Happy New Year !!

Shimla   January 2012   Vol. V   Issue # 49

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 –

Ms. 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

This is the first issue of the year 2012. I wish my Readers  a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. The year 2012 is the Chinese Year of Dragon . The powerful dragon is the most vibrant of all 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac and when the Year of the Dragon begins on 23 January 2012, it will bring with it health, wealth, prosperity and success.

A number of stamp exhibitions were held in different parts of the country in November and December and it will be continued in January 2012 too. It will be a record by India Post to hold such a big number of exhibitions in a single year.

Stamps of India and South India Philatelists’ Association also organized national exhibitions recently . The organizers must be congratulated for their great efforts to organize the show  successfully.  People have mixed reactions about exhibitions organized by private philatelic societies.

One must understand that holding an exhibition at National level is not an easy task as it requires a huge expenditures, lots of quality arrangements to be made and a big  responsibility to take such as procurement of exhibit frames,  security arrangements and of course many working hands.. It needs co-operation of whole philatelic community. Such shows need sponsorship as finance is the biggest constraint in organizing a philatelic show without support from Deptt. of Posts. So those who wish to support the show, must come forward and sponsor awards trophies, covers etc.  so that the exhibition could become more colorful.

On the contrary the societies should give big publicity of their shows and keep in touch with the whole philatelic community with their regular updates. In all the past exhibitions the organizers of Stampmania 2009 maintained a constant touch with the philatelists by giving updates on their site as well as through their bulletins. This made philatelists associated with the show till the end of the exhibition. This is the reason that a large number of philatelists attended this show from different parts of the country and many awards in this exhibition were sponsored by individuals and societies. The credit goes to Baroda Philatelic Society which managed the exhibition very successfully with the support of its members. The only drawback in the exhibition was the shortage of frames at last moment for which the organizers were helpless as some of the frames got broken during transportation and those could not be repaired in a short time. At the conclusion we find that publicity and strong association of philatelists with the organizers is very necessary for a successful show !! The participants must feel that they are the part of the show. This association between organizer and philatelists motivate philatelic community to come forward and work as a team for the show . Philatelic societies are the organizations which have kept the hobby of “stamp collecting” alive today…They need more volunteers and strong support of the whole philatelic community in every respect during the show…to manage the whole event successfully.

Let’s all come forward and make philatelic events a great success by our voluntary support in every respect to the organizing philatelic society !! All philatelic clubs, organizations and societies deserve great appreciation as they work for the promotion of philately only and not for any other interest.

This is all for this month …Next issue of Rainbow Stamp News will be 50^th Golden issue . Please do write if you wish to share your views/ articles/ News or comments on the journey of last 49 issues of Rainbow for this very special issue !!

Have a Great Time  and Wish you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year !!

Happy Collecting !!

                                                                                                 ….. Jeevan Jyoti

Contents

Recent Indian Issues

In The News

Interview

Beginners’ Section

Specialized Section

Readers’ Right

New Issues from Other Countries

Philatelic Library

Philatelic Clubs and Societies

Blogs & Websites on Philately

The Lighter Side

Promotional Section

Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters

Editor’s Mail Box

Recent Indian Issues

   

11 December : Kavi Pradeep – Rs 5

19 December : Golden Jubilee of Goa Liberation – Rs 5

19 December : President's Fleet Review – 4 stamps Rs 5 each

20 December : Archaeological Survey of India – Rs 5 & Rs 25 + MS

23 December : King George Medical College, Lucknow –Rs 5

26 December : Srinivasa Ramanujan – Rs 5

27 Dec : Madan Mohan Malviya – Rs 5

 

Special Cover – Postmark

Dec 11 -12 : Gorakhpur – G – Phila - Five special Covers View all covers

Dec 16 :Lucknow : UPHILEX 2011 : Kapilvastu,  First 30 years of Stay Place of Gautam Buddha

Dec 17 : UPHILEX 2011 Lucknow CPMG Building , Lucknow

Dec 18 : Lucknow UPHILEX – 2011 , Palash Flower

Dec 23 : Gujpex 2011, Vadodara : Captain Vijay Hazare (Cricket)

:GSFC, Vadodara : 375 years old Banyan Tree

: National Institute of Design : Golden Jubilee

Dec 24 : Gujpex 2011, Vadodara : Pride of the Nation : The Asiatic Lion WWF

: Convent of Jesus and Mary Gils’ High School, Vadodara

: Archaeological Survey of India’s 150th anniversary

Dec 25 : Gujpex 2011, Vadodara : Birth Centenary of Thought Transformation, Shantikunj, Haridwar

View all covers of GUJPEX 2011

View all special Covers issued in 2011

In The News

Gandhi Set Sold in Gibbons Auction for 45,000 Rs

19 48 Gandhi set sold out in 460 GB Pound approx. 45,000 Indian Rupees at Stanley Gibbons Auction in London.

An un-mounted mint set of Mahatma Gandhi issue of 1948 with lower margins was Lot # 647 estimated at £170-190 at the Stanley Gibbons public auction sale # 5864 held at London. It was sold to a bidder in the auction room for a whopping £460 + 15% Buyers Premium + VAT on December 8, 2011. That is equivalent to about Rs 45,000!The Stanley Gibbons Catalog 2012 that was released in September 2011, priced the un-mounted mint set, without margins, for £250 that itself was a big increase from last year’s price of £140.

World’s Christmas card on display in London

Today greetings cards are an essential part of our Christmas celebrations but the custom of exchanging cards did not start until 1843, another wonderful Christmas tradition we have to thank the Victorians for.

The first Christmas card was sent by Henry Cole, a Civil Servant with a keen interest in art and design. Cole commissioned 1,000 Christmas cards and used those he required before selling the rest for 6d each. This price made the cards a luxury item and something that was unavailable to the working classes.

The card was designed by John C Horsley and was printed lithographically and then hand-coloured. Of the 1,000 printed very few are known to remain in existence.

One of Cole’s original 1843-produced cards, held in the collection of the British Postal Museum and Archive, was on display on  08 December in The Post Office at Blists Hill Victorian Town  .

Europa 2012 Theme – Visit….

Belgium : Date of Issue: 13th February 2012

Europa stamps have always very special theme. Europa  2011 theme was Forests and next year’s theme is going to be related with Tourism and has been declared as Visit…

Norden 2012 theme

This year’s common theme of Norden Contyrie is "Norden by the Sea - part II "Life at the coast

Aland : Date of Issue: 21th March 2012

Changing style of Santa Claus depicted in stamps, postcards

Just as the history and concept of Santa Claus has evolved throughout the years, so has the idea of what he looks like and his style of dress.

John Wright of Ocean Springs, USA a longtime collector of gems and postage stamps, has developed a collection of antique postcards that were created and distributed in the United States since the late 1800s.

As he acquired Christmas stamps, Wright began to take notice of the early Christmas penny postcards and how Santa's clothes were of different designs and colors. The evolution fascinated him and he limits his collection to those cards showing Santa in costume.

"Santa did not always wear the red costume with white trim that is popular today," Wright said. "Earlier costumes included purple and white, and red and black. Knickerbockers on Santa were popular in the 1920s and the red and white outfit caught on in the late 1930s and 1940s."

His research found the first Christmas card originated in England more than 150 years ago. Holiday cards designed by Kate Greenaway, the Victorian children's writer and illustrator, and Frances Brundage and Ellen H. Clapsaddle, were favorites in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

"America imported its greeting cards from England until 1875, when Louis Prang, a German immigrant to the U.S., opened a lithographic shop and published the first line of U.S. Christmas cards," Wright said.

Jacob von Uexkull the founder of Right Livelihood speaks….

How a rejection by the Nobel Committee spurred Jakob von Uexkull to create the Right Livelihood Award celebrating the solutions helping to ensure a healthy planet and people . Jacob von Uexkull was once a philatelist and stamp dealer of rare stamps.

On the 5th of December this year, guests filed into the grand old Swedish Parliament for the 32nd Right Livelihood Award (RLA) ceremony. Jakob von Uexkull, the Award's founder, gave the opening speech and presented the awards to the four Laureates: all four are from different continents and their work spans the gamut of what can be described as practical activism - promoting human rights in Chad, solar energy in China to natural childbirth and sustainable farming.  Whereas the ceremony for the Nobel Prizes, another Swedish award taking place just days later, had scores of publicity, the RLA ceremony was newspaper feature material rather than headline news.

‘I found I could not survive as a journalist, so I turned by hobby into my profession,' he says. He became a dealer in rare stamps, a philatelist, which led him to travel and work in big international conferences, at around the time when the global agenda began to include the search for common principles to help preserve the environment. The biggest was of course the Stockholm Conference - the world's first sustainability conference - in 1972.

Read More…

Forthcoming International Stamp Exhibitions..

 

IPHLA 2012

Specialized International Exhibition for Philatelic Literature

IPHLA 2012 : A specialised exhibition for Philatelic Literature is going to be held  from 2 to 4 Nov.2012 in the town hall of Mainz (Germany). This exhibition will  be held under the patronage of FEPA & AIJP but some non European countries are also invited by them and India is also one of them.

Any author, journalist or publisher can apply for participation at IPHLA 2012 Mainz with one or more exhibits (print, static-digital like CD/DVD or a website) on condition he/she is a member of the BDPh or an association affiliated with FIP or FEPA. The application must arrive on time on the entry form provided for this purpose ( Exhibit Entry Forms ).

Applications for ‘IPHLA 2012’ can be submitted until February 1, 2012.

The basis of the binding application is the different regulations currently provided by the BDPh. Any applicant is urgently advised to take note of these regulations, especially of the special regulations for IPHLA 2012 Mainz , which he agrees to by signing his application.NO FEDERATION COMMISSIONER WILL BE NOMINATED. Please go through website www.iphla.de

For any information please contact to Mr. Wolfgang Massen, Email: w.maassen@alip.org

THAILAND 2013

THAILAND 2013, International Philatelic exhibition will be held in Thailand from 2 to 14 August 2013 in Bangkok, under the patronage of FIP. The World Philatelic Exhibition will take place from 2 - 14 August 2013 at the Royal Paragon Hall 1-3, 5th floor, Siam Paragon, Bangkok. The event will feature not only some unique postage stamp collections, but also displays of other rare and valuable collectibles from around the world. A stamp contest and competition of OTOP products will also be held as part of the event, with an international panel of judges from member countries and representatives of countries submitting collections for display.

PCI has nominated Mr. R D Binani as Commissioner for India, his address :33-B Rowland Road, Kolkata 700 020  E mail : binanipm@gmail.com Mob:9830073058

INDONESIA 2012 WORLD STAMP CHAMPIONSHIP

INDONESIA 2012: International Philatelic exhibition will  be held under the patronage of FIP from 18 to 24 June 2012 at Jakarta Convention Center. The exhibition will be known as  INDONESIA 2012 WORLD STAMP CHAMPIONSHIP. Mr. S. Sahoo, is National Commissioner for India. His address is :- D-3, BJB Nagar, Bhubanshwar 751 014 Email: sahadevas@yahoo.com

"Glimpses of Indian Autographs" by Praful Thakkar released

On the inaugural day of GUJPEX 2011, on  23rd December , a  book written by noted philatelist of Ahmedabad, Mr Praful Thakkar,  "Glimpses of Indian Autographs" was released by H E the Governor of Gujarat Dr Kamla Beniwal.

This is a book that gives glimpses of the autographs of eminent Indian personalities of various fields. The book contains around 600 autographs in 8 major groups which are further divided in 42 different categories. In each category about 13 autographs, along with the photographs of the celebrities, are presented. The effort in the book is made to project glimpses of different themes under which autograph collection can be made.

The book gives a special section on ‘Association of Philately with the Autographs’.  A special chapter is added in the book which depicts the Autographs in the design of Indian Postal Stamps. Another chapter depicts original autographs, on the First Day Covers, of personalities, related or associated with celebrities whose stamps are issued. Read more details

Praful Thakkar, the renowned philatelist of Gujarat is Limca Book Record Holder in 2009 for Autographs & Canteen Tokens and  is a collector of autographs, stamps, First Day Covers (FDCs), coins, medals, tokens, badges , badge plates etc. and many more collectibles of India since last more than 45 years. He has written several books on these subjects of Hobbies.Mr Praful Thakkar may be contacted at email : pkthakkar@yahoo.com

 

ODISHA STAMP MELA – 2012

A gala Stamp and Stationery Mela is going to be organized at Bhubaneswar, Odisha for the 1^st time by Eastern India Philatelists’ Association, Bhubaneshwar.

Date : 7 - 8^th January 2012.

Venue : Hotel Keshari, Master Canteen Square, (Near Bhubaneswar Railway Station).

Co-ordinator : Mr. Shanti Swarup Rath, e-mail – sswaruprath@gmail.com Cell: 09437034621 Dr. Bibhudatta Mishra, e-mail – bhanubibhu@gmail.com Cell: 09437282638

Interested Dealers are requested to contact the coordinators either by Phone or e-mail .

Associates:

Utkal Philatelists and Numismatic Association, Cuttack

Orissa Philatelic Association, Cuttack

Department of Post, Orissa Circle, Government of India

School Partner: Mother’s Public School, Near Unit-1 Market, Bhubaneswar

Read details.. Programme

INDIA POST 2012 CALENDAR – SCULPTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA

In an innovative gesture the Department of Posts had brought out India Post year 2010 calendar on the set of its highly popular 'Dasavatar' stamps based on Jayadev's 12th century epic 'Geetagovinda'. The Calendar was widely appreciated and carried favorable media coverage. Enthused with the response, Department of Posts next year followed with the Calendar on the theme of ‘Buddha’.

Taking this initiative forward Department of Posts has now released India Post 2012 Calendar based on the theme of sculptural heritage of India.

Unicorn and Bull seals alongwith Priest-King figure, Mohenjodaro and Harappa

The history of Indian sculpture dates back to the Indus Valley civilization. Tiny tera-cotta seals and bust of the Priest - King in limestone discovered from the Valley show a high level sophistication and artistry. With changing times, the style and forms of Indian sculpture evolved and acquired new dimensions. Entwined with the plurality of religion, culture and social mores of society, Indian sculpture was deeply influenced with its art, dance, drama and literature. This synthesis produced a huge body of sculptural work which was eclectic and inspirational and was an important and integral part of the life of the common man.

India has produced some of the most intricate and unrivalled sculptures in the world. India Post has celebrated the sculptural heritage of India by issue of a number of postage stamps from time to time. India Post 2012 Calendar is inspired by these postage stamps and includes images drawn from the vast trove of Indian sculptural heritage.

