United Kingdom Postcard - Buckingham Palace

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

United Kingdom

A postcard showing the Buckingham Palace at London.

Pakistan Aerogramme

Aerogramme
航空郵簡
Bilhete Carta-Avião

Pakistan

My friend told me that this aerogramme was issued on 30th April 1989 and the postage overprinted Rs.10 in December 1993. He also told me Pakistan post did not issued any type of aerogramme since 1994. I like the stamps affixed on the back of the aerogramme. Thank You very much to my friend.

Sri Lanka Postcard - Polonnaruwa

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Sri Lanka

A very beautiful Sri Lanka postcard showing the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. The stamps and the cancellation are also nice too. Thank You very much !

Russia FDC on "The 1000th Anniversary of Yaroslavl"

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Russia

The 1000th Anniversary of Yaroslavl

Date of Issue : 10 September 2010

Yaroslavl is a city in Russia, the administrative center of Yaroslavl Oblast, located 250 kilometers north-east of Moscow. Yaroslavl has just hosted the Global Policy Forum.

Yaroslavl lies at the intersection of several major highways, railways, and waterways. Preceded by Viking sites such as Timerevo from the 8th or 9th centuries, the city is said to have been founded in 1010 as an outpost of the Principality of Rostov Veliky, and was first mentioned in 1071. Capital of an independent Principality of Yaroslavl from 1218, it was incorporated into Muscovy in 1463. In the 17th century it was Russia's second largest city, and for a time (during the Polish occupation of Moscow in 1612), the country's de facto capital. Today, Yaroslavl is an important industrial center (petrochemical plant, tire manufacturing plant, diesel engines plant and many others).

El Salvador Postcard - Lake Coatepeque

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

El Salvador

A beautiful El Salvador postcard showing the Lake Coatepeque. I also like the stamps affixed on the card. Thank You very much !

Malaysia Aerogramme

Aerogramme
航空郵簡
Bilhete Carta-Avião

Malaysia

A beautiful Malaysia aerogramme showing the Lake Kenyir, Terengganu. Thank You very much to my friend.

Korea FDC on "Jumong"

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South Korea

Jumong

Date of Issue : 14 September 2010

Stamp design:
King Geumwa meeting with Yuhwa,
Birth of Jumong,
Escape of Jumong,
Establishment of Goguryeo

According to “Samgukyusa” (the historic chronology of the Three Kingdoms written by the Venerable Ilyeon) and “Samguksagi” (the historical record of the Three Kingdoms written by Kim Busik), King Geumwa met a woman at Ubalsu in Mt. Taebaek and asked who she was. She replied, “I am Yuhwa, a daughter of Habaek, the god of rivers. Haemosu, the son of the Lord of Heaven, seduced me into making love with him. Then, he left and never returned. My parents scolded me for marrying even without a matchmaker, and exiled me to Ubalsu.”

King Geumwa locked her into a room only to see the sun following and shining on her. After this, she showed signs of pregnancy and laid an egg. The king discarded the egg, but it was protected by animals. The king retrieved the egg but when he was unable to break the egg, the king gave it back to Yuhwa. She wrapped it with a cloth and put it in a warm spot. Out of this egg, a boy hatched. This boy was named Jumong and he was clever and boasted a sturdy build and commanding presence. At the age of only 7, he was far ahead of other common people. He himself made bows and arrows and he invariably hit the targets 100% of the time. King Geumwa had 7 sons, who played with Jumong all the time but all of them lagged behind Jumong in their skills and talents. As the sons and servants of King Geumwa were intent on harming Jumong, he fled with three people including Oi. They reached Eumhosu but found that they wouldn’t be able to cross the water. Jumong shouted toward the water that he was the son of the lord of heaven and the grandson of Habaek, asking for a way to cross. In response, numerous fish and soft-shelled turtles formed a bridge, allowing them to cross to safety. Jumong and his followers reached Jolboncheon. Charmed by this area’s fertile land and rugged mountain terrain, he set up his capital there. Too busy to build a palace, he built a thatched cottage instead and lived there. He named his country Goguryeo and took “Go” as his surname.

