Shown below is an unpostmarked example of the 1914 George the 5th Penny red. A detail of the watermark appears below the illustration of the stamp face.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Australia-1995-"Opal" Postage Stamp Set-Illustrated
Shown below are the two postage stamps issued in 1995 to celebrate the Australian Opal. There were only two stamps issued for the set with values of Aus $ 1.20 and Aus $2.50. Details of the two stamps appear below the first illustration.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Degas-An Analysis-The Artist and Impressionism
Degas was born on July 19, 1834 in Paris. The Degas family were middle class, his father , a banker, his mother from a family of American cotton traders.
Degas showed an early interest and ability in drawing and painting and was encouraged by his father to develop his talent. After leaving school he began copying in the Louvre works by Raphael, Ingres and Delacroix.
In 1855 he was admitted to the Ecole Des Beaux Arts in Paris. Degas however stayed only one year at the Beaux Arts before leaving to to travel and study in Italy. He spent three years in Italy and is known to have produced copies of works by Michelangelo and da Vinci among others.
Returning to Paris in 1859 Degas began to produce paintings of group family portraits and mythological/historical scenes for submission to the Paris Salon, at that time the largest public exhibition in Paris. Artists would submit their work to be judged by the jury of the Salon. If accepted the work would be hung with the hope of attracting public notice, generating sales and recognition. Degas had work accepted but little success.
During the early 1860's Degas began to meet other young artists similarly lacking success in the Paris Salon. First Manet then Monet, Renoir, Sisley, Pissaro and others. In 1873 the group formed the Societe Anonyme des Artistes as a way of staging their own exhibitions without submitting work to the Salon jury. Over the next twelve years eight exhibitions were staged with Degas participating in all of them. The group became popularly known as the Impressionists.
Although linked with the Impressionists Degas was never comfortable with the label and by analysing his background and painterly preferences we can perhaps see why. Degas particular individuality, his middle class background, draughtsmanship, study in Italy, and lack of success in the Paris Salon all play their part in his approach to his art. It could perhaps be said that Degas evolution as a painter is a product of his acceptance or rejection of the aesthetic currents of his time.
From the dominant aesthetic of time, the carefully composed dramas from mythological/historical literary sources, he retains a sense of drama and respect for careful composition while rejecting its literary basis. From the Impressionist aesthetic he retains the the subject drawn from life while rejecting its spontaneity and more prosaic elements. (Here perhaps we could contrast Degas with Cezanne. Cezanne accepted the Impressionist aesthetic but ulitmately rejects its methods, with the result that today Cezanne is more highly regarded as an artist than Degas.)
When Degas does paint an outdoor scene the subject is a "gentlemans" subject, the racetrack. Landscape is a backdrop for the drama and movement of horses and jockeys. It is this unwillingness to lose a sense of drama in painting that leads him to the footlights of the stage, circus performers, cafes, ballet classes, in short all the subjects he favours. (see an analysis this blog, 18/02/2012, of Degas' "Spartan Girls Provoking Spartan Boys", a work submitted to the Paris Salon)
Degas showed an early interest and ability in drawing and painting and was encouraged by his father to develop his talent. After leaving school he began copying in the Louvre works by Raphael, Ingres and Delacroix.
In 1855 he was admitted to the Ecole Des Beaux Arts in Paris. Degas however stayed only one year at the Beaux Arts before leaving to to travel and study in Italy. He spent three years in Italy and is known to have produced copies of works by Michelangelo and da Vinci among others.
Returning to Paris in 1859 Degas began to produce paintings of group family portraits and mythological/historical scenes for submission to the Paris Salon, at that time the largest public exhibition in Paris. Artists would submit their work to be judged by the jury of the Salon. If accepted the work would be hung with the hope of attracting public notice, generating sales and recognition. Degas had work accepted but little success.
During the early 1860's Degas began to meet other young artists similarly lacking success in the Paris Salon. First Manet then Monet, Renoir, Sisley, Pissaro and others. In 1873 the group formed the Societe Anonyme des Artistes as a way of staging their own exhibitions without submitting work to the Salon jury. Over the next twelve years eight exhibitions were staged with Degas participating in all of them. The group became popularly known as the Impressionists.
Although linked with the Impressionists Degas was never comfortable with the label and by analysing his background and painterly preferences we can perhaps see why. Degas particular individuality, his middle class background, draughtsmanship, study in Italy, and lack of success in the Paris Salon all play their part in his approach to his art. It could perhaps be said that Degas evolution as a painter is a product of his acceptance or rejection of the aesthetic currents of his time.
