USPS William Jennings Bryan & Scopes Monkey Trial

USPS on 19 March 1986 issued a First Day Cover stamp and cachet commemorating William Jennings Bryan and the Scopes Trial. Postmark cancellation on this FDC cachet originated from Cave-in-Rock, Illinois. Another FDC cancellation (not shown here) originated from Salem, Illinois, the birthplace of William Jennings Bryan.

Tom Broad designed the stamp. It was one the first stamps released in the Great American Series which included 64 patriots. The stamp had a $2 face value and was released on Bryan’s 126th birthday. One fun fact about the stamp is that it had the longest name in the series; so long that it needed to wrap around two sides of the stamp. A total of 57,250,000 were printed by Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

The cachet on the envelope depicted the core conflict of the Scopes 'Monkey Trial' by illustrating "Evolution" on the left (showing early humans and fire) and "Creation" on the right (showing Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden).

William Jennings Bryan, U.S. Congressman for Nebraska, three-time Democrat presidential candidate and former secretary of state under President Woodrow Wilson, argued for the prosecution, while famed labour and criminal lawyer Clarence Darrow served as the principal defense attorney for Scopes.  This landmark legal case in Tennessee debated the legality of teaching evolution in public schools.

High school teacher, John T. Scopes, was accused of violating the Butler Act, a Tennessee state law which outlawed the teaching of human evolution in public schools. The trial was deliberately staged in order to attract publicity to the small town of Dayton, Tennessee, where it was held. Scopes was unsure whether he had ever actually taught evolution, but he incriminated himself deliberately so the case could have a defendant. Scopes was represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, which had offered to defend anyone accused of violating the Butler Act in an effort to challenge the constitutionality of the law.

Scopes was found guilty and was fined $100 (equivalent to $1,800 in 2024), but the verdict was overturned on a technicality. 

William Jennings Bryan elicited mixed views during his lifetime and his legacy remains debated amongst historians. That said,  many recognise he played a major role in shaping U.S. public policies for more than 40 years. Known as “The Great Commoner,” William Jennings Bryan  is remembered for his impassioned speeches on a variety of topics, including anti-trust, anti-imperialism, prohibition, populism, and trust-busting. 

He is best known for his role in the Scopes Trial, hence the cachet design. Since his death in 1925 -- a week after the trial and in Dayton (Tennessee), incidentally -- scholars have warmed to his motives, if not his actions in the Scopes Trial because he rejected eugenics, a practice that many evolutionists of the 1920s favoured.

Source: Wikipedia and Mystic Stamps

Islamic Republic of Iran Post Solidarity with Bosnian Muslims

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN POST on  27 December 1993 issued a  set of First Day Cover reflecting Iran's solidarity with the Muslim population of Bosnia-Herzegovina during the Bosnian War.  Postmark cancellation originated from Tehran.

The three stamps depicted various scenes, including children, a man raising his hand in a gesture of solidarity, and a Muslim woman in a yellow headscarf, all set against backgrounds that included architectural elements reminiscent of Bosnia-Herzegovins mosques, symbolising support for the Bosnian Muslim community. The face value of these stamps were 40 Ris and 10 Ris denominations.

The cachet shown on the envelope contains various Iranian cultural and symbolic elements, including a mosque, the Iranian flag, and Olympic rings, suggesting a blend of national identity, religious significance, and perhaps a nod to sporting achievements. 

Islamic Republic of Iran Post Ayatollah Khomeini

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN POST on 27 July 1992 issued a set of First Day Cover stamps to  honour Ayatollah Khomeini, an Imam and founding patriarch of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He is shown in  traditional attire whilst fixing his turban and praying. Postmark cancellation originated from Tehran.

China Post 50th Anniversary of Three Battle Victories

CHINA POST on 14 November 1998 issued a set of five First Day Cover stamps commemorating the 50th anniversary of the battles waged at Liaoshen, Pingjin and Huaihai during the Chinese Civil War that was fought between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from 1927 to 1949. The stamp designers were Chen Xiaocong, Wei Chuyu, Ji Hongmin. An offset printing process was used. Size was 50x30mm. This set of stamps is rendered here on maxicards.

The stamps included:

 - Making Splendid Plans, 50 fen (not shown)

- Conquering Jinzhou, 50 fen

- Decisive Battle Field in Huaihai, 50 fen

- Liberating Beiping, 50 fen

- Supporting the Forefront, 150 fen

From autumn and winter of 1948 to early 1949, the People's Liberation Army launched strategic and decisive campaigns against the Kuomintang army in northeast, north and central China. The three major campaigns: Liaoshen, Pingjin and Huaihai liberated a large area and some important cities, this wiping out the effective strength of the Kuomintang army and led to the Communist victory. 

