Rainbow February 2015

 

175th Anniversary of The Penny Black and the Birth of Stanley Gibbons

The Isle of Man Post Office celebrates this landmark postal and philatelic anniversary in collaboration with the world's longest established rare stamp merchant Stanley Gibbons Ltd. This set of stamps will be issued on 17th February 2015.

Dehradun February 2015 Vol. VIII Issue # 86

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 and by post to –

Ms. Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248002. 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,

I am pleased to release February 2015 issue of Rainbow Stamp News. A large number of district, zonal and state level stamp exhibitions are being organized by Department of Posts in the months of January and February. Some of the exhibitions have been organized at a very large scale. I must mention here the example of recent KARNAPEX 2015, Bangalore which was a grand show. It gave the glimpse of a National Stamp Exhibition. Such shows are only possible with the joint support  and effort of local philatelists and organizers. It  promotes philately among people from all walks of life as such big shows are well advertised and get attention of media .  Let’s look forward to more big exhibitions in the coming months  by India Post  in different cities of the country.

Here is a good news for all stamp lovers…. A new Android App of Indian Philately Digest, developed by Mr Prashant Pandya has been launched recently. This App is very useful for all stamp lovers. They can get latest update of Indian Philately through this app !! Thanks to Mr Prashant Pandya for giving such a wonderful gift to the philatelic community. Now we can say that Indian Philately is Smart Indian Philately !! This is all for this month…..More in next Issue !! 

Happy Collecting !!

                                                                                                                                                                                 -- Jeevan Jyoti

 

Contents

· From the Desk of Naresh Agrawal

· Recent Indian Issues

· In The News

· Book Review

· Philatelic Travelogue

· Beginners’ Section

· Specialized Section

· Reader’s Right

· New Issues from Other Countries

· Philatelic Clubs and Society

· Blogs & Websites on Philately

· Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletter

 

 

 

From the Desk of Naresh Agrawal  

This time I am not going to write anything on the happening in the philatelic field or going to suggest any thing for betterment of philately or the philatelists. In fact, I have a good collection on my theme “Mail and Its Movement”. A vast theme which has vast scope. This also includes carried mail covers. During my study on mail carriage systems ,I came across various unique methods for carriage of mail or messages being used from time to time. We broadly know the mail to be as Air Mail, Surface Mail, Sea Mail but various experimental methods have been used from time to time. Rocket Mail, Missile Mail, Submarine Mail, Pneumatic Mail, Air graph, V Mail, Pigeon Mail, Tin Can mail, Balloon Mail, Runner mail, Dog sledge Mail, Parachute Mail, Glider mail, Ropeway Mail, Hovercraft Mail, Helicopter Mail, Ferry Mail, Electronic mail , Snail Mail, Mail carriage by Train, Plane, animals etc. are some of the traditional, modern and experimental mail carriage methods. I want to share with you all some of the interesting methods ever used to send messages which are not only unique but are thrilling too .

MAIL TRANSMISSION USING HAT : HAT POST

This is an amusing story about two young lovers living in Montevideo in Uruguay who used girl father’s hat for sending their love letters/message/mail between them as communication between them had been restricted by their parents.

A Montevideo damsel always remained guarded like the crown jewels. She was never without a chaperon. She fell in love with a young man whose father belonged to the Colorado political party where as the girl’s father was staunch Blanco. Therefore orders were given that on no account must they communicate with each other. But the girl remained happy and sang all day. And when the girl’s father saw the young man at his club he looked happy as happy. He concluded there was some leakage somewhere and so redoubled the guard.

The happy pair looked as happy as ever. One day when girl’s father he was going home from club the wind blew his hat off. He chased it down the street and tackled it low. At the moment of recapture, he saw, with surprise, a piece of white paper sticking out of the inner band in his hat. It was a love letter from Swain.

That was supposed to be the only case on record of the angry father being used as post by young lovers. Such a story would be very embarrassing. The girl’s father promptly gave his blessings to the marriage.

SHELL POST

During the great war an artillery officer hit upon a strange device in his anxiety to communicate with his fiancée, who found herself cut off on farm behind the enemy lines for quite a long time.

A dud shell was fired regularly every week, at the same hour of the same day, arranged in between the routine “traversing” of the front. A special “lift” was given to the gun, to carry the shell well beyond the enemy lines, to a point in the neighborhood of the farm easily recognizable as a landmark .A little digging was all that was required to recover the shell, and the message from the lieutenant to his fiancée securely ensconced within it.

This post worked well for a long time until, some how, the enemy got scent of it, and cleared out the farm and its inhabitants to further away beyond the lines.

THE FLOATING SAFE FOR MAILS :( SAFE MAIL CARRIAGE IN SEA)

Safe mail carriage has always been a serious concern for the postal administration especially during war times when government letters/documents and securities needs to be carried. In late thirties during war time when carriage of mail was mainly used through ships which were always prone to be attacked by enemies and so sank in sea. Despite the remarkable advancement in wireless, the safety of overseas mails was still a major consideration. Even with the fastest ships there is always a possibility of submarine success with embarrassment to the country far in excess of the value of the ship.

The Dutch Post Office came out with a unique idea of carrying and safeguarding such mails from getting sunk in sea or being stolen away by thieve. It took special measures in partnership with Netherland Steamship Company when German safe conduct had proved to be worthless and when the administration of Dutch East Indies to which the Netherland’s company’s ships ran, had been seriously affected by the sinking of the ships.

They came out with a unique idea of designing a special buoyant safe brightly painted in red and white big enough to be noticed on water. That safe was used to carry all government documents and registered letters which bore stamp obtainable in all Dutch Post Offices.

The safe used to be fixed in a steel cradle on a deckhouse or other convenient spot in constant view of the officers of the Brigade.If the ship sank and the safe went down with her, but a certain depth the pressure of water on a hydrostatic valve released it and it came to the surface.

The cradle kept the safe from being washed off deck by a heavy sea. To prevent thieves attempting to get at its contents it was electrically wired so that any body touching it started an alarm signal and received a sharp shock at the same time.

CHILD POST :

In 1914, a four-year-old named May Pierstorff, who lived with her parents in Grangevillle, Idaho, was going to visit her grandmother in Lewiston. Her parents calculated that Parcel Post was cheaper than full fare. At 48.5 lbs., the child came in under the weight requirement of less than 50 lbs. It was then legal, and still is today, to mail chickens, so her parents were charged postage at the chicken rate. The Pierstorffs pinned the fifty-three cents in postage to her coat and put May in the baggage car, under the care of the postal clerk. Though it was customary to leave packages in the post office overnight, when May arrived in Lewiston, the postmaster took her to her grandmother. By 1920, it was illegal to mail human beings, although not before an angry mother mailed a baby to the husband who had left her.

The parcel post system in the United States began in 1913, and almost immediately people began testing the bounds of what “packages” could be sent. In mid-January that year, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Beauge of Glen Este, Ohio realized it would be cheaper to send their son to visit his grandmother via parcel post than buying a standard rail ticket. They paid 15 cents in stamps, and “insured” him for $50. The Postmaster quickly outlawed the practice, but people kept skirting the rules, including sending a 14-pound baby to grandma (a popular destination for children, it seems). After a peak in 1915, they were finally able to put the kibosh on mailing kids.

- Naresh Agrawal : email : nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in

Recent Indian Issues

· 4 December 2014 -  Swami Ekrasanand Saraswati – Rs 5

· 15 December 2014 – Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan – Rs 5

· 24 December 2014 - 150 Years of Kuka Movement -  1st War of Independence – Rs 5

· 30 December 2014 – Baba Amte – Rs 5

· 8 January 2015 – 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi’s Return – Rs 5 & Rs 25 stamps + 1 MS

· 22 January 2015 – Beti Bachao – Beti Padhao Abhiyan- Rs 5

· 30 January 2015 – Swach Bharat – MS + 3 Stamps of Rs 5 each

Recent Special Covers

 

21 December 2014 -  Special Cover : Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavie

26 December 2014 – Andpex -2014 - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel - VV Nagar

29 December 2014 - Kavarati, Lakshadweep

31st December 2014 Datta Padukalu - Vijayawada

7 January 2015 - Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Vivekananda College, Puttur

 

8 January 2015 - Wheelathon 2015 at Calicut

9 January 2015 - Silverpex-2015 at Kannur ,Special Cover on Arakkal Palace

9 January 2015 - Allahabad Philatelic Exhibition 2015 - 2 special Covers - 1. Ganga –Yamuna - Sarswati Sangam, Allahabad 2. Head Post Office, Allahabad

10 January 2015 - Allahabad Philatelic Exhibition 2015 - 2 special Covers - 1. Architecture in Allahabad 2, Al;lahabad’s Guava

11 January 2015 - 'Bhaisahab' Shri Rajmal Sheshmal Jain, Mumbai

 

12 January 2015 – Vibrant Gujarat, Gandhi Nagar

13 January 2015 - Swami Chidananda Birth Centenary Celebration, Chennai

13 -14 January 2015 Bokaro Stamp Show 2015 – 2 special Covers

16 -19 January 2015 - KARNAPEX – 2015, Bengaluru – 14 + 7 = 21 Special Covers

21 January 2015 - Sant Sohirobinath Ambiye, Goa

24 January 2015 : Jain Temple, Kolkata

23-25 January 2015 – Mumbaipex 2015 – 2 special covers

24-27 January 2015 – RAJPEX 2015, Jaipur : 4 Special Covers

View : Special Covers

In The News

Philatelic gift to President Obama from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

 

 

PM Narendra Modi  gifted President Obama a copy of the first telegram from America to India's Constituent Assembly. He said: "Original commemorative stamp issued on 26th Jan 1950 is on back cover of the US telegram I gifted President Obama."

The telegram, headlined "Message of Goodwill", was read out at the inaugural sitting of the Constituent Assembly of India Dec 9, 1946.

A good news for stamp lovers !!

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  Android App of Indian Philately Digest developed by Prashant Pandya has just been launched today at the Closing Ceremony by Lt. Col. D. K. S. Chauhan, Chief Postmaster General, Rajasthan Postal Circle. This App is very useful for all stamp lovers. They can get  latest update about Indian Philately through this app !!

Visit www.indianphilately.net/mobileapp.html or Google Play Store to download the app on your Android mobile phone.

The significance of the birth of the modern British postal system celebrated by Isle of Man Post

Isle of Man Post Office presents its latest stamp issue produced in collaboration with Stanley Gibbons marking the 175th Anniversary of the Penny Black, the world’s first adhesive posting stamp used in the public postal system, and the birth of Edward Stanley Gibbons. The issue will be released on the 17^th of February.

Six stamps have been produced and include depiction of the Penny Black, the Penny Red which replaced the Black and the Two Penny Blue. In addition, there are three stamps each with a key individual – William Mulready, Roland Hill and Edward Stanley Gibbons whose portraits are featured on the stamps next to their associated contribution.

Postage rates on the Isle of Man and the rest of the British Isles had risen to a very high level by 1830 and as a result a campaign to reform these was led by Roland Hill with the main aim of lowering the rate to one penny per half ounce. This in addition to introducing a method to signify if a letter had been pre-paid was developed by William Mulready.

The first step towards a change in the postal system then occurred on December 5, 1839 when the rate was reduced to four pence. This was a success and the penny rate was introduced January 10, 1840. At first the postage paid or due was written in ink on the letter by the postmaster and then on May 6, 1840 a new method of paying postage was introduced and the famous Penny Black was born, followed by the Two Penny Blue on May 8, 1840.

A number of devices were incorporated in the designs to prevent forgery including stamps being printed by the recess method, paper specifically made with a small watermark on each stamp, a machine used to make intricate background patterns, and the use of unique corner letters with each stamp on the printing plate of 240 stamps having a different combination of corner letters.

The Penny Black and Two Penny Blue were resounding successes. The 1840 stamps were found to be easily cleaned of the red cancellation and reused and this prompted a colour change to Red for the Penny Black stamp with new stamps issued in 1841.

Surprising innovation in the philately world: philatelist cremation urn were made in USA

Custom Urns R Us, Manteno, Il. a new manufacturer of cremation urns servicing North America, is introducing its new offering: A philatelist cremation urn.

