Devilish Locations: Portal of the Last Judgment - Notre Dame, Paris, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Portal of the Last Judgment

Cathedral of Notre Dame

Paris, France

Topic: Devilish Locations

Detail of the Sculpture

Center Portal 

N 48° 51.196 E 002° 20.950

Quick Description: 

The bas-relief sculpture above west façade’s central portal to the famous Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris makes it a devilish location.

Long Description:

The central portal to the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris is called "The Portal of the Last Judgment". It was built about 1220 to 1230, just after the reliefs that decorate the façade on the portals to the left and the right. The sculpture above the portal represents the Last Judgment according to the Gospel of Matthew.

The middle lintel depicts the Archangel Michael is weighing souls according to the lives they led on earth and the love they showed to God and to men. The chosen people are led to the left towards Heaven and the condemned are lead by a pair of devils to the right towards hell. Above, Jesus is seated on His throne of glory. Below the dead are shown rising from their tombs.

At a time when very few people could read and the copies of the Bible were not generally available . These bas-relief sculptures were meant to convey the meaning of the Gospels to the illiterate masses. Thus it is wholly appropriate that these images be placed where medieval people would see them.

Relief Sculpture: Jeunesse - Paris, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Jeunesse Block Sculpture

Paris, France

Topic: Relief Sculptures

N 48° 51.663 E 002° 17.442

Quick Description: 

The marble high relief block sculpture "Jeunesse" (Youth) is located on the south east part of the Trocadero Gardens in front of the Palais de Chaillot in Paris.

Long Description:

The decorative high relief group sculpture entitled "Jeunesse" (Youth) was created by Pierre-Marie Poisson and installed at the Trocadero Gardens in 1937. It is the companion piece to the "La Joie de Vivre" by Léon-Ernest Drivier on the opposite side of the Trocadero fountain pool.

A large rectangular marble block about 8' long by 3' wide by 6' high is carved with 11 nude human and two animal figures, covering on all four sides. Animals include a ram and a dog. A man appears on each long side, a child and six women round out the composition. All are young and appear to be in vibrant health. The figures are engaged in a variety of everyday activities including exercising, tending animals, harvesting fruit, transporting baskets, tending to a child.

Pierre-Marie Poisson was born in the French town of Niort in 1876 and died in Paris in 1953.

Civil War Monument: Soldiers' Monument - Kensington in Berlin, CT

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First Civil War Monument in the United States

Kensington in Berlin, CT

Topic: Civil War Monuments

Soldiers' Monument

GPS: N41° 37.371; W072° 46.976

Quick Description: 

The Soldiers Monument is located at 312 Percival Avenue in the Kensington section of Berlin, CT

Long Description:

The Kensington Soldiers Monument is a 20' obelisk fabricated from brownstone from the Portland, CT quarries. The monument was designed by Nelson Augustus Moore, funded by popular subscription, and dedicated on July 28, 1863. It is owned by the Kensington Congregational Church and is the first Civil War monument to be erected in the United States.

The monument was conceived by Reverend Charles B. Hilliard, minister of the adjacent Kensington Congregational Church in 1863. The obelisk is inscribed with the dedication on the front (northeast) face and the names and place and date of death of soldiers on the other three sides. A bronze medal of honor plaque rests at the foot of the monument. A 31' high ornate cast iron fence surrounds the obelisk. A Civil War cannon flanked by pyramids of cemented cannon balls was placed outside the monument in 1913.

First Civil War Monument in the Nation

A bronze plaque attached to the cast iron fence in front of the monument is inscribed:

In 1861 as the Civil War escalated, a decision was made to provide
a monument to honor soldiers from the Kensington area. The
effort was led by The Reverend Elias Hillard, Nelson A. Moore,
Selectman George Cowles and church members. It was designed
by Mr. Moore and dedicated on July 28, 1863. This monument
was the first in the Nation to honor Civil War soldiers. There were
15 local area men who served including Elijah H. Bacon who was
awarded the Medal of Honor.

This plaque was donated by the Town of Berlin under the auspices of
the Berlin Veterans Commission
On the front face of base, raised capital letters is the inscription:


SOLDIERS On the face of the shaft is the dedication:


ERECTED TO COMMEMORATE THE DEATH
OF THOSE WHO PERISHED IN SUPPRESSING
THE SOUTHERN REBELLION.

"HOW SLEEP THE BRAVE WHO SINK TO REST
BY ALL THEIR COUNTRY'S WISHES BLEST."
1863.
and higher up the shaft is the raised seal of the State of Connecticut.
On the southeast face, the shaft is inscribed:


GEORGE W. HORTON
N.O. LA. OCT. 6, 1862.

HENRY F. ALLEN
POCOTALIGO, OCT. 22, 1862.

BIRDSEY J. BECKLEY
FREDERICKSBURG, DEC. 13, 1862
and the base is inscribed:


CAPT. FRANK A. COLE
WASHINGTON D.C. OCT. 4, 1864.
AGED 22.
On the southwest face, the shaft is inscribed:


DANFORD J. DAVIS
MORTON'S FORD, JAN. 1, 1864

CHARLES H. STANLEY
COLD HARBOR, JUNE 1, 1864

JAMES W. BELDEN
CHARLESTON S.C. OCT. 1, 1864

ROSWELL ROOT
NEW HAVEN, MAY 5, 1865

WM. W. WARNER
CHARLESTON S.C. NOV. 5, 1864
and the base is inscribed:


JOHN E. WARNER
ANNAPOLIS MD. DEC. 23, 1864

RICHARD RINGWOOD
ANDERSONVILLE GA.

