Thank you Healthcare Workers!
Dehradun May 2021 Vol. XIV
Issue No. 161
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 the editor: j.jyoti9@gmail.com
Note- This bulletin is only for circulation among a limited
group of philatelists without any commercial purpose. The bulletin will be sent
to the readers only on request. Those who wish to receive it regularly please
reply giving the name of your city / country with the subject SUBSCRIBE RAINBOW
Europa 2021-
Endangered Species
Date of Issue : 28 April 2021
Kingfisher,
Apollo Butterfly and Siberian Flying Squirrel
Dear
Reader,
I am pleased to present May 2021 issue of
Rainbow. The situation of COVID19 has become grave in our country. Many have
lost their dear ones due to this deadly disease and many people are fighting
with this disease. The first line Corona Warriors are continuously struggling
to provide best possible medical help to the corona patients. We express our
gratitude from the bottom of our heart to each and everyone, associated with the
service for corona victims. Our heartfelt condolences to the families around
the world who lost their friends and family members due to this pandemic. It is
really very sad to see the grief and despair around us. It is the time to overcome the situation
and indulge ourselves in some positive activity. Philately is the best hobby
for this time. let’s revive our hobby and spend our spare time in
making new collections and participate in online exhibitions. It is the time to
beat the negativity of this pandemic through this wonderful hobby of stamp collecting. This issue is dedicated to all corona warriors who are working day
and night to help those suffering from COVID 19.
Please stay safe & healthy and take very good care of yourself !
This is all for this month. More in the next
issue…
Happy
Collecting !
Contents
§ From
the Desk of Naresh Agrawal
§ Recent
Indian Issues
§
In The News
§ Specialized Section
§ Beginners’
Section
§ Thematic Watch
§ Philatelic
Tributes to First-line Warriors –COVID-19 Pandemic
§ New
Issues from Other Countries
§ Promotional
Section
§ Philatelic
Clubs and Society
§ Blogs
& Websites on Philately
§ Current Philatelic Magazines & Newsletters
VIRTUAL EXHIBITING :
THE PRESENT SOLUTION
In the early 2020, the COVID 19 publicly knocked the world and spread throughout with in no time shaking the world economy, swallowing huge human lives, restricting national and international transport including human movement nationally and across the borders. Almost the whole world was still with all activities on halt. Philately was also affected as mail transportation was vastly interrupted or suspended, philatelic activities like meeting, shows, exhibitions, workshops, seminars etc. were also with held. However later, looking in to the possibility of virtual communication ; virtual meetings and shows were organized at several places which somehow kept the philatelic world alive.
Looking in to the wide spread and unpredictable characteristics of COVID-19, it was suspected that this pandemic would not leave the world so early; various declared physical philatelic exhibitions which were to be organized in 2020 and 2021, were either cancelled or postponed. And here the true practical birth of virtual philatelic meeting, shows, seminars and exhibitions took place. The 2nd half of the year 2020 saw several such big successful digital philatelic exhibitions which were highly appreciated by philatelic world. Yes, there is still scope for improvements but all in all, a new path was practically discovered, explored and established to keep philately alive and philatelists happy.
Of
late, announcements for some of the
physical philatelic exhibitions to be held in late 2021 and in 2022 have been made. A matter of great pleasure
for philatelic exhibitors. But looking in to the present scenario of COVID 19
which is even more disastrous and killer, it does not seem possible and
advisable. As no perfect treatment, medicines or proper vaccination has so far
been made/explored; it is apprehended
and said that COVID-19 will leave its
effect for a couple of years to come.
Presently we see some of the countries have sealed their borders such as
Australia and most likely for an year or
so, such stringent steps are bound to be taken. Such steps are expected to be
taken by some more countries to check COVID-19. Postal transmission to several
countries is lying suspended. Even air services are suspended. Looking in to
the present scenario world over, the changing characteristics, vastness, intensity
and severity of this pandemic; one cannot expect such huge physical
international philatelic exhibitions in near future in any part of the
world. Hence, virtual philatelic exhibiting is the demand
of time and is highly advisable.
One
may check the urgent news flashed by from PCI in May 2020 intimating about the
status of the proposed exhibitions in 2020, 2021 and 2022 due to Pandemic COVID 19 which intimated
about cancellation or postponement of various National and International
Philatelic events :
1. London
2020 - Postponed to 19 - 26 February 2022
2. Taipei 2020 ( now Taipei 2022) - Postponed to 6 to 10 May, 2022.
3. Indonesia 2020 (now Indonesia 2022) - Postponed to 04-9 August 2022
4. Bulgaria 2020 - Cancelled
5. New Zealand 2020 - Cancelled
6. UAE 2020, Dubai - Cancelled
7. The PHILANIPPON 2021, a FIP World Stamp Championship Exhibition to be held
in Yokohama, Japan during 25 to 30 August 2021.
8. IBRA-2021 (now IBRA - 2023) postponed. Now to be held from 25th tto 28th May
2023.
9. Cape Town 2021 exhibition has been postponed. It has been renamed as Cape
Town 2022 and new dates are 8th - 12th November 2022.
This
shows the severity of the pandemic then and its
estimated precautionary period of
existence. Of late, announcement for holding of some new proposed
exhibitions in 2021 and 2022 has been made. Some of these are :
HELVETIA
2022, FIP WSC Specialized Philatelic
Exhibition 18 to 22 May 2022 at the Padiglione Conza in Lugano, Switzerland.
HUNFILEX 2022, FIP
Specialised Exhibition to be held at Budapest, Hungary from 31st March to 3rd
April, 2022.
Savpex 2021, One Frame National Virtual Philatelic
Exhibition of South Africa, 2021 from 22nd – 25th July 2021.
It
is nice to know this and wished that such physical exhibitions are practically
held but looking in to severity of the pandemic
which is no less than as it was in 2020 and the understandable near future scenario of the
world when social distancing has become essential, essentials of sanitization
at every point, enacting widespread travel bans by several
governments around the world, postal restrictions and mail transmissions
hurdles, unpredictable behavior of
CORONA-19 virus, financial setbacks to several people, suspected cost increase
and other several bans and restrictions;
physical exhibiting seems difficult in near future. Even if such events are
organized, there is least possibility of visits of International visitors.
Hence, the sole purpose of holding such high cost International Exhibitions is
defeated.
Yes, one of the above proposed exhibitions is Virtual One
Frame Exhibition of South Africa. This
can certainly be held and is welcomed. Philatelists are now ready to shift to
virtual exhibiting which in fact is nothing but digitalization of physical
exhibits and displayed virtually. The plus and minus of the virtual exhibitions over physical have
already been discussed in one of my previous articles. But VIRTUAL EXHIBITING
is the demand and need of the time, the best available solution of the time and
for me is future of philatelic exhibiting also. At least till the condition all
over the world become normal.
Hence, I urge the philatelic thinkers and controlling
platforms such as FIP, FIAP etc. to think over it. There is great need to form some specific norms, build
platforms, observe check points, exhibiting rules and regulations so that
exhibiting becomes clear, fare and easy & fare judgments could be done. No
doubt virtual exhibiting has opened doors for
everyone. One can view world class exhibits sitting at home. No travel
cost, no travel exertion, no burden and best of the viewing and above all time
saving.
