Friday, August 31, 2012

Princess Diana on the Guyana Stamps

Guyana Stamp
Princess Diana
1961-1997

unused

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This postcard is the image of the sheet of 4 beautiful stamps that was issued by Guyana in 2010.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Monte-Carlo Casino

Souvenir de Monte-Carlo
(shown is the Casino)

This is a 'pull-out' postcard.  If you open the flap, there is a folded sheet of papers inside the postcard showing views of Monaco.  Below is a picture of the postcard with the flap open.

unused

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The Monte Carlo Casino is owned and operated by the Société des bains de mer de Monaco, a public company in which the Monaco government and the ruling family have a majority interest. The company also owns the principal hotels, sports clubs, foodservice establishments, and nightclubs throughout Monaco.

The casino was designed by the architect Charles Garnier, who also created the Paris opéra.

The citizens of Monaco are forbidden to enter the gaming rooms of the casino. Identity documents are checked at the door to enforce this rule.

James Bond, a fictional British spy, is often associated with the Monte Carlo Casino.
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Here is a postcard with the flap open and some of the pictures showing ...

Here is a newer postcard of the Casino...

Le Casino

unused, 2009

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This place is beautiful inside!  But no cameras allowed at all once you are inside the building, and I found no good postcards of the interior  :(  .. this one here shows a bit of it on the top right corner ....

Principaute De Monaco (Principality of Monaco)

postmarked in 2009 with a Monaco dog 'The Chihuahua and The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel' stamp 


Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Moonlight Landscape by Joseph Wright of Derby


Joseph Wright of Derby, Moonlight Landscape, c. 1785
Oil on canvas, 25 1/2 X 30 1/2 inches
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, Florida

unused, from 2011

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Joseph Wright (3 September 1734 – 29 August 1797), was an English landscape and portrait painter.

Wright is notable for his use of Chiaroscuro effect, which emphasises the contrast of light and dark, and for his paintings of candle-lit subjects.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Birds: White-faced Heron


White-face Heron

unused Pikitia postcard bought in New Zealand in 2012

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The White-faced Heron, Egretta novaehollandiae, also known as the White-fronted Heron, and incorrectly as the Grey Heron, or Blue Crane, is a common bird throughout most of Australasia, including New Guinea, the islands of Torres Strait, Indonesia, New Zealand, the islands of the Subantarctic, and all but the driest areas of Australia.

It is a relatively small heron, pale, slightly bluish-grey, with yellow legs and white facial markings. It can be found almost anywhere near shallow water, fresh or salt, and although it is prompt to depart if disturbed, it will boldly raid suburban fish ponds.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Brave Movie by Disney - Pixar

Disney - Pixar
Brave
In Theaters June 22, 2012

Merida
Passionate and fiery, Merida is a headstrong teenager of royal upbringing who is struggling to take control of her own destiny.  She feels most at home in the outdoors honing her impressive athletic skills as an archer and swordfighter, and racing across the magnificent highland countryside with her faithful horse, Angus.  With a spirit as vibrant as her untamed hair, Merida also has a softness of heart, especially when it comes to her wee triplet brothers.

Angus
Black as night with ivory muzzle and fetlocks, Angus is Merida's powerful clydesdale and her most trusted confidant.
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Queen Elinor
A vision of grace, wisdom and strength of character, Queen Elinor is fiercely dedicated to the well being of her family and kingdom.  As the measured, diplomatic counterpoint to her more impulsive husband, King Fergus, Elinor carries the weight of the kingdom on her shoulders.

King Fergus
Protector of his kingdom and family, King Fergus is a heroic warrior with a majestic bear cape, broad sword and a knobby peg leg - the result of his much-regaled skirmish with the demon bear Mor'du.
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The Triplets
Identical triplets Harris, Hubert and Hamish are adorable, redheaded, and always ready to stir up a bit of mischief, especially if sweets are at stake.
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Young Macintosh
Young Macintosh knows he has it all-athletic physique, undeniable charm and long flowing locks that leave the lasses swooning in his wake.

Lord Macintosh
The wiry, indignan and off-kilter leader of his clan, Lord Macintosh is always a heartbeat away from hysterics.
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Wee Dingwall
Gangly, Guileless and often lost in his own head, Wee Dingwall is the awkward son of Lord Dingwall.

Lord Dingwall
Grumpy and quick-tempered, the scrappy Lord Dingwall doesn't let being height-challenged get in the way of solving his problems with fisticuffs. 
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Lord MacGuffin
Strapping Lord madGuffin is a man of few words, thought his deep voice resounds across the land demanding respect

Young MacGuffin
Speaking an uncommon scottish dialect that is incomprehensible to most, young MacGuffin is a shy lad of large proportions.

