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, February 29, 2012
DISNEY CHARACTERS - OCCUPATION
Absolutely self-explanatory! All Disney characters are, aren’t they? And the stamps in this sheet are exceptionally pretty.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
1736 Expedition of Moreau de Maupertuis 5.9.1986
The results of the measurements were made public in Maupertuis's book "La Figure de la Terre" (Paris 1738). It was also published in English as "THE Figure of the Earth" (London 1738) and in Latin, Leipzig 1742. The academy correspondent, abbot Réginald Outhier published in 1744 in Paris an illustrated account of the journey "JOURNAL D’UN VOYAUGE AU NORD, En 1736. & 1737". Outhier's map.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Fleet Review: 75th anniversary of the RAN
On 10th July 1911 King George V granted the titles “Royal Australian Navy” and “Royal Australian Naval Reserve” to the Commonwealth Naval Forces. To many people at the time, this creation of an independent local navy symbolised the coming of age of the new nation. Since that time the RAN has played a proud role in the service of Australia and her allies, and has a distinguished record of action in both World Wars, Korea and in South East Asia. The cover design features one of the Navy’s Sea King helicopters and HMAS Hobart, a guided missile destroyer that saw action in Vietnamese waters.
RAN’s 75th Anniversary was celebrated with a Naval Review of the Fleet. With the Reviewing Officer, Admiral of the Fleet HRH Prince Philip, Governor General of Australia, Bill Hayden, Prime Minister Bob Hawke, RAN CNS ADM Michael Hudson AO, and other VIPs embarked onboard the Reviewing Ship, HMAS COOK (A-291) and with her escort HMAS GEELONG (P-210) headed for a position just off Bennalong Point near the Sydney Opera House. At 1200hrs, with a crowd estimated at over three quarters of a million people lining the harbour on land or on the water, the RAN’s 75th Anniversary Naval Review began as the Mobile Review Line, led by HMAS PERTH with the RAN Fleet Commander RADM Ian Knox embarked, said past HMAS COOK, firing a 21 Gun Salute and the crew ‘Mans and Cheers Ship’. The other ships HMS BEAVER, HMNZS SOUTHLAND, HMCS YUKON, USS PAUL F. FOSTER, FNS COMMANDANT BLASION, and HMPNGS AITAPE followed PERTH, with their crews ‘Cheering Ship’ as they passed HMAS COOK. The RAN’s 75th Anniversary Naval Review was a great success. These nice FDCs were given to me by Maria.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Bhutan - The Wangchuk Dynasty
The House of Wangchuck has ruled Bhutan since it was reunified in 1907. Prior to reunification, the Wangchuck family had governed the district of Trongsa as descendants of Dungkar Choji. They eventually overpowered other regional lords and earned the favour of the British Empire. After consolidating power, Penlop of Trongsa Sir Ugyen Wangchuck was elected hereditary King of Bhutan, or Druk Gyalpo ("Dragon King"), thus founding the royal house.Jigme Namgyal of Bhutan (1825–1881) is a forefather of the House of Wangchuck. He served as 51st Druk Desi (Deb Raja, the secular executive) of Bhutan (1870–1873), and held the hereditary post of 10th Penlop of Trongsa. He was the descendant of the Nyingma saint Pema Lingpa and a patriarch of the Nyö clan. With his influence as Druk Desi, he aided his son in consolidating power in Bhutan and retained considerable clout after his official tenure had ended, gaining him the moniker Deb Nagpo ("the Black Deb"). Jigme Namgyal effectively reigned through his death 1881, punctuated by periods of retirement during which he retained control of the country.
During his lifetime, Jigme Namgyal and his forces came to dominate the eastern provinces of Bhutan as Penlop of Trongsa from his base at Trongsa Dzong in the town of Trongsa, Trongsa Province. A generation later, eastern forces led by his son Ugyen Wangchuck conquered western forces loyal to the anti-British Paro Penlop.
Jigme Namgyal is the father of the first Druk Gyalpo King Ugyen Wangchuck, who founded the Bhutanese monarchy in 1907 after besting his rivals, the Penlop of Paro and allies, ending protracted civil war. Jigme Namgyal is thus the forefather of all subsequent Kings of Bhutan: Jigme Wangchuck, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Several monarchs of the House of Wangchuck have borne Jigme Namgyel's names.
Crown Princes of Bhutan traditionally take the title Penlop of Trongsa (also called "Chhoetse" Penlop), reflecting the hereditary position and historical significance of the office of Jigme Namgyal. The Wangchuck dynasty centralized government power in Bhutan and established relations with the British Empire and India under its first two monarchs. The third, fourth, and fifth (current) monarchs have put the kingdom on its path toward democratization, decentralization, and development.
