World Tiger Day

29 July  - World Tiger Day

International Tiger Day, is an annual celebration to raise awareness for tiger conservation, held annually on 29 July. It was created in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit. The goal of the day is to promote a global system for protecting the natural habitats of tigers and to raise public awareness and support for tiger conservation issues

Most beautiful Picture of Tiger and the cub

Amol Bais, a resident of Chandrapur, couldn't hide his enthusiasm as he recollected the first day of 2016 as if it was yesterday. Seated in an open vehicle during the morning safari, he saw Maya, the tigress from Tadoba, getting a 'hug' from her cub, and even as he immortalised that moment, he had no clue that months later his iconic image would end up to be used on a postal stamp.

 Amol Bais who clicked the lovely photo of  "tigress with her cub".

Important Facts of Tiger

• All tigers have more than 100 stripes on their body but not two tigers have the same pattern of stripes.
• Tigers have been divide into 8 subspecies – Indian (or Bengal), Indo-Chinese, Sumatran, Amur (or Siberian), South China, Caspian (extinct), Java (extinct), and Bali (extinct).
• Tigers keep their claws sharp by keeping it inside the retractable sheath and taking it out only when required for hunting.

• Tigers, Lions, Leopards and Jaguars are the only four types of cats that can roar but cannot purr.
• The vision of the tiger is six times better than a human at night. They also hunt by hearing and sight and not by smell.

• All tiger subspecies put together currently amount to fewer than 3,000 endangered tigers remaining in the wild.
• A tiger in one sitting may eat 22 to 32 kilograms of meat but it may also go hungry for weeks.

• White Tigers are not albinos. They just do not have the orange colored genes.
• A tiger can leap as high as 10 feet in a single jump.
• The smallest of all tiger species is the Sumatran tiger and the largest the Siberian tiger.

“Tigers are one of the most beautiful animals on planet earth. They have been evoked in literature, proverbs and plays for their majestic strength and beauty”

Stamp on Origami

Date of issue : 17 July 2017

Correos has managed to make the first stamp in the world of origami with the shape of the bird painted or bow tie in Spain.

Origami is defined as the art of creating paper figures without cutting or using glue, only folding a square of paper.The paper figures resulting from the folding may be of various shapes such as flowers, animals, objects, even faces or architectural elements.

The origin of the Origami is dated in China in the first or second century AD, arrived in Japan in the sixth century AD, where it is integrated into Japanese culture and begins its development and subsequent rise. In the beginning, in the latter country, it was an art that only the nobility could enjoy because of the high price of paper.

In the West the paper is discovered when being brought in the caravans of the silk route and it spreads quickly by its smaller cost and easy manipulated.

Even so, we can consider that the two great cradles of origami (in the West) and origami (in the West) were Spain and Japan. In both countries two classic figures of great tradition were developed: the crane in Japan and the bow tie in Spain.

The selection of the bow tie as the first postage stamp of origami is because it is a very interesting figure for two fundamental reasons: it is a classic figure and absolutely recognizable throughout the world as an element of origami and on the other hand the bow tie relates With the pigeon messenger, which in turn is part of the origin and activity of the mail in the world.

The seal is based on the square base well known by all fans for its simplicity and versatility. In the block sheet are described the steps to follow to get the bow tie by folding the seal by the lines that have marked. In addition the seal incorporates Augmented Reality to download a tutorial of how to mount the bow tie.

Both the unopened seal and the folded seal in the form of a bow tie can be used as seals to place on a letter and be sent to your destination.

Karphilex 2017, Bangalore

KARPHILEX-2017, Bangalore

14 - 16 July 2017

Philately exhibition, KARPHILEX- 2017 was held at Bengaluru from 14-16 July 2017 organised by the Karnataka Philatelic Society of India, which was founded in 1975. I was very much tempted to attend this exhibition considering that it will be interesting.Finally, I attended the exhibition and it was really enjoyable and interesting.

I was told that the KARPHILEX-2017 is happening after a gap of 10 years. I have in my collection the three special covers of first KARPHILEX held in 1976 at Bangalore ( 5,6, and 7 June 1976). There was a special  postal cancelation of exhibition with a Philately slogan each day. On 5^th June; “PHILATELY PROMOTES NATIONAL INTEGRATION”, 6th June; ”PHILATELY FOR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTAING”, 7^th June; “PHILATELY A VEHICLE OF CULTURAL EXCHANGE”. The logo of Karnataka Philately Society were printed in different colours for each day(Red, Blue, Orange)

Special Cover of KARPHILEX-1976

           

KARPHILEX event reminds me of the Bengaluru GPO which has always been very active in Philately activities. I remember in 1960’s many postal marks with slogans for public awareness were issued, for example “POST BOX ENSURES PROMPT AND CONVINIENT DELIVERY”. This slogan post mark I have seen only from Bengaluru GPO(may have been issued from other places).

