Korea Postcard - Myeongdong Street

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

South Korea

Another nice postcard sent by my friend during her trip in Korea. This card shows the view of Myeongdong Street. Thank You very much to my friend.

China FDC on "Chinese Folklore - The Cowherd and the Weaving Maid"

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China


Chinese Folklore - The Cowherd and the Weaving Maid

Date of Issue : 16 August 2010

(on the 1st FDC)
4-1 : Dress-Linked Affection
4-2 : Happy Lovers
(on the 2nd FDC)
4-3 : Carrying Children to Chase Wife
4-4 : Heavenly Reunion

The Cowherd and the Weaving Maid is a widely known folk legend of romance in China, which was born in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476B.C.), lyricized in the Han Dynasty's "Nineteen Ancient Poems", and enriched in the following ages. The legend has it that when the heavenly weaving maid descended to the world and bathed in a pool, a cowherd hid her dress but was trapped, so they met and fell in love with each other. After they were married, they had two children - a boy and a girl. But the Queen of Heaven was upset. She retrieved the maid and even drew a line in the sky with a hairpin, which become a raging river (Milky Way) blocking the cowherd (Altair) from chasing the weaving maid (Vega). Afterwards, they were only allowed to be reunited on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month each year, hence the traditional Chinese festival Double Seventh Day. The festival was inscribed on China's National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2006.

Korea Postcard - Mt. Bukhan

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

South Korea

My friend visited Korea recently, and she was so kind to sent me a postcard from there. This postcard shows a nice view of the Mt. Bukhan. Thank You very much to my friend.

Myanmar Postage Prepaid Cover

Cover
封
Sobrescrito

Myanmar

A very nice postage prepaid cover from Myanmar. On the cover, there is a special stamp, without any English, even the country name "Union of Myanmar" is in Burmese only. That stamp is actually one of the "62nd Anniversary of Independence Day" stamps, issued on 4 January 2010, with denomination of 100 Kyat. Thank You very much to my friend

Philippines Aerogramme

Aerogramme
航空郵簡
Bilhete Carta-Avião

Philippines

A nice aerogramme from the Philippines.

Algeria FDC on "The Caves of Algeria"

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Algeria

The Caves of Algeria

Date of Issue : 25 July 2010

(Upper)
15 Dinars Stamp : Caves of Beni Add at Tlemcen Ain Fezza

(Lower)
15 Dinars Stamp : Wonderful Caves Ziama Mansouriah - Jijel

Another really nice FDC from Algeria.

Lithuania Aerogramme

Aerogramme
航空郵簡
Bilhete Carta-Avião

Lithuania

The aerogramme shows the view of the Hill of Crosses. It is a site of pilgrimage about 12 km north of the city of Šiauliai, in northern Lithuania. It is believed that the first crosses were placed on the former Jurgaičiai or Domantai hill fort after the 183 Uprising.Over the centuries, not only crosses, but giant crucifixes, carvings of Lithuanian patriots, statues of the Virgin Mary and thousands of tiny effigies and rosaries have been brought here by Catholic pilgrims. The number of crosses is unknown, but estimates put it at about 55,000 in 1990 and 100,000 in 2006.

Korea FDC on "The Age of Dinosaurs (1st)"

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South Korea

The Age of Dinosaurs (1st)

Date of Issue : 5 August 2010

As the time when the dinosaur first appeared, the Mesozoic era’s Triassic period lasted from 245 million years to 208 million years ago. Approximately at this time, all the continents on the earth were clumped together, with the continental areas being dry and rivers and seaside swarmed with ferns, tall coniferous trees, ginkgos and cycads.

Herrerasaurus
Known as one of the oldest kinds of dinosaurs, Herrerasaurus had carnivorous features: a big jaw, sharp teeth, and features favorable for hunting such as long claws and quick and nimble legs. Being about 3~4 m long and weighing 250~300 kg, it was a biped ambulatory animal. It inhabited the northwestern areas of Argentina during the latter part of the Triassic period.

