Old toys on New Europa Stamps from Croatia

 

Date of Issue : 5 April 2015

 

Croatian post Mostar has issued two commemorative postage stamps specially designed for Europe 2015 stamp competition. On the stamps, wooden whistle (trill) and wooden rocking horse are depicted. The issue was released  on the 5^th of April.

Toys are not only subjects to play with, they are important for the development of children. The most beautiful memories from early childhood are associated with favorite toys. It could be handmade toys like wooden whistles or a rocking horse.

A rocking horse is a child’s toy, usually shaped like a horse and mounted on rockers similar to a rocking chair. There are two sorts, the one where the horse part sits rigidly attached to a par of curved rockers that are in contact with the ground, and a second sort, where the horse hangs on a rigid frame by iron straps the horse moves only relative to the frame, which does not move.

A wooden trill is a musical instrument. It can be used to play notes to guess the pass tune. Improvising with it will exercise your dexterity. Also, if the player has enough experience and dexterity, improvising with it will make nearby snakes peaceful. When played, it will either “trill” (which pacifies snakes) or “toot.”

India France Joint Issue

FDCs from India and France

Presentation Pack

- Kasinath R. - Tanjore

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US - Japan Joint issue

 

Date of Issue : 10 April 2015

U.S. Postal Service and Japan Post will jointly issue a sheet of stamps featuring beautiful images of flowering dogwood and flowering cherry trees. This issuance celebrates the enduring bond between two nations on the centennial of the gift of dogwood trees from the United States to Japan in 1915. The stamp sheet will be released  on the 10th of April.

The left side of the stamp sheet features four new stamp designs: two created by the Postal Service™ and two created by Japan Post. It also includes two Japanese characters meaning “friendship”, the title of the issuance “Gifts of Friendship”, and a short line of selvage text. On the right side of the sheet are eight additional stamps (four each of the two U.S. designs). The two U.S. designs highlight the beauty of flowering cherry and flowering dogwood trees in Washington, D.C.

The first stamp depicts the Lincoln Memorial with vibrant cherry trees in the foreground, while the second stamp depicts the U.S. Capitol Building surrounded by white and pink dogwood trees. The Japanese-designed stamps feature two prominent buildings in Tokyo, Japan’s capital city: the National Diet Building framed by cherry blossoms, and the clock tower outside the Diet Building rising behind a foreground of white dogwood flowers.

In a ceremony at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., on March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two of 3,020 flowering cherry trees gifted to the nation’s capital from the city of Tokyo.

As a show of gratitude for this generous gift, former President William Howard Taft arranged for the United States to send 50 flowering dogwood trees (Cornus florida) to Japan in 1915. These gestures of goodwill fostered a rich tradition of exchanging cherry and dogwood trees that continues to this day.

In both the United States and Japan, the dogwood and cherry trees exchanged over the years bring renewed life each spring after the long winter months and showcase the natural splendor of the two countries. They are celebrated on both sides of the Pacific Ocean with annual festivals that echo the spirit of friendship. With their stunning displays of color and rich history for the U.S. and Japan, these trees remain symbols of the deep bond between the two nations.

New Special Cover on Rotary

Rotary District Conference, Mumbai – 31 January 2015

: Sreejesh Krishnan - Trivandrum

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Ukraine-Pakistan Joint Issue

 

Date of Issue : 25 December 2014

Here is a joint issue of Ukraine and Pakistan dedicated to their ancient cultures, in particular: the Cucuteni -Trypillian culture and Mohenjo-daro. The issue was released on the 25^th of December 2014 .

The Cucuteni-Trypillian culture is a Neolithic–Eneolithic archaeological culture (ca. 4800 to 3000 BC) in Eastern Europe. It extends from the Carpathian Mountains to the Dniester and Dnieper regions, centered on modern-day Moldova and covering substantial parts of western Ukraine and northeastern Romania.

During the Middle Trypillia phase (ca. 4000 to 3500 BC), populations belonging to the Cucuteni-Trypillian culture built the largest settlements in Neolithic Europe, some of which contained as many as 1,600 structures.

One of the most notable aspects of this culture was the periodic destruction of settlements, with each single-habitation site having a roughly 60 to 80 year lifetime. The purpose of burning these settlements is a subject of debate among scholars; some of the settlements were reconstructed several times on top of earlier habitational levels, preserving the shape and the orientation of the older buildings.

