International Year of Crystallography

 

Date of Issue : 14 February 2014

Slovak Post  post issued a stamp commemorating the International Year of Crystallography on 14 February 2014.

Crystallography is a science that examines the arrangement of atoms in solids. The word “crystallography” derives from the Greek krustallos meaning cold drop or originated in cold. A more current definition states that it is a science describing the atomic and molecular structure of solids and its relation to physical, chemical and biological properties. In 2014 we will celebrate 100 years since awarding the Nobel Price to Max von Laue for the experiments that for the first time revealed the atomic (crystal) structure of solid matter via X-ray diffraction. That is why the UNO announced the year 2014 to be the International Year of Crystallography. One of the basic thoughts in the search for a crystal structure is a presumption of its symmetry and of the periodic arrangement of its basic building elements – atoms, eventually molecules. Since we live in three-dimensional space, we intuitively – and usually correctly – understand three-dimensionally ordered structures. However, the improving experimental methods allowed us to discover that there is an important group of solids that deviate from this strict rule, while their properties are related to seemingly negligible deviations from the well-established order. With the help of electron density isolines in the Ta-Ge-Te alloy crystal the stamp shows that instead of the expected placement on the straight line, atoms positions are modulated so that they create a crenel, which ultimately results into the change of substance’s properties.

The motive depicted in FDC shows such usage of symmetry that abstracts (from bottom to top) from a specific atoms arrangement in a kaolinite structure to symbolic schemes of OD theory that reflecting the laws of symmetry, lead to simplified and more understandable presentation. The stamp on FDC represents a fragment of such a structure.

On commemorative sheet is a depiction of Laue’s diagram of a chromium compound crystal with a threefold symmetry axis in line with the primary X-ray beam. UV protective layer printed on surface of postage stampis derived directly from Laues’s diagram depicted on Commemorative sheet which is finally stamped by commemorative cancellation dedicated to honour of Max von Laue.

Club News

Special cover to be issued at Jodhpur on 20the February 

On the occasion of  inauguration of Bhagwan Parshwanath and Shiv Temple, a special cover is being released on 20th February 2014 at 1.00 PM at Umaid heritage, Foothill of Umaid Bhawan Palace, Defence Lab Road, Rata- Naada, JODHPUR, . India Post will provide special cancellation. 

- Sudhir Jain – Satna (MP)

District level Stamp Exhibition in Gaya organized by India Post

STAMP EXHIBITION, GAYA STAMP FESTIVAL 2014  FROM 22 - 23 FEBRUARY 2014

A special cover on Buddha  will be released during the exhibition. 

THE COMMISSIONER, MAGADH DIVISION  will inaugurate the exhibition and the Vice Chancellor , MAGADH UNIVERSITY will be the chief guest for the closing ceremony. During the exhibition quiz and essay contest will be organized.

- ANIL SAXENA,  GAYA    email: saxenaak273@yahoo.co.in

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New stamps on Winter Olympic and Winter Paralympic Games

 

Date of Issue : 15 January 2014

 

Slovak Post issued two stamps to commemorate  Winter Olympic Games  2014 and Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi on 15th January 2014 .

 

Winter Olympic Games 2014 in Sochi stamp by Slovakia

The Winter Olympic Games, taking place ever since 1924 (Chamonix, France) as a younger sibling of the Summer Olympics, have been held every four years since 1994 (Lillehammer, Norway), always two years apart from its summer counterpart. Therefore, the athletes, sport officers, diplomats, journalists, and fans are meeting also in 2014, particularly from 7th to 23th February, in the Russian city of Sochi situated near the Black Sea on the foothill of the Caucasus.

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi

As a rule, the Paralympic Games take place shortly after the Olympics; in the same city and in the same sports facilities. This habit creates a kind of bond between the healthy athletes and those who haven’t been so fortunate but have a heart and willpower to struggle with their fate and want to prove that they also want it and can do it. In the spirit of this tradition, the 11th Winter Paralympics are taking place on 7th – 16th March 2014 in the Russian city of Sochi at the foot of the Caucasus. Almost 700 athletes are going to participate and compete for 72 sets of medals. For the first time in the history of the Winter Paralympics Games, para-snowboarding for standing contestant will be presented among other typical winters sports, such as downhill and cross country skiing, biathlon, curling, and sledge hockey.