NELSON M. RITCHIE
CO. G. 16. C. V.
On the northwest face, the shaft is inscribed:


JAMES L. BAILEY
CEDAR MOUNTAIN, AUG. 3, 1862

LEVERETT H. GLADDING
N.O. LA. AUG. 12, 1862

JOHN L. KENT
ANTIETAM, SEPT. 17, 1862
and the base is inscribed:


JAMES RINGWOOD

The medal of honor plaque at the base is for Elijah W. Bacon who was killed in the Battle of the Wilderness and buried in Maple Cemetery in Berlin, CT. The plaque is inscribed: 

ELIJAH W. BACON
MEDAL OF HONOR
CORP. COF. 14 CONN INF
CIVIL WAR
MAY 6, 1864

A second bronze plaque is inscribed:


THIS PLAQUE PRESENTED TO
THE TOWN OF BERLIN
IN COMMEMORATION OF THE
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
CIVIL WAR
1861-1865
BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF BERLIN
MAY 30, 1961

Red Telephone Box - London, England

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Red Telephone Box

Near the Royal Treasury

London, England

Topic: Red Telephone Box

GPS: N51° 30.073; W000° 07.660

Quick Description: 

Red Telephone Box is located in front of the Royal Treasury diagonally opposite the northwest corner of Parliament Square.

Long Description:

Traditions live on in England. These old-time red telephone boxes are found all over London and throughout the United Kingdom. These classic British red telephone boxes date from the 1920's, were designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, and made of cast iron. Genuine British red telephone boxes have very heavy doors which take some effort to open.   There are some originals outside of Britain, mostly in former colonies and there are even some in the United States.  

This red telephone box is conveniently located for all tourists to find. It is opposite Parliament Square in front of the Royal Treasury. The telephone box carries plaques indicating was made by the Carron Company of Stirlingshire and was restored by Unicorn Kiosks. It is a K2 type telephone kiosk that was introduced to the streets of London in 1926. 

Anchor: Merchantman "Amsterdam" - London, England

Interesting Places I've Photographed

"Amsterdam" Anchor

St. Katherine Docks

London, England

Topic: Anchors

GPS: N51° 30.411; W000° 04.241

Quick Description: 

An interesting anchor from the Merchantman "Amsterdam" is on display at the St. Katherine Docks in London.

Long Description:

St. Katharine Docks are located on the north side of the Thames River a short distance east of the Tower Bridge. This densely settled 23 acre area was scheduled for redevelopment by an Act of Parliament in 1825. Construction began in May 1827 using a design by designed by engineer Thomas Telford. The docks opened on October 25, 1828 and served the shipping needs of merchant ships doing business in London. 

A large anchor is on display at these docks. According to s sign placed on the ground near the anchor:


Anchor salvaged
from Dutch
merchantman
'AMSTERDAM'
which foundered
off Hastings
200 years ago

Civil Rights Memorial: Buxton Memorial - London England

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Buxton Memorial

London England

Topic: Civil Rights Memorial

GPS: N51° 29.768; W000° 07.486

Quick Description: 

Buxton Memorial Drinking Fountain is located in the Victoria Tower Gardens in London, England

Long Description:

This beautifully complex former drinking fountain has served to commemorate the emancipation of slaves, the 1807 Act abolishing the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the Anti-Slavery Society. Originally, it was erected in 1835, in Parliament Square as a public drinking fountain, to commemorate the one year anniversary the emancipation of the slaves in 1834, following the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 which abolished slavery in the British Empire. The inscription on a ground level plaque gives the details of this commemoration.

 
ERECTED IN 1835
BY
CHARLES BUXTON, M.P.
IN COMMEMORATION OF
THE EMANCIPATION OF SLAVES 1834
AND IN MEMORY OF HIS FATHER
SIR T. FOWELL BUXTON
AND THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH HIM
WILBERFORCE, CLARKSON, MACAULAY, BROUGHAM
DR LUSHINGTON AND OTHERS
In 1957 the Buxton Memorial was moved from Parliament Square to its present location in the Victoria Tower Gardens to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 1807 Act abolishing the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

A second ground level plaque was added in 1989 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Anti-Slavery Society. The plaque is inscribed:

THIS PLAQUE
COMMEMORATES THE
150TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY
1839 - 1989
The memorial was restored and unveiled on March 27, 2007, this time to commemorate 200th anniversary of the passing of the 1807 Act abolishing the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

A sign next to the memorial gives the details of the design and various commemorations.

The Buxton Memorial

The Buxton memorial was erected to commemorate the
emancipation of slaves following the 1833 Slavery Abolition Act.

The memorial was donated by charles Buxton MP in memory
of his father, Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, and those associated
with him in the struggle for abolition of slavery in the British
colonies.

It was originally sited in Parliament Square, but later removed
and erected in Victoria Tower Gardens in 1957 to mark the 150th
anniversary of the 1807 Act abolishing the trans-Atlantic slave
trade.

