Odd World - Malta

 Malta Odd and Unusual Stamp Collection

1968 Christmas
Pentagonal shaped stamps

Europe's Big 5

Europe's Big 5

Most of us have heard about "Africa's Big 5" - The elephant, lion, leopard,  buffalo, and rhinoceros. The term big five was first coined by hunters in Africa referring to the most difficult animals to hunt.  

And many might know, Asia's Big 5 too.  They are the Asiatic Lion, Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Clouded Leopard, and Snow Leopard.

Many people in Europe are not aware of the fact that the continent is home to equally impressive animals.  The term "Europe's Big 5" originated in 2014 in a Belgian television program 'Dieren in nesten', in which the directors went in search of the European counterparts of the African Big 5.  It was aired between 11th January to 8th February 2014 on Een Belgian Channel.

They were chosen the European bison, the wolf, the brown bear, the wolverine, and the lynx as "European Big 5" after traveling to the wildest and most remote parts of the continent and judged on appearance, importance, rareness, behavior, and emotions they triggered.  

You can admire all five of them at the Caves of Han animal park. This animal park celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017.  To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Hans Cave, the Belgium Post issued a miniature sheet with Europa's big 5 animal stamps with a bear-shaped cut at the top.

Odd World - Belgium

My odd and unusual collection of Belgium stamps and MS

Odd shaped MS

Glow in the dark MS

Odd World - Sweden

 My Odd and unusual stamps and MS collection of Sweden

Odd shaped and with a hole MS

Odd World - Poland

 My Poland collection of Odd and Unusual MSs and stamps

Circular stamps

Extra Large stamp

Odd World - Ajman

My Ajman collection of Odd and Unusual stamps and MSs

Gold Foil

Neil Armstrong MS on FDC

 Perforated stamp on FDC

Unperforated stamp on FDC