World Circus Geneva 2010

Date of Issue – 6 May 2010

In 2010, Geneva will be a world circus capital. The city with its hallmark "jet d'eau" fountain is hosting "World Circus Geneva 2010" with its wealth of cultural happenings, all revolving around the circus.

Swiss Post is delighted to join in this circus event and is issuing a new special stamp with a "circus look " today …( 6 May 2010).

The stamp, with a face value of CHF 1.40, shows a circus from an unusual angle: it presents a worm's eye view, with the tip of the big top resembling a clown's face.

Club News

Views & Opinions

No provision of award in One Frame Class of INDEPEX 2011 …..

Naresh Agarwal, Bilaspur (C.G)

It is a matter of great pleasure that One Frame Exhibit Class is now being promoted in International exhibitions as It has also been included in INDEPEX 2011.But when we talk about promotion, the organizers need to do all such actions which encourage and inspire the philatelists constantly.

It is felt that organizers have not given much thought to the effects of not giving any prizes to the participants of this class as they have declared that only certificates will be awarded. I feel they are committing a mistake here. They must give away prizes in the form of medallions or mementoes to ONE FRAME PARTICIPANTS too. I really don’t understand the theory behind it. Funds can not be the issue for them to this purpose as the amount required to be spent for this will be very small in comparison to the total estimated expenditures for the whole show. Organizers can certainly afford prizes for this class. If not so much, low cost prizes can be provided.. But participants of this class must be served with prizes if FIP really aims to promote this class of philately which is its main motto too. Otherwise the purpose of organizing such exhibitions will be defeated.

I strongly feel that this matter should be taken up by PCI and other bodies with the governing council of Indepex2011.Thinking in other way too, the one frame exhibitors are paying Rs. 3000/-. i.e. Rs. 1000/- per frame than other classes. I do understand there are some incidentals, overheads and administrative expenses. Yet out of Rs.1000/-, a small amount for this purpose can be spared. But they must be given prizes. Though certificate has the real value but mementos / medallions serve as regular booster and a constant piece of joy, proud, inspiration and satisfaction. Which ultimately will help promoting philately.

R. Kasinath, Tanjore

Dear Ms. Jyoti,

I read the recent article on your blog on the postcards issued to commemorate 400th Anniversary of Vasco-da-Gama finding sea route to India. As a thematic collector on watercraft, explorers, navy, etc., I have seen one or two cards, but first time now seeing so much cards on the issue. Thanks also to Cdr. Acharya for sharing this info.

At this time, I also would like to share with you the Omnibus issue commemorating this event.
A set of eight stamps were issued on 1898 by the Portugal and its colonies - Azores, Macau, Madeira, Portugal, Portugese Africa, Portugese Congo, Portugese India, St. Thomas & Prince Islands, and Timor.
I am sending scan of the set of stamps of Madeira from my collection.

2-1/2 Reis - Fleet departing
5 Reis - Fleet arriving at Calicut
10 Reis - Embarking at Rastello

25 Reis - Muse of History
50 Reis - San Gabriel, da Gama, and camoens
75 Reis - Archangel Gabriel, the Patron saint

100 Reis - Vasco-da-Gama's flagship San Gabriel
150 Reis - Vasco-da-Gama

Kasinath R.
My Watercraft Philately - http://shipthemegallery.blogspot.com/

New Love stamp from USA..

Date of Issue – 22 April 2010

Hi ! I have just come across a beautiful Love stamp, recently issued by US Postal Service. The wonderful stamps look so pretty on special sheetlet with word “LOVE” ! . On the commemorative stamp the sweet pansies are shown in a white woven basket. The basket is filled with deep and light purple pansies and green foliage. I am just thrilled to see them as the same shade of pansies are blooming these days in my garden too. The US Postal Service began issuing its popular love stamps in 1973, and over the years, these stamps - featuring swans, cherubs, candy hearts, Victorian lace, modern art and the word "Love" itself - have announced marriages, births and graduations, and delivered congratulations. I am very pleased to share this stamp with all of you as “Greetings” is my one of my favorite collecting themes. This is all for Today….Till Next Post…Have a Great Time !

Pansies

Tufted and bunched and ranged with careless art
Here, where the paving-stones are set apart,
Alert and gay and innocent of guile,
The little pansies nod their heads and smile.

With what a whispering and a lulling sound
They watch the children sport about the ground,
Longing, it seems, to join the pretty play
That laughs and runs the light-winged hours away.

And other children long ago there were
Who shone and played and made the garden fair,
To whom the pansies in their robes of white
And gold and purple gave a welcome bright.

