Shimla February 2009 Issue No.

14
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

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 Five Drops of Happiness

On one stamp, the designer represents the love between two people with two swans
embracing. Eternal friendship is expressed by a teddy bear hugging a heart. Valentine’s Day
is celebrated with a layer cake. Magical enchantment is depicted by a stamp on which the god
of love Cupid is shooting an arrow. Togetherness is shown on a stamp on which three friends
are celebrating their friendship. The stamps have been issued by Finland and designed
especially for Valentine’s Day greetings.

Dear Philatelist,

It is a pleasure to release 14th issue of Rainbow Stamp News with updates and articles from the
philatelic world. The end of January and beginning of February have been very special for
philatelic community as one of the biggest festival of stamps organized by Gujarat Philatelists’
Association was held in Ahmadabad from January 30 to February 1, 2009. The GPA deserves
a big appreciation for providing a big platform to the philatelists to get together from different
parts of the country and discuss various aspects of philately regarding its improvement and
promotion.

The month of February is also very special for the valentines all over the world. Here is a special
article by distinguished philatelist & author Dr. Satyendra Kumar Agarwal, “Rose perfumed
Valentine Mail” on the occasion of Valentine’s Day. I am also a giving a series of article on
Postal labels by noted philatelist Mr. Naresh Kumar Agarwal of Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh). It is a
long article and will be published in parts. My sincere thanks to Dr Agrawal and Mr. Naresh
Kumar for their invaluable contribution to this bulletin.

Philately is a hobby that takes you away from your busy schedule and also sometimes helps to fill
and share the lonely corner of your heart, refreshing your mind with its colorful world. I hope
Rainbow Stamp News is able to provide you some stress - free moments through its contents
to some extent. Please send your feedback and help me to bring out every issue with new
fragrance. This is all for this issue …..Till Next Month ……..Happy Collecting...

….Jeevan Jyoti

See clear images of this issue on Blog

Contents

 Recent Indian Issues

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

Recent Indian Issues

• Dec 16: Field Marshal Manekshaw –Rs 5

• Dec 21 : V Ramasubbaiyer, - Rs 5
• Dec 22: Brahmos – Rs 5, Rs 20 + M/s
• Dec 31 : 6 issues – Rs 5 each on personalities

1. Udumalai Narayana Kavi,

2. Sheik Thambi Pavalar,

3. A.T.Paneerselvam,

4. M. Bhakthavatsalam,

5. Rani Velu Nachchiyar

6.Thillaiyadi Valliammai

• 4 Jan 2009 Louis Braille –Rs. 5

• 21 Jan 2009 Vaikom Muhammad Basheer- Rs 5
• 25 Jan 2009 St. Paul’s Chruch - Rs 5
• 28 Jan 2009 Heritage Monuments Preservation by INTACH - 4 x Rs. 5 + M/s
• 31 Jan 2009 Bishnu Prasad Rabha - Rs. 5

Louis Braille

Louis Braille was born on January 4, 1809 in France and was the inventor of Braille, a world-wide
system used by blind and visually impaired people for reading and writing. Braille is read by passing
the fingers over characters made up of an arrangement of one to six embossed points. It has been
adapted to almost every known language.

Vaikom Muhammad Basheer

Vaikom Muhammad Basheer was a Malayalam fiction writer. He was a humanist, independence
fighter, novelist and short story writer. He was awarded the Padma Sri in 1982.

St Paul’s Church

St Paul’s Church, one of the oldest and prestigious churches in Chennai, came into being in 1858.
Located at the center of Vepery, Choolai and Purasawalkam areas, the church is set in a place that is
famous for the Karnataka War fought by Tipu Sultan against the British. It is a CSI (Church of South
India) church which holds regular worship services.

Heritage Monuments Preservation by INTACH

India Post released a set of 4 special postage stamps and a miniature sheet in the denomination of
Rs 5 each on Heritage Monuments Preservation by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural
Heritage (INTACH) on January 28, 2009. The stamps depict Jaisalmer Fort Jaisalmer, Manyu
Monasteries Ladakh, Saint Anne's Church Goa, and Qila Mubarak Patiala.

Jaisalmer Fort Jaisalmer,

Jaisalmer Fort is a famous monument which shows glorious heritage of Rajasthan. It is made of
sand stones and locally known as Sonar Quila, the Jaisalmer Fort is a dominating structure amidst
sands. The city is said to be founded by one Raja Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput ruler, in approximately
1156 A D. Jaisalmer fort is the second oldest in Rajasthan. Two hundred and fifty feet tall and
reinforced by imposing crenellated sandstone wall 30 feet high; it has 99 bastions, 92 of which were
built between 1633 and 1647. Wells within the fort still provide a regular source of water.

Qila Mubarak,Patila

The Qila Mubarak complex stands in 10-acre ground in the heart of the city Patiala, and contains the
main palace or Qila Androon , the guesthouse or Ran Baas and the Darbar Hall. Outside the Qila are
the Darshani Gate, a Shiva temple, and bazaar shops which border the streets that run around the
Qila and sell precious ornaments, colorful hand-woven fabrics, ‘jootis’ and bright ‘Parandis’.

Saint Anne's Church Goa,

The Church of St. Anne is a religious monument located in Santana, Goa. It is an example of baroque
architecture. Majestically nestled in the verdant hills of Santana, Talaulim, the Church of Anne was
declared a "national monument" during the Portuguese era. it is the most exquisite and the largest
surviving monument of its kind in all of Asia.

Mongyu Monastery,Laddakh.

Monasteries are one of the major attractions of the tourists visiting the beautiful valley of Ladakh.
People come to Ladakh either to enjoy its scenic beauty or visit its monasteries or both. The entire
valley of Ladakh is dotted with monasteries of all kinds, belonging to various orders or schools of
Buddhism. The monasteries in Ladakh have been located at isolated areas which gives an air of
peace and tranquility.A Buddhist monastery is meant to be the main center for worship, isolated
meditation and religion teaching.

Bishnu Prasad Rabha

Bishnu Prasad Rabha was born in Dhaka in 1909, Bishnu Prasad Rabha was a famous poet,
littérateur, dramatist, musician, dancer and an actor, all rolled into one. He is known as Kala Guru.
Bishnu Prasad Rabha wrote many songs, plays and articles. His famous works include Sonpahi,
Mising Coneng, Asomiya Kristir Samu Abhash, and Atit Asom. Bishnu Prasad Rabha died in 1969.
He was also known as revolutionary singer of Assam.

Braille Booklet

On 4th Jan 2009, Uttarakhand Circle released a stamp booklet to mark the birth bicentenary of Louis
Braille, father of Braille script. The booklet is inscribed with the slogan "Vidya Sarvasya Bhushnam"
both in Devnagri and Braille script. The booklet was printed at Central Braille Press, Dehradun. This
is the world first ever booklet printed in Hindi Braille. Earlier Canada Post printed a booklet with
English Braille inscriptions in April 2008. World’s first Information Sheet in Braille (issued for the
Calcutta Blind School stamp) was also printed at Central Braille Press Dehradun.

