Rainbow Stamp News

To be issued on 14 March 2010 by Belgium Post

EUROPA 2010 – Year of Children’s Books

Shimla February 2010 Issue # 26

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,

Here is the February issue for you with some new features and articles. . In last issue I had written about ‘how the system of judging the exhibits can be improved.’ The cause of poor judging is the faulty system which is being followed in exhibitions since a long time. With the time certain changes could be made in order to get good results. In my opinion if the participants are asked to send a soft copy of their exhibits, the jury can easily judge and evaluate the exhibits very clearly and thoroughly without visiting the frames. This will be easier and convenient for the exhibitor too as it is economic and easy to send. If an exhibitor sends photocopies of the exhibit, he will have to pay more postage and photocopy charges than if he sends a CD of the exhibit. Sometimes the judges are not able to see the frames thoroughly due to crowd in the exhibition hall and the details cannot be read properly, standing at glass frames. The CDs can be monitored easily. As the scans give a crystal clear view of the philatelic items, the smallest philatelic item could not be overlooked by the jury. With the time such new methods can be introduced especially in India where the number of frames is quite large. If this system is followed, faultless judging of more frames could be done in a short time. In my view the organizers of the exhibitions should adopt modern techniques in the judging system, as we have seen in the pattern of examination in school, college level and professional courses. So why not this could be followed in the evaluation of philatelic exhibits too ??? It is the point to ponder !! I will be pleased to receive views and opinions of our Readers in this matter. This is all for this month……..Enjoy this issue…Till Next month……..Happy Collecting !!

….Jeevan Jyoti

Contents

Recent Indian Issues

In The News

Interview

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

Dec17 2009 : Lal Pratap Singh – Rs 5

Dec 19 : Preserve the Polar Regions and Glaciers – 2 x Rs 5

Dec 27 Indian Mathematical Society – Rs 5

Dec 27 Venkataramana Bhagavathar – Rs 5

Dec 29 Maharaja Surajmal – Rs 5

5 Jan 2010 20th Conference on Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth- Rs 5

Jan 16 : Reserve Bank of India – Rs 5

Jan 25 : Election Commission of India – Rs 5

Special Cover – Postmark

Dec 17 2009 : Frontier mail – Stampmania 2009 - Vadodara

Dec 18 : Balasinor – Stampmania 2009 – Vadodara

Dec 19 : Save Energy - Stampmania 2009 - Vadodara

Dec 20 : Jasu Patel, Cricket – Stampmania – 2009 – Vadodara

Jan 5 2010 : GNB Centenary Celebrations - Chennai

Jan 9 : End Polio Now – Agra

Jan 9 : Sp Event Cover on Scouting, Pali Marwar, Rajasthan

Jan 11 : 14^th Indian Railways Jamborette, Tiruchirapalli

Jan 16 : Shri 1008 Shrimajjinendra Jinbimb Panchkalyanak Pratishtha & Tray Gajrath Mahotsava, Satna (MP)

Jan 21: Golden Jubilee of Sri. Bhuvanendra College, Karkala (D.K. District, Karnataka)

Jan 27: All India Postal Kabbadi Tournament, Tiruchirappalli

Jan 30 Saheedpex 2010, Cuttack

Recent Stamp Booklets

Vadodara City issued By Baroda Philatelic Society

Arctic Preservation & Antarctic Preservation issued by Uttarakhand Postal Circle

Recent Stamp Packs by India Post

15 Nov 2009 : The Silent Valley

10 Dec 2009 : Traditional Textiles

16 Jan 2010 : Reserve Bank of India

In The News

Vatican stamp to help victims of Haiti Earthquake

The Vatican's Philatelic and Numismatic Office announced that it will "overprint" a stamp as a fundraiser for Haitian earthquake survivors. The initiative is expected to bring in proceeds of over $210,000.

A stamp commemorating the 1,500th anniversary of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces already planned to be printed and released by the Vatican, will be sold for a higher price than was initially set as a "special initiative in favor of the population of Haiti," according to a communique from the Holy See's Press Office.

The 900,000 stamps will be sold at 20 Euro cents over its 65 cent postal value. The price of the stamp will thus be "overprinted" to 85 Euro cents. The subject of the stamp, Our Lady of Graces Sanctuary, is located in the mountains about 40 miles west of Vatican City.

Charity Auction for Victims of Haiti Earthquake

Philatelic Society of Malaysia will hold special charity auction in aid to the victims of Haiti earthquake. It will be held at MBPJ Library on the 28th February 2010 at 10am.

Freeze Frame

A Calcutta University Cine Carnival was held in Calcutta University from 12-15th January 2010 at Ritwik Hall, Hardinge Building.It was organized by Media Studies: Film and Television in association with Cine Central, Calcutta and American Centre.

During this period Calcutta University organized a Philatelic Exhibition on Cinema from the collection of renowned philatelist and artist Shri Dipok Dey. This is for the first time, that Calcutta University organized a philatelic exhibition. This mini exhibition has an impact on the academic front. For the future they are planning for a big philatelic exhibition and workshop.

STAMP FIESTA - 2010

Ludhiana Philatelic Club is planning to hold a State Level Philatelic Exhibition “STAMP FIESTA-2010” from May 6-8, 2010 at Ludhiana. Three Special Covers and a Souvenir will be issued to commemorate the occasion. For further details contact at –

Chairman “Stamp-Fiesta – 2010”

Dr. S.K. Sondhi , 20 - A, Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana – 141 001.

Mobile: 98156 57647 Ph. 0161- 2455344

E-Mail: info.sf2010@gmail.com & mailto:sksondhi1@gmail.com

Secretary “Stamp-Fiesta – 2010”

Mr Mukesh Malhotra, B III 1266, Bajwa Nagar, St. No.1, Ludhiana – 141 008.

Mobile: 90230 84608, 94173 49808 Ph.: 0161-2740184.

E Mail : secretary.sf2010@gmail.com & mukeshlibra@yahoo.co.in

SAHEEDPEX – 2010 - Cuttack

On 30 January 2010, Orissa Philatelic Association organized an exhibition *SAHEEDPEX-2010" in Cuttack on the theme of Gandhi. A special cover was released on this occasion. The cover depicts the photograph of "Rajghat" where Mahatma Gandhi's immortal body lies in peace and the funeral procession of Mahatma Gandhi at the back ground. The concept of design of the cover and cancellation was done by Mr Pradip Mohanty. A quiz competition was held during this exhibition among school students from 11 schools of Cuttack. For details Mr Pradop Mohanty may be contacted : Pradip Mohanty,Hon.Secretary,Orissa Philatelic Association,Keonjhar Colony,Kanikachhak,Cuttack-753008 Ph. 09861032965 E-Mail : oriphil@gmail.com

See pics of the event at: http://oriphil.blogspot.com/2010/01/today-orissa-philatelic-association.html

New Special Cover on Jainism

To commemorate the Shri 1008 Shrimajjinendra Jinbimb Panchkalyanak Pratishtha & Tray Gajrath Mahotsava,a special cover has been issued at Satna (M.P.) on 16th January 2010. Indian Postal Department provided a special cancellation on this occasion. The special cover depicts colourful Gajrath along with the images of 11 feet high idol of Bhagwan Shantinath situated in the Satna Digamber Jain Mandir and Pujya Acharya Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj. Special cancellation depicts image of Bhagwan Parshwanath.

Central India Philatelic Society was instrumental in issuance of this Special Cover and Special Cancellation. These covers are available with Mr. Sudhir Jain, Secretary, Central India Philatelic Society, Sushma Press Compound, SATNA (M.P.) 485 005 E-mail : centralindphil@yahoo.com / mrsudhirjain@yahoo.com). Phone : 07672 - 257121 to 125, 414000 Fax : 07672 – 257131 Website : http://www.mrsudhirjain.com/

INDIPEX - 2011

India Post is organizing a World Philatelic exhibition from 12 Feb to 18 Feb 2011 at Pragat Maidan, New Delhi . It is expected that approximately 70 countries would be participating in this Mega show. For more details visit the website of INDIA POST

Mr. Rajesh Bagari of Kolkatta has been appointed Commissioner for INDIPEX 2011, Mr. Tay (Singapore) is FIP consultant.

