Trains, Czech Republic

well, get ready for a longish post full of train cards from the Czech Republic, all coming with a whole variety of lovely Czech stamps....and you know, it was while selecting the cards for this post that I realized the huge number of Czech train cards I have received...my initial idea was like to post them all but that turned out absolutely inconvenient...so I decided to stick to a small part of it...

and first comes a card I received from Monika last year...
This illustration, showing the 220.1, the oldest locomotive in the Czech Republic, produced in 1858 and it was issued as a commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first train to Prague Masaryk Station.

the stamp on the left was issued in 1995 in a set of two 'Homeland' stamps, with this one showing the Panska Skala, also known as the Lord's Rock, while the other stamp was issued in 2013, commemorating th 400th Anniversary of the Bible of Kralice.



Next is a card I received from Katka in 2012...

The modern blue and white one is called Pendolino and is considered as the fastest train in the Czech Republic (well at least it was when this card was mailed). The other one is a regular train (and as Katka says, not very comfortable), bearing the logo of Poštovní spořitelna, one of the banks in the country...so it is something like an advertisement train...

both stamps here were issued in 2011....the one on the left was issued in 2011 for the Children's Day, showing the Little Witch, a feature film by Zdeněk Smetana...the other one is from the Young Animals series and shows the European Hamster.


The title of this one translates into "Full Steam ahead into the New Year"...I don't know if this was meant as a New Year greeting card or what, but I do like the correlation :)

sent by Radana for the Favourites Tag in 2013, this card shows the 354 195, CSD Steam locomotive, manufactured in 1925 by ČKD (Českomoravská Kolben-Daněk).

a beautiful car stamp showing the Mercedes Benz 540, manufactured in 1936. the stamp is from a set of 6 Classic Cars stamps issued in 2012.


This steam engine was sent by Milan on the very last day in 2010 for the Czecho-Slovakia meets the world tag...

it shows the U 46.001 Steam Engine train on one of the few narrow-gauge railways in the Czech Republic, near the town of Jindřichův Hradec in South Bohemia.

3 stamps here (don't be fooled by the big one which came with the...well, I dont know if this is the vignette or the selvage but it comes as a nice addition - the stamp in question was issued in 2010, and it is from a joint issue with Luxembourg, commemorating the 700th Anniversary of the Succession of Luxembourg to the Czech Throne.
The one on the right is from 2000 from the Zodiac series, representing the Virgo, while the flower stamp is from a set of two issued in 2007.
It's been a while since I've seen Milan around, I hope he is doing fine :)



One from Radim for the June-November RR in 2012...

the card shows the IC 141 "Detvan" Praha-Zvolen train, which has just left the Ústí nad Orlicí station on 14 September 2006.
The 151014-8  Locomotovie (the Prague depot) in the Czech Railways was the only locomotive of this series, which had the advertising painting of Poštovní spořitelna in of 2006. Five other locomotives of the series 362/363 propagated also this company, while other vehicles were then given advertising stickers of this financial institution.

a stamp issued for the Olympic Games in London in 2012.




And a train card which I often confuse with the one above since they like bear the same colours and I often get to confuse them, but just now I realized it is because of that famous Poštovní spořitelna that they are advertising...

Sent in 2014 from someone called Erika or something...on behalf of Goran...and now I cant recall if I have ever figured out which Goran was in question here, since I know two who could potentially be involved in such a surprise...so I dont know now if i had ever thanked the right Goran...shame on me =/

from the back of the card:
Six red yellow locomotives (advertising colors of Poštovní spořitelna) were seen in 2006 on the Czech rails. It was three locomotives of the series 362, two locomotives of the series 363 and a locomotive of the series 151. The color scheme came from the Konting advertising studio.
On 13 September 2006, the locomotive 362121-6  Locomotive (from the Brno depot) was seen at the front of the fast train R 878 Brno - Česká Třebová, Praha near the stop Tatce.

and a fantastic Mucha stamp issued in 2010 in a set of two, commemorating 150 years since his birth !!


now comes a card that I dont know what did it actually go through on its journey, to arrive in such a condition in the end..

