Turkey-Mongolia 🇹🇷 🇲🇳 Joint Issue: 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations - National Symbols & Airlines

 (24 June, 2019)

Turkey & Mongolia collectively issued a Souvenir Sheet each to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of their Diplomatic Relations. The topic chosen for this issue was 'National Airlines'. 

Full diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in 1969, since then both countries are enjoying strong ties. The Souvenir Sheets issued have an identical design. The Sheet features the Airline planes of both the Turkish & Mongolian Airlines. Besides the National flowers of the two nations, the Red Tulip of Turkey & the Scabiosa Butterfly Blue are also featured.

The issue also features the Fatih Bridge, a Mongolian woman, Flags, the Ankara Fort, Hagia Sophia, Kharkhorum, Khusu Tsaldem & a Camel caravan.

The Turkish issued Souvenir Sheet highlights the Turkish elements of the issue by a glazed appearance. The Souvenir Sheet is of 2 Stamps of denomination 2TLR each and has descriptions in both

Turkish & Mongolian languages. The FDC only has the Stamp Set (extracted from the Souvenir Sheet) affixed and was sold at a Face Value of 5.50TLR. The postmark shows the flags of both the countries.

On the other hand, the Mongolian issue highlights the Mongolian elements by embossing those parts. The Souvenir Sheet contains 2 Stamps of denominations 2500 Tugrik each. 

The Mongolian FDC also has the 2 Stamps (extracted from the Souvenir Sheet) affixed. The FDC is silky and the 50th Anniversary logo is embossed. The postmark shows a Mongolian hairy calf. 

Mixed FDCs of this issue exist. An example is shown below but it has been made on a privately prepared cover. Though still a very rare item due to the scarcity of Mongolian philatelists and ways to obtain a postmark from there.

In my own collection I have both Souvenir Sheets & both the FDCs. The designs of the Souvenir Sheets are very beautiful and are a great representation of the respective cultures.

I have both Souvenir Sheets in quantities of more than 7 sets and are open for swap.