Herdbook of Estonian Cattle breed : Flocked Effect stamp

On July 19th 2014, Estonia post (Eesti Post) released  a stamp to commemorate the 100 Years of Herdbook of Estonian Cattle Breed.  Since August 1914, Estonian cattle breeders have been recording the origination, appearance and production data of cattle. 

To give a soft smooth texture to the stamp, Cartor Security Printing house used flock technique. You can see the printing action here.

Eda Kraav of Estonia sent this textured stamp on the envelope for our swap. Thanks a lot Eda, another nice addition to my Odd and Unusual stamps.

Odd World- Brazil

My Brazilian collection of Odd and Unique stamps

                                                       

Belarus Azerbaijan Joint issue

On December 3rd 2015 Belarus and Azerbaijan jointly issued a stamp on "Space for IT - Technologies".  The miniature sheet contains 2 oval shaped stamps and they used the technology of Thermal stamping by metalized foil of silver colour. 

One stamp depicts Azerbaijan's telecommunications satellite "Azerspace1" and the other depicts the Space Craft of Belarus "DZZ".  I got this Miniature sheet from Karina Borisevich of Belarus for our swap. Unfortunately, the letters printed with silver colour are looking black in the scan :-(.

Thanks a lot Karina it is a nice addition to both "Flights of Fancy" and "Odd and Unique stamps" themes. 

Ice Crystal : Holographic stamp, Finland

Finland Post(Posti) has issued "Ice Crystal" stamp on 22nd January, 2016. This winter stamp is printed on the holographic foil, to make it reflect different colours of the spectrum at different angles to look like a real ice crystal.  The scanning can't do the justice to the real beauty of this stamp.  Mrs.Katri Viinanen  has kindly used this glow stamp on my cover.  Thanks Katri, Nice addition to my Odd and Unique stamp collection.

Surprise - from Russia!

I received a bunch of stamps from Russia couple of days back. It was kind of a surprise though Alesya aka Lis had been mentioned that she is going to send me few items. Thank You, Lis.

Below is a miniature sheet to commemorate the 2018 FIFA cup to be hosted by Russia in June/July of 2018. If you look closely it shows a silhouette of many hands holding aloft the FIFA trophy. 

Below are few assorted stamps issued by Russia in 2014 to celebrate aviation pioneers and pilots. 

Below Miniature-sheet is to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the St. Petersburg Post Office (issued in 2014). It looks almost like a cancelled post-card. You can see that the 'circular' stamp is contains the image of the seal. In-fact, Russia used to charge by weight until about 150 years - there were no stamps till then! I haven't figured out why it has a French phrase mentioning - "Post office street" on it; Anyone knows?

                                      

Mahamaham, Kumbakonam - Special Cover

Kumbakonam  is situated between two rivers Kavery and Arasalar in the southern part of Tamil Nadu, is famous for its ancient temples and for the Mahamaham Festival.  It was once a capital city of Chozha Empire.

Hindus believe that taking dip at Holy rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna, Mahanathi etc would wash their sins. This was based on one of the mythological incident where once the holy rivers of India went to Brahma, the God of Creation and asked him, "How they can wash their sins while others (the earthly) leave their sins by taking dip in them?". Brahma told the holy rivers to meet near the Kumbakonam tank on the full moon day of Masi month (Tamil Month) to get rid of their (holy river's) sins. This event is referred to as "Mahamaham" and happens once in 11 or 12 years. 

Masi month starts by mid February and retreats by mid March.  Since Hindus believe that all holy rivers meet in Kumbakonam and the idols of all the main deities of Kumbakonam are given a dip at the tank. 

Thus all Hindus like to visit this auspicious  place during the Mahamaham Kumba mela to take a dip. Last time it happened was  in 2004. This year(2016) it happened between February 13 to 22nd. 

To commemorate this occasion India Post released a special cover. I am lucky enough  to get the below cover for my collection.  The cancellation depicts the star Leo and the orbit of the constellation.  Hindus worship all rivers as Goddesses,  so the Women Empowerment stamps fits nicely for expressing the occasion on cover.

Assorted Russian Stamps - Sochi and Aircraft

Today I received another swap materials from Olga.  Thanks for the beautiful FDCs and Miniature sheet from Olga. 

I know that Olga is an avid collector of Elephants on stamps, cards and covers, Now I came to know that her daughter is collecting on Cartoons.  Hope to help both of them to enrich their themes.

The first set of FDCs are in memory of "Alexander S. Yakovlev" who designed many of the Soviet military aircraft.

The Sochi MS stamps are Unusual shape stamps.

Rio Olympics 2016 : Brazil

Rio Olympics, the 31st Summer Olympics is going to be held in Brazil from August 5th to 21st, this year(2016).  To commemorate this event Brazil issued several stamps and Miniature sheets in 2015 including the below two Miniature sheets which  Ms. Jose Paulo sent me for our swap.  It has Braille inscription on it, Nice addition to my Odd and Unusual stamps collection.  

Thanks a lot, Jose Paulo.