Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween from Disneyland Paris


Happy Hallowe'en!!!

Fashion and costume design by Hilde Heyvaert

This photo postcard was taken in Disneyland Paris and made into a postcard advertising her clothing line.

postmarked with a Belgie-Belgique (Belgium) 'tram' stamp in 2008

Friday, October 30, 2009

The Invisible Ray 1936 Movie

...delving into new, strange fields of mystery!
(Boris) Karloff
as the Luminous man and
Bela Lugosi
in

The Invisible Ray

with Frances Drake
and Frank Lawton

The Invisible Ray, 1936. From Grafton
Classic Science Fiction Movie Posters: 2006

postmarked in 2008 with a 27 cent Guava stamp

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A visionary doctor, Dr. Janos Rukh (Karloff) invents a telescope that can look far out into space — into Andromeda — and pick up rays of light that will show the Earth's past. Looking at the past on a television-like screen, a group of assembled doctors as well as Dr. Rukh see a large meteor hit the earth thousands of years ago. Rukh convinces the doctors to go on an expedition to find the meteor that appeared to land in Africa. While in Africa, Rukh finds the meteor but is exposed to strong radiation ("Radium X") from the rock. Dr. Benet (Lugosi) takes a piece of the stone back to Europe and uses the meteorite to heal people, including curing the blind. Rukh, suffering from the radiation, glows at night when not treated and is slowly losing his mind.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Cats and soccer - not a good combination!


The face on the cat is soooo funny! The back of the card only reads, 'Art & Image, Publishing'

postmarked in 2009 with 5 Germany flower stamps

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Hekla, Iceland Volcano Eruption 1991


Hekla - eruption 1991

Heklugosio 1991.
Hraunrennsli i suoaustur hlioum eldfjallsins, 15. februar 1991.

The Hekla eruption '91.
Lava flowing from a fissure on the southeast side of Hekla, February 15th.

postmarked in 2009 with an Island (Iceland) 160 movie stamp from 2006

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hekla is a stratovolcano located in the south of Iceland with a height of 1,491 metres (4,892 ft). Hekla is Iceland's most active volcano; over 20 eruptions have occurred in and around the volcano since 874. During the Middle Ages, Icelanders called the volcano the "Gateway to Hell."

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam


Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, World Heritage

Dog of the Sea
gardien de la mer

postmarked in 2009 with two great Vietnam stamps

- - - - -

there is a little more writing, but the stamp mark is over the words and smeared a little, even with a strong magnifying glass, I can't read it. :(





about the Viet Nam 4000 d stamp
BUU CHiNH (Vietnam Post) 2008

Dan Nguyet va Nhi (Ho day)

Dan Gguyet -
The đàn nguyệt is a two-stringed Vietnamese traditional musical instrument. It is used in both folk and classical music, and remains popular throughout Vietnam (although during the 20th century many Vietnamese musicians increasingly gravitated toward the acoustic and electric guitar).

The đàn nguyệt's strings, formerly made of twisted silk, are today generally made of nylon or fishing line. They are kept at a fairly low tension in comparison to the guitar and other European plucked instruments. This, and the instrument's raised frets, allow for the bending tones which are so important to the proper interpretation of Vietnamese traditional music. Such bending tones are produced by pressing the string toward the neck rather than bending to the side. The strings are generally plucked with a small plectrum; often a plastic guitar pick is used.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Disney Movie - Return to Never Land










These unused postcards are from 2002.

- - - - - - - - - - -

The classic tale of 'Peter Pan' continues in Disney's sequel 'Return to Never Land'. In 1940 on a world besieged by World War II, Wendy, now grown up, has two children, one of them is her daughter, Jane. She wears her trench coat during the air raid, and later that night, Wendy tries to give her own children hope by telling them of her magical experiences with Peter Pan in Never Land. However, Jane, Wendy's daughter, sees it all as make believe and refuses to believe in the tales. That is, until the villainous Captain Hook mistakes her for Wendy and abducts her to Never Land in an attempt to lure and capture Peter Pan. Peter Pan's quest to return Jane safely home is jeopardized until she can begin to believe in the magic of imagination.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Ceremony at the Bermuda Cenotaph


One of the many colourful ceremonies held at the Bermuda Cenotaph in Hamilton.

