Farewell to Telegrams..

End of an era : India to close telegraph services from 15th July

Shimla

July

2013

Vol. VI

Issue # 67

Monthly e-Stamp Bulletin Edited by Jeevan Jyoti for free circulation among philatelists Readers are requested to send reports of philatelic activities in their area for publication. Short write ups by the readers about their journals, societies, publications and philatelic requirements can be sent for inclusion in this bulletin to j.jyoti9@gmail.com or rainbowstamp2008@gmail.com and by post to Ms. Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, CCF, GHNP & Pin Valley National Park, SHAMSHI, Kullu -175126. (H.P.) India Note- This bulletin is only for circulation among a limited group of philatelists without any commercial purpose. The bulletin will be sent to the readers only on request. Those who wish to receive it regularly please reply giving the name of your city / country with the subject SUBSCRIBE RAINBOW

Dear Reader,
I am pleased to release July 2013 issue of Rainbow. The month of July matters philatelically for all of us as on 15th July, more than 150 years old telegraph service will be discontinued by the government. Once the main source of quick and urgent communication, the service delivered many happy and sad news to people spread all over the country. But with the advent of technology and newer means of communication like mobile, email and SMS the telegram found itself edged out. India is the last country in the world to use the telegram , but officials said the service, operated by the government-owned telecom firm BSNL, had run up losses and the government stated it was no longer willing to bear the cost for what had become "nostalgia". BSNL has a deal with India Post to deliver and accept telegrams. So telegrams have close association with philately and are part of philatelic items. This issue of Rainbow is dedicated to the historical Telegram Service in India.. Lets all remember the old telegram which was the technological breakthrough that revolutionized communications across the country decades ago..We can make the day, 15th July memorable by sending the last telegram to our friends..

This is all for this monthMore in next issue....Happy Collecting !!

-- Jeevan Jyoti
View this issue on Blog

Contents
From the Desk of Naresh Agarwal Recent Indian Issues In The News Interview Beginners Section Specialized Section New Issues from Other Countries Readers Right The Lighter Side Philatelic Clubs and Societies Book Review Editors Mail Box Blogs & Websites on Philately Current Philatelic Magazines - Newsletters

From the Desk of Naresh Agarwal

GOOD BYE TELEGRAM.
Telegram, a few years back prior to entry of Internet, Smart phones, SMS and other faster communication systems, used to be an integral part of communication system of common Indians. When telephone services were limited, only letters and telegram were the common medium to send messages. Sending letters and parcels through messengers and other physical carriages has been an old practice but telegraph has not very old history. In India it was first introduced in 1855.

Life is so fast today that we leave so many things behind us and keep on moving looking ahead and ahead only. In this process we do miss a few things which were and used to be close to our heart and part of our life .The things that we loved, adored, adopted and appreciated in past are left at some stage of life. Telegraph service in India has been one such service which is now left behind as we have moved ahead and have faster and better means of communication such as Smart phones, SMS, E-mails etc. These systems have now superseded this once-essential and close to heart service and have now put this to a quiet corner.

Looking back to the mid of nineteenth century, there was British rule in India and Indian society that lived following its old traditional systems. Common means of communication was sending letters and parcels which used to take good enough time to reach destination. At this juncture, the birth of

telegram took place in India which brought a revolutionary change in social life of Indian people. Proper and fast communication has a big role in every part of human life. Telegraph service entered in social life as a boom as it became the main source of quick and urgent communication delivering both happy and sad news/messages of births, deaths, wedding, business and greetings. It immediately became part of peoples life and life without telegrams seemed difficult. The news of BSNLs decision to withdraw this service from 15th of July 2013 has brought a sad wave in our mind particularly the people of two generations back. The upcoming of new digital technological communication systems, the telegraph has automatically gone to back seat. We have to understand and accept that technologys evolution is quick, brutal, and waits for no one. And so with hard heart we have to bid a nostalgic farewell to the telegraph service which is the first line of digital communication.

But we must understand that Telegram is not dead but stop. Despite end of India's national telegraph service, telegraphy lives on as it will always live in our hearts. It will live in form of stories as sweet and bad memories. Telegram has brought so many essential and important messages in the past. It has played a big role in Indias fight for freedom against British by sending quick messages. It has played an active and big role in social scenario of its time and helped in its change. It has served every one as friend who always knocked the door at all junctures of their life. With its very short and sweet messages, it has communicated very well. Irrespective of day or night, sun or rain, storm or earth quack, drought or flood, village to desert or hill to planes, it never failed in its service and served impartially to one to all.

I think the best farewell to our beloved 160 years old friend would be to preserve it in our memory discs and also physically in our album pages as everyone of us should have a few pieces of this. Introduction of new class of collection and exhibiting named as TELE- PHILATELY dedicated to

telegrams service will be a true farewell to this service. As this will keep the telegram alive in our minds. But now India post too should issue a set of stamps dedicated to telegraph service. Special covers, slogans, cancellations should be issued on the last date.. Spare stationery should be made available to the collectors instead of burning the same. Likewise many ideas can be thought.. With only a few days left, we have to think and act fast. Knowing the fact that telegram has been mainly used to send news of death and birth but how the news of death of telegram will be sent.. and to whom?. Although it is said death is always uncertain. No one can predict actual date and time But here the scenario is different as the so called death of telegram has been declared well before it actually happens. That is why I say.. for me it is a stop not death of telegram. It is and it will always remain in our hearts as unarguably it has served Indian society in a big way. My final words of farewell would be "I love you telegram and wish you live long in our hearts" However, I have written a few lines to give my farewell to this friend which read as under :

Letters were the medium, Which took enough time. Few days to few weeks, One, Three or even Nine. Then came the new system, The telegram came with thrust, With fast and speedy service, Won peoples heart and trust. So short and sweet was it, No lengthy propositions, Messages sent so nicely, No doubt, no inhibition. It served everyone, Irrespective of creed and cast, It served so good, so well, So speedily and so fast. It was so new, so unique, No messenger, no postman, Short message given reached Destination, in short time span. Brought messages of all types, Some good and also some bad, It changed the social life so fast, That every Indian was so glad. It lived a life of 158 years, Became everyones lifes part, A necessity as it became, Never thought that it will depart. Internet, e-mail and mobile phone, Have now become our lifes part, But will miss the aged telegram,Will remain forever in our heart. Lets give this friend of ours, A lovely and warm farewell, With messages it sent throughout, Now became stories to tellNow became stories to tell..
: Naresh Agarwal : nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in

Recent Indian Issues

11 April 2013 Architectural Heritage of India - Rs 20 & Rs 5 + MS 12 April 2013 Heritage Buildings 2 x Rs 5 + MS 14 April 2013 Chaitya Bhoomi , Mumbai Rs 5 30 April 2013 Hari Singh Nalwa Rs 5 3 May 2013 100 Years of Cinema - 50 stamps of Rs 5 each issued in six miniature sheets 10 May 2013 Wild Ass of Kutchh & Ladakh Rs 5 & Rs 20 + MS 24 May 2013 Security and Exchange Board of India Rs 5 25 June 2013 Kashmiri Poet Mehjoor Rs 5M

Recent Special Covers

1 May 2013 : International Labour Day : Mumbai 11 May 2013 : MIG 29K / KUB Panaji 11 May 2013 : 60 Years of Indian Naval Aviation : Panaji 4 May 2013 : Inauguration of the International Centre for Environment Audit & Sustainable Development, Jaipur, Rajasthan

19 May 2013 : Former President of India , Dr Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy by Andhra Pradesh Circle 24 May 2013 : Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Parishad, Shimla 5 June 2013 : Haritkeralam : World Environment Day , Thiruvanthapuram 8 June 2013 : Abbas Tayyab Ji, Dehradun 20 June 2013 : Competition Commission of India , New Delhi 20 June 2013 : Golden Jubilee of St Xaviers College, Mapusa - Goa

27 May 2013 : 125 Years of CST Building, MumbaiIne 2013

2New Pictorial Cancellation

Department of Post, Bihar Circle, issued a special cancellation "No- Tobacco Day" on 31-05-2013 at Philatelic Bureau Patna GPO. The cancellation consists of massage of Gandhi ji to Tobacco addicts. Pictorial health warning which depicts burning cigarette and Skull etc.

