This was a funny item which I have won bidding from the ebay. It was actually a private cachet for the hornbill issue. The cover was not of the original size from the normal. I would guess that it is something like 7" x 9". Apparently someone have mass produced this item as I have seen it in ebay more than once. From the printing work, I would also guess that someone have mass produced this item in the olden days.
The cover was well theame with picture featuring the hornbill. The drawing should be water colored and they really look nice. However, there was one odd thing which I can't really figure out until now: "Why does a hornbill go along with a parrot?"
Can any reader of this blog solve this puzzle. I have done some research and found out that the parrot is actually "Sulphur-crested Cockatoo"
The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is a large white parrot. It has a dark grey-black bill, a distinctive sulphur-yellow crest and a yellow wash on the underside of the wings. Sexes are similar, although the female can be separated at close range by its red-brown eye (darker brown in the male). This is a noisy and conspicuous cockatoo, both at rest and in flight. Young Sulphur-crested Cockatoos resemble the adults.
The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo's range extends throughout the northern and eastern Australia mainland, and Tasmania. A small population has become established around Perth, Western Australia. The species also occurs in New Guinea and the Aru Islands, and has been introduced into New Zealand and Indonesia.
See what I meant? This bird does not even origin from Malaysia (except in the Zoo or pet shop). Why would it go along with the Malaysia hornbill on this cover? Could this cover be made off-shore (not in Malaysia). My guess would be the Australia made this as I have seen quite a fair bit of parrot in Brisbane.
Anybody have the answer to this mistery is welcome to share.
Before starting today blog, I wish to say sorry to all the fan of this blog as there was no update for like one month long. The fact was that I had migrated to Australia. To get use to the environment here and start my life all anew really took some time. I have just got my internet hook up and thus can continue to write philately blog again. YEAH!!
I am also starting to collect Australia philately items. So perhaps the I would share some with you all in "Uniquely Australia" blog next time.. who knows.
" MALPEX'89 Exhibition Cover"
MALPEX was held in 1989 in Manara Maybank from 24 March to 2 April (10 days). I have no idea how large the event was but it was surely great for a 10 days event. The cover illustrate a Malaysia flag with Menara Maybank (at Jalan pudu) at the side.
The exhibition covers as above have preprinted 20 sen "stamp" on it feature the Oil Palm. The agricaltural series is the longest states definitives series in malaysia.
"Daily cancellation"
As with most of the stamp exhibition, daily cancellation was available. However, no exhibition cancellation noted. The cancellation featured the usual staff: hibiscus, map of malaysia, stamp, Pos Malaysia logo, Maybank logo, Visit Malaysia Year etc. Nothing too interesting except they have shapes like octagon and oval.
"Malpex - Youth Day"
Among the exhibition, I have recently discovered this to be an intereting cover. Well, this item actually fall under a thematic collection of "stamp under glass". It is basically featuring stamp, cancellation or cover with stamp under manifying glass. I have not heared about this theme until I visited the webside by Judy Hornady here.
Go there and have a look at that webside. I hope you can enjoy it as I am.
It has always been a good thing that Pos Malaysia allowed the public to do their own first day cover and have it stamp at the counter. From my understanding, some postal service in country like Singapore and Australia would not let the philatelist do that anymore. All FDCs have to be pre-order. It will then be readily-made and be collected/sent to the buyer after they are issue. Thus, in Malaysia, with some creativity and delicate hand, you can make a one-and-only-special FDC.
Pos Malaysia stamps often have very nice design on the no-value tab. you will only get a tab if you buy full pane of stamp (normally in the amount of 20 stamp per pane). For this issue, I have bought a oversize blank cover and arrange the stamp side-by-side with its tab, creating a very nice visual effect.
But now looking at it, I should have make the red on top, yellow in the middle and green at the bottom. It will then look like a traffic light. hehehehe.
Year 2000 was a crazy year where Pos Malaysia had issued so many stamps that make every philatelist SICK!!
