Post # 882

Post # 882

Yes,  after 11 years I've decided to number these updates. It's been over a week since I was last here, it's really just a case of the scarcity of postcards. I have a few for today though , so here we go.

My first card for this time is a great view of Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica , the French island in the Mediterranean. None other than Napoleon himself was born here in 1769. The city is a great stop for cruise ships as can be seen on Dominique's card. With a little luck My Lovely Tina and I might just make it there on a cruise sometime.

Dominique used a stamp from 2015 commemorating the 350th Anniversary of the Saint-Gobain Corporation.

Today's second card is from Belgium and is a look at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Tournai.  It dates from the 12th century and was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2000.

Gerda used a couple of fine stamps on this card. The 2 stamps on the left are both from 1985. The top one commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the Belgian Association of Professional Journalists. The bottom one celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Ernest Claes. The stamp on the right was issued in 2016, 1 of 5 in a mini-sheet of 5 different stamps showing views of Belgium from above.

Next is a little pin-up card that arrived from Chris who lives in Isen, near Munich, Germany.

Chris used on e of the long ongoing Flower definitives , as well as a stamp from 2018, commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the North German Postal District.

Here's a card that is a bit of a mystery. It's from Van, a member of the U.S.Military in Kuwait. The card shows the Kuwait Towers, a set of three towers in Kuwait City. They were officially inaugurated in March 1979.

Van wrote that the card was sent through the US Military Mail System, hence the Military Post Office cancel. Interestingly the card has a Free frank along with a current US stamp. I guess there's a story here but I don't know it. Van , if you're reading this - you can leave a comment with a little explanation, if you want.

Madonna is the focus of my next card that arrived from Cologne, Germany. This nude of Madonna is one of the pictures in Martin HM Schreiber's 1979 book called " Madonna : Nudes + " .

Lisa used 2 stamps on this one. On the left , from 2016, is a stamp showing Saxon Switzerland National Park. On the right, from 2017, is a stamp commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Heinz Sielmann.

Just two cards left. Time for one from Austria. On it we see Hofburg Imperial Palace. It's the former palace of the Hapsburg dynasty rulers. Today it's the official residence and workplace of the President of Austria. The palace was built in 1279.

This is a pre-stamped postcard from 1998. The pre-stamp is on the right. In addition Elisabeth used a semi-postal Train stamp from 2013.

Last card time. This one arrived from Rudvesi, Finland. It's The Lumberjack Pin Up by Finnish artist Anna Hayrynen.

Now I don't know why, but when I received this card in my mail, I immediately thought of the Canadian folk song - The Log Driver's Waltz, by Wade Hemsworth. Even more so I thought about the animated short film of the same name from the National Film Board of Canada. In the film, the Log Driver's Waltz is sung by Kate & Anna McGarrigle. You can find it on You Tube, it's worth the effort. Actually here it is - I hope this works. Enjoy !

Oh yes there were 2 stamps on this card. Here they are, thanks to Salla.

Well that's all for this time. Thanks for cards going out to Dominique, Gerda, Chris, Van, Lisa, Elisabeth and Salla.
Take care now and hope you enjoyed the little video above.

Gem's World Postcards Anniversary

Hello to all my readers - however many of you are out there. Today  November 13, 2018 marks the 11th Anniversary of Gem's World Postcards online.
Today is the 881st post on this blog. On blog # 1 I introduced a card from Botswana showing the Okavango River and a single stamp showing a Bushpig. Botswana was the 157th country that I had received a postcard from.
It's been a fun ride and it's not over yet. I've received a lot of cards and stamps since November 2007 and learned a lot of stuff about them and the world.Many thanks to all the readers of Gem's World Postcards and to everyone who has sent postcards since the beginning. Let's face it, without the postcards , there would be no blog.
Once again- Big thanks. Take care and be sure to check out year # 12. Hopefully bigger and better.

More November Cards

Hey there , it's time for a few more cards- it's been over a week, so let's get right to it. My cards today come from Zimbabwe, Czech Republic, France, Germany and Japan, and I'll do them in that order.
Zimbabwe - This card shows a lot - Victoria Falls, Matobo Hills, rock paintings, huts and elephants.

Bruce used a Bird stamp from 2005. It's from a set of 4.

Even though this stamp received a circular postmark / cancellation someone in their infinite wisdom thought they needed to pen cancel it also.  Now I can add Zimbabwe to the list where The Great Stamp Defacer lurks.



Czech Republic - It's a square , black & white card from the Czech Republic. It's a look at the main building of the National Museum. It was founded in 1818. In July of 2011 it was closed for major renovations. It was due to reopen this past October. I don't know if it did or not , perhaps some reader knows and will leave a comment as to whether it's open or still closed.

