December 31, 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR

WISHING ALL MY FRIENDS, READERS, FELLOW BLOGGERS, PHILATELISTS AND WELL-WISHERS A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

Let us wish that the new year 2009 be filled with peace,prosperity and hapiness all over the World, also as stamp collectors let us hope that Philately will gain more height and look forward for an interesting year with colourful stamps all over the World.

December 30, 2008

New Issues

Philatelists must be aware that this year there was much confusion in release of stamps, some of the stamps were pre-released and few of the stamps released are yet to reach collectors, there was un-even distribution, where some of the stamps were available only in few select Bureaus. Even the information brochures were not available in case of some stamps.

Now there is a news that there will be 6-8 release of stamps scheduled for the last day of this year, but that too is not clear. We stamp collectors will hope that the comming year will be a better one without any chaos.

December 26, 2008

Maxim Card from Italy

I received this beautiful Maxim card from Nadia, Italy on Tourist spots of Casamicciola Terme which was issued on 24.07.2008.Thank you Nadia for the same.

Casamicciola Terme is a town located between the towns of Ischia and Lacco Ameno in Italy.It is famous for its Thermal establishments. It has beautiful hills which were volcanic Craters. History says that this town was hit by a massive earthquake in the 18th century.

December 25, 2008

Arab Stamp Museum in Qatar


Qatar Post will host an Arab stamps Museum in 2010 at the Cultural and Heritage Village at West Bay

For more details on this news click here.

December 24, 2008

Christmas Greetings

Wishing all my Friends, Readers and Well-wishers a very
HAPPY CHRISTMAS

December 23, 2008

Stamps on Brahmos Cruise Missile

A set of 2 stamps of Rs.20 and Rs5 has been released on Brahmos Cruise Missile on 22nd December 2008.

December 22, 2008

The Reader


The Reader is a film directed by Stephen Daldry, is based on a bestseller German novel (Der Vorleser, The Reader) written by by Bernhard Schlink. It is about a a young man’s decades-long obsession with an older woman. The Film cast has Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross and others. This has the story of Germany during the years 1956 to 1995.the film has received Golden Globe nominations for best director, best screenplay, and best supporting actress but the film is for Adult Audiences.

Now, you may be wondering what has this to do with Philately or stamps! This, has one or two scenes relating to stamp collecting. When young Michael (David Kross) is down with fever he is seen with his stamp collection (in the pic), which he later sells when he is in need of money. So as a youth, Michael was a Stamp Collector!

December 15, 2008

Stamps on Indian Institute of Science


Two stamps were released on 14th December 2008 to commemorate the IISc centenary year. The first stamp of Rs.20 denomination features people who have been involved with establishing the institute and the leading scientists associated with the institute. The second stamp of Rs.5, features the main building of the institute.

December 13, 2008

Stamp on Barack Obama

Liberia has released a stamp in honor of Barack Obama's historic election victory over John McCain. Liberia is the first country to issue an official postage stamp honoring Barack Obama.

December 1, 2008

More cards on SHIPS


I have received 2 more cards on my subject "SHIPS" and one of the card also had a ship stamp at the back. This is getting to be interesting and I thank the Postcrossing members, Anna R and Tove from Finland, who have sent me the same.

November 26, 2008

Cover from Belarus

Received this cover from Nargiza,Belarus. One stamp of Bejing Olympics features the sport of rowing and the two to the right are on garden flowers (definitive issue). Thank you for the cover.

November 21, 2008

Postcrossing Card.

Though I have received a few cards through Post Crossing I have not published the same here, but I was thrilled to receive this card and hence decided to show the same here. In my Post crossing profile I had asked for cards on Ships and this was the first card which I received with a picture of a Ship and more interesting was the stamp used which were also on Ships.


