Date of Issue - 30 June 2009

Best Stamp Design featuring Global warming

Shimla July 2009 Issue No. 19

Monthly e-Stamp Bulletin Edited by Jeevan Jyoti for free circulation among philatelists

Readers are requested to send reports of philatelic activities in their area for publication. Short write ups by the readers about their journals, societies, publications and philatelic requirements can be sent for inclusion in this bulletin to j.jyoti9@gmail.com or rainbowstamp2008@gmail.com and by post to –

Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, Director, Great Himalayan National Park, Shamshi, Distt. Kullu. PIN 175126. (H.P.) India

Note- This bulletin is only for circulation among a limited group of philatelists without any commercial purpose. The bulletin will be sent to the readers only on request. Those who wish to receive it regularly please reply giving the name of your city/country with the subject SUBSCRIBE RAINBOW

Dear Readers,

Here is the July issue for you with more news, articles and information from the world of stamps. In order to promote philately, many Stamp Clubs and Philatelic Associations are coming forward and organizing Stamp Fairs and Exhibitions across the country. It is a big step to bring philatelic community closer and popularize this wonderful hobby among different age groups of people coming from all walks of life. It gives me immense pleasure when I receive mail from non - philatelists, making request for the newsletter. I feel that I am able to convey my message to those too, who are not philatelists about this hobby through this newsletter. I thank all my readers and contributors for their big co – operation and support which has helped me to present every issue with new ideas and information. It’s really nice to write that I am receiving response from readers round the globe. My endeavor is to create a global philatelic fraternity and promote the hobby of Stamp Collecting in this Speed Age when people are leading life of stress and they don’t have time to relax….! But if they take up this hobby they can get lot of mental relaxation and pleasure. Hope this issue will be liked by all of you…This is all for this month..!…….Till next Issue…Happy collecting…!

….Jeevan Jyoti

Contents

Recent Indian Issues

In The News

Beginners’ Section

Specialized Section

Book Review

New Issues from Other Countries

The Lighter Side

Blogs & Websites on Philately

Promotional Section

Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters

Editor’s Mail Box

Recent Indian Issues

29 April 2009 Spices of India - (Rs 5 x 4 + Rs 20) + M/s Rs 40

30 April 2009 R. Sankar – Rs 5

11 May 2009 – 3 New issues in Definitive series

12 May 2009 Lifeline Express – Rs 5

28 May 2009 Madras Regiment – Rs 5

12 June Rev. J.J.M.Nicholas Roy – Rs 5

Jun 19: Raza Library Rampur, 4 Stamps + Miniature Sheet

June 19 Sacred Heart Church, Pondicherry – Rs 5

30 June 2009 50 Years of Indian Oil – Rs 5

Special Cover – Postmark

16 May 2009 Chennai Movie ‘Veerapandiya Kattabomman’ Golden Jubilee

23 May 2009 Bannerghatta (Butterfly )

5 June 2009 Ahmedabad World Environment Day (Special Post Mark)

6 June 2009 Rajpipla Epsom Derby Triumph of Maharaja Vijaysinhji of Rajpipla, Platinum Jubilee

20 June 2009 50 Years of Satheya College, Mumbai

26 June 2009 Diamond Jubilee of Abhisarika

26 June 2009 Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamyvari Temple, Annavaram, Andhra Pradesh Egnpex 2009, Kakinada

27 June 2009 Comedians Of Telugu Cinema, Egnpex-2009

New Postal Stationery

Meghdoot Cards

Consumer Awareness, 7 designs, Manipuri, Assamese. Oriya, Kannada, Punjabi

Ground Water, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Punjabi

Vasanth TV, Tamil
Wild Life, Gujarati

UNICEF Women Empowerment, Hindi

Consumer Awareness, 7 designs in Marathi & 7 designs in Telugu

Speed Post Envelopes

India Post has introduced envelopes for speed post. These are of one design printed on white as well as on buff color material. Priced at Rs 5 each these are made of DuPont's Tyvek material that is strong & light weight, and tear & water resistant.

In The News

$431,000 Paid for Envelope and Its Stamp
By MATTHEW HEALEY

An envelope from an 1873 letter bearing a scarce 90-cent stamp with Abraham Lincoln fetched more than $431,000 at an auction in New York City on Saturday. The Ice House Cover, with a Lincoln stamp from 1869, was sold at auction in New York. It was mailed to India in 1873, was stolen in 1967 and later returned to heirs of its owner. The envelope, or cover, as collectors call used envelopes, was sold by Siegel Auction Galleries.

Known to collectors as the Ice House Cover, the envelope, which traveled by ship from New York to India, is the only one collectors have found still bearing the red and black stamp with Lincoln on it. Last traded publicly in 1943, then stolen and long thought to have been lost to philately, the cover was seized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2006 and returned, after a court battle, to the heirs of J. David Baker, its last owner.

The letter was sent from a New England ice merchant to one of his ice warehouses in Calcutta, then part of Britain’s East Indies colony. It was franked with a total of $1.12, a large sum of money in those days, which paid the two-ounce foreign letter rate.

Markings on the envelope reveal that it traveled across the Atlantic, by train through Germany and Italy, by ship to Egypt and again from Suez to Bombay, and then by train across India. Before the advent of the Universal Postal Union the next year, the sum reflected rates negotiated between the United States and Britain to encourage growing international trade. Indeed, the commercial success of sending ice from winter ponds in Massachusetts to the sweltering cities of India was part of this progress.

Early collectors mainly sought to fill their albums with stamps that had been soaked off their envelopes, and an item like the Lincoln, issued in 1869 in a run of fewer than 50,000, would have been no exception. When, at the end of the 19th century, collectors began saving entire envelopes — on account of the fascinating tales they revealed about their trips through the world’s postal systems — it became apparent that covers with the Lincoln were no longer to be found.

In 1914, a New York collector traveling in India did come across one. He sold it to a dealer in New York for $50 or $100 — accounts vary — and by the 1960s it had been sold to Mr. Baker, a steel executive and prominent collector in Indianapolis, for $6,500.

One night in 1967, a prized group of about 250 rare covers, including the Ice House Cover, was stolen from his home. The F.B.I. found most of those covers a decade later, and Mr. Baker was able to buy them back from his insurance company. But the Ice House Cover was missing.

In early 2006, however, an elderly couple walked into a stamp shop in Chicago to ask about the value of some old envelopes they had found while cleaning the home of a deceased friend. The store owner recognized the Ice House Cover and alerted the police. After an investigation by the F.B.I. cleared the couple, the cover was returned by court order to Mr. Baker’s widow and daughter. In May, the Philatelic Foundation, a nonprofit organization in New York, examined the cover and declared it genuine.

The buyer on Saturday was Dr. Arthur K. M. Woo, who is renowned in philatelic circles for his worldwide exhibits of rare covers. He paid a total of $431,250, including buyer’s commission.

