Singapore - 30th ASEAN Anniversary

Here is another set of interesting odd shaped stamps from Singapore. This set of four was issued in the year 1997 commemorating the 30th anniversary of ASEAN, the Association of south east Asian nations.

22c, 30 years of “dates,” globe, hands clasped, sky. Inscribed Local addresses only
35c, Southeast Asian cultures.
60c, Satellite dish, circuit board, map of Southeast Asia, sky.
$1, Tourist attractions in ASEAN countries.

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Fan shaped stamps - Singapore, 2006

This beautiful set of stamps commemorates the 100th Anniversary of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These were issued on 19th July 2006.

A high resolution image of the stamps

The stamps have a distinctive Chinese fan-shaped design with a globe forming part of the background.

The 1st local stamp displays the magnificent 9-storey SCCCI Building along Hill Street, which was officially opened in 1964.

The 2nd Local stamp - purple dendrobium orchids, orchid hybrid cultivated to commemorate the SCCCI’s centennial celebrations.

The 80c stamp - logo of the World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC).

The $1 stamp - Nanyang University (Nantah) administration building of Nantah.

The $2 stamp - War Memorial on Beach Road, which was initiated and built by the SCCCI with support by the people and the government in memory of the civilian victims of the Japanese Occupation.

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Cover - Georgia, Country #84

This cover was sent to me from the Georgian capital Tbilisi. Beautiful cover with the stamps on cultural heritage of Georgia 2012. I always like a cover with a complete set of stamps on it. One interesting thing to note, heritage is spelt haritage on these stamps.

A little about the country....Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the south by Turkey and Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan.

Georgia was formerly a province of the Russian Empire and later a part of the Transcaucasian Federation of Soviet Republics. Stamps of Georgia were replaced in 1923 by those of Transcaucasian Federated Republics. On Mar. 1, 1994, Georgia joined the Commonwealth of Independent States.

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Cover - Suriname, Country #83

Another first. This time it is from Suriname. The cover was sent from the capital city of Paramaribo on 20th Sep. 2013. I received it today, 07th Oct. 2013. Interestingly, the stamps on the cover are also my only and first stamps of the country.

Suriname is a country in northern South America. In 1667 it was captured by the Dutch, who governed Suriname as Dutch Guiana until 1954. The Dutch colony of Suriname became an integral part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands under the Constitution of 1954. It became an independent state November 25, 1975.

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Cover - Indonesia

Cover with stamps on Indonesian Traditional Music Instruments.

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Cover - Malaysia

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Cover - Malaysia

Cover from Malaysia with two stamps from 2012 commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The stamps were issued on 13th September 2012 in conjunction of the visit of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Catherine, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Malaysia.

The stamps in two designs are bordered with silver ink. One is a “stamp on stamp” design, featuring an older stamp released on June 2, 1953 which was issued in conjunction of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. The other features a photograph of Prince William and Catherine Middleton to commemorate their visit. The stamps are denominated RM 1.50 each.
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Cover - Hong Kong

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Cover - Poland

Complete set of stamps in se-tenant form on this cover from Poland. The stamps were issued in 2009 featuring the characters Tytus, Romek and Atomek from the most popular Polish comic book series, created by Henryk Jerzy Chmielewski (aka Papcio Chmiel) in 1957 and concluded in 2009

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Cover - Mexico

My second cover from Mexico and this one is special. Its got the Mexican counterpart of the India-Mexico joint issue of 2010. Love this cover.

The stamps were issued to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and Mexico. Both India and Mexico issued a miniature sheet depicting folk dances.

Kalbelia or Kabeliya is the most sensuous dance forms of Rajasthan (Indian state), performed by a tribe of the same name.

Jarabe Tapatío, or the Mexican hat dance, is the best known of a variety of Mexican folk dance called the Jarabe.
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Cover - Guatemala

I got this second cover, a registered cover from Guatemala too recently. This one is also an FDC. However it was not sent on the date of issue. There are two dates on the cover. The date of issue of the cover, which is 17th Dec. 2012 and the date of sending which is 27th Aug. 2013.

