Iranian stamps c. 1975; Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Shah of Iran.

South African stamp c. 1961-1963; Sekretarisvoel (Secretary Bird).

South African stamp and aerogram imprint c. 1972-1974; Baobab tree and jet airplane.

South African stamp c. 1973; Tockus flavirostris (Hornbill). Art by Ernst de Jong.

South African stamp c. 1972-1974; Groot Constantina.

South African stamp c. 1972-74; Protea Flower.

Today marks 70 years since the attack at Pearl Harbor and the start of the United States direct involvement in WWII.

So, here’s a picture my Grandpa took on the USS Arizona – sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor – in happier times during a line-crossing ceremony sometime in the mid to late 1930s.  Note those biplanes on in the top left of the photo.  Also, sitting somewhere on the big guns just under those biplanes is one Capt. Nimitz, later to be Admiral and Commander of the Pacific Fleet not long after the attack at Pearl Harbor.  You can see Nimitz up close, watching the chaos, in one of the other photos he took.

South African stamp c. 1969; Groot Schuur.  Commemorates the first heart transplant at the Groote Schuur hospital.

South African stamp c. 1969; South African Games.

South African stamp c. 1961-1963; Castle of Good Hope (Kasteel Kaapstad).