Shimla June 2009 Issue No.

18
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 –

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

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

Dear Readers,
This is 18th issue of Rainbow Stamp News. I am pleased to write that Rainbow Stamp News got a
Silver Bronze medal in Hong Kong 2009 which recently concluded on May 17, 2009. My special
thanks to all my readers, distinguished philatelists, friends and of course some veteran philatelists
who sent their messages of congratulations! I want to express my gratitude to Mr. Dhananjay Desai,
National Commissioner, Hong Kong 2009 who recommended this newsletter to the organizing
committee despite the fact that there is no provision for e-newsletter in literature class in the present
rules of exhibition because it is new concept and different from printed newsletters. In my opinion,
with the change of time, modifications should be made in the rules and regulations of the exhibitions
and they need to be amended with the time. As the life has become fast and people are switching
over to new technology and internet has become the easiest and fastest means of communication.
My sincere thanks to the contributors who have been writing regularly for the newsletter and with their
invaluable contribution, Rainbow Stamp News has become popular in such a short period of time. It
has completed only 18 months since its first issue was launched in January 2008. I received lot of
messages of congratulations from my readers whom I sincerely thank all of them The credit of this
award goes to all of you who have made its contents with many colors of stamp collecting which I
term as ‘Rainbow Philately’. I wish to express my gratitude to Mr. Yogesh Kumar, Dr. Satyendra
Kumar Agarwal, Mr. Shrikant Parikh, Mr. Naresh Agarwal , Dr Avinash Jagtap , Mr. Prashant Pandya,
Mr. B.K. Sinha, Mr. Hemant Kumar Jain and Mr. Pradip Jain who have been closely associated with
Rainbow Stamp News and have given their regular contribution in it.

It was a great pleasure to receive a phone call from Mr. Madhukar Jhingan to congratulate me for
winning award in HONG KONG 2009 In fact he is the first person to send his best wishes for my very
first issue of Rainbow Stamp News when I knew very few persons in the field of philately. So his best
wishes means a lot to me and his newsletter and writings have given me a way to proceed in
philatelic journalism…Before I conclude this I immensely remember late Mr. Nishith Kar of Nadia
(West Bengal ) and late Shri B.J. Kumar Editor, U - Phil Times, published by United Philatelists,
Kanpur who introduced me in the field of philately since I was studying in school and of course Shri
Dipok Dey who always inspired me to write on philately and I never imagined that some day I would
be editing a newsletter and it would ever win an International award . I still remember my meeting with
Shri Dipok Dey in Calcutta about five years ago, besides lot of discussion with him he just insisted me
to write..… but at that time I could not think how to start a regular newsletter because we are
constantly moving all over India from one place to another due to transferable job. But at last the idea
striked me to bring out e - newsletter that can be released from anywhere in the world … The idea
clicked and it was successful and now it is before you.. So I dedicate my award to these great
persons who introduced me in this field… I hope in the coming years I shall be able to improve this
newsletter and make it more interesting for you ….This is all for this month…..Till Next
Month…..Happy Collecting !

….Jeevan Jyoti
 See clear images of this issue at the Blog

Contents

 Recent Indian Issues

 In The News
 Beginners’ Section
 Specialized Section
 New Issues from Other Countries
 The Lighter Side
 Blogs & Websites on Philately
 Promotional Section
 Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters
 Editor’s Mail Box

Recent Indian Issues

• 6 March 2009 Pterospermum acerifolium – Rs 5

• 12 March 2009 Krantiveer Shahid Baburao Puleshwar Shedmake – Rs 5
• 13 March 2009 Dr Krishna Kumar Birla – Rs. 5
• 29 April 2009 Spices of India - (Rs 5 x 4 + Rs 20) + M/s Rs 40
• 30 April 2009 R. Sankar – Rs 5
• 11 May 2009 – 3 New issues in Definitive series
• 12 May 2009 Lifeline Express – Rs 5
• 28 May 2009 Madras Regiment – Rs 5

Special Cover – Postmark

20 April 2009 Trichy, 150 Years of Railways in South India,

24 April 2009 Mumbai, Golden Jubilee of Indo American Society

New Postal Stationery

Meghdoot Cards

Consumer Awareness, 7 designs, Manipuri,Assamese.Oriya, Kannada, Punjabi

Ground Water, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Punjabi
Vasanth TV, Tamil
Wild Life, Gujarati
UNICEF Women Empowerment, Hindi
Consumer Awareness, 7 designs in Marathi & 7 designs in Telugu

Aerogramme & Inland letter

Indira Gandhi National Old-age Pension Scheme, Hindi, SSP (Advertisement)

In The News

Hong Kong 2009

The 23rd FIAP Asian International Stamp Exhibition is under the patronage of Federation of Inter Asia
Philately (FIAP) and organized by the Hong Kong Philatelic Society. Hong Kong Post was the main
sponsor for this event. The Exhibition was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre,
Wanchai. Approximately 600 frames were on display. The Exhibition was held from May 14, 2009 to
May 17, 2009. Mr. Dhanjanay Desai of Ahmedabad was the National Commissioner from India and
Mr. Sunder Bahirwani of Hyderabad was the member of Jury from India. Following participants from
India won awards in different cateogories.

Heartiest Congratulations to all winners!

Indian Participation in Hong Kong 2009

Vermeil Medal
Dave Dipak - British India & Post India French Settlements
Jayakar Rajan - Dead Letter Offices in India (1854-1947)

Large Silver Medal

Desai Dhananjay - Morvi Indian Feudatory State
Saboo Narendar Kumar - Portuguese India

Silver Medal
Dave Markand - India Used Abroad (Aden)
Santosh S - The Lord of The Jungle

Silver Bronze Medal

Agrawal Naresh Kumar - Automobiles
Kakkeri Umesh - Postal History of Portuguese India
Jeevan Jyoti - Rainbow Stamp News (Monthly e-stamp Bulletin)

Bronze Medal
Bayanwala Ashok Kumar - Decimalisation Redefined
Neurgaonkar Pratisad - Postal Stationery of British India
Gujarat Philatelist's Association - GPA News

Silver Certificate
Kakkeri Umesh - Censors of Portuguese India
Sukhatankar Ajit - Early Indian Cancellations

Bronze Certificate
Kathiara Mainak - Study of the Stamp Issue of President's Fleet Review
Roy Souvik - Indian Meteorological Telegrams Its Forms & Cancellations
Jambudi Prakash - Our National Flag

Certificate of Participation
Mohanty Jyoti Rupa - Journey of Transportation Across the Ages
Mohanty Jyoti Rupa - Incredible India
Mohanty Jyoti Rupa - God's Own Country
Madhini B - The Winged Wonders
Rajan R Soundara - The Triumphs of Labour

Santosh -The youngest star of Hong Kong 2009

Santosh is a budding philatelist from Bangalore who won a Silver Medal in 23rd Asian
International Stamp Exhibition, Hong Kong 2009 which concluded on 17 th May 2009. He is the
youngest and the only participant from India in youth category. Santosh is a student of class
X of Carmel High School, Basaveshwara Nagar, Bangalore. He has many awards to his credit. He
came with flying colors in all the exhibitions, he participated. He was awarded a Silver medal with
best exhibit award in Karnapex 2007. a Large Silver in INPEX 2008 and a Bronze in China 2009. To
see his achievement at such a young age, I just can say, he is the future of philately. And of course,
Philately is not dying Well, Banglore is a centre of great philatelists. Many well known philatelists of
India hail from the city of gardens. Santosh gives credit of his award to his uncle, Mr. Jagannath Mani,
a well known philatelist of Bangalore and an active member of Karnataka Philatelic Society and
veteran philatelists Mr. T. N. Prahlad Rao and Mr. Manmohan Singh, . Santosh has been collecting
stamps since a very young age and now has prepared a specialized and eye catching collection on
Elephants " The Lord of the Jungle". We wish him all the best in his philatelic and academic career.
May he get more awards in forthcoming philatelic exhibitions.

