Stamps commemorating the end of the Space Shuttle era…

 

Date of Issue : 21 July 2011

On July 21, 2011, the day the Shuttle Atlantis touched down for the last time, the Marshall Islands Postal Service issued seven new stamps commemorating the end of the Space Shuttle era. Since its beginning in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has been responsible for many remarkable accomplishments. For example, on May 5, 1961, NASA sent Alan Shepard, the first American astronaut, into space.

Then, just eight years later, on July 16, 1969, NASA launched Apollo 11, carrying astronauts Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins on a journey to the Moon. In 1973, NASA was responsible for launching Skylab, a space-borne laboratory which circled the earth for nearly seven years. However, NASA’s next project—the famed Space Shuttle—is perhaps its greatest accomplishment so far. For 30 years beginning with the launch of Columbia on April 12, 1981, the Space Shuttle was the workhorse of America’s space program, bringing America as close as it has ever come to routine space travel.

For information about this issue,  contact the Stamps and Philatelic Center of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, One Unicover Center, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82008-0021. Information may also be obtained by calling 1-800-443-4225 or ordering on-line at www.unicover.com/hprlrms.htm.

NASA’s final shuttle launch marks end of collector's era

Ron DiIulio, director of the astronomy program, has been chronicling the progress of the space program through the collection of autographed, commemorative envelopes and stamps for nearly half a century.

Now DiIulio will be seeking out the final pieces of his collection.Since the 1960s, DiIulio has collected artifacts that document most of the space programs’ “firsts,” including NASA’s first landing tests, the first time Americans entered space, groundbreaking for Kennedy Space Center, the first flight of a female astronaut and more. DiIulio even has stamps commemorating America’s space program from Colombia, Geneva, Switzerland and the Ajmer region of India.

“Pretty much everyone has a collection of something,” said DiIulio. “Having artifacts that can tell the story of the space program is invaluable. These kinds of items can really get people excited: it’s all about the power of imagination.”

“The final launch will be the end of an era,” said DiIulio. “We built this impressive fleet of ships, and now we are putting them on display and essentially ending America’s physical exploration of space. I’m glad that I’ll be able to share the history of the program with future generations through my collection.”

Read More …

 

 

Atlantis lands, NASA's shuttle program ends

 

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New stamp on 50th Ann. of first human space flight

Date of Issue : 12 April 2011

Azerbaijan has issued a set of stamps on 12 April 2011 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of first human's flight to space. The stamps feature the International space station, "Vostok-1" in which Yuri Gagarin made first space flight and the painting of outstanding Azerbaijani artist Tahir Salakhov "To you mankind".

Club News

Chitralekha publishes interviews of philatelists..

Chitralekha, famous Gujarati magazine on which India Post has issued a postage stamp on 20 April, has published in its recent issue, a special article on philately in continuation to the release of Stamp on Shri Vaju Kotak & Chitralekha. Articles tells about the hobby of philately and they have also published interviews of noted Indian philatelists Shri Ashok Bayanwala, Shri Vijay Navlakha (Ahmedabad), Shri Dhirubhai Mehta (Mumbai) and Mr Prashant Pandya of Vadodara.

Small part of article translated in English is given below for the Readers….

History of Stamps

Chitralekha has done it once again and this feat in question has been unparalleled in the field of Gujarati journalism. Ministry of Communications through its Posts & Telegraph released a commemorative stamp on late shri Vaju Kotak, founder of Chitralekha, to engrave in history the 60-year glorious journey of the publication. The ever-alert editorial of the magazine seizes this moment to apprise the readers of the philately and its past traditions. Ketan Trivedy & Samir Paleja give us a glimpse into the colourful history of the past and present traditions of philately.

The hobby of stamp collection has always been a rage in every generation. The cover story begins with a unique case that aptly illustrates the craze for collection. A gentleman named Arthur Hind purchased a postal stamp titled British Guyana, worth one cent, at Rs 1, 68,886 way back in 1922. One day he got a call from another collector claiming that he too had the identical stamp with him. Arthur checked the authenticity of the stamp and then bought the second stamp from the new collector. What he did thereafter was really incredible. He flipped out his lighter and ignited the newly bought stamp right in front of the seller. Reason? Arthur wanted to ensure that he was the sole owner of this exclusive stamp and therefore never wanted to let there be any other identical stamp. This is what you call height of his passion, his craze for stamp collection.

