Canada-United States Joint Issue: History of Hockey (2017)

I've finally got to writing about the surprise joint stamp issue between United States and Canada to celebrate 100 years of National Hockey League. Coincidentally, it was exactly a century ago on this day, 26th November, when NHL was launched in Montreal, Canada.

The joint issue was launched at a ceremony on 20th October 2017 in Detroit, Michigan, where officials from both USPS and Canada Post were present for the dedication. An announcement for this stamp was first made by USPS on 28th September in a press release. No prior information was available from either postal organizations. The stamp was issued in two designs, both countries using the same design. It is understood that the stamp set was designed by Subplot design, Inc (Roy White and team) with images supplied by K. C. Armstrong. Both countries deployed their art directors to guide preparation of the stamps viz. William J. Gicker (United States) and Susan Gilson (Canada). Canadian stamps were printed by Lowe Martin and the American stamps were produced at Ashton Potter. First day cancellations were provided in Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario.

The two stamps were designed in a tete-beche format, where both the stamps are vertically connected. Each stamp shows a hockey player in action, one in modern hockey gear and its reflection on the other stamp in historical clothing that players must have worn in older days. This design concept was shown in full on the souvenir sheets issued by both countries. In addition to the players on a frozen ice pond, a man and young girl are also shown playing hockey. Hockey has been a favorite sport for a vast majority of North Americans and this stamp design seeks to convey that message.

Canada Post issued the two stamps in a booklet of 10 self-adhesive stamps (5 of each design) and the souvenir sheet containing both the stamps in water-activated format. On the other hand, USPS issued the stamps in a pane of 20 stamps (10 of each design) and a souvenir sheet with both the designs. United States Postal Service only prints self-adhesive stamps. All Canadian stamps were sold as 'Permanent' rate stamps (currently C$ 0.85) and all States stamps as 'Forever' stamps (current rate $ 0.49). Quantities for stamps and other products are listed below. Stamps can be purchased from USPS and Canada Post.

Canada-United States Joint Stamp Issue: History of Hockey (2017)

Background on Hockey (or 'ice' hockey): Hockey was likely developed as a sport in the 1800s in Canada as an alternate to field hockey. Two teams (six players each) attempt to score goals in their opposing ends using curved flat wooden hockey sticks and a flat rubber puck. Professional hockey leagues were organized in early 20th century, culminating in formation of the National Hockey League in 1917. Hockey is now played all across North America with local pick up leagues as well as NHL teams spread all over the continent. NHL currently has 31 teams on its rosters, divided in Eastern and Western Conferences, each with two divisions.

While writing about this stamp issue its worth mentioning that Canada and United States have issued several other joint issues, beginning in 1959. Sometimes there are different interpretations of the joint character of stamps between two countries, so leave a message below if there is some other information to share.

Original post (29 Oct 2017): Canada and United States recently issued joint stamps on the History of Hockey. Stay tuned for an update on the stamps and other products. I will add details as soon as I receive the stamps.

India Post Stamps on Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport 2017

Update on 05 Nov 2017: Here's what I thought about the stamp issue on the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai. The key issue was with the stamp design. These stamps were intended to celebrate 75 years of operation of the airport and not to showcase the new airport terminal. The stamp designer, obviously under pressure from the airport operator used images from Terminal 2, which was only completed in 2014. Even if only Terminal 2 images were planned to be used, and given that it's an operational airport teeming with passengers and airport staff, the stamps could have depicted the terminal and gates with people using the facilities. The souvenir sheet also shows the terminal schematic on the bottom right. I understand that it was only a graphical representation, but the south pier of the airport looks different than what's shown here. The logo used on the miniature sheet was also modified to remove the Hindi text from original. Lastly, why was the English title above the Hindi text? This is among the rare stamp issues where the English title is so prominent, when compared with the vernacular description. See the images below that show these oddities.

My first recommendation for the stamp design would have been to expand this set to have at least 4 of the oldest operational airports shown on stamps. I'd have incorporated a transition from the oldest to the new terminal in a graphical manner (Civil aviation set from 2012 was a good design). In case of Mumbai airport, a glimpse of the Jaya He Museum could have been used more emphatically. Anyways, I was expecting more from the stamp designer, Brahm Prakash. Some of his designs (Metal Crafts stamps in 2016) were acceptable, but majority of them have been hit or miss. This was a missed opportunity, which could have led to creation of a simple set of 4 stamps with four different airports.

CSIA images likely supplied by the airport operator to India Post. Note the stamp denomination and bold text in Hindi title

Update on 29 Oct 2017: India Post had issued stamps in two designs on the Mumbai International Airport on 15th October. I will provide some details on the stamp designs and other information in the next few days.

Canada-India Joint Issue: Diwali

India Post and Canada Post had been planning on issuing their first ever joint stamps at least since November 2016. India Post's stamp program for 2017 actually listed joint issue with Canada in two themes, but I'm not sure what was the plan for the second theme. Top officials from India Post and Canada Post met in Toronto in February 2017 to put an agreement in place to design and release stamps in September 2017 to celebrate the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali. These stamps were subsequently designed and issued on 21st September. Canada Post had remained silent on the issuance date and designs for these stamps until the day of issue, but the Indian Government had announced the release in the last week of August. The federal government's Cabinet was informed of the joint issue with Canada on 30th August 2017.

