New stamps from Poland

 

Date of Issue : 6 May 2013 

Poczta Polska will issue in the month of May  a beautiful stamp on Europa 2013 theme “ The Mail Van”  and  a stamp on Polish Flag Day. Both the stamps are nice with beautiful designs and the stamps could be included in different themes like   Europa, automobiles and Flag etc...

Europa 2013

 

Date of Issue : 2 May 2013

 

The Polish Flag Day

 

Book Review

By Naresh Agarwal

Collector’s Guide to First day Covers & Folders of India with Set of Stamps, Se-tenant Stamps and Miniature Sheets, Edition 2013 by Sri Praful Thakkar, a retired I.A.S officer, published by Kunal P.Thakkar for Thakkar Numismatic & Art Foundation , is a marvel for collectors of India Post Independence material like Stamps, Folders, Miniature and Souvenir sheets etc..

This book covers the period from 1947 to 2012 giving colored pictures of about 1800 FDCs, 450 folders, 2300 stamps and the miniature/souvenir sheets, all well presented in 200 pages. Through this book, Mr. Thakkar has tried to give a dimension to Philatelic facet of this period by very systematically cataloging Stamps. FDCs and Folders of this time. It will certainly prove to be a big source of information on Indian FDCs and Folders for all philatelists as this is first of its kind which gives so comprehensive, detailed, systematic, and chronological information of these philatelic items presented so beautifully issued so far by India Post. It illustrates the covers with the same design and with different color variations and gives sufficient technical information. Besides the First Day covers, various design of folders, presentation folders and souvenir albums have also been given in this book. The layout & design of the book is very good, attractive with high quality mat finish printing on imported glazed paper by high scam printing process.. It is an ideal reference book for all stamp collectors especially for FDCs collectors of Indian stamps.

Mr. Thakkar has given proper care in giving simplified identification numbers to each and every item keeping in view the numbers of Phila India. It is well garnished with various check lists and statistical data of each type of item separately such as FDCs, M/Ss etc. to have instant access and check. Effort has been done to give the present market sale pricing of individual item but it is felt that the pricing is not satisfactory. However, leaving aside the pricing part, the book will certainly prove to be a best reference book on the said items as it gives an idea as to how the collection would look like in totality and reality.

Also looking in to the quality and contents it has been very reasonably priced at Rs. 950/- Hence, is strongly recommended that every philatelic aspirant should have one piece in his possession

The book is available from :

Rekha P. Thakkar, 34 Janvisharam Society, Behind Sahjanand College, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad 380015 email : pkthakkar@yahoo.com Phone : 9327022642

About the author

Shri Praful Thakkar is a noted collector of autographs, stamps, FDCs, coins, medals, tokens and badge plates and at present he is President of Gujarat Philatelists’ Association . As officer of Indian Administrative Service, he has served the Government of Gujarat for more than 31 years on various Posts at different places. He has participated in several National and International stamp exhibitions and has won many awards. His books, on autographs, philately, badge plates, Indian Canteen Tokens a, Membership Badges of Turf & Race Clubs of India are popular among collectors of these items. His two websites www.indiannumismatics.com & www.indianautographs.com are the great reference sites for the collectors of coins and autographs. He may be contacted at email : pkthakkar@yahoo.com

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New Book on FDCs and Folders..

 

 

Book Review

- By Jeevan Jyoti 

Collector's Guide to First Day Covers & Folders of India With Set of Stamps, Se-tenant Stamps & Miniature Sheets By Praful Thakkar Page 200 Price Rs 950 US$ 40 published by Kunal P. Thakar for Thakkar Numismatic & Art Foundation, Cary, NC USA

The new book, Collector's Guide to First Day Covers & Folders of India With Set of Stamps, Se-tenant tamps & Miniature Sheets By Praful Thakkar is an essential book for all stamp lovers . It is a perfect guide for those who collect FDCs and Folders of India. The book gives listings and details of FDCs and Folders with Set of Stamps, Se-tenant stamps and Miniature Sheets. The book covers the period of FDCs and Folders of India from 1947 – 2012. The author has also covered FDCs and Folders of Definitive stamps and Overprinted Military stamps of India in this book.

The book is divided into 3 parts 1. Introduction 2.Catalogue and Checklists.

Introduction covers detailed explanation of creative varieties/variations and numbering system of set of stamps, se-tenant stamps and Miniature sheets.

In catalogue section information of respective stamps is given along with Print details and value. The section gives the details of FDCs and Folders with Set of stamps. FDCs and Folders with se-tenant stamps and FDCs and Folders with Miniature sheets.

In checklists section, total issue of commemorative stamps, set of stamps, se-tenant stamps & Miniature sheet, FDCs with set of stamps, Pre Independence India. FDCs with set of Commemorative, Definitive Regular, Definitive Military, Service, Se-tenant stamps, Miniature sheets and Presentation Packs have been given.

