K2 (Godwin Austen) stamp…

 

Date of issue : 19 May 1988

On stamp : Godwin Austin, the correct name of peak is Godwin Austen

Wrong spelling of peak on stamp

India Post issued a set of 4 postage stamps on 19 May 1988 on Himalayan Peaks.Many collectors might not be aware of the fact that the stamp with Rs 4 denomination issued on K2 (Godwin Austen) bears the wrong spelling of the peak. On stamp the designer has inserted Godwin Austin which should have been Godwin Austen.K2 is the second-highest mountain on Earth, after Mount Everest. With a peak elevation of 8,611 m (28,251 feet) and India’s highest mountain peak. The name Mount Godwin-Austen was suggested, in honour of Henry Godwin-Austen, an early explorer of the area.

Discussion

What is an approppriate maxim Card ?

Here  is a scan of Maxim card sent by Mr Sanjiv Jain of Dehradun. I publihed two cards prepared by him with cancellation from Bilaspur (CG)  in my last post. After the publication I received mails from some philatelists of Bilaspur as they were anxious to know how a collector from Dehradun could get max cards cancelled at Bilaspur. For all  those who are keen to know is just to inform them  that  a person has  liberty to get cancellation from any place of his choice if he can approach that  place ….

However in case of these Maxim Cards the choice for  place of cancellation is not appropriate. It should have been  New Delhi where Rashtrapati bhawan is located and easier to obtain for a collector from Dehra Dun.

Here is another card from Mr Jain with four stamps on it. As per FIP rules and regulations there should be ONE stamp on the view-side of the card. The card with more than one stamp cannot be considered as Maximum Card.

New Stamps from India..

 

 

Dare of Issue : 5 August 2011

 

The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil releasing the Commemorative Postage Stamp on ‘Rashtrapati Bhavan’, in New Delhi on August 05, 2011. The Union Minister for Human Resource Development and Communications and Information Technology, Shri Kapil Sibal and Dr. Devisingh Ramsingh Shekhawat are also seen.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan or The Official Residence of the Head of the State is the official residence of the President of India, located at Raisina hill in New Delhi. Until 1950 it was known as "Viceroy's House" and served as the residence of the Viceroy and Governor-General of India.

The splendour of the Rashtrapati Bhavan is multi-dimensional. It is a vast mansion and its architecture is breathtaking.  Its architect was Edwin Landseer Lutyens.

The decision to build a residence in New Delhi for the British Viceroy was taken after it was decided in the Delhi Durbar of 1911 that the capital of India would be shifted from Calcutta to Delhi in the same year.This vast mansion has got four floors and 340 rooms,with a floor area of 200, 000 square feet .The most prominent and distinguishing aspect of Rashtrapati Bhavan is its dome which is superimposed on its structure. It is visible from a distance and the most eye-catching round roof with a circular base in the heart of Delhi.

The striking  feature of the architecture of the Rashtrapati Bhavan is the use of Indian temple bells in its pillars. It is well known that the temple bells constitute part and parcel of our composite culture, particularly that of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions. Blending these bells with the Hellenic style architecture is a fine example of the fusion of Indian and European designs. Such bells are conspicuous in their absence in the North Block, South Block and in Parliament House. It is interesting to note that the ideas to adopt such bells in the pillars of Rashtrapati Bhavan came from a Jain temple at Moodabidri in Karnataka.

The main entrance to Rashtrapati Bhavan is known as Gate 35, and is located on Prakash Vir Shastri Avenue, renamed from North Avenue during November 2002, as a memorial to the politician of the namesake who served here during his tenure as a Member of Parliament for the state of Uttar Pradesh.

The Mughal Gardens

The Mughal Gardens situated at the back of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, incorporates both Mughal and English landscaping styles. It displays numerous types of flowers and is open to public in February every year.

 

FDC Image source : Atul Jain, Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh)

Pictorial Cancellation on Archaeopteryx…

 

 

Here are some very nice pictorial cancellation to be issued in Germany at different places. Mr. Wolfgang Beyer  has sent details about them. Those interested in these cancellations, may write to Mr Beyer.

On August 11^th   a pictorial cancellation will be provided   featuring the prehistoric  bird ARCHAEOPTERYX   at the post office  Eichstätt , Germany.

A pictorial Cancellation will be provided on Dinosaur park at Munchehagen, Germany featuring Dinosaur on 30 July 2011.

