Sunday Stamps II A-Z 'U' - Uganda, Uruguay

As we get towards the end of the alphabet it seems to be getting harder each week. However I've managed to maintain a link back to 'T'.

Uganda, Kenya, Tanganyika - 1 June 1954

The Owen Falls Dam, later named Nalubaale, is on the White Nile in Uganda near the city of Jinja, 4 kilometres from the point at which the river leaves Lake Victoria.

Switching continents now to South America, 17 June 1966 saw the issue of a stamp commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Engineers.

Uruguay

To see more stamps just for 'U' please visit the links at Sunday-stamps-II-159.

Happy New Year everyone. 

Christmas at Sunday Stamps

I've discovered that I have Christmas stamps from over 15 countries, but don't worry I'll not show them all - just follow the A-Z theme.

Where better to start with Australia and an island which was named on Christmas Day 1643.

Christmas Island - Australia 

Each year I get Christmas greetings from a friend and former colleague who lives in Denmark. She never forgets to add a Christmas seal to the envelope with her card.

The stamp that accompanied this seal shows the public library and cultural centre at the European Capital of Culture in 2017.

Aarhus - Denmark

For a more traditional Christmas we turn this week to 'Z' - where else could it be but - 

For more Christmas scenes stop your sleigh at Sunday-Stamps-II-158. and visit the links that you see there - join in with the surfing Santa.

Merry Christmas to all participants and to all those who visit and read our posts at Christmas and throughout the year.

Sunday Stamps II A-Z 'T' Tanganyika, Togo,Turkey

No links to Rhodesia this week, but I have at least started with a territory in East Africa administered by the UK from 1916 to 9 December 1961 when it became the independent state of - 

Tanganyika - Independence Day 9/12/61

Its time as an independent state lasted only until 26 April 1964. It now forms part of the state of Tanzania.

Now it's time to go to the West African coast and a country sandwiched between Ghana and Benin.

Togo - 6/10/47

A German protectorate from 1884, known as Togoland, it was transferred to France after WWI and gained its independence in 1960.

And as it's nearing Christmas I guess that it's time to go a look for a --

Turkey - 1/2/71

A Turkish army officer and revolutionary name Ataturk (1881-1938) became the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey from 1923 until his death.

I'm sure that there will be enough Christmas Turkey left over Togo for sandwiches until A-Z resumes in the New Year.

For more stamps that suit you to a tee please visit Sunday-Stamps-II -157. 

Sunday Stamps II A-Z 'S' Saargebiet, Southern Rhodesia, USA

Before we move on from Rhodesia there is just one more stamp to show.

19 February 1964

That was the only stamp I had from there.

After university I started my working career at a UK steelworks in in the town of Scunthorpe (another 'S') so I was quite pleased to see that another single stamp in my collection shows a steelworks in what is now the Saar in Germany.

Saargebiet -1926 - Burbach Hütte

I'm pleased that there is an 'S' in the USA. However there is no doubt about the 's' in steel of which there must have been a lot in - 

Seattle World's Fair 1962 - Space Needle & Monorail

For other 'S' related posts please follow the links at Sunday-Stamps-II-156.

Sunday Stamps II A-Z 'R' - Rhodesia, Russia

It was Cecil Rhodes and his British South African Company which founded the territory of Rhodesia. This was to become Zimbabwe in 1980 and which provides me with a link to last week's post. 

Rhodesia and Nyasaland - 12 June 1959

The Federation of Rhodesia & Nyasaland, embracing Southern and Northern Rhodesia, was a,political unit created in 1953 which lasted until the end of 1963.

Rhodes's grave is in the Matobo National Park in what is now Zimbabwe.

Football this week has seen the draw for the 2018 World Cup to be held in Russia next year.

I found an airmail letter in the local market some time ago with some Moscow buildings. 

• The blue and green 100 R stamps issued 26 May 1992 show the Kremlin.
• The 1993 300 R is the Statue of K. Minin and D. Pozharskyi which stands in Red Square.T
• The State Library is on the 750 R stamp issued on 21 February 1995 as was -
• The Pushkin Museum on the 1500 R stamp.

To see a Russian rooster and link to other 'R' stamps please visit Sunday-Stamps-II-155.

Sunday Stamps II A-Z 'Q' - Qatar and Queens

'Q' is a letter I thought I would have trouble with in my country stamp theme.

Then I found a former Emir of Qatar on my one and only stamp.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani - 15 January 1970

-

He died aged 84 in 2016. He was Emir from 1972 to 1995 when he was deposed by his son.

Still in that part of the world,I was surprised to learn that the Queen of Sheba was a queen in Saba, which is located in the Yemen.

Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon - 1 December 1967

This has been an eventful week for heads of state. When Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe stepped down it left Queen Elizabeth II as the world's oldest reigning head of state. 