So welcome to the exclusive world of philately and philatelists where the latter that are spread across the world, collect the used/unused stamps and other related postal stationeries of various countries just for pure fun. Stamp collectors look out for quirky stamps and would not hesitate spending millions to grab stamps bearing the Queen’s picture with her head printed upside down. Admittedly, in this world of emails and smses, use of postal stamps has considerably gone down but it has not dampened the spirit of these stamp collectors. Even today there is a virtual scramble whenever a new stamp and first day cover are released.

The cover story reveals that the first ever postal stamp was released in Great Britain on 6 May 1840. Before the practice of postal stamps was introduced, the charges for delivery were taken from the addressee. Legend has it that a British mother refused to pay these charges for the letter received from her son. Her logic was that there was no reason for her to pay for receiving a blank letter from her son which was enough for her to know about his well being. Yes, that was the first ever ‘miss mail’ of the world.

And this incident prompted authorities to suggest and introduce reforms in postal services and this is how postal stamps came into being. In India first postal stamp was released on 1 October 1854 when the British were ruling the country. It was therefore no surprise that the stamp would bear the picture of the Queen. It is however learnt that a couple of years before the first stamp was brought out, the Governor of Sindh had authorized a stamp for local use though, which continued till 1854.

How then the words like philately and this craze for stamp collection came into use? It is believed that a British lady requisitioned for postal stamps through ads in paper so that she could embellish her dressing table with them. This apparently spurred people to collect stamps. And the word philately was given by a French man.
This and many such tidbits are strewn across the story which is amazing, full of details that were hitherto unknown and least written about. You need not be a philatelist to be able to enjoy the story. However chances are that you might turn into one after reading the story. Happy reading, happy collection.And yes, let us not forget in conclusion that for those associated with Gujarati journalism and the Gujarati community at large, this is a proud moment that one from among them appeared on the face of a postal stamp. A rare feat and a glorious moment for all of us indeed..!!

From Chitralekha website: http://www.chitralekha.com/chitraguj/engsummary.php

 

Special Cover on Tagore

A special Cover on Guru Rabindranath Tagore will be released at RABINDRA PARISHAD, RABINDRA BHAWAN PATNA   on 9 May 2011. The cover has been designed by Mr Souvik Roy of Kolkatta . 2000 Covers will be issued and the covers will be available from Rabindra Parishad Patna. For more details,  Mr Souvik Roy may be contacted at email : lorenzosouvik@gmail.com

 

New stamp on 50th anniversary of First man in Space….

Date of Issue : 12 April 2011

Magyar Posta issued a unique souvenir sheet on 12 April to commemorate 50 years of First Man in Space. The souvenir sheet gives a look of newspaper. The design features the news of the space flight published in contemporary news paper 50 year ago.On 12 April 1961 Gagarin became the first man to travel into space on board Vostok 1. The entire flight lasted 108 minutes and orbited the earth once. Here are the details of the design of this special souvenir sheet…….

A graphic composition recalling the atmosphere of a contemporary newspaper carrying the news of the space flight is used to mark the fiftieth anniversary on the numbered commemorative block. In the stamp design and the surrounding frame there are articles relating events fifty years ago, written by the physicist and astronomer Dr Előd Both, head of the Hungarian Space Agency. On the block's stamp a picture of Vostok 1 and the article entitled 'The first man in space' can be seen. In the border there is a portrait of Yuri Gagarin next to one of the newspaper articles.

The elements of the graphic design on the first day cover include a structural diagram of Vostok 1, the number referring to the anniversary, the earth and Gagarin's signature. The design of the commemorative postmark employs an inscription capturing the anniversary.

Club News

STAMP ISSUE PROGRAMME of India Post FOR THE YEAR 2011

A revised list of Indian Stamp Issue programme for 2011 is available at : http://www.indiapost.gov.in/philatelycalendar2011.htm

Forthcoming Issues :

30 April : UMRAO KANWAR MAHARAJ SAA “ARCHANA”

7 May : RABINDRANATH TAGORE – 2 stamps

New Stamps on Yuri Gagarin..

Ukraine – 12 April 2011

On 12 April 2011, 50th anniversary of first Human Space Flight was celebrated all over the world. On this occasion many countries issued postage stamps featuring Yuri Gagarin, first man in Space. Ukraine and Kazakhstan also issued commemorative postage stamps featuring Yuri Gagarin on this great event.

Kazakhstan – April 2011

Club News

New Special Cover

Date of Issue : 1 February 2011

25th Surajkund Craft Fair

: Raman Kumar Mandal, Gorkahpur

Online Stamp Catalogue…

Search stamps of different countries online…

http://www.catawiki.co.uk/catalog/100271-stamps

News Clippings

Strange but True …..

