Experience
Nature
Date of Issue: 14 August
2023
On 14 August 2023, PostNL issued a set of stamps “ Experience nature – Oisterwijk woods and fens”: a sheet of ten stamps in ten different designs.
Dehradun September 2023 Vol. XVI
Issue No. 189
Readers are
requested to send reports of philatelic activities in their area for
publication. Short write-ups by the readers about, 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
Distinguished Artists - Karlis Padegs
Date of
Issue : 18 August 2023
Kārlis Padegs (8 October 1911 – 19 April
1940) was a Latvian artist. He studied under Latvian painter Vilhelms Purvītis
at the Latvia Art Academy. His best-known work is Madonna with Machine Gun,
which belongs to the Latvian National Museum of Art in Riga. An extravagant,
aloof, and legendary figure in the history of Latvian art.
Editorial….
Dear Reader,
I am pleased to present September 2023 issue of Rainbow Stamp
News. Recently on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Karnataka Postal Circle introduced online Rakhi Post at a very
nominal cost of Rs 120 which included a Rakhi, card and postage with a surety
of delivering Rakhi on or before Raksha Bandhan. It is a very good step by the
Karnataka Postal Circle and after this, it also introduced online greetings’
Guru Vandana” on the occasion of Teacher’s Day. Such services should be
introduced by other Postal Circles too. It is quite good and very economical
and affordable for everyone. On these steps, India Post should also start Speed Post article collection from the doorstep with extra collection charges. There will
be no need to visit the post office. Visiting Post offices for speed post and other
article booking is very tiring and
unpleasant. It takes a lot of time standing in a queue. If home pickup service on
premium charges is started by India Post it will become very popular and very convenient for everyone. Those who
feel uncomfortable to go to post offices, can
easily avail of this service by giving extra payment. At present Free
pick-up service is available for Corporate and bulk customers. They may avail of free collection from their premises through on-call or regular collection
service. If India Post starts a Premium pick-up service for speed post article
collection from home it will be very useful.
India made history as
the first country to land near the south pole of the moon with its
Chandrayaan-3 lander on Aug. 23, 2023. India Post must issue
a commemorative postage stamp on Chandrayaan 3. Its successful landing made
every Indian proud.
This is all for this month. More in the next
issue. Happy
Collecting!
Contents
- Editorial
- From the Desk of Naresh Agrawal
- Recent Indian Issue
- In The News
- Specialized Section
- Beginners’ Section
- Book Review
- New Issues from Other Countries
- Philatelic Clubs and Society
- Blogs & Websites on Philately
- Current Philatelic Magazines & Newsletters
WHAT NEXT…continued
WHAT NEXT…continued
Continuing from the last discussion on WHAT NEXT from the last column, I thank some of our esteemed readers
who responded to this issue with serious concern and put forward their views,
opinion and also shared with us the problems their friends faced in disposing
of their philatelic assets or the assets of their own loved ones who left
behind huge collections consisting of all varieties, types, ordinary and rare
philatelic gems. I especially thank Dr. Sondhi, a veteran philatelist, and founder president of Ludhiana Philatelic Club who shared with us the problems he and his close associates faced in disposing of the material of one of his
friends after his demise. According to him, accumulation is easy as it is done
with time slowly but selling the treasure is very difficult due to various
reasons. I would also like to thank Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti, the honorable editor of
this bulletin who has also shown serious concern in this matter and has shared
her experience with the readers. Her
opinion is also given in the Readers' Views column followed by this column.
In fact, the philatelic market is volatile, flexible, and uncertain. Rare is rare only if it is accepted and established as rare otherwise it is just a small piece of
paper. Rarity is not inborn but it is created. Value is very hard to determine
and declare as it requires thorough and detailed information, history,
technical aspects, and also the present
demands and trends in philately, etc.
And then sales are even harder. And when it comes to disposal of huge philatelic
treasure at once about which complete information is unavailable; instant or
quick valuation is not possible. Market offers only less than throw-away prices not appreciating the value of individual pieces of precious or rare
philatelic stuff.
The big question is who will come forward and
help with sales /disposal of such material. Searching for buyers, showing them the
material, follow-ups, valuation, and negotiations which as very hard to materialize because expectations
are high but offers are minimal. It has been seen that either the material goes in junk or is thrown away or eaten by termites
or lost which gives complete disappointment to
the family members of such philatelists. The lifelong accumulation just goes in waste.
Hence, there is a strong need to come up with some solutions, some methods to help disposal of such material belonging to the philatelists
who wish to dispose of material due to old age, ill health, or other
reasons or the ones who have died or are
not able to sell the material. Systems should be so developed that it becomes
easy and affordable with reasonable price offers. Some philatelic dealers may
be identified and approved who could help in this cause or some committee needs to be formed to look into
such matters and help the family members of the old or deceased to serve them
with an easy process. Disposal fees may be kept.
PCI the parent body of philatelists needs to look into this aspect
seriously or the local associations of societies should come forward to help
this cause.
Before I move ahead to give my opinions, and suggestions and to discuss how to go about sales of the material belonging to a
deceased philatelist I shall give my opinion on the process which needs to be followed to conclude such disposal. Let us first
appreciate the fact that stamps and philatelic material is truly an asset. The
philatelist might have collected this as an investment or collected it over the
years for the love of it. But in both cases money, time, and effort are
invested with a concern to get returns out of it. But in case the material is
not sold it is of course a big loss for the family owners of such a philatelist.
