The longest Total Solar Eclipse of 21^st Century occurred on 22nd July 2009 and the  year 2009 is being celebrated as International Year of Astronomy. To commemorate both the events Bhutan Post issued a MS on 22 July 2009

Shimla     August   2009    Issue No. 20

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 Readers,

I am back with the August issue of Rainbow Stamp News. August is the month of Rains and winds…it is the time when we experience very pleasant weather but sometimes very hot and humid too. Hope you enjoy the month both ways. But I wish a very pleasant time for all of you with nice stories and news from the world of stamps. A hobby makes us to forget strain and tension for a moment and adds refreshing flavour to the life….These are some of the best moments  which we philatelists find in stamp collecting…So have enthusiasm and continue this hobby. With reference to the last issue I just want to share with my readers that it was the most challenging work to publish July issue on blog due to sudden technical problem by Service Provider. I express my sincere thanks to Mr. Prashant Pandya who helped me in the publication of last issue . Without his kind help it was not possible to upload  July issue on Blog. Hope you will find this issue interesting and full of information. I want to make a request to those, contributing articles and write ups for this newsletter, to send articles in Word and images in jpg format only. Please do not send articles and Images in PDF format. This is all for this month..!…….Till next Issue…..Happy collecting…!

  ….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

Promotional Section

Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters

Editor’s Mail Box

Recent Indian Issues

 

29 April 2009 Spices of India - (Rs 5 x 4 + Rs 20) + M/s Rs 40

30 April 2009 R. Sankar – Rs 5

11 May 2009 – 3 New issues in Definitive series

12 May 2009 Lifeline Express – Rs 5

28 May 2009 Madras Regiment – Rs 5

12 June Rev. J.J.M.Nicholas Roy – Rs 5

Jun 19: Raza Library Rampur, 4 Stamps + Miniature Sheet

June 19 Sacred Heart Church, Pondicherry – Rs 5

30 June 2009 50 Years of Indian Oil – Rs 5

4 July 2009 LBS Academy Dehradun – Rs 5

25 July: Ram Charan Agarwal – Rs 5

27 July: Jayadeva, 12th Century author of epic Gita Govinda, Set of 11 Stamps + Miniature Sheet

1 August 2009 St Joseph College, Bangalore

Special Cover – Postmark

16 May 2009 Chennai Movie ‘Veerapandiya Kattabomman’ Golden Jubilee

23 May 2009 Bannerghatta (Butterfly )

5 June 2009 Ahmedabad World Environment Day (Special Post Mark)

6 June 2009 Rajpipla Epsom Derby Triumph of Maharaja Vijaysinhji of Rajpipla, Platinum Jubilee

20 June 2009 50 Years of Satheya College, Mumbai

26 June 2009 Diamond Jubilee of Abhisarika

26 June 2009 Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamyvari Temple, Annavaram, Andhra Pradesh Egnpex 2009, Kakinada

27 June 2009 Comedians Of Telugu Cinema, Egnpex-2009

9 July 2009 KUMARIPEX 2009 Nagercoil (T.N.)

New Postal Stationery

Meghdoot Cards

Consumer Awareness, 7 designs in Marathi & 7 designs in Telugu

Total Cleanliness Campaign, Hindi,Assamese,Gujarati, Urdu, Tamil, Kashmiri, Manipuri,

International Flat Rate Boxes
India Post will soon be launching Flat Rate Boxes for delivery anywhere in the world. The boxes will be available at Rs 1,000, Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,500 for 1 KG, 2.5 KG, and 5 KG weight respectively.

In The News

JOBURG 2010 INTERNATIONAL STAMP SHOW
The 26th Asian International Stamp Exhibition, 'JOBURG 2010 International Stamp Show' will be held on October 27 to 31, 2009 at Johannesburg, South Africa.Mr. Madhukar Jhingan mj@stampsofindia.com is the National Commissioner for India. The regulations for JOBURG 2010 and the Exhibit Application form are available online at http://www.joburg2010stampshow.co.za/irex.pdf and http://www.joburg2010stampshow.co.za/joburg2010exhibitapplicationform.pdf respectively.

JOBURG 2010 will have all exhibit classes -- Traditional, Postal History, Postal Stationery, Aerophilately, Astrophilately, Maximaphily, Revenue, and Thematic Philately subdivided as:

A) Nature B) Culture C) Technology, and Youth Philately class subdivided by age as of January 01, 2010:
1) Collectors aged 13 to 15 years,
2) Collectors aged 16 -- 18 years,
3) Collectors aged 19 -- 21 years, and

Literature class subdivided into:
1) Philatelic books, pamphlets and studies (issued after January 01, 2005) 2) Philatelic journals, periodicals (issued after January 01, 2008) 3) Stamp catalogues (issued after January 01, 2008), and One-Frame Exhibit Class subdivided into: A) Traditional, B) Postal History, C) Postal Stationery, D) Aerophilately, E) Astrophilately, F) Thematic, G) Maximaphily, H) Revenue.

JOBURG 2010 will also have 'Open Class' as an Experimental Class. Exhibits in this Class can include material from any other competition class plus non-philatelic material. The exhibit must contain at least 50% philatelic material. The non-philatelic material should not overwhelm the philatelic material. Awards will be made as per One-Frame Exhibits.

There is no participation fee for Youth Philately Class. The participation fee for other Competitive Classes (except Literature, and One-Frame Exhibit Classes) will be US$35 per frame. The fee for participation in Literature is US$35 per exhibit. The fee for participation in One-Frame Exhibit is US$70 per exhibit.

Those desirous of participating in JOBURG 2010 please go through the Regulations for JOBURG 2010 and send the duly filled Exhibit Application Form along with a copy of the introductory page describing the exhibit to the

National Commissioner for India, Mr. Madhukar Jhingan, 49-D, BG-5, Paschim Vihar, New Delhi 110063 by November 14, 2009. For any assistance in this regard please email or call 0 9350537037.