The victory of these three major campaigns was waged by more than 10 million people who participated in repairing bridges and roads, transporting materials and rescuing injured soldiers.

Poste Française Cover

POSTE FRANÇAISE stamp cover of a letter sent to me from a fellow stamp collector.

Deutsche Bundespost Berlin Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin

DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST BERLIN on 16 July 1981 issued a 60-pfennig postage stamp, commemorating the Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin, also known as the International Radio Exhibition Berlin, or IFA. 

The stamp featured the building which was inaugurated on 22 January 1931 as the Haus des Rundfunks ("House of Broadcasting"), on Masurenallee in Berlin-Westend. It was the official seat of the Reichs-Rundfunk-Gesellschaft. Designed in 1929 by the architect Hans Poelzig (1869-1936), this triangular-shaped building was the world's first self-contained broadcasting centre and included a large concert hall.

A total of 7,820,000 stamps were printed using an offset lithography method. 

USPS 200 Anniversary of US-Morocco Friendship

USPS on 17 July 1987 issued a commemorative FDC envelope and stamp celebrating 200 years of friendship between the United States and Morocco. The cachet on the envelope depicted a person riding a camel, with a Moroccan flag and a desert landscape in the background, whereas the stamp featured a 12-pointed star in an  arabesque design. The postmark originated from Washington, D.C. The artwork was realised by John Swatsley. 

The Treaty of Peace and Friendship, ratified on 18 July 1787, marked the beginning of the longest unbroken amity treaty in American diplomatic history. Morocco was the first country to give naval salute to the US on 20 December 1777, before it was an independent nation. The Treaty of Marrakech was signed on 23 June 1786, in Marrakech. 

Deutsche Post Games of the XXII Olympiad

DEUTSCHE POST (DDR) issued a series of First Day Cover stamps  commemorating the 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, held in Moscow, Soviet Union from July 19 to August 3 of that year. FDC postmarks originated from Berlin in summer months of 1980.

The covers featured stamps of athletes participating in various Olympic events which were painted by painted East German artists. The stamps were marked with "Spiele der XXII. Olympiade 1980" ("Games of the XXII Olympiad 1980"). 

10 DDR Stamp: Depicts a gymnast on a balance beam, with a sculpture by Erich Wurzer. 

20+5 DDR Stamp: Shows runners at the finish line, with an oil tempera painting by Lothar Zitzmann. 

50 DDR Stamp: Features a rowing team in a four-person scull, with a painting by Wilfried Falkenthal. 

20+10 DDR stamp: featured a swimmer painted by Prof Will Sitte.

10 DDR stamp: depicted two Judokas in action painted by Erhard Schmidt

50 DDR stamp: showed two cyclists in a sprint by Siegfried Schreiber.

The 1980 Summer Olympics were notable for a boycott led by the United States and other countries in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Deutsche Post XIII Olympic Winter Games

DEUTSCHE POST (DDR) commemorated the 1980 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIII Olympic Winter Games, which were held in Lake Placid, New York, United States from February 13 to 24, 1980. 

20 DDR stamp: depicts a figure skater in motion painted by Joanna Starke.

25+1 DDR stamp: illustrates ski jumpers painted by  Günther Schültz.

10 DDR stamp: represents a bobsled team painted by Günther Rechen.

30 DDR stamp: shows speed skaters painted by Axel Wunsch.

The stamps included the text "XIII-OLYMPISCHE WINTERSPIELE 1980," which translates to "XIII Olympic Winter Games 1980". Postmark cancellation originated from Berlin, East Germany (DDR).

The 1980 Winter Olympics are remembered for events like the "Miracle on Ice," where the U.S. men's hockey team defeated the Soviet Union. Speed skater Eric Heiden also achieved a historic feat by winning five gold medals. This event marked the second time Lake Placid hosted the Winter Games, the first being in 1932. 

Afrique Occidental Francaise - AOF onDahomey woman

FRENCH WEST AFRICA  (Afrique Occidental Francaise - AOF) issued a thematic series depicting the women of French West Africa between 1946 to 1947.

French West Africa (AOF) was a federation of eight French colonial territories in Africa: Mauritania, Senegal, French Sudan (now Mali), French Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso), Dahomey (now Benin) and Niger. The capital of the federation was Dakar. The federation existed from 1895 until 1960.

This vintage postcard commemorated "Stamp Day" (Journée du Timbre) in Dahomey, now Benin, in 1946. The postcard included a stamp featuring a portrait of a Dahomey woman in traditional attire and a stylised illustration of a stilt village in the cachet. The text on the postcard reads "Carte Postale" (Postcard), "Journée du Timbre 1946," and "Cotonou: le village lacustre" (Cotonou: the lake village). It also mentions the "Société Philatélique du Dahomey" (Philatelic Society of Dahomey). The stamp itself is marked "Dahomey" and "Postes 2.50". The postcard was postmarked "Botonor. Dahomey.

