Classical Gardens of Suzhou

 Thanks to Wong Jue , sent 30/Nov/2021

    "Jiangnan", geographically meaning the south bank of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, is the most beautiful word in China. Recorded in numerous Chinese literatures and art works, it is something tender, romantic, literary, poetic and picturesque. Suzhou is a city fully revealing the charm of Jiangnan, while Classical Gardens of Suzhou, Suzhou Silk and Suzhou Water Towns are the best models for analyzing Suzhou.

Stamps from right to left

 

• Ink lotus

Country:
    China, People's Republic
Series:
    Selected Artworks by Liu Haisu
Issued on:
    2016-03-16 

• Yinlianzhuitan

Country:
    China, People's Republic
Series:
    Waterfalls
Themes:
    Landscapes | Waterfalls
Issued on:
    2001-07-22

• Port & Fish

Country:
    China, People's Republic
Series:
    Yangtze River Economic Zone
Themes:
    Fishes | Landscapes | Ports | Rivers | Townscapes / City Views
Issued on:
    2018-08-26

 

 

 

Mill Network at kinderdijk-Elshout

 

Thanks to bucia  sent  ,28/11/2021  

    The Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout is a construction set up for draining and protecting an area by the development and application of hydraulic technology.

    Kinderdijk is a small town near Rotterdam, situated in an area called the Alblasserwaard. This part of the Netherlands lies below sea-level, and has a history of floods.

    The 19 windmills of Kinderdijk were built around 1740. Their purpose was to pump the excess water into a reservoir until the level of the river had reached a level that pumping the water into the river (called the Lek) was possible again. Since 1927 a diesel pumping station does the real job. The windmills were used for the last time during the second World War, when the mechanical pumps could not be used any more due to fuel shortages.

    During the summer months, the mills are put back in operation again to please the tourists. In one of the windmills a small museum is established with an exhibition about how miller-families lived. You can also walk or cycle along the canals and river to take a closer look at the mills and enjoy the landscape.

 

source (https://www.worldheritagesite.org/list/Kinderdijk)

 

Stamp:

•  Amsterdam House

Country:
    Netherlands
Series:
    Dutch Icons (International)
Themes:
    Houses
Issued on:
    2014-01-03

Mandarins

 

From Postcrossing sent 27.12.2021

Tangerine is a symbol of the new year in russia .Thanks to Maria.

Stamps  from right to left :

• Chinese Pond Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis)

Country:
    Russia
Series:
    Fauna of Russia - Turtles
Themes:
    Animals (Fauna) | Reptiles | Turtles
Issued on:
    2017-04-04

• View Through the Gates of Vittoriosa, N.P. Krasnov

Country:
    Russia
Series:
    Joint issue of Russia and Malta
Themes:
    Architecture | Art | Gates | Joint Issues | Paintings
Issued on:
    2016-05-24

From Saint Petersburg with Love

 

Thank you Marika for the wonderful card sent 28.11.2021

Saint Petersburg is the most romantic city in Russia.

 

 

 

Stamps:

from right to left

Series:
    7th Definitive Issue of Russian Federation (2019-)
Themes:
    Coats of Arms | Seals (Emblems)
Issued on:
    2019-08-07
     
    
  Series:
    7th Definitive Issue of Russian Federation (2019-)
Themes:
    Coats of Arms
Issued on:
    2021-04-08

Market Place and Cathedral Antwerpen

    Around a cobbled rectangular market square, La Grand-Place in Brussels, the earliest written reference to which dates back to the 12th century, features buildings emblematic of municipal and ducal powers, and the old houses of corporations. An architectural jewel, it stands as an exceptional and highly successful example of an eclectic blending of architectural and artistic styles of Western culture, which illustrates the vitality of this important political and commercial centre.

    The Grand-Place testifies in particular to the success of Brussels, mercantile city of northern Europe that, at the height of its prosperity, rose from the terrible bombardment inflicted by the troops of Louis XIV in 1695. Destroyed in three days, the heart of the medieval city underwent a rebuilding campaign conducted under the supervision of the City Magistrate, which was spectacular not only by the speed of its implementation, but also by its ornamental wealth and architectural coherence. Today the Grand-Place remains the faithful reflection of the square destroyed by the French artillery and testifies to the symbolic intentions of the power and pride of the Brussels bourgeois who chose to restore their city to its former glory rather than rebuild in a contemporary style, a trend commonly observed elsewhere.

    A pinnacle of Brabant Gothic, the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), accentuated by its bell tower, is the most famous landmark of the Grand-Place. Built in the early 15th century, the building partially escaped bombardments and underwent several transformations over time. Its ornamental programme is largely due to the restoration campaigns conducted in the late 19th century. Facing it, the King's House, rebuilt in the historicist vein, is perfectly integrated into the ensemble. Its elevation is in keeping with the Gothic style edifice prior to the bombardment and testifies remarkably to the ideals of the contextual conservation of monuments advocated in the 19th century. The King's House has been occupied for decades by the City Museum. On both sides of these monuments symbolic of public authority were houses occupied by powerful corporations. Each different but built over a very short time, they illustrate remarkably the Baroque architecture of the late 17th century, with a singular treatment of the gables and decorations, sometimes fretted, sometimes more classical. Each house has a name and specific attributes, heightened with gold, reminiscent of the status of its occupants. It is interesting to note that this is a rare example of a square without a church or any other place of worship, which emphasizes its mercantile and administrative nature.

source( https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/857/).

Stamp:

• Team Belgium - Faster Higher Stronger

Country:
    Belgium
Themes:
    Athletics | Olympic Games | Running | Sports
Issued on:
    2020-06-15

State of liberty- NEW YORK

 

Thanks to tarreq for the nice card  sent Feb,11.2021

    The story begins with the project of a French politician: Édouard de Laboulaye. In 1865, he wanted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the declaration of independence of the United States in an outstanding way.

    The structure was made in the Gustave Eiffel workshops, in Levallois Perret, and in the XVIIth district of Paris, where the copper parts were assembled. While the Gaget, Gauthier and company workshops were building the elements one after the other, the internal structure was supposed to start, but it is important to know that initially its construction had been entrusted to Violet-le-Duc, who planned a solid masonry element around which the copper plates were to be grafted. Violet-le-Duc fell ill and was unable to carry out this work, which was entrusted to Gustave Eiffel.

 

 Stamps from right to left

 

 

• Flathead River

Country:
    United States of America
Series:
    Wild and Scenic Rivers (2019)
Themes:
    Landscapes | Rivers
Issued on:
    2019-05-21
   

• John Harvard

Country:
    United States of America
Series:
    Great Americans
Themes:
    Famous People | Men | Religion | Theologians
Issued on:
    1986-09-03
    
 

• Sylvanus Thayer

Country:
    United States of America
Series:
    Great Americans
Themes:
    Famous People | Men | Military Officers
Issued on:
    1985-06-07

Romania-Villages with fortified churches in Transylvania

 

 

Thanks to TATIANA from ROMANIA 

Stamps from right to left

• Thai Traditional Folk Costumes of Phutai Ethnic Group

Country:
    Romania
Series:
    Diplomatic Relations with Thailand, 40th Anniversary
Themes:
    Diplomacy | Flags | Joint Issues | Suits and Costumes
Issued on:
    2018-05-31

• Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus)
  

Country:
    Romania
Series:
    Flowers (2020)
Themes:
    Flowers | Plants (Flora)
Issued on:
    2020-01-07
Size:
    24 x 33 mm