Famous Fictional Characters: Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden - NY, NY

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden

New York, NY

Topic: Famous Fictional Characters 

GPS: N40° 45.380; W073° 59.450

Quick Description:

Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden is located on the southeast corner of the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan.

Long Description:

An 8' high, 4,000 pound bronze statue of Jackie Gleason is depicted in his role as bus driver Ralph Kramden from the iconic situation comedy The Honeymooners.  The sculpture was created by Lawrence J Nowlan, Jr. as part of an ongoing project by the re-run network TV Land to create sculptures of iconic television characters.

Ralph Kramden shown while walking to his job as a bus driver. He is dressed in a bus drivers uniform - a cap with badge, long trousers, waist length jacket, and tie. He is holding a lunch box in his right hand while his left hand is touching the collar of his jacket.

 A plaque on the low pedestal is inscribed:

Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden

Bus Driver - Raccoon Lodge Treasurer - Dreamer

Presented by the People of TV Land

Philatelic Photograph: Fortitude the NYPL Lion - NY, NY

Interesting Places I've Visited

Fortitude - New York Public Library Lion

New York, NY

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N40° 45.183; W073° 58.891

Quick Description: 

A pair of lions decorate the 5th Avenue entrance to the main branch of the New York Public Library. 

Long Description:

The main New York Public Library occupies a Beaux-Arts building on 5th Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets. Guarding the entrance is a pair of famous marble lion sculptures. The south lion is nicknamed Patience the north lion is Fortitude. The names were assigned former Mayor  Fiorello La Guardia. They described the qualities New Yorkers needed during the Great Depression. The Library adopted these lions as mascots and now they are the library's logo.

The lions were created by Edward Clark Potter and the Piccirilli Brothers executed the carving out of pink Tennessee marble. In 2004, the lions were cleaned and restored.

The stamp depicts the right side of the north lion, Fortitude. It was issued by the United States on November 9, 2000 to pay the presorted bulk mail rate of 10 cents.

Art Deco: Chrysler Building - NY, NY

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Chrysler Building

New York, NY

Topic: Art Deco

GPS: N40° 45.095; W073° 58.561

Quick Description: 

The Chrysler Building is an Art Deco style skyscraper in New York City. It is located at the intersection of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue in Manhattan.

Long Description:

The Chrysler Building is a 1,046' tall skyscraper designed by architect William Van Alen. Construction began on September 19, 1928 and was completed on May 20, 1930. The building is constructed of masonry, with a steel frame, and metal cladding. For 11 months, until the completion of the nearby Empire State Building, it was the tallest building in the world. It was personally paid for and owned by Walter P. Chrysler and served as the headquarters of the Chrysler Corporation from 1930 until the mid-1950s.

The building is famous for various architectural details. The gargoyles below the crown were modeled after Chrysler automobile products like the hood ornaments of the Plymouth. The crown is it's most striking feature. It is composed of seven progressively smaller radiating terraced arches, set back and mounted one behind each other. Stainless-steel cladding is ribbed and riveted in a radiating sunburst pattern forming triangular vaulted windows. The detail of the building is suggestive of the age of machines of the 1920s.

The building is considered a leading example of Art Deco architecture and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976.

Specific Veterans Memorial: Father Francis P. Duffy - New York, NY

Interesting places I've Photographed

Lt. Colonel Father Francis Patrick Duffy Statue

New York, NY

Topic: Specific Veterans Memorials

GPS: N40° 45.542; W073° 59.101

Quick Description: 

A sculpture of Lt. Colonel Father Francis Patrick Duffy is located in Duffy Square between 45th and 47th Streets in the northern part of Times Square in New York City.

Long Description:

Francis Patrick Duffy was born May 2, 1871 in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada He immigrated to New York City and became a New York City Archdiocesan priest on September 6, 1896. He served as an army chaplain during the Spanish-American War, on the Mexican Border, and World War I.

During World War I he achieved fame in France as the military chaplain for the 69th Infantry Regiment ("The Fighting 69th") of the New York Army National Guard which was federalized as the 165th U.S. Infantry Regiment, part of the Rainbow Division. During combat on the Western Front in France, Lt. Colonel Father Duffy helped recover the wounded from the battlefield, often under enemy fire. In a regiment composed of Irish-Americans he served as an inspirational spiritual and military leader.

For his heroic actions during World War I, Lt. Colonel Father Duffy was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Conspicuous Service Cross from New York State, and both the Légion d'Honneur and the Croix de Guerre from France. He is the most decorated military chaplain the history of the United States Army.

After the returning from the War he wrote the autobiographical best seller Father Duffy's Story. He died in New York City on June 26, 1932. Times Square, between 45th and 47th Streets, is named Duffy Square in his honor.

An 8' high bronze statue of Father Duffy sculpted by Charles Keck is located in Duffy Square. The statue depicts a bareheaded Father Duffy wearing a World War I winter uniform with a long belted coat and high boots. He is holding a bible in his hands. A helmet lies on the ground by his left foot. He is standing on a two stage gray granite pedestal and in front of a 18' granite Celtic cross. The statue was unveiled May 2, 1937. The front of the pedestal is inscribed:


FATHER DUFFY

The back of the cross is inscribed with his biographical information:


LIEUTENANT COLONEL
FRANCIS P. DUFFY
MAY 2, 1871 - JUNE 26, 1932
CATHOLIC PRIEST

CHAPLAIN
165TH U.S. INFANTRY
OLD 69TH N.Y.

