anniversaries - 53% of the issues.
- 16 postal issues related to various topics outside of anniversaries (flora, fauna, Europe, transport, Christmas, etc.) - 47% of the issues.
The thematic plan for 2024 was 100% implemented. The Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Bulgarian Philately and Numismatics Society (BPS) validated 34 postal issues compared to 45 postal issues for 2023, which is a 25% decrease. They included the following:
- 20 individual stamps;
- 14 stamps in a block;
- 10 pieces of block sheets (or mini-sheets);
- 2 illustrated envelopes;
- 2 illustrated postcards;
- 10 first-day envelopes;
- 3 pieces of booklet.
We can divide the publications by topic as follows:
- 18 postal issues related to anniversaries - 53% of the issues.
- 16 postal issues related to various topics outside of anniversaries (flora, fauna, Europe, transport, Christmas, etc.) - 47% of the issues.
Validation statistics by city:
- Sofia - 18 validations
- Dobrich - 5 validations
- Plovdiv - 4 validations
- Shumen - 2 validations
- Ruse - 1 validation
- Pleven - 1 validation
- Kyustendil - 1 validation
- Lyaskovets - 1 validation
- Dobrich - 5 validations
- Plovdiv - 4 validations
- Shumen - 2 validations
- Ruse - 1 validation
- Pleven - 1 validation
- Kyustendil - 1 validation
- Lyaskovets - 1 validation
- Capital - 18 validations
- Province - 15 validations
- Province - 15 validations
2. Artistic design of postal issues for 2024
Unlike the previous year, in 2024 we enjoyed much more beautiful and factually correct editions. The opinion is not only mine, but also that of my fellow philatelists. I was strongly impressed by the edition "The Architecture of Sofia" produced by Professor Plamen Valchev. Unlike the last editions produced by him, this one stood out with clear and well-defined elements. Of course, we must also praise the work of Assoc. Prof. Nenko Atanasov on the publications "Dobrich Filex 2024" and "Four Seasons", Lyuba Tomova for "100 Years of Marlon Brando's Birth", Todor Angeliev for "A Dog to Help Man" and "75 Years of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Bulgaria and the People's Republic of China", as well as Assoc. Prof. Stoyan Dechev, Prof. Viktor Paunov, Angelina Konzova, Simona Kozhuharova, Zhivka Raykova, Boyana Pavlova, Assoc. Prof. Teodor Liho, Tahsin Ahmed, Nevena Koleva, Petar Chuchuligov, Assoc. Prof. Iliya Gruev, Maya Staykova, Simeon Krastev, Assoc. Prof. Atanas Atansov, Ventsislav Yordanov, Emilio Borata, Krasimir Andreev, Emilian Stankev, Svetlin Balezdrov, Nikolay Petrusenko, Kapka Kaneva, Ivan Kashlakov and Damyan Damyanov - a total of 27 artists.
Unlike the previous year, in 2024 we enjoyed much more beautiful and factually correct editions. The opinion is not only mine, but also that of my fellow philatelists. I was strongly impressed by the edition "The Architecture of Sofia" produced by Professor Plamen Valchev. Unlike the last editions produced by him, this one stood out with clear and well-defined elements. Of course, we must also praise the work of Assoc. Prof. Nenko Atanasov on the publications "Dobrich Filex 2024" and "Four Seasons", Lyuba Tomova for "100 Years of Marlon Brando's Birth", Todor Angeliev for "A Dog to Help Man" and "75 Years of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Bulgaria and the People's Republic of China", as well as Assoc. Prof. Stoyan Dechev, Prof. Viktor Paunov, Angelina Konzova, Simona Kozhuharova, Zhivka Raykova, Boyana Pavlova, Assoc. Prof. Teodor Liho, Tahsin Ahmed, Nevena Koleva, Petar Chuchuligov, Assoc. Prof. Iliya Gruev, Maya Staykova, Simeon Krastev, Assoc. Prof. Atanas Atansov, Ventsislav Yordanov, Emilio Borata, Krasimir Andreev, Emilian Stankev, Svetlin Balezdrov, Nikolay Petrusenko, Kapka Kaneva, Ivan Kashlakov and Damyan Damyanov - a total of 27 artists.
