Charity Stamps 2015 for World Wildlife Fund

Hi !

After a long gap I am posting on my blog.  I just returned after visiting beautiful Sikkim . Due to limited Internet access at the places where I stayed , I could not update my blog. From now onwards regular posts with philatelic news updates will be published .

Charity Stamps 2015 for World Wildlife Fund

This is the first time PostNord has issued the charity stamps jointly in both Sweden and Denmark. The proceeds for the year go to the World Wildlife Fund and its environmental work to create sustainable cities. The issue was released on the 7^th of May.

The charity stamps have the same design in Sweden and Denmark. This year’s charity stamps also have some other firsts. It is the first time PostNord’s logotype is displayed on a stamp. WWF’s logotype is also displayed with the message, “För miljöns skull” (For the environment).The aim is to show that everyone, from private individuals to companies, can work together for the environment.

Club News

New Special Covers

450 years of Holy Spirit Church, Margao – 24th May 2015

A special cover was released on the occasion of the Church’s 450 years celebration coinciding with its feast day on 24th May 2015 at Margao. The special cover was released by Shri Charles Lobo, Postmaster General, Goa Region and was handed over to the Chief Guest, Mr. Justice (Retd.) Eurico Santana Silva. Holy Spirit Church's Parish Priest Mr. Avinash Rebello and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. The cancellation on the cover shows the picture of a dove which is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. (Special Cover approval no. MH/20/2015)

Special Cover on Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna - 18th May 2015

Royal Challengers Bangalore, also called RCB is the franchise of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Royal Challengers, who pride themselves in creating environmental awareness among their fans, initiated Go Green initiative step towards addressing the issue of global warming, reducing its impact on the environment and to reduce our carbon foot-print. RCB have been promoting 'Go Green' efforts for the last few years.

In appreciation of Royal Challengers Bangalore's efforts as a sports team in India, spreading the message of eco-friendly initiatives and the world's first carbon positive cricket team Karnataka Postal Circle released My Stamp and Special Cover on 17th May 2015 at Bengaluru. (Special Cover approval no. KTK/43/2015)

My Stamp bears the Royal Challengers Bangalore logo alongside a Cineraria flower stamp and the special cover depicts the profile shots of three of RCB's key players, Chris Gayle, Ab De Villiers and Captain Virat Kohli set in the foreground of the world's only solar powered cricket stadium – M. Chinaswamy Stadium. The special cover is made of eco friendly material and priced at Rs. 25. (Special Cover with my Stamp Rs. 45 each)

My Stamp and Special Cover were released by Daniel Vettori Coach of RCB with members of the Karnataka Postal Circle Shri B S Chandrashekar, Assistant Director of Postal Services, Shri Shivram, Assistant Postmaster General, and Shri K A Devraj, Senior Superintendent of Post Offices.

Courtesy – Indian Philately Digest

Tributes to great philatelist

B.B. Shahi -- An expert of 1854 Lithographs stamps of India

Batuk Bhairo Shahi, popularly known as B. B. Shahi was an ardent expert of 1854 Lithographs of India. His knowledge on Post Marks, Stamps & Postal History of early British India was unparalleled. The living encyclopedia of 1854 Lithographs and hand struck postage stamps, left us, on 22nd April 2015 for his heavenly abode.

Shri Shahi was born on 29th January 1926 in Varanasi. He did his B.Sc from Banaras Hindu University, then M. A. in Psychology and finally L.L.B. His knowledge on printing techniques including engraving, printing plates, stamp paper and different inks used in printing was enormous. This printing knowledge made him Master of Forgeries. Shri Shahi used to preach how to detect forgeries, because modern electronic techniques have made forgeries easier. And marketing through internet has also become easy to dispose such forgeries.

But, he was remembered for his research and intense study of Lithographs, postmarks and postal route of pre stamp era. Stalwarts of 1854 Lithograph, used to invite him for his knowledge & experience for discussion on finer points of Indian Lithographs.

Shri Shahi remained simple and humble throughout his life and left an unforgettable mark on Indian Philately through his works.