In The News
National Commissioners Exhibitions from India for forthcoming International

Philatelic Congress of India has nominated National Commissioners for the following two forthcoming International Philatelic Exhibitions.

SAUDI-2013 , 29th FIAP Asian International Stamp Exhibition, 11-16th December, 2013, Kingdom Shopping Mall, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Commissioner: Mr. Umesh Kakkeri, G/6, Prathamesh Society, Off Veer Savarkar Marg, Bombay Dying Compound, Prabhadevi, Mumbai - 400 025. Email: umesh_kakkeri@hotmail.com (M) +919969571767

PHILAKOREA-2014, World Philatelic Exhibition, 7- 12th August, 2014, Samseong 1dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea.

Commissioner: Mr. Surendra Kotadia, Dimple Drums and Barrels Pvt. Ltd., 1119, Maker Chambers - V, 221, Jamnalal Bajaj Road, Nariman Point, Mumbai - 400 021. Email: surendrakotadia@gmail.com (M) + 919819903789 (O) + 91-22-22024130 / 31 (R) +91-22-23805125 / 3789 Philatelists, interested in participating in above exhibitions may contact Commissioner for more details. International Philatelic Exhibitions

THAILAND 2013 - World Stamp Exhibition

THAILAND 2013, International Philatelic exhibition will be held in Thailand from 2 to 14 August 2013 in Bangkok, under the patronage of FIP. The World Philatelic Exhibition will take place from 2 - 14 August 2013 at the Royal Paragon Hall 1-3, 5th floor, Siam Paragon, Bangkok. Mr. R D Binani as Commissioner for India, his address :33-B Rowland Road, Kolkata 700 020 E mail : binanipm@gmail.com Mob:9830073058

Website : www.thailand2013.com

BRASILIANA-2013
WORLD STAMP EXHIBITION Brasiliana 2013 will be held at PIER MAU in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from November 19 to 25, 2013 organized by the Brazilian Federation of Philately (FEBRAF) and Brazilian philatelists under the Patronage of Brazilian Enterprise of Posts and Telegraphs (ECT), in accordance with the F.I.P. General Regulations for Exhibitions. Mr. Madhukar Jhingan is the National Commissioner - India for BRAZIL 2013. e mail: mj@stampsofindia.com Visit : http://brasiliana-2013.blogspot.com.br/

Read More.. New pictorial cancellation from Germany On July 20th 2013 will be available a new pictorial cancellation in 61239 Obermrlen. The cancellation is featuring a Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)- Bird of the year 2013 in Germany.

On August 8th 2013 a new pictorial cancellation will be issued at 29664 Walsrode in Germany.The cancellation is featuring a European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis). Interested philatelists may please contact:

Wolfgang Beyer,Vice Chairman of the German Philatelic Collector Group ARGE ZOOLOGIE. E Mail: Wolfgang.beyer1@aol.de Postage rates: 0,75 Euro AIRMAIL, 2,80 Euro Registered AIRMAIL.

2013 EUROPA Stamps Competition !

PostEurop presents the 2013 Europa stamps entries for the theme Van of the Postman in conjunction with PostEurops 20th Anniversary and declares the 2013 EUROPA stamps competition officially open! Europa stamps emphasize the co-operation between postal operators, particularly in promoting philately to further contribute and raise public awareness on European common roots, culture and history as well as its common objectives. From now till 31 August, it is now up to you (the voters) to vote for the most beautiful Europa stamp 2013. For voting, Plz visit : http://www.posteurop.org/europa2013 Extraordinary stamps from Jersey. Jersey Post issued a Man of Steel stamp collection to mark the films release. The set of six stamps feature a number of innovative production techniques, developed by Cartor Security Printing in France. Each technique pays tribute to the Man of Steels super powers and are brought together for the first time in one issue.

MAN OF STEEL STAMP The 45p stamp features a close-up of Jerseys own Henry Cavill. It also has its own superpower, triggering the augmented reality app through Smartsy. Download the free Smartsy APP and use your smartphone or device to hover over the stamp to view exclusive bonus material. TRANSPARENT STAMP The Man of Steels most famous superpower is his ability to fly, depicted here on the 55p transparent stamp that features a dramatic mid-air image. FOIL STAMP Featuring a dramatic image, this gleaming 60p stamp is printed on flat simili silver foiling, reflecting the Man of Steels incredible strength. HEAT-SENSITIVE STAMP The unique 68p stamp is printed with thermochromic ink; when warmth is applied, for example by holding it with your fingertips, the earth is revealed behind the Man of Steel. GRANITE STAMP Crushed granite taken from just one pebble on Beauport beach, which is Henry Cavills favourite place in Jersey, is applied to the face of each 80p thermographic stamp to give its rough, tactile finish. GLOW IN THE DARK STAMP Printed with glow-in-the-dark ink, the 88p stamp reveals a hidden message from the Man of Steels Kryptonian father, Jor-El. The words are visible only in darkness.

Jersey Man of Steel - Lenticular Miniature Sheet

A fast moving image of Man of Steel flies across the stamp and Miniature sheet when tilted.

New Documentary Film Freaks & Errors: A Rare Collection

The yet-to-be-completed film is called Freaks & Errors: A Rare Collection, which are named types of highly desirable stamps that contain errors of some sort. (The most famous U.S. error stamp is the Inverted Jenny, which features a Curtiss JN-4 biplane, printed upside down.) But of course, the title also plays with the publics perception of stamp collectors as out-of-touch eccentrics, obsessed with an old-timey habit.

Top: Jackie Tohn, who appeared on American Idol Season 8, talks about her passion for stamps in Freaks & Errors. Above: Freaks & Errors executive producer Jonathan Singer, left, and director Mark Cwiakala show the plate of four Inverted Jennys, worth $3 million dollars. A documentary about stamp collecting, Freaks & Errors: A Rare Collection, is in works according to Collectors Weekly.

Reporter writes, "Chicago-based documentary filmmaker Mark Cwiakala grew up surrounded by stamps, yet, he never felt compelled to become a collector himself. However, eight years ago, he teamed with executive producer Jonathan Singer to go on a globetrotting journey to find out what exactly made stamps so irresistible to his grandfather and father, both well-respected philatelists." According to Reporter, many people perceive stamp collectors as "out-of-touch eccentrics, obsessed with an old-timey habit." Freaks & Errors: A Rare Collection," hopes to change that perception. Mark Cwiakala says, "As a documentary filmmaker, it interested me simply that theres never been a feature-length documentary on stamp-collecting. My grandfather was a well-known collector for more than 70 years, and my dad is a collector and philatelic consultant. But I dont want it to seem like Im making this documentary to promote them or their business interests. Im not a stamp collector myself, but I wanted to learn more about why they do it, and why its so special to them."

