Korean Tourist destinations on stamps..

 

Date of Issue : 27 May 2011

Fascinating Tourist Destinations hidden in every corner of Korea will be introduced as a new series of stamps over the next four years. Korea Post issued its firs series on 27 May 2011.

The first installment of this series features the landscapes of Juknokwon in Damyang, a green tea field in Boseong, a wetland in Upo and Jusanji in Cheongsong. Juknokwon (a Bamboo Grove) in Damyang The wind blowing through the bamboo forest. Rustling sounds of bamboo leaves. Just looking up at the towering bamboos makes us feel invigorated.

This wondrous place enables the visitor to smell the delicate scent of freshly roasted green tea leaves, as well as experiencing such diverse events as the Dahyangje and green tea-related cultures.

Upo Wetland in Changnyeong Wetlands are called “the kidneys of nature” for its function of naturally purifying water. Recently, the benefits that wetlands bring to humans and its ecological values have placed the importance of their preservation under new spotlight.

It is said that over the past 300 years since, the reservoir has never revealed its bottom. Nested quietly on the foot of the Juwang Mountain, it offers its visitors the joy of meditation

: Korea Post

From our Readers…

Khadi MS

There are 9 possible positions of shifting Portrait of Gandhi in the Khadi stamp M.S. All the eight directions and a well centered position. I herewith describe as below:-

Position-A: - shifting of Portrait towards 12.00-O’ clock

Position-B: - shifting of Portrait towards 1.30-O’ clock

Position-C: - shifting of Portrait towards 3.00-O’ clock

Position-D: - shifting of Portrait towards 4.30-O’ clock

Position-E: - shifting of Portrait towards 6.00-O’ clock

Position-F: - shifting of Portrait towards 7.30-O’ clock

Position-G: - shifting of Portrait towards 9.00-O’ clock

Position-H: - shifting of Portrait towards 10.30-O’ clock

Position-I: - A well centered position

- Hemant Kumar Jain, Mandla (MP)

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Stamps on endangered animals..

Date of Issue : 3 June 2011

Singapore Post issued a set of four stamps on 3 June 2011 featuring endangered animal, Oriental Small-Clawed Otter.

The Oriental Small-Clawed Otter, also known as the Asian Small-Clawed Otter, is rare in Singapore, but has been recorded from the north-western coast of Singapore namely the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong. The Oriental SmallClawed Otter is regarded as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) in its Red List of Threatened Species. It is distinguished from other Asian otters by its small size, and small hands and feet with short claws that do not extend beyond their partially webbed fingers and toes. The Oriental Small-Clawed Otter inhabits mangrove swamps and freshwater wetlands.

Discussion : Appropriate special cover

Philatelic Critical analysis

In this column critical analysis of the philatelic items will be published. Interested collectors may send scans of philatelic items for expert comments by Dr Avinash Jagtap. The idea behind this column is to provide right philatelic knowledge to the readers .

Double Cancellation Cover

Contradicting facts

The above special cover issued during Ahimsapex – 2010, an exhibition on Gandhi exhibits.It must have a stamp and cancellation on Gandhi.

2. The cover featuring both Gandhi and Tagore in the illustration, must have a Tagore /Gandhi stamp

3.The cancellation shows 150th birth anniversary of Tagore. But the cover was issued on 3 Oct 2010 .The 150th birth anniversary is being celebrated in 2011.

4. The exhibition was on Mahatma Gandhi ( Ahimsapex 2010 ) so cancellation should have connection with Gandhi. The cover illustration, stamp and cancellation do not match with each other which should have common connection. No use of taking another cancellation of First issue of Tagore stamp on the same cover. This cover could give you negative points in the exhibition. Read expert comments by Dr. Avinsah B. Jagtap .

Two special cancellations on the same cover ……..

The first cancellation showing Tagore was impressed on a stamp which has nothing to do with Tagore. The cancellation must have some direct relation with the illustration on the stamp. In fact the whole cover has three different themes and they are not at all inter-related. First the choice of the illustrated blank Cover as it is available before affixing a stamp shows Mahatma Gandhiji and Rabindranath Tagore. This indicates that the stamp which will be affixed must have to do with Mahatmaji AND Rabindranath Tagore, but in fact the stamp shows another personality......"Virchand Raghav Ji Gandhi" . (different from Mahatmaji) and the first special cancellation shows Rabindranath. So this is a very much absurd situation and this Cover has no philatelic bearing. In fact it is a trash, "kitsch"! By adding another stamp on Rabindranath Tagore and putting one more special cancellation, the whole thing has become very ridiculous. This can not be considered something of any value and shows only the poor philatelic knowledge of the collector.