Designed by S.S. Teulon in the Gothic style, the spire is timber
framed and clad with enamelled sheet steel. Many different
materials and decorative techniques are used, including grey
and pink granite, limestone, grey and red sandstone, rosso
marble enamelled metalwork, wrought iron, mosaic and
terracotta.

Following extensive restoration by The Royal Parks, the memorial
was unveiled on 27th March 2007 to commemorate the 200th
anniversary of the passing of the 1807 Act.

Statue of Historic Figure: Dr. David Livingstone - London, England

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Dr. David Livingstone

London, England

Topic: Statue of Historic Figures

GPS: N51° 30.091; W000° 10.492

Quick Description: 

A statue of explorer and medical missionary Dr. David Livingstone is installed in a niche on the north side Royal Geographic Society building in London, England.

Long Description:

In 1951 the The Royal Geographical Society approached the Royal Society of British Sculptors to suggest the names possible sculptors for proposed statue of Dr. David Livingstone. The Royal Geographic Society selected a model created by Thomas Bayliss Huxley-Jones. The statue was unveiled on October 23, 1953.
A 6' tall bronze sculpture of David Livingstone is installed in a rectangular granite niche 6' feet above ground level outside the Royal Geographic Society building on Kensington Road. Dr. Livingstone is wearing a peaked cap with a flap in the back, collared shirt, tie, and long trousers. he is standing on a bronze plinth with his right foot slightly forward. He is leaning on a can held in his right hand and is carrying a jacked under his left arm while holding a book in his left hand.

Inscribed in the bottom of the granite niche below the statue is the simple inscription:


LIVINGSTONE
David Livingstone was born on March 19, 1813 Blantyre, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He studied medicine, midwifery and botany at Charing Cross Hospital Medical School from 1838 to 1840.

David's developed an interest in nature and science and sought to investigate the relationship between science and religion. Hoping to eliminate the African slave trade through the influence of legitimate trade and the spread of Christianity, Livingstone travelled as a medical missionary to the land north of Bechuanaland on Southern Africa.

From 1852 - 1856 he explored the interior of Africa and was the first European to view the Mosi-oa-Tunya waterfall which he named Victoria Falls after, Queen Victoria). From March 1858 until the middle of 1864 he explored the Zambezi River and became the first European to reach Lake Malawi. In January 1866, Livingstone returned to Zanzibar in Africa and set out to find the source of the Nile River. He identified either Lake Albert or Lake Victoria as the source.

In 1869, he became extremely ill began with Livingstone finding himself extremely ill while in the jungle. He lost contact with the outside world for six years and was ill for most of the last four years of his life. In 1869 the New York Herald commissioned Henry Morton Stanley to Africa to contact Livingstone. Livingstone was found in ill health on the shores of Lake Tanganyika on November 10, 1871. Stanley greeted him with the famous words "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" Livingstone died in Zambia on May 1, 1873 from malaria and dysentery.

Fountain: Water Nymphs Fountain - London, England

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Water Nymphs Fountain

London, England

Topic: Fountains

GPS: N51° 30.612; W000° 10.527

Quick Description: 

The Stone Urns and the Water Nymphs fountain is located in the Italian Garden at the head of the Long Water section of the Serpentine in Kensington Gardens in London, England.

Long Description:

At the south edge of the octagonal ponds in the Italian Gardens is a balustrade topped with with stone urns separated by a fountain that separates the Italian Gardens from the water feature known as the Long Water of the Serpentine. Victorian era sculptor John Thomas created the symmetrical sculptured fountain at this junction shortly before his untimely death in 1862 at age 39.

The fountain features two robed and seated water nymphs, each holding a water pitcher. Water pours out of the urns into the Long Water below. Between the nymphs is a central fountain. An ornate pedestal decorated with caryatids rises from the water below. The pedestal supports a scalloped basin. Water rises up a projection in the center of the basin, cascades down into the basis, overflows between the scallops, and falls back into the waters below.

Statues of Historic Figures: Edward Jenner MD, FRS - London, England

Edward Jenner MD, FRS

London, England

GPS: N51° 30.634; W000° 10.510

Short Description: 

The statue was Edward Jenner, naturalist, physician and scientist, is located in the Italian Gardens area of Kensington Gardens in London, England.

Long Description:

Edward Anthony Jenner, MD, FRS was born on May 17, 1749 in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, England. He the pioneer the development of smallpox vaccine which eventually led to the eradication of the disease on earth. He is consider to be the founder of the field of immunology.

Edward Jenner was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), the highest honor bestowed on a scientist by United Kingdom, on 25 February 1789. He died of a stroke on January 26, 1823.
The bronze statue of Edward Jenner by William Calder Marshall RA located in the Italian Gardens was originally erected in Trafalgar Square in 1858. It was moved to Kensington Gardens in 1862 as a result of pressure from groups opposed to vaccination.

A 6' high bronze statue rests on a granite plinth and on a 7' high granite base flanked by a pair of stone benches. Edward Jenner is seated in a high-backed chair decorated with a caduceus on the side. He is wearing a long robe and calf-length stockings. His chin is resting on his left hand and he is looking down in the direction of his right hand which is holding a scroll of paper.

A red granite plaque on the front of the base is simply inscribed:

JENNER
A plaque added in 1996, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Jenner's medical experiment with cowpox vaccine of May 14, 1796. It tells the story of the Jenner's discovery and provides details of Edward Jenner education and professional life.

