Happy New Year !
Shimla January 2009 Issue No. 13
Monthly e-Stamp Bulletin Edited by Jeevan Jyoti for free circulation among philatelists
Readers are requested to send reports of philatelic activities in their area for publication. Short write ups by the readers about their journals, societies, publications and philatelic requirements can be sent for inclusion in this bulletin to j.jyoti9@gmail.com or rainbowstamp2008@gmail.com and by post to –
Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, Director, Great Himalayan National Park, Shamshi, Distt. Kullu. PIN 175126. (H.P.) India
Note- This bulletin is only for circulation among a limited group of philatelists without any commercial purpose. The bulletin will be sent to the readers only on request. Those who wish to receive it regularly please reply giving the name of your city/country with the subject SUBSCRIBE RAINBOW
Dear Philatelists,
This is to wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. With the end of 2008 we have seen 79 stamps, 16 beautiful Miniature sheets and 18 sheetlets issued by India Post in 2008 and the last day of the year ended with 6 new issues on Personalities. Some hit issues of 2008 were Madhubala, Aldabra Giant Tortoise, Shirdi Sai Baba, Olympic Games & Festivals of India. We hope to see some more beautiful stamps and miniature sheets in 2009. The year 2009 has been declared as EUROPA Year of Astronomy . Many stamps on this theme will be issued by European Countries. I am also pleased to write that Rainbow Stamp News has completed a year with 12 issues in 2008 and now it enters the second year of publication. I just want to thank all of you for your overwhelming response and love for Rainbow Stamp News and Rainbow Stamp Club. It is my pleasure that some of our senior philatelists and editors of reputed philatelic journals contributed valuable articles to RSN. My sincere thanks to all of them and special thanks to Dr. Satyendra Kumar Agrawal of Varanasi who is contributing articles regularly on a variety of subjects. His writings have given a new meaning to Thematic Philately which is the hot favourite branch of philatelists these days. In this New Year, a special article by Dr. Agrawal ‘Way to Gold’ which is concerned with the technical aspect of Thematic Philately and it will be very helpful to clear the doubts of many who are in the race of winning a Gold in Thematics category. This is all for this issue ….. Till Next Month …Happy Collecting… &…A very Happy New Year ….!
….Jeevan Jyoti
Contents
§ Recent Indian Issues
§ In The News
§ Beginners’ Section
§ Specialized Section
§ New Issues from Other Countries
§ The Lighter Side
§ Blogs & Websites on Philately
§ Editor’s Mail Box
§ Promotional Section
§ Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters
Recent Indian Issues
· December 1 : 3 Definitive issues on Pt. Jawarhar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi & Rajiv Gandhi – Rs 0.25, Rs.5, Rs.5
· Dec 02: Evershed Effect- Rs 5
· Dec 04 : Indian Navy: Reaching Out to Maritime Neighbors Rs 5
· Dec 08 : Merry Christmas –Rs 5 & Rs. 20
· Dec 08 : Dr. L.M. Singhvi – Rs. 5
· Dec 10: Universal Declaration of Human Rights – Rs 5
· Dec 14: Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore – Rs 20 & Rs 5 + M/s
· Dec 15: Swami Ranganathananda - Rs 5
· Dec 16: Field Marshal Manekshaw –Rs 5
· Dec 21 : V Ramasubbaiyer, - Rs 5
Dec 22: Brahmos – Rs 5, Rs 20 + M/s
Dec 31 : 6 issues – Rs 5 each on personalities
1. Udumalai Narayana Kavi,
2. Sheik Thambi Pavalar,
3. A.T.Paneerselvam,
4. M. Bhakthavatsalam,
5. Rani Velu Nachchiyar
6.Thillaiyadi Valliammai.
Issues scheduled for January 2009
Indian Institute of science
The Indian Institute of Science was conceived as a 'Research Institute' or 'University of Research' by Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, in the twilight years of the 19th century. The Institute began with only two departments: General and Applied Chemistry and Electro-Technology. The first Director, Morris W Travers began the task of organizing the Institute shortly after his arrival in India at the end of 1906. Travers began the construction of the main building, which is one of Bangalore's landmarks today. The Departments of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry together with the Library were among the earliest to be established. The Physics department came into being in 1933, when C.V. Raman became the first Indian Director of the Institute. In the century that has passed since its inception, IISc has grown to become India's premier centre for research and postgraduate education in science and engineering. The evolution of the Institute over the past one hundred years has mirrored the development of science and technology in India. A long history, a strong tradition of academic research and an ambience that favours scholarly activity have been important elements in making the Institute a most attractive place for students and faculty.
