Birds and Symbolism
Date of Issue : 5
March 2019
A set of six stamps featuring birds which can be sighted in Jersey will be issued by Jersey Post on 5th March as part of the 2019 Europa stamp issue with the theme “National Birds”. The set includes two Europa stamps which incorporate an innovative feature, enabling those with a smartphone to scan the stamps and hear the sounds of the birds. Six species featured on the stamps are with the traditional symbolic meaning with which they are associated.
Dehradun March
2019 Vol. XII Issue No. 135
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
March 2019 issue of Rainbow Stamp News. The month of February was filled with the
news of attacks and air strikes . The Pulwama attack was the worst and most tearful
event and the release of our Indian
Pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan
Varthaman captured by Pakistan after his plane crashed on the other
side of LoC while on a mission, was the happiest moment for every Indian, Now
it is time for India Post to honour our Heroes and celebrate their courage
and valour ! Those who sacrificed their life for the Nation and those who
survived after fighting until their last strength must be honoured timely. There
are many unsung heroes who need to be recognized and honored. Why to wait for years to get
acceptance for the release of stamps on them….The decision should be taken
immediately…. India Post releases a large number of stamps every year on a
variety of important and unimportant subjects . Now it is time to be selective
and start a series of modern heroes of our Nation ! The heroes who are alive
should be honoured in their lifetime….
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
§ Interview
§ New
Issues from Other Countries
§ Philatelic
Clubs and Society
§ Blogs
& Websites on Philately
§ Current
Philatelic Magazines & Newsletters
PATHETIC CONDITION OF PHILATELY
(Philatelic Societies and Clubs need revival)
While discussing about the status of philately and strength of philatelists, stamp collectors and stamp lovers in India with one of my dedicated and noted philatelic friends Mr. Pratisad Neurgaonkar, we could came to the conclusion that the condition of philately in India is genuinely PHATHETIC now as we could count the number of active philatelists in India to be not more than 500 and genuine stamp collectors to be around 2000. State wise exhaustive telephonic survey was done by him inquiring from different philatelists, clubs, societies, post offices and other sources and the situation was found alarming. Philatelic growth was no where except a few places such as Chennai, Jaipur and Bhubaneshawar. Rather the graph has been found declining. The membership figures in Philatelic Bureaus has been found in genuine with hardly 30% genuine buyers of Indian stamps. Most of the members are either only India collectors or associated with stamp dealers. Most of the societies which were very active one to two decades before were found either dead or inactive. Yes, a few are working but not that actively as they should. Formation of new societies and clubs was found almost nil. Veteran philatelists have grown old and so became inactive and there is no much interest in philately for children because they have huge load of study and career building. So there is hardly any entry of youngsters in philately. Further, different modes of new generation communication and growing digitalization have caused reduction in paper postal transmission. Computer based games and mobile apps have given choice to the children and youngsters and so caused distraction from philately. In other words, no more attraction in philately.
Well, as I have written several times
in past, it is high time that the philatelic
scenario throughout India needs to be reviewed carefully. New policies for its
active functioning and revival needs to be evolved. A massive but collective
and corrective effort is required to be done. With the use of better and fast
communicating systems, interstate philatelists and philatelic society’s
interaction can be bettered. We know philatelic clubs and societies are back
bone of philately. These are the birth places, nourishing centres and launching
pads of philately anywhere in the world. Attention has to be given to revive the
dead or non functional ones and also to the formation of new societies. The clubs
and societies whether active or inactive needs to be identified. The various
reasons for them to go to shell needs to be recognized and appropriate measures
are to taken. Old philatelists should be contacted and requested to spare some
time and energy. Arrangements to be made for regular interaction. Funding, if
required has to be arranged through sponsors, government aids, if any and mutual
collections.
While discussing this, I just like to
have an overview of functioning of philatelic societies in India.
Here I must give my thanks and heartiest congratulations to some of the philatelic societies which are
working hard for the survival and promotion of philately such as SIPA…this
society is the most active and dedicated society which is regularly involved in
maintaining active philatelic scene in Chennai. From conducting workshops and
exhibitions in schools, to have stalls in the big fun or other fairs, regular
displays at GPO, regular uninterrupted schedule of meetings, periodic
philatelic shows, release of covers and other philatelic material and
publications and above all regular contact with far away residing members &
maintaining good relations with the DOP. Bhubaneshwar based EIPA is another society
which is also involved in active promotion of philately in Orissa in the same
way as SIPA. PSR based in Jaipur also deserves appreciation for the active
promotional work it is doing mainly at grass root level in Rajasthan. PSI
(Philatelic Society of India) ,the oldest philatelic society in India of Mumbai
does big work of holding National Level Exhibitions
and gives opportunity to Indian philatelists to gather at one platform. But
this society does not work at grass root level. But it still deserves all
thanks and appreciation because doing such a massive work certainly helps
promotion of philately at higher level but it fails to introduce new
philatelists. It is this society which has given opportunity to many
philatelists to participate at National and further qualify for International
exhibitions.
Apart from these I don’t find any
other societies anywhere in India which are so active or doing such noticeable
work. Yes, their activities are localized and not so aggressive. Of course, there
are a few societies in Delhi but their functioning is restricted and promotional
activities are not noticeable and are less. The members of these societies as I
know do meet regularly and they enjoy philately but have apparently failed to
develop philately strongly in Delhi. We seldom see local exhibitions being held
there. Yes, if all these societies in
Delhi are grouped together and given proper guidance; philately can flourish
there as Delhi has good number of old, genuine and true philatelists apart from
philatelists who have sole monetary interests. A few members are dealers too
which I look as good part for promotion of philately. The best part is that
Delhi people have good relations with higher up of philatelic wings of
Department of Post. This will also help in development of philately in Northern
India.