A LIFE OF SERVICE
FOR
GOD AND COUNTRY

SPANISH AMERICAN WAR
NEW YORK NATIONAL GUARD
MEXICAN BORDER
WORLD WAR

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS
LÉGION D'HONNEUR
CROIX DE GUERRE

Philatelic Photograph: Cathedral of Chartres - Chartres, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Spires of the Cathedral of Chartres

Chartres, France

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N48° 26.834; W001° 29.224

Quick Description: 

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres, a medieval Roman Catholic cathedral located about 80 kilometres from of Paris. The magnificient Cathedral was constructed between 1194 and 1250.

Long Description:

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The current cathedral, mostly constructed between 1194 and 1250, is the last of at least five which have occupied the site since the town became a bishopric in the 4th century.

The church has an interesting history. It was begun in 1134, destroyed by fire in 1194, and then rebuilt. What remained after the fire were the lower parts of the west towers and the west portal. West façade is dominated by two assymetrical spires. The south spire is completely original. It is a 349' (105m) high plain Romanesque pyramid dating from the 1140s. The flamboyant north spire is 377' (113m) high and exhibits a combination of late Gothic and early Renaissance chacteristics. It was built on top of an older tower.

The cathedral survived the French Revolution in an exceptional state of preservation. The majority of the original stained glass windows survive intact. The façades, are adorned with hundreds of sculpted figures based on theological themes.

The stamp was issued by France on August 13, 1979 as part of a set of four pre-cancelled stamps depicting significant French spires.

Philatelic Photograph: Mont Saint-Michel - Normandy, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Mont Saint-Michel

Normandy, France

Topics: Philatelic Photographs

N 48° 38.100 W 001° 30.670

Quick Description: 

Mont Saint-Michel is a tidal island in the Couesnon River off the northwest coast of France.

Long Description:

The tidal island of Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most iconic and visited places in France. It's narrow streets host over 3 million visitors a year. A 0.5 km causeway connects the island to the mainland. It can be reached by using a free shuttle bus which operated continuously during daylight hours. A bridge connecting the island to the mainland is under construction.

The 247 acre island rises 301 feet above the surrounding bay. It has been a strategic fortified outpost since ancient times. The 8th century Gothic-style Benedictine monastery dedicated to of Archangel Saint Michael occupies the upper reached of the island and can be reached by climbing approximately 300 steps. A small village is contained with the fortified walls at the base of the abbey.

In 933 William I, Duke of Normandy, annexed the Cotentin Peninsula, making the Mont part of Normandy. In 1067, the monastery of Mont-Saint-Michel supported William of Normandy's claim to the throne of England. As a result it was given properties and grounds on the English side of the Channel. During the Hundred Years' War, the fortified island successfully resisted repeated assaults English assaults on the island.

Mont Saint-Michel and the surrounding area are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The stamp was issued in 2009 by France as part of set of 8 stamps in the Images of France Series. The rate is for mailing a 20 gram letter worldwide.

Philatelic Photograph: Abbaye aux Hommes - Caen, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Abbaye aux Hommes

(Men's Abbey)

Caen

Normandy, France

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N49° 10.868; W000° 22.234

Quick Description: 

The Abbaye aux Hommes, a.k.a. Abbey of Saint-Etienne, is located near the present day center of the city of Caen in Normandy, France.

Long Description:

The Norman Romanesque style Abbaye aux Hommes (Men's Abbey) also known as the Abbey of Saint-Etienne (Saint Stephen) is a former Benedictine monastery in the city of Caen in the Normandy district of France.

Construction of the abbey, using local stone, began during the 11th century. In 1120, the ribbed vaulting of the church was constructed. The first such use of this architectural feature in France. In 1166, a early forerunner of Gothic architecture was added: the chevet, a semicircular east end of a church, featuring flying buttresses and rosette windows. Nine additional towers and spires were added in the 13th century.

During the French Revolution it ceased to function as a Benedictine abbey and functioned as a parish church. From 1804 to 1961, the abbey was the home of the Lycée Malherbe, a prestigious high school. During the World War II invasion of Normandy the church was used as a hospital and a refuge from bombings.

The origin of this abbey and the nearby companion Abbaye aux Dames (Ladies' Abbey) has a fascinating history. William I, the Duke of Normandy, later William the Conqueror, wished to marry Matilda of Flanders, the daughter of Count Baldwin V of Flanders, to enhance his claim to the throne of Normandy. A marriage was arranged in 1049, but at the Council of Rheims, Pope Leo IX issued an edit forbidding the marriage on the grounds of consanguinity as Matilda was a distant cousin of William I. Despite the edict, William and Matilda were married about the year 1050. In 1059, Lanfranc, the prior of Bec Abbey, negotiated and arrangement with Pope Nicholas II. The marriage would be granted the sanction of the Pope in Rome only after William and Matilda agreed to build two churches in Caen - the Abbaye aux Hommes and the nearby Abbaye aux Dames.

The stamp was issued by France on December 22, 1951 around the 900th anniversary of the marriage of William I of Normandy to Matilda of Flanders.