Just have a look at the 2000 stamp week issues as above. It has 14v stamp and a miniature sheet. There are also 2 kind of covers available. This is more than any of the devinitive issues ever introduced by Pos Malaysia.
However, quality wise, this issue is still very pretty and induced high demand. The flowers stamps are very nicely design. The stamp week cancellation and the daily stamp week cancellations are also superb.
1991 Malaysian Airline - First Flight to Kaoh Siung, Taiwan
China has commenced its first commercial flight to Taiwan at 4 july 2008 after 6 decades. Have you every wonder when is Malaysia first flight to Taiwan? Well, according to the cover as above, the first flight to Kaah Siong, Taiwan by Malaysian Airline was as at 1 April 1991. Please note that it was coincidently at April Fool Day!!
"Special First Flight Cancellation" "Received cancellation from Taiwan"
As usual, the first flight cover ("FFC") has got the first flight pictorial cancellation from MAS and also the return cancellation from taiwan at the back.
How often did you look at a stamp/cover and have the feeling "ah!! I have been there!!". Well, this FFC showing the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas reminded me of the sweet memories we (me and my girlfriend - who is now my wife) had when we pay a visit to Taiwan.
No joke!! I have really been there. See the picture below:
Me and the girl of my life having a picture in front of the pagodas. We are so in love back then (and still is now) and everything around us just become sooo... magically beautiful. The pagodas is situated in the Lotus Lake. The dragon's throat is the entrance and the tiger's mouth is the exit. Entering a dragon's throat and coming out a tiger's mouth symboilizes turning bad luck to good fortune. Inside, paintings depict China's 24 most obedient sons as well as scenes of heaven and hell to inspire people to do good deeds during their lifetime, and to provide threatening examples of retribution for wrongdoing
We came out from the tiger mouth!!
About 700 meters to the north of the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas are Spring and Autumn Pavilions (which can be seen at the pic above). These two pavilions are dedicated to Kuan Kung, the God of War, the Spring and Autumn Pavilions were completed in 1951. In front of the pavilions is a statue of Kuanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, riding a dragon. According to legend, Kuanyin appeared above the clouds riding on a dragon, signifying that believers must erect an image depicting this event between "pavilions of summer and autumn": The present-day structures are a result of this vision.
Wau, this is the first time in my blogging history where I have showed my real face. Hope you don't find me exceptionally handsome and fall in love with me, or another way round.
Till next time, hope you are happily in love, blessed with good health and good fortune!!
Another 3 very interesting exhibition covers. These 3 covers were issued to commemorate the YMCA Stamp Club Exhibition in Penang from 5th to 7th December 1986. The event was held in YMCA Hall in Macalister Road, Penang (the current full address is 211, Jalan Macalister, 10450 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia).
All 3 exhibition covers are affixed with the state definitive flower series stamp and cancelled with the daily exhibition pictorial cancellation. Each day have a different theme:
5 Dec - Stamp Club Day: To promote YMCA Stamp Club and attract more member
6 Dec - Stamp Collecting Day: To promote stamp collecting hobby.
7 Dec - Pesta Pulau Pinang Day: To promote Penang tourism. Pesta Penang is often held in December month where fun park is set up for public to enjoy the fun.
"Original YMCA Emblem"
YMCA actually stand for "Young Men's Christian Association". The above is their original emblem. First, there is a double circle. One circle is for the completeness and unity of life relating to the universe and to all the laws of nature. The second circle has the symbolism of a wedding ring-friend, love without end among individuals. Within these two circles the rest of the emblem is placed. They are the Greek letters Chi Rho. These are the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ and are themselves the emblem of early Christianity.