Published in New York Times: June 14, 2009

Portugal 2010

World Philatelic Exhibition Portugal 2010 will be held from October 1 – 10, 2010 in Lisbon, Portugal. Mr. Dhirubhai Mehta is the National Commissioner for the exhibition. For details please contact -

Shri Dhirubhai Mehta
101 - 102, Dalamal Chambers,
Sir V.Thakersey Marg (New Marine Lines),
Mumbai 400 020
Phone off.: 22001460, Tele Fax 22007848.
e-mail dhirubhai_phil@yahoo.com
http://www.portugal2010.pt/fep10/wcmservlet/portugal2010/en/index.html
http://www.fpf-portugal.com/boletim01portugal2010e.htm

Last Date of Submission of Entry form is 30 September 2009

Stamp on Bryan Adams

With numerous hit singles, a Grammy Award, Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, and an induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame to his credit, Bryan Adams may have earned the ultimate tribute from his native Canada: a postage stamp. The rock singer joins three other musicians -- Stompin' Tom Connors, Edith Butler and Robert Charlebois -- as part of the Canadian Recording Artists stamp series. The set of four stamps will be officially released on July 2. Adams, who is also a professional photographer, has another connection with stamps. His photograph of Queen Elizabeth II was used on a Canadian postage stamp in 2003.

Stampmania 2009

The First National One Frame Philatelic Exhibition ”Stampmania 2009" is going to be organized by Baroda Philatelic Society from 18th to 20th December 2009 at Vadodara. The venue of the exhibition has been selected. It will be held at Shree Saurashtra Leuva Patel Seva Samaj, Alembic Road, Vadodara. Approximately 400 frames (200x2) will be displayed in the exhibition. The official website of the exhibition www.stampmania2009.com has already been launched. Details of the Exhibition Prospectus & Entry Forms in pdf format are now available at website. Collectors can get detailed information at the website or may write to Mr. Prashant Pandya or Mr. Timir R. Shah . E-Mail Prashant Pandya: info@vadophil.org Timir R. Shah: admin@vadophil.org

The options to download Entry Form in pdf format is provided on website, which you can fill and print electronically. Printed Entry Form duly signed may be sent to STAMPMANIA 2009 Secretariat with particulars of Entry Fees. Alternately you can fill online Entry Form at the website and for confirmation and for your record purpose print it and send one copy duly signed with particulars of fees to STAMPMANIA 2009 Secretariat. Hit Submit button to submit the Entry Form online.

Three options for making payment of Entry Fees has been provided. You can send the fees by Demand Draft or AT PAR Cheque in favour of Baroda Philatelic Society, Can send fees by Money Order or you can deposit the amount in any branch of BANK OF BARODA in Account No. 01900100006809 of Baroda Philatelic Society.

Last Date for Submission of Entry Forms is 31.07.2009

Please visit www.stampmania2009.com to read articles on “what is One Frame Exhibit” and Social Philately?

Updates

-Most of the dealers' booths are now booked at first floor. Only two big size booths and two small booths are available now.

-Organizing Committee has been receiving inquiries from dealers and philatelists and they are planning to erect more dealers' booth at first floor to accommodate more dealers.

-India Study Circle for Philately (U.K.) have booked a booth at STAMPMANIA 2009 and ISC (UK) is planning to have an interactive session with philatelists during the event.

-For the convenience of Visitors to 'Stampmania 2009', Organizers have provided tourist information of Baroda and Surrounding of Baroda at our website. Please have a look at 'Tourist Information' link. Information about Connections to Baroda via Rail, Road and Air is also available at the site. List of Trains from Major cities can be found from the link 'Trains Passing Through Vadodara' provided on website. This will help you to plan your travel to Vadodara and sight seeing at various places in the City and Surroundings of Vadodara.

-Route Map to Venue from Baroda Railway Station and Baroda Bus Station is also now available on the website.

-Information about Hotels and other accommodation facilities will also be made available on website shortly.

Stamp Exhibition in Pune

A stamp Exhibition will be held in Pune from Oct 30-31 & Nov 1. For details Contact Pratisad Neurgaonkar e-mail - pratisad@hotmail.com

One Frame Exhibits

According to Tay Peng Hian, Director of International Philatelic Federation (FIP), majority of the exhibitors and commissioners do not really understand what is One Frame exhibit. The contents of One Frame exhibit must be of a narrow subject which it will not be possible to extend to more than One Frame. For example the 1855 Indian bisect used in the Straits Settlements, the 1854 4 Annas 5th printing etc. The Indian exhibitors at Hong Kong 2009 did not fare well for their One Frame exhibits because the subject they tried to show could easily be a 5 frames material. FIP/FIAP would not accept this type of exhibits.

It is in the interests of all exhibitors and jurors to keep themselves updated and informed of the latest trend of One Frame exhibits.

INDIAN PARTICIPATION IN PHILAKOREA 2009

The 24th Asian International Stamp Exhibition, PHILAKOREA 2009, is being held from July 30 to August 4, 2009 at Seoul, Korea. Damyanti Pittie is the national commissioner as well as a jury from India.
Following exhibitors are participating in the show:

Kishor Chandak's Handstruck Postage Stamps of India upto 1852
Sathi V Menon's Postmarks of Travancore State
O K Prakash's Cochin State Postal History
B M Modi's Gems & Jewelry
Rajesh Kumar Sinha's Fascinating World of Maps
Mrinal Mathur's Cars on Stamps (Youth Class)
Colonel Jayanta Dutta's Rare Stamps of the World (Literature Class)

New Max Cards on Spices of India

Our distinguished member Mr. Hemant Kumar Jain of Mandla (M.P.) has prepared new Max Cards on recently issued " Spices of India" stamps. For these Max Cards Mr. Jain may be contacted on following address -

Er.H.K.Jain (A.E.) ,W.R. Division, Civil Lines, Mandla (M.P.) PIN 481661
Mob.09425484703 E - Mail : jainhk60@gmail.com
News from Karnataka Philatelic Society

A new committee of the Karnataka Philatelic Society was elected in its 34th Annual General Meeting held on May 17, 2009.
President - Mahesh Jambulingam
Vice President -- S S Swamy
Secretary - Jay Prakash Sarda
Treasurer -- M K Mani
Members of Governing Council:
Ghouse Ali Zameer, Manish Jain, and Akshay Borad

DAK TICKET MILAN -2009
(STAMP FAIR)
Chhattisgarh Philatelic Association, Bilaspur is organizing a stamp fair from 21 -23 August 2009 at Bilaspur named as “DAK TICKET MILAAN – 2009 (Stamp Fair). More than 60 eminent stamp dealers from all over India are expected to grace the show. Philatelists from all over India are expected to attend the fair. Four sets of approved Stamp Booklets, Special Covers and Maximum Cards are planned to be issued during the occasion.Date: 21, 22 and 23rd August 2009

Venue: Hotel Centre Point
Contact: Mr. Atul Jain
Gen Secretary, Jaina Garments, Dayalband, Bilaspur C. G. 495001Moblile: 09300311007
e-mail: jainaatul.65@gmail.com
C.R. Andhare
Mob. 09826644060 e-mail : crandhare@yahoo.com

A philatelic exhibition on wildlife

This year on Earth Day, April 22, a philatelic exhibition on endangered mammals of the world and the giant panda was opened at WWF-India’s Secretariat in Delhi at its Pirojsha Godrej auditorium. The maximaphily collection of Delhi based philatelist Mr Sundar Lal Bansal had some hundred and twenty maximum cards on display with each of the special picture cards accompanied by corresponding stamps and pictorial postal cancellations.

