Rainbow March 2016

Festive season is all around !!!

Decorative Easter Eggs

Date of Issue : 3 March 2016

 

Dehradun          March  2016            Vol. IX                   Issue # 99

            

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 extremely pleased to release March 2016 issue of Rainbow Stamp News. This is the 99^th issue of Rainbow and will complete 100 issues next month. I thank all my readers and contributors for extending support and cooperation since the time first issue of Rainbow was launched. Then it had   a limited number of Readers but now its  readers are all over the world. I am able to continue its publication only because of your great response and appreciation. Please send your feedback on its journey of 100 issues in the last 8 and half years. It will help me to publish more articles and news of your choice in the years to come.

   
Wishing you all a very Happy Holi and a festive Easter !!

This is all for this month.... Happy Collecting !!

                                                                                                                        - - Jeevan Jyoti

Contents

§  From the Desk of Naresh Agrawal

§  Recent Indian Issues

§  In The News

§  Doon Philatelic Diary

§  Beginners’ Section

§  Specialized Section 

§  Lighter Side

§  New Issues from Other Countries

§  Reader’s Right

§  Acknowledgement

§  Philatelic Clubs and Society

§  Blogs & Websites on Philately

§  Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletter

  

From  the  Desk  of  Naresh Agrawal

WELCOMING AND APPRECIATING NEW CLASSES

A few years back there were talks about Social Philately, Open Class as well as Frugal Philately as one could see some articles published in various philatelic journals and magazines introducing and promoting these classes of philately. A genuine ,timely and most desired move in the field of philately to give new life to the dying phase of philately.

Broadly  Social Philately  is basically the liberalized  form of Thematic with inclusion of Postal History elements. It may otherwise be defined as  postal history exhibit displayed thematically  or a thematic exhibit displayed as postal history exhibit telling the history and development of  social system allowing usage / inclusion of various Ephemera, Cinderella and other postal linked material allowing a little percentage of even non – philatelic material. 

And to help the persons who cannot afford expansive postal / philatelic material for collection Frugal Philately had been introduced. Frugal philately may be defined as  the collection of philatelic material from rubbish and waste, and is judged not upon its intrinsic value but rather its negligible cost. It may be called inexpensive philately or economical, philately or cheap philately which has  low priced, thrifty, nominal or bargain basement material.

Well, in India, Social Philately class was first introduced in Stampamania 2009, a National Level Philatelic Exhibition held in Vadodara. Till then frankly most of the philatelists were not aware of this class. Even there was no capable jury to understand properly the parameters of judging this class. Thereafter, though it was there in other shows in India but there was little participation and perhaps no appreciation as no appreciable award was ever given. Frugal Philately has yet to stamp its noticeable presence in Indian shows.

In the recently concluded UTTARAPEX 2015 in Lucknow, though these classes were there and some participation was also registered but there was no higher award given to these classes. Why? Either the exhibits were not of that standard or the jury lacked appropriate knowledge to judge these exhibits. Whatever be the reason, it is time to explore these classes. In the present state of philately when Traditional classes have become expansive, Thematic has broadly established itself and there is immense competition; it is time to appreciate and explore the new classes. Social Philately and Frugal Philately are the new wheels to give pace to the stagnating state of philately. There is a need to let philatelists know what exactly are these classes. More and more exhibits should be welcomed and given appropriate recognition. One must know that these classes are being recognized even in FIAP and FIP exhibitions world over.

Well, while talking about these classes ,I will also talk about the First day Cover Class and Special Cover Class. We all know that most of the new stamp collectors and even veteran philatelists have huge collection of these covers. These classes not only allow the stamp collectors to participate in the exhibitions through their covers but also put before the public and philatelists a range of such covers to know more about these. There is a need to form some specific guidelines to prepare and adjudge these exhibits. In UTTARAPEX2015, these classes were introduced but again no appreciation.

Through the above discussion, I wish to appeal the whole philatelic fraternity in India to encourage these classes and motivate stamp collectors to participate in shows with their collections/ exhibits. At the same time I appeal to the Apex bodies to promote these classes & to train and prepare judges to properly judge such exhibits. 

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

Recent Indian Issues  

·         24 January 2016 - Income Tax Appellate Tribunal – Rs 5

·         25 January 2016 - Vibrant India Rs 25b + MS

·         6 February 2016 – International Fleet Review – Rs 5

·         4 March 2016 - Vasantrao Srinivassa Sinai - Rs 5

Forthcoming Commemorative Stamp issues by India Post

1. India-UN Joint Issue, International Women's Day, HeForShe: 8.03.2016
2. National Archives of India: 11.03.2016
3. Allahabad High Court: 13.03.2016
4. O.P. Jindal: 30.03.2016

11th Definitive Series released

Subramania Bharati in the denomination of Paise 50 in the 11th definitive series - Makers of India released on February 17, 2016 at New Delhi

Recent Special Covers

5 March 2016 :   Vasantotsav (Spring Festival) 2016,  Dehradun

3 March 2016 Buju Patnayak - Bhubaneshwar

28 February 2016 : Golden Jubilee of The Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally 2016 

22 February 2016 : Mahamaham Mahathmiyam 2016,Kumbakonam

16 February 2016 : 25 Years of  Taj Mahotsav, Lucknow

15 February 2016 : 112 Years of Service with Tradition &; Technology, Kmbhakonam

13 February 2016 :  Mahamaham Celebrations Kumbakonam 

12 February 2016 : Jal Mahotsav, MP

16 January 2016 : Gurudwara Sri Paonta Sahib, Himachal Pradesh

Army Postal Covers

4 March 2016 : President’s Standard and Colours to 119 Helicopter Unit and 28 Equipment Depot – 2 covers

President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee released two Army Postal Covers to commemorate the prestigious President’s Standard and Colours to 119 Helicopter Unit on its 45th raising day and 28 Equipment Depot, at Air Force Station, Jamnagar on 4th March, 2016 in presence of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha.

