A Look into the Amazing World of Stamps

Philately is a rewarding hobby, especially if you come across rare stamps, which are much sought after. Some stamps are repositories of historical events and historical sources. While the use of stamps for postage is waning with the advent of email and digital technology, the thrill of having a rare stamp or stamps in your collection can be especially exciting. To start off, I would like to share a few Japanese stamps that could be valuable.

 Sun Yat-sen Stamps, China

These are some of the most sought-after stamps featuring Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of modern China. These portrait issues were featured on definitive and commemorative stamps through the 1930s, 1940s, and the hyperinflation years. During the occupation years, these very stamps were overprinted by the Japanese as the Japanese army advanced faster than the printing presses could keep pace. It is interesting to see Japanese characters printed over the Chinese stamps.

Coronation Stamps from Japan

The 1915 Taisho era Coronation stamp of the Emperor is particularly interesting. It is a rare stamp marking the ascension of Emperor Taisho to the throne.

The stamp below is another commemorative stamp issued in 1915 to celebrate the coronation of Emperor Taisho to the throne.

Some more Stamps from Japan (the Chrysanthemum Series)

This is a 1½ Sen (1.5 sen) violet postage stamp from the Chrysanthemum Series issued by the Empire of Japan, which has been overprinted for use by Japanese Post Offices in China.

Base Design: Part of Japan's definitive "Chrysanthemum" (Kiku) series introduced around 1899–1900, featuring the Imperial Chrysanthemum crest in the center flanked by decorative floral patterns and traditional motifs.

The Overprint: Look closely at the vertical characters printed over the design (reading downwards on the sides or across the middle). It features a Japanese postal overprint reading "支那" (China), indicating it was specifically issued and used at Japanese post offices operating within Chinese treaty ports.

This is a ½ Sen (0.5 sen) grey postage stamp from the Chrysanthemum Series (Kiku) issued by the Empire of Japan in 1901.

Key Specifications:

Country: Japan (Meiji Period)

Denomination: ½ Sen (indicated by ½ in the lower-left corner and the Japanese Kanji character 半 (han/half) at the bottom)

Color: Grey / Slate Grey

Issue Date: March 27, 1901

Catalog References:

Scott Catalog: #92 / #A359

Sakura Catalog: #102

Stanley Gibbons: SG #133

Design Details:

Central Motif: Features the 16-petaled Imperial Chrysanthemum Crest (Kiku), which is the official emblem of the Japanese Imperial Family.

Top Corners: Features small post-town bell (Ekirei) motifs in the upper corners.

Cancel/Postmark: This stamp shows a circular Japanese black postmark (maru-ki). Unlike the previous stamp you shared, this copy does not have the "China" (支那) overprint and was issued for domestic use within Japan.

This is a 3-sen postage stamp from the Japanese Empire, belonging to the "Chrysanthemum" (Kiku) definitive series issued during the Meiji period.

The Mount Fuji Stamps

The Mount Fuji stamps were among the first stamps to depict scenery. This is a vintage postage stamp issued by the Empire of Japan, belonging to the classic Mount Fuji and Deer (Fuji Shika) definitive series. These stamps were printed from 1922 to 1930. 

Philatelic Week (切手趣味週間 - Kitte Shumi Shūkan) commemorative series issued by Japan Post (Nippon Yūbin).

The first stamp depicts a girl blowing on a Glass toy. It was printed in 1955. The Original Artist was Kitagawa Utamaro (喜多川 歌麿, c. 1753–1806). The second stamp depicts a Girl returning from the bathhouse. It was issued in 1958. Original Artist: Torii Kiyonaga (鳥居 清長, 1752–1815). The third stamp depicts a Girl Bouncing a ball. It was issued in 1957. Original Artist: Suzuki Harunobu (鈴木 春信, c. 1725–1770).

German WW II Postage Stamps

These two stamps are part of the Adolf Hitler Definitive Series (Dauermarkenserie Adolf Hitler), which was the standard postage stamp issue in Nazi Germany (Deutsches Reich) during World War II. The first stamp has a Profile portrait of Adolf Hitler facing right, designed by artist Richard Klein. It was issued from 1941 to 1944. The second stamp was also issued from 1941 to 1944.

Official Correspondence Stamps

This is an official German stamp (Dienstmarke) issued by the Deutsches Reich during the Nazi era.

Here are the key details about this specific stamp:

Issuing Entity: Deutsches Reich (German Reich)

Type: Official / Service Stamp (Dienstmarke), which was used exclusively for official correspondence by government offices and public authorities rather than general public mail.

Denomination: 6 Pfennig (indicated by the number "6" in the top corners).

Release Date: Introduced starting January 18, 1934.

