Winner - Best Youth Exhibit @ TANAPEX-2017

I am proud to say that I have won the Silver medal (the highest eligible in Youth class) and my exhibit was adjudged as the Best Exhibit in Youth category @ TANAPEX-2017. I had some key changes to my exhibit based on feedback from the SIPA Diamond Jubilee exhibition. These included, removing FDCs, improving the narrative, removing stamps that seemed like they were padding etc.

This time also, I got some valuable feedback from the senior members. You can find the entire list of winners here . 

I was asked to deliver a brief acceptance speech at the event. 

A view of the exhibition floor

Evolution of Flight - First Prize Winner!!!

I am happy to announce that I won the First Prize in the Junior Category  (under 18) for my thematic exhibit - "Evolution of Flight" during the recently concluded SIPA Diamond Jubilee National Level Exhibition.

Thanks to timely advice and help from my friends in various philatelic forums, I was able to refine my presentation skills.

If you are interested, I have attached a scanned copy of the exhibit here. Feel free to share any feedback in the comments.

Want List: Australia

 I am looking for the below Miniature sheets.  If you have any of these and would like to swap, Please contact me through my email.  Thanks.

100th Anniversary of first commonweath bank note

2013 Holy dollar and dump

2016 50th Anniversary of Decimal currency

2016 Endangered wild life

+ Any other Fauna Miniature sheets and Evolution of Flights related stamps are also welcome.

Bamboo chips on stamp: Taiwan

Another wonder from Cartor Security Printing.  On 13th January 2016, Taiwan issued a fan shaped Miniature sheet on the theme Calligraphy and Paintings. 

Hand-held fans are still quite popular in the Far-East. These hand held fans are of two types, foldable and unfoldable.  Unfoldable fans are usually made with Palm tree leaves and foldable are made with bamboo strips.These fans are decorated with paintings and poems and indicative of culture and artistic style.

Below Taiwan Miniature sheet depicts a 7 character regulated verse written by Wen Zhengming in running cursive script.  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 character 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. 

Thanks, Yvette Lin for sending this unique awesome miniature sheet for our swap.

Russia - Numismatics on Stamps

Recently, I received a beautiful embossed Miniature sheet from Olga in Russia which combines two of my hobbies; Numismatics and Philately ( Odd and Unusual stamps ).

On January 12th 2016, our friendship started with the introduction of our interests.  Nearly a year has gone, we never discussed or negotiated anything. as we know each others interest and tastes very well.  All our correspondence has always been brief - "I got yours, mine is on the way". 

I am very happy with my hobby, otherwise I won't  have met friends like Olga.

Below you can find two FDCs depicting the history of bicycles and a MS showing a few coins.

Issued to commemorate 150th Anniversary of the Bank of Russia, 2010

It is embossed, the scanner couldn't do the justification to show the embossed effect

 History of Bicycles, Issued in 2008

UN Fauna stamps

Not only is my friend Sarah passionate about Philately, she is helping others to build their collection.  Recently she sent me a nice set of UN fauna stamps for my environment projects and for my sister's Fauna collection.

Thanks Sarah, for the awesome stamps and for the great care you have taken to deliver the stamps in pristine condition.  Your generosity is very much appreciated.

These stamps are issued by UN to create awareness about Endangered species. It is very sad that we are not protecting the gifts of Mother Nature.

In addition to the above Fauna stamps, she surprised me with the below card

Philippines - some Unusual stamps

Recently I have received 3 beautiful MS from Heimer of Philippines for our swap.  They are nice addition to my Odd and Unique stamp collection.  Thanks a lot Heimer.

Year of Goat MS issued in 2015

Currency Note on stamp to commemorate 100th anniversary of Philippine National Bank, issued in 12th June 2016

Traditional Philippines textiles stamp issued to commemorate Heritage Month, May 2014