The Old City of Quito in Ecuador

Ecuador - Quito

View of the Old City beneath Panecillo.

This is postmarked in 2009 with two Ecuador stamps.

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Quito is the capital city of Ecuador, and at an elevation of 9,350 feet (2,800 meters above sea level), it is the highest official capital city in the world.

Quito, along with Kraków, were the first World Cultural Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO in 1978.

A Ladybug from Ohio

Ladybug
Ohio State Insect

In 1975, the Ohio government selected the ladybug beetle as Ohio's official insect.  Ladybird beetles exist in all of Ohio's eighty-eight counties.

This unused postcard is from 2015. 

Nakla nad Notecia, Poland

Pozdrowienia z Nakla nad Notecia

Pomnik Wdziecznosci Wojsku Polskiemu
Ulica Bydgoska
Jesien na ulicy Bydgoskiej
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From an on-line translator:
Greetings from Nakła over Notecia

Monument of Gratitude to the Polish Army
Street Bydgoszcz
Fall on the street Bydgoszcz
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Toto: Jacek Tomasz

This postcard is unused and from 2015.

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Nakło nad Notecią is a town in northern Poland on the river Noteć.  I checked the population and found everything from 16,000 to 32,000. 

Basketball Street Art in George Town, Malaysia

"Kids Playing Basketball" Mural

Gat Lebuh Chulia, George Town, Penang

Street Art

This postcard is postmarked in 2015 from Malaysia. 

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I read on-line that there is another mural opposite of this one of children playing on the swing.

Malaysia stamp 2010

Garden Flowers

Bunga Teratai

Lotus Flower

30 sen

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Malaysia stamp 2005 

Birds

Tekuker

Spotted Dove

Streptopelia hinensis

20 sen

National Postcard Week 1998, Giblet People (Playing With Your Food)

National Postcard Week 1998
Giblet People

Ingredients:
Laurel Kane:
Beef Liver and Tripe, Turkey Gizzards, Liver and Neck, Eyes and Ribbon

Ralph Muscarella:
Beef Sweetbreads and Tripe, Chicken Gizzards, Heart, Liver, Turkey Neck

Photo by Donna Muscarella

This very unique food card goes to prove that you can find just about ANYTHING on a postcard!  It is postmarked in 1998 with a 20 cent ballooning stamp.

USA stamp 1983

Hot Air Ballooning 20 c

Balloons

Bora Bora in French Polynesia

Bora Bora, perle du Pacifique.
Bora Bora, The South Pacific Pearl.

The is postmarked in 2012 with a French Polynesia 'pearl' stamp.

French Polynesia stamp 2011

50e Anniversaire de Perle de Tahiti 

(50th Anniversary of Pearl of Tahiti) 

Photo: Frederic Payet - 140 f

A Harley-Davidson Motorcycle on a Metal Calendar Postcard

Harley-Davidson
Genuine
750 Flathead

This unused metal postcard is a calendar.  You move the little metal rings from month to month and date to date.  I bought it in Europe in 2014  for 3.95 euros.

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The flathead engine saw service in Harley-Davidson motorcycles beginning with the Model W's flat-twin, produced from 1919 to 1923.

Shakespeare's Hamlet: To Be or Not To Be, In A Skull *Read under the Stamp!

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

 To be, or not to be, that is the question: 

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer 1750

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune 

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, 

And by opposing end them. To die- to sleep- 

No more; and by a sleep to say we end 

The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks 

That flesh is heir to. 'Tis a consummation 

Devoutly to be wish'd. To die- to sleep. 

To sleep- perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub! 

For in that sleep of death what dreams may come 

When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,

Must give us pause. There's the respect 

That makes calamity of so long life.

This brilliant postcard features a quote from Hamlet and the worlds are written to make the shape of a skull.  It is postmarked in 2015 with a 'matching' stamp from the Royal Shakespeare Company in England. On the stamp Hamlet is played by David Tennant in 2008. (He also played the 10th Dr. in the Doctor Who television series) 

The scene with the monolog is from Act III and the scene with the skull is in act V.  The reason they are usually shown together is they are the two most iconic parts of the play.  

