German Caroline Islands new Postcard dated 1900.
Postal das Ilhas Carolinas Alemãs, datado de 1900.
Visit the 1900 German Caroline Islands Postcards Page // Visite a Página dos Postais de 1900 das Ilhas Carolinas Alemãs
Feb 29, 2012
Germany on Stamps: German Caroline Islands Postcard
German Caroline Islands new Postcard dated 1900.
Postal das Ilhas Carolinas Alemãs, datado de 1900.
Stamps of France: Marshal Henri Pétain
MARSHAL HENRI PÉTAIN
(24 April 1856, born in Cauchy-à-la-Tour, France – 23 July 1951, died in Île d'Yeu, France)
Henri Philippe Benoni Omer Joseph Pétain, generally known as Philippe Pétain or Marshal Pétain (Maréchal Pétain), was a French General who reached the distinction of Marshal of France, and was later Chief of State of Vichy France (Chef de l'État Français), from 1940 to 1944. Pétain, who was 84 years old in 1940, ranks as France's oldest head of state.
Marshal Pétain was viewed as a national hero in France for his outstanding military leadership in World War I, particularly during the Battle of Verdun.
With the imminent French defeat in June 1940, Pétain was appointed Premier of France by President Lebrun at Bordeaux and the Cabinet resolved to make peace with Germany. The entire government subsequently moved briefly to Clermont-Ferrand, then to the spa town of Vichy in central France.
His government voted to transform the discredited French Third Republic into the French State, an authoritarian regime. As the war progressed, the government at Vichy collaborated with the Germans who, in 1942, finally occupied the whole of metropolitan France because of the threat from North Africa.
Pétain's actions during World War II resulted in his conviction and death sentence for treason, which was commuted to life imprisonment by his former protégé Charles de Gaulle. In modern France he is remembered as an ambiguous figure, while "pétainisme" is a derogatory term for certain reactionary policies.
Germany on Stamps: German East Africa Postcard
New German East Africa Postcard, dated from 1911.
Novo Postal da África Oriental Alemã, datado de 1911.
Visit the 1911 German East Africa Postcards Page // Visite a Página dos Postais de 1911 da África Oriental Alemã
Stamps of France: Poet Frédéric Mistral
POET FRÉDÉRIC MISTRAL
(8 September 1830 – 25 March 1914)
Frédéric Mistral was a French writer and lexicographer of the Occitan language or Provençal (of Provence), a Romanic language spoken in southern France. He was born in Maillane in the "Bouches-du-Rhône département", in southern France.
Mistral won the Nobel Prize in literature in 1904 and was a founding member of Félibrige (a literary and cultural association founded by himself and other Provençal writers to defend and promote Occitan language and literature), and a member of l'Académie de Marseille.
Mistral won the Nobel Prize in literature in 1904 and was a founding member of Félibrige (a literary and cultural association founded by himself and other Provençal writers to defend and promote Occitan language and literature), and a member of l'Académie de Marseille.
Mistral's fame owed in part to Alphonse de Lamartine who sang his praises in the fortieth edition of his periodical "Cours familier de littérature", following the publication of Mistral's long Mirèio poem.
Besides Mireia, Mistral is the author of "Calendal", "Nerte", "Lys isclo d'or" ("The Island of Gold"), Lis oulivado ("The olivadas") and "The Poem of the Rhone". He is the most revered writer in Occitan literature.
Several schools bear Frédéric Mistral's name.
Stamps of France: Hotel-Dieu de Beaune
HOTEL-DIEU DE BEAUNE
The "Hospices de Beaune" or "Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune" is a former charitable alms-house in Beaune, France. It was founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin, chancellor of Burgundy, as a hospital for the poor and needy.The original hospital building, the Hotel-Dieu, one of the finest examples of French fifteenth-century architecture, is now a museum. The hospice possesses many artistic treasures, among them the mural paintings of the 17th century in the Salle St Hugues and an altarpiece, the Last Judgment, painted by Rogier van der Weyden.
An important charity wine auction is held in November each year (formerly in the great hall of the Hotel-Dieu).
The Courtyard
With a rectangular format, it is the best location to admire the different buildings amongst which three are decorated with a glazed-tile roof. This technique has probably its origins in Central Europe but became quickly a landmark of the architecture from Burgundy.
These tiles have four colours (red, brown, yellow and green) with interlaced designs. The current tiles have been recreated between 1902 and 1907. The Northern, Eastern and Western buildings include a two-level gallery with stone columns on the ground floor and wood beams on the first floor. Many dormer and attic windows can be observed with finely detailed wood and iron works. A well with gothic ironwork can also be seen in the centre of the courtyard.
Room of the Poors
Room of the PoorsIt measures 50x14x16 meters. On the ceiling, the visible painted frame is in an upside down boat-skiff shape and in each beam are sculpted caricatures of some important Beaune inhabitants. On the floor tiling are written Nicolas Rolin's monogram and his motto "Seulle" referring to his wife, Guigone de Salins. The pieces of furniture have been brought together in 1875 by the son in law of the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.
The Chapel
Following the large ward is the Chapel. The place for the chapel was chosen to allow the bedridden to attend Mass from their beds. In November 2010 the very first Catholic wedding since the construction of the building in 1443 was performed here.
Following the large ward is the Chapel. The place for the chapel was chosen to allow the bedridden to attend Mass from their beds. In November 2010 the very first Catholic wedding since the construction of the building in 1443 was performed here.
Stamps of France: Angers
ANGERS
Angers is the main city in the Maine-et-Loire department in western France about 300 km (190 mi) south-west of Paris. Angers proper has a population of 157,000 inhabitants, while 283,000 live in its metropolitan area.
Historic capital city and stronghold of Anjou, Angers is one of the intellectual centres of Europe. The city traces its roots to early Roman times and owes its development, its political and historical position at a point of convergence hydro graphic, formed by the valleys of the Anjou.
It occupies both banks of the Maine, which is spanned by six bridges. The district along the river has flourishing nurseries and market gardens. It is known for its fresh produce and cut flowers.
The Angers area is a major economic centre of the West standing out particularly in the industrial sector, its specialization in the field of horticulture and its convention business.
Its universities, museums and cultural activity are today an important cultural centre. It includes the castle of King René built in the 13th century.
Its universities, museums and cultural activity are today an important cultural centre. It includes the castle of King René built in the 13th century.
It's on the border of the Loire Valley, World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000, and the Regional Natural Park Loire-Anjou-Touraine. Its rich heritage has earned it the label of City of Art and History. Anger is considered one of the most beautiful cities in France.
