Zazzle Mail Sale on NOW

Zazzle is having a sale on US postage stamps until Wednesday which gives you $8.80 off each sheet of $0.44 stamps. Zazzle has an incredible range of stamps to suit all occasions and to suit all tastes. Just use the coupon code JULYPOSTDEAL at the checkout to receive the discount - see below for full details.

OldeWorldGifts has a large variety of stamps with matching postcards, cards and gifts. Here is a small sample of what people have bought taking advantage of this great sale.

* $8.80 discount applies to one or more sheets of $0.44 Zazzle Custom Stamps. Enter promo code JULYPOSTDEAL at checkout to receive the discount. Offer is valid from July 12, 2010 through July 14, 2010 at 11:59pm PT. This promotional offer may not combine with any other Zazzle promotional or volume discount offers. If a volume discount applies to your order, you will receive either the discount set forth in this offer or the standard volume discount, whichever is greater. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.

Zazzle print from FRUITLOOPY: Vintage Iris Poster

CREATE  |  APPAREL  |  MUGS  |  POSTAGE  |  CARDS  |  POSTERS  |  GIFTS  |  ALL
Zazzle print from FRUITLOOPY: Vintage Iris Poster Beautiful lris with stunning colors and textures. Perfect for the lover of flowers, gardens and plants. Vintage botanical floral art with a flair! Visit FRUITLOOPY's store Join FRUITLOOPY's fan club	View "Vintage Iris Poster" by FRUITLOOPY Create your own products @ Zazzle.com

Blackpool Promenade in Lancashire, England

Blackpool is a seaside town on the coast of the Irish Sea in Lancashire, England. It rose to prominence as a seaside resort during the 19th century for the workers and their families from the northern mill towns.

Blackpool first became popular with the trend of the wealthier classes of bathing in the sea to cure diseases, which saw many visitors making the difficult trip. 1846 saw the introduction of the railway which resulted in a influx of visitors. This in turn led to the construction of accommodation and new attractions in the town, which then resulted in more visitors and rapid growth in the 1850s and 1860s.

A common practice by the owners of the cotton mills in Lancashire would be to close the mills for a week each year in order for their machinery to undergo services and repairs. These became known as wakes weeks and each town would close for a different week. The workers and their families would often spend this time in Blackpool, which meant that it had a steady stream of visitors during the summer.

In 1801, the population of Blackpool was recorded in the census as 473. By 1851, it was 2,500 and by the 1890s, it has a population of 35,000 and could accommodate 250,000 holidaymakers. It has been estimated that the number of annual visitors was approximately three million.

Blackpool Promenade, Lancashire, England
by OldeWorldGifts

Vintage photomechanical print of the promenade in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, which was taken towards the end of the 19th century. The photograph shows a historic view of this seaside resort taken with a view of the tower and promenade. Photograph courtesy of LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-08014).

Brabo Monument in Antwerp, Belgium

The Brabo Monument is in the centre of the Grote Markt in Antwerp, Belgium. The statue was made by the sculptor Jef Lambeaux in 1887. 

According to legend, Silvius Brabo was a mythical Roman soldier who is said to have killed a giant called Druon Antigoon. This giant lived on the banks of the river Scheldt and would ask for money from people who wanted to pass over the bridge. If they refused to pay the toll, the giant cut off their hand and threw it in the river. When Brabo killed the giant, he cut of its hand and threw it into the river.

Brabo Monument Print 

by OldeWorldGifts

Vintage photomechanical print of a photograph taken of Brabo Monument in the town centre of Antwerp, Belgium at the end of the 19th century.  Photograph courtesy of LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-05619).

Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the range of products featuring this vintage photograph of the Brabo Monument in Antwerp.

Zazzle print from TheVintage Vamp: World Map 1689 ~ Antique Travel Art...

CREATE  |  APPAREL  |  MUGS  |  POSTAGE  |  CARDS  |  POSTERS  |  GIFTS  |  ALL
Zazzle print from TheVintage Vamp: World Map 1689 ~ Antique Travel Art... World Map from 1689 Visit TheVintageVamp's store Join TheVintageVamp's fan club	View "World Map 1689 ~ Antique Travel Artwork" by TheVintageVamp Create your own products @ Zazzle.com

Killybegs, County Donegal in Ireland

Killybegs, or Na Cealla Beagain Irish, is a harbour town on the south coast of County Donegal in Ireland and is located north of Donegal Bay.

