Date of Issue - 31 August 2010

Shimla October 2010 Issue # 34 Vol. 3

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 Reader,

I am pleased to present here October  issue of Rainbow Stamp News. It is 34^th issue of Rainbow and it will complete three years of publication in December this year. I wish to thank  all contributors & distinguished readers who make every issue colorful with a variety of articles . It is my endeavor to publish Rainbow Stamp News in such a format that  it might be of interest for a specialized  as well as a general stamp collector . I always try to associate philately with everyday life so that it can also attract a common man, apart from philatelists  and stamp collectors. We never know what touches a person while going through the Post….What one perceives while reading an article. Here I wish to share a comment of one of my readers from Czech Republic on one of my Posts of Rainbow Stamp Club, written about a famous Czech Poet….When I read this comment I was deeply moved ….and this comment made my day and the Post Worth….. I felt that pictures portrayed on stamps touch millions of hearts around the globe… Philately is not just making the best collection in the world or winning big medals at the exhibitions but it is all about the beautiful world and people around us that we see and meet through the stamps…. This is what I want to promote through my newsletter and Rainbow Stamp Club Blog …. There is something common throughout the world….it is human emotions which  exist everywhere and of course in Philately too !!! This comment proves this…….

“It makes me proud to read such admiring words about the poet from my small and faraway country on your site. I would never think that someone can know him behind the borders of Czech Rep., moreover in India. But surprisingly for me even quite young people in my country like to read his poetry (esp. Máj) after 174 years after his death, in contrast to other poets in his period in my country.” – The Post

October is a festive month in India making everyone delightful and enthusiastic . This joy is doubled with the commencement of Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. I convey my Greetings to all for the festivals and games going to be held this month. World Philatelic Exhibition PORTUGAL 2010  also commences from 1st - 10th October 2010  in Lisbon. My best wishes to all the participants… This is all for this Month……..Have a wonderful Festive Time …..Till Next Month…… Happy Collecting !!

                                                                                                          ….Jeevan Jyoti

Contents

Recent Indian Issues

In The News

Interview

Beginners’ Section

Specialized Section

New Issues from Other Countries

Reader’s Right

The Lighter Side

Philatelic Clubs and Societies

Blogs & Websites on Philately

Promotional Section

Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters

Editor’s Mail Box

Recent Indian Issues

          

7 July :  Indian Naval Air Squadron 300 – Rs 5

9 July : Sparrow & Pigeon – 2 stamps –Rs 5 each + MS

12 July : Puri Rath Yatra – Rs 5 Stamp + MS

1 Aug : Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, 2 Stamps – Rs 5 each, Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, Talkatora Stadium

2 Aug : Syed Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal – Rs 5

14 August : Vethathiri - Rs 5

21 August : P.Jeevanandham – Rs 5

25 August : O P Ramaswamy Reddiyar – Rs 5

30 August : Govindaswamy V Moopanar, - Rs 5

2 September : Dr.Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy – Rs 5

26 September : Bridhadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur

See detailed list of India Post Issue Programme 2010 at

http://www.indiapost.gov.in/philatelycalendar2010.htm

Special Cover – Postmark

6 August : National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, Surathkal

6 August : Yerwadi Mano Chikitsalaya Durghartna Divas by Manav Foundation, Mumbai

 

7 August : 150th Year Celebrations . Rabindranath Tagore - Shantiniketan

14 August : Lighthouse – Mangalore (Private cover )

18 August : Zoo Outreach Organization ,Coimbatore

19 August :  Madras Day – Chennai

25 August :  Arrival of Red Ribbon Express at Jabalpur – 25 August 2910

26 August : H. R. College of Commerce & Economics – Mumbai

12 September : 100 Years of Girl Guiding – Lucknow

15 September : 150the Birthday Celebration of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya - Chickballapur

16 September : Bank of Maharashtra

22 September : Golden Jubilee Year of Sant Sakhi Baba, Sant Asudram - Lucknow

27 September: Shree Radha Krisna Temple – Kanpur

27 September: Ancient Brick Temple, Bhitargaon - Kanpur

Recent Queen’s Baton Covers

6 August : Queen’s Baton Relay – Ranchi

10 August: Queen’s Baton Relay - Bhubaneshwar

14 August: Queen’s Baton Relay, Hyderabad

20 August: - Queen’s Baton Relay, Chennai

21 August: - Queen’s Baton Relay, Pondicherry

26 August: Queen’s Baton Relay – Trivandrum

27 August: Queen’s Baton Relay – Karavatti , Lakshadweep

2 September: Queen’s baton Relay – Bangalore

7 September : Queen’s baton Relay – Panaji

10 September: Queen’s Baton Relay – Mumbai

12 September: Queen’s Baton Relay – Silvassa

14 September: Queen’s Baton Relay – Gandhinagar

17 September: Queen’s Baton Relay – Bhopal

20 September: Queen’s Baton Relay – Agra

22 September: Queen’s Baton Relay – Jaipur

23 September: Queen’s Baton Relay – Jodhpur

24 September : Queen’s Baton Relay – Jaisalmer

30 September:  Queen’s Baton Relay – N. Delhi

In The News

 

Rare Audrey Hepburn Stamps to be auctioned

Audrey Hepburn was an elegant and graceful Hollywood legend who felt her most important role was to bring attention to the welfare of children everywhere. In 1988 she became a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, focusing her efforts on the plight of children around the world.

A sheet of 10 rare Audrey Hepburn stamps will be auctioned at a gala dinner in Berlin, Germany on October 16th to raise money for the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund.

The most valuable item of modern Philately

The stamps were printed in 2002 as part of a commemorative issue created for the German ministry of Finance. Unfortunately, the stamps never entered circulation because of a disagreement with the AHCF over the choice of photograph. The result was that the entire stock of 14 million stamps were destroyed, save for a small number that were used by an employee of the ministry and 3 sheets of unused stamps retained by printer, the ministry and the AHCF.

Details of how many stamps exist and what they have sold for has been sketchy and inconsistent at best. Last year, one of the post-marked (used) stamps was sold at auction for 67,000 euros, but details of the 3 sheets of unused stamps were not made public at the time. Five of the post-marked stamps have been sold at auction since 2004, reportedly selling for prices that vary between 53,000 and 125,000 euros.

The AHCF is hoping to raise a lot of money to help with the fantastic work they do. The minimum reserve price has been set at 500,000 euros and it is reported that interest in the auction and the gala dinner has been high. We wish them the best of luck with the auction.

http://www.audrey1.org/archives/108/rare-audrey-hepburn-stamps-to-be-auctioned

The Royal Mail's new intelligent stamp uses image recognition technology

Royal Mail has launched the world’s first ‘Intelligent Stamp’ through its latest issue of Special Stamps - Great British Railways. Launched on 3rd September, the stamps are the first in the world to work with image recognition technology, which, when activated by a smart phone on the i Phone or Android platforms, will launch exclusive online content created by Royal Mail.

