A postcard from each corner of the World
Postcard: Details from a folding screen: Celebrating Kine Sunjone’s recovery from smallpox.
This folding screen was produced to commemorate a ceremony held to celebrate the recovery of Crown Prince from smallpox. It was commissioned in 1879 by the officials belonging to the palace security and emergency unit, who were responsible for patrolling the palace at nights for the protection of royalty. This piece of art is from National Museum of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
South Georgia Island, a remote British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic, was discovered in 1675 and claimed by Britain in 1775. It played a key role in early Antarctic exploration and the whaling industry. South Georgia is known for its massive penguin colonies, seals, glaciers, and as a haven for scientists, adventurers, and nature lovers. King Edward Point is a British research station located on South Georgia Island. It was established in 1909 and named after King Edward VII.
South Africa has an incredibly diverse and iconic range of fauna, thanks to its varied ecosystems, from savannas and deserts to mountains and coastlines. It is home to the famed “Big Five”: lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo, found in national parks like Kruger. The country also shelters cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, and hippos, as well as numerous antelope species.
The Solomon Islands, located in the South Pacific, is an archipelago of over 900 islands. Formerly a British protectorate, it gained independence in 1978. The islands are home to diverse Melanesian cultures, with over 70 languages spoken. The Mako Kailao dance from Tikopia, a small Polynesian island in the Solomon Islands, is a traditional warrior dance. Performed by men, the dance involves synchronized movements with wooden clubs or sticks, mimicking combat techniques and ancestral battles. It is accompanied by rhythmic chants and percussion.
On the postcard: Mako Kailao (War Dance) from Tikopia, Temotu Province.
Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, was originally a Roman settlement called Emona, founded over 2,000 years ago. Archaeological remains can still be seen around the city. Perched on a hill above the city is Ljubljana Castle of medieval origins (pictured on this card). The dragon is the symbol of Ljubljana — you’ll find dragon motifs all over the city—most famously on the iconic Dragon Bridge.
Michalovce, a town with roots dating back to the 13th century, is located in eastern Slovakia near the Zemplínska Šírava reservoir. It developed as a key trade and cultural center in the Zemplín region and was historically influenced by Hungarian and Austro-Hungarian rule. The town features the Baroque-style Zemplín Castle, now a regional museum showcasing archaeological and ethnographic collections. Michalovce is known for its vibrant folklore traditions, churches, and proximity to nature, especially the popular summer destination of Zemplínska Šírava.
Sint Maarten is the southern Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin. In 1648, the island was peacefully divided between the Dutch and French, making it the smallest landmass shared by two nations. Philipsburg, the capital, features colonial-era buildings and the historic Fort Amsterdam. The island is famed for Maho Beach, where planes fly just overhead, creating a unique spectacle (as seen on this postcard!).
Sint Eustatius, often called Statia, is a small Dutch Caribbean island. In the 18th century, it was a major trading hub, earning the nickname “The Golden Rock.” It made history in 1776 by being the first foreign entity to recognize American independence. The island’s capital, Oranjestad, features historic sites like Fort Oranje and preserved colonial architecture.
Singapore, a city-state in Southeast Asia, was founded as a British trading post in 1819. It became a key port in the British Empire. After Japanese occupation during World War II and brief merger with Malaysia, Singapore gained full independence in 1965.
Fun fact: chewing gum is (almost) illegal in Singapore! Importing or selling chewing gum is banned, except for therapeutic or dental use.
The Cotton Tree is a kapok tree that is a historic symbol of Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone. The Cotton Tree gained importance in 1792 when a group of formerly enslaved African Americans, who had gained their freedom by fighting for the British during the American Revolutionary War, settled the site of modern Freetown. These former Black Loyalist soldiers, resettled in Sierra Leone and founded Freetown on 11 March 1792. Their descendants form part of the Sierra Leone Creole ethnicity today.
Fun fact: Sierra Leone National Museum, located next to this landmark, had “Cotton Tree, Freetown” as its postal address!
On the night of May 24, 2023, much of Freetown’s Cotton Tree toppled over as heavy rain hit the city.
