Switzerland (Helvetia) Hermann Hesse

SWITZERLAND (HELVETIA) in 1979  issued a set of first day cover stamps honouring Paul Klee, Rainer Maria  Rilke, Hermann  Hesse and Thomas Mann. This maxim card is rather rare portrait of Herman Hesse, whereas the postmark cancellation originated from Collina D'Oru and shows the Herman Hesse Museum located there.

Hermann Karl Hesse (1877 –  1962) was a German-Swiss poet, novelist, and painter. His best-known works include "Demian", "Steppenwolf", "Siddhartha", and "The Glass Bead Game", each of which explores an individual's search for authenticity, self-knowledge and spirituality. In 1946, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature.

USPS Walt Whitman Commeratives: 1940 and 2019

USPS on 12 September  2019, in Huntington Station, NY, issued a non-denominated Walt Whitman stamp priced at the 3-ounce rate (currently 85¢) in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 20 stamps.

With this stamp—the 32nd issue in the Literary Arts series—the Postal Service honors the bicentennial birthday of one of the giants of American poetry, Walt Whitman (1819-92), in the town where he was born on north-central Long Island, New York.

The stamp featured a portrait of Whitman based on a photograph taken by Frank Pearsall in 1869. In the background, a hermit thrush sitting on the branch of a lilac bush recalls “When Lilacs Last in the Door-yard Bloom’d,” an elegy for President Abraham Lincoln written by Whitman soon after Lincoln’s assassination on 14 April  1865.

 

Considered by many as the father of modern American poetry, Whitman broke away from dominant European poetic forms and experimented with free verse and colloquial expressions, writing powerfully about nearly every aspect of 19th-century America.

The artist for the stamp was Sam Weber. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp. The words “THREE OUNCE” on this stamp indicate its usage value, (currently 85¢).

Authors and poets both were the first to be celebrated with separate five-stamp sets by the Post Office Department in its Famous American series of 1940, and a 5¢ ultramarine stamp for Whitman with a long beard and artfully cocked hat was among them.

Statue of Walt Whitman by Jo Davidson, was first exhibited at the New York Worlds Fair in 1939. It presently stands at Bear Mountain State Park, New York.

The maxim card is rather large at 5"x7".

French Indo Chine Stamp of Annamite Woman on Postcard of a Meos Couple

FRENCH INDO CHINE (COLONIAL VIETNAM/LAOS/KAMPUCHEA) issued in the early 1920s stamp depicting an Annamite woman from the Annam region of central Vietnam. The stamp was available in different colours and values. This one is green with a value of five cents, and it is a vertical se-tenant of two stamps.

The postcard from 1922 showcases a young couple belonging to the Meos tribe in Laos. At that time, Laos was under French colonial rule, adding an intriguing historical context to this image. The woman is adorned with striking long curved silver earrings, which beautifully frame her face and highlight her cultural heritage. Meanwhile, the man wears a silver necklace featuring a long chain and rectangular pendant, symbolising his connection to tradition and identity. 

The photograph offers a glimpse into the rich diversity of customs and costumes prevalent among different ethnic groups in this region during the 1920s. It serves as a reminder of how cultures evolve over time while retaining their unique essence.

In today's world where globalisation has brought people closer together than ever before, images like these remind us of our shared humanity while celebrating our individuality. They prompt us to appreciate the beauty found in every corner of our planet and encourage us to embrace diversity. 

As we observe this young couple frozen in time through this remarkable photograph, we are transported back over a century ago when racial types were often used as markers for categorisation. However, it is important not to view them solely through such lenses but rather appreciate their story within their own cultural context - one that encompasses love, tradition, and resilience

Vietnam Cong Hoa Sampan Ferry Women - 1974

VIETNAM CONG HOA (REPUBLIC OF  VIETNAM) on  13 January 1974 issued two stamps showing sampan ferry women. The value of this  blue/multicoloured stamp and green/multicoloured stampwas 5 Dong and 10 Dong respectively Perforation was 14 X 13.5. Lithograph printing process was used. Postmark cancellation originated from Saigon, South Vietnam.

