Pride
Dehradun May 2026 Vol. XIX
Issue No. 221
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
Happy Flowers
Date of Issue: 6 May 2026
Editorial……
Dear Reader,
I’m delighted to present the May 2026 issue of
Rainbow Stamp News. This year features a series of 4–5 international philatelic
exhibitions, and it’s encouraging to see strong participation from Indian
philatelists. My best wishes to all participants — may you achieve outstanding
success in these exhibitions.
As we move deeper into the digital age, our
exhibition frameworks must evolve too. One-frame exhibits deserve the same
recognition and promotion as traditional five-frame and larger displays. We
need innovation in both exhibiting and judging, with new classes that reflect
today’s realities. Judging criteria must also keep pace with the times. It’s
increasingly difficult for young and new-generation collectors to include
rarities simply because they are not affordable. A close look at many
award-winning exhibits reveals a heavy emphasis on rare, expensive material.
Yet acquiring such items often reflects financial capacity more than
creativity. This is why dealers, with ready access to high-value material,
sometimes secure gold medals with relative ease — they exhibit directly from
stock, often to sell. Meanwhile, the average collector aiming for higher medals
must invest heavily just to elevate the quality of their exhibit. Judging rules
should be amended to reward creativity, research, presentation, and
storytelling — not merely financial reach. That change would level the playing
field and encourage fresh talent.
It’s also surprising that some exhibitions still
follow outdated rules and lack a Digital Literature class. Digital publications
and philatelic websites created by philatelists are integral to modern
philately and deserve formal recognition. Alongside physical shows, online
exhibitions should be organized regularly. Embracing these changes is essential
to keep the hobby vibrant for future generations.
This is all for this month…. More in the next
issue…. Happy Collecting!
Contents
Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Philately
While surfing through net on the effects and impact of Artificial intelligence (AI), I could come across one article which very clearly briefed the impact of AI on traditional philately. I thought of sharing the contents with my readers.
Undoubtedly, it is amazing
to see the way Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged and taken over most of
the tough and time taking tasks almost in every field of human life. In other
words, it has made many things quite easy and fast too. In fact, it has started
transforming the human life.
In philately, AI has
started transforming its traditional form in to digital. This manual and
physical hobby has now become to a big extent a digitalized, accessible and
secure pursuit. It has enabled instant identification, automated
authentication, and advanced digital management, AI is modernizing how
collectors interact with stamps, while helping postal operators combat
counterfeiting and engage younger generations.
Some of the main and major
impacts of AI on the development of philately are:
STAMP IDENTIFICATION: Identification of stamps has become instant using
AI- powered apps such as the Universal Postal Union (UPU) WNS mobile
application. It allows collectors to identify stamps instantly by taking a
photo. This tool, often called WNS2.0 allows users to access detailed
metadata-including perforation patterns, paper type and stamp size just in
seconds unlike traditional, hard, pains taking, time consuming catalogues and
other searches.
INSTANT ACCESS TO STAMP DATABASE:
These apps stores, leverage
comprehensive, verified databases like the WADP numbering systems (WNS) which
contains over 120000 officially registered stamps.
CHECK ON FORGERIES: AI has greatly helped in checking the
forgeries in the stamps and has played a crucial role in securing the
philatelic market against such forgeries by using its authentication tools like
which helps identification of stamps which enable collectors, experts and law
enforcement to distinguish genuine stamps from counterfeits, which costs the
postal sector huge amount annually.
It also provides secured
digital verification by using secure mechanisms to authenticate new digital
assets like digital / crypto stamps which has become more popular now a
days.
TRANSFORMING PHILATELY FROM
TRADITIONAL TO DIGITAL:
The biggest impact AI has
made on philately is its transformation in to digital philately as AI has
greatly helped collectors to organize, rearrange, add notes, findings,
comments, and maintain up to date inventories of his collections both
small and large which helps him to develop his collection in better way
by giving instant information about related materials available and to some
extent the market price also giving more information about availability by
giving easy and instant access to its vast data which also provides information
on history, origin and rarity of particular stamp piece.
MODERNIZING PHILATELY :
AI has brought tremendous
change by bringing new thoughts and ideas in conceptualizing a stamp subject
matter and creating and generation of stamp by offering wide imagination of
different themes, vivid designs and printing techniques. Some of the
postal administrations are experimenting with AI tools to create modern
designs, resulting in hybrid, artist led AI imagery.
With the use of AI the new, innovative stamps allow users to interact with a stamp. such as scanning QR code to engage in a conversation with an AI about various historical figures.
INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY AND
GLOBAL NETWORKING:
The new generation
collectors have different vision, approach and look towards the stamps and also
stamp collecting. The exhibiting too has changed in a big way from tradition
physical exhibiting to digital exhibiting. AI bridges the gap between
traditional and new collectors.
AI – enabled tools facilitate online market places and virtual exhibitions, making hobby more accessible to the global audiences. It also simplifies the learning about stamps for new and novice collectors. In a way it is helping to attract the new generation prospective stamp lovers and help them to quickly understand the value and background of their finds and the material available with them.
Finally, it is said that AI is assisting traditional philately
and not replacing it with modern one. It actually helps in enhancing its charm,
scope and has made the collection of stamps and related material and related information
accessible, efficient, secure and easy. It helps in preserving the historical
value of stamps while opening new, creative avenues for the future of this
beautiful educational hobby.
AI is transforming the
philately in a big way keeping its traditional essence, value and love intact.
it in fact is reshaping, strengthening and securing its future by introducing new
fast technology. Though lots of work has already been done in the
methodology of displaying / exhibiting; new AI based methodologies are being
designed to judge the exhibits which will certainly check the flaws and lacunas
in judging criterions and bring more clarity and transparency in judgments and
results to give more satisfaction to the exhibitors.
Recent Indian Issues
2 April 2026: 75 years of Postal Training Centre, Saharanpur – Rs 5
12 April 2026 :
India’s Human Space Programme – Rs 20 +
Rs 20
16 April 2026 :
Pt Chatur Lal - Rs 5
25 April 2026 :
Centenary Year of Shri Ram College of Commerce- Rs 5
New Permanent / Special Cancellations
1 May 2026 : Maharashtra
Diwas : Mumbai
2 May 2026 : Birth
Centenary Mario de Miranda : Panaji
4 May 2026 :
International Fire Fighter’s Day
New Special Covers
6 April 2026 : Diamond Jubilee Year - Berhampur
University
2 May 2026: Grand Exposition of the
Holy Relics of the Tathagata Buddha Ladakh 2026
New Picture Postcards
On the occasion of International Leopard Day on 4 May 2026, a special picture postcard and cancellation were solemnly released by the Chief Postmaster General, Uttarakhand Circle, with the objectives of wildlife conservation, promotion of biodiversity, and public awareness.
A set of three Picture Post
Cards were issued by the Department of Posts, Odisha Circle on 18.04.2026 at
the Bhubaneswar Philatelic Bureau to mark the World Heritage Day. The three
Picture Post Cards were issued on Sun Temple, Konark, Shanti Stupa, Dhauli and
Barabati Fort, Cuttack along with a cancellation.
A set of five Picture Post Cards were issued by
Department of Posts, Odisha Circle at Bhubaneswar on 24.04. 2026 honoring Folk
Dances of Odisha depicting "Bagha Nach" of South Odisha, "Chaiti
Ghoda Nacha" of Coastal Belts of Odisha, "Ghumura Nacha" of
Kalahandi District, "Gotipua dance" of Puri District and "Chhau
dance" of Mayurbhanj district along with a special cancellation.
In The News
MACAU 2026
The FIP Patronage
Specialised world Stamp Exhibition will be held at Cotai Expo Hall A, The
Venetian Macao, Taipa Macau SAR from 26 June 2026 to 1stJuly 2026. Visit: https://www.macao2026.org.mo/
BOSTON-2026
BOSTON
2026 GWSE is organized by American Philatelic Society (APS) in accordance with
Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP). The exhibition will open on May
23 and close on May 30, 2026.
The
exhibition will be held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC)
in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Approximately 4,000 exhibition frames judged
under FIP rules will be available
National Commissioner:
Pratisad Neurgaonkar, Email: pratisadn@gmail.com , Mobile: +91
9766310553
Bandung 2026 Asian International Stamp Exhibition
From
27-31 August 2026
It will be organized under
the Patronage of the Federation of Inter-Asian Philately (FIAP)
Classes
available for participation are: Traditional, Postal History, Postal
Stationery, Aerophilately, Thematic, Maximaphily, Revenues, Modern Philately
(2001 to date), Picture Postcards, Open Philately, Promotional Competitive,
Philatelic Literature, and Youth Philately.
Visit :https://bandung2026fiap.com/#
National Commissioner for
India,
VIRENDRA SHARMA
Email virsharma@yahoo.com WhatsApp
+91-9928570097
OR CC. to the Apprentice
National Commissioner for India,
Mukesh Kumar Malhotra
Assistant Commissioner
Email: mukeshlibra@yahoo.co.in Phone: 919023084608, 918360758242
PHILATAIPEI 2026
The
exhibition is scheduled to be held from November 20 to 25, 2026, at Taipei
World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 1, Areas B and C. It will be organized under
the Patronage of the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP)
Classes
available for participation are: World Stamp Championship Class, Traditional,
Postal History, Postal Stationery, Aerophilately, Astrophilately, Thematic,
Revenue, Modern Philately (2000 to date), Maximaphily, Picture Postcards,
Experimental Class, Philatelic Literature (No Digital Format), and Youth
Philately.
Detailed
rules of exhibition (IREX) and Exhibit Application Forms are available
PHILATAIPEI 2026 World Stamp Championship Exhibition. (FIP)
The
exhibition is scheduled to be held from November 20 to 25, 2026, at Taipei
World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 1, Areas B and C. It will be organized under
the Patronage of the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP)
Classes
available for participation are: World Stamp Championship Class, Traditional,
Postal History, Postal Stationery, Aerophilately, Astrophilately, Thematic,
Revenue, Modern Philately (2000 to date), Maximaphily, Picture Postcards,
Experimental Class, Philatelic Literature (No Digital Format), and Youth
Philately.
Detailed
rules of exhibition (IREX) and Exhibit Application Forms are available
https://taipei2026.post.gov.tw/taipei2026/en/index.jsp?ID=1466652910382
Participants
may contact the National Commissioner to obtain the application form. The
completed application, along with the first page of the exhibit in PDF format
and the exhibitor’s declaration in the prescribed format, must be submitted to
the Commissioner by 25th March 2026.
To the
National Commissioner for India,
Pratisad
Neurgaonkar, 884, Bhandarkar Road, 14
Patil Terraces, Pune 411004
Email pratisadn@gmail.com.com / WhatsApp
+91-9766310553
OR CC. to the Apprentice
National Commissioner for India,
Mr. Sunil Joshi,Assistant
Commissioner
Email: mukeshlibra@yahoo.co.in Phone: 9822026422
Participants may contact
the National Commissioner to obtain the application form. The completed
application, along with the first page of the exhibit in PDF format and the
exhibitor’s declaration in the prescribed format, must be submitted to the
Commissioner by 25th March 2026.
AUSVIPEX 2026
Deadlines
Entries Open: 30 March
2026
Entries Close: 30
September 2026
Title Pages to Judges:
Wednesday 07 October 2026
Scans of Exhibits
required by: 14 October 2026
Exhibits available
online for Judges: From Sunday 01 November 2026
Judging concluded:
Sunday 22 November 2026
Results available:
Monday 30 November 2026
Feedback to
Exhibitors: Week commencing Mon 7 December 2026.
On Line until 28
February 2027
Frames Available: 500
Exhibition Website : https://apfvirtual.com
Organisation
The Australian Virtual
Philatelic Exhibition 2026 is an online National Philatelic Exhibition
organised by the Australian Philatelic Federation (APF). These regulations are
based on the APF Regulations for Australian Philatelic Exhibitions.
For all enquiries
email: apfvirtual@gmail.com
News from Philatelists and Philatelic Societies
EIPA
The
much-awaited 2nd edition Supplementary book ' A Journey to Odisha Special
Covers' released today at Bhubaneswar in the august gathering of EIPA members.
The first copy of the book was presented by Miss Priyadarshini Purohita to Mr
Akshaya Nayak , Sri Durgadutta Routray, Sri Ajit Kumar Dash and Sri Anup Kumar
Raut. Interested Odisha Special covers collectors who wish to receive the copy
may contact to Dr Bibhudatta Mishra, the compiler of the book WhatsApp :
7978551080
Jammu & Kashmir Postal Circle
On 2nd May 2026 Jammu &
Kashmir Postal Circle released a Special Cover on Grand exposition of Holy
Relics of the Tathagata Buddha, today in a grand function organized by the UT
Administration of Ladakh at CIBS
Choglamsar, Leh. The Special Cover was released by Sh Pema Khandu the
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Predesh in the presence of Sh Ashish Kundra
Chief Secy Ladakh UT and other dignitaries.The event was organised under the
aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in partnership with The
All Ladakh Buddhist Association and The All Ladakh Gonpa Association, under the
theme "Peace Beyond Borders”.
The
sacred exposition of the Holy Relics was made for the first time in the history
after the authenticated relics of Lord Buddha were excavated from the Piprahwa
Stupa (Uttar Pradesh) in 1898. Thousands of devotees, many dressed in
traditional Ladakhi attire, lined the streets from the Leh airport to catch a
glimpse of the relics. By the release of Special Cover the ceremony will remain
alive in Philatelic records of Department of Posts forever.
Supdt.
of Posts offices Ladakh Postal Division Shri Arvind Kher was also present on
the occasion of release of Special Cover.
-Neelam Chandel, Shimla
Auction
PHILAUCTIONS SUMMER 2026 is
on 17 May, Sunday, 12pm
You can register and bid
online at Bidspirit India: https://in.bidspirit.com/ui/catalog/auction/philauctions/74881/1?lang=en
The Postman’s
Journey
The Postman’s New Ride !
From
pedalling cycles to revving motors!
Today, India’s postmen trade old-school paths for swift two-wheelers.
While the rhythm changes, the heart stays the same—delivering real emotions
with lightning speed. The legacy rolls
on!
IN QUEST OF INDIAN POSTAL HISTORY AND
COMMUNICATIONS
FORM THE DESERTS OF SIND TO THE PLAINS OF CALCUTTA
The Journey of India’s First Postage Stamp
Scinde Dawk: The Birth of Asia’s First Postage Stamp
In
the annals of postal history, few names shine as brightly as Scinde Dawk, the
first adhesive postage stamp issued in Asia. B orn in 1852 in the
province of Scinde—now Sindh in Pakistan—this small circular piece of embossed
design marked the dawn of modern communication in the Indian subcontinent.
Though its official life was brief, its historical significance has endured for
more than a century and a half.
Setting the Stage: Scinde in the 1850s
The
early 1850s found Scinde at a moment of transformation. Recently absorbed into
the British East India Company’s administration, the region was expanding
rapidly in trade and governance along the Indus River. Yet communication still
depended on age-old methods: dak runners—agile messengers who carried mail in
leather pouches while traversing harsh deserts and dangerous terrain. Despite
their speed, this traditional system remained unreliable and fragile.
Into
this environment stepped Sir Bartle Frere, the newly appointed Chief
Commissioner of Scinde. Recognizing that efficient governance required
dependable communication, Frere was inspired by Rowland Hill’s postal reforms
in Britain. His objective was clear: to establish a postal network that was
Frere sought to create a system that was reliable, uniform, and affordable.
standardized, and modern.
Frere
began by organizing mail routes and introducing horse- and camel-based
transport and especially along the Indus River route. His most revolutionary
innovation, however, was the introduction of pre-paid postage, a concept new to
the region.
Designing the First
Stamps of Asia
With
the assistance of Edward Coffey, Postmaster of Karachi, Frere supervised the
creation of a series of three embossed stamps collectively known as Scinde
Dawk. These stamps would become the earliest adhesive postage issues of Asia.
1
July 1852: A Landmark in Postal History
The
postal reform took effect on 1 July 1852, when the Scinde administration issued
its own pre-paid postage stamp valued at ½ anna.
This
humble stamp, valued at ½ anna, marked the beginning of pre-paid postage in the
Indian subcontinent.
FOR
THE FIRST TIME, THE SENDER - NOT THE RECEIVER - PAID THE POSTAGE, ensuring
certainty and efficiency,
a major step toward reliability and
accountability in communication.
The Unique Red Scinde
Dawk
The
first issue was remarkable for its material and technique:
a
circular embossed design impressed onto a red sealing-wax wafer affixed to
paper.
The
inscription “SCINDE DISTRICT DAWK” formed the border, while the heart-shaped
emblem at the centre bore the letters E I C, representing the East India
Company.
The
Red Scinde Dawk is the only officially issued classic postage stamp in the
world created on a sealing-wax wafer instead of paper.
Its
production method was equally distinctive. Unlike conventional stamps printed
on sheets, the red variety was not printed as separate adhesive labels.
Instead, each impression was made individually by pressing a heated metal die
onto a sealing-wax wafer placed on the envelope or letter sheet. Every stamp
was thus an integral part of the postal article—functioning almost like an
official seal rather than a printed stamp.
Visually
attractive but physically delicate, the wax stamps often cracked or broke
during handling, making intact examples exceedingly scarce today.
Two
Additional Varieties
To
improve durability, two further varieties were produced—each also valued at ½
anna:
a
colourless embossed type on white paper, and
a
blue embossed type, more robust and suitable for routine use.
All
three retained the same circular design and inscription.
Decline
and Withdrawal
The
Scinde Dawk system remained in service for about two years. In 1854, the
introduction of a uniform all-India postal system and the printing of new
adhesive stamps in Calcutta rendered the regional Scinde issues obsolete.
Government
directives soon followed:
sale
of Scinde Dawk stamps was discontinued, and unsold stocks were to be withdrawn
or destroyed.
Consequently,
surviving examples—especially the red wafer type—are among the rarest classic
stamps of Asia.
Why
the Scinde Dawk Matters
The
significance of the Scinde Dawk extends far beyond its date of issue. It
represents:
Asia’s
first adhesive postage stamp
one
of the earliest experiments in pre-paid postal systems outside Europe
the
transition from traditional dak runner networks to modern postal communication
a
philatelic rarity admired by collectors worldwide
Today,
the Scinde Dawk occupies a place of honour in exhibitions, museums, and leading
philatelic collections. Its distinctive circular form, fragile texture, and
historical resonance make it an enduring symbol of India’s postal heritage.
A
Lasting Legacy
Although
withdrawn in 1854, the legacy of the Scinde Dawk continues to captivate
researchers, historians, and collectors. It stands as a landmark in the
evolution of India’s postal system—a reminder of the moment when the
subcontinent embraced the age of modern communication.
From
the sun-scorched deserts routes of Scinde to the showcases of world philately,
the Scinde Dawk remains a timeless icon: small in size, perhaps, but monumental
in historical weight.
-Dipok Dey: email: dipokdey38@gmail.com
Specialized Section
Some
Remarkable Cancellations and Postmarks – 25/6
Renouf Type 18 is a
rectangle of eight parallel horizontal bars framing a Circle Letter. It is
either in a singular or a duplex form.
TYPE 18 VARIETY ROLLER OBLITERATOR
1884 Registered Cover from Calcutta to Rome (Italy) with rare Roller “C” (in 6 Bars instead of 8) obliterator. This roller Cancellation was applied to registered covers posted at G.P.O. Calcutta, destined for overseas and within India.
Greatest writer and
dramatist of all time !
William Shakespeare
Renowned playwright, poet, and actor,
William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, in Stratford-upon-Avon,
Warwickshire, England.Shakespeare’s exact birthdate is unknown. He was
baptized on April 26, 1564, so he was likely born a few days before that. Some
older sources claimed he was born on April 23, but no one knows for sure.
Born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon,
Warwickshire, England, Shakespeare was the oldest surviving child of a
leatherworker and alderman. His mother was from the prominent Arden family.
Raised in this successful family, Shakespeare likely attended grammar school
until about age 15.
Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway in
1582 and together they had three children. His only son, Hamnet, died at the
age of 11 in 1596. Little is known of Shakespeare’s professional career after
the birth of his children until he became associated with the London theatre
scene in 1592. Many historians have tried to piece together these “lost years”
but have had little success.
It’s unknown
exactly when Shakespeare began writing, but by 1592, several of his plays were
being performed in London. Two years later, his plays were exclusively
performed by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (later called the King’s Men), a group
of players of which Shakespeare was a member. They quickly became the leading theatre
company in London.
Shakespeare produced the majority of his works between 1589 and 1613. Many of his early plays were comedies and histories. He then transitioned to tragedies (such as Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth) until about 1608. After that, he spent his final writing years on tragicomedies, also known as romances, and worked with other playwrights.
In 1599, the players built the Globe Theatre along the River Thames. Around this same time, Shakespeare’s name was growing famous and it was printed on title pages to gain attention. In addition to writing, Shakespeare would also act in his own plays and those of others. One source wrote that he often played “kingly” roles.
Shakespeare spent much of his life between time with his family in Stratford and as part of the theatre scene in London. It’s believed he retired to Stratford in 1613 but continued to visit London in his later years. He died in Stratford on April 23, 1616, at the age of 52. Today, Shakespeare is considered the greatest English writer, England’s national poet and the Bard of Avon. Over the course of his life, he wrote about 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and two long narrative poems.
Service
Indicator Stamps
This Americana Series stamp pictures a
Revolutionary War-era military snare drum.
On April 23, 1976, the
USPS issued the first regular postage stamp to include a service indicator.
While most Americans would never use it or notice it, the 7.9-cent Drum coil
stamp quietly solved a problem that had complicated bulk mailing for decades.
US #1615a – Precanceled Drum Stamp
Before this stamp,
businesses and organizations sending large volumes of mail had limited options.
They could use a permit imprint indicia — a printed box in the upper-right
corner of an envelope that read “U.S. Postage Paid,” along with a permit number
and city. The permit imprint became the most popular way to pay for high-volume
mailings, allowing businesses to print postage information directly onto each
piece rather than affixing individual stamps. It was efficient — but it looked
impersonal, and many recipients treated it as a signal to toss the piece
without opening it.
Imperforate Error Pair
The
other option was a precanceled stamp. Precanceled stamps had existed for more
than a century, authorized by the US Post Office Department in 1887. The most
common style showed a city and state name printed between two horizontal bars —
a Bureau precancel, applied at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing before the
stamp reached the local post office. Because the cancellation was already
applied, those pieces didn’t have to pass through a cancelling machine. But the
system was complicated: each precancel had to match the specific city where the
mailer held its permit, and managing that across large operations was a
logistical headache.
The Transportation Series (1981–1995) tells the full story of
service-indicator stamps — from inscriptions built into the design, to
precancel overprints, and back to design-inscribed stamps again.
The Drum stamp changed the model entirely. Part of the Americana series, it was inscribed directly with “Bulk Rate” — the name of the mailing service it was intended to fulfill — built into the design from the start. That inscription was the service indicator. For actual postal use, the stamp was overprinted with Bureau precancels from 107 cities, each still showing a city and state name between horizontal bars. But the key innovation — “Bulk Rate” printed into the design itself — told postal workers immediately what class of mail they were handling, without needing a cancelling machine. Examples without the Bureau precancellation were produced for philatelic purposes only.
1991-98 Bulk Rate and Pre-sorted
Stamps without Denominations
inscription
for a decreased third-class rate effective July 1976. The 3.1-cent Guitar coil,
issued in 1979, became the first stamp issued specifically for nonprofit bulk
mail. Over time, the USPS added service-inscribed stamps for Presorted First
Class, and Postcard rates — each one allowing qualifying mailers to pay a
reduced rate in exchange for pre-sorting their mail and doing some of the
postal system’s work in advance. These stamps carry the service designation but
no denomination — the actual postage value doesn’t appear on the stamp itself.
To use them, mailers must apply for a permit — they are technically precanceled
stamps and cannot simply be purchased over the counter. Within a couple of
years of the Drum stamp’s debut, Bureau precancel overprints with city and
state names were discontinued entirely. The service indicator had made them
unnecessary
The G-rate was issued in
more varieties, formats, and printers than any other rate change stamp. It
includes several service indicator stamps.
The format
then evolved through two more phases. The USPS began placing the service
inscription between the horizontal lines of the Bureau precancel itself —
rather than in the stamp’s design. “Bulk Rate” and “Nonprofit Organization”
were common examples of this middle-generation format. Then, with the 16.7-cent
Transportation coil (Scott 2261), issued July 7, 1988, the USPS returned to the
original concept — the service inscription once again became part of the
stamp’s design, serving as the cancellation itself. With the cancellation
incorporated directly into the design, these pieces no longer needed to pass
through cancelling machinery, and since tagging exists specifically to trigger
those machines, the USPS stopped producing tagged versions entirely.
Introduced in 1995, the American Series gave each discount mail category its own stamp, with the USPS explicitly planning to refresh the designs regularly. Mailers bought the stamps at a fixed price and paid the difference at the post office when rates changed.
Introduced in 1995, the American Series gave
each discount mail category its own stamp, with the USPS explicitly planning to
refresh the designs regularly. Mailers bought the stamps at a fixed price and
paid the difference at the post office when rates changed.
What
the Drum stamp established in 1976 is now standard practice across every
service category — purpose-built stamps where the service inscription isn’t a
label applied to an existing design, but the reason the stamp exists at all.
When bulk rates changed in the early years, older service-inscribed stamps
didn’t simply become invalid — the USPS could authorize them for false
franking, a formal arrangement allowing mailers to use the older stamp and pay
the difference at the post office at time of mailing. It was workable, but
cumbersome.
Several early Forever-era service inscribed stamps
Today’s nondenominated service-inscribed stamps have solved that problem: carrying no printed dollar value, they are always valid for whatever the current rate for their designated service happens to be. It’s the same principle the USPS eventually brought to everyday consumers — first with the Forever stamp for first-class mail in 2007, and then in 2015 with purpose-inscribed Forever stamps for postcards, additional ounces, and non-machinable mail. In each case, the service description does the work that a denomination used to do — and does it better
Stories Behind Stamps
Malta - Melita Issue of Malta Stamps: 1922-26 | Stamp Issue commemorating Malta's Self-Government
^ Malta, 1925 Melita Issue, Allegory, £1 black & bright carmine, SG 140. This never hinged corner margin block of 4 was sold at Harmers Auction SA in 2012 for 360 CHF plus buyer's premium
The Milner Constitution of 1921 established a two-chamber government in Malta, with the Governor directly responsible for certain "reserved matters" such as defense and public order. As part of the preparations for this historic event, the government chose to commemorate the occasion with a special issue of postage stamps.
Malta was given self-government in May 1921, and it was decided to mark the occasion with a new definitive set of postal stamps. In a competition held on June 17, 1921, E.Caruana Dingli's design was chosen for the ¼d to 6d and £1 values, and G.Vella's for the 1/- to 10/- values.
The design for pence and £1 values included a helmeted symbolic figure symbolizing Malta holding a rudder in its right hand against a seascape background with the rock of St Elmo and a Gozo boat. The other design featured emblematic figures representing (male) Great Britain, holding a Union Jack shield in his left hand, and embracing (female) Malta, holding an olive branch in her right hand; the date 1921 (in Roman numerals) is in the left-hand corner of the central design, which is surrounded on three sides by a frame of tiny Maltese crosses.
Although the Maltese were eager to have these stamps ready for the new parliament's inauguration on November 1, the Crown Agents in London, who handled all works and acquisitions for British colonies, informed the Malta Post Office that they would be unable to deliver the new stamps on time, owing to the delicate process of engaving the presented designs. Another factor contributing to the delay was the De La Rue Company's heavy workload in printing the stamps.
The Malta postal authorities had little choice but to use a temporary expedient to commemorate the anniversary by overprinting SELF-GOVERNMENT on the current King George V stamps printed in 1919 and 1920. This emergency solution had previously been utilized in 1902, when Queen Victoria's two-and-half-penny stamp was overprinted with 'One Penny' due to high demand for the lesser denomination.
The overprint in 1921 was printed diagonally from bottom left to top right in black ink on all values except the two and 10 shillings value which were printed in red. All overprinting was done at the Government Printing Press at Valletta's Palace. The entire set contained 17 stamps issued on five separate occasions between January 12 and April 29, 1922.
The Self-Government definitive set, known as the Melita Set, was also released in parts. The five lesser denominations (half-penny, one penny, sixpence, one shilling, and two shillings) became available on August 1, 1922. The full set, the first commemorative one made, lasted until 1926.New postal and registration rates, as well as stock depletion, necessitated the creation of new values in various colours. However, some elements on these stamps drew criticism from local newspapers.
Design
On June 17, 1921, the Malta Post Office requested two prominent artists, Edward Caruana Dingli and Gianni Vella, to create a set of stamps commemorating the establishment of responsible government. This was to be the inaugural Maltese commemorative stamp issue.
The Caruana Dingli drawings depicted an allegorical lady wearing an ornate headgear and clutching a rudder in her right hand. A seascape was employed as the backdrop, with the Fort St Elmo lighthouse on the left and a Gozo boat on the right. The bottom corners had two shields, one of which depicted the Union Jack and the other the eight-pointed cross on the Maltese red and white flag.
The Vella design was to be used for the shillings value (one, two, and ten), and it depicted two symbolic figures: a man representing Britain carrying a shield with the Union Jack and his left hand resting on a young lady (representing Malta) with an olive branch. The design emphasized the two countries' mutual care, protection, and good connections. The Maltese coat of arms was included in the lower left corner, with a sequence of little Maltese crosses forming the surrounding frame. The upper section of the center design featured the Roman numerals for 1921 (MCMXXI).
On August 4, 1922, the designer, Edward Caruana Dingli, stated his discontent with the design's execution in the daily Il Popolo di Malta.
He wrote: “After correcting the first proofs and suggesting certain artistic retouching, I regret to say, that the result still fell short of my expectations. My original was reproduced by hand, and changes were made, resulting in a very different effect than planned.
He also remarked that the flowing part of the mantle behind the figure was muted, and that the dazzling sun had lost much of its power.
However, the most serious criticism was leveled at the St Elmo lighthouse, which was remodeled to resemble a beehive or a "Mosta dome" by the sea.
Caruana Dingli also alleged that he was never consulted on the hues used.
To justify his criticism,
he displayed an enlarged version of his initial design to Valletta's Public
Library.
Paper & Watermark
De La Rue & Co used the Typographic technique to print all values on chalk-surfaced paper (excluding the £1 value), watermarked mult, script CA.
The ¼d to 6d stamps were apparently printed in sheets of 160 (two panes of 8 rows of 10 stamps) as the Malta National Museum possesses, but does not exhibit, low value printing plates with two panes of 80 mounted on mahogany boards. In view of this and the fact that there has been no information to the contrary it seems that those references which state that these values were printed in sheets of 120 are incorrect. The l/- values were printed in sheets of 80 (one pane of 8 rows of 10). The £1 value was printed in sheets of 40 (one pane of 4 rows of 10 stamps).
Jubilee Lines
Two substantial rules (the inner one on the key plate and the outer one on the duty plate) surround each pane in the colors of the key and duty plates (but see 2/- and 2/6 values); the rules are 2mm from the stamps and, when applicable, up to 1mm apart. Examination of the inner Jubilee Lines reveals discrepancies between plates 1, 2, and 3 on the lower values. The lines are built up of two conventional lengths 22mm and 19mm with odd lengths to complete a pane surround, generally found in the bottom right-hand corner - 12, 12½, 13, 13½, 14, 17, and 7½mm. Examination of the outer Jubilee Lines reveals variances between denominations, which might be used to determine whether a second duty plate existed for any denomination. Line lengths are comparable (23 and 19mm normal) and unusual (22½, 18, 17½mm).
Printing
The key and duty plates on single-colour stamps may be different tints, indicating that all values were printed twice.
Perforation
The perforation indicates
that both the low and high values of the stamps produced from Plates 1, 2, and
3 were perforated with the same single comb, operating from right to left and
perforating all margins except the right hand one. The horizontal perforation
intervals of the comb were 17 (14.2 gauge), whereas the vertical perforation
intervals were 21 (14 gauge). The £1 value appears to have been 'line'
perforated, but closer inspection reveals that the length of the horizontal row
is slightly too long in that when the comb is moved from right to left, the
last hole on the left of the horizontal row practically touches the vertical
row of the next strike of the perforating comb.
References :
First Image: http://www.bephila.com/sites/default/files/pictures/Malta/malta-stamps-1922-26-melita-issue-sg-140-01.jpg
Rest of the Images:
https://colnect.com/en/stamps/years/country/133-Malta
Source: http://www.bephila.com/articles/melita-issue-of-malta-stamps-1922-26
- Nisarg Sutaria: email - nisargsutaria78@gmail.com
New Issues from other countries
Gibraltar
30 March 2026 EUROPA 2026
Europa 2026 - 70th Anniversary
The new EUROPA 2026 stamp issue celebrates a landmark milestone for one
of the world’s most prestigious and popular philatelic programmes. Since their
inception in 1956, EUROPA stamps have served as a tangible symbol of Europe’s
desire for closer integration and cooperation. Issued annually by members of
PostEurop, these stamps build awareness of our common roots, diverse cultures,
and shared goals.
The 2026 theme, “70th Anniversary of EUROPA Stamps: United in...”,
commemorates seven decades of this unique philatelic tradition. To mark the
occasion, PostEurop held a continent-wide design competition. The winning
motif, created by Finnish designer Klaus Welp, appears on the £1.96 stamp. His
design is a masterclass in symbolic minimalism:
The Progress Line: A diagonally ascending dotted line represents both
the traditional perforation of a stamp and the forward momentum of European
postal services.
The Seven Dots: These seven points, connected by a singular line,
represent the seven decades of unified effort and communication between
nations.
A Tapestry of Colour: The vibrant background gradients reflect the mix of national colours within Europe, harmonising into a cohesive surface that echoes the spirit of the European flag.
Complementing this common design, the £3.16 stamp offers Gibraltar’s
bespoke artistic contribution to the anniversary. This stamp uses contemporary
graphic elements and a distinct palette to reflect the Rock’s unique identity
within the wider European family. By balancing global unity with local
character, this issue highlights the very essence of the EUROPA programme:
celebrating what makes each nation unique while honouring the bonds that
connect us all. Collectors will find that this 70th-anniversary set is not
merely a record of postal history, but a celebration of graphic art and the
enduring power of a simple letter to bridge borders.
Latvia
23 April 2026 : Peony and Dahalia
Flowers - Peony & Dahlia
Peonies are popular
flowering plants grown in Latvia, where the cool climate with cold winters and
warm summers suits them very well. In Latvian gardens, peonies bloom mainly in
May and June and are loved for their large, colorful, and fragrant flowers. They
grow best in sunny places with well-drained soil and can live for many decades
once planted. Latvia is known for having many peony collections and gardens
with hundreds of different varieties, and some even grow over 800 types of
peonies. These gardens are often visited in late spring when the flowers are in
full bloom, making peonies one of the most cherished ornamental plants in the
country.
Dahlias are beautiful
flowers that can be grown in Latvia, but they need special care because of the
cold winters. They originally come from Mexico, a warm country, so in Latvia
they are only grown during the summer months. Dahlias bloom from about July to
October and grow best in sunny places with rich, well-drained soil. Since they
cannot survive freezing temperatures, gardeners dig up the tubers in autumn and
store them indoors over winter. In spring, after the last frost, they are
planted again outside. Dahlias are popular in Latvian gardens, parks, and
flower exhibitions because of their bright colors and variety of shapes.
Monaco
30 April 2026 : Grand Departure Of La Vuelta 2026 in Monaco
Grand Departure Of La Vuelta 2026 in Monaco
The 2026 Vuelta a
España will exceptionally start in Monaco, marking a historic moment for the
Principality. After launching the Giro d’Italia in 1966 and hosting the Grand
Départ of the Tour de France in 2009, Monaco is preparing to once again
resonate with the excitement of cycling and will become the only city in the
world to have hosted the start of all three Grand Tours. The riders will set
off on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from Casino Square for a 9.6 km individual
time trial through the streets of the Principality. The following day, Monaco
will again serve as the starting point for a stage taking the peloton to
Manosque.
30 April 2026 : Football
Football
The next FIFA World Cup will take place from 11 June to 19 July 2026 and
will, for the first time, be jointly hosted by three countries: the United
States, Canada and Mexico. It will bring together 48 teams, an expanded format
designed to offer greater diversity and spectacle. Matches will be played in
emblematic stadiums across North America. The opening match will be held on
Thursday 11 June 2026 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, and the final will
take place on Sunday 19 July 2026 in New York.
Netherlands
14 April 2026:Birds
SABA
Birds Saba
The rugged, green island of Saba teems with extraordinary birds. From
the graceful red-billed tropicbird to the flashy sugarbird, you can spot more
than 100 species there, all in their own habitats. The most beautiful have been
captured by Medy Oberendorff on a postcard set featuring an uncancelled sheet
of stamps and 3 unique cards.
New Zealand
3 June 2026: Sir Dave
Dobbyn
The musician, singer–songwriter and record producer formed his first band, Th’ Dudes, in the late ‘70s, going on to lead his second band, DD Smash in the early ‘80s. He launched his hugely successful solo career by writing the soundtrack music for the animated feature film Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tale in 1986. The soundtrack’s hit Slice of Heaven spent eight weeks at No 1 in New Zealand, and four in Australia where Dobbyn lived for 10 years until the early 1990s. In 1988 Dobbyn released his debut album, Loyal, at No 1. The album’s title song has topped top-100 polls year on year.
Dobbyn has penned many
other hits, including Beside You, Be Mine Tonight, Language, Outlook for
Thursday, Whaling, Kingdom Come, It Dawned On Me, Guilty, Devil You Know, Magic
What She Do and Oughta Be in Love. He holds the most Silver Scroll awards for song
writing. In 2001, Dobbyn was given a lifetime achievement award by the New
Zealand recording industry.
After his decade in Australia, Dobbyn returned to his home country and continued to surprise and delight the nation with new tours, collaborations and songs.In late 2020, Dobbyn was appointed a Knights’ Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to music. He was first named an Officer in 2003.
From pubs and living
rooms to national memorial events, Dobbyn’s songs are woven into everyday life
in Aotearoa New Zealand. With this stamp issue, we take a moment to appreciate
how much Sir Dave Dobbyn has contributed to our culture and musical landscape.
Portugal
25 April 2026: 1976
Constitution of the Portuguese Republic - 50 Years
1976 Constitution of the Portuguese Republic - 50 Years
The Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, approved by the Constituent
Assembly on 2 April 1976, and in force since April 25 of that same year,
occupies a central position in Portugal's contemporary history. Following the
Revolution of 25 April 1974, it marked one of the country's historic moments,
in which Portuguese democracy found its institutional and legal expression.
United Nations
21 March
2026 : International Day of Forests
24 April 2026: Endangered Species
International Day of
Forests
The General Assembly
proclaimed 21 March as the International Day of Forests, to be celebrated
annually to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Each
year a theme is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.
The theme for 2026 is
“Forests and economies”, which celebrates the essential roles of forests in
driving economic prosperity. These roles go well beyond income and jobs from
forest production and the trade of renewable raw materials and foods; forests also
sustain family and community agriculture, enhance agricultural productivity and
safeguard healthy watersheds.
With many countries
seeking to move toward a sustainable bioeconomy, forest products offer
nature-based solutions as replacements for carbon-intensive materials while
generating new economic opportunities.
Forests are indispensable for healthy economies today and for future generations. Countries and people around the world are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree-planting campaigns.
€1,45
– Forests drive sustainable development by providing livelihoods for millions
of people through forestry, agriculture and forest-based industries. They
support local economies while maintaining ecosystems that communities depend on
for daily life. When managed sustainably, forests help reduce poverty and
ensure long-term environmental and economic resilience.
$1.70
– Forests drive sustainable development by providing livelihoods and income for
communities while supporting biodiversity. They supply food, clean air and
fresh water and play a vital role in regulating climate by storing carbon.
Healthy forests strengthen resilience, reduce poverty and ensure long-term
environmental and economic stability.
CHF
1,90 – Forests support jobs and act as engines of economic growth by sustaining
industries such as forestry, agriculture, ecotourism and non-timber forest
products. They are essential sources of medicine, food security and nutrition,
especially for rural and Indigenous communities. By supporting millions of
livelihoods worldwide, forests strengthen local economies while promoting
long-term resilience.
On 24 April 2026 the United Nations Postal Administration continues its Endangered Species stamp series with the issuance of twelve stamps, three maximum cards, a limited-edition silk cover and the 2026 Endangered Species folder. The 2026 Endangered Species stamps shine a spotlight on species that often go unnoticed in conservation conversations: medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). This group of flora is not only vital to ecosystems but also deeply woven into human culture, health and trade.
Medicinal and aromatic plants are indispensable to societies worldwide,
providing the foundation for traditional medicine to people in developing
countries, as well as supplying active compounds for modern pharmaceuticals.
Beyond their medical uses, they contribute to industries such as cosmetics,
food and luxury goods, while also stabilizing soils, supporting pollinators and
enriching biodiversity
These plants
demonstrate the many ways societies depend on nature—and underscore the need
for sustainable practices to ensure they continue to support both people and
ecosystems. Their inclusion in this year’s collection accentuates the growing
recognition that biodiversity conservation extends far beyond charismatic
animals—it reaches into the very roots, leaves and flowers that sustain
traditions and modern medicine alike.
For fifty years, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has provided the global framework for its now 185 Parties (184 countries and the European Union) to ensure that trade in wild species is legal, traceable and sustainable.The United Nations Postal Administration is proud to have supported CITES and their conservation efforts through the issuance of Endangered Species stamps of flora and fauna for over thirty years.
Stamp of the Month
Bing
Crosby
One of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, Bing Crosby, was born Harry Lillis Crosby Jr. in Tacoma, Washington, on May 3, 1903.
The fourth of seven children, Crosby spent his first three years in
Tacoma before the family moved to Spokane. When he was seven years old, Crosby
received his new name. At the time, he and a neighbour enjoyed a Sunday feature
of the Spokesman-Review called the Bingville Bugle. His neighbor began calling
him Bingo from Bingville, and later just Bing.
When he was 14, Crosby began working at the Spokane Auditorium, where he had the opportunity to see some of the day’s biggest performers. Among them, Al Jolson left the largest impression, captivating Crosby with his ad-libbing and spoofs of Hawaiian songs. He later described Jolson’s performances as “electric.” Crosby went on to attend Gonzaga University for three years, but didn’t graduate (though he was later awarded an honorary doctorate).
Beginning in 1923, Crosby began his performing career with the
Musicaladers, a music group that lasted for two years. He then went back to
working in auditorium, where he occasionally sang in a trio between films.
Then, in 1925, he and friend Al Rinker decided to go to Los Angeles to become
stars. They got their first jobs at The Syncopation Idea before bring
discovered by Paul Whiteman.
Naming them the Rhythm Boys, Whiteman gave their careers a major boost,
booking them shows in Chicago and New York, as well as their first recording.
Additionally, Crosby was soon in high demand as a solo artist on record and
radio. In 1928, he had his first number one hit with “Ol’ Man River.” Despite
the success, Crosby soon became dissatisfied with Whiteman, and he and the
Rhythm Boys left and joined the Gus Arnheim Orchestra. Soon Crosby’s solos
began stealing the shows, and he was offered a solo radio broadcast in New
York. Crosby made his solo radio debut in September 1931 and was then hired for
a weekly 15-minute broadcast that yielded some of the year’s best-selling
songs.
Soon, Crosby was the leading singer in America, with 10 of the top 50
songs of 1931 featuring him. In 1932, he starred in his first full-length
movie, The Big Broadcast. Following the success of that film, Crosby received a
contract with Paramount, filming three movies a year. While he cut down on his
live performances, Crosby produced a number of successful records at a time
when record sales were low because of the Depression.
After
replacing Paul Whiteman as host of Kraft Music Hall, Crosby worked on the film
Pennies from Heaven. He fought to get his idol Louis Armstrong in the movie and
also to give him equal billing with his white co-stars, which had rarely been
done at that time. Armstrong’s career boomed after the film, and he was always
thankful to Crosby.
Over the next few
years Crosby helped usher in the era of the crooner. On Christmas Day, 1941, he
debuted his most popular song, “White Christmas.” It was featured in Holiday
Inn the following year and was re-released for the holidays several times in the
coming years.
During World War II,
Crosby performed for American troops fighting in Europe. At the end of the war,
US troops considered Crosby the person who’d done the most for their morale,
ahead of President Franklin Roosevelt, General Dwight Eisenhower, and Bob Hope.
Beginning in 1940,
Crosby starred with Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour in seven Road to… musical
comedies. In 1949, he voiced the narration for Disney’s The Legend of Sleepy
Hollow segment of the animated film, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.
Crosby made his way to television in the 1950s, beginning with The Fireside
Theater.
Crosby’s health began
to suffer in the 1970s, though he continued to perform. He suffered a heart
attack at a Spanish golf course and died on October 14, 1977.
Called “the greatest
entertainer of the 20th century,” Crosby made more non-rock recordings and
placed more songs in the “Top Ten” than any other individual singer. His career
as an entertainer spanned more than 50 years, during which time he recorded over
1,600 songs and sold more than 500 million records. At the time of his death,
he was the biggest selling recording star in the world.
Thematics
Wildlife
The World Wildlife
Fund
This semi postal has raised over $7.5 million for wildlife conservation.
On April 29, 1961, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was founded.Prior to the WWF, the Conservation Foundation was founded in 1948 as an affiliate of the New York Zoological Society. Their goal was to protect the world’s natural resources.
The
WWF’s creation is credited to Victor Stolan, who suggested to Sir Julian Huxley
that they establish a fund to help protect endangered animals. Huxley
introduced Stolan to Max Nicholson, who had 30 years of experience helping
people like him get their ideas off the ground through the Political and
Economic Planning think tank.
Together, Huxley, Nicholson, Peter Scott, Guy Mountfort and a few other scientists, naturalists, and business and political leaders joined together to form the World Wildlife Fund on April 29, 1961. On that date, they issued their Morges Manifesto, a declaration of their concern for the “thoughtless and needless destruction” of nature and the animals that inhabited them. They opened their first office later that year on September 11, in Morges, Switzerland.
At a
time, there were few wildlife organizations around the world, and even fewer
with sufficient funding. The goal of the WWF was to serve as a funding
institution for other conservation groups such as the International Union for
the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and The Conservation Foundation.
As stated in the Morges Manifesto, “They need above all money, to carry out mercy missions and to meet conservation emergencies by buying land where wildlife treasures are threatened, and in many other ways. Money, for example, to pay guardians of wildlife refuges… Money for education and propaganda among those who would care and help if only they understood. Money to send out experts to danger spots and to train more local wardens and helpers in Africa and elsewhere. Money to maintain a sort of ‘war room’ at the international headquarters of conservation, showing where the danger spots are and making it possible to ensure that their needs are met before it is too late.”
The
WWF’s first president was His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard of the
Netherlands, who had also helped found the organization. Their original stated
mission was for the “conservation of world fauna, flora, forests, landscape,
water, soils and other natural resources by the management of land, research
and investigation, and publicity coordination of efforts, cooperation with
other interested parties and all other appropriate means.”
Chi Chi, a panda that had been transferred from Beijing Zoo to London Zoo in 1958, inspired the WWF’s famed giant panda logo. They chose Chi Chi as their symbol because she was the only panda in the Western world at the time and was an endangered species, which represented an important part of their work.
In
1986, the WWF changed its name to the World Wide Fund for Nature to more
accurately represent their activities. Despite the name change, the
organization has kept the same WWF initials. Currently, the WWF has more than
five million supporters around the world in more than 100 countries, working on
3,000 conservation and environmental projects. Co-founder Sir Peter Scott once
said of the WWF: “We shan’t save all we should like to, but we shall save a
great deal more than if we had never tried.”
Philatelic Literature
Book
of the Month
Collector’s Guide to British India Bazar Post Cards
By Praful Thakkar
Bazar Postcards of British India is an interesting section of Indian Postal stationery which has colors, creativity and Charisma. They were created during the British period by dealers. They were artistically made to attract and appeal to public imagination to use them. They were mainly uses and produced and used during the Edwardian Period. This book features more than 1700 Bazar Postcards with value along with pictures of different varieties of British Royalty, Indian Princely State Rulers, Ravi Verma Paintings and other themes with further classification of colour, creativity, calligraphy and design. It is an asset for Bazar Postcard collectors.
Philatelic Clubs and Societies
Air Mail
Society India Foundation - https://www.airmailsocietyindia.org/
Karnataka
Philatelic Society - https://www.karphil.in/index.html
Prayag Philatelic Society
- http://www.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 - https://eipa.in/home
The Hyderabad Philatelic and Hobbies Society
India Study Circle -
http://www.indiastudycircle.org/
Indian Thematic Society, Ludhiana
Ludhiana Philatelic Club
Numismatic
& Philatelic Association of Vellore Fort
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
Durgapur
Philatelic & Numismatic Society – https://www.facebook.com/share/1B3TasUbyR/
Philatelic Society of Bhopal
Madurai
Philatelist & Numismatist Association (MAPNA)
- https://madurai-mapna.blogspot.com/
Blogs & Websites
Jusqu’a
Markings and other Route Indicators
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 &Timir Shah and
published by Baroda Philatelic Society, Vadodara. Website -http://www.vadophil.org/
-Ananthapuri Stamp Bulletin - Monthly e -stamp bulletin of Anathapuri
Philatelic Association, Thiruvananthapuram. Editor – Mohanachandran Nair
-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
-The Fila Capsule issued by
Eastern India Philatelists' Association, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Editor - Dr
Bibhudutta Mishra
- Philatelic Society of Delhi Newsletter edited by Tarun Jain
Gibbons Stamp Monthly edited by Dean Shepherd –
Stanley Gibbons
Acknowledgment
- Ananthapuri Stamp
Bulletin April 2026 issue edited by Mohanachandran Nair: email : apa.tvpm@gmail.com
- Judaica Thematic
Society, UK . Society Newsletter March
2026 edited by Gary Goodman email : judaicathematicsociety@talktalk.net
-Fila Capsule April 2026
issue : e- magazine of Eastern India Philatelists' Association, Bhubaneshwar
Odisha; Chief Editor: Dr Bibhudutta Mishra-email :bhanubibhu68@gmail.com
Courtesy - News and Image Resource to this issue : SIPA, Philately Promoters, EIPA , Indian Philately, Prayag Philatelic Society Group, Philatelic Exhibitions, Whatsapp WOPA ; Pan India Pictorial Place Cancellations ; Capt. Vijay Wadhawa- Raipur (C.G.), Neelam Chandel- Shimla; Mystic Stamp Co.;
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 month.
- For
articles: Kindly send images in jpg compressed form and text in MS
Word only Please do
not use any formatting and text wrapping in the article. Simply put
the images under text where required.
- If you like this issue, please forward it
to your friends and help in promoting philately.
· Please do not send forwarded messages for promotional
section if you want to give any information for promotion, please write
personally with brief write up. As this newsletter is not used for any
commercial purpose in any manner.
Attention – Please do not
send text or image for publication in PDF.
Any material from this newsletter
may be reproduced only with the written permission from the editor.
Happy Collecting ……….
Rainbow Stamp News is edited and
published monthly by Jeevan Jyoti from Dehradun (Uttarakhand) India for free
circulation among philatelists.