Slovak representation includes about 50 participants; half of them are contestants, navigators and supporting team for downhill skiing having the highest ambitions. Slovakia will also be represented by curling, cross country skiing and snowboarding.

 

Club News

 

EIPEX 2014 , Bhubaneshwar

Eastern India Philatelic Association is going to organise a philatelic Exhibition at Bhubaneswar on 08-09, February, 2014 consisting of 100 frames. one special cover on endangered bird of Chilika will also be released on 09-Feb,2014 and is likely to be released at Manglajodi, Chilika bird sanctuary about 70 Km from Bhubaneswar.  As the time is very short you are requested to take expeditious steps to prepare your exhibit and submit in time. The venue of the exhibition is Kalinga Buddha Vihara, Bhubaneswar. About 15 dealers have given their consent to attend the exhibition.

- Ajit Dash – Bhubaneshwar email : akdash2000@yahoo.com

Secretary

 

 

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Christmas Mail…

 

Christmas Mail by Slovakia Post

Christmas Mail has been organised by Slovenska posta since 1999. Writing to Baby Jesus has become popular with the public and many of us traditionally connect it with the pre-Christmas period. Not only children, but adults as well, can send their Christmas wishes to Baby Jesus at the address “999 99 Jezisko” (Baby Jesus).

The 15th jubilee year of Christmas Mail is connected with the issuing of the postage stamp “Christmas Mail”. The postage stamp is based on a drawing by Erika Korkovanova from Kolarovo who won the children contest for the most beautiful drawing for Baby Jesus. Almost 5,800 drawings were sent to the contest announced during the previous year of Christmas Mail.

Slovenska posta assists with the delivery of all consignments addressed to Baby Jesus to the post office in Rajecka Lesna, where Christmas Mail resides. There is also situated the official post box of Baby Jesus. At the same time, Slovenska posta delivers a response from Baby Jesus to everyone who writes a return address on their mail.

Christmas Mail in Rajecka Lesna can be visited throughout the year and thus, it is possible to experience the Slovak Christmas atmosphere in any season of the year.

During the previous 14 years, almost 1,250,000 letters were delivered to the address of the Slovak Baby Jesus. Hundreds of letters are also delivered from foreign countries, especially from the Czech Republic, Germany, Taiwan, Romania, England and Russia, USA, China, Israel and New Zealand as well. Baby Jesus also answers letters from abroad, and replies to blind and partially sighted children in Braille.

Christmas and New Year stamps from Slovenia

 

Date of Issue : 22 November 2013

The development of postcard culture, particularly with the advent of photography, had a significant effect on the production of New Year’s greetings postcards, a notable phenomenon from the end of the nineteenth century onwards. The girl in the New Year’s card shown on the stamp is dressed in winter clothes. This has the dual purpose of drawing attention to the winter season and communicating an ideal world, in this case in terms of clothing. In her right hand she is holding a calendar showing the number 1, to symbolically indicate the first day of the New Year. The number is adorned by two four-leafed clovers – traditional symbols of good luck. Her left hand clutches two yellow roses, while under her arm is a present tied up with a ribbon, something which in the twentieth century became an almost compulsory element of depictions of this kind. New Year’s Eve celebrations and the giving of beautifully wrapped New Year’s gifts are in fact a twentieth-century phenomenon.

