New Stamp on Henri Dunant

 

 

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the international Red Cross organization,  Lithuania Post issued  a new stamp . The  stamp features the founder of this organization, a Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist Jean-Henri Dunant, and the waving flag of the Red Cross.

The international Red Cross organization was founded in 1863 in Geneva (Switzerland) on the initiative of Jean-Henri Dunant. This organization helps combating diseases, provides help to the victims of natural disasters. Also, the organization arranges trainings for nurses, supports donors, gives treatment to sick and wounded troops.

The Lithuanian Red Cross society was founded on 12 January 1919 on the efforts of the physician Rokas Sliupas and other medicals. A lot of famous Lithuanian physicians and health service people were engaged in the activities of the society. The society has established a number of hospitals in Vilnius, Kaunas, Panevezys, and Klaipeda. The Lithuanian Red Cross was the founder of the first Lithuanian tuberculosis sanatorium in Aukstoji Panemune as well as blood transfusion establishments of emergency medical service.

New Stamp on Music

100 Years of Vienna Konzerthaus

 

Date of Issue : 2 May 2013

Austrian Post celebrates the centennial of the Vienna Konzerthaus by issuing a new stamp. Since its opening 100 years ago, the Vienna Konzerthaus is one of the most important institutions of the international music scene.

The Vienna Konzerthaus was opened 1913. It is situated in the third district just at the edge of the first district in Vienna. Since it was founded it has always tried to emphasize both tradition and innovative musical styles.

In 1890, the first ideas for a Haus fur Musikfeste (House for music festivals) came about. The idea of the new multi-purpose building was to be more interesting to the broader public than the traditional Vienna Musikverein. In addition to the concert hall, the first drawings by Ludwig Baumann for the Olympion included an ice-skating area and a bicycle club. In an attached open air area, 40,000 visitors would be able to attend events. The drawings were not accepted. However, today an ice skating area is situated right next to the building.

The Konzerthaus was finally built between 1911 and 1913. The architects were Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer; the work was done in cooperation with Ludwig Baumann.

Source : International Stamp News

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New Special Cover from Tanjore

 

A special postal cover and cancellation in honour of K.P. Kittappa Pillai, descendent of Thanjavur quartet, musician, and bharatanatyam guru, was released as part of his birth centenary celebrations here on Sunday.

Mervin Alexander (second from left) releasing the Special Cover at the birth centenary celebrations of K.P. Kittappa Pillai, in Thanjavur on 5th May 2013. Babaji Rajah Bhonsle, Senior Prince and Hereditary Trustee of Palace Devasthanam (third from left), receives the cover.

Releasing the cover and cancellation, Mervin Alexander, Post-Master General, Central Region, Tiruchi, pointed out that India Post has been releasing special postal covers and cancellations in honour of great personalities. Cancellation is more important than release of postal cover as it gives the sovereign symbol of the State to the personality.

Special postal covers and cancellations help in telling the greatness of people to posterity. “Artists keep the art alive by striving against all odds. Government can help them but only the artists can keep the art forms alive. If art and music dies then human race will die,” he said.

Babaji Rajah Bhonsle, Senior Prince and Hereditary Trustee of Palace Devasthanam, received the special postal cover. He said that Thanjavur Quartet — Chinnaiya, Ponnaiya, Sivavanandam, and Vadivelu were employed in the court of Maratta King Serfoji II and contributed for the development of Bharatanatyam and music.

Their descendants like Kittappa Pillai carried forward their mission. The Post Master General released a souvenir, a special issue of music journal Sruthi which brought the edition to commemorate the birth centenary of Kittappa Pillai and a book Thanjai Nalvar Nattiya Surangam written by Kittappa Pillai. The book has been republished for the occasion.

: Kasinath R. – Tanjore : email : kasinath80@gmail.com

 

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New stamp on Music

 

Date of Issue : 16 April 2013

Royal Mail issued a stamp commemorating  classical musician Benjamin Britten. Britten was born in Lowestoft and lived for much of his life at the Red House in Aldeburgh. His image is included in a set of 10 “Great Britons” stamps – released on 16th April - celebrating people in sport, journalism, music, politics and the arts whose anniversaries of birth fall in 2013. The Britten Pears Foundation (BPF) and Aldeburgh Music have a number of events planned this year to celebrate the composer’s 100th anniversary.

Others include former prime minister David Lloyd George, legendary football manager Bill Shankly and actress Vivien Leigh

 

 

Norman Parkinson
Born Ronald William Parkinson Smith, he was one of the world’s most celebrated portrait and fashion photographers: a perfectionist celebrated for his ‘action realism’ style.