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This express steam train dates back to 1917, which for that time was considered as the company's largest and most modern machine and had its last journey somewhere in the mid-60s.

at least the stamps didn't suffer some greater damage....three nice ones...starting from the left, issued in 2010, from the "For the Children" series, here we have a stamp commemorating Helena Zmatlíková, one of the leading Czech female illustrators of children's books.
In the middle there is a Chrysantemum stamp issued in 2011, and at the right we have the Christmas stamp from 2011.


Hope you are holding on, since there are three cards left....

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an official card, showing the CD 715 001 (T426 001) rack diesel locomotive.

a nice stamp issued in 2013 commemorating Franz Kafka on a stamp which portrays a realistic-looking beetle. As a symbol of relentless metamorphosis, not always for the better, the beetle is set in austere, even unsympathetic modules.



Another card from Radim...

...where again you can see the Pendolino...

...and two nice stamps on the back..the one on the left is from the EUROPA issue from 1999 on National Parks, and here you can see the Šumava National Park. The other stamp was issued in 2007 and comes from a fantastic sheet on which the White Carpathian Mountains and Orchid Meadows Unesco Biosphere Reservation. On this particular stamp you can see the Ophrys holosericea.



aaaand as promised few cards above, here comes the last one for today..

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an official card sent by the Raab Family, showing the 310 006 Locomotive..

...which came with three lovely stamps (in case you have followed this post from start till end, maybe you noticed that all the stamps shown were different, no repetitions or such :)).
Anyways, the first stamp is from a set of three Old Aeroplanes, issued in 1996. The middle one was issued in 2003, commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the First Electric Railroad Connection, while the last one is from 2000, showing a train from 1900 with a steam locomotive, service coach and carriages for passengers - it is from the set of two stamps for the Transport issue, comparing the Railway of 1900 and 2000.


so, no more trains for today, promise :D

Prague, The Czech Republic

So Zagreb didn't happen...and despite all the regrets I just had to accept the fact I had missed a great opportunity and that it was me to blame..and just had to face the fact that that was it..no more DM until the next tour...if there is one in the first place..

well, that's what I was thinking...but then Nataša came to ruin my plans..and Ill be eternally thankful she did...she had this idea that we go to some place else and enjoy DM once more...she needn't have said things twice...I was all up for it...the only problematic thing (for me at least) was the destination and how to get there..we narrowed things down to Milan and Prague...the idea of going to Milan wasn't really appealing to me for two reasons - 1. I've already been to Milan  2. I didn't really like it...so just going to a place I don't really have nice memories of didn't make sense...Prague on the other hand..well I haven't been there...and I so much wanted to go...so Prague it was...and though Nataša may not share the same sentiments, I fell in love with Prague at the very first sight...and it has become my favourite place ever visited, dethroning Vienna after holding that spot for years!  And yes, I dreamt last night I had gone to Prague, so it was like a sign that I should finally get this post done..and I was soo absorbed with emotions in that dream...emotions that only Prague can invoke...need I tell you about my disappointment when I woke up?

My journey to Prague started with a short stop in Zagreb, to 'pick up' Nataša, and I used the opportunity to meet a dear friend as well...which caused some delays but I hope Nataša has forgiven me by now ❤
Prague captivated me at the very first glance..staying there for five days just made my feelings grow stronger and removing any doubts about our relationship...would love to go back there again and just chill out, exploring restaurants, bars and coffee shops while writing postcards...