I find this cover quite fascinating. The stamp on the cover front is from the 2012 release of nine stamps by Guatemala Post marking the end of the calendar known as Baktun 13 and the start of a new era. Its another story how the media interpreted and invented the end of the world based on this calendar.

Front

Back

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Angry Birds on Cover - Finland

Received this unique FDC from Finland. The cover and stamps feature characters of the very popular game, "Angry Birds". Kimmo was kind enough to send me this lovely FDC from Finland. As you can see, it was sent on the day of issue, 9th September 2013. Received it here on 25th September 2013.

With this sheet of self-adhesive stamps, Finland post officially launched the world's first "angry birds" stamps. This set of stamps was personally designed by "angry birds" game developer, Rovio's art director Toni Kysenius. It features six of the popular game characters - five birds and one pig.

Rovio entertainment is a Finland based mobile phone software development company, founded in 2003. In 2009 the company developed the famous touch-screen smart mobile phone game software "angry birds". The game as we all know was a great success, and soon swept the world. The game has been called as "one of the most mainstream games out right now", "one of the great runaway hits of 2010", and "the largest mobile app success the world has seen so far".

There is a pattern on the stamps that is visible only under UV light. Here's the image of the sheet under UV light. What you see now under the light are these little pigs on the corners of each of the stamps.

Also if you look closely, an irregular perforation follows the shape of the characters. The sheet of six 1st class stamps also includes Priority labels fitting the appearance of the stamps.

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Cover - Moldova, Country #82

My first cover from Moldova. Registered cover from the capital city of Chisnau.

Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe located between Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. With the breakup of the Soviet Union on Dec. 26, 1991, Moldova and ten former Soviet republics established the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The stamps on the cover are part of the 'Birds and Animals' release of 2011 issued on 29th July 2011.

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Pictorial Cancellations of Karnataka Postal Circle - Pt 5

Pattadakal
Bijapur District
Pattadakal Branch Post Office - 587 221

Famous for its temple architecture of Chalukyan period. Cancellation depicts the famous Galaganatha Temple.

Cancellation was introduced on 30th Sep 1987.

Somanathapur
Chamarajnagar District
Somanathapur Branch Post Office - 571 120

Cancellation depicts front view of the Lord Somanatha temple built by Hoysalas

Cancellation was introduced on 8th Sep 1989.

Sravanabelagola
Hassan District
Sravanabelagola Sub Post Office - 573 135

Cancellation depicts the monolithic statue of Gommateshwara on Indragiri at Sravanabelagola.

Cancellation was introduced on 2nd Jan 1978

Sringeri
Chikmagalur District
Sringeri Sub Post Office - 577 139

Cancellation depicts Vidyashankara temple of Sringeri. Sringeri is famous for the Sharada Peeta founded by Adi Shankaracharya.

Cancellation was introduced on 27th Jan 1985.

Srirangapatna
Mandya District
Srirangapatna Head Post Office - 585 401

Cancellation depicts the sword and head gear of Tipu Sultan, known as the tiger of Mysore.

Cancellation was introduced on 20th June 1987.

Udupi
Udupi District
Udupi Head Post Office - 576 101

Cancellation depicts Sri Krishna of Udupi temple.

Cancellation was introduced on 23rd Jan. 1985.

Vidhana Soudha
Bangalore District
Philatelic Bureau GPO - 560 001
Bangalore

Cancellation depicts Vidhana soudha, the state government Secretariat.

Cancellation was introduced on 15th Jan 1979.

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Pictorial Cancellations of Karnataka Postal Circle - Pt 4

Mandarthi
Udupi District
Mandarthi Sub Post Office - 576 223

The pictorial cancellation depicts the Yakshagana of Mandarthi. Mandarthi is a village situated in Udupi district. This place is sanctified by the presence of the Mandarthi Durga Parameshwari temple. Mandarthi is famous for Yakshagana, the folk art of Karnataka.

Cancellation was introduced on 14th Oct. 2005.

