Cloudscapes
Date of Issue: 1 May 2018
Clouds are made of tiny water droplets or ice crystals, suspended in the atmosphere. The Cloudscapes stamp issue by Australia Post depicts types of clouds of their features, using striking photographs taken in Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland.
Dehradun June 2018 Vol. XI Issue No 126
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 the editor: j.jyoti9@gmail.com
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 present June 2018 issue of Rainbow. Recently two International exhibitions were held in US and Israel and one specialized exhibition on Bird theme "BIRDPEX 8" was held in Luxembourg . Indian participation in all these exhibitions was quite good. Heartiest Congratulations to all the winners of these philatelic shows. In this issue our columnist Shri Naresh Agrawal writes about the recognition of famous Indian philatelists through creation of “ Hall of Fame ” . It is a great concept. If such platform is created in future, it will be a tribute to Indian philatelists. Readers are requested to send their views in this regard. Your feedback will help to give a good shape to this idea .
This is all for this month. More in next Issue!
Happy Collecting!
Contents
§ From the Desk of Naresh Agrawal
§ Recent Indian Issues
§ In The News
§ Doon Philatelic Diary
§ Beginners’ Section
§ Rose Philately
§ Specialized Section
§ New Issues from Other Countries
§ Philatelic Clubs and Society
§ Blogs & Websites on Philately
§ Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletter
DIGITAL HALL OF FAME FOR INDIAN PHILATELISTS
May be at present the Philately in India is passing through a lean phase but it has a great and glorious past. There is rich philatelic history behind it. No doubt even today there are dedicated and knowledgeable philatelists who give every bit of theirs for development of philately. There are societies which have rich philatelic history in the sense that those produced eminent and world renowned philatelists & and have worked hard to develop philately not only in their region but all over in India. No doubt Indian philatelists have cemented a good place when it comes to the status of philatelists in the word ranking. There have been good number of philatelists who brought laurels to Indian philatelic fraternity. Why I restricted the laurels to philatelic fraternity only because in India there is practically no civil recognition of work and achievements of a philatelists. Though philately claimed the position of King of Hobbies in past but it never commanded a respectable and honorable status in India mainly after independence. Efforts have been made to give philately a status of art or sport but Indian government never appreciated the efforts. I do acknowledge the issuance of postal stamp on one or two philatelists by the India Post.
Well, there is saying that one should learn to appreciate, recognize and honor himself first before others do. Yes, we philatelists need to know, to honor, to regard and award ourselves. In sports we see after winning awards at high level say International or World Level, sport personalities are honored by their own State or District authorities. High level civil awards and rewards are also given based on their performance periodically. But philatelists getting awarded at International or world shows are hardly known to the people. Their awards are kept on their show windows to give them satisfaction only. That’s all. There is no help and assistance even for getting his work displayed.
Appreciation and commemorating / remembering the good works of people always set an inspirational move/ platform for the people and generations to come. It serves as guide lines and pave path to follow to reach heights and set new dimensions.
In one of my previous articles I had stressed upon the idea of finding out some ways to help recognition of the eminent and dedicated philatelists not only in civil society but in philatelic fraternity also. Some societies did start giving away life time achievement awards to some philatelists on pan India basis during the awards functions of exhibitions organized by them. Good to see that but it is seen only rarely now. Philatelists in general do not know the names of some such philatelists who truly spent their life for philately. Some sites also seldom introduced or remembered some old philatelists too like Rainbow Stamp News and Baroda Philatelic Society and some others. But this is not enough.
Philately is rich in term of money though philatelists are poor except a few. The idea of forming a Hall of Fame clicked me when I heard about formation of a philatelic archive and a house in Cuttack by one of the dedicated philatelist of Orissa. That made me to think construction and formation of one such hall dedicated to philatelists to be named as “ HALL OF FAME OF INDIAN PHILATELISTS” or “INDIAN PHILATELISTS MEMORIAL HALL” . If such hall is formed anywhere in India with modern and hi tech display facilities, archives, library and other basic requirements for administration and maintenance ; it will set a new era in Indian philately. The hall should possess brief history, pictures, glimpse of good works done by eminent, dedicated, true Indian philatelists. But I see the idea did not get much importance solely on the basis of financial aspects. Also the physical accessibility to the same would be limited. Further, formation, maintenance, running expenditures, updating such physical hall would be a costly affair requiring huge lot of funds. And Indian philatelists are too mean to raise, to donate, to collect funds for this cause.
Hence, the idea of starting a digital series named “HALL OF FAME FOR INDIAN PHILATELTS” in famous Indian philatelic journals like RAINBOW clicked me and seemed good. No monitory expenditure, no maintenance, easy accessibility, easy updating information and other varied features. But yes a regular information and updates shall only serve the purpose. Even digital awards can be given by panel of jury It reminded me of American Philatelists’’ Association (APS) which started the same series long back in 1940 and are regularly awarding eminent deceased as well as living philatelists for their good work in different fields of philately even today. So in India ,it can be started. Even digital awards will at least give honor and recognition to the philatelists. It will be a true tribute to the deceased philatelists who dedicated their lives for the cause of development and promotion of philately, who gave new direction and dimensions to the philately. As given by APS some of the following awards may be thought upon. :
1. For enduring contributions that help guarantee the future of the hobby
2. For Meritorious Contributions to Philately
3. For the best article published in a single year
4. For the best article published in a single year of The Philatelic Literature Review
5. For furthering philatelic knowledge through philatelic literature
6. For the best paper presented in that year.
7. Any other award….
Well, what I feel , the move should be as follows :
1. Collect the names, details , pictures and details of their good work of both diseased as well living philatelists who have served or serving philately in any way.