All of the postcards in this set are unused.

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Brave is a 2012 American 3D computer-animated fantasy adventure film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.

 To make the most complex visuals possible, Pixar completely rewrote their animation system for the first time in 25 years. It is the first movie to use the Dolby Atmos sound format.

In Brave, set in the highlands of 10th century Scotland, a skilled archer named Merida defies an age-old custom, causing chaos in her kingdom. After consulting a witch for help, her family becomes cursed and Merida is forced to undo the spell herself before it is too late.

Voice Cast:
Peigi Barker as Young Merida
Kelly Macdonald as Princess Merida
Emma Thompson as Queen Elinor
Billy Connolly as King Fergus
Harris, Hubert, and Hamish (Merida's triplet brothers) are Non-speaking characters
Steven Cree as Young Macintosh
Craig Ferguson as Lord Macintosh
Callum O'Neill as Wee Dingwall
Robbie Coltrane as Lord Dingwall
Kevin McKidd as Lord MacGuffin and Young MacGuffin

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia

 Scenery  from Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia.

postmarked in 1980 with a 65 H. Saudi Arabia stamp

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Al-Ahsa is a traditional oasis region in eastern Saudi Arabia. The oasis is located about 60 km inland from the Persian Gulf.

Al-Ahsa has been inhabited since prehistoric times, due to its abundance of water in an otherwise arid region.  Natural fresh-water springs have surfaced at oases in the region for millennia, encouraging human habitation and agricultural efforts (date palm cultivation especially).

Oil production and agriculture are the main economic activities.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Roman Ruins in Timgad, Algeria

Ruines Romaines de Timgad. - Arc de Trajan et Temple du Genie
(Roman ruins of Timgad. - Arch of Trajan and the Temple of Genius)

unused

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Ruines Romaines de Timgad. - Marche de Sertius
(Roman Ruins of Timgad. - Market of Sertius)

unused

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Timgad was a Roman colonial town in the Aures mountain- numidia Algeria founded by the Emperor Trajan around AD 100. The full name of the town was Colonia Marciana Ulpia Traiana Thamugadi.

Located in modern-day Algeria, about 35 km east of the town of Batna, the ruins are noteworthy for representing one of the best extant examples of the grid plan as used in Roman city planning.

Because no new settlements were founded on the site after the 7th century, the town was partially preserved under sand up to a depth of approximately one meter. The encroachment of the Sahara on the ruins was the principal reason why the town is so well preserved.

Timgad was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Map of Luxembourg

Map of Luxembourg

Bonjour de Gr. Duche

postmarked in 2009 with a Luxembourg, World Cup of Soccer in Germany stamp 0,90

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Luxembourg, officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has a population of just over half a million people in an area of 2,586 square kilometres (998 sq mi).

The people of Luxembourg are called Luxembourgers.

Three languages are recognised as official in Luxembourg: French, German, and Luxembourgish, a Franconian language of the Moselle region that is also spoken in neighbouring parts of France and Germany. Though Luxembourgish is part of the West Central German group of High German languages, more than 5,000 words in the Luxembourgish have their origin in the French language. The first printed sentences in Luxembourgish were released by the weekly journal the 'Luxemburger Wochenblatt' in the second edition of 14 April 1821.


Thursday, August 23, 2012

Namibia Map

Namibia
from the Gerald & Marc Hoberman Collection

postmarked on 11-11-11 from South Africa with two stamps (Coral Rockcod, 50 c and Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg R 2.40)

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Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March 1990, following the Namibian War of Independence. Its capital and largest city is Windhoek.

The name of the country is derived from the Namib Desert, considered to be the oldest desert in the world.

The official language is English. Until 1990, German and Afrikaans were also official languages.
 

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Sharks Teeth

 Shark Teeth - Florida

Sand Shark
Tiger Shark
Extinct Tiger
Lemon
Mako
Bull
Extinct Sand
Dusky
Hemipristis
Extinct Mako
Carcharodon Megalodon
Modern Bull Shark Jaw
Carcharodon Megalodon
Mako
Dusky
Lemon
White Tip
Tiber
Bull
Sand

This Curteich postcard is unused and was bought in 2007.
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A similar postcard ...