Coelophysis
As a quick and agile dinosaur, its front legs were very short and its body except for the tail was a little bigger than a turkey. In 1947, hundreds of Coelophysis fossils were found in Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. Unlike other large, carnivorous dinosaurs, Coelophysis seemed to have lived in groups, moving in herds. Its body was 3 m at longest and weighed 15∼30 kg.

Plateosaurus
As the largest among Triassic-age dinosaurs, it had a small head, long neck, shorter front legs as compared to its well-developed hind legs. It walked on four legs. The big toe had a big claw, which seemed to have been used either for hunting or as a weapon. Its fossils have been found in more than 50 areas in Europe. This herbivorous dinosaur stood 9 m long and weighed 4 tons.

Riojasaurus
Riojasaurus, with legs as thick and robust as an elephant and a long neck, had a non-proportionally longer tail, which seemed to have been used either for balance or as a weapon. It grabbed its food using five, long, front toes. Like other herbivorous dinosaurs, it had spoon-shaped teeth. It stood 11 m long and weighed 4.5 tons.

A really nice stamps set and FDC from Korea.

Taiwan FDC on "Modern Taiwanese Paintings (Issue of 2010)"

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Taiwan

Modern Taiwanese Paintings (Issue of 2010)

Date of Issue : 9 August 2010

Having previously issued a series of modern Taiwanese paintings postage stamps in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2009, Taiwan is following up with another set of two stamps from the collection of the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, featuring Bamboo Grove in Early Summer and Pear Espalier. The stamps are printed as a se-tenant gutter pair. The gutter bears the Chinese characters for “2010 Philately Day” and has a magnifying glass design and two rows of perforations

NT$5 Stamp : Bamboo Grove in Early Summer
Tsai Yun-yan (1908-1977) was originally named Tsai Yung. Bamboo Grove in Early Summer depicts the lush scenery of a bamboo grove with layers of bamboo overlaid with the foliage of a giant elephant’s ear and a loquat tree. A bird perches on a branch of tree bringing a greater sense of vivacity to the painting. The beautiful composition, with its lush detail and luxuriant yet elegant colors, dazzles the eye.

NT$25 Stamp : Pear Espalier
Lu Yun-sheng (1913-1968), also known as Lu Yun-you. Pear Espalier depicts the scene of a pear tree in full bloom and laden with fruits. The realistic composition is simple and very lifelike with a color palette that is exuberant without being gaudy. The composition features both a magnanimous air as well as a delicate and clever sensibility. At the eighth Taiwan Fine Art Exhibition, the painting was awarded a Special Selection Prize and the Taiwan Fine Art Exhibition Prize.

France Aerogramme

Aerogramme
航空郵簡
Bilhete Carta-Avião

France

A nice aerogramme from France. The cancellations are very clear.

Thailand Suankaloke Ruin Postcard with Bangkok 2010 Stamp Exhibition Postmark

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Thailand

There are really many nice friends around the World. This time, I get an unexpected surprise from my friend in Iran. The postcard itself shows the ruin at Suankaloke, Siam. On the back, there is a beautiful stamp cancelled with a Bangkok 2010 stamp exhibition special postmark. Thank You very much to my friend !

Estonia FDC on "Estonian Manor halls: Hiiu Suuremõisa"

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Estonia

Estonian Manor halls: Hiiu Suuremõisa

Date of Issue : 5 August 2010

The Suuremõisa, originally Pühhalep (Pühalepa), Manor on Hiiumaa Island was established in about the 15th century as an economic unit of the Livonian Order. After passing into the ownership of the King of Sweden, it belonged to different noblemen’s families and then to the Russian Imperial Crown, until Countess Ebba Margaretha von Stenbock bought it in 1755 and had the present two-storied baroque mansion with a high basement and a mansard built (the main building with mansard roof was completed in 1750 and the wings and a outhouses in 1772). In 18796 the manor passed into the ownership of the Ungern-Sternbergs, from whom the property was alienated under the Republic of Estonia Land Reform Act in 1919. Suuremõisa is regarded as the most stylish manor ensemble in Estonia. The manor had numerous outhouses (some of them destroyed) and a large park at the back of the house. The manor hall of 64 rooms has stucco decorations, ceiling pieces, an arching main staircase in two flights, a baroque door with beautiful carvings and other carved details in various parts of the building. The main building today serves as a basic school and a secondary specialised school.

