India MS: 2011

Miniature sheets of India issued in 2011

Jan 27, 2011 - Krishnadevaraya

Feb 12, 2011 - Mahatma Gandhi
Though I am not mentioning anything about the other sheets here, I must mention a few lines on this one. This special postage stamp on Mahatma Gandhi created from khadi is a collectors delight. At a face value of Rs 100 it was sold in a presentation pack of Rs 250. It was unveiled during the INDIPEX exhibition held last year in Delhi in Feb by the President of India.
There are two unique things about this stamps.
1. India has never issued any stamp on any material other than on paper. In other countries, materials like silk, gold, wood, swarowski crystals etc have been used to make stamps. First Khadi stamp of India
2. The highest face value of Rs 100 in India.

The diamond-shaped stamp is made of the usual unwatermarked gravure coated stamp paper, on which is stuck a square of khadi cloth specially manufactured in West Bengal. A charkha appears in the foreground of the cloth, with the thread spinning out to form a line drawing of the Mahatma.








Feb 12, 2011 - 100 Years of Airmail

Feb 13, 2011 - Legendary Heroines of India Cinema

May 7, 2011 - Rabindranath Tagore

May 25, 2011 - 2nd Africa India Forum Summit

Aug 5, 2011 - Rashtrpati Bhavan

Nov 14, 2011 - Children's Day

Dec 20, 2011 - Archaeological Survey of India

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India - 2011

Its been long since I last put up my Indian stamps. I had stopped at the complete year set of 2010, commemorative and miniature sheets. In continuation to that, these are all the stamps issued by India post in 2011. First up are the pics of all the stamps as stored in my stock album and then pictures of the sets with a small description of whatever little I know of them. The year's highlight was the INDIPEX 2011, world philatelic exhibition.

12th February 2011: 100 YEARS OF AIRMAIL

Around 5pm on February 18, 1911, French pilot Henri Pequet loaded a sack of 6,500 cards and letters on a sommer bi-plane stationed at a polo field in Allahabad and took off into the evening sky. The flight to Naini lasted barely 13 minutes; the plane flew a mere five miles. But history had been made. This was the world's first official airmail. Among the letters was one written by Motilal Nehru to his son Jawahar; some were addressed to England's King George V.

To commemorate the occasion 100 years later, India Post re-enacted that historic moment through a special flight between Allahabad and Naini on Feb 12, which also marked the beginning of Indipex 2011, the world philatelic exhibition in the Capital. India Post also issued a set of 4 stamps and a miniature sheet to commemorate the centenary. On Feb 18, La Poste in France also issued a stamp of Pequet, who was only 23 years old when he made the flight. He had signed a contract with British company Humber for demonstration flights.

13th February 2011: LEGENDARY HEROINES OF INDIA

India Post issued a set of 6 stamps and a Miniature Sheet to honor the Legendary heroines of Indian cinema. 

Meena Kumari
Kanan Devi
Devika Rani
Nutan
Savithri
Leela Naidu

07th May 2011: RABINDRANATH TAGORE

25th May 2011: 2ND AFRICA-INDIA FORUM SUMMIT 2011

05 th August 2011: RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN

India Post issued a Set of four Stamps and a Miniature sheet featuring Rashtrapati Bhavan of India.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official residence of the President of India, located in New Delhi,India. At present, it is the largest residence of any Chief of the State in the world. 


14th November 2011: CHILDREN'S DAY

On children's day, India Post released a set of 2 stamps, a miniature sheet and FDCs featuring 8 different paintings on the theme 'Save Tiger'. On these stamps are two of the paintings. The paintings were chosen from 700 different during a contest held during the INDIPEX exhibition.

19th December 2011: PRESIDENT'S FLEET REVIEW, MUMBAI

On this day, President of India, Pratibha Patil released the commemorative stamp heralding the Presidential Fleet Review 2011 at a spectacular function in Navy Nagar, Mumbai.

Presidential Fleet Review takes place once during the tenure of the President who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of India. The last Presidential Fleet Review was held in Vishakhapatnam in 2006 when A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was the President and I was there in Vizag fortunate enough to witness the show. It was a great experience to be able to see first hand the prowess of the Indian navy.