India Post 2012 Calendar is available at various Philatelic Bureaux in the country at the price of Rs. 200 each.

- Research and design: Sankha Samanta

View : Brief description of the panels of the Calendar 

 

A Blogger writes on his Blog…. A note of Thanks

12/16/2011

By Ketankumar Patel

Hello Gandhi Collectors,
This is our 200th blog post on Gandhi Philately Study Circle.!! Thanks to all our blog readers and special thanks to Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti of RAINBOW STAMP CLUB for referring our blog to all her blog readers by adding us in "favorite sites and blog". This is a great honored for us to be on her famous philatelic blog.

Today I am happy to announce that 1000 readers (and growing) were referred from her blog   rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com. which is  3rd most referring sites to our blog after google.in and google.com.  But I think it is #1 site as we are on her favorite blog since last 8-9 months only, while google is referring since starting of this blog.!! Read the Post…

Many Thanks to the bloggers of http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/ - Editor

Exhibitions in India

THRISSUR DISTRICT  PHILATELIC EXHIBITION  - THRISSURPEX-2012

January 16, 17 (Monday & Tuesday) Pandi Samooha Matom Hall, Thrissur
Organiser : Thrissur & Irinjalakuda Postal Divisions

P R O S P E C T U S & ENNTRY FORM AVAILABLE AT   :  www.PhilaIndia.info

Last date : 13 January 2012
For details contact : Mahesh Reddiar email : philaindia@yahoo.co.in

UPHILEX 2011

A state level exhibition was held in Lucknow from 16 to 18 December 2011 at Lalit Kala Academy Regional Centre, Aliganj Lucknow.

View Complete Award List of UPHILEX 2011   

 Glimpses of UPHILEX 2011

RAJPEX 2012

Rajpex 2012 State Level Stamp Exhibition is proposed to be held from 4 Jan to 7 Jan 2012 at Jaipur. For more details contact Rajesh Paharia General Secretary, Philatelic Society of Rajasthan
Jaipur. email : shreeshell@hotmail.com

GUJPEX 2011

Gujrat Postal Circle organized a state level exhibition GUJPEX – 2011 at  Akota Atithi Gruh,  ( opposite Akota Stadium, Akota Road ,Vadodara from 23 – 25 December 2011 .

During the exhibition a set of 22 special used picture postcards to commemorate the historic Dandi March and 7 special covers were issued: View Covers

Mahapex 2012

Pune will host the four-day 11th state-level philatelic exhibition, Mahapex 2012, at Ganesh Kala Krida Rangmanch from 13 January 2012. After 25 years, Pune will be hosting such an exhibition for Maharashtra and Goa.

Auction

ITS Postal Auction No.55 – Last Date: 14.01.2012

emails:indianthematicsociety@gmail.com surajjaitly@hotmail.com

Check detailed list of new 145 Lots offered from India and overseas in ITS Postal
Auction No.55 at http://indianthematicstamps.webs.com/apps/documents/   OR

http://itsstampnews.blogspot.com/2011/12/s-postal-auction-no55-last-date-1412012.html

China 2011 Asian Stamp Exhibition

-  Report from Pragya Kothari

FIAP exhibition at China was one of the most awaited event of the year, one because it was the last exhibition of the year and secondly China as a philatelic market has been evolving very rapidly over the years. And my experience of it was quite similar.

L to R Prof VK Gupta, Bartoc, Pradip Jain, Yogesh Kumar

China as a nation has the capacity to outshine the world when it comes to staging event in a grand way like Beijing Olympics, Shanghai expo and Stamp exhibition at Wuxi was no different.

Wuxi.......does the name ring a bell.....I am sure many Indians are not familiar with the town or heard its name before. I was puzzled myself about whereabouts of the city before I applied for the booth.                                      

Transit form Shanghai airport to the exhibition hall in Wuxi and clearance from the customs took almost the entire day. Even though the entire process was not smooth but I was amazed to see the warmth in the hospitality of the Chinese. College and post graduate students who were versatile in both mandarin and English assisted us quite efficiently.

I was amazed to see the exhibition hall, it was massive and well lit. The interiors of the hall was better than the exterior. China Post and China National Philatelic had installed most beautiful stands highlighting the Chinese culture and postal heritage. It mesmerized me how much Chinese lay importance to impress the foreigners.

The opening ceremony was very well organized and foreign booth holders and other dignitaries were given free bus service between official hotel and exhibition centre.

The exhibition hall had two parts one side was for the exhibitors and the other for domestic and foreign booth holders and postal departments. It was conveniently and intelligently done by separating the exhibitor side from the noise and crowd of the booths.

The exhibition showcased some of the best collection from all streams of Philately - thematics, aero-philately, postal history, traditional etc. These provided for an excellent source of knowledge and experience for the visitors. The exhibition hall also had  many wide screens which showed videos to the local visitors explaining them about philately and few rare collections which were displayed in court of honour.

The booth holders side was no less in excitement, with the major bulk of the crowd coming in to treat themselves with beautiful stamps and other philatelic souvenirs. Over all, I was amazed to see the keen interest that Chinese had for the hobby of philately and how fast the hobby is catching up with the rest of the country. Unlike India, where hobby is in dire straits, it is quite likely that China is going to emerge as the new Philatelic powerhouse in the coming decades replacing Europe.

A special mention to Asian Thematic Philately Society whose founding ceremony I was honoured to attend, showcases the love of Chinese for thematic philately and the level of knowledge. Its founding ceremony was organized in a community hall in the city of Wuxi where we witnessed some local collections put up for display. Eminent thematic philatelist from other Asian countries like Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Mongolia, Malaysia, China etc. convened the event. I was honoured to speak in the event as a representative from India on my collection. For Chinese thematic philately, with new and young philatelists coming with new ideas and concept - only sky is the limit. There is a well organized national philatelic association which helps young philatelists enhance and develop their collection by conducting regular seminars, meetings and exhibitions. I wonder with amazement about the quality of Chinese collections which we are going to witness in the coming years.

Finally, I was immensely glad to come over to China and participate in the exhibition,which was a great experience and learning for me. I also wish to pay my gratitude to the the China Post, Chinese customs and above all to Chinese people for their generosity and hospitality.

A specialized website on Indian Postal History

Mr Rajesh Pamnani of Hydrabad has created a new website on Indian Postal History. It is a very informative website for the collectors of Postal History. It has different sections on Indian Postal History, Indian Postal Markings, Postage Stamps, India (Used Abroad) and gallery of Indian Registration Labels, Bazar Card of India, Speed Post and other  items.  A separate section has been given for research articles. It is a complete website for collectors of Indian Postal History. It can be viewed at  : http://pamnani.info/rp_index.html

Interview

In this issue meet with Col Jayanta Dutta and Dr Anjali Dutta, the philatelist couple from Pune. Both of them have won a number of awards in National and International Stamp Exhibitions. Fortunately I had a chance to meet  both of them at INDIPEX 2011, New Delhi. Dr Anjali explained me her collection and it was a memorable moment with her and Col Dutta. Dr Anjali, the ever-smiling lady was with me in Philatelic workshop at INDIPEX 2011, then I could not recognize her but we met at the exhibition hall when someone introduced me to her and Col Dutta... they told me that they read my blog regularly and it was a pleasant moment …. Both of them are devoted philatelists and take active part in philatelic activities. Dr Anjali was awarded Large Silver for Fiscals of Gwalior at INDIPEX 2011. Though her exhibit had already won 3 International Vermeils earlier. Col Dutta was awarded Silver Bronze for his book,  “Rare Stamps of the World “  at  INDIPEX 2011 It is a great pleasure to publish the first ever interview of the philatelist couple in Rainbow Stamp News.

