Where to buy stamps from

The simple answer to to the above question is Post office ,but now there are many other options available to purchase stamps. Today we will discuss what are the different methods are available for buying stamps.

1. Buy Stamps at The Local Post Office 
2. Buy Stamps from The Official Website of the country 
3. Buy Stamps from Ebay
4. Buy Stamps From Zazzle (print stamps)
5. Buy Stamps from various Sites available online.
6. Buy or Exchange from Friends / fellow collectors
7. Buy from ATM (some countries have this facility)
8. Buy from Service counter/grocery stores eg: Walmart etc.
9. Buy from Philatic Dealers.
10. Buy from various Auction Site

There might be some more ways to buy stamps ,do let me know if i have missed any ,will surely added to the list.

Falkland Islands - Definitive series issued in1978

Recently acquire the Falkland Islands - Definitive series issued on the ship theme. The above set is of Definitive series issued from 25 January 1978 depicting mail ships.

The ships featured on the stamps are :

1p AES
2p Darwin
3p Merak-N
4p Fitzroy
5p Lafonia
6p Fleurus
7p SS Falkland
8p Oravia
9p Memphis
10p Black Hawk
20p Foam
25p Fairy
50p Amelia
£1 Nautilus
£3 Hebe

Merry Christmas

Christmas Day is a holiday observed generally on December 25 to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

'Preussen' The sailing vessel

The PREUSSEN, well-known as the Queen of the Sea, Germany's largest sailing vessel and the largest sailing vessel of the world to that time. Build 1902 on the dockyard of Joh. C. Tecklenborg at Geestemuende. The best average speed per day 15.3 knots, normal speed 8 knots, more than most trampsteamers to that days. There were steam winches aboard, but no auxiliary engine.

Arthur Hind (1856–1933) - USA Philatelist

Arthur Hind (1856-1933), of Utica, New York, was an American textile industrialist and philatelist.

Hind formed an outstanding collection of stamps of the United States. Like Thomas Tapling, Hind poured the profits from his business into rare stamps, and soon acquired many of the world's greatest rarities. Among these were the Bordeaux Letter, which Roger Calves considered "la pièce de résistance de toute la philatélie" or "the greatest item in all philately", purchased in 1922 from Alfred F. Lichtenstein. He also owned the two "Post Office" Mauritius stamps, both unused, purchased from Henry Duveen. At the Ferrary sale, Hind purchased the One Cent Magenta British Guiana for a world-record price, as well as all of the best U.S. Postmasters' Provisional
Source: wiki

1987 Faroe Islands miniature sheet

1987 Faroe Islands miniature sheet - Hafnia 1987 II - Torshavn, Western Bay. Would love to own this sheet.Please let me know if anybody has this MS for exchange.

India - Mysore cruiser

The India stamp of 15p. depicts the flagship of the Indian Navy, the cruiser Mysore, originally H.M.S. Nigeria, one of the "Fiji" class of eight ships.

All the ships were identical in appearance. The Nigeria was built by Vickers-Armstrongs, Ltd. at their Walker Naval Yard on the Tyne and completed on September 20, 1940. Originally designed with four triple turrets, these have now been reduced to three to cut down weight. Sold to the Indian Navy in 1957, she was refitted by Cammell Laird and Co. (Shipbuilders and Engineers) Ltd., Birkenhead and was the last of the class to have the top turret removed.

Source :Shipstamps

Ships and navigation stamps from Luxembourg

The Luxembourg Post has issued a set of stamps commemorating the Luxembourg Maritime Cluster.

Conscious of its importance and its positive influences in many fields, the Luxembourg maritime sector began to organize itself in 2008. The "Cluster maritime luxembourgeois" society was created as a result. 

35 members strong representing all maritime trades, the Cluster maritime luxembourgeois contains ship owners, ship managers, maritime financiers, insurers, logistics experts, consultants, lawyers, classification companies, dredging companies, and also an organization fighting against piracy. Thanks to the railroad company CFL, Luxembourg has many excellent, daily, and rapid connections to the great ports of the North Sea. The trains carry merchandise which the country needs and allows the export of surplus products in return.

1909 2c. HALF MOON and CLERMONT ship - 22K Gold Stamp

Recently acquired the 22k gold foil replica stamp and an enlarged replica of the original stamp.Its a beautiful  FDC.

HMAS Australia 80th Anniversary cover

Special cover to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of HMAS Australia commissioning . Cancel Canberra Parliament House on 24 April 2008

Would love to get my hands on the cover.

HMAS Arrow Patrol Boat cover

Special cover for 40th Anniversary of commissioning of the Patrol Boat HMAS Arrow P 88 - This warship was lost during cyclone Tracey in Darwin. Cover with stamp cancel with Garden Island postmark.

Photo show HMAS Arrow the morning after the cyclone.

She was built by Walkers Limited at Maryborough, Queensland, launched on 17 February 1968, and commissioned on 3 July 1968. Arrow was transferred to the Melbourne Division of the Royal Australian

Navy Reserve in mid-1968, then was returned to active service in the early 1970s.
 