The first stamp, part of the Great British Railways edition, will display a short film showing Bernard Cribbins reading Auden’s famous poem The Night Mail. Royal Mail hopes that its intelligent stamps will generate interest among collectors and the general public alike.

Philatelic Exhibitions

 

POTUGAL 2010

Portugal 2010- A philately exhibition is to be held from 1st - 10th October 2010 in Lisbon. Mr Dhanjay Desai is the news Indian Commissioner for this exhibition. Mr Dhirubhai Mehta recently resigned owing to some personal reasons.

JOBURG 2010

From 27 October 2010 to 31 October 2010 at Johannesburg / Republic of South Africa. Mr Madhukar Jhingan is the National Commissioner for JOBURG 2010.

INDIPEX – 2011

The world philatelic exhibition will be held in New Delhi from 12th to 18th Feb. 2011, to commemorate the centenary of world's first airmail. It will be organized by INDIA POST in Collaboration with PCI and under Patronage of FIP and under auspices of FIAP (Federation Inter Asian Philately). The details of INDIPEX 2011 can be found on following websites -

http://www.indipex2011.com/index.php & http://www.filatelista-tematico.net/india2011.html

PHILANIPPON 2011

World Stamp Exhibitions are held all over the world every year with aims to develop philately, opening world-renowned stamp collections to the public and promote stamps of the member countries of the F edration Internationale de Philatlie (FIP). In Japan, World Stamp Exhibition takes place once every ten years and held in 1971, 1981 and 1991, and 2001, and will also be held in 2011.
The theme of PHILANIPPON 2011 is “Stamps Link the World”. It will be a rare opportunity for the first time in 10 years in Japan to promote philatelic culture in Japan, publicize Japanese stamps overseas and nurture cultural exchange and international friendship through stamp collection.

Date : July 28 – August 2, 2011

Venue : Pacifico Yokohama, Exhibition Hall.1-1-1.1 Minatomirai,

Nishi-ku, Yokohama 220-0012, Japan

Patronage : Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP)

Auspices : Federation of Inter-Asian Philately (FIAP)

 

http://www.philanippon.jp/english/

STAMPS OF INDIA NATIONAL EXHIBITION

Stamps of India national exhibition will be held from 10 – 12 December 2010 at NSIC Exhibition Ground, New Delhi. For updates visit : http://stampsofindia.com/ChaloDelhi/sine.html

Stamp Exhibitions in Himachal Pradesh

· A district level stamp exhibition was held in Hamirpur (HP) from 28 -29 September 2010. Two special Covers on NIT Hamirpur & Baba Balaknath were issued during the exhibition.

· A district level stamp exhibition will be held in Solan from 4 – 6 October 2010. A special cover will be released during the exhibition.

Stamp Exhibition - Lucknow GPO

G.P.O Lucknow has arranged a non competitive stamp exhibition ‘Ahimsapax’-2010 from 2 to 3 Oct.2010.

Stamp & Coin Exhibition - Kannur

Cannanore Philatelic Club, Kannur is going to organise a three day philatelic and numismatic exhibition  at Kannur Muncipal town hall, Kannur from 19th November to 21st November 2010.

Coin & Stamp Exhibition - Kolahapur District

A Coin & Stamp Exhibition will be held in  Jaysingpore of Kolhapur district on 2nd October. Venue : Merchant Association Hall, Jaysingpore , District – Kolhapur (Maharashtra) Timings: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm

Stamp Exhibition – Orissa

• KiiT International School, a unit of KIIT group of Institutions is going to organize a philatelic exhibition on the World Philatelic Day on 9th October, 2010 at the Campus-9, Patia, Bhubaneswar in collaboration with the Eastern India Philatelists’ Association.

• The Old Students Association of Board of Secondary School, Cuttack is going to organize a Philatelic Exhibition, Gandhipex-2010 at the School Premises on 2nd October 2010 to mark the Golden Jubilee of the School. A quiz competition amongst the school students will also be held at 9.00 AM. A special cover will be released in association with Kalinga Philatelic Society, Cuttack to mark the occasion at 10.00 AM at the Bajrakabati Sub Post office inside the School premises.

SESCAL stamp show

SESCAL is the 66th annual stamp exhibition of southern California taking place at Los Angeles, CA.
Visit the SESCAL website for all information: http://www.sescal.org/
The stamp show takes place October 1 - 3, 2010 at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport. Further details of this special event can be found here: http://www.sescal.org/aprd.htm
The ZEPPELIN STUDY GROUP is having a meeting at SESCAL 2010 on 2 October 2010 at 2 p.m.

ITS Postal Auction No.50

Last Date: 23.10.2010 For details contact Mr Suraj Jaitly email: indianthematicsociety@gmail.com OR surajjaitly@hotmail.com Mobile: +91 98728 51244

See scans of some lots at http://www.flickr.com/photos/its_offers/

EXPONET

Virtual International Philatelic Exhibition   http://www.exponet.info/

View 5 frame - QE II exhibit  of  ALYSSAH XENIAH C. ALCALA, Philippines

http://www.japhila.cz/hof/0648/index0648a.htm

Rajasthan loses great philatelist….

Shri AS Mittal, noted philatelist & Stamp dealer of India passed away on 18 September 2010. Our deepest condolences to all his family members from whole Philatelic Community. Sh A S Mittal  was a renowned philatelist & Stamp dealer & Founder member of  Philatelic Society of Rajasthan . He is well known to the philatelic community for his reputed   Mittal Stamp Company . He was honoured with  life time achievement award by Gujarat Philatelic Association, Ahmedabad for his services to  Philately. He was always eager to promote philately and donated awards in different philatelic exhibitions. His services to philatelic Community will always be remembered. - Editor

Late Sh. A.S.Mittal

7.4.1930 – 18.9.2010

Past President & Founder Member Philatelic Society of Rajasthan

Past President & Founder Member of Philatelic Society of Rajasthan ,Sh A.S.Mittal breathed his last on 18^th Sept 2010 after a year long illness. He is survived by his wife and four sons. He started his business of Book Store and Stamp selling at small scale in Bharatpur and later shifted to Jaipur in same trade. He raised an empire of Rajasthan’s leading Publishing House and Education Institute which is efficiently managed by his son and grandson. Simultaneously, Mittal Stamp co. a small shop situated at Dhamani Market , Jaipur very soon became a reputed address by way of Regular Pricelists , Mittal’s Stamp Packs , Beautiful illustrated multicolor Auction catalogues and lately ebay stores. His shop is frequented by India’s leading Philatelists , Dealers , Tourists and above all children

Apart from India’s senior most dealer and Auctioneer for last half century , he was himself renowned Philatelist and won medal at state and National level. His famous collection on States of Rajputana included rare covers of Kota , Shahpura , Dungarpur state etc. He has visited many exhibition in India and abroad with unmatched reputation in trade. His multi role of Stamp Dealer , Auctioneer , Office Bearer of Philatelic Society and above all as a Philatelist is example to follow. He has written a very useful and affordable priced book ‘How to Collect Stamps’ in simple language both in Hindi & English whose more than 20 editions have been issued.

