Sunday, December 27, 2009

Feat in philately takes Bhilwara professor to Guinness Record

JAIPUR INDIA: A two-time Limca book record holder, Prof Arvind Jain of Bhilwara has now achieved a unique feat in the world of philately.


His name will figure in the next edition of Guinness Book of World Records for the largest collection of stamps and other philatelic items issued in honour of Sir Rowland Hill, creator of the first postage stamp. He has got the confirmation letter for the same via email from Kaoru Ishikawa of Guinness World Records, London. He is the first-ever Indian philatelist to get this honour from the world's most authentic and prestigious record book.



The 52-year-old college professor has been collecting stamps and other philatelic items on more than 20 subjects and themes for the last 35 years. Since the past three years, a difficult and unusual theme has attracted him. He has left no stone unturned to include almost every postage stamp issued throughout the world in honour of Sir Rowland Hill (creator of the world's first ever postage stamp Penny Black' which was issued by UK on May 6, 1840). His efforts have fructified and he now owns the largest collection on this unique theme in the world.


He had to strive hard to create this unusual collection which is now systematically arranged on more than 240 sheets consisting of 870 philatelic items (593 unduplicated postage stamps, 105 miniature/souvenir sheets, 89 first-day covers, 36 special sheetlets and 47 other items -- booklets, post cards/maxim cards, imperforated stamps / MS, gutter pairs, deluxe souvenir sheets, etc). Starting from the very first stamp set of eight, issued in 1940 by Portugal, he has almost all the stamps in his collection issued around the world in honour of Sir Rowland Hill.


Earlier, Limca Book of Records had certified his efforts by including this collection in its 2008 and 2009 editions as the largest collection of stamps issued in honour of a person. He also got his name entered in the 2007 edition of the Limca book for the largest collection of stamps issued worldwide on the theme of Cricket.'


Various stamps of Prof Jain have so far been displayed at Jaipur, Jamnagar, Ajmer, Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Chennai. His collection on cricket was specially displayed for 45 days at National Philatelic Museum, New Delhi from March 14 to April 27, 2007. He has won more than 30 medals in various state and national-level stamp exhibitions and he has been honored by India Post and Philatelic Society of Rajasthan for his achievements in the field of philately. Prof Jain has also penned down nearly 250 articles on various aspects of philately which have been published by leading newspapers and magazines in India.
Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Robert A. Siegel, 80, Stamp Dealer, Is Dead

Robert A. Siegel, a Manhattan stamp dealer who auctioned off some of the world's rarest and costliest stamps, died on Friday at New York Hospital. He was 80 and had homes in Manhattan and Fort Lauderdale.


The One Cent Magenta from British Guiana in 1856. Considered the Rarest Stamp in the World, it was auctioned by Robert A. Siegel at their Rarities of the World Auction in 1970.

http://www.siegelauctions.com

 By his own estimate, the company bearing Mr. Siegel's name sold more than $200 million worth of stamps during his 63 years in the business. One, the unique British Guiana "One-Cent Magenta," was auctioned by him twice. The second time around, in 1981, it fetched $935,000, which set a record at the time.
He was a past president of the American Stamp Dealers Association.

He is survived by a daughter, Roberta Edelstein of La Jolla, Calif.; a sister, Betty Portwood of Albuquerque, N.M., and two grandsons.
Posted by at 1 comment:

Stanley Gibbons and Frank Godden Reunited

Two of the most famous name in stamps acquires luxury album producer

Luxury philatelic album manufacturer, Frank Godden Ltd and the world famous stamp dealer, Stanley Gibbons announced last week, a corporate buy out that will see Frank Godden returning home after an absence of 95 years. Stanley Gibbons Company Directors have been negotiating the buy out throughout 2009 and finalised the deal at the end of last month.

Originally an employee of Stanley Gibbons, Frank Godden set out in 1915 to build a philatelic empire of his own, initially residing above Woolworths on the Strand. In the 1980’s the company repositioned itself as a luxury philatelic album and exhibition materials manufacturer and has been providing some of the finest philatelic materials available on the market, to collectors and competitive philatelists ever since.

To celebrate the homecoming, Stanley Gibbons will be relaunching two albums from the Frank Godden range; the De Luxe Exhibition and the Warwick:

Made from the finest materials available, such as Morocco grain padded leather and silk linings, the award winning De Luxe handcrafted albums are some of the finest available and are designed to last a lifetime.
The Warwick is a more cost effective album, being covered in good quality Rexine rather than leather, but still with the same first class workmanship and durability.

The Frank Godden exhibition leaves are made from Frank Godden’s own archival paper mix and their exhibition protectors are made from the best archival polyester. All recent Frank Godden leaves are made to the internationally recognised designation ISO 9706 for the archival quality of paper; this guarantees that the paper is made to the international standard for ‘permanent’ paper which is suitable for long term storage and is the standard recommended by all museums.