Brahmos
Brahmos is a supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land. The acronym BrahMos is perceived as the confluence of the two nations represented by two great rivers, the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia. The calmness and serenity of Moskova River and the power and speed of Brahmaputra depict the main characteristics of “BRAHMOS Supersonic Cruise Missile. It is a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organization and Russia's NPO Mashinostroeyenia who have together formed the BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited. Propulsion is based on the Russian Yakhont missile, and guidance has been developed by BrahMos Corp. At speeds of Mach 2.5 to 2.8, it is the world's fastest cruise missile and is about three and a half times faster than the U.S.A's subsonic Harpoon cruise missile. BrahMos is regarded as the fastest cruise.
New Postal Stationery
New Meghdoot Post cards 25 P
Child Help Line, Hindi
Education for all,
Homi Bhabha
Inland Letter Card, Disaster Management advertisement in Tamil
With Message "Philately: King of Hobbies Collect India Postage Stamps Contact nearest Philatelic Bureau, SPP
Post Card – 50P
Mahatma Gandhi
Envelope – Rs 5
Sardar Patel
Aerogramme –Rs 15
Mother Teresa
Registered Envelope – Rs 22.50
Jawaharlal Nehru
Special Cover – Postmark
Nov 23: Lucknow, Newal Kishore Press 150th Anniversary
Nov 26: New Delhi, Indian Mountaineering Foundation Golden Jubilee
Dec 01: Dehradun, World AIDS Day
CHRISTMAS CARDS
India Post issued 2 cards depicting Christmas issue. The cards are priced at Rs 10 each without stamp.
10th Definitive Series - Private Cover for First Day of Issue cancellation
India post has issued the first three stamps of new definitive series- "BUILDERS OF MODERN INDIA" the 10th Definitive series, three stamps are on Nehru denomination 25P, Indira Gandhi, denomination 500P and Rajiv Gandhi, denomination 500P. All three personalities are Political leaders.10th definitive series released on 01 Dec 2008, but no special cover as well as cancellation providing by India Post on First Day of Issue. Very Few Philatelists obtained date stamp cancellation from New Delhi & Mumbai G.P.O.A private Cover prepared by Mr. H.K.Jain of Mandla (M.P.) for obtaining First Day of Issue Cancellation for newly issued Definitive series stamps. E –Mail - hemantkumar.jn@gmail.com
CHRISTMAS PACK
Special Covers from Army Postal Services
Nov 01: 325 Light Air Defence Regiment Silver JubileeNov 06: The Sikh Regiment 12th Postwar ReunionNov 07: Brigade of the Guards 9th Reunion & 21st Biennial ConferenceNov 07: 146 Light Air Defence Regiment Silver JubileeNov 12: 59 Squadron, Presentation of StandardNov 12: Air Force Technical College, Presentation of StandardNov 18: 13 Battalion Kumaon Regiment Diamond JubileeNov 25: The Rajputana Rifles 14th ReunionNov 30: 3rd and 9th Gorkha Rifles 7th Reunion
In The News
Special prepaid envelope - Louis Braille
Braille
Louise Braille, who was born on 4 January 1809, invented the Braille system of writing before he had reached the age of 20 – a system that uses a combination of six raised dots to make letters, words and numbers. While it was well received at a World Exhibition in Germany in 1851, it was not widely used until 1918.Now used worldwide, the Braille writing system is extremely significant as a means of educating blind and low-vision communities. The number of blind people in Australia is predicted to double to 600,000 by 2015.Recent stamp exhibition & Stamp Festival
8th National festival of Dance & Music & UNICULTUREPEX-2008
Gujarat Philatelists' Association is going to organize one of the biggest festival of stamps in Ahmedabad from Jan 30-Feb 1, 2009 at Srimati Sushilaben Ratilal Hall, opposite Choice Restaurant, C G Road, near Swastik Crossroads, Ahmedabad 380009. Philatelists from different states are expected to attend this festival.