-Naresh Agrawal : email - nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in
Recent Indian
Issues
23
March 2021 : 100 Years of First Visit of
Mahatma Gandhi to Odisha – Rs 5
27
March : India – Bangladesh Friendship : Golden Jubilee - Rs 5
12
April 2021: Rajyogini Dadi Janki - Rs 5
New Special Covers
22 April 2021
: Palm Leaves : Bhubanehwar
11 April 2021
: 91st anniversary of salt satyagraha : Allahabad
10 April 2021
: Bun Behari High School : Kujang
7 April 2021
: World Health Day : Mumbai
6 special covers on handloom and handicrafts of Gujarat : Dandi
The storied
evolution of Indian languages, art & culture is inconceivable but for the
contribution of Palm leaf (Talapatra). The latter intact enjoys a pride of
place in that regard. And it has been an inalienable part of life in Odisha-a
treasure trove of traditional art & culture. Odisha Postal Circle released a "Special Cover on Palm
Leaves" on 22.04.2021.
In The News
World’s
most valuable stamp expected to sell for up $15m in New York
At first glance it could be an
old scrap of paper that has had blackcurrant juice knocked over it. In reality
it is, in terms of size, weight and material, arguably the most valuable object
in the world. When it goes
to auction in June it is expected to sell for between $10m and $15m – more
than a billion times its original value.
The
scrap of paper is the British Guiana One-Cent Magenta, which was created in
1856 and is the most famous and valuable stamp in the world. “It is the Mona
Lisa of philately,” said David Beech, a philatelic expert. “It is the one stamp
that every philatelist and every collector would have heard about and seen an
illustration of.”
The
stamp, the only one of its kind, has gone on display at Sotheby’s London
headquarters before its sale in New York and will be on public view this week.
Beech, formerly the curator of the British Library philatelic collections, said
its fame was enhanced by the people who had owned it – and those who
desperately wanted to own it.
The National level Winners of 2020 International
Letter Writing Competition for young people organized by UPU
LIBEREC 2022
European
Stamp Exhibition and Polar Salon “LIBEREC 2022” is organized by Svaz českých filatelistů, z.s. (Union
of Czech Philatelists) in cooperation with club “Evropská výstava poštovních
známek LIBEREC 2022, z.s.”, established for this purpose under FEPA patronage
and with FIP recognition.
Venue:
Wellness Hotel Babylon https://www.hotelbabylon.cz/en/
Date: October 13th – 16th, 2022
Exhibition size: 1200 exhibition frames
European Stamp
Exhibition and Polar Salon LIBEREC 2022 : IREX
Visit : https://www.liberec2022.eu/en/aktuality-en/
Forthcoming
International Philatelic Exhibitions updates
CAPE
TOWN 2021 Philatelic Exhibition ( Update)
The Cape Town
2021 Exhibition has been postponed. The new dates will be 8th – 12th November
2022.
An amended
IREX will be published on the Website indicating submission dates as follows:
The date that
Entry forms must be received by the National Commissioners will be no later
than 15 May 2022.
Notification
of Acceptance; receipt of First page and Literature Entries:
• Notification of application
acceptance or non-acceptance by the Organisers, together with the number of
frames allocated to each accepted exhibit, will be sent to the National
Commissioners before 30 June 2022.
• National Commissioners should confirm
entries accepted by no later than 15 July 2022.
The entrant
may revise the introductory sheet on receiving notification of acceptance, but
the class or concept of the exhibit may not be changed. Although every effort
will be made to send revised pages to the jury prior to the show, only those
received prior to 15 August 2022 can be guaranteed to be circulated.
• Last date for receipt of Literature
exhibits 1 October 2022
Mr. Shakil Ahmed is Indian National Commissioner for the Cape Town 2021, FIP Specialized World Stamp Exhibition to be held at Cape Town, South Africa from 8 to 12 November, 2022.Exhibition Classes: Traditional, Postal History, Aerophilately, Postal Stationery, Revenue, Thematic, Open, Modern Philately, One Frame, Philatelic Literature and Picture Postcards only)
Shakil
Ahmed : Email: ahmedshakil99@gmail.com : (M) +91-9437225760 /
+91-7008025663
PHlLANIPPON 2021 Update
Mr. Surendra Kotadia is Indian National Commissioner for the PHILANIPPON 2021, FIP World Stamp Championship Exhibition to be held in Japan from 25th to 30th August 2021.
Philanippon 2021 will have the following competitive classes:
Championship Class, Traditional, Postal History, Postal Stationery,
Aerophilately, Thematic, Modern, Open, Youth, One Frame, Literature.
Surendra
Kotadia : Email: surendrakotadia@gmail.com : Mob : + 91 98199 03789
CAPEX
22, Toronto
CAPEX 22 is
an international one frame stamp and philatelic literature exhibition organized
by the Canadian Association of Philatelic Exhibitions – Association Canadienne
des Expositions Philatéliques (CAPE-ACEP).
The Exhibition will be held from June 9-12 2022 at the Metro Toronto Convention
Centre (MTCC), 255 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
CAPEX 22 is the inaugural International One Frame Stamp Championship
Exhibition. It is also the largest exhibition of one frame exhibits ever held.
CAPEX 22 is being held under the Patronage of the Federacion Interamericana de
Filatelia (FIAF) and the Recognition of the Fédération Internationale de
Philatélie (FIP). CAPEX 22 will be governed by the General Regulations for
Exhibitions (GREX), the General Regulation for Evaluation of Exhibits (GREV),
the Special Regulations for Evaluation of exhibits (SREV’s) and Guidelines
issued by FIP and the Individual Regulations for Exhibition (IREX) issued by
CAPEX 22.
In addition to the classes recognized by FIP for One Frame exhibits, several
non-FIP classes including FDCs, Cinderellas and Illustrated Mail may be entered
in CAPEX 22.
Exhibitors from FIP member federations and FIAF member federations shall be
eligible to participate at CAPEX 22. Entries awarded at least 75-points at
national exhibitions since Jan 1, 2015 or which have been exhibited at FIP,
FIAF, FEPA or FIAP exhibitions will be eligible.
Participation Fee
1. There is
no fee for Non-Competitive Class entries.
2.The participation fee for One-Frame Exhibit (Class 1) is US$125 per exhibit.
3. The participation fee for Philatelic Literature (Class 2) is US$80 per
exhibit.
4. There is no fee for Youth Class entries.
Address
CAPEX 22 Organizing Committeec/o Vincent Graves Greene Philatelic Research Foundation 10 Summerhill Ave, Toronto, ON Canada M4T 1A8 Telephone : 416-921-2073 Fax : 416-921-1282 E-mail : info@capex22.org
Exhibitors
shall submit one Exhibit Application Form for each exhibit or literature
application through the on-line application form at www.capex22.org. The Organizing Committee will notify
the assigned National Commissioners of their respective countries.
Exhibit Application Forms duly filled shall be submitted through the on-line
application form not later than November 30, 2021.
View : CAPEX 22 IREX
View : Exhibit
Application Form
SAVPEX 2021: South African Virtual
Philatelic Exhibition 22-25 July 2021
1. STATUS OF
EXHIBITION
1.1
The Exhibition will be a competitive “One Frame Virtual Exhibition” and open to
all members of Societies affiliated to The Philatelic Federation of South
Africa (PFSA) and all members of Federations affiliated to the Federation
Internationale Philatelique (FIP)
1.2
The concept of this Virtual Exhibition may be explained as follows:
(a)
Exhibitors, after assembling the exhibit, will scan the sixteen pages and send to
the email address in Clause 6.3
(b)
The exhibits will be judged by appointed National and International Jurors.
(c)
The exhibits will be available for display by request of a visitor to the venue
of the National Exhibition hosted by the Orange Free State Philatelic Society
(Bloemfontein) in JULY 2021. A number of TV screens will be available for
individual viewing of the exhibits.
(d) The exhibits will be available for viewing
on the Federation Website after the judging is completed and Exhibitors have
been notified of their results.
