Sunday, November 30, 2008

Łódź Sports Club








Hi Readers ! I am back after a long time. Now we are at a new place - Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. Please see our new our postal address, given on left side. The last week was so hectic due to shifting so I could not update my Blog. But now I will try to post on Blog regularly. In today's Post here is a stamp issued by Poland on 30 September 2008, to commemorate 100th anniversary of the foundation of famous Sports Club 'Łódź Sports Club (ŁKS)'. ŁKS has been the biggest and oldest sports club in Łódź, founded in 1908 upon the initiative of young football fans who used to meet on the ground near factories and created a team called "Łodzianka". Łódź was at that time annexed by Russia and only German and Russian sports club of very old-fashioned structures could be found there. Young Poles returning from studies abroad were aware of high levels of sport education in the Western Europe. Decision was then taken that Łódź should found its own club. During the I Word War the club suspended its activity, however in the Interwar Period ŁKS was very successful and in 1927-1938 it was playing in the I league. The stamp depicts in club's color main sports disciplines that were or still are offered by ŁKS: football, hokey, basketball, tennis and volleyball. FDC envelope shows an archival photo of a football player Henryk Szymborski (1931-2008) rejoicing the goal. This stamp will be liked by all sports lovers. In our regular series some nice se-tenants from the album of our distinguished member Mr. Shrikant Parikh. This is all for the Day !....... Till next post .... Have a Nice Time !....




A Journey to Indian Stamps - FDCs of se-tenant stamps
From Collection of Shrikant Parikh


Field Post Offices - 8 December 2006

Stop Child Labour - 26 december 2006


Fragrance of Roses - 7 February 2007

Monday, November 24, 2008

Heritage Building - Standard Chartered Bank, Mumbai




Heritage Building- Standard Chartred Bank, Mumbai

Hi ! I am back with just a small post as I am so busy that I don't even get time to reply the mails. Sorry to those who have not received reply but I will soon reply as I settle down at new place. Its very cold overhere. I am writing this post sitting nearby the fire place. Cool icy wind is blowing outside as I have just returned from a party. I decided to write a new Post. It's about the hertiage building of Mumbai which was recently commemorated on a postage stamp issued by India Post on 17th November 2008. In second part a beautiful sheetlet issued on Gas Authority of India Ltd.The unique feature of this sheetlet is that it has 4 seperate blocks of 4 that are incorporated in sheetlet of 16 stamps as well as 2 sizes of Gutter margins are provided between horizontal and vertical rows of stamps. It is really a novelty for the collectors and sheetlet lovers. In our regular series some beautiful FDCs of se-tenants from the collection of Mr. Shrikant Parikh with special thanks to Mr. Parikh for his conrtibution in today's Post. This is all for today !.... Till Next Post........Have a Great time !........





Sheetlet - Gas Authority of India (Ltd.)




A Journey to Indian Stamps - FDCs of se-tenant stamps


From Collection of Shrikant Parikh


India-Mongolia Joint Issue - 11 September 2006



Endangered Birds - 5 October 2006

In different se-tenant forms


Himalayan Lakes - 6 November 2006


Saturday, November 22, 2008

Great Polish Composers of 20th Century





Hi ! Today's Post is related with Music . Music is the most beautiful expression of human emotions that it can move you so deeply. It doesn't know the language but something that can touch your heart so deeply and can take you in a most peaceful world. The sweetest melody has the power to change your mind and soul. There is nothing beautiful in the world than the music which your ears want to listen again and again. The stamps shown here portray the greatest composers of all time . The stamps were issued by Poland on 18th October 2008.The 20th century was a time of significant change not only in science and technology, but also arts, including music. For composers it represented an age of intense searching, experimenting, discovering new composing techniques and creating innovative sound systems (e.g. dodecaphonics). Among others, mathematics and chance (such as is applied in the so-called aleatoric music) were the composer's tools of work and the range of available sounds was broadened through unconventional use of musical instruments (e.g. sonorosm), the employment of recorded background sounds (concrete music) or the introduction of electronic music. Musical notation also evolved, resulting in an abandonment of the traditional use of notes. The 20th century music is an enormous versatility of directions, rich in outstanding personalities such as the Polish composers presented on the postage stamps.The work of these composers represents a model for the next generations to follow. Apart from photographic portraits, the stamps also contain the artists' handwritten signatures.In our regular series FDCs of se-tenant stamps from the album of Mr. Shrikant Parikh.This is all for Today !..... Till Next Post ...Have a Great Time !....




Great Polish Composers of the 20th century


Mieczysław Karłowicz (1876-1909) - born in the area of Vilnius, he received training in the violin, the grand piano, and the concertina in Warsaw, and studied composing in Berlin. His style was characterised by nostalgia, and even sadness, contradicting his rich instrumentation, typical of the last decade of the 19th century Polish arts. At first he used to compose songs, which he later abandoned completely for the sake of orchestral works. He took part in the works of the Warsaw Music Society board in an attempt to promote Polish contemporary music in the repertoire of the philharmonic. In 1907 he settled in the city of Zakopane. A solitary person that he was, mountains were his passion, and he photographed them during his many journeys. Sadly, he never returned from one of them, buried by an avalanche.


Witold Lutosławski (1913-1994) - an alumnus of the Warsaw Conservatoire. Apart from training in the grand piano and the violin as well as in the art of composing, he also studied mathematics. During the war he earned a living playing for the entertainment of cafe guests together with A. Panufnik. A versatile artist, he ventured beyond classical music and composed works for the radio, the theatre, and even songs, including those for children (e.g. for the writings of J. Tuwim). His innovative style is characterised by creativity, but at the same time by precision. He experimented with numerous different methods such as aleatorism, and conducted the performance of his own works on many occasions. He was presented with numerous national and international awards.


Wojciech Kilar (born in 1932 in Lviv) - having finished his studies in Katowice, he had an opportunity to go on a scholarship to Paris, where he was trained under the guidance of Nadia Boulanger. In the 1950s and the 1960s, he wrote avant-garde music, but since the 1970s he has begun seeking inspiration in religious and folk traditions. His expressive works are still known to a wide audience today, mostly owing to more than 100 compositions for films such as "Ziemia obiecana" (1974), "Drakula" (1992), "Pan Tadeusz" (1999), "Pianista" (2001).


Henryk Mikołaj Górecki (born in 1933) - a student, and subsequently tutor, at the Katowice Music Academy (PWSM Katowice). At first he used to employ novel composition techniques, mostly sonorism. His works appear simplified due to the use of repetitions, series, and symmetrical structures. Gradually, the composer begun to make use of tradition, and introduce citations and stylisation. An album published in 1992, containing his 3rd Symphony which had been composed 16 years before, was an international success and went to the very top of the charts.
Courtesy - Polish Post



A Journey to Indian Stamps - FDCs of se-tenant stamps

From Collection of Shrikant Parikh

President's Fleet Review ( Normal Size ) - 12 February 2006

President's Fleet Review ( Bigger Size-1)


President's Fleet Review ( Bigger Size-2 )

India-Cyprus Joint Issue - 12 April 2006


Note the varieties in Se-tenants on FDCs . These add colours to the collection.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Christmas stamps from Switzerland



Date of Issue : 21 November 2008


Hi ! I am back with a short Post. I am very busy these days so, not able to update my blog regularly. Its very cold here with a mild snowfall on the surrounding hills bringing temperature very low here. Some other parts of Shimla also experienced season's first snowfall last night. So its quite chill....chill here ! Switzerland issued a very beautiful set of stamps on Christmas. They look so bright and sparkling and will add colours to Christmas mail. The motifs are a bauble, a star and a bell. For special effect, each stamp has been printed with a small, silver star which sparkles in the light. Behind the motif, the stamp also includes "Merry Christmas" greetings in Switzerland's four national languages. Meet our new member from Rajkot. In our regular series some nice FDCs of se-tenant stamps from the collection of Mr. Shrikant Parikh. This is all for today ....Till next Post.... Have a Great Time!....


New Member

Shakil Thasariya, Rajkot (Gujrat)

Collecting Interests : Autographs of world celebrities & postage stamps

Postal address : 3, Vorawad Street,Wankaner - 363621 . Distt: Rajkot. (Gujarat),India.
E - Mail : shakil.thasariya@gmail.com


A Journey to Indian Stamps - FDCs of Se-tenant stamps

From Collection of Shrikant Parikh


Dandi March - 5 April 2005

Letter Box - 18 October 2005


Pair with blank field from MS


Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Saint Alphonsa




Date of Issue : 16 November 2008


Hi ! I am back after a short break. I dont know what to write about. The last two were so busy and the coming days are going to be much more busy but I always spare time to check my e-mail. So keep writing and be in touch. There is a sharp fall in the temperature and making each day colder here. When I am writing this post I feel my fingers getting numb in this cold night. I have to warm them again and agin.Here are two recent issues by India. The one shown above is a beautiful Miniature sheet issued on St. Alphonso and the other one is on a heritage building of Standard Chartered Bank. Two beautiful stamps issued by Lithuania on Christmas. The above Miniature sheet is really very decorative and sure to be one of the most popular miniature sheets issued by India this year. Every collector would like have this in his/her collection. In our regular series some nice FDCs of se-tenant stamps from the collection of Me. Shrikant Parikh. This is just a small Post for Today ......More in Next .... Till then ....Have a Nice Time !.....




Heritage Building - Standard Chartered Bank
Date of issue : 17 November 2008





Earlier on 9th July 1996 a commemorative postage stamp on ‘SISTER ALPHONSA’ was issued by India Post in Re 1 denomination .This stamp was released as an honour to Sister Alphonsa on her 50th Death Anniversary.

Another Postal stamp on Saint Alphonsa released
A postal stamp (Shown above in the Miniature sheet) on Saint Alphonsa, India's first woman saint, was released at a convention of the Syro Malabar Church here Sunday. Bishops of different diocese in Kerala and Delhi, led by Thrissur Archbishop Andrews Thazhathu, attended the ceremony. The central government has also decided to release a coin honouring Saint Alphonsa.

Sister Alphonsa becomes India's first woman saint on 12 October 2008
Kerala nun Sister Alphonsa became Saint Alphonsa after she was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI at a ceremony at St Peter's Square here on Sunday, becoming the first Indian Catholic woman to be so anointed. The ceremony was attended by around 25,000 people of Indian origin - many waving Indian flags - as well as a large delegation from India. Alphonsa is the first woman saint of the Indian church, which claims 2,000 years of history. The final ceremony for the canonisation began with the holy relics of Alphonsa being presented to the Pope by Sister Celia, mother general of the Franciscan Clarist congregation - the congregation that Sister Alphonsa belonged to. Celia was accompanied by Vice Postulator Father Francis Vadakkel and former Kerala minister K M Mani, all holding lighted candles.

Sister Alphonsa was third in the number of four saints canonized Sunday. Gaetano Errico, born Oct 19, 1791, in Italy was canonized first. The second was Mary Bernard, born in Switzerland May 28, 1848. The third was Sister Alphonsa. She is the second saint from India to be canonised. In the 19th century, Saint Gonsalo Garcia, born in Vasai near Mumbai to an Indian mother and Portuguese father in 1556, was declared a saint.


Sister Alphonsa - A role model
St. Alphonsa was a poor Franciscan Clarist sister. While at home Annakutty’s eager desire was to join a poor congregation and she used to pray for it. Her desire to lead a hidden life in the service of the Lord was fulfilled when she joined the Clarist Convent at Bharananganam which was financially very poor at that time. She lived as a professed sister only for ten years and that too almost in sick bed. Alphonsa did not occupy any conspicuous position in the convent . She worked as a teacher only for one academic year. Though she was almost confined to bed and wanted to be unknown and hidden, her sanctity began to spread its fragrance even when she was alive.


