Odd World - Belarus

My Belarusian collection of Odd/Unique stamps

Hologram stamp

                                                              Belarus Oval shaped space stamps

Red foil stamps

2018 - Christmas and Happy New year greetings stamps

Cold Foil Stamp - Spain

To commemorate 35th Anniversary of the Constitutional court, Spain Post has issued a single stamp Miniature sheet on 23rd July 2015.  The uniqueness of this Miniature sheet is the cold foil printing technique. I have many hot foil stamps, but this is first one for cold foil.  (It seems recently Liechtenstein issued three cold foil stamps under 'Princely treasure' theme - I don't have them yet).

Brief look at Cold foil and Hot foil techniques:

In cold foil technique, gum is applied to the area where foil has to be placed and then the foil is pressed with the help of UV light.  Then colour is applied on the paper and foil through ordinary printing. Since the technique is very simple, the cost is less. Cold foil technique is preferred when large area needs foiling or when precision is needed. 

Whereas in Hot foil technique the design block (mould-like) has to be made and the foil is pressed on the paper with the help of this block. The colour is restricted to the colour of the foils available. Embossing can be done along with foil pressing.  It is not recommended for tiny area.  The block making and special printing make this technique costly.

Rio Olympics Miniature sheet : India

This year the world's largest sport event, The Olympic games, is happening in Rio de Janeiro.

The unique aspect of the event is that it is "Going go Green".   As an environment enthusiast I like this unique idea.  The 207 contingents were presented with saplings and a cartridge of soil.  These saplings will be planted to make an athlete forest.

Another innovative idea of this year Olympics is the introduction of refugee team.

India Post issued a set of 4 stamps to commemorate the Rio Olympics.

Did you know that Rio "was" the capital city of Brazil? Brazilia is the current capital.

Badminton, Shooting, Wrestling and Boxing are the events where India has strong contenders for medals.

Permanent Pictorial Cancellation: Chennai Philately Bureau

The second movie theatre and the first electric theatre in Chennai (erstwhile Madras) was established in 1900 by Warwick Major and Reginald Eyre.  It started its operation by 1913.  Sadly it served as a theatre for a brief period of 2 years.  In 1915, the government acquired this place and the Head Post Office started working from this building. Even today it is standing tall and serving as a Philatelic Bureau since 1998.  India Post has introduced Permanent Pictorial Cancellation on 31st March 1998 depicting the front view of the historic building.  Historic building and age-old hobby, nice combination.

Want list: Lithuania

Lithuanian Stamps and Miniature sheets - Want list.

     


Miniature sheet of the below stamp:

     

Great Canadian Goalies Playing Card like Stamps: Canada

Canada Post had issued 6 stamps on Canadian Ice Hockey Goalies who had made a huge difference to the game.  This Playing card size sturdy stamps is a perfect way to honor the legendary goal keepers of Ice hockey. Each card stamp carries the picture of a Goalie in action and the top right corner of the stamps bear the logo of the main club the goalies are playing for.

The stamps show the following legendary goalies:

Bernie Parent ( represented Philadelphia Flyers )

Johnny Bower ( represented Toronto Maple Leafs )

Gump Worsely ( represented  Montreal Canadians )

Tony Esposito ( represented Chicago Blackhawks )

Martin Brodeur ( represented New Jersey Devils ) 

Ken Dryden  ( represented  Montreal Canadians )

Statistics and Highlights of the players are printed on the reverse side of the sheet (backing paper). I was keen on keeping the stamps with these stats. Mark from Canada kindly agreed to my request and sent this Goalies set for my Odd and Unique stamps collection.  Thanks Mark.

Sometime in 2014, Canada Post had honored defense personnel through stamps.  I am looking for them to add to this collection.  If anybody has the excess set and I am willing to swap with Indian Stamps. Please contact me.

Apple Shaped stamp: Armenia

The World Stamp Show was held in New York from May 28th to June 4th, 2016. There were around 50 countries and more than 100 philatelic association participated in this event.  To commemorate this event many countries issued stamps, Special covers and Souvenirs.  Armenia's HAYPOST participated in this event and issued two souvenir  sheets, one for the New York stamp show and the other one for the Rio Olympics.  New York is fondly called as the Big Apple. HAYPOST aptly issued an apple shaped stamp.  Recently I got this nice looking Miniature sheet from Danny Meng from America.  Thanks Danny for the Souvenir sheet, nice addition to my Odd and Unusual stamp collection.

Reverse of the Souvenir sheet,