Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

Portrait of a Lady, about 1520 to 1525, by Bernadino Luini.
Painting is in the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC.

When I was a teen visiting museums, I would have liked to purchase a book of reproductions, or maybe a poster.  However on a tight allowance, all I could really afford were postcards.  That was the start of my postcard collection.
This is not one from those early days, but similar to those I might have picked up back then.  It gave me the chance to study some great art.

I am linking with Beth for Postcard Friendship Friday.
Viridian

Remember Sunday stamps!  We are visiting Europe this week and next.  Linking opens up Saturday night USA time.

Sunday Stamps #37

In our trip around the world, we are stopping in Africa.  Though I'll say, if I didn't have these older stamps from South Africa, I would have nothing to share!  I do have a few Postcrossing stamps from countries in the Arabian Peninsula, which I have shown before.  These show some government buildings.

Please share any stamps you have from Africa or the Arabian peninsula, and any stories you have about what or who they show.

Next week:  We continue to Europe, and we'll stay there for two weeks - I have plenty of stamps I wish to share.
Viridian

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

A postcard I recently received from a Postcrosser in Australia.  It is fall and turning cooler in the Midwest USA.  In the winter it is wonderful to go to a greenhouse like this!

Remember Sunday Stamp will open on Saturday night.  Theme: any stamps from the continent of Africa (includes the Arabian Peninsula).

Viridian

Sunday Stamps #36

In which we are off to South America.

Top: some stamps from Paraguay.  The blue one are in honor of the centenary of Paraguay joining the Universal Postal Union, if I am understanding this correctly.  These are off a postcard from the 1980's.

The bottom stamp is a more recent one, from a Postcrossing postcard from Chile.  It shows a chinchinero, a street performer.

Enjoy our visits to South America!
Viridian

Next week:  we are off to Africa.

Sunday Stamps #35

In which I start a leisurely trip around the world.  I hope you will join me.  Today: stamps from North America and Mesoamerica (Mexico to Panama).  I don't have stamps from Panama but I do have the Canadian stamp that matches the postcard I showed in my last post.

It is printed on the postcard - it is not technically a separate stamp.  I still love the graphics, and it's a MAXIMUM card!  Only through this blog and participating in Postcard Friendship Friday do I know about such things!

I am showing just one stamp, but feel free to share more than one if you wish.

Viridian

Next week: South America!

Postcard Friendship Friday Sept. 9

I received this card recently from a postcrosser in Canada. It is issued for Parks Canada I believe and the illustration is by Tim Nokes.

It's a look that reminds me of the Ranger Naturalist cards I showed some time ago, that were reproductions of WPA posters from the 1930's.

The card above comes with a matching stamp (A maximum card!) which I will share tomorrow.

I'm joining Beth at Postcard Friendship Friday.
This Week's Sunday Stamps: we start a trip around the continents. We'll start with stamps from North America and Mesoamerica (Mexico to Panama).


Viridian

Sunday Stamps #34

In which the theme is oceans: Beaches, islands, coral reefs, fishes, whales, sharks... interpret this widely.

I may have cut off the very top of the stamps in my scan but you can see this little islet and the blue water surrounding it.  These stamps are from China and may show an actual island, but I can't read the Chinese characters.  Enjoy the blue!  And please, take a minute to visit other bloggers playing with this meme.

Next week: we start a trip around the continents.  We'll start with stamps from North America and Mesoamerica (Mexico to Panama).

Viridian

Postcard Friendship Friday Sept. 2

I recently received this postcard form Chile. It is of one of the driest deserts in the world - the Atacama.  However, when it does occasionally rain, seed that have been lying dormant will germinate and grow - leading to a beautiful bloom of wildflowers.