Emma’s Little Christmas Dream
The 2014 Christmas stamp from Aland issued on October 9, is almost a fairy tale image of Little Christmas. The Christmas atmosphere comes to life with white snow, welcoming and warming lights and rosy cheeks. A parent holding a child’s hand visits the Jan Karlsgården Christmas fair. Designer Emelie Hage’s image of Little Christmas has the shimmer of nostalgia.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year !!
Dehradun December 2014 Vol. VII Issue # 84
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 and by post to –
Ms. Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248002. 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
Rainbow Stamp News completes 7 years of publication with this 84th issue !!
Dear Reader,
It is a great pleasure to write that Rainbow Stamp News has completed 7 years of publication with the release of this issue. I thank all my readers and contributors for their great support and contribution in publishing this newsletter regularly since 2008. My special thanks to Dr Satyendra Kumar Agrawal, Dr Avinash Jagtap and Mr Naresh Agrawal for their regular specialized articles to Rainbow Stamp News. Their articles have won appreciation from the readers all over the globe. I express my gratitude to all contributors from India and abroad for their regular updates.
In the year 2014 India Post issued a variety of Postage stamps on different themes. Special stamps on Jagjit Singh and Indian Musicians are remarkable issues with other stamps on sports, personalities and medical science. Some more stamps are expected to be issued in the month of December.
On 125th birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Department of Posts brought out a booklet containing collection of stamps .This booklet contains original stamps issued on Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru since 1985. But its price is Rs. 1000 which is very high. The price must be moderate so that such items can become popular among stamp collectors of all categories. If India Post wants to promote philately, attractive philatelic items at affordable price should be issued instead of very high cost items.
This is all for this month. More in next issue !
Wishing you all Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year !!
Happy Collecting ! !
-- Jeevan Jyoti
Contents
· From the Desk of Naresh Agrawal
· Recent Indian Issues
· In The News
· Beginners’ Section
· Specialized Section
· New Issues from Other Countries
· Editor’s mail Box
· The Lighter Side
· Philatelic Clubs and Society
· Blogs & Websites on Philately
· Promotional Section
· Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletter
From the Desk of Naresh Agrawal
Thanks to the lady who thought and decided to introduce the first digital philatelic bulletin in India. Yes, seven years back the first digital bulletin of RAINBOW had been published with Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti as Editor. That was a historic moment in the philatelic journalism in India which now blossomed with various new e-bulletins being published in India. Further, philatelic journalism in India has established itself in the world scene also by regularly achieving higher awards and ranks in world competitions by different magazines and bulletins. Credit goes to the dedication and hard work put behind each and every issue month after month by the editors/moderators. Well, My heartiest congratulations to Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti on successful and glittering completion of seven years of Rainbow. She has genuinely justified the name of Rainbow in the last seven years. She is truly a genuine philatelist and lover of philately.
Rainbow in the last seven years has shown all the seven colors it has. It has won the hearts of readers as its readership has increased day by day world over in philatelic circle. It has all the colors which a reader looks for such as latest happening in philatelic field, latest information, philatelic articles to cater all standard of philatelists i.e. beginners to specialized, permanent columns, good editorial, interviews and above all the presentation, the color scheme and the overall look,….truly caters every one suitably.
I don’t remember exactly but I understand my association with Rainbow is also more than six years old and Rainbow has become part of my life. I love rainbow the same way I love my possessions of stamps. For me what I have received through Rainbow is much more than what I have achieved in philately. All the International awards seems to be lighter and smaller in front of what honor, the recognition and the love of my fellow philatelists ,readers and the respect I have received and achieved though Rainbow.
Rainbow being pioneer has paved ways for other digital journals to follow still stands high in rank, in recognition and in readership. While I thank Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti, I would like to appreciate the contribution of Dr. Satyendra Agrawal and Dr. Jagtap who are still walking with Rainbow hand in hand to see Rainbow always in the sky spreading its colors. They have given new color to Rainbow by way of their well researched articles regularly. All the people who have occasionally contributed to Rainbow and all the philatelists who gave their valued interviews during the journey of 7 years deserve thanks as they all have made Rainbow….a true Rainbow…a colorful Rainbow….a beautiful Rainbow…..
I must say, Rainbow has become a big platform for philatelists to say what they want….what they want to share. It is a platform which should be used for promotion of philately. I congratulate Rainbow for winning several awards and high rank in various world level / international competitions during its 7 years long glorious journey. I wish Rainbow all the very best. I wish it to become the most beloved bulletin of the whole philatelic fraternity . While I thank and congratulate Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti.I wish RAINBOW a long but glorious journey to win hearts as it has been. In the end…….JAI HO RAINBOW
And Lastly
DREAM PHILATELY, CLEAN PHILATELY
SHUDHH PHILATELY, SHUBH PHILATELY
- Naresh Agrawal : email : nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in
Recent Indian Issues
· 20 August 2014 : Gaiety Theatre, Shimla – Rs 5
· 3 September 2014 : Indian Musicians – 2 x Rs 25, 6 x Rs 5
· 25 October 2014 : Anagarika Dharmapala – Rs 5
· 4 November 2014 : Liver Transplantation in India – Rs 5
· 12 November 2014 : UTI ( Unit Trust of India ) – Rs 5
· 28 November 2014 : India – Slovenia joint issue – Rs 25 + Rs 5 & MS
· 29 November 2014 - Sagol Kangjei – Rs 5
Forthcoming issues by India Post
4th December,2014 - Swami Ekrasanand Saraswati
26th December,2014 - Baba Amte
December,2014 - Kuka Movement
November/December,2014 - Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
Recent Special Covers
1 November 2014 : ASSAMPEX 2014 – 5 special covers
1,Assam Tourism,
2.100 years of Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Guwahati,
3.Centenary Celebration of MCME School, Guwahati,
4.Platinum Jubilee year of Handique Girl's College Guwahati and
5.GLP Social Circle, Guwahati
2 November 2014 ASSAMPEX-2014 ( Marwari Yuva Manch)- Guwahati
3 November 7, 2014 : WAZA 2014 - Biodiversity is Us – New Delhi
3 November 2914 : Second death anniversary of Late Shri Kailashpati Mishra
6 November 2014 : Felicitation to Winners of Commonwealth Games & Asian Games, Bangalore
11 November 150 years of Eden Gardens, Kokata
12 November 2014 : Golden Jubilee of Sainik School, Goalpara, Assam
13 November 2014 : 'Ananthapuripex-2014’ 125 years of the release of Anchal Stamps – Thiruvananthapuram
14 November 2014 - 'Ananthapuripex-2014’ 150 years of Fort Mission Girls’ High School, Thiruvananthapuram
14 November 2014 - 'Ananthapuripex-2014’ Mangalyaan Indian Mars Orbiter Mission. Thiruvananthapuram
14 November 2014 : Centenary Celebration of the Government Model Primary School, Maragodu, Madikeri
24 November 2014 – 13th Silviculture Coference at FRI Dehradun
27 November 2014 – KOCHIPEX 2014 - Golden jubilee year of ‘Sahrudaya,’ Welfare Services ,Ernakulam
28 November 2014 : 100th birthday celebrations of Shri V R Krishna Iyer, Ernakulam-
15 November 2014 : 400th Anniversary of Chhoti Dadabari Jain Temple, New Delhi
Stamp Booklet on Pt Nehru
On the occasion of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Department of Posts brought out a collection of stamps issued on Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The booklet was released on 14th November 2014. This booklet contains original stamps issued on Jawaharlal Nehru since 23.10.1985. It is priced at Rs. 1000. The booklet is designed by Nenu Gupta and is available online at Snapdeal Portal.
