Legends: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - Sleepy Hollow, NY

Interesting Places I've Photographed

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Sleepy Hollow, NY

Topic: Legends

GPS: N41° 05.356; W073° 51.704

Quick Description: 

A statue of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman recreates a scene from the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It  is located on Broadway and Gordon Avenue in Sleepy Hollow, NY

Long Description:

Washington Irving's classic tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow was set in the Tappan Zee area of the Hudson River Valley near the Old Dutch Church and Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in North Tarrytown, NY.

In this legend, the area is haunted by a headless horseman believed to be the ghost of a Hessian soldier who lost his head to a cannon ball during the Revolutionary War. The Horseman is seen most often riding by the Old Dutch Church and nearby cemetery, where according to local lore he was buried. He is believed to be in search of his head. Ichabod Crane is prone to believe in the supernatural and is fascinated by this story. That is, until he actually encounters the Headless Horseman.

To capitalize on the legend the village North Tarrytown renamed itself Sleepy Hollow. To further cement the connection to the legend of the Headless Horseman and Ichabod Crane an 18' high, 11 ton steel sculpture of the pair was erected in 2006 alongside Route 9, not far from the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery's south entrance. The rust-colored structure depicts the Ichabod Crane riding for his life on his horse Gunpowder. He is closely followed by the Headless Horseman, who is about to throw his jack-o'-lantern head at Ichabod.

"Another convulsive kick in the ribs, and old Gunpowder sprang upon the bridge; he thundered over the resounding planks; he gained the opposite side; and now Ichabod cast a look behind to see if his pursuer should vanish, according to rule, in a flash of fire and brimstone. Just then he saw the goblin rising in his stirrups, and in the very act of hurling his head at him." - Washington Irving

The sculpture cost $175,000 raised through private donations and a state grant. The rust colored sculpture is fabricated out of overlapping rusted metal plates by the metal working company of Miglo-Bufkin.

What's the Real Story?: The story of the headless horseman was widely told, locally. The original source was thought to be a German folk tale. Washington Irving created the character of Ichabod Crane and developed the story of the encounter in 1820.

Bas Relief Sculpture: Legend of Sleepy Hollow - Sleepy Hollow, NY

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Legend of Sleepy Hollow Sculpture

Sleepy Hollow, NY

Topic: Bas Relief Sculpture

GPS: N41° 05.301; W073° 51.704

Quick Description: 

Legend of Sleepy Hollow sculpture is located at the entrance to Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow, NY.

Long Description:

Washington Irving's classic tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow was set in the Tappan Zee area of the Hudson River Valley near the Old Dutch Church and Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in North Tarrytown, NY.
In this legend, the area is haunted by the Headless Horseman believed to be the ghost of a Hessian soldier who lost his head to a cannon ball during the Revolutionary War. The Horseman is seen most often riding by the Old Dutch Church and nearby cemetery, where according to local lore he was buried. He is believed to be in search of his head. Ichabod Crane is prone to believe in the supernatural and is fascinated by this story. That is, until he actually encounters the Headless Horseman.

The Village of North Tarrytown, where the legend takes place, renamed itself Sleepy Hollow in 1996. A bas relief sculpture of the Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman is located alongside Route 9, at the entrance to Philipsburg Manor, a short distance south of the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

This, approximately 4' high, semi-circular granite bas relief sculpture was created by Michael Gressel and installed in 1974. It depicts the moment when Ichabod Crane was riding for his life on his horse Gunpowder. Hapless Ichabod is being closely followed by the Headless Horseman, who is about to throw his jack-o'-lantern head at Ichabod. The Old Dutch Church is shown in the background.

The sculpture was given in celebration the centennial of the village of North Tarrytown. A granite tablet in front of the sculpture is inscribed:


PRESENTED TO
VILLAGE OF NORTH TARRYTOWN
BY THE CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
1874 - 1974

Address: Philipsburg Manor 381 North Broadway Sleepy Hollow, NY  United States 10591

Philatelic Photograph: Wisdom - A Voice From The Clouds, Rockefeller Center, NY, NY

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Wisdom - A Voice From The Clouds

Rockefeller Center
New York, NY

Topic: Philatelic Photograph

GPS: N40° 45.527; W073° 58.725

Quick Description: 

Wisdom - A Voice From The Clouds is a bas relief sculpture over the central doors of 30 Rockefeller Center in Manhattan.

Long Description:

This Art Deco style limestone bas relief sculpture was designed by Lee Lawrie and installed in 1934. It is located 37' over the central entrance door of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Wisdom is depicted as a bearded man holding a compass. He is blowing away clouds, representing ignorance. With the compass he is scribing the cosmic forces and cycles of the universe.

Below is the inscription: "Wisdom and Knowledge Shall Be The Stability Of Thy Times" - a quote from the Old Testament Book of Isaiah 33:6

The stamp was issued by the United States in 2003 as part of the American Culture Series.

Roman Catholic Church: St. Peter's Basilica - Vatican City

Interesting Places I've Photographed

St. Peter's Basilica

Vatican City
Topic: Roman Catholic Church

GPS: N41° 54.125; E012° 27.498

Quick Description: 

View of St. Peter's Basilica and the obelisk from the Piazza in Vatican City.