Portugal 2010

World Philatelic Exhibition Portugal 2010 will be held from October 1 – 10, 2010 in Lisbon, Portugal. Mr. Dhirubhai Mehta is the National Commissioner for the exhibition. For details please contact -

Shri Dhirubhai Mehta
101 - 102, Dalamal Chambers,
Sir V.Thakersey Marg (New Marine Lines),
Mumbai 400 020
Phone off.: 22001460, Tele Fax 22007848.
e-mail dhirubhai_phil@yahoo.com
http://www.portugal2010.pt/fep10/wcmservlet/portugal2010/en/index.html
http://www.fpf-portugal.com/boletim01portugal2010e.htm

Last Date of Submission of Entry form is 30 September 2009

Stamp Mania 2009

  The First National One Frame Philatelic Exhibition ”Stampmania 2009" is going to be organized by Baroda Philatelic Society from  18th to 20th December 2009 at Vadodara. The venue of the exhibition has been selected. It will be held at Shree Saurashtra Leuva Patel Seva Samaj, Alembic Road, Vadodara. Approximately 400 frames (200 x 2 )  will be displayed in the exhibition. The official website of the exhibition  www.stampmania2009.com has already been launched. Details of the Exhibition Prospectus & Entry Forms in pdf format are now available at website. Collectors can get detailed information at the website or may write to Mr. Prashant Pandya or Mr. Timir R. Shah . E-Mail Prashant Pandya:  info@vadophil.org Timir R. Shah: admin@vadophil.org

The options to download Entry Form in pdf format is provided on website, which you can fill and print electronically. Printed Entry Form duly signed may be sent to STAMPMANIA 2009 Secretariat with particulars of Entry Fees. Alternately you can fill online Entry Form at the website and for confirmation and for your record purpose print it and send one copy duly signed with particulars of fees to STAMPMANIA 2009 Secretariat. Hit Submit button to submit the Entry Form online.

Three options for making payment of Entry Fees has been provided. You can send the fees by Demand Draft or AT PAR Cheque in favour of Baroda Philatelic Society, Can send fees by Money Order or you can deposit the amount in any branch of BANK OF BARODA in Account No. 01900100006809 of Baroda Philatelic Society.

Last Date for Submission of Entry Forms is 15.08.2009

Please visit www.stampmania2009.com to read articles on “what is One Frame Exhibit” and Social Philately?

Updates

-On 17^th December 2009, The organizers have decided to organize a ‘Heritage Walk through Stamps’ in Vadodara City. The Heritage Walk will conclude at the Venue of the Exhibition in the evening and the Exhibition will be inaugurated in the evening. School Children will join this This ‘Heritage Walk through Stamps’ holding blow ups and replica of Stamps depicting heritage of our country.

-Printed Prospectus and Entry form are now available at Stampmania 2009. The same are being sent at all Philatelic Bureau and philatelic organizations. Anyone who wishes to get printed prospectus and entry form may send their mailing address to address given above.

-List of titles of entries can be viewed at stampmania 2009 website www.stampmania2009.com

-For the convenience of Visitors to 'Stampmania 2009', Organizers have provided tourist information of Baroda and Surrounding of Baroda at our website. Please have a look at 'Tourist Information' link. Information about Connections to Baroda via Rail, Road and Air is also available at the site. List of Trains from Major cities can be found from the link 'Trains Passing Through Vadodara' provided on website. This will help you to plan your travel to Vadodara and sight seeing at various places in the City and Surroundings of Vadodara.

-Route Map to Venue from Baroda Railway Station and Baroda Bus Station is also now available on the website.

-Information about Hotels and other accommodation facilities will also be made available on website shortly.

News from Orissa
A set of 11 stamps on Jayadev & Gita Govind was released by Smt. Yasodhara Menon, CPMG, Orissa Circle at a State level function held at Jayadev Bhawan, Bhubaneswar on 27.07.2009. The  Folder containing the said stamps was presented to Shri Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Orissa, who was the chief guest of the function.

The other dignitaries present on the dais were Shri Prafulla Samal, Minister for Panchayati Raj, Information and Public Relation, Orissa, Shri Prasanna Patsani, Hon’ble MP, Shri Aravind Dhali, Hon’ble MLA and Shri Tarunkanti Mishra,  Development Commissioner and Addl.Chief Secretary, Govt. of Orissa.

The function followed by a spectacular and colourful Orissi dance on Dasavtar. A photographic exhibition on the paintings on jayadev was also inaugurated by the Chief Minister. A Philatelic counter was opened during the function. Inspite of heavy rain Philatelists from different parts of our state and local people turned up on large  scale.

 

 

 

New Maxim Cards on Gitgovinda

Orissa Philatelic Association has brought out a set of 11 maxim cards with a folder based on Jaydeva and Gita Govinda on 27 July 2009, the day the stamps were   released at Bhubaneswar. For more details contact Mr.Pradip Mohanty, Hon. Secretary, Orissa Philatelic Association, Keonjhar Colony, Kanikachhak, Cuttack-753008. Orissa  E-Mail : mohantypradip@hotmail.com  Ph. 09861032965

 

  

 

3-D Postage Stamps from San Marino

In order to celebrate the European Year of Creativity and Innovation, San Marino has decided to tackle – and hopefully win – an age-old challenge: to create three-dimensional stamps. A challenge, which today, with the distribution of ever more flawless and spectacular 3D films, becomes more arduous, and for this reason, exciting. Stereoscopes are certainly not a novelty: they were already extremely popular at the end of the 19th century. But a stereoscope in a postal kit is a totally new find.

In the meanwhile, three special 3D stamps are ready, which in reality are actually six, due to the two different images required by the system for each stamp. Printed on three mini souvenir sheets which are designed to fit into the stereoscope, they also carry positioning marks on the right hand side. Three of San Marino's most classic views are depicted, specially selected and photographed by Paolo Candelari and his assistant, Nicola Franchini, who even used a crane to capture shots of the Statue of Liberty.

 

Small European Postal Administrations Cooperation (SEPAC) issue special folder

The Sepac 'Beautiful Corners of Europe' is a special edition folder including all 12 2009 SEPAC stamps. SEPAC is formed by 12 countries: Åland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Guernsey, Iceland, Isle of Man, Liechenstein, Luxembourg, Malta and Monaco. Each have contributed a stamp to the folder. All stamps feature the SEPAC logo and will be jointly issued on the 16th September 2009.

