Israel and World War I

On Monday I got my stamp order from Israel.

One FDC I ordered is about the World War I Centenary (issued 21-06-2016).

At the beginning of World War I the territory of Israel was a part of the Ottoman Empire, but in late 1917 the British Army had occupied a part of Southern Syria, which later became a British Mandate. According to the Balfour Declaration the British government supported the establishment of a home for the Jewish people in Palestine and many Jews escaping the post-revolutionary Russia arrived in Palestine afterwards.

Another stamp I ordered is about the Centenary of Nili (issued 08-12-2015).

Nili was a Jewish espionage network active during World War I, which assisted the United Kingdom in its fight against the Ottoman Empire in Palestine. It was founded in 1915 and was unraveled in 1917.

Philippines: Paoay Church

On Saturday I got four postcards: one from the Philippines, one from France, one from Germany and one from Canada.

The card from the Philippines shows the Paoay Church. The Paoay Church is a Roman Catholic church. It was built between 1694 and 1710 in a combination of Baroque and Javanese architecture. As one of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines it is since 1993 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stamps:
Year of the Rooster (whole set) (issued 16-12-2016)

Thank You very much Mitch!

Canada: Canadian National Vimy Memorial

On Saturday I got four postcards: one from Canada, one from the Philippines, one from France and one from Germany.

The card from Canada shows the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is a memorial site in France dedicated to the memory of Canadian Expeditionary Force members killed during World War I. King Edward VIII unveiled the memorial in 1936. It is located at the battleground of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and is one of just two National Historic Sites of Canada outside of Canada.

As British Dominion Canada's involvement in World War I started when the United Kingdom declared war against the German Empire on 4th August 1914. One day later also Canada's Governor General declared war and soon an independent Canadian Expeditionary Force was raised. Canada's sacrifices and contributions to the Great War changed its history and enabled it to become more independent, while opening a deep rift between the French and English speaking populations. 

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was fought in 1917 between the German Empire and the British Empire and is a part of the Battle of Arras. It was the first battle in which the four divisions of Canadian Expeditionary Force fought together. It ended with a victory of the British Empire. 

Stamp:
Baby Wildlife (from set of five) (issued 31-03-2014)

Thank You very much Marcie!

Germany: Baden-Württemberg from Papersisters

On Saturday I got four postcards: one from Germany, one from Canada, one from the Philippines and one from France.

The card from Germany is Papersisters' German Landmark postcard of Baden-Württemberg. Baden-Württemberg is one of the States of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is located in Southern Germany and borders on Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Bavaria, Switzerland and France. The modern state of Baden-Württemberg was created in 1952, when the three former states of Württemberg-Hohenzollern, Baden and Württemberg-Baden were merged. By area and population it is the third largest State of Germany. Stuttgart is the capital and largest city. Other big cities are Mannheim, Karlsruhe, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Heilbronn, Ulm, Pforzheim and Reutlingen. 

Among others the card shows Maulbronn Monastery, the Pfahlbaumuseum in Unteruhldingen, Hohenzollern Castle and the Ulm Minster.

With matching stamps:
50 years Baden-Württemberg (issued 04-04-2002)
Monastic Island of Reichenau (issued 02-01-2008)
Ludwigsburg Palace (issued 09-02-2017)
with a special postmark from Ludwigsburg

Recently I was also able to buy a maxicard of the Ludwigsburg Palace for my collection.

The Ludwigburg Palace was built between 1704 and 1733 at the behest of Duke Eberhard Ludwig of Württemberg. It is one of the Germany's largest Baroque palaces and around the palace Baroque model city of Ludwigsburg was built. Between 1730 and 1800 the royal residence of Württemberg changed several times between Ludwigsburg and Stuttgart. Today the Ludwigsburg Palace houses the Baroque Gallery, the Porcelain Museum and the Baroque Fashion Museum.

France: Le Tréport

On Saturday I got four postcards: one from France, one from Germany, one from Canada and one from the Philippines.

The card from France shows various views of Le Tréport.

Stamps:
Marianne 0,10€
350 years French Academy in Rome (issued 30-11-2016)
It is a joint issue with Italy.

Thank You very much William!

cover from Germany

On Saturday I got not only four postcards but also a prepaid envelope about the 175th birthday of Karl May.

Karl May was born in 1842. He was a German author and is especially known for his adventure novels set in Mexico, the Middle East and the USA. Many of his books were adapted for movie and stage and he is said to be one of the most-translated and best-selling German authors of all time. Karl May died in Radebeul in 1912.

Brunei: Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque

On Thursday I got three postcards: one from Brunei, one from France and one from Germany.

The card from Brunei shows the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan. The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is the largest mosque in Brunei and is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the Asia Pacific. It is influenced by Islamic and Italian styles and was finished in 1958. Nearly all the material used for the building were imported from abroad. Its main dome is covered in pure gold. The mosque dominates the skyline of Brunei's capital and has become a major tourist attraction.

Stamps:
Definitive (from set of twelve) (issued 09-10-1996)
Definitive (from set of twelve) (issued 23-02-2007)

Thank You very much Matthew!

