Old Fashioned Pen Pal

[blackbird_9]

Does anyone know how to go about finding one of these?
I felt inspired by this post in Gen Lit http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?70125-Writing-in-the-18th-Century
I want a good old fashioned pen pal, handwritten letters and all.
I know there's a few websites out there, but some of them are only online/ email communication. Also want to know the website I'm signing up with is safe (seeing as I'd give out my address and all...) Any suggestions? Anyone on here interested?

I've always felt the art of letter writing was wonderful, but is lost in the web-world. With phones and email, instant gratification communication means less thought, time, and value goes into how we say what we want to say. I try to imagine writing a letter to someone way back when. You just have paper and ink to communicate so it better be good, you know?

[cafolini]

I think the technology has made all forms of communication better. I don't buy the idea that the obsolete will liberate anyone from any burden.

[tonywalt]

Birding is where it's at now.

[Bleeding Pawn]

Nowadays people want quick solution to everything, they want feedback at the click of the button. Life is so easy that many have grown impatient of their very own existence. I know back then when Pen Pal communication was overwhelming and worthwhile.The joy of waiting eagerly for the reply, the the letter would tell many things about the unseen friend, their habits , their emotions, the smell of letter, even the writing had a pretty nostalgic effect of the recipient that knew no bounds. It was like magic, seeing the unseen, feeling something and someone who were miles and miles away and getting the feeling that they were close to them whether in times of distress.
Actually i have never experienced the joy of having Pen Pal, but just expressing what i have missed.

[hannah_arendt]

About few years ago I changed letters with few people. Now I do it only with one person. Unfortunately, writting letters nowadays seems to be a freak, something very strange.

[Bleeding Pawn]

It seems those were the good old days. Can`t change anything.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Birding is where it's at now.

Agreed, along with trees and grass (as in observing grass not inhaling it)


It seems those were the good old days. Can`t change anything.

One sister had a pen pal in Japan when I was younger, it was during the height of my interest in stamp collecting.
It was a thrill to see the return envelope from Japan knowing she would let me have the stamp.
It titillated my philately.

[JBI]

People should just write better emails.

[Bleeding Pawn]

One sister had a pen pal in Japan when I was younger, it was during the height of my interest in stamp collecting.
It was a thrill to see the return envelope from Japan knowing she would let me have the stamp.
It titillated my philately.


I remember that i always used to wait in anticipation for the posts coming from far away places, not that it was meant for me but for many of my companions who would sometimes pass me the envelope when they were done reading. I did not very much care about the stamps ( compared to my companions who were, to my perspective at that time, professional stamp collectors) but more than from where they had arrived , the culture , the traditions, the landscapes . To me it seemed like they (stamps) were travelling atlas, showing, telling of happenings of a very distant land. Sometimes i even thought of myself as a philatelist without even owning a single stamp ( how naive of me).

[hannah_arendt]

Maybe, it is stupid, but I have still my colection of stamps...As is I was mid. woman...

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

... To me it seemed like they (stamps) were travelling atlas, showing, telling of happenings of a very distant land.

Couldn’t have said it better; “…traveling atlas…”, such a wonderful way to describe stamps!
I dare say I learned more from stamps accompanied with a set of encyclopedia than anything I may have absorbed from schooling.



Maybe, it is stupid, but I have still my colection of stamps...As is I was mid. woman...

Not stupid at all. I still have my collection as well and periodically browse through it.
Another aspect of stamps that I enjoy is their artistic appeal, I see them as small paintings and in many cases they may depict a notable painting, sculpture or architecture.


Following are a few random selections from my collection you might appreciate. Part of my collection includes stamped envelopes (stamp hasn’t been removed). The overall composition of stamp, cancellation mark, handwriting, air mail stickers, etc., creates a masterpiece worthy of the Louvre.


(click on thumbnails for larger image)


Stamps cut from envelopes – China, Costa Rica and Japan (at bottom)
The stamp from Japan commemorates “International Letter Writing Week 2001”

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Stamps06_zps0f97da49.jpg (http://s963.beta.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Stamps06_zps0f97da49.jpg.html)


Examples from Italy.
Note the angel holding the Cross. The sculpture is one of several angels that line each side of the Ponte Sant’ Angelo across the Tiber River in Rome. All of the angels are based on Bernini’s design, but most were actually carved by others under his supervision. The Angel With the Cross was carved by Ercole Ferrata. Another group of stamps shows Castel Sant’ Angelo aka Mausoleum of Hadrian.


http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Stamps05_zps7477bcf0.jpg (http://s963.beta.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Stamps05_zps7477bcf0.jpg.html)


A trio of envelopes.
Top- commemorates the first flight of the Hindenburg 1936. The stamps are U.S. airmail showing the Spirit of St. Louis plane that Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic. Btw-Lindberg started out as an air mail pilot.
Center – From England
Bottom – 1886 letter with beautiful handwriting (sent within U.S.)