2010 Smithsonian Philatelic Achievement Awards

Smithsonian National Postal Museum Now Soliciting Nominations

The National Postal Museum is currently soliciting nominations for philatelists who will be recognized with the 2010 Smithsonian Philatelic Achievement Awards. The award honors Americans and individuals from around the world for outstanding lifetime accomplishments in the field of philately. The achievements can include original research that significantly advances our understanding of philately and postal history; exceptional service to the philatelic community; and the overall promotion of philately for the benefit of current and future collectors. Awards will be presented at the museum in October of 2010.

Nominations can be submitted by any individual or organization. Self-nominations will not be accepted. The nomination must be a stand-alone justification of why the candidate is being proposed and the candidate should not be aware of the nomination. The individual's lifetime philatelic achievements must be delineated in the nomination. The justifications must be between 500 - 1,000 words in length. Nominations must be received by the Nominating Committee by March 1, 2010.

The nomination must be sent in writing to the: Smithsonian Philatelic Achievement Award Nominating Committee, National Postal Museum, PO Box 37012, MRC-570, Washington, DC 20013-7012.

25^th Asian International Stamp Exhibition

National Commissioner for Bangkok-2010 - Ajay Kumar Mittal E-Mail -ajay@kshitiz.com

ORGANIZATION, VENUE AND DATE

2.1 BANGKOK 2010 is organized by Thailand Post Company Limited in joint collaboration with the Philatelists Association of Thailand.

2.2 BANGKOK 2010 will be held at Plenary Hall, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok, Thailand.

2.3 BANGKOK 2010 will open on August 4, 2010 and close on August 12, 2010.

Address for Communication

The Organizing Committee of BANGKOK 2010

P.O. BOX 2010, Thailand Post Company Limited,

Bangkok 10002, Thailand

TEL & FAX: (662) 831-3850

Email: stamp@thailandpost.com

15.2 The address of the Commissioner General of BANGKOK 2010 is:

See more details of the exhibition at : http://rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/2009/12/bangkok-2010.html

JOBURG 2010 INTERNATIONAL STAMP SHOW

The 26th Asian International Stamp Exhibition, 'JOBURG 2010 International Stamp Show' will be held on October 27 to 31, 2010 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.stampsofindia.com/other/Joburg%202010%20Individual%20Regulations%20March%202010%20Close.doc and http://www.stampsofindia.com/other/Joburg%202010%20Exhibit%20Application%20Form%20March%202010%20close.xls respectively.

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 14 March, 2010. For any assistance in this regard please email or call 0 9350537037.

INTERVIEW

Prof VK Gupta needs no introduction to Indian Philatelic Community as he is a renowned philatelist and author of famous philatelic book "A Hand Book on Gwalior : Postal History & Stamps (1837 - 1950)" which won laurels and medals throughout the world. Prof Gupta retired as Professor, Faculty of Law, from University of Delhi in 2007. He was born on July 25. 1942 and was introduced to Philately in 1949 . He has been exhibiting since 1959. His Gwalior Collection is one of the finest collections in the world, and Gwalior collection has the distinction of housing rarity of Gwalior "Large Sun" Post Card (1 of the 4 known), The collection led the writing of Gwalior book , which in turn resulted into inclusion of large and small "R" , and "G" in Stanley Gibbons catalogue, which they duly acknowledged at that time. He was the only person from Madhya Pradesh to receive any medal , and his silver medal at Inpex -70 , placed the State at 5th place, as reported by Mr. Jal Cooper in India’s Stamp Journal.

He joined stamp trade in 1965-69 and founded Philatelic Society in Gwalior in 1971. He has won many awards at National and International Philatelic Exhibitions and has been appointed as member of jury in philatelic exhibitions. He also wrote a book on Thematic Philately ”A Handbook on Thematic Philately" which was published in 1989 has been a guide over the years for many philatelists of the country including myself to know and understand thematic philately in detail. Today Thematic Class has emerged as the biggest class having maximum number of entries on a variety of subjects. I am pleased to publish an Interview with Prof VK Gupta who is an expert of this branch in our country and I am sure his answers will be a guideline for all, especially for those pursuing this branch of philately. - Editor

Prof V K Gupta has completed his 60 years of collecting stamps. Here he reveals his long journey of collecting stamps.....

I started collecting stamps with my classmates. My grand uncle was sent by rulers of Gwalior state in 1945 to England . My great grand uncle was in Gwalior Durbar and a friend of Maharaja. Their old records gave enough ammunition to start with and I along with my cousin shared the booty, in1949-50. However I again compensated my cousin few years later, when I presented him a few more stamps , when he was back home on vacations from Scindia School. I handed over my collection in 1956 when I was in 9th standard to my eldest brother, who was an ardent collector, as both of us felt that it is time for me to concentrate on my studies. I have always believed that hobby is hobby and should never come in the way of one's career. I was rewarded a few years later when he returned my collection along with his own collection as he decided that I can take better care of the collection. My father always encouraged me to collect, and purchased several sets for me. He introduced me to a stamp dealer in Gwalior.

I along with other philatelists formed Gwalior Philatelic Society in 1965 in Gwalior. I also entered the philatelic trade. I have a postcard in which Jhingan, a student of 7th standard asked for a price list for philatelic books. My business particulars were published as a trader in Harris International Philatelic Trade directory,1968. I traded with like M.L.Tanan, N.M. Mistri, M.C. Sukhani to name a few. In 1967 I attended first seminar on philately organized by the Department of Post, and made friends like Ajit Single . Jal Cooper and me worked in the same sub-committee in the seminar. N.D. Shroff, Dhirubhai, Kusum Ben, O.P. Bhatanagar and many others taught me many finer aspects of philately. in 1969, I abandoned trade, for pursuing my career and since then I never sold any thing till 2009. I participated in Inpex-70, wherein I was awarded a Silver Medal. I was the only one in whole of Madhya Pradesh to be awarded any medal. Delhi Philatelic Society along with other societies, facilitated DN Jatia on his being elected as FIP president ,published a photograph in the souvenir in which I am at the centre and on my two side are DN Jatia and S. P. Chatterjea. I have participated in more then three dozen exhibitions, ranging from state to world level.

In 1972 , I joined University of Rajasthan as a lecturer, and purchased remnants of O. P. Bhatanagar's collection, that became the basis of my Gwalior book, to be published in 1980. I raised a loan of Rs. 20,000/- with the consent of my wife Manjul and with my mother as surety, that loan will be paid in a year, even if I have to sell my 1977 fiat. However the book was an outstanding success with the support of Robson Lowe and Vira Trinder.My name was proposed for Philatelic Advisory Committee, in 1980,but Director General chose Brig. Virk. In1980 world exhibition and in many others I served in one or the other sub-committees. In 1988 I became state apprentice juror for Karnapex-88 and have served as jury member in several state and national exhibitions since then. In 1989 my book” Thematic Philately", and in 1997, " Be Awakened my FIP: Conservation Restoration and Philatelic Chemistry" were published. In 2007, I retired as professor, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. Nowadays I am re-arranging my 15-20 collections (they were lying mostly in the form of accumulations), moderate to specialized ones. I have a very valuable philatelic library. I imported several dozen books from abroad and through auctions, of my interest. I have a daughter Neha who lost interest in philately, when she participated as a youth in Dakiana and became a victim of politics of senior local philatelists, and never returned to philately in a philatelic exhibition. She is now heading a Law firm at the age of 25, after her return from United States.

Interview With Prof VK Gupta

Q 1 You have spent a long time in philately what difference do you find in the attitude of philatelists of your time and the philatelists of Today?? Do you think the way of collection and studies of philatelic items have very much changed with the time??

