Centenary of discovery of Insulin - Brazil's 1st 2D barcode stamp

For the centenary of the discovery of Insulin, the Brazilian post has issued a stamp on 27th July 2021. This is the first Brazilian postage stamp with a 2D barcode.  Each stamp has an alphanumeric code, comprised of five letters and four numbers, sequentially generated. Mine is "AAABG7019".  It had a print run of 200,000 stamps. At the time of writing this, Brazil issued another QR code stamp on 8th October for the 100th anniversary of the birth of Oscar Dias Correa.

No Face Value was mentioned on the stamp, but it is meant for 1st class rate for domestic mail and sold at Brazilian Real 2.05 on the day of issue.  Perforation is also special like a few other recent stamps, it was cut to shape with “BR” on both sides.  The Postcrossing stamp also has the BR perforation at the top and at the bottom.

Nice addition to my Odd and Unusual stamp collection.

Permanent Pictorial Cancellation : Rock Fort temple, Trichy

Recently I got a chance to visit Tiruchirappalli (aka. Trichy).  It is situated on the bank of the river Cauvery in the southern state of India, Tamil Nadu.  This city was part of several wars in ancient times and the important Carnatic war between the British and the French as it helped British to spread their dominance in southern parts. 

The "Rock Fort" is the pride of Tiruchirappalli. The Fort on a 272 feet high rock was first built by the Vijayanagar Empire and subsequently renovated by the British.  There are two rock-carved temples inside the hillock, the "Uchi Pillayar temple" ("Uchi" means top, "Pillayar" is the Hindu Elephant God) and the "Thayumanavar temple" ( “Thai” means mother and “anavar” means like a mother).  

The temples were constructed by Mahendra Varma.   While hiking the steps one will come across “Thayumanavar Shiva temple” first, people worship the Thayumanavar for normal and safe delivery.  Those who want to achieve their accomplishments visit the hilltop temple deity Pillayar. 

No wonder the Tamil Nadu circle came up with the permanent pictorial cancellation of this historic and religious significant fort.  It was first introduced on 17th December 1974. Then the cancellation of the rock fort was inside a square.  Another one was introduced in 1981 has the rock fort inside a circle cancellation. 

Those visiting Trichy and wish to get the cancellation, please visit the Trichy Philatelic Bureau, situated inside the Head Post office.  When I was visiting, I met postal assistant Mr. K. Mahendran, who is very kind and helpful.  He can be reached out at his number +91 9940743901. 

Those who are far off and won’t get the opportunity to visit this place -but would like to have the cancellation- please email tiruchirappalliHO@indiapost.gov.in to get the details or alternatively write to,

 

The Senior Postmaster 
Trichy Philatelic Bureau 
Trichy HO, Trichy 
Tamil Nadu - 620001 

Around the world Halloween

 Around the world Halloween

Have you been told that Halloween originated in the US and is it all about chocolates (as treat)?  As Halloween is the second-largest commercial holiday in the US, we might all think so. But, It's Really not.  

The history of Halloween dates back to the Celtic festival of Samhain, marking the end of the summer and the beginning of the dark winter. The Celts, who lived many years ago in the areas now called Ireland, the UK, and northern France, believed that the dead returned to earth on Samhain. So, to pay homage to the dead, people gathered to light bonfires, offer sacrifices to God, dress up in costumes and leave foods on tables outside to satiate the spirits.  The costumes are made from animal skins, as they believe it will ward off all unwanted visitors.  As time passed, people modified the festival and started dressing up as ghosts, demons, and other creatures to perform antics in exchange for money, food, and drink. 

In Scotland, young people participated in a similar tradition called Guising - where they dressed up in costumes to go around the neighbourhood singing or performing tricks in exchange for offerings like fruits, nuts, or coins.

As pumpkin is harvested during this period and it is easy to carve, they used pumpkin for Jack-o-lantern.

During the second half of the 19th Century, America was flooded with new immigrants, especially the Irish after the Irish Potato famine. Their customs meshed with American Indians and a new version of Halloween emerged. But Halloween got its popularity in the U.S only after it was depicted in 1951, the Peanuts comic strip and 1952 Disney's cartoon "Trick or Treat" - featuring Donald Duck and his nephews. 

In India, Bengalis celebrate this as Bhoot Chaturdashi, a day before  Kali Puja.  Bhoot Chaturdashi is also about warding off evil spirits. On this day people light 14 lamps around the house, especially in the dark corners, to chase the (if you believe) dark spirits away. Many also believe that the number of lamps represents the 14 forefathers. 

In all these customs, people believe that the 'gateway' between the dead and the living opens and the dead descend to the earth on this day.

More than anything, all these festivities ward off evil spirits.

US National Wildlife Day : September 4th

In September of 2006, Steve Irwin, fondly known as “The Crocodile Hunter”, died in an encounter with a stingray 

Steve Irwin was an expert on animals and spent much of his career working to bring attention to endangered species and aid conservation.   Every day, we are losing some species.  Because of human behavior, many species are extinct.  Steve was the voice for these voiceless creatures. And his amazing videos with different animals drew attention to their plight and changed our perception towards wild species.

Colleen Paige, the Pet Lifestyle Expert, and author founded US National Wildlife Day in Irwin's honor.  Since 2006  September 4th is remembered as a US National Wildlife Day.

If we don’t start taking care of wildlife now, we’re going to lose them. Once an animal has gone extinct, they’re lost forever to future generations, it’s our responsibility not to let that happen.

August 12th : US Vinyl Record Day

 August 12th: US National Vinyl Record Day

Vinyl records are also known as gramophone records and phonograph records. This is an analog sound storage medium in the form of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove.

In the beginning, until about 1960, records were made of shellac, a thicker, more brittle material.  However, polyvinyl chloride became the most popular choice throughout the ‘40s, and this is how the name 'vinyl record' came about, it did not really matter what material was used. 

In 2002, Music enthusiast and founder of the first nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of the cultural influence of vinyl, Gary Freiberg of California created National Vinyl Record Day. He chose August 12th to commemorate the day because on this day the phonograph was invented by Thomas Edison in 1877. Though back in 1857 itself the phonautograph was patented by Leon Scott, this was not for the intention of playing them back at the time but for visual analysis. Just in 2008 that phonautograms of speech and singing that were made by Scott in the 1860s were played back as sound! 

On Vinyl Record Day, Gary encourages everyone to remember the good things in life and to look back on fond memories, especially vinyl records.  Even though the first record was made in the 1800s, records are still being created today!  More vinyl records were sold than CDs in 2020.  

On 4th September 2014 Swiss Post issued the below Record Stamp. There is a hole in the center of the round stamp so that it can be placed on the record player to play the brass version of the Swiss National Anthem.

World Calligraphy Day

 World Calligraphy Day

Since the year 2017, the second Wednesday of August is celebrated as World Calligraphy day.  Calligraphy is an art,  where art meets handwriting.  It has been around since ancient times and has had a vast impact on history and culture all around the world.  Different civilizations have different styles inspired by their cultures because it is the combination of visual art with writing.

Today, in the modern world, it is used in many design concepts for advertising and promoting, and it is easy to do because of the advanced technology we have today.

In 2017, The Pen Museum and the Manuscript Pen Company have taken the initiative to create a World Calligraphy day to popularise this art and the rich history attached to this art.  The Pen Museum is a museum dedicated to teaching the art of calligraphy and the Manuscript Pen Company being an art retailer specializing in calligraphy products.

Let the creativity of writing flow through this art.

Below fan-shaped MS was issued by Taiwan Post on 13th January 2016 on the theme Calligraphy and Paintings.

The above Taiwan Miniature sheet depicts a 7 character regulated verse written by Wen Zhengming.  To attract and highlight their culture to the modern generation, these scripts are printed on bamboo strips and the stamp is in the form of a fan.  

The 7 characters regulated verse reminds me of our Thirukurral written by Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar.  All 1330 couplets (Kurals) have 7 words, 4 in the first line and 3 in the second line. 

August 10th : World Lion Day

August 10th: World Lion Day

World Lion Day is celebrated every year on August 10th since 2013.  The King of the jungle, being the largest species on earth, really struggling for its survival.  These majestic cats that symbolise courage, ferocity, and power are threatened by extensive habitat loss. There has been a decline in 80% of the population of lions in the past 100 years. 

