0064. Dominican Republic - Columbus Lighthouse (Stamp and Cover)

The Columbus Lighthouse (Spanish : Faro a Colon) built in 1992 is located in Santo Domingo, the capital of Dominican Republic.  It's a monumental 203.5 m Lighthouse built as a memorial to Columbus.  The huge building is shaped like a cross, its wings stepped back with increasing height like a Pyramid.

There is no navigational beacon in the usual sense.  The most outstanding and unique feature is the lighting system composed of 149 searchlights and a 70 kilowatt beam that circles out for nearly 44 miles.  When illuminated, the lights project a gigantic cross in the sky that can be seen as far away as Puerto Rico.

The monumental Lighthouse was inaugurated on October 6,1992, the day Columbus's "remains" were transferred from the cathedral.

Dominican Republic commemorated the Columbus Lighthouse (Faro a Colon) with the release of $10 Stamp and Cover.

0063. France - Ault Lighthouse Picture Cancellation

The picture cancellation depicts the Ault Lighthouse in France's Northern Coast.

This Lighthouse station was established in 1885.  But, inactive from 1940 to 1951.

The Lighthouse was located on the Boulevard du Phare in the Ault village about 16 km North of Eu.  The Ault village is one of the famous Tourist place in France having lot many cliffs overlooking the English Channel.

Established in 1885, the Ault Lighthouse:

• Tower is ROUND
• Tower has a Lantern and triple gallery
• Lower 2/3 of the Tower is WHITE reinforced concrete
• Upper portion of the Tower is RED brick
• Lantern and upper Gallery painted RED
• Height is 28 metres
• Colour scheme of the LIGHT is WHITE or RED
• LIGHT character is OCCULTING 3 (three) times every 12 seconds

0062. Spain - Torre de Hercules (Tower of Hercules) Lighthouse Picture Cancellation

The picture cancellation and the cover released by Espana (Spain) depicts the Tower of Hercules Lighthouse.

This Lighthouse is the World's Oldest active Lighthouse and also one of the most famous and historic Lighthouse.  From the inscription(s), it is learnt that the Lighthouse may be founded during the rule of the Emperor Trajan.

During the Dark ages, the Lighthouse was abandoned after the fall of Rome.  But, during 13th century, when Coruna became an important port, the Lighthouse was put back in service.  In 1785, the Lighthouse was completely restored by Carlos III.  The height of the Lighthouse was extended with an Octagonal second stage.

The Lighthouse is the symbol of Coruna and most visited in Galicia.  It is called the Tower of Hercules because of an old legend that Hercules himself built the Lighthouse.  

In June 2009, the Tower was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Lighthouse is located in the Parque de la Torre at the Northern end of the peninsula, nearly surrounded by water and with a sweeping view of the open Atlantic Ocean.

Built in an unknown period (probably in the early 2nd century AD), the Tower of Hercules Lighthouse:

• Tower is SQUARE CYLINDRICAL stone
• Tower has extended OCTAGONAL second stage
• Tower unpainted DARK GREY stone
• Lantern painted BLACK
• Height is 49 metres
• Colour scheme of the LIGHT is WHITE
• LIGHT character is 4 (four) FLASHES every 20 seconds

0061. Germany - Hornum Sylt Lighthouse Picture Cancellation

The picture cancellation released by Germany depicts the Hornum Sylt Lighthouse.

Sylt is a barrier island facing due west on the North Sea.  The island has been connected to the mainland by a causeway.  The causeway carries a rail line, which is popular way to reach the island's many beach resorts.

The Lighthouse is located atop a dune on the South-East side of the Sylt in the village of Hornum.  It's a beautiful and popular lighthouse, sibling of the Pellworm and Westerhever Lighthouse(s).  

Built in the year 1907, the Hornum Sylt Lighthouse:

• Tower is ROUND cast-iron
• Tower mounted on 1-story concrete base
• Tower painted RED with one WHITE horizontal band
• Tower has Lantern and double gallery
• Lantern and Galleries painted BLACK
• Height is 34 metres
• Colour scheme of the LIGHT is WHITE
• LIGHT character is 2 (two) FLASHES separated by 2.6 seconds every 9 seconds

0060. Lithuania - Pervalka Lighthouse

Pervalka Lighthouse (also known as Lighthouse of Horses) is located on a small artificial island just off the Cape Zirgu Ragas on the North side of the Pervalka town.  The Pervalka town is on the east side of the Curonian Spit facing the Curonian Sound.

The Lighthouse marks the convergence of three channels - Klaipeda to North, Nida to South-West and Ventes Ragas to South-East.  The Lighthouse is accessible only by boat.

Lithuania Post  commemorated  the  Pervalka  Lighthouse  by   the  release  of 1 Litas stamp on 15-Mar-2003.

Built in the year 1948, the Pervalka Lighthouse:

• Tower is ROUND cast iron
• Tower is painted RED
• Lantern is painted WHITE
• Height is 14 metres
• Colour scheme of the LIGHT is WHITE

0059. New Zealand - Cape Egmont Lighthouse (Government Life Insurance Office)

In New Zealand, over the years the stamps were limited to the pre-payment of postage on correspondence posted by the Government Life Insurance Office for delivery within the country.  But, on 27-Mar-1969, this condition was relaxed and the stamps could be used on mail to both inland and overseas addresses. 

1969, marked the centenary of the founding of the Government Life Insurance Office and a new series of stamps was issued to mark this occasion.  Lighthouses, the symbol of the New Zealand Government Life Insurance Department, were again the subject depicted on the stamps.

Cape Egmont Lighthouse was commemorated in the 1969 series of New Zealand Government Life Insurance Office 4c stamp released on 27-Mar-1969. 