The exhibition was inaugurated by WWF’s Secretary-General and CEO Mr Ravi Singh. After a talk by Mr Singh, Mr Bansal, formerly a Distinguished Scientist with the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation), gave a brief talk on his collection and how he began his tryst with the hobby after his retirement from active service. The well-known philatelist has, through his philatelic collection, been espousing the cause of protection and conservation of threatened wildlife species.

The inauguration was attended by school children from a number of Delhi schools accompanied by their teachers, after which the children went around the exhibition. The exhibition was open for viewing on the 22^nd and 23^rd of April. Activities for children such as clay modeling, story telling and a music concert also formed part of the event at the Secretariat.

- N.KALYANI

Beginners’ Section

How to remove self – adhesive stamps

The world's first self-adhesive postage stamps were issued in 1964 by Sierra Leone; but the use of pressure-sensitive adhesives on materials other than postage stamps (some state revenue stamps, envelope flaps, etiquette labels, address labels, etc.) was employed long before 1967. The first self-adhesive postage stamps issued by the United States were the 10-cent pre-cancel Dove and Weather Vane Christmas stamps of 1974. It wasn't long before problems with the self-adhesive stamps surfaced. These problems are far from being resolved today, but we have come to know a little about the predicaments attendant on self-adhesive stamps.
How should used self-adhesive stamps be best removed from paper? The answer to that question is of interest with regard not only to used self-adhesives, but also with regard to removal of the self-adhesive from the backing on which unused stamps are found when purchased.

Many collectors have had some success with soaking these self-adhesives in water followed by a gentle rubbing of the back of the loose stamp to remove any traces of the adhesive. It is a valid question as to whether or not this will remove the entire adhesive. The latter could be best achieved, of course, if we knew the solvent used in the adhesive. The Preservation and Care of Philatelic Materials Committee has asked the United States Postal Service to identify the solvents in the adhesives used on the various self-adhesive stamps issued by the United States Postal Service. The postal authorities responded that their specifications neither tests for nor recommends any particular solvents to remove the adhesive since that is not considered part of the stamp performance requirements specified by USPS. Thus, the committee was unsuccessful in obtaining the solvent information requested,.

As an alternative to the removal of unused self-adhesives from the backing on which it was purchased, Baadke (1997a and 1998) suggests that a single self-adhesive be cut out to give a small surrounding backing border after the adjacent stamps have been removed. This may not appeal to the individual who is concerned with what the effect of the backing and the adhesive will be over time.

Collectors who save complete unused panes of the self-adhesive stamps should pay careful attention to what, if any, effect the backing paper and/or the adhesive has on the stamps themselves. Any collector who saved the first self-adhesive issued by the United States postal authorities in 1974 will recall how those stamps became seriously damaged in storage.

Lawrence (1999a and 1999b) has produced an in-depth review of the self-adhesive issues. Baadke (1999) reported on the availability of a commercial adhesive remover product called "Un-Du," a solvent which has shown some success in the removal of self-adhesive stamps from paper. Baadke cautions, however, that the primary ingredient in "Un-Du" is heptane, and, accordingly caution in its use is warranted.

Read More at: http://www.stamps.org/care/subp2.htm

Specialized Section

Printed to Private Order Postal Stationeries

- ©Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

"The postal stationery is a philatelic document which is provided or which was equipped with an imprinted postage value". This definition is supported by what the specialists in this field formulated. The postal stationery forms a whole whose various ingredients can be used for the construction of a thematic collection.

But the confusion arises, when some more text or illustrations of thematic appeal are added after the issuance of the postal stationery, sometimes printed in the same typeface and colour of the imprinted indicium for pre payment.

To have a better understanding, of the use of such privately printed stationeries in the development of a theme, the moment when the imprinted franking is actually applied is therefore of great importance. There are three fundamental possibilities exist as follows:

1. Any stationery issued by the postal department for either public or official use with printed or printed and embossed design to show that postage has been prepaid. It does not matter even if a part or full one side of the stationery is hired by any private organization or person for advertising etc. Few examples of this kind are the “Meghdoot Post Cards of India, Belgium’s Publibles and French Lettres-Annonces.

1. Privately printed stationery with some illustrations, text or only senders name presented to the postal authorities for imprinting franking value, may be aimed for private use or selling to others. If postal authorities are in agreement with the private content and approval granted for imprinting the franking value, these items are called “Printed to Private Order Postal Stationeries”. From the 1870s and until the 1940s it has been a widespread practice in Germany that societies, organizations, festival organizers etc. could request that their already printed postcards had the current rate for mailing imprinted on them by the post office. Few other countries who also issued such printed to private order postal stationeries during 19^th & 20^th centuries are Austria, Switzerland and Great Britain. Today such stationeries are jewels for any International exhibit.

1. Any item printed privately, any advertisement, illustrations or only text, after the issuance of the postal stationery with imprinted franking value .Such printing is very popular and continues in practice from early 19^th & 20^th century to this day. People used a part of space printing sender’s name, request for undelivered items, advertisements of their product with b/w or coloured illustrations, price list or any type of forms etc which may have some thematic appeal. Pre-independent Indian Postal Cards privately printed by Perfumers and Tobacco merchants with beautiful illustrations of God and Goddesses, flora and fauna to publicize their products or sending price list to their consumers are available in philatelic market. The USA philatelic market is also filled with privately printed postal stationeries of this kind with matching typeface and colour of the imprinted stamp having great thematic appeal.

Illustrations or text on such postal stationeries printed after the item left the post office are not philatelic and not to be included in any thematic exhibit.

It is safe to use the first and second type of postal stationeries for the reason of their illustrations, text or any other detail available on them and have thematic appeal; only in later case your knowledge to differentiate it with the other postal stationeries of third category is essential.

Sometimes in printed to private order postal stationeries, the position of the stamp is self evident for its printing after the text.

Printed to Order Envelope and Wrapper of SWITZERLAND

You may also refer Postal Stationery Catalogue. If it is not available (happens with Indian collectors) it is also useful to know whether, in the country in question during the period from which the item dates, the so-called franking by request existed or not. As I already mentioned during 19^th and 20^th centuries, Germany and Austria were frequently releasing second type of stationeries but in the USA, most of these items are of third category and hence of no thematic value.

There is few other type of postal stationeries which bear no imprinted franking value and avails free postage. Belgium’s Giro Covers are a good example of it and have proved there philatelic as well as thematic importance in advance collections because of their advertisements both on front and back of the envelope. They were used in the 1920s and 1930s by Belgian giro service.

