China: Mo Spring in Shandong Province

Mo Spring is part of The Baimai Springs, a group of artesian karst springs located in the town of Ming Shui, Zhangqiu City, Shandong Province, China about 25 kilometres west from the city centre of the provincial capital Jinan. The site of the springs is renowned for its natural beauty and as the one-time residence of the female Song Dynasty poet Li Qingzhao.

This postcard is prepaid (Year of the Rat printed stamp), but it also have one beautiful real stamp from set Wildlife: Amur Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), issued on 25.02.2000.


Thank you Wen Ren!

Serbia: The City Hall of Subotica

The City Hall of Subotica is its largest and, according to many, its most beautiful building. It was built within two years, from 1908 till 1910. However, it took two more years to decorate its interiors. The building was designed by Marcell Komor (1868-1944) and Dezső Jakab (1864-1932), two architects from Budapest in the fashionable and modern style of the times: Hungarian art nouveau. Most of the decorations are dominated by stylized flower patterns. The City Hall is a harmonious blend of arts and crafts. With an overall height of 76m and the observation deck terrace at 45,5m with 105,08m in length and 55,56m of width, it covers a surface of 5838m².

 Stamp is Mileva Marić Einstein, Scientist, issued on 01.04.2014.

Thank you Nina!

Libya: Euromed postal

My first mail from Libya! It's a maxicard EuroMed postal, issued 27.08.2014.

“Postal EuroMed” is the Euro-Mediterranean postal community, created to implement a shared policy for the postal sector within the Mediterranean region, develop new technologies for a more efficient mail service, establish a common platform for e-commerce and encourage closer collaboration in offering financial and communication services. Postal EuroMed includes 20 countries along the European, African and Asian shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

Unusual postmark, but this postcard is from some plastic material, and paint is smearing if you touch it,  because this postcard don't absorb ink used for postmark. To bad. This nice matching stamp is Euromed 2015, Boats from the Mediterranean, issued on 08.07.2015.


Thank you Wesam!

Russia: The Pond by V. E. Borisov-Musatov

Victor Elpidiforovich Borisov-Musatov was a Russian painter, prominent for his unique Post-Impressionistic style that mixed Symbolism, pure decorative style and realism. Together with Mikhail Vrubel he is often referred as the creator of Russian Symbolism style.

The most famous painting of that time is The Pond, 1902. The painting depicts two most important women in his life: his sister, Yelena Musatova and his bride, artist Yelena Alexandrova.

Nice Russian stamps:
Arts and Crafts of Russia - Shawls, Karabanovo scarf. Cotton, issued on 05.07.2013.
Happy New Year, issued on 12.12.2006.
St-Petersburg. Bridge over Neva, issued on 28.11.2008.


Thank you Nadya!

Galaxy postcard

I don't know which galaxy this is, but i like it very much. Looks like photography from Hubble telescope.

Stamps:
The 75th Anniversary of Batman (from set of eight), issued on 09.10.2014.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly, issued on 01.06.2015.


Thank you Diana!

View to Paradeplatz and the university in Kaliningrad

Kaliningrad is a seaport city and the administrative center of Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea.

In the Middle Ages, the locality was the site of the ancient Old Prussian settlement and fort Twangste. In 1255, during the Northern Crusades, a new fortress was built on the site by the Teutonic Knights and was named "Königsberg" in honor of King Ottokar II of Bohemia, who led two crusade expeditions against the pagan Old Prussians. The town was successively part of the monastic State of the Teutonic Order, enfeoffed to the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, then part of Prussia and Germany (the latter until 1945). The city was heavily damaged during World War II. Its ruins were occupied by the Red Army on 9 April 1945, and what remained of the German population fled or was later removed by force. It was renamed Kaliningrad on July 4, 1946, in honor of Soviet luminary Mikhail Kalinin, who died in the previous month.

Stamps are Ryazan Kremlin and Moscow Kremlin, issued on 01.10.2009.


Thank you Katia!

50th anniversary of Star Trek by Australia Post

I am big fan of Star Trek, and i have ordered this great stamp pack from Australia Post. Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry.

The stamp pack, containing 25 special occasion stamps, features fantastic retro imagery as well as vital statistics and background on the series’ best known characters: Captain James T. Kirk, Commander Spock, Lieutenant Commander Leonard “Bones” McCoy, Lieutenant Commander Montgomery “Scotty” Scott, Lieutenant Uhura, Leiutenant Hikaru Sulu and Ensign Pavel Andreievich Chekov.

This is back side of this great booklet. In the middle you can read about main characters from this TV show.

