2026 - Year of the Horse
Date of Issue : 14 January 2026
Dehradun February 2026 Vol.
XIX Issue No. 218
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Date of issue: 30 January 2026
Pošta Slovenije held a competition for the design of a greetings stamp. Young people were able to take part, since the competition was organised in conjunction with Pionirski Dom Centre for Youth Culture in Ljubljana. The creator of the chosen design, Niko Štefe, used a time-honoured symbol of love and human relationships: the heart.
On January 23rd, the United Nations Postal Administration launched this stamp to celebrate the "80th Anniversary of ECOSOC," showcasing the work of Brazilian urban artist Eduardo Kobra, who painted this mural at the United Nations headquarters in September 2022, a temporary installation celebrating the Bicentennial of Brazil's Independence. The artwork depicts a father handing the Earth over to his daughter, an image symbolizing sustainable development and intergenerational responsibility towards our common home, the Earth.
Editorial……
Omission of Aero & Astro Philately Class in 2026-27 FIP Exhibitions
Dear Reader,
I'm pleased to present the
February 2026 issue of Rainbow Stamp News. Aero & Astro philately, a
significant class in FIP and FIAP exhibitions, has been noticeably absent from
the FIP Exhibitions scheduled for 2026 and 2027. This omission is disappointing
for aero and astro philatelists, denying them the opportunity to participate in
prestigious philatelic exhibitions.
The absence of this class
raises concerns about its future. Noted aero-philatelist Mr. Piyush Khaitan,
Chairman of the Air Mail Society India Foundation, has rightly pointed out that
excluding this class may lead to its decline. Without exhibition opportunities,
philatelists may shift focus to other areas, potentially making aero-philately
extinct. This omission has disappointed a large number of philatelists
globally.
The FIP should reconsider
the importance of this class and ensure its inclusion in future exhibitions to
preserve its legacy.
This is all for this month…. More in the next issue….
Happy Collecting!
.Editorial
· From the Desk of Naresh Agrawal
· Recent Indian Issues
· In the News
. Letter to the Editor
. From the Pen of Dipok Dey
· Specialized Section
· Beginners’ Section
. Stories Behind Stamps
. Thematics
. New Issues from Other Countries
· Philatelic Clubs and Society
· Blogs and Websites on Philately
· Current Philatelic Magazines and Newsletters
 |
EVERY MEDAL AWARDEE IS A MEDAL WINNER
Recently once again the stature and importance of awards given in philatelic shows in its competitive section has been questioned. The opinion came as to whether the awards given during the exhibition to the participants of the competitive section can be labelled as a “win” or they are just given to all the participants as a token. Indirectly it has been said that the awards given on the basis of points earned is not a win. The winner of an exhibition is the one who enters the GRAND PRIX where one exhibit is selected out of a few selected exhibits. Importantly this question has been raised by one of the most renowned philatelists who has been awarded many highest awards such as Gold, Large Gold, etc. in many international shows.
Well, his opinion and contention is heartily welcomed as it is felt that the time has come to get things more clear and be clarified on the stature and importance of the awards and medals and also the comparative stature of GRAND PRIX in terms of winning or may it be that why the” awards given” are termed as “awards won”.
Let’s check from other net sources the exact difference between Win and Award. "Win" implies competition, like beating others to finish first (e.g., winning a race), while an "award" is recognition given for merit, often by a judge or committee, for excellence (e.g. a Nobel Prize, even in the philatelic exhibitions), though you can "win an award" in a contest, blurring the lines, with "award" focusing on the recognition and "win" on the competitive outcome. Essentially, you win at something to get an award, but the award itself is only formal recognition of achievement, not always a direct competition.
RECHECKING THE DEFINITIONS
:
Let’s recheck the other way of defining a win or an award. A win is to succeed in a competition, battle, or contest by defeating opponents or achieving a higher score with a decisive outcome e.g. "She won the race" "They won the championship" "He won an Oscar" (implying a competitive vote). An award is a prize or certificate that is formally granted or bestowed for merit, achievement, or service for recognition for good work, heroism, or quality, often judged by a body. For example "The soldier was awarded the Medal of Honor," "The company awarded her a bonus," "She received the Nobel Award" (given for outstanding contributions).
KEY DIFFERENCE AND OVERLAP :
You can win an award (e.g., a film award at
a festival where you compete) or in other words you can
be awarded something without "winning" in a direct contest
(e.g., a lifetime achievement award, a military medal).It may be noted that
Award focuses on the formal recognition (the token/act of giving),
while win emphasizes the competitive victory.
We must appreciate that there is no true competition
in the competition class of philately. I would like to remind you all that I
have written in the past several times about why we call a competitive section
of an exhibition as competitive when there is no direct or true competition
amongst the participants. Truly the evaluation of the exhibits is done. We must
not forget that each and every exhibit of a particular class is different in
terms of the material used, time span for its preparation, money spent, sources
used for getting information and procuring material are different, age limit of
the participant is different, information and guidance parameters are
different. I mean there is no comparison as such and above all the topic,
study, the information, the story line etc. all are different.
Whereas when we talk about competition, the parameters
are equal, same or similar for each competitor and then the best one is chosen.
The best one is ONE not a group or there may be a tie between two or
three. Hence, the statements of Win and Award are truly justified.
For me, winning a particular class with highest
points, and /or winning an award in accordance with the stipulated award table
may be called WIN. But looking into the spirit of the philatelic
exhibition, show and the hobby every participant who is awarded or wins an
award is a WINNER for me. GRAND PRIX is also not a direct competition with same and
similar conditions imposed as it also comes only after winning an award through
a point table followed by a selection of the best exhibit by way of a secret
ballot of the full international jury. Hence it is not an actual win. In fact, GRAND PRIX is an award of Honor. It is a big honor much higher
than a win. Hence, for me, a GRAND PRIX award winner is not just a
winner but a super winner but it also means that other award winners are also
winners.
ONLY WINNING NO LOSING:
I understand every win is associated with a loss. If a
person wins, the other loses. In philatelic exhibitions there is no loser. as everyone
gets an award after getting certain points. Hence, there is no winner as such.
NO COMPITITION BUT
EVALUATION
As already stated, there is no practical competition
in the competition class of philately. It is evaluation of the exhibitions and
accordingly recognition .
CONCLUSION:
Based on the above discussion, I would state that
every award may be called a win looking in to spirit of the so-called
competition including GRAND
PRIX which
is also an award but pronounced as win because it is outcome of secret ballot
though there is no direct completion as it is also outcome of award of highest
order . Hence, every participant who is awarded is an award winner or a winner.
However, looking into the definitions given in various
dictionaries, the conditions which prevail in an exhibition, methodology
adopted for evaluation of exhibits; I would suggest, if at all it is considered
essential, then rename the Competition Class as EVALUATION CLASS or AWARD CLASS and GRAN PRIX be an Honor as it is said and not a
win.
Further, to make the awarding system more thrilling and attractive, the highest points achiever in every class may be called a winner (highest award winner in a particular class) and if there are more achievers of the same points in every class, secret ballot process may be operated there like in GRAN PRIX.
-Naresh
Agrawal, Bilaspur (C.G.) email nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in Mob / WhatsApp: 09425530514
Recent Indian Issues
1 February 2026: Uddhavdas Mehta – Rs 5
1 February 2026: Bhartiya Tatarakshak Swarnim Jayanti – Rs 5
New Picture Postcards
Jainism
New Special Cancellations
1.Cyber security 2. Nayagarhpex 2025 3. Hasthamapatti 4. Martyr’s Day
New Special Covers
8 January 2026 : National Work Shop on MISHTI
8
January 2026 : NILACHALPEX 2026 Boat Carried Cover
9
January 2026 : Vadopex 2026 : Pithora Painting A Traditional Tribal Art of
Gujarat
9
January 2026 : St. Xavier High School, Keonjhar
10
January 2026 : Keonjharpex 2026 : Sanaghaghara Nature Camp, Keonjhar
17
January 2026 : Special Carried Cover ADIPEX-2026
: Kumhari (C.G.)
