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Monthly e-Stamp Bulletin edited and published by Jeevan Jyoti from Dehradun.

Saturday, April 1, 2017

Rainbow April 2017



Greetings on Easter


 Date of Issue : 15 March 2017

April is the month of Easter. Polish Post issues every year special stamps featuring Decorative Egg shells for  Easter Greetings.  Decorating Eggs is a part of Easter traditions in many countries.  


Dehradun  April  2017    Vol. X  No. 112

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 the editor : j.jyoti9@gmail.com

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


Dear Reader

I am pleased to release April 2017 Issue of Rainbow Stamp News. Heartiest Congratulations to all the participants of Melbourne 2017 - 34th FIAP Asian International Stamp Exhibition, being held in Melbourne, Australia from 30 March to 2 April 2017.There should have been more exhibits from India in different classes. Now there is a need to boost up the dying hobby among young and old.

India Post can do this very well by conducting workshops  and philatelic camps at different places with the help of local philatelists. By issuing large number of postage stamps, philately cannot be promoted by the Postal Department . Philately should be presented in a simple and interesting way to the public. For this it is necessary that India Post should take the help of local philatelic clubs and societies which can guide them. Philatelic activity can become a part of different cultural events if properly managed by the Department of Posts….

This is all for this month.....More in next issue.



  Contents

§  From the Desk of Naresh Agrawal
§  Recent Indian Issues
§  In The News
§  Doon Philatelic Diary
§  Beginners’ Section
§  Specialized Section 
§  New Issues from Other Countries
§  Philatelic Clubs and Society
§  Blogs & Websites on Philately
§  Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletter










INDIA POST : NEEDS TO GIVE IMPORTANCE TO PHILATELY

Philately in India is now in alarming state. Newly issued Philatelic stuffs by India Post are very costly beyond the reach of a common stamp collector. Stamp lovers children are very less though several dedicated philatelists and philatelist organizations/association and clubs are working hard to develop and promote philately amongst the school children by regularly conducting philatelic workshops. In the international shows the participation of India is very less. In the ongoing Melbourne 2017 in Australia an International Show, there are in total 15 entries from India about of 1000 frame displayed there. In thematic class which is loved by maximum stamp lovers and is in the reach of common philatelist, there is only one entry. So was the case in New York 2016 (NY2016). What does this indicate? Where philately is going in India?

I don’t know what the India Post think tank has in its mind but the regular issuance of high value stamps, sheet lets, booklets, low quality printing and paper, low quality perforations is certainly digging ditch for the Indian philately to fell. One must know that low value stamps attract many and  the sales are more. If India Post which is basically a service organization is thinking like a business organization, then it should consult some good  business  advisors who can equally look in to interest of the common philatelists in India. Recently issued Transport series is a burning example thinking and planning of India Post. This series has shown all the facets of India Post thinking, working and concern for philately . The high value, the poor quality in all respects is truly highly detrimental for the development and promotion of philately. Looking in to fact that average Indian has limited amount to spare for hobby, the think tank of India Post should think differently. Stamps will be sold whether low value or high value but  low value opens different fields in philately, caters to a big number of stamp lovers.

I understand the philatelic wing of India Post had been formed to help and serve philatelists. It’s sole motto and work is to promote philately. One may say that it basically is a social concern. If India Post thinks like a business organization , than again it must understand that even big business houses have a big concern for social cause. Helping philately to develop is in other way  to help developing good hobby and habits amongst a portion of society. Those who collect or even not collect are always influenced by stamps and stamp collectors.

India post must understand that it should move hand in hand with the philatelic societies taking care of interests of the common philatelists. One must understand that Traditional Philately and Postal History are very costly and are beyond reach of common philatelists. Yes, new classes like  Maximaphily, special cover class are attracting common philatelists to some extent.  I don’t say that India Post is  not doing anything for philately but whatever it is doing is not up to the mark. Philatelic advisory committee needs to look in to philatelic interests first. It is understood that low value stamps cost little high by way of paper cost, printing cost and small overheads but one must compare the quantity and quality with other postal administrations in the world who have been found striving for better quality and better service to philatelic community. Digital payments of postage has  already given a set back to the philatelic movement  as it has reduced tremendously the usage of postal stamps. Under these circumstances low value good quality stamps only can help survival of philately.

One thing more coming in to my mind that it should be made compulsory that every post office should associate with one or the other philatelic society and  it should be mandatory to conduct one event every month like display in schools, conducting workshops etc.. Every stamp release should be done in a public function and not in a room. School children should be invited to attend the stamp release function. Every stamp release should be celebrated with children, the perspective philatelists. Even it should be released by a philatelist of good repute and stature in presence of other dignitaries. It should be well publicized through media also. This will help promotion of philately. Philatelists participating in higher levels should be honored by civil administrations. Social and Frugal Philately should be encouraged at all levels. Philatelic societies should be honored separately acknowledging their philatelic promotional work.

In all, I shall say that India Post must not forget that it is a service organization and not a business organization. Yes, it should certainly update itself to provide better and fast service to a big section of its customers / users but it must not put philately back on its agenda. Philately has been an integral part of India Posts’ function since its inception. It should issue low value good quality stamps with nice and attractive  subject matter.
Wishing every philatelist a fun filled philatelic year ahead. 

-Naresh Agrawal Ph. 09425530514



Recent Indian Issue






7 March 2017 - Yogoda Satsanga Society of India – Rs 5
25 March 2017 - Means of Transport – 20 stamps –Rs 5 x5,Rs10 x 5,Rs15 x5, Rs25 x5 + 6 MS + 5 Sheetlet + 1 Stamp Booklet
30 March 2017 – Cub Scouts – Rs 5



Recent Special Covers




21 February 2017- 150th Anniversary of Shitlnath Temple Kolkata
4 March 2017 - Spring Festival, Dehradun




17 March 2017 - Kanpur Holi - Ganga Mela - Kanpur
21 March 2017 International Day of Forests, Malleshwaram 



27 March 2017 World Theatre Day – Bangalore

27 March 2017 Golden Jubilee - Ravindra Kalashetra - Bangalore


In The News

Rare stamp breaks New Zealand record at auction



The three penny HMS Vanguard stamp from 1949, which set a new world record of $67,850 at auction in Otaki last weekend.

16 March 2017
One of just seven known surviving copies of New Zealand's rarest stamp has been sold to an overseas collector for a record price.The 3d HMS Vanguard stamp has one of the most colourful stamp histories in the world.

Part of a set of four, it was produced for the New Zealand Post Office by Waterlow & Sons of London to commemorate the royal visit by King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, as announced by Buckingham Palace on March 6, 1948, on the giant battleship HMS Vanguard.A total run of 39 million stamps of 2d, 3d, 5d and 6d values were made before the Royal tour was cancelled in November 1948 after the king fell ill.

