GLOBAL EXPRESS- ISSUE No. 2

Volume No. 1                          Issue No. 2                       February 2010

We need your letters, views, reports & articles on philatelic & numismatic activities in your area or region for publication here. You can send the same to kansalmitul@gmail.com or emmkayinternational@gmail.com and by post to –

My Contact Address- Mitul Kansal, Editor- Global Express, SRM University Hostel- “F Block”, Room No. 222, NCR Campus, SRM University, Delhi-Meerut Road, Sikrikalam, Distt. Ghaziabad, PIN-201204, U.P., INDIA

My Permanent Address- 336/14 Near Markanda Press, Shahabad Markanda, Distt. Kurukshetra, Pin 136135, Haryana, INDIA

Note:  1) We may edit & fact-check your entries for publication.

2) The bulletin will be sent to the readers only on request. Those who wish to receive it regularly please reply giving their name, postal address, and philatelic & numismatic interests with the subject “SUBSCRIBE GLOBAL EXPRESS”.

3) If you’ve found this newsletter useful, recommend it to a friend. Better still, forward a copy of this issue. Also, please mention this newsletter when contacting other collectors.

Editorial

I am here to present the second issue of “Global Express”. Thank You very much for your unbelievable response on the first issue. I am considering your suggestions to make this newsletter more and more useful. Here is the season of small Exhibitions again. My best wishes to all the participants. By the contribution of Mr. Shreejesh Krishnan, I am starting a series of articles on the National and International Exhibitions of India. I hope you will like this and also give me your comments on it.

Here is the interesting question asked by our member Mr. De. Tom from England. In his letter he asked “What is the meaning of ‘Dom’ in Emm Kay Stamp Coinage Dom”. I feel pleasure to answer this.

Emm- represents english alphabet M and M is for Mitul

Kay- represents english alphabet K and K is for Kansal

Stamp- Postage Stamp

Coinage- Coin

Dom- It is a Russian word which means House

I want to thank all those collectors who are trying to promote this E-Bulletin. These include Mobile Philately, Stamps of India, M.B. Stamps, etc…

Also I want to thank all the contributors for this first issue. I hope contribution of collectors will increase day by day.

…Mitul Kansal

Contents

• Recent Indian Issues
• Recent & Forthcoming Events
• In History
• Review
• In News
• Beginners Section
• Specialized Section
• Pride of Nations
• New Issues from Other Countries
• Readers Forum
• Alert Collector
• Our Other Blogs
• Blogs & Websites on Philately & Numismatics
• Yahoo Groups on Philately & Numismatics
• Promotional Section
• Current Philatelic & Numismatic Magazines – Newsletters

Recent Indian Issues

Postage Stamps

• Jan 05, 2010 20^th Conference of Speakers & Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth-Rs 5
• 

• Jan16, 2010    Reserve Bank of India-Platinum Jubilee-Rs 5
• Jan 25, 2010  Election Commission of India-Rs 5

Special Covers

• Dec 19, 2009 Karwar, 100 years of Gibbs High School, Kumta
• Dec 30, 2009 Hyderabad, Padma Vibushan, Prof. C.R. Rao. Subject-Statistics is the Future.

• Jan 14, 2010 Tiruchi, 14th Indian Railways Jamboree
• Jan 9, 2010 Agra, Go Polio Forever

• Jan 16, 2010 Satna, To commemorate the Shri 1008 Shrimajjinendra Jinbimb   Panchkalyanak Pratishtha & Tray Gajrath Mahotsava
• Jan 27, 2010 Tamil Nadu, All India Postal Kabbadi Tournament
• Jan 30, 2010 Trichy Railway Junction No. 1, Sub:  Electrification Trichy Villupram Chordline Section.

Private Special Covers

• Jan 12, 2010, Orissa Philatelic Association, Padmasambhava Mahavihar Buddist Monastery.

Packs

• India Post recently issued a new presentation pack of Platinum Jubilee of Reserve Bank issue. The contents are Block of 4 Stamps + 1 FDC with Cancelled Stamp + 1 Information Sheet.

The cost of this pack is Rs. 100.

• India Post came out with a new presentation pack of Traditional Indian Textiles with 1 MS, 1 FDC cancelled & 1 Information Sheet.

The cost of this pack is Rs. 150.

New Postal Stationary

Envelope

• A Rs 5/- Envelope with motif as Sardar Vallabhai Patel was released in Second week of January 2010. The postal stationery was issued from SPP, HYD with Advertisement in Regional Language pertaining to “Jago Grahak Jago”.under Consumer Awareness Programme.

Definitive Coins

• Connectivity and Information Technology- Rs 10
• Golden Coin of Rs 5

Commemorative Coins

• Homi Bhabha- Rs 5 & Rs 10
• Alphonsa- Rs 5
• Louis Braille – Rs 2

• Birth Centenary of “Perarignar Anna”- Rs 5 (The technical details as per RBI Press release are 23mm Circular Coin, 100 serrations, Nickel Brass (Copper 75%, Zinc -20%, Nickel – 5%), Obverse – Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar with value, Reverse – Perarignar Anna Centenary and “1909-1969).

Recent & Forthcoming Events

Philatelic Exhibitions

• May 7-9, 2010, Ludhiana, STAMP FIESTA-2010

Organizer: Ludhiana Philatelic Club

For further details contact at- Chairman “Stamp-Fiesta – 2010”,Dr. S.K. Sondhi,20 – A, Sarabha Nagar,Ludhiana – 141 001, Mobile: 98156 57647, Ph. 0161- 2455344 or 0161-2740184.

