New stamps on International Year of Crystallography from Portugal

 

 

Here are new stamps from Portugal commemorating International Year of Crystallography. By official decision of the UN, the year 2014 was declared the International Year of Crystallography. This ephemeris is jointly organized by the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) and UNESCO and aims to create a link between two other initiatives of this sort: the International Year of Chemistry, held in 2011, and the International Year of Light, which will be celebrated in 2015.

    

As such, these three worldwide celebrations fall into the strategic guidelines of the International Program of Fundamental Sciences of UNESCO, in collaboration with other scientific programs of the Organization, such as the International Geoscience Program, designed to further knowledge of this Science within Society and of its vital contribution to our well-being on this planet.

  

However, although Crystallography is today basilar to all Fundamental Sciences (Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology and Geology), it remains relatively unknown to the general public. One of the goals of this anniversary is to promote education and public awareness of the importance of this science by conducting various activities worldwide, such as this stamp issue.

The issue “Ano Internacional da Cristalografia” consists of five stamps and a souvenir sheet, which illustrate crystallography in the areas of geology, physics, mathematics, chemistry and biology. In the souvenir sheet water is present as an aggregating component.

Porcelain on New Taiwan stamps

Date of Issue : 19 September 2014

Taiwan Post office is issuing the stamps that are dedicated to porcelain – China’s most important inventions. Traditional blue and white porcelain, an especially exemplary combination of skillful technique and aesthetic sensibility, is regarded as one of the most unique forms of Chinese ceramics.

So as to celebrate the cultural legacy, Chunghwa Post has selected works from the National Museum of History for a set of four stamps and a souvenir sheet.

Their designs follow:

Stamps: Dish decorated with floral design in underglaze blue, Qing Dynasty (NT$5); Jar decorated with peony pattern in underglaze blue, Ming Dynasty (NT$10); Jar decorated with dragon design and character “shou” in underglaze blue, Ming Dynasty (NT$12); Flat vase decorated with ladies in underglaze blue, Qing Dynasty (NT$20).

Souvenir Sheet: Plate decorated with flower and bird pattern in underglaze blue, Qing Dynasty (NT$25).

New pictorial cancellation from  Poland

On September 9th 2014 a new pictorial cancellation will be available in Koszalin 9.The pictorial cancellation is featuring a Black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus).
Courtesy : Wolfgang Beyer, Vice Chairman of the German Philatelic Collector Group ARGE ZOOLOGIE. E.Mail: Wolfgang.beyer1@aol.de  & Heike Peschel

 

International Year of Crystallography

 

Date of Issue : 14 February 2014

Slovak Post  post issued a stamp commemorating the International Year of Crystallography on 14 February 2014.

Crystallography is a science that examines the arrangement of atoms in solids. The word “crystallography” derives from the Greek krustallos meaning cold drop or originated in cold. A more current definition states that it is a science describing the atomic and molecular structure of solids and its relation to physical, chemical and biological properties. In 2014 we will celebrate 100 years since awarding the Nobel Price to Max von Laue for the experiments that for the first time revealed the atomic (crystal) structure of solid matter via X-ray diffraction. That is why the UNO announced the year 2014 to be the International Year of Crystallography. One of the basic thoughts in the search for a crystal structure is a presumption of its symmetry and of the periodic arrangement of its basic building elements – atoms, eventually molecules. Since we live in three-dimensional space, we intuitively – and usually correctly – understand three-dimensionally ordered structures. However, the improving experimental methods allowed us to discover that there is an important group of solids that deviate from this strict rule, while their properties are related to seemingly negligible deviations from the well-established order. With the help of electron density isolines in the Ta-Ge-Te alloy crystal the stamp shows that instead of the expected placement on the straight line, atoms positions are modulated so that they create a crenel, which ultimately results into the change of substance’s properties.

The motive depicted in FDC shows such usage of symmetry that abstracts (from bottom to top) from a specific atoms arrangement in a kaolinite structure to symbolic schemes of OD theory that reflecting the laws of symmetry, lead to simplified and more understandable presentation. The stamp on FDC represents a fragment of such a structure.

On commemorative sheet is a depiction of Laue’s diagram of a chromium compound crystal with a threefold symmetry axis in line with the primary X-ray beam. UV protective layer printed on surface of postage stampis derived directly from Laues’s diagram depicted on Commemorative sheet which is finally stamped by commemorative cancellation dedicated to honour of Max von Laue.

Club News

Special cover to be issued at Jodhpur on 20the February 

On the occasion of  inauguration of Bhagwan Parshwanath and Shiv Temple, a special cover is being released on 20th February 2014 at 1.00 PM at Umaid heritage, Foothill of Umaid Bhawan Palace, Defence Lab Road, Rata- Naada, JODHPUR, . India Post will provide special cancellation. 

- Sudhir Jain – Satna (MP)

District level Stamp Exhibition in Gaya organized by India Post

STAMP EXHIBITION, GAYA STAMP FESTIVAL 2014  FROM 22 - 23 FEBRUARY 2014

A special cover on Buddha  will be released during the exhibition. 

THE COMMISSIONER, MAGADH DIVISION  will inaugurate the exhibition and the Vice Chancellor , MAGADH UNIVERSITY will be the chief guest for the closing ceremony. During the exhibition quiz and essay contest will be organized.

- ANIL SAXENA,  GAYA    email: saxenaak273@yahoo.co.in