Vietnam Cong Hoa Injured Soldiers - 1972

VIETNAM CONG HOA (REPUBLIC OF  VIETNAM) on  1 September 1972 issued a set of three First Day Cover stamps dedicated to showing support for injured war soldiers of South Vietnam. Postmark cancellation originated from Saigon, South Vietnam.

South Vietnam  issued several propaganda and military related stamps, although not so much like those in the North.

 

Deutsche Bundespost Postcard Marking President Carter's Visit to Berlin - 1978

DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST on 15 July 1978 issued postal stationery with special franking to mark President Jimmy Carter's three-day visit to West Germany. The stamp on this postcard shows it was postmarked Berlin Kongresshalle when Carter visited and addressed citizens in West Berlin.

 

The postage stamp is Friedrich Ludwig Jahn  (1778 – 1852) who was a German gymnastics educator and nationalist. His writings credited him with the founding of the German gymnastics (Turner) movement as well as influencing the German Campaign of 1813, during which a coalition of German states effectively ended the occupation by Napoleon's First French Empire. His admirers know him as "Turnvater Jahn", roughly meaning "Father of Gymnastics Jahn". Deutsche Bundespost issued this stamp in 1978.

As for President Carter's visit in Berlin, he stood before an audience of 1,000 Berliners and fielded questions for nearly an hour on everything from the security of the divided city to the size of his daughter's weekly allowance. At the town meeting in the Congress Hall, Carter addressed the audience in German: “Was immer sei, Berlin bleibt frei,” or “Whatever may be, Berlin stays free.” He had said the same thing earlier at a ceremony at the Berlin Airlift Memorial.

President Carter and Chancellor Helmut Schmidt laid wreathes at the Memorial to the 78 Britons, Americans and West Germans who lost their lives during the Berlin Airlift in 1948-1949. Accompanied by Chancellor Schmidt throughout, he then drove to Potsdam Square, where he mounted a platform and looked over the wall into East Berlin.

The state-sponsored trip also included stops in Bonn and Frankfurt (town hall) and military base in Wiesbaden.

Source: New York Times

Poste Italiani King Victor Emmanual III with Tripoli Postmark - 1912

POSTE ITALIANI from 1901 issued definitive postage stamps of  King Victor Emmanual III, King of Italy. The postcard itself, entitled “Jeune Arabe”, depicts a young Beduin woman from Tunisia. Lehnert and Landrock photographed her circa 1905-1906. This particular postcard featured the green 5C stamp of King Victor Emmanual issued initially in 1909. The postmark on this postcard originated from Tripoli (Tripolitana) in 1912, the year the Ottoman Empire ceded Tripolitania to Italy. Interestingly, Italian stamps from Tripolitania were overprinted "Tripoli di Barberia", but this one appears to be either an early Tripoli  issue or forgery from Italy passed off as Tripoli. Postmark is too light and faded to really know for certain.

Tripolitana was a historic region of western Libya, centred on the coastal city of Tripoli. Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Tripolitania was captured by Italy in 1911 during the Italo-Turkish War. Italy officially granted autonomy after the war, but gradually occupied the region. Originally administered as part of a single colony, Tripolitania was a separate colony from 26 June 1927 to 1934, when it was merged into "Libya". During World War II, Libya was occupied by the Allies and until 1947 Tripolitania (and the region of Cyrenaica) were administered by Great Britain. Italy formally renounced its claim upon the territory in the same year.

Tuvalu Post WWI Centenary of "The Christmas Truce"

TUVALU POST in December 2019 issued a mint sheet of four commemorative stamps marking the WWI centenary of  "The Christmas Truce".

These four stamps from Tuvalu featured the original illustration of British and German soldiers exchanging cheerful conversation. It first appeared in an artist's impression from The Illustrated London News of 9 January 1915. The caption read "British and German Soldiers Arm-in-Arm Exchanging Headgear: A Christmas Truce between Opposing Trenches". The selvage included the name of the artwork as well as text stating "Legend has it that some British and German trench soldiers made a temporary truce for Christmas in an incredible act of humanity in the middle of one of the world's most infamous wars."

