Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Kizimkazi beach, Zanzibar in Tanzania

 Kizimkazi beach, Zanzibar

postmarked in 2005 with a Tanzania 600, Monkey stamp

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

Kizimkazi - is a fishing village on the southern coast of Zanzibar, Tanzania. In recent years, Kizimkazi has become a major tourist attraction, as daily boat tours are organized to bring visitors off shore to watch bottlenose dolphins and swim with them.

Tanzania Stamp 2005 
Tanzania Safari Circuits
Red Colobus Monkey, 600 /=

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Ipswich City, Australia

Ipswich City, Heritage - Queensland

Clockwise - Ipswich Grammar (1863)
St Paul's Angligan (1859) - - (error, should be Anglican)
St Mary's Catholic (1904)
Ipswich University (formerly Challinor Centre, 1917)

unused, from 2011

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ipswich was proclaimed as a municipality on 2 March 1860, and became a city in 1904. Damaging flooding has occurred on numerous occasions, the largest being the 1893 Brisbane flood peaking at 24.5 metres, and more recently during the 1974 Brisbane Flood, peaking in Ipswich at 20.7 metres. Collectively, 8500 houses were flooded in Ipswich and Brisbane.

Since 1874, Ipswich has hosted a country-style fair, offering a variety of produce and livestock plus arts and crafts exhibits. 

Monday, November 28, 2011

Seven Falls South Cheyenne Canyon, Colorado


Seven Falls
South Cheyenne Canon, (Canyon)
Pikes Peak Region, Colorado

unused
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Here is a postcard of the lower three falls ....

Three Lower Falls, Seven Falls, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Seven Falls, South Cheyenne Canon
Here are miles of massive walls of richly colored granite rising from the murmuring stream almost perpendicular to the sky above.  Their bold and rugged pinnacles are split and broken by the never-ending battle with the elements; their lofty domes and towers standing alone and unsupported after centuries of upheaval and commotion, inconceivable to man, end in a magnificent and most impressive climax at the wonderful Seven Falls, where nature outdoes herself in a grand display of mighty cliffs and rushing waters.

unused

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

The History of Seven Falls (181 feet):
On December 5, 1872, Nathaniel Colby homesteaded the 160 acres that included the present-day Seven Falls and South Cheyenne Canyon. Nine months later he sold the land to the Colorado Springs Land Company for $1000.
Later owners realized little value from the land until 1882, when James Hull purchased the property for $1300. Mr. Hull was a naturalist who was disturbed to note the scenic beauty of the canyon was being threatened by the felling of trees for their lumber value. Hull had already purchased 160 acres west of Seven Falls for $500 and later secured an additional 80 acres in 1885. With 400 acres including the heart of the caƱon, Hull became one of Colorado's earliest environmental protectors.

Hull was also a businessman, and he understood the value of the "ranch" as it was then called. He advertised the property as a scenic resort. He constructed a road through the canyon to the Seven Falls, and built a stairway (with 224 steps) along the side of the Falls so tourists could visit it. He installed a toll gate at the foot of the canyon to collect fees.
Access to the Falls in those days was largely by carriages, burros and saddle horses furnished by a local entrepreneur named Hunter. He paid a kind of concession fee to James Hull and his sons of $500 to take passengers to the Falls for 25 cents each. Business flourished, and Seven Falls became a prominent tourist attraction.


Sunday, November 27, 2011

Claridge Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina

El Rascacielos Mas Centrico de Buenos Aires
(The most central skyscraper in Buenos Aires)
Claridge Hotel

postmarked in 1972 with an Argentina Snow Ski Jumping stamp

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

Yes, this is still the Claridge Hotel - 
edited from their website:
A hotel in Buenos Aires with prestige, elegance, style, distinction and above all culture. More than a hotel in Buenos Aires, it is an urban oasis of luxury and tradition with all the amenities you can imagine.  

Above all, if anything characterizes the essence of our hotel in downtown Buenos Aires, Claridge, it is our involvement with the world of art and culture. We  host events such as painting exhibitions, opera recitals, piano bar sessions, cultural events and a host of other activities.

