Simple Guy With The LOVE For Philately

Like always, Uncle Veeraraghavan never once fail to surprise me. This time, besides philatelic materials, uncle has send me very interesting books on Christianity. Again, I don't really know how to thank you. I guess the least I could do is THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

A very beautiful Christian Postmark from Germany issued on 13th April 2008. The postmark depicts Christ Our Lord being crucified on the cross to save us from SIN. Whenever I see this, It makes me sad. Our Lord died for our sins, yet we tend to walk a path far from him. Why is this happening? Is the temptation of the world that great that we can easily forget the scarifies our Lord God has made?



This special cover was issued on 14th November 2008 to commemorate 150 year of CSI Christ Church Trivandrum. Simply lovely and truly another great addition to my Christian collection.

The sesquicentennial celebrations were officially inaugurated on 15 November 2008 with a Special Thanksgiving Service lead by Rt. Rev. Thomas Samuel, Bishop of Madhya Kerala diocese. The Service in the church was followed by hoisting the Sesquicentennial Flag by the Bishop and rendering of the Theme song in the courtyard in the midst of the entire congregation. Colorful fire works, decoration and illumination in the church compound added variety to the celebrations

Sesquicentennial celebrations are planned to span over an year started from 14 November 2008 to 15 November 2009. .Various Programs and Projects will be taken up over a year to commemorate the event.

Source: http://www.celebrating150.org/index.asp
A very beautiful registered cover with my favorite Bird stamp. Thank GOD its in a good condition and this time the registered sticker didn't damage the cover. The clear postmarks truly adds value to the cover. Thanks Uncle for all your effort and help.


These are certainly the biggest surprise for me. Its the first time I received something else besides Philatelic Materials. Anyway, it was truly a pleasant surprise for me. Love both the books alot. Again, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.

A beautiful registered Bird Cover from Dr. Biju. Thanks Dr for this very beautiful bird cover and I love it a lot... Sadly, there's a red pen mark on the ms but I guess this actually shows that the cover has truly traveled.

Information:

India Post issue a new set of stamps to commemorate "Endangered Birds of India"on 5 October 2006, the Endangered Birds of India issue consists of four commemorative postage stamps depicting the following birds:

Lesser Florican

The Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indica) is a large bird in the bustard family, the only member of the genus Sypheotides. It breeds in Pakistan, and is a rare summer visitor in Nepal. It has a very small, declining population, primarily a result of loss and degradation of its grassland habitat. In their breeding display, the male jumps into the air above the grass level.

Manipur Bush-Quail

The Manipur Bush Quail (Perdicula manipurensis) is a species of quail found in India, inhabiting damp grassland, particularly stands of tall grass, in West Bengal, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya. It was collected and described by Allan Octavian Hume on an ornithological expedition to Manipur in 1881.

P. manipurensis is listed as Vulnerable in IUCN's Red List as its habitat is small, fragmented, and rapidly shrinking. There was no confirmed sighting of the bird from 1932 until June 2006, when Anwaruddin Choudhury reported spotting the quail in Assam. BBC News quoted the conservation director of the Wildlife Trust of India, Rahul Kaul, as saying, "This creature has almost literally returned from the dead."

Nilgiri Laughingthrush

The Rufous-breasted, Black-chinned or Nilgiri Laughingthrush, Trochalopteron cachinnans, is a species of Laughingthrush endemic to Peninsular India. This species forages at the forest edge on invertebrates, nectar, flowers and fruits, mostly within 3 m of the ground, and mostly in the early morning and late afternoon. Peruvian cherry Physalis peruviana, Rubus and Hill Guava Rhodomyrtus tomentosa are favourite fruits

Greater Adjutant Stork

The Greater Adjutant, Leptoptilos dubius is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It formerly bred in southern Asia from Pakistan and India, Sri Lanka east to Borneo, but is now restricted to two separate small breeding populations; in Assam and Cambodia. In winter, this species migrates south to Vietnam, Thailand and Burma.

The Greater Adjutant is a huge bird, typically 145-150 cm (57-60 in) tall with a 250 cm (99 in) wingspan. There are no records of the weight of wild birds, but they may be the heaviest species of stork. Its upper body and wings are black, but the belly and undertail are off-white or pale grey. The pink head and neck are bare like those of a vulture. The yellow bill is long and thick. Juveniles are a duller version of the adult.

Loss of nesting habitat and feeding sites through drainage, pollutions and disturbance, together with hunting and egg collection has caused a massive decline in the population of this species. The current population is estimated at less than 1,000 individuals. The Greater Adjutant is evaluated as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

This is indeed a work of art. Thanks Karan for this very beautiful cover franked with my favourite India stamp, Asiatic Paradise Flycatcher. This has truly inspired me to create my own covers with bird stamps on it. Will showcase them very very soon. LOL...


Above is one of my personal favorites. Asiatic Paradise Flycatcher with its young. Simply an amazing picture.

Source: http://www.aksuinn.com/eng/gallery/birds/asiatic-paradise--flycatcher-terpsihpone-paradisi

Information:

The Asiatic Paradise-flycatcher also known as the Common Paradise-flycatcher, is a medium-sized passerine bird.

