Bosnia - Republika Srpska (Serbian Part of Bosnia)

[Milco]

Just arrive on my desk, and - this time, they made one poor design!
Fruit/Apple topic, I saw many-many better designed and better made worldwide!

[Fire]

This makes me hungry. SmileyBeautiful

[greaden]

What is up with current Bosnian stamp design? One of my collecting areas is Bosnia from the Hapsburg era. Actually, the old pictorials of Bosnian scenes were what most inspired me to keep collecting stamps well past that childhood era and drew me back as I got older. In 2002, I visited Croatia and was not sure whether Bosnia was ready for visitors. An accident of misunderstood transportation schedules (I don't know any Slavic language so must wing it and hope for the best in that part of the world) brought me to Mostar, which clearly was not open for tourism. The pieces of the bridge were still in the river, and the rare postcard seller was surprised to find a customer. I walked around town matching postcards of what used to be with the ruins of what I found, as I waited for the next bus back to Croatia.

Of course I had to get some stamps, at the very least. The post office was the only non-ruined building on its boulevard. I asked the clerk for everything they had, and they looked at me as if I were a bank robber but eventually they came up with a package of stamps. Here I had hoped that Bosnia would at least revive the quality of design of my grandfather's stamps. Alas that was not the case, but I was happy to get at least something from that country.

Only years later I learned that there were three separate postal services, and several ebay lots later learned that none of them stood out for artistic quality.

[Milco]

Oct 8, 2014 16:35:03 GMT -5 greaden said:

What is up with current Bosnian stamp design? One of my collecting areas is Bosnia from the Hapsburg era. Actually, the old pictorials of Bosnian scenes were what most inspired me to keep collecting stamps well past that childhood era and drew me back as I got older. In 2002, I visited Croatia and was not sure whether Bosnia was ready for visitors. An accident of misunderstood transportation schedules (I don't know any Slavic language so must wing it and hope for the best in that part of the world) brought me to Mostar, which clearly was not open for tourism. The pieces of the bridge were still in the river, and the rare postcard seller was surprised to find a customer. I walked around town matching postcards of what used to be with the ruins of what I found, as I waited for the next bus back to Croatia.

Of course I had to get some stamps, at the very least. The post office was the only non-ruined building on its boulevard. I asked the clerk for everything they had, and they looked at me as if I were a bank robber but eventually they came up with a package of stamps. Here I had hoped that Bosnia would at least revive the quality of design of my grandfather's stamps. Alas that was not the case, but I was happy to get at least something from that country.

Only years later I learned that there were three separate postal services, and several ebay lots later learned that none of them stood out for artistic quality.

Greaden - As I'm in this field very informed, my surprise are also great, when talking about design and printing quality. From first issue of "new independent" Bosnia (Sarajevo part), hope that design will be "on top" to today's poorly design. But this "Fruit" issue from Republika Srpska (Bosnia - Serbian part, Banja Luka) made me very disappointing, because Banja Luka have good reputation, mostly printing in Serbia printing plant of FORUM. Here I will show You issue of "Shakespeare" that catch my eye!

   

Your bad experience with travel, is something strange, because I lived there in Yugoslavia some 30 year, and visited Mostar many time, nice city, lot to see there, but after last civil war, all are turn up-side-down. 
As You mentioned eBay sellers, they still have good reputation, and most sellers come from Serbia.

By way, just if You need some issues, probably I have it in my stock, just drop me an line.

[Craig]

Oct 8, 2014 15:53:12 GMT -5 Milco said:

Just arrive on my desk, and - this time, they made one poor design!
Fruit/Apple topic, I saw many-many better designed and better made worldwide!

Ooooo, juicy crunchy munchies!

[greaden]

Oct 9, 2014 15:00:13 GMT -5 Milco said:

By way, just if You need some issues, probably I have it in my stock, just drop me an line.

The stamps from your area that I am most looking for are 1) those from the temporary fragments in the war (Krajina, etc), and 2) those issued in Belgrade during the NATO bombing. One featured the "target" motif, while a couple of sets pictured the bridges destroyed in the war.

[Milco]

As, Republika Srpska Krajina (today Croatia), is not in this "topic" (Bosnia), I will post some sample under new thread, and Belgrade/NATO bombing will be under "Serbia" - wish to avoid admin. action!

Will be glad to contact You on private mail, just to keep in rule of Forum.
One "early" issue from Republika Srpska (Banja Luka - Bosnia) to make "taste" of this thread!

[Milco]

Oct 9, 2014 21:26:10 GMT -5 greaden said:

Oct 9, 2014 15:00:13 GMT -5 Milco said:

By way, just if You need some issues, probably I have it in my stock, just drop me an line.

The stamps from your area that I am most looking for are 1) those from the temporary fragments in the war (Krajina, etc), and 2) those issued in Belgrade during the NATO bombing. One featured the "target" motif, while a couple of sets pictured the bridges destroyed in the war.

I made one "as can be neutral" post of this topic You mentioned (NATO bombing), but one of administrators removed it - can not show You some material that I post on page because that, and don't see any option to send You privat picture of Philatelic material with this topic - sorry!

best regards
Milco

[Milco]

And keep an eye on privat overprint that existed on this stamp from Republika Srpska!
It is illegal, and not valid for postage.
Some people still have ability to made it.

[Milco]

Oct 9, 2014 21:26:10 GMT -5 greaden said:

Oct 9, 2014 15:00:13 GMT -5 Milco said:

By way, just if You need some issues, probably I have it in my stock, just drop me an line.

The stamps from your area that I am most looking for are 1) those from the temporary fragments in the war (Krajina, etc), and 2) those issued in Belgrade during the NATO bombing. One featured the "target" motif, while a couple of sets pictured the bridges destroyed in the war.

..."target" are very popular, made at the time of bombing, come as post card with imprinted stamp, but also as single stamp:




...regarding Republika Srpska Krajina, there are same nice cover, but rarely You will find really PU one: