A journey of stamps through First Day Cover (FDC)

Godiji Temple FDC & Stamp from INDIA

2012-05-17T20:11:00.000+05:30

FDC Name:Godiji Temple
Issue Date:14th APR'2012

Details:

Among the images that bear the name Godiji Parshwanth, the best known is Godiji Parshvanath in the Pydhuni locality of Bombay. It was established in beginning of the eighteenth century in the Fort area. The image is said to have been brought from Hamirpur in Sirohi district in Rajasthan. in 1877, Seth Amichand of Khambhat settled in Mumbai and constructed a griha jinalaya. The temple was moved in samvat 1859 (1803 CE) to Pydhuni locality because of a fire. In 1811, his sons Nemchand and Modishah acquired the current site, and in 1812 the pratishtha ceremony was conducted. The brick and wood structure was complete replaced by a three story marble structure in 1989. Its 200th anniversary is being celebrated during April 15-May 12. 2012

Europa 2012 Stamps from MALTA

2012-05-16T13:40:00.000+05:30

Stamp Name:Europa 2012.

Details:

MaltaPost will this year participate in the Europa competition with a set of two stamps, valued at ˆ0.37 and ˆ1.19. The stamps are competing against all of the other PostEurop members as part of this year's EUROPA theme "Visit…", which aims to encourage public awareness of some of Europe's most picturesque areas of cultural and historic importance, as well as to highlight common European roots and objectives. The contest is an annual online event where creative entries from across Europe compete for the best design.

Malta will be participating with stamps showing the stunning view of the Grand Harbour, taken from the Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta.

"The Philatelic Bureau of MaltaPost chose to highlight the Grand Harbour because it is an area of significant historical and geographical importance for Islands," explains Joseph Gafa, CEO at MaltaPost plc. "We believe it will instantly show foreigners Malta's unique historical landscape and encourage them to learn more."

The chosen panoramic picture, which is taken from the Upper Barrakka Gardens, highlights the unobstructed views of the historic Three Cities opposite, with Fort St Angelo in the centre. The photograph also shows a portion of the Gardens' Saluting Battery, which forms part of Valletta's old fortifications built in 1566 by the Knights of St John, a year after the Great Siege.

Protected birds of prey on stamps from HUNGARY

2012-05-15T20:02:00.000+05:30

Stamp Name:Fauna of Hungary series - Protected birds of prey .

Details:

In keeping with its traditions, Magyar Posta presents the characteristic fauna of Hungary each year on a stamp block and set of stamps. On the new stamps for 2012 birds of prey are depicted, which in order of ascending face value are the imperial eagle, the white-tailed eagle, the red-footed falcon and the saker falcon, and in the background there are motifs indicating their habitats.

The stamp series was designed by the graphic artist Kalman Szekely and 300,000 copies were made by the state printing company Allami Nyomda.

The stamp block associated with the series presents the bird of the year 2012, the Common Buzzard, and is due to be issued on 15 June 2012.

175th anniversary of Atis Kronvalds FDC from LATVIA

2012-05-15T12:16:00.000+05:30

FDC Name:175th anniversary of Atis Kronvalds.
Issue Date:14th APR'2012

Details:

Atis Kronvalds was born on April 15, 1837, and is known to Latvians as a passionate member of the Young Latvians movement, author of textbooks and articles on linguistics and education.

Kronvalds continued the work initiated by the Young Latvians on purifying and enriching the language, opposed German loan words and created new words, which are still used in Latvian today.

In 1863,Kronvalds wrote the German textbook The First Step of the Little German, in the introduction noting the great role of the German language in education, and underlining that the book is intended for Latvians. Kronvalds believed that language and Latvian schools should be the foundation of the national culture, and considered their development as the main task.

In 1873, Kronvalds participated in the First Latvian Song and Dance Festival by delivering two brilliant speeches defending the national culture, folk songs and language.Atis Kronvalds is considered to be one of the founders of the oldest Latvian student corporation Lettonia.

Atis Kronvalds died in Vecpiebalga on February 17, 1875, and was buried in the Vecpiebalga cemetery, where a monument was erected in 1893.

Remark:Thanks Juris for sending this commemorative envelopes on the issue date.

Chinese Classic Novel “Outlaws of the Marsh” FDC from TAIWAN

2012-05-15T11:46:00.001+05:30

FDC Name:Chinese Classic Novel “Outlaws of the Marsh”

Issue Date:25th APR'2012

Details:

To promote understanding about Chinese classical literature, Chunghwa Post is releasing a series of stamps based on Outlaws of the Marsh, one of the four great classic novels of Chinese literature. The first set of four stamps, was released on April 25, 2012, features “Demons Released,” “Slaying the Tiger on Jingyang Ridge,” “Mountain God Temple on a Stormy Night,” and “Knocking the Lord of the West Dead.” The stamp designs follow:

1.Demons Released (NT$5): Seeing the plague raging in the capital, the Song emperor Renzong sends Marshal Hong to Dragon and Tiger Mountain to summon the Divine Teacher to come and pray for the plague to go away. When Marshal Hong sees the inscription on the stele in the Hall of the Subdued Demons, which reads “open when Hong is here,” he orders the stele to be pushed over and the ground dug open. Suddenly, a puff of black air rises from underground, turning into a hundred and some rays of golden light that shoot into the sky in all different directions. Thus transpires the birth of the 108 heroes of the Liangshan Marsh and the start of the novel.

2.Slaying the Tiger on Jingyang Ridge (NT$5): The local government issues a warning about a tiger on Jingyang Ridge and advises travelers only to cross the ridge in the safety of a large group. Cocky Wu Song disregards the warning and crosses the ridge alone. Suddenly, a huge tiger with a white forehead and fierce-looking eyes leaps out at him. Though in a state of shock, Wu Song bravely fights the tiger and eventually paralyses it. The chapter features especially good descriptions of Wu Song’s fearlessness and valor.

3.Mountain God Temple on a Stormy Night (NT$10): After being framed by Lu Qian and the Grand Marshal Gao, Lin Chong is sentenced to face-tattooing and exiled to Cangzhou to manage a fodder depot. But who would guess that the grand marshal would send Lu Qian after him? On one stormy night, Lin Chong stays in a mountain god temple instead of the fodder depot so as to get out of the snow. Meanwhile, Lu Qian and others set fire to the fodder depot in an attempt to murder Lin Chong. When Lin Chong overhears them talking about what they did, he gets mad and kills them. Evil has its retribution. The events in this chapter are key to explaining why Lin Chong becomes an outlaw of Liangshan Marsh.

4.Knocking the Lord of the West Dead (NT$25): Butcher Zheng Tu, a.k.a. Lord of the West, is a bully in Weizhou. To save Jin Cuilian and her father from his clutches and to uphold justice on their behalf, Lu Da intentionally pisses Zheng Tu off while pretending to purchase meat from him. A fight breaks out, and Lu Da punches Zheng Tu to death. Later, Lu becomes a monk in Mt. Wutai, where the abbot gives him the Buddhist name Zhishen. Lu Da seems to be rash but can be sophisticated at the same time.

Lin Paochun, Professor of Chinese at National Taiwan Normal University, plans for this release. The stamps are painted by Y2 Advertising Co., Ltd. and printed by China Color Printing Co., Ltd.(Source-Chunghwa Post)
Remark:Thanks Chen for sending the FDC & Stamps.This will enhance my Tiger collection.

2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee stamp by Newzeland

2012-05-14T16:47:00.001+05:30

Stamp Name:2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee.

Details:

2012 marks a significant year for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as she celebrates 60 years as a dedicated monarch. New Zealand Post has issued the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee stamps to mark this prestigious anniversary.

Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee is only the second in the past 1,000 years of New Zealand and British history. The first was Queen Victoria's in 1897.

Queen Elizabeth II has close links to New Zealand, and is the first monarch to adopt the title Queen of New Zealand. She has visited New Zealand on ten separate occasions, both officially and informally, and in the past six decades she has been actively involved in all aspects of New Zealand life.

Featuring silver foiling on metallic silver ink, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee stamps reflect this prestigious anniversary. Each of the six stamps in this highly collectable stamp issue reflects Her Majesty's close association with a dedication to Aotearoa. From the official 2012 portraits to photographs of the Queen's various tours of New Zealand, this is a stamp issue worth celebrating.

The first day covers feature the official New Zealand portraits of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as the official New Zealand Diamond Jubilee emblem.

Hong Kong - France Joint Issue Stamps on Art

2012-05-10T20:58:00.001+05:30

Stamp Name:Hong Kong - France Joint Issue on Art.

Details:

Hongkong Post and France are jointly issuing a set of four stamps on art to showcase vintage paintings and contemporary sculptures from Hong Kong and France, reflecting their rich heritage in art.

The two paintings, both works from the 19th century, employ a similar colour scheme with realistic rendering and artists' materials originating from the West, while the two sculptures, created in the 20th century, were both inspired by animals. This marks the 12th joint stamp issue between Hongkong Post and other postal administrations. The stamp issue demonstrates the great passion for art that Hong Kong and France share and showcases the cultural treasures of the two places.

Europa 2012 stamps from ESTONIA

2012-05-09T13:34:00.000+05:30

Stamp Name:Europa 2012.

Details:

Estonia is a small northern country with interesting history and pristine nature, it's a friendly and a modern country. It takes only 5 days to cover all of Estonia and its islands, everything is so close here. Forests, lakes, bogs and sandy beaches all give an unforgettable sight. Winters are cold here, you can go to the islands over the ice roads. Estonian population is small, approximately 1.3 million people. Everyone is hard working, welcoming, thinks highly of their family and is eager to learn new things.

Estonia is known for its e-country, Skype and many other achievements in medicine and technology. Over the centuries Estonia has been a part of Sweden, Denmark, Germany and also Russia. They have all left something of their culture, changed landscapes and architecture. The old town of Tallinn is one of the most well preserved and protected medieval towns in Europe (UNESCO cultural heritage). Estonians are a singing nation - there is a nationwide singing and dancing festival in every 5 years. Come see and listen to this land and its people!

Queen's Diamond Jubilee engraved stamp form CANADA

2012-05-08T17:25:00.001+05:30

Stamp Name:Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Issue Date:7th MAY'2012

Details:

On May 7th, Canada Post has issued a very special engraved stamp as part of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee collection - one with a pretty neat story. In 1897, Canada's Post Office Department celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria - the only other Monarch of Canada to achieve the 60-year milestone - with an issue of 16 intaglio stamps. The design featured a portrait of the young Queen, as well as one created at the time of Queen Victoria's 60th anniversary. The series remains a classic for collectors.

In May 2012, Canada Post will release a single stamp that mirrors the design of the 1897 stamp. Engraved and printed in the same purple tone as the $2 Queen Victoria commemorative, the 2012 recreation features an image of a young Queen Elizabeth II, taken early in her reign, facing a more recent photograph of Her Majesty.

The stamps are issued in a pane of eight. A souvenir sheet is available individually and included in Volume 5 of the Diamond Jubilee Keepsake Folders.

Despite the fact that the original Queen Victoria stamps were issued 115 years ago, they were very much in the minds of collectors, particularly as Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee loomed on the horizon.

Says Jim Phillips, Director of Stamp Services, "For years, philatelists and collectors who specialize in stamps featuring Queen Elizabeth II have told us the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee issue was the standard by which stamps celebrating this Diamond Jubilee would be measured. We listened to them and decided that since this is such a rare milestone for a reigning Monarch, since there have been only two - we would borrow inspiration from that great 1897 issue. And the result is, we think - definitely fit for a Queen. Our Queen Elizabeth II."

Twentieth-Century Poets stamps from USA

2012-05-06T17:46:00.000+05:30

Stamp Name:Twentieth-Century Poets,

Details:

Ten great poets are honored on this Twentieth-Century Poets (Forever) stamp sheet, including several who served as United States Poet Laureate. The many awards won by this illustrious group - Elizabeth Bishop, Joseph Brodsky, Gwendolyn Brooks, E. E. Cummings, Robert Hayden, Denise Levertov, Sylvia Plath, Theodore Roethke, Wallace Stevens, and William Carlos Williams - include numerous Pulitzer Prizes, National Book Awards, and honorary degrees.

Each stamp features a photograph of one of the 10 poets. Text on the back of the stamp sheet includes an excerpt from one poem by each poet. The art director was Derry Noyes.

Fashion Stamp from GREAT BRITAIN

2012-05-06T17:43:00.000+05:30

Stamp Name:Fashion

Details:

Britain is famous around the world for the creative vision of its fashion designers, its refined Savile Row tailoring, its shoemakers, milliners - not forgetting its fine wool fabrics and yarn. Since 1945, fashion has grown to become a major national industry. Today it employs about a million people and contributes directly some £21 billion to the UK economy.

This issue showcases the very best of post-war fashion, featuring the innovative fashion houses that have put the UK in the top rank of world fashion design, and showcasing a prime example of each selected designer's work, including Tommy Nutter's suit for Beatle Ringo Starr and Vivienne Westwood's 1993 Harlequin dress, famously modeled by Naomi Campbell.

The idea for the issue came from the British Design Classics stamps of 2009, which featured the stylish chic of Mary Quant's daring mini skirt. This proved to be one of the most popular of the ten stamps featured in the issue; prompting the decision to dedicate an entire issue to Britain's world-class designers.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - Diamond Jubilee stamps from FALKLAND ISLANDS

2012-05-05T15:30:00.000+05:30

Stamp Name: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - Diamond Jubilee.

Details:

To celebrate a remarkable 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II as Monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories the Falkland Islands Post Office is issuing a special set of new stamps and a souvenir sheet.

Queen Elizabeth II is the longest lived and second longest reigning Monarch in British history next to Queen Victoria.

The four stamps depict images of Her Majesty taken during each of her very special Anniversary years:

27p Year of Accession, 1952
30p Silver Jubilee, 1977
70p Golden Jubilee, 2002
£1.71 Diamond Jubilee, 2012

The accompanying souvenir sheet £3 stamp shows a black and white photograph of Her Majesty taken as she arrived in Downing Street for a dinner given by Sir Winston Churchill in 1955. A contemporary photograph in the surround shows Queen Elizabeth II smiling as she visits Palm Paper in King's Lynn, Norfolk in February 2012. The mill provides all of the paper used by the national newspapers and much of that used by the regional press in the UK.

International Exhibition YEOSU 2012 stamp by MONACO

2012-05-04T22:02:00.001+05:30

Stamp Name:International Exhibition YEOSU 2012

Details:

Monaco has issued a stamp dedicated to the coming International Exhibition YEOSU 2012 which will take place from 12 of May to 12 of August 2012 in Yeosu, South Korea under the theme "The Living Oceans and Coasts" with subthemes of "Preservation and Sustainable Development of the Ocean and Coast," "New Resources Technology," and "Creative Marine Activities." The Yeosu Expo is anticipating participation of more than 100 countries and international organizations, and 8 million visitors.

2012-05-01T15:39:00.000+05:30

FDC Name:Fishes of Taiwan
Issue Date:11th APR'2012

Details:

Chunghwa Post previously issued a set of stamps on Taiwan fishes on March 10, 2011. It is now following up with another set of four stamps, featuring Formosania lacustre, Tanakia himantegus, Channa asiatica, and Sinogastromyzon puliensis. This set will be released on April 11, 2012. The designs follow:

1. Formosania lacustre (NT$5): Measuring about 6 to 12 centimeters long, this species is slender and cylindrical, with a flat dull triangular head, a slightly arced oral fissure, and a pair of big and horizontally orientated pectoral fins. There are often about ten dark brown horizontal bands on each side of its body. Three diagonal stripes are on its dorsal fin and four dark brown stripes on its caudal fin. It is found in the main tributaries and upper stretches of the river systems in northern Taiwan and the Zhuoshui River in central Taiwan.
2. Tanakia himantegus (NT$5): Measuring about 3 to 9 centimeters long, this species has a flat, oval body and a small mouth. Its body is covered with cycloid scales. Its back is silvery white with a tinge of blue. There is a dark blue lateral line on the side of its body. It has a red stripe and a black stripe along the edge of its anal fin. The upper parts of a male’s eyes are bright red. It is found in creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes in low-elevation areas throughout Taiwan.
3. Channa asiatica (NT$12): Measuring about 10 to 25 centimeters long, this species has a cylindrical-shaped body, which becomes increasingly flat towards the tail. Its head is wide and big with a large oral fissure. Eight to eleven dark-brown stripes are featured along the side of its body, and two black lines are behind the eye. There is a round eye spot on the base of its caudal fin. It is found in mountain creeks or in low-elevation water channels throughout northern and western Taiwan.
4. Sinogastromyzon puliensis (NT$25): This species has a long body, measuring about 4 to 9 centimeters. The front portion of its body is flat top and bottom, whereas its tail is flat on its sides. Its oral fissure is arced. Its pectoral fins are big and horizontally orientated. The inner edges of its pelvic fins have adapted into a sucker mechanism. There are some smaller spots on its back. It is found in the main tributaries and middle stretches of the Dajia, Dadu and Zhuoshui rivers in central Taiwan.

The stamps are planned by Chen I-Shiung, Professor at the Institute of Marine Biology at National Taiwan Ocean University, and painted by marine painter Jheng Yi-lang, and printed by Cardon Enterprise Co., Ltd. in color offset.(Source-Chunghwa Post)

Remark:Thanks Chen for sending this beautiful FDC on Fish by registered post.

Wild Mushrooms Miniature sheet FDC from TAIWAN

2012-04-30T16:50:00.002+05:30

FDC Name:Wild Mushrooms of Taiwan
Issue Date:
Details:

Having issued its first set of stamps on Taiwan’s wild mushrooms on March 25, 2010, Chunghwa Post is now releasing a second set of four stamps and a souvenir sheet of the series on March 23, 2012. Four species of mushroom found at mid-altitudes are featured. The designs follow:
1. Amanita rubrovolvata (NT$5): The mushroom has an orange to red cap (pileus). Convex when it first appears, the cap gradually flattens as it matures. The cap’s surface is covered with fuzz and scales, and its margin is grooved. The mushroom’s central stem (stipe) is cream to pale orange-yellow in color and covered with powdery scales. The stem has a ring (annulus) on its upper half and a large basal bulb. It can often be found in mixed forests at mid-altitudes. This mushroom is poisonous.
2. Entoloma murraii (NT$5): The mushroom has a pale to bright yellow conical cap and a bright yellow cylindrical stem. The stem, either solid or hollow, is central and supports the cap in the middle. This small, soft, bright yellow mushroom is very eye-catching. It can often be found in forests in low to mid-altitude areas during summer and fall. It is not clear whether it is poisonous.
3. Geastrum sessile (NT$12): The mushroom has a ball-shaped fruiting body. At maturity, the outer layer of the fruiting body splits open to create a star-like effect, revealing the sporangium within. The brown sporangium has a smooth surface with a mouth at the apex. The area around the mouth is grooved. The spores are dispersed from this opening when mature. This mushroom can often be seen in broadleaf forests at mid-altitudes. Its spores have anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Clavulinopsis miyabeana (NT$12): At first, the fruiting body of this mushroom resembles a red or pink smooth cylinder. By maturity, the fruiting body has become a sharp spindle with a paler tip. It can often be found in clumps among fallen leaves in coniferous or broadleaf forests at mid-altitudes during summer and fall. At first glance, the mushroom, with its bright orange-red, flat and stick-like body, resembles a flame on the forest ground.

This set of stamps is planned by Lin Zichao, research assistant on mushrooms at the Endemic Species Research Institute of the Executive Yuan’s Council of Agriculture, painted by ecological painter Chi-jen Lai, and printed by China Color Printing Co., Ltd. in color offset.

Remark:Thanks Chen for sending these two nice FDC by registered post on the issue date.

Danny Thomas FDC from USA

2012-04-12T20:23:00.000+05:30

FDC Name:Danny Thomas.
Issue Date:16th FEB'2012
Details:

Danny Thomas (born Amos Muzyad Yakhoob Kairouz; January 6, 1912 – February 6, 1991) was an Lebanese American nightclub comedian and television and film actor, best known for starring in the television sitcom Make Room for Daddy (also known as The Danny Thomas Show). He was also the founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Thomas was born in Deerfield, Michigan, to Charles Yakhoob Kairouz and his wife Margaret Taouk in 1912. His parents were Maronite Catholic immigrants from Lebanon. Thomas was raised in Toledo, Ohio, attending St. Francis de Sales Church (Roman Catholic), Woodward High School and finally The University of Toledo, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Thomas was confirmed in the Catholic Church by the bishop of Toledo, Samuel Stritch. Stritch, a native of Tennessee, was a lifelong spiritual advisor for Thomas, and urged him to locate the St. Jude Hospital in Memphis He married Rose Marie Cassaniti in 1936, a week after his 24th birthday.

In 1932, Thomas began performing on radio in Detroit at WMBC on The Happy Hour Club. Thomas first performed under his Anglicized birth name, "Amos Jacobs Kairouz." After he moved to Chicago in 1940, Thomas did not want his friends and family to know that he went back into working clubs where the salary was better, so he came up with the pseudonym "Danny Thomas" (after two of his brothers)

Bird of the Year- Black Swift stamp from BELARUS

2012-04-11T20:50:00.000+05:30

Stamp Name:Bird of the Year- Black Swift
Issue Date:22nd MARCH'2012
Details:

The Byelorussian Post has issued a stamp from the "Bird of the Year" series. In 2012 the stamp is dedicated to the Black swift. In flight, this bird looks like a flying cigar with long slender curved wings. Its plumage is mostly a sooty dark gray. There is some contrast between the upper and lower wing. The shoulders are much darker in color than the remaining portion of the wing. The bird also has a short slightly forked tail.

Designer: Alexander Mityanin. Printing: offset. Colour: full colour. Paper: chalk-surfaced, gummed. Perforation: comb 133/4: 131/2. Size of the stamp: 26×37 mm. Sheet composition: 7 stamps + 1 coupon. Size of the sheet: 128×108 mm. Print quantity: 70.000 stamps.
Letter “P” is equal to the air-mail tariff of a letter up to 20 gram abroad.

The 2011 Greenland stamp of the year

2012-04-10T14:49:00.003+05:30

Details:

From December until 1st March 2012 stamp collectors from all over the world have been able to participate in the vote for "The 2011 Greenlandic stamp of the year". And many have used this opportunity.

The winning stamp was G472, the beautiful scenery stamp based on a photo by author and photographer Ivars Silis, born 1940. Even though Ivars Silis has reached 71 years of age; this is actually his stamp debut. The stamp was issued on 28th September 2011 and was POST Greenland's contribution to last year's joint issue with the SEPAC-countries in the cooperation between the Small European Postal Services, of which Greenland is a member.

Coming second in the competition was the stamp G471 by Anne-Lise Lovstrom and the third was G475 by Martin Morck

Tuberculosis Stamp from VIETNAM

2012-04-09T20:22:00.000+05:30

Stamp Name:Tuberculosis

Detalis:

On the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day, when Dr. Robert Koch detected the cause of tuberculosis and made propaganda against TB, on the 24th of March 2012, the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam issued a stampset entitled "For a Vietnam free of Tuberculosis!"

