POSTCARD N.93 - CZECH REPUBLIC

Postcrossing postcard sent on the 24th November inside cover #183, received on the 29th November 2022

Postcard image: Český Ráj
__________________________________________________________________________________

“Český ráj” reads the main legend of this beautiful postcard I got from Mary, inside cover #183. Not being fluent in Czech, I had to look it up with the use of "deepl" and I learned that this translates into Bohemian Paradise... and I don't dispute it, because the idea I have of the Czech Republic (even though I know precious little more than the charming city of Prague) is that it is a beautiful country, full of outstanding landmarks, both natural and manmade.

Bohemian Paradise, in fact, is the designation of a Protected landscape area , established in 1955, in the north of the Bohemia region, corresponding to the first natural reserve created in what was then  Czechoslovakia and is now the Czech Republic.

Some  of its landmarks, located in the Liberec region, in the centre North of  the country, are featured in this postcard, these being, clockwise from the upper left:

- The Pantheon Chapel integrated  into the Vranov rock castle located on a cliff overlooking the town of Mala Skala;

- The Hrubá Skála Palace, which now is an high end hotel and welness centre, in the town of Hrubá Skála;

- Frýdštejn Castle, a rock castle  in Frýdštejn in the Liberec Region,dating from the 14th century, with several rooms carved into the rock;

- Sychrov castle, built in neo-gothic style,  located close to the village from which it gets its name, dating back to the second half of the 19th century;

-  Hrubý Rohozec castle, in Turnov. The current configuration, dating back to the mid 19th century, is the result of a series of refurbishments to an original castle that was built on the site in 1300 AD. It is thus possible today for the visitor to encounter marks and traces of the gothic,  renaissance, baroque and romantic styles;

- Valdstein castle, also located close to Turnov, in the city of Hruboskalsko, considered to be the oldest of the Bohemian Paradise Castles. The original rock castle was built circa 1260.

COVER N.183 - CZECH REPUBLIC

Postmark: V O   Hradiště 2950...
Posted on the 24th November, received on the 29th November 2022
_________________________________________________________________________________

I wrote it before: it only takes a stamp, a postmark and an envelope to make someone happy at the end of the lelter's journey, after all it seems it has been acknowledged long ago, when someone wrote "Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home /My baby, just-a wrote me a letter..." 😀

Of course, mine was a completely different case, but Mary was kind enought to mail a postcrossing postcard (#93) to me inside an envelope, as I do prefer, and this kind attention deserves to be acknowledged in this blog of mine, so Thank you so very much, Mary! Trully appreciated it.

Dandelions - Taraxacum sp. - everybody knows it, and I'm sure there is no one that hasn't blown one of its balls of seeds into the wind. Still, this humble plant with its yellow flowers. better, its yellow inflorescences, is so common, that we never stop to look in detail at the beauty of them. Next time do pick one up and look at it in detail. it is a thing of wonder!

... And well deserving of a stamp, Czech Post thought, as it selected the " Pampeliška" as the flower to feature in the 2019 single E tarif stamp issue of the definitive series started in 2002, dedicated to the beauty of flowers, which began circulating on 23MAY2019.

The Postmark indicated that Mary sent her letter from Hradiště, a small town which had around 600 inhabitants in 2010, in the west of the Czeck Republic, in the region of Karlovy Vary..

POSTCARD N.92 - NETHERLANDS

Postcrossing postcard sent on the 22nd November, received on the 29th November 2022

Postcard image: De Slufter - Nationaal Park Duinen van Texel
__________________________________________________________________________________

A gull's eye view over a lagoon in De Slufter, a large salt marsh in between two sand dikes in the Island of Texel, the largest of the Frisian Islands in the North Sea, an important nesting area for some bird species given that most of the area is not of public access, although the southern part of the area is a popular spot for nature lovers

Thank you so much Willem. Really nice postcard, and great stamps too!

\

Stamps, left to right

- Greeting stamps are a strange concept, I think, but I've seen them issued by several administrations, so they must sell well.