His name needs no introduction to the Philately world and writing a brief about him takes me to down memory lane 25 years back when I first went to his shop along with my Grandfather to buy Stamps . I remember that I was told by my few friends that there is only one shop in City which sells stamps at economical rates in packets and the person who sells stamps there will also tell what not to buy? . I wonder that after all these years , there is still only same shop which sell stamps to children with Late Sh A.S.Mittal taking same interest and pain to guide children coming to buy stamps there. I wish other dealer take a clue from his life of selflessly devoting time in Philately Promotion thereby paying back to hobby which has given so much.

In my experience as office bearer in PSR with him for last 15 years , we have faced every kind of Problem that any organization faces but because of his vast experience and patience we have overcome every hurdle. Today if society can boast of uninterrupted monthly meeting , Philately Workshops and more than 20 successful exhibitions , it is only with his efforts and guidance. As a youth joining him in PSR activities with my lack of experience and craving for fast results ,I had many apprehensions about his modus operandi but I have no qualms in stating that with his vast experience not only as Philatelist but also as good human being , he remained always right. His guidance in form of golden words ‘’‘Recognition will automatically follow genuine effort’ ’ is the Mantra not only for Good Philately but also for Good life.

There are many to whom Philately has made grand but Late Sh A.S.Mittal has made Philately Grand. His departure is great loss to Philately and PSR but following path shown by him will keep him between us for always.

Rajesh Paharia

Gen.Sec. , Philatelic Society of Rajasthan,  Jaipur.

Calicut Philatelic Club honors Banglore philatelist…

Calicut Philatelic club honored Mr. Manmohan Singh, philatelist & stamp dealer from Bangalore with Life Time Achievement Award for his dedicated life to the field of philately. He joined stamp trade in 1968. He runs a stamp shop at Vannarpet Viveknagar Post, Bangalore. Mr.Singh is well known to philatelic community for his honesty, sincerity and reliability.  Mr. Manmohan Singh may be contacted at email - philaindia@gmail.com  Ph : +91 93412 13173

INTERVIEW

Dr . SK Sondhi is a renowned philatelist from Ludhiana. He has a wonderful philatelic collection on Butterflies. Dr Sondhi, an agricultural engineer by profession has a passion for philately. His passion & Love for stamps made him to prepare the finest collection on Butterflies. A winner of several awards at different stamp exhibitions answers here some of my questions which every thematic collector would like to know. Dr Sondhi is not only a philatelist of repute but also has done a lot of work for the promotion of philately through Ludhiana Philatelic Club by organizing stamp exhibitions and philatelic workshops. It gives me immense pleasure to publish Interview of Dr Sondhi in this issue. – Editor

S. K Sondhi

Satish Kumar Sondhi was born on August 5, 1946. He did M Tech. (Punjab Agricultural University), Ph D (IARI) and held important academic positions at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, including Professor, head of Department and Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering. He is Fellow of Institution of Engineers (India) and Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers. He had authored many internationally referred research papers, articles and bulletins and co-authored a book “Water Wells and Pumps”. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Dr. Sondhi was given many awards and recognitions by professional institutions and societies.

Dr. Sondhi started collecting stamps at an early age, and is an outstanding philatelist. He is the founder President of Ludhiana Philatelic Club, which was set up in 1973. Collecting thematic stamps is his forte. He has been participating at regional, national and international level and won many an awards. He edited the magazine of the Club, “The North Post” and has also co-authored a book “LPC Quizzes for Stamp Collectors” published by Ludhiana Philatelic Club. He is life member of Philatelic Congress of India, member of Astronomy Study Unit and Lepidopterists Association (Philatelic) Unit of American Topical Association.

Dr SK Sondhi may be contacted at email : sksondhi1@gmail.com

Interview with Dr SK Sondhi

Q1. You have specialized in Butterfly stamps. Why you choose this particular theme? What is your other philatelic field of interest?

A. In 1956 at the age of 10, I was presented with a packet of stamps, hinges and an album by one of my cousins. Initially, I started collecting stamps as a traditional collector. In 1965, I joined Jallandhar Plhilatelic Club. In 1969, in one of the club meetings, Late Mr R. K. Jaitly, Secretary, Jalandhar Philatelic Club, suggested that each member should start collecting thematic stamps and invited for topics. I was already having Bhutan 3-D butterfly set with me, I opted for this theme. Since then, I have been hooked to this theme. In addition, I am also collecting stamps on AIDS awareness, Astronomy, Blood donation, Cardiology, Roads safety with an aim to prepare small exhibits and creating awareness amongst people the educational value of stamp collecting.

Q2. How did you manage your hobby along with your professional career? You might have given lot of time to excel in both...  

A. Though, stamp collecting has been my obsession and passion since my childhood; I didn’t allow it to interfere with my career. I was able to manage my philatelic pursuit during my professional visits to conferences, meetings, conventions, etc. all over India and abroad. During these visits, I made it a point to get in touch with the local philatelists and share our views.

Q3. How will you compare Traditional Philately & Thematic Philately; as both the branches are absolutely different? Which one is better in terms of presentation & creativity?

A. In contrast to traditional philately, which is based on geographical location or period specific, thematic or topical stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps relating to a particular concept or subject. A traditional exhibit focuses on the design, production and use of stamps, where as a thematic exhibit focuses the design elements of the philatelic material, rather than its rate or country of origin. Of course, thematic philately is more challenging and fascinating as for as presentation and creativity is concerned. It requires both philatelic as well as thematic knowledge. Since, the basic organizational structure of a traditional exhibit is fairly well set by the life or time sequence for a stamp issue; you will not find much difference between two traditional exhibits of a specified period of a given country. Whereas, in two thematic exhibits with same title, you will find great variation in presentation as well as philatelic material based on the knowledge of the subject and creativity of the individual in presentation. A knowledgeable philatelist can include various philatelic elements (such as postal stationary, postmarks, meter marks, maximum cards, etc.) in his presentation.

Q4. Thematic Class of Philately has maximum number of participants in the exhibitions but it is observed that usually the higher awards go to Traditional Class / Postal History Class. In your opinion why the Traditional Class Philately is considered as Superior Class in all philatelic branches?

A. You are right. One of the main reasons for this is that majority of the jury members are experts in the field of traditional philately and are not trained to judge thematic exhibits. It is more challenging to judge a thematic exhibit. In traditional exhibit, there is an expected sequence of material. In thematic exhibit, there are no subject guidelines based on the material or subject. The thematic exhibitor has the freedom to completely define their subject and scope. Thematic exhibits can follow infinite paths to tell their stories. In addition, a thematic exhibitor can use varied philatelic material for use in the exhibit. This requires multifaceted philatelic knowledge. Thus, judging a thematic exhibit requires the knowledge of thematic elements and philatelic elements. If the jury, do not like the way a thematic exhibitor decides to tell the story, they may downgrade his exhibit, even if the exhibit contains unique items pertinent to the topic. Even a thematic jury (an expert in Flora and Fauna) may find himself handicap to judge a thematic exhibit on Science and Technologies, Sports, etc. Thus, for judging thematic exhibits, more jury members with varied topical expertise should be included on the panel. Also, old time judges do not consider thematic philately as real philately. They look for rarities or other costly material. Thematic philatelists should be aware that this bias exists.