The book also covers rare Private First Day Covers with set of stamps of Pre Independence India all in color photos . In those days there were no official FDCs issued.

One can get complete details of FDCs of several categories. It will help the collectors to categorize their collection in the best possible way.

“ Simple Stamp is dumb,

when it is cancelled, it whispers,

but when it is having First Day Cancellation on First Day Cover it sings. ”

This is what this book proves  to give details of the beautiful First Day Covers with a variety of stamp formats.  I recommend this book to all philatelists and stamp collectors. It is the best reference book for collectors of FDC and Folders. This is the first book of its kind with pricing on FDCs and Folders of India with set of stamps, se-tenant stamps and Miniature sheets. The printing of the book is very fine with all color photos of FDCs and Folders including many rare items. In this book Valuation of various FDCs and Folders is given to give a basic guideline to the collectors. Pricing of different items mentioned in the book will certainly help the collectors to purchase their missing items at approximately reasonable price .

The book is available from :

Rekha P. Thakkar, 34 Janvisharam Society, Behind Sahjanand College, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad 380015 email : pkthakkar@yahoo.com  Phone : 9327022642

About the author

Shri Praful Tahakkar is a noted collector of autographs, stamps, FDCs, coins, medals, tokens and badge plates and at present he is President of Gujarat Philatelists’ Association . As officer of Indian Administrative Service, he has served the Government of Gujarat for more than 31 years on various Posts at different places. He has participated in several National and International stamp exhibitions and has won many awards. His books, on autographs, philately, badge plates, Indian Canteen Tokens a, Membership Badges of Turf & Race Clubs of India are popular among collectors of these items. His two websites www.indiannumismatics.com & www.indianautographs.com are the great reference sites for the collectors of coins and autographs. He may be contacted at email : pkthakkar@yahoo.com

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New book on Philately…

Collector's Guide to First Day Covers & Folders of India

With Set of Stamps, Se-tenant Stamps & Miniature Sheets

by Praful Thakkar

Nowadays, in philatelic fraternity, focus on modern Indian philately has gathered grounds. The subject of modern philately is a fascinating section which is capable to delight the collector’s eyes with various sizes, color shades, cancellation marks, legends and creative designs which have a religious, cultural, historical, political and commercial overtone. It has colors, creativity and charisma.  It has carved out an important niche in the hearts of new philatelists and collectors. This has happened because in last few years India Post has issued varieties of stamps, se-tenants, Miniature sheets, Sheetlets, Presentation Packs, FDCs and many more philatelic items which attracted the collectors in India and all over the world.

It is also observed that in recent times, a new category for FDC has been incorporated at all the levels of exhibitions. This shows that the charm and charisma of FDCs has been accepted and acknowledged. It is true that this is a modern subject which has huge philatelic potential.

Since 1947, approximately more than 2300 stamps must have been issued along with their respective FDCs and folders. It may be difficult to collect, preserve and present all of them. This Guide is an effort to narrow down the subject to substantial size without losing its collecting pleasure. This Catalogue is a showcase which gives  glimpses of FDCs of Set of Stamps, Se-tenant Stamps and Miniature Sheets which form the total of about 450 having equal number of Folders. Thus this theme has a small gamut and it can be managed easily.  Here, an effort is made to maximize the number of colored examples to give a creative and colorful dimension to this fascinating philatelic theme. In this Catalogue Valuation of various FDCs and folders is given to give a basic guideline to the collectors.

This book is an attempt  to present this subject with all its facets to cater the needs of collectors. Various checklists, illustrations and rare items are displayed in color so as to give an idea as to how the collection will look in totality. Pricing has also been done so that the collector in pursuing his missing items can get a guidance. They need right information, proper way of presentation and required items at a reasonable price. In short, they  require a touchstone to measure their efforts and to further improve their collection. This Guide will be able to satisfy all requirements of the collectors in particular and hobby in general.

Mr Mainak Kathiara, President Emeritus, Gujarat Philatelists' Association has rightly observed in his Welcome Message that " Perhaps once in a generation a book like 'Collector's Guide to First Day Covers & Folders of India with Set of Stamps, Se-tenant Stamps & Miniature Sheets' comes along. I would say it is a more than a book/catalogue, there is a living energy in it, one you would probably feel as you hold it & flip through the chapters. It has the power to create an experience in readers, and change their collections for the better.......

This is a first publication of its kind with pricing on FDCs & Folders with Set of Stamps, Se-tenants, Miniature Sheets and many more collectibles........I would like to tell the collectors that this is the 'future book' in Indian philately with the involvement of large number of philatelists........

If I were to sum up, the essence of the book 'Collector's Guide to First Day Covers & Folders of India with Set of Stamps, Se-tenant Stamps & Miniature Sheets' in one phrase,  it would be 'Present Moment Awareness'. "

The book will be available from Praful Thakkar, Ahmedabad pkthakkar@yahoo.com  or  in Mumbai INPEX 2013 Exhibition from Todywalla's Stall.

 

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