180 Years of Postage Stamps
The Penny Black was the world's first adhesive postage stamp used in a public postal system. It was first issued in the United Kingdom, on 1 May 1840, but was not valid for use until 6 May. The stamp features a profile of Queen Victoria.
Though I regularly keep on tracking different information about latest changes and development taking place in thematic philately and so in thematic exhibiting but of late, during last few days I attended two wonderful presentations organized by Philamart, india in association with RPSL on Webinar in its zoom meetings which gave me an opportunity to listen two veteran thematic philatelists and experts giving their quality presentations on thematic exhibiting followed by very interesting question answer sessions of over one hour each clarifying the doubts of exhibitors and giving information on different aspects of better thematic exhibiting to help enjoy more and getting better score. I thank Philamart and RSPL for such a good service to philately and also Mr. Peter Suhodolc FRPSL and Jonas Hallstorm of Sweden RDP FRPSL for their excellent, educative, informative and guiding presentations and their clear concepts of each and every component of thematic exhibit while discussing about its preparation aiming for higher awards.
1.Centenary Celebrations of Indian Red Cross Society.
Aimed at promoting Philately, the King of Hobbies, Permanent Philatelic Exhibition was inaugurated at the Philatelic Bureau of Anna Road Head Post Office on 15.08.2017 where exhibits on different themes are displayed. Philatelic Workshops were conducted at Schools to help them open Philatelic Clubs and Philatelic Deposit Accounts. There are 160 Philatelic Clubs in Chennai. With a view to encourage the budding Philatelists, CLUBFEST 2020 is organized at Anna Road Philatelic Bureau @ Chennai, for a period of one month from 12.02.2020. During this Philatelic Festival, the members of Philatelic Clubs will get an opportunity to showcase their philatelic talents.
Six meter cancellation based on Mahatma Gandhiji were provided during Tumakurupex 2020 held from 21st to 24th February 2020.
1. Peace through Non-Violence.
2. Anekata mein Ekta - Mera Bharat Mahan.
3. Live and Let Live.
4. Vande Mataram.
5. Path of Peace & Non-Violence is the Supreme Religion.
6. Non-Violence is Virtue of Strong
Earn a “Stanley Gibbons Blue”
At some of the most prestigious institutions in the UK, the “Blues” are awarded to those who represent the highest level of excellence in their field. Here at Stanley Gibbons, we’re awarding these to the collectors who embody stamp collecting’s best quality: its ability to preserve history’s most significant moments.
What story does your philatelic collection tell?
Our competition is for stamp collectors, both new and advanced. The challenge: show us, in a single sheet, how your items opens a window into a significant historical moment. No extra points for value, quality or condition.
How do I participate?
· Gather photo(s) of your item or collection. This can be a scanned sheet or a series of clear, high-quality photos shot on your phone.
· Write a description of what the item or collection and include the historical moment it represents.
· Combine both those elements into a showcase-ready presentation.
· Submit your entry to our competition.
What is the judging process?
Entries will be classified into either Apprentice or Master groups. All approved entries will be showcased on our website and open to a public vote. Only top-performing Master entries will be reviewed by a panel of experts.
When is the deadline?
Read More…
" We Salute the Corona Warriors "
Stamp requirement abolished for foreign postal letters by PPO
Status of other International Stamp Exhibitions
Mar
19-22: Auckland, New Zealand, NZ 2020
37th Asian International, held as National
May 2-9: London, UK, LONDON 2020 International Postponed to Feb 19-26, 2022 by the organizers but yet to be agreed by FIP as dates are too close to HUNFILEX 2022 in Budapest, Hungary from Mar 31 to Apr 3, 2022.
Aug 6-11: Jakarta, Indonesia, INDONESIA 2020 World Stamp Championship Postponed to Nov 5-10, 2020. FIP will review global situation in Jul 2020 and decide if exhibition can proceed as planned.Meanwhile organizers added 500 more frames to the exhibition and extended the date of applying for participation to June 2020.
Oct 23-27: Taipei, Taiwan, TAIPEI 2020 38th Asian International Postponed to Jun 4-8, 2021
Commissioner for CAPE TOWN 2021 Philatelic Exhibition
Mr. Shakil Ahmed has been appointed as Indian National
Commissioner for the Cape Town 2021, FIP Specialized World Stamp Exhibition to
be held at Cape Town, South Africa from 17 to 20 March, 2021.
Exhibition Classes: Traditional, Postal History, Aerophilately, Postal Stationery, Revenue, Thematic, Open, Modern Philately, One Frame, Philatelic Literature and Picture Postcards only)
Contact information:
Shakil Ahmed
Dargah Bazar, Balakrishna Road,P. O. Buxi Bazar,CUTTACK-753001, ODISHA
Email: ahmedshakil99@gmail.com M): +91-9437225760 / +91-7008025663
News from Philatelic Societies
Thematic Watch
Observations / Experiences / Facts
-Vikas Singh, Ghaziabad
Revenue stamps for
fiscal purposes are admitted in exceptional cases, when they are the only mean
to describe an important thematic point.
Stammlager (Stalag) XII-A was a Prisoner of War Camp at Limburg, Germany during WW-II. Basically it was a transit camp and the prisoners were sent to other Stalags after conditioning. The living condition was pathetic and it housed Indian soldiers also, captured in North Africa in addition to British, Americans, Russians etc. This particular post card in my collection was sent by Guman SIngh of 3/8 Royal Gorkha Rifles (Field Marshal Manekshaw belonged to the 8th Gorkha Rifles), held as POW to the International Red Cross Committee, Geneva, Switzerland informing about his whereabouts so that it can be communicated to his family on 17-1-44. As the card suggests his home address was Kedar Singh Negi (probably his father), Village Garhkot, PO Narayanbagar, Distt. Garhwal. At the front is dummy circular postmark (without place name) dated 2-2-44. The Indian soldiers were better treated in the Stalags as compared to other Allied soldiers. The camp was liberated in March/April 1945, by American troops of the 9th Armoured Division. It took some time for sending the POW back, so the camp was then temporarily renamed as "Allied Prisoner Camp No.2".
PHOSPHATE ON STAMPS
Brief Postal History of Morvi
Morvi postal stationery consists of post cards, envelopes and a solitary registered envelope (issued in 1938). They were studied for the first time by Peter Rover. Edward F Deschl (1994) used Rover’s listing in his work. The present study uses Deschl’s listing while adding upon some facets of the work of Rover and Deschl.
Similar to the 1931 issue but with “WRITING SPACE” and “ADDRESS ONLY” in Gujarati. In addition there are lines for the addressee and sender’s address. This type is not known with a reply pair. Deschl recorded the earliest use as January 28, 1932. Bhojak wrote that he has one dated December 3, 1931. This card is rather scarce.
1932 Second Issue
1932 Third Issue Similar to the previous issue but without the dot after “WRITING SPACE” and “ADDRESS ONLY” in Gujarati, (Fig 6). The earliest recorded usage is 20 June 1932. There is no recorded reply pair.
1934 Issue The stamp die is changed with a smaller portrait of the king, and the Gujarati letter reverts to “sh” (શ) in the first word on the right. The single card is seen in shades of vermillion and red. The reply cards are in vermillion and carmine-red. The imprint “reply” is known 42 mm printed and 43 mm handstamped. The earliest recorded usage according to Deschl is as under
Bharat
Ratna Musicians - 3 & 4
-Cdr G.Sriramarao,I.N
(Retd)
To be contd….
: Naresh Agrawal - email : nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in
Austria
Estonia
Typically Dutch - Carrots
On 24 February 2020, PostNL issued the Typically Dutch - carrots stamp sheet. This is the second issue in the new Typically Dutchseries, which follows the Beautiful Netherlands (2005-2019) series
20 March 2020 : Anne Frank 1945-2020
Philatelic Clubs & Societies
RAINBOW STAMP CLUB
Courtesy - News and Image Resource to this issue : Bibhudutta Mishra – Bhubaneshwar, Prashant Pandya – Vadodara; R Suresh – Bangalore; Prayag Philatelic Society & Orissa Philatelic Association Whatsapp Group
Address for communication :
“ We Salute the Corona Warriors ”
Dehradun May 2020
Vol. XIII Issue No. 149
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 release May 2020 issue of
Rainbow Stamp News. In this lockdown period of COVID 19, many philatelists have
used much of their time in arranging their collection and planning to make new
exhibits with new ideas. Though this is a tough time but our philatelic
community is utilizing this time very well. Various Philatelic Whatsapp groups
are sharing very good information these days, Reading and Sharing a lot ! . In fact it is the best time to enjoy the hobby and try
to live in a positive way in the restricted lifestyle. During this time we also
saw very good webinars in Philaminars 2020 arranged by Philamart. The great effort
done by whole Philaminar team is highly appreciated. The lockdown period may be
extended more in the coming months at different intervals. To make this time
more exciting and full of fun, online small stamp exhibitions with limited
frames can also be organized. This may
prove to be very good in this lockdown period for all stamp lovers !.
STAY HOME STAY SAFE
!
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
§ Thematic Watch
§ Philately Promoter of the Month
§ Doon Philatelic Diary
§ Beginners’ Section
§ Specialized Section
§ Rose Philately
§ New Issues from Other Countries
§ Philatelic Clubs and Society Blogs & Websites on Philately
§ Current Philatelic Magazines & Newsletters
Though I regularly keep on tracking different information about latest changes and development taking place in thematic philately and so in thematic exhibiting but of late, during last few days I attended two wonderful presentations organized by Philamart, india in association with RPSL on Webinar in its zoom meetings which gave me an opportunity to listen two veteran thematic philatelists and experts giving their quality presentations on thematic exhibiting followed by very interesting question answer sessions of over one hour each clarifying the doubts of exhibitors and giving information on different aspects of better thematic exhibiting to help enjoy more and getting better score. I thank Philamart and RSPL for such a good service to philately and also Mr. Peter Suhodolc FRPSL and Jonas Hallstorm of Sweden RDP FRPSL for their excellent, educative, informative and guiding presentations and their clear concepts of each and every component of thematic exhibit while discussing about its preparation aiming for higher awards.
Thematic philately is now being recognized immensely at the higher level of philatelic exhibiting because after every short interval of say 4/5 years there comes a new generation in it with new demands from the exhibitor in terms clarity in concept, huge personal study and research, massive search, discovery and addition of new and huge variety of material, latest innovation , addition of new rarities and better way of presentation caring for minor aspects of the storyline . Of late, the thematic exhibiting which has reached up to so called 5th generation exhibiting has been found welcoming and embracing the use Postal history, Postal stationery and Traditional philately inputs / elements too. I mean day after day it is becoming more challenging.
I being a stamp lover, always want to see philately prospering, developing and being promoted at all levels globally. We all know and should appreciate the fact that change is the law of nature and should be welcomed too to some extent. Changing from generation to generation, certainly thematic philately has raised its level very high. An exhibitor at International Level is considered to have very high /advanced knowledge, rich personal study of thematic as well as philatelic aspects of his exhibit. It is established fact that the one getting higher awards (higher than Vermeil) in International shows generally has big pockets to help him procure high priced and rare material apart from extensive research and search.
It is essential in today’s scenario that such higher awards need classic material and world rarities, good and scarce rarities & very unusual material which can generally be procured only with big pockets. This straight away imply that these awards are only for limited people having big pockets or have been left with legacy of such philatelic items or to very little extent the lucky ones. Which in other way may be considered as an injustice with the other exhibitors.
We all understand that the rarity is based on objective criteria such as recognized absolute scarcity and difficulty of acquisition (which is based on several factors such as country/region, extent and nature of contacts the exhibitor has, availability of relative and comparative material, period of issue and most importantly the money the collector has and also the prevailing currency exchange rate and finally its recognition and acceptance by jury & lastly the efforts done for search of such material etc.). It is known that varieties, proofs, essays, errors etc. are rarer than the normal issue itself and are essential in order to increase the philatelic level. But again the type and nature of such material also dictates the level of rarity. The same applies to blocks, strips etc. also.
Well, we must understand that there is genuinely huge difference in exhibiting at Regional / National level and that exhibiting at International / World level. At higher level jury is better equipped with overall knowledge & the standard, quality of judgment and valuation is better and fast. Yes, expectations are also high from exhibitor at this level. And I personally believe that the judgment is quite independent, fair and satisfactory. I am concerned right now with exhibiting at higher levels. One must not forget that looking in to the level and quality of exhibiting at higher level, the quality of exhibiting at lower levels has to be increased and bettered.
Having said and discussed all this, I would say that when it comes to the development and promotion of thematic philately, there needs to be equal scope for collection and procurement of material for every participant. But you all must agree with me that rarities are not every collector and participant’s cup of tea. Acquiring most of the good rarities is hard for every exhibitor solely by efforts done to search such material. Yes, money can help and bring . No doubt, there are certain rarities which even money can also not procure being absolutely scare rarities or world rarities. This straightaway implies that most of the participants can not think of higher awards in spite of their wonderful collection and displays having huge number of desired varieties of appropriate and most befitting material. In other words, this is gross injustice with them and this plays a big role as hurdle in promotion and development of thematic philately at higher levels. Changing generations in this field has already discouraged many aspirants and participants. Hence, certain methodology should be adopted so that nearly equal chance is available to every participant to get scores.
For example ,in the judgment criterion at FIP level, there are 20 marks /score allocated for rarities i.e. 20% of total marks and this is known that most of the participants in general can not get more than 10 marks. Which means that the maximum possibility for their getting highest award generally is Vermeil with Large Vermeil as exception. This fact has been found admitted by the International jurors too. After saying all this, my suggestion is that let rarity be a separate criterion as in practice but the maximum score should be 10. The balance 10 may be allocated /added to other portfolios of judgment. However, special prizes /recognition may be given to any exhibit having sufficient and good rarities. This will give chance to a good number of exhibitor to get higher awards and so will help promotion of thematic philately. Further, there should be some set guidelines related to the nature, quantity and quality of such material to be shown in the exhibit for relative scoring by jury. Judgment and evaluation should never be comparative. It should be independent based on every individual exhibit and its quality.
Innovation is yet another aspect which of course is warmly welcomed in thematic philately. Innovation in storyline based on high research and in philatelic material based on high search / discovery of new yet most concerned material. It has in all the ways a positive effect on the exhibit and so on thematic philately. In other words innovation is taste maker and biggest qualitative factor of any exhibit. It has been heard that planning is being done to merge innovation in development of exhibit which at present has separate score of 5. In my opinion innovation should remain separate as this encourages philatelist to study more which genuinely helps enhancing the quality of the exhibit. But innovation in thematic storyline calls for supporting material also.
I feel if such points are taken care of, there will be equal scope for every aspirant to get satisfactory scores at high level exhibitions.
Naresh Agrawal : email -
nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in
Recent Indian Issues
6 March 2020 : UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India – II – 2 x Rs 5 + 3 x Rs 12 + MS
Natural Sites
1. Western Ghats 2. Nanda Devi n Valley of Flowers National parks 3. Nanda Devi n Valley of Flowers National Park 4. Manas Wildlife Sancturay 5. Great Himalayan National Park
Natural Sites
1. Western Ghats 2. Nanda Devi n Valley of Flowers National parks 3. Nanda Devi n Valley of Flowers National Park 4. Manas Wildlife Sancturay 5. Great Himalayan National Park
New special Covers
Salute
to Corona Warriors – 21 April 2020
Special
cover issued by Kerala Postal Circle
1.Centenary Celebrations of Indian Red Cross Society.
The Mission of the Indian Red Cross Society is to inspire, encourage and initiate at all times all forms of humanitarian activities so that human suffering can be minimized and even prevented and thus contribute to creating more congenial climate for peace.. Indian Red Cross Society Tamil Nadu Branch is celebrating its Centenary (1920-2020) in India.
The Special Cover was released to commemorate the occasion of Centenary Celebration of the Indian Red Cross Society Tamil Nadu Branch on 28th January 2020.
2. Clubfest - First festival of Philatelic Clubs in Chennai
Aimed at promoting Philately, the King of Hobbies, Permanent Philatelic Exhibition was inaugurated at the Philatelic Bureau of Anna Road Head Post Office on 15.08.2017 where exhibits on different themes are displayed. Philatelic Workshops were conducted at Schools to help them open Philatelic Clubs and Philatelic Deposit Accounts. There are 160 Philatelic Clubs in Chennai. With a view to encourage the budding Philatelists, CLUBFEST 2020 is organized at Anna Road Philatelic Bureau @ Chennai, for a period of one month from 12.02.2020. During this Philatelic Festival, the members of Philatelic Clubs will get an opportunity to showcase their philatelic talents.
This Special Cover and Cancellation is released on 12th February, 2020, to mark the inauguration of CLUBFEST 2020.
Meter cancellations on Mahatma Gandhi
Six meter cancellation based on Mahatma Gandhiji were provided during Tumakurupex 2020 held from 21st to 24th February 2020.
1. Peace through Non-Violence.
2. Anekata mein Ekta - Mera Bharat Mahan.
3. Live and Let Live.
4. Vande Mataram.
5. Path of Peace & Non-Violence is the Supreme Religion.
6. Non-Violence is Virtue of Strong
In The News
Stanley Gibbons Blue Competition
Earn a “Stanley Gibbons Blue”
At some of the most prestigious institutions in the UK, the “Blues” are awarded to those who represent the highest level of excellence in their field. Here at Stanley Gibbons, we’re awarding these to the collectors who embody stamp collecting’s best quality: its ability to preserve history’s most significant moments.
What story does your philatelic collection tell?
Our competition is for stamp collectors, both new and advanced. The challenge: show us, in a single sheet, how your items opens a window into a significant historical moment. No extra points for value, quality or condition.
How do I participate?
· Gather photo(s) of your item or collection. This can be a scanned sheet or a series of clear, high-quality photos shot on your phone.
· Write a description of what the item or collection and include the historical moment it represents.
· Combine both those elements into a showcase-ready presentation.
· Submit your entry to our competition.
What is the judging process?
Entries will be classified into either Apprentice or Master groups. All approved entries will be showcased on our website and open to a public vote. Only top-performing Master entries will be reviewed by a panel of experts.
When is the deadline?
The deadline for all entries is 5 May, 2020. Winners will be announced on 11 May, 2020.
Read More…
" We Salute the Corona Warriors "
Fight against COVID - 18
Pandemic
On 24th April 2020, Coimbatore Postal Division of India Post released a special set of postcard “WE SALUTE THE CORONA WARRIORS”.
The postcards are with pre- printed message and are available in 4 themes. The unique cancellation is red in colour promoting social distancing. These can be sent to Corona Warriors to express gratitude for their great service to the Nation..
Stamp requirement abolished for foreign postal letters by PPO
RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD: For the first time in the history of the country, the Pakistan Post Office (PPO) has abolished the practice of affixing stamps on letters meant for foreign countries and increased the postal rates to cover for the loss, effective from May 2 (today).
According to a notification issued by the PPO on Friday, the Pakistan Postal Services Management Board in its meeting decided to stop the usage of postage stamps on foreign letters and also approved the new rates.
The board meeting revealed that receivers were complaining since long about paying extra money for the stamps “missing” on the letters. In other words, the stamps were “stolen”. From now onwards, the foreign postal letters would only bear a “seal” of the PPO.
Also, the PPO has fixed the new rates for foreign postal letters.The countries around the globe are divided into three categories for posting letters and the weight of the first slab has been increased from 20 grams to 50 grams.
For the Zone A countries, including China, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Qatar, the UK, Japan, Qatar, Morocco, Jordan, Korea, Afghanistan, India, France, Germany, Rs200 will be charged for up to 50 grams. For Zone B countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Rs270 will be charged while for Zone C countries like Romania, Tunis, Tanzania Uganda and others, Rs280 will be charged.
Status of other International Stamp Exhibitions
May 2-9: London, UK, LONDON 2020 International Postponed to Feb 19-26, 2022 by the organizers but yet to be agreed by FIP as dates are too close to HUNFILEX 2022 in Budapest, Hungary from Mar 31 to Apr 3, 2022.
Aug 6-11: Jakarta, Indonesia, INDONESIA 2020 World Stamp Championship Postponed to Nov 5-10, 2020. FIP will review global situation in Jul 2020 and decide if exhibition can proceed as planned.Meanwhile organizers added 500 more frames to the exhibition and extended the date of applying for participation to June 2020.
Oct 23-27: Taipei, Taiwan, TAIPEI 2020 38th Asian International Postponed to Jun 4-8, 2021
Sep/Oct/Nov:
BANGLAPEX 2020, Dhaka, Bangladesh Postponed and New Dates to be Announced
Exhibition Classes: Traditional, Postal History, Aerophilately, Postal Stationery, Revenue, Thematic, Open, Modern Philately, One Frame, Philatelic Literature and Picture Postcards only)
Contact information:
Shakil Ahmed
Dargah Bazar, Balakrishna Road,P. O. Buxi Bazar,CUTTACK-753001, ODISHA
Email: ahmedshakil99@gmail.com M): +91-9437225760 / +91-7008025663
IBRA 2021
International Stamp exhibition and stamp Fair IBRA 2021 will be
held in Essen, Germany from 6-9 May 2021. For details visit : www.Ibra2021.de
News from Philatelic Societies
APNS met bankers and acknowledged them
Alpine Philatelic and Numismatic Society
(APNS) set out their second phase of appreciating the Covid-19 warriors. With
the motive of thanking the unsung warriors of the current situation, they met
and acknowledged the Bankers and the Banking Sector on the 28th of
April 2020.
The back bone of any economy – the BANKS have been functional throughout
the lockdown. APNS visited the UCO Bank, Bank of India and Allahabad Bank in
Darjeeling and thanked them for their services. The management and employees
were handed out gloves, masks, sanitizers, khadas and Tokens of
Gratitude.
Thematic Watch
Observations / Experiences / Facts
Thematic Watch is a new column and readers are requested to send their
views, opinions, suggestions and write ups for this column. Thematic Philately
has seen many changes in the exhibiting rules over the years. In the present
time, it has become one of the most difficult classes of philately as the emphasis on the use of items pertaining to
Traditional Philately ( with widest
range of postal-philatelic material of pre and modern era ), Postal
stationery and Postal History is being given in Thematic Exhibits. In the
present scenario the colorful stamps, miniature sheets and souvenir sheets,
easily available special cancellations on various topics which we usually
see in the stamp news have no importance in a higher class Thematic exhibit.
Now the higher class Thematic exhibit demands rarest of the rare items.
Thematic exhibits asks for usage of mainly postally used items but on the other
hand it gives privilege to the items which have never been postally
used like proofs, essays, artist’s accepted design, color trials etc and many
more such items which is the sole property of the government issuing stamps and
should not come in public hands.
