Algeria Cities FDCs

Algeria FDCs
Name: Cities From Algeria
Date of Issue: 18 December 2008

Denominations:
10,00: Tébessa (تبسة)
The city of Tébessa is the chief-town of the department that carries the same name. Situated in the extreme east of Algeria, at 45kilometres from the Algerian Tunisian borders, it is elevated at 960 meters and its surface is estimated at 13326Km².This city is considered as handcraft home and constitutes an important commercial and agricultural centre. In addition, it contains a great number of mining and forest resources. Various vestiges of the Roman era still exist in Tébessa. An ancient Byzantine surrounding wall encircles the entire city and one of its four doors is a triumphal act. It is also the home town of Sheikh Larbi TEBESSI, a founder member of the Algerian Muslim Oulemas (erudite) Association.

15,00: Saïda (سعيدة)
The city of Saïda is situated in the west of Algeria. Nestled in 800 meters of elevation at the beginning of the high plateau, it is limited from the north by the departments of Oran and Mascara. From the south by the departments of El Bayadh and Naâma, on the west by Sidi Belabbes and in the east by Tiaret. It spreads out on a surface of 6631 Km² and shelters a dense and young population bordering 300,000 inhabitants. Considered as a strategic and industrial region, it is also a point of transit to the Sahara. Famous by its natural mineral water resource that is good for the digestion problems and cases of renal infections, it possesses several thermal stations with preventive and therapeutic character.

20,00: Miliana (مليانا)
Situated in the western South of Algiers on the northern reverse of the small atlas, at about 750 meters of elevation; the city is dominated by the majestic mountains of Zaccar. Built on a huge rock of travertine with steep outlines, it dominates in the vertical cast a ravine, in the south the valley of Chelif and on the west, a tray sprayed with water up to the chain of Ouarsenis. Miliana is characterized by a soft and moderate climate. Its gardens and orchards cultivated in footpaths are harmoniously spread out towards the plain. Beside its exceptional panoramas, the city of Miliana possesses various relics such Sidi Ahmed Benyoucef's Mosque, the former residence of Emir Abdelkader and the clock classified ancient memorial.

38,00: Biskra (بسكرة)
Biskra, or Vescera in the roman time, is situated in the south of Algeria. Known also by the name of "the city of two millions date trees", it constitutes the door of the big Algeria south. Occupying a surface of 2167 Km² it is characterised by a Saharan climate, warm in summer and pleasant in winter. The valley called Sidi Zarzour coming from the Aurès region crosses Biskra. On the summit of the big mountainous chains of El Kantara, the signs of desert appear; golden grains of sand, light blue sky and green oases all along the straight and tortuous way. The residents of Biskra, the Ziban' siren, are famous by their hospitality and warm reception. Conversely, Biskra is famous by its traditional craft and the quality of its delicious date.

Russia Art FDC

Russia FDC
Name: Decorative and Applied Art of the Republic of Dagestan
Date of Issue: 18 December 2008

Denominations: (From left to right)
7.50: Decorativ Headdress from a Wedding-dress "Margal", End of the XIX Century
7.50: Dagger in Sheath, XX Century
7.50: Decorativ Headdress, 2nd half of XIX Century
7.50: Decorativ Headdress "Kukem", End of the XIX Century

Russia New Year FDC

Russia FDC
Name: Happy New Year!
Date of Issue: 18 December 2008

Denomination:
7.50: The Spasskaya Tower, Russian Flag and Emblem
The Spasskaya Tower (Russian: Спасская башня, translated as "Savior Tower") is the main tower with a through-passage on the eastern wall of the Moscow Kremlin, which overlooks the Red Square. More...

Comment: The tower on the FDC's illustration is another corner tower of the Kremlin - The Vodovzvodnaya Tower.

Israel Radio FDC

Israel FDC
Name: Galei Zahal
Date of Issue: 17 December 2008

On Sunday, 24 September, 1950 a trumpet blast erupted from the radio at precisely 6:30 p.m., followed by "HaTikva", Israel's national anthem. Thus began the very first broadcast of Galei Zahal, the IDF Broadcasting Service. The improvised studio was located inside a former school building in Ramat Gan. Army blankets were hung along the walls in an attempt to muffle background noise.