New Definitive Series – 3 New Stamps

India Post released 3 definitive postage stamps in the denomination of Re 0.50, Rs 10, and Rs 50
depicting E V Ramasami, C V Raman, and Rukmini Devi Arundale respectively, on May 11, 2009.
With this the new definitive series featuring Builders of Modern India is now complete. The first 3
stamps were released on December 1, 2008 in this series and 6 stamps were released on March 1,
2009.

Private FDCs of New Definitive Series

A set of seven private F.D.C. of New Definitive Series have been prepared by Mr. Hemant Kumar
Jain of Mandla . Covers for remaining three stamps are also in progress and are under prepration by
Mr. Jain. For more details Mr. Jain can be contacted on following address –

Er. H. K. Jain (Assistant Engineer), Water Resources Division, Civil Lines, Mandla (M.P.) PIN 481661

Contact No.cell:091-9425484703 - Land Line:07642-251187

New Special Cover - Epsom Derby Horse race

Epsom Derby is considered one of the most prestigious flat thoroughbred horse races in the world.
The race takes place each year on the first weekend in June at Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom,
Surrey, England. The two day festival of horse racing dates back to 1780. To win the Epsom Derby is
a tremendous achievement. It is like winning Wimbledon. Maharaja Vijaysinhji of Rajpipla is the only
Indian owner ever to win coveted Epsom Derby race since it began in 1780, his horse Windsor Lad
finishing first on 6th June 1934. There was huge media coverage of Maharaja Vijaysinhji's great
triumph, and literally hundreds of articles were written about him. The event was captured on film for
posterity and written about in several books.

To commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Epsom Derby Triumph of Maharaja Vijaysinhji of Rajpipla, a
special cover will be released on 6th June 2009 at Rajpipla . The cover will be released by erstwhile
Royal Family of Rajpipla. This year the Epsom Derby festival will be held on 5th and 6th June 2009 at
Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom, England. Those who are interested in Special Cover may
contact Mr. Prashant Pandya. E-Mail edesk.prashant@gmail.com

Rajpipla horse won history for India

Full Story can be found at http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1260735

Portugal 2010

World Philatelic Exhibition Portugal 2010 will be held from October 1 – 10, 2010 in Lisbon, Portugal.
Mr. Dhirubhai Mehta is the National Commissioner for the exhibition. For details please contact -

Shri Dhirubhai Mehta

101 - 102, Dalamal Chambers,
Sir V.Thakersey Marg (New Marine Lines),
Mumbai 400 020
Phone off.: 22001460, Tele Fax 22007848.
e-mail dhirubhai_phil@yahoo.com

http://www.portugal2010.pt/fep10/wcmservlet/portugal2010/en/index.html

http://www.fpf-portugal.com/boletim01portugal2010e.htm

Stamp Album of Tibet

"Stamp Album of Tibet" will be issued in Lhasa next month in limited edition, according to the
Philatelic Company of Tibet Autonomous Region. The album with 120 stamps is a collection of
commemorative and special stamps specially issued for Tibet, as well as stamps on the major topics
of Tibet since the founding of the People's Republic of China. Of the 120, are the "J13 Stamp on the
Peaceful Liberation of Tibet" -- the first pieces concerning China's minority ethnic groups issued on
March 15, 1952, and the earliest stamp sheetlets issued in the autonomous region marking the 40th
anniversary of the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet. The finely designed and printed album, at 3,800 yuan,
can be ordered at Philatelic Counter of Lhasa Post Office .

The story of rare 1869 Lincoln stamp envelope which is to be auctioned on 13th
June……
A torn envelope bearing a rare 90-cent Abraham Lincoln stamp from 1869 – rare an important
philatelic item will be auctioned next month in New York on 13th June.

Philatelists had thought the "Ice House Cover, mailed from a Boston ice importer to its icehouse in
Calcutta in 1873, was lost forever. Stolen from an Indianapolis collector in 1967, the cover didn't
resurface until 2006, when a Skokie couple showed up at a stamp-collecting shop in Chicago's
Norwood Park area and inquired about its value.

Charles Berg, owner of Stamp King, said he knew immediately that the envelope was valuable. Once
he learned that it was "hot," Berg had an associate call Chicago police while the couple remained in
the Norwood Park shop.

No charges were filed against the Skokie couple. They told investigators they likely either picked up
the envelope at a garage sale or found it after cleaning the home of a deceased friend. The FBI
confiscated the envelope. Two years later, a judge returned the property to the estate of the
Indianapolis collector, J. David Baker.

On June 13, the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries will auction the envelope on behalf of Baker's
estate. Scott R. Repel, president of Siegel, estimated "Ice House" would fetch at least $300,000.

Rare Penny Black found in attic

One of the rarest examples of a Penny Black stamp has been discovered in a North Wales derelict
attic, hidden in pigeon droppings. The 1841-dated postage stamp, pictured , was found alongside 26
other Penny Blacks, the first adhesive stamps used by any postal service in the world, and with 400
examples of its successor the Penny Red in the Denbighshire loft. The particularly rare stamp comes
from the “number 11” plate, the last one to be used to make the stamps before the red colour was
adopted. Few were made and they have a book value of up to £15,000. Stamp expert Colin Knights
said the firm that received the stamp had impaled all its envelopes on letter spikes, which were then
left in the attic. “They’ve stayed there for years until they were discovered,” he said. “Half had already
gone on the tip before the owner realised what was hidden under the pigeon muck. “It’s astonishing
what people are throwing away.” Mr Knights, owner of Aqueduct Auctions in Froncysyllte,
Denbighshire, has valued the stamp at between £2,000 and £5,000. Most of the envelopes were
postmarked for nearby areas including Wrexham, Mold and Liverpool.

DAK TICKET MILAN -2009

(STAMP FAIR)

Chhattisgarh Philatelic Association, Bilaspur is organizing a stamp fair from 21 -23 August 2009 at
Bilaspur named as “DAK TICKET MILAAN – 2009 (Stamp Fair). More than 60 eminent stamp dealers
from all over India are expected to grace the show. Philatelists from all over India are expected to
attend the fair. Four sets of approved Stamp Booklets, Special Covers and Maximum Cards are
planned to be issued during the occasion.

Date: 21, 22 and 23rd August 2009

Venue: Hotel Centre Point
Contact: Mr. Atul Jain
Gen Secretary, Jaina Garments, Dayalband, Bilaspur C. G. 495001
Moblile: 09300311007
e-mail: jainaatul.65@gmail.com
C.R. Andhare
Mob. 09826644060
e-mail : crandhare@yahoo.com

A stamp Exhibition will be held in Pune from Oct 30-31 & Nov 1. For details Contact Pratisad
Neurgaonkar e-mail - pratisad@hotmail.com

Stamp Mania 2009

The First National One Frame Philatelic Exhibition ”Stampmania 2009" is going to be organized by
Baroda Philatelic Society from 18th to 20th December 2009 at Vadodara. The venue of the exhibition
has been selected. It will be held at Shree Saurashtra Leuva Patel Seva Samaj, Alembic Road,
Vadodara. Approximately 400 frames (200 x 2 ) will be displayed in the exhibition. The official
website of the exhibition www.stampmania2009.com has already been launched. Details of the
Exhibition Prospectus & Entry Forms in pdf format are now available at website. Collectors can get
detailed information at the website or may write to Mr. Prashant Pandya or Mr. Timir R. Shah . E-Mail
Prashant Pandya: info@vadophil.org Timir R. Shah: admin@vadophil.org

The options to download Entry Form in pdf format is provided on website, which you can fill and print
electronically. Printed Entry Form duly signed may be sent to STAMPMANIA 2009 Secretariat with
particulars of Entry Fees. Alternately you can fill online Entry Form at the website and for confirmation
and for your record purpose print it and send one copy duly signed with particulars of fees to
STAMPMANIA 2009 Secretariat. Hit Submit button to submit the Entry Form online.

Three options for making payment of Entry Fees has been provided. You can send the fees by
Demand Draft or AT PAR Cheque in favour of Baroda Philatelic Society, Can send fees by Money
Order or you can deposit the amount in any branch of BANK OF BARODA in Account No.
01900100006809 of Baroda Philatelic Society.

