Personalised Stamps

Category - Sight
Subcategory - Personalised Stamps

Au revoir India…Hello Canada…Just moved.. Big Time Life Reboot..

Here are some of the personalised Stamps issued by India Post just before I left India. You get personalised stamps from many countries. Most allow images and company logos to be printed. Artwork is a bit iffy depending on each country allowing it.

India My Stamp 2013 Flower Series

Issue Date 22 November 2013

The personalised stamp from India Post is available at Mumbai General Post Office on a regular basis for Rs.300. You just need to carry your passport sized photograph or carry a copy on a usb-drive in a.jpeg image and you are ready to go. However there are facilities to click your photograph too. Of course you also need to carry a photo id proof to enable you to a personalised stamp. So if you are planning to visit Mumbai India, do not forget to visit the Mumbai GPO. Right now they are not entertaining mail request.

Disclaimer - Information about the stamp issues on this page has been taken from the net and are for informational purposes only. No copyright claim is made for the above mentioned information/pictures.

3D - Holographic Stamps - Update

Category - Sight
Subcategory - 3D Hologram

New Zealand 1994 - 25th Anniversary of the Moon Landing

Issue date - 20 July 1994 

On 21 July 1969 - man first set foot on the moon. The American astronaut Neil Armstrong, commander of Apollo 11, watched by millions of television viewers round the world, stepped off the ladder of the lunar module, Eagle, on to the moon and said "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," .

New Zealand Post has paid tribute to these astronauts Neil Armstrong and 'Buzz' Aldrin being the first men to walk on the moon. and celebrated the 25th anniversary of their historic moon landing with the launch of New Zealand's first hologram stamp depicting an astronaut walking on the moon with the earth and New Zealand in the background.

To view other stamps in this category click on the following link - 
3D - Holographic Stamps


Disclaimer - Information about the stamp issues on this page has been taken from the net and are for informational purposes only. No copyright claim is made for the above mentioned information/pictures.

Stamps Featuring Autographs

Category Sight
Subcategory - Stamps featuring Autographs

This new category is based on stamps featuring autographs on the stamps as I have noticed there are stamps being issued of iconic personalities with their autographs.. Cheers to a new category

Easdale Island 2008 Celebrating 12000 runs - Sachin Tendulkar with his personal autograph

Issue date 2008

8 Stamps of Sachin Tendulkar with a Central Flag Label on a Miniature Sheet issued by Easdale Island - Scotland, showing the Great Indian Cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar, commemorating his scoring 12,000 Runs in Test Cricket with his personal autograph on the plastic of miniature sheet. You will notice his signature on the stamps as well.

Sachin Tendulkar became the highest scorer in Test cricket after surpassing West Indian legend Brian Lara (11,953 runs in test cricket) in the second Test in Mohali on 17 October 2008. 

Sachin Tendulkar made his Test debut at the tender age of 16 against Pakistan in 1989 in Karachi.

Sachin Tendulkar reached another coveted landmark by completing an astounding 50,000 runs in competitive cricket across all formats on 05 October 2013 against the West Indies.

To preserve the mint condition of the miniature sheet - the sheet was signed on the plastic containing the miniature sheet. The autograph was obtained through a mutual friend of Mr. Sachin Tendulkar. (Huge thanks to him for the one time kind favour...and sorry the miniature sheet is not for sale and no special request for autographs please).



As a personal tribute to a Cricketing Legend - Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar on stamps to commemorate Sachin Tendulkar's 200th and final Test at the Wankhede Stadium,Mumbai India which will be held from November 14-18 2013 between India and the West Indies, please find below my collection on stamps featuring Sachin Tendulkar

India 2013 - Sachin Tendulkar 200th Test Match

Issue date 14 November 2013

India Post has issued two different stamps, a miniature sheet and a sheetlet on - Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar 200th Test Match which is final Test of his career at the Wankhede Stadium,Mumbai India which will be held from November 14-18 2013 between India and the West Indies. 

