Stamp on 200 years of University of Oslo…

 

University of Oslo on stamp

Norway Post is issuing a stamp to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the University of Oslo. The University of Oslo is Norway's largest and oldest institution of higher education. Today, the University has 27,700 students and 6,000 members of staff and consists of eight faculties. The University of Oslo ranks among the 100 best universities in the world in both Academic Ranking of World Universities and QS World University Rankings.

The university has faculties of Lutheran Theology, Law, Medicine, Humanities, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Dentistry, Social Sciences, and Education. The Faculty of Law is still located at the old campus on Karl Johans gate, near the National Theatre, the Royal Palace, and the Parliament, while most of the other faculties are located at a modern campus area called Blindern, erected from the 1930s. The Faculty of Medicine is split between several university hospitals in the Oslo area.

Earlier a stamp was issued by Norway Post was issued in 1961 commemorating 150 years of Oslo University.

Oslo University

 

Indian Themes on Foreign Stamps…

Indian Motorcycle

Country / Post :  USA   (USPS)

Date of Issue : 7 August 2006

Primary theme : Motorcycles

Date of Issue : 7 August 2006

Indian 1940
The motorcycle depicted on this stamp was made by the Indian Motorcycle Company. The 1940 entry in a series of deluxe, four-cylinder motorcycles known as the Four, this streamlined bike featured skirted fenders that partially covered the wheels, a controversial design innovation that soon became an Indian trademark. The model for the illustration featured on this stamp is a motorcycle owned by Michael and Larry Spielfogel of New York City. It is depicted in the deep red color often associated with Indian motorcycles.

Behind this stamp…

So how did the American Motorcycle stamps come to be?
“There’s power in using the mail,” explained U.S. Postal Service Executive Director of Stamp Services David Failor, “Over the years we received hundreds of letters requesting motorcycles stamps. We're proud to recognize the role of motorcycles in American culture.”
The Postal Service receives suggestions from about 50 thousand people every year, yet only 20 to 25 subjects make the cut. To narrow down the selection, the Postmaster General’s Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee—a cross section of designers, historians and academics—review the suggestions and make recommendations to the Postmaster General for final approval.

Once the American Motorcycles stamps concept got the go ahead, meetings took place with the Smithsonian Institution’s curator of the Division of Transportation to determine which cycles to depict. The 1918 Cleveland proved to be a visually appealing example of an early model; the Indian’s enclosed fenders established it as a classic; and the Harley personified America’s love affair with a big cross-country cruiser. Prominent during the 1960s and 1970s, Choppers followed a tradition of earlier customized motorcycles known as “bobbers” for their shortened or bobbed features.
The Postal Service referenced several motorcycle books and found Penny’s 1918 Cleveland in Todd Rafferty’s The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of American Motorcycles.

Others stamps of this series

Release Date: August 7th, 2006.

With the issuance of the American Motorcycles stamps, the U.S. Postal Service recognizes the role of motorcycles in American culture with four stamps that feature digital illustrations of a 1918 Cleveland, a 1940 Indian Four, a 1965 Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide, and a circa 1970 chopper.

Cleveland 1918

The single-cylinder Cleveland motorcycle depicted on this stamp was built by the Cleveland Motorcycle Manufacturing Company of Cleveland, Ohio.

Advertisements claimed that this motorcycle, which featured a 2.5-horspower, single-cylinder motor, could travel 75 miles on a single gallon of gasoline and reach speeds of up to 35 to 40 miles per hour. Weighing around 150 pounds and selling for $175, the Cleveland was both lightweight and affordable, making it a popular motorcycle of its time.

Indian 1940

The motorcycle depicted on this stamp was made by the Indian Motorcycle Company. The 1940 entry in a series of deluxe, four-cylinder motorcycles known as the Four, this streamlined bike featured skirted fenders that partially covered the wheels, a controversial design innovation that soon became an Indian trademark.

The model for the illustration featured on this stamp is a motorcycle owned by Michael and Larry Spielfogel of New York City. It is depicted in the deep red color often associated with Indian motorcycles.