ENTRIES AND EXHIBITS
4.1
An administration charge of US $35 per entry will be due on Submission of the
Entry Form. The South African Federation will subsidize South African
exhibitors, their Entry Fee will be R275 and for “First Time South African
Exhibitors”, the Entry Fee will be fully subsidized. Paid Fees will only be
refunded in the case of an entry which is not accepted.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further
copies of these Exhibition Guidelines and provisional entry forms may be
obtained from: Joof van der Merwe at email: jnc1@vodamail.co.za These Exhibition Guidelines and Entry Form
will also be available on the Federation
website : https://stampssa.africa
32nd Maximaphily and Postcards Exhibition
in Echternach, 24 – 25 July 2021
The
Echternach Philatelic Circle invites visitors to the 32nd
Maximaphily and Postcard Exhibition organised by the FSPL (Federation of
Philatelic Societies of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg).
The
collection of Maximum cards and Postcards was and is very popular in Luxembourg
and for this reason the FSPL has organised a specialised national exhibition
for more than 30 years. In 2021 the organisation of this exhibition has fallen
to the Echternach society. Exhibitors from other countries will be very
welcome. The only condition is that an exhibitor possesses a Maximum or Postcard
exhibit that is qualified to be shown at national exhibitions. Collectors who
are members of a society in Luxembourg may apply without prior qualification.
Traditionally
frame fees are not charged in Luxembourg, but one special characteristic of the
frames needs to be mentioned. This is that the Luxembourg frames each hold
three rows of five sheets (A4 or the rather broader album sheets). Thus, it is
possible to show 15 sheets in a frame but it is not a problem if your exhibit
is designed to show 12 sheets per frame. A Luxembourg jury will evaluate your
exhibit and will be available to discuss the exhibit. Applications should be
made by 31 May 2021 and acceptances for participation a few days later will be
sent.
The
exhibition will take place in the ‘Trifolion’ Cultural Centre, 2 Porte St
Willibrord, 6486 Echternach in Luxembourg.
National
and international exhibitors are invited to participate in this exhibition. Those
interested in participating, please
contact either Mr Robert Grosch, 1A Rue CM Spoo, 6483 Echternach (email: groschr@pt.lu) or Mr Lars Böttger, 10 Route der
Grundhof, 6315 Beaufort, Luxembourg (email: lars.boettger@bdph.de) for the application forms.
Obituary
Very sad news from India Post : Shri Anil Kumar CPMG Bihar Postal Circle passed away due to COVID 19.
Our Heartfelt Condolences. May his soul Rest in Peace !
Dr. Avinash
B. Jagtap
(22 December 1932 - 22 January 2021)
With profound grief I am sorry to inform the Readers that noted
philatelist Dr Avinash B. Jagtap from Pune (settled in Switzerland) is no
more. He passed away this year on 22nd January. Just got this sad news from one
of his friends in Germany. He was extremely ill with neurological and eyesight
problem when I lost communication with him 4 years back and just came to know
that he was also suffering from Alzheimer disease..... Dr Jagtap wrote a series of articles for
Rainbow Stamp News. He will always be remembered for his great contribution.
Our deepest condolences ! May his soul
rest in Peace !
-Naresh Agrawal, Bilaspur (C.G.)
It was shocking to note that Dr. Avinash B. Jagtap a renowned veteran philatelist left for his heavenly abode on 22nd January this year. He was extremely ill with neurological and eyesight problem and was also suffering from Alzheimer disease.
This
indeed is a sad news not for me but for all concerned. I too had philatelic
relationship with him. He was a thorough gentle man and was very generous. I
quite often stop when I turn the pages one of my book which contains a few covers
related to pigeon mail which he had presented me as token of his appreciation of one of my article which
appeared in India Post on Pigeon Mail of India.
Though he was such an old and veteran philatelists yet he never
hesitated to help any philatelist. I still remember several mail exchanges with
him.
This
indeed is a big loss to Rainbow because his advance and well researched
articles had given new recognition to Rainbow. His literary work in philately
is an asset for philatelic generations to come. His demise is a big loss to
philatelic fraternity.
My
sincere condolences. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti
Suraj
Jaitly, Editor, ITS Stamp News
Dr Avinash B Jagtap was very much close to me for years and he was my greatest strength for publishing quarterly magazine, ITS Stamp News for such a long period of almost twenty years without any break and combined issue. He has contributed his vast knowledge on so many different topics. I was surprised for his deep knowledge on various topics… sometime even he had asked me on which topic I wanted article for next issue, His popular articles in ITS Stamp News are like Thread to Clothes, Traditional Indian Costume; Sari-A Philatelic View, Headgears, Decorated Skin; A Thing of Beauty (Heena / Tattoo), Butterflies, Birds of Prey etc. I was in touch with him, since the Internet was not so much easily accessible and I still remember his long and beautifully hand-written letters to me.Sharing one of his memorable photo sent to me.
We talked over telephone so many times and during last conversation in April 2019, he was having problem in talking and even recognizing and having so many health issues. His ill health was a great set-back to my philatelic career and sudden death of my other great supporter, Dr. Satyendra totally changed my philatelic career. I can never forget the importance of both these persons in my life….
Dr Avinash B. Jagtap was a renowned philatelist and had written articles on philately for a long time. His articles on a variety of philatelic subjects, published in different philatelic journals and newsletters have been a guideline for every class of philatelists.
Sharing his interview which was published in Rainbow Stamp
News in December 2009.
Dr. Avinash B. Jagtap was born in Pune on 22nd December 1932. After passing his B.Sc. examination he joined the L.M.Pharmacy College in Ahmedabad, where he stood first class first at B.Pharm examination in 1957 and was awarded B.A.Gold Medal. He joined National Chemical Laboratory in Pune. In 1959 he proceeded to Bonn (West Germany) for his Doctorate in pharmaceutical technology and completed his research in 1961. Thereafter he joined the R & D Division of Sandoz Pharmaceutical Ltd. Basel in Switzerland. He got retired after 32 years in pharmaceutical research.
He lived with his family
in Binningen in Switzerland. Dr. Jagtap was a keen stamp collector since his
childhood and was a serious philatelist in postal history of India and
thematics. His two collections “The First Fifty Years of Indian Cancellations “
and “ The Handstruck stamps of India” have earned him Gold Medals at the Swiss
National Philatelic Exhibitions and his thematic display “Costumes of the
World” was awarded Large Vermeil at the international philatelic Exhibition
“China 99”. He was a well-known philatelic writer and had written series of
articles, both on the postal history of India and in thematics in “IND DAK”,
“ITS Stamp News”, “Stamps Today” in English and also in German language in
“Thema International” of Thematic Collectors Tri-monthly of
Switzerland,”Schweizer Briefmarken Zeitung” and in the bulletin of “Swiss
Postal History Association, and in “Indien Report” the organ of
Forschungsgemeinschaft “INDIEN” in Germany. He had also contributed to the “Q
& A” column of “India Post” in Great Britain and to the supplements of “The
Catalogue of Handstruck Postage Stamps of India” of Late Mr. D. Hammond Giles.
Interview with Dr Avinash B. Jagtap
Q.1. What do you think about organizing “One
Frame National Philatelic Exhibition” in India? Will it gain popularity among
veteran philatelists in India?
Ans. “One Frame Exhibit”
is a new development in exhibiting philately, not only in India; but also
internationally. It is well-known that Federation Internationale de Philatélie
(FIP) introduced this new class of exhibits in 2004 as an experimental class.