View : Special Covers

 In The News

International Jazz Day as a symbol of freedom and democracy 

In times of change and uncertainty, people need the spirit of jazz more than ever before. By the celebration of the International Jazz Day on the 30th of April, Unesco recognizes that this kind of music is a symbol of freedom and democracy. San Marino Post has prepared an original stamp issue to underline the significance of this event.

The souvenir sheet, designed by Lucio Schiavon, shows three jazz typical musical instruments (drums, trumpet and guitar). Jazz transcended the differences of race, religion and nationality and became a means of intercultural dialogue, unification and peaceful human society.

Successful PCI Regional Meeting at Jaipur Raised Hopes

It is truly a matter of pleasure for Indian Philatelic Fraternity that the First  Regional Meeting of PCI held successfully in Jaipur. This meeting saw a good attendance followed by various programs highlighting the inclusion of new life in PCI. Though various members who attended the meeting gave their views/ report on social media like face book, but  I after going through those and also after talking to various philatelists who attended the meeting have formed the following opinion.

1.    The meeting was great success

2.    The proposed seminar on Thematic Philately could not be held they way it was supposed to be due to time constraints but there was a very good presentation on Thematic Philately by Sri Rajesh Bagri ,The Secretary General ,PCI which was appreciated by many of the members.

3.    There was as many as 74 new enrolments  of members of PCI, a record which shows the importance of PCI

4.    Issuance of MY STAMP  of PCI with PCI Logo

5.    Issuance of Stamp booklet

6.    Issuance of A Special cover on postage stamps of princely states of Rajputana with cancellation

7.    Stalls by India Post and PCI

8.     Patronage of India Posts , Rajasthan Circle to the event  which was further elated  by  CPMG , Rajasthan Circle  becoming the  Chief Guest

9.    A marathon PCI governing body meeting

10.Proposed Increase in life membership fee from present Rs.5000/- to Rs.15000/- to be decided in next AGM. All the new aspirants are advised to obtain life membership immediately

Well, after all this, now we can feel that some changes are on the way. Though the decisions or discussions held in Governing Council Meeting  have not be disclosed but it is felt that those must be for the promotion and betterment of the philately. I understand the points /issues raised by me in my previous columns must have been considered by the PCI if not discussed at length.

Well, I congratulate Philatelic Society  Of Rajasthan (PSR),Jaipur for successfully organizing the event as  this regional meeting has left a good hope for betterment of philately. I also congratulate PCI  for success of the event.

- Naresh Agrawal

New pictorial cancellation from Germany

On March first 2016 a new pictorial postmark (First Day of Issue) was  issued  in 53113 BONN. The postmark (First Day of Issue) features a young European hare(Lepus europaeus).

On March first 2016 another pictorial postmark  was issued  in 10117 BERLIN. The postmark  features a young graylag (Anser anser) . Both postmarks are for the new issue stamps of YOUNG WILD ANIMALS.

Interested Philatelists may please contact: Wolfgang Beyer, Vice Chairman of the German Philatelic Collector Group ArGe Zoologie. Mail: Wolfgang.beyer1@aol.de. Postage rates: 0,90 Euro AIRMAIL and 3,40 Euro registered AIRMAIL.

- Wolfgang Beyer, Member AIJP

Recent Stamp Exhibitions

PHILATAIPEI 2016 : World Stamp Championship Exhibition

 

 






Mr. Anil Suri is  the National Commissioner for India of PHILATAIPEI 2016 World Stamp Championship Exhibition being held at Taipei, Taiwan from October 21 to 26, 2016. This is fourth World Stamp Championship show which will be the highest level of competition in philately where the best philatelists in the world will compete for awards.  There will be 3 finalists: The World Champion, First Runner Up and Second Runner Up.  The World Champion is therefore recognized as having won the highest award in the world's stamp competitive exhibitions.

Anil Suri :  email : anilksuri@email.com 8130827029, 9811176908
Last date for submitting the forms: March 15, 2016

World Stamp Show-NY 2016

World Stamp Show, New York 2016 will be held from 28th May to 4th June 2016 at New York, USA.

Shri Dhananjay Desai of Ahmedabad  is Commissioner  for this exhibition. He may be contacted for participation at email : dhananjay_47@yahoo.co.in

Website of exhibition:  http://www.ny2016.org/
Date :  May 28-June 4, 2016 Venue :  Jacob Javits Convention Center, 655 West

THAILAND 2016, 32nd Asian International Stamp Exhibition

Nonthaburi, Thailand, August 10-15, 2016
Web site : https://sable.godaddy.com/click?id=43076.6253.486de72be313d7128552d9ee79a08029&l=55&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thailand2016.org%2F

National Commissioner: Rajan Jayakar rajanjayakar@yahoo.com 9821072417
Last date for submitting the forms: March 15, 2016

UNPA - India Joint Issue to be released on 8 March 

United Nations Postal Administration will issue on Int. Woman's Day, a set of 6 stamps on March 8, 2016, 2 each from its 3 offices - New York, Geneva, and Vienna, in 3 currencies, This is a Joint Issue with India  The stamps feature 'He for She' Campaign.


Bold Issues from UNPA

Most Controversial and Bold issues from UNPA - Free & Equal – UN for LGBT Equality Six stamps by UN Post support gay, lesbian or bisexual people, Such stamp designs are rare to find on stamps .

New My Stamps by India Post

India Post released 8th issue of My Stamp that was available at New Delhi on February 29, 2016. There are three stamps in three sheeetlets depicting Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya, Gateway of India Mumbai, and Sun Temple Konark. The Sheetlets of 12 stamps are being sold for Rs 300 each.

New Stamp Booklet

Rajasthan Circle of India Post released a Stamp Booklet on February 28, 2016.
PCI Regional Meet, Rs 25

Indian Theme on Foreign stamps

On the occasion of Year of Monkey 2016, Indonesia Post issued 3 stamps featuring legendary monkeys of Ramayana namely Bali,Sugriva,Hanuman,Angada,Nila.

Odissi dance on new Malaysian stamp

On 3rd February.2016, a set of 5 stamps were issued by Malaysia  Post on traditional dances.One of the stamps in the set  is on ODISSI dance and the cancellation is also on odissi dance-HAMSASYA Mudra.It is perhaps for the first time a stamp is issued on Odisha theme beyond India.

India’s First Stamp on new Grenada stamp

India’s first stamp of 1854 is featured on a stamp of Grenada. This is part of a series of new official postage stamps, depicting the images of the very first stamp images originally issued by each of the United Nations Member States. These replica images is the first in this unique series of Stamp on Stamp images just released by the Postal Authorities of the nations of Grenada, Guyana, Liberia, and Federated States of Micronesia. Additional stamp images in this series are slated for release later on this year.

New e-Stamp Bulletin from Trivandrum

Anathapuri Philatelic association, Thiruvanthapuram is going to complete 4 years this month.   During the monthly meeting club's FIRST E- MAGAZINE ,  "ANANTAPURI STAMP BULLETIN" was released on March 6,2016. To subscribe please contact Ananthapuri Philatelic Association : email : apa.tvpm@gmail.com

Doon Philatelic Diary

Mt. Everest or Mt. Sikdar ?

    - Abhai Mishra

The world’s highest peak is named after Sir George Everest. What is interesting is that Everest had never even seen the mountain let alone calculated its magnitude. In 1800 William Lambton started the Great Trigonometric Survey from Madras to map the Indian sub-continent. In 1818, George Everest joined Lambton as his senior assistant in Hyderabad. On 19 January 1823, Lambton died at Hinganghat unobtrusively while surveying. He was succeeded by Everest as Superintendent of Great Trigonometric Survey. In 1825 Everest went to England on sick leave and did not reappear in India for next five years. In 1829 he returned to India and was bestowed with the additional responsibility of Surveyor General of India. During the final years of Great Arc (1833-1843) he established his headquarter as well as his home in Hathipaon Hill, Mussoorie known as Park Estate. The period of 1833-43 is also referred as ‘Everest Decade’ in the history of surveying. North-West of Hathipaon stood “Chur” Mountain at a height of 12000 feet, not at all giant as compared to mighty Himalayas. Everest made it as one of his observation post and spent many of his hours there taking measurements. If anything that could be associated with Everest name was this humble peak. Everest returned to England in 1843 and was succeeded by Andrew Waugh. During his tenure Mt. Everest was sighted and was code named Peak XV. At that time nobody knew about its magnanimity as the world’s highest peak.

 Radhanath Sikdar was born in Bengal in 1813 and studied at Hindu college during 1824-1832. After leaving the college he joined Great Trigonometric Survey as Computer Technician at Dehradun. His brilliance can very well be judged by the GTSI report submitted to the English Parliament in 1851: "Radhanath Sikdar, a native of Brahmanical extraction, whose mathematical attainment is of highest order ......". While Everest was conducting the Trigonometric Survey of India he formulated his rules for projections and modified some of those. He published his work as "A set of tables for facilitating the computation of trigonometric survey and the projection of maps for India". His work was heavily used by F. Smith and HL Thuillier in the Manual of Surveying published in 1851 in five volumes. He rose to the rank of Chief Computer of GTSI and subsequently Superintendent of Calcutta Observatory.

Andrew Waugh, the successor of Sir George Everest as Surveyor General, asked Radhanath to devise a formula for calculating the heights of the peaks of the Himalaya. From a distance of 150 miles (about 242 km), using a theodolite, Radhanath collected necessary data for his work from six different locations. In 1852, according to Radhanath’s calculation, the height of the peak turned out as 29,000 ft (8,839.20 m). But Radhanath took it as 29,002 ft (8,839.81 m) because the round figure (29,000 ft) might be misinterpreted as mere approximation. Till then Kanchenjunga was regarded as the highest mountain. After arriving at the definitive calculation he went into the Waugh's office and announced "Sir, I have discovered  the highest mountain in the world". This news was publicly announced in 1854. In honour of his predecessor, Andrew Waugh proposed the name Mt. Everest for Peak XV and that is how the world's highest peak was coined Mt. Everest. This great mathematician astronomer of the 19th century is not yet honoured for his outstanding feat. Actually Peak XV should have been named as Mt. Sikdar. 

He once again visited Dehradun in 1864 after retirement from services in 1862. The Hill, a science journal of Dehradun, published a memoir o, Radhanath stating ".. the late Chief Computer of the GTSI and Superintendent of Calcutta Observatory has returned to these hills where he studied with Col Everest the works of La Place and Newton... The scientific portion of the Manual of Surveying is entirely his, and it is enough to sat that by common consent, it has become the standard authority on this all important subject ... " He died as a bachelor in 1870. 

