New stamp on Buddha from Hong Kong….

 

Date of Issue : 2 August 2011

World Heritage Site - Hong Kong Dunhuang Grottoes

Hongkong Post’s stamp sheetlets on Mainland Scenery are a feast for the eyes with magnificent landscapes and majestic architecture. The tenth and last series presents the Dunhuang Grottoes, a cultural legacy that has enjoyed worldwide fame for centuries.

Hong Kong Post issued a beautiful Miniature sheet on 2 August 2011 featuring  Hong Kong Dunhuang Grottoes. These are famous all over the world for magnificent Buddha Caves. Its The Mogao Caves were declared a World Heritage in 1987.This souvenir sheet is a delight for Buddha stamp collectors.

 

 

Dunhuang Grottoes

Situated in Dunhuang County of Gansu Province, the Dunhuang Grottoes consist of five main cave sites, namely the Mogao Caves, Western Caves of a Thousand Buddhas, Eastern Caves of a Thousand Buddhas, Yulin Caves and Caves of the Five Temples. Of them, the Mogao Caves are the oldest in history, grandest in scale and richest in content.

Located in a cliff-face on Mount Mingsha, 25 kilometres southeast of Dunhuang County, the Mogao Caves are sanctuaries for world-renowned sculptures and murals. They showcase a millennium-long anthology of Buddhist art, with the earliest dating back to the first year (366 AD) of the Taihe Period of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. The 492 caves found still standing are a treasure trove of over 2,000 painted statues and 45,000 square metres of murals with 4,000-plus paintings of flying Apsaras. The Mogao Caves were declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The upper half of the stamp sheetlet captures the magnificent vista of the Mogao Caves, while the lower half depicts a Buddhist mural found inside one of the caves. The vibrant colours of the painting still show despite the ravages of time. The flying Apsaras on the right and left are delineated in silver, lending a touch of elegance and fluidity. Built on the external wall of Cave No. 96, the Jiucenglou (nine-storeyed building) featured on the top of the stamp is the tallest structure in the Mogao Caves. By accentuating the enchanting Buddhist art against the spectacular caves, the stamp sheetlet celebrates the glorious works of art of Dunhuang.

Special Covers

Tamil Nadu

Date of Issue : 29 December 2008

SIPAGOLD’06

Ashwani Dubey – Gorakhpur

Club News

Stamp exhibition on Buddhism in Leh

India Post will host a stamp exhibition  in  Leh (Jammu & Kashmir)  from Sep. 1-5 during Leh Festival. 5 special covers are proposed to be released  during the exhibition. The exhibition will display some special exhibits on Buddhism. The collectors of Buddha theme who intend to display their exhibits in this exhibition may kindly contact Mr. John Samuel, Chief Post Master General, Jammu & Kashmir Circle at the earliest.

Obama Stamp from Russia – Fact or Mystery

 

It is a label and not a real stamp

The recent news published by  Voice of Russia about the issue of Obama stamp by Russia Post created a great interest in philatelic community. The stamp is one of the most searched stamps on Internet by collectors in the last few days. The picture of  stamp and cover shown by some sites ( also given here) are just imaginary stamp and not the real stamp. One can closely observe the picture here. The name of country  is not mentioned any where on the stamp. How does it show that it has been issued by Russian Post ??? No sign of issuing postal authority. If it is just a souvenir item by Russian Post, the name of the issuing authority must be given on the stamp.

If any collector comes across the genuine stamp on Obama by Russian Post may kindly share the image on this blog. A website “ Russia Post “ available in Russian only but on translation gives following news. However this  is not the official website of Russia Post. From all resources it is clear that  Russia has not issued any stamp on Obama.

I shall be thankful if any philatelist or collector from Russia could clarify the doubt about ……. Obama Stamp . Readers are most welcome to give their views on this issue….