Anyway, on 01SEP2005, Post NL issued a three 0,39 € stamp set in souvenir sheet form under the slogan "Ik denk ann je" (I think of you) each with a balloon where one could write a message. The stamps were all of identical composition, although in differing colour schemes.

The strange thing is that the stamps were meant to be used until the 3rd December 2005, after which they would no longer be valid, Could it be that Willem included this stamp on the card because he knew I like stamps? If that's the case, I truly appreciated the gesture.

- On 06JUN2006, Post NL issued a souvenir sheet with 2X4 0,39€ stamps and 4 vignettes dedicated to the theme "Choice of the Netherlands". 

I can't make much of  this theme choice, but I suppose this means that  the persons and organisations chosen are well beloved in the Netherlands.

The stamp on my postcard is dedicated to Max Havelaar (1820-87), and confessing my ignorance, I'll quote directly from wikipedia: "Eduard Douwes Dekker (2 March 1820 – 19 February 1887), better known by his pen name Multatuli (from Latin multa tulī, "I have suffered much"), was a Dutch writer best known for his satirical novel Max Havelaar (1860), which denounced the abuses of colonialism in the Dutch East Indies (today's Indonesia). He is considered one of the Netherlands' greatest authors."

The other stamps on the set are dedicated to Elvis Presley, Freemasonry, the Dutch idiom, and the Muppets.... eclectic, to say the least....

- I, being a republican in the strict sense of the word,  although deeply respecting the choice of others,  feel that monarchies always capitalise on their monarchs as  consumer products. This is nowhere more evident than in the UK, but everywhere else a crown is worn, the faces of those who wear it and of their next of kin usually appear in a lot more than institutional portraits (and a good deal of times, nor for the best reasons...). 

Stamps, do qualify as "institutional" media. After all, the tradition of having one's monarch effigy on stamps dates back to the invention of the stamp itself, but one only needs to think about what has happened quite recently when Queen Elizabeth II passed away, with stamps being issued all over the world, (I even seem to remember having read about issues with errors in dates, so strong was the urge to cash in on the event) to feel that the borderline between institutional and strictly commercial is quite thin at times....

Anyway,  one of the grand events for monarchies is a royal wedding, and the Netherlands had one such moment in time when, on the 2nd February 2002, the Dutch King to be, Alexander Claus George Ferdinand, born in Utrech in 1967, married Maxima Cerruti, an Argentinian, born in Buenos Aires in 1971.

To mark the event Post NL issued on 01JAN2002 a souvenir sheet with two se-tenant 0,39€ stamps, of which one can bee seen on my postcard, featuring the side portraits of both bride and groom and the number 20 superimposed on them. The companion stamp featured the names of the soon to be newly weds with  the  numbers 02 also superimposed, so that when put alongside its partner, the legend 2002, the year of the wedding, would be apparent.

- A set of 10 stamps with congratulatory messages was issued by Post NL on 03SEP2001. One of these can be seen on my card, with the message "Gefiliciteerd" (Congratulations).

The Postmark indicates that the postcard was mailed from the city of Zwolle.

POSTCARD N.91 - GERMANY

Postcrossing postcard sent on the 23rd November, received on the 28th November 2022

Postcard image: Leer - City hall; Bunting Tea Museum; Haus Samson; historic quarter
__________________________________________________________________________________

Germany must be one of the countries with the more registered Postcrossers. In fact, more often than not, a Teutonic postcrossing postcard lands on my desk, such as this beautiful one sent by Ingrid who chose to use the nice postcrossing themed stamp issued by Deutsche Post. Thank you so much, Ingrid.

Leer is a town in the region of the same name that is part of Lower Saxony, and which lies close to the border with the Netherlands and in 2021 it had a population of almost 35,000.

Ingrids's card is composed of several views of some of the town landmarks: 

The old Rathaus, the Town Hall, is the most impressive building in town, having been built between 1889 and 1894 in German/Dutch Renaissance style. In 1983 a new Town hall was inaugurated, and the old building can now be visited for the tourist to appreciate the painted walls and ceiling.