Arrow was driven ashore and sank at Stokes Hill Wharf in Darwin with the loss of two sailors, Petty Officer Leslie Catton, and Able Seaman Ian Rennie, during Cyclone Tracy on 25 December 1974

HMAS Archer P86 cover

Special cover to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of commissioning of HMAS Archer Patrol Boat P 86 - (Attack Class).Cover canceled Garden Island on 2 May 2008.

 HMAS Archer (P 86) was an Attack class patrol boat of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

She was built by Walkers Limited at Maryborough, Queensland, launched on 2 December 1967 and commissioned on 15 May 1968.

Archer paid off on 21 October 1974, and was transferred to the Indonesian Navy and renamed Siliman.

Would love to get my hands on the FDC.

HMAS Albatross 80th anniversary of ship commission

Special cover for the 80th anniversary of commissioning of HMAS Albatress seaplane carrier.

HMAS Albatross, a seaplane carrier designed to carry nine Seagull III aircraft

The RAN's first ship specifically designed to carry aircraft, HMAS Albatross, was built at Cockatoo Island Dockyard and commissioned in January 1929.

INDIAN NAVAL SHIP DELHI - INDIA FDC 2005

India Fdc Indian Naval Ship Delhi

 

HMAS Aitape cover

Special cover for the 40th Anniversary of HMAS Aitape commissioning. Cover with Australian stamp and canceled with Garden Island postmark on anniversary date

HMAS Aitape (P 84) was an Attack class patrol boat of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

She was laid down by Walkers Limited at Maryborough, Queensland, launched on 6 July 1967 and commissioned on 13 November 1967.

Aitape was transferred to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force on 14 November 1974.

Would love to get my hands on the FDC.

HMAS AE 1 Submarine 2006 cover

Special cover to commemorate the loss of HMAS AE1 Submarine & crew of the coast of Papua New Guinea on 14th September 1914. Cover cancel Garden Island on 14th September 2006.

HMAS AE1 (originally known as just AE1) was an E-class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). She was the first submarine to serve in the RAN, and was lost at sea with all hands near East New Britain, Papua New Guinea, on 14 September 1914, after less than seven months in service. The wreck of the submarine has never been found.

Would love to get my hands on the FDC. 

HMAS AE 1 94th Anniversary of Submarine lost

Special cover to commemorate the 94th anniversary of the loss of HMAS AE 1 of Papua new Guinea on 14 Sept. 1914.

Cover cancel Garden Island on 14th September 2008 with Papua new Guinea stamp. 

Would love to get my hands on the FDC. 

Stamps Celebrate Anniversary Of Birth Of Peter Pan Creator - Guernsey

Guernsey Post is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Scottish author J M Barrie, best known for his creation Peter Pan, with an Alderney stamp issue. 

 

The stamps depict selected images which appear in the fully illustrated edition of Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean, one of the most highly acclaimed living children's writers. McCaughrean's book is the only official sequel to Barrie's timeless classic Peter Pan and Wendy, which was sanctioned by Great Ormond Street Hospital to which Barrie gifted the rights to Peter Pan in 1929.

In typical Peter Pan style a group of children are swarming above London's skyline (36p stamp). Meanwhile, the villainous pirate Captain Hook is seen falling into the jaws of a waiting crocodile (45p stamp) whilst, twenty years on, Captain Hook's ship (48p stamp) is visited by Peter who can be seen at the top of the mast.
Peter is seen waving a rainbow so that he and the other explorers can be freed (50p); the children are seen at the top of 'Neverpeak' (58p), which is covered in snow; and the vivid yellow and orange hues depict a bonfire which frightens off a blizzard and warms the children (80p).

Completing the issue is a miniature sheet (£3 stamp), which features the cover of Barrie's original Peter Pan novel published in 2007 by Oxford University Press, which was also illustrated by David Wyatt. It was commissioned to complement Peter Pan in Scarlet which had been published the previous year.

HMAS Advance cover

Special cover for HMAS Advance 40th anniversary of the ship commissioning . Cover canceled with Garden Island postmark 

HMAS Advance (P 83) was an Attack class patrol boat of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Constructed during 1967 and commissioned into the RAN in 1968, Advance operated from Darwin and patrolled northern Australian waters.

During her career, the patrol boat shadowed a Soviet trawler, survived Cyclone Tracy, was used for filming of the television series Patrol Boat, and participated in the RAN's first anti-terrorism patrol of the North West Shelf. Advance was replaced in 1980, but continued to operate as a training ship until she was decommissioned in 1988.

Advance was donated to the Australian National Maritime Museum, which have maintained her in an operational condition. The vessel remains part of the museum's collection as of 2010.

Would love to get my hands on the FDC.

HMAS Adelaide

Special cover for the medical evacuation of civilian sailor by the crew HMAS Adelaide on 10 May 2007.

Cover with Australian stamp and canceled with HMAS Adelaide Commanding Officer postmark on rescue date.


HMAS Adelaide (FFG 01) was the lead ship of the Adelaide class of guided missile frigates built for the Royal Australian Navy, based on the United States Navy's Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates. She was built in the United States of America and commissioned into the RAN in 1980.

Would love to get my hands on the FDC.

HMAS Acute Patrol Boat P 81

.