- Dr Avinash B. Jgatap, Switzerland

Club News

The India International Hot Air Balloon Mela was held in Delhi from 13^th to 28^th November 2010. The inaugural hot air balloon was from near Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial. This was the first time a Hot Air Balloon Flight was initiated from near Rajghat.

To commemorate this event, 50 individually numbered Special Cards were prepared by Nikhil Mundra, Gandhi Philatelist (www.gandhistamps.com). All 50 cards were then flown aboard the inaugural flight of the Balloon Mela from Rajghat on the 13^th November 2010.

The cards feature an artwork depicting the Rajghat memorial, the main gate and the 0 km milestone at Rajghat.

For more details visit: http://gandhiballoon.blogspot.com

- Nikhil Mundra email : nikchik135@gmail.com

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The Treasures of Hungarian Museums…

 

Date of Issue : 18 May 2011 

The Magyar Posta issued a set of two stamps on 18 May 2011 featuring famous items from famous Hungarian Museums.

The Rákóczi Museum operates as an affiliate of the Hungarian National Museum in Sárospatak. The castle of the Rákóczi family is today the most significant Rákóczi-linked location in Hungary, more than one hundred thousand people visit it every year. The permanent exhibition of the "golden age of the Rákóczi family" is the most detailed and the richest collection in the subject with regards to artefacts. Among the permanent exhibitions it is important to mention the exhibition on grape growing and wine making.

The  objects and motifs of the Rákóczi Museum in Sárospatak appear on the HUF 280 stamp, from left to right: a stove tile made by the Haban potters settled in town quarter known as Héce by György Rákóczi I (17^th c.); the building of the Rákóczi castle: the inner castle courtyard with the red Tower (16^th c.) and the Lorántffy lodge; Head of the angel from the north gate of the Old Palace (16^th c.); a product from the glassworks established by Ferenc Rákóczi II, a thread-decorated glass jug (19^th c.); a shark-decorated glass with the coat of arms of the Mikes family (1682) and also from the glassworks established by Ferenc Rákóczi II a glassworks glass (18^th c.)

The Hungarian Chemistry Museum was established in 1963 by the Ministry of Heavy Industry with the purpose of collecting the Hungarian memories of the chemical industry and the science of chemistry, to keep them safe and make them accessible for the generations to come. It has been in operation in the Thury castle since 1969. Since being established it has retained its curiosity and operates as Central Europe's only independent museum of chemistry.

The order of the motifs forming the stamp image of the Várpalota Museum of Chemistry on the HUF 385 stamp are, from left to right: the certificate of Lajos Ilosvay (1851-1936) a prominent figure in Hungarian education in chemistry and medicine; the museum building, Thury castle; János Bánffy-Hunyady (1578-1646) Hungarian alchemist living in London; pharmacy vessels from the end of the 19^th and beginning of the 20^th centuries and a mercury air pump from the bequest of Károly Than.

News from our Readers..

Special Covers from Andhra Pradesh

a special cover was released by Numismatic and Philatelic Society of East Godvari, Andhra Pradesh with the famous Annavaram Temple with the cancellation of the Temple Structure. This was released on the occasion of the East Godavari Numismatic and Philatelic Exhibition held in 2009.

 

Date of Issue : 26 June 2011

Annavaram village is situated on the banks of the Pampa River in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh in India.Annavaram is located at a distance of 125 KM from Visakhapatnam and 80 KM from Rajahmundry. National Highway number 5 passes through Annavaram. The bypass road (NH - 5) goes straight and to visit the temple take right turn in the junction near the Annavaram. It takes two and half hours from Visakhapatnam and from Rajahmundry side it will take 2 hours. Separate pooja halls are available for offering special pujas.

Annavaram Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy Temple
The most distinctive feature of Annavaram is the shrine to Lord Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy on the hill top. The name of the Goddess is Ananta-lakshmi Satyavathi Ammavaru.
National Highway (NH)-5 pass via Annavaram. The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) operates regular bus services from Kakinada to Tuni, Rajahmundry to Tuni, and Yele-swaram to Tuni via Annavaram. Important trains links of the South Central Railways (SCR) passing through are the Vijayawada-Vishakapatnam Ratnachal superfast express, the Chennai-Howrah Mail, Kolkata-Chennai halt at Annavaram, which is the nearest railway station about 2 miles from the temple. The temple, situated on the hill top is about four furlongs away from its base. It can be reached either by steps covered with canopy, via ghat road or trekked through a rusty stone paved trail road.

