Celebrating “Moby-Dick Day 2023” with homemade clam chowder | Promotional logo for Moby-Dick Marathon 2024 Here in Asheville, one of my avocations is leading a literary walking tour of downtown—guiding locals and visitors who want to take in the sights and sounds while learning about our city’s rich literary history. In that role, I help... Continue Reading →
What’s red and green and cherished all over? Every year, Americans purchase approximately 70 million poinsettia plants within a six-week period leading up to Christmas. That’s two and a half times as many live Christmas trees as are sold each year (25–30 million)! Poinsettias help people the world over celebrate the holiday season. But a... Continue Reading →
Portrait of Sándor Petőfi by Ágost Egerváry Potemkin, date unknown (SOURCE) “Freedom and love my creed! These are the two I need. For love I'll freely sacrifice My earthly spell, For freedom, I will sacrifice My love as well.” ―Sándor Petőfi Two centuries ago, a baby boy born ten miles from the Danube would begin... Continue Reading →
“Weymouth Bay” by John Constable, 1816, Courtesy Victoria and Albert Museum, London. The dark skies were inspired by the “Year without Summer”. If you’re familiar with the Butterfly Effect, you’ve heard the metaphor that when a butterfly flaps its wings, it could ultimately cause a tornado on the other side of the earth. The merits... Continue Reading →
Views of Our Planets: Earth 🇺🇸 United States, 47¢ | Issued May 31, 2016 | Scott 5071 Many “firsts” in postal history are well known. The first postage stamp was the Penny Black. The first postmaster general of the fledgling United States was Benjamin Franklin. The first Christmas stamps were issued by Hungary. But who... Continue Reading →
Biltmore House by Richard Morris Hunt 🇺🇸 United States, 18¢ | Issued August 28, 1981 | Scott 1929 We all know that postage stamps were invented as proof of postage paid. But philatelists understand that stamps have a greater value: They are an incredible conduit for travel across space and time! Long before the wonders... Continue Reading →
Australia/Tasmania Telephone Link 🇦🇺 Australia, 2d | Issued April 1, 1936 | Brusden-White AU 169A 1936 was an astoundingly eventful year around the globe, just as nearly every year was in the first half of the 20th century. The UK’s George V died in January after years of declining health. The nation and its dominions... Continue Reading →
Signed FDC for International Geophysical Year issue 🇺🇸 United States, 3¢ | Issued May 31, 1958 | Scott 1107 One of my central topical philatelic interests is the International Geophysical Year. I’m fascinated by these nascent days of space science and global cooperation. The IGY also marks a period when the last few empty spots... Continue Reading →
If you wanted to, you could celebrate a new holiday every day. In addition to regular government and church holidays, there are an assortment of lesser “holidays” throughout the year. There are industry holidays (e.g., Employee Appreciation Day, March 3). There are days celebrating causes (World Wetlands Day, February 2; Cancer Survivors Day, June 3).... Continue Reading →
Season 2, Episode 6, “The Botched Language of Cranes” Close your eyes. Wait, can you still read this? Open them! Open your eyes. Alright, don’t close your eyes. But before you read any farther, take a pause and name the top female TV fashion icons of the ‘90s. You probably remember “the Rachel,” the hairstyle... Continue Reading →
Armchair Philately 