22
January 2026: Rubber Board
23
January 2026: Magh Mela - Basant Panchami : Prayagraj
30
January 2026 : Yasho PEX 2026: Martyr’s Day : New Delhi
2
February 2026 : Black Buck : World Wildlife Day : Kodiakkarai Ramsar Site
In The News
55th Universal Postal Union 2026 International Letter Writing Competition for Young People.
Theme: Write a letter to a friend about why human connection matters in a digital world.
DUBAI
2026, Specialized FIP & FIAP patronage World Stamp Exhibition ,4-8 February
2026
Visit :https://dubai2026wse.com/
Dubai 2026 World Stamp Exhibition at World Trade Centre, Dubai (UAE) 4 to 8 February, 2026.
Mr. Rajesh Kumar Bagri,Hon. Secretary General - Philatelic Congress of India (PCI), www.philateliccongressofindia.com, National Philatelic Federation,Philatelic Ratna Awardee and Member, Philatelic Advisory Committe (PAC), DOP, Govt of India has been invited to attend the meeting of the Executive Council of Federation of Inter Asian Philately (FIAP) as an Observer on 7th February, 2026 at Dubai .
The FIP Patronage Specialised world Stamp Exhibition will be held at Cotai Expo Hall A, The Venetian Macao, Taipa Macau SAR from 26 June 2026 to 1stJuly 2026.
Visit: https://www.macao2026.org.mo/
AMSIPEX 2026
The Airmail Society of India Foundation (AMSI) is conducting its 2nd
Virtual International Aero & Astrophilatelic exhibition during 14 to 21
February 2026.
visit : www.amsipex.com
BOSTON
2026 GWSE is organized by American Philatelic Society (APS) in accordance with
Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP). The exhibition will open on May
23 and close on May 30, 2026.
The
exhibition will be held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC)
in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Approximately 4,000 exhibition frames judged
under FIP rules will be available
National Commissioner: Mr. Pratisad Neurgaonkar, Email: pratisadn@gmail.com , Mobile: +91 9766310553
Bandung 2026 Asian International Stamp Exhibition
From
27-31 August 2026
It will be organized under
the Patronage of the Federation of Inter-Asian Philately (FIAP)
Classes available for
participation are: Traditional, Postal History, Postal Stationery,
Aerophilately, Thematic, Maximaphily, Revenues, Modern Philately (2001 to
date), Picture Postcards, Open Philately, Promotional Competitive, Philatelic
Literature, and Youth Philately.
Detailed rules of
exhibition (IREX) and Exhibit Application Forms are available https://bandung2026fiap.com/#
Participants may contact
the National Commissioner to obtain the application form. The completed
application, along with the first page of the exhibit in PDF format and the
exhibitor’s declaration in the prescribed format, must be submitted to the
Commissioner .
To the National
Commissioner for India,
VIRENDRA SHARMA
185, Bhupalpura Main Road,
Udaipur, Rajasthan -
313001, INDIA
Email virsharma@yahoo.com WhatsApp
+91-9928570097
OR CC. to the Apprentice
National Commissioner for India,
Mukesh Kumar Malhotra
Assistant Commissioner
B-III, 1266 BAJWA NAGAR
LUDHIANA 141008, India
Email: mukeshlibra@yahoo.co.in Phone: 919023084608, 918360758242
PHILATAIPEI 2026
FIP Patronage General World
Dates: 19 - 24 Nov 2026
News from Philatelists and Philatelic Societies
EIPA
The Annual General
Meeting of the Eastern India Philatelic Association (EIPA) was held at The SAAJ
Hotel, Bhubaneswar on 18th January 2026.
EIPA had made great strides in the preceding years and now stands as a premier national level Philatelic Body. Its members have won laurels both in India and abroad and the membership now stands at more than 200 with a pan India spread.
Newly elected office bearers
Durgadutta Routray - President
Anil Dhir- Vice President
CR Das - Vice President
SS Rath - Secretary
K. Chandrasekhar - Joint
Secretary
Kashinath Sahoo - Organising Secretary
Dr. Bibhudutta Mishra - Treasurer
The General Body Council Members :
1. Ajit Dash
2. Biswanath Mishra
3. Anup Rout
4. Kamal Chakravarty
5. Chandrasekhar Baishak
6. Ajit Rout
7. Prasant Das
8. Haripada Panda
Jainism Philatelic Society
ADIPEX-2026
made history in Indian philately with the release of a Special Collection of 27
carried Picture Postcards and one special carried cover. This landmark release
is considered one of the most ambitious and innovative philatelic projects in
the country.
A
Spiritual and Cultural Journey
The
collection offers a carefully curated journey through Jain philosophy and
heritage:
- 24
postcards depicting the 24 Tirthankars of Jainism, featuring both Digambar
and Shwetambar idols and Lanchans (symbols), capturing the diversity and
richness of Jain traditions.
- Three
postcards showcasing prominent Jain Tirthas of Chhattisgarh—Nagpura,
Dongargarh, and Navkar Mahanantra—bringing regional heritage to national
focus.
Together,
these postcards form a complete visual and spiritual narrative, celebrating
pilgrimage, philosophy, and culture.
An
Extraordinary Design Feat
The
collection’s defining feature is the exceptional design work of Shri Ankit
Agarwal (Raipur). He undertook one of the most complex creative assignments in
recent Indian philately, designing:
- 27
unique picture postcards
- 1
special carried cover
- 28
distinctive cancellation designs
This
amounts to 56 original philatelic designs, a remarkable achievement demanding
meticulous planning, artistic discipline, and technical precision.
Innovations
and Firsts
ADIPEX-2026
introduced several never-before-seen features in Indian philately:
- Each
of the 27 postcards carries a different cancellation, making every card
unique and collectible.
- All
24 Tirthankar cards include individual QR codes, linking to detailed
information and devotional music for a multi-sensory learning experience.
- All
28 carried items were released on a single day from a single post office,
establishing an unprecedented national milestone.
These
innovations transformed traditional postcards into interactive, educational,
and devotional tools, blending heritage with modern technology.
-Ankit Agrawal-Raipur (C.G.)
Postcrossing Welfare Society of India
New
Website
Indian Stamp Exhibiting: https://www.stampexhibiting.com/
Letter to The Editor
Dear Editor,
Sub: FIP World exhibitions in 2026 and 2027 - no place for Aero- and Astrophilately.
The Website for Slovopex 2027 FIP at Bratislava, Slovenia is 30 June-4 July 2027 is up https://www.slovphilex2027.sk/. I was reading their IREX and was disappointed to find no Aerophilately and Astrophilately class. This is not good for our hobby. I wonder what the reasons for these exclusions are, and what it will take to get the organisers to reconsider.
You will recall that Dubai 2026 FIP also does not have these classes, nor does Macao 2026. This is not good for our hobby.
The website for Belgrade 2027 is also up, https://www.belgrade2027.org/# and I am waiting for the IREX to be released. The home page does say ‘All FIP competitive classes, approximately 2,500 frames’, so this is encouraging.
If Aero- and Astrophilately
class is ignored in FIP events, then collectors will have less motivation to
improve their collections, research and knowledge and they will move to other
emerging classes like Open Philately, Picture Postcards, FDC etc. This will
lead to slow decay of this wonderful branch of philately, one which engages
with youth very vigorously.
