180 years of Penny Black

180 years of world's First Postage stamp - Penny Black

The Penny Black was the world's first adhesive postage stamp used in a public postal system. It was first issued in the United Kingdom (referred to in philatelic circles as Great Britain), on 1 May 1840, but was not valid for use until 6 May. The stamp features a profile of Queen Victoria.

180th Anniversary of the Penny Black Stamp Sheet

A special stamp sheet issued by Royal Mail today on the 6th May 2020 to mark to the day the 180th anniversary of the first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black. It contains 25 x First Class Penny Black gummed stamps as first issued in 2015.

This special stamp sheet  issued on the 6th May to mark to the day the 180th anniversary of the first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black.

• Contains 25 x First Class Penny Black gummed stamps.
• Printed along the top are the actual dates of the anniversary.
• The instructions that appeared on the original Penny Black sheets are paraphrased on the left hand margin of this sheet.  
• The date on which the sheet was printed is cited on the right hand margin
• The size of the sheet is 121mm x 140mm.

From the Diary of Dehradun….

 

Mystery of Rajpur Kaanch Ghar

- Abhai Mishra

The other day while having a heritage walk at Rajpur, led by Ms. Reenu Paul under the aegis of 'Been There Doon That?' we visited the Christian Retreat and Study Centre (CRSC). It was founded by in 1954 by Reverend James Payne Alter, father of Tom Alter. There is a peepal tree, standing tall and handsome at its entrance planted by Mahatma Gandhi. I was quite intrigued by the old heritage building and wanted to know more about it as I could sense that it was not an ordinary place. I was told that earlier it housed 'Shakti Ashram', founded to inculcate moral values and traditional culture to the youth of this country which was under the British rule that time. I was also told that it was also called 'Kaanch Ghar' or Glass House earlier. After coming home I searched the internet and some very interesting facts came out.

The earlier history of the property is not known but it is said that it belonged to Austrian Glass manufacturer in later half of nineteenth century. Later it was with the Salvation Army. Dr. Keshava Deva Shastri purchased it in around 1920’s as he came to Dehradun in 1919. Sadhu T.L. Vaswani founded the 'Shakti Ashram' in 1926 at Rajpur in co-operation with Pt. Keshava Deva Shastri, MD. Prominent persons like Pt. Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Acharya Kriplani, Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta, Dr. Horwitz visited the Ashram. Mahatma Gandhi during his third visit to Dehardun planted a peepal sapling in the honour of Dr. Shastri on 17 October 1929. In 1941 Dr. Durga Prasad Pandey founded the 'Manava Bharati' Institution. The Manava Bharati school was here from 1942 to 1948. Later it was relocated to ‘Dumbarni' Mussoorie. Christian Retreat & Study Centre purchased it from sister in law of Dr. Shastri in 1954.

Some pieces of the puzzle were already at place, but the mystery of 'Kaanch Ghar' remained. Then one fine day, I stumbled upon a piece of post-card belonging to 'Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway'. It was basically a 'notice of arrival' send to persons by the railway department whose consignment has arrived. Railways came to Dehradun in 1900 and the postcard, dated 18 Aug 1903 was sent to the "Manager, Himalaya Glass Works, Rajpore" asking him to collect his parcel which has arrived from Howrah by remitting amount of Rs. 1/- and 6 annas. I was startled by my discovery. The hobby of philately which I keenly pursue has helped me in unravelling the mystery of 'Kaanch Ghar'. It was basically a glass factory by the name of 'Himalaya Glass Works'. Philately or stamp collecting is a highly educative and informative hobby. It is not just another hobby, because the old letters and covers are small windows through which one can peep into the history and heritage of one's city.

Press Clippings…

Published in Garhwal Post :

2015 - International Year of Light

 

Italian Post issued its special stamp edition celebrating International Year of Light 2015. The issue was released on the 26^th of January. On 20 December 2013, The United Nations (UN) General Assembly 68th Session proclaimed 2015 as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015) .

This International Year has been the initiative of a large consortium of scientific bodies together with UNESCO, and will bring together many different stakeholders including scientific societies and unions, educational institutions, technology platforms, non-profit organizations and private sector partners.

In proclaiming an International Year focusing on the topic of light science and its applications, the United Nations has recognized the importance of raising global awareness about how light-based technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to global challenges in energy, education, agriculture and health.

Light plays a vital role in the daily lives and is an imperative cross-cutting discipline of science in the 21st century. It has revolutionized medicine, opened up international communication via the Internet, and continues to be central to linking cultural, economic and political aspects of the global society.

Club News

Stamp Exhibition at Hazaribagh

A  District level Philatelic Exhibition has been organized at “Gurunanak Palace, Near Government Bus Stand, Hazaribagh” from 06^th  February to 07^th  February 2015.

- Anil K Saxena - Gaya, Bihar

 

A request to the Readers

Philatelic Gems of the Maharajas Maharanis

I am currently working on producing a limited edition 500+ page coffee-table book that will feature what one considers the gems of Indian States Philately (both Convention & Feudatory). Items in the form of stamps, covers and postal stationery (excluding fiscals & revenues) will be represented from each State.

I am reaching out to all the members of our Society to request scans of items you feel should be pictured in the book. Provenance will be duly acknowledged unless one prefers to remain anonymous. We have several ISC members who are collaborating on this project.

 
Please send scans of items you feel should be considered for the book along with a brief write-up (if you have one) describing the item. All submissions must be received by no later than October 31st,  2015.

Please send scans by email or mail them on a CD to my address below.

The target launch date for this book is the 'World Stamp Show-NY 2016" on May 28' 2016.

- Sandeep Jaiswal sc APS UPSS GCS= PO Box 8689 Cranston, RI 02920 USA

Phone: +1 401 888 9473 From UK: 020 3002 3626 email :  sj722@aol.com

 

 

175th Anniversary of the Penny Black and birth of Edward Stanley Gibbons

 

Date of Issue : 17 February 2015

Isle of Man Post Office’s tribute to the 175th Anniversary of the Penny Black, the world’s first adhesive posting stamp used in the public postal system, and the birth of Edward Stanley Gibbons, show the Penny Black, the Penny Red which replaced the Black and the Two Penny Blue alongside William Mulready, Roland Hill and Edward Stanley Gibbons whose portraits are featured on the stamps next to their associated contribution.

Isle of Man Post Office will issue a stamp set  produced in collaboration with Stanley Gibbons marking the 175th Anniversary of the Penny Black, the world’s first adhesive posting stamp used in the public postal system, and the birth of Edward Stanley Gibbons. The issue is due for release on February 17, 2015.

 
Postage rates on the Isle of Man and the rest of the British Isles had risen to a very high level by 1830 and as a result a campaign to reform these was led by Roland Hill with the main aim of lowering the rate to one penny per half ounce. This in addition to introducing a method to signify if a letter had been pre-paid was developed by William Mulready. The first step towards a change in the postal system then occurred on December 5, 1839 when the rate was reduced to four pence. This was a success and the penny rate was introduced January 10, 1840. At first the postage paid or due was written in ink on the letter by the postmaster and then on May 6, 1840 a new method of paying postage was introduced and the famous Penny Black was born, followed by the TwoPenny Blue on May 8, 1840.

A number of devices were incorporated in the designs to prevent forgery including stamps being printed by the recess method, paper specifically made with a small watermark on each stamp, a machine used to make intricate background patterns, and the use of unique corner letters with each stamp on the printing plate of 240 stamps having a different combination of corner letters.

