U.S.A. - Utah

Zion National Park, Utah: U.S.A. – The Great White Throne

The Great White Throne is a mesa, predominantly composed of white Navajo Sandstone in Zion National Park in Washington County in southwestern Utah near the town of Springdale. Located at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert regions, the park has a unique geography and a variety of life zones that allow for unusual plant and animal diversity. Numerous plant species … Continue reading Zion National Park, Utah: U.S.A. – The Great White Throne

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U.S.A. - New Mexico

Taos, New Mexico: U.S.A. – Kit Carson House

Christopher Houston Carson (December 24, 1809 – May 23, 1868) was an American frontiersman, working as a fur trapper, wilderness guide, Indian agent, and U.S. Army officer. He became a frontier legend in his own lifetime by biographies and news articles, and exaggerated versions of his exploits were the subject of dime novels. His understated nature belied confirmed reports of his fearlessness, combat skills, tenacity, … Continue reading Taos, New Mexico: U.S.A. – Kit Carson House

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U.S.A. - New York

Christmas Postcards: Syracuse, New York 1912

Today’s Christmas postcard was sent from Syracuse, New York, some 54 miles west to a minister in the town of Phelps in 1912 when the memory of the Titanic‘s sinking was still fresh in people’s minds. Syracuse is today the economic and educational hub of Central New York, a region with over one million inhabitants. In 1910, the city itself had a population of 137,249 … Continue reading Christmas Postcards: Syracuse, New York 1912

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U.S.A. - Ohio

Christmas Postcards: Findlay, Ohio 1913

I have a small number of Christmas-themed postcards, some received in the mail and several vintage postcards purchased on eBay over the years. When searching for older postcards marking various holidays, I prefer cards to be used with a clear postmark within a few days of the special event, if not on the actual date itself. I believe that I have only one non-philatelic item … Continue reading Christmas Postcards: Findlay, Ohio 1913

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U.S.A. - Kansas

Pawnee (Ft. Riley), Kansas: U.S.A. – First Territorial Capitol of Kansas

The First Territorial Capitol of Kansas (officially named First Territorial Capitol State Historic Site) is the sole remaining building of the ghost town of Pawnee, Kansas. The city served as the capital of the Kansas Territory for five days before it was moved to the Shawnee Indian Manual Labor Boarding School present day Fairway (holding that designation from July 16 to August 7, 1855). Pawnee … Continue reading Pawnee (Ft. Riley), Kansas: U.S.A. – First Territorial Capitol of Kansas

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U.S.A. - Illinois

Chicago, Illinois: U.S.A. – Chicago River Bridges

The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of 156 miles (251 km) that runs through the city of Chicago, including its center (the Chicago Loop). Though not especially long, the river is notable because it is one of the reasons for Chicago’s geographic importance: the related Chicago Portage is a link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi … Continue reading Chicago, Illinois: U.S.A. – Chicago River Bridges

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U.S.A. - Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming: U.S.A. – Old Faithful Inn

The Old Faithful Inn is a hotel in the western United States with a view of the Old Faithful Geyser, located in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. The Inn has a multi-story log lobby, flanked by long frame wings containing guest rooms. In the western portion of the park, it sits at an approximate elevation of 7,350 feet (2,240 m) above sea level. With its log … Continue reading Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming: U.S.A. – Old Faithful Inn

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U.S.A. - Pennsylvania

York, Pennsylvania: USA – Gates House and Golden Plough Tavern

The Gen. Horatio Gates House and Golden Plough Tavern are two connecting historic buildings located in downtown York, Pennsylvania. Built between 1741 and 1751, the buildings were restored between July 1961 and June 1964. They are operated as a museum by the York County History Center. The Golden Plough Tavern was built by Martin Eichelberger in 1741 and is a two-story, Germanic influenced medieval style … Continue reading York, Pennsylvania: USA – Gates House and Golden Plough Tavern

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United Nations

Happy United Nations Day

United Nations Day is an annual commemorative day, reflecting the official creation of the United Nations on 24 October 1945. In 1947, the United Nations General Assembly declared 24 October, the anniversary of the Charter of the United Nations, to “be devoted to making known to the people of the world the aims and achievements of the United Nations and to gaining their support for” … Continue reading Happy United Nations Day

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[General]

Happy World Postcard Day

October 1st is World Postcard Day. On October 1, 1869, the Austro-Hungarian Post office released the Correspondenz-Karte developed by Dr. Emanuel Herrmann, a light-brown 8.5x12cm card with space for the address on the front and room for a short message on the back. The postcard featured an imprinted 2 Kreuzer stamp on top right corner, costing half the price of a normal letter. It sold … Continue reading Happy World Postcard Day

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