Shark Teeth

All of the darker teeth are fossilized and are from 1.8 to 65 million years old, while the white teeth are from modern sharks.  The jawbone in the center is from a Bull Shark, and the two large dark teeth are from a long extinct species that grew over 65 feet in length.  Notice that there has been little change in the shape of these teeth even after millions of years!

Tiger
Bull
Great White
Snaggletooth
Black Tip
Carcharodon Megalodon
Hammerhead
Modern Bull Shark Jaw
Tiger
Carcharodon Megalodon
Lemon
Mako
Bull
Great White
Bull
Mako

This card was bought in 2009.
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Here is a postcard of the rows of teeth on a Sand Tiger Shark

Virginia Aquarium
& Marine Science Center

Sharks

Sand tiger sharks are found throughout the world's temperate oceans; they can grow to nearly 10 and one-half feet and weigh over 250 pounds.

Photos Mary Lindjhem and Chuck Steenburgh

This one is postmarked in 2009 with a USA printed flower stamp for 27 cents from Zazzle.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Belgium, Antwerpen (Antwerp) L'Hotel de Ville (City/Town Hall)

 Anvers - L'Hotel de Ville (French -  Antwerp - The City Hall)
Antwerpen - Het Stadhuis (Dutch - Antwerp - The Town Hall)

postmarked in 1946 with a Belgium 'Lion with Crown' (Small State Arm/Weapon) 1 f  stamp

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The City Hall of Antwerp:

In the 16th century, the municipal authorities proposed to replace Antwerp's small medieval town hall with a more imposing structure befitting the prosperity of the great port city. But an atmosphere of war prevented any progress on the project. The building material intended for the city hall was instead used to shore up the city defenses. Not until about 1560 were new plans developed, but meanwhile Gothic architecture was no longer fashionable, so this time the new town hall was designed in the new Renaissance style. Completed in 1565, the building lasted hardly a decade before being burnt to a shell in the Spanish Fury of 1576. It was repaired three years later.

Monday, August 20, 2012

General William Booth of the Salvation Army


The Salvation Army, Sebring, Florida -  William Booth stained glass window given in honor of the 80th birthday of General Edward Higgins the first elected General of the Salvation Army.

Photo by Chuck Burn of Sebring Florida

postmarked in 1994 with 19 cent deer stamp

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William Booth (10 April 1829 – 20 August 1912) was a British Methodist preacher who founded the Salvation Army and became its first General (1878–1912). The Christian movement, with a military structure and government - but with no physical weaponry - founded in 1865, has spread from London, England, to many parts of the world and is known for being one of the largest distributors of humanitarian aid.

William was born in Sneinton, Nottingham, England, the only son of four surviving children born to Samuel Booth and Mary Moss. His father was wealthy by the standards of the time, but during Booth's childhood, as a result of his father's bad investments, the family descended into poverty.

After his fathers death, he started to read extensively and trained himself in writing and in speech, becoming a Methodist lay preacher.

In 1851, Booth joined the 'Reformers' (Methodist Reform Church), and on 10 April 1852, his 23rd birthday, he became a full-time preacher at their headquarters at Binfield Chapel in Clapham.  Just over a month after he started full-time preaching, on 15 May 1852, William Booth became formally engaged to Catherine Mumford. In November 1853, Booth was invited to become the Reformers' minister at Spalding, in Lincolnshire.

Though Booth became a prominent Methodist evangelist, he was unhappy that the denomination kept assigning him to a pastorate, the duties of which he had to neglect to respond to the frequent requests that he do evangelistic campaigns. At the Liverpool conference in 1861, after having spent three years at Gateshead, his request to be freed for evangelism full-time was refused yet again, and Booth resigned from the ministry of the Methodist New Connexion.

Soon he was barred from campaigning in Methodist congregations, so he became an independent evangelist. His doctrine remained much the same, though; he preached that eternal punishment was the fate of those who do not believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the necessity of repentance from sin, and the promise of holiness. He taught that this belief would manifest itself in a life of love for God and mankind.

In 1865, Booth and his wife Catherine opened The Christian Revival Society in the East End of London, where they held meetings every evening and on Sundays, to offer repentance, salvation and Christian ethics to the poorest and most needy, including alcoholics, criminals and prostitutes. The Christian Revival Society was later renamed The Christian Mission.

Booth and his followers practiced what they preached and performed self-sacrificing Christian and social work, such as opening “Food for the Million” shops (soup kitchens), not caring if they were scoffed at or derided for their Christian ministry work.

In 1878 the name of the organization was changed to The Salvation Army, modelling it in some ways after the military, with its own flag and its own music, often with Christian words to popular and folkloric tunes sung in the pubs. He and the other soldiers in God's Army would wear the Army's own uniform. He became the "General" and his other ministers were given appropriate ranks as "officers".