Dealers Booth: Ground Floor Rs 7000, First Floor Rs 4000, inclusive of lunch and tea for 2 persons for 3 days Contact: Anil Choksi, Treasurer GPA, 0 99257 03513 or 079 2656 4923
2009 Stamp Issue Programme by Royal Mail
Iconic British designs such as the red telephone box and the London Underground map are to feature on a new set of postage stamps to be released in the New Year. The set of 10 stamps, featuring classic designs from the 20th century, will go on sale from January 13. The mini skirt, the Mini car and the Concorde aeroplane will also feature.
Later in the year, the Royal Mail will depart from the traditional rectangular stamp shape for a set of jigsaw-piece-shaped stamps marking the bicentenary of the birth of naturalist Charles Darwin, and the 150th anniversary of his seminal work "On the Origin of Species." Further stamp sets planned for 2009 include pioneers of the Industrial Revolution to be released in March, the House of Tudor in June, post boxes in August and eminent Britons in October.
Olympic History – Helsinki 1952
On 13 November 2006 the shared intention of the Hungarian Olympic Committee and Magyar Posta (Hungary Post) to celebrate the medal-winners of the summer Olympics held fifty years beforehand became reality through the issue of a stamp block, which at the same time fulfilled the hopes of collectors. The theme "Olympic History" is expanded every two years and in 2008 pays tribute to the medal winners of the Helsinki Olympics. The stamp block's release on 26 October 2008 was the result of co-operation with the HOC. The photographs for the graphic design were provided by the Archives of the Hungarian Museum of Sport.
The design of the stamp of the numbered block shows a portrait of Ferenc Puskás framed by the Hungarian sportsmen and women who won a gold medal at the Helsinki Olympics. The composition is completed by the five Olympic rings. A special feature of the commemorative stamp block is that the names and disciplines of the gold, silver and bronze medalists on the frame are visible under UV light. The numbering in the top right corner also fluoresces in UV light. The first day cover is decorated by the names of the medal winners and the postmark features a stylized drawing of the stadium to symbolize the 16 gold medals.
M.C.C. and Cricket Association of Bengal put a joint stamp on history
In association with the Cricket Association of Bengal the M.C.C. will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of England’s first Test match in India on January 5th 2009. It will issue 1000 commemorative envelopes bearing a unique stamp and postmark. Each specially designed envelope features the scorecard and match day images from 1934. Inside will be a replica of the scorecard for the four-day match that took place in January 1934 between England led by Douglas Jardine and India led by CK Nayadu.
The M.C.C. is the world’s oldest cricket club and “Keeper of the Laws”. Its base at Lord’s Cricket Ground, St John’s Wood, London being revered worldwide as “The home of cricket”. The Cricket Association of Bengal has its base at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, home to India’s oldest cricket club. Also the venue where the greatest number of Test matches in India has been played. Jardine and Nayadu feature on the limited edition stamp that will be cancelled with an MCC postmark on 5th January, the day the match started.
Hamilton to feature on British commemorative stamp?
The Royal Mail is considering paying tribute to Lewis Hamilton by featuring the Formula One World Champion on a set of commemorative stamps. Reports indicate the stamps are to be released in the New Year and will serve as an accolade for the youngest-ever F1 champion. The move is slightly unusual as the Royal Mail has already released its 2009 stamp schedule and holds a policy of not featuring living non-royalty on stamps unless they are part of a larger group. England’s Ashes-winning cricketers were featured on the stamps and since then only a couple of living actors were featured including, Dora Bryan and Christopher Lee.
Stamps by Isle of Man celebrate Lewis Hamilton's F1 success
The Isle of Man Post Office is to issue stamps to mark Lewis Hamilton's F1 world championship win. Given the Island's motorsport connections, it was decided the star was an appropriate subject for the set of six commemorative stamps. The stamp collection is entitled Lewis Hamilton – Formula One World Champion and includes a first day cover, presentation pack and special sheet folder. The packs will be issued on January 15.
Fauzy stamps launched in Malaysia
A1 Team Malaysia's driver Fairuz Fauzy is featured on a special stamp issued to commemorate the Malaysian driver's first victory in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, which was launched at the team's home round of the A1GP Series at the Sepang circuit.This souvenir stamp is supplied with a special envelope which depicts the A1 Team Malaysia car and Fauzy celebrating his maiden A1GP victory at the opening round of this season in Zandvoort, Netherlands
Stamps on Favourite Australian Films
The Castle takes a humorous look at an Aussie battler’s attachment to his suburban family home and his triumph over powerful corporate interests. This is the Kerrigan family’s story of their battle with the airport to keep their beloved house. The Castle is a Working Dog production and the cast included Michael Caton, Anne Tenney, Stephen Curry, Sophie Lee, Eric Bana and Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell.
In 1997 The Castle won ‘Best Original Screenplay’ at the AFI Awards and the ‘Australian Movie of the Year’ at the Australian Box Office Achievement Awards (1998). It received another 11 nominations at various Award events around the world.
Beginners’ section
On the Blogosphere
How Can You Find a Stamp Collecting Club Around your Area?
You don’t necessarily have to become a member of a stamp collecting club that’s within your area – again, with the help of technology, you can participate in a stamp collecting club miles away from where you live. These days, stamp collecting clubs have their own sites on the internet, where you can get information and news about the stamp collecting world.
But if you prefer participating in a club where you actually interact and socialize with fellow collectors, it would be very helpful in organizing you own collection. It also would not be a bad idea to perhaps start your own stamp collecting club within your community. You can research over the internet about the beginnings of already existing stamp collecting clubs and start your club the way you did.
Internet is a boon to us which keeps us connected with people around the world and moreover it has provided a big platform for stamp lovers to interact and exchange items with each other. Eventually, if your stamp collecting club or Blog turns out to be a success, you might want to consider affiliating with major stamp collecting organizations.
Thematic Philately is the most favorite class of philatelists these days as the number of exhibitors exhibiting their collections in different philatelic exhibitions organized at State, National and International level in this class is quite big. Thematic Philately presents a philatelic collection in a variety of ways, narrating different subjects in most beautiful manner through various types of philatelic items. It involves collector’s deep research about the chosen theme and hunting of philatelic items related to the subject and often it takes many years to prepare a good thematic collection. As the number of participants has considerably increased in this class, the competition has become quite tough and to win a Gold medal in Thematic Class is not a child’s play. Dr. Styendra Kumar Agrawal needs no introduction to the field of Thematic Philately as he has distinguished himself in this field through his magnificent exhibits which has been internationally recognized and awarded. His name is synonymous with the Roses. His exhibit “Roses” earned the honor of receiving many prestigious awards at National and International levels including Gold. Now besides a renowned philatelist he is also known for his comprehensive articles on various subjects of Thematic Philately. His article ‘Way to Gold’ will prove to be a guideline for all those who love Thematic Philately. As it reveals many finer points of this branch about which a common philatelist is not aware. It will enable them to prepare their collection in the most organized and technically correct way on international standards and achieve success at national and international exhibitions. – Editor
1. An Ideal Thematic Collection
The theme chosen should be of personal interest and give pleasure. The personal research makes even a common theme original. The exhibitor tells his story in such a fascinating and logical manner, that the viewer remains captivated until the end, not the least because of the unexpected features which are present. Every item is placed in exactly the right place and the relationship of various items to the theme, not at all obvious at first, becomes clear in this type of collection. There is a great variety of material according to nature, era and origin. They are also of good quality and are not limited to every day items which are easily obtainable.
2. Preparation
2.1 Title:
Since the title is the very first introduction to the collection, it should be eye catching.
2.2 Plan:
In a thematic collection an appropriate, well organized, plan must show a clear picture of the theme. It must be completely consistent with the chosen title. Do not include anything that is not in your exhibit, and vice versa. There should be no gaps and no padding. The division into parts should be balanced- not one chapter of 30 pages and another of 3 only. Do not include incongruous or superfluous chapters usually at the end of the plan just to fit in all the available materials. Often they make no contribution to the development of the theme.
2.3 Composition:
Though only 5 points are allotted for presentation but remember that the first impression of your collection which directly or indirectly affects the further judging points is its eye catching composition and display of materials –Page wise, individual Frame wise and as a Whole Collection. Hence every page should have a new look and it applies to individual frames also.
A good beginning for a thematic collection could be a page which shows the plan right below the title and filling the remaining portion of this page with good philatelic item preferably such an item should refer to the theme as a whole and not just a small part of it.
Do not use three pages if you can say it in two. Dilution of your exhibit with superfluous materials downgrades. Concentrated 5 frames entry yields better result than diluted 8 frames.
Each item should be placed with care where it is shown to its best advantage.
The text should link the thematic element in order to tell the story in a fluent and consistent way; anyway the story should result out of the material and not out of unnecessary text.
A philatelic description is only necessary when a specific characteristic of the item is not easily recognizable. Boosting definitions in the style of auction catalogues are neither adequate, nor acceptable.
Be sure to have a copy-reader check the text in your exhibit. Spend more time correcting some of the grammatical and spelling errors in the exhibit.
Japan Postal Saving Card
2.4 Selection of Materials:
French Booklet
Unlike other categories, thematic philately enables the collector to utilize all the philatelic elements which are available. Use as much as possible spreading throughout the collection without any regard to country of origin or date of issue. This not only applies to postage stamps but to all types of philatelic materials which should have world wide origins also.
German Letter sheetThe relevant rarity or other unusual characteristics of proofs, essays, varieties and similar items, can increase the philatelic importance of the exhibit.
Advertising collarSpread in time. Use materials from all eras. From the earliest postal history item to the most up to date stamps and postmarks.
With two covers on a page, give preference to put darker one at the bottom for better visuality.
If illustration on a stamp is side faced always put right facing on left hand and left facing on right hand side of the page to keep the action happens towards the centre not off the sheet as man always looks left to right.
Postmark or metermark with 0.00 franking are printing by request for which no charge has to be paid to the Post Office, should be avoided.
Items with postmarks from before 1920 are almost always worth showing in their entirety.
Second postmark on a blank of the cover, proof is given that item has not been through the post should be windowed.
Postal stationeries with punch holes when it has been filed have no place in a good collection.
An empty booklet is not a philatelic element.
The perfin is best displayed on a cover which clearly originated from the firm in question.
US Fancy Cancellation
2.5 Selection of Pages:
Since exhibitors are given a limited number of frames they have to select, from the collection, the pages which enable the most positive evaluation. Prepare at least 10% more of pages intended to be displayed and then considering the main criteria of judgment, select only those pages that have best items and are best presented, showing deepest and most original research. Only care is to be taken that continuity in the story line is maintained in a fluent and consistent way.
Every page should have proper balance of stamps, postal stationeries and other philatelic elements. Select your important philatelic items of the frame and try to accommodate in 2nd and 3rd row of 4x4 pages frame on mounting pages 7,8,11 &12 for the best attention of the jury without disturbing the fluency or story line of the theme. In a 5 Frames exhibit 1st, 2nd and 5th frame should be very strong philatelically as well as thematically.
3. Stepping up
A good thematic collector is not only master of selecting what he is going to put it, but he also has the necessary feel, which is equally important of what is best left out. Just because you have put something on a page does not mean that it is final. I have found that pages will change many times as new materials appear. Remember, any collection should be a working collection. Once it becomes the final effort, it becomes stale and you loose interest. Keep looking for new materials and keep making changes. Hence remounting of your exhibit for every exhibition not only adds beauty but also new ideas for better use of any item at some other place. Once your topic has begun to show strength the natural tendency is to think of other ideas that are part of the same topic that will make the collection more interesting.
Bibliographic support which goes far beyond the information supplied by thematic catalogues and checklist and thematic as well as philatelic research always adds new dimensions to your collection. If you find any new material on your topic, do not keep it in your stock book. Instead start searching some philatelic as well as thematic details about it. This will give you better idea to use it in your exhibit at places where earlier you never think of. There are many reasons on the basis of which a connection can be established between a philatelic item and the theme. By also in fact, making use of that in the development and not including items only by reason of their design, we can also display deeper reaching thematic and philatelic knowledge. The link between the illustration and the theme is not always immediately evident. A wider – ranging knowledge then becomes necessary.