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Stamps04_zps5bc322bc.jpg (http://s963.beta.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Stamps04_zps5bc322bc.jpg.html)


My father spent most of his career with the Scout missile program. One of the launch sites used was San Marco in Kenya. The Scout was contracted by various companies from around the world to launch satellites. The envelopes below commemorate successful launches.
My father had the bottom two sent directly home in my name.

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Stamps03_zpse38b75f3.jpg (http://s963.beta.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Stamps03_zpse38b75f3.jpg.html)


Another work of art envelope regarding Scout missile correspondence between Italy and my father’s company:

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Stamps02_zpsd86855c1.jpg (http://s963.beta.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Stamps02_zpsd86855c1.jpg.html)

For Hannah_arendt - some Polish stamps from the 1970’s :

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Polishstamps_zpsed7a1551.jpg (http://s963.beta.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Polishstamps_zpsed7a1551.jpg.html)



People should just write better emails.

I thought this was interesting, two archaic modes of communication combined; a Western Union telegram that was mailed!
The back of the envelope states “Telegraph it! – Quick and safe. economical…no red tape”
I suppose the telegraph wires were down, so they mailed it ?:

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_WesternUnion_zps498ba6c8.jpg (http://s963.beta.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/WesternUnion_zps498ba6c8.jpg.html)

[Emil Miller]

Interesting to find that there are still letter writers out there, although I suspect they are mostly people who don't have access to a computer.
Personally I find the computer an enormous improvement as a form of communication because my handwriting was never good, and although I occasionally sent typewritten letters, I find it much easier using the computer keyboard. In fact, my handwriting has deteriorated so much since using e-mails that I recently sent condolences on the sudden death of someone living abroad, by using Windows Word and printing the letter onto notepaper. I felt bad about it but at least the addressee didn't have to struggle deciphering my handwriting.

[papayahed]

In grade school I had a pen pal in singapore.

[Bleeding Pawn]

Couldn’t have said it better; “…traveling atlas…”, such a wonderful way to describe stamps!
I dare say I learned more from stamps accompanied with a set of encyclopedia than anything I may have absorbed from schooling.




Not stupid at all. I still have my collection as well and periodically browse through it.
Another aspect of stamps that I enjoy is their artistic appeal, I see them as small paintings and in many cases they may depict a notable painting, sculpture or architecture.


Following are a few random selections from my collection you might appreciate. Part of my collection includes stamped envelopes (stamp hasn’t been removed). The overall composition of stamp, cancellation mark, handwriting, air mail stickers, etc., creates a masterpiece worthy of the Louvre.


You really have a treasure trove of antique stamps depicting of an era gone by. One particular Christmas stamp dated 1963 indicates the festive spirit back then , nowadays you only get of pine trees or Christmas carol and sometimes Santa stamps. How times have changed. I also remember trying to figure out a way to remove stamps from the envelopes, makes me guess how you did it, since the only stamp that i did manage to scrap it away completely in good condition was a Scottish one of the Papa Little Shetland Islands and it is still with me pasted with a non-stick adhesive in one of my Journals. (Non Stick? Pasted? ... Oh yes)

[hannah_arendt]

Couldn’t have said it better; “…traveling atlas…”, such a wonderful way to describe stamps!
I dare say I learned more from stamps accompanied with a set of encyclopedia than anything I may have absorbed from schooling.




Not stupid at all. I still have my collection as well and periodically browse through it.
Another aspect of stamps that I enjoy is their artistic appeal, I see them as small paintings and in many cases they may depict a notable painting, sculpture or architecture.


Following are a few random selections from my collection you might appreciate. Part of my collection includes stamped envelopes (stamp hasn’t been removed). The overall composition of stamp, cancellation mark, handwriting, air mail stickers, etc., creates a masterpiece worthy of the Louvre.


