vintage and contemporary postcards and stamps from around the world


28 November 2024

two town views

 


Sent in 1900 to South Shields (an almost 5 hour drive from Cheltenham) in England.

On this card we have 'the Promenade' (top right) which dates back to 1818 in the height of the Regency period, with 'the fountain' (top left).  'Pitville Gardens' is on the bottom, which seems to be a misspelling of Pittville Gardens, part of a large estate created by Joseph Pittville in 1825 for the "rich & famous who came to live in Cheltenham".  The estate includes a large ornamental lake and a pump room (as would befit a spa town).  By 1894, the park was open to the general public.  In the centre is the Cheltenham Ladies College (founded in 1854) a private boarding and day school for girls aged 11-18.

I know a bit less about this town in West Pomerania - not to be confused with Szczecin, the capital of West Pomerania. (including how to properly pronounce it!).  Szczecinek was given town status in 1310.
The building in the top row middle, is the town hall with quite a large fountain.  Most of the city was spared in WWII and the entire old town (middle row far right) is a national heritage monument to Poland.  The image below that shows the Church of St Mary's.  The statue may be of Adam Giedrys, an astronomer and tailor.  The others seem to show various ways you can enjoy yourself in the town.

24 November 2024

small animals

 red fox and red squirrel


an exasperated mama cat

 

 

 

those eyes...


21 November 2024

english riviera

 two different views of Brixham Harbour in Devon


Unfortunately, the artist of the first one isn't credited, but E (Edmund) Nagele is credited for the chrome postcard. Brixham is the busiest fishing port in England.  I found a travel blog posted in August which listed so many places to visit, walk, and eat, but strangely did not once mention the replica of Sir Francis Drake's ship, the Golden Hind, which you can see in the inner harbour.  Personally, that would be my first reason to visit, with the views and food a welcome bonus.

18 November 2024

beaches

there are so many beaches, you would be spoilt for choice

the western side of the island is known to have the best beaches

17 November 2024

lyon


Joseph Marie Jacquard, a weaver, inventor and merchant who lived from1752 to 1834 in Lyon.  He is perhaps best known for inventing the Jacquard loom (1804) which simplified complex patterns such as brocade and damask.



Lorne Greene, a Canadian actor, best known for playing Ben Cartwright on the tv show Bonanza.  Interesting fact: he was born Lyon Green in 1911.  He died in 1987.



headshots for Sunday Stamps

(and for anyone paying attention... I have no idea why the font keeps changing size)

14 November 2024

streets

this street, while old and quaint, looks like a massive tripping hazard

artist: Alex Tsuper, received from Ukraine

this ethereal street in Vilnius is rather enchanting, I think
artist: Sigute Ach, received from Lithuania

13 November 2024

1989

The Rogers Centre, née SkyDome, is 6 months older than Taylor Swift.  Toronto has been going CrayCray for TayTay - only one more sleep until her six day concert run inside this very stadium.

10 November 2024

infantry


 The 'Patricias' and The 'Van Doos'
The Princess Patricia Light Infantry is named for the daughter of the then (1914) Governor General of Canada (she was also a granddaughter of Queen Victoria).
The Royal 22nd Regiment was founded in 1869 are known colloquially as the 'Van Doos' in English, from the French vingt-deux. 

09 November 2024

08 November 2024

ladybug

 

It's that time of year when the ladybugs come inside for warmth and a rest.  They are the one insect I don't mind.

07 November 2024

04 November 2024

700 islands

Only 30 of these islands are inhabited. The largest island is Andros, and the capital is on the island of New Providence.  It is only one of two countries using the article 'The' in its name.

03 November 2024

movember

 

a pioneer of Canadian photography, William Hanson Boorne opened his first studio in Calgary in 1886.

another handlebar moustache, this time on Mustafa Kamil Pasha (1874-1908), an Egyptian lawyer and journalist.
 

 

some refined moustaches for Sunday Stamps

02 November 2024

01 November 2024

valencia

the region has been declared a disaster zone after devastating floods, the deadliest in decades