TAAF: Yellow-nosed Albatrosses

Last Friday I got a postcard from the TAAF.

It shows a group of Yellow-nosed Albatrosses. Unfortunately I am not sure whether these are Atlantic or Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses. On the backside Diomedea chlororhynchos is written. Wikipedia however calls the Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche carteri and the Atlantic one Thalassarche chlororhynchos. On the side it is also written that these two species were just split in 2004 by BirdLife International, while some authorities still consider them to be conspecific. The card was apparently already printed in 2006 and as the Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross lives on some islands of the TAAF and the Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross only on some British overseas islands, I would go with Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross. 

The card was sent from a philatelic event in Paris via Port-aux-Français, the main settlement of the Kerguelen Islands, and travelled for really a long time. It was sent last year in May. The stamp shows the Research Ship "La Curieuse" (issued 07-06-2019) and even got a First Day Special Postmark.

Thank You very much William!

Germany: Bodenwerder

Last Tuesday I got four cards: one from Germany, two from China and one from Austria.

The card from Germany shows various views of Bodenwerder. Bodenwerder is a little town in the German State of Lower Saxony on the river Weser. Actually it is not far away from where I live, but unfortunately passenger train services were suspended in 1982. Otherwise I would have gone there is year for the interesting jubilee the town celebrates.

Luckily I had this card lying around unwritten for some years and now had the perfect chance to send it to myself with a stamp and special postmark about the jubilee, the 300th birthday of Bodenwerder's most famous son Baron Münchhausen (issued 07-05-2020). I will post a bit more about him soon, but for now you can see some other products of this stamp on my new blog about Childhood Heroes on Stamps.

Austria: Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna

Last Tuesday I got four cards: one from Austria, one from Germany and two from China.

The card from Austria shows the Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna. The Hundertwasserhaus in an apartment building constructed between 1983 and 1985. Idea and concept were created by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser and architect Joseph Krawina was the co-creator.

Used were two stamps of Austria's last definitive series about Heraldy (from set of fourteen) (issued 01-07-2018). These two show parts of the coat of arms of Vorarlberg and Lower Austria. The series was replaced this year by a new one about accessories and ornaments of traditional costumes.

Thank You very much Marcel!

China: Bing Dwen Dwen and the 2022 Winter Olympics

Last Tuesday I got four cards: two from China, one from Austria and one from Germany.

The second card from China shows Bing Dwen Dwen, the mascot of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Beijing was elected as the host city over Almaty in 2015. These games will be the first Winter Olympics ever to be held in China and the fourth Winter Olympics held in East Asia. After Pyeongchang in 2018 and Tokyo in 2021 this will be the last of three consecutive Olympics to be held in East Asia. Beijing will be the eleventh city to host the Olympic Games twice, but interestingly the first ever to have hosted both the Summer and Winter Olympics. Also after Oslo in 1952 Beijing is just the second national capital to host the Winter Olympics. Bing Dwen Dwen was unveiled as mascot of the games on 17th September 2019 together with Shuey Rhon Rhon, the mascot of the 2022 Winter Paralympics. It is a Giant Panda and its name means something like robust and lively ice. As Giant Pandas are not really known for their agility, it is encased in a stylized sports suit meant to make the animal appear more athletic and winterish, but also to embrace new and green technologies, as it also resembles an astronaut. 

The card was sent with four nice stamps. The best one for sure is the matching stamp on the the right. It is from a set of two, the other one showing Shuey Rhon Rhon, and was issued on 16th January 2020. I think it is quite interesting to see that while Macau and many European countries postponed stamps due to Covid-10, China seems to go on like usual. I would have thought that an issue like this would be quite popular and might thus result in crowds of people. The two stamps in the middle are from a set of six (issued 10-09-2016) and promote the Maritime Silk Road, the sea route part of the Belt and Road Initiative which is a Chinese strategic initiative connecting Asia, Africa and Europa across the historic Silk Road. These two stamps show in the background views of Egypt, Malaysia and Thailand, the other four for example show China, France, Greece and India. The left stamp finally is about the 120th anniversary of the Chinese Post (issued 20-03-2016). Back in 2016 I already got the complete set of four stamps. You can see it here on my stamp blog.

Thank You very much Meg!

China: Wuxi Meet-up

Last Tuesday I got four cards: two from China, one from Austria and one from Germany.

One of the cards from China is a card I already had before. It is again the official card for the Postcrossing Meet-up in Wuxi, the second joint meet-up between Wuxi and Singapore. This one is an official card, but interestingly was sent by the same person as the first version.

Nearly the same stamps were used on this card: two about Fruits (two from set of four) (issued 14-07-2018) and one called Beautiful China (from set of six) (issued 19-05-2013). Instead of signatures of the attendees on this card is a seal of the meet-up.