The news on a Russian  site

On the anniversary of Barack Obama has released a Russian Post a souvenir set of vignettes and envelopes featuring the U.S. president. Rather than face value for the money gift sets bear the number "50". August 4th Barack Obama will be celebrating its fiftieth birthday.

View this link :   Почта России поздравила президента Америки

 

Fake cover of  so called Obama stamp

Recent stamps issued by Russian Post

 

Date of Issue : 15 August 2011

Date of Issue : 1 August 2011

Date of Issue : 29 July 2011

The list of stamps given on official site of Russia Post

These are  the screen shots taken from official website of Russia Post.  Obama stamp is not listed any where on the list.

 

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Support Anna…Make a new India !!

Indian common man is against corruption, and the its time to introduce a new and strong anti-corruption law that would help to stop all corruption in India.

 

Pierre de Fermat's birthday celebrated in Google Doodle

 

 

La Poste commemorated Pierre de Fermat's  400th birth anniversary on a postage stamp in 2001

 

Hi ! Just received a mail from Mr Anurag Pratap of Silvassa about this news with the postage stamp issued by French Post…I wish  to share it with the readers …Some might have noticed it in 17th August 2011 in Google Doodle ….Those who have not noticed, might like the stamp issued on great “Amateur Mathematician” !  Mathematics  is a wonderful theme for the lovers of this subject ! This is all in this Post…Have a Nice Time !

The birthday of Pierre de Fermat, the 17th century French lawyer famous for the so-called 'Fermat's Last Theorem' mathematical puzzle, was celebrated in a Google Doodle on 17th August 2011. Because Ferment did not spread his work through books and journals and he often did not provide any proof for his theorems he was referred to as an 'amateur' mathematician, but that the same time Fermat is also considered to be one of the two (the other being Rene Descartes) leading mathematicians of the first half of the 17th century. Pierre de Fermat died at the age of 63 on January 12, 1665 at Castres, France.

Google doodles have gained immense popularity over the past few years and the Google team has put out commemorative doodles on events ranging from news events, civic milestones, birthdays, death anniversaries and important dates in history. Google estimates it has created more than 900 doodles since 1998, with 270 of them running in 2010.

The Doodle of  Pierre de Fermat shows a blackboard with algebraic symbols on it, with the word "Google" faintly visible as though rubbed out earlier. The symbols read: xⁿ + yⁿ ≠ zⁿ. If you hover your mouse over the Doodle, the pop-up text reads "I have discovered a truly marvelous proof of this theorem, which this doodle is too small to contain."

Pierre de Fermat, was born on 17 August 1601, 410 years ago. A lawyer at the Parlement of Toulouse and a gifted amateur mathematician, he made breakthroughs in several fields of calculus, probability, geometry and number theory, but is best known for a brief note he made in the margin of a book of arithmetic. His enigmatic aside set the scene for perhaps the greatest mathematical mystery of all time.

Read More….

New Stamp…

Joint Issue : Portugal - Thailand

 

Date of Issue : 20 July 2011

Diplomatic Relations : Portugal - Thailand

 

500 Years of the Arrival of the Portuguese to Siam and the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations

Five centuries of unbroken relations from 1511 to 2011 between Portugal, the oldest established nation in the West, and Thailand, the only Southeast Asian State ever to be colonized,  go far beyond simple trade contacts and are a unique case in the annals of international relations, with diplomatic, political, military, religious, cultural and sociological dimensions. The relationship from the very beginning was one between equal nation states.

 
In the former capital, Ayutthaya, where a Portuguese district with churches and a mixed Luso Thai population long existed, generations of naval pilots, soldiers, interpreters and doctors loyally served the Kings of Siam. From the 16th to the 18th Century, portuguese was the lingua franca, and it was here that the Portuguese introduced technology and the skills of military construction, as well as European pharmacology and medicine.

Sia, was closely connected to the Asian possessions of the Portuguese Crown and received large and important embassies from Portuguese centres such as Malacca, Macau and Goa, The relations between the two countries remained unaltered, even during the troubled times of the war of liberation led by King Taksin – whose personal guard was provided by Portuguese military men – and Rama I, who received important military assistance from the Portuguese Queen Dona Maria I, in 1796.

