Argentina's Marambio Base, Antarctica

This came back to me from Base Antártica Marambio: the largest of Argentina's Antarctic bases. It's hard to make out the postmarks because of the blue ink. The blue envelope do not help either. On the back is a large cachet with an image of a ship and helicopter... but again, in blue ink and somewhat illegible. Next time I'll send a white envelope.

Marambio base is located on Seymour-Marambio Island, off the tip of the Antarctic peninsula and is actually not that far from Argentina. This is a very large year-round base with an airstrip that services over 100 flights a year.

Battle of Lake Erie FDC

The coin in this cover is the US mint's "Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial" quarter. It fits nicely with the Battle of Lake Erie stamp and first-day postmark. Oliver Hazard Perry was a US naval captain who won a decisive victory over British forces on Lake Erie on 10 September 1813 during the War of 1812. 

Bergschenhoek, Netherlands

From the town of Bergschenhoek, in the Netherlands. There is also a machine cancel from The Hague on the right which appears to be printed twice in two different sizes.  Bergschenhoek sits a few kms east the The Hague, and a few north of Rotterdam.

Loretto, Tennessee - Oktoberfest

A very cute dachshund on this cover postmarked with a commemorative Oktoberfest postmark. 

South Korea - Diplomatic Relations with Mexico

The Gray Whale stamps on this cover from Seoul are the Korean issues of a joint issue with Mexico, commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

South Korea - Slovakia Diplomatic Relations

Stamps and first-day postmark commemorating 20 years of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Slovakia.

Sri Lanka - Constellations

This is a pre-paid envelope from Sri Lanka, with lots of 'make up' postage on it using stamps from the Constellations stamp series.

Fairbanks, Alaska

Portugalete, Spain

Commemorating the 125th anniversary of the rail line between Bilbao and Portugalete in Spain, this cover came to me with a special postmark on it. The line is only a few kms long but at the time it was a vital travel link for passengers and freight. The stamp on this cover commemorates the International Year or Water Cooperation.

Northern Cyprus

From the district of Gazimağusa in the disputed Turkish territory of Northern Cyprus. The UN does not recognize its independence. In fact, only Turkey recognizes it as a sovereign state. All mail to and from Northern Cyprus is routed through Turkey. Even phone calls and internet traffic.

Kovilj, Serbia

Kovilj is a village in northern Serbia. This cover was originally a first day cover for the 1980 Yugoslavian minerals stamp issue. Serbia was one of the socialist republics that made up the former republic of Yugoslavia.

Toronto's First Post Office

The Canada Post location at 260 Adelaide E in Toronto is Toronto's first post office. It was built in 1833 in what was at the time known as the Town of York. It was the town's fourth post office. But when the Town of York was incorporated into a city in 1834, this post office became the first post office of the new city, which had changed it's name to Toronto.

This post office is still in operation, providing full mail services. It is also a postal museum and small library. They have a few special postmarks available that can be used on outgoing mail.