Welcome to this stamps, first-day covers and postcards gallery of mine euphemistically called Lets Talk Stamps. My desire here, is to show as often as I can, some of my presumed beauties and talk about them. And hopefully make Your Day in the bargain. In case you want a better view, JUST CLICK on the picture and it will be ENLARGED. Please also see my picture postcards blog www.mypicturepostcards.blogspot.in
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Volunteerism
As 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers, Hongkong Post recognises that volunteers are making a notable difference in diverse fields, showing the world the true meaning of love and care. Hongkong Post announced that a set of special stamps on the theme of "Volunteerism" will be released for sale with associated philatelic products on March 29.
Volunteerism is an important social service that promotes not only a sense of sharing and affinity, but also cultivates civic-mindedness and personal development. In recognition of the meaningful role played by volunteer workers towards enhancing social harmony and inclusiveness, Hongkong Post is proud to take part in celebrating the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers.
The four stamps depict the rewarding experiences gained and positive contributions made by different age groups engaged in delivering essential community services. Particularly noteworthy is the innovative design concept adopted for the sheetlet that mimics a diary page, which captures some memorable moments and features a heart-shaped stamp as a centrepiece symbolising the noble spirit of volunteerism.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Vintage cars
Aland Postal Service issued four new stamps that each have a postage value of 1st Class named "Vintage Cars in Aland" on the 4th of March 2005. The four stamps depict four different vintage cars found in Aland. Each of these wonderful cars is described below.
- Oakland Sport Convertible - Was the first car out on the road in 1928 and is now owned by Gustaf Sauren who lives on the island of Sottunga in the Aland archipelago. It was first registered in Turku and had the same owner for 40 years. The car has been completely restored and is being used by its owner to drive around the island.
- Ford V8 - on the road in 1939 this shining black Ford was purchased by Anders Hedenberg and his father in Turku in 1943. In 1952, the car was sold to Bjarne Jannson who sold it to another owner. Then in 1984 Anders Hedenberg and Bjarne Jansson repurchased the car and restored it to its original condition.
- Buick Super 4D HT - is a classic red-and-white American car owned by Sune Mattsson in Aland. It was imported from Sweden from the USA in 1978, and has won first prize in a show in Mariehamn.
- Volkswagen 1200 - everyone has heard or seen a Volkswagen Beetle at one time or another. It is still a very popular model and is seen in almost every country. This beige Beetle was brought to Aland brand-new in 1964. It is now owned by a car company named Tor-Rolf Karlsson.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Children's playgroups (preschool 10.10.1988
Sunday, November 27, 2011
50th Anniversary of Surealism
Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for the visual artworks and writings of the group members. Surrealist works feature the element of surprise, unexpected juxtapositions and non sequitur; however, many Surrealist artists and writers regard their work as an expression of the philosophical movement first and foremost, with the works being an artifact. Leader André Breton was explicit in his assertion that Surrealism was above all a revolutionary movement.
Surrealism developed out of the Dada activities during World War I and the most important center of the movement was Paris. From the 1920s onward, the movement spread around the globe, eventually affecting the visual arts, literature, film and music of many countries and languages, as well as political thought and practice, philosophy and social theory.
The stamps on this 1999 set were issued while celebrating 50 Years of Surrealism in Portugal. Paintings by 5 artists combined in one big sheetlet, they are all all Portuguese artists:
- António Domingues (stamp in first post)
- António Pedro (bottom left)
- Vespeira (middle)
- Fernando de Azevedo (top right)
- Moniz Pereira (bottom right)
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Milk Producers of Norway
Friday, November 25, 2011
Icebreakers of Finland 7.8.2005
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Aland's autonomy - 70 years
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Equatorial Guinea Stamps of Old Aircraft
This sheet let of 16 stamps issued by Equatorial Guinea in 1975, of aircraft around the world from 1896 to 1940 are individually portrayed on these stamps. From the plane built by the Wright Brothers to the “Spirit of Saint Louis” and many others. This sheet is almost a history of aircraft evolution. It was given to me by Maria.