The news resulted in  an order by the New Zealand Post Office to destroy the stamps. But, legend has it that seven stamps were caught in the door of the destruction furnace and salvaged by a worker.

All of the surviving stamps are creased and damaged, to varying degrees, and are held in private hands.The stamp that was sold at Mowbray Collectables'stamp auction in Wellington on Saturday is believed to be the one of the finest condition.



Recent Stamp Exhibitions


MELBOURNE 2017

MELBOURNE 2017, 34th FIAP Asian International Stamp Exhibition is being held in Melbourne, Australia from 30 March to 2 April 2017.Mr. Madhukar Jhingan is the Indian National Commissioner for the MELBOURNE 2017.. Following Indian participants have won awards at the exhibition.
Heartiest Congratulations to all the winners !




Savita Jhingan, Ramprasad Madhukar, Prashant Pandya ( Vadophil ) , Anil Reddy,Prachi Sharma
Large Vermeil Medal
Angeet Suri - Fiscals of Jodhpur
Vermeil Medal
Prachi Sharma - (Youth) British India King George VI Postal Stationery
Large Silver Medal
Anand Kakad - Birds of the Pheasant Family
Silver Medal
Piyush Khaitan - The Karachi-Madras route extension Flight of Tata Sons Ltd. (October 1932)
Subhabrata Basu - Indiapost in 21st Century
Dr K Ramachandirann -(Lit) K: Indian Postal History-Focus on Tamil Nadu
Ramprasad Mahurkar - ( Youth Class) - Butterflies-An Enigma; An Exlixir in Peril
Rohit Prasad - ( Lit) - India 1929 Air Mail Stamps: A Study of Constant Varieties
Anil Reddy - Holograms in Philately
Savita Jhingan - From India to Space
Silver Bronze Medal
Rhea Prasad - (Youth) - The First Stamp Issue of Independent India
Muskan Malhotra - (Youth) The Elephant World
Avipsa Biswal - ( Youth) Pigeons and Doves
Baroda Philatelic Society - Vadophil
One Frame Class
Kishor Chandak - The Black & White Seals Romance of Pre-Stamp Era

 BRASILIA -2017


Brasilia-2017 is a Specialized World Stamp Exhibition. The Exhibition will open on 24 October 2017 and close on 29 October 2017. Mr Ajay Kumar Mittal is the National Commissioner. Interested philatelists may contact him at email : ajaymittal1957@gmail.com



BANDUNG 2017


 BANDUNG 2017 Specialised WORLD STAMP EXHIBITION, 3-7 Aug 2017 Exhibition under FIP Patronage
Shri Sahdeva Sahoo is National Commissioner for this exhibition.  emails : sahadevasahoo@gmail.com   &   sahadevas@yahoo.com  Phones +91 9337103542 

 +91 674 2432251 (LL)





Regional Meeting of Philatelic Congress of India



Regional Meeting of Philatelic Congress of India was  held on 5th March 2017at Auditorium, Mumbai GPO Annex, Mumbai . Philatelic Seminar on Postal Stationary Exhibiting Conducted by Shri Ajeet Singhee, President of Philatelic Congress of India .



 Changes in Office Bearers
Due to untimely sad demise of Shri Yogesh Kumar, President Elect of PCI, Mrs. Damayanti Pitties is unanimously elected as new President Elect at the Governing Council meeting of PCI held at Mumbai on 5 March 2017. Mr. Prashant H. Pandya is elected as Vice President and Mr. Rajesh Paharia is elected as Secretary of PCI.

News from Philatelic Societies
Ananthapuri Philatelic Exhibition - APEX 2017

Ananthapuri Philatelic Association will organise its 2nd Philatelic Exhibition named APEX-2017 on 26th, 27th and 28th May, 2017 at YMCA Hall, Near Statue Jn, Thiruvananthapuram. 25 dealers booths are available at the rate of Rs.6000/- for three days.  The booths will be allotted on first come first serve basis. For more details contact  Balakrishnan Nair Mobile:9446028188 or Mohanachandran Nair Mobile: 9387801948. Email: apa.tvpm@gmail.com


Monthly Meeting of Philatelic Society of Delhi

Members of Philatelic Society of Delhi gathered for the monthly meet on the 19thday of March at Indian Building Congress, RK Puram (Sector 6), New Delhi. More than thirty five philatelists from different parts of National Capital Region were present to grace the event.



The meeting started with an introductory session on the topic “Transitioning from Collecting to Exhibiting” by Shri Madhukar Jhingan. He also shared his preparations for the upcoming international stamp exhibition, Melbourne 2017.

Episode eight of the informative series of presentations called "Tale of a Mail" was given by Mr.Aditya Asthana. The subject of this episode was an underpaid letter from Cawnpore to London. Detailed discussion happened on the postmark, postage and path of letter.

A private cover has been created by Philatelic Society of Delhi on the theme of Goddess Vaishno Devi. The cover bears a pictorial cancellation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Branch Post Office which is located next to the holy shrine. The society appreciates the support provided by the Branch Post Master Mr. Bhat.

Election results were declared by the appointed election commissioner Mr. Madhukar Jhingan. All Governing Council Members were elected unopposed. The newly elected Governing Council of Philatelic Society of Delhi for the session 2017-2019 is

President – Mr. Anil Suri
Vice President – Mr. A.R.C. Shah
Vice President (PR & Marketing) – Mr. Sandeep Murjani
Secretary – Mr. Aditya Asthana
Joint Secretary – Mr. Dinesh Sabharwal
Treasurer – Mr. Rishi Chandiok
Executive Member – Mr. Shashipal Batra
Executive Member – Ms. Annu Kapoor

The session continued with the price discovery of philatelic items.

-Aditya Asthana-Philatelic Society of Delhi


Sikkim Philatelic & Numismatic Society



Sikkim Philatelic & Numismatic Society launched its First  Newsletter . The editor is Mr Saurabh P. Rai. The Newsletter is being published from Singtam, Sikkim. Email : skphila.numismaticsociety@gmail.com


Doon Philatelic Diary

The Savoy, Mussoorie







Abhai Mishra

Savoy hotel in Mussoorie is presently owned by ITCgroup.  It is a fine example of English Gothic Architecture and is endowed with rich historical heritage. Mussoorie was established in 1823 by Lt. Fredrick Young when he built a hunting box there. Soon, Mussoorie became the favourite destination for British due to its natural beauty and cooler climate. In 1895, Cecil. D Lincoln, who was an Irishman and Barrister at Lucknow acquired the estate of Maddock's School. After demolishing the school, he built the Savoy in 1902. The hotel, soon shot to fame and in 1906, Princess of Wales (later Queen Mary) stayed here. Its popularity can be assessed by the fact that post-office by the name of 'Savoy Hotel" was opened.  Once it was said that, "the Savoy Hotel was the place either to stay (if you could afford it) or to be seen (if you couldn't)".