In The News
World’s biggest stamp fair in Kuala Lumpur
Venue - Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Kuala Lumpur
KUALA LUMPUR: POS Malaysia Bhd is holding the world’s biggest philatelic event, the Malaysia 2014 World Youth Stamp Exhibition (KLwyse), from Dec 1 to 6 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). The 29th Asean Stamp Exhibition will form a part of the KLwyse.
The first-of-its-kind event in Malaysia will welcome thousands of stamp collectors and visitors from all corners of the world. Previously, Malaysia hosted the World National Stamp event in 1997 and the FIAP Asean International Stamp Exhibition in 2004.
More than 300 exhibitors from around the globe are expected to come together to exhibit and showcase their stamps. There will be some 700 frames of stamps, both competitive and non-competitive, from over 30 countries. More than 30 booths will also be set up by stamp dealers and postal administrations.
Participating countries include Malaysia, Bangladesh, Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Namibia, Burundi, South Africa, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Solomon Islands, Togo, Uganda, Niger, Sao Tome and Principe, Maldives, India, United States, Canada, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia, Kuwait, Oman, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Cuba, Spain, United Kingdom and the Philippines.
World's rarest stamp heading to Smithsonian's National Postal Museums
WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- The world’s rarest postage stamp, worth $9.5 million, is headed to the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum next year.
Beginning in April 2015, the 1856 British Guiana One-Cent Magenta will be displayed in the museum's William H. Gross Stamp Gallery for three years. This will be the stamp's longest and most publicly accessible showing ever.
The stamp is the sole-survivor of the British Guiana One-Cent Magenta. Printed in black ink on magenta paper, it bears the image of a three-masted ship and the colony's motto in Latin: "we give and expect in return."
A 12-year-old Scottish boy living in South America rediscovered the stamp in a stack of family papers in 1873, and from there it passed through some of the most important stamp collections ever assembled. The stamp will be on loan from an anonymous buyer who bought it at a Sotheby's auction in February.
"We love being able to showcase truly impressive objects for the world to see," said Allen Kane, director of the museum. "Everyone loves to see rare and extremely expensive things, and this stamp certainly fits the bill." In 1980, John Du Pont paid $935,000 for the stamp.
"Not only is the British Guiana far and away the most valuable stamp in the world, it is also, by sheer size and weight, the most valuable single object in the world today," said David Redden, the Sotheby's auctioneer who sold the British Guiana. "Every time the British Guiana has sold at auction it has set a new world record price for a stamp, recently selling for $9.5 million—four times higher than the price of any single stamp in history."
The block of Jenny inverted stamps was sold for almost 5 million dollars
The unique block of Jenny Inverted stamps was sold for US$4.8 million. Unexpectedly Donald Sundman, owner of Mystic Stamp Company of Camden, New York revealed this information.
He revealed the secret that the plate of four stamps was sold on October 7, 2014, for an undisclosed price, as Sundman put it, “north of $4.8 million.”
Both the normal 1918 airmail 24¢ stamps (Scott #C3) and the 24¢ Jenny inverted stamps (#C3a) – the most famous stamp errors in the world – are named for the Curtiss JN-4 ‘Jenny’ biplane (an early airplane with two wings) featured in the first American airmail stamp’s ‘vignette,’ or center.
The buyer of this unique philatelic item is unknown. But some information is available he is said to be an extremely wealthy non-stamp collector from Europe. Mystic had promised to exhibit the ‘delicious’ Jenny Invert Plate Block icon at the once-per-decade World Stamp Show in 2016 in New York, but that is now in doubt as there is no word on whether the treasure will be exhibited in the future.
The first auction for the Jenny Invert Plate Block was held in 1918. It was sold for $15,000 to Philadelphia stamp dealer Eugene Klein; who immediately sold the sheet for $20,000 to Colonel Edward H.R. Green, son of Hetty Green, the ‘Witch of Wall Street’, and one of America’s wealthiest investors. Green then broke up the sheet, keeping the key line and corner blocks as well as the unique plate number block, and consigned many singles back to Mr. Klein for sale.
With this new sale for nearly $5 million, the revered Jenny Invert Plate Number Block remains the world-record holder for any U.S. philatelic. The Jenny is second to the British Guiana 1856 1¢ magenta which sold in June, 2014 at Sotheby’s for US$9.5 million, more than four times the prior record for a single stamp ($2.2 million in 1996).
Using $4.85 million as the possible price, as compared to its $18,250 auction realization in 1953, the stunning Jenny Invert Plate Number Block masterpiece has appreciated an astounding 26,575% in 61 years.
Finnish stamps honored with two international awards
Finnish stamps were honored with two international awards. Juries of professionals have recognized two Finnish stamp designs with awards in international design competitions in September-October 2014. The awards were given to Sanna Mander’s Christmas Hug and Orchid, both designed by Ari Lakaniemi and Susanna Rumpu.
In September, Ari Lakaniemi and Susanna Rumpu’s Christmas Hug was voted youth-theme runner-up in the highly-regarded Grands Prix de l’Art Philatélique Belge et Européen. The jury, comprising 30 experts from the fields of philately and visual design, were enchanted by the nostalgic look of the Christmas stamp, first released on November 4, 2013. In all, the competition attracted entries from 22 European countries.
For Christmas Hug, Lakaniemi and Rumpu drew inspiration from the world of scrap images. “The children seen in the stamp were originally featured on an old postcard. The background of the stamp glows warm and golden, creating the mood of candlelight,” Lakaniemi and Rumpu describe the stamp they designed.
Christmas Hug was voted the most beautiful stamp of 2013 in a poll conducted on the Posti website and via its customer magazine, having also secured its place in the hearts of the Finnish public.
The fine printing technique of the Orchid stamp admired by the jury. The design duo of Ari Lakaniemi and Susanna Rumpu also created the Orchid stamp, which received the award for the best stamp in the printing technique category at the Spanish NexoFil: The World’s Best Stamp 2013 competition in October. The competition’s international jury of experts admired the stamp’s 6/1 color web offset printing, which was finished off with a glittering sheen effect done with iridion lacquer.