There is the double triangle:The large triangle stand for the trinity within the Godhead; that of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and represents the complete cooperation and unity between them in trying to show the world the true way of life.The second triangle stands for the trinity within men – that of the spirit, mind and body. Here there is where part of our work fits in, that of developing the life of youth into the fullness of growth. And then in the centre is the Bible, the Holy Scriptures, open to Christ’s intercessory prayer; the Gospel of John, the 17th Chapter and the 21st verse which reads:
“THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE; AS THOU, FATHER, ART IN ME, AND I IN THEE, THAT THEY ALSO MAY BE ONE IN US; THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE THAT THOU HAST SENT ME.”
YMCA is originally open to cristian only. However, it is now also open to non-christian. Thus, the emblem has also changed to the below:
The RED TRIANGLE with the three equal sides is the well-known YMCA symbol. It represents the equal development of the person SPIRITUALLY, MENTALLY and PHYSICALLY.
In 1986, YMCA Stamp Club prove to be a active club by holding such a meaningful stamp exhibition. However, the club has now ceased to exist. The only club which still exist currently in YMCA penang are Amasteur Radia Club, Ballroom Dance Club and Toastmasters Club.
YMCA always put in effort in ascertain the well-being of the society. They are a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating and promoting the spiritual, mental, physical and social development of individuals thereby making them responsible citizens of our country. YMCA seek to transcend all divisions and barriers of class, race, sex, nationality and political opinion through our various programs i.e. recreational and social programs, youth programs to direct the youth towards healthy recreational activities.
Lastly, I conclude this blog by dedicating this song to all of you:
This is another exciting cover for a Philatelic and Numismatic Exhibition held in Ipoh, Perak in 1985. The exhibition is held in Tun Razak Library, a very well known landmark in Ipoh town. See below for a picture of the magnificant structure.
"Perpustakaan Tun Razak, Jalan Kelab, 30000 Ipoh"
The word "numimastic" may sound very foreign for a lot of people. But is actually mean "coins" in Greek. Numimastic is the scientific study of currency and its history in all its varied forms. While numismatists are often characterized as students or collectors of coins, the discipline also includes a much larger study of payment media used to resolve debts and the exchange of goods. Lacking a structured monetary system, people in the past as well as some today lived in a barter society and used locally found items of inherent or implied value. Early money used by primitive people is referred to as "Odd and Curious", but the use of other goods in barter exchange is excluded, even where used as a circulating currency (e.g., prison cigarettes). The Kyrgyz people used horses as the principal currency unit and gave small change in lambskins. The lambskins may be suitable for numismatic study, but the horse is not. Many objects have been used for centuries, such as conch shells, precious metals and gems.
Today, most transactions take place by a form of payment with either inherent, standardized or credit value. Numismatic value may be used to refer to the value in excess of the monetary value conferred by law. This is also known as the "collector's value" or "intrinsic value."
Stamps and Its "Value"
Stamp, in many ways, mimics the numimastic development process. It is a product perceived to have its "value", due to a guaranteed postal services to be provided by the Post Office. But in modern time, do stamp still have a "value" in prepaying for postal services?
For business level, most of our corporate/comercial letter does not use stamp anymore. They have used machine cancellation in replace of the process of pasting stamp on each letters they are to send. For individual level, letter writing are replaced by SMS and email. The used of stamp in letter posting had significantly less as compared to 10 years ago (where handphone and internet are still at their baby stage). With lesser stamp being used in daily life, kids from the 80's can not associate them as "hobby". Face it!! kids nowadays don't brag about having more stamps. They brag about having PSP or tons of kills they got from a DOTA game.
Is philatelic a dying hobby? Perhaps. . . But it is still my greatest fun at the current moment.
PS: if you don't know what is a "PSP" and "DOTA", you are either pretty old, or getting too off-track with the Y-generation.
This sovenir cover is special in the sense that it was issued to commemorate a non-philatelic event. This did not happen quite often in the Malaysia philatelic history and certainly a first time for a basketball championship.