Sachin Tendulkar made his test debut on 15 November 1989 when he was 16 years and 205 days old against Pakistan.The stamps depicts his journey of his test career from his first test debut to the current one on 14 November 2013

- 15919 Runs in 200 Test Matches
- 18426 Runs in 463 ODI Matches
- 51 Centuries in Test Cricket
- 49 Centuries in ODI Cricket

P.S.. Was informed by a philatelist friend that Sachin Tendulkar's stamp is actually not the second instance/exception where India Post has issued a stamp on a living person as reported in some media. This actually is the 10th issue date..the number on Sachin Tendulkar's team jersey. Please note mention of issue date as on a particular issue there were 8 stamps issued on living personalities.

Guinea Bissau 2011 India World Cup Champions stamp featuring Sachin Tendulkar and other Indian team members

Issue date July 2011

Guinea Bissau 2011 India World Cup Champions miniature sheet stamp featuring Sachin Tendulkar and other Indian team members (Harbhajan Singh, M.S. Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli) to commemorate India's win at the World Cup Championship 2011.


Guinea Bissau 2011 The National Team of Indian Cricket featuring Sachin Tendulkar

Issue date February 2011

The miniature sheet issued by Guinea Bissau Post to honour the Indian Cricket team to the World cup 2011. The miniature sheet also features Sachin Tendulkar's number one fan - Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary who is widely recognised for showing up at every home match the Indian team plays with his entire body painted in the national colours of India. He is usually seen with his body art, waving the national flag in the live telecast of the matches. He carries a conch with him and blows conch to announce the arrival of India cricket team.



Disclaimer - Information about the stamp issues on this page has been taken from the net and are for informational purposes only. No copyright claim is made for the above mentioned information/pictures. 

Stamps featuring Inverts - Update

Category Sight
Subcategory - Stamps on Stamps  - Inverts

Gambia 2004 Rare and Famous Postage Stamps miniature sheet featuring the inverted Jenny

Issue date 04 June 2004

The miniature sheet issued by Gambia Post features a Stamp on Stamp of the Inverted Jenny which is one of the category under which this miniature sheet is filed.

The Inverted Jenny (also known as an Upside Down Jenny or Jenny Invert) is a United States postage stamp first issued on May 10, 1918 in which the image of the Curtiss JN-4 airplane in the center of the design appears upside-down; it is probably the most famous error in American philately. Only one pane of 100 of the invert stamps was ever found, making this error one of the most prized in all philately. 

The British Guiana 1c magenta is regarded by many philatelists as the world's most famous stamp. It was issued in limited numbers in British Guiana (now Guyana) in 1856, and only one specimen is now known to exist.

The Penny Black was the world's first adhesive postage stamp used in a public postal system. It was issued in Britain on 1 May 1840, for official use from 6 May of 1840.
The idea of an adhesive stamp to indicate pre-payment of postage was part of Sir Rowland Hill's 1837 proposals to reform the British postal system; it was normal then for the recipient to pay postage on delivery. A companion idea, which Hill disclosed on 13 February 1837 at a government enquiry, was that of a separate sheet that folded to form an enclosure or envelope for carrying letters. At that time postage was charged by the sheet and on the distance traveled.

The Benjamin Franklin Z Grill, or simply "Z-Grill", is a 1-cent postage stamp issued by the United States Postal Service in February 1868 depicting Benjamin Franklin. While stamps of this design were the common 1-cent stamps of the 1860s, the Z-Grill is distinguished by having the so-called "Z" variety of a grill pressed into the stamp, creating tiny indentations in the paper. The 1-cent Z-Grill is generally cited as the rarest and most valuable of all US postage stamps.

There are currently only two known 1-cent 1868 Z-Grills, both with cancellation marks. One is owned by the New York Public Library as part of the Benjamin Miller Collection. This leaves only a single 1-cent 1868 Z-Grill in private hands.

5-cent red brown stamp depicting Benjamin Franklin (the first postmaster of the U.S.) - The first U.S. Postage stamp issues were authorized by an act of US Congress and approved on March 3, 1847. The earliest known use of the Franklin 5¢ is July 7, 1847.

This stamp were declared invalid for postage on July 1, 1851.