HMAS Acute special cover for the ship 40th anniversary of commission Cover cancel Garden Island on 24 April 2008

HMAS Acute (P 81) was an Attack class patrol boat laid down by Evans Deakin and Company at Brisbane in Queensland, Australia, launched on 26 August 1967, and commissioned on 26 April 1968.

HMAS Acute was predominantly used for training of RAN Reserve personnel at Fremantle, Western Australia. Whilst on a training cruise in May 1983, Acute apprehended two Taiwanese fishing boats engaged in illegal fishing. This was the first such operation involving RANR personnel.

Acute paid off on 6 May 1983. She was transferred to the Indonesian Navy and renamed Silea .

Would love to get my hands on the FDC.

Special Hand Postmark for Gozo Philatelic Society Exhibition

On the occasion of the annual Philatelic Exhibition organized by the Gozo Philatelic Society, MaltaPost has announced that a special hand postmark – GOZO PHILATELIC SOCIETY EXHIBITION – MaltaPost Victoria, Gozo – Malta 13-11-10 will be used on Saturday the 13th of November at the MaltaPost Victoria Gozo Branch.

This Special Postmark can also be ordered by mail from the Philatelic Bureau, MaltaPost p.l.c. 305, Triq Hal-Qormi, Marsa, MTP 1001, by calling 2596 1740, or by emailing philately@maltapost.com.

Vintage Transport - Sailing Ships New Zealand

In 1975 six stamps were issued depicting Vintage Sailing Ships:

 

Scow 'Lake Erie' - 4c

Built in 1873 in New Zealand by S Meiklejohn at Omaha.
The first scow to be built, the 'Lake Erie' introduced a new type of vessel to New Zealand waters; flat decked, square sterned, bluff bowed, and flat bottomed - capable of sailing up shallow creeks and remaining on an even keel when aground.  The 'Lake Erie' carried 80 tons cargo of logs and timber.

Schooner 'Herald' - 5c

Built in 1826 by H Williams & G Mair at Paihia. 
The first vessel to be built for the Church Missionary Society by Rev Henry Williams and Gilbert Mair (chiefly known for his trading activities at Wahapu, and later Surveyor of Ships at Russell).


Brigantine 'New Zealander' - 8c

Built in 1828 by Raine, Ramsay & Brown at Horeke. 
Built at about the same time as the mission schooner 'Herald' but to the west on the Hokianga Harbour, the 'New Zealander' was described as one of the prettiest vessels of her class.

Topsail Schooner 'Jessie Kelly' - 10c

Built in 1866 by H Niccol at Devonport. 
Niccol was for many years Auckland's foremost ship builder, his yard being at Mechanic's Bay, and later transferred to a patent slip he built at North Shore.  The 'Jessie Kelly' was the first vessel to be built and launched from the North Shore and proved to be "one that had never been outsailed".

Barque 'Tory' - 18c
Built in 1834 for Josephy Soames. 
Purchased by the New Zealand Company in 1839, the 'Tory' left Plymouth on 12 May of the same year with 35 immigrants headed by Col Wakefield as the advance party for the first organised settlement of New Zealand.

Full Rigged Clipper 'Rangitiki' - 23c
Built in 1863 by M Samuelson of Hull. 
Tonnage - 1227 gross
One of the original four ships bought by the newly formed New Zealand Shipping Company in 1873.  'Rangitiki' was in many ways the pride of their fleet of sailing ships, being one of the largest ever owned by the Company, and a record pace maker.  

Children's Day

A "Children's Day", as an event, is celebrated on various days in many places around the world, in particular to honor children.

Today is 14th November, is  the birth anniversary of  Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister. This day is celebrated all over the country as Children’s Day .

The reason why his birthday has been chosen for the celebration of children is because of his love and passion for children. Pandit Nehru is also regarded as the country’s special child to have been the first Prime Minister, after her long struggle for independence. India Post issues special stamps every year on this special day.

Greetings to all Children on this very special day !!

Heritage - The Ships New Zealand Post

This issue titled "The Ships" was another in the 'Heritage ' stamp series leading up to the 1990 150th anniversary celebrations in New Zealand

 The stamps were a salute to the vessels that brought Polynesian voyagers, settlers and the other immigrants that determined our ancestry.  From voyaging canoes to steamships, these craft carried the first New Zealanders through unchartered waters to an unseen landfall across the world.

Details of the stamp 

Voyaging Canoe - 40c 

Early Polynesian double-hulled canoes voyaged from Hawaiki to Aotearoa about 1000 years ago.  As well as carrying up to 60 people, these large canoes would carry such things as provisions, plants, seed tubers, pigs, dogs and fowl. 

Endeavour - 50c 

In 1769, the 'Endeavour', under the command of Captain James Cook, sailed into Poverty Bay for an historic landfall.  Purchased by the British Navy for Cook, 'Endeavour' was not a fast ship, but had the advantage for such unknown voyages of being able to be careened and beached easily for repairs.  Refitted after Cook's voyage, 'Endeavour' was eventually sold by the British Navy in 1775

Tory - 60c 

On 5 April 1839, the 'Tory' was commissioned to carry the advance party of English settlers to New Zealand.  Thirty five passengers, including Charles Heaphy and Edward Jerningham Wakefield were among those on the 96 day voyage.