The Christmas truce (or, known in German as Weihnachtsfrieden) was a series of widespread unofficial ceasefires along the Western Front of the First World War around Christmas 1914. The truce occurred five months after hostilities had begun. Lulls occurred in the fighting as armies ran out of men and munitions and commanders reconsidered their strategies following the stalemate of the 'Race to the Sea' and the indecisive result of the First Battle of Ypres.

In the week leading up to 25 December, French, German and British soldiers crossed trenches to exchange seasonal greetings and talk. In some areas, men from both sides ventured into no man's land on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to mingle and exchange food and souvenirs. There were joint burial ceremonies and prisoner swaps, while several meetings ended in carolling. Men played games of football with one another, creating one of the most memorable images of the truce. Hostilities continued in some sectors, while in others the sides settled on little more than arrangements to recover bodies. This would be less so in the following years as commanders on both sides had given orders not to fraternise with the enemy.

Sources: Tuvalu Post and Wikipedia

 

Islamic Republic of Iran Post Massacre of Hajj Pilgrims in 1987

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN POST  on 21 July 1988 issued a First Day Cover with two stamps in memoriam of Hajj pilgrims 'massacred' in 1987.

On 31 July 1987, during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, a clash between Shia pilgrim demonstrators and the Saudi Arabian security forces resulted in the death of more than 400 people. The event has been variously described as a "riot" (Saudi Arabia account) or a "massacre" (Iranian account).

French Polynesia (Tahiti) 50th Anniversary of the WWII "Tamari'i Volunteers"

FRENCH POLYNESIA (TAHITI) on 21 April 2001 offered a First Day Cover stamp marking the 50th Anniversary of the Pacific Battalion formed from French Polynesia during WWII. The stamp and cachet featured the ship that carried the volunteers and their military insignia. The cancellation postmark originated from Papeete, Tahiti.

The Pacific Battalion was a unit of the Free French Forces formed in French Polynesia in 1940, and belonging to the 1st Free French Division of General Pierre Kœnig. He fought in particular in North Africa, Italy and France. The battalion's soldiers are nicknamed the "Tamari'i volunteers", which means volunteer children ("tamari'i" means "children" in Tahitian).

The battalion was created on the initiative of Félix Broche, then captain, who was promoted to commander, then lieutenant-colonel before being killed at the Battle of Bir Hakeim. He was affectionately nicknamed by his men “ metua” (the father).

Republic of China (Taiwan) 30th Anniversary of Broadcast Service.

REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN) on 16 September 1957 issued a set of three First Day Cover stamps marking the 30th Anniversary of Broadcast Service. The stamp remained in circulation on 1 August 1962, The printer was China Engraving & Printing Works, R.O.C. The designer was Chen Chao-erh. Photographer/engraver was Pao Liang-yu, Creative Director. Colour print process method was Intaglio, using 80 weight, wood-free printing paper. The dimension of stamps measured (mm) 37 x 29. the back of the stamp was gumless with 12 perforations. Postmark cancellation originated from Kaosiung.

Broadcasting as a business in the Republic of China began with the establishment by the Ministry of Communications of the Tientsin Broadcast Station at Tientsin, Hopei on 1 May  1927. From that date on various state-run and privately-owned broadcast stations have emerged throughout the country.

In commemoration of its 30th anniversary and in appreciation of its splendid service to the society, a set of three  commemorative stamps was issued. The stamps show, in the central design, a globe, a broadcasting tower and a microphone. In the background are radio waves reaching from Taiwan to every part of the world.

Source; Taiwan Post

Marshall Islands 20th Anniversary of The Killing Fields in Kampuchea

MARSHALL ISLANDS on 15 November 1999 issued a First Day Cover stamp recalling the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime's "killing fields" of Cambodia. This 20th anniversary stamp originated from Majuro, Marshall Islands. The Cambodian journalist Dith Pran coined the term "killing fields" after his escape from the Khmer Rouge regime led by Pol Pot.

