Rainbow Stamp News

2012-01-31T05:54:00.001-08:00

Date of issue : 2 January 2012

Fraunhofer Lines : The Rainbow Lines

This stamp has been issued by Geraman Post to commemorate 225^th anniversary of German physicist Joseph von Fraunhofer (1787–1826) . In physics (optics) , the Fraunhofer lines are a set of spectral lines named after Joseph von Fraunhofer The lines were originally observed as dark features (absorption lines) in the optical spectrum of the Sun.

Shimla February 2012 Vol. V Issue # 50

Monthly e-Stamp Bulletin Edited by Jeevan Jyoti for free circulation among philatelists

Readers are requested to send reports of philatelic activities in their area for publication. Short write ups by the readers about their journals, societies, publications and philatelic requirements can be sent for inclusion in this bulletin to j.jyoti9@gmail.com or rainbowstamp2008@gmail.com and by post to –

Ms. Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, Director, Great Himalayan National Park, Shamshi, Distt. Kullu. PIN 175126. (H.P.) India

Note- This bulletin is only for circulation among a limited group of philatelists without any commercial purpose. The bulletin will be sent to the readers only on request. Those who wish to receive it regularly please reply giving the name of your city / country with the subject SUBSCRIBE RAINBOW

Celebrating 50^th issue of Rainbow Stamp News

Dear Reader

I am pleased to release 50^th issue of Rainbow Stamp News. In this issue please read some very specialized articles by our star contributors. For this very special issue, our guest editor is Mr Naresh Agarwal who has given a great contribution in the previous issues of Rainbow Stamp News . Hope you would find this issue interesting! More in next issue…Have a Great Time !! Happy Collecting !!

….. Jeevan Jyoti

Guest Editorial

It is matter of great honor to act as guest editor for the golden jubilee Issue of Rainbow Stamp Bulletin an esteemed e-bulletin in philatelic world. Rainbow is a name that is spoken with great honor in the field of philatelic journalism today because it has given new directions and dimensions to it. A new way to cope up with the deficiencies of the print journalism. It has paved way for fresh and instant information. Opened new avenues of rendering philatelic knowledge and updates. As pioneer of e- journalism in India , it has helped giving recognition to Indian philatelists in the world and also created a platform to build and strengthen the bond of brotherhood amongst the philatelists of the whole world. It has helped emergence of new e-bulletins to serve philatelic fraternity. My heartiest thanks to Rainbow and congrats to Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti for successfully and uninterrupted publishing of fiftieth bulletin of Rainbow which asks for a true celebration. I feel honored to have interview of such dedicated person who for me claims to be known as “Charging force of philately in India today”. Her valued interview is published in this issue wherein she has come out with her positive attitude and thoughts and has placed her views with utmost honesty. I wish Rainbow and Mrs. Jyoti all the best for the future.

Change is the law of nature. Philately too has changed a lot with time. Collecting stamps and sticking in albums to preserving in weather protective transparent leave stock books, runner mail to e-mail, paper mail to electronic mail, physical exhibiting to virtual exhibiting have been the major changes. People now ask whether philately is dying. No, philately is changing. It is expanding. We need to identify the changes and explore these. It is advisable too to change the ways of collecting, preserving and of course, exhibiting. Looking in to the overall mail carriage and transmission, the percentage of paper mail may seem to be less but otherwise it has increased tremendously. A major portion of paper mail transmission and carriage is in the hands of private couriers. It is understood, that postal collecting products of private courier services may not get recognition soon but later these will be collected and certainly will be in big demand. Like in the history before the emergence of govt. postal services, there were private courier services existing in many parts of the world. And today those have created a big field of philatelic research and collection.

I would suggest thinking on these lines will certainly broaden the scope of collection and area of interest and will add to the pleasure. Philatelic organizations and controlling bodies should now think for gross change and design some new futuristic systems looking in to these changes.

- Naresh Agrawal

Rainbow Stamp News – A retrospect

Rainbow stamp News was started as an electronic Bulletin in January 2008 and was initially sent to the readers as an attachment by email. Soon its issues were posted on a separate blog http://rainbowstampnews.blogspot.com/ The idea of posting on blog was given by distinguished philatelist of Bhubneshwar Mr BK Sinha and the magazine was posted on blog which happened to be very successful in later years. The first issue of Rainbow was sent to about 35 friends and philatelists including the editors of philatelic magazines. Rainbow was first publicized by Stamps of India and it reached many readers all over the world. Today Rainbow Stamp News has more than 500 registered subscribers from India and abroad and an average of 2000 online readers per month. Another blog Rainbow Stamp Club with daily updates of the stamp world and news from different philatelic societies (http://rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/) was too started with Rainbow Stamp News in March 2008 which gained more popularity than Rainbow Stamp News. Today it has more than 500 visitors per day with an average of 14000 visitors per month Now its visitors have crossed the number more than 3 lakhs. The aim of Rainbow Stamp News and Rainbow Stamp Club Blog is to create fraternity among philatelists living in different parts of the world and share philatelic information with each other on a common platform.

This issue is dedicated to Shri Dipok Dey and Late Shri B J Kumar.

Messages

GOLDEN ISSUE OF RAINBOW
e-Magazine

I am always in favour of women participation in Philately, particularly housewives, as mothers are mainly responsible to shape the future of their children. If mother is a collector it will certainly influence their kids. I am happy that in India only one housewife, JEEVAN JYOTI has come forward with an e-magazine Rainbow Stamp News which is going to celebrate its GOLDEN issue. I wonder how she is managing both the ends- at one point she is a mother on the other side she is an ardent philatelist. Jeevan Jyoti has become an example to the housewives of the world that- if there is a strong will-there is a way. On this happy occasion I wish that the colourful spectrum of her RAINBOW will sprinkle all over the country in coming years.
- Dipok Dey , Calcutta, West Bengal

Indeed it is pleasant surprise that Rainbow Stamp News completed 4yrs. and you are coming out with its 50th issue. It is your Love & dedication to Philately. I congratulate you on this occasion & hope in forthcoming years you will reach to new heights.

With all good wishes - Yogesh Kumar, Bareilly

I am extremely happy to note that OUR Rainbow Stamp News has entered 5th year of its publication. Heartiest Congratulations. Undoubtedly this is the best and informative news letter that is being published. Time has passed so fast and though I am regularly reading the newsletter as well as the blogs for the last two years, having developed lot of interest seeing the contents of these I even traced many of the old newsletters and blogs and learnt a lot from them. You are doing a wonderful and selfless service to the philatelic community. The amount of information that is given and the efforts put in to collect the same for the benefit of the readers is adorable. Some of the regular articles in the Stamp News are extremely educative and research oriented. May God Bless you and your team to continue this wonderful work.

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

I am happy to know that your bulletin "Rainbow Stamp News" has completed 4 years of its successful publication. At the present philatelic scenario it is very difficult to maintain a bulletin with updated news and figures without the support from the Postal Department. I must congratulate you for taking sincere effort with keen interest for editing the useful monthly bulletin. Now a days your bulletin is very popular not only in India but also in other countries. Philatelists and stamp collectors, irrespective of their age, are getting benefit out of your bulletin. I wish and hope you will continue the same tempo in future. My best wishes for your success.

- Ajit Kumar Dash, Secretary, Eastern India Philatelist's Association, Bhubaneswar

Congratulations to you for completing four years of “Rainbow Stamp News”, which is actually RAINBOW in real for philatelic world. Credit for its success goes to your timeless efforts and enthusiasm behind the same. This internet bulletin is need of the prevailing time with advanced and fast growing technologies. And this internet version is really so attractive for one and all due to actual coloured pictures, which can’t be available in any magazine of India. Hope it gets more success in future – my best wishes are always with you…

- Suraj Jaitly, Ludhiana – Editor, ITS stamp News

I am very happy to know that Rainbow Stamp News will be now entering into its 5th year of e publication. The time is moving like anything, I still feel that it was just few months back I went through the 1st posting of Rainbow News but now see the Rainbow has celebrated its 4th birthday. I believe that Rainbow due to its assorted articles on stamp collecting have made its own place among the readers. My best wishes to Rainbow Stamp News, the contributors, the readers on completion of its 4 years of publication.

- Deepak N. Modi, Jalna ( Maharashtra) Promoter - Mobile Philately

Acknowledgements :

Those who gave colors to Rainbow with their specialized articles and expert advice .

Dr Avinash Jagtap - Dr Satyendra Kumar Agarwal - Naresh Agarwal - Prashant Pandya- Anil Dhir – Sekhar Chkrabarti,- Shrikant Parikh - Ilias patel

Our regular contributors :

Mansoor B- Mangalore, Ashwani Dubey – Gorakhpur, Hemant Jain - Mandla (MP), Jagannath Mani- Bangalore , Rakesh Walia and Vipan Kumar Thakur – Chandigarh, Pradip Jain- Patna, Sanjiv Jain- Dehradun, Dr Bibhudatta Mishra – Bhubneshwar, R Kasinath - Tanjore - Souvik Roy – Kolkata, Timir R Shah – Vadodara,

Overseas Contributors

Thevarayan Srinivasan from Malaysia – Dr Eli Moallem from Israel – Dr Hemat Kulkarni from USA – Wolfgang Beyer from Germany – Kenneth Sequirea from Dubai (UAE) Dr Avinash Jagtap – Switzerland . Terry Mitchelle - UK

Our Reference Sites

Stamps of India , Glimpses of Modern Indian Philately, Se-tenant stamps of India, International stamp News , Europa Stamps – World Stamp News , Gandhi Philately Study Circle; Flags and Stamps; The Stamp Collecting Round UP

Special Thanks to the distinguished philatelists for their support and contribution

Madhukar and Savita Jhingan – New Delhi, Dhanjay Desai – Ahmedbad, Mainak Kathiara – Ahmedabad, Madan Middha - Gwalior, Dr.S.K.Sondhi – Ludhiana, Cdr G. Sriramarao- Vishakhapatnam,Praful Thakkar – Ahmedabad, CG Bhaskar & G. Balkrishna Das, Chennai, Dinesh Chandra Sharma – Lucknow, Sudhir Jain – Satna (MP), Ajit Dash Bhubaneshwar; Pradeep Mohanty- Cuttack; Abhay Mishra – Dehradun, BK Sinha – Bhubaneshwar, Atul Agarwal- Aligarh, Nikhilesh Melkote – Banglore, Dr Pradip Jain- Balod (CG), Suraj Jaitly- Ludhiana, Prof VK Gupta- New Delhi

Contents

· Recent Indian Issues

· In The News

· Interview

· Postal Discovery : The Oldest Letter box in Odisha (India?) by Anil Dhir

· Specialized Section - " WE TOO HAVE A MONALISA " by Dr SK Agarwal

· Dandi March Special Postcards by Ilyas Patel

· Role of National Commissioners in International Stamp exhibitions by Naresh Agarwal

· New Issues from Other Countries

· Philatelic Clubs and Societies

· Blogs & Websites on Philately

· The Lighter Side

· Book Review

· Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters

· Editor’s Mail Box

Recent Indian Issues

19 December : President's Fleet Review – 4 stamps Rs 5 each

20 December : Archaeological Survey of India – Rs 5 & Rs 25 + MS

23 December : King George Medical College, Lucknow –Rs 5

26 December : Srinivasa Ramanujan – Rs 5

27 Dec : Madan Mohan Malviya – Rs 5

2 January 2012 Puran Chand Gupta – Rs 5

15 January Bhai Jagta Ji - Rs 5

24 January Shyam Narayan Singh – Rs 5

Recent Special Cover and Postmark

Special Cover : St. Joseph Acdemy Dehradun - 28 January 2012

Special Cancellation : 75 Years of Corbette National Park – 29 January 2012

In The News

New stamps for Sami culture by Finland

Finnish Post issued a Miniature sheet with 4 stamps on 23 January 2012 with unique design. Sami culture is celebrated with a four-stamp miniature sheet, shaped after the floor plan of the Sami Cultural Centre SAJOS opened in Inari in January 2012. Located by Juutuanjoki River, SAJOS is a center for the Finnish Sami administration and culture where events, congresses and meetings can be organized. The troll-drum-patterned sheet illustrates the three daughters of the Sami Mother Doddess, a reindeer village and lean-tos.

Book released on Stamps and Indian Cinema

Stamps and Indian Cinema : a Kannada book on Indian film personalities

Kannada film editor, director and Philatelist Mr. Umesh Kulkarni’s book, "Anche Antu, Parade Nantu", The Relations between Stamps and Indian Cinema, a Kannada book on Indian film personalities featured on Indian postage stamps was released here on Saturday. tells the story of 64 special postal stamps on film personalities .Dr. R.G. Sangoram, president of the Karnataka Philatelic Society was the chief guest of the function Link http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2765164.ece

(From left) R.G. Sangoram, president of the Karnataka Philatelic Association, cinematographer V.K. Murthy and author of ‘Anche Antu Parde Nantu' Umesh Kulkarni at the release of the book in Bangalore

Postage stamps are ambassadors of the nation and record the rich culture and heritage of the country. While most of us may be aware of the personalities featured on these stamps, not many know their biographies.Filling in this gap, Anche Antu Parde Nantu , a Kannada book on Indian film personalities featured on postage stamps was released here on Saturday.

The book, written by Kannada filmmaker Umesh Kulkarni and published by Aakruti Books, was released by Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner and cinematographer V.K. Murthy and R.G. Sangoram, president of the Karnataka Philatelic Association.It features 64 stamps issued by the Indian Postal Department alongside biographical sketches of the personalities portrayed. It traces the journey of India's strong filmmaking culture through the people who made their mark on the industry — from the father of Indian cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke, to Kannada cinema's thespian Rajkumar.

While releasing the book, Mr. Murthy said: “Very often we just know the name of a star and know very little else about him or her.This book gives detailed biographical sketches of many such people from the world of cinema and will be interesting for anyone who is fascinated by cinema.” Lauding Mr. Kulkarni's efforts in bringing out the book, Mr. Sangoram said it was a unique attempt. “The book clubs the popularity of cinema with the equally popular world of stamp collection,” he said.

Mr. Kulkarni, who is interested in both filmmaking and stamp collection, said he combined his love of both to bring out the book. He pointed out that though there had been many stamps brought out by the Indian Government on people from the film industry, others who made notable contributions to Indian cinema had not been featured. He appealed to the Postal Department to issue stamps on these achievers by 2013, when the country celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema.

The book's foreword is written by noted Kannada filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli. Priced at Rs. 295, the book is available at bookstores across Karnataka and is sold online at www.akrutibooks.com

and www.flipkart.com

Forthcoming International Stamp Exhibitions..

IPHLA 2012

Specialized International Exhibition for Philatelic Literature

IPHLA 2012 : A specialised exhibition for Philatelic Literature is going to be held from 2 to 4 Nov.2012 in the town hall of Mainz (Germany). This exhibition will be held under the patronage of FEPA & AIJP but some non European countries are also invited by them and India is also one of them.

Any author, journalist or publisher can apply for participation at IPHLA 2012 Mainz with one or more exhibits (print, static-digital like CD/DVD or a website) on condition he/she is a member of the BDPh or an association affiliated with FIP or FEPA. The application must arrive on time on the entry form provided for this purpose ( Exhibit Entry Forms ).

Applications for ‘IPHLA 2012’ can be submitted until February 1, 2012.

The basis of the binding application is the different regulations currently provided by the BDPh. Any applicant is urgently advised to take note of these regulations, especially of the special regulations for IPHLA 2012 Mainz , which he agrees to by signing his application.NO FEDERATION COMMISSIONER WILL BE NOMINATED. Please go through website www.iphla.de

For any information please contact to Mr. Wolfgang Massen, Email: w.maassen@alip.org

THAILAND 2013

THAILAND 2013, International Philatelic exhibition will be held in Thailand from 2 to 14 August 2013 in Bangkok, under the patronage of FIP. The World Philatelic Exhibition will take place from 2 - 14 August 2013 at the Royal Paragon Hall 1-3, 5th floor, Siam Paragon, Bangkok. The event will feature not only some unique postage stamp collections, but also displays of other rare and valuable collectibles from around the world. A stamp contest and competition of OTOP products will also be held as part of the event, with an international panel of judges from member countries and representatives of countries submitting collections for display.