It is inscribed:

Edward Jenner MD FRS 1749 - 1823 Country Doctor Who Benefited Mankind In Jenner's time smallpox was a dreaded disease worldwide and caused many deaths particularly of children. Survivors were left badly scarred and often blinded or deformed. In 1796, Jenner vaccinated James Phipps with cowpox and showed that the boy was then immune to smallpox. He predicted the worldwide eradication of smallpox. This was finally achieved in 1980. Jenner was born, practiced and died in Berkeley Gloucestershire and studied at St. George's Hospital, London. This statue by William Calder Marshall RA was inaugurated by Prince Albert, the prince Consort and was first to be erected in Kensington Gardens in 1862. The cost was met by international subscription. This plaque was funded and placed here by the friends of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, The Jenner Educational Trust and St. George's Hospital Medical School in 1996, the Bicentennial Anniversary of Jenner's discovery.

Figurative Sculpture: Still Water - London, England

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Still Water Sculpture

Hyde Park

London, England

Topic: Figurative Sculpture

GPS: N51° 30.772; W000° 09.575

Quick Description:

Still Water sculpture is located just east of the Marble Arch in Hyde Park, London.

Long Description:

This giant 35' tall and 70 ton sculpture of a the head of a horse depicted with its head down in the process of drinking is entitled Still Water. It is the creation of British sculptor Nic Fiddian-Green, who specializes in the sculpture of horse heads. It was installed in Hyde Park as part of a renovation program in 2009. The distinctive inward turning ears identifies the breed of horse as a Marwari horse from India.  Our tour guide described it as "The Godfather Sculpture".

William Shakespeare: The Seven Ages of Man Sculpture - London, England

Interesting Places I've Photographed

The Seven Ages of Man Sculpture

London, England

Topic: William Shakespeare

N 51° 30.712 W 000° 06.065

Quick Description: 

The Seven Ages of Man sculpture is located at the front courtyard of the Baynard House on Queen Victoria Street in the Blackfriars area of London.

Long Description:

An unusual tribute to William Shakespeare is easily reached from street level outside the British Telecom owned office building called the Baynard House. This odd cast aluminium public sculpture by Richard Kindersley is entitled The Seven Ages of Man. A 22' high column of seven sculpted heads is stacked, in totem pole fashion, on top of each other. The youngest at the bottoms and getting older as you progress up the column. The sculpture was commissioned by Post Office Telecommunications and unveiled in April 1980.

On the round pole at the base of the sculpture is inscribed the appropriate lines from Shakespeare's comedy As You Like It (2.7)


At first, the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.

Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school.

And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrow.

Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the canon's mouth.

And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part.

The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound.

Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

Fictional Figures: Peter Pan Statue - London, England

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Peter Pan Statue

London, England

Topic: Fictional Figures

N 51° 30.517 W 000° 10.552

Quick Description: 

The famous, and often copied, statue of Peter Pan is located in Kensington Gardens in London, England.

Long Description:

The iconic statue of the classic fictional character of children's' literature, Peter Pan, seemed to have magically appeared during the night of May 1, 1912 in London's Kensington Gardens. There was absolutely no previous publicity regarding the sculpture. The creator of the character, Sir James Matthew Barrie, simply placed a notice in the Times of London:

"There is a surprise in store for the children who go to Kensington Gardens to feed the ducks in the Serpentine this morning. Down by the little bay on the south-western side of the tail of the Serpentine they will find a May-day gift by Mr J.M. Barrie, a figure of Peter Pan blowing his pipe on the stump of a tree, with fairies and mice and squirrels all around. It is the work of Sir George Frampton, and the bronze figure of the boy who would never grow up is delightfully conceived."

The 6' high bronze depiction of Peter Pan blowing his pipe stands on a 7' high circular tapering bronze base that contains relief sculptures of associated characters. Fairie, bunnies, and of course Wendy, all make an appearance.

A circular bronze plaque set in the ground in front of the sculpture is inscribed:

PETER PAN

The boy who never grew up
Sculptor Sir George Franpton R.A. 1860 - 1928

This bronze, a gift of Sir James Barrie OM 1860 - 1937
the creator of Peter Pan, was placed here
1st May 1912

HRH The Princess Margaret Countess of Snowdon
unveiled this plaque presented by the
friends of Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens
1st May 1997

Philatelic Photograph: Caernarfon Castle - Caernarfon, Wales

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon, Wales, UK

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N53° 08.379; W004° 16.609

Quick Description: 

Caernarfon Castle was the site of the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales.

Long Description:

Caernarfon Castle is the most famous of castle in Wales. It is located at the mouth of the Seiont River. Construction was started in 1283, under Edward I, as a military stronghold, a seat of government, and a royal palace. It was designed to resemble the walls of Constantinople. The characteristic features of this castle are the polygon towers, banded masonry and large battlements.

Caernarfon Castle is listed as a World Heritage inscribed site.

The stamp was issued by Great Britain (United Kingdom) in 1988 as part of a series of four stamps featuring photographs of castles taken by Prince Andrew.

Philatelic Photograph: Emmeline Pankhurst Statue - London, England

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Emmeline Pankhurst Statue

London, England

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N51° 29.873; W000° 07.521

Quick Description: 

The statue of British suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst is located in the Victoria Gardens, London, England.