It will be issued on the 16th September 2009. The 12 participating postal administrations have each issued special SEPAC stamps featuring beautiful scenes of their homeland. Apart form the magnificently designed 12 stamps

Stamp Exhibition in Pune

International Collectors' Society of Rare Items, Pune has organised STAMPEX PUNE 2009, a National Stamps Fair on 30th, 31st October & 1st November 2009. It will be a 100 farme exhibition and 25 leading dealers will have sales booths. Highlights of the exhibition A Platform for Philatelists, Dealers & Investors

Visit www.collectorssocietypune.com  for more details.

Venue: Sonal Hall, Karve Road, Near Aurved Rasa Shala, Pune 411 004

Contact Details:

Mr. Pratisad Neurgaonkar
884, Bhandarkar Road,
14, Patil Terraces,
Pune 411 004
Mobile: +919766310553
Email: pratisad@hotmail.com

DAK TICKET MILAN -2009
(STAMP FAIR)
Chhattisgarh Philatelic Association, Bilaspur is organizing a stamp fair from 21 -23 August 2009 at Bilaspur named as “DAK TICKET MILAAN – 2009 (Stamp Fair). More than 60 eminent stamp dealers from all over India are expected to grace the show. Philatelists from all over India are expected to attend the fair. Four sets of approved Stamp Booklets, Special Covers and Maximum Cards are planned to be issued during the occasion.Date: 21, 22 and 23rd August 2009

Venue: Hotel Centre Point
Contact: Mr. Atul Jain
Gen Secretary, Jaina Garments, Dayalband, Bilaspur C. G. 495001Moblile: 09300311007
e-mail: jainaatul.65@gmail.com
C.R. Andhare
Mob. 09826644060 e-mail : crandhare@yahoo.com

Beginners’ Section

Prides of Karnataka thru’ Philately

- K. Sridhar, Mangalore

1. HAMPI Stone Chariot

HAMPI in Bellary, Northern Karnataka, India is the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. It continues to be an important religious centre and the Group of Monuments at Hampi are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There were many important sites at and near Hampi. One among them is VITTALA TEMPLE, which is most extravagant Architectural showpiece of Hampi. The temple is built in the form of a sprawling campus. The presiding deity of the temple is Vittala, a form of Vishnu.

The highlight of Vittala temple is its impressive pillared halls and the stone chariot. The stone chariot located inside the campus is almost an iconic structure of Hampi. The fact is a shrine built in the form of a temple chariot. The stone shrine was built with many giant granite blocks with the joints smartly hidden in the carvings and decorative features. The chariot is built on a rectangular platform and all around this platform is carved with mythical battle scenes. The four giant wheels were attached with axis shafts and brakes. Floral motifs decorate the wheels. The stone chariot represents the sparkling creativity of the artistes of the 15^th century.

The India Post, commemorated the Heritage site by:

• Releasing a 70p stamp on 15^th March 1967
• Releasing the pictorial cancellation of the Stone Chariot on 2^nd Jan 1978

Specialized Section

Postal Forgeries by Postal Administrations

- © Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

Forgeries of stamps have been made on many occasions for various reasons, to defraud the postal administration, to cheat collectors, and for propaganda purposes. But it is interesting to know that even postal administrations of various countries themselves forged sometime their own issues and sometime of other country issues.

As early as 1856, the British Post Office commissioned an engraver to forged 1d stamps to see whether the various safety features incorporated in the design were fraud-proof. In1876 the US Post office commissioned forgeries of the 1847, 5c &10c stamps from the Bureau of engraving and printing for inclusion in an exhibit of American stamps at the centennial Exposition. As the plates and dies of the original issues had been destroyed it was necessary to forge them, whereas latter issues could merely be printed from the existing plates.

Another government forgery is one that Japan did, which is in the book they issued in 1896, the “Enkakushi Book”. They had all genuine stamps of the second issue, except two stamps, the middle ones 1s & 2s of 1872. They were scarce, but they are not good reproductions. This also happened with several sets of the People’s Republic of China.

These are few evidences of forgery done by the Postal administrations of their own issues.

During WW I and WW II many nations also authorized forgeries of enemy countries to cause economic damage or sometimes physiological warfare against the enemy country. Great Britain in this field far ahead of any other nation and also the quality of the forged stamps were superior because they were done by regular stamp products or facilities in England. Those of the Americans and French resistance were a good deal, poorer, reflecting the cloudier production facilities available in this field.

When copies of these forgeries appeared in the philatelic market the philatelists soon discovered where and by whom they had been printed. They found; by comparing the papers, printing methods, gums and perforations, that they could have been produced only in England, and only in plant of De la Rue & Company, one of three printers then making stamps for the British Post Office.

Though the British government never admitted to authorship of these issues but American forgery of German stamps was first made public with the sale of President Roosevelt’s stamp collection after the war. The examples in this collection were accompanied by a letter from OSS (Office of Strategic Services) head General Donovan saying they had been “printed in Switzerland by OWI representatives” and used since Nov 1942 in cross-border mailing of the Frankfurt Zeitung and other propaganda material.

Few issues of Italy, Poland and French Morocco in addition to Germany were also forged by British during WWII.

Only one forgery of an Italian stamp is known, details of its production suggest that it is British. It is a un watermarked reproduction of the 25 c green of the 1929-42 regular issue bearing the portrait of King Victor Emanuel. The absence of further forged Italian issues is probably accounted for by Italy’s early surrender.

 

Forgeries of French stamps used during the Petain regime are particularly all British in origin. Earliest were the 25 and 30 centimes values of the 1938 “Mercury” regular issues. They also forged a single value of the “Iris” issues of 1939 and eight varieties of the Petain regular issue used from 1942 until the invasion. Each item is identifiable by a “secret mark” may have been intentionally introduced for an espionage purpose.

France itself forged a single Petain issue during French resistance movement at the so-called “Alelier des Faux de Defense de la France” on the Rue Scribe in Paris.

Postal forgeries were done for the purposes of mass mailing operations during warfare rather than of espionage. Agent communications are in such small volume that genuine stamps could be easily obtained and used without risk. But the mass nature of the war mailing operations precluded purchases of genuine stamps from legitimate dealers in neutral countries, once hostilities were underway. A sudden demand in Sweden or Switzerland, for instance , for 100,000 12 pf German stamps of the regular 1941 issue would have betrayed the probabilities of a mass mailing operation, which then might have been traced to its source before it started. Thus large scale forging was the only feasible approach.