Shashi gave me this wonderful Mini sheet.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Europa 2002 - 'The Circus & Famous Clowns' - Finland 15.4.2002
Europa stamps have been issued annually since 1956. First sets representing the founding 6 members of the ECSC, European Coal and Steel Community, then by the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) in 1959, (first stamps issued in 1960) and by PostEurop since 1993. Initially in 1956 a total of 13 stamps were issued with a common design from 6 different countries. A common theme of Peace and Welfare through agriculture and industry was used for 1957. The common design reappeared in 1958 and continued until 1973. From 1974 the designs reflect a common theme. The common design idea replaced the common theme in 1984, which was the CEPT 25th Anniversary (1959-84) and shows a symbolic bridge, said to represent Liaison, Exchange and Communication. With the split of posts and telecoms providers in most countries, CEPT is no longer responsible, but the postal authorities under the guidance of PostEurop continue the Europa tradition. From 1993 all the stamps have "Europa" inserted into the design in small print.
Finland Post issued this pretty stamp and Cover to commemorate and celebrate the “Circus and its famous clowns” on 15.4.2002. Thank you Merja for this lovely FDC.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Taiwan Lighthouses Postage Stamps (Issue of 2010)
A lighthouse is a structure used as a beacon or signal to warn or guide ships at sea. Lighthouses make great contributions to marine navigation safety, commerce and the development of trade, as well as a nation’s international image. Chunghwa Post first issued a set of stamps on lighthouses in 1989, and then it is followed up with another set of four stamps on the topic, featuring the Chilung Tao Lighthouse (show on the card), the Wenkan Tui Lighthouse, the Paisha Chia Lighthouse, and the Liuchiu Yu Lighthouse. The stamps are painted by Mr. Hung-tu Ko and printed in color offset with spot varnish by China Color Printing Co., Ltd. These stamps were released on July 28, 2010. The Chilung Tao Lighthouse (NT$5): The lighthouse is located at the highest point on Chilung Tao, off Keelung Harbor. Built in 1980, this octagon-shaped concrete tower, with a black-and-white vertical-striped daymark, uses air batteries for electricity. In 1998, the lighthouse switched to solar power. In 2006, wind power was added as a secondary power source. The lighthouse has a nominal range of 13.8 nautical miles. Maria gave me this FDC.
Some of you may have noticed that the date on the postmark is 28.7.1999 which is 11 years earlier than the date of actual issue.. Why this is so has intrigued me too. If I find out the reason I shall definitely inform My readers about it. However, if some of you already now the reason, please let me know.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Sea Shells 1.7.1986
Molluscs are found on all sea shores in Cyprus, but in most people's view, they are of no interest or importance. However, the ease with which the delicate beauty of their shells may be preserved in dried specimens has, recently, begun to attract the attention of an ever increasing number of people. The phylum mollusc is one of the largest groups of the marine invertebrates. The world "molluscus" means "soft" and denotes the soft fleshy body of the animals. Because of their structure most of these animals are often enclosed and protected by a hard shell. The shell is secreted by the mantle, a tissue that is present at the soft body of the animal. The molluscs are divided into six classes: Monoplacophora, Loricata, Gastropoda, Scaphopoda, Lamellibranchiata, Cephalopoda. In Cyprus waters there is a wide diversity of species. The stamps of this issue depict four of these species, one classified in the Lamellibranchiata (Bivalves) class and three in the Gastropoda class.
Chlamys pesfelis. Family Pectinidae. Valves convex up to 30mm. Surface has finely grooved ribs. Shell colour is pink or yellow-pink. Ears are unequal. It is found in deep waters. Rarity: Occasional.
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Charonia variegata. Family Cymatiidae ("Triton shells"). Shell is large, up to 250mm, fusiform, yellow-brown. Spire highl aperture with toothed lips with a horny, ovate operculum. Found on rocky shoes around the island. Rarity: Common
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Murex brandaris. Family Muricidae ("Rock shells or whelks"). Up to 95mm. Shell is yellowish, Siphon canal long. Surface with long spines. Operculum is thick and horny. They feed on other animals, especially bivalves. Found in shallow waters around the island. Rarity: Occasional.
