Book Review : The Last Post

The Last Post 
                                       - Anil Dhir

The Last Post - A Philatelic Miscellany by Anil Dhir 

"The Last Post"- A Philatelic Miscellany is the latest book by noted writer and philatelist of Orissa, Anil Dhir. He needs no introduction to the philatelic community, as he is well known for his excellent collection on ‘ Mourning Covers” and ‘Indian Classics’. This book has 20 different real stories related to letter boxes, old post offices, philatelists, stamps and stamp dealers, stamp collections, India Post staff and everything related to mail , postal history and postal services. Anil Dhir has his own style of narration that attracts not only a philatelist but everyone who loves reading. His close observation towards various events of life and the way he puts them into words, makes the story quite interesting and the reader feels that the story is just happening around . 

All the stories in this book are real and interesting that reader is forced to read the whole book at a stretch. Some anecdotes, his meeting with Khushwant Singh, about Late Shri Kailashnath, Major Mohanty, Black Borders, The Post Office at Port Blair, Post Office Red, The Last Post and the Lost Cover need special mention here. Very nicely written that keeps the reader engrossed and thrilled. The pics in the book make stories lively. It’s a wonderful book of its own kind with stories related to mail services and its history. Every philatelist will enjoy reading it …. For a serious philatelist it is an asset of the philatelic memories as the persons, places are very much familiar……... 

This book with 104 pages is priced just at Rs 150/- . For the readers of Rainbow Stamp News, it is at Rs 100/- post free by Regd. Book Post. It will be available with Kashinath Sahoo email: kasisahoo123@gmail.com Phone : 797856967

- Jeevan Jyoti

"The Last Post" is a book of a different order. I have written twenty stories  on letter boxes,  post offices, mail runners and other postal ephemera tinged with nostalgia. All the stories are first hand experiences. In fact there were so many, that I have a tough time in choosing which to select. It is heavily illustrated with colour plates.Maybe the success of the book will make me write a sequel. 

 - Anil Dhir

The Last Post

Book Review

"The Last Post" is the latest book by noted writer and philatelist of Orissa, Anil Dhir.  I am pleased to publish its review by Shri AB Tripathy, State Convener , INTACH.

This book is priced just at Rs 150/- . For the readers of Rainbow Stamp News, it is at Rs 100/- post free by Regd. Book Post. It will be available with Kashinath Sahoo   email:   kasisahoo123@gmail.com  Phone : 797856967 

"The Last Post" is a book of a different order. I have written twenty stories  on letter boxes,  post offices, mail runners and other postal ephemera tinged with nostalgia. All the stories are first hand experiences. In fact there were so many, that I have a tough time in choosing which to select. It is heavily illustrated with colour plates.Maybe the success of the book will make me write a sequel. - Anil Dhir

The Last Post:  A Swansong for the Post Office and the Letter Box

Book Review  by A.B.Tripathy  IPS (Retd.) State Convener, INTACH

Much of social and cultural history of the world, especially in the last five centuries, can be linked with the development of the postal services. The Post Office has been a trusted friend, it connected governments and royalty, nations and empires,customers and companies, and of course, friends and families. As the world evolved, the postal systems too evolved.

In the late years of the last century, the Indian postal system was seen as one that had been unable to modernize; mounting volume in outdated facilities had resulted in chaos, inefficiency and dysfunction.It seemed that the postal system, which was once at the cutting edge of a communications revolution, was doomed to become a quaint relic of the past. The internet revolution, emails, couriers, cell phones etc. had got about a sea change in the manner in which people connected and communicated.

Postage Stamps, letter boxes, old Post Offices, in fact anything connected to the mail, tell a story.  They speak of multiple stories, ranging from tales of politics, history, technology, biography, genealogy, economics, geography, disaster, and triumph. This book is the work of a postal enthusiast. It is an ode to the romance, valour, adventure and enchantment of the postal system.  The fascinating real life stories, centered on the Postal services are tinged with nostalgia. There are sweeping and entertaining accounts and interesting anecdotes.The human stories of the thousands of people who lived and worked within it, have not have been told.

The Last Post, was released recently at the National Archives of India, Bhubaneswar. Written by Anil Dhir, the book is a collection of 20 stories spread over the last three centuries, related to the post offices, letter boxes and postmen.Dhir, an avid heritage aficionado is a multifaceted personality. He delves into uncharted paths and courses and comes out with scintillating facts which are out of the common. This remarkably adventurous spirit is reflected in the themes of his writings. This book is of that genre that will keep the attention of the readers glued to the contents.

I will end with the note that there is no substitute for the Post Office. Every nation’s Postal System is the heart of the country, circulating its pulses across the borders and within. We should never let it die. 