In 1820, Siam and Portugal signed the first written treaty of modern times, ensuring Siam’s full integration in to the international community. During the period of the major reforms that took place during  the 19th century and the  beginning of the 20th century, under the reign of Rama V and Rama VI, many Portuguese from Macau settled in Bangkok acting as advisors to the Siamese government. Unlike other foreigners, they became Siamese citizens and received Thai citizenship. The history of this old alliance is an eloquent and pioneering example of fruitful dialogue between civilizations.

Club News

 

PHILANIPPON – 2011
World stamp exhibition, Yokohama city, Japan (28th July – 2nd August 2011)

Pradeep Jain from Patna writes…

Participating in Philanippon 2011 as a booth holder representing India, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka was a very pleasant experience. Being my first visit to Japan, I was excited on one hand but anxious on the other given the unfamiliar culture, taste and preferences and above all difference in language.

( From L to R ) : Mr Pradip Jain, Mr AR Singhee (Jury ) Mr Tay Peng Hian, RDP President FIP, Mrs Singhee, Mrs Pramila Jain and Mr Praggya Kothari

Exhibition hall was well organised and perfectly laid out providing sufficient displays and space for the visitors. The end of the exhibition hall featured rows of collections of various categories. One side of the hall had space for postal operators and the other side for domestic and international dealers. My most memorable moment was watching kids
engrossed in various activities spread across the exhibition hall. Another Interesting feature of the Exhibition was the presence of various security printer international and domestic who were giving out special souvenirs.

Visitors at Mr Pradip Jain’s Booth

A special mention of Cartor Security printers - who had brought in their printing machine in the the exhibition hall. Visitors were provided hands-on demo and interesting souvenirs which was printed and perforated on spot was given as gift. Over the next few days as the crowd of stamp lovers increased, I am especially grateful to Japan Post for arranging a volunteer that provided assistance to us in the booth during the crucial hours of massive crowd.

Overall my experience of Phila Nippon, Japan post and Japan was of immense satisfaction. Starting from our arrival,hotel accommodation, exhibition and finally custom clearance and departure, I had never witnessed anything so smooth, well managed and professionally handled. In the face of great natural calamity faced by Japanese, organising an event of such magnitude with great efficiency is remarkable achievement in itself. My Heartiest gratitude to organizers of Phila Nippon and People of Japan for their services and hospitality which i shall carry with me for my life.

New stamps from Italy…

 

Art and artists

 

Posteitaline  has issued a Miniature sheet commemorating Giorgio Vasari , famous Italian artist on 30 July 2011 and a set of five stamps on Tourism on 23 July 2011. The four Tourism stamps feature scenic beauty of Italy with a stamp depicting the Tourism Theme.

    

               Vasari's self-portrait                                                        

Giorgio Vasari (30 July 1511 – 27 June 1574) was an Italian painter, writer, historian and architect, who is today famous for his biographies of Italian artists, considered the ideological foundation of art-historical writing.The stamp reproduces a part of the "St. Luke painting the Virgin" that Giorgio Vasari created around 1565 in the Chapel of the Painters of the Basilica of SS. Annunziata in Florence. The Lives of the Artists) is perhaps the most important book on the history of art ever written. In this work Vasari made famous the term 'Rinascita', or Renaissance. The Lives is an invaluable source of information about the early artists of Italy.

  

            The Vasari Corridor passing over the Ponte Vecchio       The Loggia of Vasari in Arezzo

As an architect, Vasari was perhaps more successful than as a painter. In Florence, Vasari also built the long passage, now called Vasari Corridor, which connects the Uffizi with the Palazzo Pitti on the other side of the river. The enclosed corridor passes alongside the River Arno on an arcade, crosses the Ponte Vecchio and winds around the exterior of several buildings.