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Cypraea spurca. Family Cypraeidae ("Cowry shells"). Up to 35mm. Shell is thick, oval with a very well developed inflated body whorl. Surface is smooth, beautifully coloured, grey-yellowish with small brown dots. Its aperture is long and narrow; operculum is absent. Found on rocky shores around the island. Rarity: Common
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Wednesday, February 22, 2012
UK 21.4.1986 - The Queen's 60th Birthday
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Mother Teresa 12.9.2002
Cyprus issued this stamp and FDC on 12.9.2002. Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu (26 August 1910 – 5 September 1997), more commonly known as Mother Teresa, was a Roman Catholic nun of Albanian ethnicity and Indian citizenship, who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India, in 1950. For over 45 years, she ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned, and dying, while guiding the Missionaries of Charity's expansion, first throughout India and then in other countries. Following her death, she was beatified by Pope John Paul II and given the title "Blessed Teresa of Calcutta".
Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity at the time of her death had 610 missions in 123 countries including hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis, soup kitchens, children's and family counselling programmes, orphanages and schools. She received numerous awards including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, and the Bharat Ratna in 1980. Merja gave me this nice FDC commemorating this Saint.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Greenland National Museum and Archives
The Greenland National Museum is located in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. It was one of the first museums established in Greenland, inaugurated in the mid 1960s. The museum is affiliated with the Danish National Museum which has expanded its collections. The museum has many artifacts related to archaeology, history, art, and handicrafts and also has information about ruins, graveyards, buildings etc. This pretty cover was given to me by Merja.
The spacious, well-presented Greenland National Museum is based in an extended 1936 warehouse. Its better exhibits include an interesting section on 1950s social change and a geological room emphasising that the world's oldest rocks (3.8 billion years old) come from the Nuuk region. However, the unmissable climax is the mummy room. Here a trio of mummified 15th-century women and a very spooky six-month-old child stare blindly out from their dimly lit display cases. Their fur clothes and kammiks (traditional boots) are intricately sewn and embroidered, but their cause of death remains uncertain. Found at Qilakitsoq near Uummannaq, they made the cover of National Geographic and are an eerily unforgettable sight.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Bhutan - Royal Wedding
Saturday, February 18, 2012
175th Anniversary of the National Public Building programmes 19.4.1986
2/6 Lahti Theater 1983
3/6 Kuusamo Municipal Offices 1978
4/6 Hamina Court Building 1984
5/6 Finnish Embassy, New Delhi 1986
6/6 Western Säkylä Daycare Center 1980
Friday, February 17, 2012
Helene Schjerfbeck 23.1.2012
Helene Schjerfbeck had a long and productive career. Her early work already had a significant impact on Finnish art, though her contemporaries did not always understand her artistic experiments. Today she is regarded as one of the great names in Finnish art. Helene Schjerfbeck's career as an artist underwent many radical artistic transitions - from French-influenced realism to pared-down portraits and still life’s that plumb the hidden depths of phenomena. Helene Schjerfbeck's artistic career was exceptional in many senses. She began her studies at the age of eleven and while still very young acquired considerable technical skill, which soon matured into an original artistic style. Although a hip defect restricted her life, she painted continuously and produced an extensive oeuvre; as well as oil paintings, this included watercolours, drawings, lithographs and textile designs. Helene Schjerfbeck's career underwent many radical artistic transitions - from French-influenced realism to pared-down portraits and still life’s that plumb the hidden depths of phenomena. Although today Schjerfbeck is one of Finland's most respected painters, her contemporaries were critical of her; she only began to win admirers after a solo exhibition organised by Gösta Stenman in 1917.
The year 2012 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of artist Helene Schjerfbeck (1862–1946). In honour of the anniversary, a booklet of four self-adhesive stamps designed by Teresa Moorhouse depicting her works was released. The theme of the cover and one stamp is Self-Portrait, Black Background, an artwork based on Schjerfbeck’s famous self-portraits from 1915. The School Girl II from 1908 represents the artist’s modernist style where an impact is highlighted through simplified details. Green Apples and Champagne Glass from 1934 represents Schjerfbeck’s accurate control of composition and colour harmony. The lithograph Silk Shoes from 1938 typifies a central theme of the artist’s decades-long career – dancing shoes. The background of the stamps depicts a staircase at the Ateneum Art Museum in Helsinki where an exhibition of Schjerfbeck’s work will be organized from June 1 to October 14, 2012. This nice cover was also given to me by Ella.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Sámi culture 23.1.2012
The Sami people, also spelled Sámi or Saami, are the Arctic indigenous people inhabiting Sápmi, which today encompasses parts of far northern Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Kola Peninsula of Russia, and the border area between south and middle Sweden and Norway. The Sámi are Europe's northernmost and the Nordic countries' only officially indigenous people. Sami ancestral lands span an area of approximately 388,350 km2 (150,000 sq. mi.), which is approximately the size of Sweden, in the Nordic countries. Their traditional languages are the Sami languages and are classified as a branch of the Uralic language family. The Sami languages are endangered. Traditionally, the Sami have pursued a variety of livelihoods, including coastal fishing, fur trapping and sheep herding. Their best-known means of livelihood is semi-nomadic reindeer herding, with which about 10% of the Sami are connected and 2,800 actively involved on a full-time basis. For traditional, environmental, cultural and political reasons, reindeer herding is legally reserved only for Sami people in certain regions of the Nordic countries. In January 2012, the centre of Finnish Sámi administration, education and know-how began operating in Inari, located on the shore of the Lake Inari with its unique nature. The Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos will be the largest conference and event venue in Northern Lapland. Equipped with modern conference technology and communications capabilities, the venue is suitable for conferences with up to 500 participations.