The east Frisian tea Culture was awarded intangible Cultural Heritage status by the UNESCO in 2016.

It is said that Frisians drink more tea than anyone in the world, so it comes as no surprise that a museum devoted to the tea culture should exist at the heart of Lower Saxony. The Bunting Tea Museum was thus created in  2001, highlighting the very significant role that tea plays in the day to day life of  Frisians.

Haus Samson was built in 1570 and later refurbished in 1643. Today it houses a wine shop on the ground floor and a museum dedicated to the culture of Eastern Frisia in the 18th and 19th centuries, on the upper floors of the house. The tower is also open to public and visitors can climb it to enjoy a panoramic view of the town.

On 06OCT2022, Deutsche Post joined the ranks of Postal Administrations that have already issued Postcrossing themed stamps, with this nice 0,95 € stamp that Ingrid used to mail me her postcard.

The Postmark tells us that the postcard was processed at Briefzentrum 26 (Oldenburg)

POSTCARD N.90 - RUSSIA

Postcrossing postcard sent on the 2nd November, received on the 24th November 2022

Postcard image: Kaluga Airport
__________________________________________________________________________________

Once again Julia send me an interesting postcard with beautiful stamps themed on things that fly. Thank you so much, Julia! I truly appreciate the fact that you always manage to find something to suit my interest in all things airborne.

As I said in my previous entry on this blog. this card arrived on the same day I got my first cover from  Ukraine, and  seeing them both here on my table as I write, I believe it just goes to show that no matter what differences, dissents, or even grudges nations might have, there is always a much better way to solve them than giving weapons manufacturers an horrific and immense extra bonus at the expense of the precious, unfulfilled lives, be it of soldiers or of civilians just the same… you hear that Vladimir?

Kaluga airport, Julia tells me, was built in 1970, but it was competely renovated in 2014. A quick look at the arrival schedule on its website lends me to conclude that Azimuth Airlines is the only airline operating from and to this infrastructure which is 100% owned by the by the Ministry for Economic Development of Kaluga Oblast.

The image of the postcard shows a Sukhoi Superjet 100 of the fleet of 15 operated by Azimuth Airlines, parking on the apron in front of  Terminal A, which I supose is domestic flights only, international flights being operated from terminal B.

Kaluga was founded in 1371 and so in 2021 the city celebrated its 650th aiversary, the logo for the celebrations being also present on the postacrd acompained by a legend which I believe translates into "Hello from Kaluga" but I'm far from certain.

Stamps Left to right, top to bottom

- After a first signing in Reims, France, by General Alfred Jodl, on the 7 May, on the 9th May 1945, Germany through the pens of  Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel, Colonel-General Hans-Jürgen Stumpff and General-Admiral Hans Georg von Friedeburg,  signed the German Instrument of Surrender in Berlin, thus ending the war in Europe, in what was thenceforth known as V-E Day (8 May for the western allies, 9 May for Russia). The USSR representative to this act was Marshall Georgy Zukhov.

On 02SEP2015, celebrating the 70th anniversary of this important event, Russia Post issued the 17 ruble stamp on my card, depicting Zhukov, alone, signing the Instrument of German surrender, of which, the first page is also depicted in the image. In a rather Stalinist move, Zhukov is illustrated as being alone, when in fact British Air Marshal Arthur W. Tedder also signed the document as deputy of the Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Force as well as General de Tassigny (for France) and General Carl Spaatz (for the USA) who signed  as witness.

- Long before becoming famous for his pioneering work in the development of the helicopter, Igor Sikorsky had already left un indelible mark in the development of aviation, especially in what concerns long range multi engine aircraft.

Of the large aircraft that left his drawing board none was more famous than the giant Ilya Muromets bomber, the first four-engine flying machine.

Initially conceived as a luxury transport aircraft, and first flown in 1913,the eruption of the First World War saw its transformation into a heavy bomber capable of carrying (and releasing..) 500 kg of bombs onto enemy positions, If one thinks that the first flight of an heavier that air machine had taken place only 10 years before, one can really see that the progress was fast.