Postogram1. Illustration in the design
2. Text
3. Purpose of the issue
4. Deeper meaning
5. Reasons for its origin
6. Name of the philatelic element
7. Specific characteristics
Scenario is changing from stamp collecting to philatelic collecting. In any International exhibition, three things are noticeable, in top award winning exhibits:
Inclusion of large number of covers, cancellations and postal documents other than stamps.
Dr. Manfred Bergman, FIP coordinator of the World thematic groups, has compared the bad thematic collection to the poor scientist. The scientist, who does not correctly learn the basics of his subject, may know which elements to use to create a substance, but unless he also knows in which proportion they must be used, he is likely to create an unwanted explosion. A balance of philatelic elements is also necessary for up gradation of your exhibit.
A Comparison of Philatelic Elements
The six Gold Medal Thematic exhibits have been analyzed to determine the average number of different philatelic elements (aside from postage stamps) that are included per frame.
(Source: Topical Times Sept-Oct1997, Exhibition- PACIFIC 1997)
4. Conclusions
Thematic is like a multidisciplinary exercise that involves a sound knowledge of all the world’s stamps as well as postal history. It also requires deep understanding of the subject / theme chosen with knowledge of world history, geography, religion, art etc. Thematic is called “labour oriented” discipline, while traditional philately is known as “capital oriented”. However. At the advance stage, thematic also becomes a costly discipline and requires lot of planning and imaginations. After all it is philately. Self judging of your exhibit before deciding to take part in competition is always fruitful and necessary. It saves lot of money (Exhibition fee and other expenses at National and International level are becoming too expensive). It also saves from frustrations. If you find your exhibit a level above your expectations only then send your entry. If the result is still not up to your satisfaction do not waste your energy in just writing letters to editors criticizing the jury or its judgment, instead look back on your exhibit, analyze it seriously and try to find out the short comings. With time try to remove and improve your exhibit. Your imaginations, serious subject studies as well as thematic and philatelic knowledge (backed by a heavy pocket) are the only elements necessary for your exhibit joining the race for Gold.
(The views presented in this article are an outcome of my personal experiences which I gained in my long philatelic journey. Deviations and corrections with time are always possible )
Aland
22 January 2009 New Border, New Times - €.80
22 January 2009 Climate friendly electricity to celebrate anniversary- M/s - € 2.00
Australia
3 November 2008 – 5 Favourite Australian Films – 5 stamps
Canada
3 November 2008 Christmas with Winter Fun
Czech Republic
5 November 2008 The collections of Třebechovice Museum of Bethlehems – - 30 Kc
25 Nov. 2008 Presidency of the Council of the European Union – 170 Kc
Germany
2 Jan 2009 meteorological Phenomenon – 45 + 20, 55 + 25, 56 + 25, 145 + 56
Hong Kong
27 November 2008 Judiciary- $ 1.40, 2.40, 3.00, 5.00
Iceland
6 November 2008 Holiday stamps
Ireland
5 Dec 200d Wild Flowers from Ireland (Definitive)
Malaysia
16 December 2008 Premier Schools of Malaysia 4 x 50 Sen
Poland
24 October 2008 EU capital Cities – 2 x 1.45, 2 x 3, 2 x 3.65 PLN
30 October 2008 The 50th anniversary of the "Kabaret Starszych Panów" comedy series – 1.45 zt
11 November 2008 Year of Independence -1.45 zt
27 November 2008 Christmas 2008 – 1.45 zt, 3 zt
1 December 2008 Climate change- Poznan 2008 – 2.40 zl
1 December 2008 The Year of Zbigniew Herbert -2.10 zl
Pakistan
Dec 10: United Nations Human Rights Award 2008 for Benazir Bhutto
Dec 27: Benazir Bhutto 1st Martyrdom Anniversary, Rs 4
USA
2 October 2008 Great Lakes Dunes – S/S – $ 4.20
Reader’s Right
Editor’s note- The aim of this stamp newsletter is to provide instant information and facts on philately to the readers and not to hurt anyone’s feelings. A new column Reader’s Right has been started from April issue. Readers may express their views, anguish and resentment through this column on philately. The platform is not used for any vested interest to cause derogatory to philately. When writing your views be sure that it should be related to philately only. It should not be used to express personal feelings between persons or groups in any manner. Please send your postal address and Ph. No. and if possible a photo too when writing on any controversial issue.