This is still considered to be at experimental stage, in contrast to the
well-established classes, such as “Traditional Philately”, “Postal History” or
“Thematic Philately”, in as much as the rules and regulations regarding these
classes are well-defined and the displays devoted to these classes are examined
by jury, who have exact concepts regarding examination of these exhibits and
the number of points to be allotted to them. Also according to F.I.P. no
(metallic) medals are awarded to the successful candidates in One Frame
Exhibition, but certificates with the grades achieved by the candidate.
The organizers of this very first “One Frame Philatelic
Exhibition” to be held at Baroda are to be congratulated for holding this first
ever One Frame Exhibition in India. In the recent years more and more
youngsters have been showing their interest in this hobby. As most of us know
that long ago many Indian philatelists earned coveted prizes for their exhibits
in the classes, such as Postal History of India and Indian States; Postal
Stationery, Aerophilately, Thematic Philately and fiscals at international
levels. Naturally, one has to spend a lot to get hold of the materials, in
order to be eligible for earning higher honours and awards. Those who want to
enter as exhibitors in a philatelic exhibition; but can not afford to spend or
invest in the beginning, for them “One Frame Exhibit” philatelic show is a good
start, provided their themes are based on relatively obtainable philatelic
material.
As F.I.P rightly points out, “Veteran” or advanced philatelists
are equally welcome to participate in “One Frame Exhibit” class of a philatelic
exhibition to show their ability in presenting a “narrow” subject.
Q.2. Do you think that a participant can show
his/her potentials in a “One Frame Exhibit”?
Ans.: Absolutely, the
great German poet Goethe has said, “In the limitations one shows who is the
master”. So the philatelist has to manifest his/her ability even when the
number of frames is reduced to one, which means he/she has ONLY 16 pages at
his/her disposal and he/she has to arrange the theme in such a way so as to
cover all the topics of his/her theme with as many philatelic elements as
possible. He/She must have all types of philatelic elements, not only just
stamps (including errors and varieties); but also cancellations, postal
stationeries, maximum cards, etc. The most important thing in compilation of
“One Frame Exhibit” is the theme (Caption) of the exhibit. Many times even the
Jury may not know, if the theme chosen by the exhibitor is adequate or
appropriate for “One Frame Exhibit” or not! Philatelists or Jury in India may
not know the “size” of a certain theme, unless they have frequently referred to
foreign philatelic magazines, have visited philatelic exhibitions at
international level or have surfed international websites on philately on
Internet. Nowadays there are thousands of stamps and philatelic materials which
are produced by postal authorities all over the globe and we soon feel
confronted with a question, if there is any appropriate theme left for
compilation for a “One Frame Exhibit”!
The organization committee should be very careful in granting
permission to an applicant who wants to participate in the exhibition. It is
better that the participant is warned right in the beginning that his/her theme
is not appropriate for “One Frame Exhibit” and not in the end when he has taken
troubles to prepare his display and has already exhibited the same!.
Q.3. What is required for an excellent
exhibit, especially in case of a thematic exhibit? Is it the skill of the
compiler? high quality of material, with some scacre items? or a balanced
combination of all these?
Ans.: As I have already
mentioned even One Frame Exhibit requires all types of materials. If the theme
of the exhibit is a modern one, then naturally there is no need to search for
pre-stamp material. Pre-Stamp material is scarce and so it is costly, but
should be included wherever it is possible and necessary, this will depend upon
the theme. One Frame does not mean that one is free to display moderate or
“cheap” material. The participants should always bear in mind that if they are
craving for higher rewards, it will always be associated with the financial
position of the participant. After all the Jury know (or rather should know)
which “star” items must be there in the display! When you mention the word
“Skill”, I understand “the way the candidate presents his/her theme”. The
presentation should have continuity and the choice of proper material arranged
in the best possible way. Scarce items are always sought after, not only by the
Jury but by the compiler him-/herself. A scarce item does not necessarily mean
a costly item. A compiler may be searching for a certain item for years
together, despite his willingness to pay lavishly for such a piece. In India
such material is very scarce or rare. Importantly the arrangement on the
display sheets should be well-balanced, the write-up should be short and
legible, displayed material should be in best possible condition. All this will
contribute towards the beauty and success of the display.
Q.4. Which F.I.P. philatelic class is best
suited for “One Frame Exhibits”
Ans.: Normally all
philatelic classes which have been recognized by F.I.P., such as Traditional
Philately, Postal History, Postal Stationery, Aerophilately, Astrophilately,
Fiscals and Thematics are well suited for One Frame Exhibits. However thematic
collectors are warned to be careful in choosing “Birds” and “Animals” as
themes, as there are a lot of stamps and other philatelic materials available
on these most favourite themes. “Kingfisher” and “Dragonfly” could be good
themes; but no “Elephants” or “Cats”! Perhaps “Sunflower” but not “Rose” or
“Orchids”! Since there are 16 pages (A4 Size) to be displayed, the subject or
theme chosen should not be such that not much material is available to fill in
these 16 pages.
Those who have been collecting stamps of Feudatory States of India
are in a better position to compile “One Frame Exhibits” on most of these
states, but it will not be a “cheap” theme, as it demands presence of varieties
and errors, which are rare and costly. But the pictorial stamp series such as
“Air Mail” (1929), “Inauguration of New Delhi” (1931) and “Silver Jubilee”
(1935) or “Refugee Relief” stamps issued during Bangla Desh Liberation War
(1971) or “Indian Expeditionary Forces”(1900-1914) and “Indian Forces in Korea,
the Congo, Gaza and Indo-China”(1953-1965) present as “complete” or “closed”
themes with limited philatelic material as best suited venues for One Frame
Exhibits. Another themes which strike me, are: “Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and
his Indian National Army” (but these stamps issued by Nazi Germany and also by
INA were never used, the mint copies are now rare!) and “The great sage and
soul of India: Rabindranath Tagore”. So far as postal history is concerned some
typical cancellations such as Duplex Cancellation Renouf Type 9 or
Cancellations of a particular town or city could form a nice theme for one
frame displays.
Taking into consideration the post-independence stamps issued by
India Post, the following themes could be suggested for brain-storming, if they
are “appropriate” for One Frame Displays such as Indian Temples, Indian
Railways, Children’s Day, Indian Women, Indian Heritage Buildings (not
necessarily on UNNESCO List!), “Taj Mahal”, Great Indian Epics, Indian
Cinematography, Indian Cricket, Indian Music, Personality Stamps with
respective autographs on them, Indian War of Independence 1857 etc.
When I have sited some of the Indian themes for “One Frame
Exhibits” (with exception of Traditional Philately and Postal History) I must
bring this fact to the notice of the collectors and compilers, that with pure
Indian themes, exhibitors may achieve the highest possible awards in Indian
exhibitions; but may fail to qualify themselves to be accepted as exhibitors at
the international level.
Q.5. It is a common observation that higher
awards usually go to the exhibits having some rare, outstanding and costly
items. Do you agree with the prevalent fact, “To win a higher award one needs
high skill to use correct philatelic knowledge, very high quality of materials
and a heavy pocket to purchase some rare items?”
Ans.: Unfortunately, my
answer to this question is affirmative. Especially, in case of Postal History
and Traditional Philately it is very true. With time such collections grow
brick by brick. It is also true that many times certain items are so rare that
a compiler has to wait for years to get hold of some exquisite items, although
a desperate collector is willing to offer any amount to acquire it. In case of
thematic some pieces are really unique, but since there are other equally
important pieces, the grade of rarity may not be so “acute” as in case of
postal history. I shall also add, that when a collector or compiler of a
thematic display has spent a lot on building his/her collection, when it comes
to disposal of the collection, may be due to advanced age of the collector or
monetary crisis in life, the owner of the collection may get disappointed,
because especially in case of thematics it is difficult to sell the collection
at a price acceptable or “agreeable” to the owner. In this case fun,
personal satisfaction and the knowledge earned while building the collection,
should be looked up on by the compiler as a personal reward, which can not be
weighed in terms of silver and gold.