With kind regards,
Piyush Khaitan
LETTER
WRITING & MESSAGE TRADITIONS IN ANCIENT INDIA
From Rukmini’s Patra to Kālidāsa’s Meghadūta , Abhijñānaśākuntalam and the Cultural Echo of Khajuraho
India’s
communication heritage stretches far beyond the formal postal systems we
usually speak of. Its beginnings lie in tender stories, poetic imaginations,
and artistic expressions that show how our ancestors shared thoughts, desires,
and decisions across distances. Three beautiful cultural touchstones —
Rukmini’s letter, Kālidāsa’s Meghadūta, and the timeless imagery of Khajuraho
(celebrated in modern philately) — together illuminate this long and graceful
tradition of sending messages across distance.
RUkMINI'S LETTER TO
KRISHNA: A PURANIC WHISPER OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
One of the
earliest and most touching examples of written correspondence comes from the
Bhāgavata Purāṇa (Book X, Chapters 52–53). Princess Rukmini, facing the sorrow
of an unwanted marriage, pours her heart into a secret patra and sends it to
Krishna through a trusted brāhmaṇa-dūta.
Here, in the gentle rustle of a handwritten letter delivered by a loyal messenger, we glimpse the symbolic beginnings of India’s postal spirit.
Rukmini, the
devoted princess of Vidarbha, had loved Krishna from afar — through stories of
his courage and compassion. But her brother Rukmi, aligned with Jarasandha and
Shishupala, opposed the union and forced her toward another marriage. When the
wedding was fixed, Rukmini turned to the only hope she had: she wrote a
heartfelt message asking Krishna to come and take her away before the ceremony.
To carry this message, she chose a Brahmin — respected everywhere, safe from suspicion, and able to travel swiftly and discreetly. The Bhāgavata Purāṇa simply describes him as a “learned Brahmin messenger.” Later traditions, with the affection of popular storytelling, have tried to give him names such as Sunanda or Bedanidhi, but the scripture remains silent.
Krishna
received her letter and did not hesitate. He rode to Vidarbha, lifted Rukmini
onto his chariot, and carried her away in an act of divine love that echoes
through Indian . Turning a simple letter into one of the most iconic episodes
of ancient Indian communication.
THIS SINGLE EPISODE QUIETLY REVEALS:
The social acceptance of written communication, the trustworthiness expected from early messengers,the deep emotional and political power that messages carried.
For
philatelists, Rukmini’s letter stands like a delicate first dawn — a symbolic
beginning of India’s message-carrying tradition, centuries before formal postal
systems took shape.
Key References:
1. Śrīmad
Bhāgavata Purāṇa X.52–53;
2. J.A.B. van Buitenen (ed.), The Bhagavata Purana.
KĀLIDASĀ'S MEGHADŪTA: WHEN
MESSAGES BECAME POETRY
By the classical age, the idea of message-carrying blossomed into art. Kālidāsa’s Meghadūta (4th–5th century CE) transforms communication into pure poetry. A lonely yaksha, separated from his beloved, requests a passing cloud to carry his message to distant Alaka.
Though not a
physical letter, the poem is essentially a message in motion — a masterpiece of
dūta-kāvya, the messenger-poem tradition.
The yaksha
instructs the cloud with a lover’s tenderness and a traveller’s precision: the
path to follow, the places to pass, the emotional tone to carry, even the
sequence of words to whisper. Kalidasa elevates the messenger into a carrier of
geography, longing, and love.
Here,
India’s communication history takes a graceful step forward —
from the
practical letter of Rukmini to the aesthetic, imaginative messenger crafted by
a poet.
Key
References:
1.
Kālidāsa’s, Meghadūta (ed. M.R. Kale);
2. Sheldon
Pollock, A Rasa Reader.
KĀLIDASĀ'S ABHIJÑĀN…
Krishna
Kidnaps Rukmini
Khajuraho
WRITING MATERIALS FOR LETTERS AND MANUSCRIPTS IN ANCIENT INDIA
AN EXPLORATION ( Writing Materials of Ancient India: Foundations of Early Correspondence )
Among the
world’s ancient civilizations, Indian civilization occupies a distinct and
eminent place. The primary reasons for this uniqueness lie in India’s favourable
geographical location and the abundance of its natural resources. Compared to
the desert-dominated regions of the Middle East, people in India did not have
to struggle excessively to produce food grains. As a result, ordinary people
had leisure time, which they devoted to education and the pursuit of knowledge.
The social
life of ancient India was centered on the Vedas. The Vedas were not merely
religious texts; rather, they were vast repositories of knowledge that guided
society and the educational system. Through tols and ashrams spread across
different parts of the country, this system of learning flourished. Students
from distant regions traveled to these centers to pursue their studies.
A natural
outcome of this educational system was the use of letter writing.
Correspondence became the principal means of communication between students and
their families. Ancient art and literature provide clear evidence of the
exchange of letters among ordinary people. No other civilization in the world
appears to have witnessed such widespread dissemination of education and the
practice of correspondence among the general population.
In Middle
Eastern civilizations, there was a scarcity of writing materials—clay tablets
and stone inscriptions were the primary media of writing. Much later, papyrus
was developed in Egypt and parchment in Pergamon. In contrast, the easy
availability of writing materials in India enabled the early spread of literacy
and the composition of manuscripts.
INDIA AS A GLOBAL CENTRE OF LEARNING
Over
centuries, India emerged as a major hub of learning and intellectual exchange.
Students from many countries traveled to Indian tols, ashrams, and universities
to study philosophy, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and literature. Sages
and scholars composed countless manuscripts and books. While many of these
treasures have been lost to time, an astonishing number survive today in
libraries and museums across the world.
An example
is being given here how many Indian manuscript preserved just in these two
institutions only.
BRITISH
LIBRARY
The British Library preserves an
outstanding collection of South Asian manuscripts, including nearly 3,500
Sanskrit and Gandhāri manuscript fragments dating from the 1st to the 11th
centuries AD. In addition, it houses about 10,800 Sanskrit and Pali manuscripts
belonging to both the pre-modern and modern periods.
THE
ASIATIC SOCIETY (KOLKATA)
The Asiatic Society, Kolkata,
safeguards an invaluable treasure of around 47,000 manuscripts, written in 26
different scripts, reflecting the extraordinary linguistic and intellectual
diversity of India.
THE
ASIATIC SOCIETY OF MUMBAI
The Asiatic Society of Mumbai
holds over 3,000 Sanskrit manuscripts, representing important religious,
philosophical, scientific, and literary traditions.
THE
ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND
The Royal Asiatic Society
possesses extensive collections of Indian manuscripts, including around 650
Vedic manuscripts. Taken together, these institutions preserve tens of
thousands of manuscripts of Indian origin.
This brief
overview offers only a small glimpse of India’s vast manuscript heritage—a
legacy created and preserved through the tireless efforts of pandits and
scholars over centuries.
Beyond the
scholarly world, letter writing was widely practiced among ordinary people.
This is evident from the composition of the world’s earliest known manual on
letter writing, Patrakumodī. Remarkably, some of its instructions continue to
be followed even today in Hindu society. For instance, letters of marriage
invitations or other auspicious occasions are traditionally written using
vermilion (red) ink, while condolence or sad messages are written in black ink.
Another custom prescribed in the text—slightly burning a corner of the letter
or envelope to signify mourning—also survives in practice.
( NOTE: The
Patra Kaumudi is a notable work in Sanskrit literature authored by Vararuchi,
and it is a book on the art of letter writing (epistolography).
