![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAsUNfJgNegOOQpp1Gurj6pMAnTu2GauDq-dX8hvBZCcr1SC7hxwdJslXK3r3BUq9f9V-oQfo1wvJ1w1S7Soyxs1Y4mnkvtHXLblPp0hItSRuae_6YoDSDqHXatE1wdY0USmoDIDrgcEQ/s320/philtriv.jpg)
In 2008, several countries issued stamps utilizing unconventional formats or methods of production.
-the first embroidered stamp, picturing a flower, the Clusius gentian;
- a stamp made of the same original material as the UEFA European Championship ball – a synthetic mix with polyurethane
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCif4nebs2WenF4kKBPqC5O-TWMCE9fTPhy4JPcif2IHX7nfAUziOp32UvQpnF4_8tP5KAswQY_HYDatNb7ckXRIPhxAYbJz8XggsiprZJrZeQGYZG2nMANNC0GcAIq1NNlMwXoT66PQtd/s320/wackaustria3.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzqFE5QH3lH6rd61fEoo9Rg3JAhMCXxQadWVqqywKHT_ejXGothNNcKmTSnfLlo3-BSnPNcHqM0cR1uL9rXlE1d8KHh8fLPeKi_SQEYuPxOBWqe-EGf7MMF3-gEF3_qkm9LjJfqsjlbgj/s320/wackiceland.jpg)
Iceland released a series of stamps depicting the Imagine Peace Tower, which is dedicated to the memory of Beatle John Lennon. The stamp is printed in a traditional offset format and then overprinted with phosphorus in silk screen which causes the picture to accumulate light and then glow in the dark. When exposed to ultraviolet light, a picture of John Lennon appears on the stamp.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZ1kZFUuymw5N1LE0VCIiilJjyOpJ5qWmxtWHU-mekeRv7_RlI6RCWYxKlyItHJTeceFS4yOcHBgavU1__EDH_MZvW7c2FxiU2xHKAkjRpyChIYyceXcWicMQbWEPx9iDT-tXCtJ6o_eg/s320/wackaland.jpg)
Aland issued a stamp that has red granite burnt into it. The stamp illustrate
s a winding red gravel road - a common sight in Aland.
Lithuania issued the first drop-shaped postage stamp for the EXPO Zaragoza 2008 Exhibition, the theme of which was "Water and Sustainable Development".
Finland issued a miniature sheet dedicated to Alpine skiing. The sheet has an illusion of movement thanks to the
imaging and printing technology used.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb4gEvGgpWdVkBvLwZ_TeuRLujA5x9zQf_QLX5kxLMGwnkSQ6RbiA8fH7PG1tfXE-ysbT3eKFIpq7DyMh_gkBr3nnb2NJ-wD-82q6MeX3aWga9vhmExhp9JwgetoZdbjdnZmOCtd96rk5/s320/wacklithuania.jpg)
Lithuania issued the first drop-shaped postage stamp for the EXPO Zaragoza 2008 Exhibition, the theme of which was "Water and Sustainable Development".
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hveMzRJstaNhglpU1cbGGhYtqZCmJMBrAbxrR1xnPfu4c0nxQl72icU8lov6CjbALIIp36Ng2vrRKz6246wPwANhWxf6pqqJ0bQD5ZonhJPfsZviRWNGoUZjCJSaOPTJX06jUfbUO6Aw/s320/wackfinland.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6y0SK7Av4D_GzV9vO3KBZSXZneNvT_xs5VzaXKAdoD8Qcv2bOfIf89SFWwLJEc5FZbOBFYMwnc_I7kBcw5ov1nDp6ViD7DJUJWwimvmD9yzWt3hwqjbZa464qv1OpLSHx9juS6aDGZjf/s320/wackhongkong.jpg)
Hong Kong issued a set of special stamps featuring jellyfish. For the first time in Hong Kong philatelic history, the stamps are being printed with a glow-in-the-dark effect.
Certainly such exciting innovations should attract new collectors to the hobby. Perhaps one day there will be a stamp on which the sender can write the receiver's address and record a message, thereby rendering letters obsolete.