2. The formation of a panel of jury,
3. Calling for nominations through digital survey
4. Awarding
Though the display and the award shall be digital but the honor will be true…
Well, if awarding some how does not suit, it may not be undertaken but introducing and displaying the work of a philatelist will be satisfying. My request to Indian readers is to think upon it, help to accumulate information and data of such philatelists. Suggestions in this regard are welcomed.
Some names coming to my mind for this hall are
DIGITAL HALL OF FAME FOR INDIAN PHILATELIS”
OR “ DIGITAL HALL OF HONOUR FOR INDIAN PHILATELIS” OR “DIGITAL MEMORIAL FOR INDIAN PHILATELISTS”.
Looking forward for reactions, suggestions, ideas from the esteemed readers, true lovers of philately and philatelists…….
- Naresh Agrawal Ph. 09425530514 - email : nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in
Recent Indian Issue
15 May 2018 : MV Arunachalam - Rs 5
23 May 2018 : C. Kesavan – Rs 5
25 May 2018 : The International Association of Lions Club – Rs15
Recent Special Cover
2 May 2018 : Sonda Panchakalyan Mahotsav, Sonda
3 May 2018 :Water Resources Deptt, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
7 May 2018 : Inclusive,Accessible and Ethical Elections, Bengaluru
29 May 2018 : Silver Jubilee Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
In The News
WORLD OF REVENUES
Salon at 29th International Stamp Fair, Essen, GermanyMay 9-11, 2019.
An international exhibition, devoted solely to fiscal philately, will be organized in cooperation by the FIP Revenue Commission, Arbeitsgemeischaft Fiscalphilatelie im BDPh e.V. (German Society for Fiscal Philately), and International Stamp Fair Essen. As this is the first time such a special revenue exhibition will be held, the Salon takes place with a non-competitive basis. However, every exhibitor who wishes will get an exhibit evaluation by a group of experienced jurors. The expected size of the Salon will be 200 frames. The frames accommodate 12 album pages and not 16, please note. Exhibits of 1 to a maximum of 10 frames may participate. The charges are Euro 18 per frame.
Please download the first Bulletin and Application form of the exhibition and participate from https://stampsofindia.com/worldofrevenues.htm
. Anil Suri anilksuri@email.com is coordinating the participation from India and will carry the exhibits to and from the exhibition and obtain necessary governmental permissions.
Source : Stamps of India
Recent Stamp Exhibitions
World Stamp Championship Israel 2018
Congratulations to all winners !
Kishor Chandak, Sunil Ranasari, Dinesh Chandra Sharma
Sunil M. Ranasaria - Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Issues 1948 - 82 Marks - Vermeil
Kishor Chandak - Early Indian Cancellation Postmarks 1852-1900 - 85 Marks- Large Vermeil
Rajesh Jhunjhunwala - Postal History of British India (1854-1876) - 86 - Large Vermeil
Dinesh Chandra Sharma - Philately as a Teaching Tool ( Literature) - 65 - Silver Bronze
Kishor Chandak - Catalogue of the Handstruck Postage stamp of India - 2016 Supplement - 77 marks - Large Silver
Courtesy - Madhukar Jhingan
Results of Indian Participants in Rocky Mountain Stamp Show 2018, Denver, Colorado, USA
Congratulations !
Col. Jayanta Dutta, Anup Kumar Goyal, Rajan Jayakar, Anil Reddy
Fiscals of Jodhpur by Col. Jayanta Dutta - Large Gold Medal
A Dialogue with the Flying Jewels by Ramprasad Mahurkar - Gold Medal
Dead Letter office in India till 1947 by Rajan Jaykar - Gold Medal
I Am Mahatma Gandhi by Anup Kumar Goyal - Large Vermeil Medal
Bearing Underpaid and Unpaid Postage due Mails of India 1854-1947 by Rajesh Bhura - Large Vermeil Medal
Cochin State by M. Ramachandran - Large Vermeil Medal
Candle on the Water by K. Sridhar - Large Vermeil Medal
Holograms by Anil Kumar Reddy - Vermeil Medal
Life WitH2Out Me by Om Prakash Jagati - Vermeil Medal
A Rainbow Family by S. Abhishek Large - Silver Medal
The Wonders of Nature by S. Satish Kumar - Silver Medal
Orchids by Lokeshwara Rao Madiraju - Silver Medal
The Mail by S. Satish Kumar - Bronze Medal
BIRDPEX 8
The BIRDPEX 8, a international philatelic Salon, was held in Mondorf-les-Baines (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg) from May 19th 2018 to May 21th 2018. The organizer of this philatelic c event is the philatelic Club PHILCOLUX of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, www.philcolux.lu
42 exhibitors were shown 52 exhibits on Ornithology.The exhibitors are from eight different countries like Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ukraine, Israel and India.
42 exhibitors were shown 52 exhibits on Ornithology.The exhibitors are from eight different countries like Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ukraine, Israel and India.
Mr Parmasivam Srinivasan a participant from India at BIRDPEX 2018,an exclusive philatelic exhibition on Birds, currently going on at Mondorf - les - bains Luxembourg won following medals for his exhibits :
The National Pride of India : Peacock - A Bird and Symbol – Large Silver
Magpie in Nature and Myth - Vermeil
The World of Flamingos - Vermeil
Another participant, Mrugank D. Divekar won Silver Bronze for his exhibit "Eagle and Owl ".
“ITALY 2018 THE GREAT WAR”
The Italian Federation Philatelic Societies will organize “ITALY 2018 THE GREAT WAR” exhibition (Verona -23th / 25th November 2018) with international participation of Postal History, Traditional Philathely Stationery, Thematic Philatelic and MAXIMAPHILY exhibits dedicated to the Great War .