To view other stamps in this category click on the following link - 
Stamps featuring Inverts

Disclaimer - Information about the stamp issues on this page has been taken from the net and are for informational purposes only. No copyright claim is made for the above mentioned information/pictures. 

Embossed Stamps - Update

Category - Touch
Subcategory - Embossed Stamps

Thailand 2011  Eight Immortals Embossed Souvenir Sheet 

                                         



Issue date 01 February  2011 

The Eight Chinese Deities

Li Tieguai, the Deity of Medicine and Medical Treatment, is a young, intelligent and robust man. He is a vegetarian, follows religious precepts and leads an austere life.

Han Zhongli, the Deity of Fortune, is plump and of huge stature, with a broad forehead, long thick eyebrows and a large nose.

Lu Dongbin, is the Deity of Industry, Trade and Business, Intellectual People and Poets. He has a high crown, long ear-lobes, long eyebrows and elongated eyes like those of a swan. His left eyebrow is marked with a black mold. His face features a large, round nose, chubby cheeks, a wide mouth and long, slender neck. This eight-foot-two-inch-Deity is clever and has very good memory.

Zhang Guo Lao, is the Deity of Stability, Long Life and Good Health. The Zhang Guo Lao legend has it that a white bat lived on the sunlight and the moonlight for over a thousand years until it was made into the deity. He can transform himself into an aged man and he has a white donkey as his vehicle.

Lan Caihe, is the Deity of Flowers and Abundance. According to legend, this Deity was given a miraculous fruit that enabled him to maintain his youthful looks and complexion forever. There is nothing to show whether this Deity is male or female, but, in Taoism, he is to be taken a male. 

He Xiangu, is the Deity of Virtues, Loyalty and Gratitude. He is knowledgeable, articulate and his words are endowed with reason. He is graceful and tender in his manner. He loves to help the deprived with his magical powers and he is able to give solid predictions.

Han Xiang Zi, is the Deity of Fortune-Telling. He is regarded as a prophet and a music lover. Having a special interest in people who had magical power he took lessons in magic and practised penance with Lu Dongbin.

Cao Guojiu, is the Deity of Status and Prestige, Royal Deities, Employees and Loyalty. He was a member of the royal family and was blessed with a great fortune, yet he decided to sacrifice his luxurious and easy life for meditation.

To view other stamps in this category click on the following link - 
Embossed Stamps


Disclaimer - Information about the stamp issues on this page has been taken from the net and are for informational purposes only. No copyright claim is made for the above mentioned information/pictures.

Recycled Paper Stamps - Update

Category - Touch
Subcategory - Stamps made from different material - Recycled Paper

South Africa 2010 International Year of Biodiversity Recycled Paper miniature sheet

Issue date 12 March 2010  

Year 2010 has been chosen by the United Nations to be the Year of Biodiversity. On this occasion, a lot of stamps have been launched by national Post Offices all over the world to celebrate the biodiversity and to encourage the protection of the fauna and flora.

South Africa Post has come out with a Miniature sheet made from recycled paper to encourage the protection of the trees used for making paper.

The stamps picture various animals (and one tree) that can be found in South Africa. Clockwise the species that are represented are:

- Giant African Mantis (Sphodromantis viridis) a species of praying mantis  and Devil fire fish (Pterois miles) also known as the common lionfish

- Black Rhinoceros (Dicero bicornis) with the Red Billed Oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus)

- Common Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) and Argus Reed Frog (Hyperolius argus)

- Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus) and African Baobab tree (Adansonia digitata)

To view other stamps in this category click on the following link - 
Recycled Paper Stamps

Disclaimer - Information about the stamp issues on this page has been taken from the net and are for informational purposes only. No copyright claim is made for the above mentioned information/pictures. 

Glow in the Dark Stamp Under UV Stamps - Update

Category - Sight
Subcategory - Glow in the Dark Stamp Under UV Stamps

Finland 2003 Lighthouses of the Gulf of Finland with glow in the dark under UV printing

Issue date 09 October 2003 

The Finland Post has issued 5 1st Class stamps named "Lighthouses of the Gulf of Finland" on a miniature sheet. 

This is a special stamp issue with the world's first glow in the dark lighthouse stamps.

