4-2009: Art in Montenegro #2, issued April 8, 2009

Let say one simple and clear! Why they still don't care about artistic improvement, more quality and more imagination in producing stamp with topic "ART"?

This three value set, that celebrated 125 year of Balkan Empress Performance, 75 year of birth V. Nikolic and 525 year Crnojevic Monastery.

All is important for Montenegro itself, even that Monastery can not be classified like "ART" but more to "Religion" or Architecture, or probably History - because Icons (that are not shown on stamp itself) that existed inside monastery - hardly it can go to "Art" topic!

This three stamp, ( really like this one with portrait of V. Nikolic, that illustrated artist in dare situation, probably bank personal problem, possible economic hard time in theatre where he worked?) have an face value of 1.50 euro, will be easy obtained from any dealer by face value, probably You will pay more for tab version of set, and sheetlet of 9 stamp will ask You for premium.

5-2009: Fauna-Fish, issued April 16, 2009

What to say about? Nothing! Instead to show us from more close view this 4 fish, we have one artistic message - with some "line" included. Probably it is "genetic" line, or "road map" - or "road to pan"??? Funny, but I saw many better made, more precise made issue with this topic.

Set alone have just 1.75 euro face value, no - this time from dealer You will not received it by face value, but with 20% more probably yes. Fish on stamp is: Bleak, Black umber, Ukljeva and Krap (Alburnus Scoranza, Heckel & Kner 1858, Cyprinus Carpio, Linneaus 1758).

Sheetlet of 5 set and one tab will cost You more than face value, but it is unavoidable, because this topic is frequent.

6-2009: EUROPA 2009 issue, "Astronomy", issued April 16, 2009

You know, I saw many "wrong" design in my life - but this one can be "classic" of all! Probably they intended to made it for "Children's Art" or other, but for EUROPA issue it didn't fit! From first sight, someone will see one ice cream cornet, and "Christmas Star" - one is common in both stamp, and it is some kind of ice cream with choco-chips, that need to be an comet. what to do - not everyone have in mind that what I have, and not everyone like what I like.

How much money to prepare? Face value for two stamp and block is just 3.00 euro, but You will not have it by this prices.

7-2009: Tourism in Montenegro, issued April 16, 2009

Little improvement in graphic design, but nothing new in stamp market, what they want to say and tell us is that Tourism is made from water skiing, rafting, canyon rafting and paragliding. Something that is common to all tourism destination around globe! Let's say - that if I will propose other that this? What You thing if I will made it from Sv. Stefan view of old building, sunshine in Budva coast, probably mountain panoramic view where is Ostrog monastery, and one nice flight attendant in airport, with smile of course!? But, it is what we have, and set of 4 stamp will cost 1.75 euro face value, because nature, sport, and other topic where this issue will fit, this set will be in demand. Don't forget that here we have also one booklet option, inside booklet is one set in different design (margin) than sheetlet!

8-2009: 300 year of Njegosh, issued June 4, 2009

Not bad, we have one portrait of this great man, clearly visible, with part of his work in behind portrait. Don't mix it with other great man from this family (P. P. Njegosh) - here is mentioned Archbishop Vasilije Petrovic Njegosh. He was ruler of dynasty from 1740, during his time come proclamation of independence from Turkish Empire and bring more close ties with Russian. Many achievement made, from writing first history of Montenegro (1754) to education and other.

Can You show me country with 300 yr of history - oh yes - but how much?

Face value is affordable, just 0.40 euro, and it is printed in printing sheets of 20 - which I suggest to obtain.

9-2009: Sport #II, Universiade 2009, Belgrade, Serbia, issued June 4, 2009

If You will not look closely at this stamp, You will not find about what is talking, even that logo and mascot of this sport evening is there! Probably You will think that it is talking about "Youth Day" maybe "Student Day" and if You are extreme, "Proletariat of whole world - Unite"! No - I'm not cynic - and I really like Montenegro (my ancestor come from there) - but, I like to say thrue straight to the face. Face value 0.50 euro, sheet of 8 + one tab, set with tab - prepare premium to pay.

For now it is all - let's pray that future issue will come more "better" and more focused to the topic.

Postage Due 2009:

Even that this issue are issued in 2009, but because I received it just today (13/III/2009), I will include it in this section, no detail about date of issue, no FDC available, and no information from Montenegro Post. Just what I see from Invoice is statement: Common Issue 2008.

From this three stamp, I see that it didn't belong to one set - separate design, separate topic and first is for "Montenegro meeting EU", second for Postal history and third for History in Montenegro - I think that this issue will stay unnoticed in philately, with zero hope to have any value in catalogs. Topic is good, Postal Car, Sand Watch, Ornament on Church - but it is small help to attract collectors. Total face value are 1.50 euro and it will be Your chance to obtain stamp from Montenegro for collection without thinking that You invested something.