To be
continued…….
Note: I invite views, opinions, and suggestions from readers. Please come
up with whatever comes to your mind in this context.
- Naresh Agrawal, email : nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in
Readers’ Views
-Dr SK Sondhi,
Ludhiana
Thereafter, I asked my friend’s son to store the collection securely in cardboard boxes. On my return to India, I with one of my philatelist friends visited his residence in March 2023 and stayed there for two days. The stamps were lying as left by my friend in April 2021. Some were infested with termites. We decided to move the whole collection to Ludhiana and started disposing of it in WhatsApp groups. The above story tells the plight of the majority of the old veteran philatelists. Thus, there is a need to address this issue at the earliest possible. Here are a few suggestions.
As stamp collectors
and philatelists, we enjoyed building a collection, developing an exhibit, and
acquiring philatelic literature. We are a temporary custodian of our collection
and one day our album will be closed once we are gone. While it’s not always
pleasant to think about what will happen to our collection in the future, doing
so sooner rather than later can save our family members a lot of inconvenience.
Therefore we should prepare an inventory, make a plan, and discuss our plan with
philatelist friends, and family members to dispose of our stamp collection. On
the pattern of the American Philatelic Society, the Philatelic Congress of
India (PCI) should set up an Estate Advisory Service Committee consisting of
volunteer Philatelists to assist the family of the deceased Philatelist in
disposing of his collection. The PCI should set up a philatelic library where
philatelists can donate their philatelic literature for the benefit of budding
philatelists.
With
reference to Mr. Naresh Agarwal’s article, I wish to mention here that disposing of a philatelic collection is a very big problem for near and dear of a person who is no more in the world. I am trying to help some whose
fathers were renowned philatelists but after their death, their children are
unable to evaluate the value of the collection they want to sell as they
say they do not need the collection anymore and they are unable to preserve the
collection. It is advisable that philatelists must give full information about
their collection to their sons/daughters. They must inform their children about
the estimated value of their costly and rare items. It is better that they
dispose of their costly items in their lifetime. Usually, it is seen that the second or third generation has no interest in the hobby and it is usually sold
off at very low prices without any proper knowledge. If some experienced
philatelists and fair dealers make a philatelic item evaluation team that
could be registered with any philatelic society or Philatelic Congress of
India, it will definitely be a great help for those seeking help in selling out
collection. As a part of the promotion of philately, some philatelic societies can
offer such services at nominal service charges which could be deposited in
their society as donation.
I personally feel
very sorry for my guide/guru in the field of philately, Late Shri BJ Kumar
noted philatelist of Kanpur, and the editor of U-Phil Times whose collection is
waiting for a fair offer. I am trying my best to help their relatives but still
could not help substantially as the Indian market is very down these days.
Recent Indian Issues
4 July 2023 : Sardar Antaji Mankeshwar Gandhe – Rs 5
26 July 2023 : High Court , Orissa- Rs 5
26 July 2023 : G 20 Leaders’ Summit , New Delhi 2023.
Aditya L -1 Mission: The First Space-Based Solar Mission
from India: 2 September 2023: Mumbai
Special cancellation: International Day of the World’s
Indigenous People : 9 August 2023 : Pune
New Rakhi Envelope
Issued by Karnataka Postal Circle for
Rakhi 2023
New Special Covers
Chandrayan - 3 : 1 September 2023 : Chennai
Freedom
Fighter : Padam Nath Singh : 25 August 2023: Pardaha
Chandrayaan
- 3 : 23 August 2023 : Bengaluru
In the
News
TAIPEI 2023
TAIPEI 2023
39th Asian International Stamp Exhibition
11-15 August 2023
TAIPEI
2023 - 39th Asian International Stamp Exhibition is
organized by Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd., Chinese Taipei Philatelic Federation, and
Taiwan External Trade Development Council.
Venue
TAIPEI 2023 is being held
at Taipei World Trade Centre, Exhibition Hall 1(Area A).
Heartiest congratulations
to all winners!
1.Umesh Kakkeri (LV) 2.
Piyush Khaitan (V) 3. Capt. Vijay Wadhwa (B+S+S) 4. M. Lokeswara Rao (S) 5.
Jagruthi Adka (V)6. Kaveri Soorya Swamy (V)
Award List of Indian Winners
- Umesh Kakkeri
GASS 2023
Mr. M. Lokeswara Rao received Large Vermeil and American Topical Association journal study group 3rd prize for his book Himalayan Birds on Stamps at Great American Stamp Show 2023 Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Bangladesh 2023
BANGLADESH
2023 FIP Sponsorship International Stamp Exhibition is organized by Bangladesh
Philatelic Federation in accordance with the Fédération Internationale de
Philatélie (FIP). BANGLADESH 2023 is managed and run by an Organizing
Committee. • BANGLADESH 2023 will open on September 29, 2023, and close on
October 02, 2023. • The exhibition will be held at the Bangladesh Shilpakala
Academy, Segunbagicha, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Approximately 400 exhibition frames
will be available.
Raunak Dutta is the National Commissioner
for Bangladesh 2023.