Great Britain stamp 2011

Royal Shakespeare Company

RSC 50 Years

Hamlet

To Be or Not to Be

That is the question, 1st

*The skull he is holding is of pianist André Tchaikowsky who in his will he left his body to medical research, and donated his skull to the Royal Shakespeare Company, asking that it be used as a prop on stage.

A Snow Skier in Greenland

Post Greenland
Photo: Erwin Reinthaler

This is postmarked in 2015.

The sender writes that they wish they were the snow skier on this postcard instead of that person.  ;-)

Greenland (Gronland) stamp 2015

Greenlandic Mining, 

Nalunaq goldmine

2004-2013

3,00 

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Greenland (Gronland) stamp 2015

SEPAC - Pearls of Europe, 11.00

The Three Stooges, Opening Credits

Columbia Pictures Corporation
presents
The Three Stooges

Moe  Larry  Curly

This unused postcard was printed in 2010.  The image is the scene from the opening credits of their television show (1960–1972).

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The Three Stooges act began as part of a mid-1920s vaudeville comedy act, billed as Ted Healy and his Stooges, consisting of Healy, Moe Howard, his brother Shemp Howard, and Larry Fine. The four made one feature film, Soup to Nuts, before Shemp left to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by his younger brother, Jerome (Curly Howard), in 1932. Two years later, the trio left Healy and signed on to appear in their own short subjects for Columbia, now billed as "The Three Stooges".

Planeview, The Miracle City, Kansas

National Postcard Week
May 3 - 9, 2015

Planeview
The Miracle City, Kansas
Established 1943

During World War II, housing for those who came to Wichita to work at the airplane plants became critical, and government housing was built for the duration of the war.  This postcard documents Planeview, built in 1943, southeast of Hillside and Pawnee for Boeing employees.  On east Harry and Oliver the Hilltop Manor housing was constructed, and on east Douglas between Rock Road and Webb, the Beechwood area was also developed.

The art for this card was done by Rick Geary.  It is number 168 in a limited edition of 500 and is signed by Hal Ottaway. 

Cheburashka / Topple

This postcard is of Cheburashka, also known as Topple.  It is postmarked in 2015 from Russia. 

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Cheburashka, also known as Topple in earlier English translations, is a character in children's literature, from a 1966 story by Soviet writer Eduard Uspensky. He is also the main character of the stop-motion animated films by Roman Kachanov, the first film of which was made in 1969.

Russia stamp 2013

Wild Goats

Capra caucasica

(West Caucasian tur)

 15 p. 

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Russia stamp 2013

Wild Goats

Capra aegagrus, 15 p.

US Mail Stage Coach Circa 1915 on the Oregon Coast

US Mail Stage at High Tide on the Oregon Coast, circa 1915

The Mail must get thought, circa 1915
These brave and persistent mail carriers from the past race the surging tide to make their appointed rounds.  Up until the early 1930's the road systems along the Oregon Coast consisted of Indian trails and a few very muddy roads.  So the vast stretches of sandy beach along the Oregon Coast served as roads for all manner of transpiration north and south.

This reproduction postcard is postmarked 100 years later in 2015.

The sender writes:
We drove all over the Oregon Coast today!  I saw elk, sea lions, ate Dungeness Crab and fish.  What a day!

USA stamp 2015

Coastal Birds

Red Knot

Postcard Rate

Psalm 18:2 - In good times and In Bad, Jesus is My Rock.

In good times and in bad, Jesus is my Rock.

Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Photo: Brenda Perez

This unused postcard is from 2015 and was bought HERE. 

Southampton, England

Southampton

Southampton, Hampshire

City Walls - Bargate - Tudor House

Ocean Village - Maritime Museum

This is postmarked in 2014 from England.

The sender writes:

We leave tomorrow on a cruise to Belgium and Paris, France!

