Goldsmith’s Art from Italy..

 

 

 

Hi !

Here is a beautiful set of stamps from “Made in Italy” series. The stamps feature art work on gold from Italy   It’s a beautiful set of stamps and sure to be liked by all  !!

Within the series “Made in Italy” Italian post issued a set of five stamps each depicting a work of art of the most representative Italia goldsmith. In particular, the stamps feature:

Earrings with pendant amphora: Etruscan art, dating from the III-II century BC and preserved in the Vatican Museum (Gregorian Etruscan Museum);

Salt Cellar of Francis I: a work containing the figures of Neptune and Earth, made by Benvenuto Cellini in 1543 and kept at the Kunsthistoriches Museum in Vienna;

Buckle in the shape of a star: a work dating from the fourteenth century, on display at the Museo Civico di Castelvecchio in Verona (with the permission of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, the Superintendence for the Historical, Artistic and Ethno-anthropological Heritage of the provinces of Verona, Rovigo and Vicenza);

Monstrance said “The gold ball”: a work by Leonardo Montalbano in 1640, belonging to the collections of the Galleria Regionale della Sicilia of Interdisciplinary Abatellis Palace in Palermo;

Brooch with Venus marina: dating from the nineteenth century, the work of the engraver Antonio Berini with Castellani Manufacture, on display at the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome.

 

New stamp from Spain

Marian Jubilee Year

This year will commemorate the Marian Jubilee Year of the Virgin of El Rocio in Almonte (Huelva) and to mark this event a stamp is issued by Spanish post depicting the image of the Virgin adorned. Pope Benedict XVI declared The Marian Jubilee Year which will take place from August 2012 to September 2013.

The Jubilee is a religious event celebrated by the Catholic Church since 1300 and involves the pilgrimage to a place of worship to obtain the plenary indulgence after fulfilling certain rituals and obligations.

The pilgrimage festival known as Romeria or Fiesta del Rocio Grande devoted to the Virgin of El Rocio is held in the hamlet of El Rocio (Huelva) every year on Whit Monday. The celebration, religious and festive, draws pilgrims from all over the place.

The Marian Jubilee Year coincides with the transfer of the Virgin in procession from the hamlet of El Rocio to the village of Almonte. This transfer takes place every seven years when the people from Almonte carry on their shoulders the White Dove, as the Virgin is popularly known, along a 15 km walk. The effigy remains in Almonte for nine months and then returns to the shrine of El Rocio.

The Virgen del Rocio is a full size statue from the late 13th century. It dons robes of a rich brocade and embroidered fabrics with details of great beauty, and is embellished in gold ornaments, such as the half moon, the scepter and crown. When it is moved to the town of Almonte, it is dressed in a travelling gown known as Pastora dress (Shepherdess) with a flared skirt and short cape over the shoulders. The hair is curled under a hat adorned with silk flowers and ribbons. The infant Jesus is also dressed as a little shepherd.

The Marian Jubilee Year is a vast religious, cultural, tourist and traditional event in Andalusia.

Source : International Stamp News

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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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Town Festivals of Iceland

 

The number of town festivals held in Iceland in the summer has been increasing in recent years. They have become a valued part in the cultural life of many towns and communities in the country.

The stamp motifs are 5 town festivals held across the country. These are; The Reykjavik Gay Parade, Never Been South music festival in Isafjordur, The Great Fish Day in Dalvik, The Smelter music festival in Borgarfjordur eystri and The Vestmannaeyjar National Holiday.

The Reykjavík Gay Parade is held annually in the month of August. This festival originated in the U.S. and is now being held on most summer weekends around the world. The Gay Parade was first celebrated in Iceland in 2000.

Never Been South music festival was first held in Isafjordur in 2004. It is considered a special occasion because of its location and framework. It has had a positive impact on the local community and Isafjordur has renewed its image as music town.

The Great Fish Day is a family festival which is held on the first Saturday after the bank holiday weekend. The aim of the festival is for people to gather together, have fun and enjoy eating fish. The festival offers an array of entertainments.

The Smelter music festival in Borgarfjordur Eystri has over the years established itself as an important link in Iceland’s musical life. Concerts are being held in an old herring factory which the locals convert into a concert hall once a year.

The Vestmannaeyjar National Holiday was first held in 1874. The islands’ Sports Association organizes the holiday which has evolved into one the country’s most ambitious music festival and has never been cancelled due to weather or natural disasters on the islands.

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Festivals of India - Ramnavami

 

Ram Navami also known as Sri Rama Navami is a Hindu festival, celebrating the birth of Lord Rama. Ram is the 7th incarnation of the Dashavatara of Vishnu. The Rama Navami festival falls in the Shukla Paksha on the Navami, the ninth day of the month of Chaitra in the Hindu calendar. Thus it is also known as Chaitra Masa Suklapaksha Navami, and marks the end of the nine-day Chaitra-Navratri celebrations.

