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2010 -  Year of the Tiger 

Date of Issue – 14 February 2010

Shimla   April 2010    Issue # 28

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 Reader,

It’s an exhibition season in India. Many district level exhibitions are being held in different parts of the country. Indian Philatelists are waiting for two big shows, one for INDEPEX 2011 and the other Stamps of India National Exhibition to be held in December this year. It will be a big platform to meet philatelists at one place. Before this, a state level exhibition is also going to be held in Ludhiana. My best wishes to the organizing team of all the exhibitions and the participants ! Just have a wonderful time at the stamp shows…with a variety of philatelic exhibits…I am giving  a comprehensive article on Social Philately by noted philatelist, Mr Naresh Agarwal. Social Philately is a new branch of philately and the collectors know very little about this branch. So the number of entries in this class is  few in most of the  exhibitions . I hope this article will attract the collectors towards Social Philately and they will pick up this branch too. This is all for 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

Reader’s Right

The Lighter Side

Philatelic Literature

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

Jan 5 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

Feb 21: Bible Society of India Rs 5

Feb 23: P C Sorcar – Rs 5

Mar 19 : 16 Punjab(2^nd Patiala)

Mar 30 : Special Protection Group – Rs 5

Mar 30 : Mithuramlinga Sethupathy – Rs 5

Mar 31: Vallal Pachaiyappa

 

Recent Miniature Sheet

The long awaited MS of Rare Fauna of North East has arrived some Philatelic Bureaus of India. The stamps were issued on 1 October 2010

Special Cover – Postmark

Feb 03 Calicut, National Seminar in honour of Kamla Das Surayya , Writer

Feb 05, Silver Jubilee of Shree Vasavi Education Society, Chitradurga
Feb 04: Mumbai, Seth Nuseerwanji Hirji Karani Agiary, Colaba, 75 Years

Feb 06 Chennai , DIMENSION 10 – District Conference of Rotary
Feb 07: Mumbai, Rotary District Conference 'Disability Friendly Access'

Feb 11 : Trichy 100 Years of Churches of South India Mission General Hospital

Feb 20 : Dehradun Spring Festival

Mar 13: New Delhi, 12th FIH Hero Honda Men's Hockey World Cup 2010

Mar 13 : Shimla, Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station

Mar 21-22: Junagadh, District philatelic exhibition, 2 covers

Mar 22 : Kullu , Bhuttico – Bhutti Weavers Co-operative Society- Kullu

Mar 26 : Dharamshala - Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, (C S K H

P Agriculture University), Palampur(HP)

Mar 21-22: Junagadh, District philatelic exhibition, 2 covers

 

Forthcoming Issues of India Post

Apr 13: Sant Kanwar Ram Sahib
Apr 14: Astrological Signs, 12 stamps
Apr 17: Chandra Shekhar

See detailed list of India Post Issue Programme 2010 at

http://www.indiapost.gov.in/philatelycalendar2010.htm

Recent Philatelic items on PC Sorcar

Presentation Pack

Max card

Stamp Booklet

Pop Up Card

In The News

Recent Imternational Philatelic Exhibitions

LONDON 2010 – Festival of Stamps

LONDON 2010, the International Philatelic Exhibition is will be held from 8th – 15th May 2010 at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London.

Glimpses of LONDON 2010 – Festival of Stamps

Running throughout the year, the world's largest philatelic festival is dedicated to King George V .Here's are the glimpses of London 2010 - Festival of Stamps: a year-long celebration of philately held in various eminent exhibition venues across London.

It is the biggest – and longest - stamp expo in the world, the festival will showcase, celebrate and raise public awareness of stamps, stamp design and postal heritage. This year's festival also marks a special anniversary: the centenary of the ascension of George V, often dubbed "the philatelist king".

George V (1865-1936): the King of stamps

A special exhibition dedicated to George V will be one of the festival's many events, taking place at the Guildhall Art Gallery on May 7-25. Entitled Empire Mail: George V & The GPO, the event will explore the philatelic passions of King George and the design innovations encouraged at the Post Office during his reign. Meanwhile, at the Museum of London Docklands, another fascinating exhibition already opened last week, on January 18.

Post Abolition: Commemorative Stamps From Around the World showcases the effects of the abolition of slavery on everyday postage stamp designs. It continues until June 30.As the expo's name suggests, most of the displays are exclusive to the British library itself - including the permanent 1,000 frame "Philatelic Exhibition" with added new displays.

The London 2010 International Stamp Exhibition

As if those events aren't impressive enough, the London 2010 Festival of Stamps' big attraction will be saved until May - an exhibition which takes place only once every 10 years. For eight days, the London 2010 International Stamp Exhibition will display the very finest competitive exhibits from collectors around the world.Leading stamp dealers, auctioneers and postal administrations from across the globe - including a major presence from Royal Mail - will all be in attendance.It takes place at the Business Design Centre in Upper Islington, London, between May 8-15.

BANGKOK 2010

The BANGKOK 2010 – 25th Asian International Philately Stamp Exhibition is organised by TCEB from August 4th – 12th, 2010.

POTUGAL 2010

Portugal 2010- A philately exhibition is to be held from 1st - 10th October 2010 in Lisbon.

INDIPEX – 2011

The world philatelic exhibition will be held in New Delhi from 12th to 18th Feb. 2011, to commemorate the centenary of world's first airmail. It will be organized by INDIA POST in Collaboration with PCI and under Patronage of FIP and under auspices of FIAP (Federation Inter Asian Philately).

The details of INDIPEX 2011 can be found on following websites -

http://www.indipex2011.com/index.php &

http://www.filatelista-tematico.net/india2011.html

One of just eight of its kind in the world...

There are eight known orange examples like this in the world

A rare shade variety stamp heads a Swedish auction, alongside a Tre Skilling Green

In 1856, the postal service was still in its relative infancy. Following the introduction a decade and a half earlier of the Penny Black and Two penny Blue in the UK various countries had gradually followed suit.Finland's earliest stamps consisted of the country's coat of arms surrounded by an oval on a simple rectangle of paper, with a carmine-red shade for 10kr and a turquoise-blue one for 5kr.

At AB Philea's upcoming auction offers a number of these intriguing pieces, as a mixed lot of variable quality used examples, and an attractive cover with a fresh, cancelled 5kr.

Finnish 10kr Orange-Carmine colour variant

However, the most collectible piece is a colour variant of the 10kr piece. The cancelled example is of an orange-carmine tone, and is very rare - one of eight known to exist in the world. Examples do not have a long established price history.

AB Philea has set a reserve price of 25,000kr (about $3,500) but it seems likely that at some stage someone will be willing to pay a lot more than that to add it to their collection - whether at this auction or another - making it a good candidate for investment.

The auction, which takes place on March 17, also offers collectors another chance to get their hands on a Tre Skilling Green - the original version of the world famous colour error known as the Tre Skilling Yellow- with a reserve of just 7,000kr (under $1,000).

Rarest US coil stamp for sale at $11k

A stamp from the famous Orangeburg coil is to make an appearance in New York

Coil stamps are an interesting variation in US philately. They were issued in rolls rather than on sheets, and it will be immediately obvious if you have one because whilst they have perforations, two opposing edges will be straight.

