150 years of the UPU
 |
Date of Issue : 30 August 2024 |
Dehradun September 2024 Vol.
XVII Issue No. 201
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
Red Cross Samaritans
Date of Issue: 30 August 2024
The Red Cross Samaritans are from diverse backgrounds, walks of
life, and levels of education and occupation. Yet, united by a common
altruistic spirit, they dedicate a significant portion of their leisure time to
tending to the welfare of others.
Editorial….
Dear Reader,
I am pleased to present the September 2024 issue of Rainbow Stamp News. This
is the 201st issue. Thanks for all your messages and greetings on the 200th
issue of the magazine. These days
participation in International Philatelic exhibitions has become very
expensive. For a Five frame exhibit, one has to spend more than Rs 70,000 and in One Frame class participation it is more than Rs 15000. Is it justified?? Are we purchasing
the medals or actually winning the medals. It should not go unnoticed that
these days in all the exhibitions generic medals are given so there is no difference
in the medal quality of any medal level. The medal is mentioned only in the
certificate. Moreover, the One Frame class exhibitors are the ones who are awarded
only points and no medals are given in this class. It definitely gives the
feeling to a participant that he/she is paying the price of the medal. What are
the criteria of FIP in deciding the venue for the exhibitions. Sometimes these
exhibitions are organized in those countries which are philatelically unpopular.
In these countries cost of holding exhibitions is higher than the other places.
Why the exhibitors should pay this high cost for participation in an exhibition
??? This not only includes the cost of the infrastructure of the exhibition but
also the hotels booked for Jury members, National commissioners, and the other
invitees. This is not the promotion of philately through exhibitions, where
deserving philatelists are unable to participate. Moreover, philately is the
hobby of the masses today not of the kings . Philately can only be promoted if equal opportunities
are given to people of even small pockets. It is a point to ponder …..
This is all for this month. More in the next issue. Happy Collecting!
Contents
·Editorial
· From the Desk of Naresh Agrawal
· Recent Indian Issues
· In The News
. Editor’s Mail Box
· Stories Behind Stamps
· Thematics
· Specialized Section
· Beginners’ Section
. Book Review
· New Issues from Other Countries
· Philatelic Clubs and Society
· Blogs and Websites on Philately
· Current Philatelic Magazines and Newsletters
HAND WRITTEN LETTERS
PRESERVE SOCIAL HISTORY : MOST IMPORTANT
PHILATELIC STUFF
Writing this column is my
best philatelic activity because it gives me love and appreciation of the
readers. I am truly thankful to all of you and hope you all will keep
bestowing your love on me in the same way.
Well, what to write for a
particular column is also very interesting act for me because every month there
are several topics on which I want to share my views with you but select
only one. And sometimes I do feel whether I am able to
express my views and feeling in appropriate manner or not. I would
request you all to overlook if any thing written by me is found not
up to the mark or not so well expressed.
This month there were
several topics in mind which I discussed with Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti
also such as Exorbitant exhibition fees for international
exhibitions like for FIP WSE URIGUAY 2025, Tremendous increase
in number of exhibitions being conducted now a days
etc.. but I am thankful to Mrs. Jyoti for sharing with me an article
impressing upon the importance of hand written letters which touched my heart
again as I had been thinking about it for long. Once I had written an
article impressing upon the philatelic importance of the written
text of the letters we receive. For me the letter inside a postal cover
or the message written on the post card or the content of the telegram or
the material sent through post packed in side the cover is more important
when it comes to the importance and significance of mail piece is
discussed. Though these are not so widely accepted as philatelic but these are
certainly postal, if not philatelic.
Well, friend, here firstly I shall discuss with you the importance of hand written letters in our non postal philatelic life and also in philately. To start with, I would like to share with you my personal recent experience substantiating my above discussion. This year during Rakhi, I received a cover containing Rakhi from my sister who resides in Punjab. She sends me Rakhi every year well packed with all the required contents like yellow rice ,Roli etc.. But the most important content used to be her hand written letter giving me all her blessings for my health and prosperity. That letter is the best thing my sister gives me every year and believe me I wait for that. Though most of the contents of the letter remained same full of blessings for me and my family. However, surprisingly, this year the cover did not contain that hand written letter giving me blessings. It was shocking for me and so for my wife. After the Rakhi had been tied and rituals were over, my wife rang up to my sister and thanked her for Rakhi but very emotionally and forcefully she complained her about the missing letter inside the cover and told that we were anxious to read her hand written words. While my sister felt sorry for this she gave reason for not sending the hand written letter full of blessing because she was not well those days and so failed to do so.
So friends, that’s the impact of hand written mail. Hand written mail piece is full of emotions, love and shows personal and intense concern. These are the true depiction of social and cultural history. The outer contents of a postal cover have limitations but the content inside a cover carries vast scope and are the reflection the true purpose of the carriage of that mail piece. It speaks about the real time status of individual, traders, industry, society and nation.
Well, coming back to philately, let’s talk about Open philately and Social Philately which allows philatelist to collect material like ephemera (pamphlets, hand bills, notices, tickets etc.) fiscals, photographs, Cinderella and letters inside the mail piece or the contents of a mail piece etc.. Even sometimes the contents and /or the text of the mail have philatelic importance also. The text speaks a lot about mind set of individual, relationships, social sets up, culture, rituals and of course about trade practices, political scenario etc..
Philately
can help the memories of yesteryears preserved through letters as old and
vintage letters are the biggest medium to help this cause. While we go through
the old letters and try to rediscover them we find they have an unprecedented
effect on the generations to come. For example, hand written letters by Mahatma
Gandhi are not only collectable pieces but have impact on the generations to
come. Hand written letters speak out the hidden personality, mind set and the
circumstances of the writer.
While
surfing net, I came across one site which gives ‘Letterly
Customized Handwritten Letter Service’ in India . This site for me is like
putting life in the forgotten writing habits. Further, the hobby of
making pen friends has almost gone in to shell. To revive the habit of
writing with hands, there is great need of reviving the hobby of making pen
friends. Habit of holding a pen in hands has become means obsolete, and
no longer in practice. But believe me pen friends making is the one hobby or
practice which is undoubtedly very helpful in reviving philately and also helps
in preserving history in making. Just think that writing letters or messages
with hands is a slow but a very thoughtful process where in every word written
is intense, meaningful, thoughtful and conclusive because there is no
scope for erasing and rewriting.
MY TRUE CONCERN IS TO GET THE CONTENTS OF A MAIL PIECE THE DESERVING PHILATELIC RECOGNITION
In fact, after having said all this my concern is to look in to the reasons why text on the letter of the contents inside the mail cover or packet are not considered philatelic. Why they are being ignored. We must not forget that it is the contents of the mail piece inside the cover which made the transmission or carriage of the mail essential. Without these there would not have been any cover having stamps, cancellations, marks, addresses etc.. Hence, the strong basis for the existence of philately is the text letter or contents. And surprisingly these are ignored.
I must thank FIP, other philatelic organizations and think tanks to slowly introduce and entertain some new philatelic classes in recent past such as Social Philately, Open philately, First day cover class, Special Cover Class, Picture Post cards Class, Frugal philately, Fiscal Philately along with the so called traditional philatelic trends. The reason is to promote, spread and giving life to philately. Open philately and Social philately are the classes which allows a good lot of non philatelic items to be included in the exhibit. The items such as ephemera (pamphlets, hand bills, notices, tickets etc.) fiscals, photographs, Cinderella and letters inside the mail piece or the contents of a mail piece etc. including the texted letters. These classes have to some extent given recognition to the text and the contents.
I wonder why the texted letter of the content of the letter or the contents inside the mail cover or packet has not received any philatelic recognition. Why this important part of mail has never been considered as a philatelic stuff. I just think if the mail of the text hand written or typed message had not been there would not have been any need for sending if written on the face of card or put in a cover which has postal addresses, markings, stamps, cancellations etc.. In fact, philately starts from letter / message writing and sending it through postal system which requires it to be either packed in cover to save it and to maintain the secrecy of the matter/text. If such is the importance of this piece of card or paper why won’t it be given philatelic importance.
Secondly when FIP or various other philatelic federations and organizations are coming up with new classes in philately such Social philately, Open philately, Revenues, Maximaphily, Picture Post cards, Polar Class, First day Cover etc., and are quite liberal in encouraging these classes by allowing some percentage of non philatelic items. Various new experimental classes are being introduced. However, Open philately and Social philately are as their name suggests are classes where most of the non philatelic items which have slightest of philatelic touch are allowed to be part of the philatelic exhibit. Then my submission is that such organizations need to think on the exhibit entertaining text of letter or the contents of any mail cover or packet.
While concluding my discussion here today, I would reiterate that the contents in side a mail cover/packet in form of text handwritten or typed or printed form is not only postal but philatelic also. And further emphasis that these are equally or even more important than the study material offered by the philatelic cover. The exhibits in this class may be allowed as in line with open or social philately class.
In the next column I shall
give my opinion on the scope of philatelic coverage and methodology of
philatelic exhibiting of such material. I welcome your opinion in this regard.
Naresh Agrawal, Bilaspur (C.G.) email nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in
Recent Indian Issues
5 August 2024 : XXXII Olympics
Paris 2024 – 4 x Rs 5 + MS
31 August 2024:75 Years Supreme
Court of India- Rs 10 + MS
New Special Covers
8 September 2024 : Ahilyapex 2024 : Chirand : Saran, Chhapra- Bihar
5 September 2024 : Diamond Jubilee Year : Uthradam Thirunal Pamba Boat
Race, Neerettupuram, Kerala
24 August 2024 : Krishna Janmashtami : Mathura
31 August 2024: Shri Khar Jain Swetambar Murti Pujak Sangh &
Religious Trust: Bombay
12 August : 2024 : Dak Chaupal : Gandhinagar
New Special Cancellations
5 September 2024 :
National Teacher’s Day : Trivandrum
20 August 2024 : World Mosquito Day
: Bangalore
29 August 2024 : National Sports
Day : Trivandrum
31 August 2024 : Paris 2024
Paralympics : Raipur
2 September 2024 : Paris 2024
Paralympics : Raipur
In the News
Sri Lanka releases World’s longest stamp
FIP WSE URUGUAY 2025
17-22 Feb 2025
URUGUAY 2025 is a Specialized World Stamp Exhibition with a
capacity of 2000 display frames, that will be held to celebrate the 200 years
of the declaration of independence of Uruguay.
Classes available for participation are: for Competitive
classes Postal History, Traditional, Postal Stationery, Aerophilately, Thematic
classes, Open Philately and Literature.
Detailed rules of exhibition (IREX) and Exhibit Application
Forms are available for download at https://uruguay2025.com/regulations/
The duly filled Form along with a copy of the first page of
the exhibit should be submitted by Sep 15,2024
To the National
Commissioner, Parvesh Kumar Gupta, Email maachis001@gmail.com
WhatsApp
+919810628387 OR to the Joint National Commissioner, Raunak Dutta , Email. raunak.dutta1990@yahoo.in WhatsApp +919830146836
PARTICIPATION
FEE
9.1 The
participation fee for Competitive Classes (Classes 1,2,3,4,5,6) is USD 100 per
frame.
9.2 The
participation fee for One Frame Exhibit (Class 7) is USD 110 per frame.
9.3 The
participation fee for Philatelic Literature (Class 8) is USD 90 per exhibit.
SPECIAL ATTENTION
Exhibitors Please Note:
There is no direct Flight to Uruguay hence there will be multiple
transit of Exhibits and Carrying cost of Approx Rs. 5000/- per frame over and
above Entry Fee & Insurance Charges.
CHINA 2024: ASIAN INTERNATIONAL
STAMP EXHIBITIONCHINA 2024 will be organized under the
Patronage of the Federation of Inter-Asian Philately (FIAP) and the Recognition
of Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP).CHINA 2024 will open on 29
November 2024 and close on 3 December 2024. CHINA 2024 will be held at the
Shanghai Exhibition Centre (Address: 1000 Yan’an Road (C), Shanghai, China
200040)
Mr.
Pratisad Neurgaonkar, is the National Commissioner, and Mr. Rajesh Paharia is
Assistant Commissioner for the China 2024 – Asian International Stamp
Exhibition.1.
Mr. Pratisad Neurgaonkaar – National Commissioner
Mobile
Number: +91 9766310553
Email:
pratisadn@gmail.com
2.
Mr. Rajesh Paharia – Assistant Commissioner
Mobile
No : 9351716969
Email
: shreetotal@gmail.com
MELBOURNE 2025
Melbourne 2025, FIAP recognised
International Exhibition will be held in
2025.in Melbourne, Australia
For more details: https://melbourne2025.com.au/ Mr.
Rajesh Paharia is the National Commissioner (WhatsApp +919351716969) Email: shreetotal@gmail.com
The FIP Patronaged 12th International Philatelic Exhibition of the United States gathers at the Seaport section of the city Boston Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) will be held from 23 to 30 May 2026. For more details: https://boston2026.org/
Visit : www.amsipex.com
News from Philatelists and Philatelic Societies
Bangalore
Karnataka
Philatelic Society
A
new book was launched on September 1st at the KPS monthly meeting.
STAMPING SUCCESS: OLYMPICS AND SPORTS PHILATELY FROM KARNATAKA by Jagannath Mani & Sushil Mehra
This book serves as a valuable resource for collectors seeking to enhance their philatelic exhibits related to Sports and the Olympics. It features a comprehensive collection of stamps, special covers, FDCs. It gives snippets from the collection of renowned Olympics Collector Jagannath Mani and philatelist Sushil Mehra One can check at Amazon .
For more information contact : Jagannth Mani : 9900404808
On National Sports Day, Bengaluru HQ
Region released a special Picture
Postcard from the Postcrossing Society of India. Additionally, the Karnataka
Philately Society launched the book “Stamping Success: Olympics and Sports
Philately from Karnataka”.
CURRENCY MUSEUM POSTCROSSING MEETUP
The recent meetup at Rezwan Razack's Museum of Indian Paper
Money, Bangalore was a memorable event,
bringing together around 20 passionate individuals with a shared interest in
philately and paper money. The event was conducted by Mrs. Reshma P V and
handled by Vasanth Kumar A and Ch. Praneeth Sai, ensuring a smooth and engaging
experience for all attendees.
Participants were treated to an enlightening guided tour of the museum, led by the curator, Mr. Murali Thantry. His deep knowledge and engaging storytelling brought the rich history of Indian paper money to life, making the visit both educational and enjoyable. The tour also provided a unique opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts and exchange insights about the fascinating world of currency and philately.
A heartfelt thanks to the museum authorities for their generous support in providing the venue free of charge, which greatly contributed to the success of this enriching experience.
- Praveen Shastry, Bangalore
Great
American Stamp Show 2024 : Mr M. Lokeswara Rao of Bangalore won Silver Bronze medal for
his book CITES: Endangered species on Stamps.
Raipur - Chhattisgarh
MARE
BALTCUM 2024- ESTONIA, INTERNATIONAL PHILATELIC EXHIBITION. Capt. Vijay Wadhwa
won following awards for his books
*LARGE SILVER : BOOK - "ENCHANTING BIRDS ON INDIA POST ".
Vermeil :"THE PARLIAMENT- GALLERY OF OWLS ON POSTAGE STAMPS"
5 OF
Capt. Wadhwa’s EBOOKS WERE RECOGNIZED
AND AWARDED AT GRAND AMERICAN STAMP SHOW 2024. ONE VERMEIL AND FOUR LARGE
SILVER .
Director
Shri DK Mistry, India post, CG Circle felicitating Capt. Wadhwa for Winning 5
Medals at Grand American Stamp Show 2024, Hartford Connecticut USA.
Cuttack, Odisha
Philately Promoters
Bibhuti Mohan Mohanty a philatelist from Cuttack, Odisha has been writing regularly the column ‘This date in Philately’
recently he completed 2515 issues of this column in EIPA Group. Mr Mohanty
collects Miniature sheet/ Indian Cinema personality/ Ramayana Subject / F.D.C.
special Cover (Collection) and has prepared 5 Frame exhibit on
Miniature sheets 5 Frames on Indian Cinema , 2 Frames on Gandhi and 3 Frame on Ramayana .
Dehradun
Philately and Numismatics Take Center Stage in Dehradun’s Unique Independence Day Celebration
*Dehradun,
15th August 2024*—The vibrant city of Dehradun witnessed a distinctive and
enriching celebration of India's 78th Independence Day, blending the nation’s
patriotic fervor with the love for philately, numismatics, postcrossing, and
antique collecting. Organized by philatelists Satpal S. Gandhi and Tripti
Agarwal in collaboration with the Nature Science Initiative (Dr. Raman Kumar,
Dr. Soumya Prasad, Riddhima Karwa and Apoorva), the event provided a platform
for enthusiasts to explore India’s rich history through stamps, coins, and
postcards.
Workshops and Interactive Sessions
The event featured workshops designed to engage both newcomers and seasoned collectors. Satpal S. Gandhi led a Postcrossing workshop, a philately workshop was conducted by Tripti Agarwal. Eminent philatelists and collection enthusiasts, including Abhai Mishra, Vinay Gupta, Nitin, Sukhvinder Singh, and Amardeep Singh, shared their stories and delved into discussions that added to the spirit of Independence Day while exploring the rich history of Dehradun. Participants gained insights into these fascinating hobbies, setting the stage for an enriching experience. The interactive sessions that followed were particularly memorable. The enthusiasm and passion shared by the community created an atmosphere of camaraderie and mutual appreciation.
A Celebration Through Stamps and Coins - Exhibits
In addition to the workshop, the event showcased exhibits by organisers and participants which highlighted the profound cultural and historical significance of India’s rich cultural heritage.
Among the most anticipated exhibits was a 3-frame philatelic display titled "Story of India’s Freedom Struggle through Postage Stamps." Curated by Tripti Agarwal, Philatelist from Dehradun. This exhibit took viewers on a chronological journey through India's fight for freedom, using rare and historically significant stamps.
Tripti Agarwal, also presented her internationally recognized exhibit on "Floral Melodies" which had recently won the People’s Choice Award at Virtual Stampex International 2024. The event also featured exhibits on a variety of themes, including the **Olympics**, **Ramayana**, **Kargil Vijay Diwas**, and the **100th Anniversary of the Kakori Rail Incident**. The numismatic displays were equally compelling, with Special Edition Silver Coin Sets on show. These included:
- A
Colored Souvenir coin on **Operation Vijay 1971**.
- A
silver **Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav Colored Coin** by MMTC.
- A
**500 Rupee Denomination Rani Durgawati Coin**.
-
**Mahatma Gandhi and Jawahar Lal Nehru Proof Coins Sets**.
These rare and valuable coins offered attendees a tangible connection to pivotal moments in India's history, further enhancing the educational aspect of the event.
A Resounding Success
The event concluded with the release of privately printed postcrossing meetup postcards, which were eagerly exchanged among participants, further solidifying the bonds within this close-knit community.
This Independence Day celebration in Dehradun served as a powerful reminder of how hobbies like philately, postcrossing and numismatics can bridge generations, offering a deeper understanding of India’s past while fostering a shared passion for preserving history.
-Tripti Agarwal, Dehradun
Thiruananthapuram
APEX 2024
APEX-2024 Results
1st prize Capt. Vijay Wadhwa - Evolution of a beak
2nd prize R. Mohan - I am too late
3rd prize Gauresh Mehra - Kourou To Comets Via Darmtadt
Juniors
1st. Jaagruthi N Adka - Olympics-Bird’s Eye View
2nd. B.
Shruthika - Geographical Indications - Tagged Products of Kerala.
Silchar, Assam
SILPEX 2024
A
district level stamp exhibition ( Non - competitive) was held on 24and 25th
August 2024. Two special covers were released during the exhibition. Mr
Arunendu Acharjee displayed his exhibit Salute to Soldiers in the
exhibition.
-Arunendu Acharjee, Silchar
Editor’s Mail Box
Prakash Mody, Toronto, Canada
Dear Jeevan Jyotiji,
Congratulations for 16 years of existence with the 200th Issue of Rainbow Stamps.
This issue is collectors'
favourite history of Indian Philatelic literature.
With best wishes for the
Silver Jubilee celebration.
-Prakash Mody, Toronto, Canada
Pradip Jain, Patna
Dear Mrs. Jyoti,
Glad to receive Rainbow celebrating its 200th issue. Rainbow Stamp News continues to impress and inspire philatelists worldwide. This milestone edition is a testament to its unwavering dedication to the philatelic community. The inclusivity and vibrant spirit of the publication shines through, appealing to collectors of all ages and backgrounds.
Rainbow Stamp News not only educates but also
celebrates the art and history of stamp collecting, making each issue a
treasured addition to any philatelist's collection. Kudos to the editor, Jeevan
Jyoti, for all her work and dedication in continuity. She is a striking
example of women empowerment in philately.
The words from Dipok Day, an artist,
eminent Philatelist and other fellow philatelists are complimenting the work of
the editor. The article by Dipok Dey and Dinesh Sharma is quite
interesting, each one of them and other fellow philatelist friends specially
Mr. Naresh Agarwal who contributed to the Rainbow journey deserve accolade/
appreciation.
Best wishes,
Pradip Jain RDP, FRPSL .Pragya Jain FRPSL, Patna.
Ajit Kumar Raut, Bhubaneshwar
Congratulations Ma’am for your continued
dedication please keep it up and share knowledge
Thank you.
Amol
Deodikar
Congratulations to you for bringing out 200th issue of Rainbow Newsletter. I also appreciate all hard work, dedication and efforts behind bringing Rainbow Newsletter every month.I look forward to enjoy the further future Rainbow issues every month.This Rainbow newsletter has immense contribution in Philately domain across world...!!
Wishing you all the
best..!! Thank you.
Stories Behind Stamps
- Nisarg Sutaria
Germany - Yacht Issue
The Yacht issue was a set of
postage stamps featuring the picture of the German Kaiser's yacht, SMY
Hohenzollern II, which were used in all of Germany's overseas territories.
Millions of stamps were manufactured, and they served as the primary form of postage
for all German imperial overseas possessions between 1900 and 1915. German
colonies at the time included German Samoa, Kiautschou Bay, Togoland, Kamerun,
German New Guinea, German South West Africa, and German East Africa.
History
The SMY
Hohenzollern II was launched in 1902.All of the German colonies were conquered
between 1884 and 1899. They belonged to the Universal Postal Union and used the
same postage rates as the rest of the German Empire. Initially, standard
Imperial stamps from the mainland were used, with just their cancellation marks
indicating their colonial use; later, the names of the different colonies were
overprinted on the regular stamps prior to sale. In 1900, a new stamp design
was produced for widespread use throughout the colonies.
The boat,
reminiscent of the Kaiser's imperial majesty, served as a symbol of German
might and dignity. The seafaring theme of the design emphasized the German
Empire's fresh hopes under Wilhelm II. The Kaiser had set out on a mission to
expand globally, and by 1898, he was swiftly developing his navy to compete
with other world powers, particularly Great Britain.
The
"Yachts" were introduced in 1900 and were the official postal design
for all German colonial mail until just after the onset of World War I. By
mid-1915, all German colonies had fallen to Allied forces, including their
postal administrations. The stolen German stamps, nearly all of which were
Yachts, were renamed and priced for use by the Allies during the war. The
yachts remained in service throughout the war, unlike the Kaiser's yacht, which
was decommissioned in June 1914.
Printing
The blank key plate can be
engraved as needed. Individual yacht issues were made from master printing
plates with blank "scrolls" surrounding the design. These "key
plate stamps" might be customized with names and prices as desired. Blank
stamps were sometimes manufactured and stored before being overprinted with
text. Fully engraved plates contain text that matches the design color, whereas
overprinted blanks have rich black ink.
The "lozenges"
watermark was used on the stamp back. The printing was done using the intaglio
method, which necessitated moistening the paper before printing. After the
drying process was completed, the random contraction of the paper caused the
produced stamps to have somewhat varied sized designs. Early printings were not
watermarked; however, beginning in 1905, the iconic "lozenges"
watermark was placed to the back of the paper.
Two designs
Two
different designs for the Yacht stamps were released. They were distributed to
each colony in a consistent set of colors and denominations. The less priced
varieties (3-20 pf. and 1-2 marks) were printed in monotone red, orange, green,
indigo, and brown. The more expensive versions (25-50 pf. and 3-5 marks) were
printed differently for aesthetic reasons: the little design's ship and text
were printed with extra heavy black outlines, and the larger design was printed
with contrasting colors such as red and green.
The
majority of the stamps were issued in German currency (1 Mark = 100 Pfennig),
though German East Africa used its own currency, the Rupie (1 Rupie = 64 Pesa
and, from 1905, 1 Rupie = 100 Heller). After 1905, the leased port of Kiatschou
utilized the Chinese Dollar ($1 = 100 cents).
Large
design Yacht
The
larger, more broadside, and more costly variant was printed in quantities of 1,
2, 3, or 5 marks. The big Yacht issues were panoramic and came in two subtly
different styles: one with a long unfurled scroll and one with a shorter,
double-folded scroll. In contrast to the modest design, they gave the huge
Yachts with visual uniformity among colonies by keeping the font size around
the same.
Small design Yacht
The smaller, forward-facing
design was more popular and was printed in denominations of 3, 5, 10, 20, 25,
30, and 50 pfennigs. The tiny Yacht editions are all identical in design, with
the only variance being the text. Because the size of the blank scrolls could
not be changed, significant changes to font size and structure were required to
accommodate colony names of varying lengths: German Southwest Africa was
distinguished from other issues by its tightly cramped letters, whereas Togo
and Samoa required decorative emblems to fill in the yawning blank spaces
around their names.
Allied overprint versions
Following
Allied conquest in World War I, the German colonies' stamps were seized, but
the majority were rereleased within a few days. Stamps were overprinted with
the occupiers' postal codes and redenominated in the new currency. This breach
of postal etiquette was ill received in Germany, and at least one provincial
governor in Belgium imposed severe penalties on stamp collectors and dealers
who possessed Allied stamps.
The
British surcharged issues of German New Guinea and the Marshall Islands with
"G.R.I." for Georgius Rex Imperator, just as they did Samoa. In
Kamerun, issues were overprinted with "C.E.F." for the Cameroon
Expeditionary Force. British and French administrations surcharged Togo's
stamps with "TOGO Anglo French Occupation" and "TOGO Occupation
franco-anglaise" accordingly. Many of these Allied overprints are today
extremely rare, and there are numerous documented forgeries.
Reference :
Image : Thank You eBay
Text : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yacht_issue
-Nisarg Sutaria : email : nisargsutaria78@gmail.com
Thematics
MAJESTIC WORLD OF AVIAN PHILATELY
-Capt. Vijay Wadhwa
Sooty
Albatross Phoebetria fusca
A beautiful smoky-brown albatross with bright white
eye crescents and an orange line running down the bill that gives this
otherwise regal bird a goofy appearance. Unlike the otherwise similar
Light-mantled Albatross, the present species’ dark head does not contrast with
the rest of the body. Also note Light-mantled’s less obvious blue-gray bill
line. Dark morph giant-petrels can be similar at a glance, but have larger,
bulbous pink bills, and average more long-necked and hunch-backed in
appearance. A pelagic species, ranging throughout much of the southern Atlantic
and Indian Oceans. Nests on a handful of islands in that region, favoring areas
with steep rocky slopes and tussock grass. The Sooty Albatross (Phoebetria
fusca) is a fascinating seabird that belongs to the family Diomedeidae,
which includes all albatrosses. This species is known for its distinctive
appearance, solitary nature, and impressive flying abilities.
Physical
Description
- Size: The Sooty Albatross has a wingspan of
approximately 2 meters (6.5 feet), and its body length ranges from 85 to
95 cm (33 to 37 inches).
- Coloration:
As the name suggests, the bird's plumage is primarily sooty-brown or dark
brown, which gives it a somewhat ghostly appearance when seen gliding over
the ocean. It has a slightly paler face, with a thin white crescent above
and below the eyes. The bill is black with a yellow stripe along the lower
mandible.
- Eyes: Its eyes are
dark, contributing to its overall somber look.
- Legs and Feet:
The legs and feet are black.
Distribution
and Habitat
- Range: The Sooty Albatross is found predominantly in
the Southern Ocean, particularly around sub-Antarctic islands such as the
Prince Edward Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, and South
Georgia. They are pelagic birds, meaning they spend most of their life at
sea, only coming to land to breed.
- Habitat: These birds are
adapted to the open ocean, where they can be seen gliding effortlessly
over vast distances. They prefer the colder waters of the Southern
Hemisphere and are rarely seen near land except during the breeding
season.
Behavior
- Flight: The Sooty Albatross is known for its graceful
and efficient flying style. Like other albatrosses, it uses dynamic
soaring and slope soaring to cover great distances with minimal energy
expenditure. These birds can glide for hours without flapping their wings,
making them excellent long-distance travelers.
- Feeding: Their diet
mainly consists of squid, fish, and crustaceans, which they catch by
surface-seizing or diving. They are also known to follow ships to scavenge
for offal and other food scraps.
- Vocalizations:
The Sooty Albatross has a range of vocalizations, including wails,
whistles, and grunts, which are primarily used in courtship and
territorial displays.
Breeding
- Nesting Sites: Sooty Albatrosses breed on isolated, rocky
cliffs on sub-Antarctic islands. They build their nests from grass, moss,
and soil, usually in areas with steep slopes that provide some protection
from predators.
- Breeding Season:
The breeding season starts around September to October, when pairs return
to the same nesting site they used in previous years.
- Monogamy: They are
monogamous, often forming long-lasting pairs. The same pair will return to
the same nesting site year after year.
- Egg and Chick:
The female lays a single egg, which both parents take turns incubating for
about 70 days. Once the chick hatches, it is fed regurgitated food by both
parents until it fledges, which takes about 5 months.
Conservation
Status
- IUCN Status: The Sooty Albatross is currently listed as Endangered
on the IUCN Red List. The population is declining, with the main threats
being introduced predators (such as rats and cats) on breeding islands,
bycatch in longline fisheries, and habitat degradation.
- Population:
The global population is estimated to be around 12,000 to 15,000 breeding
pairs, but this number is decreasing.
Cultural
Significance and Research
- The Sooty
Albatross, like many other albatross species, has captured human
imagination due to its solitary nature and remarkable flying abilities. It
has been the subject of various studies on seabird ecology, particularly
in relation to its foraging behavior and the challenges it faces due to
human activities.
The
Sooty Albatross is a remarkable bird with unique adaptations for life in the
open ocean. Its endangered status highlights the importance of conservation
efforts to protect these majestic birds and the delicate ecosystems they
inhabit.
.
Fascinating Facts
The sooty albatross is a biennial breeder, meaning
they breed every other year, with the exception of a mating pair unsuccessfully
rearing a chick, in which case they will try again the following year. This is
because the mating season spans from June of one year to May of the next and,
unlike other albatrosses, they do not participate in replacement laying.
Light-mantled Albatross Phoebetria palpebrata
A small, dark albatross with pointed wings and tail. Note the ashy-gray neck and back feathers contrasting with the dark head. Generally solitary, tending not to follow fishing vessels and ships as other albatross species do. Has a circumpolar distribution with breeding occurring on subantarctic islands. Distinguished from Sooty Albatross by the ashy-gray neck and back. Northern Giant-Petrel is another mostly dark seabird, but is larger with an obviously huge, pale bill.
The
Light-mantled Albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata), also known as the
Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, is a medium-sized albatross known for its
elegant appearance and graceful flight. This species shares its genus, Phoebetria,
with the Sooty Albatross, and the two are closely related, but the
Light-mantled Albatross has some distinctive characteristics that set it apart.
Physical
Description
- Size: The Light-mantled Albatross has a wingspan of
about 2.1 meters (7 feet) and a body length ranging from 79 to 89 cm (31
to 35 inches).
- Coloration:
This species is known for its striking plumage, which contrasts
beautifully with the dark, stormy seas it inhabits. The upper parts,
including the back, wings, and mantle, are a light gray or silvery-gray,
hence the name "light-mantled." The underparts are darker,
ranging from brownish-gray to dark gray. The head and neck are rich,
chocolate brown.
- Eyes: The eyes are
surrounded by a thin, dark eye-ring, which gives the bird a somewhat
expressive look.
- Bill: The bill is
black, slender, and hooked at the tip, perfectly adapted for catching
slippery prey.
- Legs and Feet:
The legs and feet are dark gray or black.
Distribution
and Habitat
- Range: The Light-mantled Albatross is widely
distributed across the Southern Ocean, with breeding colonies found on
sub-Antarctic islands such as South Georgia, the Prince Edward Islands,
Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island, and the Auckland Islands.
Like other albatrosses, it spends most of its life at sea, ranging widely
across the Southern Ocean.
- Habitat: These birds
prefer the open ocean and are well-adapted to the harsh, windy conditions
of the Southern Hemisphere's higher latitudes. They are rarely seen near
land except during the breeding season.
Behavior
- Flight: The Light-mantled Albatross is a master of
dynamic soaring, using the wind currents above the ocean to glide effortlessly
for long periods without flapping its wings. This energy-efficient flight
allows it to cover vast distances in search of food.
- Feeding: Their diet
consists mainly of squid, fish, and krill, which they catch by
surface-seizing or shallow diving. They are also known to scavenge,
following ships to feed on discarded fish and offal.
- Vocalizations:
This species has a variety of calls, including soft whistles, moans, and
wails, especially during courtship displays and when defending their nests.
Breeding
- Nesting Sites: Light-mantled Albatrosses breed on steep, rocky
cliffs or slopes on remote sub-Antarctic islands. The nests are built from
grass, moss, and soil, and are typically located in isolated, sheltered
spots.
- Breeding Season:
The breeding season begins in October to November. They are monogamous,
and pairs return to the same nesting site each year.
- Egg and Chick:
The female lays a single egg, which is incubated by both parents for about
65 to 75 days. After hatching, the chick is cared for by both parents and
fledges after 140 to 170 days.
- Parental Care:
Both parents are involved in feeding the chick, regurgitating a
nutrient-rich substance that provides the young with the necessary energy
to grow.
Conservation
Status
- IUCN Status: The Light-mantled Albatross is listed as Near
Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Although it is not as severely threatened
as some other albatross species, it faces similar dangers, including
bycatch in longline fisheries, climate change, and predation by introduced
species on breeding islands.
- Population:
The global population is estimated to be around 19,000 to 24,000 breeding
pairs, but trends are difficult to assess due to the remote locations of
their breeding sites.
Cultural
Significance and Research
- The Light-mantled
Albatross is admired for its beauty and the grace with which it navigates
the open ocean. It has been a subject of interest for ornithologists
studying seabird ecology, particularly in relation to its foraging
strategies, breeding behavior, and the impact of environmental changes on
its life cycle.
Fascinating
Facts
Light-mantled
sooty albatross are the most abundant breeding albatrosses on Macquarie Island,
where approximately 1,000 pairs nest every year. In the 19th century, light-mantled sooty albatrosses were named
'Blue Bird' by sealers because their plumage looked blue in strong Antarctic
light.
The
Light-mantled Albatross is a remarkable seabird with distinctive silvery-gray
plumage and a highly specialized lifestyle adapted to the challenging
conditions of the Southern Ocean. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensure
the survival of this species in the face of ongoing environmental challenges.
-Capt Vijay Wadhwa :
email : vicks552000@gmail.com
Specialized Section
BRITISH
INDIA BAZAR CARDS
MIRROR
OF HINDU MYTHOLOGY
( PICTURING RAMAYANA AND
LORD HANUMAN IMAGES ONE OF THE HEROES OF RAMAYANA AND THE IMAGINATION OF MODERN
HINDU RELIGIOUS IDENTITY )
-By Naresh Agarwal
India 1906 Advert Bazaar Card shows Hanuman God carrying a mountain
BRITISH
INDIA BAZAR CARDS :
Stamps
are considered as mirror of art, culture, history, religion, mythology and
other aspects of any country or society but it is not only stamps but other
postal material and stationery also shares their part for the same purpose.
Various philatelic materials depict and project various such aspects through
the quotes, slogan, text or pictorial advertisements, vignettes printed on them
and also through cancellations, labels and private text and sketches drawn /
written on them.
British
India period around the start of 20th centaury saw a great
revolution in changing trends of postal cards which were in immense use during
that period. Postal cards gave new direction to postal culture and gave new
dimensions to the utility of this mode of postal communication for various
social, religious, business promotional and propaganda activities. Apart from
those which had pre paid printed stamps issued by postal administration, that
period saw a new culture of substantial use of private printed postal cards.
Such post cards were developed mainly by the merchants of major cities of all
over India who advertised their products or business through text or pictorial
matters printed on the either side of the post cards or postal covers which
used postal stamps affixed on them for payment of postage.
India 1905 Bazar Picture Postcard -Hanuman GOD
1900-30
"Bazaar" cards and covers were in fact illustrated advertising
postcards and envelopes from various merchants in larger cities (Bombay, Delhi,
Madras, Poona City, etc) promoting their products. These private printed post
cards also showed printing of various pictures/ glimpse of various religions of
India which were either printed by individual merchants / traders giving
specific quotes and pictures or were also available in market with some
standard pictorial printing done on either side of the cards. Such private
printed post cards which were also on common sale in the market for usage even
by non- merchants. Because those cards were mainly used by the merchants of
bazaars of India for their business transactions and communication; the cards
were known as bazaar cards.
Lord Ram and His wife Sita : British India Bazaar 1906 Postcard
Some of
the cards had pictures of heroes of various mythological epics of India showing
various deities, gods, scenes / images of the episodes of the epics. These
cards certainly helped in promotion of religious awakening and enthusing
religious spirits in India. One will certainly see a consideration of the
relationship between Indian bazaar art shown on bazaar cards of that era and
the formation of a modern, pan-Indian Hindu religious identity. It is seen that
the popular, mechanically reproduced lithographs of Hindu mythological heroes
have attracted more attention than they have so far received from scholars of
religion.
While
some scholars in other fields have written politically about these images but
one should take seriously their religious genealogy and treat them as
vernacular religious texts where these images act as sources of insight into
the formation of a modern Hindu religious identity. It is assumed that there is
such an entity as Hinduism that is “Sanatana Dharma”
A close
study of such cards revealed that there was a huge variety of such cards which
highlighted Hindu Mythology on them as one could see the glimpse of Heroes of
Ramayana, Mahabharata, various Hindu deities and gods & scenes / images of
various other epics on the pictures imprinted on the cards covering partial,
half or in some cases full side of such the cards and covers. These prints were
similar to business card or letterhead known as ‘Corner Card’. It usually
included a return address. These Indian Bazaar Cards also falls in this
category.
Ramayana
Rama and his wife Sita, seated, with Rama's brother
Lakshmana fanning them, and Hanuman, the Monkey God, kneeling in front of them.
From the great Hindu epic, the Ramayana
Ramayana
has been the main epic of Indian mythology and is followed by every Hindu. The
main story of the Ramayana is about Lord Rama. In short the Ramayana is about
Rama who was born in a royal family and was supposed to be the king, but
because of his step- mother, he was forced to exile from his kingdom for
fourteen years. During this period his consort Sita was kidnapped by a demon
called Ravan, who was the king of Lanka. Rama with the help of his brother,
Lakshman, and an army of monkeys under the leadership of Hanuman, rescued Sita.
Valmiki wote Ramayan in Sanskrit Sant Tulsidas wote
Ram Chritmanas
Ramayana
was originally written by a sage Valmiki in the Sanskrit language and later on
it was translated into other languages in different versions. Sant Tulsidas
wrote Ram Chritmanas giving details of deeds of Ramayana in poetic form. The
main story of the Ramayana is about Lord Rama. In short the Ramayana is about
Rama who was born in a royal family and was supposed to be the king, but
because of his step- mother, he was forced to exile from his kingdom for
fourteen years.
But the
Ramayana isn't only about Lord Rama and his attempt to rescue his consort Sita.
Ramayana is also about devotion, loyalty, family roles and respect to elders.
The
Ramayana does not begin with the life of Rama, but actually with the people on
earth who suffered from the demon named Ravan, a cruel king who terrorizes the
people of earth.
Ravana : The Villain had ten faces
Rama gets married to Sita.
Sita is an adopted daughter of another king. In order to win her hand, he won
the contest of bending a bow, which belonged to Lord Shiva.
HINDU DIETIES RAM AND SITA
BAZAR CARDS 1906-TWIN COBRA OVERPRINTS- SNAKE CANCELLATIONS
OF GWALIOR,
King
Dasrath intended to inherit his kingdom to his eldest son, Rama. But Sumitra
another wife of Dashraths was provoked by her maid asks for exile of fourteen
years in forests to Rama and her son Bharat to heir kingdom. King Dasrath who
is in great dilemma and pain, eventually bows to her demands
Rama
accepts his father's decision without any argument. He along with his wife
moved out for exile. His brothers Lakshman also decides to join his brother in
exile. They moved in to forests, crossed rivers..
Bazar card 1905 - Rama’s Exile : Ram and Laxman,Sita roamimng in forests.
They
came across various demons. There in one forest,a female demon, Surpanakha fall
in love with Rama and she tried to seduce him. Rama being a loyal husband
refused to her flirts, so she tries to kill Sita. At this point Lakshman took
his sword and cut the demon's nose. She went to her brother, Ravan, and told
him of the disgrace that happened to her. Ravan decided to avenge this
humiliation by kidnapping Rama's wife Sita. He even noticed that she is very
beautiful and desired her.
Ramayana
Boat Imag : India Indore State 1907 illustrated Bazar Card
To
kidnap Sita, Ravan planted a beautiful deer near Rama’s hut in forest which
Sita saw and urged Rama to get it. Rama ran after deer to get it. Later, Laxman
also followed rama. And then, Ravna kidnapped Sita and flew to Lanka with her
and placed her in a garden.
Ramayana Archery : Ram and Laxman chasing deer as
requested by Sita Mata
Indore
State 1906 illustrated Bazar card
When
Rama returned, a vulture who had fought Ravna to rescue Sita, was found dying
told them that Ravan kidnapped Sita. Rama and Lakshman decided to find out
Sita.
RAMAYANA
AND HANUMAN :
Rama and
Lakshman needed an army to find and fight Ravan and they got this help from the
monkeys. The king of monkeys who was exiled by his brother got Rama's help to
fight and slain his brother. After regaining his throne the monkey king
assigned one of his commanders, Hanuman to serve Rama in his
assignment to find Sita.
Lord
Hanuman could fly: Flying over Rawana’s Sri lanka : Bazaar King Edward Postcard
After
reaching Lanka, Hanuman met Ravan who did not offer Hanuman a chair to sit.
Hence Hanuman created his own thorn by extending his tail long enough and then
sitting in front of Ravana.
India Bazaar Card 1905 – Ramayana image : Ravana surprised as Hanuman sits on his elongated/extended coiled tail
Ravana was shocked to see
this and called his demons to set Hanuman's tail on fire. When Hanuman went to
Lanka Ravana's soldiers tied Hanuman's tail with rags fabrics and Hanuman made
the tail longer and longer. The exhausted demons set fire to his tail.
Now it was Hanuman's turn
he jumped all over Lanka setting the entire city ablaze with his tail still on
fire.In the fight between Ram and Ravana to free Sita, Ravana made an assault
on Ram Seeing this, Hanuman, roving his club, came close to Ravana. To show the
might of Hanuman, he did not hit Ravana with his "Gada", the Club,
but gave a big blow with his free hand. Ravana's entire body and his ten heads
were terribly shaken.
Hanuman who was capable of
flying, flown to Lanka and found Sita in Ravna’s garden guarded by female
demons, in a depressed mood. He proved to her that he was Rama's messenger and
offered to carry her back.But to vindicate her honor she preferred that Rama
himself should rescue her. Hanuman promised that Rama would come and rescue
her.
Lord
Hanuman Ji reached Sri Lanka
India
Gwalior State QV 3p on illustrated Bazar Card 1904
After Hanuman's return,
Rama planned his way to reach Ravan's island. Rama and his advisers planned a
bridge to Lanka in the sea with trees and rocks from forests and arrived Lanka
and offered Ravna a peaceful solution but Ravna’s refusal set a war in which
even Rama and Laxman got hurt. The monkeys also began to get weak because
Ravan's forces use biological weapons, which weaken their senses. So a medical
expert in Rama's forces claimed that to neutralize that a special herb named
Sanjeevani booti was required which existed in a far away mountain, named
Mahodaya (Dronagiri in Himalayas).
Hindu
Deity Veer Hanuman :Checking Herbs to find Sanjeevani Booti
BAZAR
CARDS-1905 TWIN COBRA OVERPRINTS- SNAKE CANCELLATIONS OF GWALIOR
Hanuman flew to that
mountain and found out that the mountain was full of different herbs, so he
brought the whole mountain to Lanka. Slowly the forces got back to their
senses.
Bazaar Card 1905 : Hanuman Ji carrying the Sanjeevni Parvat
Eventually
after many battles Ravan faced Rama and after two continuos days of battles
Rama kileds Ravan and visited Sita. But the Ramayana does not end here. The
fact that Sita lived in another man's palace caused some rumors about her
chastity. She was obliged to take a fire test in which she sat in a fire but
came out unharmed and therefore was purified from charges.
Lord Rama with his brothers, wife and Sri Hanuman
India Indore State 1907 illustrated Bazar Card
In the
original version of the Ramayana, after Rama and Sita returned to Ayodhya, the
capital of Kosala the rumors about Sita's adultery in Ravan's captivity
continued and therefore the people disrespected her. So Rama, who was now the
king, decided to banish Sita from his kingdom. In the forests she met a sage
named Valmiki, who later on wrote the Ramayana. In Valmiki's ashram Sita gave
birth to two twins of Rama, Lav and Kush. Those two children learnt from
Valmiki to sing the Ramayana as a poem and they went everywhere and started
telling everyone the Ramayana, meaning Rama's story. They even arrived into
Rama's court and told him his story and so Rama recognized his sons. He brought
back his wife Sita who decided to prove her loyalty to Rama by asking Mother
Earth to swallow her if she was loyal to Rama and so Mother Earth to testify
her loyalty, opened up and swallowed her and Sita disappeared into earth. Later
on Rama himself jumped in the river to end his life, followed by many.
: Naresh
Agrawal , email : nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in
Beginners’ Section
Beer Stamps
On September 1, 1866, the first US Beer stamps were issued.While duties, tariffs, and state taxes on beer had been instituted decades earlier, the first large-scale federal tax on beer was created on September 1, 1862. The tax was created to help fund the Union Army for the Civil War. During those four years, officials would collect the $1 per barrel tax in cash.
When the war came to an end, the government
decided to keep the tax but also decided to start producing stamps to help
account for paid taxes. The tax of $1 per barrel remained the same. The new
stamps were produced for various barrel sizes between 1/8th of a barrel up to 1
hogshead. A hogshead was a 63-gallon container, equal to two 31.5 gallon
barrels. These first stamps were issued on September 1, 1866, making them the
first stamps issued for use on alcoholic beverages, though they didn’t appear
in Scott Catalogue until 1994.
Brewers received Beer Tax Revenue stamps in
imperforate sheets and were required to attach the stamps to the spigot of the
beer barrel before it left the brewery. In most cases, this meant the stamps
were destroyed when the barrels were opened. However, some people carefully
removed the stamps and preserved them.
The first two issues of Beer stamps (1866 and
1867) had ornate circular designs. The stamps of 1870 had a square format with
an open rectangular area in the center for the cancellation. Each stamp had
different colored security lines in the cancellation area.
Up until 1870, each set of beer stamps was produced in six different denominations. In 1871, a new series was produced featuring seven denominations. The new set included a 33⅓¢ for 1/3 of a barrel. These new stamps had a very different design too, they pictured historical figures – Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Daniel Webster, David Farragut, William T. Sherman, Hugh McCulloch, and Alexander Hamilton. They also featured intricate scrollwork similar to that found on paper money and other security printing.
US #REA34 from the 1875 issue.
In 1875, another series of Beer stamps was produced. Once again it included seven denominations, but this time they all had the same central vignette, which was called “Bacchus Serving the First Fermented Brew to Man.”
A new series in 1878 returned to featuring portraits of notable Americans, though this set featured a different group – George Washington, Thomas Corwin, Thomas Hart Benton, George Thomas, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Johnson, and Silas Wright.
US #REA45 from the 1898 issue.
Twenty years later,
the stamps of 1878 were surcharged to reflect an increase in the tax rate to $2
per barrel. The increase was put in place to help fund the Spanish-American
War. Later in 1898, the stamps were reprinted with the new increased values.
In 1901, the federal beer tax was reduced to $1.60 per barrel and new stamps featuring the same portraits from the previous issue were produced. Then in 1902, the tax rate was reduced to $1, so some stamps were surcharged and then all the stamps were again reissued at the new rate.
In 1909, the design with the historical figures was abandoned and new stamps were issued with large denominations in the center. In 1914, these stamps were surcharged to a new rate of $1.50 per barrel and overprinted “Emergency Tax Under Act of 1914.” New stamps were produced later that year to reflect the new rate.
The outbreak of World War I saw the beer tax increase to $3 per barrel in 1917 and $6 per barrel in 1918. As with previous issues, existing stamps were surcharged to reflect the new tax. No Beer stamps were produced or used after January 17, 1920, when prohibition went into effect.
New Beer stamps wouldn’t appear until after prohibition was repealed in 1933. The stamps of this era were smaller and the word beer was replaced with “Fermented Liquor” or “Fermented Malt Liquor.” The stamps were also no longer denominated in monetary values, but simply in barrels. The tax rate over the next few years would vary from $5 in 1933 up to $9 in 1951, after which their use was discontinued.
Source :
Mystic Stamp Co.
Book Review
-By Jeevan Jyoti
Gandhi
Connections
Compendium of Indian post offices with names related to Gandhiji
By
Sushil Mehra
Gandhi
Connections – Compendium of Indian Post Offices with names related to Gandhiji
By Sushil Mehra : Pages :238 Type : Paperback : Publisher : Sushil Mehra : Edition 2024 (
First) : ISBN No. : 978-969-52-9256-3 : Available
at Amazon
Author’s email : gaureshmehra@gmail.com
Ph.9972091818
Gandhi Connections is a unique book of compilation of the lists of post offices on Mahatma Gandhi’s name all over India located in different states. Mahatma Gandhi theme is a world - wide theme in philately.
The list of post offices is
given state wise .The list includes Post
office Name, PIN code, Telephone No.,, Taluk, District and State. Color images
of First Day Covers , Special Covers and postal stationery with cancellation
from these post offices have been given in the book. The printing quality of the
book is very good illustrating sharp images of the covers and cancellations. The
second part of the book gives covers, letters, special covers postal stationery, speed post letters Foreign
mail with Gandhi ji Labels, special cancellations, meter marks and telegrams related to Gandhi Ji.
The presentation and layout of the book is excellent. This unique collection of the list of post offices named after Mahatma Gandhi opens a new chapter for those collecting on Gandhi theme. It will help them in preparing exhibits in Thematic class as well as in the postal history class. The collection of letters with postmark from these post offices can form a very good exhibit. Gandhi Connections" provides a meticulously researched list, complete with the name and pin code of each post office. This book can be helpful for philatelists collecting items on Gandhiji. The book will be liked by all stamp collectors. It is an asset for library of a philatelist and philatelic societies. It is a good reference book for all stamp collectors.
Author
Harmonious Journey
By N. Sridevi
Harmonious Horizons By N. Sridevi : Pages 408 : Format : Kindle edition : Available on Amazon : Author’s contact details : N.Sridevi - Whatsapp No.9448030936 - email : sridevi57@gmail.com
The book ‘Harmonious Horizon By N. Sridevi is a very
comprehensive book on Musical Instruments. The book gives complete information
on Musical instruments used all over the world of modern and ancient era..
A musical instrument is
used to make musical sounds. Once humans moved from making sounds with
their bodies for example, by clapping—to using objects to create music from
sounds, musical instruments were born. Primitive instruments were probably
designed to emulate natural sounds, and their purpose was ritual rather
than entertainment. The concept of melody and the artistic pursuit of musical
composition were probably unknown to early players of musical instruments.
Early musical
instruments were made from "natural objects" such as shells and plant
parts. As instruments evolved, so did the selection and quality of materials.
Virtually every material in nature has been used by at least one culture to
make musical instruments. One plays a musical instrument by interacting
with it in some way for example, by plucking the strings on a string
instrument, striking the surface of a drum, or blowing into an animal
horn.
This book
gives details about the history, classification, cultural significance,
evolution, Impact and the future of musical instruments in different chapters.
The book is illustrated with colourful stamps, covers, cancellations and other
philatelic items issued on the musical Instruments by postal administrations of
the world. The book gives very good information on indigenous and folk
instruments as well as on latest electronic musical instruments. The readers
would find the book very informative and interesting.
The book is a complete guide for those, collecting stamps related to ‘music’ theme or specifically on musical instruments. It will help them to prepare the plan of their exhibit systematically. The book also features many types of philatelic items related to musical instruments. It gives the collectors an opportunity to explore various items on the theme. The book will be an asset for all music lovers as well as the thematic philatelists collecting stamps on Music and preparing exhibits on Music and musical instruments as well. I recommend this book to all thematic collectors and Music Lovers.
About the author
Ms. N. Sridevi has been collecting stamps for more than 20 years; for the last 6 years has focused on thematic topics related to Musical instruments, Ramayana, Mahabharata, cuisine, G.I.Tags, Indian Musicians & Traditional toys.
These exhibits
have won awards at various exhibitions including PSI National Level 2017
(Silver), SIPA 2016 (Silver) & Karnapex 2015 (Silver Bronze) Australia
(Sydney coin and stamp show) Balipex, Jakarta ( World Exhibition) silver,
Romania, (Efiro), Bangladesh ( silver) virtual
exhibition in Pune and South America.
Other hobbies include collecting Bank Notes &
Coins, Photography & Gardening.
Other accomplishments include the First lady in
Karnataka to hold a heavy passenger vehicle license. Drove a tableau during the 50th year of
Independence function at Parade Grounds and also represented college in Badminton
& National level in Snooker and Billiards. At present she is Director of The
Malleswaram Co - operative Bank Ltd, Bengaluru.
Kingfisher - Philatelic Chronicles
By Capt. Vijay Wadhwa
Kingfisher – Philatelic Chronicles By Capt. Vijay Wadhwa : Pages :152 Format - Kindle : ISBN -978-93-340-9265-3 :
Available on Amazon : Author’s contact details : email
: 
vicks552000@hotmail.com
Whatsapp No.8951166141
Kingfisher - Philatelic Chronicles By Capt. Vijay
Wadhwa is a complete and very comprehensive book on Kingfisher illustrated with
stamps issued by different countries on Kingfisher. Kingfisher is a beautiful
bird
of small to
medium-sized, brightly coloured They have a cosmopolitan distribution,
with most species living in the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Oceania,
but also can be found in Europe and the Americas. They can be found in deep
forests near calm ponds and small rivers All kingfishers have large heads,
long, sharp, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. Most species have
bright plumage with only small differences between the sexes.
Most species are tropical in distribution, and a slight majority are found only
in forests. It’s about 118 species are found all over the world.
In
this book the author has given the anatomy, classification, distribution,
Habitat, threats, conservation, human interaction of the bird in details with
its sub chapters. There is a separate chapter on Bird Watching and Ecotourism. Part
II of the book deals with different species of the Kingfisher. Each species is
well described with stamp images. 68 Species of Kingfisher are described with stamp
images. The author gives the data of no. of stamps issued on the particular
species and the no. of countries issued stamps on that species. It will be very
helpful for those collecting stamps on Kingfisher.
This book is
an asset for all bird lovers and thematic stamp collectors. Bird is the most
popular theme in thematic class these days. Philatelists would find this book
very informative and it will help them in preparing their exclusive exhibit on
Kingfisher.
The author
New issues from other countries
Isle of Man
30 August 2024 : 150th Anniversary of the
UPU
About 150th Anniversary of the UPU
Isle of Man Post Office
released this issue of commemorative stamps celebrating 150 years of the
Universal Postal Union (UPU), the United Nations regulatory board of postal
affairs, through a selection of Manx postal history.
This new commemorative
stamp issue not only honours 150 years of the UPU but also celebrates the Isle
of Man’s rich postal heritage. This collection serves as a testament to the
enduring legacy of international cooperation in postal services and the Isle of
Man's significant role in this history.
All stamps are valued
at £2.72. Featured on the stamps are:
• International Reply
Coupon, 1907: The 3d International Reply Coupon was cancelled at the issuing
office by the 22mm Bucks Rd Douglas Single Circle – Whitney 281 on the 28th
March 1908 which is believed to have been introduced in 1902. Bucks Road, Douglas
Post Office opened in 1885 and closed in 1965.
• First Commemorative
Stamp, 1924: The 1924 British Empire Exhibition Postcard depicts Peel Castle
and Harbour and was published by the Isle of Man (Official) Board of
Advertising for their Manx Kiosk and it is one of thirty-two cards issued. The
1½d stamp was one of two issued, the other being a 1d to commemorate the event
and it is cancelled by the slogan used throughout the exhibition period.
• Air Mail, 1948: The
6d King George VI Air Letter was issued in 1948 to commemorate the first
Olympic Games held after the Second World War in London with the imprinted 6d
stamp being an exact copy from the set of four stamps issued on the 29th July
1948. It is cancelled by the Douglas Isle of Man Universal Machine – Whitney
214 on the 24th September 1948 with this “die head” being used between 1948 and
1950.
• UPU 75th Anniversary
Cover, 1949: The Universal Postal Union First Day Cover has the complete set of
four stamps issued on the 10th October 1949 cancelled by the registered Douglas
Isle of Man Oval – Whitney 94 which is believed to have been introduced in
1948. The Douglas Isle of Man Registration etiquette was applied at Regent
Street, Douglas Crown Post Office.
New Zealand
7 August 2024 : The Invincibles 100 Years
One hundred years ago in July 1924, New Zealand's national rugby team sailed for England to begin a tour of the United Kingdom, France, and Canada. The All Blacks went on to win every match, earning the moniker ‘Invincibles’.
The All Blacks of 1924
had been chosen after a series of seven trial games watched by seven selectors.
After a six week voyage the team arrived in Plymouth, England, where they had a
little over a week to regain form and fitness. Despite initial doubt from
commentators and injuries and illness playing their part, the team appeared
almost indestructible. Thousands packed the wharfs of Wellington harbour to
welcome the ‘Invincibles’ home, and official celebrations were hosted by the
Wellington City Mayor and at parliament - a fitting end to a grand tour.
Designed to look like
images pasted in a scrapbook, the stamps feature clippings of quotes that were
published during the tour.
4 September
2024 : Mental Health
Awareness Week
Mental Health
Awareness Week
For almost fifty
years, the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand has been the leading charity
promoting good mental health and wellbeing and the rights of those experiencing
mental health challenges.
Their work is varied -
from creating and distributing free mental health and suicide prevention
resources, to influencing policy makers to create a better mental health
system, to running nationwide campaigns like Mental Health Awareness Week and
Pink Shirt Day.
The Mental Health
Foundation wants to ensure that everyone in Aotearoa has the tools and support
they need to enjoy positive mental health and wellbeing. The Five Ways to
Wellbeing aim to help people build resilience, boost their wellbeing and stay
mentally well.
In alignment with
Mental Health Awareness Week, 23 – 29 September 2024, with vibrant colours and balloon-inspired graphics
this stamp issue highlights the Five Ways to Wellbeing: Connect, Be Active,
Keep Learning, Give, and Take Notice.
Portugal
16 August 2024
: Euromed sports
Euromed Sports
For several millennia,
the Mediterranean was the cradle of civilisations and empires. The Phoenicians,
Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Persians, and Arabs all treated it as their own. The
Romans even called it mare nostrum, “our sea”. This is a view shared by those
who practise countless sports, with this issue highlighting two: surfing and
470 Class Sailing.
The origin of surfing
is disputed by the Peruvians and the Polynesians, with both affirming it
originated thousands of years ago; in truth, surfing was born in the Pacific
Ocean and we know it was already common practice in Hawaiian society by around
1,000 years ago. Yet it was not until 1779 that news of what at the time was a
curious practice reached the West, through the diaries of Lieutenant James
King, who accompanied the famous Captain James Cook on a voyage to discover new
lands. Nevertheless, it would take until the early twentieth century for the
sport to become popular worldwide.
In Portugal, the first
accounts of its practice date back to 1920 in Leça da Palmeira, but it was in
the 1940s that surfing became popular on Carcavelos beach, where the first
bodysurfing club was founded. In the 1960s, the sport’s first big name emerged,
Pedro Martins de Lima, a man still considered the “father” of Portuguese
surfing. However, it wasn’t until 1989 that the Portuguese Surfing Federation
was founded, being the first Portuguese competition with a monetary prize in
1991
Surfing is practised
all over the Mediterranean, from Lebanon to the south of Spain and, of course,
on the western and southern Portuguese coasts, which, although on the Atlantic,
are strongly influenced by the Mediterranean, what means good waves and fair
weather practically all year round.
The predominant swell
is north-westerly; thus, the west coast is a favourite for surfers, but, in the
south, the Algarve coast is also full of popular spots, from Praia do Tonel to
Ilha de Tavira.
The practice of
surfing is widespread in Portugal, both among keen amateurs and the
professionals who dedicate to it their lives in the national and international
circuit competitions held at Portuguese surf spots.
Portugal’s exceptional
surfing conditions attract surfers from all over the world, who could only
marvel at the gigantic wave ridden by Garrett McNamara in Nazaré in 2013,
measured at around 30 metres, earning him a place in the Guinness World
Records.
Regarding the 470
Class Sailing, it is an Olympic discipline that owes its name to the length of
the boat, which is 470 cm long, and which is contested in men’s and women’s
races. It has been an official boat in sailing competitions since 1969 and
became an Olympic class at the Montreal Games in 1976
The 470 Class is
designed for two crew members and is both fast and highly sensitive to the
sailors’ movements. Moreover, it was the first Olympic sailing discipline to
include women.
At the 2024 Olympic
Games in Paris, Portugal is proud to have four representatives in these
disciplines: Yolanda Hopkins and Teresa Bonvalot in surfing and Carolina João
and Diogo Costa in 470 Class Sailing. Somehow, this stamp issue recognises and
congratulates their participation in the Olympiad.
Switzerland
5 September
2024 150 Years of UPU
150 Years Universal Postal Union
Global postal traffic
A postcard from overseas or a parcel from the
other side of the world – the Universal Postal Union has been regulating the
global postal system for 150 years now. Aimé Theubet, Director of
International Affairs at Swiss Post, explains exactly what that means.
Founded in 1874 and based in Bern, the Universal
Postal Union is the world’s second oldest international organization. Aimé
The Universal Postal Union ensures that we have
the ability to send consignments around the world. It makes cooperation between
the 192 member states considerably easier, among other things, by defining
norms and standards.
Any examples?
All over the world, the address is always placed
at the bottom right. This may sound banal at first, but standardization of this
kind is key to ensuring that all readers around the world can sort
consignments. Another example is pricing policy: if a letter is sent from
Switzerland to Japan, for example, Japan Post re- ceives a fee for its
delivery. The Universal Postal Union lays down the clearing system for these
fees and sets the prices. It is essential for processes like this to be
coordinated centrally.
Why is it so important?
Without the Universal
Postal Union, all postal organizations would have to come to bilateral
agreements with each other. It also plays an important role in quality
assurance. For instance, it has a fund in place to provide financial support to
member countries that are no longer able to guarantee delivery as a result of a
lack of resources – for example if defective vehicles need to be replaced. Our
goal is a worldwide postal network that is functioning at all times.
What issues are
currently at the top of the agenda?
At present, the
Universal Postal Union is focusing on adapting international postal products to
future market requirements. International online retail has been booming for
several years now, raising new questions about fair remuneration: for example,
should a small product like a USB cable that is sent in an envelope be billed
as a letter, or should it be billed as a parcel in the future? Because the
effort required for sorting is the same as for parcels. Other key areas of
global cooperation include maintaining competitiveness with private logistics
companies, enhanced customs and security standards and achieving sustain-
ability goals.
5 September 2024 : Swiss attractions
Swiss Attractions
Nature, cities and
architecture - a new stamp series focuses on the most famous Swiss attractions.
Born of necessity
The Jet d’Eau fountain
reaches a height of 140 metres, at a speed of 200 km/h. But you may not know
that the origins of this Geneva landmark lie in a hydraulic problem at the end
of the 19th century. As factories in the city switched off their machines every
evening, the waterworks that supplied them experienced excess pressure in the
network. To combat this, a safety valve capable of controlling the pressure was
installed – and the first Jet d’Eau was born, serving as the template for the
tourist attraction created in 1951.
Travelling letter box
The cold-water spring
of the Rigi, a central Swiss mountain massif, has made the area famous as a
health resort. And a fascinating postal fact for you: during the heyday of the
Rigi’s hotel industry, these luxury buildings had not only their own stamps, but
also their own post offices. What’s more, the valley railway line from Arth to
Goldau, which was closed in 1956, offered a travelling letter box. When the
train stopped at a station, residents could post their letter mail. During the
early days of the bus service, this vehicle was also equipped with a mobile
letter box.
Year-round skiing
In Zermatt, skiers can
enjoy a view of the Matterhorn all year round. At 3,883 metres, the Klein
Matterhorn is a superlative destination – the highest and largest summer ski
area in Europe. And a secret tip: skiing greats from 22 countries train for the
winter season on the Theodul Glacier. So, anyone who wants an auto- graph
stands a good chance at the mountain railway station – but only in the
mornings, when conditions are best on the pistes during the warmer months.
Ideal photo spot
At 136 metres long and
65 metres high, the Landwasser Viaduct carries the Rhaetian Railway’s Albula
line over the rugged Landwasser Valley. If the train journey over the
120-year-old bridge is too fast for your liking, you can watch it at your
leisure from the viewing platform. An ideal spot for photos, as the six-arched
structure looks even more impressive from below. The platform is a 10-minute
walk from the “Landwasserviadukt” car park, and the Landwasser Express – a
little choo-choo train – runs from Filisur railway station during the summer.
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, Thiruvananthapuram
-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
- Ananthapuri Stamp
Bulletin September 2024 issue edited by Mohanachandran Nair: email : apa.tvpm@gmail.com
- Judaica Thematic
Society, UK . Society Newsletter September
2024 edited by Gary Goodman email :
judaicathematicsociety@talktalk.net
-
Fila Capsule July-August 2024 issue
edited by Dr Bibhudutta Mishra email : eipaodisha98@gmail.com
Courtesy - News and Image Resource to this issue : SIPA, Philately Promoters, EIPA , Indian Philately, Prayag Philatelic Society Group, Philatelic Exhibitions, Deccan Philatelic Society Whatsapp WOPA Mystic Stamp Co.; Pan India Postal Pictorial Place Cancellation; Praveen Shastry-Bangalore ; Mohanachandran Nair- Trivandrum; Nithin Adka; Pravesh Kumar Gupta - New Delhi
Address for communication:
Jeevan Jyoti, 509, Design Arcade, Chandrabani, Wildlife
Institute Road, Dehradun-248001. India .
e-mail
– j.jyoti9@gmail.com
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Happy Collecting ……….
Rainbow Stamp News is edited and
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