Each of the lighthouses is position on the sheet in geographical order from west to east. The following list has the year in which the lighthouses were built, their precise location, and height above ground level. This information can also be seen on the upper edge of the lighthouses sheet.

Lighthouse of Bengtskar - built in 1906 at 59 degrees 43,4'N 22 degrees 31,1'E and stands 43.8 meters high.
Lighthouse of Russaro - built in 1863 at 50 degrees 46,0'N 22 degrees 57,1'E and stands 21.4 meters high.
Lighthouse of Ronnskar - built in 1800 at 59 degrees 56,1'N 24 degrees 23,7'E and stands 30.0 meters high.
Lighthouse of Harmaja - built in 1883 at 60 degrees 06,3'N 24 degrees 58,7'E and stands 14 meters high.
Lighthouse of Soderskar - built in 1862 at 60 degrees 06,5'N 25 degrees 24,8'E and stands 32.5 meters high.

To view other stamps in this category click on the following link - 

Glow in the Dark Stamp Under UV Stamps 

Disclaimer - Information about the stamp issues on this page has been taken from the net and are for informational purposes only. No copyright claim is made for the above mentioned information/pictures. 

Odd Shaped Miniature Sheet

Category - Sight 
Subcategory - Stamps on Odd Shaped Miniature Sheet Form

I do not specifically collect these types of Odd Shaped forms of Miniature sheet, but for lovers of this category, I have presented some from my collections which have other unusual features along with the Odd form of this category. My apologies to the lovers of this category as there are so many to collect that it becomes really difficult to collect each and every one along with my collection of unusual stamps. Will not be going into details of the stamps except for issue date if they have been covered elsewhere on this blog. 

Round Shape MS
Flower Shape MS
Heart Shape MS
Butterfly shape MS
Leaf shape MS
 
Round Shaped Miniature Sheet 

South Africa 2013 International Year of Water Cooperation with drop shaped stamps 

Issue date 20 March 2013

Argentina 2011 – Copa America  (with moving triangular Stamp) Souvenir sheet

Issue date 25 June 2011. 

USA 2000 Space Achievement and Exploration Hologram Round stamp 

Issue date 09 July 2000

Flower Shaped Miniature Sheet 

Finland 2009 Drops of Happiness Drop shaped stamps

Issue date 22 January 2009

Heart Shaped MS

Taiwan 2013 Valentine Day Embossed Roses 



Issue date 04 Feb 2013

Butterfly Shaped MS

Taiwan 2011 – Euploea Butterfly miniature sheet with butterfly shaped holes

Issue date 08 April 2011

Taiwan 2009 – Swallow Tail Butterfly miniature sheet with butterfly shaped holes

Issue date 25 June 2009

Disclaimer - Information about the stamp issues on this page has been taken from the net and are for informational purposes only. No copyright claim is made for the above mentioned information/pictures.

Extra Wide Length Stamps

Category Sight
Sub Category - Extra Wide Length Stamps

This category of stamps was started due to my interest in wide length stamps which were unique in their own ways and each competing to be the widest stamp in the world. Will try to give the dimensions in the stamps as Length x Height (where length would be the basis of comparison). 

Thailand 2013 –National Children's Day with flags of 10 ASEAN COUNTRIES

Issue date 12 Jan 2013

On National Children's Day 12 January 2013 Thailand Post issued their longest stamp till date (widest in the 130-year history of Thai stamps) measuring 124mm in width (wider than the 116mm stamp with an illustration of Suphannahongse, the royal barge, released in 1997) and features cartoon characters wearing national costumes of the 10 ASEAN member countries, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam along with their National flags. 

Stamp Size - L 124 mm x W 31mm.  (Horizontal-measured from perforation to perforation)

The world’s widest stamp, 162 mm, was released in 2011 to mark the 45th anniversary of Singaporean-Egyptian diplomatic relations.



Singapore 2011 Joint issue with Egypt – Significant Rivers MS

Comparing the extra wide stamps and miniature sheet

Issue date 17 October 2011

To commemorate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic  relations between Singapore and Egypt, a joint stamp issue by Singapore Post featuring Significant Rivers was issued on 17 October 2011. This is the first joint stamp issue between the two countries.