This is postmarked in 1953 with two Bermuda stamps.

one on the right: 1938 St. David's Lighthouse - 3.d
on the left: home and garden 1936 - 6.d

- - - - - - -

This monument pays homage to the fallen Bermudian soldiers of World War I and World War II. It attracts visitors and locals alike who want to pay their respects to both soldiers they know, and those they don't know. The stone memorial is a mirror image of the larger, more famous version in London.

You can see the Cabinet Building in the back.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Fishermen's Bastion, Budapest Hungary

Budapest, Hungary
Fishermen's Bastion
Photo: Gehring

This card is postmarked with two Magyarorszag (Hungary) stamps in 2008.

- - - - - - - - - - -

The Halászbástya or Fisherman's Bastion is a terrace situated on the Buda bank of the Danube, in Budapest, around Matthias Church. It was designed and built between 1895 and 1902 on the plans of Frigyes Schulek.

The Bastion takes its name from the guild of fishermen that were responsible for defending this stretch of the city walls in the Middle Ages.

It was featured as a Pit Stop on the sixth season of The Amazing Race.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Love 23 art car by Kathleen Pearson

Love 23

Artist Kathleen Pearson covered this 1983 Ford LTD Station Wagon with approximately 4,000 objects outside and 800 objects inside. Love 23 was created in June 1990 and is still evolving. Kathleen has created two other art cars, Hex Mex and the Antismoking Car.

-Bisbee, Arizona

This postcard was postmarked in 2009 with a 28 cent polar bear stamp.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Bolivar Square in Bogota Colombia


Bogota - Colombia
Plaza de Bolivar

This unused postcard is from 1980.

- - - - - - -

The Bolívar Square (Spanish: Plaza de Bolívar) is located in the heart of the historical area of Bogotá. It has a statue of Simón Bolívar sculpted in 1846 by the Italian Pietro Tenerani, which was the first ever public monument in the city.

Th building in the back is the Primate Cathedral, built between 1807 and 1823, and near it is the Holy Chapel, which was built at the end of the 17th century.

On the right is the National Capitol, which is the seat of the Colombian Congress. Its construction was initiated in 1846 but due to the political instability of the country it was not finished until 1926.


If anyone knows what ceremony this could be, please let me know - thanks

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Sprout, by Audrey Heller


Sprout, 1999
Photograph by Audrey Heller

unused, bought in 2009

- - - - - - - - - -

I'm not sure what it is about this picture, but I sure like to look at it! - Maybe, just maybe, it is the hot construction worker with just a tank top on! :D

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Wonders of America USPS - Tallest Cactus

Tallest Cactus, Saguaro

The saguaro cactus, symbol of the American Southwest, can grow taller than a five-story building. One record-breaking specimen in Arizona reached a height of nearly 60 feet. A saguaro grows slowly; a ten-year-old plant may be less than 6 inches high.

From the Set:
Wonders of America
Coloring Postcards

10 Jumbo Postcards - 10 Commemorative Stamps
The biggest reptile, the largest glacier, the tallest cactus and more .... have fun learning about them in postcards. Each card features art from the exciting new USPS Wonders of America Stamps. Color the postcards, and use the matching stamps enclosed to mail them to friends!

unused, has matching stamp attached to back - from 2006

Monday, October 19, 2009

Caesar Rodney statue in Wilmington, Delaware


Wilmington, Delaware

Wilmington is the largest city in Delaware and the seat of New Castle County. The statue of Caesar Rodney stands in front of the historic Hotel DuPont. In 1776, Rodney rode 80 miles through a stormy night to reach Philadelphia in time to cast the deciding ballot for independence.