These forgeries were used to frank leaflets, brochures and postcards purporting to emanate from there enemy countries. These forged documents were then meant to be air-dropped on neutral countries Holland and Switzerland-in an attempt to influence them in favor of the Allies, but it seems that the project was abandoned.

Another reason of such postal forgeries during war periods were psychological, which gave birth to the propaganda stamps. These were political parodies of enemy country postage stamps.

There are probably about 300 different propaganda stamps, most produced by Great Britain, the US and Germans. The Russians did not produce propaganda stamps but they printed dozens of propaganda postcards, many with forged imprinted stamps.

For propaganda purposes, during WWII, British produced a counterfeit 6pf portraying Heinrich Himmler instead of Hitler, and circulated examples on postcards in the Third Reich with a view to sowing the seeds of dissension in the Nazi ranks.

Another propaganda forgery concerns the 1944 Hitler putsch stamp showing Himmler leading a manacled civilian man, who represents Germany in the chain of fascism .Parody of 1943, 24+26pf brown-red Hitler Putsch stamp also exists. It shows General Field Marshall Erwin von Witzlehen, whom the Germans hanged for his role in the unsuccessful plot to blow up Hitler. Stamp is inscribed with “Gehangt am 8 Aug1944…” (Hanged on 8 Aug 1944 …).

The United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS) forged 6 & 12 pf Hitler head stamps of the German 1941-1944 issues, and was printed both in Rome and Bern in 1944. The forgeries were used as a part of “Operation Cornflakes”, an elaborate scheme to airdrop mail bags filled with propaganda materials near bombed railway mail cars. The US modified the 12pf Hitler head stamp by the insertion of a death head and the inscription “FutschesReich” (The Reich is gone) replaces “Deutsches Reich”. Similarly, the Hitler block from 1937 was altered showing a death head, graves and gallows, and the inscription “Deutsches Reich 1944” instead of “Deutsches Reich” ( German Empire) in the original s/s issued to honour the 48th Birth day of Adolf Hitler with additional inscription in red and in English, “He who wants to save his people must think heroically”.

The US also forged the stamps of the empire of Japan, 5-sen brown-carmine Togo stamp of 1942 with printing performed at the OSS facility Detachment SOS in Calcutta. They were intended as postage on “poison pen” lettere.

British propaganda stamp utilized by the Polish underground army to distribute propaganda material was modified version of Hitler head stamp of the General government to depict Hans Frank on the 20 groschen value. The British air dropped the Frank stamps in containers between the end of January and the end of April 1943 which had the code name “Intonation”.

French controlled Morocco received authorized forgeries of British authorities with overprints of “Deutsch Reichpost in Marakko” on the French Morocco 50c and 1 franc stamps of 1939-40. The overprinted items were produced in 1942 in an attempt to persuade Petain and Laval that their Nazis masters were deceiving them and were preparing to occupy French possession in North Africa.

Its propaganda stamp for Italy was the stamps of 1941 Italian-German friendship issue. A 25 c green parody with Hitler snarling at a surprised Mussolini. The Latin text “Duo popoli/ un fuhrer” (Two peoples, one leader) replaces the original “Duo popoli/ un Guerra” (Two peoples, one war). Mussolini’s ceremonial axe and sword are chipped.

Germans efforts were late, amateurish, and ineffective. Himmler reportedly broached the idea of philatelic parodies to Hitler in Feb 1944. All German falsifications are propaganda forgeries and were produced by Jewish forgerers confined in Sachsenhausen concentration camp.

There are just three vignettes, each a parody attempting to show that GB is secretly ruled by communist and Jews and bearing such symbols in the stamps. Parodies were made of one value of the 1935 issue commemorating the Silver Jubilee of King George V,

of a single stamp issued for the coronation of King George VI

and of six low values of then current regular British issue.

The modifications included the insertion of Jewish and Communist emblems, placement of Stalin’s head, the inscription that was faulty (“This war is a Jewish war”) and the years altered to 1939-1944 instead of 1910-1935. In the coronation issue Stalin’s head was also included. The Germans also placed their propaganda stamps on S/Ss. The two commemorating stamps appear on one sheet, the six definitive stamps on the other, and rarely the six KG VI parodies overprinted “Liquidation of Empire”. The sheets bear both English and Russian text and have printed boarders for the stamps and the text “Special Stamp in Memory of the First Day of Invasion”.

It all ended with WWII but one instance of forgery even exists between 1948 and 1954 when West German forged GDR stamps. The first stamps to get modified were the 12 & 24 pf values of the series depicting the GDR Wilhelm Pieck that showed a noose and the inscription “Kndeutsche Undemokratische Diktatur” (“un-German un-democratic dictatorship”).Other changes were made to the stamps of the Five Year Plan.

Due to introduction of Postage meter marks, forgeries of Postage stamps by Postal administrations for intelligence purposes may be un necessary in near future. The production of the simple red-inked double-purpose impression is quite easy and effective and written propaganda can be most easily disseminated. It is already in use in most of the countries of the world for bulk mail and unlike postage stamps, more over, which are changed every few years, meters remain in use for long period of time.

Hanuman – the Monkey Hero of the Ramayana Epos

- By Dr. Eli Moallem

Here is a nice article on Indian Mythology related with one of the favourite Indian Gods, Hanuman by Dr Eli Moallem of Israel. The story of Hanuman is well known to every Indian but here it has been nicely presented by the author through beautiful philatelic items. It gives me immense pleasure to publish this article in August issue written by a person from a foreign land who has keen interest in this subject. It really makes me proud about my country and its culture and I thank Dr Eli Moallem for writing this nice article on Hanuman . – Editor

       

                   Valmiki                                         Hanumangarh                                              Ravana

The Hindu myths are a rich collection of stories that evolved at different places and times. The abundance and cultural diversity, the diversified society and the mutual influence between the neighboring peoples created a mythology rich in beauty and style with a plenitude of characters. The events in the lives of the Gods in the Indian mythology were told orally for many generations before they were compiled by the poet Maharsi Valmiki into a collection that is considered the largest epos of the Indian mythology – the Ramayana.

