Typically Dutch – cats & Experience nature – flora Bonaire

The advantage of issuing two follow-up issues on the same day means that information regarding the stamp subject and the trio of designers for both series can be significantly condensed. Further information on this has already been provided in previous articles.

Typically Dutch – cats

The 'Typically Dutch – Cats' stamp sheet is the fifth and final issue of the 'Typically Dutch 2024' sequel series. The image was not created by photography, but in a contemporary, innovative way using artificial intelligence.

Typically Dutch – cats: release date August 12, 2024

Issue details: Adam Lane, Edwin van Praet & Huub van Veenhuijzen of Total Design in Amsterdam are the graphic designers, print run 75.000 sheets of 6 stamps per sheet, issue date August 12, 2024, printer Cartor Security Printers in Meaucé-La Loupe, France.

Perfect cat looks

• Two tabby, short-haired domestic cat figurines in glossy Delft blue earthenware are arranged directly behind each other on the windowsill. With small flowers, the designers playfully and creatively suggest the line, stripe, or dot pattern of the tabby coat. Both sociable cats look at us confidently, with an air in their eyes that says 'bring it on!'
• With the whitened whiskers combined with very thin shadow and light lines in the background, depth and space have been created. On the round ears, the earlobes of the mother cat are even visible, unlike those of the young kitten.
• Unlike the cow, dog, horse, and songbird stamps, there is a generational difference between the two cats: a kitten in the foreground with the protective mother cat behind it.
• Designer and cat lover Edwin van Praet: “What always strikes me about the undocile cats are their pupils with slit-shaped eyes. In the dark, the slits are more open.”

Cat life

The expression 'Nine lives of a cat' most likely originates from ancient Egypt, referring to resilience, strength, and holiness. During the first months of life, kittens are curious and playful. Anything loose or moving attracts their attention. Between the 5th and 9th month, the 'house tiger cat' reaches sexual maturity. She goes into heat, while male cats develop a tendency to spray. The hunting instinct kicks in: cat toys become a particular favorite.

Experience the nature and flora: Bonaire

The stamp sheet 'Experience Nature - Flora Bonaire' is the fourth and final series of the follow-up issue Experience Nature – Bonaire 2024. As with this issue, information regarding the stamp subject and the trio of designers has already been provided in previous series. I also refer to the previous articles in this series regarding the AI ​​application and the incorrect rendering on the front and back of each stamp.

Experience the nature and flora: Bonaire: release day August 12, 2024

Issue details: Adam Lane, Edwin van Praet & Huub van Veenhuijzen of Total Design in Amsterdam are the graphic designers, print run 75.000 sheets of 6 stamps per sheet, issue date August 12, 2024, printer Cartor Security Printers in Meaucé-La Loupe, France.

Geology and weather conditions determine the flora.

The constant easterly trade winds, high, consistent temperatures, and low rainfall determine the character of the flora. Volcanic rock inland and coral limestone, sand, and clay along the coast determine the character and growth of plants, shrubs, and trees (with water reservoirs in stems and/or leaves). Getienhoefwinde and dividivi 1) The goat's foot bindweed (Ipomoea pes-caprae) leaves its tracks in the sand like this. 2) You can say what you will, but the dividivi (Caesalphinia coriaria) does not go with the flow. Long-spined melon cactus and lignum vitae 3) One of those long-spined melon cactuses (*** cactus macracanthos) with those pepper-like fruits is not something to sink your teeth into. 4) Lignum vitae from the wayaká shimaron (guaiacum sanctum) is really awesome. Man, it doesn't float! Rode mangrove en lady of the night 5) White, black, and red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle). You have them in abundance. 6) Too much perfume? The lady of the night (Brassavola nodosa) is getting ready for the nightlife. Felt-shaped cacti and sea purslane 7) Such a hedge of felt-like cacti (stenocereus griseus) simply prevents cross-border behavior, 8) As a sea vegetable, sea purslane (sesuvium portulacastrum) is somewhat fleshy. Dutch casha en prosopis juliflora/care tree 9) Isn't the Dutch cashew (Acasia tortuosa) a twisted acacia then? Oh well, just give the name a twist. 10) Honey and syrup . . . for a serious sugar addiction you use Prosopis juliflora as a provider. For the shrub of the legume family, there is no other name besides the Latin one, as is the case with the remaining flora of the emission!