Now this class of philately is going towards
traditional philately with extreme change in terms of philatelic items to be
used in a Thematic exhibit, in the other words it is not promoting philately
and attracting new philatelists s but discouraging them and forcing them to try
for more exhibitions in order to win some higher award. The base of thematic
philately is to explain a theme in a smooth flow with the storyline
through various postally used philatelic items . The research and innovation of
the philatelist has no value until one uses so called philatelic gems / rarities
in the exhibit. Many philatelists turned to this class because it was regarded
less expensive than the Traditional Philately Class. But today the equation has
changed. It is demanding rare and scarce material as is demanded in
the traditional class which is very costly . Views from the Readers and
renowned Thematic Philatelists are most welcome on various aspects of
Thematic Philately. I am pleased to publish views and observations of Mr Vikas
Singh from Ghaziabad in this column.
By organizing the
PhilaMinars2020, Philamart is doing a great service in promoting the cause of
Indian Philately. Thanks to Markand, Pratisad, Navein and the entire Philamart
team, Indian philatelists have got the opportunity to learn from the masters. I
have personally learnt more from these seminars by Joonas and Peter than I have
learnt from anybody else in last ten years!
I would like to
encapsulate my own takeaways:
a) A Thematic
philatelist should choose a topic that fascinates him. If it an extension of
his existing hobby all the more better.
b) In absence of
classic or rare philatelic material the maximum one can aim for is Large Vermil.
This makes it extremely difficult for thematic philatelists in Indian themes
especially Modern themes. This is further accentuated by the fact that
exhibiting die proofs, artist’s sketch, essays, etc for Indian postage stamps
is illegal and prohibited by Indian law.
c) Special covers
especially the modern ones are a complete waste of money. Even I bought quite a
large number sometimes paying twenty times the face value. I have now realized
my mistake. Also contrary to advice by some philatelists and hence the premium
charged by dealers, a postally used special cover does not score higher than a
non-postally used special cover.
d) After Large vermeil
stage you need deep pockets to buy rare items. Because it is the “material”
that will now decide the marks. So, I have realized that rather than wasting
money on buying special covers, it is better to save money and buy a philatelic
rarity. It is here the conflict starts. If you want to keep to hobby and keep
collecting normal stuff you will not progress. But if you look beyond just
hobby and go for the kill, investing money wisely you can be reasonably assured
of a larger medal.
e) It is important to
figure out the thematic connection with postal rarity or unique item. If you
succeed it can become a good talking point in your exhibit. This connection
could be anything including an illustration or even the name of the post
office. Long-time back Late Dr. Satyendra Agarwal had once commented how by
including Scinde Dawk in his rose exhibit he could achieve a higher prize.
f) Indian thematic
material has not found space in International publications to the extent
international items have. Hence many leading thematic philatelists (and jurors)
are not aware of them. A good quality international level Indian thematic
devoted newsletter or magazine is need of the day. It can be pdf version to
save costs. We have many senior philatelists. Maybe PCI can lead this. There
can be a subscription price for this pdf magazine. I am sure it will find many
takers.
PhilaMart has taken a
very helpful step in this direction. I hope that Markand and team , who
themselves are accomplished philatelists, will continue this initiative.
Sharing here some more
slides of a seminar on Thematic philately held during China 2019 World Philatelic
Exhibition Wuhan !
Thematic Philately Guidelines – 4
GREV SREV Guidelines
ARTICLE 1: COMPETITIVE EXHIBITIONS
1.1 FIP considers international stamp exhibitions as a
key element in the promotion and development of philately. These are promoted
in accordance with its Statutes and the General Regulations of the FIP for Exhibitions
(GREX). The FIP may extend its patronage to world exhibitions, its auspices to
international exhibitions and its recognition to other exhibitions.
1.2 The principles defined in the following General
Regulations of FIP for the Evaluation of Exhibits at FIP Exhibitions (GREV) are
applicable to all competitive exhibitions. They are intended to serve the Jury
as regulations and as a guide to the collector for the development of the
exhibits.
1.3 The GREV apply to all competitive classes at FIP
exhibitions.
1.4 The Special Regulations of the FIP for the Evaluation
of Competitive Exhibits at FIP Exhibitions (SREVs) for each competitive class
are based upon the GRE
1.5 The Commissions and Sections of FIP provide
Guidelines on the interpretation of the SREV's.
In accordance with Article 1.4 of the
General Regulations of the FIP for the Evaluation of Competitive
Exhibits at FIP Exhibitions (GREV),
these Special Regulations have been developed to supplement those principles
with regard to thematic exhibits.
They are explained in the Guidelines
to these Special Regulations.
These Guidelines have the objective of guiding collectors
to assemble an exhibit and jurors to
evaluate it according to the principles of the General
Regulations for the Evaluation of Competitive Exhibits at FIP Exhibitions
(GREV) and the Special Regulations for the Evaluation
of Thematic Exhibits (SREV).
ARTICLE 2: COMPETITIVE
EXHIBITS
2.1 The limit of the frame space allocated at exhibitions
as per Article 6 of the GREX does not normally allow the collector to display
the entire collection. Therefore, the collector must select suitable material,
which will ensure continuity and understanding of the subject and explain
relevant aspects of knowledge and condition.
2.2 The evaluation of exhibits will only take into
consideration the material and information displayed.
2.3 The scope of an exhibit in the respective classes is
defined in the SREV.
A thematic exhibit develops a theme
according to a plan, as defined under 3.2.1, demonstrating thematic and
philatelic knowledge through the items chosen.Such knowledge should result in
the best possible selection and arrangement of the material and the accuracy of
the relevant thematic and philatelic text.
The pages exhibited ought to: present the chosen theme as
a whole, or
page 14 show in depth specific sections of the collection
without losing the coherence and the
continuity of the chosen theme. In this case it may be
necessary to adapt the plan page (see
3.2.1 below) to suit the exhibit.
ARTICLE 3: PRINCIPLES OF
EXHIBIT COMPOSITION
3.1 APPROPRIATE PHILATELIC MATERIAL
3.1 The exhibit shall consist solely of relevant
philatelic material, supporting documentation and text, other than in an Open
class.
3.2 Relevant philatelic material is defined for each
class in the SREV for that class.
3.1.1 A thematic exhibit uses the
widest range of appropriate postal-philatelic material (ref. GREV Art
3.2).
Appropriate postal-philatelic material is that which, for
the purpose of transmitting mail or other
postal communications, has been issued, intended for
issue, or produced in the preparation for
issue, used, or treated as valid for postage by governmental,
local or private postal agencies, or
by other duly commissioned or empowered authorities.
Appropriate postal-philatelic material has the following
characteristics:
Type of material:
postal franking items (stamps, stamp
booklets, postal stationery, franking meters, computer
vended postage e.g. FRAMA labels,
etc.) and their modifications (e.g. overprints,
surcharges, and punch-perforations, as
shown by "perfins"). However modified items are not to be included if
the modification distracts from the original theme (e.g. by making it no longer
visible); they may be used for the theme(s) related to the modification. postal
cancellations (ordinary, slogan, commemorative and other special postmarks) stamps,
cancellations, marks and/or cards indicating a postage privilege (e.g.
authorities,military) other items used in the postal operations, such as
registration labels, postal route labels and markings, supplementary labels or
markings (e.g. censorship, disinfection, crash mail), mail delivery dockets, reply
coupons, forwarding agents markings, postal automation markings and labels,
etc.; where applicable, these items should be on the relevant document.
items "intended for issues, or
produced in the preparation for an issue", e.g. sketches, proofs varieties
and errors revenue stamps are admitted as long as they are postally used or
have postage validity.
Philately
Promoter of the Month
This column is
dedicated to great philatelists who are promoting selflessly the hobby of stamp
collecting in their own way and making a bridge between philately and our daily
life.
