Saturday, September 3, 2011

Stamp on 200 years of University of Oslo…

 

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University of Oslo on stamp

Norway Post is issuing a stamp to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the University of Oslo. The University of Oslo is Norway's largest and oldest institution of higher education. Today, the University has 27,700 students and 6,000 members of staff and consists of eight faculties. The University of Oslo ranks among the 100 best universities in the world in both Academic Ranking of World Universities and QS World University Rankings.

The university has faculties of Lutheran Theology, Law, Medicine, Humanities, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Dentistry, Social Sciences, and Education. The Faculty of Law is still located at the old campus on Karl Johans gate, near the National Theatre, the Royal Palace, and the Parliament, while most of the other faculties are located at a modern campus area called Blindern, erected from the 1930s. The Faculty of Medicine is split between several university hospitals in the Oslo area.

Earlier a stamp was issued by Norway Post was issued in 1961 commemorating 150 years of Oslo University.

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Oslo University

 

Indian Themes on Foreign Stamps…

Indian Motorcycle

Country / Post :  USA   (USPS)

Date of Issue : 7 August 2006

Primary theme : Motorcycles

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Date of Issue : 7 August 2006

Indian 1940
The motorcycle depicted on this stamp was made by the Indian Motorcycle Company. The 1940 entry in a series of deluxe, four-cylinder motorcycles known as the Four, this streamlined bike featured skirted fenders that partially covered the wheels, a controversial design innovation that soon became an Indian trademark. The model for the illustration featured on this stamp is a motorcycle owned by Michael and Larry Spielfogel of New York City. It is depicted in the deep red color often associated with Indian motorcycles.

Behind this stamp…

So how did the American Motorcycle stamps come to be?
“There’s power in using the mail,” explained U.S. Postal Service Executive Director of Stamp Services David Failor, “Over the years we received hundreds of letters requesting motorcycles stamps. We're proud to recognize the role of motorcycles in American culture.”
The Postal Service receives suggestions from about 50 thousand people every year, yet only 20 to 25 subjects make the cut. To narrow down the selection, the Postmaster General’s Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee—a cross section of designers, historians and academics—review the suggestions and make recommendations to the Postmaster General for final approval.


Once the American Motorcycles stamps concept got the go ahead, meetings took place with the Smithsonian Institution’s curator of the Division of Transportation to determine which cycles to depict. The 1918 Cleveland proved to be a visually appealing example of an early model; the Indian’s enclosed fenders established it as a classic; and the Harley personified America’s love affair with a big cross-country cruiser. Prominent during the 1960s and 1970s, Choppers followed a tradition of earlier customized motorcycles known as “bobbers” for their shortened or bobbed features.
The Postal Service referenced several motorcycle books and found Penny’s 1918 Cleveland in Todd Rafferty’s The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of American Motorcycles.

Others stamps of this series

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Release Date: August 7th, 2006.

With the issuance of the American Motorcycles stamps, the U.S. Postal Service recognizes the role of motorcycles in American culture with four stamps that feature digital illustrations of a 1918 Cleveland, a 1940 Indian Four, a 1965 Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide, and a circa 1970 chopper.

Cleveland 1918

The single-cylinder Cleveland motorcycle depicted on this stamp was built by the Cleveland Motorcycle Manufacturing Company of Cleveland, Ohio.

Advertisements claimed that this motorcycle, which featured a 2.5-horspower, single-cylinder motor, could travel 75 miles on a single gallon of gasoline and reach speeds of up to 35 to 40 miles per hour. Weighing around 150 pounds and selling for $175, the Cleveland was both lightweight and affordable, making it a popular motorcycle of its time.

Indian 1940

The motorcycle depicted on this stamp was made by the Indian Motorcycle Company. The 1940 entry in a series of deluxe, four-cylinder motorcycles known as the Four, this streamlined bike featured skirted fenders that partially covered the wheels, a controversial design innovation that soon became an Indian trademark.

The model for the illustration featured on this stamp is a motorcycle owned by Michael and Larry Spielfogel of New York City. It is depicted in the deep red color often associated with Indian motorcycles.

Harley-Davidson 1965

With features such as whitewall tires, extensive chrome, large fenders, and spacious fiberglass saddlebags, the Harley-Davidson featured on this stamp is considered by many to be one of the company':s most iconic motorcycles. Known as the Electra-Glide, this model was first manufactured in 1965, when its new features included a push-button electric starter.

Chopper c.1970

The name "chopper" derives from the process of removing, or "chopping," unnecessary or unwanted components from a motorcycle. The term often indicates an extensively customized motorcycle with such features as a stretched frame, stepped seat, and raised handlebars. Typically, the frame has been stretched with an extended-length fork leading to the front wheel.