Together,
these manuscripts and living traditions testify to India’s deeply rooted and
continuous culture of written communication. aaÀaa
A very
relevant question may naturally arise: long before the invention of paper, what
materials did Indians use for writing in those times?
A brief
introduction to those materials is given here.
1. PALM LEAVES (TAALPATAR)
Palm leaf
was one of the oldest and most widely used writing surfaces in eastern,
southern, and central India. The leaves were dried, trimmed, and polished, then
inscribed with a stylus. The incised letters were sometimes filled with
lamp-black or plant-based ink. Palm-leaf letters were durable and could be
carried long distances by messengers.
A special
continuity of this tradition remains alive in Odisha. Even today, palm leaves
are widely used there for Pattachitra painting, Talapatra Chitra, and for
preserving ritual texts. Artists engrave palm leaves with a stylus and rub soot
into the etched lines—exactly the same method used in ancient India for writing
letters. This living practice shows the remarkable survival of an ancient
communication medium.
2. BIRCH BARK (BHOJPATRA)
In Kashmir,
the Himalayan regions, and parts of North India, birch bark served as a smooth
and flexible writing material. Light and portable, it suited both
administrative notes and personal communication. Many early manuscripts,
orders, and letters have survived on bhojpatra.
3. CLOTH or COTTON FABRIC
Common people often wrote short messages on pieces of cloth, especially in rural areas where paper was unavailable. Ink was usually prepared from soot, gum, or plant extracts. Cloth letters were inexpensive and easy to carry.
4. POTTERY SHARDS (OSTRACA)
Broken
earthen-pot pieces were frequently reused as writing surfaces. Archaeological
findings show widespread use of pottery shards for messages, receipts, and
short instructions. For ordinary villagers, this was the cheapest and most
accessible writing material.
5. WOODEN SLIPS AND BARK STRIPS
Wooden
tablets or strips of tree bark were used for quick communication. These could
be easily cut, smoothed, and written on with ink. Traders, local officials, and
village record-keepers often preferred this medium for practical use.
6. METAL PLATES
Rulers and
high officials issued important charters or orders on copper plates. Although
not used by common people, these plates formed part of the official
communication and administrative system.
Manuscripts
written on copper plates, known as copperplate inscriptions, are durable
historical records, primarily from ancient and medieval India, used for
official documents.
7. TOLAT
It is
another name for Lokta paper, which is a traditional, wildcrafted, handmade
artisan humidity, insects, and mildew.
Historically, these qualities made it the
preferred choice for official government documents and sacred religious texts
in Nepal, with some surviving documents estimated to be over a thousand years
old.
paper indigenous to Nepal. It is made from the fibrous inner bark of two species of the Daphne shrub (Daphne bholua and Daphne papyracea), which grow in the high-altitude southern slopes of the Himalayan forests.Tulot is renowned for its exceptional durability and resistance to tearing.
NEPALSE STAMPS PRINTED ON THIS PAPER
Examples
PASHUPATI
(Śiva / Pashupati) stamps — reprinted in 1886 on locally made Nepalese handmade
paper, known as TOLAT paper.
GORKHA /
“Śiva’s Bow & Two Khukris” stamps (commonly listed as Gorkha) — issued in
1899 on native Nepalese handmade TOLAT paper, often described in catalogues
simply as a “native paper” or handmade-paper issue.
8. HANDMADE PAPER
(from 11th–12th century onwards)
Paper was
introduced into India through Arab influence, and early Indian paper was
entirely handmade. Small paper-making centres (kagaz-khana) developed in
regions such as Jaipur, Sanganer, Kashmir, and Murshidabad. Handmade paper,
though high-quality, was labour-intensive and relatively expensive, so its use
was limited mainly to administrators, scholars, and merchants.
9. ARRIVAL OF
MILL-MADE PAPER IN INDIA
A major
transition occurred with the arrival of Europeans, particularly the British,
who began importing machine-made (mill-made) paper into India from the late
18th century. This new paper was cheaper, smoother, and easier to produce in
bulk. Its affordability and availability rapidly replaced handmade paper in
government offices, commerce, education, and everyday correspondence. The
spread of mill-made paper played a crucial role in the expansion of postal
communication, especially during the introduction of uniform postage rates and
adhesive stamps in the 1850s.
CONCLUSIONS
The
diversity of writing materials used for letters—palm leaf, birch bark, cloth,
pottery shards, wooden slips, handmade paper, and later mill-made paper—shows
that written communication in ancient and early medieval India was widespread
and adaptable. Messengers (dūtas, harkaras) carried these written messages
across regions, forming the deep historical foundations of India’s postal
system.
-Dipok Dey: email: dipokdey38@gmail.com
Specialized Section
Dr Avinash Jagtap contributed many articles to Rainbow Stamp News. His articles were highly appreciated by the philatelists across the globe. I am re-publishing a series of his articles on Some Remarkable Cancellations and Postmarks. - Editor
Some
Remarkable Cancellations and Postmarks - 34
Type 27 and is a duplex cancellation used at Agra, which was the headquarters of United Provinces Circle in 1864. The left duplex shows an incomplete circle interrupted by “AGRA” and the date in the centre. The right duplex is an oval (19x14 mm) formed by bars parallel to the short axis, with a small circle inset containing the number “1”. This cancellation was in use between 1861 and 1865.
1864
Cover from Agra to Brighton (England), franked by 4 As (SG46) +2As (SG44) +8 Pies
(SG52) and obliterated by Agra Local Cancellation, “AGRA /MA 23/ 64 = 1”
endorsed, via Bombay and Marseilles, “INDIA / PAID” in rectangle. B/S “EX/
BOMBAY / MR 2/64” & Arrival mark of Brighton, Postage Paid: 6 As and 8 Pies
for letters less than ½ Ounce, via Marseilles to GB as per 1 June 1863.
The Lal Kurti Bazaars of British India
Many
towns in British India had the name “Lal Kurti Bazaars” . In 21st
Century India, Kurti generally refers to long tunic worn by women. But in
British India it had a totally different meaning. British Soldiers often wore
Long Red Coats as a part of their uniform when serving in the British forces.
Many towns and cities had regimental markets (markets that served the needs of
the regiment based there). These markets often sold red coats/red uniforms and
hence they landed up with the amusing name of ‘Lal Kurti Bazaar”. Many picture
postcards of that era show the terminology ‘Lal Kurti Bazaar’ / Regimental
Market/Cavalry Bazaar.
Red Coat of the British Indian Army. This card shows various uniforms of the 19th Punjab Regiment of the British India Army. Publisher: A&C Black.
Lal Kurti Bazaar, Rawalpindi. Publisher: H.A. Mirza and Sons.
Street in Lal Kurti Regimental Market, Mhow. Publisher: Guerra & Sons.
Mistakes
by Picture Postcard Publishers in Colonial India
This card is fine example of how even card publishers
made mistakes as places in British India and French India looked similar. It
shows a market outside a Temple. It is titled Pondicherry which was the Capital
of French India. But it is actually a temple market outside Sri Ranganatha
Swamy Temple, Srirangam near Tiruchinapalli which was a part of Madras
Presidency, British India. Collotype. Undivided Back. Unknown Publisher. Card
No 350.
Flower Seller. This Coloured Halftone Card published by Raphael Tuck & Sons was a part of their Oilette Wide Wide World Series ‘Life in India’ Card No 7500. This is a classic example of how card publishers used to sometimes give wrong information due to their confused understanding of Afro-Asian culture. Behind the card, the publisher writes, “The Dutt Tribe among the Moors are great vendors of Flowers” . This is confusing as the Dutt Tribe indeed sold flowers in East India and the other cards in this Tucks series very much showed India. But this painting by an unknown painter shows North African Moors and not Indians.’