Visit : Maximaphily and Postcards Exhibition
Specialized Section
What is a Maximum Card ?
© Dr. Avinash B. Jagtap
Collecting Maxim Cards has become a craze among stamp collectors these days . Maximaphily has also become a favorite class in exhibitions. But sometimes many Maxim Cards do not exhibit almost 100% concordance of the three elements with one another, The Picture Postcard, The Stamp and The Cancellation (or Postmark). Here is a very comprehensive article by Late Dr Avinash B. Jagtap with the rules and guidelines on Maximaphily given by FIP. I hope the article will be an eye opener for those collecting and creating maxim cards on different themes. - Editor
A Maximum Card (“MC”) could be defined as a philatelic entirety comprised of three basic elements, such as a picture postcard, a postage stamp and a cancellation tied to the postage stamp and the picture postcard. These three components are chosen in such a way that they offer a maximum concordance with one another. They are complimentary to one another in every philatelic aspect and they together represent an entirety.
1948, Baden- French.Sector / Post-War Germany, Theme: Costumes, Headgears
Stamp issued on May 1, 1948, Pictorial cancellation from Unteruhldingen, on Lake Constance, where this costume is worn. Date of cancellation: June 20, 1948
1. Picture Postcard:
The picture postcard is normally printed privately and is available on the market or could have been issued by the postal authority of a country prior to the issue of the postage stamp. The rear side of the picture postcard could be blank with adequate space to write an address. The back side of the picture postcard may carry a stamp-imprint. Neither a private photographic reproduction nor a “Collage” is allowed on the view side. Photomontages, drawings, documents specially devised for the stamp issue to be printed privately on photo-paper with due thanks to computer are not used for creating maximum cards. It is strictly prohibited to reduce the size of a postcard by cutting it.
Stamp was issued on February 29, 2000 Pictorial Cancellation date: June 13, 2000, shows a cyclist participating in Tour de Suisse.
Countries like Sweden, Australia have been issuing their own maximum cards. In Switzerland special picture post cards are offered to the philatelists prior to the official date of issue of new stamps. Thus the enthusiasts are given an opportunity to create their own maximum cards. No differentiation is made by the Jury at philatelic exhibition between officially or privately made maximum card.
Official Maximum Card issued by Australia
A picture postcard used to create a maximum card has a normal, internationally (as per Universal Postal Union Convention) well defined size (i.e. 9 x 14 or 10.5 x 14.8 cm). In case of old cards (prior to 1940), cards with smaller sizes are accepted. According to special regulations approved by the 68th FIP Congress in Singapore, on 1st & 2nd September 2004, postcards of square size or 12 x17 cm that are becoming more attractive and popular may be tolerated. Only square and rectangular formats of picture postcards are allowed, all others are excluded. These picture postcards may be black & white or coloured. From the aesthetic point of view, they may offer a faint coloured or white space in order to affix a postage stamp, so that the cancellation could be viewed in a better way. Many official maximum cards are furnished with a narrow margin on one side of the card, which offers a suitable place for affixing a stamp. The picture postcard, should as a rule, offer not less than 75% space of the total area for an illustration (in ideal case even 100 %!). However, according to the latest requirements, agreed upon by the FIP Maximaphily Commission Conference held in Malaga on October 12, 2006, this space limitation (min. 75%) has not been specifically mentioned. But the emphasis is laid on the size of the picture. It is said “The larger the picture is, the better the quality of the maximum card is considered to be.” In view of this very vague requirement, I shall advise all philatelists to stick to the old requirement of more than 75% space for the illustration on the postcard. In case of older maximum cards this restriction could be overlooked.
A picture postcard must offer the best possible direct VISUAL and NOT an imaginary concordance with the motif on the stamp and with at least one of these, in case the stamp shows several motifs. It should not show a sketch or a draft of the stamp design. Postcards with multiple pictures as well as those with holograms are not allowed. All picture post cards with full reproduction of the stamps with their perforations, face values and country-names are forbidden.
Stamp issued on March 18, 1999, First Day Pictorial Cancellation showing the costume worn by women in Madunice Province of Slovakia
2. Postage Stamp:
The postage stamp must have a conspicuous theme or a motif depicted on it and should have a direct relationship with the illustration on the picture postcard. The stamp is affixed to the postcard on the front (on picture side). Care should be taken that it is valid at the time of cancellation. Its colours and the perforations should be in optimal condition. The stamp on the card may preferably be used on the day of issue or within a tolerable time limit (such maximum card could be called as a maximum card of 1st Quality). Only ONE postage stamp valid for postage is affixed to the picture postcard. (The guidelines for judging Maximaphily, accepted by the FIP Maximaphily Commission Conference held at Malaga on October 12, 2006 and approved by FIP Board in Luxemburg on March 3, 2007, allows the whole set of se-tenant stamps, devoted to a single subject to appear on a single postcard. (This is rather very strange recommendation which I personally can not understand. I would better advise Indian philatelists to abide by the golden rule “Only One Stamp for One Picture Postcard” in order to avoid any conflict with the Jury!). So-called “official” stamps which are used for governmental mail (excepting UNO, UNESCO and European Council Stamps) or parcel stamps (as they are common in some European countries, like Belgium) should not be affixed to the postcard. A maximum card should not bear a block of four or two stamps with identical designs issued by two countries (the so-called “bilateral-” or “sympathy-issues”). Depending up on the individual themes on the postage stamp, there is a possibility of creating multiples of maximum cards. The use of an illustrated postal prepayment impression dispensed by automatic vending machines affixed on the view side of the postcard can be used. A postage stamp which is cut out from postal stationery is allowed only if the issuing postal service permits its use. In general, abstract or symbolic subjects do not suit Maximaphily and are excluded from its field.
2004, Wald (ZH), Switzerland Theme: Forest, Wood, Environment
The stamp and the Cancellation both were issued on May 7, 2004, here even the name of the Post-office “WALD” means “Forest” in German language! This is more than a 100% Maximum Card! This was the first-ever wooden stamp of the world !!
3. Cancellation:
The postmark or the cancellation must be clearly visible and legible. It must be applied to the stamp (leaving the major part of the motif on the stamp clear) and to the picture postcard." Care must be taken that the ink used for the postmark does not smear and impart an untidy look to the maximum card. The cancellation essentially contains the date and the name of the post office.(this requirement is there in the “Guidelines for Judging Maximaphily Exhibits”, but there is no mention about the requirement of “Date” in the cancellation (Art. 3.3. )in “Special Regulations for the Evaluation of Maximaphily Exhibits at F.I.P. Exhibitions (SERV)”. This is certainly a grave anomaly, which I have brought to the notice of the F.I.P. Commissioner for Maximaphily, Mr. Nicos Rangos. He writes in his reply, that it does imply, although not specifically mentioned, that the cancellation should show the name of the post-office and also the date of cancellation.). It could be ordinary simple date stamp without any illustration, but it should respect the concordance of place. For example if a card depicts a personality then the cancellation may incorporate the birth place, or the region where the deceased person had worked during his / her life-time, or where he / she died. If it is a monument, building or a famous painting, then the name of the place where these are situated or could be found. The cancellation in such cases may show the nearest possible post-office. In case of pictorial cancellation, the illustration must have some direct bearing with the illustration on the stamp and/or on the picture post card, but it is not a “Must”. In any case the name of the post office is important. The cancellation must have been applied by an official post office and not by a “private” or “semi-official” post-office. The cancellation on the stamp must be applied by the post office of the stamp-issuing country. Nowadays the postal authority booths participating countries at international philatelic exhibitions not only sell their products, but also obliterate their stamps with pictorial or normal cancellations with the logo of the exhibition! This “maximum card” with the card and stamp issued in a distant country and defaced by a pictorial or normal cancellation of the host country (i.e. the country where the exhibition is held) can not be regarded as a maximum card.