The orchid on the stamp was photographed by the floristry specialist Jouni Seppänen. Due to its elegant appearance, the Orchid stamp, published on August 23, 2013, has often been used for sending congratulations and condolences.
Guernsey Post to issue commemorative WW1 stamps every year until 2018
The set is the first of four issued by Guernsey Post to commemorate World War One
A series of Guernsey stamps will be issued to commemorate the centenary of World War One. Guernsey Post will issue the series entitled 'Stories from the Great War'.The first set of six stamps and a booklet depict men and women from Guernsey who showed great courage during the war. The series will be launched on 11th November 2014 with a set of stamps issued every year until 2018.
Guernsey Post has launched an appeal to find World War I memorabilia for a five-year "Great War" stamp series.
“Kam to reikia?!“- a special philatelic project for school children
Lithuania Post has joined the project “Kam to reikia?! ” (What this is needed for?!) with an invitation to get better acquainted with postal activities. The school children of Rumšiškės Antanas Baranauskas Gymnasium were the first to test a non-traditional lesson.
The pupils of the gymnasium were told about Lithuania Post and were introduced to philately, one of the most interesting postal areas. The Head of Philatelic Department of Lithuania Post Ervinas Vaišnoras told to the 5th and 7th graders how postal stamps are designed and printed, and why collecting of postage stamps is one of the most interesting and involving activities that can be taken up before becoming a philatelist.
“Philately does not mean just collecting stamps. When collecting stamps, envelopes, marks of cancellations and etc., children gain more knowledge about history, art, geography, foreign languages, and the like. Also, such traits as accuracy and responsibility are developed. I do hope that the lessons were interesting and useful to the children, and at least a couple of them will take up philately”, Mr Vaišnoras said after his first lesson.
The biology teacher Sandra Vimantienė expressed her joy that the children had an opportunity to get acquainted with a totally new and unfamiliar topic. “The term ‘philately’ is not very common, and children do not know much about it. That’s nice that such companies as Lithuania Post have joined the project. I have no doubts that such lessons will enrich both the pupils and the teachers”, Mrs Vimantienė said.
No Stamp issue by India Post on Children’s day this year
India Post did not issue special stamps this year on children’s day. India Post issues every year special commemorative stamps on children’s day since 1957. The design of children’s day stamps feature winning paintings of the children from a national competition organized every year by India Post. But no painting competition was organized early this year. But as a Tribute to Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, India Post released on 14th November, a stamp booklet of stamps issued on him since 1985. !4th November is Pt Nehru’s Birthday which is celebrated as children’s day..
Taipei 2015 - 30th Asian International Stamp Exhibition
Mr Umesh Kakkeri has been appointed Commissioner for India for Taipei 2015, to be held from 24th to 28th April 2015. The Exhibition in Taipei will be co-hosted by Chunghwa Post, the Chinese Taipei Philatelic Federation, and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council.
For detailed information, Please contact Mr Kakkeri, email : umesh_kakkeri@hotmail.com Visit official website : Taipei 2015
SINGAPORE-2015
Commissioner for Singapore 2015
The Philatelic Congress of India has appointed Mrs Damyanti Pittie as National Commissioner for Singapore 2015 a F.I.P. World Exhibition to be held from 14th 19th August, 2015.
Philatelists eligible and willing to participate may contact her by e.mail /or by post on following e.mail and contact address. The IREX and Forms can be down loaded from Singapore 2015 web site : http://www.singapore2015.com/the_show.php
Mrs. DAMAYANTI PITTIE, F.R.P.S.L.
NATIONAL COMMISSIONER : SINGAPORE 2015.
SUKET, 4th Floor, 29-B, Dongersi Cross Lane, Malabar Hill, Mumbai-400 006.
Tel.No.00 91 022 23644337. Fax No.00 91 022 23633696.
E-mail: dm_pittie@mtnl.net.in
purchasemumbai@harinagar.co.in
Philatelic Exhibitions
Silverpex - 2015, National Philatelic and Numismatic Exhibition at Kannur - 9th - 11th January 2015.
KARNAPEX 2015 – Bangalore, 16 – 19 January 2015 , Venue : Sree Kantiveera Indoor Stadium, Bangalore.
SINE, Stamps of India National Exhibition at New Delhi - 30th, 31st January - 1st February 2015.
Hyderabad Stamp, Coin & Note Fair - 2015 at Hyderabad - 6th - 8th February 2015.
MALAYSIA 2014 - 29th Asian International Stamp Exhibition and World Youth Malaysia 2014
MALAYSIA 2014, the 29th Asian International Stamp Exhibition and World Youth Malaysia 2014 will be held from 1 to 6 December 2014 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center. Prof. Sahadeva Sahoo is the Commissioner from India for this exhibition.
Official Website : http://malaysia2014.com.my/
News from Philatelic Societies
Kochipex-2014, Philatelic Exhibition at Vyttila, Kochi - 27th - 28th November 2014
Kochipex-2014 was organised by Ernakulam and Aluva Postal Division on 27th and 28th November 2014 at Sahrudaya Campus Anchumury Ponnurunni, Vyttila, Kochi - 682 019. The two-day exhibition showcased the collections of special invitees and the competitors. Professor K.V. Thomas, MP of Ernakulam inaugurated the exhibition on 27th November 2014 in presence of Tony Chammany, Mayor of Kochi and Shri M Venkateswarlu, Postmaster General, Central Region, Kochi, Kerala Circle. During the exhibition philatelic quiz, painting and letter writing competition were also held for school children.
On 27th November a Special Cover on Golden jubilee year of ‘Sahrudaya,’ Welfare Services Ernakulam, under the aegis of Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese was released. The origin of the Welfare Services Ernakulam (WSE) falls back on 31st October 1965 as a result of the church’s concern for the socially and economically disadvantaged, irrespective of cast, creed or religion. It is the social work wing of Archdiocese of Ernakulam. ‘Sahrudaya’ has been doing a marvelous job in helping the destitute across the state of Kerala for the past fifty years, with a unique vision put forth by the founder Cardinal Joseph Parecattil. (Special Cover approval no. KL-17/2014)
On 28th November a Special Cover on celebrated centenarian and jurist Shri V R Krishna Iyer was released on the occasion of his 100th birthday celebrations. (Special Cover approval no. KL-18/2014)
Malappurampex - 2014, Philatelic Exhibition - 19th - 20th November 2014
Malappurampex - 2014, Malappuram District Level Philatelic Exhibition held on 19th and 20th November 2014 at DTPC Hall, Kottakunnu, Malappuram, Kerala.