Club News

Thailand 2018

At Thailand 2018. Sandeep Jaiswal's  eight frame exhibit titled “British India – Queen Victoria Postal Stationery” was awarded a Large Gold medal (96 points) + Special Award for “Material”. Of the 22 exhibits entered in the Postal Stationery class, it was the highest awarded exhibit in its class.

Sandeep Jaiswal , Mr. Bernard Beston (new president of the FIP), Mr. Peter McCann (past President of the APS) 

New Book by Sandeep Jaiswal launched at Thailand 2018

British India Queen Victoria Postal Stationery

A 190+ page book, based on this exhibit was launched during the Postal Stationery Commission meeting at the show. 

The book is published by Mr. Ajay Mittal and copies can be ordered from him. 

Email : ajaymittal1957@gmail.com    

Multilaterale Hertogpost 2017

What is the “Multilaterale”?

The Multilaterale is an initiative that came from the Philatelist Associations of the German-speaking countries (Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg) as well of Slovenia and the Netherlands. The 2017 Multilaterale in s’Hertogenbosch.

This year, the Dutch Philatelist Association and the Dutch Post Office  organised the exhibition from the 25th to 27th of August in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Because Luxembourg will be organising the next exhibition in 2019, PostNL and POST Luxembourg will issue for this matter a joint postage stamp block for 2017.

Club News

The 42nd AGM meeting of the members of Karnataka Philatelic Society held today was attended by 88 members,concluded successfully by electing the new team.

Karnataka Philatelic Society new Governing Council Members

President & Acting Treasurer - Chaitanya Dev

Vice President - Nikhilesh Melkote

Gen. Secretary - Naveein OC

Council Member - Girish Kumar

Council Members - Shonet Saldhana

A Book " Indian Stamps featuring personages from Abroad" by Philatelist MR.D.B Ramakrishna was released by former KPS President Mr. Mahesh Jambuligam along with Dr. Sita Bateja and Mr. Chaitanya Dev and the Author D.B Ramakrishna after the AGM.

- Suresh Rao , Bangalore

Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Issue of 1948 - Book Review

Book Review

By Jeevan Jyoti

Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Issue of 1948

-      Pradip Jain

Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Issue of 1948 by Pradip Jain : Pages 117 : Hard Bound A4 SizePublished By David Feldman SA : Overseas Price Euro 45   : Indian Price Rs 1500.

 Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Issue of 1948 is a very comprehensive book on 4 commemorative stamps issued by Government of India on 15 August 1948 on the first anniversary of India’s Independence dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. The book is based on Mr Pradip Jain’s deep research related to this issue. These were the first commemorative stamps of Independent India which were not printed in India but were printed by Swiss Press Helios Courvosier SA LA CHAUX- DE-FONDS of Geneva.

The word "Bapu" was printed on the stamp in Hindi and Urdu languages as a symbol of communal harmony. Four sets of stamps with denominations 1.5 annas, 3.5 annas, 12 annas and 10 rupees were issued. The  high denomination 10 Rs stamp remained out of reach of the common populace in India. A set of 100 of these stamps was overprinted with the word "Service" and provided only to the Governor General of India for his official use. The 10 Rupees "Service" overprinted stamp is one of India's rarest and most highly valued, sought after stamps by collectors both in form of mint and postal usage due to their scarcity and command exceedingly high price at auctions.

The book attempts to investigate various aspects of the issue starting from design, diplomacy, issuance and postal usages. An attempt has been made to consolidate a series of early investigations and new revelations in a manner that throws insight into one of the most popular issues of Independent India. Most of the information has been derived  from the inspection of archive of letters maintained by Courvoisier. The issue was the result of an excellent coordination between Courvoisier, Indian Legation and Swiss PTT. Some of the letters from printer’s archives are reproduced in the book. The study of “Service overprints are ”done for the first time which will  benefit the collectors of the issue.

The book gives great detail about the proposed Issue, The Memorial Issue, Specimens and its noteworthy usage.  Special Section is given to “Service” Overprints. The author has given the detailed analysis of the “Service “Overprints   and its usage with various images. Rs 10 Gandhi service overprints are one of the rarest stamps in the world today.  The author gives comprehensive details of his personal study based on the complete sheet kept in National Postal Museum, Delhi.

Issue, Specimen & other Etiquettes Chapter gives details of Specimen & Presentation Folders. These Folders were prepared for various dignitaries mainly in Europe and America, and few minister’s booklet with blocks of four of each value.

In the Service Overprints chapter, “Analysis of the Service Overprints” is a section of great interest for Gandhi Collectors. It has given detailed analysis of the issue with the help of many illustrations.

