New stamps from New Zealand

 

New Zealand Post will issue new stamps on 5 June 2013 featuring Matariki 2013.  The set of six stamps is incorporated into a miniature sheet and two first day covers.

Matariki 2013 - Koru

When the star cluster known as Matariki appears in the night sky it signals the Maori New Year and a time of new beginnings. The Matariki 2013 stamp issue celebrates the koru - a pattern symbolising new life and regeneration.Matariki is a significant event for Māori, and is widely acknowledged to signal a change of seasons. In traditional Māori society, Matariki was believed to foretell whether the year ahead would be plentiful. It was also a time of festivity, when communities would come together to reflect on the past and look ahead to new beginnings.

The message of new beginnings is represented in the koru pattern, which is derived from an unfurling silver fern frond. Each of the six self-adhesive stamps in this issue incorporates the koru pattern along with aspects of traditional Māori culture that have particular significance during the time of Matariki.

70c - Piko

The koru pattern is used in many Māori and New Zealand art forms and symbolises new life, regeneration, growth, strength and peace. For many this form is the symbol of renewal and of hope for the future. In this stamp the piko is blooming and will grow into a rauponga (fern leaf). The artwork surrounding the fern represents the domain of Tāne Mahuta - the God of the Forest.

70c - Manu Tukutuku

Sometimes the koru can be used in a non-literal way to symbolise aspects of Māoridom, and is often seen in carving and ta moko (tattooing). In this stamp the koru pattern symbolises the winds of Tāwhirimātea (the God of the Weather), and soaring on those winds is a kite, or a messenger between Heaven and Earth. In the background the sunrise depicts the first day of Matariki, and the sky - the domain of Tāwhirimātea.

$1.40 - Nguru

The pattern that covers the nguru (flute) in this stamp is made from a series of koru shapes that depict the music making pleasing shapes in the silence. In the background is the face of Hine Raukatauri, the Goddess of Flute Music, who loved her nguru so much that she decided to live in it forever.

$1.90 - Pataka

This stamp design talks about Matariki as a time of abundance, feasting and the opportunity to flourish. The pātaka, or storehouse, is covered in koru, and represents the concept of planting and storing kai (food), the gathering of kai, and nourishment and wellbeing. This is the domain of Rongo-mā-Tāne, the God of Kūmara and Cultivated Food.

$2.40 - Kotiate

The mangopare design seen swirling around the kotiate (club) is a traditional Māori interpretation of a hammerhead shark, featuring symmetrical koru as the distinctive head. It symbolises strength, determination and an unwillingness to yield. It is very much the warrior symbol, and speaks of the attributes that a warrior must possess. The kotiate and mangopare together represent the domain of Tūmatauenga, the God of War and Balance.

$2.90 - Patiki

The pātiki (flounder) design, with its swirling koru inside the shape of the pātiki, is used in many carvings - particularly in pātaka and waka (canoes). It is the symbol of hospitality, and can represent the catching of fish from the domain of Tangaroa, the God of the Ocean.

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Chinatown Gates..

 

These 8 domestic-rate PERMANENT stamps are part of Canada Post’s creative new series dedicated to gates of Chinatown. Wooden or stone gates, known as paifang in Mandarin, were originally used to separate subdivisions in Chinese cities. Eventually, these gates lost that role, and their doors, remained but as monuments. In Canada today, these gates are often the most visible representation of Chinatown in the cities, symbolic of cooperation between various levels of Canadian and Chinese governments, businesses, and citizens.

Victoria’s Gate of Harmonious Interest, built in 1981, stands in the heart of Canada’s first Chinatown. The gate blends traditional and symbolic elements and features hand-carved stone lions from Victoria’s sister city, Suzhou. One pillar commemorates Chinese Canadians who fought and died in World War II.

Vancouver’s Millennium Gate, built in 2002, was inspired by the Inner City Gates of 19th-century and 20th-century Beijing. It combines Eastern and Western designs to represent the past and future of the community.

The Chinatown Gate in Edmonton benefited from the expertise of Chinese architects and craftsmanship from the sister city of Harbin. Built in 1987, the gate features traditional Chinese motifs, colours, decorative tiles and ornate lighting.

