Date of Issue : 7 September 2011

The Webb Ellis Cup - Rugby World Cup 2011

New Zealand’s first 3 D Stamp

 

 

Shimla   September  2011  Vol. IV  Issue # 45

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 –

Ms. 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 September 2011 issue of Rainbow Stamp  News. The issue contains regular columns with special article on extraordinary stamps by Dr SK Agarwal. The second part of this article will be published in next issue. It is my endeavor to publish articles on a variety of subjects which could be of interest of all philatelists. I wish to publish interviews with philatelists from different walks of life. In this issue read interview with Cdr G. Sriramarao a lover of Music Philately.

Thanks to all the distinguished contributors of Rainbow Stamp News. Contributors are requested not to send articles in PDF. The images with the article must be in jpg format . Other formats are not acceptable. I have to mention this again here as despite my regular instructions given in every issue, I am receiving write ups in PDF which is technically not suitable for publication. So please send your articles as per instructions given at the end of this magazine and help me to welcome you all to share your views and articles here !

The season of stamp exhibitions is going on. Heartiest Congratulations to all the winners of Philanippon 2011 ..….Best wishes to those, participating in forthcoming Stamp exhibitions !!

This is all in this issue …Till next month……Happy Collecting !!

                                                                                                                                             …. Jeevan Jyoti

Contents

Recent Indian Issues

In The News

Interview

Beginners’ Section

Specialized Section

Something of interest, also for non-philatelists

New Issues from Other Countries

Philatelic Library

Philatelic Clubs and Societies

Blogs & Websites on Philately

The Lighter Side

Promotional Section

Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters

Editor’s Mail Box

Recent Indian Issues

     

7 May : Rabindranath Tagore - 2 Stamps

25 May : 2^nd Africa – India Forum Summit 2011 –Rs 5 & Rs 25 + MS

6 July : Dr D S Kothari – Rs 5

8 July : United Theological college , Bangalore – Rs 5

21 July : Vitthal Sakharam Page – Rs 5

28 July : Kasu Brahmananda Reddy – Rs 5

1 August : K.M. Mathew – Rs 5

5 August : Rashtrapati Bhawan – 4 stamps of Rs 5 each + MS

25 August : Pt Santanam – Rs 5

29 August : Dr.M.S.Aney- Rs 5

2011 revised Stamp Issue programme of India Post is available at following link.http://www.indiapost.gov.in/philatelycalendar2011.htm

Special Cover – Postmark

4 June 2011Loyalla School, Trivandrum

18 June 2011 Centenary Celebrations of M. George Muthoot , Ernakulam

20 June 2011 : 10th foundation day of Cancer Aid & Research Foundation- Maharashtra & Goa circle

6 June 2011 : Gaiety Theatre, Shimla

25 June 2011 : 200 Years Celebration of Hazratganj , Lucknow

11 July 2011 : Golden Jubilee of Sainik School, Kapurthala

24 August 2011: 25 Years of Speed Post service in India , Ahmedabad

In The News

World Stamp Exhibitions  “PHILANIPPON 2011” was concluded on 2 August 2011 at Yokohama, Japan. Collectors from many countries  gathered in Yokohama this week for one of the world’s largest philately events. Each day of the event was organized along different themes like animals (July 30) and flowers (August 2) where international collectors  displayed their treasures. Complete award list could be seen at following link.

View complete award list of PHILANIPPON 2011 :

http://www.philanippon.jp/english/e_exhibi/image/award1_country.pdf

Indian Participation

Heartiest Congratulations to all Winners !!

Exhibitor               Title of exhibit                     marks              award

Desai Dhananjay         India: Morvi state                                - 71               Silver

Kishor Chandak Early Indian Cancellations 1852- 1900     - 87              Large Vermeil

Meere Biswal Postal Stationery of Gwalior                             - 68              Silver Bronze

Anil Suri Fiscals of Cochin                                                          - 93             Gold + Sp Prize

Mrinal Mathur From Wheel to Car on Stamps                     -  63              Bronze
Madan Middha   Year Book of Indian Philately : 2009        - 68              Silver  Bronze

Praful Thakkar Collectors Guide to First Day Covers & Folders

of India 1947-1964 Official & Private                                          -  63            Bronze

New Silver stamp from France

French postal administration La Poste has issued a souvenir sheet with 4 stamps on 11 July 2011 to celebrate the  Rugby World Cup 2011 that is going to be held in November in New Zealand. With this set French post has also issued a wonderful  silver stamp of high value  5 Euros. This stamp is sold in a plastic protective capsule to help resist tarnishing included in a cardboard card of the size of a credit card.

David Bond, British sailor, only surviving gold medalist at the 1948 London Olympics

Gold medal stamps at 2012 Olympics

With one year to go to London 2012, Royal Mail has announced that it will issue special gold medal stamps to celebrate Team GB Olympic gold medal wins.This is the first time that Royal Mail will be issuing  stamps to mark Olympic victories.   The stamps will feature both individual and team gold medal wins.

Details of the actual designs themselves are set to be announced later, when Royal Mail will also announce its plans to commemorate the Paralympic Games.Royal Mail issued its first Olympic Games Stamps in 1948, with four stamps bearing the five Olympic Rings.

It will be the third time a host nation will be issuing stamps to mark individual Olympic gold medal wins.  Australia Post was the first postal service to issue gold medal stamps to mark home team Olympic victories in 2000, with Hellenic Post in Greece following suit in 2004. In 2008 China Post issued a single commemorate sheet of stamps to mark their national team’s success in Beijing.  More recently Canada Post issued a stamp to mark the first ever gold medal won on home territory at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver in 2010.

The 27^th July sees the issue of the final set of ten stamps in Royal Mail’s countdown to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The three-part series has seen 30 stamps issued, reflecting all sports competed.

Royal Mail has a history of celebrating key moments in UK sporting history.  England’s World Cup football victory in 1966 was the first UK sporting achievement to be marked by a set of Special Stamps with more recent stamp issues featuring the England rugby team’s 2003 historic World Cup win and the English cricket team’s 2005 memorable Ashes success.

India’s first floating Post office on Dal Lake

India’s first floating Post office was inaugurated in Srinagar by  Minister of State for Communications and IT Sachin Pilot and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah on 22 August 2011.

"This is the first such post office in India. It has been made as a tourist focus post office on a huge house boat and will provide a unique and tourist-friendly service to the people of Kashmir and to tourists from across the world," John Samuel, the state's chief post master General, told IANS. Samuel also said that the special feature of this post office is that letters posted from here will carry a special design which will have the picturesque sceneries of Dal Lake and Srinagar city. "These pictures will reach wherever these letters will be posted and will promote Kashmir as a tourist destination across the world," he said. Pilot also launched two special postal covers on the Dal Lake.

