New Issues: Chinese New Year (Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Hong Kong, USA)

There have been a lot of new issues for Chinese New Year! I have already reviewed some of these for New Zealand, Jersey and the Isle of Man. Several other countries have also created special stamps for Chinese/Lunar New Year - the Year of the Horse - and here are four more that stand out. I am going to look at these stamps from Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Hong Kong and the USA. I will use Xanthe's six categories to score them.

Design Quality - These stamps from Switzerland are very colourful and bright. The two stamps are very different but the horses both look mysterious and magical. The cover is nice and it feels very Chinese with details like Chinese writing, flowers and fireworks. In the second stamp the horse's mane looks like flame! I think it is a design that shows a lot of respect to the Chinese New Year tradition. 8/10

Theme and Subject Choice - The WOPA website says that this set has been created to "raise awareness". I think it is a good theme for countries around the world, not just China. 8/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance - I've said many times that people from around the world celebrate Chinese New Year and stamps about it are a way of respecting Chinese culture and being international. 8/10

Innovation and Creativity - I think the illustration is very creative. 7/10

Collectability - Chinese New Year stamps are very collectable. The read and gold cover makes them even more attractive. 8/10

Personal appeal - I think the design style is very unique and we see two amazing fire horses. The red and gold cover makes it feel very special. 9/10 Overall score - 48/60

Design Quality - This is a single stamp in a miniature sheet from Azerbaijan. The stamp shows the fire horse and the sheet shows it galloping through a valley of fire and lava with huge mountains and the bright sun. It all looks very hot! This is probably the best design I have seen that focuses on the "fire horse" and it brings it to life as a fearsome animal. 9/10

Theme and Subject Choice - I think this is a great theme especially when so many countries across the world are creating their own Chinese New Year issues at the same time! 8/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance - As above - people from around the world celebrate Chinese New Year. 8/10

Innovation and Creativity - I think the artwork is terrific but is it innovative? it feels very traditional. The miniature sheet is very clever though, with the stamp and then the rest of the sheet showing the big picture. 7/10

Collectability - I think it's collectable as people like Chinese New Year stamps as well as stamps about horses and mythical creatures. It's even better because it is a miniature sheet.  8/10

Personal appeal - This is my favourite of all the New Year stamps. I love the design and the contrasts between the colours. 10/10 Overall score - 50/60

Design Quality - These stamps are from Hong Kong where Chinese New Year is obviously a huge celebration. They show multicoloured horses rather than the fire horse. Look closely at the backgrounds - they're full of interesting details. The horses look like they're full of life and enjoying themselves. All of the horses are different and it feels like a celebration. 8/10

Theme and Subject Choice - It's not just a good choice - can you imagine Hong Kong NOT having a set for New Year? It's essential! 10/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance - New Year obviously is a huge event in Hong Kong. 10/10

Innovation and Creativity - Lovely use of colour and especially the gold, but feels more traditional than "innovative". Lots of lovely details in the backgrounds and on the horses themselves though. 7/10

Collectability - New Year stamps are very collectable. Hong Kong stamps are also liked by a lot of collectors. 9/10

Personal appeal - I don't like these quite as much as the Azerbaijan fire horse, but they are still great stamps. I like the colours and it feels fun but it seems strange that Hong Kong hasn't focused on the Fire Horse in the way other countries have. 6/10 Overall score - 50/60

Design Quality - This one from the USA is very different to all the others. It has a more simple design. The USPS website says that it is a "take on the long tradition of paper-cut folk art". The horse's face is very colourful to contrast with the plain background. It is similar to other USA Lunar New Year stamps in the last few years. 7/10

Theme and Subject Choice - There are a lot of people in the USA who are Chinese or of Chinese heritage. It's also a good theme and for the last few years the USA has been issuing these Lunar New Year stamps so it makes sense to continue them. 8/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance - I've said many times that people from around the world celebrate Chinese New Year and stamps about it are a way of respecting Chinese culture and being international. 8/10

Innovation and Creativity - I feel the design is a bit plain, and of course this fits with the previous stamps, but I don't think it's very creative. It's a nice design but not one that feels exciting or clever. 5/10

Collectability - The New Year stamps are collectable, especially if you already have the others in the series and want to complete it.  7/10

Personal appeal - I'm afraid I don't really like this. It doesn't feel inspired. 2/10 Overall score - 37/60