Hello, just back from Hong Kong and of course while there, as I may have mentioned the last time I wrote, I visited the Mong Kok stamp arcade. Wonderful few hours spent looking through the little shops there. I even managed to pick up a few stamps. Just a few :-) will show tomorrow. Tonight a couple of pictures of the place. Two floors of many dealers. As I say, wonderful time. Do go there if you are ever in Hong Kong. Michael

Hello everyone. In response to last nights writing I received this information. Just goes to show how good it is we can all learn from each other if we share out knowledge. That lovely sheet is firstly celebrating 2 Royal silver weddings (25 years), King George & Queen Elizabeth's in 1948, and Queen Elizabeth & Prince Philip's in 1972; and secondly, the Stampex twentieth anniversary (1973). Now I feel good. Thanks to Jill from Melbourne Australia. Tonight, and in keeping with Royal themes I thought you might like to see this lovely MS. It is Fiji MUH 1985 - SG MS 705 with a Catalogue value of £3.50. And, shameless plug, I apologise, but cannot resist, because how else will you know if I don't tell you :-) it is in my Bidstart Store at http://www.bidstart.com/stores/michaelatcddstamps lot number click here http://stampwants-stamps.bidstart.com/Fiji-MUH-1985-SG-MS-705-/32995462/a.html Enjoy your stamps and the wonderful knowledge they can can bring to you. Michael www.cddstamps.com

Hello, well in response to last nights blog I received this, as well as other details from readers. Thought this might be interesting for you all Thanks for reading the blog and your emails. and thanks to Ramana from Hyderabad. H. H. Sir Sri Rama Varma III, Maharaja of Cochin, 1932-1941 Rama Varma III was also known as Chowarayil Theepeta Thampuran. In 1938 Perkins, Bacon & Co. discontinued the contract with the state of Cochin, and an Indian firm began printing the stamps by lithographic process. Thus, two very different printings are found during the reign of Rama Varma III—those beautifully recess printed by Perkins, Bacon & Co., and those of the less-attractive offset printed variety. It's important to learn to distinguish between these printings. The recess printed stamps are brighter, and the design appears slightly raised (looking at the back of the stamp, one can usually see an embossed image of the design). The litho, or offset, stamps are entirely flat, and the general appearance is dull in comparison. All Cochin stamps after 1938 were offset printed. From 1933 to 1938, 11 values (2p, 4p, 6p, 1a, 1a8p, 2a, 2¼a, 3a, 3a4p, 6a8p, 10a) were recess printed by Perkins, Bacon & Co. The entire set is quite attainable in both used and unused condition. In 1938, five values (2p, 4p, 6p, 1a, 2¼a) were offset printed by The Associated Printers in Madras. The 1a brown-orange [Sc 57A/SG 70] is scarce, and the rest of the set is inexpensive in both mint and used condition. In 1939, 1a stamps were overprinted "ANCHAL" for postal purposes (those not overprinted were used for revenue purposes). Here an understanding of the two printing types is useful. The recess printed 1a overprinted "ANCHAL" is quite common in used and mint condition, but the litho printed variety [Sc 59/SG 73] is rare in mint state. However, a slightly different "ANCHAL" was also printed on the litho, and it is very common in both used and unused condition. From 1942 to 1944, both recess and offset printed stamps were surcharged. It is difficult to obtain a complete set of the surcharged overprints, as many of them are scarce to rare. The official overprints of Rama Varma III are complex and beyond the scope of this introductory article. The combinations of overprint types, underlying print types, surcharges, and perforations is enough to keep the advanced collector busy for many years.

IPDA 10 Year Anniversary

On the 23rd February 2012 the Internet Philatelic Dealers Association commemorates its 10th Anniversary. We will be issuing a special Anniversary Cover to members and holding a 24 hour chat for all in the philatelic community. Details can be found on our website at IPDA

The IPDA was formed in 2002 by a group of stamp dealers who had a vision that the internet, and web based services including online e-commerce and online auctions, would fundamentally change the philatelic industry.

The vision that the internet would impact dealers and sellers of stamps, as well as collectors, has turned out to be a reality today.

While there are thousands of sellers across the various internet channels today and while many are professional dealers, there are also many that are casual sellers and many that are simply individuals with a few stamps to sell and often with limited knowledge of the subject material they are selling.

The IPDA is now a group of dealers and part time sellers who believe there is a need for a global organisation to represent them and to endorse them as accredited sellers to the global internet buying community.

The IPDA believes, and has seen proof, that the reach of the internet will expand the market place.

Membership of the IPDA offers a dealer or part time seller the opportunity to be accredited, and it offers buyers some security that the dealers or sellers they are buying from are accredited.

The services provided to members are under constant review. New services are added as and when required. Some of our current services are:-

Monthly Newsletter.

The Web Site at IPDA
Chat Room IPDA Chatroom accessed from our Web Site. It is open 24/7.

Confidential List — The List records the names and addresses of individuals / businesses who have been reported for using unethical or fraudulent practices.

The IPDA is an affiliated chapter of the American Philatelic Society (APS) APS

Boats and Fauna 2011

Boats and Whales

Portuguese new issue 2011



1st Day Cancellation:


Enjoy!

41st Asiago International Award for Philatelic Art

Congratulations PORTUGAL!!!!

The Jury of the 41st Asiago International Award for Philatelic Art (Vicenza, Italy) awarded best prize in the TOURISM category to PORTUGAL CTT with the issue "Elevadores Publicos de Portugal":

Happy Collecting!

Sri Lanka

Sea Shells in a Sea Shell ;))

Happy Collecting!!!