Giro Cover, BELGIUM

Field Posts are again a type of postal stationery with much confusion when they have illustrations of thematic appeal. They also posses a Free postage and used for armed forces. They bear the letters F.M. (Franchise Militaire) printed, meaning – free postage as a member of the armed forces. But some time rubber stamps are put reading F.M. on cards used by military personnel’s mail. Here too we can include the illustrations or other printed text if available and have some thematic appeal in thematic collection provided the word FM is imprinted on the address side but of no philatelic value if only rubber stamp is used for FM.

FM imprinted Postal Card

Stamped Field Post Card

This article will not complete if an another type of postal stationery (in true sense a postal document) having no imprinted franking, instead a postage stamp is affixed with an overprint “B.L.P.”. It is unique in the sense that the decision to issue a discounted letter sheet, known as BLP letters (Busta Lettera Postale) like French Lettres- Annonces, was taken by only one country- Italy in 1920. In 1922-1923 the Italian government sold stamps overprinted "B.L.P." (Busta Lettere Postale) to the National Federation for Supporting War Invalids (World War I). The federation bought the stamps at a discount from face value and then affixed them to envelopes that were sold for five cenetesimi less than the face value. Revenue was generated by selling advertising on the envelopes.

The overprinted stamp along with envelope and inner sheet forms a whole unit called BLP letter, without overprinted stamp the rest of the envelope has no philatelic value. This in technical sense fulfills all the requirements of postal stationery.

Due to its rarity and thematic appeal, its addition in any advance thematic collection is always recommended .It is also an important philatelic element.

LABELING MAILS (POSTAL LABELS

- By Naresh Agarwal (contd. from the last issue….)

PACKAGE LABELS:

Railway parcels/packaging often has labels attached to it. These communicate payment/postage, barcodes, route,delivery station, identification marks/information, usage guidance, addresses, advertising etc..They also often use to resist tempering or pilferage.

Railway Parcel Label Bar code labels

BARCODE LABELS:

Indicates departmental meter account code. CMS scans the barcode into accounting system, thus avoiding human errors on account numbers.

RETURN ADRESS LABELS:

Return Address - Indicates official departmental return address along with departmental meter account number. Indicates whom to return the package to in the case of a returned package

Logo return address label Cowboy return address label Instruction label

INSTRUCTIONAL LABELS:

These are the labels which apparently gives some instructions towards safe and proper carriage of mail. Like Do not bent, Do not crush, do not fold, return to sender, forwarded, opened for postal inspection, repaired etc.

CUSTOMS LABELS:

Mail needs custom clearance when it goes overseas. Customs declaration labels are affixed on certain class of mails These labels give specific required information.

DAMAGE MAIL LABELS:

The mail some times during transmission gets damaged due to mishandling, accidents, weather conditions, improper baggage and natural calamities. The mail is delivered in that condition. The addressee is informed about the reasons for such delivery and often apologized also by affixing these labels.

DISINFECTED MAIL LABELS:

Due to some epidemic, the mail is suspected affected and require appropriate treatment such as irradiation, sanitization, disinfection and other treatment to kill the germs and safe delivery of the mail. Labels are affixed on such mail as identification of such treatment and mail.

CLASS OF POSTAL SERVICE:

Though named differently by different postal organizations, yet mail is classified in to Ist class (Priority Mail),Domestic, economy ,2^nd class,3^rd class,4^th class, letter post, parcel post, express mail etc. in accordance with weight and service considerations. Several labels affixed on particular mail are :

Air mail propaganda labels

SOCIAL LABELS : Some times administration or even privately some labels are affixed to rise funds for social cause such as fight for leprosy, help for war victims, fight against epidemic, flood relief fund, road safety, untouchability etc. Patriotic labels may also be put in this class.

PROPAGANDA LABELS :

These labels are basically publicity labels which are used on the mail to propagate matters such as political so may be called diplomatic and political labels. There excessive utility was done during world wars. These labels are normally govt. promoted and approved ones

RED CROSS LABELS:

There had been vast publicity of the Red Cross society through out the world during world war times also as the world all over was facing health and disease problems. Red cross labels were quite often used on mails and are also being used. All over the world, the postal authorities and local social organizations have been issuing RED CROSS labels depicting red cross the symbol of this well recognized social society. These labels depict different aspects of functions of the society and inspire people to join hands in service of manhood society.

Red Cross Labels WORLD WAR PATRIOTIC LABELS

PETRIOTIC LABELS:

The govt. issues and encourages labels which appreciates their military and soldiers, their dedication and spirits. General public is asked to back the soldiers and inspire the soldiers at war front. During world war or war times these labels find place on the postal articles.

SOCIAL OR CHARITY LABELS :

To popularize and inform public in general and to collect funds for charity and social purposes, these labels are sold & affixed on the mail. These may be issued and circulated by Govt. or Non govt. agencies. There is no specific limit to such labels.

PUBLIC AWARENESS LABELS :

Basically these labels too come under the class of social labels but these mainly are public awareness labels where public in general are educated about various common issues such as Road safety,Childern Safety, Pollution control, Plantation, Education for all etc. etc.

1. COMMERCIAL LABELS : Advertising, propaganda, publicity, promotional labels are such labels which comes under this category.

ADVERTISING LABELS:

Mail is a very good medium for advertising various products and events as it is accessible to almost each and every person of the society in one way or the other. Govt. advertise its policies, postal deptt. Advertise its own products and services, private persons such as industries, traders, service organizations too advertise through mail by affixing labels on the mail. These labels normally highlights product, its features, organization etc. Some times these labels are tagged with stamps ,fixed in booklet panes or sold at post office too, if approved.

8. GENERAL LABELS: General labels such as decorative labels, special event labels fall under this class.

POSTAL AUTHORITY LABELS : Every postal authority or agency engaged in postal operations has its mono or logo which is normally fixed own covers issued by them or they affix a label on the mail. Some such labels are :

To be contd….

Gandhi

Dandi March – An Idea that Changed the World

-By Ilias Patel

Contd from the last…..

Re-enactment of Dandi March

In the annals of India's struggle for freedom, few events are as dramatic, inspiring and significant as the historic march to Dandi led by the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. In view of this, the political parties in power always try to pluck every opportunity to celebrate this historic event on its eventful anniversary. In the recent past, this event was re-enacted twice. It was first re-enacted in 1998 on the occasion of 50^th year of independence by the then ruling party Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) in Gujarat and last year in 2005, it was jointly re-enacted by Mahatma Gandhi Foundation and Indian National Congress on the 75^th anniversary of Dandi March.