(click on thumbnails for larger image)


Stamps cut from envelopes – China, Costa Rica and Japan (at bottom)
The stamp from Japan commemorates “International Letter Writing Week 2001”

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Stamps06_zps0f97da49.jpg (http://s963.beta.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Stamps06_zps0f97da49.jpg.html)


Examples from Italy.
Note the angel holding the Cross. The sculpture is one of several angels that line each side of the Ponte Sant’ Angelo across the Tiber River in Rome. All of the angels are based on Bernini’s design, but most were actually carved by others under his supervision. The Angel With the Cross was carved by Ercole Ferrata. Another group of stamps shows Castel Sant’ Angelo aka Mausoleum of Hadrian.


http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Stamps05_zps7477bcf0.jpg (http://s963.beta.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Stamps05_zps7477bcf0.jpg.html)


A trio of envelopes.
Top- commemorates the first flight of the Hindenburg 1936. The stamps are U.S. airmail showing the Spirit of St. Louis plane that Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic. Btw-Lindberg started out as an air mail pilot.
Center – From England
Bottom – 1886 letter with beautiful handwriting (sent within U.S.)

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Stamps04_zps5bc322bc.jpg (http://s963.beta.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Stamps04_zps5bc322bc.jpg.html)


My father spent most of his career with the Scout missile program. One of the launch sites used was San Marco in Kenya. The Scout was contracted by various companies from around the world to launch satellites. The envelopes below commemorate successful launches.
My father had the bottom two sent directly home in my name.

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Stamps03_zpse38b75f3.jpg (http://s963.beta.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Stamps03_zpse38b75f3.jpg.html)


Another work of art envelope regarding Scout missile correspondence between Italy and my father’s company:

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Stamps02_zpsd86855c1.jpg (http://s963.beta.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Stamps02_zpsd86855c1.jpg.html)

For Hannah_arendt - some Polish stamps from the 1970’s :

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Polishstamps_zpsed7a1551.jpg (http://s963.beta.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Polishstamps_zpsed7a1551.jpg.html)




I thought this was interesting, two archaic modes of communication combined; a Western Union telegram that was mailed!
The back of the envelope states “Telegraph it! – Quick and safe. economical…no red tape”
I suppose the telegraph wires were down, so they mailed it ?:

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_WesternUnion_zps498ba6c8.jpg (http://s963.beta.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/WesternUnion_zps498ba6c8.jpg.html)

Congratulations:) My collection is rather "contemporary".

[tonywalt]

I once wrote to someone in Pitcairn Island. I got a bunch of rare stamps!

[JuniperWoolf]

I used to work with a guy in Grande Cache who moved to China to escape his girlfriend (seriously). He was my pen pal for a while but our mail kept getting lost, so now we just use email.

[Bleeding Pawn]

Which stamp is your prized one from your collection?

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Which stamp is your prized one from your collection?

Not sure if you intended that for me or for all, but I’ll go ahead and share a few of my favorites.
Selecting a single favorite stamp from my collection is difficult, much like trying to pick a favorite work of architecture, painting, sculpture, novel or poem. However I can narrow it down to a few that I favor:

(Click on thumbnails)

This pair of Vatican stamps is special to me for several reasons; first because it was purchased in Rome during my second trip in 1998 when I finally laid eyes on the Sistine Chapel, secondly because they are part of the wonderful overall composition making up the commemorative envelope celebrating the “triumph of color” (the restoration of Michelangelo’s Sistine paintings) and lastly for the image portrayed on the stamps…come on who wouldn’t include Michelangelo among their favorites?

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_SistineChapelEnvelope.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/SistineChapelEnvelope.jpg.html)

Two from Czechoslovakia 1938. These are referred to as “commemorative sheets”. The two sheets were issued to honor President Masrayk’s 88th birthday and to raise funds for aiding refugees from fleeing from the border regions seized by Hitler as a result of the Munich Pact. They are absolutely stunning:

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/04-05-2013083505PM_zpsfa7a89f0.jpg


From Austria. This stamp was on a post card sent by my Grandfather to home in the States during WW I

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP3000_zpsc15ac27c.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP3000_zpsc15ac27c.jpg.html)

A few other favorites self explanatory:

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP2996_zps5bc936ee.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP2996_zps5bc936ee.jpg.html)


http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP3003_zps8777cb53.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP3003_zps8777cb53.jpg.html)