The Picture of the Ship is of P.S."SKIBLADNER" (pron. shee-blah-d-ner), this preserved and restored paddle steamer is over 150 years old but continues to run a timetabled service in the summer months. It is the pride of Norway's inland, and one of Norway's best-loved tourist attractions. The stamp of the same ship can be seen at the top left among the four stamps.


Thank you Joel, for this lovely card and the stamps

If you are interested in knowing more about Post Crossing visit their website at www.postcrossing.com.

November 17, 2008

Cover from Mauritius

I received this beautiful cover on my collecting subject "Ships and boats from Mauritius. Thanks, Tasneem for the cover. Unfortunately the Mauritius Post has stuck a label on the part of the picture to the left side of the cover.

These 4 stamps of 2005 depicts Ship models.The Ship models of Mauritius are known for thier beauty and high quality workmanship.The first stamp is of the "100 GUN SHIP" built at the end of the 17th century.The "SAMPAN" is a chinese model, the "ROMAN GALLEY" was a Roman warship and the last one is of "DRAKKAR", the clinker hull Viking long ship.

November 13, 2008

List of Stamps

The Karnataka Circle of India Post has released a book 'List of Stamps' in which stamp release starting from Scinde Dawk is listed. It is different from a catalogue as it contains no illustration or the present value of a stamp, but the list contains the year, date of issue, denomination and the subject of the stamp. I think it will be a very useful guide for beginners and students who are collecting Indian stamps. Price of the same is Rs.25/- which is affordable by the students, who are not able to buy the costly catalogues.

It is published by Shri.M.P.Rajan, Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Circle, with a short Foreword by himself. The same is available at all Philatelic Bureau's of Karnataka and other Main Post Offices.

November 7, 2008

Release of Stamps on Dr.Rajkumar.

The Department of Posts will be releasing a commemmorative Postage stamp on Dr.Rajkumar, tentatively scheduled for the last week of November 2008.

For more details visit the blog of D.K.Philatelic and Numismatic Association.

October 30, 2008

Cover from Belgium

I just received this cover from Belgium, with two stamps and a cancellation picture of shoe, which I think is of the National Shoe Museum in Izegem. Thanks Thomas for this nice cover.

October 20, 2008

Erratic Release of Stamps

Few of recent release of Stamps and Miniature Sheet are irregular at the Philatelic Bureaus. Stamps and MS are not made available at the Philatelic bureaus on the day of release, and the Philatelists find it impossible to post a FDC on the same day, even if it arrives at a particular Bureau it is not complete, either the MS or the stamp is missing and if both are available the cancellation would be missing.
Now there is another confusion regarding the price of some of the Miniature sheets, which started from Post Office, in the MS of XIX Commonwealth games the stamp is priced at Rs.5/- and in one corner of the MS price is quoted at Rs.15/- and the Post Office is Charging Rs.15 + 5 = Rs.20/- , hence the confusion.
Hope India Post will soon solve all the problems and confusion.

Below is the MS of XIX Commonwealth games, in which “Shera” welcomes you to Delhi.


October 17, 2008

Singapore Philatelic Museum


I received this beautiful card of Singapore Philatelic Museum from my friend Nagendra Nayak, who had visited the Museum. I have also scanned the cancellation which depicts the Museum.

October 13, 2008

PHILATELY DAY


A Philatelic Exhibition was organised by the Philately Bureau, Mangalore in association with D.K.Philatelic and Numismatic Association at Head Post office, Mangalore on 13 Oct 2008 to celebrate PHILATELY DAY. The exhibition was inaugurated by Mr. T.Govind Naik, Senior Superintendent of Posts, Mangalore. Mr.P.V.Kurlekar, Senior Postmaster, Mangalore, Mr. S.Gopal, Rtd. SSP, Mangalore, Mr.Mansoor Bolar, Jt. Secretary of D.K.Philatelic and Numismatic Association, Mr.Deepak Alvares, In-charge of Philatelic Bureau, Mangalore, Mrs.Severine D'souza, and the employee's of the Mangalore Head Post Office were also present at the venue.