Alphonsa’s room was very close to the school. She used to stand at the window of her room to see her little friends. When they saw her, they rushed up to her to see her charming innocent smile and also to request her prayers. Her little friends called her “our smiling sister.” After her death, it was the children of the convent school who started decorating her tomb and burning candles around it. Their small requests were granted and the little ones began to proclaim the good news of her powerful intercession. All the attempts of the elders to keep the children away from her tomb were in vain. Sr. Alphonsa’s own prayer is an example of her Franciscan littleness, humility and burning love. She prayed, “O Jesus hide me in the wound of Thy Sacred Heart.......Humiliate me until I am almost nothing; until I become a spark in the fire of the love burning in Thy Divine Heart.” Sr. Alphonsa wanted to lead a hidden life and remain unknown. Sr. Alphonsa gave a thought provoking piece of advice to the young sisters. She said “The leaves that lie at the foot of the plants rot away thus providing the food which makes the flowers grow. All see the flowers and rejoice but no one thinks of the decaying leaves that feed them. For us it is enough that we remain as those leaves for ever.” Her theology of littleness and humility is well expressed in the story of the decaying leaves, which allow the flowers to shine at the expense of its very existence.


Devotees unburden their needs anxieties and worries at the tomb of this humble sister who had cheered up the lives of many through her prayers, little acts of charity, small yet meaningful pieces of advice and her gentle smile during her short life. Now she is proclaiming to the world at large the greatness hidden in littleness.


Deep love and faith in Christ made Sr. Alphonsa consider her pain light compared to the perfect joy of heaven. Sincere suffering for Jesus and his Gospel will be rewarded a hundred fold. She lived for the future glory with God. She believed that in Him, who called her to this way of life, she” lives, dies and enters into eternal joy”. The Lord has raised her as His beloved daughter. Again the Lord has given us a good model in the person of St. Alphonsa





New Christmas stamp from Lithuania
Lithuania Post has issued two rather stamps for the festive Christmas period. Each marks Christmas and New Year respectively. The first stamp pictures a branch of a tree with red berries covered with snow. . The second stamp has an image of conifer’s branch covered with snow.



A Journey to Indian Stamps - FDCs of Se-tenant stamps

From Collection of Shrikant Parikh


Agra Fort - 28. November 2004

Breeds of Dog - 9 January2005


Flora & Fauna - 24 March 2005

Sunday, November 16, 2008

New Stamps on Christmas



World's First semi-transparent stamp


Hi Readers ! We will be moving to new place - Kullu very soon which is also a very important tourist place of Himachal Pradesh like Shimla. Kullu is known all over the world for its special Dussehra festival.As the whole country is going to be in the grip of winters, I just want to tell you that Kullu Shawls and Caps are also equally famous for its exquisite designs and finest quality in the world and Kullu is also known for its beautiful apple orchards. Besides all this, Kullu is a very beautiful valley. The nearest hill station is Manali which is also on International Tourist Map. This is a small introduction about our new place. We will soon put our new Postal Address here. So we may not be able to post regularly as the fortnight ahead is going to be very hectic for us. We will be engaged in packing and moving to a new place. In Today's Post we have some new stamps released on Christmas . The First one shown above is world's First transparent stamp. Finnish Post has issued this stamp on 6 November what is thought to be the world's first semi-transparent stamp called "The Frosty Night stamp", it has been printed on special film.The innovative €0.80 stamp features a mystical atmosphere of a winter’s night with a large snowflake, twinkling stars in the distance, and a flickering aurora borealis. The card or envelope the stamp is affixed to will show through, thereby giving the stamp an infinitely different look depending on the background colour to which it is affixed. In our regular series some nice FDCs of se-tenant stamps from the collection of our very distinguished member Mr. Shrikant Parikh.This is all for today !.....Till next Post... Have a Great Time !.




Finnish Post has also released two other stamps designed by Julia Vuori, who has charmed children and grown-ups alike in Finland and elsewhere with her wonderful illustrations for children’s picture books and art books as well as humorous animal cartoons. Perhaps her most famous cartoon character is Pig. For the Christmas stamps, Julia Vuori drew bears and other forest animals. In the fir tree forest and around the Christmas tree. There are two Christmas stamps. The €0.60 stamp specially for Christmas cards shows a big and a small bear traipsing through a snowy forest: they are getting their Christmas tree. The red, 1st class Christmas stamp shows forest animals gathered together around a Christmas tree.


Christmas are the most popular holidays throughout the globe. This new stamp on Christmas was issued on 5 November 2008 by Czech Republic. As soon as in the 14th century people would exchange best wishes and gifts. Some of the traditions and habits are still alive. After the Christmas Eve's dinner people sing or at least listen to carols, cut apples for a star core meaning happiness and good health. Children love floating lighted candles in nutshells. The head of the household pours melted lead into water and tells the fate from the resulting shape. Unmarried girls can throw a shoe behind the head; if it falls the toe ahead from the door, the girl may leave the family in the upcoming year. Many families go to the church for the midnight mass.