In 1920, when the first car came to Mussoorie, Savoy attained much greater heights as many royalties including King of Nepal, Emperor of Ethiopia, Prince of Laos, Nobel Laureate Pearl Buck stayed here. It boasted a large imperial dining room and a grand ball-room. In 1926, the famous traveller Lowell Thomas wrote “There is a hotel in Mussoorie (Savoy), where they ring a bell just before dawn so that the pious may say their prayers and the impious get back to their own beds." In 1920's it was favourite staying place of the Gandhi family.

In 1911, a Miss Frances Garnett-Orme, a 49-year-old spiritualist, came to stay with her companion from Lucknow, Miss Eva Mountstephen, also a spiritualist who specialised in seances and crystal-gazing. One morning after Miss Mountstephen had returned to Lucknow, Miss Frances was found mysteriously dead. An autopsy revealed that she’d been poisoned with prussic acid, a cyanide-based poison.The case later inspired two works, Agatha Christie's first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920) and also writer Ruskin Bond's In A Crystal Ball — A Mussoorie Mystery.





After Independence the hotel ownership changed hands many time and over the period it degraded and was temporarily closed. On 01 June 2013 it was re-opened after renovations, where the famous author Ruskin Bond was the chief guest. With its full grandeur restored, it is the testimony to the bygone era, and witness to many untold stories.

Reference - wikipedia.org

Abhai Mishra - email : abhai_mishra@rediffmail.com

Beginners’ Section

Do You know ?

WHEN A PHILATELIC SOCIETY THREATENED THE USPS FOR EXCESSIVE STAMP ISSUANCE



The Bicentennial Series of USA, commemorating the historic events leading to America’s independence from Great Britain is a lengthy series of American commemorative postage stamps which began with the issuance of a stamp showing the logo for the Bicentennial celebrations on July 4, 1971, and concluded on September 2, 1983 with a stamp for the Treaty of Paris. The U.S.P.S. issued 113 commemorative stamps over a twelve-year period. More 50-stamps were also planned but were shelved after the American Philatelic Society threatened the USPS with a "black blot" for excessive stamp issuance.
A number of items of postal stationery were also issued.
Is this not the time for PCI to talk against excessive issues of stamps, their high denominations and flood of Special Covers to India Post ?

 STAMP AGAINST SLAUGHTERING OF SACRED COW



Bundi is situated in a narrow valley within the Aravalli Hills in Rajasthan.The Maharao of Bundi, Maharaja Sir Raghubir Singh who was made night commander in 1894 and night commander of the star in 1897, successfully fought a Mughal army and protected cows in his state from slaughter. In commemoration in 1914 famous “The Sacred Cow stamps of Bundi “came into existence which continued to be issued for more than 27 yrs. and had appeared in 16 face values, from ¼ Anna to 5 Rupees in nine different types in 58 different settings of the basic plate of four cliches, and also with three different Service (Official) overprints, which are to be found in black, red or green.


Specialized Section



STAMPS WITH STRANGE CURRENCIES AS DENOMINATION






© Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

Before the advent of money, barter was the accepted means of payment where anything could serve as "currency". But it may be surprising to know that few countries denominated their stamps in terms of Kilograms of vegetables, crops, sea shell or local flora and fauna.

Denomination in Grams or Kilograms of Rice

North Vietnam’s set of "Harvesting Rice" official stamps issued in 1952/53 depicting a crude image of man planting rice with crude perforation by way of a sewing machine, denominated in kilograms of rice.




"Harvesting Rice" official stamps, Vietnam 1952/53

Also one value from President Ho Chi Minh’s set of 5 stamps issued in 1946 was overprinted in 1955 with denomination as 0.05 Kg.




President Ho Chi Minh stamp overprinted 0.05Kg of Rice, Vietnam 1946

And finally Dien Bien Phu commemorative of 1954-56 were denominated in grams or kilograms of rice. The stamp shows a communist soldier standing atop the command post of the French commander, General De Castry. Both perforate and imperforate versions are available.

“Dien Bien Phu” commemorative of 1954-56

Denomination in grams or kilograms of rice are unusual, of course, but rice was certainly a valuable commodity in Vietnam in 1954, especially in North Vietnam, which had much less agricultural land than South Vietnam and had been divided politically by the Geneva Conference as a result of the communist victory at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. The North Vietnamese had had experienced famine nine years before, in 1945. The disruption of the Vietnamese economy by the Japanese occupation and inept French administration, as well as droughts and floods, resulted in the death by starvation of hundreds of thousands to millions of people (estimates range from 400,000 deaths to 2 million).

During the war unhulled rice became the unofficial state currency, hence the mention on the official stamps.

Denomination in Cowries
Some form of shell money appears to have been found on almost every continent: America, Asia, Africa and Australia.The Chinese were the first people to use cowries as currency. Although as supplies from the ocean ran out, people manufactured their own versions which is perhaps the first instance of fake currency.

Wilson's embryonic postal system for Uganda commenced operations on March 20, 1895. A single letter box was set up in Kampala, at Wilson's office, offering twice-daily letter service to Entebbe and Gayaza for postage of 10 cowries. Other destinations had different rates.

1895-98, The “Uganda Cowries”, also known as the “Uganda Missionaries”, were the first adhesive postage stamps of Uganda.


“Uganda Cowries”, Uganda 1895-98

The values of the stamps varied, but all were denominated in cowries (monetary seashells), at 200 cowries per rupee or 12½ cowries = 1d. The design was simple, showing just the initials of the jurisdiction and a number for the denomination. The paper used was extremely thin.Because there was no printing press in Uganda, the stamps were made on a typewriter by the Rev. E. Millar of the Church Missionary Society, in March 1895, at the request of C. Wilson, an official of the Imperial British East Africa Company.


Commercial cover dt. 14 March 1895bearing three Uganda Missionaries stamps of denomination 10 and 5 cowries respectively

Denomination in number of Potatoes

Tristan da Cunha is a small island situated in the southern Atlantic Ocean. An attempt to attract attention to Tristan da Cunha by the issue of own postage stamps was made in 1946 by the British meteorologist Allan B. Crawford, who spent a long time on the island and realized there was a demand for stamps from philatelists and passing ships from the so called “loneliest Island in the world”.

He decided to develop and produce a Local stamp for the islanders to place on the outside of their letters. Together with draftsman Sgt Jimmy Brown he came up with 9 designs and Allan had 20,000 penny sheets made, each stamp depicted a penguinprinted in red in sheets of 35 stamps by Hortors Ltd of Johannesburg.