Priests performing ritualistic last rites of the dead on the banks of Ganga in Benaras. Coloured Halftone on Textured card stock. Publisher: I.Lapima Imp Edit, Paris. Printed in France . Artist: A.Druet. Card no 106. The reverse description wrongly describes the priest as a Fakir. This is incorrect as a Fakir is one of begs for Alms. A priest performing last rites can never be termed as a Fakir in India.
-Sushil Mehra : email: gajreshmehra@gmail.com
Beginners’ Section
Female Mail carriers
US #Q2 – Early 20th-century city carriers sometimes used
roller skates or bicycles to speed through busy routes.
In the midst of World War I, a major
change quietly began in the United States Postal Service: for the first time,
women were seriously tested as city letter carriers. On November 23, 1917,
First Assistant Postmaster General John C. Koons issued a call to the
postmasters of eight of the largest US post offices to run 15-day trials of
women serving as letter carriers in the city. This experiment was described as
a potential wartime necessity, because many men were off fighting, and extra
postal workers were already needed to handle the heavy Christmas mail in
December.
US #Q4 – Stagecoach Mary delivered mail through snow and mountains in her 60s with a rifle by her side.
Women had carried mail in the United States long before 1917; in fact, the first known appointment of a woman mail messenger occurred in 1845, when Sarah Black was named to carry mail between a post office and railroad depot in Maryland. In the late 1800s, women also worked contract “star” mail routes — for example, Mrs. Polly Martin drove a mail wagon in Massachusetts from about 1860 to 1876. There were even daring women like “Stagecoach Mary” Fields, who drove rugged routes in Montana over rough terrain. But these were mostly rural or contract routes; city mail delivery remained a male domain.
US #2420 – A letter carrier in New York once walked over 15 miles in a single day during the holiday rush.
That changed in November 1917. Just days before
Koons’s call, on November 6, two women — Mrs. Permelia S. Campbell and Mrs.
Nellie M. McGrath — began delivering mail as temporary substitute letter
carriers in Washington, DC. Campbell was a widow whose husband had been a
carrier; McGrath’s husband was serving in the military. Their service was
described as “highly satisfactory,” but after roughly two weeks, they were
removed from the routes and offered indoor postal jobs instead.
Then came November 23, when Koons formally asked
for tests in other big cities. The trials were timed for December, since the
postal service typically hired many extra carriers for the Christmas rush.
According to USPS records, dozens of women participated in these tests in
Chicago, New York, and St. Louis that December. In New York, experimental women
carriers included Eleanora Regan, Josephine Norton, and Viva R. Hawley.
US #1205 – Early female carriers often worked while wearing long skirts — no easy task on snowy routes!
So how did these experimental runs work out? Pretty well,
in fact. The initial Washington experiment had already earned high marks. More
broadly, the December city trials showed that women could handle the work. But
these early women carriers were temporary substitutes; they did not yet hold
permanent civil service status.
It wasn’t until August 1918 that 25
women took the Civil Service carrier exam in Washington, DC, under the
understanding that they would get permanent jobs only if there were no
available men. Then on September 5, 1918, Miss Irma G. Craig — who scored highest
on that exam — became the first regularly appointed female city letter carrier
in Washington.
During 1918, women also began delivering
mail in other cities, like Detroit and Portland, Oregon. Despite the success,
most of the women who had been hired during the war gave up their routes when
male veterans returned. This was a common story: the opportunity opened because
of the war, but it closed again afterward. Still, not all of them left. For
example, in Anaconda, Montana, Miss Anna McDonald continued delivering mail
until about 1938 — about 20 years.
Later, during World War II, women again filled
city carrier roles in places like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles as men
went off to war. But when that war ended, many women once more left or were
forced out, returning the postal workforce to mostly men.
It would take more time for women to gain a stable foothold. In fact, by the late 1950s, only a handful of women remained city carriers: in 1955, there were just 95 women city carriers and 332 rural carriers — less than 1 percent of the force. A turning point came in the 1960s: after President John F. Kennedy ordered in 1962 that federal appointments be made “without regard to sex,” the number of women city carriers grew rapidly, from just over a hundred to thousands in less than a decade.
Today, the National Association of Letter
Carriers estimates that about 35% of their letter carrier workforce is female.
Stories Behind Stamps
Finland - 20 Kopek Black Stamp, 1850
Price : USD 81,159
-Nisarg Sutaria email : nisargsutaria78@gmail.com
Thematics
The Buddha and Philatelic Stamps: A Sacred
Journey Through Time
Buddhism, one of the
world’s oldest and most profound spiritual traditions, has inspired countless
generations and civilizations for a long time. It was founded in the 5th to 4th
century BCE by Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha, which
means the attainment of enlightenment, the cessation of suffering, and the path
toward inner peace. Over the centuries, the Buddha has become a universal
symbol of peace, wisdom, and compassion.
Buddhism, one of the world’s oldest and most profound spiritual traditions, has inspired countless generations and civilizations for a long time. It was founded in the 5th to 4th century BCE by Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha, which means the attainment of enlightenment, the cessation of suffering, and the path toward inner peace. Over the centuries, the Buddha has become a universal symbol of peace, wisdom, and compassion.
The Buddha: Life, Teachings, and Influence
He was born into a royal family in Lumbini, near
Kapilavastu, in the Shakya Republic of the Kosala Kingdom (now in Nepal),
around 563 BCE. Raised in royal luxury, Siddhartha was shielded from the harsh
realities of life. His father, King Śuddhodana, wished him to succeed as a
ruler and ensured that he experienced only pleasure and comfort. While living a
privileged life within the confines of his palace, he was deeply troubled by
the human condition.
After encountering old age, sickness, and death
outside the palace walls, he became determined to find a solution to human
suffering. At the age of twenty-nine, Siddhartha renounced his royal life,
leaving behind his wife Yasodhara and his son Rahula. This moment, known as the
Great Renunciation, marks the beginning of his spiritual quest. Leaving behind
his life of luxury, Siddhartha embarked on a quest for truth and enlightenment.
For several years, he practiced extreme asceticism under renowned teachers,
believing that self-mortification would lead to liberation. However, realizing
that neither luxury nor severe austerity brought true understanding, he adopted
the Middle Path, a balanced way of living that avoids extremes. After years of
ascetic practices and meditation, he finally attained Nirvana (the state of
perfect wisdom and freedom from suffering) under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya,
India. From that moment, he became known as the Buddha (the Enlightened One).
For the next forty-five years, the Buddha travelled
across northern India, teaching people from all walks of life—kings and
merchants, monks and householders, women and outcastes. His passing at the age
of eighty in Kushinagar, known as Mahaparinirvana, marked the end of his
physical life but the beginning of an enduring spiritual legacy.
At the heart of the Buddha’s teachings lies a deep and
practical understanding of human suffering and its cessation. His first sermon
at Sarnath, known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (Setting the Wheel
of Dharma in Motion), introduced the foundational principles of Buddhism.
The Four Noble Truths
- Dukkha – Life
involves suffering, dissatisfaction, and impermanence.
- Samudaya – The
origin of suffering lies in craving, attachment, and ignorance.
- Nirodha –
Suffering can be ended by overcoming desire and ignorance.
- Magga – The path
leading to the cessation of suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path.
The Noble Eightfold Path
The Eightfold Path offers a
comprehensive framework for ethical living, mental discipline, and wisdom:
- Right View
- Right Intention
- Right Speech
- Right Action
- Right Livelihood
- Right Effort
- Right Mindfulness
- Right
Concentration
These principles emphasize
compassion, mindfulness, ethical conduct, and wisdom, forming a path accessible
to both monastics and lay followers.