Founded in 1909, Winnipeg’s Chinatown is one of Canada’s older Chinese communities. The gate, built in 1987, is a pedestrian overpass that connects and complements the Dynasty and Mandarin buildings.

Located at the entrance to the Mississauga Chinese Centre, this city’s timber gate was constructed solely with traditional wooden studs. Cooperation between China and Canada is demonstrated in the government support and construction expertise that made this gate possible.

Toronto’s Zhong Hua Men Archway, standing at Gerrard East and Hamilton Streets in Toronto’s Chinatown East, was built. The gate honours Chinese Canadian settlers, particularly those who laboured on the transcontinental railway.

Built in 2010, the Ottawa Chinatown Gateway, featuring nine roofs, is a royal Chinese arch that can only be built in capital cities. The gate has good-luck symbols embedded within, including five Chinese coins, one of which is at least 1,000 years old!

Montreal’s Chinatown actually has four gates—North, South, East and West. The North and South gates span St. Laurent Boulevard, while the smaller East and West gates mark pedestrian walkways. The North Gate on the stamp was donated by the city of Shanghai in 1999.

For this series of stamps, 8 illustrators across the country took to their communities to create watercolour paintings of the gates. The artists highlighted the most important angle for the gate in their community, and gave each stamp a truly local feel.

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Folk Dances of Belarus and Azerbaijan

 

Here is a beautiful souvenir sheet from Belarus featuring folk dances . Post offices of the Republic of Belarus and Azerbaijan jointly issued a souvenir sheet “Folk dances”. The stamps feature dancers in native costumes of each country performing the national dances – “Kryzhachok” and “Terekeme”.

“Kryzhachok” is a Belarusian folk dance. It is performed by any number of pairs at a rapid pace. The complicated pattern of the dance resembles a geometric ornament. The name of the dance comes from the Belarusian word “kryzh” (cross). The dancing couples form an imaginary cross by their posture and by their hands.

“Terekeme” is an ancient Azerbaijan folk dance. Despite the sad minor tune it is often performed at celebrations and weddings.

New stamps from Bahrain

Bahrain Insurance Day is annually celebrated in March, in appreciation of the efforts of the insurance industry that aims to position Bahrain to be a regional insurance hub.

Bahrain Insurance Association (BIA), received its charter in 1993 and became operational in 1994. Currently the BIA is under the umbrella of the Ministry of Social Affairs, comprising of local and foreign insurance companies, reinsurance, brokers and service providers.

The concept of launching the stamp on the 26th Mar 2013, the occasion of Bahrain Insurance Day is in line with the BIA objective to increase insurance awareness amongst the general public.

: Kenneth Sequeira, Dubai ( UAE)

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New stamps from India …..

 

Date of Issue : 12 April 2013

Heritage Buildings

India Post released a set of 2 stamps and a miniature sheet on 12th April 2013 on the occasion of 100 Years of Mumbai GPO and Agra HPO.

: Kasinath R. – Tanjore : Blog - http://shipthemegallery.blogspot.com/ 

 

 

Architectural Heritage of India

Date of Issue : 11 April 2013

India Post  released a set of two Commemorative Postage Stamps & a MS on Arasavalli and Srikurmam temples of Srikakulam district on the occasion of Ugadi on 11th April, 2013.  The set of stamps have been released in the series on Architectural Heritage of India.

PHILATELIC EXHIBITION & SEMINAR ON 'WOMEN EMPOWERMENT' AT SRI NAGAR

The Department of Posts, J&K Circle is organizing a seminar on Women’s Empowerment during the Philatelic Exhibition being held on April 15, Monday at 10:30 A.M. at Government College for Women, M.. A. Road, Srinagar. Chief Post Master General, Shri John Samuel will inaugurate the Philately exhibition on the same theme. The inauguration will be followed by release of special cover and seminar.

Source :  IPF  http://www.indianphilately.net/

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Special Cover on Mahashivaratri

 

Mahashivratri : 10 March 2013

Kumbh Mela Prayag 2013

A special cover was issued today at Allahabad on the occasion of Mahashivaratri. The covers are available with Mr Ambrish Kumar. He may be contacted at email : moni_kumar20@rediffmail.com

: Ambrish Kumar – Allahabad

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Festivals of India–Mahashivaratri

 

Greetings on Mahashivaratri  !!

Today is Mahashivaratri , a  popular festival of India and celebrated in Himachal Pradesh with great fervor. Greetings to all on this occasion. Here I share some beautiful stamps issued on Mahashivaratri,Lord Shiva and  Shiva temples.

      

Lingodbhava puja is performed during this time. In Nepal, Pashupatinath Temple is very famous for celebration of Shivratri.

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. . Shivaratri literally means the great night of Shiva or the night of Shiva.It falls on a moonless February night, and Hindus offer special prayer to the mighty Lord of Moksha. Shivratri is the night when Shiva is said to have performed the Tandava Nach or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction.

Mandi (Himachal Pradesh): The festival of Mahashivratri  is marked in a unique way in this town, popularly known as Chhoti Kashi, as it sees a congregation of over 200 deities from hundreds of village temples.

It is celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day of the Maagha or Phalguna month of the Hindu calendar. . A week-long International Mandi Shivratri Fair held at Mandi  Himachal Pradesh every year is one of the major tourist attractions in the state.On this day, in all Shiva temples, the most auspicious

 

News from our Readers…

Academic Recognition to Philately

Dear Stamp Lovers and Philatelic Scholars,

I would like to take your kind attention on following news-

The RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur, India had issued notification for a Ph.D.* on a study of philately and postage stamp. The topic of the research work lies within subject of ‘LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE-LIS’ under Social Science faculty.

*This study attempts for the academic recognition of postage stamp as an information source. The associated hobby of stamp collecting-‘philately’ and related activities not only needs information but creates information products as well. Here through this study an attempt is made to understand postage stamps, the philately, origin, evolution and development with an approach for investigation to identify some LIS projections of philately along with prospective extension of bibliophilately to LIS philately. The work considers two case studies on bibliopilately and Indian philately. The work is based on wide survey and evaluation of philatelic organizations (national and international) and philatelic literature (print and digital mode)and the rephrased ‘Five Laws of Library’ for Postage Stamp.

The researcher may be contacted by email at < unawlakhe@ymail.com >; And / or by snail mail at [41, Gayatri Nagar, Ganeshpur, BHANDARA 441 904 M.S. India ]

: Anil Nawlakhe – Bhandara ( Maharashtra )

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New stamps on Tourism..

 

 

Date of Issue : 2 January 2013

Hi!

Here is a wonderful stamp on ‘Tourism Publicity’ from Spanish Post.The logo featured on  the stamp is very catchy and representing  the best  image of tourism of Spain. The designer of the logo and stamp needs lot of appreciation for this wonderful work that resulted in a novel design !!

 

I need Spain stamp

Tourism is a major source of income for Spain and is the theme of this self-adhesive stamp issued by Spanish Correos.

In 1982 the Spanish Government chose the famous "Sun of Miro" painting by Joan Miro as image for the overseas promotion of tourism. Since 1984 this logo has been used by the General Secretary of Tourism on its brochures, posters and publications. According to experts, this logo has been the best at capturing and representing the image of tourism of Spain.

In early 2010 the new official logo "I Need Spain" was introduced as a variation of Miro's sun. The aim of this new design is to renew the brand image of Spain associating, on the one hand, a characteristic lifestyle as a differentiator of tourism in this country and, on the other, the portfolio of products to be promoted.

Philately, acknowledging the importance of tourism, issued in 1990, a stamp devoted to the "European Year of Tourism" depicting the famous design of Joan Miro.

Daily Life Scenes of Today and Yesteryear stamps from French Polynesia

Musicians and the Legendary Quinn's Bar

 

Date of Issue : 2January 2013

The Post of French Polynesia issued stamps to remind the old Tahitian traditions of partying and their today's incarnation. The stamps feature street musicians and the legendary Quinn's Bar.