The King of the jungle actually lives in grasslands and plains.  They were once found throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe.  But their numbers dwindled over the years.  Currently, they just exist in over 25 African countries and 1 Asian country.  The last remaining population of the Asiatic Lions can be found in Gujarat's Gir National Park.  The top member of Asia's Big 5, now only seen in India.

In 2013, National Geographic, Dereck, and Beverly Joubert founded the Big Cat Initiative in 2009 and created World Lion Day in 2013. The majestic species standing as a symbol of many countries and kingdoms, now in the mercy of humans.  Let's protect these wild cats in their natural habitat.

The below stamp was issued by India Post in the year 2015

August 6th: Bolivia's Independence Day

 August 6th: Bolivia's Independence Day

August 6th is Bolivia's Independence Day.  Bolivia came under Spanish colonial rule in the middle of the sixteenth century and was known as Charcas. On May 25th, 1809, the Chuquisaca (modern-day Sucre) Revolution was the first popular uprising in Latin America and is known in Bolivia as 'Primer grito libertario' (the first shout of freedom). This led to the Bolivian War of Independence which lasted for 16 years from 1809 to 1825.  Eventually, the Colonial forces were defeated and Bolivian independence was proclaimed on August 6th, 1825.

To honour the role of the Venezuelan resistance leader Simón Bolívar in leading the fight for independence, Charcas was renamed Bolivia. Interestingly it is said that when deciding what path Charcas should take after independence from Spain, Bolívar favoured a union with Peru and that naming Bolivia after him was a way to get him to accept creating a newly independent country.

The interesting thing about Bolivia is, till recently (till 2021), Bolivia got the world's highest road at 18,953ft.  The Border Roads Organisation of the Indian Government has broken the record by constructing the world's highest road in eastern Ladakh at an altitude of 19,300 feet. 

Below the Bolivian flag stamp was issued for the 100th National flag anniversary on 5th November 1951.

5th August : Independence day of Upper Volta

 5th August: Independence day of Upper Volta / Burkina Faso

Upper Volta, now called  Burkina Faso got its full independence from French rule on August 5th, 1960. Maurice Yameogo became the country's first president.

With its inland location within Western Africa, the region did not attract colonial attention until the late nineteenth century. The French army officer Louis-Gustave Binger visited the Morho Naba in 1888. France started obtaining a protectorate over the region from 1895 and by 1898, the kingdoms that now make up the majority of the region corresponding to modern-day Burkina Faso had become a French protectorate.

In 1919, the colony of Upper Volta was established. It was dismantled and reconstituted several times. The present borders were recognized in 1947 when it was becoming an overseas territory of the French Union. On 11 December 1958, The Republic of Upper Volta became a self-governing autonomous republic within the French Community.  Independence was proclaimed on August 5, 1960.

In 1984, Upper Volta was renamed Burkina Faso, which means "Land of Incorruptible People." by Sankara, whose government was responsible for several concrete achievements.

Issued on 25th July 1969

Airmail stamp - Apollo 8 - First manned moon flight 

Europe's Big 5

Europe's Big 5

Most of us have heard about "Africa's Big 5" - The elephant, lion, leopard,  buffalo, and rhinoceros. The term big five was first coined by hunters in Africa referring to the most difficult animals to hunt.  

And many might know, Asia's big 5 too.  They are Asiatic Lion, Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Clouded Leopard, and Snow Leopard.

Many people in Europe are not aware of the fact that the continent is home to equally impressive.  The term "Europe's Big 5" originated in 2014 in a Belgian television program 'Dieren in nesten' , in which the directors went in search of the European counterparts of the African Big 5.  It was aired between 11th January to 8th February 2014 on Een Belgian Channel.

They were chosen the European bison, the wolf, the brown bear, the wolverine, and the lynx as "European Big 5" after traveling to the wildest and most remote parts of the continent and judged on appearance, importance, rareness, behavior, and emotions they triggered.  