Whether it's the top and bottom edges or the side ones which are straight varies, but it is unique to the coil design: stamp sheet corners may have two adjacent straight edges, and early stamps will have no perforations at all, as they required cutting with scissors.

1910-11 saw the release of a series of Washington-Franklin stamps in the form of coils. Of these the rarest was the coil sent to the Bell Pharmaceutical Company of Orangeburg, New York.

So far as anyone knows they were the recipients of the only roll of the deep violet rare stamps.

Now an exceptionally fine, used example of the Orangeburg coil stamps is going on sale at Spink Shreves, where a rare pair block of 1c blue stamps is also selling.

The stamp's violet colour is deep, and the stamp has much better centering than normally found, with a neat wavy line cancel of Orangeburg.

The piece is expected to achieve $11,000 by the end of the live section of the auction, but it has already had a bid of $4,750 over the internet. The live sale takes place March 12-14.

- Paul Fraser Collectibles

Recent Exhibitions in India

SIMPEX 2010, Shimla

SIMPEX 2010, a district level exhibition was held in Shimla at Gaiety Theatre from 13 – 15 March 2010. A special cover on Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Electric Power Station was released during the exhibition.

KULLUPEX 2010, Kullu

A district level stamp exhibition was held in Kullu from 22to 24 March 2010. A special cover on BHUTTICO was released on the occasion.

KANGRAPEX 2010, Dharamshala

A district level stamp exhibition was held in Dhramshala from 26 to 28 March 2010. A special cover was released on Chaudhary Sarvan Kumar HP Agriculture University during the exhibition.

STAMPS OF INDIA NATIONAL EXHIBITION
Bharatiya Daktikit Sangstha, Kolkata is organizing a national philatelic exhibition 'Stamps of India National Exhibition' from December 10 to 12, 2010 at NSIC Exhibition Ground, New Delhi.
The regulations and entry forms scheduled to be available after the first week of March 2010. The bookings of the Sales Stalls will also open online, giving sufficient time to stamp dealers to plan their booking.
More information will gradually be made available every week. The email address to contact is sine@stampsofindia.com. The information will also be available online at http://www.stampsofindia.com/ChaloDelhi/sine.html

Stamp - Fiesta - 2010

Ludhiana Philatelic Club is organizing a State Level Exhibition “STAMP-FIESTA – 2010″ in Ludhiana from 7th to 9th May 2010. See details at : http://stampfiesta2010.wordpress.com/

For more details Contact:
Chairman Dr S K Sondhi 9815657647, info.sf2010@gmail.com, sksondhi1@gmail.com
Secretary Mukesh Malhotra 9023084608, 9417349808, secretary.sf2010@gmail.com mukeshlibra@yahoo.co.in

• Patna State level philatelic exhibition from Apr 16-19
  Organizer: Bihar Circle of India Post   Venue: Patna GPO

 

Great Loss to Indian Philately

I deeply regret to write that Noted Philatelist of Hyderabad,Shri M.G. Pittie passed away today. I just got this news from Mr Yogesh Kumar who is away from India to attend a meeting and has expressed his deep condolences. It is a great loss to Indian Philately. He was the past President of Philatelic Congress of India. He was also the Secretary General from 1982-1987, Vice President from 1990-1998 and the President from 1998-2000. He had an illustrious philatelic career. His collection of stamps and Postal Stationery of Hyderabad and Gwalior State won many national and international awards. Shri M.G. Pittie had also the honour of being Senior Consultant, Federation of International and Asian Philately. Mr.M.G.Pittie was on FIAP Executive Committee Board from 2001 - 2005 as Vice President.Our deepest condolences from whole Philatelic Community to all the family members of Shri M.G. Pittie.

Ajit Dash, Bhubaneshwar

I am deeply shocked after hearing the sad demise of Mr.Pittie. I knew him personally. In spite of his high position he was very simple. He was very popular for his calmness. I was closely associated with him in several occasions. Still I remember the occasion of Millepex-2000 the National Philatelic Exhibition, Bhubaneswar in which I was the convenor. I was also in charge of the Bin-room and security. All the philatelists who have come from outside like Mr. Prasant Pandya, Kumar Gourav, Dhanjay Desai, Dillip Shah, Damayanti Pittie, Suketu Javeri, Mr.Gandhi had a very nice time during mounting the exhibits along with Mr. M.G.Pittie. We worked round the night. When I was getting tired Mr. Pittie was encouraging me by patting my shoulder. I had never seen the sign of tiredness in his face. We were taking our dinner sitting on the floor. I offered a chair to him he pushed the chair aside and sat along with us and had the dinner. I have never seen such type of Philatelist in my life. I got the message from him that Philately is the only medium which can bind all type of people in a single chain. Really now even I can not believe this sad message. There are several other occasions I spent with him and each time he was inspiring me to improve the philatelic knowledge and advising me how to face critical situations calmly. For me it is a great loss. The philatelic community has lost a Jewel for ever and has created a vacuum which can not be filled. I pray that his soul to live in peace.

The news of Mr. Pittie's death is really sad. He was suffering from illness for some time. He had a high reputation at world level in philately as he represented India at various fronts. To me he was a good friend although I came in his contact very late. It's a big loss to the philatelic world. May his soul rest in peace.

        

Flying Gems Collection on Exponet

A marvelous 5 Frame - Maximaphily collection of renowned Indian philatelist Mr Sundar Bansal, on Butterflies “ FLYING GEMS OR LEPIDOPTERA is on display at EXPONET and can be viewed at

http://www.japhila.cz/hof/index02_.htm

http://www.japhila.cz/hof/0603/index0603a.htm

Two other following exhibits of Mr Sundar Bansal are also on display at the EXPONET

MAXIMAPHILY - FELIDAE - WILDCATS code 0601/2010

http://www.japhila.cz/hof/0601/index0601a.htm

PANDAS - THE THREATENED MAMMALS AND THEIR CONSERVATION code 0602 602/2010

http://www.japhila.cz/hof/0602/index0602a.htm

Philex 2010 - Stamp Fair in Kolkata

Philex 2010, a two day stamp fair cum dealer’s meet was held in Kolkata on from 12 –13 March 2010 at Rotary Sadan, Kolkata. The fair was a big success as such fair had been conducted in Kolkata after 4/5 years. As many as 20 dealers from all corners of India had their stalls apart from other who were doing their business off the stall. Noted dealers from West Bengal and other states had stalls full of different philatelic materials to serve almost all the requirements of the visiting philatelists.

The venue was centrally located with a big A.C. hall. Jam packed hall declared the fair as a great success. People of Kolkata and surrounding areas were benefited by the fair in a big way.Visitors were found satisfied with their visit. The need of such fairs on regular basis was felt.Various eminent philatelists of Kolkata and surrounding areas too visited the fair.

