China's Long March Rockets

Long March 3 Carrier Rockets

This was postmarked in 2009 with two China stamps.

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A Long March rocket is any rocket in a family of expendable launch systems operated by the People's Republic of China.

Since 1990, Long March rocket entered the international market. However, several setbacks occurred during early 1990s. On January 26, 1995, a Long March 2E rocket veered off course two seconds after take-off from Xichang space center and exploded, killing at least six on the ground. On February 15, 1996, a similar failure during the launch of Intelsat 708 using a Long March 3B rocket resulted in an unknown number of casualties. The rocket veered severely off course right after clearing the launch tower and landed in a rural village. Xinhua News Agency eventually reported 57 deaths, but the extent of damage observed by foreign journalists suggested there may have been at least 200 and upwards of 500 killed.

California 1906 Earthquake, postmarked 2009

(Reproduction postcard)

San Francisco
In the early morning of April 18, 1906 San Francisco was struck by one of the largest earthquakes recorded in North America.

postmarked in 2009 with a 28 cent stamp

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The sender writes:

My grandmother experienced the 1906 quake and fire. She slept in Golden Gate Park with her family.

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Found on the web:

In the aftermath of the earthquake, an estimated 75,000 citizens simply left San Francisco. The remaining homeless population of 250,000 established makeshift camps in park areas and amidst the burnt-out ruins of city buildings. As fires burned across the eastern side of the city, refugees migrated west towards Golden Gate Park and the Presidio seeking food and shelter. Eventually, the Army would house 20,000 refugees in military-style tent camps.

California Earthquake, postmarked 1906

California - Looking up California street, San Francisco, Cal., after the earthquake and fire, April 18, 1906

postmarked May, 3rd, 1906 with 1 cent Franklin stamp.

The sender of the card writes, "All O.K. earthquake did not touch us. Lilly (sent from Longbeach, CA)

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

Tortuga Marina Lora

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

Tortue Marine
Lepidochely olivacea

Foto: Adrian Hepworth

unused, bought in 2009

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The Olive Ridley also known as the Pacific Ridley, is one of the smallest species of sea turtle. It is named for the olive-green color of its heart-shaped shell.

These lightly-built turtles have an average weight just over 46 kilograms (100 lb). They have a high-domed shell, with a carapace length of only 76 centimetres (30 in).

Though listed by the US Endangered Species Act, populations in the Atlantic Ocean continue to dwindle, while the populations found in areas around the Pacific Ocean seem to be on the rise.

Hawaii, Volcano Lava Meets the Sea

Hawaii's Volcano Meets the Sea

Molten lava entering the sea at Kalapana hawaii is a rare occurrence in Hawaii. This photograph has recorded a split second explosion caused by hot molten rock being super cooled in the sea water. The explosion's pyroclastic fragments are the material which washes back to shore to form the famous black sand beaches in the area.

Photo: franco Salmoiraghi

postmarked in 1998 with a 20 cent Blue Jay stamp

Myyra - Krtek - Zdenek Miler

the sender writes that this is 'Myyra' (a mole)
Czech Animation by Zdenek Miler

postmarked in 2009 with a Finland Moomin stamp

I found the name of the character is Krtek

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The Mole (called Krtek or Krteček little mole) is an animated character in a series of cartoons, created by Czech animator Zdeněk Miler.
It was first to be seen in 1956 in Prague, when Miler wanted to create a children's cartoon about how flax is processed. He wanted a strong Disney-influence to the cartoon by choosing an animal for the leading role, and decided to pick a mole after stumbling over a molehill during a walk. The first film called "Jak krtek ke kalhotkám přišel" ("How the mole got his pants") was released in 1956, and the cute main character won itself an enormous popularity in many Eastern European countries. Production for further episodes started in 1963 and since then, around 50 episodes have been created.