Q5. You might have visited many stamp exhibitions. What difference do you find in the exhibitions organized by Deptt. of Posts & the exhibitions organized by   philatelic societies? In your opinion, which are better managed??

A. The Deptt. of Posts have money and manpower. Their stamp exhibitions are organized with extravagance and profusion. They schedule their exhibitions without taking into confidence the local philatelists. There is little interaction between the Deptt. Of Posts and philatelists as for as organizing of exhibitions is concerned. Their exhibitions are ill- conceived and organized with an aim to normally book budget allocated to philately. However, the exhibitions organized by philatelic societies are livelier with a personal touch. Members and office bearer’s work with zeal and enthusiasm for its success. Their venues are appropriate and centrally located, full of visitors and traders.

Q6. What are the main difficulties faced by organization when it decides to hold an exhibition? What help must be given by the Deptt. of Posts  to the Organizers?

A. The main difficulties faced for organizing a stamp exhibition is finance. The biggest problem is frames for exhibits. We have to rely on Deptt. Of Posts for frames which are in very bad shape and requires frequent repair during every exhibition. The clubs are asked to bear the expenses of their transport from their place (sometimes from other cities) to venue. In addition, for release of special cancellations clubs are required to pay exorbitant charges per cancellation. These charges are more for providing cancellation on a holiday or at the venue. Thus, instead of encouraging clubs to organize more exhibitions for promotion of philately, the department is discouraging them. To reduce the burden of expenditure, the department should provide financial assistance to clubs for organizing exhibitions at local, district, regional and national level. For this purpose, guidelines should be framed. In addition, the department should provide them frames with proper protective cover in working conditions and subsidize philately related postage.

Q7. What is your general observation - people collect stamps for pleasure, fame or investment?

A. Majority of the people collect stamps for pleasure and enjoy the thrills and challenges the hobby has to offer. Limited numbers of people collect stamps for fame and participate in exhibitions. They work hard on their collections.

Only few people collect stamps for investment. Investing in stamps require lot of money to buy rare and high quality material. These items always go up in values. People who buy inexpensive or moderately priced material are unable to realize more than what they paid for it.

Q8. What is your opinion about the stamp issuing policy of India Post? Don't you think the number of stamps per year should be reduced and quality stamps should be issued on a variety of important subjects?

A. I don’t think India Post has any stamp issuing policy. For the last couple of years they have been issuing number of commemorative stamps honouring personalities. I don’t know what the philatelists on the Philatelic Advisory Committee are doing. There is need to limit number of issues on personalities. India is a vast country and there is no dearth of topics/subjects for issuing quality stamps.

Q9. The hobby of stamp collecting has become more commercial these days as compared to few years back.  Most of the collectors become professional philatelists instead of pursuing it as a hobby. Will it affect the future of this hobby?

A. You are right; most of the collectors are becoming professional philatelists. I personally feel that they are also helping in the growth of philately. Most of the dealers are also devoted stamp collectors who spend time to study philately.

Q10. What is philately from your point of view? What do you feel about this hobby?

A. I have been collecting stamps for enjoyment purpose only. The pursuit of hobby has offered me relaxation from professional stress, gave me years of enjoyment I received working with my collection, education and the wonderful people I made my friends.

I think, the hobby of stamp collecting is undergoing changes. I don’t agree with those who think stamp collecting is dying. If so, why do Deptt. of Posts print commemorative stamps in lacs. There are plenty of stamp related groups on the internet with lots of members. Thousands of enthusiasts are discussing, exchanging, buying and selling on the internet. The computer is becoming an important tool to the collectors as a philatelic accessory. Number of philatelic books and magazines in electronic format are increasing. There is wealth of philatelic information available at your fingertips on the internet. It has definitely boosted philately in an unprecedented manner.

In my opinion thematic offers the best hope of attracting new collectors to philately. It is more difficult to generate interest in traditional philately, postal history, than in nature or sports or science on stamps.

Beginners’ Section

Handling Stamps with Your Hands

The cleanest hands still have a lot of oil on them, it's just a fact of nature. This oil, as well as the dust and dirt from normal daily activity, can seriously damage your stamps. Avoid using your hands to pick up stamps, instead use stamp tweezers. They will protect your stamps while making it easier to get to specific items.

Not Checking Your Envelopes

When an interesting stamp catches your eye everything else can get lost in the excitement. But before you cut that stamp out to soak or mount in your album, take a close look at the envelope so you don't get rid of a treasure. That envelope could be a First Day Cover or Event Day Cover. It might have a cancellation or postmark that identifies it as having come from somewhere special. Or it might be an example of postal history, such as balloon mail or wartime mail with censorship markings. Just remember when looking at envelopes that the stamp is only the beginning of the story.

Gluing or Taping Stamps to Your Album

This seems like a pretty obvious thing to avoid, but many new collectors make this mistake. Unacquainted with stamp hinges or mounts, they figure the only way to secure a stamp on an album page is to use glue, tape or other adhesive. And they are right, that stamp will be secure. It will be very difficult, if not impossible, to take the stamp off without destroying it. This tip is a good one to start with when teaching people about the hobby.

Do You Know?

Horse-drawn mail coaches in front of G.P.O, Colombo, Sri Lanka c.1895-1905

Sri Lanka Post

Sri Lanka Post has a long history of 209 years, dating back to 1798 when the Colonial Dutch rulers started five post offices in the Maritime Districts and published first ever postal regulations and postage rates there, in 1799.

On the 1st of April 1857, the first stamp was issued in Ceylon in penny denominations; just five years after Britain introduced the postage stamp to the world. The British re-organized the postal service and a permanent Post Office was established in Colombo in 1882.

Sri Lanka takes to its credit the inauguration of the first mail coach service in Asia; between Colombo and Kandy the service began operations in 1832. In 1938, 1^st Flight bringing Air mails from London to Colombo arrived and in the very same year, another mail coach service was started between Galle and Colombo. The first Ceylon stamps to be issued in local denomination of rupees and cents were on 1st February, 1892. In 1995, Sri Lanka Posts introduced the Bulk Mail Service.

The year 1892 saw the first "Traveling Post Office" doing its run between Colombo and Kandy. Delivery of posts at a time was first by foot; today it is done by railway, public and private Omni-buses and our own fleet of Japanese vehicles.

Ceylon joined the Universal Postal Union on 1st April 1877 under the British Rule and as an Independent state on 13th July, 1949.