PCI has nominated Mr. R D Binani as Commissioner for India, his address :33-B Rowland Road, Kolkata 700 020 E mail : binanipm@gmail.com Mob:9830073058

INDONESIA 2012 WORLD STAMP CHAMPIONSHIP

INDONESIA 2012: International Philatelic exhibition will be held under the patronage of FIP from 18 to 24 June 2012 at Jakarta Convention Center. The exhibition will be known as INDONESIA 2012 WORLD STAMP CHAMPIONSHIP. Mr. S. Sahoo, is National Commissioner for India. His address is :- D-3, BJB Nagar, Bhubanshwar 751 014 Email: sahadevas@yahoo.com

Exhibitions in India

11th Bihar Philatelic Exhibition 2012 STAMP EXPO - 2012

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Stamp Expo-2012 is a 11^th STATE LEVEL PHILATELIC EXHIBITION of Bihar Postal Circle. It will be held at Patna from 10-13^th February, 2012.

1.2 The Exhibition is organized by the Bihar Postal Circle with the active support of philatelic associations/philatelists of Bihar/PCI. The organizing committee is headed by the Chief Postmaster General, Bihar Circle, Patna-800001.

2. VENUE

The venue of the Exhibition will be WHEELER SENATE HALL, PATNA UNIVERSITY, PATNA-800005.The venue is 3.5km away from Patna Railway Station.

3. SPECIAL COVER & CANCELLATION

Bihar Postal Circle will bring out single special cover every day as a feature of the Exhibition with a separate cancellation for each day. Special Cover with or without cancellation will be available on sell at the venue of the Exhibition. Order for special cover may be placed on the philately Bureau, Patna GPO/ Muzaffarpur HO.

4. DEALER’S BOOTH:

Dealer’s Booth will be provided on rent for Rs 3500.00 for the duration of the Exhibition. Details can be had from the Secretary, Exhibition Committee Stamp Expo -2012, Office of the Chief Postmaster General, Bihar Circle, Patna.

5. CORRESPONDANCE:

All communications concerning the exhibition should be addressed to the Exhibition Committee Stamp Expo-2012, Office of the Chief Postmaster General, Bihar Circle, Patna-800001.The telephone number/e-mail ID is as under:

Telephone No.2226395 e-mail ID: adbdpatna@gmail.com

Feb 13-16: Calicut, KERAPEX Kerala State Philatelic Exhibition

Organizers: Kerala Circle of India Post

Venue: Jubilee Memorial Hall of Calicut Corporation, Kandamkulam Tali, Calicut 673002

Mar 3-4: Kolkata, National Mega Philatelic Exhibition Kolkata 2012

Venue: Olpadvala Memorial Hall, 52 Chowringhee Road, Opposite Rotary Sadan,

beside New Embassy Restaurant

March 2012 : Shimla – Shimla Dist. Level stamp exhibition

Organizers: HP Circle of India Post

March 2012: Gurgaon, Haryana State philatelic exhibition

Organizers: Haryana Circle of India Post

March 2012: Chandigarh, Punjab State philatelic exhibition

Organizers: Punjab Circle of India Post

Interview

My Philatelic journey and experiences over the years…..

- Jeevan Jyoti

My fascination towards stamps grew after seeing some stamps pasted on a small scrap book of one of my cousins… In those days “Parag” was children’s most popular Hindi magazine in which regular articles on stamps with their photos used to get published… I started my collection with cut outs of those stamps and too made a scrap book of stamps and later started looking for actual stamps…Once I read an article in Parag on stamps about a young collector, Arun Vashishtha who collected stamps on Beethoven and exhibited in a stamp exhibition ..That made me really thrilled and I immediately wrote a letter to the author, Ms Saroj Vashishitha whose address was given in the magazine..After few days I received reply from her and that was the turning point of my special interest in stamps….she guided me how to join a philatelic club and start this hobby systematically….She suggested me to join “ We Philatelists ” Club of Delhi.

In 80’s I joined, We Philatelists’ Club of Delhi which regularly sent a stamp bulletin. In one of the issues I found the address of a club near my house in Kanpur that was of late Mr BJ Kumar’s United Philatelists. I met Mr Kumar and the real journey started afterwards…He was a renowned philatelist of Kanpur. I saw his collection “ World Tributes to India “ on Stanley Gibbons pale yellow sheets in sparkling hawid mounts with tempted eyes and never knew that one day I will have my own collection in hawid mounts on sheets and would get a chance to participate in exhibition…as at that time I had a general collection of heavily cancelled used stamps….Gradually I learnt how to prepare an exhibit from Mr Kumar and first participated in a Regional exhibition in Kanpur in 1982 with some awards and after it won Best Junior Exhibit award in UPHILEX – 84 that led me to go further in Nationals…. At that time I learnt the editing of a stamp magazine as sub editor for U Phil Times from Mr Kumar who was its editor …It was the time of my College studies so the hobby for me was just like that a student can pursue…… But I was always in touch with philatelic activities….Gradually participating from junior to senior class ….At that time, state level exhibitions used to be very good and of very high standard.. We had long discussions with jury members and certainly they gave good time to each exhibitor and used to explain as to how to improve the collection. I still remember discussions with senior philatelists who were jury members in exhibitions, Mr VS Dastur, late Brig DS Virk and Mr Yogesh Kumar and Dr SP Gupta during State level exhibitions at Lucknow..

Visitors, age group

It was the time when there was enthusiasm among philatelists and the youngsters!! At that time we could find youngsters at the exhibitions . But today the scene is different ! Today you can hardly find any youngsters at stamp exhibitions who are keen to see various exhibits….In every exhibition we see the same old faces and average age of visitors is 35 - 40 + and above … earlier it used to be 15 + Few kids seen at the stamp shows are those whose fathers are philatelists !!

Transition period

Another transition that took place in the last 20 - 25 years there was dominance of Traditional Collection and Thematic Class was infancy….. But today Thematic Class is dominant and Traditional philately is at extinction…

Technology

When I started philately, Thematics was my first choice…We used to write collection with pen on White Graph sheets…some used typewriters..but today we use computers… and take printouts of A4 stamp sheets.

Judging and competitiveness

As far as judging is concerned it was more transparent but was never out of controversy. It was controversial too at that time the exhibitors never seem to disheartened at the results as there were very minor variations. There was more competitiveness among collectors in presenting their exhibits.

Rainbow…

A newsletter like Rainbow was my long time dream since I was I in college when I used to work with late Mr BJ Kumar and at that time I was fascinated towards philatelic journalism and used to imagine if I could launch my own newsletter ….. But it was just a dream at that time since I was just a teenager and to bring out a regular independent newsletter was not an easy job. Moreover, in those days computer was not the part of daily life. One has to do everything manually …like typing news and articles on typewriter and sending to the press with limited images . But today the technology has made the work easier. So after the launch of Rainbow my dream came true…and its success gave me immense pleasure and satisfaction !! The first name that came to my mind for this bulletin was “Shimla calling” as I had spent most of the time in Shimla district and was it going to publish first issue from Chopal area of Shimla district. But when I discussed it with my friends they suggested to give a global name to the Bulletin…And suddenly Rainbow came in my mind and I named it Rainbow Stamp News...Thus Rainbow Stamp News was started…

But for me this is not the end of my philatelic journey. I still wish to go ahead with Rainbow which for me is the path to reach the highest glory of philately and way of my satisfaction. My aim is to serve philatelic fraternity and to have a big admiring readers and readership.

This journey would have not been smooth and happy if I had not got the support from my family members. My husband Ajay Srivastav and sons Prakhar and Shikhar always happily supported me to work for long hours. Ajay has been the part of every issue with his expert advice in finalizing contents for publication and presenting them on blog. What you see on my blog and read in magazine is the joint effort of my family members and distinguished philatelists and contributors. In my philatelic journey Shri Dipok Dey has always been a great source of great inspiration. My sincere thanks to all of them..I hope the journey will be continued in the years to come….

Ajay with Dipok Dey

Interview with the Editor by Naresh Agarwal

Q1 Rainbow…. a creation of yours… now spreading colors round the globe…… How does it mean to you?....Just a hobby or a pastime… or a part of your life and culture..?

Ans : Working for Rainbow is my passion as I have the liberty to do whatever I like and present in my own way !! Of course, the work of one’s interest definitely gives a pleasure and satisfaction both. Now for me it’s not just a hobby but it has become part of my life as I love to search out news and stories related with stamps. The colorful world of stamps always attract me to work something new and different!!

Q2. We congratulate you for successful completion of four years of un - interrupted and ever improving publications of this esteemed philatelic bulletin. How do you find this ? Is it like achieving something or just a nice past time.. a hobby?

Ans : Thanks. I try my best to publish every issue on first day of every month. Though it is not always very easy but I do every effort to publish it timely !! It gives me immense pleasure to see that my teenage dream to publish independent bulletin has come true and I have been successful in publishing it for such long period. I really find this very satisfying and of course jubilating.

When I receive mails from my readers that they like to read and wait every month for new issue, I really feel happy and think that I should continue its publication ….And making a small place for myself in male dominated hobby, it gives a feeling of satisfaction to some extent…

Q3. Collecting stamps and preparing exhibits is not a regular affair though a constant process but a slow one; but publishing a bulletin that of the stature of RAINBOW which requires constant, regular and frequent follow-up, research, study, editing, composing and publishing …. why did you opt this where as there is joy in other aspects of philately too.?

Ans : Collecting stamps and preparing exhibit is also a regular affair but is very slow process. whereas publishing a news letter with updated information having huge accessibility is very fast and regular process. There is certainly big difference in these two aspects of philately.

Editing and publishing of a regular monthly bulletin is highly time taking job. One has to be always alert and update oneself with the latest news around the world and keep a constant touch with readers and contributors in order to get current news, articles and suggestions. Though it is very time taking but it has its own charm and satisfaction. You are always wondering in a big sea and looking for the pearls. However, you don’t get the pearls always ..….I opted this because there is a constant creativity but I have not given up traditional philatelic interest of collecting stamps and making exhibits and participating in exhibitions ….

Q4. We see that there is broad change in the philatelists’ attitude and view towards modes of collecting and exhibiting. Philatelic commercialism and professionalism is now the way it enjoyed? How do you look at future of philately?

Ans : Well, there is always a change with the time ! We must accept it and go with the modern trends. However, personally I don’t like commercialization of the hobby. If it is taken as hobby, its future is bright .

Q6. Tell us something about the philatelists who guided and admired you?

Ans : learnt initially from late Mr. BJ Kumar and he guided me how to participate in an exhibition. I used to read books which helped me a lot. In all, these books stamp collecting by Gurpreet Singh Anand ( my first book on philately ) and Prof. VK Gupta’s book on Thematic Philately and exhibits on “Flag” by Mr. RD Binani and “Map” collection of Mr. RK Bagri ( some years ago photocopies of international award winning thematic exhibits for collector’s guidance were available with PCI ) were the great source of information. Later, correspondence with Mr. RD Binani regarding technical points of thematic philately helped me very much. Regular communication with Mr. Dipok Dey and late Shri Nishith kar of Nadia, West Bengal since my school days was a great inspiration to enter in this field.

Q7. Don' t you feel the philately today gives a virtual and false pleasure. It is hard to get true pleasure…

Ans. Sometimes it happens when the results are not satisfactory from your point of view…. but if you move yourself from this part, you will find real pleasure. Collect what you like and display how you like..that is the real pleasure ..When you fight for award …..sometimes there is frustration too…It is obvious too as you will always have to struggle to reach on the top !! I mean you have to pay the price of success in the form of hard work and frustrations !!

Q8. Your comments on role and functioning of philatelic societies, clubs and organizations? We have seen such societies are not serving philatelists as these should. Further, there is lack of co-ordination amongst the societies?

Ans : Some philatelic societies are functioning very well only because of co – operation between the members. A society can only run with joint efforts of all its members. A single person cannot run a society and hold philatelic activities. The societies which are not functioning is only because of non co-operation among its members !! India needs a well organized national philatelic federation !!

Q9. Philatelic country commissioners are country ambassadors also. What do you say about their functioning? Do they really perform their duties doing justice to the philatelists and the people of nation they represent?

Ans : National Commissioners appointed for various stamp exhibitions are the link between exhibitor and organizers. They should provide regular updates about the exhibition, to the participants, answer their queries and guide them appropriately. They are supposed to see that the exhibits are properly cleared, carried, displayed and given back to the exhibitor safe and sound along with all certificates, medals, souvenirs etc. if any after all clearances without any delay or hurdle.

But the experience of some participants in several international stamp exhibitions reveal that commissioners communicate only till they do not receive entry fee from the exhibitors. Once they receive entry fee they avoid e-mails and phone calls of participants which is very disappointing on the part of participants. The participants have to call and e-mail the commissioner again and again for safe return of their exhibits, medals and certificates etc. but often they do not receive any response from the commissioner. It is a serious matter and the commissioners must think about it in order to provide necessary information about the exhibition and their exhibits time to time !!

Q10. Philately is said to have losing its charm. Your opinion on the changes required in the present system for promotion and development of philately.

Ans : Yes,philately is losing its charm today as in exhibitions the crowd seems very small as compared to some years back. It is because youngsters are not taking up this hobby and we find only older people in this hobby so it is at extinction…..If deptt. of posts organize publicity program, stamp fair by postal department and workshops about stamp collecting in schools and colleges in association with local stamp clubs, the interest in young generation could be created and thus the hobby would certainly revive !!

Q11. Philately is a means and bond of brotherhood amongst individuals and the nations....... How does it mean to you? Have experienced this bond ? Your opinion on it.

Ans : Philately creates a strong bond of brotherhood amongst the collectors and nations which I have experienced personally in the last 4 years since I started blogging about stamps. Today I have friends all over the world with regular communication with them only because of philately.

Q12. We understand most liked and best of the philatelic bulletins are sometimes not very highly appreciated at competition levels in high level philatelic shows as those are not given higher or say appropriate awards. What do you say about it.? How does winning a higher award mean to you in comparison to the increasing numbers of satisfied followers and readers ?

Ans : Regarding awards to philatelic bulletins, I have no complaints as philatelic bulletins in literature class are always regarded number 2 in the literature class as compared to original research books and philatelic exhibits. Of course! in international exhibitions the competition is very tough since there are books, catalogues and magazines of very high standard from renowned publications. To get a higher award is not very easy and moreover, in these exhibitions in the literature category, contents as well as layout and design of the book / magazine are very important. I am satisfied with what I am awarded for my magazine in the Asian International and World stamp exhibitions. My real award is the global readership and appreciation of the readers that I receive time to time from the visitors of my blog from different walks of life !!

Q13. While wishing you a good luck and a very enjoyable philatelic journey ahead, we would like you to share with us the future plans of yours to serve philatelic fraternity?

Ans : Thank you very much for your best wishes. Well, I would try my best to establish philatelic fraternity through my blog by giving my readers a common platform to express themselves and share information about philately on my blog. I would give more space to the news from different parts of India as well as other countries so as to create a global fraternity !!

Mrs. Jyoti has been found very positive and honest in her views and explanations. Her dedication is reflected in her answers. She seems to have prepared herself for yet another additional half century of bulletins to celebrate platinum jubilee with a vastly multiplied followership and readers and would go far far ahead. We could feel her extremist nature established through her uninterrupted, regular and timely publishing of the issues and ever improving quality of Rainbow irrespective of her social, personal and other engagements..Her interview will really be an inspiration for the readers.— Naresh Agrawal

Postal Discovery

The Oldest Letter box in Odisha (India?)

When was the last time you posted a letter or send a postcard? In today’s world it is all electronic and instant, but one can’t forget the excitement of sending and receiving mail, be it a birthday card or a letter from an overseas friend. The plop of the letter falling inside the letter box, or the times you had to stuff it down because the box was already filled to the brim, these are all things of the past.