3. Ministry of Transport and Communications and Specialized Expert Council on Brand Issuance
In the past year 2024, the Ministry of Transport and Communications and in particular the Specialized Expert Council on Stamp Issuance fulfilled the Thematic Plan for the year by 100%. The Thematic Plan for 2025 was prepared on time, which includes 26 postal issues, but as everyone knows, they will increase this year. At the beginning of the year, an amendment to Regulation No. 1 of 2006 was adopted "On the terms and procedure for issuing and putting into use postage stamps, postal products and special postage stamps and for withdrawing from use postage stamps". During the year, 2 meetings of members of the Specialized Expert Council on Stamp Issuance with philatelists were officially announced (at the two philatelic exhibitions), but both did not take place. The reason is unknown. The postmarks were at least ostensibly used for their intended purpose and for the period set by the Minister.
In the past year 2024, the Ministry of Transport and Communications and in particular the Specialized Expert Council on Stamp Issuance fulfilled the Thematic Plan for the year by 100%. The Thematic Plan for 2025 was prepared on time, which includes 26 postal issues, but as everyone knows, they will increase this year. At the beginning of the year, an amendment to Regulation No. 1 of 2006 was adopted "On the terms and procedure for issuing and putting into use postage stamps, postal products and special postage stamps and for withdrawing from use postage stamps". During the year, 2 meetings of members of the Specialized Expert Council on Stamp Issuance with philatelists were officially announced (at the two philatelic exhibitions), but both did not take place. The reason is unknown. The postmarks were at least ostensibly used for their intended purpose and for the period set by the Minister.
4. Bulgarian Philately and Numismatics Society (BPS)
Bulgarian Posts and in particular the Bulgarian Philately and Numismatics Joint Stock Company (BPS) following the relevant orders of the Minister of Transport successfully printed and validated 34 postal issues in 2024. Traditionally, BPS has not taken any measures to facilitate the purchase of postal issues for philatelists in Bulgaria. This can be justified by the lack of capacity and sufficient knowledge in the management of both BP and BPS. There is an increase in the printing of issues that are much lower in circulation than the small-circulation issues of the Bulgarian Philately and Numismatics Society. As examples, we can cite:
- "Transport: Automobiles from the Mid-20th Century" – four postage stamps, printed on large sheets. Circulation 800 pieces.
- "Dogs helping people" - folder with a circulation of 130 copies.
- "Dogs helping people" - four postage stamps in a block sheet with a double vignette in a circulation of 1200 pieces.
- "Four Seasons" – four postage stamps in a block sheet in a circulation of 1,000 pieces.
- "Olympic Glory 2024" - one postage stamp in a block numbered with consecutive needle numbering (from 1 to 600) and inserted into booklets. Circulation 600 pieces.
- "Bulgarian Football Legends" - one postage stamp in a block numbered with consecutive needle numbering (from 1 to 600) and inserted into booklets. Circulation 600 pieces.
- "Cosmos - 100 years since the announcement of the existence of other galaxies - Edwin Hubble" - four postage stamps in a block sheet in a circulation of 1300 pieces.
This raises the question of what is the low-circulation nature of the SBF's low-circulation editions, since 3,600 copies are published (1,800 of each type).
Bulgarian Posts and in particular the Bulgarian Philately and Numismatics Joint Stock Company (BPS) following the relevant orders of the Minister of Transport successfully printed and validated 34 postal issues in 2024. Traditionally, BPS has not taken any measures to facilitate the purchase of postal issues for philatelists in Bulgaria. This can be justified by the lack of capacity and sufficient knowledge in the management of both BP and BPS. There is an increase in the printing of issues that are much lower in circulation than the small-circulation issues of the Bulgarian Philately and Numismatics Society. As examples, we can cite:
- "Transport: Automobiles from the Mid-20th Century" – four postage stamps, printed on large sheets. Circulation 800 pieces.
- "Dogs helping people" - folder with a circulation of 130 copies.
- "Dogs helping people" - four postage stamps in a block sheet with a double vignette in a circulation of 1200 pieces.
- "Four Seasons" – four postage stamps in a block sheet in a circulation of 1,000 pieces.
