#509 Brazil...Thanks Celso!

The RS 1.10 stamp on the top was issued in June,2010 for the Religious Architecture & Celebrations series showing Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and Saint Benedict - Cuiaba/State of Mato Grosso.

The stamp depicts, at the center, the facade of the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and St. Benedict, one of the historical landmarks of Cuiabá, capital of the State of Mato Grosso. Built originally in mud in the mid-eighteenth century, it is characterized by the simplicity of its architectural lines. On the left, the image of Our Lady of the Rosary, and on the right, Saint Benedict, a Saint of great devotion among the people of Mato Grosso. Above the image of the Church, pilgrims and flags represent the Feast of St. Benedict, one of the most popular feasts of the Brazilian Mid-West region, against a background in the colors of the state's flag. Vector drawing and computer graphics techniques were used.

The RS 1.45 stamp below was issued in March,2010 for the Mercosur - Culture of Peace Decade paying tribute to Zilda Arns Neumann.

At the forefront, on the right-hand side, the stamp shows a picture of Dr. Zilda Arns, a pediatrics and public health physician, Children's Pastoral mentor, with the unmistakable smile that always characterized her. The drawing of a heart in the background represents the love, dedication and care that would become a trademark of her social work and ensure her the admiration of all Brazilians. Overlapping that picture are the logos of the Children's Pastoral and Mercosur. On the bottom left-hand corner one can see the silhouettes of ordinary people paying tribute to the late physician.