vintage and contemporary postcards and stamps from around the world


23 August 2026

most beautiful mountain in world

 Straddling the border between Switzerland and Italy, Matterhorn (German) is also known as Cervino (Italian) or Cervin (French).  It is a near symmetrical pyramidal shape, which I think shows up well in this stamp from 1962.  The shape is formed from the erosion of multiple glaciers diverging from the peak over the past 50 or 60 million years.

The stamp is part of a mountaineering series, and this might be the south view, showing Lion Ridge (Cresta del Leone) where one might climb from the Italian side, if one were so inclined (pun unintended)

San Marino is a small country of 24 square miles that is completely surrounded by Italy near the Adriatic.

20 August 2026

regal

 

This would make quite the entrance for the new bride.  I am imagining it is a bit of a journey to the new home (or the wedding place) since the sedan is not being carried by humans.

18 August 2026

summer friends

The greatest people are those who can give hope to others
a mouth painting

16 August 2026

scenic

 

I don't know where this river is located but it is a pretty spot.  I like the inclusion of what looks like white Pekin ducks heading under the high arched stone bridge.

an unnamed river for Sunday Stamps

13 August 2026

river cruise

 

Most of the major European River Cruises dock at this Austrian village, although this is one of the regional day trip cruises.  Due to the now low water levels of the Danube, cruises will likely be limited.

09 August 2026

old man

also called "Stone Face" by the Abenaki peoples.  You could see the profile from the north until it collapsed in 2003.

It is actually a series of five jagged cliff ledges on the Cannon Mountain in the White Mountains.

The stamp was issued in 1955 for the 150th anniversary of the discovery (by white people) of the face.


06 August 2026

fast trains

 

a train belching some steam somewhere in Yorkshire

and another on the other side of the country.

The 'Cornishman' first ran in 1890 travelling from Paddington to Penzance in a little over 8 hours





Another train, travelling much faster and with less belch is the 'Bullet'

02 August 2026

airship to jumbo jet

 

The first air mail was delivered to Bermuda by a 2,472,000 cubic foot dirigible (.17¢).  Built partially with German reparation funds from WWI.  It went to Bermuda twice in 1925.  Fifty years later, mail was being delivered by a 747, the first wide body jet (.25¢).

30 July 2026

north sea

from Germany       some beach shelters

and some more protected shelters in the form of huts and tents in a vintage card from this seaside town in Norfolk
and so ends our July theme of architecture
next month, we will be finding ways of travelling for Thursday Postcard Hunt

29 July 2026

26 July 2026

a tale

Chosen in honour of Beatrix Potter's 160th birthday on July 28th.  Peter Rabbit was the first of her books to be published, and was also the first fictional character to be merchandized.  Beatrix Potter should be admired not only for her stories and illustrations, but for also being a conservationist, a scientist, and a savvy businesswoman.  I particularly love that she refused to give Walt Disney permission to adapt Peter Rabbit into an animated film fearing that he would distort her creation.  She preferred, and excelled at, maintaining creative control.
This stamp is from 1979 and designed by Edward Hughes
For 'children's stories'

23 July 2026

beauty

Mayakovskaya Station, built in the Stalinist style in 1938, is considered one of the most beautiful of the Moscow Metro Stations

Novoslobodskaya Station, which like the one above, had Alexey Dushkin as its architect, was opened in 1952.

Although it is a bit disconcerting to see a station devoid of people, it is also a little unnerving to see a massive concourse with only a scattering of people wandering aimlessly as in this view of Chicago's Union Station, built in the 1920s for what would be $1B in today's dollars ($75 million)


19 July 2026

oldest and still active

 

I appreciate how much information is included in these Lithuanian lighthouse stamps. 

Originally built in 1796, this one was completely destroyed in WWII and reconstructed and renovated in 1953.  The focal height is 44 metres and the light range is 33 km (21 mi, or 18 nautical miles)