Mucha - The Times Of The Day

I have seen a few of these separately but had no idea they come under the same title: The Times of the Day (1899): The Morning awakening, Brightness of Day, Evening contemplation, Night's Rest.

Many thanks to Katerina, for the postrossing stamp too :)

Franz Kafka

Franz Kafka must be one of the more interesting and widely known literary figures of the last century - he was born into a middle-class, German-speaking Jewish family in Prague, the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He trained as a lawyer, and after completing his legal education he was employed with an insurance company, forcing him to relegate writing to his spare time. Over the course of his life, Kafka wrote hundreds of letters to family and close friends, including his father, with whom he had a strained and formal relationship. He died in 1924 at the age of 40 from tuberculosis.

His work, which fuses elements of realism and the fantastic typically features isolated protagonists faced by bizarre or surrealistic predicaments and incomprehensible social-bureaucratic powers, and has been interpreted as exploring themes of alienation, existential anxiety, guilt, and absurdity. His best known works include Die Verwandlung (The Metamorphosis), Der Process (The Trial), and Das Schloss (The Castle). The term Kafkaesque has entered the English language to describe situations like those in his writing.

I have to admit I have only ever read parts of two of his books, 'the metamorphosis' and 'in the penal colony' (I believe they were part of obligatory reading in highschool/uni) as back then it was a bit heavy on my brain. I should definitely try to rectify that...also, as I've learnt his work is not so easily translated from German, I thought maybe I should try reading the original - now thats a challenge!! In any case I love this collage postcard and stamp, thank you Anna :)

Charles Bridge Under Snow

What a great card to win in a lottery, right?! Would love to see this in person. Thank you George :)

Šumava National Park, Czech Republic

Šumava National Park is situated in the South Bohemian Regions of the Czech Republic along the border with Germany and Austria. Since 1990 it has been the protected Biospherical Reserve of UNESCO. Vltava, the longest river within the Czech Republic, runs from and through it.

Yesterday I watched the movie 'Wild' which set me in the mood for hiking. This looks like an incredible place for doing just that. Many thanks to Vlastička for this view of the Czech countryside..!

The Expectation By Gustav Klimt

I have swapped for this card merely because it looked beautiful, now I learn it is one in a series of three mosaics named Stoclet Frieze, a detail of The Expectation. As it is placed in the Brussles' Stoclet Palace it also turns out to be a part of an Unesco site, never thought there would be such a connection...! Many thanks to Zuzana who also used such pretty stamps :))

Alphonse Mucha In His Atelier

Mucha is one of my favourite artists, and here is a photo showing his atelier where all those great works of his came to life. Eliška seems to be quite the artist herself, at first I thought the dragon was printed on the postcard (it wouldn't made sense but its so nicely done) but it was done by her, great stuff! 

Rainforest Snake

I won a lottery and was waiting for a surprise card - and I got this perfect snake card! Thanks so so much Mirka, you really got it right :))

Golden Lane In Prague Castle

Lovely view of the colourful Golden Lane -  its name is connected with 16th century alchemists, who had to look there, according to legends, for a reaction to produce gold. As part of the castle it is also UNESCO - but so many places in Prague are, I have already posted about them too, so this comes separately..! I am hoping to visit Prague again soon, it is definitely one of the most beautiful towns I have ever been to.

UNESCO - Holašovice Historical Village Reservation, Czech Republic

Holašovice is an exceptionally complete and well-preserved example of a traditional central European village. It has a large number of outstanding 18th- and 19th-century vernacular buildings in a style known as 'South Bohemian folk Baroque', and preserves a ground plan dating from the Middle Ages.

With Unesco stamps, one of them matching Holašovice, thanks to Anna :)

Mucha - Monaco, Monte-Carlo

Thanks a bunch Elishka :)

UNESCO - Kutná Hora: Historical Town Centre, Czech Republic

Kutná Hora developed as a result of the exploitation of the silver mines. In the 14th century it became a royal city endowed with monuments that symbolized its prosperity. Here on the left you can see the Church of St Barbara, a jewel of the late Gothic period.

My folder with all the images to be posted here is getting seriously crammed - gotta speed up the process! esp now that I've learned that I may be sent home from work sooner than expected...Starting with this beautiful place in Czech Republic which I've visited on a short day trip, and for Sunday Stamps and its automobiles and motor transport topic. This Bugatti Royale 41 looks so posh doesn't it? Love the colours. A set of 6 stamps 'world cars' was issued in 2012.

More on automobiles et all here:

 

 

 

 

Officials - NL, CZ, BY

UNESCO - Pilgrimage Church Of St John Of Nepomuk At Zelená Hora, Czech Republic

 

The Pilgrimage Church of St John Nepomuk at Želena Hora, Ždár nad Sázavou, is a masterpiece of an architectural style that spanned the transition between the Gothic and Baroque traditions. Constructed at the beginning of the 18th century on a star-shaped plan, it is the most unusual work by the great architect Jan Blazej Santini.

This is one of the most fascinating architectural complexes I have seen! Only on a postcard mind you, needless to say I would love to visit the place one day. Great card and stamps, thanks to Liba :))

 

UNESCO - Holy Trinity Column In Olomouc, Czech Republic

This column, built in the 18th century for religious reasons, is an outstanding example of central European Baroque style. Its 35 meters high and its iconographic basis lies in the Book Of Revelation. The impressive gilded copper top shows the nominal Holy Trinity accompanied by the archangel Gabriel.

I have received both these cards within a few days, the first from a tag, the second a very thoughtful gesture from a dear postcrossing friend who even used a matching stamp - alas this one managed to get wet and damaged on its short passage from the Czech Republic :( I guess these things happen..! Thank you both laguna and Radim :))

Mucha - Pole Star

This is almost the true size of the stunning Mucha decorative panel postcard from the series The Moon and the Stars from 1902, representing the Pole Star. 'The figure appears to be sheltering from the bright light resonating at the centre of the composition.' Simply loving it, thanks so much Liba!

UNESCO - Historic Centre Of Telč, Czech Republic

This wonderful romantic image shows 16th century houses in southern Moravian town Telč. Many thanks to Štepanka, and the lovely stamps fit right in!

UNESCO - Historic Centre Of Prague II

As I have many postcards of the wonderful Prague it would be a shame not to post them here just because I did one post on it a long time ago :) The St. Vitus Cathedral with its stained glass windows is an amazing sight, as is the view on and of the numerous bridges, I think all would agree..! I have Radana, Ana and Nat to thank for the last two cards :))

 

 

 

UNESCO - Historic Centre Of Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

 

Situated on the banks of the Vltava river, the town of  Český Krumlov was built around a 13th-century castle with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements. It is an outstanding example of a small central European medieval town whose architectural heritage has remained intact thanks to its peaceful evolution over more than five centuries.

This aerial view is one of the most beautiful I have seen on a postcard :) And the stamps...awesome! Both Krtek and A je to! (Pat & Mat) are my childhood cartoons and I love having these stamps, thank you loads Radana :))

Some Cute Donkeys

 

Lately I am concentrating more on my Unesco collection, but its also hard to find new donkey postcards...So many thanks to Suzanka from Czech Republic and Desiree from Ireland :))