- "Olympic Glory 2024" - one postage stamp in a block numbered with consecutive needle numbering (from 1 to 600) and inserted into booklets. Circulation 600 pieces.
- "Bulgarian Football Legends" - one postage stamp in a block numbered with consecutive needle numbering (from 1 to 600) and inserted into booklets. Circulation 600 pieces.
- "Cosmos - 100 years since the announcement of the existence of other galaxies - Edwin Hubble" - four postage stamps in a block sheet in a circulation of 1300 pieces.
This raises the question of what is the low-circulation nature of the SBF's low-circulation editions, since 3,600 copies are published (1,800 of each type).
5. Union of Bulgarian Philatelists
In 2024, members of the Union of Bulgarian Philatelists participated in two international exhibitions:
- "EFIRO 2024" in Bucharest, Romania - from April 16 to 19, 2024;
In 2024, members of the Union of Bulgarian Philatelists participated in two international exhibitions:
- "EFIRO 2024" in Bucharest, Romania - from April 16 to 19, 2024;
- "HAFNIA 24" in Copenhagen, Denmark - from October 17 to 20, 2024;
- "Balkanfila XX" in Thessaloniki, Greece - from November 13 to 16, 2024.
In 2024, on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Philatelic Society, together with Bulgarian Post, organized two philatelic exhibitions:
- "Jubilee Philatelic Exhibition SHUMEN 2024" - Shumen - from June 21 to 23, 2024;
- "Dobrich Filex 2024" - Dobrich - from October 9 to 12, 2024;
On December 3, the Bulgarian Philatelic Society, together with the Bulgarian Post Office, held "Christmas Plovdiv 2024". Two postal issues were validated at the event in the presence of many children and philatelists.
- "Balkanfila XX" in Thessaloniki, Greece - from November 13 to 16, 2024.
In 2024, on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Philatelic Society, together with Bulgarian Post, organized two philatelic exhibitions:
- "Jubilee Philatelic Exhibition SHUMEN 2024" - Shumen - from June 21 to 23, 2024;
- "Dobrich Filex 2024" - Dobrich - from October 9 to 12, 2024;
On December 3, the Bulgarian Philatelic Society, together with the Bulgarian Post Office, held "Christmas Plovdiv 2024". Two postal issues were validated at the event in the presence of many children and philatelists.
During the philatelic exhibitions, the Bulgarian Post Office once again emphasized the work with children and adolescents, which is extremely evident in the organized events in the city of Dobrich, the city of Shumen and the city of Plovdiv. Thanks to the members of the Philatelic Society "Dobrudzha" headed by Eng. Dimitar Chernev and the organized events by the division of "Bulgarian Posts" in Dobrich, hundreds of children from the city were introduced to the magic of the postage stamp. During the Philatelic Exhibition "Dobrich Filex 2024" an extremely bad impression was made by the employee of the Bulgarian Post Office and member of the Stamp Issuance Council, Mrs. Pepa Markova, who, without any legal basis, refused to stamp private first-day covers with the excuse that "Types of materials that are also issued by the Bulgarian Post Office are not stamped" (first-day covers). After an inquiry was made to the Minister of Transport and Communications, it was determined that the employee had unlawfully exceeded her rights as an official. I hope that there will be no such situations in the future.
In 2024, the magazine "Philatelen Pregled" returned to its normal blond color and from August, two issues per month began to be published. The publication of FEPRA catalogs will continue, but outside the subscription to the magazine. The editor and deputy chairman of the Bulgarian Philatelic Society, Mr. Georgi Dechev, also resumed the publication of souvenir editions with zero value, as part of the subscription to "Philatelen Pregled". As of December 19, 2024, 7 souvenir editions have been published.
2024 was also marked by the revival of Maximaphilia in Bulgaria. At the time of writing the publication, 17 types of maximum cards issued during the year are known. About 50% of them - 8 editions were created by me with the enormous help of colleagues from the capital. During the year, the activity of the Maximaphilia Club at the Bulgarian Federation of Bulgarian Football Union was also revived, but the leadership and its Sofia members are extremely incorrect towards some of their colleagues in the province. A separate material will be written about specific cases.