References

1. Radhanath Sikdar-First Scientist of Modern India, by Utpal Mukhopadhyay, Science and Culture, May-June 2014.

2. The 19th Century Calcutta Astronomers, by AK Chakravarty, Indian Journal of History Science, 30(2-4), 1995.

3. The Great Arc: The Dramatic Tale of How India was Mapped and Everest was Named, by John Keay, Harper Collins 2001.

- Abhai Mishra : email: abhai_mishra@rediffmail.com

Beginners’ Section

SOCIAL  PHILATELY    

(A NEW FAST GROWING CLASS OF  PHILATELY)

- Naresh Agrawal

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

                                                                                                                                 

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

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

DEFINITIONS  :

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

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

The other simplified definition of the social philately in philatelic terms may be  defined in this way that social history  and development shown through various philatelic, postal, ephemera, fiscals, documents, whether  postal linked or non-linked materials or any material developed by commerce to use or reflect post office services and products. etc. 

Sometimes people define it as collection of mainly postal articles including philatelic and non-philatelic but related material to  social history . Hence, its exhibit may include material currently accepted in other philatelic categories, other material linked to the postal system being studied and collateral material relevant to the chosen social theme.   

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

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

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

                                       

                               

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

     

THE CONCEPT  AND  DEVELOPMENT :

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

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

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

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

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

                       

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

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

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

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

      

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

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

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

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

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

.

    

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

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

Of late, social philately in its modified and liberalized form as OPEN CLASS on experimental basis has been included in JOBURG 2010 still looking for entries world over in this class. The exhibits in this Class can include material from any other competition class plus non-philatelic material. The exhibit must contain at least 50% philatelic material. The non-philatelic material should not overwhelm the philatelic material.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

CLOSE  RELATION  WITH OTHER CLASSES :

WITH  POSTAL HISTORY    :

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

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

                

    Pillar Letter Boxes                       1920’s French Postman’s Bag

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

                                                                                                           

WITH THEMATIC PHILATELY   :

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

WITH OPEN CLASS    :                                                                                                                                                  

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

To be continued…

Specialized Section

Some Remarkable Cancellations and Postmarks – 37

Some Miscellaneous Cancellations (Type 35)

 - Dr. Avinash B. Jagtap

"BELGAUM/19 MY 93= oval formed by six crescent

Type 35 is a Duplex cancellation. The right Duplex consists of an oval formed by six fine crescents, leaving a blank space in the centre. The left Duplex Shows the place of origin and date. This cancellation is seen from most of the post Office circles and date from 1892 to 1897. Many examples Show "W", "X", "Y", "Z", significance of which is unknown. It has been suggested that this is an experimental post office cancellation. 

Any correspondence is welcome --  Dr Avinash B. Jagtap : email : abjagtap@hotmail.com

SUPERMAN WAS FIRST CONCEIVED AS A SUPERVILLAIN

© Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

Superman is known as a hero who is always ready to fight for the forces of good and social justice, but originally his creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster conceived him as a supervillain, using his telepathic powers to wreak havoc on earth.

Superman  who is always ready to fight for the forces of good and social justice

When that idea failed to sell, creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster decided that he should fight for the forces of good and social justice. That idea worked better, and when "Action Comics" #1 appeared in April 1938 with a June cover date, Superman is shown to the public for the first time. Arrival of “Superman”- the first comic book super hero began the Golden Age of comic books and ignited an industry.

 Arrival of “Superman”-began the Golden Age of comic books and ignited an industry

The Man of Steel appears on the cover in full colour, hoisting a green sedan over his head, and also provides the lead story consisting of 13 colour pages within a 64-page anthology of assorted stories, all in Black n White. Colour was of significant importance at that time, to the comic-book superhero.

 

Cover of “Action Comic” #1, June 1938 is widely considered the Holy Grail of comic books

The first issue had a print run of 200,000 copies, which promptly sold out and sales of the series soon approached 1,000,000 a month. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were paid $10 per page, for a total of $130 for their work on this issue.

Superman became a mainstay of Action Comics, and appeared again on the covers of issues 7, 10, 13, 15, 17 and 19, then continuously onward.

Superman became a mainstay of Action Comics

But you may be surprised  to know that the publication of “Superman” was an accident. Two fast friends and High School classmates, at the age of 18, shared an interest in Science Fiction partnered to publish their own fanzine, "Science Fiction", in 1932 and Jerome "Jerry" Siegel acted as Editor while Joe Shuster served as Art Director. Their original stories emulated the tales they read in pulp magazines, and the fledgling fanzine was produced on the mimeograph machine at their school for their small circulation.

The fanzine lasted six issues, but issue Number 3, produced in January 1933, carried Siegel's eight page story "The Reign of the Superman". The by-line actually reads as "Herbert S. Fine", which was a pseudonym Siegel used incorporating his mother's maiden name. Shuster illustrated the story, as he did for all the stories of the magazine. "Reign" was inspired by tales of strongmen such Samson and Hercules, as well as the dual identity aspect of Doc Savage. The title character is actually an anti-hero, one who uses his abilities for ill-gotten pursuits after being granted extraordinary powers by a bald-headed mad scientist...