Post Independence (1948), the stamps have been well positioned to expose the true identity, culture and heritage of the country. Since the first issue of postage stamp in Ceylon in 1857, 173 stamps were issued until The Inauguration of the Republic of Sri Lanka on 22^nd May, 1972. Since then, more than 1360 stamps have been issued, signifying its consistent growth over the years.

In the year 2,004 Sri Lanka had a Post Office for every 2, 400 people of this country. In real terms, this means an office for every 14 km radius.

Today Sri Lanka Posts has grown in to a mammoth organization with more than 19,000 employees in various positions to staff and provide a variety of services to its 20 million inhabitants, through 4738 post offices across the country. The G.P.O building in Colombo, is the center of operations and administration consisting of 9 floors and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to provide an efficient service. Asia’s one of the most beautiful Postal Museum is housed in this building , showcasing the long journey of development of Posts in Sri Lanka . Over the years different modes of transport has been used for the transportation and delivery of mail.

Observing the historical trend of the postal services in Sri Lanka, there appears to be a renaissance in this service since the issue of Sri Lanka’s first postage stamp. During the existence of Sri Lanka Post, though known by various names, continues to serve the population with utmost dedication.

- PRADIP JAIN email : philapradip@gmail.com

Members of Philatelic Advisory Committee of India Post

Mr. J.M. Dhor (Jaipur) 999 Dhor Building, Gopal Ji Ka Rasta, Jaipur - 302003. Ph. 141 -2578900 e - mail : dhorjatanmal@yahoo.com

Mr  Dilip Shah, 799 - GOL BAZAR, JABALPUR - 482002, M.P.  Off : 0761-424456 Fax :0761-312047 e- mail  : rajesh_id2001@yahoo.com

Mr. Manik Jain, M/s Philatelia, One Moti Sil Street, Kolkata 700 013. Telephone: (033) 2228 8549, 2228 7777, Fax: (033) 2228 8888

Mr. Vispi S. Dastur, D.J. Jasavala & Co., Charted Accountants, E/1 Rustom Baug,  Gr. Flr., Byculla, Mumbai- 400 027. Tel:- 23721062 e-mail: xerxes@vsnl.com

Specialized Section

APSARAS : The Celestial Dancers

© Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

e-mail - rosephila@hotmail.com

The temples of Angkor are majestic and grand. Their beauty is astonishing and, as you walk through these centuries-old monuments, you are stuck by the wonder of the art and architecture.

The depiction of dancing Apsaras in the decoration of walls and pillars is a recurring feature of Angkorian temple art and are amongst the most beautiful examples of relief carving.

The word "Apsara" is probably a composite of "ap" (water) and "sri" (to go), and thus signifies beings coming from the water. The Ocean of Milk disgorged many wondrous beings, including the celestial nymphs.  The Ramayana describes the event in a manner recalling the origin of the Greek goddess Aphrodite: "Then as the waters foamed and boiled, as churning still the immortals toiled, of winning face and lovely frame, forth sixty million fair ones came.  Born of foam and water, these were named the “Apsaras."

A detail from the bas-relief at Angkor Wat, showing the newly born Apsaras flying overhead after being released from the Ocean of Milk.

Apsaras are first to be seen at the West Gate of Angkor Wat. In the great bas-relief, depicting the “Churning of the Ocean of Milk”, they are soaring to the sky. Then they are from the trios dancing on lotus flowers on the pillars of Bayon and in many temples of this era. They are also on pediments or in the “Halls of dancers” where they are arranged in friezes. In Angkor Wat they are single; in the Bayon they are dancing in groups of two or three. But Apsaras always appear light, graceful, supple, and wholly engrossed in the task of dancing.

Group of Apsaras dancing on lotus leaves, on a pillar of the 12th century Bayon temple.

They are also celestial entertainers at the court of the gods and when not entertaining gods and their guests in the heavenly palaces, they frequently entered the realm of mortals with the purpose of seducing or distracting prominent sages and heroes on account of their unmatched grace and beauty. The Mahabharata is full of stories about the exploits of Apsaras, whom it depicts as having power over men, mortal and immortal, on account of their unmatched grace and beauty.

Apsaras

The temples and buildings of Angkor are replete with images of two types of female figures and French historians differentiate between the figures depending upon their stance. Those who dance or fly are referred to as Apsaras, while the standing figures are called Devatas, minor female deities, posing stiffly but elegantly on walls and posts, often but not always near doors or windows.  One more difference is that reliefs of Apsaras are never as well executed as those of Devata; many in the Bayon are just shown in sketches.

But all female figures carved in relief whether dancing, flying or standing are known popularly as Apsaras.

Devata, a female deity distinguished from apsara dancers by her stationary posture stands guard next to a doorway at Angkor Wat,Banteay Srei and Tonle Bati.

 

The standing Apsaras of Angkor are known for the variety of their hairstyles and headdresses. Many wear a crown of three tall spikes which must have been common at the court of the Khmer monarchs. Some of the Apsaras smile, others do not, but all guard an air of mystery about them.

 

Variety of hair and clothing styles

For whatever reason, the Angkorian artists were much better at sculpting the Apsaras' upper bodies than they were at sculpting their lower bodies, which are often stiff and awkward.

Lower bodies are often stiff and awkward

The 12th century prasat of Ta Prohm at Tonle Bati, 30kms south of Phnom Penh has quite a few unusual carvings that one rarely find anywhere else amongst the thousands of Angkorean temples that once flourished throughout the kingdom. One of them is that of a standing Apsara above, in a niche of the main sanctuary. There's a faint trace of red lipstick on her full smiling lips but it is the mirror that she's holding in her right hand, to admire her face which is adorned with a jewel in her forehead that is so unusual. Her head-dress is extravagant and her demeanour is of a refined elegance. Each of the Apsaras of Ta Prohm is unique. An inscription indicates that in its heyday, the temple employed over 600 dancers in addition to over 2,700 priests and officials, and had a total population of almost 80,000 souls.

Apsara holding mirror

Human apsara dancers entered history as entertainers at the courts of the medieval Khmer monarchs. It was during the Angkorian period that they developed and refined their characteristic way of dancing.  When the Thais sacked the Khmer capital in 1431, bringing the period to an abrupt end, they carried off the dancers and started a derivative style.  Today, modern apsara dancers have returned to Cambodian society as elegant practitioners of an indigenous art-form often referred to as Khmer classical dance.

Khmer classical dance

The mythological apsaras were dancers and entertainers in the court of the god Indra; their presence in the Khmer temples signalled that the temples, too, should be regarded as the abode of divine beings.  According to renowned Angkor scholar George Coedes, Angkorian temples were regarded not so much as places for human devotees to engage in worship or prayer than as residences of divinity itself.

