Friday, July 31, 2009

A Map of the United States of America on a Postcard

Greetings from the United States
Capitol: Washington D.C.

The fifty states and their capitals are shown.

This is postmarked in 2009.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Facts about St. Paul, Minnesota


St. Paul Minnesota

...did you know?

The original name of the settlement that became St. Paul was Pig's Eye. Named for the French-Canadian whiskey trader, Pierre "Pig's Eye" Parrant.

During the winter of 1888, residents of St. Paul built an ice palace 14 stories high covering more than an acre of land.

From a small sandpaper making factor (factory) on the east side, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, 3M, has grown to be one (of) the most respected companies in the world.

From prohibition era "gangster" tours to narrative Mississippi riverboat cruises, St. Paul offers a variety of sightseeing excursions that are sure to entertain and inform.

Author F. Scott Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul in 1896. The city features prominently in many of his stories.

XCEL Energy Center will be home to the Republican National Convention in 2008

According to Sports Illustrated, St. Paul is the NEW HOCKYTOWN, U.S.A.

postmarked in 2009 with a 28 cent stamp

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The card looks like it is scanned crocked, but that is the way the card was made. Also, the two words in parentheses above are errors! I love it when I get a card with those.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Celeste River, Costa Rica


Costa Rica

Rio Celeste, Parque nacional Tenorio
Celeste river, Tenorio National Park

Photo by Sergio Pucci

postmarked with Costa Rica "Frutos Indigenas Silvestres", 155 colones stamp in 2008

Wouldn't you love to go and sit here for a while! It looks so peaceful.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Crosley Field, Ohio


Crosley Field, Cincinnati

Major League Baseball night games debuted at this Cincinnati park in 1935, with FDR switching on the lights from the White House. One of the game's smallest, most intimate stadiums, players had to run uphill to the outfield fence.

This postcard is from the set:
'Baseball's Legendary Playing Fields, The U.S. Postal Service Ready-to-Mail Postal Stamped Cards'
From 'Cooperstown Collection'

It has the matching 21 cent stamp imprinted on the back. - unused but from 2001

Monday, July 27, 2009

New York's Central Park

Central Park at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue at Night, New York City

Central Park at Night: Extending over 875 acres of land, lakes beautifully kept green lawns, flower beds, shrubbery and wild-wooded spots.  This view showing the span that makes this lake idyllic for the rowers who glide under it.  In the background are the Plaza, Savoy, Sherry-Netherlands and Pierre Hotels.

This is postmarked in 1939.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Texas Longhorn Cow


Texas Longhorn

The Texas Longhorn is a tough Spanish breed brought to the New World by Columbus. These cattle survived well on the hot, arid plains of South Texas and could endure the 1000 mile trail to market in Kansas. Over the years the longhorn has been bred with other breeds to improve the beef quality but an original herd is protected at the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Range in Oklahoma.

postmarked in 2009 with a 28 cent polar bear stamp

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Malcolm X Park (Meridian Hill Park) in Washington D.C.

Malcolm X Park, Washington, D.C. 1989
Photograph by Calvin Stewart (age 17)

This postcard is postmarked in 2009.

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Meridian Hill Park is a structured urban park located in the Washington, D.C. neighborhood of Columbia Heights in the United States. The park was designed and built between 1912 and 1940. This 12 acre site sits on a prominent hill 1.5 miles (2.42 km) directly north of the White House. The park has also been unofficially known as "Malcolm X Park" by some city residents.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Uspensky Cathedral in Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki, Suomi-Finland
Uspenski-katedraali

The Uspensky Orthodox Cathedral
(A.M. Gornostayev, 1868)

This is postmarked in 2009 from Finland.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Rome Italy - with Bubbles

Magic Roma
(Magic Rome)

Piazza Navona
Navona Square
Place Navona
Navona-Platz

This is postmarked in 2009 from Italy.

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I love the pictures in the bubbles blown from the fountain - cute idea

Italy (Italia) stamp 2004
Women in Art, 0,85

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

The General Post Office in Minsk, Belarus

Evening Minsk, Belarus
General Post Office.  It was opened in 1955.

This postcard is postmarked in 2009.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Ariel Motorcycle, Robert Opie Collection


Ariel
The Modern Motor Cycle

Motorcycle Series
Founded by Charles Sangster, Ariel built bicycles before beginning the manufacture of motorcycles in 1902.
1920's Advertisment

from the Robert Opie Collection

unused, 2005

Monday, July 20, 2009

Vanguard Satellite and Launching Vehicle

Mock-up of VANGUARD satellite scientific experiment sitting on top of third stage of the launching vehicle.  A six inch satellite was put into ORBIT on March 17, 1958 (still in orbit).