Design Features: It features a central swastika enclosed within an oak leaf wreath, rendered in a dark green color. The text at the bottom reads "Dienstmarke Deutsches Reich" (German Reich Official Stamp) written in traditional German Kurrent/Fraktur script.

Catalog Designation: Commonly listed under Michel-Katalog No. 135.

Stamps of this type are historical artifacts from the Weimar-to-Nazi transition period and World War II era administration, often collected today by historians and philatelists specializing in postal history of the 20th century.

German Hyperinflation Stamps

These stamps were issued by the  Deutsches Reich (German Weimar Republic) during the height of the catastrophic economic crisis in 1923.

The Historical Context

Following World War I, Germany was saddled with massive war reparations. To pay them, the government printed staggering amounts of paper money, leading to runaway hyperinflation. Prices doubled every few days—and eventually every few hours.

Because postal rates skyrocketed, the post office couldn't print new stamp designs fast enough. Instead, they took older, low-denomination stamps (or existing stocks) and black-overprinted them with brand-new, astronomical values.

What More?

Beyond a rare stamp's monetary value, it also has historical value. Stamps are capsules of historical events, whether they are commemorative events or definitive or thematic. 

Vintage Flag Stamps of America

1. 6¢ White House & Flag Stamp: The first stamp was printed from the 1960s through the early 1970s as part of the Americana definitive series. It features a U.S. flag flying over the White House.

2. 8¢ White House & Flag Stamp: This stamp was a similar White House and flag motif, updated for the 8-cent first-class postal rate introduced in 1971. 

3. 15¢ "Land of the Free" Flag Stamp: The Stamp features a waving U.S. flag with the patriotic inscription "THE LAND OF THE FREE / THE HOME OF THE BRAVE" down the left side.

4. 18¢ Flag Over Wheat Field Stamp: It features a U.S. flag over a rural landscape with the caption "...for amber waves of grain" (a line from "America the Beautiful") and was issued in 198.

5. 22¢ U.S. Capitol & Flag Stamp: It features a waving U.S. flag over the United States Capitol building, accompanied by a quote from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address ("Of the people, by the people, for the people"). The stamp was issued in 1985.

6. 10¢ Crossed Flags Stamp: It features two historical/variant American flags (including a 13-star colonial flag) crossed against a wooden background. It was issued in 1973.

The Eisenhower Stamps

1. The first stamp was issued on May 10,1971. It was first issued in large post office sheets.

2. The second stamp was issued in the  Booklet / Coil Style.

Significance: Both stamps are common vintage pieces from the early 1970s, reflecting postal rate changes of the era (specifically when the first-class mail rate rose to 8 cents).

American Stamps: Famous Personalities

Top Row

1¢ Thomas Jefferson (Green)

Series: Prominent Americans Series

Issued: January 12, 1968

Details: Features a profile of the third U.S. President and principal author of the Declaration of Independence.

4¢ Abraham Lincoln (Purple)

Series: Prominent Americans Series

Issued: 1965

Details: Depicts the 16th U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln.

20¢ George C. Marshall (Olive/Brown)

Series: Prominent Americans Series

Issued: October 24, 1967

Details: Inscribed "Statesman / Soldier", honoring the World War II General, Army Chief of Staff, Secretary of State, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

40¢ Thomas Paine (Blue)

Series: Prominent Americans Series

Issued: 1968

Details: Features the Anglo-American pamphleteer and revolutionary whose writings like Common Sense, inspired American independence.

Bottom Row

7¢ Woodrow Wilson (Rose/Carmine)

Series: Liberty Series

Issued: January 10, 1956

Details: Honors the 28th U.S. President, based on a portrait drawing by artist F. Graham Cootes.

15¢ Oliver Wendell Holmes (Magenta)

Series: Prominent Americans Series

Issued: March 8, 1968

Details: Features Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., the renowned U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice and legal philosopher.

21¢ Amadeo P. Giannini (Green)

Series: Regular Issue / Prominent Americans era

Issued: June 27, 1973

Details: Inscribed "Banker", honoring A.P. Giannini, the visionary founder of the Bank of Italy (which later became Bank of America).

1¢ Thomas Jefferson (Green)

Series: Prominent Americans Series

Issued: January 12, 1968

Details: A duplicate of the first stamp in the top row.

Ink Cap Mushroom

This striking top-down macro shot captures an ink cap mushroom belonging to the family Psathyrellaceae (formerly part of the genus Coprinus), likely a species within the genus Parasola (such as a pleated ink cap like Parasola plicatilis) or a closely related delicate ink cap.

Key features visible in this stage of its lifecycle include:

The Fully Expanded Cap: As ink caps mature, their umbrella-like caps flatten out completely into a disk shape when viewed from above.

Radial Grooves and Pleats: The distinctive ribbed, pleated texture radiates outward from a contrasting ochre-to-whitish center.