Lithuania FDC on "The World Heritage Objects - The Archaeological Site of Kernavė"

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Lithuania

The World Heritage Objects - The Archaeological Site of Kernavė

Date of Issue : 7 August 2010

The State Cultural Reserve of Kernavė covers the territory of 194,4 ha. The entire complex of objects of cultural heritage preserved encompasses 18 archaeological, historical, and cultural properties. One of the properties, a group of five hill-forts, is the only and exceptional property in the region of the Baltic Sea. In the 19th century, the hill-forts were given the names of the Pilies kalnas, the Aukuro kalnas, the Mindaugo Sosto piliakalnis, and the Lizdeikos kalnas.

In July 2004, the archaeological site of Kernavė was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Slovakia FDC on "Seven Saints: St. Clement"

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Slovakia

Seven Saints: St. Clement

Date of Issue : 27 July 2010

St. Clement belonged to the closest assistants of the Solun Brothers, Constantine and Methodius (Naum, Angelarius, Sava, Laurentius, Gorazd). He was often called Clement Bulgarian, Ohrid, Macedonian or simply Slavic. In the town of Chersoneses, Constantine found the relics of one of the first popes – St. Clement. He took the journey to Venice and Rome with Constantine and Methodius where he was ordained to be a priest. In Great Moravia he dedicated his time to teaching and pastoral work which we know very little of.

After the death of Archbishop Methodius and after persecution of his followers he belonged to the group that decided to go along the Danube toward Belgrade and they were accepted by the Bulgarian emperor Boris-Michael (in 886). After a short time spent in Pliska the Emperor sent Constantine and his brothers into the present-day Macedonia. There in the town of Ohrid he founded the monastery and built two or three churches. He was working hard on the mission work among that-time Slavs and he was teaching the domestic clergy. The new Bulgarian emperor Simeon ordained Clement to be the bishop. He became the first Slavic bishop in Bulgaria. He later resigned and was dedicated to literary work. He was considered by many to be the author of Constantine and Methodius biographies, or at least one of them. He had written them while still in Great Moravia. He dies either on July 17 or 27, 916.

Another nice Slovakia FDC issued on the date 27 July. This time, there is a "Seven Saints: St. Gorazd" stamp at the bottom.

Bahrain Aerogramme

Aerogramme
航空郵簡
Bilhete Carta-Avião

Bahrain

A nice aerogramme from Bahrain.

United Kingdom Aerogramme

Aerogramme
航空郵簡
Bilhete Carta-Avião

United Kingdom

This is my first aerogramme received from overseas. Very colourful and nice. Thank You very much !

Indonesia FDC on "Indonesian Traditional Foods"

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Indonesia


Indonesian Traditional Foods

Date of Issue : 6 July 2010

China FDC on "Foreign Musicians"

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China


Foreign Musicians

Date of Issue : 25 July 2010

(Top FDC)
4-1 : Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), the manuscript used as the background is lifted from Bach's Choral Prelude
--- A German composer and organist, spent most of his lifetime in churches and royal courts. His musical works are mostly devoted to religion, and characterized by philosophy and logic, created with compact and delicate approaches, to convey a broad vision and inclusive splendor. A disciple of Germany's more pristine influences and a master of the Baroque period, Bach profoundly influences the following generations.

(2nd FDC)
4-2 : Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), the score on this stamp is the manuscript of Haydn's "String Quartet in C Major"
--- An Austrian composer, one of the most prolific and prominent composers of the classical period. He is often called the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet" because of his important contributions to these genres. He was also instrumental in the development of the piano trio and in the evolution of sonata form.