A1.Attitude of philatelists today is as cooperative as always; one can always find some local and other philatelist for help. Words of mouth are still honoured in most cases. Philatelists are still inclined to join at least one or two societies. However change is the law of nature. Old order yields to new, so in philately. In olden times people used to collect whatever came in their way. Parliament Street head office, New-Delhi used to witness long queues of hundreds of people on the occasion of issue of a new stamp. Turning point came in philately,when the Deptt. of Post organized Seminar on Philately in 1967, wherein I worked in a sub committee with Jal Cooper and others.It culminated into guidelines for philatelists as well for the postal officials. Inpex 70 was another occasion, when shoe box philately was converted into organized collections. I was fortunate enough to win the silver medal. PCI was formed and affiliated to FIP.Another milestone in philately was when the Department recognized, philately as one of its activities and separate budget allocations resulted in to District and school exhibitions.

Q2 Twenty years back the Philately had a different picture in the exhibitions as there used to be more exhibits on traditional philately, country collections, error studies...But Today we find that young collectors have lost interest in these subjects.....but have switched over to Thematic Philately...Do you think that the original philately is at the verge of extinction ?? Or philately is diverging and should be accepted in its changing forms?

A2.Change of direction from traditional to thematic is natural evolution and welcome. Traditional philatelists when reach vermeil enter into thematic and vice versa. Traditional philately will never die. It is a matter of a fat cheque book and professional help. Therefore both will survive.

Q3 Thematic Philately has emerged as the most dominant class in the exhibitions today and in all the exhibitions the judging of this class has always become very controversial.....It is very difficult to ignore the comments by the participants on judging...As an expert of Thematic Philately what way would you suggest to make a fair judging of thematic exhibits at the philatelic exhibitions?

A3. (i) Every hundred thematic frames should have a thematic judge (vermeil in national); as is international practice.(ii) Exhibitor should submit subject background in about 7-10 lines; mention 8-15 important/ rare items; items added / improvements made since last exhibition in 4-6 lines; personal study and research in 3-4 lines including his publications ( if any) and bibliography. (iii) It must be provided timely, so that jury can come prepared.

Q4 Do you think that besides philatelic experts there should be a panel of subject/ thematic experts of some very popular theme in the jury panel to judge thoroughly thematic exhibits?? Because in a thematic exhibit, development of theme with suitable philatelic items & study of the subject are equally important . Do you suggest classification of thematic exhibits like we see in various high level exhibitions such as Technology, Culture, Environment, Religion… as this could help in categorization of thematic judges too… your comments…..

A4. Categorization of judges is possible in large thematic exhibitions only; and it is not a panacea for all ills.

Q5 You have been a member of Jury in several philatelic exhibitions......Do you think judges are under constant pressure and willingly or unwillingly do some favor or are forced to adjust the results in accordance with the quantity and quality of awards designed, prepared and decided by the organizers. This ultimately results in resentment among exhibitors. What do you feel and suggest to check this?

A5. Some lobbying is present in overt or covert form; negative as well as positive. However it does not affect judging greatly, as the particular judge is exposed to the fellow judges. Where the objective of the organizers is to promote philately, five marks are uniformly added for all the participants , when judging is complete in such exhibitions.

Q6. You have been author of a book on thematic exhibiting… What changes would you suggest to look in to the exploration of different associated fields in philately, search of different variety of material and of course the judges attitude ?

A6. (I) Acquiring items prior to 1960 through auctions and old time general collectors is the key. (II) joining specialized societies.(iii) study of specialized philatelic literature. General books on the theme are of help only initially.(iv) making aware of your collection to judges and specialists in the fields, and getting their suggestions if possible. DN Jatia helped a few thematic collections to get comments from international juries, for improvement.

Q 7 ; Social philately is now emerging as a new branch in international philately. How do you relate or differentiate it with thematic philately ? And what do you feel about the future of social philately?

A7. Social philately is yet in the experimental class and FIP guidelines are available on its web site. This class will surely help philately to grow.

Q8 There is no single Strong National Philatelic Federation in our country. The one which was a stronger one in the past is now split and its not working actively. Do you think there is a need of a strong and active National Philatelic Federation in our country to look upon the national philatelic activities . What would you suggest the philatelic community of India to help in making a strong National Philatelic Federation in the country ?

A8. World over Congresses are being replaced by federations. However it does not matter much. What matters is transparency, communication and balancing. Infighting must be stopped .It will lead to better respect with the philatelists , the department and around the world. New elections must be held in PCI.

Q 9 Last but not the least, in International Exhibitions, over the years we have seen that in thematic exhibiting Indian philatelists / participants are not performing that good except a few selected ones .What exactly is the reason that even those who perform so well in Nationals fail to stick to their performance in International ? Your comments on reasons and suggestions?

A.9. Getting good award in thematic is more difficult and problematic than traditional. Participants should never forget that there is a personal and subjective factor in thematic judging. Creativity has many dimensions. Judges can not offer valid upgrading suggestions. They don't know what material is available for presenting a particular theme and how difficult that material can be to acquire (philatelic knowledge); that is the precise reason judges have to silently bear the brunt of criticism of the participants. It is suggested that in thematics, exhibitor is to overcome the judges lack of thematic knowledge, either through the method of presentation of his work or by participating in repetitive exhibitions. A collection can be made with the same material in more than one ways. Furthermore, 0ne has to appreciate the subtle difference between subject collection and thematic collection. In international a subject collection has almost no chance of a good medal. Catchy title, storyline, presentation, a cover/ postal stationery/meter franks/ postmarks/cachets to a page along with stamps are some of the catch. Lastly as suggested by late Mary Owens judges should know your collection. Lack of leadership is the final blow.

As a matter of principle, two exhibits demonstrating equal research and study, development and presentation, and depth of material must deserve equal points (except for rarity) - even if one is Study of early 1854 lithographs, and another is a study of Gandhi definitive. But this is not so. Even if marks for rarity are deducted from both the collections, scales will heavily tilted in favour of the former collection. . We should not turn our back from the hard reality, and face it squarely. In the ultimate analysis, at advance stage all collections become cheque book collections.

Thank you very much for the Interview !!

Prof VK Gupta may be contacted at : profvkg@gmail.com

Beginners’ Section

Do You Know ?

- Naresh Agarwal, Bilaspur (CG)

PIGEON POST AND PIGEON MAIL

Pigeon post is mail which is carried by pigeons. The term is used both to refer to physical items of mail, and to the system used to transport them. While pigeon post a traditional method to carry pigeon mail is largely obsolete today, it was at one point a very trendy method of carrying mail. Although the use of pigeons for carrying mail was never widespread, friends would sometimes send mail by pigeon, as would people in the financial industry who wanted to transmit news reasonably quickly. In India,the practice of using homing pigeons as message carriers also prevailed from the earliest times. ‘pigeon carriers’ are still officially in use by government departments in remote areas, like in the State of Orissa.

1948 New Zeland Pigeon Mail Cover Pigeon Mail Stamp

Postal Cover to be sent by Pigeon Post

Historical Moments in Philately

- Dr. K. Jaya Prakash, Thrissur - Kerala

The first stamp collector was Mr.John Bourke; receiver General of stamp duties In Ireland. He formed a collection of fiscal stamps in an album in 1774.

THE PENNY BLACK was the world’s First Pre Paid postage stamp(Fig.1).It was issued in England on Wednesday 6^th May 1840.This stamp was named Penny Black because they cost a penny and the stamps are black in colour.QueenVictoria`s image was on the postage stamp. The portrait on the Penny Black stamp is based on the WYON MEDAL OF 1837 which WILLAIM WYON modeled in 1834 when Princess Victoria was only 15 yrs old. SIR .ROWLAND HILL (1795-1879) IS THE MAN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF PENNY BLACK. Other countries followed England, In 1843 Brazil, in 1847 USA AND MAURITIUS, In 1849 France and Belgium and by 1860 about 85 countries had issued stamps.

In 1863 the smallest postage stamp was issued by Colombian state of Bolivar (Fig.2)

The World’s largest postage stamps were issued in 1900 by CHINA .They were used as express mail deliveries.