Equatorial Guinea, officially the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, is a country located in Middle Africa. It comprises two parts: a Continental Region (Río Muni), including several small offshore islands like Corisco, Elobey Grande and Elobey Chico; and an insular region containing Annobón island and Bioko island (formerly Fernando Po) where the capital Malabo is situated.Equatorial Guinea has one of the worst human rights records in the world, consistently ranking among the "worst of the worst" in Freedom House's annual survey of political and civil rights and Reporters Without Borders ranks President Obiang among its "predators" of press freedom. Out of 44 sub-Saharan countries, Equatorial Guinea ranks 9th highest in the Human Development Index (HDI) and 115th overall, which is among the medium HDI countries.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Norwegian Engineering
Monday, November 21, 2011
Akseli Gallen-Kallela: posters 1.3.2006
Sunday, November 20, 2011
The Tortoise and The Hare
This is a story believed to be One of Aesop’s Fables most popular and often quoted.
There once was a speedy hare who bragged about how fast he could run. Tired of hearing him boast, Slow and Steady, the tortoise, challenged him to a race. All the animals in the forest gathered to watch. Hare ran down the road for a while and then and paused to rest. He looked back at Slow and Steady and cried out, "How do you expect to win this race when you are walking along at your slow, slow pace?" Hare stretched himself out alongside the road and fell asleep, thinking, "There is plenty of time to relax." Slow and Steady walked and walked. He never, ever stopped until he came to the finish line.
The animals who were watching cheered so loudly for Tortoise, they woke up Hare. Hare stretched and yawned and began to run again, but it was too late. Tortoise was over the line. After that, Hare always reminded himself, "Don't brag about your lightning pace, for Slow and Steady won the race!". And from that day on, the watch-word of the truly successful became “Slow and Steady Wins the Race”.
Cyprus Post took this very story and issued these five lovely stamps in a miniature sheet.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Hameenlinna10.1.1989
This very interesting cover was given to me by Merja. Hämeenlinna is a city and a municipality of about 67,000 inhabitants in the heart of the historical province of Häme in the south of Finland and is the birthplace of composer Jean Sibelius. Today, it belongs to the region of Tavastia Proper, and until 2010 it was the residence city for the Governor of the province of Southern Finland. Nearby cities include the capital Helsinki (98 km/61 mi), Tampere (73 km/45 mi) and Lahti (72 km/45 mi). The medieval Häme Castle (Hämeen linna) is located in the city. The municipalities of Hauho, Kalvola, Lammi, Renko and Tuulos were consolidated with Hämeenlinna on 1 January 2009.
There has been a settlement called Vanaja by the lake Vanajavesi in where the city now stands since the Viking Age. The castle was built in the late 13th century to secure the Swedish power in central Finland. A village was born near to the Häme Castle to provide services and goods to inhabitants. The village was granted city rights in 1639 and soon after that the King of Sweden moved it one kilometre south on the hill where it now stands. The city is known for its schools and academies where many famous Finns have studied. Schools, government and the military have characterized Hämeenlinna's life all through history. Finland's first railway line opened between Hämeenlinna and Helsinki in 1862. The current Hämeenlinna railway station was built in 1921.
Friday, November 18, 2011
750th anniversary of the City of Turku 31.3.1979
Pia sent me this nice FDC, which commemorated the 750th anniversary of the City of Turku. It was issued on 31.3.1979. The stamp features the Turku Cathedral and Castle, Brinkkala house, and the Brahe statue. The Brinkala Mansion is best known for the traditional proclamation of Christmas peace, which has been given from the Brinkkala Mansion balcony each Christmas Eve at 12:00 since 1886.
Finland's first university was founded in Turku in 1640, even though the number of inhabitants in the city was not very large at that time. The staple town charter (the right to conduct foreign trade) guaranteed, however, that trading was brisk.
Due to its location, Turku is a notable commercial and passenger seaport city with over three million passengers traveling through Port of Turku each year to Stockholm and Mariehamn.