You can admire all five of them at the Caves of Han animal park. This animal park celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017.  To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Hans Cave, Belgium post issued a miniature sheet with Europa's big 5 animal stamps with Bear shape cut at the top.

Krugerrand - The oldest bullion coin

Krugerrand is the oldest bullion coin. South Africa topped world gold production by the late 1960s. The Krugerrand was first minted by the South African Mint on 3rd July 1967, at a time when the price of the noble metal was very high. It deviates from the contemporary design of bullion coins.  At that time, the concept of minting a coin with the weight of an investment unit (say, “one ounce”) was new and innovative. It provided small investors who could not afford to purchase the standard 12.44-kilogram gold ingots, an opportunity to purchase small units of gold.  

The Krugerrand coin was initially referred to as a “Trojan” in reference to one Troy ounce (oz) of gold content. The public was then invited to suggest a new name for the one-ounce coin, and Mr. Maré came up with the name Krugerrand, combining President Paul Kruger, and the name of the newly introduced currency rand(introduced in 1961).

Since 1967, the Krugerrand has been South Africa’s legal tender and serves mostly as a tax-free investment, its price determined on the global market with the price of gold fixed on a daily basis. No one had anticipated the runaway success of the Krugerrand gold bullion coin. More than 50 million pieces have been sold in just five decades

The Krugerrand was the first investment coin on sale in Germany and worldwide. It was going strong till 1986.  In 1986, due to the lasting apartheid policy in South Africa, the European Community and the USA boycotted South African products and imposed an import ban of the Krugerrand. This led to the complete crash of the Krugerrand market. Slowly other coins like Gold Maple Leafs, Chinese Pandas, American Gold Eagles started to emerge.

From 1986-1999, the Krugerrand became a Collector’s item only and lost its bullion market, hence its mintages were reduced to a minimum. In 1999, the import ban was lifted on the Krugerrand and the Krugerrand slowly started regaining its popularity in 2000, however, it could not regain its sole monopoly.

In 2017, Krugerrand turned 50. Sapo (South African Post) issued a set of 3 stamps to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Krugerrand, the oldest bullion coin to be minted.  The 3 stamps depict the development of the Krugerrand in three stages - 1967 (1st minted), 2000(rise after a fall), and 2017 (50th anniversary). The coin designs are relief embossed onto gold foiling.  The stamp depicted the Springbok antelope, which is the heraldic/national animal of South Africa.

20th July - World Chess Day

Today, 20th of July is "International Chess Day".  Chess is one of the oldest games in the world.  It helps to develop skills like tactics, strategy, and visual memory.  Like any other thing, Chess has also evolved a lot over the period of time.

Chess was invented in Northern Indian Subcontinent during the Gupta period (319 – 543 CE).  It is called "Chaturanga".  Chaturanga means '4 divisions', as it was played by 4 people.  In modern chess, the 4 divisions refer to the 4 main pieces and their moves (infantry(Pawns), cavalry (knight), elephantry(bishop), and chariot (rook) other than, king and queen) and it has become a 2 player game.

An ambassador from the Indian subcontinent visited king Khosrow(531-579 CE) and gifted him a Chaturanga game. From there it started to spread slowly around the world.  Today, there exist over 1000 variants of the game.

On July 20, 1924, at the eighth summer Olympic Games in Paris, France, FIDE (World Chess Federation) was founded.   FIDE started celebrating this founding day as "International Chess Day" in 1966.  On 12th December 2019, when UN General Assembly unanimously proclaimed the founding day of FIDE as a world chess day, it got more popularity.

Below stamps are issued by, Hungary and Mongolia respectively.

E. Lasker depicted in Mongolian stamp was a German Chess player who won the World Chess Champion for 27 years, from 1894 to 1921.

18th July - Nelson Mandela International Day

A great man once said, " Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world ".  This renowned person who is a great revolutionary, philanthropist, politician, and who has dedicated himself to contributing to world peace, human rights, and freedom is none other than Nelson Mandela. On the 18th of July, Mandela's birthday is celebrated worldwide as Nelson Mandela International Day to spread awareness on global peace and the need to take up responsibilities to make the world a better place to live in. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (born on 18th July 1918)  served as the President of South Africa and also devoted his life to the service of humanity and philanthropy.