(i) Re-enactment in 1998

In 1998, Dandi March was re-enacted from Gandhi Ashram by the BJP, then ruling party in Gujarat on March 12, on the same route with same timings. Shri Bhanubhai Dave, the lone Dandi Yatri Survivor in Gujarat, with whom 81 yatries joined the march, flagged it off. The whole journey was full of high spirits, which saw larger participation of people and greater emphasis on concepts of swadeshi, cleanliness of village environment, prohibition, literacy campaign, village development and other self sustaining strategies. It also spread the message of equality, harmony, and unity. It was a march for "Surajya" from "Swarajya". Then Union Minister, Shri Murli Manohar Joshi was the Chief Guest of the event during concluding ceremony. A special cover and cancellation on Dandi was released on April 6, 1998 as shown in Ill. 19. The Dandi Memorial also appeared as special cancellation during GUJPEX 77 State level exhibition as shown in Ill. 20.

(ii) Re-enactment in 2005

To commemorate the Great Salt March, the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation proposed a re-enactment on the 75th anniversary. The event was known as the "International Walk for Peace, Justice and Freedom". Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson Tushar Gandhi and several hundred fellow marchers followed the same route to Dandi and planned to take a similar amount of time to walk it. The start of the march on March 12, 2005 in Ahmedabad was attended by Sonia Gandhi (no familial relations), Chairperson of the National Advisory Council, as well as nearly half of the Indian cabinet, many of whom walked for the first few kilometers. The commemoration ended on April 7, with the participants finally halting at Dandi on the night of April 5. During the concluding session of Dandi March programme at Dandi, Sonia Gandhi, Congress President delivered a lecture on April 6, 2005 in which she paid tribute to Gandhiji as; “As long as humans survive, there will be a struggle in life, and therefore the significance of the philosophy of Gandhi will be there. That is why we have said during this yatra: "Gandhi is not a past, But is also a future."

The 75^th year of Dandi March was celebrated by the Department of Post by issuing a set of four stamps and a miniature sheet portraying various views of Dandi March and its entire route (Ill. 21 and 22). This set of four stamps along with a miniature sheet tries to capture the historic moment and its varied facets. The first stamp (clockwise) catches a glimpse of the marchers, led by Mahatma Gandhi on the move. The second stamp shows Mahatma Gandhi while the headlines in “Bombay Chronicle” of March 13, 1930 announce the beginning of the “Great March for Liberty”. The third stamp shows lines written by Mahatma Gandhi on April 5^th, 1930. “I want world sympathy in this battle of Right against the might”. And finally, the last stamp, while showing the course traversed during the march, has Gandhiji picking up a lump of salt, a simple act, which forever becomes the powerful symbol of the Salt Satyagrah. The miniature sheet extends the idea encapsulated in the stamps with artistic depictions of the route taken during the commemoration of 75 years of Dandi March, while showing the historical footage of the followers of Mahatma Gandhi.

Ill. 21 Se-tenant block of 4 issued in 2005 Ill. 22 M/s issued in 2005

A set of four maxim cards based on stamps issued in April 2005 were issued on April 5, 2005 by Ernakulam Philatelic Bureau as shown in Ill. 23 (a) to (d). Similar set of four maxim cards were also issued by Philatelic Society of Rajasthan on April 5, 2005.

During this revisited Dandi March the Chief Post Master (CPM), GPO, Ahmedabad provided a unique gesture to celebrate this event by introducing baseline message printed on the postal receipts. This commemorative message was printed for the entire period of Dandi March i.e. between 12/03/2005 to 06/04/2005. Hence those who sent their letters through registered or speed post or have sent money orders were fortunate enough to receive a receipt printed with a message relating to Dandi March as a base line message. For the philatelists this provided a unique opportunity to collect these receipts.

From the various receipts issued, following base line messages are traced out so far. According to date of issue, they are presented in tabular form as shown below.

Sr. No.	Date of Issue	Message Printed	Illustration No.
1	12/03/05	75 Years of Salt Satyagraha	24
2	12/03/05	75 Years of Dandi March	25
3	12/03/05	75 Years of Dandi March 1930	26
4	15/03/05	75th Salt March reaches Nadiad	27
5	16/03/05	75th Dandi March reaches Anand	28
6	17/03/05	Gandhiji- Not Past – Future Also	29
7	21/03/05	Chalo Dandi – 1930 – M.K.Gandhi	30
8	23/03/05	My life is my Message – Gandhi	31
9	26/03/05	75th Dandi Yatra Passes Bharuch	32
10	28/03/05	Gandhi – Atit Nahin Bhavishya Bhi	33
11	01/04/05	75th Dandi March at Surat	34
12	04/04/05	75th Dandikuch Passes Navsari	35
13	05/04/05	75th Historic March at Dandi	36
14	06/04/05	Gandhi Breaks Salt Act 1930	37

Conclusion

The heart-stirring Salt March is regarded as one of the most glorious chapters in the history of our country. A small idea of defying salt act became instrumental to spread the idea of mass civil disobedience and made the people aware of its potentiality. It engulfed the nation with a spirit of one-ness and unity and succeeded in achieving what Gandhiji had fought for all his life – total independence for India. The subsequent years show more powerful movements of civil disobedience throughout our nation. Seventeen years later, it ultimately resulted in India’s independence in 1947. It is very unfortunate that it came with the bifurcation in to two nations; India and Pakistan and thus history and geography of the world changed with it.

Acknowledgments

The author is extremely thankful to his friend Late Gaurav Dalal who provided the complete reference literature and illustration material for preparing the base write up. The author is also thankful to his friends Prakash Jambudi and Mainak Kathara for other useful illustrations.

References

Dandi: Salt March available at http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/History/Gandhi/Dandi.html

Dhall S. C. – Dandi March, unpublished, pp 31.

(Dr) Nayak Bhanukumar C. (late) – Ancient Indian Cultural Thought in Mahatma Gandhi’s Dandiyatra, Ph.D. Thesis, unpublished, 1984, pp 192.

Gandhi Today – The Salt March available at

http://www.algonet.se/~jviklund/gandhi/ENG.MKG.salt.html

Government of Gujarat – Dandikutch (in Gujarati), written by (late) Mehta K. and Desai I.I., published by Deptt. of Information, Gandhinagar, 1988, pp 56.

Government of Gujarat – Gandhiji : Incarnation in Gujarat, Edited by Jitendra Desai and Amrut Modi, published by Directorate of Information, Gandhinagar, 1994, pp 137.

India Post – Information Sheet on Dandi March stamp issue dated 2/10/1980.

India Post – Brochure on Dandi March stamp issue dated 5/4/2005.

Patel D. H. – Dandikutch (in Gujarati), published by Navgivan Prakashan Mandir, Ahmedabad, 2004, pp 126.

