Russian P36-0001 locomotive

First official Russian card arrived in my mailbox today. It's a vintage passenger steam locomotive locomotive built in 1950 at Kolomna under the name P36-0001, being the prototype of P36 class. The locomotive worked on October '50 on the Moscow-Kursk, Moscow-Ryazan and East Siberian Railways. Now it is exhibited  in the Rizhsky rail terminal (Рижский вокзал) that hosts several trains and locomotives for the Moscow Railway Museum or MZD.

About the stamps.

The 20 rubles (2013) shows "Usyskin" Gunboat (канонерская лодка "Усыскин") part of the Volga Flotilla. For participation in the defense of Stalingrad (1945) it was awarded with the Order of the Red Banner (Краснознамённая).

The 10 rubles (2008) shows a bear from the Russian fauna.

Thank You, Natalya !

Country: Russia

Description: P36-0001 passenger steam locomotive (1950)

Photo: Yulia Makarkina

Location: Rizhsky rail terminal

Kaohsiung Shopping District

This card was sent in RR group (Eyes Closed #225) and shows the Taiwanese Kaohsiung shopping district. It's a cute aerial view with FE'21 Mega Shopping Center & Warner Village Cinema as a main sight (lower right corner). Unfortunately, on 1st of August, a series of gas explosions killed 25 people and injured 267 others in this town. Hope the city and its inhabitants recover from this disaster.
About the stamps. The round ones (5 NT$ each) belong to a bigger sheet themed "Finding Nemo" (issued in 2008 along with another one). The square one (3 NT$) is issued earlyer (1990) on the 40th Anniversary of Labor Insurance.

Thank You, kikawa !

Country: Taiwan
Description: Sanduo Shopping District
Photo: unknown
Location: here

The Flying Scotsman by Kevin Walsh

 

This official card came in my inbox yesterday, traveling from Finland. It's a reproduction of one of Kevin Walsh paintings: Watching the Flying Scotsman. The original artwork is larger and contains extra: a postman with a car who collects the mail in the right and a tractor on the left hill.

Kevin Walsh is British artist and his works have been reproduced on many greeting cards, jigsaw puzzles or collectors plates.

The Flying Scotsman may reffer at two things:

1. Is an express passenger train service that has been running between London (England) and Edinburgh (Scotland) since 1862.

2. Is the famous steam locomotive (No. 4472 Flying Scotsman) built in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER).

Some notable things about this locomotive: 

- first steam locomotive to achieve a fully authenticated speed of 100 mph (160km/h)
- between 1988-1989 it toured Australia, where at one point it recorded the longest ever non-stop run by a steam locomotive, travelling 679 km

- capacity: 8 tons of coal and 22.730 liters of water
- total mileage: over 4.000.000 km

You could read more on the dedicated website.

About the stamp. It looks awesome with its irregular shape and is one of the two thematic stamps designed by the graphic artist Klaus Welpin. Stamps were issued in 2014 to celebrate the legendary Finnjet cruise ferry, which operated between Helsinki and Travemünde (1977-2008). 

Thank You, Päivi !

Country: Finland (but British artist)
Description: Watching the Flying Scotsman
Photo: Kevin Walsh © 2012 / Karto

Hong Kong trams

This card came into my mailbox as a part of a forum RR. It shows a watercolor painting made by Chinese painter Shen Ping. The main subject are the double-Decker trams that go through the major areas of Hong Kong Island.The fare for an adult only costs 2.30 HKD (about 0.22 Euros) and therefore is one of the cheapest way of transportation here. BUT it can get stuck in traffic and is quite crowded and hot inside. At least this is what Mavis wrote.

About the stamp. The 3.70 HKD (2014) shows Kang Lau Shek (Watchtower Stones) located in the easternmost corner of Tung Ping Chau. Made up primarily of thinly laminated siltstone, they were formed about 55 million years ago. There was an initial sea-arch but gradually constant coastal erosion made it collapse, leaving behind this two sea stack formations.

Thank You, Mavis !

Country: Hong Kong

Description: Street Watercolor

Photo: Shen Ping

San Francisco Cable Car

 

This card was sent in a RR group.

The picture was taken 134 years ago (in 1880) by Carleton Watkins, an American Photographer. It shows a well-known public transport service: The Cable Car which is still in use nowadays. Also, the stretch of California Street shown in the picture hasn't change much and in its vicinity there is the Car Cable Museum (1201 Manson Str.) which worth a visit if you're in the area.

And now about the stamps. All are issued in 2014.

First shows the head of Abraham Lincoln memorial statue housed inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The second portrays Harvey Milk, first openly gay candidate elected to political office in California. The colors of the gay pride flag appear in a vertical strip in the top left corner.

The third symbolize Chinese Year of The Horse and is a part of Celebrating Lunar New Year series introduced in 2008 by USPS. The drumsticks are painted in red, which is Chinese color for luck and the drums were decorated with peonies, traditional symbols of prosperity.

Thank You, Brenda !

Country: United States

Description: San Francisco Street Cable Car (1880)

Photo: Carleton Watkins (1829-1916)

Location: California Street, San Francisco

Imperial Palace in Forbidden City

This official card is my first from China and shows The Hall of Supreme Harmony, the largest hall within the Forbidden City in Beijing. It is the ceremonial center of imperial power and the largest surviving wooden structure in China. Since 1987 the whole complex was declared a UNESCO WHS (439).

The 3 ¥ stamp represents XingHua Duo Tian fields, known as Fields of Gold. In spring these fields become a sea of rapeseed flowers and paddling in the canals while enjoying some of these beautiful countryside scenes can be quite an experience.

The postage belongs to a series of six stamps issued in 19.05.2013 under the common name of "Beautiful China" or MEILIZHONGGUO.

Thank You, Du Tao !

Country: China

Description: Beijing Imperial Palace (Forbidden City)

Photo: unknown

Location: here

Kentucky Bourbon Balls

This thank you card arrived yesterday.

As you can see, it's a food recipe, but I'm rather interested in Bourbon here (nice bottle). Therefore I will gladly add it to my drinks collection. To be honest, it's the first, but hopefully others will follow.

I will not give infos about the stamp because is identical with the one that I already wrote before.

Thank you, Tyler !

Country: United States

Description: Kentucky Bourbon Balls recipe

Photo: Souvenir Factory Inc.

Sonic 885

This official card came two days ago from Japan, a country with excellent railway system and trains.

The Sonic 885 is an EMU (electric multiple unit) train made by Hitachi in 2001 and operated in Limited Express mode (tokkyū) by JR Kyushu in the island with the same name in south-western Japan.

The multiple old stamps and the AirMail vintage sticker are awesome, too.

The 20¥ bears no date (printed in 1972) and depicts a bunraku character.

The 15¥, printed in 1971, depicts a tiger and a dragon, usual characters from Japanese Fairy Tales.

The 20¥, printed in 1972 depicts the the early Yokohama Harbor.

Thank You, Ichigo !

Country: Japan

Description: SONIC 885 Intercity operated by Kyushu Railway Company

Photo: Table Talk

The Singapore Girl

Yesterday my mailbox was full of cards and I had no time to blog about them all. So, let's continue...

This card traveled 13 day to reach me. It was sent because a copy of it was among my favorites. Who say that favorite isn't helping?

The card depicts not one BUT two Singapore Girls. The "Girl" concept was created in 1972, when Singapore Airlines was formed. Nowadays The Singapore Girl is a global marketing icon, one of the airline industry’s most instantly-recognized figures. In her distinctive uniform, a sarong kebaya in batik material designed by Parisian couturier Pierre Balmain, she epitomizes Singapore Airlines’ tradition of friendly service and Asian hospitality. On joining Singapore Airlines, Singapore Girls undergo 15 weeks of training, followed by a series of refresher and product-specific courses.

Let's see some advertising campaigns...

1972 - SIA Singapore Girl

1972 - Day in the Life of a Singapore Girl

1978 - Half the World and more with the Singapore Girl

1980 - All Around the World

1982 - Who are you

1985 - All Around the World with a Singapore Twist

1986 - You're always there

2000 - Singapore Girl Jazz

2002 - You're always there

2004 - Changing Worlds with the Singapore Girl

2012 - Dancing with Singapore Girl

2012 - Across the World with Singapore Girl

In 1993, a waxwork of the Singapore Girl was unveiled at Madame Tussaud's.

The motto written on the postcard is All around the world, you're a great way to fly.

Apparently there are more cards with Singapore Girls. (gotta have!)

The 55 cents stamp designed by Tze Ngan is a part of the Celebration of Culture and Heritage collection issued in October 2012. This stamp shows Hari Raya Aidilfitri feast that marks the end of Ramadan fasting in Muslim world.

Thank You Vivian !

Country: Singapore

Description: Singapore Airlines advertising card
Photo: unknown

Helsinki Orthodox Cathedral: Iconostasis

 

On the 5th of August, browsing Marine's trades gallerie, I came across to this beautiful card. The next minute I send a swap request and luckily she responded. Today the awaited card reached my inbox. 

The Orthodox Church is Finland is rather small, BUT surprisingly it is recognized by the State and called National Church along with the Evangelical-Lutheran one. The Uspensky Cathedral is dedicated to the Dormition of Virgin Mary and was built in the middle of 18th century when Finland was an autonomous Grand Duchy in the Russian Empire. The cathedral hosts several valuable icons, among others St. Nicolas, which was stolen on 16 August 2007 while hundreds of tourists were visiting the cathedral. The icon is now being searched for in Finland as well as abroad.

