[TAIWAN] New Issue: National Taiwan Library 100th Anniversary Commemorative Issue

Date of issue: August 9, 2014

The predecessor of the National Taiwan Library was the Taiwan Governor-general’s Office Library established in 1914, during the Japanese Occupation Period. It was rechristened several times: the Taiwan Province Administrative Governor Library; the Taiwan Province Taipei Library; the National Central Library Taiwan Branch; and finally, the National Taiwan Library, the name and the reorganization of which were approved by the Executive Yuan on January 1, 2013. It is the oldest public library in Taiwan. 

The Library houses a remarkable cumulation of Taiwan’s historic records that dates back to the Japanese Occupation Period. The Library is revered for its rich book collection and readily available resources for readers; it aims at upgrading library serviceableness and social education. In addition to the pioneering "Children’s Reading Room," "BookMobile," and "Book Restoration Services," the Library also works to improve its versatility development by inaugurating "the Information Center for the Visually Impaired," "Taiwan Library Infirmary," and "Taiwan Study Research Center." The Library also keeps abreast with the high-tech development to build a digital library, a testament to the spirit of contemporary-mindedness.

In celebrating the Library’s 100th anniversary, Chunghwa Post is issuing a NT$12 stamp, with “Taiwan Governor-general’s Office Library" – its predecessor, and the contemporary "National Taiwan Library" as the theme. 

Cover from Curaçao(Kòrsou)／enveloppe de Curaçao

[TAIWAN]New Stamp: Alpine Lakes of Taiwan Postage Stamps (I)

Date of issue: July 17, 2014
To heighten recognition of the beauty of Taiwan’s alpine lakes and further encourage our fellow citizens to treasure natural ecological resources, Chunghwa Post has planned a series of stamps on the motif. The first set features four lakes located at a higher altitude. The designs follow:
1. Cuichi Pond (NT$5): Situated in Miaoli County, Cuichi Pond has the highest altitude - about 3,520 meters - of any lakes in Taiwan. Its lake water never runs dry at anytime of the year. Even in the dead of winter, the water does not freeze over in whole. 
2. Tunlu Pond (NT$5): The lake sits in Nantou County, abutting upon Hualian County at an altitude about 2,840 meters. The lake was once the habitat of herds of deer. It brims with the infusion of surface and underground waters all year round. Oval-shaped, the lake is a proverbial mirror huddled by verdant mountain valleys.
3. Qicai Lake (NT$10): The lake is located in Hualien County at an altitude about 2,890 meters. Mountaineers were charmed by the reflection of prismatic colors as sunrise rose above the lake, thus its name. Deer herds were sighted in earlier years, the lake therefore is also known as "Luchi (Deer Pond)." 
4. Jiaming Lake (NT$12): Seated in Taitung County, the lake sits on the second-highest elevation – about 3,310 meters - of any lakes in Taiwan. Jiaming Lake is reputed as "the sapphire that God left in the world of mortals" and "the Tear of an Angel."

Cover from Fürstentum Liechtenstein／enveloppe du Liechtenstein