Galei Zahal was born in the State of Israel, which, at that time, was dealing with the absorption of waves of immigrants and contending with distress and poverty. For many years Galei Zahal broadcasts were mainly geared toward soldiers, including music programs bearing soldiers' greetings and various broadcasts related to the IDF. The station was unique in that it incorporated soldiers serving in the regular army into journalistic positions, including reporters, editors, producers, news broadcasters, music broadcasters, musical editors, announcers, etc.

Following the Yom Kippur War in 1973, the station began broadcasting 24 hours a day, expanding its broadcasts to include all citizens by adding news broadcasts and current affairs programming. For years, it was the only Israeli station that continued to broadcast throughout the night, to be joined later by "Kol Israel" Broadcasting.

Suggestions have been raised on more than one occasion stating that the station should be closed and its broadcasts ceased, but due to protests by the public, the Knesset and the Israel Broadcasting Authority Governing Council, none of these proposals has even come to fruition.

In November 1993 Galei Zahal began operating another station, establishing Galgalaz, which broadcasts music interspersed with traffic reports and has extremely high listener rates.

Galei Zahal's various programs are currently presented by leading broadcasters, who are among the most highly esteemed journalists in Israel, alongside young, talented and energetic reporters, producers and editors. This combination makes Galei Zahal a relevant, young and characteristically Israeli media outlet.

Thanks to a widespread array of transmitters located throughout the entire country, as well as through the internet, the station's broadcasts reach IDF bases and private homes throughout Israel and abroad, making it a central component of Israeli media in general and of public broadcasting in particular.

Comment: It has a very very big mistake on this FDC. The issue date of this set is 17.12.2008. but do you find? The date of the local postmark is 17.09.08. if my friend hadn't added a franking label (it has printing date) on this FDC, everybody should have puzzled.

Malaysia Schools FDC

Malaysia FDC
Name: Premier Schools
Date of Issue: 16 December 2008

Premier Schools are schools that are over 100 years old which have been selected and awarded as cluster schools due to their achievements in the academic and co-curriculum fields. These schools have produced many national leaders, corporate figures, professionals, sportsman and scholars who have contributed significantly to the growth of Malaysia in this era of globalization.

Denominations:
50sen: SMK St. Thomas, Kuching, Sarawak
SMK St. Thomas is the oldest school in Sarawak. Founded in 1948 by Reverend Francis Thomas Mcdougall, St Thomas. This school was originally located at Sungei Sarawak. It subsequently moved to its present location known as College Hill situated in the center of Kuching City.

St. Thomas has created history for Sarawak by becoming a pioneer in many aspects and winning awards at the national level. In 2006, SMK St Thomas was officially recognised as a "Sekolah Lestari" due to it being an environment friendly school.

50sen: SMK Victoria (Victoria Institution), Kuala Lumpur
SMK Victoria, better known as Victoria Institution was officiated on 14th August 1893 by Mrs. Hood Treacher, wife of the then Resident of Selangor. SMK Victoria is today a five-star smart school and its 115 years of excellence has resulted in the school being selected as a cluster school in 2007.

50sen: SMK Convent Bukit Nanas, Kuala Lumpur
SMK Convent Bukit Nanas is a well-known premier girl's school in Kuala Lumpur. Built in 1899, this school with its English Gothic architecture is situated on a two-acre site near the peak of Bukit nanas Forest Reserve.

SMK Bukit Nanas consistently excelled in the academic and co-curriculum fields. In 2007, this school was selected as a cluster school.

50sen: SM All Saints, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
SM All Saints was established as King Edward VII School on 22nd December 1903 and officiated by the Governor E. W. Birch. The new building was built in 1909 in Likas and was officiated by the Governor Sir Ralph Hone.

SM All Saints has played a major role in the growth of education in Sabah and has been awarded as a premier school.

Taiwan Mail Links ATM FDC

Taiwan FDC
Name: Launch of the Cross-strait Mail Links
Date of Issue: 15 December 2008

Comment: This is an additional issue. China mainland and Taiwan has restarted their directly mail links since 15th Dec. 2008. It was a great moment in Chinese history, I think Chunghwa Post issued this ATM stamp (pigeon design) to expect the peace between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits in the future.

India IISc FDC

India FDC
Name: Indian Institute of Science
Date of Issue: 14 December 2008

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) was conceived as a 'Research Institute' or 'University of Research' by Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, in the twilight years of the 19th century. A long period of almost thirteen years was to elapse from the initial conception in 1896 to the birth of the Institute on May 27, 1909.