Khmer classical dance in Siem Reap, Cambodia

THE STORY OF PIGEON POST

- By Naresh Agarwal

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF PIGEON POST

The utility and popularity of pigeon post changed during various periods in history. Its successful utilization and satisfactory services and communication during various wars and military campaigns resulted in resurgence of interest in this mode of post. Many governments and administrations maintained fleets of messenger birds especially carrier / messenger pigeons to carry critical information and mail for the state with wide usage came through 19^th centenary.

Some post offices also retained pigeon post service at one time. It was also used to communicate between financial institutions with information about stock prices & other news of interest.

HOYT’S LETTER EXPRESS……. WITH ITS CARRIER PIGEON STAMP

EARLY HISTORY :

Pigeons were even worshipped as fertility goddesses by the Babylonians. The earliest known records of homing pigeon use for message delivery in ancient Egypt are from 5600 B.C.. The ancient Egyptians were probably the first to do so, around 3000 BC., incoming ships released pigeons as an announcement of important visitors. Around the time of Moses, the Egyptian army used carrier pigeons to deliver messages. In 2350 B.C.E. King Sargon of Akkadia—the present Iraq—ordered each messenger to carry a homing pigeon . Its arrival meant another messenger should be sent. More and more military, political, and economic importance was attributed to this fast method of delivering messages and the earliest large-scale communication network using pigeons as messengers was established in Syria and Persia around the 5th century BC. Between about 770 BC and 390 AD, the Greeks used pigeons to carry the results of the Olympic Games.

During the Dark Ages the Arabs established regular airmail pigeon courier services. According to one tale, a caliph in North Africa satisfied his taste for Lebanese cherries by having pigeons fly them in. Each carried one cherry inside a silk bag. It was the first air parcel post. And so, a prize pair of carrier pigeons in the Arab empire could fetch one thousand gold pieces.

During the Crusades Richard the Lion Heart's men captured a pigeon that carried a message reporting that a Moslem army would arrive in three days to break the Christian siege of Ptolemais. A forged message was substituted, saying that no help would be coming. The besieged town surrendered. The Moslem relief army arrived to find the Christians solidly entrenched.

In the middle ages, in the 4th century of the common era, the Romans developed a pigeon post to carry important messages throughout the Roman Empire. The news of capture Damietta by St. Louis was announced by sultan by this means.

PIGEON POST DURING AND AFTER 11^th CENTENARY :

Domesticated pigeons are first developed in ancient Egypt, and the pigeon loft or dovecote subsequently became a living larder for many communities - such as medieval monasteries.

In Baghdad, in the 11th century, the idea first occurred of making use of the tendency of certain pigeons to fly straight home from wherever they might be. The city of Baghdad and all the main towns and cities in Syria and Egypt were linked by messages carried by pigeons. That was the sole source of communication at that time. Sultan Noureddin Mahmood, who died in 1174 A.D., had set up a successful pigeon post in Baghdad which functioned from 1150 A.D., till the city fell to the Mongols in 1258 A.D. Later, the swiftest and most wide-ranging conqueror of medieval history, Genghis Khan, observed the obvious potential of pigeons. Pigeons carried the news of each new conquest to his homeland in Mongolia swiftly. He himself operated such a system during his conquests. He created a pigeon network that spanned one-sixth of the world and established pigeon relay posts across and Asia and much of Eastern Europe. Wars and emergencies popularized the pigeon post in China, Persia and India. Later, the practice spread to Europe. A rapid one-way postal service (always back to base) became possible. He developed methods for selective breeding with suitable birds for reproduction of pigeons too.

Genghis Khan

World’s swiftest most wide ranging conqueror of medieval history who

developed pigeon post network to almost one sixth of the world

DURING AND AFTER 15^th CENTENARY :

There were pigeon posts in existence during the Dutch war in the 16^Th century. Besieged Haarlem used pigeons to convey messages in 1573 A.D., and Leyden in 1574 A.D. In India,the Mughal emperor Babar inherited this mail carrying method from his forefathers and the pigeon post was in use throughout the Mughal period.

Kings Love for birds

During reign of Akbar i.e 1556 to 1605, Pigeon post was in random use, as also camels in desert areas. References to the use of royal pigeons and camels have also been found. The pigeon carriers were housed in the royal palace, where they were trained to carry news over the far-flung territories.

The introduction of pigeon post is attributed to Akbar, and not Jahangir, as mentioned in several accounts. Pigeons were trained and housed in the royal palace, in the Kabutar-Khaana, found even today in the relics of Mughal palaces. They were used to carry urgent missives over short distances, exclusively for royal purpose. The practice continued to be favoured by Jahangir who extended its use to special occasions.

AKBAR

A Mughal Badshah who had fleet of Royal pigeon carriers to Carry Royal / State

messages from far flung and desert areas. A great contributor of

development of pigeon post in India and surroundings

DURING AND AFTER 19^th CENTENARY :

Though the first message-bearing pigeon was loosed by Noah, the ancient Romans used pigeons for chariot races, to tell owners how their entries had placed, Charlemagne made pigeon-raising the exclusive privilege of nobility and the Rothschild fortune is said to have been seriously augmented by a pigeon bearing news of the British victory at Waterloo But it was in the Siege of Paris in 1870 that the carrier pigeon won its wings.

Carrier pigeons with messages attached

Pigeons were widely ,efficiently and successfully used during the 1870–71 Siege of Paris to bring messages back to the city. The pigeons were flown out of the city on the balloons and sent by railway to the Esperance (Paris society of pigeon-fanciers) base in Tours where despatches, initially hand written and later microphotographed on to tiny flimsies, were placed inside quills and fixed to the tail feathers of the birds. Upon arrival, the message was projected onto a wall and transcribed before delivery. Essentially this was a similar process to the lightweight photographic Airgrah or V-mail systems of World War II.

The use of pigeons to carry mail has been associated with administrative and military situations. Though, after experiments in 1896, a regular pigeon post was inaugurated on the Great Barrier Island on

PIGEON POST

Pigeon post was the world's fastest communication system for all the centuries of the Dark and Middle Ages, and remained so until Samuel Morse's invention of the telegraph in 1844 and Guglielmo Marconi's invention of radio in 1895. Stockbrokers and bankers relied on pigeons through much of the nineteenth century. London banker Nathan Rothschild made a killing when a pigeon brought early news of Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. In 1840, the European news agency Havas ran a London-to-Paris pigeon news service with the promised flying time of six hours. In the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, a gap existed in telegraph lines between France and Germany. Paul Julius Reuter bridged it with carrier pigeons and made the fortune he used as the basis of what is now Reuters, one of the world's great news agencies. The outcome of the Battle of Waterloo was also first delivered by a pigeon to England

PAUL JULIUS REUTER

In 1851, this German-born man opened an office in the City of London which transmitted stock market quotations between London and Paris via the new Calais to Dover cable. Reuter had previously used pigeons to fly stock prices between Aachen and Brussels using fleet of 45 pigeons, a service that operated for a year until a gap in the telegraph link was close

After the Dark ages when a regular pigeon post was maintained by Arabs, possibly the first regular air mail service in the world was Mr Howie's Pigeon-Post service from the Auckland New Zeland suburb of Newton to Great Barrier Island, starting in 1896.Certainly the world’s first 'airmail' stamps were issued for the Great Barrier Pigeon-Gram Service from 1898 to 1908.

