34th Racing Pigeon Olympiad, Budapest

 

Magyar Posta commemorated  the 34th racing pigeon Olympiad organized in Budapest between 15–18 January 2015 by issuing a commemorative stamp block and a set with two denominations. The issue was released on the 16^th of January.

On one of the denominations of the numbered block containing two stamp designs of the same size but of different orientation, a former Olympic champion racing pigeon of Hungarian breed named Jr Villám(Lightening Jr) can be seen, while on the other stamp design a moment of a pigeon toss is captured, and this scene extends into the frame design of the block.

On the denominations of the set former Olympic champion pigeons of Hungarian breed can be seen, as well as a famous sight of Budapest. On the stamp design of a face value of HUF 115 First Lady and Heroes’ Square, while on the HUF 145 denomination Mr Villám and a part of the Fishermen’s Bastion can be seen. On the edge of the sheets containing 50 stamp designs, at the top and at the bottom, the logo of the 34th Racing Pigeon Olympiad is repeated.

The Hungarian Racing Pigeon Sports Federation of a history of more than 130 years is organizing the 34th Racing Pigeon Olympiad. The last time this prestigious event was held in Hungary was in 1975, so after 40 years the world’s pigeon breeders gathered in Hungary again. The Racing Pigeon Olympiad is also an exhibition and fair, in the scope of which professional programmes and conferences are organised, and it offers points of interest to the general public too. Delegates from 50 countries attended the Olympiad. Racing pigeon breeding is a worldwide sport and hobby.

My Recent Covers

Just received these covers with pictorial cancellations on wildlife from Germany. Many Thanks to Mr Wolfgang Beyer for these nice covers.

 

 

Club News

 

Stamps Today  (September - October 2014 issue )  edited and published  by Mr Vijay Seth has been released.Annual Subscription Rs 250.00 (including postage in India).  Contact email : stampstodayindia@gmail.com

 

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2015 - The Year of Sheep

 

New Zealand Post issued a set of new stamps.This stamp release consists of four items that are dedicated to the 2015 Year of the Sheep. These stamps represent the multicultural nature of New Zealand. This is shown on these stamps through Chinese calligraphy, paper-cutting and line art illustration against backgrounds that represent New Zealand as ‘the land of the long white cloud’.

80c – Pictogram

Many modern day Chinese characters are derived from pictograms – stylised drawings of the object they represent. The pictogram on this stamp is the Chinese character for ‘sheep’, conveying both the appearance and attributes of a sheep.

$1.40 – Paper-cut Sheep

In China, paper-cuts are used extensively as home decorations and can be affixed to practically anything, from walls to mirrors and even lanterns to bring good luck. This stamp shows a paper-cut design of a sheep, decorated in traditional Chinese patterns of beauty and tranquility.

$2.00 – Sheep in New Zealand

Sheep remain an important part of the New Zealand economy, with approximately seven sheep to every person living in New Zealand. This stamp illustrates the tranquil setting of New Zealand’s pastures, perfect for rearing sheep.

$2.50 – Church of the Good Shepherd

The Church of the Good Shepherd was the first church built in the South Island’s Mackenzie Basin in 1935 and sits next to the stunning Lake Tekapo. The stamp shows an illustration of the church with a Chinese kite and long white cloud, reflecting the multicultural nature of New Zealand.

Club News

Journal of The Army Philatelic Society

The latest issue of TAPS journal edited by Col Jayanta Dutta (e-mail :  doctorjayanta2009@gmail.com  ) and Dr Anjali Dutta has been released. This issue has very informative articles on Origin of Metermarks, British Architecture in India, Modern Philately Guidelines.

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Christmas 2014 stamps from Sweden

 

Date of Issue : 13 November 2014

Here are new stamps issued by Swedish Post for this year’s Christmas. The stamps are so beautiful and tempting featuring a  variety of Christmas sweets. This set of stamps is one of the most beautiful sets issued on Christmas this year. The other philatelic items issued with this set are magnificent and have been shown below.

Popular sweets on the Christmas table and the Christmas tree 

“The ‘lussebulle’ is a bun that, as everyone knows, gets its yellow color from saffron. As far back as the Middle Ages this expensive spice was popular among the aristocracy. It was first used in a Swedish cookbook in the 1700s, but it was not until the end of the 1800s when so many of the Christmas traditions were established in our country that buns and other baked goods with the yellow coloring became common in Swedish kitchens and were linked in particular to Christ-mas,” says Lena Kättström Höök.

Spiking oranges with aromatic cloves is a relatively late tradition. The combination of the clove and orange scents was considered to be refreshing and pleasant.

“The Christmas apple, which was picked and kept fresh by wrapping it in a newspaper, is an early tradition. In the first record of a Swedish Christmas tree from the mid-18th century, Christmas apples, among other decorations, hung from the tree branches.”

Marzipan was also found on the holiday tables of the elite in the 17th century. Marzipan figures often depicted people in fine clothing; the marzipan pig came much later. Sugar used to be expensive, and marzipan, like saffron, was a status symbol.

Stamp Booklet

“Gingerbread cookies, which are spiced with ginger, cinnamon and cardamom, could be bought in the large cities as early as during the 16th century and were at that time viewed as a luxury. They were baked in the monasteries during the Middle Ages and were considered to be a cure-all remedy. Gingerbread houses were first mentioned in Sweden in 1883. The story about Hansel and Gretel by Brothers Grimm was mostly like the source,” says Lena Kättström Höök.

Originally, mulled wine was used as a medicine and drunk throughout the year to promote good health. Toward the end of the 19th century, mulled wine started to become a common Christmas drink in our country. 

 

 

Sheetlet

Maximum cards

Club News

July-August 2014 issue of Stamps Today edited and published by Mr Vijay Seth by has been released. To get the copy of this issue, Please contact : Mr Vijay Seth email : stampstodayindia@gmail.com

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Hindi Day

 

Hindi Diwas

14 September - Hindi Day

September 14th, is celebrated as Hindi Day because on this day in 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India had adopted Hindi written in Devnagari script as the Official Language of the Union. Hindi Diwas is celebrated all through the India to show the importance of Hindi language in the country. The Hindi language in India has a long history, and it is the language spoken as a mother tongue by around 258 million people, and known as the 5th largest language of the world.

 

Club News

Acknowledgement

Recent issue of TAPS Journal (Chief Editor – Col Jayanta Dutta email : doctorjayanta2009@gmail.com  )  features articles on revenue stamps and disinfected Mail with other other interesting information about stamps. There is an Informative article “ Bank Notes and Stamps Know your Paper” for Stamp and Bank Note collectors.

From our Readers …

Mr Ashok Tiwari philatelist from Jamshedpur recently  displayed his exhibit of Himalayan Expedition in Poland. It was displayed as slide show .

 

 

 

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