URU - 2012 - #027 - SERIE - 25TH U.P.U. CONGRESS, DOHA, QATAR

Uruguay - 2012 - 25th U.P.U. Congress, Doha, Qatar

Options:

SERIE --- 3,40 EUR
BLOCK --- 3,40 EUR
FDC not Sent --- 4,50 EUR
FDC Sent on First Day --- 8,00 EUR
COVER Sent on First Day --- 6,00 EUR

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Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: October 6th, 2012
Printed: 10.000 copies

Stamp Shape and Size: Both Rectangular [27 mm. x 39 mm.]
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

Block Configuration: 1 stamp [1 x 1]
Block Shape and Size: Rectangular [79 mm. x 54 mm.]

FDC Type: Special for this issue
FDC Shape and Size: Rectangular [166 mm. x 90 mm.]

Cover Shape and Size: Rectangular [225 mm. x 161 mm.]

Catalogue information:

Michel: No Data Available
Ivert: No Data Available
Scott: No Data Available
Stanley & Gibbons: No Data Available

Topics:

Issue:

This block of a single stamp was issued in commemoration of the 25th U.P.U. Congress that was taking place in Doha, the capital city of Qatar, at the day of it issue, as the congress extrends from September 24th, to October 15th, of 2012..

In the congress took part over 1.500 participants, from the 192 countries members of U.P.U.

The topic for this Congress was: "New world, new strategy", that refers to the great changes in the current postal industry, and the needs of the post office from all the world to adapt to this new scenario. In our digital era, from one side much of the traditional mail is replaced by email, however, in from the other side, digital communications expanded commercial activity which generates more traditional mail needs.

The main result of the Congress was a request from it to the goverments of the 192 countries that integrate that union that adopt the "Postal Strategy of Doha", and define a postal service map for the next four years, that result in the improvement of it quality.

This congress of U.P.U. are held periodically every four years. The first of them took place in Bern, Switzerland, in 1874, and previously to the once commemorated in this issue, was also located in Switzerland, however, not in Bern, it was held by the city of Geneva.

The Universal Postal Union (UPU, French: Union postale universelle) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that coordinates postal policies among member nations, in addition to the worldwide postal system..

The UPU’s headquarters are located in Bern, Switzerland.

Prior to the establishment of the UPU, each country had to prepare a separate postal treaty with other nations it wished to carry international mail to or from. To simplify the complexity of this system, the United States called for an International Postal Congress in 1863. This led Heinrich von Stephan, Royal Prussian and later German Minister for Posts, to found the Universal Postal Union.

The UPU was created in 1874, initially under the name "General Postal Union", as a result of the Treaty of Bern signed on October 9, 1874. Four years later, the name was changed to "Universal Postal Union".

After the foundation of the United Nations, the UPU became a specialized agency of the UN in 1948.

As usual in stamps related with U.P.U., there is the logo of U.P.U., or more precisely a mix of both offical logos or flags. This mix is composed by the classic five people of different cultures giving envelopes one to each other around a sphere that symbolizes the world, surrounded by what it seems to be a laurel crown.

However, the main object in the stamp is a representation of the Fanar, the largest mosque in Qatar, and a prominent landmark of Doha.

Also interesting from this building is that his name "Fanar" means lighthouse. And it seeks as it, to bring light, to show to the humanity the commandments and traditions of islamic religion.

Although that almost all the building is represented by a compositions of envelopes, the minaret of the mosque is shown exaclty as it is, and over a beautiful yellow full moon, in a full of star night sky.

The design of the stamp is completed with the names of Fanar, Doha, and Qatar, both in spanish and Arabic languages. This need confirmation, for Doha and Qatar seems clear, however, for Fanar, the translation difer. Another interesting issue about this, is the right to left orientation of Arabic language it could be seen in the "Doha - Qatar" segment.

Finally, there is what it seems to be a printing error, shown as a black line by the 'Y' letter of Uruguay. There is not a variation in one stamp as it is seen in all stamps known, however, it is not understood it appearence in the aesthetic of the stamp.

Block:

The design of the block adds the image of the Clock Tower, another landmark of Doha, the capital of Qatar.

The Clock Tower is located next to the Grand Mosque, this old clock tower features Arabic numerals on its face, and as is located on a hill, offers some wonderful views of the Corniche.

The design of the block is completed with the logo of the uruguayan post office, with his rising sun over waters.

FDC:

For this issue a special cover was made, using the same representation that is shown in the stamp, of Fanar grand mosque, with his building made of envelopes.

Then the Cancelation of the FDC includes in his design the "Qatar National Convention Centre", the builiding where the U.P.U. Congress took place.

The "Qatar National Convention Centre", was inaugurated on 2012, just a few month before the U.P.U. congress started.

And interesting aspect of the design of this convention centre is the impressive façade inspired by the branches of the Sidra tree.

The Sidra tree was traditionally the meeting place for Qatari scholars and poets.

If you consider that there are another topics in this stamp, that were not spot in this review, you are encouraged to telling me about them, so please do not hesitate to post a comment. I would appreciate your help very much.