Statue of Historic Figure: Nicolaus Copernicus - Montréal, PQ, Canada

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Montréal, PQ, Canada

Topic: Statue of Historic Figure

GPS: N45° 33.638; W073° 32.963

Quick Description: 

The new home of Montréal's statue of Copernicus is located in a grassy open area near the new Montréal Planetarium in Olympic Park.

Long Description:

The classic larger-than-life seated statue of Copernicus created by Bertel Thorvaldsen in 1822 that once was located in front of the Montréal Planetarium in Chaboillez Square was moved when the new planetarium was constructed in Olympic Park. The bronze statue of Nicolaus Copernicus has the astronomer holding a compass in his right hand and an armillary sphere in his left hand. Montréal's copy has been restored and the missing armillary sphere has been replaced.

The most famous copy of this statue is located at Polish Academy of Sciences in Wawsaw, Poland; but copies of this statue are erected around the world.

Copernicus was born on February 19, 1473 in Thorn in the Kingdom of Poland. About 1532 Copernicus had completed his work on the manuscript of De revolutionibus orbium coelestium, which espoused the revolutionary thesis of a heliocentric solar system. Due to its challenge to the existing established view of the universe, Copernicus' ideas were not published until 1540, a few years before his death in 1543.

A 93 km diameter lunar impact crater with a conspicuous system of rays is named after the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. It is located in eastern Oceanus Procellarum area of the moon.

Statue of Historic Figure: Jackie Robinson - Montréal, PQ, Canada

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Jackie Robinson Monument

Montréal, PQ, Canada

Topic: Statue of Historic Figures

Sculpture

Monument

GPS: N45° 33.349; W073° 33.063

Quick Description: 

A monument to Jackie Robinson, the first player of color in Major League Baseball, is located near Pie IX Metro station near Olympic Park in Montréal, Canada.

Long Description:

Jackie Robinson became the first African-American to play for a major league baseball team when he started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947 at age 28. By doing so he broke the color barrier that allowed many other people of color to play professional baseball at the highest level of the sport.
Jackie Robinson played in the minor leagues with the Montreal Royals before starting a 10 year career with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He retired at age 37. He compiled the following record:

Games = 1,382
At Bats = 4,877
Runs = 947
Hits = 1,518
Doubles = 273
Triples = 54
Home Runs = 137
Batting Average = .311


Jackie Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, his first year of eligibility.

A sculpture on the monument depicts a life-size statue of Jackie Robinson wearing a Montréal baseball uniform without a cap. Two children stand nearby. He is holding the hand of the nearest child. A plaque on the monument is inscribed in French:


JACKIE ROBINSON
1919 - 1972

DANS L'ESPIRIT DES MONTRÉALAIS JACKIE ROBINSON DEMEURERA TOUJOURS
UN SYMBOLE D'EXCELLENCE DE COURAGE ET DE PERSÉVÉRANCE.
PREMIER JOUEUR DE COULEUR À ÉVOLUER DAN LES LIGUES MAJEURES
IL LÉGUA SA GLORIE AUX SIENS ET À TOUT LE BASEBALL ET SE MÉRITA
UNE PLACE IMPORTANTE PARMI LES IMMORTELS DU BASEBALL.
CE MONUMENT FUT INAUGURÉ LE 16 MAI 1887 PAR MADAME RACHEL ROBINSON
VEUVE DE JACKIE ROBINSON EN PRESENCE DES AUTORITÉS MUNICIPALES DE LA
VILLE DE MONTRÉAL ET DU CLUB DE BASEBALL LTÉE LES EXPOS.

Plaque

JACKIE ROBINSON

1919 - 1972

IN THE SPIRIT OF MONTREALERS JACKIE ROBINSON WILL ALWAYS REMAIN
A SYMBOL OF EXCELLENCE OF COURAGE AND PERSEVERANCE.
FIRST PLAYER OF COLOR TO ENTER THE MAJOR LEAGUES
HE BEQUEATHED HIS GLORY TO HIS FAMILY AND ALL BASEBALL AND WON
A PLACE IMPORTANT AMONG THE IMMORTALS OF BASEBALL.
THIS MONUMENT WAS INAUGURATED ON MAY 16, 1887, BY MRS. RACHEL ROBINSON
WIDOW OF JACKIE ROBINSON IN THE PRESENCE OF MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES OF THE
CITY OF MONTREAL AND THE EXPOS BASEBALL CLUB.