Harley-Davidson 1965

With features such as whitewall tires, extensive chrome, large fenders, and spacious fiberglass saddlebags, the Harley-Davidson featured on this stamp is considered by many to be one of the company':s most iconic motorcycles. Known as the Electra-Glide, this model was first manufactured in 1965, when its new features included a push-button electric starter.

Chopper c.1970

The name "chopper" derives from the process of removing, or "chopping," unnecessary or unwanted components from a motorcycle. The term often indicates an extensively customized motorcycle with such features as a stretched frame, stepped seat, and raised handlebars. Typically, the frame has been stretched with an extended-length fork leading to the front wheel.

Especially prominent during the 1960s and 1970s, choppers follow in a tradition of earlier customized motorcycles that were known as "bobbers" for their shortened, or bobbed, fenders.

Club News

News from Philatelic Societies

: Philatelic Society of Rajasthan

Schoolpex 2011 , Jaipur     -

                                             -  Rajesh Paharia , Secretary  - PSR

Students are often familiar with Stamp Collection but not with the term ‘Philately’. The Hobby of Philately not only includes collecting stamps but also everything connected with stamps i.e. how they are designed, printed and produced, as well as their historical background which makes Philately most educative hobby among all hobbies. Million of student and people all over the world collect stamps and are serious and dedicated Philatelists.

Philatelic Society of Rajasthan is registered co-op society working for promotion of Philately for the last sixteen years. It extends necessary co-operation to every activity of Stamp Collecting Hobby since its formation in year 1989 and conducted nearly 20 Philatelic Exhibition. Since most Exhibitions are conducted both for Junior and Senior Philatelists, It is felt that there is a need of more guidance and easy methods of Exhibiting to bring forward Philatelist in Students . PSR has noticed the problems faced by young students and developed a programme ,Schoolpex , State level Inter School Stamp Exhibition which has been very successful in terms of bringing Philately Awareness and knowledge in School Students .

This year , 15^th Inter School State level Stamp Exhibition namely Schoolpex-2011 organized by Philatelic Society of Rajasthan and St. Xavier’s School from 26^th Aug to 29^th Aug 2011 started with Inaugural ceremony at 11.00 morning on 26^th Aug 2011. Chief Guest of Inaugural Ceremony , Chief Postmaster General , Rajasthan Circle India Posts , Government of India , Sh Rajeev Singh IPS and Father John Ravi SJ , patron Schoolpex 2011 inaugurated the Exhibition . The Chief Guest was accompanied by Senior Postal Officers which included DPS (HQ) , APMG (Philately) , SSP (Jaipur City) etc.

The Chief Guest released Special Picture Card affixed with stamp and cancellation recently released by Department of Posts on Dr D S Kothari . The first copy of picture with stamp and cancellation was presented to Dr Jaya Kothari daughter of Late Dr D S Kothari. President PSR Mr P M Bhargava gave brief on Dr D S Kothari who was renowned Scientist born in Rajasthan. He was 1^st Scientific Advisor to Defense Minister under whose aegis organization like DRDO , UGC , NTSC etc started .

During the exhibition a workshop on philately was held  which was conducted by Mr Yogesh Bhatnagar . The Digital presentation on how to make your exhibit was felt very useful by Students and they could note the shortcoming of their exhibits and made a note of future corrections .Free Stamps were distributed by Mr A R C Shah to all student visitors of the Exhibition. Students were shown virtual exhibits and they learned to make it themselves at the venue. This was all made easy by permanently installed Projecter at venue by St Xavier’s School. A picture Card was released on Mahasati Umrao Kanwarji Archana , a Jain Saint born in Rajasthan on whom postage stamp and cancellation is issued by India Posts recently. Senior Philatelist , Mr J M Dhor has kindly provided the stamps since these are not available in any Philatelic bureau of Rajasthan now.

PSR members meeting was held during the exhibition . Members decided about their forthcoming activities during wild life week in October at Jaipur Zoo for which Mr Adinath Pareek has agreed to co-ordinate and during All India Science Congress scheduled in Jaipur this year for which Mr Yogesh Bhatnagar has agreed to co-ordinate along with Gen. Sec. PSR Mr Rajesh Paharia with respective departments. The happy ending of Sh Anna Hazare’s effort has motivated Stamp collectors and they posted special postcards with Sh Anna Hazare’s Sticker pasted on it to with Message of Greetings to each other from the venue. President PSR , Mr P M Bhargava thanked all the PSR members as well as members of Xavier’s Philatelic Club for their contribution in making Schoolpex 2011 a success.  