A Special Cover on the occasion of Malappurampex - 2014 was released on Conolly’s Plot on 19th November 2014. The Cancellation depicts the hanging bridge on Chaliyar River. (Special Cover approval No. KL-16/2014)
‘Philately Mahotsav’, Philatelic Exhibition at Mahrajganj, UP - 16th November 2014
One Day Philatelic Exhibition was organized at Pandit Deendayal Inter College, Mahrajganj, UP on 16th November 2014. On the occasion Shri Deo Brata Tripathi, Sr. Superintendent of Post Offices, Gorkhpur Division, Shri Sardar Singh Yadav, Senior Postmaster, Gorakhpur, Shri Sandeep Chaurasia, President, Gorakhpur Philately Club and philatelists Shri A. K. Singh, Shri Raman Kumar Mandal, Shri Anil Gupta, Shri Ambrish Pandey were present. Many School children visited the exhibition. My Stamp Counter was also opened at the venue. Philatelic Workshop was organised for students by Sandeep Chaurasia, Raman Kumar Mandal and Ambrish Pandey and philatelic kits were presented to the students by Gorakhpur Philately Club. On the occasion a quiz competition was also organised by the Members of Gorakhpur Philately Club.
Ananthapuripex-2014, Thiruvananthapuram District Level Philatelic Exhibition at Thiruvananthapuram - 13th - 14th November 2014
Thiruvananthapuram District Level Philatelic Exhibition 'Ananthapuripex-2014’ was organied by Thiruvananthapuram North Postal Division on 13th and 14th November 2014 at Bhagyamala Auditorium, Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Smt. K Chandrika, Mayor of Thiruvananthapuran Municipal Corporation. During the inaugural function, a Special Cover on 125 years of first Anchal Stamps was released by Smt. Sumathi Ravichandran, Postmaster General, Mails and Business Development, which was received by Mayor Smt. K Chandrika. The Special cover was brought out to mark the completion of 125 years of the release of Anchal Stamps. (Special Cover approval no. KL-13/2014)
Honour for Philatelist
Mr Sandeep Chaurasia, noted philatelist of Gorakhpur received "KARM SAMMAN" by Sun Rose sansthan,Gorakhpur for social services. The award was given by Dr. Radha Mohan Das Agrawal, MLA,Gorakhpur. On this occasion members of Sun rose Sansthan Sei.Manish Verma,Smt.Niharika,Sr.Deshdeepak,Sri.Vivek Kumar Asthana were present.
Beginners’ Section
Christmas stamps
This Canadian stamp's Christmas connection is in the "XMAS 1898" at the bottom of the map.
Many nations of the world issue Christmas stamps, postage stamps with a Christmas theme and intended for use on seasonal mail such as Christmas cards. These stamps are regular postage stamps, unlike Christmas Seals, and are usually valid for postage year-round (in some countries they have a discounted value and are for use exclusively on Christmas cards). They usually go on sale sometime between early October and early December, and are printed in considerable quantities.
Hungarian nativity stamp, 1943
It is a matter of some debate as to which is the first Christmas stamp. The Canadian map stamp of 1898 bears an inscription "XMAS 1898", but it was actually issued to mark the inauguration of the Imperial Penny Postage rate.
First Christmas stamp of Australia, 1957
In 1937, Austria issued two "Christmas greeting stamps" featuring a rose and zodiac signs. In 1939, Brazil issued four semi-postal stamps with designs featuring the three kings and a star, an angel and child, the Southern Cross and a child, and a mother and child. In 1941 Hungary also issued a semi-postal whose additional fees were to pay for "soldiers' Christmas". The first stamps to depict the Nativity were the Hungary issue of 1943. These were all one-time issues, more like commemorative stamps than regular issues.
The next Christmas stamps did not appear until 1951, when Cuba issued designs with poinsettias and bells, followed by Haiti (1954), Luxembourg and Spain (1955), then Australia, Korea, and Liechtenstein (1957). In cases such as Australia, the issuance marked the first of what became an annual tradition. Many more nations took up the practice during the 1960s, including the United States (1962) and United Kingdom (1966).
By the 1990s, approximately 160 postal administrations were issuing Christmas stamps, mostly on an annual basis. Islamic countries constitute the largest group of non-participants, although the Palestinian Authority has issued Christmas stamps since 1995.
The choice of designs is highly variable, ranging from an overtly religious image of the Nativity, to secular images of Christmas trees, wreaths, Santa Claus, and so forth. A country may maintain a unified theme for several years, then change it drastically, in some cases seemingly to follow "fashion moves" by other countries. For instance, during the 1970s many countries issued Christmas stamps featuring children's drawings, with the young artist identified by name and age.
The choice of secular or religious designs is frequently a bone of contention in some countries; church leaders often see secular designs as diluting the meaning of the holiday, while postal officials fear that overly religious designs could lead their secular or minority-religious customers to avoid the stamps, leaving millions unsold, and even expose the postal administration to charges that they are violating laws prohibiting the promotion of a particular religion.
Christmas is a popular theme for topical collecting. Because of the quantities printed, almost all Christmas stamps are easy to come by and of negligible cost. Collecting challenges would be to get covers with apropos postal markings, such as a postmark on Christmas Day (not all post offices get the day off), from a location such as North Pole, Alaska; North Pole, New York;Santa Claus, Indiana; or Christmas Island, or slogan postmarks with a Christmas theme.
Mail Carrier
A mail carrier, mailman, postal carrier, postman, postwoman (US), postman/postwoman (UK), letter carrier (in American English) or postie (in Australia, New Zealand,Scotland) is an employee of the post office or postal service, who delivers mail and parcel post to residences and businesses. The term “mail carrier” came to be used as a gender-neutral substitute for “mailman” soon after women began performing the job. In the Royal Mail, the official name changed from "letter carrier" to "postman" in 1883, and "postwoman" has also been used for many years.
Specialized Section
Some Remarkable Cancellations and Postmarks – 25 /2
- Dr. Avinash B. Jagtap
The All - India Series of 1873 - 84 Cancellations (Renouf Type 17)
Special Case of GOWHATTY (Resp. GAUHATI) Cancellations
Assam Circle with Gowhatty as its Head Quarters was formed in April 1874 and Gowhatty Post Office was given the number “G-1”, but before the date Gowhatty was allotted N0. “C-25” in the Bengal Circle List. Then the Head Quarters of Assam Circle were transferred to Shillong- “Gowhatty” became “Gauhati” and number was again changed to “S-2” on 22nd August 1874, as documented with the cancellations of that period.
