Today is Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington's Birthday !

b.April 29th 1899 - d.May 24th 1974

Portrait of Duke Ellington and Sonny Greer

Aquarium, New York, N.Y., ca. Nov. 1946 (LOC)
Photo: William P., Gottlieb

I know many of my you have seen this, but here are a couple of photos of my program from "Duke" Ellington's Concert in Memphis. I was there.  A night that changed my life.

Duke was here the same year that I began to host my own musical program on WTGR, Tiger Radio at Memphis State University, now the University of Memphis, in 1969. WTGR became WUMR FM92 all jazz radio (University of Memphis Radio). I was there for 5o years.

After the concert, I was invited to visit with Duke and the band backstage, an incredible, unforgettable honor for me.

Memphis Symphony Orchestra conductor Vincent De Frank introduced me to Duke. I remember Duke shaking my hand and saying, "How ya' doin', David ?" I was speechless and couldn't believe that I was standing there with Duke Ellington and kind of said, "Gosh"!

I stood next to Duke and held my breath as he signed my program in the center between his name and his illustration.

Johnny Hodges, Duke's alto sax player, signed it on the right side over the illustration of Duke's cheek, and Rufus "Speedy" Jones, Duke's drummer, just below Johnny's signature.
 
I'm not certain whose signature appears just above Duke's, but it looks like that of the late, great Peter Spurbeck. Peter was the associate conductor of the Memphis Symphony at the time, a fine cellist, long-time faculty member of U of M, and one of my music theory professors, along with Professor Raymond Lynch, at the time when I studied jazz piano with Dr.Tom Ferguson in 1971 (I baby sat for Dr.Ferguson and his wife once). You might recall that Peter's nickname was "Papa Cello" if you were around then. By the way, Peter played for the dedication and grand opening of the Germantown Performing Arts Center with cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Happy Birthday, Duke !

I thank God for you, and that, for a moment in time,

you shook my hand, and I stood next to you.

Your music will live forever.

-David-

Souvenir Sheet Commemorating The Invention Of  Perforated Toilet Paper

The use of toilet paper dates back as early as c. 589 when the scholar-official Yan Zhitui (531–591) wrote:

"Paper on which there are quotations or commentaries from the Five Classics (text of Confucious) or the names of sages, I dare not use for toilet purposes."

Joseph Gayetty is widely credited with being the inventor of modern commercially available toilet paper in the United States. Gayetty's paper, first introduced in 1857, was available as late as the 1920s. Gayetty's Medicated Paper was sold in packages of flat sheets, watermarked with the inventor's name. Original advertisements for the product used the tagline "The greatest necessity of the age! Gayetty's medicated paper for the water-closet".

Seth Wheeler of Albany, New York, obtained the earliest United States patents for toilet paper and dispensers, the types of which eventually were in common use in that country, in 1883. Toilet paper dispensed from rolls was popularized when the Scott Paper Company began marketing it in 1890.

The fourth millennium BC would witness the invention of clay pipes, sewers, and toilets, in Mesopotamia, with the city of Uruk today exhibiting the earliest known internal pit toilet, from c. 3200 BC. The Neolithic village of Skara Brae contains examples, c. 3000 BC, of internal small rooms over a communal drain, rather than pit. The Indus Valley Civilisation in northwestern India and Pakistan was home to the world's first known urban sanitation systems. In Mohenjo-Daro (c. 2800 BC), toilets were built into the outer walls of homes.[citation needed] These toilets had vertical chutes, via which waste was disposed of into cesspits or street drains. In the Indus city of Lothal (c. 2350 BC), houses belonging to the upper class had private toilets connected to a covered sewer network constructed of brickwork held together with a gypsum-based mortar that emptied either into the surrounding water bodies or alternatively into cesspits, the latter of which were regularly emptied and cleaned.

Other very early toilets that used flowing water to remove the waste are found at Skara Brae in Orkney, Scotland, which was occupied from about 3100 BC until 2500 BC. Some of the houses there have a drain running directly beneath them, and some of these had a cubicle over the drain. Around the 18th century BC, toilets started to appear in Minoan Crete, Pharaonic Egypt, and ancient Persia.

In 2012, archaeologists found what is believed to be Southeast Asia's earliest latrine during the excavation of a Neolithic village in the Rạch Núi archaeological site [vi], southern Vietnam. The toilet, dating back 1500 BC, yielded important clues about early Southeast Asian society. More than 30 coprolites, containing fish and shattered animal bones, provided information on the diet of humans and dogs, and on the types of parasites each had to contend with.

In Sri Lanka, the techniques of the construction of toilets and lavatories developed over several stages. A highly developed stage in this process is discernible in the constructions at the Abhayagiri complex in Anuradhapura where toilets and baths dating back to 2nd century BC to 3rd century CE are known, later forms of toilets from 5th century CE to 13th century CE in Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura had elaborate decorative motifs carved around the toilets. Several types of toilets were developed; these include lavatories with ring-well pits, underground terracotta pipes that lead to septic pits, urinary pits with large bottomless clay pots of decreasing size placed one above the other. These pots under urinals contained "sand, lime and charcoal" through which urine filtered down to the earth in a somewhat purified form.

