2011 SU Update: Universiade Philately & Pins – Start Collecting!

A broad variety of philatelic items is available

SHENZHEN – The Chinese are avid stamp collectors. Therefore, at every big event a great number of collector’s items are produced to please the many philatelic fans, young and old. The Chinese Post has launched a set of four stamps dedicated to the 26th Summer Universiade inShenzhen,China. The stamps feature the emblem of the Universiade, “Happy U” (1.20 RMB) consisting of colored dots of varying size, where the U is rich in meanings. It may stand for “university”, “union”, “universe” or other words, or be taken as a graphical mark representing bays in the city; ‘UU’, the mascot for the Shenzhen Summer Universiade (1.20 RMB) with its smiling face developed from the Happy U;  the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Center (1.20 RMB) and the “Start Here” slogan of the Universiade (3 RMB).

The Chinese are avid stamp collectorsAs it was the case in Beijing (2001 SU) and Harbin (2009 WU), the choice and variety of philatelic items is beyond proportion. If you want to buy all items available prepare to dip heavily into your purse as you need up to 4,000 RMB (400 €) to purchase them.

Among the goodies: some 10 different books with various stamp sheets inside, pre-printed envelopes and post cards with the logos and mascot of the Universiade and last but not least, collectors will certainly chase the 28 cancellations. Four of the cancellations are in red ink: one with the logo, one with the mascot, one depicting the ‘Spring Cocoon’ venue and one theUniversiadeVillage. The 24 cancellations representing the sports are in black ink.

Also the pin collector will find something to his or her liking. A whole range of pins with the mascot ‘UU’ and the logo are available. The collector’s choice will be without doubt a framed set in a collector’s box of the UU mascot playing all 24 sports on the Universiade program.

Start collecting!

C. Pierre, FISU Press Officer

 The 24 sport cancellations