            Karnataka Philatelic Society once had a youth philately division and used to issue special covers with youth as a theme. Overall, both Bengaluru GPO and Karnataka Philatelic Society have been very active in all aspects of Philately activities for decades now.

1.    Exhibition highlights :

·         The KARPHILEX-2017, philately exhibition was well planned in advance and implemented.

·         Wide publicity of the exhibition was done. Publicity in print media,  informing educational institutions, electronic media(what’s app, facebook),  word of mouth etc.

·         The exhibition  organising committee was receptive to ideas for philately promotions.

·         Various philately activities were organised for the three day event, like, Lucky Dip, Spot Competitions, Letter Writing activity by folding an envelope from a specially printed square paper, Memento chocolates with its collectible philately wrappers etc.

·         Organising committee members were always available during the three day event for any type of help and guideline for anybody who requires.

2.    SpecialPhilately activities etc :

a.    Letter Writing Activity

Special square paper was printed colourfully and given to the visitors. The objective is to fold the colourful square paper into an envelope. Once the envelope is folded, a few lines were written inside the envelope along with sender and receiver address. Next a stamp of Rs 5 was bought from the India Post counter which was gummed to the folded envelope and dropped into a letter box kept outside the exhibition hall. Four design varieties of the envelope were printed. All visitors enthusiastically participated in this interesting and unique letter writing activity.  Hope that such letter writing activity is done at all philately promotion events and other philately events.

                                               Folded Envelope

b.    Lucky Dip

            Visitors could buy a lucky dip ticket. There were three prizes, 1^stPrize (Penny Black Stamp, 1840), 2^nd Prize (Half Anna Stamp of 1854 of India), 3^rd Prize(First Post Independence stamps of India, set of 3,1948). The lucky dip coupon was very well printed and can be kept as preserved memory and also a collectible.

           Lucky Draw Coupon

c.    Customised Chocolate with Philately Wrapper

Chocolates were available with its wrapper having a stamp image and a few lines about the stamp. The wrapper was meant to be preserved as collectibles. Its an interesting idea and very attractive for promoting philately. Five different chocolate wrappers were available. Went well with visitors.

 

Five different varieties of Chocolate Wrapper

d.    Souvenir articles

·         The Exhibition Souvenir book had a special and detailed article on the Two Anna Stamp printed on the One Anna Stamp Paper authored by Markand D. Dave & P.S.Dixit.

·         Article titled “Classics India” by Internationally Renowned Philatelist and Chief Patronage of KARPHILEX-2017 Dr(Mrs.) SitaBhateja was interesting to read. Such articles keep India’s Philately history alive.

e.    Three Commemorative Covers

Three very unique and special covers were issued, each by Vietnam Post, Botswana Post and Namibia Post.

Commemorative Covers by Postal Dept of Vietnam, Botswana, Namibia

3.    Exhibits

·        There were about 104 participants participating in various philately categories including literature class. Largely, the exhibits were under the thematic class and very few on postal history.

·         Internationally Renowned Philatelist and Chief Patronage of KARPHILEX-2017 Dr Sita Bhateja’s Exhibit on British India Classic was a gem to go through.

·         The Two Exhibits on Postcards& Inland letter and Aerogramme remindedof the good old days of postal communication which was the only affordable means for distant communication.

· Interestingly, there was an exhibit on new philately activity i.e. Post Crossing (www.postcrossing.com). The idea of Post crossing is interesting and is keeping the postal communication alive. Post crossing activity must be encouraged by the entire philately community. With time, Post crossing will have a unique place in modern philately.

·         Exhibit on Letter Boxes was interesting.

4.    Dealers Stall

There were about more than 25 philately dealer stalls at the exhibition event meeting the needs and requirements of philatelists. India Post had a stall selling India Post philately items including My Stamps. Also, India Post was selling the two KARPHILEX-2017special covers with exhibition special postal cancellation.

Two Special Covers by India Post

5.    Memorable Exhibition Photographs

Souvenir Book Release

Awards to the Participants with Dr Sita Bhateja

Conclusion

All the three day was lively with continuous visitors and many philately events.  Overall the KARPHILAEX-2017 was a memorable and enjoyable philately event and keeping Philately community moving.

Postal administrations of Botswana,Namibia and Vietnam released Special covers to mark their presence at Karphilex-2017.This may be the first time when  a foreign postal administration  released  special covers at a philatelic event in India.