Crusader - 80c

Between 1871 and 1897, 'Crusader' made 28 return voyages between England and New Zealand.  Built of iron, she once carried immigrants to our shores in a remarkable 65 days.

Edwin Fox - $1.00 

Built of solid teak, the 'Edwin Fox', with 140 immigrants on board, first landed at Lyttelton in 1873.  A true 'survivor', she sailed the world for 32 years and led an eventful life. 

Arawa - $1.50 

Launched in 1884, the 'Arawa' was considered one of the most beautiful steamships ever built.  A very fast vessel, she could average 14 knots and on her second voyage to New Zealand, she established an around the world record.

This is a very beautiful set of stamps of New Zealand.Looking at acquiring this set.

Source :NZ Post

100 Years of Surf Life Saving - New Zealand

New Zealand Post is celebrating the vital role that Surf Life Saving plays with the release of the ‘100 years of Surf Life Saving’ stamp issue. The issue depicts the heroic volunteers in action - patrolling beaches and rescuing swimmers in heavy surf on beaches up and down the country.

The 60c stamp shows a surf lifeguard on duty with a rescue tube.
  
An Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) is shown on the $1.20 stamp. IRBs were introduced to New Zealand beaches in the late 1970s and quickly proved that they were able to perform quicker and safer rescues than the traditional reel, line and belt rescue method.

The $1.90 stamp features ski paddlers in the Surf Life Saving championships. 

A women’s surf boat crew is the focus of the $2.40 stamp. The first wooden surf boats were bought to New Zealand from Australian surf clubs in the 1920s and 1930s. Today surf boats have become fibre glass dream machines. They provide thrills and excitement on the beach when the boats take to the waves at surf carnivals.

The $2.90 stamp features a march past team in the 1930s. The march past was the heart and soul of every surf carnival.

Looking forward to acquire this set of stamps ,if anybody has for exchange,please mail (asharprashant@gmail.com) me or leave a comment on my blog.

Source: New Zealand Post     

Expedition series by Greenland

POST Greenland continues its very popular series by releasing two new stamps. The acclaimed Expedition series by Martin Morck, this time, pays tribute to the Briton John Ross and the Greenlander Hans Sakaeus' common Arctic endeavours in 1818.

The stamps come in normal sheets, a souvenir sheet, and a beautiful souvenir folder.

The stamps were release on 18 October 2010.
Looking forward to acquire this set of stamps ,if anybody has for exchange,please mail (asharprashant@gmail.com) me or leave a comment on my blog.

Source : Greenland Post

Happy Deepavali to all the readers of the blog

 A commemorative postage stamp on FESTIVALS OF INDIA

'Happy Deepavali' release on 07th October 2008

 

May the festival of lights be the harbinger of joy and prosperity. As the holy occasion of Diwali is here and the atmosphere is filled with the spirit of mirth and love, here's hoping this festival of beauty brings your way, bright sparkles of contentment, that stay with you through the days ahead.
Best wishes on Diwali and New year.

Marshall Islands issues new stamps in its landmark Culture series

The Marshall Islands Postal Service has issued five new stamps celebrating Marshallese Culture - the eighth issue in this ongoing series. 

Even as late as the early 1800s, Western civilization had not yet reached the Marshall Islands. Subsequently, the unique culture and traditions of the Islanders remained virtually untouched by foreign influences. Over the course of many centuries, however, the proud and eminently resourceful Marshallese developed a rich and fascinating culture that became apparent in their home-building, clothing styles, religious activities, canoe-construction, navigation and fishing methods, just to name a few. 

The stamps in this eighth installment of the Marshallese Culture series depict vintage photographs capturing various scenes of Marshallese life: Church Buildings in Likiep (c. 1912); Ijuran Ready to Launch (c. 1921); Group of People, One Man Holding a Fish Net (c. 1904); Lejek with Fish Trap on Korkor in Likiep Lagoon (c. 1920); Landscape with Outrigger and Sailboat (c. 1904).

Marshall Island - History's Great Sailing Ships.

 Marshall Islands Postal Service issued 12 new stamps celebrating History's Great Sailing Ships On April 2, 2008.

A century ago, the billowing sails of clipper and packet ships were regularly sighted off the shores of nations around the globe. Magnificent ships such as these changed the world. They narrowed oceans, brought peoples and nations together and created a sharp dividing line between past and future. These mighty vessels carried immigrants and their dreams to new worlds and delivered vital materials to growing nations, encouraging trade between all four corners of the globe. The beauty and grace with which they sailed the seas held anyone fortunate enough to see them in awe. Nothing quite compared to the sight of a clipper ship, her sails flickering against blue water, effortlessly propelled by invisible breezes to some exotic port of call. Featuring artwork by legendary marine artist Charles Lundgren, the stamps show twelve of the most magnificent ships ever to sail the seas. 