Further, in other parts of India like
Bangalore, Hyderabad, Lucknow etc. there is hardly any noticeable activity for development and promotion of philately
except in Gujarat where BPS and GPS have done some good work in past but of
late, these societies have also become weak as we don’t see any philatelic
activity except for publishing their philatelic bulletins. All in all, societies are weakening or dying.
Philatelist are reducing in number. No
new genuine stamp lover are coming. Hence, in general the overall scenario of
functioning of clubs and societies is
pathetic.
It is often said that there is
big growth of philately in India as one
can see regular participation of Indian philatelists in International shows.
Well, the strength of philately does not only lie in such high level participation
but induction of new stamp collectors all over India, active functioning of
societies and huge participation in lower level exhibitions.
Looking at other aspects, stamp
lovers who are coming to the field are mainly investors or investment oriented
who look towards philately as profit
giving hobby but not the actual pleasure of accumulation, building a
collection, developing a theme and displaying. Readymade exhibits are available
today for display. These are detrimental for the development of philately.
These should be avoided. Here the basic purpose of philately which is
educational. personality development apart from recreation and relaxation.
I don’t blame DOP, for this though
its policies are also not checking the fall of philately in India. Department
is coming up with new stamps in huge number priced quite high. It is also
introducing new innovative attractive philatelic products to attract philatelists.
But its main motto is to earn revenue. It is where the problem lies. Further,
it only serves philatelists with Indian stamps where as philately has a very
vast span of time, area and material. Yes, material can be procured from
internet market but at very unaffordable prices. This is another reason for
creating bad health of philately in India.
We see at one place mobile apps are
good for philately. Digital philately is attractive but it is bad for
development of philately. It is low cost, handy, instantly available, easy
display. But it is in other way detrimental for the growth of physical
philately in terms of introducing the true philatelists. Paper stamp in hand
gives you the true and everlasting pleasure. Genuine paper cover in hand gives
you the true feel of possession of the cover and helps you to genuinely feel the quality of the cover.
The sensation of touch, smell, the rust and dust, the weight, the taste, the
handling with hand or tweezers, placement in physical albums, paper print
sheets, text etc… gives the true joy of philately. Digital or virtual philately
is very good but not true philately. Philately starts from stamp collection and
not just viewing stamps digitally.
Finally, I would say that in general the
overall state of philately in India is pathetic as practically I don’t see a
bright future. I appeal to the federations, philatelists to come forward, join
hands and let’s make India a PHILATIC INDIA. Let’s work for
revival of dead or weak philatelic societies. Let’s make the once King of
hobbies…. the king again…..
Recent
Indian Issues
2 February 2019 : Kumbhmela Prayagraj – Rs 5
19 February 2019 : IIT BHU – Rs 5
23 February 2019: 12th Aero
India International
Show – Rs 5 + Rs 25 + MS
Recent Special Cover
9
February 2019 : Baghavan Bahubali
Swamy 4th Mahamastakabhishek Mahotsav 2019 at Ratnagiri, Dharmstala
(District South Kannada) Karnataka
21
February 2019 : The 100th Operational Airport of India
22
February 2019 : SIKKIMPEX 2019, Gangtok
23
February 2019 : Mahatma Gandhi ‘s visit to Mangaluru
In The News
Stamps on
150 Years since the Birth of Mahatma Gandhi
From
Magyar Posta
Date of Issue : 21
February 2019
The Magyar Posta issued a miniature sheet in honour of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi on 21 February 2019. Forty thousand copies of the miniaturesheet designed by the graphic artist Eszter Domé were produced by the printing company Pénzjegynyomda Zrt. The miniature sheet is available from Filaposta, philately specialist services, certain post offices and www.posta.hu.
The miniature sheet contains four identical stamps on
which Mahatma Gandhi is giving a Namaskar, the greeting of respect made by
pressing the palms together. The first day cover and the special postmark
likewise depict Gandhi conducting activities typical of him: walking and
weaving. The latter is interesting as he himself wove and encouraged the
revival of traditional crafts in India including weaving.
From
Serbia Post
Date of
Issue : 28 February 2019
Serbia Post issued a
commemorative stamp on 28th February to mark 150 years since the birth of
Mahatma Gandhi.
U.S. Postal Service governors, postmaster, address UPU exit
Feb 15, 2019,
By Michael Baadke
During its Feb. 8 public meeting in Columbus, Ohio, the United States Postal Service board of governors issued a comment on President Donald J. Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. membership in the Universal Postal Union.
Established in 1874 with the United States as a founding member, the UPU is a United Nations organization that coordinates mail activities and rates between its 192 member countries.
“We’ve been working closely with the administration on the Postal Service’s relationship with the Universal Postal Union,” said USPS governor Robert M. Duncan.
“The president’s decision to move to self-declared rates is one that we fully support as a board. It will generate revenue and insure we’re no longer subsidizing foreign governments and companies.
“And this board will continue to closely oversee this process that culminates later this year.”
The recent decision by the White House to pull the country out of the UPU has been attributed by many sources as a response to certain UPU international postage rates favoring other countries, with China singled out most frequently.
According to a presidential memorandum signed by Trump Aug. 23, 2018, the United States is seeking “a system of fair and nondiscriminatory rates for goods that promotes unrestricted and undistorted competition.”