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by an infection Mycobacterium Tuberculosis which mostly affects the lungs but sometimes the other parts of the body. Today, TB is widely spread, having bad effect over one third of the world's population, with 9 million new cases each year, causing 2 million deaths, mostly in developing countries.

Civil Aviation Minitature Sheet FDC from INDIA

2012-04-06T12:41:00.000+05:30

FDC Name:Civil Aviation
Issue Date:14th MAR'2012

Details:

On 18 February, 1911 the first commercial civil aviation flight took place in India between Allahabad and Naini, a distance of 6 miles when Henri Piquet carried 6500 mails on a Humber biplane. This is considered to be the world’s first airmail service and the beginning of civil aviation in India.

· In December 1912, the Indian State Air Services in collaboration with UK based Imperial Airways introduced the London -Karachi - Delhi flight, the first International flight to and from India.

· In 1915 Tata Sons Ltd. started regular air mail services between Karachi and Madras and on January 24, 1920 Royal Airforce started regular airmail services between Karachi and Bombay.

· Construction of Civil Airports in India started in 1924. Constructions began in Calcutta at Dum Dum, Allahabad at Bamrauli and in Bombay in Gilbert Hill.

· April 1927 saw the setting up of a separate Department of Civil Aviation to look after all civil aviation matters. That year also saw the establishment of Aero Club of India.

· In February 1929, JRD Tata was awarded the first pilot license by Federation Aeronautique International on behalf of the Aero Club of India and Burma. The same year Aga Khan announced a solo air race between London and Bombay. There were three participants - JRD Tata, Man Mohan Singh and Aspy Merchant . The race was won by Man Mohan Singh.

· Lt.Col. Shelmerdine was appointed first Director general of Civil Aviation(DGCA) in 1931 to look after civil aviation regulatory issues.

Lot of activities in between and at present India is the 9^th largest aviation market in the world with 82 operational airports, 735 aircraft, 12 operational scheduled airlines and 121 non-scheduled operators. The number of air passengers traveling in India is expected to cross 50 million this year.

Remark:Nice FDC & Miniature Sheet with correct size to fit on FDC.After long time India Post has come up in correct size.The first day cancellation is also good.Thanks to the designer Alka Sharma.

Green energy stamps by ICELAND

2012-04-05T11:28:00.000+05:30

Stamp Name:Green Energy

Details:

Iceland has a unique position when it comes to energy. Icelanders use more energy per capita than any other country. The proportion of renewable energy sources is also unusually high.

In 2008 approximately 80% of the total national energy consumption came from domestic and renewable energy sources. Geothermal heat has been used for heating by 90% of households in the country. Rivers are a great source of energy and Iceland has around 37 hydroelectric power plants and approximately 200 smaller power plants. Landsvirkjun was established for the purpose of constructing power plants providing electricity to heavy industries. Aluminum and related exports account for over 40% of the country's total exports. Powerful geothermal areas in the South are used both for heating and for vegetable cultivation. These areas account for half of harnessed hydro-energy in the country and about 70% of harnessed geothermal power. With the use of electricity in horticulture farmers have been able to meet domestic demand for tomatoes and cucumbers. Major advances have taken place in horticulture in recent years which means that in ten years tomato-production has increased by 200% and the production of cucumbers doubled.

This stamp issue was designed by Hlynur Olafsson.(Source-Int Stamp News)

Special Cover on Solar Power & Flori Culture from INDIA

2012-04-04T16:11:00.001+05:30

Special Cover Name:Solar Power & Flori Culture.
Date of Issue:4th APR'2012
Issued Place:Singipur,Dist-Khordha,Odisha.

Details:

Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, during his maiden visit to Odisha inaugurated two projects of MGM Group in Tangi Tehsil of Khurdha District on Wednesday in the presence of Shri Niranjan Pujari (Hon’ble Minister, Science & Technology), Shri Surya Narayan Patro (Hon’ble Minister, Revenue), Shri Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak (Hon’ble Minister, Energy), Dr. Prasanna Kumar Patasani (Hon’ble M.P., Bhubaneswar) and Shri Rajendra Kumar Sahoo (Hon’ble M.L.A., Khordha).