                                                    

Republica Argentina Stamp - 1970
S. C. De Bariloche (San Carlos de Bariloche - city in Argentina)
Deportes De Invierno (Winter Sports )
1.00 Peso

Saturday, November 26, 2011

American Gothic with President Bush Parody

Grant Wood (American, 1891 - 1942),
American Gothic, 1930.
Oil on beaverboard, 78 X 65.3 cm
(30 11/16 X 25 11?16 in.)
Friends of American Art Collection, 1930.934.
The Art Institute of Chicago

unused, bought in 2011

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

American Gothic is a painting by Grant Wood. His inspiration came from a cottage designed in the Gothic Revival style with a distinctive upper window and a decision to paint the house along with "the kind of people I fancied should live in that house."  The painting shows a farmer standing beside his spinster daughter. The figures were modeled by the artist's dentist and sister. The woman is dressed in a colonial print apron mimicking 19th century Americana with the man's pitchfork symbolizing hard labor.

It is one of the most familiar images in 20th century American art, and one of the most parodied artworks within American popular culture. (As in the postcard below)
American Gothic - with George Bush and Dan Quayle - from American Postcard Co.
postmarked in 1991 with 19 cent Sequoyah stamp
                                               

Friday, November 25, 2011

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mostar
Bosnia and Herzegovina

This is postmarked in 2011 with two great stamps. 

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

Mostar is a city and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the largest and one of the most important cities in the Herzegovina region. It is situated on the Neretva river and is the fifth-largest city in the country. Mostar was named after the bridge keepers (natively: mostari) who in the medieval times guarded the Stari Most (Old Bridge) over Neretva river. The Old Bridge is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks.

The sender writes that during the war of the 90's the bridge was totally destroyed, but since 2004 it is again rebuilt and open for public use.  They also write that it was rebuilt with the same rocks and stones taken back from the river. 
1997
flags 110
Hvala svijetu na miru u BiH (
Thank the world for peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- - - - - - - -

 2007
Koza (goat) (Capra hircus) 0.20

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving with Uncle Sam and His Turkey


Thanksgiving Greetings
with Uncle Sam and a Turkey

the word Postcard is written on the back in several languages

postmarked in 1907 with a 1 cent stamp


Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Our National Birds, the Eagle and the Turkey

Our National Birds
The American Eagle.
The Thanksgiving Turkey.

"May one give us peace in all our states,
The other a piece for all our plates."

postmarked in 1907 with a 2 cent Washington stamp

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Store Bay, Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies
Store Bay, Tobago

This postcard is postmarked in 2011 with a Trinidad & Tobago Stamp.

- - - - - - - - -

Store Bay is in the southwest of the island Tobago, where most of their tourism is concentrated.  There are many large sandy beaches and resorts in the area.
Trinidad and Tobago stamp 2011
Centenary of the Birth of Dr. Eric Williams $ 3.75

Dr. Eric Williams by Georgia M. Cordner
Bishops Centenary College Winner, National Stamp Competition
- - - - - - - - 

Eric Eustace Williams (25 September 1911 – 29 March 1981) was the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. He served from 1956 until his death in 1981. He was also a noted Caribbean historian.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Map of Ireland Postcard

Greetings from Ireland

The ingratiating island of Ireland, set at the Western extremity of Europe, spans a total land area of 32,524 square miles.  Vibrant, fresh and green, the country stands in the path of the prevailing westerly winds from the Atlantic and the warming currents f the Gulf Stream.  Ireland encompasses a wealth of natural beauty.  Lofty mountain ranges and indented coastlines add to the aesthetic charm of the country.  Ireland's fascination is legendary and visitors are attracted to its shores every year to sample its rich historic, artistic and literary associations.

printed and Publish by John Hinde Limited.

postmarked from Ireland with Eire 28 stamp in 1991 

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Kissing in Zurich, Switzerland


Ubung macht den Meister
(Practice Makes Perfect)

unused, from Zurich, Switzerland in 2011

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Gourri Village, Troodos, Cyprus

Gourri Village, Troodos, Cyprus

postmarked in 2000 with two Cyprus stamps 

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

Troodos  is the biggest mountain range of Cyprus, located in the center of the island. 

The mountain range stretches across most of the western side of Cyprus. There are many famous mountain resorts, monasteries and churches on mountain peaks, and nestled in its valleys are picturesque mountain villages clinging to terraced hill slopes. Also, the area has been known since ancient times for its mines.