Philatelic Photograph: St. Joseph's Oratory - Montréal, PQ, Canada

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St. Joseph's Oratory

Montréal, PQ, Canada

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N45° 29.457; W073° 37.009

Quick Description: 

St Joseph's Oratory is located at 3800 Chemin Queen Mary, Montréal, PQ, Canada.

Long Description: 

Saint Joseph's Oratory is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and shrine and is Canada's largest church. In 1904, Brother André Bessette, C.S.C., began the construction of St. Joseph's chapel on the west slope of Mont Royal. Soon a church with a larger seating capacity was required. In 1924, the construction of the present basilica of Saint Joseph's Oratory began. The church was opened to the public forty-three years later in 1967. 

The building was designed in the Renaissance style by Paul Bellot, Lucien Parent, Dalbé Viau, and Alphonse Venne. The characteristic feature of the basilica is the 406' high copper dome designed by Paul Bellot. It is third largest church dome in the world. The church is the highest point in the City of Montréal.

The basilica is dedicated to Saint Joseph one of the patron saints of Canada and the saint to whom Brother André credited his reported healing miracles. In October 2010 Pope Benedict XVI canonized Brother André Bessette.

The die cut stamp was issued by Canada on January 29, 2004 as part of the Tourist Attraction Series that began in 2001.

Philatelic Photograph: Basilica of Notre Dame - Montréal, PQ, Canada

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Basilica of Notre Dame

Montréal, PQ, Canada

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N45° 30.278; W073° 33.410

Quick Description: 

Basilica of Notre Dame is located at rue 100 Notre-Dame Street at the corner of St. Sulpice St. in the Old Montréal area of March 12, 1976, Canada.

Long Description:

The Gothic Revival style Basilica of Notre Dame is a Roman Catholic church. Construction of the church began in 1823 on the site of a church built in 1672. It was dedicated on July 15, 1829. The church was designed by James O'Donnell, an Irish-American Protestant from New York, and features large twin towers and a Gothic-arched recessed portico. It is operated by the Sulpician Order who first came to Montréal in 1657.

The church is 259 feet' long, 151 feet wide and the twin towers reach a height of 200 feet. The Basilica of Notre-Dame is registered as a National Historic Site of Canada on February 24, 1989.

The stamp was issued in Canada on March 12, 1976 in conjunction with the 21st Olympic Games held in Montréal during the summer of 1976. It depicts the emblem of Montréal Olympic Games, a high-rise building, and the Basilica of Notre-Dame.

Philatelic Photograph: Château Ramezay - Montréal, PQ, Canada

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Château Ramezay

Montréal, PQ, Canada

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS:N45° 30.524; W073° 33.212

Quick Description: 

The Château Ramezay is a museum and historic building on rue Notre-Dame in Old Montréal, opposite Montréal's Hôtel de Ville.

Long Description:

The Château Ramezay was designed and built by Pierre Couturier in 1705 as the private residence of Claude de Ramezay, the Governor of Montreal. it was rebuilt and enlarged in 1756 to a design by Paul Tessier dit Lavigne. From 1773 to 1844 it was the Montreal residence of the Governors General; except for 1775-1776 when it was occupied by American Continental Army. In 1839, the Château Ramezay housed the Executive Council and after 1948 other government offices, courts of law and the Université de Montréal's first Faculty of Medicine. In 1895 it became the headquarters and museum of the Antiquarian and Numismatic Society of Montreal.

Château Ramezay was the first building to be proclaimed a historical monument in Quebec. It is Quebec's oldest private history museum.

The stamp was issued by Canada in 1938 as the high value of a five stamp set of pictorial stamps.