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP2995_zpsdb618a55.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP2995_zpsdb618a55.jpg.html)



http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP3006_zps3cf11ce6.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP3006_zps3cf11ce6.jpg.html)


http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP2998_zpsf0894029.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP2998_zpsf0894029.jpg.html)

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP2999_zps019be2d2.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP2999_zps019be2d2.jpg.html)

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP3001_zpsb212e962.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP3001_zpsb212e962.jpg.html)

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP3002_zps65e0099e.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP3002_zps65e0099e.jpg.html)

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP3005_zps589c0c65.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP3005_zps589c0c65.jpg.html)

[Bleeding Pawn]

Not sure if you intended that for me or for all, but I’ll go ahead and share a few of my favorites.
Selecting a single favorite stamp from my collection is difficult, much like trying to pick a favorite work of architecture, painting, sculpture, novel or poem. However I can narrow it down to a few that I favor:

(Click on thumbnails)

This pair of Vatican stamps is special to me for several reasons; first because it was purchased in Rome during my second trip in 1998 when I finally laid eyes on the Sistine Chapel, secondly because they are part of the wonderful overall composition making up the commemorative envelope celebrating the “triumph of color” (the restoration of Michelangelo’s Sistine paintings) and lastly for the image portrayed on the stamps…come on who wouldn’t include Michelangelo among their favorites?

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_SistineChapelEnvelope.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/SistineChapelEnvelope.jpg.html)

Two from Czechoslovakia 1938. These are referred to as “commemorative sheets”. The two sheets were issued to honor President Masrayk’s 88th birthday and to raise funds for aiding refugees from fleeing from the border regions seized by Hitler as a result of the Munich Pact. They are absolutely stunning:

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/04-05-2013083505PM_zpsfa7a89f0.jpg


From Austria. This stamp was on a post card sent by my Grandfather to home in the States during WW I

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP3000_zpsc15ac27c.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP3000_zpsc15ac27c.jpg.html)

A few other favorites self explanatory:

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP2996_zps5bc936ee.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP2996_zps5bc936ee.jpg.html)


http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP3003_zps8777cb53.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP3003_zps8777cb53.jpg.html)

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP2995_zpsdb618a55.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP2995_zpsdb618a55.jpg.html)



http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP3006_zps3cf11ce6.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP3006_zps3cf11ce6.jpg.html)


http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP2998_zpsf0894029.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP2998_zpsf0894029.jpg.html)

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP2999_zps019be2d2.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP2999_zps019be2d2.jpg.html)

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP3001_zpsb212e962.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP3001_zpsb212e962.jpg.html)

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP3002_zps65e0099e.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP3002_zps65e0099e.jpg.html)

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_IMGP3005_zps589c0c65.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/IMGP3005_zps589c0c65.jpg.html)


It was an open discussion. Thank you you for the wonderful collections and post Gilliatt. The Ceska stamps are awesome but the thumbnail is not active for a closer look. Do you have these Ceskaslovenska souvenir sheets in your collections and do you know what does the lady actually represent?

[Bleeding Pawn]

While searching for it i think it represents the Mother of the Country commemorating the political break-through and it says the Prevailing of the Truth. That is how far i could get. Can you help it out?

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

It was an open discussion. Thank you you for the wonderful collections and post Gilliatt. The Ceska stamps are awesome but the thumbnail is not active for a closer look. Do you have these Ceskaslovenska souvenir sheets in your collections and do you know what does the lady actually represent?

Sorry for the confusion with the second image, that one I snuck in as the full size image, not a thumbnail.
(btw - fyi -as a newer member, you may not be aware that the forum mods actually require thumbnail images for photos except for phot specific threads such as "Pictures taken by you")

Anyhow, yes all of those are from my collection. I'm fairly certain she represents "liberty", similar to common U.S. images of "Lady Liberty", for the refugees coming from the borderlands occupied by Nazi Germany. Though not in color, you can see that her dress represents the Czech flag.
In her right hand she holds what appears to be an olive branch and in her left I would have guessed a dove, but closer inspection looks like a bird of prey.

"Pravda vítězí" appears in the banner above her. "Truth Prevails"

Thanks for the comments glad you like them.


EDIT ...we typed over each other.
My next step is to identify the two structures (churches ?) on each side.