E-Mail: info.sf2010@gmail.com or sksondhi1@gmail.com

Secretary “Stamp-Fiesta – 2010”, Mr. Mukesh Malhotra, B III 1266, Bajwa Nagar, St. No.1, Ludhiana – 141 008, Mobile: 90230 84608, 94173 49808

E-Mail: secretary.sf2010@gmail.com or mukeshlibra@yahoo.co.in

Numismatic Exhibitions

• Feb 19-21, 2010, Calicut, COIN FEST-2010

Organizer: Calicut Numismatic Society numisclt@gmail.com

Venue: Jubilee Hall, Near Tali Temple, Kandankulam, Calicut

Sales Booth: Rs 2,500 including Tea, Snacks, & Lunch for Two

Contact: Soorej 09447124066 soorejsks@yahoo.co.in

• 12-14 Feb 2010 – Ahmedabad – Coinex 2010 (Gujarat Coin  Society)
• 19-21 Feb 2010 – Calicut – Calicut Coin Festival 2010

In History

Dates are like milestones in life.

Enriches the present with

the memories of the past. Brings us closer to

our heritage and history.

Reverberates through the corridors of time,

and echoes in our hearts.

Leaving behind their footprints in the

annals of time.

Emm Kay Stamp Coinage Dom has handpicked a few

important dates… those that changed

the face of our Nation.

February 3, 1925- The first electric train was introduced in India in 1925 between Bombay’s Victoria Terminus (now known as Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus) and Kurla along the Harbor Line of Central Railway, covering a distance of 15.2 km.

In News

USPS Honors John Hotchner

The USPS and Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) honored John M. Hotchner on January 21 at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Hotchner served the committee for twelve years, helping select topics for postage stamps and providing input on stamp designs.

According to a post on the National Postal Museum blog by Cheryl R. Ganz, “Postmaster General John E. Potter, Marie Therese Dominguez, David Failor, and Terry McCaffrey of the USPS, and Jean Picker Firstenberg, CSAC Chair, expressed deep gratitude and presented Hotchner with tributes and awards. Hotchner is a member of the NPM Council of Philatelists, a past president of the American Philatelic Society, and one of the most prolific authors in the hobby of stamp collecting.”

Shown above, souvenir tribute card for John Hotchner’s twelve years on CSAC created by USPS’s Terry McCaffrey.

To visit the National Postal Museum blog, click here.

Why Italian Post Offices Are Always Crowded?

According to a piece on the Faster Times website, “An Italian post office doesn’t just take care of so-called prodotti postali (mail-related products), such as pacchi (parcels), raccomandate (registered mail) and telegrammi (telegrams), but also deals with many different money services (servizi in denaro), just as a bank does. Because there are post offices everywhere, businesses and public utilities use them as places to collect money from millions of customers nationwide.”

They go on to say, “And so Italians go to the post office to pay bills (electricity, gas, telephone), fines, the fee for public television, and the car tax, among many others. They also can pay for various services provided by offices and public agencies, such as drivers’ licenses and trash collection.

“In addition to the money operations that cause most of the crowding, there are the mail services. You go to the post office to send a registered letter, a parcel (le poste also sell packaging materials), or a telegram (even if e-mails have made them nearly obsolete). If you weren’t home to receive a certified letter or a package, you need to bring the receipt that the postman left in your mailbox to le poste.

In conclusion, “L’ufficio postale also sells stamps, but no one is so insane as to line up just for stamps.”

To read the entire article, click here.

Top 10 Extraordinary Stamps of 2009

StampNews.com reports, “In spite of the global financial instability the year was rich in interesting philatelic events. Many countries issued a huge number of beautiful stamps.”

The site has named what it considers the 10 most interesting 2009 releases from around the world.

These include…

1. Guernsey Post: Sherlock Holmes stamps with added mystery (shown above)

2. Iceland Post: Preserve Polar Regions and Glaciers

3. Chocolate Stamps from France

4. 3D Dinosaurs stamps from South Africa

5. 3D postage stamps from San Marino

6. Micro Monsters on Australian Stamps

7. Bhutan Resumes World’s First Philatelic CD-ROM Series

8. Handel, Haydn and Mendelssohn-Bartholdy on Vatican stamps

9. Slovak Post: Scented Stamp For Easter

10. Lighthouses of New Zealand on stamps

In addition, Stamp News gave a special award to China Post for the world’s first multimedia stamps.

For additional information on the award winning 2009 stamps, click here.

India Post pays tribute to the Father of Nation

India Post through its association with the Hindi feature film “Road to Sangam” paid tribute to the Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

This film has won a number of prestigious awards in International Film Festivals e.g. Best First Film Director award at International Film Festival of South Africa, Best Feature Film Award at Hamburg International Film Festival Germany and Awards for Best Original Score as well as Best Production Design at Los Angeles Reel Film Festival.

The story of this film is inspired from the discovery of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes in a bank locker some years ago. The film through this event approaches the issues of national integration, religious harmony and peaceful coexistence etc. with complete honesty touching the human core. The protagonist of the film, Mr. Husmatullah, a mechanic living in Allahabad, portrayed by Paresh Rawal, uses post card as a tool of communication to reach out to all the members of his community in Allahabad asking them to join the last journey of Gandhi’s ashes to Sangam.

Business Development & Marketing Directorate have released a 30 seconds advertisement paying tribute to the Father of Nation through this film as per the following schedule on various TV channels:- (24 January, 2010 to 29 January, 2010)

1] TIMES NOW 7am-9am 8pm-11pm

2] NDTV 24×7 8pm-11pm

3] STAR NEWS 8pm-11pm

4] CNN IBN 8pm-11pm

5] CHANNEL V 8pm-11pm

6] ZEE NEWS 8pm-11pm

The first screen shot of this film displays India Post Logo and carries the Legend “India Post pays tribute to the Father of Nation”.

Source: mobilephilately.blogspot.com

INDIPEX 2011

India Post is organizing a World Philatelic Exhibition from 12th to 18th of February, 2011 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The exhibition involves participation of approximately 70 countries. It is expected that there would be around one lakh visitors to World Philatelic Exhibition. Also India post brought out a new circular asking all the circles to organize exhibitions & workshops before INDIPEX

India Post calls for Expression of Interest for working as “Event Manager” to help in organizing the World Philatelic Exhibition at par with international standards.

Expression of Interest to be sent to The Assistant Director, World Philatelic Exhibition Secretariat, Room No.523-B, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110001 till January 22, 2010.