 

The Dutta family has often been referred to as unique in that all the family members including their two daughters are philatelists in their own right. The four of them co-authored the book The Rare Stamps of the World which has won many medals in Asian and world level philatelic exhibitions.

Col J Dutta began collecting stamps as a schoolboy, but unlike many others he persisted with his hobby and had the good fortune to exhibit his collection, and meet with contemporary eminent philatelists on the jury panel, while still in school.  His love for stamps and all things related to post, like first-day covers and postal stationery, stayed with him while studying in the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune and throughout his Army career.  He contributes to and edits a number of philatelic journals and is the President of Deccan Philatelic Society in Pune and Vice President of The Army Philatelic Society. 

He has organized a number of philatelic workshops and stamp designing competitions for school children.  The first state level philatelic exhibition in Nagaland, that was inaugurated by the then Governor of Nagaland, Sri Shyamal Datta, was organized by him as Chairman of the Organising Committee as a part of the Army Day celebrations of 2006. Presently he is the philatelic advisor to the Organising Committee of MAHAPEX 2012 the Maharashtra and Goa state philatelic exhibition to be held in Pune in January 2012.

                                                        

The young army doctors and philatelists :Dr Anjali Dutta and Col Jyanta Dutta in Calcutta in 1980

Dr Anjali Dutta first became interested in philately while helping her husband with his collection.  Also a graduate from Armed Forces Medical College, she left army service after completing her SSC and while working at various army Health Centres and the Ex- Servicemen Cell in MH Agra, she still found time to help her husband with his collection.  Her own knowledge of the subject increased over time and she started her own collection of the stamps of Great Britain right from the Penny Black. She is the Immediate Past President of Deccan Philatelic Society in Pune and General Secretary of The Army Philatelic Society. 

To stop some rare fiscal material, related to revenue stamps and documents, from leaving the country via a foreign buyer she bought up the material, made an in depth study of it, and published her findings in a philatelic journal.  Later she made up exhibits in fiscals of Gwalior and Jamkhandi that have won many awards including Vermeil in international exhibitions in India, Nepal and Korea and a Large Vermeil at Inpex-Empirepex-2001 National Phil Exhibition with the Adolph Koeppel Award for Revenues, the highest award for fiscals in India, for her exhibit - Fiscals of Gwalior. Presently she is a philatelic advisor to the Organising Committee of MAHAPEX 2012 the Maharashtra and Goa state philatelic exhibition to be held in Pune in January 2012. 

   Col Jayanta Dutta and Dr Anjali Dutta may be contacted at email : doctorjayanta2009@gmail.com                          

Interview with Col Jayanta Dutta and Dr Anjali Dutta

Col Jayanta Dutta

Q1 You have spent a long time in this hobby. How were you introduced to this hobby?? - Through friends or someone in your family?

I was introduced to philately by my mother when she presented me an album on my birthday in 1963. From then the romance has just got stronger.

Q2 You have specialized in fiscal philately. Why did you choose to take up fiscals only?? Why not some other branch of philately?

Not really. I was always a collector of traditional stamps and postal stationery. I do have a fine collection of Jaipur State stamps and postal stationery and early Nepal. I won my first vermeil in 1966 for classic Argentina followed by in 1968 for early Nepal. I do have a fine collection of British India postal stationery. I took to fiscals of Indian Princely states since I found hardly any research on these being done in India.   

Q3 What is the future of philately? Day by day it is going away from the young generation. Young people do not seem to be involved in this hobby? What is the reason?

I won’t say it is dismal but it true that younger people are not drawn to this hobby as there are other avenues to keep them interested. It is not just an Indian phenomenon but all over the world. I met a Norwegian philatelist and he said that that the average age in his society is 55+.  I feel there must be more frequent philatelic exhibitions in India at all levels - district, state and national. It might help younger generation to acquire a taste for the king of hobbies. 

Q4 What is the role of Internet in the promotion of this hobby?

The net has revolutionised philately. It has become easier to acquire philatelic material and share knowledge through chat and blog sites. Your site the Rainbow Stamp Club is a case in point. This is a great site and it has been growing stronger over the last four years.   

Q5 India Post is issuing a large number of stamps per year.  Are you satisfied with the quality of stamps, issued by India Post? Don't you think that the quantity of stamps per year should be reduced?

In post independence India we had a very conservative stamp issuing policy till India Post found it could be a money earning proposition. Also, due to political pressure, there are too many personality stamps. I have raised this point so many times but then who is listening. 

Q6 Give suggestions to improve the quality of Indian stamps as well as the topics which are missing on Indian stamps. It is a fact that stamps on personality dominate over other topics and it must be restricted.

Technically our stamps are good but wish that personality stamps could be restricted to 10 or 15. Let us have more stamps on art, culture, flora and fauna, architecture, textiles, handicrafts, and related to tourism in India.

Q 7 Share your most memorable experience in a philatelic event with the readers.

It was at a district level Exhibition when the Dutta family swept all the awards. My wife and our two daughters and I are probably the only philatelic family in India.  

Q8 Last but not the least - you collect stamps for pleasure or investment? Or it is a blend of both?

I collect purely for pleasure. In the last 50 years that I am in philately I have never sold a stamp. I have gifted and exchanged, but never sold. They are so dear to me.

 

Dr Anjali Dutta

Q1 When did you begin your journey in the world of stamps?  How did you develop this hobby over the years?

I began my journey in the world of stamps rather late, at the age of 28.  I began by helping my husband with his collection and then went on to develop my own collecting interests.

Q2 Women philatelists are very few in India. What could be the reason that girls don't enjoy this hobby?

No one encourages girls to take up this hobby.   If girls are encouraged, they enjoy this hobby equally.  At a later stage, it is difficult to establish credibility with your peers and especially the dealers who are going to supply your material.  I was lucky because my husband always encouraged and supported me.

Q3 Explain the pleasure of stamp collecting in your words.

The pleasure is not just in collecting stamps, but in making a study of them.  It immensely increases general knowledge about different countries, their people, customs, etc.  From bacteria to space-ships, stamps have been issued on diverse topics.  It also helps you make life-long friends with people who have similar interests and age is no bar to this.  I have known an 80 year old having a 10 year old as a philatelic friend.

Q4 What are your collecting interests in philately? Why did you choose the particular category for your collection?

My collecting interest is mainly in the field of fiscals.  I chose this field as it tells us a lot about the history of our country, its revenue system, its court procedures and the cost of different types of litigation – and how this has changed over the years. But I began by collecting stamps of Great Briton and I still have my collection.

Q5  As a woman philatelist, what challenges did you face to reach this level (Participating in national and international exhibitions)?

The challenges were mostly on the personal front.  I had to juggle my job, taking care of a household and my hobby.  That is why I could do most of my research, sorting of material, designing and mounting of my exhibits, only late at night.  Otherwise, I did not face any special challenge as a woman.

Q 6 Though thematic philately is not your subject of specialization but if you start collecting Thematics what subject would you choose to collect?

If I were to make a thematic collection I would make it on Art.  All countries like to showcase their art and it can make a fascinating exhibit – with the scope to make a specialized collection of a particular region, for example - European art.

Q7 Tell about your most memorable experience in a philatelic event.