Over the course of the summer of 1934, Siegel and Shuster had re-invented their Superman character as a hero, with an entirely new, more dramatic, background. The character boasted new, eye-catching ink work by Shuster who created instantly recognizable and distinctive red-and-yellow “S” shields.

Shuster given him an identity creating instantly recognizable and distinctive red-and-yellow “S” shields

The costume involved a blue bodysuit, red boots, and a flowing bright red cape. They submitted their comic strip to various newspaper syndicates, but were routinely rejected; editors and publishers felt that their hero was simply too strange.

Costume of Superman

During one such bout of submissions, the strip was delivered to Sheldon Mayer at the McClure Syndicate. Mayer was immediately attracted by the larger-than-life heroics, and believed the story contained all the popular elements that were currently the rage in movies and novels. Mayer passed it on to his boss, Max Gaines who forwarded it on to Vin Sullivan, the editor for the soon-to-be Action Comics which was in dire need of material. Gaines believed the story would work better in a comic book rather than a syndicated strip, being motivated in part by the hope of winning the printing contract for Action. Sullivan shared Mayer's love for the piece, and not only was it accepted, but a modified graphic from page 9 of the strip would grace the cover of the new book.

Page 1 provides a brief origin of the character, while Lois Lane and the 'Daily Star' newspaper are introduced. Finally, in June 1938, the “Man of Tomorrow” made his debut as the lead feature in “Action Comics # 1”.

This colourful new brand of hero was an alien in human form that had fallen to Earth as a child. He was stunningly handsome, endowed with supernatural powers, and fought for truth, justice and the American Way.

Superman was an alien in human form that had fallen to Earth as a child

Like any superhero, Superman needed an alter ego. So, when he was not fighting crime, he was known as Clark Kent, the mild-mannered reporter, Lois Lane. Lois was however in love with Superman. Superman in turn, was so involve in crime fighting that he never returned her advances. Superman has been a popular American hero for more than 75 years.

Lois Lane – the lover of Superman the reporter

The superhero template was first presented in Action Comics #1(1938) with the introduction of Superman made it the most valuable comic book and widely considered the Holy Grail of comic books. On August 24, 2014, a copy was sold on eBay for US$3,207,852. It is the only comic to have sold for more than $3 million for a single original copy. Action Comics would go on to run for 904 numbered issues (plus additional out-of-sequence special issues) before it ended in the fall of 2011.

 Action Comics #1 (1938) sold in an auction for more than $3 million

Popularity of “Superman” is not limited to comic books but other entertainment media also taken him hand in hand.

RADIO VERSION OF A COMIC

On Monday evening, February 12 1940, Superman took flight over the radio airwaves and "The Adventures of Superman" was a syndicated program originating at WOR, New York. The introduction was spellbinding... "Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound... Look, up in the sky it's a bird, it's a plane, it's SUPERMAN! Yes, it's Superman, strange visitor from the planet Krypton who came to Earth with amazing physical powers far beyond those of mortal men. And who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, wages a never ending battle for truth and justice." 

"The Adventures of Superman"

The first installment was titled "The Baby from Krypton".

"The Baby from Krypton"

The radio series created several important and imaginative contributions to the Superman mythos, many of which were later incorporated into the comic book. The radio show coined the phrases "Up, up and Away!" and "This looks like a job for... Superman!"

The first animated Superman

The lead episode was titled "Superman", though it is also known as "The Mad Scientist". This went on to be nominated for an Academy Award. Each cartoon was done in glorious Technicolor and a high attention to detail, lasting on average ten minutes. Seventeen stories were produced overall. The last segment was presented on July 30 1943. The Max and Dave Fleischer Superman Cartoons are highly regarded as classics of the medium, and at the time cost some $100,000 each to produce. Much like the radio version, this animated series provided new aspects to the Superman story. The second chapter, "The Mechanical Monsters", marked the introduction of Superman's X-ray vision, as well as the first time that Clark Kent used a telephone booth for his transformation into Superman.

From Comic Pages to Silver Screen...

The first film portrayal of Superman debuts in July 1948 when Columbia produced a fifteen episode serial   "Superman". "Superman Comes to Earth" is the first offering with the origin being adapted from the George Lowther novel. The series is credited as "Adapted from the Superman Radio Program broadcast on the Mutual Network." and had radio-show inventions as the Daily Planet, kryptonite, and the character of Perry White.

Superman entered the world of Animation

Warner Brothersreleased first feature film "SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE" released on December 15, 1978starred newcomer Christopher Reeve in the lead role, and featured a stellar cast including Marlon Brando, Glenn Ford, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder, Jackie Cooper, Trevor Howard, Susannah York and Terence Stamp. At 6'.4" and 225 pounds, Reeve literally "fit" the role. Best Selling author Mario Puzo adapted the comic strip in to a screenplay with Leslie Newman and Richard Benton, while famed composer John Williams provided the dramatic, driving soundtrack.

George Reeves, the TV’s First Superman

The film goes on to earn eighty million dollars worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film in Warner history up until that time, and also inspires three sequels. "SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE" garners four Academy Award.

Superman entered Silver screen also with great successes

Movie scenes

Superman’s movies garnered four Academy Awards

Superman has also been mentioned in a number of songs, including "Superman" by R.E.M., a remake of a Clique song on their album "Life's Rich Pageant" to "Superman's Song" by Crash Test Dummies on their album "The Ghosts That Haunt Me" and "Superman Inside" by Eric Clapton on "Reptile" and even The Kinks' "Superman" on their album of the same name. A six-part "Metropolis Symphony" is completed by American composer Michael Daughtery in 1993 and a performance by David Zinman and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is released in 1997.