Stanley Gibbons to launch collectors’ network

Stamp collectors will soon be able to tap into knowhow from the “largest source of available philatelic knowledge and real-time pricing information,” with the launch of Stanley Gibbons’ online philatelic trading community.

The launch of the new platform, due later this year, will allow the world’s 60m collectors to source items from the what Stanley Gibbons says is the world’s widest range of stamps and philatelic accessories. It will give them the ability to network with collectors while building and managing their own personal collections online.

The company also said its “extensive stockholding” of lower-value stamps would be available online for the first time.

The update came as Stanley Gibbons today announced its first half results. In the six months to June 30 turnover rose by more than 25% to £15m while pre-tax profits rose by 5% to £1.7m. Growth came from trade sales and from the sale of rare Chinese stamps, currently seeing growth in popularity.

Currently some 4% of Stanley Gibbons’ turnover comes from ecommerce, and the first stage of the company’s development plans for the channel has already launched, in the form of a new stanley gibbons.com website which went live at the end of May. It is expected to boost online sales through the “better management of regular special offers, email campaigns and search engine optimisation to drive increased traffic to the site.”

Elsewhere the company is diversifying. A move into new international markets will see it opening an office in Hong Kong in September to answer the growing demand for rare Chinese stamps, and planning a move into the US market. Stanley Gibbons is also moving into the rare coins and medals market. “Our aim,” said the company in its statement to the stock exchange today, “is to become the world’s leading provider of investment services in collectibles as an alternative asset class.” It believes this will be attractive in a time of economic instability and its plans include launching a rare stamp investment fund.

Martin Bralsford, non-executive chairman, said: “Prevailing economic instability, together with inflationary concerns and low interest rates globally, is expected to result in continued demand for our investment services in top quality rare collectibles as a means of diversifying, protecting and growing wealth.”

2011 EUROPA Stamps

The United Nations has declared 2011 as International Year of Forests. During the year all 48 members of PostEurop will be issuing Europa stamps which illustrate the biological, ecological and climatic benefits of forests.
According to an entry on the PostEurop website, "The Europa issue (also known as Europa - CEPT until 1992) is an annual joint issue of stamps with a common design or theme by postal administrations member of the European Communities (1956-1959), the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT from 1960 to 1992), then the PostEurop Association since 1993."
The first Europa stamps were issued in 1956 . This year the new Europa logo featuring a graphic depiction of a mail receptacle has been incorporated into the designs .PostEurop is the association which represents the interest of 48 European public postal operators. Committed to supporting and developing a sustainable and competitive European postal communication market accessible to all customers and ensuring a modern and affordable universal service, PostEurop promotes cooperation and innovation bringing added value to the European postal industry.
For more on PostEurop and the 2011 Europa stamps, click here.

Real Tributes to unsung heroes by a Philatelist…

Here I wish to share a great work and  service by Mr Anil Dhir, renowned philatelist from Bhubaneshwar. Mr Dhir is known for his extraordinary   work and  deep research in  philately and   social fields. “The Last Post” is an excellent example of his work with many more to mention… His selfless effort  and love for deep research makes him always very special in his work and findings. Here is another finest piece of work rather great service done by him….Read the full story !

Jury members from India at China 2011

Mr. Yogesh Kumar of Bareilly has been appointed as member of Jury and Prof V K Gupta of New Delhi has been invited to China 2011 as 2nd apprentice jury .

Forthcoming International Stamp Exhibitions..

IPHLA 2012

Specialized International Exhibition for Philatelic Literature

IPHLA 2012 : A specialised exhibition for Philatelic Literature is going to be held  from 2 to 4 Nov.2012 in the town hall of Mainz (Germany). This exhibition will  be held under the patronage of FEPA & AIJP but some non European countries are also invited by them and India is also one of them.

Any author, journalist or publisher can apply for participation at IPHLA 2012 Mainz with one or more exhibits (print, static-digital like CD/DVD or a website) on condition he/she is a member of the BDPh or an association affiliated with FIP or FEPA. The application must arrive on time on the entry form provided fort his purpose ( Exhibit Entry Forms ).

Applications for ‘IPHLA 2012’ can be submitted until February 1,2012.

The basis of the binding application is the different regulations currently provided by the BDPh. Any applicant is urgently advised to take note of these regulations, especially of the special regulations for IPHLA 2012 Mainz , which he agrees to by signing his application.NO FEDERATION COMMISSIONER WILL BE NOMINATED. Please go through website www.iphla.de

For any information please contact to Mr. Wolfgang Massen, Email : w.maassen@alip.org

INDONESIA 2012

INDONESIA 2012: International Philatelic exhibition will  be held under the patronage of FIP from 18 to 24 June 2012 at Jakarta Convention Center.

PCI has nominated Mr. S. Sahoo, as Commissioner for India. His address is:- D-3, BJB Nagar, Bhubanshwar 751 014 Email: sahadevas@yahoo.com Mob:9337103542

THAILAND 2013

THAILAND 2013, International Philatelic exhibition will be held in Thailand from 2 to 14 August 2013 in Bangkok, under the patronage of FIP. The World Philatelic Exhibition will take place from 2 - 14 August 2013 at the Royal Paragon Hall 1-3, 5th floor, Siam Paragon, Bangkok. The event will feature not only some unique postage stamp collections, but also displays of other rare and valuable collectibles from around the world. A stamp contest and competition of OTOP products will also be held as part of the event, with an international panel of judges from member countries and representatives of countries submitting collections for display.

PCI has nominated Mr. R D Binani as Commissioner for India, his address :33-B Rowland Road, Kolkata 700 020  E mail : binanipm@gmail.com Mob:9830073058

China 2011 - 27th Asian International Philatelic Exhibition

The 27th Asian International Stamp Exhibition China 2011, co-sponsored by State Post Bureau, Jiangsu Government, China Post and All-China Philatelic Federation, will be held in Wuxi Taihu International Exposition Center from November 11 to November 15, 2011. This exhibition will be a large international stamp culture exchange activity. held in China after the 2009 World Stamp Exhibition.

Jointly organized by the State Post Bureau, China Post Group Corporation, All-China Philatelic Federation and the Jiangsu provincial government, the event will display 1,300 precious stamps from 26 Inter-Asia Philatelic Federation members.

The five-day event will also feature exhibitions of stamp designs, forums on stamp collecting and auctions of precious stamps, the Wuxi city government said in a statement. Additionally, the exhibition will offer activities showing visitors how stamps are created.

The exhibition's executive committee has kicked off a national youth competition on stamp designs and some of the best designs will be on display during the event.

Exhibition Date: November 11 – 15, 2011, will run for five days.