Thank You very much Jifeng!

USA: The Great Indoors

Last Saturday I got a postcard from the USA.

During the current situation with Covid-19 many of us spend much more time at home than usual, where we do some things we would never do otherwise. I for example tidied my room and even decided to sort my stamp collection. The swapper of this card is also its designer and put together some of things he did during this special time. For sure also toilet paper can not be missed. Not sure how it was in your country, but here in Germany toilet paper became an object of value, often it was sold out, some hoarded it and many jokes were told. It is good to see that at least in one other country the toilet paper gets a similar veneration. 

Designed by Josh Harris, IG: @downward_donut

The card was sent with a Global Forever stamp showing the Moon (issued 22-02-2016).

Thank You very much Josh!

cover from Germany

Last Friday I got a cover from Germany.

With a nice stamp:

EUROPA (issued 07-05-2020)

with First Day Special Postmark

covers from Germany

Last Thursday I got three covers from Germany.

Stamp:

Nasturtium (issued 01-07-2019)

with a special postmark about the 75th anniversary of the End of World War II

Stamp:
Variable Value Stamp (from set of two) (issued 03-01-2017)
with a special postmark about the Bicentenary of the Discovery of Antarctica

Stamps:
Variable Value Stamp (from set of two) (issued 03-01-2017)
800 years Rostock (issued 07-06-2018)
with a special postmark about the 60th anniversary of Rostock Port

Austria: Red Lightning in Styria

Last Monday I got two postcards from Austria.

The second one shows a lovely little train connecting Graz and Köflach in the Austrian State of Styria. Originally approved to transport coal, the railway line between Graz and Köflach started its public transport in 1860. Until 1978 goods were transported on the line by steam locomotives, but as passenger volume decreased in the 1950s, similar rail buses to the one on the card were introduced. They proved to be popular due to their cushioned seats and good view from the roundly glazed waggons and because of their velocity and red colour they soon became known as Red Lightning. Still today they are used for retro journeys, regularly used they were however only until the 1990s.

The card was sent with a great matching stamp (issued 08-05-2020) and its First Day Special Postmark. Railway stamps like this one are now already issued for some years in Austria. As long as I see the first one is from 2014. In my collection I also have the ones about the Semmering Railway, the Stainz Railway and the Brenner Railway.

Thank You very much Anita!

Austria: Old Postal Routes

Last Monday I got two postcards from Austria.

The first of them shows a cute postal-themed illustration.

Used for postage was Austria's EUROPA stamp of this year (issued 08-05-2020), which was cancelled with its First Day Special Postmark. The theme of this year is Old Postal Routes and Austria goes with this stamp back to the location of the beginning of regular mail services in Europa. Back in 1490 it was King (and later Emperor) Maximilian I who initiated the first postal route between Innsbruck and Brussels and thus laid the foundation for the postal service of the Family Thurn and Taxis in the coming centuries. The stamp shows the Palais Fugger in Innsbruck, which was bought by the Family Thurn and Taxis in 1784 to be used as residence and post office. I really like this stamp!

In combination with this card let me also show you the German EUROPA souvenir sheet of this year (issued 07-05-2020). This is by far my favourite EUROPA stamp for this year! Beside the nice illustrations of Basel, Nuremberg, Frankfurt, Rheinhausen and Vienna it also shows an interesting map of the postal routes of the Thurn and Taxis Post in 1627, which includes many big cities like Brussels, Hamburg, Innsbruck, Prague and Zurich and also my home town. I think it is very interesting to see on various EUROPA stamps of this year the (postal) connections between different countries on the continent.

Thank You very much for the card Anita!

Austria: Vienna Museum

Last Saturday I got a postcard from Austria.

As history student I really like postcards about history. While for some themes I already got quite many cards, others are a real surprise to get. One of the latter cards for sure was this card about the Second Siege of Vienna by Ottoman forces in 1683. Shown on the card is an Ottoman map of the siege, which is today housed in the Vienna Museum. The Vienna Museum is a group of museums in Vienna consisting of the museums of the history of the city. Back in 2014, when I visited Vienna, I was in the main building in Karlsplatz, but unfortunately did not buy a postcard, so this card is actually even more interesting.

A souvenir sheet about Historic Mail Vehicles (issued 25-08-2016) was used on this card. It got thematic special postmark with a posthorn.

Thank You very much Anita!

Covid-19 Stamps from the Isle of Man

Last Friday I got my stamp order from the Isle of Man.