Philatelic Photograph: Église Sainte Pierre - Caen, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Église Sainte Pierre

(St. Peter's Church)

Caen

Normandy, France

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

West Façade - Église Sainte Pierre

GPS: N49° 11.058; W000° 21.661

Quick Description: 

Église Sainte Pierre (St. Peter's Church) is located at the Place Sainte Pierre east of the massive castle of  William I (William the Conquerer) the Duke of Normandy in Caen.

Long Description:

The Church of St. Peter was founded in the late 10th century and early 11th century. It's location between the harbor and the Ducal Castle places it in the economic center of the city. In the 1300's the nave and the upper parts of the tower were completed. are completed and the west and north portals were added. The 245' spire dates back to 1308. In the 16th century the apse was modified and chapels were added.

The church was partially destroyed during both the Wars of Religion (1562–98) and the French Revolution (1787-1799). During World War II the church, as was much of Caen, was destroyed by allied bombing. The spire fell down crushing the nave. Repairs under the auspices of the Department of Historic Monuments, was completed in 1957. Finally, a new organ was installed in 1997.

The church is a good example of transition between Gothic and Renaissance architecture. The nave is of Gothic design while the newer apse built by Hector Sohier between 1518 and 1545 is of Renaissance design.

The stamp was issued by France on June 1, 1963 as part of an ongoing series of stamps dedicated to French cities. It depicts Église St-Pierre on the left and a round tower from the William the Conquerer the Duke of Normandy's castle on the right.

Round Tower - Ducal Palace

Philatelic Photograph: Joan of Arc Memorial Cross - Rouen, France

Interesting Places I've Visited

Joan of Arc Memorial Cross

Rouen

Normandy, France

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

Memorial Cross on the Church Grounds

Joan of Arc Memorial Cross

GPS: N49° 26.593; E 001° 05.282

Quick Description: 

The Joan of Arc Memorial Cross is located next to L'église Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc at the west end of the Rue du Gros Horloge in Rouen.

Long Description:

Joan of Arc was born into a peasant family in Domrémy, France about 1412. Beginning at about age 12 she claimed to experience visions directing her to drive the English out of France and pave the way for the coronation of a French king. Claiming to be guided by God, she led the French army to important victories in the Hundred Years' War, which led to Charles VII assuming the throne of France.

She was captured by the Burgundians, and purchased by the English from Duke Philip of Burgundy and put on trial before the Bishop Pierre Cauchon on charges of heresy. At age 19, she was found guilty and burned at the stake in Rouen on May 30, 1431 . Twenty-five years later Pope Callixtus III pronounced her innocent and declared her a martyr. Joan of Arc was beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920. She is now the one of patron saint of France.

The national monument to Joan of Arc is located at the site of her death in Rouen. During World War II, Rouen was completely devastated. The church of St. Vincent, which stood near the market place was completely destroyed. A new church was build in the market place using the preserved stained glass windows of the destroyed church. L'église Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc (The Church of Saint Joan of Arc) was designed by architect Louis Arretche and completed in 1979.

The church has a modern design with a curved roof line that is based on an overturned Viking ship and also represent the flames that killed Joan of Arc. On the grounds on the west side of the church is the Joan of Arc Memorial Cross, a 65' high iron Cross of Lorraine that is visible from all directions as it soars above the roof line of the church. The cross was placed on the exact site where archaeological evidence indicates that Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. The cross is the National monument to Joan of Arc.

The stamp was issued by France on May 24, 1979 to correspond with the completion of the church and the dedication of the Joan of Arc Memorial Cross.

La Famille Bonaparte: Thomas Jefferson - Paris, France

Thomas Jefferson

Paris, France

GPS: N48° 51.673;  E002° 19.452

Short Description: 

In 1803, Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon Bonaparte. A statue of Thomas Jefferson is located on the left bank of the Seine in by the Passerelle de Solférino in Paris, France. ,

Long Description:

President Thomas Jefferson and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and were contemporary leaders of the United States and France respectively. Their fates were intertwined when Napoleon agreed to sell the Louisiana Territories to President Jefferson.

France controlled Louisiana, a 828 000 square mile territory in the middle of North America, from 1699 until 1762. It then gave the territory to its ally Spain. France, under Napoleon Bonaparte, officially regained ownership of Louisiana from Spain in 1800 under the Third Treaty of San Ildefonso. Napoleon had hopes of extending the French Empire into North America. An ongoing slave revolt (1791–1804) in French held Haiti and an impending war with Britain led Napoleon to abandon these plans.

The City of New Orleans is strategically located at the mouth of the Mississippi River. President Thomas Jefferson,, was interested in purchasing the City and its adjacent surroundings from Napoleon. In 1802, he sent James Monroe and Robert R. Livingston to Paris to negotiate the purchase of New Orleans and its adjacent lands for about $10,000,000. Napoleon realized he could not fight a war in Europe, deal with a slave revolt in Haiti, and keep control of Louisiana. He feared that the British, Spanish or even the United States would seize the territory. Therefore, he offered to sell the entire territory to the United States for about $15,000,000 dollars. In fact, Britain declared war on France in 1803, and the two would be at war for over a decade.

The Louisiana Purchase was one of Thomas Jefferson's greatest accomplishments as President. Fifteen U.S. states were derived from the Louisiana Purchase including : all of Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska, parts of Minnesota, most of North and South Dakota, northeastern New Mexico, northern Texas, portions of Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado and Louisiana west of the Mississippi River along with the City of New Orleans. This doubled the size of the United States and set the stage for westward expansion to the Pacific Ocean.

