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Rainbow Stamp News

Monthly e-Stamp Bulletin edited and published by Jeevan Jyoti from Dehradun (India)

Sunday, October 4, 2026

Rainbow October 2026

   


Children's Welfare Stamps


Date of Issue :21 September 2026

Children’s welfare stamps issued by Post NL to raise money for projects focused on children in vulnerable situations.

Dehradun October 2026 Vol. XIX Issue No. 226

Readers are requested to send reports of philatelic activities in their area for publication. Short write ups by the readers about, 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



Road Safety - Drive on the Right, Overtake on the Left


Date of Issue: 25 September 2026

 

Editorial….

 

Dear Reader,

I am pleased to present the October 2026 issue of Rainbow Stamp News.

The Philatelic Congress of India (PCI) has announced the National Stamp Show – 2026, a National Virtual & Physical Philatelic Exhibition to be held from 5th to 15th December 2026. This is a good opportunity for Indian philatelists to participate and showcase their exhibits. The exhibition is being organized by the Philatelic Congress of India as part of its Golden Jubilee celebrations and will be held in a combo format – Virtual and Physical. In the first phase, all exhibits will be displayed at the Virtual Exhibition, and exhibits winning a Vermeil Medal and above will qualify for the Physical Exhibition.

While going through the prospectus, it is observed that the entry fee is quite high – Rs. 2200 per frame in the Competitive Class and Rs. 2700 for One-Frame and Literature Class entries. The fee should be moderate, as PCI states that this exhibition is being organized for the promotion of philately. Being the Golden Jubilee celebration of PCI, the organizers should keep the fee low so that many philatelists from different parts of India can take part.

In the Literature Class, digital entries are not accepted, which is contradictory for a virtual exhibition. Digital entries must be permitted in the Literature Class in a virtual stamp show.

It is also not clear in the prospectus whether participants whose exhibits are finally selected for the second round – the physical exhibition – will have to pay the entry fee again or whether it is a one-time fee. Clear information should be given in the prospectus, as the guidelines for the physical exhibition for final participants will be issued by the organizers only after the virtual exhibition.

If we talk about promotion of philately, the entry fee should definitely be pocket-friendly, so that a large number of philatelists may be encouraged to participate in the exhibition.

This is all for this month… Happy Collecting!



Contents

. Editorial

· From the Desk of Naresh Agrawal

· Recent Indian Issues 

· In the News  

. From the Pen of Dipok Dey

. Book Review

. Specialized Section    

· Beginners’ Section  

. Stories Behind Stamps

. Remarkable Stamps of India 

. New Issues from Other Countries 

. Stamp of the Month  

· Philatelic Clubs and Societies  

· Blogs and Websites on Philately   

· Current Philatelic Magazines and Newsletters    


PCI National Stamp Show - 2026




A great news that has sent a strong wave of pleasure amongst the Indian philatelists is that PCI is organizing a National Virtual & Physical Stamp Show 2026 named as PCI National Stamp Show-2026 to celebrate its Golden Jubilee. The event would feature a unique combination format, starting with a comprehensive National Virtual Exhibition scheduled from 5th December to 15th December 2026 followed by physical Exhibition dates of which are yet to be announced. It is set to feature around 600 competitive frames in Virtual Class contributed by collectors and researchers from all over the world. This Combo Format is unique in nature as initially the entire exhibits shall be presented in the online virtual mode. Then the exhibits winning the Vermeil Medal or above shall be qualified for subsequent Physical Exhibition. It has also been assured that winning suitable higher awards at this National Level event will grant participants eligibility to move on to intercontinental and international events hosted by FIP and FIAP. 

This is  a great opportunity for at least Indian philatelists to participate in such a National Level Show which will open the gateway for participation in International Exhibitions. As application dates are already open, there is not much time left to think. They need to grab this opportunity and act quickly. Of course, their participation would also add to the great celebrations of PCI, our parent body in India. 

I do like to mention here that some of the prospective participants feel that the entry fee is high in comparison to the other digital exhibitions held in the past but looking in to the event where so much is to be done by PCI and sponsorships are hard to get now a days; members of PCI and the participants need to help this cause. Yet, for the selected ones like new comers and some other PCI feels deserving ones, the fee may be reduced, if requested. Secondly, awards are the most motivating stuff and help promote philately in a great way; PCI needs to look into this aspect carefully and liberally.  

PCI has invited original and research-based articles for the special edition of Signet to be issued on this occasion. Certainly, this is a welcome act and also as sufficient days to prepare such articles are given, members and other philatelists have a nice opportunity to come up with their research-oriented works.  

As usual, I understand PCI would appreciate receiving sponsorship of awards or mementoes to be given to the award-winning selected participants. I would also request and appeal to the members and other stamp lovers to open up their hearts and help this great aspect of encouraging philatelists.  

Apart from the special, best and innovative exhibits, PCI should also encourage new stamp lovers and new participants as they are the future of philately in India and they need to be encouraged and motivated. Philatelic Societies are the ones which generate stamp lovers and nourish them. There are several philatelic societies in India (whether PCI members or not) which are genuinely working hard to keep philately alive and help regular promotion. Such selected and dedicated Societies genuinely require motivation and high appreciation.  

Philately is changing and so exhibiting. People who have contributed actively and supported such acts need to be recognized and appreciated. The members of PCI who indirectly help PCI and promote philately too need appreciation and recognition. Literature is coming up speedily on the surface of philately by way of digital magazines, bulletin and journals. New literature entries are now coming up in the competitive section at high level exhibitions and winning higher awards too. PCI should recognize the true servers of philately and true research-based exhibits in the last few years and appreciate those too. Philatelic writers, promoters and journalists are the pillars of philately and so PCI must not ignore them. 

Finally, while I congratulate the team of leaders of PCI and also to all the members of PCI for successful completion of 50 years of service to philately and so to philatelists and would place my best wishes for the success of this show which is an innovative idea and will be held for the first time in the world. I must place my thanks to the torch bearers of philately in India most importantly to Sri Rajesh Bagri who has been instrumental in bringing Indian philatelists on the world platform and to bring honours to India in philatelic field in the last few years when graph of philately in India on world map was declining. By saying this I am not ignoring the work being done by the other stalwarts. My thanks to each and every one of the PCI office bearers and the members for their contribution. 

Looking forward to yet another great show and great celebration. 