A musical comedy titled "It's A Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman!" opened on at the Alvin Theatre on Broadway in March 1966 and the most memorable song from this play is "You've Got Possibilities". Its   two-hour television version also aired on ABC on February 21, 1975.

George Lowtherwrote the first graphic novel about Superman in 1942. It is a 215 page book titled "The Adventures of Superman" and published by Random House. This was reprinted in 1979 by Kessel Books, and again in 1995 by Applewood books.

The Hometown of Superman

The Superman daily comic strip story "The Most Deadly Weapon" of May 1939 established Clark Kent as residing in Metropolis, U.S.A.  In the early 1970's, Metropolis began making overtures about their connection to Superman. On January 21, 1972, Metropolis was officially declared as "The Hometown of Superman" and the Illinois State Legislature passed Resolution 572 which granted the town the same distinction. The town proclaims the day "Superman Day", and Superman was designated a "distinguished Son of Metropolis".

Superman -"distinguished Son of Metropolis"

Metropolis is "The Hometown of Superman"

First Stamp on Superman

On September 10, 1998, the United States Postal Service issued a commemorative Superman stamp as part of their "Celebrate the Century" Education Series program. The stamp is titled "Superman Arrives", and is introduced in Cleveland, Ohio, the home town of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The Superman Arrives design is a reproduction of cover art from SUPERMAN #2 released in the fall of 1939.

First Stamp on Superman, USA 1998

50 YEARS OF THE SUPERMAN COMIC COVER, USA 1998

After this, many more Postal administrations of the world honoured “Superman” on their philatelic issues.

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

Origin of Meter Marks

- Col (Dr) J Dutta & Dr (Mrs) A Dutta

Since 1922 an increasing proportion of the mail handled in India has not borne adhesive stamps or been processed by a post office machine, but has been ‘franked’ by a postage meter by commercial companies,  organizations and even  by private individuals. Philatelists rail against them and bemoan their use, but postage meters are here to stay, and though they will never oust adhesive stamps, they have become more commonplace in recent years.They too have their own band of devotees and no postal historian can afford to ignore them.

Colloquially the impression from these machines are known as meter franks and the machines themselves have been called meter frankers, although the manufacturers prefer the term postage meters, thereby stressing the accounting rather than the franking aspect.  In times past, even the manufacturers used the term in such names as Fronkopost, Francotype and Universal Post.  Today the impressions are called “meter marks” and the machines “postage meters.”  The branch of philately that deals with meter marks is called “mechanophily.”

The immediate advantage of the metered mail system is so apparent that it seems impossible to believe that their development is less than a hundred years old.  In 1884 Carl Bushe of Paris had invented a machine for improving stamps and he obtained a British patent on his invention.  In the preamble of the patent he wrote “The application of adhesive stamps, which is so easy and convenient when only a few are to be used at a time, becomes a difficult matter and entails a serious loss of time when hundreds of letters, circulars, newspapers and so forth have to be dispatched daily.”  His scheme did not succeed because he could find no manufacturer prepared to finance the production.

To Karl Ucherman goes the laurel for inventing the world’s first postal franking machine.  The artist inventor from Norway petitioned the Norwegian postal authorities on 9 January 1902 for introduction of a postal franking machine.  This was officially authorized for domestic use by the Gazette of the Royal Norwegian Government, Department of Public Affairs No. 19, dated 6 May 1903.  The values of the franking impression were 5 ore and 10 ore.  The machines were constructed by Krag Maskinfabric.  The machines were first used on 15 June 1903.

On the other side of the Atlantic, a Chicago wallpaper executive Arthur H. Pitney formed the Pitney Postal Machine Company in 1902 to develop America’s first postage meter, which was tested by the USPO in Washington in 1903-04.  The idea was rejected.  Pitney continued to work on the meter machines and in 1912 perfected a machine.  Following successful trials he renamed the company American Postage Meter Company and began marketing his machines in 1913.

In 1919 Pitney joined forces with Walter H. Bowes who had formed the Universal Stamping Machine Company in 1908.  In 1920 the USPO finally sanctioned the use of postage meters for first class mail.  This coincided with the formation of Pitney Bowes Postage Meter Company.  The first of these machines were used in Stanford, Connecticut in September 1920.

This mode of franking mail was first recognized by the UPU Congress in Madrid in1920 and the acceptance came into effect on 1 January1922.

In England, the invention of F Wilkinson, an Essex farmer, was manufactured by the Automatic Stamp Selling Machine Ltd, and installed on 25 January 1912 at King Edward GPO London.  The Pitney Bowes models were first used in London in September 1922.  Soon, franking machines began to make their appearance all over the world.

In New Zealand, the Christchurch inventor Ernest Moss patented his first machine (Model 1) in March 1904.  It was the Moss NZ Model D that was first used in India in 1922. The machine was of fixed value with five values (1/2 anna, 1 anna, 4 anna, 8 anna and 1 rupee).  The impression was a simple upright rectangle with values boxed in the upper corners.  In the center was a circle with a machine number.  Above the circle was a legend in two lines POSTAGE PAID.  Below the circle was the value in words and below that INDIA.  The impression did not have a town or date mark.  The earliest date of use was believed to be on a cover of King Hamilton Company, Calcutta with the date 28 March 1922.  We now have a cover of Jessop & Co Ltd, Calcutta with an imprint from machine No. 3 of ½ anna, of 7 March 1922.  Only 4 Moss Model D machines were used in India - machine No.1 of Englishman Press, machine No. 2 of King Hamilton & Co, machine No. 3 of Jessop & Co Ltd, and machine No. 4 of Andrew Yule & Co, in all of Calcutta.