The ships displayed are  :

(01) HMS Victory
(02) La Grande Hermine
(03) USS Constitution
(04) Fram
(05) Tovarisch I
(06) Ark and Dove
(07) Rainbow
(08) Great Republic
(09) HMS Resolution
(10) La Dauphine
(11) Kruzenshtern
(12)Golden Hind

DIA DEL GALEON FESTIVAL 2010 - Phiilipnas

The Philippine Postal Corporation is coming up with the Dia Del Galeon Festival 2010 stamps, which will be issued on October 8, 2010. It is classified as a “Commemorative” kind of issue with a denomination of P 7.00 and quantity of 75,000 pieces. Also to be issued are souvenir sheets with denominations of P 14.00 (6,500 pieces) and P 47.00 (6,500 pieces), respectively. The said souvenir sheets shall be sold in pair.

Recently, an interesting article was written in the GetWet-Asia.com about the Dia Del Galeon Festival 2010, which states:

“The Día del Galeón Festival celebrates the unique journey of the Manila galleons and their place in maritime history – spanning the globe and linking the Philippines with Mexico and Spain. For 250 years (from 1565 – 1815) the Manila galleons were a conduit for global trade and cultural exchange between Europe, the New World and Asia.

“In October 2009 UNESCO recognized the unique part the Manila galleons played in the globalization of trade and cultural exchange by declaring 8th October as the international “Día del Galeón” (day of the galleon). Motivated by Senator Edgardo Angara, the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), in conjunction with the embassies of Spain and Mexico, spearheaded the creation of a month-long series of events that will span the traditional galleon trade route through the Philippines.

“The Día del Galeón festival runs from 15th September to 11th October and is expected to be an annual event that will entertain and educate Filipinos and rest of the World, and encourage a greater understanding of the impact the Philippines has had on the World of global trade. An international grand celebration is also slated for 12th October in Paris.

“The 8th October was chosen by UNESCO as the Dai del Galleon to commemorate the arrival of the first Manila galleon in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1565. The first Manila galleon, the “San Pablo”, was piloted by Father Andres de Urdaneta, using nothing but a compass and his knowledge of wind & tide for navigation. To reach Acapulco, the San Pablo sailed North from Cebu, to approximately Latitude 38, then turned East towards the New World, and Mexico. Regrettably, due to the unexpectedly long journey (129 days) and inadequate provisioning by the then 15-year old Captain Felipe de Salcedo, most of the crew died before reaching their destination.

“It is uncertain exactly how may Manila Galleons were built – some authoritative sources say as few as 110 while others indicate many hundreds. The vast majority were built in the Philippines, using renowned Philippine hardwoods; at least eight are known to have been built in Acapulco, Mexico. Cavite, in Manila Bay, was the location of the largest shipyard building Manila Galleons: up to 2,000 tons and as long a 160-feet; others were built in shipyards in Marinduque, Masbate, Sorsogon and Camarines.

“The number of Manila Galleons that sank en route, in weather related mishaps or by force of arms from British and Dutch privateers, is also not clear but as many as 40 Manila Galleons are known to have sunk. Of the Manila Galleons that sank, most perished during their exit from the Philippine archipelago, with a handful being wrecked along the California coast upon arrival in the New World. Few wrecks have been found, partly because: of the deep and or treacherous waters in which they sank; and, Philippine law discourages active exploration of historic wrecks.”

Source: http://philpost.gov.ph

Pratyush Srivastava -Philateic Collector

Today morning i  saw one of my friends article in the TIMES OF INDIA -Pune Times Edition. His name is Pratyush Srivastava, his name features in the is the Limca Book of Record for the largest collection of stamps od issuing entities.Currently he has stamps of 471 issuing entities

Check out his interview in the TIMES OF INDIA which appears in today's (23 Oct 2010) newspaper.

Please click on the images to view in enlarge

Pratyush its great to see your name in today's newspaper. Keep up congrats.

 

Jamica - Thames the first Steamer carying the mails

In March 1841, the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company entered a contract with the Government for the conveyance of the mails between England and the West Indies; and they commenced business upon a larger scale than any other company had done up to that time. They began with 14 steamships. 

The first steamer carrying the mails was the THAMES, which left Falmouth on January 3, 1842, for Berbice. Built by William Pitcher, at Northfleet, on the Thames, she was a wooden-hulled, paddle-wheeler, with engines by Maudslay, Sons and Field, of London. Her gross registered tonnage (old measurement) was 1,889. After fitting out in the East India Dock she moved down river to anchor off Gravesend. Here she took aboard the R.M.S.P.'s first passengers and left for Falmouth, to pick up her first mails. In 1850 she was fitted out with feathering floats on the paddle-wheels. These improved her speed by two knots from an average 8.4 to 10.4 knots. She was in service until 1865.

Philip Ferrari de La Renotière - Herzog von Gallièra in Genua

Philip Ferrari de La Renotière, Herzog von Gallièra in Genua, (January 11, 1850 - May 20, 1917) was a legendary stamp collector, assembling probably the most complete worldwide collection that ever existed, or is likely to exist. Amongst his extremely rare stamps were the unique Tre Skilling Yellow of Sweden and the 1856 one-cent "Black on Magenta" of British Guiana.