THAILAND 2018 WORLD STAMP EXHIBITION
THAILAND 2018 is an extraordinary world stamp exhibition organized by the Philatelic Association of Thailand under the Patronage of H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn from November 28 to December 3, 2018 at the Royal Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon, Bangkok, Thailand on the auspicious occasion of the First Anniversary Celebration of H.M. King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s Royal Coronation Ceremony. The 75th Congress of the International Philatelic Federation (FIP) will also be held at THAILAND 2018.
THAILAND 2018 with a capacity of 2500 display frames is the only General World exhibition in the year 2018 with participation open in all Classes viz FIP Championship, Traditional, Postal History, Postal Stationery, Aerophilately, Astrophilately, Thematic, Maximaphily, Revenues, Youth, Literature, One Frame, Modern Philately and Open Philately.
The participation fee for Competitive Classes (except Youth Philately, Literature and One Frame) will be USD80 per frame. The fee for participation in Literature Class is USD90 per exhibit. The fee for participation in One Frame Class is USD100 per exhibit. There is no participation fee for Youth Philately Class.
The participation fee for Competitive Classes (except Youth Philately, Literature and One Frame) will be USD80 per frame. The fee for participation in Literature Class is USD90 per exhibit. The fee for participation in One Frame Class is USD100 per exhibit. There is no participation fee for Youth Philately Class.
+919811160965
Commissioner for MACAO 2018 Philatelic Exhibition (FIAP)
Mr. Anil Suri has been appointed as Indian National Commissioner for the MACAO 2018, FIAP Specialized Stamp Exhibition to be held in Macao, Macau from 21 to 24 September 2018.
Exhibition Classes: Traditional, Postal History, Postal Stationery, Thematic, Youth, One Frame (TR, PH, PS, AE, AS, TH, MA & RE), Literature and Modern Philately only.
Eligibility: The minimum eligibility for participation in a FIAP exhibition for Senior Class & Youth Class (Groups B & C) is Vermeil Medal and for Youth Class (Group A) a Large Silver Medal secured at a National Exhibition.
Exhibition Classes: Traditional, Postal History, Postal Stationery, Thematic, Youth, One Frame (TR, PH, PS, AE, AS, TH, MA & RE), Literature and Modern Philately only.
Eligibility: The minimum eligibility for participation in a FIAP exhibition for Senior Class & Youth Class (Groups B & C) is Vermeil Medal and for Youth Class (Group A) a Large Silver Medal secured at a National Exhibition.
Contact information:
Mr. Anil Suri,
Khushal Villa, E-70, Kalkaji,
NEW DELHI - 110 019.
Phone: (Res.) +91-11-2643 0813 / (Off.) +91-11-2647 4681
(M): +919811176908
Email: anilksuri@email.com
Mr. Anil Suri,
Khushal Villa, E-70, Kalkaji,
NEW DELHI - 110 019.
Phone: (Res.) +91-11-2643 0813 / (Off.) +91-11-2647 4681
(M): +919811176908
Email: anilksuri@email.com
Mr. Rajan Jaykar has been appointed as Indian National Commissioner for the PRAGA 2018, FIP Specialized World Stamp Exhibition to be held in Prague, Czech Republic from 15 to 18 August 2018.
Exhibition Classes: Traditional, Postal History, Modern Philately (Trad. & PH), One Frame (Trad. & PH), Open Philately and Philatelic Literature Classes only.
Contact information:
Mr. Rajan Jayakar
Flat No. 2, Court View, 126, Maharashi Karve Road,
Churchgate, MUMBAI - 400 020.
Phone: +91-22-22820570 / +91-22-22820572
(M): +9198210 72417
Email: rajanjayakar1948@gmail.com
Exhibition Classes: Traditional, Postal History, Modern Philately (Trad. & PH), One Frame (Trad. & PH), Open Philately and Philatelic Literature Classes only.
Contact information:
Mr. Rajan Jayakar
Flat No. 2, Court View, 126, Maharashi Karve Road,
Churchgate, MUMBAI - 400 020.
Phone: +91-22-22820570 / +91-22-22820572
(M): +9198210 72417
Email: rajanjayakar1948@gmail.com
May 19, 2018 - A proud moment for philatelists
Indian Naval Philately Pavilion - a permanent Naval Philatelic Pavilion at INS Valsura (Electrical Training Establishment of Indian Navy), in Jamnagar, Gujarat inaugurated by Mr. D.H.Rao, Chennai.
Mr. D.H.Rao / D. Hemchandra Rao, 77, is President of Naval Philatelic Society, India; former president of SIPA (South India Philatelists Association), Chennai; and former president of Madras Coin Society; naval historian, and philatelist.
He donated his entire philatelic collection on Indian Navy theme, including many with autographs.
As myself a ship / Navy theme collector, I feel very proud that Mr. Rao's collection found a right and prestigious place in the country. –
-Kasinath R.
Doon Philatelic Diary
Woodstock School, Mussoorie
Woodstock School is an international co-educational residential school located in Landour, a small hill station contiguous with the town of Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, India, in the foothills of the Himalayas. Woodstock is one of the oldest residential schools in Asia, operating today as a private nonprofit institution with Indian Christian Minority Status. Woodstock offers kindergarten through Grade 12 instruction, with a residence programme beginning in Grade 5.