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In 1912, the RMS Titanic sailed from Southampton. Four in five of the crew on board the vessel were from the Southampton area, with about a third of those who perished in the tragedy being from the city.

Great Britain stamp 

Universal Mail (they produce tourist  related stamps)

Hampton Court Palace, XT 500

Titanic Among the Icebergs

Among the Icebergs
the Most Appalling Disaster in Maritime History.
The White Star Liner "Titanic," sunk on her maiden voyage, off Cape Race, 15 April, 1912

The Titanic, The Largest and most complete passenger vessel ever built, had a tonage of 46,382.

Principal dimensions as follows -
Length over all - - - - 882 ft. 6 in.
Breadth over all - - - -92 ft. 6 in.
Breadth over boat deck - - - 94 ft. 0 in.
Height from bottom of keep to boat deck - - 97 ft. 4 in.
Height from bottom of keel to top of Captain's house - - 105 ft. 7 in.
Height of funnels above casing - -  72 ft. 0 in.
Height of funnels above boat deck - - - 87 ft. 6 in.
Distance from top of funnel to keel - - 175 ft. 0 in.
Number of steel decks - - - 11
Number of watertight bulkheads - -15  **(Five of these were opened by the iceberg)**

This unused 1912 postcard was printed in Great Britain. 

Amsterdam Skyline in North Holland

A view of Amsterdam

Skyline

This postcard is postmarked in 2016.

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Amsterdam's name derives from Amstelredamme, from the city's origin as a dam of the river Amstel. 

Originating as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age (17th century), a result of its innovative developments in trade. During that time, the city was the leading center for finance and diamonds. 

The oldest stock exchange in the world, The Amsterdam Stock Exchange, is located in the city center. 

Netherlands (Nederland) stamp 2016

Fishing Communities

Volendam, 1

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Volendam is a town in North Holland in the Netherlands.

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Netherlands (Nederland) stamp 2016

Fishing Communities, Urk, 1

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Urk is a municipality and a town in the Flevoland province in the central Netherlands.

A Cat and Mouse in Love

O amor compreende todas as linguas....

The sender writes:
The cover translates: "Love understands all languages."

This unused postcard is from Lisboa, Portugal and features a cat and a mouse.  

Piccadilly Circus, London, England in 1978

Piccadilly Circus, London

Photo: D. Nobble, John Hinde Studios

For many people London means Mayfair, Park Lane, Pall Mall, Knights-bridge and Piccadilly Circus.  All these places fall within the boundaries of what is loosely called the 'West End'.  London night-life used to revolve around the statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus - but the scene has been moving gradually westwards.  Nowadays you're more likely to find the 'jetset' in a Chelsea discotheque - though they may return to Piccadilly to take in the odd continental movie at the old Windmill Theatre.

This postcard is postmarked in 1978.

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Piccadilly Circus is a road junction and public space that was built in 1819 to connect Regent Street with Piccadilly. In this context, a circus, from the Latin word meaning "circle", is a round open space at a street junction.

Great Britain stamp 1976

Queen Elizabeth II

Blue / Purple, 9 P

Operation Desert Storm

Operation Desert Storm

Thank you . . . .
For a job well done!

You kept the dream of peace alive. . . and burning strong in the hearts of all Americans.

This unused postcard was printed in 1991.

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The Gulf War:
Operation Desert Storm was the U.S. name of the airland conflict from 17 January 1991, through 11 April 1991.

Mitchell Park Conservatory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Mitchell park

Horticultural Conservatory

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This unused postcard is from 2016. 

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Here is another card...

The "Man made wonder", the Mitchell Park Conservatory in the Milwaukee skyline.  The three domed Conservatory offers a Tropical, and Arid, and a Floral display.  Nearly 600,000 visitors annually view the exotic flowering plants.  The Sunken Garden is an added feature during the summer months.

This oversized postcard is from 1993. 

Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Welcome to Kelowna
British Columbia, Canada

A variety of floral displays and intriguing sculptures adorn the parks near Kelowna's waterfront walkway.

Photo by Mel Basaraba

This unused postcard is from 2016.