Patrick Air Force Base, Florida

This postcard is postmarked in 1965 with a 3 cent Statue of Liberty stamp.

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Vanguard 1 was the fourth artificial Earth orbital satellite launched (after Sputnik 1, Sputnik 2, and Explorer 1), but the first satellite to be solar powered.  Although communication with it was lost in 1964, it remains the oldest manmade satellite still in orbit.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

John Bull Magazine, Robert Opie


Week ending July 1, 1933
Every Wednesday Fourpence
John Bull

A Woman's World Series
In the early 1950's, men were usually portrayed as being in charge,
women as decorative or domestic.
1950's Magazine Cover.

from the Robert Opie Collection
unused, 2005

Saturday, July 18, 2009

A Street Scene in the Ukraine

Ukraine

This is postmarked in 2009 with a Ukraine wheat stamp.

The sender writes that on this street they sell 'The most delicious pastries', and that she kissed a boy on the bench  :)
Ukraine (Ukraina) stamp 2006
Definitive Issue - Wheat

Friday, July 17, 2009

Staircase - Familia Sagrada


Gaudi Barcelona
Temple de la Sagrada Familia

Bought in Barcelona Spain, 2009
unused

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I've walked down these very tight circular stairs. There are a few hundred of them, with little places to walk out and take pictures and see the city. This is an amazing place
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Here is a postcard of the whole church...

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Amazing 'Cell' postcard from Taiwan - Taipei 101


I don't usually post what the people write, but here I had no choice. This is the front of the card, the other side has my address and the stamps.

This is the first Screen Postcard I've ever scene, and I LOVE IT!!! The photo of Taipei 101 is on a cell, like for movies and is glued inside the cardboard to make the postcard. It made it from Taiwan to the USA with with only a few minor bends and scratches.

2009

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

A California Map with Natural Wonders

California
Natural Wonders

California
Natural Wonders

Rugged Coastline, Monerey Bay, Blg Sur, Morro Rock, Sea Otters, Channel Island, Famous Beaches,Lassen National Park, Take Tahoe, Sierra Nevada Mountains, Sequola Kings Canyon National Parks, California Condors, San Adreas Fault, Salton Sea, Giant Redwoods, Mount Shasta, Bristlecone Pines, Oldens Living Trees, Yosemite National Park, Mout Whitney, Death Valley, Joshua Tree National Monument and the Colorado River.

Illustrations: Scope Enterprises

This unused postcard is from 2009.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

St. Nicolas Cathedral in Balti, Moldova

 Moldova
Balti. "St. Nicolas" Cathedral (1791-1795), arch. Weisman

This is postmarked in 2009 with a Moldova statue stamp.
Moldova 1992 stamp
Chisinau - Monumentul -  Lupoaica
1992 Trajan Memorial - 5.00

Monday, July 13, 2009

Torre Agbar (Agbar Tower) in Barcelona, Spain


Barcelona
Torre Agbar, 2005
Jean Nouvel

This unused postcard was bought in Barcelona Spain in 2009.

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The Torre Agbar, or Agbar Tower, is a 21st-century skyscraper at Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It opened in June 2005 and was inaugurated officially by the King of Spain on 16 September 2005.

The Agbar Tower measures 144.4 m (473.75 ft) in height and consists of 38 storys, including four underground levels.

A defining feature of the building is its illumination at night  In addition, it has temperature sensors in the outside of the tower that regulate the opening and closing of the window blinds of the façade of the building, reducing the consumption of energy for air conditioning. 

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Arcos da Lapa (Carioca Aqueduct) in Brazil

Arcos da Lapa
Rio de janeiro, Brasil

Acros da Lapa e Catedral de Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro
Lapa Arches and Cathedral of St. Sebastion of Rio de Janeiro

Foto/Photo: Carlos Alvim

This is postmarked in 2009 with a machine stamp from Brazil.

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The Carioca Aqueduct is an aqueduct in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The aqueduct was built in the middle of the 18th century to bring fresh water from the Carioca river to the population of the city.