The change in the name of the business from "Government Life Insurance Department" to "Government Life Insurance Office" was also marked from the 1969 stamp series.

0058. USA - Admiralty Head Lighthouse (US Coast Guard LH Series-1990)

Admiralty Head Lighthouse was located on the Western edge of Whidbey Island.  The first Admiralty Lighthouse (known as Red Bluff Lighthouse) was built on the headland during 1860.  The Lighthouse had a 2-story wooden structure and the lantern room contained a 4th order Fresnel lens.

The Lighthouse guides ships bound from Pacific to Seattle which pass along the San Juan de Fuca strait.  The Admiralty Lighthouse defines the entrance to Admiralty Inlet from the strait on the east. The Lighthouse is placed at the right place to guide shipping.

The present day Lighthouse was built in a Spanish style and included a 2-story keeper's house.  The Lighthouse was extinguished in 1922, as the modern vessels powered by steam hug the western side of the inlet.  The lantern was removed and placed on the New Dungeness Lighthouse.

USPS commemorated the Admiralty Head Lighthouse (State of Washington - US Western Coast) by the release of  25c stamp on 26-Apr-1990 in its Lighthouse Stamp Series-1990.

The 1990 Lighthouse Stamp series is to commemorate the US Coast Guard Bicentennial and US Lighthouse Service and also the series represented one Lighthouse from each of the main coastal regions in the United States.

Built in the year 1903, the Admiralty Head Lighthouse:

• Tower is ROUND stucco-clad brick
• Tower is painted WHITE
• Tower attached to 2-story California Spanish style stucco keeper's house
• Lantern and trim painted BLACK
• Keeper's house roof is painted RED
• Height is 9 metres
• Original lantern and 4th order Fresnel lens moved to New Dungeness Lighthouse

0057. New Zealand - Government Life Insurance Office

New Zealand Government Life Insurance Department in 1890 was allowed to use a distinctive stamp of its own.  This made the office unique in-so-far as no other Life Insurance Institution in the World enjoyed such a privilege. 

Over the years the stamps were limited to the prepayment of postage on correspondence posted by the Government Life Insurance office for delivery within New Zealand but on 27 March 1969 this condition was relaxed and the stamps could be used on mail to both inland and overseas addresses. 

1969 marked the centenary of the founding of the Government Life Insurance Office and a new series of stamps was issued to mark this occasion. Lighthouses, the symbol of the New Zealand Government Life Insurance Department, were the subject depicted in the stamps.

The 1981 series of Government Life Insurance Stamp Issue was released on 3-Jun-1981 with different denomination and colours:

5c - Pastel blue, light blue and mauve

10c - Light grey, light blue and red
20c - Cerise, yellow and brown
30c - Pastel brown, light blue and military grey
40c - Orange, yellow and dark grey
50c - Pastel green, light green and brown

0056. Latvia - Kolka Lighthouse

Kolka Lighthouse guides ships around the Kolkasrags (Cape Kolka), at the eastern entrance to the Irbe Strait from the Gulf of Riga.  The Lighthouse is located on a small artificial island 6 km North-East of the Cape.  The Lighthouse is accessible only by boat.  

Latvia Post commemorated the Kolka Lighthouse by the release of  60 (S) postage stamp on 17-May-2003 (1st of a series of stamps featuring Latvian Lighthouses)

Built in the year 1884, the Kolka Lighthouse:

• Tower is ROUND stone
• Tower is painted RED
• Tower has double gallery
• Lantern doom is BLACK
• An Octogonal seawall encloses the Keeper's house
• Height is 21 metres
• Colour scheme of the LIGHT is WHITE
• LIGHT character is 2 (two) FLASHES every 10 seconds

0055. Croatia - Porer Lighthouse

Croatia, a Central European country, has many islands, rockey isles and crags in the Adriatic Sea.  This demanded exceptional navigational skills.  There were about twenty night lighthouses along the coast of Croatia.  These lighthouses are referred to Adriatic Lighthouses.

Porer Lighthouse is located on a tiny scrap of land in the Northern Croatia, marking the southern tip of Istrian Peninsula.   The lighthouse is accessible only by boat.  Boat transportation is made available only in the morning;  landing at the lighthouse is difficult in the evening due to the west winds.   The lighthouse is 2.5 kms South-West of Rt.Kamenjak.

Croatian Post commemorated the Porer Lighthouse by the release of  5 kn (Croatian currency kuna) postage stamp on 14-Sep-2007.

Built in the year 1833, the Porer Lighthouse:

• Tower is ROUND CYLINDRICAL masonry
• Tower is built on Keeper's house
• Tower is un-painted cream coloured stone
• Lattern is GREY METALLIC roof
• Height is 31 metres
• Colour scheme of the LIGHT is WHITE
• LIGHT character is 3 (three) FLASHES every 15 seconds

0054. Germany - Dornbusch Lighthouse

Dornbusch Lighthouse is located in the Hiddensee, a barrier island on the west side of Rügen and accessible by ferry from Stralsund.  Dornbusch Lighthouse is built on a Beacon Hill; the hill covered with thorn bushes, for which the light is named. 

The tower of the Lighthouse was originally round.  In 1927, the Lighthouse was strengthened by building the present 12-sided outer wall.

Germany commemorated the Dornbusch Lighthouse by the release of :

1. 25 Pf - Pfennig stamp on 13-May-1975 and
2. 55 Euro Cent stamp on 2-Jul-2009

Built in the year 1888, the Dornbusch Lighthouse:

• Tower is originally ROUND masonry; strengthened by the present 12-sided outer wall
• Tower is painted WHITE
• Lattern roof painted RED
• Height is 28 metres
• Colour scheme of the LIGHT is WHITE
• LIGHT character is 2.4 seconds ON ; 7.6 seconds OFF