The most memorable experience that I had at a philatelic event was meeting late Mr Liaquatulla Khan, an eminent philatelist himself, at an exhibition in Jodhpur.  He was the one who persuaded me to become an exhibitor from a collector.  He persuaded me that if I owned some interesting philatelic material and had knowledge about it then I must share it with others.

 

Beginners’ Section

Do you know ?

The First Christmas Stamp

"It is a controversy as to which is the first Christmas stamp. The Canadian  map stamp of 1898 [shown here] bears an inscription "XMAS 1898", but it was actually issued to mark the inauguration of the Imperial Penny Postage rate. The Christmas connection has long been reported to have been the result of quick thinking; William Mulock was proposing that it be issued on 9 November, to "honor the Prince" (meaning the Prince of Wales), but when Queen Victoria asked "what Prince?" in a displeased manner, Mulock realized the danger, and answered "Why, the Prince of Peace, ma'am".

The entry goes on to say, "In 1937, Austria issued two 'Christmas greeting stamps' featuring a rose and zodiac signs. In 1939, Brazil issued four semi-postal stamps with designs featuring the three kings and a star, an angel and child, the Southern Cross and a child, and a mother and child. In 1941 Hungary also issued a semi-postal whose additional fees were to pay for "soldiers' Christmas". The first stamps to depict the Nativity were the Hungary issue of 1943. These were all one-time issues, more like commemorative stamps than regular issues.

"The next Christmas stamps did not appear until 1951, when Cuba issued designs with poinsettias and bells, followed by Haiti (1954), Luxembourg and Spain (1955), then Australia, Korea, and Liechtenstein (1957). In cases such as Australia, the issuance marked the first of what became an annual tradition. Many more nations took up the practice during the 1960s.
"By the 1990s, approximately 160 postal administrations were issuing Christmas stamps, mostly on an annual basis. Islamic countries constitute the largest group of non-participants, although the Palestinian Authority has issued Christmas stamps since 1995."

Source : Wikipedia

Last Post Office closes ....

The last independent Post Office in the Netherlands, in Utrecht, closes. It's a beautiful building as we can see from this old postcard.

The Netherlands, the first country without post offices….

                                                                                                       - Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

“The Netherlands is a country with many ‘firsts’, not only in philately.

At the end of 2011 The Netherlands will be the first country in the world without post offices...”

When I read these lines in an e-mail sent by Mr. Ruud Elshout of The Netherlands, who collects on “Non Paper Stamps” and found my article “There was a Stamp….” Published in Rainbow Stamp News , 30Sept 2011 very interesting as well as informative from his collection point of view, I get curious to know more about this news and requested him for further detail if available with him. He mailed a short write up which I wish to share with my RSN readers.

The rise and fall of Post Offices in The Netherlands

Until the start of the 19^th century, the delivery of mail was not really organized and reliable. Typically the receiver of the mail had to pay the postal (delivery) fee. Due to its unreliable nature and refusal of the receiver to pay the fees, a large part of the mail remained undelivered.

In January 1799 the Dutch state monopolized the mail delivery and in 1810 issued the first Postal Act, regulating the delivery of mail.

In 1850 a second Postal Act was issued further regulating the mail service, called for the issue of stamps and the order to design and build post offices, one for every city in the country. The counties chief architect of that time, C. H. Pieters, alone designed 120 post offices, mainly for the larger cities. Many of these buildings still exist today, being architectural landmarks in the cities. Not all of them survived as post office. In 1992, the former main post office of Amsterdam was transformed into a luxurious shopping center.

In time, the post offices did not only handle mail and telegrams, but the organization was also responsible for the introduction and management of the telephone service. This new organization was called PTT (Post Telegraph Telephone). In 1998 the postal and telephone services separated into independent companies.

In 1881 the Dutch government founded a State Savings Bank (Rijkspostspaarbank), targeting the lower class workmen and provided them easy access to saving accounts.

In 1917 the city of Amsterdam founded the 'City giro' service, the first gyro payment system in The Netherlands. In 1918 the state owned 'Postcheque- en Girodienst' was founded, creating a country wide giro payment system. The daily administration and financial transactions for the above organizations were handled by the Post offices.

In 1977 and 1979 the Rijkspostspaar bank, Amsterdam City Giro and the 'Postcheque- en Girodienst' merged and in 1986 they were privatized under the name Postbank.

The post offices were reorganized and became a joint venture of the Post Office and Postbank. In time, the Postbank merged with another bank and an insurance company into the ING bank. For a long time thereafter, the Postbank operated as an independent bank from the ING.

For a long period of time, the Post Office was also a central hub in the distribution of legal documents like passports, driving licenses and car registration. Due to an increase in security, the issue passports and driving licenses was transferred to the local city councils.

At its height, 100 years after the introduction of the Postal Act, The Netherlands had around 2000 post offices.

The introduction of electronic payment and new technologies like the Internet (email, social media such as Facebook etc), saw a sharp decline in the amount of transactions at the post offices and the amount of mail delivered.

Many smaller post offices were closed and their services transferred to smaller booths located in bookstores, tobacco shops and supermarkets. Their tasks are typically limited to the remaining postal services.

In 2007 the Postbank dissolved into its parent company ING. Since the ING had its own country wide network of bank offices, the Post Office lost its main partner in the Post Office joint venture.

It was then decided to close down all remaining post offices and vastly increase the number of booths in bookstores, Tobacco shops and supermarkets. Currently there are now around 3000 of these booths, greatly outnumbering the once 2000 post offices.

On October 28^th, 2011 the last post office in Utrecht was closed. The building will turn into a hotel, restaurants and conference centre within a few years.

The Netherlands, the first country without post offices….

Last Post Office of The Netherlands: “Utrecht”, closed on 28^th October 2011

An important question left unanswered, “If this is so what will be the future of The Netherlands’s new issues after 28^th October? Within the stamp collector’s world in The Netherlands, some clear rules have been set: A stamp that is available through the post offices and via the philatelic office will count as a "stamp". Stamps which are only available through the philatelic office and not in the post offices will be regarded as a gimmick and not listed in the official catalogues.

Specialized Section

Advertising Postal stationeries, Stamps and Postmarks

©Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

Contd. From the last ….

2. Attached Labels and margins

Advertisements also can be found on labels that are se-tenant, or side by side, with a stamp. Some special issues of France also printed advertisements on Gutter pair in between.

Advertisements on labels side by side with a stamp

Advertisements on labels that are se-tenant, or Gutter in between

In 1924-25, Italy issued 19 stamps with attached advertising labels. However, the labels were not separated by perforations. It was contrary to the international regulations forbidding the use of advertising labels on stamps. Columbia record players and Singer sewing machines were among the products advertised on these Italian labels.

Attached advertising labels of Italy 1924-25 issues

Example of perforated advertising label attached to a stamp can be found on Canada’s 1990 Legendary Creatures block of four with McDonald's golden arches depicted on the selvage above or below the stamps. Stamps were released in conjunction with Canada's Stamp Collecting Month, and McDonald's Restaurants of Canada helped sponsor both Stamp Collecting Month and the four Legendary Creatures stamps. In return, as part of the sponsorship deal between Canada Post and McDonald's Restaurants

Canada Post printed the golden arches emblem in the margins around the panes of 50 stamps.