The important celebrations on this day take place at Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) Sita Samahit Sthal (Sitamarhi) (Bihar), Bhadrachalam (Andhra Pradesh) and Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu), thronged by thousands of devotees. Rathayatras, the chariot processions, also known as Shobha yatras of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman, are taken out at several places, including Ayodhya where thousands of people take a dip in the sacred river Sarayu.

Nepal Post issued a postage stamp to commemorate this festival.

Image : Pradip Jain - Patna

New Stamp from India

Chaitya Bhoomi, Mumbai

Date of Issue : 14 April, 2013

India Post released a stamp of Chaitya Bhoomi, Mumbai on 14th April 2013.

Chaitya Bhoomi is a reverred place of pilgrimage for the Buddhists in India. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of Indian Constitution was cremated here after his death on 6th December, 1956 in accordance with Buddhist traditions. Eventually, this place was later converted to Chaitya Bhoomi which is now a National Monument. The Chaitya Bhoomi Memorial Monument was inaugurated by Mrs. Meerabai Yashvantrao Ambedkar, who is the daughter-in-law of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, on December 5, 1971. A large number of people from all over the country visit Chaitya Bhoomi every year on December 6th to offer respects and pay homage to Dr Ambedkar. Carrying millions of blue waving flags they march to the Chaitya Bhoomi on this day.

: Indian Philatelists’ Forum , Mansoor B. – Mangalore

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New Special Covers from Bihar..

 

Special  covers released in district level exhibition in Bihar at Rajgir and Nawada on 16th, 17th and 20th 21st March 2013. All covers are available at PHILATELIC BUREAU PATNA GPO.

Kinldy contact 0612-02236937 or mail order through MO.The rate of each spl. cover is Rs 15. Collectors may send orders to :

The Chief Postmaster

Philatelic Bureau Patna GPO

Bihar – 800001.

 

 

 

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Greetings on Easter..

 

 

Happy Easter to all the Readers of Rainbow Stamp Club !!

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Festivals of India - Holi

 

Wishing you all a very Happy Holi !!

Holi – The Festival of Colors

Holi is a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindus as a festival of colours.It is primarily observed in India and Nepal. It is also observed by the minority Hindus in Bangladesh and Pakistan as well in countries with large Indian populations following Hinduism, such as Suriname, Malaysia, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, the United States, Mauritius, and Fiji.

Holi is also known as Phagwah , Festival of Colours, or Doḷajātra  in Odisha, and as Dol Jatra  or Basantotsav ("spring festival")  in West Bengal and Assam. Holi is of particular significance in the Braj region, which includes locations traditionally connected to the Lord Krishna: Mathura, Vrindavan ,Nandagaon, and Barsana, which become tourist destinations during the season of Holi.As per the Hindu calendar, Holi is celebrated on the Phalgun Purnima which comes in February or March in the Gregorian Calendar.

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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 Special Cover on Basant Panchami ..

 

 

Basant Panchami : Kumbh Mela Prayag 2013

15 February 2013

A special cover was released at Allahabad  on Basant Panchami during Kumbh Mela, Prayag. All special covers released during Kumbh Mela are available with Mr Ambrish Kumar of Allahabad, email : moni_kumar20@rediffmail.com  Phone : 9305478831

: Ambrish Kumar, Allahabad

Basant Panchami

Today is Basant Panchami which is being celebrated by worship of Devi Saraswati. Jain Saraswati is also described in the Holy books and many ancient idols of Jain Saraswati are available at different places. Two stamps were also issued on Jain Saraswati in the year 1974.

: Sudhir Jain Satna (MP)

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Greetings on Republic Day ..

 

Today  we are celebrating our 64th Republic Day. Greetings to all Indians living in every corner of the world on this very special day !!

 

News from Gandhi World Foundation

 

Gandhi World Foundation is  conducting a Guinness Book World of Records event in Chennai on January 30th 2013 wherein more than 1000 Children resembling Mahatma Gandhi will assemble in Chennai Marina Beach at 9am and a new Guinness World record will be created by the assembly of such a large gathering of children resembling Gandhiji.

All the children will have their heads tonsured and will wear a Panchakacham (Veshti), Stick and glasses resembling Gandhiji. The Children will also carry placards highlighting some of the important messages of Gandhiji.

A similar kind of event was earlier held in Coimbatore in 2011 and in Kolkatta in 2012 and in Gujarat in 2012. The event held in Kolkatta was attended by around 475 Children and in Gujarat 890 Children had taken part in the event resembling Mahatma Gandhiji. However in all these events, the children's head was not tonsured and they used scalp (wig resembling tonsured head) but we at Gandhi World Foundation are doing this event with tonsuring of the heads of children with the full consent of their Parents. The tonsuring event is scheduled to be held in Gummidipoondi on Jan 29th at 3pm. 

All the children participating in the event are from schools in and around Gummudipoondi, Tiruvallur District.

Apart from Guinness Book of records, this event is also certified by Asia Book of records, Limca Book of records and India & Tamil Nadu book of records.

 

We cordially invite you to Join your hands with us in this Noble Cause which is going to be a world record

: ML Rajesh – Tiruvallur (Tamil Nadu )

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