Raunak
Dutta : email : raunak.dutta1990@yahoo.in
Thailand 2023
Pragya Kothari Jain is the National Commissioner for Thailand
2023.email: philapragya@gmail.com
PEACE 2023
District Level Philatelic Exhibition 2023, Cuddalore Division, Cuddalore
India's first 3D-printed post office ( PIN
560008) inaugurated in Bengaluru
Unlike the traditional methods of slow bricklaying and rebar reinforcement in building construction, 3D printing is faster in creating structures.Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated India's first “3D-printed post office” in Karnataka's Bengaluru on Friday. The building is located in Cambridge Layout near Ulsoor Bazaar and spans an area of 1100 square feet.
This new approach to construction involves 3D-printing technology, which
requires minimal manual intervention and utilizes computer-controlled processes
to create three-dimensional shapes during building construction.
Stamps
on World Mental Health Day by UNPA
Date of Issue: 10 October 2023
WORLD
MENTAL HEALTH DAY 10 October 2023
The
United Nations recognizes World Mental Health Day each year on 10 October to
raise awareness about mental health around the world and to mobilize efforts to
support those living with mental health conditions. The theme for World Mental
Health Day 2023 is “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right”. Mental health is
an integral part of our general health and well-being. It is also a universal
human right. Having good mental health means we are better able to connect,
function, cope and thrive. Yet despite progress in some countries, people with
mental health conditions often experience severe human rights violations,
discrimination, and stigma. The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 8
people across the world live with a mental health condition While mental health
conditions can be effectively treated at relatively low cost, the gap between
people needing care and those with access to care remains substantial.
Effective treatment coverage remains extremely low. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to reinforce our shared commitment to deepen the value given to mental health, where anyone can exercise their human rights and access affordable, quality mental health care; and where everyone can participate fully in society free from stigma and discrimination.
Souvenir
Card: UNPA will issue a souvenir card for the World Mental Day stamp issue,
which carries a statement by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United
Nations and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health
Organization. A quantity of 7,500 cards were printed.
New Crypto Stamp from Liechtenstein
Crypto
Stamp 4.2 - Blockchain Technology
In spring 2023, Liechtenstein and Switzerland celebrated the 100th
anniversary of their joint customs treaty. The "Unity" (face value:
CHF 9.00) associated with this is also the theme of Liechtenstein’s latest
crypto stamp. Stamp 4.2 based on blockchain technology addresses the
Principality's relationship with its neighbour Switzerland.
If the special stamp is scanned using
app (Stamp 4.1), which is now also available for iOS, interesting
information, stories, and games can be obtained about the relationship between
the two neighboring countries.
Among other things, owners of the new Stamp 4.2 will learn about the
annual duck race on Swiss National Day, how it came about that 80 Liechtenstein
soldiers went to war in 1861 and 81 men returned, or how Prince Franz Josef II
managed to ensure that Liechtenstein was spared the horrors of the Second World
War through diplomacy.
Besides the fun factor,
blockchain stamp series also boasts sophisticated security aspects.
Owners can check whether their stamps are genuine by scanning the SQR code
printed on them and transfer their property to the digital data room.
News from Philatelic Clubs/Societies
Sikkim Philatelist Roshan Prasad wins the Literature Silver Bronze
Medal at the TAIPEI 2023 Stamp Exhibition
Singtam, 17.08.23: Roshan Prasad, an eminent philatelist from Singtam, Sikkim, has added another feather to his International Philatelic Medal accolades by winning the prestigious Silver Bronze Medal at the 39th Asian International Stamp Exhibition held at the Taipei World Trade Center (August 11 to 15, 2023) for his philatelic book, titled "The Stamp Collector's Dictionary,"
Mr. Prasad's achievement is a testament to his unwavering commitment to
philately and his dedication to preserving and promoting the rich history and
culture encapsulated in postage stamps. His book encapsulates years of
expertise and passion, reflecting his deep understanding of the philatelic
world.
"I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the Silver Bronze
Medal for 'The Stamp Collector's Dictionary' at the TAIPEI 2023 Stamp
Exhibition. This is my seventh International philatelic medal, Such recognition
motivates me to continue my journey in philately; and contribute further to the
thriving global community of stamp enthusiasts," said Roshan Prasad.
Mr. Prasad's success resonates not only within the philatelic community
but also among the people of Singtam and the entire state of Sikkim. His
accomplishment highlights the talent and dedication that individuals from
smaller regions can bring to the world stage.
|
Guru Vandana Greeting Post by Karnataka Postal Circle
Visit : https://karnatakapost.gov.in:4431/GuruVandana/
Karnataka Postal Circle
also introduced last on Rakhi Post online.
Bengaluru Postcrossers
ON 13th August 2023 Bengaluru postcrossers gathered again for a
memorable meet up , happened for the first time it was an INDO-CHINA joint
(Beijing & Bengaluru) postcrossing meet-up celebrating our culture
together, for example, a lunar year celebration and Diwali. We signed more than
600 cards inside a beautiful space of a book store at church street called
Bookworm with three beautiful designs curated by a Chinese postcrosser. We also
had a video call with all of them in Beijing China discussing handicrafts,
culture, UNESCO sites, and of course cards. Postcrossers from
Wayanad and Kanchipuram also joined us for this event.
-Praveen Shastry, Bengaluru
Bhubaneshwar
On 14th August the Partition Horrors Remembrance
Day was held at Bhubaneswar GPO, organized by the Department of Posts along
with a small exhibition on the topic. The Senior Post Master, Bhubaneswar GPO
Mr. Manoj Kumar Patnaik, Public Relations Inspector Mr. Sunil Kumar Rath, etc.
including myself delivered talks on the subject. Philatelists of EIPA and
Postal staff attended the function held at the Philatelic Bureau, Bhubaneswar.
- - Ajit
Kumar Dash , Bhubaneshwar
RAJPEX 2023
Precursor Event
Picture Postcard Design Competition
Nature: Save the Planet
5 picture cards based on children's drawings issued by Rajasthan Postal Circle
Press Clipping: Book Preview
1 October 2023 - World Postcard Day Meet-up
CITY/REGION: - 12 different cities of India
MEETUP PLACE: Philatelic Bureau/ offices of
Philatelic Societies
DATE: 01 Oct 2023
TIME: 11 am onwards
MEETUP PLAN:
Postcrossers and Philatelists will assemble at
pre decided places in 12 different cities of India like New Delhi, Vadodara,
Prayagraj, Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Anand, Shimla, Dehradoon,
Bhubaneswar , .Lucknow, Panjim.to celebrate World Postcard Day
these cities will be linked through zoom for
interaction among all participants.
A picture postcard as an ambassador of India to
the world will be released.
Moreover, all participating Philatelic
Societies/association/clubs will issue a postcard highlighting their regional
culture and heritage.
These picture postcards will be available for
exchange among Indian postcrossers and with other postcrossers of the world.
Interested postcrossers may contact at
vibrantpsoi@gmail.com for further details or whatsapp +9199455 16333 /
+917483602315 or +91 6364 140 877
To participate in the meetup, you may fill up
the following form
https://forms.gle/nvBBYFKrtuoqDtsr5 7
Specialized Section
Due to the non-availability of good and authentic articles, I am sharing
articles from other sources for the Readers.
Here are articles on ‘Balloon Mail from different sources. -
Editor
Balloon mail is
the transport of mail (usually for weight reasons in the form of a postcard)
carrying the name of the sender by means of an
unguided hydrogen or helium filled balloon. Since the
balloon is not controllable, the delivery of a balloon mail is left to good
fortune; often the balloon and postcard are lost. A found balloon should be
returned to the sender (by conventional post) with an indication of the
discovery site, so that the sender can determine how far their balloon flew.
Frequently balloon mail is sent as part of a balloon competition.
The address side of a balloon postcard from
the 1870 siege of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War
The balloon mail posts of Paris in 1870
The Louis Blanc, piloted by Eugène Farcot on 12 October 1870, was the 10th balloon mail of the 66 sent during the siege.
Historically, balloons were used to transport
mail from Paris during the Siege of Paris of 1870–71. About
66 unguided mail balloons were released from Paris to communicate with the
outside world, of which the great majority succeeded in delivering their cargo.
As the Prussian forces surrounded the city, telegraph lines were cut and
messengers were captured, shot or turned back. Two services were proposed,
by ballon monté (manned balloon) and ballon non-monté (unmanned).In practice, only manned flights were used.
After the siege, Anglo-French scientist Dr Pierre Wesby travelled to
Burton-on-Trent, where in 1873 he started a business to transport mail across
the Irish Sea to Dublin, from England. It is not known how this venture turned
out; the records of Wesby's company were lost in 1916, when a bomb from
the Zeppelin L 19 destroyed them.
In 1877, a 5-cent stamp for balloon postage was
privately printed in Nashville, Tennessee to carry mail on a June 18
flight of the "Buffalo Balloon" from that city to Gallatin,
Tennessee. Of the three hundred stamps produced, only 23 were used.
Balloon mail was sent
from Przemyśl, Poland (near the Ukrainian border)
during World War I.
Balloon mail has been used for spreading
information and propaganda materials, in particular for spreading
propaganda to the population in countries
with dictatorial governments. A balloon can be released from outside
the sphere of influence of these governments and, wind permitting, can travel
several hundred kilometers. This method of balloon mail has been used by
private activists to distribute leaflets to Warsaw
Pact countries from West Germany in the mid-1950s; and by South Koreans to North
Korea discussing the health of their leader, Kim Jong-il.
Source : Wikipedia
In the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the Germans encircled Paris, cutting off all communications with the rest of France – or so they thought. The French developed two ways to evade the blockade.
The first was to seal the outgoing mail in metal containers known as Boules de Moulins, and float them down the Seine to be retrieved by the French Army. These provided target practice for the Germans in trying to sink them, but some made the passage successfully.
The second way around (or rather over) was by gas-filled balloons which would float over the German line and land in friendly territory. This was more successful, but these were “free balloons” which were not controlled by the pilot. Normally, the pilot could only release gas to descend. The distance and direction depended on the wind. One balloon went as far as Norway/ But what does this have to do with Irish philately? Simple – 36 letters are known to exist addressed to Ireland. They were sent by British citizens trapped in Paris communicating to their families and business partners.
Balloon and Zeppelin Mail
In 1871, beleaguered Parisians used balloons to carry
mail out of their city. A headline in the New York Times on February
4, 1871 referred to the "Latest by Balloon Mail," from the city,
"from our special correspondent, and dated January 12, 1871." In the
first part of the 20th century, German Zeppelins carried mail across
continents and oceans. In the U.S., however, balloon mail never advanced out of
the fad phase.
The
National Postal Museum has a number of items in its collections that were
carried by balloons and airships including the Zeppelins.
Source : Smithsonian National Postal Museum
Balloon Mail, Ballons, Montes ,
and Zeppeline Mail
Read Full article : Balloon Mail
For Contributors : Guidelines for the article
1. The article should be a maximum of 10 pages
(A4 size) including images in MS word only. Long articles, if accepted, will be
published in parts.
2. Do not Format your article. Like no text wrapping, no caption on the images.
Simply insert the images where required.
4. There should be No Hyperlinks in the text. Use only wherever it is quite
necessary.
5. Images should be clear and sharp. Blurred images will be deleted. Kindly
strictly avoid non-phthalatelic images.
6. The article will be published as per the availability of the required space.
7. Regarding the selection and size of the images, the editor’s decision will
be final.
8. New, good and selective articles will be entertained for publication but
strictly subject to acceptance by the editor “. Articles already published
somewhere will not be accepted for publication.
Beginners’ Section
Early
Commercial Radio
US
#3184i – By 1922 there were 30 commercial stations and by 1923 there
556. Today there are over 15,000.
On August 20, 1920, Detroit’s 8MK radio station began daily broadcasts. Still in operation today, the station often claims to be the first commercial radio station, though a few others have also staked their claim on that title.The evolution of radio technology spanned decades with contributions from several inventors. Guglielmo Marconi is often credited as the inventor of radio, and won the 1909 Nobel Prize in Physics with Karl Ferdinand Braun “in recognition of their contributions to the development of wireless telegraphy.”
William E. Scripps is often credited with the creation of Detroit’s 8MK radio station. His family ran the Detroit News and had long been interested in the advancements in radio technology. In 1919, Scripps and Thomas E. Clark proposed the creation of a radio station that could broadcast throughout the Great Lakes region. In early 1920, they gained the support of Lee de Forest, a radio pioneer whose Audion vacuum tube made radio broadcasting possible. The station received an amateur radio license and adopted the call sign 8MK. Their early broadcasts were called the “Detroit News Radiophone.”
8MK began its nightly broadcasts on August 20, 1920, though these were
largely test programs only heard by local amateur radio enthusiasts. Then
on August 31, the Detroit News print an announcement on its
front page that nightly radio broadcasts would begin that night. The news
that night, which ran from 8 to 9 p.m., announced the returns from a primary
election as well as vocal performances by Lois Johnson. The next day, the
paper reported, “The sending of the election returns by The Detroit
News Radiophone Tuesday night was fraught with romance and must go
down in the history of man’s conquest of the elements as a gigantic step in his
progress.”
Over the next few months, 8MK offered daily broadcasts that
often-included phonograph recordings with news announcements. They also
reported on the heavyweight championship bout between Jack Dempsey and Billy
Miske as well as the 1920 World Series. In September they began weekly
vocal concerts and on November 2, they reported on the results of that year’s
presidential election. 8MK later changed its call sign to WBL and later
WWJ, which it remains today. WWJ considers itself “America’s Pioneer
Broadcasting Station” and where “commercial radio broadcasting began.”
US #1502 pictures Emile Berliner’s microphone
Thomas Edison’ vacuum tube, and Vladimir Zworykin’s photoelectric cell.
On November 2, 1920, KDKA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania had its inaugural broadcast, also sharing the results of the presidential election. KDKA received its license in October 1920 and is often considered the first US-licensed commercial broadcasting station. They would begin daily broadcasts in 1921. The station’s engineer, Frank Conrad, had been broadcasting from the call signs 8XK and 8YK since 1916. KDKA was the first of several radio stations already in existence to receive a limited commercial license and is still in operation in Pittsburgh today.
US #1501 pictures the transistor, which made
miniaturization possible and opened the door for the production of pocket radios
and computer parts.
9XM at
the University of Wisconsin was another early station. It received an experimental
license in 1914 and began transmitting Morse code in 1916. It first
broadcast music in 1917 and began regularly scheduled news and music broadcasts
in 1921. The station is still in operation today as WHA.
US #C86 pictures de Forest’s Audion vacuum tube,
“a device for amplifying feeble electric currents.”
Springfield, Massachusetts’s WBZ got its commercial license on September 15, 1921, and Newark, New Jersey’s WJZ got its license on November 7. However, these stations changed cities, while KDKA and 8MK have remained in the same cities throughout their existence. There were also a few other experimental radio stations that began operating as early as 1917, but they didn’t get their commercial licenses until 1922.
Source :
Mystic
Stamp Co.
World’s
First Undersea Post Office
Bahamas #264 –
1967 stamp picturing the photosphere and underwater post office.
On August 16, 1939, the world’s first undersea post office opened in the Bahamas. It was developed by an undersea photographer and garnered significant interest from around the world. Decades later, more underwater post offices and post boxes were established in other countries, many of which are still in operation today.
Bahamas #242 –
Surcharged Williamson film project and undersea post office stamp.
US #893 – Alexander Graham Bell visited Williamson’s photosphere in the 1920s.
The first undersea post office was made possible by photographer John Ernest Williamson, a pioneer in undersea photography. His father had created tube that enabled communication and air flow to underwater depths of more than 200 feet. Williamson expanded on the idea and designed a chamber with a glass window that could be attached to the tube and lowered to the sea floor. Williamson would lower himself in the tube to take photographs of the sea floor and its inhabitants. He called it the Williamson Photosphere and he set it up in the Bahamas in 1914. The Bahamas had clear waters that let the sun reach down to the seafloor to help illuminate his images.
Bahamas #216 –
1965 Williamson film project and undersea post office stamp.
In 1939, he started the Bahamas-Williamson Undersea Expedition to film underwater scenes. It was a scientific expedition that drew increasing interest, leading organizers to decide to set up a post office there for publicity. The post office opened on August 16, 1939.
The first two letters sent from the post office were written by the governor of the Bahamas. He took the tube down to the underwater post office and sent letters to King George VI and President Franklin Roosevelt. Roosevelt sent a response that read: “I greatly appreciate your kind thought in writing to me upon the occasion of the opening of this most unusual and interesting post office. I am sure that this unique contribution to science will give immeasurable pleasure to those persons who are privileged to visit the Bahamas.” Those who could make the trip flocked to the unique post office and collectors around the world ordered covers bearing the special “Sea Floor” postmark. The post office closed in 1941. which includes a cachet depicting it.
The small fishing town of Susami Bay, Japan, established an underwater post box in 1999 during a fair to bring attention to the area. It once held the record for the deepest underwater post box at 10 meters (about 32 feet). The box receives up to 1,500 pieces of mail per year. Mailers use special waterproof cards and write their messages with oil-based paint markers. Today, some of the cards are edible and flavored. Every six months, the mailbox is repainted, and every year, it is replaced with an old, unused mailbox. Click here for a brief video about the Susami mailbox.
Vanuatu opened its own underwater post office in May 2003. About 160 feet off the coast and 10 feet below the surface, the post office is made from a converted fiberglass water tank. Next to it stands a mailbox that vacationers can swim up to and mail out their postcards. They must use special postcards, made of waterproof plastic and embossed with a special stamp. The post office has a special metal device to cancel the postcards without ink since it would smear. A flag flies at the surface so they know the post office is open. When it first opened, the post office trained postal clerks to scuba dive to run the undersea post. However, because diving requires specialized training, local dive masters often help.
US #1730 –
Malaysia holds the world record for the deepest underwater post box, at about
131 feet below sea level.
Opened in 2004, Risor, Norway’s post office differs from the others in
that it the only dry underwater post office. The post office itself is an
old diving bell 4 meters (about 13 feet) below sea-level. Mailers place
their letters in a post box on the nearby pier. The letters are placed in
a watertight bag and taken down to the post office. Inside the dry bell,
the letters are stamped and brought back to the surface to be transported.
In 2015, Pulau Layang-Layang, Malaysia, took the
record for the deepest underwater post box – at 40 meters (about 131 feet)
below sea level. Postcards placed in the mailbox are sealed in waterproof
bags and then given a special postmark and stamped with the Malaysia Book of
Records logo.
Bahamas #204-18 – This set includes a stamp featuring Williamson’s photosphere as
well as an image of the sea garden based on one of his photos
Bahamas #230-44 – These 1966 stamps feature the stamp designs as the set above,
but are surcharged. Both stamps featuring Williamson’s photosphere and sea
garden are also included in this set.
Source: Mystic Stamp Co.
Book Review
The Parliament -
Gallery of owls on Postage Stamps
by Capt. Vijay Wadhwa
The Parliament – The Gallery of owls on Postage
Stamps by Capt. Vijay Wadhwa : Pages 372 : Type: e-book Kindle edition
Published by Amazon.com Available at Amazon The author may be contacted
at email: vicks552000@gmail.com Whatsapp: 8951166141
Here is another e-book related to Stamps on
Birds by Capt. Vijay Wadhwa. It is a specialized book on owls. The book gives
complete details about owls like their anatomy, physiology, food, behaviour
hunting, breeding, and many fascinating facts about owls. The author also
explains its relation to culture, mythology and literature. In this book, a
special chapter has been given to errors and varieties on owl stamps.
Owls are birds from
the order Strigiformes which includes over 200 species of
mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey typified
by an upright stance, a large, broad head, binocular vision, binaural
hearing, sharp talons, and feathers adapted for silent flight.
Owls hunt mostly
small mammals, insects, and other birds, although a few species
specialize in hunting fish. They are found in all regions of the Earth
except the polar ice caps and some remote islands. A group of owls is called a
"parliament".
Eyesight is a particular characteristic of the owl that aids
in nocturnal prey capture. Owls are part of a small group of birds that live
nocturnally but do not use echolocation to guide them in flight in
low-light situations. Owls are known for their disproportionally large eyes in
comparison to their skulls. An apparent consequence of the evolution of an
absolutely large eye in a relatively small skull is that the eye of the owl has
become tubular in shape.
Owls can rotate their heads and necks as much as
270°. Owls have 14 neck vertebrae compared to seven in humans, which makes
their necks more flexible. They also have adaptations to their circulatory
systems, permitting rotation without cutting off blood to the brain.
The coloration of the owl's plumage plays a key role in its
ability to sit still and blend into the environment, making it nearly invisible
to prey. Owls tend to mimic the coloration and sometimes the texture patterns
of their surroundings, the barn owl being an exception. The snowy
owl (Bubo scandiacus) appears nearly bleach-white in color with a
few flecks of black, mimicking their snowy surroundings perfectly, while the
speckled brown plumage of the tawny owl (Strix aluco) allows
it to lie in wait among the deciduous woodland it prefers for its habitat.
Likewise, the mottled wood-owl (Strix ocellata) displays
shades of brown, tan, and black, making the owl nearly invisible in the
surrounding trees, especially from behind. Usually, the only tell-tale sign of
a perched owl is its vocalizations or its vividly colored eyes.
The author has given comprehensive details about owls through
postage stamps issued on the owls. It is a complete study of owls through
the world of stamps. The book is very useful for the thematic collectors. A
complete exhibit could be prepared on owls with the help of this book. The book
is recommended for all bird lovers as well as thematic collectors especially
those collecting stamps on birds. It is a very good reference
book for every bird lover!
About the author
Capt.
Vijay Wadhawa is a well-known philatelist and lover of birds. He is a regular
participant in national and international philatelic exhibitions and has won
many awards so far. He has brought out 6 different e-books on birds.
- Jeevan Jyoti
New issues from other countries
Belgium
28 August 2023 : World Breaking Championships
Great Britain
5 September 2023 : 65th birthday of Peru’s most famous talking bear - Paddington
This
stamp issue is celebrating the 65th birthday of Peru’s most famous talking bear
- Paddington. The marmalade-loving bear was first featured in October 1958 in A
Bear Called Paddington, written by English author Thomas Michael Bond CBE.
Paddington’s adventures have now been translated into more than 40 languages,
with over 35 million copies sold worldwide, and the friendly bear has also
featured in several TV series and two blockbuster films, with a third in
development. A set of six Special Stamps from Ivor Wood’s strip cartoons of
Paddington, originally published in the London Evening News newspaper
in the late 1970s.
1st Class Paddington with a jar of marmalade
1st Class Paddington sawing wood
£2.00 Paddington pushing a shopping trolley
£2.00 Paddinton holding an ice cream
£2.20 Paddington carrying presents
£2.20 Paddington and a crab
Greenland
28 August 2023 : Additional Value
2023
Additional Value 2023
The Greenlandic Patient Home. Mint stamp 1
value. This year's additional value stamp issue will benefit an excellent
cause. Greenlandic patients drop anchor at the Greenlandic Patient Hotel in
Copenhagen when they are voluntarily or involuntarily in Denmark for treatment
or diagnosis of illness.
Luxembourg
12 September 2023 : SEPAC Local Market
Malta
8 August 2023 : SEPAC Traditional Market
Monaco
4 September 2023: International Bouquet competition
International Bouquet Competition
Organized by the Garden Club of Monaco, the 54th
International Bouquet Competition will be held on October 7 and 8, 2023. In
tribute to Prince Rainier III, the theme of the competition will be the Circus
Festival.
Portugal
28 August 2023 : Ethnobotany
About
Ethnobotany
Ethnobotany
is the study of the cultural interactions between plants and humans, a
relationship which began at the dawn of our history and took on progressively
more sophisticated forms as human societies evolved into civilizations. It was
agriculture that made this evolution possible, providing the steady supply of
food that was indispensable for stability and social cohesion.
Yet the
relationship between plants and humans was not limited to agriculture. These
living beings also provided raw materials that facilitated daily activities, in
addition to their appearance in myths, traditional narratives and as symbolic
elements. Until the mid-20th century, Portuguese society was mostly rural and
all activities were centred around plants and their annual cycles. Observing
and analyzing plants allowed our ancestors to accumulate a vast knowledge of
their properties and potential uses.
Portuguese
material culture included numerous objects linked to cultural activities or
necessities which have since profoundly changed or disappeared. Some have
survived and are now symbols of regional history or values. Safeguarding this
heritage is possible by giving it a new status, not necessarily linked to its
functional use but to its cultural significance, which evolves and adapts,
acting as a factor of identity and social cohesion. This philatelic issue
evokes objects that continue to be produced with raw materials of plant origin
following ancestral techniques, and others that are more recent, because
tradition can also have a contemporary genesis.
In
Forjães, the reeds that grow in soils flooded by brackish waters or in river
estuaries influenced by the tides are harvested to make their well- known
baskets. With a uniform texture and easy to work, alder wood is ideal for the
masks of Lazarim, which enliven the Carnival festivities and evoke the old
rural performances. The toothpicks of Lorvão, whose history is linked to the
monastery of the same name where they were used to decorate cakes and sweets,
are carved in willow wood, a common tree on the banks of the watercourses that
run through the region. In Glória do Ribatejo, the tradition of embroidery
with cotton thread is still linked to the cultural identity of this Ribatejo
community, giving distinction to clothing and textiles decorating the domestic
space. Raffia is the fibre used to make dolls that evoke the once famous
"Witch of Arruda", known in the provincial areas outside Lisbon for
her diagnoses and treatments, as well as for her "blessings to repel an
evil eye" with drops of olive oil dropped over water. In the Algarve, we
find the Mediterranean fan palm, the only palm tree native to Portugal, whose
leaves are used in palm crafts, one of the most well-known traditional
activities in the region from which everyday objects are made. In Madeira, the
famous inlay objects are still manufactured using local woods, such as the
Macaronesian holly, an endemic species of the lush Madeiran forest. Using the
inner layers of the young branches of the fig tree, skilful hands from Faial
create pieces in fig wood which are the most ethereal of all the Portuguese
ethnobotanical heritage.
This
issue is a tribute to all the Portuguese
who keep these traditions alive, recognising their value as guardians of a
heritage that is important to protect, enjoy and bequeath to future
generations.
Romania
24 August 2023 : 2023 Ciprian
Porumbescu Year
This
year, Romania Post celebrates 170 years since the birth of Ciprian Porumbescu
and 140 years since his death. As a sign of special respect for the great
composer and performer, the year 2023 has been established as “Ciprian
Porumbescu” Year.
An issue
with the same title, consisting of 1 stamp with the face value of Lei 9, a
perforated souvenir sheet having the stamp with the face value of Lei 34 and a
First Day Cover, will be introduced into circulation by Romfilatelia on
Thursday, August 24, this year.
He was
born on October 14th, 1853, in Șipotele Sucevei. He began studying music in
Suceava and Chernivtsi, continuing over the years to perfect his mastery of the
bow in Vienna.
At the
celebration of 400 years since the building of Putna Monastery, in 1871, he was
among the participants in the festivities, together with Mihai Eminescu, Ioan
Slavici, A. D. Xenopol, Nicolae Teclu and others, praised by the entire
audience for his violin playing. This is the moment when Ciprian Porumbescu
exclaimed: “Now I can die because I have sung to the whole of Dacia”.
Four
years after this event, at the University of Chernivtsi, where the great
composer was studying Orthodox theology, the Arboroasa Academic Society was
founded, modelled on the Romanian students’ society in Vienna România Jună.
Considered
a militant patriotic association, “Arboroasa” came under the close supervision
of the Austrian rule. Ciprian Porumbescu is arrested with four other students
and sentenced to three months in prison. Due to the harsh conditions of his
imprisonment, the composer became seriously ill with tuberculosis.
He
returned to the country, where in March 1882, he premiered his operetta “Crai
Nou” (“New Moon”) in Brașov, the first Romanian operetta, composed by Ciprian
Porumbescu after the text of the poet Vasile Alecsandri’s poem. The operetta
was a great success.
He
leaves the country and settles in Italy for a while to take care of his health.
His longing for the country and his unfulfilled love for Berta Gorgon, the
daughter of the pastor of Ilișești (whom his father had forbidden to have
anything to do with Ciprian), are a constant source of pain. He wrote to his
parents: “I am homesick. I will find the right way to it. I’ll cling to a stork
that comes back in the spring and I’ll stop right in the house’s yard”.
Seriously
ill with tuberculosis, on March 10th, 1883 he returned to his parents’ home,
where he died, under the eyes of his father and his dear sister, Mărioara, on
June 6th, at only 29 years old.
Ciprian
Porumbescu was one of the most famous composers of his time. Among his most
famous works are “Ballade for violin and orchestra” op. 29, the operetta “Crai
Nou” (“New Moon”), the patriotic song “Pe-al nostru steag e scris Unire” (“On
our flag Union is written”, the current anthem of Albania), “Trei culori”
(“Three colours”, former anthem of Romania). Among his more than two hundred
compositions are Serenadă (Serenade), La malurile Prutului (On the banks of the
Prut), Altarul Mănăstirii Putna (Altar of Putna Monastery), Inimă de român
(Heart of a Romanian), Odă ostașilor români (Ode to the Romanian soldiers).
The last
wish, written in the last stanza of the “Song of the Tricolour”, was fulfilled,
on the cross of his grave there are the colours of the Romanian flag and the
lines: “And when, brothers, I will go / From you, and I will die / On my grave
then put / Our proud tricolour”.
As a
gesture of great appreciation, on July 30, this year, on the stage of the
Musikverein in Vienna, the famous “Golden Hall” hosted the presence of the
Bucharest National Opera with the operetta “New Moon”, composed by the great
Romanian musician.
Philatelic Clubs
and Societies
Prayag Philatelic Society - https://prayagphilatelicsociety.org/
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.net.in/
The
Army Philatelic Society, Pune
Stamps
of India – http://www.stampsofindia.com
Blogs &
Websites
RAINBOW STAMP CLUB
This is a blog of e-Stamp Club www.rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com The idea of this blog is to extend the
philatelic fraternity to all corners of the world. Readers may write about
themselves with their collecting interests and share new ideas with other
philatelists. New Posts on recent
issues, news on stamp activities, and Contributions 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 in 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/
-Ananthpuri Stamp Bulletin - Monthly e -stamp bulletin of Anathapuri
Philatelic Association, Thiruvanthapuram
-Journal of the Army Philatelic Society
-India Post – Quarterly Journal of the India Study Circle publishes original
articles submitted by members of ISC.
-Deccan Philatelist edited by Dr Anjali Dutta email : dranjalidutta0303@gmail.com from
Deccan Philatelic Society, Pune.
-The Hyderabad Philatelist from Hyderabad Philatelic and Hobbies Society Editor
– Shri Prakash Agrawal
-SIPA Bulletin issued by South India Philatelists’ Association
Acknowledgment
- Phila Capsule from EIPA April - June 2023
issue : https://thefilacapsule.github.io/2023Q3/
- Ananthapuri Stamp Bulletin August 2023 issue
edited by Mohanachandran Nair: email : apa.tvpm@gmail.com
- Judaica Thematic Society, UK . Society Newsletter September 2023 edited by Gary Goodman email : judaicathematicsociety@talktalk.net
Address for communication:
Jeevan
Jyoti, 509, Design Arcade, Chandrabani, Wildlife Institute Road,
Dehradun-248001. 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
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- If you like this issue please forward it to your friends and help
in promoting philately.
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Please do not send forwarded
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Attention – Please do not send text or image
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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.