Why did people lose interest?

Mark Cwiakala says, in most countries around the world, people havent lost interest at all. Stamp collecting is growing in places that are, for lack of a better word for it, developing nations. In fact, I always say you can tell what country is about to become a super power by where stamp-collecting is growing. And right now, its growing in India, China, Russia, and Brazil, where people are accruing new wealth and are able to put tens of thousands of dollars into a stamp collection.

This collector is a little reclusive, and hes a little quirky and nerdyso what? In the United States, United Kingdom, and parts of Europe, stamp-collecting has declined, and I think that has to do with technological distractionslike iPhones, Xboxes, and laptopsand the availability of information. Any topic you can come up with in the English language is covered on Wikipedia. If you want to learn about Senegal, why would you get a stamp and look it up in a stamp-collectors book, when you can just Google Senegal? I mean, youre still learning, and learning faster. Its just less romantic than looking at a stamp and trying to imagine what it must be like in Senegal. Researching a stamps origin is like reading a book. And books will never go away, the same way stamp-collecting will never totally die out. Read More..

Indian Philately Digest

Indian Philately Digest Portal www.indianphilately.net of Indian Philatelists Forum created by Mr

Prashant Pandya is
exclusively for educational purpose to promote and encourage the study, understanding, preservation and appreciation of the philately and postal history of India. Its aim is to provide information on different aspects of Indian philately through this web site. Currently information on following topics is available on this website:

Release of philatelic material in India - News Room Annual Stamp Issue Calendar Philatelists' Directory Listing of Philatelic Organisations in India and also of foreign countries who are specialized in Indian Philately

List of Philatelic Bureaux of India Listing of Philatelic dealers in India and abroad dealing in Indian material List of Philatelic Literature on Indian Philately Philatelic periodicals published in India and published on Indian Philately Information on Permanent Pictorial Cancellations available in different states of India. Links to Websites and Blogs related to Indian Philately Links to Virtual Exhibits on Indian Themes

Information on Stamps and other philatelic material issued by Foreign Countries on Indian Personalities and Indian Themes

From the Philatelists' Diary

Forgotten Biography

India Post Guidelines for release of commemorative postage stamps and special cancellations.

Online Directory of Philatelists

An online directory is available on Indian Philately Digest Portal www.indianphilately.net. It respects privacy of its members and thats why directory information is accessible to registered members only. Username and password has been allotted to each member. A web based data form with free registration is available on the website

Philatelists interview on Doordarshan

President Emeritus of Gujarat Philatelists Association Mr. Mainak Kathiara was interviewed for Doordarshan program and was telecast on Doordarshans Girnar Channel several times. The focus of interview was on Hobby of Philately and concerns and activities of promoting Philately right from beginning of life. His Interview is available online for viewing by all Philatelists and it can be viewed at http://youtu.be/lCwxZHQsKjg

Telegram service in India to be closed

Telegram receipt with Victoria stamp : Telegram booked at Mandvie Telegraph Office on 2-12-1890 for Delhi. Class - D (Deferred). Charge - 8 Annas. Telegram No. - 400. Signed by the Postmaster but date stamp was not affixed.Image Courtesy : Sudhir Jain

India's state-owned BSNL is to close its about 160-year old telegraph service from the middle of next month, after the government declined to subsidise the little used service. The telegraph service will close on the 15th July. It is largely emails and mobile messaging that have killed off the need for the telegraph service.

The telegraph service in India, which was launched in 1855, will formally close down on July 15. Many philatelists are making this day very special by sending the last telegram to each other and making the last telegram a memorable and collectible item for a life time. I am sharing this news clipping here sent by Mr Mahesh Parekh of South India Philatelists Association, published on 18 June 2013 in Chennai edition of Times of India. The news covers the special plans of sending last telegram by Mr CG Bhaskar and other members of South India Philatelists Association on 15th July to make this day memorable. This news will certainly encourage many philatelists to send the last telegram on the very last day of this service !!- Editor

In dying days, almost-forgotten telegraph service returns to life

CHENNAI: Philatelists, collectors, and those with a penchant for nostalgia have decided to use July 15the day Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited will its 160-year-old telegram service to pull out all the stops. As telecom and IT Minister Kapil Sibal plans his ceremonial send-off for the telegram on July 15, C G Bhaskar, treasurer of South India Philately Association, has made calls to various telegraph offices in the city to make sure they will still be functioning on July 15. He and his fellow philatelists plan to go in and send telegrams.

"Some of us will be sending telegrams on July 14, others on July 15. It will be among the last telegrams the world will see and that will make them collectors' items," says Bhaskar, who has also been contacted by philatelists from other southern states to send them telegrams. The association is planning to hold an exhibition of telegrams after the service ends.

According to G Vijaya, spokesperson for BSNL, there are more than 20 centres in Chennai that will offer the telegraph service till July 15. "The service will be preserved till its end," she says. Another official at BSNL's Anna Nagar branch says that people are still coming in to use the service. Philatelist Vedachalam Ethiraj, who is also known for his telegram collection, says he plans to send a telegram on July 15 to complete his collection. "I have telegrams that were sent in 1859, six years after the telegraph service started in India. I want to get one sent in 2013 to complete my collection," says Ethiraj, who has sent a telegram from Karaikudi to Rangoon. He, like Bhaskar, plans to send telegrams with messages like 'This is the last telegram' to his relatives and friends and ask them to post them back to him for his collection. It's not just philatelists who are keen on sending telegrams. Ramya Murali, a human resources manager with Real Image, is planning to surprise friends and relatives by sending them telegrams on July 15. "I have called the telegraph office near my house and they told me they are working till July 15. I will go there and pick out nice messages to send to everyone. Just thought it would be a good surprise for them," she says. Bhaskar won't just be sending out telegrams, he'll be calling his relatives to warn them before shooting off the telegrams. "I don't want them to think something bad has happened and get worried. So, I will call first to tell them about the farewell telegram," Bhaskar says. Published in - Times of India : 18 June 2013, Chennai ITS Postal Auction No.61 Last Date: 6th July 2013
Complete list available at http://www.scribd.com/doc/145014408/ITS-Postal-Auction-No-61-LastDate-6th-July-2013 Indian Thematic Society MIG # 3464, Phase Two, Dugri Rd, Ludhiana 141 013 Phone: +91 161 2521244 Mobile: +91 98728 51244 indianthematicstamps.webs.com/ OR itsstampnews.blogspot.com/ Emails: indianthematicsociety@gmail.com OR surajjaitly@hotmail.com

Interview
Maximum Cards are great attraction among philatelists. The colorful cards attract one and all. But many collectors do not know how to prepare a Maximum Card exhibit for an exhibition using latest guidelines for Maximum Card exhibits. I am publishing here part of the interview of late Shri Sundar Lal Bansal who was a noted maximaphilatelist. Shri BansL is no more but his guidelines are still with

us. This interview was published in April 2010 issue of Rainbow in which he gave significant guidelines to the collectors of Maxim Cards. - Editor

Late Shri S.L. Bansal was a renowned philatelist of India and was known for his best collections of Maximum Cards in the country. He was a distinguished scientist in the field of Missile Technology. He retired as Chief Controller Research and Development from Ministry of Defense in 1989. He specialized in Maximum cards of Wildlife and had a collection of more than 2500 maximum cards on Wild Life including on mammals, birds, butterflies, marine life, amphibians and reptiles. His several articles on WWF were published in ATA and Scotts Stamps journals.