New Max Cards

Mr Hemant Kumar Jain of Mandla (MP) has prepared a set o12 Max Cards on "Builder’s of Modern India ". For more details about these cards Mr Hemant Kumar Jain may be contacted at hemantkumar.jn@gmail.com View all cards at following link :

http://rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/2010/03/max-cards-builders-of-modern-india.html

Max Cards on Wild life, Jain Temples & Silent Valley by Hemant Kumar Jain

http://rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/2010/03/new-max-cards.html

POSTAL AUCTION

INDIAN THEMATIC SOCIETY
MIG # 3464, PHASE TWO, DUGRI ROAD, LUDHIANA – 141 013. INDIA
http://indianthematicstamps.webs.com/
Mobile: +91 98728 51244 Telfax: + 91 - 161 - 2521244
Email: indianthematicsociety@gmail.com OR surajjaitly@hotmail.com

=============================================
ITS Postal Auction No.48 – Last Date: 15.4.2010
===================================================
See scans of some lots at http://www.flickr.com/photos/its_offers/

INTERVIEW

Maxim Cards are a great attraction among philatelists. The colorful cards attract one and all. But many collectors do not know how to prepare a Maxim Card exhibit for an exhibition using latest guidelines for Maxim Card exhibits. I am pleased to present here Interview with Mr Sundar L Bansal who has the finest collection of Maxim Cards in the country. Mr Bansal has won several National and International awards for his beautiful exhibits of Wildlife Max cards. Here he explains the finer points of Maximaphily which will help the collectors to know the Maximaphily in detail. - Editor

Mr S.L. Bansal is a renowned philatelist of India and known for his best collections of Maxim Cards in the country. Mr Bansal is Prince of Wales Gold medalist and distinguished alumnus of Banaras Hindu University and is a distinguished scientist in the field of Missile Technology. He retired  as Chief Controller Research and Development from Ministry of Defense in 1989.

His love of wild life and nature photography inspired him to to philately in 1989. He has visited all major national parks in India , in Kenya and USA.His favourite philatelic topics are World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), wild life of SAARC countries, pandas, butterflies and India. He specializes in Maximum cards of Wild Life and has a collection of more than 2500 maximum cards on Wild Life including on mammals, birds, butterflies, marine life, amphibians and reptiles. He has published several articles on WWF in ATA and Scotts Stamps journals. Recently he exhibited his two exhibits in One Frame National Exhibition Stampmania 2009, Vadodara and won high awards for both of his exhibits with a special prize sponsored by EXPONET for his exhibit Felidae – Wild Cats.

Mr Sundar Bansal may be contacted at E-mail : sundarlbansal@gmail.com

Interview with Mr Sundar L. Bansal

Q1 You have one of the finest collections of Max cards on Wildlife . When did you start collecting Max Cards ?

Ans1.
Maximaphily is the most beautiful and exciting way in philately as it gives maximum joy from stamps, picture postcards and cancellations. All types of visitors in the exhibition find these very attractive. Being a nature and wildlife photographer, I chose wildlife theme in Maximaphily and started collecting these in 1997 with WWF (World Wildlife Fund for Nature) maximum cards and expanded it to other cards. WWF maximum cards are generally issued in a set of four for each species giving information about the male, female, offspring and their habitat.  Wildlife is a very vast field in stamp collecting but in case of maximum cards it is not so vast as the issue of these card is very limited. In wildlife I have segregated it in mammals, birds, butterflies and other species. 

Q2 Do you collect any other subject besides Wildlife? What is your other favorite branch of philately besides Maximaphily?

Ans 2. 

I also collect Indian maximum cards. My other favorite branches of philately are: India, post and pre-Independence, Lepidoptera, Pandas, WWF, wild life of SAARC, USA and a few other countries. I also like unusual stamps and have a good collection.
Q3 There are two types of Max cards, one issued by Department of Posts and the other, prepared privately by the collectors. Do you find any difference in the quality of cards? What you prefer for your collection?

Ans 3.

Let me start with the definition of maximum card as given in the latest FIP regulations approved by the FIP Maximaphily Commission in Oct 2006. A maximum card should confirm to the principles of maximum possible concordance between a) The postage stamp, b) The picture of the postcard and c) The cancellation.  It is called maximum card because of the "maximum concordance." 

The Indian department of posts is not making efforts to bring out maximum cards of international quality. They sell picture postcards and stamps separately and one has to arrange for the cancellation. The department should encourage Maximaphily and sell complete maximum cards with good quality picture postcards and with proper machine cancellations. These should be strictly as per FIP regulations of 2006.

Privately prepared maximum cards also lack in quality of printing and do not normally have machine cancellation. Sometimes they do not take enough care to get the maximum cards prepared having best concordance between the three elements. May be this is due to lack of demand and hence higher cost of production. Collection of maximum cards is more expensive than that of stamps. With time and effort and increase in the number of collectors, this should improve.
I buy the best available at a time. When I get any better card, I replace the older one.

Q4 What tips would you give to the collectors of Max Cards to win a good award in the exhibition?

Ans 4.

To start with, a collector should select a theme of his interest which should not be too broad and for which the availability of good maximum cards is not so difficult. Most important is to take care that all maximum cards collected are strictly as per FIP regulation. One should try to get some rare maximum cards. One should read the FIP regulations and guidelines and follow these while preparing the exhibit.

Q5 How can a collector show technical variety in the Max Card collection?

Ans 5.

There are two types of variations in maximum cards. One is called ”variant" maximum cards. In these, stamps and cancellations are same, but the picture postcards are different. FIP guidelines recommend a maximum of two variant maximum cards per frame. A different date on the cancellation of the same date stamp only, does not make it a variant card. However, in my opinion an exhibitor should avoid exhibiting variant maximum cards as it may be taken by the jury as lack of material.

The other variation of maximum cards is one in which the species or the subject of the maximum card is same but all the three elements; stamp, picture and cancellation are different. These are not variant maximum cards, and are accepted. The number of such cards in an exhibit depends on the subject, e.g. in an exhibit on Mahatma Gandhi subject, any number of maximum cards with different Mahatma Gandhi stamps may be used but in a personalities subject exhibit too many maximum cards on one personality should be avoided.

An exhibitor can show his technical knowledge by exhibiting cards with maximum concordance between the three elements.

Q6 What makes a rare Max Card??

Ans 6.

Cancellation is the main element which determines the rarity or antiquity of a maximum card. As per FIP guidelines of 2006, the antiquity is defined by reference to three periods,

a) Before 1946, date marking the first publication of the maximum card definition

b) From 1946 to 1978

c) After 1978, date of the adoption by FIP of the maximum card regulations.

The place of cancellation also determines rarity, e.g. on an Asiatic Lion  maximum card , cancellation of Gir (The only place in the world where the Asiatic lions exist), P.O. makes a card rarer as compared to a card cancelled at some other place on the same date.

The earliest known maximum card may be from Portugal with a stamp commemorating Prince Henry the Navigator and postmarked in Porto (His birth place) on March 4, 1894,

Q7 To prepare Max Cards by the collectors has become a recent trend in India. But all the cards are not up to the mark in the quality of Paper & Printing. What you have to say about it. Are these Max Cards regarded authentic?

Ans 7.