A Postman in woman’s dress

: Naresh Agarwal, Bilaspur (CG)

Tributes to Yuri Gagarin….

 

The world is paying tributes to Yuri Gagarin, who 50 years ago became the first man in space.

Card with Yuri Gagrin’s Autograph

Yuri's Night is an international celebration held on April 12 every year to commemorate space exploration milestones. The event is named for the first human to launch into space, Yuri Gagarin, who flew the Vostok 1 spaceship on April 12, 1961

50th anniversary tributes

A series of tributes around the world coincided with 12 April 2011, the 50th anniversary of Gagarin's journey into outer space.

Monument of Yuri Gagarin on Cosmonauts Alley in Moscow

Russian Rouble commemorating Gagarin in 2001

 

Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin  9 March 1934 – 27 March 1968) was a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut. He was the first human being to journey into outer space, when his Vostok spacecraft completed an orbit of the Earth on April 12, 1961.

Gagarin became an international celebrity, and was awarded many medals and honours, including Hero of the Soviet Union, the nation's highest honour. Vostok 1 marked his only spaceflight, but he served as backup crew to the Soyuz 1 mission (which ended in a fatal crash). Gagarin later became deputy training director of the Cosmonaut Training Centre outside Moscow, which was later named after him.

On 27 March 1968, while on a routine training flight from Chkalovsky Air Base, he and flight instructor Vladimir Seryogin died in a MiG-15UTI crash near the town of Kirzhach. Gagarin was just 34 Years old. The bodies of Gagarin and Seryogin were cremated and the ashes were buried in the walls of the Kremlin on Red Square.

Aside from his short stature at 5 ft 2 inches (1m 57cm), one of Gagarin's most notable traits was his smile.Many commented on how Gagarin's smile gained the attention of many in the crowd on the frequent tours Gagarin did in the months after the Vostok 1 mission success.

50 Years of the First Manned Flight into Space - Stamp Set from Moldova

To commemorate the 50 Year of the first manned flight into space the Moldavian Post is issuing a set of four stamps depicting the most famous astronauts ever - Yuri Gagarin, Alan Shepard, Virgil Grissom and German Titov.

Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin (9 March 1934 - 27 March 1968) was a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut. He was the first human to journey into outer space when his Vostok spacecraft completed an orbit of the Earth on April 12, 1961. Gagarin became an international celebrity, and was awarded many medals and honors, including Hero of the Soviet Union.

Alan Bartlett Shepard, Jr. (November 18, 1923 - July 21, 1998) was an American naval aviator and astronaut who became the second person, and the first American, in space. Ten years later, he commanded the Apollo 14 mission, and was the fifth person to walk on the Moon.

Virgil Ivan Grissom (April 3, 1926 - January 27, 1967), better known as Gus Grissom, was one of the original NASA Project Mercury astronauts and a United States Air Force pilot. He was the second American to fly in space and the first person to fly in space twice.

It’s Yuri Gagarin’s Day…

 

 

Today is 12 April, a historic day in Space history. Fifty years ago On 12 April 1961,Yuri Gagarin, the legendary Russian cosmonaut, became the first man to orbit the earth in Vostok spacecraft. By this flight, Yuri Gagarin created a milestone in space history and his name has been written in golden letters and will be remembered always ……with unforgettable memories….To commemorate this special day Austrian Post issued a postage stamp today.Many other Postal administrations issue stamp today to mark this very special day !!

Date of Issue – 12 April 2011

Today a souvenir sheet of one stamp dedicated to the anniversary of the first human spaceflight has been  issued by Russian Post . On April 12, 1961, at 9:07 a.m. Moscow time, spacecraft "Vostok" with Yuri Gagarin on board was launched into Earth orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The flight lasted 108 minutes. During this time, "Vostok" made a circle around the Earth and landed in the Saratov Region, not far from Engels (city). After the flight, Yuri Gagarin was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, and the day of April 12 became the World Day of Aviation and Astronautics.
The stamp depicts a portrait of Yuri Gagarin, spaceship "Vostok" blasting off is represented on the fields of the souvenir sheet.

Date of Issue – 12 April 2011

This new stamp issued by the Italian Post is dedicated to the anniversary of the first manned flight into space. On April 12, 1961, the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin realized for the first time in history a complete orbit around the Earth.

The stamp depicts a portrait of Yuri A. Gagarin in the left foreground, and a part of the universe with the spaceship Vostok 1on the right side.