All 9 Potato Stamps designed by Sgt Jimmy Brown and facsimile copies of the now famous “Potato” Essay; the only one which was printed in 1946

As they did not have permission to use the King George head, they used the British Union Flag. The islanders also had no money and during WWII they used potatoes as currency with 4 potatoes equalling 1 old penny (1d) so this currency was added to the designs.

The stamp/sticker soon achieved fame as a souvenir from passing ships and collectors throughout the world and was nicknamed the “Potato Stamp.


“Potato” stamp depicted on a M/S, Tristan da Cunha, 2006

In 1946 Craford also submitted a page of the petitioncontaining the designs of nine postage stamps  signed by the 12 members of the island council, to the UK Postmaster General for consideration as a legitimate postage stamp,but petition was turned down for some reasons in September 1946.


This 2015 stamp sheetlet has been produced using Allan Crawford's black and white designs submitted as part of the petition together with Tristan's first official stamp, the overprinted St Helena definitive. The border also depicts some of Allan Crawford's early designs.




FDC Potato Essays Postage Stamps,Tristan da Cunha 2015

The potato stamps were never approved, but sometimes they were posted, hence a postage due penalty.


Commercial cover, Tristan da Cunha 1948, franked with a potato stamp assessed as 1-1/2c postage due upon arrival in South Africa

In 1979 to commemorate the death centenary of Sir Rowland Hill, The 4 potatoes red stamp showing penguins and the currency being potatoes was also included in the miniature sheet issued by Tristan da Cunha.



Red Potato stamp depicted in M/S of Death centenary of Sir Rowland Hill, Tristan da Cunha, 1979

Denomination in number of Puffins

Released on November 1st 1929, the “Puffin Stamps” of Lundy Island are the only stamps having denomination printed in number of a local bird “Puffin”.1 Puffin = 1 British Penny: 12 Puffins = 1 Shilling.The stamps are clever too as they show the number of puffins per value, the half has its face and chest, 1 has the whole bird and the 9 and 12 just look hilarious.These stamps wereLithographed by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. Ltd. and Printed in sheets of 120 stamps, made up by four panes of 30 stamps.


“Puffin” stamps, Lundy 1929

Once owned by a smuggler and slave trader, the name Lundy is derived from an Old Icelandic Viking word “Lund” which means Puffin or Parrot and “ey” – an island. Numerous birds breed on the island including Puffin whose name is used for the unit of currency. 

Lundy is situated in the Bristol Channel about 12 miles from the mainland of England. It is about 3miles long by half mile wide, there are a number of permanent residents and about 25000 tourists visit the island each year. In 1925 the entire island was purchased by Mr. Martin Coles Harman who set himself as the king of this island and proceeded to coin money and issuing postage stamps for use by island’s inhabitant. The stamps and coins bore a picture of the puffin, a paunchy bird with a supercilious expression which inhibits the island in great number.

There is no British Post Office on the Island so Lundy stamps were authorised, starting in 1929, to pay postage for carrying the mails by packet boat (or airplane) to the mainland of England.

Commercial covers with Puffin Stamps on front and back

At first all went well with this Lilliputian kingdom, but in 1931 the British government got wind of what going on and court took a dim view of His Majesty King Harman’s regal pretensions. King Harman suddenly found that he was an ex-king, was fined 5 pounds, and was ordered to relinquish his royal prerogatives.

The printing of Puffin stamps continues to this day and they are available at face value from the Lundy Post Office. One used to have to stick Lundy stamps on the back of the envelope; but Royal Mail now allows their use on the front of the envelope, but placed on the left side, with the right side reserved for the Royal Mail postage stamp or stamps.



Royal Mail now allows their use on the front of the envelope, but placed on the left side, with the right side reserved for the Royal Mail postage stamp

Lundy stamps are cancelled by a circular Lundy handstamp. The face value of the Lundy Island stamps covers the cost of postage of letters and postcards from the island to the Bideford Post Office on the mainland for onward delivery to their final destination anywhere in the world. The Lundy Post Office gets a bulk rate discount for mailing letters and postcards from Bideford. Lundy stamps are a type of postage stamp known to philatelists as "local carriage labels" or "local stamps". Issues of increasing value were made over the years, including air mail, featuring a variety of people.


New designs of Lundy "local stamps" with denomination in number of Puffins

Today, Lundy is part of the British Empire, and former King Harman is an ordinary subject of King George. But the stamps remain a fascinating item for collectors, unique in postal history. For they are the only British stamps ever issued – not by the British Government not by a British dominion, commonwealth, colony or possession – but by now private citizen - His Exalted Ex-Royal Highness King Harman I, Ex-Monarch of Puffin land!

-Dr Satyendra Kumar Agrawal : email : rosephila@hotmail.com


United States 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issues







Col J Dutta & Dr Anjali Dutta

In 1898, the Trans-Mississippi Exposition opened in Omaha, Nebraska, and the Post Office was ready with the Trans-Mississippi Issue. The nine stamps were originally to be two-toned, with black vignettes surrounded by coloured frames, but the BEP, its resources overtaxed by the needs of the Spanish–American War, simplified the printing process, issuing the stamps in single colours. They were received favorably, though with less excitement than the Columbians; but like the Columbians, they are today prized by collectors, and many consider the $1 "Western Cattle in Storm" the most attractive of all U.S. stamps.

The finely engraved stamps depict various scenes of the West and are today highly prized by collectors. This was only the second commemorative issue offered by the U.S. Post Office and closely followed the pattern of its predecessor, the Columbian Exposition series of 1893: both sets appeared in conjunction with important international world’s fairs; both offered a wide range of stamp denominations; 

An important factor in the creation of this series was that the Director of Publicity for the Exposition—Edward Rosewater, publisher of the Omaha Daily Bee—was something of an expert in stamps. Rosewater, nationally prominent in Republican politics, had been selected by President McKinley to head the U.S. delegatation at the 1897 Congress of the Universal Postal Union (the international body responsible for securing efficiency in the flow of mail from country to country, tasked that year with securing cheaper international postage). On December 13, 1897, Rosewater suggested that the Post Office issue special stamps commemorating the Trans-Mississippi Exposition (as it had for the Columbian Exposition), and 10 days later Postmaster-General James Albert Gary agreed, promising a series with five denominations ranging from one cent to one dollar. Gary asked Rosewater for his ideas on stamp subjects, and the latter, in response sent handsome wash drawings on tracing paper for the five values: 1¢, bison herd (dusky orange); 2¢, Indian on horseback (deep orange-red); 5¢, ploughman and plough horse (dark yellow); 10¢, train rounding a steep mountain pass (dusky blue); $1, torchbearing goddess (Columbia) perched upon a globe (deep orange yellow). These stamps would have been of the large Columbian size but rotated in orientation, with the short sides at the top and bottom. (Curiously, the U.S. would not issue a "vertical commemorative" of this sort until 1926, when the Erickson Memorial appeared.)