If the card designer takes a good care about the concordance between the three elements, the card will be authentic. However if the quality of paper or printing is not good, the card will be of poor quality. Producers of maximum cards can improve the quality by getting the maximum cards cancelled at places giving more concordance. The Ranakpur temple and Dilwara temple maximum cards if cancelled at Ranakpur and Dilwara P.O. would be more welcome by the collectors of maximum cards and will carry better price. May be, the lack of demand and high cost of production of quality maximum cards is the primary reason of poor quality. I fail to understand why our postal dept. is not making efforts to produce quality maximum cards.

Q8 In your opinion what is an authentic Maxim Card?

Ans 8.

A maximum card is authentic if it shows concordance between the stamp, the picture postcard and the cancellation. The picture post card should not have a picture of mere reproduction of the stamp, this is prohibited. In India, I have seen many exhibitors showing maximum cards with such picture post cards  and winning  gold awards. Even postal department has made mistake in producing such picture postcards. Another mistake made by producers of maximum cards is to show stamp of one species and picture postcard of another species . This is prohibited. Also, one should not buy and exhibit a maximum card with more than one stamp affixed on it. This is not allowed by FIP.

Q9 The Maximaphily Class is not as popular class as Thematic Class in philatelic exhibitions, as only a few entry in this class are seen. What is the reason that it's not very popular in our country.

Ans 9.

I think the main reason is the non availability of authentic and good maximum cards. To make this hobby more popular, the postal department and various associations, societies and clubs should make effort to promote this category of philately. FIP has a separate Commissioner for this category of philately and is making concerted efforts to encourage this category. I am seeing a change for better as more private collectors are producing these cards and more collectors are getting interested in it.

Q10 In the philatelic exhibitions, no special jury member is appointed for judging Maximaphily exhibits. Do you think there must be appointed a special jury member for the exhibits of Max Cards ?

Ans 10

Judging of Maximaphily exhibits requires some attention. I have seen many exhibitions in which prohibited maximum cards are exhibited and the exhibitors have won the highest award. It will be difficult and may not be practical to have a special jury member for judging Maximaphily exhibits till the number of such exhibits increases to a good number. However there is need to have some jury members  well versed with the FIP rules and regulations for judging Maximaphily exhibits.

As given in the FIP guidelines of 2006, “To get a consistent evaluation the judges for Maximaphily exhibits should complete the evaluation sheet and make some observations for the exhibitor and give him some advice on improving the exhibit” This should be followed in India.

As in other countries, there should be interaction meeting between the judges and the exhibitors after the judging of the exhibits.

Thank you very much for the nice Interview !

Beginners’ Section

If you are a new collector ……..

Not Checking Your Envelopes

When an interesting stamp catches your eye everything else can get lost in the excitement. But before you cut that stamp out to soak or mount in your album, take a close look at the envelope so you don't get rid of a treasure. That envelope could be a First Day Cover or Event Day Cover. It might have a cancellation or postmark that identifies it as having come from somewhere special. Or it might be an example of postal history, such as balloon mail or wartime mail with censorship markings. Just remember when looking at envelopes that the stamp is only the beginning of the story.

Trimming Stamps on Envelopes Too Closely

When soaking stamps or preparing to mount them with the paper they came on, you will want to cut off the excess envelope in most cases. However you need to be careful that you are not accidentally cutting off the stamp. The first risk of course is the perforation. Also stamps are increasingly being produced that are irregular in size and shape and an important part of the stamp can easily get cut off. Some stamps have labels attached to them or writing on the sheet around the stamp. Be sure to make sure that what is attached to the stamp isn't actually part of it.

Gluing or Taping Stamps to Your Album

This seems like a pretty obvious thing to avoid, but many new collectors make this mistake. Unacquainted with stamp hinges or mounts, they figure the only way to secure a stamp on an album page is to use glue, tape or other adhesive. And they are right, that stamp will be secure. It will be very difficult, if not impossible, to take the stamp off without destroying it. This tip is a good one to start with when teaching people about the hobby.

Storing Loose Stamps in a Box

It seems like a natural thing to do, especially when you start falling behind your stamp sorting and filing. But stamps being shaken around in a box are at risk of being bent or curled, having their perforations hurt, or otherwise damaged. If left in the box long enough they might be affected by the box itself as the dyes and acids in the box get on the stamps. It is better to take the time and put them into glassine envelopes and file those in a box or other safe container.

Using Too Small Mounts

Stamp mounts are a wonderful way to put stamps into your albums and other presentation materials. They keep stamps protected while allowing for easy examination and relatively easy removal. They are available in a variety of sizes, with precut and do-it-yourself as options. Make sure you get a wide range of sizes so you avoid the temptation to try to get a stamp into a mount because it is the only one you have available. Cramming a stamp in the mount can lead to creases and most certainly will risk damaged perforations. Double check your fit by placing the stamp on the mount, and be careful when you put it.

Do You Know ?

- Naresh Agarwal, Bilaspur

PARACHUTE MAIL This is a form of air mail whereby mail is delivered by free-fall unmanned or manned parachute from an airplane or dropped by parachute from passing aircraft on islands or other isolated locations, and usually identifiable by cachet or other inscription. This method is mainly used in times of emergency, war, by army personnel’s and by sports enthusiasts.

Australia 1942 Parachute Mail Cover

Mail Carried by Parachute Brigade,11.12.77 Tangil

Specialized Section

HERALDIC ROSE (Pt I)

--- ©Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

The use of sign and symbol was prevalent in pre-historic times, when oral communications was difficult and writing was still far in the future. As communication stalls developed, their use became more sophisticated. That part of heraldry pertaining to the design of coat of arms and similar items, such as crests and badges, is nothing more than a highly regulated use of signs and symbols.

Use of signs and symbols

Heraldry came into being during middle of the 12th century to help the knights and foot soldiers identify each other during a battle. Since all of the knights wore shiny (sometimes) metal armor covering their whole body, they had trouble identifying their allies during a battle. Thus, the noble and knightly families designed patterns and symbols to paint on their shields that would represent their family. These shields were called coats of arms, and any family of noble rank could have one. It has continued in popular usage throughout much of the world for more than 800 years.

Knights wore shiny (sometimes) metal armor covering their whole body

In short, heraldry is the science and art of armorial bearings, or coats of arms. It is customary, although not obligatory, to represent arms as placed on a shield, or field, as it is known technically. But other shapes are often used when the combat implied by a shield is not appropriate for the owner. An oval is generally used for the arms of the member of the clergy and a lozenge for a woman’s arms. Since a woman was not a warrior she could not use the shield, helmet, crest, mantling or war-cry motto. Until her marriage, she used her father’s arms in a lozenge, a diamond shaped frame, and oftentimes surmounted it with a true lover’s knot of light blue ribbon. After marriage, she used her husband’s arms on a lozenge, and continued the practice if she became a widow. For civic arms a mural crown-a masoned wall in the shape of a crown -often replaces the helm, crest, crest - wreath and muffling. The various designs placed on the field are known as charges.

In early times, knights probably selected charges with some personal significance: charges which are a pun on the owner's name are common other arms display charges which record some achievement, or are associated with an outstanding event in the bearer's career.