the concert itself was fantastic of course..and it was on Martin's birthday too, 23 July! Can you believe it?? We didn't have fan pit tickets (they were all sold out of course), but it didn't matter..I wanted to see how it feels to enjoy them from the back..and it was good...and we sang Happy Birthday to Martin.....probably my favourite part of the entire concert since it was in-between "Higher Love" and "Shake the Disease"...two awesome performances by Gore himself...and yes, I do feel extra happy that I got to personally witness the HB moment...totally unplanned, I got to pick a Prague show on Martin's b-day...here's the clip if someone is curious...I know I've watched it over and over again, because both of the songs are among my favourites as well..


it feels so heartwarming to see all those people holding the b-day wishes for Martin (well for me, if you aren't really a fan, then it probably means nothing), and then, as a cherry on top, comes Gahan with a kiss for Martin...and the audience goes wild :)
yes, here I got to listen to "Shake the Disease" live...at each concert there was one new song, so don't tell me it wasn't worth going to all three of them...:P


back to Prague and the postcard...of course I had to send one to myself...ok, actually it was Nataša who wrote it and sent it, I picked it..and that's why i am showing this card in its almost full size...ive already mentioned that it is not always easy to choose what to send to yourself...but I still cant figure out why oh why did I choose this one...cos it was huge? cos I was all like, well I have so many cards from Prague already and this one or that one is very likely someone's gonna send it to me..eventually (I've gotten psychic all of a sudden)...the Jewish cemetery was cool but not like my favourite place in Prague..so yeah, a rather illogical choice...and a proof that size does not matter, so don't fool yourselves about it...

some facts and figures while we are already here...
the cemetery lies in the Josefov, the Jewish Quarter of Prague. It was in use from the early 15th century (the oldest preserved tombstone, the one of Avigdor Kara, dates back to 1439) until 1787. Its ancestor was a cemetery called "The Jewish Garden", which was found in archaeological excavations under the Vladislavova street, New Town. The numbers of grave stones and numbers of people buried there are uncertain, because there are layers of tombs. However, it has been estimated that there are approximately 12,000 tombstones presently visible, and there may be as many as 100,000 burials in all.
Here you can also see the Klaussen Synagogue, located at the entrance of the cemetery.

the stamps sold at the post office were of course, nothing fancy and without the possibility to have a few to choose from...so as usual, it is a boring one...issued in 2011 in a set of two Folk Architecture stamps...and the funny moment when the lady at the counter starts measuring every single postcard...I will never, ever ever understand why someone even thinks of measuring them...i mean, they surely do not exceed the standard of 20 grams...

and funny that earlier last year I also received a card of the Jewish cemetery...but who could have remembered that while in Prague....not me obviously...

and this one comes with a lovely Mucha stamp, from a set of two stamps issued in 2010 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his birthday...
When it comes to Mucha, that's a story about itself...and seems I haven't posted any Mucha cards so far, so should change that in the future...

edit: with so many cards, and an avalanche of thoughts, it was bound to happen...i overlooked this one more card from the Jewish cemetery, giving us a close up of one of the grave stones:

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arrived as an official earlier this year...if you can tell me what's inscribed in here, go ahead..it will be highly appreciated :)

and the card arrived with some gorgeous stamps! a
the great train stamp from a set of two issued in 1995, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Olomouc-Prague railway line. Next to it is a car stamp from a set of two Means of transportation stamps issued in 2013...and the last one is just soo beautiful!! Issued in 2002 in a set of two stamps representing UNESCO whs cities. This one shows the chateau complex in Litomyšl
So it would have really been a pity not to include this card as well...even though now this post became even longer than it initially was :)

geez, I just realized how long this post is...ouch! sorry sorry sorry...blame it on Prague! :)
(

Posázavský Pacifik, Czech Republic

Here is a lovely official card I received!

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The card shows the Posázavský Pacifik train, which according to the sender is a very famous and old train that runs through the romantic valley of the river Sázava.
So it is not really something you would take for a long trip, but it would be nice to have a chance to get on it for a nice scenery exploration.

