vintage and contemporary postcards and stamps from around the world


29 July 2019

dream harbor

painting by Leonid Afremov received from Russia
According to one website, the original painting — oil on canvas with a palette knife (57x45) — is for sale for $23,000
I am quite content with this postcard version.

28 July 2019

Sunday Stamps - W

Continuing from last week's theme, here is a humpback whale. This one, however, is of least concern on the conservation status. They live in all of the oceans and are known to have some of the longest migrations of any mammal.  Locally, there are about 4,000 in the Northwest Atlantic and 18,000 in the North Pacific (though, because of their travels, it is hard to know for certain). Their scientific name "Megaptera novaeangliae" translates to "large winged from New England".

for the letter W - whale

... as we are nearing the end of this round, I would like to ask if there is still interest in continuing? We seem to have lost a few people along the way, but I am happy to keep going. I enjoy seeing your postings and would be sad to have this end. 

26 July 2019

Petronas

The Petronas Towers were, from 1998 to 2004, the tallest buildings in the world. They are still the tallest twin towers in the world. Built by Cesar Pelli who died last week at age 93 (1926-2019)

25 July 2019

cottage garden


Painted by William Wells Quartremain,
Anne Hathaway's Cottage Garden

One of many views of Anne Hathaway's Cottage that W.W. Quartremain painted.

22 July 2019

insects

I am sure there are many more insects, but these are the glamour shots

21 July 2019

Sunday Stamps - V

This North Atlantic Right Whale stamp was issued as part of a set for endangered species in 2013 when there was thought to be only 500 individuals left. They are vanishing at a rapid rate and are now estimated to be only 400 left. So far this year eight right whales have died in the Gulf of St Lawrence plus only this weekend two others were disentangled from fishing gear by a hard working rescue team who may or may not survive.

for the letter V - vanishing

20 July 2019

winter

Regensburg in Winter
the snow looks nice and cool in this summer heat we are having

19 July 2019

creole style

Creole jambalaya includes tomatoes whereas Cajun jambalaya does not

18 July 2019

siberian jay

A Siberian Jay from Finland, where it is known as a kuukkeli

17 July 2019

nature's calling

National Park Virginia
Deer posing at Upper Doyle's River Falls (28' waterfall)

15 July 2019

the big land

Discover 300,000 sq km of unspoiled, ancient beauty. Labrador boasts towering mountains, 
massive rock faces, and an infinite supply of lakes and rivers.

14 July 2019

Sunday Stamps - U

Greece

Issued in 2015 as part of a series for diving tourism, this underwater stamp shows off 'treeshaped sponges' or achaia.

for the letter U - underwater

12 July 2019

Dom Knigi

House of Books
built in 1902-04 for the Singer Sewing Machine Co it has been a massive book store with cafe since 1938

11 July 2019

looking out to sea

on the Black Sea
Tarkhankut Lighthouse built in 1817 Crimea.
Still in use and you can even visit and follow the lighthouse keeper as he carries out his duties.

10 July 2019

dancing and singing

black grouse lekking — a courtship ritual for attracting the ladies. In the spring the males strut around in a traditional area whilst making a distinctive mating call.

09 July 2019

temple

Longshan Temple, Taipei — a mix of Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian faiths
Built in 1738 and standing in one of Taipei's most historic neighbourhoods, Longshan temple has been rebuilt by the local people after ever flood or earthquake with little or no government help.

08 July 2019

kiss the cod


fisherman from Trinity Bay NFLD
photo taken almost 50 years ago of three fishermen

07 July 2019

Sunday Stamps - T

A Portrait of a Man in a Turban. Or a self portrait of Jan Van  Eyck.
Painted around 1433, it has been hanging in The National Gallery of London since 1851. The stamp was issued in 1996 for the Belgian Art Abroad series.
This rather messy turban is also called a chaperon, though that translates more as a hood (Little Red Riding Hood is known as Le Petit Chaperon Rouge). If this is a self portrait, I want to know how he managed to paint without it falling off or coming unravelled.

for the letter T - turban

05 July 2019

an absolute unit

weighing over 97 tonnes, this glass reinforced cement merino stands 18 metres long and 15.5 metres tall. he is 34 years old and if you wish, you could climb inside and look out his eyes at the view around Goulburn NSW!

04 July 2019

1st century theatre

Roman Theatre of Orange, Vaucluse France

The theatre was a way of spreading (Roman) culture to the colonies, 
and also a distraction from the political activities of the day.

03 July 2019

tram 28

Lisbon

Tram 28 travels through the popular tourist districts on a line that is unsuitable for modern trams because of the sharp turns and steep gradients.  It runs from 6am until 10:30pm with departures every 15 minutes between 7am-8pm.