Semi Postal Stamps - Germany

A semi-postal stamp is a stamp issued to raise money for a charity. Usually it has two values – the postal value (the first printed value) and the additional value for the charity.  The buyer has to pay the combined amount.

The first semi postal stamp was issued by New South Wales (NSW) in 1897 and the surcharge went to fight tuberculosis.  It was issued to mark the diamond jubilee (60 years on the throne) of Queen Victoria and it was inscribed "Consumptives Home".  The denomination is in pennies and sold for shillings.

Many countries issued semi-postal stamps during war periods, disaster times and other situations. Just prior to World War I, semi-postal stamps began to be issued by European countries, and have remained quite prevalent in Europe even today.   One among them is Germany, especially during the Third Reich. During World War II philately was very popular in Germany. The Nazis used this wisely to raise money for the war and for the party.  Even though they were sold at high premium rates, the collectors were willing to pay these high premiums.

The USPS has issued its first semi-postal stamp only in 1998 to raise fund for the Breast cancer research and USPS semi-postal stamps are non denominated one.

India issued a semi-postal stamp for refugee relief in 1971.

The semi postal stamps surcharge is usually less than the half the value of the postal value.  One of the  costliest semi postal stamp is from Falkland islands in which the surcharge and the face values are same ( 1 Pound ).

Below set of semi-postal stamps were issued on 10th April 1980, as part of Aviation History (II) series by Germany to raise money for a Youth Hostel.

Permanent Pictorial Cancellation : Sri Rangam

Sri Rangam is located in between two rivers, Cauvery (Kaveri) and Kollidam (Coleroon) in Tiruchirapalli District (Trichy) in Southern India.  It is famous for Sri Ranganathasamy Temple, a religious place for the Hindus.  Sri Rangam is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (God of Creation).

This is the largest functioning temple in the world  (It covers the area of 631,000 square meters)  whereas Angkor Wat , Cambodia is the largest existing temple in the world (Since Angkor Wat is not functioning).  The Rajagopuram (the main tower) is 72 m tall and it is the tallest temple tower in Asia. 

Like all temples in India this temple also has numerous sculptors and art works and was built in the Dravidian Style of Architecture.

In Sri Rangam the main deity is in the sleeping posture on the snake. The below cover is with permanent pictorial cancellation. India Post has introduced this Srirangam permanent pictorial cancellation on 17/01/1981.

Want List - Slovenia

Unusual/ Odd  Stamps

2015 - Marriage Spoons



2014 -  Greeting Stamp



2013 - Greeting Stamp




Bar code attached and Joint issue MS with Austria.

Aerophilately

2014 - Rescue of Allied Airmen

Joint Issue

2014 - Children's Day - Joint issue with India




International Year of Crystallography - Joint issue with Belgium

Want List - United States

I am looking for the following miniature sheets and stamps for swap:

Holographic stamp

  

Self adhesive as well as information printed on the back of the stamps.

    

 

   

Want List - Ireland

Embossed

2010 Irish Fashion Designers.

        

         

               100th year of Birth of Braille  :  2009                2006 : Guide dogs for Blind 30 th Anv.
                                                    

1999  :   Australia Ireland Joint Issue

Circular Stamp:

2008: International year of Planet earth

Diamond Shape:  2012 Contemporary Arts Dance


       

      

2009 150th Anniversary of Irish Times



Stamp with Texts alone:

2013 Unesco city of world Literature

Extra Big:

2014 Irish citizen Army

                                         Flights of Fancy

2009 : Europa stamps - Astronomy

     

2007 Planets

2003 The 100th Anv. of the First flight of Wright Brothers

     

2000 Military Aircraft (ordinary / self adhesive)

People at Work

2013 Irish Defence Forces

  

   

2013 Europa : Postal Vehicles

          

2012 : 150th Anniversary of Fire Brigade