I have discovered an early British era letter box in a small village on Odisha. It was a chance discovery, I had gone for relief distribution in the flood affected areas Jajpur which had been engulfed by floods earlier this year - we had a boat load of food supplies to unload. We saw a small white building on high ground, with a few people waiting in the verandah. We docked their and gave away a few of the bundles we were carrying. It was then that I noticed that it was a post office, in one corner of the verandah there was the familiar sign of India Post in red and white. It was typical British ingenuity that the Post Office was built on high ground, I was told that it had never been flooded all these years.

The Royal Coat of Arms

The wall mounted Letter Box was painted in the traditional post office red, but what drew my attention was the Royal emblem, the years of painting over had muted the florid and calligraphic details that it must have originally had. The dust and grime of ages, the peeling paint, all told of its antiquity. I was transfixed, never before had I seen such an old postal relic of the past. Mailboxes are usually durable and persistent. They can stand for centuries through heavy rainfall, strong winds and violent storms. This one was one living example of old faithful.

The small verandah was crowded with distressed and hungry people hence I kept my excitement low. However on the short time I was there, I gathered the information that the Post Office had a very interesting history behind it. I told myself that I would come back some other day.

And come back I did! I did quite a bit of ground work on the Post Office and scoured the old archives. There was rich history attached to this little post office tucked in this little corner of rural Odisha.

The Post Office at Kaipada is midway between Kendrapara and Jajpur. The small post office was of the British era, the building had had been constructed way back in 1901. The post office dominates the village of Kaipada even today as it has been for over a hundred and ten years. It still retains classical and traditional elegance. During its early time, the village of Kaipada could boast of only one institution- its Post Office. One just had to stroll past the little village Post office to feel the glamour of the place and meet a host of interesting characters.

The Kaipada Postoffice

The Post Office is tucked some twenty meters away from the main road, in a thicket of tall trees. It stands on a two acre compound - the land has been Postal property since yore. There is a small orchard of fruit bearing trees and a big pond in the front where the fresh water attracts young boys and girls to bath while the thick and old trees adds to the aura of romanticism of bygone days. The scene could have been straight out of the last century. The present building is a two roomed affair, with the verandah out in the front where the letter box has been affixed in one corner. The ruins of the Postmaster’s residence are just behind the present building.

In bygone days the post-office, which was little more architecturally than a big dog kennel, was the centre of all village activities. The Sunday morning that I was there, it became the social centre for an animated two hours or more. The entire postal workers and the nearby villagers gave me so many snippets of its history, I was overwhelmed.

I cannot give an exact date when the letter box was affixed to the wall, but it is must be between 1901 and 1905. This might not be the oldest letter box in India, but I am certain it is the oldest in Odisha. These wall mounted letter boxes first appeared in 1857 in England. The earliest known use in India is in 1885, I guess this must have been one of the early examples. All mailboxes shipped out of England bore the royal badge. Whenever there was a change of regime, so was the badge. No wonder, mailboxes bearing royal badge of different regimes on the sides can be found even today in the streets of England. The front of the letter box usually has the royal cipher, “V.R”, “E.R” or “G.R” denoting Queen Victoria, King Edward or King George. In present day Britain, the Letter Boxes are all inscribed with the Royal Badge of the present Queen Elizabeth 2nd.

Old Letter box found in the ruins of the postmaster's Bungalow

The Kaipada Letter Box must have started off as a Victorian one, and seen the transaction to the Edwardian and then the Georgian ciphers. Even though these ciphers were not in predominant use on the letter boxes in India, but the early ones that were manufactured and shipped to the colonies all bore the inscriptions which was in cast iron, and hence whenever they were painted the Regional Insignia was also highlighted. I would have loved to scrape of the peeling paint to see the original inscription, but I am sure the encrusted ravages of time has erased any remnant of its original words.

I had sent the photographs and details of the letter box to a British philatelist friend and postal historian who did a lot of ground work. He tells me that this type of boxes were made by the London firm of W.T. Allen and Co. , who manufactured and shipped letter boxes for the Post Office between 1881 and 1963. Many of them are still found in villages of England.

The letter box stood in one corner, a silent sentinel who has seen the world go by. The road from Kendrapara to Jajpur has so much of history attached to it. In short, so much had changed in the century of the Letter Box’s existence, but that morning, while I was photographing it from various angles and hearing the tales of the villagers, it seemed I was back in time. Nothing had changed- nothing. The letter box was still emptied twice daily; letters were still posted in it. The mail run was the same that has been for years. The Letter Box was a time capsule, and I was there to open it. It was rather strange that so many people, both officials and others had seen it all these years. I was told that many times newsmen had descended on the spot and photographed the place for its historic importance in the Freedom struggle, but the letter box, in one corner, had escaped notice.

In 1934, Gandhiji began his celebrated Padayatra with the mission of Harijan uplift and abolition of untouchability. In was on the 31^st May 1934, while on his way from Kendrapara to Bari that the Mahatma stopped at Kaipada. He had rested under a big Banyan tree near the Post Office. Narayan Chandra Panda, the octogenarian retired post master told me of the eventful day. He was young lad, just ten years old and had seen the Mahatma. The villagers had all gathered under the tree and Gandhiji had curiously enquired about the Post Office building which stood by the side of the Road. One of the villagers had run to get the Post Master’s chair, but the Mahatma had refused to sit on it and had sat down under the tree, spending a good one hour. Two other villagers in the nineties, Dadichi Sahoo and Gouranga Dhall, both told me of the day they had walked with Gandhiji till Bari.

The seeds of the freedom movement were sowed in the minds of all the people of the area after Gandhiji visit. He had advised Congressmen all over the country to take up rural reconstruction. At the end of his Padayatra in Orissa, at Bhadrak, he advised Congress workers to go back to villages. Many took up the cause. The Quit India Movement in 1942 was the expression of India's last push towards its "tryst with destiny." Jajpur and Kendrapara were the hotbed of all revolutionary activities. The Government of Odisha had declared all Congress bodies unlawful and arrested many of the leaders. There was a huge public uprising and people took possession of government offices and burnt them down.

The Sub Post Office of Kaipada, with its old Letter Box, too played a very significant part in the revolt. The then Postmaster, Gobind Chandra Das got wind of the coming action and on the 20^th August he packed up all the postal stamps, cash, seals and other important fiscal items and along with a runner took off for Kendrapara where he deposited the items at the main Post office there. He left the Post Office to his assistant, Narayan Chandra Panda, and warned him of the impending threat.

Popular history says that on the 22^nd August 1942, the Post Office of Kaipada was burnt down, it was the only symbol of the British Raj in the vicinity, and the freedom fighters vent their ire on this vestige of oppression. A crowd of 200 surrounded the Post Office and set it on fire, as it was a pucca building, only the papers and furniture was destroyed. The armed Police soon arrived but was prevented to enter the village. They later on came in six boats and managed to arrest ten persons. The handcuffed prisoners were being taken to Jajpur, when a mob of a thousand persons attacked the police. The police opened fire killing four and injuring a dozen people. The four who fell down by the pond in Kalamatia were Sanada Swain and Hadibandhu Panda of Krushnanagar village, Sauti Mallick of Srirampur and Mayadhar Bhuyan of Hatasahi . Some of the people told me that even an airplane had dropped tear gas shells on the crowd, but I still have to ascertain the veracity of this fact. There is a small martyr’s memorial for the dead in the nearby village.

Author ( Right) with Narayan Chandra Panda

However, Narayan Chandra Panda, who had been in- charge of the Post office on the fateful day, told me a very different story. I spent a good hour with the old postmaster, the sad and rheumy eyed man recollected what all has happened. According to him, the Post Office was not actually set on fire completely, only a few papers were taken to the Verandah, (where incidentally the old Letter Box has been all these years) and burnt. Even the furniture was spared, and I think the tables, almirah and chairs are still being used.

The secret underground Safe

Panda told me that he has appealed to the crowd that burning the post office would be of no use and the government would not build another one. It would be the village’s loss. He even told the crowd that the postmaster had taken away all the stamps, cash and seals. He remembers taking down the portrait of King George VI from above the Postmaster’s Chair(he showed me the nail from where the portrait had been hung, it was still in place!). He had given the crowd many of the postal forms and stationery. All these were taken to the verandah and a bonfire was made where King Emperor’s portrait was burnt. He says that earlier in the morning he had taken whatever little was left of the records and put in the secret underground safe of the Post Office. Surprisingly the present Post master did not know anything of the safe, and a steel almirah had to be moved for me to see it. The safe had no longer been in use since decades, it was a small underground cavity with a heavy steel cover. The lid was jammed and it took a good bit of pulling before we could open it.

I was hard pressed to find any other postal ephemera at the place though I did find an old disused letter box in the ruins of the postmaster’s residence. I am sure after my visit the locals will now be proud of the letter box. It is about time that India Post took stock of the fact and does whatever it can for this important heritage of Indian history. My British friend warned me that if news of the Letter Box travelled, it should be properly protected; these period letter boxes command a very good price in the antique market.

( The author would like to get more information on old letter boxes or if similar letter boxes are there in any other place. He can be contacted at anildhir2k5@hotmail.com )

Beginners’ Section

What is Virtual Philately ??

"virtual stamp collecting has become a favourite pastime on social media platforms such as FaceBook, Flickr and Twitter/Twitpic. This is a short introduction with all you need to know to get started as well as directions to the main Virtual stamp websites. Start your Virtual stamp album online today. Its the most fun you can have with your computer on! "

Know more…

Specialized Section

" WE TOO HAVE A MONALISA "

©Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

Elongated face with a high forehead, arched eyebrows, half open lotus like eyes slightly tinged with pink, a sharp pointed nose, thin curved sensuous lips and a pointed chin over a long narrow neck, beautifully lacquered finger tips, left hand holding two lotus buds and right hand holding border of the dress decked with ornaments, wearing a gold embroidered transparent Odhini (head covering) twinkling like stars, the curl of the hair around the ear contributing mystique to the enthralling charm of the feminine grace, the saucy nose ring, tikka and splendid pearl and diamond pendent on the ear bespeaking of the royal lineage, jet black hair flowing down like sea waves, the rows of pearls on the swelling breast.

This lyrical verse is neither of romantic era poetry or a love tale nor the imaginary face of a graceful-beautiful woman bringing to life on canvas from the imagination of an artist. It is a portrait of a living model ‘Bani Thani’, the mistress of Raja Sawant Singh of Kishangarh which was by sheer chance discovered by Prof. Eric Dickinson in 1952 wrapped in a dusty basta and dumped in an inconspicuous place in the fort of this small state capital along with few other Kishangarh miniatures. It is of 1778 AD and its size is 48.8 x 36.3 cms.

It became an unparallel example in the world of Indian Miniatures and art critiques adorn the title “Indian Mona Lisa”.

Indian Monalisa “Bani Thani

Kishangarh is 27 Kms north east of Ajmer and was founded by Kishan Singh a Rathore Prince. It is picturesquely situated on the side of a lake called Gundolav. The fort, Mokham Vilas, and the palace, Phool Mahal, overlook the waters. The miniature artists have beautifully depicted this palace, fort, lake, bridges, gardens and the Kishangarh town in the background of their paintings. It attained a certain identity of its own under Man Singh (1658-1709) and later Raj Singh (1706-1748). He was an enlightened ruler and patronized arts and music but only within limits of the royal etiquette and the subjects painted were hunting scenes, durbar and portraits – favorite themes of the royalty.

Right from the time of Kishan Singh, the rulers worshipped Nritya Gopal, an idol of Lord Krishna in dancing pose. The influence of Vaishnava religion encouraged the Bhakti or faith for the Divine. Expressions of faith adorn the works of Kishangarh painting, literature, music and dance. The Mughal influence on miniatures was thwarted by the growing bhakti cult which now emphasized the love of Radha and Krishna. During the brief span of twenty years, between 1737 and 1757 the Kishangarh art was at its zenith. Crown prince Savant Singh (1699-1764) was the guiding force behind the strong devotional fervour at the court and a rejuvenation of painting suffuse with the spiritual yearning of a soul in quest of the Lord. He was well versed in Sanskrit, Persian and Marwari languages, and had also studied music and painting. He had written 76 books all collected to one known as “Nagari Samucchaya”. Out of this “Ras Chandrika”, “Bihari Chandrika”, “Pad Muktawali” and “Grishma Vihar” are very popular. A great devotee of Krishna, Raja Sawant Singh also wrote many poems under the pen name Nagaridas and most of the Kishangarh masterpieces are based on his poems.

Why he adopted the pen name “Nagaridas” is another interesting story to tell. He was married to daughter of King Jaswant Singh of Bhavnagar but never enjoyed his marriage life and remained loyal towards his love for “Bani Thani” in whom he imaged “Radha” and written poems dedicated to her with penname “Nagridas” meaning servant of Radha. “Nagari” is another name for Radha.

Bani Thani was a slave girl who was brought from Delhi by Raja Sawant Singh’s (1748-1764) stepmother Bankawatji. She was an enchanting beauty, tall, slim, with queenly smile and red lips. Since she was elegantly dressed and remained decorated and well behaved, she was known as Bani Thani, meaning well dressed. She had a natural flair for poetry and composed beautiful songs in praise of Krishna.

Love blossomed between Sawant Singh and Bani Thani. During the early stages of his fondness for Bani Thani, Savant Singh had drawn her face from memory as a rough sketch. He instructed his chief court painter Nihal Chand to paint Radha, the consort of Krishna drawing inspiration from Bani Thani. When completed, this face became the legendary face of the Kishangarh Radha, the quintessence of Indian woman-hood and grace and the portrait is known as “Radha of Kishangarh”or most popularly “Bani Thani”.

There are several paintings depicting the amorous episode of Krishna and Radha carrying the name of Nagaridas at back .Nihal Chand painted with a rare zeal, acumen and flawless artistry, the loves of Radha and Krishna reflecting his royal master and his consort.

Themes like Sawant Singh and Bani Thani meeting at public places e.g. temple, lake, gardens, or Bani Thani offering garland as her passion of love to Sawant Singh from a window from behind the curtain, or both facing each other looking into each others eyes, were profusely painted. Other themes included Nauka vihar (meaning lovers traveling in the boat), Krishna Lila and Bhagavata Purana.

“Boat of Love”, Tanzania 1998, illustrating a verse from Bihari Chandrika by the poet prince.

“Princess playing with fireworks” Postal Greeting Card and Imprinted stamped envelope, India 2001

The sharp features used to portray ‘Bani Thani’ were used to describe other characters too, including the male faces in the Kishangarh inaugurating a new style in Kishangarh miniatures and this made Kishangarh and Bani Thani paintings synonym for each other.

In due course the inevitable followed. Savant Singh withdrew himself completely from the affairs of the state and his whole life centered on love of the Lord, writing and singing bhajans, a whole-hearted pursuit of spiritual values. He left for Mt. Govardhan along with Bani Thani where Krishna had lifted the Mt. Govardhan on his index finger to safeguard the people of Brij from the wrath of Indra, and later came to Mathura the birthplace of Krishna and Vrindavan the place of their Lord’s Childhood Lilas.They sang devotional songs in praise of their Lord till they lost to the eternity.

Their Samadhi near “Radha Vallabh” temple in Vrindavan still exists and a living example of their immortal divine love for each other and as inspiration of mystical Kishangarh paintings which is also known as “Bani Thani Style Painting” forever.

The Hallmark of Kishangarh school of paintings, the” Bani Thani” is also immortalized by India Post depicting on an issue of 1973 Indian Miniatures series. India Post also prepared a special pictorial postmark based on this painting to apply as FDC for its 1997 “Rural Women” series of stamps to commemorate the International Philatelic Exhibition INDIPEX 1997 and this way the whole world get lighten with her beauty. The original painting is now gracing “National Museum”, New Delhi.

“Bani Thani “Stamp and Postmark

Japan also had chosen this painting on a stamp and a pictorial postmark to commemorate the year 2007 as Japan-India Friendship year.

When India Post planned to create a permanent and valuable record for posterity - creating a fitting tribute to India's unique culture, heritage, great achievements and revered national heroes, it authorized London based Hallmark Group Limited to prepare replicas of a set of 25 historic and important stamps , sculpted to perfection by world famous artists, expertly engraved onto solid silver ingots exactly the same size as the original stamp, and finally layered with 24 carat gold. ”Bani Thani” Painting stamp' was the first in this series of “The Pride of India Collection” released in Feb 2009.