2nd EDIT btw - the size of each sheet is 2 3/4 inch x 3 1/2 inch

[Bleeding Pawn]

Sorry for the confusion with the second image, that one I snuck in as the full size image, not a thumbnail.
(btw - fyi -as a newer member, you may not be aware that the forum mods actually require thumbnail images for photos except for phot specific threads such as "Pictures taken by you")

Anyhow, yes all of those are from my collection. I'm fairly certain she represents "liberty", similar to common U.S. images of "Lady Liberty", for the refugees coming from the borderlands occupied by Nazi Germany.

Thank You again for the reply, about the souvenir stamps, yes it does seem she is the equivalent of the Lady Liberty when did you acquire them ( Czech) and are they still in market for sale and (if you do not mind me asking) how much did you pay for it?


Though not in color, you can see that her dress represents the Czech flag.

Wow. Oh yes now I do, I did not know that.The artist had a very noble idea, simple as it is but it actually says a lot of that era in a small paper and i think yes the church(?) must also be representing some kind of memorial.



In her right hand she holds what appears to be an olive branch and in her left I would have guessed a dove, but closer inspection looks like a bird of prey.

I was also confused about the bird too.

I really do like personal collections and of course I enjoyed yours too.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

...when did you acquire them ( Czech) and are they still in market for sale and (if you do not mind me asking) how much did you pay for it?

...The artist had a very noble idea, simple as it is but it actually says a lot of that era in a small paper and i think yes the church(?) must also be representing some kind of memorial.

...I really do like personal collections and of course I enjoyed yours too.

No bother at all, I remember purchasing them at a stamp show many years ago for $3.75 (U.S. – for both sheets). For reference the “Scott Catalogue No.” is B-153. (I know this because I still have the cellophane sleeve they were sold in)
After a brief search, you can still purchase them from any number of online sources –e-bay, stamp dealers such as “Mystic Stamp Company” - In fact, here it is … http://www.mysticstamp.com/viewProducts.asp?sku=B153

The artwork is by Max Švabinský and the engraving was carried out by Bohumil Heinz

http://www.tfsimon.com/Max-Svabinsky.html
http://www.batz-hausen.de/dheinz2.htm

Bohumil Heinz motto:
http://www.japhila.cz/hof/0749/index0749_001.htm

“Fix your eyes at our stamps and remember how they have been created. Realize that each comma and each point are recorded by slow and patient work. The hours weren’t counted during work. The work continued lots of days. Look at this small facet with the magnifying glass as the engraver so many times looked at it, and you will love stamps, even if you are not collecting them!”

The two churches are St. Vitas Cathedral (R) and St. Nicholas Cathedral (L)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Vitus_Cathedral
http://www.pragueexperience.com/places.asp?PlaceID=706

I'm happy to share my collection, glad you enjoy.

[Bleeding Pawn]

No bother at all, I remember purchasing them at a stamp show many years ago for $3.75 (U.S. – for both sheets). For reference the “Scott Catalogue No.” is B-153. (I know this because I still have the cellophane sleeve they were sold in)
After a brief search, you can still purchase them from any number of online sources –e-bay, stamp dealers such as “Mystic Stamp Company” - In fact, here it is … http://www.mysticstamp.com/viewProducts.asp?sku=B153

The artwork is by Max Švabinský and the engraving was carried out by Bohumil Heinz

http://www.tfsimon.com/Max-Svabinsky.html
http://www.batz-hausen.de/dheinz2.htm

Bohumil Heinz motto:
http://www.japhila.cz/hof/0749/index0749_001.htm

“Fix your eyes at our stamps and remember how they have been created. Realize that each comma and each point are recorded by slow and patient work. The hours weren’t counted during work. The work continued lots of days. Look at this small facet with the magnifying glass as the engraver so many times looked at it, and you will love stamps, even if you are not collecting them!”

The two churches are St. Vitas Cathedral (R) and St. Nicholas Cathedral (L)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Vitus_Cathedral
http://www.pragueexperience.com/places.asp?PlaceID=706

I'm happy to share my collection, glad you enjoy.

Thanks for the information, it was interesting read. I also got this Library (http://www.cpslib.org/aval/2.htm) site, which has many stamps of that year. Hope you like it too. By the way, are you interested in money/coins collecting ( numismatis)?

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Thanks for the information, it was interesting read. I also got this Library (http://www.cpslib.org/aval/2.htm) site, which has many stamps of that year. Hope you like it too. By the way, are you interested in money/coins collecting ( numismatis)?