Woodstock was founded in 1854 and has been on its current campus since 1856. First managed as a girls’ school with staff provided by an English mission, there came an increasing demand from missionaries for a school in North India with an American curriculum to prepare students for American colleges and universities. By 1928, a full American coeducational programme had been introduced at Woodstock. In 1959, Woodstock was the third high school outside North America and the first school in Asia to receive US accreditation through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
Beginners’ Section
The world of Agatha Christie
- Arun Singh
Contd. From the last…..
In the 1940’s, Christie wrote Poirot’s last adventure as a gift for her daughter. She was not sure to survive the World War II and kept the manuscript in a vault in the United States, heavily insured against any form of destruction.It eventually got published in 1975, a year before Agatha Christie herself died. It set a record sale of 1,50,000 copies in its first year.
After Curtain had been published, Hercule Poirot became the first fictional character ever to have a front page obituary featured in the New York Times.
The first actor to portray Hercule Poirot was Charles Laughton. He appeared on the West End in 1928 in the play Alibi which had been adapted by Michael Morton from the novel The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.Hercule Poirot made his debut on film in the 1931 movie Alibi, based on the stage play Alibi.Austin Trevor played the role of Poirot. Since then the role of Poirot has been played in Television and Movies by John Moffatt, Albert Finney, Sir Peter Ustinov, Sir Ian Holm, Tony Randall, Alfred Molina, Orson Welles, David Suchet and Sir Kenneth Branagh.
Peter Ustinov as Poirot, Dominica, 1996 David Suchet as Poirot, Central Africa, 2015
Agatha Christie also created a female protagonist called Miss Marple. Miss Marple is an elderly spinster who lives in the village of St. Mary Mead and acts as an amateur consulting detective. She first appeared in collection of short stories by Agatha Christie titled ‘The Thirteen Murders’. Agatha Christie had based the character of Miss Marple on her grandmother.
1.Stamp released by Guernsey featuring Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple.1996
2. Stamp released by Dominicafeaturing Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple.1996
Her first appearance in a full-length novel was in The Murder at the Vicarage in 1930.
Booklet Pane, GB 1991. reverse Side.
In May, 1942,Collins Crime Club published Miss Marple mystery – The Body in the library
2016, GB. Miss Marple investigates a body found in the library. Her previous books appear on the shelves behind.
In June 1950, Collins Crime Club published her fiftieth book – A murder is announced.
The killer bursts in at a preannounced time (6:30) to shoot at the hostess. She holds the newspaper where he had announced his plans. UV ink reveals the clock face. Miss Marple appears on the scene.
Agatha Christie also wrote several thrillers and mystery novels that did not have Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple. One such novel- The Man in the brown suit was published in Aug, 1924 by The Bodley head.
Booklet Pane, GB 1991. Reverse Side.
In November 1939 Collins Crime Club published Ten Little Niggers. It was later published in US and in UK as And Then There Were None. Often considered her masterpiece and described by Christie herself as the most difficult of her books to write, it remains her best-selling novel with more than 100 million copies sold.
2016, GB. The island is the profile of the unknown killer and host. The poem, key to the plot, is the moon’s reflection. The mysterious U.N. Owen appears at the lit window.
Apart from this, Christie took a liking towards writing romantic novels. But, her publishers wanted her to be known for writing mystery novels and not romantic novels. A compromise was reached and Agatha wrote her first romantic novel "The Giant’s Bread' under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. She went on to write 6 romantic novels but the identity of Mary Westmacott remained a secret for20 yrs. till the real identity of the writer was discovered by Nan Kon, a journalist from Sunday Times in London
Booklet Pane, GB 1991.Reverse side
Agatha Christie also tried her hand at writing plays. She wrote 19 plays. She is remembered most for her play The mousetrap, which holds the world record for the longest running stage play till date. The play had its origins in a short radio play broadcast on 30 May 1947 called Three Blind Mice in honor of Queen Mary, the consort of King George V. It was inspired from real life case of Dennis O'Neill, who died after he and his brother Terence suffered extreme abuse while in the foster care of a Shropshire farmer and his wife in 1945. The play itself was based on a short story Christie wrote. The short story has still not been published in United Kingdom but it has appeared in the United States in the collection Three Blind Mice and Other Stories.
The Mousetrap opened at The Ambassadors on 25th November 1952 and played here until its 21st Birthday in 1973 when it moved next door to the larger St Martin's Theatre. When she wrote the play, Christie gave the rights to her grandson Matthew Prichard as a birthday present. As per the agreement, only one production of the play in addition to the West End production can be performed annually, and no film adaptation can be produced until the West End production has been closed for at least six months.
Booklet Pane, GB 1991
Commemorative postmark, 1973, Ambassador’s Theatre London.
Agatha Christie also created the husband wife duo of Tommy and Tuppence. They first appeared in the book, The Secret Adversary (1992). The duo appeared in four novels, including The Postern of Fate, which was the last book written by her.
Special cover and postmark commemorating her 100th Birth Anniversary, GB 1990. It shows the first and the last novel written by Christie.
Her novels also helped to promote tourism! In 1930, Agatha Christie was commissioned by Alderman Arthur B. Crookall, chairman of the ‘June effort’- a committee responsible for boosting tourism to the Isle of Man to write a treasure hunt story based on the many legends of Manx smugglers and their forgotten hoards of booty. There would be a real treasure this time hidden about the island and clues to its location hidden around the island. For a fee of 60 pounds Agatha accepted this commission and the story Manx Gold was published in six installments towards the end of May in Daily Dispatch. Manx Gold was also published in booklet form and was distributed to guest houses and hotels around the island.