All about Maximum Cards. Interview with Shri Sundar L. Bansal

. Q1 There are two types of Max cards, one issued by Department of Posts and the other, prepared privately by the collectors. Do you find any difference in the quality of cards? What you prefer for your collection?

Let me start with the definition of maximum card as given in the latest FIP regulations approved by the FIP Maximaphily Commission in Oct 2006. A maximum card as given in the latest FIP regulations approved by the FIP Maximaphily Commission in Oct 2006. A maximum card should confirm to the principles of maximum possible concordance between a) The postage stamp, b) The picture of the postcard and c) The cancellation. It is called maximum card because of the "maximum concordance. "The Indian Department of Posts is not making efforts to bring out maximum cards of international quality. They sell picture postcards and stamps separately and one has to arrange for the cancellation.

The department should encourage Maximaphily and sell complete maximum cards with good quality picture postcards and with proper machine cancellations. These should be strictly as per FIP regulations of 2006.Privately prepared maximum cards also lack in quality of printing and do not normally have machine cancellation. Sometimes they do not take enough care to get the maximum cards prepared having best concordance between the three elements. May be this is due to lack of demand and hence higher cost of production. Collection of maximum cards is more expensive than that of stamps. With time and effort and increase in the number of collectors, this should improve. Q2 What tips would you give to the collectors of Max Cards to win a good award in theexhibition? To start with, a collector should select a theme of his interest which should not be too broad and for which the availability of good maximum cards is not so difficult. Most important is to take care that all maximum cards collected are strictly as per FIP regulation. One should try to get some rare maximum cards. One should read the FIP regulations and guidelines and follow these while preparing the exhibit. Q3 How can a collector show technical variety in the Max Card collection? There are two types of variations in maximum cards. One is called variant" maximum cards. In these, stamps and cancellations are same, but the picture postcards are different. FIP guidelines recommend a maximum of two variant maximum cards per frame. A different date on the cancellation of the same date stamp only, does not make it a variant card. However, in my opinion an exhibitor should avoid exhibiting variant maximum cards as it may be taken by the jury as lack of material. The other variation of maximum cards is one in which the species or the subject of the maximum card is same but all the three elements; stamp, picture and cancellation are different. These are not variant maximum cards, and are accepted. The number of such cards in an exhibit depends on the subject, e.g. in an exhibit on Mahatma Gandhi subject, any number of maximum cards with different Mahatma Gandhi stamps may be used but in a personalities subject exhibit too many maximum cards on one personality should be avoided. An exhibitor can show his technical knowledge by exhibiting cards with maximum concordance between the three elements. Q4 What makes a rare Max Card ??

Cancellation is the main element which determines the rarity or antiquity of a maximum card. As per FIP guidelines of 2006, the antiquity is defined by reference to three periods, a) Before 1946, date marking the first publication of the maximum card definition b) From 1946 to 1978 c) After 1978, date of the adoption by FIP of the maximum card regulations. The place of cancellation also determines rarity, e.g. on an Asiatic Lion maximum card , cancellation of Gir (The only place in the world where the Asiatic lions exist), P.O. makes a card rarer as compared to a card cancelled at some other place on the same date. The earliest known maximum card may be from Portugal with a stamp commemorating Prince Henry the Navigator and postmarked in Porto (His birth place) on March 4, 1894. , Q5 To prepare Max Cards by the collectors has become a recent trend in India. But all the cards are not up to the mark in the quality of Paper & Printing. What you have to say about it. Are these Max Cards regarded authentic ?

If the card designer takes a good care about the concordance between the three elements, the card will be authentic. However if the quality of paper or printing is not good, the card will be of poor quality.

Producers of maximum cards can improve the quality by getting the maximum cards cancelled at places giving more concordance. The Ranakpur temple and Dilwara temple maximum cards if cancelled at Ranakpur and Dilwara P.O. would be more welcome by the collectors of maximum cards and will carry better price. May be, the lack of demand and high cost of production of quality maximum cards is the primary reason of poor quality. I fail to understand why our postal dept. is not making efforts to produce quality maximum cards.

Q6 In your opinion what is an authentic Maxim Card? A maximum card is authentic if it shows concordance between the stamp, the picture postcard and the cancellation. The picture post card should not have a picture of mere reproduction of the stamp, this is prohibited. In India, I have seen many exhibitors showing maximum cards with such picture post cards and winning gold awards. Even postal department has made mistake in producing such picture postcards. Another mistake made by producers of maximum cards is to show stamp of one species and picture postcard of another species . This is prohibited. Also, one should not buy and exhibit a maximum card with more than on estamp affixed on it. This is not allowed by FIP. Q7 The Maximaphily Class is not as popular class as Thematic Class in philatelic exhibitions, as only a few entry in this class are seen. What is the reason that it's not very popular in our country. I think the main reason is the non-availability of authentic and good maximum cards. To make this hobby more popular, the postal department and various associations, societies and clubs should make effort to promote this category of philately. FIP has a separate Commissioner for this category of philately and is making concerted efforts to encourage this category. I am seeing a change for better as more private collectors are producing these cards and more collectors are getting interested in it. Q8 In the philatelic exhibitions, no special jury member is appointed for judging Maximaphilyexhibits. Do you think there must be appointed a special jury member for the exhibits of Max Cards ? Judging of Maximaphily exhibits requires some attention. I have seen many exhibitions in which prohibited maximum cards are exhibited and the exhibitors have won the highest award. It will be difficult and may not be practical to have a special jury member for judging Maximaphily exhibits. As given in the FIP guidelines of 2006, To get a consistent evaluation the judges for Maximaphily exhibits should complete the evaluation sheet and make some observations for the exhibitor and give him some advice on improving the exhibit This should be followed in India. As in other countries, there should be interaction meeting between the judges and the exhibitors after the judging of the exhibits.

Beginners Section
Do You know ?

Samuel F.B. Morse Sent the First Telegraphic Message May 24, 1844 What was the first telegraph message? Sent by inventor Samuel F.B. Morse on May 24, 1844, over an experimental line from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore, the message said: "What hath God wrought?" Taken from the Bible, Numbers 23:23, and recorded on a paper tape, the phrase had been suggested to Morse by Annie Ellsworth, the young daughter of a friend. The success of the experiment would change forever the national communication system.

The First Telegraph Office Samuel Finley Breese Morse (April 27, 1791 April 2, 1872) was an American painter who turned inventor. Already well known as a portrait painter, in his middle age he contributed to the invention of a single-wire telegraph system based on European telegraphs, was a coinventor of the Morse code, and helped to develop the commercial use of telegraphy.

Sea mail collecting

Collecting ship letters or sea mail parcels

The sea mail postal services enabled people to correspond across the ocean. Ship letter and sea mails were letters that were brought by a ship from one country to another and were stamped to indicate its passage.