National Commissioner : Dr RS Gandhi, Patna Email : gandhipatna@yahoo.com

Venue : Taihu International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Organizers: the State Post Bureau, Jiangsu Provincial People's Government, the China Post Group Corporation, China National Philatelic Federation. Website : China 2011

World Philatelic Exhibition at Jakarta

Philatelists Association of Indonesia (PFI) will hold the World Philatelic Exhibition (World Stamp Exhibition) themed Indonesia 2012 from 18 to 24 June 2012 at the Jakarta Convention Centre Jakarta.

The exhibition titled "Bridge to the World of Peace Through Stamps" (Bridging To The World of Peace Through Stamp) is aimed to enhance friendship among philatelists the world as one share of world peace. Included in order to promote philately in all its aspects.

"Indonesia 2012" is expected to become the largest philatelic exhibition ever held in Indonesia. Earlier, Indonesia has successfully conducted philatelic exhibitions in Asia-Pacific three times, namely "Indopex '93" in Surabaya (1993), "Jakarta '95" in Jakarta (1995), and "Jakarta 2008" in Jakarta (2008). Indonesia has also been a world philatelic exhibition organizers specifically for teens class "Indonesia '96" in Bandung (1996).

India Post inaugurates National Philatelic Museum

New Delhi, July 11 (IANS) The Department of Posts (DoP) Monday inaugurated the National Philatelic Museum which will exhibit rare postage stamps from across the world and also provide a platform to philatelists to exhibit their collections.

‘The museum will provide enhanced and interactive platform for promoting philately and will stimulate interest for stamp collection among children,’ Radhika Doraiswamy, secretary Department of Posts, told reporters here.

The museum will be open Mondays to Fridays — it will also be open on Saturdays for school groups on request. It will have an entry fee but the amount has yet not been decided. ‘There will be a nominal entry fee,’ said Doraiswamy.The museum has bays dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi and the prime ministers of India, along with freedom fighters. It also has stamps on several themes such as science and technology, transport and wildlife.

There are stamps from abroad, and displays from the Army Postal Service and India Security Press, Nashik.The museum also has an amphitheatre for talk shows and presentations along with a reference library. In the artists corner, the department has showcased the actual designing of a stamp and also plans to invite artists from time to time to give live demonstrations.

Forthcoming Exhibitions in India

Stamp exhibition in Leh

India Post will host a stamp exhibition  in  Leh (Jammu & Kashmir)  from Sep. 1 - 5 during Leh Festival. 5 special covers are proposed to be released  during the exhibition. The exhibition will display some special exhibits on Buddhism.

Stamp Exhibition in Srinagar

A stamp exhibition will be held in Srinagar organized by Jammu & Kashmir Postal circle from 26 – 28 September 2011.

SIPEX'11 Philatelic Exhibition

Date : 7- 9 October 2011, Chennai

Venue: LITE Air conditioned Hall, 17 Balfour Road, Kilpauk, Chennai.

(Adjacent to Nagappa Motors, Diagonally Opposite to ICICI Bank)

Organizers: South India Philatelists' Association, Chennai

For details and entry forms visit : http://www.sipa.org.in/

email : sipagold@gmail.com

Last date for submitting entry forms : 20 Serptember 2011

Stamps of India National Exhibition

Date : 3- 6 Nov 2011, New Delhi

Venue: NSIC Exhibition Complex, Okhla Industrial Estate, Govindpuri Metro Station

Organizers: Stamps of India

Contact: sj@stampsofinida.com

Website: www.stampsofindia.com/sine.html

THRISSURPEX 2011 Philatelic & Numismatic Exhibition

Nov 18-20: Thrissur, Organizers: Philatelic Club Thrissur

Venue: Pandy Samooha Madom Hall Contact: C J Vincent, 0 98470 21886

UPHILEX 2011

A state level exhibition is proposed to be held in Lucknow from 16 to 18 December 2011.

News from Philatelic Societies

Rajkot Philatelic Society organized a workshop and philatelic exhibition STAMPE2011 under the auspices of INDIA POST on 12^th and 15^th August 2011. More than 100 frames of thematic collection were displayed. The collection on Wildlife of Ms Paritri was also displayed.The exhibition was  inaugurated by Mrs.  Anjali Anand , Post Master General, Rajkot Region. It was attended by large number of philatelists and school children.

INTERVIEW

In this issue, meet with a distinguished philatelist from Vishakhapatnam, Cdr. G. Sri Ramarao. Who has a unique collection of covers with cancellations from Post offices having musical names. It is a novel idea of Cdr G. Sri Ramarao who is also a great music lover. His love for music & philately has come up with an excellent collection which will be delighted by both music lovers & philatelists.  The collection is a blend of melody and  philately…It might be the only collection in the world on this very special theme. An extraordinary exhibit of Musical Post Office covers, prepared by Cdr G Sriramarao which might not fulfill the norms and  rules of a Thematic exhibit as per jury’s decision but a great delight for the viewers. For Cdr. Sriramarao, participation in an exhibition is a great pleasure and   it is displaying beautiful philatelic items that fascinated him and touched his heart . He is far away from the ambition to compete for higher awards and medals…For him Music Philately is just as sweet as a melody which gives him immense pleasure and satisfaction….No regrets……. if not awarded suitably….. He regularly participates in State and National level Philatelic exhibitions. He is a great lover of stamps in true sense …His love for music enabled him to collect not only stamps but various items related with music such as coins, currency notes, autographs and miniatures of musical instruments. It is a great pleasure to publish the interview with Cdr G.Sriramarao, in this issue and share his views with the readers. - Editor

INTERVIEW with Cdr G. Sriramarao, IN ( Retd.)

A  Lover of Music Philately

Commander G.Sriramarao,I.N(Retd) Studied B.A(Hons) and M.A. in Mathematical Economics in the Andhra University in Visakhapatnam from 1959 to 64,  during which time he was in the Naval wing NCC for all the five years and passed ' C ' certificate exam, attended a number of Annual Training and summer social service camps, became Senior Cadet Captain, Represented in Republic Day Parade New Delhi in 1962, selected for and attended summer cruise exercises of the Indian Navy in 1964.Some of the memorable moments, for him as a youngster, were,  during the Receptions after the republic day parade was the get together when he got an opportunity to meet Jawaharlal Nehru,Dr Rajendra Prasad and his wife.

Joined the Indian Navy in 1967 and retired in 1993 as a Commander. A keen music lover and learnt Carnatic Music for eight  years after retirement and also passed diploma in Music of Andhra University. Gave concerts with his wife for two years who is also an M.A. in Carnatic Music, . Presently concentrating on his hobbies which he loves immensely and works hard dedicatedly to improve on his exhibits. A keen collector of stamps on the topic of Music, and he also collects Coins and Currency notes on Music, autographs of famous musicians on their photographs, and collection of Interesting newspaper items on Music. He has also a good collection of Miniature musical Instruments.

