Stamps That Make You Go... Huh???

This thread is a real entertainment! The Hungarian 1933 on page 18, posted by Greaden and commented by jamesw - I roared with laughter as I remember how I stared at it when I first saw, then I had to get it (1p in lime green stamp I have).

Here is my Huh???

San Marino
19 October 1977 / design: B. Caruso



Issued on: World Rheumatism Year

My guess: there is an old saying in San Marino region "an octopus sticks on my back" or something similar to express your back pain, and a young girl was chosen for awarness about this illness to the younger generations. But still I suspect an influence from Hokusai's Shunga...

Anthropomorphic imagery of rheumatism and arthritis as an octopus goes back to at least WWI-era Europe.

This stamp belongs in this thread. I hope someone will explain what the hell is going on here, with the sinister inscription on a flying beard.

Air Post (Rhodes)

Symbolic of flight (Bird's Wing)

The silver Opt Surtax was for War Victims.
Sc# C81 1944 50c+2Lira Semi Postal.
CVc $12 / $4

Hi Tomoko,



Indeed, represents the restrictive mobility of those with Rheumatism

The term rheumatism is a loosely used layperson term to describe rheumatoid arthritis. The rheumatoid disorders include those affecting muscles, joints and bones. They are common and have a huge impact on the health of a vast population worldwide.

I had it once in a knuckle, in my hand. Terribly painful
A diet change fixed that.

Hi Rod,


That is good thing to know. What kind of change is that? More vegetable or much radical changes?

These stamps below are not Huh? category at all - quite opposite, but I would like to share - they are expressing different types and stages of pain in clean visuals, which others can relate and imagine. In other words, stamps are used as media for understanding others' pain - aren't they? Oh I don't want to carry the globe on me... Tell us, Rod - what should we eat?

Lesotho
1977 / World Rheumatism Year






My "Huh?" objection on the stamp design from San Marino is because of the choice of lady and she is naked - plus octopus is depicted vicious and slimy. Octopuses are intelligent and playful beings!

Thanks to Rod222 for explaining the enigmatic Rhodes stamp.

I still have trouble seeing the central image as a birdwing.

Be aware, that is only my interpretation.
Any other ideas welcomed.

It was the time of Art Nouveau, and the stamp designer of the time (B. Bramanti) shows a distorted lettering of other stamps of Rhodes
(The green looks like PODI instead of Rodi )

Your 5c stamp (not optd) with sideways watermark is very rare, scarce I believe.

Who knows, Tomoko.

I haven't had alcohol for 50 years, and being a cyclist, Coffee and cakes were the regime.
I stopped drinking coffee, tea, and eating bread.
Just drink water and Milo
Eat things I previously had a side dishes, lot of fruit n veg.

No science there, I am afraid, it just worked.

Side effects, occasional craving for toast, or iced Vovos

The coffee tea don't miss at all.

Oh, thank you so much for revealing your diet, Rod. And that is a radical and rigorous change.. I can't think of my everyday without beer, wine, tea and bread. I applause to your determination and continuation, and wishing you all the best. I hope someone makes sugarless and wheatless, yet tasty iced Vovos in the near future!

Following stamps are, again not in "Huh?" category, and showing changes of diet in the UK. I thought eating sushi was not that commonly spread then, but soon they are found in supermarkets and became a part of common diet. Amazing.

GB
23 August 2005 / Changing Tastes in Britain / design: Catell Ronca & Rose Design




Sorry, Nells250 for posting stamps not directly related to the title of thread... I hope you don't mind a bit of sideways...?

Wow, I have so many stamps that would fall in this category, but I'll start with this gem:




The stamp came as part of a lot, so at first I just considered it "that stamp from Mongolia with the two goats comparing what's in their pants behind a rock" and had a bit of a giggle every time I saw it.

Eventually, I found that it was part of a 1988 Fairy Tale Puppet set, representing a tale called "The Silly Young Goat" or something along those lines, which is a tale with some similarities to "The Boy Who Cried Wolf".

So what are Young Goat and Grandfather Goat actually doing behind the rock? Beats me: I have yet to find a complete story online and not gotten a chance to hit the library. But Young Goat is probably bowing his head in penitence rather than engaging in any funny business.

Have to confess, this one made me go "HUH???" when I first saw it on my mail!