Germany: History of Regensburg

On Thursday I got three postcards: one from Germany, one from Brunei and one from France.

The card from Germany is the Chronicle card of Regensburg. Regensburg was first mentioned in 179 and in 739 it became a bishop's see. The 12th and the 13th century saw a heyday of trade and culture. In 1245 Regensburg became a Free Imperial City and in 1542 it adopted the Lutheran Reformation. From 1663 to 1806 the city was the permanent seat of the Imperial Diet of the Holy Roman Empire, which became known as the Perpetual Diet of Regensburg. In 1810 the city became a part of Bavaria. Today is Regensburg the fourth largest city of Bavaria and is also the capital of Upper Palatinate. The Old Town of Regensburg contains many buildings of exceptional quality that testify to its history as a trading centre and thus it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2006.

The Old Town Hall of Regensburg (lower picture) was the site of the Perpetual Diet of Regensburg. Today it is the seat of Regensburg's mayor and also houses a museum about the Perpetual Diet and the Holy Roman Empire.

Stamp:
Saxon Switzerland (issued 02-06-2016)

Thank You very much Nicy!

France: Côte d'Opale

On Thursday I got three postcards: one from France, one from Germany and one from Brunei.

The card from France shows various views of the Côte d'Opale.

Stamp:
100th birthday of Léo Ferré (issued 12-09-2016)

Thank You very much William!

Norfolk Island: Kingston

On Tuesday I got three postcards: my first card from Norfolk Island, one from New Zealand and one from South Korea.

Norfolk Island is an island in the Pacific Ocean. It is one of Australia's external territories. In 1979 the island was granted limited self-government by Australia, but in 2015 the autonomy was reduced again. 

The card shows the Kingston. Kingston is the capital of Norfolk Island. It was founded in 1788 as second oldest town in Australia and was used as convict settlement until 1855. As one of the Australian Convict Sites is the Kingston and Arthurs Vale Historic Area since 2010 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The card is prepaid and another stamp was added:
Fish of the Reef (from set of eight) (issued 21-06-2010)

Thank You very much Norma!

South Korea: Korean Cuisine

On Tuesday I got three postcards: one from South Korea, my first card from Norfolk Island and one from New Zealand.

The card from South Korea shows Bajirak Kalguksu, a popular Korean noodle dish. The Korean Cuisine is largely based on rice, vegetables and meats. It evolved over centuries through a complex interaction of the natural environment and different cultural trends.

With great stamps:
Year of the Tiger (issued 01-12-2009)
Year of the Dragon (issued 01-12-2011)
Both stamps glow in the dark.

Thank You very much Jiwon!

New Zealand: Carter Observatory in Wellington

On Tuesday I got three postcards: one from New Zealand, one from South Korea and my first card from Norfolk Island.

The card from New Zealand shows the Carter Observatory in Wellington. The Carter Observatory was built between 1937 and 1941. It was a base for the astronomical research in New Zealand and became the country's National Observatory in 1977. Today it is used by the Wellington Museum Trust to educate the public about the space.

With nice stamps:
Performing Arts (from set of six) (issued 14-01-1998)
Southern Lights (from set of six) (issued 08-02-2017)

Thank You very much Sharon!

Germany: Saint Andrew's Church and the Luther Memorial in Eisleben

On Monday I got four postcards from Germany.

One of them shows the Saint Andrew's Church and the Luther Memorial in Eisleben. Martin Luther was born in Eisleben in 1483 and also died there in 1546. The Saint Andrew's Church is a late Gothic hall church. In 1546 Martin Luther gave his last four sermons in the church. It seeks for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Luther Memorial was erected in 1883. 

To commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation a group of Postcrossers organises a series of Meet-ups at important places in Martin Luther's life. The first of four was held last week in Eisleben.

The card was signed during the Meet-up.
Stamp:
Saxon Switzerland (issued 02-06-2016)

Thank You very much Thomas!

Germany: Ruins of Hersfeld Abbey

On Monday I got four postcards from Germany.

One of them shows the church ruins of Hersfeld Abbey. Hersfeld Abbey was an important Benedictine imperial abbey founded in the 8th century. In 1523 Martin Luther gave a sermon at the abbey. The abbey church was one of the largest Romasque churches north of the Alps, but was destroyed during the Seven Years' War. Today it is the largest Romanesque church ruin in the World.

Stamp:
Dresden (from set of two) (issued 03-04-2014)

Thank You very much Jennifer!

Germany: Theodor Fontane Memorial in Neuruppin

On Monday I got four postcards from Germany.

One of them shows the Theodor Fontane Memorial in Neuruppin. Neuruppin is a town in the German State of Brandenburg. After a devastating fire in 1787 the town was rebuilt in the Neoclassical style. It is known as the most Prussian of all Prussian towns. In 1819 the famous German novelist Theodor Fontane was born in Neuruppin and in 1907 the Theodor Fontane Memorial was unveiled.

Unfortunately the stamp got lost.

Thank You very much Jule!