The first individual to be depicted on postage stamp other than Royalty was William Shakespeare.

The 1 cent British Guiana postage stamp of 1856 is the world’s rarest and most valuable stamp (Fig.3), with a value of GBP 1 Million.

The French Govt in 1849 made a law, making it illegal to wash or clean French Postage stamp. This odd law was made to counter the practice of reusing the stamps. Almost 15,000 individuals were charged under this law within 6 yrs from its implementation.

Specialized Section

February is the month of Valentines and it is celebrated all over the world on 14 February. It is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers or gifts .To celebrate Valentine’s Day in a special way , Many postal administrations issue special postage stamps for this special occasion. I am pleased to publish an article by Dr Satyendra Kumar Agarwal for this very special month.- Editor

O’ My LOVE is like a Red, Red Rose…

© Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

This verse remains a lasting testament to the pain of a lover’s parting and was composed in 1973 by Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland.

Though words or pictures have never fully encompassed the sheer beauty and grandeur of the red rose, it is undeniably the most beautiful rose colour. However, it is as the symbol for love that the red rose is most commonly recognized.

Red roses are a meaningful gift, perfect for expressing feelings for a loved one on Valentine's Day, an anniversary or simply "just because." For the budding relationship, a red rose bouquet can also signal the beginning of romantic intentions. They can send a message of commitment and an invitation to take the next step.

Even the simplicity of a single red rose can elicit a powerful response. The red rose especially, a single red rose simply expresses, “I love you very deeply.” Whatever the occasion, red roses have an allure that is hard to resist!

The first true primary red rose seen in Europe was “Slater’s Crimson China”, introduced in 1972 from China, where it had been growing wild in the mountains. However, the meaning associated with them can be traced back many centuries, even to some of the earliest societies. Greek and Roman mythologies tell the tales of the yearning and passion associated with the red rose. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, created the red rose after being pricked by the thorns of a rosebush in her attempt to help her slain lover, Adonis. Her blood and the mix of their tears created the red rose.

According to Roman mythology Venus, the Roman name for Aphrodite, created the red rose from her tears. A different myth explains that once, when Venus was walking through a garden, she pricked her foot on a thorn, her blood falling on a rose and turning it red. Another myth tells of Cupid pouring a glass of wine on the rose, creating its beautiful crimson red color. The Roman story tellers also pictured the red roses as a reflection of the blushing Venus when Jupiter saw her bathing.Also, white roses in paradise were said to have blushed red when Eve kissed them.

Cleopatra once greeted Marc Antony on a carpet of red rose petals 18” deep to make the vary wind love sick.

From Persia: at night the nightingale flew towards the rose attracted by its fragrance. He was pierced by the thorns and his blood dyed the flower red.

Language of Rose: In the 18^th century, a special rose language evolved as a means of communication between lovers who were forced by society to keep their feelings a secret. Here also the red rose played an important role and denoted a true love that is stronger than thorns and can outlive all obstacles. It expressed the throbbing heat of new love, raging desire and craving passion. In this secret language number of red blooms, their combination with other colour blooms, placement style etc all has given different romantic meanings. One may receive immediate response also to his/her feelings conveyed gifting red rose without speaking. The rose taken with right hand shows that the person accepts your love, but taken with left hands shows disagreement to you.

Symbolism and number: The number symbolism in case of Roses is especially associated with red roses and by that association romantic involvement. So when you send a bunch of red roses or receive it… count the blooms and read below what the numbers are saying.

Single rose

The beauty of a single red rose is in its simplicity, expressing sincere love and gratitude. A single red rose says "I love you" like nothing else. It also expresses "You are the only one". Some also say that a single red rose expresses love at first sight. A single red rose can represent "oneness", expressing eternal devotion and commitment. "There is no one else but you", or "You mean everything to me".

2 roses 2 roses joined together 3 roses

“Let us be together”, Gratitude coming marriage “You & me & our love for company

12 roses 24 roses 50 roses

Ultimate declaration of love I think about you every hour of the day Unconditional love

Symbolism and bloom

clip_image073

Full blown rose placed over 2 buds Half blown rose Withered rose

secrecy timid love I would rather die, our love is over

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Rose bud Rose bud with leaves, no thorns

inclined to love, you are young and beautiful I fear no longer, I hope

Red and white roses, arranged together or white roses edged in red

unity

Red roses arranged with Yellow roses or blossoms containing both red and yellow coloration

gaiety, joviality and happiness

Symbolism and Colour: Just as there are many shades of love, so also the red rose has many shades. And the meaning of each shade varies. Bright red roses are interpreted as the ultimate expression of romantic and abiding love. The deep red rose conveys unconscious and guileless beauty. Burgundy shade depicts a beauty that is unadorned and uncontrived, cardinal red - sublime desire and amaranth red denotes long standing desire.

Bright red Deep red Burgundy

Cardinal red Amaranth red

Many early cultures used red roses to decorate marriage ceremonies and they were often a part of traditional wedding attire. Here red roses express domestic bliss that is at once passionate as well as abiding. A love that is growing in strength, away from monotony and still fresh is what the red rose portrays .Decoration of marriage hall and honeymooners suite with red roses is very popular even today.

Although traditions vary greatly and have changed over the years, Red Roses have always been considered the signature flower universally for telling some one “I Love You.” On this Valentine’s Day try one Red Rose for your Valentino and for instant love or passion prepare this magical “Old Love Potion Recipe” made of red and white rose petals and Forget-me-nots, boiled in 385 drops of water for the sixteenth part of an hour. If properly made, insures the love of one of the opposite sex, if three drops of the mixture are put into something the person is to drink. I found it in an old book on “Secrets of Flowers.”

The auhtor of this article, Dr Satyendra Kumar Agarwal may be contacted at rosephila@hotmail.com

Rules and guidelines for release of a special cover as prescribed by the Department of Posts

Compiled by Ajit Kumar Dash, Secretary, Eastern India Philatelists’ Association, Bhubaneswar

Cont. from December 2009 issue…..

Rule-53. Special Cancellation: Heads of Circles are the competent authority to sanction special cancellation and covers commemorating any event/ institution/ inaugural flight under their jurisdiction subject to the following terms and conditions:

A. A special cancellation with or without a special cover may be approved keeping in mind the following points:-

i) The subject/occasion is of considerable importance/relevance at the State level.

ii) It will boost local philatelic interest.

iii) The subject/occasion is non-controversial and bears no communal or political overtones.

iv) The proponents are of repute with established credibility. They should not be indulging in activities which may be a cause of embarrassment to the Government of India.

B. The proponent will provide the following details/material to the Head of the Circle for consideration of the proposal.

i) The proposed date of issue.

ii) Proposed design for the special cancellation.

iii) Name (s) of the post office (s) or/and the venue from where such special cancellations are to be provided.

C. The legend in the cancellation design should be bilingual (first in Hindi and then English) indicating the date and mentioning only the event/ occasion being commemorated. The design should incorporate the name and the PIN of the post office where the special cancellation is to be provided. In case the special cancellation is to be provided at a venue, it should be the PIN of the post office in whose delivery jurisdiction the venue is located. The design should be in the form of a line drawing so that the impressions are neat and clean.

D. The design of the cancellation should be of secular nature and should be devoid of any nuances which may cause embarrassment to Government.

E. The proponent will be required to pay to the Department in advance, the fees prescribed from time to time.

F. The cachet (s) for the special cancellation should be as per the design approved by the Head of the Circle and will be manufactured by the concerned Circle Office.

53.1. The Department reserves the right to reject any application for special cancellation or to disallow or modify any design or inscription in the special cancellation without assigning any reason

53.2. All cancellations should be neat and clean. Cachets should be properly engraved. Philatelic bureau may take the assistance of treadle machine or other mechanical device approved by the Department to provide neat and distinct impressions.