The typical adult male Asiatic Paradise-flycatcher is about 20 cm long, but the long tail streamers double this. It has a glossy black crown and crest, blue eye-ring and a long narrow rounded tail. The body and wings are white with very long central pair of tail feathers which form streamers that droop.

The Asiatic Paradise-flycatcher is a noisy bird with a sharp skreek call. It has short legs and sits very upright whilst perched prominently, like a shrike. It is insectivorous, hunting by flycatching in the understory. They bathe in small pools of water in the afternoon by diving from perches.

Issue date: 2007 December 25th

The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health is located at the small town of Velankanni in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. The Roman Catholic Basilica is devoted to Our Lady of Good Health. Devotion to Our Lady of Good Health of Velankanni can be traced to the mid-16th century and is attributed to three miracles: the apparition of Mary and the Christ Child to a slumbering shepherd boy, the curing of a lame buttermilk vendor, and the rescue of Portuguese sailors from a violent sea storm.

Although all three apparitions ultimately resulted in the erection of a shrine to our Lady, it was the promise of the Portuguese sailors that was the proximate cause of a permanent edifice being built at Velankanni. The chapel was dedicated on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8), the day of their safe landing. More than 500 years later, the nine-day festival and celebration is still observed and draws nearly 2 million pilgrims each year. The Shrine of Our Lady of Vailankanni, also known as the "Lourdes of the East," is one of the most frequented religious sites in India.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_Our_Lady_of_Good_Health



My first Meghdoot Post Card. Thanks my friend.

Information:

India Post introduced Meghdoot Post Card on September 2, 2002. Meghdoot is priced at 25 paise that is half the cost of the regular post card. The writing space available on the address side of the regular post card is made available for advertising in multicolor in case of Meghdoot. The rate of the advertisement is Rs.2 per card and the minimum order for print is 100,000 cards. Meghdoot is printed by Security Printing Press at Hyderabad in sheets of 8 cards, although some have been supplied to post offices by the press in sheets of 4 and pairs of 2 cards.

Being a postal stationery article with an advertisement, its area of distribution is determined by the advertiser, as its design and copy. In addition to the post offices in the area of its distribution the Meghdoot is also made available in limited quantity of 2000 cards at select 8 philatelic bureaus that handle postal stationery, namely Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Mumbai.

Source: http://stampsofindia.com/lists/meghdoot.htm

First of all, from the bottom of my heart, would like to say sorry to Dr Bibhu for the very very late post of his beautiful materials. These are the recent materials and all the other materials will be posted very soon. No worries on that. Thanks alot Dr Bibhu for these unexpected surprises especially the Migratory Birds of India 2000. Simply love it alot and can't thank you enough for all your effort.

This fine set of four stamps was issued on 24 May, 2000 and features the words "Indepex Asiana".

Information:

3r	205	Rosy Starling Pastor roseus
3r	14	Garganey Anas querquedula
3r	220	Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus
3r	24	White Stork Ciconia ciconia

Yet another Sacred Heart Church FDC.. Its my third one but I still love it alot. LOL. Please refer the details here: http://ronlovestamps.blogspot.com/2009/08/sacred-heart-church-fdc.html


Yet another very beautiful cover by Dr Bibhu. A perfect example of a high quality registered cover with beautiful stamps, registered sticker, hand cancellation and not forgetting a personal touch (STAMP MANIA 2009 sticker). Simply awesome.

PS: Hope we will continue our good relationship and friendly exchanges for a long time to come. Hope u will like my next suprise. Can't wait for them to be posted in your blog.

Here, I would like to showcase some of the Christian Philatelic materials I received from Uncle Veeraghavan. They are simply lovely. Yet again, I hope you like the materials Ive send you.

Dear readers, though Christianity is one of my main themes beside birds and Olympics, Im only focus on Christian Philatelic materials that depict Churches and People who have contributed to the Christian World (eg. Pope, Bishop, Mother Theresa). Please let me know if any of my readers have duplicates and would like to have a friendly trades.

A very beautiful Maxicard from Grenada 1973.




Three Lovely covers that depict Christian Stamps from Lithuania and Australia. Hope to get more covers depicting churches. LOL, showing my GREDDY side yet again.

PS: Dear Uncle, from the bottom of my heart, thanks for helping me with Collection. Hopefully, I can help you grow your lovely collection too.

Thanks Mohd Frahim for the very beautiful Sacred Heart Church FDC. Simply lovely and truly a great addition to my Christian collection. Im very much focus on stamps that depicts churches around the world and this FDC is simply a great material to have. Once again THANK YOU.

This is something I would like 2 highlight. Putting the stamp on the information sheet and cancel it? This is certainly very very creative and innovative. Thanks alot for enlightening me on wat can b done to the information sheet. HAHAHA!


The St. Alphosa FDC is truly an asset to my Christian Collection. However, am abit disappointed that there's a pen mark on the stamp (left side). Nway, still like the FDC alot and thanks for helping me grow my Christian collection.


