What is your hometownโs 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 โEarthโ, 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, theyโre franked by a simple flag stamp. Where are all the spooky, Halloween-themed stamps? Letโs 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! Wouldnโt any happy couple appreciate a small... Continue Reading →
Closeup of the sunโs 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.ย I wonโt be as close to the path of totality... Continue Reading →
Small cover sent from Hungary to U.S., canceled June 16, 1912๐ญ๐บ Hungary, 10f | Issued 1908โ1913 When you begin studying philately, youโll find easily accessible resources and great glossaries explaining the many ins and outs of the hobby. But every so often, youโll come across something thatโs more difficult to find an easy answer for.... 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 →
Armchair Philately 