Thanks for the link, I recognize a few from my collection.
RE: Coins/ paper currency - I was also active in numismatics as well and always interested.
How about you?
In the meantime, it's back to the work grind but I'll see about putting a few examples together and start a new thread hopefully by next weekend.

[Bleeding Pawn]

Thanks for the link, I recognize a few from my collection.
RE: Coins/ paper currency - I was also active in numismatics as well and always interested.
How about you?
In the meantime, it's back to the work grind but I'll see about putting a few examples together and start a new thread hopefully by next weekend.

Numismatics was/is one of my favourite hobbies which has continued from my childhood days and i have almost 100 lbs of copper/alloys coins in my collection other than paper money. Hope to see your collections in future.


P.S. Did you notice the stamp avatar of http://www.mysticstamp.com/viewProducts.asp?sku=B153 is Inverted Jenny? It ranks amongst the rarest of stamps ( which also has Black Penny in its list ) and it is worth almost $100,000 in the market.

[Bleeding Pawn]

P.S. Did you notice the stamp avatar of http://www.mysticstamp.com/viewProducts.asp?sku=B153 is Inverted Jenny? It ranks amongst the rarest of stamps ( which also has Black Penny in its list ) and it is worth almost $100,000 in the market.

Sorry, just saw that the actual amount is $ 1 million for a perfect Inverted Jenny.

P.S. Thank you ( and you know why).

[qimissung]

I'm pretty sure my interest in stamps cannot equal either of yours, Bleeding Pawn and Gilliatt, but I have lately become somewhat interested in them, and I would very much like to acquire some from other countries, or even from my own country. But how? I read on one blog that there are stores that sell stamps but the only one near me is only open on Saturday; another one is only open by request. I'm not sure how to go about buying them online. I can find pictures of them. Is is OK and legal to print them, providing I have a good enough printer to do them justice?

Would anyone from some other places be willing to send me some? :D I would be more than willing to pay for the stamps and your postage. I am currently most interested in their aesthetic value; I'd like to use them in collages, not to collect, really. Currently I have some from Pakistan (thank you, Snowqueen :)). Also, used stamps are fine, too. I love the look of a postmarked stamp.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Numismatics was/is one of my favourite hobbies which has continued from my childhood days and i have almost 100 lbs of copper/alloys coins in my collection other than paper money. Hope to see your collections in future.

P.S. Did you notice the stamp avatar of http://www.mysticstamp.com/viewProducts.asp?sku=B153 is Inverted Jenny? It ranks amongst the rarest of stamps ( which also has Black Penny in its list ) and it is worth almost $100,000 in the market.

Wonderful, then I suppose you've already examined the coins closely for any rarities, errors, etc. If not, take a second look you mioght have a hidden treasure.
I don't recall if all of the inverted "Jenny's" have been accounted for, so check through Grandma's attic, old books, hehe.
I say books, because I found an old Swiss stamp used as a book marker.


I'm pretty sure my interest in stamps cannot equal either of yours, Bleeding Pawn and Gilliatt, but I have lately become somewhat interested in them, and I would very much like to acquire some from other countries, or even from my own country. But how? I read on one blog that there are stores that sell stamps but the only one near me is only open on Saturday; another one is only open by request. I'm not sure how to go about buying them online. I can find pictures of them. Is is OK and legal to print them, providing I have a good enough printer to do them justice?

Would anyone from some other places be willing to send me some? :D I would be more than willing to pay for the stamps and your postage. I am currently most interested in their aesthetic value; I'd like to use them in collages, not to collect, really. Currently I have some from Pakistan (thank you, Snowqueen :)). Also, used stamps are fine, too. I love the look of a postmarked stamp.

I suggest attending a stamp show. The Mid Cities Stamp Club is a good place to start.

Here is their web link.
http://www.mid-citiesstampclub.com/index.htm

This link takes you straight to the Mid Cities Stamp Expo (stamp show) coming in November at Grapevine.
http://www.mid-citiesstampclub.com/stampshow.htm

Typically these shows will offer random mix "grab bag" of stamps for beginners.
You can bet they have been carefully sorted so as not to accibentally include an "inverted Jenny", so you shouldn't feel too guilty about using them for art projects, etc.
When I was more active in the hobby, I purchased many of my stamps through mail order comapanies. Mystic was one, Jamestown, H.E. Harriss, Seth Perkins and Falcon to name a few. You could specify your topical ineterest and they would send several packets of stamps you could select from, return the rest along with your payment.
Finally, with today's online ordering capabilitiies, I imagine there's a plethora of online stamp ordering opportunities.

