New Stamps on AIDS Prevention..

 

 

 

Date of Issue : 8 June 2011

Fiji Post issued a set of four stamps on 8 June 2011 in global  response to HIV AIDS Prevention. Fiji is made up of about 332 islands covering some 650,000 square kilometres of ocean. From 1874 to 1970, Fiji was a British colony. The population totals some 700,000 people.Fiji is classified as a low HIV prevalence country; however the number of new HIV infections is increasing.

Stamp Designs

Protect youth from HIV and Zero new infections (20c stamp, 40c stamp)

In Fiji HIV is mostly transmitted through unprotected sex, and there is a potential high risk of infection among young people. In 2010 more than half of all new infections, 23 of 33, were in young people aged 10-29. The high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections especially among young people, potentially increases the risk of HIV infection. It is therefore essential that young people are empowered to protect themselves from HIV infection.

Prevent mothers and babies from HIV (65c stamp)

In 2010 there were 33 new reported cases of which 12 were pregnant women, but there were no babies born HIV positive in 2010. Government has ensured the prevention of parent to child transmission as one of its main focus areas in the national response to HIV. The awareness of the availability and benefits of voluntary counselling and testing for pregnant mothers resulted in the increase of testing in the ante-natal clinics from 46% in 2006 to 67% in 2010.

Zero discrimination ($5 stamp)

HIV related stigma and discrimination continues to hamper the AIDS response. This year the Fiji Government enacted the HIV Decree. When enacted to its capacity the Decree safeguards the privacy and rights of people living with or affected by HIV, including confidentiality of personal information.

Special Covers

Many collectors often enquire about special covers issued by different postal circles.The series of special Covers, issued in different states of India is being published for the cross reference of thematic collectors. The cancellations on the covers  might become a  part of their topical collections.

Maharashtra

Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd. : 4 August 2011

 

150 glorious years of Railways in India :  28 September 2003

: Ashwani Dubey, Gorakhpur

Owney, the canine mascot of US Rail Mail Service..

 

Date of Issue : 27 July 2011

The U.S. Postal Service commemorated Owney, the canine mascot of the Railway Mail Service on Forever stamp, issued on 27 Jyly 2011. The stamp art features an original illustration of Owney, with many of his famous tags and medals gleaming in the background.

Beloved of clerks on mail-sorting trains at the end of the 19th century, Owney was hailed as a symbol of good luck. Today he is an icon of American postal lore whose story highlights the historical importance of the Railway Mail Service.

Owney the Postal Dog FDC with Digital Color Postmark

In the 1880s, during the height of the Railway Mail Service, clerks in the Post Office in Albany, New York, took a liking to a terrier mix named Owney. Fond of riding in postal wagons, Owney followed mailbags onto trains and soon became a good-luck charm to Railway Mail Service employees, who made him their unofficial mascot. Working in the Railway Mail Service was highly dangerous: According to the National Postal Museum, more than 80 mail clerks were killed in train wrecks and more than 2,000 were injured between 1890 and 1900. However, it was said that no train ever met with trouble while Owney was aboard.

As Owney traveled the country, clerks affixed medals and tags to his collar to document his travels. When John Wanamaker, Postmaster General from 1889 to 1893, heard that Owney was overburdened with tags, he gave him a special harness to display them all. During his travels, Owney accumulated more than a thousand medals and tags. Today Owney is on display at the Smithsonian Institution's National Postal Museum in a case that includes some of his medals and tags.

: US Postal Service

New Stamps from Belarus and Ukraine..

 

 

50th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement

 

Date of Issue :  2 August , 2011

Here are some new issues from Belarus and Ukraine on a variety of themes.

 

 

 Fishes of Belarus reservoirs

Date of Issue : 18 August 2011

New Stamps from Ukraine

Railways

Date of Issue : 5 July 2011

Ukrainian Locomotives

 

Traditional Ukrainian farmstead

 

Date of Issue : 25 June 2011

The stamp illustrates Ukrainians with traditional rural domestic animals: cat, dog, piglet, caw and swallows building a nest.

 

Constitution of Ukraine. July 28, 1996. 15 years

Date of Issue : 17 June 2011

New Stamps from France..

 

World Judo Championship stamp from France

The World Judo Championships will be held from 24 to 28 August 2011 at Bercy, Paris. The French Post has joined this event by issuing a semi panoramic stamp illustrating three different takes of the discipline and the Japanese ideogram meaning "the gentle way".

Judo is, nowadays, one of the most popular sporting activities in France. Martial art and combat sport of Japanese origin consist mainly of projection techniques, self-control, throttling, dislocation and immobilization.

 

Train of Pignes

The French Post has launched a stamp dedicated to the still functioning steam train of Pignes. The Railways of Provence, formerly "Railways of the South of France", is made up of three rail networks. One of them, the network of the Alps, was one of the lines between Nice and Digne-les-Bains and was completed in 1911. Now it is the only remained in operation in this region and carries more than 400,000 passengers per year. Its role is twofold: Nice suburban service and tourist transportation in the hinterland by the steam train of Pignes. The line will soon have a new modern railcar.

