Violet's theme this week of 'ships.boats' enables me to show a favourite set including some ships that were/are world famous.
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| Great Britain - British Ships, 15 January 1969 |
Did you know that the Cutty Sark has a figurehead of a witch's hand holding the tail of a horse?
This is derived from the Robert Burns poem Tam O'Shanter where Tam is chased by a witch wearing a short shirt (a cutty sark). Witches cannot cross running water and as Tam rode over the Brig of Doon the witch pulled off the horse's tail and was left with it in her hand as Tam and his horse Meg escaped.
If you don't believe me you can always visit the restored Clipper Ship at Greenwich to see for yourself.
These 9d stamps were arranged in horizontal strips of three across the page.
The 1/- stamps below were in horizontal strips of two.
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| Great Britain - British Ships |
You may visit Isambard Kingdom Brunel's famous steamship the SS Great Britain in Bristol's Great Western Dockyard; the place where it was built - and restored for us to marvel at.
The SS Mauretania was a Cunard Line ocean liner, launched in 1906, which held the Blue Riband for the fastest Atlantic crossing for 20 years from 1909.
For other maritime stamps cross over to Sunday-stamps-ii-8.
14 comments:
I saw the cutty sark from a distance when I was in London last year, I'll have to get closer next time and have look at the figurehead.
Thanks for sharing these beauties. For some reason I find the pre-decimal commemorative fascinating. Also, great info about the Cutty Sark.
I have visited the Cutty Sark some years ago, and I really enjoyed it. But I'm afraid that "Cutty Sark" is better known as a whisky brand, at least in my country ;-)
Didn't the Cutty Sark have a couple of fires recently? And thanks for the tip about Brunel's ship - I'll be in Bristol next year, so will make a point of seeing it.
Violet - large fire in 2007; reopened in 2012; small fire 2013 but the ship is still open to the public.
Hello from Viridian. Great set to have!
this is a lovely clear, detailed set.
Shiptastic! I knew once I read Lisa's stamp post that you Bob the true dog and ship man would have a treasure trove of ship photos and facts for us! Delightful.
I too have seen the Cutty Sark, but didn't know about the figure head. I sure don't remember seeing it. Do you remember the original Arethusa, she was berthed on the Medway for many a year?
Wonderful. The truth is, that if neither Great Britain don't issue wonderful stamps depicting ships, then who? :)
Jo - There were many ships named Arethusa. It was a training ship that was moored on the Medway. I don't think she is there anymore. However I understand her figure head has been restored in the last couple of years.
No she's not there any more, she was broken up. So sad as she was a big part of my life. Went on board several times for different reasons, one being a cocktail party. We lived a few miles down river from her for a number of years.
I'm not surprised the first set is your favourite. It would be mine too.
PS I've just realised that they are all of the same set.
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