Mangalore
Dakshina Kannada District
Mangalore Head Post Office - 575 001

Cancellation depicts an 18th century light house.

Cancellation was introduced on 11th Sep. 1989.

Manipal
Udupi District
Manipal Head Post Office - 576 119

Cancellation depicts a modern temple dedicated to Lord Gopi Krishna and has a multi-religious facade.

Cancellation was introduced on 4th Dec 1988.

Mysore
Mysore District
Mysore Philatelic Bureau
Mysore Head Post Office - 570 001

Cancellation depicts Elephant carrying the Howda, representing the world famous Mysore Dasara.

Cancellation was introduced on the occasion of the inauguration of Mysore Philatelic Bureau on 11th Oct 2002.

Nada Mantapa
Mysore District
SGS Ashram Mysore Post Office - 570 025

Cancellation depicts 'Nada Mantapa' in the Avadoota Datta Peetham Mysore in a unique palm shaped auditorium. The architectural marvel is a shrine dedicated to the seven notes of music.

Cancellation was introduced on 31st May 2008.

Nagarahole
Kodagu District
Nagarahole Branch  Post Office - 571 258

Nagarahole is a wildlife sanctuary and is famous for its flora and fauna. Cancellation depicts the wild flower Gloriosa Superba (Wild Lily)

Cancellation was introduced on 6th Nov. 1987.

Nandi Hills
Kolar District
Nandi Hills Branch Post Office - 562 118

The Nandi hills, 1370 meters above sea level has got its name due to its bull like shape. Cancellation depicts Nandi, a bull.

Cancellation was introduced on 9th June 1989.

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Pictorial Cancellations of Karnataka Postal Circle - Pt 3

Halashi
Belgaum District
Halashi Branch Post Office - 591 142

Cancellation depicts the Royal logo of Kadamba (the major Royal Family) in the year 325 to 545 AD and 1000 to 1050 AD. Ruled most parts of Karnataka and Goa and Halashi as second capital

Cancellation was introduced on 4th May 1993.

Halebidu
Hassan District
Halebidu Sub Post Office - 573 121

Cancellation depicts one of the bracket dancing figures popularly known as Shilabalikas, from the Hoysala Temple at Halebidu.

Cancellation was introduced on 2nd Jan 1978.

Hampi
Bellary District
Hampi Sub Post Office - 573 121

It was a glorious capital of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire. Cancellation depicts the stone chariot.

Cancellation was introduced on 2nd Jan 1978.

Karkala
Udupi District
Karkala Head Post Office - 574 104

The place is a famous Jain pilgrimage center and famous for the 13 meter high monlithic statue of Gammateshwara. Cancellation depicts a seated Thirthankara.

Cancellation was introduced on 5th Feb. 1991.

Kokkare Bellur
Mandya District
Kokkare Bellur Branch Post Office - 571 433

Kokkare Bellur village is a sanctuary for spotted pelicans and other migratory birds. Cancellation depicts a flying pelican.

Cancellation was introduced on 28th Jan 1992.

Kollur
Udupi District
Kollur Sub Post Office - 574 104

The pictorial cancellation depicts the front view of the Kollur Mookambika Temple and is a place of pilgrimage.

Cancellation was introduced on the occasion of the inauguration of the new Post Office building on 13th Nov. 1991.

Madikeri
Kodagu District
Madikeri Head Post Office - 574 104

Cancellation depicts the ODIKATHI, a dagger and a PEECHIKATHI, a small knife used by the Kodava community as part of their ceremonial dress.

Cancellation was introduced on 1st Apr. 1992.

Madrasa of Mohammed Gawan
Bidar District
Bidar Head Post Office - 585 401

Cancellation depicts the Madrasa of Mohammed Gawan. It is unclear here but a close look at the picture may help in identifying the cancellation better. The Madrasa is one of the most ambitious pieces of medieval architecture built by Mohammed Gawan at Bidar in 1472 AD. Mohammed Gawan was the general of the Bahamani Kings. He was an administative reformer and an eminent educationist.

Cancellation was introduced on 11th Dec 2005.

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