- Pradip Jain - Patna

Toys of yesteryears

Date of Issue : 19 May 2015

Philatelic and Numismatic Office of Vatican City has produced for Europa 2015 a series of two postage stamps with designs by artist Stefano Morri featuring toys, which, although “old”, also represent a universal symbol of a child playing. The issue is to be released on the 19^th of May.

The 80 cent euro value shows three toy soldiers representing in scale three papal Gendarmes in formal uniforms worn by the Corps during the Napoleonic era up until 1965. In the background the walls of a room can be seen with other traditional handcrafted toys.

The 95 cent euro value also shows more toy soldiers with two Pontifical Swiss Guards who are wearing what is probably the most famous uniform in the world. One of the guards is playing the drums, while the other is carrying the classic halberd, which is still in use today in official ceremonies and in some services of standing guard.

The dice with the first initials of the Corps and a glass marble complete the foreground of the design. The profile of St. Peter’s Basilica can be seen in the background, a panoramic view from the terrace of a building in Rome.

Toys recall an important time during a child’s growth and development, and are characterized today by a rapid evolution often resulting in trends of a brief or very short duration. At the same time, some toys have become part of the cultural heritage of society and continue to draw the interest of the young. Examples include toy soldiers and dolls, which have been part of human history since ancient times.

Europa 2015 Stamps from Luxembourg

Luxembourg Post has released a special set of stamps designed for Europa 2015. The series of postage stamps featuring the toys of yesteryear was produced together with the ‘A Possen’ Museum in Bech-Kleinmacher where the doll’s house furniture and the building box are now on display.

Manufacture of the doll’s house dates back to 1936. At the age of 7, Madame Reuter from Pétange received the ‘house’ as a St Nicolas gift. The furniture had been made and painted by her father and her mother had sewn all the household linen and the doll’s clothes by hand. When war broke out in 1940, the family was forced to leave their home and the toys had to be left behind.

The building box, comprising model components in stone, was one of the magical gifts that a nursery school child in Hamm could choose at the end of a school year.

Club News

INDIA TRIUMPHS IN INTERNATIONAL PHILATELIC COMPETITION

PILLAGE TROPHY 2015

FIFTH PILLAGE TROPHY COMPETITION hosted by the British Air Mail Society on 12th May 2015 at the Royal Philatelic Society, London and sponsored by Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions , LLC and The Associations of British Philatelic Societies . This is a bi-annual competition. Results of the earlier Pillage Trophy:

 

The next competition is going to be held in February 2017 in Sarasota, Florida.Two teams of five member countries in each team participated. The teams were : American Air Mail Society consisting of Stephen Reinhard from USA - Captain , Allen Klein from USA, Pradip Jain from India, Derrick Pillage from UK, and Dominique Petit from France as its members whereas British Air Mail Society consisting of Peter Lister- Captain (non competitive), Jacques Bot from Netherlands, Jeffrey Booth from UK, Gerard Collot from France, Martyn Cusworth from UK and Dan Gribbin from USA as its members respectively.

 
Mr. Pradip Jain with a fellow aerophilatelist

Team American Air Mail Society won the competition by scoring 421 points out of which Pradip Jain from India scored the highest points (91 out of 100) which led to the victory of the team.

The exhibits were judged and the results were declared by the honoured judges : Mr. Ray Todd & Mr.Ross Wood. The medals to the runners up were presented by Mr. David Coogle and the medals to the winners were presented by Mr. Larry Gibson as well as the New trophy was presented to the winning captain by Chris King, President , RPSL. The awards dinner was at the ‘Kings Head’ hosted by President , Bill Trower and the toast “Aerophilately” hosted by Vice President, Eddie Spicer .

                                                                                         
The medal presented to team AAMS  & The medal presented to Mr.Pradip Jain.

Release of Golden Jubilee stamp of EIC

Golden Jubilee My stamp was released on 50 Years of Export Inspection Council on 22nd April 2015.

- Udit Kumar Saxena

Stamps for pet lovers

 

Date of Issue : 5 May 2015

Canadian Post released a special set of stamps dedicated to pets. The stamps were designed by Lara Minja and illustrated by Genevieve Simms with a whimsical and colourful brushstroke-style.