The Penny Black and Two Penny Blue were resounding successes. The 1840 stamps were found to be easily cleaned of the red cancellation and reused and this prompted a colour change to Red for the Penny Black stamp with new stamps issued in 1841.
Six stamps have been produced and include depiction of the Penny Black, the Penny Red which replaced the Black and the Two Penny Blue. In addition, there are three stamps each with a key individual - William Mulready, Roland Hill and Edward Stanley Gibbons whose portraits are featured on the stamps next to their associated contribution.

Edward Stanley Gibbons was born on June 21, 1840, interestingly in the same year that Britain issued the Penny Black. Gibbons interest in stamps began whilst at school and he started the business Stanley Gibbons Ltd when employed as an assistant in his father’s pharmacy shop in Plymouth where he set up a counter selling stamps in 1856.Stanley Gibbons is the world's oldest rare stamp merchant with world-leading experts at the heart of everything it does. It is this adherence to quality that gained Stanley Gibbons the Royal Warrant in 1914. The company continues to serve collectors, philatelists and numismatists all over the world, host auctions and publish highly respected journals.

Dean Shepherd, Editor of Gibbons Stamp Monthly said: “It was fitting that Stanley Gibbons had the opportunity to work with Isle of Man Post Office on this very special issue, which not only marks the 175th Anniversary of the world’s first stamps—and thus the birth of stamp collecting—but also the birth Anniversary of Stanley Gibbons, whose name has been synonymous with the hobby for almost 160 years.”

“As well as what would have been Stanley Gibbons’ 175th birthday, 2015 also marks the 125th Anniversary of Gibbons Stamp Monthly magazine—which I am delighted to see depicted on the £1.20 value.”
“The fact that the stamps have also been designed by Leanne Sherliker of Benham, part of the Stanley Gibbons’ family of companies, makes this issue all the more special in this very important year for Stanley Gibbons and serves as a very attractive tribute to the 175th Anniversary of the Penny Black.”

Maxine Cannon, Stamps and Coins General Manager said: "The stamp issue is important to the Post Office in a number of ways; the launch of the Penny Black marks the birth of the modern British postal system which is now used around the world. The Penny Black, Two Penny Blue and Penny Red are icons of this achievement and even 175 years later are still popularly recognised both for their historical significance and collectors’ value.”

Read More…..

The Lindau Messenger – an ancient courier service

 

Date of Issue : 1 September 2014

The Liechtenstein Post will issue a special stamp on 1st September 2014 to commemorate an ancient courier service “The Lindau Messenger”. The Lindau Messenger was a courier service operated between Lindau at Lake Constance and the Italian city of Milan up to the beginning of the 19th century. The Lindau Messenger transported goods, money and letters, crossing through areas of Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Italy on his way.

Each of the first four countries named is currently issuing its own stamp on this topic. The Liechtenstein stamp “Lindauer Bote” (value: CHF 1.40) shows suitable pictorial elements and gives the names of each stop. In addition, the altitude profile of the route, which reached its peak on Splügen Pass at 2113 metres above sea level, is depicted on the small 8-stamp sheet.

The exact date when the Lindau Messenger started to operate is not documented. However, it is assumed that he was already travelling along the arduous route on a fairly regular basis towards the end of the 15th century. In good weather, he completed the journey in five-and-a-half days but in snow and ice the trip took quite a bit longer.

At that time, Lindau and Milan were trading centres and re-loading points at crossroads of traffic routes. They thus became the points of departure for transports across the Alps. The messenger brought home luxury goods such as silk, gold thread, textiles of all kinds, exotic fruit and weapons.

Towards the end of the 17th and at the beginning of the 18th century, individual travellers were also allowed to accompany the messenger, the most famous of whom was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He used the guidance of the Lindau Messenger across the Alps in May 1788 when returning to Germany from his travels in Italy and paid 122 guilders for it. In 1826 the transport services of the Lindau Messenger were stopped for political and economic reasons.

