Stamps commemorating the end of the Space Shuttle era…

 

Date of Issue : 21 July 2011

On July 21, 2011, the day the Shuttle Atlantis touched down for the last time, the Marshall Islands Postal Service issued seven new stamps commemorating the end of the Space Shuttle era. Since its beginning in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has been responsible for many remarkable accomplishments. For example, on May 5, 1961, NASA sent Alan Shepard, the first American astronaut, into space.

Then, just eight years later, on July 16, 1969, NASA launched Apollo 11, carrying astronauts Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins on a journey to the Moon. In 1973, NASA was responsible for launching Skylab, a space-borne laboratory which circled the earth for nearly seven years. However, NASA’s next project—the famed Space Shuttle—is perhaps its greatest accomplishment so far. For 30 years beginning with the launch of Columbia on April 12, 1981, the Space Shuttle was the workhorse of America’s space program, bringing America as close as it has ever come to routine space travel.

For information about this issue,  contact the Stamps and Philatelic Center of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, One Unicover Center, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82008-0021. Information may also be obtained by calling 1-800-443-4225 or ordering on-line at www.unicover.com/hprlrms.htm.

NASA’s final shuttle launch marks end of collector's era

Ron DiIulio, director of the astronomy program, has been chronicling the progress of the space program through the collection of autographed, commemorative envelopes and stamps for nearly half a century.

Now DiIulio will be seeking out the final pieces of his collection.Since the 1960s, DiIulio has collected artifacts that document most of the space programs’ “firsts,” including NASA’s first landing tests, the first time Americans entered space, groundbreaking for Kennedy Space Center, the first flight of a female astronaut and more. DiIulio even has stamps commemorating America’s space program from Colombia, Geneva, Switzerland and the Ajmer region of India.

“Pretty much everyone has a collection of something,” said DiIulio. “Having artifacts that can tell the story of the space program is invaluable. These kinds of items can really get people excited: it’s all about the power of imagination.”

“The final launch will be the end of an era,” said DiIulio. “We built this impressive fleet of ships, and now we are putting them on display and essentially ending America’s physical exploration of space. I’m glad that I’ll be able to share the history of the program with future generations through my collection.”

Read More …

 

 

Atlantis lands, NASA's shuttle program ends

 

Read More…

New stamps on Astronomy from Germany

 

Date of Issue : 11 August 2011

German Post will issue four new stamps on Astronomy on 11 August 2011.

Courtesy : Shrikant Parikh, Ahmedabad

Club News

Real Tributes to unsung heroes by a Philatelist…

Here I wish to share a great work and  service by Mr Anil Dhir, renowned philatelist from Bhubaneshwar. Mr Dhir is known for his extraordinary   work and  deep research in  philately and   social fields. “The Last Post” is an excellent example of his work with many more to mention… His selfless effort  and love for deep research makes him always very special in his work and findings. Here is another finest piece of work rather great service done by him….Read the full story !

 

1945 - An untold story of war & love

- DN Singh

This story begins with a visit to the Madras War Cemetery early this year, by a man in quest of a trace dating back some 66 years. The man in question, Anil Dhir has a penchant for history and has an enviable record in unearthing the glories of the past. Dhir says he was in search of material for his article on the War Cemeteries in India, which took him from one end of the geography to the other. 

His quest landed him in Chennai, where the Madras War Cemetery is situated. The Cemetery presented interesting clues before Dhir and a challenge too. At the Cemetery he had a tryst with an interesting disclosure - a set of fourteen graves which were of airmen who had apparently died in a plane crash at Amarda Road. The fourteen individually named headstones were arranged side-by-side, but from the Cemetery Registry it was learnt that they had been interred as a collective grave. A collective grave is a burial of recovered remains which, though not individually identified, constitute of a small group of known individuals.

Read full Story…

…….

It is a gigantic task, almost impossible to locate the living relatives of  the  airmen   who died in crash many years ago..... and  real  heart felt tributes to the  unsung heroes by Mr Anil Dhir  who is always in the quest of something different and unique !!  This is a heart touching story. To do this work one must have a great patience to work and wait .....which Mr Dhir has proved...in many  of his tasks done in past years.... The Last Post by Anil Dhir is one such example , well  known to   philatelists...   Philatelic Community is proud to be asscoited with Mr Dhir !! Great work  by him !!

New Zodiac Stamps from Japan..

 

Date of Issue : 7 July 2011

Special Stamps
"Constellation Series Vol.1"

Japan Post issued new "Zodiac" stamps on July 7, 2011, aiming to promote culture and science . The stamps depict constellations of Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, House, Aquila, Cygnus, Hercules, Ophiuchus Serpens, Delphinus and Fish Hook.

The design of a postage stamp are as below :
(1) Libra
It looks good for the southern sky of early summer, many faint stars, the stars line up well, "balance" is far from the image. Appear next to the East "Virgo" listed in the Astra air-hand model was the goddess of justice, "the balance right and wrong measure" has become a constellation.Orbit of the sun across the sky (the ecliptic) is a constellation of 12 passes. Also a highly recognized constellations are used in astrology since ancient times.
(2) Scorpio
Clearly visible in the sky of the southern summer evening, is typical of the summer constellations. Impressive is how the stars have aligned in an S-shaped, bright images can facilitate the appearance of a scorpion. Noticeably bright orange first-magnitude star Antares at the heart of the scorpion.
(3) Sagittarius
Often seen in the late summer evening in the southern sky. You have (Archer), a family chalone half human half horse centaurs of Greek mythology, aimed at the heart of the Scorpion Antares is 引Ki絞Tta a bow shape. The broad background is bright Milky Way flows.
(4) House that
The constellations visible high overhead in the summer evenings. Is a small constellation, if the stars line up in place, the Western harp harp can image. Vega is very noticeable white glow, the Tanabata "Princess and the (Orihime) Stars" in the "Summer Triangle of stars" is one of three first-magnitude star to form.
(5) Aquila
The constellations visible in the southern summer night sky. Altair is strikingly noticeable sparkle "of the Summer Triangle" is one of three forms of the first magnitude, the Tanabata "Hiko (eon) Stars" is. In the dark of the night sky, the constellation Vega and Altair and this (Orihime star), but notice how shiny on both sides of the Milky Way.
(6) Cygnus
The constellations visible high overhead in the summer evenings. The stars arranged in a cross in the background of the Milky Way, emerge the form of a swan flying in the sky with outstretched wings. In its beauty, is called the Northern Cross on the Southern Cross. Deneb is the tail feathers shine in the position of "Summer Triangle of stars" is one of three first-magnitude star to form.
(7) Hercules
You look high overhead in the evening of the summer constellations. Hercules is a hero to Greek mythology, a saga that has been involved in various other constellations. Bright star, but look at the dark night sky, you will emerge strong hero figure of Hercules.
(8) Ophiuchus Serpens
You look south of the constellation of Hercules in the summer evening. Ophiuchus is a figure of Asklepios is the Greek myth in medicine saint, and get the dragon is a symbol of medicine. Serpens is the snake is this. If you know the head and tail, no other such a constellation.
(9) Delphinus
The constellations visible in the southern summer night sky. If appointed to the compact arrangement of the stars just fainter stars in the Milky Way near the banks and jump out of the water Pyonto is a very impressive figure of a dolphin. In Greek mythology, Poseidon is the god of the sea appeared as use.
(10) Selling your mothers Fishing
"Selling our mothers fishing", the constellation name has been established by the International Astronomical Union is now used worldwide by name "ancient constellation Japan." Use fishing line to the curve of the stars of Scorpio S-shaped "hook" not likened to the name has been handed down around the old fishing villages of the Seto Inland Sea.

New Stamps on Sports from Japan

Date of Issue : July 08, 2011

Special Stamps
"100 Years of Japanese sport"

(1) Big Japan Amateur Sports Association was founded (1911)
(2) Japan's first Olympic participation (1912)
(3) National Sports Festival (since 1946)
(4) "Flying Fish of Fujiyama" was called Jin Zhi, Hiroshi Furuhashi (1949)
(5) boy scouts founder of Sports (1962)
(6) The 18th Olympic Games (Tokyo 1964 /)
(7) the 11th Olympic Winter Games (Sapporo 1972 /)
(8) The 18th Olympic Winter Games (Nagano 1998 /)
(9) sports Masters of Japan (2001 -)
(10) The 29th Olympic Games (Beijing 2008 /)
Background sheet:
100 Years of Japanese sports logo / on a background
Japan Amateur Sports Association logo / left in the background
Japanese Olympic Committee logo / right in the background
18th Olympic Games / bottom of the background (Tokyo, 1964 /)
Opening Ceremony Olympic cauldron