On 10SEP2015, Russia Post issued a four 21 ruble stamp set dedicated to Russian Weapons of the First World War. Further to the Ilya Muromets, the set includes stamps with images of the Mosin–Nagant 7.62mm Rifle, the 76.2mm Rapid-Firing Field Gun and the Destroyer "Novik".

- Velikiye Luki  is a town in the Pskov Oblast, being its second largest, with a population nearing 99,000. Due to the heroism shown by its dwellers in the  2nd World War, it was granted the title of City of  Military Glory.

In 2016, it celebrated its 850th anniversary, and Russia Post issued a 24 ruble stamp with an image of hot air balloons flying over the city, given that since 1996 Velikiye Luki has become famous for hosting  ballooning competitions.

COVER N.182 - UKRAINE

Postmark: unpostmarked
Posted on the 10th November, received on the 24th November 2022
_________________________________________________________________________________

Expect the unexpected ... Yesterday, on my usual anxious check on the letterbox upon arriving home after a day at work I was surprised by what these days can only be regarded as an uncommon combination: in all glory and perfect convivial harmony, a letter and a postcard were waiting for me to pick them up, both gestures of friendship, both gestures of civility, both significant expressions of  humanity, in their simplicity and almost negligible material value.

The letter came from Ukraine; the postcard from Russia. And I couldn't be happier for having received both.

A letter, stamped and duly circulated arrives at its destination in about a fortnight after expedition. 

at first sight this could be a definition for normality; as it stands, it is an expression of the utmost resilience;  a story of relentless courage; an indication that no matter what and who the circumstances cowardly  throw against you some people will never give up, when certain that they stand on the right side of history.

I, as I type in the comfort of my room, with access to such luxuries as running water, full time electricity, heating if need be, cannot even try to imagine what it is like to live in Kiev or any Ukrainian town for that matter, in the harshest conditions and always in fear that another strike of a murderous missile or drone may impinge death on the rubble they leave behind...

and yet,... Someone, amidst all this civilisational aberration, took the time to carefully compose a beautiful envelope with  gorgeous stamps, take it to the post office and mailed it... as if ... just another perfect day like the ones Lou Reed immortalised 

Thank you so much, Basil. I'm truly moved by what your beautiful cover signifies. Slava Ukraini!

I hope that soon the little miracle that happened inside my mailbox may transcend it... now,  wouldn't that be a grand Christmas Carol?

As far as I can infer from the online catalogue sources I consulted, the envelope Basi used was meant to be a FDC for a stamp of the set of 4 issued on 21MAY2021to celebrate traditional embroidery. The embroidery motiv of the envelope is typical of  the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Stamps. left to right

- The Theme for the Europa Issue of 2019 was "National Birds", Ukraine issued two Letter Z (International, up to 50 g) stamps, beautifully illustrated, one (on the cover) with a pair of nesting storks (Cicconia cicconia) and the other with a thrush nightingale (Luscinia luscinia).

Incidentally, given the fact that the letters V and Z are now associated with the markings on the vehicles of the aggressors,  Ukrposhta, the Ukranian Post, has stopped using these letter as stamp denominations.

- On 18AUG2017, Ukrposhta issued a set of four 4 Hryvnia  stamps dedicated to medical and melliferous plants (a second 4 stamp set would also be issued the following year), again beautifully illustrated as it is the norm with Ukraine stamps.

The stamp on the cover is dedicated to the  greater celandine (Chelidonium majus), which is Portugal is known as Erva-andorinha,  (swallow grass) certainly by way of a popular derivation of its scientific name, given that chelidon in Greek means swallow and also due to the fact that it begins to flourish when the swallows begin to arrive in their migration, in spring.

Although toxic, it has several medicinal uses mainly for skin, liver and gallbladder ailments.

The vignette on the edge of the stamp is part of the frame of the minisheet containing 9 stamps, in which the stamps were presented.

- Tradition is again at the core of the U tariff stamp illustrated witha Pysanka Easter egg, painted in the traditional fashion of the Lviv area.