 

50 Years of OECD

France has issued a stamp commemorating the 50th anniversary of OECD.

OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) was established in 1961 following an agreement signed in December 14, 1960 by 20 countries. Today, its 34 member countries are committed to the principles of democracy and market economy, they aim to support sustainable economic growth, increase employment, raise living standards, maintain financial stability, assist other countries to develop their economies, and contribute to the growth of world trade.

Vías Verdes - Greenways

 

 

Date of Issue : 12 June 2011

Hi ! Here is a beautiful stamp issued by Spanish Post on a very innovative  eco friendly project  “ Green ways ”. The project is unique in its own way which is related with converting old disused railway lines to attractive tourist spots. A wonderful idea  jointly utilized by Spanish Railway Foundation with the collaboration of the Ministry for the Environment creating  several  tourist spots all over the country where these lines are left unused since a long time. This innovative method can be used by other countries and of course in India too to make discarded railway lines into a beautiful place worth to use and see. This is all for this evening…..Till Next Post….Have a Nice Time !!

VÍAS VERDES

Vías Verdes (greenways) are old disused railway lines that have been recovered and reconditioned for use by walkers, cyclists and ecotourism purposes. Currently there are over 80 routes spread across the country, with kilometric distances that vary depending on the layout, and new sections are still being set up.

The Vías Verdes project was initiated in 1993 aiming at turning more than 7,000 kilometres of rail lines in disuse into a space for leisure and outdoor sports. So far, more than 1,800 kilometres have been opened for the use and enjoyment of walkers, cyclists and people with disabilities. One of the main characteristics of these routes is the easy accessibility to the public, given that they are flat paths that can be used by all types of sportspeople.

In a clear commitment to sustainable development and the revitalization of rural areas, tourism is being promoted in each area of different routes and restoration works in old railway stations are being carried out turn them into restaurants, museums, accommodation areas and rental of bikes and horses. All routes are marked with old wooden railway sleepers and the specific organization logo.

The Vías Verdes programme is coordinated by the Spanish Railway Foundation with the collaboration of the Ministry for the Environment (Ministerio de Medio Ambiente Rural y Marino) and the regional and local authorities.

This Spanish programme has been extended in other European countries and in 1998, in Namur (Belgium), the European Greenways Association was established with the aim to promote and inform about anything related to the creation of Greenways on a European level, with members of 60 organisations from 14 countries.

The stamp depicts two walkers by a disused railway line and the Vías Verdes logo.

: Spanish Post - Correos

 

New Stamps from Royal Mail – Thomas the tank engine

 

Date of Issue 14 June 2011

Thomas the Tank Engine appears on new set of Royal Mail stamps

One of the world’s best loved children’s characters appear on a new set of Royal Mail Stamps issued on 14 June 2011.

 

LAUNCH ON TRACK The Fat Controller and Thomas the Tank Engine with the first class stamp

Thomas the Tank Engine is making the appearance to celebrate the centenary of the birth of creator Reverend W Awdry.

The stamps show iconic images from the television series Thomas & Friends, with the 1st Class stamp featuring Thomas pulling into the station under the guidance of the Fat Controller.

Thomas the Tank Engine was first seen in the book, Thomas the Tank Engine after Reverend W. Awdry created the stories and illustrations to entertain his poorly child, Christopher.

2011 marks the centenary of the birth of the Reverend Wilbert Awdry, Thomas the Tank Engine creator. Royal Mail issued a ten-stamp issue, six printed individually, celebrating the images familiar from the TV series, and a four stamp miniature sheet reflecting on the heritage of the book illustrations.

1st Class – Thomas

Thomas the Tank Engine is a 0-6-0 tank locomotive, based on the LB&SCR E2 Class. He is painted blue with red lining and is number 1 in the North Western Railway (NWR) fleet. Thomas was given his own branch line, which he operates with his two coaches, Annie and Clarabel. He was built in 1913 and arrived on Sodor in 1915.

66p – James

James the Red Engine is a mixed-traffic 2-6-0 tender engine. He is painted red with gold stripes and dome and is number 5 in the NWR fleet. He is quite vain and hot-headed, and loves showing off. He was built 1915 and arrived on Sodor in 1946.

68p – Percy

Percy the Small Engine is a saddle tank engine of indeterminate origins. He is painted green with red stripes and is number 6 in the NWR fleet. He is a cheeky little engine with a strong sense of adventure, who doesn't let anyone push him around, which sometimes gets him into trouble. He arrived on Sodor on 1949 during a railway strike.

76p – Daisy

Daisy is a unique diesel railcar, painted green with yellow lining (similar to the livery of British Railways DMUs in the 1960s), and was built specially for use on the Ffarquhar branch of the NWR. Her number is D1 whereas she originally carried the number 52627. She was built in 1956 and arrived on Sodor in 1961. She first appeared in the book Branch Line Engines.

£1.00 – Toby

Toby the Tram Engine is a 0-6-0 steam tram engine who works on the same branch line as Thomas. He is painted brown and blue and is number 7 in the NWR fleet. He is a wise, experienced engine who knows all there is to know about running a branch line. He was built in 1903 and arrived on Sodor in 1951.