Killybegs is a natural deepwater harbour and it is well-known throughout Ireland as a famous fishing town. Killybegsexistence as a fishing port is not a recent one. In the 16th century, Killybegs was the chief port of Tír Chonail and the O'Donnell chieftains were known as the "best lords of fish in Ireland".

The town’s patron saint is St. Catherine of Alexandria - she is the patron of seafarers and the association with Killybegs is thought to be from the 15th century which further confirms that Killybeg’s tradition of seafaring is not a recent one.

The area around Killybegs has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and there is evidence of as many as twenty ring forts, with the majority of these near the shore.

On the right hand side of the image is St Mary of the Visitation Roman Catholic Church. The foundation stone was laid on 2 February 1842 and although the first Mass was celebrated on Christmas Day in 1843, the Church was not completed until 1854.

In the centre of the image is St John's Church of Ireland. The building of the Church began in 1825 and on 6 June 1828 it was consecrated and dedicated to St John by William Bishop of Raphoe.

Killybegs County Donegal Print 

by OldeWorldGifts

Vintage photomechanical print of Killybegs in County Donegal, Ireland, which was taken towards the end of the 19th century. Photograph courtesy LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-009864).

Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the range of products featuring this vintage photograph of Killybegs in Ireland.

De Oude Schans in Netherlands

The Oude Schans or Oudeschans, initially known as the New Canal, is a wide canal in the heart of Amsterdam. The canal was excavated between 1515 and 1518 as an arm of the Amstel River as an added defense for the city. 

As part of the fortifications of the city, the tower, known as the Montelbaanstoren was built in 1516. In 1606 the tower was extended to include the decorative top half, which was designed by Hendrick de Keyser. 

In the late 16th century, new city walls were built to protect Amsterdam from the Spaniards and the New Canal was then within the city walls. At this time, the name of the canal was changed to Oude Schans.

De Oude Schans, Amsterdam 

by OldeWorldGifts

Vintage photomechanical print of the Oude Schans in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, which was taken towards the end of the 19th century.  Photograph courtesy LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-05779).

Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the range of products featuring this vintage photograph.

Picturesque Monte Carlo in Monaco

Monte Carlo is an administrative area of Monaco, although it is often mistaken as its capital. Monte Carlo was founded in 1866 and was named after the reigning monarch, Charles III of Monaco.

The first permanent settlers of Monaco were the Ligures, who came from Genoa in Italy. In the 6th century B.C., the Phocaeans, Greek colonists, founded the colony of Monoikos in the area now known as Monaco. It then fell under Roman control following the Gallic Wars.


Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire on 476, barbarian tribes, including the Saracens, ravaged the area. The Saracens were expelled in 975 and by the 11th century, Ligurians had once again populated the area.


Monaco's modern history is often cited as starting on 10 June 1215 when the construction of a fortress on top of the Rock of Monaco was started by a detachment of Genoese Ghibellines, a faction who supported the Roman Empire. The fortress was intended to be a strategic military stronghold and they created a settlesment around the base of the Rock to support the garrison. In order to attract migrants from Genoa, they offered tax exemtions to land grants to new settlers.

As the Ghibellines intended their fortress to be a strategic military stronghold and center of control for the area, they set about creating a settlement around the base of the Rock to support the garrison; in an attempt to lure residents from Genoa and the surrounding cities, they offered land grants and tax exemption to new settlers.

The Rock of Monaco was seized in 1297 by François Grimaldi under the sovereignty of Genoa, starting the Grimaldi dynasty in Monaco. It has remained under the control of the Grimaldi family since this time until the present day, except when it was under French rule from 1793 to 1814.

Monte Carlo #1 Monaco 

by OldeWorldGifts

Vintage photomechanical print of Monte Carlo in Monaco which was taken towards the end of the 19th century. The photograph features the beautiful old buildings of the era in Monte Carlo, situated on the Riviera. Photograph courtesy LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-09988). Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the range of products featuring this picturesque vintage image of Monte Carlo.