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Thursday, November 17, 2011
The Kruzenshtern
Further to my post dated 2nd June, 2010 under the ‘Tall Ships” group in this blog, Nataliya sent me this lovely FDC dated 29.6.2006. The Kruzenshtern or Krusenstern is a four masted barque and tall ship that was built in 1926 at Geestemünde in Bremerhaven, Germany as the Padua (named after the Italian city). She was surrendered to the USSR in 1946 as war reparation and renamed after the early 19th century Baltic German explorer in Russian service, Adam Johann Krusenstern (1770–1846). She is now a Russian Navy sail training ship.
Of the four remaining Flying P-Liners, the former Padua is the only one still in use, mainly for training purposes, with her home ports in Kaliningrad (formerly Königsberg) and Murmansk. After the Sedov, another former German ship, she is the largest traditional sailing vessel still in operation.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Spanish Lighthouses 11.4.2011
This Lighthouses issue released by Spain is devoted to the following six Lighthouses: Calella (Barcelona), Chipiona (Cádiz), La Entallada (Fuerteventura); Cap de Sant Sebastiá (Girona), Castell de Ferro (Granada) and Faro Valencia. These stamps were issued on 11th April 2011, valued @ 0,65 €.
The lighthouse of Calella is located on a hill 50 m above sea level. It was inaugurated in December 1859. It first worked with oil and later with petroleum. It was electrified in 1927. It is currently in service and has a light range covering 35 nautical miles. The lighthouse of Chipiona became operational in 1867. It has a height of 62 m above the basement and consists of a conical tower. It initially worked with oil and then with petroleum. It was electrified in 1942. Its has a light range of about 80 miles. The lighthouse of Punta La Entallada in Fuerteventura is a square tower 12 m high, on a one storey stone building. It came into service in December 1954. Its light is white and its range is of 21 miles. The lighthouse of Cap Sant Sebastià is located on the mountain of San Sebastià de la Guardia 167 m above sea level. It was built in 1875 and is one of the main lighthouses of the Gulf of León. Its tower is 12 m from the base, the light is white and the range is of 32 miles. The Castell de Ferro lighthouse is built on a promontory 225 m. above sea level. It has a tapered shape and stands 9.40 m over the basement. It receives electricity through photovoltaic panels and has a light range of 14 miles. It was built from an old XI Arab watchtower. The lighthouse of Valencia dates from 1930 and King Alfonso XIII laid its foundation stone. Its tower is octagonal and masonry. It has a focal plane height of 30 m. The light is white and the range is of 25 miles.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Juho Pietari "Hannes" Kolehmainen 9.10.1989
Kolehmainen's sportive career was interrupted by the First World War, but he remained an athlete to be reckoned with, although his specialty had now shifted to the longer distances, especially the marathon. At the first post-war Olympics in Antwerp, he won the gold medal in this event. He would also enter the Olympic marathon in 1924, but Kolehmainen did not complete that race. By then, Kolehmainen had found a worthy successor in Paavo Nurmi. Together with Nurmi, he lit the Olympic Flame at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. He died in that same city, fourteen years later.
This FDC was given to me by Merja.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Turku Cathedral1.11.1976
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Tokyo Olympic Games 1964
The 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honour was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's invasion of China, before ultimately being cancelled because of World War II. The 1964 Summer Games were the first Olympics held in Asia, and the first time South Africa was barred from taking part due to its apartheid system in sports(South Africa was, however, allowed to compete at the 1964 Summer Paralympics, also held in Tokyo, where it made its Paralympic Games début) These games were also the first to be telecast internationally. The games were telecast to the United States using Syncom 3, the first geostationary communication satellite, and from there to Europe using Relay 1. The stamps featured in this sheetlet were issued by the Republic of Gabon.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
FIFA World Cup 2010
Friday, November 11, 2011
The III Games of the Small States of Europe10.4.1989
The Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) are a biennial, multi-sport event, launched by the Republic of San Marino and organized by, and featuring the National Olympic Committees of eight European small states since 1985. The Games are currently held at the beginning of June, and feature competition in nine Summer Olympic sports. The 14th edition of the Games took place in June 2011 in Liechtenstein.