Sea mail collectors enjoy collecting letter envelopes with exotic ship markings. Other worthy objects in sea mail collecting are special souvenir postcards and first day covers that were issued during the maiden voyage of a cruise liner or commercial steam boats. Naval mail collecting. Technically, naval mails are sea mails carried by military sea vessels. Naval mail collecting also includes submarine mails and letters carried by non-military ships used during wartime. Sea mail collectors who fancy naval mails aim to complete the stamp cancellations from every vessel in the German Navy. Some collect British maritime mails from World War I inscribed with Received from H.M. ships. Other naval mail collectors prefer philatelic specimens from World War II marked with Maritime mail.
Other sea mail collectibles

Since philately is not limited to postage stamps and letters, sea mail collecting is also comprised of other objects that were used to transmit mail by sea. Collecting sea mail also involves official ship documents of outgoing sea mails, records of packet boat sailing schedules, and voyage passenger manifestos. How were the sea mails and ship letters conveyed?
Packet boats and paquetbots

In the 17th century, the British Post Office had a fleet of ships that were sailed out to carry mails. These boats were called the packet boats. British ships became the first international mail forwarding services. Britain and other countries made a treaty to create several postmarks to indicate the sea mail parcel or letter was paid for.

In 1897, several countries made a pact under the Universal Postal Union to open an international sea mail service. The union came up with the idea to postmark each sea mail with the word paquetbot, in reference to the packet boats, the old ships that were used to carry letters at sea. Each sea mail or parcel was subjected to a handheld stamp canceling device marked with paquetbot. In the absence of paquetbot postmarks, postal services often brand letter envelopes with a handwritten paquetbot. Other paquetbot markings can be a straight line or a box-shaped hand stamp.

The paquetbot marks were mostly used by British ships. Other countries also had their ship markings. The Italians called their sea mail postmarks, vapore. The Spanish installed mailboxes on steam ships called buzon vapore. The Danish had their skibsbrev. The Germans used schiffsbrief while it was paketboot for the Dutch. Movable or mobile boxes Aside from the international postal services established by Great Britain, they also established internal shipping services. The British internal postal services were equipped with movable mail boxes aboard steam ships. Small boxes or sacks were marked with the inscription moving boxes, or sometimes they were abbreviated as BM, BX MLE, MBLE BTE, and BTE MOBLE. However, these postmarks were used for only a short time. Letters and parcels carried by the mobile boxes are highly desired by most sea mail collectors today. That is because the mobile boxes ship marks are very rare. Written by : Joseph Yamit Read More..

Specialized Section Some remarkable Cancellations and Postmarks 10

- Dr. Avinash B. Jagtap SOME KNOWN DEFECTIVE OBLITERATORS (RENOUF TYPE 7) Renouf Type 7 for Bengal Circle consists of seven octagons one within the other, framing the letter B over the number. In a normal form there are four complete and three incomplete octagons. The third octagon is very rudimentary at the extremities of the line between the letter B and the post office number. The width between the parallel lines is 21mm. The letter B obviously stands for Bengal. There are two different defective obliterators in this Type, one where there is an octagonal blot of ink, covering the space where the letter B and the number are usually found and the other where the letter B is absent.

Cover from Calcutta to Sardarshahar 1874 Cover from Calcutta to Sardarshahar with a pair of Half Anna (SG74) tied to the cover with Renouf type 7 cancellation. There is a thick blot in place of the l etter B and the number. This anomaly has been reported by Jal Cooper allotting it number 7c. The adhesives have been additionally cancelled by a cross in manuscript. By the side is to be seen a double ring despatch-mark CALCUTTA / JL24/74.

Cover from Assensole to Leighlinbridge

1871 Cover from Assensole to Leighlinbridge (Irland), endorsed via Brindisi, showing Type 7 cancellation without letter B in the obliterator, which when perfect should read B/415 issued for Assansole. The absence of letter B could be due to worn out obliterator or insufficient ink. The cover is back-stamped ASSENSOLE/20 APR/71 and CALCUTTA: INDIA PAID/AP 21/71. There is one more example of a similar defective obliterator used at the post office at Seetarampore, with the post office No. 416. Both of these anomalies have been reported by D.R.Martin.

- Dr. Avinash Jagtap - email : abjagtap@hotmail.com

Destroyed Post Offices of Uttarakhand

Uttrakhand suffered severe destruction from flash flood on 17th June causing thousands of death and paralyzing the life for a long time. It is the worst destruction ever caused by torrential rains in this area. Distinguished philatelist from Dehradun Mr Abhai Mishra writes about some of the post offices and postmarks of the worst affected areas.

Uttarakhand Post Offices affected by the Flash Floods

- Abhai Mishra

Registered Cover from the Kedarnath seasonal post office

KEDARNATH The seasonal S.O. with Pin code 246445, under Gopeshwar H.O. in the Rudraprayag District was totally wiped away with no traces left.

Kedarnath Post Office Photo courtesy : www.anjuvelu.blogspot.com

Kedarnath Post mark

GAURIKUND This B.O. with Pin code 246471, with sub-office at Phata and Head-Office at Gopeshwar in Rudraprayag District was completely destroyed. The Postmark still shows CHAMOLI before reorganization of the districts.

Guarikund Post office at the right before devastation

Post card from the Gaurikund Post Office

ANGOTRI This B.O. with Pin code 249135, under Tehri H.O. in Uttarkashi District was badly affected.

Cover from the Gangotri Post Office with Gangotri Postmark

BADRINATH The seasonal S.O. with Pin code 246422, under Gopeshwar H.O. in Chamoli District was saved.

Badrinath Post Office and Postmark

Cover from the Badrinath Post Office

MANA This is the last post office on the Indian soil after Badrinath with the same Pincode and was saved.

Post card from Mana

Mana Postmark
: Abhai Mishra Dehradun : email : abhai_mishra@rediffmail.com

New Issues from other countries

Azerbaijan

Azermarka paid tribute to cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova by issuing this souvenir sheet . 50 years ago, she became the first woman to go into orbit on board the Vostok 6 spacecraft.

On June 16 1963, Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to fly into space
Hey, heavens, take off your hat! Tereshkova said before taking off, as if she were asking the universe to pay respects to the first woman to dare to challenge it. Tereshkovas space journey lasted almost three days during which her spacecraft circled the Earth 49 times. The flight, however, was not an easy one right from the start, with Tereshkova beginning to feel sick due to accumulated fatigue and being unable to orient the space capsule along its transverse axis, Nickolai Kamanin, one of the organizers of the flight, recalled in his diary. The stamp features a portrait of Valentina Tereshkova having the Earth on her background. The sheet features launching of Vostok 6 spacecraft. Azermarka is the Azerbaijani state company responsible for the production and sale of Azerbaijani postage stamps

Gibraltar 22 June 2013 Europa 2013 Postal Vehicles

Monaco

Centenary of the Creation of the Rite of Spring by Stravinsky

A new stamp from Monaco post celebrates 100 years of the creation of the Rite of Spring by composer Igor Stravinsky. The Rite of Spring is a ballet originally choreographed by Nijinsky for Serge de Diaghilevs Ballets Russes. Its first performance at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees in 1913 caused outrage due to its provocative choreography, the violence of the music and its strange costumes. Today, Stravinskys score is considered as one of the major works of the 20th century and has inspired many choreographers such as Maurice Bejart and Pina Bausch.