postmarked in 2009 with a 39 cent flag/liberty stamp

- - - - - - - -

Caesar Rodney (October 7, 1728 – June 29, 1784) was an American lawyer and politician from St. Jones Neck, Delaware. He was an officer of the Delaware militia during the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a Continental Congressman from Delaware, and President of Delaware during most of the American Revolution.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Jewish Synagogue - Cochin India


The Jewish Synagogue - Cochin, Kerala - India

postmarked in 2009 from Malaysia with two Malaysia stamps

Stamp on the right: Malaysia stamp 2005 30sen - TarianBharata Natyam and Tarian Kathak (both are traditional Indian Dances)
Stamp on the left: Malaysia 20sen stamp - Tekuker - Spotted Dove - Streptopelia hinensis
- - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Paradesi Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations, located in Kochi, Kerala, in South India. It was built in 1568 by the Malabar Yehudan people or Cochin Jewish community in the Kingdom of Cochin.

It is also referred to as the Cochin Jewish Synagogue or the Mattancherry Synagogue. The synagogue is located in the quarter of Old Cochin and is the only one of the seven synagogues in the area still in use.


Saturday, October 17, 2009

New York - Manhattan's First Heliport

Port Authority
West 30th Street Heliport

Manhattan's first commercial heliport was opened in 1956. Scheduled passenger, mail and cargo service between the heliport and Newark, Teterboro, La Guardia and John F. Kennedy International airports, and the cities of White Plains, New York, and Stamford Connecticut is provided by New York Airways' 15-passenger helicopters.

Color photo courtesy - The Port of New York Authority

was written and addressed in 1971, but never mailed

Friday, October 16, 2009

Damnoen Saduak floating market - Thailand


Floating Market

Food and Fruits come to sell early morning at Damnoen Saduak floating market.

postmarked in 2009 with a thailand National Park stamp

I was looking around the computer to find out more about this floating market - it is very interesting! I added a youtube video so you can get an idea of what it is.

about the stamp:
Pha Thoep National Park
About 12km South of Mukdahan is the Phu Pha Thoep National Park, (also called Mukdahan National Park).
It has some amazing rock formations well worth walking to see.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Abfluss by Gerhard Gluck


Gerhard Gluck (a German caricaturist)
"Abfluss" (i think it translates to 'down the drain')

postmarked in 2009 with three Finland stamps


Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Tripoli, Libya buildings


Tripoli - Libya

postmarked in 2009 with two Tripoli International Fair - Libya stamps

- - - - - - - -
1. maybe a mosque?
2. Corinthia Tripoli Hotel
3. Marcus Aurelius Arch
4. View of Tripoli
5. That El Emad Towers

Libya, officially the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, is a country located in North Africa. Bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Libya lies between Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west.
With an area of almost 1,800,000 square kilometres (694,984 sq mi), 90% of which is desert, Libya is the fourth largest country in Africa by area, and the 17th largest in the world. The capital, Tripoli, is home to 1.7 million of Libya's 5.7 million people.


Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Tangua Park in Brazil


Curitiba - PR - Brasil
'A Capital Ecologica do Pais'
Parque Tangua

Foto: Sergio O. Rehder

postmarked in 2009 with a machine stamp from Brazil

- - - - - - - -

Curitiba is the capital city of the Brazilian state of Paraná.

Tanguá Park is one of the main parks of the city of Curitiba. It was founded on November 23, 1996 by the then prefect Rafael Greca de Macedo, and built where there were two quarries, disabled since then.

It covers an area of 235 thousand square miles and plays the role of preservation of the northern basin of the river Barigüi, not far from it rising in the town of Almirante Tamandaré. It has two lakes and an artificial tunnel, which can be crossed by boat. It is equipped with a bike path, jogging track, cafeteria and two parking lots.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Spinach Soup - people ate this??


