Stamps on Brahmos Cruise Missile

A set of 2 stamps of Rs.20 and Rs5 has been released on Brahmos Cruise Missile on 22nd December 2008.

The Reader

The Reader is a film directed by Stephen Daldry, is based on a bestseller German novel (Der Vorleser, The Reader) written by by Bernhard Schlink. It is about a a young man’s decades-long obsession with an older woman. The Film cast has Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross and others. This has the story of Germany during the years 1956 to 1995.the film has received Golden Globe nominations for best director, best screenplay, and best supporting actress but the film is for Adult Audiences.

Now, you may be wondering what has this to do with Philately or stamps! This, has one or two scenes relating to stamp collecting. When young Michael (David Kross) is down with fever he is seen with his stamp collection (in the pic), which he later sells when he is in need of money. So as a youth, Michael was a Stamp Collector!

Stamps on Indian Institute of Science

Two stamps were released on 14th December 2008 to commemorate the IISc centenary year. The first stamp of Rs.20 denomination features people who have been involved with establishing the institute and the leading scientists associated with the institute. The second stamp of Rs.5, features the main building of the institute.

Stamp on Barack Obama

Liberia has released a stamp in honor of Barack Obama's historic election victory over John McCain. Liberia is the first country to issue an official postage stamp honoring Barack Obama.

More cards on SHIPS

I have received 2 more cards on my subject "SHIPS" and one of the card also had a ship stamp at the back. This is getting to be interesting and I thank the Postcrossing members, Anna R and Tove from Finland, who have sent me the same.

Cover from Belarus

Received this cover from Nargiza,Belarus. One stamp of Bejing Olympics features the sport of rowing and the two to the right are on garden flowers (definitive issue). Thank you for the cover.

Postcrossing Card.

Though I have received a few cards through Post Crossing I have not published the same here, but I was thrilled to receive this card and hence decided to show the same here. In my Post crossing profile I had asked for cards on Ships and this was the first card which I received with a picture of a Ship and more interesting was the stamp used which were also on Ships.

The Picture of the Ship is of P.S."SKIBLADNER" (pron. shee-blah-d-ner), this preserved and restored paddle steamer is over 150 years old but continues to run a timetabled service in the summer months. It is the pride of Norway's inland, and one of Norway's best-loved tourist attractions. The stamp of the same ship can be seen at the top left among the four stamps.

Thank you Joel, for this lovely card and the stamps

If you are interested in knowing more about Post Crossing visit their website at www.postcrossing.com.

Cover from Mauritius

I received this beautiful cover on my collecting subject "Ships and boats from Mauritius. Thanks, Tasneem for the cover. Unfortunately the Mauritius Post has stuck a label on the part of the picture to the left side of the cover.

These 4 stamps of 2005 depicts Ship models.The Ship models of Mauritius are known for thier beauty and high quality workmanship.The first stamp is of the "100 GUN SHIP" built at the end of the 17th century.The "SAMPAN" is a chinese model, the "ROMAN GALLEY" was a Roman warship and the last one is of "DRAKKAR", the clinker hull Viking long ship.

List of Stamps

The Karnataka Circle of India Post has released a book 'List of Stamps' in which stamp release starting from Scinde Dawk is listed. It is different from a catalogue as it contains no illustration or the present value of a stamp, but the list contains the year, date of issue, denomination and the subject of the stamp. I think it will be a very useful guide for beginners and students who are collecting Indian stamps. Price of the same is Rs.25/- which is affordable by the students, who are not able to buy the costly catalogues.

It is published by Shri.M.P.Rajan, Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Circle, with a short Foreword by himself. The same is available at all Philatelic Bureau's of Karnataka and other Main Post Offices.

Release of Stamps on Dr.Rajkumar.

The Department of Posts will be releasing a commemmorative Postage stamp on Dr.Rajkumar, tentatively scheduled for the last week of November 2008.

For more details visit the blog of D.K.Philatelic and Numismatic Association.

Cover from Belgium

I just received this cover from Belgium, with two stamps and a cancellation picture of shoe, which I think is of the National Shoe Museum in Izegem. Thanks Thomas for this nice cover.

Erratic Release of Stamps

Few of recent release of Stamps and Miniature Sheet are irregular at the Philatelic Bureaus. Stamps and MS are not made available at the Philatelic bureaus on the day of release, and the Philatelists find it impossible to post a FDC on the same day, even if it arrives at a particular Bureau it is not complete, either the MS or the stamp is missing and if both are available the cancellation would be missing.

Now there is another confusion regarding the price of some of the Miniature sheets, which started from Post Office, in the MS of XIX Commonwealth games the stamp is priced at Rs.5/- and in one corner of the MS price is quoted at Rs.15/- and the Post Office is Charging Rs.15 + 5 = Rs.20/- , hence the confusion.

Hope India Post will soon solve all the problems and confusion.

Below is the MS of XIX Commonwealth games, in which “Shera” welcomes you to Delhi.

Singapore Philatelic Museum

I received this beautiful card of Singapore Philatelic Museum from my friend Nagendra Nayak, who had visited the Museum. I have also scanned the cancellation which depicts the Museum.

PHILATELY DAY

A Philatelic Exhibition was organised by the Philately Bureau, Mangalore in association with D.K.Philatelic and Numismatic Association at Head Post office, Mangalore on 13 Oct 2008 to celebrate PHILATELY DAY. The exhibition was inaugurated by Mr. T.Govind Naik, Senior Superintendent of Posts, Mangalore. Mr.P.V.Kurlekar, Senior Postmaster, Mangalore, Mr. S.Gopal, Rtd. SSP, Mangalore, Mr.Mansoor Bolar, Jt. Secretary of D.K.Philatelic and Numismatic Association, Mr.Deepak Alvares, In-charge of Philatelic Bureau, Mangalore, Mrs.Severine D'souza, and the employee's of the Mangalore Head Post Office were also present at the venue.

About 18 frames of Exhibits were exhibited at the venue. The collection of The D.K.Philatelic and Numismatic Association (special covers of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts) Mr.M.Prabhakar Kamath, Mr.Baikady Srinivas Rao, Mrs. Jane D'souza, Ms.Tapasya Bhandary and Mansoor Bolar were exhibited.

The exhibits were then open to the public from 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM on 13th and 14th October at the Head Post Office.

PHILATELY News Letter

The Karnataka Postal Circle has recently brought out a PHILATELY News letter. The Ist issue of the 4 page quarterly News letter carries an addressing message from Shri. M.P.Rajan, CPMG, Karnataka, and an article on Mysore Anche in the front page and other news on Philately in the 2nd and 3rd pages. We, Philatelist, would like and hope that it is published regularly with more interesting news on Philately and additional pages. I wish the news letter all success and long life.

Ancient Ships - France

I am delighted to receive this cover from France on Ancient and famous ships,
which is my collecting subject. Thank you Mr.Eric.

When we note the stamps affixed on the cover, we can see a light brownish
colour mark or line which looks like it has been cancelled using a pen. The
below SS gives us the real picture of the same.To know more you can visit the
blog of Eric.