PHILATELY

What is PHILATELY Philately is the Hobby of systematic collection & study of Postage Stamps. It is also known as the “KING OF ALL HOBBIES”.

The Postage Stamp An embossed or printed stamp or an adhesive label to show that the postal charge has been paid equivalent to its face value. It is also : A statement of sovereignty. An outlet of celebration and promotion of a nation’s heritage. A collectible item of value which may be different from its postal value.

Type of Postage stamp Definitive Stamps. Printed in large quantities at low cost for ordinary postal needs. Sold from counters of all Post Offices. Themes of National Pride and Importance. Series of definitive stamps issued so far: Series I : Archaeological (started in 1949) Series II : II Five year plan (started in 1955) Series III: Map of India (started in 1959) Series IV: Mixed subject (Started in 1965)

Types of Postage stamps Series V: Mixed subject (started in 1974) Series VI: Agriculture & Fisheries (started in 1976) Series VII: Mixed subject including Science & Technology (started in 1986) Series VIII: Natural Heritage (started in 2000) Series IX: Makers of Modern India (Started in 2008)

Commemorative & Special Postage Stamps Commemorative & Special Postage Stamps issued in limited quantities to Honor an individual or event Commemorate special occasion or event More attention to design Limited print order and in circulation for limited period. Denomination of the postage stamp to commensurate with prevailing postal rate of inland, international mail. In India – The print order normally varies from 3 lakhs for individuals to 8 lakhs for institutions and thematics.

Features of a Postage Stamp Theme illustration Denomination/postage value in Arabic numerals. Name of the issuing country in Roman letters. Name of the theme or design. In case of commemorative stamp, year of issue. Perforation.

Stamp Design - Describes, defines and distinguishes a stamp Primary Purpose of the Design To relate the stamp to the occasion of issue To showcase, publicize or highlight the subject being commemorated. Secondary Purpose Attract potential customers towards to hobby Source of revenue generation as a collectible

Innovations in Designing & Presentation Scented Stamps Combination miniature sheets Sheet lets and mixed sheets Breaking away from the medium of paper The Rock Dust Stamp – Gibraltar 2002, 4-stamp set The Meteorite Dust Stamp – 2006, Austria, 0.03 from a 19 Kilogram stony meteorite found in Morocco in 2004 The Cork Stamp – Portugal’s Cork Stamp, 2007, sliced cork (0.35mm)

Innovative media The wooden stamp – Swiss 5-Franc postage stamp, September 7, 2004, is made from 120-year-old fir trees from Swiss forests. The Embroidered stamp – Swiss Post, June 21, 2000. To call attention to the world-famous embroidery created in St. Gallen, a canton of Switzerland. The Football (Soccer) Stamp – made of soccer ball material, Austria 2008. Moving Image Stamps – Austria managed to put 48 images onto the stamp, which results in an approximately 3-Secon “movie appearing when stamp is view for different angles.

Innovative media The CD-ROM Stamp – Bhutan “ Bhutan” 100 years of Monarchy"," Bhutan: In Harmony with Nature”. Innovation with shapes and perforation Star shaped Tortoise Stamp Heart shaped valentine stamp Football shaped stamps

Innovative Products and Souvenir Posters, T-shirts, Calendars, caps etc. with stamp design Pencil box, scale, pencils, book-marks Stickers and cut-outs Pen stands Zig – saw puzzles Stamp coloring books Stamp story books Thematic books

Guidelines for issue of commemorative postage stamps Issue on a theme of relevance to the Nation, its policies and issues of concern Normally not more than one stamp to issue on the same subject. Regionally important to be commemorated to be issued on special cover with special cancellation.

Postal Stationery Consists of Single Post Card Reply Post Card Inland Letter Card Embossed Envelope Aerogramme Meghdoot Postcard Registered Letter Cover

Philatelic Ancillaries First Day Cover A cover issued by the Postal administration relevant to the theme of the special stamp being issued and tying the stamp to the cover with a date stamp bearing the date of issue of the cover First Day Postmark Postmark used by a Post Office to cancel a stamp on its first day of issue.

Philatelic Ancillaries Information Brochure A small pamphlet brought out to give the technical data and information about the subject of the stamp. Special Cover Issued to commemorate and event or subject which is not important enough to be commemorated by issue of a special postage stamp.

Philatelic Ancillaries Mark an important event like an Exhibition, introduction of a new service or by private individuals or organisations and institutions on payment of a small fee. Covers to bear minimum inland letter mail. Powers to issue special covers rest with Heads of Circles except those having a subject of diplomatic relations.

Special Cancellation Can be issued with or without a Special Cover by individuals or organizations on payment of a small fee with the approval of Heads of Circles.

Pictorial Cancellation A permanent regular date cancellation provided at any Post Office located on a place of tourist attraction. Miniature sheet, a block of one or more stamps where the design extends beyond the perforation.

Printing & Distribution of stamps/stationery Printing of definitive stamps – India Security Press, Nashik Commemorative/special postage stamps: India Security Press, Nashik & Security Printing Press, Hyderabad Commemorative Postage Stamps are directly supplied to Philatelic Bureaux by the Printers

Why collect/buy a stamp Philately - The hobby of collection and display of stamps – following laid down principles ad practices. Why collect/buy a stamp Intellectual reasons Profit motive Aesthetic pleasure/thing of beauty Part of another hobby/cause/theme Keen competitor Source of education, learning Inculcates the habit of research and attention of detail

Philately Industry Primary market Secondary market Wholesalers Retailers Auctioneers Agents

Philately : Product Theme selection Product planning Stamp, setenant, sheetlet, minisheet, maximcard Size, denomination, quantity limitations Special packs, presentation packs Innovations in shape, perforation, perfume Breaking the barrier of medium

Price Policy As per the UPU requirement, denomination should be the same as price and should co-relate with letter prosage rate.

Place Manner of stamp supply and sale Retail counter in Philately Bureau Mail Orders Philately Deposit Account

Strengths of Indian philately Responsible issue policy without any gimmicks No dearth of subjects to depict on stamps in a large and diverse country. Revenue earning potential has been reorganised Promotion and development of philately now being pursued in a planned manner

Philatelic Bureaux & Counters A Branch of a Post Office specifically set up to deal with receipt and sale of philatelic items i.e. commemorative postage stamps, FDCs, Special Covers, new issues of definitive stamps and new stationery Also provide special cancellation of first date of issue of FDC Maintains upto date record of Philatelic Deposit Accounts and mail orders.

Philatelic Bureaux & Counters Philatelic Counter Counter for sale of philatelic items which does not provide special cancellations but only a standard cancellation of first day of issue only similar for all philatelic issues. Does not provide facility of accepting the mail order or operation of a philatelic Depost Account.

Philatelic Deposit Account A standing order system to facilitate door step deliver of Philatelic products Can be opened with a minimum depost of Rs 200/- Supplies made once a month Supplies to oversees customers services by Mumbai GPO No service, handling, postage fee for inland customers Currently about 50,000 standing a/cs in the bureaus across the country

Philately Activities of INDIA POST Commemorative/Special Postage Stamps - Design, Print, Supply and Sales Definitive Postage Stamps and Postage Stationery Promoting the Hobby of Philately Publicity, workshops, seminars, school visits etc. National Philatelic Museum, Philatelic Galleries Philatelic Exhibitions Organising exhibitions at different levels within the country Participating in exhibitions

Importance of Philately Source of Revenue Image of the Department Create Customers for future

Holding exhibitions State level once in 2 years At least for 3 days  Taking help of clubs  Venue  Frames  Security  Lighting  Rules Mounting Special cover  Awards  Dismounting

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