The early history of the Institute is a fascinating chapter in the story of higher education and scientific research in India. The cast of characters in the drama that led to the establishment of the Institute includes, in addition to its charismatic and generous founder J.N. Tata, figures from the pages of Indian history. There is Swami Vivekananda, whom J.N. Tata befriended on his famous voyage to the United States, the Maharaja of Mysore, Shri Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV and his mother then acting on his behalf, and Lord Curzon the Viceroy of India, whose first task on arrival on December 31, 1898 was to receive a draft proposal prepared by the Provisional Committee set up to plan the establishment of the Institute.

The plan was shepherded through many difficult years by Burjorji Padshah, a close associate of J.N. Tata. Unfortunately, J.N. Tata died in 1904 unaware that his vision would indeed be realized a few years later. When the British Government finally issued the Vesting Order in 1909, an unmatched experiment in higher education and research was launched in India. IISc is truly the first example of a public-private partnership in this country; an institution, whose evolution over a century is testimony to the robustness of its foundations.

The Institute occupies nearly 400 acres of prime land in Bangalore, generously donated bythe Maharaja of Mysore in March 1907. Indeed, the contribution from the princely state of Mysore was the decisive element in determining the location of J.N. Tata's proposed institution. Remarkably, in a gesture unmatched in the annals of private philanthropy in India, Tata did not wish his name to be associated with the Institute. His dream was to create an institution that would contribute to the development of India. The name, Indian Institute of Science, which was finally chosen, reflects in every way the wishes of J.N. Tata. Visitors to Bangalore who seek out IISc still have to ask local residents for directions to the 'Tata Institute', a clear recognition that Jamsetji Tata's act of generosity has remained undimmed in public memory, despite the passage of a century.

The Institute began with only two departments: General and Applied Chemistry and Electro-Technology. The first Director, Morris W Travers began the task of organizing the Institute shortly after his arrival in India at the end of 1906. Travers began the construction of the main building, which is one of Bangalore's landmarks today. The Departments of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry together with the Library were among the earliest to be established. The Physics department came into being in 1933, when C.V. Raman became the first Indian Director of the Institute. In the century that has passed since its inception, IISc has grown to become India's premier centre for research and postgraduate education in science and engineering. The evolution of the Institute over the past one hundred years has mirrored the development of science and technology in India. A long history, a strong tradition of academic research and an ambience that favours scholarly activity have been important elements in making the Institute a most attractive place for students and faculty.

As the Institute has grown, several new areas of research have been established, many of them for the first time in India. The Institute's departments in fields ranging from Biochemistry to Aerospace Engineering have served to nucleate research and development in both the public and private sectors. The faculty and alumni of the Institute have been responsible for establishing and spearheading many new institutions and programs across the country, reflecting in a real sense, a major contribution of this centre of learning to national growth and development. Homi Bhabha conceived the idea of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and an Atomic Energy Program while working in the Department of Physics. Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of India's space program was an alumnus. Following his premature death, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was built by the farsighted leadership of Satish Dhawan, who simultaneously held the position of the Director of the Institute with the greatest distinction. The first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Kharagpur was established by J.C.Ghosh, who was the Director of IISc in the critical period 1939-48, during which much of the activity in engineering was initiated at the Institute.

Many of India's most distinguished scientists have been associated with the Institute as students or faculty. Notable among them are G. N. Ramachandran, Harish Chandra, S. Ramaseshan, Brahm Prakash, A. Ramachandran, C.N.R.Rao and R. Narasimha. Alumni of the Institute head many major organizations in India and abroad. The Institute offers a variety of Master's degree programs in Engineering, an integrated (post-B.Sc.) program in sciences and Ph.D. programs in a wide spectrum of disciplines in science and engineering. The research laboratories at the Institute are well equipped. Many national facilities are housed at the Institute. The library and computational facilities at the Institute are amongst the best in India. A major program for modernizing laboratories is underway, catalyzed by a special grant provided by the Government of India in 2006. The Institute hosts hundreds of visitors from India and abroad every year and is the venue for many major national and international academic events.