Book Review

A GUIDE TO MODERN INDIAN POSTAL STATIONERY 1947-2003, Vol.1, by Mr. Prashant H. Pandya

Published May 2004 by Prashant H. Pandya, A-5, Yoginagar Township, Nr. Gayatrinagar, Gotri, VADODARA – 390 021, INDIA
e-mail edesk@prashantpandya.com

I have recently come across a book on Indian Postal Stationery by Mr. Prashant Pandya. It is the first volume of “ A Guide to Modern Indian Postal Stationery 1947 – 2003 was published in May 2004. It covers envelopes which includes the ordinary; ordinary with advertisements; Express Delivery; Registered; Airmail; Greeting Post; Customised Postal Stationery; Customised Greeting Post; Provisional / Surcharged; Formula Postal Stationery, Indian Princely States’ envelopes issued after Independence; and Postal Rates. It is a complete book with detailed information on “Independent India Postal Stationery Envelopes”.

Mr. Prashant Pandya needs no introduction to the field of philately. He started the Rajpipla Philatelic Society in 1978. He is the President of Baroda Philatelic Society. He has written articles in IND DAK; ISC India Post and other leading philatelic newsletters. He is editor of VADOPHIL published by Baroda Philatelic Society. His new Blog on philately in Hindi “Prashant Pandya ka Phila Jagat” has been very popular with philatelists and his recent venture is to organize a One Frame National Philatelic Exhibition STAMPMANIA 2009 from 18 – 20 December 2009 in Vadodara. A Microbiologist & Chemist by profession, he has also keen interest in web designing besides philately and has designed several web pages. - Editor

New Issues from other countries

Australia

9 June 2009 Queensland 150 Years – 55c, $ 2.75

Australia Post has joined in the festivities of Queensland's 150th anniversary with the release of two stamps that celebrate Queensland's history and achievements and the significant contribution the sunshine state has made to Australian life. From the spectacular natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and Queensland outback, to iconic symbols such as the windmill and Queensland Parliament House, Australia Post has endeavoured to capture the essence of Queensland in this commemorative stamp issue.

Canada

12 June 2009 centenary of international cooperation in sharing water resources – 54c

Centenary of the Boundary Waters Treaty

The stamp Features gorgeous images of Niagara Falls past and present, celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Canada/U.S Boundary Waters Treaty.

The unique stamp design is a spectacular combination of images from Niagara Falls. The background depicts a historic sepia-tone image of the American Falls while the foreground shows a modern photo of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls lit up at night in a glorious rainbow of colours. “There’s a remarkable transition as the Falls of yesteryear transform through the mist into the Falls of the present day,” says designer Paul Haslip. “It’s a wonderful way to celebrate 100 years of the Treaty.”

“The stamp catches the essence of the falls and in combining the historical, present and future in the design, it signifies the longevity of the Boundary Waters Treaty and its present and future use to prevent and resolve disputes over the shared fresh waters of Canada and the United States,”

Czech Republic

17 June 2009 Inter. Competition Fire CTIF -17 kc

Estonia

18 June 2009 25th Estonian Song Festival € .035

The tradition of All-Estonian song festivals was born in 1869, when the first such festival took place in Tartu from 18 to 20 June. The Estonians often like to be described as a singing people – it is an expression of the national identity of the people, which has united them in their struggle for independence both in the early years of the 20th century and during the Soviet occupation. This year’s festival is the 25th, and 140 years will pass since the first festival this year. Baltic Song and Dance festivals, including those of Estonia, have won wide acclaim and belong to the list of UNESCO Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Israel

30 June 2009 Global Warming – 3 val

Malaysia

18 June 2009 Conservation of Nature – 30 sen , 2 x 50 sen

Poland

29 May 2009 Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek

It is hard to believe that the comic book about Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek is already 52 years old, and its creator has turned 86 this year. Henryk Jerzy Chmielewski, known as Papcio Chmiel (Papa Chmiel), was born in 1923. Tytus de Zoo is an anthropoid ape that is accompanied by tall and thin Romek and short and thickset A'Tomek. Their adventures have entertained and educated several generations of children and youth. Three stamps with the characters from Papcio Chmiel's comic book present them in the form of photographs from police files, which show exact height of a photographed person. As a result, it is now known exactly how tall Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek are. At the bottom of each stamp, there is an author's signature.

30 May 2009

4 June 1989r. 20th Anniversary of the Memorable Elections - MS

Portugal

5 June 2009 The Flavours of Lusophony – 6 Val + 1 S/s

The Flavours of Lusophony
This set of stamps aims to illustrate some of the most interesting examples of the mutual influence of Portuguese gastronomy and the gastronomy of other continents, in times as far back as of the Discoveries.

The selection of dishes – naturally limited by the number of stamps to be issued – was based on the distinguished opinion of David Lopes Ramos, one of the most respected Portuguese gastronomic critics. The preparation of the dishes was entrusted to chef Aimé Barroyer who interpreted, in the light of the most modern, contemporary culinary art, in which field he is one of the most renowned world experts, dishes as old and emblematic as the peoples characterized here through their “mouth” and through the excellent photographic creation of Mário Cerdeira.

San Marino

16 June 2009 - 4 different issues

Writers - € 0,36 - 0,85 - 1,40

The set is made up of three values and pays homage to the following writers: Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) on the bicentenary of his birth, Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) on the 150th anniversary of his birth and Raymond Chandler (1888-1959) on the 50th anniversary of his death. Imaginative and symbolic power and an attraction to mystery characterize Poe, a great writer. His stories cover various genres, from horror (The Black Cat), to thrillers (The Fall of the House of Usher), from science-fiction (Hans Pfall) to detective stories, with the triptych Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Mystery of Marie Roget and The Purloined Letter.

Wines of San Marino - € 0,60 x 6 M/s

After Italian and European wines, the wines of San Marino couldn’t be ignored: the Tessano, the Brugneto, the Riserva Titano, the Caldese, the Roncale and the Moscato Spumante. All produced by the Consorzio Vini Tipici di San Marino (San Marino Consortium of Typical Wines).

Louis Braille

The stamp features Louis Braille on the 200th anniversary of his birth, with a philatelic issue of ˆ1,50, where the image turns into a unique chromatic game between the artistically colored inscription BRAILLE and the raised dots of the same word.

Singapore

17 June 2009 - 150 Years of Singapore Botanic Gardens - 4 val + $2.00 M/s

USA

11 June 2009 – Anna Julia Cooper – 44c

Educator, scholar, feminist and activist Anna Julia Cooper (c.1858-1964), who gave voice to the African-American community during the 19th and 20th centuries — from the end of slavery to the beginning of the Civil Rights movement .Cooper, best known for her groundbreaking collection of essays and speeches, A Voice from the South by a Black Woman of the South, also exhibited educational leadership, most notably challenging the racist notion that African Americans were naturally inferior.

Reader’s Right

Editor’s note- The aim of this stamp newsletter is to provide instant information and facts on philately to the readers and not to hurt anyone’s feelings. Readers may express their views, anguish and resentment through this column on philately. The platform is not used for any vested interest to cause derogatory to philately. When writing your views be sure that it should be related to philately only. It should not be used to express personal feelings between persons or groups in any manner.

Naresh Agarwal, Bilaspur - Chhattisgarh

I must admit that you have a wonderful capacity to understand and improve the things. RAINBOW is improving month by month. Its designing, presentation is becoming better and better. Above all, it has become more and more interesting. In one of my mail I had said that I was addicted to this. I wait for the final bulletin anxiously though blog do give a lot to read and see.