Last Date for Submission of Entry Forms is 31.07.2009

Please visit www.stampmania2009.com to read articles on “what is One Frame

Exhibit” and Social Philately?

Recent Exhibitions

May 29-31: Ooty, Super Mega All India Coin Stampex Organized by Coimbatore District Numismatic
& Philatelic Association at Devangar Mandapam, Ooty

Oct 30-31 & Nov 1: Pune, Stamp Exhibition

One Frame Exhibits

According to Tay Peng Hian, Director of International Philatelic Federation (FIP), majority of the
exhibitors and commissioners do not really understand what is One Frame exhibit. The contents of
One Frame exhibit must be of a narrow subject which it will not be possible to extend to more than
One Frame. For example the 1855 Indian bisect used in the Straits Settlements, the 1854 4 Annas
5th printing etc. The Indian exhibitors at Hong Kong 2009 did not fare well for their One Frame
exhibits because the subject they tried to show could easily be a 5 frames material. FIP/FIAP would
not accept this type of exhibits.

It is in the interests of all exhibitors and jurors to keep themselves updated and informed of the latest
trend of One Frame exhibits.

Beginners’ Section

Know your Hobby….

FISCAL STAMPS OF INDEPENDENT INDIA …..…..V.P.DHAKY

First, we should understand what is a Fiscal stamp? Stamps intended to collect taxes, fees and duties
for the revenue as opposed to prepay postage. All stamps other than the Postage stamps are known
as FISCAL Stamps. Fiscal is a French word,” Fisc” means treasury and “Stamp” means duty. Being
the newest and fastest growing branch of Philately, there are many aspects of collecting Fiscal /
Revenue stamp.

A revenue stamp, tax stamp or fiscal stamp is a type of adhesive label used to collect taxes or fees
on various items. Many countries of the world have used them, for documents (often called stamp
duty), tobacco products, liquor, drugs, playing cards, hunting licenses and other kinds of things. While
revenue stamps often resemble postage stamps, they were not normally intended for use on mail and
therefore did not receive a postal cancellation. (Some countries did issue stamps valid for both
postage and revenue, but this practice is rare now). Revenue stamps can display cancellation
markings, three types being by manuscript signature of the person canceling the stamp (usually with
date), by hand stamp identifying the canceling agent (also usually with date), or by punch; otherwise,
they may be simply affixed to a product in such a way so as to be invalidated or destroyed upon its
unpackaging.

Generally, these stamps are issued by the Government to generate, the revenue income possible
from various other sources. Their rates depend upon usages of various services and are varying
according to the value of the concern documents. Both the Central Govt. and State Govt. prescribe
these by issuing a notification from time to time.

It is interesting to note that, the first Revenue stamp of India introduced, in June 1860. Prior to the
introduction of adhesive stamps for the revenue purposes, the public were allowed to bring their
privately printed money receipts, promissory notes, etc. to the govt. treasuries. At Govt. treasury they
were imprinted by oval shaped stamps of either 1 Anna or 2 Annas.The various types of the Fiscal
stamps for various duties, fees, taxes etc. are listed below. However, please note that this list does
not include of any donation or charitable stamps/labels, Tb seals, leprosy labels, war fund, animal
welfare fund stamps, etc. this category forms another chapter.

LIST OF VARIOUS TYPES OF FISCAL STAMPS: These are broadly classified into two categories
namely: Judicial (Sl. No.1 to 5) and Non-Judicial (Others):

1. Court Fee Stamps 15. Civil Aviation Dept Passenger Service

2. Copying Fees Stamps Fee Stamps
3. Small Causes Court Fee Stamps 16. International Airport Passenger Service
4. Agreement Fee Stamps also used as Fee Stamp (Bon Voyage/Happy Landing)
Marriage Registration Fee Stamps 17. Entertainment Tax Stamps (Film/Movie/
5. Notarial Stamps Theater/Drama etc. programmes)
6. Revenue / Receipt Stamps 18. Radio License Fees Stamps
7. Special Adhesive Stamps 19. Television License Fee Stamps
8. Foreign Bill Stamps 20. ESIC (Employees of State Insurance
9. Share Transfer Stamps Corporation) Fee Stamps
10. Broker’s Note Stamps 21. Central Recruitment Board Exam Fee
11. Insurance Policy Fees Stamps Stamps (UPSC)
12. Custom Rev. Stamps 22. Transport Tax Stamps
13. Passport Fee Stamps 23. Passenger Tax Stamps

14. Central Excise Duty Stamps

From the above list one learn that, it is not only interesting but very challenging to collect such a wide
range of Fiscal Stamps along with their relevant detailed information and history. Here, the collector
has to first find out the different rates as applicable on each category of fiscal stamps, type of
document i.e. stamp paper, receipt, share certificate, LIC policy, deed, registration, foreign import bill,
etc. for which is applicable and at what rate. These rates are subject to change from time to time.
Moreover, which are the above fiscal stamps still in existence and effected and which removed or
abolished. So, there is a great scope for collector for research and study on various categories of
such an uncommon Fiscal stamps, rather than the usual Postage stamps. With reference to above list
a few of fiscal stamps illustrations are shown here.
Specialized Section

STAMPS BOOKLET as a Philatelic Element

©Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

In India from last few years, release of Stamps Booklets with privately printed covers became a
fashion on any philatelic event by Philatelic Societies and organizations. Looking at the great
economical prospects, eminent philatelist also joined hand with dealer in such issuance and making
money, selling such Bogus Booklets as high as 5-6 times the phase value of the stamps included in
these booklets. Reputed print and net media is also publicizing in their own way responsible for sale

Though I am on bed rest on doctor’s advice returning from AIIMS, Delhi on 10thMay09 following a
chest pain, but recent debate on a letter written by an eminent philatelist to whom I give my honour as
my Philatelic mentor, Dr. Avinash Jagtap, published in Stamps of India #249 inspired me to write an
article on various aspects of a BOOKLET.

World’s First Stamps Booklet

The needs of the hour always given birth to an innovation which some times adds new trends in some
fields, The Stamps Booklets are also an innovation. Great Britain first recognized the concept of
issuing stamp booklets in 1878, when it was proposed to the then Postmaster General and accepted
by Parliament. Nothing was done with the idea however, until Luxembourg produced the World’s first
official booklet in 1895.

Luxembourg 1895

It was a pane of 24 x 5c stamps housed in a protective folder which can be easily put in any pocket,
wallets or handbags with easy tear off facility for a single stamp.

Convenience factor of this booklet attracted many postal administrations around the globe and soon
they started issuing such booklets. More and more experiment were also carried out to make it of
more convenience and popular among public .Few countries used ordinary sheets of stamps and few
other adopted special editions of their existing stamps to meet the challenges associated with its
printing, easy separation of stamps, environmental conditions , binding and expenses of booklet
covers. They issued the existing stamps with different perforations, sheet-margins, imperforate on
some sides, combinations of se-tenant stamps etc.

Self Adhesive Se-tenant stamps booklet

To meet the production cost , advertisement on booklet covers and Stamps’ tab were added
.interleaves provided for the safety of stamps were also booked for commercial advertising. Attractive
lables were attached to decorate or making more meaningful greeting mails.

Self –adhesive stamp booklets are also in fashion now a day, when folded, a self-adhesive pane’s
peel able backing becomes the outer cover of a booklet.

In 1969 an another type of booklet appeared in the philatelic market issued by Great Britain, titled
“Stamps for Cooks” what is known today as “Prestige Stamps Booklet”. In this booklet, in addition to
stamps, 12 recipes on interleaving pages and on se-tenant labels attached to the booklet
panes.Coloured illustrations of the finished product are also included. “Prestige booklets” meaning a
souvenir booklet with informational pages in addition to stamps. India also issued a prestige booklet
to commemorate INDIA 89.

GB “Stamps for Cooks “1969 INDIA 89 14 sheet lets printed specially with different perforations
than the normal issue

Prestige Booklets

It added a new dimension in the field of booklets and there use even after use of the stamps on mails.
Its popularity attracted many postal administrations to issue such booklets for various purposes. Few
countries used it to popularize its flora & fauna, places of tourist attractions, culture, art and postal
history, to commemorate or publicize any event (India 1989)

There are some other uses of the booklets explored time to time Their covers were used as Free
pass for admission during Amripex 1986, in USA.
Cover served as Free Pass for Amripex1986

It also served as an entrance ticket to Stamp show -1989 in Melbourne, Australia as well as a Met
Pass valid for public transportation system during the days of the show.

Contains Entrance Ticket for Stamp Show-1989 and Free Pass for Public Transport

USA issued 30X 1c or 2c booklets pane for military personnel serving with the Allied Expeditionary
Force in Franc, during World War I. Australia also issued booklets for its soldiers in Vietnam in 1967,
having waxy covers to meet the humid, tropical environment of Southeast Asia.

Special booklets for Australian Defense Forces in Vietnam in 1967 containing 10x5c Thorn bill stamp
with waxy cover

Increasing popularity of Stamps booklets between public and philatelic world led the issuing countries
to make profit, making them more and more attractive using recent innovations in printing and other
technologies. Australia issued perfumed cover booklet using Micro-bubble printing technology,
Greeting stamps booklet with matching labels and stickers to decorate the mails, windowed covers
and Holograms. Few issued commemorative stamps series only in booklet form. The love of the
collectors for such booklets restricted them for their use and kept them forever started filling pockets
of issuing postal administrations.

Perfumed booklet

Philatelic varieties to certain extent and the thematic appeal of the Stamps Booklet made it an
important philatelic element in any Traditional or Thematic collection.
Here I wish to talk about thematic collections only. There are four components of booklets which are
importance
1. the tabs
2. the sheet-margins
3. the fly-leaves and
4. the cover.

TABS In any collection, if tabs have some relation with the theme, it would be a great addition in any
collection from thematic as well as philatelic points of view. It becomes even more importance if the
stamp with tab is available on a genuinely traveled item.

Advertisement Tab

I can’t stop myself putting my predictions about the next step expected from the dealers and so-called
senior philatelist and philatelic organizations believing in making money with issuance of private
booklets taking liberty of commemoration of philatelic exhibitions by privately printing thematic appeal
slogans or advertisements on false tabs (often available in sheet of Indian stamps if perforation runs
to the end) which again have no philatelic value. This practice of printing private advertisement after
sheet of stamps were put into circulation by the Dutch authorities was noticed during 1990s and was
immediately stopped by the officials. But with Indian Postal Department??????

SHEET-MARGINS If the sheet margin i.e. the top and bottom margins in some stamps booklet has
something to offer thematically, its addition in any thematic collection would be strongly advisable.
Early French booklets used these margins for advertisements and proven jewels in any advance
collection.

Advertisements on Sheet Margins

FLY-LEAVES To protect stamps from sticking together, few countries inserted protective leaves
between the sheets of stamps. Sometimes these protective leaves are used for advertisement even
with coloured illustrations. If one’s theme has some relation with these, it would be again an important
addition to the collection.
Advertising Fly-leaves, South Africa 1943

THE COVER In early booklets, the cover often contain some texts which are first rate in use but one
may come across with booklets having cover of thematic appeal too. Advertisements, thematic details
and colured illustrations may be found on front and back as well as its inside covers with which one
may establish relation of its theme, again making the collection more meaningful, thematically as well
as philatelicaly. It of importance to note that empty booklet is not a philatelic element and hence is not
collectible.

Advertising Cover

Some technical problems are also associated with stamps booklet’s mounting, as its cover in full and
containing stamps may be partially, should be displayed . It becomes even more technical when your
focus is on inside cover content. Early stitched or stapled booklets sometimes found rare and of
enormous value restricting it’s exploding, may have your link to the theme available inside the booklet
is very tedious. Technical aspects of mounting such booklets will be a part of my future article
planned to deal with composing, mounting and selection of materials for a thematic collection, if
possible.

In the last, it may be of importance to note that like Postage Stamp Booklets few countries came out
with the idea of issuing few Post Card Booklets with thematic appeal covers and Postal cards.

Post Card Booklet, Switzerland 1967

If you are lucky to establish a link of your theme with such booklets, it again will prove scoring more
marks in any National or International philatelic exhibition for your exhibit.
LABELING MAILS (POSTAL LABELS)
- By Naresh Agarwal (contd. from the last issue….)

Postal Tax labels

Surface Mail Label Railway parcel Post stamp Surface Mail Label
Rocket Mail Label Tax labels

SURFACE MAIL LABELS :

When the mail is carried through surface i.e either by road or rail this label may be affixed. But when
the mail is carried through other medium say water or air then different labels are used.These
highlight inscription like “By surface Route” or “Surface Mail”.These are not so frequently used
labels .Some times the carriage is done through combined mediums or some times the mail
supposed to be carried by Water or air medium is carried through surface route,then this label finds
its importance .
SHIP MAIL LABELS :
Ship is a major means of transport of mail. Though no such labels highlighting mail carriage through
ship are available yet under certain circumstance some labels are affixed on mails.

RAILWAY MAIL LABELS :

Mail is widely transported through rail world over. Mail id marked widely showing the mail operations.
Transit labels are hard to find.

CENSORED MAIL LABELS : Military mail or even civil mail is sometimes censored to check any
objectionable contents and messages.Labels are affixed on the mail in accordance with the censoring
done .

INSURED MAIL LABELS :

Some times the mail has its monetary value. The sender looking in to importance and value of the
mail or the contents in it, insured the mail for certain amount. This mail is sent insured to destination
and in case there is some loss, accordingly the claim may be raised upon the administration. The mail
is affixed with a label showing “INSURED”.

ROCKET MAIL LABELS :

Experimental mail of different types such as Glider Mail, Balloon Mail, Rocket Mail, Parachute Mail,
Missile Mail, Space Mail, Tin Can Mail, etc. is being sent. A label specifying the nature of mail is
affixed on the cover which may be pictorial or non – pictorial in nature.

CAMEL POST LABELS:

Animals have been used for carriage of mail at certain places like desert area. Camels have been
used for such carriage. Camel mail labels are being used on such covers.

OVERSEAS MAIL LABELS :

The mail sent overseas some times is affixed with label highlighting its destination country and the
nature of mail carriage

PARCEL POST LABELS:

Parcel post is the service of a postal administration for sending parcels through post.It is generally
one of the less expensive ways to ship packages that are too heavy to be sent by regular letter post
and is usually a slower method of transportation. This service is available for domestic,
commonweath and international destinations. Labels are affixed on each parcel showing wt.,postage
charged,origin and destiantion, etc.

RAIWAY PARCEL LABELS:

During mail transportation through railways ( RMS),the mail is packed in baggage or parcels or
packets are carried for which specific labels showing origin and destination, wt., postal charges etc is
tagged/attached with .

1. REVENUE COLLECTION : When some additional postage or revenue is collected through mail
such as postage due, surchrge, taxes etc ,these labels specify the nature and amount of such
taxes, fees, surcharges etc.

TAX LABELS :

Some times special taxes are laveied on the postal articles such as war tax,military tax,flood relief
tax, epidemic recovery tax, election tax etc. Labels highlighting such tax

POSTAGE DUE LABELS:

When the postage is not payed in full for the desired or the nature of transmission done, the postage
due is charged from addressee and for that a label showing the postage due is affixed. This may be
in the form of a stamp . These labels are issued and affixed by the postal office enroute and the
amount are issued by deptt. And affix on the mail on payment of the same payment of which actually
is mandatory .

SURCHARGE LABELS :

Like postage due labels ,surcharge labels are also affixed some times.

2. MAILING LABELS : Mailing instructions are given to specify the mail handling, routing, and
transmission such as return to sender,address corrections,to send the mil through diiferent route
of carriage,redirect the mail etc.These labels are affixed to specify such mailing
instruction.Address and return address lables,Bar code labels too fall under this class. Postal
administration also affix its own logo label on the mail to display its name.

To be contd….

Gandhi

Dandi March – An Idea that Changed the World

-By Ilias Patel
 The March

The great and historic march commenced at 6.30 in the morning on March 12, 1930 from his ashram
on the banks of Sabarmati River at Ahmedabad. Frail but full of energy even at the age of 61,
Gandhiji led a band of 78 satyagrahis representing a cross-section of the people from all over the
country. Daily he walked 16 kilometers (10 miles) or more and addressed public meetings. The
ashram routine of prayer, spinning and writing the daily diary was incumbent on every marcher.
Unprecedented scenes of enthusiasm were witnessed all along the route of the march. Ill. 6 (a to d)
shows various views of salt March appeared on philatelic material.

The long trek finally ended on April 5, 1930. Along the way Gandhiji and his companions had halted
for the night at 22 places. Table -1 gives brief account of 25 days long Salt March. The route of the
historical march is shown in Plate No. 1 and on special cover issued on April 4, 2005 by a private
collector as shown in Ill. 7. On April 6, the atmosphere at Dandi was both tense and solemn. After
prayers, Gandhiji and his followers bathed in sea and then at 8.30 in the morning, he bent down and
picked up a handful of salt, thereby giving the signal to hundreds of thousands of people to similarly
defy the law, since the British exercised a monopoly on the production and sale of salt. Gandhiji
picking salt is shown in Ill. 8 (a) to (e). This was the beginning of the civil disobedience movement.
Gandhiji had said in the young India, “I know that the Salt Tax has to go and many other things with
it.” Sarojini Naidu, who was there, hailed him as a ‘law-breaker’. The same is shown in Ill. 9(a) & (b).

Ill. 7 Special Cover showing route map of Dandi issued by a private collector
The first salvo was thus fired. He implored his thousands of followers to begin to make salt wherever,
along the seashore, "was most convenient and comfortable" to them. A "war" on the salt tax was to
be continued during the National Week, that is, up to the thirteenth of April. There was also a
simultaneous boycott of British made cloth/goods. Salt was sold, "illegally", all over the seacoast of
India. A pinch of salt from Gandhi himself sold for 1,600 rupees, perhaps $750 dollars at the time.
Thus, ended a glorious episode in India’s struggle for freedom. The Dandi March was the spark that
kindled the flames of a movement that culminated in independence of the country. Regarding Dandi
March, Sarojini Naidu opined as under;

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

This period is to be considered the apex of Gandhiji’s political appeal, as the march mobilized many
new followers from all sections of the Indian society and with this; the nation had unshackled itself
and achieved a symbolic emancipation. Although every political act of Mahatma Gandhi was rich in
symbolism, Dandi March was an outstanding example as it fired a people to believe collectively as a
nation and to come together on a common platform. The Salt Satyagraha was a masterstroke in
political mobilization which also conclusively established that civil disobedience, as a means to
achieve freedom was a viable political medium.

During the march, both, father and son, Pandit Motilal Nehru and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru met
Gandhiji at halt at Jambusar. During those few minutes discussion, Pandit Motilal Nehru made up his
mind and took decision to donate his magnificent building at Allahabad to the nation which he did
when returned to Allahabad and declared it as “Swaraj Bhavan“.
Aftermath

Nine days after the start of the Dandi March, All India Congress Committee (AICC) met at
Ahmedabad on March 21, 1930. It approved Gandhiji’s campaign and hoped that the whole country
would respond. It authorized Congress Committees in provinces to organize the breaking of Salt Act
after Gandhiji had broken the law at Dandi. The effects of the Salt March were felt across the country.
Once the Gandhiji defied the law on April 6, 1930, the attack on Salt Act 1878 was continued
throughout National week from 6th to 13th April 1930. It could be disastrous to believe that the Dandi
March was an isolated event as with the breaking of Salt Act, Gandhiji initiated a cascade of Salt
Marches all over India. More than 50 lakh people at nearly 5000 places defied the Salt Act by making
salt, or brought illegal salt during that period. The solidarity the people of India showed was
unprecedented. But it was just the beginning. The master stroke played by Gandhiji worked perfectly.

After breaking the Salt Act at Dandi, Gandhiji stayed there till April 16, 1930. He left Dandi for ever on
April 16, 1930 and never came back to Dandi again. From Dandi he shifted his camp to Karadi
about 5 km further south to Dandi where communication facilities were much better compared to
Dandi (Ill. 10). On May 4, 1930, Gandhiji wrote a letter to Viceroy and declared his intention to
raid Dharasan Salt Works, further down south to Dandi. But this time government took no
chance. While sleeping in his Karadi camp, Gandhiji was awakened at 0045 A.M. of May 5,
1930, in a strange manner and arrested. Next day Gandhiji was taken to Yeravda Central Jail
where he remained imprisoned till January 26, 1931 as a state prisoner.

Ill. 10 Cover showing Karadi Post Office cancellation

In the South Indian peninsula, C. Rajgopalachari (Rajaji) (1878-1972)(Ill. 11), Sardar A. Vedaratnam
(1897- 1961)(Ill. 12), K. Santhanam, A. Vaidyanathan Iyer (1890-1955)(Ill. 13), Namakkal
Kavignar (1888 – 1972)(Ill. 14) as well as Smt. Rukmini Lakshmipathi (1892-1951)(Ill. 15) and
other volunteers did Vedaraniam Salt Satyagraha in Tamilnadu starting from Tiruchirapalli to
Vedaraniam to defy Salt Act. This Salt Satyagraha was first of its kind in the South. All were
arrested and punished on April 30, 1930 bringing the court there itself. Sardar Vedaratnam
incurred the wrath of the government, which confiscated and auctioned his salt lands. He was
also arrested, tried and sentenced to six months rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 200/- in
1931. Smt Rukmini was sentenced to one years’ imprisonment. Namakkal Kavignar (1888 –
1972) was arrested and jailed for one year for his participaton. There stands a pillar marking the
heroism of our freedom fighters of non-violence, a Salt Satyagraha Stupi, at the place where
Rajaji actually picked salt. The picture of the Salt Satyagraha Stupi, became the postal
cancellation of Vedaraniam Post Office with effect from October 3, 1997. A special cover was
 released with the pictures of Gandhiji, Rajaji, Sardar Vedaratnam and the Vedaratnam Salt
Satyagraha Stupi (Ill. 16). Another special cover was released on March 12, 1988 depicting the
portrait of Gandhiji and a special cancellation depicting Gandhiji on Salt March.

Ill. 15 Smt Rukmini Ill. No 16 Special cover - Vedaraniam Salt Satyagraha

On its 50th anniversary, India Post came out with a se-tenant stamp issue (Ill. 17) and also issued a
set of eight cancellations along the route of Dandi namely; (i) Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad, (ii)
Ahmedabad, (iii) Nadiad, (iv) Anand, (v) Bharuch, (vi) Surat, (vii) Navsari and (viii) Dandi (Ill. 18
(a) to (h)).

Ill. 17 1980 se-tenant stamp Ill. 18(a) FDC of Dandi March 50th Anniversary, Sabarmati Ashram canc.

See more pictures on Blog…

To be contd…..

New Issues from other countries

Australia

15 May 2009 Desserts – 4 x 55c

This issue celebrates four delicious Australian treats . These classic dishes remain as popular today
as they were when first placed on Australian tables.

The desserts featured on the stamps are: Pavlova, Peach Melba, Lamingtons, Anzac Biscuits

26 May 2009

Dolphins of Australia
This stamp issue is part of the WWF–World Wide Fund for Nature Conservation Stamp Collection,
focusing on four of the 14 species of dolphin that have been sighted in Australian waters.
The four dolphins featured on the stamps are:

• 55c Spotted Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus)

• $1.35 Hourglass Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus cruciger)
• $1.40 Southern Right Whale Dolphin (Lissodelphis peronii)
• $2.05 Dusky Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus)

Austria

25 May 2009

140th anniversary of Vienna State Opera House -€ 1

It is a famous Opera House of Austria. Music lovers around the world appreciate the top-class
productions and performances at the Vienna State Opera House. International attention is also
attracted by the annual Vienna Opera Ball, the social highlight at the end of every ball season.

Canada

22 April 2009 – Monarch Caterpillar (Definitive)

15 May 2009

The Canadian Horse and the Newfoundland Pony – se-tenant pair –2 x 54 c

Czech Republic

22 April 2009 150th Anniversary of the former Pardubice - Liberec South – 10 Kc

Finland

6 May 2009 – Europa Astronomy – se-tenant

6 May 2009 Fashion – Miniature sheet

6 May 2009 Booklet Sauna - five (5) stamps Top of Form Bottom of Form

France

4 May 2009 EUROPA – Astronomy – M/s

Jersey
2 June 2009 Surfing – M/s

Hungary

2 April 2009 – Joseph Hydn ( Music) -1val

8 May 2009 Europa – Astronomy – M/s

Isle of man –

11 May 2009 – Motorbikes – 6 val.

Kazakhstan

26 March 2009 Louis Braille - 230

Malta

30 April 2009 10th Anniversary of Euro -€2

2 May 2009 Astronomy - 2 val.

Poland

16 April 2009 China 2009 – PLN 3

5 May 2009 EUROPA – Astronomy – PLN 3

The year 2009 is being celebrated as the International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations, an
idea that came from the International Astronomy Union (IAU) which this way wanted to
commemorate certain important anniversaries To begin with, it was 400 years ago that Galileo
first used a telescope to gaze at the sky. The invention was a breakthrough and the discoveries
it allowed are now the foundations of astronomy. Also in 2009, 40 years will have passed since
the first man set foot on the Moon, and 90 years since the IAU was established.

Serbia

5 May 2009 Europa Astronomy

Singapore

28 May 2009 Mass Rapid Transit - 4 val.

These stamps are to be issued on 28 May 2009. They depict the Mass Rapid Transit or MRT (in short)
that will see an increase in the number of train stations with the building of the 33.3 km
Circle Line which will be joined to the existing rail stations. The MRT is basically a train
transportation system for the public like the Tube in London. For the Circle Line, another 29
stations will be added and they will all be fully underground.

Switzerland
8 May 2009 Old Trees – 3 Val

Birch (85 Chf)- more than 100 species located in the Northern Hemisphere. In Switzerland
most common is the silver birches.

Oak (100 Chf) - more than 450 species located in the Northern Hemisphere. Switzerland most
common is the pedunculate, downy and sessile oak.

Willow (130 Chf) - more than 350 species worldwide. Switzerland most common is the white, crack,
pussy and grey willow.

Spain

14 May 2009 Dances : 2 x €0.43

La Mateixa” is one of the most deeply-rooted dances in the Balearic Islands and it is usually
performed in all public or private events and has different characteristics from similar dances
performed in other regions.

Turkey

10 May 2009 Mother’s Day – 4 Val.

UK

19 May 2009
250th Anniversary of Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

Endangered Plants – 10 Val.

USA

1 May 2009 Wedding Stamps – 2 val

7 May 2009 – Simpsons – 5 x 44c

Reader’s Right

Editor’s note- The aim of this stamp newsletter is to provide instant information and facts on philately
to the readers and not to hurt anyone’s feelings. Readers may express their views, anguish and
resentment through this column on philately. The platform is not used for any vested interest to cause
derogatory to philately. When writing your views be sure that it should be related to philately only. It
should not be used to express personal feelings between persons or groups in any manner.

COLLECTING SELF-ADHESIVE STAMPS

In the April 2009 issue of “Gibbons Stamp Monthly” there is an excellent article on Self-
adhesive Stamps written by Mr. Paul Brittain. He has nicely reviewed the developments of
self-adhesive stamps. The article deals with the self-adhesive stamps issued by the British
Commonwealth countries like USA, UK and other European countries. Many more countries
are issuing self-adhesive stamps as they are getting popular with the public, because of their
practical utility and the possibility to affix the stamp onto the envelope without being obliged
to moisten the glue on the reverse of the stamp (usually the sender of the letter makes use
of his/her saliva to moisten the stamp, which is not hygienic but practical!).

However, I observe that stamps collectors are not at all happy with this new development.
We all know that stamps are collected in MINT and also in USED condition. Those who have
been collecting mint stamps are rather perplexed as the results of long time stress-tests,
whereby these stamps with synthetic adhesive are subjected to artificial accelerated climatic
conditions, such as temperature, humidity and biological stress through fungal growth etc
have not been conducted yet, or if they had been subjected to such tests, their outcome is
not known.
We all know that even the most familiar adhesive of plant origin tends to become yellow to
brown in tropical countries. Yet many old stamps have still retained their freshness of colour
in normal European climatic conditions. Synthetic adhesives have proved to have many
advantages over natural biological adhesive. So the traditional philatelists, who have been
collecting mint stamps, do not know how to preserve these modern self-adhesive stamps.
Naturally, one would think that these stamps could be collected along with their original
backing paper. But how these stamps would look like, say after 15 or 20 years? Could there
be some incompatibility problems of physical and/or chemical nature? such as adhesive
versus backing paper? Could there be appreciable changes in original colours used in
printing stamps along with the backing paper on prolonged storage?

Secondly, those who collect used stamps have already a problem of getting these stamps
detached from the paper to which they are affixed. It is my experience that the self-adhesive
stamps of France, US and UK can not be easily removed by usual method of soaking them
in water. In the beginning when these self-adhesive stamps were introduced, this difficulty
was observed also with Swiss stamps, but now the adhesive used by the Swiss Post
appears to have better wetting property and the stamps can be effectively removed from the
paper. In Switzerland also the traditional surcharged stamps belonging to “Pro Juventute”
and “Pro Patria” series (which normally are not used on large scale for franking letters) are
now offered in self-adhesive form, which has been widely criticised by the Swiss collectors.
Most probably, the composition of the adhesives used differs in its chemical nature from
country to country and in this respect efforts should be made for the sake of collectors to
investigate the most proper adhesive which can easily be removed from the stamps affixed
to the paper.

For the time being the stamp collectors, who collect only Indian stamps, mint or used, are
not confronted with this compatibility problems. India Post would not venture to introduce
self-adhesive stamps, obviously because of its cost. But for collectors of foreign stamps it
does remain a problem!

Any suggestions from our readers about overcoming these drawbacks of

modern adhesive stamps, both in mint and in used condition, are most
welcome.

--Dr. Avinash B. Jagtap

Naresh Agarwal, Bilaspur

WAYS TO GET AWARD IN EXHIBITIONS

Stamp collectors collect stamps to get the pleasure of collecting and procuring it by physical and
mental efforts by way of searching related philatelic material, knocking at doors of different philatelic
friends and dealers, pen friends, visiting exhibitions, reading about the subject on which they collect
etc. i.e. they put all sorts of efforts, energy, involving search and research on the subject and the
material. After doing so much of regular efforts when a material is procured, it adds to the pleasure of
getting and preserving it. This may take years together to get and preserve such collection. Further,
when displayed in exhibition and the efforts are recognized genuinely and suitably; the pleasure
reaches sky and gives a satisfaction which is ultimate goal of philately and philatelist.

But, I am afraid, there are several other means to get satisfaction, if it comes through getting awards
at exhibitions only because awards are not only achieved but procured, favored, managed and
purchased too. May be my above lines are pinching and a few may not even digest it but this is true
and absolutely true.

Exhibitions and shows are organized to exhibit and recognize the collections, the efforts made by
philatelists and to appreciate their efforts. But exhibitions are not for those who procure the material
without putting efforts in it. Money can get you complete and well displayed collections but this is not
philately. Philately is ones total involvement in procuring, collecting material, making, building and
shaping of collection.

Regarding exhibitions and the awards given there in, my personal feeling is that 50% of the results
are prejudiced / unjustified. Either the jury knows the exhibitor or the jury is influenced or the jury is
fed or the jury has limitations.

My first question is whether the collection displayed genuinely of the exhibitor or belongs to some one
else? Belonging to some one else means is that it is hired one and displayed in the name of
exhibitor where as it is collection of some one else? I have seen dealers preparing exhibits of their
own or on demand and sell it at good prices. These exhibits are displayed in the name of buyer and
get awards. On payment, dealers too use their contacts to see that the exhibitor gets awards. I mean
they play the role of an agent. Dealers or some philatelists also give their collections on hire basis
only for the purpose of display and winning awards.

Parents displaying in the name of their children when the children do not know even ABC of the
collection. Helping children in building collection and exhibits is appreciable but doing everything of
their own and getting awards in the name of child is very bad and is detrimental for the development
of this hobby.

Making relation and influencing jury is one of the best ways to get better awards but this is difficult to
check.

Well, it’s up to the exhibitor to decide whether he loves philately or he loves awards which certainly
hurt some genuine exhibitor who fails to get genuine award because of this practice.

I appeal to the philatelists to be genuine exhibitor if they want to enjoy philately genuinely.

Satyajit Ray Postage stamps….

Niket Bubna, Evanston, Illinois.

Here is one more of the umpteen variations in spellings, again in the vernacular version. This time in
the recent definitive stamp release on the legendary filmmaker, a builder of modern India, Satyajit
Ray (Mar 1, 2009).The vernacular spelling of Shri Ray's name is different on the other stamp released
to honor him on Jan 11, 1994. The stamp in the definitive series translates his last name 'Ray' name
to ' रे ' where as the commemorative version has is as ' राय '. This frequent use of dual spellings has
made me understand it as a 'Curious Case of India Post'. One is curious to know what goes in the
making of the stamps at India Post's end and why attention is/not paid to the details and accuracy. I
may be at fault since the usage of different spellings is the prerogative of the individual but I believe,
once in public life consistency with names is necessity. I feel either the family of the ones honored
must be taken into consideration or a policy for deciding the names appearing on the postage stamps
should be formulated. While the printing and aesthetics of the stamps is important, the details carried
on it are of equal interest. These different spellings being in Hindi, does not matter at the exhibitions
but, it being one of the 22 scheduled languages of India, calls for some uniformity and respect.

Hemant V Kulkarni, Milwaukee, USA

Raibow's May, 2009 (Issue 17) has an interesting column: 'Do

you know?' in which following two items caught my special
attention.

1. "The most popular US postage stamp sold over 120 million

copies. It was 1993 stamp of rock star singer Elvis Presley". To
my knowledge this stamp was officially released on January 08,
1993 and specially 'duel cancelled on a pink FDC' on January,
27, 1993, simultaneously in the US states of Tennessey (where he came to fame and spent rest of
his life) and in Mississippi (his birth place), although the sheet depicts a print date of 1992 . This
shear huge number of the stamp in print is unlikely to make it a collector's attraction but don't tell it to
his worldwide fans -and this number will eclipse 120 million even after his death in 1977. Grenada
was the first country to commemorate Elvis in 1978 and today more than 46 countries have issued
Elvis stamps and this number would keep on growing as the years go by. If one wants to purchase a
mint US single Elvis stamp ($ 0.29 face value), it is typically priced at $ 1.50 a piece but the
shipping/handling costs shall be more than the stamp itself -as is usually the case. One can no longer
purchase it directly from the USPS -all sold out for keeps.

2 . "The only country to print stamps without its name on them is Great
Britain. ...". This is very true but are you aware of a comparable rarity for
which one does not need to research history books on philately? There
can't be a sports fan in this world who hasn't heard of Swiss tennis star
Roger Federer who is considered a ‘LIVING LEGEND'. In the middle of
February, 2007 Switzerland honoured him- I mean while he is still alive
and young enough to win few more grand slam championships, with a
commemorative stamp with his picture of holding the Wimbledon trophy.
And guess what, the stamp has the name of its designer on it and not that
of Roger himself. Reason: Roger Federer is so well-known, is there a need
to identify him in print? This I consider is an act of real tribute to this great
athlete -just like saying was there a need to print 'Great Britian' on its early
stamps? Thanks to Dr. Avinash Jagtap of Switzerland who has written a great article on this 'stamp of
the century' (I T S STAMP NEWS No: 38, 10 April- June 2007) and his generous gifting to me of a
'corner four' from the mint stamp sheetlet, it's my pleasure to share with you this unusual rarity with
two very peculiar specialties. Actually, I would be interested to know if a person has ever been
honored on a stamp while still living -not even considering that Roger is young enough to get married
just in April, 09. At least his one record shall never be broken, unless of course, 'me too' type of
Timbuck-Tu countries keep on printing worthless but really beautiful Elvis Presley type of
commemorative stamps. Hello Indian postal service -what about honoring Sachin Tendulkar on a
stamp while he's still hitting test centuries? I mean really!

The Lighter Side

One day, Hassan decided to start stamp collection. He knows that the Penny Black is the oldest
stamp so he asks Genie: "Genie, I want you to give me the Penny Black stamp. Remember to bring it
here in good conditions.That's my first demand. " After a few minutes Gene returns: "Here you are!"
and he gives Hassan a Penny Black used stamp.
Hassan is very happy but after a few minutes... "No Genie, I want it in better condtion. That's my
second demand". Genie flies again and this time he gives Hassan a Penny Black mint stamp. Hassan
is very happy but after a few minutes, he says: "No Genie, I want it in even better, in the original
condtion. That's my third demand."Then Genie flies away again and returns momentarly: "Master,
here is the best, original I could find."
And then, Hassan sees the Queen Victoria standing in front of him.

Fresh out of business school, a young man answered a want ad for an accountant.
Now he was being interviewed by a very nervous man who ran a small stamp dealership that he had
started himself.
"I need someone with an accounting degree," the man said."But mainly, I'm looking for someone to
do my worrying for me."
"Excuse me?" the accountant said.
"I worry about a lot of things like mailing packets, putting up items for auction, replying
to customers" the man said. "But I don't want to have to worry about money. Your job will be to take
all the money worries off my back."
"I see," the accountant said. "And how much does the job pay?"
"I'll start you at eighty thousand."
"Eighty thousand dollars!" the accountant exclaimed. "How can a stamp business afford
a sum like that?"
"That," the stamp dealer said, "is your first worry."

Why Does a Stamp Collector Collect?

On a Blog Start Stamp Collecting blog, the creator wrote about why he and others collects stamps.

He says, "Collecting is a passion. And collecting, like most passions, has the capacity to let you live in
another world for a while. If I could tell you why passion allows us to inhabit another world, I would
stop collecting my stamps. I just wouldn’t need to any more. Passion is as inexplicable as magic, and
magic is just one of our names for the inexplicable."

He goes on to point out, "Like a child, the collector absorbed by their stamp collection 'dreams their
way not only into a remote world, but at the same time into a better one.' This means that an object,
no matter how individually important, can never be as significant to a collector as one."

"Completion is both the greatest aspiration and greatest apprehension for the collector because after
completion there is a possibility that there is nothing. And nothing is what collectors fear most. But
with stamp collectors there is not much to worry about, for as long as stamps continued to be used for
mail all around the world, then there will always be stamps to go in search for. From the time that they
first decided to start collecting stamps, to the point where they have reached the end of their lives, a
stamp collector will have built quite the collection that not only they can go back and look through and
enjoy, but that other collectors can appreciate and enjoy the dedication the collector took to building
their number of stamps they have in their possession."

See also http://stampcollectingroundup.blogspot.com

Well I have to say we collect not only stamps as a hobby or do anything away from our regular
routine just to get away from what we see or what we think in reflex action… It is just to go
into another world of fantasy where no one is there to object or disturb us and sometimes to
forget what we don’t like to recall….Its a passion to do something…A mental diversion…..
This is what we call hobby….. - Editor

Do you know?

Who I am??

I am the world's greatest art and portrait gallery. The heroes and heroines of mythology pose within
my borders. I portray the greats and the near-greats of all time. I am the world's greatest picture
chronicle and miniature encyclopedia. I map communities, countries and continents, and reveal views
from every strange remote corner of the earth. I depict mountains and valley; oceans, rivers,
monuments and statures; temples an ruins of temples; and every type of locomotion, from
automobiles to steamboats to space ships. I delineate all customs, sacred rites and ceremonies; and
nearly every variety of bird, animal, fish, fruit and flower.

I frame the horrors of war and the blessings of peace. I reflect the symbols of art and culture, of
natural resources and industry. I commemorate the expeditions and voyages, and the inventions,
discoveries and creations that make life worth living. Millions of men, women and children are
fascinated by me. Through my infinite variety they find boundless pleasure, relaxation and
enchantment.

Yet... I am only a Postage Stamp !.....

Blogs & Websites on Philately

www.stampsofindia.com – This is the website of India with complete information on Indian stamps.

http://setenantsofindia.blogspot.com – This is a new blog on se-tenants stamps of India by Mr.

Shrikant Parikh of Ahmedabad.

http://prashantpandya.blogspot.com - A new Blog in Hindi by Mr. Prashant Pandya of Vadodara. It is

the only blog for philately in Hindi and created to have awareness about philately amongst philatelists
as well as non philatelists.
http://stampcollectingroundup.blogspot.com - Interesting news, resources and links about stamps,
stamp collecting and postal operations.

http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/ - Amazing true stories from the life of casual collector….. A nice
blog by Mr. Keijo of Romania

www.rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com – This is the e – Stamp Club Blog to bring philatelists together

on blogosphere and share views with each other.

http://www.myfavouritestamps.blogspot.com - A blog on my favourite stamps.

For complete information about Indian Stamps, covers & postal stationery visit
following links…

For an illustrated list of stamps in 2009, please visit

http://www.stampsofindia.com/lists/stamps/2009stamps.htm

The complete illustrated listing of Meghdoot Post Card is available at:

http://www.stampsofindia.com/lists/meghdoot.htm

For an illustrated list of all kinds of Postcards in 2009, visit

http://stampsofindia.com/lists/2009PC.htm

For an illustrated list of Aerogramme & Inland Letter in 2009, visit

http://stampsofindia.com/lists/2009ILC.htm

For an illustrated list of all kinds of Envelopes in 2009, visit

http://stampsofindia.com/lists/2009EN.htm
For an illustrated list of Army Postal Service Issues in 2009, visit
http://stampsofindia.com/lists/pmk/aps/2009aps.htm

For an illustrated list of Special Postmarks & Covers in 2009, visit

http://www.stampsofindia.com/lists/pmk/2009pm.htm

Read Interviews of Online Collectors….

http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/interview-romianstampcom.php

http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/interview-rainbow-stamp-club.php

On-line Exhibit on International Virtual Philatelic Exhibition EXPONET –

http://www.exponet.info/

OLYMPSPORT 2009 on Exponet: http://www.japhila.cz/olympsport09/

Czech dead letter offices

Covers passed through Dead Letter Offices (DLOs) represent a fascinating collecting topic where
each item is a unique piece with own history and usually with both sides full of cancels, markings,
postage stamps and seals. DLOs process letter mail that is undeliverable to the addressee and
cannot be returned to the sender. Such mail is officially opened and returned if a valid address is
found. DLOs were established at postal directorates and existed already in the 19th century in Praha
(Prague) and Brno. During the 20th century their number increased to 8 in 1949 when most of them
were closed and only the original two DLOs remained. Since 1952 only one DLO existed; it was in
Praha, since 1966 in Trnava and since 1993 in Brno. The usual Czech term for DLO is "postovni
ulozna", sometimes used in the form "postovni ohlasovna a ulozna" (Dead letter and parcel office).
No fees were associated with processing of mail by the DLO but since 1937 the return postage was
charged. DLOs used paper seals for closing opened covers and a large variety of manipulation, "fee
to collect" and other auxiliary handstamps to mark necessary data on the covers. The DLOs also
used line handstamps, date stamps and official stamps intended for internal use that can be
sometimes also found on processed mail.

The following exhibit ; presents a specialized documentation of Czech dead letter offices from 1901
(when the usage of paper seals for closing mail begun) to 1966.

About exhibit of Petr Gebauer's:

http://www.japhila.cz/hof/0528/index0528a.htm

Promotional section

- ITS Stamp News

The only magazine devoted to Thematic Philately

Issue No.46 Volume 12 No.2 April - June 2009, Will be released in First Week of June 2009.

For more details Contact: surajjaitly@hotmail.com or indianthematicsociety@gmail.com

INDIAN THEMATIC SOCIETY
MIG # 3464, PHASE TWO, DUGRI ROAD, LUDHIANA - 141 013. INDIA
Mobile: +91 98728 51244 Telfax: + 91 - 161 - 2521244

- For Worldwide Thematic Stamps, Stamps on Gandhi, foreign stamps on Indian

themes & Unique stamps Contact:

PRADIP JAIN
Member : PTS, A.I.E.P., APS
Philatelic Advisory Committee, Govt. of India
POST BOX 128, MITHAPUR,PATNA 800 001 (INDIA)
PH: 0091-612-2215929 FAX: 0091-612-2238010
Mobile : 0091-93341 32162/ 0091-94310

Indian Armed Forces Through Philately

A new 88 page full colour book Indian Armed Forces Through Philately , compiled by Vijay Seth
has been released jointly by Stamps Today and Army Postal Service.
The book is in full colour, A4 size (8.5 x 11cm) soft back. The price of the book is Rs.350.00, plus
postage.
It illustrates all the APS covers from 1971 to March end 2009 inlcuding all the overprinted military
stamps issued since 1953.
The book is available at Stamps Today, S-331 Greater Kailash, Part-1, New Delhi - 110048, India
Phone: 09810241363

Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters

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

Vadophil - April 2009 Issue - edited by Prashant Pandya - Quarterly News Bulletin of Baroda
Phialtelic Society, Vadodara E-mail : info@vadophil.org Website : www.vadophil.org

GPA News – Nov. & Dec. 2008 issue - edited by Ilias A. Patel – Issued by Gujarat
Philatelists’Association, Ahmedabad E- Mail : iap_ip@yahoo.co.in

Editor’s Mail Box

Congratulations !!! Congratulations !!! Congratulations !!!

• Ajai Srivastava, Associate Professor in Journalism, International Center for Distance

Education. Shimla

• Yogesh Kumar, Bareilly

• Prashant Pandya, Vadodara

• Dr. Avinash B. Jagtap, Switzerland

• Commodore Vijay Kapre, New Delhi

• Hemant V.Kulkarni, Milwaukee USA

• Shrikant Parikh, Ahmedabad

• Arvind Mullick, Jabalpur

• K.Ramrathnam, Chennai

• Nareh Agarwal, Bilaspur

• Er H. K. Jain, Jabapur
 • Atul Agrawal, Aligarh

• Jagannath Mani, Bangalore

• Mansoor Bolar, Mangalore

• Ajay Agrawal, Akola (Maharashtra)

• Vipan Kumar Thakur, Chandigarh

Many thanks for all your messages of Congratulations !! - Editor

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. Those who are interested may send
following details for publication on blog. If they wish they may also send their photo for publication.
New Post on recent issues, news on stamp activities and Contribution by members are published
everyday on this blog.

Name…………………………………………
City/Country………………………………..
E-Mail………………………………………..
Postal Address…………………………….
Collecting Interests……………………….
Brief write up about yourself……………

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, Dipok Dey – Kolkata, Yogesh
Kumar – Bareilly, Jagannath Mani – Bangalore; Abhai Mishra- Dehradun Shrikant Parikh-
Ahmadabad, Prashat H. Pandya-Vadodara , Pradip Jain- Patna; Hemant Kumar Jain- Jabalpur,
Mobile Philately – Deepak Modi, chinatibetnews.com

For Best View of this bulletin please read in Web Layout. All the images of this issue have not been
included here. For detailed images related to this issue Please Visit:
http://www.rainbowstampnews.blogspot.com/

• For PDF Version of Rainbow Stamp News reply with the subject Subscribe Rainbow PDF
Address for communication: Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, Director, Great
Himalayan National Park, Shamshi, Kullu (H.P.) PIN 175126
E-mail – j.jyoti9@gmail.com &
rainbowstamp2008@gmail.com

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

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

A Request to Readers & Contributors-

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

• 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.

• Please send limited number of images in compressed jpg format only with your
article.Please send text and images separately.

Words are only postage stamps delivering the object for you to unwrap - George Bernard Shaw

Till Next Month Happy Collecting……………………………………………………………………..

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