Gone are those voices, but the others came.
Joyous and free, whose spirit was the same;
And other pansies, robed as those of old,
Peeped up and smiled in purple, white and gold.

For pansies are, I think, the little gleams
Of children’s visions from a world of dreams,
Jewels of innocence and joy and mirth,
Alight with laughter as they fall to earth.

Below, the ancient guardian, it may hap,
The kindly mother, takes them in her lap,
Decks them with glowing petals and replaces
In the glad air the friendly pansy-faces.

So tread not rashly, children, lest you crush
A part of childhood in a thoughtless rush.
Would you not treat them gently if you knew
Pansies are little bits of children too?

- RC Lehman

Glittering Stamp from France….

Philatelic Salon, Colmar - 24 April 2010

Hi ! Here are my recent covers sent by my friend David JASTRZEBSKI of Dijon, France. David has sent a very special stamp to me which is awesome. This small sparkling silver stamp features Marianne who is a proud and determined woman wearing a Phrygian cap. She's the national personification of the French Republic, and a symbol of Liberty. I am so pleased to get this wonderful stamp ! Its just beautiful featuring a strong woman. Thank you very much David for this wonderful gift ! I am very happy to receive this glittering French Stamp ! Marianne is also featured on the stamps used on above letter sent by David with a special cancellation of International Philatelic Salon, Colmar. I express my gratitude for all this magnificent stamp and covers.This is all for Today..….Till Next Post……Have a Great Time !

David !

The 2008 Marianne Stamp, a 5 euro silver stamp from France.

La Poste presents this 2008 5 euro silver stamp made of 99.9% pure silver. Beautiful and collectible, this stamp is also a real pressure-sensitive 5 euro postage stamp, and can be used in France to mail a package.
Marianne is a proud and determined woman wearing a Phrygian cap. She's the national personification of the French Republic, and a symbol of Liberty. Her image has been used on most definitive stamps issued in France since 1944, as well as on several commemorative stamps.

The silver stamp comes on a collectible card, which is sealed to prevent oxidation.

Vintage Postcards from Portugal..

Portugal Postal cards commemorating 400TH ANNIVERSARY of discovery of the sea route to India by Europeans in 1498

All the Portuguese colonies, including India released cards for the 400th Anniversary of Vasco-da Gama's landing on the shores of Calicut, on May 18th 1498.The other colonies are Angola, Mozambique, Timor, Cape Verde Islands, Macao, St Thome Principe,Madeira.

From thematic angle, a part of Maritime history, India had trade relations with the middle east and, therefore on wards to Europe through Venice and Florence in the Mediterranean coast from ages. During the 15th century the Turks occupied most of Middle east and demanded tax for all the trade passing through their territory.

The Venetians were hurt badly and looked towards Spain and Portugal both sea faring countries to provide an alternate route.Spain, as result of a treaty declared by the Pope of Rome, tried to explore the Western lands whilst it was left to the Portuguese to discover routes towards the Eastern side. Both were in search of the golden land called INDIES (India).

Prince Henry the navigator from Portugal began a tradition of expeditions on sea , which first explored the Western coast of Africa, reached the "Cape of Good Hope",in the 1480s which was earlier called "Cape of Storms" due to the rough seas around,but its discovery marked the beginning of hope to find a sea route to India. A voyage to India from Europe to India via Cape of Good Hope, in South Africa would take 6 months, with many dieing, enroute,due to a disease called scurvy. Vasco da-Gama's discovery of the sea route to India was thus an epic event in the maritime history of the world.

During the 500th Anniversary of this event in 1998, the Portuguese colonies commemorated the event with beautiful stamps and other philatelic elements, but state of Goa prevented the INDIA POST from bringing out even a stamp. Perhaps the occupation of Goa by the Portuguese and their treatment of the local population during their rule in India led to this protest of a philatelic boycott of this epic event.

Courtesy – Cdr UN Acharya , Bangalore - Naval Philatelic Society of India

New Special Cover…

Amar Shaheed Bandhu Singh – 1 May 2010

Yogi Aditya Nath, MP issuing a special cover on freedom fighter, Shri Bandhu Singh in Gorakhpur on May 1, 2010

Courtesy – Ashwani Dubey, Gorakhpur

Club News

Hi ! It is the first day of May . This day is also celebrated all over the world as May Day ! I have just posted May Issue of Rainbow Stamp News on Blog with news and articles from the world of stamps. Just click the following link :

http://rainbowstampnews.blogspot.com/