Sámi culture has been celebrated now with a four-stamp miniature sheet, shaped after the floor plan of the Sámi Cultural Centre SAJOS that was opened in Inari on January 9, 2012. Located by Juutuanjoki River, SAJOS is a centre for the Finnish Sámi administration and culture where events, congresses and meetings can be organized. Sámi artist Merja Aletta Ranttila illustrated the Sámi Culture sheet. The layout has been produced by Markku Virtanen from Lapland. The self-adhesive stamps are shaped like mountains. The troll-drum-patterned sheet illustrates the three daughters of the Sámi Mother Goddess, a reindeer village and lean-to’s. My friend Ella sent me this FDC and mini sheet.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Helsinki - The World Design Capital 23.1.2012
Future City by Chloe Chapeaublanc, a French graphic designer; Onnela by Sini Henttonen, a student of textile art and design from Helsinki; Citykani by Katja Hynninen, a textile designer from Tampere; Kaupungin liike by Daniel Kallsrtöm, a schoolboy from Helsinki; Asenne by Ville Korhonen, a graphic designer from Lahti; Tulevaisuus rohkeana by Elias Ollila, a 6-year-old boy from Espoo; and Color Power and Mix by Varpu Kangas, a freelance graphic designer from Helsinki.
The World Design Capital is an initiative of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design - an international non-governmental organisation that aims to protect and promote the profession of industrial design. Ella sent me this lovely FDC and booklet issued on 23.1.2012.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Valentine’s Day 23.1.2012
Today is Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is a holiday observed on February 14 honouring one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine. It was first established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD, and was later deleted from the General Roman Calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI. The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. By the 15th century, it had evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.
All in the morning betime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your Valentine.
Then up he rose, and donn'd his clothes,
And dupp'd the chamber-door;
Let in the maid, that out a maid
Never departed more.
Monday, February 13, 2012
IFSDA
50th Anniversary of the IFSDA
Karoly sent me this interesting FDC commemorating The International Federation of Stamp Dealers Association ‘IFSDA’, which was created by a group of philatelic businessmen to regulate the business and set high standards within the industry. The stamp and cover were issued in the erstwhile Yugoslavia by the PTT on 24.10.2002.
The objectives of IFSDA are the following :
- To promote and maintain a high standard of professional integrity among Philatelic dealers throughout the world.
- To promote the exchange among the member organizations of information and literature likely to be of service to the philatelic trade.
- To try in all ways to reduce the barriers in international Philatelic trade.
- To promote the exchange of information regarding the marketing of stolen, forged, faked and repaired stamps.
- To promote and help promoting stamp collecting throughout the world.
IFSDA cooperates with:-
- with U.P.U., F.I.P., or other organization.
- in the event of theft or other criminal acts against the philatelic trade.