Osibisa album cover by Roger Dean

Roger Dean (English, born 1943)
Osibisa
1971

postmarked in 2009 with a 28 cent stamp

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This is an album cover for a British Afro-pop band (called Osibisa) founded in London in 1969 by four expatriate African and three Caribbean musicians. Osibisa were one of the first African bands to become widely popular, leading to claims of founding World Music.

Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier in Hong Kong

Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pieis (error: should read 'Pier is') a pier located at the southernmost tip of Tsim Sha Tsui on Kowloon Peninsula. It operates the pedestrian ferry service across Victoria Harbour to Wan Chai andto (error: should read 'and to') Central on Hong Kong Island.

This is postmarked in 2009 with a Hong Kong, China stamp from 2006
Red-whiskered Bulbul - $3

S. S. Independence - In the News

S. S. Independence - American Export Lines

1000 passengers - 23 knots cruising speed
29,500 tons. She and her sister, S. S. Constitution are first completely air-conditioned transatlantic liners. These thoroughly modern ships exemplify Modern American Living at Sea. They are in regular transatlantic service between New York, Algerciras, Cannes, Genoa, and Naples.

postmarked in 1957 with three Spain stamps - two for 2 ptas and on for 50 cts

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SS Independence is an ocean liner built in 1951 for American Export Lines.
In 1959, Independence was rebuilt as a cruise ship.
Between 1974 and 1982 she sailed as SS Oceanic Independence, after which she reverted to her original name.
Since 2006 the ship has been named SS Oceanic.
On 8 February 2008, after being mothballed for 7 years, SS Oceanic left San Francisco for Singapore, and is currently laid up in Dubai.

SS Independence was a sister ship to the SS Constitution, which sank while under tow en route to be scrapped in 1997.

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In the News

November 2009

Toxic ship

A ship believed to be carrying toxic and radioactive waste and anchored some 40 nautical miles from the Alang coast in Gujarat could pose a deadly threat to marine ecosystems and human lives. Of US origin, the ship Platinum-II (formerly known as SS Independence and SS Oceanic) was penalised by the US Environmental Protection Agency for contamination. It was heading to the ship-breaking yard at Alang and is reported to be loaded with 210 tonnes of material contaminated with toxic polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), besides tonnes of asbestos in its body.

a few UGLY postcards for your enjoyment :D

Orchards along Okanagan Lake, Penticton, B. C. - SceneOchroM card -
I bet this place is very pretty, but the photo is dark, full of shadows, and out of focus!
postmarked in 1958 with 4c queen Canadian stamp
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Merry Christmas from old Florida - Simply Sanford - like coming home -

I must say, I love Sanford. It's small, full of antique stores, and a fun place to spend the day, but this has to be the ugliest Christmas postcard I've ever seen! - postmarked in 12-2006
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California - A mass of humanity on Santa Monica Beach
postmarked in 1992 with US 19 cent balloon stamp - the photo on the card is as dark as you see it on the scan.

Fogwoman Totem Pole, Alaska

Ketchikan

Fogwoman - the most popular of all totempoles, stands watching over beautiful Totem Bight State Park, Ketchikan, Alaska.

postmarked in 1995 with a USA flag stamp

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The legend of Fogwoman:
According to the native Tlinglit and Haida people, Raven wanted to marry Fogwoman. Her father made him promise to treat her well, which he did. To honor Raven, Fogwoman created the salmon in the rivers so he would have something good to fish for. Then Raven began treating Fogwoman badly and she slipped through his fingers like wisps of fog, taking all of the salmon with her. Later Fogwoman took pity on Raven and allowed the salmon to return once a year.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone :D

Best Wishes for Thanksgiving Day
postmarked on Nov. 27, 1919 with a 1 cent stamp

Zam Wesell

Zam Wesell from Star Wars

unused, bought in 2009

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Zam Wesell was a shapeshifting Clawdite bounty hunter from the planet Zolan. In her true form, Wesell was a reptilian-like humanoid, although she often appeared as a Human woman with short blonde or bronze-colored hair.

She worked for Jango Fett and was killed by him with a toxic dart so she couldn't tell the Jedi's who he was.