Read More…

 

Tourism

 

  

       

Date of Issue : 23 July 2011

 

New Stamps on Int.Year of Forests..

 

Tijuca National Park

Date of Issue : 6 July 2011

Here are new stamps on International Year of Forests.The main theme for the International Year of Forests 2011 is “Forests for People”. It highlights the dynamic relationship between forests and the people who depend on them. Brasil Post issued a souvenir sheet commemorating International Year of Forests and World Philatelic Exhibition Brasiliana 2013 . UNPA will also issue new stamps on 13 October in celebration of International Year of Forests.

On Souvenir Sheet…

In the souvenir sheet’s background, a forest symbolizing the Park can be seen. Green in different tones was used to create a harmonious effect by overlapping the elements portrayed in the stamps, which represent typical fauna and flora species: the violet-capped woodnymph (Thalurania glaucopis), the green-headed Tanager (Tangara seledon), the hairy dwarf porcupine (Coendou insidiosus) and the orchid Hadrolaelia lobata, which is the symbol of the Tijuca National Park, an endemic species threatened by extinction. On the upper left corner, one can see the logo of the International Year of Forests and the logo of the World Philatelic Exhibition Brasiliana 2013 can be seen on the right.

Rio de Janeiro 's Tijuca National Park surrounds one of the 7 Wonders of the World :100-feet high statue of Christ the Redeemer with open arms.Corcovado.(Christ the Redeemer seen from   the city of Rio de Janeiro, Corcovado Located in the Tijuca National Park, at more than 2000 feet high). 

Tijuca National Park

The Tijuca Forest is a mountainous hand-planted rainforest in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is the world's largest urban forest, covering some 32 km² (12.4 mi²). The forest shares its name with the Tijuca bairro or neighborhood that contains it.The Tijuca Forest is home to hundreds of species of plants and wildlife, many threatened by extinction, found only in the Atlantic Rainforest After all the original forest had been destroyed to make way for coffee farms, Tijuca was replanted by Major Manuel Gomes Archer in the second half of the 19th century in a successful effort to protect Rio's water supply.In 1961, Tijuca Forest was declared a National Park. The Forest contains a number of attractions, most notably the colossal sculpture of Christ the Redeemeratop Corcovado mountain.

Read More…

Stamps from UN Postal administration

 

On 13 October 2011, the United Nations Postal Administration will issue three mini-sheets of eight stamps to commemorate the International Year of Forests.

Every one of us is connected to forests. Forests contribute to the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide and humidity in the air. Over 40 per cent of the world’s oxygen is produced from rainforests. A tree releases 8 to 10 times more moisture into the atmosphere than the equivalent area of the ocean. Forests protect watersheds which supply fresh water to rivers – a critical source of the water we drink and use in our daily lives.

Healthy forests sustain healthy people. Tropical forests provide a vast array of medicinal plants used in healing and health care. More than a quarter of modern medicines originate from tropical forest plants. Forests curb transmission of infectious diseases. Undisturbed tropical forests can have a moderating effect on the spread of insect- and animal-borne diseases.

The International Year of Forests 2011 offers a unique opportunity to raise public awareness of the challenges facing many of the world’s forests and the people who depend on them.

 

New Stamps from Pakistan…

 

His Holiness Dr Sydena Mh.Burhanuddin Saheb

Date of Issue : 17 July 2011

Pakistan Post has issued new stamps on different themes during the month of June and July. These stamps feature a variety of themes for topical collectors like Tourism, Art, Health, Education Stamp Exhibitions,International Relations  and Children .

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan

Date of Issue : 1 July 2011

Child Art Competition at National Stamp Exhibition – Karachee 2011

Date of Issue : 24 June 2011

Pakistan Russia Friendship

Date of Issue : 10 June 2011

HIV Awareness Campaign

 

                   Date of Issue : 8 June 2011                

               

               Pakistan Railways                         

 

       Date of Issue :13 May 2011

: Pradip Jain, Patna

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.