One of a set of six stamps issued by the Isle of Man Post on writers and literature associated with the island, 2003. The includes an extract from Manx Gold in micro text, which can be read with a magnifying glass
Agatha Christie was not only Queen of Mystery but became a mystery herself for ten days in December 1926. On the 3rd of December, Agatha who was 36 at the time kissed her sleeping daughter and drove away from her house at Styles, in Berkshireat 9.45pm leaving a note for her secretary saying that she was going to Yorkshire.She later abandoned her car, a Morris Crowley with lights on the edge of a chalk pit, by an eerie natural spring known as the Silent Pool near Guildford, 250 miles away from Yorkshire.After dumping the car she went by train to London and then to Harrogate, where she signed herself into Hydropathic Hotel asMrsTerseaNeele of Cape Town.The assumed surname she adopted was that of the woman her husband Archibald Christie was in love with.Stories about her disappearance made headlines in all newspapers including the New York Times, but surprisingly none of the hotel guests recognized her.She even placed an advertisement in The Times stating: “Friends and relatives of Teresa Neale, late of South Africa, please communicate.—Write Box R 702, The Times, EC4”.
A huge hunt began with reports of up to 500 policemen searching in four counties and a reward of one hundred pounds was offered for any information that led to finding her. She was later identified by one of the guests at the hotel and police were notified. Her husband came to hotel and later put out a statement that she had suffered the loss of memory. Soon after this incident they were divorced.
Booklet Pane, GB, 1991
Agatha Christie wrote most of her novels at her London home in Kensington
Her famous type writer can be seen even today at Torre Abbey, Torquay
Agatha Christie was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1956. In 1971 she was promoted to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE).Dame Agatha Christie died on 12 January 1976 at age 85 and was buried in the nearby churchyard of St Mary's, Cholsey.
In all Agatha Christie wrote 82 novels, 165 short stories, an autobiography, a series of six romance novels (under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott), and 19 plays. Hercule Poirot appeared in 33 novels and 54 short stories. Miss Marple appeared in 12 novels and 20 stories
Arun Singh - email : doonexpress@gmail.com : Class XII student and Agatha Christie fan is curating the first ever Agatha Christie Crime festival in India. This two month long festival will be organized in Bhopal between June-July’2018. More details of the festival can be accessed at
In Memory of Dr Satyendra Agrawal….
Rose Philately
Australia ; Queen’s Birthday
Release Date : 17 April 2018
2 January 2018 : Roses
One of the things letters and roses have in common is that they are both used to convey messages. For centuries, the subtlety of the rose has been deeply symbolic, so there is always an underlying message in which bouquet you give to whom. The red rose is strongly associated with love and desire, while the white rose represents innocence and purity. And death. A purple rose is often linked with enchantment, and finally, a yellow rose is viewed as an expression of falsehood.
Specialized Section
The Kansas-Nebraska Overprints of 1929
The Kansas-Nebraska Overprints of 1929 (overprinted stamps of the Fourth Bureau Issue) were an interesting although unsuccessful experiment of the United States Postal Service. It was an attempt to thwart thieves who stole stamps in one state and then sold them in other parts of the country. Hold-ups of post offices, especially in Kansas and Nebraska, were a serious problem in the 1920s.
To prevent the thieves from transporting stamps out of Kansas and Nebraska and selling them elsewhere, the Post Office tried overprinting the letters Kans. on stamps slated for sale in Kansas and Nebr. on stamps that were to be sold in Nebraska. The problem was that many postal workers in Kansas and Nebraska were not aware of these overprints and would not accept them as valid postage.
The Bureau overprinted sheets of the 1926-1927 runs of the regular denominations of the so-called 1922-34 series. Sheets of denominations from 1 cent through 10 cents were subject to the treatment, which consisted of imprinting the face of each stamp in a sheet with the overprints Kans. or Nebr.Though Kansas and Nebraska were the first (and, as it turned out, only) states chosen for this procedure, it was initially planned to extend it to all 48 states. The Kansas and Nebraska overprinted stamps were officially released on 1 May 1929.
A one year supply of the 1-cent through 10-cent stamps was overprinted for Kansas and Nebraska. Higher values were not included because they were not printed by rotary press and could not easily be overprinted. The overprinted stamps could only be sold at post offices within their respective states, but they were valid for postage throughout the United States and wherever U.S. regular stamps could be used. Shipments of the stamps began on April 15, 1929.
Economics rather than theft actually played the pivotal role in promoting the state stamp idea. Kansas and Nebraska postmasters were required to requisition a one-year supply of the overprinted stamps, not the normal quarterly supply requisition. Had the experiment succeeded, the Post Office Department planned to extend the scheme to all forty-eight states, hoping to cut fulfillment costs by 75 percent.
There was considerable confusion as postal clerks nationwide misunderstood the rules and tried to assess postage to replace entirely legal usage of the Kansas-Nebraska stamps. Whereupon, the Department decided to abandon any further consideration of state overprinted stamps on March 29, 1930.
As early as June 1929, there were reports of counterfeits (all it took was a typewriter and an un-overprinted stamp), and fakes were reliably identified in early 1930. While most fakes were attempting to imitate high-value oddities such as double overprints, fakes of the garden-variety types also were produced. In 1973, Schoen estimated that "no issue of United States stamps is so extensively imitated and over 60 per cent of the used copies are not genuine."
