Recently, I enjoyed Alan and Diane Bauer’s philatelic presentation, “Taking Up the Gauntlet - Exploring Castles & Palaces of Eastern Europe” for the American Topical Association. Their presentation inspired me to look more closely for castles among the stamps of my Hungary collection. In the background for the stamp below, I discovered a modern castle... 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 →
As a lover of fall vibes, monster movies, and all things spooky, it makes my little black heart happy to receive Halloween cards in the mail. But more often than not, they’re franked by a simple flag stamp. Where are all the spooky, Halloween-themed stamps? Let’s take a quick look at the numbers. And then,... Continue Reading →
One of my lovely coworkers got married this month. And like any good stamp collector, I gifted her something that every newly married couple should have, but few ever receive: thank you stamps. So many wedding gifts were received! So many thank you notes to write in return! Wouldn’t any happy couple appreciate a small... Continue Reading →
Closeup of the sun’s corona, taken during the April 20, 2023 total solar eclipse from Exmouth, Australia. Photo by Phil Hart. America is once again rampant with eclipse fever! The April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse will be drawing millions of eyes toward the sky. I won’t be as close to the path of totality... Continue Reading →
Small cover sent from Hungary to U.S., canceled June 16, 1912🇭🇺 Hungary, 10f | Issued 1908–1913 When you begin studying philately, you’ll find easily accessible resources and great glossaries explaining the many ins and outs of the hobby. But every so often, you’ll come across something that’s more difficult to find an easy answer for.... 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 →
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 →
Armchair Philately 