Mural: Breath of Spring - Montréal, PQ, Canada

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Breath of Spring

Montréal, PQ, Canada

Topic: Murals

GPS: N45° 30.767; W073° 33.778

Quick Description: 

This huge mural occupies the entire east wall of an apartment building complex. The mural was created by David Guinn and Phillip Adams in 2009 with sponsorship from several community groups. it is located at 154 Maisonneuve Boul. Est.

Long Description:

Breath of Spring is part of the Seasons-in-Montréal series of murals. Artists David Guinn and Phillip Adams use the shades of green and pink to depict the emergence of spring in a park-like landscape. In the foreground a couple are lying on the grass locked in an embrace. A bicycle is leaning against a nearby tree. In the background sixteen figures are playing soccer in an open field.

Mural: Winter Haze - Montréal, PQ, Canada

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Winter Haze

Montréal, PQ, Canada

Topic: Murals

GPS: N45° 30.765; W073° 33.810

Quick Description: 

This huge mural occupies the entire south wall of an apartment building complex. The mural was created by David Guinn and Phillip Adams in 2009 with sponsorship from several community groups. it is located at 155 - 255 Maisonneuve Boul. Est.  

Long Description:

Winter Haze is part of the Seasons-in-Montréal series of murals. Artists David Guinn and Phillip Adams use the colors of purple and white to depict a snow and ice covered park-like landscape. Two men in winter clothing are carrying on a conversation while standing under a leafless, snow-covered tree. In the background a large group of people appear to be ice skating in an open area around a few small conifer trees.

Mural: A Rush of Fall - Montréal, PQ, Canada

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A Rush of Fall

Montréal, PQ, Canada

Topic: Murals

GPS: N45° 30.709; W073° 33.858

Quick Description: 

A Rush of Fall is one of a series of murals on apartment buildings representing the seasons in Montréal. It is located at 95 -143 Maisonneuve Boul. Est.

Long Description:

This huge mural occupies the entire south wall of an apartment building complex. The mural was created by David Guinn and Phillip Adams in 2009 with sponsorship from several community groups.

The semi-impressionistic mural uses the autumn colors of orange, red, and brown along with various shades of green to suggest an autumn park-like landscape. Three women are in the foreground, two seated and one standing. A group of sixteen people are playing soccer in the background.

Fountain: Maisonneuve Monument Fountain - Montréal, PQ, Canada

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Maisonneuve Monument Fountain

Montréal, PQ, Canada

Topic: Fountains

GPS: N45° 30.287; W073° 33.432

Quick Description: 

The Maisonneuve Monument Fountain is located in the center of the Place d'Armes in Old Montréal

Long Description:

At the top of the Maisonneuve Monument is a standing figure of Paul de Chomedey, sieur de Maisonneuve who founded Montreal in 1642. Around the base are four historical figures representing the history of the area. Charles Le Moyne was first native-born Canadian to be made Baron in New France. Lambert Closse was a merchant turned Indian fighter. Jeanne Mance was a French nurse who settled in new France and established the first hospital the Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal. The Iroquois were the indigenous people of the area. In addition there are four bas-relief plaques depicting historical events in the area.

The monument sits in the middle of a clover shaped basin. Water rushed out of the mouths of gargoyle-like faces set between the historical figures and flows down into the basin below.

Philatelic Photograph: Cormier House - Montréal, PQ, Canada

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Cormier House

Montréal, PQ, Canada

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N45° 30.028; W 073° 35.114

Quick Description:

 Cormier House is located at 1418 Pine Avenue in the Golden Mile Section of Montreal, PQ, Canada.  

Long Description:

The  Cormier House was built architect Ernest Cormier as his private residence in 1930-31. A variety of styles were used on the exterior. The furnishings of the interior are purely Art Deco.  Cormier created most of the furniture, with remaining pieces acquired in Paris at the birthplace of Art Deco - the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes.

Following his retirement from politics in 1984, Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau purchased the property and lived their until his death in 2000. The Cormier House has been recognized by Quebec as an  historic heritage property.

