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

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