Date of Issue : 10 May 2011
Australia Post issued a stamp on 10th May to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of soprano, Dame Nellie Melba (1861-1931), world-renowned opera singer. The stamp is based on a portrait, entitled Madame Melba, by Australian artist Rupert Bunny (1864-1947) and also bears Melba's signature as part of the design. Besides stamp, other nice philatelic items like sheetlet, stamp booklet and Maxi card have also been issued. These are wonderful collectible items for music lovers. The most beautiful part of all these items is the First Day special cancellation in the form of a Gramophone which appealed me most. This is all for Today….Till nest post …Have a Nice Time !
Dame Nellie Melba
Melba was born Helen Porter Mitchell at Richmond, Melbourne and made her debut at the Melbourne Town Hall in 1884. After an audition in Paris, Mitchell adopted the name Melba after her home city, and made her debut on the European opera stage in Brussels in 1887. After a triumphant season at Covent Garden in London the same year, Melba was feted all over Europe. She became best known for her interpretation of Mimi in Puccini's La Bohème which she premiered at the Royal Opera House in London in 1899.
Her glittering career continued until the 1920s. In 1927 Melba was appointed Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (G.B.E.). Suffering ill health, she returned to Australia in early 1931 and died in Sydney a few weeks later.
Permanent Pictorial Cancellations
Tamil Nadu
Permanent Pictorial Postmark 6 - Solar Observatory, Kodaikanal
Date of Inauguration of PPP - September 05, 1979
The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory is formed on April 01, 1899, located on the southern tip of the Palani Hills, 4 Km from Kodaikanal - often called as "Princess of Hill Stations" in India. The observatory is now owned and operated by Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore. The Evershed effect was first detected at this observatory in January 1909. Solar data collected by the lab is the oldest continuous series of its kind in India. The Observatory has a popular Astronomy museum on campus for the visitors. The displays are mainly pictorial, with a few models, a live solar image and the Fraunhofer spectrum also presented.
: Kasinath R.,Thanjavur email : kasinath80@gmail.com
Blog : My Watercraft Philately - http://shipthemegallery.blogspot.com/
Club News
STAMPS AND NUMISMATIC EXHIBITION AT BILASPUR
A meeting of Chhattisgarh Philatelic Association, Bilaspur was on 15.05.11 at Mr. C.R.Andhare’s house where in discussions were held regarding proceeding for the Philatelic and Numismatic Exhibition to be held on 22.05.11 at Bilaspur under patronage of Loins Club of Bilaspur. Presided by Sri C.R.Andhare, the exhibition is supposed to have display of both Philatelic and Numismatic exhibits by local members. During the meeting which was attended by 13 members, the proposed exhibition is next in the series of events held by this association with the last mega show held in August 2009 named as “DAK TICKET MILAAN-2009” which was highly appreciated throughout India with presence of dealers and philatelists not only from India but from abroad too.Association is also planning to organize another such mega show in December this year.
: Naresh Agarwal, Bilaspur (CG)