The Carioca Aqueduct is located in the centre of the city, in the Lapa neighborhood, and is frequently called Arcos da Lapa (Lapa Arches). Since the end of the 19th century the aqueduct serves as a bridge for a popular tram that connects the city centre with the Santa Teresa neighbourhood uphill, the Santa Teresa Tramway.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Lambretta 150 cc Scooter


Why the Lambretta 150cc is the finest machine of its kind in the world

Comfortable sitting position for driver and pillion passenger.
Increased power means faster acceleration and outstanding climbing abilities.
All spare parts readily available.
Centrally mounted engine; torsion bar and rear damper suspension gives perfect balance, comfort and complete safety.
Side light is now incorporated into the headlamp.
The most reliable scooter on the road!
Road-holding 400 X 8 lyres for safety and comfort.
Unique tubular steel frame - strong and long-lasting.
Running costs under 1/2d. per mild - over 100 miles to the gallon!

Scooters & Bikes Series
Lambretta Scooters, made by Innocenti of Milan,
were launched c 1947

from the Robert Opie collection
unused, 2005

Friday, July 10, 2009

Caen, France in Lower Normandie

Caen
En Normandie . . .

This is postmarked in 2009 with 4 France stamps - 3 with a lady for 0,10 and one that smells like chocolate!

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Caen is a commune in northwestern France. The city proper has 113,249 inhabitants (as of 2006), while its urban area has 420,000, making Caen the largest city in Lower Normandy.
France stamp 2009
Le Chocolat 0,56
This stamp is scented like Chocolate.
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France stamp 2008
Marianne & Europe 0,10

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Parliament Buildings in Barbados


The Parliament Buildings in Barbados - Photography by Randall Banfield

This postcard is postmarked with a Barbados Orchid Tree $1.40 stamp in 2007.

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The Barbados Parliament was established in 1639 and is the third oldest Parliament in the entire Commonwealth.

In 2006 the West Wing of Parliament underwent refurbishment. The refurbished building now houses the National Heroes Gallery and Museum of Parliament.

In 2011 both buildings were designated as UNESCO protected properties within the World Heritage Site of Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison area.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Amalfi, Italy - Puzzle Postcard


I bought this 'puzzle post-card' in Amalfi, Itlay.
You can write on them and send them in the mail. This one however, when I got back to our room and opened it, is just a puzzle you write on the back and send in an envelope. There is no way to send it as a postcard even though you can see the title.... 'puzzle post-card'.

This unused postcard was bought in 2009.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

The Gasparilla Parade in Tampa, Florida

Tampa, Florida
Gasparilla Parade

Arrgh, matey!

Gasparilla is a "holiday" that is unique to Tampa.  What used to be a one day event is now more than a month long including an invasion when the Pirates take over the City of Tamp, art festival, marathon and concert.

This postcard is unused and from 2009. 

Monday, July 6, 2009

Red Door in Beijing, China

Beijing
Traditional Beijing Residence
Daxing Hutong
In highly hierarchical imperial times, even the colors of the doors in courtyard houses were under strict control, such as white paint for columns and black door decorations for houses of officials and civilians ranking below duke or marquis.  Red-paint gates became popular only after 1911 when the imperial era came to an end.

This is postmarked in 2009 from China.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Australia - Brisbane Lookout, Day and Night View

Brisbane Lookout

This is postmarked in 2009 with an Australia, 'Russell Falls, Tasmania' stamp.

I love the two views, one at night, and one during the day.

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Brisbane Lookout, on Mount Coot-tha,  includes the Kuta Cafe, Summit Restaurant, and Gift Shop. The lookout, restaurant and cafe allow for panoramic views of the City.


Saturday, July 4, 2009

Happy 4th of July!


This 'Postcard Factory' postcard features the Disney characters in front the the United States flag.

postmarked with a 42 cent USA Olympics 2008 stamp

Friday, July 3, 2009

Hotel Cleveland and New Terminal Tower


Hotel Cleveland is located on Public Square occupying the same site on which was built Cleveland's first tavern (Mowry's). Adjoining Hotel Cleveland is the New Terminal Tower building. The tower rises 52 stories 708 feet from the street. Hotel Cleveland contains 1000 rooms with bath.

postmarked in 1931 with 1 cent Franklin stamp

Thursday, July 2, 2009

North Dakota Map Postcard

North Dakota the Peace Garden State
America's newest vacationland from the Red River Valley in the east, to the Badlands in the west, the endless variety of scenic and historical attractions.

This is postmarked in 1996.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

The Sleeping Giant, Canada


The Sleeping Giant, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Legend has it that Nanna Bijou the giant of the Ojibwas took his people to the farthest corner of the great inland sea to escape the white man. Years later the white man came again and Nanna Bijou, too old to protect his people called on the Great Spirit for help. The great god Manitoo created a storm which drove the invaders away and when the storm cleared the Giant was stretched on top of his rock in his last long sleep.
Photo: H.R. Oakman

This postcard was bought in 1975, and postmarked in 1995.