“The Pride of India Collection” by Hallmark

( I thankfully acknowledge Mr.Shrikant Parikh for providing scans of postmark and stamp of Japanese issue and to Tushar Agrawal for Pride of India Collection.

Original paintings along with philatelic examples are included just to capture the minute details of Kishangarh School of Art.)

Dr Satyendra Kumar Agarwal may be contacted at email rosephila@hotmail.com

Dandi March Special Postcards

- Ilyas Patel

Dandi March led by Mahatma Gandhi is regarded as one of the most celebrated non-violent events in the history of mankind and also one of the most glorious chapters in the history of our country. It was a battle of right against might, an example of human courage and will. It spread the idea of mass civil disobedience and made the people aware of its potentiality. It engulfed the nation with a spirit of one-ness and unity. In essence, it succeeded in achieving what Gandhiji had fought for all his life – total independence for India. Choosing the salt tax as an injustice to the people of India was considered an ingenious choice because every peasant and every aristocrat understood the necessity of salt in everyday life. It was also a good choice because it did not alienate Congress moderates while simultaneously being an issue of enough importance to mobilize a mass following. Sardar Patel took the responsibility of finalizing the route to Dandi though he was hesitant for its success. Even this place Dandi was also selected by him with his colleagues Mohanlal Pandya and Ravishankar Maharaj and he finalized the program of the entire route and made all arrangements. The historical Dandi March took place on this route only and thus Gandhiji walked on Sardar Patel’s route.

The great and historic march commenced at 6.30 in the morning on March 12, 1930 from Gandhi Ashram on the banks of Sabarmati River at Ahmedabad. Gandhiji led a band of 78 satyagrahis representing a cross-section of the people from all over the country. Daily he walked 16 kilometers (10 miles) or more and addressed public meetings. The ashram routine of prayer, spinning and writing the daily diary was incumbent on every marcher. Unprecedented scenes of enthusiasm were witnessed all along the route of the march. Ill. 1 shows view of Dandi March appeared on postage stamp of India 2005 issue.

Ill. 1 Ill 2 Ill 3 Ill 4

The long trek finally ended on April 5, 1930. Along the way Gandhiji and his companions had halted for the night at 22 places. Brief account of 25 days long Dandi March is shown in Table -1. The route of the historical march is shown in Plate No. 1. On April 6, the atmosphere at Dandi was both tense and solemn. After prayers, Gandhiji and his followers bathed in sea and then at 8.30 in the morning, he bent down and picked up a handful of salt, thereby giving the signal to hundreds of thousands of people to similarly defy the law, since the British exercised a monopoly on the production and sale of salt. In Ill. 2 to 4 Gandhiji picking salt is shown on postage stamps of India issued at various occasions.

Table – 1 Route of Gandhiji’s historical Dandi March

Day No.	Date	Day	Halt place for Lunch	Night halt	Distance traveled in Mile
1	12-3-30	Wednesday	Chandola Talav	Aslali	13
2	13-3-30	Thursday	Bareja	Navagam	09
3	14-3-30	Friday	Wasna	Matar	10
4	15-3-30	Saturday	Dabhan	Nadiad	15
5	16-3-30	Sunday	Boriavi	Anand	11
6	17-3-30	Monday	Rest day – Letter Writing	Anand	00
7	18-3-30	Tuesday	Napad	Borsad	11
8	19-3-30	Wednesday	Ras	Kankapura	12
9	20-3-30	Thursday	On bank or River Mahi	Kareli	11
10	21-3-30	Friday	Gajera	Ankhi	11
11	22-3-30	Saturday	Jambusar	Aamod	12
12	23-3-30	Sunday	Buwa	Samni	12
13	24-3-30	Monday	Rest day – Letter Writing	Samni	00
14	25-3-30	Tuesday	Tralsa	Derol	10
15	26-3-30	Wednesday	Bharuch	Ankleshwar	13
16	27-3-30	Thursday	Sajod	Mangrol	12
17	28-3-30	Friday	Raima	Umrachi	10
18	29-3-30	Saturday	Erthan	Bhatgam	10
19	30-3-30	Sunday	Sandhiyer	Delad	10
20	31-3-30	Monday	Rest day – Letter Writing	Delad	00
21	01-4-30	Tuesday	Chaparabhatha	Surat	11
22	02-4-30	Wednesday	Dindoli	Wanj	12
23	03-4-30	Thursday	Dhaman	Navsari	13
24	04-4-30	Friday	Vijalpur	Karadi	09
25	05-4-30	Saturday	Karadi	Dandi	04
Total mile =	241

The Dandi March was the spark that kindled the flames of a movement that culminated in independence of the country. Regarding Dandi March, Sarojini Naidu opined as under;

“As the march continued, as days broke into dawn and dawn ripened into dusk, we saw before our very eyes the history of the world changing. We saw the whole of India rising up with rekindled enthusiasm and faith.”

The Salt Satyagraha was a masterstroke in political mobilization which also conclusively established that civil disobedience, as a means to achieve freedom was a viable political medium.

Plate 1 Map showing Dandi March Route

Till date, the historical Dandi March is covered on stamps, special covers and other related philatelic material released during various occasions. But during the recently concluded GUJPEX – 2011 exhibition held at Vadodara, Gujarat Circle of India Post came out with a unique set of 22 specially cancelled postcards on Dandi March. Each of these postcards were uniquely numbered and posted from a place where Gandhiji made a night halt during his Dandi March and sent to Dandi Post Office from where they have been collected and delivered to the addressee for which Gujarat Circle of India Post made a special arrangement. These postcards carry special cancellations for all offices of posting and special cancellation of delivery for Dandi. They are packed in a specially prepared Khadi cover and issued. Ill. 5 shows the details of night halts of Gandhiji and offices of posting. Ill. 6 shows the photograph of historical Dandi March of Gandhiji with uniquely numbered postcards set. Ill. 7 shows a uniquely prepared Khadi cover in which these set of postcards are issued. The place cancellations used on these postcards are specially prepared as they were used during that period by Imperial Post Offices of India. They are shown in Table 2.

Ill 5 – List of Post Offices from where postcards were posted to Dandi

Ill. 6 – Uniquely numbered postcard with Ill 7 – Specially prepared Khadi cloth cover

GUJPEX-2011 Logo

Table – 2 - Special Place Cancellations on Dandi Postcards

It is worth to be noted here that this is for the first time that any circle of India Post has done an ingenious work of philately with an elaborate efforts in any state or national level exhibition. Till date we have seen only issue of special exhibition covers or stamp booklets. Here is a first attempt that CPMG of Gujarat Circle took a different trend, make a basic work, put her staff for innovative exercise and came out with unique but worth mentioning philatelic product useful to all specifically Gandhi collectors as well as Gandhi lovers. The CPMG of Gujarat Circle also deviated from normal trend and made this product to be booked in advance and offered special discount on first come first serve basis never heard in India and thereby created an overwhelming response from the collectors. Ours is a country with unbroken history of ancient civilization, different cultures, amazing architectural monuments and fascinating flora and fauna. We, the philatelists, wish that this trend setting product will encourage other office barriers of India Post to come out with similar but innovative and useful philatelic products of interest and enlighten the philately in the days to come.

Mr Ilyas Patel may be contacted at email : iap_ip@yahoo.co.in

Role of National Commissioners in International Stamp exhibitions

- Naresh Agarwal

The role of philatelic commissioners is so important that it is really very difficult for an exhibitor to participate in any overseas philatelic show without his assistance, and guidance. The system of appointment of national commissioners by FIP for international philatelic shows (FIP World and Specialized Exhibitions) is very good and appreciable as a commissioner acts as an intermediary between a national federation and the exhibition management as he not only safely carries the precious exhibits from his country to the exhibition by doing all clearance jobs from all the departments concerned but see that those are properly exhibited and are given back to the exhibitor fully safe and secured along with the medals, certificates and other souvenir and gift items from the organizing country. To say truly, he not only represents the exhibitors of a country but also acts as ambassador for the country he represents as he carries with him the culture, the .values and the attitude of his country which is reflected to the people of different countries visiting the exhibition.

While going through FIP regulations for qualifications for commissioners, we see some of the following essentials and desirables which are material for our discussion :

1. Most important of all the commissioner should command the respect and confidence of

the exhibitors in handling their exhibits.

2. He must have or be able and willing to communicate promptly with the Exhibitor and the

exhibition Management.

3. Even tempered, he should be ready to solve problems.

4. Willing to travel, devote time and convey the exhibits to the exhibition.

5. Physically and mentally fit.

6. Able to spare time to attend the exhibition for the entire duration.

7. Prepared to incur out of pocket expenses, if required.

8. To accept full responsibility for the display of the exhibits and to check that those have been mounted correctly.

9. To be available at the exhibition during the duration of the judging to answer questions, should the need arise

10. To be present at official activities (mounting, opening ceremony, judging, dismounting etc.)occurring during his stay.

11. To collect from the Exhibition Management, at such time as is determined by them, any awards, special prizes, gifts souvenirs etc. which are intended for their exhibitors

Most of the commissioners are truly very honest, sincere, respectful, helpful and very supportive with a very high quality communication skill and ready to deliver. They maintain a very good rapport with the exhibitor and by virtue of their deeds they command respect too. Their handling people and handling situations is perfect. They have very good communication skill and they truly fulfill their responsible. Irrespective of the fact that they carry such a responsibility, they are always at ease for the exhibitor. They enjoy their duties and responsibilities & leave an impact where ever they go.

But contrary to this, sometimes such persons are selected as commissioners who become a matter of soar and sorrow for the exhibitor as they forget that they are there only because of exhibitors. They forget that they have been given a big responsibility to represent their country. Their behavior with the exhibitors is very irrational.. They are sometimes very impolite that the exhibitor is often hurt with their behavior. They must not forget that they are also philatelists. Respect commands respect…but sometimes they don’t have this in their mind. Appointing authority should call for a report from every exhibitor regarding working , attitude and other behavioral characteristics of his country commissioner so that appropriate person may be selected in future. There should be stringent check on the appointment of the commissioners . Yes, the old ones who are physically weak should be requested to give their valued advisory services which will certainly be of great help to the young commissioners.

It is time that young and energetic deserving philatelists should also be selected as commissioners who are well versed with the new faster communication systems and have better communication skills too.

Mr Naresh Agarwal may be contacted at email : nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in

New Issues from other countries

The Belgium Post has issued a stamp sheet dedicated to the famous Belgian Trappist beers.

A Trappist beer is a beer brewed by or under control of Trappist monks. There are a total of 174 Trappist monasteries worldwide; only seven (six in Belgium, one in the Netherlands) produce Trappist beer and are authorized to label their beers with the Authentic Trappist Product logo that indicates a compliance to the various rules of the International Trappist Association.

The stamps feature the following varieties of Trappist beers:

Achel, Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle and Westvleteren.

On 27 January 2012, Posta Slovenije issued a new stamp entitled "70th Anniversary of the barbed wire fence around Ljubljana". The stamp was designed by Matjaz Ucakar. Ljubljana was destined to remain an enormous enclosed camp until it was liberated on 9 May 1945. Only then was the wire removed and the bunkers demolished – symbols of people's suffering and resistance and their fight for freedom.

The wire fence was replaced by trees, which today surround the city like a green ring. Today the line of the fence has become the Path of Memories and Comradeship, a unique historical monument, which is at the same time a monument of landscaped nature and Ljubljana's largest green recreation area. A popular event known as the "March along the Wire" is held every year on Liberation Day.

New Blogs & Websites

Stamp Collecting : http://bestnetguru.com/stampcollecting/ - It is a nice Stamp Collecting site created by Shoban Sen with a Stamps Discussion Forum.

My Philatelic Journey : www.pamnani.info – A new Website created by Rajesh Pamnani of Hyderabad. The site is a very informative for the collectors of Indian Postal History.

A Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi : http://www.gandhiworld.in/ - A new website created by ML Rajesh of Tiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. This website contains Gandhiji's memorabilia such as Stamps, coins, currencies, tokens, telephone cards, post cards, special covers, statues and a few rare photo graphs too. It is a complete website on Mahatma Gandhi .

Officially Sealed Mails of the World : http://www.poseal.com/ - A site dedicated to the study of Post Office Seals -

Sports Philately : http://www.sportstamps.org/ - Website on Sports Philately.

Se- tenant Stamps of India - http://setenantsofindia.blogspot.com/ It is a specialized Blog on se-tenant stamps.

Flags & Stamps - http://flagstamps.blogspot.com/ - It is a specialized blog on Flag Theme .

Glimpses of Modern Indian Philately : http://modernindianphilately.blogspot.com/

Stamp Sathi : http://stampsathi.in/# - A new website on Indian Philately created by Chintan and Ronit Parikh of Gujarat. It is a very useful site for all stamp collectors.

Phila India : www.PhilaIndia.info – A new website on Indian Philately created by Mahesh Reddiar of Krerala

Postmarks of India : http://www.indianpostmarks.blogspot.com/ - This blog is dedicated to Permanent Pictorial Cancellations available at Indian Post Offices.

Discover Topical Stamp Collecting : http://secretstostampcollecting.com/members/ - How-To, Tips, News, Reviews and Resources for Stamp Collectors

A new Blog on Modern Indian Postal History and Modern Philately of India, has been created by Mr Prashant Pandya. Idea of creating this blog ‘Glimpses of Modern Indian Philately’ by Mr Pandya is conceived to provide, share and discuss information exclusively on Modern Postal History or Modern Philately of India. Collectors of Modern Indian Philately around the world are invited to share the knowledge and information on the subject.

West Essex Philatelic Society : http://www.wepsonline.org./ A philatelic society with lot of philatelic activities.

Gandhi Stamps : http://gandhistamps.com - The website is a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi Philately. All the stamps issued on Mahatma Gandhi from various countries in the World have been featured.

Join Mobile Philately & Stay Updated - http://mobilephilately.blogspot.com/ Mobile Philately is a mobile technology based philatelic community with short messaging service (SMS) that allows the community members to get latest updates related to Indian philately directly into mobile message box.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Stamps-Philately-1610/indexExp_69442.htm - It is a site based on Question & Answers on Philately. Mr Prashant Pandya replies to queries.

Philatelic Clubs & Societies

Baroda Philatelic Society - http://www.vadophil.org/

Eastern India Philatelists’ Association - http://www.filacapsule.blogspot.com/

Indian Stamp Ghar - http://www.indianstampghar.com/

Indian Thematic Society, Ludhiana - http://indianthematicstamps.webs.com/

Ludhiana Philatelic Club

Mobile Philately - http://www.mobilephilately.webs.com/

Philatelic Society of Rajasthan, Jaipur

Rainbow Stamp Club - http://rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/

Rajkot Philatelic Society – Rajkot, Gujarat

Gujarat Philatelic Association - Ahmedabad

South India Philatelists Association - http://www.sipa.org.in/

Stamps of India - http://www.stampsofindia.com/

The Lighter Side

BEST WISHES TO RAINBOW

Best wishes to colorful Rainbow

For reaching this golden height

Which needs grand celebration

Looking for the platinum flight.

Best wishes to colorful Rainbow

For bringing out this golden issue

Wish it to remain forever

In heart, In soul and every tissue

Best wishes to colorful Rainbow

Which has become our life’s part

We think and live with Rainbow

It lives and stays in our heart

Best wishes to colorful Rainbow

To Jeevan Jyoti, the creator

Best wishes to all the readers

We love Rainbow and the editor

Rainbow spreads it colors

Jeevan Jyoti, the life and light

Wish both of them the best

We look for platinum flight

- Naresh Agarwal

Book Review

A new book by Mr Praful Thakkar "Glimpses of Indian Autographs" is a wonderful book. It is a specialized book for autograph lovers.

It gives the glimpses of autographs of eminent Indian personalities of various fields. The book contains around 600 autographs in 8 major groups which are further divided in 42 different categories. In each category about 13 autographs, along with the photographs of the celebrities, are presented. The effort in the book is made to project glimpses of different themes under which autograph collection can be made.