The only stamp set I ordered was the recent issue about Covid-19 called Carry Us Through (issued 04-05-2020). The stamps show different aspects of human life which will help us through the current situation such as Love, Work, Community and Compassion. My three favourites are Care, Words and Science. Very interesting and unfortunately hard to see on a scan is that you can actually read the message on the Words stamp, it is a greetings card written by a woman called Lucy to her mum. The Isle of Man was the second European country and the fourth in the World to issue stamps about Covid-19. Although I think it would be quite interesting, I am still not sure if I want to start a new thematic collection about these. On Sunday I also posted about Collecting Corona on my history blog.

Germany: Martin Luther

Last Thursday I got two postcards from Germany.

Back in 2017 I created a small collection of stamps, cards and special postmarks about the Lutheran Reformation and still today I am happy when there is a new postmark from time to time. The latest one was used in Erfurt in April to celebrate the introduction of the Reformation to the city in 1520. Luckily while cleaning I recently found the perfect postcard for the postmark. I got it in 2017 and back then planned to turn it into a maxicard. The stamp (issued 13-04-2017) on the front side I had already affixed, but I never used it. Very nice now for this postmark is that the card actually shows the same portrait of Luther. On my history blog you can see more things from this little collection.

On the backside you can see that this card is an ad-card for an exhibition in Wittenberg. An additional stamp on the back side had to be used, as a stamp on the side which does not bear the address is not regarded as postage in Germany.

The second card shows also Luther. I bought it in Wolfenbüttel before I would knew that I find the perfect card.

On this card I used a special version of the Luther stamp. It is from a booklet which also includes Germany's EUROPA stamp of 2017 showing the Wartburg Castle (issued 11-05-2017).

covers from Germany

Last Tuesday I got two covers from Germany.

Stamps:

Winter Aconite (issued 08-06-2017)

EUROPA (issued 11-05-2017)

with a special postmark about the Centenary of the Formation of Thuringia

Stamps:
Winter Aconite (issued 08-06-2017)
Tagetes (issued 07-07-2005)
Zinnia (issued 02-04-2020)
with two different special postmarks about the State Horticultural Exhibition in Kamp-Lintfort

Austria: Postcrossing Meet-up in Hirtenberg

Last Saturday I got three postcards from Austria.

Like I already said here, Postcrossing Meet-ups are currently cancelled or postponed. The third card of last Saturday is about one of these cancelled meet-ups, which was planned to take place during the Hibria Stamp Exhibition in Hirtenberg on 18th April.

Designed for this meet-up was also a special postmark. Although the meet-up was cancelled, the postmark was still available from the special postmarking centre in Vienna and was used together with a matching personalised stamp on this card. Interesting is also the seal with "Abgesagt wegen Corona Virus" (Cancelled due to Covid-19). Furthermore two new definitives were used on the card, the Lake Constance Radhaube (10ct) and the Astrakhan fur hat from the Seewinkel (5ct). I guess I will see these more often from now on.

Thank You very much Anita!

Austria: 2020 Reloaded

Last Saturday I got three postcards from Austria.

While more and more countries start to issue stamps about Covid-19, it is no wonder that also many postcards surfaced already, as they are usually easier printed and designed than stamps. One of the first thematic cards from Germany I saw was 2020 Reloaded by the Papersisters. The original card for 2020 highlighted events like the EXPO in Dubai, the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, the Year of the Rat or the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, but it came different. Just look at the card to see how most people probably will remember this year.

Just as I teased yesterday, this card is sent with more new definitives from the new series about accessories and ornaments of traditional costumes (issued 01-04-2020). In total sixteen stamps were issued of which seven were used on this card. These stamps show a leather bag from Salzburg (100ct), patterned socks from the Enns Valley (180ct), laced boots from the Gail Valley (135ct), a hat with Gamsradl ornament from the Aussee Region (85ct), a Federkiel quill embroidery from East Tyrol (175ct), again the Astrakhan fur hat from the Seewinkel (5ct) and a Lake Constance Radhaube (10ct). Three other stamps for 85ct, one other each for 100ct and 15ct, one each for 210ct and 430ct and two for 275ct were also issued. This is already the second definitive series about traditional costumes, a first one was already issued in the 1930s and 1940s. The First Day Special Postmark also shows the hat with Gamsradl ornament from the Aussee Region.

Thank You very much Anita!

Austria: Artemis of Ephesus

Last Saturday I got three postcards from Austria.

For the first card I would like to show the nice stamp first. It was issued on 17th April 2020 and commemorates the 125th anniversary of Austrian Excavations in Ephesus. Ephesus in modern-day Turkey was one of the most important cities of the ancient World. First a Greek city, it became part of the Roman Empire in 129 BC and was made the capital of the Roman Province of Asia by Emperor Augustus in 27 BC. The most striking buildings surviving until today are the theatre and the Library of Celsus, the most famous building of all of Ephesus however was the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Later Ephesus was also an important centre for Early Christianity and is associated with the Apostles John and Paul and maybe even the Virgin Mary. The start for excavations however was the search for the Temple of Artemis by an English engineer in 1863. In 1895 the Austrians took over and revealed much of the ancient city. This also led to the creation of the Austrian Archaeological Institute three years later. The stamp, which shows a statue of Artemis from the temple, also got a First Day Special Postmark.