Mohenjo-daro is an archeological site in the province of Sindh, Pakistan. Built around 2600 BCE, it was one of the largest settlements of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, and one of the world’s earliest major urban settlements, contemporaneous with the civilizations of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Crete.

Mohenjo-daro was abandoned in the 19th century BCE, and was not rediscovered until 1922. Significant excavation has since been conducted at the site of the city, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. The site is currently threatened by erosion and improper restoration.

Numerous objects found in excavation include seated and standing figures, copper and stone tools, carved seals, balance-scales and weights, gold and jasper jewellery, and children’s toys.

Club News

New Special Covers

Silverpex-2015 at Kannur and release of Special Cover on Arakkal Palace - 9th January 2015

As a part of Silver Jubilee celebration The Cannanore Philatelic Club organized, 'Silverpex-2015', National Philatelic and Numismatic Exhibition at Jawaharlal Nehru Library Hall, Yogasala Road, Nr. Old Bus Stand, Kannur, from 9th to 11th January 2015.On the occasion a Special Cover was released on Arakkal Palace on 9th January 2015. (Special Cover approval no. KL-03/2015)

 

Special Cover on Golden Jubilee Celebration of Goa Kannada Sangha, Margao - 20th December 2014

To mark the Golden Jubilee of Goa Kannada Sangha, Margao a Special Cover was released on the occasion. (Special Cover approval no. MH/31/2014)

Special Cover on Golden Jubilee Celebration of G. V. M.'s MIBK High School, Khandepar - 20th December 2014

A Special Cover was issued to mark Golden Jubilee of G. V. M.'s MIBK High School, Khandepar on 20th December 2014 at Ponda, Goa.

Special Cover on Rajgor’s Coin Festival, Goa 2014 - 8th December 2014

Rajgor’s Coin Festival Goa 2014, Exhibition of Coins of Goa Region was held from 7th to 10th December 2014 at Institute Menezes Braganza, Near Police Headquarters, Panjim, Goa. On the occasion a Special Cover was released on 8th December 2014 featuring coins of Goa region at Panaji.

Courtesy – Indian Philately Digest

 

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Bhutan – Thailand Joint Issue

 

Bhutan Post released a series of stamps celebrating the 25^th anniversary the Establishment of Diplomatic Relation between Bhutan and Thailand. The issue consists of six stamps that were put into circulation in the end of November.

Established in 1989, the diplomatic relations between Bhutan and Thailand have grown stronger over the years. Both nations have many features in common. Located in Southeast Asia, both nations have a monarchy system.

Both Bhutan and Thailand have Buddhist-majority populations, with a strong Buddhist heritage and culture. Thailand has established a consulate in Bhutan, but also uses its embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh to coordinate its relations with Bhutan and its activities there.

Press Clippings

Announcing it differently

The envelope and the printed sheet of personalised stamps

I recently seem to be getting invited to weddings where arrangements are being done a bit differently. In this instance, the wedding invitation that arrived by post bore a stamp of the couple, their names, Jai and Pallavi, printed below the picture of them together. Asking Pallavi’s mother what that was all about, Chitra told me that the Postal Department was offering personalised stamps and wondered how come I had not heard of it. Well, I’m usually behind the times, I told her, but so seem to be the circles I generally move in; no one had heard of these stamps. Whereupon Chitra proceeded to enlighten me.

But first she “just” had to tell me that the Philatelic Bureau on Mount Road had once been the city’s first custom-built cinema theatre, the Electric Theatre, before the Postal Department took it over. For many years, little attention had been paid to it by the Department till one fine day they decided to renovate the building and make it the Philatelic Bureau. Now, not only is the main part of the building well-kept, but its nearly all-woman services are offered not only efficiently but in a friendly manner. “It’s nice to see smiling faces in a Government Department when you seek help,” says Chitra. Former Postmaster-General Theodore Baskaran would be delighted with all she had to say; a heritage buff, he had been responsible for the restoration and the re-use of the building in an imaginative manner.