The manufacturer specializes in unique urns all finished in the USA. Each urn is created using quality aluminum or fiberglass bodies that are air and water tight, resisting rusting, breaking or cracking.

The American consumer wants urns that reflect the loved ones lifestyle and passions. Stamp urns reflect this in the images and finishes that are used to create the urn. The manufacturer use automotive finishes, digital vinyl artwork and 3D solid metal castings to capture the detail expected in a quality urn.

A large portion of the work is custom urns, designing urns to the specifications of the customer with special colors, and artwork. Each urn is then clear coated with a high grade automotive finish for years of lasting beauty.

Hong Kong 2015

Mr Ajay Kumar Mittal has been appointed National Commissioner for HONG KONG-2015 31st Asian International Stamp Exhibition) going to be held from 20th November to 23rd November 2015.

Philatelists are requested to send  following details of the Exhibit they wish to participate with.

1. Last Exhibition Participated
2. Level of the Exhibition : International/Asian/International/State
3. Award won in the exhibition
4. No. of frames

Last date of complete forms to be sent to the National Commissioner  is 20th February 2015. Please contact:

Ajay Kumar Mittal

​National Commissioner

​HONG KONG 2015​

D-57 South Extension Part-1
New Delhi-110049
Mobile : 9811032311, 9311332311
Email : ajaymittal1957@gmail.com

Taipei 2015 - 30th Asian International Stamp Exhibition

Mr Umesh Kakkeri has been appointed  Commissioner for India for Taipei 2015, to be held from 24th  to 28th April 2015. The Exhibition in Taipei  will be co-hosted by Chunghwa Post, the Chinese Taipei Philatelic Federation, and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council.

For detailed information, Please contact Mr Kakkeri, email : umesh_kakkeri@hotmail.com   Visit official website : Taipei 2015

SINGAPORE-2015

Commissioner for Singapore 2015

The Philatelic Congress of India has appointed Mrs Damyanti Pittie as National Commissioner for Singapore 2015 a F.I.P. World Exhibition to be held from 14^th 19^th August, 2015.

Philatelists eligible and willing to participate may contact her by e.mail /or by post on following  e.mail and contact address.  The IREX and Forms can be down loaded from Singapore 2015 web site : http://www.singapore2015.com/the_show.php

Mrs. DAMAYANTI PITTIE, F.R.P.S.L.

NATIONAL COMMISSIONER : SINGAPORE 2015.

SUKET, 4^th Floor, 29-B, Dongersi Cross Lane, Malabar Hill, Mumbai-400 006.

Tel.No.00 91 022 23644337. Fax No.00 91 022 23633696.

E-mail: dm_pittie@mtnl.net.in

purchasemumbai@harinagar.co.in

Recent Philatelic Exhibitions

- Indpex II 2015, District Level Philatelic Exhibition at Indore - 9th - 10th January 2015

- Allaphilex-2015, Philatelic Exhibition at Allahabad - 9th - 10th January 2015

- Karnapex - 2015, First Zonal Level Philatelic Exhibition at Bengaluru - 16th - 19th January 2015.

- Rajpex-2015, 14th Rajasthan State Level Philatelic Exhibition - 24th - 27th January 2015

- ROCKPEX 2014, Trichy : 30 – 31 January 2015

- Hyderabad Stamp, Coin & Note Fair - 2015 at Hyderabad - 6th - 8th February 2015.

SINE 2015 – Stamps of India National Stamp Exhibition Resheduled : Oct 30, 31 & Nov 1, 2015 at NDMC Convention Centre Parliament Street ,New Delhi 110001

Stamp Design Competition by India Post

“Independence Day 2015” - Stamp Design Competition by India Post

Department of Posts is holding a “Independence Day 2015 – Stamp Design Competition”. The theme of the competition is Women Empowerment.The Terms and Conditions to participate in the competition are as follows:

i. Entries are invited for ‘Independence Day 2015 – Stamp Design Competition’ . The participants are to make an original design on this subject (should not be copy of picture painted by someone else).

ii. Any citizen of India can participate in this contest. The design could be in ink, water colour, oil colour or any other medium (computer printed/printout will not be allowed). The design submitted should be such that can be depicted on the stamps in a visually appealing manner so as to be of interest to philatelic collectors.

iii. Participants are free to use drawing paper, art paper or any other type of white paper of A4 Size.

iv. The following particulars should be written legibly on the reverse of the design:
1. Name of the participant*
2. Age*
3. Gender*
4. Nationality*
5. Full and complete residential address with Pin code
6. Phone/Mobile Number*
7. E-Mail ID (if available)
* It is compulsory to provide the information.

v. An undertaking stating that ‘The artwork submitted is original and no copyright issues are involved’ should be sent along with the entry. In case of any legal dispute related to copyright issue, Department of Posts will not be liable for the same.

vi. The design should be sent without being folded, through “Speed Post” only, in A4 size envelope. The participants should mention “Independence Day 2015 – Stamp Design Contest” on the envelope in which the drawing is sent.

vii. The prize winning designs will be considered for use on stamps and other philatelic material. The prize money will be as follows:

First prize: Rs. 10,000/-
Second prize: Rs. 6,000/-
Third prize: Rs. 4,000/-

viii. The entries should reach on the following address by 31.03.2015.The entries received after the last date of receipt will not be entertained.

To, ADG (Philately) Room No. 108(B), Dak Bhawan, Parliament Street, New Delhi - 110001.

Stamp Book and Calendar on Mahatma Gandhi by India Post

Commemorating 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi's return from Africa to India, India post has issued stamps and miniature sheet along with few accessories on Mahatma Gandhi like Gandhi Stamp Book ( Price Rs 500) and 5 page Calendar on Gandhi ( Price Rs 250) The 8 page book features 12 commemorative stamps / sets of Mahatma Gandhi and one page showing definitive stamps..

Fourth series of ‘My Stamp’ on Gujarat

On 7th January 2015 fourth series of ‘My Stamp’ on Gujarat theme was launched at India Post Pavilion. Three different templates having images of Mahatma Gandhi and Sabarmati Ashram, Kite Festival and Dandiya Dance have been incorporated in sheet of 12 Stamps

.