Long Description:

Emmeline Pankhurst was born in Moss Side, Manchester on July 15, 1858. She was a social activist and the leader of the British suffragette movement that helped women win the right to vote. Born Emmeline Goulden, she was raise in a politically active family. She attended the École Normale Supérieure in Paris and in 1878 married Richard Pankhurst, a lawyer older than her by 24 years who was a supporting women's right to vote. They had five children.

Emmeline Pankhurst became involved with the Women's Franchise League, which advocated suffrage for women and later attempted to join the Independent Labour Party but was rejected because of her gender. She also worked as a Poor Law Guardian and to alleviate the shockingly harsh working conditions she encountered in Manchester workhouses.

After her husband died in 1898, Pankhurst founded the all-woman Women's Social and Political Union. The group became infamous when its members smashed windows and assaulted police officers. Pankhurst, her daughters, and other Women's Social and Political Union activists were sentenced to repeated prison sentences. In prison, they staged hunger strikes to secure better conditions. When the Great War began , she suspended her militant activism and supported of the British government in the war effort.

In 1918, the Representation of the People Act granted votes to British women over the age of 30. She was widely criticized for her tactics, but most believe her work was crucial in achieving women's suffrage in Britain. Pankhurst formed the Women's Party, which was dedicated to promoting women's equality in public life. She died in 1928. Two years later, on March 6, 1930, the statue of Emmeline Pankhurst created by sculptor Arthur George Walker was dedicated. It was placed in its present location in London's Victoria Tower Gardens in 1956.

An inscription at the foot of the pedestal is inscribed:


THIS STATUE OF
EMMELINE PANKHURST
WAS ERECTED
AS A TRIBUTE TO
HER COURAGEOUS
LEADERSHIP OF THE
ENFRANCHISEMENT
OF WOMEN
The stamp was issued by Great Britain on May 29, 1968 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of women's suffrage in the United Kingdom.

Philatelic Photograph: Royal Greenwich Observatory - Greenwich, England

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Royal Greenwich Observatory

Greenwich, England

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N51° 28.682; W000° 00.099

Quick Description: 

The Royal Observatory at Greenwich is located on a hill top in Greenwich Park in the London borough of Greenwich, England.

Long Description:

The Royal Greenwich observatory was commissioned in 1675 by King Charles II. Construction began on August 10, 1675 on a architectural design by Christopher Wren. John Flamsteed was appointed as the first Astronomer Royal and lived and worked in what is now called the Flamsteed House which is depicted on the stamp. It was was the first facility in Great Britain built for purpose of scientific research. The cost of construction of this Renaissance style structure was £520.

Great Britain maintained a huge worldwide empire and had a great need for accurate astronomical information for the purpose of navigation. The original observatory housed the scientific instruments to be used by Flamsteed in his work on stellar tables, and over time also incorporated a number of additional responsibilities such marking the official time of day, and housing Her Majesty's Nautical Almanac Office. The Prime Meridian was established at Greenwich in 1851 and adopted at an international conference in 1884 as the basis for worldwide standard for longitude data. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), the worldwide time standard, was, until 1954, based on celestial observations made at Greenwich.

Due to light pollution from London across the Thames, the value of the observatory for celestial observation has diminished over the years and in 1948 the Royal Observatory moved to Herstmonceux, a town in Sussex, England. Now, the buildings are used as a museum of astronomical and navigational tools, which is part of the National Maritime Museum.

The stamp was issued by Great Britain in 1975 as part of a set of four stamps celebrating the European Architectural Heritage Year 1975.

Philatelic Photograph: Marble Arch - London, England

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Marble Arch

London, England

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N51° 30.785; W000° 09.534

Quick Description: 

The Marble Arch located on a traffic island at the junction of Oxford Street, Park Lane, and Edgware Road, in Hyde Park in the City of Westminster, London.

Long Description:

Marble Arch is a white Carrara marble monument designed by John Nash in 1825 and based on based on that of the Arch of Constantine in Rome and the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel in Paris. Until 1851 it stood in front of Buckingham Palace and only members of the royal family and the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, were allowed to pass through the marble Arch in ceremonial procession.

The Marble Arch was dismantled in 1850 when Buckingham Palace was expanded. It was then rebuilt by Thomas Cubitt as a ceremonial entrance to the northeast corner of Hyde Park at Cumberland Gate. The reconstruction was completed in March 1851.

Some London tour guides will tell you that the Marble Arch was moved because it was too narrow for the Royal state coach to pass through. However, as the stamp depicts, the gold state coach easily passed under the Marble Arch during Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953.

The stamp was issued on June 2, 2003 as part of a 10 stamp set commemorating the 50th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Philatelic Photograph: Nelson's Column - London, England

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Nelson's Column

London, England

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N51° 30.457; W000° 07.675

Quick Description: 

Nelson's Column, a monument to Admiral Horatio Nelson, is located in Trafalgar Square in central London.

Long Description:

Horatio Nelson, was born in Norfolk, U.K. on September 29, 1758. he was an admiral in the Royal Navy, and is most famous for his service during the Napoleonic Wars. He had a magnificent grasp of naval strategy and tactics and was an inspirational leader. During his career is credited with a number of decisive naval victories such as the Battle of Cape St Vincent (1797), Battle of the Nile (1798), Battle of Copenhagen (1801), and most famously the Battle of Trafalgar (1805). He was wounded several times in combat, losing one arm and the sight in one eye. During the Battle of Trafalgar he was shot and killed by a French sniper. He died on October 21, 1805.