£1.10 – Gordon

Gordon the Big Engine is a 'Pacific' (4-6-2) tender engine. He is painted blue with red stripes and is number 4 in the NWR fleet. He is the biggest engine on the railway, and pulls the Express. He is also very boastful and proud, but good at heart. He was built and arrived on Sodor in 1922.

1st Class – Thomas and Bertie the Bus

In this original illustration from the story Thomas and Bertie (from Tank Engine Thomas Again), Thomas challenges Bertie the bus to a race. Here he is speeding past Bertie at a level crossing in this original illustration by C Reginald Dalby.

68p – James

James ends up covered in tar when he crashes into the yard after failing to pin down his brakes at the top of a hill, fortunately it’s only his pride that is hurt. Original illustration by C Reginald Dalby from the story Dirty Objects in Toby the Tram Engine.

76p – Percy

Percy ends up in the sea when he ignores a sign in Percy Takes the Plunge (from The Eight Famous Engines). Original illustration by John T Kenny.

£1.00 – Henry

In the Sad Story of Henry (from The Three Railway Engines), Henry ends up being walled up in a tunnel as punishment for not wanting to get his paint wet. Illustration by C Reginald Dalby.

: Royal Mail

From Our Readers

Max Card on Rabindranath Tagore prepared by Sanjiv Jain of Dehradun

New Stamps from Slovenia..

 

 

Date of Issue 27 May 2011

Posta Slovenije (Post of Slovenia) issued a new stamp on 27 May 2011, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the premiere of the first Slovenian full-length (partially) acted film, In the Realm of the Goldenhorn. On the same day a set of two stamps was also issued on EUROPA 2011 theme “Year of Forests”.

Date of Issue : 27 May 2011

Permanent Pictorial Cancellations

Tamil Nadu

Permanent Pictorial Postmark – 15 - Hasthampatti

Date of Inauguration of PPP - January 30, 1997

Hasthampatti is a neighborhood in Salem City. Mahatma Gandhi, during his visit to Salem on February 14, 1934, stayed as a guest at the residence of  Landlord Natesa Pandaram. The Government of India acquired this building in the '80s and the Hasthampatti Post Office is functioning in this building. The room in which Mahatma Gandhi stayed is converted into Mahatma Gandhi Philately Museum inaugurated on January 30, 1997, and philatelic stamps, first day covers, stationery issued by India as well as other countries are in display.
Cover illustration shows bust of Gandhiji and post office building at Hasthampatti. The postmark shows the Charkha / spinning wheel and text 'Bapu' in Tamil and Hindi. The photo below shows Mahatma Gandhi working with Charkha.

 

 

Charkha - The charkha was both a tool and a symbol of the Indian independence movement. It is a small, portable, hand-cranked wheel, ideal for spinning cotton and other fine, short-staple fibers, though it can be used to spin other fibers as well. Mahatma Gandhi brought the charkha into larger use with his teachings. He hoped the charkha would assist the peoples of India achieve self-sufficiency and independence, and so used the charkha as a symbol of the Indian independence movement and included it on earlier versions of the Congress Flags.

: Kasinath R.- Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu)

Blog : My Watercraft Philately

 

 From our Readers…….

Sandeep Chaurasia of Gorakhour shares here an article published in Bhartiya Rail a prestigious magazine of Indian Railways. Mr Chaurasia is a thematic philatelist and collects on Railway theme. Sandeep Chaurasia may be contacted at email : sandeepchaurasiagkp@gmail.com

Published in 'BHARTIYA RAIL' (March-April 2011)

Philatelic Exhibition on Railways at Vadodara…

As a part of celebration of 150 years of arrival of railway at Vadodara, non competitive philatelic exhibition on Railway theme was organized from 11th January to 13th January 2011 at Railway Auditorium by Divisional Railway HQ, Western Railway, Vadodara with support of India Post and Baroda Philatelic Society. Shri R. N.Verma, General Manager of Western Railway inaugurated the exhibition.

Exhibits on railway theme were displayed in 18 Frames including one frame of Match Box labels on Railway theme. Original Print of Illustrated London News dated 23rd May 1863 which published news about the introduction of Bullock Tram between Dabhoi - Miyagam in Baroda State in 1862 was also on display. India Post has opened philatelic counter at the exhibition for sale of philatelic material.

A Special Cover was also released on the occasion to mark 150 years of arrival of railway at Vadodara. Special Cover was released by Postmaster General Lt. Col. D. K. S. Chauhan of Vadodara Region and presented to Shri R. N.Verma, General Manager of Western Railway. Special Cover depicts old railway station of Vadodara, railway route of 1870 and newly constructed railway station building towards Alkapuri (West Side of Vadodara). Cancellation design depicts newly constructed railway station building towards Alkapuri. Special Cover and Cancellation were designed by Mr. Sapan Jhaveri (www.indianstamps.com) and the concept of designs was of Mr. Prashant Pandya .

Glimpses of the exhibition

: Prashant Pandya, Vadodara