Shop@Post: Weaves of Varanasi

Department of Posts and online marketplace Snapdeal has partnered to provide a platform for weavers and artisans of Varanasi to enable them to sell their products online.

A "pilot" initiative was launched by India Post and Snapdeal on 25th December 2014 in Varanasi. Under this pilot scheme, the weavers and domestic manufacturers of Varanasi silk products will be able to showcase their products through the Snapdeal portal with the help of Department of Posts and they would be helped in the end to end transaction of their products i.e. from registration to receipt of the money from the customer. The customers would also benefit by reaching out to the weavers directly.

The post offices will act as a dropping point for sellers, and India Post will deliver the goods to the buyers. Snapdeal has created an 'India Post' store to feature the associated sellers exclusively at their shopping portal. Weaves of Varanasi can be viewed @ http://www.snapdeal.com/offers/india-post-varanasi

Previously, India Post had partnered with Snapdeal to reach out to the philatelists to offer stamps priced between Rs 300 and Rs 5,500.

Youngest FRPSL from India

Markand Dave,  professional philatelist from Nadiad, Gujarat has been elected  Fellow of The Royal Philatelic Society London on 13th November, 2014 .He is the the Youngest Fellow of the society at present.

RPSL - India Regional Meeting at Bengaluru - 17 January 2015

The first regional meeting of RPSL (Royal Philatelic Society of London) of this year was held at the Taj West End Hotel in Bengaluru to coincide with Karnapex 2015, a regional state level Stamp Exhibition. The meeting was attended by 32 persons which included 12 members, 13 non members and 7 distinguished  guests, Dr Sita Bhateja, Mr. Nicholas Levinge Mand other dignitaries. During the meeting Group discussion on different philatelic topics were held and presentations were given by the members.

Book Review

 

Monograph – The Post Office Mauritius Stamps by Col Jayanta Dutta and Dr Anjali Dutta , Published by The Army Philatelic Society L-335, Tarapore Towers, New Link Road Oshiwara, Andheri ( West), Mumbai 400053. Price Rs 35O - Contact email : doctorjayanta2009@gmail.com

The recent Monograph by Col Jayanta Dutta and Dr Anjali Dutta is a comprehensive work on world famous rarest stamps of the world  “ The Post Office Mauritius stamps “. Every stamp collector must have heard about these famous stamps but might not know the whole story behind these stamps. Col J. Dutta and Dr Anjali Dutta have researched on the topic and wrote a wonderful Monograph on these stamps which all stamp lovers would like very much.

The first two postage stamps of Mauritius  issued in 1847, the so-called "Post Office" stamps, are of legendary rarity and value. They were the first stamps issued in any part of the British Empire outside of Great Britain. The unique cover bearing both “Post Office” stamps has been called "la pièce de résistance de toute la philatélie" or "the greatest item in all philately". On September 21, 1847, Mauritius issued two stamps, an orange-red one penny (1d) and a deep blue two pence (2d).The words "Post Office" appear in the left panel, but were changed to "Post Paid" in the following issue, and are the source of the stamps' common name. The "Post Office" stamps are among the rarest stamps in the world, and are of legendary status in the world of philately.

The monograph has color pictures of stamps and its rarest covers. The layout, design and printing of the book is excellent. The Monograph gives list of all the stamps and covers of the series with complete details. The historical story of these stamps  described in this  Monograph would be liked by all stamp lovers and it would be an asset in their collection. This interesting book is recommended to all stamp collectors as well as to  the libraries of  educational institutions. - Editor

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Philatelic Travelogue

The Village Post Office

- Anil Dhir

Dasharathi Das, 75, of Kiapada village in the Basudevpur Block of Odisha’s Balasore district, visits the village post office every day. That is not because he has business there, but because he likes it. The Post office has been there since the last 50 years. The small culvert near the post office is his favourite spot. Old village folk like him gather there every day and sit and chat for hours. “We come here because of the Dak Babu, he is a friend of the village,” says Dasharathi. By the Dak Babu, he meant Sukhdev Jena, the Branch Post Master of the small post office in Kiapada.

At the first glance it seemed a poor villagers’ hut. A small worn thatched roof, mud caked walls, a small door and a decrepit rusty letter box hanging crookedly and precariously outside. It was just outside the village, near some rice fields with coconut and other trees towering. I have seen many post offices all over the country, but never one in such a deplorable condition.

The post office serves the six villages of Kiapada, Narendrapur, Ayatpur, Garudpurm, Baghadobinayakpur and the hamlet of Tamakhandi. For Sukhdev Jena, a typical day starts at 9.30. Till noon, he sits in his office tending to paper work, sells stamps and covers, and makes or accepts payments. His runner, Bhaskar Dalei, goes about on his ramshackle bicycle and delivers the letters.“On most days of the week, I’m required to visit all six villages,” he said. The 60-year-old RPE has been doing this for 42 years.

The villagers have often written to the higher authorities for making a suitable room for the post office, but in vain. The small post office offers a number of services like savings bank, recurring deposit, money order and registered post, among others, but the diminutive structure is now discouraging customers.

According to the rules mentioned in the manual for the department of posts, space for branch post office should be arranged by the 'gramin dak sevak' or branch postmaster.The rule says the branch post master, who gets a basic pay of Rs 2,745, shall provide the house for the post office from his own salary and only a monthly allowance of Rs 100 towards the maintenance will be paid to him by the office.

But for the gum bottle and the two current calendars hanging from pegs on the mud wall, everything could have belonged to the pre-independence period. The rusty table and chairs, the small scales and weights, the ancient paraphernalia, took one back in time. The postmaster sat on his rickety chair and told me how the roof leaked. Even the ubiquitous red post office board with white lettering had rusted away, there was no sign that said that this little thatched hut was the Kiapada Post Office, but for the rusty letter box. A big plastic sheet had been put up below the thatch. He told me that the post office had nearly a thousand savings accounts. Ever since the new government’s Jan Dhan Scheme, there is increased volume in the letters received.