The autographs of Indian personalities are classified thematically into autographs oof Presidents, Bhrat Ratna, Music Masteros, Cricket Playerd,World ‘s Top models etc .The book gives some rare autographs of Indian Pricely Rulers alongwith their Coat of Arms. The book also gives a separate chapter to foreign personalities.

An alphabetically arranged index with details of celebrities is given at the end of the book to help the reader to find the location of particular autograph.The book gives a special section on ‘Association of Philately with the Autographs’. A special chapter is added in the book which depicts the Autographs in the design of Indian Postal Stamps. Another chapter depicts original autographs, on the First Day Covers, of personalities, related or associated with celebrities whose stamps are issued.

It is a complete book for autograph collectors as well as a delight to people of all ages and tastes. In fact this book is a great delight to everyone’s eyes and an asset for the possessor. Everyone would love to read it and an essential book for libraries, schools and colleges and a collectible item for book and autograph lovers !! I would recommend this wonderful book to one and all !! The book is hardbound with beautiful design layout and high quality printing.

Price Rs 1500 US $ 50 It is available at following address :

Rekha P. Thakkar',

34, Janvishram Society,Behind Sahjanand College, Ambawadi,, Ahmedabad 380015

Email: thakkar34@yahoo.co.in or pkthakkar@yahoo.com

Praful Thakkar, the renowned philatelist of Gujarat is Limca Book Record Holder in 2009 for Autographs & Canteen Tokens and is a collector of autographs, stamps, First Day Covers (FDCs), coins, medals, tokens, badges , badge plates etc. and many more collectibles of India since last more than 45 years. He has written several books on these subjects of Hobbies. Mr Praful Thakkar may be contacted at e mail : pkthakkar@yahoo.com

SIPEX 2011 Souvenir : Review by - Naresh Agarwal

The souvenir released on occasion of SIPEX2011, a National Level Philatelic Exhibition published by South India Philatelists’ Association, Chennai is a collection and depiction of journey to the said show through well labeled pictures, nice graphics, views of the philatelic material issued. Journey through different facets of philately through various high quality and informative articles through the train and track of well printed, colorful, glossy paper of most appropriate size bound nicely in to a book form. The book is truly a souvenir for possessor as it gives glimpse of the SIPEX2011,the messages given by various persons, the articles on various aspects of philately written by various eminent and upcoming writers which have been found to be very informative. The well wishers of the show who contributed in form of advertisement have also been honored by giving such colorful space and well designed and placed advertisements. The editor has toiled hard to give an attractive shape to the contents by giving nice presentation, selection and skilled composing

In the article section, although all the articles have given nice impression but truly out of the assemblage of these 17 nos. articles covering different aspects of philately; article by C.G.Bhasker on “Czeslaw Slania,the Master Engraver”, & the one titled “Changing Face of Postal Stationery” by S.Balasundaram appealed me the most as those have a touch of extensive and fine research.

The attractive front and last pages themselves depict and declare the high standard of souvenir. I rate this souvenir much higher than the one issued during INDEPEX2011,a world exhibition held in India.

The book has fulfilled all of its objectives, covered all aspects and shown every necessary element. This souvenir is recommended to all to be preserved not only as a souvenir but an asset for the upcoming readers as the articles have been found very genuine, interesting and informative.

The copies of souvenir are available with the office of South India Philatelists’ Association. e mail : sipagold@gmail.com

Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters

Stamp of India Collectors’ Companion - India’s first and most updated weekly e-newsletter edited by Madhukar and Savita Jhingan from Stamps of India, New Delhi. E-mail: mjhingan@yahoo.com Website: www.stampsofindia.com

ITS Stamp News - Quarterly - Editor: Suraj Jaitly Publisher: Indian Thematic Society website - http://itsstampnews.blogspot.com/

Phila News, Editor Rajesh Pahariya and published by Philatelic Society of Rajasthan, Jaipur

VADOPHIL, Editor - Prashant Pandya and published by Baroda Philatelic Society, Vadodara. Website -http://www.vadophil.org/

e ZEP Newsletter http://www.ezep.de/zpj/zpj.html Editor : Dieter Leder email zpj@arcor.de website www.eZEP.de

SIPA Bulletin Editor - Mr G. Madan Mohan Das and published by South India Philatelists’ Association, Chennai website : http://www.sipa.org.in/

FILA Capsule – Editor : Ajit Dash and published by EIPA, Bhubaneshwar.

GPA News – Editor- Ilias Patel and published by Gujarat Philatelists’ Association, Ahemadabad.

Kar Phila News published by Karnataka Philatelic Society & edited by by Akshay Borad

e–mail : akshayborad@hotmail.com

Editor’s Mail Box

Andrew Panachida, Poland

My congratulations, your Rainbow Stamp Club web site is very interesting and helpful, I think for so many collectors all over the world!

Shrikant Parikh, Ahmedabad

I just went thru your RSN. Fantastic, as always. I am sure, many youngsters will be inclined to

start this Hobby after viewing your RSN and RSC posts.

Praful Thakkar- Ahmedabad

You are doing an excellent selfless work for Philately. I consider it as your worship. My salute to your untiring efforts and dedicated devotion. I wish you a very Happy, Healthy, Positive and Powerful New Year !!

Shoban Sen, http://bestnetguru.com/stampcollecting/

I just came across your Rainbow Stamp News. Very well done.Very informative. Congratulations on this very commendable work.

RAINBOW STAMP CLUB

This is a blog of e-stamp Club www.rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com . The idea of this blog is to extend philatelic fraternity in all corners of the world. Readers may write about themselves with their collecting interests and share new ideas with other philatelists. New Post on recent issues, news on stamp activities and Contribution by members are published every day on this blog.

Readers may also express their views on any philatelic matter which will be published under Club News at Rainbow Stamp Cub Blog. Philatelic Clubs and Societies may also send brief write ups. News about new issues of India and abroad and other information related with Philately are regularly posted on this blog. Readers may send reports on new issues, special covers, cancellations & philatelic activities of their area for inclusion in this Blog. - Editor

Courtesy - News and Image Resource to this issue - Stamps of India, ; International Stamp News ; The Stamp Collecting Round Up ; Mansoor B.- Mangalore ; Ashwani Dubey – Gorakhpur;; Prashant Pandya – Vadodara; Sanjiv Jain – Dehradun; Jagannath Mani – Bangalore

Address for communication:

Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, Director, Great Himalayan National Park, Shamshi, Kullu (H.P.) PIN 175126 India

E-mail – j.jyoti9@gmail.com or rainbowstamp2008@gmail.com

Last date for receiving write ups – 25th of every month. Kindly send images in jpg compressed format & text in MS Word only.

If you liked this issue please forward it to your friends and help in promoting philately.

A Request to Readers & Contributors-

Please do not send the text in scan form or PDF. Send your write ups in MS Word only.

Kindly specify your contribution such as article/News/ Reader’s Right / Beginners’ Section/ Lighter Side etc.

Please do not send forwarded messages for promotional section if you want to give any information for promotion please write personally with brief write up. As this newsletter is not used for any commercial purpose in any manner.

Attention -
Please send limited number of images in compressed jpg format only with your article. Please send text and images separately. Please do not send text or image for publication in PDF.

…..Happy Collecting…………………………………………………………………

Rainbow Stamp News is edited and published monthly by Jeevan Jyoti, from Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) India.

2011-12-29T18:53:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year !!

Shimla January 2012 Vol. V Issue # 49

Monthly e-Stamp Bulletin Edited by Jeevan Jyoti for free circulation among philatelists

Ms. Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, Director, Great Himalayan National Park, Shamshi, Distt. Kullu. PIN 175126. (H.P.) India

Dear Reader

This is the first issue of the year 2012. I wish my Readers a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. The year 2012 is the Chinese Year of Dragon . The powerful dragon is the most vibrant of all 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac and when the Year of the Dragon begins on 23 January 2012, it will bring with it health, wealth, prosperity and success.

A number of stamp exhibitions were held in different parts of the country in November and December and it will be continued in January 2012 too. It will be a record by India Post to hold such a big number of exhibitions in a single year.

Stamps of India and South India Philatelists’ Association also organized national exhibitions recently . The organizers must be congratulated for their great efforts to organize the show successfully. People have mixed reactions about exhibitions organized by private philatelic societies.

One must understand that holding an exhibition at National level is not an easy task as it requires a huge expenditures, lots of quality arrangements to be made and a big responsibility to take such as procurement of exhibit frames, security arrangements and of course many working hands.. It needs co-operation of whole philatelic community. Such shows need sponsorship as finance is the biggest constraint in organizing a philatelic show without support from Deptt. of Posts. So those who wish to support the show, must come forward and sponsor awards trophies, covers etc. so that the exhibition could become more colorful.

On the contrary the societies should give big publicity of their shows and keep in touch with the whole philatelic community with their regular updates. In all the past exhibitions the organizers of Stampmania 2009 maintained a constant touch with the philatelists by giving updates on their site as well as through their bulletins. This made philatelists associated with the show till the end of the exhibition. This is the reason that a large number of philatelists attended this show from different parts of the country and many awards in this exhibition were sponsored by individuals and societies. The credit goes to Baroda Philatelic Society which managed the exhibition very successfully with the support of its members. The only drawback in the exhibition was the shortage of frames at last moment for which the organizers were helpless as some of the frames got broken during transportation and those could not be repaired in a short time. At the conclusion we find that publicity and strong association of philatelists with the organizers is very necessary for a successful show !! The participants must feel that they are the part of the show. This association between organizer and philatelists motivate philatelic community to come forward and work as a team for the show . Philatelic societies are the organizations which have kept the hobby of “stamp collecting” alive today…They need more volunteers and strong support of the whole philatelic community in every respect during the show…to manage the whole event successfully.

Let’s all come forward and make philatelic events a great success by our voluntary support in every respect to the organizing philatelic society !! All philatelic clubs, organizations and societies deserve great appreciation as they work for the promotion of philately only and not for any other interest.

This is all for this month …Next issue of Rainbow Stamp News will be 50^th Golden issue . Please do write if you wish to share your views/ articles/ News or comments on the journey of last 49 issues of Rainbow for this very special issue !!

Have a Great Time and Wish you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year !!

Happy Collecting !!

….. Jeevan Jyoti

Contents

Recent Indian Issues

In The News

Interview

Beginners’ Section

Specialized Section

Readers’ Right

New Issues from Other Countries

Philatelic Library

Philatelic Clubs and Societies

Blogs & Websites on Philately

The Lighter Side

Promotional Section

Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters

Editor’s Mail Box

Recent Indian Issues

11 December : Kavi Pradeep – Rs 5

19 December : Golden Jubilee of Goa Liberation – Rs 5

19 December : President's Fleet Review – 4 stamps Rs 5 each

20 December : Archaeological Survey of India – Rs 5 & Rs 25 + MS

23 December : King George Medical College, Lucknow –Rs 5

26 December : Srinivasa Ramanujan – Rs 5

27 Dec : Madan Mohan Malviya – Rs 5

Special Cover – Postmark

Dec 11 -12 : Gorakhpur – G – Phila - Five special Covers View all covers

Dec 16 :Lucknow : UPHILEX 2011 : Kapilvastu, First 30 years of Stay Place of Gautam Buddha

Dec 17 : UPHILEX 2011 Lucknow CPMG Building , Lucknow

Dec 18 : Lucknow UPHILEX – 2011 , Palash Flower

Dec 23 : Gujpex 2011, Vadodara : Captain Vijay Hazare (Cricket)

:GSFC, Vadodara : 375 years old Banyan Tree

: National Institute of Design : Golden Jubilee

Dec 24 : Gujpex 2011, Vadodara : Pride of the Nation : The Asiatic Lion WWF

: Convent of Jesus and Mary Gils’ High School, Vadodara

: Archaeological Survey of India’s 150th anniversary

Dec 25 : Gujpex 2011, Vadodara : Birth Centenary of Thought Transformation, Shantikunj, Haridwar

View all covers of GUJPEX 2011

View all special Covers issued in 2011

In The News

Gandhi Set Sold in Gibbons Auction for 45,000 Rs

19 48 Gandhi set sold out in 460 GB Pound approx. 45,000 Indian Rupees at Stanley Gibbons Auction in London.

An un-mounted mint set of Mahatma Gandhi issue of 1948 with lower margins was Lot # 647 estimated at £170-190 at the Stanley Gibbons public auction sale # 5864 held at London. It was sold to a bidder in the auction room for a whopping £460 + 15% Buyers Premium + VAT on December 8, 2011. That is equivalent to about Rs 45,000!The Stanley Gibbons Catalog 2012 that was released in September 2011, priced the un-mounted mint set, without margins, for £250 that itself was a big increase from last year’s price of £140.

World’s Christmas card on display in London

Today greetings cards are an essential part of our Christmas celebrations but the custom of exchanging cards did not start until 1843, another wonderful Christmas tradition we have to thank the Victorians for.

The first Christmas card was sent by Henry Cole, a Civil Servant with a keen interest in art and design. Cole commissioned 1,000 Christmas cards and used those he required before selling the rest for 6d each. This price made the cards a luxury item and something that was unavailable to the working classes.

The card was designed by John C Horsley and was printed lithographically and then hand-coloured. Of the 1,000 printed very few are known to remain in existence.

One of Cole’s original 1843-produced cards, held in the collection of the British Postal Museum and Archive, was on display on 08 December in The Post Office at Blists Hill Victorian Town .

Europa 2012 Theme – Visit….

Belgium : Date of Issue: 13th February 2012

Europa stamps have always very special theme. Europa 2011 theme was Forests and next year’s theme is going to be related with Tourism and has been declared as Visit…

Norden 2012 theme

This year’s common theme of Norden Contyrie is "Norden by the Sea - part II "Life at the coast

Aland : Date of Issue: 21th March 2012

Changing style of Santa Claus depicted in stamps, postcards

Just as the history and concept of Santa Claus has evolved throughout the years, so has the idea of what he looks like and his style of dress.

John Wright of Ocean Springs, USA a longtime collector of gems and postage stamps, has developed a collection of antique postcards that were created and distributed in the United States since the late 1800s.

As he acquired Christmas stamps, Wright began to take notice of the early Christmas penny postcards and how Santa's clothes were of different designs and colors. The evolution fascinated him and he limits his collection to those cards showing Santa in costume.

"Santa did not always wear the red costume with white trim that is popular today," Wright said. "Earlier costumes included purple and white, and red and black. Knickerbockers on Santa were popular in the 1920s and the red and white outfit caught on in the late 1930s and 1940s."

His research found the first Christmas card originated in England more than 150 years ago. Holiday cards designed by Kate Greenaway, the Victorian children's writer and illustrator, and Frances Brundage and Ellen H. Clapsaddle, were favorites in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

"America imported its greeting cards from England until 1875, when Louis Prang, a German immigrant to the U.S., opened a lithographic shop and published the first line of U.S. Christmas cards," Wright said.

Jacob von Uexkull the founder of Right Livelihood speaks….

How a rejection by the Nobel Committee spurred Jakob von Uexkull to create the Right Livelihood Award celebrating the solutions helping to ensure a healthy planet and people . Jacob von Uexkull was once a philatelist and stamp dealer of rare stamps.

On the 5th of December this year, guests filed into the grand old Swedish Parliament for the 32nd Right Livelihood Award (RLA) ceremony. Jakob von Uexkull, the Award's founder, gave the opening speech and presented the awards to the four Laureates: all four are from different continents and their work spans the gamut of what can be described as practical activism - promoting human rights in Chad, solar energy in China to natural childbirth and sustainable farming. Whereas the ceremony for the Nobel Prizes, another Swedish award taking place just days later, had scores of publicity, the RLA ceremony was newspaper feature material rather than headline news.

‘I found I could not survive as a journalist, so I turned by hobby into my profession,' he says. He became a dealer in rare stamps, a philatelist, which led him to travel and work in big international conferences, at around the time when the global agenda began to include the search for common principles to help preserve the environment. The biggest was of course the Stockholm Conference - the world's first sustainability conference - in 1972.