Ferrary started collecting in his youth, then inherited a great fortune, which he dedicated to the purchase of rare stamps and coins. His collection is believed to be the greatest ever assembled, and it may never be equalled. Amongst his extremely rare stamps were the unique Tre Skilling Yellow of Sweden and the 1856 one-cent "Black on Magenta" of British Guiana. He also owned the only unused copy of the Two Cent Hawaii Missionary of 1851,for which its owner, Gaston Leroux, had been murdered by a fellow collector. Another piece owned by Ferrary was the only known cover featuring both values of the first Mauritius_"Post_Office" stamps, which has been called "the greatest item in all philately".
One-cent "Black on Magenta" of British Guiana, 1856

He purchased many important old collections, including that of Judge Frederick A. Philbrick (1835-1910) for £7,000, Sir Daniel Cooper's for £3,000, W. B. Thornhill's Australians, etc., and was a large buyer in the leading capitals of Europe for a great many years. Stanley Gibbons said his expenditure with that firm alone averaged from £3,000 to £4,000 a year.

He employed Pierre Mahé, a leading Paris stamp dealer, as a consultant or curator to examine and keep order in his collection from 1874 until Mahé died in 1913. Also, he had two secretaries, who were paid large salaries: one to look after the postage stamps and the other the post cards, envelopes, and newspaper wrappers. Ferrary had his own stamp room furnished with numerous fan cabinets.

Although he lived in Paris, Ferrary travelled frequently, meeting with dealers along the way, and often paying them in gold on the spot.He was impulsive in his buying and seemed to be indifferent to price, so dealers and counterfeiters took advantage of him. Exceptionally dangerous forgeries gained the nickname, "Ferrarities".

Aden 1937 Dhow 2r yellow -SG10

 

The stamp displayed above is the 1937 Aden Dhow 2R stamp .

Aden is a port city located in present day Yemen in the Middle East. It is home to almost 600,000 people and has been occupied since antiquity. Local legend even goes so far as to say that Aden is a transliteration of the Biblical word Eden, the birthplace of the human race.

Aden sits on the Arabian Sea and is near the mouth the Red Sea. It's location has made it a vital seaport for the region. Its ancient harbor has an interesting geological history; it lies inside a huge crater formed by an extinct volcano.

A dhow is a traditional Arab sailing vessel with one or more lateen sails. It is primarily used to carry heavy items, like fruit, along the coasts of the Arabian Peninsula, Pakistan, India and East Africa. Larger dhows have crews of approximately thirty people, while smaller dhows typically have crews of around twelve. Dhows are much larger than feluccas, another type of Arab boat usually used in fresh water in Egypt, Sudan and Iraq.

This is part of the first set of stamps which were issued by Aden in the year 1937.

Its always a pleasure for a ship collector to collect these stamps. 

Source:stampsofdistinction.com and wiki

Frederick John Melville -British philatelist

Frederick John Melville (1882–1940) was a British philatelist, prolific philatelic author and founder of The Junior Philatelic Society. He was also a founder of the Philatelic Literature Society. Melville is a member of the American Philatelic Society's Hall of Fame and was an original signatory to The Roll of Distinguished Philatelists in 1921.

Melville was born in Edinburgh to Thomas J. Melville and Annie Melville but moved to London at the age of two when his father, who was a journalist, became the House of Commons correspondent for The Scotsman.Fred had brothers Cecil Balfour, Thomas B. and William. He also had sisters Kate and Helen (later Mrs Helen P. Terry).

Fred was educated at Westminster School where he was the instigator of a school magazine The United Westminster School Field Club Magazine.He was always known just as Fred or Freddie.

As a young boy of just 11 he took his father to an exhibition of stamps organised by the Philatelic Society, London, now The Royal Philatelic Society London.At that exhibition he met Edward Denny Bacon who handed him a copy of the Society’s journal the The London Philatelist.

In 1899 he applied for membership of the Society, but was rejected as he was under 18 years of age.[verification needed] As a result, he formed The Junior Philatelic Society (now The National Philatelic Society) that same year. The society was a huge success, capitalising on pent-up demand for a philatelic society that anyone could join and the new society soon had to seek a larger meeting place. In 1906 Melville formed a Manchester branch of the society. Melville was President of the society from the start until his death and also edited the society's journal The Stamp Lover.

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/

Alfred Lichtenstein - American philatelist

Alfred F. Lichtenstein (6 August 1876 - 24 February 1947, both in New York City) was one of the most famous American philatelists.

Alfred Lichtenstein's classic stamp  collections were one of the most complete, with a passion for stamps issued before 1870. He collected stamps issued by Canadian provinces and the Confederation of Canada, Switzerland, Cape Colony, Ceylon, Gambia, Mauritius, Argentina and Uruguay. Considering the postal history of the United States, his collection was a reference for "Western Express".

He was an active member of the Collectors Club of New York which was developed by Lichtenstein and his friend Theodore Steinway. He was also a member of the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada.

An international philatelic judge during three decades, he was the commissioner of international philatelic exhibitions of 1913, 1926 and 1936 (the last two in New York). When he died, he was preparing the Centenary International Stamp Exhibition (CIPEX) of 1947.

In March 1945 in New York City, Theodore Steinway, others philatelists and Lichtenstein founded the Philatelic Foundation. It is a non-profit educational institution whose goals are philatelic expertise, research and publications. After 1947, his daughter Louise Boyd Dale continued to support the foundation.