Jagannath Mani from Bangalore is an enthusiast philatelist and has specialized in ‘Olympic Games’ theme. He has been regularly reporting on various philatelic activities from South India. He writes in different Whatsapp group of philatelists. ‘Stamp Today ‘is his popular Post. Sharing here one of his interesting Posts and an old clipping from Deccan Herald giving an article about him !He may be contacted at : jagannath_mani7@yahoo.co.in
*STAMP TODAY* 01.01.2020
The first country to celebrate New Year is Tonga @ 10.00 GMT on Wednesday and last country is Baker ILand @12.00 GTM on Thursday
The 180° meridian was elected as the international Date line because it mostly runs through separate populated Central Pacific Ocean. It was decided aadi international Meridian conference in 1884 in Washington,D.C. where 26 countries attended
Sir Sandford Fleming chief engineer of Canadian Pacific Railroad proposed a general system of standard Times which was accepted in 1884. The international Date line (180° E and W of Greenwich) is the left and right limit of the map on stamp.
The red line on the map on the stamp about reflects the general shape of the international Date line, and imaginary line East of which it is one day a earlier than and it is West of the line, this is design to automated the reality that ask one travels west the time is one hour Earlier every 15°. While the prime Meridian Conference, the deadline has never been established in 1884 international meridian conference, the date line has never been established buy formal treaty or law. Rather it exit as an informal agreement among those engaged in international trade .
Stammlager (Stalag) XII-A was a Prisoner of War Camp at Limburg, Germany during WW-II. Basically it was a transit camp and the prisoners were sent to other Stalags after conditioning. The living condition was pathetic and it housed Indian soldiers also, captured in North Africa in addition to British, Americans, Russians etc. This particular post card in my collection was sent by Guman SIngh of 3/8 Royal Gorkha Rifles (Field Marshal Manekshaw belonged to the 8th Gorkha Rifles), held as POW to the International Red Cross Committee, Geneva, Switzerland informing about his whereabouts so that it can be communicated to his family on 17-1-44. As the card suggests his home address was Kedar Singh Negi (probably his father), Village Garhkot, PO Narayanbagar, Distt. Garhwal. At the front is dummy circular postmark (without place name) dated 2-2-44. The Indian soldiers were better treated in the Stalags as compared to other Allied soldiers. The camp was liberated in March/April 1945, by American troops of the 9th Armoured Division. It took some time for sending the POW back, so the camp was then temporarily renamed as "Allied Prisoner Camp No.2".
: Abhai Mishra - email : abhai_mishra@rediffmail.com
Beginners’ Section
Topical Collecting
PHOSPHATE ON STAMPS
Phosphate is one of the most common elements in our environment and is essential to human, animal and plant life. The major commercial deposits are in the United States, china Morocco, Finland, South Africa and some Pacific Islands and we are using this material at an increasing rate. Over 80% of the ore currently mined is used in fertilizer products as more fertilizer is applied to replenish the nutrients removed by crops. In earlier times, food was consumed near the place of production, and animal and human wastes were returned to the land. This natural recycling loop for nutrients has been broken due to societal changes.
Excellent sources of phosphorus-laden rock are ancient sea-beds. The rock is mined, refined and purified. The resulting phosphorus-based products are used as ingredients in fertilizers, detergents, baking powders toothpastes, cured meats, evaporated milk, processed cheeses, pharmaceuticals and water softeners.
Justus Freiherr von Liebig was a German scientist who made major contribution to agricultural and biological chemistry. he is described as the “father of the fertilizer industry”. Germany issued stamps which honored him.
COUNTRIES WHICH HAS ISSUED STAMPS ON PHOSPHATE
Many stamps depicting the phosphate industry has been issued. Some of the countries which have issued stamps on phosphates is below:
ANTIGUA: is one of the 2 major islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Ringed with coral reefs-
KIRIBATI: The Republic of Kiribati is composed of Gilbert and Ellice Islands and Christmas Island, South of equatorin the Western Pacific which belonged . It had a high grade of phsphate.
MOROCCO: North and Central African countries are large producers of phosphate rock. Morocco in 1947, issued a stamp marking the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the industry.
NAURU: It is a small, uplifted limestone coral atoll, about 21 sq km in area; 4 km across and 5 km in length with extensive deposit of phosphate from centuries of bird droppings. The island produced annually about 2 million tons of high grade rock which was exported mainly to Australia.
PALAU: is located in the Western Pacific and forms a part of Micronesia. It was held by Germany before World War I, then by the Japan and finally came under US occupation.
SENEGAL: It is located on the coast of West Africa with a population of around 15 million. Has phosphate mine in Taiba .
TOGO: Issued series of stamps on the exploitation of local phosphate deposits in 1964 on the occasion of the 4th anniversary of her independence from France in 1960.
- Prabir Datta - email :
prabirdattaus@gmail.com
Specialized Section
Post Cards of Morvi State
Morvi State, also spelt as 'Morvee State', was a princely state in the historical Halar region of Kathiawar during the British Raj (Fig 1). The town of Morvi was its capital on the river Machhu, about 40 miles (64 km) from Rajkot.
Fig. 1
The princely state of Morvi was one of the well known 11-gun-salute states of India that was administered by a native prince under the supervision of the British authorities. The princely state was under the indirect control of the British Empire in India. The territory was scattered over a total area of 822 sq miles in the year 1931, which was extended to 942 sq miles after the attaching of states in 1943. The region comprised of a total population of 141,761 in the year 1941. Later the population of the state rose to 154,215 after the attaching of states in 1943. The native state of Morvi included around 147 villages.
The native ruler of the princely state of Morvi held the title of Thakor Saheb until the year 1926 and the later native princes held the title of Maharaja. The Jadeja Rajputs were the ruling family of the state and the rulers represented the senior branch of the dynasty. In the year 1675, Morvi state was granted as a fief to the son of the ruler of Kutch. After the death of Rao Radhayan I, his third son Pragmal ascended the throne. Eventually, Kayan, the heir of his murdered second son, seized the fief of Morvi and Adhoi. Later the state was established as the independent state of Morvi.
The erstwhile princely state of Morvi was under the administrative control of the Baroda Agency, which was incorporated as a part of the Western India States Agency. The state's last ruler signed the accession to the Indian Union on 15 February 1948.
Maharaja Sir Lakhdhiraji Waghji, GBE, KCSI, (Fig 2) was the last Maharaja of Morvi who ruled from 1922 to 1948.
Brief Postal History of Morvi
Morvi postal stationery consists of post cards, envelopes and a solitary registered envelope (issued in 1938). They were studied for the first time by Peter Rover. Edward F Deschl (1994) used Rover’s listing in his work. The present study uses Deschl’s listing while adding upon some facets of the work of Rover and Deschl.
Morvi Post Cards
The post cards and envelopes were first issued on April 1, 1931. Between the years 1931 to 1947 there are 11 basic types, all printed by typography at the Morvi State Printing Press. The cards vary in size from 135-140 x 87-90 mm. All post cards bear the portrait of Maharaja Sir Lakhdhiraji Waghji.
The postage rates for the cards are as under:
a) 1 April 1931 to 8 January 1943 – 3 pies
b) 9 January 1943 to 31 December 1946 – 6 pies
c) 1 January 1947 to 15 February 1948 – 3 pies
From 19 April 1942 vide Hazur Office circular No 10104 of the same date, registered post cards could be sent for a fee of 2 annas and 3 pies.
The post cards all bear Morvi State Court of Arms Type 1 (Fig 3), with exceptions in later issues. The imprinted stamps were from the postage stamp dies of Morvi.
