Sunday Stamps - Great Britain: Queen Victoria One Penny Red

 One of our neighbours from one of our previous addresses has provided me with stamps over a number or years. These have been mainly from Greece but last week she brought me a stamp that has become the oldest in my collections.

Great Britain - 1841

The One Penny Red was first issued in 1841 - the second stamp issued. The original was unperforated. Several different versions were issued - perforated and with different letters in the bottom corners. This has O - A.

As you can see the stamp is a bit tired but that's not surprising for something around 180 years old. I still have to establish exactly what year this was issued.

The theme today on Sunday Stamps is transportation. My old stamp has transported me back even if it's not on theme.

Sunday Stamps - Geology: Jersey

 I enjoyed studying geology at university, especially the field trips with a hammer in my hand. To find a rock like this would have made my day.

Jersey - 23 January 2007

This shows muscovite in a pegatite vein, felspar and mica.

Muscovite, aka common mica, isinglass or potash mica is a hydrated silicate of aluminium and potassium. Cleavage can give thin laminae sheets. Pegmatite is an igneous rock composed of quartz, felspar and mica.

For more geological samples check dig out the link at Treasures. where you may find an old fossil like me.

Sunday Stamps - Food: Fruits of Malaysia

 Malaysia issued series of stamps depicting Fruits of Malaysia, I had to resort to Google to convert their Latin names.

Nephelium lappaceum

Not that I was much wiser for this 2002 stamp  when I found out that it is 'rambutan' the fruit from the same tree.

I had better understanding from this 2005 tree/fruit

Averrhoa carambola

This provides the 'star fruit'.

I didn't really need a translation for another from 2002.

Carica papaya

Also known as a 'pawpaw'.

For others that could make up your 'five of the day' visit Sunday Stamps follow the links and take your pick.

(Sorry about the scanned quality of my images this week)

Sunday Stamps - Discoveries/Inventions: Denmark

 You may argue that the atomic theory developed by Niels Bohr is not strictly a discovery or an invention. However ts importance cannot be denied.

Denmark issued commemorative stamps for the 50th anniversary of his theory which has stood the test of time.

Denmark - 21 November 1963

It was in the 1950s when I first became aware of his work when studying atomic physics as part of my degree course at St Andrews University.

For more theories, discoveries and inventions check out the links at The Fathers of Invention

Sunday Stamps - Summertime: Great Britain

 In August 1994 the 3rd Series of the 4 Seasons depicted events from Summertime.

I have 3 of the 5 stamps in the set - 

Great Britain - 2 August 1994
Royal Welsh Show

The Royal Welsh Show will be a virtual event this year on 19th July.

Wimbledon Tennis Championships

Wimbledon will begin on 28 June having avoided a 'virtual' threat.

Braemar Gathering

Unfortunately the organisers of the Braemar Gathering have decide to cancel this years event.

To check out others' summertime offerings just visit the links at Sunday Stamps

Sunday Stamps - Cats: Argentina, Bangladesh, Hungary

 A 1959 stamp from Argentina featured a puma. Unfortunately the one in my collection was so heavily postmarked the puma could not be seen.

However thanks to the internet I have been able to find this image - 

Argentina - 1959

Somehow I don't think you would need to get the fire brigade to help it out of the tree.

A pair of stamps from Bangladesh show a magnificent tiger, but perhaps not in a colour that you would expect.

Bangladesh - 30 April 1973

There are a lot of stamps depicting domestic cats so I just had to include one even although I can't say that I am a cat lover.

Hungary - 30 March 1968

For other cats - big or small check out the links at Sunday Stamps - Cat

Small Animals in Britain - Sunday Stamps

 I showed this set of stamps back in 2012 but as it is a favourite of mind I just had to post it again, The strip of five wild animals was issued in 

 1977.

Great Britain - 5 October 1977

We had a hibernating hedgehog in our garden a few years ago. Unfortunately I only see them as roadkill these days.

Grey squirrels still visit us in the hope that the bird feeders have left something for them.

Otherwise there are no hares or badgers near us and I don't know of any otters in the local rivers.

To see other small animals visit the links to be found at Island mammals at Sunday Stamps.