The Quinn's Bar was established in the 1940s, and was one of the most famous night clubs in the vast Pacific Ocean. It was known to every seaman and they were so enthusiastic when talking to visitors about it that the latter would rush into the club as soon as they had set foot on Papeete quays. It was the dance-bar which reflected the most the image of traditional Tahitian partying. The local music bands and orchestras which performed there enjoyed a reputation that extended way beyond the borders of Tahiti. The local beer flowed in abundance and bouncers were busy evicting noisy and agitated party-goers through one of the saloon doors. Only very few girls had not performed frenzy dancing in this Mecca of joie-de-vivre.

The Quinn's Bar was closed in 1973 due to unsanitary conditions and did not reopen. But there are many little bands that now bring some life into some corners of the capital city.

Source : International Stamp News

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Special cover on Prayag Mahakumbha..

                                                                                          

This special cover was issued in 2001 to commemorate New Millenium Mahakumbh Mela,Allahabad 2001. 

ALLAHABAD: To showcase the historical, mythical and spiritual significance of Prayag Maha Kumbh, Department of Posts has planned to issue Special Covers (envelopes), as a souvenir for devotees coming from across the world.

Krishna Kumar Yadav director Postal Services Allahabad Region said to make the event historical, the department will issue six special covers showcasing six important baths. These will be released on Makar Sankranti (January 14, 2013), Paus Purnima (January 27), Mauni Amwasya (February 10), Basant Panchami (February 15), Magh Purnima (February 25) and Mahashivratri (March 10, 2013).

The Times of India

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Kumbh Mela 

Kumbh Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage in which Hindus gather at the Ganges, river Godavari and river Kshipra, where bathing for purification from sin is considered especially efficacious.

The Ardh (half) Kumbh Mela is celebrated every six years at Haridwar and Allahabad, the Purna (complete) Kumbh takes place every twelve years, at four places Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. The Maha (great) Kumbh Mela which comes after 12 'Purna Kumbh Melas', or 144 years, is held at Allahabad.

Mahakumbha 2013

Allahabad, one of the prominent and sacred cities of india, is described with great reverence in ancient scriptures as Prayag or Teerathraj, i.e. 'the holiest pilgrimage centre, The city is situated at the confluence of India's holiest rivers - The Ganga, The Yamuna and The Mythical Saraswati. The Sangam, as the confluence of these three rivers is called, is the venue of sacred fairs & rituals and attracts large number of pilgrims throughout the year. With the irresistible attraction of Kumbh Fair, hailed as the world's largest congregation of Devotees, the glory of the city has certainly doubled. The Kumbh Fair is held every 12th year and Ardh Kumbh Fair every 6th year

Maha Kumbh has a mesmerizing influence over the minds of Indians as it is witness to the largest human garthering in history for the same cause on a single day irrespective of any worldy barriers of caste, creed, colour and religion. It is once in a lifetime experience seeing millions of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world come together for a common goal-this spectacle of Faith is truly unforgettable.

This festival is held in highest regard as the ritual bath in the sacred water on this day saturated with flower & incense fragrance amidst chanting of vedic hyms and mantras liberates one from all suffering and miseries of life . The Kumbh Mela considered the most sacred and greatest of Indian festivals where the ceremonial dip in the Holy river is an important ritual. It is believed that bathing on the auspicious days cleanses one of all sins and attains Moksha (meaning liberation from the cycle of life, Death and Rebirth).

 

 

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Days of India : Indian-German philatelic exhibition, Berlin

 

Philatelic Exhibition during the Days of India 2012 / 2013

From 6-December-2012 till 3-January-2013 a common Indian-German philatelic exhibition is being held  held in the “Museum für Kommunikation” (museum for communication and philately) in Berlin. The responsible for the Indian part is the Embassy of India in Berlin. On the German side the “Deutsche Post”, the “Museum für Kommunikation Berlin”, the BDPh, the VBPhV (association of philatelic societies in Berlin) and the FGI are involved.

Days of India 2012-2013

A German special postmark, a special postal stationery postcard and envelope was also issued on the occasion.

An Indian special post office Counter  for the sale of Indian stamps has also been set up.

The shown exhibition objects are extracts from award-winning exhibition collections from German philatelists. The aim of the presentation is to show the broad variety of
approaches to the theme India philately.

