A Moroccan Letter

I tried to send a very Moroccan letter to Valeri (the USA). The watercolour didn't work very well on this paper (it was my first try), but still... it looks a bit like Morocco.

The John Rylands Library

The University of Manchester, John Rylands Library Façade. Building designed by Basil Champneys. The library opened to the public in 1900, and was founded by Enriqueta Augustina Rylands in memory of her husband. The library is maintained by the University of Manchester and open for library readers and visitors.

Inside of the library: the Historic Reading Room in 2007.

And something like the inside of the inside: one of the oldest books of the library. Papyrus fragments containing lines from the Gospel of John (John 18:31; 18:37-38). From Egypt, ancient Greek language, 2nd century AD.

And just another postcard from Manchester. Because sometimes, you know, you must go out of the library...

Canal boats in Castlefield.

All postcards sent by Laura (the UK).

Cathedrals

And more postcards of imposing cathedrals...

The Cloisters Charcoal and conte on paper, by Grace Ayson
Canterbury Cathedral (the UK)

The Cologne Cathedral (Germany)

Postcards sent by Laura (the UK)

The Weeping Angel of Amiens

The statue of this cherub is a work of Nicolas Blasset, and it is a part of the the funerary monument of canon Guilain Lucas who died in 1628, in the Amiens Cathedral (France). The angel’s right hand is set on an hourglass symbolizing the brevity of life. As for his left elbow, it rests on the skull of a skeleton, a symbol of death. It is widely known as l'Ange pleurer ('the Weeping Angel') of Amiens.

Beginning with the Battle of the Somme and throughout the remainder of World War I, soldiers who survived death started buying memorabilia featuring the Weeping Angel: various items, but postcards in particular. These they sent to family, fiancé(e)s, and friends throughout the Commonwealth, becoming one of the commonest postcards at that time.

These postcards were sent to me by Catherine and Fabienne (France).

Stroopwafels

If we weren't on a mail-related blog, I bet I could make you believe that these stroopwafels ('syrup waffles') are real!

Alas, they are made of paper! Sent by Heleen (the Netherlands) inside an orange envelope. That way, I can keep them longer...

Say hello to that happy wafel-maker drawn on the envelope! 

The stroopwafels were first made in Gouda (South Holland), and that is the city that appears on the yellow stamp. They should not be confused with the kniepertje on the other stamps! These are larger, single, usually rolled up, and typical from Drenthe, in the east of the country. 

Coffee & Chocolate Mail

Heleen (the Netherlands) sent me this nice drawn envelope with matching stamps. The once with the red and white cups were issued in 2003, but I hadn't seen them before (I think). They are dedicated to the 250th anniversary of Douwe-Egberts Coffee Roasting founding.

Inside there was a folded card encouraging us to drink wine and beer... or, anyway, not to drink water. 

So, I considered coffee to be a good option, and made two postcards for Heleen, out of a calendar from my coffee store.

More reused materials: a collage I made for Laura (the UK), of Belgian chocolate packaging.

Women on Stamps | Edith Piaf

Does Édith Piaf (1915-1963) need an introduction? She was a French singer, songwriter, and actress who became widely regarded as France's national chanteuse, as well as being one of France's greatest international stars. 

Several countries have issued stamps honouring her. I have received these two, that are among my favourite designs ever. The USPS stamp above was issued on 12 June 2012; it was a joint issue with France (including another stamp of Miles Davies). 

The stamp below was issued by the Magyar Posta in 2012 to mark the centenary of her birth (More information here).

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For the new edition of Sunday Stamps-II A to Z, I have decided to show some of the stamps I have got on letters and postcards, related to one topic: women. This is the post for the letter P.

More women on stamps.

Nicely Stamped Envelopes

Some letters I received in January (a bit behind in posting, as usual). I really like when my friends take the time of sticking nice stamps in the envelopes they sent! These arrived from Germany (above, with a pictorial postmark too) and Spain (below).

On the envelope below, you can see the boring labels that Correos (the Spanish postal company) add to the letters if you sent them from the post office. You have to insist a lot to get real stamps, and sometimes they don't have any (or so they say). One day a postal worker told me off for not leaving room enough on a postcard. I got a bit angry and replied that I had left room enough for a stamp, but obviously not for a bed sheet.

Grüße aus Köln

Laura sent me this special postcard bought in the city of Cologne (Germany). The scan isn't as clear as I wanted, but it is just precious in person, with hints of glitter among the vintage people.

Do you know if this kind of postcards have any special name? These postcards are called Tausendschön.

(Postcards for the Weekend 88: Anything You Wish)

Mail Menu

This is another original sending from Bryon (the USA): an airplane menu! No doubt that it is a good souvenir from a trip. And, somehow, he managed to write a whole and fun letter inside: 

Which Is the Smallest Letter You Have Received?

As far as I am concerned, I think they are these two letters sent by Heleen (the Netherlands), that arrived together. Of course, they didn't arrived naked, but inside another letter. Because... look at their size:

I still wonder how could she manage to write a normal letter this small!

Postcoaster

I have received some beer coasters as a postcards. But I had never found a coaster that was especially designed to be used as a postcard. Of course, I had to send it!

(It went to Bryon, in the USA.)

Full

Front and back of the latest envelope I got from Alan (the UK). 

But, if you have received any letter from Alan, you know that they arrive always full of art and surprises!

Women on Stamps | Flannery O'Connor

The stamp that honours Flannery O'Connor (1925-1964) was issued on 5 June 2015. It is the 30th stamp in the USPS Literary Arts series.

I had never heard about Flannery O'Connor, and I liked the design of the stamp at first sight. Especially in combination with the blue hummingbird and this pictorial postmark. But not everybody agrees...

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For the new edition of Sunday Stamps-II A to Z, I have decided to show some of the stamps I have got on letters and postcards, related to one topic: women. This is the post for the letter O.

More women on stamps.

To the Moon

Painted envelope sent to Valerie (the USA).