The Post is no longer what it was and it is going through a period of profound change. We see change everywhere; the Indian economy is experiencing an incredible growth story. The Post is transforming itself into a one-stop shop that will touch the lives of every Indian. ‘Dak Seva’, is now ‘Jan Seva’. With 155,333 post offices covering the urban and rural populace, India Post is the largest postal network in the world. Even a large country like China has less than 80,000 Post offices.

It has gone unnoticed, but writing personal letters and sending them to addressees through post offices has been declining at an alarming rate of about 3 per cent every year in the last decade. Letter writing in itself may become a passé or be reduced to something practised by a minority in the next few decades.

As a journalist, I have photographed the high and mighty, the monuments, structures and edifices that make the modern nation. But my passion has always been photographing a more humble side of the government: the small village post offices and the abandoned letter boxes. During my travels in the past tenyears, I have photographed hundreds of post offices and letter boxes in nearly every state of the nation.I see a certain magic in the nearly forgotten mailboxes. More than that, I am drawn to the Postal Service a as modern-day ruin crumbling before our eyes. It’s fading away, its slowly dying. Myphotographs are in one way elegiac – I am mourning the lost art of letter writing. The photos are unadorned, almost simple at first glance, without a trace of sentimentality.

I perceive the three stripes of India Post’s Logo as a national ribbon that ties far-flung places together. At first glance, the logo it is an envelope and at the next glance, it is a bird in flight, unhindered and unrestricted. The bold strokes convey free flight, and the fact that India Post carries emotion across physical distance.

As we continue to abandon the mailbox for the Internet, India Post is considering closing thousands of branches. This isn't a story about whether we could live without the post office. It's about whether we'd want to.

As in the rest of the world, the post office is on the wane in India. Unless it reinvents itself and takes on new roles to meet emerging expectations and needs, it is entirely possible that we may see them on their way out, at least in the present form.

-Anil Dhir : email : anildhir2k5@hotmail.com

Beginners’ Section

Tips for new stamp collectors

If you have gathered some stamps for collection from envelopes that came through the mail how are you going to get the stamps off the envelopes? First you should decide if you really want to remove the stamp. Perhaps there is a special cancel or image on the envelope that appeals to you -- in this case put the entire envelope in your album. But if you want to remove the stamps from envelopes, the best way is to soak them. Soaking most stamps is fast and easy.

Soaking stamps :

You first should go through and pull out any brightly covered envelopes (such as red or green) and lay these aside to soak separately as the color may bleed.

1. Cut off the upper right-hand corner of the envelopes; be careful not to cut the stamps.

2. Place them, stamp side up, in a few inches of lukewarm water in a shallow bowl (make sure the water is not HOT as it may damage the stamps). Don't soak too many at one time, they should have room to float. And, if you are soaking a lot of stamps be sure to change your water after two or three batches.

3. After a few minutes, you will notice the stamps begin to float free form the paper. Remove each stamp from the water. If you use tongs, be careful as a wet stamp is more easily damaged than a dry one. Be patient and do not try to pull the stamp free from the paper before it is ready as you may end up tearing it.

4. Rinse the back of the stamp gently in fresh water to make sure all the gum is off. You may wish to place the stamps between two paper towels and put a book on top of them to prevent curling. Leave the stamps to dry overnight.

Sorting Stamps :

Your stamps are soaked and dried, what is your next move? Before you mount them in your album you need to put them in some kind of order.

1. Depending on the type of collection you are putting together you may want to first sort your stamps by country or by topic. Or, you may decide to sort them by the service which the stamp was meant to provide such as airmail stamps, special delivery stamps, postage due, parcel post or revenue stamps.

2. During your sorting process remove any badly damaged stamps, unless of course it is valuable and may be hard to replace.

3. If you have more than one copy of a particular stamp, select the best one (well centered and lightly canceled). The duplicates can be saved for trading.

4. Sorting is a never-ending job as you will always be adding to your collection. And remember, there is no right or wrong way to collect.

5. Store your stamps in glassine envelopes until you are ready to put them in a an album

Mounting Stamps:

HINGE AND MOUNT

Collectors often store stamps in albums. To attach the stamps to album pages, you may use peelable hinges or stamp mounts. Unlike tape or glue (which you should never use) hinges and mounts provide a way to remove the stamp from your album page without damaging it. So, should you hinge or mount? That's another choice that is up to you.

Hinges are small, thin, folded pieces of translucent paper or plastic with special gum on the once side. To use a hinge, moisten the short end of the hinge lightly and press it to the back of the stamp, placing the fold about 1/8 inch from the top of the stamp. Then lightly moisten the larger portion of the hinge and attach it to your album page pressing down to secure it. Many collectors prefer to use mounts for mint stamps, as part of the gum will come off of the stamp if the hinge is removed.

Mounts are small, clear plastic sleeves. To use a mount, you simply insert the entire stamp into the mount, lightly moisten the back of the mount, and attach them to your album pages. Mounts are a little more expensive than hinges, but they protect stamps from air, dirt, and moisture.

Read More…

Specialized Section

Some Remarkable Cancellations and Postmarks – 25/4

- Dr. Avinash B. Jagtap

The All India Series of 1873 -84 Cancellations (Renouf Type 17b/d)

Renouf Type C shows a Letter representing the Postal Circle, opposite to it connected with a short bar, is the Disbursing Office Number. Above this there are three horizontal parallel bars. Below are two bars interrupted by a number of the Branch Office of the respective Disbursing Post Office.

Bombay Circle

1912 Registered envelope sent from Jhinjhuvada to Lilupada (?) on 2nd September 1912. The K.Ed VII adhesives of three and a half Annas being defaced by Renouf Type 17b simplex cancellation “15/B-2/3”.Marked Late Use. Back stamped “JHINJHUWADA/B.O./2 SE/ KATHIAWAD”

Punjab Circle

1888 Registered envelope from Chandani Chowk, Delhi to Sambhar with all 5x half Anna QV adhesives cancelled by Renouf Type 17c Cancellation. The Circle “L” (for Lahore), the Branch Office N0.2 of the Disbursing Office N0. 17

 

North West Provinces Circle

1877 Registered cover from Muttra City (Mathura) to Jodhpur, with “A-25/8” Renouf Type 17d cancel showing Disbursing Office Number 25 and Branch Office Number 8, Arrival marks of JANDHPORE (instead of Jodhpur) /Dec. 21 & Pallee/Dec.21

- Dr. Avinash B. Jagtap email : abjagtap@hotmail.com

Chinese New Year (Part II)

© Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

Although the Chinese calendar traditionally does not use continuously numbered years, outside China its years are often numbered from the reign of the 3rd millennium BC Yellow Emperor who introduced the first cycle of the zodiac.