Poland
14 June 2013 Lighthouses

Sri Lanka

7 June 2013 150th Nirth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda Rs 25

Turkey

Turkish post celebrated the 130th anniversary of the establishment of Beypazari municipality by issuing two beautiful stamps. Beypazari today is a small town in a rural district famous for its carrots, (producing nearly 60% of Turkeys carrots), silverwork, and a high quality natural mineral water. The crystal mineral trona, a kind of natural soda used in glass-making is extracted in Beypazari. With its rich history, architectural heritage and attractive rocky countryside Beypazari is becoming increasingly attractive to visitors. The cobbled streets of white Ottoman period buildings are particularly attractive; many of the old houses have been restored as hotels and restaurants. Every June the town holds its popular Traditional Historical Houses, Handicrafts, Carrot and stew Festival. The visitors of course are bringing valuable income to the town, shopping for silverware and providing good custom for the food markets and restaurants. For many visitors a major attraction is the cuisine, which includes typical Turkish dishes such as the yoghurt drink ayran, tarhana, stuffed vine leaves, home-made sausage mumbar, and a stew cooked in a stone-oven guvec. Sweets include the sweet cream pudding called hosmerim and pastries including a dry buttery biscuit called Beypazari kurusu, and a renowned 80-layer baklava. They are also very inventive with their carrots, drinking carrot juice and producing carrot-flavoured Turkish Delight and carrot ice-cream. Beypazari is surrounded by good farmland and the fresh ingredients are a large part of why Beypazaris cooking is so popular with visitors. The stamps feature the building of Tasmektep in Beypazari and the local delicacies.

Readers Right
Letter to India Post
Mr Pradip Jain requests the Readers to send mail regarding non-issue of following stamps by India Post as per schedule to the authorities concerned .

Thematic series of stamp, not issued in accordance to India Post list announced in January 2013 To, Smt. P. Gopinath Secretary (Posts) & Chairman PS Board Govt. of India Dak Bhawan, Parliament Street New Delhi - 110, 001. secretary-posts@indiapost.gov.in 26th June 2013 Sub : Thematic series of stamp, not issued in accordance to India Post list announced in January 2013. Respected Madam , I would like to draw your attention towards India Post stamp issue program list of 2013 announced in Jan. 2013. From the list out of Twelve thematic series, until June (in Six month time) only two thematic series of stamp so far released. Moreover, 100 years of Indian Cinema stamp series issued released on dated 3rd May 2013 is not available to India Post Philatelic Bureaus even after 45 days of its issue. For the rest thematic series stamp issue date kindly be announced, and see all those announced in the program list are issued in 2013 on the given date. Here is the list for India Post Thematic Series stamp Jan. to Dec. 2013 as per their announcement yet to release : Thematic Series

Headgears of India April Stepwells of India)April Musicians (set of 8 stamp) July Boats of India August Wildlife and flora & faunaJune Means of transport August Railway workshops at kanchrapara & jamalpur Indian metal crafts Nov. Tribal dwellings June Traditional embroideries Dec.

Nov.

You will kindly see Four Thematic Series issue between April to June not released, nor even communicated further through India Post website. These are the serious lapses to your own announced list which brings a bad name to our India Post in overseas market. Thematic series of stamps are part of the culture and tradition of India and are very well received in India and abroad. It should be well planned a year before and its publicity is highly important to attract a large number of collectors. India Post Philatelic division needs to be efficiently equipped with technology and human resource to handle such thematic series. It is the lack of planning with last minute decision-making that causes the products non-availability to the public who wish to buy thematic stamps but condition remain always chaotic. Madam, I shall request you kindly look into the matter for the sake of Philately, and addressed the same on priority. I shall be glad to hear from you soon. With kind regards, ( Pradip Jain ) Chairman communication : Bihar Chamber of Commerce Ex Member : Philatelic Advisory Committee, Govt. of India Mob : 093341 32162, Email : philapradip@gmail.com

Copy to Smt. Meera Handa, DDG Philately, India Post for kind information and necessary action. Copy to Smt. Rashi Sharma, Director Philately, India Post for kind information and necessary action. : rashiadg@gmail.com Copy to Shri Kamleshwar jee, Member HRD, India Post for kind information and necessary action. : memberhrd@indiapost.gov.in

Definitive stamps disappearing from Post offices Dear Mrs Jyoti, As you are aware when the 10th definitive series was issued one of the stamps that was issued was in the denomination of Rs.15 of JRD Tata. Though these stamps were supposed to be in circulation from 2010, I could not till today get hold of it though I could get all other definitive issues. I tried in many post offices, head post offices and philatelic bureaus whenever I went out station. Did you see this stamp in circulation. Do you know whether it is for sale in any post office. Or all the stamps have gone underground. Since I could not get anywhere I am suspecting some malpractice has gone into it. It is a routine definitive issue - I can't imagine how it is not available in any post office.

- G.Sriramarao - Vishakhapatnam

The Lighter Side

AMAZING WORLD OF PHILATELY !!!

-Varad Dhaky

Philately means not a stamps collection only, but mainly all types of materials issued by the dept. of Post like postage stamps, miniature sheets (MS), souvenir Sheets (SS), sheet-lets, stamps with traffic lights/computer marked corners, block of four, se-tenants, first day covers (FDC), folders, special covers, event covers, placed cancelled covers, combination covers, maxim cards, various postal stationeries like Post Cards, Inland letters, Covers(inclusive of Registered/ Express delivery/ Speed post covers, Rakhi covers, etc,) Aerogramme, various Cancellations, Labels (Air mail, Express delivery, Local, Registered, etc.), Acknowledgement slips, Greeting cards, Collectors packs, Book lets, Maxim cards, Die cards, Essays cards, Color trial sheets, Cash coupon, NSC, Ivc, Kvc, I-card, Philatelic passport, earlier -Telegram (Regular, Urgent & Greetings) with its covers, Radio & TV license stamps and registration book and so on..

Now, as per current trend, when you focus on one chapter of the Philately- The Novelty stamps, is one of the chapters of thematic collection and you just enter in the Amazing world of the Stamps.

When stamps issued other than its regular features (we can say uncommon/hat-ke) may be treated as a Novelty stamp and these become a center of attraction for everyone, even for non-philatelists, students and beginners. The reason is, making of such things can be possible with hi-powered imaginations, ideas and skilled with the help of modern multi-level technology, achievements and advancement. To understand this interesting, but wide topic properly in a simplified way, we have to classify the Novelty Stamps as under: 1. Odd Shape stamps (other than common shapes - rectangle/square) Stamps are issued by many countries in various trigonometrically shapes like Triangle, Pentagonal, Hexagonal, Octagonal, Circular, Biggest stamp (Fujeria), Smallest stamp (Berlin, Colombia) etc,

Various shapes i.e. Fruits, Flowers, Watches, T-shirts, Medals, Cups, Map of the country, Cartoons, Flags, Animals, Birds, Trees, Chocolates ( France, Helvetia), Jewelry Box , cars, cycles, symbols and so on issued by Tonga Islands, Sierra Leone(West Africa), Japan, Finland, Macau, Solomon Island, New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong, France, etc.