 

The popularity and importance of the temple is gaining among the pilgrims and this place is considered as second only to Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. Festivals are celebrated round the year at this temple with great pomp and show. Some of the popular festivals celebrated are the Kalyanam festival in May, Devi Navaratri festival in September, the Swayamvara Vardhanti of Sraavana Suddha Ekadashi Day, Srirama Kalyana, Kanakadurga Yatra, Prabha Utsavam, Teppa Utsavam and Jalatoranam.
The serene atmosphere of the temple and its surroundings captivate devotees of Lord Veera Venkata Satya-narayana Swamy. The prasadam offered to the devotees has a wonderful taste that cannot be replicated.
Etymology of Annavaram
Anna means whatever you say or you desire and varam means boon, hence whatever you desire will be given as boon by the deity.
Ratnagiri rupaya Ramasatyadevaya Mahashakthi yantraya Bakthakalpavrukshaya

 

:  Cdr G.Sriramarao, I.N (Retd), Vishakhapatnam

2 Different Khadi Stamps

Here is a set of 2 different Khadi stamps with totally different portrait Of "Mahatma Gandhi". Left side looks normal but on Right side, the portrait is stretched vertically and the stretch is also visible on Charka.

- Er.Hemant KumarJain, Civil Lines,Mandla (M.P.)

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New Stamps on Forest…

 

 Date of Issue : 9 May 2011

On 9 May 2011Turkish Post and Post of Bosnia and Herzegovina issued a set of two stamps featuring Forests as EUROPA 2011 theme of this year.

Stamps from Bosnia and Herzegovina

MS

Date of Issue : 9 May 2011

Coins on 150th Birth Anniversary of Tagore

To celebrate the 150th (1861-2011) Birth Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore India Government Mint Kolkata issued Rs100 and Rs 5 coin sets recently in Proof and Uncirculated varieties.

Proof

UNC

: Cdr. G Sri Ramarao,I.N,(Retd.), Vishakhapatnam

Club News

Refund of excess payment for Khadi Stamp by India Post

Mr Hemant Jain writes that he has received a cheque of Rs.200.00 as a Refund of excess payment against speed post charges for supply of Khadi Stamp from concerned authorities of India Post India .

Earlier he filed a RTI regarding this matter, virtue of that correspondence ,India Post took necessary action & refunded excess amount accordingly.

Here to remind all that some collectors were charged extra amount of postage for each Khadi MS copy ( when they ordered for more than one copy ) whereas the postage was same for one copy and 10 copies as it was to be sent in single envelope.

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Massena’s Lorikeets on new Vanuatu stamps

Date of Issue : 25 May 2011

Vanuatu Post issued a set of 4 beautiful stamps and a Miniature sheet on 25 May 2011 featuring Massena’s Lorikeets. All the stamps also bear the logo of WWF. The first day cancellation also shows a Lorikeet. It is a wonderful set for bird lovers.

Massena’s Lorikeets

Listed as a sub-species of the Rainbow Lorikeet, Massena’s Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus massena is also known as the Coconut Lory and in Bislama – Nasiviru. While the Rainbow Lorikeet, through 21 different races is found throughout Indonesia, New Guinea, the Solomons and parts of Australia, Massena is found only in the Bismarck Archipelago (near New Guinea), the Solomons and throughout Vanuatu except Futuna and Lopevi. Growing to around 250mm including a 100mm tail, these striking coloured lories are mainly bright green with a red breast, bluish-mauve head and red-orange beak. They frequent flowering trees but their movements are usually erratic as they travel, even between islands, in search of food.

Growing to around 250mm including a 100mm tail, these striking coloured lories are mainly bright green with a red breast, bluish-mauve head and red-orange beak. They frequent flowering trees but their movements are usually erratic as they travel, even between islands, in search of food.

Living primarily in wooded habitat in lowland areas, they are sometimes found in steep terrain where favourite trees or shrubs are flowering. They prefer habitat other than true forest or mangroves however and are found in trees.bordering watercourses surrounding paddocks, in suburban gardens and in nearly every coconut plantation. The nectar and pollen from these coconut palm flowers form their staple diet and in return the lories are important pollinators of these trees. Other sources of food include the Indian Coral tree, the African Tulip tree and the Sago palm. They also enjoy the soft fruit of the Panama Cherry tree and ripening fruit from domestic orchards. Maize and sorghum crops are also targeted.