For further details please visit www.indiapost.gov.in

JOBURG 2010 International Stamp Show

(26^th Asian International Stamp Exhibition)

JOBURG 2010, 26^th Asian International Stamp Exhibition is organized to expand and develop friendly relations and close cooperation among FIAP members and to promote every aspect of philately in the FIAP region. It is jointly sponsored by the Philatelic Foundation of Southern Africa and the South African Post Office under the auspices of the Philatelic Federation of South Africa. It will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa. It will open on October 27, 2010 and close on October 31, 2010, a total of 5 days.

JOBURG 2010 will have all exhibit classes Traditional, Postal History, Postal Stationery, Aerophilately, Astrophilately, Maximaphily, Revenue, and Thematic Philately subdivided as: 1)

Nature, 2) Culture, 3) Technology and Youth Philately class subdivided by age as of January 01, 2010:

1)      Collectors aged 13 to 15 years,

2)      Collectors aged 16 – 18 years,

3)      Collectors aged 19 – 21 years,

Literature class subdivided into:

1)      Philatelic books, pamphlets and studies (issued after January 01, 2005),

2)      Philatelic journals, periodicals (issued after January 01, 2008),

3)      Stamp catalogues (issued after January 01, 2008), and

One-Frame Exhibit Class subdivided into:
1) Traditional, 2) Postal History, 3) Postal Stationery, 4) Aerophilately, 5) Astrophilately, 6) Thematic, 7) Maximaphily, 8) Revenue.

JOBURG 2010 will also have ‘Open Class’ as an Experimental Class. Exhibits in this Class can include material from any other competition class plus non-philatelic material. The exhibit must contain at least 50% philatelic material. The non-philatelic material should not overwhelm the philatelic material. Awards will be made as per One-Frame Exhibits.
There is no participation fee for Youth Philately Class. The participation fee for other Competitive Classes (except Literature, and One-Frame Exhibit Classes) will be US$35 per frame. The fee for participation in Literature is US$35 per exhibit. The fee for participation in One-Frame Exhibit is US$70 per exhibit.
The last date for submitting the Exhibit Application Form to the National Commissioner for India is February 28, 2010. The stamp dealers may contact dealers@joburg2010stampshow.co.za for reserving a Trade Stand at JOBURG 2010.

The Regulations and the Exhibit Application Form for JOBURG 2010 are available at www.stampsofindia.com

National Commissioner for India: Madhukar Jhingan mj@stampsofindia.com

Philatelic Database- New Competition

A new essay competition is announced by the Philatelic Database.

An essay of between 500 and 1000 words on ONE of the following topics:

• My thematic/topical collection
• My favourite country
• Christmas stamps
• Collecting Back-of-the-Book Issues (Revenues,Telegraphs, Custom stamps, etc.)
• Collecting Perfins, Surcharges/Overprints
• Collecting inflation issues
• Zeppelin stamps and postal history
• Exhibiting at shows

The essay should contain at least 6 images or more (200dpi)

First prize: 2000 different world off-paper stamps plus a packet of quality hinges, tongs and pocket magnifier

Second prize: 1000 different world off-paper stamps plus a packet of quality stamp hinges and tongs

Third prize: 500 different world off-paper stamps and a packet of quality hinges

Closing date is March 01, 2010

For more details contact enquiries@philatelicdatabase.com

Caretaker cabinet’s plan to adopt euro in 2016 could meet indifference of future government

The Czech Finance Ministry has outlined an ambitious plan to meet all the criteria for adopting the common European currency. If all goes well, the euro could replace the Czech crown by 2016. But adopting the euro is evidently no longer a priority for the Czech politicians who will replace the current caretaker cabinet after elections in May.

For Full details visit- www.radio.cz

Netaji Anniversary – Netaji Currency

India on January 24, 2010 celebrates the 113th Birth Anniversary of one of its most illustrious Leaders of Freedom Movement -Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

A Rupees one Lakh Currnecy Note of Netaji’s Bank Of Independence with Netaji’s Photograph was also made Public on eve of his Birthday at Bhopal by the Grandson of one of Netaji’s Associates.

In the 1980s, Ram Kishore Dubey, a retired contractor with the State Irrigation Department, discovered the note in his grandfather’s Ramayana book, but did not realise its historical significance till recently.

“My grandfather, Praagilal, worked for Netaji in the Azaad Hind Fauj and passed away in 1958,” says the 63-year-old Dubey.

“He used to stay away from the family for months on end working covertly for the INA [Indian National Army] in the Bundelkhand region on a recruitment drive for its Jhansi ki Rani Regiment, led by Lakshmi Swaminathan. He gave up his land for the cause of the army and so Netaji rewarded him with this note promising him the amount in independent India.”

The currency, of denomination one lakh, has a photograph of Bose on the left side and a pre-independence map of the Indian territory with the inscription “ swatantra bharat” in Hindi on the other. In the middle are inscribed the words “ Jai Hind” in English, with the words “I promise to pay the bearer the sum of one Lac” below it.

On the top of the note is a series of flags of the Azaad Hind Fauj over a bold inscription saying “Bank of Independence” with “good wishes” inscribed at the bottom.

“Nobody is aware of the this fact that submitting to the demands of the British, Nehruji [Jawaharlal Nehru] gave them Subhash Bose in return for India’s independence,” says Mr. Dubey.

Several historians contend that in April 1944, Netaji established the Azad Hind Bank or the Bank of Independence in Rangoon (now Yangon) to manage funds donated by the Indian community from across the world.

Charity Auction for Victims of Haiti Earthquake

Philatelic Society of Malaysia will hold special charity auction in aid to the victims of Haiti earthquake. It will be held at MBPJ Library on the 28th February 2010 at 10am.All, including the public are welcome.

Philatelic Fair in Malaysia

Philatelic Exhibition in Calcutta University

Freeze Frame

Reported By Rainbow Stamp Club

A Calcutta University Cine Carnival held at Calcutta University 12-15th January 2010 at Ritwik Hall, Hardinge Building.

Organized by Media Studies: Film and Television in association with Cine Central, Calcutta and American Centre.

On 12th there was an interactive session- Topic: The need of Classics: in search of a context, Speaker Prof. Sanjay Mukhopadhyay, Jadavpur University.
followed by film show, Zabrieski point ( Michaelangelo Antonioni, italy) and The Journy ( Fernando Solanas, Cuba)

On13th-interactive session- Topic:  Reading contemporary cinema: reviewing perspective, followed by film show from Korea and Portugal.

On 14th-interactive session- Topic:  Students Film: the birth of a new Avant Garde followed by Students’ film show.

15th interactive session- Topic:  Civil Rights Day- Hollywood Cinema as Adaptation- Remarks by Mr. P. Cummins, Director, American Centre
Films shown- Malcom X 9 Spike Lee, USA, Front Page ( Billy Wilders, USA and Grapes of Wrath ( John Ford, USA.

During this period Calcutta University organized a Philatelic Exhibition on Cinema from the collection of Shri Dipok Dey. This is for the first time Calcutta University organized a philatelic exhibition. This mini exhibition has an impact on the academic front. For the future they are planning for a big philatelic exhibition and workshop.

Sagar Philatelic & Numismatic Association organized the annual exhibition on January 31, 2010 at CGK Sabha Bhawan, Sagar, Karnataka.
For Details Contact at prephila@gmail.com

Oswal Antiques has successfully hosted a coin Auction on 23th Jan in conjuction with NAGMONEY 2010.

Organizer: Numismatic Research Institute, Nagpur

Contact: 9320010483

Nagpur Coin Fair NAGMONEY 2010 was held from 23-26 Jan 2010 at Mor Bhavan. Jansi Rani Square, Sitaburdi, Nagpur-12

Contact: Mr. Avinash 9823022662 for more details.

The 20th Annual Congress of South Indian Numismatic Society was held from 23th Jan 2010 to 24th Jan 2010 at Tirupati, Andra Pradesh.

India Post Cup – First Institutional Cricket Invitational Tournament was organised by Department Of Posts from 11th to 15th Jan 2010 at Kolkata. A Special cover on Pankaj Roy was also released on 15 Jan 2010 during Closing Ceremony at Eden Gardens.

Hobby Festival held at Delhi from 26th to 27th Dec 2009 and an exhibition souvenir was released during the festival. For more details contact Vijay Seth, 9810241363.

Beginners Section

The Exciting World of Hobbies

-  By Santosh Kumar Lahoti

Hobbies are the leisure-time interests, occupations, or avocations of individuals. The pursuit of hobby offers enjoyment, education, companionship with others of similar interests, relaxing diversion and very often monetary gain. Hobbies are either consciously chosen, or they arise from an individual’s interests, skills, daily work, tastes, ambitions, or past schooling. Autograph, Stamp or Coin collection are examples of hobbies based on deliberate choice.

All hobbies involve activity, but some involve more than others. Collecting – whether of autographs, coins or first editions of book – is relatively passive compare to doing one’s own

painting or making furniture. Whatever the activity level, all types can require high level of expertise. Many hobbies require both collecting and creating.

Celebrities like film stars, sportspersons, politicians or artists become the idols in the minds of their thousands of fans. Their fans try to imitate their styles. Their one signature could bring happiness to them. The most successful of public figures become legends and live in the hearts of their admirers even after they are dead. Autographs of such legendary personalities are precious possessions for those who admire them.

People who collect autographs would go any distance to fetch a signature from their favorite star. For them an effort to collect an autograph from their favorite personalities is an effort to enrich themselves. In fact, some people collect autographs because they feel that they have an association with legends. It gives them an all time high happiness to acquire an autograph from a legendary personality. It also gives them pride and pleasure to be with their beloved celebrity for a few moments. To be nearer to someone like the famous Indian film star Amitabh Bachchan is considered a matter of pride and a memorable moment.

As a matter of fact, collectible autographs can fetch huge sums of money too. Some collections have been auctioned from time to time. In Western world there are people who collect the autographs as hobbyists and harvest a rich return when they sell them.

Autographs of celebrities taken at different times indicate the inner qualities and outer achievements of those personalities. Graphologists are the autograph scientists who spend time in studying autographs and their analysis ultimately help the biographers.

In our country mainly children pursue this hobby. It has been distinctly noticed that girls tend to seek autographs of male film stars and the boys would be after their favorite sportsperson. In India, the male youngsters are always looking for an opportunity to get a cricketer’s signature. The collection of autographs need not always be something scribbled on paper. There are other surfaces on which the autographs are given by the stars. Then such objects like bats, magazines, clothes, mugs etc. become the value added items for the collectors. For example, Cricketers place their prized signature on bats, balls and stumps. And such autographed bats, balls or stumps are craved items for the collectors. Autographs can be collected on Autograph Books, Photographs. First Day Covers (FDC), Special Covers, Sketches, Cartoons, Books, Magazines and may others items.

Today the class of autograph collectors is increasing in India. It is a hobby of great educational value, gives mental relief, broadens the mind and teaches the collector history of one’s own country. This hobby not only brings the collector in contact with the great personalities who are making history, but also enlarges one’s circle of friends having a common interest.

PHILATELY AND PEX

-By Sreejesh Krishnan

The Department of Post and the Philatelic Congress of India, is organizing Philatelic Exhibition (PEX) to promote and disseminate information about the fascinating hobby of Philately.  It will give an opportunity to the Philatelic Community to display their collections to a discerning audience.  First International Philatelic Exhibition was organized in India in a small way as a part of the Centenary Celebrations of the Indian Postage Stamps in 1954. Several competitive exhibitions have been held in India since INDIPEX at various places, such as Bombay, Madras, Calcutta, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Trichi, Jullundur, Kanpur etc… Since then India Post had held more International Philatelic Exhibitions like INDIPEX 73, INDIA 80, INDIA 89, INDIPEX 97, INDIPEX-ASIANA 2000 and Asian Countries Philatelic Exhibition ASIANA 77.  In addition 10 National Philatelic Exhibition held since 1970 onwards (INPEX/MILLIPEX/EMPIREPEX).  State level PEX also started later. Uttar Pradesh had held its first 8 days display in 1971 as UPPEX and Kerala State had 5 days display at Trivandrum in 1972 as KERAPEX. During 1972 Philatelic Society of India held a 5 days display in Bombay. Other states also started their display, like MAHAPEX, GUJUPEX, RAJPEX, BIPEX, ORPEX, TANAPEX and MAPPEX in 1973.   KARNAPEX, APPEX, GOAPEX, then WEBPX, DAKIANA, NORPEX, NEPEX, KASHPEX, SIKKIMPEX, CGPEX etc, started in 1975.  Later, India Post introduced District Level and Regional level PEX also. Other Philatelic Associations like SIPA and local Philatelic Clubs are also organizing the Philatelic display. During these exhibitions India Post had released various special covers with Special Postmarks and other Philatelic materials.

