Millenary of the birth of Saint Stephen, first king of Hungary🇭🇺 Hungary, 3Ft | Scott #2033 | Issued August 19, 1970 There are those in our hobby who believe that stamp collectors merely accumulate and organize old postage stamps, whereas philatelists use stamps to better understand global history and cultures. Assuming that distinction has any... Continue Reading →
What is your hometown’s claim to fame? Most of us could name at least a couple interesting things about our towns: City of Brotherly Love, largest ball of twine, highest point in the state, sister city to Edinburgh, Scotland, the only town in the country named “Earth”, etc. Everywhere has a couple monikers and at... Continue Reading →
Small cover sent from Hungary to U.S.; canceled in Vásárosnamény June 16, 1912; received in the U.S. on June 28, 1912🇭🇺 Hungary, 10f | Issued 1908–1913 Earlier this year, I purchased a small cover sent from Hungary with the express purpose of researching its postage due markings. At the time, I took little note of... Continue Reading →
Every year since 2017, my sister and I have taken a “sister trip” to one of America’s beautiful national parks. This spring, we visited a park in the Southeast that I’m sure many have never heard of, let alone visited: Congaree National Park. Located right outside of Columbia, South Carolina, it’s hard to imagine a... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Armchair Philately 