53.3. Sometimes when a new flight is introduced by Air Lines, National or International, a request is received to carry addressed covers on the inaugural flight from one point in the country to another or form one point in the country to another point in a foreign country. Generally, to identify such covers having been carried on the first flight, special cancellation is provided at the point of origin. When such proposals are received and approved the proponent will be requested to offer all such covers to the philatelic bureau on the eve of the flight for providing special cancellation. After doing so, the covers will be closed in a blue air mail bag and handed over to the air line concerned under receipt. Delivery post marks of the place of destination can also be provided if requested. This can be provided in a foreign country if the request is received sufficiently in advance by making arrangements with the Postal Administration of the country concerned.

Rule-54. Design of Cancellation: The designs of first day cancellation and special cancellation, are selected by the Department. Such cancellations can be either pictorial or non-pictorial but should invariably contain the subject of the theme on the occasion of which these cancellations have been provided. The special place cancellations will have the same theme as of the first day cancellations, which are provided in the philatelic bureaux but with the name of the particular post office, other than a philatelic bureau, which is located in the particular place.

54.1. In the case of philatelic exhibition cancellations, the design may be either pictorial or non-pictorial preferably with a slogan conveying the message for promotion of philately. It should also indicate the name of the philatelic exhibition and the date (s) on which the exhibition is held in addition to the name of the post office at which the cancellation is provided. Such cancellations are provided at the venue of the exhibition by opening a special extension counter of the post office in the town where the exhibition is held. Normally for each day of the exhibition, different cancellation is provided like inaugural day, post office day, philatelist's day, award day etc. In case a pictorial design is adopted for a philatelic cancellation, it should be ensured that the pictorial design adopted is a simple line drawing so that clear impressions can be obtained when the cancellation is provided.

54.2 In case of pictorial cancellations for places of major historical and tourist attraction, the design adopted must have relevance to the historical and tourist signification of the particular places. It should be in simple line drawing so that clear impressions can be obtained. It should be bilingual in Hindi and English. Regional language should not find place in the cancellations. Hindi will appear at the top and English below. Numerals, such as date, year etc., will be in Arabic numerals only.

Rule-55. Manufacture of cancellation cachet: The cachets for the first day cancellations and special place cancellations, are supplied by the Head of the Circle to the philatelic bureaux and post offices concerned. The Postal Directorate circulates the common design of the cancellation for the commemorative stamp (s) inscribing the date of release, to all Heads of the Circles for getting the cachets manufactured at their end and supplied to all the philatelic bureaux under their jurisdiction. The cancellation cachet for philatelic exhibitions are also supplied by the Heads of the Circles concerned. After the design of a cancellation is approved, the Head of the Circle should arrange for local manufacturing of the cancellations cachet for philatelic exhibitions, as they are with fixed dates. For pictorial cancellations at places of historical importance or tourist attraction, the Head of the Circle should take up with the Supdt. Postal Forms and Seals, Aligarh by supplying him with the necessary design much in advance of the date of introduction of the cancellation under intimation to all concerned. Since this cancellation will replace the date stamp cancellation, this should have provision for insertion of types for dates and years.

Rule-56. Guidelines for providing Special Cancellation: The Heads of Postal Circles may approve and arrange for provision of special cancellation in all cases excepts those concerning diplomatic relations of India with other countries which will continue to be approved by the Postal Directorate, on realization of prescribed fees as given in this chapter subject to the terms & conditions mentioned in rule 53.

All proposals received in Circles for provision of philatelic exhibition cancellations and pictorial cancellations should be carefully scrutinized and personally approved by the Head of the Circle. The proposals should ordinarily be entertained if they are received at least 8 weeks in advance. It should be ensured that the design is appropriate to the theme and the spellings are correct. It should be bilingual, in Hindi as well as in English. A copy of the letter issued by the Head of the Circle, approving the proposal of the cancellation along with a copy of the design, should invariably be sent to the Philately Branch of the Directorate for information and giving publicity in the newsletter brought out by the Department. In addition the Head of the Circle should also ensure the widest possible all India publicity, at least 15 days in advance of the due date of the provision of cancellation for the benefit of the philatelists and others. They can also send a copy of the publicity material to the officer-in-charge of the Press Information Bureau for publicity in local news papers.

Rule-57. Charges for Special Cancellation: Once the proposal is approved, the proponent will be required to pay the Department the following fees:

i) Special cancellation/cover to be provided on working days -Rs.1500/- per day per post office. Rs. 3000/- per day if it is to be provided at the premises of the proponent.

ii) Special cancellation/cover to be provided on Sundays and postal: holidays -Rs. 3000/- per day per post office and Rs. 6000/- per day if it is to be provided at the premises of the proponent. The cancellation/cover will be provided during the normal working hours of the post offices. However, the Head of the Circle may offer 50% concession on the rates for a special cancellation during District, State as well as Circle and National level philatelic exhibition if it is not organized by the Department.

Rule-58. Guidelines for Formal Release Function of Special Cover and Cancellation:

58.1 The Department of Posts does not normally organize any formal function for release of Special Covers. The proponent or individual organizations who moot such proposals may, however, request the concerned Head of the Circle for permission to organize a function. This should be done sufficiently in advance and such a proposal should be accompanied by a draft minute-to-minute programme and dais plan of the proposed function and a draft invitation card so that appropriate protocol is maintained and I there is a uniformity of approach.

58.2 Any formal release function for a Special Cover by a dignitary of the central or state government should have an appropriate representative (usually Head of the Circle/Regional PMG of the concerned Circle/Region) of the Department of Posts. Exceptions to this are made only when the President of India, the Vice- President of India, the Prime Minister of India or the Speaker, Lok Sabha consents for release of special covers an such occasions the Minister of Communications/ Minister of State for Communications normally presents the first Album containing the Cover to them for release. It is, therefore, imperative that the MOC/MOS (C) delivers his speech and introduces the special cover before its release. Regardless of the VVIP /VIP who is invited by the proponent to grace the occasion, it is necessary that letters of invitation issue from the proponent to the MOC/MOS (C) and Secretary, Department of Posts, (or the CPMG/PMG in Circle/Region level function) to ascertain their convenience.

58.3 The level of the Department's representation at a release function is decided keeping in view the level and status of the VIP who is to receive the first Album of the cover to mark its formal release.

58.4 It is the responsibility of the organizer to ensure that all the necessary arrangements for the functions including printing and issue of invitation cards, site preparation, security arrangements, liaison with press, T.V. etc. for publicity of the event etc. have been made.

58.5 If necessary, the proponent will have to arrange distribution of special covers to the VIPs attending the release function as well as used in the presentation Albums at their own cost.

58.6 No formal release function for a special cover may be held without specific prior approval from the Department of Posts. The Department does not take any responsibility for extending the usual support as indicated above, for the release function, unless approval for the function has been obtained in advance.

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New Issues from other countries

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Australia

21 Jan 2010 – Australian Literary legends – 6 X 55 c

Six great Australian writers have been honored as legends in a special stamp series to celebrate Australia Day. The list includes four multiple Miles Franklin Award winners - Peter Carey, who wrote True History of the Kelly Gang; Thomas Keneally, who authored Schindler's Ark; David Malouf, who wrote The Great World, and Tim Winton, well known for his novel Cloudstreet. International best sellers Bryce Courtenay and Colleen McCullough were also honoured for the contribution their novels have made to Australian culture.

Falkland Islands

25 Jan 2010 Four seasons – 4 val.

Finland

25 January 2010 – Rock & Pop –Stamp Booklet

- Valentine’s Day – 2 stamps

On January 25. a stamp booklet, a miniature sheet and a 10-stamp sheet of a First Class no-value indicator stamp was issued by Finnish Post.

The stamp booklet includes legendary Finnish rock 'n' roll artists Eppu Normaali, Popeda, Yo, Mamba, Dingo, and Maarit. These popular and still-active bands and artists have been rendered as stamps by Klaus Welp. The stamps show the bands and musicians as they were in the 1980s.

For Valentine's Day, it also issued a miniature sheet featuring delicate fairies. The Heart Fairy, Violin Fairy and Star Fairy are ready to carry Valentine's messages .