The FDC and stamps displayed commemorate The 3rd Games of the Small States of Europe were held in 1989 by the Republic of Cyprus. The majority of events including the opening and closing ceremonies took place at the Makario Stadium the whilst the indoor events were held at the Lefkotheo indoor hall. The very attractive stamps issued portray various track and field events. Merja gave me this lovely FDC.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Folk Costumes
Every three years the Nordic postal services issue Nordic stamps with a common theme. In 1989 Nordic stamps eighth in succession and the theme was “Folk Costumes”. The Norwegian stamps on this First Day Cover issued on 20.4.1989 feature a woman’s and a man’s costume. The woman’s costume is from Setesdal. This is an embroidered, richly adorned with silver costume. The costume has two skirts – ablack one worn over a white one. The headgear is a black woolen kerchief with a printed pattern of roses.
The man is wearing a Kautokeino costume. The cap belonging to this costume has a star shaped crown. Both the cap and the smock-type jacket are decorated with brightly coloured ribbons. The skirt of the jacket is pleated and the jacket is worn with a colourful leather belt.
The postmark represents the tongue of a shoe belonging to a folk costume from Hardanger, while the illustration on the cover depicts a brooch made by Frisenberg of Lillehammer in traditional Gudbrandsdal style. Merja gave me this pretty FDC.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Turtles
Noumea is the largest city in and capital of New Caledonia, lying on the main island of Grande Terre. One of the most westernised capitals in the Pacific Islands, it features beautiful beaches and colonial mansions and is not yet a heavily tourist destination. Where metropolitan French will hear a bad French accent, wince and say that they speak English, the Francophones of New Caledonia are either less willing or less able to accommodate Anglophones. It is probably a matter of capability, since they are marvellously willing to persevere in determining what it is that a foreigner needs. Without tourist-level French, you may find yourself lost--but it's a lovely place to be lost! The French spoken by Kanaks is much harder to understand than the French of people in Paris: on a par with Breton French (or think of the challenge offered by broad Scots or Yorkshire for a naive English-speaker). Noumea is the capital and vacation centre of the Islands of New Caledonia in the South Pacific. Noumea is a "French" city, but the 91,000 inhabitants are a very mixed cultural group with French, Melanesian, Polynesian, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and lots of mixtures of these. Over 60% of the population of New Caledonia lives in Noumea. Noumea is a peninsula on the southwestern end of Grande Terre and the central business district (Centre Ville) is next to one of the best natural harbours in the South Pacific. The lagoon side of the peninsula has two picturesque bays with white sand beaches and is called Anse Vata and Baie des Citrons. These twin bays are the international tourism capital of New Caledonia with hotels, restaurants and bars on the landward side of "La Promenade". First settled by the French in 1854, Noumea retains close political ties with France. It has excellent schools and public facilities - parks, recreation areas, exercise paths, schools and medical facilities. Today it is the fastest growing city in the South Pacific. There are 23 hotels in Noumea ranging from one to five stars and over 100 Restaurants.
The stamps (issued in January 2002) in this very attractive miniature sheet portray a part of the wondrous marine life in the Caledonian seas. These turtles can also be seen in the Noumea Aquarium.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
12th International Salvage Conference 2.6.1975
Pia sent this very informative FDC. When property is lost at sea and rescued by another, the rescuer is entitled to claim a salvage award on the salved property. There is no "life salvage". All mariners have a duty to save the lives of others in peril without expectation of reward. Consequently salvage law applies only to the saving of property. There are two types of salvage: contract salvage and pure salvage, which is sometimes referred to as "merit salvage". In contract salvage the owner of the property and salvor enter into a salvage contract prior to the commencement of salvage operations and the amount that the salvor is paid is determined by the contract. The most common salvage contract is called a "Lloyd's Open Form Salvage Contract".