    

Music in coins and currency Notes

    

Autographs of Bharat Ratnas : APJ Abdul Kalam and MS Subbulakshmi

He is a keen collector of specialized stamps and coins and currency of various countries. He participated in many state and National level Philatelic and Numismatic exhibitions which gives him immense happiness. A part of his Musical Post Office collection can be viewed at following link :

Musical Post Offices Part I

Musical Post Offices Part II

Cdr G.Sri Ramarao may be contacted at e - mail : sriramarao@gmail.com

Q1 When did you start collecting stamps? How were you introduced to this hobby?

I started collecting stamps at the young age of 8, which started as follows. One day the postman brought a registered letter for my father which had few attractive Indian stamps on the cover. When I received the envelope and keenly looking at the stamps, he pulled out two Canadian stamps from another cover and gave me. The cover meant for Canadian Missionaries staying in  a bungalow behind our house, were regularly getting letters from Canada and I slowly befriended them  and seeing my interest they used to preserve all the covers they received  and used to give me.

2.You served in the Indian Navy and have a long association with ships which is also a very popular and wonderful topic. Why did you choose Music as your favorite theme and not ships or any other topic for your collection?

In the life one develops love for many things and people.  As a student in the University I was a Senior Cadet Captain of the Naval Wing NCC and represented from Andhra Pradesh at the Republic Day Parade 1962 at New Delhi and passed 'C' Certificate exam.. My association with the NCC helped me to develop interest in the Indian Navy which I subsequently joined and served for 27 years and retired as a Commander in 1993 at an age of 52. I loved Navy a lot and used to collect stamps on the Naval ships, aircrafts, submarines and on War etc. I am also an active member of the Naval Philatelic Society. Cdr Acharya who is the secretary of the NPS encouraged me a lot and in fact gave me many stamps, and I also had put up an exhibit called A Philatelic Tribute to Indian Navy in the Baroda Single Frame Philatelic Exhibition in 2009.

However since childhood I used to love hearing Classical Music, but due to my education and Profession could not learn the same, though I was very keen to learn.. However after my retirement due to the encouragement of my wife who is herself a singer of carnatic music, I joined with a great Guru and learnt music dedicatedly for 6 years and subsequently did a diploma in the Andhra University for two years. This love for music and also for stamps made me concentrate on the topic of music and today I have  a large collection of  stamps on music alone, in addition to many coins and currency on Music.  In all the exhibitions I participated( either philatelic or Numismatic) so far I am always exhibiting on the topic of Music only  which is giving me immense satisfaction.

3. Any other subject which you like to collect?

I am also collecting stamps of special category like wooden stamps, stamps on silk cloth, khadi, crystal stamps, Silver stamps, stamps of peculiar shape, Embroidery stamps, Gramophone record and CD stamps, Football and Fireworks stamps, Rock of Gibraltar stamp with pieces of Gibraltar rock affixed on the stamps etc. I also wish to collect stamps on the ‘Love of Mother’.

4. Tell your experience as a philatelist and Naval Officer. Did your profession ever helped you to get nice Philatelic items from various places you visited during your service time.?

Yes.I consider myself as fortunate to serve in the Indian Navy, where I was sent for one year training to Vlodivostok(USSR) IN 1969. I found many of the Soviets loved music as well as stamps. Though I did not concentrate on Music stamps in USSR as the interest in the same developed subsequently, I did collect lot of Russian stamps from friends, as well as visiting philatelic dealers regularly. Also 1970  being the Centenary year of the birth of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin( leader of the 1917 October revolution and founder of USSR), USSR issued lot of stamps on him which I could collect. Also the Naval ships used to go to foreign countries for Goodwill visits, and I was fortunate to visit many countries, and could get stamps of those countries, by visiting local post offices.

5. You have prepared a beautiful and unique collection on Musical Post Offices. Please tell about your collection to the readers.

Yes Musical Post Offices is a special collection and the collection of these special covers gave me immense satisfaction.

To tell briefly the discovery of a post office named 'Mozart' (the famous Musician) in the province of Saskatchewan in Canada and another named 'Tosca' in the Northern Cape sparked off the idea for this collection of ' Musical Post Offices' namely post office cancellations which could be linked to published Musical work either through the title of the work or the composer.

Post office with the name of Mozart

Each envelope bears an excerpt from the Musical work e.g. 'The Marriage of Figaro" by Mozart - and this matches the cancellation. Wherever possible, a stamp having to do with music is used on the envelope, and in every case the stamp is one issued by the country in which the post office is located.

Some post masters, in replying to the request for official cancellation, also provided information regarding the naming of their town(post office). Where such information is given, it is shown on the relevant page. Many Post Masters and Post Mistresses have been extremely cooperative. When the Post Master in Verdi, Minnesota, returned an envelope on which part of the Grand Marches was printed, he wrote '  Two Great Names in Opera Got Together when Cheila D.Wagner was appointed as Post Master Of Verdi.'

And Karen Michel, post Mistress at Fiddletown, California, explained that the town was founded by settlers from Missouri among whom were many fiddlers. The cover in this case had the tune of Fiddle-Faddle on it. All the post masters/post Mistresses took personal care to ensure good quality of cancellations are provided on the envelopes and musical scores.

This collection includes envelopes bearing the   cancellation  on such music as The Bridge of Avignon, La Donna Mobile(mobile Alabama), The Last Time I saw Paris, Tulips from Amsterdam, Lord Lomond, Oh Little Town of Bethelham, The Charleston, London Derby Air, and Carolina on the Morning(Carolina, Transvaal).

This entire collection was made, when Internet was not available in 1981 and from 13 different countries. They are Canada, USA, South Africa, Netherlands, Ireland ,Denmark Palestine, Austria, Spain, Israel, Portugal, and England. In total there are 89 covers made into a three frame exhibit.

6. Would you please tell about some important covers in your music collection which you like most.

There are many covers in my collection which I like most and it is difficult to singularly talk about any of them. However I am giving here few covers with the story behind them..

The Post Office Chloe in West Virginia was named after a lady who lived there and it is possible, though doubtful – that the same lady was the inspiration for the song bearing her name.

Need of a larger Post Office became apparent. The name was a problem. It was decided to reverse the name ASCOT but it seems that TOCSA did not find popular appeal/ Tosca was probably an easier name to pronounce and this way the built post office received its name TOSCA; Tosca is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini.

7. There are two types of collectors one who collect and display their collection in their own way for their pleasure irrespective of rules and norms of the exhibition and the second category is of the serious type of hard core philatelists who participate in exhibition for competition only? You would like to be in which category/?