Club News

Release of NAARM Special Cover and NAARM My Stamp by India Post - 1 July 2014, Hyderabad

 

Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, renowned agricultural scientist, inaugurated the Centenary Batch of the Foundation Course for Agricultural Research Service (FOCARS-100) on 1 July 2014. The Andhra Pradesh Postal Circle issued a Special Cover affixed with the NAARM My Stamp to mark the occasion at the campus of the National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, Hyderabad on 1st July 2014. Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, released the Special Cover on FOCARS-100 and NAARM My Stamp with Smt. Mariamma Thomas, Director Postal Services, Andhra Pradesh Postal Circle and Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Director-General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Ravi Viswanathan, Editor, NAARM who conceptualized the Special Cover facilitated the release. (Special Cover approval no. AP/04/2014)

Watch Video of the Special Cover release ceremony :   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V29T6p1iz78

The National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), Indian Council of Agricultural Research was established in 1976 in Hyderabad with the Mission “To enhance Leadership, Governance and Innovation Capacities of NARS through Capacity Strengthening, Education, Research, Consultancy and Policy Support.

The Foundation Course for Agricultural Research Service (FOCARS) is induction training for newly recruited scientists of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The objectives are to train the participants in various aspects of agricultural research and project management including developing skills for managing interdisciplinary research. The first batch of FOCARS started on 1st Sept. 1976 and till the 99th batch 5,561 scientists were trained.

 

Courtesy - Ravi Viswanathan, Editor, NAARM , Indian Philately Digest

Lighter Side

I wish to share here  some non philatelic pics because it is just related with the Rainbow….. These are   photos of very special rainbow called Fire rainbow taken by a pilot after take off from Bombay airport. I thank Mr Prashant Pandya for sharing these beautiful rainbow pics with me !!

Fire Rainbows are a rare phenomenon that only occurs when the sun is higher than 58 deg above the horizon and it's light passes through cirrus clouds mode of ice crystals.

Festival stamps from Singapore

 

Date of Issue: 25 June 2014

Here are new stamps on Festival theme from Singapore. Singapore’s rich and vibrant multicultural heritage is best reflected in the many colourful festivals celebrated throughout the year. SingPost continues its tradition of issuing the Festivals stamp set with these eight bright and cheerful rendering of the four most important festivals celebrated in Singapore – Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Deepavali and Christmas stamps.

The festivals are featured on two stamps each i.e. the 1st Local (S$0.26) and S$0.55 stamps. The Festivals 2014 stamp issue aims to help add a warm touch to letters and cards sent to friends and family during the festive season. SingPost releases stamps on Singapore festivals every two years, with the last issue in 2012.

My recent Cover

Cover from Germany

Received this  Registered cover from Germany so kindly sent by Mr Wolfgang Beyer. Many thanks to him for this nice cover with pictorial bird cancellation !

 

 

Club News

My Stamp facility at Vadodara Philatelic Bureau, Vadodara H. O.

My Stamp facility has been made available at Vadodara Philatelic Bureau (Vadodara Head Post Office) from 2nd July 2014. A function was organized at Vadodara Head Post Office to inaugurate the My Stamp Facility Counter and launch of My Stamp at Vadodara Philatelic Bureau.

Shri A. Marimutthu, Sr. Postmaster, Vadodara H. O. delivered the welcome speech and informed about the ‘My Stamp’ facility. Smt. Sucheta Joshi, Director Postal Services, Vadodara Region inaugurated My Stamp Facility Counter at Vadodara Philatelic Bureau.

Shri Prashant Pandya, President of Baroda Philatelic Society gave information about the Personalised stamps available in various countries and about the experiments of Personalised Stamps done in Kolkata during 2001 – 2003 at Industrial Fair and Book Fair. In his address Mr. Pandya informed about the history of Vadodara Head Post office.

 

Vadodara Head Post Office is celebrating 80 years of its existence and to mark this celebration first My Stamp was launched with the photo of Vadodara Head Post Office.

 

APPEX 2014  : Vijaywada

Appex - 2014, Andhra Pradesh State Level Philatelic Exhibition at Vijayawada - 24th - 26th July 2014.