Genealogy For All Blog

I have always had a love of old things - pictures, furniture, jewellry, ornaments, china and glassware to name a few things I have collected over the years - ranging from the 60's to antique items. In the past two years, this interest has developed further as a result of my growing interest in genealogy, particularly in regards to pictures and photos that help create an image of what life was like.

Over 25 years ago, my parents started researching their family trees - the information wasn't available on the internet back then - so they paid professional genealogists to do the research. This was really the only way at that time given that we did not live in the country where my ancestors came from. While I had a mild interest in the information they uncovered, I was a teenager and I had other important things to think about.

A few years ago, I started to research the family tree. I'm not entirely sure what triggered this, but I have to say it became an obsession. I have created a blog called Genealogy For All where I hope to create a growing list of useful resources and helpful hints for the keen genealogist. A place where I can share my experiences - the highs and the frustrations - and you never know, perhaps someone may wander along and have the key to the next part of my family tree.

Feel free to visit and follow my genealogy blog - it may just help you uncover another branch of your family tree

Square of Miracles - Pisa, Italy

The Square of Miracles, Piazza dei Miracoli, is a walled area in the centre of Pisa, Tuscany, Italy. It is officially known as Cathedral Square, Piazza del Duomo in Italian, and is surrounded by the Cathedral (Duomo), the Leaning Tower, the Baptistry and the Camposanto.

At the centre of the Square, is the Duomo, a medieval cathedral, St Mary of the Assumption (Santa Maria Assunta). Construction began in 1064 by the architect, Busketo, and was built in what was to become the distinctive Pisan Romanesque style of architecture.

The Baptistry stands opposite the west end of the Cathedral and is dedicated to St John the Baptist. It was begun in 1153 and built in the Romanesque style by the architect, Diotisalvi. The construction was not completed until the 14th century when the Gothic style top storey and dome were added by Nicola Pisano and Giovanni Pisano. It is the largest baptistry in Italy with a circumference of 107.25 metres.

The Campo Santo Monumentale, the monumental cemetary, lies at the northern edge of the Square. The building dates from the 13th century and was built over an earlier burial ground. It is said that that the cemetary was built around sacred soil from Golgotha, which was brought back from the Fourth Crusade by the Archbishop of Pisa in the 12th century. The cemetery was completed in 1464.

In 1987 Cathedral Square was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cathedral Square, Pisa, Tuscany, Italy 

by OldeWorldGifts

Vintage photomechanical print of the Cathedral Square in Pisa, Tuscany, Italy, which was taken at the end of the 19th century. The image shows a view of the Square with the Baptistry, Duomo and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the background. Photograph courtesy of LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-06580).

Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the wide range of products featuring this wonderful vintage view of the Square of Miracles in Pisa, Italy.

Hasting Promenade - Pick of the Week

The pick of the week from OldeWorldGifts at Zazzle is this great vintage print of Hastings Promenade in Sussex, England - showing people standing along the promenade looking out at the ocean as the waves crash against the sea wall.

Hastings Promenade, Hastings, Sussex, England 

by OldeWorldGifts

  

Vintage Photomechanical print of the promenade at Hastings, Sussex, England, which was taken towards the end of the 19th century. The photograph shows a view of the promenade towards East Cliff, taken from the pier. Photograph courtesy of LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-08428). 

Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the range of products featuring this wonderful historic image.

Dunnottar Castle, Scotland

Dunnottar Castle is a ruined medieval castle which is located on the north-east coast of Scotland near Stonehaven, on a rocky headland with steep cliffs that drop to the North Sea 50 metres below.


The site is believed to have been an early fortress of the Dark Ages, however the surviving buildings are mainly from the 15th and 16th centuries. 


From the Middle Ages, Dunnottar Castle played an important strategic role throughout Scotland's history due to its location. It overlooked the shipping lanes to northern Scotland and was situated on a narrow coastal terrace that controlled access via land to the south coast dueing the medieval period.