McDonald’s Restaurants emblem on the selvage

3. Advertisement as design of stamp

Some countries do not hide the advertisements on the backs of their stamps or on labels instead they proudly showcase their products and services as part of the stamp design e.g. Barbie doll ,Posters of films (Disney, etc), Monoi lotion, Book cover (James Bond, Disney, Tintin, Astrix etc.), etc.

Barbie doll                      Posters of Disney films                        Monoi lotion

Book covers of James Bond series

Stamps Booklets

Stamps Booklets provide space for advertising in number of ways. The narrow top and bottom margins in some stamps booklets can be printed with all sorts of advertisements.

Advertisements on narrow top and bottom margins

French booklets in particular can be a veritable gold mine for some themes.

The covers of the booklets often contain advertisement on front or inner cover

Advertising Inside and outside French Booklet covers

Some stamp booklets are also provided with small protective inter-leaves between the sheets of stamps, in order to prevent them sticking together. These protective leaves often contain illustrations of which some are even colour advertising products.

Advertising protective inter-leaves

Post cards Booklets of Switzerland also contains advertisement on their back and sometimes on covers.

 

Post cards Booklet

Postmarks and Meter stamps

Many times we find advertisements of commercial products in special cancellations. Postmarks also have been used to advertise products though USPS regulations prohibit such blatant advertising of private products or services in special cancellations.

Special cancellations advertising McDonald and Chelsea Flower Show

Sometimes the sender applies his own cancellation mark. Alongside the cancellation section there is space in this postmark for mentioning details about the sender. Although this postmark is applied by the sender, it must not be confused with a meter mark because the sender’s mark is applied on top of an affixed postage stamp, while with meter mark; the necessary franking value is indicated by means of the postmark imprint itself.

The poster-like ads that appear on envelopes alongside postage meter stamps promoting the ads of commercial products and services, special events and purposes, and worthy public causes are an important part of a meter used from its early days.

There are two types of postmark advertisements, slogan and pictorial.

Meter stamps

The American Civil War gave rise to other forms of advertising related to the stamp hobby: private-die proprietary revenue stamps and encased postage stamps. Though the advertisements on these Revenue stamps as cancel or in design or on holders in case of Encased Stamps as a whole is postal, but it does not alter the fact that they are indeed often looked on with great sympathy internationally, the more so as often only a few of them exist for each theme, so that a sparring use is made of them anyway.

Revenue stamps

Among US Revenue stamps, some of the most beautiful and whimsical were the Private Die Proprietary stamps. These revenue stamps were issued to help alleviate the extraordinary financial demands of the American Civil War (1861-1865) on the US Federal Treasury. The Revenue Act of 1862 required revenue stamps to be affixed to boxes or packages of matches, proprietary medicines, perfumes, playing cards, and even documents.
Private Die Proprietary stamps came about when manufacturers were permitted, at their expense, to have dies engraved and plates made for their exclusive use. Many were willing to do this because of the obvious advertising value. These stamps were in use between 1862 to 1883.Few examples depicted here are of Private die Playing Card stamp of ‘New York Consolidated Card Company’, Medicine stamp of ‘Oliver Crook & Co.’ for Dr. Crook’s Wine of Tar and Perfumery stamp ‘Corning & Tappan’ for Perfume .

Private Die Proprietary stamps

Some firms instead of printing their own Revenue stamps used Advertising cancels on existing Revenue Stamps. The U.S. proprietary revenue cancels of the 1860s and 1870s are a veritable treasure trove of snake oil and homeopathic remedies.

Advertising cancels on US Revenue Stamps

Encased stamps

Metal Encased postage Stamp used as coin was invented by J.Gault in 1862 in response to the public's hoarding of coins during the Civil War in USA and took its development during the First World war and some next years, in most of the European countries.

The advertisements on holders of Encased Stamps used are treasure-trove for thematic collectors. The variety of advertisers and the range of goods and services are astonishing. They include suppliers of pharmaceutical and petroleum products, wine and spirit merchants, brewers, hotel proprietors, owners of brasseries and restaurants, chocolate manufacturers, dealers in oysters, manufacturers of footwear and auto accessories, suppliers of optical and photographic equipment, and many more.

 

Advertisement on metal holder of Encased Stamps

Reader’s Right

 

India Year Pack 2009

Received , Year Pack 2009, through my PDA account.

   

I was shocked to see the price printed on the pack. There were totally 107 stamps issued in 2009, with three stamps in denomination of Rs. 20.
so the total comes to 104 x Rs. 5 = Rs. 520, 3 x Rs. 20 = Rs. 60 Total = Rs. 580.
But the price printed on the pack was Rs. 800...!!! Also the quantity of stamps issued were mentioned wrong as 104 instead of 107.Normally in previous year packs, the handling cost charged was around only Rs. 60

-Kasinath R.. Tanjore (Tamilnadu)

New Issues from other countries

Isle of Man

1 January 2012 London 2012 Olympic Games – 7 val + Miniature sheet

Ireland

24 Nov 2011 : Television shows – 3 val.

On November 24, 2011, An Post issued three stamps commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the first Irish television broadcasts. The stamps feature TVs and a hand-held device, which evoke a sense of the Past, Present & Future. On the screens are iconic images of The Late Late Show host Gay Byrne, children's TV presenter, Emma O'Driscoll, on the set of Hubble and renowned newsreader, Anne Doyle.

Irish Television broadcasting will be 50 years old on New Year's Eve 2011. A year of special broadcasting and other public events is planned by RTE across 2012, as Ireland moves fully into the digital age in its second half-century of Television.

Thailand and Pakistan joint issue

The post offices of Thailand and Pakistan have issued a joint stamp issue commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between countries.

Pakistan and Thailand formally began diplomatic relationships on 10 October 1951. Bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Thailand in 2008 was around US$750 million, with seafood and textile accounting for Pakistani export to Thailand, and motorcars and chemical products accounting for Thai export to Pakistan.

The investment boards of the two countries have also signed a memorandum of understanding on sharing investment intelligence, encouraging prospective investors and technical assistance. And a Thai-Pakistan chamber of commerce has also been established to facilitate trade and investment between the two countries.

The joint stamp depicts Minar-e-Pakistan Lahore and Victory Monument Bangkok. Stamp also shows the flags of both the countries and on the bottom is inscribed 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Thailand.

Philippines

5 December 2012 : 2012 – The Year of The Dragon 2 val + MS

Poland

8 December 2011: 20 Years of Independence of Kazakhstan

16 December 2011 Fruits Malina ( Raspberry) – 1 val

Thailand

15 November 2011 New Year – 4 val + MS

USA

3 January 2012 Spectrum Eagle” Presorted First-Class Mail

Philatelic Library

e books on Philately : All about Stamp Collecting

http://www.scribd.com/doc/37667833/Stamp-Collecting

http://www.askphil.org/b.htm

Online Stamp Catalogue…

Search stamps of different countries online…

http://www.catawiki.co.uk/catalog/100271-stamps

New Blogs & Websites

My Philatelic Journey : www.pamnani.info – A new Website created by Rajesh Pamnani of Hyderabad. The site is a very informative for the collectors of Indian Postal History.

A Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi : http://www.gandhiworld.in/ - A new website created by ML Rajesh of Tiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. This website contains Gandhiji's memorabilia such as Stamps, coins, currencies, tokens, telephone cards, post cards, special covers, statues and a few rare photo graphs too. It is a complete website on Mahatma Gandhi .