Hong Kong

6 Feb 2010 – Year of Tiger – 4 val + S/s

Jersey

9 Feb 2010 - Europa 2010 Children’s Books – 4 val

On 9 February 2010, Jersey Post will issue its Europa 2010 stamp issue – Children's Books – and will interpret PostEurop's theme by featuring a set of stamps depicting characters from some well-known children's books and tales written by Hugh Lofting, Rudyard Kipling, Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear.

Israel

26 Jan Birds of Israel – 3 val

Ireland

21 Jan 2010 wedding stamp – 55 c

28 Jan 2010 – Greeting 2010 – 2 x 55c

Poland

15 January 2010 - 150 years of Polish Post stamps -1 S/s

USA

14 Jan 2010 Celebrating Lunar New Year – The Year of Tiger - 44 c

22 Jan 2010 Vancouver 2010 – 44 c

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.

Ajay Kumar Mittal, New Delhi

Dear Jeevan Jyoti,

I had seen the January Issue of Rainbow Stamp News. I found it very useful for philatelists.

I had seen your detailed report on Stampmania. Undoubtedly it was a good effort of Mr. Prashant Pandya. By writing the following lines I don’t want to bring down his efforts or success but I want to highlight the following points to be noted in future:

At one place you write in your newsletter that “The only shortcoming of the exhibition was ………………. some unsatisfactory results which caused resentment among some affected participants”. Jury’s report mentioned their view point on concept of One frame Exhibit Class. They have penalized those collectors who had selected a subject which can be shown in a five frame exhibits. You mentioned in your discussions with Jury member, in your words “……….in category B those exhibits were kept which were the reduced form of expanded collections and could be easily expanded in more than one frame. So some exhibits having good philatelic items were deprived of higher award because of wrong selection of the subject. Whereas Mr. Prashant Pandya had cleared his view point on this issue as he writes in his column Reading Room at his website

“There are two different thoughts about the concept of the One Frame Exhibit Class. The first one is the one-frame exhibit could be the starting point for a multi-frame exhibit on the same topic. Under this concept One Frame Exhibit will provide new collectors a platform to start exhibiting on a small scale at a Philatelic Exhibition. Collectors would be able to start modestly, get their feet wet, and then continue to develop their exhibit into a more complex and complete one. This was the concept under which one-frame exhibiting began in the United States.

Another concept is opposite to first one. One Frame Exhibit provides established collectors an opportunity to prepare exhibits on subjects or themes that cannot be treated well in more than one frame. A one-frame exhibit is an exhibit that is completely contained within the confines of one frame and not be able to be expanded into a multi-frame exhibit.

I personally think and feel that both of these concepts can be brought into the picture and can work hand-in-hand. The important point is that the one-frame exhibit must be self-contained, but, if the topic is selected wisely, it can be expanded into a multi-frame exhibit. It provides an opportunity to exhibitors who are developing a subject which is capable of expanding to more than One Frame in the near future.”

If he was of this opinion and accepted exhibits with his view point as above this should have been communicated to the Jury well in advance. So that they keep this in their mind while judging and avoided unsatisfactory results which caused resentment among some affected participants who were deprived of higher award because of this.

Another point which I would like to highlight is that organizing such a big exhibition (so called National Exhibition) the organizers should have considered to affiliate it with National Federation of Philately in India (Philatelic Congress of India). By doing this they have done more justice with the exhibitors. Without the recognition of National Federation awards given in this exhibition will not be considered while allotting frames in any International Exhibition. The only requirement of affiliation was appointment of accredited National Level Jurors for the exhibition. Which might have solved lot of after exhibition problems (on judgment). In the present case only one of the Jury members was a National Level Jury.

It is nice to hold exhibitions by societies and other persons but if they consider the above point it will be real helpful for Philatelist.

Naresh Agarwal, Bilaspur (C.G.)

Judging Exhibits : Is giving marks only suffice?

Jury at different exhibitions judges the exhibits from different parameters and declares the result giving marks to decide what medal / award is to be given. It is very pleasing that most of the participants do get one award or the other. But question is whether this practice is appropriate? No issues…we accept the judgment to be more or less correct as we have to have faith in the jury who is supposed to be expert in that field and also they evaluate each exhibit independently (and not comparative) and pass judgment collectively (not individually) well with the norms and rules set for that particular exhibition keeping the standard ( District, Zonal, Regional, National or International ) of exhibition in mind.

The million dollar question is, whether the results only help the exhibitor in any way. I don’t think so. Even if the mark sheet is handed over to the exhibitor comprising of 8 to 10 elements such as presentation, rarity, genuinely, philatelic knowledge, thematic knowledge, research, etc etc………..this is not going to help in any way because it does not tell why those marks have been given.

What basically is required from the jury is help the exhibitor to improve his exhibit so that he gets better award not only in the exhibition of same standard but of higher standard. Merely giving mark sheets will not help the exhibitor to know about the area of improvement. To know what wrong he has done?, what better he can do?, what changes he is supposed to make?, what new material can be added?, how the presentation can be improved?, what text is missing?, what rarities are available?, to know what inappropriate material has been used?, like that……………Further more, this will give the exhibitor full satisfaction for the award he gets. Though this is very difficult for the jury and for the exhibitor to have long interaction at the exhibition venue but they can have interaction later.

I remember long back in one of the articles I had given some opinions as to what can be done to check this and help exhibitors. What I want is that jury must pin point the problems and the area of improvement and give their comments on the evaluation sheet with proper reasoning giving suggestions for improvement as these will certainly help the exhibitor in some way. For this some arrangements are to be made by the organizers, number of jury to be increased, stenos or computer operator to be provided with the jury which will note down jury’s report at the exhibit itself, jury’s contact numbers and addresses to be provided to the exhibitor etc etc……

I would like to give examples of my exhibits on Social Philately and Aero philately exhibited in recently concluded One Frame Stamp Exhibition Stampmania 2009. I was awarded TOPAZ, the lowest awards…………… I am happy for this as these were my first efforts in these classes. But my problem is that I don’t know why I was awarded Topaz? What wrong I had done? What improvement I need to make……..etc. etc.? as I had no interaction with the jury. To be very frank though I was there in the venue for three days I even don’t know the jury who evaluated my exhibits? So, how is this method of judgment going to help to develop philately? No use at all………………… Contrary to this even if I had got highest award again I would have been in soup as to why I was awarded that medal? All in all, exhibitor is supposed to know why he has been given particular marks/ award and be guided appropriately.

Though I have lots of suggestions to make but I feel my other philatelic friends who are reading this article, if agree with me, should come up with their suggestions in this regard so that a common view may be formed.

May I expect your valued suggestions / opinions as this will not help only you and me but the philatelic fraternity in general.

Naresh Agrawal, Bilaspur - Nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in Mob. 09425530514

Surendra Goel, Raipur (C.G.)

The thinking and working behind Stampmania 2009 was very good, praiseful and a learning experience. Regarding the awards given in STAMPMANIA 2009, I am not satisfied with the judging.

Blogs & Websites on Philately

http://www.stampmania2009.com/ - The website of forthcoming one frame National Philatelic Exhibition

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://www.vadophil.org/ - Website of Baroda Philatelic Society.

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.

www.gandhistamps.com – A site on Gandhi Stamps

http://www.indianstampghar.com/ - A very popular Blog by Mr Vinod Sabharwal of New Delhi.

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.

http://mbstamps.blogspot.com/ - A Blog by Mr Mansoor B of Mangalore.

http://emmkayglobalexpress.wordpress.com/ Global Express - An online Philatelic Magazine edited by Mitul Kansal

The Lighter Side

A Special Letter to me …

Here is a letter recently received by me from Mr Dipok Dey who was one of the members of Jury in Stampmania 2009 which I want to share with the readers. It is not just a letter but a guideline and suggestion for all one Frame participants. - Editor

Dear Jyoti,

As desired I take this pleasure to enclose three pages from my homework, which I had made before going to Stampmania. Wherever I go, I follow this system. Because it is not possible for a man to know each and every subjects, but he will have to judge them, even the unknown topics. So I think, before going to judge any exhibit, a judge should educate himself first. I don’t know whether any jury ever followed this system, but according to me this is the most scientific system. Even than no jury can satisfy the expectation of an exhibitor.

