Waterfalls/Rivers on Sunday Stamps - Norway, USA, New Zealand

 I'm not sure that this is a waterfall in Norway but it certainly looks like one.

Norway - 13 June 1979

I was working in Stavanger at the time it was issued a came from a scenery series, this one depicting fauna, mammals and horses.

A ship's wheel and a power transmission tower (pylon) appeared on this Arkansas River Navigation stamp from the USA.

USA - 1 October 1968

Somehow I think you might need a map or sat-nav to find your way from Minnesota to Louisiana along the Great River Road through 10 States to follow the course of the Mississippi.

USA - 21 October 1966

The Peace issue from New Zealand in 1946 include a stamp showing Lake Matheson.

New Zealand - 1 April 1946

The lake formed in a hollow left by the Fox Glacier. Although it is not clear in the stamp, the Clearwater River drains out of the lake.

For more waterfalls and rivers just check the links to be found at Falls

Sunday Stamps - Father Figure: New Zealand

This proved a difficult theme to match until I found the 1946 Peace Issue from New Zealand.

New Zealand - 1 April 1946

King George VI and his family under the banner "IN PEACE, LONG MAY THEY REIGN."

By 1953 the father figure's daughter was Queen and she remains our longest serving monarch.

For other fathers follow the links at Father Figures on Sunday Stamps

Sunday Stamps O3 - Great Britain, Greece, Malawi, New Zealand

Back in 1675 Sir Christopher Wren chose a site at Greenwich to be where King Charles II commissioned 

The Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Great Britain - 23 April 1975

The prime meridian passes through it, thereby giving its name to Greenwich Mean Time. In 1998 it became part of the National Maritime Museum.

Maintaining an old theme I found these old toys in Greece.

Greece  - 22 December 2006
Old toys from the Benaki Museum in Athens

I've posted stamps from Malawi in previous weeks and perhaps should have shown one of my favourites under 'K'.

Klipspringer Antelope - 15 February 1971

However, its Latin name is Oreotragus oreotraus.

1948 saw the 100th anniversary of the settlement of the New Zealand Province of Otago.

New Zealand - 23 February 1948

Now I have to find out about the two ships shown on the stamp.

Sail across to Sunday-stamps-o. for more 'O' related stamps.

Sunday Stamps II A-Z 'V' Canada, China, New Zealand

The first flying boat made for Canadian conditions was the Vickers Vedette commemorated in a transportation series issued in 1979.

Canada - 15 November 1979

First made in 1924 the Vedette gave improved access to lakes and rivers opened up by canoes. The three seater was designed for forest fire patrols and photographic work. It starred in mercy missions and saw some service with the RCAF until the beginning of WWII.

May 1949 saw China issue a stamp dedicated to victory in North Kiangsu. Today Jiangsu formerly Kiangsu, capital Nanjing, is an eastern central coastal province of the People's Republic of China. I presume that the victory refers to the war with Japan.

China - 7 May 1949

Victory stamps from New Zealand were issued in 1920 to celebrate the end of WWI.

New Zealand - 27 January 1920

The British Lion represents the British Empire with the allegorical figure of Peace.

For other 'V' stamps go over to Sunday-stamps-v.

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.

Flowers - Sunday Stamps II

Three countries this week, all a long way from the UK although I recognise some of the flowers.

New Zealand - 1960/1963

The manuka or the tea tree is a plant in the myrtle family.

A flower from Vietnam is more familiar to me, by name at least..

Vietnam - Chrysanthemum

So far I have been unable to find its date of issue.

In the USA the XIth International Botanical Congress was commemorated on 23 August 1969 with this set of four.

USA

The stamps depict:

• The Lady's Slipper Orchid
• Douglas Fir
• Franklin Tree - native to Alatamaha River in Georgia
• Ocotillo - which apparently is not a true cactus.

To see other flowers selected this week just follow the links at Sunday-Stamps-II-74.

Playtime, toys or games - Sunday Stamps II

This has proved a difficult theme for me. However when looking for some stamps for Words and Numbers last week another William Caxton stamp caught my eye.

Great Britain 1976 - Game and Playe of Chess

Then I've had to cheat a bit and go to New Zealand for some 'games'.

New Zealand 1974 - Xth British Commonwealth Games

I know that Sunday Stamps has a Christmas theme for the next two weeks but I found a different New Zealand stamp which shows a game in progress.

Cricket on the beach - Christmas 2013

I struggled to find a toy that I had not shown before but an old Swedish toy saved the day.

Sweden 1978

My wife usually asks me on a Sunday whether I have finished playing with my stamps. Little did she know that 'Playtime' is very appropriate for Violet this week at Sunday-Stamps-II-51.

Rocks, gems and minerals - Sunday Stamps II

In 1982 New Zealand issued a set of 6 stamps featuring minerals all of which are found there.

I can only show you two of the set.

Iron Pyrites is mined for its sulphur content and provides 40% of the world's sulphur. Pyrite, iron sulphide, is the world's most common sulphide. It is also known as "fool's gold"

I must confess that I had not heard of the mineral on the 5c stamp.

Carnelian is a variety of the mineral quartz and belongs to the largest class of minerals - the silicates.

The other stamps in the set feature - 

• 1c Nephrite also known as jade
• 2c Agate - a variety of quartz
• 4c Amethyst - also a quartz variety
• 9c Native Sulphur

I obtained the two stamps illustrated when I was given an envelope from New Zealand which I thought was worth showing again; it carried a lighthouse that would have been right for our theme two weeks ago.

Cape Reinga Lighthouse

For more rocks, gems and minerals follow the links at Sunday-Stamps-ii-38.