At the personalised stamp counter in the Bureau one morning, she was offered several options of regular post office Rs. 5 issues to choose from and she chose the Taj Mahal. Then she produced the photograph she wanted used and this was scanned and sent for printing. Rs. 15 was the charge per stamp set for a bulk order, including the Rs. 5 for the Postal Department’s sister stamp, in this case the Taj Mahal stamp. Including choosing, scanning, paying, receipting and a “Please come back at four in the evening, Madam,” the whole transaction took just half an hour, the efficiency impressive, and the chat, including cooing over the picture, a rare pleasantry in a Government institution. When Chitra went back in the evening, the greetings were warm, and the stamps were ready as promised. They came in sets of 12, the personalised stamps having been printed on a perforated sheet of Rs. 5 Taj Mahal stamps that had a blank space left next to each official stamp to accommodate “My Stamp”. Chitra may have been poorer by the cost but richer by the experience of friendly service and happier by the delighted reaction of numerous friends who called in to say “What a nice idea!”

The service has been around for a while now, I was later told, but so few seem to have heard of it. Perhaps the Postal Department should improve its marketing, especially when it has a good idea.

Not ‘rocket science’ for an idea, but a way to get customers to know that there’s at least one corner in a Government institution where there’s something customer-friendly going on.

The Hindu – 29 December 2014

- Mahaes Parekh - Chennai

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New stamps from Poland

 

Turkish-Polish - Joint Issue

600 years of Turkish-Polish diplomatic  relations

 

Date of Issue : 28 November 2014

Polish Post issued a beautiful souvenir sheet on 600 years of Turkish-Polish diplomatic relations". It is a joint issue by Poland and Turkey.

 

450th birthday of William Shakespeare celebrated by Polish Post

Date of Issue : 19 November 2014

On occasion of 450th birthday of William Shakespeare Polish Post released a special stamp and  postal stationery. The stamp depicts of the illustrations to the works of this great writer.

Shakespeare’s birthday is celebrated in Stratford-upon-Avon and around the world every April, and this year is bigger than ever as Shakespeare turns 450 years young. Here in Stratford the streets were overflown with music, pageantry and drama as the birthday weekend brings together performers, artists, and ambassadors from around the world in a vibrant celebration of the life and works of William Shakespeare. 

Postal stationery

Club News

Vadophil

Latest issue of Vadophil, No. 140, Quarterly News Bulletin of Baroda Philatelic Society is out. For details pleas visit Baroda Philatelic Society, Email: info@vadophil.org or visit website : www.vadophil.org

 

KARNAPEX 2015 , Bangalore ( 16th to 19th  January 2015)

For dealer’s booth application form for Karnepex2015 Please contact  at the below address  :

Assistant Director (BD)

For Chief Postmaster General

Karnataka Circle, Bangalore-560 001

Ph . 22392537 / 22353393

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Gorgeous carpets on new joint issue of Algeria And Serbia

 

   

Date of Issue : 7 October 2014

A joint stamp issue between two countries dedicated to the deepening and enriching relationships has been prepared for issuing. Algeria and Serbia, have found a common point of their cultural heritage in the field of ethnography, which involves weaving crafts. The issue consists of two stamps that depict two types of carpets produced by these countries.

The Serbian  stamps on the miniature sheet show year 2013 on stamps seems they were printed in 2013 .

The Serbian Post depicts Pirot carpet (kilim). It refers to a variety of flat tapestry-woven carpets or rugs traditionally produced in Pirot, a town in southeastern Serbia. Pirot kilims with some 122 ornaments and 96 different types have been protected by geographical indication in 2002. They are one of the most important traditional handicrafts in Serbia.

 

Algerian region has its own style of carpets. They differ in their patterns and colours but their compositions are quite similar. Generally, carpets are made with sheep wool, sometimes mixed with goat hair to get more robust thread. The stamp depicts the carpet produced in Kalâa Beni-Rached.

The main difference between a carpet and kilim is in their sizes, all larger than two meters weaving carpets are known and are used as ground cover, while the kilims are shorter and their uses are many.

Club News

 

Special Cancellation on Philately Day at Ahmedabad – 13th October 2014

India Post is celebrating National Postal Week from 9th to 15th October 2014 and 13th October is celebrated as Philately Day as a part of National Postal Week.

A Special Cancellation has been provided at Ahmedabad Philatelic Bureau on the occasion of Philately Day on 13th October 2014.

