Total Solar Eclipse

A month ago, on 21 August, a total solar eclipse was visible within a band across the entire contiguous United States. 

The USPS issued a commemorative forever stamp on 20 June. It is the first US stamp that uses thermochromic ink. By rubbing a thumb or finger on the eclipse image, it reveals an underlying image of the full moon. Afterwards, the image reverts back to the eclipse as it cools.

The photograph of the total solar eclipse on the stamp was taken at Jalu, Libya on 29 March 2006 by NASA astrophysicist Fred Espenak (aka Mr Eclipse). The stamp's alternate image is a photo of the full moon taken by Espenak at his observatory in Portal, Arizona in 2010. 

As you can see, they also issued some special postmarks. I have been the happy receiver of two (different)!

This one on an envelope from Phillip, who wrote the address in a really clever way. And included a eclipse-themed card inside:

The other postmark was sent by Bryon, on the back of this postcard. Not easy to read in the dim light during a eclipse!

A Gril Reading, 1877
Frank Duveneck (1848-1919)

Wild Mail

Some wild mail arrived from Phillip (the USA) during the summer. Like this superb special postmark. Don't you love that name?

And an envelope made of a paper bag of the National Geographic Museum in Washington DC:

The back (Phillip's scan)

As on the following envelope, he used some of the stamps of one of my favourite series. I have it almost complete now!

And two interesting postcards inside, reproducing covers of the famous magazine:

I think I can include this letter sent by Laura (the UK) in this post. Or do you think these animals are not wild enough? ;-)

Green & Pink

I made this envelope from a magazine page. I usually take pictures of my sent mail, but sometimes just forget it. What I almost never forget is to write down in my notebook what I sent, just to keep track of lost items. Concerning this letter, I wrote only "green & pink"... And I wasn't able to remember the illustration until I saw it again on Phillip's blog!

Beautiful Windmills (and Watermills)

Windmills from the UK::

Letter sent by Alan. Carefully chosen stamps... almost ruined by the postal service!

Bembridge Windmill, c. 1700.
The sole remaining windmill on the Isle of Wright,
containing much of the original wooden machinery.

Postcard sent by John. Why can they cancel the stamps like these?

And more of the same wonderful set on letters from Laura... Along with one of those cancellations (Brrr!):

Windmills from the Netherlands (sent by Heleen):

Holland op z'n mooist
Charlotte Dematons

Two favourite themes on the following postcard, bridges and windmills. And an interesting postmark on the front side!

Leiden's West Gate, the Morspoort (17th century)

And a lot of Holland on a shaped postcard, with a beautiful matching stamp (and a perfect cancellation!).

Sunday Stamps | G

I received this stamp three weeks ago. I think I wouldn't possibly find any better one to illustrate Sunday Stamps-II's theme: G.

It was issued in august 2006 to commemorate the founding of The Society of Graphic Designers of Canada. More information about the stamp.

Theatre Postcards

Postcards sent by Phillip (the USA).

I used to go a lot to the theatre when I was living in Spain, and it is something that I miss a bit in the city I am living now: there is no theatre life here! So I am glad to add two postcards to the theatre album (and one to the Shakespeare album!).

Postal Poscards

Today's theme in Maria's link Postcards for the Weekend is Mail / Postal. Probably a favourite theme for a lot of collectors of postcards!

This is one of the latest I have got, sent by Laura (the UK) after her visit to The Postal Museum. It is the reproduction of an old advertisement from 1956. The name of the artist is Barbara Jones.

Mobile Post Office
Lower Bayle, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

A postcard sent by John (the UK), made of pictures that he took himself . I suppose this is a clever substitute: a mobile post office with several stops. But it is also sad that these branches have been created because so many small post offices have closed down in England, Wales, and Scotland...

Made of a Poster

Envelope sent to Phillip (the USA), made of a reused poster that announced a festival of theatre.

A Big Bag

Sent to Eric (France)

I bought a shirt, and they gave me an enormous paper bag that I could recycle in the form of not les than five envelopes! I forgot to take pictures of all of them, similar but different.

Sent to Phillip (the USA), front

Sent to Phillip (the USA), back

Coffee Mail

Despite the bad quality of my picture (too bright!), this is a rather amazing postcard, bought by Phillip in Puerto Rico and sent from the USA. It is a bag of coffee (Café Fino), real coffee (and not bad, by the way). 

You can see how it looked when full in Phillip's blog. I took the picture after preparing a cup...

Clotheslines

Sent by Heleen (the Netherlands)

From time to time, clotheslines appear on my mailbox...

Sunday Stamps | F(eet)

F (today's Sunday Stamps-II theme) is for Feet. Because sometimes some designs just catch your attention...

Doodles on an Envelope

At least, they inspired me when I was drawing this envelope to Alan (the UK).

Inspiring Mail-Related Drawings

Sent by Phillip (the USA). It is one of the postcards of the #Write_On Campaign, that began in 2014 with the challenge of writing 30 letters in 30 days.

Sent by Rosemary (Canada). It was created for the Letter Writing Club of The Regional Assembly of Text. If you happen to be in Vancouver the first Thursday of a month, you are welcome there!

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I added this post to Maria's link Postcards for the Weekend, that just started its second year. The theme this week is Monochrome. 

Philex France 89

By the way, one of the postcards I uploaded yesterday, Fabienne's, arrived inside this recycled envelope. It is made of the brochure of a museum.

I love the combination of typewriting and those wonderful vintage (some of them) stamps!