His stamp collections and those of his daughter were sold during auctions at Harmer's between 1968 and 1971, between 1989 and 1992, and in 1997.

Source :http://en.wikipedia.org

Daniel Cooper

Cooper was a founder and the first president (1869-78) of the Philatelic Society of London, the predecessor of today's Royal Philatelic Society London. His Australian postage stamps, sold to Judge Frederick Philbrick in 1878 for £3000 (the first four-figure price for a collection), became part of Ferrary's celebrated collection.The Sir Daniel Cooper Lectures, sponsored by the Royal Philatelic Society, are in his honor.

Source: WIKI  

Gerald Davis

Gerald Davis (October 10, 1916 - June 16, 2005): architect, graphic designer, postal historian and philatelist. His 1971 Burma Postal History is a classic study, both readable and comprehensive.

Davis learned the basics of stamps and philately while helping out with his father's stamp shop in Baker Street, Marylebone, Westminster. As an adult he formed an extraordinary collection of the postal history of Burma, including the Japanese post offices in Burma and the overland routes to China and Thailand.
 
After Dunkirk Davis went to India with the British Fourteenth Army, a multinational force comprising units from Commonwealth countries during World War II. After the Battle of Imphal he served in Burma, present-day Myanmar, where he took part in the Chindwin River valley campaign and the surrender of Rangoon in May, 1945.
 
In 1990, Robson Lowe commented, "Besides acquiring much of his modern collection from villagers who preferred cigarettes to British currency, his negotiations after the formal enemy capitulation in August, with Burmese postal officials, for stamps which have since become collectible, by his own account comprised his most active service."
 
Using the first-hand knowledge of the country gained from his military assignments, and building on foundations laid by W. Renouf, Jal Cooper and Vernon Rowe, Gerald Davis' studies and presentations of Burma's postal history brought the country to its present day attraction for collectors and philatelists. Davis was a fellow and member of the Society of Postal Historians, the India Study Circle and Kingston Philatelic Society.

Source :WIKI 

Oscar Berger-Levrault - French philatelist

Oscar François George Berger-Levrault (May 9, 1826, in Strasbourg – September 24, 1903, in Nancy) was a French philatelist. The invention of the stamp catalogue is attributed to him and to the Englishman, John Edward Gray.
 
Oscar Berger-Levrault was a bookseller in his birthplace, Strasbourg. Besides his work, he found the time to engage in philately. He was one of the first stamp collectors, who dealt with the scientific and systematic establishment of stamp collections. In the course of his philatelistic work, he published a stamp and postal stationery register ("Description of the stamps known to date") on September 17, 1861, which can definitely be referred to as the world's first stamp catalogue, although it was rather a list than a catalogue because of the complete lack of illustrations. 

However, it listed all of the 973 postage stamps known to the bookseller which had been issued around the world up to then.
Because Berger-Levrault was the first to make such a list, errors had crept in. 

It was used by Alfred Potiquet as a template for the first illustrated stamp catalogue issued in December 1861.
Although Berger-Levrault's philatelistic work was only intended for his friends and only 40 to 50 copies of it were produced, one copy found its way into the British Museum in London, where it can be found today.
 
Catalogues issued:  A page of the philatelic magazine, "Stamp Collector's Magazine" (London, 1868), describing the stamp catalogue issued by Berger-Levreault in June, 1867.Berger-Levrault O. Timbres-poste. — Strasbourg : Ve. Berger-Levrault & fils, 1861. — 12 p. Les timbres-poste: catalogue méthodique et descriptif de tous les timbres-poste connus. — Paris : Ve. Berger-Levrault et fils, 1867. — xiii, 147 p.

Source :http://en.wikipedia.org

Jal Cooper - Indian philatelist

Jal Manekji Cooper, FRGS (died 1972), was an Indian philatelist, and a recognized expert and authenticator of the postage stamps and postal history of India. Cooper was also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the author of several philatelic handbooks.
Cooper was both a stamp dealer and a collector. Living in Bombay (present day Mumbai), he was associated with other philatelists like C. D. Desai, N. D. Cooper, and Robson Lowe.
Cooper's expertise in Indian philately is well known. He is occasionally but erroneously credited with having discovered the Inverted Head 4 Annas. The 1891 reprints show that this error was already known. E. A. Smythies said the error was first discovered at a meeting of the Philatelic Society of London in 1874.
The 'Jal Cooper Philatelic Society', in Varanasi, India is named after him. India Post issued a 10 rupees commemorative stamp on 15 December 1997 featuring Jal Cooper and Indian postmarks, on the occasion of INDEPEX 97.

Article on Stamp collecting in Hindu Newspaper

Recently while browsing the net found this article on Stamp Collecting ,it has lots of inputs from my collector friends of India.

Check the link:

http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/05/07/stories/2009050751310100.htm

Enjoy Reading

Famous Quotes on Stamps and Stamp Collecting

Much of the fun of stamp collecting is knowing from what countries stamps come, when they were printed, and what events they commemorate.

DANIEL FOX, Arrowheads of the Central Great Plains

Collecting, especially of the classifying sort epitomized by stamp collecting, offered a means to seem to gain control of the world and of the past.