The cancellation is considered to be “most appropriate” when it is applied on the commemoration day of an event or a person concerned. It is “very good” if the cancellation is applied on the first day of issue of the stamp, provided it contains the data in concordance with the picture post card and the stamp affixed to it. It is regarded as “satisfactory” if the cancellation is applied on some other day, but not too apart from the day of issue of the stamp. It is “tolerable” if the validity of the stamp affixed has expired within a few days it had been affixed to the picture post card and was cancelled. There are several types of cancellations applied by the post-offices. Of these red meter marks, which are employed by eminent firms for application on their out-going mail, should not be used on a maximum card, since such meter marks are not intended for defacing postage stamps.
For Contributors - Guidelines for the articles
1. The article should be of maximum 10 pages (A4 size) including images in MS WORD format only. Long articles, if accepted will be published in parts. The articles in PDF will not be accepted.
2. Do not Format your article. Like no text wrapping, no caption on the images. Simply insert the images below the text where required.
4. There should be No Hyperlinks in the text. Use only where ever it is inevitable.
5. Images should be clear and sharp. Blurred images will be deleted.
6. The article will be published as per the availability of the required space.
7. Regarding the selection and size of the images editor’s decision will be final.
8. "Limited, good and selective articles published at least one year before elsewhere can be entertained for publication but strictly subject to acceptance by editor ".
Beginners’ Section
One of Most Expensive Modern Stamp
As one of the most expensive stamps of our time today was recognized the charitable postal stamp featuring a famous actress Audrey Hepburn, published in Germany. This stamp was printed in a series of 2001, the nominal value - 1.10 + 0.50 marks. It shows the actress in a huge hat with a cigarette in her mouth.
The issuing of this stamp was scheduled for October 11, 2001 in a series, dedicated to the famous actors. Among those, who were depicted on those stamps were: Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo, Jean Gabin, and Ingrid Bergman. The additional fee was intended to be given to those, who suffered the floods.
The amount of a postal charitable stamp depicting Audrey Hepburn was fourteen million copies. But all those stamps were almost immediately seized in connection with the fact that the son of the actress took the rights to publish it. The reason for this was a cigarette in the mouth of his mother. The whole circulation was almost completely destroyed. there survived only two sheets of 30 copies, that were received by the Philatelic Archives of Post Museum and by the Telecommunications in Bonn, as well as by the archive mail of the Ministry of Finance of Germany.
And also apart from this several copies of the stamp appeared on the envelopes - there are known at least four such cases. How exactly did this happen - remains unexplained.
The first copy of quenching by Schönefeld from October 14, 2003 was sold in October 6, 2006 for 53,000 euros. The stamp stayed in Germany, but the name of it's purchaser was not disclosed.
The second stamp survived was repaid by the Berlin stamp with a date of November 2, 2003. It was sold at the auction for 58,000 euros. This copy also was acquired by the unknown German.
The third copy of the stamp with the image of Audrey Hepburn is in the perfect state and was quenched on February 11, 2004. This time it was sold for 135,000 euros. It's owner was a well-known investor Herd Bennervitz, German by nationality.
Another known copy of this rare contemporary stamp was quenched by a postmark of Hennigsdorf with the illegible date stamp. This copy was exhibited at the philatelic exchange in 2007 in Sindelfingen.
Courtesy : Dipok Dey
Philatelic
Tributes to the First Line Warriors - Corona virus COVID-19 Pandemic
SIERRA LEONE - Souvenir sheet
Penny Black against COVID-19 (May 2020)
Souvenir sheet with six stamps (6 x 550 FCFA) (joint issue with the Central African Republic) depicting the first postage stamp Penny Black with various protective masks with the text: "THE PENNY BLACK / AGAINST COVID-19".
NEW ZEALAND - Postage stamps in souvenir sheet
Thanks, healthcare workers (since 1st May 2020)
You Stay At Home, We Deliver (24th March 2020)
Propagation machine cancellation urging people to stay at home and their shipments will be delivered in the fight against the COVID-19 corona virus pandemic with the text: "You Stay At Home, We Deliver / Do your part to stop the spread of COVID-19".
New Issues
from other countries
Great
Britain
4
May 2021 : The Wars of the Roses
15
April 2021 : Classic Science Fiction
One of Britain’s best inventions? The future. The steam engine powered not only the Industrial Revolution but the imagination too. In 1818, Mary Shelley reworked the Gothic romance to address the advances of contemporary science. By the 1890s, this type of story was called the ‘scientific romance’, and in a few short years HG Wells and his generation had formulated the elements of ‘science fiction’. The genre has since spread around the world and has become a key way in which humans think through their possible futures.
Royal mail celebrates classic science fiction on the 75th anniversary of the death of HG Wells and 70th of publication of John Wyndham’s The Day of the Triffids.
The illustrations feature on the 6 stamps have a unique interpretation of each of the science fiction classics by 6 different artists.
Slovakia
7
May 2021 : Endangered National Wildlife
Spain
13 April 2021 : Mail Art
Mail Art
Mail
Art is the name used to designate an original artistic activity that uses
postal distribution as a means of expression. There are many forms that can be
adopted in this discipline, from messages to collages, through objects or
poems.
This
art form is aimed at a wide audience, sometimes unknown by the author himself,
who tries to get out, in a certain way, from the traditional ways of
distributing art.The V International Postal Art Exhibition In Avilés, with the
motto «The Earth», has received more than 500 postal works from 37 different
countries and, as a novelty in this edition, one of them has become a stamp
dedicated to Mail Art or Art by Mail, the first official stamp dedicated to
this artistic discipline to be issued in the world.
The
selected work reflects a world ball, protected with a gas mask, which, as a
metaphor, wants to denounce environmental pollution on our planet. The author
of this work is García de Marina, (Gijón, 1975), a photographer of recognized
national and international prestige.This label will also inaugurate a series
that next year will have “Aire” as the theme.
García
de Marina collaborates with his photographic compositions in numerous
publications, as well as, participates in individual or group exhibitions,
among which DIÁLO2 stands out, an exhibition project that brought together 20
dialogues between one of the great references of 20th century visual poetry in
Spain, as was Joan Brossa and the photographer himself; o The Unfinished Word,
an exhibition that served the photographer to explore the relationship between
written language and visual language, highlighting the power of imagination.
Once again, the stamp takes on that
“meta stamp” look, in which it becomes a work of art in itself.Beyond the
postal value, although without forgetting its essence as a method of postage,
this issue will occupy an important place in the History of the Stamp.
Switzerland
29 April 2021 : Summer
A fresh take on stamps: everyone will warm to these amusing designs. After all, who doesn’t want to be able to send some summer vibes by mail?
Evoking a summer atmosphere through simple items – that was the design brief given to three artists for these spe- cial stamps. “Sunglasses”, “Drink”, “Ice cream” and “Watermelon”, some classic elements of summer, were picked as the themes. Swiss Post employ- ees then voted on the three proposed sets of designs.
The designer Patrick Oberholzer from Winterthur emerged as the winner. To make the designs as eye-catching as possible, he used a warm, powerful and fresh range of colours with a clear use of form.
Despite the small format, there’s plenty to discover in his designs: the designs are enriched by the use of playful features, such as a fruity silhouette for the drink, a touch of Swissness re ected in the sunglasses and sweet decorations on the cone. For the typographical elements, Oberholzer opted for a geometrically structured font, which is incorporated into the illustrations in a readable and harmonious way with its rounded zeros and reduced form
29
April 2021 : 150 Years of Rigi Railways
150 Years of Rigi Railways
USA
9 April 2021 : Espresso
Drinks
From the USPS: America’s
love of coffee is celebrated with four new stamps in a booklet of 20. Four
digital illustrations feature cups of four different drinks: caffe latte,
espresso, caffe mocha and cappuccino.
Espresso drinking in the United States is at an
all-time high. With the growing popularity of artisanal coffee shops, extensive
research on the roaster and brewing process, and continued innovation in
machinery to make the perfect cup, specialty coffee is better than it has ever
been. When it comes to espresso, most Americans rely on a barista working at a
coffeehouse to carefully craft their specialty drink, but at-home espresso
machines are also growing in popularity. Whether a routine part of getting
going in the morning or a reason to gather socially at a local cafe, drinking
beverages made with espresso has become increasingly trendy.
Promotional
Section
Spiritual Philately During Haridwar Kumbh 2021
AZIMVTH Ashram released a set of
spiritual artworks in the form of 8 picture postcards with matching covers on
the theme of Haridwar Maha Kumbh 2021 and COVID-19.
Rajsik Snan (Royal Bath)
The Kumbh festival lasts for many months. Although it is auspicious to have ritual bathing and dips during the entire period, some days are known to be more special. These are days of special and Royal Baths. For Haridwar Kumbh 2021, the special bathing days were –
14 January 2021 - Makar
Sankranti, Solstice, Sun enters the Capricorn zodiac.
11 February 2021 - Mauni
Amavasya, the last no Moon night of the Hindu year.
16 February 2021 -
Vasant Panchami, heralding spring.
11 March 2021 – Maha Shivratri, the great night of Lord Shiva.
12 April 2021 - Somvati
Amavasya, Lord Shiva’s no-Moon night on a Monday.
14 April 2021 –
Baisakhi, Hindu Vikram Samvat year begins.
21 April 2021 - Ram
Navmi, birth anniversary of Lord Ram, an Avatar of Lord Vishnu (Hari).
27 April 2021 - Chaitra
Poornima, birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman on full Moon, the Amrit Yoga.
India Post Camp Post Office
India Post established a
special Camp Post Office at Rishikul in Haridwar for a period of one month –
from 1st April to 30th April 2021.
Spiritual
Picture Post Cards and Special Covers
AZIMVTH Ashram issued
two series of picture post cards – each set having four cards – and these
corresponded to the eight special bathing days. Matching Special Covers were
also issued.
Series titled ‘Kumbh and COVID-19.’
The
series consists of four picture post cards and matching covers cancelled on the
respective four special bathing days in the month of April 2021. A short
description, specific to each card, was printed on the back of each card. The
details are given below. Additionally, a post card sized
sheet, printed on both sides, is also a part of the set and it has relevant
text by way of further explanation.
Haridwar - View from Chandi Devi Temple.
Kumbh
Mela (the festival of the sacred Pitcher) is the largest peaceful congregation
of people on Earth, during which participants take ritual dips in the sacred
river Ganga in Haridwar. Haridwar is at the mouth of a gorge from which Ganga
rushes forth out of the mountain Himalayas in to the plains. To the left of
Ganga is Neel, a hill of the Shivalik ranges, atop which is situated the temple
of Chandi Devi, the goddess with fiery powers and slayer of demons.
12
April 2021 - Somvati Amavasya, Lord Shiva’s no-Moon night on a Monday.
Mansa Devi Temple - View from Neel Dhara Haridwar.
Planet Jupiter completes one orbit
around Sun in 12 years. Kumbh is held when Jupiter comes to enter the astrology
mansion of Kumbh (Aquarius). Originally, Kumbh used to occur once-in-12-years
only at Haridwar in northern India. To the right of Ganga is the hill named
Bilva atop which is situated the ancient temple of Mansa Devi, the wish
fulfilling goddess. Both of the hills are serviced by ropeway gondola cable
car.
14 April 2021 – Baisakhi, Hindu Vikram Samvat year
begins.
Ghat of Makar Vahini Temple Haridwar.
Kumbh is inscribed by the UNESCO as an
Intangible Cultural Heritage of humanity. Ganga, the national river of India,
is a national identity element. During Kumbh, the water of Ganga at Haridwar turns
into nectar. According to astrology, a holy dip in Ganga can undo the sins of
many lives. The ghat outside the Makar Vahini Temple (of
the crocodile-riding-goddess i.e. Ganga) established by Shankaracharya of
KanchiKamakoti also has a nice prayer service every evening.
21 April 2021 - Ram
Navmi, birth anniversary of Lord Ram, an Avatar of Lord Vishnu (Hari).
Aarati at Har ki Paidi Haridwar.
Mighty
oceans were churned in a collaboration of the divines and the demons. Finally,
a Kumbh (pot) of life-elixir was obtained drops from which fell in Ganga at Har-ki-paidiin Haridwar rendering it to be the most
sacred spot in Ganga. Aarati prayers to Ganga are held twice every day -- at
the time of dawn and dusk. It is the biggest attraction in Haridwar. There are
two hydro-electricity generating plants: one as Ganga is about to enter
Haridwar and the other where Ganga exits Haridwar.
27
April 2021 - Chaitra Poornima, birth anniversary of Lord
Hanuman on full Moon, the Amrit Yoga.
Series titled ‘Rishikesh & Haridwar: Kumbh & COVID-19.’
The
administration of the Government of Uttarakhand had initially listed around
eight special bathing days, as per the convention. Later, mindful of the
COVID-19 pandemic, these were reduced to four out of which three were in the month
of April 2021. The first bathing day was on 11th March 2021.
AZIMVTH Ashram released another series of four Picture Post Cards and matching Special Covers. Additionally, a post card sized sheet, printed on both sides, is also a part of the set and it has relevant text by way of further explanation.The cards were cancelled on 30th April 2021 by India Post being the last day of the Kumbh festival as per their reckoning. The details are given below.
Prayers to Ganga.
Capricorn
corresponds to Makar, the crocodile. This day heralds the onset of the Kumbh
Mela, a festival that happens once in 12 years and lasts for many months.
Prayers are held to Ma Ganga, the goddess who rides a crocodile. Large brass
lamps, each containing thousands of wicks and clarified butter are used in the
ceremony near the river in Rishikesh and Haridwar, and indeed many other
locations on the journey to the Bay of Bengal at Kolkata.
14
January 2021 - Makar Sankranti, Solstice, Sun enters the Capricorn zodiac.
Vegetable Seller.
Adherents
practice silence (Maun) this day. Ritual bathing is much preferred. Yogins find
the day amenable to their Kundalini practices. Mauni Amavasya is also a day for
ritual bathing. The Rishikesh-Haridwar region is very fertile. Fruits and
vegetables grown locally are sold on push-carts within the day of plucking.
Most of these are sold by weight. The four-wheeled push-carts are moved around
and the seller takes that to his home in the evening.
11
February 2021 - Mauni Amavasya, the last no Moon night of the Hindu year.
Wish Granting Cows.