These new Christmas stamps were released by Cyprus for this year. They consist of three stamps featuring portable icons from the small three-naved church with a wooden roof of Panagia Catholikis in Pelendri village.The 0,68 stamp features the Virgin Mary and the Christ. The Virgin is holding the Christ child on the left arm, whereas her right arm is kept under the feet of the Christ child, who is raising his right hand in a gesture of benediction and holding a parchment roll in his left hand.The other two 0,22 and 0,51 stamps represent repsectively the archangels Gabriel and Michael. These icons of the two archangels complete at both extremities the "Great Prayer", which is composed of 11 icons on the epistyle of the iconostastis of the church. The three icons shown on the stamps of this issue date back to the beginning of the 16th century.
Courtesy - Hellmail


A Journey to Indian Stamps - FDCs of se-tenant stamps

From Collection of Shrikant Parikh

India - Iran Joint Issue - 16 August 2004


150 Years of Postage Stamp - 4 October 2004

Ashok Chakra Winners - 8 October 2004

Greetings - 25 October 2004

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Tokaj - World Heritage Site of Hungary


Tokaj - The famous Wine Region - Date of Issue: 16 May 2008


Hi ! In today's post here is a stamp from Hungary showing a world Heritage site - Tokaj which is famous all over the world for its finest quality of wine.some news from our members. I have some photos to share with all of you sent by Mr. Ajit Dash from Bhubaneshwar who organized a successful grand exhibition EIPEX -2008 at Bhubaneshwar. I am very pleased to publish here the photos of this exhibition. Eastern India Philatelists' Assciation introdued Life Time Achievment Award for promotion of Philately. Which is a big step in the honour of philatelists. Such awards should be introduced by India Post during National Philatelic Exhibitions. One more news from Chandigarh sent by Mr. Rakesh Walia. In our regular series some nice FDCs of se-tenant stamps from the collection of our distinguished member Mr. Shrikant Parikh. This is all for Today !.... Have a Nice Time!...


Tokaj- A World Heritage Site in Hungary

The above stamp design shows a view of one of Hun-gary’s World Heritage sites, the Tokaj historic wine region. In the foreground of the stamp there is the row of cellars from Tolcsva, with characteristic landscape in the middle ground, and in the distance the chapel on Terézia Hill among the vineyards of Tarcal.

Magyar Posta began presenting the world heritage sites in Hungary on stamps in 2002. On the list of Hungarian world heritage sites the historic wine region of Tokaj features as a cultural landscape. The wine region itself has enjoyed protection since 1737, when a royal decree declared it to be a controlled wine region, the first in the world. As a consequence of this, wine in the region has been produced within the confines of strict laws for almost 3 centuries. In the deep, ancient wine cellars of the characteristic estates, farms, villages and small towns every phase of the production of Tokaj wine can be followed. The distinct vinicultural tradition that evolved over the last one thousand years and survives intact to the present, and the unity of the wine region that has lasted for a millennium justified Tokaj’s inclusion on the World Heritage list. The area has unique qualities from both geo-historical and geographical aspects. The outstanding quality of the white wine of the Tokaj-Hegyalja region, aszú dessert wine, is due to the unique and especially fortunate encounter of favourable actors such as natural features and varieties grown, and human aspects such as the culture of winemaking. The wine region is deservedly a World Heritage site.


Club News



Special Cover released by Governor of Orissa

EIPEX - 2008, Bhubaneshwar - A grand show organized by EIPA

The 1st Eastern India Philatelic Exhibition (EIPEX-08) was organized by the Eastern India Philatelists’ Association with active support of the Department of Posts, Orissa Circle at Jayadev Bhawan on 25th and 26th October, 2008 .For the first time EIPA has introduced a ‘EIPA-Life Time Achievement Award for Promotion of Philately’ and the award for this year was given to Shri Jadunath Kanungo out of three nominations.