1929 Kansas overprints
1 cent Benjamin Franklin
1 1/2 cent Warren Harding
2 cent George Washington
3 cent Abraham Lincoln
4 cent Martha Washington
5 cent Theodore Roosevelt
6 cent James Garfield
7 cent William McKinley
8 cent Ulysses S. Grant
9 cent Thomas Jefferson
10 cent James Monroe
1929 Nebraska overprints
1 cent Benjamin Franklin
1 1/2 cent Warren
Harding
2 cent George Washington
3 cent Abraham Lincoln
4 cent Martha Washington
5 cent Theodore Roosevelt
6 cent James Garfield
7 cent William McKinley
8 cent Ulysses S. Grant
9 cent Thomas Jefferson
10 cent James
Monroe
|
9c Nebr. Ovpt First Day Cover
3c Kans. Ovpt plate block of four
Bibliography.
Micarelli, Charles. The Micarelli Identification Guide to U.S. Stamps. Regular Issues 1847-1934. Revised edition, 1991.
Schmid, Paul. How to Detect Damaged, Altered, and Repaired Stamps. 1979.
Schoen, Robert H., and DeVoss, James T. Counterfeit Kansas-Nebraska Overprints on the 1922-34 Issue. 1973. (Printed by the American Philatelic Society in their APS Handbook Series.)
The Scott Specialized Catalogue of U.S. Stamps. (Issued yearly.
A flight back in time
- Anil Dhir
The Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) held a heritage flight of Carrier Pigeons of the Odisha Police Pigeon service from Bhubaneswar to Cuttack. The fifty pigeons that were flown from the OUAT Grounds carried a missive with a message on heritage conservation and preservation. The covers and missives were designed by Kasinath Sahoo and Anil Dhir, both members of the Eastern India Philatelist Association. A few missives were carried by ten pigeons for Drusthi Daan, with a message on Eye Donation.
The Odisha Police Pigeon service, which is more than 70 years old, remains the only one of its kind in the world. This remarkably sophisticated unique service is a pleasant anachronism in this day of modern telecommunications, e-mails and networking.
The Odisha Police Pigeon Service dates back to 1946 when 200 pigeons were handed over to them by the American army personnel at the end of World War II. The allied forces were contemplating to release the pigeons which had played a vital role during the war; the Odisha Police took them on an experimental basis to establish communications with areas that had neither wireless nor telephone links. The service was first pioneered in the mountainous Koraput district, and its success and reliability resulted in it being introduced in almost all the districts with over 700 sturdy Belgian Homer pigeons ferrying messages to assigned destinations. The Service was headquartered in Cuttack where a breeding centre was set up. For years, these dependable birds have been a vital link between remote police stations when traditional communications failed, they have delivered messages beating storms, disasters - and birds of prey. The messages, written on a piece of paper are inserted into plastic capsule, which are tied to the feet of the pigeon.
These pigeons were extensively used during floods and the Super Cyclone in 1999, as radio networks were disrupted. The Pigeon Service was the only line of communication to the marooned town of Banki during the disastrous flood in 1982, when almost all communication lines had collapsed. The Pigeons have outsmarted many criminals and helped in nabbing many crooks on the run.
The most interesting anecdote of the Pigeon Service is when the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru visited Sambalpur to lay the foundation of the Hirakud Dam. Nehru, a leader of the masses, was annoyed that the public had been kept away from the place and gave instructions that at his next function, which was to happen at Cuttack, the “arrangements for the public meeting should not be such as to separate the speaker from the audience”. On April 13, 1948, his note on a missive was sent through a Pigeon to the officials at Cuttack from Sambalpur. While the Prime Minister took seven hours to reach the Cuttack, the message was delivered in just five hours.
Carrier pigeons are by no means a recent introduction in India. Pigeon breeding is an art that goes back to Mughal days. They can be seen on Mughal paintings, carrying love messages into harems or secret military instructions to soldiers in the field. Emperor Shah Jahan was one on the greatest breeders of pigeons. This unique tradition should be preserved.
The Belgian Homer Pigeons, which can fly 25kms in just 15 to 25 minutes, live up to 20 years and are trained from the age of six weeks. These powerfully built birds can fly up to 500 miles at a stretch at up to 55 kms per hour, depending on the weather. They are different from traditional pigeons with larger beaks and wattles, red eyes, round heads and thicker napes. The pigeons are classified as hens, cocks, breeders and squeakers - the local name for growing young birds still not able to fly.
In its initial years, the service was of three types, static or one-way, boomerang or two-way and the mobile. The mobile service was mainly used by the 6th Odisha State Armed Police (OSAP) battalion, which carried the birds with it when on the move. The Static Service was a one-way communication: pigeons accompanying a police party are sent back to their loft bearing messages in tiny metal cylinders attached to their legs. The Boomerang Service, operated by older and better-trained pigeons was a two-way exchange of messages. The birds flew to a particular police station or an outpost, fed from a wooden box stacked with grain, and then made the return journey home with their message.
A few years back, the government had decided to wind up the Pigeon Service as it was redundant, but good sense prevailed and a token service is still being maintained. They are used for ceremonial purposes and two lofts are still being maintained, one at Cuttack and the other at the Police Training College at Angul.
The heritage ceremony was attended by many people including school children, both in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. All the pigeons reached the Cuttack Loft within one hour.
A few of the covers and missives are available for sale with Kasinath Sahoo email: kasisahoo123@gmail.com
Video Links :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edNrPbQCggk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88Kg5GnV4qU
India’s Postal History from the Feudal Era to Independence, 1947
Part 5
India’s Postal History from the Feudal Era to Independence, 1947
Part 5(Postal System from 1854-1873)
1. Postal Reform
In 1850, Lord Dalhousie constituted a three member Post Office Commission to improve the existing postal system. The Post Office Ordinance in 1854 was the outcome of the three member commission which is the second major postal system of the Imperial Postal system after 1837 postal reform. The important features of the Postal Reform Act 1854 :
a. The Indian Postal Act 1854 established a separate Postal Department of the Central Government and all three GPO's(Bombay. Madras, Calcutta) come under it. The Postal department is headed by Director Post Master General. Postal Service hence functioned as a SYSTEM rather than a NETWORK in the past.
b. A uniform rate of postage charges on letters on all India level was fixed with respect to weight only.
c. The Act laid the grounds for the integration of postal services all over the country into a single organ including the integration of postal systems of Princely states which was seriously taken up in 1886.
d. Under this ordinance the first postal manual was prepared.
e. On 1st October 1854, introduction of first postage stamps was issued in four denominations; 1/2 anna, 1 anna, 2 annas and 4 annas. Diamond shaped obliterator were used to deface the postage stamps.
f.
g.