First National Philatelic Exhibition’s conducted in 1970 at New Delhi with 15 special covers with various cancellation pictured on monuments of Delhi.

Specialized Section

Maritime and Overland Mail between India & England till the End of 19^th Century

-© G.B.Pai

Note: This article was originally published in “INDEPEX 97”- Souvenir Cum Catalouge

Introduction

The story of modern Indian Maritime mail is intimately connected with England overseas mail service, which commenced from the beginning of the 17^th Century when Queen Elizabeth granted monopoly of Trade with East Indies and the Far East to the “Company established within twelve years thereafter, its first trading post at Surat the West Coast of India and later in 1639 at Madras, in 1660 at Bombay and in 1668 Calcutta.

Even before the grant of Charter the Portuguese had discovered the passage to the East Indies by way of the Cape of Good Hope and had been trading in India for years. The Dutch and the French had followed the Portuguese. Even though all the European traders had forcibly opposed the entry of the English Company into the areas nevertheless the Company’s activities steadily expanded and by 1769 it possessed a fleet of sixty five ships abroad “in the United east India Company’s service.”

In the early years very few letters appear to have been sent on the Company ships as they were mainly built for carrying cargo and were not fast enough to carry mail. The mail whenever carried was that of European settlers, and was carried free and therefore contained no endorsements or indications on each other.

This long sea route round the Cape of Good Hope, by sailing ships took nearly a year to complete. Most of the British mail to India in those early days was carried by the East Indiamen belonging to the East India Company by the long route via the Cape. Two example of letters which look nearly an year to complete the journey are illustrated below

Fig. 1                                                                                               Fig. 2

However, by the introduction of the 1774 reforms payment an all letters was made compulsory except those of the Government to note the inland transport fees on both incoming and outgoing letters, but not the ship postage.

Until early 1800s for the mail to India no special reduced sea postage was introduced. The mail entered India only through the three Ports of Calcutta, Madras and Bombay. The three Presidencies had their own postal services, with their own currencies and weights.

It is the stamps and the post marks on a letter that enable it to tell the story of its travels to the distant lands and seas and the cost incurred and the time consumed to do so. The first date stamp in the world of any Government Post Office is the Bishop Mark, so named after the then Postmaster General, Henry Bishop, who introduced it in London in 1661. This date stamp was introduced to have check on the frequent complaints regarding the delay in delivery of letters. The earliest example, which has come to light, is dated the 19^th April 1661. A portrait of Henry Bishop and the “Bishop Mark” is given below: see Figs 3-4.

Fig. 3                                                           Fig. 4                                               Fig. 5

This Bishop Mark was used in London for 133 years. The Indian equivalent is the Indian bishop mark apparently issued in 1775, the rarest Indian handstamp, of which only four copies are known to exist (Fig.5). It differs from its English stamp. The first Indian rate handstamp was recorded on a letter from India to England in 1794. At Calcutta (See Fig. 6). The first adhesive label in the world is the English Penny Black issued on the 6^th May 1840 by Rowland Hill, the then Postmaster General of England (see Fig 7-8). The first set of adhesive stamps in India were issued on the 1^st October 1854 (see Fig. 9).

Fig. 6

Fig. 7                                      Fig. 8

Fig. 9

The “Post Paid Withdrawn Ship Letter” introduced in 1814 in England was issued by the Post office on the charge of one shilling and two pence per letter and on payment of this amount the payee could thereafter close any vessel to send his letter. There was public outcry against this obnoxious “Letter” that the E.I.C refused to instruct their ship masters to carry these letters. In 1814 the E.I.C monopoly of trade was abolished.

The 1815 Ship Letter Act abolished the “withdrawn ship letter” but did not give any relief from the postage charged. The new packet service introduced by the 1815 Act resulted in a high charge of 3 shilling 6 pence per single letter.

The Act vested greater control in the P.M.G. over the revenues from the Indians mails. All postage other than the Indian Inland Postage was credited to British Post Office. The arrangement for carriage of Post by private ships continued as before. This bifurcation of revenues between India and British Post Office led to the emergence of the “King’s Post” and Inland Post. A variety of stamps to indicate payment of King’s Postage and Inland Postage were issued and some of them are given below (see Figs 10-12)

Fig. 10                                                  Fig. 11                                                    Fig. 12

1819-1850

From the early days until 1819 there was a continuous struggle between the Post Master General in England and the Company for a share in the postal revenues, which the Company resisted on the basis of their monopoly of trade under the Royal Charter. In 1819 a compromise was reached by agreeing to a reduced sea postage on letters to and from India and other countries served by the E.I.C ships. There was also a continued clamour for better postal service between India and England and this demand resulted in the introduction of the so-called Packet service.

The Ship Letter Act of 1819 provided for reduced rate for mail carried by East India Company Vessels to India and other “favoured” countries, from 8 pence to 4 pence. In addition inland postage was charged according to weight and mileage.

The special rates charged required identification of the letter from India on being landed in the U.K. For this purpose special “India Letter” handstamps were issued to all British Ports where Indian letters might be handed over to the postal authorities. A rare India Letter in blue colour of Leith and another rare letter of Hastings along with the picture of the latter Port is given below: Fig 13-15. In 1819 the packet service was abolished.