Naresh Agrawal, Bilaspur (C.G.) email nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in    Mob / WhatsApp: 09425530514

 

Recent Indian Issues

4 September 2026: Birth Centenary of Uttam Kumar- Rs5

5 September 2026: Platinum Jubilee of Dinamalar Tamil News Daily- Rs5

12 September 2026: 18th BRICS Summit New Delhi 2026 – 2 X Rs 20 + MS

15 September 2026: Sant Shri Malookdas – Rs5







New Special / Permanent Cancellations

22 September 2026:World Rhino Day

30 September 2026: International  Podcast Day

30September 2026 Summerhill 171005 Western Tragopan

2 October 2026 National Wildlife Week, Rajkot

3 October 2026: National Wildlife Week, Bangalore



New Special Covers

15 September 2026: 133 Eco Task Force

29 September 2026: Habba Khatoon Peak Gurez Valley: Baramulla

29 September 2026: SIMPEX 2026: Shimla

30 September 2026: Snow Leopard - State Animal of Himachal Pradesh : Shimla

1 October 2026: Annie Besant School,Prayagraj: Prayagraj

3 October 2026 : Buldana Urban : Buldana



New Picture Postcards

1.The Western Ghats of Karnataka

2.Incredible Himachal Pradesh







In The News

 




PCI NATIONAL STAMP SHOW – 2026

National Virtual & Physical Philatelic Exhibition

PCI National Stamp Show - 2026, National Virtual & Physical Philatelic Exhibition.

National Virtual exhibition will be held from 5th to 15th December 2026.

The exhibition is being organized by Philatelic Congress of India celebrating its Goden Jubilee for promotion of philately. The exhibition will be held in combo format i.e. Virtual and Physical. First all the exhibits will be displayed at the Virtual Exhibition. Exhibits winning Vermeil Medal and above will be displayed at the Physical Exhibition. The date and venue of the Physical Exhibition will be announced later. Eligible exhibits for the physical exhibition will be judged again. Award function will be held during the Physical Exhibition only for the participating exhibitors in the same. All the other medals will be sent by Post. The participants of the Physical Exhibition will be eligible to participate at the International Exhibitions as per the rules and regulations of the FIP and FIAP. It will provide an opportunity for philatelists to participate in the National Exhibition featuring exhibits exclusively on all aspects of India and Indian states philately and thematic exhibits on any them including Indian theme. PCI National Stamp Show - 2026 will be open to four categories of exhibits (Competitive Class, Championship Class, Invitee Class and Court of Honour). The exhibition will be judged based on the rules and regulations of FIP.

5. CLASSIFICATION OF EXHIBITS

5.1 Invitee Class / Court of Honour (Non-Competitive Class) Outstanding exhibits of jury members and eminent philatelists will be exhibited by invitation only.

5.2 Competitive Class: Class 1: Championship Class

Class 2: Traditional Philately

2A India Pre-Independence, including French India & Portuguese India, India Used Abroad

2B Indian Princely States

2C India since Independence

2D Rest of the World

Class 3: Postal History

3A India Pre Adhesive Period

3B India Pre-Independence, including French India & Portuguese India, India Used Abroad

3C Indian Princely States

3D India since Independence

3E Rest of the World

 Class 4: Postal Stationery

4A India Pre-Independence, including French India & Portuguese India

4B Indian Princely States

4C India since Independence

4D Rest of the world

Class 5: Aerophilately / Astrophilately

Class 6: Thematic – Any Theme

Class 7: Maximaphilly

Class 8: Revenues

8A India

8B Indian Princely States

Class 9: Indian First Day Covers

Class 10: Open Class

Class 11: Modern Philately (Philatelic material issued after 2000)

Class 12: Picture Postcard

Class 13: Single Frame exhibits - In case of thematic it can be any theme, all other disciplines it should be India and Indian States philately

13A Traditional

13B Postal History

13C Postal Stationery

13D Aerophilately / Astrophilately

13E Thematic

13F Maximaphily

13G Revenue Applications for Single Frame exhibits must clearly indicate the applicable sub-class (A to G), as listed above. Single Frame exhibits will be awarded points, which will be mentioned in the certificate. No medals will be awarded.

Class 14: Youth Class (Completed age as on 01-01-2026) - In case of thematic it can be any theme, all other disciplines it should be India and Indian States philately

14A Age for Group A between 10-15 Years

14B Age for Group B between 16-18 Years

14C Age for Group C between 19-21 Years Class

15: PHILATELIC LITERATURE

15A Philatelic Hand Books, Monographs, Specialized Research Articles, Exhibition Catalogues, etc. (Should be published on or after 01.01.2021)

15B Philatelic Journals, Periodicals (Should be published on or after 01.01.2024). For Journals, the

most recent complete volume should be submitted.)

15C Catalogues (Should be published on or after 01.01.2024)

The address and other details pertaining to the submission of Literature entries will be communicated separately in due course.

Note: No digital entries will be accepted. Results will be declared during the physical exhibition.

6. APPLICATIONS FOR ENTRY IN COMPETITIVE CLASS

6.1 Exhibitors desirous of participating in the exhibition should apply online on the website www.pcistampshow.com

Last date of application is 15th October 2026.

6.2 The Youth Group A & B may apply for 2, 3 or 4 frames and Youth Group C for 3, 4 or 5 frames.

9. PARTICIPATION FEES

9.1 The applicable participation fees per frame will be as under:

Invitee and Youth Classes - No participation Fee.

Championship Class - Rs. 3,500

General Competitive Classes - Rs. 2,200

Single Frame Exhibit Class - Rs. 2,700

Literature Class – Rs. 2,700

15. CONTACT DETAILS

In case of any query regarding the exhibition, please send mail to info@philateliccongressofindia.com


PHILATAIPEI 2026



PHILATAIPEI 2026 World Stamp Championship Exhibition. (FIP)

The exhibition is scheduled to be held from November 20 to 25, 2026, at Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 1, Areas B and C. It will be organized under the Patronage of the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP)

National Commissioner for India,

Pratisad Neurgaonkar, 884, Bhandarkar Road, 14 Patil Terraces, Pune 411004

Email pratisadn@gmail.com.com  / WhatsApp +91-9766310553

the Apprentice National Commissioner for India : Sunil Joshi  Phone: 9822026422

AUSVIPEX 2026

Deadlines

Entries Open: 30 March 2026

Entries Close: 30 September 2026

Title Pages to Judges: Wednesday 07 October 2026

Scans of Exhibits required by: 14 October 2026

Exhibits available online for Judges: From Sunday 01 November 2026

Judging concluded: Sunday 22 November 2026

Results available: Monday 30 November 2026

Feedback to Exhibitors: Week commencing Mon 7 December 2026.

On Line until 28 February 2027

Frames Available: 500

Exhibition Website : https://apfvirtual.com

Organisation

The Australian Virtual Philatelic Exhibition 2026 is an online National Philatelic Exhibition organised by the Australian Philatelic Federation (APF). These regulations are based on the APF Regulations for Australian Philatelic Exhibitions.

For all enquiries email: apfvirtual@gmail.com

AMSIPEX-27

 

3rd International Virtual Aero- & Astrophilatelic Exhibition

14-21 February 2027

For details Visit : www.amsipex.com

SLOVPHILEX 2027

 


SLOVPHILEX 2027, a specialised World Philatelic Exhibition to be held at Bratislava, Slovakia from June 30th to July 4th 3027.

The Classes of Exhibits are: Traditional Philately, Postal History, Revenues, Thematic Philately,

Picture postcards, Open Philately, Non-Standard Frames (1-3 Frames) exhibit and 

Philatelic Literature.

The last date for acceptance of application forms is October 15th 2026.

 -G. Anil kumar Reddy, Commissioner Ph.98410 22884: email: anilreddy.stamps@gmail.com

 Philautsav 2026

Virtual One Page Philatelic Exhibition 8 – 23 October 2026



EROPEX 2026: 25 &26 November 2026: Erode



Philatelic Exhibition : Wildlife in Goa through Stamps




News from Philatelists and Philatelic Societies

 Himachal Pradesh



Release of Special Cover on Snow Leopard, state animal of Himachal Pradesh ; set of postcards and a permanent pictorial cancellation on Western Tragopan during SIMPEX 2026.  

Dr. Ritu Kalra, Shimla

Jammu And Kashmir



The district-Level Philately Exhibition at Baramulla under the name “VARMULPEX-2026 was inaugurated at Kashmir University North Campus Dalina Baramulla Auditorium Hall with the objective of promoting philately—the collection and study of postage stamps—as an educational and cultural hobby for the younger generation and the aspirants of philately. A special cover of historical importance “Habba Khatoon Peak Gurez Valley” was released as an activity during the inauguration.

 -Neelam Chandel. Shimla

Air Mail Society India Foundation

CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS

 

 

The 100 Most Important Aerophilatelic & Astrophilatelic Rarities of the World

 

The Air Mail Society India Foundation (AMSI) is undertaking an international initiative to compile “The 100 Most Important Aerophilatelic and Astrophilatelic Rarities of the World.”

AMSI invites collectors, museums, institutions, societies and philatelic specialists worldwide to recommend significant Aero- and Astrophilatelic material that they believe deserves consideration for inclusion in this compilation.

The material may be from any part of the world, including both Aerophilately and Astrophilately.

For each recommended item, please provide:

• Image of the material (prefer minimum 300 dpi hi-res jpg) – front and reverse

• Title and date

• Why the material is significant or special

• Collection or source details (example- Museum, institution with name, auction house, private collections or any other source)

Submit your recommendations by visiting AMSI website www.airmailsocietyindia.org

 Your knowledge can help bring these rarities to the attention of the wider philatelic community.

Editor’s Mail Box

Smriti Rana, Shimla

PCI is conducting National level online exhibition, PCI Stamp Show 2026  in December. It’s fee per frame is 2200, I personally feel it is too exorbitant. I may be wrong also by doing this i feel they are not encouraging / promoting philately but certainly discouraging.`    






IN QUEST OF POSTAL HISTORY AND COMMUNICATIONS


KAUTILYA

 

(IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATIONS) 




Kautilya (Chanakya) and his Arthashastra

The Arthashastra is believed to have been written by Kautilya (also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta) around the 4th century BCE.

Kautilya (Chanakya), in his Arthashastra, gave great importance to communication and intelligence networks as the backbone of administration, trade, and security — all key parts of a strong economy.

The Arthashastra by Kautilya (Chanakya) is regarded as the first comprehensive treatise on economics and politics in the world. It systematically covers topics such as administration, taxation, trade, espionage, diplomacy, and communication — making it a true manual for governance and economic management. It not only laid down principles of governance and administration but also emphasized the importance of an efficient communication system for the smooth functioning of the state. Kautilya described networks of messengers, spies, and couriers — elements that symbolically anticipated the foundations of India’s early postal system.”

Here’s how Kautilya emphasized it:

1. Messenger System (Dūtas) – He mentioned the use of dūtas or messengers for regular communication between the king, provincial officers, and spies. These ensured that information and royal orders moved quickly across the empire.

This can be seen as an early form of an organized postal or relay communication network.

2. Spies and Information Network – Kautilya described a vast spy system to collect information about trade, markets, and people’s sentiments. This flow of information helped the king make economic and political decisions efficiently.

3. Trade and Administration – Efficient communication was vital for regulating taxes, trade routes, and transportation of goods. Kautilya emphasized that roads, messengers, and reporting systems must be well maintained to keep the economy running smoothly.

4. Economic Stability through Coordination – He saw communication not only as political intelligence but as the lifeline of administration, linking the king with revenue officers, traders, and the army.

 LETTERPRESS PRINTING

 PRINTING AS A MEDIUM OF MASS   COMMUNICATION:

 AN EARLY PARALLEL TO POSTAL HISTORY

Throughout human history, rulers, statesmen, teachers, and philosophers have sought effective ways to spread their ideas widely. Public gatherings were limited by geography, time, and willingness; oral transmission alone lacked permanence. The desire to reach people irrespective of consent, distance, or generation led to one of humanity’s greatest inventions: printing.

EARLY ORIGINS OF PRINTING

One of the earliest breakthroughs occurred in China, where the Buddhist Diamond Sutra—originally composed in ancient India in Sanskrit as the Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra—was reproduced using carved wooden blocks. During the Tang dynasty (7th century CE), the technique of printing text and images from engraved woodblocks, known as xylography, became firmly established. This marked a turning point in recorded communication, enabling texts to circulate far beyond their place of origin.

 


Like early postal concepts, printing technology gradually traveled westward. Long before Europe’s printing revolution, Korea had already introduced metal movable type by 1392 CE, while China experimented with clay and ceramic types. These innovations influenced regional printing practices across Asia.

Gutenberg and the European Printing Revolution

In Europe, JOHANNES GUTENBURG introduced the mechanical movable-type printing press between 1440 and 1450 CE. By 1455, the Gutenberg Bible demonstrated the transformative power of this invention. Early European printing relied on wooden or metal movable types, printed on hand-operated flatbed presses, producing uniform and repeatable texts on an unprecedented scale.

Gutenberg’s enduring achievement lay not merely in invention, but in systematization: the casting of durable metal type from alloyed metals and its integration with a mechanical press. This innovation laid the foundation of modern print culture in Europe.