The face of science and engineering research has been changing very rapidly over the past few years. In approaching the second century of the Institute many new activities have been initiated. Notable among them are the interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs in Mathematical Sciences, Chemical Biology, Earth System Science, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and Nanoengineering for Integrated Systems. These programs are intended to blur the traditional boundaries between disciplines, thereby promoting cross-disciplinary research. An M.Tech. program in Climate Science has also been introduced. A new Centre for Earth Sciences has been established and two new centres in the areas of Neuroscience and Climate Change are expected to begin activities in the near future. The Institute hopes to foster collaborative and interdisciplinary research in a vigorous fashion in the years to come. The Institute is also committed to promoting post-doctoral research in the areas of science and engineering. The Institute engages in interactions with society and industry through a variety of outreach programs. The Centre for Scientific and Industrial Consultancy (CSIC) and the Society for Innovation and Development (SID) promote collaborative interactions with industry, while the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) provides an opportunity for working scientists and engineers to enrich themselves academically. The Institute actively promotes programs that encourage bright young school and undergraduate students to undertake research careers. The Institute's Young Fellowships Program in Science and Engineering seeks to bring young students to the campus in summer. The Institute also administers the Kishore Vaigyanik ProtsahanYojana (KVPY) program of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The Institute's commitment to socially relevant research is specifically emphasized by the activities undertaken at the Centre for Sustainable Technologies (CST), together with the Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology (KSCST), which is housed on the campus.

To live and work at the Institute is a special privilege. Anniversaries are an occasion for both celebration and introspection. In reflecting on the past, present and future of the Institute, in this Centenary Year, an exchange between Morris Travers, the first Director, and Lord Willingdon, the then Viceroy, is worth recounting. Willingdon went around the Institute in June 1914 and said: "I had no idea that there was anything like this in India". Travers responded: "There is nothing like it in India; and nothing better in Great Britain". In ensuring that this sentiment is true, a great deal of work remains to be done.

Indonesia Islands FDC

Indonesia FDC
Name: The Small Outermost Islands
Date of Issue: 13 December 2008

The Republic of Indonesia is an archipelagic state consists of not less than 17,508 big and small islands spread 5,110 km long and 1,888 km wide. Geographically, Indonesia is located at Strategic position between Asia and Australia Continents as well as Indian and Pacific Oceans. These islands are connected by sea and strait of nearly 5.8 million km2 national territory with 79,610 km long coastal line.

Indonesia has 92 small outermost islands bordering on 10 neighbor states, i.e. Australia, India, Malaysia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor Leste. The islands spread in 9 provinces mostly in Kepulauan Riau and Maluku. Approximately half of these islands are inhabited with 0.02 to 200 km2 size.

In socializing the existence of these small outermost islands aimed at protecting the Republic of Indonesia territory, Directorate General of Post and Telecommunication, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology of the Republic of Indonesia issues stamp series of Small Outermost Islands in the event of commemoration Nusantara Day on December 13, 2008. The stamp series features 4 islands, namely Damar, Sebatik, batuwaikang, and Bras.

Denominations:
1/4 Rp1500: Damar Island
Damar Island or commonly named by local people as Tokongatap is part of Anambas Islands located at Natuna Sea and bordering on Malaysia. An Extreemely wave occurs in its water area during north seasons. Swalows transit in this rocky and abrupted islands in the evening. This island is part of Jemaja District, Natuna Town, Kepulauan Riau Province. Beside of its fish resource richness, water area around Damar Island is knowned as a location of 4 sinking ship containing precious historical goods. in order to protect this island, several effort shall be done as follows reconstructing and maintaining base point and refference point, intensifying control to secure souverignity, and maintaining navigation guiding equipment.

2/4 Rp1500: Sebatik Island
Sebatik Island is divided into 2 territories, one part under the Republic of Indonesia while other under Malaysia. Sebatik is the farthest district at the east of Nunukan Town, East Kalimantan province consisting 4 villages, namely Tanjung Karang, Pancang, Sungai Nyamuk, Tanjung Aru and Setabu. The weather is generally hot around 28.8 ℃, the lowest temperature 22.9 ℃ in August while the hottest 33.0 ℃ strikes in April. This is one among the most prioritized outermost islands for development program because its direct border position to neighbor state. Among the crucial agenda of this program are development of agriculture, plantation, fishery and tourism as well as law enforcement and security control.

3/4 Rp1500: Batuwaikang Island
Batuwaikang Island is one the farthest islands at the north of Sulawesi bordering of the Philippines. This vertically stab of stone shaped island is part of Kawio Islands. The island is located at the north of Sangihe Island anf the northeast of Marore Island. Batubawaikang is part of North Tabukan Dostrict, Sangihe Town, North Sulawesi Province. The weather around the island is highly changing in short times. In northern wind seasons, the speed of wind can reach 40 miles per hour causing high wave that even a big ship can not passed this waterfront.

