Ghost stories on stamps

 

Ghostly tales from Canada in second Haunted Canada stamp issue

Date of Issue : 14 September 2015

Haunting houses, dreadful ghosts and skeletons, mystic fog… All these frightful things were depicted on a second set of stamps featuring popular Canadian ghost stories.

This year’s set issued by Canada Post highlights stories about Vancouver’s Gastown – believed to have the most haunted history of any other neighbourhood in Canada; the rumbling ghostly ox cart that panicked the soldiers of the Red River Valley’s Lower Fort Garry, in Manitoba; Marie-Josephte Corriveau, whose soul is said to wander the dark roads and forests near Lévis, Quebec; the Caribou Hotel in Carcross, Yukon, rumoured to be haunted by its past innkeeper; and the Grey Lady who wanders the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site searching for her lost love.

“There is nothing more fun, yet unsettling, as ghost stories, and we have a history filled with these memorable tales. Our hope is that Canadians from coast to coast can continue to discover and pass on these stories, which are sure to give a few spine-tingling chills”, says Jim Phillips, Director of Stamp Services, Canada Post. “Be prepared for a little scare with these legendary local stories and let your creativity take over”, says Joel Sutherland, author of the children’s series of Haunted Canada books and adviser to the stamp series. “The series makes for huddling close to the campfire – or a scary sleepover”.

Gastown, Vancouver, B.C. – haunted history : Legend has it the Waterfront Station and several bars and restaurants in the neighbourhood are all haunted – making it home to more dearly departed but persistently present spirits than any neighbourhood in Canada.

Red River Valley, Man. – the ox cart : In 1903, soldiers at the Red River Valley’s Fort Garry claimed to have seen phantoms driving a cart pulled by a team of oxen pass through their post at night.

Lévis, Que. – Marie-Josephte Corriveau : In 1763, she was executed on charges of murder. Her soul was said to walk the road at night, approaching travelers and grabbing anyone passing by with her claw-like hands as she opened her blood-red eyes.

Carcross, Yukon – Caribou Hotel : Built in the town of Bennett in 1898 at the start of the Klondike Gold Rush, the hotel is rumoured to be haunted by late hotel co-owner Bessie Gideon’s ghost. She was supposedly buried in Carcross but a cemetery survey did not locate her grave.

Halifax, N.S. – the Grey Lady : Legend has it that the spirit of the “Grey Lady” wanders the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, mourning her lost love, strolling the second floor at night, smelling of roses and wearing a 19th-century dress.

 

Haunted Canada – First Issue

The first series of haunted canada stamps was issued on 13 June 2014.

Date of Issue 13 June 2014

XIV World Forestry Congress, Durban

 

 

Date of Issue : 7 September 2015

World Forestry Congress , Durban

This month in September , the World Forestry Congress was held in South Africa for the first time. Hosted by the South African Government, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the XIV World Forestry Congress took place in Durban from 7 to 11 September. The main theme for this year’s congress was “Forests and people: investing in a sustainable future”.

New stamps in a souvenir sheet issue  by South African Post  aims to raise awareness of the environment and especially forests that are the lungs of our planet.The set of five stamps was designed by Annemarie Wessels, who worked closely with the DAFF. The stamps cover the main topics of discussion at the congress, such as transforming livelihoods and forest governance, as well as indigenous forest plants, trees and animals.

Stamp 1: Transforming livelihoods

Forests sustain small and medium enterprises such as small arts and crafts businesses and entrepreneurs and recreational activities such as tree canopy tours, hiking, biking, and sightseeing.

Stamp 2 Forest products

Logs are harvested from a forest plantation. Almost all timber products in South Africa are produced in forest plantations, thus limiting the pressure of timber harvesting on natural forests.

Stamp 3: Forest governance

Monitoring forest ecosystems and produce through science and research such as measuring growth of seven-week ferns.

Stamp 4: Forest dwellers (conservation): Indigenous forest dwellers from different South African regions

Indigenous animals found in South Africa’s natural forests, such as:

Samango monkey (Cercophitecus mitis)

Knysna Dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion damaranum)

Blue Duiker (Philantomba monticola)

Emperor Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio ophidicephalus zuluensis)

Other forest animals include doves, bush pigs, leopards and elephants.

Stamp 5 : Forest flora and fungi

This stamp features a forest recovering after forest fires showing examples of indigenous plants, flowers, fungi and trees.