The Louisiana Purchase was not without controversy. Many thought it was unconstitutional since the U.S. Constitution did not contain provisions for purchasing territory. Nonetheless, Jefferson decided to purchase the land to remove France's presence in the region and to protect U.S. trade on the Mississippi River and through the Port of New Orleans.

A 10' high bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson, who was the U.S. minister to France from 1785 to 1789, was installed in Paris on July 4, 2006. The statue was created by French sculptor Jean Cardot’s and donated to the city of Paris by the Guy Wilderstein, an art dealer, and the Florence Gould Foundation, an American organization that fosters French-American cultural exchange.

Philatelic Photograph: Gros Horloge - Rouen, France

Gros Horloge

(Great Clock)

Rouen

Normandy, France

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

Gros Horloge

Gros Horloge

GPS: N49° 26.490; E001° 05.480

Quick Description: 

The Gros Horloge is an 16th century astronomical clock located on the Rue de Horloge in Rouen, France.

Long Description:

The Gros Horloge is a double sided clock located in a Renaissance style archway joining a church belfry and crossing the Rue de Horloge. The dial is 2.5 meters in diameter. It is a landmark in the city of Rouen.

Since 1409, a clock face has been installed on an archway gate in the ancient Roman walls. The current archway and the double sided clock faces were rebuilt between 1527-1529. On both clocks faces a single hand indicates the hour. Above the clock face, a globe indicates the phase of the moon. At the bottom under the number VI there is a chariot. At noon, a divinity associated with the day of the week appears on the chariot: the Moon by Diane on Monday, March for Tuesday, Mercury for Wednesday, Jupiter for Thursday, Venus for Friday, Saturn for Saturday and Apollo for Sunday.

The mechanism of the clock is now powered by electricity and keeps accurate time. The clock was restored in 1997 again in 2003. The clock was reopened to the public in December 2006.

The stamp was issued by France on April 24, 1976 to commemorate the 49th Congress of French Philatelic Societies held in Rouen from April 23 to May 2, 1976.

Exact Replica: Flamme de la Liberté (Flame of Liberty) - Paris, France

Flamme de la Liberté

(Flame of Liberty)

Paris, France

N 48° 51.851 E 002° 18.053

Short Description: 

Flamme de la Liberté (The Flame of Liberty) is located on pedestrian overpass over the Avenue des New York at Place de L'Alma, in Paris. It is directly above the underpass in which Princess Diana died in an automobile accident on on August 31, 1997. It is now become an unofficial memorial to Princess Diana.

Long Description:

The Flamme de la Liberté (The Flame of Liberty) is an exact, gold-leaf-covered, copy of the flame on the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. It was given to the City of Paris in 1989 by the International Herald Tribune and funded by public subscription at a cost of $400,000.

A plaque on the base of the flame is describes its purpose in English translation:

The Flame of Liberty. An exact replica of the Statue of Liberty's flame offered to the people of France by donors throughout the world as a symbol of the Franco-American friendship. On the occasion of the centennial of the International Herald Tribune. Paris 1887-1987.

More recently it has become a de facto shrine to the late Diana, Princess of Wales who died in an automobile accident in the tunnel below the Flame of Liberty on August 31, 1997.

Napoleon Bonaparte: Vendôme Column - Paris, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Vendôme Column

Paris, France

Topic: Napoleon Bonaparte 

GPS: N48° 52.052;  E002° 19.765

Quick Description: 

Vendôme Column has 425 spiraling bas-relief bronze plates. It was erected to celebrate the victory of Napoleon at Austerlitz.

Long Description:

The Vendôme Column was erected by Emperor Napoleon I between 1806 and 1810. It was inspired by the Trajan's Column in Rome. It was made from the bronze obtained from hundreds of cannons taken from the armies he defeated. During the Bourbon Restoration the original column was raised and, in 1874, it was replaced.  That column was taken down after the Bourbon Restoration. In 1874, the column was restored.

The column was designed by the sculptor Pierre-Nolasque Bergeret and executed by a many sculptors. Jean-Joseph Foucou, Louis-Simon Boizot, François Joseph Bosio, Lorenzo Bartolini, Claude Ramey, François Rude, Corbet, Clodion and Henri-Joseph Ruxthiel all participated in the project. On the top of the column is a statue of Napoleon. He is wearing a toga, has a crown of laurels on his head and holding a sword in his left hand.  In his right hand he is holding a globe topped with a small statue of Victory.

Specific Veteran Memorial: Charles de Gaulle - Paris, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Charles de Gaulle Statue

Paris, France

Topic: Specific Veteran Memorial

GPS: N48° 52.050; E002° 18.815

Quick Description: 

A statue of General and President Charles de Gaulle is located on the west side of the Champs-Élysées in Paris, France.

Long Description:

A larger than life bronze statue of General Charles de Gaulle is striding on top of a 10' stone pedestal. He is wearing a World War II army uniform with four pocket jacket, belt and cap. He is walking with his arms by his side and with is left foot in front of his right.
Each side of the pedestal is inscribed:

CHARLES DE GAULLE
1890 1970

IL Y A UN PACTE
VINGT FOIS SECULAIRE
ENTRE LA GRANDEUR
DE LA FRANCE
ET LA LIBERTE
DU MONDE
and

PARIS
PARIS OUTRAGE
PARIS BRISE
PARIS MARTYRISE
MAIS PARIS LIBERE

Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle was born on November 22, 1890 in Lille in Flanders area of France. He received his military training at the military academy at Saint-Cyr and graduating 13th of 210 cadets in 1912. He joined the 33rd infantry regiment of the French Army commanded by Colonel Philippe Pétain.