 

The best part of the book is great historical detail of the 1948 commemorative issue and various rare   images related to it with special reference to Rs 10 Gandhi overprints.  It opens a new area of study for Gandhi Collectors all over the globe.

As there are some illustrations  of very scarce items of this issue which are not known to collectors. It will prove a very good reference book for them regarding many unknown facts about Gandhi issue. Regarding its design, layout, printing and paper, it is excellent.

This is the most valuable reference book for Gandhi collectors as well as other philatelists and essential book for all philatelic libraries. I personally recommend this book to all collectors of Indian Philately.

Pradip Jain is a well known  Aerophilatelist and stamp dealer of India. He is globally known for his specialized collection on Airmails and Mahatma Gandhi . He has won several  awards at National and International stamp exhibitions.

The book is available with: Mr Pradip Jain Post Box 128, Mithapur, Patna-800001. Email: philapradip@gmail.com Ph: 0091 - 612-2215929 , Mobile :0091 -  9334132162

Adieu ...Man of Roses...

Rainbow will always miss you ........

I am sorry to inform all the  Readers of Rainbow that renowned philatelist Dr Satyendra Kumar Agrawal passed away on 21st April 2017. He was internationally known for his finest philatelic collection on Roses. He has written a number of articles on thematic philately  in several national and international philatelic magazines including Topical Times of American Philatelic Society. He has contributed more than 100 articles to Rainbow stamp News. His sudden death is a great loss to Indian philately. Our heartfelt Condolences to all his family members . May his soul Rest in Peace. 

RIP...Dr Agrawal....

It was shocking to hear the that Dr. Satyendra  Agrawal has passed away leaving a vacuum in philatelic fraternity in India. It took me some time to believe this  truth.  Dr Agrawal a very close friend of mine and was genuinely an asset of Indian philately. His different articles touching different aspects of thematic philately  will keep spreading their fragrance in the years to come in philatelic field as his  highly recognized collection and exhibit on ROSES does. A master in Thematic Philately, a thorough gentleman, a seasoned poet with good command on Urdu poetic vocabulary , a prolific writer, cartoonist  ….a man with versatile personality .My heartfelt condolences. May his soul rest in peace and may god give strength to his family members to bear this  irreparable s loss.

- Naresh Agrawal- Bilaspur (C.G.)

Dipok Dey What a sad news it is. He was a very good friend of mine. It's a great loss to Indian Philatelic particularly thematic . I pray to God- May his soul rest in peace.

Col Jayanta Dutta Sad to hear this. RIP

Abhai Mishra Unbelievable , no words to express the loss

Jagannath Mani 

Very sad news .Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal 
Writer,Cartoonist,Philatelist and more over my one of my best friend who motivated others to write-up and share the knowledge among the others 
Lot of wonderful articles he contributed to philatelic world .
My heartfelt condolences...May his soul rest in peace and may god give strength to bear this loss to all friends and family members.

Sudhir Jain Oh very sad. He was great Philatelist, great writer and my good friend.
May God rest his soul in peace

Prashant Pandya Very Sad news. Indian Philatelic fraternity has lost a good writer. My heartfelt condolences.

Vidhu Chopra It's really a heartfelt news & difficult to believe such a shocking news.his absence will always be felt as we have lost such a knowledgable gentleman.My sincere condolence to the family & prayers for his departed soul

Kamran Ahmad very sad news .a flow of philatelic knowledge has stopped. 
sad day for philatelist community. 

New Book on Special Covers of Tamil Nadu

Collector's Guide on Special Covers of Tamil Nadu

A new book "Collector's Guide on Special Covers of Tamil Nadu" compiled by T. Mathan and N. Vignesh was released on 25th November 2016 during SIPA Diamond 2016 Jubilee Exhibition. This beautifully designed hard bound book gives complete data with colored pictures of  special covers (1961 onwards ) released by Tamil Nadu Postal Circle of India Post . The book is very useful for all stamp lovers and philatelists. Thematic collectors can find various themes in this book for their philatelic collection. The price of the book is Rs 800.  Interested philatelists may contact : N. Vignesh  email :  sendmailstovicky@gmail.com  ph. +91 7418711411 (Whats App)

Rainbow Stamp News November 2015

 

Hi !