Club News

Special Cover on Anandilal Podar to be released on 30 July

A special cover will be released in Kolkata on 30th July  on ANNANDI LALL PODDAR, mayor of Calcutta in early 40's and a leading businessman of his time.Shri Anandilal Podar was an associate of Mahatma Gandhi. Shri Podar not only contributed liberally to sustain the Freedom movement but also endeavored upliftment of poor having put himself on the mission of education of the mass. Shri. Podar in 1921 establishment Anandilal Education Society now called Anandilal Podar Trust. He was the founder member of Podar Enterprise.

Interesting news about the cover is the number to be printed, 10,000. its perhaps the largest number of special cover to be released in India on a single issue. The cover has been designed by Mr Souvik Roy of Kolkata. Mr Souvik Roy may be contacted for this special Cover. email : lorenzosouvik@gmail.com 

Souvik Roy is a noted philatelist of Kolkata and has prepared a specialized collection on  Tagore Theme. Recently  a  Philatelic Exhibition on Tagore was held at  Rabindranath Tagore Centre in Kolkata organised by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations, Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India. The exhibits of  Sekhar Chakrabarti, Moloy Sarkar  and Souvik Roy were displayed  in this exhibition.

Tributes to Yuri Gagarin….

 

The world is paying tributes to Yuri Gagarin, who 50 years ago became the first man in space.

Card with Yuri Gagrin’s Autograph

Yuri's Night is an international celebration held on April 12 every year to commemorate space exploration milestones. The event is named for the first human to launch into space, Yuri Gagarin, who flew the Vostok 1 spaceship on April 12, 1961

50th anniversary tributes

A series of tributes around the world coincided with 12 April 2011, the 50th anniversary of Gagarin's journey into outer space.

Monument of Yuri Gagarin on Cosmonauts Alley in Moscow

Russian Rouble commemorating Gagarin in 2001

 

Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin  9 March 1934 – 27 March 1968) was a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut. He was the first human being to journey into outer space, when his Vostok spacecraft completed an orbit of the Earth on April 12, 1961.

Gagarin became an international celebrity, and was awarded many medals and honours, including Hero of the Soviet Union, the nation's highest honour. Vostok 1 marked his only spaceflight, but he served as backup crew to the Soyuz 1 mission (which ended in a fatal crash). Gagarin later became deputy training director of the Cosmonaut Training Centre outside Moscow, which was later named after him.

On 27 March 1968, while on a routine training flight from Chkalovsky Air Base, he and flight instructor Vladimir Seryogin died in a MiG-15UTI crash near the town of Kirzhach. Gagarin was just 34 Years old. The bodies of Gagarin and Seryogin were cremated and the ashes were buried in the walls of the Kremlin on Red Square.

Aside from his short stature at 5 ft 2 inches (1m 57cm), one of Gagarin's most notable traits was his smile.Many commented on how Gagarin's smile gained the attention of many in the crowd on the frequent tours Gagarin did in the months after the Vostok 1 mission success.

50 Years of the First Manned Flight into Space - Stamp Set from Moldova

To commemorate the 50 Year of the first manned flight into space the Moldavian Post is issuing a set of four stamps depicting the most famous astronauts ever - Yuri Gagarin, Alan Shepard, Virgil Grissom and German Titov.

Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin (9 March 1934 - 27 March 1968) was a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut. He was the first human to journey into outer space when his Vostok spacecraft completed an orbit of the Earth on April 12, 1961. Gagarin became an international celebrity, and was awarded many medals and honors, including Hero of the Soviet Union.

Alan Bartlett Shepard, Jr. (November 18, 1923 - July 21, 1998) was an American naval aviator and astronaut who became the second person, and the first American, in space. Ten years later, he commanded the Apollo 14 mission, and was the fifth person to walk on the Moon.

Virgil Ivan Grissom (April 3, 1926 - January 27, 1967), better known as Gus Grissom, was one of the original NASA Project Mercury astronauts and a United States Air Force pilot. He was the second American to fly in space and the first person to fly in space twice.

