USPS's First Thermochromic Ink stamp

USPS's First Thermochromic Ink stamp

USPS's First Thermochromic Ink stamp was released on June 20th, 2017 to commemorate the August 21st Total Eclipse of the Sun.  The stamp has a black circle in the middle, when it is exposed to light/heat the image of the moon will appear.  Thermochromic inks are vulnerable to UV light and should be kept out of direct sunlight as much as possible to preserve this special effect.  Since the stamps on the cover are traveling a long way, they are exposed to sunlight and obviously they lose their special feature.  In order to preserve the Mint stamps, USPS is providing some special envelopes at an extra cost.

Thanks a lot Arakan, USA for sending these stamps on the cover.

27th June : Dublin Fire Brigade Anniversary

On 27th June, 2012  An Post has issued four 55c stamps to commemorate 150th Anniversary of  Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB).   The four stamps effectively portrayed the role of fire fighters in Premises, on Chemical fire spot, Road accidents and in Water rescue.  Nearly one million Irish people feel safe due to the fully trained paramedic fire fighters of Dublin.

Every year 27th June is celebrated as DFB  Anniversary Day.

I am very thankful to Mr. John of UK for this wonderful set of stamps.

Peter Paul Rubens: Baroque Painter

Sir Peter Paul Rubens was a Flemish(Flemish is a Dutch language and one of the official language of Belgium) Artist born on 28th June 1577 in North Rhine Westphalia,Germany. .  He is widely known for his portraits, landscapes, and history paintings of mythological subjects done in Baroque style. In addition to that Rubens ran a large studio in Antwerp  which produced paintings popular with art collectors throughout Europe. He died at the age of 63. 

Other well known Baroque painters of that period include Rembrandt and Poussin. Baroque paintings can be identified by its Chiaroscuro use of light effects 

On the occasion of his 400th Birth Anniversary India Post has issued his Self Portrait in 4th of April, 1978.

Michelangelo: Paintings

India Post has issued a stamp on Michelangelo's picture which is decorating the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel in Rome.  It was issued in 28th June 1975 and it is the second Se-tenant stamp from India Post.

We all know that Michelangelo di Lodovico Bonarroti Simone, is an Italian artist. But he is also a famous sculptor, architect, poet and engineer.  He was born  on 6th March 1475 and died on 18th February 1564.  "Pieta and David" stands as a testimony to his sculpture talent which he carved at the age of 29.

The western end of the St. Peter's Basilica shows his architectural and engineering skills.  During his lifetime, two biographies were published.  No wonder people called him Divino means "the divine one".

The above stamp depicts the creation of Adam at Sistine Chapel.

15th June: Global Wind Day

15th June is observed as Global Wind Energy Day. Wind Energy Day was first observed by the EWEA (European Wind Energy Association) in the year 2007,But in the year 2009 when the GWEC ( Global Wind Energy Council ) joined hands with EWEA ,Wind Energy Day was observed globally as Global Wind Energy Day.This occasion is used to spread awareness on Wind Energy.

Wind Energy is the energy generated by wind mills,turbines etc with the help of wind. National wind energy associations and companies organise various events in different parts of the world.

The below stamp was issued in the year 2004 in India for the occasion of Wind Energy:Renewable Energy Day.