Nelson Mandela honoured by Bharat Ratna - India's highest civilian award in 1990 and Nobel Peace prize in 1993.

The above stamp was issued by India Post in the year 2018 to mark the birth centenary of Nelson Mandela as a part of the India - South Africa Joint Issue.

The above MS was issued by SA Post on 11th February 2014.  First Mandela stamp after his death and exactly 24 years after his release from the Victor Vester, Cape Town prison.

17th July - World Emoji Day

World Emoji Day

World Emoji Day is celebrated annually on 17th July, since 2014.

July 17th, 2002 was the day Apple unveiled its iCal App at Macworld 2002.  This iOS mobile operating system calendar emoji is a daily flip calendar.  It is depicted as a page torn off from a daily desk calendar displaying month in a red and blue header and day on a white square page.  It is set for July 17th, the App's birthday. So  Jeremy Burge, founder of Emojipedia choose 17th as World Emoji Day.

The below Emoji stamps issued by Switzerland on 7th September 2017, depicts emojis.

Permanent Pictorial Cancellation: Temples of AP

Temples of Andra Pradesh

Permanent Pictorial Cancellation

Below beautiful Permanent Pictorial Cancellation - cards are issued by Andhra Pradesh Postal Circle, Department of Posts of India

These 7 cards picture side depict the 7 respective temples

16th July : World Snake Day

World Snake Day

Are you afraid of snakes?  Do you perceive snakes as evil?  Then you should read this article, especially today, July 16th, on World Snake day.

Historical references of Snakes date back to the 6th day Adam and Eve came to earth.  A snake tempted Eve into eating the forbidden fruit.

Even Hindu mythology mentions snakes in many places.  In fact, Hindus worship them, and one can see temples dedicated to snakes, and snake idols in temples are very common. Vishnu, one of the trinity of Hindu mythology sleeps on a snake, and Krishna, the reincarnation of Vishnu, defeated a snake and saved the people.  The snake stories are aplenty in Chinese, Greek, Latin, Egyptian mythologies, and folklores too, but sadly they are mostly depicted as evil.

There are more than 3,500 species of snakes around the world. Only around 600 species are venomous species and 200 species pose a considerable risk to human life. Therefore, snakes are not as worrying or scary as we think they are. 

These diverse creatures range from a few inches to 30 feet long, and from friendly and docile to aggressive and deadly.  Snakes are highly effective predators and play a vital role in maintaining the balance of nature.

Though the origin of World snake day is not very clear, by coincidence during the period of July 15th to August, 15th, in India ladies go to anthills to pour milk for the snakes as part of a ritual. The species which is here since the earth was born, surely deserve one. 

Below snake stamp issued in 2021 by Belgium post as part of Europa stamps - "Endangered National wildlife"

Below snake stamp which is part of Endangered species was issued by Cannada Post in 2006

Permanent Pictorial Cancellations of India (PPC) Collection

 Permanent Pictorial Cancellations of India (PPC)

Andhra Pradesh

Chandigarh

Chandigarh GPO

Himachal Pradesh

Hidimba temple

Karnataka

Badami

Belur

St. Mary's Island

Udupi

 Jammu and Kashmir

Floating Postoffice

Odisha

Puri Jagannath temple

Konark Sun temple

Pondicherry

Aayi Mandapam

Tamil Nadu

Chennai - PB

Hasthampatti

Madurai

Mamallapuram

Mudumalai

Rock Fort Temple, Trichy

Srirangam

Udagamandalam

Joint issue Collection

 Joint issue Collection

Canada India Joint issue

India Canada Joint issue

India France Joint issue

France India Joint issue

Slovenia Austria Joint issue

Austria Slovenia Joint issue

Below address no longer exists, please don't send letters to this address

USA Canada Joint issue

Canada USA Joint issue

Portugal India Joint issue

Portugal India joint issue

India Portugal, Portugal India Joint issue

Slovenia India Joint issue

Belarus India Joint Issue

Belarus India, India Belarus Joint issue

India Singapore, Singapore India Joint issue

India Russia, Russia India joint issue

Belarus Pakistan Joint issue