Goguryeo was the largest country among those ever built on Korea. Goguryeo warded off China’s ambition to enter into Eastern lands, and by securing the Yodong Peninsula, provided the time and space for Silla and Baekje to grow. Overall, Goguryeo served as a shield against China, ensuring that the Korean people could live safely on the Korean peninsula.

Peru Postcard - Machu Picchu

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Peru

A very nice Peru postcard showing the Machu Picchu. My friend was so nice to affix 5 very beautiful stamps on the card. Thank You very much !

China FDC on "Shangri-La"

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China


Shangri-La

Date of Issue : 13 September 2010

Shangri-La, in northwestern Yunnan, is the capital of the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. In Tibetan language, "Shangri-La" means the "sun and moon in heart". Now, "Shangri-La" become a household word, often synonymous with the earthly paradise.

(On the 1st FDC)
4-1 : Majestic Monastery
The stamp features the magnificent view of Gadan Sumtseling Monastery. Located at the foot of Mt. Foping north of the county seat of Shangri-La, Yunnan Province, the monastery was first built in 1679 and now covers an area of over 333000 square meters, being the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Tibetan-inhabited areas of Yunnan. Modeled after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, it is nicknamed "Lesser Potala Palace".

4-2 : Green Nature
The stamp depicts the landscapes of the Napa Lake Nature Reserve. Located 3266 meters above sea level northwest of the county seat of Shangri-La, Napa Lake is a seasonal lake, which turns to be a swampy meadow during the dry season. The luxuriant grass makes it a major pasture, as well as a winter abode for some rare and precious animals.

(On the 2nd FDC)
4-3 : Alpine Lake
The stamp showcases the beauty of Potatso National Park, which is located northeast of the county seat of Shangri-La. Covering nearly 2000 square kilometers in total, China's largest national park is well-known for its geological diversity that involves alpine mountains, lakes, forests, and meadows, as well as a variety of rare and precious floral and faunal species.

4-4 : Ancient Town
The stamp depicts the charming view of Dukezong, an ancient town southeast of the county seat of Shangri-La. During the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, Dukezong was a trading hub for tea and other products among Yunnan, Sichuan, and Tibet. Built around Mt. Dagui (Giant Tortoise), the town is home to winding streets connecting residential houses in the distinctive Tibetan style. It is one of the best-preserved old towns in Tibetan-inhabited areas.

Souvenir Sheet : Golden Mountain

The souvenir sheet depicts the marvelous view of Meili Snow Mountain. Located in the central section of the Hengduan Mountain Range in northwestern Deqin County, Deqin Prefecture, Meili Snow Mountain straddles the border between Nujiang and Lancang rivers. The more than 10 snow peaks rising over 6000 meters above sea levels are collectively dubbed "13 Crown Peaks", of which Kawagebo, at 6740 meters, is the highest peak in Yunnan, regarded by Tibetan people as the "God of the Snow Mountain" and a shrine devoted to Tibetan Buddhism.

Philippines FDC on "300 Years of Devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia"

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Philippines

300 Years of Devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia

Date of Issue : 8 September 2010

7p : Image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, 1924
7p : Image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, 2009
7p : Our Lady of Peñafrancia Shrine
7p : Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Naga City

One of the many Catholic traditions is the Marian devotion. The Filipinos, especially the Bicolanos, have that devoted love for Mother Mary — the Mother of Jesus and our Mother, too.

One of her most notable names is Our Lady of Peñafrancia, more warmly called INA or Mother, to the Bicolanos. This intense devotion to Mother Mary by the Bicolanos can be traced back in Spain.

The Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is a one-week affair that starts on the second Friday of September when the miraculous Ina is transferred from her shrine to the centuries-old Naga Metropolitan Cathedral. This procession is locally called traslacion where the miraculous images of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and of the Divino Rostro journey to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Naga City for a Novena and Holy Masses. This began in 1885 and ushers in the week long festivities in the locality. A nine-day novena and prayers are held in her honor. This event is considered as the biggest and most popular religious event in the Philippines.