During World War I the 33rd Regiment under General Charles Lanrezac attempted to check the German advance at Dinant. Charles de Gaulle was wounded early in the battle and became disillusioned with the outdated tactics being employed against German artillery. In 1916, he was taken prisoner of war at the Battle of Verdun. After the war, de Gaulle served with the staff of the French military mission to Poland in its war against Russia from 1919 to 1921. Here he was awarded the highest Polish military honor, Virtuti Militari, and was promoted to commandant in the Polish Army.

He then served as a major in the French army with the Army of Occupation in the Rhineland. In the 1930's he served as a lieutenant-colonel as a staff officer in France. In order to modernize and antiquated french army, he published Vers l’Armée de Métier ("Toward a Professional Army") in 1934. Ironically. the book turned out to be more widely read in Germany than in France.

At the outbreak of World War II, Colonel de Gaulle commanding a tank regiment in the French Fifth Army. On May 17, 1940, de Gaulle engaged in a tank battle with German tank forces at Montcornet forcing the German tanks to retreat. In recognition for this victory, de Gaulle was promoted to acting brigadier general a week later. Nonetheless, the German army quickly overran France and the French government decided to seek an armistice. De Galle vehemently opposed the arrangement and exhorted the French to resist German occupation and the Vichy regime.

In 1943, De Gaulle and the Free French resistance set up headquarters in Algiers after the Anglo-U.S. invasion of North Africa. De Gaulle gradually gained control of all French colonies except Indochina. By June 1944 he was leading the French government in exile. After the D-Day invasion of Normandy region of France, de Gaulle left the UK hand landed in France. He arrived at the Normandy city of Bayeux and proclaimed it to be the capital of Free France. He was President of the Provisional Government of the French Republic from 1944 to 1946.

At the end of the war de Gaulle founded the Rassemblement du Peuple Francais (RPF) party and retired from politics in the early 1950s after the RPF's failed to rise to power. In May 1958, he was elected President of the Council of Ministers by the French Assembly and was subsequently elected President of France and served from January 8, 1959 to April 28, 1969. He died on November 9, 1970 at the age of 79.

Obelisks: Obelisk of Luxor - Paris, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Obelisk of Luxor

Paris, France

Topic: Obelisks

How It Was Moved

N 48° 51.920 E 002° 19.273

Quick Description: 

The Obelisk of Luxor was moved from Luxor, Egypt to the center of the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France.

Long Description:

The Obelisk of Luxor is located in the center of the Place de la Concorde between a pair of large circular fountains. This Egyptian obelisk was once one of a pair of obelisks that flanked the entrance to the Luxor Temple Complex in Luxor, Egypt. The obelisk is inscribed with hieroglyphics dating from the reign of the Pharaoh Ramses II. It was given by the Egyptian government to the French in 1829 by Muhammad Ali Pasha, the Khedive of Egypt.

The Obelisk of Luxor is made of yellow granite, is 75' high, and weighs over 250 metric tons. On the southeast side of the obelisk there is a gold diagram depicting the equipment needed and method used to transport the obelisk to France and erect the obelisk in Paris.

In the summer of 1822, the Obelisk of Luxor was loaded onto a barge and sailed down the Nile to Alexandria. From there the French ship Sphinx towed the barge to Toulon and then Cherbourg, France. It reached Paris on December 21, 1833. On October 25, 1836, King Louis-Philippe had it placed in the center of Place de la Concorde.

Philatelic Photograph: Palais de Justice - Rouen, France

Interesting Places I've Phorographed

Palais de Justice

Rouen, 

Normandy, France

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

Palais de Justice

Palais de Justice

GPS: N49° 26.525; E001° 05.546

Quick Description: 

The Palais de Justice is located one block north of the Rue de Horloge on the Rue aux Juifs the center of Rouen, France.

Long Description:

The Palais de Justice (Courthouse) in Rouen is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The construction of the building had its origin in 1494 when the city councilors passed a resolution to build a new market for the merchants of the city. This building evolved into the present day courthouse.

The building was built under the reign of Louis XII to a design by architects Roger Ango and Roulland le Roux between 1499 and 1508. It served as a Royal Palace, housed board of Normandy, and became home to the parliament of Normandy in the sixteenth century.

During World War II the Gothic parts of the structure were severely damaged and have since been restored. The neo-Gothic parts escape destruction.

The wing to the left of the courtyard façade is original Gothic, built between the late fifteenth century and early sixteenth century. It features pinnacles, gargoyles and a railing at the base of the roof. Other parts of the building were built as late as the early twentieth century. The central part of the building is a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance styles.

The stamp was issued by France on January 25, 1975 as part of a three stamp set in the ongoing Tourist Series of stamps.

Lion Statues: Lion of Belfort Reduced Replica - Paris, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Lion of Belfort Reduced Replica

Paris, France

Topic: Lion Statues

Lion of Belfort - Paris

GPS: N 48° 50.040 E 002° 19.925

Short Description:

The replica of the Lion of Belfort is located in the Place Denfert-Rochereau in Paris.