Appex-2014, Andhra Pradesh State Level Philatelic Exhibition will be held at Vedika Function Hall, Benz Circle, Vijayawada from 24th to 26th July 2014. The AP Postal Circle is organising the event with the aim of promoting the habit of postal stamp collection among the people.

Shri B. V. Sudhakar, Chief Postmaster General, Andhra Pradesh Postal Circle unveiled the APPEX-2014 logo on 1st July 2014. He said that several philatelists who have been passionately collecting stamps for decades will exhibit their valuable collections in the three-day event. He also flagged off a publicity van ‘Naandi Ratham’ to create awareness about philately among the public and promote the habit. The van depicts colourful paintings by children on themes like environment and girl child safety, among others. Postmasters General Ms. Sandhya Rani (BD), Shri M. Sampath (Vijayawada Region) and Mrs. M. Sharada Sampath (Vishakhapatnam Region) were also present on the occasion.

Courtesy : Indian Philtely Digest

175th anniversary of Penny Black..

 

 

The Special Cover " Celebrating the 175th year of issuance of Penny Black" was released in Bangalore GPO at 4.30 PM today by CPMG Karnataka Circle Mr. Ramanujam. and the first cover was presented to Mr. S.S .Swamy Vice President, Karnataka Philatelic Society.

Noted  philatelist Dr. Sita Bateja gave a talk on Penny Black on the occasion. The Cover and Cancellation are designed by noted philatelist Ramu. Exhibit on Penny Black was also displayed during the function.

 

 

: Suresh Rao  & Jagannath Mani– Bangalore

email : suresh.hobbies@gmail.com

Press Clippings

Dear Friends,

 
Article on philately in local Kannada magazine " Tharanga"

An article in local Kannada magazine, “ Tharanga” written on philately by S Jagannath Prakash of Kannada Chalanachitra Academy almost covered in five pages from penny black to till date for more information please contact at email : chalanachitraacademy@gmail.com 

Another philately article on Indian cinema written by 
Jagannath Prakash  in other local news paper "Vijaya next" on  every Friday almost more than 10 weeks have been covered  and it will be continued........

-Jagannath  Mani : email : jagannathmani7@gmail.com

New Book on stamps

In the modern world postage stamps are as ubiquitous as bank notes. The general public hardly knows about the designing and production of stamps.

A Stamp Is Born aims to fill this void. This is probably one of India’s first authoritative book on stamp designing.

The author, C R Pakrashi describes his first-hand experience with all stages of production of the stamp, right from conception to final execution and printing. He steadfastly focuses on designing which plays the most vital and important role in the entire process.

The book also gives a graphic account of history and evolution of postage stamps in the world in general and in India in particular. Simultaneously he offers a glimpse into the glorious chapters of Indian history.

The book will be of interest not only to philatelists, but also to public at large as well as students and historians

- KAPIL GOGRI - Mumbai. MRP. Rs. 700/-

 

New Blogs on stamps and coins

Here are two new blogs created by distinguished philatelist of Orissa, Mr. Santanu Panigrahi. Special blog on Princess Diana displays various philatelic items issued on Princess Diana. Another blog is on stamps and Coins. These blogs could be visited at links given below. Visitors would definitely like both these blogs.

Princess Diana – Queen of Hearts
http://princessdiana-queenofhearts.blogspot.in/

 

Stamps and Coins

http://stampsandcoins-santanu.blogspot.in/

Penny Black was introduced today….

 

 

 

World’s first postage stamp was  introduced on 6th May 1840.

 

Today is 175th anniversary of the introduction of the Penny Black. 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 that year and features a profile of the Queen Victoria.

All London post offices received official issues of the new stamps but other offices throughout the United Kingdom did not, continuing to accept postage payments in cash only for a period. Post offices such as those in Bath began offering the stamp unofficially after 2 May.

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 travelled.