PRINTING AND POSTAL HISTORY:

A Shared Purpose

From a philatelic and postal-history perspective, the evolution of printing closely mirrors humanity’s broader quest for reliable communication. Just as postal networks enabled the physical transmission of messages, printing ensured their replication, permanence, and preservation. Together, they transformed ideas into enduring artifacts—capable of crossing borders, generations, and civilizations.


 Letterpress Before Postage Stamps

Long before the first adhesive postage stamp appeared in 1845, letterpress printing was widely used for books, labels, posters, and official notices. Text was printed using movable types, while images were produced from carved wooden blocks. Remarkably, this traditional wooden-block technique continues to survive in India’s textile printing industry, preserving an ancient craft into the modern age.

LETTERPRESS ENTERS POSTAL HISTORY: BASEL DOVE (1845)

A historic milestone occurred in Switzerland when JOHANN JAKOB SPEISERIF introduced letterpress printing for postage stamps in 1845, producing the legendary Basel Dove. With this single issue, Switzerland not only entered postal history but also created multiple world firsts.

Speiser prepared relief printing blocks (wood and/or metal high blocks) suitable for typographic printing. These were not intaglio-engraved dies, but raised designs characteristic of letterpress.

Each colour required a separate relief block:

Black: Dove and inscriptions

Red (carmine): Shield background

Blue: Outer frame

Printing Method of the Basel Dove

Individual relief blocks were arranged repeatedly to form a printing forme, commonly believed to contain 40 stamp subjects per sheet.

The forme was locked tightly using quoins inside a chase:

CHASE → metal frame

QUOINS → locking wedges

FORME → assembled printing matter

Printing was carried out on a hand-driven flatbed letterpress:

Ink applied to raised surfaces

Dampened paper laid on the forme

Pressure applied manually

This process was repeated three separate times, once for each colour, with precise alignment (registration).

RESULTS AND SIGNIFICANCE

The result was extraordinary:

The world’s first tricolour postage stamp

Switzerland’s first postage stamp

Slight embossing caused by letterpress pressure

Introduction of colourless (blind/albino) embossing, another world first

Switzerland’s international reputation for precision—whether in watchmaking or printing—is perfectly reflected in the BASEL DOVE.

THE GOLDEN ERA OF LETTERPRESS STAMP

With advancing technology, letterpress evolved further. In 1855, DE LA RUE & CO. introduced letterpress (surface printing) for low-value stamps, a method that remained dominant for decades. The period from 1855 to 1930 may rightly be called the golden era of letterpress stamp printing, particularly exemplified by the numerous issues portraying QUEEN VICTORIA.

Notably, many denominations were engraved on steel dies specifically for letterpress printing, as seen in the classic issues of the East India Company.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE DECLINE OF LETTERPRESS

Between the 1850s and 1880s, the development of photogravure and halftone processes—using screens to break images into dots—integrated photography into mass printing. This marked a decisive shift away from hand-engraved blocks.

Before photography, printed images required slow and expensive manual engraving. Photography enabled faster, more accurate, and cheaper reproduction, especially with innovations such as the rotary press (1840s) and later photomechanical processes.

OFFSET, PHOTOGRAVURE, AND DIGITAL PRINTING

By 1904: Offset printing began to emerge

Late 20th century: Photogravure gained prominence, gradually replacing letterpress.

EARLY 21ST CENTURY: DIGITAL PRINTING TECHNOLOGIES EMERGED

In the early 2000s, Hewlett-Packard’s investment in and acquisition of Indigo accelerated digital printing’s growth. Digital printing transformed the industry by enabling short runs, personalization, and rapid turnaround—ushering in a departure from traditional analog methods.

FAREWELL TO LETTERPRESS

With these developments, the printing industry gradually bid farewell to letterpress—and symbolically, said goodbye to Gutenberg. Yet, despite its decline, letterpress remains one of the most influential technologies in the history of communication, leaving an indelible mark on printing, philately, and postal history alike.

EXAMPLES OF LETTERPRESS PRINTING IN POSTAGE STAMPS


 

SELECTED COUNTRIES, YEARS, AND PRINTING CHARACTERISTICS

The application of letterpress (typography) in postage stamp production spread rapidly across the world during the 19th century. Different regions adapted the process using locally available materials—ranging from metal relief plates to carved wooden blocks—especially in colonial or emergency situations.

SWITZERLAND

1845 – Basel Dove

Printer: Johann Jakob Speiser

Method: Letterpress (typography)

Material: Relief blocks (wood/metal)

Significance:

World’s first tricolour postage stamp

First use of blind (albino) embossing

Multi-pass printing with precise registration

GREAT BRITAIN

1840 – Penny Black / Penny Red

Printer: Perkins, Bacon & Co.

Method: Line-engraved intaglio (not letterpress)

 However:

1855 onward – Surface-printed issues (Queen Victoria)

Printer: De La Rue & Co.

Method: Letterpress (surface printing)

Material: Relief plates from steel-engraved dies

Significance: Beginning of large-scale letterpress stamp production

INDIA (BRITISH INDIA)

1854 – Half Anna Blue

Printer: Survey of India

Method: Typography (letterpress)

Material: Metal relief plates

1860s–1900s – Queen Victoria surface-printed issues

Method: Letterpress

Significance:

Extensive use of steel-engraved relief dies

Long-lasting durability under tropical conditions

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE / SOUTH AFRICA

 (Woodblock Printing)

1861 – Woodblock “Hope” Issues (1d Red & 4d Blue)

Printer: Saul Solomon & Co., Cape Town

Method: Letterpress from carved wooden blocks

REASON FOR USE:

Emergency local production due to stamp shortages

Characteristics:

Designs carved directly into wood

Mirror-image blocks manually prepared

Numerous plate varieties and errors

Famous accidental colour swap (1d blue / 4d red).

This is one of the most important examples of woodblock letterpress printing in world philately, demonstrating survival-era typography under colonial constraints.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

1847–1851 – Early Issues

Method: Engraved intaglio

1894 onward – Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Low-denomination definitive stamps

Method: Letterpress (surface printing)

Used mainly for:

Newspapers stamps

Parcel Post

Coil stamps

FRANCE

1876–1900 – Type Sage & Type Blanc

Method: Letterpress

Material: Metal relief plates

Significance: Transition from engraved to surface printing for economy

Germany (German States & Empire)

1872 – Small Shield Issues

Method: Typography (letterpress)

Material: Metal relief plates

Widely used for official and low-value issues

ITALY

1863–1889 – De La Rue-printed issues

Method: Letterpress

Used for definitive and postage due stamp

AUSTRALIA

1913 – Kangaroo and Map (Low values)

Method: Letterpress

Material: Metal relief plates

Later combined with photomechanical processes

JAPAN

1871–1872 – Dragon Issues

Method: Letterpress

Influenced by traditional woodblock printing culture

Early experimentation combining Eastern and Western techniques

PHILATELIC SIGNIFICANCE

These examples demonstrate that letterpress was not a single uniform technology, but a flexible system:

Woodblocks (South Africa, Asia)

Metal relief plates (Europe, India)

Steel dies adapted for surface printing

Letterpress served as the bridge between craft-based printing and industrial mass production, just as postal systems bridged private correspondence and global communication.