Another nice FDC from the Philippines. Thank You very much to my friend.

Panama FDC on "United Nations - Millennium Development Goals"

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Panama

United Nations - Millennium Development Goals

Date of Issue : 18 August 2010

Goal 1 - Erradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
Goal 2 - Achieve universal primary education
Goal 3 - Promote gender equality and empower women
Goal 4 - Reduce child mortality

Although this FDC was sent on 2 Sep 2010 (not the date of issue), it was still a very nice FDC. The cancellation was good. On the back, the FDC cover was sealed with wax. This is the first time I have ever seen. Thank You very much to my friend !

India Aerogramme

Aerogramme
航空郵簡
Bilhete Carta-Avião

India

Israel FDC on "150 Years Outside Jerusalem's Old City"

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Israel

150 Years Outside Jerusalem's Old City

Date of Issue : 25 August 2010

Until the 1850’s, nearly all Jerusalem residents lived within the Old City walls.

In the mid 1850’s a number of initiatives began to take shape, proposing that residents leave the Old City and build in the vacant areas surrounding its walls. One of these initiatives was led by Sir Moshe Montefiore, the Jewish British philanthropist.

During three earlier visits to Jerusalem, Montefiore witnessed the difficult housing situation and lack of livelihood suffered by the city’s Jews. In 1855, during his fourth visit to Jerusalem, Montefiore purchased a large tract of land to the west of the Old City and build a residential neighborhood for Jerusalem’s poor.

In 1857 a windmill was erected at the edge of the site, to serve as a source of income for neighborhood residents. Some 20 2-room flats were then built on the land, as were two synagogues – Ashkenazi and Sephardic – and a Mikva (ritual bath). The flats were built within a single long building in order to increase residents’ sense of security and to make it easier to protect. A sign featuring the name of the neighborhood, “Mishkenot Sha’ananim” was placed atop the building. The drawing that appears on the stamp was adapted from an etching published in 1874 in a book by Englishman Reverend Samuel Manning.

The Mishkenot Sha’ananim project served as an example to the Jews of Jerusalem and in subsequent years many residents organized to establish other Jewish neighborhoods outside the Old City walls. The first day cover features a list of nine Jewish neighborhoods that were founded in the first wave, which continued through the 1870’s. The FDC also features the stamp of the “Moshe Montefiore Company”, which was founded in order to continue developing the rest of the land upon which Mishkenot Sha’ananim was built.

Mishkenot Sha’ananim currently serves as an international cultural and conference center in Jerusalem, established by the Jerusalem Foundation. The center hosts artistic and cultural activities, in the spirit of dialog, tolerance and pluralism.

Estonia FDC on "Tallinn - European Capital of Culture 2011"

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Estonia

Tallinn - European Capital of Culture 2011

Date of Issue : 9 September 2010

The programme of European Capitals of Culture (until 1998 European Cities of Culture) was conceived in 1983 by then Greek Minister of Culture Melina Mercouri, because she felt that cities paid less attention to culture than to politics and economics, and Athens became the first European City of Culture in 1985.

The European Capitals of Culture 2011 are Tallinn, Estonia, and Turku, Finland.

In the competition organized by the Tallinn 2011 Foundation for the best design for a stamp to mark Tallinn’s year as a European Capital of Culture 2011 the main prize, Lost in Tallinn, went to Heino Prunsvelt and his design appears on the stamp issued on 9 September 2010.

Taiwan FDC on "Ancient Chinese Painting 'Nine Elders of Mt. Hsiang'"

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Taiwan

Ancient Chinese Painting “Nine Elders of Mt. Hsiang”

Date of Issue : 9 September 2010

This souvenir sheet comprises three stamps, one with a denomination of NT$5 and the other two with NT$25 each. It is based on the painting Nine Elders of Mt. Hsiang, by an anonymous Song Dynasty painter, from the National Palace Museum collection. The painting depicts a scene from a party. Because the host and guests were all over 70, they were called the nine elders. The painting is in the shape of a round fan. The painter used large pines and boulders to cleverly divide the composition. On the upper right there are two men reading from a scroll in a bamboo grove (NT$25). On the lower right there are three men holding a conversation and a man, with a flower on his head, dancing to amuse others (NT$25). There is a creek cutting through the left, and a man watching two other men, who are playing chess with great concentration. A young servant stands nearby (NT$5).