The card also shows the same statue of Artemis, which today can be seen in a museum in Ephesus.

Also used on the card was one of the new Austrian definitive stamps showing accessories and ornaments of traditional costumes (issued 01-04-2020). This stamp shows a Astrakhan fur hat from the Seewinkel. Check the next post to see more of them.

Thank You very much Anita!

Austria: Traditional Costumes of the Wachau

Last Thursday I got a postcard from Austria.

It shows a family wearing the traditional costumes of the Wachau. The Wachau is a valley of the Danube in the Austrian State of Lower Austria. It is known for its picturesque landscape and towns, ancient monasteries, castles, ruins and its high-quality wine. The traditional costume of the women dates back to the Biedermeier period. The dirndl is made with precious blueprint, but the most striking feature is the golden cap. The costume for the men is made from hardwearing fabrics, which is ideal for the wine-making. Since 2000 is the Wachau Cultural Landscape on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The card was sent with a matching stamp (issued 03-04-2020) and its First Day Special Postmark. A second stamp, a lovely definitive showing a herbarized lady's slipper (issued 15-01-2008), was also used.

Thank You very much Anita!

Covid-19 Cover from Vietnam

Last Thursday I got not only a postcard but also a cover from Vietnam.

With great stamps:

Fight against Covid-19 (whole set) (issued 31-03-2020)

with First Day Special Postmarks

In recent weeks more and more countries issued or announced stamps about the current Covid-19 crisis. One of the first countries to do so was Vietnam. Luckily I now already have these in my collection. The cover included beside the two stamps in mint condition also two maxicards with the stamps.

Thank You very much Phan!

cover from Germany

Last Tuesday I got a cover from Germany.

Stamps:

Bluebells (issued 08-06-2017)

Cornflower (issued 01-07-2019)

with a special postmark about Apollo 13 and the famous "Houston, we have a problem"

Germany: Online Postcrossing Meet-up

Last Monday I got three cards: two from Germany and one from Japan.

This is the second card from Germany. While Postcrossing Meet-ups like all other bigger events had to be cancelled or postponed, the German postcrossers decided to hold a #stayathome online meet-up via the Facebook Messenger. Happy to share with you one of the two cards for this special meet-up.

Before the meet-up the participants exchanged their seals so that they could be printed directly to the card.
Used for the postage was a stamp about the Council of Constance (issued 03-07-2014). Back when it issued it could be used to send a regular letter within Germany, but since last year the face value is only enough for a national postcard.

Thank You very much Svenja!

Germany: Dionysus Mosaic in Cologne

Last Monday I got three cards: two from Germany and one from Japan.

One of the cards from Germany shows a wonderful Roman mosaic from Cologne. Cologne, back then known as Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, was one of the most important Roman cities in modern day Germany. It was the capital of Germania Inferior and later Germania Secunda. The shown mosaic was once part of a Roman villa, which was discovered in 1941. As the mosaic could not be moved easily, the Romano-Germanic Museum was designed around it. The museum, which was opened in 1974, also shows other remains from the Roman period including an important glass collection and parts of Constantine the Great's bridge over the Rhine. Currently it is closed for renovation, but parts of the collection can be seen at a different location. This is really a museum I hope to visit one day!

Stamps:
Cuckooflower (issued 18-12-2018)
Emoji (issued 04-04-2019)

Thank You very much Marcel!

Japan: Magome-juku

Last Monday I got three cards: one from Japan and two from Germany.

The card from Japan shows Magome-juku. Magome-juku was one of the sixty-nine stations of the Nakasendō, an ancient road that connected Kyoto and Edo during the Edo period. As a post town it was relatively prosperous and cosmopolitan, but fell into obscurity and poverty after the completion of the railway. Since then it has been restored to its appearance in the Edo period and is now a popular tourist destination. A quiet portion of the original highway towards Tsumago-juku, the next post town, has also been preserved.

The card was sent with a nice stamp about a new major Japanese museum, the National Ainu Museum in Shiraoi on Hokkaido. It is dedicated to the Ainu people, the indigenous people Hokkaido and other regions in Japan and Russia, and its mission is to promote a proper understanding and awareness of Ainu history and culture in Japan. The stamp was issued on 21st April 2010. Actually also the museum was supposed to open in April, but due to Covid-19 the opening was moved to May. In total ten different stamps were issued.

Thank You very much Keiko!