Edward Rosewater & James Albert Gary, Postmaster General (1897-1898)

Gary’s announcement of the series prompted protests from stamp collectors, who were still unhappy about the high price of the Columbian Issue of 1893 ($16.34, a princely sum at the time), but the Postmaster was unmoved, saying he decided on the issue "because I wanted to help the people of the West." Indeed, Gary subsequently made the set even more expensive by adding four more stamps to the series, including a $2 denomination, raising its price to $3.80.

Design concepts solicited from various artists won out over Rosewater’s suggestions; indeed, the officials of Bureau of Engraving and Printing deemed it imperative for their institutional reputation to produce a series of unquestioned artistic distinction, given that their only previous stamp release, the definitive issue of 1894, had merely been a utilitarian revamping of the 1890 series designed by the American Banknote Company. The new set would have to
compare favorably with—or even outstrip—the preceding, privately produced Columbian commemoratives. The resulting plan—more ambitious than the Columbians in one respect—was to print the Trans-Mississippi stamps with colored frames and black centers, which would have required two separate stages of printing (the Columbians had all been monocolored). In April 1898, however, the Spanish–American War broke out, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing—now required to produce large numbers of revenue stamps—chose to save labor and press time by printing the Trans-Mississippi designs in single colors after all. This, however, meant that the dies designed for two-toned production had to be retooled (white space surrounding the vignettes had to be filled in with shading that reached the edge of the frames), a process that delayed the release of the stamps until June 17, over two weeks after the Exposition opened.

Philatelic protests notwithstanding, they were received favorably by the general public. They went off sale at the end of the year, and postmasters were directed to return unsold stock, which was then incinerated. (Although the numbers printed are known, the numbers returned were not recorded, and so the numbers of existing stamps are unknown.)
The stamps, designed by Raymond Ostrander Smith, all have the same shape of frame (a legacy of the bicolor plan); the numerals of value and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" at the top; and "POSTAGE" with a spelled-out value at the bottom up through the 50c denomination, the dollar values being in numerals. Ears of wheat and corn appear in odd corners of the frame. Each center design is inscribed with its title:

1¢ dark green – "Marquette on the Mississippi"
2¢ copper red – "Farming in the West"
4¢ orange – "Indian Hunting Buffalo"
5¢ dark blue – "Fremont on Rocky Mountains"
8¢ violet brown – "Troops Guarding Train"
10¢ slate – "Hardships of Emigration"
50¢ olive – "Western Mining Prospector"
 $1 black – "Western Cattle in Storm"
 $2 orange brown – "Mississippi River Bridge" (the Eads Bridge)

The designs were adapted from various photographs, drawings, and paintings; both the 8¢ and 50¢ values reproduced drawings by Frederic Remington. While all have been praised for their quality, the $1 value, commonly called the "Black Bull", stands out from the rest. Ironically, it does not reproduce a Western American scene, but was taken from a painting of cattle in the Scottish Highlands by John A. MacWhirter (see also Western Cattle in Storm).

The vignettes of the issue were executed by three engravers: Marcus Baldwin (2¢, 5¢, 10¢, $1), George Smillie (1¢, 4¢, 50¢, $2) and Robert Ponickau (8¢). Baldwin also engraved all the frames except that of the 2¢ stamp, which was the work of Douglas Ronaldson—who in addition engraved all of the numerals and lettering of the Trans-Mississippi series.

Interestingly, the 2¢ stamp violates the rule then in force that no living person could be depicted on a U.S. Postal issue. In the photograph of North Dakota harvesting that served as the basis for the engraved vignette, the three figures in the foreground have been clearly identified as the farm worker Ed Nybakken, the field boss Elihu Barber and the foreman Sam White.

In 1998, to mark the 100th anniversary of the issue, the United States Postal Service issued a miniature sheet of the nine, each printed in two colors, and a sheet of nine of the "Black Bull". In most of the images, the original color scheme was preserved, but for the "Black Bull" the hue of the frame was changed from violet-brown to bright red. The designs are reproductions; each has a small "1998" in the lower left corner. In a return to the original designs, the pictures in the 2¢ and $2 stamps were swapped, and "Farming" was changed back to "Harvesting."





$2.00 Trans-Mississippi stamps were printed in a single day's run on June 3, 1898. The $2.00 was printed in sheets that have narrower spacing between the horizontal rows than between the vertical columns. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to obtain stamps with top and bottom margins that equal the sides. 



Source of Design
Vignette Engraver
Frame Engraver
1c
Marquette on the Mississippi, painting by Lamprecht
G.F.C. Smillie
2c
Farming in the West, from photograph
M.W. Baldwin

4c
Indian Hunting Buffalo, reproduction of engraving in book
G.F.C. Smillie

5c
Fremont on Rocky Mountains, modified from wood engraving
M.W. Baldwin

8c
Troops Guarding Train, from drawing by F. Remington
M.W. Baldwin
D. S. Ronaldson
10c
Hardships of Emigration, painting by A.G. Heaton
M.W. Baldwin

50c
Western Mining Prospector, from drawing by F. Remington
G.F.C. Smillie

$1
Western Cattle in Storm, from engraving by J. MacWhirter
M.W. Baldwin

$2
Mississippi River Bridge, from engraving
G.F.C. Smillie




$1 Trans-Mississippi top imprint and plate no. 606 pair


The Vanguard - painting by John A MacWhirter

The $1 stamp, also called the Black Bull, stands out from the rest. The breed of cattle used in the issue was meant to represent the ruggedness of the American West, but actually derive from the Highlands of Scotland. That’s because the design originated in a John MacWhirter painting (1878) depicting cattle in a winter storm in central Scotland. An engraving of this painting by one C. O. Murray was published at least twice in England, and this image, copied, without the permission of the painting's owner, Lord Blythswood, was used by an American cattle company on its calendar as a trademark of sorts.
"MacWhirter, however, was a Scot, and his painting, entitled The Vanguard, was soon discovered to have been a depiction of Scottish cattle in a storm in Scotland," according to a company called Chicago Stamps. "It was actually painted in a small farmhouse near the Scottish highland town of Calendar. The scene did not depict an event west of the Mississippi, but it might have been, and few really cared about this detail, for cattle were an important part of the western U.S. economy." (Note: the correct spelling of the town is Callander.)
This image caught the attention of the Post Office Department and Raymond Ostrander Smith, the staff designer of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing at the time, and it was adopted for the $1 design. Little did the designer know that the scene depicted was in Scotland, not the Western U.S., as was supposed. A full apology was later issued to the owner of the painting. Both the frame and the vignette of the stamp were engraved by Marcus W. Baldwin; the numerals and lettering were the work of Douglas S. Ronaldson