4/4 Rp1500: Bras Island
Bras Island is part of Mapia Islands bordering on the Republic of Palau. This island is 390 miles away from Babelthuap island (the Republic of Palau). Mapia Islands consists of 5 islands, namely Mapia or Pegun, Bras or Berasi, Small Bras, Fanildo or Faniroto and Small Fanildo. The islands territory is secured by Indonesian National Army stationed at Mapia Island. Bras Island is part of West Supiori District, Supiori Town, Papua Province, Sea bio-diversity richness as well as preserved ecosystem in Mapia Islands brings out opportunity to develop tourism industry, including nature, culture and historical site of World War II.

Comment: I appreciate Indonesia's consciousness of her territory, this set is very special, it not only shows its location, but also its latitude and longitude.

Russia Bicycles FDC

Russia FDC
Name: The Monuments of Science and Technique - Bicycles
Date of Issue: 11 December 2008

Denominations:
7.00: Folding Military Bike "Leitner". Russia 1917
7.00: Racing Track Cycling GM-30. USSR 1938
7.00: Cyclists ZiCh-1. USSR 1946
7.00: Women's Road Bike B-22. USSR 1954

Comment: Which bicycle do you like the most?

Estonia Museum Postal Stationery

Estonia Postal Stationery
Name: Kumu Art Museum - The 2008 European Museum of the Year
Date of Issue: 10 December 2008

Konrad Mägi painted "Landscape With a Red Cloud" in Saaremaa. Mägi's work was recently selected for the book "1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die" compiled by European art experts.

The painting is exhibited in Kumu Art Museum, in Tallinn, Estonia.

Estonia Olympic Committee Postal Stationery

Estonia Postal Stationery
Name: 85th Anniversary of the Estonian Olympic Committee
Date of Issue: 08 December 2008

The Estonian Sports Federation (Estonian: Eesti Spordi Liit) decided to form Estonian Olympic Committee in the First Estonian Sport Congress (Estonian: Eesti I Spordikongress) on 30 November 1919, one and a half years after the proclamation of the independence of Estonia, but it was officially founded on 8 December 1923. The first chairman of the committee dr. Karl Friedrich Akel was elected on 5 May 1924. An independent Estonian team took part in the Olympic Games over the period of 1920-36. After the nation was invaded by the Soviet Union in 1940, Estonian athletes competed at the Olympic Games as part of the USSR delegations.

Comment: The person on the illustration is weightlifter Alfred Neuland who was the First Estonian athlete to win an Olympic Gold Medal in Antwerpen in 1920.

China Minisheet: 2009-2

China Minisheet
Name: Zhangzhou New Year Woodprints
Number: 2009-2
Date of Issue: 18 January 2009
Value: 4 stamps/sheet

Denominations:
1.20元 (4-1): Lion Holding in Mouth a Sword
1.20元 (4-2): The Coming Flood of Wealth
1.20元 (4-3): Goddess Sending Children
1.20元 (4-4): Rat Marrying off Its Daughter

The Zhangzhou New Year Woodprints, originated in Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, emerged during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), developed during the Ming (1368-1644), and reached its zenith during the Qing (1644-1911). It adopts xylograph printing techniques and is mostly devoted to the subjects of welcoming a new year, bringing bless, exorcising evil spirits, and opera stories. Generally with black, crimson, vermilion, and light red as the bakground color, the prints feature elegant compositions and radiant hues. Those with black backgrounds particularly represent the unique style of the art. Combining the unconstrained, magnificent style of North China's New Year pictures and the exquisiteness and grace of the southern New Year pictures, Zhangzhou New Year Woodprints used to sell well in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and produced an influence upon the evlolvenment of Taiwan's New Year pictures.

China Stamp: 2009-2

China Stamps
Name: Zhangzhou New Year Woodprints
Number: 2009-2
Date of Issue: 18 January 2009
Value: 4 stamps/set

Denominations:
1.20元 (4-1): Lion Holding in Mouth a Sword
1.20元 (4-2): The Coming Flood of Wealth
1.20元 (4-3): Goddess Sending Children
1.20元 (4-4): Rat Marrying off Its Daughter

The Zhangzhou New Year Woodprints, originated in Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, emerged during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), developed during the Ming (1368-1644), and reached its zenith during the Qing (1644-1911). It adopts xylograph printing techniques and is mostly devoted to the subjects of welcoming a new year, bringing bless, exorcising evil spirits, and opera stories. Generally with black, crimson, vermilion, and light red as the bakground color, the prints feature elegant compositions and radiant hues. Those with black backgrounds particularly represent the unique style of the art. Combining the unconstrained, magnificent style of North China's New Year pictures and the exquisiteness and grace of the southern New Year pictures, Zhangzhou New Year Woodprints used to sell well in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and produced an influence upon the evlolvenment of Taiwan's New Year pictures.