From 1975 to 1979, Pol Pot led the Khmer Rouge Communist political party in a reign of violence, fear, and brutality over Cambodia. It was an attempt in social engineering to create a classless agrarian society, which  resulted in the deaths of 25% of the population from starvation, overwork, and executions.

The Khmer Rouge regime arrested and eventually executed almost everyone suspected of connections with the former government or with foreign governments, as well as professionals and intellectuals. Ethnic Vietnamese, ethnic Thai, ethnic Chinese, ethnic Cham, Cambodian Christians, and Buddhist monks were the demographic targets of persecution.

 

It is estimated the the total deaths resulting from Khmer Rouge policies, including death from disease and starvation, range from 1.7 to 2.5 million out of a 1975 population of roughly 8 million. The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek is one of the places, just outside of Phnom Penh, where a mass grave for an estimated 20,000 people is located.

In 1979, Vietnam invaded Democratic Kampuchea and toppled the Khmer Rouge regime, ending the genocide.

Source: Wikipedia

USPS Distinguished Americans Series - James A. Michene

USPS on 12 May 2008 issued a First Day Cover stamps of American  author James A. Michener. He was the 10th honoree in the Distinguished Americans Series. The first  postmark cancellation for this stamp originated from Washington DC.

James Albert Michener is believed to have been born on 3 February  1907, in New York City. He was abandoned by his parents and didn't know his exact birth date or place of birth, but it's generally considered to be February 3, 1907.  At a young age, Mabel Michener of Doylestown, Pennsylvania took him in and raised him. He was a bestselling author of more than 40 books, selling an estimated 75 million copies worldwide.

At the age of 20 Michener hitchhiked across the United States, visiting all but three states, and yet still received straight As in school.

After graduating from high school in 1925, Michener attended Swarthmore College, where he played basketball and majored in English and History. Michener graduated summa cum laude in 1929. He then traveled to Scotland and attended St. Andrews University for two years.

When he returned to the United States, Michener taught English at the Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and the George School in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Michener then attended Colorado State Teachers College, earning a Master of Arts degree in education. He remained at the school as a teacher for several years and also taught at College High School. From 1939 to 1940, Michener was a guest lecturer at Harvard  After that, he served as the social studies education editor for Macmillan Publishers.

As a Quaker, Michener could have qualified as a conscientious objector and avoided military service during World War II. However, he chose to enlist in the Navy and served throughout the South Pacific.  His commanders gave him several assignments because they believed his father was Admiral Marc Mitscher. Michener used his World War II experiences to wrote his first novel, Tales of the South Pacific. He mailed the story anonymously to Macmillan Publishers. The book was then published in 1947 and won a Pulitzer Prize. In 1949, Rodgers and Hammerstein adapted the story into the hit Broadway musical, South Pacific.

Michener traveled the Pacific many times, and moved to Hawaii in 1949. While there he took an active interest in civil affairs. He spent four years researching and three years writing his novel Hawaii, which became an immediate best seller.  Michener visited several countries over the years, staying long enough to learn about the customs and people for his books. Michener's extensive and meticulous research resulted in lengthy novels, many of which were more than 1,000 pages. He claimed to have spent 12 to 15 hours per day at his typewriter.

Michener  also worked on the television series Adventures in Paradise, which ran from 1959 to 1962. Michener's 1974 novel Centennial chronicled the lives of several generations of families in the Rocky Mountains.  In 1978, it was made into a 12-part television miniseries.

Michener was a noted philanthropist, donating more than $100 million to educational, cultural and writing institutions. Among these were Swarthmore College, the Iowa Writers Workshop, the James A. Michener Art Museum, and the University of Texas at Austin (Michener was this school's largest single donor). Michener also donated the earnings from his novel Journey to create the Journey Prize, an annual award for the best short story published in Canada.

During his life, Michener received several honorary degrees and literary awards as well as the Medal of Freedom.

Michener suffered from terminal kidney disease and died on 16 October 1997. He left most of his estate to Swarthmore College and the University of Northern Colorado. Several of his works were adapted for movies and television over the years, including The Bridges at Toko-Ri, Sayonara, Hawaii, Caravans, Space, and Texas.

Source: Mystic Stamps