Cover - Algeria

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Cover - Nigeria

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Christmas Mail 2013 - 15

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Christmas Mail 2013 - 14

The first time I've received a cover from Slovenia with Christmas stamps. The stamps on this cover were issued on 26th November 2010. What's also interesting about this cover is the 11.12.13 date on the postmark.

The first stamp depicts the pouring of molten lead into water, which was used as a method of foretelling future events and the second features an Advent wreath with decorations made of beeswax.
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Cover - Indonesia

My second cover of the special date cancellation, 11.12.13-14. This time from Indonesia. Really beautiful cover. Love it.

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Christmas Mail 2013 - 13

Cover from Great Britain. One of my favourites. This one has the Complete set of the seven 2013 Christmas stamps of GB with the Special Pictorial Postmark: "Diwrnod Cyhoeddi Cyntaf, First Day of Issue, Bethlehem, Llandeilo, 5.11.2013"

First Class Stamp (Artwork by Francesco Granacci), Small and Large
In Madonna and Child (c.1520), painted in the High Renaissance style, Francesco Granacci depicts the Virgin in her traditional garments of red and blue, earthly and divine, while the bird in Christ’s hand alludes to the coming Passion.
Second Class Stamp (Artwork by Antoniazzo Romano), Small and Large
In Antoniazzo Romano’s Virgin and Child with the young St John the Baptist (c.1460–80), in the Early Renaissance style, Mary holds Jesus on her left arm and points towards him with her right, indicating that he is the way to salvation.
88p Stamp (Artwork by Jacques-Louis David)
Jacques-Louis David’s St Roch Praying to the Virgin for an End to the Plague (1780), which is painted in the neoclassical style, is a deeply Catholic painting, depicting the Virgin Mary in her role as protector and intercessor.
£1.28 Stamp (Artwork by William-Adolphe Bouguereau)
In La Vierge au Lys (1899), painted in the French Academic style by William - Adolphe Bouguereau, the Virgin and Child are enthroned, with Jesus held close by his mother, his outstretched arms suggestive of the crucifixion to come.
£1.88 Stamp (Artwork by Fadi Makhail)
In Theotokos, Mother of God by Fadi Mikhail, which is painted in the Neo-Coptic style, Christ’s white tunic indicates his divinity, while the Virgin Mary’s blue mantle likens her to the sky, as in the icon of The Flight into Egypt.
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Cover - Taiwan

Got this cover from Taiwan today. The cover's great and there is something special about it too. The date it was sent, 11.12.13-14. To think that 11.12.13 itself wasn't special enough.

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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.

Do feel free to add your thoughts, comments or suggestions
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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.

Do feel free to add your thoughts, comments or suggestions
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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.

Do feel free to add your thoughts, comments or suggestions
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Pictorial Cancellations of Karnataka Postal Circle - Pt 2

Here are some more of those cancellations on postcards that I got yesterday. The pack has this written on the inside. "A cancellation is the postmark impressed on the postage stamp, confirming that the fee has been credited for transmitting the postal articles. Before postage stamps came into being it was the cancellation that was the postmark. The cancellation has evolved from a seal mark to machine franking, yet retaining its significance in the form of a pictorial cancellation which would be a permanent postmark in the post office. These pictorial cancellations are artistically designed to enhance the importance of a historic site, a tourist center and the uniqueness of architecture in a place of tourist interest or even a Philately exhibition of national or international importance. Like stamps these cancellations have a message of their own to convey."

Bear Sanctuary
Bellary District
K.U. Campus, Kamalapura - 583 276

Bear Sanctuary is situated at Daroji in Bellary District. The cancellation depicts a bear logo of the sanctuary.

Cancellation was introduced on 5th Jan. 2011.

Belur
Hassan District
Belur Sub Post Office - 573 115

Cancellation depicts Darpana Sundari from the 12th century Hoysala temple of Belur. Though a little smudgy all the elements of the design can be seen almost clearly.

Cancellation was introduced on 2nd Jan 1978

Bijapur
Bijapur District
Bijapur Head Post Office - 571 438

It was the capital of Adilshah Dynasty. Cancellation depicts Gol Gumbaz, the tomb of Sultan Mohd. Shah, one of the largest domes in the world.

Cancellation was introduced on 28th Sep. 1987.

Butterfly Park

Bangalore District
Bannerghatta Post Office - 560 083

The cancellation depicts a drawing of the butterfly - "Papilio Buddha" also called "Malabar Banded Peacock"

Cancellation was introduced on 23rd May. 2009.

Chamundi Hills
Mysore District
Chamundi Hills Branch Post Office - 570 010

On the cancellation is a depiction of the statue of Mahishasura. The Chamundeshwari temple situated at Chamundi hills is a tourist spot. Mysore gets its name from the Mahishasura, the demon king of Hindu mythology. The statue is located near the temple.

Cancellation was introduced on 10th Dec  2005.

Dharmasthala
Dakshina Kannada District
Dharmasthala Post Office - 571 438

Cancellation depicts the front view of the Temple of Lord Manjunatheshwara

Cancellation was introduced on 2nd Jan. 1989.

Do feel free to add your thoughts, comments or suggestions
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Pictorial Cancellations of Karnataka Postal Circle - Pt 1

Today, being a Saturday, and a day-off from work I made a trip to the post office. Usually a few stamps and sheets is what I purchase. But today, the attendant also brought out this wonderful pack of 31 postcards with special pictorial cancellations from post offices around the state of Karnataka. As there were only 15 such packs up for grabs, I did not hesitate one bit to buy it and now again Im a happy collector, these lovely cancelled postcards added to my collection.

Aihole
Bagalkot District
Aihole Branch Post Office - 587 138

This cancellation features the Chalukyan Royal Emblem. This royal insignia is found engraved on the front pillars of the Durga Temple at Aihole.

Cancellation was introduced on 28th Feb. 1990.

Badami
Bijapur District
Badami Sub Post Office - 587 201

Badami was the capital of the Chalukyan Empire and is known for its cave temples. This cancellation depicts Nataraja

Cancellation was introduced on 29th Sep. 1987.

Bandipur
Mysore District
Bandipur Branch Post Office - 587 201

Bandipur is a Tiger reserve and falls in the Project Tiger area where the census of tigers is taken by studying their pugmarks. Cancellation depicts the paw of a tiger

Cancellation was introduced on 1st Apr. 1992.

Rest of the cancellations in subsequent posts.

Do feel free to add your thoughts, comments or suggestions

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