1931 Issue
The 3 pies imprinted stamp bears a large portrait of Maharaja Sir Lakhdhiraji Waghji, with the legends “WRITING SPACE” and “ADDRESS ONLY” in English. The imprinted stamp, coat-of-arms and inscription are seen in various shades of vermillion. Both single and reply cards are known with guide lines in any corner, or three corners or all four corners. The latter type is being reported for the first time. Deschl recorded the earliest use of the single card as 16 February 1932 and the reply pair as 5 February 1932. The earliest in our collection is 26 September 1931 (Fig 4). In response to the present author’s writing in Ind Dak, MK Bhojak wrote that he has one dated 28 April 1931 but did not illustrate this card.
Fig 4
1932 First Issue
Similar to the 1931 issue but with “WRITING SPACE” and “ADDRESS ONLY” in Gujarati. In addition there are lines for the addressee and sender’s address. This type is not known with a reply pair. Deschl recorded the earliest use as January 28, 1932. Bhojak wrote that he has one dated December 3, 1931. This card is rather scarce.
1932 Second Issue
Similar to the first issue of 1932 but without lines for the addressee and sender’s address (Fig 5). The inscription “WRITING SPACE” and “ADDRESS ONLY” in Gujarati but with a dot after both. It is seen in a number of colours, like vermillion, carmine red, plum and pink. Reply pair is known but quite scarce. Deschl has recorded the reply legend double at the bottom and another with reply legend inverted at the top. Two types of reply legends have been recorded. Type A printed in ink in the same shade as the card and Type B handstamped in ink in a colour different than the shade on the card. Deschl opines that Type B is a private production. The earliest recorded usage of the single card according to Deschl is 25 February 1932, for reply pair Type A, 11 August 1932 and for Type B, 16 August 1933. We have seen Type A used on 15 June 1932 and Type B used on 10 August 1933.
Fig 5
Fig 6
1933 Issue
Similar to the 1932 third issue but with the inscription in Gujarati is in bolder type and the Gujarati letter “s” (સ) instead of “sh” (શ) in the first Guajarati word on the right (Fig 7). Reply cards are known. The earliest recorded usage of the single card according to Deschl is 25 May 1933, and for reply pair 3 July 1933. We have seen single card used on 20 May 1933.
Fig 7
a) 3 pies vermillion – 12 January 1935
b) 3 pies red - 22 March 1934
c) 3 +3 pies vermillion printed - 17 December 1935
d) 3 +3 pies vermillion handstamped - 6 December 1934
Carmine-red reply cards are rare.
We have found that the Guajarati inscription is both in bold and thin script (Fig 8).
Fig 8
1939 Issue
The stamp die and coat of arms undergo a change. The Morvi State Court of Arms is now changed to Type 2 (Fig 9). The cards are printed on two types of paper, namely ivory glazed and buff stock. The 3 pies single cards are in two colours rose-red and red (Fig 10). The reply cards are only in rose red with the reply inscription at the bottom. There is a variety where the reply inscription is at the top. However, the latter is rare. The recorded usage for the single card is 19 April 1939 and for the reply card it is 13 July 1939.
1943 Issue
The rate was increased to 6 pies with effect from 9 January 1943. The old coat of arms is brought back. The colour is green on ivory cards (Fig 11). The earliest recorded usage is 10 November 1943. We have seen usage with an earlier date 15 September 1943 but the authenticity of the specimen is doubtful. No reply cards are known for this issue.
Fig 11
1945 Issue
Similar to the 1943 issue, except that it is on grey card. No reply cards are known for this issue too. Deschl has recorded earliest usage as 3 January 1945.
1947 Provisional Issue
With the reduction of postal rate from 6 pies to 3 pies the 1943 and 1945 issues were surcharged with violet/blue handstamp 3 pies in Guajarati (tran pie) (Fig 11) . The earliest recorded use by Deschl is 22 April 1948. We have not seen this issue used. Fig 12 shows two types of handstamps and in different coloured inks violet/blue.
Fig 12
Fig 13
Images from the net the upper one from Sukhani Stamps
and lower one from WorthPoint
1947 First Issue
These were plain cards with no inscriptions or court of arms with only 3 pies imprinted on the stamp that was on the 1934 issue. The earliest recorded use is November 1947. We have not seen this issue.
1947 Second Issue
These were 3 pies post cards with coat-of-arms of the 1939 issue (Type 2) and the imprinted stamp of 1934 issue. Reply cards are known. The earliest recorded use is
4 August 1947. We have not seen this issue.
Conclusion
This article is an attempt to put
together all recorded matter on these rather scarce post cards of Morvi, with
new inputs that we could provide. However, we would love to hear from other
researchers if we have missed out on anything. Any images that are missing in
our article would be welcomed too. All illustrations in this article are from
our collection unless so stated.
References
1. Peter Rover, Morve - Some Further
Notes, India Post, several issues.
2. Edward F Deschl, Indian States
Postal Stationery Listing, Published by the author, 1994.
3. Lt Col J Dutta, Morvi State Post
Cards, Ind Dak, Vol 24, No 12, December 2000, pg 240-243
4. MK Bhojak, Morvi State Post Cards,
Ind Dak, Vol 25, No 2, February 2001, pg 37
Bharat
Ratna Musicians - 3 & 4
Bharat
Ratna Lata Mangeshkar
Indian
Playback Singer
Lata Mangeshkar born 28 September 1929, is an Indian Playback singer, Music Director. And producer. She is one of the best known and most respected playback singers in India. She has recorded songs in over one thousand Hindi Films and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional Indian Languages and foreign languages, though primarily in Marathi, Hindi and Bangali.
The Dadasaheb phalke Award was bestowed on her in 1989 by the Govt of India. In 2001, in her recognition of her contributions to the nation, she was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour and is only the second vocalist , after MS Subbulakshmi, and third musician after MS Subbulakshmi and Pandit Ravishankar to receive the honour. France conferred on her its highest civilian award Officer of the Legion of Honour in 2007.
Since India post normally doesn’t issue stamps on living personalities no stamp has been issued on her so far. S Tome E Principe, an African Island Nation close to the equator issued the above stamp, on her Birth Anniversary in 2009.
She is also called as Queen of melody, Voice of the Nation, Voice of the Millennium, Nightingale of India. She is the recipient of three National Film Awards, 15 Bengal Film Journalist’ Association Awards, Four Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards, two Filmfare special awards, Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award and many more. In 1974, she became the first Indian to perform in the Royal Albert Hall. Meena Khadikar, Asha Bhonsle, Usha Mangeshkar, and Hridyanath Mangeshkar are her siblings of whom she is the eldest. Her best songs related to Defense Forces are ‘Vande Mataram Vande Mataram’ and ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo’
The social media posted a Marathi song ‘Aata Visavyache Kshana’ sung by Lata Mangeshkar, saying the song was her last recording. The meaning of the song is ‘it is time to rest now’. The song was reported to be recorded on 12 May 2019.
Bharat
Ratna Soul of Shahanai
Ustad
Bismillah Khan
Ustad Bismillah Khan was the fourth classical Musician and the the second
nstrumentalist to be honoured with the highest Indian civilian award of Bharat Ratna in 2001. Born on 21 March
1916 into a family of taditional Muslim musicians, often referred to by the
title Ustad, was an Indian Musician credited with popularizing the Sehnai, a
subcontinental wind instrument of the oboe class. While the Sehnai had long
held importance as a folk instrument played primarily in traditional
ceremonies, Khan is crdited with elevating its status and bringing it to the
concert stage.
His father was court musician employed in the court of Maharaja Keshav Prasad singh of Dumoron
Estate in Bihar. His grand father was also musician in Dumraon palace. Upon
seeing the new born his grand father is said to have exclaimed ‘Bismillah’ or
‘in the name of Allah’, and there after he came to be known by this name. He
was moved at the age of six, to Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh to be apprenticed. to his maternal uncle, a
Shehnai player attached to Kashi Viswanath Temple. At the age of 14 Bismillah
accompanied his uncle to the Allahabad Music Confeence. Although a devout Shia
Muslim, throughout his long career Khan took issue with rigidity orthodox islam
elders who felt that playing Shehnai was contrary to his principles of faith.