Long Description:

St. Peter's Basilica stands on the site where, traditionally, the apostle Peter, the first pope, was buried. St. Peter's tomb is under the main altar and many other popes are buried in the basilica as well. Originally founded by Constantine in 324, St. Peter's Basilica was rebuilt and expanded in the 16th century by Renaissance masters including Bramante, Michelangelo and Bernini. The expansion added the magnificent piazza, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, with its colonnade of 140 statues of saints. Construction on the current building began under Pope Julius II in 1506 and was completed in 1615 under Pope Paul V.

In 1585, Pope Sixtus I had a 25.5-meter-tall Egyptian obelisk from the 13th-century BC erected in the center of the square. The obelisk once stood at the nearby Nero's Circus.

Philatelic Photograph: John Harvard Statue - Cambridge, MA

John Harvard Statue

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA

GPS: N42° 22.474; W071° 07.031

Quick Description: 

The John Harvard statue in the historic Harvard Yard of Harvard University in Cambridge, MA is called "the statue of three lies". 

Long Description:

The famous statue of John Harvard, in front of University Hall, on the campus of Harvard University was the subject of this definitive stamp in the Great American series. The bronze sculpture was created by Daniel Chester French, was given to the college by Samuel James Bridge, and dedicated on October 15, 1884. It now sits in front of University Hall in historic Harvard Yard.

The statue is famous for several reasons. Traditionally, it is supposed to bring you luck if you rub John Harvard's left shoe. It is also known as the "statue of three lies". The statue has a three line inscription on the granite base. Every line is false.

JOHN HARVARD
FOUNDER
1638
1. The sculpture does not depict John Harvard. There is no known image of John Harvard. So, when Daniel Chester French needed a model for the statue. Sherman Hoar, class of 1882, believed to be the most handsome student at Harvard, was selected. It is the student's face we see on the statue and on the stamp.

2. John Harvard was not the founder of Harvard. He was its earliest benefactor. John Harvard was a clergyman who bequeathing £780 as well as his 400 library of books to the New College. The college then renamed Harvard College in his honor.

3. Harvard College was not founded in 1638 but in 1636. Sixteen thirty-eight was the year John Harvard died.

Coastal Lighthouse: Peggy's Point Lighthouse - NS, Canada

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Peggy's Point Lighthouse

Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada

Topic: Coastal Lighthouses

GPS: N44° 29.506 W063° 055.121

Short Description:

Peggy's Point Lighthouse a.k.a. Peggy's Cove Lighthouse is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world.

Long Description:

Peggy's Point Lighthouse marks the eastern entrance of St. Margaret's Bay on the eastern coast of Nova Scotia. It is located in the picturesque town of Peggy's Cove. This classic white lighthouse with a red lantern is operated by the Canadian Coast Guard. It's located in a dramatic setting on a huge granite outcrop. It replaces a lighthouse that was built in 1868.  This steel reinforced concrete octogonal lighthouse was built in 1914 and first lit in 1915.  The automated lighthouse is 49'  high and flashes a red light. Peggy's Cove is a quaint fishing village and one of Nova Scotia prime attraction. Visitors to the lighthouse have the opportunity to explore the granite outcrop and enjoy georgeous vista of the Atlantic Ocean below.

James Bond - 007: Casino at Monte Carlo, Monaco

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Casino at Monte Carlo from GoldenEye

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Topic: James Bond - 007

GPS: N43° 44.405; E007° 25.660

Quick Description: 

GoldenEye and other James Bond pictures were filmed on location at the Casino at Monte Carlo.

Long Description:

James Bond is often associated with Monaco's glamorous Belle Époque Casino. In GoldenEye, James Bond (Pierce Bronson) arrives in Monte Carlo to follow Xenia Zaragevna Onatopp (Famke Janssen), a suspected member of the Janus crime syndicate, who has formed a suspicious relationship with a Canadian Navy admiral. Bond arrives at the Monte-Carlo Casino at night (see screen capture image from the movie trailer) and discovers Xenia Zaragevna Onatopp’s Ferrari Spider 355 outside the casino. He goes inside where they flirt with each other while playing a game of of baccarat. They talk a while (see screen capture from the movie) before she leaves with the Admiral – her intended victim.

Besides GoldenEye the Casino was the setting for several other books, movies and TV episodes. It was the model for Ian Fleming's first Bond novel, Casino Royale (1953), 'Royale-Les-Eaux' being a fictional Montenegro resort in the style of Monte Carlo. Also, Monte Carlo Casino was one of the locations for the movie Never Say Never Again and served as the setting in the CBS "Climax!" episode, Casino Royale.

The Monte Carlo Casino was built in 1863 in the "Beaux-Art" style. It is the most famous tourist attractions in Monaco. As well as the casino and its private gaming rooms, the site also contains an opera and ballet house, restaurant and gardens. The interior features stained glass windows, sculptures, and classic paintings. You must show your passport and pay €10 Euro to get in, if you are suitably dresses. Otherwise you are directed to the nearby American Casino.

Casino de Monte-Carlo
Place du Casino
MC 98000
Principality of Monaco

Location type: Movie Movie or Book Title: GoldenEye