Though the early years were lean ones, with the need of money to help the needy an ever growing issue, Booth and The Salvation Army persevered. In the early 1880s, operations were extended to other countries.

During his lifetime, William Booth established Army work in 58 countries and colonies, travelling extensively and holding, "salvation meetings."
Booth regularly published a magazine and was the author of a number of books; he also composed several songs. His books In Darkest England and the Way Out were reprinted several times and lately in 2006.

Opinion of the Salvation Army and William Booth eventually changed to that of favour. In his later years, he was received in audience by kings, emperors and presidents, who were among his ardent admirers. Even the mass media began to use his title of 'General' with reverence.

In 1899, Booth suffered from blindness in both eyes, but with a short rest, was able to recover his sight. Later in 1899, he had to have his right eye removed and had a cataract in his left eye.
William Booth was 83 years old when he died, in Hadley Wood, London. He was buried with his wife in the main London burial ground of Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Wolves

Baby Wolf
Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)
This large dog-like animal is usually gray but can vary from silvery-white to black.  At maturity its length is approximately 40-52 inches.  Although maligned through the ages as a vicious predator, the wolf might better be admired for its complex social organization.  The leader, or alpha male, appears to control the pack's activities.

Photo by Alan & Sandy Carey

From the set:
Baby Animals of Washington
A collection of 12 postcards
unused, bought in 2010
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Canada

The Grey Wolf is considered the largest member of the wild dog family.  Mainly found in the Northern Hemisphere, their numbers have declined over the years.  Preferring to hunt in packs during the night, they feed on deer, elk, and other animals.

Le loup gris est considere comme le plus grand parmi des especes sauvages de la famille des canides.  On le trouve principalement dans l'hemisphere boreal leur nombre decroit au fil des annees.  Il prefere chasser en meute durant la nuit, se nourrit de chevreuil, de wapiti et d'autres animaux.

postmarked in 2012 with two Canadian stamps, one with a baby fox 1.03 and one of a caterpillar, Danaus Plexippus (Monarch Butterfly) 2
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Wolves are social predators that live in nuclear families consisting of a mated pair, their offspring and, occasionally, adopted immature wolves.

Genetic studies reaffirm that the gray wolf is the ancestor of the domestic dog.

 


Saturday, August 18, 2012

Ukraine Alphabet

 Ukrainian Alphabet

postmarked in 2012 with a stamp of a dressed up bird -  an illustration stamp from "The Snow Queen" drawn by a famous Ukranian Painter - Vladyslav Yerko - 6.00

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The alphabet comprises thirty-three letters, representing thirty-eight phonemes (meaningful units of sound), and an additional sign—the apostrophe.

Twenty letters represent consonants (б, г, ґ, д, ж, з, к, л, м, н, п, р, с, т, ф, х, ц, ч, ш, щ), ten vowels (а, е, є, и, і, ї, о, у, ю, я), and two semivowels (й/yot, and в). The soft sign ь has no phonetic value, but indicates softening (palatalization) of a preceding consonant.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 1950 and Today

Myrtle Beach
South Carolina

postmarked in 2009 with a 28 cent stamp

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Myrtle Beach is a coastal city on the east coast of the United States in Horry County, South Carolina. It is situated on the center of a large and continuous stretch of beach known as the Grand Strand in northeastern South Carolina.

It is considered to be a major tourist destination in the Southeast, attracting an estimated 14.6 million visitors each summer.  As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 27,109.
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Greetings from Myrtle Beach, S.C.

postmarked in 1950 with 1 cent Washington stamp 
 

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Elvis - Karate Movie - The New Gladiators

Elvis Presley
Karate

unused, bought in 2010

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The New Gladiators is a documentary movie by Elvis Presley and Ed Parker centered on the fights of the United States Karate team in London, England and Brussels, Belgium. Narrated by Chuck Sullivan, it was filmed between 1973 and 1974 but finally remastered and later released in 2002. The movie was financed by American singer and actor Elvis Presley, who began to practice karate during his duty years in the United States Army.