On Oct. 18, 2018, UPU Deputy Director Pascal Clivaz confirmed that the organization received a letter the previous day from U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo.
“This letter constitutes notification by the Government of the United States of America that it hereby denounces the UPU Constitution and, thereby, withdraws from the Universal Postal Union,” Clivaz said, quoting from Pompeo’s letter.
The withdrawal will be effective one year from when the UPU received the letter, which would be this year on Oct. 17.
Postmark celebrates Valentine’s Day
The Valentine Remailing Program of Loveland, Colo., sponsored a pictorial postmark celebrating love.The popular offering from Colorado’s “sweetheart city” has been a staple in the community for 73 years.
Each year, in early February, the Loveland Chamber of Commerce partners with the United States Postal Service and local volunteers to hand-stamp cards from all 50 states and more than 110 countries with a special cachet.
According to the Loveland Chamber of Commerce website, www.loveland.org, residents embrace this yearly tradition, as evidenced by the waiting list of volunteers eager to stamp and remail valentines.
“Each year, more than 50 original valentine volunteer stampers and the one hundred plus that are on the waiting list, come to the chamber building during the first two weeks of February to hand-stamp valentines with a special cachet stamp sent with love from across the globe,” the website states.
Local artists often provide entertainment during the event, and visitors are welcome to stop by; they can even stamp their own valentines.
London
2020 exhibit applications due in June
The individual regulations and application forms are now available online at the London 2020 website, london2020.co. The roughly 2,800-frame exhibition will be held May 2-9, 2020, at London, England’s Business Design Centre under the patronage of the Swiss-based Fédération Internationale de Philatélie.
13 COMPETITIVE CLASSES
Competitive classes include:
Championship;
Traditional;
Postal History;
Thematic;
Revenue;
Postal Stationery;
Aerophilately;
Open;
Picture Postcards;
One Frame;
Modern;
Literature; and
Youth.
Fees are £70 ($120 Cdn.) a frame for multi-frame exhibits and £90 (about $150 Cdn.) for one-frame exhibits. Youth and literature exhibits are both £25 (about $45 Cdn.).
Competitive classes include:
Championship;
Traditional;
Postal History;
Thematic;
Revenue;
Postal Stationery;
Aerophilately;
Open;
Picture Postcards;
One Frame;
Modern;
Literature; and
Youth.
Fees are £70 ($120 Cdn.) a frame for multi-frame exhibits and £90 (about $150 Cdn.) for one-frame exhibits. Youth and literature exhibits are both £25 (about $45 Cdn.).
Forthcoming International Stamp
Exhibitions
CHINA 2019 World Stamp
Exhibition
CHINA
2019, FIP General World Stamp Exhibition to be held in Wuhan, China from 11 to
17 June, 2019.
Mr Umesh
Kakkeri has been appointed National Commissioner for India.
The
Exhibit Application forms and the detailed rules of exhibition (IREX) can be
downloaded at : https://stampsofindia.com/CHINA2019.htm
Umesh Kakeri, umesh_kakkeri@hotmail.com Ph.
+91 9969571767
Commissioner for SINGPEX 2019
Philatelic Exhibition (FIAP)
Mr.
Anil Suri has been appointed as Indian National Commissioner for the SINGPEX
2019, FIAP General Asian International Stamp Exhibition to be held in Singapore
from 31 July to 4 August, 2019.
For details contact : Anil Suri Phone: (Res.) +91-11-2643 0813 / (Off.) +91-11-2647
4681
(M): +919811176908
Email: anilksuri@email.com
(M): +919811176908
Email: anilksuri@email.com
Commissioner for NEW ZEALAND 2020
Philatelic Exhibition (FIAP)
For details contact : Mr. Ajay Kumar Mittal Email: ajaymittal1957@gmail.com
Phone: (M) +91 9811032311
Phone: (M) +91 9811032311
Commissioner for LONDON 2020
Specialized World Stamp Exhibition (FIP)
Mr. Surendra Kotadia has been appointed as Indian National
Commissioner for the LONDON 2020, FIP Specialised World Stamp Exhibition to be
held in London from 02 to 09 May 2020. The exhibition will be held in two parts
from 02 to 05 and 06 to 09 May 2020, by changing over the exhibits on the
evening of May 05.
Eligibility:
The minimum eligibility for participation in a FIP exhibition for Senior Class
& Youth Class (Groups B & C) is a Vermeil Medal and for Youth Class
(Group A) a Large Silver Medal secured at a National Exhibition.
For details contact : Mr. Surendra A. Kotadia
Email: surendrakotadia@gmail.com
Phone: + 91 22 2202 4130 / 2202 4131/ 2284 3244
Fax : + 91 22 2284 3275
Mob : + 91 98199 03789
For details contact : Mr. Surendra A. Kotadia
Email: surendrakotadia@gmail.com
Phone: + 91 22 2202 4130 / 2202 4131/ 2284 3244
Fax : + 91 22 2284 3275
Mob : + 91 98199 03789
This philatelic
exhibition will be held from June 8th to June 10th 2019 in Mondorf-les-Baines
(Luxembourg).Indian Philatelists and from other countries are invited for
a participation in this important philatelic exhibition.
For more Details note: www.philcolux.lu
For more Details note: www.philcolux.lu
Courtesy: Mr .Roger Thill, Philcolux and Mr. Wolfgang Beyer, German
Philatelic Federation
WORLD OF REVENUES
Salon at 29th International Stamp
Fair, Essen, Germany
May 9-11, 2019.