In 2015 Australia issued a stamp commemorating that she had become the longest reigning monarch in British History.

Australia - 9 July 2015

She must have appeared on more postage stamps than any other Queen as she appears on many stamps from around the world as well as those from Great Britain.

There must be many buildings which commemorate her name - like this one.

Queen's Hall - 24 September 1966

If its shape reminds you of an aircraft hangar then your eyes are not deceiving you.

This is a post for 'Q' related stamps. You can find more by visiting Sunday-Stamps-II-154 where you can start in Quebec City.

Sunday Stamps II A-Z; 'P' - Persia & Portugal

In 1935 Persia became Iran, but you could say it always had been. Apparently Persia is Iran in Persian.

During WWII Iran had been cooperating with Hitler's Germany, and the Soviet Union and Britain had occupied the country from 1941-1946. In that capacity they censored all postal matter.

Iran - 6 May 1942

I found the above two stamps on an envelope in the local flea market which shows the censorship marks.

Anglo - Soviet - Persian Censorship

On the same flea market stall  I found this Express Parcels Consignment note from Lisbon to a lady in Frankfurt, Germany. As you will see it is covered in Portuguese stamps.

The date stamps shows that the parcel passed through Frankfurt airport in 1974.

Two of the stamps show a knight on horseback taken from the Seal of King Dinis who was also called the Farmer King and the Post King. He reigned from 1279 - 1325.

Marconi's centenary was commemorated in 1974 by this stamp (two on the note).

The other stamps were

Palacio Da Vila Sintra

University Tower, Coimbra

Jardim Episcopal, Castelo Branco Gardens

I have been unable to identify the scene on this stamp so far.

Having minded my 'Ps' I look forward to 'Q' on Sunday-Stamps-II-153. where you can find more 'P' stamps today.

Sunday Stamps II: A-Z 'O'

I knew I would be in trouble as I have no stamps for a country beginning with 'O'.

For reasons that will become apparent I chose this instead.

Munzturm Hall - Republic   Österreich

Last week I chose an 'old' stamp deliberately, when I did the same today for Germany I came across another connection to a 'national figure'.

Germania - Deutsches Reich - 1920

The actress Anna Führing was the model used by engraver Paul Edward Waldraff. Germania wearing an octagonal crown, holds a sword and an olive branch.

It was the economic situation in Germany that lead to the issue of this stamp in 1922.

Stamp over printed 1 million marks

It was not long before the country became under the rule of - 

Adolf Hitler

He had been born in Austria and was to set Albert Speer on creating the new capital of Germania for the Reich that was intended to last for 1000 years. The great hall planned to stand near the Reichstag was intended to hold 180,000 people.

The rest we say is history.

For more 'O' related posts please  visit Sunday-Stamps-II-152.

Sunday Stamps II; A-Z 'N' Maps & Zealandia

I have found another stamp showing a map of the country's location. Although the country has the name of Sabah it used to be: 

North Borneo - 1 February 1961

Now for something old as well as new - 

New Zealand - 1901

The female figure of Zealandia was intended to become a figure of national personification representing New Zealand in the same way that Britannia represents the UK.

For other 'N' related stamps please visit the links at Sunday-Stamps-II-151.

Sunday Stamps II: A-Z - 'M'

I shall be posting on Wordpress also this week as there are continuing problems on Blogger. All  comments on posts since the letter 'D' until 23 October have disappeared into the ether and there are other ongoing errors also.

Last week comments on the Grace Kelly stamp mentioned a map in the background that was difficult to see.

It just so happens that a stamp from Macau in my collection has also maps hard to see - until I enhanced it to post here.

Macau - 7 May 1956

Formerly a Portuguese colony, the 1987 Sino-Portuguese Declaration made Macau one of the special administrative regions of China.

Macau consists of the Macau peninsular and the islands of Taipa and Coloane; the islands are connected by landfill to form Cotal.

The Kelly name also enables me to revert to that famous Australian bushranger (Ned Kelly) and the bush baby shown under 'K". Here's another from Malawi.

Malawi - 3 September 1975

Nyasaland was part of the British Central African Protectorate from 1889 until independence in 1964 when it became Malawi.

For other stamps for 'M' checkout the links at Sunday-stamps-II 150.html

Sunday Stamps II : A-Z 'L'

I have only two stamps for 'L' that I have not shown before so I am going for - 

Monaco - 24 July 2017

This stamp 'advertises' this year's International Philatelic Event , the Monacophil.

And, no, I haven't made a mistake by jumping to 'M' as there are two 'Ls' in Kelly.

A jump from a Princess to a Grand Duke enables me to move on - 

Luxembourg - Grand Duke Jean - May 1965

Born in 1921, Grand Duke Jean reigned from 1964 until he abdicated in 2000.