The Buddha also taught:
- Impermanence
(Anicca) – All conditioned things are transient
- Non-self (Anatta)
– There is no permanent, unchanging self
- Dependent
Origination – All phenomena arise due to causes and conditions
These teachings spread throughout India and beyond, reaching much of Asia and the world, and formed the foundation for the various schools of Buddhism worldwide.
Spread and Evolution of Buddhism
After the Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana, his teachings were
preserved orally and later written down in scriptures such as the Tripitaka.
Buddhism spread rapidly across India and beyond, especially during the reign of
Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. Ashoka’s patronage led to the
construction of stupas, pillars, and monasteries, and he sent Buddhist
missionaries to Sri Lanka, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Over
time, Buddhism evolved into various traditions:
- Theravāda
Buddhism (Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia)
- Mahayana
Buddhism (China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam)
- Vajrayana
Buddhism (Tibet, Mongolia, Himalayan regions)
Each
tradition preserved the Buddha’s core teachings while adapting them to local
cultures and artistic expressions—an aspect beautifully reflected in Buddhist
philately worldwide.
The Buddha's Legacy on Philatelic Stamps
The influence of the Buddha extends far beyond
religion. His teachings have shaped ethics, philosophy, psychology, art,
architecture, and governance. Concepts such as mindfulness, compassion, and
non-violence have found relevance in modern education, medicine, and mental
health practices.
Artists across centuries have depicted the Buddha in countless forms. One of the fascinating ways in which the Buddha's legacy has been preserved and shared with the world is through philately (the collection and study of postage stamps). Since the mid-20th century, various countries have issued commemorative stamps featuring the Buddha to honour his teachings, mark important Buddhist anniversaries, or celebrate the spread of Buddhism globally.
These stamps are unique because they combine art, history, and culture into a small, tangible object. Here’s a closer look at some notable Buddhist-themed stamps issued by India.
Commemorative
Postage Stamps issued on 24th May 1956 on the occasion of 2500th Buddha Jayanti
featuring Bodhi Tree and The Ashoka Chakra representing Dharmachakra – a key
symbol in Buddhism.
Collecting Buddhist Stamps: A Spiritual Journey
For philatelists, collecting Buddhist-themed stamps is
more than just a hobby—it is a way to engage with the rich history, philosophy,
and art of Buddhism. Each stamp offers a glimpse into the culture and spiritual
life of the issuing country, connecting collectors to centuries of Buddhist
history. Moreover, these stamps serve as reminders of the timeless wisdom of
the Buddha, whose teachings continue to inspire millions around the world.
Whether a seasoned philatelist or someone new to the world of stamp collecting, exploring the world of Buddhist-themed stamps provides a unique way to connect with the spiritual and artistic traditions of Buddhism. It is a journey that combines history, philosophy, and artistry, offering a deeper understanding of one of the most influential figures in human history.
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_symbolism | https://rk-world.org/basic-buddhism/8path/ | https://postagestamps.gov.in/
Scholarly
Disclaimer: The historical dates and geographical references in this article follow
traditional Buddhist and widely accepted secondary sources; minor variations
may exist across different academic interpretations.
New Issues from other countries
Austria
9 January 2026: Ledl AS 160
Ledl AS 160
A sleek sports car
from the 1980s, the Ledl AS takes its name from the designation “AS”, which
stands for “Austrian sportscar”. In 1973, Günter Ledl founded a company in
Lower Austria that initially produced buggies, replica vehicles and crash
helmets. From the prototype of a two-seater sports car known as the Tanga, the
production model Ledl AS eventually emerged after numerous revisions and was
presented in 1981. The Ledl AS 130 produced 69 hp, while the more powerful AS
160 delivered 96 or 105 hp. Ledl developed the chassis himself, although many
components were sourced from vehicles made by other manufacturers. Due to the
complex domestic regulations governing vehicle type approval, the majority of
the cars were exported. With the introduction of mandatory catalytic
converters, Ledl ceased car production in 1987; today, the company manufactures
accessories and tuning components made from fibreglass and carbon fibre.
Estonia
23 January 2026 : XXV Olympic Winter
Games
XXV Olympic Winter
Games
The Milano–Cortina
2026 Winter Olympic Games will take place in Italy from February 6 to 22.
Finland
14 January
2026 : Floral Greetings
Oona Himanen has designed floral stamps that are suitable for various
congratulations and greetings. The stamps feature a glowing red rose with a
pink perennial mallow flower.
I was given the assignment to design two floral stamps for
congratulations. From the beginning, roses felt like a suitable option for one
of the stamps – red roses are classic and always a good choice for different
congratulations and celebrations," says Himanen.
Himanen paired the roses with mallow flowers, which evoke nostalgic
feelings as a perennial in old yards. "In recent years, people have
included mallow flowers in their yards again. I think roses and mallow flowers
go well together and could be a fresh new combination in flower bouquets as
well."
14 January 2026: Friendship
Friendship
The Valentine’s Day
stamps feature colorful illustrations of friendship and spending time together
in different situations, designed by Pietari Posti.
"The stamps are
cheerful and warm images of friendship, spending time together and shared
moments. The themes of the stamps center around the different dimensions of
friendship – from travel and adventures to small everyday moments," says
Pietari Posti.
The stamps represent a
modern, clear-lined and colorful illustration style. The illustrations also
have a touch of vintage style from old travel posters. “I wanted the themes and
illustrations of the stamps to be timeless, because the no-value indicator stamps
can be used for a long time,” says Posti.
Great
Britain
13 January 2026: Stranger Things
Stranger Things
In January 2026, Royal
Mail are issuing a set of ten Mint stamps and a Miniature Sheet of four stamps
to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the critically acclaimed science-fiction
horror series, ‘Stranger Things’.
Set in the 1980s, the
series centres around the residents of the fictional small town of Hawkins,
Indiana, who are plagued by a hostile alternate dimension known as the Upside
Down.
Since the series was
first released on Netflix on 15 July 2016, it has attracted a record viewership
and a global fanbase, winning numerous awards across the entertainment
industry. Praised for its characterisation, atmosphere, writing, soundtrack,
and acting - with an ensemble cast including British actors in leading roles,
the fifth and final series will air in November 2025 (this will launch prior to
our stamp launch so should be referred to in past tense).
Royal Mail has worked
with the British artist, Kyle Lambert, who has created bespoke illustrations
for the stamp issue.
Nearly ten years ago,
Netflix’s Stranger Things first entered our dimension. Set in the small, sleepy
town of Hawkins, Indiana, in the mid-1980s, the show offered a savvy,
self-aware tribute to the science fiction, synth-pop and scary stories of that
iconic decade. A massive overnight smash when it launched, and now in its fifth
and final season, the show made megastars out of its young cast and gathered a
huge global fanbase along the way. Welcome to the Upside Down...
Season 1
The story begins in
1983, when a young boy called Will Byers vanishes into thin air. As his family,
the local police and close friends Mike Wheeler, Dustin Henderson and Lucas
Sinclair search for answers, they are drawn into an extraordinary mystery involving
top-secret government experiments, terrifying supernatural forces and one very
strange girl known only as Eleven.
Season 2
It’s 1984 and the
citizens of Hawkins are still reeling from the horrors of the monstrous
Demogorgon and the secrets of Hawkins National Laboratory. Will Byers has been
rescued from the shadowy realm known as the Upside Down, but a bigger, more
sinister entity a spider-like creature called the Mind Flayer still threatens
those who survived.