Outeniqua yellow wood (Podocarpus falcatus)

James flower(Plectranthus fruticosus)

Falling star lilies(Streptocarpus candidus)

Tropical Cinnabar bracket fungi (Pycnoporus sanguineus)

Lepiota mushrooms (Lepiota species).

Forests are essential to life on our planet and are a source of income and livelihood to many. They provide mitigation and adaption to climate change, adequate supplies of fresh water, biodiversity in nature, food and shelter for humans and animals. Yet this life-sustaining resource is under unprecedented pressure from people, climate and competing socio-economic demands.

The World Forestry Congress was first held in Rome in 1926, and has since become the largest and most significant gathering of the world’s forest sector. Held every six years, its objectives are to inform, direct and influence international action in forestry; to elevate the sector’s role in global development and to project a new vision for the future. This congress was crucial, as the world was entering a new development era with the post-2015 sustainable development goals.

Club News

 

Doon Philatelic Club

L to R : J. Jyoti. Anita Maithel, PC Agrawal, Ajay Srivastav, Abhai Mishra, Rajesh Verma, Gunjan Maithel

Philatelists of Dehradun formed Doon Philatelic Club on 19th September in a meeting held at the residence of J.Jyoti. The meeting was attended by noted philatelists of Dehradun, Mr PC Agrawal,Mr Gunjan Maithel,Mrs Anita Maithel, Mr Rajesh Verma,Mr Abhai Mishra, Ajay Srivastav and J. Jyoti. The objective of this club is to promote philately in Dehradun.

President - Mr PC Agrawal

General Secretary – Mr Gunjan Maithel

Members

Anita Maithel

Rajesh Verma

Abhai Mishra

Ajay Srivastav

Jeevan Jyoti

 

New Special Cover

Special Cover on Thewa Art – 13th September 2015

On 13th September 2015 a special cover was released on famous Thewa Art of Pratapgarh district by Shri C. P. Joshi, Member of Parliament.

Thewa Art is a special art of jewellery making which involves embossing of intricately worked-out sheet gold on molten glass. It is a traditional art of fusing 23K Gold with multicoloured glass. The glass is treated by a special process to have glittering effects, which in turn highlights the intricate gold work. This art evolved in Pratapgarh district of Rajasthan. The Thewa art originated about 300 years ago. History tells that Nathu Lal Sonewal was the first goldsmith who initiated this style in 1707. It soon caught the fancy of kings and princes and Maharaja Sumant Singh patronized this art in 1765 and granted a jagir to the family of Nathu Lal Sonewal and conferred the title of Rajsoni on him. This craft flourished especially during the Victorian times when a number of pieces set in gold were sold to British women who lived or visited India. These pieces were taken to Europe as souvenirs. Somehow they found their way to the British antique market and the work was recognized by European jewellery historians for its distinction. Some pieces about 250 years old can still be seen in the collection of Queen Elizabeth. Besides jewellery pieces non-jewellery thewa decorated objects include trays, plate, photo frame, wall clock, ashtray, pandents, saree-pin (brouch), button-set, betel-nut containers, rose water sprinklers, cigarette boxes, card boxes, flower vases, cuff-links and perfume bottle etc. Thewa art reflects the royal life style of Rajasthani and Mogul kings.

Courtesy – Indian Philately Digest

New Special Covers

TWINCITYPEX 2015

 

India Post released a special cover and special cancellation  at Bhilai (C.G.) on 13th Sept. 2015 during TWINCITYPEX 2015. Special cover and cancellation are related to famous Industrialist and Jain Social personality of Chhattisgarh Late Shri B. R. Jain.

Shri Balwant Rai Jain was Chairman of Bhilai Engineering Corporation and National President of Akhil Bharatiya Digambar Jain Parishad. Apart from being an eminent industrialist, he was also known for his dedication towards social welfare and educational activities.

- Sudhir Jain

Chittorgarhpex 2015

 

 

A special cover on Meera Temple was released during First district philatelic exhibition – Chittorgarhpex 2015 (11- 13 September) by Shri  D.K.S.Chauhan, Chief Postmaster General (Rajasthan Circle). A view of Chittorgarh fort is also displayed on Special cover with cancellation of the Meera Bai (devotee of Lord Krishna).

- Virendra Sharma

Stamps on Star Wars

 

Date of Issue : 20 October 20015

Royal Mail is going to release a special set of stamps to mark the release of new film from the Star Wars series.A set of 18 first-class stamps will be on sale from October 20, featuring a scene or character from the first six films and three from the new release, Star Wars: the Force Awakens.

Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Emperor, Boba Fett and a stormtrooper are included on the stamps, as well as new characters Rey, Finn and Kylo Ren.

The stamps are illustrated by British artist Malcolm Tween while a further six feature vehicles and spaceships from the series. Royal Mail said the stamps celebrate the British expertise behind the Star Wars films.

The first Star Wars film was released in 1977 and quickly spawned two follow ups; The Empire Strikes Back and The Return of the Jedi in 1980 and 1983. Fans then had to wait a further 16 years before their next fix of Star Wars when The Phantom Menace was released followed by Attack of the Clones and then finally Revenge of the Sith in 2005.

Three films are now planned for release in December then 2017 and 2019.

Ganesh Chaturthi

 

 

Greetings on Ganesh Chaturthi !

Today is Ganesh Chaturthi. It is the Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the god Ganesha, the elephant-headed. The festival is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, The date usually falls between August and September. The festival usually lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi .

 

Stamps of Ganesh outside India

A postcard of India Post with Lord Ganesh image printed on it and stamps and First Day covers of Indonesia and Thailand collected by Visakhapatnam-based Commander (Retd.) G. Sri Rama Rao.

The info given in this article about Indian Postcard featuring Lord Ganesh is wrong this Ganesh is not printed on Postcard but it has been painted by local artist of Rajasthan. The image of this Postcard has been taken from my blog Post published on 23 August 2009.

Devotion to the elephant-headed god is not limited to India. A number of countries, including the U.S., Thailand, and Sri Lanka, have issued postage stamps on Lord Ganesha, says city-based philatelist Commander (Retd.) G. Sri Rama Rao.

Digging out his collection of theme-based stamps, he noted that Indonesia issued a stamp on Ganesha on April 1, 1994.

He has in his collection the stamps issued by Nepal and Sri Lanka, and the one issued by Laos on February 5, 1971. The U.S. Post has also issued a stamp featuring Ganesha.

The Czech Republic has issued a First Day cover with the stamp of Shiva, Parvathi, and Ganesha, and cancellation of Ganesha on February 21, 2007.

Thailand’s First Day cover has Hindu gods — Ganesha, Brahma, Narayana, and Shiva. It has also issued a stamp of Lord Shiva, father of Lord Ganesha, on June 2, 2009, the philatelist, who has a vast collection, points out.

“The spirit of celebration of Lord Ganesha’s birthday as a community festival was promoted by freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak to bring unity among members of society in Maharashtra. Today, it is not only celebrated at home but also as a community festival,” Sri Rama Rao said.

Bimetallic coin

Numismatist Dowrupalli Satya Buddu had taken a new concept of highlighting the significance of Vinayaka Chaviti.

Bringing one of his collections – a ten-baht bimetallic coin of Thailand with engraving of Lord Ganesh on one side and H.M. King Vajiravuj Rama VI on the other, Mr. Satya Buddu said that the coin, that has a brass centre in copper-nickel ring, was issued in 2012 in Thailand.

The Hindu

100th Birth Anniversary of MF Hussain

17 SEPT 2015 IS BIRTHDAY OF LORD GANESHA AND 100TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF “PICASSO OF INDIA” WHO PAINTED HIM MOST IN HIS PAINTINGS

M.F.Hussain was born on 17 September 1915 in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, is one of India's most charmistic artists who had redefined art to a great extent. According to the Forbes magazine he was "Picasso of India" for his wide repertoire of works of art though also earned fame and controversy over his work, they are blend of cubism and classical Indian styles that fetches millions of dollars on international art markets. His themes—usually treated in series—include topics as diverse as Mohandas K. Gandhi, Mother Teresa, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the British raj, and motifs of Indian urban and rural life. One of the most celebrated and internationally recognized Indian artists of the 20th century, he also received recognition as a print maker, photographer, and filmmaker.
Primarily self-taught, M.F.Hussain painted cinema posters in Mumbai early in his career. To earn extra money, he worked for a toy company designing and building toys.

Courtesy – DrSatyendra Agrawal

 

MF Hussain

• Painter

• Maqbool Fida Husain commonly known as MF Husain, was a Modern Indian painter of international acclaim, and a founding member of The Progressive Artists Group of Bombay. He also directed a few movies.

• Born: September 17, 1915, Pandharpur

• Died: June 9, 2011, London, United Kingdom

• Nationality: Qatari

• Spouse: Fazila Bibi (m. ?–2011)

• Artwork: Between the Spider & the Lamp, Mother India,more