In Roman civilization, latrines using flowing water were sometimes part of public bath houses. Roman latrines, like the ones pictured here, are commonly thought to have been used in the sitting position. The Roman toilets were probably elevated to raise them above open sewers which were periodically "flushed" with flowing water, rather than elevated for sitting. Romans and Greeks also used chamber pots, which they brought to meals and drinking sessions. Johan J. Mattelaer said, "Plinius has described how there were large receptacles in the streets of cities such as Rome and Pompeii into which chamber pots of urine were emptied. The urine was then collected by fullers." (Fulling was a vital step in textile manufacture.)

Toilet Nouveau-Riche

Worthless Stamps

Today is "International Puffin Day" !

I've been collecting the stamps of Lundy Island since the age of seven.

 I hope to visit Lundy one day.

Happy "International Puffin Day" to all !

Happy Birthday George Gershwin !

b.September 26th 1898 - d.July 11th 1937

126 Years Old Today !

The Rhapsody Is Forever !

 "How Much Did You Get For Your Soul ?"

 Three Guesses & The First Two Are Wrong !

(hint; ShiceCup is peeking over his right shoulder)

Who was Henrietta Stiffi and who sent this letter to her from The Hague on August 24th 1936 at 10 in the morning ?

Nazi Germany increased the duration of compulsory military service from one year to two on that date. 

Henrietta Stiffi was at 131 North Tucker Street in Memphis Tennesse.

131 North Tucker was, at that time, the B'nai Brith home for the elderly, Today, it's known as Majestic Gardens at Memphis.

The Hague, or 's‑Gravenhage, is a city and municipality of the Netherlands, situated on the west coast facing the North Sea. The Hague is the country's administrative center and its seat of government, and while the official capital of the Netherlands is Amsterdam, The Hague has been described as the country's de facto capital. The Hague is also the capital of the province of South Holland, and the city hosts both the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

With a population of over half a million, it is the third-largest city in the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam. 

The advertising machine cancellation adorned with flowers and the The Hague circular date stamp of August 24th 1936 states, "Elke Bos Off Of Heidebrand Is Verlies Voor Stad En Land".

Translated:"Every Forest Or heath Fire Is A Loss For City And Country".

The stamps, 2.5 cent green Netheralands Scott #144, issued in 1924, and 10 cent dull violet Netherlands Scott 178 issued between 1926 and 1939, provide the postage rate to the United States.

There's no return address. Only Grand Hotel "Central" La Haye (Hollande) without the sender, perhaps to avoid the censors.

War was raging in Europe. Maybe the letter was from Ms.Stiffi's boyfriend having a "hard" time without her. If it was, he must have been very lonely in his Grand Hotel room all by himself.The letter is gone. Only the postmarked envelope remains along with the Dutch stamps.

Nazi Germany didn't invade the Netherlands until May 10th 1940. It was the start of five days of fighting with the Dutch Army.

Every now and then I'll discover a piece of mail that contains a tragic message.

Inscribed within this very sad postcard, the message states that on September 26th 1934 a close friend or beloved family member has died from malaria in Monroe, Louisiana. 

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other animals. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases, it can cause jaundice, seizures, coma, or death.

Addressed to Mrs.Mattie Mitchell in care of Mrs.Viola Watson of Simsboro, Louisiana and postmarked Spetember 27th 1934, the postcard, signed by Ruth, says:

Dear Mama,

I just want to let you know that Christina died last night at 8 o'clock. She died of malaria. It had dried up all of her blood and even the marrow in her bones. I feel so sorry for Ada. They are to have her funeral tomorrow. We both are well.

Lovingly

Ruth 

The World Health Organization estimates that in 2021 there were 247 million new cases of malaria resulting in 619,000 deaths. Children under 5 years old are the most affected, accounting for 67% of malaria deaths worldwide in 2019.

Malaria is presently endemic in a broad band around the equator, in areas of the Americas, many parts of Asia, and much of Africa; in Sub-Saharan Africa, 85–90% of malaria fatalities occur.

Malaria is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions because of rainfall, consistent high temperatures and high humidity, along with stagnant waters where mosquito larvae readily mature, providing them with the environment they need for continuous breeding.

Climate change is likely to affect malaria transmission, but the degree of effect and the areas affected is uncertain.

The summer is upon us in Memphis.

I was in the hospital for several days.

Numerous tests were conducted on my heart and digestive system to include multiple x-rays, computer aided tomography, electrocardiography and frequent monitoring by the attendant physicians and their  outstanding staff of medical professionals.

Thank you, Methodist Hospital Memphis, for saving my life.

God is good, and so are you.

The piano and corner where I practiced for several years at Rhodes College.

Do You ?

September 26th 1898 - July 11th 1937

Happy Birthday, George !