From the dominant aesthetic of time, the carefully composed dramas from mythological/historical literary sources, he retains a sense of drama and respect for careful composition while rejecting its literary basis. From the Impressionist aesthetic he retains the the subject drawn from life while rejecting its spontaneity and more prosaic elements. (Here perhaps we could contrast Degas with Cezanne. Cezanne accepted the Impressionist aesthetic but ulitmately rejects its methods, with the result that today Cezanne is more highly regarded as an artist than Degas.)
When Degas does paint an outdoor scene the subject is a "gentlemans" subject, the racetrack. Landscape is a backdrop for the drama and movement of horses and jockeys. It is this unwillingness to lose a sense of drama in painting that leads him to the footlights of the stage, circus performers, cafes, ballet classes, in short all the subjects he favours. (see an analysis this blog, 18/02/2012, of Degas' "Spartan Girls Provoking Spartan Boys", a work submitted to the Paris Salon)
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Fujiera-Postage Stamps Illustrated with Tropical Fish
Shown below are some postage stamps issued by the Arab Trucial State of Fujiera illustrating tropical fish. The stamps were issued for airmail and values are in Dirhams and Riyals. 100 Dirhmas=1 Riyal. Two details of the 3 Riyal value and the 50 Dirhams are shown below the first illustration.
Japan-1969-A Set of Postage Stamps-National Teasures of the Edo Period-Illustrated
Shown below are the three postage stamps issued in Japan in 1969 illustrated with treasures from Japan's Edo Period. The stamp values are 15 and 50 Yen. Three were issued with a value of 15 Yen and one of 50 Yen. The "Red-plum Tree" and "White-plum Tree" were issued as a se-tennant pair, making a 15, 30 and 50 Yen set of values. The print is a drawing by Japanes artist Ikeno, the "Pheasant" is an incense burner.
Austria-1966-A Postage Stamp Commemorating the Vienna Animal Protection Society-Illustrated
Shown below is the 1966 1 Schilling 80 groschen postage stamp issued to commemorate the 120th Anniversary of the Vienna Animal Protection Society. The example is from the lower right side of the sheet with some selvage and sheet value.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Portugal-1892-Carlos the 1st-20 Reis Coin-Illustrated
Illustrated below is the obverse and reverse of the 1892 20 Reis coin issued during the reign of Carlos the 1st of Portugal. Carlos became king of Portugal in October of 1889 and reigned for only 19 years. On the 1st of February of 1908 he was assassinated in Lisbon while travelling in an open carriage.
A very collectable coin and a good size at approx 30mm in diameter (about the size of a pre-decimal British Penny)
Great Britain-British Armed Forces 1 Pound-4th Series-Illustrated
Shown below is the obverse and reverse of the 1 Pound note issued for use in army canteens. The note is not legal tender outside designated British Army Institutions but is considered collectable by many banknote collectors.This series dated from 1962 and has the inscription '4th Series'. It can be found on the top centre part of the one pound banknote. On the reverse can be seen some of the regulations governing its use.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
States of Jersey-1995-1 Pound Commemorative Banknote-Illustrated
Illustrated below is the obverse and revers of an example of the 1 Pound banknote issued for the States of Jersey in Great Britain to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Liberation of Jersey from German Occupation during the Second World War.
Great Britain-1976-A States of Jersey 1 Pound Banknote
Illustrated is the obverse and reverse of 1 Pound banknote issued for the States of Jersey in Great Britain. This version was issued between 1976 and 1988 when the design was changed to update the portrait of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd. The watermark for this issue is the head of a Jersey cow.
Scotland-A Bank of Scotland 1 Pound Note
Illustrated below is the 1976 issue of 1 Pound banknote from the Bank of Scotland. This version was issued between 1976 and 1988. This example is from the 1970's when the notes were signed by Clydesmuir and Russell
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| 1976 to 1978, C prefix, signed by Clydesmuir/Russell |
Scotalnd-3 Versions of the Royal Bank of Scotland 1 Pound Note
Illustrated below are the obverse and reverse of 3 of the varieties of Royal Bank of Scotland 1 Pound note. The issues are from the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's The watermark, in the white circle of the note is a profile portrait of Lord Ilay one of the founders of the original bank.The Royal Bank was founded as a response to the Jacobite Rebellion in Scotland. The already established Bank of Scotland was effective in raising funds for the Jacobite Rebellion and as a result the Royal Bank of Scotland was established to provide a bank with stronger ties to the British Crown.