These pictorial  postmarks are available from Mr. Wolfgang Beyer Member of Staff   from the  Philatelic group ArGe ZOOLOGIE . Email : Wolfgang.Beyer1@polizei.sachsen.de

Archaeopteryx

Archaeopteryx  is the earliest bird in the fossil record, coming from the Late Jurassic lithographic limestone near Solnhofen, Germany. The first specimen was found in 1891, almost coincident with Darwin's publication of Origin of Species two years later, and ten more have since been found.

Archaeopteryx was about the size of a crow with short, broad wings and a long tail. While its feathers were similar to those of living birds, it had jaws lined with sharp teeth, three fingers ending in curving claws, and a long bony tail, in stark contrast to modern birds.

Archaeopteryx's many features of dinosaurs such as the jaws with teeth, tiny forelimbs with three claws, a long tail and a head covered with scales while body, wings and tail were covered with feathers as in a bird provides strong evidence of the dinosaur ancestry of birds, and, more generally, of the validity of the Theory of Evolution.

Club News

New Stamp from India

 

India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp on 28 July 2011 on Shri Kasu Brahmananda Reddy. 

: Mansoor B.,Mangalore

Kasu Brahmananda Reddy, noted leader is credited with creating the Industrial infrastructure in and around Hyderabad. During his long regime of seven years (Longest for any Congress chief minister in the state of Andhra Pradesh), many major industries like BHEL, HMT, IDPL, Hindustan Cables and several defense establishments like MIDHANI, Bharath Dynamics were established.Kasu Brahmananda Reddy also held the key positions, such as Home Minister of India (1974–1977) and the Governor of Maharastra (February 20, 1988 to January 18, 1990).The famous Chiran Palace was named after Kasu Brahmananda Reddy. National Park in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, was named in his honor.

 

Special Covers

Rajasthan

State animal of Rajasthan - Chinkara  ( Rajpex –2007 )

 

: Ashwani Dubey - Gorakhpur

New Stamp from India…

 

Date of Issue : 8 July 2011

India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp on United Theological College, Bangalore on 8 July 2011.

Image source: Mansoor B., Mangalore

 

United Theological College

United Theological College (UTC) is a theological seminary situated in the southern city of Bangalore.

The College was inaugurated in July 1910 under the name “The United Theological College of South India and Ceylon” as “a Christian College where students may obtain a sound theological education”. It was established through the co-operation of the London Missionary Society, the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society, The United Free Church of Scotland, the Arcot Mission of the Reformed Church in America and the Trustees of the Jaffna College Funds and the S.P.C.K. in Scotland also gave their support.

The students and Faculty of the College come from different parts of India and Abroad. Such a multi-cultural and international community offers unique cross-cultural experience and opportunities for growth in ecumenical awareness.It is affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University). Since 1976, it has been granted the status of an autonomous college under the University.

Read More…

Club News….

 

 

Indian Errors major interest at SG Auction

Stanley Gibbons June auction demonstrates the strength of Indian and Chinese stamps with a bidding frenzy for rare Indian errors and 60% of China lots selling for double estimate or more.

15th June saw collectors and investors from across the globe focusing their attention on the Stanley Gibbons bi-annual public auction, held at 399 Strand, London as more than 1000 world lots went under the hammer.

Starting with foreign countries, the auction got off to a strong start with all Chinese lots finding buyers. More than 60% of Chinese lots went for double or more their pre-auction estimate including lot 19; the ever popular 1964 Chinese Peonies 2y miniature sheet (SG MS2199a) fine u/m, which sold for £2,760.

The highlight of the foreign section however, was lot 57; A 1862 (April 9) Neapolitan Provinces cover to Glasgow franked with the 1861 1g, 2g, 5g and 20g which were cancelled by two Napoli al Porto cds’s. This superb quadruple franking cover with two other covers sold for £16,100 after a long battle between room and telephone bidders.

The highlight from the British Commonwealth offering was a very strong section of India, where errors were strongly fought over. Lot 271, a 1976 Wildlife 25p with black omitted (SG 825a) fine u/m with a catalogue value of £500, reached £1,610, but this was quickly outshone by the very next lot; a 1992 Birds of Prey error of value (SG 1525a) fresh and fine u/m which realised £11,500 against a catalogue value of just £1,000.