A monument to Admiral Horatio Nelson is located in Trafalgar Square in central London. Nelson's Column was designed by William Railton and constructed between 1840 and 1843 at a cost of £47,000. A Corinthian column is built of Dartmoor granite. The statue of Admiral Nelson was sculpted from Craigleith sandstone by E. H. Baily. The monument is 169.25' high. Four bronze lions on the base were added in 1867. They were designed by Sir Edwin Landseer. The pedestal has four 18 square foot bronze relief panels by Musgrave Watson, William F Woodington, John Ternouth and John Edward Carew. They were cast from captured French guns and depict the aforementioned Battles of Cape St Vincent, the Nile, Copenhagen and the Death of Nelson at Trafalgar. The monument as refurbished in 2006 at a cost of £420,000.

To commemorate the London 1980 International Philatelic Exhibition, Great Britain issued a large stamp with line drawings of the major attractions of London in 1980. Depicted are:

Westminster Abbey
* NELSON'S COLUMN * (The subject of this blog post)
Eros Statue
British Telecom Tower
Palace of Westminster Clock Tower
St. Paul's Cathedral
Tower Bridge
Tower of London
River Thames

Philatelic Photograph: Old Bailey - London, England

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Old Bailey

London, England

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N51° 30.950; W000° 06.123

Quick Description: 

The Old Bailey, also known as Justice Hall, the Sessions House, and the Central Criminal Court, was named after the street in which it was located in the City of London.

Long Description:

E. W. Mountford designed and built, in the neo-Baroque style, a new central criminal court at the current location at a cost of £392,277. The building was opened by King Edward VII in 1907.

The buildings most prominent feature is its 67 foot columned high dome a 12 foot high gilded statue of an unblindfolded "lady justice" holding a sword in one hand and the scales of justice in the other. The exterior of the building is faced in Portland stone and features an array of pilasters above the ground floor entrance.

In 1941, during World War II, the building sustained heavy bomb damaged and was rebuilt. A extension was added in 1972. The current building on the corner of Newgate Street and Old Bailey still holds trials of local and national significance and accepts visitors.

The stamp was issued on April 10, 2012 as part of the A-Z of the United Kingdom series (Part 2).

Philatelic Photograph: Millennium Bridge - London, England

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Millennium Bridge

London, England

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

Looking South Across The Thames

Millennuim Bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral

GPS: N 51° 30.652; W000° 05.908

Quick Description: 

The Millennium Bridge spans the Thames River between the City of London and Bankside in London.

Long Description:

The London Millennium Footbridge, is a modern design steel suspension pedestrian bridge that crosses the Thames River between the City of London on the north bank to the Bankside section of London on the south, where the Globe Theater is located. Construction of the bridge began in 1998 and was opening in the millennium year on June 10, 2000.

As a result of a design competition the firm of Arup, Foster and Partners and Sir Anthony Caro were awarded the contract for the bridge. For aesthetic reasons, e.g. St. Paul's Cathedral is framed by the bridge when looking north, the profile of the bridge had to be kept low resulting in unusual method of suspending the bridge. Eight tension pulled supporting cables are below the 4 meter wide (13') aluminum deck of the bridge. Two river piers create three main sections. They are, from north to south, 81 meters (266'), 144 meters (472') and 108 meters (354') long. The total length is 325 meters (1,066'). The cables are tensioned to pull with a force of 2,000 tons against the piers and can to support 5,000 people on the bridge at one time.

The bridge seems to soar across the Thames River. To due resonance forces the bridge can sway during windy conditions. Thus, Londoners have nicknames the bridge the Wobbly Bridge. It was seen dramatically destroyed by Death Eaters in the film Harry Potter and the Half Blooded Prince

The stamp is part of a five stamp set issued by Great Britain (U.K.) in 2002 depicting bridges over the Thames River.

Philatelic Photograph: Tower Bridge - London, England

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Tower Bridge 

London, United Kingdom

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N51° 30.436; W000° 04.628

Quick Description: 

London's iconic bridge over the Thames River.

Long Description:

The Tower Bridge gets its name from its proximity to the Tower of London. The embankment walkway below the Tower of London offers a fine view of the bridge and the Thames River.

Tower Bridge has an unusual design, its a combination of a central drawbridge (bascule) and two side suspension bridges. The two towers are connected by two horizontal walkways 143 feet above the river. Construction started in 1886. The bridge was opened on June 30, 1894. Five different contractors were required for various aspects of the bridge. The resident engineer was E. W. Crutwell. The Victorian Gothic style façade gives the bridge its unique appearance and places it in harmony with the architecture of the Tower of London.

The bridge is 800 feet (244 m) in long, the towers are 213 feet (65 m) high and 200 feet apart. Each of the counterbalanced bascules weighs over 1,000 tons. The two side-spans are suspension bridges, each 270 feet (82 m) long.

The stamp is part of a five stamp set issued by Great Britain (U.K.) in 2002 depicting bridges over the Thames River.

Philatelic Photograph: Westminster Bridge and Elizabeth Tower - London, England

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Westminster Bridge and the Elizabeth Tower

London, England

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N51° 30.027; W000° 07.204

Quick Description: 

Classic view of Westminster Bridge and the Elizabeth Tower from across the Thames River.