[Revolte]

I have had a few pen pals in the last couple of years but it's getting more and more difficult to find and keep any. Personally, I prefer hand written letters. You can smell their life on the paper. The same can't be said for code and LCD screens.

[qimissung]

Wonderful, then I suppose you've already examined the coins closely for any rarities, errors, etc. If not, take a second look you mioght have a hidden treasure.
I don't recall if all of the inverted "Jenny's" have been accounted for, so check through Grandma's attic, old books, hehe.
I say books, because I found an old Swiss stamp used as a book marker.



I suggest attending a stamp show. The Mid Cities Stamp Club is a good place to start.

Here is their web link.
http://www.mid-citiesstampclub.com/index.htm

This link takes you straight to the Mid Cities Stamp Expo (stamp show) coming in November at Grapevine.
http://www.mid-citiesstampclub.com/stampshow.htm

Typically these shows will offer random mix "grab bag" of stamps for beginners.
You can bet they have been carefully sorted so as not to accibentally include an "inverted Jenny", so you shouldn't feel too guilty about using them for art projects, etc.
When I was more active in the hobby, I purchased many of my stamps through mail order comapanies. Mystic was one, Jamestown, H.E. Harriss, Seth Perkins and Falcon to name a few. You could specify your topical ineterest and they would send several packets of stamps you could select from, return the rest along with your payment.
Finally, with today's online ordering capabilitiies, I imagine there's a plethora of online stamp ordering opportunities.

Thank you, Gilliatt! I'll pursue these ideas immediately! Stamps in and on a letter still sound cool, though, if anyone's interested.

[Bleeding Pawn]

i have almost 100 lbs of copper/alloys coins in my collection other than paper money.

What i meant to say is that I have 100lbs of coins which includes copper/alloys one but the majority of them are commemorative coins.



I'm pretty sure my interest in stamps cannot equal either of yours, Bleeding Pawn and Gilliatt,

Oh no Sir/Ma`am, I am but just a dabbler in the world of stamps.



Wonderful, then I suppose you've already examined the coins closely for any rarities, errors, etc. If not, take a second look you mioght have a hidden treasure.
I don't recall if all of the inverted "Jenny's" have been accounted for, so check through Grandma's attic, old books, hehe.
I say books, because I found an old Swiss stamp used as a book marker.

To be frank, it wont happen because sometimes miracles cease to happen :)


I have had a few pen pals in the last couple of years but it's getting more and more difficult to find and keep any. Personally, I prefer hand written letters. You can smell their life on the paper. The same can't be said for code and LCD screens.


Thank you, Gilliatt! I'll pursue these ideas immediately! Stamps in and on a letter still sound cool, though, if anyone's interested.


Nowadays people don`t/ can`t spare enough time from their hectic lifestyle, especially for strangers which demands commitment beyond the realm of clicking buttons. Many persons I know of who were passionate about letter writing has stopped altogether just because they do not want their personality to be apparent specially in today`s era when even a small minor jinks in seen through a calculated microscopic vision.

[qimissung]

OR you could just send me a letter with a stamp on it bleeding pawn. I mostly agree, thought. I never feel like I have a lot to say in letters. Also, although I think I have beautiful handwriting, I am a little lazy about handwritten letters. :)

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

I have had a few pen pals in the last couple of years but it's getting more and more difficult to find and keep any. Personally, I prefer hand written letters. You can smell their life on the paper. The same can't be said for code and LCD screens.

Your post called to mind Johannes Vermeer and his "letter" themed paintings.
I thought of this one in particular:

Woman in Blue Reading Letter

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Paintings%20Drawings%20and%20Sculpture/th_JohannesVermeer_WomaninBlueReadingLetter_zps0a4 8a190.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Paintings%20Drawings%20and%20Sculpture/JohannesVermeer_WomaninBlueReadingLetter_zps0a48a1 90.jpg.html)

....................

How about stamps with a literary connection:

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_authors_zps43871781.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/authors_zps43871781.jpg.html)

[Snowqueen]

Would anyone from some other places be willing to send me some? :D I would be more than willing to pay for the stamps and your postage. I am currently most interested in their aesthetic value; I'd like to use them in collages, not to collect, really. Currently I have some from Pakistan (thank you, Snowqueen :)). Also, used stamps are fine, too. I love the look of a postmarked stamp.