Courtesy : Indian Philately Digest

 

Golepex-2014, District Level Philatelic Exhibition at New Delhi – 17th - 18th October 2014

District Level Philatelic Exhibition ‘GolePex-2014’ will be held at Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, Bhai Vir Singh Marg, Near Gole Market, New Delhi – 110 001. During the exhibition My Stamp facility, Painting Contest and Philatelic Quiz will also be organised.
For more information Contact: Director, New Delhi GPO
Email: golepex2014@gmail.com
Phone: 011-23364001, 23365690

- Ankit Agarwal - Pune

Schoolpex – 2014 , Jaipur

18th Interschool Stamp Exhibition , Schoolpex 2014 is being organised on 17th-18th Oct 2014 at St Xavier's School , Jaipur. It is only Stamp Exhibition in the world which is conducted annually exclusively for school students uninterrupted since last 17 years.

The 100 Frame exhibition will have Stamp Collection Display as well as many activities including Letter writing Competition , Stamp Quiz Competition , Philately Seminar , Dealer's Stall , PSR meeting and release of Special 'MY Stamp' specially made for the occasion in special MY Stamp Holders. India Posts , Rajasthan Circle will also have its counter and facility of Mobile MY Stamp Van at venue. 

- Rajesh Paharia , Jaipur

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Hong Kong, China Malaysia Joint Issue …

 

Local Food

Date of Issue : 9 October 2014

Hong Kong is a renowned international food capital, whereas Malaysia is a popular destination for foodies as a multicultural gourmet hub. Tourists are drawn to both places for their unique gastronomical landscapes. This joint issue features authentic local food of Malaysia and Hong Kong and celebrates the distinctive culinary cultures of these Asian neighbours.

 

Hongkong Post announced that a set of special stamps entitled “Hong Kong, China – Malaysia Joint Issue on Local Food” will be launched on October 9. The stamp issue consists of four stamps that depict local dishes of both countries.

As the Chinese saying goes, food is of paramount importance to all of us. By learning more about the food culture of a country, we can gain an appreciation of the customs and traditions of the local people. For Hong Kong’s 13th joint issue with other postal administrations, Hongkong Post and Pos Malaysia are jointly issuing a set of four stamps on local food that can be found in the two places.

These stamps showcase the unique local culinary delights that reflect the distinctive cuisines and food tastes of these two Asian neighbors, including the egg waffle and Poon Choi in Hong Kong and Nasi Lemak and satay in Malaysia. The stamps are adorned with images of the bauhinia and the hibiscus (Bunga Raya), the floral emblems of Hong Kong and Malaysia respectively, on an ink-splash background.

Club News

Chamundipex 2014, Mysore : 24th - 26th September 2014.

Chamundipex 2014, South Karnataka Regional Level Philatelic Exhibition was held from 24th - 26th September 2014 at Auditorium of Postal Training Centre, Nazarbad, Mysore.

On 24th September two special covers were released. One Cover was on Royal Durbar of Srikanatadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar at Amba Vilas (Mysore Palace), 1953-2013. The cover was released by Her Highness Pramoda Devi Wadiyar. Sri M. S. Ramanujam, Chief Postmaster General. Karnataka Circle, Bangalore presided over the function.

Second Cover was issued on 75 years of Bewoor Building (Mysore Head Post Office). The two floor heritage building has been named after Gurunath Venkatesha Bewoor, who was the first Director-General of Post and Telegraph Department in 1934.

 

A set of 10 Picture Postcards depicting the rich Heritage of Mysore was also released on 24th September 2014 by the President of Mysore Philatelists’ Association Shri Dwarkanath. The photos depict the front and back of the folder of the Mysore Heritage set of 10 postcards pack.

On 25th September 2014, two Special Covers were released. One cover was on 100 years of Karanji Mansion (Postal Training Center Building).

 

Second cover was issued on Vajra Mushti Kalaga (Special event of Mysore Dasara). Vajra Musti ("thunder fist" or "diamond fist") refers to a knuckleduster-like weapon and also a form of Indian wrestling in which the weapon is employed.

On 26th September 2014, two Special Covers were released. One cover was on Silver Jubilee Celebration of Adithya Institute of Management & Information.

Second cover was issued on 10 Years of Bombe Mane. Ramsons Kala Pratishtana, founded in 1995 C.E. by Sri D. Ram Singh.

Courtesy : Indian Philately Digest

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Israel - Thailand Joint Issue

 

Date of Issue : 5 June 2014

Here is a new joint issue   from Israel and Thailand. It has been issued to commemorate 60 years of Diplomatic relations between Israel and Thailand. The stamp of Israel and Thailand  feature native fruits of the two countries.