RUSSELL W. BELK, Collecting in a Consumer Society

In their stamp collecting, boys ... played within the discourse of commerce and nationalism and learned its language, learning to put the rest of the world literally under their thumbs.

LEAH DILWORTH, Acts of Possession

"The collecting of stamps brings untold millions of people of all nations into greater understandings of their world neighbours"

- Francis Cardinal Spellman of America while laying the foundation stone of Cardinal Spellman Museum at Weston on July 27, 1972.

"Consider the postage stamp, its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there"

- American humorist John Billings.  

"The philatelist will tell you that stamps are educational, that they are valuable, that they are beautiful. This is only part of the truth. My notation is that the collection is a hedge, a comfort, a shelter into which the sorely beset mind can withdraw. It is orderly, it grows towards completion, it is something that can't be taken away from us"

- Clifton Fadiman in Any Number Can Play.

 
"All science is either Physics or stamp collecting." 
- Erenst Rutherford physicist and Noble Laureate. 

"What should I do? I think the best thing is to order a stamp with my face on it." 
- Charles, Emperor of Austria 1882-1922 on learning of his accession to the throne.

Stamp Collecting dispels boredom, enlarges our vision, broadens our knowledge, makes us better citizens and in innumerable ways, enriches our lives" 
- President Roosevelt

Be like a postage stamp. Stick to one thing until you get there.
-Josh Billings

It would be hard to conceive of any activity more useless than stamp collecting. 
- DAVE BARRY, Dave Barry's Bad Habits

Nice covers with 08 - 09 - 10 cancellation

Received this wonderful covers from my friends with 08 - 09 - 10 cancellation.

Nice Gift of Ship Stamps from my Friend -Kasinath

Received this wonderful set of stamps from my friend Kasinath on my favorite theme "Ships" .

You can visit his blog: http://shipthemegallery.blogspot.com/

William Dampier- Navigator

William Dampier (born August 1651, East Coker, Somerset, England — died March 1715, London) was an English buccaneer, sea captain, author and scientific observer. 

He was the first Englishman to explore or map parts of New Holland (Australia) and New Guinea. He was the first person to circumnavigate the world three times.

Dampier appears on the 5 shilling stamp in the Early Navigators issue of 1963-1964.Then on the 50 cent Decimal reissue of 1966, and is part of the 1999 miniature set featuring the 6 Navigators of Australia.

For more details :wiki

Barbados - Sailing Boats

Throughout the history of Barbados, sail-powered vessels have always been integral to regional trade and local livelihoods. With the advent of engine powered boats for trade, the sailing boats evolved from workboats to play boats, and boat designs changed where speed was a key factor. For over 30 years now, Barbados has been a global haven for great coastal and offshore racing, mostly due to consistent trade winds, crystal clear warm waters, and the welcoming smiles from local enthusiasts.

Barbados has been hosts to many types of sailing regattas, for boats of all sizes, ranging from the ‘model boats’ about one metre in length, to the ‘big boats’ up to 25 metres long. The local Barbados Mount Gay Regatta, held every year, is the longest running. We are also now hosting J24 Invitational Regional Regattas annually, and have been proud hosts to the International One Metres (IOM) Worlds 2009.

This year, the friendly shores of Carlisle Bay will be the venue for the Fireball International World Championships starting April 24th through to May 7th 2010, under the auspices of the Barbados Sailing Association, the governing body for sailing in Barbados. This Fireball Worlds 2010 Regatta is a good way to promote Barbados as the great sailing and racing venue we know it to be, a place where sailors can enjoy our islands’ natural resources of sun, sea and wind. The main sponsor for this event is the Barbados Tourism Authority.

The Fireball, one of the most competitive racing dinghies in the world is a high performance, two-person sailing dinghy offering exciting sailing, intense competition and a great social life off the water. Hull and sail plans are of strictly one design, yet class rules allow for the adaption of the position of the gear to suit your weight and sailing style. The key distinguishing aspect of the Fireball is its ability to sail in a wide spectrum of wind conditions. The thrill of trapeze and spinnakers are hard to match in any type of sailboat or board. If capsized, the boats are easily righted, and can be sailed without bailing. The performance of the boat is very dependent on tuning as the Fireball's rig can be adjusted in numerous ways. The weight and strength of the crew is not as important as the tuning of the boat, winning races comes down to mastering the art of tuning, and sailing better than your competition, as the trapeze and sail handling requires skill rather than strength; some countries’ leading Fireball sailors are women.

This competition which is held annually in different countries will be featuring seventy-six Fireball dinghies with one hundred and sixty sailors from Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Namibia, Shetland Islands, Slovenia, South Africa, St. Lucia, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States. A large number of family and friends will also journey to Barbados for this prestigious event.

Source: Barbados Post

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Country	Barbados
Title	Sailing Boats
Release Date	23rd April, 2010
Design & Layout	CASCO Studio
Printer	BDT International Security Printing Ltd.
Stamp size	28.45mm x 42.58mm
Sheet format	50 (2 x 25)
Paper	CASCO Crown Watermark
Perforation	14 per 2 cms
Value & Designs	10c $0.50 $0.90 $1.75 $2.00