Canadians love their pets – including some 10 million cats, 5.5 million dogs and plenty of rodents, reptiles, birds and fish. Love Your Pet: Responsible Pet Ownership is a colourful new stamp series that offers reminders of the importance of spaying or neutering, regular visits to the veterinarian, proper nutrition, creating comfortable surroundings, and plenty of play, exercise and attention.

 

“Companion animals enrich our lives and bring us joy and happiness on a daily basis.  This stamp issue,  creates  awareness of what it takes to keep pets happy and healthy”.

“These stamps artistically demonstrate some of the important ways that we can ensure that our companion animals receive the physical and emotional care they deserve”, says Barbara Cartwright, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Federation of Humane Societies.

The animals in the bright, lighthearted artwork all show warmth and express personality in scenes where they are cared for responsibly. It’s a visually appealing and celebratory way of illustrating the pets in our lives, while reminding us about ways of keeping them safe, healthy and happy.

Club News

Book on Meghdoot Post Cards

 

Mr Purushottam Das Heda of Hyderabad has published a book on Meghdoot Post Cards. For the book Please write to Purushottam Das Heda email : pdheda@hotmail.com

Postal address :

Purushottam Das Heda

3-12-12/C, Ganeshnagar Colony
Ramanthapur, HYDERABAD - 500013 (TS)
INDIA
Mobile: 09848089049

Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015

 

Date of Issue : 9 May 2015

This year, the U.S. Postal Service® celebrates the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, the flagship event of the Special Olympics movement. On this occasion, the Postal Service is to issue a special stamp on the 9^th of May. The item features the 2015 Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles logo, showcasing the colors of flags from participating countries.

The words “Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015″ and “Forever/USA” appear on the stamp; its colored background begins as a light orange at the top of the stamp then darkens as it moves toward the bottom.

The title of the sheet “Special Olympics World Games” appears in two shades of orange on a white background. The orange colors in the title are repeated in a simple design at the top of the sheet.

“The logo’s celebratory figure represents the courage, determination and joy of our athletes”, says Patrick McClenahan, president and chief executive officer of the 2015 Games. “Placing the iconic image inside the circle represents acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities”.

The Games will be held in Los Angeles from July 25 to August 2. More than half a million spectators will enjoy nine days of challenging and inspiring international competition as more than 7,000 athletes from 177 countries compete in 25 Olympic-type sports.

 

New Special Cover

300th Anniversary of Arameri Kalancheri Mutt, Virajpet : 9th May 2015

On the occasion of tercentennial celebrations of Arameri Kalancheri Mutt and birth centenary celebrations of late Sri Shantamallaswami a Special Cover was released at Virajpet on 9th May 2015. (Special Cover approval no. KTK/42/2015). On this occasion Sri Lingarajendra Prasad Nilaya was also inaugurated. This hostel can accommodate 300 students. The Special cover depicts the image of the Sri Lingarajendra Prasad Nilaya and photo of Shantamalla swami with the image of the mutt in the backdrop.

Courtesy – Indian Philately Digest

175th Anniversary World's First Postage Stamp

 

Date of Issue : 2 May 2015

Malta Post issued a beautiful Miniature Sheet on 2nd May 2015 to commemorate 175th anniversary of Penny Black, world’s first postage stamp.

Commemorating the 175^th Anniversary of the World's First Postage Stamp

The 6th May 1840, marks the introduction of the first pre-paid adhesive postage stamp - the Penny Black of Great Britain.

Prior to this date, adhesive postage stamps and envelopes did not exist. When sending a letter, it was the recipient who was to pay for postage rather than the sender. Since postal rates were very high at the time, many people refused to accept letters and would develop secret codes by which they could cheat the postal services. The secret code would be written on the outside of the letter and all the addressee had to do was read the secret message and simply refuse the letter so as not to pay for its delivery!
The issue of the first stamp was a result of a postal reform that was introduced by Sir Rowland Hill, the British Postmaster General, in 1837. He introduced a system whereby mail could go anywhere within the British Isles at the same rate and that the postage was to be paid by the sender by placing a small piece of coloured paper on the outside of the letter - the postage stamp. Before this, the recipient was charged for each sheet of paper that a letter contained and the distance the letter covered until it arrived at its final destination. Hill's proposal was challenged for a couple of years but he managed to garner enough support from other like-minded individuals, such as Henry Cole, founding director of the Victoria and Albert Museum as well as larger, powerful organisations who together convinced Parliament to implement the system. The reform was finally enacted and instituted in 1840.