Dear Sirs,
This is to bring to your notice the fact that despite having sufficient funds in my Philatelic Deposit Account I have not been supplied with any Philatelic Material such as stamps, first day covers etc as per my standing instructions since 01 October 2008.
The excuse being given to me by the Gentleman at the Philatelic Bureau Parliament Street, New Delhi is that they have still not received the material, they are over-worked due to too many issues of stamps every month etc etc. If what he says is true, then it is high time your Dept did something about it. It is also intriguing that while the Main Philatelic Bureau in India does not have the commemorative stamps and FDCs, the local dealers in the market have them. You can draw your own conclusions on that.
I would be highly obliged if you could kindly look into this expeditiously. Taking the RTI route, Consumer Forum or The Central Vigilance commission route would obviously be the other channels one would have to explore, if immediate measures are not taken by your Dept.
Yours Faithfully,
Commodore V. P. Kapre, Indian Navy.
Vishakha Avachat, Mumbai
I am a journalist. It would be very kind of you, if you read my mail and help me.
Currently, I am working on an article related to ‘Stamp Collection as a hobby’. I wanted to speak to stamp collectors and their associations in Mumbai and across India. I would like to know about stamp collection as your hobby and what activities do you do for the same. Also, if you are active in any group or organization related to Philately, please elaborate on the same.
I would also like to know what you think about stamp collection as a hobby and an art. Do you think that this hobby is on the decline? If yes, why? And what could be done for its revival.
If you could provide me with your contact number, that will be great as I will be able to speak to you directly. All your quotes will be duly credited.
Thanks and Regards.
v The Pacific island of Tonga once issued a stamp shaped like a banana.
v The smallest-ever stamp - 9.5 x 8mm - was issued in 1863 by the Columbian state of Bolivar.
v Australia has issued several stamps which look just like gems. Special technology was used to create the look of real opals on stamps issued in 1995 and a real diamond in 1996.
v Before stamps were invented, the person who received the letter was charged by the number of pages, and also by the distance the letter had travelled. An Englishman called Rowland Hill came up with the idea of pre-paying for postage with 'postage stamps'. Today stamps just seem like common sense, but the Postmaster General at the time complained, 'Of all the wild schemes I have ever heard of, this is the most extraordinary'! However, Hill's idea was adopted and other countries soon started to issue stamps.
v The first Commonwealth Country to issue a stamp specifically for postage on Christmas greetings cards was Australia in 1957. The first stamps issued specifically for postage on Christmas greeting cards appeared in Austria in December 1937.
Blogs & Websites on Philately
http://www.stampsofindia.com/ – This is the website of India with complete information on Indian stamps.
http://www.rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/ – This is the e – Stamp Club Blog to bring philatelists together on blogosphere and share views with each other.
http://www.ezep.de/ - It is the website of the ZEPPELIN Study group
http://www.virtualstampclub.com/ - A good website for all stamp collectors.
http://www.indianstampghar.com/ – It’s a good Blog by with daily updates on Philately.
http://mg-philately.blogspot.com/ – It’s a beautiful blog on all philatelic items related with bridges.
Arun Tendulkar, Mumbai
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. May you continue to lead with 'JYOTI ' and light up the philatelic scene in India for many more years to come .May be it will help to spread the hobby if u send your mail ID to various schools to put up on there notice boards ! Best wishes for future!
Maiank Kathiara, Ahmadabad
I take this opportunity to congratulate you on completion of one year of e magazine. It is indeed a great dedicated effort from you. This site has caught fancy among collectors and the subscriber base will increase manifold in the time to come. Keep it up and all the good wishes to you.
Naresh Agarwal, Bilaspur (M.P.)
A wonderful bulletin. So lucrative, colorful, beautiful, well designed, eventful, informative, introductive and above all touching bulletin. Has to be so being the anniversary issue displaying its and your successful philatelic journey.
I want to thank to Dr. Satyendra Kumar Agrawal too because he has been a major contributor to this news bulletin with his well researched beautiful articles on different subjects of thematic philately. Really specialized thematic philatelist. For me he has lived up to his reputation. He has been source of inspiration for many including me.