To simply answer your question I belong to the first category..My collection and displays are purely for my happiness. I share my happiness by showing my collections to philatelists, friends, children and   various great musicians. However about three years ago when I took part in a state level exhibition I was awarded one Vermeil and two silver and it encouraged me to take part in various competitive exhibitions. I am taking part in  competitive exhibitions with a view that others should see my collection. I am not aspiring for medals, but suitably being rewarded in every exhibition I took part in, which I  share showing them  to my children and friends.

8. What is the best part of the hobby you like most?

Constantly searching  on the internet  for new philatelic/Numismatic items on music issued by various countries, and finally getting them, and doing detailed study on every item.. Also when I get rare stamps and also special category of stamps I feel very happy.

9. Last but not the least share your memorable moment of your philatelic journey with the readers .... Any rare philatelic item you got by mere chance or any special memories of a philatelic event....

I pursued my hobby of collecting stamps coins and currency and miniature musical instruments and learnt music purely for my happiness. When I share my happiness by showing others it gives me greatest satisfaction. Fortunately all members of my family are encouraging me in pursuing my hobby. Particularly my son in USA and son - in-law and daughter  in Bangalore go all out to encourage me, and also help me  to procure what I want. My wife who is an M.A. in Music  studies my exhibits and gives her suggestions and invariably attend the exhibitions I participate in. When I could get 7 stamps of Gramophone records issued by Bhutan in 1973 just few hours ago, and could get 8 silver coins issued on Chopin by Poland all fixed in a miniature Piano, and could get the series of stamps on the theme of Music issued by USA for nearly 5 years I was on the top of the world.

Thanks a lot for giving me this opportunity and interviewing me. The Rainbow stamps News is extremely informative and keeping me update on various new issues as well as philatelic knowledge. God bless the Philatelic fraternity.

Beginners’ Section

Officially Sealed Mails of the World

Post office seals, or official seals, are labels used by postal authorities to repair or reclose mail items

• Damaged in transit
• Received unsealed at the post office
• Opened by mistake or by the Dead Letter Office

The earliest recorded on-cover use of an official seal was in Italy in 1864. Many other countries produced their own during the following decade. The United States issued its first post office seal, for use by the Dead Letter Office, in 1877.

Official seals have been recorded from more than 185 countries. Seal dimensions range from barely an inch in width on a few Danish examples, to some of New Zealand that are more than five inches wide. Designs vary greatly and include elaborate, beautifully engraved Queen Victoria and King Edward VII portrait seals of Canada and Newfoundland to relatively simple typeset seals from Mexico or Egypt.

A few countries, such as Haiti and Sierra Leone, have issued just one official seal, while the People's Republic of China has released at least 110 different seals (and counting)! Peru has over 60 recorded types, only a handful of which have been actually seen on cover.

Some seals are scarce, especially from remote or "exotic" places such as Fiji, Yemen, or Zanzibar. Because official seals were most commonly used to repair damaged envelopes or cards, most mail items bearing them were discarded by the recipient due to their condition and have therefore been lost forever to collectors.

Few countries continue to use post office seals today. Most postal authorities now use tapes rather than labels for repair, or they enclose badly damaged items in plastic bags. The era of government issued seals appears to be ending.

Read More…

Specialized Section

DISINFECTION OF MAIL

By Naresh Agarwal

Contd…from the last

MARKINGS ON DISINFECTED LETTERS :

The mail quarantined or disinfected at different places at different times does have some sort of markings or marks, seals and hand stamps on them informing about the treatment done or any information related to disinfection of that mail. These markings have wide range mainly consisting of official stamp or seal of the certifying body, with or without location. Examples are : “Provisores Salutis Venetiae” ( Overseers of Health, Venice ), “Deputazione Sanitaria” ( Sanitary Commission Sicily), “ Koeniglich Bayerisches Sanitats Siegel” (Royal Beverian Hygiene Seal).

Various cachets from 19th-century envelopes

Other marks specifically referred to disinfection. Perforated mail from Italy claimed full and complete disinfection. “Netta Dentro efuori” ( Clean inside and out). Fumigated letters claimed only external treatment: “ Profumatro solution al di fuori” ( Fumigated only from outside). The word disinfected or its equivalent appeared of its own or with its location. ; Gerienigt:Lichtenfels Disinfettata; Bologna; Disinfektiert; Purifee a La Coitat’. Specific treatment appeared in a hand stamp from Chile in 1887 “ Disinfecteada Por Calor” ( Disinfected by Heat).

Stampless folded letter, with contents, manuscript rate marking. Postmarked with WIEN/FRANCO two-line handstamp, addressed to PARMA, ITALY, with two DISINFECTED oval markings on back and red wax seal applied over the markings

The town of Reggio provided a paste on printed unperforated stamp – not unlike a postage stamp–bearing the legend “ Uffizio di Disinfezione in Reggio” ( Office of Disinfection, Reggio)

ITALY 1855 Disinfected Cover REGGION to MONTECCHIO during Cholera outbreak with disinfection markings and slits

Disinfected letter dated 09.08.1835 from Athens to Geneva with marking on back flaps reads flaps SANITA' IN ANCONA / NETTA FUORI E DENTRO and disinfection slits

With the advent of the terrible plague of the mid-17th century, Mediterranean ports smoked or scorched mail from suspect vessels, sometimes after dousing it with vinegar. But wafers or seals, legitimizing the opening of covers to treat the contents, are not seldom seen before the 1720s. The earliest cachets to certify treatment appeared in the 1780's

French Colonies Algeria 1836 Disinfected Mail Envelope to France routed via Toulon with boxed French entry PAYS D'OUTREMER in black handstruck PURIFIE A TOULON in red with disinfection slits and French receiving back stamp. 

Malta 1847 entire letter from Constantinople to Livorno, Italy, showing French P.O. in Constantinople datestamp "CONSTANTINOPLE/ TURQUIE", "LIVORNO/ C/ VIA DI MARE" maritime cancel, and fine "PURIFIE AU LAZARET/ MALTE" disinfection cancel.

1848 part outer letter sheet from ALAXANDRIA in Egypt to Bath, U.K., showing British P.O. Alexandria c.d.s. and poor "PURIFIE AU LAZARET/ MALTE" disinfection cancel

 

Efforts for health controls through disinfection spanned over 300 years. Precautions largely centered on control of the movement of persons or cattle, but general goods, mail and packages were a constant concern. Even imports of rags of paper making were suspect.

In the early 8^th century, British officers demanded health declarations on oath from masters of incoming ships. A bible, kept for the purpose was handed from shore to ship at the end of a boathook for the declaration. It was afterwards dragged through sea water to purify it.