But at least three different years numbered 1 is now used by various scholars, making the year beginning AD 2015 the "Chinese Year" 4713, 4712, or 4652 and first day is February 19 and is ‘Year of the Sheep’.

Year of the Sheep - Unusual Shape S/S- 3D Box, Tonga 2015

Philatelic Celebration

Several countries issue postage stamps to mark the Chinese New Year. The stamps usually depict the animal sign of that year, consisting of the sequence: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, pig. The designs may be part of a set, or individually designed. Hong Kong is said to be the first to issue a commemorative stamp for the lunar new year since the 1960s (1967), but I found an example from Japan 1959 for the lunar new year 1960, “Year of Rat” depicting a Toy rat, the First animal of the 12 years Zodiac cycle.

Japan 1959

Other countries that followed thereafter included China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, United States, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and France.

Republic of China (Taiwan) issued commemorative stamps set for Chinese Lunar Year in 1965 depicting children enjoying Firecrackers and Dragon Dance.

Republic of China (Taiwan), 1965

And for the Year of the Monkey, People's Republic of China issued its famous Red ‘Monkey’ stamp painted by the famous Chinese artist Huang Yongyu which proved as popular as a good luck gift that many forgeries exist.

People's Republic of China, 1980

Macau issuing since 1984

Macau, 1984

In 1992, the U.S. Postal Service issued its first Chinese Lunar New Year stamp—a rooster stamp for the Year of the Rooster. Clarence Lee of Honolulu, working with art director Richard Sheaff, used the ancient Chinese tradition of paper cutting to create the artwork for the series, which included all twelve traditional animal signs. See how the rooster stamp design evolved. The calligraphic characters on these stamps may be translated into English as "Happy New Year".

29c Year of the Rooster Chinese New Year concept art, 1992

Issued stamp

This series concluded with all its 12 stamps for animals of the Zodiac years in 2004 and all again combined in a beautiful s/s of 2005 for which for the first time Digital Coloured Postmark was designed by the stamp designer himself creating a history in the world of pictorial postmarks (Read my article “From Black & White to Digital Colour Postmarks, Rainbow Stamp News, Oct 2014).

S/S USA 2005 and World’s First Digital Postmark

Australia and Ireland started their regular issuance for this occasion from 1994.

Australia 1994

Ireland, 1994

Though Singapore issued a stamp for Chinese New Year in 1971 in its Festival series on-off since 1971, biannually since 2000 but its regular Zodiac series started from 1996.

Singapore 1971 & 2000 Festival series

 

 

Singapore Zodiacseries, 1996

And Canada started with a beautiful M/s for the Year of Ox, 1997.

Canada 1997

Malaysia issued a Dragon boat in 2000 but from 2010 started a regular commemorative issue for coming Lunar Year until now.

Malaysia 2000 and 2010

France also joined this club and started its philatelic commemoration from 2005.

France, 2005

Keeping an eye on good business from Lunar Issues, more and more Postal administrations are attracting towards this topic and different types of philatelic items are appearing in the philatelic market.

Year of the Sheep Unusual Shape S/Ss from Aitutaki, Cook Islands, Penrhyn, Niuafo´ou and Samoa, 2015

If anyone is in search of an Eye catching,easily available, economic and thematically rich topic for his Thematic Exhibit “Chinese Lunar Year” may be one.

Gold and Silver Stamps Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals

- Dr Satyendra Kumar Agrawal : email : rosephila@hotmail.com

 

Indian Fiscals Overprinted for use in Zanzibar

-Col (Dr) Jayanta Dutta & Dr Anjali Dutta

Zanzibar's first revenues were Indian revenue or special adhesive stamps overprinted ZANZIBAR in capitals, and these were issued between May 1892 and August 1894.

Various provisional overprints, some manuscript and some printed, were produced at around 1904, and most of these are rare. In 1905, postage stamps portraying Sultan Seyyid Hamoud bin Mahommed bin Said were overprinted ‘Revenue’, and sometime later, 1 rupee surcharges appeared on this issue.

Revenue stamps of India were overprinted ZANZIBARbetween 1892 to 1894.

The 1-anna purple receipt Stamp (25 x 30 mm, Wmk large crown) was overprinted ZANZIBAR in May 1892.Examples of the one-anna receipt stamp are known with a forged ZANZIBAR overprint on the common Indian stamp, produced presumably in an attempt to defraud philatelists. The letters of the forged overprint are too narrow and the top of the Z is raised above the line.

1anna purple (May 1892)Receipt Stamp mint and used

Special Adhesive stamps (57½ x 21 mm, Wmk large crown and 'INDIA' sideways) were alsooverprinted ZANZIBAR. These were:

4a green (July 1893)

8a blue (July 1893)

12a carmine (July 1893)

1r brick-red (May 1892). Also 1r lake

2r lilac (May 1892)

3r orange-brown (July 1893)

4r chocolate (July 1893)

5r reddish purple (May 1892). Also 5r violet

10r carmine (May 1892)

20r bistre (August 1894)

30r orange (August 1894)

40r pale blue (August 1894)

50r grey (May 1892)

All values are known with CANCELLED overprint, emanating from the De La Rue archives.The dates in brackets in the above listing are taken from a De La Rue archive sheet bearing a complete set (opt CANCELLED), with a date written above each value in manuscript. It is not known whether the dates indicate when the stamps were printed or when they were dispatched from London, but in either case they were very probably issued in Zanzibar no more than a couple of months later.

Special Adhesive stamps 4annas to 50 rupees

In 1904 (according to Barefoot) provisional manuscript surcharges was made on the above issue.4 annas surcharge was produced by cancelling original value with 4, a or4a.These were:

4a on 8a blue (red surcharge), 4a on 3r orange-brown, 4a on 4r chocolate, 4a on 5r violet and 4a on 40r pale blue

Special Adhesive stamps with manuscript surcharges

.