HOW TO IDENTIFY LETTERPRESS PRINTING (TYPOGRAPHY)

Identifying Letterpress (Typographic) printing is a very important skill in philately, especially for classic stamps and Indian Princely State issues. Below is a clear, practical guide, written especially for stamp collectors.

1. RAISED IMPRESSION – Inked areas feel slightly raised to the touch; you may sense relief with a fingertip or oblique light.

2. SHARP OUTER EDGES – LINES AND LETTERS have crisp, clean boundaries, often with slight ink spread at corners.

3. INK SPREAD AND UNEVEN EDGES– Ink may appear heavier at the edges of letters or design due to pressure from raised type.

4. UNEVEN INKING – Colour intensity may vary within the same design, showing light and dark patches.

5. NO SCREEN DOTS – Under magnification, solid ink areas, not composed of halftone dots (unless a photo block was later introduced)

6. INDENTED PAPER BACK – On unmounted stamps, a reverse impression may be visible on the back.

7. SIMPLE LINE DESIGNS – Commonly used for text, frames, numerals, coats of arms, and geometric motifs.

8. REGISTRATION VARIATIONS – Slight misalignment may be seen in multi-colour letterpress printings.

9. PAPER PENETRATION – Ink often sinks into the paper fibres, not sitting flat on the surface.

10. HAND-FED PRESS CHARACTERISTICS – Minor irregularities between copies indicate manual or semi-manual printing.

11. SOLID, FLAT COLOUR AREAS

Letterpress excels at solid blocks of colour.

Large areas often show:

Slight ink texture • Minor irregularities

No tonal gradation like photography

12. THICK LINES AND SIMPLE DESIGNS

Designs usually consist of:

Bold lettering •Thick frames •Simple ornaments • Fine hairlines are rare and often inconsistent.

 Indian States such as Bundi, Alwar, Jaipur, Soruth, Cochin, Travancore commonly used this style.

 Dipok Dey: email: dipokdey38@gmail.com

Book Review


Milestones in Indian Postal History (1766-2026)

By Dipok Dey



Milestones in Indian Postal History (1766-2026) By Dipok Dey: Pages 52: Type: Booklet Published by Kaushik Dey: Cover Design and Pre Press work by Babul Dey, ADSONATA, Kolkata: Contact email: kaushikbabul01@gmail.com

 Milestones in Indian Postal History (1766-2026) – By Dipok Dey

 The booklet ‘Milestones in Indian Postal History (1766-2026)’ by Dipok Dey gives comprehensive details of the various postal services introduced in the Indian Postal System from 1766 to 2026. It presents a chronological record of services introduced in India from time to time. The booklet is divided into the following sections: 

1.First Introductions in the Indian Postal System (1766-2026) 

2.Modern Digital Era Services 

3.Mail Transport Systems in Indian Postal History 

4.India Post – Saving Certificates & Similar Instruments (1882-2025) 

5.Defined Post Offices in Indian Postal History 

6.Barcode-Based Tracking in India Post 

In every section, details have been given in chronological order. The first introductions in the Indian Postal System, Modern Digital Era Services introduced since 2014, various Mail Transport Systems and the barcode-based tracking system in India Post are all listed chronologically. 

A special section on ‘Defined Post Offices’ is particularly interesting. A ‘Defined Post Office’ was a post office specially identified with and officially established for a particular institution, building, company, government office or locality. They were known as ‘Defined Post Offices’ because their names were defined by the establishment or institution with which they were associated. These post offices have been listed in the booklet. 

The Savings Certificates and other financial instruments issued by India Post have also been listed. This data is very important for philatelists interested in postal history. 

This booklet is an excellent reference book for every philatelist, especially for those collecting and researching Indian Postal History. It is a complete reference for philatelists, researchers and postal historians, and is highly recommended for every keen philatelist. It is an asset for any philatelic library.

 -Jeevan Jyoti

 Specialized Section


Encased Postage 


US #EP162 – A 5¢ Jefferson in a John Shillito & Co., Cincinnati postage case

On August 12, 1862, John Gault received a patent for a design to encase postage stamps to use as currency. By early 1862, the US was fully engulfed in the Civil War.  Many people began conserving their resources as they didn’t know how much longer the war might last.  Among the most hoarded it. 

 

US #63 – an 1861 1¢ Franklin stamp that would have been encased

Back in 1861, the US began printing paper notes to finance the war. Known as greenbacks (because the back sides were printed in green), they were initially redeemable in coins, but as the war raged on, they became merely promises of the US government to pay. Since the notes had no metal money behind them as security, people began to hoard their gold and silver coins.

US #67 – an 1861 5¢ Jefferson

 

By 1862, greenbacks were being used more frequently, as coins disappeared from circulation. Eventually, small change vanished completely, and greenbacks were the only currency being used. Since much of what people needed cost less than a dollar, they found themselves faced with an unusual dilemma: how to pay for things without using their precious coins. Soon people were buying a dollar’s worth of stamps and using them as change instead. But the resulting wear and tear made it difficult for postal clerks to tell unused stamps from those that had been washed for reuse. 

 


 US #68 – an 1861 10¢ Washington


Eventually, the government officially acknowledged the use of postage stamps as payment. On July 17, 182, they passed a law that would allow postage stamps to be used to pay off debts to the government under $5. As stamps became an accepted form of currency, several new ideas developed.


 

US #69 – an 1861 12¢ Washington

 

Among those looking for a solution was businessman John Gault. On August 12, 1862, he received a patent for a “Design for Encasing Government Stamps” to be used as currency. His design would encase the stamps and protect them from wear.

 


US #70 – an 1861 24¢ Washington

 The back portion of the quarter-sized encasement was made of brass. A layer of cardboard padding and the stamp were placed on the frame then covered with a thin sheet of clear mica. A frame of brass fit over the invention to secure it. This enabled stamps to be passed like coins, without destroying them. The stamps used in encased postage were the 1¢, 3¢, 5¢, 10¢, 12¢, 24¢, 30¢, and 90¢ stamps from the 1861 issue.