In late 1922, the Universal NZ machine was introduced in India with 6 fixed values and a hexagonal town mark.  The value frank was in red and the town mark in black.  These machines were used in Bombay, Calcutta, Cawnpore (Kanpur) and Madras.

The UPU insisted that the entire frank had to be in red and hence in 1928, the Universal Franking Machines were introduced with both franks in red.  In the same year, the Neopost 6 limited value machines were introduced and in 1948 came the Universal Multi Value with 3 banks.

The early franks of India are very difficult to come by and are prized by philatelists.  Franks from post 1928 are easier to obtain.  One of the best collections in India is undoubtedly that of Dr RS Gandhi of Patna.  Even a post independence collection, though not easy, can be a rewarding exhibit.

PRE-INDEPENDENCE INDIA METER FRANKS

1922 Moss Model D (FV 5), earliest use known 7 March 1922.

 

1923, Universal NZ (FV 6)

1928 Neopost (FV 2, 3, or 6), town mark and value frank both in red.

- Col Jayanta Dutta & Dr Anjali Dutta : email : doctorjayanta2009@gmail.com

Lighter Side

 WORLD’S LARGEST ICE CREAM CONE

In 1945, a 44-foot high, 16-foot wide, 3,500 cubic foot large helium-filled balloon shaped like a triple-decker ice cream cone was displayed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. It was billed as the world's largest cone.

But record for world's largest Ice Cream filled cone was revealed in Gloucester, UK in 2011. It was about 13 feet tall filled with 2,204 pounds of Ice Cream that took more than a month to freeze was donated by famous Wall’s, a U.K. ice cream company.

Courtesy - Facts-Philately-Enjoyment Digest

New issues from other Countries

 

 

Great tit – Bird of the year in Estonia

Great tit is green and yellow with a striking glossy black head with white cheeks and a distinctive two-syllable song.A new stamp by Estonian Post that depicts this great bright and original bird that gained the status of the bird of the year! 

The great tit depicted on a new stamp is known to everyone by its black longitudinal strip as well as the black head and a big white cheek blot. In Estonia it is a usual brooding bird who lives in various woodlands forests, parks, gardens. It builds its nest usually in tree hollows or nest boxes.

If in summer the main food are insects and their larvae, then in winter it eats various seeds. In winter the great tit is a guest in various feeding houses ‒ sunflower seeds and fat taste particularly well to it. The Estonian Ornithology Society elects the bird of the year since 1995.

Tox Info Suisse as the most reliable emergency service in Switzerland !

If you are in Switzerland and have problems, call 145 and you will receive the necessary help. For 50 years, Tox Info Suisse has been providing its services daily and around the clock, on the emergency number 145.

Swiss Post has unveiled a bright stamp that commemorates the 50^th anniversary of Tox Info Suisse – the most reliable emergency service!

The majority of the 37,500 or so enquiries received each year from both private individuals and doctors involve drug poisoning. Often, the victims are young children who swallow tablets that are not kept out of reach of curious fingers.

However, Tox Info Suisse also deals daily with adult drug overdoses – often the result of an act of desperation.

Easter as one of the most festive events among Christians. 

Easter implies the dimensions of suffering and death and just by their turning into bridge leading to Father‘s home every joy acquires its legitimacy and its meaning.

A new  festive Croatian stamp that depicts cute and funny Bunny. This small and timid animal to whom his antennas are his only weapon, is the symbol of that joy, of the victory over death, of that renovated and always renewable world.

Rabbit depicted on a new Croatian stamp is associated with the ancient goddess of Mother-Earth symbolizing its fertile and fertilizing waters. Thus, it becomes in itself the symbol of fruitfulness and reproduction and later even occasionally runs to the side of sins and bans. His mythic history does not have only its daily but also its nighty side.

The simple minded rabbit approaches in that sense to Christian lamb, Jesus’ symbol, so that its role in the Easter iconography is far more complicated from the one “at first glance” i.e. at first egg. Though, it is human to rejoice.

Grapes as the earliest fruit culture !

Grapes are one of the most ancient crops known. They can be eaten fresh as table grapes or enjoyed in a variety of products such as juice, jelly, and the ultimate processed grape product, wine ‒ created from the controlled fermentation of grape juice. It is worth naming to be one of the most popular fruits in the world!

A new  stamp by USPS  depicts two clusters of deep-purple Pinot noir growing on vines among several green leaves. The artist used pen and ink and watercolor to produce the original art.

A member of the genus Vitis, grapes have been cultivated for thousands of years dating back to the very beginning of civilization. The Pinot noir grapes pictured in the stamp art are aptly named. The deep-purple fruit-noir, French for “black”‒ grow in tight clusters shaped like a pinecone; pinot is a variant of pineau, the diminutive of pin, which means “pine” in French. The name refers to both the grape and the wine it produces.

Believed to be one of the oldest cultivated grapes in the Vitis genus, the Pinot noir grape can produce one of the most highly prized and elegant wines in the world. Once thought to grow well only in Burgundy, France, the Pinot noir grape is now successfully grown in cooler climates around the world, including areas of the United States-northern California, New York, and Oregon, among others.