Six 1^st , 2^nd , 3^rd and 30 consolation prizes and following Trophies were given by Chief Guest.

1. Late Sh O.P.Bhatnagar’s Trophy for Best in Philately , Schools (Outstation) to Mayur School , Ajmer
2. Late Sh A S Mittal Trophy for Best in Philately , School category to Bal Bhawan’s Vidyashram , Jaipur
3. late Sh Jayant Pandya Trophy for Best in Senior to Ameya Mutatkar , St Xavier’s School
4. Late Dr Jaya Bharagava Trophy for Best in Junior to Arnie Khanna , Sawai Mansingh School School

New stamps from Hong Kong..

Date of Issue : 2 August 2011

Hong Kong Post has been releasing stamp sheetlets on Mainland Scenery since 2002 to introduce the natural grandeur and cultural heritage in China. To mark the conclusion of the series, Hong Kong Post has issued "The Complete Mainland Scenery Series" stamp sheetlet on 2 August 2011  embedded with nine stamps to capture all ten mainland scenes in the series.

 

The ten mainland scenes in the series are:

No. 1: Hukou Waterfall - Situated near Mount Longwang, in Ji County, Shanxi Province, the Hukou Waterfall is the greatest yellow waterfall in the world. Racing through the 250-metre wide Jinshan Gorge, the broad waters of the Yellow River squeeze abruptly into a width of only 50 metres at Hukou. From there, the waters plunge into a 30-metre deep rocky hole, just like water being poured from a teapot. This explains the derivation of Hukou (the spout of a teapot). The image showcases the grandeur of Hukou Waterfall.

No. 2: The Master-of-Nets Garden, Suzhou - The Garden boasts the classic layout of residences of aristocrats in Suzhou with the living quarters lying in the east and the garden in the west. Ponds are the centre of the Garden, which is divided into five parts: living quarters in the east, amusement areas in the south, circular ponds in the centre, internal gardens in the west and libraries in the north. In 1997, the Master-of-Nets Garden was included in the World Heritage List compiled by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The stamp features the Moon Comes with Breeze Pavilion, which is one of the Garden’s most renowned attractions.

No. 3: The Chen Clan Academy, Guangzhou - Originally built as an ancestral shrine and a Confucian academy for members of the Chen clan living in Guangdong Province, The Chen Clan Academy is preserved as The Guangdong Folk Art Museum to showcase the handicrafts and folk art of the region. Indeed, all the buildings in the Academy are exquisitely decorated with carvings and sculptures featuring scenes from Chinese legends, literature and folklore. The stamp focuses on the ornamental doors of the Academy.

No. 4: The Qiantang Bore - The Qiantang Bore has long been recognised as one of the most spectacular in the world. It is a unique wave system brought along by the pull of the moon and the sun on entering funnel-shaped Hangzhou Bay estuary. Traditionally, people gather to appreciate the massiveness of this foaming and roaring bore tide on the birthday of the God of the Tides on the 18th day of the 8th lunar month from the vantage point of Yanguan Town, Haining City. The stamp captures the Haining Yanguan Rolling Tide below the Zhan’ao Pagoda.

No. 5: Mount Taishan - Mount Taishan acquired its name during the Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 476 BC). Rising abruptly from the vast North China Plain (Central Shandong Province), it was formed some 2.4 billion years ago and is famed for its towering grandeur and dignified beauty. In 1987, Mount Taishan was included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The stamp features Gongbei Rock.

No. 6: Shilin, Kunming - The spectacular karst terrain of Shilin, the Stone Forest, is the result of weathering and erosion over some 270 million years. This awe-inspiring landscape spans 350 square kilometres, offering a dazzling array of geographical features. As the legend goes, Shilin is the home of Ashima, a folk heroine among the Yi People who inhabit southwest China. Shilin was designated a National Scenic Spot in 1982 and included in UNESCO’s first list of Global Geoparks in 2004. The stamp depicts "Hanging-by-a-Thread", a rock hanging perilously high overhead.