Here's a summary what you might expect....just dont forget to wave to the passers-by :)

The A-stamp, at the top left, was issued in 2011 in a set of 2, representing Folk Architecture. The one next to it is a Soldier Schwejk stamp (this reminds me of my childhood) issued in a set of 3 in 1997, while the flower one is a definitive from 2010

Orlík nad Vltavou, Czech Republic

a card I received back in 2008...huh, what a long time ago..

the card shows the Orlík Castle, near the Orlík nad Vltavou village (meaning, Orlík upon the river Vltava). The castle is surrounded by a huge castle park and a game preserve. It belongs to the house of Schwarzenberg, but normally during the summer it is open to public.

looks like a really lovely scene, and probably one of the most perfect views to greet you in the morning when you open your eyes and look out the window...

150 years of railways in Olomouc, Czech Republic

Apart from sending me this fantastic cover I had featured in my stamps' blog, Radim also sent me an amazing card as well!

I thought that only Royal Mail and USPS issued stamp cards like this, but obviously I was wrong, coz here we have on from the Czech Republic. And it shows, not more, not less, but a TRAIN!!!
The card commemorates the 150th anniversary of the first arrival of a train in Olomouc (and to avoid confusion, that refers to 1995, not today). But still it makes more than a great card for my collection and im EXTREMELY happy to have it!

and the card comes accompanied with a perfect train stamp...issued in 2009 commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Former Pardubice-Liberec South-North German Junction Line. Sounds a bit complicated, no?
The other small stamp was issued this year in a set of two, representing Folk Architecture.

Thank you again Radim! It was so great to trade with you! 

Prague, Czech Republic

I know that the majority of my Czech Republic cards come from Prague, but they definitely have some great ones!

This one came as a surprise from Janek...or to be more precise, by his little adorable twins! :)
And theyve chosen such a great card! I know you cant see it properly, but this is a 3D card! I wish someone one day would invent a scanner which could show the depth of the 3 images as well...or show properly those lenticular ones...coz like this only I can enjoy the beauty to its fullest.
The card shows the Old Town in Prague which is also a UNESCO WHS. This is the Old Town Square and the building you see at the very front is the Tyn Church (or The Church of Our Lady before Tyn) which is one of the most preeminent symbols of Prague Gothic style. A funny fact about this church is that at first the towers seem identical...BUT...they are not. One of them is in fact a bit more solid and it is said that it represents the stronger side of the family, the man.
Well, whether it is the left or the right one, you decide :)

And some of the most fantastic stamps ive received on a card! This is actually like a part of the whole sheet of stamps issued in 2009 dedicated to the Krivoklatsko Region - A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The stamp is in the middle and shows Tyto Alba.

Thanks so much to Janek and his twins for something so wonderful!

Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

Another lovely surprise, this time from dear Earney who visited the Czech Republic not so long ago.

And she chose such a great card for me, with so many coats of arms all over the card! And my first card on the blog coming from Český Krumlov, which is a small city in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, best known for the fine architecture and art of the historic old town and Český Krumlov Castle. Old Český Krumlov is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was given this status along with the historic Prague castle district.
This here is the main square and from what ive seen in the UNESCO gallery, it does fall under the UNESCO!

the stamp was issued in 2007, regarding the The World Postage Stamp Exhibition - Praga 2008, and this is the Logo of the Exhibition.

Thank you so much Earney, for this and all the other lovely treats you've given to my mailbox!