Howie

He started First established a Regular Pigeon Air Mail Service in 1896 from the Auckland New Zealand suburb of Newton to Great Barrier Island

Pigeon post was used extensively during WWI and WWII with pigeons used to carry important message over the battlefield. They were even used to serve civilians in case of siege. Carrier pigeons won bravery various awards too. Special pigeon corps were developed with special lofts to carry pigeon and exclusive arrangements for their training..

Homing pigeons were still employed in the 21st century by certain remote police depts. in Orissa state in eastern India to provide emergency communication services following natural calamities and disasters. In March 2004, it was announced that India's Police Pigeon Service messenger system in Orissa retired .

Air Mail - Pigeon Post Still the old sailor's favorite way of sending messages

Of late, the humorous IP over Avian Carriers (RFC 1149) is an Internet protocol for the transmission of messages via homing pigeon. This protocol has been used, once, to transmit a message in Bergen, Norway.

To be continued……  – Naresh Agarwal email : nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in

New Issues from other countries

Belarus

18 August 2010 : Mushrooms – 5 val

China

13 September Shangri - La – 4 val

Shangri-La is a fictional place described in the 1933 novel Lost Horizon by British author James Hilton. In the book, "Shangri-La" is a mystical, harmonious valley, gently guided from a lamasery, enclosed in the western end of the Kunlun Mountains. Shangri-La has become synonymous with any earthly paradise but particularly a mythical Himalayan utopia - a permanently happy land, isolated from the outside world. In the novel Lost Horizon, the people who live at Shangri-La are almost immortal, living years beyond the normal lifespan and only very slowly aging in appearance. The word also evokes the imagery of exoticism of the Orient. In the ancient Tibetan scriptures, existence of seven such places is mentioned as Nghe-Beyul Khimpalung. One of such places is mentioned to be situated somewhere in the Makalu-Barun region.Shangri-la is often used in a similar context to which "Garden of Eden" might be used, to represent a paradise hidden from modern man.

Croatia

7 September : Light Houses – 3 val

Lichtenstein

6 September : Renewable Sources of Energy.- 3 val.

 

Malaysia

27 September Indigenous people of Malay – 3 val

Spain

21 September World Alzheimer's Day –0,34€

The World health Organization and the Alzheimer Disease International have declared September 21st as the World Alzheimer's Day. The Spanish Post Office joins this commemoration with a special stamp issue.

The stamp depicts the logo "Absent thoughts. World Alzheimer's Day" with a blurred face representing the blurred brain of a person affected by this disease.

UK

16 September Major Medical breakthroughs- 6 val.

17 Sep Garden Birds of UK – 6 val

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.

Two great personalities missing on this year's Indian Stamps....

Mother Teresa & Dr. Kotnis

You have rightly criticized the Issuing Programme drafting Committee of India Post, that they did not take into consideration to issue a commemorative stamp on the occasion of the Birth Centenary of Mother Teresa. While India Post takes pride in issuing commemorative  stamps in the name of almost unknown personalities, it safely neglects to pay honour  to great personalities like Mother Teresa. Perhaps the issuing department would say  that they have perpetuated the memory of Mother Teresa, by issuing a definitive stamp of 20 Rupees denomination in her name! But this could be a lame excuse. In fact the issuing committee of India Post must chalk out their issuing programme one year in advance, as other countries do.

Now there is another Birth Centenary is coming and that is of Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis, who came to China in 1938 on a dedicated mission during the Sino-Japanese war. He was the only Indian physician out of a team of 5 Indian doctors who were  sent by  Indian National Congress on the mission to help the Chinese people. He  remained in China, despite his ill health and died there in harness on 9th December 1942. On 10th October of this year there is the birth centenary of Dr. Dwarkananth Kotnis. India did issue one stamp (SG 1556) to commemorate his life work in 1993, but India  Post should have issued one special stamp to pay homage to this great soul of India on his birth centenary on 10th October 2010.

China had issued two stamps in his memory on 12. September 1982, well ahead of India! India was late by 11 years, India issued first stamp on Dr. Kotnis in 1993!! Perhaps the Chinese claim that he was the son of China, even when he was born in India! Great people are not always honoured in their own country. This will be manifested by Mother Teresa, who will be perpetuated on the stamps of most of the countries of the world on her Birth Centenary. The stamp issued by US is the best, but  also those by Austria and Germany are worth mentioning.     -

  - Dr. Avinash B. Jagtap  (Binningen, Switzerland)

New Blogs & Websites

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Stamps-Philately-1610/indexExp_69442.htm - It is a site based on Question & Answeres on Philately. Mr Prashant Pandya replies to queries.

http://bestnetguru.com/tourindia/ - Tour India through Stamps – A nice site by Shobhan Dey.

http://setenantswithcombinations.blogspot.com/ - A new Blog of se-tenants by Mr Dharmendra Kapoor, Amritsar

http://philamirror.info/ - A new site with recent updates from stamps world.

"Flags at Sea", "Ships & Ship building" and Philately -

http://flagsaudrapeaubandeirasandstamps.blogspot.com/ - This is anew Blog by Mr Sekhar Chakrabarty . This blog showcases important philatelic items on "Flags at Sea" and items related to Indian Naval Ships, Commercial Ships, Shipping and Ship Building through relevant philatelic items and brief notes.

Blog on Railway stamps - www.railphilatelist.blogspot.com – It is a new blog on stamps related with Railways by Mr Sandeep Chaurasia of Gorakhpur.

Se- tenant Stamps of India - http://setenantsofindia.blogspot.com/ Specialized Blog on se-tenant stamps.

Join Mobile Philately & Stay Updated - http://mobilephilately.blogspot.com/ It is a blog by Mr Dipak Modi of Jalna, Maharashtra. Mobile Philately is a mobile technology based philatelic community with short messaging service (SMS) that allows the community members to get latest updates related to Indian philately directly into mobile message box.

Ship Stamps - http://stampinformation.blogspot.com/ - A new Blog created by by Mr Prashant of Pune on Ship Stamps

Philately News – http://philatelynews.com/ - A website on new issues of the world.

MB Stamps - http://mbstamps.blogspot.com/ - A Blog by Mansoor B. of Mangalore with latest news about Indian stamps and other philatelic material .

Flags & Stamps - http://flagstamps.blogspot.com/ - This blog is all about flags and stamps from the collection of a veteran philatelist and vexillologist, Mr Sekhar Chakrabarty. Kolkata.

Stamps Today India - http://www.stampstodayindia.com/ - A site by Mr Vijay Seth of New Delhi with news from stamp world.