Four stamps of 1854
Interestingly, the postal marks from the start of adhesive stamps till around 1882 is studied by philatelists under the title "Early India Cancellations" and prior to 1854 is known as "Handstruck Cancellations".
h. The postal reform of 1854 abolished to record all letters received and established the "Letter Box" system for all general letters/mails. A new premium service called "Registered letter" was introduced with a payment 4 annas with details recorded both at the booking and delivery post offices. The registered letter are supposed to ensure 100% sure and secured delivery. The facility of receiving an acknowledgement on payment of a fee of one anna, by the sender, was instituted on 1st August 1877. This acknowledgement system continues till today.
Evolution of Letter Box in India
i. According to section XLVI of the Post Office Act 1854, the letters “On Public Service” are to be charged in the same way as any other letters. The act states “the privilege of sending and receiving letters by post, free of potage, whether Official or Otherwise, shall wholly cease.”
All posts on Public Service will be duly stamped and the postage due thereon shall be charged to the respective public departments. In 1866 arrangements were made to issue postage stamps by overprinting the word “SERVICE” first on revenue stamps and later on regular postage for use of government posts.
Over Printed in 1866 issued on 1st August 1866
In the Post Office Manual 1858, the service letters received for dispatch to any Post Office, were sorted into four divisions of Revenue, Judicial, Military and General. Letters of each service letters were charged 2 annas for every tola.
2. Important Developments
a. The Post Offices in India were grouped in four Presidency Circles on 1st May 1855 each under the charge of Post Master General. The Post Offices were categorised into Head, Sub Post Offices and Branch. The Head Offices were normally at the Headquarters of the District, the Sub Post Offices placed in important towns, and Branch Post Offices at Larger Villages. This grouping was done for accounting, auditioning and administrative purposes.
b. Railway Mail
Railway system was introduced in 1853, the postal services started to use the railways from 1854 which increased the speed of conveyance of letters/mails many times as compared to traditional forms of conveyance used. Railways replaced the postal runners. Railways were the first technological development in Postal system of India.
Initially, use of the railway was confined to the conveyance of mails. With the huge increase in mails it was decided to sort mails in a railway van while trains are travelling which were called Travelling Post Office(TPO). The first TPO started to operate from 4th May 1864 between Allahabad to Cwanpore(Kanpur) on the East Indian Railway(EIP).
Early Mail Coach
The first Indian Tramway was started as a Bullock Tram between Dabhoi and Miyagam by Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad of Baroda State in February 1862. It was the first such attempt by a native ruler anywhere in British dominions. Two Oxen were used to haul the train.
c. India Used Abroad
Gibbons’s Philatelic Terms Illustrated by Bennet describes “Used Abroad” as “the stamps of one country used in another country”.
Indian Postal services have set up offices and provided postal services beyond the Indian sub-continent using Indian stamps namely :
· East Africa: Lamu, Mombasa, Zanzibar.
· Arabia: Aden.
· Mesopotamia: Bagdad, Basra.
· Persia(Iran): Bandar-Abbas, Bushire, Linga, Mahommera.
· Persian Gulf Agencies: Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat and Guadur.
· French Settlements in India: Chandernagore, Karikal, Mahe, Pondicherry, Yanam.
· Portuguese Settlements in India: Damaun, Goa.
· East Asia: Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet, Burma, Straits Settlement
(This is not the complete list)
All these post offices outside India were under the management of Imperial Postal Services attached to one of the GPO’s, Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta.
Bahrain 1923 Kuwait 1923 Aden postal cancellation 1868
d. Army Postal Service
Indian postal services has accompanied the Indian army for providing postal services from the places wherever the army is stationed. In 1856, Indian Army was sent to Bushier for the Anglo-Persian War.A postal service contingent accompanied the India army to Anglo-Persian war to provide the postal services from the army war stations. This was the first attempt by Indian Postal services to the Indian army.
Filed Post Office (FPO)
e. The Sea Post Office
To speed up the delivery of foreign mails, the sorting the incoming foreign mails by ship to be embarked at Bombay was carried out while the ship the ship is travelling. This is known as Sea Post. The mails once arrive at Bombay are immediately dispatched to respective destinations without delay at Bombay.
The Sea Post started from the ship "Rangoon" from Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company(P&O) which left Suez to Bombay on 20th June 1868. In 1890, the Sea Sorting arrangement was curtailed between Bombay to Aden. Due to heavy volume of foreign letters and outbreak of World War I the Sea Post Office discontinued on August 1914. The sea sorting activities were carried out at the newly constructed sorting facility at Bombay once the foreign letters arrived.
