XANTHE'S
STAMP MAGAZINE

The Isle of Man's latest issue is Eclipse and shows photographs from the partial solar eclipse in August. I am surprised that this issue has had to wait until November instead of being released nearer the time. Isle of Man Stamps and Coins says: "The Solar Eclipse 2026 Mint Set brings together four Isle of Man stamps celebrating the spectacular partial solar eclipse of 12th August 2026. Created in partnership with Manx astronomer Howard Parkin MBE BSc. BEd. FRAS, the issue ex

Another new issue from Belgium is about a different kind of wildlife. Seaweed. That might not seem very exciting, but I think seaweed can be as interesting as anything else. It is full of life and it can be a refuge for other kinds of wildlife. We don't think much about seaweed but it is important. It helps fight climate change because it produces oxygen and also helps with carbon storage. It also helps absorb nutrients and so it prevents the sea getting too acidic. It's usef

A new issue from Belgium is called "Real Woodpeckers of Belgium", which makes you ask whether they have a "Fake Woodpeckers of Belgium" issue planned for next year. However, the strange title doesn't really matter. Here we have five stamps (two large, three small) depicting Belgium's native woodpeckers. These are the Eurasian Green Woodpecker (left, top), the Black Woodpecker (left, bottom), the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (right, top), the Middle Spotted Woodpecker (right, mi