Sunday Stamps - J

2004, Jersey, Ducks and Swans

Mallards are one of the most common varieties of duck to be hunted for sport, although not in the UK. So, in 2001, when the Queen visited Jersey she was presented with two dead ducks as an act of homage from the Seigneur of Trinity they had to be imported from France. This was a tradition that goes back 800 years when the seigneurs of Jersey would pay tribute to the Duke of Normandy (William the Conqueror) and his successors whenever they visited the island. The ducks may, or may not, have been part of that evening's commemorative dinner.

for the letter J - Jersey

Sunday Stamps - I

2015, India
designer: Kamleshwar Singh

International Day of Yoga is June 21st and was first established in 2014 by the UN.  It recognized that yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India ... and provides a holistic approach to health and well being ... and brings harmony in all walks of life and is known for disease prevention, health promotion, and management of many lifestyle related disorders.  

The stamp shows the logo of the International Day of Yoga

• folding of both hands symbolizes Yoga, a union of perfect harmony between mind and body, human and nature.

•  green leaves symbolize nature

•  blue symbolizes the water element 

•  brown leaves symbolizes the earth element

•  brightness symbolizes the fire element

•  the sun symbolizes the source of energy and inspiration

for the letter I - India, International Day of Yoga 

 

Sunday Stamps - H

2006, Switzerland, traditional flora
designer: Flavia Travaglini

The Spatlauber is an old variety of rare apple cultivated in Switzerland since around 1750 and able to be stored for extended periods of time without shrivelling. These days, it is known for its anti-aging stem cells use in cosmetics.

for the letter H - Helvetia / Switzerland

Sunday Stamps - G

1948, Gambia

Celebrating the Royal Silver Wedding of George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

The Republic of The Gambia is the smallest country in Africa and is surrounded almost entirely by Senegal with a coastline in the Atlantic. It is a long, narrow country that borders the Gambia River. It lies between latitudes 13° and 14°N and longitudes 13° and 17°W. It's only one of two countries whose short form of its name begins with 'The'.

for the letter G - Gambia, George VI

Sunday Stamps - F

2018    France    Métiers d'art
designer: Florence Gendre
engraving: Pierre Albuisson

Another in France's series of stamps devoted to crafts, this one celebrating leather goods (maroquinier).

For the letter F - France

Sunday Stamps - 'E'

2011, Estonia, Folk Costumes
designer: Mari Kaarma

Over the past 20 years, the tiny country of Estonia puts out an excellent, and exhaustive, array of stamps for folk costumes of its various regions.  these are all done by Mari Kaarma, whose mother was a fashion designer and his father a furniture designer.

for the letter E - Estonia

(I am still away on holidays, so please excuse my absence to your posts until I return next week!)

Sunday Stamps - D

1987, Djbouti

These are also known as parasol mushrooms and are found in all kinds of wooded areas with subspecies in Europe, Asia, North and South America, and Africa. Apparently it is very tasty. But, only the caps are edible.

for the letter D - Djbouti