Two stamp designs were used by both postal administrations to depict the Diwali festival. Gerald Querubin of Entro Communications designed the Canadian version and Alka Sharma created the art work for the Indian side. Both countries used the same stamp designs and the issuance date for the joint issue. Canada post issued the two stamps as 'Permanent' rate in a booklet of 10 stamps whereas India Post issued one stamps in Rupees 5 and the other one in Rupees 25 denomination. India Post also issued a souvenir sheet that has both the Rupees 5 and 25 stamps. Canada Post issued a Siamese twin souvenir sheet, which contains the Canadian stamp in C$2.50 and the Indian stamp in Rupees 25 denomination. Lowe Martin printed the Canadian stamp booklet and the joint souvenir sheet whereas Security Printing Press, Hyderabad printed the Indian stamps and souvenir sheet.

The stamps were issued on 21st September, in two ceremonies at the home of the High Commissioner of Canada to India in New Delhi and at the City Hall in Toronto.

Diwali festival is celebrated in the Kartik month of the Hindu calendar. The festival celebrates the triumph of goodness over evil. Goodness is symbolized by light and evil by darkness. Many Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists take part in these annual festivities. A few weeks before Diwali all places of worship, work or living are cleaned and decorated. Many communities follow cultural traditions by lighting small oil lamps (called diya), cooking sweets and festival feast and by creating art patters (called rangoli) using paint or flowers. Families and friends also take part in fireworks displays and visit elders to get their blessings. Many businesses prepare new account books and pray for god fortune. Diwali is celebrated based on many historical/mythological events, which vary in different communities. One of the beliefs is that Lord Ram returned home on the day of Diwali, after fourteen years of exile.

One can buy the Indian stamps from ePostOffice and the Candian ones from Canada Post.

Stamp a Trip to Jadughar

Indian Museum (also known as Jadughar in the bygone era) has been a repository of art, artifacts, sculpture and rarities for over 200 years. It celebrated its bicentennial in 2014 with celebrations throughout the year. A souvenir sheet of three postage stamps was released in February 2014 to commemorate the occasion. This stamp sheet was prepared with images of masks, paintings and sculptures from the museum's collection. Another stamp was released as part of the Museums of India stamp set in July 1978. This stamp (see image below) showed a 2nd century BC. sculpture from Besnagar, Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh. A banyan tree, considered a wish-fulfilling one, is surrounded by a fence. Above the fence a lotus, a conch shell and vase with coins are depicted. This sculpture, believed to have been a part of a pillar is now placed at the main entrance of the Indian Museum.

During a visit to the museum in 2015, it was noticed that most of the galleries were either closed or were under renovation. Even though only about 20% of the museum was accessible, some images are from that trip to the museum. One big change that was noticeable was the removal of the fountain in the central portico of the museum's iconic building. Now this open space is used for staged events. See in the image below (first row), last two images show the current state and an old image with the fountain and a four directional path leading to it. Laid in three rows below are images of the objects used to design the recent stamp souvenir sheet. It provides a decent insight into the collection of this museum. That said, in its current state, the museum is best viewed virtually. All galleries and collections must be spruced up and opened at the earliest for visitors to enjoy a trip in history.

Artifacts from Indian Museum, Kolkata used to design the stamp Souvenir Sheet

First row (left to right): Sculpture (2nd BCE) from a railing leading to a gateway in Bharhut Gallery, main building without the fountain (current state) and main building with fountain (old image)

Second row (left to right): Papier mache Ganesha mask (20th c.), Bamboo-clay-cloth mask of Aristhasura (21st c.) used for Satriya Dance in Assam, Bamboo-clay-cloth mask of Baghasura (21st c.) used for Satriya Dance in Assam, Wooden mask of Kali (20th c.) used for Kali Nach in Malda and Papier mache-cloth-clay-tinsel Durga mask (21st c.) by Kanchan Sutradhar used for Chhau Dance in Purulia

Third row (left to right): Turkey cock by Ustad Mansur (1612 AD) using Gouache on paper, Buddha sculpture in Bhumisparsa Mudra (11th c.) from Chittagong in Bangladesh, Siva the archer (19th c.) in Kangra Pahari style using Gouache on paper and Kalpasutra (17th c.) Jainism painting in Western Indian style using Gouache on paper

Souvenir Sheet of Stamps released in 2014 to celebrate the bicentennial of Indian Museum, Kolkata

Design: Sankha Samanta

The image on the left of the stamp sheet is a 10-11th c. sandstone sculpture from Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh) showing a mother with three children, one in her arms and two standing on both sides. Images for this sculpture and another painting (next to the masks in the stamp sheet) could not be obtained for sharing here.

A stamp from 1978 Museums of India stamp set depicted Kalpavriksha, wish-fulfilling tree