It’s Yuri Gagarin’s Day…

 

 

Today is 12 April, a historic day in Space history. Fifty years ago On 12 April 1961,Yuri Gagarin, the legendary Russian cosmonaut, became the first man to orbit the earth in Vostok spacecraft. By this flight, Yuri Gagarin created a milestone in space history and his name has been written in golden letters and will be remembered always ……with unforgettable memories….To commemorate this special day Austrian Post issued a postage stamp today.Many other Postal administrations issue stamp today to mark this very special day !!

Date of Issue – 12 April 2011

Today a souvenir sheet of one stamp dedicated to the anniversary of the first human spaceflight has been  issued by Russian Post . On April 12, 1961, at 9:07 a.m. Moscow time, spacecraft "Vostok" with Yuri Gagarin on board was launched into Earth orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The flight lasted 108 minutes. During this time, "Vostok" made a circle around the Earth and landed in the Saratov Region, not far from Engels (city). After the flight, Yuri Gagarin was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, and the day of April 12 became the World Day of Aviation and Astronautics.
The stamp depicts a portrait of Yuri Gagarin, spaceship "Vostok" blasting off is represented on the fields of the souvenir sheet.

Date of Issue – 12 April 2011

This new stamp issued by the Italian Post is dedicated to the anniversary of the first manned flight into space. On April 12, 1961, the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin realized for the first time in history a complete orbit around the Earth.

The stamp depicts a portrait of Yuri A. Gagarin in the left foreground, and a part of the universe with the spaceship Vostok 1on the right side.

50th Anniversary of human space flight: Stamps by  UNPA

Today on 12 April 2011, the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) issues three stamps in the denominations of US$ 0.44, CHF 0.50 and € 0.35 in a mini-sheet format of sixteen stamps to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Human Space Flight. UNPA is also issuing one souvenir sheet with six different denominations, two from each office. The denominations are US$ 0.44, US$ 0.98, CHF 0.85, CHF 1.00, € 0.55 and € 0.65. This is the first time ever that UNPA has issued a souvenir sheet in this format.

On 12 April 1961, Yuri Gagarin of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics became the first human to travel into outer space. His space flight heralded a new era of human endeavour in what has become known as the “final frontier”. Since that historic flight, humans have set foot upon the Moon, have learned to work in the harsh vacuum of outer space, and, for the last decade, have maintained a permanent human presence outside the Earth.

Though human space flight began during the height of the cold war, it became an arena of both competition and cooperation. The race that culminated in the first steps taken on the Moon by American astronaut Neil Armstrong on 20 July 1969, also resulted in the first tentative steps towards international cooperation in human space flight – the 1975 joint American-Soviet space mission, known as the “Apollo-Soyuz Test Project”. Since then, nations have recognized the benefits of working together in outer space and that cooperation has led to the establishment of humanity’s permanent space outpost: the International Space Station (ISS). With over 15 nations working together in what is considered one of humankind’s greatest scientific and technical achievements, the ISS is a truly international endeavour and epitomizes one of the goals of the United Nations: international cooperation in outer space.

Celebration of 50th Anniversary of first manned spaceflight by USA

To be issued on 4 May 2011

The 50th anniversary of America’s first manned spaceflight is being commemorated with the issuance of two stamps on May 4 by US Postal service.

One stamp salutes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Project Mercury, America’s first manned spaceflight program, and NASA astronaut Alan Shepard’s historic flight on May 5, 1961, aboard the spacecraft Freedom 7.

The other stamp draws attention to NASA’s unmanned MESSENGER mission, a scientific investigation of the planet Mercury. On March 18, 2011, MESSENGER became the first spacecraft to enter into orbit around Mercury.Studying Mercury will help astrobiologists understand the nature of small, rocky planets and the conditions that lead to habitability on such worlds.

These two historic missions—Shepard’s Mercury flight and MESSENGER’s orbit of Mercury—frame a remarkable fifty-year period in which America has advanced space exploration through more than 1,500 manned and unmanned flights.

The Project Mercury stamp depicts Shepard, the Mercury capsule Freedom 7, and the Redstone launching rocket. The MESSENGER Mission stamp depicts the MESSENGER spacecraft in orbit around the planet Mercury.

Read More about : Messenger

Great Astronomers of the world....