Soon, companies were imprinting messages on the back part of the frame. Stores and manufacturing companies such as Ayer’s Pills, Burnett’s Cooking Extracts, and Lord & Taylor began impressing their name and product on the back of the metal frame and began using them for advertising. At least 30 different companies took advantage of this new advertising tool.


Examples of what was imprinted on the back side of these encased postage stamp enclosures

Gault wasn’t the only one looking for a solution, however. Not long after he patented his invention, the government issued postage currency on August 21, 1862. They also issued fractional currency and began producing more brass and copper-nickel coins in 1863, reducing the need for Gault’s encased postage. In spite of this, encased postage was quite popular. According to Scott Catalogue, about $50,000 in encased postage was sold during the war – about 750,000 pieces. They estimate only about 3,500 to 7,000 might still exist today.



Source: Mystic Stamp Co.

 

Beginners’ Section


Potato Stamps 


US #RI1 was issued to show the tax of ¾¢ had been paid for a pound of potatoes.

 

On August 24, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Potato Control Law, which led to the creation of short-lived Potato stamps.

The Potato Control Act was an amendment of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA). The AAA had been passed in 1933 by President Roosevelt to help boost agricultural prices by decreasing surpluses. The AAA also created the Agricultural Adjustment Administration to oversee the grants given to farmers.


US #RI13 paid the $1.50 tax on 200 pounds of potatoes

The Potato Control Act was first brought before the House on June 15, 1935, by John M. Jones and was signed into law two months later. The goal of the law was to help the nation’s 30,000 potato farmers. They were concerned that new farmers who had to abandon their land due to other AAA stipulations might overburden the potato market.


 US #RI14 – Tax exempt 2 pound potato stamp

The law went into effect on December 1, 1935. Part of the law restricted potatoes from being exported, instead providing that they be supplied for relief to those in need. The act also included a crop-adjustment program of ploughing under every fifth row of potatoes to prevent a surplus. Each farmer was given a quota of production and for any excess had to pay a ¾ cent per pound tax. All the potatoes that were sold under the allotments were tax-free and for this, a tax-exempt stamp was used.

Under this law, people and companies were not allowed to buy or offer to buy any potatoes that were not packed in containers approved by the Secretary of Agriculture and sealed with the official stamps. If anyone was found in violation of the law, they could be fined $1,000 for their first offense and $1,000 and a year in jail for their second offense.


US #RI14a – Mint booklet pane of 12 tax-exempt potato stamps.

Many saw the act as radical and unconstitutional because the federal government was directly involved in the economic affairs of potato growers. Many were outraged. A group in New Jersey issued a statement, “That we protest against and declare that we will not be bound by the ‘Potato Control Law,’ an unconstitutional measure recently enacted by the United States Congress. We shall produce on our own land such potatoes as we may wish to produce and will dispose of them in such manner as we may deem proper.”


US #RI18a – A mint booklet pane of 50-pound tax-exempt potato stamps.

The outrage over the law brought it before the Supreme Court. On January 6, 1936, the US Supreme Court declared that the AAA was unconstitutional. And a month later, the Potato Act was repealed on February 10. Few farmers used the stamps because they were only on sale for less than two months. Potato stamps were the only US stamps valued in an edible commodity.


 Stories Behind Stamps







Turkey - 2 Piastres Labourer’s Passport Tax stamp, 1921


 


Price: USD 5,750

 The 2 Piastres Labourer’s Passport Tax stamp, produced in 1921, is a famous Turkish philatelic item. It appeared in the passports of foreign workers who came to work on the Hejaz Railroad. According to philatelists, a total of 182 stamps were overprinted, but the majority of them were lost during the fire at the Bozuyuk Post Office. Nowadays, collectors can only find used copies of these products (less than 20) that have been cancelled at Bozuyuk or Inonu. In January 2014, Cherrystone auctioned off one of the most renowned specimens of 2 Piastres Labourer’s Passport Tax Stamps. The artifact, which had moderate thinning and staining at the top and was signed Herbert Bloch, sold for $5,750. The auctioneer stated that "only four to five copies of this type are recorded; this is the single most valuable stamp of both Turkey and the Liberation War".

 Foreign exchange rates are as on May 21, 2021. Now by 2026 Turkish Lira has devalued extensively.

Reference : https://findyourstampsvalue.com/rarest-stamps/most-valuable-turkish-stamps

 Nisarg Sutaria : email : nisargsutaria78@gmail.com


 Remarkable Stamps of India

Remarkable Stamps of India — thoughtfully curated posters that celebrate India’s philatelic heritage through meaningful quotes and striking visuals.



 𝐃𝐫. 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢 𝐑𝐚𝐝𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐧𝐚𝐧

(5 𝑺𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 1888 – 17 𝑨𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒍 1975)

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was an Indian academic, philosopher and statesman who served as the Vice President of India from 1952 to 1962 and President of India from 1962 to 1967. Radhakrishnan is considered one of the most influential and distinguished 20th century scholars of comparative religion. He was awarded Bharat Ratna in 1954. His birthday is celebrated as Teacher’s Day in India.

 



N𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐣𝐚 𝐁𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭

(7 𝑺𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 1963 – 5 𝑺𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 1986)

Neerja Bhanot was an Indian flight attendant. On 5 September 1986, she saved a large number of passengers aboard Pan Am Flight 73, which had been hijacked by four Palestinian militants belonging to the Abu Nidal Organization during a stopover at Karachi Airport in Pakistan.Admired for her gallantry, Neerja Bhanot turned terror into hope—opening an exit, saving lives, and becoming the youngest and first female Ashoka Chakra awardee, honoured even by Pakistan with the Tamgha-e-Pakistan.




𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐝𝐡𝐲𝐚𝐲

(15 𝑺𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 1876 – 16 𝑱𝒂𝒏𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒚 1938)

Sarat Chandra was a Bengali novelist and short story writer of the early 20th century. He wrote about the lives of Bengali family and society in cities and villages. Many of his novels were adapted into memorable films, notably Devdas, Biraj Bahu, Parineeta, Srikant and others, which further immortalized his literary legacy.

 



B𝐡𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡

(27 𝑺𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 1907 – 23 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 1931)

Bhagat Singh was a revolutionary and freedom fighter who became a powerful symbol of resistance to British rule. On 8 April 1929, he and Batukeshwar Dutt threw non-lethal bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi and deliberately courted arrest. Earlier, Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar had mistakenly killed British police officer John P. Saunders while seeking revenge for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai. Convicted in the Lahore Conspiracy Case, the three were executed on 23 March 1931. Bhagat Singh is remembered for his intellect, writings, dedication to India’s independence and supreme sacrifice.