The Great Britain session held in the afternoon saw lot 1092, a collection of approximately 350 RAF Covers in seven volumes, most being signed by such as William Reid VC, Douglas Bader and Sir Barnes Wallis, realising more than double its pre-auction estimate, at £2,530.

Interestingly for a philatelic auction, one of the final items to go under the hammer, lot 1183, a mixed accumulation of coins, achieved more than five times its pre auction estimate, selling for £506.

Source: Stanley Gibbons

 

West Delhi Philatelic Society is going to organize a stamp Festival in Delhi from 24 – 25 September 2011 at Ambedkar Bhawan, Rani Jhansi Road New Delhi. For more details Mr Vinod Sabharwal may be contacted at email : vksabharwal@gmail.com or indianstampghar@gmail.com  Ph : 9818148338, 9810241363

 

For Autograph Collectors

              

   

For the lovers of Autographs, Autograph Club of India is a registered Club in Kolkata.The club promotes and guides the study of autographs and organizes exhibition of autographs.  For more details Mr Santosh Kumar Lahoti,  may be contacted at email : sklahoti@gmail.com  Website : www.autographindia.com 

 

Pride of India Collection…

 

 

Hi ! Here is the recent issue from Pride of India Collection featuring national animal of India, the Royal Bengal Tiger . It’s a gold plated replica of the stamp. The stamp was originally issued on 7 October 1963 . This is one of 25 best selected stamps for the series of Pride of India Collection jointly launched by India Post & Hallmark Group.This is all for this evening..…Till Next Post…….Have a Great Time !

ROYAL BENGAL TIGER

Original Stamp Issue Date : 7 October 1963

 

For more details log on to : http://www.prideofindiacollection.com/

Royal Bengal Tiger

Scientific Name: Panthera tigris

Habitat and Distribution
Tigers are widely distributed from the alpine Himalayas to the rain forests of southern Western Ghats and from the dry forests of Rajasthan to the moist forests of north-east India.

Unique Characteristics
The tiger is one of the largest and most awesome predators in the world. This species undoubtedly fascinates every eye it meets. The body length of the majestic male ranges from 275-290 cm and of the female around 260 cm. The size and colour vary according to the geographic location and climate. Tiger is solitary and territorial and the territory of an adult male may encompass territories of two to seven females. It is carnivorous and hunts for prey primarily by sight and sound. It feeds on deer, wild pig, bovid and sometimes even other predators like leopards and bears.

Read More…

 

MF Hussain’s work on stamps..

" Between the Spider and the Lamp" Painting by MF Hussain

Stamp issued in 1982 on Contemporary Art at the Festival of India

Art and Artists

M.F. Husain

Celebrated Indian artist MF Husain, who earned both fame for his paintings, died in London recently on 9 June after being unwell for over a month. He was 95.Popularly known as MF and regarded as "Picasso of India", the artist breathed his last at the Royal Brompton Hospital, London . His work appeared on 3 Indian stamps issued in 1982 and 1988.

Paintings by MF Husain and S H Raza the modern and contemporary artists on stamps issued for Festival of India in 1982.

FDC Image source : Ashwani Dubey – Gorakhpur

Three paintings by M F Hussain topped a Bonham's auction in London, going under the hammer for Rs 2.32 crore with an untitled oil work in which the legendary artist combines his iconic subject matters - horse and woman - fetching Rs 1.23 crore alone. The auction house's Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art sale represented artists from eight countries - India, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Tilak's Proclamation " Swaraj is my Birthright" - Painting by M. F. Hussain on stamps issued in1988

Tagore FDC designed by Hussain

The official  FDC designed by MF Hussain which was released along with the Tagore 125 Birth anniversary stamp on 8 May 1987. The FDC is personally autographed  by M F Hussain in Bengali and English (a very rare gesture from the late artist) The FDC is from the collection of Moloy Sarkar of Kolkata. – Sekhar Chakrabarti, Kolkata

Auction News…

The nation mourns for MF Husain, but as the dust settles on his grave, it is business as usual in the art mart. Here, death sells really well. The veteran artist’s works are still being purchased conservatively. The day he breathed his last, two of his untitled canvases got a lukewarm response at a Christie’s auction in London. One came under the hammer for Rs 53.5 lakh; the other sold for Rs 27.5 lakh .