Other activities at Karphilex 2017


1. Treasure hunt -  Conducted by  Mani  Muthu  Krishnan 

2. Spot Quiz -  Conducted by  Nikhilesh  Melkote  and  RA Prasad 

3. Live Mind Games conducted by  Dr Mandra  

4. Distribution of thematic stamp packet  by  KPS  Stamp  Bank -  disturbed  among  children   by  Chitayanya  Dev 

5. Walk  with  Jury  - To discuss  about  improving  the  exhibits  contact  by  jury team Mr NK Agrawal, and  team 


6. Honour - Lifetime Achievement Award - to senior  philatelists  Dr Shangoram  

- Jagannath Mani, Bangalore

Picture Postcards on Chandrashekhar Azad from Allahabad

On 111th birth anniversary of Amar Shaheed Chandrashekhar Azad, a set of six picture postcards were issued by  Allahabad HPO on 22 July 2017. The postcards depict pictures of Chandrashekhar Azad Park, Allahabad .The cost of six postcards is Rs.100 and is available at the HPO Allahabad.

- Ambrish Kumar - Allahabad

200 Years of Kaleidoscope

Date of Issue : 10 July 2017

Here is a beautiful miniature sheet issued by Jersey Post featuring 200 Years of Kaleiodoscope. The kaleidoscope was invented in 1816 by Scottish scientist Sir David Brewster, and the patent was granted in 1817. Whereas the instruments themselves have become simplified and mass-produced in modern times, fascination remains constant some 200 years on. Six stamps feature intricate, symmetrically designed illustrations, in homage to the curious beauty of kaleidoscope patterns that have captivated people for 200 years. Each of the designs is based on a different theme, using Jersey’s abundance of flora and fauna as their subject.

An inscription on each stamp provides a clue as to what is shown. For example, the 49-penny stamp is inscribed “shells & anemones.”

The other stamps are inscribed: “feathers & eggs,” 63p; “wildflowers,” 73p; “woodlands,” 79p; “minibeasts” (insects and a spider), 90p; and “marine life,” £1.07.

Brewster (1781-1868), a Scottish physicist, actually invented the kaleidoscope in 1816. The 200th anniversary refers to the year it was patented, 1817.

Protect Pollinators....

Date of Issue : 3 August 2017

Here is a pane of beautiful stamps for Lovers of flowers and  butterflies. On August 3, 2017, in Richmond, VA, the U.S. Postal Service^® will issue the Protect Pollinators stamps (Forever^® priced at 49 cents), in five designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 475200). The Protect Pollinators $9.80 pane of 20 stamps may not be split, and the stamps may not be sold individually. The stamps will go on sale nationwide August 3, 2017.

The U.S. Postal Service pays tribute to the beauty and importance of pollinators with stamps depicting two of  continent’s most iconic: the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and the western honeybee (Apis mellifera), each shown industriously pollinating a variety of plants native to North America.

The stamps feature:

1. A monarch and a coneflower
(photo by Karen Mayford);

2. A western honeybee and a golden ragwort
(photo by George D. Lepp);

3. A monarch and a zinnia
(photo by Bonnie Sue Rauch);

4. A western honeybee and a New England aster
(photo by Michael Durham); and

5. A monarch and goldenrod
(photo by Justin Fowler).

Source : USPS

70th Anniversary of Lambretta

 Date of Issue : 3 June 2017

Here is a beautiful stamp issued by Italy Post featuring Lambtretta Scooter. This scooter was also once very popular in India The stamp has been issued to commemorate 70th anniversary of Lambretta Scoter. The stamp features  a poster advertising the Lambretta fifties, created by illustrator and poster designer Italian Franco Mosca, kept at the Lambretta Scooter Museum, Rodano (Milan). 

Lambretta is the brand name of a line of motor scooters initially manufactured in Milan, Italy, by Innocenti. The name is derived from the word Lambrate, the suburb of Milan named after the river which flows through the area, and where the factory was located. Lambretta was the name of a mythical water-sprite associated with the river which runs adjacent to the former production site.

New Special Covers...

Goods and Services Tax - 1 July 2017

Leader K. Karunakaran Birth Centenary  - 7 July 2017 Kozhikode

International Yoga Day - 21 June 2017 Chennai

World Red Cross Day - 8 May 2017

Sreejesh Krishnan - Trivandrum

Karphilex-2017 Exclusive Special Covers

Postal administrations of Botswana,Namibia and Vietnam released Special covers to mark their presence at Karphilex-2017.

This may be the first time when  a foreign postal administration  released  special covers at a philatelic event in India.

New Special Cover -KTK/59/2017 - Raksha Bandhan 

Karnataka Postal Circle released the special cover at Karphilex 2017 venue.Interesting to note that the cancellation does not have the Date mentioned.

- Suresh Rao, Bangalore