Brochure in Braille
India Post brought out a brochure in Braille for Louis Braille stamp issue of January 4, 2009. This
priced at Rs 10 and shall soon be available at philatelic bureaus.

Issues scheduled for February 2009

Feb 3: Steel Authority of India SAIL
Feb 4: Girl Child Day
Feb 5: Postal Life Insurance
Feb 8: Santaji Jagnade
Feb 9: Mahakavi Magh
Feb 19: K K Birla, Rs 5
New Postal Stationery

Meghdoot Post Cards

Distance Education, Tamil, Telugu

Hero Honda Motorcycle Hindi
Banking Ombudsman, Hindi
Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension Scheme, Marathi, Urdu, Punjabi, Oriya, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam

On January 1, 2009 following items of postal stationery of the new series with motifs from the
recently launched 10th definitive Series 'Builders of Modern India'

Inland letter Card – Ra 2.50

Indira Gandhi

Post Card – 50P

Mahatma Gandhi

Envelope – Rs 5
Sardar Patel

Aerogramme –Rs 15

Mother Teresa

Registered Envelope – Rs 22.50

Jawaharlal Nehru

Special Cover – Postmark

23 Dec 2008: Dehradun, Defence Research & Development Organization Golden Jubilee

DRDO (Defense Research & Development Organization) completed its 50 year of existence in 2008.
Golden Jubilee Symposium on "Defense Technologies for Imaging and Communication" was held at
DEAL (Defense Electronics Applications Laboratory), Dehradun on 23rd December. The symposium
was attended by top Defense Scientists of the country. Chief Guest was Dr. W. Selwamurthy,
Distinguished Scientist, CCR&D (LS&HR). Sh Vivek Kaul, CPMG Uttarakhsnd Circle released a
special cover to mark this event.
7 Jan 2009: Mumbai, International Inner Wheel Club District 314 Conference

17 Jan 2009 Maharaj Prayag Narayan Mandir, Shivala Kanpur issued by U.P. Postal circle

20 Jan : Mumbai, Indian Naval Ship Trishul & Jat Regiment

Maximum Cards

Kalka- Shimla Railway

Six different designs of picture postcards Kalka Shimla Railway were utilized to create maxim cards
by affixing its centenary commemorative stamp issued in 2003 and with special postmark issued to
mark its new status UNESCO World Heritage on November 9, 2008.

Loius Braille

Orissa Philatelic Association released one Maxim Card on Louis Braille's Birth bicentenary. The card
depicts the sculpture of Louis Braille with a blind boy. "Braille: A Boon for blinds" has been written on
the card in Braille transcription by the blind boys at the transcription unit of Orissa Association for
blinds. The design and concept of the card was given by Pradip Mohanty. Total no of cards is 200.
The cost of maxim card is Rs.50.00 + postage. The sale proceed of this card will be donated for the
cause of blinds. Please contact Pradip Mohanty, Hon Secretary, Orissa Philatelic Association. Cell:
09861032965 E -Mail : oriphil@gmail.com & mohantypradip@hotmail.com

In The News

HONG KONG 2009

23rd Asian International Stamp Exhibition, HONG KONG 2009 is going to be held at the Hong Kong
Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai, from May 14, 2009 to May 17, 2009. Mr. Dhananjay
Desai is the National Commissioner for India. The detailed Regulations of HONG KONG 2009 are
also available at request from Mr. Dhananjay Desai 1/M, National Chambers, Near City Gold Cinema,
Ashram Road, AHMEDABAD – 380 009.Telephone: +91-79-26580688 Fax: +91-79-26581167
E-mail : dhananjay_47@yahoo.co.in

HONG KONG 2009 – EXHIBITION CLASSES

Non Competitive Exhibits Classes (By invitation)

• Court of Honour
• Official Class
• Invited Exhibits

Competitive Exhibits Classes

Class 1 Traditional Philately

· China
· Asia, Oceania and Africa
· Rest of the World

Class 2 Postal History

· China
· Asia, Oceania and Africa
· Rest of the World

Class 3 Thematic Philately

Exhibits will be classified under
· Nature
· Culture
· Technology
Please indicate clearly in the Exhibit Application Form as to the sub-class (A, B or C)
the exhibit is entering.

Class 4 Youth Philately

· Group A : 13-15 years old
· Group B : 16-18 years old
· Group C : 19-21 years old (As of January 01, 2009)

Class 5 Philatelic Literature

· Philatelic books and research papers (Published on or after January 01, 2008)
· Philatelic Magazines and periodicals (The whole annual volume issued after January
01, 2008)
· Catalogues (Published after January 01, 2008)

Class 6 One Frame Exhibit

Exhibits in this class should be based on a narrow subject that is best treated as One Frame. Exhibits
are also welcome from novice exhibitors who are developing a subject which is capable of expanding
to more than One Frame in the near future. An extract from a past International award winning
multiple frame exhibit (5 to 8 frames) to One Frame is not allowed.
Conditions of Participation

4.1 Competitive Exhibits Classes:

Exhibitors from FIAP Member Federations shall be eligible for participating at HONG KONG 2009. An
exhibitor who satisfies the following condition may submit exhibits (for classes 1 to 6 under Article 5.2
below):

Entries winning at least 75 points at FIP/FIAP exhibitions or equivalent award at the National
Exhibitions.

4.2 Non-Competitive Classes:

Entries in non-competitive classes (including Court of Honour) shall be by special invitation at the
discretion of the Organizing Committee.

Participation Fee

9.1 There is no participation fee for Non-Competitive Class entries and Youth Philately Class.

9.2 The participation fee for Competitive Classes (except Class 5, & 6) will be US$30 per frame

9.3 The fee for participation in Literature (Class 5) is US$30 per exhibit

9.4 The fee for participation in One-Frame Exhibit (Class 12) is US$50 per exhibit

Gibraltar and Vatican Joint Issue

On the 10th February 2009, Gibraltar will be issuing a joint stamp issue with Vatican City to
commemorate the 700th Anniversary of the Devotion to Our Lady of Europe. The design features the
priceless, hand-carved ancient statue that resides in the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe in
Gibraltar.The Gibraltar sheet features St. Peter's Square and the Vatican sheet features the Rock of
Gibraltar.