 

    

   Hanuman – the Monkey God,                            Hanuman protecting Sita

 

Rama is a favorite God in India and the protagonist of the Ramayana Epos. Hanuman, the Monkey God, is considered Rama's loyal servant and to this day his character is used as a symbol of strength and unlimited loyalty. His unique powers were given to him by the Gods to please his father, Vayu. Brahma granted Hanuman immunity from weapons, Indra granted him immunity from thunderbolts, Yama, God of Death, granted him immunity in the battlefield and Varona made him immortal. As an adult Hanuman was known for his ability to grow like a mountain or shrink like a mosquito.

 Ram & Sita

One day Dasharatha, king of Ayodhya, decided to declare Rama as his successor, but he was deposed by his stepmother and replaced by her son Bharat. Rama went into exile with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshman. One day, while still in exile, the three met Shurpanakha, sister of the dreadful demon Ravana, ruler of Lanka (Sri Lanka). Shurpanakha fell in love with Rama but he firmly rejected her advances and offered her his brother instead. When she was also refused by the brother, she was infuriated and tried to swallow Sita, whom she regarded as her rival, but Lakshmana pounced upon her and cut off her ears, nose and breasts.

Shurpanakha pleaded with Ravana that he'd marry Sita. Cunningly, Ravana used his enormous power to carry Sita away, flying with her to Lanka. While they were airborne Sita threw her jewelry to help Rama trace her. Jatayu, King of Eagles, son of Garuda, tried to attack the demon, but Ravana fought back and critically wounded him. When they landed in Lanka, Ravana tried to charm Sita and seduce her, but in vein. All his wooing and threats were of no use; Sita refused to succumb to him and remained loyal to Rama.

          

     Jatayu attacks Ravana             Sugriva and Bali

After a long search, Rama and Lakshmana met Jatayu, who told them what happened and then died. They turned south and on their way, in the Kingdom of the Monkeys, they met Hanuman, a minister in the court of Sugriva, the exiled King of the Monkeys. Hanuman brought the two to meet Sugriva, who needed Rama's help to depose his usurper brother Bali. Rama killed Vali in a duel, and Sugriva, who made a pact with Rama, recruited an army of monkeys and bears, headed by Hanuman and Jambawhan, King of the Bears. When the armies arrived to the seashore Hanuman leaped and crossed the sea between India and Lanka. He then sneaked into Ravana's palace and began destroying it, but was caught. Ravana ordered his servants to wrap Hanuman's tail in sheets and set it on fire. When he was paraded in the city, Hanuman freed himself, and, jumping from one house to the next he set the island of Lanka on fire.

 

                                                                    Hanuman carries the Himalayan Mountain

Meanwhile, the monkeys crossed to Lanka using Hanuman's enlarged body as a bridge. A great war started and the monkeys were loosing it and Rama and Lakshmana were seriously wounded. Hanuman flew to the Himalayas to bring the medicinal herb Sanjiwani, but he could not identify it so he carried the entire mountain and brought it to Rama.

Slowly the battle turned in favor of Rama and the monkeys, until finally Ravana was defeated and died. Cries of triumph were sounded everywhere and the monkeys that died on the battle were brought back to life by the Gods. Following the great battle, Rama and Sita were reunited and together with the monkeys returned to their homeland. Since Rama doubted Sita's chastity, she was put to test by Fire. The gods appeared to Rama and revealed to him that he is also a god and an incarnation of Vishnu. Dasharatha appeared and invited Rama to return and rule Ayodhya and the God of Fire returned Sita to Rama pure and innocent. Rama was crowned king, and during his reign the kingdom enjoyed peace and prosperity.

 

 

The Ramayana epos as shown in the 1955 Laos set of stamps designed by French graphic artist Mark Leguay, on an FDC.

Top row, from left: Hanuman, Luci (a character not mentioned in the epos outside Laos) with Ravana's friend, Ninh Lapat the black monkey, Rama, Ravana. Below: Sita and Rama

Hanuman, the powerful trusted monkey, is an admired character throughout the Hindu world. In many traditions Hanuman serves as saviour and redeemer. In time of trouble and distress, the Hindus customarily turn to Hanuman to save them, chant a hymn for him ("Hanuman Chalisa") and declare "Bajrangbali Ki Jai" — "Victory to thy thunderbolt strength". Once a year, in the month of Chaitra (April), Hanuman's birthday is celebrated. There are many Hanuman temples in India and the neighboring countries. Many businesses in India adopt Hanuman as their trademark for luck and success as can be seen on private cards. A number of countries issued stamps showing Hanuman and the Ramayana Epos, the best known set having been issued by Laos in 1955.

  

         Hanuman Sunken Die Proof

In the Hindu tradition Hanuman is a parable to the strength and power that lie hidden in everyone. With the help of the Gods, Man, when willing, is capable of achieving great heights he isn't aware are within his reach. Man's stature is expressed by directing his abilities to noble ends, just as Hanuman turned his great powers to the service of the Gods and against the Forces of Evil on Earth.

About the author –

Dr. Eli Moallem, 47, a molecular biologist, is a collector of the stamps of the Kingdom of Laos, and several themes, including Monkeys and Mythology. He is a member of Association Internationnale des Collectionneurs de Timbres-Poste du Laos (AICTPL) and Society of Indo-China Philatelists (SICP). Eli wrote an album for Kingdom of Laos stamps emphasis on Lao culture, tradition and religion (http://www.sicp-online.org/exhibits/index.htm). Fellow collectors are invited to write to Eli by e-mail: Eli Moallem

 

 

Labeling Mails (POSTAL LABELS)

- By Naresh Agarwal (contd. from the last issue….)

CLASSIC ART LABELS:

Labels produced to show the arts such as paintings of veteran artists. Look like bogus stamps do attract people

EXPEDITION LABELS :

To commemorate and inform about the nature of mail when the mail is taken to some expeditions such as Climbing Mountains ,Antarctic, Artic missions some specific labels are affixed on the mails which displays the pictorial aspects of that expedition and other related information.

 

SPECIAL EVENT LABELS:

To commemorate and advertise some special events such as philatelic exhibitions, auto racing, trade fairs etc ,special labels are printed and affixed on the mail. These labels normally shows the pictorial view of that event so that at one glance the addressee could know about it.