In 1974, George Waite presented the idea of the film to Ed Parker, Presley's karate instructor. In the film, Presley was playing the main role, introducing Karate arts divided in narration and demonstrations. Parker presented the idea to Presley, who subsequently liked the idea. There was a meeting organized at Graceland, but no major details were arranged due that Presley had to leave for travel to Las Vegas to perform on a show. The next Morning to the meeting, Presley called Waite and sent his private plane to take his wife and him to Vegas. During the show, Presley extended a $50,000 check for beginning the production of the film.
In 1977 after Presley's death, the movie was stored in a garage in West Hollywood, in the bed of a truck along with other memorabilia objects. In 2001 the footage was found, restored and later released on August 17, 2002. On August 16, 2009 Elvis Presley Enterprises released a new version of the film with extra footage of Presley in Karate training sessions.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

The Tuareg People in Timbuktu, Mali

 Mali - Tomboucton


Charmes et couleurs du Mali (Charms and colors of Mali)
Les Touareg, Tombouctou (The Tuareg People, Timbuktu)

This was postmarked in 2004 with two Mali stamps.

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The Tuareg are a people with a traditionally nomadic lifestyle. They are the principal inhabitants of the Sahara Desert in the interior of North Africa.

There is an estimated total number of 1.2 million people who speak the Tuareg language.
Mali stamp 2003
Femme Peulh (Fulani Woman) 385 F
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Mali stamp 2002
Piece du Musee National (National Museum Piece)
Porte de Sanctuaire Senoufo (Gate Sanctuary Senufo) 25 F

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Tahiti, French Polynesia - The Intercontinental Resort

 Tahiti
Voyage vers le Sud (Travel to the South)

Vue Polynesie (View Polynesia) - InterContinental Resort Tahiti

postmarked in 2012 with a French Polynesia stamp

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The hotel features private beach, two pools, tennis courts, and 30 acres of private gardens. Plus, Papeete’s museums, shops, galleries, market, and nightclubs are just a short distance away.  

Facing the sister island of Moorea, 12 miles away, the hotel will offer you unique views of unforgettable sunsets. You can also have a unique experience in an overwater bungalow. (You can see the roofs of the bungalows in the postcard).
French Polynesia stamp 2011
50e Anniversaire de Perle de Tahiti (50th Anniversary of Pearl of Tahiti) 140 f
Photo: Frederic Payet

Monday, August 13, 2012

Disney's Bambi and Thumper


Bambi and Thumper in 3-D

The bak of this unused postcard only reads: 'printed in Japan'.

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Bambi is a 1942 American animated film directed by David Hand (supervising a team of sequence directors), produced by Walt Disney and based on the book Bambi, A Life in the Woods by Austrian author Felix Salten. The film was released by RKO Radio Pictures on August 13, 1942, and is the fifth film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Kookaburra from Australia


The Kookaburras belong to the family of the Kingfishers and are native to Australia and New Guinea, but only the Australian one is famous for its unmistakable laughing call.  They feed on insects, snakes, frogs and other small animals.

unused, from 2012
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Here is a Kookaburra as a mascot for the Sydney Olympics in 2000 ...

Sydney 2000 Millenium card with Olly, Syd and Millie - Olympic Games Official Licensed Product - unused

here is some info on the characters...
Ollie, Syd and Millie, designed by Matthew Hattan, are three native Australian animals chosen as mascots for the Sydney 2000 Games. They represent earth, air and water. "Olly", a kookaburra, epitomizes the Olympic spirit of generosity and universal generosity (from Olympic); "Syd", a platypus, represents the environment and captures the vigor and energy of Australia and its people (from Sydney); "Millie", an echidna, is a techno-whiz and information guru, with all the facts and figures at her fingertips (from Millennium).


Saturday, August 11, 2012

London 2012 Official Mascots: Wenlock and Mandeville

Wenlock and Mandeville are the official mascots for the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics being held in London, United Kingdom.

The mascots were unveiled on 19 May 2010; this marks the second time (after Vancouver's Miga, Quatchi, Sumi and Mukmuk) that both Olympic and Paralympic mascots were unveiled at the same time. The mascots were created and designed by iris, a London-based creative agency.

Wenlock:
Wenlock’s name is inspired by Much Wenlock in Shropshire, England, where the Wenlock Olympian Society held its first Olympian Games in 1850, regarded as an inspiration for the modern Olympic games

unused
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Mandeville:
Mandeville's name comes from the Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England which organised the Stoke Mandeville Games in 1948, a competition for injured soldiers; they are regarded as the inspiration for the Paralympics. 

postmarked in 2012 with three 'queen' stamps and one Olympics stamp from Great Britain 

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The back of both postcards reads:
Official Product of London 2012.  Thank you for purchasing this Official Product of London 2012.  Your purchase supports the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
(with the Olympic Hologram Seal on the back) (The information you see about each mascot is not printed on the postcards)