Officially Sealed Mails of the World : http://www.poseal.com/ -    A site dedicated to the study of Post Office Seals   -

Sports Philately : http://www.sportstamps.org/ - Website on Sports Philately.

Se- tenant Stamps of India - http://setenantsofindia.blogspot.com/ It is a specialized Blog on se-tenant stamps.

Flags & Stamps - http://flagstamps.blogspot.com/ - It is a specialized blog on Flag Theme .

Glimpses of Modern Indian Philately : http://modernindianphilately.blogspot.com/

Stamp Sathi : http://stampsathi.in/# - A new website on Indian Philately created by Chintan and Ronit Parikh of Gujarat. It is a very useful site for all stamp collectors.

Phila India : www.PhilaIndia.info – A new website on Indian Philately created by Mahesh Reddiar of Krerala

Postmarks of India : http://www.indianpostmarks.blogspot.com/ - This blog is dedicated to Permanent Pictorial Cancellations available at Indian Post Offices.

Discover Topical Stamp Collecting : http://secretstostampcollecting.com/members/ - How-To, Tips, News, Reviews and Resources for Stamp Collectors

A new Blog on Modern Indian Postal History and Modern Philately of India, has been created by Mr Prashant Pandya. Idea of creating this blog ‘Glimpses of Modern Indian Philately’ by Mr Pandya is conceived to provide, share and discuss information exclusively on Modern Postal History or Modern Philately of India. Collectors of Modern Indian Philately around the world are invited to share the knowledge and information on the subject.

West Essex Philatelic Society : http://www.wepsonline.org./ A philatelic society with lot of philatelic activities.

Gandhi Stamps :   http://gandhistamps.com - The website is a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi Philately. All the stamps issued on Mahatma Gandhi from various countries in the World have been featured.

Join Mobile Philately & Stay Updated - http://mobilephilately.blogspot.com/ Mobile Philately is a mobile technology based philatelic community with short messaging service (SMS) that allows the community members to get latest updates related to Indian philately directly into mobile message box.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Stamps-Philately-1610/indexExp_69442.htm - It is a site based on Question & Answers on Philately. Mr Prashant Pandya replies to queries.

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/

Ludhiana Philatelic Club

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

Philatelic Society of Rajasthan, Jaipur

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

Rajkot Philatelic Society – Rajkot, Gujarat

Gujarat Philatelic Association - Ahmedabad

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

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

The Lighter Side

COMMANDMMENTS OF PHILATELY

- Madan Middha

The Commandments are a set of principles relating to ethics of the life & hobby and play an important role in enjoying hobby the most. They include voluntary instructions to be followed by the people who believe in them. Different groups follow different set of commandments. Following is a set of 17 commandments which is for the philatelists willing to adopt the hobby for the fullest enjoyment of it, with an un-sinned and clear heart. Ponder over it.

01. THOU SHALT BE ORGANISED

Be a philatelist of the organized genre. Do join at least One Local,

One Regional (State Level), One National and One International Level philatelic organization. This keeps you in constant touch and up to date with other philatelists at different levels. This creates an atmosphere to encourage collection and other Philatelic activities and also to talk about them. Interaction with other philatelists there, makes you active and alert.

02.THOU SHALT BE MANAGABLE

Keep your philatelic interests to the manageable levels. Ideal combination is One Country Collection, One Specialized Collection within that country and One Thematic Collection. Too much countries or themes or "collect-what-comes-your-way” is just not manageable for long. Once you attain a reasonable degree of perfection in earlier collections, you can expand, but again, one collection at a time.

03. THOU SHALT REMAIN HOMESICK

While choosing Country, stick to Home Country. While seeking a theme, select a subject of your interest or profession. Obtaining materials from any other country is very difficult and financially unwise. Moreover you can not compete with a native as far the study and procurement of the material is concerned. Similarly choosing a theme related to your profession, business or interest, makes you benefit both the ways, professionally & in philately, with your increased level of gained knowledge.

04.THOU SHALT BE SPECIFIC

Do not keep everything that comes your way, for yourself. Keep only those items for yourself, which are useful for your collections or your planned collection for / in the near future. Use the "not needed" items for exchange or help / assistance to fellow philatelists .These type of items are great goodwill creators.

05.THOU SHALT BE A PHILATELIST & NOT A STAMP COLLECTOR

Do not just collect the stamps but study them to the maximum possible. Also add the allied materials to your collection, that too backed by their study. Search for Postmarks, Postal Stationery, Covers and other postal history items for inclusion in the collection. Do not stick to stamps only. Allied materials add to the philatelic value of the collection.

06. THOU SHALT LOVE THE USED

Emphasize on used material collection, used are true philatelic.

"Mint is Bought ....... Used are Discovered". As per the known and accepted definitions of classic Philately, only used materials are Philatelic and worth studying .You can buy mint materials but for used you will have to search for. Further, you can study a number of things like postmarks, routes, rates etc, only when the material is used. Study of the used material transforms you in to a philatelists from a mere stamp collector and money spender.

07.THOU SHALT NOT BE A DEALER IN DISGUISE

Do not accumulate extra materials for commercial / money making purposes. Be a Philatelist, or be a Dealer, do not try to be both. Do not become a dealer in disguise of a Philatelist nor vice ~versa. Accumulating extra materials for exchange purposes is O.K. but when you do this with a view to earn monitory profits, it becomes a moral sin for a philatelist.

08.THOU SHALT BE PROMPT & RESPONSIVE.

In Philately, never postpone the job to sometimes later. Put the things at place immediately, be it your material, communication or any other activity. It becomes un-manageable if the action is postponed for later. This results in accumulation of the task, which very soon becomes messy and un-manageable as the time passes by. Same is the case with communication, when thought for a later reply to a letter, the chances are that it may never by replied.

09.THOU SHALT BE AN AVID READER.

Books and periodicals are the best friends of the Philatelists.

Read the quality philatelic literature on a regular basis. Subscribe to reputed periodicals of National & International levels to keep you contemporary & up-dated. Often visit & search the Internet for new trends and activities in philately on global scenario.

10.THOU SHALT BE FRANK & BOLD.

Mutual & Reciprocal co-operation is the essence of the hobby. Philatelists help each other whole heartedly. Do not hesitate to ask for or shy-away when asked for, any help from or by the fellow philatelists. If you are in a position to help, do help. If not, tell the help seeker your inability to do so. You may also suggest an alternate action if you know any or direct the help seeker to another philatelist, who may be helpful, in your opinion.

11.THOU SHALT RESIST POLITICS ENTERING THE HOBBY.

Hobby is, and always should remain for the pure hobby lovers.

Power seekers and politicians in disguise of philatelists, are better kept aloof with their designs and motives. The power the true philatelists seek and gain is reflected in their collections and knowledge. We should air our suggestions in a positive manner and should not force them on to others.

12.THOU SHALT VISIT BUREAUX OFTEN.

Make it a habit to visit your local Philatelic Bureau on a regular basis. Similarly when visiting any place, where there is a philatelic bureau, make it a point to visit that too. You will find gems often there. A large number of not-so-popular philatelic bureaus in India still have stocks of some very much sought after philatelic materials.

13.THOU SHALT BE A REGULAR EXHIBITOR.

What value a collection has, if it is not seen by the knowledgeable?

Be a regular exhibitor at various philatelic exhibitions of repute, including Regional, National & Internationals. This helps evaluate & improve your collections. Moreover, the comments by the knowledgeable people help immensely to further improve the collections and knowledge.