These are stamps with main characters, and bellow are stamps with their ship Enterprise.

You can also buy covers with special coins on this link.  Issue date is 03.05.2016.

Cover from Russia

I have received cover from Russia with two beautiful postcards and fantastic stamps on cover.

First postcard is Porsche Cayman GTS. The Cayman GTS was introduced in 2014, and is based on the 981 platform. It features a marginally more powerful engine, a new body kit, new 20-inch Carrera S alloys, new Bi-Xenon headlights, and new sports exhaust system. The engine produces 340 hp, and can achieve a 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds with the manual transmission, 4.7 seconds with PDK and 4.5 seconds with PDK and Sport Plus mode.The Cayman GTS weighs 1345 kg with the manual transmission can reach a top speed of 285 km/h while the Cayman GTS with PDK can reach 282 km/h and weighs 1375 kg.

Second postcard is painting of three wild cats: leopard, tiger and Pallas's cat, by M. Bodrova.

Stamps on cover:
Icebreaker Ob and station Mirnyi, issued on 26.01.2006.
Fauna of Russia - Wild Cats: Siberian Tiger, issued on 07.11.2014.
Gifts of Nature: Apple, issued on 27.08.2003. - this stamp is aromatic!!!
The Earth - Light-Blue Planet, issued on 16.08.2005.
And bellow is vignette from Light-Blue Planet mini sheet.


Thank you very much Anna!

Belarus 2422

Belarus is a series of four-wheeled tractors produced since 1950 at Minsk Tractor Works, MTZ, in Minsk, Belarus. These tractors are very well known throughout the Commonwealth of Independent States and are exported to more than 100 countries worldwide, including USA and Canada.Some 3 million tractors have been built in the Minsk Tractor Works since 1948.

This tractor on maxicard is Belarus 2422, from set Machine Building of Belarus, issued on 30.01.2015.

I have received this maxicard in cover, with stamp Embroidery in counted satin stitch, issued on 12.02.2013.


Thank you Tatiana!

Ukraine: Antonov An-158

An-158, modification of the regional jet An-148, was originally named An-148-200. Over 200 companies from 15 countries participated in the creation of the An-148. The new An-158 has more passenger seats, its passenger cabin is 2.5 meters longer, overhead storage bins are larger in volume, and its wings are modernized while fuel consumption and maintenance expenses are smaller. The plane can fit up to 99 passengers, but depending on the wishes of the client the passenger capacity may be decreased to 12 seats.

Stamp is issued on 31.08.2013.


Thank you Tatiana!

Greece: Santorini

Santorini is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km southeast of Greece's mainland. It is the largest island of a small, circular archipelago which bears the same name and is the remnant of a volcanic caldera. It forms the southernmost member of the Cyclades group of islands, with an area of approximately 73 km2 and a 2011 census population of 15,550.Over the last years Santorini has been voted as one of the most beautiful islands of the world.

This fantastic stamp is from set Tourism diving; Dendromorfoi Sponges, issued on 20.07.2015.


Thank you Athina!

Cover from India

I have received cover from India with two postcard, one mini sheet, one FDC and six mint stamps.

This place in thickets of the Sahyadri hills of the Western Ghats is around 45 km from Sirsi, Karnataka. Huge rocks are the center of attraction. There are two temples, temple of Shiva inside a cave, and a Ganesha temple nearby.

The Elephanta caves area network of sculpted caves located on Elephanta Island in Mumbai Harbour. The island, located on an arm of Arabian Sea, consists of two groups of caves  - the first is a large group of Hindu caves, the second, a smaller group of two Buddhist caves. The Hindu caves contain rock-cut stone sculptures, representing Shaiva Hindu sect. The rock-cut architecture of the caves is dated between the 5th and 8th centuries. The caves are hewn from solid basalt rock. The caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

This is FDC Gaiety Theatre Complex, Shimla, issued on 26.08.2014.

This is mini sheet Rabindranath Tagore's "Dakghar", issued on 31.10.2008.

Stamps:
Charkha Spinning Wheel (whole set), issued on 15.10.2015.
The 50th Anniversary of Diplomatis Relations with Singapore - Joint Issue with Singapore (whole set), issued on 24.11.2015.
International Day of Yoga, issued on 21.06.2015.
International Fleet Review, issued on 06.02.2016.

Stamps on cover:
C V Raman, issued on 11.05.2009.
Makers of India: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, issued on 10.10.2015.


Thank you Subramanya!

Zentangle postcard

Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxaing artform using repetitive patterns. It helps increase focus, attentiveness, and creativity.

