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Interview made by Ecompedia.ro with Mihnea Raducu, Shop Admin

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International Reply Coupons: A Must-Have Tool for Postcard Collectors and Philately Enthusiasts

As a postcard collector or philately enthusiast, you're always on the lookout for new and interesting pieces to add to your collection. One of the most exciting things about collecting postcards and stamps is the opportunity to explore different cultures and parts of the world. And thanks to the International Reply Coupon (IRC), you can now expand your collection even further.

An International Reply Coupon is a voucher that can be exchanged for postage stamps in any country that is a member of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). This means that you can use an IRC to send postcards from countries all over the world, including some of the most exotic and remote places.

For example, have you ever wanted to add a postcard from Niue, a small island nation in the South Pacific, to your collection? Or how about a postcard from Nauru, the world's smallest island nation? With an IRC, these places are now within reach.

But it's not just small island nations that you can reach with an IRC. You can also use it to send postcards from places like Tristan da Cunha, a remote British territory in the South Atlantic Ocean, or Svalbard, a Norwegian territory located near the North Pole. These places might seem out of reach, but with an IRC, they're just a postcard away.

Using an IRC is easy. Simply purchase an IRC in your home country and include it with your postcard when you send it. The recipient can then take the IRC to their local post office and exchange it for postage stamps, which they can use to send a reply back to you.

One of the biggest advantages of using an IRC is that it eliminates the need for currency exchange when sending postcards internationally. This is especially useful when dealing with countries that have currencies that are difficult to exchange or countries where language barriers might make it difficult to communicate with postal officials.

In addition to being a convenient tool for sending postcards from exotic locations, IRCs can also be a valuable addition to your collection. Some collectors like to collect IRCs as a separate category, while others might use them as a way to document their travels or the postcards they've received.

In conclusion, if you're a postcard collector or philately enthusiast, an International Reply Coupon is a must-have tool for expanding your collection and reaching new and interesting parts of the world. So why not give it a try and see where it takes you?

And - in order to verify that :D we really tested this great tool: We sent an FOTW of Zimbabwe to their Main Post Office (on 3 February 2023) and today - 12 May 2023 we received back our postcard stamped and postmarked! :D 

This is the letter sent 😉 (to give as well for you an example)

The address and the name can be easily found on internet: 

And here is the result! Just amazing!

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Titina and Friends Postcard Collection list (update 29 October 2023)

Here you can find the List of all Titina Postcards issued in time  - the list is updated when new models appear.

You can download a printable excel file here

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The Benefits of Postcard Exchange Hobby: How It Can Enrich Your Life and Expand Your Horizons

The Benefits of Postcard Exchange Hobby: How It Can Enrich Your Life and Expand Your Horizons

Postcards have been around for over a century, but they still remain one of the most popular ways to communicate with friends and family. However, postcards can also be used as a hobby that not only enriches your life but expands your horizons in many different ways.

Subtitle 1: The Joy of Sending and Receiving Postcards

Sending or receiving postcards is an experience like no other. There's something special about opening up your mailbox to find a colorful card from someone you care about waiting inside. And when it comes time to send out cards yourself, there's nothing quite like taking the time to choose just the right design or message for each recipient.

In addition to being fun, sending and receiving postcards has several benefits:

• Makes You Feel Connected: In today’s digital age where communication happens mostly through screens; exchanging physical mail helps us feel more connected than ever before.
• Cultivates Creativity: Choosing unique designs on themes such as travel destinations or vintage art encourages creativity while writing messages allows you express yourself freely without any character limits!
• Broadens Cultural Awareness: Exchanging international stamps gives insight into cultures beyond our own borders which broadens cultural awareness & understanding between people across continents

Subtitle 2: Traveling Through Time With Vintage Postcard Collecting

Vintage postcard collecting is another way that this hobby can expand your horizons by allowing you access into history itself! These antique pieces are often beautifully designed with intricate details depicting scenes from times gone by - making them perfect for collectors who love to travel through time.

Collecting vintage postcards has several benefits:

• Captures History: Vintage postcards capture a moment in history and provide insight into the past, making them valuable for historians or anyone interested in learning about different eras.
• Bridges Generations: Vintage cards can be passed down from generation to generation as family heirlooms that tell stories of our ancestors' lives & experiences
• Inspires Creativity: The unique designs on these antique pieces inspire creativity while writing messages allows you express yourself freely without any character limits!