Marks and designs were used to mark a warrior’s armor and his surcoat, which was the garment that he wore over his coat of mail

Originally, a knight was free to choose his own device, but by the 15th century, the multiplication of arms resulted in the complete systemization of the practice, and heraldry became an exact science. All armorial bearings came to be granted by the King, and all arms, both the recently granted and those established by right of ancient usage, were registered with the College of Arms, if English, or with similar agencies in continental countries.

Marks and designs were used to mark a warrior’s armor and his surcoat, which was the garment that he wore over his coat of mail. From this use comes the expression coat of arms. These marks were not at first hereditary. They gradually became so, however, and were recognized as evidence of the wearer’s noble or gentle birth. The right to bear a certain coat of arms came to be hereditary as early as 1390. In 1488 the Herald’s College was incorporated by Richard III of England and it was their duty to trace ancestry, to approve coats of arms, to confirm titles of honor, and to examine claims to armorial rights. Some inherit their father’s arms not equally but by law of cadency: that is, each son has added to his inherited arms a particular sign indicating his order of birth. Once a coat of arms was adopted by a family, the design was placed on shields held by knights of the manor, embroidered on tapestries, and carved in stone throughout the castle or manor house. It was placed on swords and on banners and even burnt into the top of breads on special occasions.

It was some time before a systematic method for avoiding duplication and fraud was developed. In fact, codification of rules and procedures was not fully carried out until heraldry has ceased to be of practical value in the battle field. The disappearance of body armor in the 16th and 17^th centuries did not mark the end of heraldry, however, at that time, what had been the mark of a fighting man during the Middle Ages became the sign of a gentleman. As feudalism declined, the newly rich classes of Europe adopted coats of arms as a sign of social status which were then displayed more generally on personal and familial passions such as crystals and silverware.

Only a few modern nations have coats of arms based on the arms of a family or dynasty. Great Britain is one of these.

Penny Post Envelope 1890 News paper Stamp 1858

Most national coats of arms, like those of cities and States are arbitrarily adopted emblems. Civic heraldry is second only to national heraldry as the most prevalent on philatelic items.

National coats of arms as arbitrarily adopted emblems

There are several other categories of arms in addition to personal, civic and national. The arms of the different political entities between the civic and national level canton, department, district, state or region-have been depicted on stamps. Universities and college arms constitute another area that has been popular on stamps and while fewer such issue exist, the arms of ecclesiastical bodes, corporations, guilds and federations have not been neglected.

Heraldry is divided by its representation on Coats of arms between heraldic figures and the so called "general or minor figures". The former stands on shield quartering of various types or classes which touch the bordures of the shields. The "general figures" on the other hand, stand free in space and can represent all conceivable people or parts of bodies, saints or knights, implements of all sorts, weapons, buildings, and crowns & stars.

"General figures"

Since rose is the queen of flowers it plays an important role in heraldry. Use of religious symbols was commonplace in medieval heraldry and Virgin Mary has been called the “Mystical Rose of Heaven”. One heraldic treatise also stated that the rose’s special status is explained “by its special association with comfort, generosity and discretion” and continued that “Red roses have an inevitable association with the redness of the blood that all must shed for freedom, for the Fatherland, for the Church”. The heraldic rose of the Middle Ages generally has either five or ten petals thereby showing its relationship to the spiritual mystery of man through the Pythagorean pentad and decad.

Rose appears here stylized in a slightly different form in the various arts. Examples of heraldic roses are to be seen in many places; they include contemporary 15^th C manuscripts, portraits, stained glass and carved decorations.

In Manuscripts

Carving on Coin In ornamental decoration

The rose is a popular symbol in English heraldry. In England a rose was first used by the Royal family in reign of Edward I (1272-1307) who chose a heraldic Golden Rose. Henry IV (1399-1413) used a Red Rose and Edward IV (1461-1483) a Rose-en-soleil, a white rose surrounded by golden rays of sun. Henry VII and Henry VIII chose the Tudor rose and Edward VI used a Tudor rose with a pomegranate.

Henry VII Henry VIII

The traditional appearance of the heraldic rose is a replica of the wild rose, Rosa canina and is shown singly and full-faced with yellow seeds in the center and five green barbs as backing.

Rosa canina Heraldic rose

Later introduced into heraldry was the ten-petal led rose to appease the warring houses of Lancaster and York.

Ten petalled Tudor Rose

Rose is also the charge in the arms of princely House of Lippe.The House of Lippe is a German royal house. The house of Lippe descends from Hermann of Lippe (died ca. 1056) whose son Bernhard I was the founder of the state of Lippe in 1123. In 1613 the house's territory was split into Lippe-Detmold, Lippe-Brake and Lippe-Alverdissen. In 1643 Count Philipp of Lippe-Alverdissen founded the Schaumburg-Lippe line of the house of Lippe.

Lippe Detmold Schaumburg -Lippe

Another well known heraldic charge is the Luther Rose. The Luther seal or Luther rose is a widely-recognized symbol for Lutheranism. It was the seal that was designed for Martin Luther at the behest of Prince John Frederick, in 1530. Luther saw it as a compendium or expression of his theology and faith, which he used to authorize his correspondence. Luther rose is being used in many blazons.

Luther Rose

Rose gained fame at the end of the Middle Ages as the insignia of the nobles attacking each other in the war between the English houses of Lancaster and York between 1455 and 1485 which is famous in the history as "Wars of the Roses".

"Wars of the Roses"

During this war Rosa gallica was adopted as the red rose emblem of the House of Lancaster and the semi double Rosa alba was the white rose symbolizing the House of York. The two warring factions were united by the marriage Of Henry Tudor and Elizabeth of York; the two roses were combined to form the red and white Tudor Rose which remains a symbol of royalty this day.

 

Tudor Rose

SOCIAL PHILATELY

 

Naresh Agrawal, a veteran philatelist has always been trying to develop philately in one way or the other. The latest being his efforts to promote social philately. He started this venture by himself participating in STAMPAMANIA 2009 with his exhibit on “Insurance In India” in social class. As the response was very poor, he felt to introduce the philatelists in general through this article which contains his study on the subject through various sources .

The said article contains information gathered by him through various net sources and discussions held with different philatelists. The views and opinions given in the article are purely his own and subject to open discussion and change, if so required and found. The article has been written with a motto to encourage social / open class philately which is still unknown or less known. Various suggestion, questions, opinions and views are invited so that a better atmosphere may be created to see that philatelists in India are well introduced to this class which certainly will open new areas of collection and will benefit philatelist and philatelic traders in a big way. Mr Naresh Agarwal may be contacted at E-mail :  nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in      - Editor

SOCIAL PHILATELY

(A NEW FAST GROWING CLASS OF PHILATELY)

Social philately is one of the fastest growing new field of philately which relates itself to the social history and development of any social system purely, fully or partially due to the existence and assistance of the postal system. In other words, it can be said that it represents a study of the development of social systems and products derived from and through the full or partial operation of postal systems. The name Social Philately has been derived from two words “Social and Philately” and it suggests the importance and significance of development of social systems & the role of philately in that cause.

