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