Turul bird issue with a Szigetvรกr hand stamp cancellation (1/24/1900)๐ญ๐บ Hungary, 30f | Issued January 1, 1900 | SG 75 Okay, letโs get right to it. Did this particular stamp single-handedly save Western civilization? Absolutely not. โฆ Probably. But it was canceled at a spot that did. At least, according to the villain of The... Continue Reading →
Celebrating โMoby-Dick Day 2023โ 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 downtownโguiding locals and visitors who want to take in the sights and sounds while learning about our cityโs rich literary history. In that role, I help... Continue Reading →
Whatโs 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. Thatโs two and a half times as many live Christmas trees as are sold each year (25โ30 million)! Poinsettias help people the world over celebrate the holiday season. But a... Continue Reading →
Portrait of Sรกndor Petลfi by รgost Egervรกry Potemkin, date unknown (SOURCE) โFreedom 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.โ โSรกndor Petลfi Two centuries ago, a baby boy born ten miles from the Danube would begin... Continue Reading →
โWeymouth Bayโ by John Constable, 1816, Courtesy Victoria and Albert Museum, London. The dark skies were inspired by the โYear without Summerโ. If youโre familiar with the Butterfly Effect, youโve 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 ๐บ๐ธ United States, 47ยข | Issued May 31, 2016 | Scott 5071 Many โfirstsโ 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 ๐บ๐ธ United States, 18ยข | 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 ๐ฆ๐บ 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 UKโs George V died in January after years of declining health. The nation and its dominions... Continue Reading →
Signed FDC for International Geophysical Year issue ๐บ๐ธ United States, 3ยข | Issued May 31, 1958 | Scott 1107 One of my central topical philatelic interests is the International Geophysical Year. Iโm 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 โholidaysโ 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 →
Armchair Philately 