Finland - 1994 Dog Hill kids in the post office miniature sheet

A miniature sheet was issued on 07.10.1994 depicting Mauri Kunnas's Dog Hill Kids on Stamp Day and International Letter Writing Day. One of the stamps in the block of four 2,80 values depicts one of the dogs posting a letter in a box, which is affixed to a fence.

At present Mauri Kunnas is undoubtedly Finland's most successful author of children's books. To date, way over forty books of his have been published, in thirty languages in thirty-two countries – including Finnish and Finland –, for a total of almost 7 million copies. His books for children have aroused enormous interest around the world. The best-known internationally is Santa Claus. It has already beentranslated into twenty-six languages, and it has sold more than a million copies. The sales of all Kunnas translations already exceed 2,5 million copies. Mauri Kunnas offers the reader an unparalleled joy of discovery: His brilliantly coloured illustrations are filled with rich and humorous details. He has an unrivalled gift for taking history and casting it in a new and hilarious way, as well as for giving old stories and legends his own delightful twist. And his books always exude an atmosphere which is contagiously warm and happy. Mauri Kunnas offers the reader an unparalleled joy of discovery: His brilliantly coloured illustrations are filled with rich and humorous details. He has an unrivalled gift for taking history and casting it in a new and hilarious way, as well as for giving old stories and legends his own delightful twist. And his books always exude an atmosphere which is contagiously warm and happy. Pia gave this wonderful FDC to me.

UK 4.8.1980 – The Queen Mother

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (4 August 1900 – 30 March 2002) was the Queen consort of King George VI from 1936 until her husband's death in 1952, after which she was known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, to avoid confusion with her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II. She was the last Queen consort of Ireland and Empress consort of India. Born into a family of Scottish nobility as The Honourable Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, she became Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon when her father inherited the Earldom of Strathmore and Kinghorne in 1904. She came to prominence in 1923 when she married Albert, Duke of York, the second son of King George V and Queen Mary. As Duchess of York, she – along with her husband and their two daughters Elizabeth and Margaret – embodied traditional ideas of family and public service. She undertook a variety of public engagements, and became known as the "Smiling Duchess" because of her consistent public expression. In 1936, her husband unexpectedly became King when her brother-in-law, Edward VIII, abdicated in order to marry the American divorcée Wallis Simpson. As Queen consort, Elizabeth accompanied her husband on diplomatic tours to France and the United States in the run-up to World War II. During the war, her seemingly indomitable spirit provided moral support to the British public. In recognition of her role as an asset to British morale, Adolf Hitler described her as "the most dangerous woman in Europe". After the war, her husband's health deteriorated and she was widowed at the age of 51. On the death of her mother-in-law Queen Mary in 1953, with her brother-in-law living abroad and her elder daughter Queen at the age of 25, Elizabeth became the senior member of the royal family and assumed a position as family matriarch. In her later years, she was a consistently popular member of the family, when other members were suffering from low levels of public approval. She continued an active public life until just a few months before her death at the age of 101, seven weeks after the death of her youngest daughter, Princess Margaret. Throughout her remarkable life, she remained, both at home and abroad, a much loved and respected figure.
One lovely 12p stamp marked the 80th Birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 1980. The woman destined to become Queen of Great Britain and the last Empress of India. This stamp and the First Day Cover were issued on 4^th August 1980. Maria sent me this FDC.

Joint issue Monaco-France - Centenary Of The Institute Of Human Palaeontology 1.6.2010

The theme of the joint issue of Monaco and France is dedicated to the Institute of Human Palaeontology (IPH). The Multicoloured Twin issue feature Identical stamps, namely, the Portrait of Prince Albert 1st of Monaco and the Abbé Breuil, building, caves (Grimaldi cave) and early humanoids. The first scientific establishment of this type in the world, the IPH, situated in Paris, came into being in 1910 under the patronage of Prince Albert 1st, as a result of his meeting two of the most famous founders of contemporary prehistoric archaeology, Professor Marcellin Boule and Abbe Henri Breuil. Currently directed by Professor Henry de Lumley, the IPH takes on several missions: to manage extensive prehistoric excavation sites, to carry out field and laboratory research, to preserve a rich prehistoric heritage, to diffuse and develop scientific culture, and to provide facilities for students and researchers. Maria sent me this nice cover.