 Stamp is Bear (5th Definitive Issue), issued on 29.08.2008.


Thank you Asya!

Illustration by Sarah Andreacchio

Cute illustration by Sarah Andreacchio. Sarah Andreacchio is a Freelance illustrator currently living in France.

 Stamp is from set Dutch Icons - Amsterdam House, issued on 03.01.2014.

Thank you Lia!

Cover from India

I have received cover from India with two beautiful mini sheets.

First mini sheet is Vibrant India, issued on 25.01.2016.

Second mini sheet is Ganges River Dolphin and Whale Shark - India-Philippines Joint Issue, issued on 16.11.2009.

Stamps on cover:
Cricket - The 200th Test Match of Sachin Tendulkar, issued on 14.11.2013.
Indian Border Security Force, issued on 21.10.2015.
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, 1891-1956 , issued on 01.03.2009.


Thank you Anushka!

Russia: Eluding Evening

This oil painting on canvas comes from Russia. Painting name is Eluding Evening, and author is Anna Silivonchik. 

Postmark is from 26th January - this postcard has traveled over 100 days! Stamps are definitives: Bear, issued on 29.08.2008. and Ryazan Kremlin, issued on 01.10.2009.


Thank you Alina!

German stamps: Little Red Riding Hood

I have received this nice German stamp set Little Red Riding Hood, issued on 11.02.2016.
"Little Red Riding Hood" is a European fairy tale about a young girl and a Big Bad Wolf. The story has been changed considerably in its history and subject to numerous modern adaptations and readings. The story was first published by Charles Perrault.

The origins of the Little Red Riding Hood story can be traced to versions from various European countries and more than likely preceding the 17th century, of which several exist, some significantly different from the currently known, Grimms-inspired version. It was told by French peasants in the 10th century. In Italy, the Little Red Riding Hood was told by peasants in the fourteenth century, where a number of versions exist, including La finta nonna (The False Grandmother). It has also been called "The Story of Grandmother". It is also possible that this early tale has roots in very similar Oriental tales (e.g. "Grandaunt Tiger").

Stamps on cover:
Numeral 2, issued on 02.11.2013.
Centaurium, issued on 03.07.2014.
Little Prince - 70th Death Anniv of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, issued on 01.09.2014.


Thank you Susan!

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

Fantastic postcard with fantastic stamps! Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones is a 2002 American epic space opera film directed by George Lucas and written by Lucas and Jonathan Hales. It is the second installment of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, and stars Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee, Temuera Morrison, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, and Frank Oz. The film was released on May 16, 2002. It garnered better reviews from critics than the first prequel, with critics praising the visual effects, action scenes, costume design, John Williams’ musical score, and Ewan McGregor’s performance as Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Stamps are from set Classic Cars (two from ten), Spyker & Duesenberg, issued on 27.01.2014.


Thank you very much Jocé!

The Simpsons: Fun at Jebediah Springfield Park

Another nice postcard from animated TV show The Simpsons. The Simpsons is created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of a working class lifestyle epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. The show is set in the fictional town of Springfield and parodies American culture, society, television, and many aspects of the human condition.

Stamps:
Centaurium, issued on 03.07.2014.
Treasures of German Museums - Tilman Riemenschneider, issued on 01.10.2015.


Thank you Gisela!

Elvis Presley

Elvis Aaron Presley was an American musician and actor. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as "the King of Rock and Roll", or simply, "the King". Presley is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century. Commercially successful in many genres, including pop, blues and gospel, he is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music, with estimated record sales of around 600 million units worldwide. He won three Grammys, also receiving the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.

Stamps:
The 200th Anniversary of the Shchepkin Drama School, issued on 09.11.2009.
State Awards of the Russian Federation - Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation, issued on 07.07.2014.


Thank you Evgenii!

Finland: Olavinlinna Castle

 

 The fortress was founded by Erik Axelsson Tott in 1475 under the name Sankt Olofsborg in an effort to profit from the political turmoil following Ivan III's conquest of the Novgorod Republic. It was sited in Savonia so as to lay claim to the Russian side of the border established by the Treaty of Nöteborg.Olofsborg withstood several sieges by the Russians during the First and Second Russian-Swedish wars. A brisk trade developed under the umbrella of the castle towards the end of the 16th century, giving birth to the town of Savonlinna, which was chartered in 1639.

On 28 July 1714, the garrison capitulated to the invading Russians, and it took them only two days to take the castle in 1743, in the events leading up to the Treaty of Åbo which awarded the entire region to Empress Elizabeth of Russia.

Stamp is Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, issued on 20.01.2014.

Thank you Aleksi!