2009 year start:

1-2009: "Art in Montenegro Through Centuries:

to celebrate 125 yr of Theater in Nikshich (Niksic) town, really great achievement with long tradition from 1884 year. 1 stamp issue, 0.25 euro affordable face value, with one "newspaper" photo of building and ornament - where is here designer imagination, profession and art? Starting year like this will result in all year like this - but it is not our (collectors) problem - I think that Post of Montenegro need one independent consultant - isn't?

2-2009: "1200 yr Tryphun the Martyr":

One nice history item for Montenegro and Venetian related merchant - relatively nice issue that can fit to archaeology, religious, history topic for collectors, set of 2 stamp, with face value of 1.00 euro (I think that Montenegro Post want to be prepared for EU prices when and if they join EU).

3-2009 "Braille Letter":

yeah - important, and finally little bit improvement in design. One stamp in set, face value of 0.60 euro. FDC also in good style.

9-2008 till end of 2008:

Today is March 13, 2009 - and just now I received shipment from Montenegro Post!!!! I say, Hallelujah - which kind of service You will hardly believe! What to do - they made some reorganization in Podgorica (Titograd - previously know name for capital) and - how much I see and feel, it go to worst than previously. Why? From past period it was much faster delivery and handling of standing order, with less paperwork involved and payment condition was much better like today. When I received shipment this time, it is inside around 5-6 pages of report from this to other person, revisor and director, all signed controlled and approved for delivery of material worth some 200 euro - can You imagine it? Three or four person involved in every shipment delivered! O.K. let's alone this problem, and go to other - more dangerous - and it is not delivered quantities according delivery notification - terrible!!!!!!

Nu - let's continue with this 2008 year:

9-2008 "Jadran Sail Boat":

Issued on 16/VII/2008 - good topic, worth sail boat for Navy in Montenegro. This sail boat was built in Germany (H. C. Silken Zon) some 75 years ago, and have an great history for "bakartine" type. Mostly was used like school ship for young cadet by Italian, and after WWII it was docked in Venetian channel like some kind of bridge, from here it was returned back to Montenegro, repaired, and as today, again serve like school and training ship.

Value - face 0.50 euro for single, but sheet of 20 will take some premium - dealer? Be happy if You obtained it for face + 100%!!!

10-2008 "Water Polo European Championship":

issued on 15/IX/2008 - to celebrate gold medal in this championship held in Malaga/Spain, poor design, that is what I can say! Face value again 0.50 euro (by way, minimum salary for ordinary worker in Montenegro is around 300.00 euro - and if I need to pay half euro for mail - I will think twice! What You think - how much used material will be on market from this country population of some 600 000-700 000 citizens!).

11-2008 "Art in Montenegro through centuries":

issued on 17/IX/2008 - to show peoples one rare and nice mosaic from Risan/Boka Kotorska/Montenegro - but author and designer failed in all aspect!!! Existed much better way to show on postage stamp this beautiful mosaic in one most clean coast town in Montenegro - sorry for it! Face value for set of 2 is 0.75 euro.

12-2008 : "Stamp Day":

issued on 2/X/2008 - one value of 0.60 euro, picture of post office(?) or better say just one home, made from postage stamps (really postage stamps with face value on it and Montenegro Post logo) - one continued, unrealistic, unnecessary vasting of paper and time - this issue will not have any impact on world philately except this topic (stamp on stamp) that probably will collector buy - even that picture on stamp are stamp never issued by Montenegro Post.

13-2008: "Alfred Nobel":

issued 21/X/2008 - one stamp issue, face value 0.50 euro, wish to scream!!! This is my short description of/for design of this stamp!

14-2008: "100 yr of First Railway in Montenegro":

issued on 31/X/2008, for important occasion in Montenegro, that start to 2/XI/1908 - first railroad opened and connected Bar and Virpazar town (village) at time, just 43 km long, but for this time it was one really great work done - most countries in Europe at time didn't have even paved road and not talk about rail transport - how clever and great is this people!?

1.50 euro face value - lot, but affordable. Problem will be to buy all combination in this issue, and it is set, sheet of 5, booklet with cover and FDC - prepare for dealer double prices with premium for booklet!

15-2008 "Joy of Europe":

issued on 20/XI/2008 - two value in set, face value 0.65 euro, nice picture on stamp and it is all what I can say.

16-2008 "60 yr Human Right declaration":

some combination with national flag and UN logo on stamp, again 0.50 euro face value, again "standard" design and again no comment!!!!

With this we will close 2008 year, even that I didn't see usually issued topic like Christmas and New Year - possible they didn't made it?