 

400th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF JAN HEWELIUSZ

To be issued on 28 January 2011

Polish Post will issue a pair of se-tenant  postage stamps on 28 January to commemorate 400th Birth Anniversary of legendary astronomer Jan Heweliusz

Johannes Hevelius  (Jan Heweliusz) January 28, 1611 – January 28, 1687)was a   a famous Polish astronomer he gained a reputation as "the founder of lunar topography" and described ten new constellations, seven of which are still recognized by astronomers.

Read More..

Astrological Signs…

Hi ! Here is the Miniature Sheet of recent Indian issue of 12 stamp set that depicts Astrological signs. This is also one of the biggest Miniature sheets issued by India Post having 12 stamps. But this size cannot be accommodated on FDC. So philatelists will have to prepare their own special First Day Cover to get it cancelled by affixing this MS. But its interesting to see its design. I express my gratitude to Col Suresh Bagga of Panchkula for this Post…….Till Next Post…….Have a Nice Time !…

Date of Issue – 14 April 2010

Astrological signs represent twelve equal segments or divisions of the zodiac. According to astrology, celestial phenomena reflect or govern human activity on the principle of "as above, so below”, so that the twelve signs are held to represent twelve basic personality types or characteristic modes of expression. There are sun signs and moon signs, which both depend on your date of birth.

In Western and Indian astrology, the twelve signs are associated with constellations.In Western and Asian astrology, the emphasis is on space, and the movement of the sun, moon and planets in the sky through each of the zodiac signs. A common feature is the significance of the ascendant or rising sign, namely the zodiac sign that is rising (due to the rotation of the earth) on the eastern horizon at the moment of a person's birth.

The Zodiac is made up of 12 different sun signs. Your date of birth determines which one you are.

Aries - The Ram
March 21 to April 20

Traditional Aries Traits
Adventurous and energetic
Pioneering and courageous
Enthusiastic and confident
Dynamic and quick-witted

Taurus - The Bull
April 21 to May 21

Traditional Taurus Traits

Patient and reliable
Warmhearted and loving
Persistent and determined
Placid and security loving

Gemini -The Twins
May 22 to June 21

Traditional Gemini traits
Adaptable and versatile
Communicative and witty
Intellectual and eloquent
Youthful and lively

Cancer -The Crab
June 22 to July 22

Traditional Cancer Traits

Emotional and loving
Intuitive and imaginative
Shrewd and cautious
Protective and sympathetic

Leo - The Lion
July 23 to August 22

Traditional Leo Traits

Generous and warmhearted
Creative and enthusiastic
Broad-minded and expansive
Faithful and loving

Virgo -The Virgin
August 23 to September 23

Traditional Virgo Traits

Modest and shy
Meticulous and reliable
Practical and diligent
Intelligent and analytical

Libra -The Scales
September 24 to October 23

Traditional Libra Traits

Diplomaitic and urbane
Romantic and charming
Easygoing and sociable
Idealistic and peaceable

Scorpio – The Scorpion
October 24 to November 22

Traditional Scorpio Traits

Determined and forceful
Emotional and intuitive
Powerful and passionate
Exciting and magnetic

Sagittarius - The Archer
November 23 to December 21

Traditional Sagittarius Traits

Optimistic and freedom-loving
Jovial and good-humored
Honest and straightforward
Intellectual and philosophical

Capricorn – The Goat
December 22 to January 20

Traditional Capricorn Traits

Practical and prudent
Ambitious and disciplined
Patient and careful
Humorous and reserved

Aquarius - The Water Carrier
January 21 to February 19

Traditional Aquarian Traits

Friendly and humanitarian
Honest and loyal
Original and inventive
Independent and intellectual

Pisces -The Fishes

February 20 to March 20

Traditional Pisces Traits
Imaginative and sensitive
Compassionate and kind
Selfless and unworldly
Intuitive and sympathetic

New Stamps from India ….

 

Date of Issue – 14 April 2010

Hi ! Here are the latest stamps issued by India Post on Zodiac Astrological signs. These stamps issued on 14 April 2010 are in a set of 12 stamps with a separate Miniature sheet.The design of Miniature sheet is based on the format of horoscope. My sincere thanks to our distinguished member Col Suresh Bagga of Panchkula & Deepak Modi,Mobile Philately for this Post. This is all for this Evening….Till Next Post…..Have a Nice Time !

The design of Stamps is based on Indian folk art feature 12 Zodiac signs against four base colour which reflects earth, air, fire & water.

 

12 Zodiac Astrological Signs