Sunday 20 October 2019

Tall Buildings Old and New

1947: Air Mail
My first thought on this week's Sunday Stamps 'tall buildings' prompt was New York.  The skyline made an appearance on this stamp with a Lockheed Constellation flying over it. Alas I did not have any other US stamps featuring skyscrapers but
1995: Definitive Stamp
the United Nations came to my rescue with its building in New York and a rather attractive postmark. So what other country came into my mind?  Well with its lack of space it has to be Hong Kong
1997: Hong Kong Skylines
and an evening skyline.  I don't know what the buildings are but
1999: Hong Kong Landmarks (Designer - C Tillyer)
at least this stamp tells me this is the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The building sits like a giant bird made of steel and glass by the water of Victoria Harbour, however the tower in the background, not a clue.   From the shining metal and glass of Hong Kong I turn to
1953: Millennial of the Kingdom of Denmark (Designer - V Bang; Engraver - Bent Jacobsen)
the old brickwork of Our Lady Church in Kalundburg, Denmark.  Built about 1170 the church stands on a hill above the harbour dominating the skyline with its 44m (144ft) central tower and the surrounding towers of 34m named after saints.   Kalunburg lies on the island of Zealand which is where
1944: The Round Tower (Red Cross Issue)
Denmark's capital and the start of the journey of this registered FDC from Copenhagen.  I always enjoy watching a parcel tracking app as a parcel wends it way to me but this envelope does it in an analog way if one looks at the back.
It has crossed Zealand from east to west arriving at Skaelstor on the same day 11 May 1944 and then taken the short trip across the water to the small island of Agerso, arriving with its recipient the next day 12 May 1944. Agerso is reputedly a tranquil place with a scattering of old farm houses, possibly a nicely out of  the way place for a Dane to be in 1944 when Denmark was under German military rule.
1944: The Round Tower (Design - V Bang; Engraver - J Britze)
The stamp shows the 17th Century 'Round Tower', an Astronomy observatory which is 36m tall however  if you take the spiral staircase to the top then you will have walked 209 metres.   Today it is used by amateur astronomers.
1963-1970 Definitives - Transport and Communications (Design - S Legrady)
I like this atmospheric 'brave new world' image of the Miskolc-Avas Television Tower.  It was built in 1966 in place of an old wooden lookout tower and indeed retains that usage for it has an observation deck.  Standing 72 metres (236 ft) I imagine there are some great views to be had.
Shard from London Bridge Station
The Shard, London


Sunday Stamps II theme this week is - Towers or Tall Buildings - look up See It On A Postcard




3 comments:

violet s said...

I have bought envelopes more for those timed cancellations detailing the journey than for the stamp. It is interesting how quickly mail moved decades ago.
The Danish church towers make me think of sharpened pencils!

Bob Scotney said...

Your parliament comment got me started this week withe the Elizabeth Tower. Like the Denmark stamps you've shown us.

Mail Adventures said...

Also New York and Hong Kong are two places that come immediately to my mind when I think of tall buildings.

The last stamp, with that science-fiction air, is my favourite.

Great post!