France: map

Today I got a postcard from France.

It shows a map of the country. France is a country in Western Europe bordering on Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain and Andorra. By area it is the largest country of the European Union and the third largest in Europe. Also several overseas regions and territories are part of the state. The country's capital is Paris. It is one of the wealthiest and most influential countries in the World. It is one of the founding members of the European Union and the United Nations. Furthermore it is a member of the G7, the NATO and the OECD. France is also a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has the biggest army of the European Union and the third most atomic weapons in the World.

Stamps:
Liberty, Equality, Fraternity (whole set) (issued 12-01-2016)
with a special postmark from the Philex Stamp Exhibition held in Paris

Thank You very much William!

cover from France

Today I got not only a postcard but also a cover from France.

With great stamps:

Solitary Bees (whole set) (issued 20-05-2016)

with First Day Special Postmark

Thank You very much William!

Austria: Postcrossing Stamp Presentation Meet-up

Yesterday I got six postcards: two from Austria, one from Estonia, two from the USA and one from Germany.

One of the cards from Austria is the official postcard of the Postcrossing Meet-up held in Hirtenberg for the presentation of the new Austrian Postcrossing stamp.

On the backside are the signatures of all attendees.
With the matching stamp:
Postcrossing (issued 21-05-2016)
with First Day Special Postmark

Thank You very much Marion!

Austria: Mariazell

Yesterday I got six postcards: two from Austria, one from Estonia, two from the USA and one from Germany.

One of the cards from Austria shows an aerial view of Mariazell. Mariazell is a town in the Austrian State of Styria. It is by area the third largest municipality of Austria and the Mariazell Basilica is the most important pilgrimage site of Austria. 

With a matching stamp:
Shrines of Europe (issued 12-05-2016)

Thank You very much Raffaela!

Germany: Chapel of Grace in Altötting

Yesterday I got six postcards: one from Germany, two from Austria, one from Estonia and two from the USA.

The card from Germany shows the Chapel of Grace in Altötting. The Chapel of Grace is an important pligrimage site. It is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and is known for the many healings which have taken place there.

I got this card a few weeks ago in a cover.

With a matching stamp:
Shrines of Europe (issued 02-05-2016)
with a special postmark from Altötting
Shrines of Europe is a coalation of six sites of Marian pilgrimage in Europe. It was founded in 1996. The members are Mariazell in Austria, Lourdes in France, Altötting in Germany, Loreto in Italy, Częstochowa in Poland and Fátima in Portugal. 

Thank You very much Christine for sending me the cards in an envelope!

USA: Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Yesterday I got six postcards: two from the USA, one from Germany, two from Austria and one from Estonia.

One of the cards from the USA shows the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the US State of South Dakota. The Mount Rushmore National Memorial was created by Gutzon Borglum and his son Lincoln Borglum between 1927 and 1941. It features the heads of four US Presidents and became an iconic symbol of the USA. It is also a popular tourist destination.

Stamp:
The Moon (issued 22-02-2016)

Thank You very much Colleen!

USA: Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village

Yesterday I got six postcards: two from the USA, one from Germany, two from Austria and one from Estonia.

One of the cards from the USA shows the rearrangement of Thomas Edison's Menlo Park Laboratory at the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village is the largest indoor-outdoor museum complex in the USA. It was founded by Henry Ford in 1929. It shows items of historical interest in its indoor area and shows how Americans lived and worked since the founding of the country in the outdoor area. 

Stamp:
The Moon (issued 22-02-2016)

Thank You very much Colleen!

Estonia: Patkuli Viewing Platform

Yesterday I got six postcards: one from Estonia, two from the USA, one from Germany and two from Austria.

The card from Estonia shows the Patkuli Viewing Platform in Tallinn. The Patkuli Viewing Platform offers an impressive view on Tallinn's Old Town.

The card was sent from the First Estonian Postcrossing Meet-up held in Tallinn.
Stamps:
Protection of Polar Areas and Glaciers (whole set) (issued 15-01-2009)

Thank You very much Jaan!

Germany: History of Hamburg

Yesterday I got three postcards: two from Germany and one from Estonia.

One of the cards from Germany is the Chronicle card of Hamburg. Hamburg was first mentioned in 811. In the 14th century it joined the Hanseatic League and in 1510 it became a free imperial city. Since 1949 is Hamburg a city state within the Federal Republic of Germany. It is the second largest city of Germany and the largest city of the European Union which is not the capital of its country. It is a popular tourist destination and is known as Venice of the North and Gate to the World. The Speicherstadt (lower picture) and the Kontorhaus District in Hamburg are since 2015 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stamp:
Felix the Rabbit (from set of two) (issued 02-03-2015)

Thank You very much Nadine!

