Today I was surprised by my postman with this wonderful postcard by Alfons Mucha. He made this litograph in 1911 for the Moravian Teachers' Choir (Pěvecké sdružení moravských učitelů). There is little information about this piece, which isn't as wide known as many of his other works. The Moravian Teachers' Choir performed many types of song, including folk music by Moravian composer Janáček. The girl in the poster wears a folk costume from Kyjov, Moravia (Czech Republic).

This is a design by Balenciaga -- the original belongs to the Fashion Museum in Madrid, Spain (Museo del Traje). It's part of a sheet of four stamps entitled Moda Española. The sheet is illustrated by clothes worn according to different hours of the day, and so the 0.39€ stamp reproduces a cocktail chantilly lace dress over transparent ivory taffeta, with tight waistline and full skirt. It was made in Paris between 1948-1950.

The other three stamps show a two-piece suit (0.42 €), a morning dress and matching coat (0.58 €) and a casual shirt dress (0.78 €).

Needless to say, I am mesmerized by this beautiful little piece of art. ♪

The lithograph was printed to advertise Princezna Hyacinta, a fairy tale ballet and pantomime by Ladislav Novák and Oskar Nedbal an acclaimed Czech violinist. The fairy tale follows a blacksmith who dreams that his daughter is a princess kidnapped by a sorcerer. In the design you can see hearts, the blacksmith's tools, a crown and instruments of sorcery all referring to the plot. The motif of the hyacinth is used throughout the design, from the embroidered robes to the silver jewellery as well as in the circular object held by the princess.

Source:  Alfons Mucha website.

Doesn't this postcard give you a hint of winter? Her jewels, her robes and the background reminds me of snow flakes. So cold! ☼

Another stamp from the 2011 Lorca earthquake collection. This time it is the Santuario de la Virgen de las Huertas (Virgin of Huertas' Sanctuary).

Postcard from: Madrid, Spain.
Received: January 2012.
Language: Spanish.
Envelope: no.
Stamps: one 0.36€ 'Todos con Lorca' featuring the city's Virgin of Huertas' Sanctuary, patroness of Lorca.

Merci, Fabienne!

I got this fabulous postcard of painter Alfons Mucha's artwork for an editor and printer in Paris. I don't know how but the sender just read my mind. Mucha is one of my favourite artists, his advertising designs are simply gorgeous! ♥

This stamp means a lot to me. Some members of my family were affected by May 11th 2011 earthquake in Lorca. The Spanish national post service released five stamps featuring the city's landmarks (some were severely damaged) to help with reconstruction. I am very glad to have received it.