20th December 2011: ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

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Djibouti

The French territory of Afars and Issas became the Republic of Djibouti in June 27, 1977. Just this one set of Air Post stamps of the east african country in my Africa collection. 

1984 Air. 75th Anniversary of Louis Bleriot's Cross-Channel Flight.

40f - Bleriot and 14-Bis plans

75f - Bleriot and Bleriot XI and Britten Norman Islander aircraft
90f - Bleriot and Boeing 727 airliner

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My stamps of Chad

Back to my collection of stamps of Africa....today, Im putting up the very few stamps of Chad I have.

Chad is located in central Africa south of Libya. A former dependency of Ubangi-Shari, Chad became a separate French colony in 1920. In 1934, the colonies of Chad, Gabon, Middle Congo and Ubangi-Shari were grouped in a single administrative unit known as French Equatorial Africa, with the capital at Brazzaville. The Republic of Chad was proclaimed November 28, 1958.

This set of prehistoric rock paintings is from 1962. These are postage due stamps. Timbre Taxe printed on the bottom right corner of the stamps. The set consists of 12 stamps. Ive got 8 of the 12.

50c - Kudu

50c - Rhinocerous

1fr - 2 Antelopes

1fr - 3 Antelopes

2fr - Ostrich
2fr - Horned bull

5fr - Wild swine

5fr - Bull

Complete set from 1979. Olympic Games, Moscow 1980.

15fr - Hurdles
30fr - Field hockey
250fr - Swimming
350fr - Running

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Cover - Japan

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Cover - Iraq, Country #60

My first cover from Iraq. This one came from Mosul, 2nd largest city in Iraq and took about a month to get here.

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First day cover from USA

I received this lovely FDC of the Year of the Dragon, US stamp issue from Antoinette. My first real posted FDC addressed to me from the US of A. Thank you so much Antoinette. I have a few real posted ones from China too.

Celebrating Lunar New Year: Year of the Dragon issued on January 23, 2012

Combining original artwork by Kam Mak with two elements from the previous series of Lunar New Year stamps — Clarence Lee’s intricate paper-cut design of a dragon and the Chinese character for “Dragon,” drawn in grass-style calligraphy by Lau Bun — art director Ethel Kessler has created a culturally rich stamp design that celebrates the diversity of the American experience.

The Celebrating Lunar New Year stamp for the Year of the Dragon was issued as a Forever® stamp.

A forever stamp is a postage stamp in the United States that is valid for First-Class postage no matter when it is used. By concept, once purchased, a forever stamp is a perpetual stamp that never expires or declines in value. It's value is the First-Class Mail stamp postage rate for a one ounce letter at the time of use.

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More Awesome additions to my USA Christmas stamps

Just recently I have been able to nearly complete my christmas collection of USA stamps. Everytime I am able to achieve the completion level, the satisfaction is immense. Sure I have a long way to go, not only with these Christmas stamps, but with all of my other collections, but these times are like milestones achieved, like a challenge overcome. I am only putting up the major (in my opinion) additions here. All of it when nearly complete gets to COMPLETE in every which way.

So, here they are. Remember these 1964 stamps, the first American setenants? Chk the following link out too for my earlier mention of these stamps http://mypostagestampscollection.blogspot.in/2011/10/more-stamps-of-usa-commemoratives-1955.html Well, I had the individual single stamps of the set but voila!!!! now Ive got the setenant block.

5c each Holly, Mistletoe, Poinsettia, Sprig of Pine. When it comes to these christmas stamps, one set goes in my christmas album and the other in my country collection album.

1970 Precanceled, Setenant. I, so far had 2 of the following set in the regular issue and one precanceled, http://mypostagestampscollection.blogspot.in/2012/01/usa-christmas-stamps-revisited.html,  6c each Locomotive, Horse, Tricycle, Doll Carriage.

The setenant block of the regular issue now remains to be obtained, acquired as one of the few completion factors.

Another first, this was the first self-adhesive US stamp to be issued. Although this 'Dove of Peace' Christmas stamp's design was attractive, the new self adhesive gum used was anything but to collectors. Over time, the gum bled into the stamp, causing yellowing. Also they couldn't be soaked to get them off envelopes. I love this one and am glad to have it now.