Vivien Leigh
Leigh was an English actress who won Oscars for her powerful and iconic performances as Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind and Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire.

Peter Cushing
Peter Wilton Cushing was a British character actor who played a number of highly memorable roles including Professor Van Helsing, Grand Moff Tarkin and Sherlock Holmes.

David Lloyd George
Lloyd George was Prime Minister from 1916 to 1922 and was one of the true radicals in politics. Although born in Manchester, he was the first and only Welshman to hold the office of PM.

Elizabeth David
While studying at the Sorbonne in Paris, David developed a love of fine cuisine, which she shared with austere, post-war Britain through a series of groundbreaking cookbooks.

John Archer
Born in Liverpool of Barbadian descent, John Archer was a prize-winning photographer who further distinguished himself by becoming the first ever Afro-Caribbean London Mayor.

Benjamin Britten
One of the UK’s finest ever classical composers. His works include a number of operas as well as the War Requiem, first performed at the consecration of the rebuilt Coventry Cathedral.

Mary Leakey
An eminent archaeologist and anthropologist, Leakey’s discoveries were so significant that they forced scientists to radically change many long-held views about human evolution.

Bill Shankly

Bill Shankly was a Scottish footballer and manager who achieved his greatest successes at Liverpool FC, with whom he won three First Division titles, two FA Cups and the UEFA Cup.

Richard Dimbleby

Widely acknowledged as one of the most respected figures in British broadcasting history, Dimbleby was the anchor of the BBC flagship programme Panorama from 1955 until 1965.

New Special Covers

PHILATELIC EXHIBITION AT DEOGHAR, JHARKHAND

A district level philatelic exhibition was organized   on 30th and 31st March 2013 at Deoghar by Jharkhand Postal Circle . Two special covers on "Rohini Shahid Smarak" & "Mobile Money Order" were released on the occasion.

 

:  Raj Kumar Choudhary : email : coinrajkumar@gmail.com

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New Greeting stamps from Ireland

 

Date of Issue : 7 March 2013

An Post issued two new Greetings stamps, which are specially designed for use on greeting cards.The origin of sending greeting cards can be traced back to ancient Egypt and China, where hand printed messages of goodwill were exchanged. The custom then made its way to Europe during the 15th century.

Stamp Booklet

By the 1850s, advances in printing, mechanization, and a reduction in postal rates with the introduction of the postage stamp, transformed the greeting card from a relatively expensive, handmade and hand-delivered item, to a popular and affordable means of personal communication. Since then, the practice of sending greeting cards has evolved and grown, so that no matter what the occasion, there is a greeting card to convey the message.

Exclusive Stamp Exhibition on Instruments

 

Audiences view the instrument stamp exhibition on March 5. The first instrument themed stamp exhibition of China was held inside the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) on March 5, 2013. It displayed over 1000 stamps issued by more than 100 countries from around the world. It includes about 100 instruments in stamp-form. Additionally, the NCPA also exhibited more than 30 pieces of Chinese and foreign musical instruments. 

An exclusive stamp exhibition on Instruments, held in China on 5 March 2013.

Source : This is Beijing

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New Stamp from India..

 

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee  released today on 8 March, a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Sahir Ludhianvi on occasion of his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Sahir Ludhianvi – The  Greatest Urdu Poet of all time

Sahir Ludhianvi  was a renowned Urdu poet.He died on 25 October 1980 at the age of 59 .  He was known among the young for his poetry on beauty and love. Sahir Ludhianvi had converged Urdu poetry into the film songs as well.He was a great poet and songs written by him for the films are still remembered by one and all . Here I am sharing some of his best songs he had written for Indian Cinema.

Sahir Ludhianvi

Sahir Ludhianvi was a popular Urdu poet and Hindi lyricist, who worked extensively in Hindi films. Sahir Ludhianvi is his pseudonym. He won the Film fare Award twice, in 1964 and 1977, and in 1971 was awarded the Padma Shri.

Born: March 8, 1921, Ludhiana

Died: October 25, 1980, Mumbai

Books: Selected poems of Sahir Ludhianvi

Film music credits: Mujhe Jeene Do, Dastaan, Barsaat Ki Raat, Kabhi Kabhi, Dhool Ka Phool, Dharmputra

Best of Sahir Ludhianvi

Sahir wrote lyrics for many films. Songs of Kabhi Kabhi were super hit and still unforgettable  !!

Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon…

 

Phaili Hui Hain (House No. 44) - Lata, Sahir, SD Burman

 

tum agar bhool bhi jao..sahir ludhianvi-sudha malhotra-mukesh-film didi

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Special Cover on Kishore Kumar..

 

Remembering Kishore Kumar

 

A special Cover (Approved by CPMG of WB Postal Circle ) on greatest  playback singer of Indian Cinema, Kishore Kumar   was released in Kolkata by Amit Kumar Fan Club…My thanks to Mr Dipok Dey for this beautiful cover !!

Club News

Stamp Exhibitions in Himachal Pradesh

Stamp exhibitions will be organized  in Chamba, Solan , Dharmshala and Mandi districts of Himachal Pradesh by HP Postal Circle. A distict level exhibition MANDIPEX 2013 will be held on 23 -24 January 2013  at Gandhi Bhawan Hall , Mandi (HP).

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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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New Stamp from India..

 

100 Years of Indian Science Congress

Date of Issue : 3 January 2013

India Post issued first stamp of  the year 2013 by releasing a  stamp on 3rd January 2013 to commemorate 100 years of Indian Science Congress.

Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) is a premier scientific organisation of India, started in the year 1914 in Kolkata, with Headquarters at Kolkata, . It meets annually in the first week of January every year. Today, it has a membership strength of more than 30,000 scientists.

The Centenary session of the Indian Science Congress is being held from 3-7 January, 2013 at Kolkata. The theme for the session of "Science for shaping the future of India".

The design of the stamp depicts the spirit of the centenary session of the Indian Science Congress. A child, tender, mouldable and the future of India, is observing a flower through a magnifying lens.

: Mansoor B. Mangalore

New Stamp from Poland

21. FINAL OF THE GREAT ORCHESTRA OF HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE

Polish Post will issue a round stamp on Music theme on 19th January 2013 in the form of sheetlet of 6 stamps to commemorate  21. FINAL OF THE GREAT ORCHESTRA OF HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE.

Sheetlet

FDC

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International Jazz Festival…

Date of Issue : 15 June 2012

Gibraltar Post issue a beautiful stamp on 15 June 2012 to commemorate International Jazz festival by Gibraltar. The stamp is very nice featuring Musical instruments. A lovely presentation pack and FDC issued to allure the music lovers !! This is all for Today…Till Next Post…Have a Nice Time !!

FDC

International Jazz Festival stamp by Gibraltar

The Gibraltar International Jazz Festival is the first to be organised on the Rock and has been produced by Gibraltar's Ministry of Culture in conjunction with the Gibraltar Jazz Society. The Jazz Festival is held at the centrally located Casemates Square, Gibraltar on the 28th, 29th and 30th June 2012. The headline performer is Avishai Cohen.

Other major artists at the Gibraltar International Jazz Festival include saxophonist Dan Moretti, recording artist and Professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA; the University of London Big Band; Elie Massias; Kirsty Almeida and her band, the Juan Gallardo Quintet; Arturo Serra and Gibraltar-based George Posso trio plus guests. Street music will be performed by the New Orleans Jump Band.

Presentation Pack

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Philatelic Tributes to Hemant Kumar

 

16th June is the Birth Anniversary of Hemant Kumar. He a great singer and Music director of Indian Cinema. His songs have always charmed people of every  age group and regarded as some of the best numbers ever sung by an artiste…This post is a tribute to one of the the greatest singers…of all time whose songs will  be loved, sung, listened and played by the generations to come….Here I share some of his best numbers that have magical effect on the listener…

Golden Voices of Yesteryears

India Post issued  a set of four stamps and a Miniature sheet on May 15, 2003 to commemorate four great singers of Indian Cinema – Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, Mohd Rafi and Hemant Kumar.

 

 

Hemant Kumar ( Hemanta Mukherjee) was a singer, composer, and producer in the Hindi and Bengali film industry.  He is most known for his Bollywood songs from the 1950's and 1960's.  In his career, he recorded approximately 2000 songs.

(Happy version)

(Sad version)

Hemant Kumar was born Hemanta Kumar Mukherjee on June 16, 1920 in Benares (Varanasi).  Although he was born in Benares, his family originally hailed from Baharu in West Bengal.  When he was young, his family shifted to Calcutta.  There he grew up and attended Mitra Institution school of Bhawanipore.  After he graduated from Intermediate, he attended Jadavpur University and began studying engineering. Hemant Kumar's interest in music began early.  He sang his first song in All India Radio in 1933.  He was only 13 at the time.

It was in 1937 that he recorded his first disk.  The names of the songs were Janite Jadi Go Tumi and Balo Go Balo More.  The lyrics to these songs were written by Naresh Bhattacharya and the tune and arrangement was by Sailesh Dattagupta. 

His career as a film playback singer began with the Bengali film "Nemai Sanyas"; this was released in 1941.  After that he did playback for a number of other Bengali films.

It was SD Burman who gave him his break for the film "Jaal" (1952). The song from this film Yeh Raat, Yeh Chaandni Phir Kahan, became a big hit, and cemented his position as a major playback singer.

Hemant began to work as a music director.  He composed the music for several films, but  "Nagin" (1954) that catapulted him into national recognition as a music director.  Even today the "hook" from the song, Man Doley Mera Tan Doley has become an icon that is permanently associated with snake charmers in the Indian mind.  After the success of "Nagin" he went on to be the music director for numerous films including "Jagriti" (1954), "Bees Saal Baad" (1962), and "Khamoshi" (1969).

 

In 1955 he won the "Filmfare Award for the Best Music Director".  This was for his film "Nagin" (1954).  He won the "Presidents Gold Medal" for his film "Neel Aksher Neechay" (1959).

His last concert was in September of 1989.  He went to Bangladesh to receive the Michael Madhusudhan Award.  There he gave a performance in Dhaka.  Upon his return he had a severe heart attack and died on September 26, 1989.

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Views and Opinions

 

 

COMMEMORATING LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC

- Naresh Agarwal

I recently read an appeal in Rainbow stamp club bulletin asking to start campaigning for issuance of postal stamps by India Post on occasion of London Olympics, the biggest sport event held every four years to see the best sport personalities of the world in action. The appeal reads as under :

“It is unfortunate that India Post has not yet announced stamps to commemorate London 2012 Olympics. The philatelic community is still in doubt whether any stamp will be issued by India Post to mark this biggest sports event. So all Indian philatelists are requested to join hands and make all possible efforts to pursue India Post for a beautiful set of stamps to mark OLYMPICS 2012. WE all must start a campaign for the issue of commemorative stamps on Olympics 2012 !!”

Participation by any nation in such a great sports event is a matter of pride and honor. Further winning any medal in this event is like a dream come true. For me even participation in Olympic gives you a title of Olympian which is a very big and rich achievement.

     

 

We have seen postal authorities of most of the countries are issuing postal stamps to celebrate on this occasion. Australia for example is issuing three commemorative stamps titling “The Road to London” to honor its Olympians and also will be issuing stamps instantly for their Gold medal winners in London Olympics.

Such is the enthusiasm. Israel has planned to issue a set of 6 stamps. This shows how seriously and strongly one is connected and concerned. This connectivity acts as a motivational stuff for the participants and also for the new upcoming athletes and sports persons.

India has also been issuing stamps on many such occasion. This act of India Post has been highly appreciated by the philatelic fraternity world over and the stamps and other postal stuffs issued / released have made an impact. Many big sports persons have been honored.

Though only a few days are left, India Post has not yet declared the stamps to be issued on this occasion by it but it is believed that very nice stamps have already been designed to honor the medal winners of India in the past Olympics games. But it is not understood why such games are being played by India Post before the official start of the Olympic games. This is a serious matter and demand of the people of this state who look forward for release of good postal material including postal stamps to mark, celebrate and commemorate this event.

One must not forget that India Post has been very kind and liberal in its stamp issue policy where even a very good number of people and events of regional stature have been honored and commemorated. Olympics has a global stature and one can think what India Post must have in its store for this event. Otherwise also when whole world is doing great work to mark the event… India post, one of the biggest postal organizations can never sit behind and is expected to come out with some wonderful postal material.

In case India Post has not yet thought of this, it must act immediately to keep its and our head high. It must think that this is the right time to honor our athletes and Olympians in front of the world as stamps are considered as ambassador of any country. More over, we will be honoring our sports personalities not the British or other nationals.

Let me remind the think tank of India post that it has a big wing to promote philately and also has a philatelic advisory committee too to think on the importance of any such occasion and to decide on issuance of stamps and postal material which could commemorate such event and also help promotion and development of this hobby for which such wing has been formed. I would like to inform that there is a big group / chapter of philatelists who collect and enjoy the Olympic related stamps and other material. In India, only there is a big team of such philatelists who are hard core Olympic Stamp collectors.

I hope and have firm belief that India Post will come out with a strange but beautiful set of stamps to mark this occasion along with other related philatelic materials.

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