Stamps of approval

Hy Brasil or Hy Brazil is a supposedly mythical island off the coast of Ireland. It appeared on navigational charts until the mid-19th century. It has its own chapter in the book, "Phantom Islands of the Atlantic," and has its own postage stamp as well.

The stamp was originally issued by the magazine ‘Wildwood’ in October 2004. Colin Langevald was the stamp’s designer and my middle sister was able to get four copies, one for each of us. This year our youngest sister had all the stamps beautifully framed as Christmas presents for the four of us.

I hung mine in the dining room just above "Duchamp's Mailbox," a found object sculpture created by Mark. It's the perfect counterpart to the mailbox and Tom Sargent's painting.

Since the island is mythical, it obviously makes the stamp an art object rather than usable postage, I think the Irish government should consider issuing it. After all, a lost land is inherent in much of Irish literature and lore. Creating a real stamp would be a fitting acknowledgement of Hy Brazil and Ireland's intertwined history. You can find a poem about Hy Brazil here. Hy Brazil is also the source of our family's surname.

Amazingly enough, before the Hy Brazil stamp arrived in the mail last week, I received another wonderful stamp gift from a dear friend and former boss. This one was handcrafted by Madisonian Susan Werner, of Sue's Pins, and is a pin that I can wear. It features a 3-cent U.S. postage stamp with a garden image and a little gilded rose.

 

Comments

[Janet]

Oh what fun! A reminder to dream up a little magic every day!

[Lisa at Greenbow]

What great gifts. Isn't it funny how some years gifts come in a series. This year was the Vest year here.

[Altoon]

These are such marvelous treasures, along with the shoe from the last post. What a delight!

[Plantaliscious]

What a lovely collection of artwork! Love the stamp, very mysterious. Its wonderful when something is not only decorative but has a good story attached too. The letterbox is great too.