Special Folder

The design of the first pre-paid postage stamp was the product of a competition held in 1839. The winning entry depicting the young Queen Victoria's profile came from William Wyon, who based the design on a medal he had created to celebrate her first visit to London earlier that year. Hill worked with artist Henry Corbould to refine the portrait and define the stamp's intricate background pattern. After deciding to produce the stamp through the process of line engraving, engravers George Rushall and Charles and Frederick Heath prepared the design for printing. As the stamp was printed in black, the one penny stamp soon became known as the 'Penny Black'.

When the Penny Black went on sale, it was an immediate hit - suddenly Britain seemed a lot smaller to its citizens and over the year that followed 70 million letters were sent. Two years later, the number had more than tripled. The stamp was initially cancelled with a red Maltese Cross, however the red ink was hard to see on a black background and was easy to remove, making it possible to re-use the stamps.
The Penny Black's design was so well received, it remained in use for forty years. It underwent colour changes in 1841, adopted perforation in 1848 and acquired check letters in all four corners in 1858. Most of these designs were retained for Victoria's successor, Edward VII (1901) with his profile being substituted.
The introduction of a uniform penny postage resulted in increased trade and prosperity, with more people sending letters, postcards and Christmas cards than ever before. Following its success other countries followed suit.

For introducing the first stamp Hill was knighted. He also created the first uniform postage rates that were based on weight rather than size. The practice of affixing stamps on the upper right corner of envelopes arose from the fact that over 80 percent of London's male population was right-handed and it was therefore believed that such a practice would would help expedite the cancellation process.

 

Popular Toys of Children..

 

Date of Issue : 6 May 2015

Here is a nice stamp issued by Czech Republic for Europa 2015 theme. The stamp features popular modelling  toy of children all over the world . In India it is known as Meccano . Meccano is a model construction system created in Liverpool, UK by Frank Hornby. It consists of re-usable metal strips, plates, angle girders, wheels, axles and gears, with nuts and bolts to connect the pieces. It enables the building of working models and mechanical devices.

Czech Republic selected the legendary metal Merkur modelling system as a theme for stamp for Europa 2015. The item features a crane on tracks built of colour parts of the Merkur modelling system, with a black and white outline of other parts and tools scattered around.

The legendary metal Merkur modelling system is the best-known traditional Czech toy manufactured in the Czech Republic, which became famous throughout the world. It was created in the early 20th century in Police nad Metují and its models have been successfully sold since the mid-1920s.

The modelling system is based on belts and profiles of different shapes and lengths, made of painted sheet steel and containing a network of drilled holes. These parts are put together with bolts and nuts. The system contains also other parts such as axles, gear wheels, spindles, etc. Some sets also include pulleys, bulldozer belts and even electric motors. This enables the construction of most realistic structures and different machines.

The variability and unlimited use of Merker guarantee its popularity. It helps expand children’s imagination, dexterity and creativity.

My Recent Cover…

Cover from Russia

Thanks to Limanski E.N. from Moscow, Russia

Club News

From our Readers..

Book on ‘Meghdoot Post Cards’

I am pleased to bring my first book on ‘Meghdoot Post Cards’ under ‘Post Independence Postal Stationery of India’.The book consists of 130 pages printed on art paper with multi-color illustrations priced at Rs. 650/- (US $30/-) postage extra.
- Purushottam Das Heda email :  pdheda@hotmail.com

Tributes to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore

 

7th May – Birth Anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore

Today is birth anniversary of India’s greatest literary genius and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Many postal administrations have honored him on their postage stamps. Some of the stamps have been shown here. This Post is a tribute to Gurudev.

 

Rabindranath Tagore (7 May 1861 – 7 August 1941), was a literary genius who reshaped Bengali literature and music, as well as Indian art with Contextual Modernism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Author of Gitanjali and its "profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse", he became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.

In translation his poetry was viewed as spiritual and mercurial; however, his "elegant prose and magical poetry" remain largely unknown outside Bengal. Tagore introduced new prose and verse forms and the use of colloquial language into Bengali literature, thereby freeing it from traditional models based on classical Sanskrit. He was highly influential in introducing the best of Indian culture to the West and vice versa, and he is generally regarded as the outstanding creative artist of the modern Indian subcontinent.