Prague, Czech Republic

Since im in a rather joyful mood, due to Rafa's achievement..I decided that instead of the initially planned number of 3 cards...that I go to 5 today :)

I guess that the majority of cards im showing you from the Czech Republic, come from Prague, but I do try to give you a chance to see different parts of the city at least.
And this time im presenting you the famous Dancing Building....It was designed by Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunić in co-operation with Canadian architect Frank Gehry on a vacant riverfront plot (where the previous building had been destroyed during the Bombing of Prague in 1945). The building was designed in 1992 and completed in 1996.
The very non-traditional design was controversial at the time. Czech president Václav Havel, who lived for decades next to the site, had supported it, hoping that the building would become a center of cultural activity.
Well, due to its uniqueness i think, it DID become famous....though i always wonder how does it feel to be on the inside....
Originally named Fred and Ginger (after Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers - the house resembles a pair of dancers) the house stands out among the Baroque,Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings for which Prague is famous. Others have nicknamed it "Drunk House".
On the roof is a French restaurant with views of the city. The building's other tenants include several multinational firms

the stamp is from a set of 2 issued in 2004 representing Technical Monuments.

thanks for reading. I promise that i wont be making Rafa-related posts for a while :)

Prague, Czech Republic

Last year I was pleasantly surprised with a few cards from the Czech Republic sent by dear Janek. The first one I posted was portraying Franz Kafka. This second one is a huge amazing card showing Prague.

And here is a view of the very famous Charles Bridge or Karlův most as the Czechs would say it.

The bridge is 516 meters long and nearly 10 meters wide, resting on 16 arches shielded by ice guards. It is protected by three bridge towers, two of them on the Lesser Quarter side and the third one on the Old Town side. The Old Town bridge tower is often considered to be one of the most astonishing civil gothic-style buildings in the world. The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues and statuaries, most of them baroque-style, erected around 1700.
During the night the Charles Bridge is a quiet place. But during the day it changes its face into a very busy place, with painters, owners of kiosks and other traders alongside numerous tourists crossing the bridge.

if you wanna read more, ive already spoken a bit of the Charles Bridge at this post.

Janek used a lovely stamp from 2004 showing the Brno church.
I honestly never understood how when even going on a holiday, he is able to find such a great variety of stamps to use on his postcards. Im really happy he does!
Btw, the other picture above and the one on the left arent stamps...they are pictures the same as the postcard, just shown in black and white version. However, the funny thing is that they were both cancelled as if they were stamps :)))))

Franz Kafka, Czech Republic

Another GREAT GREAT card, sent as a real surprise from dear Janek...i do like cards with famous people...but not all famous people...but writers....oh yeah!! I absolutely LOVE those!! Esp. when it comes to such significant ones like Kafka, who had left such a great mark in the history of literature...

On this car you can see Franz Kafka along with Felice Bauer....Franz's fiancée....twice! Their relationship is said to have finally ended in 1917 (when this photo was also taken) after Franz was diagnosed with tuberculosis.
I dont feel like giving that dry matter of facts about his life and work...feels boring (and also, that was the part i always hated when having to study about a particular writer...esp, when i had to remeber in which year a certain work was published....lets say you have 10 writers, each with approx. 10-15 books....and you have to memorize the year when each of those books was published...). Just couldnt get into it..so thats why i dont feel like bringing that matter now.

Anyways, I think i should re-read the Kafka's works i had already read, like that most famous "The Trial" or "The Castle"...and find some of his short stories as well...and if possible, his letters, written to his father and as well Felice, and a few other people....well, I just feel like enlightening myself right now...

there is something interesting i read about Kafka's attitude towards love and sex...I think ill get into a in-depth reading about that later..

the stamp is an amazing one...dating back from 2001, from the series of "Works of Art on Stamp" if im not mistaken...presenting the work of Cyril Bouda (1901 - 1984): The Sans-Souci Bar in Nimes (1934), Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic...hope you could figure it out...