Dunottar Castle, Stonehaven, Scotland by OldeWorldGifts

Vintage photomechanical print of Dunottar Castle in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, which was taken at the end of the 19th century. Photograph courtesy of LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-07682). Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the full range of products featuring this beautiful vintage print.

Castle Street, Aberdeen, Scotland

A view of Castle Street in Aberdeen Scotland - which shows the old municipal buildings, the Market Cross and the back of the statue of the Fifth Duke of Gordon.

This area would be filled with market stalls and throngs of people coming to buy all that they need. It was the hub of all activity in the town. Today, Castle Street continues to be a thriving part of Aberdeen with businesses, bars and restaurants.

Castle Street, Aberdeen, Scotland by OldeWorldGifts

Vintage photomechanical print of Castle Street and Municipal Buildings in Aberdeen, Scotland, which was taken at the end of the 19th century. Photograph courtesy of LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-07513). Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the full range of products featuring this beautiful vintage print.

Balmoral Castle, Scotland

Balmoral Castle is well known as the summer royal residence for Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. It has been a royal residence since 1848, when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert leased it from the trustees of Sir Robert Gordon, who had died in 1847. In 1852, they paid approximately £30,000 for full ownership of the estate. 

Prince Albert, with William Smith, made immediate plans to extend the existing castle. The new castle was partly designed by Prince Albert and was built close to the original castle.

Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone on 28 September 1853, which can be found at the foot of the wall, adjacent to the west face of the entrance porch. Before the stone was laid, a bottle containing a parchment signed and dated by Queen Victoria and each of the current coins of the realm, was inserted into a cavity below the stone. Balmoral Castle was completed in 1856.

Balmoral is privately owned by the Queen and is not part of the royal estate which is owned by the English Government. Following the abdication of Edward VIII, his brother, King George VI, had to buy Balmoral in order to keep them as residences of the monarch.

Balmoral Castle, Royal Deeside, Scotland by OldeWorldGifts

Vintage photomechanical print of Balmoral Castle in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, which was taken at the end of the 19th century. Photograph courtesy of LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-07532). Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the full range of products featuring this beautiful vintage print.

Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore, Piedmont, Italy

Isola Bella is one of the Borromean Islands in Lake Maggiore in Piedmont, Italy. It is 320 metres long and 400 metres wide and is entirely occupied by the Palazzo Borromeo and its surrounding gardens. The island is situated approximately 400 metres from the town of Stresa.


Prior to 1632 the island, then known as isola di sotto or l'isola inferiore, was a rocky crag with a small fishing village. In 1632, Carlo III of the House of Borromeo began construction of a palace dedicated to his wife, Isabella D'Adda. The island is now named after this Isabella.


The Milanese architect, Angelo Crivelli, was responsible for the construction of the palazzo, as well as the planning of the gardens. The palazzo was not completed due to an outbreak of the plague in the Duchy of Milan around the middle of the century. 


Building of the palace resumed when the islands were passed onto Carlo's sons, Cardinal Gilberto III and Vitaliano VI. The completion of the works were the responsibility of the Milanese architect Carlo Fontana. The completed palace became a place of parties and theatrical events for the nobility of Europe.


Gilberto and Vitaliano left the completion of the gardens to their nephew, Carlo IV, which were inaugurated in 1671. The island continued to be a place to visit for the nobility right through to the middle of the nineteenth century.

Isola Bella III, Lake Maggiore, Piedmont, Italy by OldeWorldGifts

Vintage photomechanical print of Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore in Piedmont, Italy, which was taken towards the end of the 19th century. Photograph courtesy LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-06533). Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the full range of products featuring this beautiful vintage print.

The Arch of Peace, Milan, Italy

The Arch of Peace, Arco della Pace in Italian, is located in the Piazza Sempione in Milan. It was contructed at the request of Napolean to signify his triumphant victory in 1801 when the walls around the Castello Sforzesco were destroyed.

The construction of the Arch started in 1807 under the supervision of the neoclassicist architect Luigi Cagnola, who was inspired by the Arch of Settimo in Rome. The arch was only two-thirds completed when Napolean was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo, at which time the construction stopped.

In 1826 Franz I of Austria ordered that construction of the arch be finished in dedication to the European Peace which was reached in 1815. The Arch was finished by Francesco Peverelli and Francesco Londonio following the death of Cagnola in 1833. It was inaugurated by Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria on 10 September 1838.