 
Lat𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐤𝐚𝐫

(28 𝑺𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 1929 – 6 𝑭𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒚 2022)

𝐿𝑎𝑡𝑎 Mangeshkar 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡. 𝐴 𝐵ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑡 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑛𝑎 𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑒, 𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡-𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑄𝑢𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑀𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑑𝑦, 𝑉𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑀𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑢𝑚, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆𝑤𝑎𝑟 𝐾𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑎. 𝑆𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 36 𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑠, 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 2000 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑖 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚𝑠 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝐴𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑔ℎ𝑎𝑛, 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛’𝑠 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑐. 


-Prashant Pandya: email: edesk@prashantpandya.com


New Issues from other countries


Austria

1 October 2026 : 150 Years of the Cafe Central




150 Years of the Cafe Central

Indulgence with a history

Since 1876, the Café Central in Vienna’s city centre has been more than just a coffee house, becoming a true Viennese institution with plenty of charm and a rich history.

The Café Central is located in the Palais Ferstel on the corner of Herrengasse and Strauchgasse. The palace was designed by the architect of Vienna’s Ring Road, Heinrich von Ferstel, commissioned by the k. k. privilegierte Nationalbank (Privileged National Bank), to serve as a bank and stock exchange building including commercial spaces, executed in the Venetian-Florentine Trecento style. After building was completed in 1860, the Vienna Stock Exchange occupied the ground floor of what was then the most modern building in the city, moving out shortly afterwards, however, due to space related issues.

The brothers Gustav and Hermann Pach subsequently opened the Café Central in 1876 in the rooms formerly occupied by the stock exchange. Not least because of the wide range of foreign-language newspapers available there, in the period around the turn of the century, the café was a meeting place for intellectuals and artists: Sigmund Freud, Arthur Schnitzler, Robert Musil and Leon Trotsky were regulars, as was the author Peter Altenberg, who actually gave out the Café Central as his home address. The coffee house closed in 1943 after being badly damaged, restoration work only being started in 1975, with the café once again occupying its former place in the pillared hall of the Palais Ferstel from 1986.

Following a comprehensive renovation on its anniversary, the Café Central will soon once again be a popular highlight with visitors from Austria and abroad. Its impressive interior is as much a part of the attraction as the speciality coffees, the fine pastries and classic dishes such as Wiener Schnitzel and Kaiserschmarren.

1  October 2026 : Coffee Bean - Coffee Scented Stamp - Miniature Sheet



Coffee Bean - Coffee Scented Stamp

With this fragrant stamp, Austrian Post is once again setting new standards in the particularly innovative design of stamps.

Coffee is indispensable for many people whether drunk early in the morning to wake them up or as a reviving aromatic drink throughout the day. But once the coffee has been drunk, we are left with the coffee grounds, a valuable material that it is a shame to just throw away. Dried coffee grounds can be scattered as fertiliser and also help ward off various pests, as well as being used in cosmetics as peelings or in soap to neutralise odours, for example.

Coffee leather can also be made from the grounds, and it is from this that this original stamp block is made. For this, fine, dried coffee grounds were sieved onto a natural fleece, sprayed with an ecological binding agent and pressed into a thin sheet in multiple stages. This vegan coffee leather is flexible and tear-resistant, and, what is more, not only does it have the slightly grainy texture of ground coffee, but it also naturally smells of coffee. After printing, an adhesive film was applied and the stamp cut out in the shape of a coffee bean. The narrow stripe down the centre represents the groove that is typical for a coffee bean, while also reminding us of the delicious aroma of a bowl of hot coffee. Upcycling thus turned coffee grounds that had been collected from offices and hospitals into a new philatelic product that will add a hint of that delicious coffee smell to every item of post and delight everyone, not just coffee drinkers.

France

28 September 2026 : 1946 - Airborne Troops Training Center - Pau Idron - Miniature Sheet



Airborne Troops Training Center - Pau Idron

On September 28, 2026, La Poste (the French postal service) issued a block of two stamps to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Airborne Troops Training Center (CETAP).

Attached to the French Army on July 10, 1945, the French airborne troops faced the challenge of having their training centers dispersed.

Military authorities decided to consolidate all parachute regiments, along with the necessary ground and air resources for their instruction and training, in the Southwest, a region whose infrastructure had been spared by the war.

In September 1945, the first class of paratroopers graduated, and the Airborne Troops Organization and Training Center were established in October in Mont-de-Marsan. Around the same time, the 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment trained in Pau and carried out its jumps at Uzein from Junkers Ju 52 aircraft arriving from Le Bourget. The geographical location of the Pau garrison, combined with favorable weather conditions known since the dawn of aviation, naturally designated it as the future national parachute training center.

Starting in February 1946, the Lannion school was gradually transferred to the region. The Airborne Troops Training Center (CETAP) was established in Pau and Idron on April 16, 1946. It brought together the Mont-de-Marsan center, the Lannion school, and military personnel of all ranks from the 25th Airborne Division who had remained in mainland France. In May 1946, CETAP incorporated 3,000 recruits destined to reinforce the 25th Parachute Division stationed in North Africa.

On June 1, 1946, the military parachutist badge was created. Earning it required eight automatic-opening jumps, performed under varying conditions. On June 1, 1947, CETAP became the Airborne Troops School (ETAP). To date, more than 713,000 military parachutists have earned their wings in Pau, a center of expertise for military parachute training.

Gibraltar

30 September 2026 : GONHS 50th Anniversary - Wildlife & Flora - Miniature Sheet



GONHS 50th Anniversary - Wildlife & Flora

Founded in 1976, the Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS) has spent five decades studying, protecting and promoting Gibraltar’s unique natural heritage. Through research, conservation, education and environmental advocacy, the Society has played a central role in safeguarding the biodiversity of Gibraltar and the waters of the Strait.

Despite its small size, Gibraltar supports an extraordinary variety of wildlife and plants, reflecting its position between two continents and two seas. Its limestone cliffs, maquis habitat, coastline and surrounding marine environment provide refuge to endemic species, important migratory birds and a rich Mediterranean flora and fauna.

This commemorative stamp issue celebrates a selection of species closely associated with Gibraltar and its natural history. They include the endemic ant, Technomyrmex vexatus; the striking jewel beetle, Buprestis sanguinea calpetana; the impressive Gibraltar Funnel-web Spider, Macrothele calpeiana; and marine life such as the Loggerhead Turtle, Caretta caretta, the Mediterranean Ribbed Limpet, Patella ferruginea and the Short-snouted Seahorse, Hippocampus hippocampus.