Especially prominent during the 1960s and 1970s, choppers follow in a tradition of earlier customized motorcycles that were known as "bobbers" for their shortened, or bobbed, fenders.

Club News

News from Philatelic Societies

: Philatelic Society of Rajasthan

Schoolpex 2011 , Jaipur     -

                                             -  Rajesh Paharia , Secretary  - PSR

Students are often familiar with Stamp Collection but not with the term ‘Philately’. The Hobby of Philately not only includes collecting stamps but also everything connected with stamps i.e. how they are designed, printed and produced, as well as their historical background which makes Philately most educative hobby among all hobbies. Million of student and people all over the world collect stamps and are serious and dedicated Philatelists.

Philatelic Society of Rajasthan is registered co-op society working for promotion of Philately for the last sixteen years. It extends necessary co-operation to every activity of Stamp Collecting Hobby since its formation in year 1989 and conducted nearly 20 Philatelic Exhibition. Since most Exhibitions are conducted both for Junior and Senior Philatelists, It is felt that there is a need of more guidance and easy methods of Exhibiting to bring forward Philatelist in Students . PSR has noticed the problems faced by young students and developed a programme ,Schoolpex , State level Inter School Stamp Exhibition which has been very successful in terms of bringing Philately Awareness and knowledge in School Students .

This year , 15th Inter School State level Stamp Exhibition namely Schoolpex-2011 organized by Philatelic Society of Rajasthan and St. Xavier’s School from 26th Aug to 29th Aug 2011 started with Inaugural ceremony at 11.00 morning on 26th Aug 2011. Chief Guest of Inaugural Ceremony , Chief Postmaster General , Rajasthan Circle India Posts , Government of India , Sh Rajeev Singh IPS and Father John Ravi SJ , patron Schoolpex 2011 inaugurated the Exhibition . The Chief Guest was accompanied by Senior Postal Officers which included DPS (HQ) , APMG (Philately) , SSP (Jaipur City) etc.

D_S_KOTHARI (1)

The Chief Guest released Special Picture Card affixed with stamp and cancellation recently released by Department of Posts on Dr D S Kothari . The first copy of picture with stamp and cancellation was presented to Dr Jaya Kothari daughter of Late Dr D S Kothari. President PSR Mr P M Bhargava gave brief on Dr D S Kothari who was renowned Scientist born in Rajasthan. He was 1st Scientific Advisor to Defense Minister under whose aegis organization like DRDO , UGC , NTSC etc started .

During the exhibition a workshop on philately was held  which was conducted by Mr Yogesh Bhatnagar . The Digital presentation on how to make your exhibit was felt very useful by Students and they could note the shortcoming of their exhibits and made a note of future corrections .Free Stamps were distributed by Mr A R C Shah to all student visitors of the Exhibition. Students were shown virtual exhibits and they learned to make it themselves at the venue. This was all made easy by permanently installed Projecter at venue by St Xavier’s School. A picture Card was released on Mahasati Umrao Kanwarji Archana , a Jain Saint born in Rajasthan on whom postage stamp and cancellation is issued by India Posts recently. Senior Philatelist , Mr J M Dhor has kindly provided the stamps since these are not available in any Philatelic bureau of Rajasthan now.

PSR members meeting was held during the exhibition . Members decided about their forthcoming activities during wild life week in October at Jaipur Zoo for which Mr Adinath Pareek has agreed to co-ordinate and during All India Science Congress scheduled in Jaipur this year for which Mr Yogesh Bhatnagar has agreed to co-ordinate along with Gen. Sec. PSR Mr Rajesh Paharia with respective departments. The happy ending of Sh Anna Hazare’s effort has motivated Stamp collectors and they posted special postcards with Sh Anna Hazare’s Sticker pasted on it to with Message of Greetings to each other from the venue. President PSR , Mr P M Bhargava thanked all the PSR members as well as members of Xavier’s Philatelic Club for their contribution in making Schoolpex 2011 a success.  

Six 1st , 2nd , 3rd and 30 consolation prizes and following Trophies were given by Chief Guest.

  1. Late Sh O.P.Bhatnagar’s Trophy for Best in Philately , Schools (Outstation) to Mayur School , Ajmer
  2. Late Sh A S Mittal Trophy for Best in Philately , School category to Bal Bhawan’s Vidyashram , Jaipur
  3. late Sh Jayant Pandya Trophy for Best in Senior to Ameya Mutatkar , St Xavier’s School
  4. Late Dr Jaya Bharagava Trophy for Best in Junior to Arnie Khanna , Sawai Mansingh School School