 

Occasion Labels with stamps

These labels highlight some special event either to commemorate the same, or to inform about the event to the public.It specifies under what circumstances the mail is being carried such as postal strike,

DECORATIVE LABELS :

As the name suggests, these labels basically decorates the cover/letter with its beautiful pictures and designs. These basically beautify the cover to make it attractive .However, these may contain some messages such as Love, thanks, congratulations, welcome etc.. they are available in different shapes and sizes meeting with the tastes and requirements of the sender and addressee.

Christmas decorative Labels

GENERAL NOTES:

This is just a first effort by Naresh Agrawal to study the world of postal labels which have now become an integral part of the mail transmission system. though postal marking and cachets do find a good place on the covers, packets and parcels yet labels have their own significance. There have been quite a good lapses in the above article. Lot of items, issues related to mail labels have been left out. Writer ensures to take up them elaborately in future. BUT readers are requested to send their valued views on this subject. In fact, this is an effort to give emphasis to include postal labels as an important part of thematic collection. The writer is working on thematic subject named as “Mail and its movement”. Of course, this is a small component of that subject.

Healthy criticism, comments and suggestions are welcomed. E-Mail: nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in

 

New Issues from other countries

Canada

6 July 2009 Roadside attractions 4 x 54 c

10July 2009 Captain Robert A. Bartlett

This commemorative stamp was issued to mark the 100th anniversary of Captain Robert A. Bartlett's legendary attempt to reach the North Pole.

Ireland

15 July 2009 Centenary of the Birrell Land Act - 82 c

On 15 July, 2009, An Post issued a stamp to commemorate the centenary of the Birrell Land Act 1909. The Act is named after Augustine Birrell (1850-1933), Chief Secretary for Ireland from 1907 to 1916. The Birrell Land Act was one of a series of Acts which transformed land ownership in Ireland.

Israel

Dead Sea – 30 June 2009 – 2.30

Isle of Man

1 September 2009 Wildlife – 6 val.

Malaysia

7 July 2009 Traditional Houses – 16 x 50 sen

Malta

15 July 2009 Cruise Liners – 4 val.

To mark the occasion of the first visit to Malta of the Cruise liner MSC Splendida on the 15th July 2009, Malta Post issued a second set of 4 stamps in the maritime series, entitled "Cruise Liners". Together with the stamps, Malta Post will also issue a Maximum Card bearing the image of the MS Splendida to compliment this set. The stamps reproduce five world class liners that visited the Valletta Grand Harbour. The liners are MS Seabourn Pride, MS Brilliance of the Seas, Costa Magica, Costa Atlantica and MS MSC Splendida.

Poland

30 June 2009 - Regatta "The Tall Ships' Races" MS 3.75 Zt

Taiwan

26 June 2009 Butterflies – MS

USA

23 July 2009 – 5 x 44c Biloxi Light Houses

The Biloxi Lighthouse has stood as a symbol of strength and pride for Mississippians for generations, standing tall through hurricanes like Camille and Katrina. Now the lighthouse is being honored by the U.S. Postal Service as part of the Gulf Coast Lighthouses stamp series. The Biloxi Lighthouse is featured as one of five lighthouses that withstood the fury of devastating hurricanes - in some cases while partially submerged. Other lighthouses included are located at Matagorda Island, Texas; Sabine Pass, Louisiana; Sand Island, Alabama; and Fort Jefferson, Florida. A dedication ceremony took place at the Biloxi Lighthouse under conditions in stark contrast to 2005's Hurricane Katrina when a 26-foot storm surge engulfed Biloxi's treasured landmark, placing nearly half of the 64-foot tall structure underwater.

21 August 2009 Hawaii Statehood – 44c

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. 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.

 

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE ?. . . . . WHAT TO DO ?

Naresh Agarwal, Bilaspur - Chhattisgarh

I had sent a letter addressed to Mr. William.C.Y.Kwan,The Commissioner Genarel,Hong Kong-2009 (23^rd Asian International Stamp Exhibition),GPO Box No, 446,Hong Kong on 07.02.2009 vide Bilaspur HPO 495001 Number - AIR-RLA EC826609175IN and was expecting it to reach destination and deliver there with in a week’s time. But to my surprise the letter was delivered back (returned ) to me on 19.02.09 with a label affixed indicating addressee UNKNOWN.

 

Well, the letter had been received back by me and I had the following findings ;-

1. The letter had stained probably with water or some chemical covering huge area at both obverse and reverse.
2. There was no address (Addressee) as surprisingly the same had been washed away completely with no signs of its existence on the cover
3. There was a question mark ( ? ) at the address place
4. There was return mark indicating the letter to be sent back to the sender. Luckily part of the sender’s address was visible which could help the delivery of letter back to me.
5. There was Labels of India post affixed on it giving numbers such as ; RR0279974 7 In and EMS SPEED POST lable bearing Number 32660917 5IN and Hong Kong label mentioning item number R1249 135 834 HK on the obverse side
6. On the reverse side there was registering label from HPO Bilaspur and receipt stamp dated 19.02.1009 of HPO Bilaspur
7. On the reverse side itself receipt stamp at HONG KONG post office could be seen with date showing 13.02.2009.
8. There was no indication /remark /label from India Post regretting non-delivery of letter.

Looking in to this, I was surprised and contacted the postmaster at HPO,Bilaspur and handed over him the letter asking for being regretful for this non-delivery and resend the letter to Hong Kong at the speediest service available with them. To which he gladly regretted for this non-delivery of letter as the address had been washed away. On my request he endorsed the same on the reverse of the letter also duly stamped and told that the application would be forwarded to the higher ups to take appropriate action. I could understand that the letter could not be send with in a few days what to talk of the same day.So,I opted to send a fresh letter to which he again regretted stating that the letter could not be accepted that day as registering window had been closed by then.

Any way, I rushed to RPO and got a new letter posted there because I never wanted to delay anymore.