Long Description:

Belfort, in north-east France, is strategically located in a gap between the Vosges and the Jura linking the Rhine and the Rhône Rivers. During the Franco-Prussian War the city's 17,000 defenders were under siege for 83 days by 40,000 Prussian troops during a 103 day military assault. During the siege the Prussian army fired more than 400,000 artillery shells into the town.

The Lion of Belfort is a statue by Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi. This is a one-third size bronze replica of the carved sandstone lion in the city of Belfort, France that honors the successful defense of the town, under the command of Colonel Denfert-Rochereau, during the 103 day long assault and siege of 1870 - 1871 during the Franco-Prussian War . The replica was installed in Place Denfer-Rochereau in 1880, and restored in 2001.

The monument was erected in Paris in 1880 and restored in 2001. On the base of the Lion is inscribed:

A LA
DEFENSE NATIONALE
1870 - 1871

Philatelic Photograph: Cathédrale de Rouen - Rouen, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Cathédrale de Rouen

Rouen 

Upper Normandy,  France

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

Tour Saint Romain and Tour Beurre  

South Portal - Spire

GPS: N49° 26.429; E001° 05.646

Quick Description: 

The Cathédrale de Rouen is located at the east end of the Rue du Gros Horloge in Rouen, France

Long Description:

The construction of the current cathedral began between 1170 - 1180, replacing a series of older churches that date back to the 4th century, with the Romanesque tour Saint Romain on the north side of the western façade, followed by reconstruction of the nave. Fire damaged the cathedral in 1200, which was reconstructed by architect Jean d’Andely according to the original plan. The nave and the choir were soon rebuilt. A lantern tower in the Normandy Gothic style was built over the place where the nave and transept intersect.

In 1270, the nave was widened to accommodate chapels on both sides. The portals on both sides of the transept were added in 1280. In 1485 the southern tower on the western façade, known as la Tour Beurre – the butter tower, was constructed. this feature has an unusual history. In medieval France the population was not allowed to eat butter during the Lenten period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. However, upon payment of a special tax, consumption of butter was allowed. As a result, the church hierarchy at Rouen raised was able to raise all the funds needed to build this second tower on the west façade, which is still called la Tour Buerre .

In 1540 the lantern tower was raised one level and a 132 meter high spire was added on top of the tower. This was replaced with an even higher current cast-iron spire in 1876,, replacing the original Renaissance spire which was damaged by lightening and fire in 1822. The church now became the tallest building in the world until the Cathedral at Cologne, Germany was built in 1880. The lantern tower and spire suffered bomb damage during World War II. A complete restoration was completed in 1956. The cathedral's tower is the tallest church tower in France.

The stamp was issued by France on October 19, 1957 as part of a set of seven stamps depicting famous sites of France and its overseas districts.

Philatelic Photograph: Eiffel Tower - Paris, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Eiffel Tower

Paris, France

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

On our 3rd visit to Paris we finally pose in front of the Eiffel Tower.

GPS: N48° 51.506; E002° 17.585

Quick Description: 

The iconic Eiffel Tower viewed from from the the Trocadero Gardens.

Long Description:

From the Trocadero Gardens across the River Seine you get this unobstructed view of the entire Eiffel Tower.  The iron lattice Eiffel Tower, located on the Champ de Mars, was built in 1889 as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair. It was designed and built by engineer Gustave Eiffel, hence its name. The tower is 1,063 ft. tall. When built it was the tallest man-made structure in the world. It is still the tallest building in France.

The Eiffel Tower is one of the the most visited monument in the world; hosting millions of people it every year. The tower has three observation levels that vary in price according to elevation. Restaurants on located on the first two levels.

The stamp was issued in 2009 by France as part of set of 8 stamps in the Images of France Series. The rate is for mailing a 20 gram letter worldwide.

Philatelic Photograph: Palais de Chaillot - Paris, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Palais de Chaillot

Paris, France

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N48° 51.639; E002° 17.448

Quick Description: 

Palais de Chaillot with Jardins du Trocadéro are located directly across the River Seine from the Eiffel Tower.

Long Description:

The original Palais de Chaillot was built on top of Chaillot hill for the Paris World's Fair of 1878. Then called the Palais du Trocadero, it was a large concert hall with two wings and two towers. When Paris was to host the 1937 World's Fair, plans for a new Palais de Chaillot were proposed. It was designed in the modern style by architects: Louis-Hippolyte Boileau, Jacques Carlu and Léon Azéma.

Built on the foundation of the old Palais, it followed the same basic form of its predecessor. Two unconnected towers anchored two wings that formed a very wide arc. In the center is a wide esplanade that affords spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower, across the Seine.
Museums

Several museums and an aquarium (Cinéaqua) are found in the Palais de Chaillot. The south wing holds the Naval Museum (Musée de la Marine) and the The Museum of Man (Musée de l'Homme).

A museum that showcases French architecture, the Cité de L'architecture et du Patrimoine, opened in 2007. The 1,200 seat Théâtre National de Chaillot is located below the esplanade. , it was the center of Parisian culture following World War II and is still a popular location for concerts and plays.

At the foot of the terrace of the Palais de Chaillot are the Jardins du Trocadéro (Trocadero Gardens). The garden is a large rectangle containing Paris' largest fountain pond which is surrounded by statuary.