The State of Israel and the Kingdom of Thailand have enjoyed friendly diplomatic relations for 60 years, since their establishment in 1954.These friendly relations include successful cooperation in many areas such as agriculture, water management, advanced technology, education and medicine.The versatile relations between these two countries have been demonstrated through a number of historical visits by members of the Thai royal family to Israel and by Israeli dignitaries to Thailand.

Every year Israel welcomes hundreds of Thai students and professionals who come to attend various training programs, mainly in the fields of agriculture, technology and education.

The stamp features two types of fruit that are characteristic of their countries – a pomegranate from Israel and a mangosteen fruit from Thailand. In addition to their tastiness, each of these fruits has symbolic significance in the traditions of its people and its country.In Jewish tradition, the pomegranate symbolizes beauty, fertility and abundance.It is also one of the seven species mentionedin the Bible as being special agricultural products of Eretz Israel.

The mangosteen fruit, a very popular tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia, is known as the “Queen of Thai Fruit” probably because of its beautiful appearance and pleasant taste. Each of these fruits is known to possess its own medicinal properties and they are also combined in food supplements, health drink sand beauty creams

Club News

New Meghdoot Post Card by India Post

 

Another issue of Meghdoot Postcard of year 2014 ( 25p Home Jahangir Bhabha SPP/ HYD 2014) has been reported carrying advertisement on Noorul Islam University in English on the occasion of Silver Jubilee of the university. Advertisement carries various information about the university, courses offered by university and their contact information. The Meghdoot card was issued on 12 June 2014.

Picture Postcard on 2014 FIFA World Cup issued at Chennai

Tamilnadu Postal Circle has issued Picture Postcard on 2014 FIFA World Cup on 12th June 2014. Picture Postcard is priced at Rs. 25 each and available at Philatelic Bureau, Anna Road, Chennai.

Courtesy : Indian Philately Digest

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Joint issue by Russia and Switzerland

 

Date of Issue : 21 May 2014

Postal Administrations of Russia and Switzerland  brought out a joint issue on 21st May 2014. Russia and Switzerland have maintained diplomatic relations for 200 years. During the Second World War, those relations were briefly severed, but were restored after the war ended and have been stable ever since. The stamps feature famous landmarks of the two countries.

 

The Berne’s clock tower: the federal capital’s defining landmark and a tourist magnet. When it was erected at the start of the 13th century, as a fortified tower, the building marked the western edge of the city of Berne. As the city grew, the  tower moved closer to the centre, where it became redundant as a fortification. During the 15th century, it was used as a prison and subsequently as a clock tower – Zytglogge – and was rebuilt from Berne sandstone.

From then on, its clock dictated the time for the entire city and became the point of reference for measuring the travel times indicated on the hour stones along the cantonal roads. In the 16th century, the tower gained its present-day height and a new clock. Beneath this, in the archway, the edicts and ordinances of the City of Berne were posted and, from the 18th century onwards, the measures of length were affixed for official inspection. When the tower underwent further alterations in 1770 and 1771, it was incorporated fully in the cityscape and adapted to its environment with the addition of baroque embellishments.

The Zytglogge tower owes its national and international fame not only to its eventful history, but also to its special carillon, the ring of bears, lions, a rooster and the god of time, Chronos. The Kazansky tower depicted on the Russian special stamp may be recognizable from afar but it isn’t the tower itself that is famous … In fact, the tower is the most imposing feature of Kazansky station, one of Moscow’s eight largest stations. The station was built in 1862 and, initially, was nothing more than a small timber building without a waiting room or platform. Two years later, the wooden building was dis- mantled and, in its place, a stone station building was erected.

The new station building fell short of increasingly stringent requirements; it was too small and of little architectural merit. When the railway line was extended further eastwards to the large Volga city of Kazansky – which gave the station its name – and passenger numbers swelled accordingly, the station had to be expanded yet again. After various makeshift solutions and lengthy debate, in 1918 work commenced on the construction of the present day station building, following the nationalization of the railways. It was a huge undertaking and the station was not fully completed until 1940. Even once the building was finally complete, it underwent further expansion and upgrading work which had been included in the original construction plans but had not been implemented. Among the further additions were the clock tower, the underground terminal building for local public transport and the direct access to the underground.

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