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Антін Манастирський. Запорожець. 1932 / Antin Manastyrsky. Zaporozhian Cossack. 1932.

[Quick links : Where to get this postcard / Wiki: Cossacks / Wiki: Zaporozhian Cossacks / About the artist: Антін Манастирський ]

This painting (of a Cossack), was actually one of the artist’s famous ones.

Cossack = a group of predominantly East Slavic people who became known as members of democratic, semi-military communities, predominantly located in Ukraine and in Russia. At some point in history, they were subjected to Decossackization – which was regarded as a genocide of its community. In my understanding, they are a social/minority group who later participated in Post-Soviet wars. (In recent years) Cossacks are now regarded as an ethnicity.

This card came in an envelope from Ukraine.

Was quite a surprise. 😀 The stamps were really one of the best I’ve received so far; and inside the envelope was a coin and a note. (It’s always interesting to see these kind of things from a place I’ve never been to!)

In particular, liked this stamp most:

Euromaidan 2013-2014 Ukraina Stamp

22 of August stamp number 1383 “EUROMAIDAN 2013-2014″ will be introduced into circulation and is valid for payment of postal services in all post offices.

Protection mark number 1383: UV rays light show “EUROMAIDAN 2013-2014″ emblem and Ukraine.

The design of the stamp was projected by V. Taran.

EUROMAIDAN – is the term used to denote the 2013-2014 Ukrainian anti-government protest that has lasted for the past 3 months and 2 days. The Ukrainian people wanted their government to join the European Union and open free trade among the nation, but the government wanted to keep its close ties to Russia.

[source]

But all the others were just as interesting, Above, with the silver Ukraina font and emblem; Below, a Ukrainian flag with a gold rim.

I certainly look forward to receiving more cards from the Ukraine.

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A cityscape card arrived from the USA. I find it unusual to see a cityscape card like this one coming from somewhere like Texas (not really quite the Texas I had in mind! :D)

Was quite a nice card actually!

Stamp used:

Love these round Global | USA Forever stamps. Already have some of the common earth ones, and was happy to receive this Christmas edition. 😀

DIRECT – LITHUANIA 20150424

A user in Lithuania who likes sketches hinted about wanting to receive a handmade card.

I’ve always wanted to give a handmade card (I enjoy sketching and would love to give it to someone); So when I got this address I was super happy! 😀

I drew on a thick textured paper and backed it up with a thick board (oh yes I’m good with these things.)

I was pleased to know she likes the card and she offered to send something back. :3

I thought I was going to receive just a card from Lithuania… but to my surprise, it came in an envelope!

And two beautiful artcards / urban watercolour of the old town in Vilnius.

I love these cards so much I was squealing with joy.:P

The cute hedgehog stamp on the envelope.

Space stamp from Lithuania.

I think I’d also like to start collecting space stamps and space-related cards.

She also sent some used stamps. :3

Love the one on the left (See below)

And some unused stamps which she can no longer use. (Lithuania has joined eurozone in January 2015.) Well, at least that’s what I was told.

It’s always heartwarming to receive lovely surprises from strangers!

Thank you Monika! ❤

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Wonderful vintage card arrived from the USA today,

Before the Shot – Norman Rockwell

Stamps ::

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I’ve seen this card before from other members on postcrossing; But I’ve never received such a card and I find it quite nice.

That aside, the sender Ksenia placed a lot of pretty Russian stamps on the back so it made me really happy. (the other stamps and Kazakhstan stamps were from another sender also from Russia RU-3572983)

She also attached a used stamp —see below (I kind of mentioned I’m collecting stamps).

It is not from Thailand; rather, this stamp (Manama- Dependency of Ajman stamp) was from a series of stamps issued in Manama (UAE) in 1964-1973 (this particular one being a 1972 edition). (Due to the legitimacy of these stamps and how the stamp face is not at all related to the emirate of Ajman, this has almost 0 value. — Then again for a collector of sorts, I’m really quite happy to receive this.)

Osagawa Tsuneyo II is a Kabuki actor; The illustration is by Toshusai Sharaku (a Japanese painter and Woodblock print master)

For reference, here is a photo from stampworld.com; featuring above stamp along with other stamps issued that year.

Manama – Dependency of Ajman Stamps issued in 1972. Paintings by Toshusai Sharaku (Japanese Painter and Woodblock Master) [credits: stampworld.com]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stamps:

Thank you Ksenia from Moscow! ❤

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Young Woman with Earrings, 1657 (REMBRANDT, 1606-1669)
Oil on panel. 39.5×32.5CM
The Hermitage, Leningrad

Beautiful art postcard arrived from Russia today, along with some other stuff.

(Did I not mention how much I love vintage? This card was printed in 1979, way before I was even born. So much history.)

I was quite surprised to see all these because I only asked for stamps, really.

I think I will add a ribbon to this one and use it as a bookmark:

This card came with another mail from Russia too, their stamps are so pretty.

These are the stamps on the envelope (plus the extra Kazakhstan stamps she sent me)

I’ve only started receiving stamps from Kazakhstan, I’ve never in my life seen any stamp from their country before I started postcrossing.

I quite like Space stamps and Space-related cards (but I haven’t mentioned that in my profile yet– there are other things I love more at the moment– vintage art and animation.:D) — Anyway, this fascination with space-related kitsch came about after watching a Japanese animation called ‘Uchuu Kyoudai’. In a few years I’d also like to collect cards with trains– both old and new.

Oh, and I have also just found out that Kazakhstan issues mostly space stamps; I’m learning so much from this new hobby.

Stamps used:

Thank you Olga from Moscow! ❤

FI-2348892

From Finland (obviously with all the Moomin! ❤ ) I really really love Moomin and I was ecstatic to see this in my mailbox.:D — Well, this was my first Moomin card ever, so. ❤

Too adorable — all that flab! —oh yes – I did say flab.:D

Stamps:

I was so happy to see this unstamped. ❤ They use sticker-stamps instead of typical stamps. I’ve never seen one. Even the stamps are cute.

This must be really ordinary, but nothing is too ordinary for someone who’s never had the ordinary in the first place. –oh sorry, that was just me rambling!

Thank you so much Sari! ❤
ムーミン大好き～～～！<3

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Original Kewpie illustration – Rose O’Neill (1874-1944)

An American granny sent me this lovely vintage card (print date 1976).

It’s probably from one of her own collections! ❤

The card is slightly smaller than your regular postcard but it’s vintage kewpie!! :3

Card is in still good condition considering the age.

Stamps:

She filled the card with stamps and none of which I already own! 🙂

KZ-18975

Portrait of M. I. Lopukhina (1797) – by Vladimir Borovikovsky (1757 – 1825), Russian painter of Ukrainian origin.

According to the sender, she bought this card from a Second Hand Bookshop. I love vintage stores myself. The card is dated 1982 (print date). It’s even older than me!

It’s vintage but was obviously well-kept, still in very good condition considering the age.

Stamps:

Kazakhstan alone I  find very rare, so receiving stamps from this country is.. just amazing!

TW-1565313

The First Communion. Dmitri Iosifovich Kiplik (Russian, 1865-1942), Oil on canvas

Stamps: