Cities of Poland - I

Hi Readers ! In Today's Post here is a beautiful city of Poland. As The Postal Administration of Poland is my favourite Postal Administration in the world. I don't want to miss any of the new issues of this country. The stamps are so beautiful that really shows the great work done by the artist in designing the stamp. The design of each issue is always unique and depicts a great aesthetic sense.The "Polish towns and cities" (Miasta Polskie) philatelic series begun in 2002 with the issue of a collection of stamps related to the Polish capitals - Gniezno, Krakow and Warsaw. Later, also the town of Płock, and the oldest Polish city - Kalisz, were presented on postage stamps. Raciborz is the 18th town in the series. In second part some lovely poses of Aldabra Giant Tortoise sent by our distinguished member Mr. H.K. Jain from Mandla (M.P.). There is a craze for these Giant Tortoise Stamps among Indian Collectors because of its unusual shape and beautiful design. They are experimenting to bring out different poses of these lovely creatures from the sheetlets. Here are some nice cut outs from sheetlets.In our regular series some se-tenants from the album of Mr. Shrikant Parikh on Children Theme. This is all for today !.... Have a Nice Time !.....



Polish cities - Racibórz
History The first mention of the town being captured by the knights of Bolesław Krzywousty in 1108, found in the Chronicles and Deeds of the Dukes or Princes of the Poles by Gallus Anonymous, is the reason for this year's celebration of the 900 years of history of Racibórz. Racibórz is located in south-western Poland by the river Odra. Due to its location in the vicinity of trade routes, it was very significant in the Middle Ages as a centre of craftsmanship and the venue for the largest grain market in the entire region. In the 12th century, Racibórz was the seat of the castellan's district ("kasztelania" - a mid level local administration unit in the Middle Age Poland, with a castle or an important town at its centre) and subsequently the capital of the Racibórz Principality. It was ruled by the Piast Dynasty (until the 14th century), the Przemyslid Dynasty, the House of Habsburg (beginning with the 16th century), later it was in the hands of the Prussians (the 18th century) and the Germans, and beginning with 1945 it has been a part of Poland. Racibórz was heavily damaged in the course of the Thirty Years' War, and subsequently ruined in 1945. In July 1997, 60% of the area of the town was under water as a result of a massive flood. Presently Racibórz is an industrial centre, known for the fact that it was the first Polish and European city to obtain the ISO 14001 quality certificate used in eco-management. Apart from many historical sites, the town's assets include a well developed infrastructure for sports.

Date of Issue : 1 July 2008

The design of stamp and First Day Cover

The postage stamp, issued by the Polish Post on account of the celebrations of 900 years of the history of Racibórz, depicts two characteristic elements. The first one is a renaissance tower (a prison) erected around 1574. As a distinctive feature of the town, the tower is included in its logotype.The second element depicted on the stamp is a late-baroque Marian column, carved in sandstone by Jan Melchior Österreich between 1725 and 1727. It was ordered as a votive offering to Virgin Mary in gratitude for the end of the epidemic in 1715. On the top of the column, consisting of carved clouds, there is a figure of the Virgin Mary. A triple sided pedestal at the base of the column contains the figures of patron saints: St. Marcel - a pope and patron of Racibórz, St. Florian - a patron of fire fighters and St. Sebastian - defender against plague. The column was miraculously saved from war damage even though it stands in the centre of the town square and the tenements surrounding it were all destroyed.
The First Day Cover shows the Chapel of Thomas Beckett dating back to the end of the 13th century, referred to as the pearl of the gothic architecture of Silesia (the Śląsk region). It's a renovated part of the gothic-renaissance castle of the dukes of Racibórz. A general renovation of the building has recently been launched. The occasional date stamp used in the Racibórz Post Office contains the town's coat of arms, depicting half of an eagle and half of a wooden wheel.
Courtesy - Polish Post

Aldabra Giant Toroise in different moods from collection of Hemant Kumar Jain

From Se-tenant Album of Shrikant Parikh

Theme - Children

Normal

Colour variation in se-tenants
Date of Issue: 14 November 2006