Subtitle 3: Postcrossing - A Global Community Connecting Through Postcards

If you're looking for an even more immersive experience with this hobby, consider joining the global community of "postcrossers"! This online platform connects people around the world who share a passion for sending and receiving postcards.

Postcrossing has several benefits:

• Makes You Part Of A Global Network :You get connected with like-minded individuals across continents sharing their cultures via stamps & images on each card exchanged.
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• Fosters Friendship Across Borders :
  This is not just exchanging mail but also building friendships beyond borders which helps us understand other countries better by getting insights directly from locals themselves.
  It's amazing how much we have in common despite being so far apart!
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• Promotes Learning:
  We learn new things every day; however, when it comes to geography or culture sometimes books aren't enough. Exchanging international postcards helps us learn about different countries, their customs and traditions in a fun way.

In conclusion, postcard exchange hobby is an excellent way to enrich your life by connecting with others through physical mail. Whether you're sending or receiving cards, collecting vintage pieces or joining the global community of "postcrossers," this hobby has something for everyone! So why not give it a try today?

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Postcard atelier in Sibiu, to celebrate as well 18 years of Postcrossing!

"Discover the Charm of Sibiu: Join Our Postcard Atelier Adventure"

Sibiu, a city nestled in the heart of Romania, is a true gem waiting to be explored. And what better way to do it than by joining our postcard atelier adventure? We are excited to offer you a taste of Romania's rich culture, history, and scenery through our postcard atelier.

The "postcard atelier" will take place from July 14th to 18th, 2023, and will kick off with a meeting on Friday, July 14th at 4:00 PM at Cardinal Pension, located at Justitiei 9 street in Sibiu. This cozy pension is situated in the city center and is within walking distance of the historical center of Sibiu.

We have planned an exciting itinerary for the duration of the atelier, which includes visits to some of the most beautiful and historic places in Sibiu and its surroundings. On Friday, we will explore the city center of Sibiu and in the evening, we will have a "meeting" where locals can also participate (there are some postcrossers in the Sibiu area). On Saturday, we will have the option to visit Hunyad Castle, Corvin Castle, or UNESCO city Sighisoara. On Sunday, we will visit the village museum Astra in Sibiu. On Monday and Tuesday, we will explore the remaining options.

We have arranged for the entire pension to be rented for our group, with a maximum capacity of 31 people. Accommodation options include 4 matrimonial rooms (double beds), 2 twin rooms, 1 suite for 5 people, 2 suites for 4 people, and 2 family rooms (one double bed and one coach). We believe that by renting the entire pension, we will have a better price than renting room by room.

For our trips, we will rent a bus locally. In order to make proper reservations, we must know in advance who will be joining us. Therefore, the deadline for registration is March 31st, 2023. We must book the pension in advance, and payment will be required to secure your spot. For those who will be arriving at the airport in Bucharest, there are public buses and cars available to take us to Sibiu.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to discover the charm of Sibiu and sign some beautiful postcards with fellow postcard enthusiasts. Register today and join us on this adventure of a lifetime!

Limited spots available!

You can find all details also here:  https://community.postcrossing.com/t/postcard-atelier-postcrossing-meeting-in-romania-celebrating-18-years-of-postcrossing/503875

 RSVP: send us an email to mihnea.raducu@gmail.com or to shop@postcardsmarket.com 

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December is here....

Later Edit (25 December 2022):

Congratulations, and thank you all for being part in our survey! Follow us for the results in January!

And that is a good moment to find your oppinion about us and how we can improve our activity.

All you have to do is to complete this form - and we will publish the results and the winners of the raffle, as well, here on our blog in January 2023.

Also is the perfect moment to wish you all Merry Christmas and... Keep Calm and wait for Santa!

Happy Holidays, everyone! Ho! Ho! Ho! 🎄🎅

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Svalbard news!

And .... we were in the Norternmost postcrossing meeting in this world! In Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayeb archipelago! It was a super time spent with other postcrossers, an unique adventure "once in a lifetime"! :) and we appeared with the postcrossing meeting also in the local newspaper - Svalbard Posten! We let the photo to speaks :D A

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Postcrossing Stamp Launch in Luxembourg!

Hello Everybody! On 17th of September I was in... Luxembourg city for the Launch of the Postcrossing Stamp! And we had a meeting with other postcrossers, of course, and it was super fun! I will let photos to speak :) 

More photos here.

Yours always, Mihnea :D

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Giveaway!

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