May 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
The
next PCI Seminars and Annual General Meeting will be held at Nadiad
(Gujarat)
on 6th and 7th April, 2019, respectively
being Saturday and Sunday.
Tentative Programme -
6th April, Saturday -
2pm to
6pm
Seminars / Presentations
7th
April, Sunday
Morning
session -
10AM to
1 PM
PCI Annual General Meeting
For
updates Visit : www.philateliccongressofindia.com
New Secretary of India Study
News from Germany
European roe deer – 2019 Animal of the year in Germany
On March 10th 2019 a new pictorial postmark will
be available in 74072 Heilbronn.
The postmark is featuring the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). It´s the animal of the year in Germany.
The postmark is featuring the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). It´s the animal of the year in Germany.
Skylark - 2019 Bird of the year in Germany
Skylark (Alauda
arvensis)
The
beautiful bird Skylark is the 2019 year of Bird in Germany . A special
pictorial cancellation will be issued on 28th April 2019 in 98634
Kaltenwestheim . Other following philatelic items will be available too
with this pictorial cancellation :
-
sheetlet with personalized stamps
-
stationery (postcard)
- Special
Card(no stationery)
News from Philatelic Societies
SIKKIMPEX 2019, Gangtok
Two
day Philatelic Exhibition SIKKIMPEX 2019 (Feb 21-22) was held at Modern
Senior Secondary School, Gangtok. Two Special Covers were released on the
occasion. The event was organised by Sikkim Postal Department.
Special Cover on Pakyong Airport that was the 100th Operational
Airport of India was released on the inaugural day by Ramtanu Shah, Airport
Director, Pakyong. Royal Coronation throne of Norbugang, Yuksom was featured on
a special cover was released on the next day by Dr. Anira Phipon Lepcha,
Assistant Professor, Department of History, Sikkim University. Both the covers
were designed by Singtam based philatelist Roshan Prasad.
Philatelic
exhibition was held at Sikkim after ten years. Twenty one philatelists from
different parts of Sikkim, Darjeeling and Siliguri had participated at the
exhibition. Those philatelists were members of Sikkim Philatelic and Numismatic
Society. Souvik Roy and Eeshita Basu Roy from Kolkata were among the
invited philatelist.
Eighty
Six frames of philatelic materials were displayed that included rare postage
stamps and other postal stationeries. Also displayed on the philatelic frames
was International award winning exhibits on Cricket, National award winning
exhibits on Music, a rare 14 frame exhibits on Buddhism of Souvik Roy and other
popular exhibits.
List
of participants included Ganesh Pradhan, CP Raya, Shital Pradhan, Deepen
Pradhan, Vivek Yonzone, Padam Parajuli, Sushil Karthak, Sunita Gurung, Sishir
Pradhan, Sheila Rai, Sanskriti Sharma, Tejeswani Neopane and others.
Jaipur Philatelic Society,
Jaipur
Registered
office:”Saket”HouseNo.1282, Sector 1 Malviya Nagar, Jaipur 302017.
Meeting of the Jaipur Philatelic
Society, Jaipur was held on 17th February 2019 at the residence of Mr. Arun
Mehta and chaired by President Shri Jatan Mal Dhor.
.
Patrons
1. Mr. Jatan mal Dhor.
2 Mr. Shanti Prashad Jain.
President : Mr.
Kailash Narain Mathur.
Vice Presidents
1. Mr.
A.K. Gupta.
2. Mr.Arun
Mehta
3. Dr.
Rakesh Thapar.
General Secretary : Mr.
K.K. Bhatia.
Secretary : Mr. Ajay
Mathur.
Treasurer : Mr. Brij
Behari Sharma
Executive Members
Mr Kedar Nath Soni.
Mr. Madhav Ramchandani
Mr. Narendra Bairathi.
Mr. Nawal Kishore Tatiwala.
Mr. R.K. Agarwal.
Mr. S.R. Bafna
Mr. Vikas Sharma
Regional Co-coordinators
Ajmer
Mr. Vikas Jain
Bhilwara
Mr. Arvind Jain
Fatehpur Shekhwati
Mr. Pramod Kumar Jain.
Udaipur
Mr. M.R. Bhandari
To promote Philately new student
members will be added and Rs.100 /- per annum will be charged.
For new members Rs. 300/- per Annum
will be charged. And it will be made available for only one year.
Life Membership will be
Rs.1500/- It will be one time charge.
Society will be issuing Life
Members card on Payment and it will be processed in coming months.
- Ajay Mathur
Secretary
Jaipur Philatelic Society
, Jaipur
Moon landing stamp caption
contest by Linn's Stamp News
This year will mark the
50th anniversary of the first landing of astronauts on the moon.Two of the three men who left Earth on the July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 mission,
Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, were the first humans to walk on the
moon, on July 20. Astronaut Michael Collins continued to orbit the moon in the
Apollo 11 Command Module.The U.S. Postal Service celebrated the landmark event by issuing a 10¢ airmail
stamp (Scott C76) Sept. 9, 1969, about six weeks after the crew returned safely
to Earth on July 24, 1969.
During the Apollo program, 12 astronauts walked on the moon between 1969 and 1972. But it was Armstrong’s first step on the moon that captured the attention and the imagination of the world.
That moment is captured on the stamp, which will be the March cartoon caption contest subject.Armstrong’s first words on the moon, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” are hard to beat for marking the occasion in a formal way, but your challenge is to come up with something a bit less serious.