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Kelowna name derives from an Okanagan language term for "grizzly bear".

Good Advise from Winnie the Pooh . . .

Winnie the Pooh

Don't give up!

Disney 

It looks like Pooh ate too much honey again. 

This postcard features, Rabbit, Pooh Bear, Christopher Robin, Roo, Kanga, Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger.  It is postmarked in 2015 from Taiwan.  (One of the stamps features another bear.)  

Taiwan (Republic of China) stamp 2014

The 100th Anniversary of Taipei Zoo

Ursus thibetanus formosanus

Formosan black bear, 10

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Taiwan (Republic of China) stamp 2013

Fruits / Berries

Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa

(rose myrtle) 2.50

Bohios, or Thatched Huts in Cuba

 "Bohios", or Thatched Huts, Cuba

Made entirely of the different parts of the Royal Palm tree, the native Bohio or thatched roof is very cool and especially suited for the Cuban tropical climate.

This is postmarked in 1948 with a Cuba Tabaco stamp.

Cuba stamp 1939

Havana Tobacco Industry

Tabaco Habano

1 correos

The Insignia / Emblem for NASA's 41-C, Space Shuttle Challenger

41-C Crew Insignia

The patch to be worn by the five members of NASA's 41-C space mission tells the story of that flight.  It features a helmet visor of an astronaut performing extravehicular activity.  In the visor are reflected the sun's rays, the Challenger and its remote manipulator system (RMS) deploying the long duration exposure facility (LDEF), the Earth and blue sky, and another astronaut working at the damaged Solar Maximum Satellite (SMS).  The scene is encircled by the surnames of the crew members.  They are Astronauts Robert L. Crippen, commander; Francis R. (Dick) Scobbe, pilot; and Terry J. Hart, James D. Van Hoften and George D. Nelson, all mission specialists.

Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas

Official NASA Photograph

This postcard is unused.

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STS-41-C was NASA's 11th Space Shuttle mission, and the fifth mission of Space Shuttle Challenger. The launch took place on April 6, 1984.

Balloon Express in Florence, Italy

Firenze, 1992 - 2012
Balloon Express
Cavalcata dei Magi, Cattedrale Santa Maria del Fiore di Firenze
Umberto Visitini / New Press Photo

(translation from an on-line translator - -
Cavalcade of the Magi, Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy)

The sender writes:

This is a collector's commemorative postcard celebrating 10 year anniversary of the most unique ballon shops in the world.

This postcard is postmarked in 2016.

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The Cavalcade of Magi is a traditional parade of the Magi. They ride through the streets, as their page boys throw candies to children.

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I started looking on line at all the different balloon activities and there are MANY!  I had no idea.  There is even a World Balloon Convention every year.  The sculptures are amazing.  However, it seams none of the artists are good at taking videos, so there are none worthy to share here.

If you are interested is seeing some of the balloon art though, I highly recommend you do a computer search for large balloon sculptures.  Beware, it is a bit of a time killer though once you start.  I ended up looking at videos and pictures for far much more time than I care to admit to.

USA stamp 2015

Black Heritage

Robert Robinson Taylor

Forever a first class stamp

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Robert Robinson Taylor (June 8, 1868 – December 13, 1942) was an American architect; by some accounts the first accredited African-American architect. He was also the first African-American student enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1888. 

Tabor, Czech Republic

Tabor, Czech Republic
foto: Jiri Suttner a Ivan Rillich

This is postmarked in 2009 from the Czech Republic.

Czech Republic (Ceska Republika) stamp 2008 

 The 100th Anniversary of the Founding of 

Technical Museum in Prague

1908 Narodni Technicke Muzeum

(National Technical Museum)

18 KC

An Exaggeration Postcard about Wind Sailing

Florida
Learning to Sail in Florida is Easy with a "Helping Hand"

This is postmarked in 1993 with a 29 cent Elvis stamp.

USA stamp 1993

Elvis Presley

Rock and Roll Singer, 1935-1977, 

(January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) 

29 cents