Forthcoming International Stamp Exhibitions..

IPHLA 2012

Specialized International Exhibition for Philatelic Literature

Applications for ‘IPHLA 2012’ can be submitted until February 1, 2012.

For any information please contact to Mr. Wolfgang Massen, Email: w.maassen@alip.org

THAILAND 2013

PCI has nominated Mr. R D Binani as Commissioner for India, his address :33-B Rowland Road, Kolkata 700 020 E mail : binanipm@gmail.com Mob:9830073058

INDONESIA 2012 WORLD STAMP CHAMPIONSHIP

"Glimpses of Indian Autographs" by Praful Thakkar released

On the inaugural day of GUJPEX 2011, on 23rd December , a book written by noted philatelist of Ahmedabad, Mr Praful Thakkar, "Glimpses of Indian Autographs" was released by H E the Governor of Gujarat Dr Kamla Beniwal.

This is a book that gives glimpses of the autographs of eminent Indian personalities of various fields. The book contains around 600 autographs in 8 major groups which are further divided in 42 different categories. In each category about 13 autographs, along with the photographs of the celebrities, are presented. The effort in the book is made to project glimpses of different themes under which autograph collection can be made.

The book gives a special section on ‘Association of Philately with the Autographs’. A special chapter is added in the book which depicts the Autographs in the design of Indian Postal Stamps. Another chapter depicts original autographs, on the First Day Covers, of personalities, related or associated with celebrities whose stamps are issued. Read more details

Praful Thakkar, the renowned philatelist of Gujarat is Limca Book Record Holder in 2009 for Autographs & Canteen Tokens and is a collector of autographs, stamps, First Day Covers (FDCs), coins, medals, tokens, badges , badge plates etc. and many more collectibles of India since last more than 45 years. He has written several books on these subjects of Hobbies.Mr Praful Thakkar may be contacted at email : pkthakkar@yahoo.com

ODISHA STAMP MELA – 2012

A gala Stamp and Stationery Mela is going to be organized at Bhubaneswar, Odisha for the 1^st time by Eastern India Philatelists’ Association, Bhubaneshwar.

Date : 7- 8^th January 2012.

Venue : Hotel Keshari, Master Canteen Square, (Near Bhubaneswar Railway Station).

Co-ordinator : Mr. Shanti Swarup Rath, e-mail – sswaruprath@gmail.com Cell: 09437034621 Dr. Bibhudatta Mishra, e-mail – bhanubibhu@gmail.com Cell: 09437282638

Interested Dealers are requested to contact the coordinators either by Phone or e-mail .

Associates:

Utkal Philatelists and Numismatic Association, Cuttack

Orissa Philatelic Association, Cuttack

Department of Post, Orissa Circle, Government of India

School Partner: Mother’s Public School, Near Unit-1 Market, Bhubaneswar

Read details.. Programme

INDIA POST 2012 CALENDAR – SCULPTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA

In an innovative gesture the Department of Posts had brought out India Post year 2010 calendar on the set of its highly popular 'Dasavatar' stamps based on Jayadev's 12th century epic 'Geetagovinda'. The Calendar was widely appreciated and carried favorable media coverage. Enthused with the response, Department of Posts next year followed with the Calendar on the theme of ‘Buddha’.

Taking this initiative forward Department of Posts has now released India Post 2012 Calendar based on the theme of sculptural heritage of India.

Unicorn and Bull seals alongwith Priest-King figure, Mohenjodaro and Harappa

The history of Indian sculpture dates back to the Indus Valley civilization. Tiny tera-cotta seals and bust of the Priest - King in limestone discovered from the Valley show a high level sophistication and artistry. With changing times, the style and forms of Indian sculpture evolved and acquired new dimensions. Entwined with the plurality of religion, culture and social mores of society, Indian sculpture was deeply influenced with its art, dance, drama and literature. This synthesis produced a huge body of sculptural work which was eclectic and inspirational and was an important and integral part of the life of the common man.

India has produced some of the most intricate and unrivalled sculptures in the world. India Post has celebrated the sculptural heritage of India by issue of a number of postage stamps from time to time. India Post 2012 Calendar is inspired by these postage stamps and includes images drawn from the vast trove of Indian sculptural heritage.

India Post 2012 Calendar is available at various Philatelic Bureaux in the country at the price of Rs. 200 each.

- Research and design: Sankha Samanta

View : Brief description of the panels of the Calendar

A Blogger writes on his Blog…. A note of Thanks

12/16/2011

By Ketankumar Patel

Hello Gandhi Collectors,
This is our 200th blog post on Gandhi Philately Study Circle.!! Thanks to all our blog readers and special thanks to Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti of RAINBOW STAMP CLUB for referring our blog to all her blog readers by adding us in "favorite sites and blog". This is a great honored for us to be on her famous philatelic blog.

Today I am happy to announce that 1000 readers (and growing) were referred from her blog rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com. which is 3rd most referring sites to our blog after google.in and google.com. But I think it is #1 site as we are on her favorite blog since last 8-9 months only, while google is referring since starting of this blog.!! Read the Post…

Many Thanks to the bloggers of http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/ - Editor

Exhibitions in India

THRISSUR DISTRICT PHILATELIC EXHIBITION - THRISSURPEX-2012

January 16, 17 (Monday & Tuesday) Pandi Samooha Matom Hall, Thrissur
Organiser : Thrissur & Irinjalakuda Postal Divisions

P R O S P E C T U S & ENNTRY FORM AVAILABLE AT : www.PhilaIndia.info

Last date : 13 January 2012
For details contact : Mahesh Reddiar email : philaindia@yahoo.co.in

UPHILEX 2011

A state level exhibition was held in Lucknow from 16 to 18 December 2011 at Lalit Kala Academy Regional Centre, Aliganj Lucknow.

View Complete Award List of UPHILEX 2011

Glimpses of UPHILEX 2011

RAJPEX 2012

Rajpex 2012 State Level Stamp Exhibition is proposed to be held from 4 Jan to 7 Jan 2012 at Jaipur. For more details contact Rajesh Paharia General Secretary, Philatelic Society of Rajasthan
Jaipur. email : shreeshell@hotmail.com

GUJPEX 2011

Gujrat Postal Circle organized a state level exhibition GUJPEX – 2011 at Akota Atithi Gruh, ( opposite Akota Stadium, Akota Road ,Vadodara from 23 – 25 December 2011 .

During the exhibition a set of 22 special used picture postcards to commemorate the historic Dandi March and 7 special covers were issued: View Covers

Mahapex 2012

Pune will host the four-day 11th state-level philatelic exhibition, Mahapex 2012, at Ganesh Kala Krida Rangmanch from 13 January 2012. After 25 years, Pune will be hosting such an exhibition for Maharashtra and Goa.

Auction

ITS Postal Auction No.55 – Last Date: 14.01.2012

emails:indianthematicsociety@gmail.com surajjaitly@hotmail.com

Check detailed list of new 145 Lots offered from India and overseas in ITS Postal
Auction No.55 at http://indianthematicstamps.webs.com/apps/documents/ OR

http://itsstampnews.blogspot.com/2011/12/s-postal-auction-no55-last-date-1412012.html

China 2011 Asian Stamp Exhibition

- Report from Pragya Kothari

FIAP exhibition at China was one of the most awaited event of the year, one because it was the last exhibition of the year and secondly China as a philatelic market has been evolving very rapidly over the years. And my experience of it was quite similar.

L to R Prof VK Gupta, Bartoc, Pradip Jain, Yogesh Kumar

China as a nation has the capacity to outshine the world when it comes to staging event in a grand way like Beijing Olympics, Shanghai expo and Stamp exhibition at Wuxi was no different.

Wuxi.......does the name ring a bell.....I am sure many Indians are not familiar with the town or heard its name before. I was puzzled myself about whereabouts of the city before I applied for the booth.

Transit form Shanghai airport to the exhibition hall in Wuxi and clearance from the customs took almost the entire day. Even though the entire process was not smooth but I was amazed to see the warmth in the hospitality of the Chinese. College and post graduate students who were versatile in both mandarin and English assisted us quite efficiently.

I was amazed to see the exhibition hall, it was massive and well lit. The interiors of the hall was better than the exterior. China Post and China National Philatelic had installed most beautiful stands highlighting the Chinese culture and postal heritage. It mesmerized me how much Chinese lay importance to impress the foreigners.

The opening ceremony was very well organized and foreign booth holders and other dignitaries were given free bus service between official hotel and exhibition centre.

The exhibition hall had two parts one side was for the exhibitors and the other for domestic and foreign booth holders and postal departments. It was conveniently and intelligently done by separating the exhibitor side from the noise and crowd of the booths.

The exhibition showcased some of the best collection from all streams of Philately - thematics, aero-philately, postal history, traditional etc. These provided for an excellent source of knowledge and experience for the visitors. The exhibition hall also had many wide screens which showed videos to the local visitors explaining them about philately and few rare collections which were displayed in court of honour.

The booth holders side was no less in excitement, with the major bulk of the crowd coming in to treat themselves with beautiful stamps and other philatelic souvenirs. Over all, I was amazed to see the keen interest that Chinese had for the hobby of philately and how fast the hobby is catching up with the rest of the country. Unlike India, where hobby is in dire straits, it is quite likely that China is going to emerge as the new Philatelic powerhouse in the coming decades replacing Europe.

A special mention to Asian Thematic Philately Society whose founding ceremony I was honoured to attend, showcases the love of Chinese for thematic philately and the level of knowledge. Its founding ceremony was organized in a community hall in the city of Wuxi where we witnessed some local collections put up for display. Eminent thematic philatelist from other Asian countries like Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Mongolia, Malaysia, China etc. convened the event. I was honoured to speak in the event as a representative from India on my collection. For Chinese thematic philately, with new and young philatelists coming with new ideas and concept - only sky is the limit. There is a well organized national philatelic association which helps young philatelists enhance and develop their collection by conducting regular seminars, meetings and exhibitions. I wonder with amazement about the quality of Chinese collections which we are going to witness in the coming years.

Finally, I was immensely glad to come over to China and participate in the exhibition,which was a great experience and learning for me. I also wish to pay my gratitude to the the China Post, Chinese customs and above all to Chinese people for their generosity and hospitality.

A specialized website on Indian Postal History

Mr Rajesh Pamnani of Hydrabad has created a new website on Indian Postal History. It is a very informative website for the collectors of Postal History. It has different sections on Indian Postal History, Indian Postal Markings, Postage Stamps, India (Used Abroad) and gallery of Indian Registration Labels, Bazar Card of India, Speed Post and other items. A separate section has been given for research articles. It is a complete website for collectors of Indian Postal History. It can be viewed at : http://pamnani.info/rp_index.html

Interview

In this issue meet with Col Jayanta Dutta and Dr Anjali Dutta, the philatelist couple from Pune. Both of them have won a number of awards in National and International Stamp Exhibitions. Fortunately I had a chance to meet both of them at INDIPEX 2011, New Delhi. Dr Anjali explained me her collection and it was a memorable moment with her and Col Dutta. Dr Anjali, the ever-smiling lady was with me in Philatelic workshop at INDIPEX 2011, then I could not recognize her but we met at the exhibition hall when someone introduced me to her and Col Dutta... they told me that they read my blog regularly and it was a pleasant moment …. Both of them are devoted philatelists and take active part in philatelic activities. Dr Anjali was awarded Large Silver for Fiscals of Gwalior at INDIPEX 2011. Though her exhibit had already won 3 International Vermeils earlier. Col Dutta was awarded Silver Bronze for his book, “Rare Stamps of the World “ at INDIPEX 2011 It is a great pleasure to publish the first ever interview of the philatelist couple in Rainbow Stamp News.

The Dutta family has often been referred to as unique in that all the family members including their two daughters are philatelists in their own right. The four of them co-authored the book The Rare Stamps of the World which has won many medals in Asian and world level philatelic exhibitions.

Col J Dutta began collecting stamps as a schoolboy, but unlike many others he persisted with his hobby and had the good fortune to exhibit his collection, and meet with contemporary eminent philatelists on the jury panel, while still in school. His love for stamps and all things related to post, like first-day covers and postal stationery, stayed with him while studying in the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune and throughout his Army career. He contributes to and edits a number of philatelic journals and is the President of Deccan Philatelic Society in Pune and Vice President of The Army Philatelic Society.

He has organized a number of philatelic workshops and stamp designing competitions for school children. The first state level philatelic exhibition in Nagaland, that was inaugurated by the then Governor of Nagaland, Sri Shyamal Datta, was organized by him as Chairman of the Organising Committee as a part of the Army Day celebrations of 2006. Presently he is the philatelic advisor to the Organising Committee of MAHAPEX 2012 the Maharashtra and Goa state philatelic exhibition to be held in Pune in January 2012.

The young army doctors and philatelists :Dr Anjali Dutta and Col Jyanta Dutta in Calcutta in 1980

Dr Anjali Dutta first became interested in philately while helping her husband with his collection. Also a graduate from Armed Forces Medical College, she left army service after completing her SSC and while working at various army Health Centres and the Ex- Servicemen Cell in MH Agra, she still found time to help her husband with his collection. Her own knowledge of the subject increased over time and she started her own collection of the stamps of Great Britain right from the Penny Black. She is the Immediate Past President of Deccan Philatelic Society in Pune and General Secretary of The Army Philatelic Society.

To stop some rare fiscal material, related to revenue stamps and documents, from leaving the country via a foreign buyer she bought up the material, made an in depth study of it, and published her findings in a philatelic journal. Later she made up exhibits in fiscals of Gwalior and Jamkhandi that have won many awards including Vermeil in international exhibitions in India, Nepal and Korea and a Large Vermeil at Inpex-Empirepex-2001 National Phil Exhibition with the Adolph Koeppel Award for Revenues, the highest award for fiscals in India, for her exhibit - Fiscals of Gwalior. Presently she is a philatelic advisor to the Organising Committee of MAHAPEX 2012 the Maharashtra and Goa state philatelic exhibition to be held in Pune in January 2012.

Col Jayanta Dutta and Dr Anjali Dutta may be contacted at email : doctorjayanta2009@gmail.com

Interview with Col Jayanta Dutta and Dr Anjali Dutta

Col Jayanta Dutta

Q1 You have spent a long time in this hobby. How were you introduced to this hobby?? - Through friends or someone in your family?

I was introduced to philately by my mother when she presented me an album on my birthday in 1963. From then the romance has just got stronger.

Q2 You have specialized in fiscal philately. Why did you choose to take up fiscals only?? Why not some other branch of philately?

Not really. I was always a collector of traditional stamps and postal stationery. I do have a fine collection of Jaipur State stamps and postal stationery and early Nepal. I won my first vermeil in 1966 for classic Argentina followed by in 1968 for early Nepal. I do have a fine collection of British India postal stationery. I took to fiscals of Indian Princely states since I found hardly any research on these being done in India.

Q3 What is the future of philately? Day by day it is going away from the young generation. Young people do not seem to be involved in this hobby? What is the reason?

I won’t say it is dismal but it true that younger people are not drawn to this hobby as there are other avenues to keep them interested. It is not just an Indian phenomenon but all over the world. I met a Norwegian philatelist and he said that that the average age in his society is 55+. I feel there must be more frequent philatelic exhibitions in India at all levels - district, state and national. It might help younger generation to acquire a taste for the king of hobbies.

Q4 What is the role of Internet in the promotion of this hobby?

The net has revolutionised philately. It has become easier to acquire philatelic material and share knowledge through chat and blog sites. Your site the Rainbow Stamp Club is a case in point. This is a great site and it has been growing stronger over the last four years.

Q5 India Post is issuing a large number of stamps per year. Are you satisfied with the quality of stamps, issued by India Post? Don't you think that the quantity of stamps per year should be reduced?

In post independence India we had a very conservative stamp issuing policy till India Post found it could be a money earning proposition. Also, due to political pressure, there are too many personality stamps. I have raised this point so many times but then who is listening.

Q6 Give suggestions to improve the quality of Indian stamps as well as the topics which are missing on Indian stamps. It is a fact that stamps on personality dominate over other topics and it must be restricted.