Exhibitor / Theme / Frames

Dr. Andreas Birken (FGI) : Philatelic Atlas of British-India, Examples (won vermeil in the literature class at the NAPOSTA Hannover 2005) 1 Frame

Heinz Franke (GB&CWPS) : Britis-India Mail in the 19^th century from India to Europe (won great-gold at the NAPOSTA Essen 2009) : 2 Frames

Volker Grossmann (FGI): British-Indian picture postcards of Indian Railway Stations (won vermeil at the SPIREX Speyer 2012) : 1 Frame

Martin Hosselmann (FGI) : Letters from British-India to Germany - 1Frame

Peter Mika (FGI): Meter Marks from the Early Days of the Republic of India - 1Frame

Peter Mika (FGI) : Postal Stationery of the Republic of India (won silver at Rang-2 exhibition, vermeil at Rang-3 exhibition)

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Glimpses of the exhibition : Days of India, Berlin

1. Museum for Communication 2. Stand of India Post

1. Mr. Gerhard Freitag 2. Mr Wolfgang Beyer, Vice Chairman of the German Collector Group “ Arge Zoologie ”

 

1. Exhibit of India Study Group in Germany  2. Exhibit by India Post

1.Mr.Gerhard Freitag with exhibit  2. Exhibit by India Post

Publishing of photos  with friendly permission   of the Museum of  Communication,Berlin

 – Museum of  Communication, Berlin - Wolfgang Beyer & Nico  Distelmeier  (German Police)

 

News And Cover : Wolfgang Beyer, Limbach – Oberfrohna  (Germany)

 

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Indian Stamp Issue programme 2013

 

: Jatan Dhor – Jaipur

New Stamp from India

Consumer Protection Act of 1986

India Post released a stamp on Consumer Protection Act of 1986 on 29th November 2012.

: Mansoor B. – Mangalore

Stamps on Indian Theme

The govt. of Ryukyu Islands issued a 3c stamp on 1st Nov 1968 depicting the Saraswati Pavilion in commemoration of cultural property protection week of 1968.

The Pavilion was destroyed badly during the World War II & was restored by Cultural Property Protection Commission. It is located in the centre of the Enkan Pond & front of Enkaku Temple.

This Pavilion was originally constructed in 1621 during the era of King Shoho, to store the book of Buddhism presented by Korea, for the Goddess Saraswati ( Goddess of  Music , Learning & Speech) 

: Kenneth Sequeira - Dubai (UAE)

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Indigenous People..

 

Date of Issue : 11 October 2012

Today, on 11 October 2012, the United Nations Postal Administration will issue 18 commemorative stamps in denominations of US$ 0.45, CHF 0.85 and € 0.70 in a mini-sheet format of six stamps each on the theme "Indigenous People". This is the third in a series of stamps on Indigenous People, which were painted by the artist Stephen Bennett (USA).

The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007. The Declaration is the most comprehensive statement of the rights of indigenous peoples ever developed, giving prominence to collective rights to a degree unprecedented in international human rights law. It emphasizes the rights of indigenous peoples to live in dignity, to maintain and strengthen their own institutions, cultures and traditions and to pursue their self-determined development, in keeping with their needs and aspirations. The adoption of this Declaration is the clearest indication yet that the international community is committing itself to the protection of the individual and collective rights of indigenous peoples.

Indigenous people are the inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to other people and to the environment. Indigenous people have retained social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live. Despite their cultural differences, the various groups of indigenous people around the world share common problems related to the protection of their rights as distinct peoples.

Estimates point to more than 370 million indigenous people in some 90 countries worldwide. While they are from diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds, they share challenges such as lack of basic health care, limited access to education, loss of control over land, discrimination, forced assimilation, abject poverty, displacement, human rights violations, and economic and social marginalization.

Indigenous people around the world have sought recognition of their identities, their ways of life and their right to traditional lands, territories and natural resources; yet throughout history, their rights have been violated. Indigenous peoples are arguably among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of people in the world today. The international community now recognizes that special measures are required to protect the rights of the world's indigenous peoples.

First Day Cancellations

On 11 October 2012, first day cancellations for the "Indigenous People" stamps will be available at United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Palais des Nations in Geneva and the Vienna International Centre.

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