Long Description:

The original Westminster Bridge was designed by the Swiss architect Charles Labelye and was built between 1739-1750 and widened between 1760-1763. By 1862, it was deemed unusable and replaced by the current structure designed by Thomas Page. The bridge opened on May 24th 1862.

The bridge is 252 meters (826.8 ft) long and 26 meters (88 ft) wide. It consists of seven wrought iron arches with Gothic detailing by Charles Barry, who was also the architect for of the Palace of Westminster.

The clock tower near the Westminster Bridge is the largest four-faced chiming clock and the third-tallest free-standing clock tower in the world. It was built in 1859 in a Gothic Revival style designed by Augustus Pugin. The tower is 96.3 meters (316 ft) high and is commonly called Big Ben; but Big Ben properly refers to the large bell of the clock tower, not the tower itself. The clock tower is perhaps the most famous symbol of the City of London. In 2012, it was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II and is now known as the Elizabeth Tower.

The stamp is part of a five stamp set issued by Great Britain (U.K.) September 20, 2002 depicting bridges over the Thames River.

Philatelic Photograph: Palace of Westminster, Elizabeth Clock Tower, Thames River - London, England

Interesting places I've Photographed

The Palace of Westminster, Elizabeth Clock Tower, Thames River 

London, England

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N51° 30.027; W000° 07.204

Quick Description: 

Classic view of The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament and the newly named Elizabeth Tower  from across the Thames River near the Westminster Bridge.

The Houses of Parliament, otherwise known as The Palace of Westminster, is built on the site of the eleventh century royal palace, the primary London residence of the Kings of England which was destroyed by fire in 1512. Upon reconstruction it became home to the House of Parliament. Another fire consumed the site in 1834 which required complete rebuilding. Charles Barry was selected as the architect for the present structure. Construction started in 1840 and lasted for thirty years. This familiar landmark is built in the perpendicular Gothic style.  

The famous Clock Tower that houses the Big Ben chimes has recently been named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II and is now known as the Elizabeth Tower. The tower is designed by Augustus Pugin in Gothic Revival style. It is sixteen storeys,  315 feet, high.

The stamp was issued by Great Britain (U.K.) on April 23, 2007 as part of a four stamp souvenir sheet entitled Celebrating England.

Philatelic Photograph: London Eye - London, England

Interesting Places I've Photographed

London Eye

London, England

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

N 51° 30.188 W 000° 07.168

Quick Description: 

The London Eye is locate in the Jubilee Gardens on the bank of the Thames River in London.

Long Description:

The London Eye is a 443' tall, 394' in diameter Ferris wheel. It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe. Since it's opening on March 9, 2000 it has become the most popular paid attraction in the United Kingdom. On average 3.5 million people ride the Ferris wheel every year.

A project of British Airways, it was constructed to celebrate the advent of the millennium. The giant wheel is supported by a single A frame anchored on the Jubilee Gardens. It was designed by architects Frank Anatole, Nic Bailey, Steve Chilton, Malcolm Cook, Mark Sparrowhawk, Julia Barfield and David Marks. The wheel was constructed in sections, floated up the Thames on barges, assembled on piled platforms in the river, and lifted into an upright position.

The wheel has 32 passenger capsules, each can hold 25 people. It rotates at 10" per second. One revolution takes about 30 minutes. Passengers, generally, get on and off while the wheels remains in motion.

Looking Down Through The Eye

The stamp shows the London Eye as viewed from the northeast with the Palace of Westminster Tower visible through the wheel. This view is possible from the far corner of the Jubilee Gardens of from the Waterloo Bridge. The stamp was issued by Great Britain in 2012 in conjunction with the Para-Olympic Games held that year in London.

Facts about the London Eye:

The London Eye took seven years and hundreds of people from five countries to build.

On a clear day, you can see about 25 miles.

The London Eye can carry 800 passengers per revolution.

Each of the 32 capsules weighs 10 tons.

The circumference of the wheel is 1.392 feet.

The total weight of the wheel and capsules is 2,100 tons.

Philatelic Photograph: Paddington Station - London, England

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Paddington Station

London, England

Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N 51° 30.973; W 000° 10.588

Quick Description: 

Paddington Station is a railway terminal located between Bishops Bridge Road and Praed Street in London, England.

Long Description:

Isambard Kingdom Brunel, FRS (April 9, 1806 – September 15, 1859) was an English mechanical and civil engineer who designed and built many of the great structures in London during the 19th century. Paddington Station, constructed in 1854, is one of his signature accomplishments and is shown on this stamp from Great Britain issued in 2006 to honor the 100th anniversary of the birth of this famous engineer.

The National rail station officially called London Paddington Station opened on May 29, 1854. It characteristically features three adjacent glazed arched roofs each supported by wrought iron arches. The left arch spans 68 feet, the central arch is spans 102 feet and the right arch spans 70 feet. The roof is 699 feet long.

Paddington Station now has 14 terminal platforms with platforms 1 through 8 situated below Brunel's original three spans. Platforms 1 to 5 and 8 to 12 can be used by any of the station's train services. Platforms 6 and 7 are dedicated to the Heathrow Express. The station's concourse, containing the information booth, ticket offices, shops and access to the trains, connects platforms 1 to 12. The stamp depicts the central arch span of Paddington Station as seen from the station concourse.