You are welcome! I’ll send you more stamps and you don’t have to pay for it.


I never feel like I have a lot to say in letters. Also, although I think I have beautiful handwriting, I am a little lazy about handwritten letters. :)

I agree you have beautiful handwriting, Qimi. And I loved your letter. :)

[Bleeding Pawn]

OR you could just send me a letter with a stamp on it bleeding pawn. I mostly agree, thought. I never feel like I have a lot to say in letters. Also, although I think I have beautiful handwriting, I am a little lazy about handwritten letters. :)

Ah, I am just so pretty nostalgic when it concerns hand-written letters, it takes you back to a world which is no more, yes no more.
About letters, somehow it reminded me of this (http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/bobby_vinton/mr_lonely.html) song which makes me ponder, in this era of social networking to what he might have been going through.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Ah, I am just so pretty nostalgic when it concerns hand-written letters, it takes you back to a world which is no more, yes no more.
About letters, somehow it reminded me of this (http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/bobby_vinton/mr_lonely.html) song which makes me ponder, in this era of social networking to what he might have been going through.

Since I already had the camera and scanner fired up for the latest currency post, I threw in a few more examples of handwritten nostalgia :

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Envelopes2_zps5e197509.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Envelopes2_zps5e197509.jpg.html)

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Envelopes4_zps07fe2352.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Envelopes4_zps07fe2352.jpg.html)

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Envelopes3_zps6d4df951.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Envelopes3_zps6d4df951.jpg.html)

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Envelopes1_zpsafe4f293.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Envelopes1_zpsafe4f293.jpg.html)


^Included are a few examples of "First Day of Issue" stamps/ envelopes.
When a new stamp was issued and mailed on the day it was issued, the post mark would state "First day of issue".
Collectors would often purchase the associated commemrative envelope and mail on the first day of issue, so you get both the special post mark/ cancellation along with associated envelope.

[Bleeding Pawn]

Since I already had the camera and scanner fired up for the latest currency post, I threw in a few more examples of handwritten nostalgia :

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Envelopes2_zps5e197509.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Envelopes2_zps5e197509.jpg.html)

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Envelopes4_zps07fe2352.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Envelopes4_zps07fe2352.jpg.html)

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Envelopes3_zps6d4df951.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Envelopes3_zps6d4df951.jpg.html)

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae114/tabuka1/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/th_Envelopes1_zpsafe4f293.jpg (http://s963.photobucket.com/user/tabuka1/media/Misc%20Album/Stamps%20and%20Coins/Envelopes1_zpsafe4f293.jpg.html)


^Included are a few examples of "First Day of Issue" stamps/ envelopes.
When a new stamp was issued and mailed on the day it was issued, the post mark would state "First day of issue".
Collectors would often purchase the associated commemrative envelope and mail on the first day of issue, so you get both the special post mark/ cancellation along with associated envelope.

Is the first image in the second thumbnail showing a 1941 posted envelope because I cant figure it out properly nor the image below it. Secondly, these hand written letters could be a good case study for a student of graphology and they are worth enough to be given its own special thread. Lets see what we can find out about those hand-writings in the future. Did you really inherit all these items?

As the legend says if you follow the rainbow, you will find a pot of gold at the other end but to me it seems if I follow your collections I might find a chest of historical treasures waiting to be discovered.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Is the first image in the second thumbnail showing a 1941 posted envelope because I cant figure it out properly nor the image below it. Secondly, these hand written letters could be a good case study for a student of graphology and they are worth enough to be given its own special thread. Lets see what we can find out about those hand-writings in the future. Did you really inherit all these items?

As the legend says if you follow the rainbow, you will find a pot of gold at the other end but to me it seems if I follow your collections I might find a chest of historical treasures waiting to be discovered.

The embossed stamp on the top envelope (second picture from top) is post marked 1898. The embossed stamp commemorates the 400th anniversary of Columbus' "discovery" of the New World. The stamp has the dates 1492 - 1892.

The second envelope is post marked 1900.
I'd say 90% of my stamp / envelope collection was acquired on my own through mail order, attending stamp shows, through friends, keeping an on the mail, etc. Most of my coin / currency collection was inherited.
Glad you enjoy.