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.