Original figures of value crossed out and new figure written above

1r on 40r pale blue (red)

‘1’ written across original figures of value to cancel them

1r on 2r lilac, 1r on 3r orange-brown, 1r on 5r violet, 1r on 30r orange and 1r on 40r pale blue (red)

Surcharged 2r with a cross cancelling the zeroson 20r bistre (in red)

Manuscript surcharges such as these are easy targets for forgers. Buyers should beware of paying high prices for such items.

In 1904 (according to Barefoot) printed provisional surcharges on the 1893 issue were made, with three different types of surcharge.

a) Seriffed font, with A (=annas) or R (=rupees) preceding the numeral

4a on 2r lilac, 1r on 12a carmine, 3r on 2r lilac, 5r on 2r lilac, and 10r on 8a blue

Barefoot additionally lists the 1r on 8a with this type of surcharge in red

Printed provisional surcharges with seriffed font

b) Bold sans-serif font in black or violet, with the numeral preceding R

1r on 8a blue (violet), 1r on 12a carmine, 5r on 12a carmine and 10r on 50r grey.

Note:

1. The violet surcharge of 1r on 8a blue can sometimes appear either red or blue.

2. One example of 1r on 8a blue was reported (and subsequently listed in Barefoot) as being surcharged at left only. Close examination of the stamp revealed that it was a normal example but with the right-hand part of the surcharge hidden almost completely by the cancel.

3. Barefoot additionally lists the 3r on 2r with this type of surcharge.

Printed provisional surcharges with bold sans-serif font

c) Numeral only cancelling previous value

3r on 2r lilac.

Printed provisional surchargeswithNumeral only cancelling previous value

The Victoria issues of India were followed between 1899 and 1901 (Stanley Gibbons dates for issue)by postage stamps of Zanzibar (Sultan Seyyid Hamoud bin Mahommed bin Said) being overprinted ‘Revenue’in mixed case (15½ x 3 mm), probably by a local printer. These were 1r blue, 2r green, 3r dull-purple, 4r lake and 5r sepia. These stamps measured 25 x 30 mm, perf 14 withwmk single rosette, and were recessprinted by De La Rue.They ended the use of Indian fiscal stamps.

Indian 1r Special Adhesive and 2r postage stamp with Zanzibar overprint in mixed case

The stamp illustrated above was sold on eBay in June 2012.It is a Special Adhesive stamp of India overprinted Zanzibar in mixed case, similar to the postage-stamp provisionals of 1895-96.Zanzibar Revenue Reverend could find no prior record of this overprint being found on revenue stamps, but in our view it looks genuine and could be the earliest revenue stamp of Zanzibar.We would be grateful to anyone who can provide further information which might allow this stamp to be authenticated.

This stamp (which also appeared on eBay in summer 2012) shows a similar overprint on the Foreign Bill 12a stamp of India, but in this case the overprint is clearly bogus, having poorly-formed letters and a weak impression.

References

1. John Barefoot, British Commonwealth Revenues. 9th edition. York, 2012, pg 405-407. ISBN 0906845726

2. W Barber, The Impressed Duty Stamps of the British Colonial Empire (update to 1st Edition, privately published, Chesapeake, Virginia, 2009)

3. I Gibson, The Fiscal Stamps of East Africa: A Review, 'BEA' vol 10, no 67 (2001),
pg1-24

4. W Morley, Catalogue of the Revenue Stamps of the British Colonies (2nd edition, privately published, 1910)

4. Zanzibar Revenue Reverend, 2013.

- Col (Dr) Jayanta Dutta & Dr Anjali Dutta

email : doctorjayanta2009@gmail.com

Reader’s Right

Dear Dr Jagtap

Only today have I seen your article in Rainbow Stamp News from November 2013. http://rainbowstampnews.blogspot.in/2013/10/rainbow-november-2013.html I located your article while searching for information regarding a GB 1d red with GG type 8 cancel which was reported to me today. No scan yet available.

For your interest I attach a scan of GB QV 1d red with the F.F. obliterator and notes from my book 'Penny Red Stars Used Abroad'.

Eritrea: Zula [ex-soldier’s letter], SG Spec. C10, Plate 46, FF obliterator of British Army Field Post Office at the port of Zula during the Abbyssinian Campaign of 1867 to 1868[Zula [Zoulla] is a small town in central Eritrea, near the head of Annesley Bay (also known as the Bay of Zula), on the Red Sea coast. In 1857, Zula with the neighbouring coast was ceded by Ethiopia to the French, and passed to Egypt in 1866. Zula was the place where the British expedition of 1867 – 1868 against Tewodros [Emperor of Ethiopia] disembarked. An Italian protectorate was proclaimed in 1888, and in 1890 the town was incorporated into the colony of Eritrea.]

- Mike Batty : email : mikebatty1947@yahoo.co.uk

New Stamps from other Countries

Australia

3 February 2015

Australian Post will release a set of stamps celebrating the upcoming St. Valentine’s Day. The issue consists of four stamps that will be put into circulation on the 3rd of February.

The heart is quite simply the most iconic love symbol of all. The exchange of heart-shaped Valentines is believed to have gained popularity in Victorian England.

This latest issue of stamps, for special occasions and everyday use, is a fresh and contemporary take on the subject of love and the love heart form. Each stamp presents a heart shaped object, floating in a panorama of blue sky and fluffy white clouds.

There is a heart shaped kite, skywriting smoke trail, hot air balloon and cloud. The stamps convey a sense that love is something limitless, uplifting and exciting; that love is about to happen; that love is in the air…

New Zealand

4 February 2015

New Zealand Post is ready to release a series of special stamps celebrated ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. The series consists of 14 stamps that have a round form. The issue has been already designed and is scheduled to be put into circulation on the 4^th of February.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 is one of the world’s biggest international sporting events. In 2015 the tournament will be jointly hosted by New Zealand and Australia, and is expected to attract cricket fans from around the world.