-David-

Goodbye Elizabeth.

I had fun at the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace.

The ravens loved me.

I know they loved you.

So do I.

God Save The Queen, The King, The United Kingdom,

The United States Of America & The World.

The Crown Will Never Fall.

-David-

These two rings are the most macabre, ghastly, grim, grisly, gruesome rings that you will ever see ! Two rings that are shockingly repellent and inspire horror ! Yet, at first glance, they are extraordinarily beautiful !

The His & Her matching CoronaVirus rings. Pearl, clear, ruby and emerald glass beads.

Because of their red, white and green stones could these rings have been created in Hungary, perhaps Budapest, the colors of the Hungarian flag ?

1 The CoronaVirus Rings

2 Side view of jewels supported by the White RNA & "N" Spike Glycoprotein (S) Strands

3 View Of The Spike Glycoprotein Looking Down At The Left Glycoprotein Cluster With Emerald Stones

4 View Of The His CoronaVirus Ring At The Top & Hers CoronaVirus Ring On The Bottom

5 Respective Sizes Of His & Her CoronaVirus Rings Jewel Clusters of Ruby, Diamond and Emerald

6 Views of the Spike Glycoprotein Rubies, M-Protein Emeralds & Hemagglutinin-Esterase Dimer Diamonds

7 Facing Spike Glycoprotein Rubies, M-Protein Emeralds With RNA & N Protein Supported Hemagglutinin-Esterase Dimer Diamonds

8 View Of The Ring Band & Spike Glycoprotein Rubies, M-Protein Emeralds With RNA & N Protein Supported Hemagglutinin-Esterase Dimer Diamonds

9 Opposite Side Cluster Spike Glycoprotein Rubies, M-Protein Emeralds With RNA & N Protein Supported Hemagglutinin-Esterase Dimer Diamonds

10 Spike Glycoprotein Rubies, M-Protein Emeralds With RNA & N Protein Supported Hemagglutinin-Esterase Dimer Diamonds Opposing View

11 Spike Glycoprotein Rubies, M-Protein Emeralds With RNA & N Protein Supported Hemagglutinin-Esterase Dimer Diamonds His & Her Side By Side

12 Macro Spike Glycoprotein Rubies, M-Protein Emeralds With RNA & N Protein Supported Hemagglutinin-Esterase Dimer Diamonds

13 Spike Glycoprotein Rubies, M-Protein Emeralds With RNA & N Protein Supported Hemagglutinin-Esterase Dimer Diamond Cluster

14 Another View

The Red, White & Green Flag of Hungary (the colors of the ring jewels)

And finally, the deadliest substance on Earth

I have discovered what may become the greatest find in philatelic history.

United States Scott Catalog© #1392 The American Buffalo stamp with a missing penis.

The American Buffalo was printed on a rotary press through an electric eye guided machine on plates of 200 subjects in four panes of 50.

Issued on July 20, 1970, my mother's 38th birthday and one year after the moon landing, the American Buffalo is a black and light brown stamp tagged with phosphorescent, fluorescent, luminescent ink and paper to facilitate mail handling.

The normal American Buffalo stamp is depicted here.

The American Buffalo stamp that I have discovered with the missing penis is shown here.

It's not for sale because it's one of my twisted pranks.
The moral is:
Don't get screwed by any crooked stamp dealer !
There are plenty of them out there.
Research the American Philatelic Society Disciplinary Action list of suspended and expelled members and dealers by clicking here !
Watch your back when buying stamps !

I love the Blue Angels.

When I die tell everyone that "David loved the Blue Angels".

Tell them while I'm living.

Practicing is one way to stay in shape at 69.

A couple of pics after a workout.

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Ukraine gained it's independence from Soviet Russia in 1991.

The "Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine" was adopted by the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR on August 24th 1991.

Items from my collection are provided  with addtional details.

Clicking each image will link to information about Russia and Ukraine.

This is the cover of a letter announcing the "Dynamo-Atlantic" treaty with Russia allowing air transport between our nations.

Translated:

The First Item Postmarked October 10th 1991:

Details Include:

Russia 1976 Scott Catalog #4520 brick red 4 kopek Coat of Arms and "CCCP"

Russia 1988 Scott Catalog #5726 red 5 kopek National Flag & Crest

Russia 1987 Scott Catalog #5593 multicolored 5 kopek V.I. Lenin with pencil painted by P.V. Vasilev

Circular Date Postmarked October 10th 1991 "Kiev SSR"

Second Item Postmarked October 10th 1991

Details Include:

Russia 1976 Scott Catalog #4520 brick red 4 kopek Coat of Arms and "CCCP"

Russia 1986 Scott Catalog #5467 multicolored 5 kopek "View of the Kremlin in Foul Weather" painted in 1851 by A.K. Savrasov

War Is Hell !

How about this classic stampless cover from my collection ?

This hide merchant is ready to see what Mr.Parrot has in store by this stampless letter written March 22nd, 1849 and canceled March 23rd, 1849 from Albany, New York.