Iraq
25 January 2026:
The 1500th Birth Anniversary of Prophet Muhammad
28 January 2026:
Court of Cassation
Isle of Man
7 January 2026: Wild Guide Isle of Man
Wild Guide Isle of Man
The collection takes
inspiration from both Manx wildlife and the Island’s captivating landscapes.
From the fossil-rich beaches east of Castletown to the regenerating temperate
rainforest of Auldyn Glen, and the playful paddlers of Santon Gorge, each design
showcases the rich tapestry of life on the Isle of Man. Special recognition is
given to Beach Buddies, celebrating the organisation’s 20th anniversary
protecting more than 100 miles of coastline.
20 January 2026: Year of the Horse
Kyrgyzstan
KEP
29 December 2025 : Kyrgyz Musical Instruments
Kyrgyz Musical Instruments
On December 29, 2025
the Ministry of Digital Development and Innovative Technologies of the Kyrgyz
Republic puts into circulation a series of Kyrgyz Express Post postage stamps:
"Kyrgyz Musical Instruments".
Music has always held
a special place in the culture of Kyrgyzstan. It accompanied the Kyrgyz people
through all stages of life – from military campaigns and welcoming guests to
festive celebrations and memorial rituals. Musical instruments carried the memory
of generations, helping to preserve history, legends and the national epic
"Manas". Today, traditional melodies are heard not only in folklore
ensembles but also on modern stages, and some instruments are gaining new
popularity in ethno-jazz and experimental music.
Kyrgyz musical culture
has ancient roots and is richly represented by folk instruments, each of which
reflects the character and soul of the nation. The new issue of KEP stamps
features two characteristic Kyrgyz musical instruments – the temir komuz and the
komuz. The coupons of the miniature sheets depict folk performers, the First
Day Cover presents another Kyrgyz musical instrument – the Kyl kyiak.
The Temir komuz is one
of the most ancient Kyrgyz plucked lamellophones, a type of jaw harp. It is
made of metal and produces unique, vibrating sounds created by the oscillation
of the tongue within the performer’s mouth. Small in size, the temir komuz traditionally
accompanied epic tales, folk songs, and improvisations, conveying mood and
rhythm through breath and movement. Today, it is also used in contemporary
music projects, connecting ancient traditions with new forms of art.
The Komuz is a symbol
of Kyrgyz musical tradition and spiritual heritage. This three-stringed plucked
instrument is carved from a single piece of wood, most often apricot or walnut.
The komuz produces a melodic and expressive sound, used to perform folk melodies,
dances and to accompany the "Manas" epic. Modern musicians continue
to experiment with the komuz, incorporating it into compositions of various
genres – from classical music to ethno-rock – while preserving its cultural
essence.
All three instruments
are an integral part of Kyrgyzstan’s cultural identity. They embody the harmony
of nature, the rhythm of life and the creative inspiration of the people,
bridging the past and the present through the language of music.
29 December 2025: Uzun-Akhmat
Grape
-
Kyrgyz Republic Red Data Book - Dark Clusters of Uzun-Akhmat Grape
Uzun-Akhmat Grape -
Kyrgyz Republic Red Data Book
On December 29, 2025 the Ministry of Digital
Development and Innovative Technologies of the Kyrgyz Republic puts into
circulation a series of Kyrgyz Express Post postage stamps: "Uzun-Akhmat
Grape. Kyrgyz Republic Red Data Book".
Uzun-Akhmat Grape (Vitis usunachmatica) is a
rare, endemic species of the flora of the Western Tian Shan. Its name
originates from the Uzun-Akhmat River in the Jalal-Abad region of Kyrgyzstan.
It was included in the Kyrgyz Republic Red Data Book in 1981.
This plant is a perennial liana, reaching a length of up to 25–30 meters. Its leaves are large with clearly defined veins, and the clusters produce small but juicy berries of a dark purple color. In autumn, the Uzun-Akhmat grapes paint the gorges of mountain rivers in bright colors, creating unique natural landscapes.
Unfortunately, the range of this species has
significantly decreased due to human activity and the clearing of natural
thickets. The Uzun-Akhmat grape requires protection and careful scientific
study.
By issuing this postage stamp, Kyrgyz Express
Post continues its series dedicated to rare and endangered plants and animals
of the country, and calls for a careful attitude toward the unique natural
wealth of Kyrgyzstan.
Latvia
2 February 2026 : Rose
Netherlands
5 January 2026: Experience
Nature - Birds Saba
Experience Nature -
Birds Saba
On 5 January 2026,
PostNL issued Experience nature – birds
of Saba, a sheet of 10 stamps in 10 different designs. Each stamp bears
denomination 1 for items up to 20 grams with a destination within the
Netherlands. The price for a sheet of 10 stamps is €14.00. This stamp sheet
featuring the birds of Saba is part of the multi-year Experience nature series
dedicated to the Caribbean Netherlands from 2024 to 2026. Each year, four stamp
sheets are released, each with 10 different stamps depicting plants and animals
found in this part of the Kingdom. These islands boast an extraordinary
biodiversity by Dutch standards, with thousands of plant and animal species. In
2026, the focus will successively be on birds, butterflies, underwater life and
flora of the windward island of Saba. The first issue is the stamp sheet
Experience nature – birds of Saba, showcasing the following birds: red-billed
tropicbird, bananaquit, smooth-billed ani, black-necked stilt, brown pelican,
blue grosbeak, belted kingfisher, osprey, black-and-white warbler and Antillean
crested hummingbird.
SABA
The island of Saba,
like Bonaire and Sint Eustatius, has a special status within the Netherlands.
Collectively, these three islands are known as the Caribbean Netherlands.
Together with Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, they form the Caribbean part of
the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Saba belongs to the windward islands, a term
referring to their position relative to the prevailing north-easterly trade
winds. Saba lies 30 kilometres northwest of Sint Eustatius and 45 kilometres
southwest of Sint Maarten. Roughly circular, the island measures about 4.5
kilometres across and covers an area of 13 square kilometres. Geologically,
Saba is a dormant volcano with four lava domes. Its slopes descend steeply to
the sea, and its coastline is rocky. At 870 metres, Mount Scenery is the
highest point in the Netherlands. The climate is humid tropical, and the island
is covered with secondary rainforest.
North of Saba lies
Green Island, a small uninhabited rocky islet that also belongs to the island
territory. To the south lies the Saba Bank, an underwater coral island. The
Saba Bank is part of the Saba National Marine Park, a marine reserve of 1,300
hectares surrounding the entire coastline. Saba also has a national land park
of about 43 hectares. The island’s steep rocky coast, partly within this park,
is an important nesting area for the red-billed tropicbird, one of the 107 bird
species recorded on the island according to a 2019 study by the Dutch Caribbean
Nature Alliance (DCNA). Of these, 31 species were officially documented for the
first time in that report.
DESIGN
The stamp sheet
Experience nature – birds of Saba was designed by graphic designer Frank Janse
from Gouda. Each bird is portrayed in its natural habitat on its own stamp. The
featured birds are: red-billed tropicbird, bananaquit, smooth-billed ani, black-necked
stilt, brown pelican, blue grosbeak, belted kingfisher, osprey, black-and-white
warbler and Antillean crested hummingbird. All bird photographs are integrated
into a graphic layer of circular shapes, also visible on the sheet margin. Some
images extend onto adjacent stamps and the sheet edge. The designer added
graphic elements inspired by symbols from old topographic maps, representing
landscape features, contour lines, vegetation, soil structures and waterways.