(3rd FDC)
4-3 : Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), the score manuscript used as the background is a part of Mozart's "TheMarriage of Figaro"
--- A prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music. He is among the most enduringly popular of classical composers.

(4th FDC)
4-4 : Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), the score used as the background is from Beethoven's "Symphony No. 9"
--- A German composer and pianist. He was the most crucial figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical music, and remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time. Such is the greatness and stretch of his musical influence - the word 'Beethoven' is synonymous with 'musical genius'.

Sri Lanka Postcard

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Sri Lanka

A nice postcard from Sri Lanka. I very much like the four beautiful stamps affixed on the card, especially the colourful "600th Year of Sunethradevi Piriven Rajamaha Vihara, Pepiliyana" stamp. Thank You very much !

Algeria FDC on "Year of Peace and Security in Africa"

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Algeria

Year of Peace and Security in Africa

Date of Issue : 19 July 2010

A nice FDC from Algeria with neat and clear cancellation.

Korea FDC on "Philately Week Special"

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South Korea

Philately Week Special

Date of Issue : 29 July 2010

To encourage stamp collecting and to broaden the stamp culture, Korea Post has designated a “philately week” every year and held the Korea Philatelic Exhibition during that week. This year, the Korea Philatelic Exhibition was held from July 29 to August 2 at A Hall A1 (ex-Pacific Hall), COEX, under the theme of “a cool, cultural world where stamps and letters meet.”

As the last installment of the “stamp in a stamp” series that have been issued since 2007, this year’s special stamp issued to commemorate the “Philately Week” features the “5000 Years of Korean Art” special stamps (featuring black and red statues of the Deva King (Vajradhara)), Korea’s first intaglio stamp. This special stamp was a photochromic stamp that reacts to ultraviolet light: such items as “1980” ,“30” will change from a dyed color to the red color, when they are exposed to direct sunlight.

Slovakia FDC on "Seven Saints: St. Gorazd"

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Slovakia

Seven Saints: St. Gorazd

Date of Issue : 27 July 2010

St. Gorazd was probably born in the Great Moravian Court south of Nitra. He was educated in one of the monastery schools or capitulary school where he learned Latin. He was one of the colleagues of the Solun brothers Constantine and Methodius after their arrival to the Great Moravia. Because he was his close assistant, Bishop Methodius named him his successor. He allegedly pointed at him saying: „This is the free man of your country, he is well-educated in Latin books, he is true“. The Pope Stephen V did not recognize the Methodius’s decision on the death bed and forbade him to perform “the position”. He requested that Gorazd appeared at the Pope’s court personally and explained his attitudes in “real words“. Gorazd either did not want to go to Rome, or simply could not. In the turbulent times when Methodius’s disciples were expelled from Great Moravia, he was not among those who would leave for Bulgaria or for Ohrid, not even among those who were sold to slavery by the Jews. He might have been killed or he was hiding on some magnate’s court. Soon, people started to worship him as a saint and after some time, he got into the medieval liturgy calendars.

A really nice FDC from Slovakia. There is a "Seven Saints: St. Clement" stamp which was also issued on 27 July, at the bottom.

Argentina FDC on "MERCOSUR. 2001 – 2010 a Decade Devoted to a Peace - Based Culture"

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Argentina

MERCOSUR. 2001 – 2010 a Decade Devoted to a Peace - Based Culture

Date of Issue : 24 April 2010

MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market) is a Regional Trade Agreement (RTA) between Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay founded in 1991 by the Treaty of Asunción, which was later amended and updated by the 1994 Treaty of Ouro Preto. Its purpose is to promote free trade and the fluid movement of goods, people, and currency.

Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru currently have associate member status. Venezuela signed a membership agreement on 17 June 2006, but before becoming a full member its entry has yet to be ratified by the Congress of Paraguay.