You are invited to put yourself in the space suit and consider what you might
be thinking or saying as you take your historic first step. You can address the
space program, the mission itself, the politics of the era, how the mission
relates to stamp collecting, or anything else you think is appropriate.There will be two prizes given to the winners: one for the best philatelic
line, and one for the best nonphilatelic line. The important thing is to use
your sense of humor, because entries with a humorous twist have the best chance
of winning a prize.
Put your entry (or entries) on a postcard if possible and send it to , John Hotchner, Cartoon Contest, Box 1125, Falls Church, VA 22041-0125; or email it to jmhstamp@verizon.net. If you send an email, it is essential that you include your postal mailing address.
Put your entry (or entries) on a postcard if possible and send it to , John Hotchner, Cartoon Contest, Box 1125, Falls Church, VA 22041-0125; or email it to jmhstamp@verizon.net. If you send an email, it is essential that you include your postal mailing address.
For each winner, the prize will be a 13-week subscription to Linn’s (a new
subscription or an extension). Entries must reach me no later than March 22.
Obituary
Noted philatelist of Cuttack (Orissa), Shri Pradeep Kumar
Mohanty passed away on 19th February 2019.. Our heartfelt condolences
. May his soul rest in Peace.He bagged several National & International
awards. He won the highest award: "Championship Trophy" in recently
concluded ODIPEX-2018 in Keonjhar. He was associated with Orissa Philatelic
Association since 1986 and was also a life member of Philatelic Congress of
India . Shri Mohanty was a very good Badminton player and well known for Odisha
Badminton. He will always be missed by philatelic community,
Doon Philatelic Diary
State Bird of Uttrakhand – Himalayan Monal Pheasant
Date
of Issue : 28 April 1975
The Himalayan monal (Lophophorus
impejanus), also known as the Impeyan monal and Impeyan
pheasant, is a bird in the pheasant family, Phasianidae. It is the national bird of Nepal,
where it is known as the danphe, and state bird of Uttarakhand,
India, where it is known as the monal. It was also the state bird
of Himachal Pradesh until 2007.Traditionally, the Himalayan monal has been
classified as monophyletic.
India Post issued a postage stamp on Himalayan Monal on 28 April 1975. Many countries have issued stamps on this beautiful bird. Some of them have been featured here.
India Post issued a postage stamp on Himalayan Monal on 28 April 1975. Many countries have issued stamps on this beautiful bird. Some of them have been featured here.
It is a relatively large-sized pheasant. The
bird is about 70 centimetres long. The male weighs up to 2380 grams and the
female 2150. The adult male has multicoloured plumage throughout, while
the female, as in other pheasants, is more subdued in colour.
Notable features in the male include a long,
metallic green crest, coppery feathers on the back and neck, and a prominent
white rump that is most visible when the bird is in flight. The tail feathers
of the male are uniformly rufous, becoming darker towards the tips, whereas the
lower tail coverts of females are white, barred with black and red. The female
has a prominent white patch on the throat and a white strip on the tail. The
first-year male and the juvenile resemble the female, but the first-year male
is larger and the juvenile is less distinctly marked.
Beginners’ Section
Parents Mail Their Daughter
Several instances of
children traveling through the mail were by train.
On February 19, 1914, parents in Idaho took advantage of
the affordable Parcel Post rate to mail their daughter to her grandmother’s house.
A year earlier, the Post Office Department had initiated
its Parcel Post service for fourth-class mail on January 1, 1913. Parcel Post
service could be used for sending items weighing 16 ounces or more through the
mail. The mail is divided into four classes, with Parcel Post making up the
fourth class. Almost any type of merchandise could be mailed parcel post,
including day-old chicks, baby alligators, and honeybees. Only items that could
be dangerous to handle could not be sent through Parcel Post.
Rural Mail Carrier
It wasn’t long after the new service began that parents
found an interesting loophole. None of the regulations
concerning parcel post prohibited the mailing of people, and other living
beings were being mailed that way. In January 1913, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Beauge
of Glen Este, Ohio, sent their young son via Rural Free Delivery one mile to
his grandmother’s. The parents paid 15¢ for the stamps and insured their son
for $50. Later that month, a family in Pine Hollow, Pennsylvania mailed their
daughter to relatives in Clay Hollow at a cost of 45¢.
Railway Postal Clerk
Then on February 19, 1914, five-year-old May Pierstorff’s
parents in Grangeville, Idaho, wanted to send their daughter to visit her
grandparents 73 miles away. They placed 53¢ in stamps on her coat and handed
her over to the postal worker on the Railway mail train, who also happened to
be a relative. Despite her safe delivery to her grandmother’s doorstep, once
Postmaster General Albert S. Burleson heard her story, he officially prohibited
postal workers from accepting humans to be mailed.
Parcel Post
stamps.
In spite of this, a woman mailed her six-year-old
daughter 720 miles from Florida to Virginia the following year for 15¢. The
last known instance of a child being mailed came in August 1915, when
three-year-old Maud Smith was mailed from her grandparents to her sick mother
in Kentucky. Even after this, some people attempted to mail children, but
postmasters rejected their applications claiming they couldn’t be classified as
“harmless live animals.”
Parcel Post Due
stamps
Rose Philately
5 February 2019 : Moments
To Treasure
Gutter Strips
Maxicards
Stamp Booklet
Specialized Section
First Transpacific Airmail Flight
-Col J Dutta & Dr Anjali Dutta
Aviation in the 1920s developed at an
incredible pace. Instead of the fragile wood and fabric of early biplanes,
aircraft were soon being constructed of sturdy, streamlined metal propelled by
increasingly light and powerful motors. As planes became more safe and
reliable, people began to realize the amazing potential of flight. U.S. Airmail began regularly scheduled
transcontinental flights only two years after its first flight in May 1918.