Germany: History of Dresden

Yesterday I got three postcards: two from Germany and one from Estonia.

One of the cards from Germany is the Chronicle card of Dresden. Dresden was first mentioned in 1206 and got the town privileges in 1216. Between 1274 and 1918 it was a residence town. Under Augustus the Strong it became a centre of art and culture. Between 1806 and 1918 it was the capital of the Kingdom of Saxony. During World War II the city was nearly completely destroyed, but was rebuilt afterwards. After the war it became a part of the German Democratic Republic and since 1990 is Dresden the capital of the German State of Saxony.

Stamp:
Chiemsee (from set of two) (issued 01-07-2015)

Thank You very much Nadine!

Estonia: Town Hall of Tallinn

Yesterday I got three postcards: one from Estonia and two from Germany.

The card from Estonia shows the Town Hall in Tallinn's Old Town. The Town Hall was completed in 1404. It is the oldest town hall in the Baltic Region and the only remaining one in Northern Europe built in the Gothic style. It housed Tallinn's city administration until 1970. 

Stamps:
Definitives (whole set) (issued 19-05-2016)
with First Day Special Postmark
Definitive (issued 16-10-2015)
150th birthday of Ants Laikmaa (issued 05-05-2016)

Thank You very much Jaan!

Hans-Dietrich Genscher covers

Yesterday returned my two covers about Hans-Dietrich Genscher from the postmarking unit.

Hans-Dietrich Genscher was born on 21st March 1927 in Reideburg, which today belongs to Halle an der Saale. He was a German statesman and a member of the Free Democratic Party. Between 1969 and 1974 he was the Minister of the Interior. Between 1974 and 1992 he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Vice Chancellor. In both post he was the longest-serving occupant. He was considered to have been a masterly diplomat and is said to be the architect of German Reunification. He retired from politics in 1992. Hans-Dietrich Genscher died on 31st March 2016 in Wachtberg near Bonn.

Stamp:

25 years German Unity (issued 01-10-2015)

with a special postmark about the death of Hans-Dietrich Genscher

Stamp:
25 years German Unity (issued 01-10-2015)
with a special postmark about the state occasion held for Hans-Dietrich Genscher in Bonn

Belize: Great Blue Hole in the Belize Barrier Reef

Today I got two postcards: my first card from Belize and one from China

Belize is a country in Central America bordering on Mexico and Guatemala. In 1981 it became independent from the United Kingdom and today it is the only country in Central America with English as official language. Its capital city is Belmopan, while the largest city is Belize City.

The card shows the Great Blue Hole in the Belize Barrier Reef. The Belize Barrier Reef is the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere and the second largest in the World. It is a habitat for endangered species and a popular site for scuba diving. In 1842 Charles Darwin said it is "the most remarkable reef in the West Indies". Since 1996 is the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System on the UNESCO World Heritage List, but since 2009 it is also on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Stamps:
Definitives (two from set of twelve) (issued 2005)

Thank You very much Karolyn!

China: Retreat and Reflection Garden in Tongji

Today I got two postcards: one from China and my first card from Belize.

The card from China shows the Retreat and Reflection Garden in Tongji. The Retreat and Reflection Garden was built in 1885 at the behest of the former imperial official Ren Lansheng. It is considered to be a masterpiece of Chinese garden design. Together with other Classical Gardens in near Suzhou it is since 1997 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stamp:
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Thank You very much Danise!

USA: Sleepy Hollow

Yesterday I got three postcards: one from the USA, one from Italy and one from Slovenia.

The card from the USA shows the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow. Sleepy Hollow is a village in the US State of New York. It was featured in Washington Irving's short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", where the village is haunted by the Headless Horseman.

Stamp:
The Moon (issued 22-02-2016)

Thank You very much Robin!

Slovenia: Savica Waterfall

Yesterday I got three postcards: one from Slovenia, one from the USA and one from Italy.

The card from Slovenia shows the Savica Waterfall. The Savica Waterfall is a waterfall in the Triglav National Park. France Prešeren wrote a poem about the waterfall and in 1807 it was visited by Archduke John of Austria.