The questions of common interest are ;

1. Who is to be held responsible for this non-delivery of the letter ?India Post or Hong Kong Post?
2. What action should have been taken by India Post in such case in order to make delivery of the letter?
3. Could the losses to me due to this non-delivery be compensated?
4. What action I should have taken under these circumstances ?
5. How the letter could get wet to such an extent as I feel the letters are transported properly packed/protected in air and water tight bags. Is it carelessness of postal authorities?
6. Can Hong Kong post be held responsible for non-delivery as the letter might have been stained during being at their custody?
7. Was the reply given by the postmaster satisfactory enough?

I look forward for the opinions of my philatelic friends.

Blogs & Websites on Philately

www.stampsofindia.com – This is the website of India with complete information on Indian stamps.

http://setenantsofindia.blogspot.com – This is a new blog on se-tenants stamps of India by Mr. Shrikant Parikh of Ahmedabad.

http://prashantpandya.blogspot.com - A new Blog in Hindi by Mr. Prashant Pandya of Vadodara. It is the only blog for philately in Hindi and created to have awareness about philately amongst philatelists as well as non philatelists.

http://letstalkstamps.blogspot.com – A new Blog created by our member Commodore Vijay Kapre of New Delhi.

http://fdc4all.blogspot.com/ – A Journey of Stamps through First Day Covers – A blog on FDCs by our member Mr S.S. Rath of Bhubaneshwar.

www.fishstamplover.blogspot.com This is a new blog on Fishes created by our member Dr. Bibhudatta Mishra of Bhubaneshwar.

http://ganesh-worldheritage.blogspot.com/ This is anew blog on World Heritage Sites by our member Mr. Ganesh Potphode.

http://stampcollectingroundup.blogspot.com - Interesting news, resources and links about stamps, stamp collecting and postal operations.

http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/ - Amazing true stories from the life of casual collector….. A nice blog by Mr. Keijo of Romania

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.myfavouritestamps.blogspot.com - A blog on my favorite stamps.

On-line Exhibit on International Virtual Philatelic Exhibition EXPONET –
Kingdom of Laos album by Eli Moallem, Israel

http://www.japhila.cz/hof/0545/index0545a.htm
Pages about the stamps of International Control Commission issued by India for use in Laos
http://www.japhila.cz/hof/0545/index0545_110.htm

http://www.japhila.cz/hof/0545/index0545_111.htm

Postal History
Afghanistan – The Development of the Cancellation
Foreign Post Offices in China
The Persian Registration Lable used as Postage (1895 – 1912)

Postal Stationery:
India One Half Anna Envelopes of 1902 - 1907
India One Quarter Anna Post Card of 1902
Indian Registration Envelopes of Edward VII
Victorian Postal Stationery of India used at Aden
Edward VII Telegraph Stamps of India

Aerophilately:
Winds of war (Greek Airmails 1939 – 40)
Jenny – Printing Variations of America’s First Airmail Stamp

Thematics:
Safe Roads
Microbes in Action
Dates, The Genus Phoenix
Pineapples
The Story of Milk

The Lighter Side

Frederick man records history through philately

By Lauren Beward

Bill Wells, a stamp collector since 1933, creates philatelic covers using envelopes adorned with stamps, designs, texts and cachets.

Some people use books to record history. Frederick resident Bill Wells uses envelopes. His philatelic covers have traveled the world. They have been signed by former Vice President Walter Mondale, former President Bill Clinton and several military leaders. One set was endorsed by former Gov. William Donald Schaefer to commemorate the 1994 unveiling of the Maryland State Monument at Gettysburg.

Wells, 88, has been a stamp collector since 1933, when he received his first stamp book for Christmas. "My father worked at the post office for 44 years as a carrier," he said. "He knew how much I liked these envelopes and stamps, so if he would see something unique or foreign he'd ask his clients 'If you're just going to throw that away, can I have to give to my son?'" In the 1980s Wells decided to do more than collect unique stamped envelopes. After joining the Carroll County Philatelic Society, he started to make his own.

"If you relate collecting stamps to collecting art or antiques, always remember that the backbone is history," he said. To make a cover, Wells adorns an envelope with stamps related to the event. He also uses cachets, designs or texts that explain the event, usually of his own design. To finish, he sends the cover off to the town where the event takes place to receive a special postmark for the exact date. Many of his postmarks are from overseas. "If the public schools of today no longer offer a course in geography, then the hobby of stamp collecting would be a great substitute to obtain a practical knowledge of our great nation and the rest of the world," he said.

A self-proclaimed history buff, Wells has created and collected covers for thousands of events, including several wars, the lunar landing, the first airmail flights and the founding of Jamestown. "This is not a hobby that you collect for profit. It's something you collect for fun," Wells said. "If you're not a history or geography fan, forget about it. You have to have a desire to look back." He keeps his collection in 4-inch binders that fill four shelves in his closet. Many covers are also paired with newspaper clippings documenting the event. "I take these books down from time to time and look and think, 'Good golly, look at what we've done,'" he said. "A lot of people say we should look to the future and forget the past, but we have to remember the future is based on the past."

Courtesy – Frederick News Post

Update yourself…

Bannerghatta Butterfly Park, Mangalore

  

A Special cover on The Bangalore Butterfly Park with a pictorial cancellation of a Butterfly was released on 13-Mar-2007, the second day of the three day District Level Philatelic Exhibition - PHILEX 2007 held at Jnana Jyothi Auditorium, Central College Campus from 12-Mar-2007 to 14-Mar-2007. The Bangalore Butterfly Park, the first of its kind in India was set up in November 2006 in Bannerghatta. The mission of this Park is to foster an appreciation of butterflies and other invertebrates while educating the public about the need for conservation of threatened habitats around the world. Recently on 23 May 2009 one more special cover was released on Butterfly Park.

- K. Sridhar, Bangalore

Promotional section

Mobile Philately………What it is?

Mobile Philately is mobile technology based philatelic community with short messaging service (SMS) that allows the community members to get latest updates related to Indian Philately directly into mobile message box.Type your Name, Mobile Number, City, Pin Code, Email ID & Collecting interest and send a SMS to 09890373344 or you can also email this information to modi.philatelist@gmail.com For More Details Contact: Deepak Narendraji Modi , 1-09-123, Dr.Rajendra Prasad Road, Badi Sadak, JALNA – 431203 (M.S.) OR Log on to www.mobilephilately.webs.com

-I am AVG Rajulu from chennai. I am manufacturing stockbooks , coin albums, stock cards .if any one is interested I will send the sizes and prices. Also I am interested in buying small def stamps of any country in larger quantity.