Cover from Gowhatty to Bidaswan with die cancelled “GOWHATTY/AUG 4=C-25” B/S octagonal markings of Peerpointy, Agra & Jaypore “F.T./3.2/ALLAHABAD/9 AUG” (T.132a) & “SOOJANGARH/AU 13”
1877 Cover from Gowhatty to Bidaswan, with adhesives defaced by “GOWHATTY /JUL:10 = G-1” on front octagonal marks of Peerponty& Allahabad (Rly.Marks T.132) and arrival mark “SOOJANGARH/16 JUL”
1875(?)Coverfrom Gauhati to Soojangarh. Adhesives defaced by Type 17 Cancellation “GAUHATI / JUL 23= S/2“and arrival mark of SUJANGARH /JUL. 30” in circle.
- Dr. Avinash B. Jagtap - email : abjagtap@hotmail.com
World’s first Undersea Post Office
© Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal
Year 2014 marked the 75thAnniversary of the World’s first undersea Post Office and to commemorate this Bahamas post issued a set of 4 stampsdepicting World ‘First Underwater Post Office“Sea Floor Bahamas”, World’s first Undersea motion picture,the 1914 William’s Photosphere Film Project and his invention ‘Photosphere’ and portrait of originator of undersea photography- John Ernest Williamson of The US who was the man behind both the underwater films and the post office .
75th Anniversary of the World’s first undersea Post Office
The Bahamas was the first country to have an underwater post office. The seafloor post office was actually a submarine sphere used for underwater filming.
Charles Williamson of Norfolk, Virginia, was a sea captain who had invented a tube, which, when suspended from a specially outfitted ship, facilitated communication and airflow down to depths of 250 feet. When attached to a diving apparatus, this could assist in repair and salvage work.
In 1913his son John Ernest Williamson (1881-1966), who was a newspaper reporter and photographer, realized that his father's invention could be adapted for undersea photography and he added a round chamber with a thick glass window, which he called the “Williamson Photosphere”.
The photosphere is featured on postage stamps from Bahamas, Monaco, Turks and Caicos Is. and Palau.
“Williamson Photosphere”
Using thisWilliamsoncaptured rare photographs of undersea creatures of a quality that had rarely been seen at that time.
Underwater Photography
“Sea Garden “at Nassau featuring tropical fishes in a coral landscape,based on a photograph by Williamson ,Bahamas 1938 and 2014
His photographs of the depths of Chesapeake Bayinartificially illuminated hanging light from the ship produced such captivating results that in1913, hedecided to attempt for motion pictures.
In March 1914, near Nassau, Williamson shot the first-ever underwater motion pictures with the help of his brother Georgeknown as the "Williamson Submarine Expedition". The ship was named Jules Verne, and the brothers’ underwater film was called ‘Thirty Leagues Under the Sea’.This 1914 Film project is featured on a 15c stamp of Bahamas 2014 depicting George,handing a camera to his brother, who is inside the photosphere. In the centre of the stamp’s design, the photosphere is shown attached to the ship‘Jules Verne’. The shark shown in the centre of the stamp’s design also played a role in the film with which Williamson fought and killed him with a knife while remaining under the camera’s range. It is claimed to be First Underwater film of the world.
The 1914 Williamson Photosphere Film Project
His second attempt was also been credited to be the first Undersea fiction movie, the 1916 film version of Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea. Both films caused sensations around the world.
Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea
After a documentary and Fiction feature he started scientific uses of the Photosphere and in 1932 his compilation called “With Williamson Beneath the Sea”featuring his undersea family came in existence.
His 1939 project known as ‘The Bahamas-Williamson Undersea Expedition’, given rise to Word’s First Undersea Post Office, when Government of The Bahamas authorised the Photosphere for the same and named it "Sea Floor Bahamas”.
Letter posted from World’s First Undersea Post Office “Sea Floor Bahamas”
FDC "Sea Floor Bahamas”, 1939
Below is shown the original FDC designed for this event but was discarded by the Development Board which pictures a Shark, may influence tourism.
Discarded design cachet cover and a letter from Williamson explaining why not
This undoubtedly was an excellent way of creating publicity for the expedition. The philatelic press of the day wrote about the Sea Floor post office and collectors all over the world ordered covers. It really must have increased the volume of mail from the Bahamas.
Newspaper excerpt of NASSAU DAILY TRIBUNE dated 9th AUGUST 1939
Visitors to the Photosphere and the Sea Floor Post Office included the inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, who proclaimed it the most wonderful experience of his life and the Royal Governor of The Bahamas, H.R.H Edward, Duke of Windsor.
Alexander Graham Bell and Duke of Windsor
The hero of this philatelic story, John Ernest Williamson is also commemorated on an issue of Bahamas 2014 depicting his portrait, a stamp-on-stamp design and an oval marking the “Sea Floor Bahamas”, the postmark used on mail posted there in 1939 and 1940. These mails often were franked with the 1938 4-penny King George VI stamp showing the Sea Gardens at Nassau, based on a photograph taken by Williamson.
John Ernest Williamson
Illustrated Envelope with 4d KGVI Sea Gardens Nassau stamp postmarked ‘Sea Floor, Bahamas’, 1940
The Sea Floor post office faded into oblivion in the early 1940’s and officially closed down in 1941.
Less spectacular than an underwater post office, but still fun for tourists and stamp collectors, is an underwater post box exists at Coral World, an aquarium and tourist attraction in Bahamas.
Ornamental bright red post box
Pleasingly, posting mail in this box did not involve diving underwater but merely walking into a section of the aquarium built under water and the tourist is still rewarded with a bright red cachet applied to their postcards, "CORAL WORLD (BAHAMAS) UNDERWATER OBSERVATORY" with "MAILED UNDERWATER" at the centre of the double ring.
Cover bearing special bright red cachet
After posting at Coral World the mail items enter into the Bahamas postal system.
- Dr Satyendra Kumar Agrawal : email : rosephila@hotmail.com
New Stamps from other Countries
Belarus
27 November 2014 Naliboki Forest
Belarus Post has prepared for issuing a set of stamps dedicated o the beauty of Naliboki forest. The philatelic release consists of four stamps that are scheduled to be put into circulation on the 27th of November.
Naliboki Forest, the Naliboki Pushcha (wild forest), is a large forest complex in the northwestern Belarus, on the right bank of the Neman River, on the Belarusian Ridge.
Naliboki Pushcha is famous for its nature and rich, although tragic, history. The forest is named after a small town of Naliboki situated in the middle of it, although the title of “informal capital of the forest” belongs rather to the town of Ivyanets.
Much of the area is occupied by pine forests and swamps, and some parts of the Naliboki are rather hilly. Rich fauna include deer, wild boars, elks, beavers, bears, bison, wood grouses, heath cocks, snipes etc. From the 10th to the 11th century, although very scarcely populated, the big forest on the right bank of upper Neman was strategically important for the pagan Lithuanian tribes. The important Ruthenian towns Minsk and Zaslawye were founded on the edge of the forest as fortresses to defend the Ruthenian frontier against Lithuanian forays.