Czech Republic

This lovely adorable map card comes as my first official card from the Czech Republic...and even though its not a rare country, it always feels nice to receive a first official card from somewhere...and the extra thing is when its such a lovely card, carefully chosen according my wishlist :D

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You know, if it was some other situation, or someone else...everyone would have cheered for a day off, for a prolonged weekend...but me...i just saw it as a chance to actually finish some things i had to finish, but not once i was in the *hooray* im having my Monday off!
I dont know...i just got used to leading some sort of dynamic life lately, being occupied most of the time, being out of home...and problem is, not once i had this homesick feeling, regardless how things actually were (since they havent been so pink all this time). And this just makes me realize how incompatible i feel with this surrounding here and how much this is just not for me...problem is, i dont know whats for me anymore...if until recently i sort of had a new vision and some goals, now it has gone down the drain and due to certain events of recently, all that had changed...but instead of leading me to a new direction, it actually left me in the middle of nowhere, having no idea how to proceed and where to aim to...and it has only enhanced my animosity towards being home....i really wonder why that *Home Sweet Home* motto doesnt refer to me..

Was I supposed to talk of the card? Sorry...i sometimes get carried away...you know that sometimes i use this place for its therapeutic purposes....

 

the flower stamp on the left was issued in 2006 and comes from a series of Flower Growing-Cactii set of 4 stamps, while the other one was issued this year in honour of the children

Litomyšl, Czech Republic

Lets end the day with a UNESCO card, coming from Litomyšl....I really hope im pronouncing it right...

Litomyšl Castle was originally a Renaissance arcade-castle of the type first developed in Italy and then adopted and greatly developed in central Europe in the 16th century. Its design and decoration are particularly fine, including the later High-Baroque features added in the 18th century. It preserves intact the range of ancillary buildings associated with an aristocratic residence of this type.
This chateau complex was included on the UNESCO whs list in 1999. The castle dates from the years 1568–1581. The buildings of the castle precincts are not only exceptional for their architectural refinement but have also inscribed themselves in history as the birthplace of the Czech composer Bedřich Smetana.The exquisite interiors of the castle, especially the baroque castle theatre, the amphiteatre in the castle park and Smetanas’ house, all offer varied programmes of concerts and theatrical performances and thus enrich the life of the town throughout the year. In 1994 the meeting of the seven Central European presidents took place at the castle.

there are two nice stamps on the card. The one on the left was issued in 2000 and is called Virgin, symbolic drawing of sign of the Zodiac. The stamp on the right was issued in 2006, under the name "Beauties of out Country (UNESCO): The Capstones Formation in the Kokorinsko Area".

thanks to the senders for the great cards, and to you for reading of course :)

České Budějovice, Czech Republic

A really nice card, showing the Přemysl Otakar II Square....i love the blueish tone of it!

České Budějovice has long been well known for the beer brewed there since the 13th century. For a time the town was the royal brewery for the Holy Roman Emperor and Budweiser Bier  , became along with Pilsener one of the best-known lagers. Brewing remains a major industry.

If there is a drink i totally cant stand, then thats beer....but for some reason, i found it interesting and fun to share this information with you...instead those historic facts and figures...

well, i hope you liked the cards today...i hope you are having a nice Saturday...and dont forget to take part in the contest!

Im off to watch the semi-finals in Barcelona! :)

Brno, Czech Republic

I got this card in the Slavic languages tag...its written in Czech...believe it or not, i understood half of it :)

The Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul is located on the top of the hill, known as Petrov, on the presumed site of the former Brno castle. After the castle`s demise the free-standing Romanesque basilica was rebuilt as a Gothic cathedral in the 13th century and converted to the Baroque style in the 18th century. Its current neo-Gothic form dates from the turn of this century. Since 1777 the cathedral has been the seat of the Brno bishopric.

I love the view and the colours on this card...not to mention i really love castles in general....

Christmas Cards

These are the cards i had received from my other dear friends....cards are again posted in order they had been received...if any additional cards arrive, ill add them to this post...

from Roberta in Italy

 

from Ana in Serbia

  

 from Asako in USA

  

from Nicole in the Netherlands

  

from Lucie in Czech Republic

  

from Rafal in Germany

  

from Leyla in Belgium

  

from Charity in Canada

 

Thank you everyone for brightening up my mailbox! Luv ya all!!!