Introduction to Sri T.N. Prahlada Rao, aged 82, an old philatelist has re-energized me for his participation in OLYMPEX 2008 and winning prize. Certainly philately goes with the body.
All in all, this anniversary issue is certainly an immemorable one.
I wish you success in oncoming publications
Promotional section
75th anniversary of England’s first Test match in India
The special cover to be released on this occasion will be individually numbered in a presentation pack as a limited edition of just 1000. Issue price will be £10 plus post and packing. It is being offered to MCC members first through an advance mailing this week and demand in both England and India for the issue is expected to be very high. The cover can only be ordered through Chapman and Mitchell Covers at Bletchley Park Post Office, Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes, MK3 6EB, Tel:01908 272690/631797. Or from the MCC section of the website at http://www.blogger.com/www.bletchleycovers.com
-Terry Mitchell terry@ltmp.co.uk
- For Indian Mint stamps contact : Rajesh K. Agarwal, E-mail: rkstamps@rediffmail.com / rkstamps@gmail.com
Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters
Stamp of India Collectors’ Companion - India’s first and most updated weekly e-newsletter edited by Madhukar and Savita Jhingan from Stamps of India, New Delhi. E-mail: mjhingan@yahoo.com Website: http://www.stampsofindia.com/
The Fila Capsule- Jul – Aug, Sep - Oct 2008, Bi Monthly Editor: Ajit Kumar Dash akdash2000@yahoo.com Published by: Eastern India Philatelists' Association, Bhubaneswar
ITS Stamp News - Oct - Dec 2008, Quarterly Editor: Suraj Jaitly surajjaitly@yahoomail.com Published by: Indian Thematic Society, Ludhiana
Phila Post – Quarterly Philately Journal available from Linda Brady Hawke, L.B. Associates (Pvt.) Ltd., H-108 Sector 63, Noida- 201301. Subscription Rs. 40 by M.O. for 4 issues.
RAINBOW STAMP CLUB
This is a blog of e-stamp Club http://www.rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/ . The idea of this blog is to extend philatelic fraternity in all corners of the world. Readers may write about themselves with their collecting interests and share new ideas with other philatelists. Those who are interested may send following details for publication on blog. If they wish they may also send their photo for publication.
Name……………………………………………….
City/Country…………………………………….
E-Mail………………………………………………
Postal Address…………………………………
Collecting Interests…………………………
Brief write up about yourself……………
Readers may also express their views on any philatelic matter which will be published under Club News at Rainbow Stamp Cub Blog. Philatelic Clubs and Societies may also send brief write ups. News about new issues of India and abroad and other information related with Philately are regularly posted on this blog. Readers may send reports on new issues, special covers, cancellations & philatelic activities of their area for inclusion in this Blog. - Editor
Courtesy- News and Image Resource to this issue - Stamps of India, The beginners Guide to Stamp collecting, Australia Post, Pradip Mohanty-Cuttack, H.K.Jain Mandla (M.P.), S.S. Rath – Bhubaneswar, Shrikant Parikh, Maiank Kathiara, Varad Dhaky – Ahmedabad, Vinod Sabharwal - New Delhi , Terry Mitchell
For PDF Version of Rainbow Stamp News reply with the subject Subscribe Rainbow PDF
Address for communication: Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, Director, Great Himalayan National Park, Shamshi, Kullu (H.P.) PIN 175126
E-mail – rainbowstamp2008@gmail.com & j.jyoti9@gmail.com
· Last date for receiving write ups – 25th of every month. Kindly send images in jpg compressed format & text in MS Word only.
· If you liked this issue please forward it to your friends and help in promoting philately.
A Request to Readers-
Please do not send the text in scan form. Send your write ups in MS Word only.
Please do not send forwarded messages for promotional section if you want to give any information for promotion please write personally with brief write up. As this newsletter is not used for any commercial purpose in any manner.
Designs in connection with postage stamps and coinage may be described, I think, as the silent ambassadors on national taste". - W. B. Yeats (1865-1939), Irish poet, playwright.
Till Next Month Happy Collecting……………………………………………………………………..
Rainbow Stamp News is edited and published monthly by Jeevan Jyoti, from Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) India.