Gnomes and toadstools – for good luck in the New Year

The gnome and toadstool are two typical New Year’s symbols, not just in Slovenia but in many other environments too, particularly in the Germanic world. A gnome is a legendary creature similar to a goblin but with a much more positive character. In folk mythology gnomes are connected with the fertility of nature and earthly riches. They are also considered the guardians of knowledge and wisdom. People saw them as good house spirits who helped human beings in their work and brought them good luck and health – but only if they were treated well. It is therefore no surprise that the practice of placing gnomes in gardens and allotments is still very widespread today. The connection of gnomes with nature is also illustrated by the toadstools with which they are (or were) frequently depicted on New Year’s postcards and greetings cards. Numerous belief systems around the world see the toadstool as a symbol of life, in particular of long life or even eternal life.

Club News

Philatelic Exhibition  at Thiruvananthapuram

Ananthapuri Philatelic Association,  is organising a Philatelic Exhibition at Thiruvananthapuram from 28th February to 2nd March 2014.   The venue will be YMCA Hall, Statue, Thiruvananthapuram.  The exhibition will remain open from 9.30 am to 7.00 pm on all days. 

For more details contact V.Balakrishnan Nair, President,( Mobile No.09446028188) / P.Mohanachandran Nair, Secretary (Mobile No.09387801948) Email:apa.tvpm@gmail.com

: Mohanachandran Nair- Thiruvananthapuram

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Pictorial Cancellation on Durga Puja

 

Private Special Cover

Mr Alok Ojha,SSP (Post) releasing special cancellation

A special pictorial cancellation was issued today by Gorakhpur Postal Division on Vijay Dashmi – Durga Puja. The beautiful pictorial cancellation also features Swastika and Om !!

: Ashwani Dubey – Gorakhpur email : ashwani.dubey72@yahoo.com

 

Stamp on Olympic torch relay

 

Date of Issue : 7 October 2013

Russian Post issued a souvenir sheet with one stamp dedicated to the Olympic torch relay for the Winter Olympics 2014 in Sochi.

The history of the Olympic torch relay began in 1936, and in 1952 the relay preceded the Olympic Winter Games for the first time.

The stamp of the souvenir sheet  depicts the emblem of the Olympic Torch Relay of the XXII Olympic Winter Games 2014 in Sochi. The fields of the S/S illustrate the map of the Russian Federation; the Torch Relay, the images of the Moscow Kremlin and the Naval Station in the city of Sochi.

Nature Protection : Slovak Minerals

 

The Slovak post Pofis issued a set of two stamps within the series “Nature Protection” depicting Slovak minerals – precious opal from Dubnik and scepter quartz from Sobov.

Opal is an amorphous substance, hydrated silicon dioxide (SiO2.nH2O), with a variable amount of water (3-21%). There are several opal varieties nonetheless the precious opal represents one of the most valuable ones thanks to opalescence, a magic light reflection of sparkling colourful pastel colours. Colour changing is caused by a refraction and dispersion of light on fine layers with different content of water, minute admixtures of other minerals or in micro-fissures. The precious opal is the most famous gemstone of Slovakia. It can be found in fillings of fissures in Late Tertiary volcanic rocks – andesites in areas between Cervenica and Dubnik in Slanskevrchy Hills. It was formed by condensation of hot silicate aqueous solutions which as after-effects of volcanic activity penetrated into fissures of neighbouring rock.

Quartz (SiO2) is one of the most common minerals in nature forming hexagonal columnar crystals finished with planes of trapezohedron or dipyramid. Crystal planes are frequently grooved.  The crystals can be found in a form of crystal twinning and other various deformations. However, this mineral usually has massive, granular or microcrystalline shape, and can be also found as amorphous. It can be of various colours, virtually covers the whole colour spectrum. Its streak is white.  Quartz is a transparent even translucent mineral with vitreous shine on a new surface. Plenty of its forms represent semiprecious stones, for instance: clear crystal quartz, rose quartz, violet amethyst, yellow citrine, smoky quartz, black morion, amorphous chalcedon variable in colour, agate and opal.

A so-called sceptre or dovecote quartz is a mineralogical curiosity from the vicinity of Banska Stiavnica. The crystals are joined together along the longest axis in such a way that their final shape reminds a sceptre or a dovecote (the bigger crystal is usually grown on the smaller one or vice-verse).

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