Palais de Chaillot and Trocadero Gardens from the Eiffel Tower 

The huge arc of the building can be best seen from the second level of the Eiffel Tower. The ground level view on the stamp captures the fountain pond, esplanade, north and south towers, and only a small portion of arc of the buildings wings. 

In 1948 and again in 1951 the United Nations General Assembly met at the Palais de Chaillot. The stamp was issued in 1948 to commemorate the first meeting of United Nations General Assembly in Paris.

Philatelic Photograph: Les Invalides - Paris, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Les Invalides

Paris, France

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

N 48° 51.447 E 002° 18.756

Quick Description: 

Les Invalides, officially L'Hôtel National des Invalides - The National Residence of the Invalids, is located on the left bank of the River Seine opposite the Pont Alexandre III in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France.

Long Description:

Les Invalides a large complex of buildings consisting of the Musée de l'Armée, Église Saint-Louis-des-Invalides, a hospital, retirement home, mausoleum, and fifteen courtyards. Construction of the complex began in 1671 under the regime of King Louis XIV and based on a design by architects Libéral Bruant, Jules Hardouin Mansart. It was completed in 1676 and dedicated in 1678. It did not have chapel. In 1679, the veteran's chapel, Église Saint-Louis des Invalides, was added. Shortly after the veterans' chapel was completed, Louis XIV commissioned Mansart to construct a separate private royal chapel referred to as the Église du Dôme which was inspired by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The Baroque dome, which was finished in 1708, is the most prominent feature of the Invalides complex. The original purpose of Les Invalides was to provide a home for aged and sick soldiers.

Les Invalides has a fascinating history. On July 14, 1789 Les Invalides was seized by Parisian rioters who acquired the cannons and muskets to use, that day, against the Bastille. The mausoleum of Napoleon Bonaparte was located under the dome in 1840. In 1872, the Musée d'Artillerie (Artillery Museum) and later, in 1896, Musée Historique des Armées (Historical Museum of the Armies) was established within the complex. The two museums were merged in 1905 into the present day Musée de l'Armée. The buildings were used as a major retirement home and hospital for military veterans until the early twentieth century and still provides housing and care for about 100 former soldiers.

The view on the stamp and the photograph is from the north with the Baroque dome, designed by Mansart, above, behind, and offset to the left of the pediment of the central block designed by Bruant. The public esplanade (Esplanade des Invalides) stretches before the structure forming a large open public space in the middle of Paris. The stamp was issued by France on September 2, 2006 as part of set of 10 stamps in the ongoing Aspects of Life in French Regions series of stamps.

Philatelic Photograph: Pont Alexandre III and the Petit Palais - Paris, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Pont Alexandre III and the Petit Palais

Paris, France

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

N 48° 51.783 E 002° 18.791

Quick Description: 

The Pont Alexandre III is considered to be the most beautiful bridge in Paris. It frames the Petit Palais on the right bank of the River Seine.

Long Description:

Pont Alexandre III was constructed the end of the 19th century as part of a series of projects undertaken for Universal Exposition of 1900. The bridge joined Exposition sites on the right and left banks of the River Seine.

The bridge was designed by architects Joseph Cassien-Bernard and Gaston Cousin and built by the engineers Jean Résal and Amédée d'Alby. The bridge has to meet strict requirements not to obscuring the view of the Champs-Élysées or the Invalides. Thus the bridge is only 132' wide, has a single 353' long span, and a height of only 20'.

The bridge is lavishly decorated with Art Nouveau style lampposts and sculptures of cherubs and nymphs. On each end of bridge are large gilded sculptures on 56' high granite pillars.

The first stone for the bridge was laid by the Russian Tsar Nicolas II in October 1896. The bridge symbolizes Russian-French friendship and was named after the Tsar's father, Tsar Alexander III.

The Petit Palais was also built for the Universal Exposition in the year 1900. Originally it was meant to be a temporary structure, displaying a large exposition of French art. The Beaux Arts-style building was designed by Charles Girault and became a favorite with Parisians, who refused to raze the building. Currently it is the home of the Musée des Beaux-Arts.

The airmail stamp was issued by France on June 13, 1949 to commemorate the International Telegraph and Telephone Conference which was held in Paris from May to July 1949.

Philatelic Photograph: Palais Bourbon - Paris, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Palais Bourbon

Paris, France

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N48° 51.742; E002° 19.130

Quick Description: 

The Palais Bourbon is located on the left bank of the Seine across from the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France

Long Description:

The Palais Bourbon was built between 1722 and 1728 to a design by the Italian architect Lorenzo Giardini and approved by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. Giardini oversaw construction until his death in 1724. Then Jacques Gabriel assumed control with the assistance of L'Assurance and other designers. The Palais was built for the daughter of Louis XIV and Françoise-Athénaïs, Marquise de Montespan - Louise-Françoise de Bourbon, Duchesse de Bourbon.

During the French Revolution the Palais Bourbon was nationalized, and the Council of the Five Hundred met in the palace from 1798. Fontanes, following wishes of Napoleon to create a grander Paris, commissioned the pedimented Roman portico, designed by architect Bernard Poyet, to be added to the front of the Palais facing the Place de la Concorde. The Roman portico was completed in 1808.