New Zealand and Australia previously hosted the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1992. 23 years on, the 2015 tournament will attract a new generation of cricket lovers. The tournament will see 49 matches played over 44 days during the summer months of February and March, with the final held on 29 March at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Contested in a 50-over format, fourteen teams from across the globe will battle it out to be awarded the title of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 champions.

To commemorate this thrilling sporting event, New Zealand Post is issuing official ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 memorabilia, consisting of a unique dome-shaped commemorative coin, a sheet of stamps and a set of first day covers that represent the fourteen contesting teams.

Malaysia

20 January 2015

Malaysia Post has issued a set of stamps on 20^th January 2015 , dedicated to medical plants..

In this release, four types of medicinal plants had been highlighted, and they were the cat’s whiskers (misai kucing), hempedu bumi (bile of the earth), roselle and elephant’s trunk.

 

Blogs & Websites

1. Forces in Philately - http://gunsinstamps.blogspot.in/ - .A new blog has been created by Commodore Vijay Kapre of New Delhi, featuring philatelic items related with our Armed Forces.

2. Praful Thakkar’s Exotic gallery of Indian Philately - http://www.indianphilatelics.com/ : It is a complete website on Indian Philately created by noted philatelist Mr Praful Thaakkar

3. Welcome to the World of Indian Philately - http://www.indianphilately.net/

An exclusive website created by Mr Prashant Pandya dedicated to Indian Philately .The philatelists can register for “ Online Philatelists’ Directory ” on this website.

4.Virtual Stamp Club http://www.virtualstampclub.com/index.html It is website for On Line collectors. Membership is free. Many collectors around the world are its members. .

5.Indian Thematics - http://www.indianthematics.blogspot.in/ - A new blog created by noted Thematic Philatelist Mr Dinesh Chandra Sharma. This blog is all about Thematic Philately.

6. Indian Philatelists’ Forum - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/indianphilatelists/

This is an electronic discussion forum dedicated exclusively to Indian Philately that allows members to engage into meaningful discussions on all aspects of Indian Philately. Membership to the forum is open to all philatelists who have interest in Indian Philately. Members can share and discuss their ideas, knowledge, research, collections, events, exhibitions, auctions, publications exclusively related to Indian Philately.

7. The best stamps - http://thebeststamps.blogspot.co.uk/ It’s a beautiful blog created by Julian Fernandes of Pune ( Now living in UK) featuring lovely stamps of birds with the photos of the same birds giving a wonderful look !!

8. Numismatic & Philatelic Association - http://numismaticphilavellore.site40.net/index.htm -  This Numismatic & Philatelic Association is a nonprofit and non-trade motive association that aims to promote the hobbies – Philately (Stamp Collection) and Numismatics (Coin Collection) among children, students, interested individuals among the general public and especially for the budding philatelists and numismatists.

9. How to Collect Stamps - http://www.howtocollectstamps.com/ : The Complete Guide To Stamp Collecting

10.GANDHI Stamps & Philately Study Circle : http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.in/ - A new Blog by Ketan Patel .…. Saving Gandhi Philately by trying to bring awareness and exposing illegal activities in Gandhi Stamps and Philately.

11. Europa Stamps : http://europa-stamps.blogspot.in/ : A blog on Europa, cept, norden & sepac stamps

12. Phila Mirror : http://philamirror.info/ : The Indian Philately Journal

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

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

15. Glimpses of Modern Indian Philately : http://modernindianphilately.blogspot.com/ - It is a specialized blog on Modern Philately, created by Mr Prashant Pandya .

16. Question & Answers on Philately : 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.

17. Philatelic Journalists Forum - http://philatelicjournalistsforum.blogspot.in/ “The Philatelic Journalists” is an initiative by a few enthusiast philatelists, who love the hobby to the deepest.

18. The Philatelist - http://o-filatelista.blogspot.in/ - A blog with lot of info about stamps and philatelic activities around the world.

19. Phila India - http://philaindia.info/index.html - Website created by Mahesh Reddiar with lot of info and articles on philately .

20. Princess Diana – Queen of Hearts - http://princessdiana-queenofhearts.blogspot.in/ - New Blog by noted philatelist of Orissa Mr Santanu Panigrahi.

21. Stamp Magazine - http://blog.stampmagazine.co.uk/ This blog is updated by Adrian Keppel every Friday with new Articles on a variety of subjects

Philatelic Clubs & Societies

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

Deccan Philatelic Society – Pune, Maharashtra

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

India Study Circle - http://www.indiastudycircle.org/

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/

Numismatic & Philatelic Association of Vellore Fort http://numismaticphilavellore.site40.net/index.htm

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 Army Philatelic Society, Pune

Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters

Stamp of India Collectors’ Companion - India’s first weekly e-newsletter edited by Madhukar and Savita Jhingan from Stamps of India, New Delhi. E-mail: mjhingan@yahoo.com Website: www.stampsofindia.com

India Post – Quarterly Journal of the India Study Circle publishes original articles submitted by members of ISC.

ITS Stamp News - Quarterly - Editor: Suraj Jaitly Publisher: Indian Thematic Society website - http://itsstampnews.blogspot.com/

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

Journal of the Army Philatelic Society : Editor – Col Jayanta Dutta

SIPA Bulletin http://www.sipa.org.in/

GPA News – Published by Gujarat Philatelists’ Association, Ahemadabad.

Stamps Today – Stamp & Coin Magazine edited by Vijay Seth

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 : International Stamp News; Indian Philately Digest ; Prashant Pandya – Vadodara; Sreejesh Krishnan – Trivandrum ; Jagannath Mani – Bangalore; Mansoor B. Mangalore; Markand Dave – Nadiad; Sudhir Jain – Satna (MP); Kasinath R. – Tanjore ; Mahesh Parekh - Chennai

Address for communication:

Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav Wildlife Institute of India, Post Box No. 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248001. India

E-mail – j.jyoti9@gmail.com

Last date for receiving write ups – 25th of every month. Kindly send images in jpg compressed format & text in MS Word only.

If you liked this issue please forward it to your friends and help in promoting philately.

A Request to Readers & 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 -
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Any material from this newsletter may be reproduced only with the written permission from the editor.

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

Rainbow Stamp News is edited and published monthly by Jeevan Jyoti, from Dehradun ( Uttarakhand) India.