Special Cover on Penny Black

Karnataka Postal Circle will release a Special Cover to mark 175 years of World's first Stamp 'Penny Black' on 6th May 2014. at Bangalore.
Special talk on Penny Black by well known philatelist Dr. Sita Bhateja is also organised on the occasion. Single Frame Exhibit on Penny Black will be on display at the venue.
Time : 4 pm
Venue : 5th Floor, Meghdhoot Auditorium, GPO,  Bangalore.

Special Cover : Farewell to Telegrams

 

Farewell to Telegrams

Hi !

Here is a very special cover issued in Chennai by South India Philatelists’ Association to commemorate the final day of Telegrams. Conceived and designed by SIPA the cover is very nice and cancelled on 15th July. The design of the cover  features Souvenir Sheet showing five obsolete telegraph stamps . On reverse side illustrations of the old telegrams. It’s a great effort by SIPA to make the event memorable for ever with the issue of this cover. Here is another nice private cover sent by Mr KV Rao of Berhampur Orissa) ‘ Indian Telegram RIP’. One more cover with golden eagle cancellation from Germany. Many Many thanks to all of you for these nice covers !!

 

Thanks to SIPA ( South India Philatelists’ Association  www.sipa.org.in

: South India Philatelists’ Association : email  : sipagold@gmail.com

Indian Telegram RIP 

Thanks to KV Rao, Berhampur (Orissa)

 

Cover from Germany

Cover with  pictorial cancellation issued  on 1st July  t 53113 at Bonn and is featuring a Golden Eagle.

Thanks to  Wolfgang Beyer, Germany

Telegram shared smiles and tears….

 

 

Today is the last day of telegram  I am sharing here views of the Readers.  Dr Avinash Jagtap, a veteran  philatelist remembers on the very last day of telegram service in India, a  special telegram, Shown above sent by his friends on 8 October 1958 . Some more news from the readers..

Dr Jagtap writes from Switzerland…

Today I saw a comparative lengthy coverage given by BBC to the closing of the last Telegraph Services in India after 163 years... I felt as if I have lost a great personality....India was the last country to close down the telegraph services ! I share here a telegram sent by my friends when I passed my B.Pharm Examination from L.M.College of Pharmacy  Ahmedabad in 1957.... as a remembrance of this thankworthy services in India, which connected tears and smiles even with the rural folks of our motherland...

Last Day of Telegram at Lucknow

Telegraph Office at Lucknow GPO

1926 Telegram …with a Sad News

: Sandeep Chaurasia from Lucknow

Film and Telegram

_{I am sharing a story from a film in which Telegram played an important role….}

Simla special….

Simla Special is a Tamil language film starring Kamal Haasan in the lead role. S V Sekhar, Sripriya, Thenga sreenivasan, YGM, Manorama are other major stars appearing in this comedy. The movie was a hit at the box office.

Gopu (Kamal Haasan) is a budding drama artist. He and his good friend, Babu (S Ve Sekhar), own a popular troupe that performs low budget comedies. To help Babu pay for his sister's wedding, they accept a commission to perform a set of plays for Tamilians in Simla. One of the plays is titled "Simla Special" and is written by Mahalakshmi (Sripriya).

While Kamal is in Simla, Babu receives a telegram intended for Gopu informing him of Gopu's mom being seriously ill. Fearing the loss of the money if they renege on the Simla commission, Babu keeps the information from Gopu. Gopu subsequently finds out about his mother's illness when a friend calls to tell him that her situation has worsened. However, for the sake of his friend's sister, he decides to continue acting. He also keeps the information to himself, thinking that if Babu knew, he'd insist that Gopu go back to be by his mother's side.

On the last day of their engagement, Kamal finds the telegram in Babu's coat pocket and realizes his friend's deception. He breaks off his friendship with Babu - but is forced to stay for one last encore before he leaves. While he is performing, Babu receives a call that Gopu's mom has recovered. All is forgiven and the friends reunite.