Stanley Gibbons Production Manager, Jon Rayson, said, ‘Stanley Gibbons are very proud to welcome Frank Godden back to the fold.  The Frank Godden range of albums will be a fantastic addition to Stanley Gibbons stock and I am sure collectors the world over will be incredibly pleased to see both the De Luxe and Warwick albums back on the market.’


About Stanley Gibbons

Founded in 1856, Stanley Gibbons is established as the most well-known, respected and trusted name in philately and collectibles. With over 3 million stamps in stock, the business has grown to become the largest name in stamp collecting serving both collectors and investors alike. Stanley Gibbons is also Europe’s largest dealer in autographed material, memorabilia and rare historical signatures through its division, Frasers Autographs.

www.stanleygibbons.com
Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

London 2010: Festival of Stamps - Mega Stamp Show and Exhibition

This year I'm planning to attend the London 2010: Festival of Stamps in May.

It is a year long programme of exhibitions, events and activities that aim to showcase, celebrate and raise public awareness of stamps, stamp design and postal heritage.

The Festival marks the centenary of the accession of George V, the philatelist king and includes a major international stamp exhibition at the Business Design Centre, Islington for stamp collectors.

One of the first events of the Festival is "Post Abolition: Commemorative Stamps From Around The World."

This new display in the London, Sugar and Slavery Gallery of the Museum of London Docklands looks at how the abolition of slavery has been commemorated through the everyday postage stamp.

Other events taking place across London and beyond include displays at the British Library; British Museum; Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum; and a celebration of the 150th anniversary of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home with stamps featuring cats and dogs.

There's also a walking tour which explores 400 years of postal history and developments in the iconic street furniture of telephone kiosks and letter boxes.

"The London 2010: Festival of Stamps offers something for everyone - whether you're an enthusiast of international rugby, African culture or more broadly interested in geography or history, or design in the 1920s and 30s," said Douglas Muir, Curator of Philately, The British Postal Museum & Archive.

"The Festival not only aims to fascinate keen stamp collectors and philatelists but anyone with an interest in design and the world."
Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Investor William H. Gross Does It Again!

Stamps sold for $3.2M to benefit Smithsonian

Washington Post - Sunday, November 29, 2009; 2:12 PM 
 
Investor William H. Gross has sold two of his major stamp collections to benefit the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum, which plans to build a new street-level gallery.

The stamps from Confederate postmasters in the Civil War and from British North America postal history sold last week for $3.2 million at auction in New York City. The proceeds help fulfill an $8 million donation to the museum that Gross announced in September.

He also has given the museum some of the rarest known stamps from his personal collection.
Gross is the founder of Pacific Investment Management Co., based in Newport Beach, Calif.

The museum's expansion from a basement space near Washington's Union Station is scheduled to open in late 2012. A gallery will be named in Gross' honor.
Posted by at No comments:

Stamp collecting enjoys surge in popularity

Stamp collecting is enjoying an unlikely surge in popularity, with dealers reporting a sharp increase in sales.

 
By Jonathan Liew - 4:42PM GMT 07 Dec 2009

This story is published from the U.K. Daily Telegraph Newspaper - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6753169/Stamp-collecting-enjoys-surge-in-popularity.html

The Royal Philatelic Society said it had noticed a significant rise in membership, while internet auction site eBay reported a 30 per cent rise in stamp sales in the last month alone.

Sellers and experts believe that as a result of the recession, the relatively inexpensive pastime of stamp collecting is becoming fashionable amongst young people for the first time in decades, replicating the transformation enjoyed by knitting in the last few years.
 
Stanley Gibbons, the world’s leading stamp dealership, said that customer numbers were up by almost a quarter as artists, designers and celebrities acknowledged the appeal of philately.

“Our customers generally used to be over 50 and male, but in the last six months the younger market has turned everything on its head,” a spokesman for the company said.

“It’s something you can start really cheaply. The basic materials are tweezers and a stock-book.
“We’ve hardly been affected by the recession, because it’s a hobby that’s driven by passion. If a stamp you’re looking for becomes available, you’re going to buy it whether there’s a recession or not.”

Celebrities professing ownership of a stamp collection include tennis player Maria Sharapova, pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor and French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
Posted by at No comments:
For this blog post I'm going to continue loading up links of resources that can be used to help you find a stamp society or association.  I have already provided an extensive list of  stamp clubs from around the world and this list just expands upon that.

Feedback required --- If you have a resource that i'm missing please post a reply to this blog and I will add it to my lists.
Canada     United States Europe Australia/New Zealand Topical Other Specialty
Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Stamp Collecting Clubs, Associations and Societies from around the World

Hello Stamp Collectors and Philatelists,
Please find below a list of all the Stamp Collecting / Philately related organizations, clubs, associations and societies I could find - I know there are more out there and I will endeavor to collect the add them as i get time - or let me know!

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

XYZ

Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)