This joint stamp issue features the two significant rivers in both countries, the Singapore River and the River Nile on the S$1.10 and S$2 stamps respectively. Both rivers have been closely associated with the evolution of Egypt and Singapore.

The Singapore River is a river in Singapore with great historical importance. It was made the first trading port in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles, and served as the main lifeline of Singapore then. 

Today, the Singapore River continues to play an important role as part of the Marina reservoir and a major tourist destination. 
Similarly, the Nile River, the longest river in the world, has been the lifeline of Egyptian civilisation since ancient times. Most of its population as well as cultural and historical sites are located along the riverbanks. It is also a major tourist attraction of Egypt. The Nile River is truly the heart of both ancient and modern Egypt.


Stamp Size – L 162mm x  W 30mm

Sri lanka 2011 - 25th Anniversary of Viceroy Special Steam Train

Issue date 02 February 2011

Stamp Size -  L 123 mm x W 30 mm


Sri Lanka has issued one of the longest ever stamp to mark 25 years of service of the Viceroy luxury coal powered steam train.

The Viceroy Special is the only coal powered steam locomotive still in operation with two air-conditioned compartments including 64 plush reclining seats and adjustable tables. The train has been utilised as a tourist attraction to offer visitors an enthralling experience of passenger transportation of the yester years.

Namibia 2003 Worlds most beautiful stamp Miniature Sheet

Issue date 8 Dec 2003


A stamp issued by Namibia in the form of a miniature sheet in 2003 showing Elephants on the Hoarusib River was voted the Most beautiful Stamp of the world in 2003 at the 8th Stamp World Cup held in Paris, France in 2003.The stamp were designed by acclaimed Namibian artist Helge Denker.

The elephant stamp was first issued in 2002 as part of the stamp set of Ephemeral Rivers of Namibia featuring the N$2.60 Hoarusib River stamp.

Thailand 1996 - 2001 Royal Barge Series  MS 

To publicize the beautiful carved Royal Barges, considered to be an invaluable nation heritage, Thailand has issued 4 miniature sheets from 1996 till 2001.

Thailand 1996 Narayana Song Suban Royal Barge:

Issue date 13 November 1997

Stamp Size – 116 x 30.4 mm

The Royal Thai Navy and the Department of Fine Arts commissioned the construction of the Narayana Song Suban Barge - the first to be built during the current reign - to pay homage to His Majesty the King on the 50th Anniversary of his Accession to the Throne.

Thailand 1997 Subanahongsa Royal Barge:

Issue date - 13 November 1997

The name Subanahongsa, or golden hamsa, refers to the swan-like mythical steed of the Hindu God Brahma which appeared in Thai lore during the Ayutthaya Period. King Rama I ordered the Subanahongsa Barge to be built soon after his accession to the throne in 1782. The vessel was in constant use as the principal royal barge until it became too old to be repaired.

Size - 116 x 30.4 mm

Thailand 2000 Anantanagaraj Royal Barge:

Issue date - 15 November 2000

Second in rank to the Subanahongsa is the Anantanagaraj Barge, which is characterised by a seven-headed naga, the mythical serpent that is a symbol of water.Like the other principal barges, the Anantanagaraj had a predecessor, in this case built in the reign of King Rama IV. The present barge was built by King Rama VI and launched on April 15, 1914.

Size - 116.5 x 30.4 mm

Thailand 2001 - Anekajatbhujonga Royal Barge:

Issue date - 15 November 2001

The oldest of the principle royal barges is the Anekajatbhujonga Barge, built for King Rama V. In state processions, the Anekajatbhujonga stands out as appearing quite plain in outline, as it does not have a figurehead, but a simple yet graceful prow. Closer inspection, however, dispels this impression of simplicity. The barge is in fact covered with an intricate pattern of innumerable naga figures.

Size - 116 x 30.4 mm

Disclaimer - Information about the stamp issues on this page has been taken from the net and are for informational purposes only. No copyright claim is made for the above mentioned information/pictures.