DEFINITIONS :

When linking social philately with postal history, it depicts social history with postal materials But if it is linked with thematic philately…it can be said that it is liberalized form of thematic philately where in inclusion of postal linked material is also allowed. But …….it may now be defined as postal history exhibit displayed thematically or a thematic exhibit displayed as postal history exhibit telling the history and development of social system allowing usage / inclusion of various ephemera, Cinderella and other postal linked material allowing a little percentage of even non – philatelic material too.

It may also be defined as a way to present a historical story or social history or to illustrate the relevance or impact of the postal system with in society; with the help of mail, ephemera and other materials

The other simplified definition of the social philately in philatelic terms may be defined in this way that social history and development shown through various philatelic, postal, ephemera, fiscals, documents, whether postal linked or non-linked materials or any material developed by

                      

Old U.S. Postal Inspection Service                    Post Office Greeting Telegram 1936

commerce to use or reflect post office services and products. etc. Some times people define it as collection of mainly postal articles including philatelic and non-philatelic but related material to tell social history . Hence, its exhibit may include material currently accepted in other philatelic categories, other material linked to the postal system being studied and collateral material relevant to the chosen social theme.

Social philately offers scope and imagination to the collector whilst preserving the basic philatelic disciplines. An exhibit should show and explain the development of a social need and illustrate the main theme. It should not have more than 50% ephemera included in the overall context.

It is the exhibiting of materials and artifacts that illustrate either the social reaction to the presence of a universal and rapidly developing postal system, or the development and diversification of a social activity or enterprise.

In an attractive leaflet published by The British Philatelic Trust, according to Pat Grimwood-Taylor under the title ‘What is Social Philately?’ It is defined as new concept in collecting which aims “To present a historical story or to illustrate the relevance or impact of the postal system within society’."

An exhibit on Insurance in India displays payment receipts issued by insurance company sent to the payee by post. Also depicts insurance revenue stamps

THE CONCEPT AND DEVELOPMENT :

The concept of social philately originated and developed in Australia and New Zealand in late 1980’s as it has been a regular class included in Australian and New Zealand National Exhibitions since 1988. But the real recognition and acceptance to this class firstly came from Australia in 1990’s. when one of the Dr. Edric Druce, an ardent philatelist and FIP accredited jury thought of this concept of using ephemera and other related items and material which are collected both buy thematic and postal history collectors simultaneously with their collections for search and study of their respective subjects. Of course, this was a great thought. Until the early 1990's exhibitors with social type material had difficulty fitting into any of the established exhibition classes.  Their options were Postal History or Thematic. By the efforts of Dr. Druce, in 1993, it was introduced in Australia

Dr. Ed Druce persuaded FIP strongly to introduce this new Social Philately and was successful in his endeavors as FIP agreed to introduce this class on trial/ experimental basis in 1999 in an International Stamp Exhibition in Melbourne ('Australia 99').It was officially introduced as an

experimental competitive class of exhibiting when there were very limited classes. But surprisingly the number of entries was quite substantial. It was highly appreciated and so it became quite popular after that.

However, the FIP did not adopt the new class fully and subsequently introduced the Open Class, which allowed even more flexibility in the type and quantities of material shown than did Social, thus attracting many existing Social exhibitors. In November 2000, it was also included in a British Exhibition for the first time and has since spread like wildfire. The same year in New Zealand, in a National Stamp Show it was introduced in competitive class. There after in 2003 in a show named “Exhibits 2003” organized by The Caledonian Philatelic Society, some social exhibits were on display e.g Stobs Prisoner-of-War Camp 1914-1919. Translated outgoing, incoming and internal mail to and from German prisoners (Iain T Boyle Vase).

“Basildon 2004” ABPS National Philatelic Exhibition Basildon, allowed this class. In 2005, The STAMPAX 2005 UK has National Social Class entries In the same year on 01.12.2005, the Royal Philatelic Society, London, organized by The Great Philatelic Society 1955 – 2005 had Social Philatelic Display on frame no. 52 titling “Art Through The Post” by J. Bohn. An exhibit of Hand-Painted envelopes which talented Victorian.

Ephemera H200: Buildings insurance certificate issued by West of Scotland Fire Insurance Co.(detail)

The buildings insured in course of erection in St Vincent Street were to be the site of the shop of John Smith (Glasgow) Limited, booksellers, for over 150 years. The firm stopped trading as general booksellers in 2000.

In 2006,Kiwipex 2006 a New Zealand National Stamp Exhibition  was held with FIAP support,  that under the patronage of the New Zealand Philatelic Federation Inc. from November 2 – 5,  2006.   Its major sponsor is the New Zealand Post. This exhibition encouraged this class and was well appreciated.

Thereafter in 2007, SYDNEY STAMP EXPO 2007 included all exhibition classes then available within Australia, including the new Open Class along with Social Class. Following this, in the same year EUROTHEMA 2007 The British Thematic Association in addition the thematic exhibits in the National thematic competitions also allowed display of Christine Earle’s social philatelic exhibit, “Extracts from a War Diary” along with others.

An exhibit on Insurance in India displays payment receipts issued by insurance company sent to the payee by post. Also depicts insurance revenue stamps

Further, in 2008,Canberra National Stamp Exhibition 2008 allowed Social Philately Class along with other regular classes like History (including Marcophily), Aerophilately, Astrophilately, Revenues, Open , Maximaphily, Polar Philately, First Day Covers and Literature in addition to Postcards .

And then, in 2009, International Stamp Show in Melbourne “ Australia ‘09” held between 23^rd to 26^th July became the first exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere which featured and judged in competition for the first time that FIP Postal History class 2C(Social Philately). This did create some problems.  As Australasia and the UK were the only countries that had used the old Social Class, these problems were very likely peculiar to those regions.  However, the UK did not have any entries in the new class but the philatelists were benefited from Australasia's experience. The other two occasions that year were at IBRA 2009 in Germany and at Bulgaria 2009, both using FIP rules.

The same year, in India during Stampmania 2009, a National Level One Frame Stamp Exhibition, Social Philately was introduced. And also The Birmingham Philatelic Society founded in 1884 during its 125 anniversary celebration organized exhibition to give award as “The Lacey Cup” for Social Philately.

During this course, various recognized and reputed auctioneers too have joined hands with societies for conducting exhibitions and displays of social philately exhibits. Like Charles Leski Auctions (CLA) joined hands with the Australian Philatelic Federation (APF). CLA and organized series of exhibitions. The first of which focused on “Australia's participation in the Olympics” followed by “1956 Melbourne Olympic Games”, “The Victorian Philatelic Council”, “ The Victorian arm of the APF” and thereafter different on regular basis. The Manchester Postage Stamp Exhibition and Philatelic Congress 1909 Trafford Philatelic Society introduced Open Class as expansion of the previously known Social Philately

.

Insurance policy( Ephemera) Postal Cover Insurance policy( Ephemera)

London Guarantee & Accident Co Ltd. Helen's envelope Scottish Legal Life Assurance Society

These insurance policies and postal cover have postal link that these all passed through postal transmission process. Further these items can be very nicely fit in topic any title on Insurance. These belong to different insurance cos. And further the policies highlights different insurance coverage

There after throughout the world this class had been introduced in different level of exhibitions either in competitive or experimental class. In some of the exhibitions it had been introduced as OPEN CLASS and in some along with the open class .