About 18 frames of Exhibits were exhibited at the venue. The collection of The D.K.Philatelic and Numismatic Association (special covers of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts) Mr.M.Prabhakar Kamath, Mr.Baikady Srinivas Rao, Mrs. Jane D'souza, Ms.Tapasya Bhandary and Mansoor Bolar were exhibited.



The exhibits were then open to the public from 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM on 13th and 14th October at the Head Post Office.

October 9, 2008

PHILATELY News Letter


The Karnataka Postal Circle has recently brought out a PHILATELY News letter. The Ist issue of the 4 page quarterly News letter carries an addressing message from Shri. M.P.Rajan, CPMG, Karnataka, and an article on Mysore Anche in the front page and other news on Philately in the 2nd and 3rd pages. We, Philatelist, would like and hope that it is published regularly with more interesting news on Philately and additional pages. I wish the news letter all success and long life.

September 13, 2008

Ancient Ships - France

I am delighted to receive this cover from France on Ancient and famous ships,
which is my collecting subject. Thank you Mr.Eric.

When we note the stamps affixed on the cover, we can see a light brownish
colour mark or line which looks like it has been cancelled using a pen. The
below SS gives us the real picture of the same.To know more you can visit the
blog of Eric.

August 22, 2008

Stamps on Handover ceremony of Olympics.

The Olympic Games concludes on 24 August. For this occasion a joint stamp will be issued by UK & China to commemorate the handover ceremony of the Olympic flag to London on 22 August.
The stamp features the historical and modern architecture of Beijing and london.

August 15, 2008

Happy Independence Day!

Wish you all a very HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY !

Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we will redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.... We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again."
- Jawaharlal Nehru (Speech on Indian Independence Day, 1947)


On 15 August 1947, India attained freedom from the British rule. Every year, August 15 is celebrated as the Independence Day in India. This national festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the country. Independence Day is celebrated with flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes in the state capitals. The Prime Minister's speech at the Red Fort in Delhi is the major highlight.

August 11, 2008

Postal Museum of Mauritius


A new Postal Museum was inaugurated by Dr.Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius on 23rd July 2008.A special commemorative cover was released to mark the event, also celebrating the 140 years of existence of the Post Office building where it will be relocated.

The Postal Museum was formerly housed in the post Office Headquarters building, Port Louis and was inaugurated on the 10th March 1995. It is being relocated in the prominent Post Office Building, Waterfront, Port Louis, in a newly designed set up.

The Postal Museum traces the evolution of the Postal History of Mauritius from Colonial times to the present. Apart from stamps and other exhibits, visitors will see postal equipment and tools which were formerly used. It also hosts a temporary exhibition hall and a stamp gallery which will display along with stamps from Mauritius, those issued by the member countries of the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

Visual exhibits depict chronologically the evolution of the Postal service in Mauritius from the Dutch occupant to the English period together with the Post-independence era.

The two stamps on the special commemorative cover are the Rs.25.00 and the 60 cents stamps respectively of the Dodo and the 150th Anniversary of the “Post Office” stamps issues. (Third stamp used on the above cover is to balance the postage for overseas mail)

The illustration on the cover shows the historical Post Office building and the logo of the Mauritius Postal Museum.

August 2, 2008

The Tortoise has finally arrived!

This tortoise is a native of The Aldabra atoll, part of the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean.The size of an Aldabra Giant Tortoise can be upto 4ft. and weigh around 550lbs. They are normally dark grey to black in colour, have small pointed head covered with scales on forelegs.

A set of 2 stamp and a miniature sheet on Aldabra giant Tortoise is released today.The stamps are hexagonal (six sides) I have presented the two stamps in star shape.

July 22, 2008

Hey! DODO.

This is a way you address a fool or a dumb person. Do you known that DODO was a bird that actually existed in the past?!!!



