Hilmi Ziya Ulken

 Essayist, Historian, Philosopher and Sociologist, Hilmi Ziya Ulken, arguably the greatest mind and writer in regards to the history of Turkey and the social and ethical changes occurring in his nation over the course of transitional periods dating from the end of Ottoman rule up and thru WW2 and beyond. He wrote several books and embraced the personal needs of the individual as well as the public needs of society at the same time. He believed that Turkey could better itself by embracing things from outside cultures. He also believed that societies views as a whole could not change suddenly, but required transitional periods.

  This is a 600,000 Lira postage issued June 3, 2002, One of a set of 5 different biographies.

JimmyB

Mystery Turk stamp

I'm usually fairly good at finding where and whats regarding stamps, yet some do elude me such as this Turkish Republic 35 Lira. Does anyone have an idea of the what and when issue this is?

JimmyB

75th U.P.U. Anniversary

 These were issued in a set of 4, naturally I only have the 3 lowest values. Nevertheless it's nice to have these from Singapore. This is an omnibus release, which means that multiples of different countries released stamps commemorating this event. While many countries released matching stamps, some countries also released their own version of stamps in recognition.

JimmyB

Rocafuerte

 Aristocrats weren't always as bad as history books would have us believe from the civil strife during their era. Vicente Rocafuerte seen here was such a man. Born into aristocracy in Ecuador in 1783 and schooled in Madrid, he returned to Ecuador to become the second President and rewrite a new constitution and give more freedoms to Native Americans. Quite a righteous fellow, wouldn't you say?
 This is a regular stamp which was overprinted "FRANQUEO OFICIAL" making it an "Official" stamp. Official stamps were used by government officials and departments. Generally these stamps are used to aid in accountability in government expenditures.
 I have read that these stamps of the 1894-1895 era were reprinted on thick paper and thus those have a minimal value. Ecuador joined the Universal Postal Union in 1890 and for some time placed U.P.U. on it's stamps. This stamp still has most of it's gum and appears to have been very lightly hinged at one time.

 JimmyB

Changelings

 Changelings were often a topic of conversation when I used to attend my local stamp club in Belleville, IL. Sometimes stamps were brought in that appeared to be green vs blue and a couple old timers would butt heads and eventually the matter would be dropped and they'd shrug their shoulders at whoever brought the stamp in. Here is an example of perhaps one. Could it have been a different tint of ink used, as many suppliers of ink, particularly long ago, didn't have the exacting color detection instruments of today, or is it merely conditions one of the stamps was exposed to which lightened it.
 These are 15 cent Canal Zone airmails issue date of Nov. 18th, 1931. Released in nine different denominations. The difference in shade is subtle yet quite apparent.
 My guess, judging from the color of the paper, is that it is mostly a change due to exposure to elements. Note the slight yellowing of the paper on the stamp that's above the other.

JimmyB

5 Kings that ruled Greece

 George I, Constantine I, Alexander, George II, and Paul. I'm unsure of what exactly this stamp commemorates, perhaps the fact that George I began his reign 100 years prior to this stamps issuance which coincides with Paul becoming gravely ill and someone wanted Paul honored on a stamp and this 5 King tribute was subtler. Paul died in March of 1964.
 The story of coups, exiles and ascendancies is rather a soap opera. George I held reign for 50 years, which is the longest reign of any King in the history of Greece.

                

JimmyB

We Three Kings

 Karl II, Ferdinand I and Karl I appeared on this stamp issued Nov. 1, 1931 commemorating the 50th anniversary of it's elevation to Kingdom from Principality. Romania's independence from the Ottoman Empire was recognized in 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin.
 As to why and how the two Karls got on this stamp I have no clue. If your interests include Coat of Arms, they appear to border the vertical edges. This stamp was also printed in a 10 Lei value of a blue color vs this blue green hue. Also the 10 Lei stamp had the years 1881 and 1931 appearing in the dark rectangles on the bottom left and right of the portrait. Someone must have forgotten to put the dates on the 16 Lei issue.  

JimmyB

Chinese Mantis

 Tenodera aridifolia sinensis, is one bad mantis. Found in China and surrounding islands, it was accidently released in the U.S.. This mantis has been documented eating hummingbirds. Yes, it has been known to eat BIRDS!!!!

   
 Released in June of 92, this is the largest (2 Yen) stamp in a set of 4 different insects.