Germany
3 November 2014 : 300 years Fahrenheit scale
German Post issued on the 3rd of November a special postage stamp marking 300 years of creating the Fahrenheit scale. Fahrenheit is a temperature scale used mostly in the USA. It was introduced almost 300 years ago by a German scientist called Daniel Gabrial Fahrenheit.
Luxembourg
23 September 2014 : 100 years ago Beginning of World War one – Euro 0.60
When, on 2 August 1914 World War One broke out in Europe, Luxembourg - which had previously remained neutral - became one of the first victims of German military might. Although they had now occupied the territory, the invaders never interfered in the country‘s internal affairs.
Artist Pierre Blanc captures the moment the first incursions took place on an aquarelle pen drawing. On 2 August 1914, the 29th infantry regiment stormed Luxembourg City. The original Pierre Blanc can be found in the National museum of history and art in Luxembourg.
Ukraine
25 November 2014 : Holiday stamp
This issue is dedicated to New Year and Christmas. The stamp was released and put into circulation on the 25th of November.
Each country has its own customs, traditions, holidays and important days in its history. Talking of holidays in Ukraine there are New Year and Christmas. People think that at night of December, 31 on New Year’s eve the old year with all its troubles leaves forever. People decorate the Christmas tree, have New Year parties and prepare presents for their relatives and friends.
On the eve of January the 7th, Ukrainians start celebrating Orthodox Christmas. It’s the day of Jesus Christ’s birthday and it is widely celebrated all over Ukraine. People sing carols, cook a traditional Ukrainian Christmas dish, named Kutya and all the family gathers together to eat it. Then people go to church to listen to the Christmas sermon.
Dr Avinash B. Jagtap, Switzerland
I am overwhelmed with joy for you and your Rainbow Stamp News for having been selected for the CG International Philatelic Award from Germany! This is the crown set on you for your efforts to offer best possible philatelic entries and reports through your monthly philatelic News Bulletin. I congratulate you for your success!
Ilyas Patel, Ahmedabad
Heartiest Congratulations for winning an International recognition for Rainbow SN digital monthly. It is your constant and elaborate efforts that gave you this distinction. Please keep it up.
Dr Satyendra Kumar Agrawal, Banglore
My heartiest congratulations for CG Award 2014 to RSN and blog, a real Deepawali present for all their readers and contributors in addition to the editor.
Cdr. G Sri Ramarao,I.N,(Retd.), Vishakhapatnam
I am extremely thrilled to know that the Rainbow stamp News and the Rainbow Stamp Club won CG Award 2014, Getting 4th and 10th position. Heartiest Congratulations for winning the awards which are running with your stewardship. We as members of active philatelic community bless you to win many many more awards .
Rajesh Kumar Bagri, Kolkata
Congratulations! on attaining a prestigous position in the International arena and CG Awards .We are proud of your achievements.Wish you all the best.
Abhai Mishra, Dehradun
Tons of congratulations in achieving this unique feat. It's all due to your hard work and perseverance. Continually publishing the magazine with great zeal, month after month is really fantastic..Hope to see rainbow at greater heights.
The Lighter Side
- Articles by Richard Lehman
An Introduction To Investing In Postage Stamps
Getting started in stamps as an investment is unlike the securities market, and yet, it shares enough similarities to be considered for a diversification of one’s investment capital. Before getting started, it is important to differentiate stamp investing from the multiple participants who are in it as a hobby. Philately is overwhelmingly focused on these participants and looks almost with disdain on those who participate in it as investors. This is understandable if one ignores how the Internet has changed matters.
Before the Internet, information on stamps existed in thousands of specialized publications and periodicals which required years of reading and a significant allocation of personal time, which is of course exactly what a hobby is all about. Those who made stamp an investment where hobbyists with personal fortunes who decided to take their hobby to the next level. Even here, they often retained advisors to help them sort through the available supply of rarities to identify which had appreciation potential. Since such items were generally sold at auction, this venue became the equivalent of a stock exchange where knowledgeable buyers and sellers came together. The appreciation of stamps was thus dependent on how well the sale was advertised so that multiple buyers for any given item would be present. This sales process was extremely limiting in broadening the number of participants and range of offerings because of the high cost of advertising, producing and mailing a sales catalog with high quality images.
Since the Internet, the possibilities for stamp investing have changed dramatically. In terms of buying, the auction process has exploded. Not a week goes by without an auction taking place some place in the world. In fact EBay, which has become a major player in the sale of stamps, is a perpetual auction for many of its offerings, albeit few of which would qualify as investment buys. In terms of product availability, it has vastly expanded the product supply and improved price transparency, I will have much more to say on this in future postings.
While the Internet has the potential to make the stamp market a global forum, much development work still lies ahead. As with so many things, the Internet began by doing electronically what was previously a face-to-face, hands on activity. It was only with time that books changed from being sold on line for mail delivery to being available immediately electronically via download in visual or audio form. In the same sense, the Internet offers the opportunity to change philately from largely a hobby to an investment outlet without government oversight or dependence on exogenous factors such as the economy, management performance or currency values. That said, it is not a short term investment. It is an investment in which you will be able to make rational judgments based on sound investment principles and faith that its appreciation as an investment rests not on past practices and results but rather, on growing demand driven by improving technology.
Finding Gold In One Cent Stamps
Collecting postage stamps is the most universal hobby on earth precisely because stamps are spread into every corner of the world as a by-product of their purpose, the sending of a message or product from one place to another. Coin collecting may have more participants, but it is a country by country hobby because coins today no longer have metal value, so they have little value outside their country of issue.
Stamp collecting, or philately, as a hobby began shortly after the first stamps were printed in the 1840s. Their lure was that they were attractive and exotic with scenes of foreign rulers and places. Places few collectors were ever likely to see or know about otherwise.
Stamps as an investment is a relatively newer aspect of this hobby activity and gives it a stature worthy of attention. The recent sale of the British Guiana stamp for $9.6 million is a high water mark in the philatelic industry, but not the first multi-million dollar stamp to be sold this year. It shows that philately has matured to a point where it is as a legitimate vehicle for investing and asset preservation. Note that the Guiana stamp last changed hands some 20 years ago at a then record price of just under $1 million. Not a bad rate of return !
Sold for almost $10 million
What makes a stamp a good investment and how do you identify the valuable from the ordinary?
The answer is relatively simple, and yet, exceedingly complex. The simple answer is that demand determines value. Demand, in turn, is driven by a variety of factors many of which are false hype created by sellers and others. There is in fact very good information that can be made available on what the true trajectory in value one can expect to see for a given stamp, but this information is closely guarded because it took years to obtain and represents a major source of income for a stamp dealer. These dealers, over many years, determined from customer want lists which stamps repeatedly cropped up.