The Arch of Peace is one of the best examples of Milanese Neoclassical art. It is a structure of four columns with two isolated boxes at each side. It is decorated with bas-reliefs and scenes illustrating the many events before the fall of Napoleon.

The Arch of Peace, Milan, Lombardy, Italy by OldeWorldGifts

Vintage photomechanical print of the Arch of Peace in Milan, Lombardy, Italy, which was taken at the end of the 19th century. Photograph courtesy of LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-06554). Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the range of products available with this vintage print of the Arch of Peace.

Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy

The Trevi Fountain, Fontana di Trevi in Intalian, is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome. In 1732, Pope Clement XII commissioned Nicola Salvi to create a large fountain in Trevi Square. Previously Gian Lorenzo Bernini had undertaken the construction of a fountain which did not continue after the death of Pope Urban VIII. Salvi's design carried many features of the Bernini fountain. Salvi died before the fountain was completed. The Trevi Fountain was finally finished in 1762 by Giuseppe Pannini.


Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You should toss it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain.

Trevi Fountain, Rome, Lazio, Italy by OldeWorldGifts

Vintage photomechanical print of Trevi Fountain in Rome, Lazio, Italy, which was taken towards the end of the 19th century. The Photograph courtesy LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-06614).

Bellagio I, Lake Como, Lombardy, Italy

Bellagio, also known as "the pearl of Lake Como", is a town located on Lake Como in Lombardy, Italy. It is well known for its location on the intersection of the three branches of the Y-shaped lake - with Bellagio located on the tip of the peninsula which separates the lake's two southern arms.

There is evidence which suggests that there was a human presence in Bellagio and surrounding areas in the Paleolithic Period (about 30,000 years ago), in the 7th to 5th centuries BC there was a place of worship and trade for the many small villages along the side of the lake.

During Roman times, Lake Como took on an important role. Olive trees and the laurel were introduced to the area by the Romans, which are still found in abundance on the shores of Lake Como.


The Romans were responsible for the town's development as a holiday resort which has continued to this day. In letters by Pliny the Younger (c61AD - 112AD), he describes the time he spent in his Bellagio villa where he enjoyed the pleasures of hunting and fishing.

Bellagio I, Lake Como, Lombardy, Italy by OldeWorldGifts

Browse more Lake Posters

Vintage photomechanical print of Bellagio on Lake Como, Lombardy, Italy, which was taken at the end of the 19th century. Photograph courtesy of LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-06439). Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the range of products featuring this beautiful vintage photochrom.

Interior of the Church of the Annunciation in Genoa, Italy

The Church of the Annunciation, known as the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato in Italian, is a Catholic Cathedral located in Genoa, Liguria, Italy. 

The church was first begun in 1520 by the Franciscan monks on a site where the small church, Santa Maria del Prato, previously stood. Work on the church was stopped in 1537, then in 1591 the construction was continued.

The Cathedral employed the major baroque artists in Genoa in the early 17th century for its amazing decoration, with Andrea Ansaldo in charge of completing the works.


The Neoclassicist facade of the church dates to the early to mid 18th century and was designed by Carlo Barabino. 


During World War II the church was damaged during bombings by the Allied forces, and the restoration of the church continues to this day.

Church of the Annunciation, Genoa, Liguria, Italy by OldeWorldGifts

Create your own Custom postcard with zazzle

Vintage photomechanical print of the interior of the Church of the Annunciation in Genoa, Liguria, Italy, which was taken at the end of the 19th century. Photograph courtesy of LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-06516). Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the full range of products featuring this incredible vintage photochrom.

Latest News from OldeWorldGifts

This week OldeWorldGifts has been searching through the beautiful old photochrom prints for Scotland and has started adding some of these images to the store.

The first additions have been from Aberdeenshire and have included Aberdeen, Banff, Stonehaven and Banchory. There are some amazing pictures in this selection, such as those shown below.

New images are being added daily, with the focus this week on the beautiful Scottish towns and cities. Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the full range of products featuring an extensive selection of vintage images from around the world.