While today Western Cattle in Storm is regarded as one of the most attractive U.S. stamps ever produced, there have been detractors. John Luff, one of the most influential philatelic writers of his day, apparently did not think much of the stamp or others in the series, according to Chicago Stamps. “The stamps are poorly conceived and executed, overloaded with ornaments, heavy in color and blurred in printing,” he wrote in 1902. But by 1933, author Ralph Kimble described the Trans-Mississippi stamps as “perhaps the most attractive set of commemoratives which we have ever had,” adding additional flattery for the $1 stamp. In 1934, Stamps magazine asked readers to vote on the most beautiful stamp in the world. The Canadian 1928 50¢ Bluenose stamp won first place with Western Cattle in Storm placing second. Today, pristine copies of Western Cattle in Storm can sell for tens of thousands of dollars.

References
1. Clarence W. Brazer Essays for U.S. Adhesive Postage Stamps (1941, American Philatelic Society)
2. Randy L. Neil with Jack Rosenthal, The Trans-Mississippi Issue of 1898 (Andrew Levitt, Danbury Connecticut, 1997)
3. Lester George Brookman, The Nineteenth Century Postage Stamps of the United States (Lindquist, 1947)

-       Col Jayanta Dutta & Dr Anjali Dutta - email : doctorjayanta2009@gmail.com

World Water Day
A Philatelic Overview









- Ilyas Patel


Introduction
Water is a finite resource and water resources are sources of water that are potentially useful. Uses of water  include agricultural, industrial, household, recreational and environmental activities. The majority of human uses require fresh water. 97% of the water on the Earth is salt water and only 3 % is fresh water; slightly over two thirds of this is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps. The remaining unfrozen water (freshwater) is found mainly as surface water, groundwater, with only a small fraction present in the air in the form of water vapour (Fig. 1). Fresh water is a renewable resource, yet the world's supply of groundwater is steadily decreasing, with depletion occurring most prominently in Asia, South America and North America, although it is still unclear how much natural renewal balances this usage, and whether ecosystems are threatened.

Fig. 1 - A graphical distribution of the locations of water on Earth
Being finite in quantity and quality every effort are being made and employed to save it, conserve it and use it judiciously for sustainable development. For this purpose, UN-Water is making every effort to create global awareness by allocating a special day called as World Water Day.

World Water Day



 
World Water Day is an international observance and an opportunity to learn more about water related issues celebrated on 22 March every year. The day focuses attention on the importance of universal access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in developing countries. The day also focuses on advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. World Water Day is supported by stakeholders across the globe. Many organizations promote clean water for people and sustainable aquatic habitats. Events such as theatrical and musical celebrations, educational events, and campaigns to raise money for access to clean and affordable water are held worldwide on or close to 22 March. Every year UN-Water sets a theme for World Water Day corresponding to a current or future challenge. Current year’s theme is 'Why waste water?' Previous themes include: 'Water and Jobs' (2016) and 'Water and Sustainable Development' (2015). The first International World Water Day, designated by the United Nations, was commemorated in 1993. The engagement campaign is coordinated by one or several of the UN-Water Members with a related mandate.