No. 7: Huanglong - Huanglong is renowned for its colourful pools, snowy peaks, stunning gorges and dense forests. The most unique attraction is the kaleidoscope of travertine (limestone) formations. The shoals, lakes, waterfalls and caves formed by limestone deposition offer a splendid array of scenic landscapes. Huanglong was designated a National Scenic Spot in 1982 and subsequently listed as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992. The stamp features the Welcome Ponds at Huanglonggou.

No. 8: Mount Tianshan, Xinjiang - Spanning 2,500 kilometres, Mount Tianshan runs through central Xinjiang, and is one of the most extensive mountain belts in central Asia. It is also the largest contemporary glacier region in China, enjoying its reputation as the "Glacier Kingdom". Among glaciers of different scales, Glacier No. 1, dubbed the "living glacier fossil", stands out for its magnificent ice waterfall. The stamp gives a glimpse of the pristine and serene Lake Tianchi.

No. 9: Fujian Tulou - Fujian Tulou was constructed with reinforced materials. Raw earth, the primary construction material, is mixed with sand, lime, wood strips and the like. The mixture is then rubbed, pounded and compressed. Tulou are well ventilated, naturally lit, wind sheltered and quakeproof. The baked tile roofs are exceptionally durable. Officially inscribed on the World Heritage List on 6 July 2008, Fujian Tulou comprises 46 buildings scattered in ten sites in three counties. The stamp features Chengqi Lou of the Gaobei Cluster, renowned as the "King of Tulou".

No. 10: Dunhuang Grottoes - Situated in Dunhuang County of Gansu Province, the Dunhuang Grottoes consist of five main cave sites. Of them, the Mogao Caves are the oldest in history, grandest in scale and richest in content. The Mogao Caves were declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 by UNESCO. Built on the external wall of Cave No. 96, the Jiucenglou (nine-storeyed building), the tallest structure in the Mogao Caves, is featured on the top of the stamp while the lower half of the stamp depicts a Buddhist mural found inside one of the caves.

Club News

 

Kapil Sibal Releases Commemorative Postage Stamp on Surendra Nath Jauhar

 

September 2, 2011

Kapil Sibal, Minister for Communications & IT and HRD released a commemorative Postage Stamp on Late Shri Surendra Nath Jauhar, noted freedom fighter, social worker, industrialist and philanthropist here today (2 September 2011). Speaking on the occasion Shri Sibal said that it is a privilege to commemorate the memory and work of Shri Surendra Nath Jauhar which continues to inspire generations through value based education.

Shri Jauhar (13.8.1903-02.9.1986) joined the freedom struggle at the age of 16 in response to a call to the youth of the country by Mahatma Gandhi. As a leading Congressman of Delhi, he was thrown behind the bars several times, two of the longest spells being 15 months for reading the Purna Swaraj pledge in 1930, and for participating in the Quit India Movement from 1942 to 1944. He became an ardent devotee of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother in 1939. He gave away his land to establish the Sri Aurobindo Ashram – Delhi Branch in 1956, and also became the founder of Sri Aurobindo Education Society, under which he started The Mother’s International School in 1956 and Mirambika in 1982.

Summarising his life, it can be said that he gave his all for the country – as a freedom fighter and later as a pioneer of man-making and value-oriented education.Paying tribute to the memory of Sh. Jauhar, Dr Karan Singh recited a poem of Sri Aurobindo.

Source : INVC

Recent Special Covers

Two special Covers were released by J & K Postal Circle on Nehru Park, Dal Lake Sri Nagar on22 August 2011.

Nehru Park, Dal Lake - Srinagar

Golden Jubilee : National Council of Research and Training : 1 September 2011

Image Source : Philately Books

Indian themes on foreign stamps

                                                                                           - Kenneth Sequeira

Sculpture of Parvati

 

Country / Post : Great Britain

Date of Issue : 7 October 2003

Primary theme : History

Subject : The British Museum - Sculpture of Parvati

Stamp issuing authority : Royal Mail of Great Britain

The British Museum was established in 1753, largely based on the collections of the physician and scientist Sir Hans Sloane. The museum first opened to the public on 15 January 1759 in Montagu House in Bloomsbury, on the site of the current museum building. The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present.