6. Summary information on correspondence with institutions regarding philatelic activity in Bulgaria in 2024.
In 2024, as a citizen, I communicated with the state institutions responsible for philatelic activities in the Republic of Bulgaria as follows:
- 4 inquiries under the Access to Public Information Act (2 to Bulgarian Posts and 2 to the Ministry of Transport and Communications);
- 2 applications to the Chief Executive Officer of Bulgarian Posts.
Unlike the previous year, the number of inquiries submitted is much lower. For 2025, I foresee an emphasis on communication with the Minister of Transport and Communications and the Executive Director of BP in order to improve the brand distribution of Bulgarian Postal Publications.
In 2024, as a citizen, I communicated with the state institutions responsible for philatelic activities in the Republic of Bulgaria as follows:
- 4 inquiries under the Access to Public Information Act (2 to Bulgarian Posts and 2 to the Ministry of Transport and Communications);
- 2 applications to the Chief Executive Officer of Bulgarian Posts.
Unlike the previous year, the number of inquiries submitted is much lower. For 2025, I foresee an emphasis on communication with the Minister of Transport and Communications and the Executive Director of BP in order to improve the brand distribution of Bulgarian Postal Publications.
7. Conclusions and recommendations for 2024.
As I said last time, I am not a super expert in stamp publishing and philately, but here I will write again what my views on development are.
7.1. Regarding the Specialized Expert Council on Stamp Issuance. Unlike 2022 and 2023, there were no erroneous issues issued in 2024. The beauty and quality were at a much higher level. Compliance with the rules regarding the use of first-day stamps is also noticeable, namely their use after the three-day period.
7.2. Bulgarian Philately and Numismatics Association (BPH). As they say - nothing new here. The stamp distribution system is outdated and there is not even a plan to change it. Some of the BPH employees abuse their official position, but let's hope that this is a thing of the past. This is the time to praise the employees in the three Philatelic Shops for their good work and responsiveness to customers (not patients) :) Thank you!
7.3. Union of Bulgarian Philatelists. There is nothing to say here. The Union does what it can with its available resources. Unfortunately, for another year we do not have a large philatelic exhibition on our territory, unlike our neighbors Romania, Serbia and Greece. The lack of digitalization is pulling our country further and further behind in the development of philately. Measures are needed to improve this (creation of a website for the Union, digitization of philatelic literature and why not exhibits, creation of virtual rooms for training young and not so young philatelists, improvement of communication with ordinary members of the Union, etc.).
7.4. Artists and artwork. Unlike previous years, 2024 was marked for the most part by beautiful and factually accurate postage issues. Thanks to them :)
As I said last time, I am not a super expert in stamp publishing and philately, but here I will write again what my views on development are.
7.1. Regarding the Specialized Expert Council on Stamp Issuance. Unlike 2022 and 2023, there were no erroneous issues issued in 2024. The beauty and quality were at a much higher level. Compliance with the rules regarding the use of first-day stamps is also noticeable, namely their use after the three-day period.
7.2. Bulgarian Philately and Numismatics Association (BPH). As they say - nothing new here. The stamp distribution system is outdated and there is not even a plan to change it. Some of the BPH employees abuse their official position, but let's hope that this is a thing of the past. This is the time to praise the employees in the three Philatelic Shops for their good work and responsiveness to customers (not patients) :) Thank you!
7.3. Union of Bulgarian Philatelists. There is nothing to say here. The Union does what it can with its available resources. Unfortunately, for another year we do not have a large philatelic exhibition on our territory, unlike our neighbors Romania, Serbia and Greece. The lack of digitalization is pulling our country further and further behind in the development of philately. Measures are needed to improve this (creation of a website for the Union, digitization of philatelic literature and why not exhibits, creation of virtual rooms for training young and not so young philatelists, improvement of communication with ordinary members of the Union, etc.).
7.4. Artists and artwork. Unlike previous years, 2024 was marked for the most part by beautiful and factually accurate postage issues. Thanks to them :)
Dear colleagues, I hope that this year 2025 will bring us many beautiful postal issues and that each of you will be able to find your own piece of history :) Stay healthy and successful! :)