On the back of Royal Bank of Scotland banknotes are images of Scottish castles, with a different castle for each denomination:,1 pound note featuring Edinburgh Castle, 5 pound note featuring Culzean Castle
10 pound note featuring Glamis Castle, 20 pound note featuring Brodick Castle, 50 pound note featuring Inverness Castle (introduced in 2005), 100 pound note featuring Balmoral Castle
On the back of Royal Bank of Scotland banknotes are images of Scottish castles, with a different castle for each denomination:,1 pound note featuring Edinburgh Castle, 5 pound note featuring Culzean Castle
10 pound note featuring Glamis Castle, 20 pound note featuring Brodick Castle, 50 pound note featuring Inverness Castle (introduced in 2005), 100 pound note featuring Balmoral Castle
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| Royal Bank of Scotland Limited, 1 Pound, issued from 1972 to 1981. Serial number prefixes run from A/1 to C/57 |
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| The design of the later note is substatially the same but the bank has now added the legend "plc" |
Monday, December 12, 2011
A French Colonial Postage Stamp-1892-Sultanate of Anjouan-Illustrated
Shown below is an early stamp issued for the Sultanate of Anjouan. Anjouan was a small island between Madagascar and coast of East Africa. The island came under French protection in 1816 and was annexed by France in 1912.
Mexico-1874-An Old Postage Stamp Album Page-Illustrated
Shown below is an old album page with early Mexican stamps. The 25 Cent (blue) on the extreme right is an 1874 issue, the 1 Cent (green) an 1886 issue and the others from the 1890's. A detail of the 25 Cent stamp is illustrated below the page.
Nicaragua-An Old Album Page of Postage Stamps-With Will Rogers Commemoratives-Illustrated
Illustrated below is an old stamp album page of Nicaraguan Postage stamps. The details below the page are a partial set of the 1939 Nicaraguan Airmail issue commemorating Will Rogers, the famous American humourist and actor, and an early promoter of air travel, who ironically died in a plane crash in 1935. The 1939 Will Rogers stamp set consisted of five values from 1 Cent (green) to 5 Cents (red). The 1 Cent value is not shown.
Greece-A Page of Greek Postage Stamps with 1886 "Hermes Heads"-Illustrated
Illustrated is a page from an old postage stamp album with early Greek postage stamps. The details below are of two of the 1886 imperforate issue of the "Hermes Heads" the 10 Lepta (orange) and the 25 Lepta (blue). The Hermes series of the perforated stamps are from a 1901 issue.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
French Colonial Postage Stamps-1915-3 Somali Coast Stamps-Illustrated
Shown below are three of the stamps issued for the French Somali Coast in 1915. The stamps are part of a very large set from 1 Cent to 5 Francs. The set is quite large many of the same values being printed in two or three colour varieties. For example the 30 Cent value was issued in four colour varieties,green and black, brown and red, green and violet and green. Below are the 4,5 and 10 Cent values. The 4 Cent value has a minor error in that the red part of the printing is mis-aligned and overlaps the surrounding design. A detail of the 4 Cent value appears below the first illustration.
Ceylon-1886-2 Queen Victoria Postage Stamps-Illustrated
Shown below are two of the stamps issued for Ceylon in 1886. Part of a set that had values from 3 Cents to 2 Rupees. Illustrated here are the 6 Cent (red and black) and the 15 Cent (blue). The 15 Cent value was also issued in an olive. The blue variety is the more highly valued of the two.
Ceylon-1872-A Queen Victoria 2 Cent Postage Stamp-Illustrated
Shown below is the 2 Cent stamp issued for Ceylon in 1872. Three colour varieties of this stamp exist. The same design was printed in brown, green and orange-brown. The green variety is shown below. The brown variety is the more highly valued of the three.
Germany-1875-3 Early Postage Stamps-Illustrated
Shown below are three of the stamps issued in Germany in 1875. Part of a set with values from 3 Pfennige to 50 Pfennige. The same designs were issued again in 1880 however the "E" at the end of Pfennige was dropped from this issue, and some of the colours were changed. The 3 and 5 Pfennige stamps bore the value in the middle summounted by the imperial crown, the higher values from 10 to 50 Pfennige bore the German Imperial Eagle embossed on the paper.
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