Obama portrait by recycled stamps

A Staffordshire artist has created a stamp portrait of Barack Obama that he hopes to give to him
personally. The 3ft (90cms) by 4ft (1.2m) image of the US president-elect is made from about 2,000
recycled postage stamps. Artist Pete Mason, 65, said he made it to celebrate Mr. Obama’ victory.
British Postal Museum records available Online
The British Postal Museum & Archive (BPMA) is to make available over 3,000 searchable postal
history records via its website from 2 March 2009. The three listings: Penny Posts (including
5th Clause Posts); Mileage Marks and Missent Marks, consist of listings of all covers held in
the philatelic collection of the BPMA. All of the listings have introductions illustrated with
specific types. There are also a few examples of complete covers; however, the listings do
not provide illustrations of all covers. The listings have been compiled by volunteers over a
period of 15 years. For these sections, most listings and descriptions have been compiled by
Mike Bament, the well-known postal historian.

New Philatelic items from USA

Twelve postage stamps and one piece of postal stationery will be issued by the United States Postal
Service in February. The first stamps to appear will be the much-anticipated Abraham Lincoln set
marking the bicentennial of the 16th president's birth. The four 42¢ Abraham Lincoln stamps will be
issued Feb. 9 in Springfield, Ill. Each stamp depicts Lincoln at a different stage of his life: as a rail-
splitter, lawyer, politician and president.

The only piece of postal stationery scheduled for release in February is a 27¢ Miami University postal
card. The card, part of the long-running Historic Preservation series, will be issued Feb. 17 with a
first-day ceremony at the school in Oxford, Ohio.

On Feb. 21, the Postal Service will issue a Civil Rights Pioneers souvenir sheet of six stamps in New
York City. The header on the sheet reads "The courage and commitment of these men and women,
leaders of the struggle for African-American civil rights, energized a movement that spanned
generations."

The 12 individuals honored in the set, two per stamp, are: Mary Church Terrell and Mary White
Ovington, J.R. Clifford and Joel Elias Spingarn, Oswald Garrison Villard and Daisy Gatson Bates,
Charles Hamilton Houston and Walter White, Medgar Evers and Fannie Lou Hamer, and Ella Baker
and Ruby Hurley.

The month rounds out with two definitive stamps on Feb. 24, issued without a ceremony in
Washington, D.C.: a non - denominated (10¢) Patriotic Banner stamp in a coil of 500 with water-
activated adhesive, and a self-adhesive 1¢ Great Seal Official mail stamp issued in a pane of 20.
Bryan Adams soon to appear on Canadian stamp

Bryan Adams has sold 65 million albums. He's had a number one hit in 40 countries. He's partied with
the Queen and Lady Di. Now he's really hit the big time - he's going to be on a stamp. The 49-year-
old singer-songwriter is part of a quartet of musicians who will appear on Canada Post stamps.
Adams, Stompin' Tom Connors, Quebec's Robert Charlebois and Acadian singer-songwriter Edith
Butler are the second wave in the "Canadian Recording Artists" series, which proved wildly popular
when it was introduced last year. Six million stamps featuring Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, Paul
Anka and Anne Murray were sold in the summer of 2007, and a similar number will likely be printed
this time. The stamps will be sold in books of eight, with two stamps of each artist, so there will
probably be 1.5 million Bryan Adams stamps printed.

British Design Classics FDC designed by Indian

The first day cover for Royal Mail’s “British Design Classics” stamp issue has been
designed by Biswanath Chakrabarti. The exclusive painting is by Tapas Majumder. It
features Bletchley Park Post Office with the Toy Museum in the background. They both
host their own displays of design classics.

A correction

Mr. Rajesh Kumar Sinha of Jamshedpur was awarded a Silver Medal for his collection “Fascinating
World of Maps” in Jakarta 2008. The award was wrongly mentioned as Silver Bronze in the list of
award winners of Jakarta 2008 published in December 2008 issue of Rainbow Stamp News. The
mistake is highly regretted. - Editor

Mail carried on Kalka-Shimla Railway

Kalka Shimla Railway is one of the 4 Mountain Railways of India that includes Darjeeling Himalayan,
Ooty, and Matheran. A stamp was issued on November 9, 2003 on Kalka Shimla Railway Centenary.
Mountain Railways of India are already a UNESCO World Heritage and it was extended to include
Kalka Shimla Railway on July 7, 2008. A Special Postmark and Special Cover were issued to mark
this new status on November 9, 2008. About 50 special covers were carried on is 105th anniversary
run from Shimla to Kaithleeghat.

Honour for Philatelic Editor

Noted philatelist of Orissa and editor of Fila Capsule, Mr. Ajit Dash was recently
awarded at XIX All India Forensic Science Conference held in Gandhinagar recently. He presented
a scientific paper titled 'Destructive Examination by Non-Destructive Method" which was adjudged as
the Best Scientific Paper Award for 2009 in Document Science. The Award is instituted by
Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs and presented every year.He is the first person to get
this award from Orissa in Document Science. The Conference was held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat from
18-20, January, 2009 which was inaugurated by Shri Narendra Modi, Chief Minister, Gujarat. About
350 delegates from all over India including 51 delegates from abroad attended the conference. 150
research Papers have been presented in the said conference in four categories such as Document
Science, Physical Science, Chemical Science and Biological Science. Heartiest
Congratulations to Mr. Ajit Dash on achievement in his professional career from
whole philatelic community.

Recent stamp exhibition & Stamp Festival

Forum for Philately

On February 16, 2009, Gorky Sadan, 3 Gorky Terrace, Kolkata- 700017,near Minto Park (Russian
Centre of Science and Culture) jointly with Forum For Philately (a newly formed philatelic association
for promotion of philately) organized an exhibition on ‘Cinema and Allied Arts of Bengal in the
courtyard of Philately’, a solo exhibition of Mr. Souvik Roy, Kolkata. Dedicated To The Year of India in
Russia and 35th Anniversary of Gorky Sadan. The duration of the exhibition will be from February 16 th
to 18th from 4 PM to 7 PM.

On the same day ‘Forum For Philately’ officially will be inaugurated. Membership will be initially
restricted to the philatelists and collectors from West Bengal and Sikkim on recommendation basis.
There will be monthly meetings, workshop and exhibition on specific themes. Eminent philatelists
from all over the country will be invited for the workshops and exhibitions.

Festival of Stamps in Ahmadabad

Gujarat Philatelists' Association organized one of the biggest Festival of stamps in Ahmedabad from
Jan 30-Feb 1, 2009. The festival was inaugurated by Lt. Col. D.K.S.Chauhan, PMG, Gujarat
Circle. Philatelists and more than 50 dealers from different states attended this festival with great
enthusiasm. There were many stalls of stamps and philatelic items by the dealers of different cities. A
Special Cover and three Stamp Booklets were released during the festival. Noted philatelists of India
Mr. Madhukar Jhingan, Mr Manik Jain, Mr. A.S. Mittal and Mr. Markand Dave were honoured by
Gujarat Philatelists, Association with life-time achievment award for their valuable services to the field
of philately ..

Get - Together of Philatelists in Kanpur

Arjun Ghosh well known veteran stamp dealer organized get-together for philatelists at Kanpur on
January 4, 2009. Arun Agarwal, R C Agarwal, Rajprit Singh Saluja, Shafiq Khan, and Madhukar
Jhingan were some of the distinguished philatelists who attended this get-together. The get-together
of philatelists will regularly be held on first Sunday of every month. It was decided by Mr. Arjun
Ghosh at the meeting.

Stamp Exhibition in Chandigarh

A stamp exhibition”Tribute to Martyrs" was held in Chandigarh GPO Sector 17 on the occasion of the
martyrs day i.e., 30 and 31st January 2009. During the exhibition a special cover was also released
on Martyr’s day .

JAMPEX 2008

A philatelic District level exhibition was held in Jamnagar from Jan 9 to 10 2009. It was organized by
Department of Posts, Gujarat Circle, Rajkot Region. A special cover and postmark on Ajitsinhji
Cricket Pavilion Centenary Year and Corals was released during the exhibition. On the second day
two special covers and cancellations were released to mark the 75th Anniversary of Jamnagar
Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Khijadia Bird Sanctuary.

Philatelic Workshop & Exhibition in Orissa

A three day Philatelic Exhibition was organized by the Regional College of management,
Bhubaneswar with support of the Eastern India Philatelists' Association and Department of Posts
during the 'Basantosav ETHOS-2009', the National Culrural Festival from 30.01.2009 to 01.02.2009
at the auditorium of the college. The exhibits of noted philatelists of EIPA were displayed in 40
frames. The exhibition was inaugurated by Smt. Manisha Mishra, Director Postal Services,
Bhubaneswar.

On 01.02.2009 a Philatelic workshop was organised by Puri Postal Division at the GPO premises,
Puri. About 150 Students from 15 Schools participated the work shop.. Philatelic Quiz and Stamp
designed contests were also conducted between the students. There were three categories for each
contest namely Senior(Class-VIII-X), Junior (class-V-VII) and Sub-Junior (ClassI-IV). Shri Ajit Kumar
Dash, Secretary, EIPA and Mr. Anil Kumar Dhir Sr. Philatelist of EIPA were appointed as other jury
members for the competitions. Shri Niranjan Behera Sr. Supdt. of Posts, Puri presided over the
functions. Prizes were also distributed amongst the winners. The other senior Philatelists of EIPA
namely Kasinath Sahoo, Haripada Panda and Nrusingha Dash also attended the workshop and
assisted in the proceedings.

Philatelic Community
Deepak Modi from Jalna, Maharashta have created a Philatelic Profile on social networking and
discussion site Orkut which is operated by Google. The profile contains 26 Photo Albums which carry
170 stamp collectors as friends, 82 Philately based Communities, 112 different photos of Philatelic
Exhibition Publications includes Publications from District, State, National, Asian, World exhibitions, e
Philatelic Products from India, stamps from the collection, Stamp issue programme snaps and lots of
other such interesting and informative material on the profile. So Philatelists and stamp enthusiasts
who have Orkut profile can join by clicking on the following link:
http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Profile.aspx?rl=mp&uid=2130311454836300602 - Deepak Modi E-
Mail: modi.philatelist@gmail.com

Stamp on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his visit to Bhutan

Bhutan Post issued a M/s on 17 December 2008 to mark the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to
Bhutan commemorating the Indo-Bhutan Friendship & Coronation and Centenary Celebration 2008.
This is the second stamp issued on Sri Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India. The first stamp on
Manmohan Singh was issued by Uzbekistan on August 25, 2006 to commemorate the 15th
anniversary of independence.

Beginners’ section

Discussion - Use of Maxim cards in a Thematic Collection

Maxim Cards are quite favorite with philatelists these days because of their special design bearing
the enlargement design of a particular stamp. Sometimes these designs are not the actual
enlargement of the stamp design but are different and have a link with the theme. These are usually
prepared by collectors and also regarded as fancy items. However the pictorial design of the
postmark and the place of cancellation should have a close and direct connection with the subject of
the stamp and of the picture postcard, and should be dated within the validity of the stamp and as
close as possible to the date of its issue. Are these beautiful pieces which have a separate class for
display in exhibitions as ‘Maximaphily’ should be included in a Thematic Collection? It is a matter of
discussion. Here are the views by Dr. Satyendra Kumar Agrawal on this topic of discussion. It will
guide the collectors to prepare exhibit for National & International Philatelic Exhibitions. - Editor

I am not in favor of including a single Maximum Card in a World Class Thematic Exhibit. One may go
for only ONE since one of the principal demands of thematic collections has not been compiled with,
namely making use of as many philatelic elements as possible. We must leave Maximum Card for
Maximaphily; the separate exhibition category already exists.

One can not take liberty of using a large number of MCs on the ground of non availability of material
at any point. In Thematic philately, possibility always exists for twist and turns at any stage which also
makes two collection s on the same theme different. Hence one can easily bypass such situations
giving a new turn in his theme without disturbing the story line as a wider – ranging thematic and
philatelic knowledge always provides possibility of using equally or better available philatelic item as a
replacement in such situations. By also in fact, making use of that in the development and not
including items only by reason of their design we can also display deeper-reaching thematic and
philatelic knowledge which in return earns more points for the exhibit.

Here I wanted to add some more information taken from the “Handbook of Thematic Philately” by
W.E.J. van den Bold and published by The British Thematic Association, Page128-129. “ The origin
of these cards ( Maximum Cards) probably stems from Egypt at the turn of the century when foreign
troops and tourists affixed the pyramid stamps that were in circulation at the time to the picture side of
pyramid postcards, and mailed them to their friends. Following a discussion taken in 1934 at the UPU
Congress in Cairo, with effect from 1st Jan 1935 posting items of mail with the stamp on the picture
side has no longer been permitted. The genuine postal life of the MC therefore both began and ended
in Egypt. Cards produced after 1934 are therefore to be regarded as mass-produced material with no
postal significance.

Although Maximaphily is included in General Regulations as a separate exhibition category, the MC

has only a minor role to play in thematic philately. The use of MCs ought to remain limited to a few
important items, particularly to make the information on the stamp clearly visible.”

- Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

ANOTHER ASPECT OF LEARNING THROUGH PHILATELY

-- Naresh Agarwal

I want to share my experience with readers that philately educates not only by having stamps in hand
but to be in the field of philately, one learns tremendously. How? Please read these few lines…….
Philately is an educative hobby as one learns from the various facets of postage stamps. One learns
about culture, arts, sports, history, science and technology, development, history, personalities etc.
etc.. in fact what not ?

My son Nimesh now going to be 13 on 31 Jan. accompanied me first time to the COIN SHOW
organized from 24 to 26 of December 2008 at City Centre, Salt Lake, Kolkata. He often used to see
me spending lot of time in my philatelic activities. Looking at my stamps, covers and a good lot of
coins and currency he often asks me number of questions in unbreakable series showing his
inquisitiveness and desire to know.

Though he is not directly involved in stamp collection now but his eagerness to learn prevails. May be
this is his age to do so. But I was astonished when he put forward his desire to visit Kolkata with me
to see the coin show. Kolkata has always attracted me for its historic background still alive in form of
magnificent architectural buildings, monuments; for its industrial and engineering history and
developments, means of transport available boasting to be one of the well organized traffic systems
in India, the art, culture and various other aspects of the city.

Nimesh was happy to accompany me, to visit a Coin show in Kolkata. He really learnt a lot about
Kolkata which not only enriched his knowledge about the city but other aspects of Indian history too
through visiting various places, meeting people and seeing the culture of the city so closely.

Learning about coins and currency there and talking to different visitors at the show added to his
knowledge and experience, meeting collectors and discussing them different aspects of not only
collection of coins but about various other aspects of those countries too. Meeting and discussing
with people of different walks of life always gives a lifetime experience especially to the growing
children and they always have immemorable experience of life. In this way, such experiences add
new stars to their personality.

His visits to Victoria Memorial, Khidirpur Dock, Howrah Bridge, Valoor Math, travelling in Metro,
Launch (Steamer),Tram, Hand Cart, Double Decker Bus, Auto, walking long distances, having
Bangali sweets, window shopping, visiting various malls and above all visiting science city added
not only to his but my knowledge too.

In nut shell, what I want to say is that not stamps in hand, no visual, no internet, yet you learn
practically through the grace of philately as my son did. The stamp / coin exhibitions / shows always
guide and educate in a practical way to children and adults alike. One should never miss the
opportunity to visit a small or big stamp / coin exhibition. It is always paying and gives a practical
experience to the collector about the hobby as well as the place of the show. Such shows at different
places always enrich ones’ knowledge, add to personality development, boost up confidence, and fire
the desire to learn more and more, and so on…. My advise to avail every opportunity to learn and let
children learn through PHILATELY, a silent system of education.
Specialized Section

Rose Perfumed VALENTINE MAIL

- ©Dr. Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

Sending an e-mall or SMS doesn’t have the same impact as a card we choose personally and
accompany with a hand written massage of love on Valentine Day. We can make it more romantic by
mailing this heartfelt love letter in an envelope bearing a Rose stamp with sweet fragrance of roses.

Thanks to Bhutan first in producing many special stamps also came up with this exciting idea of
stamps with rose scent on 30 Jan 1973 issuing a set of six beautiful stamps (Scott 150-150e) and a
Miniature Sheet (Scott l50ef) featuring l5ch Wendy Cussons, 25ch Iceberg, 30ch Marchioness of
Urquijo, 3Nu Pink Parfait, 6Nu Roslyn and 7Nu Blue Moon roses and on s/s Scott 150d & 150e again
as Airmail stamps. During the production of these stamps, each stamp was perfumed to smell like a
rose by soaking in rose essence. Each stamp smelled like the rose variety that was depicted on the
individual stamp. Since these stamps have an expected scent-lifespan of only about 3 months, the
issue went unnoticed.

After a long gap of 27 years in year 2000 South Korea released a scented rose stamp as its Love
issue (Scott2021). This 170 Weun heart shape stamp depicted the American Sign Language for “I
Love you" -a personified hand within heart holding a rose releasing sweet fragrance of rose.

This idea of rose scented stamps revived in a great way in 200l which in true sense can be enthroned
with the title “Year of Scented Stamps" as philatelic market flooded with various aromatic Issues
having scents of rose, coffee, tea chocolate orchid etc. All this made possible due to striking
innovation of printing stamps with special ink where scent is held within microcapsules/bubbles. As
the ink surface is damaged by gentle rubbing, the bubble bursts and the scent is released. Stamps,
printed with such type of ink are expected a scent life span of 3 -5 years or more, depending upon the
amount of scratching done to the stamp.
South Korea used this scratch and sniff technology to commemorate Philkorea-200l releasing two
diamond shaped stamps featuring Red Queen Rose (Scott 2057) and Pink Rose (Scott 2058) with
sweet scent of rose on 18 th July 2001also as two stamp mini sheets (Scott 2059 & 2059a) . Again a
scented rose love issue on 2nd Aug 2001 (Scott 2059) along with a S/s (Scott 2059a) depicting heart
filled with red roses.

Norway issued its first set of aromatic stamps in the form of two self adhesive booklets on 22 June
2001. They contain Red Roses -"Heidenk onigin"(Queen of the Heath) and Pink Roses -"Old Master"
as Scott 1303-04 and Grand Prix & Champagne roses on Scott 1352-1353. All are designed by Enzo
Finger and printed in offset by John Enschede, The Nederland. Corresponding to the first class
domestic rate 5.50 Nok denominated these stamps are always ready to release delicate scent of
charming garden roses if they are gently rubbed by finger.

To promote tourism and its perfume industry, Norfolk Is also opted this fascinating idea of issuing
scented stamps .On 9th June 2001 it released a set of 6 floral stamps which smell like perfume. One
of this (Scott 735) depicted a woman with roses and has a tab also featuring a beautiful rose branch
with perfume of rose.

The Netherlands honored the International Horticultural Exhibition "Floride-2002 issuing a lovely pane
of 10 stamps on April 27, 2002 with 6 floral designs including a rose with rose smell (Scott. B733)

The appeal and beauty of the rose has stood the test of time and is the only flower that is understood
universally. To symbolize love and dignity no other flower has been able to replace the rose since the
dawn of the civilization. From 2002 an onwards most of the scented issues from different parts of the
world came out as greeting issues and Roses were their most favorite choice.

The single biggest sales day for "The World's Favorite Flower" is Valentine Day when more than 1.5
million roses are delivered each year as a tangible expression of words unspoken around the globe.
Austria filled the Valentine's mail of year 2002 with the delicate scent of rose coming out of the
bouquet of flowers featured on its Euro 0.87 denominated stamps (Scott 1883) issued on 8 Feb.

South Korean15th Jan 2002 greeting issue was a unique set having 4 different smelling stamps out of
which one has rose on it with rose scent (Scott. 2078).

Valentine Day is commemorated with passion and excess in Thailand with commercial business
taking the lead in promoting this day of Love while florists, hoteliers and restaurants make in huge
profit. Thai postal authorities also dropped their toes in this stream of water and in 2002 they released
their first aromatic stamp featuring Antonia Ridge –rose variety with thick and soft, velvet like petals
(Scott 2007). The very beautiful red rose scented stamp printed 4 million in quantity, all sold out within
hours.

This warm welcome of scented issue in philatelic world and great economic prospect, Thai post made
a regular practice of issuing scented rose stamps commemorating Valentine’s Day each year
afterwards. In 2003 the country’s postal authorities released a set of two 4b stamps (Scott 2058-
2059) depicting one heart shape stamp with unusual Blue Nile rose – a lavender colour sweet
fragrant blossom while the other shows a bear holding a rose bouquet. In terms of Language of
Roses, Orange symbolizes ‘desire’ and this colour of rose was chosen for 1 Feb 2004 issue (Scott
2114). ‘Red’ symbolizes love and respect, and this colour rose was featured on its unique 2005
Valentine’s Day issue printed on flocked paper impregnated with rose scent. Pinkish red was the
color of rose chosen by Thai post for its 2006 issue (Scott 2220). But this time your fingers too can
feel its presence by touching as it was embossed. Scott 2276 as 2007 issue was a rose in Yellow
color, the symbol of joy and gladness and 2008 issue, a light pink rose being the next to Red , in the
most favorite color list of roses, and symbolizes gratitude, appreciation, admiration and sympathy.

The scent of roses is often compared to that of wine as well as other fragrances that are familiar to
us. If there is something called real “rose fragrance" it would be that of the old historical roses of the
alba-, gallica- and damascene- rose families. All these happen with the 19 Nov. 2002 issue of
Switzerland. A set of 5 aromatic stamps were released out of which 4 depicted scented rose varieties
(Scott B669-672). Designs are inspired by the painting of great rose painter Pierre Joseph Redoute
and are prepared by the famous Swiss Graphic designer Anne Marie Trechslin. Rose varieties
depicted were named after the actress Ingrid Bergman, Bella Vaudoise, Charmain and Fruhlingrgold.
Malaysians also received an early whiff of love when the country’s postal authorities released a set of
4 stamps (Scott914-916) portraying pink, red Rosa hybida and in pair yellow Rosa hybrida &
Floribunda and a S/S (Scott 917) featuring a Floribunda miniature and a highly scented Centifolia
rose used for preparing Attar .

Belgium commemorated its 2005 Ghent Flower Show releasing a set of 3 stamps (Scott 2077-2079)
with an olfactory component titillating the senses illustrating Belinda, Pink Iceberg and Old Master
roses.

Australia putout a self adhesive Red rose issue in 2006 for Valentine Day with sweet fragrance of
rose (Scott 2487) and again in 2008 a “Love Blooms” Self –adhesive sheetlet (Scott 2772). This
Silver foiled high-build varnished sheetlet of 10 rose scented stamps is printed with flexographic
printing process and bears the image of a classic red rose in full bloom. This issue again added a
new dimension to our Valentine’s Mail. Now we can even add our love ones photograph as tab with
this stamp with the help of Australian post Personalized Stamp Service offered for this issue.
India post also recognized the revenue-generating power of the scented stamps and in 2007 released
a set of 4 scented stamps (Scott 2183a-2183d) featuring local rose varieties Bhim, Delhi Princess,
Jawahar and Neelam (I made my Valentine Mail priceless for my wife placing the last stamp of this
series “NEELAM” on the envelope which by coincidence is also the name of my wife.) S/s and
Sheetlet were also released, decorated beautifully, with more verities of roses as ornamental border.

Year 2008 witnessed two more scented rose issues, one from Argentina as a M/s and the other from
Israel (Scott 1722) depicting white roses.

The use of scented stamps is a novelty that is becoming more and more prevalent. Also the subject
of all of the stamps issued with scents, flower-scented stamps are the predominant type. Since the
rose has a rich symbolic life and in recent centuries has become closely associated with love, beauty
and passion, a major portion of issued floral scented stamps is occupied by Rose. We may hope
more rose scented stamps in near future with some new innovations capable of making our future
Valentine’s Day mails even more personal and more romantic.

LABELING MAILS (POSTAL LABELS)

By Naresh Agarwal

DIFFERENT AIRMAIL LABELS

Postal Labels are stamp-like adhesive piece of sheet, paper, polymer, fiber, cloth printed in different
shapes, sizes, colors and designs affixed or stuck on any postal material specially for and during
movement, transmission, transit and carriage of the mail. These labels are affixed on covers, packets,
parcels, mail bags, books etc. to help identification the nature and type of mail and mail operation,
handling, movement, processing or to inform, instruct and clarify other aspects related to the mail
and its movement. These includes Airmail labels, Registration labels, Express labels, Priority labels,
Certified mail labels, Insurance labels, Official seals, Parcel post labels, Mail Routing labels,
Instructional Labels, Advertising labels, Propaganda labels etc. These may be blank, attached to a
commemorative or semi-postal stamp with description, used in stamp booklets, form like labels to be
filled, war propaganda labels, etc; by themselves, may be considered cinderellas, bogus stamps,
some times mistaken as stamps also. Postal Labels have no postal value so to say but do have
postal utility and importance and have become an essential part of mail handling and carriage system
because they play a very important role in informing, defining, transmission and delivery of mail.

Postal labels can be broadly categorized as under :

1. Fancy /decorative Labels ………….. Beautiful, Colourful, Well designed pictures

2. Nature of mail carriage…………….. Surface mail, Air Mail, Ship mail, Rail, Bus
3. Type of mail……………………………. Economy, Ist Class, 2nd Class, 3rd Class, 4th
Night mail
4. Route of the mail carriage…………. Via………….,
5. Nature of delivery…………………… Express, Special, Speed, Quick, Fast
6. Special treatment given to the mail… Disinfected, irradiated, sanitized, censored
opened, repaired, protected, sealed
7. Quality and quantity of the mail…… Bulk, Book, Packet, Parcel,
8. Advertising labels…………………… Postal, private, individual, personal, product
9. Propaganda labels…………………… Burning issue, political, military, civil
10. Military mail labels………………………….. War funds, Help soldiers, Anti war
11. Speed of the mail…………………………… Express, Quick, Speed post
13. Shipping labels…………………………….. Forwarded, domestic, overland, international,
14. Nature of its sticking…………………… Thermal, stickers, gummed, ungummed
15. Nature of its printing/manufacturing…. Paper, Polymer, Card, Single color,
Multi color, Inkjet, Laser, Pre-printed
16. Purpose of label……………… Instructional, Informational, Educational,
Protectional, Greeting
17. Tax collection labels…………….. Postage due, surcharge, War tax, Civil tax
18. Postal operation labels………………… Returned, Forwarded, Redirected, Censored,
Opened, checked contents, Sealed, Repaired
19. Postal Authority identification……………. Royal mail, USPS, India Post, Australia Post
20. Special Event Labels …………… Independence Day, Christmas, Celebration,
Festivals
21. Nature of printing and production……… Electronic, Thermal, Adhesive, Fmara,
Xeroxed, Computer
22. Funny Labels …………………….. Shows funny pictures, Messages, Quotes
24. Greeting Labels…………………. Christmas, Diwali, Welcome, Appreciating
25. Awareness Labels……………… Road Safety, Child care, Social evils,
26. Informatory labels………………… Postal, Social, Military, Political
27. Educative Labels……………………….. Awareness, Social, Safety Message
28. Emotional Labels………………….. Inspiring, National Mourning, Farewell, Love
29. Nature of Mail…………………………..

1. Media mail, Bulk mail, Junk mail, Bill Mail, Book Post, Govt. Mail, Insured, Direct mail, Express
mail, Local Mail, Personalized Mail
2. Business Mail, Publication Mail , Speed post, EMS, Email, Registered, Recorded, Certified, VPP,
Secured Mail, Salvaged
30. Security labels………………….. Secured Post, Security Instructions
31. Communicating Labels …………………. Apology, Information, Explaining Reasons
32. Salvaged Mail Labels …………………. Damaged, Wreck, Burnt, Wet, Torn, Accidented
33. Commemorative Labels ……………….. Special events, Anniversaries, Formation
34. Promotional Labels …………………… Product, Event, Institution, Medical
35. Expedition Labels ……………………….. Antarctic, Arctic, Himalaya
36. Charity Labels …………………….. Leprosy, child care, handicapped, red cross
37. Specialized labels …………………….. Piggy back, Radioactive, Laser, anti microbial
Security
38. Artistic Labels…………………………… Paintings, sketches, designer, portraits

To be contd…..

New Issues from other countries

Algeria

4 Jan. 2009 Bicentenary of Louis Braille - 1500

Australia

8 January 2009 South Magnetic Pole - --55c, 55c, $1.10 Northern Party camp,$1.10 Claiming the
South Magnetic Pole
22 January 2009 Legends - Australian Legends of the screen - 8 x 55c

Austria

24 Jan. 2009 miniature sheet featuring a 22-karat real gold foil will be introduced during the open
house at Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna
Bhutan

17 December 2008 M/s Visit of Indian Prime Minister to Bhutan

Canada

8 Jan 2009 Year of OX - 54c

12 January 2009 Queen Elizabeth

China

5 January 2009 Year of Ox

Czech Republic

2 Jan 2009 Louis Braille - 10 Kz & Charles Darwin - 12 Kz

Finland

22 Jan 2009 Five drops of happiness issued for valentine Day greetings - M/s

Greenland

19 Jan. 2009

EUROPA Astronomy - 6.25 & 8.- DKK

Global Warming - 5.00

Germany

2 Jan 2009 meteorological Phenomenon – 45 + 20, 55 + 25, 56 + 25, 145 + 56

Gibraltar

10 Feb 2009 Joint issue by Gibraltar & Vatican City - 700th Anniversary of the Devotion to Our Lady of
Europe

Ireland

23 Jan 2009 Bicentennial of Louis Braille - 55c

Jersey

10 Feb 2009 - EUROPA Astronomy 2 stamps (0.39 & 0.43 GBP)

Korea

2 January 2009 Louis Braille - 250 won

Malaysia

21 Jan 2009 Unique Birds of Malaysia - 2 stamps 30 s, 50s + M/s

New Zealand

7 Jan 2009
-Light houses of New Zealand - 50c, $1.00, $1.50, $2.00, $2.50

- Year of the Ox - : 50c, $1.00, $2.00

Norway

2 Jan 2009
Wildlife of Norway - 3 stamps -11.50, 15.50, 25.00
Norwegian Art - 2 stamps

Poland

19 December 2008 450 years of Polish Post - PLN 20

Singapore

9 Jan 2009 Year of Ox

Sweden

29 Jan 2009 EUROPA Astronomy - 2 stamps (2x 12.- SEK) issued in a booklet of 4
Taiwan

20 Jan 2009 Giant Panda - 2 stamps NT$ 5, 9 + M/s -NT$ 25

UK

13 January 2009 British Design Classics -

22 Jan 2009 - Robert Burns - M/s

12 Feb 2009 - Darwin - M/s

USA

3 January 2009 50th anniversary of Alaska Statehood

8 January 2009 Year of Ox - Lunar New Year - 42 c

9 Feb 2009 Abraham Lincoln - 42 c

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. A new column Reader’s Right has
been started from April issue. 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. Please send your postal address and Ph. No. and if possible a photo too when writing
on any controversial issue.

Request to India Post & Members of Philatelic Advisory Committee

Sub.: Release of a Postal Stamp commemorating the senior most journalist of Madhya Pradesh and
Freedom Fighter, Late Shree Hukum Chand Narad of Jabalpur .

Late Shri Hukum Chand Narad was an eminent journalist famous for his fearless pen. His whole life
was devoted towards relentless fight for Indian freedom. Mahatama Gandhi had praised Naradji ‘s
fearlessness in Freedom struggle. He was known to the former Prime Minister Shri Jawahar Lal
Nehru as a fellow congress worker and was counted amongst the top rungs of the then C.P. and
Barar leadership. After almost half century of his sudden death , MP Government installed his life
size Bronze statue in Jabalpur in 1999 commemorating his services to the nation. In 2008 falls the
105th birth anniversary of Shri Hukum Chand Narad , the doyen of the working journalists. It would
most be fitting for Department of Posts, to release a postal stamp in his memory which would serve
as an inspiring tribute to patriotism and fearless journalism.

The Lighter Side

Use scented stamps but don’t put them in your pocket ???????

Contributed by Dr. S.K. Agrawal

Do You Know?

• The first stamps to bear the date of their production were the 'Tigers' of
Afghanistan, which bore Moslem dates. Since 1935 Canadian stamps have had
the date of their production concealed in tiny numerals in the design.

• The first Australian miniature sheet was issued on 29 October 1928. It featured
four 3d stamps with a Kookaburra on a branch of a gum tree. The miniature
sheet commemorated the Fourth Australian Philatelic Exhibition held in
Melbourne.

• The first airmail stationery, consisting of postcards and letter sheets, was
produced in Paris for carriage by balloon in 1870.

• In 1849 the French Government introduced a law making it an offence to wash or

otherwise clean used French postage stamps. This was to combat the practice of
using the same stamps over and over again. In one six-year period almost
15,000 persons (including genuine stamp collectors) were charged under this
law.

Blogs & Websites on Philately

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

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

on blogosphere and share views with each other.

www.sipa.org.in - It is a new website launched by South India Philatelists’ Association, Chennai.

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

http://ShipThemeGallery.blogspot.com/ It is a Blog on Ships on Stamps: My Watercraft Philately by

our member Mr. Kashinath R. from Madurai.

http://stampomania.blogspot.com/ It is a Blog World War I & II and Indian Connection and created
by our member Mr. Jyotirmay Bareria of Bangalore.
Editor’s Mail Box

Seetha Raman, Chennai

There is confusion in Chennai . If maxi card cancelled with first day cancellation is valid or not. Or it
must get cancelled at the place where it is related. e.g. Shirdi Sai Baba must have been cancelled in
Shirdi .

I am a collector of permanent pictorial cancellation. I am not having details of permanent pictorial

cancellation issued by different Circles. And there is no site, which have full details. You can publish
an article with all the details in Rainbow Stamp News. It will be of great help for a collector like me.

Jyothi Priya, Mandya ,Karnataka.

I was happy to browse 'Rainbow Stamp News' site, which I found through Stamp of India site which I
am a subscriber. Being a philatelist from 1977 I am interested to receive your newsletter without fail I
was impressed by your informative collection of news and its presentation.

Shrikant Parikh, Ahmedabad

The RSN and Posts are very impressive. I congratulate you for accomplishing this feat single
handedly. Wish you many more Anniversaries to come.

Jagannath.M, Bangalore

I am very much thankful to you for your support and interest taken to fill the gap between the
philatelists. It is really appreciating. I hope Rainbow Stamp Club will continue to lead with 'JYOTI' a
Torch of philately and do so. Meantime I wish the club for wonderful news bulletin on the first
anniversary that is filled with 7 colors of rainbow, much beautiful, meaningful and informative. We are
hopeful that this will lead the powerful hobby to a successful journey. through your artistic well
designed work. The anniversary issue displaying its and your successful philatelic journey, mean
while I want to thank Sri T.N. Prahlada Rao, Dr. Satyendra Kumar Agrawal, Sri Naresh Agarwal and
all others who contribute to this news bulletin and to the Thematic philately .

Dear Ms. Jyoti,

I noted with interest your article on the recently introduced Alaska stamp commemorating 50 years of
statehood.

Our organization, the American Philatelic Society, recently prepared a free Stamps of Alaska album in
pdf form to showcase many U.S. stamps related to the state. If you have downloaded Adobe Acrobat
Reader software, you should be able to view the album and print out any of all of the pages you
would like: http://www.stamps.org/Albums/alaska.pdf

We have a number of other such albums available, and plan many more. All our mini-album pages
are available here: http://www.stamps.org/Education/edu_AlbumPages.htm
The website for the Society has much more useful material, at www.stamps.org

Best wishes for your website!

Yours for The Stamp Hobby,

Fred Baumann
Public Relations Manager
American Philatelic Society
100 Match Factory Place
Bellefonte PA 16823

Debashish
While searching on Louis Braille I came across your sites and couldn't leave it for a while. I haven't
been a avid stamp collector but I did had a decent collection and the hobby interests me much.

I publish a Hindi webzine Samayiki at http://samayiki.com. I write to you to ask if you or anyone else
from your community would be able to write an article for us on the subject, we may include:
1) About the hobby of Philately
2) the talk about investment & making money from it (recently some newspapers touched the
subject , don't know how much is true)
3) trivia & unique stamps
4) some jargons explained etc

I am looking for a Hindi article since the subject gets lesser attention in this language.

Debashish E-Mail : debashish@gmail.com

Promotional section

Phila Post
To serve the interests of philatelists in India and abroad an authentic magazine providing philatelic
information, views, a place to express opinion and to bring likeminded people together was a long felt
need. India Post and Philatelic Congress of India have come together to fill the void with a quarterly
magazine “Phila Post”. The subscription for this fully multicolored magazine is kept very low at Just
Rs. 40/- per annum (4 issues) post paid anywhere in India to reach the masses. This became
possible because of the initiative & kind co-operation of Mr. RRP Singh, Deputy Director General
(Philately), India Post. Some copies of Inaugural Issue of this magazine were made available at
various Philatelic Bureaus for sale at Rs. 10/- each. Next issue scheduled to be released in January
2009.

It is a request to all to join hands for promotion of this magazine “Phila Post”. The fellow philatelists
are requested to contribute by way of submitting good research articles, letter to the editor,
subscription of the magazine, advertisements, etc. The articles may be sent to editors Dr. R.S.
Gandhi, Shri Manik Jain, Shri Mainak Kathuria E-mail: mainak61@yahoo.com or Shri G. Bhaskar.
For philatelic advertisements, request for rates can be sent to me at ajay@kshitiz.com. I request you
to give it a wide publicity and share and spread this information in your society meetings.
 Kindly collect the subscription for “Phila Post” from members of your society and send the forms
collectively with consolidated payment by demand draft or cheque payable at par at Delhi NCR in the
name of M/s L B Associates (Pvt.) Ltd. to Ajay Kumar Mittal, Executive Secretary, PhilaPost, D-57
South Extension-1, New Delhi-110049.

Special Stamp Packs by India Post

Nov 16, 2008 Saint Alphonsa Content: MS, FDC Price - Rs 100

Nov 16, 2008 Saint Alphonsa Content: Stamp, MS

Dec 16, 2008 Field Marshal Manekshaw Content: Block of 4 stamps, FDC, Price - Rs 75

Dec 22, 2008 BrahMos Cruise Missile Content: Miniature Sheet, FDC, Price - Rs 100

 I am having stamp collections which I would like to sell .For more details contact S.S Patil E-
Mail - sspatil6@rediffmail.com

 Dear friend, we have been running stamp club for children & new stamps collectors in Sri
Lanka since 2002. Can you help me my stamp club with your duplicate nice stamps, It will very
helpful Sri Lankan children. D. ASITHA SURENDRA ,NO:293/1, VEEDI ROAD, VELIVERIYA,
SRI LANKA

e-mail : asithana@sltnet.lk

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

GPA News - October 2008 edited by Ilias A. Patel and published by Gujarat Philatelists’
Association, Ahmadabad. E- Mail - iap_ip@yahoo.co.in

SIPA Bulletin Jan - June 2008 issues - Bimonthly newsletter edited by Shri G. Madan Mohan Das
and published by South India Philatelists’ Association, Chennai. E-Mail -sipagold@gmail.com

Phila Post – Quarterly Philately Journal available from Linda Brady Hawke, L.B. Associates (Pvt.)
Ltd., H-108 Sector 63, Noida- 201301. Subscription Rs. 40 by M.O. for 4 issues.

Souvenir - EIPEX 2008 by Eastern India Philatelist’ Association, Bhubaneswar

Souvenir - KARPHILEX 2008 by Karnataka Philatelic Society, Bangalore
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.

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, Australia Post,
Shrikant Parikh- Ahmadabad, Pradip Jain- Patna, Vinod Sabharwal - New Delhi , Pradeep Mohanty-
Cuttack,Terry Mitchell, UK, Abhai Mishra -Dehradun, Sandeep Narad - Indore, Hand Book on
Philatelic Exhibition , Rakesh Walia - Chandigarh, Ajit Dash - Bhubaneswar ,

• 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 – rainbowstamp2008@gmail.com & 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-

• 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.

"The philatelist will tell you that stamps are educational, that they are valuable, that
they are beautiful. This is only part of the truth. My notation is that the collection is a
hedge, a comfort, a shelter into which the sorely beset mind can withdraw. It is
orderly, it grows towards completion, it is something that can't be taken away from
us”.

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

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