Of late, social philately in its modified and liberalized form as OPEN CLASS on experimental basis has been included in JOBURG 2010 still looking for entries world over in this class. The 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.

The main reason for development and appreciation of this class is that it allows the display of material other than that allowed in thematic and postal history which opened new avenues for the philatelists who had been collecting other materials along with their specific collection material for the established and recognized classes.

WIDENING THE SCOPE : ( INTRODUCTION OF THE OPEN CLASS ) :

The Manchester Postage Stamp Exhibition and Philatelic Congress 1909 Trafford Philatelic Society introduced Open Class as an expansion of the previously known as Social Philately and embraced a marking scheme close to (but not exactly) that anticipated for a UK National Open Class (as of January 2006). As per that an Open Class Philately exhibit, by analysis of the philatelic and social objects within it, should study, show and explain the development, or operation, of a social need dependent on the postal systems or derived from its operation. It should show the practical application of postal systems to a social need and the study and classification of the use of such social and postal objects (including all aspects of philatelic material) to illustrate the main subject of the exhibit.

An Open Class exhibit may contain a wide range of material linked to the postal system. Some material may be included which is not directly related to the postal system but which is an integral part of a social system (for example medals awarded to trade fair participants where the medal was often posted but where the connection is more with the social story ). Non-philatelic material should be linked to a postal system but some percentage (maximum 10%) of material not linked to the postal system can also be included provided it is directly linked and of importance to the theme to/for the social aspects of the exhibit. Due to practical limitations, non-philatelic material should not be thicker than 5 mm to fit into the standard exhibition frames.

And also such an exhibit should consist of material which can be included in other classes of philately as well as non philatelic items having an intimate connection with the operation or the objective of a postal system and are directly related to the operations and products of a postal system either as post office equipment or as material developed by commerce to use or reflect post office services and products. But it should not comprise of more than 50% of the exhibited material. The social information should provide the main thread of the story. Philatelic information should be included where appropriate so that philatelic knowledge and personal study can be demonstrated.

Reference for the above details has been made to a Social Philately article Background to Social Philately prepared by the late Dr. Edric Druce, and to guidance by Christine Earle, based on the judging of UK National Social Class entries at STAMPEX 2005.

CLOSE RELATION WITH OTHER CLASSES :

WITH POSTAL HISTORY :

Social Philately is a relatively new class of competition which has grown out of the more familiar and long-established class of Postal History and to some extent thematic philately. For many years collectors of postal history have held, and often shown in non-competitive displays, a whole range of material such as picture postcards, photos, maps, newspaper clippings etc., which have helped to provide a background to the particular postal history ‘story’ that they have been trying to relate. Social Philately allows such material to become an integral part of the competition entry in order to develop the ‘story’ in a chronological and coherent manner. Thus entrants may wish to relate the history of a town, biography of a famous person or impact of an event through postal and philatelic items, and within Social Philately they may do so using up to 70% non-philatelic items. While there will still be a core of postal items in the display, a range of other items may also be included such as, in addition to those already mentioned above, prints or engravings, greetings cards, coins, tickets, seals, bills, headed notepaper and even textiles etc..

The only limitation is that anything included must be able to be mounted on the display boards though imagination of the exhibitor/collector has no boundaries.

Pillar Letter Boxes 1920’s French Postman’s Bag

Big and bulky artifacts and items can be part of Social philately exhibits but subject to its rules, acceptability and display arrangement.

WITH THEMATIC PHILATELY :

As said social philately has strong relation with thematic philately as it is comprised of a theme at first stage and then a storyline to develop that theme at there in thematic philately. Philatelic material, of course is the main component of the exhibit too. It is said that social philately is liberalized form of thematic philately with liberalization to use some other material too and the themes so chosen should be of social importance and history unlike wide scope that is there in thematic philately .

WITH OPEN CLASS : Undoubtedly open class out come and again a liberalized form of social philately where in even a good percentage of non philatelic material is allowed. In other words, open class allows display of any thing used in any class of philately and required for the completion of the story line. As much as up to 70% of non philatelic material can be allowed to be used in this class. Though it allowed usage of any physical material (such letter boxes, Mail Bags) required but now a days, it has been limited to the material displayable on display boards professing thickness up to 5mm. This class also calls for themes of social importance and history of say any town, event like any revolution, system of the society, any ritual, any constructional activity which has any importance etc…..like in social philately.

To be continued…..

New Issues from other countries

Australia

3 March - Lydia Lassila – Gold Medal winner at Vancouver Olympic Winter Games .

To celebrate Australia's second gold medal of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver Australia Post issued a postage stamp featuring the medal winner Lydia Lassila. Lassila won her gold medal in the Freestyle Skiing - Ladies' Aerials event on Wednesday at Cypress Mountain. This is the fifth Australian Olympic Winter Gold Medallist stamp. Australia Post has been producing Olympic Games Gold Medallist stamps since the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

9 March Centenary of Powered Flight

.

This issue commemorates three significant powered flights from Australia's early aviation history.

According to the criteria set by the Royal Aero Club of Great Britain, the first sustained, controlled flight in a powered aircraft was made by Englishman Colin Defries on 9 December 1909 at Victoria Park racecourse in Sydney. The plane was a modified Wright Model A named The Stella.

On 18 March 1910, at Diggers Rest, Victoria, the American "escapologist" Harry Houdini made the first of several well-publicized flights in this country. His aircraft was an imported Voisin, with his name emblazoned on the tail.

John Duigan was the first Australian to successfully fly an Australian-designed and constructed powered aircraft. On 7 October 1910, Duigan's self-designed biplane flew 180 metres at 64kph at an altitude of 3.4 metres at his family property at Mia Mia, Victoria

Czech Republic

Karel Hynek Mácha (1810 - 1836) was a great Czech Romantic poet and author of the epic poem Máj (May). Karel Hynek Macha was born in Prague in 1810, studied law and worked as a trainee in a law office.The poem, written in a remarkably beautiful style, tells about the tragic love of two young people and has become a poetic masterpiece of the Czech Romantic period and Czech literature in general.Among his best known works include the poem Maj.

A Souvenir sheet is issued By Czech Post to commemorate the 200 years anniversary of the birth of romantic poet Karel Hynek Macha. The mark is illustrated Macha and behind a rock and luminous full moon. The souvenir sheet is detected by the so-called Bohemian region – the area around the castle Kokorin, Doksy and Macha Lake.

Finland

8 March 2010 Int. Women‘s Day – 6 val.

Six Finnish women have been honoured by Finnish Post with their own postage stamp on March 8, International Women's Day. The Finnish postal services company Itella decided to recognise women in various fields with the booklet of stamps.

Professor Elina Haavio-Mannila, Professor Laila Hirvisaari, the director of the Finnish National Theatre Maria-Liisa Nevala, Academician Leena Palotie, designer Ritva-Liisa Pohjalainen and artist Aira Samulin have been honored with stamps designed by Paivi Vainionpaa.

Women's Day dates back to 1857, when hundreds of women in New York went on strike to protest low wages, long working hours and inhuman working conditions. Thirty-five years later the day became a time to honour women. International Women's Day has been officially recognized since 1975, or International Women's Year.