Commercial travel developed alongside airmail, bringing passengers to their
destinations quicker and easier than ever before. But as fast as flight was
progressing, the oceans still proved a formidable obstacle.
In 1927, Charles Lindbergh and his Spirit of St. Louis made the first
nonstop flight across the Atlantic. A
year later, the famous Graf Zeppelin
airship began transatlantic passenger and mail flights. International air
travel was becoming a reality for the first time. Realizing the huge economic
potential, airlines began developing the infrastructure necessary to make
worldwide scheduled flight routes possible. It was a huge undertaking – not many countries
had airfields large enough for a commercial aircraft to land, or access to the
supplies and parts needed to maintain those planes.
The China Clipper over
San Fransisco’s shoreline on its inaugural
trans-Pacific airmail flight
Pan American Airways had a novel solution to
bring airmail and travelers to destinations without an airfield. The company began to create a fleet of
seaplanes, capable of landing anywhere with a sheltered harbor. Pan Am bought out smaller airlines in Central
and South America, and received landing rights and mail contracts to many
countries in the area (including the U.S. Airmail contract to Cuba). By 1930, Pan Am was flying along both coasts
of South America as far north as Buenos Aires. However, the long-distance
transpacific route remained out of the airline’s reach – a commercial seaplane
capable of carrying mail and passengers across the Pacific simply didn’t exist.
So the president of Pan Am, Juan Trippe, appealed to the aircraft industry to
create a flying boat capable of the feat.
The Glenn L Martin Company accepted Trippe’s
challenge, and in 1935 built three Martin M-130 flying boats. Costing around $400,000 each, the aerodynamic,
all-metal aircraft featured four 830-horsepower engines and a fuel capacity of
over 4,000 gallons. Pan Am named its first M-130 the China Clipper. With a range
of 3,200 miles, the airline finally had the seaplane it needed to fly mail and
passengers over the Pacific.
The China Clipper left Alameda, California, on
November 22, 1935, carrying the first-ever trans-Pacific airmail. Its crew included famous pilot Ed Musick and
navigator Fred Noonan. The pilot of China Clipper had planned to fly over
the incomplete San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge. Shortly after taking off,
however, he realized that he wouldn’t make it over the bridge and so flew under
it – narrowly avoiding a crash. The
plane completed its historic 8,000-mile island-hopping journey across the
Pacific on November 29, delivering 58 mailbags with more than 110,000 pieces of
mail.
U.S. airmail stamp commemorating China Clipper’s historic first
flight.
Cover carried aboard the first transpacific
airmail flight
Cover flown on the "China Clipper" on the first commercial trans-Pacific flight
from Alameda, CA, to Manila
First Flight Cover
from Manila to Hongkong dated Apr 1937
Before the invention of radar, pilots used a compass and sea
currents to navigate over the ocean. At
night, the position of stars in the sky would be used as a guide. And if the weather was bad, dead reckoning
(navigating from a known location) was used. The vast oceans left pilots with little margin
for error – go off-route, and the plane might not have enough fuel to make it
to its next destination. On July 28, 1938, Hawaii
Clipper disappeared on its way to Guam from Manila. A ship noticed an oil slick along the plane’s
route, but the aircraft – along with its six passengers and nine crew – were
never seen again. At the time, it was
the Pacific’s worst airline accident – foreshadowing the fate of the other two
Martin M-130s.
The Hawaii Clipper
First Flight Cover
From Honolulu to New York City, 14 Jul 1940
With the outbreak of WWII, the remaining two
M-130 flying boats were pressed into service with the Navy. While still piloted by Pan Am employees, the
flying boats’ range and capacity made it a valuable asset to the military. At Wake Island, the Philippine Clipper survived strafing by Japanese aircraft the day
after the attack on Pearl Harbor. But
just over a year later, the plane was flying Navy officers from Pearl Harbor to
San Francisco when it crashed into a mountain during bad weather. Of the three original M-130 seaplanes, only
the China Clipper remained.
Painted olive drab with a large American flag
below the cockpit, China Clipper
managed to survive its service in the war. By this time, Pan Am had newer, larger models
of flying boats in service across the Pacific, so the China Clipper was transferred to the less-famous Miami–Leopold
transatlantic route. On January 8, 1945,
it attempted to land at the Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago. The plane hit the water nose-first at a high
speed, breaking its hull in two. The China Clipper quickly sank, taking 23
passengers and crew with it. Over its
career, the famous plane had spent over 15,000 hours in the air, transporting
around 3,500 passengers and 750,000 pounds of mail over the oceans.
The loss of China Clipper and her two sisters was a somber ending to the
amazing story of these flying boats. The
famed aircraft had become so well-known that most people referred to any Pan Am
flying boat as a “China Clipper.” The
Martin M-130 seaplanes hold a special place in the history of aviation – and
are a reminder of the dangers faced by the pioneers of airmail.
I am pleased to publish here the interview of Mrs Anuradha Gupta,
a teacher by profession, has developed a variety of interests and reached up to the level of making many records. Heartiest Congratulations to Mrs Anuradha on
her achievement. In her varied interests she also loves to collect stamps and has prepared exhibits on Tagore and
Mother Teresa. Here she tells about her wonderful collection, her association
with different philatelic activities as well as her ideas about philately in an
interview taken by Shri Naresh Agrawal -
Editor
Mrs . Kusum Anuradha Gupta, a teacher from New Delhi having a versatile
personality, a winner of best teacher award, a dedicated social worker,
working for families of disabled persons, a writer, a collector of postage stamps, Paper Napkins, water
bottle/container labels, press clippings, social massages and much more.