Art pundits have always theorised that the prolific Husain led to more supply than demand, leading to a minimal price rise for his work. But the fact is that the art market is full of fake Husain horses. If in 2006, two of his water colours were withdrawn from a Christie’s auction over questions of authenticity.

 

Maqbool Fida Husain (17 September 1915 – 9 June 2011) the eminent Indian painter. influenced a whole generation of artists in the country. He was awarded Padma Shri in 1955, Padma Bhushan in 1973 and Padma Vibhshan in 1991.

His narrative paintings, executed in a modified Cubist style, can be caustic and funny as well as serious and sombre. His themes—usually treated in series—include topics as diverse as Mohandas K. Gandhi, Mother Teresa, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the British raj, and motifs of Indian urban and rural life. One of the most celebrated and internationally recognized Indian artists of the 20th century, he also received recognition as a printmaker, photographer, and fimmaker.

Website : http://www.mfhussain.com/

Stamps on art and artists

Click : Art on Indian Stamps

Club News

News from Chattisgarh Philatelic Society

Chhattisgarh Philatelic Association informs that it has not issued any booklet on Rabindranath Tagore on 7 May 2011 as projected by some of the philatelic sites. The association informs all  that it  has never permitted and authorized  printing and release of any such booklet.

 

2nd Africa - India Forum Summit FDC

India Post has wrongly printed the map of India on the back of the First Day Cover issued for the 2nd Africa India Forum-Summit issue of May 25, 2011. It is shown in  reverse position on back side of the FDC which is actually the mirror image of the correct position. View details on following links.

Courtesy : Shrikant Parikh

Se-tenant Stamps of India

Wrong Image

Corrected version

Courtesy : Stamps of India

From our Readers…

Private FDC

Mr. Boben J E of Trivandrum has prepared private FDC of 2nd Africa – India Forum Summit 2011.

-Kasinath R from Thanjavur ( Tamil Nadu) writes…

I saw the private cover of 2nd Africa – India Forum Summit 2011, created by Mr. Boben in your blog, and earlier in another philatelic site. I noticed an error in the postmark obtained at Trivandrum that, a large chunk of Indian eastern coast is missing in the postmark, which is a grave error. This must be notified to the concerned bureau and steps need to be taken to replace the postmark.

 

New Stamps from India : 2nd Africa–India Forum Summit

Date of Issue : 25 May 2011

Today India Post released a set of 2 stamp to commemorate 2nd Africa-India Forum Summit. The stamps feature African and Asian Elephants in the denomination of Rs.25/- and Rs.5/-

Image source : Mansoor.B, Mangalore

Second Africa – India Forum summit 2011

ETHIOPIA, Addis Ababa : (From R) Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh (R), Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, and Chairperson of the African Union Commission Jean Ping attend the opening ceremony of the Second Africa-India Forum Summit, attended by 15 African countries on May 24, 2011 in Addis Ababa.The leaders will discuss significant aspects of the India-Africa partnership with the objective of enhancing and widening its ambit for mutual benefit. Photograph by: SIMON MAINA Credit: AFP

The second India-Africa summit is aimed at consolidating trade ties between the two regions, which together account for a third of the world's population. The two sides will Wednesday sign a cooperation framework to further bolster the economic relations that got a boost after the first India-Africa summit in 2008 in New Delhi.

They will also sign a political statement -- the so-called Addis Ababa Declaration -- calling for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system including an expanded UN Security Council in which the partners have pledged each other's support for a permanent seat. Both India and China have turned to Africa to seek energy resources to power their fast-paced economies, but while China prefers government-to-government deals, Indian investment is mainly in the private sector.

Permanent Pictorial Cancellations

Tamil Nadu

Permanent Pictorial Postmark – 13 - Bhavani

Date of Inauguration of PPP - August 25, 1977

Bhavani is a peninsular island area situated 11 Km north of Erode City. It lies at the confluence of the rivers Kaveri, the largest river in Tamil Nadu and Bhavani, the second largest river in Tamil Nadu, with Akash Ganga (holy imaginary river). Hence this place is known as the Triveni Sangamam of South. Other Sanskrit names associated with this shrine are Dakshinaprayag, Dakshinabadri and Triveni Sangamam. The Sangameswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is built at the confluence of these rivers, is a pilgrimage and tourism spot. Cover illustration shows scenic view of the Sangameswarar Temple and postmark shows one of the gopurams of the temple.

: Kasinath R.- Thanjavur

Blog : My Watercraft Philately