Lets Talk Stamps

Romania - Nicolae Grigorescu

2009-12-16T03:56:00.000-08:00

Nicolae Grigorescu, 1838-1907, was one of the founders of modern Romanian painting. He painted the church of the Zamfira monastery, Prahova county, and the church of the Agapia monastery, Neamt county. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts - Paris. In 1877 he was called to accompany the Romanian Army as a "frontline painter" in the Romanian War of Independence. During the battles at the Grivica Strongpoint and Oryahovo, he made drawings and sketches which later used in creating larger-scale works. In 1889 his work was featured in the Universal Exhibition in Paris and at the Romanian Atheneum.

This Miniature sheet shows the painting “Woman on the Beach” by the famous Nicolae Grigorescu, was sent to me by my friend Daniela.

Romania

2009-12-15T18:15:00.000-08:00

This Mini sheet shows hand guns in the National Military Museum in Romania. They date from the Eighteenth Century to early 1900's. This MS is kind courtesy Daniela.

Austria - Infanta Margarita Teresa

2009-12-12T19:19:00.000-08:00

Margaret Theresa of Spain; 12 July 1651 – 12 March 1673) was Holy Roman Empress, German Queen, Archduchess consort of Austria, Queen consort of Hungary and Bohemia She was the daughter of King Philip IV of Spain and his second wife Mariana of Austria. She was the elder sister of Charles II the Bewitched, the last of the Spanish Habsburgs. She is the central figure in the famous Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez, and subject of many of his later paintings.

Despite the extensive history of inbreeding between the Austrian and Spanish Habsburg family branches, Margaret Theresa exhibited few or none of the genetic defects inherited by her brother and some other relatives. She was the favourite child of her father, Philip IV of Spain, who referred to her as "my joy" in his private letters. She was an extraordinarily beautiful child, with porcelain skin, blue eyes, and blond hair.

For political reasons, Margaret Theresa was betrothed as a child to her maternal uncle and paternal cousin, Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor. Her father stipulated that she should maintain her position in the line of succession to the Spanish throne and would pass her succession rights to her descendants, something Leopold I gladly accepted.

In the summer of 1666, saddened by her father's death, the fifteen-year-old infanta left her native Spain and traveled to Austria. She was accompanied by several Spanish attendants, and was solemnly welcomed by her future husband/uncle, Leopold. Their wedding took place in the city of Vienna, one of Europe's most beautiful capitals, on 12 December 1666. Despite the difference in their ages and Leopold's unattractive appearance, they were very happy together, as they shared a number of interests, especially theatre and music. She called him "Uncle" (even after they were married); he called her "Gretl", a German nickname for Margaret.

One of the most outstanding events during their reign was the splendid performance of the opera Il pomo d'oro ("The golden apple") by the Italian composer Antonio Cesti. It was performed as a celebration of Margarita's 17th birthday in July of 1668. This magnificent performance is frequently considered to be the peak of Baroque opera in Vienna during the seventeenth century.

After giving birth to six children, and weakened by many miscarriages, Margaret Theresa died at the young age of twenty-one — leaving Leopold heartbroken. Her only surviving child was the Archduchess Maria Antonia. She was buried in the Imperial Crypt, in Vienna.

This lovely mini-sheet was issued on 22^nd October 2009 to commemorate this very famous historical personality from Austria. Anita sent me this lovely sheet from Austria.

Malaysia

2009-12-08T21:01:00.000-08:00

Installation of His Royal Highness Tuanku Muhriz and his consort Tuanku Aishah Rohani. These First Day Covers are kind courtesy of Caroline from Sabah in Malaysia.

Malaysia

2009-12-08T20:57:00.000-08:00

State Definitive Series Special Collection of Garden Flowers.

Ukraine

2009-12-05T22:17:00.001-08:00

On the left is a miniature sheet displaying folk dresses of Ukraine in very pretty rural settings. On the right is a mini sheet that gives us a nice idea of Ukraine's varied wealth of flora and fauna.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad

2009-12-02T21:49:00.000-08:00

Today is the 125th Birth Anniversary of India's 1st President Late Dr. Rajendra Prasad. The Nation pays tribute to this simple man who Graced the Office of President with great Dignity and Humility.

Tanzania III

2009-11-28T18:17:00.000-08:00

Tanzania II

2009-11-24T18:18:00.000-08:00

Tanzania I

2009-11-21T18:18:00.000-08:00

Collectors of African stamps may like to see these miniature sheets of Tanzanian stamps, which portray life in that country in a general sort of way.

Aarhus PO in Denmark

2009-11-17T18:17:00.001-08:00

Aarhus was a beautiful and quaint town, with the oldest Post Office in Denmark. I am using the past tense simply because this card is dated 10^th September 1985. I am not aware at present, if this Post Office exists, and if modern life has permitted Aarhus to remain quaint in the next 24 years. If any visitors can throw light on the subject via e-mail or send me a picture postcard of present-day Aarhus I’ll be more than happy for the information, which will naturally be posted here.

2009-11-14T18:12:00.000-08:00

Alex sent this lovely miniature sheet from Germany on Motorsport. Some of you racing car fans may be able to identify these historical beauties.

The Sangam Age

2009-11-12T18:57:00.000-08:00

This special cover is in commemoration of the Sangam Age and the Maritime Heritage of the Tamil people. Below is a brief description of that Great Period in Indian History.