Deliquescence: The dark, inky margins show the beginning stages of autodigestion—a hallmark trait of ink caps where the cap liquefies into a dark, spore-bearing fluid to disperse its spores. These ephemeral mushrooms typically sprout rapidly after rain and complete their entire life cycle within a single day.

A Roller Birds-Amazing Birds of India

When I visited the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, I didn't expect to spot an Indian Roller! The bird was singing for its mate even as it preened itself. I watched the bird in all its movements. The bird looked most concerned about looking for its mate. Unfortunately, in spite of its calls, the mate did not arrive.

The Roller Bird commences its song.

Sometimes, an itch goes a long way!

Gurgaon-Supports a vast population of Greater Flamingos

Gurgaon is home to a few exceptional wetlands that support amazing resident birds and serve as a stopover for migratory birds from far and wide. Developmental activities are, however, playing spoiler, and soon even these exceptionally important biodiversity hotspots will have to give way. The Basai Wetland, which once hosted numerous native and migratory bird species like the Bar-Headed Goose, has now disappeared, swallowed by towering buildings, highways, and flyovers. The future of the remaining major wetland, the Chandu-Budhera Wetland, is doubtful as real estate prices continue to surge. The Sultanpur National Park, a Ramsar-designated site, is also languishing due to the shortage of water resources.

It is indeed surprising how many Greater Flamingos flock to the Chandu Budhera wetland area. The birds can stretch across the wetland as far as the eye can see. By the time Winter is in full swing, the wetland is the favoured winter destination for Bar-headed Geese, including Greylag Geese.

In spite of being a fast-developing urban settlement, Gurgaon continues to attract some of the most exotic migratory birds, including some of the native bird species in India. It is surprising to see the resilience of these bird species that continue to fight back against developmental activities. They inspire resilience in the face of adversity, and they continue to flock at areas that no longer support them. I am surprised to see a large number of birds flocking at the Chandu Budhera wetland area and even the Sultanpur National Park.

Gurgaon is a surprising contradiction in terms of the migratory birds that visit the outskirts of the city even in the face of developmental activities. I am often surprised to spot migratory and native species of birds in an area that is being consumed by developmental activities driven by the need to create residential spaces. How do you explain the presence of Bar-headed Geese in an area that is earmarked for developing apartments and flats? It looks like the administration is ignoring the impact of developmental activities on the ecosystem. One wonders if environmental concerns really factor into the development of spaces to create premium flats for people. How can people in power ignore the fact that ignoring environmental issues can lead to the destruction of the ecosystem?

Mussoorie, Here We Come!

Mussoorie is a short hop from Delhi, and the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway has made it even more convenient for residents in the Delhi NCR to visit it. Mussoorie is about 305  kilometers from Gurgaon, and an early morning drive will take about five hours to reach your destination.

This is a very old Cinema Film Projector

The Cambridge Book Shop 

The Central Methodist Church

A note of caution: Unlike the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, there are no eateries, nor are there any filling stations so be prepared to manage the whole stretch without a major Bio Break! Moreover, the expressway feels bumpy at speeds exceeding 90 KMPH! I guess it's under construction; eateries and petrol stations will be ready in the coming few months.

When we visited Mussoorie some time ago, it was a short trip meant to wind down, so we limited ourselves to the city centre, strolled on Mall Road, and took the ropeway up to Gunhill. It was a great opportunity to relax and gorge on exotic food at Yeti Restaurant and Butter Chicken at My Shop.

The last time I visited Mussoorie was before the pandemic. That was when I discovered the Lovely Omelette shop. The Omelette shop is well known for the special omelettes served. This time I decided to give it a skip.

One interesting discovery was a quaint shop selling antique watches, especially HMT watches. The Time Star Watch shop has a treasure trove of watches, including some of the well-known brands like Seiko, Orient, and a few others. Inderjeet Singh Ji, the proprietor, and Mohd. Afzal Ji were very accommodating and helpful in guiding us through our purchases.

At the Antique Watch Shop

At Gun Hill

                                                                             

When in Mussoorie, you can not afford to miss visiting Ellora's Bakery, which was established in 1953. This is an outlet where you can purchase all kinds of bakery items, including chocolates and biscuits. 

Of course, the winterline is an amazing streak of light spotted in Mussoorie and a few other hill stations. It is an ideal moment to take some amazing photographs.

At the Yeti Restaurant

The Potato Pickle was amazing!

Hotels are an important consideration when it comes to staying in Mussoorie. Accessibility from Mall Road and good parking space are some challenges. For our stay, we stayed at the Perfect Stay Luxe hotel near Ambedkar Chowk. The route to the parking was a bit tricky, but we managed it fine. The hotel too was quite neat, clean, accommodating, and good.