Historical Background

International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day. The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/47/193 of 22 December 1992 by which 22 March of each year was declared World Day for Water, to be observed starting in 1993, in conformity with the recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) contained in Chapter 18 (Fresh Water Resources) of Agend;a 21. States were invited to devote the Day, as appropriate in the national context, to concrete activities such as the promotion of public awareness through the production and dissemination of documentaries and the organization of conferences, round tables, seminars and expositions related to the conservation and development of water resources and the implementation of the recommendations of Agenda 21.
Objectives
World Water Day is meant to inspire people around the world to learn more about water-related issues, tell others about these issues and take action to make a difference, particularly in developing countries. One of these issues is the global water crisis. The global water crisis includes challenges such as water scarcitywater pollution, inadequate water supply and the lack of sanitation for billions of people in developing countries. The day brings to light the inequality of access to WASH services and the need to assure the human right to water and sanitation.
Activities
UN-Water coordinates plans and programmes for the day in consultation with UN member organisations who share interest in that year's theme. For example, in 2016 when the theme was "Water and Jobs," UN-Water collaborated with the International Labour Organization. Organizations active in the WASH sector, including non-governmental organizations such as UNICEF and WaterAid, use the day to raise public awareness, inspire action and get media attention for water issues. Activities have included the production and dissemination of publications or films, and the organization of round tables, seminars, expositions and other events. End Water Poverty, a global civil society coalition with 250 partner organizations worldwide, coordinates a calendar of global events to commemorate World Water Day, on the 22nd and during the whole of March. Each year on World Water Day, the UN World Water Development Report (WWDR), also relating to the chosen annual theme, is released.
World Water Day has seen an increase in the quantity and quality of education initiatives within schools and universities, to raise awareness of the importance of conserving and managing water resources. For example Michigan State University held a contest for "best World Water Day poster" in 2017. Primary school children in the Philippines participated in a "My School Toilet" contest in 2010. In addition to school-based educational events, a variety of public events, such as seminars, rallies and parades aim to bring people together for World Water Day. This might include educational displays on water-saving devices such as grey water reuse systems or dry toilets, as well as information about the lack of access to drinking water and water for agriculture in developing countries.
Annual themes/Earlier themes
2016 – Better Water, Better Jobs
The 2016 theme of "Better water, better jobs" highlighted the correlation between water and job creation, both directly and indirectly by water sources around the globe. As water scarcity becomes more of a reality, industries heavily dependent on water like textiles and agriculture are at risk of increased costs, which threatens salaries and jobs. Increased costs may then be passed on to consumers.
The theme also highlights how an abundance of quality water can change people's jobs and lives for the better. The 2016 celebration created recognition for those working to improve water quality and availability, and the need for many to transition to other and better jobs. Three out of four of the jobs worldwide are water-dependent. Water shortages and lack of access may limit economic growth in the years to come, according to the 2016 United Nations World Water Development Report, "Water and Jobs," which was launched on 22 March, World Water Day, in Geneva.
2015 – Water and Sustainable Development
With the theme ‘Water and Sustainable Development’, the year 2015 provided an important opportunity to consolidate and build upon the previous World Water Days to highlight water's role in the sustainable development agenda. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were to have been achieved by 2015, so the year lent itself to discussions of the post-MDG period and aspirations for water and sustainable development. With the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), world Water Day gave specific emphasis to SDG 6, which calls for water and sanitation for all, by encouraging discussion of how SDG 6 could be achieved by 2030.
2014 – Water and Energy
The 2014 theme of Water and Energy gave an opportunity for emphasizing the close linkages and interdependence of water and energy. Generating and transmitting energy requires the use of water resources, particularly for hydroelectric, nuclear, and thermal energy sources. At the same time, about 8% of the energy generated globally is used for pumping, treating and transporting water to various consumers.
In 2014, the UN System – working closely with Member States and other relevant stakeholders – brought attention to the water-energy nexus, particularly addressing inequities that disproportionately affect the 'bottom billion." Those who live in urban slums and impoverished rural areas must find ways to survive without access to safe drinking water, safe sanitation, and sufficient food and without energy services. The aim was to facilitate the development of policies and crosscutting frameworks that would bridge ministries and sectors, leading the way to energy security and sustainable water use in a green economy. Particular attention was paid to identifying best practices that make a water- and energy-efficient green economy a reality.
That same year, journalists from eleven countries in Asia met in Tokyo from 20-21st March 2014 to discuss the importance of water. The event included discussion panels on topics such as privatisation of services, integration between water and energy and modernisation of water services. The journalists also developed four joint stories and 20 individual story ideas for a network of Asian journalists writing on water (and energy) in social media.
Prior to 2014
In the years prior to 2014, the annual themes were as follows:
·         2013: International Year of Cooperation. In December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2013 as the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation. In reflection of this declaration, the 2013 World Water Day was dedicated to water cooperation.
·         2012: Water and Food Security: The World is Thirsty Because We are Hungry. On the occasion of 2012 World Water Day, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) called attention to the water-related challenges faced by civilians caught up in fighting and intense civil unrest.
·         2011: Water for cities: responding to the urban challenge. The aim was to spotlight and encourage governments, organizations, communities, and individuals to actively engage in addressing the challenges of urban water management.
·         2010: Clean Water for a Healthy World. Dedicated to water quality, reflecting its importance alongside quantity of the resource in water management.
·         2009: Trans Waters. Special focus placed on trans-boundary waters.
·         2008: Sanitation. 2008 was also the International Year of Sanitation
·         2007: Coping With Water Scarcity. Highlighted water scarcity worldwide and the need for increased integration and cooperation to ensure sustainable, efficient and equitable management of scarce water resources, both at international and local levels.
·         2006: Water and Culture. The theme drew the attention to the fact that there are as many ways of viewing, using, and celebrating water as there are cultural traditions across the world.
·         2005: Water for Life Decade 2005–2015. The United Nations General Assembly at its 58th session in December 2003 agreed to proclaim the years 2005 to 2015 the International Decade for Action, beginning with World Water Day, 22 March 2005. The phrase Water for Life Decade was also used.
·         2004: Water and Disasters. Weather, climate and water resources can have a devastating impact on socio-economic development and on the well-being of humankind.
·         2003: Water for Future. Maintain and improve the quality and quantity of fresh water available to future generations.
·         2002: Water for Development. The poor and deteriorating state of water resources in many parts of the world demand integrated water resources planning and management.
·         2001: Water for Health
·         2000: Water for the 21st century
·         1999: Everyone Lives Downstream
·         1998: Groundwater– The Invisible Resource. The UN identified gaps in groundwater management which have enormous implications for sustainable development.
·         1997: The World's Water: Is there enough?
·         1996: Water for Thirsty Cities
·         1995: Women and Water
·         1994: Caring for our Water Resources is Everybody's Business

2017 Theme: Why Wastewater?
Water is the essential building block of life. But it is more than just essential to quench thirst or protect health; water is vital for creating jobs and supporting economic, social, and human development. Today, there are over 663 million people living without a safe water supply close to home, spending countless hours queuing or trekking to distant sources, and coping with the health impacts of using contaminated water.
In 2017, the theme is "Why waste water?" which is about reducing and reusing wastewater. Wastewater is a valuable resource to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goal Number 6. One aspect of Target 6.3 is to halve the proportion of untreated wastewater and also to increase the recycling and safe reuse of water across the globe.
This year, the focus is on wastewater and ways to reduce and reuse of it as over 80% of all the wastewater from our homes, cities, industry and agriculture flows back to nature polluting the environment and losing valuable nutrients and other recoverable materials. We need to improve the collection and treatment of wastewater and safely reuse it. At the same time, we need to reduce the quantity and pollution load of wastewater we produce, to help protect the environment and our water resources. After appropriate treatmentwastewater can be used for a variety of purposes. Industry, for example, can reuse water for cooling manufacturing equipment and agriculture can reuse water for irrigation.
FACTS:
·         Globally, over 80% of the wastewater generated by society flows back into the ecosystem without being treated or reused. (Sato et al, 2013)
·         1.8 billion people use a source of drinking water contaminated with faeces, putting them at risk of contracting cholera, dysentery, typhoid and polio. Unsafe water, poor sanitation and hygiene cause around 842,000 deaths each year. (WHO/UNICEF 2014/WHO 2014)
·         The opportunities from exploiting wastewater as a resource are enormous. Safely managed wastewater is an affordable and sustainable source of water, energy, nutrients and other recoverable materials.

Reclaimed Water
Reclaimed water or recycled water (or wastewater reuse or water reclamation) is the process of converting waste water into water that can be reused for other purposes. The terms "recycled water" or "reclaimed water" typically mean wastewater sent from a home or business through a sewer system to a wastewater treatment plant, where it is treated to a level consistent with its intended use. Reuse can include agricultural, landscape and field irrigation purposes or even replenishing surface water and groundwater, also referred to as groundwater recharge. Simply stated, reclaimed water is water that is used more than one time before it passes back into the natural water cycle. Advances in wastewater treatment technology allow communities to reuse water for many different purposes. The water is treated differently depending upon the source and use of the water and how it gets delivered.

A typical Sewage Treatment Plant in China (postal stationery)

Reclaiming water for reuse before discharging it back into rivers and oceans conserves water.  Less is needed to accomplish more purposes.  When water is eventually discharged back into natural water sources, it can still have benefits to ecosystems.  Improving stream flow, nourishing plant life and recharging aquifers is part of the natural water cycle.
Reusing wastewater as part of sustainable water management allows water to remain in the environment where it will continue to be available for future use, while at the same time meeting the water requirements of the present. Wastewater reuse is a long-established practice used for irrigation especially in arid countries.
Types and applications
Most of the uses of water reclamation are non-potable uses such as: washing cars, flushing toilets, cooling water for power plants, concrete mixing, artificial lakes, irrigation for golf courses and public parks, and for hydraulic fracturing. Where applicable, systems run a dual piping system to keep the recycled water separate from the potable water.
The main reclaimed water applications in the world are shown below:





Acknowledgments: This philatelic article is prepared using information available at following web sites.
The author thankfully acknowledges all sources of information. 