Vojta used 2 stamps . On the left is a Flower stamp from 2008 and on the right, from 2016 - a stamp commemorating the 70th Anniversary of UNESCO. 

France - Strasbourg, a city in France and the seat of the European Parliament. Doiminique's card shows the European Quarter of the city. The card gives us a look at the Council of Europe Building, the European Parliament Building and the European Council of Human Rights.

 A commemorative from 2015 arrived on this card. It celebrates the 350th Anniversary of the Saint-Gobain Corporation.

Germany - Munich's Olympic Park is featured on this next card. The park was built for the 1972 Summer Olympics. Some of the facilities are still in use today - the ice rink, swimming arena, a concert hall and the main stadium.

This is a timely card arriving here in Canada at this time. The city of Calgary, just down the road 15 km, is one of three remaining cities in consideration for hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics. The other two are Stockholm, Sweden and Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. There might only be two after tomorrow. Calgary is holding a plebiscite tomorrow, 13 November to determine whether Calgarians actually want to host the games, considering the huge costs these days.  Like Munich Calgary has some venues from the 1988 Games that could still be used in 2026 - The Olympic Saddledome, the Olympic Oval, the Ski Jumping center and the Bobsleigh & Luge Track. All are still in use after 30 years.

Carolin used the 2 stamp 2018 Tourism st on this card. It showcases Germany's Most Beautiful Panoramas.

Japan - The final card for this time. A nice picture of a B747 flying across The Moon.

Emi used a selection of stamps on the card.

There it is , another update complete. Thanks for cards today go out to Bruce, Vojta, Dominique, Carolin and Emi. Drop by again soon. Take care.

November Is Now

Good day to all - well Hallowe'en is over, October is gone, it's now November but please don't start the countdown to Christmas just yet. I know it's coming on fast but we don't need reminders . So it's on to postcards.
Now I  have a few cards to end the week, so here they are.

Let's start with a card showing some of the sights of Bechyne, Czech Rep. The town's population is just over 5,200. The Bechyne Bridge , in the upper left corner, was opened in 1928.

Marie used 2016 stamp , 1 of 2 , showing World Heritage Sites. The other stamps, Flower definitives, date from 2010.

Keep Calm and Fly A Balloon. Sounds like a good plan. I have had the great pleasure of having a ride in a balloon. It's money well spent.
This card is the first card sent out by a new Postcrosser named Nicole from Tulsa, USA. It was my honor to receive it.

Nicole used 3 of 5 in the recent The  Art of the Magic set.

Look closely now at those three stamps. See the black mark all through them. The Great Stamp Defacer has struck again. What's even more upsetting with this one is the fact that the stamps actually received a cancellation , so there was need for the vile Stamp Defacer to even make an appearance. So there!


An aerial view of Sanibel Island, Florida is the focus of my next card. You can see the historic lighthouse, I think in the lower right,which was first put into use in 1884. In the upper portion of the picture is the causeway, looks like a series of bridges to me , leading from the mainland to Sanibel, located on Florida's west coast.

Barry used 3 Forever Stamps on his card. A Love stamp from 2018, a Basketball stamp from 2017 and one of the Art of Magic stamp from 2018.

This next card , from Paris, shows a great picture. The photo was taken 118 years ago in 1900. It was during the World Fair of 1900. The Eiffel Tower in all its glory.

A little difference from today, I might add. But the tower was and is still impressive.
Jean Pierre used a large Mickey Mouse stamp from this current year. It commemorates 90 years since the first appearance of Mickey in November 1928.

Here's the next postcard. It arrived from Germany.

Audience participation needed here. Just what's going on here ? Let's have some fun with this one . Please leave a comment with your idea of what's happening. I'm looking forward to the replies.

Ann used a Flower definitive and a Greeting Stamp, 1 of 2 in the set.

Next is a sailing card from Varkaus, Finland. The town of around 22,000 is an old paper mill town. I can identify with that. Due to the decline of newspapers and people reading them, the city has lost over 4,000 people since 1980.

Eija used a 2017 Moomin stamp from the Moomins Time Travel set of 5.

I know I'll be leaving myself open to possibly a lot of flak from all the Moomin lovers out there, but I have to say , Moomin stamps are not my favourite stamps by a long shot. There I've said it , got that off my chest.

That's it for this time. Thanks for cards today do out to Marie, Nicole, Barry, Jean Pierre, Anne, and Eija. Don't forget now, I'm open all day for comments. Take care.