Sunday Stamps II - 67

March 1, 2016 Canada Hydrangea macrophylla
illustrator Marie- Élaine Cusson

A brand new stamp in the continuing flower series, hydrangeas produce blue or pink flowers depending on the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. These are also called 'mophead' hydrangeas and are the most popular variety grown. Although this particular one on the stamp is called "Endless Summer" it has in recent years become perhaps more popular as a spring potted plant than the white Easter lily for this time of year.

Happy Easter!

for Easter or spring

Sunday Stamps II - 66

1973 issue for New Year, bronze lantern

This bronze lantern was unearthed in 1910 on the grounds of the Chiba Temple. An inscription on the top indicates it was cast in 1550. The hexagonal lantern has alternating patterns of bamboo and plum panels on the central cylinder with one panel serving as a door. Apart from this door, the whole lantern was cast of one piece. It stands 11 3/4" and can now be seen in the Tokyo National Museum.

for the colour green

Sunday Stamps II - 65

2010, Canada, Mental Health semi-postal
value .57¢ + 10¢ donation (Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health)
designer Louis Gagnon

The stamp features a mental health patient on the path towards recovery with the lines representing the plight of a troubled mind moving toward a sense of peace as they rise up the mountain. A tree grows at the summit as a symbol of growth, healing and renewal.

for health & welfare

Sunday Stamps II - 64

2010, Austria, Shanghai Expo
designer: Irmgard Paul

Empress Elisabeth, nicknamed 'Sisi', was born in Bavaria and married Franz Josef I at age 16. She was not well suited to court life and had an extremely interfering mother-in-law, which did not help. Her major political achievement was contributing to the Austo-Hungarian Dual Monarchy, and that was mostly because she retreated to Hungary for solace and an escape from Vienna. For the most part, she had no control in her life as Empress, but what she could control - and did so, obsessively - was her physical appearance and her beauty. She was a tall woman (5'8") and weighed around 110lbs. With the aid of exercises, fasting and corsets she emphasized her slender figure and 19" waist. Her chestnut hair fell to her knees when let loose and took 2-3 hours of care daily. This portrait, by Francis Xaver Winterhalter, was made in 1894 when Sisi was 27 years old and is said to have been Franz Josef's favourite.

for: women