50th and 100th Anniversary of Airmail

George and Christine Powell surprised me with a 100th Anniversary of the first Airmail Postcard MS from South Africa and 50th Anniversary of First Official Air Mail Australia - UK FDC.

While the the South African MS is a nice addition to both my themes "Flights of Fancy" and "Odd and Unique stamps", the Australian FDC very well fit into my "Flights of Fancy".  Thanks a lot
George and Christine Powell.

Permanent Pictorial Cancellation : Sri Rangam

Sri Rangam is located in between two rivers, Cauvery (Kaveri) and Kollidam (Coleroon) in Tiruchirapalli District (Trichy) in Southern India.  It is famous for Sri Ranganathasamy Temple, a religious place for the Hindus.  Sri Rangam is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (God of Creation).

This is the largest functioning temple in the world  (It covers the area of 631,000 square meters)  whereas Angkor Wat , Cambodia is the largest existing temple in the world (Since Angkor Wat is not functioning).  The Rajagopuram (the main tower) is 72 m tall and it is the tallest temple tower in Asia. 

Like all temples in India this temple also has numerous sculptors and art works and was built in the Dravidian Style of Architecture.

In Sri Rangam the main deity is in the sleeping posture on the snake. The below cover is with permanent pictorial cancellation. India Post has introduced this Srirangam permanent pictorial cancellation on 17/01/1981.

George Stephenson

George Stephenson who is an illiterate until the age of 17 rocked the whole world with his Steam engine.  He is considered as the "Father of Railways".  

George Stephenson was born on 9th June 1781 in England.  His father is worked in the coal mine finding hard to make both ends meet.  To make things easier George worked in the same coal mine in his child hood.

When he was working in the coal mine he was watching the animals struggling to pull the load of coals, he determined to invent something for hauling coal.  He realized the need of education, he enrolled himself in the night school at the age of 18. 

After getting inspiration from James Watt's stationery steam machines, he made a locomotive called "Blucher" for dragging coal at Killingworth Collinery. Because of this success he was appointed as a engineer for the construction of the Stockton and Darlington railway. He successfully made a engine called "Locomotion No.1"  which was the first passenger train.

Latter he designed a engine called Rocket which won the competition conducted by the directors of Liverpool and Manchester Railway.  It is still in the working condition.

Many countries including America, Belgium, Spain consulted him for their railway and they used some of his engines.  His son Robert stand by him and supported him in his experiment with engines.

George died at the age of 67 at Chesterfield. 

The above stamp was issued by Magyar Posta in 1981 shows George Stephenson along side his passenger engine "Locomotion No.1"