Mauritius Novelists FDC

Mauritius FDC
Name: Mauritius in World Literature...
Date of Issue: 08 December 2008

The Mauritius Post Ltd is issuing a set of five commemorative postage stamps on 8th December 2008 to highlight the presence of Mauritius in the World Literature. Five of the world's renowned novelists who wrote on or visited the island between the 18th and 19th centuries have been portrayed namely.

Denominations:
Rs5: Bernardin de Saint Pierre 1737-1814
Jacques Henri Bernardin de Saint Pierre is a renown author and novelist of 18th century France for his novel Paul et Virginie which he wrote in 1789 having been inspired by the enchanting environment of Isle de France during his stay in 1768. Two other works namely Voyage à l'Île de France and La Chaumière Indienne won him so much fame that he was elected as a member of the Académie Française and awarded the distinction of Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur.

Rs10: Alexandre Dumas 1802-1870
Alexandre Dumas (Davy de la Pailleterie) père, one of the world's most versatile writers and novelists, of mixed origin, his father of French nobility and his mother of African slave ancestry, is a gifted genius with a prolific style and author of a series of novels depicting the French heroic times. His novel Georges (le mulâtre) published in 1843 has for background Mauritius. Among his many works which have won him great fame are Les Trois Mousquetaires, La Reine Margot, Le Collier de la Reine and Le Comte de Monte Cristo.

Rs15: Charles Baudelaire 1821-1867
Charles Baudelaire is one of the most prolific writers and poets of 19th century France. On his way to India, his sailing vessel stopped over in Port Louis in September 1841, he found the island and its inhabitants awe-inspiring and wrote a sonnet for a charming lady, entitled A une Dame Créole.

In 1857, he published two of his famous works namely Les fleurs du Mal et Petits Poèmes en Prose which marked a turning point in French poetry and in which the author showed the indelible influence of his stay in the tropical islands of Mauritius and Reunion.

Rs22: Mark Twain 1835-1910
Samuel Langhorne Clemens better known by his pen name Mark Twain born in Florida on the 30th November 1835 is one of the most important figures in American literature and one of the greatest humorists. Through his humour and his shrewd power of observation, he immortalized 10th century life.

The author of Tom Sawyer, came to Mauritius in 1896. In his book entitled More Tramps Abroad or Following the Equator published in 1897, impressed by the beauty of the island, he wrote "... you gather the idea that Mauritius was made first and then heaven and that heaven was copied after Mauritius".

Rs25: Joseph Conrad 1857-1924
Joseph Conrad is one of the most famous British novelists of polish origin of his true name Teodor Jozef Konrad Korzeniowski. He started his career as a sailor in the French Navy, as such made a stop over in Port Louis for two months in 1888 where he fell in love with a Mauritian girl who refused him marriage. He was for long considered as the greatest living novelist. His tale A Smile of Fortune was inspired by his visit to Mauritius which he described as "a pearl distilling sweetness upon the world".

Comment: This is my first real posted FDC from African island Mauritius.

Russia Morozov EBCS

Russia EBCS (Envelopes Bearing Commemorative Stamp)
Name: Philanthropists and Patrons of Art of Russia - Savva Morozov
Date of Issue: 05 December 2008

Savva Morozov (Russian: Са́вва Тимофе́евич Моро́зов, February 3, 1862–May 26, 1905) was a big financial boss, however he wasn't happy in his riches. He was interested in another life and another people - creative ones who were possessed by high aims.

When decision about organization of the Society for construction of People's theatre in Moscow was adopted, Savva Morozov was one of its Patrons.

The biggest donations to the Theatre building were made by Morozov and Stanislavsky (28 000 rubles). Morozov himself inspected construction of the Theatre, not trusting anyone. He refused his summer holiday, moved to the construction site and participated in all works.

The construction of a new building cost 300 000 rubles to Morozov. The total expenses of the Patron for the Arts Theatre were 500 000 rubles.

One of the greatest capitalists in the country, the councillor-manufacture, did not disdain any work in the Arts Theatre - be it a labor of a property-man, electrician, costumier or carpenter.