Both these covers are from the Cover Round Robin in MP and the start of a great and long lasting relationship with Uncle Veeraghavan. Uncle has also send me MNH complete sets of birds, Christian churches, and also Olympic stamps from India. There is just too many that I dont think I can post all of them. HAHAHA! OMG, I think Ive never laugh so much...

I think by now, my dear readers would understand my title... Dear Uncle, I simply cant thank u enough for all the help and advices along the way. THANK YOU!!!

Dear Karan,
Really really sorry for the late post... Really love both the FDC from India... Simply superb and once again thanks for all ur advice... It has trully help me alot in my Philately journey... Below are two and FDC and a very very beautiful cover from Karan Johari..

Name: Rotary Club of Bombay Airport
Date of Issue:31 January 2009
Denominations:500p

Not really related to my theme but my fiancee loves it alot for she's a rotarian too... wat coincidence? Thanks Karan... I guess after seeing this special cover, my beloved fiancee is more supportive towards my love for philately....

Dear Pame, if u r reading this, just wan u 2 noe, u will always b NO ONE in my heart... only then comes philately...lol... LOVE U ALOT!!!

Name: St. Paul's Church
Date of Issue:25 January 2009
Denominations:500p

Postmaster General of Chennai city region M.S.Ramanujam released the postage stamp at a function in Chennai on Sunday to mark 150 years of CSI St.Paul’s Church . Former judge of Madras High Court J.Kanakaraj received the same.

St Paul’s Church, one of the oldest and prestigious churches in Chennai, came into being in 1858. Located at the center of Vepery, Choolai and Purasawalkam areas, the church is set in a place that is famous for the Karnataka War fought by Tipu Sultan against the British. It is a CSI (Church of South India) church which holds regular worship services.

Source: http://www.indianstampghar.com/?p=2987

Really love this particular FDC... Christianity is one of my main themes but its really hard to get them in Malaysia... Hope my fellow readers will help me wif Christian stamps, FDCs, covers, and also Special Covers...

Above is another very very beautiful cover from Karan... Really love it alot for it is franked by stamps of my theme... the cristian stamp depicting Saint Alphonsa (2008) and 2 stork stamp... simply lovely...

PS: dear Karan, hope v can trade more in the future... cant wait 4 ur next FDC.... lol

Thanks Md Frhm for this beautiful postcard with Christianity theme. Love it alot especially with the Christian Stamp. Im really sorry I miss the front part of the post card. I assure u that I will update the post once i get my scanner... Everything is perfect accept for the cancellation. Regardless, it is truly a superb postcard. Thanks alot. Hope u will like the postcard I send u too. Looking forward to trade more stamps, covers, and FDC with u...

Info on the stamps:

500: Saint Anne Church, Goa
The Church of St. Anne is a religious monument located in Santana, Goa, India. It is an example of baroque architecture.

Majestically nestled in the verdant hills of Santana, Talaulim, the Church of Anne was declared a "national monument" during the Portuguese era per Government Portario No. 1360 of 31/3/31. In that Portario – studded like priceless diamonds – were also the Bom Jesus Basilica, the Se Cathedral, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, the Convent of Santa Monica and the Church of St. Cajetan. Each of these, monumental in their architectural splendor, and all of them huddled in the former Portuguese capital of Old Goa, Goa.

Upon Goa's annexation by India, while the aforementioned edifices were embraced as "national monuments" by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and effectively taken over, the church of St. Anne was singularly overlooked and remains forsaken to this day to the ravages of time and human neglect, the glaring fact notwithstanding -- it is by far the most exquisite and the largest surviving monument of its kind in all of Asia. The church of St. Anne continues to remain largely forsaken to the ravages of time and human neglect. Today, parts of the structure remain in a precarious condition.

Construction of the Church of St. Anne began in 1577 by Monsignor Francisco de Rego (1681-1689) and its completion in 1695 fell upon the shoulders of his successor, Rev. Fr. Antonio Francisco da Cunha.

Legend has it that while construction was in progress, an elderly villager by the name of Bartholomeu Marchon, had a vision of an old lady donning a hat with a staff in hand. The old lady ambled down the neighboring hill and promulgated to Bartholomeu that the Church under construction was her home, and that it was her intent to reside there. A similar apparition was also encountered by a Brahmin lady of high social standing, who happened to be gravely ill and almost in death’s clutch. The celestial apparition anointed the lady with a miraculous cure and as a token of supreme gratitude, she embraced Christianity. Word of her miraculous cure percolated down to the village priest who instantly interpreted it as a sign of divine intervention, and without further ado, consecrated the church in honor of St. Anne.

High up in the transept facing the sanctuary, one can see a relief picture depicting the scene of St. Anne with a staff in hand and wearing a hat as seen in the apparitions.

500: Qila Mubarak, Patiala
The Qila Mubarak complex stands in 10-acre ground in the heart of the city Patiala, and contains the main palace or Qila Androon (literally,'inner fort'), the guesthouse or Ran Baas and the Darbar Hall. Outside the Qila are the Darshani Gate, a Shiva temple, and bazaar shops which border the streets that run around the Qila and sell precious ornaments, colorful hand-woven fabrics, 'jootis' and bright 'Parandis'.

Source: http://myfdc.blogspot.com/2009/03/india-heritage-fdc.html