It is worth mentioning that stamps commemorating the IHP both from Monaco and From France as well as the special first day cancellations from the two countries are also on this nice First Day Cover. It is significant, as it was authorised in both countries.

Åland – Hammarland church5.10.1992

Hammarland’s stone church is consecrated to St. Catherine. It was built at the end of the 13th century, and is oblong in shape, the sturdy tower during the following century and the new kordel in 1400. The church is situated on the mail route based on Eckerö and it is located in an area that in ancient times consisted of pagan buildings. On the church's west side is about thirty old burial mounds, among them also barrows. It was destroyed by fire in the beginning of the 15th century. The wall paintings are from 15th century, and the pulpit was placed in 1650. The church has been reconstructed in the 1830s, and the alterpiece was painted by R.W. Ekman in 1869. Pia sent me this lovely cover.

Cyprus – Mahatma Gandhi 26.1.1970

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement. A pioneer of satyagraha, or resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience—a philosophy firmly founded upon ahimsa, or total nonviolence—Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Gandhi is often referred to as Mahatma or "Great Soul," an honorific first applied to him by Rabindranath Tagore). In India, he is also called Bapu or "Father" and officially honoured as the Father of the Nation. His birthday, 2nd October, is commemorated in India as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, and worldwide as the International Day of Non-Violence.

The whole world acknowledged this Great Man as The Man of Peace. However, due to some unknown kind of amnesia the Nobel Committee members failed to recognise this simple man for what he was, and overlooked him for the Peace Prize. Just imagine, the only man of Peace during his lifetime was not recognised by these puny egotists who danced to the tune of the wealthy and powerful nations. But, I personally feel, that in hindsight, the award if it had been given To Bapu, would only have sullied his image. One doesn’t award or present decorations to a holy man.

Cyprus issued these two stamps shown on the First Day Cover on 26^th January 1970, which incidentally was the 20^th anniversary of India’s Republic Day. Thank you Merja for this wonderful cover.

Cyprus – Railways

The Cyprus Government Railway was a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge railway network that operated in Cyprus from October 1905 to December 1951. With a total length of 76 miles (122 km), there were 39 stations, stops and halts, the most prominent of which served Famagusta, Prastio Mesaoria, Angastina, Trachoni, Nicosia, Kokkinotrimithia, Morphou, Kalo Chorio and Evrychou. The CGR was closed down due to financial reasons. An extension of the railway which was built to serve the Cyprus Mines Corporation operated until 1974. By the time the total 76 miles (122 km) of the CGR had been completed, running costs had spiralled to £199,367, which remained constant throughout the operation period of the line. During the 46 years of its operation, the CGR witnessed various interesting events that marked the modern history of Cyprus, among which were:

• During the Enosis riots in October 1931, 120 yards (110 m) of line were torn up, as the railway was regarded as a symbol of British colonial rule.
• the transportation of Allied troops to and from Famagusta, Nicosia Airport and Xeros during both World Wars.
• It was targeted by the Axis powers during World War II.

The railway was used for the transportation of a large number of the 50,000 Jewish refugees to Karaolos internment camps, between 1946-1949. The Cyprus Government Railway was used in a number of ways and served both the colonial authorities and the local population. Principle operations were as follows:

• It served the port of Famagusta, as a freight transfer system.
• It transferred timber from the Troodos Mountains to towns and cities across Cyprus.
• It carried freight, ore and minerals on behalf of the Cyprus Mines Corporation.
• The local railway stations functioned as a place of exchange of goods and services, while some also operated as telephone centres, telegram offices and/or postal offices.
• CGR trains carried mail, which arrived in Famagusta via the Khedivial Mail Line (1912–1939).

The existence of a railway in Cyprus brought many benefits to the population of Cyprus. However, during the first years of its operation, many viewed the Railway more like a spectacle, instead of a means of transportation, which is why they crowded under the bridges to admire it. Overall, the CGR carried 3,199,934 tons of commercial goods and freight and 7,348,643 passengers. The various stations were designated by large trilingual (Greek, Turkish and English) white signs, while the CGR owned a total of 12 locomotives, 17 coaches and about 100 multi-purpose wagons, 50 of which were purchased from Egypt and Palestine. The CGR employed around 200 people in total. Thank you Merja for these lovely covers.

The Christmas Story

Maria sent me this cover with the special Christmas stamps of 1996 issued by Guernsey. The aim is to popularize the story and the importance of Christmas.