For example, I built a collection of Brazilian stamps over a decade and found there were 50 or so stamps that cataloged for less than $100, but which I never saw offered. Sure the $1,000 and up stamps I was missing represented good investments, but it was those 50 items below $100 that I could afford that have the best likelihood for appreciation.
This situation exists for practically every country and each country has a number of specialist dealers who have their lists of such lower priced items that they will buy below the catalog price and sell at many times that price to a list of clients they know want it. In case you think the stamp catalogs would flush out such items and show their true value, think again. Catalog companies go to specialist dealers to get their pricing information for their updates.
While some of these dealers may play it straight, others will take advantage and mark up the prices of things they have in stock and leave alone those stamps they badly want to buy and would pay a huge premium to get. There is no SEC to police such behavior, it’s just considered smart business. For collectors, however, it is something of which they should be aware.
Over the past 18 years I have accumulated a significant amount of information on the value of individual stamps based on several objective metrics. Through accumulating records of about 20 million stamp offerings over that time I was able to identify more than 30,000 stamps out of a universe of about 750,000 that have investment potential well above the rate of inflation.
Promotional Section
Books
PHILATELIST KALEIDOSCOPE
by Dr Bibhudatta Mishra & Shanti Swarup Rath
"PHILATELIST KALEIDOSCOPE" by Dr Bibhudatta Mishra & Shanti Swarup Rath : Pages 160 : Price - Rs 400.00 (hardbound ) and 350 (softbound) Published by Swarna Associates, Bhubaneswar : Book available with the Publisher Contact email : philakale14@gmail.com or swarna.associates@gmail.com
Philatelist Kaleidoscopes is an excellent book on postage stamps which reveals every aspect of philately in a very interesting and easy way . After going through this wonderful book the reader falls in love with the world of stamps and understands the real meaning of tiny pieces of paper which are the treasure of knowledge. The authors have presented the book with some very interesting chapters that attract a philatelist as well as a general reader. The best part of the book is its style of narration of various associated branches of philately and philatelic terminology with the help of images in such a simple way that a reader can well understand the hobby and how to start it in a systematic way.
PHILCENT INDIA 2014 –15
by Prem Chand Jaiswal
Philcent India 2014 -15 Guide Book by Prem Chand Jaiswal published by Philcent Publications, Kolkata - Pages 128 Price - Rs 500 (Post Free in India) , - $25 for all foreign countries inclusive of registered airmail bookpost & Packing – For more details Contact : philcent@rediffmail.com Ph. 9831598560 ; 033 - 65294756 – Distributed by Madanchand Darda eamil – madanchandra@gmail.com Ph. 7667730851
The recent Book PHILCENT INDIA 2014 – 15 by renowned Professional Philatelist of India Mr Prem Chand Jaiswal is a complete guide book to Indian Philately. The book includes main chapters on British India, India Post Independence and Indian Princely States. The book has covered all related topics of Indian Philately. Collectors would find this book very useful. I recommend this book to all philatelists and stamp lovers. This book will be an asset for the libraries of Philatelic Societies and stamp Clubs.
Indian Antarctic Expedition Philatelist’s Guide
By Abhai Mishra
Indian Antarctic Expedition Philatelist’s Guide By Abhai Mishra - Pages 116 - Price For India Rs. 1500/- postpaid. For foreign via paypal 50 euro postpaid Available at : www.stampsofindia.com or contact Abhai Mishra email : abhai_mishra@rediffmail.com
A book titled "Indian Antarctic Expedition-Philatelist's Guide" by noted philatelist, Mr Abhai Mishra was recently released in Dehradun. The book traces the history of Indian Antarctic Expeditions through mails and letters carried with the expedition. It documents the Indian Antarctic postal history through cancellations, cachets, labels, envelopes, letter heads, QSL cards, postcards used during the expedition. The book reveals very rare and lesser known facts of Antarctica. The book illustrates, hundreds of rare letters carried with the expedition and describes each and every Indian Expedition in detail.
The book has 54 chapters.These include historical perspective (with details about Dr Giriraj Singh Sirohi, First Indian to visit Antarctica and Dr Paramjit Singh Sehra, first Indian to winter over in Antarctica) , Various date cancellers used in Indian Antarctic Post Offices,Institutions managing the Indian Antarctic Program, Indian Antarctic Expeditions,Indian Antarctic Stations ( Dakshin Gangotri, Maitri and Bharati), Lists of Commemorative stamps, special covers, Cinderella and booklets pertaining to Indian Antarctic Expeditions, Indian Antarctic Clubs, lists of QSL Cards used by the HAM operators during the expeditions,, honorary postmasters of Indian Antarctic Post offices, Feats and Facts of Indians in Antarctica and List of estimated price of Indian Antarctic Covers .
Year Book of Indian Philately : 2013
By Madan Middha
Year Book of Indian Philately: 2013 by Madan Middha Pages 271- Published by Vishesh Prakashan, Topi Bazar, Gwalior. Price Rs 300
The book covers information on philatelic events of year 2013. Award List of international exhibitions, forthcoming international exhibitions, Indian stamps, postal stationery, Army covers, Special covers and postmarks issued during the year 2013 have been listed in the book. Information on Postal History events, exhibitions, society news has also been included in the year book.
The “Year Book of Indian Philately 2013” is available with Mr Madan Middha The price of the year book is Rs. 300 inclusive of postage in India.Readers may contact : Mr Madan Middha, Saket Vihar, Phalka Bazar, GWALIOR - 474 001. email : madan_middha@yahoo.co.in
Book on Tagore stamps and covers
Rabindranath Tagore and The Post Office - A Philatelic Tribute – By Dipok Dey
The book “ Rabindranath Tagore and The Post Office - A Philatelic Tribute “ edited by noted artist and philatelist Shri Dipok Dey has been published by Rammohun Library and Free Reading Room, Kolkata.
This book gives details with colorful illustrations of all the stamps along with First Day Covers, Postmarks, Souvenir sheets, Miniature sheets, special covers, special postmarks, Booklets, Maximum Cards, Picture Post cards , catch Covers etc.
The other details of the book are given below :
Rabindranath Tagore and The Post Office - A Philatelic Tribute Edited by Dipok Dey - Hardbound - Pages 64 - Price Rs 575. - Published by Rammohun Library and Free Reading Room, 267 Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata – 700009. email : rammohunlibraryafrr@gmail.com Ph. 033 – 700009 ( Please contact from 2PM to 6PM except Saturday and Sunday)
History of Indian Miniature Paintings Through Philately
by Dr Satyendra Kumar Agrawal
History of Indian Miniature Paintings Through Philately by Dr Satyendra Kumar Agrawal published by PHILAGOLD Publications, Pages 80, Price Rs 1200 / US $ 25
History of Indian Miniature Paintings Through Philately is a beautiful Coffee Table Book by renowned philatelist and philatelic author Dr Satyendra Kumar Agrawal. The book is based on deep research of different schools of Indian Art by Dr Agrawal. The study has been narrated through beautiful images of various philatelic items issued all over the world. The book is divided into 14 chapters with details of paintings from different schools of Indian Art. The most attractive part of the book is its fine and rich printing. The book has been presented by the author in a very aesthetic way that on first sight it captures the attention of the reader.