The stamp is part of a set of two definitives issued on 27SEP22, the one on my cover with U denomination and its companion, illustrated with an egg painted with a motif typical of the Vinnytsia region.

- The  7th definitive stamp issue  of Ukrposhta, comprised some 20 stamps issued between 2007 and 2011, themed on traditional handmade household items . The  1,50  Hryvnia stamp on cover features an ornamented tile and its rather difficult to say when it was issued since there were several printing runs of these definitive stamps. The first iteration of this 1,50 Hryvnia stamp dates of 25MAR2009.

Unfortunately, no postmark was applied to the stamps, but I cannot complain about it since it is nothing short of a miracle that in the current state of affairs, 

COVER N.181 - GERMANY

Postmark: Deutsche Post - Munchen Philatelie-Shop 81825 / Munchen 81825 zz 18.11.2022  
Posted on the 18th November, received on the 22nd November 2022
_________________________________________________________________________________

22-11-22, nice date to receive a cover. I'm not at all attracted to strange theories and numerology and stuff like that, but I have to say that this is really a once in a lifetime combination of numbers in a date, given that not only its is a palindromic sequence but also the mid section is exactly half the rest. Cool. 

Now I shall connect this with the fact that on this date I have received a cover dedicated to a number that will read the same way if I turn the envelope upside down - 96 - and I'm sure there's more than enough here to start a rocambolesc divagation into what this means, probably a secret message in need of decoding  from those that hold the everlasting power and secretly dominate the world, for whom we are but pawns of their vicious game...

I shall don my secret superhero vest then.... :-)

Thank you so much, Alexander, for a really nice cover with the face of the envelope totally taken up by interesting stuff..

Errors are a classic amongst  collectors. The uniqueness of the odd item that, for a twist of fate, ends up having a “genetic" difference vis a vis the other members of the series can only add interest and singularity to the collection,  and as such it comes as no surprise that  errors, which from a production point of view, should be considered faulty elements and be thus discarded when undergoing quality control, end up being the most valuable pieces of the whole run.

Printing errors are a classic amongst stamp collectors. One such case is the subject of this year's Deutsche Post Stamp day issue: the Baden misprint.

Nothing easier that to take a 6  for a 9 and vice versa. History has it that when the Grand Duchy of Baden issued its first stamps on the 1st Mat 1851, the 9 Kreuzer-Marke stamp would have been printed in pink, while the 6 Kreuzer-Marke would be a darkish turquoise colour.

Somewhere along the prnting run it seems, the printers took a 6 for a 9 and printed some 9 Kreuzer Mark stamps in the turquoise paper meant for the 6 Kreuzer mark

The relevant bit is that the error went unnoticed and the stamps went on the market to fulfil the aim they had been created for.

It was only more than four decades later that the mishap was detected when a philatelist called on the attention of his peers to a singular cover he had come into possession of, with a 9 Kreuzer Mark turquoise stamp. Since that day two other examples of the faulty stamp have been found, one in a cover that is now residing at the Museum für Kommunikation in Berlin. while the other two are in  private hands. 

The Deutsche Post commemorative souvenir sheet featuring fac-similes of  both the 9 Kreuzer mark stamps, the urquoise one being an actual  stamp itself, was issued on 06OCT2022. The stamp has a face value of 0,85€ and along its 4 edges it has  the face value and the legends "Deutgschland"; "Tag der Briefmarke" (Stamp day) and "Baden Fehldruck" (Baden Misprint).

The souvenir sheet bears the following legends :

On May I, 1851, the Baden misprint of a 9-Kreuzer postage stamp was issued. This was printed on blue-green paper instead of pink.

The value was probably confused by the printer with the 6-Kreuzer-Freimarke, which was printed on blue-green paper.

Further to this interesting souvenir sheet, Alexander used a 0,05 € stamp, which is part of the "World of the letter" definitive set, first instalment, issued on 02_DEC2021. The stamp image represents a lotus flower made with letters.

To complete the postage, Alexander used a 0,20 € label.

The postmarks indicate that the Cover was posted at the Deutsche Post Philately shop of Munich.