Further, what I have found is that Rainbow has given a platform and courage to the lot of philatelists/ stamp collectors to come out of their shells and speak out. Some hidden literary and philatelic talents too have emerged. This is a good sign for development of philately. The way, people are responding to the contents of this bulletin ... I am sure Rainbow will become the leading news bulletin in the philatelic world which will attract one and all who is related to philately in any manner. Article of Dr. Satyendra Agrawal on Booklets is highly informative and educative. My hats off to him for his selection of topic, presentation and writing skills. I would call such philatelist as True Philatelist.

Blogs & Websites on Philately

www.stampsofindia.com – This is the website of India with complete information on Indian stamps.

http://setenantsofindia.blogspot.com – This is a new blog on se-tenants stamps of India by Mr. Shrikant Parikh of Ahmedabad.

http://prashantpandya.blogspot.com - A new Blog in Hindi by Mr. Prashant Pandya of Vadodara. It is the only blog for philately in Hindi and created to have awareness about philately amongst philatelists as well as non philatelists.

http://letstalkstamps.blogspot.com – A new Blog created by our member Commodore Vijay Kapre of New Delhi.

www.fishstamplover.blogspot.com This is a new blog on Fishes created by our member Dr. Bibhudatta Mishra of Bhubaneshwar.

http://ganesh-worldheritage.blogspot.com/ This is anew blog on World Heritage Sites by our member Mr. Ganesh Potphode.

http://stampcollectingroundup.blogspot.com - Interesting news, resources and links about stamps, stamp collecting and postal operations.

http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/ - Amazing true stories from the life of casual collector….. A nice blog by Mr. Keijo of Romania

www.rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com – This is the e – Stamp Club Blog to bring philatelists together on blogosphere and share views with each other.

http://www.myfavouritestamps.blogspot.com - A blog on my favourite stamps.

For complete information about Indian Stamps, covers & postal stationery visit following links…

For an illustrated list of stamps in 2009, please visit
http://www.stampsofindia.com/lists/stamps/2009stamps.htm

The complete illustrated listing of Meghdoot Post Card is available at:
http://www.stampsofindia.com/lists/meghdoot.htm
For an illustrated list of all kinds of Postcards in 2009, visit
http://stampsofindia.com/lists/2009PC.htm
For an illustrated list of Aerogramme & Inland Letter in 2009, visit
http://stampsofindia.com/lists/2009ILC.htm
For an illustrated list of all kinds of Envelopes in 2009, visit
http://stampsofindia.com/lists/2009EN.htm

For an illustrated list of Army Postal Service Issues in 2009, visit
http://stampsofindia.com/lists/pmk/aps/2009aps.htm
For an illustrated list of Special Postmarks & Covers in 2009, visit
http://www.stampsofindia.com/lists/pmk/2009pm.htm

On-line Exhibit on International Virtual Philatelic Exhibition EXPONET –

http://www.exponet.info/

Studying Thunderstorms by Mail - http://www.japhila.cz/hof/0478/index0478a.htm

The Story of Milk - http://www.japhila.cz/hof/0508/index0508a.htm

Railway Picture Post cards - http://www.japhila.cz/hof/0505/index0505a.htm

Microbes in Action - http://www.japhila.cz/hof/0238/index0238a.htm

OLYMPSPORT 2009 on Exponet: http://www.japhila.cz/olympsport09/

JENNY - PRINTING VARIATIONS OF AMERICA'S FIRST AIRMAIL STAMP - http://www.japhila.cz/hof/0454/index0454a.htm

The Lighter Side

From a Stamp Lover!

STAMPS OFFER A MESSAGE

BY N. KALYANI

Postal mail is passé now, or so everyone seems to be making out the situation to be. But it is strange yet true that my interest in philately started after e-mail became so popular. It’s strange but life throws up such surprises. Just how was my interest piqued? I am interested in issues related to the environment and wildlife and write on such topics. And it was a matter of coincidence that I saw a reflection of some of these aspects in stamps. For instance, I wrote about a wonderfully shot award-winning film by wildlife filmmaker Naresh Bedi on the elusive, cute and furry red panda, an endangered species found in the misty mountainous terrains of eastern India. Subsequently, I learnt that as early as 1963, a stamp on the red panda had been issued by India.

Similarly, India post has released stamps on the occasion of World Environment Day (5^th June), World Forestry Day, Water Year, and on various issues of environment conservation such as energy conservation and rainwater harvesting, to name a few. Stamps are also brought out on endangered bird and animal species, wildlife protection, and national parks and sanctuaries. A couple of years back, I also had the opportunity of viewing a philatelic exhibition titled Explore Nature at the National Philatelic Museum in Delhi’s Dak Bhawan on Parliament Street. It threw open a vista of stamps and philatelic material on nature, environment and flora and fauna. All this sparked my interest in philately. For an issue like conservation and environment protection could be conveyed even through a little piece of paper! And for its reach even to the remotest and otherwise most inaccessible areas, postal stamps could be a great way to communicate a vital message!

Philately is both the study and collecting of stamps. And that is what makes it entertaining as also informative and educative. Even as I began taking interest in stamps on the theme of environment and nature, I began to see the magic in the world of philately in general. The variety in stamps from around the world starting with the 1840 penny black stamp, the world’s first stamp issued by UK is a matter of great fascination. Stamps are issued in various shapes and sizes: square, rectangle, rhombus, circle, hexagon and triangular shapes. Any unique feature makes a stamp special. For instance, UAE released real pearl souvenir stamp sheets. Likewise, it is fascinating to note that Austria has come out with a soccer ball material stamp and the cork stamp has been issued by Portugal. Stamps have been brought out in pleasant and lip-smacking flavours too. Yes, for Switzerland’s Swiss chocolate stamp offers you the flavour of their famous confectionery. And India has brought out stamps with the fragrance of sandalwood, rose and jasmine.

Errors in stamps make for their rarity and therefore high value- as, for instance, the inverted head of the queen on an Indian stamp of 1854. Similarly, India’s 1994 set of bird stamps used water soluble ink and were therefore withdrawn. This made the stamps rare.As regards themes, there is an unlimited variety. Portraying as they do a country’s history, geography, politics, culture, heritage, art, architecture, science, sports and flora and fauna, stamps are considered ‘the windows of a nation’.

A philatelic collection includes stamps and other postal stationery such as first day covers (FDCs), special cancellation covers, maximum cards that are special pictorial post cards, miniature sheets of stamps, folders of information, aerogrammes, inland letters et al. I began my collection by focusing on the theme of wildlife stamps released by India. Collecting stamps of one’s own country is a good starting point because they are cheap and easily available. Of course, I also collect all kinds of newly released mint stamps of India. At the Dak Bhawan, I also opened an account so the newly released stamps would be home-delivered to me.