Afrique Occidental Francaise - AOF Bacongo woman

FRENCH WEST AFRICA  (Afrique Occidental Francaise - AOF) issued a thematic series depicting the women of French West Africa between 1946 to 1947.

French West Africa (AOF) was a federation of eight French colonial territories in Africa: Mauritania, Senegal, French Sudan (now Mali), French Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso), Dahomey (now Benin) and Niger. The capital of the federation was Dakar. The federation existed from 1895 until 1960.

This vintage postcard is from the original photo used to design the Bacongo woman by Pierre Gandon for these 1947 French Equatorial Africa definitive stamps.

Nippon Post Hakone Daimyo Gyoretsu

NIPPON POST on 1 October  2009 issued two First Day Cover stamps depicting the Hakone Daimyo Gyoretsu, a historical parade in Hakone, Japan, that recreates the processions of feudal lords (daimyo) during the Edo period. It was one of the events featured in the Nippon Post "Furusato" (hometown) series.

The parade is based on the "sankin kotai" system, where daimyo were required to travel to Edo (now Tokyo) every other year. Hakone was an important checkpoint on the route. The parade takes place annually on November 3rd and is a major autumn event in Hakone. Around 170 to 400 people dressed in historical costumes, including samurai, princesses, and geisha, march through the town. The procession includes music, dancing, and musket demonstrations. The procession typically covers a 6-kilometer route from Sounji Temple to the Yumoto Fujiya Hotel, often passing through Hakone-Yumoto Station. 

Nippon Posurals from the Takamatsuzuka Tomb

NIPPON POST on 26 March 1973 issued three First Day Cover stamps displaying murals from the Takamatsuzuka Tomb, a kofun (burial mound) located in Asuka, Nara, Japan. The tomb is known for its vibrant murals, which are thought to be influenced by the art of the Tang Dynasty of China and Goguryeo. 

The murals featured on these stamps include: one of the guardian spirits -- Seiryu, a blue dragon guarding one of the four directions in the crypt; courtly figures dressed in Goguryeo-style clothes; and women richly attired and carrying round fans (sashiba) and Buddhist-related staffs. The woman dressed in red and carrying a staff is referred to as Asuka bijin, or "Beauty from Asuka." Postmark cancellation originated from Nara Asuka, Japan.

The Takamatsuzuka Tomb is a significant historical site, believed to have been built in the Fujiwara-kyo era (694-710), this five-meter tall two-tiered round burial mound has a diameter of 23 meters on the first level and a diameter of 18 meters on the second level. Though it is not known who was buried here, theories propose it may be the son of Emperor Tenmu, a royal vassal, or royalty from the Korean peninsula. 

The discovery of the murals in the 1970s has provided valuable insights into the art and culture of the Asuka period. The tomb is now a national historic site and is managed by the Japanese government. 

Deutsche Post "Wir Bauen Auf!"

DEUTSCHE POST Bundesland Sachsen" (German Post, State of Saxony) on 13 March 1946 issued two semi-postal stamps entitled "Wir Bauen Auf!" (We are building up!).

These stamps were issued in the Soviet occupation zone of East Germany after World War II to raise funds for reconstruction. The stamps carried face values of 6pf+44pf and 12pf+88pf, indicating that an additional amount was charged for the reconstruction fund.

The Zwinger Palace (green, 6pf+44pf) and Rathaus (red-orange, 12pf+88pf) stamps, both located in Dresden were severely damaged during World War II but were later meticulously restored.

The stamps were postmarked Dresden and affixed to a postcard of the destroyed Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), a Lutheran church in Dresden.

On 13 February 1945, Allied forces began the bombing of Dresden in World War II. The church withstood two days and nights of the attacks, and the eight interior sandstone pillars supporting the large dome held up long enough for the evacuation of 300 people who had sought shelter in the church crypt, before succumbing to the heat generated by some 650,000 incendiary bombs that were dropped on the city. The temperature surrounding and inside the church eventually reached 1,000 °C (1,830 °F). The dome finally collapsed at 10 a.m. on 15 February. The pillars glowed bright red and exploded; the outer walls shattered and nearly 6,000 tons of stone plunged to earth, penetrating the massive floor as it fell.

The remaining ruins were left for nearly half a century as a war memorial, following decisions of local East German leaders. Following the reunification of Germany, it was decided to rebuild the church, starting in 1994. The reconstruction of its exterior was completed in 2004, and the interior the following year. The church was reconsecrated on 30 October 2005 with festive services lasting through the Protestant observance of Reformation Day on 31 October. 

Source: Wikipedia