14.THOU SHALT BE FRIENDLY.

Always maintain live friendships with other philatelists.

Friend are the most effective & economic source of philatelic material and knowledge. Friends are strength. Even otherwise too, good friends are very helpful in every sphere of the life. They are treasure. Philately is a great source to amass this treasure, make full use of it.

15.THOU SHALT BE HUMBLE.

Always hold your head on level, even if you have won awards and are recognized as an authority. Never avoid helping newcomers and youngsters. Remember your days when you were a newcomer to the hobby.

If someone would not have helped you then? Some big medals or felicitations should not distract your attention from your duties to help others.

16.THOU SHALT ALWAYS KEEP YOUR ARMS SPREAD.

Always remain open to new friendships and old friends.

Friends make an effective network to fulfill the deficiencies and build strengths. Philately is a great friend maker, only if you are open to it. Friends provide best possible inputs to your collections and knowledge. Keep your door open to friends and friends-to-be, to reap fullest benefit of this great hobby.

17.THOU SHALT SPREAD THE FRAGRANCE.

Always be prepared to promote Philately & Philatelic activities. Your activeness towards this goal will make the difference. People should know about the goodness of the hobby. Never let any chances go, to talk about Philately and it’s suitability for any everyone everywhere. You must spread the fragrance of the flower you love the most, i.e. Philately. Make others’ lives as fragrant as the hobby has made yours.

- Madan Middha – Gwalior - email : madan_middha@yahoo.co.in

Promotional section

Picture Postcards

Vipan Kumar Thakur of Chandigarh shares here   some picture Post cards  prepared by him on Kavi Pradeep. Vipan Kumar Thakur may be contacted at email : philavpnthakur@rediffmail.com

View all cards

ITS Stamp News

"ITS Stamp News" . Philatelic newsletter on Thematic Philately. To subscribe the newsletter contact Mr Suraj Jaitly     Mobile: +91 98728 51244 MIG # 3464, Phase Two, Dugri Road, Ludhiana - 141 013 INDIA email : indianthematicsociety@gmail.com ITS Stamp News at http://itsstampnews.blogspot.com/

Newsletter on MAXIMAPHILY

QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF MACSU

The Maximum Card Study Unit of America

Founded in 1978, the Maximum Card Study Unit (MACSU) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to the creation, collection, exchange, enjoyment, display, and study of Maximum Cards, by spreading the knowledge of Maximaphily among its members Membership includes a subscription to Maximaphily USA, a quarterly journal featuring news of the maximum card world and articles by members and experts in the field.

Articles featuring topical collecting typically are richly illustrated with maximum cards and share the author's insightful knowledge of the subject and his own personal and helpful experience. The pages providing information regarding activities of individual members allows members to place free advertising for trading, buying, selling and exchanging information. Here the opportunity to make contacts with members in other countries is provided.

There are articles evaluating maximum cards according to accepted standards, pointing out good

qualities and making suggestions for improvement.Mail bid auctions are held on occasion, featuring inexpensive cards donated by members.Every issue provides a page or two of illustrations of the most recent maximum card creations by our members. Every member gets a chance to show his cards and write an article about them.

- Terry Watson, President, Maximum Card Study Unit

email : TERRYW7633@comcast.net or MAXICARDS@gmail.com

Philatelic items from Jammu and Kashmir Postal Circle

JAMMU AND KASHMIR POSTAL CIRCLE issued a variety  of philatelic items during recent Jammu stamp Show listed below.

Download Order Form ( Doc.)

http://www.scribd.com/doc/75744576/Jammu-Stamp-Show

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/

Phila News, Editor Rajesh Pahariya and published by Philatelic Society of Rajasthan, Jaipur

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

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

SIPA Bulletin Editor - 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

Editor’s Mail Box

Deepak Dube, Korba, (Chhatisgarh)

Heartiest Congratulations to you on reaching the milestone of the fourth year with ' Rainbow' -- a beauteous phenomenon on the firmament of contemporary philatelic journalism. Philately is on its way to become a complete academic subject ,within the Humanities say--in the first instance-- of History and Historical Research, with its own science of approach and method. And 'Rainbow' shall ever be remembered and cherished for its pioneering contribution in this graduation of the Vocation from a mere hobby to an academic discipline.

You merit compliments, first of all, for helping to revive the philatelic instincts of countless dormant collectors through  presentations that are essentially very compelling and challenging for the wide compass that they assume under  your very discrete and discerning  editorship and vision. Secondly, you must be applauded for presenting Philately for what it essentially is-- a calling that is educative, instructive and constructive-- free of the discrepancies of commerce and controversy--- in the domain of  legacy  that is capable of having  a personal as well as a  social or a national aspect .

 
Thirdly, you deserve accolades for keeping clean of prosaic and dull deliberations in pages that are colorful, lively, attractive and interesting; and as such very promotive of the cause they are espousing. Further, into the contemporary global community of ailing metabolisms you have very effectively injected afresh the message of a calling that is so  innocuously engaging-- providing joyfully cosy spaces of sheer fulfillment through the  thrill of possessing  beautiful  little treasures that give untold fun and all that leads to moments of happiness, and some health . Kudos. -)

ML. Rajesh, Chennai

I congratulate for the Great  Rainbow stamp News letter reached in 5th year, I wish  to reach the  Stamp News  more than 100 years............ Thanks once again...........

Shiv Bagla, Kolkatta

I am regular reader of your site and your efforts are all unique with wide coverage available on site.Thanks and Heartiest t and congratulations.

Mail from Tamil actor Mohan V Raman

Dear Ms.J Jyoti ,

I saw your website/Blog and must thank you for the wonderful service being done by you for all Indian Philatelists. I am a member of SIPA , Chennai and have been collecting Stamps on Cinema.

Mohan V Raman

Chennai
http://sites.google.com/site/mohanraman/home
http://mohanramanmuses.blogspot.com/

Dear Mrs Jyoti,

I am extremely happy to note that OUR Rainbow Stamp News has entered 5th year of its publication. Heartiest Congratulations. Undoubtedly this is the best and informative news letter that is being published. Time has passed so fast and though I am regularly reading the newsletter as well as the blogs for the last two years, having developed lot of interest seeing the contents of these I even traced many of the old newsletters and blogs and learnt a lot from them. You are doing a wonderful and selfless service to the philatelic community. The amount of information that is given and the efforts put in to collect the same for the benefit of the readers is adorable. Some of the regular articles in the Stamp News  are extremely educative and research oriented. May God Bless you and your team to continue this wonderful work.

with warm regards,

Cdr G.Sriramarao,I.N(Retd)

Vishakhapatnam

Thanks to all of you for your kind words of appreciation. - Editor

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. New Post on recent issues, news on stamp activities and Contribution by members are published every day on this blog.

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 ; Mansoor B.- Mangalore ; Ashwani Dubey – Gorakhpur;; Prashant Pandya – Vadodara; Shrikant Parikh, Ahmedabad; Hemant Jain, Mandla (MP); Markand Dave - Nadiad ( Gujarat); Mahesh Reddiar, Chennai; Europa Stamps; Deepak Modi – Jalna (Maharashtra) ; Raman Kumar Mandal - Gorakhpur

Address for communication:

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 or PDF. Send your write ups in MS Word only.

Kindly specify your contribution such as article/News/ Reader’s Right / Beginners’ Section/ Lighter Side etc.

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.

…..Happy Collecting…………………………………………………………………

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