Ports or Harbours - Sunday Stamps II

The ports and harbours on the stamps I have this week are all associated with islands - one from the Isle of Man and four from New Zealand.

Port St Mary

Once a major fishing a trading port in the south of the Isle of Man the inner harbour and pier were created in 1912.

Auckland & Wellington Harbours

Wellington and Auckland are located on New Zealand's North Island. Wellington is the country's capital.

Waitemata Harbour provides the main access by sea to Auckland and is often referred to as Auckland Harbour; it is crossed by the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Lyttleton Harbour & Port Chalmers

Both are in the South Island. Port Chalmers is the main port of  the city of Dunedin and lies 10km inside Otago Harbour.

For other ports of call and harbours in which to take shelter follow the links at Sunday-Stamps-II-28.

Faces - Sunday Stamps II

I wasn't sure how to use my stamps for the "Faces" theme this week. 

In the end I had to settle for a young Queen,

Great Britain

There's nothing second class about her.

Then there's her even younger son.

Great Britain - The Prince of Wales

This was part of the set issued on 1 July 1969 for the Investiture of the Prince of Wales.

My third face is that of a Maori chief.

New Zealand - 1980

Te Hau Takiri Wharepapa was one of the chiefs who sailed to England in 1862 to meet Queen Victoria, He returned with an English bride.

This fine stamp is on the envelope with the New Zealand roses I showed for Valentines.

Don't forget to see whether there are other faces you recognise at Sunday-stamps-ii-11.

Roses for Valentines - Sunday Stamps II

I just had to pick roses for the Valentine theme this week as these where the only 'related' items I had in my collection.

On 30 June 1976  a set was issued to commemorate the centenary of the Royal National Rose Society.

Great Britain - Elizabeth of Glamis

Named in honour of the late Queen Mother it was the first rose to be granted copyright protection in Britain.

Great Britain - Rosa Mundi

Rosa Mundi was first described in 1583. Sir Thomas Hanmer's Garden Book (1659) says it was originally found in Norfolk.

An earlier legend says that it was named after Rosamund Clifford, the mistress of Henry II (1154 - 1189)

In the last two weeks I have been given an envelope that originated in New Zealand. I'll show this later but for now the roses it contained will suffice.

New Zealand - Roses

These are Super Star, Cresset and Michelle Meilland. I believe Michelle Meilland must be related to the French grower Francis Meilland who bred the rose in 1945.

Now all I have to do is to wait for the roses in our garden to bloom again this year.

For other Valentine specials check out the links at Sunday-stamps-ii-9.

Water - Sunday Stamps II

I found three waterfalls to show you this week from different parts of the world.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is in the eastern end of the island of San Domingo in the West Indies. The 60m high Salto Jimenoa Uno is one of three waterfalls round Jarabacoa in the province of Vera.

Jimenoa Waterfall

In Europe between France and Switzerland the 27m high Le Saut du Doubs is on the River Doubs.

France - Le Saut du Doubs

The Waikato River in the North Island is New Zealand's longest river. The Huka Falls on the river drain Lake Taupo.

New Zealand - Huka Falls

Upstream from the falls the river narrows from c100m into a narrow canyon only 15m across.

Now if I had a stamp for Niagara it would make a impressive set indeed.

For more water scenes float over to Sunday-stamps-ii-7.

Trees - Sunday Stamps

The theme this week proved more difficult than I thought. Perhaps I couldn't see the wood for the trees.

However I am reasonably sure what this is.

Bangladesh - Palm Tree

Still in the southern hemisphere I came across a log, even if I don't know what tree it came from.

New Zealand

In colder northern climes a make believe tree.

Iceland - Europa CEPT

Perhaps this one is easier to identify.

Iceland - Spruce?

My final tree is one produced by a Norwegian romantic painter.

Norway - Slindebirken by Thomas Fearnley (1802-1842)

I believe this is a birch of some sort.

I'm hoping someone will be able to show some trees from Britain. I know of at least two that have appeared - the horse chestnut and the oak.

To see other varieties please cross over to Sunday-stamps-131.

Scenic views - Sunday Stamps

My scenic natural areas have a mountainous look about them,

The highest mountain in North America is Mount McKinley in Alaska.

USA - Mount McKinley, Alaska

In Europe you've a choice between:

Sweden

And two others from:

Norway

But if you fancy a scenic walk then perhaps you should travel to the otherside of the world.

Mount Taranaki, New Zealand

Taranaki, also called Mount Egmont, is said to be one of  the most symmetrical volcanic cones in the world.

Meanwhile back in Iceland there is a 700,000 yearold volcano covered by a glacier.

Dettifoss Waterfall and Snæfellsjökull, Iceland

Dettifoss, 44m high and 100m wide is said to be the most powerfull waterfall in Europe; Snæfellsjökull (or snow-fells glacier) is that 700,000 year old volcano.

For more scenic natural areas please pay a visit to other contributors to Viridian's sunday-stamps-77.

Australia and New Zealand - Sunday Stamps

As I have no stamps from Antarctica nor the British stamp depicting Captain Scott I have  settled for showing my stamps from Australia and New Zealand. You may have seen some of them before.

Australia was an appropriate choice this week as it marks the end of the Queen's 16th tour and the proposed change in succession so that first born girls can become Queen in their turn.

Australia

I've always liked the first one with the kangaroo on the map.

New Zealand

There's a bit of snow on the mountains here even if there are no Antarctic scenes. The Kiwis will have to settle for winning the recent Rugby World Cup.

To celebrate other stamps you need to visit Viridian's Sunday Stamps 42