It is an exquisite example of a Southern Song Dynasty booklet painting.

Bahrain Postcard - Gudaibiya Jumma Mosque

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Bahrain

A nice Bahrain postcard showing the Gudaibiya Jumma Mosque.

China FDC on "2010 Guangzhou Asian Para Games"

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China


2010 Guangzhou Asian Para Games

Date of Issue : 3 September 2010

The 2010 Asian Para Games, a parallel sport event for disabled Asian athletes, opens December 12 and closes December 19, 2010, two weeks after the conclusion of the 16th Asian Games. The event will be held in Guangzhou, China.

Approximately 5,500 athletes from 45 Asian member nations are expected to participate in this multisport competition. Competition and training venues plus all other facilities to be used for the 16th Asian Games will be converted to meet the disability-accessible requirements for Asian Para Games athletes, officials, staff and audience.

The 100-Day Countdown (Charity) Ceremony of the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Game was held at Tianhe Gymnasium in Guangzhou on September 3 night, and a commemorative stamp for the Games was unveiled.

The stamp design is not very special, but China seldom issue odd-shaped stamp. I am glad to have a self made FDC of this issue.

Monaco Cover

Cover
封
Sobrescrito

Monaco

Another nice Monaco cover from my friend in France. Thank You very much to my friend!

Israel ATM FDC - Common Kingfisher

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Israel

Common Kingfisher

Date of Issue : 25 August 2010

Myanmar Aerogramme

Aerogramme
航空郵簡
Bilhete Carta-Avião

Myanmar

One of the most beautiful aerogramme I have ever received. The cancellation was also nice. Thank You very much to my friend.

Israel FDC on "Festivals 2010 –Shofars"

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Israel

Festivals 2010 –Shofars

Date of Issue : 25 August 2010

Motifs of the stamps :
(from Left to Right)
6.1 NIS : synagogue torah prayer
4.2 NIS : temple kodu horn prayer praying shwal
1.7 NIS : ram's horn alter binding of Isaac praying shwal

The shofar is an ancient instrument that emits a loud, clear sound which may be heard from a great distance and it originally served to summon the army in case of emergency and to proclaim holidays and festivals. The Bible mentions the shofar more than 70 times, attesting to its significance in Jewish tradition. According to Isaiah’s prophecy, at the End of Days the sound of the shofar will herald the redemption of the Jewish people and their return to the Land of Israel from the Diaspora.

The shofar’s significance is especially highlighted on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, which the Torah refers to as the “Day of Shofar Blasts”.

The shofars used by Jews of varying origins are mostly made of ram’s horn, while the Jews of Yemen use a twisted shofar made from the horn of an African antelope, called a kodu.

The first day cover features the text of the blessing recited in the synagogue prior to blowing the shofar

A nice FDC from Israel. I very much like the stamp design of this issue.

Monaco Postcard

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Monaco

A nice mapcard showing the Côte d'Azur (French Riviera) and the location of Monaco. The French Riviera is the Mediterranean coastline of the southeast corner of France, extending from Menton near the Italian border in the east to either Hyères or Cassis in the west. I very much like the beautiful and clear cancellation. The stamp is also nice too. Thank You very much to my friend !

Åland FDC on "Church Windows (Macau - Åland Joint Issue)"

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Åland

Vitrais de Igreja (Emissão Conjunta Macau - Alanda)

Church Windows (Macau - Åland Joint Issue)

Date of Issue : 30 August 2010

1.6 Euro souvenir sheet : St. Olaf’s Church, Åland and St. Lawrence Church, Macau

Macau FDC on "Church Windows"

Sri Lanka Aerogramme

Aerogramme
航空郵簡
Bilhete Carta-Avião

Sri Lanka

A nice aerogramme from Sri Lanka. Thank You very much !