: Vanuatu Post

Club News

Press clipping

Limited edition khadi stamps now available

AHMEDABAD: The world's first 'khadi' stamp is available in Ahmedabad from Saturday.The stamp, with the image of Gandhiji and the charkha on a piece of khadi cloth, will be a collector's delight.
The stamp is a premium limited edition printed on a miniature sheet format. The khadi theme pertains to Mahatma Gandhi and his idea of 'self-reliance' and national pride.
It was in Ahmedabad that the idea of khadi was born with Gandhiji experimenting with the charkha in 1918.
"The postal department had never issued a stamp on any material other than paper. Our department thought it apt to introduce the khadi stamp as Gandhiji advocated the use of handspun khadi. Gandhiji called it the 'thread of life'.
"Politically, khadi was part of Gandhiji's movement to defy the economic exploitation by the British. The khadi cloth and the charkha became the symbol of India's liberation and patriotism. It is for this reason that the khadi stamp was introduced," says chief postmaster general Gujarat Humera Ahmed.
The stamp was introduced earlier this year during the World Philatelic Exhibition - Indipex 2011. But this is the first time the limited edition stamp is being sent to a few select centres across the country, including Ahmedabad, where Gandhiji set up his Satyagraha Ashram in 1915 soon after returning from South Africa.
There are only 10,000 khadi stamps printed by the India Security Press in Nasik. "Most of these stamps were sold during the exhibition in Delhi. Only a few are left and are available at a special counter at the Ahmedabad GPO," according to a senior India Post official.
The Ahmedabad GPO has also brought out a special collection of post cards to commemorate 600 years of Ahmedabad.
"We have covered the historical assets of Ahmedabad in our post cards. We wanted to come out with a souvenir for the city and a collection of post cards is an apt choice," says Ahmed.

Times of India 28 may 2011

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New Stamps from Slovenia..

 

 

Date of Issue 27 May 2011

Posta Slovenije (Post of Slovenia) issued a new stamp on 27 May 2011, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the premiere of the first Slovenian full-length (partially) acted film, In the Realm of the Goldenhorn. On the same day a set of two stamps was also issued on EUROPA 2011 theme “Year of Forests”.

Date of Issue : 27 May 2011

Permanent Pictorial Cancellations

Tamil Nadu

Permanent Pictorial Postmark – 15 - Hasthampatti

Date of Inauguration of PPP - January 30, 1997

Hasthampatti is a neighborhood in Salem City. Mahatma Gandhi, during his visit to Salem on February 14, 1934, stayed as a guest at the residence of  Landlord Natesa Pandaram. The Government of India acquired this building in the '80s and the Hasthampatti Post Office is functioning in this building. The room in which Mahatma Gandhi stayed is converted into Mahatma Gandhi Philately Museum inaugurated on January 30, 1997, and philatelic stamps, first day covers, stationery issued by India as well as other countries are in display.
Cover illustration shows bust of Gandhiji and post office building at Hasthampatti. The postmark shows the Charkha / spinning wheel and text 'Bapu' in Tamil and Hindi. The photo below shows Mahatma Gandhi working with Charkha.

 

 

Charkha - The charkha was both a tool and a symbol of the Indian independence movement. It is a small, portable, hand-cranked wheel, ideal for spinning cotton and other fine, short-staple fibers, though it can be used to spin other fibers as well. Mahatma Gandhi brought the charkha into larger use with his teachings. He hoped the charkha would assist the peoples of India achieve self-sufficiency and independence, and so used the charkha as a symbol of the Indian independence movement and included it on earlier versions of the Congress Flags.

: Kasinath R.- Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu)

Blog : My Watercraft Philately

 

 From our Readers…….

Sandeep Chaurasia of Gorakhour shares here an article published in Bhartiya Rail a prestigious magazine of Indian Railways. Mr Chaurasia is a thematic philatelist and collects on Railway theme. Sandeep Chaurasia may be contacted at email : sandeepchaurasiagkp@gmail.com

Published in 'BHARTIYA RAIL' (March-April 2011)

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New Special Covers..

 

Two beautiful multicolored special covers had  been issued on 16 Feb during INDIPEX 2011 by Jainism Philatelic Group. These covers were designed by  Mr. Pramod Kumar Jain of Pondicherry ( Ph 9894252549) .

 

: Dr Pradeep Jain, Balod CG

A Special Cover was released by Canara Bank, Mulki Branch, Mangalore on 14 Feb. 2011.

: Mansoor B., Mangalore

Club News

More Pics from our Readers….

Stamps on Mahatma Gandhi

Glimpses of INDIPEX 2011

: Ashwani Dubey, Gorakhpur

Glimpses of Cultural Show at INDIPEX 2011

: Ravindra Wamanacharya, Nashik

 

: Atul Kumar Jain, Bilaspur (CG)

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