The stamp was issued by Canada on  June 9, 2011 to celebrate Art Deco design.

Mural: Our Lady of Grace - Montréal, PQ, Canada

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Our Lady of Grace Mural

Montréal, PQ, Canada

Topic: Murals

GPS: N45° 27.940 W073° 37.480

Quick Description:

The Our Lady of Grace mural is located at 6300 rue Sherbrooke Ouest in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce section of Montréal

Long Description:

This Art Nouveau style mural was created in 2011 by a consortium of artist known as the A'shop Group. A 50' high by 30' wide breath-taking mural depicts young woman emerging from an flowered background framed by rural motifs of birds and vegetables superimposed over an urban landscape.

Abstract Sculpture: The Cathedral Evening - Empire State Plaza - Albany, NY

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The Cathedral Evening

Empire State Plaza

Albany, NY

Topic: Abstract Public Sculptures

GPS: N42° 39.090; W073° 45.535

Quick Description: 

The abstract geometric sculpture "The Cathedral Evening" is located on the north side of the Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY

Long Description:

A 10.25' by 29.25' by 24.75' black painted Cor-Ten steel sculpture is located in the northwest side of the Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY. This sculpture by Ronald Bladen was created in 1972. It was acquired by then Governor in Nelson A. Rockefeller as part of an extensive art collection on display at the new State Capitol complex.

A huge black V shaped sculptural element rests on two large support pillars. It is at a 80 degree angle from the vertical and pointing towards the east. The triangle represents the shadow of a cathedral steeple as the sun is setting in the west. In front of the sculpture a plaque on a stand is inscribed.

RONALD BLADEN
(1918 - 1988)
THE CATHEDRAL EVENING, 1972  

Abstract Sculpture: Salem Seven - Empire State Plaza - Albany, NY

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Salem Seven

Empire State Plaza

Albany, NY

Topic: Abstract Public Sculptures

GPS: N42° 39.011; W073° 45.515

Quick Description:

The abstract sculpture Salem 7 is located underneath the front of The Egg in the Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY

Long Description:

In the Empire State Plaza contains many examples of modern abstract sculpture. Situated just under the performing arts center building, the Egg, is the abstract sculpture titled Salem 7 by the American sculptor Antoni Milkowski (1935 - 2001). This copy of Salem 7 is number one of a limited edition of three pieces. It's much small size and stark, sharp geometry provides an interesting contrast to the Egg's gentle parabolic curves, the two are placed together to enhance each other.

Salem 7 is created in cor-ten steel and has the dimensions: 11'-4" x 13'-0" x 13'-0"

In front of the sculpture a plaque on a stand is inscribed.


ANTONI MILKOWSKI
(1935 - 2001)


SALEM 7, 1/3 , 1965 - 67 

Abstract Sculpture: Trio - Empire State Plaza - Albany, NY

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Trio

Empire State Plaza

Albany, NY

Topic: Abstract Public Sculptures

GPS: N 42° 39.000 W 073° 45.578

Quick Description: 

The abstract sculpture Trio is located on the east side of the Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY

Long Description:

A 10' by 32' by 13' yellow painted aluminum sculpture dominates the east side of the Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY. This sculpture by George Sugarman created between 1967 and 1971. It was acquired by then Governor in Nelson A. Rockefeller as part of an extensive art collection on display at the new State Capitol complex.

Bright yellow rings and ovals that are attached to each other in three groupings that are arranged horizontally.

In front of the sculpture a plaque on a stand is inscribed.


GEORGE SUGARMAN
(1912 - 1999)
TRIO, 1969 - 71 

Abstract Sculpture: Double One on C - Empire State Plaza - Albany, NY

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Double One on C

Empire State Plaza

Albany, NY

Topic: Abstract Public Sculptures

GPS: N42° 38.915; W073° 45.575

Quick Description: 

Double One on C is a abstract sculpture located in the south east side of the Empire State Plaza, near the Corning Tower, in Albany, NY

Long Description:

Double One on C is a 10.75' high by 6.75' wide abstract sculpture fabricated by from copper sheets. It is located on the south east side of the Corning Tower in the Empire State Plaza. This sculpture by Herbert Ferber was created in 1965 -1966. It was acquired by then Governor in Nelson A. Rockefeller as part of an extensive modern art collection on display at the New State Capitol complex.