 

: Kenneth Sequeira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

World Wide Fund for Nature : 50 Years

Date of Issue : 30 August 2011

This issue celebrates the 50th anniversary of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) with the release of its second joint Australian territories stamp issue.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2011. Officially registered as a charity on 11 September 1961, it was conceived to raise funds for the conservation of nature. With a mission to stop degradation of the natural environment and to preserve biodiversity, it has grown into one of the largest independent conservation networks worldwide.

Minisheet

Australian Joint Territory Issue : WWF – 50 Years

The stamps feature following animals :

Quokka (Setonix brachyurus) looks a little like a dumpy kangaroo, giving rise to its alternative common name of Shorttailed Wallaby. Herbivorous and mainly nocturnal, it is endemic to the south-western corner of Western Australia and most numerous on Rottnest and Bald Islands.

Christmas Island Shrew (Crocidura trichura) is extremely rare, possibly extinct. It was thought that this forest-dwelling mammal had vanished by 1908, but after an unconfirmed sighting in 1958 it was rediscovered in 1985, when two individuals were caught.

Dugong (Dugong dugon) gets its name from the Malay language, in which duyung means "lady of the sea" or "mermaid." It is known to occupy the waters of the Indo-Pacific, from the east coast of Africa to the central Pacific. A single male inhabiting the waters of Cocos (Keeling) Islands since 2002 demonstrates the species is capable of long-distance migration to colonise new environments.

Southern Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina) inhabits mainly subantarctic regions. It spends most of its time at sea, usually between the north edge of the pack ice and the subantarctic convergence. It returns to land to breed, to give birth and to moult.

 

Indian themes on foreign stamps

                                                                             - Kenneth Sequeira

Vicente Ferrer  - Humanitarian Activist who worked for the poors in South India

Country / Post : Spain

Date of Issue : 8 October 2010

Primary theme : Religions & beliefs (Famous religious people)

Subject : Personalities - Vicente Ferrer

Stamp issuing authority : Correos Y Telegrafos SA

 

Vicente Ferrer Moncho  was a philanthropist (a candidate for the 2009 Nobel Prize) who spent his life working to improve the lives of the poor in the mission he founded in Southern India. Today the Vicente Ferrer Foundation carries out humanitarian projects in Andhra Pradesh, bringing aid to over 2.5 million poor people, many of whom are considered Dalit or untouchable. He was born in 1920 in Barcelona, Spain & died in 2009 in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India.

He arrived in India in 1952 as a Jesuit missionary. After deciding to increase his focus in helping the poor, in 1958 he created with a group of followers in Manmad, Mumbai. "Rural Development Association". This organization started with twelve acres of land and a school. Although, due to the crisis in the rural area, many peasants wanted to emigrate, Vicente Ferrer encouraged local peasants to dig wells and told them “I will pay you with wheat and oil.” He gave water pumps with credits and with no interests or guarantees. The organization reached 3,000 wells.

After the publication of the article “The silent revolution” in 1968 in the Illustrated Weekly, one of the most read Indian magazines at the time, he was expelled in 1968 by the Indian authorities. A year later, with the blessings of Indira Gandhi, he was granted permission to return so that he could continue his work in the poverty-stricken city of Anantapur. Eventually, he left the Jesuits but continued his humanitarian work.

After his return, he started another project in Anantapur ; he again set up irrigation systems, this time in a desert area that was completely barren. The cooperative work method that he instituted there goes by the name of "linked brotherhood": help is given to each peasant in digging his own well, with material and food for the length of the work. In 1998 he was awarded Spain’s Prince of Asturias Award for Concord.

Read More….

 

New stamp on Facial Tattoo from Taiwan…

Date of Issue : 1 August 2011

Few days back I wrote about Body Tattoo stamp from Papua New Guinea. Here is another new stamp on facial tattoos issued by  Taiwan Post. Though this theme is not very common on stamps, issued by other countries but it seems that other nations will also issue stamps on this new theme which has become a part of fashion  today all over  the world.