 

 

Stamp Exhibition on Tagore in Kolkata by Souvik Roy

From 9th to 17th May 2015 at Rabindra Tirtha, New Town, Kolkata

 

175 years of Penny Black..

 

6 May 1840 :  The Penny Black stamp was officially launched

Happy Birthday Penny Black !!

 

The Penny Black was the world's first adhesive postage stamp used in a public postal system. It was issued in Britain on 1 May 1840, for official use from 6 May of that year and features a profile of Queen Victoria.

All London post offices received official issues of the new stamps but other offices throughout the United Kingdom did not, continuing to accept postage payments in cash only for a period. Post offices such as those in Bath began offering the stamp unofficially after 2 May 1840.

The idea of an adhesive stamp to indicate pre-payment of postage was part of Sir Rowland Hill's 1837 proposals to reform the British postal system; it was normal then for the recipient to pay postage on delivery. A companion idea, which Hill disclosed on 13 February 1837 at a government enquiry, was that of a separate sheet that folded to form an enclosure or envelope for carrying letters. At that time postage was charged by the sheet and on the distance travelled.

On 1 May 1840, post offices were issued with stocks of black one-penny stamps bearing a profile of a young Queen Victoria. And on 6 May, their use became official.

The franking mark – to prevent re-use of the stamps – was a red Maltese cross. Unfortunately, that could be rubbed off. So the colour of the ink was changed to black – which spelled the end of the Penny Black, and the birth of the Penny Red, which was introduced in 1841 and would last until 1879.

The original die of penny black was engraved by the Heath brothers from a medal design showing the head of Queen Victoria by William Wyon. The stamps were printed by Perkins Bacon security printers in sheets of 240 examples without perforations with letters in each corner the deter forgery and each sheet had to be cut up by scissors at the post office. Due to the long life of the design 11 separate plates were used, each with its own distinguishing characteristics and in all over 68 Million Penny Blacks were printed.

Penny Blacks - what makes them valuable?

So what makes Penny Blacks valuable? The major factor is condition. Those postal clerks and their scissors didn’t often cut carefully along the narrow margins and the majority had the design cut into. Also because they became an overnight collecting sensation households and businesses would save them by passing a needle and thread through the middle making1d Black Strings which were then sold by the foot to budding stamp dealers!

On 17th February 2015,Isle of Man Post Office issued in collaboration with Stanley Gibbons marking the 175th Anniversary of the Penny Black, the world's first adhesive posting stamp used in the public postal system, and the birth of Edward Stanley Gibbons.

Press Clipping

 

Ludhiana philatelists wish for million-dollar stamp

Aditi Gyanesh,TNN | May 6, 2015, 06.52 AM IST

LUDHIANA: World's first adhesive postage stamp, 'Penny Black', completes 175 years, and so does the culture of stamps. City philatelists on Tuesday shared their experiences of collecting stamps and still craving for the prized 'Penny Black'. Some of them are even keeping dummy, stickers, or photocopies of this stamp, to memorize and tell people about how and when stamps around the world took birth.
The reason behind collectors pursuing this rare stamp is not just philately. "It is extremely high in crores," Yashpal Bangia, president of Philatelic Congress of Punjab, said. "None of the philatelist in North India have the Penny Black. One has to shell out in crores for the stamp. The pricing, however, depends on the stamp's condition," Bangia added.
"Every philatelist the Penny Black," Bangia said. However, to articulate his love for the world's first stamp on its 175th anniversary, Bangia proudly mentioned about his collection of stamps on "Rowland Hill", inventor of "Penny Black" and first Indian stamp.
Bangia has worked for India Post and has written more than 40 books on philately till date. Another philatelist, IP Mehta (67), "This stamp gave birth to our work and hobbies. With the 175 years of this stamp, it is also 175 years of culture of sending letters by using stamps. We have many Victorian stamps with us but not the most important one, sadly."
However, philatelist also discussed the loosing importance stamps in next generation. Emails have replaced stamps now, they said, people do not need snail mail it anymore.

- Times of India