 Cyprus Stamp 1974
Refugee Fund 1 c
- - - - - - -

Cyprus Stamp 2000
Jewelry Pin with charms, 25

Friday, November 18, 2011

The Okavango Delta in Botswana, Africa

The Okavango Delta
Botswana - Africa

Photography: Hayden & Katherine Oake

postmarked in 2007 with a Botswana 2006 Stamp -  Phoenix reclinata (a flowering Palm) P 4.90

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

The Okavango Delta (or Okavango Swamp), in Botswana, is the world's largest inland delta. It is formed where the Okavango River empties onto a swamp in the  Kalahari Desert, where most of the water is lost to evaporation instead of draining into the sea.

The Okavango delta is both a permanent and seasonal home to a wide variety of wildlife which is now a popular tourist attraction.
Species include African Bush Elephant, African Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Lechwe (I believe that is the antelope in the postcard above), Blue Wildebeest, Giraffe, Nile crocodile, Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Brown Hyena, Spotted Hyena, Greater Kudu, Sable Antelope, Black Rhinoceros, White Rhinoceros, Plains Zebra, Warthog and Chacma Baboon.

The delta also includes over 400 species of birds.



Thursday, November 17, 2011

Bone Pile in Cuba


Bone Pile, Cuban Cemetery

This postcard is unused.

- - - - - - - - - - -

From what I read on the computer was that when someone was buried, they had to pay every so many years to stay buried.  Once you didn't pay, the remains were dug up and thrown in the bone pit.  Soldiers used to climb in and pick up bones to make a 'skull and cross bones' and take pictures.  (Like you see above).  Then one General ordered it to stop and the pit be covered. I read that this was done in other countries as well many many years ago.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Pula, Croatia

Pula, Croatia
Istra

This is postmarked in 2011 with a Croatia 4,60 Monachus monachus (Mediterranean Monk Seal) stamp.

 - - - - - - - -

The Pula Arena is the only remaining Roman amphitheatre to have four side towers and with all three Roman architectural orders entirely preserved. It was constructed in 27 BC - 68 AD and is among the six largest surviving Roman arenas in the World.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

A Yoga Frog and a i-Tunes Dog



The background of these great postcards is like a mirror, you can actually see yourself in it!  I tried to scan them, but the background only turned out very dark, so I took pictures of them.

The frog is by Julien Tromeur and the happy-go-lucky puppy is by Barbara Helgason

both are unused and bought in Germany, 2011

Ya gotta love these cards!!!!!

Monday, November 14, 2011

The Queen with Prince Charles and Princess Anne

H. M. the Queen with Prince Charles and Princess Anne.

Photo: Marcus Adams

real photo postcard
unused, from 1951


Their Royal Highnesses
Prince Charles & Princess Anne (I love this picture of her!)

From a portrait by Marcus Adams

real photo postcard
unused, from 1952

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Woman in Caribou Clothing, Nunavut, Canada

 Nunavut

Inuit Woman in Caribou Parka
One of the factors of Inuit culture which enabled them to survive in harsh conditions was the high quality and often very beautiful skin clothing made by the women.

postmarked in 2010 with three Canada stamps, two from the 'Four Indian Kings' series

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

Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999.

                                     


Saturday, November 12, 2011

Antique Automobiles, Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, Michigan


Antique Automobiles, Henry Ford Museum
Dearborn, Michigan

The Museum's display of 175 antique automobiles, comprises one of the world's largest collections of historic motor vehicles.  Significant automobiles of both foreign and domestic manufacture are represented.  The evolution of the automobile is traced from the early horseless carriage to a prototype of the "tomorrow's car".  All three major phases of development - steam, electric and gasoline - are included.

unused

Friday, November 11, 2011

Prees Heath Camp, Town Hut and Y.M.C.A., World War I

Prees Heath Camp
View of the Town Hut (Y.C.C.A. 3)

Refreshment Buffet
Billiards (Pool) and Shooting
Concert Hall

This real photo postcard is postmarked during World War 1 in 1915 with a Prees Heath Camp Postmark with a 1 penny 'Postage Revenue' stamp

The sender writes that he is here with the troops for the war work and that it is not very long before he will to go to France.  His old address will find him here.

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

Prees Heath Army Camp opened in 1915 as a training base for the British Army, it had a capacity for 30,00 men for training in trench warfare. It additionally acted later as a store for supplies, with its own railway depot. As casualties mounted, it became a hospital with a fully fledged barracks.