The projects include a 1 MW solar power plant established under the Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy and a high-tech horticulture and floriculture farm under the National Horticulture Mission. Both projects have commenced commercial operations and have been developed with the support of State Government organisations like: Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) and Directorate of Horticulture.
MGM Group is one of the Odisha’s oldest business houses developing and operating iron ore mines in Sundergarh District and has diversified into steelmaking with an integrated plant of 0.25 million tonnes capacity under development in Dhenkanal District. MGM Group is also supporting the growth of technical education in the State by having established a Chair Professor in Minerals, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar.

To commemorate the occasion, Dr. Abdullah released a Postal Special Cover of Department of Posts. He expressed his happiness and desired for more such renewable energy and greenhouse projects in the State of Odisha since these are environment friendly, non-polluting and foster green management practices while adding to economic growth.

Shri R. L. Mohanty, Chairman of MGM Group apprised that the Group has floated dedicated subsidiaries to focus on such projects. Other upcoming initiatives of MGM Group include vegetable and fruit cultivation and a 1 MW solar power plant in District of Boudh. The plans include an ambitious vision to have the largest single location banana cultivation in the eastern region of the country as well as to become the largest grower of vegetables and flowers in the State. Shri Mohanty expressed his gratitude to the officials of Department of Agriculture and Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of Odisha without whose guidance the projects would not have been possible.

Remark:This is very beautiful embossed special cover approved by Department of Post,Odisha Circle, Bhubaneswar.

Christianization stamps from LITHUANIA

2012-04-03T10:38:00.001+05:30

Stamp Name:Lithuania's Christianization

Details:

Stamp Dedicated to Lithuania's Christianization This year Lithuania celebrates the 625th anniversary of Christianization. To mark this occasion, Lithuania Post has issued a special postage stamp. It features the scene from the Saint Pierre la Jeune fresco in the Strasbourg Church (France) depicting the countries having adopted Christianity. Lithuania is the last one.

The stamp is issued in edition of 100 thousand copies with the nominal value of LTL 1.35 (0.39 euros). The stamp has been created by the artist Indre Ratkeviciute.

Along with the stamp, the first day cover and the first day sheet are available

Contemporary design Postage Stamps from ICELAND

2012-03-26T10:29:00.000+05:30

Stamp Name:Contemporary design series.

Details:

Fashion is the theme of the third series of stamps dedicated to Icelandic contemporary design.

Shoes and stockings are designed by Hugrun Dogg Arnadottir and Magni Thorsteinsson. Their company is KronKron. Their shoe lines have been noted for innovative design. According to reviewers their design is characterized by joy and romance with creative use of colors.

The dress on the 100 g stamp is designed by Steinunn Sigurdardottir. Her artistic creations are said to build on extensive cooperation with many well-known contemporary designers. Reviewers note that her design is rooted in the national knitting tradition.

An Icelandic wool sweater is designed by Bergthora Gudnadottir of the Farmers Market fashion company. The company's introductory pamphlet states that natural ingredients are the leitmotif of Bergthora's design, inspired as she is by Icelandic heritage where people and animals live close to nature.

66 ° NORTH has attracted attention for their innovative design of high quality materials. The company has received numerous awards for design and marketing. Among the company's products are clothing for the police, firefighters and rescue workers.

Joaquim Mir's Massana Valley painting from ANDORRA

2012-03-25T12:15:00.000+05:30

Name: Joaquim Mir's Massana Valley painting

Details:

This stamp features the oil painting Massana Valley by Joaquim Mir. This painting of the valley of Massana with the Arinsal village at the center is one of many landscapes of this parish made by the artist Joaquim Mir during his three campaigns in Andorra he made between 1932 and 1934.

The painting transmits the intensity of nature through illuminated switches of green and yellow, almost golden by sunbathing, which transport the spectator into a bucolic atmosphere of the valley's meadows.