The design also includes an extra transparent layer with monochrome images (in
white and colour) of characteristic flora and fauna from the region. These
semi-abstract images cross the perforations, linking the stamps to each other
and to the sheet margin. Depicted are: smooth-billed ani (top centre), trumpet
tree leaves (top left), osprey (centre), chick of a black-necked stilt (bottom
left), black willow inflorescence (bottom centre) and black-and-white warbler
(bottom right).
Romania
21January
2026 : Carnivorous Plants
Carnivorous Plants
An interesting issue, with the topic Flora, will
be introduced into circulation by Romfilatelia and the Romanian Post on
Wednesday, January 21st, this year, under the title CARNIVOROUS PLANTS,
consisting of three postage stamps and a First Day Cover.
These plants arouse the admiration of all
observers. The carefully designed mechanisms for capturing prey and its
subsequent ‘digestion’ are a fascinating spectacle. Not only the digestive
process itself is of interest in carnivorous plants, but also their splendid
flowers.
The concept of the issue is approached from two perspectives: the plant itself, depicted realistically, and, as a background, a stylized landscape ensemble, spectacular and rich in sinuous forms.
Nepenthes (face value
of Lei 5.50) is the only genus of the family Nepenthaceae and comprises
approximately 150 insectivorous species, with a native distribution in
Southeast Asia, Australia, and Madagascar. The leaves have evolved specialized
traps for capturing insects, the traps consisting of an approximately
cylindrical pitcher and an operculum (lid). Insects are attracted by the bright
colours of the pitchers, as well as by the nectar present along their rims and
on the operculum.
Some are adapted to
obtain nutrients from the excrement of certain mammals (such as rodents and
bats), which are attracted by the nectar produced on the operculum.
Sarracenia (face value
of Lei 6) is one of the genera of the family Sarraceniaceae, comprising 34
herbaceous species distributed in the marshes of temperate and tropical regions
of the northeastern South America, western and eastern North America. The basal
leaves are transformed into tubular pitchers filled with digestive fluid, with
hairs directed toward the base to prevent insects that enter the pitcher from
escaping.
Also called the
pitcher plant is a remarkable ornamental appeal due to its vividly coloured,
pitcher-shaped traps.
Drosera or ‘sundews’
(face value of Lei 14) belongs to the family Droseraceae which comprises three
genera and 130 species. Plants are, with few exceptions, small in size and have
leaves arranged in a basal rosette, adapted for insectivorous nutrition. These
leaves are covered with glandular hairs that are sticky and sensitive to
movement. The more a prey struggles to escape, the more glandular hairs are
stimulated to become active. In this way, insects searching for food become
easy victims.
Drosera has species
distributed worldwide, but the greatest diversity is found in Australia. In
Romania, the best known is Drosera rotundifolia (sundews). Drosera grows in
peat bogs and oligotrophic marshes, habitats that are extremely sensitive to
human impact and climate change, and are therefore largely designated as
protected areas.
The First Day Cover of
the issue features the carnivorous plant Dionaea muscipula.Dionaea muscipula is
also popularly known as Venus flytrap or Steel trap and is the most famous for
the speed with which it closes its trap. The plant grows naturally in the
marshy areas along the northeastern coast of North America (North Carolina and
South Carolina).
Philatelic Clubs and Societies
Air Mail Society India Foundation - https://www.airmailsocietyindia.org/
Karnataka
Philatelic Society - https://www.karphil.in/index.html
Prayag Philatelic Society
- http://www.prayagphilatelicsociety.org
Ananthapuri Philatelic Association, Thiruvanthapuram
Baroda Philatelic Society - http://www.vadophil.org/
Chandigarh Philatelic Club
Deccan Philatelic Society – Pune, Maharashtra
Eastern India Philatelists’ Association - https://eipa.in/home
The Hyderabad Philatelic and Hobbies Society
India Study Circle -
http://www.indiastudycircle.org/
Indian Thematic Society, Ludhiana
Ludhiana Philatelic Club
Numismatic
& Philatelic Association of Vellore Fort
\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
Rainbow Stamp Club -http://rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/
Rajkot Philatelic Society – Rajkot, Gujarat
Gujarat Philatelic Association - Ahmedabad
South India Philatelists Association - http://www.sipa.net.in/
The Army Philatelic Society, Pune
Stamps of India – http://www.stampsofindia.com
Durgapur
Philatelic & Numismatic Society – https://www.facebook.com/share/1B3TasUbyR/
Philatelic Society of Bhopal
Madurai
Philatelist & Numismatist Association (MAPNA)
- https://madurai-mapna.blogspot.com/
Blogs & Websites
Jusqu’a
Markings and other Route Indicators
RAINBOW STAMP CLUB
This is a blog of e-Stamp Club www.rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com The idea of
this blog is to extend the philatelic fraternity to all corners of the world.
Readers may write about themselves with their collecting interests and share
new ideas with other philatelists. New
Posts on recent issues, news on stamp activities, and Contributions 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 in 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/
-Ananthapuri Stamp Bulletin - Monthly e -stamp bulletin of Anathapuri
Philatelic Association, Thiruvananthapuram. Editor – Mohanachandran Nair
-Journal of the Army Philatelic Society
-India Post – Quarterly Journal of the India Study Circle publishes original
articles submitted by members of ISC.
-Deccan Philatelist edited by Dr Anjali Dutta email : dranjalidutta0303@gmail.com from Deccan Philatelic
Society, Pune.
-The Hyderabad Philatelist from Hyderabad Philatelic and Hobbies Society Editor
– Shri Prakash Agrawal
-SIPA Bulletin issued by South India Philatelists’ Association
-The Fila Capsule issued by
Eastern India Philatelists' Association, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Editor - Dr
Bibhudutta Mishra
- Philatelic Society of Delhi Newsletter edited by Tarun Jain
Gibbons Stamp Monthly edited by Dean Shepherd –
Stanley Gibbons
Acknowledgment
-
Philatelic Society of Delhi Newsletter Jul-Sep 2025 issue edited by Tarun Jain
: email : philatelicsocietyofDelhi@gmail.com
- Ananthapuri Stamp
Bulletin February 2026 issue edited by Mohanachandran Nair: email : apa.tvpm@gmail.com
- Judaica Thematic
Society, UK . Society Newsletter February
2026 edited by Gary Goodman email : judaicathematicsociety@talktalk.net
-Fila Capsule December 2025
issue : e- magazine of Eastern India Philatelists' Association, Bhubaneshwar
Odisha; Chief Editor: Dr Bibhudutta Mishra-email :bhanubibhu68@gmail.com
Courtesy - News and Image Resource to this issue : SIPA, Philately Promoters, EIPA , Indian Philately, Prayag Philatelic Society Group, Philatelic Exhibitions, Deccan Philatelic Society Whatsapp WOPA Mystic Stamp Co.; Pan India Pictorial Place Cancellations ; Mystic Stamp Co.; Timir Shah-Vadodara : Mohammed Dhia – Baghdad, Iraq; Rahul Ganguli- Prayagraj;Sudhir Jain - Satna (MP); Capt Vijay Wadhawa- Raipur (C.G.); Naresh Agrawal - Bilaspur (C.G.)
Jeevan Jyoti, 509, Design Arcade, Chandrabani, Wildlife Institute Road, Dehradun-248001. India . e-mail – j.jyoti9@gmail.com
A Request to Readers & Contributors –
·
Please do not send the text in scan
form or PDF. Send your write ups in MS Word only.
- Last
date for receiving articles/ News /write ups – 25th of every month.
- For
articles: Kindly send images in jpg compressed form and text in MS
Word only Please do
not use any formatting and text wrapping in the article. Simply put
the images under text where required.
- If you like this issue, please forward it
to your friends and help in promoting philately.
· 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.
