vintage and contemporary postcards and stamps from around the world


30 August 2015

Sunday Stamps II - 37

issued 1969, one of a series of eight fish stamps
each of the stamps has the same shell border
The Moonfish, or Monodactylus argenteus, is a disc shaped silvery fish with a flattened body. They can reach as big as 11" (27cm). They are found in the Red Sea (and east coast of Africa) and seem to like fresh water tidal pools and inshore reefs where they are known to feed on insects, plant matter and detritus.

23 August 2015

Sunday Stamps II - 36

issued 1990, the first of the lighthouse series
designed by Howard Kuslow and Howard Pain
Admiralty Head Lighthouse is found on Whidby Island and was in use from 1903 until 1922 when it was deactivated. Standing 120' above sea level, the  conical tower is 30' tall and has a Spanish style two-storey residence attached. The 18" brick walls are covered in stucco and was the last brick lighthouse designed by Carl Leick. It has been restored by the Washington State Parks and is open year round for visitors, tours, and special events (it is apparently popular for weddings).

16 August 2015

Sunday Stamps II - 35

issued in 2011 for Travel in Taiwan under the theme of Celebrations/Greetings.
designed by Lin Hsiao-han
This is Kenting, 'a hot tourist destination in the summer. Lazily sunbathing under the blue sky or sitting under an umbrella is a perfect way to enjoy a hot summer day on the beach' (ChunghwaPost)
Kenting is a National Park, established in 1984 and is Taiwan's oldest and most southern national park. It is well known for its tropical climate and sunshine, scenic mountain and beach.

And by the time you read this I will be off to a beach (not one in Taiwan where it is monsoon season anyway) and will be offline for a few days. So I'll visit you all at your summer theme when we get back.

09 August 2015

Sunday Stamps II - 34

issued October 2014
designed by Sami Saramäki to celebrate 'changes in everyday life', this particular set shows culinary culture and how eating habits have changed over the years to include fast foods (pizza) and imported foods (olives) to ethnic foods (sushi) along with the staples of potatoes, breads and fish and shrimp.  This is part of a series of stamps begun in 2013 for Finland's 100th anniversary of independence in 2017.

for food and drink

02 August 2015

Sunday Stamps II - 33






This baby echidna stamp was issued in 2013 as part of Australia Post's Bush Babies II series and looks completely adorable in this illustration by Elise Martinson (who also illustrated the first Bush Babies series in 2011). The other stamps in the series show a kookaburra, possum, platypus and wombat (none of which I have)



below is the complete bush babies from Australia Post

for animals in the wild

in two weeks, you are encouraged to show off any stamps you have that make you think of summer. it may be as obvious as summer flowers, activities, or a holiday destination, or subtle like colours, or an author, or maybe planes/trains/automobiles/boats of summer travel. let your imagination free.

01 August 2015

Statler

The Statler Hotels were founded by E. M. Statler, with the first one being built in Buffalo, New York (the first major hotel with running water and a private bath in every room). This card shows the second Hotel Statler that was built in 1923 and closed in 1984 although the ballrooms remained in use for catered events. It became the Statler Hilton in 1954 and some of the hotel rooms converted to offices by 1948 by the time WBEN Channel 4 had their television studios on the 18th floor. I seem to remember staying here as a child in the mid 60's and being excited that we were so close to the Saturday Night Dance Party that was still televised from the ballroom.  A failed renovation left the building abandonned and into bankruptcy and it might have been doomed for demolision had not a private developer took over in 2011 and it is now known as Statler City, a 'premier' wedding and event destination. 

an hotel illustration for Sepia Saturday