Instead , he came to be seen as an example of the successful, progressive
culture that evolved out of Hindu-Muslim encounter in India.
Bismillah Khan had a brief association with movies. He played
the Shehnai for superstar Rajkumar’s role of Appanna in the Kannada movie
Sanadhi Appanna which became a blockbuster. He acted in the movie Jalsaghar, a
movie by Satyajit Ray and provided Shehnai in Goonj Uthi Shehnai(1959). In the
film Graduate there is a poster advertising ‘Bismillah Khan and the seven
Musicians’ on a street of Berkeley, California.
India post honoured Bismillah Khan by issue of a stamp with him and Sehnai
Stamp of Rs. 5 issued
on 21-8-2018
First
Day cover with a cancellation of beautiful Shehnai
A folder was issued by
India Post on Ustad Bismillah A Rs.3 definitive
stamp in the series of Makers of India was also issued on Bismillah Khan in
March 2016
An attractive presentation pack on Ustad Bismillah Khan
containing one FDC,and one information Brochure ,@ price Rs30/ war brought out
by India Post.
In addition to Bharat Ratna in 2001, he was awarded with the Padma Vibhushan in 1980 Padma Bhushan in
1968 Padma, Shri in 1961 Sangeet Natak Academy award in 1966, Tansen Award from
the Govt of Madhya Pradesh, Honarary Doctorates from Benaras Hindu University,
Visva Bharathi University and Santiniketan,Talwar Mausiquee from Republic of Iran in 1992,Fellow of
Sangeet Natak Academy in 1994'
He had participated in the World Exhibition in Montreal, and
Cannes Art Festival and Osaka Trade Fair.His 80th Birthday was
celebrated by the World Music Institute in New York.He was requested to come to
play Shehnai at the First Independence Day celebrations on 15th
August 1947, in Delhi Red Fort by the then Indian Prime Minister Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru and he played on the evening of 15 August 1947. He also
performed Raga Kafi at the first Republic Day from the Red Fort on 26th
January 1950.
A street was named as
Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan Marg in Hyderabad Telangana on 7 April 2013,
by Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and Famous Telugu Film Director K Viswanath
Bismillah Khan died on 21 August 2006 due to cardiac arrest
after deteriorating health. Ustad’slast wish - to perform at India Gate could not
be fulfilled. He wanted to pay tributes to the
martyers. He is survived by five daughters, three sons and a large no of
grand children and great grand children, and his adopted daughter Soma Ghosh(
a hindustani shastriya sanget exponent). His body along with a Shehnai was
buried at Fatemaan burial ground of old Varanasi under a neem tree with a 21 –
gun salute from the Indian Army. The Govt of India declared a day of national
mourning on his death.
DISINFECTION OF MAIL
- Naresh Agrawal
HISTORY AND ORIGIN OF QUARANTINES : The concept of quarantine is deeply related to heath practices prevailing during middle ages and thereafter as a protection and prevention measure especially during epidemics involving isolation of the diseased men or infected material.
When a smallpox epidemic struck Rome around 164 A.D., Galen is said to have hastily returned to his home in Pergamon on the Ionian Coast of modern-day Turkey. When plague returned to London in 1665, Thomas Sydenham, a physician, prudently sought safety in the countryside.
The Bible mentions the separation of infected people in order to prevent the spread of disease as early as 1513 BC, as recorded in Leviticus chapter 13 of the ld testament.
It was as early as in the 14th century, most citizens could not flee pestilences, plagues and epidemics threatening their towns, but civil authorities sought to protect them by excluding suspected human carrying disease and merchandise from outside. In 1347 when bubonic plague reached ports on the Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea were among the first to deny entry to ships coming from infected or affected areas, notably from Turkey, Middle East or North Africa. Florence, on the Arno River, issued restrictions on travelers and goods as early as 1348. The Venetian Republic formally excluded "infected and suspected ships" in 1374. The earliest such action in the America was by the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1647 to 1648, when it barred ships coming from the West Indies thought to be carrying yellow fever.
The first recorded system of disinfection and decontamination was basically isolation, restriction, protection and separation for good required period until the infection was checked satisfactorily, was quarantine. Decontamination of mail was for hundred of years an aspect of quarantine, as a part of the larger effort o to destroy the agents of epidemic disease likely to spread through transmission of mail.
In 1377 it was first at Ragusa in Dalmatia, on the eastern shore of the Adriatic that all persons coming from an infected region were detained at a point distant from the city for thirty days. ( trentina). This period was soon found short and then extended to 40 days (quaranata giorni), from whence the word quarantine, and for the first time this was enforced in Merseilles in 1383.
Later, other cities established isolation stations on shore or on nearby islands. Ragusa's use of an offshore island in 1377 was an early example of such a quarantine station. In spite of Ragusa's seeming priority, various sources claim that the first such station was a pest house built on the island of Sardinia in 1453 or buildings erected at Pisa near the church of San Lazzaro in 1464. The Bible mentions the separation of infected people in order to prevent the spread of disease as early as 1513 BC, as recorded in Leviticus chapter 13 of the ld testament.
The disinfection of letters was first attempted in Venice around 1493 by dipping them in vinegar In North America during the 1743 epidemics of smallpox and yellow fever, an early quarantine station was established in Philadelphia on Providence Island in the Schuylkill River. Other major U.S. cities soon thereafter organized quarantine stations to cope with later epidemics of smallpox, yellow fever, typhus and cholera.
Rock carving of 1697 by infected and detained persons at Sydney Quarantine Station
The Sydney Quarantine Station has hundreds of rock carvings made by crew-members from the Himalaya during their detention. Periods of detention for smallpox contacts could last a few days to a few months depending on circumstances and vaccination history. Rock carving was a popular way to pass the days.
Different laws and acts were made in the different parts of the world like Italy, Germany, France, Australia, America, West Indies at different time to control and regulate the quarantine practices.
LAZARETTOS ( QUARANTINE STATIONS )
Quarantine stations in southern Europe were originally called lazarettos. These stations were the places where the infected human, cattle, goods, packages, mail etc. were detained, treated and after the goods were decontaminated or the persons were healed of the disease they suffered / infected under supervision of the health authorities and their clearance and certification , they were sent to the final destination. The period was never specified for such detainment or quarantine.
The quarantine stations / places were made out side far away from the townships or at distant banks, islands to check spread of any virus, epidemic or contagious disease carried by the incoming ship through the man and material it carried. These could be temporary housing, temporary hospitals but were made in isolation.
QUARATINE METHOD :
As described above, quarantine is voluntary or compulsory isolation, typically to contain and stop the spread of something considered dangerous, often but not always disease. Though the word quarantine, in fact means forty days isolation applied to humans, cattle, goods, mail, packages etc. but this period could be very long as un till the person was healed properly and there was no threat to others, and might be very short, such as in the case of a suspected anthrax attack, in which persons were allowed to leave as soon as they shed their potentially contaminated garments and undergo a decontamination shower even in a tent.
Private Ship Letter dated 25.10.1883 from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands via St. Coix shows QUARATINE marking
In some parts of the world like Australia mail was treated to prevent spread of disease to humans. Nowadays it is treated to protect indigenous wildlife and our agricultural industries. Mails have been sprayed, gassed, scorched, baked, irradiated, detained and soaked in the pursuit of cleanliness. The most sought after covers are those from detainees in quarantine or from ships arriving with cases of infectious disease aboard.