3. Other Development
i. Since Imperial Postal Services(goods and passengers) was responsible for transport services, Government Bullock Train service started its operations from 15th March 1853 from Burdwan to Shekoabad for carrying goods and passengers.
ii. In 1842, First Horse Dawk(Carriage Dawk) was introduced between Bombay and Mhow.
iii. In 1851, all letters were sorted as per Presidencies and forwarded to the sorting office of the other Presidency which will then be sorted and forwarded further for delivery.
iv. Overprinting on Stamps
In 1863 the postage rate to reach the UK via Marseilles was set at 6 annas 8 pies but there was no adhesive to meet the need. A simple and convenient way adopted was to overprint the word "POSTAGE" on the existing Foreign Bill stamps. It was first carried out in 1866.
Fiscal "Foregn Bill' stamps cut off at top & bottom and overprinted "POSTAGE" in a curve for postal use.
This innovation of overprinting on existing stamps which is simple and convenient method to be used for different postal services became widely adopted by other countries in later years and India became the first country in the world to adopt the overprinting.
Conclusion
The period 1854 to 1873 saw tremendous development in the postal services both as an organisation and services which set the stage for the common citizens to use postal services which will be detailed in the next issue(part 6).
New issues from other Countries
Australia
Silo Art
Release date: 21 May 2018
Since 2015 some spectacular large-scale artworks have revitalised small, drought-stricken rural communities across Australia. While street art’s domain is typically the laneways and brick buildings of the city, it is the towering grain silos of Australia’s wheat-growing regions that have brought street art to the country. Painted by renowned street artists, these incredible painted silos have become landmarks in their own right, attracting increasing numbers of visitors and putting their tiny towns on the national and international map.
$1 Guido van Helten, Brim, Vic.
The first of the six silo projects that now comprise Victoria’s 200-kilometre Wimmera–Mallee Silo Art Trail was painted at Brim. Brisbane artist Guido van Helten completed the monochrome mural depicting four Brim farmers, in early 2016.
The stamp photograph is from Round 3 Creative.
$1 Drapl and The Zookeeper, Thallon, Qld
Queensland’s first silo murals, in the South West town of Thallon, were painted in 2017 by Brisbane artists Drapl and The Zookeeper. The Watering Hole shows local imagery that includes the Moonie River.
The stamp photograph is by Damien Morgan.
$1 Amok Island, Ravensthorpe, WA
In Western Australia, FORM’s PUBLIC Silo Trail includes the silos at Ravensthorpe in the southern Goldfields–Esperance region. Six Stages of Banksia baxteri, based on the area’s unique flora and fauna, was painted by Fremantle-based Amok Island in 2016.
The stamp photograph is by Bewley Shaylor, courtesy of FORM.
$1 Heesco Khosnaran, Weethalle, NSW
The first art silos in New South Wales were painted in 2017, in the Central West town of Weethalle. Melbourne artist Heesco Khosnaran’s monumental mural of a shearer and wheat farmer is a celebration of the town’s agricultural history.
The stamp photograph is by Delta Charlie Images.
Finland
6 June 2018 : Norden 2018
Greece
24 May 2018 : Europa 2018 (Bridges)
New Zealand
6 June 2018 : Māui and the Fish - Te Ika-a-Māui
Māui and the Fish - Te Ika-a-Māui is one of many tales of the mischievous demigod chronicled for centuries across Pacific cultures. Despite the considerable distance between islands such as Hawaii, Tonga and even New Zealand, the similarities between many of the legends is uncanny.
Many versions of this story exist as it has been passed from generation to generation. We present this story with words by Louis Armstrong, Cultural Education Lead for the iwi of Raukawa in the South Waikato town of Tokoroa.
Sweden
3 May 2018 : Europa 2018 ( Bridges)
Acknowledgement
- Ananthapuri Stamp Bulletin May issue 2018 edited by Mohanchandran Nair
- Judaica Thematic Society (UK) May & June 2018 Newsletter edited by Gary Goodman
-The Hyderabad Philatelist April & May 2018 issues edited by Prakash Agarwal
-The Hyderabad Hobby Magazine April 2018 issues edited by Prakash Agarwal
Philatelic Clubs & Societies
Ananthapuri Philatelic Association, Thiruvanthapuram
Chandigarh Philatelic Club
Deccan Philatelic Society – Pune, Maharashtra
Ludhiana Philatelic Club
Numismatic & Philatelic Association of Vellore Fort
http://numismaticphilavellore.site40.net/index.htm
Philatelic Society of Rajasthan, Jaipur
Philatelic Society of India , Mumbai : http://www.psi1897.com/
Rajkot Philatelic Society – Rajkot, Gujarat
Gujarat Philatelic Association - Ahmedabad
The Army Philatelic Society, Pune
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. Readers may send reports on new issues, special covers, cancellations & philatelic activities of their area for inclusion in this Blog. - Editor
Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters
VADOPHIL, Editor - Prashant Pandya & Timir Shah and published by Baroda Philatelic Society, Vadodara. Website -http://www.vadophil.org/
ITS Stamp News - Quarterly - Editor: Suraj Jaitly Publisher: Indian Thematic Society website - http://itsstampnews.blogspot.com/
Ananthpuri Stamp Bulletin - Monthly e -stamp bulletin of Anathapuri Philatelic Association, Thiruvanthapuram
Journal of the Army Philatelic Society : Editor – Col Jayanta Dutta
India Post – Quarterly Journal of the India Study Circle publishes original articles submitted by members of ISC.
Deccan Philatelist from Deccan Philatelic Socity, Pune. edited by Col Jayanta Dutta
Courtesy - News and Image Resource to this issue : , Stamps of India ; Suresh R.- Bangalore, Madhukar Jhingan, Ajay Kumar Mittal , Kasinath R.
Address for communication :
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Rainbow Stamp News is edited and published monthly by Jeevan Jyoti from Dehradun, ( Uttarakhand ) India for free circulation among philatelists.