Adhepalli Venkatesan Govindarajulu, Chennai E-mail : rajulustampsandcoins@yahoo.co.in

 

For Cricket Lovers .....

At Lord's cricket ground on 30th June a special set of stamps commemorating the 2009 Ashes series was released. Britain's secret little post office at Bletchley Park has got together with the Isle of Man Post Office and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to celebrate an Ashes Summer. The result is a presentation pack and first day cover for three unique stamps. One features W G Grace playing at Lord's, another shows the Ashes urn with the crystal trophy and the third a Karen Neale painting of the 2005 series. The stamps are featured against a backdrop of a match at Lord's.

A good licking for the "Ashes".

England has not beaten Australia at Lord's since 1934, so this time perhaps?Either way cricket fans can give the "Ashes " a good licking with a newstamp issue on sale at Lord's from the 16th July. A strange combination ofthe MCC, the Isle of Man and a secret little post office has produced a setof postage stamps commemorating cricket's best-known clash.Bletchley Park is best known for its wartime links with the enigma codebreakers. But the tiny post office that was once an undercover mailroom hasbeen issuing stamps and first day covers for the MCC since 2004. On bigmatch days at Lord's fans queue up to get these limited edition littlepieces of cricket art and history.For 2009 they have teamed up with the Isle of Man Post Office to issue a setof stamps featuring the work of cricket artists Christina Pierce and KarenNeale.

The stamps and covers will be available on the day outside the MCC Museum.They can also be viewed and ordered from the MCC section of the web site athttp://www.bletchleycovers.com/. Write to BPPO, The Mansion, Bletchley Park, MiltonKeynes MK 3 6EB or call 01908 637797/272690 for more information.

Indian cricket legend honored by University

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is to award an Honorary Fellowship to former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly for his contribution to the world of cricket. The ceremony will take place at Preston Guildhall on Wednesday, 15 July at 3.00pm.It is the first honorary award to be accepted by Ganguly from any UK university. Commenting on the fellowship, Dr John Minten, Head of the Schoolof Sport, Tourism and The Outdoors said Sourav's distinguished international career and his reputation for having played cricket with such commitment and tenacity would be of great inspiration to U CLan students. "Our students and staff take great pride in their association with honorary fellows and we're delighted that Sourav has accepted our Honorary Fellowship."Acknowledged as India's most successful cricket captain, having led the sidein 49 test matches that included 21 test wins, Sourav will accept his award in front of a packed audience of 2000 graduates and parents.Dr Minten continued: "The award also reflects our excellent reputation forsport-related courses and research, which includes new, cricket-related programmes, and a growing collaboration with partner educational institutions in India."The Honorary Fellowship also coincides with the ICC Centenary Conference that U C Lan is co-sponsoring with the University of Oxford.To commemorate the award Chapman and Mitchell Covers have commissioned a special portrait and will be issuing a limited edition stamp and first day cover. These will be available after the event from the web site at http://www.bletchleycovers.com/ and provide a special memento of the occasion.

A kind help from our member to the Stamp Lovers....

Those who wish to get US stamps may contact Mr.Hemant V Kulkarni. He can assist  them to provide  US stamps at Face Value as a service to the Indian Philatelic community and Blog Readers. Mr Kulkarni may be contacted at : lsr_kulkarni@msn.com  or by Airmail at: Dr. Hemant V Kulkarni, 6642 W Pierner Place, Milwaukee, WI 53223, USA.

Sanjiv Jain, Dehradun

I am a philatelist from Dehradun .I have great interest in collecting Postal material related to JAINISM I want some  special covers on Jainism .I am looking forward with great hope, please contact me if you have any for exchange OR  give me someone’s reference who can help me to collect the special covers on Jainism. 

My address is : SANJIV JAIN , 97 KANWALI ROAD , OPPOSITE POLICE POST , DEHRADUN - 248001, UTTRANCHAL.

E-Mail : jainsanjiv@live.com Mobile : 9319988527

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: www.stampsofindia.com

ZEPPELIN POST JOURNAL - SUMMER09 -
July 2009 eZEP-Newsletter with the latest on zeppelin mail and airship memorabilia. A sneak preview of the Summer09 issue is online at http://www.ezep.de/zpj/2009su.html

Editor’s Mail Box

Dr Avinash B.Jagtap Switzerland

I have gone through the contents of your monthly. It is very informative for the philatelists especially for thematic collectors. Dr. Satyendra Kumar Agrawal has written an extensive article on privately printed postal stationeries, which form one of the important philatelic elements in a thematic collection and display. Also Mr. Naresh Kumar Agrawal has provided useful information on the Labels, which is of great interest. Thank you for editing such a wonderful July issue!

Pradip Jain, Patna

I always read your most interesting and beautiful presented newsletter.  You are really doing good work and contributing to the philately. 

Adhepalli Venkatesan Govindarjulu, Chennai

RAINBOW STAMP NEWS is a very useful news letter for a stamp dealer and collector.

RAINBOW STAMP CLUB

This is a blog of e-stamp Club 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. New Post on recent issues, news on stamp activities and Contribution by members are published everyday on this blog.

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, International Stamp News, Jagannath Mani – Bangalore; Shrikant Parikh- Ahmadabad, Prashat H. Pandya-Vadodara ; Hemant Kumar Jain- Jabalpur, Pradip Mohanty – Cuttack; Ajit Dash – Bhubaneshwar; Mobile Philately – Deepak Modi, Pradip Jain – Patna;Terry Mtchelle - UK ; Frederick News Post

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 – j.jyoti9@gmail.com & rainbowstamp2008@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 & Contributors-

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.

Attention -

Please send limited number of images in compressed jpg format only with your article.Please send text and images separately. Please do not send text or image for publication in PDF.

"Designs in connection with postage stamps and coinage may be described, I think, as the silent ambassadors on national taste"- . - W. B. Yeats , (Irish poet, playwright.

Till Next Month Happy Collecting……………………………………………………………………..

Rainbow Stamp News is edited and published monthly by Jeevan Jyoti, from Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) India.