I Have just uploaded November 2015 Issue of Rainbow Stamp News on Blog. It is available on following links. This issue gives detailed report of UTTARPEX 2015, recently concluded at Lucknow.

http://rainbowstampnews.blogspot.in/2015/11/rainbow-november-2015.html

http://rainbowstampnews.blogspot.in/  ( Indian Readers )

http://rainbowstampnews.blogspot.com/  ( Overseas Readers )

New Christmas stamps

 

Date of Issue : 3 November 2015

Royal Mail has issued Christmas stamps since 1966. From 2005 it introduced a policy of alternating secular with religious designs each year, and 2015 is a religious year. The stamps tell the traditional Nativity story in an impressionistic style, from the Annunciation, through to the Nativity and journey of the Magi.

The Christmas 2015 stamps feature scenes from the Biblical story of the Nativity, painted by artist David Holmes, with art direction and design by Studio David Hillman.

 

The images are as follows:

2nd Class and 2nd Class Large: The journey to Bethlehem

1st Class and 1st Class Large: The Nativity

£1.00: The animals of the Nativity

£1.33: The shepherds

£1.52: The three wise men

£2.25: The Annunciation

Club News

A new book “The 1929 Indian Air Mail Stamps of India”  has recently been released. The Book lists more than 200 errors in 6 stamps of 1929 Airmail issue. Interested philatelists may contact Markand Dave : Email : markand7@yahoo.com

 

Recent Philatelic Journals

 

VADOPHIL  - Quarterly News Bulletin of Baroda Philatelic Society  Jan – Apr 2015

Edited by Prashant Pandya & Timir Shah

email : edesk@prashantpandya.com

 

 

 

Journal of The Army Philatelic Society Vol 13 No. 1 & 2 (2015)

Edited by Col Jayanta Durtta and Dr Anjali Dutta

email : doctorjayanta2009@gmail.com

 

Rainbow Stamp News :  June 2015 

Edited by Jeevan Jyoti : email : j.jyoti9@gmail.com

ITS Stamp News – Stamp Journal of Indian Thematic Society - April – June 2015

Edited by Suraj Jaitly email : indianthematicsociety@gmail.com

 

 

Stamps Today (January - February 2015)

Edited by Vijay Seth - email : stampstodayindia@gmail.com

 

 

Gujpex-2015, Ahmedabad

 

 

Special Cover on ‘Sabarmati River Front’ – 24 March 2015

Gujpex-2015, 13th Gujarat State Level Philatelic Exhibition – 24th – 27th March 2015

Gujpex-2015, 13th Gujarat State Level Philatelic Exhibition organized by Gujarat Postal Circle inaugurated by Hon. Governor of Gujarat Shri O.P. Kohli at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial, Ahmedabad. Ms. Meenaxiben Patel, Hon'ble Mayor, Ahmedabad city, Dr. Kirit Solanki, Member of Parliament (LS) and Dr. Jagdish Bhavsar, Chairman, Ahmedabad Municipal School Board and Brigadier Sanjeev Thapar, Chief Postmaster General, Gujarat Postal Circle were present on the dais at the inaugural function. Large number of philatelists, stamp dealers and officers and staff members of Department of Posts witnessed the inaugural ceremony.

On the occasion as Special Cover on ‘Sabarmati River Front’ was released by Hon. Governor.

Hon. Governor also released a book titled ‘Collector's Guide to British India Bazar Postcards' written by philatelist Shri Prafful Thakkar. 240 fully coloured pages presents present more than 1700 Bazar Postcards with value along with pictures in different varieties of British Royalty, Indian Princely State Rulers, Ravi Varma paintings-oleographs and Other Themes with further classification of color, creativity, calligraphy and design.

 

Courtesy - Indian Philately Digest

Collector's Guide to British India Bazar Postcard – By Praful Thakkar

Bazar Postcards of British India is a fascinating section of Indian Postal stationery which has colors, creativity and charisma. They were created during British period by dealers who knew the pulse of the masses. They were artistically and exquisitely made to attract and appeal to public imagination to use them. They were mainly produced and used during the Edwardian period. Subsequently, they were in vogue for advertising purpose in Georgian periods too.

This subject has an attraction because these ornamental and artistic Bazar Postcards have got the touch of creative imagination of dealers of those days. The colorful creativity of Bazar Postcards can be seen on address side. Here attracting pictures, calligraphic & artistic writing of words “Post Card” and graphic designed box for affixing the stamp were shown by the manufacturers..

In this book of 240 fully colored pages, an effort is made to present more than 1700 Bazar Postcards with value along with pictures in different varieties of British Royalty, Indian Princely State Rulers, Ravi Varma paintings-oleographs and Other Themes with further classification of color, creativity, calligraphy and design. They certainly show that the touch of creative imagination of dealers of those days was able to create fascination and attraction in general public for these ornamental and artistic Bazar Postcards.