Some blocks of 4 with traffic lights of single individual stamps I already had. These are awesome additions too. Both are 1987 issues

And finally this last one from 1992. 29c each Fire pumper, Riverboat, Horse and rider, Train engine

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Christmas Stamps of Switzerland

I always love doing a post on Christmas stamps and there are quite a few in my collection that I have to still put up here. Yesterday after putting up the cover from Switzerland I thought I might as well show you my Christmas stamps from this wonderful country.

The first Christmas stamp of Switzerland was issued as a semi-postal in 1987. I have the stamp and you can see it in the picture below, the first stamp, first row. Semi-Postal Stamps are stamps that include a first class postage charge, plus an additional amount to fund a charity or community cause, such as health care and research. The other stamp on the same row is also a semi-postal from the year 1998. In the two stamps on the first row, the additional amount for charity is 10c and 35c respectively.

Complete set of 3, 2009. I specially like the strip of 3. A close friend from Zermatt sent me the stamps.

Santa Claus hat - 85c.
Christmas Tree - 100c.
Gift - 130c.



Complete set of 3, 2011

Chapel - 85c.
Christmas Tree - 100c.
Chalet - 140c.

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Cover - Switzerland

A cover with christmas stamps. Thanks Theodor. The christmas stamps here are one each from the sets of three issued in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

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One more from Canada

And after the USA, I think its Canada that I receive the most covers from. I got this one from Maryam. Thanks so much for this wonderful cover Maryam. I love the stamps and the cancellation.

The setenant pair on the cover is a May 2011 issue by Canada post depicting two of the more unusual methods of mail delivery. The history or facts behind the two stamps makes for an interesting read and as given in the ''details on the stamps'' on the Canada post portal, is as below.
In the winter of 1910, a snapped telegraphic cable severed communications between the people the Magdalen Islands north of Cape Breton and the mainland. Faced with isolation, the leaders of the community rigged a ponchon—a large barrel used for transporting molasses—with a rudder and sail, marked with the inscription “WINTER MAGDELEN MAIL.”

Prior to the air mail advances of World War I, the only reliable method of mail delivery in northern Canada in winter was by dog team, a practice that persisted in more remote regions until the early 1960s. Dog breeds and sledding equipment varied, depending on the terrain, climate and era. Today, every January, the Gold Rush Trail Dog Sled Mail Run allows mailers to have envelopes carried by dog team and delivered via Canada Post.

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Cover - Belgium

Nice cover from Belgium. Stamps on the cover are 2008 issues.

The first two stamps from the Left were issued in June 2008. Leisure activities, walking and cycling, during the summer holidays that also double as exercise forms are depicted on the stamps.

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Cover - Latvia, Country #59

My first cover from Latvia with a lovely christmas stamp on it. Thanks Oleg.

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Cover - Nicaragua, Country #58

My first cover from Nicaragua. Eight stamps of a miniature sheet of 12 on the cover. The cancellations are brilliant. And a stamp of the Mahatma.

The ones on the cover are from the following set.

1994 Centenary of Motion Pictures.

• "Metropolis" (dir. Fritz Lang) - 2cor. 
• "The Ten Commandments" (dir. Cecil B. De Mille) - 2cor. 
• "Gandhi" (dir. Richard Attenborough) - 2cor. 
• "Casablanca" (dir. Michael Curtiz) - 2cor. 
• "Platoon" (dir. Oliver Stone) - 2cor. 
• "The Godfather" (dir. Francis Ford Coppola) - 2cor. 
• "2001: A Space Odyssey" (dir. Stanley Kubrick) - 2cor. 
• "The Ocean Depths" (dir. Jean Renoir) - 2cor.

Highlight of the set above is the stamp on Mahatma Gandhi - It actually commemorates the movie Gandhi directed by Richard Attenborough.

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Cover Bonanza

Yesterday was another good cover day. Four lovely covers in my mailbox from four different countries, two of which I didn't have any covers of until now. I received one from Nicaragua, another from Latvia, Italy and Belgium. Needless to say, I was super delighted. Im doing this post only of the Italy cover.