For other stamps for 'L' be sure to visit the links at Sunday-Stamps-ii-157.

Sunday Stamps II : A-Z 'K'

Kenya and Korea seemed ideal for this week. However I have used all four of my Korean stamps before and most of those from Kenya.

Kenya, Uganda & Tanganyika issued combined stamps before each one became independent, so in the end I settled for one of those.

Kenya, Uganda & Tanganyika - 1 June 1954

It proved too difficult to find a second stamp until I remembered the Bush Baby Series from Australia showing -

Australia - Koala 1 July 2011

For the link to next week I suppose I could choose the 'L' in Koala, but just remember it's a Bush Baby and that there was an infamous Australian bushranger with two 'Ls' in his name.

Other stamps under the letter 'K' may be found via the links at Sunday-Stamps-II-148.

Sunday Stamps II : A-Z. 'J'

Trying to create links from one week to the next seemed a good idea when the A-Z started. Now it has become more than a joke.

After our holiday in the USA and last week's Gulliver's Travels my wife has said she needs to travel again.

"No she went on her own accord!"

The stamp issued on 2 October 1972 depicts the College of Arts, Science and Technology at Kingston.

The only other country beginning with 'J' for which I have some stamps is - 

Japan - 20 August 1950
Sado-Yahiko Quasi-National Park

At least the Park's name contains a 'K' to link to next week. However I must confess to being somewhat disappointed at not having a stamp from Japan showing a lady in a kimono.

To learn more about the history of Jamaica and to see other stamps chosen for 'J' please visit the links at Sunday-stamps-II-147.

Sunday Stamps II ; A-Z 'I'

Back home from our travels, our plane's route from the USA took us to the south of Iceland.

The 150th anniversary of the birth of Icelandic poet, Grimur Thomsen was commemorated by this stamp - 

Iceland - 19 June 1970

Thomsen was the son of a goldsmith - this provides me with a link to Ireland. Oliver Goldsmith was an Irish novelist, playwright and poet.

However it's a different literary giant from Ireland whose birth was commemorated by this stamp - sorry about the postmark -

Ireland - 30 Nov 1967
300th anniversary of the birth of Jonathan Swift

It's Swift's famous work, Gulliver's Travels, that provide me with a link to last week's post - Hungary and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs fairy tale.

I'm sure you all remember Walt Disney's version of Snow White, but how many of you have heard of the link to Swift via Gulliver Mickey, a Mickey Mouse short animation. 

For more 'I' related stamps don't forget to visit Sunday-Stamps-II-147.

Sunday Stamps II : A-Z ; 'H'

I only have two countries for 'H' so limited choice this week.

Hong Kong - 11 June 1973

The 1984 Joint Declaration between the United Kingdom and China led to the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong in 1997. Hong Kong is now a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.

The link to last week's post?

'G' is the seventh letter of the alphabet - Hong Kong contains two 'Gs'.

A fairy tale on an Hungarian stamp maintains the 'seven' link.

Hungary - 1 December 1960

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. 

For other 'H' related stamps please follow the links at Sunday-Stamps-II-145

Sunday Stamps II: A-Z 'G'

Despite posting from the USA I sailed this week to Guinea- Bissau.

Guinea-Bissau - 1988

This Egyptian navy ship is one of a series of old ships issued at the same time. This West African country was once part of the kingdom of Gabu, colonised by Portugal it was formerly Portuguese Guinea.

Each week I have tried to maintain a link (of sorts) to the previous week. Last week we saw the work of the goldsmiths in Finland.

So while in West Africa where better to stop off than Ghana which before its independence from Britain in 1957 was the -

Gold Coast - 1952

Too late I thought of golfing stamps, but you can make up for this by checking out Sunday-Stamps-II-144.

Sunday Stamps II A-Z: 'F'

I have only three countries to choose from this week.  

Fortunately I can maintain an art link to last time with a stamp from Finland.

Finland - 6 August 1971

This commemorated the 600th anniversary of goldsmith's art.

No link to France where I could only use Marianne to identify a President's choice.

France - 1 July 2008

This is the most recent of my Mariannes on a euro stamp -  President Sarkozy's Marianne.

Sunday-stamps-II-143 has chosen to go with fish; visit the links there to find choices made by others.

Sunday Stamps II; A-Z 'E'

Last week we were on the Djibouti-Ethiopia railway. This week it's Ethiopia itself.

Ethiopia - 26 July 1968

The stamp shows the Rastafarian Haile Selassie and commemorates the Ethiopian struggle for freedom. Selassie had become the countries emperor and led the country for many years.

My second stamp is also from an African country well know for the pyramids, but this stamp is catalogued on Stamp World as depicting Historical Art & Stone Carving.

Egypt - 1 March 1993

For other stamps this week check out the links at Sunday-stamps-!!-142.