Greek Fire - Early Naval Warfare

Date of Issue: May 03, 1982
Scott #: 579

This stamp was issued for Europa 1982 on theme - Historic Events.

The historic event depicted on stamp is Liberation of Cyprus in 965 A.D. by Emperor Nicephorus II Phocas.

The design shows an early naval warfare - known as "Greek Fire" -  an incendiary weapon used by the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantines typically used it in naval battles to great effect as it could continue burning even under water.

Byzantine Empire - the predominantly Greek-speaking eastern part of the Roman Empire throughout late antiquity and the middle ages. Also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire was called simply Roman Empire or Romania by its inhabitants and neighbors.

It provided a technological advantage, and was responsible for many key Byzantine military victories, most notably the salvation of Constantinople from two Arab sieges, thus securing the Empire's survival.

Although the term "Greek fire" has been general in English and most other languages since the Crusades, in the original Byzantine sources it is called by a variety of names, such as "sea fire", "Roman fire", "war fire" , "liquid fire", or "processed fire".

The design on stamp, showing the Byzantine ship using Greek Fire must be adopted from a painting (as shown on right) from Madrid Skylitzes Manuscript.

Source: Wikipedia

Ships on Banknotes #12 - Greece 50 Drachma

 

Issued By: Bank of Greece
First Issued: October 01, 1964
Issued Period: 1964 - 1970

Added this banknote recently to my collection. The condition of the note is poor, should replace this when I get a better quality note.

At the bottom, on front side, is seen a traditional Greek Galley with pointed bow. On the back is a scene depicting building of ships at a shipyard. Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and has been a key element of Greek economic activity since ancient times, as the mountainous landscape of the mainland, the limited farming area and the extended coastline of Greece led people to occupy with shipping.

Click here to see more banknotes with ships in my collection.

Source: Wikipedia, Krause Standard Catalog of World Paper Money

Card #1 from Brazil

Received this picture postcard from Ms. Lafaiete, Brazil featuring cruise ship Crown Odyssey.

From the date of its launch, the ship changed hands into different owners and was renamed again and again and its present name is "Balmoral."

1988–1996: Crown Odyssey
1996–2000: Norwegian Crown
2000–2003: Crown Odyssey
2003–2007: Norwegian Crown
2007 onwards: Balmoral

Source: Wikipedia

Maori Canoers

Date of Issue: April 27, 1984
Scott #: C207

This is a beautiful engraved design of Maori Canoers Air Post stamp of French Polynesia issued to commemorate Philatelic Exposition at Madrid in 1984.

The design shows the Maori people (indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand) in canoes, which is their primary means of inter-island transport.

Blog - Celebrating 2nd Anniversary

One more year passed, and today, Jan 08, 2011, I celebrate two years of successful blogging. I would like to thank all my blog viewers around the globe, friends, swap pals for providing continuous support and encouragement thereby motivating and improving my collection.

Click here to share your wishes / suggestions / comments about my blog.

HMS Victory - Postcard

This picture postcard with wonderful view of HMS Victory with 1/2 d stamp of H.M.S. Victory and First Day of Issue (03.04.1967) postmark of Gibraltar was sent to me by my friend, Laura Termes, now in U.K.

If only the stamp was fixed on the front side of card, it would have become a nice Maxi Card.