Technically our stamps are good but wish that personality stamps could be restricted to 10 or 15. Let us have more stamps on art, culture, flora and fauna, architecture, textiles, handicrafts, and related to tourism in India.

Q 7 Share your most memorable experience in a philatelic event with the readers.

It was at a district level Exhibition when the Dutta family swept all the awards. My wife and our two daughters and I are probably the only philatelic family in India.

Q8 Last but not the least - you collect stamps for pleasure or investment? Or it is a blend of both?

I collect purely for pleasure. In the last 50 years that I am in philately I have never sold a stamp. I have gifted and exchanged, but never sold. They are so dear to me.

Dr Anjali Dutta

Q1 When did you begin your journey in the world of stamps? How did you develop this hobby over the years?

I began my journey in the world of stamps rather late, at the age of 28. I began by helping my husband with his collection and then went on to develop my own collecting interests.

Q2 Women philatelists are very few in India. What could be the reason that girls don't enjoy this hobby?

No one encourages girls to take up this hobby. If girls are encouraged, they enjoy this hobby equally. At a later stage, it is difficult to establish credibility with your peers and especially the dealers who are going to supply your material. I was lucky because my husband always encouraged and supported me.

Q3 Explain the pleasure of stamp collecting in your words.

The pleasure is not just in collecting stamps, but in making a study of them. It immensely increases general knowledge about different countries, their people, customs, etc. From bacteria to space-ships, stamps have been issued on diverse topics. It also helps you make life-long friends with people who have similar interests and age is no bar to this. I have known an 80 year old having a 10 year old as a philatelic friend.

Q4 What are your collecting interests in philately? Why did you choose the particular category for your collection?

My collecting interest is mainly in the field of fiscals. I chose this field as it tells us a lot about the history of our country, its revenue system, its court procedures and the cost of different types of litigation – and how this has changed over the years. But I began by collecting stamps of Great Briton and I still have my collection.

Q5 As a woman philatelist, what challenges did you face to reach this level (Participating in national and international exhibitions)?

The challenges were mostly on the personal front. I had to juggle my job, taking care of a household and my hobby. That is why I could do most of my research, sorting of material, designing and mounting of my exhibits, only late at night. Otherwise, I did not face any special challenge as a woman.

Q 6 Though thematic philately is not your subject of specialization but if you start collecting Thematics what subject would you choose to collect?

If I were to make a thematic collection I would make it on Art. All countries like to showcase their art and it can make a fascinating exhibit – with the scope to make a specialized collection of a particular region, for example - European art.

Q7 Tell about your most memorable experience in a philatelic event.

The most memorable experience that I had at a philatelic event was meeting late Mr Liaquatulla Khan, an eminent philatelist himself, at an exhibition in Jodhpur. He was the one who persuaded me to become an exhibitor from a collector. He persuaded me that if I owned some interesting philatelic material and had knowledge about it then I must share it with others.

Beginners’ Section

Do you know ?

The First Christmas Stamp

"It is a controversy as to which is the first Christmas stamp. The Canadian map stamp of 1898 [shown here] bears an inscription "XMAS 1898", but it was actually issued to mark the inauguration of the Imperial Penny Postage rate. The Christmas connection has long been reported to have been the result of quick thinking; William Mulock was proposing that it be issued on 9 November, to "honor the Prince" (meaning the Prince of Wales), but when Queen Victoria asked "what Prince?" in a displeased manner, Mulock realized the danger, and answered "Why, the Prince of Peace, ma'am".

The entry goes on to say, "In 1937, Austria issued two 'Christmas greeting stamps' featuring a rose and zodiac signs. In 1939, Brazil issued four semi-postal stamps with designs featuring the three kings and a star, an angel and child, the Southern Cross and a child, and a mother and child. In 1941 Hungary also issued a semi-postal whose additional fees were to pay for "soldiers' Christmas". The first stamps to depict the Nativity were the Hungary issue of 1943. These were all one-time issues, more like commemorative stamps than regular issues.

"The next Christmas stamps did not appear until 1951, when Cuba issued designs with poinsettias and bells, followed by Haiti (1954), Luxembourg and Spain (1955), then Australia, Korea, and Liechtenstein (1957). In cases such as Australia, the issuance marked the first of what became an annual tradition. Many more nations took up the practice during the 1960s.
"By the 1990s, approximately 160 postal administrations were issuing Christmas stamps, mostly on an annual basis. Islamic countries constitute the largest group of non-participants, although the Palestinian Authority has issued Christmas stamps since 1995."

Source : Wikipedia

Last Post Office closes ....

The last independent Post Office in the Netherlands, in Utrecht, closes. It's a beautiful building as we can see from this old postcard.

The Netherlands, the first country without post offices….

- Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

“The Netherlands is a country with many ‘firsts’, not only in philately.

At the end of 2011 The Netherlands will be the first country in the world without post offices...”

When I read these lines in an e-mail sent by Mr. Ruud Elshout of The Netherlands, who collects on “Non Paper Stamps” and found my article “There was a Stamp….” Published in Rainbow Stamp News , 30Sept 2011 very interesting as well as informative from his collection point of view, I get curious to know more about this news and requested him for further detail if available with him. He mailed a short write up which I wish to share with my RSN readers.

The rise and fall of Post Offices in The Netherlands

Until the start of the 19^th century, the delivery of mail was not really organized and reliable. Typically the receiver of the mail had to pay the postal (delivery) fee. Due to its unreliable nature and refusal of the receiver to pay the fees, a large part of the mail remained undelivered.

In January 1799 the Dutch state monopolized the mail delivery and in 1810 issued the first Postal Act, regulating the delivery of mail.

In 1850 a second Postal Act was issued further regulating the mail service, called for the issue of stamps and the order to design and build post offices, one for every city in the country. The counties chief architect of that time, C. H. Pieters, alone designed 120 post offices, mainly for the larger cities. Many of these buildings still exist today, being architectural landmarks in the cities. Not all of them survived as post office. In 1992, the former main post office of Amsterdam was transformed into a luxurious shopping center.

In time, the post offices did not only handle mail and telegrams, but the organization was also responsible for the introduction and management of the telephone service. This new organization was called PTT (Post Telegraph Telephone). In 1998 the postal and telephone services separated into independent companies.

In 1881 the Dutch government founded a State Savings Bank (Rijkspostspaarbank), targeting the lower class workmen and provided them easy access to saving accounts.

In 1917 the city of Amsterdam founded the 'City giro' service, the first gyro payment system in The Netherlands. In 1918 the state owned 'Postcheque- en Girodienst' was founded, creating a country wide giro payment system. The daily administration and financial transactions for the above organizations were handled by the Post offices.

In 1977 and 1979 the Rijkspostspaar bank, Amsterdam City Giro and the 'Postcheque- en Girodienst' merged and in 1986 they were privatized under the name Postbank.

The post offices were reorganized and became a joint venture of the Post Office and Postbank. In time, the Postbank merged with another bank and an insurance company into the ING bank. For a long time thereafter, the Postbank operated as an independent bank from the ING.

For a long period of time, the Post Office was also a central hub in the distribution of legal documents like passports, driving licenses and car registration. Due to an increase in security, the issue passports and driving licenses was transferred to the local city councils.

At its height, 100 years after the introduction of the Postal Act, The Netherlands had around 2000 post offices.

The introduction of electronic payment and new technologies like the Internet (email, social media such as Facebook etc), saw a sharp decline in the amount of transactions at the post offices and the amount of mail delivered.

Many smaller post offices were closed and their services transferred to smaller booths located in bookstores, tobacco shops and supermarkets. Their tasks are typically limited to the remaining postal services.

In 2007 the Postbank dissolved into its parent company ING. Since the ING had its own country wide network of bank offices, the Post Office lost its main partner in the Post Office joint venture.

It was then decided to close down all remaining post offices and vastly increase the number of booths in bookstores, Tobacco shops and supermarkets. Currently there are now around 3000 of these booths, greatly outnumbering the once 2000 post offices.

On October 28^th, 2011 the last post office in Utrecht was closed. The building will turn into a hotel, restaurants and conference centre within a few years.

The Netherlands, the first country without post offices….

Last Post Office of The Netherlands: “Utrecht”, closed on 28^th October 2011

An important question left unanswered, “If this is so what will be the future of The Netherlands’s new issues after 28^th October? Within the stamp collector’s world in The Netherlands, some clear rules have been set: A stamp that is available through the post offices and via the philatelic office will count as a "stamp". Stamps which are only available through the philatelic office and not in the post offices will be regarded as a gimmick and not listed in the official catalogues.

Specialized Section

Advertising Postal stationeries, Stamps and Postmarks

Contd. From the last ….

2. Attached Labels and margins

Advertisements also can be found on labels that are se-tenant, or side by side, with a stamp. Some special issues of France also printed advertisements on Gutter pair in between.

Advertisements on labels side by side with a stamp

Advertisements on labels that are se-tenant, or Gutter in between

In 1924-25, Italy issued 19 stamps with attached advertising labels. However, the labels were not separated by perforations. It was contrary to the international regulations forbidding the use of advertising labels on stamps. Columbia record players and Singer sewing machines were among the products advertised on these Italian labels.

Attached advertising labels of Italy 1924-25 issues

Example of perforated advertising label attached to a stamp can be found on Canada’s 1990 Legendary Creatures block of four with McDonald's golden arches depicted on the selvage above or below the stamps. Stamps were released in conjunction with Canada's Stamp Collecting Month, and McDonald's Restaurants of Canada helped sponsor both Stamp Collecting Month and the four Legendary Creatures stamps. In return, as part of the sponsorship deal between Canada Post and McDonald's Restaurants

Canada Post printed the golden arches emblem in the margins around the panes of 50 stamps.

McDonald’s Restaurants emblem on the selvage

3. Advertisement as design of stamp

Some countries do not hide the advertisements on the backs of their stamps or on labels instead they proudly showcase their products and services as part of the stamp design e.g. Barbie doll ,Posters of films (Disney, etc), Monoi lotion, Book cover (James Bond, Disney, Tintin, Astrix etc.), etc.

Barbie doll Posters of Disney films Monoi lotion

Book covers of James Bond series

Stamps Booklets

Stamps Booklets provide space for advertising in number of ways. The narrow top and bottom margins in some stamps booklets can be printed with all sorts of advertisements.

Advertisements on narrow top and bottom margins

French booklets in particular can be a veritable gold mine for some themes.

The covers of the booklets often contain advertisement on front or inner cover

Advertising Inside and outside French Booklet covers

Some stamp booklets are also provided with small protective inter-leaves between the sheets of stamps, in order to prevent them sticking together. These protective leaves often contain illustrations of which some are even colour advertising products.

Advertising protective inter-leaves

Post cards Booklets of Switzerland also contains advertisement on their back and sometimes on covers.

Post cards Booklet

Postmarks and Meter stamps

Many times we find advertisements of commercial products in special cancellations. Postmarks also have been used to advertise products though USPS regulations prohibit such blatant advertising of private products or services in special cancellations.

Special cancellations advertising McDonald and Chelsea Flower Show

Sometimes the sender applies his own cancellation mark. Alongside the cancellation section there is space in this postmark for mentioning details about the sender. Although this postmark is applied by the sender, it must not be confused with a meter mark because the sender’s mark is applied on top of an affixed postage stamp, while with meter mark; the necessary franking value is indicated by means of the postmark imprint itself.

The poster-like ads that appear on envelopes alongside postage meter stamps promoting the ads of commercial products and services, special events and purposes, and worthy public causes are an important part of a meter used from its early days.

There are two types of postmark advertisements, slogan and pictorial.

Meter stamps

The American Civil War gave rise to other forms of advertising related to the stamp hobby: private-die proprietary revenue stamps and encased postage stamps. Though the advertisements on these Revenue stamps as cancel or in design or on holders in case of Encased Stamps as a whole is postal, but it does not alter the fact that they are indeed often looked on with great sympathy internationally, the more so as often only a few of them exist for each theme, so that a sparring use is made of them anyway.

Revenue stamps

Among US Revenue stamps, some of the most beautiful and whimsical were the Private Die Proprietary stamps. These revenue stamps were issued to help alleviate the extraordinary financial demands of the American Civil War (1861-1865) on the US Federal Treasury. The Revenue Act of 1862 required revenue stamps to be affixed to boxes or packages of matches, proprietary medicines, perfumes, playing cards, and even documents.
Private Die Proprietary stamps came about when manufacturers were permitted, at their expense, to have dies engraved and plates made for their exclusive use. Many were willing to do this because of the obvious advertising value. These stamps were in use between 1862 to 1883.Few examples depicted here are of Private die Playing Card stamp of ‘New York Consolidated Card Company’, Medicine stamp of ‘Oliver Crook & Co.’ for Dr. Crook’s Wine of Tar and Perfumery stamp ‘Corning & Tappan’ for Perfume .

Private Die Proprietary stamps

Some firms instead of printing their own Revenue stamps used Advertising cancels on existing Revenue Stamps. The U.S. proprietary revenue cancels of the 1860s and 1870s are a veritable treasure trove of snake oil and homeopathic remedies.

Advertising cancels on US Revenue Stamps

Encased stamps

Metal Encased postage Stamp used as coin was invented by J.Gault in 1862 in response to the public's hoarding of coins during the Civil War in USA and took its development during the First World war and some next years, in most of the European countries.

The advertisements on holders of Encased Stamps used are treasure-trove for thematic collectors. The variety of advertisers and the range of goods and services are astonishing. They include suppliers of pharmaceutical and petroleum products, wine and spirit merchants, brewers, hotel proprietors, owners of brasseries and restaurants, chocolate manufacturers, dealers in oysters, manufacturers of footwear and auto accessories, suppliers of optical and photographic equipment, and many more.

Advertisement on metal holder of Encased Stamps

Reader’s Right

India Year Pack 2009

Received , Year Pack 2009, through my PDA account.

I was shocked to see the price printed on the pack. There were totally 107 stamps issued in 2009, with three stamps in denomination of Rs. 20.
so the total comes to 104 x Rs. 5 = Rs. 520, 3 x Rs. 20 = Rs. 60 Total = Rs. 580.
But the price printed on the pack was Rs. 800...!!! Also the quantity of stamps issued were mentioned wrong as 104 instead of 107.Normally in previous year packs, the handling cost charged was around only Rs. 60

-Kasinath R.. Tanjore (Tamilnadu)

New Issues from other countries

Isle of Man

1 January 2012 London 2012 Olympic Games – 7 val + Miniature sheet

Ireland

24 Nov 2011 : Television shows – 3 val.

On November 24, 2011, An Post issued three stamps commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the first Irish television broadcasts. The stamps feature TVs and a hand-held device, which evoke a sense of the Past, Present & Future. On the screens are iconic images of The Late Late Show host Gay Byrne, children's TV presenter, Emma O'Driscoll, on the set of Hubble and renowned newsreader, Anne Doyle.

Irish Television broadcasting will be 50 years old on New Year's Eve 2011. A year of special broadcasting and other public events is planned by RTE across 2012, as Ireland moves fully into the digital age in its second half-century of Television.

Thailand and Pakistan joint issue

The post offices of Thailand and Pakistan have issued a joint stamp issue commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between countries.

Pakistan and Thailand formally began diplomatic relationships on 10 October 1951. Bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Thailand in 2008 was around US$750 million, with seafood and textile accounting for Pakistani export to Thailand, and motorcars and chemical products accounting for Thai export to Pakistan.

The investment boards of the two countries have also signed a memorandum of understanding on sharing investment intelligence, encouraging prospective investors and technical assistance. And a Thai-Pakistan chamber of commerce has also been established to facilitate trade and investment between the two countries.

The joint stamp depicts Minar-e-Pakistan Lahore and Victory Monument Bangkok. Stamp also shows the flags of both the countries and on the bottom is inscribed 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Thailand.