Fig. 13                                                                  Fig. 14 & 15

The 1837 postal reforms led to uniform postal rates being adopted for the three Presidencies. The ship postage was standardised throughout India the charges for letters not exceeding three tolas being two annas if outward bound and 3 annas if inward bound. These charges remained in force till 1850.

During this period different types of receipts, dispatch stamps and stamps indicating the postage due were used in the three ports of entry, namely Madras, Calcutta and Bombay.

To be continued…

Pride of Nations

Diana, Princess of Wales- ENGLAND’S ROSE

-By Mitul Kansal

Her eyes twinkle like the stars,
which can be seen from afar

Diana, Princess of Wales, was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales. She was beautiful, in a fresh-faced, English, outdoors-girl kind of way. She used her big blue eyes to their fullest advantage, melting the hearts of men and women through an expression of complete vulnerability.

Diana’s death sparked much public debate about the role of the British monarchy. Many observers favorably contrasted Diana’s common touch—her personal gestures toward ordinary people—with the more formal approach of other members of the royal family. She will be remembered as a woman who was at once supremely regal and at the same time strikingly human. To the millions who followed her charitable work, she was most certainly the Queen of our hearts, and she will be terribly missed.

Some of the Postage stamps and coins which were issued in memory of Princess of Wales

New Issues from Other Countries

Postage Stamps

• Thai post issued a postage stamp to celebrate the new Chinese year “The Year of Tiger”. The stamp illustrates a native Thai design of the tiger with golden stars constellation. The tiger zodiac uses a tiger as a symbol. According to the royal calendar, the zodiac changes on the 1st of each calendar year.

Date of Issue: 1 January 2010, Denominations: 3 Bhat

• Country-Morocco

Title-Flora of Morocco: Rosa Damscena

Date of Issue: Jan 14, 2010
Value: 7,8 Dh

• Country-France

Title- Abbé Pierre, Famous people

Date of Issue: Jan 23, 2010
Value: 0.56 €

• Country-Israel

Title- Birds of Israel

Date of Issue: Jan 27, 2010
Denominations: 2.40

Country-Israel

Title- Past and Future in our Hands, International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Date of Issue: Jan 27, 2010
Denominations: 6.70

• Country-Spain

Title- Autonomous Communities

Date of Issue: Jan 02, 2010

• Country- HongKong

Title- Past Year of the Tiger

Date of Issue: 6 February 2010
Denominations: $1.40, $2.40, $3.00, $5.00

Readers Forum

Letters to the Editor

1)      Mr. Purushothaman Ramarajan wrote–

“Dear friend,

Thanks for the very nice issue.  I am glad that as a young man you are keenly interested in a hobby which is really the king of hobbies.  Probably this is the only hobby where you can pursue your interest and at the same time use it as investment. In all other hobbies you have to spend money and time and in due course it may become very difficult to maintain such hobbies. I wish more and more young people like you should come forward to pursue this hobby. Do keep it up and encourage others to do so. At the same time do keep up your studies intensely.

Wish you all the best for the magazine and above all for your sincere effort to bring out such a magazine.

Thank you once again and wish you all the best and success in the New Year and all following years

With regards,

R. Purushothaman

E-mail- purushrourkela3@yahoo.co.in

0977 840 0957

Rourkela

27.12.09”

2)      Mukesh Shukla wrote-

“Dear Sir,

Received the maidan issue of e-bulletin viz. GLOBAL EXPRESS. This is very interesting and full of informations. I wish all the success to you and your team. Please send this bulletin to mehuldave1@rediffmail.com as he collects coins and currency.

Regards,

Mukesh Shukla”, m_c_shukla5560@yahoo.co.in

3)      Pradeep Kumar Mallik wrote-

“Dear Mr Kansal,

Through SMS of Mobilephilately I learnt about your website. I found it useful philatelic website. Further I would like to subscribe ‘Global Express” through email.

I am a thematic philatelist working on the theme of “UNESCO – World Heritage”.

My name, address and telephone number is as follows

PRADEEP KUMAR MALLIK

MIGH – 193, Kankarbagh

Lohianagar

PATNA – 800 020

Phone: 09470715050

Email: mallikphila@gmail.com

Wishing you a very Happy New Year 2010,

Pradeep”

4)      Jeevan Jyoti wrote-

“Heartiest Congratulations on launching a very nice & informative newsletter on coins & stamps. Your efforts are highly appreciated. Keep up the good work to promote the hobby of Stamp & coin collecting!!”

5)      Asheesh Arora wrote-

“Dear Mitul,

First of all congratulations for a very nice blog site! I’ve seen several new blogs on Indian philately come up but yours is indeed very well presented and it is very nice to see your achievements at such a young age.

I would like to subscibe to your bulletin (pdf) by email. My interest is in simple post India collection (Mint, FDC, Miniatures/sheetlets and se-tenants).

Thanks,

Asheesh Arora, asheesh_a@yahoo.com

Pune.”

6)      Robert H. Harm  wrotes-

“Dear Mitul,
My sincere thanks for sending the above philatelic/numismatic magazine, which I found very informative indeed.   As President of Thematics Southern Africa I applaude any and all attempts to make the hobby of stamp collecting more accessible, and I am sure that your magazine will help to do just that.   I am conferreing with my Executive on the best way to make your magazine known to our members, and we hope to publish something in our newsletter fairly soon.   But we looking at the possibility of including a link to your website from our own website (www.thematicsa.co.za, back on the air shortly).   I will keep you informed.   In the mean time I am sending you an information brochure to tell some more about us.

Please be so kind to send the next edition of Global Express when it is published.