Stamps:
New Year (from set of two) (issued 06-11-2015)
Year of the Monkey (issued 29-01-2016)

Thank You very much Mateja!

Italy: Venice

Yesterday I got three postcards: one from Italy, one from Slovenia and one from the USA.

The card from Italy shows various views of Venice. Venice is a city in North East Italy and is located on 118 small islands, which are linked by bridges. Until 1797 it was the capital of the Republic of Venice and today it is the capital of the Italian Region of Veneto. It is also the eleventh largest city of Italy. Since 1987 is Venice with its Lagoon on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stamp:
Italian Mail (from set of two) (issued 19-09-2015)

Thank You very much Mariel!

cover from the Netherlands

Yesterday I got not only three postcards but also a cover from the Netherlands.

Stamp:

Postcrossing (from set of ten) (issued 29-03-2016)

Inside were four European postcards.
The first card shows the Sedlec Ossuary in the Czech Republic. The Sedlec Ossuary is a small Roman Catholic Chapel. The skeletons have been artistically arranged to form decorations. It is a popular tourist destination. The Sedlec Ossuary is together with the Historical Town Centre of Kutná Hora since 1995 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The second card shows the Mont-Saint-Michel in France. The Mont-Saint-Michel is a Benedictine abbey on a small tidal islet. It is considered to be the Wonder of the West and is a popular tourist attraction. Since 1979 is the Mont-Saint-Michel with its Bay on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The last two cards are from Belgium. They show two churches in the Flemish villages of Woesten and Loo after their destruction during World War I. The church of Woesten was rebuilt in 1922 and 1923. About Loo I unfortunately could not find any information.

Thank You very much Telenn!

Netherlands: Peace Palace in The Hague

On Thursday I got six postcards: one from the Netherlands, one from France, three from the USA and one from Russia.

The card from the Netherlands shows the Peace Palace in The Hague. The Hague is the third largest city of the Netherlands and the capital of the province of South Holland. The city is also the seat of the Dutch government, parliament and supreme court. 

You can read more about the Peace Palace and the Hague Conferences on my History Blog.

With a matching stamp:
70 years International Court of Justice (issued 25-04-2016)

Thank You very much Edith!

Russia: Amber Room

On Thursday I got six postcards: one from Russia, one from the Netherlands, one from France and three from the USA.

The card from Russia shows the Amber Room. The Amber Room was constructed in Prussia in the 18th century out of amber, gold and mirrors. It was first housed Berlin, but in 1716 it was sent to Russia. The original chamber disappeared during World War II. Between 1979 and 2004 it was reconstructed, as the location of original remained a mystery. The replica of the Amber Room is today shown in the Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo.

With nice matching stamps:
Amber Room (two from set of three) (issued 25-05-2004)
The stamps are embossed.
50 years All-Russian Society for Protection of Monuments of History and Culture (issued 14-10-2015)

Thank You very much Olga!

USA: I want You for U.S. Army

On Thursday I got six postcards: three from the USA, one from Russia, one from the Netherlands and one from France.

One of the cards from the USA shows Uncle Sam on the World War I poster "I want You for U.S. Army". The poster was created by James Montgomery Flagg in 1917. It is based on a British poster and is one of the famous depictions of Uncle Sam. The poster was reused in World War II.

Stamp:
The Moon (issued 22-02-2016)

Thank You very much Colleen!

USA: Gee!! I wish I were a man, I'd join the Navy

On Thursday I got six postcards: three from the USA, one from Russia, one from the Netherlands and one from France.

One of the cards from the USA shows the World War I poster "Gee!! I wish I were a man, I'd join the Navy". The poster was created by Howard Chandler Christy in 1917. 

Stamp:
The Moon (issued 22-02-2016)

Thank You very much Colleen!

USA: If You Want to Fight! Join the Marines

On Thursday I got six postcards: three from the USA, one from Russia, one from the Netherlands and one from France.

One of the cards from the USA shows the World War I poster "If You Want to Fight! Join the Marines". The poster was created by Howard Chandler Christy in 1917.

Stamp:
The Moon (issued 22-02-2016)

Thank You very much Colleen!

France: Welsch aux Rattes

On Thursday I got six postcards: one from France, three from the USA, one from Russia and one from the Netherlands.

The card from France shows Welsch aux Rattes, a typical dish from Northern France.

Stamps:
Edmond Locard (issued 18-04-2016)
Caisse des dépots (issued 29-04-2016)

Thank You very much William!