The
churning of the oceans by the divines and demons yielded several ‘jewels’. One
of them was Kamdhenu, the wish granting cow. Various neighbourhoods across the
region have places where cows who are of age and fallow are sheltered and taken
care of. It is not uncommon to find cows on streets. Every temple of Lord Shiva
also has a statue of his bull Nandi. Vasant Panchami marks the preparation for
the arrival of spring. Prayers to Ma Saraswati, the goddess of learning are
held.
16
February 2021 - Vasant Panchami, heralding spring.
When the prayers are held near Ma
Ganga, the believers float a small boat made of leaves. It contains flowers,
incense stick and a lighted earthen lamp. People make wishes and float the
boats. This is also done in remembrance of the loved ones. Maha Shivaratri is a
major occasion for the ritual-bathing in Ganga. People observe fasts during the
day. Leaves of the Bilva tree usually are in clusters of three and garlands
made of 108 or 1008 such clusters are offered to Lord Shiva.
11
March 2021 - MahaShivratri, the great night of Lord Shiva.
Post Marks
India
Post used two post marks – one in the shape of a circle (image
file title‘Kumbh Haridwar India Post Post Mark – 1’) and the other in the
shape of a rectangle(image file title ‘Kumbh Haridwar India Post Post Mark –
2’) – each bearing code ‘UA-3004’.
KUMBHAK
Kumbhak
is the name of a special pranayama (breath yoga) technique that consists of purak
and rechak. Trained intake of breath, withholding it, exhaling and
pausing on empty stomach are the important aspects of this practice. COVID-19
directly affects lungs. Practicing Kumbhak consistently everyday for a long
period may help in mitigating/warding off the pandemic.
Spiritual Arts
The
front of the eight post cards depict oil paintings of relevant places and
sights in Haridwar. These were created by the well renowned American painter
Jennifer Taylor when she was staying and training at AZIMVTH during the onset
of the pandemic. Some of the originals of these oil paintings are on permanent
display at AZIMVTH Ashram in Haridwar India. Second originals and others have
been exhibited at various prestigious venues like the Denver International
Airport in the United States. Connoisseurs of fine arts are appreciating these
and patrons are also buying.
Jennifer’s arts have been featured on the cover and centre-folds of many popular journals. US magazine ‘Plein Air‘ published in its print version of Oct / Nov 2020 issue an 8 paged article on AZIMVTH Ashram featuring these Haridwar arts that are now also available as picture post cards.
Four colour offset printed
The
first four cards were offset printed. Using them postally has made them the
only offset printed philatelic material for the Haridwar Maha Kumbh 2021.
Energised
A
drop of the holy Ganga water, drawn from Brahma-kund / Har ki Paidi during the
Kumbh festival is installed on each card. These cards were used during special
meditations and prayers rendering each of them to be invoked with energies.
Invitation to own
Spiritualists,
Yogins, fine art connoisseurs, and philatelists the world over are invited to
own these special offerings.
-Tarun Kumar : email : azimvth@gmail.com Website : https://azimvth.org/kumbh-2021/
Buddhism on Stamps By M. Lokeshwara Rao
Buddhism
on Stamps : Chapter: 22. Pages
300 : Author: M. Lokeswara Rao; IFS Principal Chief Conservator of
Forests and Head of Forest Force (Retd) email : madirajul@gmail.com
M 9436215175
For the book the author may be
contacted at email: madirajul@gmail.com :
Whatsapp No. 9436215175
Supplement – 1 to First Edition Meghdoot Cards Guide (2015-2020)
The Price of the Supplement is Rs. 160 ( Including Postage in
India) For the book Please Contact : Purushottam Das Heda Email : pdheda@gmail.com Mob : Whatsapp :
9848089049
Acknowledgment
- Ananthapuri Stamp Bulletin May 2021 issue edited by Mohanachandran
Nair
- Judaica Thematic Society (UK)
May 2021 Newsletter edited by
Gary Goodman email -
judaicathematicsociety@talktalk.net
-The Hyderabad Philatelist
April 2021 issue from Hyderabad Philatelic and Hobbies Society Editor – Prakash
Agrawal
Blogs & Websites
Philatelic
Clubs & Societies
Ananthapuri
Philatelic Association, Thiruvanthapuram
Baroda
Philatelic Society - http://www.vadophil.org/
Chandigarh
Philatelic Club
Deccan
Philatelic Society – Pune, Maharashtra
Eastern
India Philatelists’ Association -http://www.filacapsule.blogspot.com/
The
Hyderabad Philatelic and Hobbies Society
India
Study Circle - http://www.indiastudycircle.org/
Indian
Thematic Society, Ludhiana -http://indianthematicstamps.webs.com/
Ludhiana
Philatelic Club
Numismatic & Philatelic Association of Vellore
Fort
http://numismaticphilavellore.site40.net/index.htm
Philatelic
Congress of India - http://www.philateliccongressofindia.com/
Philatelic
Society of Rajasthan, Jaipur
Philatelic
Society of India , Mumbai : http://www.psi1897.com/
Orissa Philatelic Association, Mail id-: orissaphilatelic@gmail.com
Rainbow
Stamp Club -http://rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/
Rajkot
Philatelic Society – Rajkot, Gujarat
Gujarat
Philatelic Association - Ahmedabad
South
India Philatelists Association -http://www.sipa.org.in/
The
Army Philatelic Society, Pune
Stamps
of India – http://www.stampsofindia.com
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. Readers may send reports on new issues, special covers,
cancellations & philatelic activities of their area for inclusion in this
Blog. - Editor
Current
Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters
-VADOPHIL,
Editor - Prashant Pandya &TimirShah and published by Baroda Philatelic
Society, Vadodara. Website -http://www.vadophil.org/
-ITS Stamp News - Quarterly - Editor: Suraj Jaitly Publisher: Indian Thematic
Society website - http://itsstampnews.blogspot.com/
-Ananthpuri Stamp Bulletin - Monthly e -stamp bulletin of Anathapuri Philatelic
Association, Thiruvanthapuram
-Journal of the Army Philatelic Society : Editor – Col Jayanta Dutta
-India Post – Quarterly Journal of the India Study Circle publishes original
articles submitted by members of ISC.
-Deccan Philatelist from Deccan Philatelic Society, Pune. edited by Col Jayanta
Dutta
-The Hyderabad Philatelist from Hyderabad Philatelic and Hobbies Society Editor
– Prakash Agrawal
-SIPA Bulletin issued by South India Philatelists’ Association
Courtesy
- News and Image Resource to this issue : Suresh R.– Bangalore; EIPA, Prayag
Philatelic Society, Orissa Philatelic Association Philately Promoters Whatsapp groups; India Post; Pradip
Jain, Patna; Shakil Ahmed, Cuttack
Address for communication:
Jeevan Jyoti, c/o Mr. Ajay
Srivastav, M.D., H.P. State Forest Corporation, Kasumpti, Shimla-171009, India
. E-mail – j.jyoti9@gmail.com
A Request to
Readers & Contributors –
·
Please do not send the text in scan form or PDF. Send
your write ups in MS Word only.
·
Last date for
receiving articles/ News /write ups – 25th of every month.
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For articles :
Kindly send images in jpg compressed form and text in MS Word only Please do not use any formatting and text wrapping
in the article. Simply put the images under text where required.
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If you like this issue please forward it to your friends and help
in promoting philately.
·
Please do not send forwarded messages for promotional
section if you want to give any information for promotion please write
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Attention – Please
do not send text or image for publication in PDF.
Any material from this newsletter may be reproduced only with the
written permission from the editor.
Happy Collecting ……….
Rainbow
Stamp News is edited and published monthly by Jeevan Jyoti from Dehradun (Uttarakhand ) India for free circulation
among philatelists.