Philatelic Clubs & Societies

Baroda Philatelic Society - http://www.vadophil.org/

Eastern India Philatelists’ Association - http://www.filacapsule.blogspot.com/

Indian Stamp Ghar - http://www.indianstampghar.com/

Indian Thematic Society, Ludhiana - http://indianthematicstamps.webs.com/

Ludhiana Philatelic Club

Mobile Philately - http://www.mobilephilately.webs.com/

Philatelic Society of Rajasthan, Jaipur

Rainbow Stamp Club - http://rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/

South India Philatelists Association - http://www.sipa.org.in/

Stamps of India - http://www.stampsofindia.com/

The Lighter Side

An undersea post office actually did exist!

It was established in 1939 as part of a scientific facility on the sea bed off the Bahamas. They used a special oval postmark that was inscribed "SEA FLOOR/BAHAMAS". Here you can see the post office depicted on Bahamas 5 shilling stamp issued in 1965. Read More…Under sea Post office

A stamp was created on the Moon!

In 1969 during the Apollo 11 moon flight, the astronauts took with them a die of a postage stamp which they pulled an impression of when they touched down on the moon. Thus, creating the moon's first postage stamp! Once the die was returned to earth it was used to produce the 10 cent airmail stamp issued in September of 1969.

Can you believe Cats were used to deliver the mail!

You might have heard of many different types of animals being used to deliver mail - camels, reindeer, horses, dogs, pigeons, but CATS? Well it's true. In 1879 Liege, Belgium employed 37 cats to carry bundles of letters to villages. This service didn't last long as cats proved to be thoroughly undisciplined.

Promotional section

New Maxim Cards

Bridhadeeswarar Temple

This Maxim Card has been prepared by Mr Kasinath R. of Thanjavur. It is a perfect Maximum card having best coordination between card design, cancellation & stamp. The cancellation is a permanent cancellation of Brihadeeswarar Temple, being given at Thanjavur GPO. Mr Kasinath R. may be contacted at mail : kasinath80@gmail.com

Mr. Rajulu of Chennai has prepared Maxim Cards of  Shri GK Moopnar and Dr Y S Rajeshwara Reddy. Mr Rajulu may be contacted for these Max Cards at email : rajulustampsandcoins@yahoo.co.in Ph. 09383056767 Postal address :AVG Rajulu,12 – C, Sarva Mangla Colony, 42nd street. 6th Avenue, Ashok Nagar, Chennai –83.

Stamp Booklet

Private Stamp Booklet and Post cards created by Mr Sovik Roy were released in Shantiniketan during  a stamp exhibition of Mr Souvik Roy organized by Vishwa Bharti, Shantiniketan.  The booklet contains MS of  Rabindra Nath Taogore’s Dakghar. The booklets & Postcards are in 3 different designs. Mr. Souvik Roy may be contacted at email : souvik1964@yahoo.com

Philatelic Literature

Famous Stamps: “ The Romance of Rarities”. - By Anil Dhir

Contact address : Amadeus Press 112, Vaishno Villa, Satyanagar, Bhubaneshwar – 751007 email : anildhir123@gmail.com & amadeusbooks@yahoo.co.in

.

Year Book of Indian Philately 2009

Contact Address : Madan Middha, Saket Vihar, Phalka Bazar,

Gwalior 474001. e mail : madan_middha@yahoo.co.in

Baton Covers from Shimla available -

Set of two covers with Rs 5 stamp  at  cost price   are available. 

Those who wish to get  covers by Speed Post may send Money Order of Rs 60 with complete Postal Address in capital letters to the address given below.

Contact address -

Mr Govind Ram, c/o Conservator of Forests, Great Himalayan National Park, Shamshi, Distt Kullu. PIN 175126 (HP)

Special Covers from HP Circle

Set of 5 special covers recently issued by HP Circle including Baton Relay cover may be ordered to above address by MO only. Cost Rs 90 (inclusive of Postage by Speed Post)

Exchange

Ghe. Alexe, Romania

I want to exchange new issues, stamps mint and used, FDCs, and banknotes ,coins, Phonecards and other collectible.

Postal Address: Gh.Alexe, P.O.Box 32,Plopeni 105900,Jud.Prahova,Romania.

e-mail:  numismatic.philatelic@gmail.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 - Quarterly - Editor: Suraj Jaitly Publisher: Indian Thematic Society website - http://itsstampnews.blogspot.com/

Phila News, Editor Rajesh Pahariya and published by Philatelic Society of Rajasthan, Jaipur

VADOPHIL, Editor - Prashant Pandya and published by Baroda Philatelic Society, Vadodara. Website -http://www.vadophil.org/

e ZEP Newsletter http://www.ezep.de/zpj/zpj.html Editor : Dieter Leder

email zpj@arcor.de website www.eZEP.de

SIPA Bulletin Editor - Mr G. Madan Mohan Das and published by South India Philatelists’ Association, Chennai website : http://www.sipa.org.in/

FILA Capsule – Editor : Ajit Dash and  published by EIPA, Bhubaneshwar.

GPA News – Editor- Ilias Patel and published by Gujarat Philatelists’ Association, Ahemadabad.

Kar Phila News published by Karnataka Philatelic Society & edited by by Akshay Borad E –Mail : akshayborad@hotmail.com

Editor’s Mail Box

Aji Dash, Bhubaneshwar

I agree with your editorial that Our Department of Posts has forgotten to pay respect to the noble lady Mother Teresa. The Department is very much interested to release stamps on Personalities. It was expected to have stamp on the great lady. Although there were pressures from the Philatelic community on the Department to enter the name of Mother Teresa in the stamp Issue programme which was not honoured.

Jatan Dohor, Jaipur

Your Sept. 2010 is very nice issue .It gives me pleasure to see this  newsletter. You have done a creative work to make this news letter informative.

Shrikant Parikh, Ahmedabad

Congratulations on publishing yet another masterpiece. Most certainly you are keeping the PHILATELY lively with nice presentations :  virtual as well as narration.

Naresh Agarwal, Bilaspur (CG)

Your views on Mother Teresa, presentation of Indian stamps,covers and post marks, information regarding bottle post, and other events, Interview with Mr Srinivasan Thevarayan are very fine. Mr. Thevarayan views are excellent. Article from Mr. Satyendra Agrawal is jewel in the crown as usual. I beleive he has a  huge treasure of  philatelic jewels.

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,Hemant Kulkarni, Milwaukee USA Deepak Modi –Mobile Philately ; Mansoor B. – Mangalore; International Stamp News ;Paul Fraser Collectibles , Shrikant Parikh – Ahemedabad; Sreejesh Krishnan – Trivandum ; Ashwani Dubey – Gorakhpur ; Jagannath Mani – Bangalore ; Anil Gupta – Gorakhpur ; Vejey Kumar- Chennai ; Dieter Leder - Germany

Address for communication:

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

E-mail – j.jyoti9@gmail.com or 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.

Kindly specify your contribution such as article/News/ Reader’s Right / Beginners’ Section/ Lighter Side etc.

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.

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

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