50th Anniversary of human space flight: Stamps by  UNPA

Today on 12 April 2011, the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) issues three stamps in the denominations of US$ 0.44, CHF 0.50 and € 0.35 in a mini-sheet format of sixteen stamps to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Human Space Flight. UNPA is also issuing one souvenir sheet with six different denominations, two from each office. The denominations are US$ 0.44, US$ 0.98, CHF 0.85, CHF 1.00, € 0.55 and € 0.65. This is the first time ever that UNPA has issued a souvenir sheet in this format.

On 12 April 1961, Yuri Gagarin of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics became the first human to travel into outer space. His space flight heralded a new era of human endeavour in what has become known as the “final frontier”. Since that historic flight, humans have set foot upon the Moon, have learned to work in the harsh vacuum of outer space, and, for the last decade, have maintained a permanent human presence outside the Earth.

Though human space flight began during the height of the cold war, it became an arena of both competition and cooperation. The race that culminated in the first steps taken on the Moon by American astronaut Neil Armstrong on 20 July 1969, also resulted in the first tentative steps towards international cooperation in human space flight – the 1975 joint American-Soviet space mission, known as the “Apollo-Soyuz Test Project”. Since then, nations have recognized the benefits of working together in outer space and that cooperation has led to the establishment of humanity’s permanent space outpost: the International Space Station (ISS). With over 15 nations working together in what is considered one of humankind’s greatest scientific and technical achievements, the ISS is a truly international endeavour and epitomizes one of the goals of the United Nations: international cooperation in outer space.

Celebration of 50th Anniversary of first manned spaceflight by USA

To be issued on 4 May 2011

The 50th anniversary of America’s first manned spaceflight is being commemorated with the issuance of two stamps on May 4 by US Postal service.

One stamp salutes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Project Mercury, America’s first manned spaceflight program, and NASA astronaut Alan Shepard’s historic flight on May 5, 1961, aboard the spacecraft Freedom 7.

The other stamp draws attention to NASA’s unmanned MESSENGER mission, a scientific investigation of the planet Mercury. On March 18, 2011, MESSENGER became the first spacecraft to enter into orbit around Mercury.Studying Mercury will help astrobiologists understand the nature of small, rocky planets and the conditions that lead to habitability on such worlds.

These two historic missions—Shepard’s Mercury flight and MESSENGER’s orbit of Mercury—frame a remarkable fifty-year period in which America has advanced space exploration through more than 1,500 manned and unmanned flights.

The Project Mercury stamp depicts Shepard, the Mercury capsule Freedom 7, and the Redstone launching rocket. The MESSENGER Mission stamp depicts the MESSENGER spacecraft in orbit around the planet Mercury.

Read More about : Messenger

New Stamp on Yuri Gagrin…

On April 12, 2011 the Ministry of Communications and Information of the Republic of Belarus will issue the stamp “50th anniversary of the first manned space flight”.

In 2011 it is 50 years since the first manned space flight. On April 12, 1961 the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made the flight round the Earth on the ship “Vostok”. The flight lasted 108 minutes. In the same year the cosmonaut was given the title of a Hero of the Soviet Union.

From our Readers…..

Private FDCs – Legendary Heroines of India

FDC’s designed by Hemant Kumar Jain, Mandla (MP)

e-mail : jainhk60@gmail.com

50th Anniversary of first men in Space

Date of Issue – 5 April 2011

San Marino issues a stamp today , commemorating first Men in space.The stamp of €0.50 portrays Gagarin set against the Soviet Union flag and the stamp of € 2.40 portrays Shepard set against the American flag. On 12 April 1961, Gagarin became the first human to travel into space .

The Soviet Union Aboard the Vostok 1 spaceship, the cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin (1934 –1968) makes the first orbital flight around the Earth and then lands in the Saratov region. He leaves the space capsule, which brought him safe and sound through the atmosphere, with an ejection seat and ends his historical space flight by parachute. The event marks the first milestone in the space conquest.

Americans take up the Russian challenge on the 5th May 1961. The cosmonaut Alan Bartlett Shepard (1923-1998) orbits aboard the Mercury spaceship called Freedom 7, reaching the height of 185 km and the speed of 8.262 km/h. He is the first American cosmonaut to travel into space.

: San Marino Post

New Rose Stamp from Latvia

Date of Issue – 25 March 2011

Courtesy – EN Limanski

My Recent Covers

Andrzej Bek – Poland

EN Limanski – Riga, Latvia

Ivan Wong – Hong Kong

Thanks all of you for nice covers. I will send covers very soon . I am sorry I could not send covers to my friends since a long time as the covers are not available here but trying to get them soon for all my friends… Thank you very much !!