Praful K. Thakkar, a retired IAS officer is the collector of autographs, stamps, FDCs, coins, medals, tokens, badges , badge plates etc. since last more than 45 years. He got a legacy of art and numismatic understanding and insight from his father. He developed the hobby of collecting Art, Autographs and Numismatic objects in his own way. ‘Share the Knowledge & Spread the Knowledge’ is the motto of his life. And in true spirit of his life’s motto, besides authoring several learned publications on Indian culture in Gujarati, he has authored ‘Collector’s Guide to Indian Canteen Tokens’, ‘Collector’s Guide to Membership Badges of Turf & Race Clubs of India’, ‘Collector’s Guide to Chronologies of Sultans, Rulers & Colonial Heads of India’ and ‘Chapras : Collector’s Guide to Belt Buckles, Badges and Badge Plates of India’, ‘Collector’s Guide to First Day Covers & Folders of India 1947-1964 Official & Private’ and "Glimpses of Indian Autographs". His philately book has received awards in International Philatelic Exhibitions at Portugal, South Africa, Washington-USA , Chicago-USA, Tokyo-Japan and Jakarta-Indonesia.

His two websites www.indiannumismatics.com and www.indianautographs.com have made landmarks in their respective hobby-fields of Numismatics and Autograph collection.

In 2008, The Numismatic Society of India Varanasi, Indian Coin Society, Nagpur and Indian National Trust for Art Culture and Heritage, Gwalior have awarded him the ‘Life Time Achievement Award’ for his innumerable and invaluable contribution to Indian Numismatics and Para-numismatics in all its aspects.

In 2009, he has been considered as National record holder by Limca Book of Records and has been placed as record holder for his collections of Autographs and Indian Canteen Tokens.

In the same year 2009, Gujarat Coin Society took cognisance of his excellent works and achievements and has also given him ‘Life Time Achievement Award’ for his outstanding service to numismatic fraternity. He has rendered his services as Chairman in Coinex-2006 and Coinex-2010, which were National Level Numismatic Exhibitions organised by Gujarat Coin Society, Ahmedabad. And he has successfully accomplished his mission.

In 2011, Lohana Maha Parishad, Ahmedabad has awarded him an International level ‘Vishisht Raghuvanshi Pratibha Award’ recognising and appreciating his vivid activities and hobbies.

Through this book ‘Collector's Guide to British India Bazar Postcards’, he has made a painstaking and pioneering attempt to give a direction and dimension to this little explored and less known creative subject of Indian philately-Bazar Postcards.

Monograph - The Post Office Mauritius Stamps

 

Book Review

 

Monograph – The Post Office Mauritius Stamps by Col Jayanta Dutta and Dr Anjali Dutta , Published by The Army Philatelic Society L-335, Tarapore Towers, New Link Road Oshiwara, Andheri (West), Mumbai 400053. Price Rs 35O - Contact email : doctorjayanta2009@gmail.com

The recent Monograph by Col Jayanta Dutta and Dr Anjali Dutta is a comprehensive work on world famous rarest stamps of the world  “ The Post Office Mauritius stamps “. Every stamp collector must have heard about these famous stamps but might not know the whole story behind these stamps. Col J. Dutta and Dr Anjali Dutta have researched on the topic and wrote a wonderful Monograph on these stamps which all stamp lovers would like very much.

The first two postage stamps of Mauritius  issued in 1847, the so-called "Post Office" stamps, are of legendary rarity and value. They were the first stamps issued in any part of the British Empire outside of Great Britain. The unique cover bearing both “Post Office” stamps has been called "la pièce de résistance de toute la philatélie" or "the greatest item in all philately". On September 21, 1847, Mauritius issued two stamps, an orange-red one penny (1d) and a deep blue two pence (2d).The words "Post Office" appear in the left panel, but were changed to "Post Paid" in the following issue, and are the source of the stamps' common name. The "Post Office" stamps are among the rarest stamps in the world, and are of legendary status in the world of philately.

The monograph has color pictures of stamps and its rarest covers. The layout, design and printing of the book is excellent. The Monograph gives list of all the stamps and covers of the series with complete details. The historical story of these stamps  described in this  Monograph would be liked by all stamp lovers and it would be an asset in their collection. This interesting book is recommended to all stamp collectors as well as to  the libraries of  educational institutions.

Club News

Special Cover : Centenary of Vani Vilasa Sabha, Kumbakonam

A Special Cover was issued on 26 December2014 at Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu to celebrate Centenary of Vani Vilasa Sabha, Kumbakonam.

 

Stamp Exhibition

ROCPEX 2015 - Philatelic Exhibition 30 – 31 January 2015 January at Trichy.

-  Kasinath  R. – Tanjore