1838 folded letter from Calcutta to Bordeaux "Via Bombay & Suez" with a circular Malta "Purifie Aux Lazaret" h.s., two neat disinfection slits

Turkey 1824 Disinfected Letter to France, via Austria written from Constantinople cancelled by handstruck Tur. Charged 20 in manuscript, with disinfection cachet and punch holes, routed via Austria with AT. And Boxed Autriche par Huningue transit

Entire letter dated Feb.23,1844 from Smirne to Treviso, Italy struck with fine strike of "Smirna" straight line handstamp in black (Tchilinghirian), "Sanitas Sigillum" Disinfection cachet in black (and red wax seals) applied at Semlin

Entire letter dated 20.10.1845 from Alexandria ,Egypt addressed to Grenoble with ALEXANDRIE (EGYPTE) cds of despatch, slitted for disinfection and with MARSEILLE arrival (Oct 28) and two line handstamp on reverse PURIFIÉ LAZARET / MARSEILLE

1844 (19 Oct.). Cover from the Austrian Consulate in Serbia, addressed to the Military Magistrate in PANCSOVA (Pancevo) showing rate first type 19 OCT/BELGRAD handstamp in black of Austrian P. O. Red wax seal for disinfection on reverse SIGILLUM SANITATIS SEMLINIENSIS and circular NETTO DI FUORI E DI DENTRO applied at the LAZARET in SEMLIN. A fine and rare cover especially with two such fine disinfection markings.

To be contd…..

Mr Naresh Agarwal may be contacted at email : nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in

MAHATMA GANDHI MOURNING COVERS

By MARKAND D. DAVE RPSL, APS, ISC

On 15 August,1948 the Department of Posts and Telegraphs of India issued four commemorative stamps on Mahatma Gandhi; (1 ½ a. ,3 ½ . ,12a ,and 10R(SG305-08) ) Commemorating the first anniversary of assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Several mourning covers were privately designed, printed and affixed with one or more denominations cancelled by one of the pictorial cancellations dated 15 August, 1948 were produced by the enterprising philatelists. There were several types of designs but, some with a glossy black fronts popularity came to be known as “ADVANI COVERS,” named after the producer of these covers, L.P. Advani. According information I have, two cover were printed in USA. In this article, I am discussing with illustrations three covers “ ADVANI” covers which are philatelic in nature, irrespective of amount of postage paid and a fourth interesting genuine commercially used cover ,of different design and deserves a special merit. Covers 1-3 are 16 cm x9.5 cm in size.

Type-1, Cover size 16.5 cm x 9.5 cm

This Registered cover is addressed to the famous English stamp dealer “Harry Allen” to London.

This cover bears a message of tribute, read as “Homage to Mahatma Gandhi who taught the world the way of life and the way of death.” On the left of front, Sender’s name on top left, below By AIR MAIL, read as “DR. L.P.ADVANI – BOMBAY 5.”

And a facsimile signature of M.K.Gandhi in silver ink. All four stamps are cancelled 15 August, 1948/ BOMBAY G.P.O and is addressed to a stamp dealer in London. I have carefully examined that “10 R” in silver ink is not printed on this cover where the 10 Rs. Stamp is affixed and I have never seen it on any of the 4 Value Mourning covers.

Type-2, Cover size 16.5 cm x 9.5 cm

This is a self addressed cover exactly same as above in all details but without 10 Rs. Stamp at it’s place and printed “R.10” in silver ink in the place 10 Rs. Stamp.This blank space is also cancelled 15 August, 1948 / BOMBAY G.P.O., which I believe is a favored cancellation.This cover is addressed to Dr. Lila P Advani, Bombay.

Type-3, Cover size 24 cm x 15.5 cm.

This is also “ADVANI” mourning cover, but commercially used, addressed to USA with correct Registered - Air Mail postage.

The front block of the mourning cover of size 16cm x 9.5 cm. is printed on a brown cover of size 24 cm x15.5 cm. This cover I presume to have been printed in India. Cover bears all four commemorative stamps, plus a Block of 6 of 12a stamps (Sheet control No. 064619) on the back all duly cancelled 15 August, 1948 / BOMBAY G.P.O. cancellation and there is a delivery cds of NEW YORK and the sender’s rubber stamp “ADVANI,” with Bombay address. Registration No. appears to be 525. Weight of the cover cannot be ascertained as the Registration slip is torn out. This is certainly unusual “ADVANI” mourning cover on record.

Types 1 and 2 In conclusion:

Mourning covers are fancy covers, sold and bought at fancy price. I do not know how many were produced. However it is the Type-3 which is unusual and is of merit and I named as Big Mourning Cover.

Mr Markand Dave may be contacted at email : markand7@yahoo.com

Something of interest, also for non-philatelists….

How do you spell Delhi ?

By Dr. Avinash B. Jagtap

You have read…..

Soon after the British established themselves in India, they first concentrated on the internal communications such as transmission of news from different parts of India. Although there did exist the ways and means of communications from the early days of Sher Shah (1486-1545), but the British introduced the means of travel and transport. After the advent of railway in Indian Subcontinent in the year 1877 the working of the postal system got an unprecedented momentum. First only the British and that also those who were in active service of the East India Company and later on in the Service of Her (or His) Majesty the Queen (or the King), were allowed to send and receive letters. The letters could be sent either “pre-paid” or with the remark “Bearing”, whereby the recipient had to pay for the postage.

The names of the post offices of towns or cities named by the British had experienced various changes in their spelling. The most remarkable and interesting is the name of Delhi, which became the capital of India in 1931 (before that it was Calcutta). The name of the city of Delhi, as its postal despatch stamps read, was first “DEHLI” (1818-1828), later on it was changed to “DELHIE”(1839-42) and finally it was “DELHI” (1841 onwards). …..

Contd. From the last…..

Chandernagore, another French settlement near Calcutta (now Kolkata!) had two versions of hand-struck stamps which were employed by the British Post Office there, one with “e” at the end and another without it!

The name of a city in Central India was known to India Post, both as “NAUGPORE” (1826-37) and also as “NAGPORE” (after 1838). “JABALPUR” was written as “JUBBULPORE” and later on as “JUBULPORE”. Many names of big cities in India end with the suffix “PUR” and this suffix became “PORE” when they assumed English names and these remained so even when the British had already left this country. We come across a lot of change of town names in South India. Even after attaining independence they remained British in their spelling and were changed by the regional state governments. Quite a few town names in South India end with the suffix “Patnam”, but this tail-piece was rather abrupt in English, it was shortened to “PATAM”. “MASULIPATAM” (now “Machilipatnam), or “VIZAGAPATNAM” (now “Visakhapatnam”), or “SERINGPATAM” ( now “Srirangpatnam”).