Reader’s Right

Exhibitors and Jury……

I am sharing here editorial  published in latest issue of Vadophil for kind consideration of all the exhibitors as controversy often arises in every philatelic exhibition over the judgment of  jury.  - Editor

Dear Friends,

Have you noticed that State Level Stamp Exhibitions are being organized one after another in recent past. Such exhibitions are boon to collectors, as they get an opportunity to show their collections in a state level exhibition. But Jury has a very hard time, because they cannot satisfy a collector even if they have judged liberally. A collector always thinks that he is a master of his own collection and he should get a Gold medal or a higher award because he has spent a lot of money and have shown a few scarce or rare items. But he forgets that a juror has to judge by the rules and regulations laid by the Department of Posts for assessment of Philatelic Exhibits.

Criteria for the evaluation of competitive exhibits are (1) treatment, (2) philatelic and related knowledge, (3) personal study and research, (4) condition and rarity of material exhibited, and (5) presentation. These are the principles of philatelic exhibit evaluation. The jury has to see that how well the exhibitor has fulfilled requirements of each criterion and accordingly he has to allocate marks for each of the criteria. Exhibitors should ensure that the exhibit is cohesive. Exhibits which do not fulfill the requirement of each criterion are likely to lose marks and may miss higher award.

Exhibitors must abide by the results given by Jury. Exhibitor should not comment on the results or on the jury. Jury results are final and should not be questionable. I feel that posting of comment with Jury’s name on social media is a wrong practice and should be avoided. An exhibitor doing such act should be penalized with a ban of two years.

Here, I do not want to say that Jury knows every line of Philately, or he can not commit mistakes. But one has to maintain basic discipline.

Suggestion to the exhibitors that he/she should go through the rules and regulations of exhibiting laid by Department of Posts and he/she should also refer GREV and SREV guidelines of FIP.

One fact is universal – A desire is painful if not satisfied.

-          Prashant Pandya

Philately in Modern and fast changing times

Philately originates from postal system. Traditionally Postal system is all about communication through physical methods which involved variety of stamps, postal stationeries and postal markings etc. These varieties gave the philatelists a wide range of philatelic subjects to pursue as a hobby. Today, its a technological world where communication is instant without any physical methods. In such a high technological scenario, philately as a hobby is now getting highly restricted, to be specific, restricted to just collecting mint commemorative stamps. Letter writings / postal communications have decreased drastically with emails, mobiles and instant messaging gaining popularity. Though modern communication is instant but they are impersonal. Considering the importance of letter writing / postal communications and to promote it, US Postal Services have released in 2015 a stamp titled "FROM ME TO YOU". Australia Post have a separate web page on their website(www.auspost.com.au) dedicated to letter writing.

Nowdays, world over the postal organisations are becoming more and more corporate / business oriented with little focus on Philately. In such a scenario, Philately organisations must aggressively take over the responsibility of Philately activities and secondly closely work with the respective Postal organisations to bring various basic philately products like stamps, postal stationery etc.. Such a scenario is already happening in various countries. For e.g. American Philatelic Society, British Postal museum etc who are driving force to the modern philately. The apex body philately body of every country must function professionally having a website, physical office, library & archives and a professional philately team with proper documented and transparent working rules. The apex body must ensure that the various other philately clubs in their respective countries function properly and get the desired support.

Lastly, in modern times the philately must try to embrace new or different aspects to enhance the Philatelic activities, for e.g origami envelopes, personalised postal cancellations etc. This is an ongoing activity to keep pace with the fast changing circumstances.

Conclusion

Lets not restrict Philately to just collecting mint/unused stamps and exhibit it, rather make philately with a wide range of subjects so that it encourages the young generations to pursue philately as a hobby.

- Swamynathan Ril : email : swamyxyz@yahoo.com

Too Many Special Covers...by India Post....

During past few years I have been seeing an explosion in so called 'SPECIAL COVERS' being issued at various cities and venues in India with outstanding cancellation themes but hardly find any displays that show a connection between the stamp and the reason why the cover was being issued/cancelled. Apparently, India seems like the only country that does it and to my knowledge such covers are not even considered as FDCs>>>

The people issuing them don't care a damn. There is money in it. And where there is money all these lechers will run and exploit the innocent and honest collector. Some day the collectors will realise that these special covers are as worthwhile as mere picture postcards. Totally useless as far as philately is concerned

It also surprises me that the well known philatelists in India don't object and don't advise.

-  Commodore  Vijay Kapre,  New Delhi

Acknowlegement

Vadophil No.144-145 , Editors - Prashant Pandya & Timir Shah

First Issue of Ananthpuri Stamp Bulletin, Editor - Mohanachandran Nair

Blogs & Websites

·         Philatelic Congress of India

·         Indian Philately Digest

·         Stamps of India

·         Rainbow Stamp News

·         Se-tenant Stamps of India

·         Flags & Stamps

·         Europa stamps

·         Phila Mirror

·         Internatinal Stamp News

Philatelic Clubs & Societies 

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

Chandigarh Philatelic Club

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
Ananthpuri Stamp Bulletin - Monthly e -stamp bulletin of Anathapuri Philatelic Association, Thiruvanthapuram

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 ; Stamps of India ; Europa Stamps,  Prashant Pandya – Vadodara,  Sreejesh Krishnan – Trivandrum; Abhai Mishra – Dehradun, Leeza Padhi – Cuttack;Ajit Kumar Dash - Bhubaneshwar

To view online version of this magazine Please Visit :    http://rainbowstampnews.blogspot.in/

Address for communication:

Jeevan Jyoti,  c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav Wildlife Institute of India, Post Box No. 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248002. 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 -
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. 

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.