The issue also features the Greater White-toothed Shrew, Crocidura russula; nocturnal birds including the Red-necked Nightjar, Caprimulgus ruficollis and the Eurasian Eagle-Owl, Bubo bubo; the Pallid Swift, Apus pallidus, whose colonies fill Gibraltar’s old town skies; and two characteristic plants of Gibraltar’s flora, the Gibraltar Candytuft, Iberis gibraltarica and the Giant Squill, Scilla peruviana.

Together these species highlight the exceptional biodiversity of Gibraltar and reflect the continuing work of GONHS to document, study and conserve the natural environment of the Rock and surrounding seas.

Spain

30  September 2026 : Spain in Justice


Spain is Justice

The 2026 “Spain Is” stamp issue, dedicated to Justice 2030 and the BECAS SERÉ programme, highlights Spain’s commitment to a more accessible and modern justice system. The issue commemorates initiatives aimed at promoting equal opportunities, legal education and access to justice, bringing together social values and the ongoing transformation of Spain’s judicial institutions.

Slovenia

 25 September 2026: Milestones of Slovenia's Technical Heritage - TOPS S-3 Typewriter


TOPS S-3 typewriter

The TOPS typewriter factory in Ljubljana was the only specialised typewriter manufacturer in Slovenia and an important part of the post-war Yugoslav precision engineering industry. It grew out of Rog, best known for making bicycles, and operated from 1952 to 1967. Its first domestically produced typewriter, the Emona, was introduced in 1953. In addition to standard office typewriters, TOPS also manufactured the portable Sava, M-1 and M-2 models, as well as duplicating and calculating machines.

The S-3 ranks among Slovenia’s best-known standard office typewriters. Designed for everyday office use, this robust mechanical machine was available with a Slovene (Yugoslav) keyboard layout in both Latin and Cyrillic versions. Its features included a decimal tabulator, a column-setting release mechanism, touch control, a mechanism for rapid platen adjustment for cleaner, sharper typing and a precision carriage mechanism for smooth carriage movement. It was produced with 30 cm, 45 cm or 62 cm platens to accommodate different paper sizes. Although most machines were finished in grey or green, the collection of the Technical Museum of Slovenia includes an unusual example with a body that was repainted red at a later date.

During the 1960s the S-3 was widely used throughout Yugoslavia and was also exported abroad. Today it stands as an important Slovene engineering achievement from the pre-computer era.

Stamp of the Month

Twopenny Blue

The Penny Black, the world’s first postage stamp, covered the cost of letters up to half an ounce (just over 14 grams) in weight. For letters between that weight and 1 ounce the cost was twopence.

 




A two-penny stamp was produced, called the Twopenny Blue, which was in use from 6 May 1840 along with the penny Black. The Twopenny Blue stamp is extremely similar to the Penny Black except ‘TWO PENCE’ appears at the bottom instead of ‘ONE PENNY’.

Stamps were first cancelled (marked as used) with red ink. However, this could be easily removed, and the stamp reused. A black mark worked better but could not be seen on the Penny Black stamp. Alternative colours were tested and within a year the one penny stamp changed colour to red.

A new blue ink was also prepared for the Twopenny blue stamp that helped prevent reuse. To distinguish this type from the original, a white line was added above and below the portrait of Queen Victoria.

Unlike the Penny Black, Twopenny Blue stamps are a rarer find as sending items through the post at the greater weight was infrequent. Examples of the first version of the stamp are most sought after but full sheets of these stamps no longer exist.

The first sheet (printing plate number 3), with the new additional white lines, is a unique piece also held in the museum collection.

Source : The Postal Museum


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

Indian Air Mails   

Air India Collector     

Indian Stamp Exhibiting      

Jusqu’a Markings and other Route Indicators

Philatelic Congress of India 

Indian Philately Digest

Stamps of India

Rainbow Stamp News

Se-tenant Stamps of India

Flags & Stamps

Europa stamps

Welcome to Indian Philately

Blogs by Kumar Biswas

The Philatelist

Ship Theme Gallery

Echo’s Phila House


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.

-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

-Air Mail Society India Foundation : Newsletter

-Fila Capsule August 2026 issue : e- magazine of Eastern India Philatelists' Association, Bhubaneshwar Odisha; Chief Editor: Dr Bibhudutta Mishra-email :bhanubibhu68@gmail.com

-Anathapuri Stamp Bulletin October 2026 : Editor : Mohanachandran Nair : Anathapuri Philatelic Association : email apa.tvpm@gmail.com

Courtesy - News and Image Resource to this issue :  SIPA, Philately Promoters,  EIPA , Indian Philately, Prayag Philatelic Society Group, Philatelic Exhibitions,  WhatsApp WOPA  ; Pan India Pictorial Place Cancellations ;   Mystic Stamp Co..Dr Ritu Kalra, Shimla, Neelam Chandel, Shimla

Address for communication:

Jeevan Jyoti, 509, Design Arcade, Chandrabani, Wildlife Institute Road, Dehradun-248001. India . e-mail –    j.jyoti9@gmail.com

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Happy Collecting ……….                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Rainbow Stamp News is edited and published monthly by Jeevan Jyoti from Dehradun (Uttarakhand) India for free circulation among philatelists.

 


Recent Awards

BOSTON 2026, USA - Large Silver

AUSVIPEX 2025 , Australia - Large Silver

Europhilex2025 Birmingham - Large Silver

AMRITPEX 2023 New Delhi - Silver

CAPE TOWN 2022 - Silver

LONDON 2022 - Silver


INPEX 2019, Mumbai - Silver

CHINA-2019, World Stamp Exhibition, Wuhan - Bronze

INPEX 2017, Mumbai - Large Silver

CHINA 2016 - Bronze

TAIPEI 2015 - Bronze

CG International Philatelic Promotion Award 2014, Germany - ( 4th Position)

INPEX 2013, Mumbai - Vermeil

SHARJAH 2012, Sharjah ( UAE ) - Silver Bronze

IPHLA 2012, Mainz - Germany : Bronze

I
NDIPEX 2011 - World Stamp Exhibition, New Delhi - Bronze

JOBURG 2010 - 26th Asian International Stamp Exhibition, Johannesburg - Silver Bronze

PORTUGAL 2010 - World Stamp Exhibition, Lisbon - Bronze

Hong Kong 2009 -23rd Asian International Stamp Exhibition, Hong Kong - Silver Bronze

About Me

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Participated in different philatelic exhibitions Wrote for philately column in The Pioneer and worked as sub-editor for U-Phil Times published from United Philatelists, Kanpur.Did Schooling from Kanpur Vidya Mandir and Post Graduation in Botany from A.N.D. College Kanpur.

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