Sunday 15 July 2012

Flying the Flag

From 1989  to the present there have been regular issues of the Canadian flag fluttering in front of diverse scenes from that vast country on everyday mail. This one flies against the  backdrop of a Newfoundland iceberg
The Toronto skyline at sunset with the ferry on Lake Ontario. Next to the land of Ann of Green Gables, a winter scene on Prince Edward Island. 
Lastly a dog sled under winter skies in the St Elias mountain range, Yukon. I seem to have subconsciously chosen winter scenes, must be because we are in the middle of summer.
So to a country with snowy mountain peaks - Nepal. Their uniquely shaped flag and map of the country on a stamp issued to commemorate the first general elections to parliament in 1959
One of the major turning points of the history of Europe was the Great Siege of Malta in 1565 when the  Knights Hospitallers and the civilian population held the island for three months against the vastly superior forces of the Ottoman Turks. The stamp, apart from showing a lot of fighting (which was very bloody) has a flag showing the famous Maltese Cross and the cross of the Knights.  Lets turn  to a more peaceful Europe.
The UK flag shown as part of a jigsaw of Europe when we joined what was then the European Community in 1973 and today is the European Union. Lastly not forgetting flags have to be made by someone 
here is a group of women having a good chat while sewing the Vietcong flag, part of a set entitled 'Life in Liberated Areas', issued by the Provisional Government of the National Front for Liberation in 1971.  The stamps were printed in Hanoi and used in NFL occupied areas in the south.

An entry to Viridian Postcard's Sunday Stamps theme of Flags or patriotic stamps

12 comments:

Marcie said...

What a wonderful selection of flag stamps!

Ana said...

I love that Canadian series of stamps! Plus, the winter scenes are sooo appealing at +40 C!
The UK stamps are very cool too!
And i love the Vietnamese one and how it depicts the making of flags...really cool!

Helen said...

I particularly like the one showing the sewing of the Vietcong flag. What a great image for a stamp! And it perfectly rounds out today's theme!

Dănuţ Ivănescu said...

Beautiful selection.

Bob Scotney said...

Fine collection of flag stamps; you have taught me something about Nepal.

Debs @ Penny Black 1840 said...

A fine selection - I've always really liked the Canadian maple leaf flag...

dakotaboo said...

Great minds think alile ... I also posted the 1973 European Community ones. But wow, your stamp of Nepal is great.

VioletSky said...

I have many, many of these Canadian flag series stamps - but oddly, none of the 51c variety!

The Vietnamese stamp is really interesting.

Postcardy said...

I don't like the Vietcong, but their stamp is my favorite.

viridian said...

I like the Nepal stamp - a flag AND a map :-)
Thank you for participating.

Willa @ Postage Journal said...

and you have a stamp from Malta? wow!
--Willa @ Postage Journal

Sheila @ A Postcard a Day said...

You found a great selection! I think I must have the Canadian ones but I didn't find them when I was looking.