Roadside Attraction: Bewitched Statue - Salem. MA

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Bewitched Statue

Salem. MA

Topic: Roadside Attractions

GPS: N42° 31.285; W070° 53.747

Quick Description: 

The statue of the leading fictional character, Samantha Stephens, from the classic TV situation comedy, Bewitched, is installed by TV Land in Lappin Park in Salem, MA.

Long Description:

The situation comedy Bewitched was broadcast for eight seasons on ABC from September 17, 1964 to March 25, 1972. Created by Sol Saks and starring Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York (1964–1969), Dick Sargent (1969–1972), Agnes Moorehead, and David White. The lead character, Elizabeth Montgomery, plays Samantha Stephens. Samantha is a witch who marries an ordinary man, Darrin Stephens - played by Dick York and then by Dick Sargent. She pledges to forsake her magical powers and live the life of a typical suburban housewife. However, her magical family disapproves of the marriage and often interferes in the couple's lives. In 2002, Bewitched was ranked #50 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.

In 2005, the re-run network TV Land paid $75,000 to have a bronze statue of Samantha Stevens installed in Lappin Park in Salem, MA. Salem is famous for its 17th century witchcraft trials and was the site of episodes of Bewitched in 1970. The 7.5' high statue was sculpted by Elliott and Ivan Schwartz and fabricated at StudioEIS. It was dedicated on June 15, 2005. Samantha Stephens is depicted seated on a broom above a cloud and in front of a crescent moon. She is wearing a long sleeveless dress. Her right hand is resting near the bristle end of the broom and her left hand is held up face high. She is sporting a characteristic mischievous smile.

Three overlapping bronze stars, inlaid on the sidewalk in front of the statue, are inscribed:

Elizabeth Montgomery as
Samantha Stephens

Hair of gold, eyes that twinkle
A nose that neatly twitched,
Clever, charming and enchanting
Samantha left us all Bewitched

Presented by the people of
TV LAND
The statue of Samantha Stephens/Elizabeth Montgomery exudes the same charm as the character did in real life. The small park is always open and it's well worth the short detour off the historical path while you are in Salem, MA.

Specific Veterans Memorials: Admiral David Glasgow Farragut - NY, NY

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Admiral David Glasgow Farragut Monument

New York, NY

Topic: Specific Veterans Memorials

GPS: N40° 44.570; W073° 59.260

Quick Description: 

A monument to Admiral David Glasgow Farragut is located in the north central area of Madison Square Park in New York City.

Long Description:

David Farragut was born on July 5, 1801  at Lowe's Ferry, Tennessee. His naval career began at age nine when he was commissioned a Midshipman and ended with his death in 1870, at age 69, as First Admiral of the United States Navy. He saw action in the War of 1812 and most notably in the American Civil War where he had victories in the Battle of New Orleans and the Battle of Mobile Bay, where he gave the famous command - “Damn the Torpedoes!”.

A 7.5' high bronze statue of Admiral David Glasgow Farragut stands on an 11' wide granite exedra both of which were sculpted by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Farragut is wearing a naval frock coat, which is blowing in the wind, and facing south. He is holding a pair of binoculars in his left hand and has a sword on his left hip. Three steps lead up to the exedra which is decorated with bas-relief carvings of two female figures representing Loyalty on the left and Courage on the right. There are also carvings of a sword and of ocean waves.

The architect for the monument was Stanford White and the sculpture was cast by Adolphe Gruet. The monument was dedicated on May 21, 1881, relocated to Madison Square Park in 1935 and rededicated on October 21, 2002.

On the center of the exedra is the inscription:


DAVID GLASGOW
FARRAGUT

Dedication

On the left side of the exedra a dedication to Farragut: 
THAT THE MEMORY OF
A DARING AND SAGACIOUS COMMANDER AND
GENTLE GREAT-SOULED MAN WHOSE LIFE FROM CHILD-
HOOD WAS GIVEN TO HIS COUNTRY BUT WHO
SERVED HER SUPREMELY IN THE WAR
FOR THE UNION MDCCCLXI -
MDCCCLXV MAY BE PRESERVED AND
HONORED THAT THEY THEY WHO COME AFTER
AND WHO WILL OWE HIM SO MUCH MAY
SEE HIM AS HE WAS SEEN BY FRIEND AND
FOE HIS COUNTRYMEN HAVE SET UP
THIS MONUMENT A.D. MDCCCLXXXI

Military Biography

On the right side of the exedra a summary of Farragut's military career: 

BORN NEAR KNOXVILLE TENNESSEE JULY V
MDCCCI - MIDSHIPMAN - MDCCCX - BATTLE OF ESSEX
AND PHOEBE - MARCH XXVIII - MDCCCXIV
LIEUTENANT MDCCCXXV - COMMANDER
MDCCCXLI - CAPTAIN MDCCCLV
BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS - APRIL XXV
MDCCCLXII - REAR ADMIRAL MDCCCLXII
BATTLE OF MOBILE BAY - AUG V
MDCCCLXIV - VICE ADMIRAL - DECEMBER
II MDCCCLXIV - FIRST ADMIRAL OF
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
MDLXXXVI - MDCCCLXVI - DIED
PORTHSMOUTH NEW HAMPSHIRE
AUGUST XIV MDCCCLXX