   

Many town names with harsh or hard consonants in Indian languages were very difficult for the British to pronounce and naturally they changed the spellings of the names of Indian towns and cities as they found suitable to their tongue, in the south “KHADKI” in the close neighbourhood of Poona, was the headquarters of the Bombay Artillery, with an ammunition factory, was changed to “KIRKKEE”, “THANA” (now “Thane”) near Bombay was known by the name “TANNAH”. But I however do not understand why “SATARA”, which was so easy to pronounce and also to spell, was changed to “SITTARA”!

     

And “DHULIA” was the name given to the town “DHULE” in Maharashtra! There are two places in India, where the first half of the town-name is “Fatteh” ( which means “Triumph” in Urdu or Hindustani), they are “Fattehpur”(It lies on that centuries old historic Grand Trunk Road in Uttar Pradesh), there are other two towns with the same name, one in Bihar and the other Rajastan) and the other place is “Fattehghar” (It was the Headquarters of Farrukhabad District in United Provinces of British India), but both of these towns were known to the post office in the years 1820-1840 by “FUTTYPUR” and “FUTTYGHUR”! Today’s “KANPUR” was known by “CAWNPORE” in British India. I shall like to attach a few scans of the hand-struck stamps on the early folded letters originating from these places.

  

Most of these hand-struck stamps used in the British India post offices have their own charm and individual character. Most of these were locally made and represent the workmanship of those days. It is believed that there must have existed hand-struck stamps of well over 650 post offices, of which only 350 to 400 post offices established in India prior to 1854 have been documented. Such old letters with the original post office markings with the names of the towns and cities of the British Raj is an interesting part of Indian postal history and subsequently the heritage of India.

Dr. Avinash B, Jagtap may be contacted at email : abjagtap@hotmail.com

New Issues from other countries

Albania

30 J uly 2011 EUROPA 2011 ( Forest ) – 1 Val + MS

Ascension Islands

31 August 2011 : Red-billed Tropicbird WWF Issue – 4 val.

All stamps carry the WWF Panda logo. The three species of tropicbird all have tropical distributions. Two species are found in the tropical Atlantic and both breed on Ascension Island, with the majority of both species breeding on Boatswainbird Island. The most numerous is the Yellow-billed Tropic bird, or Boatswain bird (so called because its call is likened to that of a Bosun's whistle) after which the island was named. About 500 pairs of Red-billed Tropicbirds breed on Ascension.

The Red-billed Tropicbird is a powerful bird around 48cm long (up to 100cm including the central tail feathers) and with a wingspan of 105cm. It is a white bird with black near the wing-tips, fine dark grey barring over the back and with two long trailing tail feathers. The bill is long, strong and red (yellow in juveniles as can be seen on the 90p value) and the legs are yellowish.

Canada

17 August Candian Innovations : 4 val

6 September 2011: Mental Health

Hong Kong

2 August 2011 Buddha : Dunhuang Grottoes- a cultural legacy - MS

Malaysia

 

 

The only change is in this stamp with inclusion of Tamil language

Pos Malaysia has released new replacement issue of Virtues stamp. The Nilai – Nilai Murni ( Virtues ) set  was issued on  13 June , It was soon withrawn after release .   As Tamil Group of Malaysia demanded the inclusion of Tamil language in Thank you stamp.

USA

24 August 2011 Edward Hopper – Forever stamp

Forever Stamp features Edward Hopper's sailboat painting, "The Long Leg." Hopper's 1935 sunlit painting, depicts a boat sailing against the wind near Provincetown, MA.

16 September 2011 : Barbara Jordan

Barbara Jordan was, one of the most respected and influential American politicians of the 20th century.

Philatelic Library

e books on Philately : All about Stamp Collecting

http://www.scribd.com/doc/37667833/Stamp-Collecting

http://www.askphil.org/b.htm

Online Stamp Catalogue…

Search stamps of different countries online…

http://www.catawiki.co.uk/catalog/100271-stamps

New Blogs & Websites

Postmarks of India : http://www.indianpostmarks.blogspot.com/ - This blog is dedicated to Permanent Pictorial Cancellations available at Indian Post Offices.

Discover Topical Stamp Collecting : http://secretstostampcollecting.com/members/ - How-To, Tips, News, Reviews and Resources for Stamp Collectors

Officially Sealed Mails of the World : http://www.poseal.com/ -    A site dedicated to the study of Post Office Seals   -

Sports Philately : http://www.sportstamps.org/ - Website on Sports Philately.

Philately of Today : http://philatelyoftoday.blogspot.com/ - A nice blog with discussion and details on various philatelic subjects..

Se- tenant Stamps of India - http://setenantsofindia.blogspot.com/ It is a specialized Blog on se-tenant stamps.

Flags & Stamps - http://flagstamps.blogspot.com/ - It is a specialized blog on Flag Theme .

Glimpses of Modern Indian Philately : http://modernindianphilately.blogspot.com/

A new Blog on Modern Indian Postal History and Modern Philately of India, has been created by Mr Prashant Pandya. Idea of creating this blog ‘Glimpses of Modern Indian Philately’ by Mr Pandya is conceived to provide, share and discuss information exclusively on Modern Postal History or Modern Philately of India. Collectors of Modern Indian Philately around the world are invited to share the knowledge and information on the subject.

West Essex Philatelic Society : http://www.wepsonline.org./ A philatelic society with lot of philatelic activities.

Gandhi Stamps :   http://gandhistamps.com - The website is a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi Philately. All the stamps issued on Mahatma Gandhi from various countries in the World have been featured.

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.

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

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/

Rajkot Philatelic Society – Rajkot, Gujarat

Gujarat Philatelic Association - Ahmedaba

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

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

The Lighter Side

Here is a very special article by Dr Satyendra Kumar Agarwal  which I am publishing in two parts. The article is about various types of  unique stamps issued so far using most advanced technology by different postal administrations. From Penny Black to  stamp with lenticular technology – an Evolution !!    - Editor

There was a STAMP…..

© Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

Once upon a time, a Stamp was born. He was given the responsibility to collect pre-payment from the sender for postal services around the world.

First Postage Stamp

Soon he gave life to more of his kind to share his increasing responsibilities. Some were assigned to collect pre-payment for Air Mail, some for Parcels. A few got the work of collecting Postage Due and some to bear additional responsibility of collecting Charities for the benefit of various organizations.

                               Airmail                              Parcel                        Postage                                  Due Charity

Although his empire was invaded by his own step brothers; Mechanical and Electronic frankings, ATM labels etc. several times, the Stamp and his aides ruled the world of Post for more than 160 years,

   

                                                Franking                                                                      ATM mechine FramaLabel

In the last two decades our very own Stamp was challenged by the avatars of modern communication. Telephone, Fax, SMS, MMS and emails challenged his rule and began establishing their own empire.

      

                         Telephone,  Fax, SMS, MMS, emails etc.,  the children of Modern Communication

What was left, was captured by his cousin, named Courier Services.