Philippines

5 December 2012 : 2012 – The Year of The Dragon 2 val + MS

Poland

8 December 2011: 20 Years of Independence of Kazakhstan

16 December 2011 Fruits Malina ( Raspberry) – 1 val

Thailand

15 November 2011 New Year – 4 val + MS

USA

3 January 2012 Spectrum Eagle” Presorted First-Class Mail

Philatelic Library

e books on Philately : All about Stamp Collecting

http://www.scribd.com/doc/37667833/Stamp-Collecting

http://www.askphil.org/b.htm

Online Stamp Catalogue…

Search stamps of different countries online…

http://www.catawiki.co.uk/catalog/100271-stamps

New Blogs & Websites

My Philatelic Journey : www.pamnani.info – A new Website created by Rajesh Pamnani of Hyderabad. The site is a very informative for the collectors of Indian Postal History.

Officially Sealed Mails of the World : http://www.poseal.com/ - A site dedicated to the study of Post Office Seals -

Sports Philately : http://www.sportstamps.org/ - Website on Sports Philately.

Se- tenant Stamps of India - http://setenantsofindia.blogspot.com/ It is a specialized Blog on se-tenant stamps.

Flags & Stamps - http://flagstamps.blogspot.com/ - It is a specialized blog on Flag Theme .

Glimpses of Modern Indian Philately : http://modernindianphilately.blogspot.com/

Stamp Sathi : http://stampsathi.in/# - A new website on Indian Philately created by Chintan and Ronit Parikh of Gujarat. It is a very useful site for all stamp collectors.

Phila India : www.PhilaIndia.info – A new website on Indian Philately created by Mahesh Reddiar of Krerala

Postmarks of India : http://www.indianpostmarks.blogspot.com/ - This blog is dedicated to Permanent Pictorial Cancellations available at Indian Post Offices.

Discover Topical Stamp Collecting : http://secretstostampcollecting.com/members/ - How-To, Tips, News, Reviews and Resources for Stamp Collectors

West Essex Philatelic Society : http://www.wepsonline.org./ A philatelic society with lot of philatelic activities.

Gandhi Stamps : http://gandhistamps.com - The website is a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi Philately. All the stamps issued on Mahatma Gandhi from various countries in the World have been featured.

Join Mobile Philately & Stay Updated - http://mobilephilately.blogspot.com/ Mobile Philately is a mobile technology based philatelic community with short messaging service (SMS) that allows the community members to get latest updates related to Indian philately directly into mobile message box.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Stamps-Philately-1610/indexExp_69442.htm - It is a site based on Question & Answers on Philately. Mr Prashant Pandya replies to queries.

Philatelic Clubs & Societies

Baroda Philatelic Society - http://www.vadophil.org/

Eastern India Philatelists’ Association - http://www.filacapsule.blogspot.com/

Indian Stamp Ghar - http://www.indianstampghar.com/

Indian Thematic Society, Ludhiana - http://indianthematicstamps.webs.com/

Ludhiana Philatelic Club

Mobile Philately - http://www.mobilephilately.webs.com/

Philatelic Society of Rajasthan, Jaipur

Rainbow Stamp Club - http://rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/

Rajkot Philatelic Society – Rajkot, Gujarat

Gujarat Philatelic Association - Ahmedabad

South India Philatelists Association - http://www.sipa.org.in/

Stamps of India - http://www.stampsofindia.com/

The Lighter Side

COMMANDMMENTS OF PHILATELY

- Madan Middha

The Commandments are a set of principles relating to ethics of the life & hobby and play an important role in enjoying hobby the most. They include voluntary instructions to be followed by the people who believe in them. Different groups follow different set of commandments. Following is a set of 17 commandments which is for the philatelists willing to adopt the hobby for the fullest enjoyment of it, with an un-sinned and clear heart. Ponder over it.

01. THOU SHALT BE ORGANISED

Be a philatelist of the organized genre. Do join at least One Local,

One Regional (State Level), One National and One International Level philatelic organization. This keeps you in constant touch and up to date with other philatelists at different levels. This creates an atmosphere to encourage collection and other Philatelic activities and also to talk about them. Interaction with other philatelists there, makes you active and alert.

02.THOU SHALT BE MANAGABLE

Keep your philatelic interests to the manageable levels. Ideal combination is One Country Collection, One Specialized Collection within that country and One Thematic Collection. Too much countries or themes or "collect-what-comes-your-way” is just not manageable for long. Once you attain a reasonable degree of perfection in earlier collections, you can expand, but again, one collection at a time.

03. THOU SHALT REMAIN HOMESICK

While choosing Country, stick to Home Country. While seeking a theme, select a subject of your interest or profession. Obtaining materials from any other country is very difficult and financially unwise. Moreover you can not compete with a native as far the study and procurement of the material is concerned. Similarly choosing a theme related to your profession, business or interest, makes you benefit both the ways, professionally & in philately, with your increased level of gained knowledge.

04.THOU SHALT BE SPECIFIC

Do not keep everything that comes your way, for yourself. Keep only those items for yourself, which are useful for your collections or your planned collection for / in the near future. Use the "not needed" items for exchange or help / assistance to fellow philatelists .These type of items are great goodwill creators.

05.THOU SHALT BE A PHILATELIST & NOT A STAMP COLLECTOR

Do not just collect the stamps but study them to the maximum possible. Also add the allied materials to your collection, that too backed by their study. Search for Postmarks, Postal Stationery, Covers and other postal history items for inclusion in the collection. Do not stick to stamps only. Allied materials add to the philatelic value of the collection.

06. THOU SHALT LOVE THE USED

Emphasize on used material collection, used are true philatelic.

"Mint is Bought ....... Used are Discovered". As per the known and accepted definitions of classic Philately, only used materials are Philatelic and worth studying .You can buy mint materials but for used you will have to search for. Further, you can study a number of things like postmarks, routes, rates etc, only when the material is used. Study of the used material transforms you in to a philatelists from a mere stamp collector and money spender.

07.THOU SHALT NOT BE A DEALER IN DISGUISE

Do not accumulate extra materials for commercial / money making purposes. Be a Philatelist, or be a Dealer, do not try to be both. Do not become a dealer in disguise of a Philatelist nor vice ~versa. Accumulating extra materials for exchange purposes is O.K. but when you do this with a view to earn monitory profits, it becomes a moral sin for a philatelist.

08.THOU SHALT BE PROMPT & RESPONSIVE.

In Philately, never postpone the job to sometimes later. Put the things at place immediately, be it your material, communication or any other activity. It becomes un-manageable if the action is postponed for later. This results in accumulation of the task, which very soon becomes messy and un-manageable as the time passes by. Same is the case with communication, when thought for a later reply to a letter, the chances are that it may never by replied.

09.THOU SHALT BE AN AVID READER.

Books and periodicals are the best friends of the Philatelists.

Read the quality philatelic literature on a regular basis. Subscribe to reputed periodicals of National & International levels to keep you contemporary & up-dated. Often visit & search the Internet for new trends and activities in philately on global scenario.

10.THOU SHALT BE FRANK & BOLD.

Mutual & Reciprocal co-operation is the essence of the hobby. Philatelists help each other whole heartedly. Do not hesitate to ask for or shy-away when asked for, any help from or by the fellow philatelists. If you are in a position to help, do help. If not, tell the help seeker your inability to do so. You may also suggest an alternate action if you know any or direct the help seeker to another philatelist, who may be helpful, in your opinion.

11.THOU SHALT RESIST POLITICS ENTERING THE HOBBY.

Hobby is, and always should remain for the pure hobby lovers.

Power seekers and politicians in disguise of philatelists, are better kept aloof with their designs and motives. The power the true philatelists seek and gain is reflected in their collections and knowledge. We should air our suggestions in a positive manner and should not force them on to others.

12.THOU SHALT VISIT BUREAUX OFTEN.

Make it a habit to visit your local Philatelic Bureau on a regular basis. Similarly when visiting any place, where there is a philatelic bureau, make it a point to visit that too. You will find gems often there. A large number of not-so-popular philatelic bureaus in India still have stocks of some very much sought after philatelic materials.

13.THOU SHALT BE A REGULAR EXHIBITOR.

What value a collection has, if it is not seen by the knowledgeable?

Be a regular exhibitor at various philatelic exhibitions of repute, including Regional, National & Internationals. This helps evaluate & improve your collections. Moreover, the comments by the knowledgeable people help immensely to further improve the collections and knowledge.

14.THOU SHALT BE FRIENDLY.

Always maintain live friendships with other philatelists.

Friend are the most effective & economic source of philatelic material and knowledge. Friends are strength. Even otherwise too, good friends are very helpful in every sphere of the life. They are treasure. Philately is a great source to amass this treasure, make full use of it.

15.THOU SHALT BE HUMBLE.

Always hold your head on level, even if you have won awards and are recognized as an authority. Never avoid helping newcomers and youngsters. Remember your days when you were a newcomer to the hobby.

If someone would not have helped you then? Some big medals or felicitations should not distract your attention from your duties to help others.

16.THOU SHALT ALWAYS KEEP YOUR ARMS SPREAD.

Always remain open to new friendships and old friends.

Friends make an effective network to fulfill the deficiencies and build strengths. Philately is a great friend maker, only if you are open to it. Friends provide best possible inputs to your collections and knowledge. Keep your door open to friends and friends-to-be, to reap fullest benefit of this great hobby.

17.THOU SHALT SPREAD THE FRAGRANCE.

Always be prepared to promote Philately & Philatelic activities. Your activeness towards this goal will make the difference. People should know about the goodness of the hobby. Never let any chances go, to talk about Philately and it’s suitability for any everyone everywhere. You must spread the fragrance of the flower you love the most, i.e. Philately. Make others’ lives as fragrant as the hobby has made yours.

- Madan Middha – Gwalior - email : madan_middha@yahoo.co.in

Promotional section

Picture Postcards

Vipan Kumar Thakur of Chandigarh shares here some picture Post cards prepared by him on Kavi Pradeep. Vipan Kumar Thakur may be contacted at email : philavpnthakur@rediffmail.com

View all cards

ITS Stamp News

"ITS Stamp News" . Philatelic newsletter on Thematic Philately. To subscribe the newsletter contact Mr Suraj Jaitly Mobile: +91 98728 51244 MIG # 3464, Phase Two, Dugri Road, Ludhiana - 141 013 INDIA email : indianthematicsociety@gmail.com ITS Stamp News at http://itsstampnews.blogspot.com/

Newsletter on MAXIMAPHILY

QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF MACSU

The Maximum Card Study Unit of America

Founded in 1978, the Maximum Card Study Unit (MACSU) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to the creation, collection, exchange, enjoyment, display, and study of Maximum Cards, by spreading the knowledge of Maximaphily among its members Membership includes a subscription to Maximaphily USA, a quarterly journal featuring news of the maximum card world and articles by members and experts in the field.

Articles featuring topical collecting typically are richly illustrated with maximum cards and share the author's insightful knowledge of the subject and his own personal and helpful experience. The pages providing information regarding activities of individual members allows members to place free advertising for trading, buying, selling and exchanging information. Here the opportunity to make contacts with members in other countries is provided.

There are articles evaluating maximum cards according to accepted standards, pointing out good

qualities and making suggestions for improvement.Mail bid auctions are held on occasion, featuring inexpensive cards donated by members.Every issue provides a page or two of illustrations of the most recent maximum card creations by our members. Every member gets a chance to show his cards and write an article about them.

- Terry Watson, President, Maximum Card Study Unit

email : TERRYW7633@comcast.net or MAXICARDS@gmail.com

Philatelic items from Jammu and Kashmir Postal Circle

JAMMU AND KASHMIR POSTAL CIRCLE issued a variety of philatelic items during recent Jammu stamp Show listed below.

Download Order Form ( Doc.)

http://www.scribd.com/doc/75744576/Jammu-Stamp-Show

Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters

ITS Stamp News - Quarterly - Editor: Suraj Jaitly Publisher: Indian Thematic Society website - http://itsstampnews.blogspot.com/

Phila News, Editor Rajesh Pahariya and published by Philatelic Society of Rajasthan, Jaipur

VADOPHIL, Editor - Prashant Pandya and published by Baroda Philatelic Society, Vadodara. Website -http://www.vadophil.org/

e ZEP Newsletter http://www.ezep.de/zpj/zpj.html Editor : Dieter Leder email zpj@arcor.de website www.eZEP.de

SIPA Bulletin Editor - Mr G. Madan Mohan Das and published by South India Philatelists’ Association, Chennai website : http://www.sipa.org.in/

FILA Capsule – Editor : Ajit Dash and published by EIPA, Bhubaneshwar.

GPA News – Editor- Ilias Patel and published by Gujarat Philatelists’ Association, Ahemadabad.

Kar Phila News published by Karnataka Philatelic Society & edited by by Akshay Borad

e–mail : akshayborad@hotmail.com

Editor’s Mail Box

Deepak Dube, Korba, (Chhatisgarh)

Heartiest Congratulations to you on reaching the milestone of the fourth year with ' Rainbow' -- a beauteous phenomenon on the firmament of contemporary philatelic journalism. Philately is on its way to become a complete academic subject ,within the Humanities say--in the first instance-- of History and Historical Research, with its own science of approach and method. And 'Rainbow' shall ever be remembered and cherished for its pioneering contribution in this graduation of the Vocation from a mere hobby to an academic discipline.

You merit compliments, first of all, for helping to revive the philatelic instincts of countless dormant collectors through presentations that are essentially very compelling and challenging for the wide compass that they assume under your very discrete and discerning editorship and vision. Secondly, you must be applauded for presenting Philately for what it essentially is-- a calling that is educative, instructive and constructive-- free of the discrepancies of commerce and controversy--- in the domain of legacy that is capable of having a personal as well as a social or a national aspect .

Thirdly, you deserve accolades for keeping clean of prosaic and dull deliberations in pages that are colorful, lively, attractive and interesting; and as such very promotive of the cause they are espousing. Further, into the contemporary global community of ailing metabolisms you have very effectively injected afresh the message of a calling that is so innocuously engaging-- providing joyfully cosy spaces of sheer fulfillment through the thrill of possessing beautiful little treasures that give untold fun and all that leads to moments of happiness, and some health . Kudos. -)

ML. Rajesh, Chennai

I congratulate for the Great Rainbow stamp News letter reached in 5th year, I wish to reach the Stamp News more than 100 years............ Thanks once again...........

Shiv Bagla, Kolkatta

I am regular reader of your site and your efforts are all unique with wide coverage available on site.Thanks and Heartiest t and congratulations.

Mail from Tamil actor Mohan V Raman

Dear Ms.J Jyoti ,

I saw your website/Blog and must thank you for the wonderful service being done by you for all Indian Philatelists. I am a member of SIPA , Chennai and have been collecting Stamps on Cinema.

Mohan V Raman

Chennai
http://sites.google.com/site/mohanraman/home
http://mohanramanmuses.blogspot.com/

Dear Mrs Jyoti,

with warm regards,

Cdr G.Sriramarao,I.N(Retd)

Vishakhapatnam

Thanks to all of you for your kind words of appreciation. - Editor

RAINBOW STAMP CLUB

Courtesy - News and Image Resource to this issue - Stamps of India, ; International Stamp News ; Mansoor B.- Mangalore ; Ashwani Dubey – Gorakhpur;; Prashant Pandya – Vadodara; Shrikant Parikh, Ahmedabad; Hemant Jain, Mandla (MP); Markand Dave - Nadiad ( Gujarat); Mahesh Reddiar, Chennai; Europa Stamps; Deepak Modi – Jalna (Maharashtra) ; Raman Kumar Mandal - Gorakhpur

Address for communication:

Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, Director, Great Himalayan National Park, Shamshi, Kullu (H.P.) PIN 175126 India

E-mail – j.jyoti9@gmail.com or rainbowstamp2008@gmail.com

Last date for receiving write ups – 25th of every month. Kindly send images in jpg compressed format & text in MS Word only.

If you liked this issue please forward it to your friends and help in promoting philately.

A Request to Readers & Contributors-

Please do not send the text in scan form or PDF. Send your write ups in MS Word only.

Kindly specify your contribution such as article/News/ Reader’s Right / Beginners’ Section/ Lighter Side etc.

…..Happy Collecting…………………………………………………………………

Rainbow Stamp News is edited and published monthly by Jeevan Jyoti, from Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) India.