Then there are stamp dealers from whom stamps and other philatelic material can be purchased, though at a premium, priced according to the rarity of the item. Another collectible is an FDC autographed by the stamp designer. As for instance I got the FDC, with the recent stamp on Ustad Bismillah Khan, autographed by the designer of the stamp, Chitta Ranjan Pakrashi, the octogenarian stamp designer who has more than 50 stamps to his credit.

I also get to receiving stamps as gifts from those who know my new interest. For instance, I received for a present the set of four WWF stamps released by India in 1999 featuring the highly endangered Asiatic lion from S L Bansal, a well-known philatelist who indulges in wildlife stamps and maximaphily. And my sister picked up a special stamp booklet of Christmas stamps of Australia in 2007 brought out for 50 years of the country’s Christmas stamp releases.Even as a small-time collector I find myself hooked on to philately.

The author may be contacted - N.Kalyani

Published in weekly magazine,”Sahara Time" (9 - 16 May 2009 Issue)

Promotional section

Discover India through Philately

India Post has published a book 'Discover India Through Philately'. The book has 48 all color pages and is priced at Rs 600. The book also has five pouches for holding the stamps -- Roses strip of 4, Sandalwood miniature sheet, Taj Mahal miniature sheet, Landmark Bridges strip of 4, and the Fairs of India miniature sheet.

ITS POSTAL AUCTION
Indian Thematic Society indianthematicsociety@gmail.com is holding Auction Sale #45 closing on July 25, 2009. There are 150 lots in this sale. The scans of some lots are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/its_offers

Indian Armed Forces Through Philately

A new 88 page full colour book Indian Armed Forces Through Philately , compiled by Vijay Seth has been released jointly by Stamps Today and Army Postal Service.

The book is in full colour, A4 size (8.5 x 11cm) soft back. The price of the book is Rs.350.00, plus postage. It illustrates all the APS covers from 1971 to March end 2009 inlcuding all the overprinted military stamps issued since 1953. The book is available at Stamps Today, S-331 Greater Kailash, Part-1, New Delhi - 110048, India Phone: 09810241363

- For Worldwide Thematic Stamps, Stamps on Gandhi, foreign stamps on Indian themes & Unique stamps Contact: philapradip@gmail.com

Exchange

Collect and exchange beautiful stamps from the Philippines like fauna- flora- scenic spots of the country, commemoratives, sea shells, minerals, bridges, waterfalls, religion ...e-mail: rene.abella@yahoo.com

Ali Nasseri, South Khorasan. IRAN

I'm Ali Nasseri, a professional stamp/coin/ banknote collector / dealer from Iran. If any one is interested in Iranian stamps,coins or banknotes; I can help and offer your favorite items, in exchange. Take a look at my homepage: http://ali.nasseri2005.googlepages.com/stamp

Hoang Lan, Tran , Tp.Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam
I am advanced stamps collector. I am glad to make friends with word wide philatelists. If you are interested in exchanges with me please contact – e-mail : hlanfrv@yahoo.com

Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters

-Stamp of India Collectors’ Companion - India’s first and most updated weekly e-newsletter edited by Madhukar and Savita Jhingan from Stamps of India, New Delhi. E-mail: mjhingan@yahoo.com Website: www.stampsofindia.com

-ITS Stamp News – April – June 2009 Issue edited by Suraj Jaitly – Quarterly Stamp Journal of Indian Thematic Society, Ludhiana E-Mail: indianthematicsociety@gmail.com

-PORTUGAL 2010 Bulletin 1 & 2 from Organizing Committee Portugal 2010, Lisboa, Portugal

-Vadophil - April 2009 Issue - edited by Prashant Pandya - Quarterly News Bulletin of Baroda Philatelic Society, Vadodara E-mail : info@vadophil.org Website : www.vadophil.org

-GPA News – Nov. & Dec. 2008 issue - edited by Ilias A. Patel – Issued by Gujarat Philatelists’ Association, Ahmedabad E- Mail : iap_ip@yahoo.co.in

Editor’s Mail Box

Sundar Lal Bansal, New York

My heartiest congratulations on your getting recognition and award at Hong Kong 2009 exhibition, a very well deserved award. I am a regular reader of Rainbow stamp news and I like it. I am a philatelist and spend summer in New York, USA and winter in Delhi. These days I am in USA.

Dr.Bibhudatta Mishra, Bhubaneshwar

Hearty congratulation to you for the new height that your news letter received from HONGKONG, 2009. Always your blog has lots of information. Being a young philatelist I always watch your each edition which is full of information.

Vijay Seth, New Delhi

I am regular reader of your monthly e- newsletter quite colorful. Keep the entire philatelic community updated on news from Indian and overseas.

Eli Moallem, ISRAEL

I am a stamps collector from Israel. A friend from France sent me link to your web site. I enjoyed very much from your beautiful site and intend to read the information about the Ramayana Epos. Congratulations!!!

RAINBOW STAMP CLUB

This is a blog of e-stamp Club www.rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com . The idea of this blog is to extend philatelic fraternity in all corners of the world. Readers may write about themselves with their collecting interests and share new ideas with other philatelists. Those who are interested may send following details for publication on blog. If they wish they may also send their photo for publication. New Post on recent issues, news on stamp activities and Contribution by members are published everyday on this blog.

Name…………………………………………

City/Country………………………………..

E-Mail………………………………………..

Postal Address…………………………….

Collecting Interests……………………….

Brief write up about yourself……………

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. News about new issues of India and abroad and other information related with Philately are regularly posted on this blog. Readers may send reports on new issues, special covers, cancellations & philatelic activities of their area for inclusion in this Blog. - Editor

Courtesy- News and Image Resource to this issue - Stamps of India, International Stamp News, Jagannath Mani – Bangalore; Shrikant Parikh- Ahmadabad, Prashant H. Pandya-Vadodara ,; Hemant Kumar Jain- Jabalpur, Mobile Philately – Deepak Modi,

For PDF Version of Rainbow Stamp News reply with the subject Subscribe Rainbow PDF

Address for communication: Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, Director, Great Himalayan National Park, Shamshi, Kullu (H.P.) PIN 175126

E-mail – j.jyoti9@gmail.com & rainbowstamp2008@gmail.com

Last date for receiving write ups – 25th of every month. Kindly send images in jpg compressed format & text in MS Word only.

If you liked this issue please forward it to your friends and help in promoting philately.

A Request to Readers & Contributors-

Please do not send the text in scan form. Send your write ups in MS Word only.

Please do not send forwarded messages for promotional section if you want to give any information for promotion please write personally with brief write up. As this newsletter is not used for any commercial purpose in any manner.

Attention -
Please send limited number of images in compressed jpg format only with your article. Please send text and images separately. Please do not send text or image for publication in PDF.

Be like a postage stamp. Stick to one thing until you get there. – Josh Billings

Till Next Month Happy Collecting……………………………………………………………………..

Rainbow Stamp News is edited and published monthly by Jeevan Jyoti, from Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) India.