I am quite intrigued by the engraved and illustrated stamps from Czechoslovakia and Czech Republic (Czechia) and have not yet seen a stamp that was a photograph.
I haven't gotten enough Slovakian stamps to see if they have continued this tradition, but looking online, I think they have.
from 1955
glassware
a blue cat by Louis Wain
Wishing you all a year of fanciful flights in 2025
Anyway, these gingerbread houses are different from the ones the USPS issued in 2013. Ours feature a birdhouse (Canada), a doghouse (US), and a barn (International)
after a long night...
a stylish squirrel having a break
even the deer are drawn to the flames on the candle
red is a popular colour for mailboxes in many countries
and decorators often suggest a pop of red somehere n a room, so this red chair would be welcome
plus a bonus red envelope for your Christmas cards
this ice is so comfy...
In 1999, this magnificent selection from the Corning Museum of Glass was issued
From 1967, a view of part of Marc Chagall's Peace Window in the UN building, NY. The full piece is 15' x 12' (which is larger than my living room)
sometimes, the snows falls before all the leaves
sometimes, it doesn't fall on mountains in November, as has happened in Japan this year. snow fell on the 6th, but almost immediately melted away, unlike in this vintage postcard of Mt Fuji in winter.
This one from Belarus was also tricky. Turns out it is a 'common raccoon dog' which is not at all a raccoon. Or a dog. It is a canid that is closely related to a fox. They are widespread in eastern Europe and Asia.
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.
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.
there are so many beaches, you would be spoilt for choice