An Appeal for little Birds: Please keep a bowl of water in your balcony, or window so that BIRDS can drink water as it is too hot this summer and birds have very limited sources left.

– Ajay Agarwal, Akola (Maharashtra)

Jersey

1 April 2010 Common Birds of Jersey – 6 Val.

Latvia

26 March 2010 Peony – 0.35

Papua New Guinea

18 March 2010 Climate Change

KI.00 -Dwindling Island;
An Island seen here dwindling gradually from the effects of raising sea.

K3.00 – Saltwater Claims;
Evidence of impact caused by raising sea

K4.65 – Storm Surge and Erosion;
Palms or trees that become exposed in storms usually give way by losing their grip in the little sand left at the end of the storm season.

K6.30 – Man made Barriers;
Barriers (wave crushers) built to defuse the impact of waves.

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.

Letter to Editor

Kamal Chakraborty, Balnagir – Orissa

I wish to bring to your kind notice that 2010 is the 100th Birth Anniversary of Mother Teresa. Unfortunately the Deptt. of Posts has completely forgotten this fact while finalizing the stamp issue programme for this year. Many other countries have included Mother Teresa in their 2010 Stamp issue programmes. It will be highly unfair if India Post does not bring out a commemorative Postage stamp or Souvenir Sheet to commemorate the 100 Birthday of the Noble Laureate, Mother Teresa.

The philatelic community of this country would be very happy if you take kind steps to bring this omission to the notice of the Government so that a great mistake can be rectified.

New Blogs & Websites

Se- tenant Stamps of India – A specialized Blog on se-tenant stamps http://setenantsofindia.blogspot.com/

Strampfiesta 2010 – Visit this site for details about Stampfiesta 2010, Ludhiana

http://stampfiesta2010.wordpress.com/

ORPHIL NEWS - It is an open blog of Orissa Philatelic Association edited by Pradip Mohanty Orissa Philatelic Association, Keonjhar Colony,Kanika Chhak,753008, E mail : oriphil@gmail.com Visit at : http://oriphil.blogspot.com/

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

http://emmkaystampcoinagedom.wordpress.com/ - The site gives news on stamps & coins

Philatelic Clubs & Societies

Baroda Philatelic Society - http://www.vadophil.org/

Eastern India Philatelists’ Association - http://www.filacapsule.blogspot.com/

Indian Stamp Ghar - http://www.indianstampghar.com/

Indian Thematic Society, Ludhiana - http://indianthematicstamps.webs.com/

Mobile Philately - http://www.mobilephilately.webs.com/

Rainbow Stamp Club - http://rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/

South India Philatelists Association - http://www.sipa.org.in/

Stamps of India - http://www.stampsofindia.com/

The Lighter Side

Historical Moments in Philately

- Dr. K. Jaya Prakash, Thrissur – Kerala

• Switzerland on 7 Sept:2004 had released WORLD`S FIRST WOOD STAMP. A square of pinewood stamp celebrating Switzerland `s lumbar industry .The stamp is 0.7mm thick and they are made from 120yrs old pines field in Northern Switzerland.

• Austria on 20 sept: 2004 had released a Souvenir Sheet of 2 stamps with SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS affixed on the stamps, In Ice cube with Glittering crystals and the Swarovski logo. The Swan.

 

• Austria and Hong Kong issued jointly 2 stamps (Fig.13) on 22.08.2006 on the theme of fireworks featuring Swarovki crystals.

• 1. Canada on 4 Oct: 2004 Released World’s first fluorescent stamps .2 stamps honouring Nobel Prize winners Gerhard Herzberg and Michael Smith. When exposed to UV light the spectroscopy and the Genetic letters can be seen beautifully.

Finland on 28.Oct:.2005 released a S/S with Gold and silver embossing showing Faberge winter eggs commemorating the 150^th anniversary of Finnish stamp

• U .A. E. Had released on 24.12.2005World`s First stamp with genuine pearls (Fig..16).These stamps had been issued with a half piece of Pearl placed at the corner of each stamp.

 

Promotional section

Indian Thematic Society of Ludhiana was founded in 1981.The Society is publishing a quarterly magazine “ITS Stamp News” edited by Mr Suraj Jaitly. This is a complete magazine on Thematic Philately. Membership for this Society is open for all stamp collectors. For more details click following link :

Indian Thematic Society   http://indianthematicsociety.blogspot.com/

http://indianthematicstamps.webs.com/

ITS Postal Auction photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/its_offers/

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 - Quarterly - Editor: Suraj Jaitly Publisher: Indian Thematic Society – Website http://itsstampnews.blogspot.com/

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.

Kar Phila News published by Karnataka Philatelic Society & edited by by Akshay Borad E –Mail : akshayborad@hotmail.com

Acknowledgement :

ITS News – Jan – March 2010 Issue

GPA News - Mar – Dec 2009 Issue

Editor’s Mail Box

Rajesh Bagri, Mumbai

Thanks for your mail. I am very pleased to see the Rainbow issue and am quite impressed by the same. The issue truly depicts the vast horizon of a rainbow. My sincere congratulations to you and your efforts.

Naresh Agarwal, Bilaspur (CG)

Here I am with my comments on Rainbow March Issue..............
Not much to say about looks, colors, presentation, selection of articles, placements...  a very nice impact on the readers with its face and grace...I mean with looks and the contents.
Dr. Stayendra Agrawal, a genius in his own field as I really  surprise for his selection of article and of course, the contents.........ONE MORE AYODHYA is a marvel. I look forward from him "Another Dwarika". I hope he will  honor my request with his philatelic jewels. His views on judging are also good.
Mr. Prashant Pandya, a pioneer, an innovative man, a man with vision, courage and dedication................ spoke out very fairly and rightly. He has been very specific, truthful and correct in his views and replies. The success of Stampamania does not tell the story of his success but the success of philately in India in way as his pioneering efforts in ONE FRAME EXHIBITING  has set a platform for various on coming exhibitions in India  and the result is there, we see a good lot of big shows in 2010 being organized by philatelic societies and organizations. I salute this gentleman for his views and actions.
Information about on coming shows is very nice. This will certainly help philatelists to choose the exhibitions in which they want to participate or visit.
Philately as career is a good subject but it needs a debatable  platform as certainly this will guide and open many ways for the  philatelists  and other who like to adopt philately as career.
All in all, the bulletin is excellent. My very best wishes for the next issue.

Ajit Dash, Bhubaneshwar

I have gone through your bulletin. It is nicely arranged and very informative. You are regularly publishing good information for the promotion of Philately and upliftment of budding philatelists. Please keep it up. My best wishes for your sincere 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.

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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 ; Paul Fraser Collectibles, Phialtely News ( Shrikant Modh); MB Stamps (Mansoor B.) ; Mobile Philately – Deepak Modi, Shrikant Parikh – Ahmedabad ; Suraj Jaitly – Ludhiana ; Abhay Mishra- Dehradun; Hemant Kumar Jain – Mandla (MP) ;Mansoor B – MB Stamps; Yogesh Kumar- Bareilly

 

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

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

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