Noticeably, her collections are not just accumulation of a few numbers but the
ones who helped her to create several National Records and win her National
awards practically on each of her collection / work. She is a phillumenist
(match box collector) and a wonderful artist who created a picture of Lord
Ganesha using more than One million match sticks & got herself registered
in Limca Book of Records and India Book of Records. A serious philatelist
who again created records for most number of stamps on particular themes.
Rainbow is pleased to introduce such a dedicated lady to her
readers through her interview. She has been so humble and have very precisely
and truthfully answered the questions asked.
1. Rainbow feels honored to have
interview of a wonderful lady having versatile personality. A lady who is a
teacher, a social worker, a writer, a phillumenist (match box collector) and a
wonderful artist , a collector of postage stamps, napkins, water
bottle/container labels, press clippings and much more…. My simple question to
you is to tell us how do you would like yourself to be addressed , to be known
and be recognized?
Very humbly, I thank you for recognizing and appreciating
my efforts and works. Though I am a teacher but believe me, I still consider
myself a student who is trying to learn whatever is possible.
She made a National Record with her daughter, Kanika
Gupta collecting more than 140 philatelic
items on Mother Teresa and Rabindranth Tagore
2. While appreciating the fact
that you have commendable achievements in various fields of collections, art, social
work etc., we would now talk about philately. We understand that you have a
National Record of collection of stamps on India Nobel Laureates Mother Teresa
and Rabindranath Tagore. This was entered in Limca Book of records also. Why
and how did you collect such huge number of stamps?
I must admit that I have been a huge fan of Tagore his
book Gitanjali for which he was the recipient of Nobel Prize for Literature. I
have read Gitanjali in Hindi ad English both. I learnt Bangla to feel the real
depth of all his poems dedicated to God. I started keeping philatelic items on
Tagore when I was in standard XI as my symbolic homage to his great writings.
Over a period of 25 years, somehow, I could collect a huge number of philatelic
items on him from various countries of the world. Meanwhile my daughter got
fascinated by the work of Mother Teresa and started collecting philatelic items
on her. She is a doctor now but her passion for Mother Teresa is still the
same.
3.Do you have other collections
or philatelic interests apart from the above mentioned ones? What else do you
collect and what are your plans for their display.
Initially, I made an exhibit on ‘Social Messages’ and was
awarded with many medal in district level exhibitions. Then I gifted that
exhibit to one of my students to pursue the hobby. The next exhibit we worked
upon was on ‘Sports’ , It again won laurels in various exhibitions. Needless to
say that our exhibits on Tagore and Teresa were awarded with medals and later
on , it got participation in ‘Invitee’ category too. Lately , with the help of
my daughter, I have made one exhibit on ‘Mahatma Gandhi’. Since we have loads of
material on this theme, we are planning to add good number of frames in the
same exhibit. We are also working on an exhibit on ‘Lord Hanuman’ for the last
few years.
4. Philately is known as
educational as well as recreational hobby. In many schools this has been
introduced as part of curricular activities also because philately helps in
personality development of children especially. What do you say about it?
It is cent percent true that philately helps in overall
development of a child such as increase in concentration, patience, will power
etc.. It is not just another recreational activity but also adds on to the
general knowledge of a child. I am enthusiastic about the fact that some fine
day C.B.S.E. may introduce it as a subject in schools. There is umpteen scope
of research in this field and it should be introduced at the elementary level
in schools.
5.Displaying in philatelic
exhibitions is also one of the way to show your collections and to get
recognition. We understand you have participated in some of the philatelic
exhibitions. Please share your opinion on those displays.
Explaining international standards of making a philatelic
exhibit through workshops/seminars is a great way to provide adequate knowledge
to school children. Department of Posts has been organizing philatelic
exhibitions at district level very often ,thereby providing a platform for the
school children to earn diplomas/medals. A recognition by way of
certificate/medal adds on to the self esteem and confidence in a child which
further helps him/her to excel in academic too.
6. Is there any other way that
you keep yourself engaged in philately such as attending seminars or workshops
?
Yes, yes ☺ , by participating in various seminars,
organizing seminars for school children, participating in philately exhibitions
and having healthy discussion on philately at home with husband and daughter
are some of the ways to engage myself in this field.
7. Are you member of any club or
society? Your views on how clubs and societies are helpful in promoting
philately and nourishing philatelists? Are you engaged in any philatelic
promotional activity?
Clubs and Societies are not just necessary but essential
for a philatelist. You feel nice among a group where all are attached with an
invisible thread of sharing the same passion. I do promote philately among my
students whenever it is feasible.
8. With a very busy schedule you
have , so much work in hand, so much to serve…we are not able to really
understand how you manage your time, your life and yourself? Please tell us how
do you do it?
No magic mantra as such. My mother used to tell us
‘Change of work is rest’. Following her teachings, I constantly engage myself
in 4-5 activities simultaneously. So I hardly face any problem of time
management. To me, eating and sleeping are the two time wasting activities ☺
9. Lastly, your appeal and advice
to children and to the young ones too while giving importance to pursue at
least one have a hobby such as philately. .
All the parents/teachers/elders should help small
children to pursue at least one hobby in life. A hobby makes a person complete.
