Stamp Machines and a Paper Nautilus

 One might wonder what Stamp Machines and a Paper Nautilus have in common. The answer is the sender and the fact that he puts lots of used stamps on the back.  The stamps are chosen according to the recipients interests – what a great idea.

Card no 316 - EJ

This card from EJ shows old and new stamp slot machines. The one on the left is from 1930 and the right from around 1982.  I think they are German but they may be Dutch.  Sadly most of our British stamp slot machines have been phased out and very few remain.

 Card no 318 – EJ

The Paper Nautilus (Argonauta argo).

These are the stamps that decorated these cards…

International Reading Year 1972 stamp - Hungary

A Polish sorting office

Cylindropuntia fulgida, the Jumping Cholla, also known as the Hanging Chain Cholla, is a cactus that is native to the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico.  A strange thing to have on a Polish stamp!

A Romanian Common Genet (Genetta genetta)

And a European Pine Marten (Martes martes) from the same series

A Russian stamp with flowers and bees

A Croatian air mail stamp with what appears to be a species of Swallow

A Tanzanian stamp of the Caspian Cobra (Naja oxiana) - I love this one

And a Green Iguana or Common Iguana (Iguana iguana) from the same series.

The stamps that actually paid for the cards to travel were these!