To increase understanding of the culture of facial tattoo, which is gradually disappearing, Chunghwa (Taiwan) Post  issued a stamp with a denomination of NT$25 on facial tattoos on August 1, 2011.  The stamp features a tattooed Atayal woman weaving against the background of Mt. Dabajian. The Atayals produce excellent woven goods, and only women who are skilled weavers are entitled to wear facial tattoos.

In the early days of the tribal society of the Atayal, an aboriginal people of Taiwan, decorative facial tattoos were customarily stained on tribal members’ faces during solemn rituals. Men tattooed one or more vertical lines on their forehead and chins, whereas women tattooed one or more vertical lines on their foreheads as well as V shapes on their cheeks, extending from their ears to their lips. The traditional Atayal facial tattoo is fraught with social meaning. Apart from being symbols of glory, these tattoos demonstrate tribal identity, convey that their bearers have reached adulthood, and serve as badges of bravery and talent.

Tattoo….centuries old art

A tattoo is body art made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of decorative body modification, while tattoos on animals are most commonly used for identification purposes. The first written reference to the word, "tattoo" (or Samoan "Tatau") appears in the journal of Joseph Banks, the naturalist aboard Captain Cook's ship the HMS Endeavour in 1769: "I shall now mention the way they mark themselves indelibly, each of them is so marked by their humor or disposition".

Tattooing has been practiced for centuries worldwide. The Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan, traditionally had facial tattoos. Today one can find Berbers of Tamazgha (North Africa), Māori of New Zealand, Hausa people of Northern Nigeria, Arabic people in East-Turkey and Atayal of Taiwan with facial tattoos. Tattooing was widespread among Polynesian peoples and among certain tribal groups in the Taiwan, Philippines, Borneo, Mentawai Islands, Africa, North America, South America, Mesoamerica, Europe, Japan, Cambodia, New Zealand and Micronesia. Despite some taboos surrounding tattooing, the art continues to be popular in many parts of the world.

Read More….

Club News

From J & K Postal Circle

Stamp exhibition in Leh starts today…

Philately Exhibition, Leh : 2 to 5 Sep 2011

J & K Postal Circle is organising Philately Exhibition at Leh from 2 to 5 Sep 2011 at Polo Grounds Leh.  80 frames of philately materials will be on display with special focus on 'stamps of Buddha' . Five special covers will be released during this exhibition.  Dealers and philatelists may get in touch with Supdt of Post offices Leh( 09419286636)  or with Chief PMG’s office, J & K, Srinagar  for their participation in the exhibition or for getting the special covers

Release of Special covers on 'Launch of Floating Post office cum Museum'

To mark 'Launch of Floating Post office cum Museum' , Department of Posts has brought out two Special Covers on Dal Lake  .  The special covers portray the amazing splendor and magnificence of Dal Lake along with pictorial cancellation on launch of Floating post office cum Museum .  The special covers were released by Dr Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister J&K and Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy. With this, the tourists visiting the Floating Post office  will get the unique ‘pictorial cancellation’ with Dal Lake backdrop on their  letters. No doubt, this will be a memorable souvenir  in memory of their  visit to Kashmir.

Floating Post Office, Srinagar sells the special covers issued in this regard. Orders can be placed with Sr.Post Master Srinagar GPO or with Philately division, Chief PMG Office, Srinagar, J & K

State level Philately exhibition at Srinagar, J&K : 26 to 28 Sep 2011

Jammu & Kashmir circle is organising 250 frame Philately exhibition at SKICC Auditorium in Srinagar from 26 to 28 Sep 2011. A large number of philatelists across India are likely to participate in this important event. Apart from the stamp exhibits, the Department is organising Stamp design contest, Letter writing contest and quiz program for the school students and college students. Dealers and philatelists may get in touch with Sr Post Master Srinagar GPO ( 09419736634)  or with Chief PMG’s office, J &K, Srinagar for their participation in the exhibition or for getting the special covers

 

Stamps on Centenary of First UK Aerial Post

 

Date of Issue : 9 September 2011

Royal Mail is issuing a miniature stamp sheet and prestige stamp book on 9 September 2011, as a tribute to the pioneering aviators who made philatelic history through the UK’s first aerial post service a century ago.