2. Perforations of various types to detach the stamps like sine waves - larger, smaller, jig-jag, leaves, symbols, various figures in centre these are all for mainly security purpose . 3. Materials (various) used to print the stamps other than paper i.e. Fabrics - Khadi (Cotton) fabrics stamps(India), Silk fabrics stamps by Bhutan, Japan, USA, Russia, Thailand, Fur stamps by Russia, Hong Kong, etc., Metal strips/foils of Steel, Silver, Gold stamps- Bhutan, Tonga, China, S. Africa, Pakistan, Thailand, etc., Plastic stamps & MS - Bhutan, New Zealand, Helvetia, Iceland, U.A.E., etc. Wooden stamp sheets Gabon (1984), Djibouti (1985/87), Helvetia (2004), Germany, Andorra (2011)), Cork stamps -Portugal, Ecuador, Rubber stamp (football shape)Austria. 4. Transparent stamp sheets by Liechtenstein (2011) where one can see through the design of stamps and changed the background while putting different colors papers behind. 5. Global green environmental stamp concept where stamps printed with tree image and packed with actual seeds by Austria (2011)

6. Perfumed/Fragrancies Stamps means stamps of various smell of various flowers & fruits such as Rose, Jasmine, Sandal oil, Banana, Mangoes, Strawberry, Chocolates, Perfume bottles mainly by Iraq, Australia, Thailand, India, Norfolk Island, Bhutan, Russia, 7. Do- It- Your -Self type self-adhesive stamp cards issued by Great Britain. 8. Embroidery Stamps by Italy, Switzerland (Helvetia), Austria. 9. Diamond studded SS by Austria, Beaded stamp SS by Singapore-2008 and Pearls & Pearls Diving Tools - SS by U.A.E. 10. Quiz-type stamps sheet (Hide & Seek) Questions answers type issued by South Africa. 11. Fire work glittering MS issued by Hong Kong, Thailand, Austria, etc. 12. Embossed Plastic with 2-D, 3-D, moving type object, etc. stamps issued by Bhutan, Thailand, Australia, Eire, U.A.E., Argentina, 3-D Rock of outer space and 3-D Venus statue by Austria supplied with special spectacle to watch and to observe the same in three dimensions. 13. Florescent colored used to print the stamps (Malaysia, Vanuatu)- that one can see in the dark. 14. Prismatic/Hologram MS & stamps ( Austria, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Belarus, Niger, Thailand, France, Finland, Alands, Bhutan, Canada, Germany) 15. Telephone Card type stamps by Bhutan, Kiribati. 16. Heat affected stamp sheet by Island (2009), New Zealand, etc. 18. Die-Cut shape stamps by South Africa, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Australia, Pitcairn Island, Brazil, Fiji, Thailand, Nouvelle Caledonian Island, Botswana, Malaysia, Taiwan, St. Tome E Principe, Norfolk Island, Brazil, Cayman Island, Canada, Singapore, Vanuatu, Russia, etc. 19. Welcome doors type stamps by Luxembourg, France (RF). 20. Rotating type-two circles clipped in the centre and rotating on each other with windows at different layers to give the information and details of World Cup Football tournaments, participant countries, schedule of matches, etc. total three sets by Argentina( 2011) and by Canada to observe various mountains peaks and its height. 21. Talking/Singing Stamps made from polyester record and Compact Discs (CD) by Bhutan. 22. Learning stamps /Messages series of stamps issued to learn Alphabets with pictures by Nicaragua (1981) & Colombia. Messages such as Be kind to animals, Do not litter, Be considerate, Be generous, Think of others, etc. by Singapore. Also a living together series of stamps by Australia in denomination of 1cent to 1dollar. 23. Tennis ball MS by Argentina (2010) 24. Unique stamp-sheets with series of stamps (1 to 42 stamps) issued by Marshall Islands, showing number-wise American Presidents where denomination of each stamp matched with numbers of president i.e. President No. 1. George Washington (1789) (1 cent deno. stamp), No.(2) John Adams(2 cts), No.(3) Thomas Jefferson (3 cts) and so on ,up to the president No.42 W.J.Clinton (2001) (42 cts) and also marked with the important event in the stamp portrait during their ruling period.

The US Presidential series also issued by the Dominica, St Vincent, etc. but, without the number-wise denomination of the stamps. USA issued self- adhesive stamp sheets of seven sets on Indian God & Goddesses (Lord Ganesha, Shiv- Parvati, Shrikrishna, Balaji, Mahalaxmi, Karikey(Murugan) & Saibaba) in the year 2011 and repeated in the year 2012 for donation/charity purposes. 25. Cartoon Stamp series by Netherlands (1998) and Korea (2000) except Mickey mouse. 26. Map of country (hidden) in the back ground of MS on vehicles theme stamps (Vintage cars & Rly. Engines) by Libya 27. Capitals of the Countries series MS by Grenada grenadines 28. States of the Countries series stamps with flag, etc. by New Zealand, USA. 29. Stories (Panchtantra, etc.) se-tenant stamps series by India & Sri Lanka. 30. World largest Tapestry hanging in the general assembly of UNO, the MS by Royaume du Burundi (1966). 31. Personalized/My stamps a very popular trend developed by many countries like Singapore, Thailand, India, etc. 32. Pop-up Cards type, where stamps mounted on colorful and attractive thin boards mainly A4 size or more, issued by Thailand. See how its a continuous process of updating day to day the new issues and imaginations by the various Countries through the media of postage stamps and creating a beautiful, wonderful and amazing world of Philately. : Varad Dhaky - email : altoexim@yahoo.co.in

Book Review
- By Jeevan Jyoti

Year Book of Indian Philately 2012 , Editor and Publisher, Madan Middha Pages 300 Price Rs 300
Year Book of Indian Philately by Mr Madan Middha is just released. The book is very informative for all stamp collectors. It gives complete details of Indian Philately of the year 2012 with very comprehensive articles by renowned philatelists. The book contains about 300 pages and is divided into 29 chapters which include articles and other details about exhibitions, stamps, special covers, award winners at international shows, news from philatelic societies and other important topics related to Indian Philately. The articles by Dr Satyendra Agarwal, Ashok Bayanwala, Naresh Agarwal, Ilyas Patel, Sudhir Jain and Madan Middha covering a variety of subjects are the gems of the book . The articles give a complete guideline to the reader about the concerned subject. The book is recommended to all philatelists and stamp lovers. It will prove an excellent reference book for all collectors and a necessary guide for those interested in Indian Philately. The book has won a Silver Medal at the IPhLA 2012 held at Mainz, Germany, the largest international exhibition on Philatelic Literature and a Silver Bronze at 28th Asian International Philatelic Exhibition SHARJAH 2012 . The book with a nice layout is priced at Rs 300 ( inclusive of postage by Registered Post ) is available from Mr Madan Middha at following address :

Madan Middha, Saket Vihar, Phalka Bazar, GWALIOR 474 001. email : madan_middha@yahoo.co.in