- in International Exhibitions and control the seriousness of the commercial stand holders.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Flora & Fauna
Saturday, February 11, 2012
On the Wheat Route
Åland has always immortalized ships and boats of all vintages through her pretty stamps, throughout her philatelic history. The Australian marine artist Robert Carter has immortalized Finnish sailing ships during their last trip on the wheat route in 1949. The Four-masted steel barque Pamir is shown departing from the Port Victoria in the Seychelles. The barque Passat, another vessel of Gustaf Erikson's fleet, is seen in the background with her sails reefed and loading. Although the Passat couldn’t sail away until five days later, she rounded Cape Horn before the Pamir. Pamir thus became the last sailing merchant vessels that rounded Cape Horn on 11.7.1949. Both vessels were sold to Germany. Passat served in Travemünde as a school and museum ship. Pamir was one of the famous Flying P-Liner sailing ships of the German shipping company F. Laeisz. She was the last commercial sailing ship to round Cape Horn, in 1949. Outmoded by modern bulk-carriers, and having severe technical difficulties after her shipping consortium was unable to finance much-needed repairs and recruit sufficient capable officers, on 21 September 1957 she was caught in Hurricane Carrie and sank off the Azores, with only six survivors recovered after an extensive rescue effort. Pia gave me this nice cover.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Archbishop Makarios 19.1.1986
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Legacy of the Loom as Asia welcomes the Year of the Dragon 2012
Further to yesterday’s post on the Legacy of the Loom, this the second minisheet on the FDC also issued on 12.1.2012 Pos Malaysia ushered in the Lunar New Year in style with the introduction of a limited edition gold dragon stamp in the form of a Ming Empress robe. This kind of stamp depicts a dragon in a cloud with bats in royal embroidery and was issued on 12.1.2012. Pos Malaysia Stamp and Philately Unit chief Yasmin Ramli said the collection would be a treat for stamp enthusiasts to commemorate the Year of the Dragon. "People can buy it in gold hot stamping prints at RM5 or they can buy the normal prints for RM3," said Yasmin.
Asia has welcomed the Year of the Dragon with a cacophony of fireworks, hoping the mightiest sign in the Chinese zodiac will usher in the wealth and power it represents. From Malaysia to South Korea, millions of people travelled huge distances to reunite with their families for Lunar New Year - the most important holiday of the year for many in Asia - indulging in feasts or watching dragon dances. The dragon is the most favourable and revered sign in the 12-year Chinese zodiac - a symbol of royalty, fortune and power that is also used in other cultures that see in the Lunar New Year, such as in Vietnam.
As such, hospitals across China and in Chinese communities everywhere are bracing for a baby boom as couples try to have a child this year. Nannies in Beijing and neighbouring Tianjin are charging more in 2012, and the beds in the capital's maternity hospital are all booked up until August, according to the official Xinhua news agency. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong even took advantage of the Dragon to call on the country's residents to boost a stubbornly low birth rate, in an attempt to reduce the government's heavy reliance on foreign workers. "I fervently hope that this year will be a big Dragon Year for babies ... this is critical to preserve a Singapore core in our society," he said in his new year message.
But in Hong Kong, where tens of thousands of pregnant mainlanders come to give birth every year to gain residency rights for their babies, the Dragon may not prove such a boon as it could exacerbate problems such as limited beds and soaring delivery costs. And according to some astrologers and geomancers, the Dragon may bring natural disasters and financial volatility to an already destabilised world. Hong Kong feng shui master Anthony Cheng warned that a "scandalous corruption case" would rock China in the second half of 2012, and also said high-ranking Chinese officials would be forced to step down, thrown behind bars or even die.
But people across Asia disregarded the doomsday predictions over the holiday, preferring to feast and celebrate with their families, and pray at temples or pagodas. Highways in Malaysia, where 25 per cent of the population is ethnic Chinese, were clogged at the weekend while the capital Kuala Lumpur became almost deserted as people travelled home.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The Legacy of the Loom
Pos Malaysia released on 12 January 2012 its first stamp issue for year 2012. The topic of the stamp issue was "Legacy of the Loom" consisting of a set of 5 stamps (in the format of a strip) with denomination 60s each as shown on the sheet. The other stamps issued on the same day were to welcome the Year of the Dragon. I’ll talk about these stamps a little later.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Cycling in Finland 4.9.1998
Finland is a great place for bicycle touring. It provides varying landscapes for culture and nature-lovers alike. Finland is well worth a visit by bike, it has some very beautiful and interesting scenery, however be prepared to see plenty of trees, lakes and long roads! Up in Lapland beyond the arctic circle the scenery reminds you of Scotland without the mountains, in mid summer there is no darkness at night, which takes a little getting used to and if you are really lucky you might see the Aurora Borealis (NoFinland is ideally suited for cycling tours. The roads are mostly pretty flat, with some gently rolling hills. Away from the main routes, there's little traffic. The scenery is varied, with lakes and forests, peaceful farmland and small villages.rthern lights). There are bike paths in all the major towns and along the main routes so people can get to work and visitors can get out into the countryside. And if you want to get off the beaten path, there are plenty of opportunities for mountain biking. Merja sent me this nice FDC which celebrates the centenary of the Cycling Union.