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