Dodo was a flightless bird native to the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It was a flightless member of the pigeon family, which weighed up to 23 kg. Portuguese became the first Europeans to discover the dodo in the year 1500. By 1680 it had been driven to extinction by humans who hunted it for flesh and later the dogs, pigs, rats, and monkeys introduced by Europeans to Mauritius.
Our present day knowledge of what the dodo looked like is based on several sources like the diaries and writings of the sailors and captains who landed on Mauritius in the 16th and17th century, drawings from the few humans who were able to witness them alive and the few fossils excavated from the island, which are kept at the British Museum, and a foot and a beak which are preserved at Oxford. The dodo was a large, plump bird covered in soft, grey feathers, with a plume of white at its tail. It had small wings that were far too weak to ever lift the dodo off the ground, dubbed the bird "dodo" which meant simpleton in Portuguese tongue (“doudo”).

Today the idiom "as dead as a dodo" means undoubtedly dead and "to go the way of the dodo" means to become extinct or obsolete, or to become a thing of the past.

The Dodo is a lesson in extinction. It is hoped that the lesson of the Dodo can help prevent similar extinctions, and aid us in preserving the diversity of life on earth.

The SS above was released along with 4 stamps set on 22 June 2007 by Mauritius. The above SS is painted by Julian Pender Hume, a Paleontologist by profession. The 4 stamps are also art work of different artist's view of the dodo.

July 14, 2008

India - China Joint issue


India - China joint issue was released in India on 11th of July. I had written earlier in this blog when the same was released by China. The stamps depicts Mahabodhi Temple and White Horse Temple. The miniature sheets has the background of the Pipal tree leaves. Gautama Buddha had obtained enlightenment at the foot of this tree and hence it is sacred for the Buddhists.


July 10, 2008

Just to say "THANKS"

Dear Friends and Fellow Bloggers!

As you know I started this blog a few months ago, and it was my first experiment at blogs, I have received amazing support and appreciation from all my friends and Philatelic Bloggers from my country and around the globe. I thank you all very much.

There has been many enquiries, about me, about the posts published and the materials included in it. I would remind all my friends this blog has been  a part of my earlier website  www.geocities.com/manbol1 which was closed down by Yahoo. This blog has also won a Bronze medal at INPEX 2008.

About my collection, I collect Philatelic materials related to Ships, Stamps, MS, FDC, covers etc. I am also interested in other items which catch my fancy (keeps changing!) I am always curious to know the happenings in the Philatelic World.

I know that I am unable to update my blog very frequently as few of the other Philatelic Bloggers, but will try to do same periodically.

Thanks Friends and all Philatelic Bloggers

Regards
Mansoor.B

July 4, 2008

Picture Postcards

Karnataka Postal Division has released a set of 28 Postcards in an attractive book/folder format. It would make an ideal package to gift.



Some of the cards have the pictures of the stamps released by India Post, like roses, jasmine, sandalwood and others of historic and cultural importance like Mysore Palace, Tipu's Palace, Chennakeshava Temple, Yakshagana, wooden toys etc.


It is available at all Philatelic Bureaus and Counters across Karnataka. Price:Rs.180.00

July 2, 2008

Miniature sheets, Souvenir sheets and Sheetlets.

There is always some confusion among most of the Philatelist or Stamp collectors about the difference in Miniature Sheets and Souvenir Sheets, confusion as different philatelic entity has a separate description for Miniature sheet and Souvenir sheet.

When I browsed the net looking for a description and difference on those terms I found that it is defined in many ways and also depends on the country where the term was used.



In India most of the collectors use the term Miniature Sheet (refer picture above) including India Post, for the small sheet of stamp which may include one or more stamp, usually different stamps. The stamp may be part of the picture depicted in the sheet or a separate one, and the paper margin surrounding the stamps may be plain design. Here the stamp has perforation and can be separated from the sheet and when it is separated it usually it looks same as the separate sheets of stamp issued along with the Miniature sheet. The miniature sheet is issued purely for the collectors. We rarely use the term Souvenir sheet in India.