Thematic collection is a story teller. You are writing a story illustrating with philatelic materials. How you can make your story a lucid it depends on your intellect and imaginations. For example, there are two exhibits on Bridges. Both of them displayed all the materials on bridges, but one exhibitor put a stamp- showing in his concluding page two world leaders handshaking and wrote this bridge for friendship and peace.

Another example of two exhibits on Family Planning- In one exhibit put all the stamps and other philatelic materials systematically and methodically and the other one put Sri Krishana, Rabindranath, because they are the eight sons of their parents and wrote if family planning would have been followed from ancient time we would never get Sri Krishana etc. and at the last he put one hen with chicken and wrote should there be family planning ?

There are two collection, you will have to judge, one displayed all stamps and philatelic materials related to map.The other one said Changing of map is the game of power politics- example, India, Bangladesh, Russia etc , he has also showed the stamps of the players behind the change . The demarcation of land mass is not made by nature or god, it is by people of power. Now you decide which one should be awarded.

In cinema collection there is no stamps on Close-up, Mid-shot, Long shot , it is very necessary to tell the story of cinema making but Late Dr. S.N.Chatterjee used stamp of a close photograph of a girl, and photographs of landscapes, all these stamps are not related to Cinema at all but he used nicely.

Taj Mahal Collection;

Why Taj Mahal is beautiful- because is it made of marble? Then why not Victoria Memorial.

Taj is beautiful because apart from its architectural beauty- it has some engineering marvels. The design and decoration is based on numerical “4”. In Islam four was the holiest of numbers- most arrangement at the Taj are based on that number or its multiple. The gardens were thus laid out on a quadrate plan: Two marble canals, each lined with trees-Cypress trees symbolizing death and fruit trees symbolizing life.

Four marble minarets are sometimes judged the most graceful in the world. Each minaret is constructed of plumb, the one to the south-west by eight inches, the others by two. This was no accident, as it had been at Pisa. The builders of the Taj, always mindful of the mortality rate of the buildings, designed the minarets to slant deliberately, so that if they ever tumbled they would fall outward.

On the southern facade, framing the central portals, are verses from Koran, and here calligraphers have performed an ingenious optical trick: the size of the lettering that runs up and over the arch appears to be consistent from top to bottom. This illusion was created by gradually heightening the size of the letters as their distance from the eye increased; from the ground the dimensions seem the same at every point.

Precious stones are imported from various countries, list are available; There are stamps on precious and semiprecious stones. During British Period: Lord William Bentinck (1828-33), first Governor General of all India announced his plans to demolish all Mogul monuments in Agra and Delhi and removed their marble facades. A part of the shipment included pieces for King George IV himself). God saved Taj Mahal: Plans were made to dismantle the Taj Mahal, and wrecking machinery was moved into the garden grounds. Just as the demolition crew was setting to work, word came from London that the first auction had been failure and that all further sales were cancelled- it would not worth the money to tear down the Taj Mahal. Later Lord Curzon restored it to the condition it is in today.

During British period- Taj Mahal was misused. Open air balls were held. The mosques on the either side of the Taj were rented out as bungalows to honeymooners. To justify British rule, 1854 and other British monarch’s stamps are available. Taj Mahal in Literature. Many writers, poets wrote about Taj Mahal including Eleanor Roosevelt, Prince William of Sweden (1915) etc.

Taj brand name- such as Taj Hotel etc. Meter franking is available. Taj a symbol of Love- there are stamps on Love. After seeing your exhibit when a visitor will visit Taj Mahal he will get more pleasure and interest . Because many information about Taj general people are not aware.

I don’t know whether you have seen Akira Kurosawa’s film Rashomon. The story is very simple- an incident narrated by three different men in three different ways.

A story can be told in various ways. It depends on intellectual level of the writer. Varied knowledge helps to create a master piece. Example is Monalisa. Leonardo was a master in more than 60 subjects, particularly in human anatomy. No other artist ever studied Human anatomy as Leonardo.

Thematic collection is more tough than Postal History. For Postal History collection will have to have money so that you can collect required materials and knowledge of Postal Route, Rates and Post Marks, Postal Notice to justify routes, rates etc. but no scope for any imagination but may be a demand for explanation. Traditional collection also the same.

For example: Two collections of Indian lithographs 1854 Four Annas.

Both the collections provided all the materials. In one collection it is written first bicolor printing , Wide Settings with wavy lines with rosette at four corners. In other collection it is written- Printers were not sure about colour separation, since it was the first bi-color printing- to be sure they made the design in wide settings with lines, so that in the next repeats they can adjust it to accurate position. Now you decide which one should be awarded.

If you narrate a story in details it may be called a Police Report, and if you put some colors to it, it will be a story. This will vary from subject to subject and same formula will not be good for every subject.

Now a days technological advantage is there, utilize it. For example, in earlier days, if you are to show a flow in a stamp, you use arrow, it is not possible for a jury or a visitor to enjoy it. You just scan it and enlarge it. I am enclosing a sheet of Slania. In stamp you cannot enjoy the romance of his lines, when you will enlarge it you will realize why Slania is the best engraver in the world.

In British stamp of Sherlock Holmes, they have used hidden letters, if you use arrow, nobody can enjoy it, unless it is enlarged.

In India problems come from the Thematic collectors. Every collector thinks his collection is the best. In North Bengal one collector exhibited three frames of Birds- and put many varieties of birds- of prey, water birds, Owls, eagles etc. and did not write a single words. There were another collection of Birds of prey- that was awarded. Now that gentleman started shouting, I have shown so many variety of birds- but he has shown only one variety. I am deprived.

It is necessary in India to organize seminar or workshop- how to develop a thematic collection. Most of the collectors in Kolkata, as I know, are self-taught and their expectation is very high.

However, When this exhibition (Stampmania) was announced, I have been asked by many collectors, what kind of exhibition it will be with one frame where at least five frames are required so that a collector can display his materials properly.

I tried to make them understand that it is a Philatelically Short Story exhibition and not an exhibition of philatelic novels. More over it is promotional and experimental exhibition. If it would have been a five frame exhibition only 80 collectors could participate, out of 100 corers of people, but here 400 collectors can participate. Beyond any doubt that Stampmania ushers a new era in Indian Philately. A new beginning and new rising sun.

In the 1980s collectors were started thinking about one frame, but FIP introduced it in 2004. It is Baroda Philatelic Association who has brought it to reality in a very massive and proper way. In fact 17th December 2009 will remain as the landmark in Indian Philately. Tomorrow, One Frame exhibit will be the most popular not only in India but all over the world.

In this a super fast world- it will save time and money but enjoyment and relaxation will remain as it is.

What is one frame collection? To tell some stories it requires thousands of words and there are some other stories can be told with a few wards. This is the basic deference between a novel and a short story. Even an epic can be told with a few words but full essence of epic will remain same.

In the philatelic world there are topics/subjects having limited quantity of materials is fit for one frame collections big collection can be reduced to one frame but it depends on the intellect of the collectors.

This is the first exhibition of its kind, many participants are not aware about the selection of their subjects. However, I hope, in the future collectors will understand it and will make their exhibits accordingly. Stampmania at least made an avenue for the collectors to display his collection.

Award is not a big matter in this exhibition. A matter of joy is more enjoyable when it is being shared with others. You had started your collection out of love and participating in the exhibition you have shared your joy with mass of visitors. This is the best reward for collector.

- Dipok Dey

Promotional section

--Sanjeev Jain, Dehradun

I am collecting all permanent cancellations marking by Indian Post . Readers are requested to send pictorial cancellation of their city to me & in exchange I 'll send pictorial cancellation of my city .