Stamps sincerely,
Robert H. Harm DTPSA, presidenttsa@mweb.co.za
President, Thematics SA”

7) Prasad Mandali wrotes-

“Dear Sir,

Congratulations for starting a new e-mag on philately and numismatics, I would like to inform that Guntur Numismaic & Philatelic Society celebratd its 15th Anniversary by organising a coin & Stamps Festival from 4th to 6th December, 2009. The event targeting shcool children was really successful with more than 100 children participating with their exhbits. We have released 3 special covers and one souvenir and also orgnaised quiz, letter writing, elocution and drawing competetions on the hobbies.
I shall be grateful if this event is covered in your site
With best wishes

mvsprasad
Secretary, GNPS
prasad_mandali@yahoo.com
gnpsguntur@gmail.com
Ph. 098667 10379”

8) Abhay Tiku wrote-

“Hi Mitul,

I think this a great start for a newsletter that has the potential to become as valuable and regular as stampsofindia.com, also the fact that you have cited Encarta while quoting philatelic literature is something that most philatelists should imbibe in their online endeavors.

I would be looking forward to your future newsletters eagerly.

abhaytiku@gmail.com, http://www.thephilatelist.wordpress.com/”

9) Mansoor.B wrote-

“Hi Mitul
Just recvd.your email and delighted to know about another e-newsletter “Global Express” I wish you all the best and hope that this news-letter will be another train to transport Philatelic news to all the corners of India and the World.

Mansoor.B

http://mbstamps.blogspot.com/

mansoorblr@gmail.com”

10) S.R. Janakiraman wrote-

“Hi Mitul just i read your email global express is extremly bullet train. I m interested in future bulletins most popular of thematic collections in india / world ” gandhi” issues. otherwise i congrates to u the global express is sucessfully to all around readers .

srjanakiramanin@yahoo.co.in”

11)   Baroda Philatelic Society wrote-

“Happiness keeps you sweet, Trails make you strong, Sorrows keep you human, Failure keeps you humble, Success keeps you glowing & God keeps you going! Keep going! Happy New Year!  New is the year, new are the hopes & the aspirations, new is the resolution, and new are the spirits. Forever my warm wishes are for U. Have a promising & fulfilling New Year.”

12)  “G.Sriramarao wrote-

Dear Mitul,
Let me congratulate you on starting an excellent and exhaustive e mag on philately. The range of subjects you covered are very educative and interesting. I wish to receive this regularly.
with best wishes,
G.Sriramarao

sriramarao@gmail.com
Visakhapatnam
Tel o891-2550273”

13) Shrikant K Parikh wrote-

“Conratulations young man for launching your new venture.

Wishing you very best for the same and Greetings for New Year 2010 !

Shrikant Parikh

www.setenantsofindia.blogspot.com”

14) Uli Bantz wrote-
“Dear Mr. Kansal,

Just opened your E-bulletin and found it quite interesting – giving News from a part of the world not so easily accessible from South Africa. Will the bulletin be free? And what do you expect in return except for comments and contributions? Are you a dealer and how do you do business? By mail order?

I collect minerals, fossils and mining / geology related topics on stamps as I am a retired geologist. Kind regards and best wishes for 2010

Dr. H. U. Bantz

P. O. Box 6913

Westgate

1734

SOUTH AFRICA”

15) Dr Satyendra Agrawal wrote-

“Thanks and wish you all the successes.”

Vinod Sabharwal, President West Delhi Philatelic Club

Our visit Experience to Ambala Philatelic Bureau.

Philately is a major source of revenue for the Department of Posts . There are approx 10 Million active Stamp collectors in the Country. These collectors are served through the Philatelic Bureaus throughout the Country. There are approx 85 Bureaus in the Country.

The Department needs to look into Function of these Bureaus in case it does not want to lose these revenues generating outlets. Ambala is the Bureau which we are going to highlight and look into. Ambala is a major centre in North India lying on the main tourist trunk route Delhi- Amritsar and Delhi – Jammu/Srinagar. A large number of Philatelists of Haryana , Punjab , Himachal ,Delhi , J& K are served by this bureau as commuters traveling by road normally would drop by at Bureau to pick up Philatelic material . In addition there are about 2500 regular and part time stamp collectors in and around Ambala. The conditions at the bureau are not condusive to promotion of Philately as enumerated below.

• No supply of Philatelic Bureau has been made to the Philatelic Account holders since Feb till 10 Dec 2009.
• Staff manning the Counters are inadequately trained as they are unaware of availability of items and material and are also unwilling to sell them.
• Untrained staff is not aware of modes of depositing amount in PD accounts and neither is the staff at other counters aware of this and nor are they able to guide.
• The counter is not regularly manned as a result a large of Philatelists go back disappointed.
• The rude behavior of Staff is resulting in Philatelists avoiding opening accounts or regularly maintaining them which is a great loss to the department which wants to open max new Philatelic accounts and generate more income…
• The superiors are shielding their subordinate untrained and rude staff for reasons best known to them.

It is our endeavor to bring to the notice of the Department the functioning of this bureau so that the Services are improved and Philatelists are looked after as they are contributing so much to the revenue of this Department.

“Service with Smile” should be the motto.

After receiving the email of Mr. Vinod Sabarwal, I (MITUL KANSAL)  personally visited Ambala Philatelic Bureau on Dec 31, 2010. It was shocking to see that no staff was at the philatelic counter. The staff at the other counter told me that “At present, there is no permanent staff appointed for the philatelic counter “. When I told him to give me the postage stamp, folder and First day cover of “Jayadeva and Geetagovinda”, then he replied that he knew nothing where the philatelic material was. After that he searched all the cupboards and tables to find my need. After half an hour, he succeeded. But the postage stamp was not in good condition because of the rough work that was done by the staff over the back side of the stamp.

Another shocking thing was the exhibition frames. These frames were in very bad condition. The stamps were wet due to moisture. Also lot of spiders net was formed inside the frames. The old first day cover exhibition was also in same condition. The stamps displayed at the rounded frame, were pasted by Gum over it.

This was very bitter taste. I request the department of post to take notice towards this so that no one collector disappoints after visiting the bureau.

Alert Collector

An Independent Letterbox

INDIA POST forgets its duty

-By MITUL KANSAL

A letterbox is a box in a public place where letters can be left for later collection by an official mail carrier. But sometime this definition doesn’t fit best. Last week I went to the Modinagar Market to collect money from the IDBI ATM. When I am returning back to the Hostel, an unlocked letterbox took my attention towards itself. This letterbox is on the Delhi-Meerut Road just attached to the Modinagar Bus stand. I asked to the shopkeepers whether this letterbox is in use or not? They replied that the letterbox is working properly. Daily lot of people drops their letters into this letterbox. When I asked them why this letterbox is not locked? Then they replied that “They asked the same question to the postman of that area but postman replied that it was not his duty.”