Editors Mail Box

Dear Ms. Jeevan Jyoti I found the issue very colourful, interesting and informative. India Post will do a great service to philately in case it concentrates on better quality of stamps rather than churning out 50 stamps at a time without bothering about the availability. The department should also issue the schedule for the release of stamps and strictly adhere to it. In the interview of Shri Vinobhai Bavishi, one thing that touched me most is the continuous support he gets from his wife for more than five decades. Both deserve to be congratulated for this achievement. As per my experience, the number of active women philatelists in India is very low as compared to men barring a few exceptional ones like you. If we talk of wives of the philatelists the ratio is disheartening. There can be many valid reasons which I do appreciate. At the same time there is no dearth of complaining better halves for the attention, time, money and space given by their husbands to this hobby. No doubt to make a person successful the support of the spouse is a must. Wishing you all the best for the excellent work you are doing. - Dinesh Sabharwal, Texas, USA

I have seen many blogs ...I must say that your blog is the best and stamps being

promoted as a hobby. These days its so difficult to meet people who collect / have interest in stamps. I learn a lot from your blog.
- Julian Fernandes, UK

New Blogs & Websites

1. Welcome to the World of Indian Philately - http://www.indianphilately.net/ An exclusive website created by Mr Prashant Pandya dedicated to Indian Philately .The philatelists can register for Online Philatelists Directory on this website. 2.Virtual Stamp Club http://www.virtualstampclub.com/index.html It is website for On Line collectors.Membership is free. Many collectors around the world are its members. 3. Stamp Magazine - http://blog.stampmagazine.co.uk/ This blog is updated by Adrian Keppel every Friday with new Articles on a variety of subjects. 4.Indian Thematics - http://www.indianthematics.blogspot.in/ - A new blog created by noted

Thematic Philatelist Mr Dinesh Chandra Sharma. This blog is all about Thematic Philately.
5. Indian Philatelists Forum - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/indianphilatelists/ This is an electronic discussion forum dedicated exclusively to Indian Philately that allows members to engage into meaningful discussions on all aspects of Indian Philately. Membership to the forum is open to all philatelists who have interest in Indian Philately. Members can share and discuss their ideas, knowledge, research, collections, events, exhibitions, auctions, publications exclusively related to Indian Philately. 6. The best stamps - http://thebeststamps.blogspot.co.uk/ its a beautiful blog created by Julian Fernandes of Pune ( Now living in UK) featuring lovely stamps of birds with the photos of the same birds giving a wonderful look !! 7. Robin Stamps Criticism : http://robin-stamps.blogspot.in/ : This blog is about new issues of postage stamps and the critical study of their design 8.This Numismatic & Philatelic Association - http://numismaticphilavellore.site40.net/index.htm - This Numismatic & Philatelic Association is a nonprofit and non-trade motive association that aims to promote the hobbies Philately (Stamp Collection) and Numismatics (Coin Collection) among children, students, interested individuals among the general public and especially for the budding philatelists and numismatists. 9. How to Collect Stamps Stamp Collecting http://www.howtocollectstamps.com/ : The Complete Guide To

10.GANDHI Stamps & Philately Study Circle : http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.in/ - A new Blog by Ketan Patel .. Saving Gandhi Philately by trying to bring awareness and exposing illegal activities in Gandhi Stamps and Philately. 11. Europa Stamps : http://europa-stamps.blogspot.in/ : A blog on Europa, cept, norden & sepac stamps 12. Phila Mirror : http://philamirror.info/ : The Indian Philately Journal

13. Se- tenant Stamps of India - http://setenantsofindia.blogspot.com/ It is a specialized Blog on se-tenant stamps. 14. Flags & Stamps - http://flagstamps.blogspot.com/ - It is a specialized blog on Flag Theme . 15. Glimpses of Modern Indian Philately : http://modernindianphilately.blogspot.com/ - It is a specialized blog on Modern Philately, created by Mr Prashant Pandya .

16. Question & Answers on Philately : http://en.allexperts.com/q/Stamps-Philately1610/indexExp_69442.htm - It is a site based on Question & Answers on Philately. Mr Prashant Pandya replies to queries. 17. Philatelic Journalists Forum - http://philatelicjournalistsforum.blogspot.in/ The Philatelic Journalists is an initiative by a few enthusiast philatelists, who love the hobby to the deepest.

Philatelic Clubs & Societies

Baroda Philatelic Society - http://www.vadophil.org/ 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 Mobile Philately - http://www.mobilephilately.webs.com/ Numismatic & Philatelic Association of Vellore Fort http://numismaticphilavellore.site40.net/index.htm Philatelic Society of Rajasthan, Jaipur Rainbow Stamp Club - http://rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/ Rajkot Philatelic Society Rajkot, Gujarat Gujarat Philatelic Association - Ahmedabad South India Philatelists Association - http://www.sipa.org.in/ Stamps of India - http://www.stampsofindia.com/ The Army Philatelic Society, Pune

Current Philatelic Magazines Newsletters

Stamp of India Collectors Companion - Indias 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. ITS Stamp News - Quarterly - Editor: Suraj Jaitly Publisher: Indian Thematic Society website http://itsstampnews.blogspot.com/ VADOPHIL, Editor - Prashant Pandya and published by Baroda Philatelic Society, Vadodara. Website -http://www.vadophil.org/ Journal of the Army Philatelic Society : Editor Col Jayanta Dutta SIPA Bulletin Editor - Mr G. Madan Mohan Das and published by South India Philatelists Association, Chennai website : http://www.sipa.org.in/ GPA News Editor- Ilias Patel and published by Gujarat Philatelists Association, Ahemadabad.

RAINBOW STAMP CLUB

This is a blog of e-stamp Club www.rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com . The idea of this blog is to extend philatelic fraternity in all corners of the world. Readers may write about themselves with their collecting interests and share new ideas with other philatelists. New Post on recent issues, news on stamp activities and Contribution by members are published every day on this blog. Readers may also express their views on any philatelic matter which will be published under Club News at Rainbow Stamp Cub Blog. Philatelic Clubs and Societies may also send brief write ups. News about new issues of India and abroad and other information related with Philately are regularly posted on this blog. Readers may send reports on new issues, special covers, cancellations & philatelic activities of their area for inclusion in this Blog. - Editor

Courtesy - News and Image Resource to this issue Stamps of India, International
Stamp News ; Stamp Collecting Round Up ; Indian Philately Digest ; Mansoor B.- Mangalore; Prashant Pandya Vadodara; Wolfgang Beyer Germany; Yogesh Kumar Bareilly; Pradip Jain Patna; Abhai Mishra - Dehradun For detailed images related to this issue Please Visit : http://www.rainbowstampnews.blogspot.com/

Address for communication:

Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, Chief Conservator of Forests, GHNP & Pin Valley National Park, Shamshi, Kullu (H.P.) PIN 175126 India E-mail j.jyoti9@gmail.com

Last date for receiving write ups 25th of every month. Kindly send images in jpg compressed format & text in MS Word only. If you liked this issue please forward it to your friends and help in promoting philately.

A Request to Readers & Contributors Please do not send the text in scan form or PDF. Send your write ups in MS Word only. Kindly specify your contribution such as article/News/ Readers Right / Beginners Section/ Lighter Side etc. Please do not send forwarded messages for promotional section if you want to give any information for promotion please write personally with brief write up. As this newsletter is not used for any commercial purpose in any manner. Attention Please send limited number of images in compressed jpg format only with your article. Please send text and images separately. Please do not send text or image for publication in PDF.

Any material from this newsletter may be reproduced only with the written permission from the editor.
..Happy Collecting Rainbow Stamp News is edited and published monthly by Jeevan Jyoti, from Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) India.