The book is available with Dr Satyendra Kumar Agrawal email - rosephila@hotmail.com
Blogs & Websites
1. Forces in Philately - http://gunsinstamps.blogspot.in/ - .A new blog has been created by Commodore Vijay Kapre of New Delhi, featuring philatelic items related with our Armed Forces.
2. Praful Thakkar’s Exotic gallery of Indian Philately - http://www.indianphilatelics.com/ : It is a complete website on Indian Philately created by noted philatelist Mr Praful Thaakkar
3. Welcome to the World of Indian Philately - http://www.indianphilately.net/
An exclusive website created by Mr Prashant Pandya dedicated to Indian Philately .The philatelists can register for “ Online Philatelists’ Directory ” on this website.
4.Virtual Stamp Club http://www.virtualstampclub.com/index.html It is website for On Line collectors. Membership is free. Many collectors around the world are its members. .
5.Indian Thematics - http://www.indianthematics.blogspot.in/ - A new blog created by noted Thematic Philatelist Mr Dinesh Chandra Sharma. This blog is all about Thematic Philately.
6. Indian Philatelists’ Forum - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/indianphilatelists/
This is an electronic discussion forum dedicated exclusively to Indian Philately that allows members to engage into meaningful discussions on all aspects of Indian Philately. Membership to the forum is open to all philatelists who have interest in Indian Philately. Members can share and discuss their ideas, knowledge, research, collections, events, exhibitions, auctions, publications exclusively related to Indian Philately.
7. The best stamps - http://thebeststamps.blogspot.co.uk/ It’s a beautiful blog created by Julian Fernandes of Pune ( Now living in UK) featuring lovely stamps of birds with the photos of the same birds giving a wonderful look !!
8. Numismatic & Philatelic Association - http://numismaticphilavellore.site40.net/index.htm - This Numismatic & Philatelic Association is a nonprofit and non-trade motive association that aims to promote the hobbies – Philately (Stamp Collection) and Numismatics (Coin Collection) among children, students, interested individuals among the general public and especially for the budding philatelists and numismatists.
9. How to Collect Stamps - http://www.howtocollectstamps.com/ : The Complete Guide To Stamp Collecting
10.GANDHI Stamps & Philately Study Circle : http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.in/ - A new Blog by Ketan Patel .…. Saving Gandhi Philately by trying to bring awareness and exposing illegal activities in Gandhi Stamps and Philately.
11. Europa Stamps : http://europa-stamps.blogspot.in/ : A blog on Europa, cept, norden & sepac stamps
12. Phila Mirror : http://philamirror.info/ : The Indian Philately Journal
13. Se- tenant Stamps of India - http://setenantsofindia.blogspot.com/ It is a specialized Blog on se-tenant stamps.
14. Flags & Stamps - http://flagstamps.blogspot.com/ - It is a specialized blog on Flag Theme .
15. Glimpses of Modern Indian Philately : http://modernindianphilately.blogspot.com/ - It is a specialized blog on Modern Philately, created by Mr Prashant Pandya .
16. Question & Answers on Philately : 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.
17. Philatelic Journalists Forum - http://philatelicjournalistsforum.blogspot.in/ “The Philatelic Journalists” is an initiative by a few enthusiast philatelists, who love the hobby to the deepest.
18. The Philatelist - http://o-filatelista.blogspot.in/ - A blog with lot of info about stamps and philatelic activities around the world.
19. Phila India - http://philaindia.info/index.html - Website created by Mahesh Reddiar with lot of info and articles on philately .
20. Princess Diana – Queen of Hearts - http://princessdiana-queenofhearts.blogspot.in/ - New Blog by noted philatelist of Orissa Mr Santanu Panigrahi.
21. Stamp Magazine - http://blog.stampmagazine.co.uk/ This blog is updated by Adrian Keppel every Friday with new Articles on a variety of subjects
Philatelic Clubs & Societies
Baroda Philatelic Society - http://www.vadophil.org/
Deccan Philatelic Society – Pune, Maharashtra
Eastern India Philatelists’ Association - http://www.filacapsule.blogspot.com/
India Study Circle - http://www.indiastudycircle.org/
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/
Numismatic & Philatelic Association of Vellore Fort http://numismaticphilavellore.site40.net/index.htm
Philatelic Society of Rajasthan, Jaipur
Rainbow Stamp Club - http://rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/
Rajkot Philatelic Society – Rajkot, Gujarat
Gujarat Philatelic Association - Ahmedabad
South India Philatelists Association - http://www.sipa.org.in/
Stamps of India - http://www.stampsofindia.com/
The Army Philatelic Society, Pune
Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters
Stamp of India Collectors’ Companion - India’s first weekly e-newsletter edited by Madhukar and Savita Jhingan from Stamps of India, New Delhi. E-mail: mjhingan@yahoo.com Website: www.stampsofindia.com
India Post – Quarterly Journal of the India Study Circle publishes original articles submitted by members of ISC.
ITS Stamp News - Quarterly - Editor: Suraj Jaitly Publisher: Indian Thematic Society website - http://itsstampnews.blogspot.com/
VADOPHIL, Editor - Prashant Pandya and published by Baroda Philatelic Society, Vadodara. Website -http://www.vadophil.org/
Journal of the Army Philatelic Society : Editor – Col Jayanta Dutta
SIPA Bulletin http://www.sipa.org.in/
GPA News – Published by Gujarat Philatelists’ Association, Ahemadabad.
Stamps Today – Stamp & Coin Magazine edited by Vijay Seth
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. New Post on recent issues, news on stamp activities and Contribution by members are published every day on this blog.Readers may also express their views on any philatelic matter which will be published under Club News at Rainbow Stamp Cub Blog. Philatelic Clubs and Societies may also send brief write ups. 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 : International Stamp News; Indian Philately Digest ; Prashant Pandya – Vadodara; Sreejesh Krishnan – Trivandrum ; Jagannath Mani – Bangalore; Abhai Mishra – Dehradun . Mansoor B. Mangalore, Sandeep Chaurasia - Gorakhpur
Address for communication:
Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav Wildlife Institute of India, Post Box No. 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248001. India
E-mail – j.jyoti9@gmail.com
Last date for receiving write ups – 25th of every month. Kindly send images in jpg compressed format & text in MS Word only.
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…..Happy Collecting…………………………………………………………………
Rainbow Stamp News is edited and published monthly by Jeevan Jyoti, from Dehradun ( Uttarakhand) India.
