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Halley's Comet featured on some foreign stamps by LARRYMCINNIS No philatelic writer seems inclined to miss writing something about the current visit of Halley's Comet. Although Canada has no plans to _ postally mark the comet's ap- pearance, I've come across some interesting tidbits about the mysterious comet, most of which were used as excuses for stamp issues. One such was a four- stamp and a souvenir 'sheet issue by the small South Pacific island of Aitutaki, one of the Cook islands. The stamps show a The story goes that Giotto was so awe- struck on seeing the comet in 1301 that he substituted it for the Star of Bethlehem in his paint. Indeed, he may have been Indeed, he may have been historically ac-. curate; there is a strong belief by. many scien- tists that the Star of Bethlehem in legend was Halley's Comet in fact. Halley's Comet is named for Edmund Halley (1656-1742), a famous English astronomer. At the age of 20, in 1676, he set up an ob- first catalogue of stars made with the use of a telescope. In 1682, he set up a private observatory at Islington, England. That was a year when the great mysterious comet again came near Earth. Halley con- ducted an exhaustive study of it and predicted it would again approach Earth in 1758. It did, and so became known as_ Halley's Comet. It also proved that the comet revolves around the sun. Famous U.S. writer Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens ) was fascinated with Halley's Comet because it was in ment of my life if I don't go out with Halley's Comet."' In a way he did. Clemens dies April 21, 1910. On May 19, 1910, Earth passed through the comet's tail, but the comet would be visible before that. The U.S. issued a 36- cent aerogramme in 1985 honoring Mark Twain and the comet. It pictures him and reproduces' the quotation I've given above. The comet will probably not be seen by many Canadians; it will be more prominent further south. It will be at its Many countries will be plotting the comet's passage by a variety of means, from aircraft and balloons to rickets. One will be a space capsule alunched by the European Space Agency. It is named, appropriately, "Giot- to.'"' Another is a Japanese capsule named 'Planet A." Both are shown on the Aitutaki stamps, one on each side of the Giotto painting. Many other issues are, or will be, even more dramatic, such as Ciskei. Ciskei is one of the '"thhomelands"' of the Republic of South Africa This year Ciskei will have a 10-stamp sheet giving a spectacular artist's rendition of Halley's Comet streaking past Earth on its way back to the sun. Many other countries have issued stamps about Halley and his comet. It would make a topical collection in itself. Halley's Comet will next come close to Earth in 2061. I can hardly wait. LETTERS Letter are invited. Please send enquiries to the writer at P.O.Box 40, Beauharnois, Quebec, J6N 3C1. (formerly of Bellini's) 'extends a warm welcome to her 'former customers. -- 20 AT eT eee beautiful reproduction sight when he was born. : : and is not politically or Call for a ointment ere Pe iehre pesvatars on St. Helena 3 came in with brightest during March philatelically _ recogn- fetegeneed "Adoration of the Magi' Atv ties age. ne) in Halley's Comet in 1835," ae Ba 2 Sythe ized elsewhere. by Giotto do Bondone je76 he set ap:_an: ob: he wrote in 1909. "'It is igen in the er However, the MIDLAND SP OIREURE: (1266-1337). itpape ts Seacalies on St. Helena Coming again next year, an hour = alana a homelands Ciskei, 542 Elizabeth St Midland believed to be the = ts. South Atlantic and I expect to go out ese ite a Venda, Transkei and Ta = St. world's first painting to ek feacar Mic with it. It will be the Wl! be tow on the Bophuthatswana issue |beftyveen 7st & 2nd on Flizabe show the comet. WEE. Fes greatest disappoint- horizon. stamps. Vasey visitors by ELEANOR EDWARDS CAROL GRAHAM Janet Wilson and her fiance, Wyston Kinsey of Toronto are spending a few days with Mr. and Mrs. Vic Wilson. The Vasey U.C.W. ladies held a_ very successful craft session at the home of Mrs. Mary Wilson. The next session will be on March DOOR CRASHER SPECIALS SMOOTH GLIDE CHAIR MODERN TABLES 4 ee LIVING feel Soe » . i az baa f Fy Includes sofa, Chale loveseat & ottoman. 100% Herculon fabric. Limited quantities. Limited quantities. One per customer. No dealers please. Glass and brass finish, limited quantities. FURNCO FURNITURE WEINVITE YOU TOCOME INTO 20 at 10 a.m. WAREHOUSE IS PROU OUR NEW STORE TO TAKE Mrs. Madeline TOANNOUNCE WE AR ADVANTAGE OF OUR MANY Bava qs presi see NOW OPEN TO SERVE SUPER OPENING SPECIALS OR Whetham of Orr Lake ~~OU. TO JUST BROWSE have returned after spending the past two weeks visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Gratrix, Jennifer and Brian of Saskatoon. Sunday visitors with 39" set for twin beds Mrs. Marth Edwards were Mr. and Mrs. " Richard Soloniko and 54" set Tyler of Burlington. for regular beds Sean Leopard of " Toronto spent a few 60" set ? $ days this past week with for queen size High back sofa and chair his grandmother Mrs. beds in 100° j j Katie Bannon. 00% acrylic fabric Mr. and Mrs. Roy Edwards and Mr. Orval Edwards attended the funeral on Friday in: Stayner of their uncle, Mr. Lorne Wyant. The Vasey Youth Group were in Orillia on Saturday evening to hear Ace Clark tell the story of his life, and how he changed from being a member of the Wild Ones to the very dif- ferent life he leads today. Made in Midland at our own manufacturing plant. Excellent value Includes triple dresser, wing mirror, chest of drawers, Table and 4 high back book case, headboard chairs in rust or grey Mrs. Olive Edwards visited on Saturday with Mr. and Mrs. Neil Edwards of Wasaga Beach. Credit Many scratched HOURS: Leslie Stewart of terms available " Toronto is spending a or or dented and c=: ee 6 ays wi er . y =~ father, Mr. Alvah Cash and Carry one of a kind me Sat. -- 10- 5:30 tewart. ; specials on selected items Mr. and Mrs. Harold Graham attended a retirement banquet and dance at the United Steelworkers Hall in Orillia on Saturday evening for Mr. Ed Biaurig-t Union representative for this area. "577 Bay St., "Midland TeaAar. Maagh 11, 1986, Page 5