The Sangam Age

The Sangam age is one of the greatest periods of tamil Nadu chronology. It might have been produced in the first 3 centuries of the christian era.
Sangam Literature
The most available tamil Work is Tolkappiyam--A work on phonetics and clearly established grammar of Tamil language
Ettuthogai(eight Anthologies)
Pathupattu(ten Idylls)
Pathinenkil kanaku(18 ways of civilization)(this is a post sangam work.
Twin epics
1.Sillapadikaram(talks about ancient madurai city and Metaphor on Women)
2.Manimekali(literature attached with sillapadikaram) talks about Buddhism and Hinduism

Kings during Sangam age
1.the cheras - cheran senguttuvan
2.the cholas - karikalan
3.the pandiyas - Illapervaludi(meaning of name- a person of young and brave)
4. kurunila mannarkal(7 chieftains) were the subordinate kings to the chera, chola, pandiyas. also known as Kadaiyelu vallalkal.
Kingship
1.king is center of administration
2.he had separate identical flag and tree
3.if any king fell down the tree, it symbolizes he wants to have war with that king.
4.more importance to the local govts,ie., decentralized form of governance.
5.there were charismatic, traditional and democratic form of govt.
revenue
1.main source of income was tax
2.1/6th of procuts of land was collected as tax.
3.there was tax exemption also.
4.tributes and court fees were also the sources.
Infrastructure
1.main infrastructure was to tanks and canals
2.cosiderable amount was to education, literature
3.plenty of revenue expended to roads, hospitals and defense
Division of land
the land was divided into 5 types for easy administration, viz,
1.kurinji - hills and forest(hunting place)
2.mullai - pastures and lands(cattle breeding place)
3.marudam - field and plantation(plough cultivation)
4.niethal - seashore(fishing)
5.palai - dry lands(plunder warfare)

(Enlarge the picture on the Right for details of the coins depicted on the cover)

Nantes Railway Station in France

2009-11-05T01:54:00.000-08:00

This Maxim card was issued in 2001 to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the arrival of the first train at Nantes Railway Station in France. This card is kind courtesy of My friend Marie in Nantes.

Australia

2009-11-01T21:50:00.000-08:00

A few Australian Covers just for Old Time's sake

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

2009-10-30T22:04:00.000-07:00

The Nation salutes this Great son of India. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a patriot and true nationalist par excellence. Today we celebrate this Great Man’s 134^th Birth Anniversary.

Pakistan - II

2009-10-28T23:34:00.001-07:00

Wahid I hope you like what you see here?

Pakistan - I

2009-10-28T23:29:00.000-07:00

Some old covers of Pakistan that might interest collectors from South Asia.

Malaysia's First Submarine

2009-10-22T19:19:00.000-07:00

KD Tunku Abdul Rahman is Malaysia's First Submarine. This Scorpene class Sub will add a real deadly punch to the Malaysian Navy. The Indian Navy too is interested in this Class of Submarines. The pamphlet alongside gives brief details.

The Death of Lord Nelson, 1805

2009-10-20T19:14:00.001-07:00

Today is the Death Anniversary of one of England’s great admirals.

It was one of the greatest sea battles in British history and gave birth to a legend. Off the coast of Spain's Cape Trafalgar Peninsula, the British Fleet, led by Lord Horatio Nelson, took on a combined French and Spanish force to determine who would be the master of the waves. England's very existence was at stake for France's Napoleon Bonaparte was poised to send his powerful army across the English Channel to conquer the island. The only obstacle standing in his way was the British fleet.

The battle commenced on October 21, 1805 with Nelson's famous words signalled to his fleet: "England expects that every man will do his duty." Nelson had devised an unorthodox battle plan that called for his ships to attack the enemy broadside in two parallel lines, break into the enemy's formation and blast his opponents at close quarters.

As Nelson watched from the deck of the HMS Victory the battle soon turned into a confused melee of combat between individual ships. The fighting was at such close quarters that the Victory became entangled with the French ship Redoubtable. Locked together in a deadly ballet, each ship blasted its enemy at point-blank range. From his perch in the upper rigging of the Redoubtable, a French sharpshooter took aim at a prized target on the deck of the Victory, fired and sent a musket ball into Nelson's left shoulder. Continuing its journey, the bullet tore a path through the Admiral's upper body before smashing into his lower back. It was a mortal wound.

Nelson was carried below decks while the battle raged on. He lived long enough to hear the news of the Redoubtable's surrender and of his fleet's victory after four and a half hours of combat.

Dr. William Beatty was a physician aboard the Victory and attended to Nelson as he lay dying. “Ah, Doctor! - It is all over; it is all over”.

(The stamp on the miniature sheet says it all. Click to enlarge it)

Modern Energy Efficient and the Traditional

2009-10-19T22:58:00.000-07:00

These two covers from Malaysia are a contrast in terms. The one on the left is the Government’s effort at encouraging energy efficient and aesthetic construction in modern buildings. At the right are the tourist’s delights – traditional and ethnic houses.

Singapore - III

2009-10-15T19:05:00.000-07:00

Singapore - II

2009-10-14T22:06:00.000-07:00

Singapore - I

2009-10-13T19:15:00.000-07:00

Consequent to my posting a few covers of Malaysia of the "Good Ole days", a few friends from Singapore wanted me to display some covers from their City State if I had any. Well I have a few, not too many. Over the next couple of posts I'll put them up for your viewing. I hope you like them.

UPU Centenary Covers

2009-10-12T22:36:00.001-07:00

The other day the Postal and Philatelic Fraternity around the World celebrated UPU Day very crudely being called Postal Day. This is how Hungary and Singapore commemorated UPU Centenary in 1974.