Parents should always encourage the passion of their children as soon as it is
not against the norms of the society.
Interview : Naresh Agrawal
New issues from other CountriesAustralia
5 February 2019 : Moments To Treasure
As birds by their very nature are migratory and representative
of countries all around the world, six species which can be sighted in Jersey
feature on the stamps, together with the traditional symbolic meaning with
which they are associated.
50p - Kestrel - Vision and patience
65p - Swallow - Hope and renewal
76P - Swan - Purity and love
82p - Peacock - Glory and dignity
94p - Kingfisher - Peace and calm
£1.12 - Stork - New beginnings and commitment
**Special Feature**
Scan the swan and kingfisher stamps with your mobile phone, using the free CEE-App, and you will be able to hear the bird sounds.
Maldova
13 February 2019 : World Radio Day
On November 3, 2011, the 36th General Conference
of UNESCO proclaimed 13 February as the "World Radio Day", a proposal
of the Spanish delegation, which was chosen to be the day it was issued the
first program UN radio in 1946. the radio is a key means of communication for
the people, both culturally as information continues to be a daily companion to
millions of listeners around the world and has not disappeared, as predicted
with the arrival of television and the internet. There were live performances,
interviews with guests, radio stations open to visits from listeners and more,
this "World Radio Day".
Portugal
8 February 2019 : Portugal China Joint issue
12 February 2019 : Uniforms of the courier service of Russia
The history of the State Courier Service of
Russia dates back to December 17, 1796, when Emperor Paul I signed the Decree
on the creation of a Separate Courier Corps. The personnel of the Courier Corps
(courier) ensured the delivery of orders, reports, securities, parcels, as well
as support of high-ranking officials.
Postage stamps depict :
- Officer
and courier of the Courier Corps (1797);
- duty
officer and senior courier of the Courier Corps (1862);
- Head of
the feldpunkt and feldgeger by special commission (1923);
- Officer
of Field Communications and Deputy Director of the SFS of Russia (2011)
UK
13
February 2019 : Drawings by Leonardo
da Vinci from the Royal Collection.
A dozen new stamps
from Great Britain’s Royal Mail display drawings by Leonardo da Vinci from the
Royal Collection.
The Royal Collection
includes more than 550 da Vinci drawings, acquired by King Charles II around
1670. Royal Mail issued the stamps Feb.
13.
In conjunction with the 500th anniversary of da Vinci’s death,
the 12 drawings shown on the stamps plus 132 others from the Royal Collection
are being shown in 12 simultaneous exhibitions across the United Kingdom Feb.
1-May 6. This nationwide event is called “Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in
Drawing.”
Born April 15, 1452, in Vinci, Tuscany, da Vinci died at Clos
Luce, France, May 2, 1519. Perhaps best known for his paintings Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, he
also was an inventor and much, much more.
The stamps are non denominated,
each paying the first-class rate (currently 67 pence).
Starting on the left
on the first strip, the first stamp shows a 1489 pen-and-ink drawing of a
sectioned skull.
The next three
stamps feature flora and fauna: sprig of guelder rose (Viburnum opulus) drawn
in red chalk on orange red paper, circa 1506-12; a pen-and-ink study of three
cats, circa 1517-18; and a star-of-Bethlehem and other plants in pen and ink
over red chalk, circa 1506-12.
The fifth stamp
shows the anatomy of the shoulder and foot, a pen-and-ink with wash drawing,
circa 1510-11.
Completing the first
strip of six is the head of Leda, a pen-and-ink over black chalk drawing, circa
1505-08. This drawing and the aforementioned drawing of a star-of-Bethlehem
were studies for a painting illustrating the myth of Leda and the swan. The
painting is believed to have been destroyed in the 18th century.
All six of the
stamps in the second strip show people in some form, starting with a black
chalk drawing, circa 1517-18, of the head of a bearded man.
The second stamp
depicts an anatomical study of a skeleton in pen and ink with wash. According
to information in the presentation pack, most of da Vinci’s anatomical studies
were done in the winter of 1510-11 at the medical school of the University of
Pavia near Milan.
Illustrated on the
third stamp is the head of St. Philip. This black chalk study, circa 1495, was
for the mural The
Last Supper, painted in the late 15th century in the refectory of
the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.
The fourth stamp
depicts a woman in a landscape, a black chalk drawing, circa 1517-18.
Illustrated next is
a silver-point drawing on blue prepared paper of the design for an equestrian
monument of Francesco I Sforza of Milan, circa 1485-88. The monument was never
completed.
The last stamp in
the strip features a pen-and-ink drawing, circa 1488, showing how light falls
on a face.
Acknowledgement
- Ananthapuri Stamp Bulletin March 2019 issue edited by
Mohanchandran Nair
- Judaica Thematic Society (UK) March 2019
Newsletter edited by Gary Goodman
Philatelic Clubs & Societies
Ananthapuri
Philatelic Association, Thiruvanthapuram
Chandigarh
Philatelic Club
Deccan
Philatelic Society – Pune, Maharashtra
The Hyderabad Philatelic and Hobbies Socirty
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
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. 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
The Hyderabad Philatelist from Hyderabad Philatelic and Hobbies Society Editor – Prakash Agrawal
SIPA Bulletin issued by South India Philatelists’ Association
|
Address for communication :
Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr.
Ajay Srivastav, Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248002.
India
Last
date for receiving write ups – 25th of every month. Kindly send images in jpg
compressed format & text in MS Word only.
If
you like 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.
·
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
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 for free circulation among philatelists.