A beautiful souvenir sheet on the cover. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy, Italian Post and Bolaffi created a unique collection of stamps to explore and learn about Italy, the past, the most important characters, but also regions and places that made ​​history.

- Detail of the painting "Battle of Bezzecca", Museum of the Risorgimento in Rome
- the painting "breach of Porta Pia" by Charles Ademollo, Civic Museum of Risorgimento in Milan
- engraving of "Battle of the Isonzo", Museum Contemporary History of Milan.

The stamps have imprinted on them "BATTLE OF INDEPENDENCE WAR III BEZZECCA 1866", "POWER OF ROME breach of Porta Pia 1870", "FIRST WORLD WAR Battle of Isonzo 1915-1917", the caption "ITALY" and value "0.60" respectively.

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Cover - USA

This cover came to me with almost all of my missing USA christmas stamps in it. Thank you Harry Dalessio.

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Cover - Poland

One more cover from Poland in my cover collection. The stamps on the cover are from the set of 4 stamps, ''Poles on the world'' issued in August 2011 on famous polish personalities by the Polish post.

The two famous poles here are,
Jan Szczepanik , inventor
Michal Sedziwoz, medical doctor

Do feel free to add your thoughts, comments or suggestions

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Cover - Philippines, Country #57

Yesterday I received three covers in my mail box and one of them was my first cover from Philippines. A nice cover with a souvenir sheet and definitive stamps including a block of 4.

About Philippines - A group of islands in the China Sea, E. of Asia, ceded by Spain to the United States after the war of 1898. Under Japanese Occupation from 1941 until 1945. An independent Republic since 1946.

The Philippine Postal Corporation issued the ''National Stamp Collecting Month stamps'' featuring National Artists on November 10, 2010. Also issued were souvenir sheets of the late action star Fernando Poe, Jr., with a denomination of P 21.00 and 5,000 pieces.

Fernando Poe, Jr. – was a Filipino actor and cultural icon. From the 1950s, Poe played steadfast film heroes who fight for the common man, which won him respect and admiration. He did not complete high school but went on to win numerous awards and prizes as an actor and film director.

Do feel free to add your thoughts, comments or suggestions

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How many stamps in my collection??

This is a topic I was long wanting to talk about, write, discuss etc etc. I didn't have the final figures with me so far. Well they are here now. Every one of us stamp collectors, atleast most of us, is interested in knowing how many stamps we have in our collections. To me the purpose is again purely fun. I have been working on and off on this for the past two months. No, I don't have a massive collection or something, that would take me that long to be able to arrive at figures, its only after finding time from family, home and work (priorities in exactly the order) that I am able to use it for all of this and therefore the time taken.

So, as on date my collection stands at 20,379 stamps. This includes all stamps in stock books, sheets and on my covers. I do not remember exactly when I started tracking my collection but here's the story. It was around the first time I got my very own laptop / computer. Let me see, that would have been sometime around year 2005. Then there was a lull till around 2010 or so but since then these figures are being updated regularly on an annual basis. My collection is steadily growing at about 3000 - 5000 stamps a year. My ultimate goal is to have as much fun as possible in accumulating, collecting, completing, studying, discovering and sharing.

How do I go about the tracking? Well, I do not use any stamp inventory program. Never tried any. Not intending to either. I use MS Excel 2007.

A small snapshot of what the numbers list looks like.The list of my stamps stored in stock sheets in binders:

Below is specifically of only my Indian stamps.

I have a list similarly for each of my country specific collections that I intend to have complete collections of over the others. Australia, Canada, USA & UK. In addition to that my topical collections of Christmas and Odd shapes have a similar separate list. Again for my general country collection in stock books there is another list and so is the case for my covers and stamps. I eventually intend to have all my stamps stored in stock books only.

The cover collection is another long list that I am not including here. The figures as on date are as below

No of individual countries of which I have covers - 60 out of a possible 268.
Total no of covers - 123

This list obviously is always a work in progress. As I keep upgrading my tracking list I will also try to include the completion level against each of my specific interests in country and topical collections.

I hope to hear from you now on suggestions or comments or just critique. :):)