In case you are asking, "MKSAK" stands for Majlis Kebudayaan dan Sukan Anggota Kerajaan, or Malaysia Cultural and Sports Organisation for Government Servants. This organisation later changed its name to MAKSAK "Majlis Kebajikan dan Sukan Anggota Kerajaan", Malaysia Welfare and Sports Organisation for Government Servants.
The cover is nicely designed using shadowline art to illustrate two players fighting for a rebound. With just a few strokes, it clearly illustrates the tense and energy involved between the players, which is an excellent presentation.
"Souvenior Cover Back"
The cover was affixed with 15 1c national flower series stamps from all states, which signified the participation from all states. The stamps on the front of the cover were cancelled with Genting Highland "k" postmarks. The stamps on the back of the cover were cancelled with Genting Highland "m" postmarks.
I am very impressed with the "m" postmarks at the back of the cover. The postmark is very big and cancelled SIX stamps at one chop. Another special feature for this cancellation is that is actually showed the time of cancellation, 4.30pm, which is quite unusual and hard-to-come-about.
Sports is really important for all. I believe that even philately enthutiast should stay active to be healthy. Come on !!! Get some slam dunk action happening and don't lazzz in front of the computer reading blog !!! (except for reading some interesting blog like this one) .... Cheers.
Pos Malaysia had issued a very nice stamp and FDC, "Heliconia and its botanical relatives", for the 1999 Stamp Week. 10 stamps with the 30c value has been issued with different flower design. This issue help me to realise that there are so many kind of plant from the Heliconia family.
1999 Stamp week is held from 29 November to 5 December 1999 at the Dayabumi Complex, Pos Malaysia headquarter. 7 daily pictorial cancellations and 1 stamp week cancellations are introduced. The daily cancellations show different outlook of heliconia plant from various family group.
"Special stamp week cover"
The highlight for this stamp week was a special stamp week cover as shown above. The cover was printed with a extended art of the Heliconia sheetlet. You are to pasted the 10v stamp on the cover (at designated position in the middle) and it would look like an "enlarged art version" for the sheetlet.
Bright colours are used for this set of stamp and cover and thus make it look a bit chaotic. However, it is still a very nice cover for all specialised collectors. I would suggest to have this cover framed and hang on the wall as decoration (this could look really nice and eye catching!!).
However, please keep this special cover AWAY from direct sunlight. The ink used for this printing are not as good as you think and the colour of the cover may fade if expose under constant sunlight.
1996 International Aviation Exposition: Malaysia-Chiana Joint-Issue Cover
"Cover Front"
"Cover Back"
This is a cover jointly issued by China and Malaysia to commemorate the first International Aviation Expo being held in China in 1996. This joint issue cover is the the first-of-its-kind for Malaysia jointly issue philately items.
What is unique about this issue is that it is a "jointly issued cover" and not "jointly issued stamp". However, the description on the back is a little confusing:
"In order to congratulate '96 China International Aviation Exposition Held in China for the First time, we issued this commemorative stamp jointly"
The mandarin description however said that it is a jointly issued cover and not stamp. The mandarin description is correct. Only a joint issue cover issued and not the stamp.
The Expo, also known as Airshow China, is the only international aerospace exhibition in China that is approved by the Chinese Central Government, features real-size object display, trade disscussions, technical exchanges and flying display. Since the advent of Airshow China in 1996, it has been successfully held for 7 times and growing rapidly into one of the most influential international airshows in the Asian-Pacific Region and an ideal gateway to the vast Chinese market for aerospace companies from around the world.
The picture above shows the Malaysia cancellation of the '96 China International Aviation Exposition by POS Malaysia. The cancellation shows the building structure where the Expo is held, in Zhuhai, one of China's five special economic zones. The China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition is a biennial event.
As you may notice, the stamp affixed was not a Malaysia stamp. Instead, it is a United Nation stamp with denomination of 32c. I have got this cover from a China stamp collector. According to her, this could be due to the Pos Malaysia have not bring sufficient stamp and thus a United Nation stamp is used. As Malaysia is a member of UN, this should be legal... I think.