: Ilyas Patel : email - iap.patel@gmail.com

New issues from other Countries

Belarus
3 January 2017
Happy Postcrossing


Finland
24 February 2017




Catkins bring a promise of spring
Sending Easter greetings has long traditions, and a postcard with a spring theme is a delight for all recipients. This year, the Easter stamp features a bunch of catkins painted by artist Maarit Ailio– Catkins are nature’s own treasures.




Summer flowers with an aphorism!
Popular postcard artist Anna-Mari West has illustrated the adorable stamp with traditional summer flowers. Her previous work includes the bunny-themed 2016 Easter stamp.
– The bunch has at least daisies, red clovers, bluebells and blueberry twigs. In my opinion, the old, worn wood surface in the picture goes well with nature’s colorful flowers. The highlight of this work was the design of the sheet—I even had the chance to add a flower-themed aphorism to it, West says.
The Summer flowers sheet has fifteen domestic no-value indicator stamps. The aphorism is: ”Flowers do not solve all of the world’s problems, but they are a good start.”
Romania



Postcrossing
Postcrossing began as a project between friends sharing the same passion.“A postcard is a tangible medium of communication. Unlike emails, which are fast, a postcard is personal... postcards travel around the world, until they get to a mailbox, this is special! That’s significant!”explains Paulo Magalhães in an interview given to the magazine Europe and me.
In 2005, Paulo Magalhães, a Portuguese student who liked to receive and send postcards, developed a web site that provides a free platform for people who want to exchange postcards.
The project slogan is: “send a postcard and receive a postcard back from a random person, somewhere in the world”.Currently, the number of registered members is over 660,000 from approximately 200 countries.
Because Postcrossers not only collect postcards but also the stamps accompanying them, Romfilatelia, meets the stamp collectors expectations with the postage stamp issue dedicated to this passion, called Postcrossing.

The 1364 members from Romania registered until now on the Poscrossing platform, sent in the last 11 years of activity over 120,000 postcards throughout the world, thus becoming important ambassadors of our country.
Starting from choosing the postcard, the thoughts that it conveys, the thanks and smiles you receive in exchange and culminating with the excitement of waiting a postcard in return, these are just some of the advantages you have as a Postcrosser.
Why become Postcrosser? Because every time you’ll be surprised from what place in the world you will receive a postcard. You can receive postcards from people who live in places that maybe you have never heard of. With every postcard received, you learn something new. Postcrossing gives you the chance to get to know the countries and cultures through local landscapes, architecture, flowers, art, hobbies and holidays. A Postcrosser will write about his hobbies, family, work, life in their city, thus creating friendships. Apart from that you can collect postcards, including collecting stamps. Stamps that mean art, culture and beauty.
The stamp of the issue illustrated the trip that a postcard makes, crossing the world and arriving in the postbox of the recipient as well as the colours of the Romanian flag.
If we have convinced you and you feel your heart beat a little faster when you expect with excitement to find good thoughts sent to the mailbox from prospective friends, you can join the Postcrossing community at www.postcrossing.com.
Happy Postcrossing !
Russia
15 March 2017 : Europa 2017 ( Castles)



Spain
21 April 2017 – Europa 2017 ( Castles)


Acknowledgement
Ananthapuri Stamp Bulletin March 2017
Sikkim Philatelic and Numismatic Society Newsletter January 2017
Blogs & Websites

Philatelic Clubs & Societies 

Ananthapuri Philatelic Association, Thiruvanthapuram
Baroda Philatelic Society -  http://www.vadophil.org/
Chandigarh Philatelic Club
Deccan Philatelic Society – Pune, Maharashtra
Eastern India Philatelists’ Association - http://www.filacapsule.blogspot.com/   
India Study Circle -  http://www.indiastudycircle.org/
Indian Stamp Ghar - http://www.indianstampghar.com/
Indian Thematic Society, Ludhiana -   http://indianthematicstamps.webs.com/
Ludhiana Philatelic Club
Numismatic & Philatelic Association of Vellore Fort  http://numismaticphilavellore.site40.net/index.htm
Philatelic Congress of India - http://www.philateliccongressofindia.com/
Philatelic Society of Rajasthan, Jaipur
Rajkot Philatelic Society – Rajkot, Gujarat
Gujarat Philatelic Association - Ahmedabad
South India Philatelists Association -  http://www.sipa.org.in/
The Army Philatelic Society, Pune
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

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

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

Ananthpuri Stamp Bulletin - Monthly e -stamp bulletin of Anathapuri Philatelic Association, Thiruvanthapuram

Journal of the Army Philatelic Society : Editor – Col Jayanta Dutta

SIPA Bulletin http://www.sipa.org.in/

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

India Post – Quarterly Journal of the India Study Circle publishes original articles submitted by members of ISC.

GPA News – Published by Gujarat Philatelists’ Association, Ahemadabad.

Stamps Today  Stamp & Coin Magazine edited by Vijay Seth

Courtesy - News and Image Resource to this issue :   Indian Philately Digest ,  Stamps of India ;  WOPA , Suresh R.- Bangalore; Shrikant Parikh- Ahmedabad,; Jagannath Mani - Bangalore

Address for communication:

Jeevan Jyoti,  c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248002. India  
             
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Rainbow Stamp News is edited and published monthly by Jeevan Jyoti from Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India for free circulation among philatelists.
















Recent Awards

AMRITPEX 2023 - Silver

CAPE TOWN 2022 - Silver

LONDON 2022 - Silver


INPEX 2019, Mumbai - Silver

CHINA-2019, World Stamp Exhibition, Wuhan - Bronze

INPEX 2017, Mumbai - Large Silver

CHINA 2016 - Bronze

TAIPEI 2015 - Bronze

CG International Philatelic Promotion Award 2014, Germany - ( 4th Position)

INPEX 2013, Mumbai - Vermeil

SHARJAH 2012, Sharjah ( UAE ) - Silver Bronze

IPHLA 2012, Mainz - Germany : Bronze

I
NDIPEX 2011 - World Stamp Exhibition, New Delhi - Bronze

JOBURG 2010 - 26th Asian International Stamp Exhibition, Johannesburg - Silver Bronze

PORTUGAL 2010 - World Stamp Exhibition, Lisbon - Bronze

Hong Kong 2009 -23rd Asian International Stamp Exhibition, Hong Kong - Silver Bronze

About Me

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Participated in different philatelic exhibitions Wrote for philately column in The Pioneer and worked as sub-editor for U-Phil Times published from United Philatelists, Kanpur.Did Schooling from Kanpur Vidya Mandir and Post Graduation in Botany from A.N.D. College Kanpur.

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