After the war ended, the facilities were downgraded, with the British Government keeping ownership of the site for Army training purposes.
Great Britain Stamp 
King George V - Postage Revenue 
One 1 Penny

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Missouri

Gateway Arch and the Old Cathedral - The Old Cathedral, completed in 1834 of Greek Revival style, is framed by our tallest National Monument, 630 ft. high Gateway Arch.  The Arch, built from a prize winning design of the late Eero Saarinen, is in the form of an inverted catenary curve, graceful from all points of view, harmonizing with classic and contemporary architecture of St. Louis' historic riverfront. - postmarked in 1992 with 19 cent balloon stamp
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
  
Tallest Man-Made Monument, Gateway Arch

The Gateway Arch, in St. Louis, memorializes the national expansion that took place under President Thomas Jefferson.  Completed in 1965, the arch spans 630 feet and rises to the same height; it was built to withstand earthquakes and high winds.

From the Set:
Wonders of America
Coloring Postcards
unused, has matching stamp attached to back - from 2006
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 St. Louis
Missouri
St. Louis is a city with much to offer.  Its famous attraction, the Gateway Memorial Arch, was built in the early 1960's and stands 630 feet tall.

Photo: John Elk III
postmarked in 2008 with a USA 'Liberty Bell - Forever Stamp'

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

The Gateway Arch, or Gateway to the West, is an arch that is the centerpiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, Missouri. It was built as a monument to the westward expansion of the United States. At 630 feet (192 m), it is the tallest man-made monument in the United States and Missouri's tallest accessible building.

Located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, the arch was designed by Finnish American architect Eero Saarinen and structural engineer Hannskarl Bandel in 1947. Construction began on February 12, 1963, and ended on October 28, 1965, costing US$13 million at the time ($90,491,005 today). The monument opened to the public on June 10, 1967.

There are three modes of transportation up the arch: two sets of 1,076-step emergency stairs (one in each leg), an elevator to the 300-foot (91 m) height, and a tram in each leg.

Currently, the Gateway Arch is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world with over four million visitors annually, out of which around one million travel to the top. The arch was listed as a National Historic Landmark on June 2, 1987, and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Lake Engolasters in Andorra

Principat D'Andorra (Principality of Andorra)
Llac d'Engolasters (Lake Engolasters)
Vista aeria al fons Andorra La Vella (Aerial view of the bottom Andorra La Vella)

Fotografia (photographer) A. Campana

postmarked in 2011 with an Andorra Civic's stamp

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

Engolasters Lake, in the Encamp parish of Andorra, is an oblong shaped lake at an elevation of 1,616 m (5,302 ft). formed in a glacial depression. It is located close to Andorra La Vella, the capital of Andorra.

The stored water in the reservoir is utilized for generating hydroelectric power at the power station located near Encamp village. There is a cable car rope way from Encamp to the lake area, which is a 6.2 km line.

A legend related to the history and formation of the lake claims that Engolasters was formed by a sudden gush of water unleashed by divine powers in order to chastise the impiety of a beautiful woman, who was said to be an ancient inhabitant of a village close to the lake shore. According to legend, the woman refused to give a piece of a bread to a starving pilgrim, said to be Christ himself.
2011 - - 0,80 E
Principat d'Andorra (Principality of Andorra)
Correus Espanyols (Spanish Post)
Valors Civics. Igualtat (Equality Values ​​Civics)

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Shar pei Dog from Florida, Mexico, or The Bahamas?

Florida
Wish You Were Here

Florida is the perfect vacation hot-spot.  Well known for its long sandy-white beaches, crystal-clear tropical waters, endless warmth and sunshine, and some of the most beautiful sunrise and sunsets.

unused, bought in 2012

- - - -
 Mexico
Wish you were here

foto/photo: Landmark Stock Exchange
unused, but has a 2010 Mexico 'marimba' stamp attached to the back (see below) - from 2010
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Bahamas
Wish You Were Here

The Bahamas is the absolute perfect vacation spot!
From its sandy-white beaches and crystal-clear waters, 
to its year-round warm climate and endless sunshine, 
it offers travelers nothing but tropical paradise!

distributed by Banana Peel, Nassau, Bahamas
unused, bought in 2011
 - - - - - - -