The wooden iconostasis belongs to Russian style and hosts the classical icons: Jesus, Virgin Mary, Apostles, Saints and Angels. Another interesting detail about this cathedral is that there is no chairs or benches and everybody have to stand up during the services.

About the stamp. This yummy Blackberry is one of the 3 stamps collection called Garden Berries. Designed by Ossi Hiekkala it was printed in March 2013 with the 1 LK/KL marking. First I thought it was a value but the abbreviation come from 1 luokka (1st class).

Thank You Johanna !

Country: Finland

Description: Uspensky Cathedral Iconostasis
Photo: unknown
Location: here

Just a reminder

Today's mailbox was full with Postcards (12). And this one reminded me how beautiful life is and how important is to cherish every single moment of it. "Don't forget to be awesome" is made by Studio INKTVIS (2013) and printed in Netherlands by TheCardCompany. I got it from sanniekru, a Belgian forum user in a RR exchange: Belgium x World #216. She was kind enough to browse my huge favorites collection and see a copy. Thank you very much.

The stamps are awesome, too.

The 0.02 eurocents depicts  Bécassine des marais (Watersnip) by André Buzin, a Belgian artist who paints animals and flowers. The stamp has no date. Perhaps from 2003.

The other one, the 2€, is part of a larger collection of European Writers and show the portrait of the famous French writer Victor Hugo. The design was made by another Belgian artits, Jan De Maesschalck.

Thank You, Sandra !

Country: Netherlands (but received from Belgium)
Description: "Don't forget to be awesome" (text)

Photo: Studio INKTVIS

Zollverein Coal Mine

Another postcard showed up today in my mailbox, along with the one from Luxembourg.
It's a Coal Mine Shaft, a UNESCO Heritage Site (no.975) in the city of Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The Shaft was opened in 1932 stood in production until December 1986. Soon it was declared a heritage site and preserved by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. And in December 2001 UNESCO declared both the sites of the shafts 12 and 1/2 a World Heritage Site.
About the stamps.
- the 5 cents was issued in 11.08.2005 and depicts a Crocus (ger. Krokus)
- the 10 cents was issued in 08.09.2005 and shows a Tulip (ger. Tulpe)
- the 60 cents was issued in 01.03.2014 and contain a Easter cartoon "Für Dich" ("For You") signed by Peter Gaymann, a cartoonist from Koln.

Thank you Heidi !

Country: Germany
Description: Zollverein Shaft 12 (Zeche Zollverein XII)
Photo: Guntram Walter
Location: here

Casemates du Luxembourg

Today I've received a card from Luxembourg, as a thanking way for participation in a birthday project.

Castle and fortress are one of my favorites. And Bockfiels is no exception to the rule.

The fortress acquired the historical epithet of "Gibraltar of the North" as a result of its apparent impregnability. In 1795, when the city surrendered after a 7-month blockade and siege by the French, with its walls still unbreached, the French politician and engineer Lazare Carnot declared Luxembourg "the best [fortress] in the world, apart from Gibraltar". But in 1867 the Treaty of London required Luxembourg's fortress to be demolish and the city to be placed in perpetual neutrality.
The demolition of the fortress, with its casemates, batteries, barracks, and so on, took 16 years, from 1867 to 1883, and cost 1,5 million francs. The process was somewhat chaotic: often parts of the fortress were simply blown up, the usable materials carried off by local residents, and the rest was covered up with earth.
In 1994 the old remains of fortifications and the city have been classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

About the stamp... Well it's more like a sticker with a half-QR code and the text "port payé 50g valide jusq'au 08/08/15". Beside postal mark there is another one with "Western Union money transfer" on it. Probably a way of advertising connected postal services.

Thank you, Fabinenne !

Country: Luxembourg
Description: Bock casemates
Photo:  Editions Gropalux
Location: here

Story Time

Yesterday evening I draw a new address: Netherlands. Before sending a postcard I always read user's profile. Some of them would like something extra: teabags, stickers, lots of stamps, coins or banknotes. But Hannah's request was different:

Can you please write a famous story from your country on the postcard? It does not matter how long or short the story is, I collect stories. 

So, I complied. I was not aware of any short famous Romanian story that could fit a postcard. But I remembered that I personally wrote one when I was a teacher, working with small children. I was a multi-language project for a small story book. So the first step was to find a card that could support all the text on the back. So I choose a square one, without any text on the back. That way it offered plenty of room for writing. It took some time to write it all down, but it worth the effort. At least I hope so...

On the front of the card there are 12 pictures with Romanian Churches (BISERICI ROMÂNEŞTI). I will write down their names (from left to right, beginning with the upper left corner).