As the name suggests the bottom of the sculpture has a form of a C except that the bottom rises then is twisted to the left to touch the ground. At the 10' o'clock position of the C a large curved set of copper plates is attached to form a stylized number one. A second smaller curved set of copper plates is attached to upper part of the larger number one to form the second number one. The sculpture rests on a rectangular concrete base.

Abstract Sculpture: Triangles and Arches - Empire State Plaza - Albany, NY

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Triangles and Arches

Empire State Plaza

Albany, NY

Topic: Abstract Public Sculptures

GPS: N42° 38.979; W073° 45.629

Quick Description: 

The abstract geometric sculpture "Triangles and Arches" is located on the south pool of the Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY

Long Description:

Triangles and Arches is 19' by 30' abstract geometric sculpture created by Alexander Calder in 1965. The black painted steel sculpture is supported on a concrete bases and is located in the south pool of the Empire State Plaza, opposite the new York State Museum, in Albany, NY. The sculpture was acquired by then Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller as part of an extensive art collection on display at the new State Capitol complex.

This monumental size sculpture consists of several interconnected triangular forms with curved sides arranged to create a series of arches and supported in the middle of a reflecting pool by eight concrete pads. Depending upon the viewers angle, the sculpture suggests sail ships on the water.

Abstract Public Sculpture: Helmet V - Empire State Plaza - Albany, NY

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Helmet V

Empire State Plaza

Albany, NY

Topic: Abstract Public Sculptures

GPS: N42° 39.018; W073° 45.642

Quick Description: 

Helmet V is located on the east side of the Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY.

Long Description:

Dimitri Hadzi’s sculptures are based mythic concepts with inspiration from classical artifacts. Helmet V is an abstract sculpture that displays these influences. A 8.5' by 3.5' by 2.5' bronze sculpture is placed vertically on a brown stone cube which rests on concrete base. The sculpture has three elements: a triangular section on the bottom, a column in the middle and the rounded form at the top.

As with all abstract sculptures the meaning of the composition is subject to interpretation. The viewer brings their own experience to the work. The top part clearly suggests something protective. the artist calls this work Helmet V but it could just as well suggest the helmet of a turtle as well as that of an ancient warrior.
A bronze plaque a ground level is inscribed:


DIMITRI HADZI
(1921 - 2006)

HELMET V, 1961
Dimitri Hadzi was born in New York City in 1921, graduated from Cooper Union in 1950 and received a Fulbright Fellowship to study in Greece. he lived in Rome for 25 years before returning to the U.S. to teach at Harvard University. He died in 2006.

The sculpture was acquired by then Governor in Nelson A. Rockefeller as part of an extensive modern art collection on display at the new State Capitol complex.

Abstract Sculpture: Verge - Empire State Plaza - Albany, NY

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Verge

Empire State Plaza

Albany, NY

Topic: Abstract Public Sculptures

GPS: N42° 39.050; W073° 45.632

Quick Description: 

Verge is a abstract sculpture located in the west side of the Empire State Plaza, between Agency Buildings #2 and #3, in Albany, NY

Long Description:

Verge is an 18' by 36' by 25' black painted Cor-Ten steel abstract sculpture located in the west side of the Empire State Plaza Agency in a courtyard enclosed by trees and between two Agency Buildings. This sculpture by Clement Meadmore was created in 1971 -1972. It was acquired by then Governor in Nelson A. Rockefeller as part of an extensive art collection on display at the New State Capitol complex.

A 6' square Cor-Ten steel beam is above the ground on both ends. The 5' high lower end angles to the ground then forms one turn of a right handed helix before zooming straight ahead and winding up 21' above the ground.