Shri Kanungo received his award with citation from His Excellency Sri Muralidhar Chandrakant Bhandare, the Governor of Orissa. The EIPA-Life Time Achievement Award for Promotion of Philately will be given to the philatelists having outstanding contribution for the promotion of Philately in every four years.




Design a Stamp Competition at Chandigarh
A painting competition was organized by the Department of Posts to mark Children's Day on 14-11-2008 at Chandigarh. Around 70 children from various schools participated in the competitipn which was in 3 age groups. The competition was judged by Mr.Rakesh Walia, noted philatelist of Chandigarh, Mr. V.N.Singh, Nodal Officer, LeCarbusier Museum and Mr.G.S. Rana Sr. Post Master GPO.



The Prize Winners

GROUP I
1. Haritika Bhalla, Sacred Heart School,Chd.
2. Himanshu Singh , Tribune Model School,Chd
3. Anahita Khanna Sacred Heart School,

GROUP II
1. Mehak Aggarwal, Tribune Model School
2. Akanksha , Sacred Heart School.
3. Sanju, Govt. Sr. Sec. School 16-D,

GROUP III
1. Tanuj Mital, Tribune Model School
2. Manu Sood ,Govt. Sr. Sec. School 35-D,
3. Kriti Sharma, Sacred Heart School,
Prizes were given by Mr. D.D. Gautam , Sr. Sup of Posts City, Chandigarh


New Member

Jagdish Patra, Bangalore
I am an engineering student in Bangalore, and interested in numismatics .
E- Mail : jagdishpatra2003@yahoo.com


A Journey to Indian Stamps - FDCs of se-tenant stamps


From Collection of Shrikant Parikh



Sangeet Natak Aakademi - 22 December 2003


Trigonometrical Survey - 28 June 2004



Olympic Games - 13 August 2004

Thursday, November 13, 2008

It's Children's Day !



Children's Chacha Nehru

Hi ! Today is Children's Day which is celebrated in the memory of our first Prime Minister Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru .He loved children so much that his birthday is celebrated as Children's Day every year in our country.The above FDC was issued to commemorate Jawahar Lal Nehru's Centenary on 14 November 1988.He was dearly called by chidren as Chacha Nehru. So Chidren's Day is synonymous to the birthday of Chacha Nehru ( Chacha means Uncle). To mark Children's Day special postage stamps are issued every year on the paintings made by children. So this day is very special for all the children of the country. For this special day I have here some special stamps from children's world. Here are some favourite super heroes from comics of children issued by US Postal Service.This will certainly take you back to your childhood days. I am too very notalgic while writing this post and remember my own childhood days when the story books were the favourite pastime of the children. But now the place of books has taken over by TV and computers. Kids are not interested in reading books at all. But it's really very nice to see the comic charcters on these beautiful stamps. But of all these the stamps issued by India on world famous panchtantra stories are one of my favourite stamps. These are so colorful and fascinating. So I am showing them here too . Some more items I like so much. So this post is dedicated to all the children of our country. In our regular series some FDCs of se-tenant stamps issued on Children's Day. This is all for today and don't forget to show today's post to young children in your home because this is specially for them. This is all for Today.... Have a very nice time and ...... Give special treat to your kids and make children's Day special for them !






Children sending letters - Issued on Europa theme by San Marino




World of Toys - Issued by Poland


Super Heroes
United States Postal Service issued a sheet of 20 stamps honoring the DC Comics line of superheroes and featuring 10 of those superheroes, such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and The Flash. The art for each character on the stamps is usually by an artist that is most associated with that particular character. For instance, Curt Swan’s Superman, Neal Adams’ Batman and Green Lantern and Carmine Infantino’s The Flash. In addition, on the back of each stamp, there is a very brief biography of the character and a rundown of their powers. The remaining 10 stamps on each sheet are comprised of important covers from each hero’s history including Batman #1 by Batman creator Bob Kane, Green Lantern #4 by Gil Kane and Wonder Woman #22 by George Perez.

Children's Fables

Stories from Panchtantra

Famous Children's stories from Malaysia

Max card issued by India Post on Childrn's Day 2007


A Journey to Indian Stamps - FDCs of Se-tenant stamps

From Collection of Shrikant Parikh

Children's Day

14 November 2007


14 November 2006



With variety (some colours missing)