Courier Service

These rivals of new age brought the race of True Stamps to the verge of extinction. Their existence was limited to the pages of Stock Books of collectors and professionals. These days they are rarely seen on postal articles performing their actual duty. Their ancestors were turned into living mummies and are only seen when put for sale by big Auction Houses or displayed during Philatelic Exhibitions.

 

                               Auction                                Catalogue Stock Book                               Philatelic Exhibition

Once, a very old Stamp escaped from the Stock Book of a collector and wandered here and there with a wish to meet his younger generation. His hope lit, when he found a bunch of envelopes on a table. Alas! There were no stamps on them, only Red markings, Labels and Hand written inscriptions. Suddenly he sprang in joy seeing a multicolor Brochure of an exhibition with few illustrations of his own family members.

Exhibition Hall

He rushed to the Exhibition and entered the hall. “Where am I?” he murmured “ Have I mistakenly entered the Wonder land of Alice?” He searched every where for his relatives but the inhabitants were aliens to him. Somebody told him that those are his new generation relatives, and his eyes wide opened in astonishment.

Some looked like fruits and vegetables

     

                                                    Fruits                                                                       Vegetables

while others looked like animals, birds and reptiles

         

                                                    Cat                                           Parrot                                         Tortoise

A few resembled garments and crockery.

                     

                                                              T-Shirt                                                  Coffee Mug

Chess, Snake & Ladder, Table Tennis, Football, Boxing, Discus & Pole vault and all types of indoor and outdoor games formed the faces of his new relatives.

                

                                                Chess board                                   Snake & Ladder                         Football

                  

                                         Boxing                  Discus                                                 Pole vault

Quiz game boards were also included in this family.

Fun Games

Tangram Puzzle

Leaflet can be folded in the shape of the box, showing the cathedral from the various points of view

A few were in even harder to believe shapes and sizes.

Largest Stamp

                                                                                      Unusual Shapes

He found few members playing Hide & Seek

To see the Hidden Image, concentrate on one stamp; bring it right up to your nose and “stare through it”. It will be blurred. Slowly move it about a foot away without focus on the pattern. The image should now appear.

And other few were displaying collage of decorated bricks.

The image of Mona Lisa is made up of many other small paintings.

Wow, a group of magicians were also there, showing interesting magic tricks.

    

Looking in chain

Magic tricks

Some changed colours when seen while moving

Colour changes with movement

Able to change the background colour

while others did it when rubbed.

              

                                It reveals a trapped ion in a molecule            Gold nuggets revealed in the pot

                            

                       Core disappears figure of a man                            Heat reveals hidden messages

Placing a finger or scratching on the dates, the heat-sensitive ink reveals the effects of climate change on sea ice

He felt shy when he found himself in between a group wearing gems & jewellery and embroidered cloths.

    

                                                                       Beaded and Embroidered                               Pearl

    

                                                 Famous Swarovski glass crystals                                 Ruby

Ultra modern race had chosen unusual materials too to decorate themselves like stones, granite, clay, meteorite dust, volcanic ash, glittering fabric crystals, wax seal and tennis ball stuff etc..

         

                  Stone dust on Rocks                     Granite piece                      Clay dust on court

          

Meteorite dust in red ink              Volcanic Ash              Fiber Crystals in Fire Works

                

                                                     Wax Seal                                                     Tennis ball stuff

To be contd…..

I thankfully acknowledge my son Tushar , Senior Software Engineer,Tesco HSC, Bangalore and  my daughter Tulika  , Associate Consultant in Enterprise Solutions Division,  Infosys Technologies Ltd, Hyderabad, for their help in portraying the story of  " Stamp in Wonderland"  beautifully in words.  - Dr SK Agarwal

Dr SK Agarwal may be contacted at e-mail : rosephila@hotmail.com

Promotional section

New Maxim Card

Mr AVG Rajulu of Chennai has prepared three different Maxim cards on K M Mathew , former Chief editor, Malayala Mnorama. He may be contacted for these max Cards at email : rajulustampsandcoins@yahoo.co.in Ph No. 09383056767

Philatelic Books

“My Rainbow of Philatelic Articles” by Dr Satyendra Kumar Agarwal is a collection of specialized and comprehensive articles on a variety of subjects published in Rainbow Stamp News during last three years.

The 150 page hardbound book published by Philagold Publications is priced at Rs 1200 ( US $ 25). Dr Satyendra Kumar Agarwal may be contacted for this book at email : rosephila@hotmail.com

Read more details..

Year Book 2011

Mr Madan Middha the publisher of Year Book of Indian Philately needs suggestions from the Readers for Year Book 2011..for which he has started working Readers are requested to send their suggestions about contents of the new edition. Articles are also invited from the readers. Please contact Mr Middha email madan_middha@yahoo.co.in

ITS Stamp News

ITS stamp News, India’s only magazine on Thematic Philately can be subscribed , write to : Suraj Jaitly      Mobile: +91 98728 51244 MIG # 3464, Phase Two, Dugri Road, Ludhiana - 141 013 INDIA email : indianthematicsociety@gmail.com
ITS at http://indianthematicstamps.webs.com/
ITS Stamp News at http://itsstampnews.blogspot.com/
ITS Postal Auction photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/its_offers/

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

August issue….

Vijay Deshpande, Pune

Great as usual !! Very  informative and surprising with age old documents...Astonished !!! Articles /reports on Indian errors stamps, disinfecting procedures and one from friend Dr Hemant Kulkarni,were spl attractions !!!

Naresh Agarwal, Bilaspur (C.G.)

Wonderful ! Hats off to you. Your hard work and dedication are reflected through the bulletin. Dr. Satyendra Agrawal seems to have turned and now coming up with new topics of different tastes and topics.Dr Jagtap.. is wonderful as usual I once again say he is marvelous as I don't know from where he finds out topics and put those before us..interesting.

Shrikant Parikh, Ahmedabad

The presentation of your August RSN is excellent. You have covered so many areas and I am sure,Philatelists of all levels will like to go thru it time and again.

Dr Avinash B. Jgatap, Switzerland

Appreciated the articles by Dr.Satyendra Agrawal and also from Mr. Abhai Mishra on Indian Post office on Arctic Circle. This time the scope of philately is much more diversified, which is good for Philately as a hobby.

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 every day 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 Shrikant Parikh – Ahmedabad; Mansoor B.- Mangalore ; Mobile Philately; Sekhar Chakrabarty – Kolkata ; Yogesh Kumar – Bareilly; Prof VK Gupta – New Delhi; Dr Paresh Upadhyay, Rajkot

Address for communication:

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 or PDF. 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.

…..Happy Collecting…………………………………………………………………………………

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