Designer: Paavo Huovinen. The stamp was issued on the opening day of the XIIth International Life-Boat Conference in Helsinki, June 2-5, 1975. The stamp depicts the rescue vessel "Niilo Saarinen" on duty.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Europa 2010 - Children's books 5.5.2010
"Children Day", as an event, is celebrated on various days in many places around the world, in particular to honour children. Major global variants include a Universal Children's Day on November 20, by United Nations recommendation. Children's Day is often celebrated on other days as well. Children's Day in India is celebrated on November 14, the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who was the first Prime Minister of India after independence.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Brown bears of Finland 30.8.1989
The Brown Bear is the national symbol of Finland. Some 1,000 bears are estimated to live in Finland. There are excellent opportunities to see bears in Finland. In Finland there are currently about 800 to 900 brown bears and they distributed allover the country. Despite this, population density varies and is still rather low in western and southern Finland. Core area of the Finnish population is in the southeast of the country. At the beginning of the 20th century the brown bear nearly disappeared from northern Europe and the Finnish population reached its minimum around 1920. Afterwards the population started to grow again, first slowly, then with acceleration since the 1970s. The immigration of brown bears from Russia has been scientifically revealed for the first time then and dispersion to the southern and western parts of the country has been observed since then.
The Finnish population is estimated at around 1000 individuals, but despite this low figure it is still-hunted. Without reinforcements from behind the Russian border, Finnish bears would long since have been hunted to extinction. Most bruins live in the large wilderness areas on the Russian side of the Finnish border. When the hunting season starts, many move back to the quieter Russian backcountry only to return in spring after hibernation. Watching and photographing bears in Finland is possible. A good time is from the middle of April to the beginning of June when the bears have just awoken from their winter sleep. After this comes the rut, when eating is not the animals’ main concern. The best viewing time lasts from the beginning of July to the middle of August, when feeding points again have plenty of bears to watch and photograph.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Iran - Bam Earthquake
Due to the earthquake, relations between Iran and the United States thawed. The U.S. generally treated Iran as part of the "axis of evil", as its President George W. Bush referred to those states regarded to sponsor terrorism. However, following the earthquake the U.S. offered direct humanitarian assistance to Iran and in return the state promised to comply with an agreement with theInternational Atomic Energy Agency which supports greater monitoring of its nuclear interests. In total a reported 44 countries sent in personnel to assist in relief operations and 60 countries offered assistance.
Following the earthquake, the Iranian government seriously considered moving the capital of Tehran in fear of an earthquake occurring there. Psychologically the earthquake had an impact on many of the victims for years afterwards. A new institutional framework in Iran was established to address problems of urban planning and to reconstruct the city of Bam in compliance with strict seismic regulations. This process marked a turning point, as government ministers and international organizations collaborated under this framework with local engineers and local people to organize the systematic rebuilding of the city.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
International Tourism Year 1967 16.10.1987
The resolution of the United Nations Conference on International Travel and Tourism entitled "importance of tourism", which stated, inter alia, that tourism is a basic and most desirable human activity deserving the praise and encouragement of all peoples and all Governments. Bearing in mind the need for international co-operation in promoting tourism in view of its useful role in the educational, cultural, economic and social fields. Recognizing the importance of international tourism, and particularly of the designation of an International Tourist Year, in fostering better understanding among peoples everywhere, in leading to a greater awareness of the rich heritage of various civilizations and in bringing about a better appreciation of the inherent values of difierent cultures, thereby contributing to the strengthening of peace in the world. Considering that the designation of an International Tourist Year will encourage the intensification of national and international co-operative efforts, by both Governments and interested organizations, for the promotion of tourism, in particular to developing countries, the United Nations decided the following :-
In view of the above Cyprus issued a first Day Cover and four stamps, commemorating this important event on 16.10.1967. The stamps featured, Ancient Monuments, the Famagusta Beach, Nicosia Airport, and finally the Youth Hostel at Troodos. This nice card was given to me by Merja.
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