The Linns website has a different description:

A miniature sheet is a smaller-than-normal pane of stamps issued in that form in addition to being issued in full panes. The smaller size and fewer stamps are what distinguishes it from a regular pane. (This is usually referred as sheetlets among Indian collectors and what we refer as Miniature sheets are Souvenir Sheets according to the Linns)

A miniature sheet is usually without marginal markings or text saying that the sheet was issued in conjunction with or to commemorate some event, which is what distinguishes it from a souvenir sheet.

In practice, many dealers and collectors refer to both small regular panes and souvenir sheets as "miniature sheets." (Refer www.linns.com)



India had issued a Miniature sheet (or is it a souvenir sheet?) in 1973 for the India International Philatelic Exhibition, where the 4 stamps depicted in it did not have any perforation and could not be separated. Some collectors/Senior Philatelists define this as Souvenir sheet, as the stamps cannot be separated and this is purely a Souvenir to be collected by the Philatelists.



I would be delighted to get maximum comments on this subject as to what are your views and what it is known as, in your respective countries for those who read this article in different corners of the globe. For now, whatever name it is called by, most collectors love to have this piece (Miniature or Souvenir sheet) among their collections so do keep collecting and enjoy it.

June 27, 2008

Book on Pictorial Cancellations of Karnataka.


A hand book on Pictorial cancellations of Karnataka Postal Service,India Post has been released recently.This book features 28 permanent cancellation of Karnataka,it also features two extra cancellation which are to be released shortly that of Bear Santury of Daroji, Bellary and Nanda Mantapa of Mysore.This book priced at Rs.60/- is available at all Philatelic Bureaus and Counters in Karnataka.

June 21, 2008

Speed Post in Mangalore

Speed Post Business Office at Mangalore commenced on 18.01.1988 has completed its 20th year recently. It was launched at the Head Post Office Premises with a Manager, clerk and 2 postmen for the entire Mangalore City, has grown since with a Manager, 5 clerks, 5 postmen, 5 pickup men and 3 others working at the Main Office, besides it has 79 extension counters at various post offices in Mangalore. An average of 1000 articles is booked at the SPCC Counter daily and it has more than 200 BNPL (credit) Account holders. Besides Speed Post it provides services such as Express Parcel Post, Media Post, E-payment, Business Post, Retail Post, Speed Post Passport Service, Instant Money Order Service, Logistic Post, Handling Customer Grievances (web based) Management of Speed Post Credit Accounts etc. It has earned revenue of about Rupees 6 Crores for the year 2007-08.

A speed post article is booked and it reaches the destination, when it is received by the addressee, the postman makes him sign a card as Proof of Delivery (POD), if desired by the sender, and it is sent back to the sender. If the addressee is not available at the address, the postman then leaves back an intimation card. Recently the intimation card and POD has lost its importance as tracking facility is available through internet and intimation is made through phone, SMS etc.

Some interesting POD and intimation card which has pictures of local culture, tradition and historical places etc are depicted on one face of these cards.



The first intimation card depicts Thousand Pillar temple at Moodabidri and the second, Traditional Buffalo Race in Paddy Puddle.


The first POD depicts Picture of Postal Inspector with Speed Post banner atop "Kalapathar" with Mount Everest in the background and the second, "Yakshagana" A folk drama of Coastal Karnataka.
The New Intimation card has the advertisement of the various services provided by India Post.

Back side view of Intimation card and Proof of Delivery (POD)

Special Cover released on the ocassion of "Mangalapex", District level Philatelic exhibition, to celebrate 15 years of Speed Post Service at Mangalore - 17.01.2003.

Thanks to Mr.Joseph Rodrigues, Speed Post Manager, Mangalore. - spc.manglore@indiapost.gov.in