This is a Weight Watchers recipe card that someone added sticker to the back and mailed it as a postcard - The recipe is covered, and probably thankfully so - but I did find another recipe for a hot spinach soup -

postmarked in 2009 with a 28 cent stamp

- - - - - - -

Spinach Soup

1 (10 ounce) package fresh or frozen spinach
3 cups milk
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 pint plain yogurt
1 tablespoon instant minced onion
1 teaspoon chicken flavor base

Wash and drain spinach, or thaw frozen spinach. Put 1 cup of the milk in blender container. Add spinach, a little at a time, blending until smooth after each addition. In saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, salt, nutmeg and pepper. Cook over medium-low heat until bubbly.

Stir in spinach mixture. Add remaining milk, yogurt, onion and chicken flavor base. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat, until mixture begins to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring, for 2 minutes.

Makes 5 1/2 cups.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Amazing Temppeliaukion Church in Finland


Suomi - Finland Helsinki - Helsingfors

Temppeliaukion kirkko, Helsinki
Temppeliaukio church, Helsinki

Architects: Timo Suomalainen, Tuomo Suomalainen

postmarked in 2009 with a Finland moth stamp

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Temppeliaukio Church is a Lutheran church in the Töölö neighborhood of Helsinki. The church was designed by architects and brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen, and opened in 1969.

The Temppeliaukio (Temple square) was selected as a location for a church in the 1930s, but the plan by J. S. Siren, the winner of the second competition to design the architecture of the church, was interrupted in its early stages when WWII began in 1939. After the war, there was another architectural competition, which was won by Timo Suomalainen and Tuomo Suomalainen in 1961. For economic reasons, the suggested plan was scaled back and the interior space of the church reduced by about one-quarter from the original plan. Construction finally began in February 1968, and the rock-temple was completed for consecration in September 1969.

The interior was excavated and built into the rock, but is bathed in natural light entering through the glazed dome. The church is used frequently as a concert venue due to its excellent acoustics. The acoustic quality is ensured by the rough, virtually unworked, rock surfaces. Leaving the interior surfaces of the church exposed was not something that was in the original plans for the church, but the orchestra conductor Paavo Berglund and the acoustician, Mauri Parjo, contributed to the plans. The back wall of the altar is a majestic rock wall, originally created by a withdrawing glacier.

The Temppeliaukio church is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city; half a million people visit it annually.

The church furnishings were designed by the architects. Organ builder Veikko Virtanen manufactured the church organ, which has 43 stops.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Sun Wukong in Chinese Opera


Character Types of Chinese Traditional Operas

Wu Sheng
martial roles are men's characters versed in military arts. It contains brandish long handle weapons martial role and hand-to-hand fight martial role.

Sun Wukong in "Uproar in Heaven" (Nao Tian Gong) Plays hai Feng

Postmarked in 2009 with a China stamp

- - - - - - - - - - - - -
the sender writes that Sun Wukong is a famous character in the old legend of China. He is actually a very strong monkey with magic and justice. There are many traditional Chinese Operas to perform his story.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Machu Picchu - Inca site in Peru


Machupicchu

Plaza Sagrada y Templo de las 3 Ventanas
Sacred Plaza and Temple of the 3 Windows

Cuzco, Peru

postmarked in 1970 with a Peru 5.50 stamp, Uniting the community and the armed forces

- - - - - - - - - -

Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian Inca site located 2,430 metres (8,000 ft) above sea level. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru. Often referred to as "The Lost City of the Incas", Machu Picchu is one of the most familiar symbols of the Inca Empire.

The Incas started building it around AD 1430 but was abandoned as an official site for the Inca rulers a hundred years later at the time of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. Although known locally, it was largely unknown to the outside world before being brought to international attention in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, an American historian. Since then, Machu Picchu has become an important tourist attraction.

Here is another postcard from Machupicchu (this one is unused)


Vista parcial de la Ciudadela y Huaynapicchu.
View of Citadel and Huaynapicchu in the rear.