The letter box is in good condition. It was very well painted and has the new logo of India Post. But the letters in the box is not safe. I called it an independent letterbox because it doesn’t require a postman to get letters out. Anyone at any time can open the box and can steal the letters for the Postage Stamps.

Through this column I want to bring notice of this unlocked letterbox to the Department of Post. So that the belief of peoples over India Post does not fall.

My Other Blogs

• www.emmkaystampcoinagedom.wordpress.com – This is a blog of Emm Kay Stamp Coinage Dom.
• www.emmkayglobalexpress.wordpress.com – A blog by Mitul Kansal to publish monthly E-Bulletin on Philately and Numismatics.

Blogs & Websites on Philately & Numismatics

• www.stampsofindia.com – This is the website of India with complete information on Indian stamps.
• http://setenantsofindia.blogspot.com – This is a new blog on se-tenants stamps of India by Mr. Shrikant Parikh of Ahmedabad.
• http://www.vadophil.org/ – Website of Baroda Philatelic Society.
• http://letstalkstamps.blogspot.com – A new Blog created by Commodore Vijay Kapre of New Delhi.
• http://www.indianstampghar.com/ – A very popular Blog by Nr Vinod Sabharwal of New Delhi.
• www.rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com – This is the online Stamp Club Blog by Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti of Kullu.
• http://mbstamps.blogspot.com/ – A Blog by Mr Mansoor B of Mangalore.
• www.universalstamps.blogspot.com- A very new blog by Mr. L Ramachandran Rajagopal, Coimbatore

Yahoo Groups on Philately & Numismatics

• Indian Philatelists- This is an electronic discussion forum dedicated exclusively to Indian Philately that allows members to engage into meaningful discussions on all aspects of Indian Philately. Membership to the forum is open to all philatelists who have interest in Indian Philately. Members can share and discuss their ideas, knowledge, research, collections, events, exhibitions, auctions, publications exclusively related to Indian Philately.
• Saarcphilately- This group is about collecting stamps, phone cards, bank notes, coins,etc of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka , Maldives, Afghanistan. Here you can exchange,trade, sell, buy, your collecting items.
• Indianphilately_disc_group- This discussion group will focus on all topics pertaining to Indian Philately.
• Worldstampsclub- Here you will find lots of philatelists willing to exchange, buy or sell stamps. Whether you are an advanced collector or a Beginner.

Promotional Section

Invitation to Readers

Happy news for all! You can expand your philatelic & numismatic horizons through this column in the “Global Exchange”. This service is offered free to all readers.

You can publish your advertisement for making exchange or seeking philatelic & numismatic friends, with whom you can exchange ideas. Your advertisement may be forwarded to us in the following format:-

1)      Name

2)      Age

3)      Contact Address

4)      Telephone/Mob. No.

5)      Message to be advertised

The following guide books for Autograph Collecting is available for Sale:

“AUTOGRAPHS COLLECTING FOR THE BEGINNERS”

The book covers important topics for beginners like why collect autographs, what and how to collect autographs, preservation of autographs and Autograph Collectors Club of India (Regd.), only Club of its kind in India. In the end, autographs and life sketches of as many as 110 personalities of India have been given.

Author: S.S. Hitkari, Publisher: Phulkari Publications, New Delhi.

52 Pages, Softbound. Rs. 150 postpaid in India/ US$10 postpaid in Worldwide.

“AUTOGRAPHS OF INDIAN PERSONALITIES”

The book covers important topics like introduction, what and how to collect autographs, their care and preservation and graphology. In the end, autographs and life sketches of as many as 250 personalities of India been given.

Author: S.S. Hitkari, Publisher: Phulkari Publications, New Delhi.

112 Pages, Hardbound. Rs. 450 postpaid in India/ US$20 postpaid in Worldwide.

For more details contact sklahoti@vsnl.net

Current Philatelic & Numismatic Magazines – Newsletters

• Stamp of India Collector’s Companion – India’s first and most updated weekly e-newsletter edited by Madhukar and Savita Jhingan from Stamps of India, New Delhi. E-mail: mjhingan@yahoo.com Website: www.stampsofindia.com
• VADOPHIL edited by Prashant Pandya & Timir R. Shah, Published by Baroda Philatelic Society, Vadodara E mail : info@vadophil.org Website www.vadophil.org
• ITS Stamp News

Editor: Suraj Jaitly

Publisher: Indian Thematic Society

e-mail indianthematicsociety@gmail.com

website: indianthematicsociety.com

• RAINBOW STAMP NEWS, Monthly

Editor: Jeevan Jyoti j.jyoti9@gmail.com

Publisher: Jeevan Jyoti, Shimla

Annual Subscription: Free

Also available online at http://rainbowstampnews.blogspot.com/

Courtesy- News and Image Resource to this issue- Stamps of India, Mobile Philately, Philately News, Rainbow Stamp Club, Stamp Collecting Round Up, http://razboifilatelic.blogspot.com, Indian Oil 2009 Calender.

EMM KAY STAMP COINAGE DOM

This a net club coordinated by Mitul Kansal. Emm Kay Stamp Coinage Dom is to give the chance to become friends with collectors in other countries and enabling them to get together, exchange views, letters and their duplicate collection. Here you can publish your views about any philatelic or numismatic item. Also we introduce our new members by this blog. Membership is free for every collector. To become member Please send us the following details-

1)      Name

2)      Address

3)      Interest

4)      Passport size Photo (Optional)

5)      Contact No.

NEXT ISSUE OF “GLOBAL EXPRESS” WILL BE ISSUED ON 1^st MARCH 2010. LAST DATE FOR CONTRIBUTION OF ARTICLES, NEWS, REPORTS, etc. is 25^th FEBURARY 2010.