Gustav Hamel’s 15-minute flight from Hendon Aerodrome to Windsor Castle on 9 September 1911 was part of the celebrations of the coronation of King George V.  It was the first of 16 aerial post flights carrying commemorative postage to mark the coronation.  The flights took place until 26 September 1911 and are recognised as the world’s first scheduled airmail service.

Now exactly 100 years on, Royal Mail marks the event with a miniature sheet, featuring a border that replicates the design of an original publicity poster for the inaugural flight.  The four-pane prestige stamp book written by Peter Lister, President of the British Air Mail Society includes a pane comprising four 50p Windsor Castle stamps, re-issued from the 2005 set of high-value definitives stamps printed by intaglio.

The Aerial Post Miniature Sheet tells the story of this historic flight; featuring original photography of key events from the day; from Hamel receiving the first mail bag (1^st Class), sitting in the cockpit of his Blériot XI monoplane at Hendon Aerodrome (68p), and his arrival in the grounds of Windsor Castle (£1.10). The fourth £1 stamp features Clement Greswell, another of the pilots who helped deliver the UK’s first aerial post.

 

Indian themes on foreign stamps

                                                             - Kenneth Sequeira

Post : United Nations ( Geneva )

Stamp issuing authority : United Nations Postal Administration

Date of Issue  : 24 May 2002

Primary theme: Minerology & Geology

Subject : International Year of Mountains - Kamet - India

Kamet  is the second highest mountain in the Garhwal region of India, after Nanda Devi, 7,816 m (25,643 ft). It lies in the Chamoli District of Uttarakhand , close to the border with Tibet. It is the third highest mountain in India and the 29th highest in the world. Kamet is most properly considered part of (and the highest summit in) the Zaskar Range, which lies north of the main chain of the Himalaya, between the Suru River and the upper Karnali River. In appearance it resembles a giant pyramid topped by a flat summit area with two peaks.

Due to its position near the Tibetan Plateau, Kamet is remote and not as accessible as some Himalayan peaks. It also receives a great deal of wind from the Plateau. However, by modern standards, it is a relatively straightforward ascent for such a high mountain.

Other Mountains in this series are from Japan, Switzerland, Antarctica, US, Chile, Tanzania, Kyrgystan, Nepal, Pakistan, Canada & New Zealand .

Other stamps in this  series

 

  :  Pradip Jain – Patna , Kenneth Sequeira – Dubai (UAE)

 

Festivals of India – Ganesh Chaturthi

The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi starts today. Greeting to all Readers on this occasion. Our distinguished member, Cdr G. Sriramarao from Vishakhapatnam shares here some nice philatelic items from his collection, issued on Hindu God, Ganesha . These are beautiful First day Covers from Czech Republic and Thailand. The cancellations on Lord ‘Ganesh’  and ‘Om’ are very nice  issued by  Czech Rep. Post and Thai Post.

Stamps on Hindu God from Thailand

 

Courtesy : Cdr G. Sriramarao, Vishakhapatnam

Ganesha Chaturthi  also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is the Hindu festival of Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, who is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees in the duration of this festival. It is the birthday of Ganesha who is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.

The festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). The date usually falls between 20 August and 15 September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi (fourteenth day of the waxing moon period).

On the occasion of the Ganapati festival, a large number of idols are made of clay or metal in all possible sizes; sometimes even up to twenty feet.People buy idols of Lord Ganesha and install them in their houses and worship the idol for one to ten days, after which the idols are taken out ceremoniously, through the streets of the town (especially in Maharashtra) and immersed into the river, sea or well.

It is celebrated by Hindu community living in different parts of the world. In India it is celebrated in all states a but in Maharashtra there is a grand celebration during  this festival.

Club News

New Maxim Card

Mr AVG Rajulu of Chennai has prepared three different Maxim cards on K M Mathew , former Chief editor, Malayala Mnorama. He may be contacted for these max Cards at email : rajulustampsandcoins@yahoo.co.in Ph No. 09383056767

 

Picture Card issued by Rajasthan Philatelic Society

A Picture card on Dr DS Kothari was  issue by Philatelic Society of Rajasthan.Jaipur on the occasion of Schoolpex 2011
- Vijay Modi, Himmatnagar, Gujarat