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 All about Joint Stamps Issues  

A joint issue is a release of stamps or postal stationery by two or more countries to commemorate the same topic, event or person of relevance to both countries. Countries usually share a joint issue to present their excellent relations and cooperation in various fields. This is an example of how stamps are a reflection of peoples’ lives and of its surroundings.

Joint issues typically have the same first day of issue and their design is often similar or identical except for the identification of country and value. Thus for example, although since 1974 several European nations issue stamps with a common topic on a regular basis, one cannot say that they are a true joint issues, since they do not share the same designs or dates of issue.

One example is the Iranian - Belarus Joint Stamp Issue 2011, Mir Castle, Kharimkhan Citadel.

On September 28, 2001 The Belarus Post and Iranian Post jointly released a postage stamp. This release featured two of the most famous heritage sites in Iran and in Belarus.

The Mirsky Castle Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Belarus located in the town of Mir in the Karelichy District of the Hrodna voblast. 

The Arg of Karim Khan is also a well known heritage site located in the north-east ofShiraz, southern Iran. It was constructed as part of a complex during the Zand dynasty and is named after Karim Khan, and served as his living quarters.

Some of the joint stamps releases are quite refreshing, such as the joint issue presented by the Hong Kong & Romania Joint stamps Issue on Handicraft 2011.

This release featured two of the most famous handicrafts in the two countries: the Hong Kong’s Handicraft, the Dough Figurines and the Romania’s Handicraft, the Painted Eggs. The Dough figurine is a traditional handicraft art in China (Hong kong) going back one  thousand years. The Painted Eggs are a common holiday gift in Romania especially in the Easter holiday. On Easter women and children usually gather together to paint eggs with beautiful colors and symbols. 

The United States Postal Service also collaborates with the postal administration of other countries to release joint issues on a sporadic basis. Collaborating five times each, Canada and Sweden are the most prolific philatelic partners of the United States. The USPS joint issues include releases on various topics such as  the 1959 joint issue shared with Canada commemorating the Opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway, the 1986 joint issue shared with France stating the Centennial of the Statue of Liberty and the 1992  joint issue with Italy, Spain and Portugal sharing the memory of Columbus' Voyages.

Iran - Belarus Joint Stamp Issue 2011