The Bourbon Restoration followed the reign of Napoleon. Prince de Condé returned from exile and took possession of the Palais. He a large portion of the Palais to the Chamber of Deputies. In 1827, The Palais was bought outright from his heir for 5,250,000 francs. The Chamber of Deputies was then able to further modify the Palais to better suit their work. Delacroix did some of the interior decorating and the pediment was re-sculpted by French artist Jean-Pierre Cortot.

Today the Palais Bourbon is the seat of the French National Assembly, the lower legislative chamber of the French government.

The stamp was issued on August 28, 1971 to commemorate the 59th Conference of the Interparliamentary Union.

Philatelic Photograph: Musée d'Orsay - Paris, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Musée d'Orsay

Paris, France

Topic: Philatelic Phorographs

GPS: N48° 51.637; E 002° 19.542

Quick Description:

The Musée d'Orsay (Orsay Museum) a world class art museum located on the left bank of the Seine in central Paris.

Long Description:

The Musée d'Orsay is located in the former Beaux-Arts style Orsay railway station, which was designed by Laloux for the Universal Exhibition of 1900. The conversion of the station was done in 1979 by the ACT architecture group, comprised of M. Bardon, M. Colboc and M. Philippon. The great hall of the railway station is used as the main artery of the museum and the glass awning became the museum's entrance.

The building is 619' long, 246 wide and 104' high. The museum is organized on three levels. Galleries occupy the ground floor, terraces on the mid-level overlook the galleries, The upper floor is installed above the lobby and covers the length of the Quai and contains the restaurant. Exhibition spaces and different facilities are located throughout the three levels.

The Musée d'Orsay opened to the public on December 9, 1986 and features collections of art from 1848 to 1914 period. It is exhibits the world's largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings. The collection was formed with works coming mainly from three establishments: from the Louvre museum, for the works of artists born after 1820 or coming to the fore during the Second Republic; from the Musée du Jeu de Paume, which since 1947 had been devoted to Impressionism; and lastly from the National Museum of Modern Art, which, when it moved in 1976 to the Centre Georges Pompidou, only kept works of artists born after 1870. On average, over 3,000,000 visitors view the collection each year.

The stamp was issued on June 18, 2012 as a single stamp commemorating the Musée d'Orsay.

Philatelic Photograph: Resistance Memorial - Paris, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Resistance Memorial

Paris, France

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N48° 50.902; E002° 20.322

Quick Description:

Resistance Memorial is located in the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, France

Long Description:

A memorial placed in the northeast part of the Luxembourg Gardens pays homage to the members of the Resistance Movement in France during World War II. Placed by a group identified as Student Resistance, it features a pair of life-sized bronze figures. A standing figure holds his head up high and a fallen comrade, who is lying on his side with his head facing back, is at the feet of the standing figure.
The low pedestal is inscribed in on the front:

AMI. SI TU TOMBES UN AMI SORT DE L'OMBRES A TA PLACE.
AUX ETUDIANTES RESISTANTS

Friend. If you fall a friend comes out of the shadows to take your place.

Student Resistance

The statue was sculpted by Gaston Watkins in 1956. The semi-postal stamp was issued in 1964 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the liberation of France in World War II.

Philatelic Photograph: Palais du Luxembourg - Paris, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Palais du Luxembourg

Paris, France

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N48° 50.860; E002° 20.234

Quick Description: 

Palais du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Palace) is located on the left bank of the River Seine in in Paris, France

Long Description:

After Henri IV was assassinated, his widow, Marie de Medici, decided to build herself a luxurious palace in the Luxembourg district of Paris. The palace was built between 1615-1627 to a design by architect Salomon de Brosse. The Palais du Luxembourg then housed a succession of France's nobility. In 1792, was taken over by Revolutionaries and converted into a prison. In 1797, Napoleon I installed the Senate in the Palace, for a brief time. The Senate returned to the Palace in 1879, where it is today.

Adjacent to the palace is the Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens), one of the largest and most beautiful parks in Paris.

Philatelic Photograph: Cathédrale de Notre Dame de Paris - Paris, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Cathédrale de Notre Dame de Paris

Paris, France

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N48° 51.193; E002° 20.940

Quick Description: 

Cathédrale de Notre Dame de Paris (Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris) is a historic Roman Catholic Marian cathedral on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, France.

Long Description:

Cathédrale de Notre Dame is a world famous example of French Gothic architecture. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Paris. Construction began when the cornerstone was laid in 1163. By 1182 the apse and choir were completed. Work began on the west façade about 1200 and was completed in 1225. By 1250, the western towers and the north rose window were complete. From 1245–1260 the transepts remodelled in the Rayonnant style by Jean de Chelles. he also added the gabled portal to the north which contains the hallmark rose window. Pierre de Montreuil then duplicated these elements on the south transept.

South Rose Window

Notre Dame de Paris was among the first buildings in the world to use the flying buttress to support the exterior walls. The many small statues around the outside serve as supports for columns and water spouts, the famous gargoyles. 

The cathedral was extensively damaged during the French Revolution of 1789 - 1799 and subsequently restored to its original Gothic condition by order of Napoleon under the supervision of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. In 1804, Napoleon crowned himself Emperor inside the Cathédrale de Notre Dame.

The stamp was issued by France in 2010 as part of an ongoing series of four stamps showing landmarks in European capital series. In 2010, the home country capital of Paris was selected. The stamp and depicts the south façade of Notre Dame as viewed from the riverbank across the River Seine.