OTHER METHODS :
Apart from the quarantine the letters were treated by three basic methods, perforation, to let out the harmful “ miasma” and let in clean air; immersion or sprinkling of vinegar or sea water ( both ) thought to have phylactic properties and heating and fumigating properties briefly detailed as under :
PIERCING OR SLITTING OR MAKING HOLES
The usual practice was to puncture the envelope with small holes, often in a grid pattern. The mail / letters were pierced by the use of spike headed “ rastel” , tongs, needles, or knives. Practice varied from one area to another. The perforation also varied from place to place at that time. The use of rastels and tongs made very deep perforation normally penetrating the letters completely and are readily visible. In many cases however, the perforation took the form of a fine slit, often so fine as to escape the notice, until the letter is handled and careful observation revealed the slit or the cut.
1830 RASTEL, A PERFORATING MALLET
Entire letter Dtd. 05.07.1858 from Galatz to Paris, disinfected with rastel punches
Piercing for the purpose of disinfection may generally be distinguished from accidental damages by the presence of cuts at two or more places. However, in some cases there can be one cut also.
01.09.1832 U.S. Navy folded letter written at Port Mahon, and disinfected by sulphur fumes in a steam kettle. This letter contains unusual chisel slits and punctures in a star shaped circular pattern which are only known from this Naval installation.
Russia 1849 cover/disinfection slits, punch holes/Odessa quarantine
Entire letter dated 15.11.1852 from Braila to Marseille, rastel punched for disinfection
May 21 1847 entire from Alexandria to written in French, apparently several slits
10.06.1847 entire from Alexandria written in Italian several slits
SNIPPING OFF CORNERS :
The usual practice was to puncture the envelope with small holes or to snip off one or more corners, in order to let the fumigation gases in. In addition, a special postal marking used to be done to note the disinfection process.
Cover dated 28.02.1926 from Kalaupapa to Detroit, Michigan, disinfected prior to leaving the leprosy settlement. All four corners of the envelope were cut off prior to fumigation.
27.04.1900 Soldier letter clipped at the corners. The plague quarantine lifted on April 30, 1900 following a month in which no new plague cases occurred.
Cover dated 08.09.1930 from a detainee who was suspect of smallpox at the North Head Quarantine Station, Sydney using the envelop of the K.P.M. steamship company. Envelop corners clipped to admit fumigant gas, before taken to Quarantine P.O..
: Naresh Agrawal - email : nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in
In Memory of Rose Philatelist - Dr Satyendra Agrawal….
White Roses
White roses are traditionally associated with marriages and new beginnings, but their quiet beauty has also made them a gesture of remembrance. When the occasion calls for reverence, whether stately or somber, a bouquet of white rose is a perfect way to say, “I’m thinking of you.”
New issues from other Countries
Austria
14 April 2020 : 100 Years of AUER : The Finest Wafer Specialties
For the past 700 years we have been able to enjoy “the sweet life“ with AUER products. Austrian Post is congratulating the company with a commemorative stamp in the “Classical trademarks”series.
This success story started in Vienna in 1920, when master confectioner Rudolf Auer decided to manufacture large wafer cakes, sandwiching delicious hazelnut cream between dainty wafer sheets, but had the problem that they kept breaking. The resourceful business man sold these sweet fragments as “Tortenbruch” (broken cakes) and unexpectedly invented a new speciality which was soon given the name “Tortenecken” (cake corners).
30 April 2020 Bird of the Year
Bird of the Year - The Great Crested Grebe
The graceful and beautiful great crested grebe is a water bird that arrives in Estonia from Southern and Western Europe immediately after the ice melts in April. The 2000-3000 great crested grebe couples of Estonia inhabit larger lakes with diverse flora and bays filled with reed on the coastline. They anchor their floating nests made from different plants to the plants on the shore. The great crested grebe catches its main food – fish, smaller water animals, and shrimp in the sea – by skilful manoeuvring underwater. The great crested grebes leave Estonia in autumn in October, but if the ice conditions permit some may stay here for the winter.
Netherlands
Typically Dutch - Carrots
On 24 February 2020, PostNL issued the Typically Dutch - carrots stamp sheet. This is the second issue in the new Typically Dutchseries, which follows the Beautiful Netherlands (2005-2019) series
20 March 2020 : Anne Frank 1945-2020
The second stamp which features Anne Frank, was created in consultation with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. This stamp commemorates the death of Anne Frank in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in February 1945.
Anne Frank was born on 12 June 1929 in the German city of Frankfurt am Main. Due to hatred of Jews and the poor economic situation, Anne's parents, Otto and Edith Frank, decided to move the family to Amsterdam in 1933. However, on 10 May 1940, the Nazis invaded the Netherlands. From the spring of 1942, Anne's father set up a hiding place in the secret annex of his business at Prinsengracht 263. While in hiding, Anne kept a diary about events in the secret annex, as well as her thoughts and feelings. Anne was found and arrested by the police with the other people she was hiding with on 4 August 1944. They were transported to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp via Westerbork transit camp. Early November 1944, Anne and her sister Margot were transported to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Both sisters contracted typhus. Margot died from the disease in February 1945, followed shortly afterwards by Anne.
1 April 2020 : Wild Animals
This silver stamp of Rien Poortvliet is part of the series ’25 years of memories of Rien Poortvliet’. Art director Yovve Warmerdam designed this exclusive silver stamp with a sketch of Rien Portvlioet of 2 deer heads.
Isle of Man
Acknowledgement
- Ananthapuri Stamp Bulletin March
2020 issue edited by Mohanchandran Nair
- Judaica Thematic Society (UK)
May 2020 Newsletter edited by Gary Goodman email - judaicathematicsociety@talktalk.net
-The Hyderabad Philatelist April 2020 issue edited by Prakash Agrawal
-The Hyderabad Hobby Magazine April 2020 issue edited by Prakash Agrawal
-The Hyderabad Philatelist April 2020 issue edited by Prakash Agrawal
-The Hyderabad Hobby Magazine April 2020 issue edited by Prakash Agrawal
Bogs & Websites
Philatelic Clubs & Societies
Ananthapuri
Philatelic Association, Thiruvanthapuram
Baroda
Philatelic Society - http://www.vadophil.org/
Chandigarh
Philatelic Club
Deccan
Philatelic Society – Pune, Maharashtra
Eastern
India Philatelists’ Association -http://www.filacapsule.blogspot.com/
The
Hyderabad Philatelic and Hobbies Society
India
Study Circle - http://www.indiastudycircle.org/
Indian
Thematic Society, Ludhiana -http://indianthematicstamps.webs.com/
Ludhiana
Philatelic Club
Numismatic & Philatelic Association of Vellore
Fort
http://numismaticphilavellore.site40.net/index.htm
Philatelic
Congress of India - http://www.philateliccongressofindia.com/
Philatelic
Society of Rajasthan, Jaipur
Philatelic
Society of India , Mumbai : http://www.psi1897.com/
Orissa Philatelic Association, Mail id-: orissaphilatelic@gmail.com
Orissa Philatelic Association, Mail id-: orissaphilatelic@gmail.com
Rainbow
Stamp Club -http://rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/
Rajkot
Philatelic Society – Rajkot, Gujarat
Gujarat
Philatelic Association - Ahmedabad
South
India Philatelists Association -http://www.sipa.org.in/
The
Army Philatelic Society, Pune
Stamps
of India – http://www.stampsofindia.com
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
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Current
Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters
-VADOPHIL, Editor - Prashant Pandya &TimirShah 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
-VADOPHIL, Editor - Prashant Pandya &TimirShah 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
Courtesy - News and Image Resource to this issue : Bibhudutta Mishra – Bhubaneshwar, Prashant Pandya – Vadodara; R Suresh – Bangalore; Prayag Philatelic Society & Orissa Philatelic Association Whatsapp Group
Address for communication :
Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, Wildlife Institute
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