1. Sinaia Monastery - map location

2. Arbore Monastery (UNESCO / arbore = tree) - map location

3. Sf. Ioan cel Nou Suceava (UNESCO) - map location

4. St. Nicholas Church in Densuş (13 century) - map location

5. Suceviţa Monastery (UNESCO) - map location

6. Trei Ierarhi - Iaşi (Three Hierarchs) - map location

7. Brădet Wooden Church details (Bihor County) - map location

8. Putna Monastery (burial place for King Stephen The Great, who build/renewed 25 churches and monasteries during his life, after each victory against the Turk invaders. Some say that the number raises up to 30) - map location

9. Humor Monastery (UNESCO) - map location

10. Curtea de Argeş (Argeş Court) - map location

11. Moldoviţa Monastery (UNESCO) - map location

12. Voroneţ (UNESCO monument) - map location

Trains come from Germany

 

Today's card meets totally one of my favorite theme: trains.
And when I say totally I mean the stamps as well.

The train operates on the narrow gauge railway Niebüll–Dagebüll in Northern Germany. The picture is taken in at the end of July 2010 in Dagebüll Mole (on the ferry pier) which is the route's terminus point.

But I find it unusual how they combine the train: the Prusian old locomotive (1923) with the much newer wagons.

As I've metioned before, the stamps are in the theme, too.

Issued in february 2012, they celebrate 125 years of narrow gauge railways in the Harz Mountains (Schmalspurbahnen im Harz). The Harz Narrow Gauge Railways (German: Harzer Schmalspurbahnen) or HSB is a network of 1,000 mm gauge railways in the Harz mountains, in central Germany. It connects the principal towns of Wernigerode, Nordhausen and Quedlinburg and several smaller towns in the area with about 140 kilometres of track with 48 stations and stops, much of which is steeply graded and picturesque.

Many Thanks, Melita !

Country:Germany
Description: Dagebüll Mole narrow gauge station on the ferry pier
Photo: Thomas Böttger
Location: here

Project: One month of peace with postcards

At the end of July Anita from Germany started an ambitious peace-awareness project. I liked the idea and therefore I joined. She promised to send everyone interested a card and in exchange that person should make a donation at a local Red Cross Organization. My card was sent yesterday my and announced it on the blog.

For me it was like a sign.

Firstly because of the date. On the 6th of August Orthodox Church celebrates Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. And one of the project's aims is... transfiguration of human beings. To be more open and willing to help the others.

Secondly because of the postcard content: "a card with an angel painting goes to Romania". I did not see the image yet, BUT it must be beautiful. Angels are God's messengers to humans.

So today I went at the Red Cross office and donate the equivalent of 9 Euros.

Here I meat a wonderful old lady and we sit down at a cup o tea, talking for one hour about human nature, about failure and the need to help the others.  She was very surprised because rarely someone came in all of a sudden to make a donation without no apparent reason.

Thank Anita for this wonderful opportunity.

Your project is NOT in vain.

Taiwan Spin Top

 

Today another postcard came in my inbox. It's from Taiwan and depicts a game where players use big colorful tops on streets. On YouTube there is a short movie that shows how children practice this sport. Amazing & watch-worthy.

About the stamps: they are not dated (although first two from 2013 and the last one from 2014) and bear the "Republic of China (Taiwan)" mark.
The duplicate one (1NT$ - April 2013) represents Ribes formosanum (Formosan gooseberry or Formosan currant). The plant is found at altitudes of 3,000-3,900 meters on Mt. Qilai, Mt. Xue, and Mt. Hehuan. The berries are oval or spherical and look like little lanterns. When ripe, they are red and edible, with a sweet and tart taste.
Parandra lanyuana (5NT$ - August 2013) is one of the long-horned beetle stamp series. It has a dark brown body and inhabits rotten wood in dark forests of Orchid Island. Adults measure 1.9-2.5 cm.
Perilla frutescens (5NT$ - June 2014) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the mint family Lamiaceae with heart-shaped leaves and serrate edges. Its flowers are dark pink in color.

Thank you, Frank !

Country: Taiwan
Description: Colorful Top on Taiwan Street
Photo: unknown
Location: unknown

Belgium Birthday Project

Today I will send a Birthday Card in Belgium, according to this forum post. Hope to be a nice present surprise for Marissa for 12th of August. Happy Birthday!

Houses of Parliament

 

I can't remember exactly when I started to love postcards. And receiving them from abroad was a rarity. That's why I kept them. The oldest I've got was from September 2000. Was sent from London by Maria, a pen-pal friend of mine and shows the famous House of Parliament and the Westminster Bridge.
The card was produced in Italy (1989) by Storti Edizioni and sold in UK by Thomas Benacci Ltd.
The stamp is a classic Machin, non-value indicated (E) and without year (1999), near the blue air mail sticker.

Country: United Kingdom
Description: London, Houses of Parliament
Photo: Matthew Brandalise
Location: here