Sanjeev Jain , 97 Kanwali Road, Opp. Police Post, Dehradun - 248001
E MAIL : jainsanjiv@live.com mob9319988527

--Vijay Seth, New Delhi

I am collecting Issues of Internatiomal Polar year from different countries. I would like to exchange mint issues on this theme from collectors all over the world. E Mail : stampstodayindia@gmail.com

--Önder Karakadılar, Turkey

We are working on a Philatelic Project in our country and our students organize it very well. The project name is "My Philately World" and the owner of this project is 8 years old primary school's students.
Our projact website is http://myphilatelyworld.izmit75yilcumhuriyetio.k12.tr
We are looking for some schools in Europe that we can join together to comenius which is part of the wider European Union Education Programme, Socrates
Önder Karakadılar , Coordinator, İzmit 75. Yıl Cumhuriyet Primary School ‘Turkey

E-Mail : editor@izmit75yilcumhuriyetio.k12.tr

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

ITS Stamp News, - Editor: Suraj Jaitly Publisher: Indian Thematic Society

VADPHIL, Editor - Prashant Pandya and published by Baroda Philatelic Society, Vadodara. website -http://www.vadophil.org/

e ZEP Newsletter Editor : Dieter Leder email zpj@arcor.de website www.eZEP.de

SIPA Bulletin (2009 Joint Issue ) edited by Mr G. Madan Mohan Das and published by South India Philatelists’ Association, Chennai website : http://www.sipa.org.in/

FILA Capsule – Editor : Ajit Dash and published by EIPA, Bhubaneshwar

GPA News – Editor- Ilias Patel and published by Gujarat Philatelists’ Association, Ahemadabad.

Acknowlegement

Souvenir – Stampmania 2009 from Baroda Philatelic Society, Vadodara

Souvenir – Hobby Festival 2009 from Mr. Vijay Seth, New Delhi

Global Express Feb Issue from Mitul Kansal

Editor’s Mail Box

It’s a great pleasure to write that I have received a lot of response for Jan issue from the readers, My thanks to all for their response. Some letters could not be published here due to space limitation.

Dr Avinash B. Jagtap from Pune

I have hurriedly gone through the Jan. Issue of Rainbow. Your suggestions are more than correct, hopefully they will be taken into consideration and the future exhibitions will be more successful. Your impression after attending the exhibition is marvelous and it gives others an idea how the organizers have made every effort to make it immemorable. I liked the article by Dr. Satyendra Agrawal, especially the stamps which he has chosen to insert in his topical article.

Sundar S. Bansal, New Delhi

This issue of Rainbow Stamp News is excellent. Congrats. Your suggestions about Jury are very good. There were short comings on judgment of exhibits held at Chennai in 2008 and at Delhi in 2009. I think Indian philatelists and various associations must consider seriously this aspect and take corrective action.

Yogesh Kumar, Bareilly

Your report on Stampmania was splendid and review was excellent.

Naresh Agarwal, Bilaspur

The January Bulletin is yet another gem of Rainbow. As usual Dr. Stayendra is great.His article on Dashavatara is wonderful. A hindu religion and Mythological philatelic gem. Your comments on Stampmania2009 are very important and needs thorough consideration. Interview of Mr. Dinesh is very very good. His replies are very matured and truthful.His vision and thoughts are perfect.I hope Mr. Dinesh, a philatelic Olympian, will come up with some new innovative ideas for promotion of philately in India.I look forward for his suggestions. Article on Naval philately is good. Cdr. U.N.Acharya has lot more to give from his experience as I have read lots of his article in ITS journal. Overall look, presentation of matter, selection and placement of the topics; all are so perfect and attractive . Once again Rainbow has won the hearts.

Gangadhar Tripathy, Bolangir – Orissa

I am verry happy to receive 'Rainbow Stamp News' January 2010 issue forwarded by my friend Mr. Pradeep Mallik from Patna. I have gone through this issue . It includes not only up dated philatelic information but message to encourage junior and senior philatelist. The interview with Mr. D.Ch. Sharma and article 'Dashavatar : Clue to Evolution theory' is really praiseworthy for its valuable thematic/philatelic knowledge.

Shrikant Parikh, Ahmedabad

A fantastic publication once again : RSN-Jan.2010 !! I appreciate whole heartedly the way you carry on with your work.

Arun Agarwal, Kanpur

This is for the first time that I have read the e Magazine.. It is very well produced covering many activities. Keep it up JJ All the best !

Cdr G.Sriramarao, Vishakhapatnam

I am extremely happy to see your e magazine on philately, which I find as very educative and informative.

Pradip Jain, Patna

I am very happy to see your excellent reporting all about Stampmania 2009 the whole event with colour photos, exhibitors comments, views and also about judging.

The Stampmania was a successful show which gave an opportunity to meet all the Phiatelist and Dealers friend from all corners of the country to see at one place. Prashant Pandya vision and his team hard work could stage such show. We all should keep doing good work to the Philately.

Deepak Dube, Shaktinagar, Dist.Sonebhadra,U.P.

It is beyond words to compliment you on your service to the cause of Philately through your immensely attractive and informative magazine 'Rainbow Stamp News’. When you take up Philately in all its dimensions, you promote awareness about a subject that very directly concerns an aspect of our heritage-- the philatelic, if you choose to call it so. Awareness about this subject shall lead people to preserve objects and items that would serve to reconstruct histories based on these objects of heritage--the history of private families, along with the histories of places, localities, towns such as were called 'mofussil' in the colonial days; and cities contributing to, and complementing, the national history .In this way awareness about Philately serves the cause of subaltern historical research, i.e. history from the grassroots .

Your journal has helped me 're-activate' my hobby that ,though never given up since childhood ,had sunk to a dormant state amidst other cares of life.And I am sure mine would not be the lone case of such a revival--a sure index of your historic success. Yet, a lot needs to be done further as the King of hobbies is no longer as popular everywhere as it used to be, thanks to several factors including the revolution in communications brought about especially by the Internet and the 'Mobile’; the growing vogue of postal labels and franking instead of stamps; and the intrusion of 'money' into what was always meant to be a hobby based on the sheer pleasure of innocuous possession distinguished, at best, by a an aesthetic sense and a feel for the unique and the rare.

Stamps,are meant to be used as tokens of payment for the postal service availed---- the purpose for which they are issued in the first instance--- rather than being bought out by some enthusiasts for their frames and albums .The original realm of the hobby was definitely the 'used' rather than the 'mint'. Yet, trends longstanding cannot be hoped to be reversed;and it is therefore that it would be naive to hope to find a Madhubala or a Saibaba in routine use on an envelope duly postmarked. Times are imminent when a routinely used( not stamped to order ) 'celebrity' commemorative would be a rarity, and would merit a substantive class at philatelic exhibitions. Kudos to your crusading efforts.

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 ; Hemant V Kulkarni – Milwaukee USA ; Shrikant Parikh- Ahmadabad, Prashant Pandya-Vadodara, Mobile Philately – Deepak Modi, Naresh Agarwal – Bilaspur (C.G.); Sudhir Jain- Satna (MP) ; Suraj Jaitly – Ludhiana ; Atul Agarwal – Aligarh (UP); Kaushik Dey – Calcutta ; Thevaryan Srinivasan – Malaysia; Europa Stamps; CG Bhaskar- Chennai ;Pradip Mohanty - Cuttack

All the images of this issue have not been included here. For detailed images related to this issue Please Visit: http://www.rainbowstampnews.blogspot.com/

Address for communication:

Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, Director, Great Himalayan National Park, Shamshi, Kullu (H.P.) PIN 175126 India

E-mail – j.jyoti9@gmail.com or 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.

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

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

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Rainbow Stamp News

Sunday, January 31, 2010

INDIPEX - 2011

India Post is organizing a World Philatelic exhibition from 12 Feb to 18 Feb 2011 at Pragat Maidan, New Delhi . It is expected that approximately 70 countries would be participating in this Mega show. For more details visit the website of INDIA POST

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